ARTICLE TRANSFER DEVICE

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To take out a plurality kinds of articles 2 (2A, 2B, 2C) conveyed in a plurality of lines and a plurality of rows by a tray supply/discharge conveyor 6, to bring them into a box pattern in which each kind of articles is mixed, and to place them on a placement stage 22.SOLUTION: A plurality kinds of articles 2 are formed in five lines and eight rows on a tray 4, where the articles of each row are the same kind. In a transfer means 24 having a plurality of holding members 28 arranged in five lines and four rows, the holding members (movable holding members 28B) of two lines (fourth and fifth lines) of two rows (fourth and sixth rows, or third and fifth rows) in the middle are movable in the row direction. When the articles 2 are taken out from the tray 4, the movable holding members 28B are moved in the row direction, thereby holding the articles 2 in the different rows on the tray 4. Holding them, the movable holding members 28B are returned to the initial row, so that the different articles 2 can be mixed in the row having the movable holding members 28B.