Patent ID: 6170634
Filing Date: 2001-01-09
Classification: B65G

Abstract:
An apparatus for temporary storing or buffering and/or setting the pitch of products, and carrying means for carrying a number of products, said apparatus comprising:a mechanical infeed means for feeding products into the carrying means at relatively high speed;a conveyor track or belt, for conveying the carrier means at relatively low speed;outfeed means for discharging products from the carrying means at relatively high speed;the carrying means are accelerated in synchronization with the infeed and outfeed means respectively, so as to adapt to the relatively high speed thereof;said carrying means are decelerated to adapt to the relatively low speed of the conveyor track; andsaid carrying means comprising one or more product carriers for carrying two or more products, said product carriers being movable independently to and from the conveyor and being loaded and unloaded with products at the infeed and outfeed locations respectively, the transport of said product carriers at said outfeed and said infeed locations being substantially independent of the movement of the conveyor track or belt,wherein the infeed means and outfeed means are arranged at respective infeed and outfeed locations of the transport track.