JP4360475B2 - Article row expansion / contraction device, article one row dispensing machine and article alignment machine - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  The present invention relates to an article row expansion / contraction device that transfers a plurality of rows of articles between the carry-in side and the carry-out side by changing the interval between the rows, and articles that are aligned in a plurality of rows using the article row enlargement / reduction device. The present invention relates to an article single-row dispenser that dispenses in a single-row state, and an article aligner that aligns articles carried in a single-row state into a plurality of rows using an article-row expansion / contraction device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
  Conventionally, for example, when containers such as PET bottles, bottles, and cans are transported as articles, a plurality of articles are aligned in a plurality of rows, and the aligned articles are arranged in multiple stages on a pallet. It is in a loaded state and is packed and transported in that state.
[0003]
  An article single-row dispenser is used to unload the articles loaded on such a pallet one by one and to deliver the articles in a single-row state. In this article single-row dispensing machine, the articles on the pallet are unloaded one by one by the unloading means, and the one-stage articles unloaded by the accumulating conveyor are cross conveyors of the single-row dispensing device at a time. The articles are gradually narrowed down to one row and discharged while the alignment state of the articles is broken by the speed difference of the top chain conveyor provided in multiple rows on the cross conveyor.
[0004]
  An article aligner is used to align a plurality of articles in a plurality of rows and load them on a pallet. This article aligning machine has the same structure as the article single-row dispenser, and by moving the flow of the articles in the reverse direction, a plurality of articles carried in a single row state are sequentially fed to the alignment place to form a plurality of rows. To be aligned.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
  However, in the conventional article single-row dispenser, the one-stage articles that are unloaded in sequence are sent to the single-row dispenser at a time, and the article alignment state is caused by the speed difference of the top chain conveyor of the single-row dispenser. Since the articles are gradually narrowed down to one row while breaking the bottle, when the bottle is, for example, a plastic bottle, the plastic bottles tend to collide with each other when the plastic bottle is broken, and clogging occurs. There's a problem.
[0006]
  Therefore, when it is considered to reduce the overturn of the articles in the single-row dispensing device, it is preferable to process the columns in the aligned state instead of breaking the aligned state of the articles. In the case where the articles are assembled in close contact with each other in a zigzag manner, there is a problem that processing cannot be performed in units of rows if this alignment state is maintained.
[0007]
  Also, in the conventional article aligning machine, the articles are not handled in units of columns, as in the case of the single-column dispenser, so that the articles are likely to fall down and become clogged, and may not be accurately aligned. .
[0008]
  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and by processing a plurality of rows of articles between the carry-in side and the carry-out side while changing the interval between the rows, the process of the row of articles is performed. Article row enlargement / reduction device that enables this, a single row delivery device that dispenses articles arranged in a plurality of rows in a single row state using the article row enlargement / reduction device, and a single row state delivery using the article row enlargement / reduction device An object of the present invention is to provide an article aligner that aligns articles to be arranged in a plurality of rows.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  The article row expanding / contracting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of rows and articles arranged in a predetermined row pitch are carried in along a row direction, and a plurality of rows are arranged at a row pitch different from the row pitch on the carry-in side. Articles are arranged between the carry-out side where the articles are carried out in the row direction, accept articles for each row from the carry-in side and allow the articles to be delivered to the carry-out side, and the intervals between them can be expanded and reduced. Multiple rows of expansion / contraction lanes, and expansion / contraction operations of these expansion / contraction lanes, corresponding to the column pitch on the carry-in side when receiving articles into the expansion / contraction lane, and the column pitch on the carry-out side when discharging articles from the expansion / contraction lane Driving means corresponding toA pressing means for pressing and holding the article against the expansion / contraction lane during the expansion / contraction operation of the expansion / contraction lane;The expansion / contraction lane is provided with a payout means for paying out an article received from the carry-in side to the carry-out side after the expansion / contraction operation of the expansion / contraction lane.
[0010]
  In this configuration, the plurality of expansion / contraction lanes are expanded / contracted so that the column pitches of the expansion / contraction lanes correspond to the column pitches on the carry-in side, thereby accepting articles carried from the carry-in side in each expansion / contraction lane. By expanding / contracting the expansion / contraction lanes of the columns so that the column pitches of the expansion / contraction lanes correspond to the column pitches on the carry-out side, the articles in each expansion / contraction lane are paid out to the carry-out side. In other words, by expanding or reducing the space between a plurality of columns of articles, it is possible to deal with processing in units of columns of articles.Further, during the expansion / contraction operation of the expansion / contraction lane, the article is pressed against the expansion / contraction lane by the pressing means and held.
[0011]
  The article row expansion / contraction apparatus according to claim 2 is the article row expansion / contraction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the article includes a container main body, a mouth provided in the container main body, and a neck ring provided around the mouth. Each expansion / contraction lane has a neck guide that engages the lower side of the neck ring from both sides of the mouth of the article to support the article in a suspended state.The pressing means presses the neck ring against the neck guide by pressing the mouth of the article from above during the expansion / contraction operation of the expansion / contraction lane.Is.
[0012]
  In this configuration, the container can be handled as an article and the article can be prevented from overturning by supporting the article in a suspended state via the neck ring at the mouth of the article by the neck guide of the expansion / contraction lane.furtherDuring the expansion / contraction operation of the expansion / contraction lane, the pressing means presses the mouth portion of the article from above and presses the neck ring against the neck guide, thereby suppressing the shake of the article accompanying the expansion / contraction operation of the expansion / contraction lane.
[0013]
  Claim3The article row expanding / contracting apparatus described in claim1Or2The article row expanding / contracting apparatus includes a lane guide that rises between a plurality of rows of articles when the interval between the expansion and contraction lanes is increased and descends below the articles when the interval is reduced.
[0014]
  In this configuration, when the interval between the expansion / contraction lanes is increased, the lane guide rises between the rows of the plurality of rows of articles so that the swing on the lower side of the article when the space between the rows of articles is enlarged is regulated. Also, when the interval between the expansion / contraction lanes is reduced, the lane guide is lowered below the article and retracted.
[0015]
  Claim4The article single-row dispenser described is an unloading means for unloading aligned articles stacked in multiple stages on a pallet one by one in sequence, and an aligned article unloaded by the unloading means. Conveying means, cutting means for cutting out the aligned articles conveyed by the conveying means from the leading row in the conveying direction to a delivery position downstream of the conveying direction every predetermined number of rows, and the cutting means A delivery means for delivering a predetermined number of articles cut out to the delivery position in a row direction along each row, and a predetermined number of articles carried from the delivery means are received and the space between the article rows is enlarged. Claim 1 to pay out3One of the article row expansion / contraction devices described above and a one-row dispensing unit that accepts articles for a predetermined number of rows dispensed from the article row expansion / contraction apparatus and sequentially dispenses one column at a time.
[0016]
  In this configuration, the aligned articles stacked in a plurality of stages on the pallet by the unloading means are unloaded one by one in order to the conveying means, and the aligned articles are conveyed by the conveying means to be cut out. Articles in an aligned state conveyed by the conveying means by the means are cut out at a sending position downstream in the carrying direction every predetermined number of rows, and a predetermined number of articles cut out by the sending means are arranged in the row direction along each row. To claim 1.3Accepts a predetermined number of articles carried in from the delivery means by any one of the article row enlarging / reducing devices, and enlarges the space between the rows of articles so as to eliminate the interference between the rows, and delivers the article row by the one-row dispensing device. By accepting articles for a predetermined number of rows sent out from the enlargement / reduction apparatus and sequentially paying out one row at a time, processing can be performed in units of rows of articles.
[0017]
  Claim5The described article aligning machine receives a plurality of articles in a row state, accepts articles carried in by the loading means, and arranges a predetermined number for each row and a predetermined number of rows. A row alignment means for sending articles aligned in each row in the row direction, and a contact state in which the articles sent in the row direction from the row alignment means are received in each row and between the rows of articles are reduced. Claim 1 to payout3The article row expansion / contraction device according to any one of the above and a predetermined number of rows of articles sent from the article row expansion / contraction device in the row direction are received, and a predetermined number of rows of articles are received in a direction intersecting the row direction every time it is received. Collective aligning means for sequentially aligning the articles by moving sequentially, and loading means for sequentially loading the aligned articles aligned by the collective aligning means one by one on the pallet and loading them in a plurality of stages. It is what.
[0018]
  In this configuration, a plurality of articles are carried into the column alignment unit in a single row state by the loading unit, and a predetermined number and a predetermined number of columns are aligned for each column by the column alignment unit. Articles aligned in each row are sent out in the row direction, and claims 1 to3Articles sent out in the column direction from the column alignment means by any of the article column expansion / contraction devices are received for each column and delivered to the batch adjusting means in a contact state in which the intervals between the columns of the articles are reduced. Several minutes of articles are sequentially moved in the direction crossing the row direction to align the articles at once, and the aligned articles collectively aligned by the loading means are sequentially loaded onto the pallet one by one and loaded into multiple stages. By doing so, it is possible to perform processing in units of columns of articles.
[0019]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0020]
  1 to 12 show an embodiment of a single-row article dispenser.
[0021]
  In FIG. 12, an article 11 handled by an article one-row dispenser is shown. This article 11 is a container such as a plastic bottle for beverages, for example, a container main body 12, and a mouth 13 provided on the upper portion of the container main body 12. , And a neck ring 14 protruding from the periphery of the mouth portion 13. Examples of the peripheral shape of the container body 12 include a substantially circular shape, a substantially rectangular shape, and a substantially hexagonal shape.
[0022]
  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 top. , Band 18 tied together.
[0023]
  Next, in FIG. 1, an article single-row dispenser 21 is shown. The article single-row dispenser 21 is an unloading means 22, a conveying means 23, a cutting means 24, a sending means 25, and an enlargement / reduction as an article row expansion / contraction device. Means 26, one-row dispensing means 27, and one-row conveying means 28 are provided.
[0024]
  First, the unloading means 22 unloads the article 11 from the pallet 15 and removes the hoist 31, the top frame 17 and the separate sheet 16 that receive and support the pallet 15 on which the article 11 is loaded. A transfer mechanism (not shown) for transferring to the stacker 32, and an unloading mechanism 34 for unloading the uppermost one-stage article 11 to the side layer conveyor 33 in an aligned state. .
[0025]
  The unloading mechanism 34 transfers the uppermost one-stage article 11 onto the layer conveyor 33 in a state where the article 11 is sandwiched from the four sides toward the center.
[0026]
  The layer conveyor 33 is configured by a belt conveyor, and conveys the one-stage article 11 unloaded by the unloading mechanism 34 to a predetermined supply position in an aligned state.
[0027]
  The transport means 23 sequentially receives the articles 11 of one stage from the layer conveyor 33 and transports them in an aligned state, and is arranged in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the layer conveyor 33 from the side of the layer conveyor 33. The accumulator 40 is used as a conveyor, and first to fourth pushers 41 to 44 are disposed in order from the upper area of the layer conveyor 33 to the upper area of the accumulator 40.
[0028]
  The accumulation conveyor 40 is configured by a belt conveyor, and sequentially receives the articles 11 from the layer conveyor 33 one by one, and loads and conveys the received articles 11. The articles on the accumulator 40 are arranged in a plurality of rows along the transport direction and a plurality of rows in the row direction along each row (a direction perpendicular to the transport direction). They are alternately assembled and aligned in contact with each other.
[0029]
  The first to fourth pushers 41 to 44 are configured to move in parallel with the transport direction of the accumulator 40 and to be lifted and lowered between the first pusher 41 and the second pusher 42. The one-stage article 11 on the layer conveyor 33 is sandwiched and transferred onto the accumulator 40, and between the second pusher 42 and the third pusher 43, and between the third pusher 43 and the fourth pusher 44. The article 11 on the accumulator 40 is sandwiched between them and moved downstream in the conveying direction. At this time, the transfer and movement of the article 11 is performed in cooperation with the accumulator 40, and the first to fourth pushers 41 to 44 support the front and rear in the conveying direction of the article 11. The article 11 is prevented from falling.
[0030]
  The cutting means 24 includes a third pusher 43 and a fourth pusher 44, and is aligned on the accumulation conveyor 40 with respect to the delivery position 45 on the most downstream side in the conveying direction of the accumulation conveyor 40. The articles 11 corresponding to a predetermined number of rows (the number of cut rows, for example, 6 rows) are cut out (separated) from the top row. That is, the third pusher 43 is entered from above between rows corresponding to a predetermined number of rows from the top row, and articles of a predetermined number of rows are inserted between the third pusher 43 and the fourth pusher 44. 11 is inserted and cut out to the delivery position 45.
[0031]
  The delivery means 25 includes a guide base 46 disposed along the side of the expansion / contraction means 26 from the accumulation conveyor 40, and a first sweeper 47 moved along the guide base 46. One sweeper 47 is configured to be able to advance and retreat with respect to the accumulation conveyor 40 and the expansion / contraction means 26. Then, by moving from the accumulator 40 side to the expansion / contraction means 26 side along the guide base 46 of the first sweeper 47, the predetermined number of articles 11 cut out at the delivery position 45 are moved along each row. Further, they are pushed along the row direction (a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the accumulator 40) and sent to the expansion / contraction means 26 at a time.
[0032]
  The first sweeper 47 is provided with a plurality of pushing portions 48 that are in contact with the articles 11 at the end of each row, and the protruding amounts of the pushing portions 48 from the first sweeper 47 are aligned. Corresponding to the position of the end of each row of the articles 11.
[0033]
  The conveying means 23, the cutting means 24, the sending means 25, and the like constitute an article cutting device 49 that cuts out articles every predetermined number of rows and sends them in the row direction.
[0034]
  Further, the expansion / contraction means 26 receives the articles 11 for a predetermined number of rows sent out in the row direction by the sending means 25 for each row, and expands the interval of the articles 11 between the rows to the one-row dispensing means 27. A plurality of expansion / contraction lanes 51 for receiving articles 11 for each column, driving means 52 for expanding / contracting these expansion / contraction lanes 51, and articles 11 received in the expansion / contraction lanes 51 after the expansion operation A payout means 53 for paying out to the one-row payout means 27 at a time is provided.
[0035]
  The plurality of expansion / contraction lanes 51 are supported in parallel so that the distance between the expansion / contraction lanes 51 can be expanded / contracted, and the column pitch is varied by the driving means 52. The row pitch of the expansion / contraction lane 51 is reduced corresponding to the row pitch of the aligned articles 11 sent in the row direction by the delivery means 25 when the article 11 is received from one end side of the expansion / contraction lane 51. When the article 11 is paid out from the other end side of 51, the row is enlarged corresponding to the row pitch received in the row direction for each row by the one-row dispensing means 27 so that the space between the rows of the articles 11 is opened.
[0036]
  The payout means 53 includes a guide base 54 disposed along the side portion of the one-row payout means 27 from the expansion / contraction means 26, and a second sweeper 55 moved along the guide base 54. The second sweeper 55 is configured to be able to advance and retreat relative to the expansion / contraction means 26 and the one-row payout means 27. After the article 11 is received in the expansion / contraction lane 51, the second sweeper 55 enters the one end side (the delivery position 45 side of the accumulator 40) of the expansion / contraction means 26, and the guide table of the second sweeper 55 By moving to the one-row delivery means 27 side along 54, the articles 11 in the expansion / contraction lane 51 are pushed in the row direction along each row so as to be delivered to the one-row delivery means 27 collectively. Yes.
[0037]
  The one-row dispensing means 27 receives the articles 11 delivered from the expansion / contraction means 26 in the column direction for each column, and sequentially dispenses the articles 11 one by one in the column direction. A plurality of payout lanes 61, a drive means (not shown) that moves these payout lanes 61 integrally in a direction perpendicular to the row direction of the articles 11, and in the payout lane 61 that is moved to a payout position 62 that communicates with the one-row transport means 28 The delivery unit 63 for delivering the articles 11 to the one-line transport means 28 is provided. Then, the delivery lane 61 is moved to a receiving position where one end of each delivery lane 61 is continuous with each enlargement / reduction lane 51 in an enlarged state, and the articles 11 delivered in the row direction from the enlargement / reduction means 26 are sent to each delivery lane 61 for each row. In addition, each of the payout lanes 61 is sequentially moved to the payout position 62, and the goods 11 in the payout lane 61 at the payout position 62 are discharged to the one-line conveying means 28 by the payout unit 63.
[0038]
  Further, the one-row conveying means 28 is configured to receive the articles 11 dispensed from the one-row dispensing means 27 and convey them in a one-row state.
[0039]
  2 and 3, the conveying means 23 and the cutting means 24 are shown, and a pedestal 71 is installed above the layer conveyor 33 and the accumulator 40. The first to fourth pushers 41 to 44 is supported. Each of the pushers 41 to 44 is a horizontally long plate-like cutout body 72 (first to fourth cutout bodies 72), and the cutout body 72 is independently moved up and down and along the conveying direction of the accumulator 40. Cutout body driving means 73 for moving is provided.
[0040]
  Each cut-out body driving means 73 has a moving frame 74, and a drive mechanism 75 for independently moving the moving frame 74 along the conveying direction of the accumulator 40 is disposed on the pedestal 71. A cylinder 76 is erected, and a cutout body 72 is attached to the lower end of a rod 77 that advances and retreats from the lower part of the cylinder 76. The partition body 72 is moved up and down by a drive of the cylinder 76 to a retracted position that rises above the article 11 on the accumulator 40 and an engagement position that enables engagement with the article 11 on the accumulator 40.
[0041]
  Next, in FIGS. 2 and 4, stopper means 81 is disposed at the delivery position 45 of the accumulator 40 to position and stop the article 11 cut out at the delivery position 45 at the delivery position 45. This stopper means 81 has upper and lower stoppers 82 and 83.
[0042]
  The upper stopper 82 is supported at the tip of a rod 85 that is advanced and retracted from a plurality of cylinders 84 attached to the gantry 71 in a substantially horizontal shape corresponding to the conveying direction of the accumulator 40. Then, it moves on the accumulation conveyor 40 and is moved in a substantially horizontal direction with respect to the stop position where the article 11 is stopped at the delivery position 45 and the discharge position retracted from the accumulation conveyor 40 to the downstream side in the conveying direction.
[0043]
  The lower stopper 83 is supported at both ends of the stopper 83 by the tip of a rod 87 that is advanced and retracted from the upper end of a lifting / lowering cylinder 86 that is arranged substantially perpendicular to the conveying surface of the accumulator 40, The cylinder 86 is supported by a rod 89 that is advanced and retracted from an advancing and retreating cylinder 88 that is attached to the accumulation conveyor 40 in a substantially horizontal shape corresponding to the conveying direction. The stopper 83 is moved upward on the accumulation conveyor 40 by the operation of the raising / lowering cylinder 86 and moved to the upstream side in the conveying direction of the accumulation conveyor 40 by the operation of the advancing / retreating cylinder 88. It is moved to a stop position for stopping the article 11 at the position 45, and moved to the downstream side in the transport direction of the accumulator 40 by the operation of the advancing / retreating cylinder 88 and lowered by the operation of the lifting / lowering cylinder 86, The accumulator 40 is moved to the retreat position where it is retracted.
[0044]
  The first sweeper 47 moves between the upper and lower stoppers 82 and 83 to send the article 11 at the delivery position 45 to the expansion / contraction means 26.
[0045]
  In addition, above the delivery position 45, an imaging unit 91 that photographs the article 11 from above in order to confirm the alignment state of the article 11 cut out at the delivery position 45 is disposed. The photographing means 91 has a plurality of cameras 92 such as CCD cameras disposed on the frame 71 along the column direction of the articles 11, and illumination means for illuminating the articles 11 from above on the sides of the cameras 92. 93 is arranged.
[0046]
  When it is confirmed that the article 11 cut out at the delivery position 45 by the photographing means 91 is out of alignment, the article 11 located at the delivery position 45 is ejected by the ejection means 95. The discharge means 95 is constituted by the fourth pusher 44 and the stoppers 82 and 83, and the article at the delivery position 45 by the operation of the fourth pusher 44 in a state where the upper and lower stoppers 82 and 83 are retracted to the retracted positions, respectively. 11 is dispensed from the end of the accumulation conveyor 40. At the end of the accumulator 40, a chute 97 for guiding the discharged article 11 to the collection box 96 is disposed.
[0047]
  Next, in FIG. 5 to FIG. 9, the expansion / contraction means 26 is shown, and each expansion / contraction lane 51 of the expansion / contraction means 26 is supported by a plurality of slide guide portions 102 of the support body 101 so as to be slidable in a direction orthogonal to the row direction. A connecting portion 103 is connected between the slide guide portions 102, and a pair of driving means 52 is attached to the connecting portion 103. Each of these driving means 52 is configured to expand and contract half of the expansion / contraction lane 51 with the center as a boundary, and is configured to expand and contract each expansion / contraction lane 51 at equal intervals as a whole.
[0048]
  As shown in FIG. 7, each expansion / contraction lane 51 is formed in 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 and supports the article 11 in a suspended state is provided in a projecting manner.
[0049]
  Each expansion / contraction lane 51 is provided with pressing means 105 that presses the mouth portion 13 engaged with the neck guide 104 from above and presses and holds the neck ring 14 against the neck guide 104. The pressing means 105 includes a pressing body 106 having a substantially U-shaped cross section that opens downward so that the mouth portion 13 of the article 11 can enter and move. The pressing body 106 moves up and down in the expansion / contraction lane 51. It is possible to connect to the tip of a rod 108 which is advanced and retracted from the lower part of a plurality of cylinders 107 attached to the upper part of the expansion / contraction lane 51, and is raised and lowered by the operation of the cylinder 107. It is comprised so that pressing may be cancelled | released when it raises.
[0050]
  Further, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, below the expansion / contraction lane 51, guide means 111 for guiding the lower part of the article 11 that is fed into or out of the expansion / contraction lane 51 is disposed. The guide means 111 includes a plurality of lane guides 112 that enter and guide between the expanded rows of articles 11, and a side guide 113 that guides the articles 11 that are located in the rows on both sides. The side guide 113 is disposed on the machine base 114.
[0051]
  A plurality of cylinders 115 are disposed on the upper surface of the machine base 114, and an elevating body 117 is attached to an upper end of a rod 116 that is advanced and retracted from the upper part of each cylinder 115, and a plurality of lane guides 112 are mounted on the elevating body 117. It is attached. These 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 columns of the articles 11 when the interval of the expansion / contraction lane 51 is enlarged. .
[0052]
  A pair of cylinders 118 is provided at each end of the machine base 114 for the side guides 113 on both sides, and an arm 120 is attached to the tip of a rod 119 that advances and retreats from the outer surface of each cylinder 118. A side guide 113 is attached to the upper end. The side guide 113 and the arm 120 are configured not to interfere with the lowered lane guide 112.
[0053]
  Then, when receiving the article 11 sent out from the delivery position 45 by reducing the expansion / contraction lane 51, the lane guide 112 is lowered below the article 11 and retracted, and the distance between the side guides 113 on both sides is reduced. Between the side guides 113 on both sides, a lower part of the articles 11 in a predetermined number of rows is received. Further, when enlarging the expansion / contraction lane 51 to enlarge the space between the columns of the articles 11, the distance between the side guides 113 on both sides is expanded, and after expanding the expansion / contraction lane 51 and expanding the space between the columns of the articles 11, Each lane guide 112 is raised between the enlarged rows of articles 11.
[0054]
  Next, in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, a one-row payout means 27 is shown. The single-row payout means 27 has a machine base 121, and a plurality of lines are provided on the lower surface of the machine base 121 along a direction orthogonal to the row direction. The guide body 122 is attached, a moving body 124 is attached via a rail receiver 123 that is slidably engaged with the guide rail 122, and a plurality of payout lanes 61 are attached to the lower surface of the moving body 124. These payout lanes 61 are arranged corresponding to the pitch between the rows of the articles 11 whose intervals are increased, and are formed in 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 125 that engages with the lower side of the neck ring 14 of the article 11 to support the article 11 in a suspended state is provided in a projecting manner on the inner side of both lower ends. Guide members 126 that guide both lower side surfaces of the article 11 supported by the payout lane 61 are attached to the lower surface of the moving body 124 via suspension members 127.
[0055]
  The payout portion 63 has an endless body 132 that is rotatably stretched in the row direction by a rotating body 131 such as a sprocket or a timing roller disposed at both ends in the row direction below the payout position 62. Discharge members 133 that push out the articles 11 in the dispensation lane 61 located at the dispensation position 62 are attached to two symmetrical positions of the endless body 132 in the circumferential direction. A driving mechanism (not shown) is connected to the rotating body 131, and the endless body 132 is rotated by the driving mechanism with the upstream position of the payout position 62 as the payout standby position of the payout member 133.
[0056]
  Next, an article one-row dispensing operation by the article one-row dispensing machine 21 will be described.
[0057]
  As shown in FIG. 1, a pallet 15 loaded with articles 11 is received on a hoist 31 of an unloading means 22, and a top stack 17 and a separate sheet 16 are removed by a transfer mechanism (not shown) and a side stacker 32 is removed. The unloading mechanism 34 unloads the uppermost one-stage article 11 to the side layer conveyor 33 in an aligned state, and the layer conveyor 33 aligns the first-stage article 11. It is conveyed to a predetermined supply position in the state.
[0058]
  As shown in FIG. 3, the article cutting device 49 cuts out the articles 11 for one stage conveyed to the supply position by the layer conveyor 33 for each predetermined number of rows. That is, as shown in FIGS. 3A to 3D, the one-stage article 11 transported to the supply position on the layer conveyor 33 is sandwiched between the first pusher 41 and the second pusher 42. Then, as shown in FIGS. 3 (e) to 3 (g), one stage on the accumulator 40 is placed between the second pusher 42 and the third pusher 43. 3, the third pusher 43 is moved to the downstream side in the conveying direction until the third pusher 43 reaches the cutting reference position, and then, as shown in FIGS. 3 (h) to 3 (k), the third pusher 43 is moved. Is inserted between the rows of articles 11 corresponding to the predetermined number of rows from the cutting reference position, and the articles 11 of the predetermined number of rows are sandwiched between the fourth pusher 44 and the third pusher 43. Next, the article 11 for a predetermined number of rows is brought into contact with the stoppers 82 and 83 by the fourth pusher 44, as shown in FIG. It is moved to the out position 45. Then, after the articles 11 corresponding to the predetermined number of rows at the delivery position 45 are delivered by the delivery means 25, the process proceeds to the cutting operation of the subsequent articles 11 as shown in FIGS.
[0059]
  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a predetermined number of articles 11 cut out at the delivery position 45 are photographed by the camera 92 of the photographing means 91, and the alignment state of the articles 11 is confirmed.
[0060]
  When it is confirmed that the alignment state of the articles 11 is normal, the articles 11 at the delivery position 45 are collectively sent to the expansion / contraction means 26 in the aligned state by the first sweeper 47 of the delivery means 25.
[0061]
  When it is confirmed that the article 11 is out of alignment, the article 11 located at the delivery position 45 is discharged by the discharging means 95. The discharging means 95 retracts the upper and lower stoppers 82 and 83 to the retracted positions, respectively, and discharges the article 11 at the delivery position 45 from the end of the accumulation conveyor 40 by the fourth pusher 44. The dispensed article 11 is collected in a collection box 96 through a chute 97.
[0062]
  As shown in FIG. 9 (a), in the expansion / contraction means 26, when the article 11 is received from the delivery position 45 by the delivery means 25, the articles 11 in an aligned state are sent out from the delivery position 45 by the delivery means 25 in the row direction. The row pitch of the expansion / contraction lanes 51 is reduced corresponding to the row pitch, the lane guide 112 is lowered, and the distance between the side guides 113 on both sides is reduced.
[0063]
  Therefore, the aligned articles 11 sent from the sending position 45 in the row direction by the sending means 25 are received in each expansion / contraction lane 51 for each row, and the neck ring 14 of the mouth portion 13 of the article 11 is supported by the neck guide 104. The lower parts of the articles 11 aligned in a predetermined number of rows are received between the side guides 113 on both sides.
[0064]
  After the articles 11 are received in the respective expansion / contraction lanes 51 for each row, as shown in FIG. 7, the pressing body 106 of each expansion / contraction lane 51 is lowered, and the neck ring 14 of the article 11 is pressed against the neck guide 104. Is held in the expansion / contraction lane 51.
[0065]
  With the article 11 held in the expansion / contraction lane 51, as shown in FIG. 9 (b), the interval between the side guides 113 on both sides is widened and the column pitch is received by the single column dispensing means 27 in the column direction. Correspondingly, the row pitch of the expansion / contraction lanes 51 is enlarged, and then each lane guide 112 is raised to enter between the lower rows of the articles 11, and the pressing body 106 of each expansion / contraction lane 51 is raised to enlarge / reduce the articles 11 Release the hold on lane 51.
[0066]
  In FIG. 1, the second sweeper 55 of the payout means 53 enters between the expansion / contraction means 26 and the delivery position 45 side of the accumulator 40 and is moved toward the single-row discharge means 27, and the article in the expansion / contraction lane 51 11 is paid out to the one-row payout means 27 at a time.
[0067]
  Further, in the one-row dispensing means 27, each dispensing lane 61 is moved to a receiving position continuous with each expansion / contraction lane 51 in an enlarged state, and the articles 11 dispensed from each expansion / contraction lane 51 of the expansion / contraction means 26 are received by each dispensing lane 61. . After receiving the articles 11, each dispensing lane 61 is sequentially moved to the dispensing position 62, the endless body 132 of the dispensing unit 63 is rotated, and the articles 11 in the dispensing lane 61 at the dispensing position 62 are conveyed by one row by the dispensing member 133. Pay to means 28.
[0068]
  The one-line conveying means 28 receives the articles 11 dispensed from the one-row dispensing means 27 and conveys them in a one-row state.
[0069]
  As described above, the aligned articles 11 stacked in a plurality of stages on the pallet 15 by the unloading means 22 are unloaded one by one in order to the conveying means 23, and the aligned articles 11 are extracted by the cutting means 24. Is cut out for each predetermined number of rows, the sending means 25 sends out a predetermined number of articles 11 to the expansion / contraction means 26, and the expansion / contraction means 26 enlarges the interval of the articles 11 between the respective rows to cause interference between the rows. As soon as they are removed, they are sent to the one-row dispensing means 27, and the one-row dispensing means 27 sequentially dispenses the articles 11 one by one in the row direction, so that the articles 11 can be processed reliably in units of rows and can be processed at high speed. Ability can be improved.
[0070]
  Then, the articles 11 carried from the carry-in side into each of the scale-up / down lanes 51 can be received by causing the plural rows of the scale-up / down lanes 51 to perform the scale-up operation so that the row pitch of the scale-up / down lanes 51 corresponds to the row pitch on the carry-in side. Along with the expansion / contraction operation of the plurality of expansion / contraction lanes 51, the articles 11 in each expansion / contraction lane 51 can be paid out to the discharge side by making the line pitch of the expansion / contraction lanes 51 correspond to the line pitch on the discharge side. It is possible to enlarge or reduce the space between the rows of the articles 11 of a plurality of rows, and it is possible to deal with the processing of the articles 11 in units of rows.
[0071]
  Further, the article 11 is supported in a suspended state by the neck guide 104 of the expansion / contraction lane 51 via the neck ring 14 of the mouth portion 13 of the article 11, so that the container can be handled as the article 11 and the article 11 is overturned. Can be prevented.
[0072]
  Further, during the expansion / contraction operation of the expansion / contraction lane 51, the pressing means 105 presses the mouth portion 13 of the article 11 from above and presses the neck ring 14 against the neck guide 104. Can be suppressed.
[0073]
  Further, when the interval between the expansion / contraction lanes 51 is increased, the lane guide 112 rises between the rows of the articles 11 in a plurality of rows, so that the swing of the lower side of the article 11 when the interval between the rows of the articles 11 is increased can be regulated. In addition, when the interval between the expansion / contraction lanes 51 is reduced, the lane guide 112 can be lowered from the article 11 and retracted.
[0074]
  Next, FIG. 13 shows an embodiment of the article alignment machine 201.
[0075]
  The article aligning machine 201 includes carry-in means 202, row aligning means 203, expansion / contraction means 204 as an article line expansion / contraction device, collective alignment means 205, and loading means 206.
[0076]
  The carry-in means 202 conveys the articles 11 in a single row and sends them out to the row aligning means 203. Stopper means 211 for temporarily stopping the delivery of the articles 11 is disposed at the end connected to the row aligning means 203. ing.
[0077]
  The column alignment means 203 accepts the articles 11 carried in by the carry-in means 202, arranges a predetermined number for each column and a predetermined number of columns, and arranges the articles 11 aligned for each column. A plurality of alignment lanes 221 arranged in parallel with each other in a row direction, and a drive means (not shown) and a carry-in means 202 that move these alignment lanes 221 integrally in a direction perpendicular to the row direction of the articles 11 It has a sending means (first sending means) 223 that pays out the articles 11 in the alignment lane 221 moved to the communicating receiving position 222 to the expansion / contraction means 204. Then, while the alignment lanes 221 are sequentially moved to the receiving position 222, a predetermined number of articles 11 that are carried into the alignment lanes 221 by the loading means 202 are received.
[0078]
  Each alignment lane 221 has a neck guide (not shown) that engages with the neck ring 14 of the article 11 to support the article 11 in a suspended state.
[0079]
  The delivery means 223 includes a guide base 224 disposed along the side of the expansion / contraction means 204 from the row alignment means 203, and a first sweeper 225 moved along the guide base 224. The sweeper 225 is configured to be able to advance and retract with respect to the column alignment means 203 and the expansion / contraction means 204 side. Then, the first sweeper 225 entering the column alignment means 203 in a state where the articles 11 are received in the alignment lanes 221 and the alignment lanes 221 are moved to the delivery positions approaching the delivery means 223 side. As a result of the movement along the guide table 224, the articles 11 in the alignment lane 221 are collectively sent to the expansion / contraction means 204.
[0080]
  The first sweeper 225 is provided with a plurality of pushing portions 226 that are in contact with the articles 11 at the end of each row, and the amount of protrusion of each pushing portion 226 from the first sweeper 225 is: When the plurality of rows of articles 11 are aligned so as to be alternately assembled, they are different corresponding to the end positions of the rows of the aligned articles 11.
[0081]
  The row aligning means 203 has basically the same structure as that of the above-mentioned single row dispensing means 27 of the article single row dispensing machine 21 and the flow of the articles 11 is reversed.
[0082]
  The expansion / contraction means 204 receives the articles 11 sent from the column alignment means 203 in the column direction for each column and pays out the articles 11 in a contact state in which the columns of the articles 11 are reduced. Multiple rows of expansion / contraction lanes 231 to be received, driving means (not shown) for expanding / contracting these expansion / contraction lanes 231, and delivery means for discharging articles 11 received in the expansion / contraction lane 231 to the batch alignment means 205 after the reduction operation (second) Transmission means) 232.
[0083]
  Each expansion / contraction 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.
[0084]
  The delivery means 232 includes a guide base 233 disposed along the side of the collective alignment means 205 from the expansion / contraction means 204, and a second sweeper 234 moved along the guide base 233. The sweeper 234 is configured to be able to advance and retreat with respect to the expansion / contraction means 204 and the collective alignment means 205 side. Then, the article 11 is received in each expansion / contraction lane 231 and the distance between the expansion / contraction lanes 231 is reduced, and the second sweeper 234 entering the expansion / contraction means 204 is moved along the guide table 233. The articles 11 in the expansion / contraction lane 231 are sent to the batch aligning means 205 at a time.
[0085]
  The second sweeper 234 is provided with a plurality of pushing portions 235 that are in contact with the articles 11 at the end of each row, and the protruding amount of each pushing portion 235 from the second sweeper 234 is as follows: Due to the reduction of the expansion / contraction lane 231, a predetermined number of columns of the articles 11 are different from each other in correspondence with the end positions of the columns of the articles 11 in an aligned state in which the articles 11 are alternately assembled.
[0086]
  The expanding / contracting means 204 has basically the same structure as the expanding / contracting means 26 of the above-described article single-row dispenser 21, and includes the configuration of the pressing means 105, the lane guide 112, and the like. It is reversed.
[0087]
  The batch aligning means 205 receives the articles 11 sent from the expansion / contraction means 204 in the column direction for each column, and sequentially moves the articles 11 for a predetermined number of columns in the direction intersecting the column direction for each reception. The article 11 is arranged in a lump, and has a pair of accum pushers 241 for receiving the articles 11 arranged in a predetermined number of rows sent from the expansion / contraction means 204 in the row direction, and is accepted between the pair of accum pushers 241. An entrance conveyor 242 that carries the articles 11 in the row direction is disposed, and a layer conveyor 243 is disposed along the direction intersecting the entrance conveyor 242. The articles 11 received between the pair of accumulators 241 are sequentially moved and combined on the layer conveyor 243, and the articles 11 corresponding to a predetermined number of rows corresponding to one stage for loading are collectively aligned. . The articles 11 that are collectively aligned 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.
[0088]
  The loading means 206 is for loading the articles 11 arranged on the pallet 15 by the batch aligning means 205 one by one in sequence and loading them in a plurality of stages. The hoist 251, the loading mechanism 252 that transfers the one-stage article 11 moved to the unloading position downstream in the conveying direction of the layer conveyor 243, and a separate sheet for each loading of the one-stage article 11 A transfer mechanism (not shown) for transferring 16 and transferring the top frame 17 to the uppermost stage is provided.
[0089]
  Next, an article aligning operation by the article aligner 201 will be described.
[0090]
  The articles 11 carried in one row by the carry-in means 202 are sequentially received by a predetermined number in each alignment lane 221 while the alignment lanes 221 of the line alignment means 203 are sequentially moved to the receiving position 222.
[0091]
  The first sweeper 225 that enters the column alignment means 203 is received by the guide table 224 in a state where the articles 11 are received in the alignment lanes 221 and the alignment lanes 221 are moved to the delivery positions approaching the delivery means 223 side. The articles 11 in the respective alignment lanes 221 are collectively sent into the expansion / contraction lanes 231 in the expansion state of the expansion / contraction means 204. At this time, the articles 11 in each row are sent out into the expansion / contraction lanes 231 by the pushing portions 226 of the first sweeper 225, so that the positions of the articles 11 in the adjacent rows are staggered.
[0092]
  The interval between the expansion / contraction lanes 231 is reduced, the articles 11 in each row are aligned in contact with each other, the second sweeper 234 entering the expansion / contraction means 204 is moved along the guide table 233, and expanded / contracted The articles 11 in the lane 231 are sent out to the collective alignment means 205 at a time.
[0093]
  In the batch aligning means 205, the articles 11 delivered from the expansion / contraction means 204 are received between a pair of accumulation pushers 241 on the entrance conveyor 242, and the articles 11 are sequentially moved onto the layer conveyor 243 by the pair of accumulation pushers 241, and combined. By repeating this a predetermined number of times (for example, three times), a predetermined number of rows of articles 11 corresponding to one stage for loading are aligned at a time. The collectively aligned articles 11 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.
[0094]
  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 1 is transferred by the transfer mechanism. A separate sheet 16 is transferred every time the articles 11 corresponding to the steps are loaded. When a predetermined number of articles 11 and separate sheets 16 are loaded on the pallet 15, the top frame 17 is transferred to the uppermost stage.
[0095]
  As described above, the plurality of articles 11 are carried into the column aligning unit 203 in a single row state by the carry-in means 202, and a predetermined number and a predetermined number of columns are arranged for each row by the column aligning unit 203. At the same time, the articles 11 arranged in each row are moved in the row direction and sent to the expansion / contraction means 204, and the expansion / contraction means 204 reduces the interval of the articles 11 between the rows to make a contact state and moves in the row direction. Are sent to the batch aligning means 205, and the collective aligning means 205 sequentially moves a predetermined number of columns of articles 11 in a direction crossing the column direction so that the articles 11 are batch aligned, so that the articles 11 are reliably processed in units of columns. In addition to being able to handle high-speed processing, the payout capacity can be improved.
[0096]
  The expansion / contraction means 204 has a plurality of expansion / contraction lanes 231 arranged in parallel so that the distance between them can be expanded / contracted, and the articles 11 sent out in the column direction from the column alignment means 203 when the distance between the expansion / contraction lanes 231 is increased. Each column is received from one end side of each expansion / contraction lane 231 and, at the time of reduction, the articles 11 are sent to the collective alignment means 205 from the other end side of each expansion / contraction lane 231 in the column direction. Can be reliably aligned in contact with each other.
[0097]
  In each of the above-described embodiments, a plastic bottle is shown as an article. However, the present invention is not limited to a plastic bottle, and may be a pin, a can, or the like, and each configuration corresponds to the article. Thus, the same effect can be obtained.
[0098]
【The invention's effect】
  According to the article row expansion / contraction apparatus according to claim 1, the plurality of expansion / contraction lanes are expanded / contracted so that the column pitch of the expansion / contraction lanes corresponds to the column pitch on the carry-in side, thereby being carried into each expansion / contraction lane from the carry-in side. Articles can be received and the articles in each expansion / contraction lane can be paid out to the carry-out side by causing the expansion / contraction operation of a plurality of expansion / contraction lanes so that the line pitch of the expansion / contraction lanes corresponds to the line pitch on the carry-out side. Therefore, it is possible to enlarge or reduce the space between a plurality of columns of articles, and it is possible to deal with processing in units of columns of articles.Furthermore, at the time of the expansion / contraction operation of the expansion / contraction lane, the article can be pressed against the expansion / contraction crane by the pressing means.
[0099]
  According to the article row expansion / contraction apparatus according to claim 2, in addition to the effect of the article row expansion / contraction apparatus according to claim 1, the article is suspended by the neck guide of the expansion / contraction lane through the neck ring of the mouth portion of the article. Therefore, the container can be handled as an article and the article can be prevented from overturning.furtherWhen the expansion / contraction operation of the expansion / contraction lane is performed, the neck portion is pressed against the neck guide by pressing the mouth portion of the product from above by the pressing means, so that the vibration of the product accompanying the expansion / contraction operation of the expansion / contraction lane can be suppressed.
[0100]
  Claim3According to the article string enlarging / reducing device described1Or2In addition to the effect of the article row expansion / contraction device described above, when the interval between the expansion / contraction lanes is enlarged, the lane guide rises between the rows of the article rows, so the lower side of the article when the interval between the article rows is enlarged The swing of the lane guide can be lowered below the article and retracted when the interval between the expansion / contraction lanes is reduced.
[0101]
  Claim4According to the article single-row dispensing machine described above, the aligned articles stacked in a plurality of stages on the pallet by the unloading means are unloaded one by one in sequence to the conveying means, and the aligned articles are unloaded by the conveying means. Articles in an aligned state that are transported and transported by the transporting means by the cutting means are cut out at a sending position downstream in the transporting direction every predetermined number of rows, and articles for a predetermined number of rows cut out by the sending means are arranged in each row. And feeding in a row direction along the line.3Accepts a predetermined number of articles carried in from the delivery means by any one of the article row enlarging / reducing devices, and enlarges the space between the rows of articles so as to eliminate the interference between the rows, and delivers the article row by the one-row dispensing device. Since a predetermined number of articles sent from the expansion / contraction device are received and dispensed one by one in order, the articles can be processed in units of columns and the clogging of the articles can be reduced.
[0102]
  Claim5According to the described article aligning machine, a plurality of articles are carried into the row aligning means in a single row state by the carry-in means, and a predetermined number and a predetermined number of rows are aligned for each row by the row aligning means. In addition, the articles arranged in each row are sent out in the row direction.3Articles sent out in the column direction from the column alignment means by any of the article column expansion / contraction devices are received for each column and delivered to the batch adjusting means in a contact state in which the intervals between the columns of the articles are reduced. Several minutes of articles are sequentially moved in the direction crossing the row direction to align the articles at once, and the aligned articles collectively aligned by the loading means are sequentially loaded onto the pallet one by one and loaded into multiple stages. Thus, the articles can be processed in units of rows and the 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 the conveying means and the cutting means of the article one-row dispenser.
[Fig. 3] Fig. 3 is an explanatory view for explaining the cutting operation by the cutting means of the article single row dispenser same as above in the order of (a) to (n).
FIG. 4 is a side view showing a part of the stopper means and the discharge means of the article single-row dispenser.
FIG. 5 is a plan view of expansion / contraction means of the article single-row dispenser.
FIG. 6 is a front view of expansion / contraction means of the article single-row dispenser.
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of an expansion / contraction lane of the same article one-row dispenser.
FIG. 8 is a front view of the guide means of the article single-row dispenser.
FIGS. 9A and 9B show the enlargement / reduction means and guide means of the article single-row dispenser, wherein FIG. 9A is an explanatory view of a reduction state of the expansion / contraction lane, and FIG. 9B is an explanatory view of an enlargement state of the expansion / contraction lane.
FIG. 10 is a front view of the one-row dispensing means of the article one-row dispensing machine.
FIG. 11 is a side view of the one-row dispensing means of the article one-row dispensing machine.
12A and 12B show articles to be dispensed by the article single-row dispenser, wherein FIG. 12A is a front view of the article, and FIG. 12B is a perspective view of the article loaded in multiple stages on the pallet.
FIG. 13 is a plan view showing an embodiment of an article alignment machine of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
        11 Goods
        12 Container body
        13 mouth
        14 Neck ring
        15 palettes
        21 Single row dispenser
        22 Unloading means
        23 Transport means
        24 Cutting means
        25 Sending means
        26 Enlarging / reducing means as an article string expanding / contracting device
        27 Single row withdrawal method
        51 Expansion / contraction lane
        52 Drive means
        53 Means of withdrawal
        104 Neck guide
        105 Pressing means
        112 Lane Guide
        201 Article alignment machine
        202 Loading means
        203 Column alignment means
        204 Enlarging / reducing means as an article string expanding / contracting device
        205 Batch alignment
        206 Loading means

Claims (5)

Multiple rows of articles arranged in a predetermined row pitch are carried in along the row direction, and multiple rows of articles are carried out along the row direction at a row pitch different from the row pitch on the carry-in side. A plurality of expansion / contraction lanes arranged in parallel with each other so as to receive articles for each row from the carry-in side and to be able to dispense the articles to the carry-out side.
These expansion / contraction lanes are expanded / contracted, corresponding to the column pitch on the carry-in side when receiving articles into the expansion / contraction lane, and corresponding to the column pitch on the carry-out side when discharging articles from the expansion / contraction lane,
A pressing means for pressing and holding the article against the expansion / contraction lane during the expansion / contraction operation of the expansion / contraction lane;
An article row enlarging / reducing apparatus comprising: a payout means for delivering an article received from the carry-in side into the enlargement / reduction lane to the carry-out side after the enlargement / reduction operation of the enlargement / reduction lane. The article has a container body, a mouth provided in the container body, and a neck ring provided around the mouth,
Each expansion / contraction lane has a neck guide that supports the article in a suspended state by engaging the lower side of the neck ring from both sides of the mouth of the article ,
2. The article row expansion / contraction apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the pressing means presses the neck ring against the neck guide by pressing the mouth of the article from above during the expansion / contraction operation of the expansion / contraction lane . Article column scaling device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises a lane guide descending from article downwards during reduction with rise between columns of articles a plurality of rows when the expansion of the scaling lane spacing. Unloading means for unloading the aligned articles stacked in multiple stages on the pallet one by one in order;
Conveying means for conveying the aligned articles unloaded by the unloading means;
Cutting means for cutting out the aligned articles conveyed by the conveying means from the leading row in the conveying direction to a delivery position downstream of the conveying direction every predetermined number of rows;
A sending means for sending a predetermined number of rows of articles cut out to a sending position by the cutting means in a row direction along each row;
The article row expanding / contracting apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the article row enlarging / reducing device accepts articles for a predetermined number of rows carried in from the sending means and expands and pays out between the rows of articles.
An article single-row dispenser comprising: a single-row dispenser that accepts a predetermined number of articles dispensed from the article string expansion / contraction device and sequentially dispenses the articles one by one. Carrying-in means for carrying a plurality of articles in a row;
A column alignment means for receiving articles carried by the carry-in means, aligning a predetermined number of columns for each column and a predetermined number of columns, and sending out the articles aligned for each column in a column direction;
The article row expanding / contracting device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the article fed in the row direction from the row aligning means is received for each row and paid out in a contact state in which a space between rows of articles is reduced.
Collectively aligning articles by accepting a predetermined number of articles sent in the column direction from the article column expansion / contraction device and sequentially moving the predetermined number of articles in a direction crossing the column direction every time it is received. Alignment means;
An article aligning machine comprising: loading means for sequentially loading the aligned articles aligned by the collective aligning means one by one on a pallet and loading them in a plurality of stages.

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