Patent ID: 8448774
Filing Date: 2013-05-28
Classification: B65G

Abstract:
1. Apparatus for forming piece goods batches, comprising: a first transport device which transports piece goods along a predefined transport path at a first transport speed; a second transport device which transports the piece goods along the predefined transport path at a second transport speed, wherein the second transport device is arranged downstream of the first transport device along the transport path; an assembling device which is arranged downstream of the second transport device along the transport path, wherein the assembling device forms piece goods batches from a plurality of the piece goods; and a buffer device arranged between the first transport device and the second transport device, which transports the piece goods along a variable length buffer section, wherein the first transport speed and the second transport speed differ at least at times, wherein the buffer device at least at times collects the piece goods brought about as a result of different speeds, wherein the buffer device is configured to receive a varying number of piece goods as a result of the variable length buffer section, wherein the buffer device comprises a displaceable carriage providing a movement that is periodic in a regular operating mode along the transport path, and wherein in response to displacing the carriage along at least one of a transport section of the first transport device and a transport section of the second transport device, the transport path along which the first transport device, the second transport device, and the buffer device are each positioned, is lengthened or shortened.