Tray and conveying apparatus

Abstract

An upper surface of the main body portion 10 is used as a placement surface 11 on which an article is placed. The main body portion 10 includes an intermediate portion 12, a front portion 13 that is adjacent to the intermediate portion 12 on a front side XI of a front-rear direction X, and a rear portion 14 that is adjacent to the intermediate portion 12 on a rear side X2 of the front-rear direction X. The intermediate portion 12 is formed in a rectangular shape in plan view, the front portion 13 is formed in a trapezoidal shape that becomes smaller in a width direction Y as it goes toward the front side XI in plan view, and the rear portion 14 is formed in a trapezoidal shape that becomes smaller in the width direction Y as it goes toward the rear side X2 in plan view.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a tray provided with a main body portion formed in a plate shape and conveyed by a conveying device along a conveying path, and a conveying apparatus provided with such a tray and a conveying device. BACKGROUND

[0002] One example of such a tray as described above is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-177981 (Patent Literature 1). Hereinafter, the symbols shown in parentheses in the description of the background art are those of Patent Literature 1. In Patent Literature 1, a tray (40) conveyed by a conveying device (100) along a conveying path is disclosed. As shown in FIG. 1 of Patent Literature 1, the conveying device (100) is configured in such a manner that both a driving roller (10) disposed on an outer peripheral side and a driving roller (20) disposed on an inner peripheral side are driven in a curved path portion of the conveying path formed in a curved shape in a plan view to convey the tray (40). According to Patent Literature 1, by configuring the conveying device (10) in this way, the tray (40) can be smoothly conveyed in the curved path portion. Figure 1

[0003] PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS

[0004] PATENT LITERATURE

[0005] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-177981 SUMMARY

[0006] PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0007] ​As also described in paragraph 0005 of Patent Document 1, a pallet as described above is used, for example, for loading and conveying baggage at an airport. In the case where a pallet loads and conveys articles such as baggage, by using a pallet having a longer overall length (length in the direction along the conveying path), it is also easy to convey long articles such as golf bags. However, if the overall length of the pallet is simply increased, the radial direction width of the moving track of the pallet at the curved path portion (difference between the inner diameter and the outer diameter of the moving track) becomes large accordingly. Thus, the conveying device that conveys the pallet at the curved path portion can be large-sized. In addition, it is considered that the pallet having the increased overall length (hereinafter, referred to as "first pallet") is conveyed mixed (mixed flow) with an existing device for conveying a pallet (hereinafter, referred to as "second pallet") having a shorter overall length than the first pallet. In this case, in order to be able to use the conveying device for conveying the second pallet as it is or to use it without a large change, it is desirable that the first pallet be able to be conveyed as close as possible to the moving track of the second pallet at the curved path portion. However, if the radial direction width of the moving track of the first pallet at the curved path portion is greatly expanded due to the increase in the overall length of the first pallet, it is difficult to convey the first pallet close to the moving track of the second pallet. Furthermore, in Patent Document 1, none of the increase in the overall length of the pallet or the problems that can occur in this case are described.

[0008] Thus, it is desirable to achieve a technology that can suppress the increase in the radial direction width of the moving track of the pallet at the curved path portion to a low degree while increasing the overall length of the pallet.

[0009] Solution to the problem

[0010] The pallet according to the present disclosure is a pallet that has a main body portion formed in a plate shape and is conveyed by a conveying device along a conveying path, takes a direction along the conveying path as an anteroposterior direction, takes a direction intersecting the anteroposterior direction in a plan view as a width direction, has a curved path portion formed in a curved shape in a plan view in the conveying path, and has a guide wall having a guide surface disposed along both side edges in the width direction of the conveying path and facing the inside of the width direction at least at the curved path portion. The upper surface of the main body portion is used as a placement surface on which an article is placed. The main body portion has an intermediate portion, a front portion adjacent to the front side of the intermediate portion in the anteroposterior direction, and a rear portion adjacent to the rear side of the intermediate portion in the anteroposterior direction. The intermediate portion is formed in a rectangular shape in a plan view. The front portion is formed in a trapezoidal shape in a plan view such that the width direction length becomes smaller toward the front side. The rear portion is formed in a trapezoidal shape in a plan view such that the width direction length becomes smaller toward the rear side.

[0011] According to the present configuration, the intermediate portion is formed in a rectangular shape in plan view, and thus the placement surface on which an article is placed can be appropriately ensured. Further, according to the present configuration, both the front portion and the rear portion are formed in a trapezoidal shape in plan view, which becomes smaller in the width direction toward the top end portion side in the front-rear direction, and thus the radial direction width of the movement track of the tray in the curved path portion can be suppressed to be smaller than in the case where the front portion and the rear portion are formed in a rectangular shape in plan view. Thus, the degree of increase in the radial direction width of the movement track of the tray in the curved path portion can be suppressed to be low while the overall length of the tray is increased. Furthermore, in the present configuration, the movement of the tray in the curved path portion can be guided by the guide wall provided in the conveying device, but by suppressing the radial direction width of the movement track of the tray in the curved path portion to be small, the width direction interval of the guide wall can also be suppressed to be small, and the size of the conveying device can be suppressed to be small.

[0012] Further features and advantages of the tray will become apparent from the following description of embodiments with reference to the drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 is a plan view of a part of a conveying device.

[0014] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the first tray as viewed obliquely from above.

[0015] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the first tray as viewed obliquely from below.

[0016] Figure 4 is a plan view and a side view of the first tray.

[0017] Figure 5 is a plan view of the first tray at the curved path portion.

[0018] Figure 6 is a side view of the first tray at the conveying surface angle changing portion.

[0019] Figure 7 is an enlarged side view of a state in which the first trays are stacked.

[0020] Figure 8 is a comparison view of plan view shapes of the first tray and the second tray.

[0021] Figure 9 is a comparison view of side view shapes of the first tray and the second tray. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] Embodiments of a pallet and a conveying apparatus will be described with reference to the drawings. Here, a case where a first pallet as a pallet involved in the present disclosure is conveyed in mixed use with a conveying apparatus for conveying a second pallet shorter in full length than the first pallet will be described as an example. In the present embodiment, the first pallet 1 corresponds to "pallet".

[0023] As shown in Figures 2 to 4 , the first pallet 1 has a first main body portion 10 formed in a plate shape. An upper surface (a surface facing the upper side Zl) of the first main body portion 10 is used as a first placement surface 11 on which an article 9 (see Figure 1 ) is placed. Further, the upper side Zl is one side toward the upper side in the vertical direction Z, and a lower side Z2 to be described later is one side toward the lower side in the vertical direction Z. As shown in Figure 8 and Figure 9 , the second pallet 2 has a second main body portion 20 formed in a plate shape shorter in the front-rear direction X than the first main body portion 10. An upper surface of the second main body portion 20 is used as a second placement surface 21 on which the article 9 (see Figure 1 ) is placed. As shown in Figure 1 , the first pallet 1 is conveyed along a conveying path 4 by a conveying device 3, and the second pallet 2 is also conveyed along the conveying path 4 by the conveying device 3. The first pallet 1 or the second pallet 2 is used, for example, to load and convey articles 9 such as baggage (for example, a suitcase) at an airport. In the first pallet 1, articles 9 such as a golf bag that cannot be loaded on the second pallet 2 are loaded. In the present embodiment, the first main body portion 10 corresponds to "main body portion", and the first placement surface 11 corresponds to "placement surface".

[0024] Here, as shown in Figure 4 , a direction along the conveying path 4 is taken as the front-rear direction X. In other words, the first pallet 1 is arranged with the front-rear direction X of the first pallet 1 in the direction along the conveying path 4, and the second pallet 2 is arranged with the front-rear direction X of the second pallet 2 in the direction along the conveying path 4. As shown in Figure 1 , in the conveying path 4, a curved path portion 42 formed in a curved shape in plan view (in a direction along the vertical direction Z) is included. At each point on the curved path portion 42, a direction along a tangent line in plan view at the point in the case where the conveying path 4 is represented by a curve becomes a direction along the conveying path 4 (i.e., the front-rear direction X). In other words, as shown in Figure 5 , the first pallet 1 is arranged with the front-rear direction X of the first pallet 1 in the direction of the tangent line at each point on the curved path portion 42 at each point on the curved path portion 42, and the second pallet 2 is arranged with the front-rear direction X of the second pallet 2 in the direction of the tangent line at each point on the curved path portion 42 at each point on the curved path portion 42. Further, as shown inFigure 4 and Figure 5 As shown in

[0025] As shown in Figure 1 The conveying device 100 is a device provided with the first tray 1 and the conveying device 3, and the first tray 1 is conveyed along the conveying path 4 by the conveying device 3. In the present embodiment, the conveying device 100 is a device provided with the second tray 2 as well, and the first tray 1 and the second tray 2 are conveyed along the conveying path 4 by the conveying device 3. The conveying device 100 provided with the first tray 1 and the conveying device 3 (in the present embodiment, provided with the second tray 2 as well) is also disclosed in the present specification.

[0026] As shown in Figure 1 and Figure 5 The conveying device 3 is provided with the guide wall 30 at least in the curved path portion 42. The guide wall 30 is provided with a guide surface 30a (refer to Figure 4 , Figure 5 ) disposed along both side edges in the width direction Y of the conveying path 4 and facing the inside in the width direction Y. In the present embodiment, in the conveying path 4, the linear path portion 41 formed in a straight line in plan view is included, and as shown in Figure 1 and Figure 4 The conveying device 3 is provided with the guide wall 30 also in the linear path portion 41. The guide wall 30 is provided at a height at which the guide surface 30a contacts the side surface of the first tray 1 or the second tray 2, and the first tray 1 or the second tray 2 moves along the conveying path 4 in a state in which the movement to both sides in the width direction Y is restricted by the guide surface 30a. As shown in Figure 4 The end portion of the upper side Z1 of the guide wall 30 is disposed further to the upper side Z1 than the first placement surface 11, and the guide wall 30 also has a function of suppressing the sliding out of the article 9 placed on the first placement surface 11 from the first tray 1 in the width direction Y. Similarly, the end portion of the upper side Z1 of the guide wall 30 is disposed further to the upper side Z1 than the second placement surface 21, and the guide wall 30 also has a function of suppressing the sliding out of the article 9 placed on the second placement surface 21 from the second tray 2 in the width direction Y.

[0027] As shown in Figure 1As shown in FIG. 1, in the present embodiment, the conveying device 3 is provided with a first conveying device 31 and a second conveying device 32. The first conveying device 31 is a device that conveys the first pallet 1 (and, in the present embodiment, also the second pallet 2) in the linear path portion 41, and the second conveying device 32 is a device that conveys the first pallet 1 (and, in the present embodiment, also the second pallet 2) in the curved path portion 42. Further, in the present embodiment, the second conveying device 32 is omitted. Figure 5

[0028] The configuration of the first conveying device 31 is not limited thereto, and, as shown in FIG. 2, in the present example, the first conveying device 31 is provided with two belts 31a (one example of a conveying mechanism) arranged apart at intervals in the width direction Y, and the first pallet 1 or the second pallet 2 is conveyed in a state supported from both sides in the width direction Y by the two belts 31a. Each of the belts 31a is wound around a plurality of pulleys 31b (see FIG. 3), and the first conveying device 31 drives (circulates) the two belts 31a by rotating the pulleys 31b for driving, and conveys the first pallet 1 or the second pallet 2 placed on the two belts 31a. In the present example, the plane of the upper surface of each of the two belts 31a constitutes the conveying surface T of the first conveying device 31. Figure 1 Figure 4 As shown in FIG. 1, in the present embodiment, the conveying device 3 is provided with a first conveying device 31 and a second conveying device 32. The first conveying device 31 is a device that conveys the first pallet 1 (and, in the present embodiment, also the second pallet 2) in the linear path portion 41, and the second conveying device 32 is a device that conveys the first pallet 1 (and, in the present embodiment, also the second pallet 2) in the curved path portion 42. Further, in the present embodiment, the second conveying device 32 is omitted. Figure 6

[0029] The configuration of the second conveying device 32 is not limited thereto, and, as shown in FIG. 4, in the present example, the second conveying device 32 is provided with an inner peripheral side roller 32a and an outer peripheral side roller 32b arranged apart at intervals in the width direction Y, and the first pallet 1 or the second pallet 2 is conveyed in a state supported from both sides in the width direction Y by the inner peripheral side roller 32a and the outer peripheral side roller 32b. The inner peripheral side roller 32a is arranged in plurality side by side along the conveying direction on the inner peripheral side (the side close to the center of revolution) with respect to the center in the width direction Y of the curved path portion 42, and the outer peripheral side roller 32b is arranged in plurality side by side along the conveying direction on the outer peripheral side (the side away from the center of revolution) with respect to the center in the width direction Y of the curved path portion 42. The second conveying device 32 conveys the first pallet 1 or the second pallet 2 placed on the inner peripheral side roller 32a and the outer peripheral side roller 32b by rotating the rollers (one or both of the inner peripheral side roller 32a and the outer peripheral side roller 32b) for driving. In the present example, the plane of the upper end of each of the plurality of inner peripheral side rollers 32a and the plurality of outer peripheral side rollers 32b constitutes the conveying surface T of the second conveying device 32. Figure 1 As shown in FIG. 1, in the present embodiment, the conveying device 3 is provided with a first conveying device 31 and a second conveying device 32. The first conveying device 31 is a device that conveys the first pallet 1 (and, in the present embodiment, also the second pallet 2) in the linear path portion 41, and the second conveying device 32 is a device that conveys the first pallet 1 (and, in the present embodiment, also the second pallet 2) in the curved path portion 42. Further, in the present embodiment, the second conveying device 32 is omitted.

[0030] Figure 2 ​​​​In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of first protrusion portions 11a are formed on the upper surface of the first body portion 10 at intervals in the front-rear direction X, and the first protrusion portions 11a are protrusion portions that protrude upward Zl and extend in the width direction Y. Further, the first placement surface 11 is formed by the collection of the upper surfaces of the respective first protrusion portions 11a that are arranged side by side in the front-rear direction X. In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of second protrusion portions 21a are formed on the upper surface of the second body portion 20 at intervals in the front-rear direction X, and the second protrusion portions 21a are protrusion portions that protrude upward Zl and extend in the width direction Y. Further, the second placement surface 21 is formed by the collection of the upper surfaces of the respective second protrusion portions 21a that are arranged side by side in the front-rear direction X. By forming the first protrusion portions 11a on the upper surface of the first body portion 10, movement of the article 9 placed on the first placement surface 11 in the front-rear direction X on the first placement surface 11 can be suppressed, and by forming the second protrusion portions 21a on the upper surface of the second body portion 20, movement of the article 9 placed on the second placement surface 21 in the front-rear direction X on the second placement surface 21 can be suppressed. Figure 9 In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of first protrusion portions 11a are formed on the upper surface of the first body portion 10 at intervals in the front-rear direction X, and the first protrusion portions 11a are protrusion portions that protrude upward Zl and extend in the width direction Y. Further, the first placement surface 11 is formed by the collection of the upper surfaces of the respective first protrusion portions 11a that are arranged side by side in the front-rear direction X. In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of second protrusion portions 21a are formed on the upper surface of the second body portion 20 at intervals in the front-rear direction X, and the second protrusion portions 21a are protrusion portions that protrude upward Zl and extend in the width direction Y. Further, the second placement surface 21 is formed by the collection of the upper surfaces of the respective second protrusion portions 21a that are arranged side by side in the front-rear direction X. By forming the first protrusion portions 11a on the upper surface of the first body portion 10, movement of the article 9 placed on the first placement surface 11 in the front-rear direction X on the first placement surface 11 can be suppressed, and by forming the second protrusion portions 21a on the upper surface of the second body portion 20, movement of the article 9 placed on the second placement surface 21 in the front-rear direction X on the second placement surface 21 can be suppressed.

[0031] In the present embodiment, the first placement surface 11 is inclined in a manner that inclines toward the lower side Z2 as it approaches the central portion in the front-rear direction X. In the present embodiment, the first placement surface 11 is inclined in a manner that inclines toward the lower side Z2 as it approaches the central portion in the front-rear direction X. Figure 4 In the side view of the first tray 1 shown in FIG. 1, in the present example, at least the central portion in the width direction Y, the first placement surface 11 is inclined in a manner that inclines toward the lower side Z2 as it approaches the central portion in the front-rear direction X. In addition, in the present example, the first placement surface 11 is formed uniformly in height along the front-rear direction X at the intermediate portion (portion including the central portion) other than the portions on both sides in the front-rear direction X, and is inclined in a manner that inclines toward the lower side Z2 as it approaches the central portion in the front-rear direction X at the portions on both sides in the front-rear direction X (portions including the end portions on both sides). As shown in FIG. 1, in the present example, the first placement surface 11 is inclined in a manner that inclines toward the lower side Z2 as it approaches the central portion in the front-rear direction X at least at the central portion in the width direction Y. Figure 9 In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of first protrusion portions 11a are formed on the upper surface of the first body portion 10 at intervals in the front-rear direction X, and the first protrusion portions 11a are protrusion portions that protrude upward Zl and extend in the width direction Y. Further, the first placement surface 11 is formed by the collection of the upper surfaces of the respective first protrusion portions 11a that are arranged side by side in the front-rear direction X. In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of second protrusion portions 21a are formed on the upper surface of the second body portion 20 at intervals in the front-rear direction X, and the second protrusion portions 21a are protrusion portions that protrude upward Zl and extend in the width direction Y. Further, the second placement surface 21 is formed by the collection of the upper surfaces of the respective second protrusion portions 21a that are arranged side by side in the front-rear direction X. By forming the first protrusion portions 11a on the upper surface of the first body portion 10, movement of the article 9 placed on the first placement surface 11 in the front-rear direction X on the first placement surface 11 can be suppressed, and by forming the second protrusion portions 21a on the upper surface of the second body portion 20, movement of the article 9 placed on the second placement surface 21 in the front-rear direction X on the second placement surface 21 can be suppressed.

[0032] In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of first protrusion portions 11a are formed on the upper surface of the first body portion 10 at intervals in the front-rear direction X, and the first protrusion portions 11a are protrusion portions that protrude upward Zl and extend in the width direction Y. Further, the first placement surface 11 is formed by the collection of the upper surfaces of the respective first protrusion portions 11a that are arranged side by side in the front-rear direction X. In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of second protrusion portions 21a are formed on the upper surface of the second body portion 20 at intervals in the front-rear direction X, and the second protrusion portions 21a are protrusion portions that protrude upward Zl and extend in the width direction Y. Further, the second placement surface 21 is formed by the collection of the upper surfaces of the respective second protrusion portions 21a that are arranged side by side in the front-rear direction X. By forming the first protrusion portions 11a on the upper surface of the first body portion 10, movement of the article 9 placed on the first placement surface 11 in the front-rear direction X on the first placement surface 11 can be suppressed, and by forming the second protrusion portions 21a on the upper surface of the second body portion 20, movement of the article 9 placed on the second placement surface 21 in the front-rear direction X on the second placement surface 21 can be suppressed. Figure 2As shown in FIG. 1, the first placement surface 11 is inclined toward the lower side Z2 as it goes toward the central portion in the width direction Y. In the present example, the first placement surface 11 is inclined toward the lower side Z2 as it goes toward the central portion in the width direction Y in the entire region in the front-rear direction X. Also in the present embodiment, the second placement surface 21 is inclined as described above similarly to the first placement surface 11. By inclining the first placement surface 11 as described above, movement of the article 9 placed on the first placement surface 11 in the width direction Y on the first placement surface 11 can be suppressed, and by inclining the second placement surface 21 as described above, movement of the article 9 placed on the second placement surface 21 in the width direction Y on the second placement surface 21 can be suppressed.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 1, the first placement surface 11 is inclined toward the lower side Z2 as it goes toward the central portion in the width direction Y. In the present example, the first placement surface 11 is inclined toward the lower side Z2 as it goes toward the central portion in the width direction Y in the entire region in the front-rear direction X. Also in the present embodiment, the second placement surface 21 is inclined as described above similarly to the first placement surface 11. By inclining the first placement surface 11 as described above, movement of the article 9 placed on the first placement surface 11 in the width direction Y on the first placement surface 11 can be suppressed, and by inclining the second placement surface 21 as described above, movement of the article 9 placed on the second placement surface 21 in the width direction Y on the second placement surface 21 can be suppressed. Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 1, the first placement surface 11 is inclined toward the lower side Z2 as it goes toward the central portion in the width direction Y. In the present example, the first placement surface 11 is inclined toward the lower side Z2 as it goes toward the central portion in the width direction Y in the entire region in the front-rear direction X. Also in the present embodiment, the second placement surface 21 is inclined as described above similarly to the first placement surface 11. By inclining the first placement surface 11 as described above, movement of the article 9 placed on the first placement surface 11 in the width direction Y on the first placement surface 11 can be suppressed, and by inclining the second placement surface 21 as described above, movement of the article 9 placed on the second placement surface 21 in the width direction Y on the second placement surface 21 can be suppressed. Figure 3 As shown in FIG. 1, the first placement surface 11 is inclined toward the lower side Z2 as it goes toward the central portion in the width direction Y. In the present example, the first placement surface 11 is inclined toward the lower side Z2 as it goes toward the central portion in the width direction Y in the entire region in the front-rear direction X. Also in the present embodiment, the second placement surface 21 is inclined as described above similarly to the first placement surface 11. By inclining the first placement surface 11 as described above, movement of the article 9 placed on the first placement surface 11 in the width direction Y on the first placement surface 11 can be suppressed, and by inclining the second placement surface 21 as described above, movement of the article 9 placed on the second placement surface 21 in the width direction Y on the second placement surface 21 can be suppressed. As shown in FIG. 1, the first placement surface 11 is inclined toward the lower side Z2 as it goes toward the central portion in the width direction Y. In the present example, the first placement surface 11 is inclined toward the lower side Z2 as it goes toward the central portion in the width direction Y in the entire region in the front-rear direction X. Also in the present embodiment, the second placement surface 21 is inclined as described above similarly to the first placement surface 11. By inclining the first placement surface 11 as described above, movement of the article 9 placed on the first placement surface 11 in the width direction Y on the first placement surface 11 can be suppressed, and by inclining the second placement surface 21 as described above, movement of the article 9 placed on the second placement surface 21 in the width direction Y on the second placement surface 21 can be suppressed.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 1, the first placement surface 11 is inclined toward the lower side Z2 as it goes toward the central portion in the width direction Y. In the present example, the first placement surface 11 is inclined toward the lower side Z2 as it goes toward the central portion in the width direction Y in the entire region in the front-rear direction X. Also in the present embodiment, the second placement surface 21 is inclined as described above similarly to the first placement surface 11. By inclining the first placement surface 11 as described above, movement of the article 9 placed on the first placement surface 11 in the width direction Y on the first placement surface 11 can be suppressed, and by inclining the second placement surface 21 as described above, movement of the article 9 placed on the second placement surface 21 in the width direction Y on the second placement surface 21 can be suppressed. Figure 4 As shown in FIG. 1, the first placement surface 11 is inclined toward the lower side Z2 as it goes toward the central portion in the width direction Y. In the present example, the first placement surface 11 is inclined toward the lower side Z2 as it goes toward the central portion in the width direction Y in the entire region in the front-rear direction X. Also in the present embodiment, the second placement surface 21 is inclined as described above similarly to the first placement surface 11. By inclining the first placement surface 11 as described above, movement of the article 9 placed on the first placement surface 11 in the width direction Y on the first placement surface 11 can be suppressed, and by inclining the second placement surface 21 as described above, movement of the article 9 placed on the second placement surface 21 in the width direction Y on the second placement surface 21 can be suppressed. As shown in FIG. 1, the first placement surface 11 is inclined toward the lower side Z2 as it goes toward the central portion in the width direction Y. In the present example, the first placement surface 11 is inclined toward the lower side Z2 as it goes toward the central portion in the width direction Y in the entire region in the front-rear direction X. Also in the present embodiment, the second placement surface 21 is inclined as described above similarly to the first placement surface 11. By inclining the first placement surface 11 as described above, movement of the article 9 placed on the first placement surface 11 in the width direction Y on the first placement surface 11 can be suppressed, and by inclining the second placement surface 21 as described above, movement of the article 9 placed on the second placement surface 21 in the width direction Y on the second placement surface 21 can be suppressed.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 1, the first placement surface 11 is inclined toward the lower side Z2 as it goes toward the central portion in the width direction Y. In the present example, the first placement surface 11 is inclined toward the lower side Z2 as it goes toward the central portion in the width direction Y in the entire region in the front-rear direction X. Also in the present embodiment, the second placement surface 21 is inclined as described above similarly to the first placement surface 11. By inclining the first placement surface 11 as described above, movement of the article 9 placed on the first placement surface 11 in the width direction Y on the first placement surface 11 can be suppressed, and by inclining the second placement surface 21 as described above, movement of the article 9 placed on the second placement surface 21 in the width direction Y on the second placement surface 21 can be suppressed. Figure 3 As shown in FIG. 1, the first placement surface 11 is inclined toward the lower side Z2 as it goes toward the central portion in the width direction Y. In the present example, the first placement surface 11 is inclined toward the lower side Z2 as it goes toward the central portion in the width direction Y in the entire region in the front-rear direction X. Also in the present embodiment, the second placement surface 21 is inclined as described above similarly to the first placement surface 11. By inclining the first placement surface 11 as described above, movement of the article 9 placed on the first placement surface 11 in the width direction Y on the first placement surface 11 can be suppressed, and by inclining the second placement surface 21 as described above, movement of the article 9 placed on the second placement surface 21 in the width direction Y on the second placement surface 21 can be suppressed. Figure 4As shown in FIG. 1, the bottom surface of the first intermediate portion 12 (the surface facing the lower side Z2) is provided with a first reference plane portion 12a formed in a planar shape along the conveying surface T, the bottom surface of the first front portion 13 is provided with a first front inclined plane portion 13a inclined with respect to the first reference plane portion 12a in such a manner as to face the upper side Zl as it faces the front side XI, and the bottom surface of the first rear portion 14 is provided with a first rear inclined plane portion 14a inclined with respect to the first reference plane portion 12a in such a manner as to face the upper side Zl as it faces the rear side X2. In the present example, as shown in FIG. 1, the first front inclined plane portion 13a and the first rear inclined plane portion 14a are formed in a planar shape along the conveying surface T (a planar shape continuous with the first reference plane portion 12a). The first tray 1 is conveyed by the conveying device 3 in a state in which the first reference plane portion 12a is in contact with the conveying surface T, except for the conveying surface angle changing portion 40 described later (refer to FIG. 2). In the present embodiment, the first reference plane portion 12a corresponds to the "reference plane portion", the first front inclined plane portion 13a corresponds to the "front inclined plane portion", and the first rear inclined plane portion 14a corresponds to the "rear inclined plane portion". Figure 4 As shown in FIG. 1, the portion of the bottom surface of the first front portion 13 on the rear side X2 and the portion of the bottom surface of the first rear portion 14 on the front side XI are formed in a planar shape along the conveying surface T (a planar shape continuous with the first reference plane portion 12a). The first tray 1 is conveyed by the conveying device 3 in a state in which the first reference plane portion 12a is in contact with the conveying surface T, except for the conveying surface angle changing portion 40 described later (refer to FIG. 2). In the present embodiment, the first reference plane portion 12a corresponds to the "reference plane portion", the first front inclined plane portion 13a corresponds to the "front inclined plane portion", and the first rear inclined plane portion 14a corresponds to the "rear inclined plane portion". Figure 4 ). In the present embodiment, the first reference plane portion 12a corresponds to the "reference plane portion", the first front inclined plane portion 13a corresponds to the "front inclined plane portion", and the first rear inclined plane portion 14a corresponds to the "rear inclined plane portion".

[0036] As shown in FIG. 1, the portion of the bottom surface of the first front portion 13 on the rear side X2 and the portion of the bottom surface of the first rear portion 14 on the front side XI are formed in a planar shape along the conveying surface T (a planar shape continuous with the first reference plane portion 12a). The first tray 1 is conveyed by the conveying device 3 in a state in which the first reference plane portion 12a is in contact with the conveying surface T, except for the conveying surface angle changing portion 40 described later (refer to FIG. 2). In the present embodiment, the first reference plane portion 12a corresponds to the "reference plane portion", the first front inclined plane portion 13a corresponds to the "front inclined plane portion", and the first rear inclined plane portion 14a corresponds to the "rear inclined plane portion". Figure 2 and Figure 4 As shown in FIG. 1, the portion of the bottom surface of the first front portion 13 on the rear side X2 and the portion of the bottom surface of the first rear portion 14 on the front side XI are formed in a planar shape along the conveying surface T (a planar shape continuous with the first reference plane portion 12a). The first tray 1 is conveyed by the conveying device 3 in a state in which the first reference plane portion 12a is in contact with the conveying surface T, except for the conveying surface angle changing portion 40 described later (refer to FIG. 2). In the present embodiment, the first reference plane portion 12a corresponds to the "reference plane portion", the first front inclined plane portion 13a corresponds to the "front inclined plane portion", and the first rear inclined plane portion 14a corresponds to the "rear inclined plane portion". Figure 4 As shown in FIG. 1, the portion of the bottom surface of the first front portion 13 on the rear side X2 and the portion of the bottom surface of the first rear portion 14 on the front side XI are formed in a planar shape along the conveying surface T (a planar shape continuous with the first reference plane portion 12a). The first tray 1 is conveyed by the conveying device 3 in a state in which the first reference plane portion 12a is in contact with the conveying surface T, except for the conveying surface angle changing portion 40 described later (refer to FIG. 2). In the present embodiment, the first reference plane portion 12a corresponds to the "reference plane portion", the first front inclined plane portion 13a corresponds to the "front inclined plane portion", and the first rear inclined plane portion 14a corresponds to the "rear inclined plane portion".

[0037] As shown in FIG. 1, the portion of the bottom surface of the first front portion 13 on the rear side X2 and the portion of the bottom surface of the first rear portion 14 on the front side XI are formed in a planar shape along the conveying surface T (a planar shape continuous with the first reference plane portion 12a). The first tray 1 is conveyed by the conveying device 3 in a state in which the first reference plane portion 12a is in contact with the conveying surface T, except for the conveying surface angle changing portion 40 described later (refer to FIG. 2). In the present embodiment, the first reference plane portion 12a corresponds to the "reference plane portion", the first front inclined plane portion 13a corresponds to the "front inclined plane portion", and the first rear inclined plane portion 14a corresponds to the "rear inclined plane portion". Figure 3As shown in the diagram, in this embodiment, each portion of the bottom surface of the first main body 10 corresponding to the formation position of the first end stop 15 is formed with an upwardly recessed portion 16 in a shape that allows the upper end portion 15a of the first end stop 15 to be inserted. Specifically, the recess 16 is formed at the front end X1 of the bottom surface of the first front portion 13 and at the rear end X2 of the bottom surface of the first rear portion 14. Thus, as Figure 7 As shown, the two first end stops 15 of the first tray 1 formed on the lower side Z2 can be inserted into the recess 16 of the first tray 1 formed on the upper side Z1 to stack the first tray 1 (specifically, the empty first tray 1 without any items 9). Furthermore, as... Figure 3 As shown in the figure, in this embodiment, recesses (clamped portions 19) for clamping the first tray 1 by means of a stacking device are formed at the four corners of the bottom surface of the first main body 10 (specifically, at the two ends of each end in the front-rear direction X and the two ends in the width direction Y). By inserting the four clamping portions (claws) of the stacking device into the corresponding clamped portions 19, the first tray 1 can be stacked or de-stacked.

[0038] like Figure 8 and Figure 9 As shown, the second main body 20 includes a second intermediate portion 22, a second front portion 23 adjacent to the second intermediate portion 22 on a front side X1, and a second rear portion 24 adjacent to the second intermediate portion 22 on a rear side X2. These second intermediate portions 22, second front portions 23, and second rear portions 24 (and in this embodiment, a second end stop 25 described later) are integrally formed using a molding technique (e.g., a molding technique that heat-foams a foaming resin such as foamed polypropylene). Figure 4 As shown in the figure, the second middle part 22 is rectangular in shape when viewed from above, the second front part 23 is trapezoidal in shape when viewed from above, which decreases in width direction Y as it moves toward the front side X1, and the second rear part 24 is trapezoidal in shape when viewed from above, which decreases in width direction Y as it moves toward the rear side X2.

[0039] like Figure 9As shown in FIG. 2, the bottom surface of the middle portion of the front-rear direction X (specifically, the second middle portion 22) of the second main body portion 20 is provided with a second reference plane portion 22a formed in a planar shape along the conveyance surface T, the bottom surface of the portion of the front side XI (specifically, the second front portion 23) of the second main body portion 20 is provided with a second front inclined plane portion 23a inclined with respect to the second reference plane portion 22a in such a manner that it is directed upward Zl side as it is directed toward the front side XI, and the bottom surface of the portion of the rear side X2 (specifically, the second rear portion 24) of the second main body portion 20 is provided with a second rear inclined plane portion 24a inclined with respect to the second reference plane portion 22a in such a manner that it is directed upward Zl side as it is directed toward the rear side X2. The second tray 2 is conveyed by the conveyance device 3 in a state in which the second reference plane portion 22a is in contact with the conveyance surface T, except for the conveyance surface angle changing portion 40 described later.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 2, the bottom surface of the middle portion of the front-rear direction X (specifically, the second middle portion 22) of the second main body portion 20 is provided with a second reference plane portion 22a formed in a planar shape along the conveyance surface T, the bottom surface of the portion of the front side XI (specifically, the second front portion 23) of the second main body portion 20 is provided with a second front inclined plane portion 23a inclined with respect to the second reference plane portion 22a in such a manner that it is directed upward Zl side as it is directed toward the front side XI, and the bottom surface of the portion of the rear side X2 (specifically, the second rear portion 24) of the second main body portion 20 is provided with a second rear inclined plane portion 24a inclined with respect to the second reference plane portion 22a in such a manner that it is directed upward Zl side as it is directed toward the rear side X2. The second tray 2 is conveyed by the conveyance device 3 in a state in which the second reference plane portion 22a is in contact with the conveyance surface T, except for the conveyance surface angle changing portion 40 described later. Figure 9 As shown in FIG. 2, the bottom surface of the middle portion of the front-rear direction X (specifically, the second middle portion 22) of the second main body portion 20 is provided with a second reference plane portion 22a formed in a planar shape along the conveyance surface T, the bottom surface of the portion of the front side XI (specifically, the second front portion 23) of the second main body portion 20 is provided with a second front inclined plane portion 23a inclined with respect to the second reference plane portion 22a in such a manner that it is directed upward Zl side as it is directed toward the front side XI, and the bottom surface of the portion of the rear side X2 (specifically, the second rear portion 24) of the second main body portion 20 is provided with a second rear inclined plane portion 24a inclined with respect to the second reference plane portion 22a in such a manner that it is directed upward Zl side as it is directed toward the rear side X2. The second tray 2 is conveyed by the conveyance device 3 in a state in which the second reference plane portion 22a is in contact with the conveyance surface T, except for the conveyance surface angle changing portion 40 described later. Figure 9 As shown in FIG. 2, the bottom surface of the middle portion of the front-rear direction X (specifically, the second middle portion 22) of the second main body portion 20 is provided with a second reference plane portion 22a formed in a planar shape along the conveyance surface T, the bottom surface of the portion of the front side XI (specifically, the second front portion 23) of the second main body portion 20 is provided with a second front inclined plane portion 23a inclined with respect to the second reference plane portion 22a in such a manner that it is directed upward Zl side as it is directed toward the front side XI, and the bottom surface of the portion of the rear side X2 (specifically, the second rear portion 24) of the second main body portion 20 is provided with a second rear inclined plane portion 24a inclined with respect to the second reference plane portion 22a in such a manner that it is directed upward Zl side as it is directed toward the rear side X2. The second tray 2 is conveyed by the conveyance device 3 in a state in which the second reference plane portion 22a is in contact with the conveyance surface T, except for the conveyance surface angle changing portion 40 described later.

[0041] In the present embodiment, the first tray 1 is formed in a shape in which the portion thereof on the front side XI with respect to the center position C (refer to FIG. 1) of the front-rear direction X and the portion thereof on the rear side X2 are mirror-symmetrical to each other with respect to a plane orthogonal to the front-rear direction X at the center position C. The second tray 2 is also similarly formed. Therefore, in the following description, the first tray 1 and the second tray 2 are collectively referred to as the tray 1, 2. Figure 4 ) of the front-rear direction X and the portion thereof on the rear side X2 are mirror-symmetrical to each other with respect to a plane orthogonal to the front-rear direction X at the center position C. The second tray 2 is also similarly formed. Therefore, in the following description, the first tray 1 and the second tray 2 are collectively referred to as the tray 1, 2. Figure 9In this embodiment, the first length L1 is equal to the third length L3, the second length L2 is equal to the fourth length L4, the fifth length L5 is equal to the seventh length L7, the sixth length L6 is equal to the eighth length L8, the ninth length L9 is equal to the eleventh length L11, and the tenth length L10 is equal to the twelfth length L12. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first tray 1 is formed with a portion on one side of the center position relative to the width direction Y and a portion on the other side of the center position relative to the width direction Y, which are mirror-symmetrical about a plane orthogonal to the width direction Y at that center position. The second tray 2 is formed similarly. Because the first tray 1 and the second tray 2 are formed in this way, neither the first tray 1 nor the second tray 2 has a directional characteristic in the front-rear direction X, and either side of the front-rear direction X can serve as the front side X1.

[0042] like Figure 6 As shown in the diagram, in this embodiment, the conveying path 4 (here, the straight path section 41) includes a conveying surface angle changing section 40 that varies the angle of the conveying surface T relative to the horizontal plane H. In this specification, the angle of the conveying surface T relative to the horizontal plane H is defined such that the downwardly inclined angle of the conveying surface T relative to the horizontal plane H is negative and the upwardly inclined angle of the conveying surface T relative to the horizontal plane H is positive. Figure 6 The conveyor surface angle changing section 40 shown is a conveyor surface angle changing section 40 that changes towards the side where the angle of the conveyor surface T increases (specifically, from 0 degrees to 15 degrees). That is, in Figure 6 In the example shown, the intersection angle A2 of the conveyor surface T at the conveyor surface angle changing section 40 is 15 degrees. The intersection angle A2 is the angle relative to the upstream (rear side X2) conveyor surface T of the conveyor surface angle changing section 40. Figure 6 In the example shown, the angle of the conveying surface T relative to the downstream side (front side X1) of the conveying surface angle change section 40 is taken as 0 degrees. Figure 6 In the example shown, the angle is 15 degrees. Of course, the cross angle A2 can also be any other angle besides 15 degrees, for example, it can be an angle of less than 20 degrees.

[0043] When the first tray 1 passes through the conveyor surface angle change section 40, the posture of the first tray 1 is from the first reference plane section 12a to the first posture of contacting the conveyor surface T upstream of the conveyor surface angle change section 40. Figure 6 The posture of the first tray 1 shown changes to a second posture, in which the first reference plane portion 12a contacts the conveying surface T downstream of the conveying surface angle change portion 40. During this change in posture of the first tray 1 (specifically, before and after the change in posture of the first tray 1 from the first posture), as... Figure 6As shown in FIG. 1, the first front inclined surface portion 13a (specifically, portions on both sides in the width direction Y of the first front inclined surface portion 13a) contacts the conveying surface T on the downstream side with respect to the conveying surface angle changing portion 40. In addition, although not shown, during a change in the posture of the first tray 1 from the first posture to the second posture (specifically, before and after the change in the posture of the first tray 1 to the second posture), the first rear inclined surface portion 14a (specifically, portions on both sides in the width direction Y of the first rear inclined surface portion 14a) contacts the conveying surface T on the upstream side with respect to the conveying surface angle changing portion 40. By contacting the first front inclined surface portion 13a or the first rear inclined surface portion 14a with the conveying surface T (here, the upper surface of the belt 31a) as such, during the change in the posture of the first tray 1, it is easy to appropriately secure the contact area of the lower surface of the first main body portion 10 with the conveying surface T.

[0044] In the present embodiment, the first front inclined surface portion 13a and the first rear inclined surface portion 14a are inclined at the same angle with respect to the first reference plane portion 12a. Also, the inclination angle Al (refer to FIG. 1) of each of the first front inclined surface portion 13a and the first rear inclined surface portion 14a with respect to the first reference plane portion 12a corresponds to the intersection angle A2 of the conveying surface T at the conveying surface angle changing portion 40 where the angle change of the conveying surface T (specifically, the angle change to the side where the angle of the conveying surface T is larger) is the largest in the conveying path 4. Figure 7 ) corresponds to the intersection angle A2 of the conveying surface T at the conveying surface angle changing portion 40 where the angle change of the conveying surface T (specifically, the angle change to the side where the angle of the conveying surface T is larger) is the largest in the conveying path 4. That the inclination angle Al corresponds to the intersection angle A2 means that the inclination angle Al is an angle set with the intersection angle A2 as a reference, and is a concept including both a case where the inclination angle Al is equal to the intersection angle A2 and a case where the inclination angle Al is set to be different from the intersection angle A2. The set angle in the latter case is set, for example, in consideration of the tension of the belt 31a or the like. Figure 6 The conveying surface angle changing portion 40 shown in FIG. 1 is the conveying surface angle changing portion 40 where the angle change of the conveying surface T is the largest in the conveying path 4, and Figure 6 In the example shown in FIG. 1, the inclination angle Al (refer to FIG. 1) is equal to the intersection angle A2 of the conveying surface T at this conveying surface angle changing portion 40. Figure 7

[0045] As shown in FIG. 1, the first front inclined surface portion 13a (specifically, portions on both sides in the width direction Y of the first front inclined surface portion 13a) contacts the conveying surface T on the downstream side with respect to the conveying surface angle changing portion 40. In addition, although not shown, during a change in the posture of the first tray 1 from the first posture to the second posture (specifically, before and after the change in the posture of the first tray 1 to the second posture), the first rear inclined surface portion 14a (specifically, portions on both sides in the width direction Y of the first rear inclined surface portion 14a) contacts the conveying surface T on the upstream side with respect to the conveying surface angle changing portion 40. By contacting the first front inclined surface portion 13a or the first rear inclined surface portion 14a with the conveying surface T (here, the upper surface of the belt 31a) as such, during the change in the posture of the first tray 1, it is easy to appropriately secure the contact area of the lower surface of the first main body portion 10 with the conveying surface T. Figure 4 ​As shown in an example in a plan view of Fig. 6, a sensor 5 for detecting the position (position in the front-rear direction X) of the first tray 1 or the second tray 2 is provided at the conveyance path 4. The sensor 5 is configured in a manner that the first tray 1 or the second tray 2 is detected by projecting a detection light 5a in the width direction Y, and in the present example, is a light-shielded photoelectric switch (photoelectric sensor) that becomes to detect the first tray 1 or the second tray 2 due to the absence of the detection light 5a. The arrival of the top end portion (end portion of the front side XI) of the first tray 1 can be detected by the sensor 5 according to the positional relationship in the front-rear direction X between the top end position of the front side XI of the first tray 1 and the detected portion of the first tray 1 detected by the sensor 5, and likewise, the arrival of the top end portion of the second tray 2 can be detected by the sensor 5. In the present embodiment, the position of the first tray 1 or the second tray 2 is managed by a control device that controls the operation of the conveyance device 3 (specifically, a higher-level controller that issues an instruction to a machine controller provided at the conveyance device 3), and the control device is configured in a manner that the managed position of the first tray 1 or the second tray 2 is corrected based on information of the arrival time (specifically, the arrival time of the top end portion) of the first tray 1 or the second tray 2 detected by the sensor 5. The detection information of the sensor 5 is used for the control of the stop position of the first tray 1 or the second tray 2, for example. By making the positional relationship in the front-rear direction X between the top end position of the front side XI of the first tray 1 and the detected portion of the first tray 1 detected by the sensor 5 the same or the same degree as the positional relationship in the front-rear direction X between the top end position of the front side XI of the second tray 2 and the detected portion of the second tray 2 detected by the sensor 5, it is possible to seek simplification of the control configuration and control logic for stopping the tray with the top end portion not exceeding the target position. Specifically, in a case where deceleration is started at the timing of detecting the arrival of the tray by the sensor 5 and control to stop the tray is performed, even if the deceleration time is not changed according to whether the stopped tray is the first tray 1 or the second tray 2, it is possible to stop the tray with the top end portion not exceeding the target position.

[0046] In the present embodiment, as explained below, the above two positional relationships are made the same or the same degree by forming the protrusion 17 as a detected portion at the first front inclined surface portion 13a and the first rear inclined surface portion 14a. As Figure 3 and Figure 4As shown in the diagram, in this embodiment, a protrusion 17 is formed at the center of the width direction Y of each of the first forward inclined surface 13a and the first rear inclined surface 14a, protruding downward to the side Z2 relative to both sides of the width direction Y. The bottom surface of the protrusion 17 is arranged along the first reference plane 12a at the same height as the first reference plane 12a or at a higher side Z1 (in this embodiment, at a higher side Z1 than the first reference plane 12a). Alternatively, the bottom surface of the protrusion 17 may be arranged not along the first reference plane 12a (for example, along a surface inclined relative to the first reference plane 12a).

[0047] In this embodiment, the end face of the front side X1 of the protrusion 17 formed on the first front inclined surface 13a is inclined toward the rear side X2 as it moves toward the lower side Z2 (see reference). Figure 4 , Figure 7 The end face of the protrusion 17 on the rear side X2 of the first rear inclined face 14a is inclined toward the front side X1 as it moves toward the lower side Z2 (see reference). Figure 4 In this embodiment, as described above, recesses 16 are formed on both sides of the bottom surface of the first main body 10 in the front-rear direction X, and protrusions 17 formed on the first front inclined surface 13a are disposed on the rear side X2 relative to the recesses 16 on the front side X1 (see reference). Figure 4 and Figure 7 The protrusion 17 formed on the first rearward inclined surface 14a is disposed on the front side X1 relative to the recess 16 on the rearward side X2 (see reference). Figure 4 ).

[0048] The illustration is omitted, but the sensor 5 is configured to project the detection light 5a to the height where the protrusion 17 is formed. Therefore, as shown... Figure 9 As shown, the length (separation distance) along the front-rear direction X between the end of the front side X1 of the first tray 1 and the protrusion 17 formed on the first front inclined surface 13a is defined as the fifth length L5. The sensor 5 detects the position where the fifth length L5 is offset rearward from the top position of the front side X1 of the first tray 1. Furthermore, the end face of the front side X1 of the protrusion 17 formed on the first front inclined surface 13a is inclined towards the rearward side X2 as it faces downward Z2. Therefore, the position detected by the sensor 5 can be a position further offset rearward by a predetermined length from the position offset rearward by the fifth length L5 relative to the top position of the front side X1 of the first tray 1. Furthermore, in Figure 9 In this context, the length along the front-rear direction X between the end of the rear side X2 of the first tray 1 and the protrusion 17 formed on the first rear inclined surface 14a is defined as the seventh length L7.

[0049] On the other hand, the bottom surface of the second tray 2 (specifically, the second front portion 23) has a first surface (a surface facing the front side X1) extending upward from the end of the front side X1 of the second front inclined portion 23a towards the upper side Z1 at the height of the projected detection light 5a. Therefore, as Figure 9 As shown, the length along the front-rear direction X between the end of the front side X1 of the second tray 2 and the aforementioned first surface is defined as the sixth length L6. The sensor 5 detects the position of the position offset by the sixth length L6 from the top position of the front side X1 of the second tray 2 towards the rear side X2. Furthermore, the bottom surface of the second tray 2 (specifically, the second rear portion 24) has a second surface (facing towards the rear side X2) extending upwards from the end of the rear side X2 of the second rear inclined surface 24a at the height of the projected detection light 5a. Figure 9 In this context, the length along the front-rear direction X between the end of the rear side X2 of the second tray 2 and the aforementioned second surface is defined as the eighth length L8.

[0050] In this embodiment, the protrusion 17 is formed such that the fifth length L5 and the sixth length L6 are the same or substantially the same. Therefore, as described above, the position of the top of the front side X1 of the first tray 1 relative to the position of the detected part of the first tray 1 in the front-rear direction X is the same as or to the same degree as the position of the top of the front side X1 of the second tray 2 relative to the position of the detected part of the second tray 2 in the front-rear direction X. Furthermore, by forming the protrusion 17 on the first forward inclined surface 13a or the first rear inclined surface 14a, as... Figure 6 As shown, when the first pallet 1 passes through the conveyor surface angle change section 40, the protrusion 17 enters the lower side Z2 relative to the conveyor surface T. However, since the protrusion 17 is formed at the center of the width direction Y of each of the first front inclined surface 13a and the first rear inclined surface 14a, the conveying device 3 (specifically, a motor or reducer that rotates the pulley 31b, etc.) can be easily arranged in a way that avoids interference with the protrusion 17.

[0051] like Figure 4 As shown in the diagram, in this embodiment, on both sides of the central region (including the central portion of the central part in the front-rear direction X) of the first intermediate portion 12 in the width direction Y, there are constricted necks 18a that are recessed toward the central portion in the width direction Y as they move toward the center position C in the front-rear direction X. In this example, the constricted necks 18a are formed such that the side shape of the portion of the first intermediate portion 12 in which the constricted necks 18a are formed is arc-shaped when viewed from above. Figures 2 to 4As shown in FIG. 1, the portions of the both sides in the width direction Y of the first intermediate portion 12 on the front side Xl and the rear side X2 relative to the necked portion 18a are formed in a planar shape orthogonal to the width direction Y, and these portions constitute the guided portions 18b guided by the guide surfaces 30a. Although the details are omitted, by providing the guided portions 18b on both sides in the front-rear direction X relative to the necked portion 18a as such, when the posture of the first tray 1 is switched from the horizontal posture to the inclined posture (a posture in which one side in the width direction Y is located on the lower side Z2 relative to the other side in the width direction Y) and the article 9 placed on the first tray 1 is discharged to one side in the width direction Y by sliding, the guided portions 18b on both sides in the front-rear direction X are supported from the lower side Z2 relative to the necked portion 18a, and thus the first tray 1 can be appropriately maintained in the inclined posture.

[0052] As Figure 8 As shown in FIG. 1, the portions of the first intermediate portion 12 (intermediate portion) in which the necked portion 18a is formed, that is, the minimum dimension in the width direction Y, is taken as the first dimension Dl, and the dimension in the width direction Y of the central portion in the front-rear direction X of the second main body portion 20 is taken as the second dimension D2. In the present embodiment, the first dimension Dl is shorter than the second dimension D2. In the present embodiment, the dimension in the width direction Y of the second intermediate portion 22 is uniformly formed along the front-rear direction X, and the second dimension D2 is equal to the dimension in the width direction Y of the second intermediate portion 22. In addition, in the present embodiment, the dimension in the width direction Y of the first intermediate portion 12 in which the guided portions 18b are formed is equal to the second dimension D2. That is, in the present embodiment, the maximum dimension in the width direction Y of the first tray 1 (in the present example, the dimension in the width direction Y of the first intermediate portion 12 in which the guided portions 18b are formed) is equal to the maximum dimension in the width direction Y of the second tray 2 (in the present example, the dimension in the width direction Y of the second intermediate portion 22).

[0053] As described above, the first front portion 13 of the first tray 1 is formed in a trapezoidal shape that decreases in the width direction Y as it goes toward the front side Xl in a plan view, and the first rear portion 14 of the first tray 1 is formed in a trapezoidal shape that decreases in the width direction Y as it goes toward the rear side X2 in a plan view. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the radial direction width of the moving track of the curved path portion 42 (the difference between the inner diameter and the outer diameter of the moving track) to be small, like Figure 5As shown in FIG. 1, the moving locus of the first tray 1 in the curved path portion 42 can be made closer to the moving locus of the second tray 2 in the curved path portion 42. Further, the moving locus of the first tray 1 is a space in which the first tray 1 moves (i.e., a collection of moving loci of each portion of the first tray 1), and the moving locus of the second tray 2 is a space in which the second tray 2 moves (i.e., a collection of moving loci of each portion of the second tray 2). In the present embodiment, the neck portion 18a is formed in the first intermediate portion 12 of the first tray 1, and thus the moving locus of the first tray 1 in the curved path portion 42 can be made even closer to the moving locus of the second tray 2 in the curved path portion 42. As shown in FIG. 1, the first tray 1 moves along the curved path portion 42 in a state in which the side surface of the first intermediate portion 12 is guided in contact with the guide surface 30a of the guide wall 30 on the inner periphery side, and the side surface of each of the first front portion 13 and the first rear portion 14 is guided in contact with the guide surface 30a of the guide wall 30 on the outer periphery side. Figure 5 As shown in FIG. 1, the first tray 1 moves along the curved path portion 42 in a state in which the side surface of the first intermediate portion 12 is guided in contact with the guide surface 30a of the guide wall 30 on the inner periphery side, and the side surface of each of the first front portion 13 and the first rear portion 14 is guided in contact with the guide surface 30a of the guide wall 30 on the outer periphery side.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 1, the first tray 1 moves along the curved path portion 42 in a state in which the side surface of the first intermediate portion 12 is guided in contact with the guide surface 30a of the guide wall 30 on the inner periphery side, and the side surface of each of the first front portion 13 and the first rear portion 14 is guided in contact with the guide surface 30a of the guide wall 30 on the outer periphery side. Figure 8 As shown in FIG. 1, the moving locus of the first tray 1 in the curved path portion 42 can be made closer to the moving locus of the second tray 2 in the curved path portion 42. Further, the moving locus of the first tray 1 is a space in which the first tray 1 moves (i.e., a collection of moving loci of each portion of the first tray 1), and the moving locus of the second tray 2 is a space in which the second tray 2 moves (i.e., a collection of moving loci of each portion of the second tray 2). In the present embodiment, the neck portion 18a is formed in the first intermediate portion 12 of the first tray 1, and thus the moving locus of the first tray 1 in the curved path portion 42 can be made even closer to the moving locus of the second tray 2 in the curved path portion 42. As shown in FIG. 1, the first tray 1 moves along the curved path portion 42 in a state in which the side surface of the first intermediate portion 12 is guided in contact with the guide surface 30a of the guide wall 30 on the inner periphery side, and the side surface of each of the first front portion 13 and the first rear portion 14 is guided in contact with the guide surface 30a of the guide wall 30 on the outer periphery side. Figure 8 As shown in FIG. 1, the first tray 1 moves along the curved path portion 42 in a state in which the side surface of the first intermediate portion 12 is guided in contact with the guide surface 30a of the guide wall 30 on the inner periphery side, and the side surface of each of the first front portion 13 and the first rear portion 14 is guided in contact with the guide surface 30a of the guide wall 30 on the outer periphery side. Figure 8 As shown in FIG. 1, the first tray 1 moves along the curved path portion 42 in a state in which the side surface of the first intermediate portion 12 is guided in contact with the guide surface 30a of the guide wall 30 on the inner periphery side, and the side surface of each of the first front portion 13 and the first rear portion 14 is guided in contact with the guide surface 30a of the guide wall 30 on the outer periphery side.

[0055] The length of the shorter side of the trapezoidal mutually parallel 2 sides (bottom sides) is taken as the upper base, and the length of the upper base of the trapezoid formed by the outer shape of the first front portion 13 in plan view is taken as the width direction Y dimension of the end portion of the front side XI of the first main body portion 10, and the length of the upper base of the trapezoid formed by the outer shape of the first rear portion 14 in plan view is taken as the width direction Y dimension of the end portion of the rear side X2 of the first main body portion 10. Also, the length of the upper base of the trapezoid formed by the outer shape of the second front portion 23 in plan view is taken as the width direction Y dimension of the end portion of the front side XI of the second main body portion 20, and the length of the upper base of the trapezoid formed by the outer shape of the second rear portion 24 in plan view is taken as the width direction Y dimension of the end portion of the rear side X2 of the second main body portion 20. Furthermore, in the case where the outer shape in plan view is substantially trapezoidal as a whole, the length (length along the width direction Y) of the portion that can be considered as the upper base is taken as the length of the upper base of the trapezoid. In Figure 8 the example shown in FIG. 13, the outer shape in plan view of the second front portion 23 or the second rear portion 24 is substantially trapezoidal as a whole (specifically, a trapezoid in which the side corresponding to the upper base is curved at 2 places), and the length of the portion that can be considered as the upper base is taken as the fourth dimension D4.

[0056] As Figure 8 shown in FIG. 13, in the present embodiment, the length in the front-rear direction X of the first intermediate portion 12 (thirteenth length L13) is greater than the length in the front-rear direction X of the first front portion 13, and is greater than the length in the front-rear direction X of the first rear portion 14. Also, in the present embodiment, the length in the front-rear direction X of the first intermediate portion 12 is greater than the length in the front-rear direction X of the second intermediate portion 22 (fourteenth length L14), and in the present example, the length in the front-rear direction X of the first intermediate portion 12 coincides with or substantially coincides with the length in the front-rear direction X of the entire second tray 2. Also, as shown in FIG. 13, in the present embodiment, the length in the front-rear direction X of the second intermediate portion 22 is greater than the length in the front-rear direction X of the second front portion 23, and is greater than the length in the front-rear direction X of the second rear portion 24. Figure 8In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the length of the front-rear direction X of the first front portion 13 is greater than the length of the front-rear direction X of the second front portion 23, and the length of the front-rear direction X of the first rear portion 14 is greater than the length of the front-rear direction X of the second rear portion 24. In the present embodiment, the length of the front-rear direction X of the first front portion 13 is equal to the length of the front-rear direction X of the first rear portion 14, and the length of the front-rear direction X of the second front portion 23 is equal to the length of the front-rear direction X of the second rear portion 24. The distance between the two sides (the base) of the trapezoid that are parallel to each other is taken as the height. In this case, the height of the trapezoid formed by the outer shape of the first front portion 13 as viewed in plan is taken as the length of the front-rear direction X of the first front portion 13, and the height of the trapezoid formed by the outer shape of the first rear portion 14 as viewed in plan is taken as the length of the front-rear direction X of the first rear portion 14. Also, the height of the trapezoid formed by the outer shape of the second front portion 23 as viewed in plan is taken as the length of the front-rear direction X of the second front portion 23, and the height of the trapezoid formed by the outer shape of the second rear portion 24 as viewed in plan is taken as the length of the front-rear direction X of the second rear portion 24. Further, in the case where the outer shape as viewed in plan is substantially trapezoidal as a whole, the distance between the portions of the two sides that are parallel to each other (the distance along the front-rear direction X) can be taken as the height of the trapezoid.

[0057] As Figure 9 As shown in FIG. 1, the length of the front-rear direction X of the first front portion 13 is taken as the first length L1, the length of the front-rear direction X of the second front portion 23 is taken as the second length L2, the length of the front-rear direction X of the first rear portion 14 is taken as the third length L3, and the length of the front-rear direction X of the second rear portion 24 is taken as the fourth length L4. In the present embodiment, the first length L1 is greater than the second length L2, and the third length L3 is greater than the fourth length L4.

[0058] As Figure 8 As shown in FIG. 1, in the present embodiment, the identification information holding portion 8 is provided at the central portion in the width direction Y of the first tray 1 or the second tray 2. As Figure 9 As shown in FIG. 1, the identification information holding portion 8 is provided on the lower side Z2 with respect to the first placement surface 11 or the second placement surface 21. In the identification information holding portion 8 provided to the first tray 1, a storage medium such as an RF (Radio Frequency) tag having the identification information of the first tray 1 is accommodated, and thus the identification information of the first tray 1 is held. Also, in the identification information holding portion 8 provided to the second tray 2, a storage medium such as an RF tag having the identification information of the second tray 2 is accommodated, and thus the identification information of the second tray 2 is held. The identification information holding portion 8 is provided at each of the front side XI and the rear side X2 with respect to the central portion of the first tray 1 in the front-rear direction X, and is provided at the central portion in the front-rear direction X with respect to the second tray 2.

[0059] As Figure 9 As shown in the above-described embodiment, the length along the front-rear direction X between the end portion of the front side XI of the 1st tray 1 and the recognition information storage portion 8 provided on the front side XI with respect to the central portion of the front-rear direction X of the 1st tray 1 is set as the 9th length L9, the length along the front-rear direction X between the end portion of the front side XI of the 2nd tray 2 and the recognition information storage portion 8 is set as the 10th length L10, the length along the front-rear direction X between the end portion of the rear side X2 of the 1st tray 1 and the recognition information storage portion 8 provided on the rear side X2 with respect to the central portion of the front-rear direction X of the 1st tray 1 is set as the 11th length L11, and the length along the front-rear direction X between the end portion of the rear side X2 of the 2nd tray 2 and the recognition information storage portion 8 is set as the 12th length L12. In the present embodiment, the 9th length L9 and the 10th length L10 are identical or substantially identical, and the 11th length L11 and the 12th length L12 are identical or substantially identical. As described above, the tip position of the front side XI of the 1st tray 1 or the 2nd tray 2 can be detected using the sensor 5, and thus by making the 9th length L9 and the 10th length L10 identical or substantially identical as such, the reading of the recognition information using the reader can be performed at the same timing after the arrival of the tray is detected by the sensor 5, regardless of whether the tray that is the reading target of the recognition information is the 1st tray 1 or the 2nd tray 2. As a result, it is possible to seek a reduction in the burden on the reading system. In addition, unlike the example shown in the above-described embodiment, the 9th length L9 and the 10th length L10 can be different, and the 11th length L11 and the 12th length L12 can be different. Figure 9 As shown in the above-described embodiment, the length along the front-rear direction X between the end portion of the front side XI of the 1st tray 1 and the recognition information storage portion 8 provided on the front side XI with respect to the central portion of the front-rear direction X of the 1st tray 1 is set as the 9th length L9, the length along the front-rear direction X between the end portion of the front side XI of the 2nd tray 2 and the recognition information storage portion 8 is set as the 10th length L10, the length along the front-rear direction X between the end portion of the rear side X2 of the 1st tray 1 and the recognition information storage portion 8 provided on the rear side X2 with respect to the central portion of the front-rear direction X of the 1st tray 1 is set as the 11th length L11, and the length along the front-rear direction X between the end portion of the rear side X2 of the 2nd tray 2 and the recognition information storage portion 8 is set as the 12th length L12. In the present embodiment, the 9th length L9 and the 10th length L10 are identical or substantially identical, and the 11th length L11 and the 12th length L12 are identical or substantially identical. As described above, the tip position of the front side XI of the 1st tray 1 or the 2nd tray 2 can be detected using the sensor 5, and thus by making the 9th length L9 and the 10th length L10 identical or substantially identical as such, the reading of the recognition information using the reader can be performed at the same timing after the arrival of the tray is detected by the sensor 5, regardless of whether the tray that is the reading target of the recognition information is the 1st tray 1 or the 2nd tray 2. As a result, it is possible to seek a reduction in the burden on the reading system. In addition, unlike the example shown in the above-described embodiment, the 9th length L9 and the 10th length L10 can be different, and the 11th length L11 and the 12th length L12 can be different.

[0060]

Other Embodiments

[0061] Next, other embodiments of the tray and the conveying device will be described.

[0062] (1) In the above-described embodiment, the 1st dimension D1, which is the minimum dimension of the width direction Y of the 1st intermediate portion 12 as the portion in which the necked portion 18a is formed, is shorter than the 2nd dimension D2, which is the dimension of the width direction Y of the central portion of the front-rear direction X of the 2nd main body portion 20, as an example of the configuration. However, the present disclosure is not limited to such a configuration, and can be a configuration in which the 1st dimension D1 is identical to or longer than the 2nd dimension D2. In this case, the dimension of the width direction Y of the 1st intermediate portion 12 as the portion in which the guide portion 18b is formed is longer than the 2nd dimension D2.

[0063] (2) In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the necked portion 18a is formed in the 1st intermediate portion 12 is described as an example. However, the present disclosure is not limited to such a configuration, and can be a configuration in which the necked portion 18a is not formed in the 1st intermediate portion 12.

[0064] (3) In the above-described embodiment, a configuration in which the first height PI of the first end stopper 15 from the first placement surface 11 is larger than the second height P2 of the second end stopper 25 from the second placement surface 21 is described as an example. However, the present disclosure is not limited to such a configuration, and for example, a configuration in which the first height PI and the second height P2 are equal can also be used. Furthermore, a configuration in which the first end stopper 15 or the second end stopper 25 is not provided can also be used.

[0065] (4) In the above-described embodiment, a configuration in which the recess 16 is formed in the bottom surface of the first main body portion 10 is described as an example. However, the present disclosure is not limited to such a configuration, and a configuration in which the recess 16 is not formed in the bottom surface of the first main body portion 10 can also be used.

[0066] (5) In the above-described embodiment, a configuration in which the protrusion 17 is formed in the central portion in the width direction Y of each of the first front inclined surface portion 13a and the first rear inclined surface portion 14a is described as an example. However, the present disclosure is not limited to such a configuration, and a configuration in which the protrusion 17 is not formed in the first front inclined surface portion 13a or the first rear inclined surface portion 14a can also be used.

[0067] (6) In the above-described embodiment, a configuration in which the first placement surface 11 is inclined toward the lower side Z2 as it approaches the central portion in the front-rear direction X is described as an example. However, the present disclosure is not limited to such a configuration, and a configuration in which the height of the first placement surface 11 is uniformly formed along the front-rear direction X throughout the entire region in the front-rear direction X can also be used.

[0068] (7) In the above-described embodiment, a configuration in which the dimension in the width direction Y of the end portion of the front side XI of the first main body portion 10 is smaller than the dimension in the width direction Y of the end portion of the front side XI of the second main body portion 20, and the dimension in the width direction Y of the end portion of the rear side X2 of the first main body portion 10 is smaller than the dimension in the width direction Y of the end portion of the rear side X2 of the second main body portion 20 is described as an example. However, the present disclosure is not limited to such a configuration, and for example, a configuration in which the dimension in the width direction Y of the end portion of the front side XI of the first main body portion 10 is the same as or larger than the dimension in the width direction Y of the end portion of the front side XI of the second main body portion 20, and the dimension in the width direction Y of the end portion of the rear side X2 of the first main body portion 10 is the same as or larger than the dimension in the width direction Y of the end portion of the rear side X2 of the second main body portion 20 can also be used.

[0069] (8) In the above embodiment, the following configuration is described as an example: the first length L1, which is the length of the first forward inclined surface 13a in the front-rear direction X, is greater than the second length L2, which is the length of the second forward inclined surface 23a in the front-rear direction X; and the third length L3, which is the length of the first rear inclined surface 14a in the front-rear direction X, is greater than the fourth length L4, which is the length of the second rear inclined surface 24a in the front-rear direction X. However, this disclosure is not limited to such a configuration. For example, it is also possible to have a configuration in which the first length L1 is the same as or smaller than the second length L2, and the third length L3 is the same as or smaller than the fourth length L4.

[0070] (9) In the above embodiment, the following configuration is described as an example: the tilt angle A1 of each of the first forward tilted portion 13a and the first rearward tilted portion 14a relative to the first reference plane portion 12a corresponds to the intersection angle A2 of the conveying surface T at the conveying surface angle change portion 40 where the angle change of the conveying surface T in the conveying path 4 is the largest. However, this disclosure is not limited to this configuration, and it is also possible for the tilt angle A1 to not correspond to the intersection angle A2 of the conveying surface T at the conveying surface angle change portion 40 where the angle change of the conveying surface T in the conveying path 4 is the largest. For example, it is possible for the tilt angle A1 to be larger than the intersection angle A2 of the conveying surface T at the conveying surface angle change portion 40 where the angle change of the conveying surface T in the conveying path 4 is the largest.

[0071] (10) In the above embodiment, the configuration of including a conveying surface angle changing portion 40 in the conveying path 4 was described as an example. However, this disclosure is not limited to such a configuration, and it is also possible to have a configuration in which the conveying path 4 does not include a conveying surface angle changing portion 40. In this case, unlike the above embodiment, it is also possible to have a configuration in which the bottom surface of the first front portion 13 does not have a first forward inclined portion 13a and the bottom surface of the first rear portion 14 does not have a first rear inclined portion 14a, or the bottom surface of the second front portion 23 does not have a second forward inclined portion 23a and the bottom surface of the second rear portion 24 does not have a second rear inclined portion 24a.

[0072] (11) In the above embodiment, the configuration in which the first pallet 1 and the second pallet 2 are conveyed along the conveying path 4 by the conveying device 3 is described as an example. However, this disclosure is not limited to such a configuration, and it is also possible to configure it in which only the first pallet 1 is conveyed along the conveying path 4 by the conveying device 3.

[0073] (12) Furthermore, the configurations disclosed in each of the above-described embodiments can be combined with those disclosed in other embodiments (including combinations of embodiments described as other embodiments) as appropriate without causing contradiction, and can be applied thereto. As for other configurations, the embodiments disclosed in this specification are merely illustrative in all points. Thus, various changes can be made as appropriate without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0074] [Summary of the above-described embodiments]

[0075] Hereinafter, a summary of the tray and the conveying apparatus described in the above-described embodiments will be described.

[0076] A tray is a tray provided with a main body portion formed in a plate shape and conveyed by a conveying device along a conveying path, a direction along the conveying path is taken as a front-rear direction, a direction intersecting the front-rear direction in plan view is taken as a width direction, the conveying path includes a curved path portion formed in a curved shape in plan view, the conveying device is provided with a guide wall at least in the curved path portion, the guide wall is provided with a guide surface disposed along both side edges in the width direction of the conveying path and facing the inside in the width direction, an upper surface of the main body portion is used as a placement surface on which an article is placed, the main body portion is provided with an intermediate portion, a front portion adjacent to the intermediate portion on the front side in the front-rear direction, and a rear portion adjacent to the intermediate portion on the rear side in the front-rear direction, the intermediate portion is formed in a rectangular shape in plan view, the front portion is formed in a trapezoidal shape in plan view that becomes smaller in the width direction as it goes toward the front side, and the rear portion is formed in a trapezoidal shape in plan view that becomes smaller in the width direction as it goes toward the rear side.

[0077] According to the present configuration, the intermediate portion is formed in a rectangular shape in plan view, and thus the placement surface on which the article is placed can be appropriately ensured. Furthermore, according to the present configuration, both the front portion and the rear portion are formed in a trapezoidal shape in plan view that becomes smaller in the width direction as it goes toward the top end portion side in the front-rear direction, and thus the radial direction width of the movement track of the tray in the curved path portion can be suppressed to be smaller as compared with the case where the front portion and the rear portion are formed in a rectangular shape in plan view. Thereby, the degree of increase in the radial direction width of the movement track of the tray in the curved path portion can be suppressed to be low while the overall length of the tray is increased. Furthermore, in the present configuration, the movement of the tray in the curved path portion can be guided by the guide wall provided in the conveying device, but by suppressing the radial direction width of the movement track of the tray in the curved path portion to be small, the width direction interval of the guide wall can also be suppressed to be small, and the large-scale of the conveying device can be suppressed.

[0078] In this case, it is desirable that the aforementioned transport path includes a transport surface angle changing portion in which the angle of the transport surface with respect to the horizontal plane changes, the bottom surface of the aforementioned intermediate portion includes a reference plane portion formed in a planar shape along the aforementioned transport surface, the bottom surface of the aforementioned front portion includes a front inclined surface portion inclined with respect to the aforementioned reference plane portion in a manner that the upper side is inclined toward the aforementioned front side as the top end portion side of the front-rear direction is approached, and the bottom surface of the aforementioned rear portion includes a rear inclined surface portion inclined with respect to the aforementioned reference plane portion in a manner that the upper side is inclined toward the aforementioned rear side as the top end portion side of the front-rear direction is approached.

[0079] In a case where the angle of the transport surface with respect to the horizontal plane is defined in a manner that the angle of the downwardly inclined transport surface with respect to the horizontal plane becomes negative and the angle of the upwardly inclined transport surface with respect to the horizontal plane becomes positive, the transport surface angle changing portion in which the angle of the transport surface increases from the state along the horizontal plane to the state of upward inclination or the transport surface angle changing portion in which the angle of the transport surface increases from the state of downward inclination to the state along the horizontal plane, and the like change toward the side in which the angle of the transport surface increases. According to the present configuration, in the transport surface angle changing portion that changes toward the side in which the angle of the transport surface increases as described above, the contact area of the lower surface of the main body portion with the transport surface is easily appropriately ensured due to the presence of the front inclined surface portion or the rear inclined surface portion during the change in the posture of the tray. Thus, compared to a case where these front inclined surface portion or rear inclined surface portion are not provided, the tray is easily stably transported in the transport surface angle changing portion. Further, in the transport surface angle constant portion in which the angle of the transport surface does not change, the contact area of the lower surface of the main body portion with the transport surface is appropriately ensured by the contact of the reference plane portion with the transport surface.

[0080] As described above, it is desirable that the aforementioned configuration in which the bottom surface of the aforementioned front portion includes the aforementioned front inclined surface portion and the bottom surface of the aforementioned rear portion includes the aforementioned rear inclined surface portion, the inclination angle of each of the aforementioned front inclined surface portion and the aforementioned rear inclined surface portion with respect to the aforementioned reference plane portion corresponds to the intersection angle of the aforementioned transport surface at the aforementioned transport surface angle changing portion in which the angle of the aforementioned transport surface changes the most in the aforementioned transport path.

[0081] In the tray of the present disclosure, the front portion and the rear portion are formed in a trapezoidal shape in which the width direction decreases as the top end portion side of the front-rear direction is approached in a plan view. Therefore, in a case where, for example, the transport device includes two transport mechanisms separately arranged on both sides in the width direction, there is a possibility that the top end portion of the front side or the rear side of the tray enters the lower side with respect to the transport surface between the two transport mechanisms when the tray passes through the transport surface angle changing portion in which the angle of the transport surface increases. If the top end portion of the tray enters the lower side with respect to the transport surface to a large extent, there is a possibility of interference with the device arranged on the lower side with respect to the transport surface, such as a motor or a reducer included in the transport device.

[0082] In this regard, according to the present configuration, the inclination angle of each of the front inclined surface portion and the rear inclined surface portion with respect to the reference plane portion corresponds to the intersection angle of the conveying surface at the conveying surface angle change portion where the angle of the conveying surface changes most in the conveying path. Therefore, when the tray passes through the conveying surface angle change portion where the angle of the conveying surface changes most or the conveying surface angle change portion where the angle of the conveying surface changes less than that, by bringing the front inclined surface portion or the rear inclined surface portion into contact with the conveying surface, it is possible to make the portion of the top end portion of the tray that enters to the lower side with respect to the conveying surface (or does not enter greatly).

[0083] Further, it is appropriate that, at the central portion in the width direction of each of the aforementioned front inclined surface portion and the aforementioned rear inclined surface portion, a protruding portion that protrudes to the lower side with respect to the portions on both sides in the aforementioned width direction is formed, and the bottom surface of the aforementioned protruding portion is disposed at the same height as or more upward than the aforementioned reference plane portion so as to follow the aforementioned reference plane portion.

[0084] According to the present configuration, in a case where the conveying work of the tray by the conveying device is controlled by detecting the position of the tray by the sensor (for example, in a case where the stop position of the tray is controlled), the protruding portion can be used as a detected portion that is detected by the sensor. The position in the front-rear direction of the protruding portion can be set relatively freely, and thus, for example, in a case where the tray of the present disclosure (hereinafter, referred to as "first tray") is conveyed while being mixed with an existing device for conveying a tray (hereinafter, referred to as "second tray") that is shorter in overall length than the first tray, the protruding portion can be disposed in such a manner that the positional relationship between the top end position of the tray and the position in the front-rear direction of the detected portion is the same or becomes the same degree between the first tray and the second tray. By making the positional relationship between the top end position of the tray and the position in the front-rear direction of the detected portion the same or the same degree between the first tray and the second tray in this way, for example, in a case where the tray is stopped in such a manner that the top end portion does not exceed the target position, it is possible to seek simplification of the control configuration and control logic that can be used in common between the first tray and the second tray for the deceleration time (the time from when the tray is detected by the sensor until the tray is stopped) for conveying the tray by the conveying device.

[0085] Further, according to the present configuration, the protruding portion is provided at the central portion in the width direction of each of the front inclined surface portion and the rear inclined surface portion. Therefore, in a case where, for example, the conveying device is provided with two conveying mechanisms that are disposed separately on both sides in the width direction, even if the configuration is such that the protruding portion enters to the lower side with respect to the conveying surface when the tray passes through the conveying surface angle change portion, it is possible to separate the protruding portion from each of the two conveying mechanisms to avoid interference of the protruding portion with the devices that constitute each conveying mechanism.

[0086] In the tray of each of the above-described configurations, it is desirable that a necked portion recessed toward the central portion of the width direction as it approaches the central position of the front-rear direction be formed on each of the both sides in the width direction of the central region of the front-rear direction of the intermediate portion.

[0087] The inner diameter of the movement locus of the tray in the curved path portion is determined in correspondence with the movement locus of the side (specifically, the inner side) in the width direction of the central region of the front-rear direction of the intermediate portion. According to the present configuration, the necked portions are formed on the both sides in the width direction of the central region of the front-rear direction of the intermediate portion, and thus the radial direction width of the movement locus of the tray in the curved path portion can be suppressed to be small as compared with the case where such necked portions are not formed. Thus, even if the overall length of the tray is increased, the radial direction width of the movement locus of the tray in the curved path portion can be easily suppressed to be small.

[0088] Further, it is desirable that an end stopper protruding upward from the placement surface be formed on each of the both end portions in the front-rear direction of the main body portion.

[0089] According to the present configuration, the article placed on the tray can be suppressed from sliding out of the tray in the front-rear direction by the end stopper at the time of acceleration / deceleration of the conveyance speed of the tray or at the time of posture change in which the posture of the tray is changed in the up-down direction.

[0090] In the configuration in which the end stopper is formed on each of the both end portions in the front-rear direction of the main body portion as described above, it is desirable that a recess recessed upward be formed in each of the portions of the bottom surface of the main body portion corresponding to the formation positions of the end stoppers, the recess having a shape in which the upper end portion of the end stopper can be fitted.

[0091] According to the present configuration, the two end stoppers of the tray formed on the lower side can be fitted into the recesses of the tray formed on the upper side to stack the trays (for example, empty trays in a state in which no article is placed). Thus, a plurality of trays can be stably stacked.

[0092] In the tray of each of the above-described configurations, it is desirable that the placement surface be inclined toward the lower side as it approaches the central portion of the front-rear direction.

[0093] According to the present configuration, the article placed on the placement surface can be suppressed from moving on the placement surface in the front-rear direction. Thus, the article placed on the tray can be suppressed from sliding out of the tray in the front-rear direction at the time of acceleration / deceleration of the conveyance speed of the tray or at the time of posture change in which the posture of the tray is changed in the up-down direction.

[0094] A conveying apparatus provided with a first tray serving as the aforementioned tray and the aforementioned conveying device, and further provided with a second tray conveyed by the aforementioned conveying device along the aforementioned conveying path, the aforementioned main body portion serving as a first main body portion, and the aforementioned second tray provided with a plate-shaped second main body portion shorter than the aforementioned first main body portion in the aforementioned front-rear direction.

[0095] As described above, the first tray serving as the tray of the present disclosure can suppress the radial direction width of the moving track in the curved path portion to a low degree while increasing the overall length. Therefore, the first tray can be conveyed in the curved path portion close to the moving track of the second tray shorter than the first tray in the overall length, and a conveying apparatus that mixes and conveys the first tray and the second tray as described in the present configuration can be easily constructed.

[0096] Here, it is appropriate that the width direction dimension of the end portion on the front side of the aforementioned first main body portion is smaller than the width direction dimension of the end portion on the front side of the aforementioned second main body portion, and the width direction dimension of the end portion on the rear side of the aforementioned first main body portion is smaller than the width direction dimension of the end portion on the rear side of the aforementioned second main body portion.

[0097] According to the present configuration, compared to the case where the width direction dimension of the end portion on the front side of the first main body portion is the same as or larger than the width direction dimension of the end portion on the front side of the second main body portion, and the width direction dimension of the end portion on the rear side of the first main body portion is the same as or larger than the width direction dimension of the end portion on the rear side of the second main body portion, the radial direction width of the moving track of the first tray in the curved path portion can be suppressed to be small. Thus, the first tray can be easily conveyed in the curved path portion close to the moving track of the second tray.

[0098] Further, it is desirable that the bottom surface of the aforementioned intermediate portion has a first reference plane portion formed in a planar shape along the conveying surface of the aforementioned conveying device, the bottom surface of the aforementioned front portion has a first front inclined surface portion inclined with respect to the aforementioned first reference plane portion in a manner that goes upward as it goes toward the aforementioned front side, the bottom surface of the aforementioned rear portion has a first rear inclined surface portion inclined with respect to the aforementioned first reference plane portion in a manner that goes upward as it goes toward the aforementioned rear side, the bottom surface of the aforementioned intermediate portion of the aforementioned front-rear direction of the aforementioned second main body portion has a second reference plane portion formed in a planar shape along the aforementioned conveying surface, the bottom surface of the aforementioned front side portion of the aforementioned second main body portion has a second front inclined surface portion inclined with respect to the aforementioned second reference plane portion in a manner that goes upward as it goes toward the aforementioned front side, the bottom surface of the aforementioned rear side portion of the aforementioned second main body portion has a second rear inclined surface portion inclined with respect to the aforementioned second reference plane portion in a manner that goes upward as it goes toward the aforementioned rear side, the length of the aforementioned front-rear direction of the aforementioned first front inclined surface portion is greater than the length of the aforementioned front-rear direction of the aforementioned second front inclined surface portion, and the length of the aforementioned front-rear direction of the aforementioned first rear inclined surface portion is greater than the length of the aforementioned front-rear direction of the aforementioned second rear inclined surface portion.

[0099] According to the present configuration, the length of the front-rear direction of the first front inclined surface portion is greater than the length of the front-rear direction of the second front inclined surface portion, and the length of the front-rear direction of the first rear inclined surface portion is greater than the length of the front-rear direction of the second rear inclined surface portion, so that the first main body portion can be made longer in the front-rear direction than the second main body portion while the first reference plane portion does not become excessively large in the front-rear direction with respect to the second reference plane portion. The first reference plane portion and the second reference plane portion are portions that come into contact with the conveying surface and impart a conveying force from the conveying device, so that by making the first reference plane portion not become excessively large in the front-rear direction with respect to the second reference plane portion, the first tray and the second tray can be easily conveyed by the common conveying device even at a branch portion or a merging portion, and the like. As a result, it is easy to configure a conveying apparatus that conveys the two kinds of trays mixedly.

[0100] Further, it is desirable that, on both sides in the aforementioned width direction of the aforementioned central region of the aforementioned front-rear direction of the aforementioned intermediate portion, a necked portion is formed that is recessed in a manner that goes toward the central portion of the aforementioned width direction as it goes toward the central position of the aforementioned front-rear direction, and the minimum dimension in the aforementioned width direction of the aforementioned intermediate portion of the portion where the aforementioned necked portion is formed is shorter than the dimension in the aforementioned width direction of the central portion of the aforementioned front-rear direction of the aforementioned second main body portion.

[0101] According to the present configuration, compared with a case where the minimum dimension in the width direction of the intermediate portion of the portion where the neck portion is formed is the same as or longer than the dimension in the width direction of the central portion in the front-rear direction of the second main body portion, the radial direction width of the movement locus of the first tray of the curved path portion can be suppressed to be small. Thus, it is easy to convey the first tray so as to approach the movement locus of the second tray in the curved path portion.

[0102] Further, it is appropriate that the aforementioned placement surface is a first placement surface, first end portion stoppers that protrude upward from the aforementioned first placement surface are formed at both end portions in the aforementioned front-rear direction of the aforementioned first main body portion, the upper surface of the aforementioned second main body portion is used as a second placement surface on which an article is placed, second end portion stoppers that protrude upward from the aforementioned second placement surface are formed at both end portions in the aforementioned front-rear direction of the aforementioned second main body portion, and the height of the aforementioned first end portion stopper from the aforementioned first placement surface is greater than the height of the aforementioned second end portion stopper from the aforementioned second placement surface.

[0103] In a conveyance surface angle change portion where the conveyance surface angle changes to a side where the angle of the conveyance surface becomes smaller, such as a conveyance surface angle change portion where the conveyance surface changes from a state of being inclined upward to a state of being along a horizontal plane or a conveyance surface angle change portion where the conveyance surface changes from a state of being along a horizontal plane to a state of being inclined downward, the posture of the tray changes relatively sharply. Here, the first main body portion is longer in the front-rear direction than the second main body portion, and thus the amount of movement in the up-down direction of the end portion in the front-rear direction of the tray when the posture of the tray changes is greater for the first tray than for the second tray. Therefore, in the conveyance surface angle change portion as described above, the article placed on the first tray is more likely to move greatly in the up-down direction than the article placed on the second tray. According to the present configuration, the height of the first end portion stopper formed in the first main body portion is greater than the height of the second end portion stopper formed in the second main body portion, and thus compared with a case where the height of the first end portion stopper formed in the first main body portion is equal to or less than the height of the second end portion stopper formed in the second main body portion, it is easy to suppress the article placed on the first main body portion from slipping out of the first main body portion in the front-rear direction in the curved path portion.

[0104] The tray and the conveyance apparatus according to the present disclosure can exhibit at least one of the above-described effects.

[0105] Symbol Explanation

[0106] 1: First tray (tray)

[0107] 2: Second tray

[0108] 3: Conveyance device

[0109] 4: Conveyance path

[0110] 9: Article

[0111] 10: first body portion (body portion)

[0112] 11: first placement surface (placement surface)

[0113] 12: first intermediate portion (intermediate portion)

[0114] 12a: first reference plane portion (reference plane portion)

[0115] 13: first front portion (front portion)

[0116] 13a: first front oblique surface portion (front oblique surface portion)

[0117] 14: first rear portion (rear portion)

[0118] 14a: first rear oblique surface portion (rear oblique surface portion)

[0119] 15: first end stopper (end stopper)

[0120] 15a: upper end portion

[0121] 16: recessed portion

[0122] 17: protruding portion

[0123] 18a: neck portion

[0124] 20: second body portion

[0125] 21: second placement surface

[0126] 22a: second reference plane portion

[0127] 23a: second front oblique surface portion

[0128] 24a: second rear oblique surface portion

[0129] 25: second end stopper

[0130] 30: guide wall

[0131] 30a: guide surface

[0132] 40: conveyance surface angle changing portion

[0133] 42: curved path portion

[0134] 100: conveyance apparatus

[0135] A1: inclination angle

[0136] A2: intersection angle

[0137] C: center position

[0138] D1: 1st dimension (minimum width direction dimension of the middle portion of the portion formed with the neck portion

[0139] dimension)

[0140] D2: 2nd dimension (width direction dimension of the central portion in the front-rear direction of the 2nd main body portion)

[0141] H: horizontal plane

[0142] L1: 1st length (length in the front-rear direction of the 1st front oblique surface portion)

[0143] L2: 2nd length (length in the front-rear direction of the 2nd front oblique surface portion)

[0144] L3: 3rd length (length in the front-rear direction of the 1st rear oblique surface portion)

[0145] L4: 4th length (length in the front-rear direction of the 2nd rear oblique surface portion)

[0146] P1: 1st height (height from the 1st placement surface to the 1st end stopper)

[0147] P2: 2nd height (height from the 2nd placement surface to the 2nd end stopper)

[0148] T: transport surface

[0149] X: front-rear direction

[0150] X1: front side

[0151] X2: rear side

[0152] Y: width direction

[0153] Z1: upper side

[0154] Z2: lower side

Claims

1. A pallet having a plate-shaped main body and being conveyed along a conveying path by a conveying device, wherein, The direction along the conveying path is taken as the front-to-back direction, and the direction intersecting the front-to-back direction in a top-down view is taken as the width direction. The conveying path includes a curved path section that appears curved when viewed from above. The conveying device has at least a guide wall in the curved path section, the guide wall having guide surfaces disposed along both sides of the width direction of the conveying path and facing inward in the width direction. The upper surface of the main body is used as a mounting surface for placing articles. The main body includes a middle portion, a front portion adjacent to the middle portion on the front side in the front-rear direction, and a rear portion adjacent to the middle portion on the rear side in the front-rear direction. The middle section is rectangular in shape when viewed from above. The front portion, when viewed from above, is formed in a trapezoidal shape that decreases in width as one moves toward the front side. The rear portion, when viewed from above, is formed in a trapezoidal shape that decreases in width as one moves toward the rear side. The conveying path includes a conveying surface angle changing section where the angle of the conveying surface changes relative to a horizontal plane. The bottom surface of the intermediate portion has a reference plane portion formed in a planar shape along the conveying surface. The bottom surface of the front portion has a front inclined surface that is inclined relative to the reference plane portion as it moves towards the front side and upwards. The bottom surface of the rear portion has a rearward inclined surface that is inclined relative to the reference plane portion in a manner that moves upward as it moves towards the rear side.

2. The pallet according to claim 1, wherein, The tilt angles of each of the front tilted surface and the rear tilted surface relative to the reference plane correspond to the intersection angle of the conveying surface at the section of the conveying surface with the largest angle change in the conveying surface along the conveying path.

3. The tray according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, At the center of the width direction of each of the front inclined face and the rear inclined face, a protrusion is formed that protrudes downward relative to the two sides in the width direction. The bottom surface of the protrusion is positioned at the same height as or above the reference plane portion, in a manner that follows the reference plane portion.

4. The pallet according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, At both ends of the main body in the front-rear direction, end stops are formed that protrude upward relative to the mounting surface.

5. The pallet according to claim 4, wherein, On the bottom surface of the main body, in each portion corresponding to the formation position of the end stop, there is an upwardly recessed portion in the shape that allows the upper end of the end stop to be inserted.

6. The pallet according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The mounting surface is inclined downwards as it moves toward the central portion in the front-rear direction.

7. A pallet having a plate-shaped main body and being conveyed along a conveying path by a conveying device, wherein, The direction along the conveying path is taken as the front-to-back direction, and the direction intersecting the front-to-back direction in a top-down view is taken as the width direction. The conveying path includes a curved path section that appears curved when viewed from above. The conveying device has at least a guide wall in the curved path section, the guide wall having guide surfaces disposed along both sides of the width direction of the conveying path and facing inward in the width direction. The upper surface of the main body is used as a mounting surface for placing articles. The main body includes a middle portion, a front portion adjacent to the middle portion on the front side in the front-rear direction, and a rear portion adjacent to the middle portion on the rear side in the front-rear direction. The middle section is rectangular in shape when viewed from above. The front portion, when viewed from above, is formed in a trapezoidal shape that decreases in width as one moves toward the front side. The rear portion, when viewed from above, is formed in a trapezoidal shape that decreases in width as one moves toward the rear side. On both sides of the central region in the front-rear direction of the middle portion, there are concave necks that are recessed toward the central portion in the width direction as they move toward the center position in the front-rear direction.

8. The tray according to claim 7, wherein, At both ends of the main body in the front-rear direction, end stops are formed that protrude upward relative to the mounting surface.

9. The tray according to claim 8, wherein, On the bottom surface of the main body, in each portion corresponding to the formation position of the end stop, there is an upwardly recessed portion in the shape that allows the upper end of the end stop to be inserted.

10. The tray according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein, The mounting surface is inclined downwards as it moves toward the central portion in the front-rear direction.

11. A conveying device comprising a first pallet and a conveying means, The first pallet has a plate-shaped main body and is conveyed by the conveying device along the conveying path. The direction along the conveying path is taken as the front-to-back direction, and the direction intersecting the front-to-back direction in a top-down view is taken as the width direction. The conveying path includes a curved path section that appears curved when viewed from above. The conveying device has at least a guide wall in the curved path section, the guide wall having guide surfaces disposed along both sides of the width direction of the conveying path and facing inward in the width direction. The upper surface of the main body is used as a mounting surface for placing articles. The main body includes a middle portion, a front portion adjacent to the middle portion on the front side in the front-rear direction, and a rear portion adjacent to the middle portion on the rear side in the front-rear direction. The middle section is rectangular in shape when viewed from above. The front portion, when viewed from above, is formed in a trapezoidal shape that decreases in width as one moves toward the front side. The rear portion, when viewed from above, is formed in a trapezoidal shape that decreases in width as one moves toward the rear side. The conveying equipment also includes a second pallet conveyed by the conveying device along the conveying path. The main body portion is designated as the first main body portion, and the second tray has a plate-shaped second main body portion whose length in the front-to-back direction is shorter than that of the first main body portion. The first tray and the second tray are transported without being connected to each other.

12. The conveying device according to claim 11, wherein, The width dimension of the front end of the first main body is smaller than the width dimension of the front end of the second main body. The width dimension of the rear end of the first main body is smaller than the width dimension of the rear end of the second main body.

13. The conveying device according to claim 11 or 12, wherein, Using the mounting surface as the first mounting surface, first end stops protruding upward relative to the first mounting surface are formed at both ends of the first main body in the front-rear direction. The upper surface of the second main body is used as a second mounting surface for placing articles. At both ends of the second main body in the front-rear direction, second end stops are formed that protrude upward relative to the second mounting surface. The height of the first end stop from the first mounting surface is greater than the height of the second end stop from the second mounting surface.

14. A conveying device comprising a first pallet and a conveying means, The first pallet has a plate-shaped main body and is conveyed by the conveying device along the conveying path. The direction along the conveying path is taken as the front-to-back direction, and the direction intersecting the front-to-back direction in a top-down view is taken as the width direction. The conveying path includes a curved path section that appears curved when viewed from above. The conveying device has at least a guide wall in the curved path section, the guide wall having guide surfaces disposed along both sides of the width direction of the conveying path and facing inward in the width direction. The upper surface of the main body is used as a mounting surface for placing articles. The main body includes a middle portion, a front portion adjacent to the middle portion on the front side in the front-rear direction, and a rear portion adjacent to the middle portion on the rear side in the front-rear direction. The middle section is rectangular in shape when viewed from above. The front portion, when viewed from above, is formed in a trapezoidal shape that decreases in width as one moves toward the front side. The rear portion, when viewed from above, is formed in a trapezoidal shape that decreases in width as one moves toward the rear side. The conveying equipment also includes a second pallet conveyed by the conveying device along the conveying path. The main body portion is designated as the first main body portion, and the second tray has a plate-shaped second main body portion whose length in the front-to-back direction is shorter than that of the first main body portion. The bottom surface of the intermediate portion has a first reference plane portion formed in a planar shape along the conveying surface of the conveying device. The bottom surface of the front portion has a first front inclined surface portion that is inclined relative to the first reference plane portion in a manner that moves upward as it moves towards the front side. The bottom surface of the rear portion has a first rearward inclined surface portion that is inclined relative to the first reference plane portion in a manner that moves upward as it moves towards the rear side. The bottom surface of the middle portion of the second main body in the front-rear direction has a second reference plane portion formed in a planar shape along the conveying surface. The bottom surface of the front side portion of the second main body has a second front inclined surface portion that is inclined relative to the second reference plane portion in a manner that moves upward as it moves towards the front side. The bottom surface of the rearward portion of the second main body has a second rearward inclined surface that is inclined relative to the second reference plane portion in a manner that moves upward as it moves towards the rearward side. The length of the first forward-sloping face in the front-back direction is greater than the length of the second forward-sloping face in the front-back direction. The front-to-back length of the first rearward tilted face is greater than the front-to-back length of the second rearward tilted face.

15. The conveying device according to claim 14, wherein, The width dimension of the front end of the first main body is smaller than the width dimension of the front end of the second main body. The width dimension of the rear end of the first main body is smaller than the width dimension of the rear end of the second main body.

16. The conveying device according to claim 14 or 15, wherein, Using the mounting surface as the first mounting surface, first end stops protruding upward relative to the first mounting surface are formed at both ends of the first main body in the front-rear direction. The upper surface of the second main body is used as a second mounting surface for placing articles. At both ends of the second main body in the front-rear direction, second end stops are formed that protrude upward relative to the second mounting surface. The height of the first end stop from the first mounting surface is greater than the height of the second end stop from the second mounting surface.

17. A conveying device comprising a first pallet and a conveying means, The first pallet has a plate-shaped main body and is conveyed by the conveying device along the conveying path. The direction along the conveying path is taken as the front-to-back direction, and the direction intersecting the front-to-back direction in a top-down view is taken as the width direction. The conveying path includes a curved path section that appears curved when viewed from above. The conveying device has at least a guide wall in the curved path section, the guide wall having guide surfaces disposed along both sides of the width direction of the conveying path and facing inward in the width direction. The upper surface of the main body is used as a mounting surface for placing articles. The main body includes a middle portion, a front portion adjacent to the middle portion on the front side in the front-rear direction, and a rear portion adjacent to the middle portion on the rear side in the front-rear direction. The middle section is rectangular in shape when viewed from above. The front portion, when viewed from above, is formed in a trapezoidal shape that decreases in width as one moves toward the front side. The rear portion, when viewed from above, is formed in a trapezoidal shape that decreases in width as one moves toward the rear side. The conveying equipment also includes a second pallet conveyed by the conveying device along the conveying path. The main body portion is designated as the first main body portion, and the second tray has a plate-shaped second main body portion whose length in the front-to-back direction is shorter than that of the first main body portion. On both sides of the central region in the front-rear direction of the middle portion, there are constricted necks that are recessed towards the central portion in the width direction as they move towards the center position in the front-rear direction. The minimum dimension in the width direction of the middle portion of the part where the neck is formed is shorter than the dimension in the width direction of the central portion in the front-rear direction of the second main body portion.

18. The conveying device according to claim 17, wherein, The width dimension of the front end of the first main body is smaller than the width dimension of the front end of the second main body. The width dimension of the rear end of the first main body is smaller than the width dimension of the rear end of the second main body.

19. The conveying device according to claim 17 or 18, wherein, Using the mounting surface as the first mounting surface, first end stops protruding upward relative to the first mounting surface are formed at both ends of the first main body in the front-rear direction. The upper surface of the second main body is used as a second mounting surface for placing articles. At both ends of the second main body in the front-rear direction, second end stops are formed that protrude upward relative to the second mounting surface. The height of the first end stop from the first mounting surface is greater than the height of the second end stop from the second mounting surface.

Images