US 11,807,470 B2
Buffer device and method for buffering containers
Helmut Schuesslburner, Straubing (DE); and Konrad Senn, Alteglofsheim (DE)
Assigned to KRONES AG, Neutraubling (DE)
Appl. No. 17/594,114
Filed by KRONES AG, Neutraubling (DE)
PCT Filed Mar. 16, 2020, PCT No. PCT/EP2020/057040
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Oct. 1, 2021,
PCT Pub. No. WO2020/200716, PCT Pub. Date Oct. 8, 2020.
Claims priority of application No. 10 2019 204 536.7 (DE), filed on Apr. 1, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2022/0177236 A1, Jun. 9, 2022
Int. Cl. B65G 47/51 (2006.01); B65G 47/08 (2006.01)
CPC B65G 47/5113 (2013.01) [B65G 47/088 (2013.01)] 13 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A buffer device for buffering containers with an inlet, an inlet manipulator, a first buffer system, a transposition device, a second buffer system, an outlet manipulator, and an outlet, where containers can be transferred by said inlet manipulator from said inlet to said first buffer system and can be transported along a first direction in said first buffer system, where said transposition device can transfer containers from said first buffer system to said second buffer system, and said containers can be transported in said second buffer system along a second direction that is opposite to the first direction, and said containers can be removed from said second buffer system by said outlet manipulator and fed to said outlet, where a buffer capacity of said buffer device is adjustable, where the transposition device comprises a gripper system or a transfer bar for transferring containers from the first buffer system to said second buffer system, and where said transposition device is arranged to be movable parallel to the first and/or the second direction and the buffer capacity can be adjusted by said transposition device adjusting a transfer position of said containers.