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Abstract

In a conveying system with rail-like guide means (2) and conveying means (1) movable along the guide means (2) independently of one another, a displaceable rail element (5.1-5.4) is provided for a changeover from serial to parallel conveyance. The displaceable rail element (5.1-5.4) connects in a first position with an essentially stationary rail element (3). In this first position it is filled with conveying means (1) being supplied in series along the stationary rail element (3). The conveying means (1) are then blocked on the displaceable rail element (5.1-5.4) and the displaceable rail element (5.1-5.4) is displaced in essence transverse to its length, thereby conveying the conveying means in parallel. For a changeover from parallel to serial conveyance, the displaceable rail element (5.1-5.4) is brought into a second position once again transverse to its own length, in which second position it again connects with an essentially stationary rail element (4, 4') and the conveying means (1) are unblocked and conveyed away in series from the displaceable rail element (5.1-5.4) along the stationary rail element (4, 4'). Advantageously, a plurality of displaceable rail elements (5.1-5.4) is arranged in parallel and displaced simultaneously along a closed in itself displacement path. During parallel conveyance, conveying means (1) are loaded with objects (11), objects are unloaded from conveying means and/or objects (11) loaded on conveying means (1) are processed, buffered or intermediately stored.

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