US 12,269,693 B2
Method and device for buffering containers in a container treatment plant
Konrad Senn, Alteglofsheim (DE); Stefan Elsperger, Soechtenau (DE); Helmut Schuesslburner, Straubing (DE); and Torsten Kilgenstein, Geisenfeld (DE)
Assigned to KRONES AG, Neutraubling (DE)
Appl. No. 18/002,793
Filed by KRONES AG, Neutraubling (DE)
PCT Filed Mar. 18, 2021, PCT No. PCT/EP2021/056918
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Dec. 21, 2022,
PCT Pub. No. WO2021/259525, PCT Pub. Date Dec. 30, 2021.
Claims priority of application No. 10 2020 207 676.6 (DE), filed on Jun. 22, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2023/0249922 A1, Aug. 10, 2023
Int. Cl. B65G 47/51 (2006.01)
CPC B65G 47/5131 (2013.01) [B65G 2201/0235 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. Method for buffering containers in a filling system, where containers are entered into storage grouped in a single row on at least one infeed conveyor belt, moved in a single row onto a buffer area adjoining in a transverse manner by rail-guided and individually driven shuttles with row pushers in a buffering direction running transverse to an infeed direction, and are removed from storage on at least one outfeed conveyor belt adjoining in the transverse manner in said buffering direction wherein, by way of first and second branching conveyor belts integrated into said buffer area, containers are furthermore removed from storage from said buffer area and/or entered into storage on said buffer area, transverse to the buffering direction and independently of said infeed conveyor belt and said outfeed conveyor belt, where:
the first branching conveyor belt is arranged anterior, when seen in the buffering direction, and removes containers from the buffer area, and the second branching conveyor belt is arranged posterior, when seen in the buffering direction, and enters containers onto the buffer area; or
the first and second branching conveyor belts are driven with a reversible branching direction for selectively entering or removing containers into or from storage.