A buffer device for temporary storage and flow control in a product conveying system includes a plurality of vertically movable product holders at an inlet end and outlet end, and an elevator system for placing product holders in a conveying plane of the conveying system and vertically moving the product holders. The elevator system preferably includes a chain loop at the inlet end and a chain loop at the outlet end, both of which are equipped all around with product holders, and the chain loops can move in opposite directions.

Embodiments described herein relate to apparatuses and methods for chronological grouping of individual goods, the groups which are formed being displaced one after another out of a first into a second collecting zone in such a way that an oldest group is always displaced as far as a target position which is defined in the second collecting zone.

In a belt buffer including a plurality of buffer belts arranged one above the other, receiving edges of the buffer belts at entry and delivery edges of the buffer belts at an exit of the belt buffer are height-adjustable. The buffer belts can include a plurality of belt modules arranged one after the other.

A storage device (1) for storing transport units (3) includes a number of transport units (3), a number of storage lines (12a-12g) which are configured to store transport units (3), a feeding line (11) which is connected by a respective first switch point (111) to the storage lines (12a-12g), a measuring device (15) which is arranged on the feeding line (11) and which is configured to determine a respective extent of a transport unit (3), and a controller (16) which is connected to the measuring device (15) and to the first switch pointes (111) and which is configured to select a storage line (12a-12g) for storing the transport unit (3) on the basis of the extent of the transport unit (3) determined by the measuring device (15).

A high-density storage system for goods is described in which totes carrying the goods are storage in a storage structure and stored and retrieved by robotic carriers. The carriers move laterally and/or longitudinally along the exterior of the support structure and retrieve totes from the interior of the structure by manipulating rows of coupled totes. Totes at the ends of rows are quickly removed and stored in another row until the desired tote appears at the end of the row, at which point the carrier proceeds with the tote to the exit point of the storage system. Storing totes is also a quick action by pushing them into any row. As a tote is pushed into the row, it will automatically couple with a tote inside the row that it comes into contact with.

A product flow regulator for temporary storage of products includes a frame, a conveying mechanism, and product carrier gondolas, which are conveyed with products from a product inlet area to a product outlet area and back empty. The frame includes a stationary guide track, along which the product carrier gondolas circulate self-controlled. The gondolas includes a drive mechanism and electrical control devices, which enable individual independent circulation.

A buffer device for temporary storage and flow control in a product conveying system includes a plurality of vertically movable product holders at an inlet end and outlet end, and an elevator system for placing product holders in a conveying plane of the conveying system and vertically moving the product holders. The elevator system preferably includes a chain loop at the inlet end and a chain loop at the outlet end, both of which are equipped all around with product holders, and the chain loops can move in opposite directions.

A storage device (1) for storing transport units (3) includes a number of transport units (3), a number of storage lines (12a-12g) which are configured to store transport units (3), a feeding line (11) which is connected by a respective first switch point (111) to the storage lines (12a-12g), a measuring device (15) which is arranged on the feeding line (11) and which is configured to determine a respective extent of a transport unit (3), and a controller (16) which is connected to the measuring device (15) and to the first switch pointes (111) and which is configured to select a storage line (12a-12g) for storing the transport unit (3) on the basis of the extent of the transport unit (3) determined by the measuring device (15).

A method for storing cardboard tubes (2) in a storing unit according to the present invention comprising the following steps: providing a storage unit with an input section for the tubes (2), a storage section (AC) comprising a plurality of storing planes (13), an output section for the tubes (2), transfer means (3) for transferring the tubes (2) from the input section to the storage section, and discharge means for conveying the tubes (2) from the storing section to the output section; providing a plurality of cardboard tubes (2) in the input section (E) of said storage unit; transferring the tubes (2) from the input section of the storage unit to the storage section; storing a plurality of tubes (2) in said storage section (AC); transferring the tubes (2) from said storage section (AC) to said output section. The step of transferring the tubes (2) from said input section to said storage section involves more tubes (2) simultaneously, whereby a plurality of tubes (2) are transferred from said input section simultaneously on a plurality of storing planes (13) of the storage section (AC).

A method for feeding products of the tobacco industry, particularly snus, from a production machine to a packaging machine, includes making the products advance along an advancement direction; and feeding to the packaging machine groups of products(S) having a predetermined number of products; wherein this feeding of groups of products includes: in a position for receiving the products, placing the products inside containers that are brought to the receiving position one after another, by depositing a predetermined number of products inside each container, so as to form, inside each container, a group of products of predetermined number; and transporting the containers containing the formed groups of products to a position for delivery of the products to the packaging machine.