Patent ID: 6474462
Filing Date: 2002-11-05
Classification: B65G

Abstract:
An apparatus for conveying and temporarily storing products (2), comprising:an incoming conveyor (1), a revolving device, in which grippers (9) circulate over a closed, first circulating path (10), said grippers (9) being individually switchable between a first state, in which they take hold of said products (2) and carry them along, into a second state, in which they release said products (2) from said grippers (9), said grippers (9), in a first transfer point (11), passing above said incoming conveyor (1) and, in said first transfer point (11), being in said first state or being switched into said first state and taking hold of said products (2) delivered on the incoming conveyor (1) and carrying them along, and said grippers (9) having a regular first spacing (T1), at least outside a region of the first transfer point (11), a store (16) having carriers (19) which circulate at a regular second spacing (T2) in a closed, second circulating path (15), said second circulating path (15) running over a buffer region (20) parallel to said first circulating path (11) and said grippers (9) being switchable within said buffer region (20) into their second state, and said grippers (9) having a circulating speed being greater than a circulating speed of said carriers (19), and a control device (29) which controls switching of said grippers (9) into said second state in such a manner that each storage compartment (28) between adjacent carriers (19) downstream of said buffer region (20) contains a product (2).