transport path without change in direction or to a left transport path or a right transport path as shown in fig1 the transport system includes a support assembly in the form of plate shaped support elements 6 with freely rotatable ball rollers 7 for carrying the containers 2 as an alternative the support elements 6 may also be configured as sliding surfaces in the entry zone 3 the containers 2 are properly lined up and propelled in a controlled manner by an alignment and propulsion mechanism generally designated by reference numeral 8 and configured as a catch member which includes two driving belts 8 a 8 b for interaction with the containers 2 the containers 2 have an underside formed with a grooved passageway or recess 8 c which is bounded by two confronting sidewalls 8 d as shown in particular in fig7 and 10 and which is engaged by the driving belts 8 a 8 b as the containers 2 travel through the entry zone 3 the containers 2 are then received in the switch zone 4 which includes a switch mechanism in the form of an operating element 9 for regulating the further advance of the containers 2 the operating element 9 is configured as a leaf spring having one end the left hand end in fig1 which is securely fixed in the area adjacent to the entry zone 3 and an opposite end right hand end in fig1 which can be bent for deflection to.