A method and a device for buffering containers in a container treatment plant are disclosed. The containers are stored in single rows by at least one inlet conveyor belt in an inlet direction, are shifted in single rows on a buffer surface transversely adjacent by shuttles with row pushers guided on rails and driven individually into a buffer direction extending transversely to the inlet direction in single rows, and are withdrawn by at least one outlet conveyor belt adjacent to the buffer surface in the buffer direction in an outlet direction extending transversely to the buffer direction, or by at least one planar motor armature that can be driven towards the buffer surface and that is in particular driven two-dimensionally. Thus, the containers can be decelerated/accelerated with respect to the inlet/outlet conveyor belt in a controlled manner.

Items are sorted into target points that are logically linked to their destination. The target points are arranged in a matrix array and in a first plane. One or more destinations can be logically assigned, at least temporarily, to the target points. First sorting conveyors run in a first direction and have discharge modules which can be actuated by a sorting controller. The conveyors are arranged in a second plane above the first plane and run between rows of target points. The discharge modules in the first sorting conveyors can serve target points on both sides of the sorting conveyors with sorting items intended for these target points. A pre-sorting conveyor with discharge modules is arranged laterally of the array of target points and is controlled to pass a sorting item to the sorting conveyor that serves the target point intended for this sorting item.

Items are sorted into target points that are logically linked to their destination. The target points are arranged in a matrix array and in a first plane. One or more destinations can be logically assigned, at least temporarily, to the target points. First sorting conveyors run in a first direction and have discharge modules which can be actuated by a sorting controller. The conveyors are arranged in a second plane above the first plane and run between rows of target points. The discharge modules in the first sorting conveyors can serve target points on both sides of the sorting conveyors with sorting items intended for these target points. A pre-sorting conveyor with discharge modules is arranged laterally of the array of target points and is controlled to pass a sorting item to the sorting conveyor that serves the target point intended for this sorting item.

A multi-angle sorter having an omnidirectionally endless conveyor belt surrounding a polygonal frame to form a belt-frame assembly supported atop a roller drive including multiple pairs of diagonally opposite roller sets. Each pair of roller sets is arranged to drive the belt in a corresponding angular direction. A grid sorter comprises a grid of intersecting conveyor lines composed of multi-angle sorters at the intersections in line with conventional bidirectional conveyors.

A multi-angle sorter having an omnidirectionally endless conveyor belt surrounding a polygonal frame to form a belt-frame assembly supported atop a roller drive including multiple pairs of diagonally opposite roller sets. Each pair of roller sets is arranged to drive the belt in a corresponding angular direction. A grid sorter comprises a grid of intersecting conveyor lines composed of multi-angle sorters at the intersections in line with conventional bidirectional conveyors.

A stacked-package detection system for a matrix sorter detects stacked packages by comparing weight or dimension measurements on primary sorters from those measurements on secondary sorters. Weight or dimension increases for a package on a secondary sorter indicate a stack of packages. A recirculation system diverts packages identified on the secondary sorters as stacked packages back into bulk flow to be reprocessed by the primary or secondary sorters.

A turnout for use with two transport sections includes a turnout arm rotatably supported with respect to a first axis of rotation, guided in a linearly movably in the direction of the first axis, and movable between two end positions. The turnout arm has a deflection surface configured such that, when the turnout arm is in a first end position, a transported item can be transferred between the first and second transport sections via the deflection surface, and the turnout arm is located beneath the transport level in a second end position such that the transported item is movable along the first transport section beyond the turnout. The turnout arm is connected for driving, via a transmission, to a single electric motor such that it is movable back and forth between the first and second end positions solely by being driven by the electric motor in two degrees of freedom.

The present invention relates to a conveying apparatus for tampon applicators 100, having a first conveyor track 2, which comprises two transport belts 3.1, 3.2 which are arranged spaced apart from each other. The transport belts each have a bearing axis L1, L2. The conveying apparatus according to the invention furthermore has a first conveyor drive 4 for driving at least one of the two spaced-apart transport belts 3.1, 3.2, and transport belts which are arranged spaced apart from each other in such a manner that a tampon applicator 100 which is to be conveyed rests on the two transport belts in an intermediate space D between the transport belts. The bearing axes L1, L2 of the transport belts 3.1, 3.2 are arranged parallel; in particular in the case of transport belts having the same conveying direction F. The present invention furthermore relates to a method of conveying tampon applicators.

The present invention relates to a conveying apparatus for tampon applicators 100, having a first conveyor track 2, which comprises two transport belts 3.1, 3.2 which are arranged spaced apart from each other. The transport belts each have a bearing axis L1, L2. The conveying apparatus according to the invention furthermore has a first conveyor drive 4 for driving at least one of the two spaced-apart transport belts 3.1, 3.2, and transport belts which are arranged spaced apart from each other in such a manner that a tampon applicator 100 which is to be conveyed rests on the two transport belts in an intermediate space D between the transport belts. The bearing axes L1, L2 of the transport belts 3.1, 3.2 are arranged parallel; in particular in the case of transport belts having the same conveying direction F. The present invention furthermore relates to a method of conveying tampon applicators.

A grouping station includes first conveyor tracks for moving loading pallets to the grouping station and second conveyor tracks for forwarding the loading pallets from the grouping station. The first conveyor tracks and the second conveyor tracks are both arranged for two different handling directions of the loading pallets.