The disclosure relates to a buffer device and a method for buffering piece goods, in particular containers, bottles or packages, with a buffer area, a feed device for supplying piece goods to the buffer area, a discharge device for discharging piece goods from the buffer area. The device additionally comprises several circulating, independently drivable row pushers which can transport the piece goods in the direction of transport through the buffer area.

A method for transporting manufactured products from a first production machine to a second production machine via a conveying apparatus comprises receiving, at one end of the conveying apparatus, manufactured products produced by the first production machine. The manufactured products are transported at a speed of the conveying apparatus. The manufactured products are spaced apart from each other along the conveying apparatus such that an empty space is created between each manufactured product. The first production machine is stopped in response to a stoppage of the second production machine and the conveying apparatus is actuated to a second operating state that is configured to allow a manufactured product last output by the first production machine prior to the stop to be received by the conveying apparatus in the empty space nearest to the first production machine. The conveying apparatus is then stopped.

A method for transporting manufactured products from a first production machine to a second production machine via a conveying apparatus comprises receiving, at one end of the conveying apparatus, manufactured products produced by the first production machine. The manufactured products are transported at a speed of the conveying apparatus. The manufactured products are spaced apart from each other along the conveying apparatus such that an empty space is created between each manufactured product. The first production machine is stopped in response to a stoppage of the second production machine and the conveying apparatus is actuated to a second operating state that is configured to allow a manufactured product last output by the first production machine prior to the stop to be received by the conveying apparatus in the empty space nearest to the first production machine. The conveying apparatus is then stopped.

A conveyor device for conveying food products on a plurality of parallel conveyor tracks and for formatting the food products in a specific product format, especially for conveying and formatting stacks or interleaved units made of a plurality of slices of cheese or meat products is provided. The conveyor device fills a product gap on one of the conveyor tracks incoming on the input side with a food product so that on the output side all parallel conveyor tracks are supplied with the food products when a product gap is sensed. A corresponding method is also provided.

A processing system including a singulation system is disclosed. The singulation system includes a conveying system for moving objects to be processed from a source area along a first direction, a detection system for detecting objects at the conveying system, and for selecting certain selected objects for redistribution on the conveying system, and a movement redistribution system for redistributing the certain selected objects on the conveying system for providing a singulated stream of objects.

A processing system including a singulation system is disclosed. The singulation system includes a conveying system for moving objects to be processed from a source area along a first direction, a detection system for detecting objects at the conveying system, and for selecting certain selected objects for redistribution on the conveying system, and a movement redistribution system for redistributing the certain selected objects on the conveying system for providing a singulated stream of objects.

A compact collator for sorting and collating product containers includes a laner, a pattern conveyor, a cross-pusher assembly and a plurality of interchangeable inserts. The laner has a first movable conveyor for conveying product containers through the laner, and defines an infeed area. The pattern conveyor has a second movable conveyor positioned down-stream from the infeed area and off-set 90 degrees from the first moveable conveyor. The cross-pusher assembly includes a cross-pusher arm that the interchangeable inserts are configured to be engaged to. Each insert defines a unique face contour that corresponds to the profile shape of at least one type of product container.

A jump shuttle conveyor system is configured to receive formed food patties from a molding assembly of a patty forming machine. The system includes a lifting plate and belt assembly coupled to a frame which are configured to be indexed to different vertical positions relative to the frame. Formed food patties are received on a belt of the belt assembly thereon, and can be moved off of the belt onto a transfer shuttle conveyor system. An output conveyor system can be provided to receive the formed food patties.

A packaging device for packaging products in batches, during which the products travel along a conveying direction in order to be packaged and related method. The batches include at least two products, arranged transversely to the conveying direction. The device includes a feeder for receiving products travelling in single file through an upstream pick-up area and conveying same to a set-down area for later packaging. The feeder includes: in the pick-up area, a transfer unit for transferring products arriving in single file to the unit; and at least one position-controlled movable collector for receiving and then moving at least one product in a controlled manner from the transfer unit to the set-down area. The device also includes a conveyor in the set-down area, on which the collector deposits the product collected from the pick-up area.

An apparatus (10) for delivering particulate material (50) to a flowing stream of frozen confectionery material (40) to provide a single serving to a consumer, the apparatus comprising: a dispenser for the particulate material; and a dispenser for providing the flowing stream of confectionery material flowing vertically downwards from an outlet (22), the flowing stream having an outer surface; wherein the dispenser for the particulate material comprises a particulate material deposition device (12) for depositing the particulate material at a common particulate deposition location (30), and a plurality of chutes (26), each chute arranged to catch deposited particulate material and redirect it in a substantially horizontal direction to collide with the outer surface of the flowing stream of frozen confectionery, each chute (26) beginning at the common particulate deposition location (30) and spreading out from each other to each deposit the particulates at a different radial location around the flowing stream of frozen confectionery.