Container arrangement pitch adjustment device

Abstract

To provide a container arrangement pitch adjusting device capable of reducing risk in which a container falls down, and of dealing with change of a container shape or the like as well, even in pitch adjustment conveyance of the container with high capacity.SOLUTION: An upper propeller pair and a lower propeller pair according to each propeller set are located at a constant angular difference during feed-in posture with which a container reaches a pitch adjustment line, thereby suppressing traveling by either the upper propeller pair or the lower propeller pair coming into contact with the container, and suppressing a subsequent container from traveling while the other propeller pair nips the container with one propeller pair in between. The upper propeller pair and the lower propeller pair rotate during feed-out conveyance while holding the constant angular difference, and the other propeller pair reaches the pitch adjustment line via rotation during feed-out posture. One propeller pair rotates to a position capable of nipping the container at the constant angular difference with the other propeller pair to open a travel direction of the container, and subsequently returns to a state during the feed-in posture again. The foregoing series of operations are repeated.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a container arrangement pitch adjustment device that conveys a row of containers on the upstream side of a transport conveyor as a row of containers on the downstream side at a predetermined pitch interval. [Background technology]

[0002] As a container supplying device that transports a row of containers on the upstream side of a transport conveyor to the downstream side at a specified pitch, a device is used in which a screw with a spiral groove is installed parallel to the container transport conveyor, and the screw is rotated while the row of containers moving from upstream enter the spiral groove of the screw one by one and are transported downstream (see Patent Document 1).

[0003] However, with this device, it was necessary to manufacture a screw with a groove that corresponded to the type of container and the pitch of the arrangement of the container row for which the pitch was to be adjusted each time, and there was a problem that when handling a wide variety of containers, a large number of replacement parts had to be manufactured and stored.In addition, the screw had to be replaced and adjusted every time the type of container or the pitch of the arrangement was changed, and furthermore, as the containers moved horizontally on the conveyor as they rotated, the surfaces of the containers were rubbed against each other, causing scratches.

[0004] Therefore, instead of the conventional screw or other configuration, the applicant has developed a pitch adjustment device that uses a pair of propellers arranged on either side of a transport conveyor, and controls and rotates two drive units that are driven independently of each other to change the upstream row of containers into a container arrangement with a predetermined pitch interval and send them out downstream, with the device being highly flexible and able to respond to changes in container shape using software (see Patent Document 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2005-212949 A (Pages 2 and 3, Figure 1) [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 5481674 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] According to the pitch adjustment device of the above-mentioned Patent No. 5481674, the type change work for replacing parts such as screws is not necessary, and damage to containers can be minimized. However, the pair of propellers of this pitch adjustment device rotates at a predetermined pitch interval to pass a container after one propeller stopped at the stop line position in the conveying direction temporarily blocks the conveying of the row of containers, and the other propeller in the opposite conveying direction rotates to the stop line position and stops the leading container at the stop line position, and the one propeller that has passed the container rotates widely to pinch the leading container from the rear and stop the following container, so that each propeller rotates at a different timing, and the rotation of the propellers is suddenly accelerated and decelerated. As a result, the containers being conveyed also pulsate, and there is a possibility that the containers will fall over. In particular, when conveying with high capacity while adjusting the pitch, the probability of the containers falling over increases.

[0007] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a container arrangement pitch adjustment device that can significantly reduce the risk of containers falling over even when containers are transported at high capacity with pitch adjustment, and can more easily accommodate changes in the shape, etc. of the container. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The container arrangement pitch adjustment device according to claim 1 of the present invention is a pitch adjustment device that sends out containers transported on the transport path of a transport conveyor at a predetermined pitch interval downstream, and two propeller sets having the same type of upper and lower propellers that rotate in a horizontal plane on concentric rotating shafts are opposed to each other across the transport path of the transport conveyor, and the upper propellers of each propeller set are paired and the lower propellers of each propeller set are paired, and each of the upper propellers of the pair and the lower propellers of the pair are line-symmetrical with respect to the center line of the transport path. a propeller arrangement unit located at a position on the conveyor path and arranged to always rotate in opposite directions to each other in accordance with the traveling direction of the conveyor; an upper propeller drive unit that rotates an upper propeller of the pair of propeller arrangement units and a lower propeller drive unit that rotates a lower propeller of the pair of propeller arrangement units by a control signal; and a control unit that transmits the control signal to the upper propeller drive unit and the lower propeller drive unit. When in this position, the upper and lower propellers in each propeller set are positioned at a certain angle θ, and either the upper propeller or the lower propeller of the pair that has rotated to the pitch adjustment line abuts against the container in the conveying direction to suppress its progress, and the other pair of propellers is positioned between the container and the succeeding container to sandwich the container between the one pair of propellers from the opposite conveying direction and suppress the progress of the succeeding container, and during the unwinding conveyance in which the container advances along the pitch adjustment line, In each propeller set, the upper and lower propellers rotate while maintaining a constant angular difference θ, and when the container is in the unrolled position and goes beyond the pitch adjustment line, the other pair of propellers rotates to reach the pitch adjustment line, and the one propeller rotates with the other pair of propellers at a constant angular difference θ to a position where it can clamp the container V, thereby opening the direction of travel of the container, and then returns to the state it was in when in the roll-in position.This series of actions is repeated to perform pitch adjustment.

[0009] The upper and lower propellers are each formed in a spindle shape symmetrical about their long and short axes, and are disposed with the center where the long and short axes intersect as the center of rotation.

[0010] Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that guide rail portions for guiding the unloading and transport of containers are provided on both sides of the transport path of the transport conveyor.

[0011] Furthermore, the control unit stores in a memory unit the constant angle difference θ between the upper propeller and the lower propeller in each propeller set, which is determined taking into account the shape of the container and the distance between the rotation shafts of both propeller sets, and transmits control signals to the upper propeller drive unit and the lower propeller drive unit to control the rotational drive of the upper propeller and the lower propeller taking into account the constant angle difference θ in accordance with the diameter of the container being transported. Effect of the Invention

[0012] According to the container arrangement pitch adjustment device of the present invention, even if the spaces between containers in a row of containers are clogged upstream of the conveying path, a pair of upper propellers and a pair of lower propellers work together to surround each container that reaches the pitch adjustment line, separate it from the following containers, and guide and convey it, and then release it when it crosses the pitch adjustment line, so that it can easily be sent downstream at a specified pitch interval.

[0013] Furthermore, both the pair of upper propellers and the pair of lower propellers rotate continuously without stopping, separating the containers that have advanced to the pitch adjustment line from the following containers and guiding them one by one, and until they are opened, they abut approximately equally on both sides in the conveying direction and counter-conveying direction of the container, thereby avoiding problems such as pulsation of the container being opened.

[0014] Furthermore, by providing a guide rail section, the containers can be aligned one by one and brought to the pitch adjustment line, where they can be transported downstream without pulsation or falling over.

[0015] In addition, the pair of upper propellers and the pair of lower propellers are each formed in a spindle shape symmetrical with the long and short axes, and are arranged with the center where the long and short axes intersect as the center of rotation, so by rotating both ends in the long axis direction to contribute alternately to pitch adjustment, the rotation angle can be reduced and controlled, making the drive for pitch adjustment smooth. Also, by abutting the pointed parts at both ends of the spindle-shaped long axis against the container, it can be performed with as little pressure as possible, and the rotation direction is aligned with the direction of travel of the conveyor that transports the container, so there is no risk of scratching the surface of the container.

[0016] Furthermore, by storing the constant angle difference θ determined in consideration of the shape of the container and the distance between the rotation axes of both propeller sets in a storage unit, the control unit can transmit control signals for controlling the rotation drive of the upper propeller and the lower propeller to the upper propeller drive unit and the lower propeller drive unit, taking into consideration the constant angle difference θ based on the shape of the container and the input-set running speed and pitch length of the conveyor, even if the shape of the container changes, for example, to a diameter size or an ellipse. In other words, various containers can be handled by software by simply changing the settings of the data. Mechanical type change work is no longer necessary, and a decrease in the operating rate can be suppressed. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] (A) Plan view and (B) side view showing the main parts of the container arrangement pitch adjustment device [Diagram 2] An explanatory diagram of the main part showing the drive unit of the container arrangement pitch adjustment device [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an area on a conveying path that contributes to pitch adjustment in a container arrangement pitch device; [Figure 4] An explanatory diagram of the angular relationship and arrangement of the two upper and lower propellers that make up each propeller set in each of the positions of container loading, container transport, and container unloading for three container diameters. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] The container arrangement pitch adjustment device (hereinafter referred to as the pitch adjustment device) of this embodiment is provided on a conveying conveyor mechanism 50 of a known configuration that is capable of rotating a conveying conveyor 51 that forms a conveying path 52 for containers V, as shown in Figures 1(A) and (B), and this pitch adjustment device conveys containers V that have arrived in a row from the upstream side with no container gaps between them to the downstream side at a predetermined pitch.

[0019] The pitch adjustment device of this embodiment has two propeller sets 1 (elements constituting each set are labeled A and B, respectively) each equipped with an upper propeller 2 and a lower propeller 3 that rotate in a horizontal plane on concentric rotating shafts 4A, 5A, 4B, 5B and directly act to separate the transported container V. The two propeller sets 1A, 1B face each other across the transport path 52 of the transport conveyor mechanism 50, with the upper propellers 2A, 2B of each propeller set 1A, 1B paired and the lower propellers 3A, 3B of each propeller set paired, with the pair of upper propellers 2A, 2B and the pair of lower propellers 3A, 3B positioned line-symmetrically with respect to the transport path 52 and arranged to continuously rotate in opposite directions to each other in accordance with the running direction of the transport conveyor 51.

[0020] In this embodiment, each of the upper propellers 2A, 2B and the lower propellers 3A, 3B is formed of a plate member having a spindle shape symmetrical with respect to the long and short axes, and is arranged with the center where the long and short axes intersect as the center of rotation. The pair of upper propellers 2A, 2B and the pair of lower propellers 3A, 3B are stacked vertically on concentric rotation axes 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B in each propeller set 1A, 1B, and are arranged facing the height position of the body part of the container V to be transported above the conveying path 50. The pair of upper propellers 2A, 2B and the pair of lower propellers 3A, 3B are arranged so that when the long axes are positioned perpendicular to the conveying path 50, both ends of the respective tips do not intersect and are located near the center of the conveying path 50. In addition, the line on the conveying path where the long axes of the pair of upper propellers 2A, 2B and the pair of lower propellers 3A, 3B facing each other across the conveying path 50 are positioned in a straight line is defined as the pitch adjustment line L.

[0021] 2, the pitch adjustment device includes propeller driving units 11, 12 that rotationally drive the pair of upper propellers 2A, 2B and the pair of lower propellers 3A, 3B of the propeller sets 1A, 1B. In this embodiment, the propeller driving units 11, 12 are configured as an upper propeller driving unit 11 that rotationally drives the pair of upper propellers 2A, 2B via their respective shafts (rotating shafts) 4A, 4B, and a lower propeller driving unit 12 that rotationally drives the pair of lower propellers 3A, 3B via their respective shafts (rotating shafts) 5A, 5B, in response to a control signal transmitted from a control unit 21.

[0022] In the pitch adjustment device of this embodiment, one pair of propellers (lower propellers 3A, 3B in FIG. 2) are provided at the upper ends of hollow, large-diameter shafts (rotating shafts) 5A, 5B that are rotatably arranged in bearing cases 13A, 13B that are vertically mounted on a base 55 on which a transfer conveyor mechanism 50 is mounted. Each shaft 5A, 5B is connected to one lower propeller drive unit 12 via a connecting drive member 17. As a result, the lower propellers 3A, 3B are configured to rotate in pairs at the same angle and speed in opposite directions together with the respective shafts 5A, 5B by the rotational force transmitted via the connecting drive member 17 by the drive of the common lower propeller drive unit 12.

[0023] The other pair of propellers (upper propellers 2A and 2B in FIG. 2) are provided at the upper ends of rod-shaped shafts 4A and 4B that are rotatably provided in large-diameter hollow shafts (rotating shafts) 5A and 5B for the lower propellers 3A and 3B that are provided in the bearing cases 13A and 13B. Each shaft 4A and 4B is connected to one upper propeller drive unit 11 via a connecting drive member 16. As a result, the upper propellers 2A and 2B are configured to rotate in pairs with each of the shafts 4A and 4B at the same angle and speed in opposite directions by the rotational force transmitted via the connecting drive member 16 by the drive of the common upper propeller drive unit 11.

[0024] In this embodiment, the upper propeller drive unit 11 and the lower propeller drive unit 12 use motors suitable for positioning control (servo motors, stepping motors, etc.), and the connecting drive members 16, 17 use toothed belts that mesh with the toothed portions 4Aa, 4Ba, 5Aa, 5Ba provided on the lower ends of the outer surfaces of the respective shafts 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B and the toothed portions 11a, 12a provided on the rotating shafts 11b, 12b of the motors 11, 12, and can transmit the rotational force of the motors 11, 12.

[0025] In addition, when the upper propeller drive unit 11 and the lower propeller drive unit 12 are attached to the base 55, the positions of each shaft 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B together with the bearing case 13 can be adjusted by moving them in a direction perpendicular to or parallel to the conveying path 50 of the conveying conveyor 51.

[0026] A control unit 21 is connected to the upper propeller drive unit 11 and the lower propeller drive unit 12 so as to be able to transmit and receive data. The control unit 21 is made up of a CPU 22, a storage unit 23, a data output unit 24, an input display unit 25, a bus 26 connecting these units, and the like.

[0027] A constant angle difference θ between the major axes of the upper propellers 2A, 2B and the lower propellers 3A, 3B in each propeller set 1A, 1B is stored in the memory unit 23, which is determined taking into consideration the shape of the container V and the distance between the centers of the rotation shafts 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B of the propeller sets 1A, 1B. The CPU 22 then takes into consideration at least the constant angle difference θ and generates a control signal for controlling the rotational drive of the upper propellers 2A, 2B and the lower propellers 3A, 3B based on the running speed of the transfer conveyor 51 input and set via the input / display unit 25, the set pitch length, and the shape of the container V, and the data output unit 24 transmits the control signal to the upper propeller drive unit 11 and the lower propeller drive unit 12.

[0028] Also, guide rail sections for guiding the unwinding and transport of the containers V are arranged on both sides of the transport path 50 so that the containers V move in the width center of the conveyor 50. The guide rail sections 60 are composed of two pairs of round bars 61, 62 arranged on either side of the transport path 50, with the pair of round bars 61A, 61B arranged above the upper propellers 2A, 2B and the other pair of round bars 62A, 62B arranged below the lower propellers 3A, 3B, and the upper propellers 2A, 2B and the lower propellers 3A, 3B are configured to rotate horizontally between the two pairs of round bars 61A, 61B and 62A, 62B arranged vertically, totaling four, to transport the containers V and adjust the pitch.

[0029] Between each pair of round bars 61A, 61B of the guide rail section 60, there is provided a guide rail position adjustment means (not shown) for adjusting the position in the direction perpendicular to the conveying path 50 in accordance with the gap width through which the container V passes, i.e., the width of the conveying path 50 determined by the size and shape of the outer periphery of the container V. The guide rail section 60 is not limited to the round bars 61A, 61B, 62A, 62B as described above, but the round bars 61A, 61B, 62A, 62B have the advantage that they can be guided by reducing the contact area with the container V being conveyed.

[0030] Here, the pitch adjustment in the pitch adjustment device of this embodiment will be described. As shown in Fig. 3, the pitch adjustment device of this embodiment adjusts the pitch in a region from where the front end of the container V located downstream of the container V, which is transported on the transport path 50 in a so-called push-push state with no container interval, reaches the pitch adjustment line L (this time is called the feed-in posture), passes over the pitch adjustment line L (this time is called the feed-out transport), and where the rear end of the container V located upstream of the container V crosses the pitch adjustment line L (this time is called the feed-out posture). In other words, the region of one container V on each of the upstream and downstream sides of the pitch adjustment line L on the transport path 50 is the pitch adjustment region R that contributes to the pitch adjustment.

[0031] In this pitch adjustment region R, the rotation of the upper propellers 2A, 2B and the lower propellers 3A, 3B of the pair of propeller sets 1A, 1B is controlled by a control signal from the control unit 21 so as to send the container V downstream at the set pitch distance while maintaining the constant angle difference θ corresponding to the diameter of the container V being transported.

[0032] Next, the rotational driving of the pair of upper propellers 2A, 2B and the pair of lower propellers 3A, 3B by control signals from the control unit 21 in this embodiment will be described.

[0033] 4 is a diagram for explaining the rotational drive and postures of the pair of upper propellers 2A, 2B and the pair of lower propellers 3A, 3B in the feeding posture, during feeding transport, and in the feeding posture for three types of containers V having diameters of 80 mm, 60 mm, and 40 mm. In this embodiment, the constant angle difference θ for each of the three types of containers V having diameters of 80 mm, 60 mm, and 40 mm is previously obtained and is set to 59.5°, 42.7°, and 27.6°, respectively.

[0034] As described above, due to the different diameters of the containers V, the constant angle difference θ maintained by the pair of upper propellers 2A, 2B and the pair of lower propellers 3A, 3B in each propeller set 1A, 1B in the pitch adjustment region R also differs. However, the CPU of the control unit 21 takes into account the constant angle difference θ applied to the set diameter of the container V and generates a control signal for controlling the rotational drive of the pair of upper propellers 2A, 2B and the pair of lower propellers 3A, 3B based on the running speed and pitch length of the conveyor 50, the data output unit 24 transmits the control signal to the upper propeller drive unit 11 and the lower propeller drive unit 12, and the upper propeller drive unit 11 and the lower propeller drive unit 12 rotate the pair of upper propellers 2A, 2B and the pair of lower propellers 3A, 3B to a predetermined position and at a predetermined speed based on the control signal. These are common to all of these.

[0035] In this embodiment, a method is adopted in which the rotation angle of the drive motor of the conveyor 50 that transports the container V is input into a converter at predetermined time intervals, and the converted output value is received to determine the distance (pitch length) traveled by the container V, or a method is adopted in which a separate rotary encoder is provided to determine the distance (pitch length) traveled by the container V, and the container V is controlled to be sent out at the set pitch length.

[0036] When the container V to be subjected to pitch adjustment reaches the pitch adjustment line L set on the conveying path 50 in the loading position, the pair of upper propellers 2A, 2B and the pair of lower propellers 3A, 3B of each propeller set 1A, 1B are positioned at a constant angle difference θ determined for each diameter of the container V.

[0037] Specifically, motors suitable for positioning control are used as the upper propeller drive unit 11 and the lower propeller drive unit 12, and during the feed-in posture, one of the pair of propellers, either the upper propellers 2A, 2B or the lower propellers 3A, 3B (in Figure 4, the lower propellers 3A, 3B), is positioned on the pitch adjustment line L, and the other pair of propellers (in Figure 4, the upper propellers 2A, 2B) is positioned upstream of the pitch adjustment line L at a certain angle difference θ.

[0038] As a result, the propellers 3A, 3B of one of the pairs, either the upper propellers 2A, 2B of the pair or the lower propellers 3A, 3B of the pair that have rotated toward the pitch adjustment line L, abut against the container V that has reached the pitch adjustment line L in the conveying direction, suppressing its progress, and the propellers 2A, 2B of the other pair are positioned on the conveying path 50, one container V upstream from the pitch adjustment line L, between the container V and the subsequent container V, and sandwich the container V between the propellers 3A, 3B of the other pair from the counter-conveying direction, suppressing the progress of the subsequent container V.

[0039] Subsequently, during the unwinding transport of the container V along the pitch adjustment line L, the pair of upper propellers 2A, 2B and the pair of lower propellers 3A, 3B in each propeller set 1A, 1B rotate to send the container V in the transport direction while maintaining a constant angle difference θ.

[0040] The rotational speeds of the pair of upper propellers 2A, 2B and the pair of lower propellers 3A, 3B during this unwinding transport are determined by the CPU 22 based on the travel speed of the conveyor 50, the inputted and set pitch interval, and other numerical values. Of course, the rotational speeds based on the travel speed of the conveyor 50 and the pitch interval may be stored in the memory unit 23 in advance.

[0041] Then, when the container V is in the unwinding posture where it crosses the pitch adjustment line L, the other pair of propellers 2A, 2B rotate at the same rotational speed as during unwinding and conveyance to reach the pitch adjustment line L, and when the other pair of propellers 2A, 2B reach the pitch adjustment line L, the one pair of propellers 3A, 3B releases the direction of travel of the container V, and rotates to a position where it can clamp the container V, returning to the state of the feed-in posture, while again setting the angle difference with the other pair of propellers 2A, 2B when clamping the container V to a constant angle difference θ. In other words, at this time, the one pair of propellers 3A, 3B rotates so that both ends of the long axis are alternately used for each container V to contribute to pitch adjustment. Then, the series of operations is repeated.

[0042] Through this series of operations, containers V transported from the upstream side of the conveying path 50 to the pitch adjustment line L are enclosed one by one in the pitch adjustment area R between a pair of upper propellers 2A, 2B and a pair of lower propellers 3A, 3B, and are transported separated from the following containers V, and are sent out downstream across the pitch adjustment line L at a predetermined pitch interval.

[0043] At this time, the pair of upper propellers 2A, 2B and the pair of lower propellers 3A, 3B both rotate continuously without stopping, and in the pitch adjustment region R, they abut against the container V approximately equally from both sides, upstream and downstream, in the transport direction of the container V, thereby avoiding problems such as pulsation of the container V being opened.

[0044] In addition, the pair of upper propellers 2A, 2B and the pair of lower propellers are each formed in a spindle shape symmetrical about their long and short axes and are arranged with the center where the long and short axes intersect as the center of rotation, so that by rotating both ends in the long axis direction so as to contribute alternately to pitch adjustment, the rotation angle can be reduced and controlled, and rotation drive for pitch adjustment can be made smooth in a short time. In addition, since the pointed parts at both ends of the spindle-shaped long axis abut against the container V, excessive pressure is not applied to the container V, and the rotation direction is aligned with the traveling direction of the conveyor 50 that transports the container V, so the surface of the container V is not scratched.

[0045] Furthermore, by storing in the memory unit 23 the constant angle difference θ determined in consideration of the shape of the container V and the distance between the rotation shafts 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B of both propeller sets 1A, 1B, the control unit 21 can easily generate a control signal for controlling the rotation of the pair of upper propellers 2A, 2B and the pair of lower propellers 3A, 3B in consideration of the running speed and pitch length of the conveyor 50. In other words, various containers V can be handled by software, mechanical type change work is unnecessary, and a decrease in the operating rate can be suppressed.

[0046] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] θ Angle difference (stop position angle) V container L Pitch adjustment line R Pitch Adjustment Area 1 Propeller set (The two propeller sets are labeled A and B, and the following components installed in each propeller set are also labeled A and B.) 2 Upper Propeller 3 Lower Propeller 4 (Upper propeller) shaft (rotating axis) 5. Shaft (rotating shaft) (of the lower propeller) 11 Propeller drive (for upper propeller) 12 (lower propeller) propeller drive 13 Bearing case 16 (Upper propeller) connecting drive member 17 (Lower propeller) connecting drive member 21 Control section 22 CPU 23 Memory section 24 Data output section 25 Input display section 26 BUS 50 Conveyor mechanism for transport 51 Conveyor 52 Transport Path 55 Foundation 60 Guide rail part 61 (Upper) round bar 62 (Lower) Round Bar

Claims

1. A pitch adjustment device that sends out containers conveyed on a conveying path of a conveyor downstream at a predetermined pitch interval, a propeller arrangement section in which two propeller sets, each having an upper propeller and a lower propeller of the same type that rotate on a concentric rotation axis in a horizontal plane, are arranged opposite each other across the transport path of the transport conveyor, the upper propellers of each propeller set are paired and the lower propellers of each propeller set are paired, the upper propellers of the pair and the lower propellers of the pair are each positioned line-symmetrically with respect to the center line of the transport path, and are arranged so as to always rotate in opposite directions to each other in accordance with the traveling direction of the transport conveyor; an upper propeller drive unit that rotates an upper propeller of the pair of the propeller arrangement units by a control signal, and a lower propeller drive unit that rotates a lower propeller of the pair of the propeller arrangement units; a control unit that transmits the control signal to the upper propeller drive unit and the lower propeller drive unit, When a container to be subjected to pitch adjustment is in a feed-in position on the pitch adjustment line, the upper propeller and the lower propeller in each propeller set are positioned at a certain angle θ, and one of the propellers, either the upper propeller of the pair or the lower propeller of the pair that has rotated to the pitch adjustment line, abuts against the container in the conveying direction to suppress its advancement, and the other pair of propellers is positioned between the container and the succeeding container to sandwich the container between the one pair of propellers from the counter-conveying direction and suppress the advancement of the succeeding container, When the container is being fed along the pitch adjustment line, the upper propeller and the lower propeller in each propeller set rotate while maintaining a constant angle difference θ. When the container is in the unwinding posture where it crosses the pitch adjustment line, the other pair of propellers rotates to reach the pitch adjustment line, and the one propeller rotates with the other pair of propellers at a certain angle difference θ to a position where it can clamp the container, thereby releasing the traveling direction of the container, and then returns to the state of the loading posture. The container arrangement pitch adjustment device adjusts the pitch by repeating this series of operations.

2. The container arrangement pitch adjustment device as described in claim 1, characterized in that each of the upper propellers and each of the lower propellers are formed in a spindle shape symmetrical about their long and short axes, and are arranged with the center where the long and short axes intersect as the center of rotation.

3. 3. The container arrangement pitch adjustment device according to claim 1, further comprising guide rails arranged on both sides of the transport path of the transport conveyor for guiding the containers as they are fed out.

4. The container arrangement pitch adjustment device described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the control unit stores in a memory unit the constant angle difference θ between the upper propeller and the lower propeller in each propeller set, which is determined taking into account the shape of the container and the distance between the rotation shafts of the two propeller sets, and transmits control signals to the upper propeller drive unit and the lower propeller drive unit for controlling the rotational drive of the upper propeller and the lower propeller taking into account the constant angle difference θ in accordance with the diameter of the container being transported.

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