Importance

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Abstract

A method, where a verification of positioning of articles (3) is effected by means of sensors (14), and an improvement of positioning is effected by aligning a plane of end faces of the articles (3), consists in that the verification and improvement of positioning of rod-like articles (3) is effected simultaneously by means of an aligning device (1) provided with sensors (14), where the sensors (14) detect correct filling and/or arrangement of the articles (3), and the aligning device (1) aligns the plane of end faces of the articles (3) correctly filling the inside of a tray (6, 6′) or an intermediate store (7,7′), and in the event of detection of incorrect filling and/or arrangement the aligning device (1) is switched off and the operation of the entire unit is interrupted. An apparatus for using the method has an aligning device (1) in the form of a plate (2) coming in contact with end faces of the articles (3), provided with at least one sensor (14) for the control of filling of the tray (6, 6′) or the intermediate store (7, 7′). The plate (2) consists of multiple pushers (4) whose number corresponds to the number of segments (5) of a multi-segment tray (6) or intermediate store (7), and a gap (8) between the pushers (4) corresponds to the thickness of a partition (9) between the segments (5), where on each pusher (4) one sensor (14) is situated. The sensors (14) may constitute an optical element operating in the range of visible or invisible radiation, or an ultrasonic element, respectively. Between the pushers (4), movable gates (11) eliminating the gap (8) in the event of using conventional trays (6′) or intermediate stores (7′) with one compartment are situated.

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First Claim