Method and apparatus for automatically shifting large receptacles, such as containers

The invention relates to a method for automatically transferring containers (30) which are conveyed, transversely to the longitudinal axis, from a first vehicle platform (31) to a second vehicle platform (32) located to the side of the vehicle and arranged at approximately the same height. It is proposed, in particular, in order to make possible rapid transferring of the containers (30), that the vehicle platforms (31, 32, 55) are connected in a frictionally engaged manner to form a rigid, plane platform prior to the shifting, and that the receptacles (30) having sliding surfaces (36) which run on their underside (30a) transversely to the longitudinal axis and are constructed as skids are moved along corresponding sliding surfaces (37) of the vehicle platforms (31, 32, 55). The containers (30) are preferably moved by means of a toothed rack fastened on them, via pinions fastened on the vehicle platform (Fig. 1).