A method and a device for buffering containers in a container treatment system are disclosed. The containers enter into storage on an infeed conveyor belt in the infeed direction, are moved in a single row onto a transversely adjoining buffer area by rail-guided and individually driven shuttles with row pushers in a buffering direction running transverse to the infeed direction, and are removed from storage on an outfeed conveyor belt transversely adjoining in the buffering direction. The shuttles and the infeed/outfeed conveyor belts are controlled in dependence of target positions, target speeds and/or target accelerations stored specifically for the container type, and/or the shuttles are controlled in dependence of target positions, target distances and/or target speeds stored specifically for modes of operation for initializing and reading out the shuttles, for following preceding shuttles, and for moving to route positions.

A buffer conveyor comprises a drivable endless conveyor belt which successively follows a transport path from an input station to an output station and a return path. A frame includes two parallel transport path frame legs and a U-shaped transport path bridge. The transport path bridge includes a curved bridge portion and parallel bridge legs extending therefrom. Each transport path frame leg is provided with a transport path frame guide for a lateral contact side of the belt in outward direction as seen from the other frame leg. The transport path bridge is shaped such that along the curved bridge portion and respective twisted regions of the bridge legs adjacent to the curved bridge portion the belt has a transverse down-slope towards the inside of the U-shape and such that the lateral contact side (of the belt at said twisted regions is above the respective transport path frame guides.

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and driven individually into a buffer direction extending transversely to the inlet direction in single rows, and are withdrawn by at least one outlet conveyor belt adjacent to the buffer surface in the buffer direction in an outlet direction extending transversely to the buffer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.

A transfer device for use with a conveying apparatus for controlling the flow of articles, including a first conveyor and a second conveyor. The transfer device is disposed generally across and movable along the first and second conveyors. The transfer device includes a belt guide attached to the transfer device. The belt guide includes a base configured to attach to an actuating frame of the transfer device and a tension roller that slideably engages with a portion of the base to aid in conveying articles between the first conveyor and second conveyor.

A method and a device for buffering containers grouped in a single row in a filling system are described. For this purpose, the containers are entered into storage on at least one infeed conveyor belt in the infeed direction, moved in a single row onto a transversely adjoining buffer area by rail-guided and individually driven shuttles with row pushers in a buffering direction running transverse to the infeed direction, and are removed from storage on at least one outfeed conveyor belt transversely adjoining in the buffering direction. Due to the fact that the row pushers receive the containers in a single row in a guide channel formed/defined by an anterior row guide leading in the buffering direction and by a trailing posterior row guide, the groups of containers can be moved in the buffering direction and positioned precisely, quickly and secured against falling over without back pressure.

The invention relates to an accumulator device comprising an infeed conveyor with an endless conveying belt arranged for moving products in a first conveying direction, a substantially parallel outfeed conveyor with an endless conveying belt arranged for moving products in a second, opposing conveying direction, a transfer device provided in-between the infeed and outfeed conveyors, configured for transferring products from the infeed conveyor to the outfeed conveyor, the transfer device being moveable along the infeed and outfeed conveyors, wherein the transfer device comprises a first transfer element with first gripping means for horizontally engaging the products, a second transfer element, spaced-apart from the first transfer element, provided with second gripping means for horizontally engaging the products in cooperation with the first gripping means, wherein between the first and second circumference a transfer trajectory is defined, along which a distance between the first and second circumference, perpendicular to the transfer trajectory, is substantially constant and along which the first and second gripping means are arranged to be driven in a same transfer direction, such that a product can be gripped by the first and second gripping means at a gripping location on the infeed conveyor and transported along the transfer trajectory to a release location on the outfeed conveyor.

A cleaning system for a transporting and storing device having adjustable capacity for tobacco industry rod-like elements, the device comprising at least one circular conveyor located on a stationary support element of the device and at least one circular conveyor of the device located on a rotary support element, wherein the conveyors are arranged one above another. The cleaning system comprises a plurality of cleaning units attached to the support elements and oriented towards a transporting surface of the conveyor located below a corresponding cleaning unit of the plurality of cleaning units and configured to remove contaminations from the transporting surface of the conveyor. At least a first cleaning unit of the plurality of cleaning units is attached to the stationary support element and at least a second cleaning unit of the plurality of cleaning units is attached to the rotary support element.

A method and a device for buffering containers grouped in a single row in a filling system are described. For this purpose, the containers are entered into storage on at least one infeed conveyor belt in the infeed direction, moved in a single row onto a transversely adjoining buffer area by rail-guided and individually driven shuttles with row pushers in a buffering direction running transverse to the infeed direction, and are removed from storage on at least one outfeed conveyor belt transversely adjoining in the buffering direction. Due to the fact that the row pushers receive the containers in a single row in a guide channel formed/defined by an anterior row guide leading in the buffering direction and by a trailing posterior row guide, the groups of containers can be moved in the buffering direction and positioned precisely, quickly and secured against falling over without back pressure.

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.

A method and a device for buffering containers in a container treatment system are disclosed. The containers enter into storage on an infeed conveyor belt in the infeed direction, are moved in a single row onto a transversely adjoining buffer area by rail-guided and individually driven shuttles with row pushers in a buffering direction running transverse to the infeed direction, and are removed from storage on an outfeed conveyor belt transversely adjoining in the buffering direction. The shuttles and the infeed/outfeed conveyor belts are controlled in dependence of target positions, target speeds and/or target accelerations stored specifically for the container type, and/or the shuttles are controlled in dependence of target positions, target distances and/or target speeds stored specifically for modes of operation for initializing and reading out the shuttles, for following preceding shuttles, and for moving to route positions.