Patent ID: 8292061
Filing Date: 2012-10-23
Classification: B65B,B65G

Abstract:
1. A package apparatus comprising: a first conveyance unit configured and arranged to convey a plurality of packaged objects in a non-random orientation in a first conveying direction and sequentially drop each of the packaged objects off a downstream-side end thereof by way of a tilt unit, each of the packaged objects having a longitudinal axis when viewed from the side; a second conveyance unit provided below the first conveyance unit and being positioned to receive each of the packaged objects dropped off the first conveyance unit; and a control unit operably connected to the second conveyance unit controlling movement of the packaged objects on the second conveyance unit in a second conveying direction generally opposite from the first conveying direction, such that after a first packaged object is dropped from the first conveyance unit on to the second conveyance unit, each subsequently dropped one of the packaged objects received from the first conveyance unit is positioned by controlled movement of the second conveyance unit to lean in a prescribed orientation against a previously dropped adjacent one of the packaged objects such that the longitudinal axis of each of a plurality of the subsequently dropped ones of the packaged objects are aligned in a common prescribed orientation relative to one another forming a group of the packaged objects that is conveyed in the second conveying direction on the second conveyance unit.