Patent ID: 7284577

Claim:
A container control apparatus for controlling conveyance of containers, the apparatus comprising: a control member to control supply and stop of containers continuously conveyed by a convey device along a convey path to a processing device which sequentially receives the containers by a rotatable timing screw having helically arranged engaging portions for engaging the containers; wherein the control member is located on the convey path before said timing screw; a detection unit which detects a rotational state of said timing screw; said control member has a first side surface and a second side surface, the second side surface including helically arranged engaging portions for engaging the containers to stop the supply of containers; and said control member is arranged to be pivoted by a driving unit, driven in accordance with the rotational state of the timing screw detected by said detection unit, about a central axis parallel to said convey path between a position in which the first side surface faces the convey path for permitting the supply of the containers on said convey path and a position in which the second side surface faces the convey path for stopping the supply of the containers on said convey path.