Method and device for buffering containers

A device for buffering containers grouped in a single row in a container treatment system, comprising:

• an infeed region with at least one infeed conveyor belt, an outfeed region with at least one outfeed conveyor belt, a buffer area extending therebetween transverse in a buffering direction, and a transport system arranged thereabove that comprises shuttles guided on rails and driven independently of one another with row pushers aligned transverse to said buffering direction and present thereon, wherein a control system configured to control said shuttles, said infeed conveyor belt, and said outfeed conveyor belt in dependence of target positions, target speeds and/or target accelerations/decelerations stored specifically for a format and/or material of said containers, and/or configured to control said shuttles in dependence of target positions, target distances, and/or target speeds, stored specifically for modes of operation for initializing said shuttles in a first mode, for said shuttles following preceding shuttles in a second mode, and for moving said shuttles to route positions in a third mode.