Transfer device and process

A format changing process in a transfer device for discrete elements in accordance to different formats of the discrete elements, said discrete elements being fed in a row to an inlet of the transfer device with a predetermined spacing, the transfer device comprising:

• a carousel-like transport device, wherein receiving members, each configured to receive a respective discrete element, move at a transit speed along a closed line transport path;
• and
• a release device, on which the discrete elements are transported along a release path with a linear development, the release path intersecting said closed line transport path and having a release segment comprising release spots of discrete elements in accordance with different formats of the discrete elements;
• wherein, in said receiving segment, the closed line transport path and the transit speed of the receiving members are changed at said release segment of the release device,
• the format changing process comprising:
• selecting discrete elements for one or more formats, determining a respective release spot, a spacing and/or a release speed;
• and
• providing, in the closed line transport path, one or more transport path portions, placed at said release segment, wherein position of the one or more transport path portions and respective translation speeds of the receiving members are conformed to the release spot and the release speed of selected discrete elements.

A format changing process in a transfer device for discrete elements according to different formats of the discrete elements, fed in a row with a predetermined spacing, the transfer device comprising:

• a transport device, wherein receiving members, each configured to receive a respective discrete element, move along a closed line transport path where a linear receiving segment of the discrete elements is defined;
• and
• a release device, on which said discrete elements are transported along a release path with a linear development, the release path being superimposed to said linear receiving segment, the format changing process comprising:
• feeding, to an inlet, discrete elements having a first format in a row with a respective predetermined spacing;
• and
• feeding, to the inlet, discrete elements having at least one other format in a row with a respective predetermined spacing,
• wherein a respective release spot of a discrete element is determined by said spacing on a respective receiving portion of the receiving segment.