Patent ID: 8307618

Claim:
A packaging apparatus comprising: a collection unit configured and arranged to overlay a plurality of packaged objects on adjacent packaged objects; and a conveyance unit configured and arranged to convey, as a group of packaged objects, the packaged objects which are overlaid on the adjacent packaged objects at the collection unit, the conveyance unit including a belt conveyor, a first position control plate, a second position control plate, and a subsequent process step delivery unit, the first position control plate being configured and arranged to selectively move forward or backward so as to obstruct or pass the group of packaged objects conveyed on the belt conveyor, when positions of the packaged objects in the group of packaged objects are adjusted, the second position control plate being configured and arranged to move from a downstream-side portion of the belt conveyor toward the first position control plate, rotate in a direction toward the first position control plate, or move from the downstream-side portion of the belt conveyor toward the first position control plate and simultaneously rotate in the direction toward the first position control plate, and the subsequent process step delivery unit being configured and arranged to deliver the group of packaged objects after the positions of the packaged objects are adjusted by the first position control plate and the second position control plate, to a subsequent process device that packs the group of packaged objects in a box.