Buffer means for containers and method for buffering containers

A method for buffering containers according to the first in-first out principle, comprising the steps:

• supplying containers from a first container handling unit to an infeed conveyor track of a buffer means;
• transferring the containers by means of a transfer device, which exhibits an inner guide and/or an outer guide, from the infeed conveyor track to an outlet conveyor track of the buffer means, wherein during transfer from the infeed conveyor track to the outlet conveyor track the containers are conducted via at least one further drivable transfer conveyor, which is arranged parallel to and between the infeed conveyor track and the outlet conveyor track essentially along an entire length of the buffer module;
• determining a required buffer capacity by means of a control unit of the container handling apparatus;
• moving a sliding device together with the transfer device in parallel along the infeed conveyor track and the outlet conveyor track, respectively, in dependence on the required buffer capacity;
• and,
• driving the at least one further drivable transfer conveyor in a first transport direction or a second transport direction by a drive mechanism, wherein each drivable transfer conveyor and the sliding device has its own drive mechanism so that the drivable transfer conveyors and the sliding device are individually controllable.

A buffer means for containers operating according to the first in-first out principle, comprising:

• at least one infeed conveyor track drivable along an infeed direction;
• at least one outlet conveyor track drivable along an outlet direction;
• three buffer modules, which are arranged parallel to each other;
• wherein each buffer module is formed by the at least one infeed conveyor track and the at least one outlet conveyor track which are arranged parallel to each other and having a width;
• a first edge, at the infeed conveyor track of the buffer module for the containers;
• a second edge, at the outlet conveyor track for the containers;
• a transfer device with an outer guide, so that the containers are transferrable from the infeed conveyor track to the outlet conveyor track of the buffer module;
• a sliding device for sliding the transfer device in parallel along the infeed conveyor track or the outlet conveyor track, respectively, in dependence on a required buffer capacity in the buffer means;
• at least one further drivable transfer conveyor arranged between the infeed conveyor track and the outlet conveyor track of the buffer module in such a way that it is parallel to the buffer module;
• a transfer means is arranged between an initial buffer module and a subsequent intermediate buffer module, a transfer between the intermediate buffer module and a last buffer module, wherein the initial buffer module, the intermediate buffer module and the last buffer module are arranged parallel to each other and the transfer means has an endless chain with an upper redirection and a lower redirection provided at a front module, which is arranged in such a way in the buffer means that the endless chain forms the outlet conveyor track of the initial buffer module and the infeed conveyor track of the intermediate buffer module and that the outlet conveyor track of the intermediate buffer module forms the infeed conveyor track of the last buffer module;
• and,
• a drive mechanism for the at least one further drivable transfer conveyor for a first transport direction or a second transport direction, wherein each drivable transfer conveyor and the sliding device has its own drive mechanism so that an individually controllable driving of the drivable transfer conveyors and of the sliding device is assured.

A buffer means for containers operating according to the first in-first out principle, comprising:

• at least one infeed conveyor track drivable along an infeed direction;
• at least one outlet conveyor track drivable along an outlet direction;
• a buffer module, having a front module, intermediate module or an end module, is formed by the at least one infeed conveyor track and the at least one outlet conveyor track which are arranged parallel to each other and having a width, wherein a plurality of front modules and end modules are arranged parallel to each other;
• at least one intermediate module is arranged between the front module and the end module;
• a sliding device for sliding a transfer device in parallel along the infeed conveyor track or the outlet conveyor track, respectively, in dependence on a required buffer capacity in the buffer means;
• at least one further drivable transfer conveyor arranged between the infeed conveyor track and the outlet conveyor track of the buffer module;
• a drive mechanism for the at least one further drivable transfer conveyor for a first transport direction or a second transport direction;
• and,
• a drive mechanism for the sliding device;
• wherein each drivable transfer conveyor and the sliding device has its own drive mechanism so that the drivable transfer conveyors and the sliding device are individually controllable.

A buffer means for containers operating according to the first in-first out principle, comprising:

• at least one infeed conveyor track drivable along an infeed direction;
• at least one outlet conveyor track drivable along an outlet direction;
• a buffer module formed by the at least one infeed conveyor track and the at least one outlet conveyor track which are arranged parallel to each other and having a width, wherein the buffer means has at least a front module and an end module;
• at least one intermediate module is arranged in a transport direction between the front module and the end module;
• a sliding device for sliding a transfer device in parallel along the infeed conveyor track or the outlet conveyor track, respectively, in dependence on a required buffer capacity in the buffer means;
• at least one further drivable transfer conveyor arranged between the infeed conveyor track and the outlet conveyor track of the buffer module;
• a drive mechanism for the at least one further drivable transfer conveyor for a first transport direction or a second transport direction;
• and,
• a drive mechanism for the sliding device;
• wherein each drivable transfer conveyor and the sliding device has its own drive mechanism so that the drivable transfer conveyors and the sliding device are individually controllable.

A buffer means for containers operating according to the first in-first out principle, comprising:

• at least one infeed conveyor track drivable along an infeed direction;
• at least one outlet conveyor track drivable along an outlet direction;
• a buffer module formed by the at least one infeed conveyor track and the at least one outlet conveyor track which are arranged parallel to each other and having a width;
• a transfer device with an inner guide and an outer guide, so that the containers are transferrable from the infeed conveyor track to the outlet conveyor track of the buffer module, wherein a position of the outer guide of each transfer device is adjustable so that a width of a track is changed;
• a sliding device for sliding the transfer device parallel along the infeed conveyor track or the outlet conveyor track, respectively, in dependence on a required buffer capacity in the buffer means;
• at least one further drivable transfer conveyor arranged between the infeed conveyor track and the outlet conveyor track of the buffer module;
• a drive mechanism for the at least one further drivable transfer conveyor for a first transport direction or a second transport direction;
• and,
• a drive mechanism for the sliding device;
• wherein each drivable transfer conveyor and the sliding device has its own drive mechanism so that the drivable transfer conveyors and the sliding device are individually controllable.

A buffer means for containers operating according to the first in-first out principle, comprising:

• at least one infeed conveyor track drivable along an infeed direction;
• at least one outlet conveyor track drivable along an outlet direction;
• two buffer modules formed by the at least one infeed conveyor track and the at least one outlet conveyor track which are arranged parallel and at a distance to each other, wherein the two buffer modules are arranged parallel to each other;
• a discharge conveyor track for toppled over containers is arranged between the two buffer modules, wherein the toppled over containers are transported to an end of the buffer means, wherein the discharge conveyor track provides for a lateral guidance of the neighboring transfer conveyors;
• a transfer device with an outer guide, so that the containers are transferrable from the infeed conveyor track to the outlet conveyor track of the buffer module;
• a sliding device for sliding the transfer device parallel along the infeed conveyor track or the outlet conveyor track, respectively, in dependence on a required buffer capacity in the buffer means;
• at least one further drivable transfer conveyor arranged between the infeed conveyor track and the outlet conveyor track of the buffer module;
• a drive mechanism for the at least one further drivable transfer conveyor for a first transport direction or a second transport direction;
• and,
• a drive mechanism for the sliding device;
• wherein each drivable transfer conveyor and the sliding device has its own drive mechanism so that the drivable transfer conveyors and the sliding device are individually controllable.

A buffer means for containers operating according to the first in-first out principle, comprising:

• at least one infeed conveyor track drivable along an infeed direction;
• at least one outlet conveyor track drivable along an outlet direction;
• a buffer module formed by the at least one infeed conveyor track and the at least one outlet conveyor track which are arranged parallel and wherein the infeed conveyor track, the outlet conveyor track and a cover or a discharge conveyor track of the buffer module are arranged so that a closed surface or plane, respectively, is formed;
• a transfer device with an inner guide and an outer guide, so that the containers are transferrable from the infeed conveyor track to the outlet conveyor track of the buffer module;
• a sliding device for sliding the transfer device parallel along the infeed conveyor track or the outlet conveyor track, respectively, in dependence on a required buffer capacity in the buffer means;
• at least one further drivable transfer conveyor arranged between the infeed conveyor track and the outlet conveyor track of the buffer module;
• a drive mechanism for the at least one further drivable transfer conveyor for a first transport direction or a second transport direction;
• and,
• a drive mechanism for the sliding device;
• wherein each drivable transfer conveyor and the sliding device has its own drive mechanism so that the drivable transfer conveyors and the sliding device are individually controllable.

A buffer means for containers operating according to the first in-first out principle, comprising:

• at least one infeed conveyor track drivable along an infeed direction;
• at least one outlet conveyor track drivable along an outlet direction;
• an endless transfer chain arranged between the infeed conveyor track and the outlet conveyor track;
• a louver band arranged between the endless transfer chain, wherein a sliding device is connected to the louver band on either side;
• and,
• at least one support rail, wherein the louver band and the endless transfer chain are guided and supported by one support rail.

A buffer means for containers operating according to the first in-first out principle, comprising:

• at least one infeed conveyor track drivable along an infeed direction;
• aleast one outlet conveyor track drivable along an outlet direction;
• an endless transfer chain arranged between the infeed conveyor track and the outlet conveyor track;
• a sliding device mounted to a louver band which is arranged between the endless transfer chain;
• and,
• deflection pulleys are provided in the vicinity of the sliding device for guiding the transfer chain on an inner side by engaging at least TAB-guidances of the endless transfer chain, for securing the endless transfer chain against a lateral rising in horizontal deflections.