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′).

An automated warehouse unit includes two rows of fixed conveyors conveying the storage target object in a first direction, a receiving-side transfer unit provided on one end portion side of the two rows and extending in a second direction, and a shipping-side transfer unit provided on the other end portion side of the two rows and extending in the second direction. Each transfer unit includes a moving device configured to reciprocally move a moving body in the second direction between a position facing one fixed conveyor in the fixed conveyors and a position facing the other fixed conveyor in the fixed conveyors, and a transportation conveyor supported by the moving body and configured to transfer the storage target object to the two rows s in the first direction.

The loading of one or more multi-track pick-and-place devices with formations of products from an interim store including buffer-storage belts arranged in a number of planes takes place by means of a lifting device arranged at the exit of the interim store. The lifting device has a height-adjustable platform, on which conveyor belts which run transversely to the conveying direction of the buffer-storage belts are arranged. The conveyor belts can be displaced horizontally in the conveying direction of the buffer-storage belts and can be rotated through an angle between 0° and 90°.

A manufacturing machine includes a feeding system that has first and second processing conveyors arranged in series along the processing path, and a transfer unit interposed between there-between that cyclically transfers the products from the first processing conveyor to the second processing conveyor, picking up the products in a pick-up station arranged in the area of the first processing conveyor and releasing the products in a release station arranged in the area of the second processing conveyor. The transfer unit has a plurality of trays, each having a series of seats designed to house a product, a moving system, which cyclically moves the trays between the pick-up and release stations, a first transferring and second transfer devices arranged in the pick-up station and release stations, respectively to transfer the products from the first processing conveyor to a tray, and from a tray to the second processing conveyor, respectively.

A device and method for temporarily storing stacks of piece goods which are provided in a clocked manner at a transfer point integrated in the device or adjacent to the device of a system for producing food products, in particular chocolate products, comprising: one or more storage points, a delivery point, a transport apparatus for moving the stacks of piece goods in the direction of transport; and a manipulator by means of which the transfer point, the delivery point as well as the storage points arranged therebetween can be approached; wherein at least one piece of goods of a stack of piece goods, preferably a plurality of piece goods of a stack of piece goods, can be transferred at once to the delivery point by the manipulator; wherein the stacks of piece goods can be separated at the delivery point and fed to a downstream section of the system; and wherein the flow of stacks of piece goods provided at the transfer point can be decoupled from the downstream section of the system by successively occupying the storage points.

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.

An illustrative example tube handling machine includes a lifter configured to receive a plurality of tubes when at least a portion of the lifter is at a first position. The lifter is configured to lift the plurality of tubes to a second, higher vertical position. A plurality of cells are respectively configured for at least temporarily holding the plurality of tubes. A first one of the cells is situated to receive the plurality of tubes from the lifter at the second vertical position. The cells are situated relative to each other such that the plurality of tubes can be sequentially transferred among the cells from the first one of the cells to a last one of the cells that releases the plurality of tubes to a delivery location.

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′).

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 temporary store for buffering and feeding piece-goods-like foods from production to packaging by means of peripherally-circulating product carrier baskets (1) consists of an inlet area (3) and an outlet area (4) for loading and unloading the product carrier baskets, as well as accumulation sections (2) connected therebetween for filled and emptied product carrier baskets. The accumulation sections are arranged one above the other and overhead.