PURPOSE: To permit pitch feed free from error for a magazine by providing the magazine and an operating plates with the excessive transfer over the width of a light transmission part formed on the operating plate and turn-shifting the magazine and the operating plate.

CONSTITUTION: When a magazine 22 into which plate articles are accommodated in a prescribed piling pitch P is pitch-fed through the intermittent rotation of a feed screw which is screwed with the magazine. Optical sensor 40 installed on the transfer passage of an operating plate 39 is operated by each light transmission part 41 in the equal pitch to the piling pitch of the magazine, on the operating plate 39 which shifts in the rectilinear direction by the equal amount to the magazine, interlocked with the transfer of the magazine, and the time point when screw feed is stopped is detected. Further, at the transfer edge of the magazine, the magazine and the operating plate are provided with the excessive transfer over the width of the light transmission part installed onto the operating plate, and the magazine and the operating plate are turn-shifted. Thus, pitch feed free from error is provided for the magazine.