Apparatus for arranging articles in a predetermined manner and method of making same

摘要

Randomly oriented articles of roughly equal size are arranged in a predetermined pattern employing an apparatus which comprises a device for receiving the articles and disposing same in at least one substantially rectilinear row and in a single layer thereof, an accumulator for receiving the articles from the row with the accumulator having a moving apparatus for moving the articles therethrough and a cooperating gate system for controlling the articles moving through the accumulator, and a collection device for collecting the articles from the accumulator wherein the gate system alone or cooperating with the moving apparatus provides improved control of any desired number of articles through the accumulator.