Apparatus and method for conveying articles of the food processing industry

A method for conveying articles of the food-processing industry, comprising:

• conveying the articles along a conveying line in a transport direction by a conveying device having a plurality of holding elements adapted for receiving the articles;
• guiding guide elements by at least one guide extending in the transport direction, wherein the guide elements are arranged so as to be movable in the transport direction, and wherein one of the holding elements is arranged on each of the guide elements so as to be vertically adjustable;
• controllably adjusting a respective vertical position of the holding elements by controllable adjusting means which are arranged on the conveying line and are adapted for adjusting the respective vertical position of the holding elements relative to the respective guide element, wherein the adjusting means engage with the holding elements as they pass and vertically move the holding elements relative to the respective guide element in order to adjust the respective vertical position of the holding element;
• and
• freeing a movability of the holding element relative to the guide element in an upward direction against a force of gravity and releasably locking each of the holding elements on the respective guide element in a stop position in a downward direction by a self-holding device.