Buffer device for buffering containers, with an inlet, an inlet manipulator, a first buffer system, a transposition device, a second buffer system, an outlet manipulator, and an outlet, where containers can be transferred by the inlet manipulator from the inlet to the first buffer system and can be transported along a first direction in the first buffer system, where the transposition device can transfer containers from the first buffer system to the second buffer system, and the containers can be transported in the second buffer system along a second direction that is opposite to the first direction, and the containers can be removed from the second buffer system by the outlet manipulator and fed to the outlet, where the buffer capacity of the buffer device is adjustable.

The invention relates to a transfer device (20) apparatus (100) for continuously conveying items. The apparatus (100) has a store (10) having storage tracks (11), and a downstream conveyor track (30), wherein the transfer device (20) is arranged between the store (10) and the conveyor track (30) and is designed to transfer conveyable items from a storage track (11) to the downstream conveyor track (30). The transfer device (20) has: a feed component (21) to receive conveyable items from the selected storage track (11); a discharging component (23) to discharge the conveyable items onto the downstream conveyor track (30); and a transfer track (22) to transfer the conveyable items from the feed component (21) to the discharging component (23). The discharging component (23) is designed to be moved relative to the downstream conveyor track (30) so that continuous operation is possible when the storage track (11) is being changed over.

The present invention relates to a method for transferring products (1) between a main conveyor (2) which is configured to convey products in a longitudinal direction and an accumulation surface (3) using an intermediate conveyor (4) and a pushing means (5). The method comprises acceleration of the intermediate conveyor (4) and transfer of products (1) between the intermediate conveyor (4) and the main conveyor (2) via the action of the pushing means (5), and deceleration of the intermediate conveyor (4) and transfer of products (1) between the intermediate conveyor (4) and the accumulation surface (3). The present invention also relates to a device for transferring products (1) between a main conveyor (2) which is configured to convey products in a longitudinal direction and an accumulation surface (3), enabling in particular the method according to the invention to be carried out.

The invention concerns a conveying device (10) for conveying filled bags (1, 2), comprising a conveying unit (13) by which at least part of a conveying path (3) for conveying filled normal bags (1) can be formed from a feeding station (101) to a stacking area (105). The invention also concerns a system (100) for stacking filled bags (1, 2) and a method for stacking filled bags (1, 2).

The present concepts comprise various methods and apparatuses for the sorting of packages and other articles or objects in a cost- and time-efficient manner such that the life of the apparatuses for sorting and transporting said objects is extended. Likewise, the integrity of the conveyed articles is likewise maintained, such that the articles are not damaged or altered. This is done by detecting and rectifying Jamming, Overload, and Overflow. Another purpose of the concept is to eliminate the subjectivity of the human operator; stoppage due to the jamming or overload excepted.

An order-picking installation for the order picking of items, in particular items transported in a hanging state, includes at least one supply station having a plurality of parallel supply locations, by which the items to be picked are supplied into the order-picking installation, and at least one dispatch station having a plurality of parallel dispatch locations, by which the picked items are discharged for dispatch, wherein at least one interim store is provided, for the order picking of the items, between the supply station and the dispatch station. The interim store includes a dynamic store for the interim storage of the items provided for order picking as well as a retrieval store, arranged downstream of the dynamic store, and intended for storing items which have been removed from the dynamic store and pre-sorted in the process, the dynamic store and the retrieval store arranged within a common circulatory conveyor.

A device and method for providing temporary storage of dirty washing in a store in front of the continuous washing machines to be loaded. The laundry reaches the store by a first non-constant conveyor, is taken from the store by a second non-constant conveyor and transported to the continuous washing machine which is then loaded with this laundry. In commercial laundries, for example, continuous washing machines are loaded with dirty washing from laundry bags. The laundry bags hang from a rail transport system and are partly transported to the continuous washing machines under force of gravity. The laundry bags in the rail transport system establish the order of loading of the continuous washing machine. The rail transport systems are extremely susceptible to fault, in particular in their downward sloping sections for transport under force of gravity, and require a great deal of space in the laundry.

The present invention relates to a method for transferring products from an accumulation surface to an outlet conveyor configured to convey products in a longitudinal direction using an intermediate conveyor arranged between, and flush with, said accumulation surface and said outlet conveyor, and a pushing device the method comprises decelerating the intermediate conveyor and transferring the products between the accumulation surface and the intermediate conveyor by said pushing device and accelerating the intermediate conveyor end transferring the products from the intermediate conveyor to the outlet conveyor. The present invention also relates to a device for transferring products from an accumulation surface to an outlet conveyor, in particular one that is capable of carrying out the method according to the invention.

The present concepts comprise various methods and apparatuses for the sorting of packages and other articles or objects in a cost- and time-efficient manner such that the life of the apparatuses for sorting and transporting said objects is extended. Likewise, the integrity of the conveyed articles is likewise maintained, such that the articles are not damaged or altered. This is done by detecting and rectifying Jamming, Overload, and Overflow. Another purpose of the concept is to eliminate the subjectivity of the human operator; stoppage due to the jamming or overload excepted.

A continuous coil string staging system is provided herein that includes at least one coiler configured to output at least one continuous coil string, at least one assembler configured to assemble the at least one continuous coil string into a mattress assembly, and at least one coil string staging apparatus disposed between the at least one coiler and at the least one assembler. The at least one coil string staging apparatus can have an input, a staging buffer, and an output such that the coil string staging apparatus receives the at least one continuous coil string that is output from the at least one coiler and outputs the at least one continuous coil string to the assembler such that there is a buffer of coil string available to the assembler. Various coil string staging apparatuses and methods are also provided herein.