JP2015034064A - Aligning apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an aligning apparatus capable of high-speed processing without damaging an article.SOLUTION: An allocation body 14 repeats, alternately from right to left, an allocation operation of moving to the downstream in the conveyance direction at the same speed as that of an article G on a conveyor 12, also moving across the position of the center row C in the right or left direction so as to push-send a specified number of articles G to allocation rows L and R and then moving to the upstream side in the conveyance direction. Articles G are allocated equally in rows C, L and R by carrying out, from right to left alternately, an allocation operation of push-sending a specified number of articles G to the allocation rows L and R by the allocation body 14 so that an appropriate number of articles G supplied immediately after the allocation operation of allocating articles G by the allocation body 14 are left in the central row C.

Description

  The present invention relates to an alignment apparatus that distributes articles supplied in one row and arranges them in a plurality of rows.

  A device that moves a part of articles that are continuously conveyed in a line in the conveying direction on the conveyor in the left-right direction intersecting the conveying direction with a sorting member, and aligns the articles so that they are distributed in a plurality of lines Are known. For example, when the apparatus of Patent Document 1 receives a predetermined number of articles in any of a plurality of passages formed by a plurality of partition members in the sorting member, the sorting member is moved downstream in the transport direction at the same speed as the article. The articles are moved left and right while moving toward each other, and a predetermined number of articles are distributed to the left and right. In the apparatus, the sorting member is configured to push in the left-right direction while moving in accordance with the conveyance of the article, so that it is possible to prevent the side surface of the article from being damaged when the article is sorted.

Japanese Patent No. 5117551

  Articles that are continuously conveyed in a row on the conveyor continue to move downstream on the conveyor even while the sorting member moves upstream from the position where the sorting members are distributed to the left and right rows. ing. The apparatus of Patent Document 1 requires that the article to be distributed next fits in the passage when the sorting member moves to the upstream side of the conveyor. In accordance with the arrival timing, the sorting member must be moved quickly to the upstream side, and there is a limit to further high-speed processing.

  That is, the present invention has been proposed in order to solve these problems related to the prior art, and provides an aligning device that can sort items into a plurality of rows without damaging articles and can perform high-speed processing. The purpose is to do.

In order to overcome the above-mentioned problems and achieve the intended object, an alignment apparatus of the invention according to claim 1 of the present application includes:
A central row that distributes articles in a supply row that are continuously supplied in one row in the conveyance direction by a sorting body, and arranges the articles in a straight line from the supply row downstream of the supply row on the conveyor in the conveyance direction. And an alignment device that aligns with the same number of left and right sorting columns that are transported in a row in the transport direction on each of the left and right sides of the central row on the conveyor,
The distribution body is at the same speed as the articles on the conveyor while feeding a specified number of articles from one initial position set to one side in the left-right direction of the position where the articles in the supply row become the central row. After moving to the downstream side in the transport direction and moving in the left-right direction across the position that becomes the center row, after feeding a specified number of articles to the sorting row, the product moves to the upstream side in the feed direction and moves to the supply row. The left and right direction of the position that becomes the center row in the other side of the other initial position set on the other side of the left and right is repeated alternately left and right,
A predetermined number of articles are distributed by the distributing body by the specified number so that an appropriate number smaller than the specified number is left in the central row from the articles supplied subsequent to the articles distributed in the immediately preceding sorting operation by the distributing body. It is characterized in that the sorting operation of pushing and feeding to the divided rows is alternately performed on the left and right sides, and the articles are evenly distributed to each row.
According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the time for transporting the articles to be distributed to the central row can be used as the time for moving the articles to the sorting row and then moving upstream in the transport direction, the sorting body. Therefore, it is possible to cope with high-speed processing while suppressing the moving speed required for the above. In addition, since the sorting body pushes the articles toward the sorting row while moving in the same conveying direction at the same speed as the articles, the article can be prevented from being damaged.

The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the distributing body has a flat surface abutting against the article.
According to the invention which concerns on Claim 2, the damage | damage of the articles | goods by a distribution body can be prevented more suitably.

  According to the aligning device according to the present invention, articles can be equally distributed to a plurality of rows without damaging articles, and high-speed processing is possible.

It is explanatory drawing explaining the distribution operation | movement of the articles | goods by the alignment apparatus of Example 1. FIG. It is explanatory drawing explaining the distribution operation | movement of the articles | goods by the alignment apparatus of Example 2. FIG. It is explanatory drawing explaining the distribution operation | movement of the articles | goods by the alignment apparatus of Example 3. FIG.

  Next, a preferred embodiment of the alignment apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the alignment apparatus according to the first to third embodiments is arranged on the first conveyor 10 with the articles G that have been conveyed in a row in the conveying direction on the first conveyor 10 formed of a belt conveyor. On the second conveyor (conveyor) 12 composed of a belt conveyor connected to the downstream side of the belt, the sorting body 14 distributes the odd-numbered rows of three or more rows. On the second conveyor 12, a central row that conveys the articles G in a line in a straight line from the supply row downstream in the conveyance direction of the articles G of the supply row that is supplied in a row from the first conveyor 10 to the second conveyor 12. C and the left and right (left and right direction crossing the transport direction) sandwiching the central row C are arranged in a row in the transport direction, and the same number of distribution columns L and R that transport the articles G are arranged in a first row. The articles G supplied from the conveyor 10 are evenly distributed and aligned. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the configuration is not limited to the configuration in which the sorting rows L and R are provided on the left and right sides of the central row C on the second conveyor 12. If the number of left and right distribution columns L and R across the center column C is the same as in the third embodiment, two or more distribution columns L and R are provided on the left and right sides of the center column C. The configuration may be such that five or more odd rows are aligned.

  The first conveyor 10 and the second conveyor 12 are configured such that the belt travels by driving a servo motor provided therein. The first conveyor 10 and the second conveyor 12 have the same or substantially the same conveying speed of the article G. Further, at the downstream end of the first conveyor 10, an interval adjusting means for adjusting the interval between the articles in the conveying direction when supplying the articles G from the first conveyor 10 to the second conveyor 12 is arranged. Has been. The distance adjusting means is composed of a pair of star wheels 16 and 16 that are spaced apart in the left-right direction and rotatably arranged around the vertical axis, and each star wheel 16 extends radially outward at a constant angle. It has a plurality of nails. The pair of star wheels 16 and 16 are rotated in directions opposite to each other in conjunction with a driving means such as a servo motor, so that the article G fitted between the claws is sent toward the second conveyor 12 at a predetermined timing. ing. The second conveyor 12 continuously conveys the articles G placed on the belt, and the articles aligned on the second conveyor 12 by appropriate means such as a boxing device connected to the downstream side of the second conveyor 12. G is to be handed over.

  The allocating body 14 is formed in a thin plate shape extending in the transport direction, and is capable of translating in a horizontal direction including the transport direction in an upright posture with respect to the transport surface of the second conveyor 12. It is disposed above the conveyor 12. The allocating body 14 has both left and right surfaces that are in contact with the side surfaces of the article G when the article G is fed, and the left and right sides are formed flat. Further, the distribution body 14 has a conveyance direction length corresponding to the conveyance direction length of a predetermined number of articles G to be pushed to the distribution rows L and R. Here, the length of the distribution body 14 in the conveyance direction is equal to or shorter than the length in the conveyance direction of a predetermined number of articles G arranged in the conveyance direction, and is a dimension capable of contacting the side surfaces of all the predetermined number of articles G. That is, when distributing the specified number of articles G, the sorting body 14 does not protrude from the specified number of articles G forward in the conveying direction of the first article G and backward in the conveying direction of the last article G. ing.

  The allocating body 14 is moved in the left-right direction and moved in the front-rear direction by an actuating means (not shown), and can be moved in an oblique direction by combining the left-right direction and the front-rear direction in the transport direction. Then, the allocating body 14 is set to the left and right sides set on the upstream side between the central row C and the left and right side sorting rows L and R (the sorting rows L2 and R2 on the most central row C side). While the specified number of articles G are being fed from one of the initial positions, the article G moves to the downstream side in the transport direction at the same speed as the articles G on the second conveyor 12, and moves to the left and right across the position of the central row C. After the specified number of articles G are pushed to the sorting rows L and R, the articles G are moved upstream in the transport direction, and the center row C and the sorting rows R and L on the other side in the left and right direction (most center row C side) The sorting operation for waiting at either the left or right initial position set on the upstream side with respect to the sorting row R2, L2) is alternately repeated by the actuating means. Further, the sorting body 14 is left in the central row C so that an appropriate number (one or more) smaller than the prescribed number from the articles G supplied subsequent to the article G sorted in the immediately preceding sorting operation by the sorting body 14 is left. The sorting operation of pushing the articles G to the sorting columns L and R by a predetermined number is alternately performed on the left and right sides, and the columns C, L, and R are arranged in the columns C, L, and R so that the number of articles G in each column C, L, R The articles G are sorted and aligned. That is, when the articles G in the supply row whose spacing is adjusted to the position that becomes the central row C on the upstream end side in the transport direction of the second conveyor 12 has passed the prescribed number, the distributing body 14 has the prescribed number. The movement is completed at one of the left and right initial positions adjacent to each side of the article G, and is waiting. Then, the allocating body 14 moves from the initial position at the same speed as the predetermined number of articles G to the downstream side in the conveying direction so as to cross the position that becomes the central row C, and becomes the allocating rows L and R. Move to the distribution position inside the position. The actuating means obtains information related to the transport position of each article G on the second conveyor 12 from, for example, the delivery information of the article G by the interval adjusting means and the pulse information of the encoder attached to the second conveyor 12. Control is made to move the allocating body 14 based on the information.

  The sorting body 14 has a constant moving speed from the upstream side to the downstream side in the carrying direction at the time of forward movement in which a specified number of articles G being fed are pushed into the sorting rows L and R, and from the center. The moving speed in the left-right direction toward the outside is constant. In addition, the sorting body 14 is transported at the time of backward movement in which the specified number of articles G are pushed into the sorting rows L and R and then moved to the upstream initial position in order to push the articles G supplied next. It is moved at a constant speed or acceleration / deceleration so that the moving speed from the downstream side in the direction to the upstream side is faster than that in the forward movement. Furthermore, when the allocating body 14 moves in the left-right direction from the center to the outside during the backward movement, the allocating body 14 is accelerated or decelerated at a constant speed or accelerated so that the moving speed in the left-right direction is faster than that in the forward movement. Moved. In this way, the sorting body 14 performs the backward movement from the sorting position aligned with the sorting rows L and R toward the initial position in a shorter time than the forward movement from the initial position toward the sorting rows L and R. Is called.

  For example, as an operating means, a frame supported on a rail extending above the second conveyor 12 in the transport direction so as to be able to reciprocate back and forth in the transport direction is wound around a pair of pulleys spaced apart in the front and back in the transport direction. The frame is moved back and forth in the transport direction along with the running chain by engaging with the cable body and rotationally driving one of the pulleys with a servo motor. The distribution body 14 is supported by the frame so as to be able to reciprocate in the left-right direction and is suspended, and the distribution body 14 is engaged with a screw shaft arranged to extend in the left-right direction on the frame. The distributing body 14 is configured to move in the left-right direction by rotating the screw shaft by a servo motor disposed on the frame.

(Effects of Example)
Next, the operation of the alignment apparatus according to Examples 1 to 3 will be described. First, a first embodiment in which the articles G are distributed to the three columns of the center column C, the right sorting column R, and the left sorting column L with the prescribed number being two will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 1, the articles G distributed to the center row C are color-coded for convenience. Articles G that are continuously conveyed in a line in the conveying direction on the first conveyor 10 are supplied to the second conveyor 12 at predetermined timings by the interval adjusting means disposed at the downstream end of the first conveyor 10. And continuously conveyed on the second conveyor 12. When two (regulated number) of articles whose distances have been adjusted to the position of the central row C have been passed, they are waiting at the right initial position that will be adjacent to the right side of each of the prescribed number of articles G. The sorting body 14 moves downstream in the transport direction at the same speed as the article G when the two articles G to be allocated to the left sorting row L arrive at the side of the sorting body 14 on the second conveyor 12. While moving to the left side across the position that becomes the central row C, the right side of the two articles G is pushed to move the article G to the left sorting row L (FIGS. 1A to 1C). ). The allocating body 14 moves to the upstream side in the conveying direction after aligning the two articles G in the left allocating row L, and has a symmetrical relationship with the right initial position across the position where it becomes the central row C. It moves to the left initial position set as follows (FIG. 1 (d)). Since the articles G are continuously conveyed to the second conveyor 12, the subsequent articles G arrive at the upstream side of the second conveyor 12 during the sorting to the left sorting row L.

  The sorting body 14 in the left initial position allows passage of one of the articles G in the supply row to be transported from the head scheduled to be sorted to the central row C, and the head of the sorting schedule to the right sorting row R. The second and third articles G are moved to the downstream side in the transport direction at the same speed as the article G in accordance with the timing when the second and third articles G arrive on the lateral side of the left initial position, and cross the positions that become the central row C. To the right side, leaving the first article G in the center row C, while pushing the left side of the two following articles G to move the article G to the right sorting row R (FIG. 1 (e ) To (f)). The sorting body 14 moves to the right initial position on the upstream side in the transport direction after aligning the two articles G in the right sorting row R (FIG. 1 (g)). Since the articles G are continuously conveyed to the second conveyor 12, the subsequent articles G arrive at the upstream side of the second conveyor 12 during the sorting to the right sorting row R. The sorting body 14 in the right initial position permits passage of one of the articles G to be transported from the head scheduled to be sorted into the central row C (FIG. 1 (h)). As a result, the article G allowed to pass first in the center column C and the article G allowed to pass this time become two of the prescribed number, and the articles G in the left and right sorting columns L and R and the center column C Are evenly distributed by the specified number. Then, the second and third articles G from the top move to the downstream side in the conveying direction at the same speed as the article G in accordance with the timing when the articles G arrive at the lateral side of the sorting body 14 at the right initial position. While moving to the left side, leaving the first article G in the center row C, the right side of the two following articles G is pushed to move the article G to the left sorting row L (FIG. 1 (i)). ). By repeating the sorting operation of the sorting body 14 alternately left and right, the articles G continuously conveyed from the first conveyor 10 are evenly distributed in three rows while being continuously conveyed on the second conveyor 12. Can be sorted and arranged.

  Next, a second embodiment in which the articles G are allocated to the three columns of the center column C, the right sorting column R, and the left sorting column L with the specified number being three will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 2, the articles G distributed to the center row C are color-coded for convenience. When three (regulated number) of articles whose distances have been adjusted to the position of the central row C have been passed, they are waiting at the right initial position that will be adjacent to the right side of each of the prescribed number of articles G. When the three articles G scheduled to be allocated to the left sorting row L arrive at the side of the sorting body 14 on the second conveyor 12, the sorting body 14 moves downstream in the transport direction at the same speed as the article G. While moving to the left side across the position that becomes the center row C, the right side of the three articles G is pushed to move the article G to the left sorting row L (FIGS. 2A to 2B). ). The allocating body 14 moves to the upstream side in the transport direction after aligning the three articles G in the left allocating row L, and has a symmetrical relationship with the right initial position across the position where it becomes the central row C. It moves to the left initial position set as follows (FIG. 2 (c)). The sorting body 14 in the left initial position allows passage of one of the articles G in the supply row to be transported from the head scheduled to be sorted to the central row C, and the head of the sorting schedule to the right sorting row R. The second to fourth articles G are moved to the downstream side in the transport direction at the same speed as the article G in accordance with the timing when the second to fourth articles G arrive on the lateral side of the left initial position. While moving to the right side, leaving the first article G in the center row C, the left side surface of the following three articles G is pushed to move the article G to the right sorting row R (FIG. 2D). ~ (F)). The sorting body 14 moves to the right initial position on the upstream side in the transport direction after aligning the three articles G in the right sorting row R (FIG. 2G). The sorting body 14 in the right initial position allows passage of the two articles G in the supply row being transported from the head scheduled to be sorted into the central row C (FIGS. 2 (h) to (j)). . As a result, the prescribed number of three articles is obtained by one article G that is allowed to pass in the center row C and two articles G that are allowed to pass this time, and the left and right sorting rows L and R and the center row With C, the articles G are equally distributed by the specified number.

  Then, the same speed as that of the article G is adjusted in accordance with the timing at which the third to fifth articles G scheduled to be distributed to the left sorting row L arrive at the side of the sorting body 14 at the right initial position. And move leftward while moving downstream in the conveying direction, leaving the top two articles G in the central row C, while pushing the right side of the subsequent three articles G to the left sorting row L. Is moved (FIG. 2 (k)). In this way, after allowing one (appropriate number) of articles G to pass through the center column C, the specified number of articles G is distributed to the one side sorting columns L and R, and then the center column C is moved ahead. The sorting operation of the sorting body 14 that allows the passing of the two articles G, which is the prescribed number when added to the number left, is assigned to the sorting rows R and L on the other side. By alternately repeating left and right, the articles G continuously conveyed from the first conveyor 10 are equally distributed and arranged in three rows while being continuously conveyed on the second conveyor 12. In addition, after allowing the passage of two articles G in the central row C, the passage of one article G may be permitted and the prescribed number may be set to three.

  Next, the article G is distributed with the prescribed number of four to the five columns of the center row C, the outer right sorting row R1, the inner right sorting row R2, the outer left sorting row L1, and the inner left sorting row L2. Example 3 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 3, the articles G distributed to the central row C are color-coded for convenience, and some of the steps are omitted. When four (regulated number) articles whose distances have been adjusted to the position of the center row C have been passed, they are waiting at the right initial position that will be adjacent to the right side of each of the defined number of articles G. The distribution body 14 allows one passage from the top of the distribution schedule to the center row C of the articles G to be conveyed, and the second to fifth pieces from the top of the distribution schedule to the outer left distribution row L1. In line with the timing when the article G arrives at the lateral side of the sorting body 14 in the right initial position, the article G moves to the downstream side in the conveying direction at the same speed as the article G and crosses the position that becomes the center row C on the left side. To the center row C, while pressing the right side surface of the subsequent four items G to move the item G to the outer left sorting row L1 (FIG. 3 (a) to 3). (b)). The allocating body 14 moves the right side while moving the upstream side in the conveying direction upstream of the four articles G in the outer left allocating row L1, and the right initial position across the position that becomes the central row C. It moves to the left initial position set so as to have a symmetrical positional relationship (FIG. 3C). The sorting body 14 in the left initial position allows passage of one article from the top scheduled to be distributed to the center row C among the articles G being conveyed, and 2 from the top of the sorting schedule to the outer right sorting row R1. In accordance with the timing at which the fifth article G arrives on the lateral side of the sorting body 14 in the left initial position, the position that becomes the center row C while moving downstream in the transport direction at the same speed as the article G Crossing and moving to the right side, leaving the first article G in the center row C, while pushing the left side of the subsequent four articles G to move the article G to the outer right sorting row R1 (FIG. 2 (d)-(e)). After the four articles G are aligned in the outer right sorting row R1, the sorting body 14 moves leftward while moving upstream in the transport direction, and moves to the right initial position (FIG. 2 (f)). .

  The sorting body 14 waiting at the right initial position allows one passage from the top of the article G being transported to the center row C from the beginning of the sorting schedule and is scheduled to be sorted to the inner left sorting row L2. The center row C is moved while moving to the downstream side in the transport direction at the same speed as the article G in accordance with the timing when the second to fifth articles G arrive at the lateral side of the sorting body 14 at the right initial position. Is moved to the left side across the position, leaving the first article G in the central row C, while pushing the right side of the following four articles G to move the article G to the inner left sorting row L2. (FIGS. 3 (g) to (h)). The sorting body 14 moves to the left initial position on the upstream side in the transport direction after aligning the four articles G in the inner left sorting row L2 (FIG. 3 (i)). The sorting body 14 in the left initial position allows passage of one article from the top scheduled to be distributed to the center row C among the articles G being conveyed, and 2 from the top of the sorting schedule to the inner right sorting row R2. In accordance with the timing at which the fifth article G arrives on the lateral side of the sorting body 14 in the left initial position, the position that becomes the center row C while moving downstream in the transport direction at the same speed as the article G Crossing and moving to the right side, leaving the first article G in the center row C, while pushing the left side of the subsequent four articles G to move the article G to the inner right sorting row R2 (see FIG. 2 (j) to (k)). The sorting body 14 moves to the right initial position on the upstream side in the transport direction after aligning the four articles G in the inner right sorting row R2 (FIG. 3 (l)). As a result, the total number of articles G allowed to pass in the central column C becomes a specified number of four, and the specified number of articles G is equally distributed to all the columns C, L1, L2, R1, and R2. As described above, the distribution of the distribution bodies 14 that distributes the specified number of articles G to the left and right distribution arrays L1, L2, R1, and R2 after allowing the passage of one (appropriate number) of articles G to the center column C is performed. By repeating the operation alternately left and right, the articles G continuously conveyed from the first conveyor 10 are equally distributed and arranged in five rows while being continuously conveyed on the second conveyor 12. In addition, it is preferable to increase the moving speed when moving the sorting body 14 from the sorting position to the initial position in the outer sorting row farther from the center row C.

  In the aligning device, when the articles G to be conveyed are distributed to the distribution rows L and R by the distribution body 14, or the distribution position on the downstream side in the conveyance direction in which the articles G are aligned to the distribution rows L and R. Even when the sorting body 14 is moved from the first conveyor 10 to the upstream initial position (right initial position, left initial position), the articles G are continuously supplied from the first conveyor 10 to the second conveyor 12 at regular intervals. The second conveyor 12 is continuously transported. Since an appropriate number of articles G to be distributed to the central row C are allowed to pass, the distribution body 14 distributes the time during which the articles G to be distributed to the central row C are transported and pass the lateral side of the initial position. It can be used as the time for moving the articles G to the rows L and R and then moving them upstream in the conveying direction. Thereby, even if the article G is conveyed at a higher speed, the sorting operation of the sorting body 14 can be made in time, so that it is possible to cope with further high-speed processing. In addition, since the moving speed required for the distribution body 14 can be suppressed even at high speed processing, the displacement of the distribution body 14 at the distribution position or the initial position can be prevented, and the distribution target The articles G can be neatly aligned in the respective rows C, L, and R without hooking other articles G adjacent to the article G with the distributing body 14 or the like. Furthermore, since the sorting body 14 pushes the article G toward the sorting rows L and R while moving in the same transport direction at the same speed as the article G, the article G can be prevented from being damaged. Since the distribution body 14 of the embodiment has a flat surface in contact with the article G, the article G can be more suitably prevented from being damaged by the distribution body 14. In addition, the sorting body 14 has a simple configuration composed of a single plate-like member, and the sorting body 14 thus configured is moved to the left and right to sort the articles G, so that the columns C, L, R The interval can be adjusted arbitrarily.

(Change example)
The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the embodiment, and can be modified as follows, for example. Further, not limited to the following modification examples, various embodiments may be adopted for the configurations described in the examples within the scope of the gist of the present invention.
(1) The distribution body may have a structure in which a plurality of bars parallel to each other are arranged in the vertical direction. When the interval between adjacent rows is wide, the contact surface with an article such as a roller is uneven. It may be a shape.
(2) When the allocating body is moved from the allocating position to the initial position, the allocating body may be temporarily moved in the left-right direction so as to be separated from the article and then moved upstream in the conveying direction. By operating the allocating body in this way, it is possible to more suitably avoid damage to the article, tipping of the article, and the like.
(3) As an actuating means for moving the sorting body, the sorting body may be moved by expanding and contracting the cylinder by air or the like, and the sorting body is arranged in the robot's hand part to convey the sorting body. It may be configured to move in the right and left directions.
(4) The interval adjusting means may adjust the interval of the articles to be constant by a side belt conveyor or the like instead of the star wheel of the embodiment.
(5) In the case where articles are distributed to any N rows that are odd numbers of 3 or more, the specified number of articles may be (N-1) or more.
(6) In the embodiment, the articles supplied from the first conveyor are distributed on the second conveyor. However, the configuration may be such that the articles in the supply line are distributed to a plurality of lines on one conveyor.

12 Second conveyor (conveyor), 14 sorting body, C center row, L left sorting row (sorting row),
R Right sort column (sort column)

Claims (2)

Articles (G) in the supply row that are continuously supplied in one row in the transport direction are distributed by the sorting body (14), and are aligned in a straight line from the supply row on the conveyor (12) downstream in the transport direction of the supply row. A central row (C) for conveying articles (G) side by side, and an equal number of left and right sorting rows for conveying in a row in the conveyance direction on each of the left and right sides of the central row (C) on the conveyor (12) In an alignment device that aligns with (L, R),
The allocating body (14) is provided with a specified number of articles (G) from one initial position set on one side in the left-right direction of the position where the article (G) in the supply line becomes the central line (C). While moving, at the same speed as the article (G) on the conveyor (12), it moves downstream in the conveying direction and moves in the left-right direction across the position that becomes the center row (C), and a specified number of articles ( After G) is pushed to the sorting row (L, R), it is moved to the upstream side in the transport direction and set to the other side in the left-right direction of the position where the article (G) in the feeding row becomes the central row (C). Repeat the sorting operation waiting at the other initial position alternately left and right,
From the article (G) supplied subsequent to the article (G) sorted in the last sorting operation by the sorting body (14), an appropriate number smaller than the specified number is left in the central row (C). A sorting operation for pushing the articles (G) by a predetermined number to the sorting columns (L, R) by the sorting bodies (14) is alternately performed on the left and right sides, and the articles (G) in each row (C, L, R). An arrangement device characterized by having a configuration in which the items are evenly distributed.   The alignment device according to claim 1, wherein the distribution body (14) has a flat surface abutting against the article (G).

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