Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for converting a multi-row stream row of upright articles, such as bottles, into a single row. The apparatus includes a rectilinear supply conveyor for supplying the upright articles in adjacent rows, a rotating conical surface located adjacent to the supply conveyor which receives the articles from the supply conveyor, a removal conveyor, and a frame-fixed guide surface extending spirally outwardly along the conical surface in the direction of rotation of the conical surface. The supply conveyor having a guide surface which extends in an arc at an end region in a direction opposite to a spiral arc of the frame-fixed guide surface and which merges into the spiral arc of the frame-fixed guide surface for continuous supply of upright articles to the conical surface. The guide surface of the supply conveyor extends radially inwardly towards a center of the conical surface and terminates radially inwardly of an outer peripheral edge of the conical surface.
Abstract: An apparatus for converting a multi-row stream of upright articles into a single row comprises a rectilinear supply conveyor provided with guide surfaces, an intermediate conveyor consisting of a rotating surface, a removal conveyor, and a frame-fixed guide surface which, in the direction of rotation of the rotating surface, extends spirally outwardly and intercepts the articles. The rotating surface of the intermediate conveyor is a planar disc. Between the supply conveyor and the intermediate conveyor, two parallel guide surfaces are provided. One of the guide surfaces extends in an arc opposite to the spiral arc of the frame-fixed guide surface in a direction towards the center of the disc, and thereafter merges into the spiral arc of the fixed frame guide surface.