Patent Publication Number: US-7905077-B2

Title: Transport apparatus and boxing apparatus provided with same

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This national phase application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-193135 filed on Jul. 13, 2006. The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-193135 is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a transport apparatus for transporting articles, and to a boxing apparatus provided with the transport apparatus. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     In general, articles such as snacks are gathered in a predetermined number in a predetermined orientation, and are thereafter boxed in a cardboard box or the like and shipped. 
     There is a need to increase the transport speed of the transport apparatus used in such boxing work or the like in order to improve productivity. 
     For example, Japanese Laid-open Patent Application No. 2004-315114 discloses a transport apparatus for speedily transporting cup-style instant noodle containers whose shapes of the side surfaces are not parallel. 
     DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION 
     However, the conventional transport apparatus described above has problems such as the following. 
     In other words, in the transport apparatus disclosed in the publication noted above, the transport object is a cup-style instant noodle container having a generally trapezoid cross sectional shape. Accordingly, a nipping conveyors must be set in a V-shape (i.e., a state in which the surfaces of the two conveyors in contact with the container are facing diagonally upward) as viewed from the transport direction and disposed on a belt conveyor. For this reason, it may be impossible to suitably keep the articles from being displacement in the upward direction and to transport the articles while holding the articles in a predetermined orientation during transport. 
     An object of the present invention is to provide a transport apparatus that can considerably improve productivity by smoothly transporting articles while maintaining a predetermined orientation. 
     The transport apparatus according to a first aspect is an apparatus for transporting an article, which is a bag formed from a flexible material. The transport apparatus has a first transport part and a second transport part. The first transport part is configured and arranged to transport the article in a predetermined transport direction while supporting the article from below by a transport surface of the first transport part. The second transport part is configured and arranged to transport the article in the predetermined transport direction while exerting a downward force on a portion of an upper surface of the article being transported by the first transport part. A conveyor or a transport roller can be used as the first and second transport parts. 
     Ordinarily, food products or other articles bagged in a bag formed by a flexible material are transported while the lower surfaces of the articles are supported by a conveyor, for example. With such a conveyor, there is a need to transport the articles at a higher transport speed in order to improve productivity. However, when the transport speed is greater than a predetermined speed, a phenomenon occurs in which the articles stand erect on the transport surface of the conveyor (the so-called wheelie phenomenon), or a phenomenon occurs in which the articles rotate in the direction parallel to the transport surface (hereinafter referred to as the lateral direction) on the transport surface of the conveyor in the case that the articles are delivered between two conveyors, or in the case that the articles are delivered from a conveyor to a downstream delivery mechanism, for example. Therefore, the articles cannot be transported in a predetermined orientation. In view of the above, the conventional method with such a conveyor had a guide installed substantially vertically at the two sides of the conveyor along the predetermined transport direction to reduce the displacement of the articles in the lateral direction, and to set the articles in a predetermined orientation when the articles are delivered to the next step, for example. 
     However, when such a guide is provided to the transport apparatus, the transport speed of the articles is reduced by frictional resistance because the articles are transported while making contact with the guide, and the pitch, i.e., transport interval at which the articles are transported is disrupted. Also, with such a guide, it is not possible to reduce the displacement of the transported articles in the upward direction, i.e., the direction substantially vertically upward with respect to the transport surface. Therefore, the articles stand erect and may become incapable of being transported in a predetermined orientation. 
     In view of the above, in the transport apparatus according to the present invention, the second transport part for transporting an article while applying a downward force on a portion of the upper surface of the article is provided in addition to the first transport apparatus for supporting and transporting the article from below, as described above. A state in which the article stands erect (wheelie phenomenon) can thereby be reduced even when the transport speed of the first transport part is increased. 
     It is preferred that a pair of transport sections be provided as the second transport part. The pair of transport sections is configured and arranged to contact with two ends or a portion near two ends of the article in a direction (hereinafter referred to as the width direction of the article) orthogonal to the predetermined transport direction. When such a pair of transport sections is used, the wheelie phenomenon can be more reliably reduced and a force is not exerted from above in the center portion of the width direction of the articles. Therefore, a secondary effect can also be obtained in that the contents are brought to the center when distribution of the contents within the bag formed from a flexible material is unbalanced. 
     The pair of transport sections, which is the second transport part, can be configured so as to have a first transport surface configured and arranged to contact with one of the ends or a portion near the one of the ends of the article in the width direction of the article, and a second transport surface configured and arranged to contact with the other of the ends or a portion near the other of the ends of the article in the width direction of the article. At least one of the first transport surface and the second transport surface forms an acute angle with respect to the transport surface of the first transport part. In accordance with such a pair of transport sections, at least one surface among the first transport surface and the second transport surface exerts a downward force on a portion of the upper surface of the articles. The pair of transport surfaces is designed so that the angle formed by the first transport surface with the transport surface of the first transport part and the angle formed by the second transport surface with the transport surface of the first transport part are acute angles, whereby the articles are transported while the pair of transport sections makes contact diagonally from above with each of the articles. Therefore, disrupted transport intervals of the articles due to lower transport speed and displacement in the lateral and upward directions of the articles can be reduced. The angle formed by the first or second transport surfaces is preferably 75° or more and 85° or less with consideration given to the transport speed and the stability of the orientation of the articles during transport. 
     In addition to a first transport part and a second transport part, the transport apparatus may be provided with a third transport part. The third transport part is configured and arranged to transport the article while exerting a downward force on the article between the first transport surface and the second transport surface of the second transport part. By adding such a third transport part, the wheelie phenomenon of an article can be reliably reduced by the third transport part even when the downward force exerted on the article from the first and second transport surfaces of the second transport part is set to a low level. 
     The transport apparatus is preferably provided with a controller configured to automatically modify at least one of the position and the orientation of the second transport part. The controller may control on the basis of article identification information related to the shape of the article, and may determine the suitable position and orientation of the second transport part from the article identification information that specifies an article. In the case that the position and orientation of the second transport part is determined from the article identification information, the controller is configured to obtain information that associates the article identification information with the position or orientation of the second transport part. 
     It is also possible to configure that the second transport part has a plurality of surfaces that make contact with an article, and the angles formed by these surfaces of the second transport part with the transport surface of the first transport part are not equal. For example, the second transport part has a left-side transport surface configured and arranged to contact with a portion of the left side of the article when viewed from the upstream side toward the downstream side of the predetermined transport direction, and a right-side transport surface configured and arranged to contact with a portion of the right side of the article when viewed from the upstream side toward the downstream side of the predetermined transport direction, and the left-side transport surface and the right-side transport surface are each divided into a plurality of units in the predetermined transport direction thereof. In accordance with such a configuration, the second transport part is provided with at least a pair of first left-side and right-side transport surfaces and a pair of second left-side and right-side transport surfaces. The orientation of the pair of first left-side and right-side transport surfaces and the pair of second left-side and right-side of transport surfaces in relation to the transport surface of the first transport part is made to be different, whereby the direction of the force received by the article from the second transport part is varied in each position of the predetermined transport direction. Therefore, when distribution of the contents in the bag formed from a flexible material is unbalanced, the unbalance can be effectively eliminated. 
     The left-side transport surface and the right-side transport surface of the second transport part are preferably divided into N number of units in the predetermined transport direction, whereby the pairs of transport surfaces from first left-side and right-side transport surfaces to Nth left-side and right-side transport surfaces are aligned along the predetermined transport direction. At least one pair among the pairs of transport surfaces from the first left-side and right-side transport surfaces to the Nth left-side and right-side transport surfaces has a different orientation from the orientation of the other pairs in relation to the transport surface of the first transport part. Furthermore, the sum of the angles formed by the first left-side transport surface to the Nth left-side transport surface with respect to the transport surface of the first transport part is preferably substantially equal to the sum of the angles formed by the first right-side transport surface to the Nth right-side transport surface with respect to the transport surface of the first transport part. Therefore, the force applied to the left side portion of the article by the second transport part overall and the force applied to the right side portion of the article by the second transport part overall are set in opposition. The displacement of the article in the width direction can be reduced during transport of the article while eliminating displacement of the contents of the article. 
     There are cases in which it is preferred that the article transport speed of the second transport part be greater than the article transport speed of the first transport part. In this case, a portion of the upper surface of the article can be pressed with a strong downward force. When the article inclined more than a predetermined orientation enters the transport apparatus, the orientation of the article can be returned to a normal orientation. Specifically, the transport speed of the second transport part is set to be approximately, e.g., 5 m/min higher than the transport speed of the first transport part. 
     It is preferred that the transport apparatus of the present invention be further provided with an adjustment mechanism configured and arranged to adjust the mounting position of the second transport part in a direction orthogonal to the predetermined transport direction. The second transport part can be moved to a suitable position in accordance with the size of the article in the case that an adjustment mechanism is provided. 
     Bagged products in which snacks or the like are bagged are an example of such articles, which are bags formed from a flexible material. In the case of such articles, the thickness (the dimension in the height direction) is often different between the center portion and the end portions in the width direction of the articles, and the contents may become concentrated in the end portions. However, in the transport apparatus of the present invention, it can be expected that the unbalance will be alleviated by the force exerted on the articles by the second transport part. 
     Specifically, there are cases in which distribution of the snacks inside the bags becomes unbalanced on the upstream side or downstream side of the predetermined transport direction, or in the direction orthogonal (width direction) to the predetermined transport direction, for example. Transporting the bags in such a state can lead to the phenomena in which the bags stand erect or rotate. However, in the transport apparatus of the present invention, the articles (bags) can be transported while diagonally pressing downward in the vicinity of the two end portions of the bag where the thickness is low in the case that, e.g., the thickness of the end portions of the bags in the width direction is less than that of the center portions. 
     The transport apparatus described above can be used as a boxing apparatus in combination with a delivery mechanism and a boxing mechanism. The delivery mechanism is configured and arranged to receive the articles from the transport apparatus and sequentially aligns the articles in an erect orientation in a predetermined position. The boxing mechanism is configured and arranged to box the articles sequentially aligned in the erect orientation in the predetermined position into a predetermined box. In such a boxing apparatus, productivity can be considerably improved because the articles can be smoothly transported by the transport apparatus to the delivery mechanism. 
     In accordance with the transport apparatus as described above, productivity can be considerably improved because the articles can be smoothly transported at a higher transport speed than a conventional configuration while maintaining a predetermined orientation. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a side view showing the internal configuration of the boxing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view along the line II-II of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view along the line III-III of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram showing the transport route of products in the boxing apparatus. 
         FIG. 5  is a view showing the transport route of the products included in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6A  is a cross-sectional view of a product among the products included in  FIG. 1 , showing the case in which snacks as contents are uniformly disposed in a bag. 
         FIG. 6B  is a cross-sectional view of a product among the products included in  FIG. 1 , showing the case in which distribution of snacks as contents therein is unbalanced. 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic view corresponding to  FIG. 4  of the transport apparatus according to other embodiments (J), (K). 
         FIG. 8A  is a diagram showing the slope of a pair of first transport surfaces of the transport apparatus according the embodiment (J). 
         FIG. 8B  is a diagram showing the slope of a pair of second transport surfaces of the transport apparatus according the embodiment (J). 
         FIG. 8C  is a diagram showing the slope of a pair of third transport surfaces of the transport apparatus according the embodiment (J). 
         FIG. 8D  is a diagram showing the slope of a pair of fourth transport surfaces of the transport apparatus according the embodiment (J). 
         FIG. 9A  is a diagram showing the slope of a pair of first transport surfaces of the transport apparatus according the embodiment (K). 
         FIG. 9B  is a diagram showing the slope of a pair of second transport surfaces of the transport apparatus according the embodiment (K). 
         FIG. 9C  is a diagram showing the slope of a pair of third transport surfaces of the transport apparatus according the embodiment (K). 
         FIG. 9D  is a diagram showing the slope of a pair of fourth transport surfaces of the transport apparatus according the embodiment (K). 
         FIG. 10  is a schematic view corresponding to  FIG. 4  of the transport apparatus according to other embodiment (L). 
         FIG. 11  is a diagram showing the arrangement of each transport surface of the transport apparatus according to the embodiment (L). 
         FIG. 12  is a diagram showing the arrangement of each transport surface of the transport apparatus according to the embodiment (M). 
         FIG. 13  is a control block diagram of the transport apparatus according to the embodiment (N). 
     
    
    
     BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
     A boxing apparatus  1  according to an embodiment of the present invention is described below with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 6A  and  6 B. 
     Overall Configuration of Boxing Apparatus  1   
     The boxing apparatus  1  according to embodiments of the present invention is configured and arranged to transport and box a product X, which is a bag (article) containing snacks (see  FIG. 6A ) Z, into a cardboard box (predetermined box) Y, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The boxing apparatus  1  is provided with a transport apparatus  10 , a delivery mechanism  20 , and a boxing mechanism (packing mechanism)  30 . 
     Here, the product X is a square-shaped bag formed from a flexible material, and the thickness at the two end parts in the direction orthogonal to the predetermined transport direction (see transport direction A 1  of  FIG. 4 ) is less than the thickness of the center portion, as shown in  FIG. 3  and other drawings. 
     Configuration of Transport Apparatus  10   
     The transport apparatus  10  is disposed on the most upstream side in the boxing apparatus  1 , and sequentially transports each of the products X transported from an upstream conveyor  100  along the transport direction A 1  (see  FIG. 4 ) toward the downstream side, as shown in  FIG. 2 . The transport apparatus  10  has an intake conveyor  11  (first transport part), a pair of side conveyors (transport sections)  12 ,  13 , and an adjustment mechanism  14 . The side conveyors  12 ,  13  together form a second transport part in this embodiment. 
     The intake conveyor  11  is disposed on the most upstream side in the boxing apparatus  1 , and transports the products X transported from the upstream conveyor  100  along the transport direction A 1  toward the downstream side. The upper surface of the intake conveyor  11  is a transport surface  11   a , and the products X are supported from below by the transport surface  11   a.    
     Here, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the conveyor  100  has guides  101  on the two ends along the transport direction A 1 . The transport speed of the conveyor  100  is set so as to be less than the transport speed of the intake conveyor  11 . Also, the transport surface of the upstream conveyor  100  has a lower frictional resistance than the transport surface of the intake conveyor  11 , and the products X can be transported while sliding somewhat on the surface of the upstream conveyor  100 . For this reason, the conveyor  100  can deliver the products X to the downstream transport apparatus  10  while aligning the products X in a predetermined orientation by keeping the products X in contact with the guides  101  during transport. 
     The pair of side conveyors  12 ,  13  is disposed above the intake conveyor  11  substantially in an upside-down-V-shape when viewed from the upstream side toward the downstream side of the transport direction A 1  of the products X, as shown in  FIG. 3 . In other words, the transport surfaces  12   a ,  13   a  where the products X is in contact with the side conveyors  12 ,  13  are facing obliquely downward, so as to exert a downward force on a portion of the upper surface of the products X during transport. The pair of side conveyors  12 ,  13  is set in such a way that each of the angles α, β formed by the transport surface  11   a  of the intake conveyor  11  and the transport surfaces  12   a ,  13   a  of the pair of side conveyors  12 ,  13  is approximately 80°. 
     The side conveyors  12 ,  13  transport the products X downstream along the transport direction A 1  at a predetermined speed while the products X are kept in contact with the side conveyors  12 ,  13  at the two ends of each of the products X in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction A 1  of the products X. In this situation, the transport speed of the pair of side conveyors  12 ,  13  is set to be approximately 5 m/min greater than the transport speed of the intake conveyor  11 . 
     In this manner, the displacement of the products X in the vertically upward direction (up direction) and the direction parallel (lateral direction) to the transport surface of the intake conveyor  11  during transport can be effectively reduced by disposing the pair of side conveyors  12 ,  13  in such a way that the angles α, β are approximately 80°. 
     The intake conveyor  11  thereby transports the products X along the transport direction A 1  while supporting the lower surface of the products X, and at the same time, the pair of side conveyors  12 ,  13  transports the products X along the transport direction A 1  while making substantially symmetrical contact from diagonally above with the two ends of the transported products X. Accordingly, the products X (see  FIG. 3 ) in which the end portions of the bag are thinner than the center portion can be transported while being pressed from diagonally above by the pair of side conveyors  12 ,  13 . 
     Since the transport speed of the pair of side conveyors  12 ,  13  is greater than that of the intake conveyor  11  as described above, the products X can be pressed to the transport surface  11   a  of the intake conveyor  11  with greater force than the case in which the pair of side conveyors  12 ,  13  and the intake conveyor  11  transport the products X at a uniform speed. It is thereby possible to effectively reduce phenomena in which the products X spin in the direction parallel to the transport surface  11   a , i.e., the lateral direction on the transport surface  11   a  of the intake conveyor  11 , and in which the products X stand erect in substantially the upwardly vertical direction, i.e., the up direction. 
     Among products X, there are also those that are transported from the upstream conveyor  100  in a state slightly rotated from the desired orientation in the lateral direction, i.e., parallel to the transport surface  11   a . In such a case, one of the end portions of the two ends of the products X makes earlier contact with the transport surface  12   a  of the side conveyor  12  or the transport surface  13   a  of the side conveyor  13 . Therefore, a force operates so as to move the products X to the center of the transport surface  11   a  of the intake conveyor  11 . The transport apparatus  10  can thereby transport the products X downstream while returning the products X to a predetermined transport orientation even if the products X are transported from the upstream side in a state slightly rotated from the desired orientation. 
     Furthermore, for the case in which distribution of snacks Z as the contents of the products X have become unbalanced inside the bag as shown in  FIG. 6B , there is an effect that the products X can be transported while approaching the uniform state shown in  FIG. 6A  by leveling out the snacks Z inside the bag as a result of the pair of side conveyors  12 ,  13  making contact with the products X during transport. 
     The adjustment mechanism  14  is disposed above the transport apparatus  10 , as shown in  FIG. 3 , and has a slide rail  15  and a positioning stopper  16 . The adjustment mechanism  14  adjusts the mounting position of the pair of side conveyors  12 ,  13  in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction A 1 . 
     The slide rail  15  is secured to a frame  1   b  positioned above the pair of side conveyors  12 ,  13 , and movably supports the pair of side conveyors  12 ,  13  in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction A 1 . 
     The positioning stopper  16  is disposed so as to pass through the frame  1   b  above the slide rail  15 , and the pair of side conveyors  12 ,  13  supported by the slide rail  15  is secured in an arbitrary position in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction A 1 . 
     The mounting position of the pair of side conveyors  12 ,  13  can thereby be adjusted in the transport apparatus  10  in accordance with the size of the products X to be transported. 
     In this manner, the movement of the products X is accelerated by the intake conveyor  11  and the pair of side conveyors  12 ,  13 , which are in contact with the products X from three directions. Therefore, the products X can be transported with considerably greater acceleration than the case in which the products X are transported while in contact from only a single direction as in transport via a conventional conveyor, for example. For this reason, the transport distance required for the products X to reach a predetermined speed can be reduced in comparison with the case in which contact is made with the products X from a single direction to transport the products X. 
     Configuration of Delivery Mechanism  20   
     The delivery mechanism  20  is disposed downstream from the transport apparatus  10 , receives the products X transported downstream along the transport direction A 1  from the upstream transport apparatus  10 , and sequentially aligns the bags in an erect orientation in a predetermined position Q. The delivery mechanism  20  has a support plate  21  and four delivery trays  22 . 
     The support plate  21  is mounted on the side surface part of a main casing  1   a  so as to substantially face the transport direction A 1  on the downstream side of the transport apparatus  10 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4 . The circular support plate  21  is rotatably supported by a rotating shaft  23  disposed in the center part. 
     Four delivery trays  22  are each circularly disposed on the side surface part of the support plate  21  downstream of the transport apparatus  10 , and each has a pectinate placement surface. The delivery trays  22  each have a rotating shaft and are each rotatably mounted on the support plate  21 . 
     The operation of the delivery trays  22  will be described in detail below. 
     First, a delivery tray  22  receives a product X transported from the upstream transport apparatus  10  in a substantially horizontal state in the position P 1  shown in  FIG. 1 . At this point, the received product X is held in a state secured to the placement surface of the delivery tray  22  with the aid of a chucking apparatus (not shown). 
     Next, the support plate  21  is rotated approximately 90° in a rotation direction R 1  about the rotating shaft  23 . During this interval, the delivery tray  22  is rotated approximately 90° in a rotation direction R 2  so that the product X assumes an erect orientation about a rotating shaft  22   a , and is moved to the position P 2  shown in  FIG. 1 . The product X is transported in an erect orientation to a predetermined downstream position Q. At this point, a bucket among buckets  41 ,  42  (described in detail in a later paragraph) is disposed in the predetermined position Q and the product X is received in the unchanged erect orientation. 
     The delivery tray  22  rotates approximately 90° about the rotating shaft  22   a  in the direction of the rotational direction R 2  while the support plate  21  rotates approximately 90° in the rotational direction R 1  about the rotating shaft  23  and the delivery tray  22  moves from the position P 2  shown in  FIG. 1  to the position P 3  shown in  FIG. 1 . In a similar manner, the delivery tray  22  moves from position P 3  to position P 4 . The delivery tray  22  moves in a similar fashion from the position P 4  to the position P 1 , and again receives the product X transported from the upstream side in a substantially horizontal state. 
     Such operation is sequentially carried out by four delivery trays  22  disposed on the side surface part of the support plate  21 , whereby the products X transported from the upstream transport apparatus  10  are transported in an erect orientation to the predetermined downstream position Q. 
     Configuration of Boxing Mechanism  30   
     The boxing mechanism  30  is disposed downstream of the delivery mechanism  20 , and has a transport mechanism  40  and a discharge apparatus  50 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . Along the transport direction A 2  (see  FIG. 4 ), the boxing mechanism  30  transports a predetermined number of the products X that have been delivered in an erect orientation at the predetermined position Q from the upstream delivery mechanism  20  while maintaining an erect orientation until the discharge position R. Also, when the predetermined number of products X are transported to the discharge position R as described above, the boxing mechanism  30  discharges the products X in a collected state in a cardboard box Y (see  FIG. 4 ) that is set on the side surface of the discharge position R. A predetermined number of products X are thereby sequentially boxed. 
     Configuration of Transport Mechanism  40   
     The transport mechanism  40  has buckets  41 ,  42  and holding members  44 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 5 , and sequentially receives the products X transported in an erect orientation from the upstream delivery mechanism  20  to the predetermined position Q and transports the product in sets of a predetermined number to the downstream discharge position R. 
     The buckets  41 ,  42  each travel independently between a pair of rotating shafts  45 ,  46  that is disposed one each on the upstream side and the downstream side of the transport mechanism  40 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . Due to this traveling, the buckets  41 ,  42  transport the products X from the predetermined upstream position Q to the downstream discharge position R. The buckets  41 ,  42  are configured in combination with each of the plurality of bottom plates  47 . In the buckets  41 ,  42 , a partitioning plate  43  is provided to each of the bottom plates  47  of the upstream end portion in order to hold the products X in an erect orientation. 
     The holding members  44  are disposed so as to cover each of the downstream bottom plates  47  in the buckets  41 ,  42 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 5 , and back plates  44   a  are provided for holding the products X in an erect orientation. Also, the holding members  44  can each be made to travel independently from the buckets  41 ,  42 . Furthermore, the height of each of the holding members  44  can be modified. Accordingly, the downstream bottom plates  47  in the buckets  41 ,  42  can each be partially overtaken, i.e., overlapped. 
     The space between each of the back plates  44   a  and the partition plates  43  can thereby be modified in the buckets  41 ,  42 . Accordingly, the predetermined number of products X to be transported in a single batch can be suitably modified in each of the buckets  41 ,  42 . 
     The partitioning plates  43  and back plates  44   a , and the mounting surface of the four delivery trays  22  are each formed in alternately pectinated shapes, and are designed so as to be capable of passing through each other, as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     Here, the method for transporting the products X in the buckets  41 ,  42  will be described in greater detail below with reference to  FIGS. 1 and 5  using the bucket  41  as an example. 
     When a products X are transported from an upstream delivery tray  22 , the bucket  41  disposed downstream from the delivery tray  22  can receive the products X held in an unchanged erect orientation, as shown in  FIG. 1 , by moving downstream by a predetermined interval. When the products X delivered from upstream reaches a predetermined number in the bucket  41 , the products X are transported along the transport direction A 2  in an unchanged erect orientation to the downstream discharge position R, as shown in  FIG. 5 . At this point, the bucket  42  waiting upstream in the transport direction A 2  of the bucket  41  rapidly moves downstream, as shown in  FIG. 1 , and the products X are sequentially received in an erect orientation from the delivery trays  22  in the same manner as the bucket  41 . 
     The plurality of bottom plates  47  slopes at a predetermined angle from the upstream side toward the downstream side in the buckets  41 ,  42 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , and is disposed so that the downstream bottom plates  47  are higher when the products X are transported. Accordingly, the downstream bottom plates  47  of the bucket  42  are designed to be capable of superimposing on the upstream bottom plates  47  of the bucket  41  in a partially overlapping state. 
     The bucket  42  can thereby wait in a position nearer to the predetermined position Q. Therefore, after the bucket  41  moves to the downstream discharge position R, the bucket  41  rapidly moves downstream in the transport direction A 2  and the products X can be received from the upstream side. The bucket  41  is also designed to be capable of partially superimposing on the upstream bottom plates  47  of the bucket  42  in the same manner. 
     Next, the bucket  41  moves in the transport direction A 2  on the transport mechanism  40  when the products X disposed in an erect orientation in the bucket  41  are discharged to a cardboard box Y (see  FIG. 4 ) with the aid of the discharge apparatus  50  described in detail in a later paragraph. When the bucket  41  reaches to the end part of the downstream side of the transport mechanism  40 , the bucket  41  goes around to the lower portion of the transport mechanism  40  and moves in the direction opposite from the transport direction A 2 , moves upstream in the transport direction A 2  of the bucket  42  and waits. When the bucket  42  has received a predetermined number of the products X from the upstream side and has moved to the discharge position R, the bucket  41  rapidly moves downstream in the transport direction A 2  and sequentially receives a predetermined number of the products X from the upstream side in the same manner as described above. 
     The products X are thereby transported in an unchanged erect orientation to the downstream discharge position R. 
     Configuration of Discharge Apparatus  50   
     The discharge apparatus  50  is disposed in the vicinity of the discharge position R on the downstream side of the transport mechanism  40 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4 , and has a press-out plate  51  driven by a drive motor disposed in the upper part of the main casing  1   a.    
     The press-out plate  51  is disposed in a lateral area of the transport mechanism  40  in the downstream side of the transport mechanism  40 . The press-out plate  51  presses out products X that are sequentially transported from the upstream side by the buckets  41 ,  42 , in the transport direction A 3  (see  FIG. 4 ) substantially orthogonal to the transport direction A 2  (see  FIG. 4 ). The products X are sequentially transported and boxed in a cardboard box Y disposed in the lateral area of the boxing apparatus  1 . 
     Accordingly, the productivity of the boxing apparatus  1  is considerably improved because the products X can be smoothly transported by the transport apparatus  10  to the delivery mechanism  20 . 
     Characteristics of Boxing Apparatus  1   
     (1) The transport apparatus  10  provided with the boxing apparatus  1  of the present embodiment has an intake conveyor  11  for transporting products X, and a pair of side conveyors  12 ,  13  disposed above the intake conveyor, as shown in  FIG. 3 . The pair of the side conveyors  12 ,  13  makes contact with two side parts, respectively, of the products X riding on the transport surface  11   a  of the intake conveyor  11  in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction A 1 , and transports the products X in the transport direction A 1 . 
     Ordinarily, instant noodles and other food products are transported through each step in a bagged state in a bag formed from a flexible material. In such a situation, there are cases in which the bags are transferred between conveyors having different transport speeds and cases in which the bags spin or stand erect in a wheelie state on the transport surface of the conveyor when the bags are delivered to the next downstream step. A substantially vertical guide is conventionally provided to the two sides of the conveyor in response to such transport problems. 
     However, since displacement in the upward direction of the transported bags cannot be reduced with such a guide, the bags assume an erect state and are liable to be unable to be transported in a predetermined orientation. 
     In view of the above, the products X are transported while a downward force is applied to a part of the upper surface of the products X by the pair of side conveyors  12 ,  13  in the transport apparatus  10  of the present embodiment. Specifically, the side conveyors  12 ,  13  are disposed facing each other in such a way that the angles α, β that the transport surfaces  12   a ,  13   a  of the pair of side conveyors  12 ,  13  form with the transport surface  11   a  of the intake conveyor  11  are acute angles (in this case, approximately 80°). 
     The intake conveyor  11  thereby supports the lower surface of the products X and carries out transport operation along the transport direction A 1 , and the pair of side conveyors  12 ,  13  makes contact from diagonal upside in relation to the two end parts of the width direction of the products X and transports the products along the transport direction A 1 . Accordingly, an effect is brought about in which the pair of side conveyors  12 ,  13  presses the products X in a diagonal downward direction, and the products X are transported along the transport direction A 1  in a state in which displacement in the lateral direction is reduced and displacement in the upward direction is also reduced. 
     As a result, the products X can be smoothly transported at a greater speed than a conventional configuration while maintaining a predetermined orientation, and productivity is considerably improved. 
     Disruption of the transport interval of the products X can be reduced in comparison with the case in which a guide (a member that does not have a transport function) is provided to the two sides of the conveyor for supporting the lower surface of the products. In the case that a guide is provided, the transport speed of the products X is reduced due to frictional resistance between the guide and the products X when the products X are transported, and the transport interval of the products X is highly likely to be disrupted. In the case of the side conveyors  12 ,  13 , disruption of the transport interval of the products X substantially does not occur because the conveyors as such transport the products X. 
     Because of the intake conveyor  11  and the pair of side conveyors  12  and  13  that make contact with the products X from three directions and accelerate the products X as stated above, the products X can be transported with considerable acceleration in comparison with transport with, e.g., an ordinary conveyor in which the products X are transported while contact is made from a single direction. For this reason, an effect is also achieved in which the transport distance required for the products X to reach a predetermined speed can be reduced in comparison with the case in which contact is made with the products X from a single direction to transport the products X. 
     (2) Products X, which are bags formed from a flexible material and contain snacks Z, are transported by the transport apparatus  10  provided with a boxing apparatus  1  of the present embodiment. 
     Ordinarily, phenomena in which the bags stand erect or rotate during transport occurs with marked frequency when the bags formed from a flexible material (hereinafter referred to as bags) are transported with a conveyor or the like, and there are cases in which the bags cannot be transported while being held in a predetermined orientation. 
     In contrast, the transport apparatus  10  of the present embodiment can transport the products X more smoothly than a conventional configuration while the products are kept in a predetermined orientation because the intake conveyor  11  supports the lower surface of the products X and transports the products X along the transport direction A 1 , and the pair of side conveyors  12 ,  13  exerts a downward force on a portion of the upper surface of the products X while transporting the products X, as described above. 
     (3) In the transport apparatus  10  provided with a boxing apparatus  1  of the present embodiment, the pair of side conveyors  12 ,  13  have transport surfaces  12   a ,  13   a  that face diagonally downward at the same slope angle, as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
     Displacement of the products X in the lateral and upward directions transported by the intake conveyor  11  and the pair of side conveyors  12 ,  13  is substantially eliminated. 
     (4) In the transport apparatus  10  provided with a boxing apparatus  1  of the present embodiment, the thickness of the center portion and the end portion of the products X are different in the direction (width direction) orthogonal to the transport direction A 1 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . Among such products X, there are many that are obtained by merely filling the contents into a bag, and there are cases in which the bag readily deforms and the contents become concentrated in a single location inside the bag (see  FIG. 6B ) when an external force is applied. A bag such as that described above may wheelie or spin when the bag is transported in such a state by the intake conveyor  11  alone. 
     In contrast, in the transport apparatus  10  provided with a boxing apparatus  1  of the present embodiment, the pair of side conveyors  12 ,  13  exerts a downward force in the vicinity of the two end portions of the products X where the thickness of the bag is low during transport of the products X. For this reason, wheelieing and spinning of the products X is reduced during transport. 
     (5) In the transport apparatus  10  provided with a boxing apparatus  1  of the present embodiment, the pair of side conveyors  12 ,  13  have a higher transport speed than the intake conveyor  11 . 
     Accordingly, the products X are pressed to the transport surface  11   a  of the intake conveyor  11  by a stronger force in comparison with the case in which the pair of side conveyors  12 ,  13  and the intake conveyor  11  transport the products X at a uniform speed. 
     The phenomena in which the products X spin in the direction parallel to the transport surface  11   a  or stand erect in the vertically upward direction on the transport surface  11   a  of the intake conveyor  11  can thereby be effectively reduced. 
     Among the products X that sequentially flow downstream, there are those that are transported in a slightly rotated state in the direction parallel to the transport surface  11   a  in comparison with the desired orientation. In this case as well, one of the two end portions of the products X makes contact first with one of the transport surfaces  12   a ,  13   a  of the side conveyor  12  and the side conveyor  13 , as long as the transport speed of the side conveyors  12 ,  13  is greater than the transport speed of the intake conveyor  11 . A force will thereby be exerted that moves the products X to the center of the transport surface  11   a  of the intake conveyor  11 . Therefore, the transport apparatus  10  can transport the products X to the downstream side while returning the products to a desired transport orientation even if the products X are transported from the upstream side in a state slightly rotated from the desired orientation. 
     (6) In the transport apparatus  10  provided with a boxing apparatus  1  of the present embodiment, the transport surfaces  12   a ,  13   a  of the pair of side conveyors  12 ,  13  are set such that the angles α, β formed by the transport surface  11   a  of the intake conveyor  11  and the transport surfaces  12   a ,  13   a  of the pair of side conveyors  12 ,  13  are each approximately 80°, as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
     Displacement of the products X in the lateral and upward directions can thereby be effectively reduced. 
     (7) In the transport apparatus  10  provided with a boxing apparatus  1  of the present embodiment, an adjustment mechanism  14  is provided for adjusting the mounting position of the pair of side conveyors  12 ,  13  in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction A 1 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
     The mounting position of the pair of side conveyors  12 ,  13  can thereby be adjusted in accordance with the size of the products X to be transported. 
     OTHER EMBODIMENTS 
     An embodiment of the present invention was described above, however, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, and various modifications can be made in a range that does not depart from the spirit of the invention. 
     Embodiment (A) 
     In the embodiment described above, the angles α, β formed by the transport surfaces  12   a ,  13   a  of the pair of side conveyors  12 ,  13  and the transport surface  11   a  of the intake conveyor  11  are each set to approximately 80° in the transport apparatus  10 . 
     However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. 
     For example, the angles α, β may be set so that only one of the angles is acute, in accordance with the shape of the bag to be transported. In this case as well, phenomena in which the products X as the bags stand erect in a wheelie state or spin can be reduced because one of the side conveyors  12 ,  13  presses the products X to the transport surface  11   a  of the intake conveyor  11 . 
     Embodiment (B) 
     In the embodiment described above, the transport surfaces  12   a ,  13   a  of the pair of side conveyors  12 ,  13  have angles α, β of approximately 80° in relation to the transport surface  11   a  of the intake conveyor  11  in the transport apparatus  10 . 
     However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. 
     For example, the mounting angles of the side conveyors may be set so that the angles α, β are 85° or more and 95° or less in accordance with the shape of the products X as bags to be transported and the setting of the transport speed of the pair of side conveyors  12 ,  13 . However, one of the angles α, β must be an acute angle (0° to 90°) because a downward force must be exerted on the products X from one of the side conveyors  12 ,  13 . 
     In this case as well, the same effect as the transport apparatus  10  according to the embodiment described above can be obtained. 
     Embodiment (C) 
     In the embodiment described above, the products X transported in the transport apparatus  10  have a thickness that is different in the center portion and at the end portions in the width direction orthogonal to the transport direction A 1 . 
     However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. 
     For example, the articles to be transported in the transport apparatus  10  may have a substantially uniform thickness in the center portion and the end portions in the width direction. The transport apparatus  10  can obtain a number of effects according to the present invention even in the case of such products. 
     Embodiment (D) 
     In the embodiment described above, the pair of side conveyors  12 ,  13  has a greater transport speed than the intake conveyor  11 . 
     However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. 
     For example, the transport speed of the pair of side conveyors  12 ,  13  and the intake conveyor  11  may be at a uniform speed as long as the products X can be smoothly transported. 
     However, in this case, the force for pressing the products X to the transport surface of the intake conveyor  11  may be reduced in comparison with the case in which the transport speed of the pair of side conveyors  12 ,  13  is greater than the transport speed of the intake conveyor  11 . Therefore, it is preferred that the transport speed of the pair of side conveyors  12 ,  13  be greater than the transport speed of the intake conveyor  11  as in the embodiment described above. 
     Embodiment (E) 
     In the embodiment described above, an adjustment mechanism  14  is present, but when the size of the products X as the transport object is limited, the adjustment mechanism  14  can be omitted. In this case, the transport apparatus  10  can be simplified and the cost of the apparatus can be reduced. 
     The adjustment mechanism  14  may be provided with a function that allows the angles α, β formed between the transport surfaces  12   a ,  13   a  of the pair of side conveyors  12 ,  13  and the transport surface  11   a  of the intake conveyor  11  to be adjusted. In this case, an operator can finely adjust the angles α, β in the transport apparatus  10  in accordance with the transport state of the products X. 
     Embodiment (F) 
     In the embodiment described above, the transport apparatus  10  according to the present invention is adopted in a boxing apparatus  1 . 
     However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. 
     For example, the transport apparatus  10  may be provided to another industrial machine. 
     Embodiment (G) 
     In the embodiment described above, a pair of side conveyors  12 ,  13  is used in the transport apparatus  10 . 
     However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. 
     For example, a pair of transport roller groups may be used in place of the pair of side conveyors  12 ,  13  as long as the products X can be transported without a problem. In this case as well, the same effects as those of the transport apparatus  10  according to the embodiment described above can be obtained. 
     Embodiment (H) 
     In the embodiment described above, the pair of side conveyors  12 ,  13  has a transport speed that is approximately 5 m/min greater than that of the intake conveyor  11 . 
     However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. 
     For example, it is preferred that the degree to which the transport speed of the pair of side conveyors  12 ,  13  is made faster than the intake conveyor  11  be suitably set in accordance with the size and weight of the products X to be transported. 
     Embodiment (I) 
     In the embodiment described above, the products X as bags formed from a flexible material are the transport objects in the transport apparatus  10 . 
     However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. 
     For example, products packaged in a container (box) made from paper may be transported in place of the products X in the transport apparatus  10  as long as the size allows transport. 
     Embodiment (J) 
     In the embodiment described above, the length along the transport direction A 1  of the side conveyors  12 ,  13  is the same as the length along the transport direction A 1  of the intake conveyor  11 , but it is preferred that side conveyors  212 ,  213  shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8  be adopted in place of the side conveyors  12 ,  13  as long as there are no cost-related problems. In the particular case that it is envisioned that numerous products X in which distribution of the contents (snacks Z) is unbalanced in the bag will flow downstream in the manner shown in  FIG. 6B , it is preferred that the side conveyors  212 ,  213  be used. 
     In the transport apparatus  210  shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the pair of side conveyors  212 ,  213  is each divided into four units along the transport direction A 1 . In other words, aligned from the upstream side toward the downstream side are a pair of first right-side and left-side conveyors  221 ,  231 , a pair of second right-side and left-side conveyors  222 ,  232 , a pair of third right-side and left-side conveyors  223 ,  233 , and a pair of fourth right-side and left-side conveyors  224 ,  234 . The pair of side conveyors  212 ,  213 , which is an assembly of the conveyors  221 ,  231 ,  222 ,  232 ,  223 ,  233 ,  224 , and  234 , have the same length as that along the transport direction A 1  of the intake conveyor  11 . 
     The pair of first right-side and left-side conveyors  221 ,  231  makes contact from the side with the two end parts of the products X in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction A 1 , and transports the products X toward the downstream side as shown in  FIG. 8A . The first right-side conveyor  221  has a first right-side transport surface  221   a  that makes contact with the products X and transports the products X. On the other hand, the first left-side conveyor  231  has a first left-side transport surface  231   a  that makes contact with the products X and transports the products X. The angle formed by the first right-side transport surface  221   a  and the transport surface  11   a  of the intake conveyor  11  is 90°. The angle formed by the first left-side transport surface  231   a  and the transport surface  11   a  of the intake conveyor  11  is 75°. Therefore, the pair of first right-side and left-side conveyors  221 ,  231  has the first left-side transport surface  231   a  that faces diagonally downward, and the first left-side transport surface  231   a  exerts a downward force on a portion of the upper surface of the products X. 
     The pair of second right-side and left-side conveyors  222 ,  232  makes contact from the side with the two end parts of the products X in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction A 1 , and transports the products X toward the downstream side as shown in  FIG. 8B . The second right-side conveyor  222  has a second right-side transport surface  222   a  that makes contact with the products X and transports the products X. On the other hand, the second left-side conveyor  232  has a second left-side transport surface  232   a  that makes contact with the products X and transports the products X. The angle formed by the second right-side transport surface  222   a  and the transport surface  11   a  of the intake conveyor  11  is 75°. The angle formed by the second left-side transport surface  232   a  and the transport surface  11   a  of the intake conveyor  11  is 90°. Therefore, the pair of second right-side and left-side conveyors  222 ,  232  has the second right-side transport surface  222   a  that faces diagonally downward, and the second right-side transport surface  222   a  exerts a downward force on a portion of the upper surface of the products X. 
     The pair of third right-side and left-side conveyors  223 ,  233  makes contact from the side with the two end parts of the products X in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction A 1 , and transports the products X toward the downstream side that as shown in  FIG. 8C . The third right-side conveyor  223  has a third right-side transport surface  223   a  that makes contact with the products X and transports the products X. On the other hand, the third left-side conveyor  233  has a third left-side transport surface  233   a  that makes contact with the products X and transports the products X. The angle formed by the third right-side transport surface  223   a  and the transport surface  11   a  of the intake conveyor  11  is 90°. The angle formed by the third left-side transport surface  233   a  and the transport surface  11   a  of the intake conveyor  11  is 85°. Therefore, the pair of third right-side and left-side conveyors  223 ,  233  has the third left-side transport surface  233   a  that faces diagonally downward, and the third left-side transport surface  233   a  exerts a downward force on a portion of the upper surface of the products X. 
     The pair of fourth right-side and left-side conveyors  224 ,  234  makes contact from the side with the two end parts of the products X in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction A 1 , and transports the products X toward the downstream side as shown in  FIG. 8D . The fourth right-side conveyor  224  has a fourth right-side transport surface  224   a  that makes contact with the products X and transports the products X. On the other hand, the fourth left-side conveyor  234  has a fourth left-side transport surface  234   a  that makes contact with the products X and transports the products X. The angle formed by the fourth right-side transport surface  224   a  and the transport surface  11   a  of the intake conveyor  11  is 85°. The angle formed by the fourth left-side transport surface  234   a  and the transport surface  11   a  of the intake conveyor  11  is 90°. Therefore, the pair of fourth right-side and left-side conveyors  224 ,  234  has the fourth right-side transport surface  224   a  that faces diagonally downward, and the fourth right-side transport surface  224   a  exerts a downward force on a portion of the upper surface of the products X. 
     As described above, in the transport apparatus  210 , each of the pair of first right-side and left-side transport surfaces  221   a ,  231   a , the pair of second right-side and left-side transport surfaces  222   a ,  232   a , the pair of third right-side and left-side transport surfaces  223   a ,  233   a , and the pair of fourth right-side and left-side transport surfaces  224   a ,  234   a  is set in a different orientation with respect to the transport surface  11   a  of the intake conveyor  11 . Distribution of the contents of the products X, which are bags formed from a flexible material, may become unbalanced in the manner shown in  FIG. 6B , and such unbalance is corrected during transport because of the varying direction of the force that the products X receive from the pair of side conveyors  212 ,  213  in each position in the transport direction A 1 . 
     Embodiment (K) 
     In the embodiment (J) described above, each of the angles formed by the first left-side transport surface  231   a , the second right-side transport surface  222   a , the third left-side transport surface  233   a , and the fourth right-side transport surface  224   a  with the transport surface  11   a  of the intake conveyor  11  is an acute angle, and each of the angles formed by the first right-side transport surface  221   a , the second left-side transport surface  232   a , the third right-side transport surface  223   a , and the fourth left-side transport surface  234   a  is 90° with the transport surface  11   a  of the intake conveyor  11 , but it is preferred that the angles be suitably adjusted in accordance with the material of the products X and the type and specific gravity of the contents. 
     For example, the angle can be set in the manner shown in  FIGS. 9A to 9D  when it is desired that contents that have a large specific gravity and distribution thereof is unbalanced inside the products X be moved to the center by exerting a strong shaking force on the products X in the lateral direction orthogonal to the transport direction A 1 . In this case, the angles formed by each of the first right-side transport surface  221   a , the second left-side transport surface  232   a , the third right-side transport surface  223   a , and the fourth left-side transport surface  234   a  with the transport surface  11   a  of the intake conveyor  11  is an obtuse angle. Specifically, the angles formed by each of the first right-side transport surface  221   a  and the second left-side transport surface  232   a  with the transport surface  11   a  of the intake conveyor  11  is set to 100°, and the angles formed by each of the third right-side transport surface  223   a  and the fourth left-side transport surface  234   a  with the transport surface  11   a  of the intake conveyor  11  is set to 95°. 
     In the embodiments (J) and (K), the sum of the angles formed between the transport surface  11   a  of the intake conveyor  11  and each of the first to fourth right-side transport surfaces  221   a ,  222   a ,  223   a , and  224   a , and the sum of the angles formed between the transport surface  11   a  of the intake conveyor  11  and each of the first to fourth left-side transport surfaces  231   a ,  232   a ,  233   a , and  234   a  are equal. The force applied to the right side portion of the products X by the pair of side conveyors  212 ,  213  overall and the force applied to the left side portion of the products X by the pair of side conveyors  212 ,  213  overall are set in opposition by setting the angles in such a manner, and it is possible to reduce drawbacks such as displacement of the products X in the width direction (the lateral direction orthogonal to the transport direction A 1 ) during transport of the products X while eliminating the unbalanced distribution of the contents of the products X. 
     Embodiment (L) 
     In the embodiment described above, an intake conveyor  11  and a pair of side conveyors  12 ,  13  were provided as conveyors having a transport function in the transport apparatus  10 , but in addition to the conveyors, it is also possible to provide a top conveyor  314  (third transport part). 
     The top conveyor  314  has a transport surface  314   a  disposed between the transport surface  12   a  of the side conveyor  12  and the transport surface  13   a  of the side conveyor  13 , as shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , and the products X are transported downstream along the transport direction A 1  while the transport surface  314   a  exerts a downward force on the products X. 
     The wheelie phenomenon and the like of the products X can be reliably reduced even if the transport apparatus  310  to which such a top conveyor  314  has been added does not have an acute angle formed between the transport surface  11   a  of the intake conveyor  11  and the transport surfaces  12   a ,  13   a  of the side conveyors  12 ,  13 . 
     Embodiment (M) 
     In the embodiment described above, a pair of side conveyors  12 ,  13  that make contact with the two side portions of the products X in the width direction is used in the transport apparatus  10 , but instead it is also possible to use a pair of side conveyors  412 ,  413  shown in  FIG. 12 . 
     The side conveyor  412  has a first transport surface  412   a  that makes contact with a portion near one end of the products X in the width direction, and on the other hand, the side conveyor  413  has a second transport surface  413   a  that makes contact with a portion near the other end of the products X in the width direction. The transport surfaces  412   a ,  413   a  that are in contact with the products X on the side conveyors  412 ,  413  face diagonally downward and transport products X while exerting a downward force on a portion of the upper surface of the products X. The angles formed between the transport surface  11   a  of the intake conveyor  11  and the transport surfaces  412   a ,  413   a  of the pair of side conveyors  412 ,  413  are each approximately 10°. 
     The same effect as the transport apparatus  10  according to the embodiment described above can be obtained in the case of such a configuration as well. 
     Embodiment (N) 
     In the embodiment described above, the mounting position of the pair of side conveyors  12 ,  13  can be varied by manually adjusting the adjustment mechanism  14  in accordance with the size or the like of the products X to be transported, but it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the position modification can be automatically controlled. 
     For example, a configuration is possible in which the movement of the side conveyors  12 ,  13  along the slide rails  15  is carried out using an actuator  91  such as an electric ball screw and the actuator  91  is controlled by a control computer  95 . 
     Although not depicted nor described in the embodiment described above, the boxing apparatus  1  of the above embodiments is provided with a control computer  95  for controlling the drive portion of the transport apparatus  10  and each mechanism  20 ,  30 , as shown in  FIG. 13 . In the present embodiment (N), an example in which the actuator  91  of the adjustment mechanism  14  is controlled using the control computer  95  is shown. 
     The control computer  95  is composed of a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and a HDD (hard disk drive)  97  mutually connected via an address bus, a data bus, and other bus lines. Product shape information related to the shape of the product is recorded on the HDD  97  for each type of product. The product shape information may be manually inputted via an input apparatus  99  connected to the control computer  95 , or may be externally inputted. The input apparatus  99  is, e.g., an LCD monitor having a touch panel function. The position and angle information of the side conveyors  12 ,  13  related to the product shape information are stored in the HDD  97 . 
     The control computer  95  acquires product identification information indicating the type of product from the input apparatus  99 , and ascertains the corresponding product shape information from the product identification information. The position and angle information of the corresponding side conveyors  12 ,  13  are determined based on the ascertained product shape information, and the adjustment mechanism  14  is automatically adjusted. In this case, the operator can merely input the product identification information, and the adjustment mechanism  14  of the transport apparatus  10  automatically sets the position and angle of the side conveyors  12 ,  13  to optimal values. 
     In this case, processing is carried out via the product shape information, but the product identification information and the position and angle information of the side conveyors  12 ,  13  may be directly associated. It is also possible to consider a configuration in which the product shape information is inputted from the input apparatus  99 .