Abstract: A buffer device for a digital transmission network transmitting voice signals, by packets, including so-called purging means for eliminating a number x.sub.(t) of the oldest packets stored in the buffer to prevent saturation thereof. The number of packets received at the input of the buffer within a given time interval is used to address a storage that supplies two pre-stored digital values, namely, x.sub.(t) and L.sub.(t). When the contents of the buffer are equal to L.sub.(t), a number x.sub.(t) of the oldest packets contained in the buffer are dropped.