JP2001080732A - Article row extending and retracting device, article one row delivery machine, and article orderly arranging machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an article row extending and retracting device capable of processing articles for each row by changing an interval of a plurality rows of articles between the plurality of rows so as to delivery the articles between a carried-in side and a carried-out side. SOLUTION: This device receives an article 11 carried from a carried-in side into each extending and retracting lane 51 by extending and retracting a plurality rows of extending and retracting lanes 51 so as to correspond a row pitch of the extending and retracting lanes 51 to a row pitch on the carried-in side. Because the plurality rows of extending and retracting lanes 51 are extended and retracted so as to correspond the row pitch of the extending and retracting lanes 51 to the row pitch on the carried-out side, the article 11 inside each extending and retracting lane 51 is delivered to the carried-out side. Namely, the articles 11 are allowed to be treated for each row by extending and retracting a distance between the rows of the plurality rows of articles 11.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an article row enlarging / reducing apparatus for transferring a plurality of rows of articles between a loading side and an unloading side while changing the interval between the rows. The present invention relates to an article single-row dispensing machine for dispensing articles arranged in a row in a single row, and an article aligning machine for aligning articles carried in a single row in a plurality of rows using an article row enlarging / reducing apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, when containers such as PET bottles, bottles, and cans are transported as articles, a plurality of articles are arranged in a plurality of rows in an aligned state.
The articles in the aligned state are stacked on a pallet in a plurality of stages, and packed and transported in that state.

[0003] In order to unload articles stacked on such a pallet one by one and to pay them out in a single row, an article single-row dispenser is used. In this single-row dispensing machine, articles on a pallet are sequentially unloaded one by one by unloading means, and one-stage articles unloaded by an accumulating conveyor are cross-conveyed by a single-row dispensing apparatus at a time. The articles are gradually narrowed into one row and dispensed while disturbing the arrangement of the articles due to the speed difference of the top chain conveyors provided in multiple rows on the cross conveyor.

[0004] Also, an article aligning machine is used to align a plurality of articles in a plurality of rows and load them on a pallet. This article sorting machine has the same structure as the article single-row dispensing machine, in which a plurality of articles carried in a single row are sequentially sent to the sorting place by reversing the flow of the articles to form a plurality of rows. To be aligned.

[0005]

However, in the conventional single-row dispensing machine, one stage of articles to be unloaded is sent to the single-row dispensing apparatus at a time, and the top chain conveyor of the single-row dispensing apparatus is used. Since the articles are gradually narrowed down to one row while breaking the alignment state of the articles due to the speed difference, when the articles are, for example, PET bottles, the PET bottles are pressed against each other when the PET bottles lose the alignment state, and the PET bottles are pressed. There is a problem that the bottle easily falls and clogging occurs.

Therefore, in order to reduce the overturning of the articles in the single-row dispensing apparatus, it is preferable to process the articles in a row without changing the articles in the aligned state, instead of processing the articles in an aligned state. In the case where articles are staggered and closely attached in the aligned state, there is a problem that it is not possible to perform processing in row units in the aligned state.

Also, in the conventional article aligning machine, as in the case of the article single-row dispensing machine, the articles are not handled in units of rows, so that the articles are liable to fall and become jammed, and cannot be accurately aligned. There is a risk.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and is intended to provide a plurality of rows of articles by changing the intervals between the rows and transferring the articles between a carry-in side and a carry-out side. -Line expanding / contracting apparatus capable of processing in the above-described manner, an article single-row dispensing machine for dispensing articles arranged in a plurality of rows in a single-row state using the article-row expanding / contracting apparatus, and a single-row using the article-row expanding / contracting apparatus It is an object of the present invention to provide an article aligning machine that aligns articles carried in a state in a plurality of rows.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an article row enlarging / reducing apparatus wherein a plurality of rows of articles arranged at a predetermined row pitch are carried in along the row direction and a row on the loading side. A plurality of rows of articles are arranged at a different row pitch from the unloading side where the articles are unloaded along the row direction, so that articles can be received from the loading side for each row and the articles can be paid out to the unloading side. A plurality of rows of expansion / reduction lanes arranged in parallel so that the distance between them can be expanded / reduced, and these expansion / reduction lanes are operated for expansion / reduction to correspond to the carry-in side row pitch when articles are received in the expansion / reduction lanes. The apparatus includes a driving unit that corresponds to the row pitch on the carry-out side when the goods are paid out, and a payout unit that pays out the goods received from the carry-in side into the enlargement / reduction lane to the carry-out side after the expansion / reduction operation of the enlargement / reduction lane.

In this configuration, the plurality of rows of the enlargement / reduction lanes are enlarged / reduced so that the row pitches of the enlargement / reduction lanes correspond to the row pitches of the loading side, so that articles carried from the loading side are received in the respective scaling lanes. At the same time, the articles in the respective enlargement / reduction lanes are paid out to the export side by causing the enlargement / reduction operations of the plurality of rows of the enlargement / reduction lanes to correspond to the row pitch of the export / enlargement lane. That is, by expanding or reducing the space between the rows of articles in a plurality of rows, it is possible to cope with processing in units of rows of articles.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an article array enlarging / reducing apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the article comprises a container body,
It has a mouth provided on the container body, and a neck ring provided around the mouth. Is provided with a neck guide for supporting in a suspended state.

In this configuration, the article is supported in a suspended state by the neck guide of the expansion / contraction lane via the neck ring at the mouth of the article, so that the container can be handled as the article and the article is prevented from tipping over. You.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the article row enlarging / reducing apparatus according to the second aspect, wherein the neck portion is pressed from above to press the neck ring against the neck guide during the enlarging / reducing operation of the enlarging / reducing lane. Means.

In this configuration, at the time of the expanding / contracting operation of the enlarging / reducing lane, the opening of the article is pressed from above by the pressing means to press the neck ring against the neck guide.
Deflection of the article due to the scaling operation of the scaling lane is suppressed.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the article row enlarging / reducing apparatus according to the second or third aspect, wherein the article row enlarging / reducing apparatus ascends between a plurality of rows of articles when the interval between the enlarging / reducing lanes is enlarged, and is lower than the article when being reduced. Is provided with a lane guide that descends.

In this configuration, when the interval between the expansion and contraction lanes is increased, the lane guide rises between the plurality of rows of the articles, so that the lower part of the article when the interval between the rows of the articles is enlarged is shaken. Is restricted, and when the interval between the enlargement / reduction lanes is reduced, the lane guide descends below the article and retracts.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an article single-row dispensing machine for unloading articles arranged in a plurality of stages on a pallet in an aligned state one by one, and unloading by the unloading means. Transporting means for transporting the aligned articles, and cutting means for cutting out the aligned articles transported by the transporting means from the first row in the transport direction to a delivery position on the downstream side in the transport direction for each predetermined number of rows, and A sending means for sending out a predetermined number of rows of articles cut out to the sending position by the cutting means in a row direction along each row; and receiving a predetermined number of rows of articles carried in from the sending means. 5. The article row enlarging / reducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the article row is enlarged and paid out, and a predetermined number of rows of articles delivered from the article row enlarging / reducing apparatus are received and paid out one by one in order. Row payout means.

In this configuration, the articles in the aligned state, which are stacked on the pallet in a plurality of levels, are sequentially unloaded one by one to the transport means by the unloading means, and the aligned articles are transported by the transport means. The articles in the aligned state conveyed by the conveying means by the cutting means are cut out every predetermined number of rows at a delivery position on the downstream side in the conveyance direction, and the articles of the predetermined number of rows cut out by the sending means are arranged along each row. A predetermined number of articles carried in from the sending means are received by the article row enlarging / reducing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, and the space between the rows of articles is enlarged to reduce interference between the rows. By eliminating the payout, the single-row payout device receives articles of a predetermined number of rows sent from the article row enlarging / reducing apparatus, and sequentially pays out the rows one by one, so that it is possible to process the articles in row units.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an article aligning machine for carrying in a plurality of articles in a row, receiving articles carried by the loading means, and a predetermined number of articles per row and a predetermined number. And a row aligning means for sending out the articles aligned in each row in the row direction, and receiving the articles sent out in the row direction from the row aligning means for each row, and separating the rows of the articles. 5. An article array enlarging / reducing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which pays out the product in a reduced contact state, and receives a predetermined number of rows of articles sent from the article array enlarging / reducing apparatus in the row direction, and receives the articles in the row direction each time it is received. A batch aligning means for sequentially moving a predetermined number of rows of articles in a direction intersecting with the package and collectively aligning the articles; and sequentially loading the articles in the aligned state arranged by the batch aligning means on a pallet one by one. Loading in multiple stages In which and a loading means for.

In this configuration, a plurality of articles are carried in a row by the carrying-in means to the row aligning means, and the row-ordering means aligns a predetermined number of pieces per row and a predetermined number of rows. The articles arranged in each row are sent out in the row direction, and the articles sent out in the row direction from the row aligning means by the article row enlarging / reducing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4 are received in each row and the rows of the articles are arranged. In a contact state in which the space is reduced, the articles are paid out to the batching means, the articles in a predetermined number of rows are sequentially moved in the direction intersecting the row direction by the batching means, and the articles are collectively aligned, and the articles are collectively aligned by the loading means. By sequentially loading the aligned articles one by one on a pallet and loading them in a plurality of rows, it is possible to process the articles in rows.

[0021]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 1 to 12 show an embodiment of an article single-row dispenser.

FIG. 12 shows an article 11 to be handled by the single-row dispenser. The article 11 is, for example, a container such as a plastic PET bottle for beverages.
And a neck ring 14 protruding from the periphery of the mouth 13. Container body 12
The shape of the peripheral surface includes a substantially circular shape, a substantially square shape, a substantially hexagonal shape, and the like.

When transporting a plurality of articles 11,
Separate sheets 16 and a plurality of aligned articles 11 are alternately stacked one by one on the pallet 15, and a top frame 17 is stacked on the uppermost stage and bound by a band 18.

Next, FIG. 1 shows an article single-row dispensing machine 21.
23, a cutting means 24, a sending means 25, an enlarging / reducing means 26 as an article row enlarging / reducing device, a one-row payout means 27, and a one-row conveying means 28.

First, the unloading means 22 is for unloading the article 11 from the pallet 15, and the pallet on which the article 11 is loaded.
Hoist 31, which accepts and supports 15, top frame 17
Remove the separate sheet 16 and the side stacker
A transfer mechanism (not shown) for transferring the products to 32, a layer conveyor on the side portion while the articles 11 for the uppermost row are collectively aligned.
It has an unloading mechanism 34 for unloading to 33.

The unloading mechanism 34 is a layer conveyor with the uppermost one-stage article 11 sandwiched from four sides toward the center.
Transfer to 33 above.

The layer conveyor 33 is constituted by a belt conveyor, and the article 11 for one stage to be unloaded by the unloading mechanism 34.
Is transported to a predetermined supply position in the aligned state.

The transport means 23 includes a layer conveyor 33
From the side of the layer conveyor 33, and has an accumulator 40 as a conveyor arranged in a direction perpendicular to the direction of conveyance of the layer conveyor 33 from the side of the layer conveyor 33. And first to fourth pushers arranged in order from the upper region of the layer conveyor 33 to the upper region of the accumulator conveyor 40.
It has 41-44.

The accumulator 40 is constituted by a belt conveyor, and sequentially receives the articles 11 one by one from the layer conveyor 33, and carries the received articles 11 thereon.
The articles on the accumulator 40 are arranged in a plurality of rows along the transport direction, and are arranged in a plurality in a row direction (a direction orthogonal to the transport direction) along each row. They are staggered and arranged in contact with each other.

The first to fourth pushers 41 to 44 are configured to be moved in parallel with the transport direction of the accumulator 40 and to be moved up and down, so that the first pusher 41 and the second pusher 42 are connected to each other. The one-stage article 11 on the layer conveyor 33 is interposed therebetween and transferred onto the accumulation conveyor 40, between the second pusher 42 and the third pusher 43, and between the third pusher 43 and the fourth pusher 43. The article 11 on the accumulator 40 is sandwiched between the pusher 44 and the pusher 44 to be moved downstream in the transport direction. At this time, the transfer and movement of the article 11 are performed in cooperation with the accumulator 40, and the first to fourth pushers 41 to 44
The article 11 is supported in the front and rear directions in the transport direction to prevent the article 11 from tipping over.

The cut-out means 24 is constituted by a third pusher 43 and a fourth pusher 44. The cut-out means 24 is positioned above the accumulator 40 with respect to the delivery position 45 on the most downstream side in the transport direction of the accumulator 40. Among the articles 11 arranged in a row, a predetermined number of rows (the number of cutout rows, for example, 6 rows) of articles 11 are cut out (cut off) from the top row. That is, the third pusher 43 is inserted from above into a row corresponding to a predetermined number of rows from the top row, and a predetermined number of rows of articles are interposed between the third pusher 43 and the fourth pusher 44. 11 is sandwiched and cut out to the sending position 45.

The delivery means 25 includes an accumulator 40
A guide table 46 disposed along the side of the expansion / contraction means 26,
And a first sweeper 47 moved along the guide table 46, the first sweeper 47 being an accumulator conveyor.
It is configured to be able to advance and retreat with respect to 40 and the expansion / contraction means 26. Then, by moving from the accumulator 40 side to the expanding / contracting means 26 side along the guide table 46 of the first sweeper 47, the articles 11 of a predetermined number of rows cut out to the delivery position 45 are arranged along each row. It is pushed along the row direction (the direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the accumulator 40) and is sent out to the enlarging / reducing means 26 in a lump.

The first sweeper 47 has an article at the end of each row.
A plurality of pushing portions 48 that come into contact with 11 are attached, and the amount of projection of each pushing portion 48 from the first sweeper 47 differs according to the end position of each row of the aligned articles 11. ing.

The transporting means 23, the cutting means 24, the sending means 25, and the like constitute an article cutting device 49 for cutting articles in a predetermined number of rows and sending the articles in the row direction.

The expanding / reducing means 26 receives a predetermined number of rows of articles 11 sent out in the row direction by the sending means 25 for each row, and expands the spacing between the articles 11 between rows to pay out one row. A plurality of rows of enlargement / reduction lanes 51 for receiving the articles 11 for each row, driving means 52 for performing the enlargement / reduction operation of these enlargement / reduction lanes 51, and the articles 11 received in the enlargement / reduction lanes 51 One row payout means after enlargement operation
27 has payout means 53 for paying out all at once.

The plurality of rows of expansion / reduction lanes 51 are supported in parallel so that the interval between them can be expanded / reduced. The row pitch of the expansion / reduction lane 51 is
When receiving the article 11 from one end of the
In order to pay out the articles 11 from the other end of the expansion / reduction lane 51, the space between the rows of the articles 11 is reduced so as to correspond to the row pitch of the aligned articles 11 sent out in the row direction.
The row dispensing means 27 enlarges each row in accordance with the row pitch received in the row direction.

The dispensing means 53 has a guide table 54 arranged along the side of the single-row dispensing means 27 from the expansion / contraction means 26, and a second sweeper 55 moved along the guide table 54. The second sweeper 55 is configured to be able to advance and retreat with respect to the expansion / contraction means 26 and the single-row payout means 27. And
After the article 11 is received in the enlargement / reduction lane 51, the second sweeper 55 is connected to one end of the enlargement / reduction means 26 (the accumulator 40).
Of the second sweeper 55 toward the single-row payout means 27 side, thereby moving the articles 11 in the expansion / reduction lane 51 in the row direction along each row. And pays out to the single-row payout means 27 in a lump.

The single-row payout means 27 receives the articles 11 sent in the row direction from the expansion / reduction means 26 for each row and pays out the articles 11 one by one in the row direction. A plurality of payout lanes 61 are provided, and a payout moved to a payout position 62 communicating with the drive means (not shown) and the one-row transport means 28 for integrally moving the payout lanes 61 in a direction orthogonal to the row direction of the articles 11. There is a payout unit 63 that pays out the articles 11 in the lane 61 to the single-row conveying means 28. Then, one end of each payout lane 61 is enlarged or reduced lane 51 in an enlarged state.
The payout lane 61 is moved to a continuous receiving position, and the articles 11 sent out in the column direction from the enlarging / reducing means 26 are received from one end of each payout lane 61 for each row.
61 are sequentially moved to the payout position 62, and the payout section 63 pays out the articles 11 in the payout lane 61 at the payout position 62 to the single-row conveying means 28.

The single-row conveying means 28 includes a single-row payout means 27.
Is configured to receive the articles 11 paid out from the company and transport them in a single row.

Next, referring to FIG. 2 and FIG.
23 and the cutting means 24 are shown, and a gantry 71 is installed above the layer conveyor 33 and the accumulator conveyor 40, and the gantry 71 supports first to fourth pushers 41 to 44. Each of the pushers 41 to 44 is a horizontally long and plate-shaped cutout 72 (first
To a fourth cutout 72) and a cutout driving means 73 for independently moving the cutout 72 up and down and in the transport direction of the accumulator 40.

Each of the cut-out body driving means 73 has a moving frame 74, and a driving mechanism 75 for independently moving the moving frame 74 along the transport direction of the accumulator 40 is provided on the gantry 71. A cylinder 76 is erected on the frame 74, and a cutout 72 is attached to a lower end of a rod 77 that advances and retreats from a lower part of the cylinder 76. The partition body 72 is moved up and down by the driving of the cylinder 76 to a retracted position that rises above the articles 11 on the accumulator 40 and an engagement position that can engage with the articles 11 on the accumulator 40.

Next, in FIGS. 2 and 4, at the delivery position 45 of the accumulator 40, a stopper means 81 for positioning and stopping the article 11 cut out at the delivery position 45 at the delivery position 45 is provided. The stopper means 81 has upper and lower stoppers 82 and 83.

The upper stopper 82 is supported by the tip of a rod 85 that is advanced and retracted from a plurality of cylinders 84 that are mounted on the gantry 71 in a substantially horizontal manner in the direction in which the accumulator 40 is transported. By the operation of the above, it is moved in a substantially horizontal direction with respect to a stop position where it advances on the accumulator 40 and stops the article 11 at the delivery position 45, and a discharge position where it is retracted from the accumulator 40 to the downstream side in the transport direction. You.

The lower stopper 83 is supported at both ends of the stopper 83 by the tip of a rod 87 which is advanced and retracted from the upper end of a lifting / lowering cylinder 86 which is disposed substantially perpendicular to the conveying surface of the accumulator 40. And this cylinder 86
, And is supported by a rod 89 which is advanced and retracted from an advance / retreat cylinder 88 which is attached to the accumulator 40 in a substantially horizontal shape corresponding to the transport direction thereof. And the stopper
83 is raised by the operation of the lifting / lowering cylinder 86 and is moved to the upstream side in the transport direction of the accumulator 40 by the operation of the advancing / retracting cylinder 88, so that it advances on the accumulator 40 and is at the delivery position 45. It is moved to a stop position for stopping the article 11, and is also moved to the downstream side in the transport direction of the accumulator 40 by the operation of the cylinder 88 for advancing and descending by the operation of the cylinder 86 for lifting and lowering,
It is moved to a retreat position where it is retreated from above the accumulator 40.

The first sweeper 47 moves between the upper and lower stoppers 82 and 83 to send out the article 11 at the delivery position 45 to the expansion / contraction means 26.

Further, above the sending position 45, the sending position 45
To check the alignment of the articles 11
A photographing means 91 for photographing 11 from above is provided. The photographing means 91 has a plurality of cameras 92 such as CCD cameras arranged on the gantry 71 along the column direction of the articles 11, and illuminating means for illuminating the articles 11 on the sides of the cameras 92 from above. 93 are located.

When it is confirmed by the photographing means 91 that the articles 11 cut out to the delivery position 45 are out of alignment, the ejection means 95 ejects the articles 11 located at the delivery position 45. The discharging means 95 is constituted by the fourth pusher 44 and stoppers 82 and 83, and the fourth pusher 44 is kept in a state where the upper and lower stoppers 82 and 83 are respectively retracted to the retracted positions.
The article 11 at the delivery position 45 is moved by the operation of the accumulator conveyor 40.
It is paid out from the end. At the end of the accumulator 40, a chute 97 for guiding the discharged articles 11 to the collection box 96 is arranged.

Next, referring to FIG. 5 to FIG.
26, each expansion / reduction lane 51 of this expansion / contraction means 26
101 are slidably supported in a direction orthogonal to the row direction by a plurality of slide guides 102, and a connection 103 is connected between the slide guides 102.
A pair of drive means 52 is attached to the drive. Each of these driving means 52 is configured to move the half enlargement / reduction lane 51 at the center as a boundary, and as a whole each enlargement / reduction lane 51
It is configured to scale 51 at equal intervals.

As shown in FIG. 7, each of the expansion and contraction lanes 51 is formed to have a substantially U-shaped cross section in which the mouth portion 13 of the article 11 is opened downward so as to be able to enter and move. A neck guide 104 that engages with the lower side of the neck ring 14 of the article 11 and supports the article 11 in a suspended state is protrudingly provided.

In each of the expansion / reduction lanes 51, there is provided a pressing means 105 for pressing the mouth portion 13 engaged with the neck guide 104 from above to press and hold the neck ring 14 against the neck guide 104. The pressing means 105 is used to
Has a pressing body 106 formed in a substantially U-shaped cross section that opens downward so as to be able to enter and move.
A rod that can be moved up and down within 51 and is advanced and retracted from the lower part of a plurality of cylinders 107 attached to the upper part of the expansion / reduction lane 51.
It is connected to the distal end of the cylinder 108 and is raised and lowered by the operation of a cylinder 107. The neck ring 14 is pressed against the neck guide 104 when the cylinder 107 is lowered, and the pressing is released when the cylinder ring is raised.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, below the enlargement / reduction lane 51, there is provided a guide means 111 for guiding the lower part of the article 11 to be sent or paid out to the enlargement / reduction lane 51. The guide means 111 includes a plurality of lane guides 11 that enter and guide between rows of the enlarged articles 11.
2, and side guides 113 for guiding the articles 11 located in the rows on both sides. The lane guides 112 and the side guides 113 are arranged on a machine stand 114.

A plurality of cylinders 115 are disposed on the upper surface of the machine base 114, and an elevating body 117 is attached to the upper end of a rod 116 which is advanced and retracted from the upper part of each cylinder 115, and a plurality of lanes are mounted on the elevating body 117. Guide 112 is attached. The lane guides 112 are erected substantially vertically upward from the upper surface of the elevating body 117, and are arranged at a pitch corresponding to the pitch between the rows of the articles 11 when the interval between the expansion and contraction lanes 51 is increased. .

Each end of the machine base 114 has side guides on both sides.
A pair of cylinders 118 are provided for the cylinders 113, and an arm 120 is attached to a tip of a rod 119 which advances and retreats from the outer surface of each of the cylinders 118, and a side guide 113 is attached to an upper end of the arm 120. Note that these side guides 113 and arms 120 are moved down the lane guide 112
It is configured not to interfere with

Then, the enlargement / reduction lane 51 is reduced and the sending position is reduced.
When receiving the article 11 sent out from 45, the lane guide 112 is lowered below the article 11 and retracted, and the interval between the side guides 113 on both sides is reduced,
The lower portions of the aligned articles 11 in a predetermined number of rows are received between the side guides 113 on both sides. When the space between the rows of the articles 11 is enlarged by enlarging the enlargement / reduction lane 51, the distance between the side guides 113 on both sides is enlarged, and after the enlargement / reduction lane 51 is enlarged and the space between the rows of the articles 11 is enlarged, Each lane guide 112 is raised between the rows of the enlarged articles 11.

Next, in FIGS. 10 and 11, a single-row payout means 27 is shown. The single-row payout means 27 has a machine base 121, and is provided on the lower surface of the machine base 121 in a direction perpendicular to the row direction. A plurality of guide rails 122 are mounted along the guide rails 122, a moving body 124 is mounted via a rail receiver 123 slidably engaged with the guide rails 122, and a plurality of payout lanes 61 are mounted on the lower surface of the moving body 124. ing. These payout lanes 61 are arranged corresponding to the pitch between the rows of the articles 11 whose intervals are enlarged, and are formed in a substantially U-shaped cross-section in which the mouth 13 of the article 11 opens downward so as to be able to enter and move. A neck guide 125 that engages with the lower side of the neck ring 14 of the article 11 and supports the article 11 in a suspended state is protrudingly provided inside the lower ends of both sides. The payout lane 61 is provided on the lower surface of the moving body 124.
A guide member 126 for guiding the lower side surfaces of the article 11 supported by the support member 11 is attached via a suspending member 127.

The dispensing section 63 has an endless body 132 that is rotatably extended along the column direction by rotating bodies 131 such as sprockets and timing rollers disposed at both ends in the column direction below the dispensing position 62. At two symmetrical positions in the circumferential direction of the endless body 132, there are attached payout members 133 which push out and pay out the articles 11 in the payout lane 61 located at the payout position 62. A drive mechanism (not shown) is connected to the rotating body 131, and the endless body 132 is rotated by the drive mechanism, with the upstream position of the payout position 62 being the payout standby position of the payout member 133.

Next, the operation of dispensing a single row of articles by the single-row article dispensing machine 21 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 1, the hoist of the unloading means 22
The pallet 15 on which the articles 11 are loaded is received on the base 31, the top frame 17 and the separate sheet 16 at the top are removed by a transfer mechanism (not shown), and the top frame 17 and the separate sheet 16 are transferred to the side stacker 32. One-stage articles 11 are unloaded onto the side layer conveyor 33 in a lump state,
One layer of articles 11 is transported by the layer conveyor 33 to a predetermined supply position in an aligned state.

As shown in FIG. 3, the article extracting device 49 cuts out the articles 11 of one stage conveyed to the supply position by the layer conveyor 33 in a predetermined number of rows. That is, FIG.
As shown in (d), the one-stage article 11 conveyed to the supply position on the layer conveyor 33 is sandwiched between the first pusher 41 and the second pusher 42 and transferred onto the accumulator 40. Then, as shown in FIGS. 3 (e) to 3 (g), the article 11 of one stage on the accumulator 40 is sandwiched between the second pusher 42 and the third pusher 43, and 3 pushers 43
Are moved to the downstream side in the transporting direction until they reach the cut-out reference position. Then, as shown in FIGS. 3 (h) to (k), the third pusher 43 is moved a predetermined number of rows from the cut-out reference position. Goods corresponding to 11
Between the fourth row of pushers 44 and the third
A predetermined number of rows of articles 11 are interposed between the pushers 43 and the downstream side in the transport direction, and then, as shown in FIG. Is moved to the delivery position 45 in contact with the stoppers 82 and 83. Then, a predetermined number of rows of articles 11 at the sending position 45 are sent to the sending means 25.
Then, as shown in FIGS. 3 (m) and (n), the process proceeds to the operation of cutting out the subsequent article 11.

Also, as shown in FIG. 2, a predetermined number of rows of articles 11 cut out at the delivery position 45
A photograph is taken at 92 and the alignment state of the articles 11 is confirmed.

If it is confirmed that the alignment of the articles 11 is normal, the first sweeper 47 of the sending means 25 collectively expands and contracts the articles 11 at the sending position 45 while keeping the aligned state.
Send to 26.

When the misalignment of the articles 11 is confirmed, the articles 11 located at the delivery position 45 are ejected by the ejection means 95. The discharging means 95 retracts the upper and lower stoppers 82 and 83 to the retracted position, respectively, and discharges the article 11 at the delivery position 45 from the end of the accumulator 40 by the fourth pusher 44. The dispensed article 11 is collected through a chute 97 into a collection box 96.
To be collected.

Further, as shown in FIG.
At the time of receiving the article 11 from the sending position 45 by the sending means 25, the enlargement / reduction lane 51 corresponds to the row pitch of the aligned articles 11 sent in the column direction from the sending position 45 by the sending means 25.
Is reduced, the lane guide 112 is lowered, and the interval between the side guides 113 on both sides is reduced.

For this reason, the aligned articles 11 sent out in the column direction from the delivery position 45 by the delivery means 25 are received in the respective expansion / reduction lanes 51 for each row, and the neck ring 14 of the mouth 13 of the article 11 is received.
Is supported by the neck guide 104, and the lower part of the aligned articles 11 in a predetermined number of rows is received between the side guides 113 on both sides.

After the articles 11 have been received in the respective expansion / reduction lanes 51 for each row, as shown in FIG.
6 and lower the neck ring 14 of the article 11 to the neck guide.
The article 11 is held on the enlargement / reduction lane 51 by being pressed against the 104.

With the article 11 held in the enlargement / reduction lane 51,
As shown in FIG. 9 (b), the interval between the side guides 113 on both sides is increased, and the row pitch of the expansion / reduction lane 51 is increased corresponding to the row pitch received in the row direction for each row by the single-row payout means 27. Thereafter, the respective lane guides 112 are raised to enter between the lower rows of the articles 11, and the pressing bodies 106 of the respective enlarged / reduced lanes 51 are raised to release the holding of the articles 11 with respect to the enlarged / reduced lanes 51.

In FIG. 1, the second sweeper 55 of the dispensing means 53 is moved between the enlarging / reducing means 26 and the delivery position 45 of the accumulator 40, and is moved toward the single-row dispensing means 27. The articles 11 in the inside are collectively paid out to the single-row payout means 27.

In the single-row payout means 27, each payout lane
The 61 is moved to a receiving position that is continuous with each of the enlargement / reduction lanes 51 in the enlarged state, and the articles 11 paid out from the respective enlargement / reduction lanes 51 of the enlargement / reduction means 26 are received in the respective payout lanes 61. After receiving the articles 11, each payout lane 61 is sequentially moved to the payout position 62, the endless body 132 of the payout section 63 is rotated, and the payout member 133 conveys the articles 11 in the payout lane 61 at the payout position 62 in one line. Pay out to means 28.

The single-row transport means 28 receives the articles 11 paid out from the single-row payout means 27 and transports them in a single row.

As described above, the pallet is
The articles 11 in the aligned state stacked in a plurality of stages on 15 are unloaded one by one sequentially to the transporting means 23, and the articles 11 in the aligned state are cut out by the cutout means 24 for every predetermined number of rows, and the sending means 25, a predetermined number of rows of the articles 11 are sent to the expansion / reduction means 26, and the expansion / reduction means 26 expands the interval between the articles 11 between the rows to eliminate interference between the rows and to the one row payout means 27,
Since the articles 11 are successively dispensed one by one in the column direction by the single-row dispensing means 27, the articles 11 can be surely processed in units of rows, and high-speed processing can be performed, thereby improving the dispensing ability.

The plurality of rows of enlargement / reduction lanes 51 are enlarged / reduced so that the row pitches of the enlargement / reduction lanes 51 correspond to the row pitches of the loading side. It is also possible to pay out the articles 11 in each of the enlargement / reduction lanes 51 to the export side by operating the enlargement / reduction lanes 51 in a plurality of rows so that the column pitch of the enlargement / reduction lanes 51 corresponds to the column pitch on the export side. So you can
The space between the rows of the articles 11 in a plurality of rows can be enlarged or reduced, and the processing of the articles 11 in units of rows can be supported.

Also, the neck guide 104 of the enlargement / reduction lane 51 allows the article 11 to pass through the neck ring 14 of the mouth 13 of the article 11.
Is supported in a suspended state, the container can be handled as the article 11, and the article 11 can be prevented from tipping over.

Further, at the time of the expanding / contracting operation of the expansion / reduction lane 51, the opening 13 of the article 11 is pressed from above by the pressing means 105 to press the neck ring 14 against the neck guide 104. 11 can be suppressed.

Further, when the interval between the enlargement / reduction lanes 51 is enlarged, the lane guide 112 rises between the plurality of rows of the articles 11, so that the swing of the lower side of the article 11 when the interval between the rows of the articles 11 is increased. In addition, when the interval between the enlargement / reduction lanes 51 is reduced, the lane guide 112 can be lowered below the article 11 and retracted.

Next, FIG. 13 shows an embodiment of the article aligner 201.

The article aligning machine 201 includes a loading means 202, a row aligning means 203, an enlarging / reducing means 204 as an article row enlarging / reducing device, a batch aligning means 205, and a loading means 206.

The carry-in means 202 conveys the articles 11 in one row and sends them out to the row aligning means 203.
A stopper means 211 for temporarily stopping the delivery of the article 11 is provided at the end connected to the connector.

The row aligning means 203 receives the articles 11 carried in by the carrying-in means 202, and arranges a predetermined number of rows and a predetermined number of rows in each row. A plurality of alignment lanes 221 for sending out the articles 11 in the column direction and spaced apart from each other,
The unillustrated drive means for integrally moving the articles 1 in a direction orthogonal to the row direction of the articles 11, and the delivery of the articles 11 in the alignment lane 221 to the receiving position 222 communicating with the carrying-in means 202 to the enlarging / reducing means 204 Means (first sending means) 223. Then, while the respective alignment lanes 221 are sequentially moved to the receiving position 222, the loading means 20
A predetermined number of articles 11 carried in by 2 are received.

Each alignment lane 221 has a neck guide (not shown) that engages with the neck ring 14 of the article 11 and supports the article 11 in a suspended state.

The sending means 223 includes a guide table 224 provided along the side of the expanding / contracting means 204 from the row aligning means 203, and a first sweeper moved along the guide table 224.
225, the first sweeper 225 having a row aligning means 203.
And it is configured to be able to advance and retreat with respect to the expansion / contraction means 204 side. Then, with the articles 11 received in the respective alignment lanes 221 and the respective alignment lanes 221 being moved to the delivery position approaching the delivery means 223 side, the first sweepers 225 entering the row alignment means 203. Of the article 11 in the alignment lane 221 by the movement of the
Sent to 204 in bulk.

The first sweeper 225 is provided with a plurality of pushing portions 226 abutting on the articles 11 at the ends of each row, and the pushing portions 226 project from the first sweeper 225. The amount differs according to the end position of each row of the aligned articles 11 when the rows of articles 11 are aligned in a staggered manner.

Note that the row aligning means 203 is provided for the article 1 described above.
It has basically the same structure as the single-row dispensing means 27 of the row dispensing machine 21, and the flow of the articles 11 is reversed.

The expanding / reducing means 204 receives the articles 11 sent out from the row aligning means 203 in the row direction for each row and pays out the articles 11 in a reduced contact state between the rows. Multi-row expansion / reduction lanes for receiving articles 11
231, driving means (not shown) for expanding / contracting the enlargement / reduction lane 231 and articles received in the enlargement / reduction lane 231
There is provided a sending means (second sending means) 232 for paying out the batch 11 to the batch sorting means 205 after the reduction operation.

Each expansion lane 231 has a neck guide (not shown) that engages with the neck ring 14 of the article 11 and supports the article 11 in a suspended state.

The sending means 232 has a guide table 233 arranged along the side of the collective aligning means 205 from the expansion / contraction means 204, and a second sweeper 234 moved along the guide table 233. This second sweeper 234 is
And it is configured to be able to advance and retreat with respect to the batch aligning means 205 side. Then, in a state where the article 11 is received in each of the enlargement / reduction lanes 231 and the distance between the respective enlargement / reduction lanes 231 is reduced, the second sweeper 234 entering the enlargement / reduction means 204 moves along the guide table 233. , Scaling lane
The articles 11 in 231 are sent out to the batch aligning means 205 in a lump.

The second sweeper 234 is provided with a plurality of pushing portions 235 abutting on the articles 11 at the ends of each row, and the pushing portions 235 project from the second sweeper 234. The amount differs according to the end position of the articles 11 in each row in an aligned state in which articles 11 in a predetermined number of rows are staggered by the reduction of the enlargement / reduction lane 231.

The expanding / contracting means 204 has basically the same structure as the enlarging / reducing means 26 of the article single-row dispensing machine 21 described above, and also has the same structure as the pressing means 105 and the lane guide 112. Flow is reversed.

Also, the batch aligning means 205 is
Receiving the articles 11 sent out in the column direction from each row, and sequentially moving the articles 11 by a predetermined number of rows in a direction intersecting with the row direction for each reception, thereby aligning the articles 11 collectively. And a pair of accumulators 241 for receiving a predetermined number of aligned articles 11 sent out in a row direction from the accumulators 204.
An inlet conveyor 242 is provided for transporting the articles 11 to be received between them in the row direction with the articles 11 placed thereon, and a layer conveyor is provided along a direction intersecting the inlet conveyor 242.
243 are arranged. Then, the article 11 received between the pair of accumulator pushers 241 is moved to the layer conveyor 24.
3 The articles 11 are sequentially moved upward and united, and a predetermined number of rows of articles 11 corresponding to one stage for loading are collectively arranged. The articles 11 arranged in a batch are moved to the unloading position on the downstream side in the transport direction of the layer conveyor 243 and delivered to the loading means 206.

The loading means 206 is for sequentially loading the articles 11 arranged by the batch aligning means 205 on the pallet 15 one by one and loading them in a plurality of stages. Loading hoist 251, layer conveyor 24
A loading mechanism 252 for transferring the one-stage article 11 moved to the unloading position on the downstream side in the conveyance direction 3 to the hoist 251. The loading mechanism 252 transfers the separate sheet 16 every time the one-stage article 11 is loaded. A transfer mechanism (not shown) for transferring the top frame 17 to the uppermost stage is provided.

Next, the article alignment operation by the article alignment machine 201 will be described.

The articles 11 carried in one row by the carry-in means 202 are sequentially received by the predetermined number of the articles 11 in each of the arranged lanes 221 while each of the arranged lanes 221 of the row aligning means 203 is sequentially moved to the receiving position 222.

While the articles 11 are received in the respective alignment lanes 221 and the respective alignment lanes 221 are moved to the delivery position approaching the delivery means 223, the first sweepers 225 entering the row alignment means 203 are guided. The object 11 in each alignment lane 221 is moved along the table 224 to collectively be sent out into each of the expansion and contraction lanes 231 in the enlarged state of the expansion and contraction means 204. At this time, the positions of the articles 11 in the adjacent rows are alternately shifted by sending out the articles 11 in each row into the respective expansion / reduction lanes 231 by the respective pushing portions 226 of the first sweeper 225.

The distance between the expansion / reduction lanes 231 is reduced, the rows of articles 11 are aligned in a contact state so that they are staggered, and the second sweeper 234 entering the expansion / reduction means 204 is moved along the guide table 233. Items in the expansion / reduction lane 231
11 are sent out to the batching means 205 in a lump.

The batch aligning means 205 receives the articles 11 sent out from the enlarging / reducing means 204 between the pair of accumulator pushers 241 on the entrance conveyor 242, and sequentially moves the articles 11 on the layer conveyor 243 with the pair of accumulator pushers 241. By repeating this process a predetermined number of times (for example, three times), articles 11 in a predetermined number of rows corresponding to one loading stage are collectively aligned. Articles arranged in batch 11
Is moved to the unloading position on the downstream side in the transport direction of the layer conveyor 243 and transferred to the loading means 206.

In the loading means 206, the one-stage article 11 moved to the unloading position on the downstream side in the transport direction of the layer conveyor 243 by the loading mechanism 252 is transferred onto the pallet 15 of the hoist 251 and transferred. The separate sheet 16 is transferred by the mechanism every time the one-stage article 11 is loaded. After loading the articles 11 and the separate sheets 16 for a predetermined number of stages on the pallet 15, the top frame 17 is transferred to the uppermost stage.

As described above, the plurality of articles 11 are carried in one row by the carrying-in means 202 to the row-aligning means 203, and the row-ordering means 203 provides a predetermined number of articles 11 per row and a predetermined number of rows. The articles 11 arranged in each row are moved in the row direction and sent out to the expansion / contraction means 204, and the space between the articles 11 in each row is reduced by the expansion / contraction means 204 to bring them into a contact state. Move to batch sorting means
The articles 11 are sequentially moved by a predetermined number of rows in a direction intersecting the row direction by the batch aligning means 205.
Since the 11s are arranged in a batch, the articles 11 can be surely processed in units of rows, and can also handle high-speed processing, thereby improving the payout capacity.

The expansion / contraction means 204 has a plurality of expansion / reduction lanes 231 arranged so that the distance between them can be increased / reduced. When the distance between the expansion / reduction lanes 231 is increased, the row alignment means 203 is provided.
From the one end of each of the expansion and contraction lanes 231 for each row, and sends out the articles 11 to the batch aligning means 205 from the other end of each of the expansion and contraction lanes 231 at the time of reduction. So, a certain number of rows
11 can be reliably aligned in contact with each other.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the plastic bottle is shown as an article. However, the present invention is not limited to the plastic bottle, but may be a pin, a can, or another thing. By corresponding, the same operation and effect can be obtained.

[0100]

According to the article row enlarging / reducing apparatus according to the first aspect, by enlarging / reducing a plurality of rows of enlarging / reducing lanes to make the row pitch of the enlarging / reducing lanes correspond to the row pitch on the loading side, each of the enlarging / reducing lanes is provided. In addition to being able to receive the articles brought in from the loading side, the expansion / reduction operation of the plurality of rows of expansion / reduction lanes is performed so that the row pitch of the expansion / reduction lanes corresponds to the row pitch of the output side. , It is possible to enlarge or reduce the interval between a plurality of rows of articles, and it is possible to cope with processing in units of articles.

According to the article row enlarging / reducing apparatus of the second aspect,
In addition to the effect of the article row expansion and contraction device according to claim 1, the article can be handled in a suspended state via the neck ring at the mouth of the article by the neck guide of the expansion and contraction lane, so that the container can be handled as the article. In addition, the article can be prevented from falling.

According to the article row enlarging / reducing device of the third aspect,
In addition to the effect of the article row enlarging / reducing device according to claim 2, when the enlarging / reducing operation of the enlarging / reducing lane is performed, the opening of the article is pressed from above by the pressing means to press the neck ring against the neck guide. Of the article due to the above.

According to the article row enlarging / reducing device of the fourth aspect,
4. In addition to the effect of the article row enlarging / reducing apparatus according to claim 2, the lane guide rises between a plurality of rows of articles when the interval between the enlarging / reducing lanes is enlarged, so that the interval between the rows of articles is enlarged. In addition, when the interval between the expansion and contraction lanes is reduced, the lane guide can be lowered below the article and retracted.

According to the article single-row dispensing machine according to claim 5,
The aligned articles stacked on the pallet in a plurality of stages by the unloading means are unloaded one by one sequentially to the transport means, the aligned articles are transported by the transport means, and the transport means are transported by the cutout means by the transport means. 2. An article in an aligned state to be cut is cut out every predetermined number of rows at a delivery position on the downstream side in the transport direction, and articles of a predetermined number of pieces cut out by the sending means are sent out in a row direction along each row. And an article row enlarging / reducing apparatus described in any one of (4) to (8), accepting a predetermined number of rows of articles carried in from the sending means, and expanding the rows of articles to eliminate interference between rows, and paying out by a single row payout apparatus. Since a predetermined number of rows of articles sent from the article row enlarging / reducing apparatus are received and paid out one row at a time, articles can be processed in rows and clogging of articles can be reduced.

According to the article sorting machine of the sixth aspect, a plurality of articles are carried in a row by the carrying-in means into the row arranging means, and a predetermined number of articles are arranged in a row by the row arranging means. The articles arranged in each row are sent out in the column direction while the articles arranged in each row are sent out in the row direction, and the articles sent out in the row direction from the row aligning means by the article row enlarging / reducing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4 are arranged in each row. To the batching means in a contact state in which the rows of articles are reduced, and the batch aligning means sequentially moves a predetermined number of rows of articles in a direction intersecting the row direction to batch align the articles, and The articles in an aligned state, which are collectively aligned by the stacking means, are placed on a pallet 1
Since the items are sequentially loaded and loaded in a plurality of stages, the articles can be processed in units of rows and clogging of the articles can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an embodiment of an article single-row dispenser of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing a conveying unit and a cutting unit of the single-row article dispensing machine.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view for explaining a cutting operation by a cutting means of the article single-row dispenser in the order of (a) to (n).

FIG. 4 is a side view showing a part of a stopper means and a discharging means of the article single-row dispensing machine.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of an enlarging / reducing means of the article single-row dispensing machine.

FIG. 6 is a front view of an enlarging / reducing means of the article single-row dispensing machine.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of an enlargement / reduction lane of the article single-row dispensing machine.

FIG. 8 is a front view of a guide means of the article single-row dispensing machine.

9A and 9B show an enlargement / reduction means and a guide means of the same article single-row dispenser, wherein FIG. 9A is an explanatory view of a reduced state of an enlargement / reduction lane, and FIG.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of an enlarged state of an enlargement / reduction lane.

FIG. 10 is a front view of a single-row dispensing unit of the article single-row dispensing machine.

FIG. 11 is a side view of a single-row payout unit of the article single-row payout machine.

FIGS. 12A and 12B show articles to be dispensed by the article single-row dispenser, wherein FIG. 12A is a front view of the articles, and FIG. 12B is a perspective view of the articles loaded on a pallet in a plurality of stages.

FIG. 13 is a plan view showing an embodiment of the article aligner of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11 Articles 12 Container body 13 Mouth 14 Neck ring 15 Pallet 21 Article single-row dispenser 22 Unloading means 23 Conveying means 24 Cutting-out means 25 Sending means 26 Enlargement / reduction means as an article row enlargement / reduction device 27 Single-row supply means 51 Enlargement / reduction lane 52 Driving means 53 Discharge means 104 Neck guide 105 Pressing means 112 Lane guide 201 Article aligner 202 Loading means 203 Row aligning means 204 Enlarging / reducing means as article row enlarging / reducing device 205 Batch aligning means 206 Loading means

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A loading side on which articles arranged in a plurality of rows and arranged at a predetermined row pitch are carried in the row direction, and a plurality of rows of articles arranged along the row direction at a row pitch different from the row pitch of the loading side. A plurality of rows are arranged between the loading side and the delivery side where the goods are received from the loading side and can be delivered to the delivery side. The enlargement / reduction lane and these enlargement / reduction lanes are operated so as to correspond to the carry-in side row pitch when receiving the articles in the enlargement / reduction lane,
A drive unit for adjusting the row pitch on the unloading side at the time of dispensing articles from the enlargement / reduction lane; An article row enlarging / reducing apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. 2. The article has a container body, a mouth provided in the container body, and a neck ring provided around the mouth, and each of the expansion and contraction lanes is located on both sides of the mouth of the article. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a neck guide that engages with a lower side of the neck ring to support the article in a suspended state. 3. A pressing means for pressing a neck ring against a neck guide by pressing a mouth portion of an article from above at the time of expanding / reducing operation of the expanding / reducing lane.
An article row enlarging / reducing apparatus as described in the above. 4. The article according to claim 2, further comprising a lane guide which rises between a plurality of rows of articles when the interval between the enlargement / reduction lanes is enlarged and falls below the articles when reduced. Row expansion and contraction device. 5. An unloading means for unloading articles in a plurality of stages in an aligned state loaded on a pallet one by one in order, and a conveyance for conveying the articles in an aligned state unloaded by the unloading means. Means for cutting out the aligned articles conveyed by the conveying means from the first row in the conveying direction to a sending position on the downstream side in the conveying direction every predetermined number of rows; and Sending means for sending out the predetermined number of articles in the row direction along each row, and receiving the predetermined number of articles carried in from the sending means and dispensing the articles by enlarging the space between the rows. An article array enlarging / reducing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, and a single-row dispensing means for receiving a predetermined number of rows of articles dispensed from the article array enlarging / reducing apparatus, and sequentially paying out one row at a time. Characterized single-row dispenser. 6. A loading means for loading a plurality of articles in a row, receiving articles loaded by the loading means, and arranging a predetermined number of rows and a predetermined number of rows. A row aligning means for sending out the articles aligned in each row in the row direction, and an article sent out from the row aligning means in the row direction is received for each row and paid out in a contact state in which the rows of the articles are reduced. An article row enlarging / reducing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, and a predetermined number of rows sent from the article row enlarging / reducing apparatus in a row direction, and a predetermined row in a direction intersecting the row direction for each reception. Batch aligning means for sequentially moving articles by several minutes to collectively align the articles; and loading the articles in the aligned state arranged by the collective aligning means on the pallet one by one in order and loading them in a plurality of stages. With means Article alignment apparatus according to claim Rukoto.