WO2006072570A1

WO2006072570A1 - Plant for the production and separation of wafer pieces

Info

Publication number: WO2006072570A1
Application number: PCT/EP2006/000029
Authority: WO
Inventors: Johann Haas; Josef Jun. Haas; Erich Koletnik; Stefan Jiraschek
Original assignee: Franz Haas Waffel-Und Keksanlagen-Industrie Gmbh
Priority date: 2005-01-05
Filing date: 2006-01-04
Publication date: 2006-07-13
Also published as: AT501988A1; GB2436761A; AT501988B1; GB2436761B; GB0712906D0

Abstract

The invention relates to a plant for the production and separation of wafer pieces (1), in which wafer blocks are cut into wafer strips, comprising a wafer strip transport station (4), in which the wafer strips are moved apart with increasing separation in the longitudinal direction, a wafer strip cutting station (5), in which the wafer strips are cut sequentially at a distance from each other into wafer pieces and the wafer pieces are discharged in physically separate transverse rows and a wafer piece transport station (6), with a longitudinal branching unit (7), for the separation of the wafer pieces and a discharge station (8), arranged behind the same for the separated wafer pieces. Transport runs (9), running at the same level and transport runs (10), running at different levels are provided in the branching unit (7), connecting the adjacent initial regions thereof at the beginning of the branching unit (7) to the laterally distant terminal sections thereof at the end of the branching unit (7), by means of bypass sections (9b, 10b) running in physically differing locations.

Description

Title: Plant for making and separating waffle pieces

The invention relates to a system for producing and separating waffle pieces.

Such systems are preferably used in the production of chocolate-coated pieces of wafers or in the production of wafer pieces filled chocolate bars. There they serve to produce the pieces of waffle to be poured with chocolate or the waffle pieces to be inserted in chocolate molds by cutting large rectangular rectangular wafers and to divide the waffle pieces down to those large longitudinal and lateral distances with which the waffle pieces of a so-called Chocolate coating, in which the waffle pieces are covered on a net band overflowed with liquid chocolate, or fed to a so-called Eintafelanlage in which the waffle pieces are inserted into the ribs of the chocolate bars corresponding recesses of the chocolate molds before the chocolate molds are filled with liquid chocolate.

Known systems for feeding chocolate coating systems or Eintafelanlagen with Waffelstücken see a Waffelstücke producing Waffelblockschneider and this downstream, the emerging from the Waffelblockschneider Waffelstücke in a large arrangement with large longitudinal and transverse distances diverging distribution system before.

In Waffleblockschneider the rectangular wafer blocks are pushed by two in the transport direction successively arranged cutting stations in which the wafer blocks are cut in two mutually perpendicular directions. In the first cutting station, the waffle blocks are cut into waferbars elongated transversely to the transport direction, the length of which in the transport direction corresponds to the length of the wafers to be produced. In the second cutting station, the waffle bars are cut parallel to the transport direction. The cutting tools of the cutting device of this cutting station are arranged in the width of the waffle pieces to be produced corresponding distances transversely to the transport direction laterally next to each other. From the waffle block cutter, the finished waffle pieces emerge in a very close arrangement. The waffle pieces form straight-lined longitudinal and transverse rows. The Waffelstücklängsreihen are by the generated in the second cutting station, very narrow Längsschneidfugen of each other separated. Within the individual Waffelstücklängsreihen push in the transport direction successively arranged waffle pieces with their front and rear end faces together and form a gap Waffelstücklängsreihe.

Within the waffle block cutter, the wafer blocks cut into waffle strips are advanced in the transport direction by a feed device upstream of the second cutting station. With each feed movement, a waffle block cut into waffle bars is advanced by one waffle block length in the transport direction. In the first part of the feed movement, the waffle bars of the waffle block are pushed together in the transport direction and pushed to the last waffle bar of the previous, for the most part already cut waffle block. This results in a gapless series of frontally abutting in the transport direction waffle strips, of which in the second part of the feed movement of a waffle block length corresponding number is pushed in a train in the transport direction through the second cutting station. When passing through the cutting device of the second cutting station, the front edge abutting wafer strips are each cut into numerous waffle pieces arranged in a row running transversely to the direction of transport. The Waffelstückquerreihen resulting from the front side abutting waffle bars, frontally abutting Waffelstückquerreihen together with the front side abutting waffle bars of the previous Waffelblocks, frontally abutting Waffelstückquerreihen only by the produced in the second cutting station, very narrow Längsschneidfugen of Waffelstücklängsreihen separate, in which the Waffelstücke in Transport direction follow each other gapless and abut each other frontally.

In the adjoining the Waffelblockschneider distribution system then emerging from the waffle block cutter in a very close arrangement Waffelstücke in three consecutive transport direction in the work stations in a z. B. matched to a chocolate coating system, spacious arrangement with large side distances and large longitudinal distances in the transport direction and transverse to it.

The waffle pieces are pushed by the pre-mounted in Waffelblockschneider the second cutting station feed device through the first workstation of the distribution system. There, the waffle pieces are laterally separated in a passively acting spreading device transversely to the transport direction to the large side distances of the extensive arrangement. In the spreading the waffle pieces are through juxtaposed, in the transport direction forwardly radially diverging longitudinal channels pushed, the length of which increases continuously from the central longitudinal channels transversely to the transport direction to the outer longitudinal channels. In these longitudinal channels, the Waffelstücklängsreihen be diverted laterally on different lengths distances, which inevitably arise from the beginning of the spreader Waffelstückquerreihen convex, curved curved transverse rows.

In the second workstation of the distribution system, the pieces of waffle piece which abut one another on the front side within the waffle piece longitudinal rows are then pulled apart in the direction of travel. This is done by two successive conveyor belts in the transport direction. The first conveyor belt picks up the pieces of waffle emerging from the spreading device, within the waffle piece longitudinal rows, in each case without interruption, and conveys them further in the transport direction. The second conveyor belt runs at a slightly higher rotational speed than the first conveyor belt. Characterized the Waffelstücklängsreihen each gapless consecutive waffle pieces are pulled apart during the transfer from the first conveyor belt on the second conveyor belt in the transport direction. As a result, large longitudinal distances are created between the successive Waffelstückquerreihen, but the arcuate shape of Waffelstückquerreihen generated in the spreading device is maintained.

In the third workstation of the distribution system, the arcuate shape of the Waffelstückquerreihen is then eliminated in a so-called series former. This provides a movable in the movement path of Waffelstücklängsreihr transversal bar, which is moved before each arcuate Waffelstückquerreihe in the movement path of Waffelstücklängsreihen to block all Waffelstücklängsreihen long until her the arcuate Waffelstückquerreihe forming Waffelstücke are pushed with the front end on the crossbar. The crossbar holds the waffle pieces of the middle longitudinal rows and the laterally outwardly adjoining longitudinal rows until even the Waffelstücke the laterally outermost longitudinal rows abut with its end faces to him. The waffle pieces of the Waffelstücklängsreihen adjacent to the crossbar form a rectilinear Waffelstückquerreihe. The crossbar is then moved up or down out of the path of movement of the waffle piece longitudinal rows to release the straight aligned waffle piece transverse row adjacent thereto. This is output by a downstream of the transom conveyor belt from the series former. Of the Crossbar is moved back into the path of Waffelstücklängsreihen before the next arcuate Waffelstückquerreihe to again block all Waffelstücklängsreihen until their waffles forming the arcuate Waffelstückquerreihe lie with the front end side of the crossbar.

A plant consisting of waffle block cutter and downstream wafer piece distribution system for feeding a chocolate coating machine, in which the wafer pieces in 14 are juxtaposed with juxtaposed longitudinal rows simultaneously with chocolate, is for example equipped with a waffle block cutter, in which the wafer blocks in the first cutting station in FIG Waffelleisten be cut, whose measured length in the transport direction corresponds to the length of the waffle pieces to be produced, and in which the wafer strips formed in the first cutting station are cut in the second cutting station in each 14 Waffelstücke arranged side by side transversely to the transport direction. This waffle block cutter cuts each waffle block into 56 waffle pieces, which are output from the waffle block cutter in 14 transverse to the transport direction juxtaposed and each separated by a longitudinal cutting gap Waffelstücklängsreihen within which follow the waffle pieces gapless.

In Waffleblockschneider are filled with cream, caramel or other filling masses wafer blocks cut in which Waffelblattlagen and Füllmasseschichten are arranged alternately one above the other. The wafer blocks are cut into individual waffle pieces, which are delimited in the transport direction and transversely to it by cut surfaces at which the edges of the Füllmasseschichten are each exposed. The edges of the filling compound layers which are exposed at the front and rear end faces of the waffle pieces running transversely to the transport direction influence the contact of the waffle pieces with one another when they are pushed forward into the distribution system in the transport direction, or the waffle pieces contact the crossbeam of the row former from which they are temporarily stopped and then released again. The edges of the filling compound layers which are exposed at the side surfaces of the wafer pieces extending in the transport direction influence the contact of the wafer pieces with the deflection surfaces of the passively acting spreading device, in which they are pushed along the side walls of the longitudinal channels.

For waffle pieces in which the exposed edges of the filler layers on the forehead and side surfaces produce no or only a very small adhesive effect, the feed generated by Waffelblockschneider sufficient to push in the first workstation of the distribution system the frontally abutting and abutting the side walls of the longitudinal channels of the passive spreading device wafers pieces through the spreading device, without that the waffle pieces stick to each other or to the side walls of the longitudinal channels, which would lead to a blocking of the spreading device or the entire distribution system. These waffle pieces are stopped by the crossbeam of the row former without sticking to the end face of the crossbeam when it is raised or lowered to release the waffle pieces aligned to a rectilinear transverse row.

For on the front and side surfaces very sticky, z. B. filled with caramel waffle pieces, the distribution system with many, mechanically very elaborate and the waffle pieces each directly attacking auxiliary devices are provided, which must be located wherever it is necessary to change the direction of transport of Waffelstücke, directly successive waffle pieces from each other or temporarily stop the waffle pieces for transversal alignment, and then release them without changing the position of the waffle pieces.

For the on the front and side surfaces very sticky, z. For example, pieces of waffles filled with caramel must be provided with numerous auxiliary devices to the first workstation of the distribution system. In the spreading device, a separate auxiliary device must be provided for all the oblique longitudinal channels for the change of direction provided at the beginning of the longitudinal channel and for the change of direction provided at the end of the longitudinal channel, which mechanically acts on the wafer pieces and diverts each individual wafer piece into the new one Transport direction accomplished.

For the on the front and side surfaces very sticky, z. B. filled with caramel waffle pieces is in the second workstation of the distribution system at each Waffelstücklängsreihe own auxiliary device for separating the immediately successive and firmly adhering Waffelstücke required. This auxiliary device must each mechanically act on two immediately successive Waffelstücke to hold the rear Waffelstück while it detects the front Waffelstück and moved away from the rear Waffelstück in the transport direction forward. For the on the front and side surfaces very sticky, z. B. with caramel filled pieces of waffles arranged in the third workstation of the distribution system row builder must be specially rebuilt or provided with an additional auxiliary device to mechanically with their sticky faces on the crossbar or there 5 festklebenden Waffelstücke after the rectilinear alignment of Waffelstückquerreihe hold while the crossbar for releasing the Waffelstückquerreihe is moved out of the path of movement Waffelstücklängsreihen. This auxiliary device must then release the waffle pieces held by it again, without the position of the waffle pieces or their orientation in the transport direction lo being lost.

To solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention proposes a system for producing and separating waffle pieces, in which the following stations are arranged one behind the other:

(a) a wafer block cutting station in which the wafer blocks up in the transport direction to be cut I ₅ successive, transversely elongated to the transport direction wafer strips,

(b) a waffle-cloth transporting station in which at least two transport belts, which follow one another in the direction of transport and which increase the waffle bars, are provided, which move apart from one another,

Fig. 20 (c) a wafer strip cutting station in which individual, successively spaced waffle strips are cut in the direction of transport into waffle pieces dispensed in spatially separated waffle piece cross rows, and (d) a waffle piece transporting station with a divider for diverting

2 _{5 of} the waffle pieces and one of these downstream output station for the separated waffle pieces, wherein in the branching plant in a Waffelstückquerreihe juxtaposed Waffelstücken individually assigned, spatially differently extending transport paths are provided at the ends of the Waffelstücke each Waffelstückquerreihe arrive simultaneously and there

₃ o an all in a Waffelstückquerreihe juxtaposed Waffelstücken common conveyor belt of the output station are passed, with the transport paths of the branching from their at the beginning of the branching closely juxtaposed initial sections on their spatially divergent diversion sections to their at the end of the branching system laterally far extending spaced apart end portions, wherein at least one of the initial sections to the end portions at the same level extending group of transport paths and at least one of the initial sections to the end sections different height levels passing through group of transport paths 5 is provided.

In this plant, the waffle block cutting station formed from a waffle block, transversely to the transport direction elongated waffle bars whose measured in the transport direction length of the length of the pieces of wafers to be produced, separated in transport iö direction in greater longitudinal distances and then successively supplied to the Waffelleistenschneidestation in which the Waffelleisten each be cut parallel to the transport direction into individual waffle pieces. The mutual distances of the cutting tools of the wafer strip cutting station arranged side by side transversely to the transport direction correspond in each case to the width of the waffle pieces to be produced. On the side edges of the i ₅ Waffelleisten left edge portions remain, which fall as waste down from the Waffelleistenschneidestation. The pieces of wafers resulting from the individual waffle bars are dispensed as waffle piece cross rows separated from each other by longitudinal distances from the waffle cutter cutting station. Within the Waffelstückquerreihe created from a Waffelleiste are the Waffelstücke juxtaposed each by a

20, produced by the cutting tools of the wafer strip cutting station, extending in the direction of transport kerf separated from each other. In the Waffelstücktransportstation the separated by cutting gaps pieces of wafers are laterally separated when passing the provided in the branching with diversion sections transport lanes in larger side distances.

2 ₅ In the inventive system on the one hand in the Waffelblockschneidestation resulting waffle bars, which are arranged one behind the other in the transport direction and separated by transverse to the transport direction cutting joints in the Waffelleistentransportstation further apart in the transport direction and on the other are in the Waffelleistenschneidestation from the longitudinal distances separated from each other

30 Waffelleisten incurred within the respective Waffelstückquerreihe separated by parallel to the transport direction cutting joints Waffelstücke in Waffelstücktransportstation further apart transversely to the transport direction. As a result, the mutually facing, vertical side surfaces of adjacent waffle strips or adjacent waffle pieces, in which the edges of the Füllmasseschichten are each exposed, moved apart, so that very sticky side surfaces of z. B. with caramel or caramel cream filled waffle pieces have no effect on the further transport of the waffle bars and waffle pieces or on the orientation of Waffelstücke within the Waffelstückquerreihen or Waffelstücklängsreihen.

In the system according to the invention, waffle blocks filled with very sticky filling compounds can readily be processed. In contrast to the known systems in which all workstations Waffelstück distribution system must be equipped with specially trained auxiliary devices to the distribution system for on the front and side surfaces very sticky, z. B. to make caramel filled waffle pieces suitable, in the inventive system, all such additional auxiliary devices for producing and disassembling the waffle pieces can be omitted without replacement.

The invention provides a much simpler structure for producing and diverting provided with sticky front and side surfaces waffle pieces before, as a conventional, suitable for the processing of filled with very sticky cream waffle blocks suitable investment in the one with sticky forehead and Side panels provided Waffelblocksclineider a Waffelstück- distribution system made suitable for the all-round sticky waffle pieces downstream.

In the system according to the invention in the Waffelstücktransportstation the spatially different diverting sections of all transport paths are equal to each other. The straight alignment of the Waffelstückquerreihen incurred in the Waffelleistenschneidestation is not lost when passing through the branching plant. The waffle pieces conveyed on spatially differently extending transport paths arrive at the same time at the end sections of the transport paths, which are arranged side by side at the end of the Waffelstücktransportstation in larger side distances. In the system according to the invention, therefore, the necessary in the known systems, there the rectilinear alignment of the individual Waffelstückquerreihen first generating row formers with its vertically movable up and down, all juxtaposed Waffelstücklängsreihen common and therefore also account for very wide crossbar. This also applies to the auxiliary devices which are absolutely necessary in the known series former for the treatment of waffle pieces provided with sticky front and side surfaces.

Another advantage of the system according to the invention is that - apart from the In the wafer block cutting station and in the wafer strip cutting station provided at the respective cutting device Abstreifblechen for each Scheidabfall - no device components are provided, which can come into engagement with the front or side surfaces of the Waffelstücke.

An embodiment of the system according to the invention provides for a Waffelblockschneidestation subordinate Waffelleistentransportstation, in which the waffle bars are separated only to short longitudinal distances in the transport direction, and a Waffelleistenschneidestation downstream Waffelstücktransportstation before, in the separated only by small column Waffelstücke in the transport direction and across to be separated apart to a spacious arrangement in which the waffle pieces are arranged in straight longitudinal and transverse rows each separated by large longitudinal or side distances. In this variant of the plant, the waffle pieces are separated only in the branch plant of Waffelstücktransportstation to the intended for a downstream chocolate cover or Eintafelanlage large longitudinal and lateral distances.

A further embodiment of the system according to the invention provides a Waffelblockschneidestation downstream, the waffle pieces in the transport direction apart at large longitudinal distances leading waffle cloth transport station and one of the Waffelleistenschneidestation, the Waffelstücke transversely to the transport direction apart to large side distances leading Waffelstücktransportstation. In this variant of the plant, the waffle strips are already separated apart from the large longitudinal distances provided for a downstream chocolate coating unit or boarding machine and the pieces of wafers already cut to the large longitudinal distances are removed in the branching unit of the wafer piece transporting station, except for the large one provided for a downstream chocolate topping or single-sheet installation Side distances apart.

In the system according to the invention, all types of waffle blocks filled with cream, caramel or other filling material can be cut into pieces of wafers and separated into a spacious arrangement coordinated with a downstream chocolate coating system or boarding system and output in straight longitudinal and transverse rows. The presence or absence of stickiness of the respectively exposed cream, caramel or filling material produced during the processing of the wafer blocks in the system according to the invention. Mass layer containing front and side surfaces of the waffle pieces have no effect on the orientation of the waffle pieces at the end of the system according to the invention.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the following stations can be arranged one behind the other in a system for producing and separating waffle pieces:

(a) an intermittently working wafer block cutting station, in which the wafer blocks are cut into successive, in the transport direction, transversely to the transport direction elongated wafer strips,

(b) a continuously operating waffle-cloth transporting station, in which at least two transport belts, which follow one another in the direction of transport and which increase the waffle bars, are provided, which move apart from one another,

(c) a continuous wafer strip cutting station in which individual, successively spaced waffle strips are cut in the direction of transport into waffle pieces which are dispensed in spatially separated waffle piece cross rows, and

(d) a continuously operating Waffelstücktransportstation with a branching system for separating the Waffelstücke and one of these downstream output station for the separated Waffelstücke, wherein in the branching plant in a Waffelstückquerreihe juxtaposed Waffelstücken individually associated, spatially differently extending transport paths are provided at the ends of the Waffelstücke each Waffelstückquerreihe arrive simultaneously and there passed to a Waffelstückquerreihe juxtaposed Waffelstücken common conveyor of the output station, wherein the transport paths of the branching from their beginning of the branching closely juxtaposed initial sections on their spatially divergent diversion sections to their at the end of the branching extend laterally far apart end portions, wobe i at least one of the initial sections to the end portions at the same level extending group of transport paths and at least one of the initial sections to the end sections different height levels passing through group of transport paths is provided.

This training makes it possible to have a downstream continuous chocolate topping To feed continuously drawing or Eintafelanlage with filled waffle pieces, which have been produced in the system of the invention and transferred to the intended for the chocolate cover or Eintafelanlage extensive arrangement.

According to a further feature of the invention, the waffle-cloth transporting station can have a plurality of conveyor belts which follow one another in the transport direction and in which the rotational speed increases in the transport direction from conveyor belt to conveyor belt. This design makes it possible to gradually move the waffle bars in the transport direction further apart. The waffle bars can be gently accelerated from standstill to the transport speed required for the waffle cutter cutting station.

m further embodiment of the invention, a system for diverging Waffelstücken from a close arrangement in a large arrangement with straight longitudinal and transverse rows is proposed. This plant is characterized in that a branching plant for separating the Waffelstücke and a branching downstream output station is provided for the separated Waffelstücke that in the branching plant in a Waffelstückquerreihe juxtaposed Waffelstücken individually associated, spatially differently extending transport paths are provided at the ends the waffle pieces of each Waffelstückquerreihe arrive simultaneously and there passed to a Waffelstückquerreihe juxtaposed Waffelstücken common conveyor of the output station, that the transport paths of the branching from their at the beginning of the branching closely juxtaposed initial sections on spatially different diversion sections to their at the end of the Branching system laterally far apart end portions extend, and d at least one group of transport paths extending at the same level from the initial sections to the end sections and at least one group of transport paths passing through from the initial sections to the end sections having different height levels is provided.

According to the invention, a branching plant can be provided in which the throughput time of the waffle pieces on the transport levels running at the same level and the transport paths passing through the different height levels are the same.

According to a further feature of the invention, in the branch plant a group be provided at the same level extending transport paths and a group of different height levels continuous transport paths, the transport paths of both groups are equally long and partially arranged on substantially at the same speed circulating conveyor belts and the group of level equal running transport paths with each other for the same length and in a diversion plane Have lying bypass sections and the group of different levels of height passing through transport tracks have the same bypassing sections with each other and a spatially extending detour path.

According to a further feature of the invention, a group of parallel transport paths and a group of different height levels passing through transport paths may be provided in the branching plant, the two transport path groups from group to group have different length diversion sections and for the end sections of at least one of the two transport path groups an all End sections of this group common conveyor belt with adjustable speed is provided.

According to a further feature of the invention, in the branching plant, two groups of transport paths may extend from a common entrance area at the beginning of the branching plant through a diversion area of the branching plant into two groups of adjacent exit areas at the end of the branching facility, the initial sections of the two Groups in the entrance area are arranged alternately side by side and the output range of the different height levels passing group of transport paths arranged in extension of the entrance area, while the exit area of the same level group of transport paths opposite the entrance area is arranged laterally offset transversely to the transport direction.

This system variant is preferred for feeding narrow-built chocolate coating equipment or slender paneling equipment where only a few juxtaposed waffle piece longitudinal rows are required and the waffle pieces juxtaposed in a transverse row can be produced by cutting a single waffle block.

According to a further feature of the invention, in the case of the group of equidistant transport paths arranged in the entrance area of the branching plant initial sections arranged in the bypass area of the branching in a diversion plane, obliquely to the transport direction diverting sections to be connected to the end sections, which are arranged laterally offset in the opposite to the input area transversely to the transpor 5 directional exit arranged exit region of the branching system ,

According to a further feature of the invention, in the group of different height levels passing through transport paths each arranged in the entrance area of the branching starting section arranged by a bypassing the Verzwei- gungsanlage along a spatial diversion path arranged diversion section with arranged in extension of the input area output range of the branching system Be connected end portion.

According to a further feature of the invention, in the case of the branching plant, two groups of transport paths can move from one common entrance area to one another

I ₅ separate tracks extend through a diversion area of the branching plant into three adjacent exit areas at the end of the branching plant, wherein the initial sections of both groups are arranged alternately adjacent to each other in the entrance area and the exit area of the different height levels passing group of transport paths arranged in the extension of the entrance area,

20 middle exit region is arranged, while the level-parallel running group of transport paths in two, diverging obliquely in the bypass area of the branching divisional subgroups is divided, the end portions are each arranged laterally offset in a transversely to the input direction transversely to the transport direction, lateral, outer output areas.

2s This system variant is preferred for the loading of very wide-built chocolate puller systems, in which a large number of adjacent waffle length rows are required and the adjacent waffle pieces in a transverse row only by cutting very wide waffle blocks or by cutting two laterally with enough distance adjacent waffle blocks

30 can be generated.

According to a further feature of the invention, in the case of subdivided into two subgroups In each case, the initial sections of a subgroup arranged in the diversion area of the branching system are arranged in the bypass area of the branching system in a diverting plane which extends obliquely to the transporting direction and has side, outer and lateral directions offset transversely to the transport direction Output region of the branching system arranged end portions of the subgroup be connected, wherein the respective obliquely to the transport direction diverting sections of the two subgroups diverging obliquely in the bypass area of the branching plant in the transport direction forward.

According to the invention, two groups of spatially differently extending transport paths can be provided in the branching plant. In the first group, the diverting portions undergo different levels in the longitudinal direction and each extend along a spatial diversion path which extends from the initial portion over an intermediate level deviating therefrom to the end portion. The end sections of the first group are arranged at the end of the branching plant in a middle output area. The second group is subdivided into two subgroups, in which the diverting sections, each running parallel in the subgroup, lie in one plane and diverge obliquely in the longitudinal direction in a V-shaped manner. The end portions of these two sub-groups are arranged at the end of the branching plant in two separate dispensing areas, which are arranged on both sides of the dispensing area of the first group.

In this embodiment, the waffle pieces are diverted to groups parallel running and groupwise spatially different diversion sections to their double side distances.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to embodiments shown in the drawings. In the drawings show:

Fig. 1 is a side view of a first embodiment of an inventive

2 shows a plan view of a second exemplary embodiment of a wafer according to the invention

Fig. 3 shows a plan view of the wafer block cutting station and the downstream

2, FIG. 4 shows an oblique view of the waffle conveyor transport station of FIG. 2, FIG. Fig. 5 is a side view of the waffle cloth transport station and the downstream

Waffleistenschneidestation of Fig. 2,

Fig. 6 is an end view of the wafer strip cutting station of Fig. 2, Fig. 7 is a side view of the wafer piece transport station of Fig. 2, Fig. 8 is a plan view of the Waffelstücktransportstation of Fig. 2 and

9 is an oblique view of the branching system of Waffelstücktransportstation of FIG. 2nd

Fig. 1 shows a side view of a first embodiment of a system according to the invention for producing and separating waffle pieces. In this plant, the Waffelstücklängsreihen needed for a narrow-built chocolate cover system or Eintafelanlage be produced by cutting individual waffle blocks. These are fed to the plant according to the invention successively and processed in the plant to Waffelstücken. The waffle pieces are issued at the end of the system in the intended for the chocolate cover or Eintafelanlage, straight longitudinal and transverse rows.

At the beginning of the plant shown in Fig. 1 for producing and separating waffle pieces is a wafer block cutting station I ₃ of the wafer blocks via a conveyor belt 2 in the transport direction (arrow 3) are supplied. The waffle blocks are cut in the waffle block cutting station 1 transversely to the transport direction into individual waffle strips whose length measured in the transport direction corresponds to the length of the waffle pieces to be produced. The waffle strips are arranged one behind the other in the transport direction and are separated from the waffle block cutting station 1 only by the cutting joints which have been produced during cutting and run transversely to the transport direction. The waffle strips are separated from one another by the cutting joints and transferred to the waffle-cloth transporting station 4 downstream in the direction of transport 3. In this, the waffle strips are separated from one another in the transport direction 3 in successive conveyor belts, in which the rotational speed of conveyor belt to conveyor belt in the transport direction 3 increases, to greater longitudinal distances and then fed to the downstream Waffelleistenschneidestation 5. In this, the individual waffle strips are cut parallel to the transport clearing 3 into a plurality of waffle pieces arranged side by side in a row. Within the transverse row, the waffle pieces are only in the transport direction 3 in the Waffelleistenschneidestation 5 when cutting the waffle strips incurred Cutting joints separated. From the wafer strip cutting station 5, the waffle pieces emerge in rectilinear transverse rows and into the downstream wafer piece transport station 6. In this, an elongated in the transport direction 3 branching plant 7 for diverting the Waffelstücke and one of the branching plant 7 downstream discharge station 8 is provided for the separated Waffelstücke.

In the branching plant 7, the waffle pieces each adjacent to each other in a waffle piece transverse row are provided with individually assigned transport paths arranged transversely to the transport direction. The transport lanes with odd numbering - d. H. the transport lanes 1, 3, 5, etc. - belong to a group of transport paths 9 running at the same level within the branching plant 7 and the transport lanes with even numbering - d. H. the transport lanes 2, 4, 6, etc. - belong to a group of transport lanes 10 passing through different height levels within the branching plant 7.

The transport paths 9, 10 have in the arranged at the beginning of the branching system 7 entrance area 7a closely adjacent to each other starting sections 9a and 10a. These are connected via diverting sections 9b, 10b situated laterally further apart in the diverting section 7b of the branching system 7 adjoining the input section 7a in the direction of transport 3, said diverting sections 7c, 10c located laterally further apart in the exit section 7c arranged at the end of the branching system 7 the branching plant 7 lie in two separate, juxtaposed discharge areas.

In the entrance area 7a of the branching plant 7, the initial sections 9a, 10a of the two transport path groups are arranged alternately side by side transversely to the transport direction 3. In the exit area 7c of the branching plant 7, the delivery area of the transport paths 10 passing through different height levels is arranged in a straight line extension of the entrance area 7a, while the exit area of the level-parallel transport lanes 9 is offset laterally relative to the entrance area 7a transversely to the transport direction 3 and adjacent to the exit area of the different height levels continuous transport paths 10 is located.

In the case of the transport paths 10, bypassing sections 7b of the branching system 7 each have a diverting section 10b passing through them. These are in two in transport direction divided into 3 consecutive sections 11 and 12. The first subsections 11 of the diverting sections 10b lie in a first diverting plane 13 extending obliquely downwards from the input region 7a of the branching system 7. The first subsections 11 terminate in a height level lowered relative to the input region 7a of the branching system 7. From this lowered height level, the second subsections 12 of the diverting sections 10b of the transporting paths 10 lead in a second subsection 12 of the diversion sections 14b rising obliquely upwards to the exit region 7c.

In the case of transport paths 9, diverting system 7 is provided in diverting region 7 in a horizontal deflection plane 15, diverting sections 9b running obliquely to transport direction 3, each connecting an initial section 9a with an end section 9c laterally offset transversely to transport direction 3.

In the branching plant 7, the waffle pieces of a Waffelstückquerreihe juxtaposed on the different height levels through transport paths 10 and on the same level extending transport paths 9 and come at the end of the branching system 7 simultaneously and laterally far apart in the transversely to the transport direction 3 juxtaposed output areas of to both transport lane groups. At the end of these dispensing areas, the waffle pieces of the respective waffle piece transverse row are then transferred as a straight piece of waffle piece transverse row to a wide conveyor belt 16 of the dispensing station 8, which takes over all waffle pieces lying next to each other at once.

2-9 show a further embodiment of a plant according to the invention for producing and separating waffle pieces, in which two juxtaposed waffle blocks cut simultaneously and the resulting waffle pieces are ausemandergeführt in a branching plant, which corresponds to a branch plant, in the two branching 7th of the embodiment of Fig. 1 are arranged in mirror image side by side.

The plant shown in FIGS. 2-9 for producing and separating waffle pieces is provided for feeding very wide-built chocolate coating systems or single-tray systems and generates the numerous waffle piece longitudinal rows arranged at greater distances there. In the plant shown in FIGS. 2-9, the waffle blocks supplied to the plant in its feeding station 17 are conveyed in the longitudinal direction - arrow 18 - through the four workstations of the plant. On the feed station 17 follows in the transport direction 18, a tandem Waffelblockschneidestation 19, which is followed by a Waffelleistentransportstation 20, followed by 5 a Waffelleistenschneidestation 21, which is a Waffelstücktransportstation 22 with branching 23 and output station 24 downstream.

2 and 3 show the tandem Waffelblockschneidestation 19 with the upstream feed station 17 and the downstream Waffelleistentransportstation 20. In Fig. 2, the Waffelblockschneidestation 19 is shown with the waffle blocks to be cut and the felblöcken from Wafflöcken Waffelleisten, in FIG 3 without waffle blocks and waffle bars.

In the waffle block cutting station 19, two wafer blocks 25, 26 are simultaneously cut transversely to the transport direction 18 into individual waffle strips 27, 28, which are then juxtaposed on a conveyor belt 29 in the transport direction 18 to the wafers.

15 fellesistentransportstation 20 are passed. In the waffle block cutting station 19, two cutting devices 30, 31 are arranged transversely to the transport direction 18 at a distance from each other. The cutting tools of the two cutting devices 30, 31 are each aligned transversely to the transport direction 18. The wafer blocks 25, 26 are in the feed station 17 of two in the transport direction 18 extending conveyor belts 32,

20 33 the two cutting devices 30, 31, respectively. In the wafer block cutting station 19, the wafer blocks 25, 26 of the cutting devices 30, 31 respectively associated feed devices 30 b, 31 b are pushed transversely to the transport direction 18 by the cutting devices 20, 21. The resulting wafer strips 27, 28 are pushed onto the arranged between the two cutting devices 30, 31 conveyor belt 29, on the

25, the waffle bars 27, 28 conveyed in pairs side by side in the transport direction 18 from the Waffelblockschneidestation 19 and passed to the downstream Waffelleistentransportstation 20. On the conveyor belt 29, the pairs of waffle bars are separated by the cutting cutters 30, 31, which extend transversely to the transport direction 18 and are separated in the transport direction 18 one behind the other.

The waffle cloth transporting station 20 shown in detail in FIGS. 2-5 provides a plurality of conveyor belts 34-36 in succession in the transporting direction 18, on which the pairs of waffle bars are conveyed further in the transporting direction 19 and thereby to larger longitudinal distances be moved apart. In the conveyor belts 34-36, the rotational speed increases in the longitudinal direction of the system from conveyor belt to conveyor belt. The conveyor belts 34-36 lead the waffle bar pairs apart for greater longitudinal distances. The foremost conveyor belt of the waffle rig transporting station 20 then conveys the waffle strips 27 ', 28', which are separated by relatively long longitudinal distances, in the transport direction 18 as far as the cutting device 37 of the downstream waffle cutting station 21.

The wafer strip cutting station 21 shown in detail in FIGS. 2, 5 and 6 contains a cutting device 37 whose cutting tools arranged at a distance from the width of the wafer pieces to be produced are aligned parallel to the transport direction 18. Above the cutting device 37 a working in the direction of transport 18 feed device 38 is provided for the waffle bars. The feed device 38 is provided with two circumferential, parallel to the transport direction 18, endless chains 39, the transversely to the transport direction 18 extending, in the transport direction 18 at a distance successive driver 40 and between them, transversely to the transport direction elongated plungers 41 wear. When the feed device 38 is running, the drivers 40 engage the rear end side of the pairs of adjacent waffle strips 27 ', 28' and push them in the transport direction 18 through the cutting device 37, while the between the drivers 40 and each afford just above the tops of the waffle 27 ', 28' circumferential thrust pieces 41 a rise of the wafer strips 27 ', 28' during the cutting process.

The Waffelstücktransportstation 22 shown in detail in FIGS. 2 and 7-9 is arranged downstream of the Waffelleistenschneidestation 21 in the transport direction. The Waffelstücktransportstation 22 provides an elongated in the transport direction 18 branching system 23 for diverting the Waffelstücke and a branching plant 23 downstream output station 24 for the pieces of waffle pieces apart.

ha of the branching plant 23 are provided in each case in a Waffelstückquerreihe juxtaposed Waffelstücken individually associated, transversely to the transport direction side by side arranged transport paths. The transport paths with odd numbering - ie the transport lanes 1, 3, 5, etc. - belong to a group of transportation lanes 42 running at the same level within the branching system 23 and the transport lanes with even numbering - ie the transport lanes 2, 4, 6 etc. - belong to one Grappe from within the branching plant 23 different height levels passing through transport paths 43rd

The transport paths 42, 43 have in the arranged at the beginning of the branching plant 23 entrance area 23a closely adjacent to each other initial sections 42a and 43a. These

5 are in the subsequent to the entrance area 23 a in the transport direction 18 bypass area 23 b of the branching plant 23 diverting sections 42 b, 43 b with laterally spaced apart end portions 42 c, 43 c of the transport paths 42, 43, which arranged in the at the end of the branching system 23 Output region 23 c of the branching system 23 in three separate, adjacent Ausga- lo areas 44, 45, 46 are located, of which the central output area 45 is assigned to the different height levels through transport paths 43, while the two outer output areas 44 and 46 each of a subset of divided into two subgroups, level same running transport paths 43 are assigned.

In the entrance area 23a of the branching plant 23, the initial sections 42a, 43a of the I ₅ two transport path groups are arranged alternately side by side transversely to the transport direction 18. In the exit area 23 c of the branching installation 23, the exit area 45 of the transport paths 43 passing through the different height levels is arranged in a straight line extension of the entrance area 23 a of the branching installation 23. The level-parallel transport paths 42 are divided transversely to the transport direction 18 into two sub-groups arranged side by side diverting portions 42b 'and 42b "diverge in the bypass area 23b of the branching plant 23 in the transport direction 18 forward and in the entrance area 23 a of the branching system 23rd arranged start portions 42a 'and 42a "of the respective subgroup with the arranged in one of the outer output areas 44, 46 of the manifold 23 end portions 2 ₅ 42c' or 42c" of the respective subgroup connect.

In the case of the transport paths 43, diverting sections 23 b each have a passageway 43 b extending through the valley are provided in the diversion area 23 b. These are divided into two consecutive sections 47 and 48 in the transport direction 18. The first subsections 47 of the diversion sections 43b lie in a first diversion plane 49 running obliquely downwards from the entrance area 23a of the branch line 23. The first subsections 47 terminate in a height level lowered relative to the entrance area 23a of the branch line 23. From this lowered height level lead the in a to the output region 23 c of the branching plant 23 obliquely upwardly rising, second diversion plane 50 lying, second sections 48 of the bypass sections 43 b of the transport paths 43rd

In the two subgroups of the transport paths 42 running at the same level, diverting sections 23b of diverting system 23 are provided in each case in a horizontal diverting plane 51, diverting sections 42b 'and 42b "running obliquely to transport direction 18, each having an initial section 42a' and 42a, respectively "with an opposite to this transversely to the transport direction 18 laterally staggered end portion 42c 'and 42c" connect, which is disposed in one of the outer output areas 44, 46 of the branching system lo 23.

At the beginning of the diversion region 23b of the branching plant 23, a branching region 52 is provided. At the beginning 53 of the branching region 52, the obliquely downwardly extending first diversion plane 49 of the diversion sections 43b of the transport paths 43 passing through the different height levels adjoins. At the end 54 of the

I ₅ supply portion 52 close to the redirect portions each lying in a horizontal forwarding plane 51, inclined to the transport direction 18 extending obliquely diverging forward 42b 'and 42b "of the two Teilgrappen the same level extending transport paths 42nd In the branch portion 52 are above the direction of transport 18 extending start portions 42a ', 42a ", 43 of the two transport path groups 42, 43rd

20 transverse to the transport direction 18 juxtaposed and respectively the initial sections of one of the two transport path groups 42 and 43 associated guide rollers 55 and 56 are provided, wherein each of the initial sections 42a ', 42a "and 43 of a transport path group 42 and 43 associated guide rollers 55 and 56 are arranged in a row transverse to the transport direction 18 side by side.

When passing through the branching region 52 of the branching plant 23, the waffles conveyed on the transporting direction in the direction of transport 18 are deflected downwards from the plane of the entrance area 23a of the branching plant 23 into the obliquely downward first diversion plane 49, while the on the in the transport direction 18 extending starting portions 42a ', 42a "of

30 transport tracks 42 further transported waffle pieces in the plane of the entrance area 23a of the branching plant 23 remain and only at the end 54 of the branching region 52 of the respective subgroup of level-parallel transport paths 42 accordingly be deflected obliquely outwards.

In the branching plant 23, the waffle pieces of a Waffelstückquerreihe arranged side by side on the different height levels through transport paths 43 and on the same level extending subgroups of the transport paths 42 and come at the end of the branching system 23 simultaneously and laterally far apart in the three transverse to the transport direction 18 side by side arranged output areas 44, 45, 46 of the two transport path groups. At the end of these output areas 44, 45, 46, the waffle pieces of the relevant Waffelstückquerreihe are then transferred as a straight Waffelstückquerreihe to a wide conveyor belt 57 of the output station 24, which extends transversely to the transport direction 18 on all juxtaposed transport paths 42, 43 both transport path groups and respectively all adjacent waffle pieces take over a Waffelstückquerreihe at once.

The two units for separating the waffle pieces arranged in FIG. 1 or in FIGS. 2 and 7-9, respectively, can also be designed as independent systems, independently of a system according to the invention for producing and separating waffle pieces ,

These each of a branching plant 7 or 23 for diverging the Waffelstücke and one of the branching plant 7 and 23 downstream output station 8 and 24 for the separated wafer pieces existing facilities can also be a conventional, equipped with two immediately successive cutting stations Waffelblockschneider downstream, to convert the waffle pieces produced by this from a very narrow arrangement with straight longitudinal and transverse rows into a spacious arrangement with straight longitudinal and transverse rows, without a passively acting and necessarily arcuate curved Waffelstückquerreihen generating Spreizvor- direction and one of these downstream, each one Waffelstückquerreihe persistent and the Waffelstückquerreihe straight-line aligning need.

Claims

claims:

1. Plant for producing and separating waffle pieces, in which the following stations are arranged in the transport direction one behind the other:

(A) a Waffelblocksclineidestation in which the wafer blocks are cut in the transport direction successive, transversely to the transport direction elongated wafer strips,

(b) a waffle-cloth transporting station in which at least two successive conveyor belt-extending successive wafers are provided; (c) a waffle-cutting station in which individual wafers spaced successively are cut in the direction of transport into wafers which are spatially separated from each other and (d) a waffle piece transporting station having a branching device for separating the waffle pieces and a downstream output station for the separated waffle pieces, wherein in the branching unit the spatially differently extending waffle pieces arranged side-by-side in a Wafpstückquerreihe Transport tracks are provided, arrive at the ends of the waffle pieces each Waffelstückquerreihe simultaneously and there to an all in a Waffelstückque The transport paths of the branching system extend from their starting sections, which are located closely adjacent to one another at the beginning of the branching plant, over their spatially differently diverting sections to their end sections which are laterally far apart at the end of the branching system, at least one is provided from the initial sections to the end sections at the same level extending group of transport paths and at least one of the initial sections to the end sections different height levels passing through group of transport paths.

2. Installation according to claim 1, characterized in that the following stations are arranged one behind the other in the transport direction:

(a) an intermittently working wafer block cutting station, in which the wafer blocks are cut in the direction of transport successive, transversely to the transport direction stretched waffle bars are cut up,

5 (c) a continuous wafer strip cutting station, in which individual, successively spaced waffle strips are cut in the direction of transport into waffle pieces which are dispensed in spatially separated waffle piece cross rows, and (d) a continuous wafer piece transporting station with a branching

10 would be for diverging the Waffelstücke and one of these downstream output station for the separated Waffelstücke, being provided in the branching plant in a Waffelstückquerreihe juxtaposed Waffelstücken individually associated, spatially differently extending transport paths, at the ends of the waffle pieces Waffelstückquerreihe simultaneously

I arrive ₅ tig and there are transferred to an all in a Waffelstückquerreihe juxtaposed Waffelstücken common conveyor of the output station, with the transport paths of the branching from its at the beginning of the branching closely juxtaposed initial sections on their spatially different diversion sections to their

20 at the end of the branching system laterally far apart end portions, wherein at least one of the initial sections to the end portions at the same level extending group of transport paths and at least one of the initial sections to the end sections different height levels passing group of transport paths is provided.

2 ₅ 3. Plant according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the waffle cloth transport station has a plurality of successive conveyor belts in the transport direction, in which the rotational speed increases in the transport direction of the conveyor belt to conveyor belt.

4. Installation according to one of claims 1-3, characterized in that in the Waffelstück- 30 transport station, a branching system is provided, in which the transit time of the wafer pieces on the level-parallel transport paths and on the different height levels continuous transport paths is the same length.

5. Installation according to claim 4, characterized in that in the branching plant, a group of level-parallel transport paths and a group of different height levels continuous transport paths is provided, that the transport paths of both groups are equally long and partially arranged on at substantially the same speed circulating conveyor belts in that the group of transport paths running at the same level have detour sections of equal length and detour sections lying in a diversion plane, and that the group of transport lanes passing through different height levels have the following detour sections with each other for the same length and a diversion path.

6. Installation according to claim 4, characterized in that in the branching plant, a group of parallel transport paths and a group of different height levels passing transport paths is provided that the two transport path groups from group to group have different length diversion sections and that for the end sections at least one the two transport path groups an all end portions of this group common conveyor belt is provided with adjustable speed.

7. Installation according to one of claims 1-6, characterized in that in the Waffelstücktransportstation a branching plant is provided, in which two groups of transport paths from a common input area at the beginning of the branching system through a diversion area of the branching plant into two groups separated, adjacent output areas at the end of the branching plant extend, wherein the initial sections of the two groups are arranged alternately adjacent to each other in the entrance area and arranged the exit area of the different height levels passing group of transport paths in extension of the entrance area, while the exit area of the same level group of transport paths with respect to the entrance area is laterally offset transversely to the transport direction.

8. Installation according to claim 7, characterized in that in the group of parallel transport paths arranged in the entrance area of the branching system initial sections arranged in the bypass area of the branching plant in a diversion plane, obliquely to the transport direction extending diversion sections are connected to the end portions which are arranged in the opposite to the input area transverse to the transport direction laterally staggered output region of the branching plant.

9. Installation according to claim 7, characterized in that in the group of different hehe levels passing through transport paths each arranged in the entrance area of the branching starting section arranged by a bypassing the branching system along a spatial diversion path arranged diversion section with the extension of the input area Output range of the branching system arranged end portion is connected.

lo

10. Installation according to one of claims 1-6, characterized in that in the Waffelstücktransportstation a branching plant is provided, in which two groups of transport paths from a common entrance area on spatially separated paths through a diversion area of the branching plant into three adjacent output areas extend at the end of the branching plant, with the

15 starting portions of both groups in the entrance area are arranged alternately side by side and the output range of the different height levels passing group of transport paths is arranged in the extension of the entrance area arranged, the central exit area, while the same level group of transport paths in two, in the bypass area of the branching

20 diagonally divergent subgroups is divided, wherein the end portions of each subgroup are each arranged laterally offset in a transversely to the input direction transversely to the transport direction, lateral, outer output area.

11. Installation according to claim 10, characterized in that in the group of different height levels passing through transport paths each arranged in the Eingangsbe- rich the branching system starting section arranged by a in the bypass area of the branching along a diversion path arranged diverting passage with the extension of the input area Output range of the branching system arranged end portion is connected.

12 12. Plant according to claim 10, characterized in that in the subdivided into two subgroups of level parallel transport paths each in the Transition sections arranged in the bypass area of the branching plant arranged in a diversion plane, obliquely to the transport direction diverting sections connected to the opposite in an opposite to the input area transversely to the transport direction arranged laterally th, lateral, outer output area of the branching arranged end portions of the subgroup are, and that each diverting obliquely to the transport direction diverting sections of the two subgroups diverging obliquely forward in the bypass area of the branching plant in the transport direction.

13. Plant for separating Waffelstücken from a close arrangement in a lo extensive arrangement with straight longitudinal and transverse rows, characterized in that a branching plant for diverging the Waffelstücke and a branching downstream discharge station is provided for the separated Waffelstücke that in the branching plant the waffle pieces arranged side by side in a waffle piece transverse row individually, spatially subordinate

I ₅ differently extending transport paths are provided, arrive at the ends of the waffle pieces Waffelstückquerreihe simultaneously and there passed to an all in a Waffelstückquerreihe juxtaposed waffle pieces common conveyor of the output station, that the transport paths of the branching system of their at the beginning of the branching system closely adjacent

20 extend at least one of the starting portions to the end portions of the same level extending group of transport paths and at least one of the initial sections to the end portions of different height levels

25 continuous group of transport paths is provided.

14. Plant according to claim 13, characterized in that a branching plant is provided, in which the passage time of the wafer pieces on the level-parallel transport paths and on the different height levels continuous transport paths is the same length.

15. 15. Plant according to claim 14, characterized in that in the branching plant, a group of level-parallel transport paths and a group of different height levels continuous transport paths is provided, that the Transportbalinen both groups the same length and sections are arranged on circulating at substantially the same speed conveyor belts, that the group of the same level extending transport paths with each other equally long and lying in a diversion plane diverting sections, and that the group of under 5 different height levels continuous transport paths equal to each other have long and a spatial diversion path following diversion sections.

16. Plant according to claim 14, characterized in that in the branching plant a group of level-parallel transport paths and a group of different levels of height through continuous transport paths is provided that the two transport path groups from group to group have different length diversion sections and that for End sections of at least one of the two transport path groups a common end of this group conveyor belt is provided with adjustable speed.

I ₅ 17. Plant according to any of claims 13-16, characterized in that two groups from a common input area at the beginning of the branching system separate from the branching system of transport tracks through a bypass portion of the manifold system into two by groups, adjacent output areas at the end of Branch plant extend, the initial sections

20 of the two groups are arranged alternately side by side in the entrance area and the exit area of the different height levels passing group of transport paths arranged in extension of the entrance area, while the exit area of the same level group of transport paths opposite the entrance area is arranged laterally offset transversely to the transport direction.

2 ₅

18. Plant according to claim 17, characterized in that in the group of parallel transport paths arranged in the entrance area of the branching initial sections are arranged in the bypass area of the branching in a diversion plane, obliquely to the transport direction diverting sections connected to the end portions in the opposite the

30 transition region arranged transversely to the transport direction laterally staggered output region of the branching system.

19. Plant according to claim 17, characterized in that in the group of transport paths passing through different height levels, in each case, the starting section arranged in the entrance area of the branching plant is guided along a spatial diversion path in the diversion area of the branching plant.

5 ordered diversion section is connected to the arranged in extension of the input area output area of the branching system arranged end portion.

20. Installation according to one of claims 13-16, characterized in that in the branching plant two groups of transport paths extend from a common entry area on spatially separated tracks through a diversion area of the branching plant into three adjacent exit areas at the end of the branching station, wherein the top portions of both groups in the entrance area are alternately arranged side by side and the output region of different height levels passing group of transport paths in the in conjunction i ₅ prolongation of the entrance area arranged, average output region is arranged, while at the same level extending group of transport paths in two, in the detour region the branching plant is subdivided diagonally divergent subgroups whose end portions are each arranged laterally offset transversely to the transport direction relative to the input direction, lateral, outer Ausg areas

20 are orders.

21. Plant according to claim 20, characterized in that, in the group of transport paths passing through different height levels, in each case the starting section arranged in the entrance area of the branching plant is guided along a spatially extending diversion path in the diversion area of the branching plant.

2 ₅ ordered diverting section is connected to the disposed in extension of the input area output area of the branching system arranged end portion.

22. Plant according to claim 20, characterized in that in the subdivided into two subgroups of level parallel transport paths in each case the

30 transition region of the branching arranged initial sections of a Teilgrappe arranged in the bypass area of the branching plant in a diversion plane, obliquely to the transport direction diverting sections with the in a opposite to the input area arranged laterally offset transversely to the transport direction, lateral, outer exit area of the branching system arranged end portions of the subgroup are connected, and that each extending obliquely to the transport direction diversion sections of the two subgroups diverging obliquely in the bypass area of the branching plant in the transport direction forward.