WO2014178784A1

WO2014178784A1 - Transition device

Info

Publication number: WO2014178784A1
Application number: PCT/SE2014/050522
Authority: WO
Inventors: Marko Salmi; Linus Bokesand; Hans ÖSTERGREN
Original assignee: Flexlink Components Ab
Priority date: 2013-04-29
Filing date: 2014-04-29
Publication date: 2014-11-06
Also published as: SE1350523A1

Abstract

High speed transition device adapted to receive objects from a horizontal infeed conveyor belt and to forward the objects to at least two second horizontal outfeed conveyor belts, where the transition device comprises a transfer function and a diverter function, where the transfer function is adapted to group the objects into spaced apart groups comprising a predefined number of objects in a non-stationary fashion, where the time interval between two groups exceeds the change-over time for the diverter function such that each group can be diverted to respective outfeed conveyor belt. The advantage of the invention is that objects can be transferred from one infeed conveyor belt to at least two outfeed conveyor belts at a high speed in a non-stationary fashion such that the objects does not have to stop during the transition. The invention is especially advantageous for sensitive or soft objects or objects having a irregular shape.

Description

TRANSITION DEVICE

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a method and an arrangement for controlling a flow of objects from an infeed conveyor to at least two outfeed conveyors. The arrangement is adapted to be used in a conveyor system.

BACKGROUND ART

Conveyor systems are known, which handles, diverts, rotates, pushes and/or accumulates products in the manufacturing processes. Such systems can for instance be used in packaging, filling, machining or assembly processes. Particular conveyor systems can comprise diverters designed to distribute products from one to several lanes. Such diverters preferably enable distribution in a continuous motion flow from the incoming lane to the outgoing lanes. A diverter preferably distributes products to the outgoing lanes following a given ratio such as an equal amount of products to each outgoing lane or the distribution may be controlled by external signals such as the actual consumption or the status of surrounding machinery. One known diverter solution involves accelerating the product flow so that essentially constant distances between products are created. The distances or gaps between the products are then used for switching a diverter means between different outgoing lanes. Such solutions work fine for slow and medium speed flows, having a throughput speed of approximately 50 to 300 objects per minute. For higher throughput speeds, it is not possible to use conventional diverter solutions. One reason is that the distance between the objects is too short, which means that the diverter does not have enough time to switch between the outgoing lanes. Another reason is that too much side force will act on the objects, which may harm the package or the product contained inside the package.

In another known diverter solution, distances or gaps are created between products by the use of stops, brakes or conveyor belts that slows down the incoming products. It is also possible to create groups of products having predefined gaps between the groups in this way. With this method, large enough distances or gaps between products or groups can be created also at relatively high production rates. One problem with this method is that the incoming flow must be restricted or stopped each time a gap is to be created, which limits the throughput of the system. In order to compensate for the lost throughput during this restriction period, either the conveyor speeds or the quantity of products in each group or both needs to be increased. Further, such a solution requires long buffer zones before and after the diverter. The distance between the products of the incoming flow of products may vary from zero to a predefined spacing, and the distance may further be either equidistance or the distance may vary.

US 4843799 A discloses a system for separating and aligning several parallel flows of cookies, where cookies are stopped and released by holding fingers. The separated cookie flows are diverted to two different loading stations where the cookies are packed in flexible cookie trays.

Such systems may work fine for medium speed systems and for some types of objects, but are nevertheless depending on a limited speed of the incoming objects of the feeding conveyor. There is thus still room for improvements.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

An object of the invention is therefore to provide a transition device that is adapted to group incoming objects in groups spaced apart with a predefined time interval, and divert the groups to at least two outfeed conveyor belts. Another object of the invention is to provide a method that can divert a high speed product flow into at least two outfeed flows.

The solution to the problem according to the invention is described in the characterizing part of claim 1 with regards to the transition device and in claim 1 1 regarding the method. The other claims contain advantageous embodiments and further developments of the transition device and method.

In a high speed transition device adapted to receive objects from a horizontal infeed conveyor belt and to forward the objects to at least two second horizontal outfeed conveyor belts, where the transition device comprises a transfer function consisting of a transfer device comprising a first conveyor belt and a second conveyor belt interconnected with two carriages, and a diverter function comprising at least two positions, the object of the invention is achieved in that the transfer device is adapted to group the objects into spaced apart longitudinal groups comprising a predefined number of objects in a non-stationary fashion where the objects are grouped without using a stop member, where the diverter function is adapted to change from one position to another position with a change-over time that is less than the time interval between two groups of objects, such that each group can be diverted to respective outfeed conveyor belt.

By this first embodiment of the transition device according to the invention, it is possible to divert a high speed object flow into at least two object flows. During the transition, the objects do not have to stop which allows a high throughput. The spacing of the incoming objects may either be equal or may vary, or the incoming objects may also bear on each other. The objects are received by a transfer function consisting of a transfer device. The transfer device will group the objects into groups having a predefined number of objects in a non-stationary fashion, i.e. the objects are not stopped or grouped using a stop member where the objects in the group bear against each other. In this way, a high throughput and a smooth transfer of the objects is provided. The number of objects that can be allowed in a group depends e.g. on the length of the transfer device, the size of the objects, the speed of the infeed conveyor belt and the changeover time of the diverter function. A suitable number of objects in a group is preferably in the range of 2 - 15. The speed of the infeed conveyor belt is preferably in the range between 50 - 150 meters per minute, but may vary depending on the size of the objects. Each group of objects is spaced apart with a time interval that is longer than the change-over time of the diverter function. In this way, the diverter function will have time to change outfeed position such that each group of objects can be diverted safely to the desired outfeed conveyor belt. Normally, every second group is diverted to one outfeed conveyor belt and the other groups to the other conveyor belt when two outfeed conveyor belts are used, but other distribution ratios of the objects is also possible. If there are more than two outfeed conveyor belts, the groups may be divided equally to the outfeed conveyor belts. It is also possible to use one outfeed conveyor belt as a discard output, to which a group containing a defect object is directed. The defect object is later removed from the group and the rest of the objects are recirculated to the infeed conveyor. An outfeed conveyor may also be used as a temporary buffer, to which groups of objects are directed when e.g. the packing machine situated at another outfeed conveyor is temporarily overloaded. This may be advantageous when the nominal packing rate of the packing machine matches the infeed flow, but where the inflow rate varies over time.

In high speed systems, stop members cannot be used to group objects since the acceleration and deceleration of the objects must be very high, which affects the objects in a negative way and leads to higher energy consumption. A smooth transfer of the objects is especially important if the objects are to be aligned in a specific way, since the precision of the positioning of the objects decrease with every start and stop.

The transfer device comprises two conveyor belts interconnected by two carriages. Each conveyor belt is driven by an individual motor such that each conveyor belt may be driven by a different speed. The speed of the first conveyor belt can thus e.g. be adapted to the speed of the infeed conveyor belt. The speed of the second conveyor belt can e.g. be adapted to the outfeed conveyor belt. A third motor is arranged to position the carriage that interconnects the conveying surfaces of the first and second conveyor belt in a horizontal direction. In this way, the ratio of the conveying surfaces of the first and second conveyor belt can be changed. By selecting the speeds of the first and second conveyor belt and the horizontal speed and direction of the carriage, the transfer device can be used to group a selected number of objects into a group. The distance between two groups can also be set to a predefined distance or time.

In a group, the objects must not bear against each other, but they are preferably arranged close to each other. The distance between the objects may be dependent on the type of object. For some rigid products, a small distance may be preferred in order to prevent the products from touching each other. For softer products, such as frozen vegetables packed in bags, the bags may even extend over each other to some extent without interfering with the product flow. Soft or sensitive products are preferably also arranged with a small spacing between them in a group. Especially, sensitive products that cannot be pushed, squeezed or handled roughly can be groped without bearing against each other.

The transition device also comprises a diverter function adapted to divert the groups of objects to at least two outfeed conveyor belts. Since a diverter function requires some time to change position from one outfeed position to the other, it is important that the diverter function has changed position before a new group of objects is to be diverted. The distance between two groups that is set by the transfer device is selected such that the time interval between two groups exceeds the change-over time of the diverter function. In this way, it is secured that each group of objects will be diverted to the selected outfeed conveyor belt in a secure way without interfering with a moving diverter function. This allows an uninterrupted flow of objects to the two outfeed conveyor belts.

It is also possible to combine the transfer device with the diverter function such that the complete transfer device swings from one delivery position to another. In an advantageous development of the invention, a second transfer device is arranged at each outfeed conveyor belt. These transfer devices are similar to the first transfer device, but the speeds of the conveyor belts and the horizontal speed and direction of the carriage is set such that the group of objects is divided into a flow of separated objects, preferably spaced apart with an equal distance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The invention will be described in greater detail in the following, with reference to the embodiments that are shown in the attached drawings, in which Fig. 1 shows a schematic side view of a transition device according to the invention,

Fig. 2 shows an infeed flow and a grouping action by the transfer device according to the invention,

Fig. 3 shows a first embodiment of a diverter function from above comprised in the transition device according to the invention,

Fig. 4 shows a second embodiment of a diverter function from above comprised in the transition device according to the invention, Fig. 5 shows a side view of a third embodiment of a diverter function comprised in the transition device according to the invention, and

Fig. 6 shows a fourth embodiment of a diverter function from above comprised in the transition device according to the invention.

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The embodiments of the invention with further developments described in the following are to be regarded only as examples and are in no way to limit the scope of the protection provided by the patent claims. Fig. 1 and 2 show a first embodiment of a high speed transition device according to the invention. The transition device 1 comprises an infeed conveyor belt 2, at least two outfeed conveyor belts 3, 4, a transfer function consisting of a transfer device 5 and a diverter function 6 positioned between the infeed conveyor and the outfeed conveyors. The speed of the infeed conveyor belt may be constant or may vary depending on the requirements on the total system. The speed may vary if e.g. the objects on the infeed conveyor belt are spaced apart with a varying distance such that the objects can be delivered to the transfer device at a constant pace. The speed is also dependent on the number of objects that is to be handled during a specific time period. The speed of the outfeed conveyor belts may also be constant or may vary depending on the requirements on the total system. The speed of the conveyor belts is however preferably substantially constant during the transfer of objects from the infeed conveyor belt to the outfeed conveyor belts. The infeed conveyor belt transports objects 8 with a first speed v₀ from a production line or the like.

The invention is especially suitable for high capacity production lines, with a product rate from more than 500 objects per minute up to 1000 objects per minute or more. The invention is further especially suitable for sensitive or soft objects that should not bear against each other or against a stop member of some kind, and for irregular objects which cannot bear against each other. However, the invention also suitable for more rigid and regularly shaped objects such as e.g. cardboard boxes, poly-wrapped packs or bags. The objects travelling on the infeed conveyor belt are supplied with a first flow rate, which may be constant or may vary and the spacing between the objects may either be constant or may vary.

The transition device comprises a transfer device 5 adapted to receive the objects from the infeed conveyor belt and to group the objects such that they can be diverted to at least two outfeed conveyor belts by a diverter function 6 which is adapted to divert the objects to the outfeed conveyor belts. The transfer device 5 is adapted to group the objects into spaced apart groups comprising a predefined number of objects. The distance between two groups, i.e. the time interval between two groups for a given speed, is selected such that the time interval between two groups exceeds the change-over time for the diverter function 6 such that each group can be diverted to respective outfeed conveyor belts 3, 4 in a reliable way. The diverter function 6 comprises in one example a diverter conveyor belt 7.

The transfer device 5 comprises in one example a first conveyor belt 9 and a second conveyor belt 10 which are interconnected by an upper carriage 1 1 and a lower carriage 12. Each carriage comprises two rollers around which the first and the second conveyor belt runs. The first conveyor belt is driven by a first powered roller 13 and the first conveyor belt also runs around a first deflection roller 14. The first powered roller and the first deflection roller are stationery. The first conveyor belt 9 is powered by a separate motor which enables the first conveyor belt to run at an individual speed if required. Preferably, the first conveyor belt is run at substantially the same speed as the infeed conveyor belt in order to reduce the strain on the conveyed objects. The second conveyor belt 10 is driven by a second powered roller 15 and the second conveyor belt also runs around a second deflection roller 16. The second conveyor belt is powered by a separate motor which enables the second conveyor belt to run at an individual speed if required. The speed of the second conveyor belt is varied such that the objects can be grouped. The second powered roller and the second deflection roller are stationery.

The upper carriage 1 1 is driven in the horizontal direction by a separate motor. The upper carriage is preferably arranged on a rail or similar that allows the upper carriage to slide or roll only in the horizontal direction. The motor may drive the upper carriage by e.g. a toothed wheel or chain, but other solutions such as a linear motor or a threaded shaft is also possible. The lower carriage is also arranged in a similar way on a passive rail and is not driven by a motor. The lower carriage will follow the upper carriage such that the first and the second conveyor belts have the same tension at all times. The lower carriage is preferably attached to the upper carriage by one or two wire cables or the like running over pulleys, such that the upper and lower carriage can move in opposite directions simultaneously. When the upper carriage moves in one direction, the lower carriage will move in the opposite direction. The support surfaces of the first and the second conveyor belts may be supported by a sliding surface if the objects are relatively heavy or the conveyor belts are relatively long.

By moving the upper carriage in one direction, the gap between the first and the second conveyor belt is moved in that direction. Depending on the speed of the first conveyor belt, the second conveyor belt and the speed of the upper carriage, the transfer device can be used to either separate objects or to group objects. In the described example, the transfer device is used to group the incoming objects into groups. This can be seen in Fig. 2, where a grouping action of the transfer device is shown. In this described example, the objects on the infeed conveyor belt are spaced with an equal distance. The speed v₀ of the infeed conveyor belt 2 is constant with a speed of 2 m/s, the speed v₃ of the diverter conveyor belt 7 and the speed v₄ of the outfeed conveyor belts 3, 4 are constant at 3 m/s. Further, the speed v-i of the first conveyor belt 9 of the transfer device is set to a constant speed of 2 m/s which corresponds to the speed of the infeed conveyor belt.

In Fig. 2a, the forming of a first group 23 with a first leading object 20 has started. The objects in the first group are in this moment all conveyed by the second conveyor belt 10 of the transfer device and the distance between the objects of the first group are somewhat reduced. The distance between the objects is reduced since the speed v₂ of the second conveyor belt has been lower than the speed of the first conveyor, as will be described below. The distance between the objects in the first group can be set in dependency of the speeds of the first and second conveyor belt and the speed of the upper carriage. The leading object 20 of the first group is about to enter the outfeed conveyor belts. The leading object 21 of the second group has just entered the infeed conveyor belt. The speed v_t of the upper carriage 1 1 is now set to 2 m/s which correspond to the speed of the infeed conveyor belt and the first conveyor belt. The speed of the second conveyor belt is set to a speed that is higher than the speed of the diverter conveyor belt. In this way, the distance between the objects transferred from the second conveyor belt to the diverter conveyor belt will be reduced further. The speed of the diverter conveyor belt can be selected such that the distance between the objects corresponds to a predefined distance. Hard or solid objects may bear on each other while softer objects may require a short distance between them. It is possible to use sensors or vision systems to detect the position of the objects in the transition device in order to control and fine tune e.g. the exact speeds of the conveyor belts. In the described example, the diverter function 6 comprises a diverter conveyor belt 7 and a diverter gate 17. In Fig. 2b, the forming of the first group 23 continues and the objects that have entered the diverter conveyor belt bear on each other. The distance between the objects that will form the second group 24 has not changed. The second leading object 21 is still conveyed on the first conveyor belt. In Fig. 2c, the first group is completed and is now conveyed on the diverter conveyor belt, where it will be diverted to either the first or the second outfeed conveyor belt by the diverter function 6. Due to the grouping of the objects, a time gap is created between the groups. This time gap is selected such that is longer than the change-over time for the diverter mechanism of the diverter function. In this way, the diverter can be set to direct the group of objects to the selected outfeed conveyor belt without interfering with the conveyed objects. When all objects have left the second conveyor belt, the speed v₂ is lowered to a speed lower than the speed v-i of the first conveyor belt, in order to reduce the distance between the objects when they enter the second conveyor belt. In this example, the speed v₂ is set to 1 m/s. At the same time, the speed v_t of the upper carriage is set to -1 m/s, i.e. to a speed of 1 m/s in the opposite direction.

A result of the upper carriage travelling in the opposite direction can be seen in Fig. 2d, where some objects of the second group 24 have entered the second conveyor belt. The upper carriage continues backwards to a position close to the infeed conveyor belt, which can be seen in Fig. 2e. Here, all objects belonging to the second group 24 are now conveyed by the second conveyor belt. This situation resembles Fig. 2a, but with the second group ready to be grouped and conveyed to the diverter conveyor belt. At the same time, the leading object 22 of a third group 25 has entered the first conveyor belt. Preferably, the second group will be diverted to the other outfeed conveyor belt, i.e. not the same as the first group. Due to the created time gap, the diverter gate will have time to change diverter position to the selected outfeed conveyor belt. When a group of objects has been diverted to one of the outfeed conveyor belts, each outfeed conveyor belt may comprise a second transfer device, similar to the transfer device 5. Such a transfer device is adapted to divide the group of objects into spaced apart objects in order to allow for further processing, such as packing or the like. The transfer device may also regroup the group of objects to smaller groups comprising a few of the objects. It may e.g. be that a packing size should comprise five objects. Each diverted group can then be divided into three groups that are spaced apart such that the packing machine has time to handle each group. It is also possible to vary the design of the transfer device. It is e.g. possible to drive the powered rollers in other ways. In one example, the first and the second powered rollers are connected with a mechanical transmission driven by one motor. In this case, the speed ratio between the first and the second conveyor belt of the transfer device is fixed and predefined. It is also be possible to e.g. let the first conveyor belt be powered by the first infeed conveyor belt, if these are to be driven at the same speed. It is also possible to connect the second powered roller of the second conveyor belt and the movement of the upper carriage with a mechanical transmission that drives both at the same time. In such a case, the speed ratio between the two is predefined and fixed. Such solutions that require less drive motors may be utilized when the product flow is predefined and stable, when the transition device must not be adaptable to different product flow rates and/or different products.

The diverter function 6 may have different designs. Different types of diverter functions are schematically shown in Figs. 3 to 6. In Fig. 3, the diverter function comprises a diverter conveyor belt 7 and a common pivotable diverter gate 17 which is pivotable around a vertical axle. The gate will direct the group of objects to the selected outfeed conveyor belt. The gate can be in a first position 26 which directs the group of objects to the first outfeed conveyor belt 3 or in a second position 27 which directs the group of objects to the second outfeed conveyor belt 4. The distance between the groups, i.e. the time interval between the groups, must be greater than the time it takes for the gate to swing from one position to the other. Since the objects will bear against the gate, this type of diverter solution is mostly suitable for hard or rigid objects.

In Fig. 4, another diverter solution is shown from above. In this solution, a diverter conveyor belt 7 is pivotable around a vertical axle. The diverter conveyor belt can thus be positioned in two positions, a first position 26 which directs the group of objects to the first outfeed conveyor belt 3 and a second position 27 which directs the group of objects to the second outfeed conveyor belt 4. The distance between the groups, i.e. the time interval between the groups, must be greater than the time it takes for the diverter conveyor belt to swing from one position to the other. In this solution, the objects are conveyed without the objects sliding against any surfaces. This solution is thus suitable also for sensitive or soft objects such as bags or the like. It is of course also possible to swing the diverter conveyor belt between more than two positions if more than two outfeed conveyor belts are used.

In Fig. 5, a side view of a further diverter solution is shown. In this solution, a diverter conveyor belt 7 is pivotable around a horizontal axle. The two outfeed conveyor belts are here positioned above each other. The diverter conveyor belt can be positioned in two positions, a first position 26 which directs the group of objects up to the first outfeed conveyor belt 3 and a second position 27 which directs the group of objects to the lower second outfeed conveyor belt 4. The distance between the groups, i.e. the time interval between the groups, must be greater than the time it takes for the diverter conveyor belt to swing from one position to the other. Also in this solution, the objects are conveyed without the objects sliding against any surfaces. This solution is thus suitable also for sensitive or soft objects such as bags or the like. It is of course also possible to swing the diverter conveyor belt between more than two positions if more than two outfeed conveyor belts are used. At least three outfeed positions above each other are plausible.

In Fig. 6, another diverter solution is shown from above. In this solution, the diverter function is obtained by arranging the transfer device 5 pivotable around a vertical axle. The transfer device can in this example be positioned in three positions, a first position 26 which directs the group of objects to the first outfeed conveyor belt 3, a second position 27 which directs the group of objects to the second outfeed conveyor belt 4 and a third intermediate position 28 which directs the group of objects to an intermediate outfeed conveyor belt 29. The distance between the groups, i.e. the time interval between the groups, must be greater than the time it takes for the transfer device 5 to swing from one position to another position. In this solution, the objects are conveyed without the objects sliding against any surfaces. This solution is thus suitable also for sensitive or soft objects such as bags or the like. It is of course also possible to swing the transfer device between more than three positions if more than three outfeed conveyor belts are used. It would also be possible to use one outfeed position as a discard position in which discarded groups of objects are discarded.

The invention is not to be regarded as being limited to the embodiments described above, a number of additional variants and modifications being possible within the scope of the subsequent patent claims.

REFERENCE SIGNS

1 : Transition device

2: Infeed conveyor belt

3: Outfeed conveyor belt

4: Outfeed conveyor belt

5: Transfer device

6: Diverter function

7: Diverter conveyor belt

8: Object

9: First conveyor belt

10: Second conveyor belt

1 1 : Upper carriage

12: Lower carriage

13: First powered roller

14: First deflection roller

15: Second powered roller

16: Second deflection roller

17: Diverter gate

20: First leading object

21 : Second leading object

22: Third leading object

23: First group

24: Second group

25: Third group

26: First position

27: Second position

28: Intermediate position

29: Intermediate outfeed conveyor belt

Claims

Transition device (1), where the transition device is adapted to receive objects (8) from a horizontal infeed conveyor belt (2) and to forward the objects to at least two second horizontal outfeed conveyor belts (3, 4), where the transition device (1) comprises a transfer function consisting of a transfer device (5) comprising a first conveyor belt (9) and a second conveyor belt (10) interconnected with two carriages (11 , 12), and a diverter function (6) comprising at least two positions (26, 27), characterized in that the transfer device (5) is adapted to group the objects (8) into spaced apart longitudinal groups (23, 24, 25) comprising a predefined number of objects in a non-stationary fashion where the objects are grouped without using a stop member, where the diverter function (6) is adapted to change from one position (26) to another position (27) with a change-over time that is less than the time interval between two groups of objects, such that each group can be diverted to respective outfeed conveyor belt (3, 4).

Transition device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the transition device (1 ) is adapted to handle over 500 objects per minute.

Transition device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the transition device (1 ) is adapted to handle over 1000 objects per minute.

Transition device (1) according to claim 1 to 3, characterized in that the transfer device (5) comprises three motors, where the first motor drives the first conveyor belt (9), the second motor drives the second conveyor belt (10) and the third motor drives one carriage (11; 12) in a horizontal direction.

5. Transition device (1) according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the diverter function (6) comprises a gate (16) which is adapted to switch between the first position (26) and the second position (27), where the first position directs objects to the first outfeed conveyor belt (3) and the second position directs objects to the second outfeed conveyor belt (4).

6. Transition device (1) according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the diverter function (6) comprises a diverter conveyor belt (7) that is adapted to swing between the first position (26) and the second position (27), where the first position directs objects to the first outfeed conveyor belt (3) and the second position directs objects to the second outfeed conveyor belt (4).

7. Transition device (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the diverter conveyor belt (7) is pivotable in a horizontal direction, such that the first and the second position are positioned adjacent each other in the same plane.

8. Transition device (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the diverter conveyor belt (7) is pivotable in a vertical direction, such that the first position is positioned above the second position.

9. Transition device (1) according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the diverter function (6) is obtained in that the transfer device (5) is adapted to swing between the first position (26) and the second position (27), where the first position directs objects to the first outfeed conveyor belt (3) and the second position directs objects to the second outfeed conveyor belt (4).

10. Transition device (1) according to any of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the transition device (1 ) comprises a second transfer devices arranged at each outfeed conveyor belt, where each second transfer device is adapted to divide each group of objects to a flow of objects spaced apart with a predefined time interval.

1 1 . Method for diverting objects from an infeed conveyor belt (1 ) to at least two outfeed conveyor belts (3, 4), comprising the steps of:

- receiving the objects by a transfer device (5),

- grouping the objects into longitudinal groups comprising a predefined number of objects by the transfer device (5) in a non-stationary fashion where the objects are not stopped during the transfer, and where each group is spaced apart with a predefined time interval,

- diverting each group to respective outfeed conveyor belt (3, 4) by the diverter function (6), where the change-over time for the diverter function (6) is less than the predefined time interval between two groups of objects.

12. Method according to claim 1 1 , further comprising the step of dividing each group of objects into a flow of objects spaced apart with a predefined time interval at each outfeed conveyor belt by using a second transfer device arranged at each outfeed conveyor belt.