Conveying tool

Abstract

To provide a conveying tool capable of improving workability when wireless information means is attached.SOLUTION: A pallet 1 comprises a placement surface 7 on which an article is placed, a housing part 12 for housing an ID tag 11, an insertion opening part 13 which makes the housing part 12 open upward and allows the ID tag 11 to be inserted into the housing part 12, and a covering part 14 which is provided adjacently to the insertion opening part 13 and covers a part of the upper part of the housing part 12. The housing part 12 includes: a guide part 15 capable of displacing the ID tag 11, inserted into the housing part 12 via the insertion opening part 13, on a housing position side, where a part of an upper surface of the ID tag 11 overlaps with the covering part 14 in a vertical direction, by self-weight of the ID tag 11; and a housing regulation part 18 which regulates displacement of the ID tag 11 exceeding the displacing from a position when the whole is housed in the housing part 12 via the insertion opening part 13 and being a preparation position where the whole of the upper surface does not overlap with the covering part 14 in the vertical direction to the housing position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a carrier to which wireless information means is attached. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there are known carriers such as pallets that have a storage section to which wireless information means such as ID tags can be attached. There is also known a technology that includes an insertion opening that allows the wireless information means to be stored in the storage section, and a cover section that is adjacent to the insertion opening and covers an upper portion of a part of the storage section, and at least a part of the wireless information means stored in the storage section is positioned below the cover section, thereby preventing the wireless information means from falling out of the storage section (see, for example, Patent Document 1, etc.). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-11092 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Incidentally, when attaching a wireless information means to the carrier described in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to first insert the wireless information means into the housing through the insertion opening, and then displace the inserted wireless information means so that a part of the wireless information means is positioned below the cover by touching and pressing the wireless information means with a tool, fingertip, etc. In this regard, simplification of the work of attaching a wireless information means to a carrier is desired.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the problems exemplified above, and its object is to provide a carrier that can improve the workability when attaching a wireless information means. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The following describes each means suitable for achieving the above objects, etc., by item. Note that, as necessary, the effects and advantages specific to the corresponding means will be added.

[0007] Means 1. A placement section on which an article is placed; a carrier having a storage section capable of storing wireless information means, an insertion opening that opens the storage portion toward the outside of the carrier and allows insertion of a wireless information means into the storage portion; a cover portion provided adjacent to the insertion opening portion and covering the insertion opening portion side of the accommodating portion, The storage section is a guide section that allows the wireless information means inserted into the housing section through the insertion opening to be displaced by the weight of the wireless information means toward a housing position where a predetermined portion of the wireless information means overlaps with the cover section in the insertion direction of the wireless information means into the insertion opening; a storage restriction portion that is positioned when the entire device is stored in the storage portion through the insertion opening and that restricts further displacement of the wireless information means that has been displaced from a preparation position where the specified portion does not overlap with the cover portion in the insertion direction to the storage position.

[0008] According to Means 1, simply by inserting the wireless information means into the housing through the insertion opening, the wireless information means is displaced toward the housing position by its own weight due to the presence of the guide provided in the housing. Therefore, it is not necessary to perform an operation such as inserting the wireless information means into the housing through the insertion opening and then inserting a tool or a fingertip into the insertion opening to press and displace the wireless information means toward the housing position. As a result, it is possible to improve the workability when attaching the wireless information means to a carrier.

[0009] Means 2. The wireless information means in the storage position is inclined with respect to the insertion direction, The guide unit is a receiving portion that abuts against the wireless information means inserted into the accommodation portion through the insertion opening and restricts downward displacement of the abutting portion; The carrier described in means 1 is characterized in that it is provided with an inclined portion that is arranged on the storage restriction portion side of the receiving portion, allows the wireless information means that is in contact with the receiving portion to tilt toward the storage position due to its own weight, and supports the wireless information means that has been displaced to the storage position.

[0010] According to the means 2, the wireless information means inserted into the accommodation section through the insertion opening can be changed in position to a suitable position by the receiving section and the inclined section, and the wireless information means set to the accommodation position can be more stably supported by the inclined section and the accommodation restricting section. Therefore, the wireless information means inserted into the accommodation section through the insertion opening can be efficiently displaced until it is set to the accommodation position, and the attachment state of the wireless information means (the accommodation state in the accommodation section) can be stabilized.

[0011] Means 3. The insertion opening opens the storage section upward, the cover section covers an upper part of the storage section, and the insertion direction is a vertical direction, A carrier described in means 2, characterized in that the edge of the receiving portion on the storage restriction portion side is configured to be located on the opposite side of the storage restriction portion side from the center of the insertion opening.

[0012] According to means 3, the part of the underside of the wireless information means opposite to the storage restriction section (the side farther from the storage restriction section) from its center is brought into contact with the receiving section, thereby more reliably encouraging the wireless information means abutting the receiving section to tilt toward the storage position due to its own weight (center of gravity balance).

[0013] It may also be stated that "in either case where the wireless information means is inserted into the insertion opening close to the edge of the insertion opening opposite the storage restriction section side, or where the wireless information means is inserted into the insertion opening close to the edge of the insertion opening close to the storage restriction section side, the edge of the receiving part on the storage restriction section side is configured to vertically face a region of the underside of the wireless information means that is opposite the center of the wireless information means to the storage restriction section side and that is closer to the center of the underside of the wireless information means to the edge on the opposite side of the storage restriction section side." In this case, for example, if the receiving part is configured as a part of an inclined surface continuous with the inclined part, and only the edge of the underside of the wireless information means that is opposite the storage restriction section side comes into contact with the receiving part and the inclined part, it is possible to avoid a situation where the edge is displaced (sliding) toward the storage restriction section side before the wireless information means, and the entire upper surface of the wireless information means in the storage position is positioned directly below the insertion opening (the upper surface of the wireless information means in the storage position is in a position where it is inclined upward toward the storage restriction section). Therefore, a portion of the upper surface of the wireless information means in the storage position can be reliably positioned facing the lower surface of the cover portion in the vertical direction, and when a force acts that displaces the wireless information means upward relative to the carrier, the upper surface of the wireless information means can be brought into contact with the cover portion, more reliably preventing the wireless information means from falling out of the storage portion.

[0014] It may also be specified that "in the direction in which the insertion opening and the cover are aligned, the width of the insertion opening is at least 1 time and not more than 1.2 times (more desirably not more than 1.1 times) the width of the wireless information means to be inserted into the insertion opening." In this case, regardless of the relative position or posture in which the wireless information means is inserted with respect to the insertion opening, the receiving part can be reasonably set so that the wireless information means inserted into the accommodating part via the insertion opening and the receiving part are within a desired range of relative positional relationship, and the effect of displacing the wireless information means accommodated in the accommodating part toward the accommodating position by its own weight can be more reliably achieved.

[0015] Means 4. The carrier is a pallet comprising a plurality of columns and a deck portion connecting the upper ends of the plurality of columns, and a loading surface on which an article is placed is formed by the upper surfaces of the columns and the upper surface of the deck portion, The housing portion is provided on a predetermined one of the pillar portions, The insertion opening opens the storage portion upward, the cover portion covers an upper portion of a part of the storage portion, and the insertion direction is a vertical direction, The wireless information means in the storage position is inclined so that a portion of the upper surface of the wireless information means on the storage restriction portion side is positioned lower than a portion of the upper surface on the insertion opening side, When the wireless information means is in the storage position, at least a portion of the upper surface of the wireless information means on the storage restriction portion side faces the lower surface of the cover portion in the up-down direction as the predetermined portion, the carrier includes a cap member that is attached to a periphery of the insertion opening by being displaced vertically relative to the insertion opening, A carrier described in any of means 1 to 3, characterized in that the cap member is located on the opposite side of the storage restriction portion from the wireless information means in the storage position, and is equipped with a cap restriction portion that restricts displacement of the wireless information means toward the preparation position.

[0016] According to the fourth aspect, the wireless information means in the storage position is inclined so that the portion of its top surface facing the storage restricting portion is lower than the portion facing the insertion opening. Therefore, by placing the wireless information means in the storage position, the area of ​​the storage portion where the wireless information means is placed when the wireless information means is in the ready position and communicating with the insertion opening can be left empty, and this area can be used to install the cap restricting portion of the cap member. Furthermore, to remove the wireless information means from the storage position through the insertion opening, it is necessary to move the wireless information means to the ready position in a manner that corrects the inclination of the wireless information means. Meanwhile, this displacement is restricted by the cap restricting portion. Furthermore, even if a force is applied from the wireless information means to the cap restricting portion during this restriction, the direction of the force is different from the direction that would cause the cap member to come off the carrier. This prevents the cap member from falling off while more reliably preventing the wireless information means from falling off. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the top side of a pallet without an ID tag or a cap member attached thereto. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged schematic perspective view showing the periphery of the storage section. [Figure 3] 3 is a plan view of FIG. 2 showing the periphery of the storage section. FIG. [Figure 4] 3 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 2 showing the periphery of the housing portion. [Figure 5] 10 is a schematic exploded perspective view including a partial cross section of a pallet showing the periphery of a storage section, an ID tag, and a cap member. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged schematic perspective view including a partial cross section showing the periphery of the storage section. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a partially enlarged schematic perspective view showing the periphery of the housing unit with the ID tag and the cap member attached. [Figure 8] 10 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing the process of inserting the ID tag into the receiving part through the insertion opening (for convenience, the ID tag is shown in side view). FIG. [Figure 9]FIG. 10 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing the periphery of the storage unit when the ID tag is in the ready position (for convenience, the ID tag is shown as a side view). [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing the periphery of the accommodation unit when the ID tag is in the accommodation position (for convenience, the ID tag is shown as a side view). [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing the periphery of the container with the ID tag and cap member attached (for convenience, the side of the ID tag is shown). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] An embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, a pallet 1 serving as a carrier has a generally rectangular shape (a generally square shape) in a plan view. The pallet 1 also includes a pair of side posts 2 provided along a pair of opposing side edges of the pallet 1, a central post 3 provided parallel to the pair of side posts 2 and passing through the center of the pallet 1, an upper deck 4 connecting the upper ends of the side posts 2 and the central post 3, and a lower deck 5 connecting the lower ends of the side posts 2 and the central post 3. Additionally, fork insertion portions 6 are provided between the side posts 2 and the central post 3, into which forks of a forklift or the like can be inserted. The pallet 1 of this embodiment is a two-way insertion type pallet, allowing forks to be inserted from two of the four sides that make up the outer periphery of the pallet 1.

[0019] In this embodiment, the upper surfaces of the side columns 2, the central column 3, and the upper deck 4 form a "loading surface 7" as a loading section on which items can be loaded, and the lower surfaces of the side columns 2, the central column 3, and the lower deck 5 form a "grounding surface 8" that comes into contact with an installation surface such as a floor on which the pallet 1 is placed. Furthermore, the pallet 1 comprises an upper structural section 9 that includes the upper halves of the side columns 2 and the central column 3 and the upper deck 4, and a lower structural section 10 that includes the lower halves of the side columns 2 and the central column 3 and the lower deck 5. In this embodiment, the upper structural section 9 and the lower structural section 10 are configured to be identical in shape and size, and are each integrally formed from polypropylene. Then, the lower edge portions of the side column portions 2 and central column portion 3 of the upper component 9 are heat-welded (or vibration-welded) to the upper edge portions of the side column portions 2 and central column portion 3 of the lower component 10, thereby integrating the upper component 9 and the lower component 10 and forming the pallet 1 of this embodiment.

[0020] As shown in Figures 5, 7, etc., an ID tag 11 (also called a wireless tag, RFID tag, IC tag, electronic tag, non-contact tag, etc.) is attached to the pallet 1. The ID tag 11 stores information about the items placed on the pallet 1 and serves as wireless information means capable of wireless communication with a corresponding reader / writer. The ID tag 11 includes a control circuit, a memory, and an antenna, as well as a case that covers (contains) these components. The case (the external shape of the ID tag 11) is substantially rectangular. The ID tag 11 in this embodiment is an active ID tag with a built-in battery.

[0021] As shown in Figures 2 to 6, the pallet 1 is provided with a storage section 12 in the central column 3 that can store an ID tag 11. The pallet 1 further includes an insertion opening 13 that opens the storage section 12 upward and allows the ID tag 11 to be inserted into the storage section 12, and a cover section 14 that is provided adjacent to the insertion opening 13 and covers an upper portion of the storage section 12. The cover section 14 in this embodiment extends horizontally, and its upper surface forms part of the placement surface 7. In this embodiment, the ID tag 11 is inserted into the storage section 12 through the insertion opening 13 with its longitudinal direction aligned in the up-down direction (approximately vertical). In this embodiment, the up-down direction (vertical direction, particularly downward) corresponds to the "direction of insertion of the wireless information means into the insertion opening."

[0022] The storage section 12 also includes a guide section 15 that allows the ID tag 11 inserted into the storage section 12 through the insertion opening 13 to be displaced (allows and promotes displacement toward the storage position) by the weight of the ID tag 11 to a storage position (see FIG. 10) where a portion of the upper surface of the ID tag 11 vertically overlaps the cover section 14 (in other words, faces the lower surface of the cover section 14 vertically). Furthermore, the storage section 12 includes a storage restricting section 18 that restricts further displacement (in the same direction) of the ID tag 11 displaced from a preparation position (see FIG. 9) where the entire upper surface does not vertically overlap the cover section 14 (where the entire ID tag 11 fits within the range of the insertion opening 13 in a plan view of the pallet 1). The storage restricting section 18 in this embodiment is configured by a wall section (rib) whose upper edge is connected to the cover section 14 and extends vertically.

[0023] 10 and other figures, the ID tag 11 in the storage position is inclined with its longitudinal direction inclined relative to the up-down direction (vertical direction). More specifically, the guide section 15 includes a receiving section 16 that extends horizontally and abuts against the lower surface of the ID tag 11 inserted into the storage section 12 (set at the ready position) through the insertion opening 13 to restrict downward displacement of the abutting portion, and an inclined section 17 that is disposed on the storage restricting section 18 side of the receiving section 16 and inclined downward from a portion where its upper side is connected to the upper side of the receiving section 16 toward the storage restricting section 18 side, allowing tilting of the ID tag 11 abutting against the receiving section 16 toward the storage position due to its own weight (center of gravity balance) and supporting the lower surface of the ID tag 11 displaced to the storage position.

[0024] 2 to 4, 7, and 11, the pallet 1 is provided with a cap mounting portion 31 adjacent to the insertion opening 13, on the opposite side of the insertion opening 13 from the cover portion 14. As shown in FIG. 5, the cap member 21 includes a base portion 22 having a generally rectangular plate shape in a plan view, a cap locking portion 23 projecting downward from a position on the underside of the base portion 22 that is a predetermined distance inward from the outer periphery of the base portion 22, a positioning reinforcement portion 24, and a cap support leg portion 25 projecting downward from the outer periphery of the base portion 22, all of which are integrally formed from polypropylene. A pair of the cap locking portions 23 is provided corresponding to each long side edge of the base portion 22. One positioning reinforcement portion 24 is provided corresponding to each short side edge of the base portion 22. The cap support legs 25 are provided over the entire area of ​​each short side edge of the base portion 22, and are provided at a portion that connects to each short side edge of the base portion 22 and at two other portions spaced a predetermined distance from the respective portions, corresponding to each long side edge of the base portion 22. The cap locking portion 23 and the positioning reinforcement portion 24 extend downward beyond the cap support legs 25, and the cap locking portion 23 has a claw portion 23a that protrudes from its lower side toward the outer periphery of the base portion 22. The cap member 21 further includes an anti-slip member 26 made of a thermoplastic elastomer and attached to the upper surface of the base portion 22 (see FIG. 11).

[0025] 3, 5, etc., the cap attachment portion 31 is adjacent to the insertion opening 13 on the mounting surface 7 of the pallet 1, and is formed so as to be continuous with the insertion opening 13. The cap attachment portion 31 includes a cap support wall portion 32 that protrudes inward from the opening from a position displaced downward from the mounting surface 7 by a predetermined distance (the combined length of the anti-slip member 26, the base portion 22, and the cap support leg portion 25 in the vertical direction) among the wall portions that extend downward along the opening. The cap member 21 is attached to the cap attachment portion 31 by displacing it relative to the insertion opening 13 (cap attachment portion 31) in the vertical direction (the direction perpendicular to the mounting surface 7 in which the insertion opening 13 is provided) (see FIG. 11).

[0026] 7, in this embodiment, the cap member 21 (base portion 22) is attached to the cap attachment portion 31 so that the longitudinal width direction of the cap member 21 (base portion 22) extends in the direction in which the insertion opening 13 and the cap attachment portion 31 are aligned. Also, as shown in FIG. 11, by attaching the cap member 21 to the cap attachment portion 31, the lower side portions of the cap support legs 25 are supported by abutting against the upper surface of the cap support wall portion 32, and the claw portions 23a of the cap locking portion 23 are locked to the lower surface side of the cap support wall portion 32. In addition, the upper surface (of the anti-slip member 26) of the cap member 21 attached to the cap attachment portion 31 is made substantially flush with the placement surface 7.

[0027] 2, 5, 6, etc., in this embodiment, although the insertion opening 13 and the opening of the cap mounting portion 31 are continuous (one piece) on the placement surface 7, an insertion restricting portion 33 is provided that extends downward from the side edge of the cap support wall 32 on the insertion opening 13 side (the storage portion 12 side) and defines the edge of the storage portion 12 on the cap mounting portion 31 side, and the edge of the insertion opening 13 on the cap mounting portion 31 side is essentially defined by the insertion restricting portion 33 and the cap support wall 32. Furthermore, when the pallet 1 is viewed from above, the width of the insertion opening 13 (the distance between the cap support wall 32 or the insertion restricting portion 33 and the cover portion 14) in the direction in which the insertion opening 13 and the cover portion 14 are aligned is 1 to 1.1 times the width of the ID tag 11 to be inserted into the insertion opening 13 (see FIG. 8).

[0028] 11 , the portion of the cap member 21 attached to the cap attachment portion 31 that faces the insertion opening 13 protrudes further toward the insertion opening 13 than the cap attachment portion 31 and is disposed inside the insertion opening 13. In this embodiment, the positioning reinforcement portion 24, which is provided corresponding to the short side edge portion of the base portion 22 and disposed on the insertion opening 13 side, is disposed so as to face and be close to or abut against the portions of the cap support wall portion 32 and the insertion restricting portion 33 that define the insertion opening 13. The cap attachment portion 31 also includes a cap positioning portion 34 that abuts or is close to the side edge portion of the target cap locking portion 23 and restricts displacement of the cap member 21 toward the insertion opening 13. In this embodiment, the insertion opening 13, cap mounting portion 31, storage restriction portion 18, and insertion restriction portion 33, etc. are provided in the upper component 9, and the guide portion 15 is provided in the lower component 10 (as mentioned above, since the upper component 9 and the lower component 10 have the same shape, another set of configurations is provided in which these are upside down).

[0029] 9 and other figures, the edge of the receiving part 16 on the storage restricting part 18 side (the inclined part 17 side) is configured on the opposite side (the cap attachment part 31 side) from the storage restricting part 18 side relative to the center of the insertion opening 13. In either case, when the ID tag 11 is inserted into the insertion opening 13 while being moved toward the edge of the insertion opening 13 opposite to the storage restricting part 18 side (while being in sliding contact with the insertion restricting part 33), or when the ID tag 11 is inserted into the insertion opening 13 while being moved toward the edge of the insertion opening 13 on the storage restricting part 18 side (while being in sliding contact with the cover part 14), the edge of the receiving part 16 on the storage restricting part 18 side (the inclined part 17 side) is configured to vertically face a region of the lower surface of the ID tag 11 that is on the opposite side from the storage restricting part 18 side relative to the center, and that is closer to the center of the lower surface of the ID tag 11 relative to the edge opposite to the storage restricting part 18 side. Therefore, the ID tag 11 inserted into the storage section 12 through the insertion opening 13 and abutting against the receiving section 16 (set to the ready position) has its center of gravity located closer to the storage restricting section 18 than to the receiving section 16, and is tilted and displaced so that the portion of the ID tag 11 on the storage restricting section 18 side is lower than the portion on the insertion restricting section 33 side, as shown in Fig. 10. In this embodiment, the ID tag 11 is configured to be tilted by about 5 degrees from an attitude in which its longitudinal direction extends vertically, so that the lower surface of the ID tag 11 is supported by being in surface contact with the inclined section 17. Due to this tilting and displaced position, the portion of the upper surface of the ID tag 11 on the storage restricting section 18 side faces the lower surface of the cover section 14 in the vertical direction, and the ID tag 11 is in an inclined attitude so that the portion of the upper surface of the ID tag 11 on the storage restricting section 18 side is lower than the portion on the insertion opening 13 side.

[0030] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the ID tag 11 tilts and displaces due to its own weight from the preparation position to a position supported by the inclined portion 17, and then slides slightly along the inclined portion 17 due to its own weight (and the momentum of tilting), and then a portion of the ID tag 11 near the upper edge of the surface facing the storage restricting portion 18 abuts against the storage restricting portion 18, restricting further sliding displacement. The "storage position" in this embodiment is the position where the ID tag 11 abuts against the storage restricting portion 18, and even when the ID tag 11 is in the storage position, its lower surface abuts against the inclined portion 17. In this embodiment, a portion of the upper surface of the ID tag 11 (the portion facing the storage restricting portion 18) corresponds to the "predetermined portion of the wireless information means."

[0031] After the ID tag 11 is accommodated in the accommodation section 12, the cap member 21 is attached to the cap attachment section 31 as shown in Fig. 11. As described above (as shown in Fig. 10), simply inserting the ID tag 11 into the accommodation section 12 through the insertion opening 13 causes the ID tag 11 to be displaced to the accommodation position by its own weight, and as a result, a gap (space) is formed between the edge of the insertion opening 13 on the cap attachment section 31 side (the insertion restricting section 33 and the cap support wall section 32) and the upper surface of the ID tag 11, allowing insertion of a portion of the cap member 21 that protrudes toward the insertion opening 13 and is positioned in the insertion opening 13. Then, as shown in Fig. 11, by attaching the cap member 21 to the cap attachment section 31, a portion of the cap support leg section 25 of the cap member 21 that is provided along the short side edge of the base section 22 and is positioned at the insertion opening 13 (hereinafter referred to as "cap restricting section 28") is configured to abut against or be close to the surface of the ID tag 11 on the cap attachment section 31 side. In other words, the cap restricting portion 28 of the cap member 21 attached to the cap attaching portion 31 is located on the opposite side of the storage restricting portion 18 with respect to the ID tag 11 set to the storage position in the storage portion 12, and is configured to restrict displacement of the ID tag 11 toward the standby position. Note that even when replacing the ID tag 11, and the ID tag 11 tilts but is difficult to slide along the inclined portion 17 depending on the usage state of the pallet 1, a gap is formed between the insertion opening 13 and the upper surface of the ID tag 11, allowing the target portion of the cap member 21 to be inserted, and by attaching the cap member 21 to the cap attaching portion 31, the ID tag 11 is pressed by the cap member 21 to the storage position and displaced.

[0032] 5 and other figures, a substantially arc-shaped notch 29 is provided in a portion including the center of each long side of the base 22 of the cap member 21, and a notch 36 is provided in the cap support wall 32 at a position corresponding to the notch 29 of the cap member 21 attached to the cap attachment part 31. When removing the cap member 21 attached to the cap attachment part 31, a tool is inserted into the notch 29 and the notch 36, and the tip of the tool is hooked on the underside of the cap member 21, and the cap member 21 is lifted up, for example.

[0033] In addition, the wall portion (portion defining the range of the storage portion 12) surrounding the storage portion 12, including the storage restriction portion 18 and the inclined portion 17, is configured to minimize the contact area with each surface of the ID tag 11 in the storage position, thereby improving heat dissipation and water drainage, etc. The storage restriction portion 18 and the insertion restriction portion 33 are each provided in pairs at a predetermined distance apart in a direction horizontally perpendicular to the direction in which the insertion opening 13 and the cap mounting portion 31 are aligned, and the wall portion facing the ID tag 11 in the direction horizontally perpendicular to the direction in which the insertion opening 13 and the cap mounting portion 31 are aligned is provided with ribs extending in the vertical direction and abutting or coming into close proximity with the ID tag 11 in the storage position, and the cover portion 14 is configured so that more than half of the upper surface of the ID tag 11 in the storage position is exposed upward through the insertion opening 13, and an opening is formed in the inclined portion 17.

[0034] As described above in detail, according to this embodiment, simply by inserting the ID tag 11 into the storage section 12 through the insertion opening 13, the ID tag 11 is displaced toward the storage position due to its own weight due to the presence of the guide section 15 provided in the storage section 12. Therefore, it is not necessary to perform an operation such as inserting the ID tag 11 into the storage section 12 through the insertion opening 13 and then inserting a tool or a fingertip into the insertion opening 13 to press and displace the ID tag 11 toward the storage position. As a result, it is possible to improve the workability when attaching the ID tag 11 to the pallet 1.

[0035] The guide section 15 also includes a receiving section 16 that abuts against the ID tag 11 inserted into the storage section 12 through the insertion opening 13 and restricts downward displacement of the abutting portion, and an inclined section 17 that is disposed on the storage restriction section side of the receiving section 16 and allows the ID tag 11 that abuts against the receiving section 16 to tilt toward the storage position due to its own weight (center of gravity balance) and supports the ID tag 11 that has displaced to the storage position. Therefore, the ID tag 11 inserted into the storage section 12 through the insertion opening 13 can be changed in posture to a suitable position by the receiving section 16 and the inclined section 17, and the ID tag 11 that has reached the storage position can be more stably supported by the inclined section 17 and the storage restriction section 18. Therefore, the ID tag 11 inserted into the storage section 12 through the insertion opening 13 can be efficiently displaced until it reaches the storage position, and the attachment state of the ID tag 11 (the state of storage in the storage section 12) can be stabilized.

[0036] Furthermore, the edge of the receiving portion 16 on the storage restricting portion 18 side (the inclined portion 17 side), which extends at an angle closer to the horizontal direction than the inclined portion 17, is configured to be located on the opposite side of the storage restricting portion 18 side from the center of the insertion opening 13. In either case, when the ID tag 11 is inserted into the insertion opening 13 by approaching the edge of the insertion opening 13 on the opposite side of the storage restricting portion 18 side (by sliding it against the insertion restricting portion 33), or when the ID tag 11 is inserted into the insertion opening 13 by approaching the edge of the insertion opening 13 on the storage restricting portion 18 side (by sliding it against the cover portion 14), the edge of the receiving portion 16 on the storage restricting portion 18 side is configured to vertically face a region of the lower surface of the ID tag 11 that is on the opposite side of the storage restricting portion 18 side from the center, and that is closer to the center of the lower surface of the ID tag 11 than the side opposite the storage restricting portion 18 side.

[0037] Therefore, the receiving portion 16 is brought into contact with a portion of the underside of the ID tag 11 that is on the opposite side from the storage restricting portion 18 (the side farther from the storage restricting portion 18) than the center of the ID tag, and tilting of the ID tag 11 in contact with the receiving portion 16 toward the storage position due to its own weight (center of gravity balance) can be more reliably promoted. Also, for example, in a configuration in which the receiving portion is configured by a part of an inclined surface that is continuous with the inclined portion and only the side portion of the underside of the ID tag 11 that is on the opposite side from the storage restricting portion 18 is in contact with the receiving portion and the inclined portion, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the side portion is displaced (sliding) toward the storage restricting portion 18 first, and the entire upper surface of the ID tag 11 in the storage position is positioned directly below the insertion opening 13 (the ID tag 11 in the storage position is in a position in which its upper surface is inclined upward toward the storage restricting portion 18). Therefore, a portion of the upper surface of the ID tag 11 in the storage position can be reliably positioned facing the lower surface of the cover portion 14 in the vertical direction, and when a force is applied that displaces the ID tag 11 relatively upward relative to the pallet 1, the upper surface of the ID tag 11 can be brought into contact with the cover portion 14, more reliably preventing the ID tag 11 from falling out of the storage portion 12.

[0038] Furthermore, the ID tag 11 in the storage position is inclined so that the portion of its top surface on the storage restricting portion 18 side is lower than the portion on the insertion opening 13 side. Therefore, by setting the ID tag 11 in the storage position, the ID tag 11 is placed in the storage portion 12 when the ID tag 11 is in the ready position, and the area that communicates with the insertion opening 13 can be left as a void, and this area can be used to install the cap restricting portion 28 of the cap member 21. Furthermore, in order to remove the ID tag 11 in the storage position through the insertion opening 13, it is necessary to displace the ID tag 11 to the ready position in a manner that corrects the inclination of the ID tag 11. On the other hand, this displacement is regulated by the cap regulating portion 28, and furthermore, even if a (substantially horizontal) force is applied from the ID tag 11 to the cap regulating portion 28 during such regulation, the direction of the force is different from the direction (vertical direction) in which the cap member 21 comes off the pallet 1 (cap mounting portion 31), so that the ID tag 11 can be more reliably prevented from falling off while preventing the cap member 21 from falling off.

[0039] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and may be implemented as follows: Of course, other applications and modifications not exemplified below are also possible.

[0040] (a) In the above embodiment, the configuration of the guide unit 15 is not particularly limited, and it is sufficient that the ID tag 11 accommodated in the accommodation unit 12 through the insertion opening 13 (set to the ready position) can be displaced toward the accommodation position by its own weight. In other words, the ID tag 11 inserted into the accommodation unit 12 through the insertion opening 13 and displaced toward the accommodation position by its own weight may not reach the accommodation position, or may not reach the accommodation position in some cases. When adopting such a configuration, the ID tag 11 may be further configured so that when a cap member 21 is attached to at least the periphery of the insertion opening 13, the ID tag 11 is pressed by the cap member 21 and displaced to the accommodation position (or the ID tag 11 is displaced to the accommodation position by its own weight or the like when a predetermined external force is applied to the pallet 1 during the basic manufacturing process of the pallet 1). Additionally, in the above embodiment, instead of the horizontally extending receiving portion 16, a receiving portion that extends the inclined portion 17 may be provided as a receiving portion that contacts the ID tag 11 in the ready position and restricts downward displacement of the contact portion. Also, the ID tag 11 in the ready position may be configured to only be tilted and displaced by the guide portion 15, and not to slide on the inclined portion 17 (the ID tag 11 may only be tilted and displaced so as to contact the storage restriction portion 18), or a step or opening may be provided adjacent to the receiving portion 16 instead of the inclined portion 17, which allows or promotes tilting of the ID tag 11 in the ready position.

[0041] (b) Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the portion of the ID tag 11 in the storage position that overlaps (faces) the cover portion 14 in the vertical direction (the specified portion of the wireless information means) is preferably "a part of the top surface that is the rear end surface of the ID tag 11 in the insertion direction into the insertion opening 13" from the viewpoint of preventing the ID tag 11 from falling out of the storage section 12. However, this can be changed as appropriate depending on the relative width of the insertion opening 13 to the ID tag 11 and the shape of the storage section 12 (guide portion 15, etc.), and it is sufficient that when the ID tag 11 in the storage position is displaced relative to the insertion opening 13 in the insertion direction, the specified portion of the ID tag 11 abuts against the cover portion 14, preventing the ID tag 11 from completely falling out of the storage section 12 (for example, even if a part of the ID tag 11 protrudes from the insertion opening 13, it will not fall out). However, if the inclination of the upper surface of the ID tag 11 in the storage position is opposite to that in the above embodiment (if it is inclined upward toward the storage restriction section 18), it becomes necessary to use the cap member 21 to prevent the ID tag 11 from being relatively displaced upward, and if a force that displaces the ID tag 11 relatively upward is applied, such as when the pallet 1 falls to the floor, there is a concern that an upward force will be applied to the cap member 21 and cause the ID tag 11 to fall off. Therefore, it is desirable that the inclination of the upper surface of the ID tag 11 in the storage position be inclined downward toward the storage restriction section 18. Note that a portion may be provided on the underside of the cover section 14 that extends parallel to the upper surface of the ID tag 11 in the storage position and that abuts or is close to the upper surface of the ID tag 11 in the storage position.

[0042] (c) In the above embodiment, the arrangement and number of the storage section 12 and the insertion opening 13, the posture of the ID tag 11 at the storage position, etc. are not particularly limited and can be changed as appropriate. For example, the storage section 12 may be provided on the side post 2. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the insertion opening 13 is configured to open the storage section 12 upward, but it may be configured, for example, to be provided in a portion that constitutes the outer circumferential surface of the pallet 1, so that the storage section 12 opens on the outer circumferential side of the pallet 1. Furthermore, when this configuration is adopted, when the ID tag 11 is inserted into the storage section 12 through the insertion opening, at least the portion of the ID tag 11 on the insertion opening side is displaced downward due to its own weight, and the surface of the ID tag 11 on the outer circumferential side of the pallet 1 may face a cover portion provided adjacent to and below the insertion opening in the inner / outer circumferential direction of the pallet 1.

[0043] In the above embodiment, the width of the insertion opening 13 in the direction in which the insertion opening 13 and the cover portion 14 are aligned may be set to be 1 to 1.2 times (more preferably 1.1 times) the width of the ID tag 11 to be inserted into the insertion opening 13. In this case, regardless of the relative position or posture of the ID tag 11 inserted with respect to the insertion opening 13, the receiving portion 16 can be reasonably set so that the ID tag 11 inserted into the storage portion 12 via the insertion opening 13 and the receiving portion 16 are within a desired range of relative positional relationship (for example, it is possible to prevent the ID tag 11 from being inserted into the insertion opening 13 at an inclination in the opposite direction to the inclination of the ID tag 11 when it is in the storage position and maintaining this inclination in the same direction even after storage in the storage portion 12), and the effect of displacing the ID tag 11 stored in the storage portion 12 toward the storage position by its own weight can be more reliably achieved.

[0044] (d) In the above embodiment, the pallet 1 is made of polypropylene, but it may be made of other (synthetic) resin materials such as polyethylene, PET, and polyamide. While the above embodiment is embodied as a two-way pallet, it may also be embodied as a four-way pallet that includes four corner posts at the four corners of the pallet, intermediate posts at the middle of a pair of corner posts aligned along each side of the pallet, and a central post at the center of the pallet, allowing forks to be inserted from the four sides that form the pallet's outer periphery. Furthermore, for example, the present invention may be applied to a pallet that is integrally formed as a whole. Additionally, for example, the fork insertion section 6 may be open downward in the lower deck section 5, and a lower opening may be provided to allow the casters of the hand lift to touch the ground, or the lower deck section 5 may be omitted. Although not specifically mentioned in the above embodiment, the placement surface 7 and the ground surface 8 may be configured to have holes appropriately formed in addition to the insertion opening 13 (for example, a generally approximately lattice-like configuration), or may have no holes other than the insertion opening 13.

[0045] In the above embodiment, the carrier is embodied as the pallet 1. However, the carrier may also be, for example, a container or a cart used for transporting goods. The ID tag 11 is not limited to an active ID tag, but may be a passive or semi-active ID tag. Furthermore, the wireless information means may be a device (tag) capable of wireless communication with a corresponding reader / writer (which may not have a writer function) using infrared rays or radio waves at a frequency different from that used by the ID tag. The wireless information means may also be configured to have a GPS function. The shape of the ID tag 11 is not particularly limited and may be changed as appropriate. For example, the ID tag 11 may be a relatively thin card-shaped tag or may have a curved outer surface. The storage section 12 (storage restricting section 18, insertion restricting section 33, etc.) is formed to fit the shape of the ID tag 11.

[0046] The configuration of the cap member 21 is not particularly limited, and the anti-slip member 26 may be omitted, or the entire cap member 21 may be made of a material with a higher coefficient of friction than the pallet 1. In the above embodiment, the cap member 21 is configured to be attached to the periphery of the insertion opening 13 (cap attachment portion 31) by being displaced vertically relative to the pallet 1. However, the cap member 21 may be configured to be attached to the periphery of the insertion opening 13 by being displaced horizontally relative to the pallet 1 along the mounting surface 7, or by being rotated or slid. The cap member 21 may also be omitted. When this configuration is adopted, an auxiliary cover portion may be provided adjacent to the insertion opening 13 on the opposite side of the insertion opening 13 from the cover portion 14, and covering an upper portion of the storage portion 12. [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] 1...pallet, 7...loading surface, 11...ID tag, 12...storage section, 13...insertion opening, 14...cover section, 15...guide section, 16...receiving section, 17...inclined section, 18...storage restriction section, 21...cap member, 25...cap support leg section, 28...cap restriction section, 31...cap mounting section, 33...insertion restriction section.

Claims

1. a placement section on which an article is placed; a carrier having a storage section capable of storing wireless information means, an insertion opening that opens the storage portion toward the outside of the carrier and allows insertion of a wireless information means into the storage portion; a cover portion provided adjacent to the insertion opening portion and covering the insertion opening portion side of the accommodating portion, The storage section is a guide section that allows the wireless information means inserted into the housing section through the insertion opening to be displaced by the weight of the wireless information means toward a housing position where a predetermined portion of the wireless information means overlaps with the cover section in the insertion direction of the wireless information means into the insertion opening; a storage restriction portion that is positioned when the entire device is stored in the storage portion through the insertion opening and that restricts further displacement of the wireless information means that has been displaced from a preparation position where the specified portion does not overlap with the cover portion in the insertion direction to the storage position.

2. The wireless information means in the storage position is inclined with respect to the insertion direction, The guide unit is a receiving portion that abuts against the wireless information means inserted into the accommodation portion through the insertion opening and restricts downward displacement of the abutting portion; The carrier device described in claim 1, characterized in that it is provided with an inclined portion that is arranged on the storage restriction portion side of the receiving portion, allows the wireless information means abutting the receiving portion to tilt toward the storage position due to its own weight, and supports the wireless information means that has displaced to the storage position.

3. The insertion opening opens the storage portion upward, the cover portion covers an upper portion of a part of the storage portion, and the insertion direction is a vertical direction, The carrier according to claim 2, characterized in that the edge of the receiving portion on the side of the storage restriction portion is configured to be located on the opposite side of the storage restriction portion from the center of the insertion opening.

4. The transporting device is a pallet comprising a plurality of pillars and a deck portion connecting upper ends of the plurality of pillars, and a loading surface on which an article is placed is formed by the upper surfaces of the pillars and the upper surface of the deck portion, The housing portion is provided on a predetermined one of the pillar portions, The insertion opening opens the storage portion upward, the cover portion covers an upper portion of a part of the storage portion, and the insertion direction is a vertical direction, The wireless information means in the storage position is inclined so that a portion of the upper surface of the wireless information means on the storage restriction portion side is positioned lower than a portion of the upper surface on the insertion opening side, When the wireless information means is in the storage position, at least a portion of the upper surface of the wireless information means on the storage restriction portion side faces the lower surface of the cover portion in the up-down direction as the predetermined portion, the carrier includes a cap member that is attached to a periphery of the insertion opening by being displaced vertically relative to the insertion opening, A carrier device as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the cap member is located on the opposite side of the storage restriction portion from the wireless information means in the storage position, and is provided with a cap restriction portion that restricts displacement of the wireless information means toward the preparation position.

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