Method and device for feeding products from a first process to a second process in a packaging plant

A device for feeding products from a first process to a second process in a packaging plant, wherein the products from the first process can be provided in receiving groups with a variable first placing pattern, wherein all first placing patterns of the receiving groups of products can be represented by a matrix having at least one column and at least one row, wherein, depending on the current placing pattern, all positions of the matrix are occupied, or individual or a plurality of positions of the matrix have a gap, said device comprising

• a buffer device which is provided between the first process and the second process, wherein the buffer device has a closed conveying section having a receiving position for receiving products in receiving groups from the first process, and having a transfer position for transferring products in transfer groups to the second process, and a plurality of conveying units which at least in portions along the conveying section can be driven in a mutually independent manner, and
• a control installation which is specified and configured for actuating the conveying units such that
• a) empty conveying units for receiving the receiving groups can be provided at the receiving position of the buffer device, wherein conveying units which in terms of their number and arrangement correspond to the associated first placing pattern can be provided for each receiving group to be relocated,
• b) loaded conveying units can be displaced along the buffer device downstream of the receiving position so as to form a product stream while ungrouping the receiving groups, and
• c) loaded conveying units can be provided at the transfer position of the buffer device, wherein loaded conveying units which in terms of their number and arrangement correspond to an associated second placing pattern can be provided for each transfer group to be relocated.