Transfer device

A transfer device, configured to receive material from an upstream first conveyor and convey the material along a planar conveying direction until transferring the conveyed material laterally to a transfer area or passing the conveyed material to a downstream second conveyor, the transfer device comprising a plurality of belt carriages arranged circumferentially along a guide to convey material in a conveying direction, wherein each belt carriage comprises:

• a) a transport belt movable transverse to the conveying direction to selectively transfer the conveyed material laterally;
• b) a base carrier and a cross carrier, wherein the transport belt is attached to the cross carrier;
• and
• c) a releasable securing mechanism that releases the cross carrier from the base carrier for releasing and securing the transport belt.

A conveyor system, comprising:

• a) a first conveyor line;
• b) a transfer device that receives conveyed material from the first conveyor line, the transfer device comprising plurality of belt carriages arranged circumferentially along a guide and movable at least temporarily in a planar conveying direction, the at east one of the belt carriages comprising a transport belt forming at least temporarily a support surface for conveyed material, wherein the transport belt is selectively movable in a transverse direction transverse to the conveying direction for selective lateral transfer of the conveyed material;
• and
• c) a gap bridge, arranged below the conveying plane in a gap between the first conveyor line and the transfer device or between the transfer device and a second conveyor line, wherein the gap bridge provides another support surface for the conveyed material, but without a conveying element.