Method for distributing pieces of candy to packaging machines

A method of distributing articles (10), especially such pieces of candy as slabs and bars of chocolate, pralines, etc., that are constantly arriving in transverse rows on a continuous conveyor to several packaging machines (1), whereby the articles are transferred one row at a time by means of a shunt (5) to either an upstream or a downstream packaging machine, arrayed in a row on an outtake belt (7) upstream of each packaging machine, and packaged in each packaging machine. The articles are when necessary supplied to and temporarily stored one row at a time in a buffer (2) in the vicinity of one or more operational or non-operational packaging machines by way of another shunt (6) that is independent of the first shunt and in that, when the capacity of the buffers is exceeded, they are unloaded in sequence by supplying their contents to operational packaging machines.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The invention concerns a method of distributing articles, especially such 
pieces of candy as slabs and bars of chocolate, pralines, etc., that are 
constantly arriving in transverse rows on a continuous conveyor to several 
packaging machines, whereby the articles are transferred one row at a time 
by means of a shunt to either an upstream or a downstream packaging 
machine, arrayed in a row on an outtake belt upstream of each packaging 
machine, and packaged in each packaging machine. The articles in question, 
particularly slabs of chocolate, are produced continuously in a 
manufacturing section and continuously supplied adjacent in transverse 
rows to the packaging section, which includes several machines. The total 
output of the packaging machines must be greater than that of the 
manufacturing section in order to create enough of a reserve output to 
ensure that the manufactured articles will continue being accommodated and 
packaged even during interruptions in processing, especially on the part 
of the packaging machines. Processing interruptions in the vicinity of the 
packaging machines are relatively frequent but necessitate relatively 
brief downtime. The different packaging machines must in fact be turned 
off almost regularly to allow regular replacement of the reels of 
packaging material and then readied again for operation. Processing 
interruptions can also occur in the vicinity of other systems, of the 
various belts and shunts for example in the event of undersized or broken 
slabs that should not be diverted to the packaging procedure, in which 
case appropriate detectors disengage the packaging machine or its 
associated shunt, etc. To compensate for these normal interruptions, which 
cannot be avoided, every packaging section is designed to operate with 
what is called a reserve output, meaning that the output of all the 
packaging machines is greater than that of the section that the pieces of 
candy are manufactured in. When all the packaging machines are 
operational, accordingly, it is possible either to keep one turned off to 
constitute a reserve output or to operate all at a reduced output. 
The manufacturing section usually operates continuously, even during 
holidays and weekends. The packaging machines, however, must be turned off 
at such times because they require human supervision. The continuously 
manufactured articles must accordingly either be temporarily stored or 
will be rejected as excess upstream of the packaging section. Remelting 
such an excess and returning it to the manufacturing section is known. 
This approach, however, is impossible with filled candies. The only other 
possibility is to hire temporary help for the packaging section to keep 
the machines in continuous operation during weekends and holidays and 
handle the normal interruptions as they occur. 
A method and packaging section of the aforesaid type is known from German 
Patent 2 831 323. Articles arrive constantly on a continuous conveyor. 
There is a shunt between the supply belt and the forwarding belt in the 
vicinity of each packaging machine. When it is in one state, the shunt 
leads to the forwarding belt and, when it is in the other state, to an 
outtake belt by way of other intermediate means of conveying. Since the 
outtake belt is at an angle of approximately 90.degree. to the supply belt 
and forwarding belt, a continuous row of articles can be constructed from 
several transverse rows on the outtake belt, supplied to the packaging 
machine, and packaged. When the packaging machine or outtake belt 
associated with it is not operational, the shunt will remain in a state 
wherein it transfers the articles from the supply belt to the forwarding 
belt. At the end of the forwarding belt is the supply belt associated with 
another packaging machine, accompanied by another shunt and another 
forwarding belt. Several packaging machines can accordingly be distributed 
to branch off next to one another in a conveyor. The forwarding belt 
associated with the last packaging machine can lead to an overflow that 
diverts articles that cannot be accommodated by the packaging machines as 
a whole. One drawback to this system is that it has no 
intermediate-storage capacity. The only ways of preventing excess are to 
turn off the manufacturing section when the personnel are off or to 
replace them with temporary workers. 
Increasing the size of the forwarding belt associated with the last 
packaging machine to create a capacity for storing a certain amount of 
articles on the belt is also known. The forwarding belt can then be 
reversed when the personnel return, all the packaging machines are 
operational, and the last packaging machine ensures a reserve output while 
accepting no articles from the manufacturing machine, allowing the last 
packaging machine to accept articles from the intermediate-storage belt 
and package them. What is a drawback here is the small 
intermediate-storage capacity, which, in conjunction with a high-output 
manufacturing section will in some situations allow manufacturing to 
continue for only about one minute at any rate. 
A buffer that operates on the principle of a vertical-chain conveyor and 
has a comparatively large capacity downstream of a packaging section is 
accordingly also known. A tower houses chain-driven buckets that 
accommodate the articles. The chains travel over a system of pulleys that 
move independently, and various numbers of articles can accordingly be 
added to and taken from the buckets at the same time. A bucket can only be 
unloaded of course when an associated packaging machine is operational. 
The exit from the tower usually communicates with a device that returns 
the stored objects to the packaging section, where they can be conveyed to 
a reserve output of operational packaging machines. The drawback of towers 
of this type is that they can usually be unloaded only by way of the last 
packaging machine, which takes a long time. The towers also have a limited 
capacity because they contain considerable amounts of mass that must be 
moved and do not allow all of the arriving articles to be accommodated. A 
tower of this type is accordingly not appropriate for covering periods in 
which all the packaging machines are down. 
Positioning a central buffer of this kind at the upstream end of the 
packaging section, between the manufacturing machine and the first 
packaging machine, instead of at its downstream end, downstream of the 
packaging machines, that is, has already been proposed. This approach, 
however, entails the drawback that all the articles being packaged must 
travel through the buffer even though all or some of the packaging 
machines are in themselves operational. Forwarding the articles through a 
buffer when unnecessary again entails a basic drawback in that, when they 
are added to the buckets and removed from the bottom of the buckets, the 
articles move along the surface that they are resting on. A relative 
motion of this type is a drawback in that the articles will crumble to 
some extent, and buffers that all of the articles must travel through 
accordingly get dirty fairly rapidly. When the articles are elongated, 
they tend to tilt while being added to or removed from the buffer, no 
longer remaining oriented along the direction of travel, and it often 
becomes necessary to reorient them downstream of the buffer before they 
can be supplied to the individual packaging machines. Furthermore, an 
upstream central buffer of this type can only be employed with 
manufacturing sections that operate relatively slowly. The considerable 
masses that must be moved around inside the buffer prevent it from being 
loaded and unloaded rapidly. 
Associating several small buffers instead of a single large one with the 
individual packaging machines in a packaging section has accordingly been 
proposed. The system is designed such that the articles constantly 
arriving on the continuous conveyor will be distributed among the 
individual buffers by complicated mechanisms. Each buffer is associated 
with one packaging machine, which can only be supplied from its particular 
buffer. The drawback of a packaging section of this type is that when one 
of the buffers malfunctions, its packaging machine will no longer be 
supplied with articles even though it is in itself operational. A 
packaging machine that is not operational on the other hand, because of a 
reel change for example, can cause a backup in the buffer just upstream, 
making it necessary to turn off the manufacturing machine because the 
buffer is full. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The object of the present invention is to disclose a method and a packaging 
section that employs it that will allow constantly arriving articles to be 
supplied to packaging machines as directly as possible and to be packaged 
therein. If this procedure becomes impossible due to such operationally 
dictated interruptions as reel changing etc. at one or more of the 
packaging machines, the articles will be temporarily stored when 
necessary. During extensive interruptions, when for example all packaging 
machines are turned off while the personnel are off, the capacity of the 
buffer will be increased to allow the articles to continue to arrive, and 
the contents of the buffer will be packaged out once the personnel are 
back on the job. Turning off the manufacturing machines and the creation 
of an excess will at any rate be avoided whenever possible. 
This object is attained in a method of the aforesaid type in accordance 
with the invention in that the articles are when necessary supplied to and 
temporarily stored one row at a time in a buffer in the vicinity of one or 
more operational or non-operational packaging machines by way of another 
shunt that is independent of the first shunt and in that, when the 
capacity of the buffers is exceeded, they are unloaded in sequence by 
supplying their contents to operational packaging machines. The invention 
accordingly represents an advance over the state of the art. There is no 
central buffer either downstream of the last packaging machine at the end 
of the distribution line or upstream of the first packaging machine at the 
beginning of the line. Nor is the distribution line divided into several 
buffers, each upstream of one packaging machine. There is on the other 
hand a single buffer in the vicinity of each packaging machine that can be 
loaded with articles whether or not its associated packaging machine is 
operational, and the articles will accordingly be temporarily stored in 
that buffer. Each individual buffer will accordingly be able to 
accommodate articles capable of association not only with its own 
packaging machine but with all the other packaging machines. It will be 
sufficient for each buffer to be capable of being unloaded only by its 
associated packaging machine. The system always operates with a redundancy 
of packaging machines, meaning that the total output of the packaging 
machines is greater than that of the manufacturing machines, and there 
will always be a reserve output. The reserve output can easily be smaller 
than a whole packaging machine. Four packaging machines can operate with a 
manufacturing machine that has an output equaling that of 3.3 packaging 
machines for example, resulting in a reserve output of 0.7 of the output 
of a single packaging machine. This ratio will be absolutely satisfactory 
because, in addition to the packaging machines, there are just as many 
buffers available, and they can be operated in parallel with one or more 
packaging machine or even alone when all the packaging machines are down, 
and will be capable of accommodating all the articles arriving from the 
manufacturing machines. It is important for the second shunt to operate 
independently of the first and specifically in the vicinity of each module 
of packaging machine and buffer, so that the packaging machine can be 
operated while the buffer is being loaded even in the vicinity of each 
module. The buffer will in this event substitute for a packaging machine. 
Although the individual buffers do not need to have all that much 
capacity, the number of buffers will in the final analysis ensure a 
relatively large total capacity, large enough to cover periods during 
which the packaging machines will be intentionally turned off. Such 
turnoffs will also be interpreted as "interruptions." 
The new method has many advantages. Of primary is that most of the 
manufacturing machine's output, the arriving articles, that is, are 
directly packaged in the packaging machines, without traveling through a 
buffer, keeping the in-itself unavoidable soiling of the buffers within 
limits. The articles are stored only when absolutely necessary. The 
articles are stored in the buffers beginning with the emptiest, and the 
buffers are completely or incompletely unloaded beginning with the 
fullest. Since one buffer is associated with each packaging machine, the 
masses that have to be moved around within a single buffer are relatively 
smaller than those that have to be moved around within a central buffer, 
and the buffers can be operated at a constant article-arrival rate. The 
particular shunts employed, finally, are considerably simpler than the 
relatively complicated loading station described in German Patent 2 831 
323. The simplicity of the shunts is also reflected by their high 
operating reliability and extremely low sensitivity to malfunction. Since 
the buffers can be loaded with articles from the distribution line 
independently of the packaging machines, a buffer with its associated 
shunt is exactly equivalent to a packaging machine with its shunt, at 
least with respect to total capacity and output. The basic design can be 
applied to a wide range of potential procedures. There is, in contrast to 
the prior art, no real problem when the output of the operational 
packaging machines is lower than the capacity of the manufacturing 
section. The arriving articles can easily be accommodated even when two or 
three packaging machines are down. It is also absolutely possible to 
disengage one buffer when it malfunctions or when it needs cleaning. It is 
accordingly possible to clean the individual buffers one after another at 
prescribed intervals and then reengage them without having to disrupt the 
operation of the manufacturing machine. Since the mass of the individual 
buffers is smaller than that of a central buffer, they can be operated 
more slowly, at the rate, that is, that the articles being packaged arrive 
at. Since both packaging and temporary storage can occur simultaneously at 
one module of packaging machine and buffer, another packaging machine, one 
that is not operational for example, can be replaced or relieved. Another 
advantage is that the packaging machine can be operated at various 
increments of output. Once an interruption has been cleared up, that is, 
the machine can initially be operated at 1/3 of its rated output, with the 
other 2/3 of the articles being added to the associated buffer, and then 
accelerated to 2/3 and finally to 3/3, which is the output of a rapidly 
operating packaging machine. 
The buffers are loaded and/or unloaded in sequence and in graduations that 
correspond to a fraction of their capacity. The capacities of the buffers 
associated with the individual packaging machines are all equal. Each 
buffer is divided into individual graduations, four for example, and their 
load is monitored by determining for example that one buffer is more than 
1/4 full and another more than 3/4 full etc. If the number of arriving 
articles exceeds the total potential output of the operational packaging 
machines, they must be temporarily stored. The storage proceeds, however, 
completely independently of what packaging machine is non-operational. 
What determines where the stored articles are stored, rather, is what 
buffer is emptiest. If several are equally full, the sequence will be 
indeterminate, corresponding for example to the distribution of buffers 
along the line. The reverse occurs in unloading. If the potential output 
of all the operational packaging machines exceeds the output of the 
manufacturing section by more than that of one machine, one buffer, 
usually the fullest, can be unloaded while the packaging continues. The 
unloading process, like the previously described loading process, will not 
be completed, totally emptying the buffer, that is, but an attempt will be 
made to keep the distribution of articles among the buffers as uniform as 
possible because what packaging machine, shunt, or buffer the next 
interruption will occur at cannot be predicted. 
It is absolutely possible for one or more buffers to be loaded and unloaded 
simultaneously, even at different rates. This approach makes sense when 
for example the manufacturing section is turning out a complicated 
product, chocolate with whole nuts or with a complicated filling for 
example, and must be operated more slowly. The belts in the distribution 
line will then be traveling more slowly and, when the articles are being 
directly supplied to the packaging machines, the machines will also be 
operating at the same reduced speed even though rated at a higher output. 
If it becomes necessary to unload a buffer during this procedure, the 
unloading and the packaging in the associated machine can proceed at the 
same output, comparatively accelerated, that is. It may occur that an 
operational packaging machine is available while a perhaps very full 
buffer has to be unloaded. It is in this event possible to supply the 
machine with articles, which are basically supposed to be supplied 
directly to it, by way of the associated buffer and accordingly to add 
them to the buffer at a lower rate while removing them from it at full 
speed, at the same output as that of the packaging machine, that is. The 
buffer itself will eventually also become emptier due to the difference 
between the two speeds. 
The packaging section that employs the method is characterized in that a 
buffer that temporarily stores the articles is associated with each 
packaging machine, in that there is another shunt for each packaging 
machine, and in that each buffer can be loaded through the second shunt 
and unloaded through the outtake belt. The result is a series of s 
consisting of a packaging machine, a buffer, two independent shunts, an 
outtake belt for the packaging machine, and an input belt and an outtake 
belt for the buffer. A loop is created in the vicinity of each packaging 
machine with the buffer included in it by way of its input belt, meaning 
that it can be loaded and unloaded into the packaging machine at the same 
time by way of its outtake belt. The packaging machine is permanently 
neither in parallel with nor in series with the buffer. The two 
independent shunts make it possible to switch back and forth between 
parallel and series. This considerably expands the range of modes that the 
packaging machines and buffers can be operated in, assuming that each 
distribution line has at least two and, to advantage, three to five 
modules. The separation of the shunts in the vicinity of each module 
simplifies their design and makes them relatively insensitive to 
malfunction. The design makes it possible to introduce the article 
preferably directly into the packaging machine as is requisite in all 
plants at the state of the art that have buffers upstream of their 
packaging machines. The total capacity of all the buffers can also be 
distributed uniformly among them, which entails the advantage that the 
masses to be moved within each individual buffer are smaller, so that they 
can be operated at the same rate as the articles on the continuous 
conveyor or distribution line. Another and even greater advantage is that 
several buffers can be loaded and/or unloaded at the same time. 
Several modules, each comprising a packaging machine and a buffer are 
distributed along the distribution line, with the packaging machine in 
each module being supplied with articles independently of the other 
packaging machines directly through one shunt and/or indirectly from the 
buffer through another shunt. Each buffer accordingly practically 
substitutes for a packaging machine for a particular time when necessary. 
Since each buffer can easily be disengaged for cleaning for example for a 
particular time, the capacity of the remaining buffers will be sufficient 
to handle conventional interruptions. The overall buffer capacity can be 
high enough to cover periods when the packaging machines are down but the 
manufacturing machine continues to operate. 
Each buffer in each module can be loaded through the second shunt by way of 
a buffer-input belt and unloaded into the packaging machine by way of a 
buffer-output belt and the outtake belt. The buffers can accordingly be 
operated independently of the packaging machines. It is absolutely 
possible for the buffer associated with the first packaging machine to 
accommodate the articles that would ordinarily be supplied to the third 
packaging machine for example. 
The first shunt can be upstream of the second shunt along the distribution 
line in each separate module. The advantage is that, as soon as a 
packaging machine is operational, article can be supplied to it directly 
through the first shunt. Supplying the packaging machines directly is 
accordingly preferred. When on the other hand a packaging machine goes 
down, the first row of articles that it no longer accepts can be 
intercepted by its associated buffer. The opposite arrangement, with the 
second shunts upstream of the first shunts is in itself also possible. 
Controls determine the operational status of each packaging machine and the 
operational status of and level of contents in each buffer and activate 
the shunts, buffers, and belts. The controls monitor and control the 
various components in as simple a way a possible. 
The packaging machines and buffers can be turned off individually and 
independently for cleaning for example or for an intentionally longer 
period. 
The two shunts can be designed and positioned variously. Depending on the 
application, they can swing up or down. A combination is also readily 
conceivable. Both the packaging machines and the buffers can be on the 
same side of the distribution line or on opposite sides. All that is 
important is to ensure that each buffer can be connected again to the 
outtake belt associated with a packaging machine.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
FIG. 1 is a top view of four packaging machines 1a, 1b, 1c, and 1d. 
Associated with each machine is a buffer 2a, 2b, 2c, or 2d. A distribution 
line comprises several adjacent belts. The articles 10 (FIG. 5) being 
packaged come in the direction represented by arrow 11 (FIG. 1) on an 
unillustrated continuous belt from a manufacturing machine that is also 
unillustrated, originally arriving at a supply belt 3a and then, with no 
adjustment to the system, at a forwarding belt 4a, again at supply belt 3b 
and forwarding belt 4b, etc. Articles 10 can accordingly travel through 
the whole distribution line consisting of belts 3a to 4d in one direction. 
Each supply belt 3a, 3b, 3c, or 3d also either constitutes a shunt 5a, 5b, 
5c, or 5d or consists of a series of ancillary belts with the shunt at the 
end. Forwarding belts 4 are similar. They can either simultaneously 
constitute another shunt 6a, 6b, 6c, or 6d or have such a shunt at the 
end. An outtake belt 7a leads from first shunt 5a to first packaging 
machine 1a. This situation is shown from the top in FIG. 5. It will be 
evident that first shunt 5a will transfer articles 10, which arrive 
adjacent in transverse rows, to outtake belt 7a, which advances 
discontinuously, creating out of the transverse rows on outtake belt 7a a 
continuous row that extends in the direction represented by arrow 12. FIG. 
4 illustrates how supply belt 3a has access to the outtake belt 7a that 
leads to packaging machine la when first shunt 5a is in the position 
indicated by the broken lines. If on the other hand, first shunt 5a is not 
down, the transverse rows of articles 10 will be transferred to forwarding 
belt 4a and will arrive in the vicinity of second shunt 6a. While second 
shunt 6a is disengaged, the articles will arrive on the belt 3b that 
supplies next module b. It will already be apparent that several equal 
modules a, b, c, and d are distributed along the distribution line. All 
the modules are identical in design, and what has been said with respect 
to module a also applies to the others. Once second shunt 6a has been 
activated on the other hand, shifted into the position illustrated in FIG. 
4, that is, which can be either above or below the plane of the 
distribution line, like the first shunt 5a in FIG. 4 by way of example, 
depending on how the system is designed, the articles will arrive on a 
buffer-input belt 8a (FIGS. 1 and 5) and will be loaded into buffer 2a. 
The buffer is unloaded by a buffer-output belt 9a that has direct access 
straight to outtake belt 7a, so that articles 10 can be unloaded from 
buffer 2a and supplied to packaging machine 1a only by way of 
buffer-output belt 9a and outtake belt 7a. This basic design and 
distribution is identical between the packaging machines and buffers in 
the vicinity of each module a, b, c, and d. The embodiment described and 
illustrated by way of example herein employs four modules a, b, c, and d. 
The smallest sensible number of modules would be two. Otherwise there may 
be as many as desired, depending on the potential output of the 
manufacturing machine. The various arrows in FIG. 1 represent the various 
possible directions that articles 10 can move in without in any way 
implying that all the packaging machines 1a, 1b, 1c, and 1d have to 
operate simultaneously. Only some of the modules in fact will be operating 
at once, as will be explained hereinafter. 
One set of controls 12 governs all units a, b, c, and d. Extending out of 
the controls are a number of electric lines that lead to (unillustrated) 
sensors or monitors in the vicinity of the modules and allow them to be 
monitored and controlled. All electric lines are represented by 
dot-and-dash lines. One electric line for example extends from controls 12 
to packaging machine 1a. This line informs controls 12 that packaging 
machine 1a is operational and allows the controls to turn the machine on 
and off. Another line leads to outtake belt 7a and a third to first shunt 
5a. Other lines lead to second shunt 6a, to buffer-input belt 8a, to 
buffer 2a, and to buffer-output belt 9a. The level of contents of buffer 
2a is accordingly monitored and communicated to and entered into controls 
12, allowing them to determine at any time whether and to what extent the 
particular buffer is loaded with articles 10. Buffers 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d 
are divided into equal graduations, four in each for example, so that the 
buffer will be 25% full once the first graduation has been attained. The 
same is true of the other modules, b, c, and d. Only the initial section 
of the corresponding lines, which also extend from overall controls 12, 
are, for simplicity's sake, illustrated. Although the first shunt 5 is 
always upstream of second shunt 6 in each module a, b, c, and d in the 
embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the sequence is reversed in the 
packaging section illustrated in FIG. 2, with each second shunt 6 upstream 
of first shunt 5. Second shunt 6 is in other words at the end of supply 
belt 3, and buffer-input belt 8 logically also has access to the same 
shunt with outtake belt 7, which leads to packaging machine 1, branching 
off from first shunt 5. In contrast to FIG. 1, which illustrates an 
embodiment wherein packaging machines 1a through 1d are on one side of 
belts 3a through 4d and buffers 2a through 2d are on the other side, FIG. 
2 illustrates that it is also possible to locate packaging machines 1 and 
buffers 2 on the same side of the distribution line. Although FIG. 1 
illustrates only modules a and b and the first part of module c, the 
concept of a series of several will be obvious. 
FIG. 3 is associated with FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 is a side view of all or part 
of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1. It will be evident from FIG. 4 
that all shunts 5a and 5b, 6a and 6b, etc. can be raised, all can be 
lowered, or some can be raised and the rest lowered to activate them. The 
particular mode makes no difference in principle, and all that is 
important is that each packaging machine 1 always be directly attainable 
by way of an outtake belt 7 while each buffer-input belt 8 and hence each 
buffer 2 has access by way of a second shunt 6 with a buffer-output belt 9 
that in turn has access to the same outtake belt 7. A separate 
buffer-output belt 9 can be eliminated from the embodiment illustrated in 
FIG. 2 if the outtake belt 7 downstream of first shunt 5 also travels past 
the exit from buffer 2. 
It will be evident that, when articles 10 are transferred from a supply 
belt 3 to a forwarding belt 4 or vice versa, the articles will not tend to 
slide along the belt. The various belts are aligned at this point and are 
all powered, specifically by the mechanism that operates a continuous 
conveyor 13 (FIGS. 3 and 4), on which the transverse rows of articles 10 
coming from the manufacturing machine enter the packaging section, where 
they are transferred to first supply belt 3a. Once articles 10 have been 
transferred to an outtake belt 7, a buffer-input belt 8, or a 
buffer-output belt 9, one the other hand, they will be traveling in the 
opposite direction, because the belts meet at a right angle (cf. FIG. 5), 
and will slide over the belts to a certain extent. Obviously, therefore, 
certain retainers must be provided, although they are not, for 
simplicity's sake, illustrated. Each sliding motion is disadvantageous of 
course in that it entails the risk of rubbing off fragments from the 
articles that can lead to contamination or malfunction. It is accordingly 
sensible to allow such a sliding motion, which will obviously occur 
frequently in the vicinity of a buffer, to occur if at all possible only 
once, while articles 10 are being directly transferred to packaging 
machine 1. A motion of this type is also unavoidable while articles 10 are 
entering buffer 2, which is usually provided with buckets, intake baffles, 
or similar structures. The buffers become clogged, and it is accordingly 
recommended to store articles in them only when absolutely necessary, 
when, that is, the packaging machine's output is inadequate to the 
particular mode of operation or when it does not come up to the output of 
the manufacturing section. 
How the packaging section illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4 operates and is 
controlled will now be described in greater detail with reference to FIGS. 
6 through 14. 
FIG. 6 represents the situation at the commencement of processing. All 
buffers 2 are empty and all packaging machines 1 are operational, meaning 
that they are correctly loaded with packaging material and are ready to 
work. This situation is communicated to controls 12. Articles 10 
accordingly travel from the manufacturing machine on conveyor 13 to first 
supply belt 3a. The articles are represented by dots, and it will be 
evident that they are distributed equidistant in equidistant transverse 
rows. The controls now start packaging machine la and activate first shunt 
5a, transferring a row of articles to outtake belt 7a. Since supply belt 
3a also has access to forwarding belt 4a, the two next rows of articles 
will be transferred to it. Every third row will in this way be transferred 
to outtake belt 7a, which advances discontinuously and accordingly 
constantly supplies articles 10 to packaging machine 1a, which packages 
them in sequence. As will be evident from the dots, all the first rows are 
missing on forwarding belt 4a. At the second module, second packaging 
machine 1b is turned on and activated, leaving only the third rows on 
forwarding belt 4b to be transmitted to packaging machine 1c. Each 
packaging machine 1a, 1b, and 1c accordingly receives a third of articles 
10, and none is left over for reserve machine 1d. All articles 10 are 
accordingly conveyed directly to packaging machines 1a, 1b, and 1c, 
without being intermediately stored and without being detoured through 
buffers 2. It is for example absolutely possible to process transverse 
rows of 18 articles each, advancing continuously along the distribution 
line at a rate of 120 rows a minute. Each machine 1a, 1b, and 1c will 
accordingly pack 40 rows a minute. It will be immediately apparent that, 
when a packaging machine 1a, 1b, or 1c goes down, the corresponding third 
of articles 10 can be diverted to the operational packaging machine 1d 
without storing any in buffers 2. It is accordingly possible to replace an 
empty reel of packaging material in a packaging machine when necessary or 
to remove damaged articles from it and clean it. 
Obviously, however, more than one packaging machine may become 
non-operational simultaneously. In this case the article will have to be 
stored temporarily in buffers 2. FIG. 7 illustrates how buffers 2a, 2b, 
and 2c can be loaded to different levels, with buffer 2c for example being 
fullest. FIG. 7 accordingly represents the situation in which all 
packaging machines 1a through 1d are operational. All the machines are 
operating, and the articles 10 arriving from the manufacturing machine are 
directly distributed among machines 1a, 1b, and 1d, whereas fullest buffer 
2c is simultaneously being unloaded, with the articles removed therefrom 
being supplied to packaging machine 1c by way of buffer-output belt 9c and 
its associated outtake belt 7c. This procedure is governed by controls 12. 
It can easily occur that buffer 2c is unloaded to the extent that it 
contains fewer articles than buffer 2a for example does. When this 
situation occurs, packaging machines 1a and 1c are reversed, and the 
articles that were being transferred directly to packaging machine 1a for 
packaging are now transferred to packaging machine 1c, while buffer 2a is 
unloaded to packaging machine 1a. The buffers are accordingly classified 
with respect to how full they are, and the different classes are 
constantly being compared, keeping the levels in all the buffers as 
identical as possible. Obviously, what has been described with respect to 
module c by way of example can also occur for any other module a, b, or d, 
in which case the same conditions will be valid. 
FIG. 8 illustrates a situation that might occur if two packaging machines, 
1c and 1d for example, are down, as indicated by asterisks. Since the two 
machines are non-operational, accordingly, articles 10 will be directly 
packaged a third at a time in packaging machines 1a and 1b. Buffers 2a 
through 2b, however, are all also ready to accept articles, with buffer 2a 
being the emptiest at this particular instant. Controls 12 will 
accordingly activate buffer 2a, and the third 1/s will be loaded into it 
by way of second shunt 6a and buffer-input belt 8a. Buffer-output belt 9a 
is not moving. Buffer 2 will continue accepting articles until the next 
level is reached, when it is 50% full. At this instant the controls will 
compare the contents of the buffers and detect that buffer 2c is the 
emptiest. The controls will, assuming that packaging machines 1c and 1d 
are still down, switch from buffer 2a to buffer 2c. 
FIG. 9 illustrates a situation wherein packaging machines 1c and 1d are 
down. Packaging machines 1a and 1b will each accept 5/8 of the arriving 
articles, with the third 5/8 loaded into the emptiest buffer. It will be 
apparent that controls 12 distribute the rows automatically and will in 
particular control the equipment even when no new malfunctions occur. 
Switching will of course occur immediately when a previously down 
packaging machine indicates that it is operational again. Direct 
packaging, without intermediate storage, that is, will proceed in any 
event. At least this mode of operation is possible. 
FIG. 10 illustrates a situation wherein the three packaging machines 1b, 
1c, and 1d are down and only packaging machine 1a is operational. The 
state-of-the-art packaging sections are so severely affected by a 
malfunction of this extent that the manufacturing machine has to be turned 
off. This is not the case in accordance with the present invention, 
however, as will be immediately evident. FIG. 10 shows that 5/8 of the 
arriving article can be accommodated by packaging machine 1a and 2/3 must 
be temporarily stored, for which purpose controls 12 activate the two 
emptiest buffers, 2a and 2b in the present case. As soon as buffer 2b has 
more articles 10 at the level in question than buffer 2c does, the 
controls will disengage buffer 2b and engage buffer 2c. 
FIG. 11 illustrates the situation wherein all packaging machines 1a through 
1d are down, which can occur for example during holidays. Although the 
manufacturing machine continues to operate in the absence of personnel, 
the packaging machines must all be turned off. The arriving articles are 
accordingly distributed among buffers 2a, 2c, and 2d, the emptiest ones, 
that is. It will be obvious from the previously described examples that 
each buffer can accept 40 rows a minute and can accordingly only be 
operated at the same speed as the distribution line. 
FIG. 12 illustrates the situation that occurs when the machinery is started 
up again after a holiday or weekend. It is simultaneously assumed that a 
difficult product is being manufactured and that the manufacturing machine 
will accordingly be operating more slowly. Assume that only 100 rows a 
minute are arriving instead of the aforesaid 120 rows. Packaging machines 
1a through 1d, however, are still perfectly capable of accepting and 
packaging 40 rows a minute. In this case, 5/8 of the arriving articles, 
335/8 rows a minute, that is, will be transferred directly to packaging 
machine 1b. The second 5/8 will be loaded into buffer 2a at a rate of 
335/8 rows a minute. The third 5/8 will be loaded into buffer 2c at the 
same rate. Articles 10 will simultaneously be unloaded from buffers 2a, 
2c, and 2d into their associated packaging machines 1a, 1c, and 1d, and 
specifically at the higher speed of 40 rows a minute that the packaging 
machines are operated at. It will be evident that this mode of operation, 
loading at 335/8 rows a minute and unloading at a higher rate, 40 rows a 
minute for example, will reduce the contents of buffers 2a, 2c, and 2d, 
providing space in the buffers that can be utilized in the event of 
additional malfunctions and interruptions. If such do not occur, the 
controls will switch step by step to the direct-packaging mode illustrated 
in FIG. 6. Although the buffers in the figures have two graduations and 
can accordingly be loaded at two levels, they can of course be graduated 
in any way desired. A division into 4/4, with four levels per buffer is 
absolutely reasonable and sufficient. 
FIG. 13 illustrates another mode of operation with a lower manufacturing 
output of 100 rows a minute for example. Assume that packaging machines 1b 
and 1c are down. The articles are distributed 5/8 each to packaging 
machine 1a and buffers 2a and 2b. The rate at these three components is 
335/8 rows a minute. Buffer 2c is the fullest and is accordingly being 
emptied at a higher rate of 40 rows a minute, with the articles being 
packaged in packaging machine 1c. 
FIG. 14, finally, illustrates another type of malfunction, with, say, 
packaging machines 1b, 1c, and 1d down or non-operational. 5/8 of the 
articles are being packed directly by packaging machine 1a. The other two 
thirds are being loaded into the emptiest buffers 8b and 8c. Assume that 
buffer 2a is also down, being either repaired or routinely cleaned. Access 
to buffer 2a is accordingly blocked and controls 12 will only be able to 
compare buffers 2b, 2c, and 2d. Once buffer 2a has been cleaned or 
repaired, it will indicate that it is operational again, at which point 
another buffer can be serviced.