Patent ID: 8776985

Claim:
A method for transporting containers or groups of containers, wherein a plurality of containers or groups of containers is conveyed along a predefined transport path and with a predefined distance (D) between the containers or groups of containers and a conveyor unit, which conveyor unit transports the containers or groups of containers using at least two first conveying elements for conveying the containers or groups of containers, which first conveying elements respectively move along a first predefined movement path on a circulating carrier, and which first conveying elements contact the containers or groups of containers with respectively one contacting body and in this way vary a distance between the containers or groups of containers, wherein the conveying elements are driven using a drive unit implemented as a linear motor, which drive unit is in operative connection with magnets of the conveying elements and a control unit allows an independent movement of the first conveying elements, so that the distance between two conveyed containers or groups of containers can be changed, and the speed of the containers modified during transport thereof by the first conveying elements by way of a lateral engagement.