Method for aligning wood screws and alignment device therefor

Description

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for the parallel alignment of strongly interlocking screws made of ferromagnetic metal, suitable for wood, chipboard or dowels, hereinafter referred to as wood screws, for subsequent or simultaneous aligned packaging in intended packaging containers, using a straightening device, as well as a straightening device for this purpose. State of the art

[0002] Screws, nails, rivets, and other metal rods for similar purposes are manufactured industrially in large quantities and then packaged in suitable containers for final sale. Such systems are well-known and generally proven to be effective. Packaging requires different specifications depending on the length and quantity of the metal rods.

[0003] For large quantities and short metal rods, these are poured into the designated packaging in bulk, which is then sealed. However, for long metal rods, such as 100 mm long nails, the space required would be too large. Such and longer metal rods are therefore usually placed in the designated packaging in an aligned position. This can reduce the space required by the packaging by about 30%. However, this does not require the heads of the metal rods to all be on the same side.

[0004] Devices are also known for aligning such metal rods in suitable packaging. However, this requires that the metal rods slide smoothly against each other. Nails meet this requirement. Metal screws designed for connection to a corresponding metal internal thread can also be easily handled and aligned parallel.

[0005] Automated straightening of metal rods is not possible, however, when it comes to heavily jammed metal screws intended for screwing into wood, chipboard, etc., or into dowels. Such screws are subsequently called wood screws. Because their threads are further apart and more protruding than those of screws for metal threads of comparable dimensions, they jam more easily and cannot be reliably separated, particularly because of their often very rough thread helix. An automated system for the individual transport of metal rods always requires manual intervention when using wood screws because jams are repeatedly caused by jammed screws that block the process. Attempts to shake the wood screws apart have been shown to often make jamming even worse.

[0006] US2602942 discloses a device in which nails are dropped down a chute into a channel with two magnetic poles arranged laterally, the effect of which gradually increases in the lower region. At the lower end of the channel is a replaceable container that collects the nails. The document also discloses a method for the parallel alignment of strongly interlocking screws made of ferromagnetic metal, hereinafter referred to as wood screws, for subsequent or simultaneous aligned packaging in designated packaging containers. This method is provided using a straightening device, which is provided in the desired manner and comprises a coil operable with alternating or direct electrical current and having an axis, wherein closed magnetic field lines are formed when the coil is energized, comprising the following steps: a) Positioning a quantity of wood screws to be machined at a location within the effective range of the formable magnetic field lines; b) Applying a predefined current profile to the coil to form magnetic field lines, so that the wood screws swirl due to the magnetic effect, align themselves parallel to one another along the magnetic field lines and finally adhere to the contour wall in a parallel alignment; c) Lowering the current profile on the coil, whereby the wood screws lower themselves under their own weight while maintaining their alignment along the contour wall; d) Removing the aligned wood screws, whereby steps a) to d) are repeated until the process is interrupted and the next step a) can be carried out simultaneously with the last step d).

[0007] Document US3570210 generally relates to elongated, magnetic materials, particularly resistors. These are placed in a drum surrounded by a coil that generates a magnetic field. As a result, the metal rods fly in an orderly and aligned manner against the drum wall on all sides, leaving space in the center for subsequent rods until the drum is finally full. The document also discloses a straightening device according to the preamble of claim 11.

[0008] Another invention is described in JP H08 67329. It proposes aligning a group of closely spaced electronic components by electrically charging them and thereby separating them. For this purpose, the group passes through a magnetic coil on a conveyor belt.

[0009] All of these arrangements are not suitable for aligning long wood screws. Description of the invention

[0010] The object of the present invention is to describe a method for an automated system as described above, which can be used reliably without manual intervention. Furthermore, an alignment device is to be described with which the described method can be applied. In particular, it should also be possible to reliably align long wood screws, including those between 80 and 200 mm and longer ones.

[0011] The invention is achieved by a method according to the features of the first patent claim and by a straightening device according to the features of the corresponding independent device claim.

[0012] According to the invention, the method described above uses a straightening device, which is also according to the invention and is provided in a selected manner. This comprises a coil operable with alternating or direct current, having an axis and a coil center. The axis passes through a hollow space in the coil, which is defined by a contoured wall. When current is applied to the coil, closed magnetic field lines are formed that run through the interior space parallel to the axis. The method comprises the following steps: a) Positioning a quantity of wood screws to be processed at a location within the effective range of the formable magnetic field lines close to the axis of the coil, preferably higher than the coil center; b) Applying a predefined current profile to the coil to form magnetic field lines, so that the wood screws swirl into the cavity due to the magnetic effect, align themselves parallel to one another along the magnetic field lines and finally adhere to the contour wall in a parallel alignment; c) Continuously lowering the current profile on the coil, whereby the wood screws, while maintaining their alignment along the contour wall, sink downwards under their own weight and preferably collect there; d) Discharging the aligned wood screws, preferably to a packaging station; Steps a) to d) are repeated until the process is interrupted. The next step a) can be performed simultaneously with the last step d) to keep the process time as short as possible.

[0013] The contour wall is essentially a general cylinder whose side walls run parallel to the axis. The cross-section of the cylinder can be provided with recesses. In step c), the wood screws rest against the contour wall with their lengths parallel to the axis.

[0014] Reliable separation can be achieved by allowing the wood screws to "whirl" through the air due to the magnetic effect, simultaneously aligning them. It is therefore advantageous for them to travel a certain distance in the air, as this gives them more time and space to separate. This can be achieved by placing the wood screws in step a) not inside the cavity, but rather at a location in front of it, still within the range of the magnetic field lines.

[0015] The described process can be achieved with alternating current, which has a decreasing amplitude profile. This simultaneously demagnetizes the wood screws. Alternatively, direct current can be used, in which case demagnetization can follow.

[0016] In particular, the axis of the coil can be aligned horizontally or vertically during use; the straightening device is positioned as desired before step a). In a horizontal orientation, the parallel wood screws can be removed in step d) from one or more collecting devices located at the bottom of the contour wall, preferably with a conveyor system and / or in collection containers.

[0017] With a vertical axis, the wood screws can fall into the cavity from below, but preferably from above, which again promotes separation. In step c), the wood screws slide vertically downwards from the contour wall, where suitable collection containers are provided for the wood screws to be finally removed.

[0018] The inventive straightening device for parallel alignment of wood screws comprises a coil with an axis that runs through a hollow space within the coil. This hollow space is defined by a contoured wall facing the coil and has a minimum diameter D. The minimum diameter D is defined as the smallest diameter in the hollow space that runs perpendicularly through the axis of the coil. The axis, in turn, runs through the center of gravity of the coil, also called the coil center. The coil can be shaped to fit the contoured wall of the hollow space and can have appropriate local clearances.

[0019] The straightening device also includes a power supply electrically connected to the coil and a control system for applying alternating current and / or direct current to the coil so that closed magnetic field lines can form during operation, which run through the interior parallel to the axis.

[0020] The contour wall has one or more preferred adhesion points that are closer to the coil than neighboring areas in the contour. Below these preferred adhesion points are one or more collection channels or collection containers, which are narrower than one-third, preferably narrower than one-quarter, of the diameter D in any horizontal dimension transverse to the axis. As soon as the magnetic attraction weakens, the wood screws slide downward along the contour wall under their own weight and eventually collect in the collection channels or collection containers, whose width is restricted. This restriction is intended to prevent the wood screws from becoming transverse again. Ideally, they should be narrower than half the length of the wood screws, at least in the lowest area.

[0021] In one variant, a partition wall can be installed in the cavity to divide the cavity into two separate subchambers. This allows two processing sets of similar or different types of wood screws to be positioned at two locations in step a). Each of the locations is assigned to one of the subchambers by being closer to it than to any other subchamber. This creates two simultaneously operating subchambers in one cavity, which can lead to increased capacity.

[0022] In a second variant, which is compatible with the first, one or more preferably movable boundary walls are arranged in the cavity, which extend transversely to the axis at least in the region of the contour wall. At the beginning of the process, the positions of these boundary walls are set according to the length of the wood screws. The boundary walls are individually movable to limit the wood screws to a desired length, which corresponds, for example, to a packaging dimension. When using such boundary walls, the wood screws are preferably positioned in the cavity in step a).

[0023] In a preferred method, a conveyor system can transport the parallel-aligned wood screws into the collection channels or collection containers. For example, a conveyor belt can run through the cavity, either transporting collection containers there or directly serving as a collection channel. Alternatively, collection containers can also be pushed or transported on rollers. They can have a V- or U-shaped profile, at least within the contour wall. This ensures that the alignment of the wood screws is maintained.

[0024] A feeder device can also be provided for feeding a processing batch of wood screws to a location within the effective range of the formable magnetic field lines near the axis of the coil. This feeder device can comprise a vibrating table, a mechanical gripper, or a magnet-operated lifter for separating a processing batch of wood screws from a large quantity. The magnet can be an electromagnet or a permanent magnet. With a permanent magnet, the force acting on the wood screws is canceled out by creating a distance from them.

[0025] Depending on whether the axis of the straightening device is aligned horizontally or vertically, a conveyor system for removing the wood screws and a feeder device are designed differently.

[0026] When vertically aligned, the axis is aligned with the direction of fall of the wood screws, allowing them to fall into the cavity and then be collected in collection containers as they fall out. Alternatively, the wood screws can also be brought up into the cavity from below along the magnetic lines, allowing them to be fed in via a conveyor belt. They can be removed into collection containers located on either side of this conveyor belt.

[0027] If the axis is arranged horizontally, the supply can take place in front of or through the cavity.

[0028] When using alternating current, the wood screws are already demagnetized after the process. When using direct current, they must then undergo a demagnetization process, which can be achieved in just a few seconds. Short description of the drawings

[0029] The invention is illustrated below in various drawings and explained in more detail with the help of the reference numerals explained later. They show: Fig. 1 shows a schematic arrangement of the integration of the straightening device according to the invention in a manufacturing process of wood screws; Fig. 2a shows a schematic view of a possible embodiment of a straightening device; Fig. 2b shows a representation according to Fig. 2a with two subspaces; Fig. 2c a representation according to Fig. 2a , but in longitudinal section with movable boundary walls; Fig. 2, representation according to Fig. 2c , but viewed from above and with other boundary walls; Fig. 3 a schematic representation of a straightening device of the Fig. 2 in longitudinal section with magnetic field lines shown; Fig. 4 the individual process steps a) to d) when using the straightening device; Fig. 5 a possible design of a straightening device in a vertical arrangement. Ways to implement the invention

[0030] In Fig. 1A schematic representation of a production process for ferromagnetic wood screws 20 or other ferromagnetic metal rods such as general screws, nails, rivets, or the like is shown, which process comprises a straightening device 1 according to the invention. After their production in a production facility 30, the metal rods, in particular the wood screws 20, are collected in a bulk quantity 31, a portion of which is provided as a processing quantity 21 at a location 10 for alignment. This processing quantity 21 of wood screws 20 is finally aligned in the straightening device 1 and transported by a conveyor system 23 to a packaging station 32, in which the aligned wood screws 20 are packaged in packaging containers 33.

[0031] As long as the metal rods have good sliding properties, parallel alignment can be achieved easily, for example, by vibrating them in a narrow channel. This is generally not possible with wood screws 20 and becomes more difficult the longer they are. Their threads catch on each other to form clumps and are difficult to separate. This leads to production lines between the production system 30 and the packaging station 32 being blocked and only being able to continue with work after manual intervention. Therefore, according to the invention, a straightening device 1 is provided between them, as shown in Fig. 1 shown.

[0032] The view in Fig. 2a shows a frontal view of a straightening device 1 according to the invention, the Fig. 3 shows a longitudinal section thereof. The straightening device 1 comprises a coil 2 operable with direct or alternating current for generating a magnetic field, the magnetic field lines 7 of which are in Fig. 3The coil 2 can be connected to a control unit 3 provided with a power supply, in Fig. 2a The coil 2 has an axis 4 which is Fig. 2a into the paper. In Fig. 3 Axis 4 is shown in the plane of the paper. It runs parallel to the magnetic field lines 7.

[0033] Coil 2 has a cavity 5 extending around axis 4. This cavity 5 is defined by a contoured wall 6 that separates the coil 2. When current is applied to coil 2, closed magnetic field lines 7 are formed, which pass through the interior 5. For practical reasons, coil 2 can be completely enclosed by a housing, which is not shown here.

[0034] In the following, the straightening device 1 is described in connection with the method used with it.

[0035] In the Fig. 4The individual steps a) to d) of the method according to the invention are shown. This serves for the parallel alignment of strongly interlocking screws 20 made of metal, suitable for wood, chipboard or dowels, here called wooden screws 20, for later or simultaneous aligned packaging in packaging containers 33 provided later. The method steps are as follows: In step a), shown in Fig. 4a, a portion or processing quantity 21 of wood screws 20 is positioned at a location 10 within the effective range of the formable magnetic field lines 7 near the axis 4 of the coil 2. This location 10 is preferably higher than a coil center point, which is defined, for example, by its center of gravity. This location 10 can be inside the cavity 5 or in front of it, outside it. For this purpose, a feeder device 11 can be used, which can preferably comprise a vibrating table 40 and / or a robot arm, wherein the robot arm can retrieve a portion 21 from the large quantity 31 by means of a mechanical gripper 41 or by means of a lifter 42 provided with a magnet and bring it to the desired location 10. An electromagnet or a permanent magnet can be used as the magnet. By eliminating the magnetism on the lifter 42, the wood screws 20 finally fall off.This can be achieved by switching off an electromagnet or by creating a distance between the wood screws 20 and a permanent magnet.

[0036] Once the wood screws 20 are in the desired position 10, step b) can follow, shown in Fig. 4bIn this step, a predefined current profile is applied to the coil 2 to form magnetic field lines 7, so that the wood screws 20 are swirled into the cavity 5 by the magnetic effect. In doing so, they align themselves parallel to one another along the magnetic field lines 7 and finally adhere to the contour wall 6 in a parallel alignment. This happens because the wood screws 20 are metallic and therefore ferromagnetic. During this flight through the cavity 5 and to the contour wall 6, they are separated so that they finally lie parallel to one another on the contour wall 6. The longer the flight path, the more time remains for separation. In addition, the magnetic force for alignment is stronger the longer the wood screws 20 are. For wood screws 20 with a length of approximately 6 or 8 cm or more, preferably 10 cm or more, the magnetic force of the coil 2 overcomes the frictional forces between them when operated at approximately 130 A.Wood screws that are too short are not completely separated and aligned. This results in parts of the workpiece 21 being brought into the interior 5 and onto the contour wall 6 in an unaligned manner. The ratio of the length to the diameter of the wood screws 20 is also crucial. The larger this ratio, the better the wood screws 20 are separated. In the tests, a cavity 5 with an average width, length, and height of approximately 40 to 50 cm each was used.

[0037] The wood screws 20 are each positioned at preferred adhesion points 8 on the contour wall 6. These preferred adhesion points 8 are closer to the coil 2 than adjacent locations. Accordingly, the contour wall 6 can be shaped such that it has different distances from the coil 2 in order to collect the wood screws in step b) specifically at preferred adhesion points 8 that are closer to the coil 2 than adjacent locations. Adhesion points 8 are undesirable, particularly at an upper location of the contour wall 6. Fig. 2a These preferred adhesion points 8 are shown in particular on both sides of the contour wall 6 and below. Alternatively, the coil 2 can also be shaped such that the desired distances from the contour wall 5 are achieved everywhere.

[0038] In step c), shown in Fig. 4cIn the case of alternating current, the amplitude of the current profile at coil 8 is continuously reduced. In the case of direct current, the current intensity is continuously reduced accordingly. The wood screws 20 sink downwards due to their weight while maintaining their alignment along the contour wall 6 and can collect there. Alternatively, they can also be picked up directly after lowering on a conveyor system 23, for example, on a conveyor belt, and transported away, as described later in step d), preferably on a magnetic conveyor belt.

[0039] If a direct current profile is applied as the current profile in step b), which slowly decays in step c), or if residual magnetism of the wood screws 20 is still detected, the wood screws 20 can then be exposed to an alternating magnetic field with a decaying amplitude in order to demagnetize the wood screws 20.

[0040] Preferably, a collecting device 22 can be arranged to collect the wood screws 20 in step c). This can be designed as one or more collecting channels 9, which can be part of the contour wall 6. Such a collecting channel 9 is shown in Fig. 2a As a collecting device 22, one or more collecting containers 24 may alternatively or additionally be provided. These could, for example, be arranged in a collecting channel 9, as in Fig. 2a The collecting channels 9 and / or the collecting containers 24 are narrower than one-third, preferably narrower than one-quarter, of the diameter D in any horizontal dimension transverse to the axis 4. This ensures that the wood screws 20 maintain their parallel alignment. Preferably, they should be narrower than half the length of the wood screws 20.

[0041] After step c), all wood screws 20 are aligned and collected in the respective collecting devices 22.

[0042] In step d), as in Fig. 4d shown, the aligned wood screws 20 are removed, preferably to a packaging station 32. For this purpose, a conveyor system 23 can be used, which transports the wood screws 20 either directly or in collecting containers 24.

[0043] Steps a) to d) can be repeated until the process is interrupted. The next step a) can be performed concurrently with the previous step d) to save processing time.

[0044] The coil axis 4 can in particular run horizontally or vertically, as in the Figures 2a, b and 4. With a horizontal alignment, the processing quantity 21 in step a) is preferably brought to a location 10 outside the cavity 5. This lengthens the path traveled by the wood screws 20 to the contour wall 6, which promotes separation. Furthermore, it is easier to be able to arrange the feed completely outside the straightening device 1. In this case, one or more collecting channels 9 are preferably provided to collect the aligned wood screws 20 lowered in step c) in the contour wall 6. Two such collecting channels 9 are shown in Fig. 3b.

[0045] Otherwise, if axis 4 is vertical, as shown in Fig. 5, the processing quantity 21 can be brought in step a) either to a location below or above the coil 2, with the processing quantity 21 falling into the cavity in the latter case, and step b) then immediately following. Otherwise, the processing quantity 21 can be arranged below the cavity 5 or within it.

[0046] With the axis 4 aligned vertically, the preferred adhesion points 8 are preferably designed as collecting troughs 8 in the contour wall 6. Accordingly, a collecting container 24 should be located under each collecting trough 8, in which the wood screws 20 (not shown) can be collected in step c) in an upright position.

[0047] Alternatively, the conveyor system 23 for removing the aligned wood screws 22 can be configured as a magnetic conveyor belt (not shown) that runs beneath the straightening device 1 close to its contour wall 6 and holds the continuously descending wood screws 22, first at their lower end and then along their entire length. The conveyor system 23 can be inclined to facilitate the pick-up. Additionally or alternatively, a ramp can be arranged to ensure sliding between the contour wall 8 and the conveyor system 23 while maintaining alignment (not shown).

[0048] In the Figures 2b and 2c Two possible extensions to the straightening device 1 are shown. In a first variant according to Fig. 2bA partition wall 43 can be arranged in the cavity 5 to divide the cavity 5 into two separate sub-chambers 44. This allows, in step a), two processing sets 21 of identical or different types of wood screws 20 to be positioned at two locations 10. Each of the locations 10 is assigned to one of the sub-chambers 44 by being closer to it than to any other sub-chamber 44. This results in two simultaneously operating sub-chambers 44 in one cavity 5, in which, for example, different wood screws 20 can be aligned simultaneously. This allows capacity and flexibility to be increased.

[0049] In a second variant, shown in Fig. 2c and 2d, in the cavity 5, in addition to a partition wall 43 or alternatively thereto, one or more preferably movable boundary walls 45 are arranged, which extend transversely to the axis 4 at least in the region of the contour wall 6. At the beginning of the process, the positions of these boundary walls 45 are spaced from one another according to the length of the wood screws 20. The boundary walls 45 are individually movable. Their distance from one another can, for example, correspond to a packaging dimension of the wood screws 20. The boundary walls 45 do not have to be continuous. However, a rear boundary wall 45 can certainly be continuous so that the wood screws 20 do not penetrate through it. As in Fig. 2dAs shown, a front boundary wall 45, which lies between the point 10 for the machining quantity 21 and the rear boundary wall 45, can preferably curve in a funnel shape toward the point 10 to ensure that all wood screws 20 adhere to the contour wall 6 after being swirled between the boundary walls 45. Alternatively, it may be advantageous in this case to provide the point 10 for the machining quantity 21 in the cavity 5 itself.

[0050] The use of such boundary walls 45 can simplify packaging in the later step. List of reference symbols

[0051] 1Straightening device 2Coil 3A control system provided with a power supply 4Axis of the coil, runs through its center of gravity (coil center) 5Cavity 6Contour wall 7Magnetic field lines 8Preferred holding point, collecting trough 9Collecting channel 10Point in the area of ​​the axis of the coil and in the area of ​​effect of the magnetic field lines 11Feeder device 20Wood screws, ferromagnetic 21Processing quantity, portion 22Collection device 23Conveyor system for removing straightened wood screws 24Collection container 30Production system 31Bulk quantity 32Packaging station 33Packaging container 40Vibrating table 41Gripper, mechanically operated 42Lifter, operated with an electromagnet 43Partition wall 44Partition space 45Limiting wall, movable DSmallest diameter of the contour wall, which is defined by the axis and the Coil center runs

Claims

1. A method for the parallel alignment of easily entangling screws of ferromagnetic material, which are suitable for wood, particle boards or screw anchors and referred to as wood screws (20) below, for the subsequent or simultaneous aligned packaging into packaging containers (33) by using an aligning apparatus (1) that is provided in the desired manner and comprises a coil (2), which can be operated with an electric alternating or direct current and has an axis (4) and a coil center, wherein the axis (4) extends through a cavity (5) of the coil (2), which is delimited toward the coil (2) with a contour wall (6), and wherein closed magnetic field lines (7), which traverse the cavity (5) parallel to the axis (5), are produced when the coil (2) is acted upon with a current, with said method comprising the following steps: a) positioning a batch (21) of wood screws (20) to be processed at a location (10) in the effective range of the producible magnetic field lines (7) near the axis (4) of the coil (2), wherein the location (10) preferably is positioned higher than the coil center; b) applying a predefined current profile to the coil (2) in order to produce magnetic field lines (7) such that the wood screws (20) swirl into the cavity (5) due to the magnetic effect, in the process align parallel to one another lengthwise along the magnetic field lines (7) and ultimately adhere on the contour wall (8) in parallel alignment to one another; c) continuously lowering the current profile on the coil (2), wherein the wood screws (20) move downward along the contour wall (6) due to their own weight and preferably accumulate in this lowered position while their alignment is preserved; d) transporting away the aligned wood screws (20), preferably to a packaging station (32); wherein steps a) to d) are repeated until the method is interrupted and the next step a) can be carried out simultaneously with the last step d).

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the current profile either consists of alternating current pulses with decaying amplitude in step c), preferably also in step b), or of a direct current profile, which slowly decays in step c), in step b), and in that the wood screws are then preferably subjected to an alternating magnetic field with decaying amplitude for demagnetization (20).

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the contour wall (6) has different distances from the coil (2) in order to purposefully accumulate the wood screws (20) at preferred adhesion points (8), which lie closer to the coil (2) than adjacent locations, in step b).

4. The method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one or more collecting devices (22), in which the wood screws (20) accumulate after step c) and before being transported away, are arranged underneath the preferred adhesion points (8) referred to the sliding or falling direction.

5. The method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one partition wall (43) is arranged in the cavity (5) in order to divide the cavity (5) into at least two separate partial cavities (44), wherein at least two batches (21) of identical or different wood screws (20) to be processed are positioned in at least two locations (10) in step a), and wherein each partial cavity (44) is clearly assigned a different location (10) that lies closest to the respective partial cavity (44).

6. The method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one or more boundary walls (45), which preferably can be displaced and extend transverse to the axis (4) at least in the region of the contour wall (6), are arranged in the cavity (5), characterized in that the positions of these boundary walls (45) are arranged in accordance with the length of the wood screws (20) at the beginning of the method.

7. The method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wood screws (20) are transported away with a conveyor system (23) and / or in collecting containers (24) in step d).

8. The method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the axis (4) is aligned horizontally and the batch (21) to be processed preferably is moved to a location (10) outside the cavity (5) in step a).

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, for axially transporting away the wood screws in step d), the bottom of the contour wall (6) has one or more collecting channels (9) for collecting the aligned wood screws (20) lowered in step c).

10. The method according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the axis (4) is aligned vertically and the batch to be processed is either moved to a location (10) underneath or above the coil (2) in step a), wherein the batch (21) to be processed can drop into the cavity (5) in the second case and step b) is carried out immediately thereafter, wherein the contour wall (5) preferably has multiple collecting troughs (8), which serve as preferred adhesion points (8) in step b) and are arranged closer to the coil (2) than adjacent locations, and wherein a collecting container (24), in which the wood screws (20) are collected in an upright manner in step c), preferably is located underneath each collecting trough (8).

11. An aligning apparatus (1) for the parallel alignment of easily entangling screws (20) of metal, which are suitable for wood, particle boards or screw anchors and referred to as wood screws (20) below, for the subsequent or simultaneous aligned packaging into packaging containers (33), comprising a coil (2) with an axis (2) extending through a cavity (5) of the coil (2), which is delimited toward the coil (2) with a contour wall (6) and has a smallest diameter D, and a feed and control unit (3) that is electrically connected to the coil (2) in order to act upon the coil (2) with an alternating current and / or direct current such that closed magnetic field lines (7) traversing the interior (5) can be produced during the operation of the apparatus, wherein the contour wall (6) has one or more preferred adhesion points (8) that are located closer to the coil (2) than adjacent regions in the contour wall (6), characterized in that one or more collecting channels (9) and / or collecting containers (24), which are narrower than one-third, preferably narrower than one-fourth, of the diameter D in any horizontal extent transverse to the axis, are arranged underneath these preferred adhesion points (8).

12. The aligning apparatus (1) according to claim 11, characterized by a conveyor system (23) for transporting away the wood screws (20) aligned in parallel in the collecting channels (9) or collecting containers (24).

13. The aligning apparatus (1) according to claim 11 or 12, characterized by a feeder device (11) for feeding a batch (21) of wood screws (20) to be processed to a location (10) in the effective range of the producible magnetic field lines (7) near the axis (4) of the coil (2), wherein the feeder device (11) preferably comprises a vibrating table (40), a mechanical gripper (41) or magnetically operable lifting equipment (42) for separating a batch of wood screws to be processed from a large batch (31).

14. The aligning apparatus (1) according to one of claims 11 to 13, characterized by at least one partition wall (43) in the cavity (5) in order to separate the cavity (5) into at least two separate partial cavities (44).

15. The aligning apparatus (1) according to one of claims 11 to 14, characterized by one or more displaceable boundary walls (45) in the cavity (5), wherein said boundary walls extend transverse to the axis (2) at least in the region of the contour wall (6).