Method for operating a packaging line, and packaging line

A method for operating a packaging line including

• a packaging machine having an insertion station in which one portion is deposited on or in a packaging means,
• a single-track or multi-track cutting machine for cutting off slices from a product, including a discharge conveyor unit for the slices, the discharge conveyor unit being capable of forming the slices into portions, and
• an insertion/feed unit downstream in a passage direction of the single-track or multi-track cutting machine for buffering and feeding the portions to the insertion station by a plurality of conveyor belts, wherein a set of the plurality of conveyor belts arranged within a buffer stretch are used as buffer belts,
• wherein the portions are assembled by the insertion/feed unit to a complete format comprising a predetermined number of portions, each at a predetermined distance from another in the passage direction, and wherein the complete format is fed to the insertion station by an insertion belt of the insertion/feed unit,
• the method comprising:
• initially assembling on a last conveyor belt and/or a penultimate conveyor belt of the insertion/feed unit before the insertion belt, in the passage direction, an incomplete format in the passage direction, and
• forming the complete format from the incomplete format only upon transfer of the portions to the insertion belt,
• wherein
• upon transfer of the portions to the insertion belt, in order to form the complete format, a conveyor belt of the insertion/feed unit upstream of the last and/or the penultimate conveyor belt in the passage direction, can be driven in the passage direction before the last and/or the penultimate conveyor belt is driven in the passage direction,
• in order to add the last portion or the last row of portions to the incomplete format at a spacing in the passage direction that is correct for the complete format.