Device and method for portioning a flow of individual products

A device for portioning a flow of individual products, characterized by the following features:

• at least one input-side conveying device for continuously supplying individual products in a first plane of conveyance;
• at least two output-side conveying devices for continuously discharging the products in at least a second plane of conveyance and a third plane of conveyance, respectively, wherein the second and third planes which are respectively assigned to the at least two output-side conveying devices are arranged substantially vertically above one another;
• wherein one of the at least one input-side conveying device transfers the products seamlessly to a first of the at least two output-side conveying devices during a first time period, continuously or in batches;
• wherein at least one input-side conveying device and the at least two output-side conveying devices are adjustable in their respective positions such that the input-side conveying device transfers the products seamlessly to a second of the at least two output-side conveying devices during a second time period which follows the first time period, continuously or in batches;
• wherein the at least one input-side conveying device and the at least two output-side conveying devices in each case comprise conveying means which cooperate so that during the phase of adjusting the position of the at least one of the input-side conveying device and the at least two output-side conveying devices, the products on the at least one input-side conveying device may be supplied continuously and substantially at uniform spacings from one another;
• wherein the at least one input-side conveying device has a front end relative to the direction of conveyance which is able to be advanced over a first predetermined path in the direction of conveyance and which is able to be pulled back counter to the direction of the conveyance, whilst the products are conveyed;
• wherein the at least two output-side conveying devices each has a rear end relative to the direction of conveyance which is able to be advanced over a second predetermined path counter to the direction of conveyance and which is able to be pulled back in the direction of conveyance, whilst products are conveyed;
• and
• wherein the device comprises control devices which coordinate the advancing movements and the pulling-back movements of the front end of the at least one input-side conveying device and the rear ends of the at least two output-side conveying devices, with the positional adjustment of at least one of the input-side conveying device and the at least two output-side conveying devices.