Method and apparatus for grouping and/or separating products transported in rows

An apparatus (100) for grouping and/or separating products (2) transported in rows, wherein the apparatus (100) comprises the following:

• a horizontal conveying device comprising an upstream first conveyor belt (1) and a downstream second conveyor belt (3) connected in series with the first conveyor belt (1);
• a dividing device (5) associated with the second conveyor belt (3) comprising at least one dividing web (4);
• and
• a control device (11), which is configured to operate the first conveyor belt (1) in particular in a start-stop mode,
• wherein the dividing device (5) is configured to guide the at least one dividing web (4) in a closed curve such that the at least one dividing web (4) travels along with the second conveyor belt (3) in its transport direction (7) over a defined distance and is then removed from the product flow of the second conveyor belt (3) and moved back again counter to the transport direction (7) of the second conveyor belt (3) into an upstream region of the second conveyor belt (3),
• wherein the first conveyor belt (1) is configured to convey the products (2) to be grouped or separated into the upstream region of the second conveyor belt (3), and
• wherein the control device (11) is configured to interrupt a conveyance of products (2) into the upstream region of the second conveyor belt (3) effected by means of the first conveyor belt (1) when a downstream product of the products (2) to be grouped or separated runs up against the at least one dividing web (4) in the upstream region of the second conveyor belt (3),
• wherein, to interrupt a conveyance of products (2) into the upstream region of the second conveyor belt (3) effected by means of the first conveyor belt (1), the control device (11) is configured to stop a drive device associated with the first conveyor belt (1);
• and/or
• wherein, to interrupt a conveyance of products (2) into the upstream region of the second conveyor belt (3) effected by means of the first conveyor belt (1), a retention device (12) which can be controlled as needed, with a pressure element, in the form of a pressure plate, is provided at the downstream end region of the first conveyor belt (1).