Patent ID: 8678174

Claim:
A method of buffering products, in particular substantially cylindrical containers, said method comprising carrying the products upwards on a moving, inclined first conveying surface at a first flow rate towards a guide member for transferring the products from the first conveying surface to a second conveying surface, the guide member being disposed adjacent an upper end of the first conveying surface, such that the products on the first conveying surface can be stopped by and accumulate against the guide member, and guiding the products from the guide member onto the second conveying surface, and conveying the products onwards on the second conveying surface at a second flow rate, the second flow rate being different from the first flow rate, wherein in said carrying of the products upward on the first conveying surface, the first conveying surface is inclined at an angle and is provided with a surface condition such that the dragging force exerted on the products from the first conveying surface is greater than the force of gravity being exerted on the products in a direction along the first conveying surface, so as to allow the products to move relative to the first conveying surface as the first conveying surface carries the products upwards.