Container transfer device and method

Abstract

The present invention relates to a container (1) transfer device (2) comprising: - a conveying means (3) that continuously brings the containers (2), said containers (2) circulating one behind the other in at least two parallel columns (21) along a first direction X, - at least one inlet conveyor (4) extending from said conveying means (3), - at least one outlet conveyor (5) extending from said inlet conveyor (4) in a direction transverse to said first direction X, - a tool (6) for transferring said containers (2) from said inlet conveyor (4) to said outlet conveyor (5), - a sorting station (7) capable of grouping said containers (2) together into at least two rows (20) of containers (2) according to a predefined configuration, - a means (8) for positioning and aligning the containers (2) into a group (200) according to said predefined configuration,said group (200) comprising at least two ordered rows (20) of said containers (2), characterized in that said sorting station (7) is located between said conveying means (3) and said infeed conveyor (4) and in that the tool (6) simultaneously transfers at least two ordered rows (20) of said containers (2). The present invention also relates to a container transfer method and a container conditioning installation. Figure for the abstract: Fig. 1,