Product transfer device

1. A method for transferring products ( 1 ) between a main conveyor ( 2 ) which is configured to convey products in a longitudinal direction and an accumulation surface ( 3 ) using an intermediate conveyor ( 4 ) arranged between and in alignment with the accumulation surface ( 3 ) and the main conveyor ( 2 ), and a pushing device ( 5 ), the method comprising:

acceleration of the intermediate conveyor ( 4 ) to a speed approximate to a speed of the main conveyor ( 2 ),

transfer of products ( 1 ) from the main conveyor ( 2 ) to the intermediate conveyor ( 4 ) via the action of the pushing device ( 5 ),

deceleration of the intermediate conveyor ( 4 ) to a speed approximately zero, and

transfer of products ( 1 ) from the intermediate conveyor ( 4 ) directly to the accumulation surface ( 3 ), wherein the accumulation surface ( 3 ), at its transfer location, is configured to be movable, and

wherein the pushing device ( 5 ) comprises a pushing wall ( 6 ) movable longitudinally relative to the products ( 1 ) received from the main conveyor ( 2 ).

2. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the transfer of products ( 1 ) between the intermediate conveyor ( 4 ) and the accumulation surface ( 3 ) is carried out using the pushing device ( 5 ).

3. The method as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the pushing device ( 5 ) is configured to follow the longitudinal movement of the products during the transfer steps.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the pushing device ( 5 ) is configured to follow the longitudinal movement of the products during the transfer steps.

5. The method as claimed in claim 4 , further comprising:

longitudinal acceleration of the pushing wall ( 6 ) before transferring products ( 1 ) between the two conveyors ( 2 , 4 ), and

longitudinal deceleration of the pushing wall ( 6 ) before transferring products ( 1 ) between the intermediate conveyor ( 4 ) and the accumulation surface ( 3 ).

6. The method as claimed in claim 5 , further comprising:

lifting the pushing device ( 5 ) above the products ( 1 ),

transverse return of the pushing device ( 5 ) and longitudinal return of the pushing wall ( 6 ), and

lowering the pushing device ( 5 ).

7. The device for transferring products ( 1 ) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the pushing device ( 5 ) further comprises a retention wall ( 7 ).

8. The device for transferring products ( 1 ) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the pushing device ( 5 ) is configured to push the products ( 1 ) between the intermediate conveyor ( 4 ) and the accumulation surface ( 3 ).

9. The device for transferring products ( 1 ) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the pushing device ( 5 ) is configured to push the products, on the one hand, between the main conveyor ( 2 ) and the intermediate conveyor ( 4 ), on the other hand, between the intermediate conveyor ( 4 ) and the accumulation surface ( 3 ).

10. The device for transferring products ( 1 ) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the pushing device ( 5 ) comprises a lifting mechanism which is configured to enable it the pushing device ( 5 ) to pass above the products ( 1 ).

11. A device for transferring products comprising:

a main conveyor ( 2 ) configured to convey products in a longitudinal direction,

an accumulation surface ( 3 ) for receiving products ( 1 ) from the main conveyor ( 2 ), and

a pushing device ( 5 ), comprising an intermediate conveyor ( 4 ), arranged between the main conveyor ( 2 ) and the accumulation surface ( 3 ) and adjacent to and in alignment with the main conveyor ( 2 ) in order to enable a transfer of products ( 1 ) directly to the accumulation surface ( 3 ) by transverse displacement of the pushing device ( 5 ) between the main conveyor ( 2 ) and the intermediate conveyor ( 4 ),

wherein:

the accumulation surface ( 3 ), at its transfer location, is configured to be movable,

the intermediate conveyor ( 4 ) has a separate drive means relative to the main conveyor ( 2 ) in order to be able to vary the speed of the intermediate conveyor ( 4 ) independently of that of the main conveyor ( 2 ),

the pushing device ( 5 ) comprises a pushing wall ( 6 ) and a retention wall ( 7 ), each movable longitudinally relative to the products ( 1 ) received from the main conveyor ( 2 ), and

the pushing device ( 5 ) is configured to be vertically displaced in order to pass above the products ( 1 ).

12. The device for transferring products ( 1 ) as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the pushing device ( 5 ) further comprises a retention wall ( 7 ).

13. The device for transferring products ( 1 ) as claimed in claim 12 , wherein the retention wall ( 7 ) can be moved longitudinally.

14. The device for transferring products ( 1 ) as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the pushing device ( 5 ) is configured to push the products ( 1 ) between the intermediate conveyor ( 4 ) and the accumulation surface ( 3 ).

15. The device for transferring products ( 1 ) as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the pushing device ( 5 ) is configured to push the products, on the one hand, between the main conveyor ( 2 ) and the intermediate conveyor ( 4 ), on the other hand, between the intermediate conveyor ( 4 ) and the accumulation surface ( 3 ).

16. The device for transferring products ( 1 ) as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the pushing device ( 5 ) comprises a lifting mechanism which is configured to enable it the pushing device ( 5 ) to pass above the products ( 1 ).