Patent ID: 7712629

Claim:
A device for moving articles ( 9 ) between positions at time intervals, comprising at least two gates ( 1 , 2 ; 3 , 4 ) disposed sequentially in the direction of travel of the article which can controllably be opened and closed, a temporary holding area for the article ( 9 ), being formed upstream of each gate ( 10 ; 11 ), wherein the two gates ( 1 , 2 ; 3 , 4 ) are controllable by means of one single drive motor or actuator ( 8 ); wherein the two gates ( 1 , 2 ; 3 , 4 ) are each associated with one control element ( 5 ; 6 ) that is rotatable about a respective axis of rotation; wherein the drive motor or the actuator ( 8 ) is adapted to move one actuating element ( 7 ) that is rotatable about an axis of rotation, wherein said one actuating element ( 7 ) is common to the respective control elements ( 5 ; 6 ) of the two gates; wherein each control element ( 5 ; 6 ) has two or three curved recess portions ( 5 ′, 5 ″, 5 ′″; 6 ′, 6 ″, 6 ′″) which are angularly offset from each other and where adjacent recess portions are separated by a guide groove ( 12 , 13 ; 14 , 15 ); and wherein the actuating element ( 7 ) has a curved portion ( 7 ′) designed for engagement with a recess portion ( 5 ′, 5 ″, 5 ′″; 6 ′, 6 ″, 6 ′″) on at least one of the two control elements, and also has an engaging pin ( 7 ′) adapted, in certain rotational positions of the actuating element ( 7 ), to engage with a guide groove ( 12 , 13 ; 14 , 15 ) on one of the control elements.