Routing apparatus for a train of containers of glass or the like

Apparatus for the routing of containers of glass, glass-like material or plastics material arriving on a first conveyor belt in a row at a comparatively high, first speed to a second conveyor belt running at a lower, second speed and at an angle to the first conveyor belt, wherein the second conveyor belt carries the containers away in a row, said apparatus comprising:

• transportation fingers for routing each container;
• a common drive member on which said transportation fingers are arranged for moving said fingers;
• wherein said transportation fingers are guided on a continuously curved path during the routing of the containers from the first to the second conveyor belt, said curved path being concave relative to the containers;
• support means for maintaining each container on said continuously curved path;
• at least one intermediate belt arranged in said continuously curved path between the first conveyor belt and the second conveyor belt for taking control of each container along part of said continuously curved path;
• and
• wherein each said intermediate belt, said first conveyor belt and said second conveyor belt each have an upper run, said upper run of each said intermediate belt being approximately co-planar with the upper runs of the first and second conveyor belts and drivable in a direction so as to impart to the containers a driving component in a direction toward said drive member.