Patent ID: 8100254
Filing Date: 2012-01-24
Classification: B65G

Abstract:
1. A conveyor for conveying and buffering articles along a vertically extending, winding path, the conveyor comprising: a frame, a conveying assembly supported by the frame, which extends along said winding path and is configured for conveying the articles along said path, wherein the path is at least partially divided into zones, each zone being provided with a switch member so that conveyance of the articles is selectively switched in each zone between a conveying position, in which the conveying assembly conveys the articles, and a buffering position, in which the articles present in said zone are stationary, and a plurality of buffering devices distributed over the path with a buffering device present in each zone and configured to support the articles in the buffering position, wherein said conveying .assembly and said buffering devices are configured to allow vertical movement with respect to each other in each zone so that the articles are supported and conveyed by the conveying assembly in the conveying position and are held stationary by the buffering devices in the buffering position.