| 摘要 |
An apparatus for counting and grouping articles has a discharge end through which the articles are discharged in consecutive groups, each having a predetermined number of articles; a first conveyor carrying the articles in random distribution; a second conveyor having a plurality of parallel-arranged counting channels; a transfer arrangement for advancing the articles onto the counting channels from the first conveyor; a counter associated with each counting channel to monitor, from a zero count, the total number of articles passing the counter in the second conveyor to determine article groups having a predetermined number of articles; and a third conveyor having pusher assemblies associated with each counting channel for cyclically taking over the conveyance of the articles from the second conveyor at a location which is downstream of the counter as viewed in the conveying direction of the articles. The apparatus further includes an arresting device which, in the event an incomplete group is present in the counting channels, blocks the advance of the articles towards the discharge end and a switch-over device which sets the pusher assemblies into a withdrawn, inoperative state in the presence of such incomplete group. The arresting device allows the articles to proceed and the pusher assemblies are placed into their normal, article-engaging state when, as sensed by the counter, the incomplete group - by continuing conveyance on the second conveyor - reaches the predetermined number of articles.
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