Abstract: An accumulating conveyor comprises a conveyor belt successively follows a first helical track from a lower end thereof in upward direction to a location below an upper end thereof, a first bridge to a location at a second helical track below an upper end thereof, the second helical track in downward direction to a lower end thereof, a first set of auxiliary guides to the upper end of the second helical track, the second helical track in downward direction, a second bridge to the first helical track, the first helical track in upward direction to the upper end thereof, and the second set of auxiliary guides to the lower end of the first helical track. The bridges are synchronously movable along the first and second helical tracks for varying the effective lengths of the conveyor belt.

Abstract: A buffer conveyor comprises a drivable endless conveyor belt which successively follows a transport path from an input station to an output station and a return path. A frame includes two parallel transport path frame legs and a U-shaped transport path bridge. The transport path bridge includes a curved bridge portion and parallel bridge legs extending therefrom. Each transport path frame leg is provided with a transport path frame guide for a lateral contact side of the belt in outward direction as seen from the other frame leg. The transport path bridge is shaped such that along the curved bridge portion and respective twisted regions of the bridge legs adjacent to the curved bridge portion the belt has a transverse down-slope towards the inside of the U-shape and such that the lateral contact side (of the belt at said twisted regions is above the respective transport path frame guides.

Abstract: A buffering device comprises a frame and a conveyor belt, a supply station, a discharge station, a first reversing member reverses the conveying direction of the conveyor belt, and a return guide includes a second reversing member. The buffering device is configured such that the conveyor belt moves from the supply station via the first reversing member to the discharge station, after which the conveyor belt is guided back to the supply station via the return guide. A portion of the conveyor belt n forms a buffer section of which the length varies. The remaining portion of the conveyor belt forms a compensation section for compensating a change of length of the buffer section during simultaneous displacement of the first and second reversing members with respect to the frame. The first reversing member includes a buffer carriage for radially guiding the conveyor belt, which guide is fixed to the carriage.

Abstract: A buffering device comprises a frame and a conveyor belt, a supply station, a discharge station, a first reversing member reverses the conveying direction of the conveyor belt, and a return guide includes a second reversing member. The buffering device is configured such that the conveyor belt moves from the supply station via the first reversing member to the discharge station, after which the conveyor belt is guided back to the supply station via the return guide. A portion of the conveyor belt n forms a buffer section of which the length varies. The remaining portion of the conveyor belt forms a compensation section for compensating a change of length of the buffer section during simultaneous displacement of the first and second reversing members with respect to the frame. The first reversing member includes a buffer carriage for radially guiding the conveyor belt, which guide is fixed to the carriage.

Abstract: An accumulating portal conveyor comprises a conveyor belt, a frame for supporting and guiding the belt, which frame includes a first helical path and a second helical path spaced from the first helical path, a bridging path and a return path. Under operating conditions the belt successively follows the first helical path upwardly, the bridging path, the second helical path downwardly and the return path, and such that in transverse direction of an upright plane through central centerlines of the first and second helical paths. The bridging path includes a static part having a fixed position with respect to the helical paths and a dynamic portion displaceable in transverse direction of the upright plane to change the path length of the belt. At least a portion of the return path is displaceable for compensating the change of the path length of the belt at the bridging path.

Abstract: A conveyor for buffering products includes a first helical conveyor having a first conveyor input and a first conveyor output and a second helical conveyor having a second conveyor input and a second conveyor output. The first conveyor output is coupled to the second conveyor input and the second conveyor output is coupled to the first conveyor input. A loading station and a discharging station are configured to load and discharge products to and from the conveyor. A single conveyor belt follows the helical tracks of the first and second helical conveyors.

Abstract: An accumulating portal conveyor comprises a conveyor belt, a frame for supporting and guiding the belt, which frame includes a first helical path and a second helical path spaced from the first helical path, a bridging path and a return path. Under operating conditions the belt successively follows the first helical path upwardly, the bridging path, the second helical path downwardly and the return path, and such that in transverse direction of an upright plane through central centerlines of the first and second helical paths. The bridging path includes a static part having a fixed position with respect to the helical paths and a dynamic portion displaceable in transverse direction of the upright plane to change the path length of the belt. At least a portion of the return path is displaceable for compensating the change of the path length of the belt at the bridging path.

Abstract: A conveyor comprises a frame, an endless conveyor belt supported by the frame in a conveying direction along a helical path, a non-helical path and a transfer path. The helical path has an upright center line. The belt includes a plurality of plates movably coupled to each other. The frame comprises at least at the helical path a radial guide, wherein the radial guide supports a plate at a radial guide contact location thereof in radial direction with respect to the center line of the helical path, a bearing guide for upwardly supporting the plates, wherein the bearing guide supports a plate at a bearing guide contact location thereof, and an auxiliary guide for compensating a torque on a plate at the bearing guide contact location about an axis directed in the conveying direction. The auxiliary guide contacts a plate at an auxiliary guide contact location thereof.

Abstract: A conveyor for conveying products comprises at least a drivable helically-shaped inner track conveyor member and a drivable helically-shaped outer track conveyor member. The outer track conveyor member surrounds the inner track conveyor member. The pitches of the inner track conveyor member and the outer track conveyor member are different.

Abstract: A conveyor for buffering products comprises at least first and second drivable curved conveyor parts, which are spaced from each other in horizontal direction. At least, the first conveyor part has at least an inner track and an outer track, wherein the outer track is adjacent to the inner track and disposed at the outside bend side of the inner track. The second conveyor part has at least a second conveyor part track, wherein one end of the outer track of the first conveyor part is coupled to one end of the second conveyor part track. An other end of the second conveyor part track is coupled to one end of the inner track of the first conveyor part. The first and second conveyor parts are at least partly helically-shaped.

Abstract: A transfer conveyor for transferring articles from a first conveyor to a second conveyor comprises an input for receiving articles from the first conveyor and an output for transporting articles to the second conveyor, a first contact member and a second contact member having first and second contact surfaces, respectively, extending upwardly and facing each other for clamping articles between said contact surfaces when travelling from the input to the output and a curved transport path between the input and the output, and a counter member for holding up an article and/or at least one of the first and second contact members in vertical direction when an article is clamped by the contact members. At least one of the first contact member, the second contact member and the counter member is drivable for transporting articles from the input to the output.

Abstract: A conveyor system for conveying at least one product comprises a spiral first conveyor having a vertically extending central axis. The first conveyor comprises a number of conveying elements extending substantially parallel to each other. Each conveying element comprises at least one supply end for receiving the product and at least one discharge end for discharging the product. The discharge ends of the individual conveying elements are positioned at different vertical levels.

Abstract: A buffer conveyor for conveying and buffering products, comprising at least a first elongated conveyor (7), which can be driven in a first direction, a second elongated conveyor (8), which can be driven in a second, opposite direction, and a transfer unit (12) having an inlet end and an outlet end, wherein a transfer element of the transfer unit describes a path between the inlet end and the outlet end which makes at most a small angle with the horizontal and which extends outside the area defined by the adjacent paths of the first and the second conveyor.

Abstract: A conveyor for conveying products comprises at least a drivable helically-shaped inner track conveyor member and a drivable helically-shaped outer track conveyor member. The outer track conveyor member surrounds the inner track conveyor member. The pitches of the inner track conveyor member and the outer track conveyor member are different.

Abstract: A conveyor for conveying products comprises at least a drivable helically-shaped inner track conveyor member and a drivable helically-shaped outer track conveyor member. The outer track conveyor member surrounds the inner track conveyor member. The pitches of the inner track conveyor member and the outer track conveyor member are different.

Abstract: A conveyor system for conveying a product comprises a first conveyor adjacent to a second conveyor via a junction, the conveying direction of the first conveyor near the junction is different from the conveying direction of the second conveyor near the junction. The first conveyor has a first conveying surface and the second conveyor has a second conveying surface for supporting the product thereon. The first conveyor describes at least a spiral path near the junction wherein a central axis extends at least substantially in vertical direction. A moving assembly is configured to move the product from the first conveyor to the second conveyor. The moving assembly comprises a push-out guide which makes a stroke for each product that passes, or comprises a guide configured such that products are guided automatically along the guide only upon the movement of the conveying surface of the first conveyor.

Abstract: A conveyor system for conveying a product comprises a first conveyor adjacent to a second conveyor via a junction, the conveying direction of the first conveyor near the junction is different from the conveying direction of the second conveyor near the junction. The first conveyor has a first conveying surface and the second conveyor has a second conveying surface for supporting the product thereon. The first conveyor describes at least a spiral path near the junction wherein a central axis extends at least substantially in vertical direction. A moving assembly is configured to move the product from the first conveyor to the second conveyor. The moving assembly comprises a push-out guide which makes a stroke for each product that passes, or comprises a guide configured such that products are guided automatically along the guide only upon the movement of the conveying surface of the first conveyor.

Abstract: A conveyor system for conveying at least one product comprises at least one first conveyor, which is adjacent to at least one second conveyor via a junction. The conveying direction of the first conveyor near the junction is different from the conveying direction of the second conveyor near the junction. The first conveyor has a first conveying surface and the second conveyor has a second conveying surface for supporting the product thereon. The orientation of the normal of the part of the first conveying surface adjacent to junction is substantially different from that of the normal of the part of the second conveying surface adjacent to the junction. A moving assembly is configured to move the product from the first conveyor to the second conveyor The first conveyor describes an arcuate path at least near the junction.

Abstract: An apparatus for buffering products comprises at least three buffer conveyors arranged in series, which can be driven independently of each other, a first buffer conveyor which can be connected to supply device for supplying products and a last buffer conveyor which can be connected to discharge device for discharging the products, wherein the buffer conveyors are so arranged that each of the products follows the same conveying path and that at least one of the buffer conveyors comprises a spiral path.

Abstract: A conveyor for conveying products comprises at least a drivable helically-shaped inner track conveyor member and a drivable helically-shaped outer track conveyor member. The outer track conveyor member surrounds the inner track conveyor member. The pitches of the inner track conveyor member and the outer track conveyor member are different.