Abstract
An apparatus for transferring and accumulating objects. The apparatus includes at least a first group and a second group of accumulation channels parallel to each other. Each accumulation channel having an elongated extension along a direction parallel to an accumulation direction between a loading end and an unloading end of objects. The accumulation channels of the first group having the loading ends aligned with each other and the accumulation channels of the second group having the loading ends aligned with each other. The apparatus further includes at least a first and a second transfer device for transferring objects to said accumulation channels. The first and second transfer devices receive objects in an alternating manner and the loading ends of the accumulation channels of the first group are misaligned with respect to the loading ends of the accumulation channels of the second group.