Patent ID: 7690497

Claim:
Transfer mechanism ( 12 ) for separating conveyed objects ( 4 ) out to the side from a single row conveyed on a first conveyor system ( 1 ) onto another conveyor system ( 14 ) disposed downstream of the transfer mechanism ( 12 ) in the transfer direction ( 13 ) of the conveyed objects ( 4 ), having i) at least two parallel flexible drives ( 15 a, b ) of equal length extending at a distance apart and in an angle with respect to the longitudinal direction of the first conveyor system ( 1 ) and which can be driven synchronously, the flexible drives ( 15 a, b ) being disposed underneath a horizontal conveyor plane ( 18 ) formed by the first conveyor system ( 1 ) and offset from one another in their longitudinal direction, and comprising endlessly circulating traction means ( 23 ) and drivers ( 31 a, b ) mounted on the circulating traction means ( 23 ) lying opposite one another in pairs in a plane extending parallel with the conveying direction ( 3 ) of the conveyed objects ( 4 ) along the first conveyor system ( 1 ), wherein the terminal end regions of the flexible drives ( 15 a, b ) extend parallel with the longitudinal direction of the first conveyor system ( 1 ), and ii) at least one pushing unit ( 30 ) comprising at least one pushing element ( 29 ) for separating a conveyed object ( 4 ) from the first conveyor system ( 1 ) onto the another conveyor system ( 14 ), wherein the pushing element ( 29 ) extends continuously between the drivers ( 31 a, b ) and comprises a guide surface ( 33 ) essentially parallel to the conveying direction ( 3 ) of the first conveyor system ( 1 ) and is mounted on each driver ( 31 a, b ) of the first and second traction means ( 23 ) by means of an articulated arrangement ( 36 ) in such a manner that the pushing element ( 29 ) can be pivoted about the first axis ( 37 ) extending perpendicular to the conveyor plane ( 18 ) of the conveyed objects ( 4 ) and about the second axis ( 38 ) extending parallel with the transfer direction ( 13 ) of the transfer mechanism ( 12 ).