Lifting tool, holder, and lifting / conveying unit

Abstract

A lifting tool (10) for lifting a flexible container (1) is configured so as to be movable between a side (D1) of the flexible container (1) and an upper part (D2) of the flexible container (1). In a state in which the spreader (10) is positioned on the side (D1), it is possible to hold the held portion (13) of the spreader (10) by a forklift (60) or the like without an assist. Therefore, the number of workers required for hanging operation can be reduced. Furthermore, the flatness of the upper surface part (5) of the flexible container (1) can be ensured in a state in which the sling (10) is positioned on the side (D1), so that the flexible container (1) can be stacked in multiple layers. As a result, the flexible containers (1) can be easily and safely stored in multiple layers.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a lifting device, a retaining member, and a lifting and conveying unit for transporting objects, such as flexible containers, in a suspended state. Background Technology

[0002] Flexible containers are known for the storage and transport of grains, resin granules, or sand, etc. (e.g., Patent Document 1). A flexible container is an industrial container made of flexible fabric. Flexible containers are typically moved in warehouses and stored in multi-layered stacks.

[0003] A flexible container has a main body and lifting straps attached to the main body, which also function as handles. In other words, the flexible container has a bag-like shape and is also called a flexible bag. The flexible container is held by lifting it upwards using the lifting straps. Typical dimensions of flexible containers are approximately 114cm to 122cm in diameter, 100cm to 200cm in height, and a capacity of over 1000kg. Therefore, when handling flexible containers, conveying devices such as cranes or forklifts are usually used.

[0004] As a priori example of a method for transporting flexible containers, the first example is the use of a crane equipped with one or more hooks (e.g., Patent Document 2). In this first priori example using a crane, the sling of the flexible container is fixed to the hook of the crane. Then, the flexible container is transported while being held by the hook, thereby enabling the flexible containers to be stacked in multiple layers. This first priori example can also be applied to forklifts. That is, by using the forklift's forks as the crane's hooks, attaching and fixing the sling to the forks, the flexible container can be lifted and transported.

[0005] As a priori example of a method for transporting flexible containers, a second example can be given using a forklift and a pallet into which the forklift's forks can be inserted. In this second priori example using a forklift, with the flexible container already placed on the pallet, the forklift's forks are inserted into the pallet's insertion slot. By raising the forks inserted into the pallet, the flexible container and the pallet can be lifted and transported together.

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2022-039619

[0007] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-158249 Summary of the Invention

[0008] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0009] However, the existing methods described above have the following problems. Specifically, the slings for the flexible container are primarily made of fabric and are strip-shaped or rope-shaped components. Therefore, the slings are not self-supporting structures. Consequently, in the first existing example of using a crane to lift the flexible container, in order to stably fix the slings of the flexible container to the crane's hook, it is necessary to raise the slings, which are lying horizontally on the upper surface of the flexible container, and pass the hook or forks through the raised slings.

[0010] It is difficult to perform the action of raising the sling and securing it to the conveyor solely through the operation of the conveyor. Therefore, in order to perform the action of securing the sling to the conveyor, a lifting operation by an assistant is required. Therefore, in the first existing example, at least one operator is needed in addition to the first operator operating the crane, and a second operator is also required to perform the lifting operation. That is, in the first existing example, two or more operators are required.

[0011] Furthermore, when flexible containers are stacked in multiple layers for storage, assistants performing hoisting operations must work on the flexible containers that serve as load-bearing surfaces. The unstable footholds on flexible containers easily lead to the accumulation of fatigue among workers. Additionally, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Act, work on flexible containers is classified as work at height, therefore fall protection measures for assistants are mandatory. Moreover, there are concerns about the possibility of cargo collapse from flexible containers during hoisting operations.

[0012] Then, in the second existing example using forklifts and pallets, the flexible container can only be moved while it is placed on a pallet, so it is impossible to move flexible containers placed directly on the floor or the like. Therefore, as a pre-operational step for moving the flexible container, it is necessary to lift and move the flexible container using other methods to place it on a pallet. Due to this additional palletizing operation, the efficiency of moving the flexible container is greatly reduced.

[0013] In the first existing example, as a structure that can eliminate the need for hoisting operations, the following approach is considered: A self-supporting component is provided on the upper surface of the flexible container to enable the slings of the flexible container to stand upright. Then, this self-supporting component is used to secure the slings of the flexible container in an upright position. By operating the crane, the self-supporting slings can be secured to the hook provided with the crane. Therefore, it is believed that by using the self-supporting component, hoisting operations and personnel costs can be reduced.

[0014] However, new problems arise when using self-supporting components for transport. Specifically, because the self-supporting components, now in an upright position, are positioned on the upper surface of the flexible container, the flatness of the upper surface is significantly reduced. Therefore, when other flexible containers are placed on top of the container with the self-supporting components, there is concern about the balance of the placed flexible containers collapsing. Consequently, when self-supporting components are positioned on the upper surface of the flexible container, it is difficult to stack and store multiple layers of flexible containers. That is, when storing flexible containers, the method is limited to arranging them in a flat plane, thus reducing the efficiency of container utilization. Therefore, in existing methods, it is difficult to simultaneously reduce the number of personnel required for transport and improve transport efficiency while simultaneously stacking and storing multiple layers of flexible containers.

[0015] The present invention was made in view of the following circumstances, and its main objective is to provide a lifting device, a holding member, and a lifting and conveying unit that can store the transported items in multiple layers and improve the transport efficiency of the transported items.

[0016] Solution for solving the problem

[0017] The present invention employs the following structure to achieve this objective.

[0018] That is, the present invention is a lifting device used for lifting a transported object. The lifting device is characterized by comprising: a connecting portion that can be connected to the transported object; a connecting portion that is connected to the connecting portion; and a holding portion that is connected to the connecting portion via the connecting portion. The connecting portion is configured to be able to move, together with the holding portion, between the side of the transported object and above the transported object while connected to the transported object.

[0019] (Function / Effect) This structure includes a connecting part, a holding part, and a connecting part. The connecting part can be connected to the object being transported. The connecting part connects the connecting part and the holding part. The connecting part is configured to move between the side and the top of the object being transported while connected to it. By moving the connecting part and the holding part together to the side of the object being transported, the flatness of the upper surface of the object being transported is prevented from being reduced by the lifting device. That is, by moving the connecting part and the holding part together to the side of the object being transported, the flatness of the upper surface of the object being transported is ensured. Therefore, even when the lifting device is connected to the object being transported, the object being transported can be stacked in multiple layers for use.

[0020] With the connecting part moved to the side of the object being transported, for example, the held part is held by the arm of the transport device, which can hold the object being transported via a lifting device. By moving the connecting part and the held part together to the side of the object being transported, even when the object is placed high up by stacking multiple layers, the held part, which has moved to the side of the high object being transported, can be easily visually confirmed from a low position. That is, the accurate position of the held part is easy to grasp, so the object being transported can be held with high precision via the held part of the lifting device. Moreover, the held part connected to the connecting part via the connecting part is easily held by the mechanical structure. Therefore, no assistant is needed in the process of holding and lifting the object via the lifting device. Thus, the number of personnel required for lifting operations can be reduced, and the fatigue of the operator due to the lifting operation can be avoided.

[0021] With the connecting part and the holding part moved together above the object being transported, the object is lifted via the connecting part by pulling either the connecting part or the holding part upwards. That is, with the connecting part of the spreader above the object being transported, the spreader can hold the object. Furthermore, by moving the holding part while the object is being held by the spreader, the object can be moved to any location along with the spreader. Thus, depending on the situation, by appropriately moving the connecting part and the holding part together between the side and top of the object, the object can be lifted and transported in a multi-layered manner without the need for an assistant to perform the lifting operation.

[0022] Furthermore, in the above-described invention, it is preferable that the connecting part is a ring-shaped component, and the connecting part is configured such that the ring-shaped component is not opened, but can secure the strap-shaped or rope-shaped handle of the object being transported.

[0023] (Function / Effect) According to this structure, the connecting part is a ring-shaped component, configured to secure the strap-like or rope-like handle of the object being transported without opening the ring. Therefore, the connecting part eliminates the need for either a structure that opens the ring or a structure that closes the ring. That is, it avoids complicating the construction of the connecting part, thus reducing the manufacturing cost of the lifting device. Furthermore, it avoids reducing the strength of the connecting part due to structures that open or close the ring. Therefore, the object being transported can be lifted more stably by the lifting device.

[0024] Furthermore, in the above-described invention, it is preferable that the connecting portion is an annular component, the held portion is a spherical body, and the connecting part is a rod-shaped body connecting the connecting portion and the held portion.

[0025] (Function / Effect) According to this structure, the connecting part is a ring-shaped component. Therefore, it is easy to connect the strap-like or rope-like part of the object being moved, such as the handle, to the connecting part of the lifting device. That is, it enables a more secure connection between the connecting part of the lifting device and the object being moved.

[0026] Furthermore, the held portion is spherical. That is, the held portion has a shape that allows it to be held from any direction regardless of the orientation of the connecting portion. Therefore, it is not necessary to change the direction of the component used to hold the held portion relative to the orientation of the connecting portion. As a result, the process of holding the held portion can be performed more easily and quickly.

[0027] To achieve this objective, the present invention may also employ the following structure.

[0028] That is, the present invention is a retainer connected to a conveying device capable of conveying the conveyed object and used to retain the lifting device. The retainer is characterized by comprising: a retaining part that retains the retained part of the lifting device; a connecting part that is connected to the conveying device; and an anti-detachment part that prevents the retained part held by the retaining part from falling off the retaining part.

[0029] (Function / Effect) This structure includes a holding part, a connecting part, and an anti-detachment part. The holding part holds the holding part of the lifting device. The connecting part is connected to the conveying device. That is, the conveying device can hold the holding part of the lifting device via the connecting part of the holding part and the holding part. As a result, the conveying device can hold the object being transported via the lifting device and the holding part. Moreover, the anti-detachment part prevents the holding part held by the holding part from falling off the holding part. Therefore, the conveying device can hold the object being transported more stably via the lifting device and the holding part. Therefore, it is possible to perform more stable lifting and transporting of objects stacked on multiple layers while reducing the number of personnel required for lifting operations.

[0030] Furthermore, in the invention described above, it is preferable to include a posture reversal part that reverses the posture of the lifting device from a first posture in which the connecting part is located at a position higher than the held part to a second posture in which the connecting part is located below the held part, and the holding part holds the held part in the state in which the lifting device is reversed to the second posture.

[0031] (Function / Effect) According to this structure, the posture of the lifting device is reversed from a first posture to a second posture by means of the posture reversal part provided by the retaining member. The retaining member holds the retained part in the second posture state. The second posture is the posture in which the connecting part is located below the retained part. When the retained part of the lifting device is held by the retaining member, the lifting device is in the second posture state. Therefore, when the retaining member holds the lifting device to lift and transport the object to be transported, it is possible to prevent the connection between the connecting part of the lifting device and the object to be transported from being obstructed by the retained part. Therefore, by having the lifting device in the second posture, the lifting device can lift the object to be transported more stably.

[0032] To achieve this objective, the present invention may also employ the following structure.

[0033] That is, the present invention is a retainer connected to a conveying device capable of conveying the conveyed object and used to retain the lifting device. The retainer is characterized by comprising: a receiving hole having an opening at its upper end and receiving the retained part through the opening; a restraining wall disposed around the receiving hole and restraining the retained part received in the receiving hole from falling off; and a guide groove formed throughout one side and bottom surface of the restraining wall and guiding the connecting part.

[0034] (Function / Effect) According to this structure, the retaining member includes a receiving hole, a restraining wall, and a guide groove. The receiving hole receives the retaining part, which is a spherical body, in the lifting device. The restraining wall is positioned around the receiving hole and prevents the retaining part received in the receiving hole from falling off. That is, the retaining part of the lifting device received in the receiving hole is stably retained by the restraining wall.

[0035] Furthermore, the receiving hole has an opening at its upper end, through which the held part of the lifting device is received. That is, by moving the holding member upwards in a manner that scoops up the held part, the held part of the lifting device passes through the opening of the receiving hole and is received inside the receiving hole surrounded by the restraining wall. Therefore, by simply moving the holding member connected to the conveying device upwards, the holding member can be stably held, thus making the mechanization of the lifting and conveying process easier and faster.

[0036] A guide groove is formed from the side of the restraining wall to the bottom surface. The guide groove guides the connecting part. That is, with the holding part accommodated in the receiving hole, the guide groove guides the connecting part from the side of the restraining wall to the bottom surface, thereby moving the connecting part of the lifting device connected by the connecting part from the top to the bottom of the restraining wall. Therefore, it is easier to displace the lifting device into a position where the connecting part is lower than the holding part. When the connecting part is lower than the holding part, the lifting device can more stably lift the object being transported. Therefore, it is easy and quick to perform the operation of changing the lifting device to a position where it can stably lift the object being transported.

[0037] Furthermore, in the invention described above, it is preferable that the inner wall of the suppression wall is configured to be inclined in the vertical direction relative to the retaining member.

[0038] (Function / Effect) According to this structure, the inner wall of the restraining wall is inclined relative to the vertical direction of the retainer. Therefore, when the retained part is received downward from the upper end of the receiving hole through the opening, the retained part is guided downward along the inner wall of the inclined restraining wall. That is, by performing an operation to move the retainer to lift the lifting device upward, the retained part is guided along the inner wall of the inclined restraining wall, and the posture of the lifting device naturally changes from an upright posture to an inclined posture.

[0039] When the spreader's posture changes to an inclined position, by further raising the retaining member relative to the spreader, the connecting part can be guided towards the bottom surface of the restraining wall, causing the spreader's connecting part to move downwards towards the restraining wall. In other words, by tilting the inner wall of the restraining wall and raising the retaining member relative to the spreader, the spreader's posture can be reliably displaced. Therefore, it is easy and quick to perform operations that change the spreader's posture to one capable of stably lifting the object being transported.

[0040] To achieve this objective, the present invention may also employ the following structure.

[0041] That is, the present invention is a lifting and conveying unit used for conveying the object being conveyed while it is being lifted. The lifting and conveying unit is characterized by having the lifting device and the holding member described above. The lifting and conveying unit of the present invention includes the lifting device and the holding member of the present invention. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately perform the action of conveying the object being conveyed while it is being lifted.

[0042] The effects of the invention

[0043] According to the present invention, the lifting device, the holding member, and the lifting and conveying unit have a connecting portion, a holding portion, and a connecting portion. The connecting portion can be connected to the object being conveyed. The connecting portion connects the connecting portion and the holding portion. The connecting portion is configured to move between the side and the top of the object being conveyed while connected to it. By moving the connecting portion and the holding portion together to the side of the object being conveyed, the flatness of the upper surface of the object being conveyed is prevented from being reduced by the lifting device. That is, by moving the connecting portion and the holding portion together to the side of the object being conveyed, the flatness of the upper surface of the object being conveyed is ensured. Therefore, even when the lifting device is connected to the object being conveyed, it is possible to stack multiple layers of the object being conveyed for use.

[0044] With the connecting part moved to the side of the object being transported, for example, the held part is held by the arm of the transport device, which can hold the object being transported via a lifting device. By moving the connecting part and the held part together to the side of the object being transported, even when the object is placed high up by stacking multiple layers, the held part, which has moved to the side of the high object being transported, can be easily visually confirmed from a low position. That is, the accurate position of the held part is easy to grasp, so the object being transported can be held with high precision via the held part of the lifting device. Moreover, the held part connected to the connecting part via the connecting part is easily held by the mechanical structure. Therefore, no assistant is needed in the process of holding and lifting the object via the lifting device. Thus, the number of personnel required for lifting operations can be reduced, and the fatigue of the operator due to the lifting operation can be avoided.

[0045] With the connecting part and the holding part moved together above the object being transported, the object is lifted via the connecting part by pulling either the connecting part or the holding part upwards. That is, with the connecting part of the spreader above the object being transported, the spreader can hold the object. Furthermore, by moving the holding part while the object is being held by the spreader, the object can be moved to any position along with the spreader. Thus, depending on the situation, by appropriately moving the connecting part and the holding part together between the side and top of the object, the object can be lifted and transported in a multi-layered manner. Therefore, the object can be transported in multiple layers, and the transport efficiency can be improved. Attached Figure Description

[0046] Figure 1 This is a perspective view illustrating the schematic structure of the flexible container of Embodiment 1.

[0047] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the lifting device in Example 1.

[0048] Figure 3 This is a plan view of the lifting device in Example 1.

[0049] Figure 4 This is a perspective view of the retainer in Embodiment 1.

[0050] Figure 5 This is a plan view of the retainer in Embodiment 1.

[0051] Figure 6 This is a plan view of the base component of Embodiment 1.

[0052] Figure 7 This is a partial cutaway perspective sectional view of the retainer in Embodiment 1.

[0053] Figure 8 This is a longitudinal sectional view of the retainer in Embodiment 1.

[0054] Figure 9 This is a longitudinal sectional view of the retainer in Embodiment 1.

[0055] Figure 10 This is a plan view of the connection unit in Embodiment 1.

[0056] Figure 11 This is a longitudinal sectional view of the fork adapter of Embodiment 1.

[0057] Figure 12 This is an overall diagram showing the state of using the lifting and conveying unit of Embodiment 1.

[0058] Figure 13 This is a flowchart illustrating the lifting and conveying process using the lifting and conveying unit of Embodiment 1.

[0059] Figure 14 This is a front view illustrating step S1 of embodiment 1.

[0060] Figure 15 This is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating step S1 of Embodiment 1.

[0061] Figure 16 This is a front view illustrating step S1 of embodiment 1.

[0062] Figure 17 This is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating step S1 of Embodiment 1.

[0063] Figure 18 This is a diagram illustrating step S2 of Embodiment 1, wherein (a) shows the state in which the front end of the auxiliary rope passes through the through hole of the connecting part, (b) shows the state in which the front end of the auxiliary rope passes through the holding part, (c) shows the state in which the auxiliary rope is tied while returning the front end of the auxiliary rope that has passed through the holding part to the connecting part, and (d) shows the state in which the auxiliary rope is fastened to the connecting part.

[0064] Figure 19This is a front view illustrating step S3 of embodiment 1.

[0065] Figure 20 This is a front view illustrating step S4 of Embodiment 1.

[0066] Figure 21 The diagram illustrates the state in which the held part is embedded in the receiving hole in step S4 of Embodiment 1, wherein (a) is a perspective view and (b) is a longitudinal sectional view viewed from the front.

[0067] Figure 22 The diagram illustrates the state in which the connecting part and the holding part are guided downward in step S4 of Embodiment 1, wherein (a) is a perspective view and (b) is a longitudinal sectional view viewed from the front.

[0068] Figure 23 This is a diagram illustrating the state in step S4 of Embodiment 1 where the held part reaches the bottom of the receiving hole, wherein (a) is a perspective view and (b) is a longitudinal sectional view viewed from the front.

[0069] Figure 24 This is a diagram illustrating the state in which the posture of the lifting device is reversed by pivoting the connecting part and the connecting part in step S4 of Embodiment 1. (a) is a perspective view and (b) is a longitudinal sectional view viewed from the front.

[0070] Figure 25 This is a front view illustrating the state after step S4 of Embodiment 1 is completed.

[0071] Figure 26 This is a front view illustrating the state of completion of step S5 in Embodiment 1.

[0072] Figure 27 This is a front view illustrating step S6 of embodiment 1.

[0073] Figure 28 This is a front view illustrating step S7 of Embodiment 1.

[0074] Figure 29 The figure illustrates step S8 of Embodiment 1, wherein (a) is a longitudinal sectional view showing the process of releasing the anti-detachment state of the lifting device, and (b) is a longitudinal sectional view showing the process of detaching the lifting device.

[0075] Figure 30 This is a front view illustrating the state of completion of step S8 in Embodiment 1.

[0076] Figure 31 This is the main view illustrating the problem point of the first existing example.

[0077] Figure 32 This is a perspective view illustrating the self-standing component used in the comparative example based on the first existing example.

[0078] Figure 33 This is a three-dimensional diagram illustrating the problem points of the comparative example based on the first existing example.

[0079] Figure 34 This is a front view illustrating the effect of Embodiment 1, wherein (a) represents the structure in the upper configuration state of the lifting device, and (b) represents the structure in the side configuration state of the lifting device.

[0080] Figure 35 This is a front view illustrating the effect of Example 1.

[0081] Figure 36 This is a perspective view illustrating the effect of Example 1.

[0082] Figure 37 This is a three-dimensional diagram illustrating the problem points of the comparative example.

[0083] Figure 38 This is a longitudinal sectional view from the front, illustrating the effect of Example 1.

[0084] Figure 39 The diagram shows the retainer of Embodiment 2, where (a) is a front view showing the overall structure and (b) is a longitudinal sectional view showing the main parts.

[0085] Figure 40 This is an overall diagram showing the state of the lifting and conveying unit using Embodiment 2.

[0086] Figure 41 This is a front view illustrating step S4 of embodiment 2.

[0087] Figure 42 This is a front view illustrating the state after step S4 of embodiment 2 is completed.

[0088] Figure 43 This is a front view of the retainer in Embodiment 3.

[0089] Figure 44 This is a plan view of the retainer in Embodiment 3.

[0090] Figure 45 This is a plan view illustrating step S4 of embodiment 3.

[0091] Figure 46 This is a plan view illustrating the state of the rotating plate before it is rotated in step S4 of embodiment 3.

[0092] Figure 47 This is a plan view illustrating the state of the rotating plate after it is rotated in step S4 of embodiment 3.

[0093] Figure 48 This is a perspective view illustrating the retaining element of the modified example.

[0094] Figure 49 This is a plan view illustrating a modified example of the lifting device. Detailed Implementation

[0095] Example 1

[0096] Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described.

[0097] The lifting and conveying unit 50 in Embodiment 1 is used to convey objects while they are being lifted. Figure 12 As shown, the lifting and conveying unit 50 of Embodiment 1 includes a lifting device 10 and a retaining member 20. In Embodiment 1, a flexible container 1 is used as the object to be conveyed, i.e., the object to be lifted. Furthermore, in Embodiment 1, a forklift 60 is used as a conveying device to generate the driving force for conveying the flexible container 1.

[0098] The structure for lifting and transporting the flexible container 1 is summarized below. Specifically, a forklift 60 is connected to the retainer 20, and the flexible container 1 is connected to the lifting device 10. The forklift 60 is then operated, thereby holding the lifting device 10 using the retainer 20. By holding the lifting device 10 using the retainer 20, the forklift 60 indirectly holds the flexible container 1 via the lifting and transporting unit 50.

[0099] Furthermore, in the following diagrams, the horizontal direction is designated as the x-direction and y-direction, and the vertical direction as the z-direction. The x-direction corresponds to the direction in which the forklift 60 approaches or moves away from the flexible container 1. In other words, the x-direction corresponds to the forward / backward direction of the forklift 60. The y-direction is orthogonal to the x-direction. That is, the y-direction corresponds to the left / right direction of the forklift 60. Additionally, within the x-direction, the direction in which the conveying device, i.e., the forklift 60, approaches the suspended object, i.e., the flexible container 1, is designated as "direction x1". The direction in which the forklift 60 moves away from the flexible container 1 is designated as "direction x2". Furthermore, the symbol G represents the floor surface of the warehouse where the flexible container 1 is lifted and conveyed. Additionally, direction x1 is appropriately labeled as "forward", and direction x2 is appropriately labeled as "rear".

[0100] <Structure of Flexible Containers>

[0101] First, the structure of the suspended object, i.e., the flexible container 1, will be described. For example... Figure 1 As shown, the flexible container 1 includes a main body 3, an upper surface 5, and a lifting strap 7. The main body 3 is made of a square-shaped fabric. The main body 3 contains grains, resin particles, and other contained materials. The upper surface 5 is located at the upper end of the main body 3. The upper surface 5 is also made of a square-shaped fabric.

[0102] The sling 7 is fixedly installed on the upper outer periphery of the main body 3. The sling 7 functions as a handle for lifting the flexible container 1. In Embodiment 1, a pair of slings 7 are installed in opposite positions. One of the pair of slings 7 is designated as sling 7a, and the other as sling 7b, thus distinguishing them from each other. By lifting the two slings 7a and 7b, which are positioned in a balanced manner, the flexible container 1 is held in a stable posture. The sling 7 has a ring-shaped structure consisting of its inner periphery and the upper outer periphery of the main body 3.

[0103] In Embodiment 1, the flexible container 1 also includes a circular auxiliary rope 9. The auxiliary rope 9 is connected to the slings 7a and 7b in a loop. By suspending the auxiliary rope 9, the slings 7a and 7b connected to the auxiliary rope 9 are suspended equally, and the flexible container 1 is held in a stable posture. The auxiliary rope 9 is configured to have sufficient length to allow it to droop downwards towards the side of the flexible container 1. The auxiliary rope 9 is made of a material with strength sufficient to suspend the flexible container 1.

[0104] <Structure of the lifting device>

[0105] Next, the structure of the lifting device 10 in the lifting and conveying unit 50 will be described. Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the lifting device 10 in Embodiment 1. Figure 3 This is a plan view of lifting device 10.

[0106] The lifting device 10 includes a connecting portion 11, a holding portion 13, and a connecting portion 15. The connecting portion 11 is configured to be connected to the flexible container 1 via an auxiliary rope 9. The connecting portion 11 has a circular plate-shaped main body portion 17 and a cylindrical through hole 19 formed in the center of the main body portion 17. That is, the connecting portion 11 has an overall annular shape. The lifting device 10 is connected to the flexible container 1 via the connecting portion 11 and the auxiliary rope 9. The lifting device 10 is made of a material with strength capable of supporting the flexible container 1. In terms of being able to stably hold the lifting device 10 and stably support the flexible container 1, it is preferable that the lifting device 10 is made of a rigid material. As a preferred example of the material for the lifting device 10, metal or resin can be cited.

[0107] The retaining part 13 is a component that is integrally block-shaped. Here, "block-shaped" means that its shape is similar from all viewpoints. In Embodiment 1, as... Figure 2 As shown, the holding part 13 uses a spherical component. The shape of the holding part 13 is preferably spherical. Examples of spherical components include objects that combine a part of a sphere with a cone, objects that combine a part of a sphere with a cylindrical body, and objects that combine a part of a sphere with a frustum.

[0108] The holding part 13 is held by the holding member 20. That is, the holding part 13 is held by the holding member 20, and the holding member 20 holds the flexible container 1 via the lifting device 10.

[0109] In the lifting device 10, the holding portion 13 is preferably configured to be heavier than the connecting portion 11. That is, the center of gravity of the lifting device 10 is preferably configured to be closer to the holding portion 13 than to the connecting portion 11. By making the center of gravity of the lifting device 10 closer to the holding portion 13, in situations such as Figure 34 (b) When the lifting device 10 is lowered to the side of the flexible container 1 as shown, the posture of the lifting device 10 is determined such that the held part 13 is in a position lower than the connecting part 11. By positioning the held part 13 in a position lower than the connecting part 11, it is easier to accommodate the held part 13 in the receiving hole 22 of the retainer 20.

[0110] The connecting portion 15 is a rod-shaped component that connects the connecting portion 11 and the held portion 13. The diameter L1 of the connecting portion 15 is shorter than the diameter L2 of the held portion 13. In addition, the diameter L1 of the connecting portion 15 is shorter than the width L3 of the connecting portion 11. That is, it is configured such that only the connecting portion 11, the held portion 13, and the connecting portion 15 can be inserted into the guide groove 28 of the holding portion 20, which will be described later.

[0111] In addition, such as Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the direction in which the connecting portion 15 in the lifting device 10 extends is defined as direction a. The direction in which the through hole 19 extends, that is, the direction in which the through hole 19 passes through the connecting portion 11, is defined as direction b. The direction orthogonal to both direction a and direction b is defined as direction c.

[0112] <Structure of the retainer>

[0113] Next, the structure of the retainer 20 in the lifting and conveying unit 50 will be described. Figure 4 This is a perspective view of the retainer 20 in Embodiment 1. Figure 5 This is a plan view of retainer 20. Figure 6 This is a plan view of the base section 23. Figure 7 This is a partial cut-off three-dimensional sectional view of retainer 20. Figure 8 yes Figure 5 Sectional view along line A-A. Figure 8 This is equivalent to a longitudinal sectional view of the retainer 20 viewed from the front. Figure 9 yes Figure 5 The B-B sectional view. Figure 9 This is equivalent to a longitudinal sectional view of the retainer 20 viewed from the side.

[0114] The retainer 20 of Embodiment 1 includes a main body 21, a base 23, and a connecting unit 25. The main body 21 is basically a square-shaped component extending in the vertical direction. However, in Embodiment 1, the main body 21 is configured to extend upward while tilting towards the x1 direction. In other words, the main body 21 extends in the vertical direction in a slightly forward-leaning posture. Figure 4 In the diagram, the symbol p represents the direction in which the main body 21 extends.

[0115] The main body 21 has a receiving hole 22 extending in the vertical direction (specifically, the p direction) and a side wall 24 disposed around the receiving hole 22. The receiving hole 22 receives the holding part 13 of the lifting device 10 and guides the holding part 13 from the upper to the lower direction of the main body 21. Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, the receiving hole 22 is shaped by connecting a conical region 26 and a cylindrical region 27. The sidewall 24 prevents the held portion 13, which is contained in the receiving hole 22, from falling off to the outside of the main body portion 21.

[0116] The tapered region 26 occupies the upper part of the receiving hole 22. The tapered region 26 is a tapered hole that tapers downwards from the top of the main body 21. The diameter of the lower end of the tapered region 26 is equal to the diameter r1 of the cylindrical region 27. The diameter r2 of the upper end of the tapered region 26 is longer than the diameter r1 of the cylindrical region 27.

[0117] The cylindrical region 27 is a cylindrical hole with a constant vertical diameter. The length r1 of the diameter of the cylindrical region 27 is configured to be slightly longer than the diameter L2 of the held portion 13. That is, the cylindrical region 27 is configured to reliably accommodate the held portion 13 internally and guide it vertically. In addition, the length r1 of the diameter of the cylindrical region 27 is preferably smaller than the width L3 of the connecting portion 11. With this structure, it is possible to prevent the connecting portion 11 of the lifting device 10 from being mistakenly accommodated in the receiving hole 22.

[0118] The cylindrical region 27 extends vertically in the direction p along the main body 21. That is, the inner wall 43 of the sidewall 24 of the cylindrical region 27 is a cylindrical shape that slopes forward in the p direction. The cylindrical region 27 is configured to extend upward while sloping towards the x1 direction. The inner wall 43 of the cylindrical region 27 corresponds to the inner wall of the main body 21. The inner wall 43 prevents the held part 13 from moving out of the main body 21 due to movement in the x or y direction.

[0119] The side wall 24 of the main body 21 has a guide groove 28 on the x1 direction side. The guide groove 28 is formed to extend vertically from the upper end to the lower end of the side wall 24. The width w1 of the guide groove 28 is set to be the length that can guide the connecting part 15 of the lifting device 10 vertically when the connecting part 15 is inserted into the guide groove 28. That is, the width w1 of the guide groove 28 is configured to be wider than the diameter L1 of the connecting part 15. The state of inserting the connecting part 15 into the guide groove 28 is shown. Figure 22 wait.

[0120] The width w1 of the guide groove 28 is set to be smaller than the diameter L2 of the retained part 13. By making the width w1 smaller than the diameter L2, it is possible to prevent the retained part 13, which is accommodated in the receiving hole 22, from falling out of the guide groove 28 and out of the retainer 20.

[0121] The guide groove 28 communicates with the receiving hole 22 from the top to the bottom. That is, the lifting device 10 can be guided in the vertical direction while the connecting part 15 of the lifting device 10 is inserted into the guide groove 28 and the holding part 13 of the lifting device 10 is accommodated in the receiving hole 22.

[0122] The base portion 23 is a plate-shaped component mounted on the lower part of the main body portion 21. Specifically, the upper end of the main body portion 21 has an opening 40 formed through the receiving hole 22, while the lower end of the main body portion 21, except for the guide groove 29 described later, is closed by the base portion 23. In other words, the bottom 32 of the receiving hole 22 is formed by the upper surface 30 of the base portion 23. The portion of the upper surface 30 of the base portion 23 that abuts against the lower end of the receiving hole 22, i.e., the bottom 32 of the receiving hole 22, is... Figure 6 The portion 13, housed in the receiving hole 22, prevents the main body 21 from falling to the side via the side wall 24 and prevents the main body 21 from falling downward via the bottom 32. The bottom 32 and the side wall 24 correspond to the suppression wall of the present invention.

[0123] The base portion 23 has a guide groove 29 on its side in the x1 direction. The guide groove 29 is formed to extend through the base portion 23 in the vertical direction. Figure 6 As shown, the guide groove 29 is formed to extend from the side of the base portion 23 in the x1 direction toward the center of the base portion 23. That is, the guide groove 29 extends along the x direction. With the holding portion 13 reaching the bottom of the receiving hole 22, the guide groove 29 further guides the connecting portion 15 along the x direction. In order to guide the connecting portion 15, the width w2 of the guide groove 29 is configured to be slightly wider than the diameter of the connecting portion 15.

[0124] The inner wall surface 38 of the vertically extending base portion 23 is formed by a guide groove 29 extending to the center of the base portion 23. The inner wall surface 38 inhibits the connecting portion 15 from moving in the x2 direction.

[0125] The width w2 of the guide groove 29 is set to be smaller than the diameter L2 of the held portion 13. By making the width w2 smaller than the diameter L2, it is possible to prevent the held portion 13, which is accommodated in the receiving hole 22, from falling out of the retainer 20 from the guide groove 29. The width w2 of the guide groove 29 is set to be smaller than the width L3 of the connecting portion 11. By making the width w2 smaller than the width L3, even if the connecting portion 11, which has moved below the base portion 23, jumps upward due to vibration or the like, it is possible to prevent the connecting portion 11 from entering the receiving hole 22 via the guide groove 29. That is, even if the connecting portion 11 jumps upward due to vibration or the like, the connecting portion 11 is suppressed by the lower surface 32 of the base plate 23, thereby preventing the lifting device 10, which is held in the retainer 20, from falling out of the retainer 20.

[0126] Thus, the main part of the retaining part 20, consisting of the main body part 21 and the base part 23, is a cylindrical component with an opening 40 at the upper end and a receiving hole 22 formed inside. Furthermore, guide grooves 28 and 29 are formed from the side surface to the bottom surface of the main part in the x1 direction. That is, the retaining part 20 is configured to guide the connecting part 15 downwards towards the base part 23 via the guide grooves 28 and 29. The receiving hole 22 has a bottom 32 formed by the base part 23, and the retained part 13, housed in the receiving hole 22, is stably held by the bottom 32.

[0127] The connecting unit 25 connects the retaining member 20 to the forklift 60, which serves as a conveying device. For example... Figure 10 As shown, the connecting unit 25 includes a pair of fork adapters 31 and a connecting member 33. As described later, the fork adapters 31 receive and connect to the fork section 61 of the forklift 60. The connecting unit 25 corresponds to the connected part of the present invention.

[0128] like Figure 10 and Figure 11 As shown, the fork adapter 31 is a square-tube-shaped component extending along the x-direction, and the front end side (x1 direction side) of the fork adapter 31 is closed. Furthermore, as... Figure 11 As shown, the fork adapter 31 has an opening 35 on the base end side (x2 direction side). As will be described later, the opening 35 functions as an insertion port for inserting the forks 61 of the forklift 60. Figure 5 The dashed line in the middle shows the state in which the fork section 61 is inserted into the fork adapter 31 when viewed from a plane.

[0129] A pair of fork adapters 31 are arranged at a predetermined interval in the y-direction. The length of the interval between the fork adapters 31 is determined according to the length of the interval between the pair of fork portions 61. A connecting member 33 is connected to the pair of fork adapters 31 at their respective front ends. That is, the pair of fork adapters 31 are respectively arranged to sandwich the connecting member 33 from the left and right at their front ends. The fork adapters 31 are connected to the main body 21 via the connecting member 33.

[0130] The front end side (x1 direction side) of the connecting member 33 is connected to the retainer 20. Specifically, the connecting member 33 is connected to the side surface of the main body 21 of the retainer 20 in the x2 direction. That is, as Figure 4 As shown, a guide groove 28 is formed on one of the opposite sides of the main body 21. Furthermore, a connecting member 33 is connected to the other of the opposite sides of the main body 21.

[0131] <Action Summary>

[0132] Here, a series of actions of lifting and transporting the object, i.e., the flexible container 1, using the lifting and transporting unit 50 of Embodiment 1 will be described. Figure 13 This is a flowchart illustrating a series of processes for lifting and transporting the flexible container 1 using the lifting and transporting unit 50, i.e., the lifting device 10 and the retaining member 20.

[0133] Step S1 (Connect the retainer to the conveying device)

[0134] First, the process of connecting the forklift 60, which serves as a transport device, to the retaining member 20 is performed. When starting step S1, the angle of the mast 62 is adjusted using a pitch cylinder 63 or similar device, so that the forks 61 of the forklift 60 are in a horizontal position. Then, as... Figure 14 and Figure 15 As shown, the forks 61 of the forklift 60 are inserted into the opening 35 of the fork adapter 31. Furthermore, in Figure 14 The description of the driver operating the forklift 60 from the driver's seat Se of the forklift 60 is omitted in the text.

[0135] When the fork section 61 is fully inserted toward the front end of the fork adapter 31, as Figure 16 and Figure 17 As shown, the driver of the forklift 60 adjusts the angle of the mast 62 to tilt the forks 61 backward. That is, the forks 61 in a horizontal position are changed in such a way that the front end 61a is positioned slightly higher than the base end 61b.

[0136] By tilting the fork portion 61 backward, the front end portion 61a of the fork portion 61 abuts against the upper inner wall surface 36 of the fork adapter 31, and the front end portion 61a presses the upper inner wall surface 36 upward. Additionally, the base end portion 61b of the fork portion 61 abuts against the lower inner wall surface 37 of the fork adapter 31, and the base end portion 61b presses the lower inner wall surface 37 downward. Therefore, as... Figure 17 As shown, an upward force t1 in the z direction acts on the upper surface 36 of the inner wall, and a downward force t2 in the z direction acts on the lower surface 37 of the inner wall.

[0137] Forces t1 and t2 in the z-direction act from the fork portion 61 onto the fork adapter 31, thereby preventing the fork portion 61 from moving in the x-direction inside the fork adapter 31. Thus, by tilting the fork portion 61 inserted into the fork adapter 31 backward, the fork adapter 31 is fixed to the fork portion 61. With the fork adapter 31 fixed to the fork portion 61, the retainer 20 is stably connected to the forklift 60. By connecting the retainer 20 to the forklift 60, step S1 is completed.

[0138] Step S2 (Connect the spreader to the load)

[0139] After the retainer 20 is connected to the forklift 60, the lifting device 10 is connected to the flexible container 1, which is the object to be lifted. In Embodiment 1, the loop-shaped auxiliary strip 9 connected to the lifting strip 7 is fastened to the loop-shaped connecting part 11 of the lifting device 10, thereby connecting the lifting device 10 to the flexible container 1.

[0140] Figure 18 The figures illustrate the process of fastening the auxiliary strip 9 to the connecting portion 11 in Embodiment 1. First, as... Figure 18 As shown in (a), the front end 9a of the auxiliary strip 9 is inserted through the through hole 19 of the connecting part 11. After the front end 9a of the auxiliary strip 9 is inserted through the through hole 19 from below, as shown in (a), Figure 18 As shown in (b), the front end portion 9a is extended above the held portion 13. Then, the front end portion 9a of the auxiliary strip 9 is moved from above to below the held portion 13 in such a way that the held portion 13 passes through the loop of the auxiliary strip 9 from below.

[0141] After the retaining part 13 passes through the loop of the auxiliary strip 9, as Figure 18 As shown in (c), while moving the front end 9a of the auxiliary strip 9 from below the holding part 13 towards below the connecting part 11, the loop of the auxiliary strip 9 is tightened. By tightening the loop of the auxiliary strip 9, as... Figure 18As shown in (d), the auxiliary strap 9 is fastened to the main body 17 of the connecting part 11 using a so-called lark's knot (cow knot). By fastening the auxiliary strap 9 to the main body 17, the lifting device 10 is securely connected to the flexible container 1 via the auxiliary strap 9 and the lifting strap 7. By connecting the lifting device 10 to the flexible container 1, the process of step S2 is completed.

[0142] The method of connecting the lifting device 10 to the flexible container 1 is not limited to Figure 18 The lark knot shown can be modified appropriately. However, as... Figure 18 As shown, it is preferable to connect the auxiliary strip 9, which is looped, and the main body 17 without opening the loop. When the auxiliary strip 9 is cut at a predetermined location to create an open loop, and then the linear auxiliary strip 9 is passed through the main body 17 and knotted, the bonding force between the auxiliary strip 9 and the main body 17 decreases at the connection point. That is, by connecting the auxiliary strip 9 and the main body 17 without opening the loop, it is possible to prevent the connection between the auxiliary strip 9 and the main body 17 from accidentally disengaging due to the connection point coming undone.

[0143] Furthermore, when adopting a structure that makes the main body 17 open-loop, it is necessary to adopt a structure that... Figure 40 The structure shown, exemplified by the anti-falling component 72 installed on the hook 71, involves opening and then closing the main body 17. This results in a more complex structure for the main body 17, increasing the manufacturing cost of the lifting device 10. By employing a structure where the connecting portion 11 is connected to the flexible container 1 without opening the main body 17, the lifting device 10 can be integrated with the connecting portion 11, the held portion 13, and the connecting portion 15. In this case, all parts of the lifting device 10 can be manufactured using methods such as integral molding, thus enabling easy mass production of the lifting device 10 and reducing its manufacturing cost.

[0144] Step S3 (position the spreader to the side of the load)

[0145] After connecting the lifting device 10 to the flexible container 1, position the lifting device 10 to the side of the flexible container 1. That is, lay the slings 7 horizontally on the upper surface 5, and extend the lifting device 10 and the auxiliary ropes 9 connected to each of the slings 7 in the x2 direction. Then, as... Figure 19 As shown, on the x2 side of the main body 3 of the flexible container 1, the lifting device 10, which is fastened to the auxiliary rope 9, hangs down from the upper end of the main body 3.

[0146] By suspending the lifting device 10 from the upper end of the main body 3, the lifting device 10 is positioned to the side of the flexible container 1, which serves as the suspended object. The flexible container 1 is connected to the connecting part 11 via an auxiliary rope 9. Therefore, the lifting device 10 suspends with the portion of the auxiliary rope 9 fastened to the connecting part 11 as the upper side. That is, when the lifting device 10 is suspended, the posture of the lifting device 10 is such that the connecting part 11 is at a position higher than the holding part 13.

[0147] Furthermore, in the lifting device 10, the held portion 13 is heavier than the connecting portion 11. That is, since the center of gravity of the lifting device 10 is biased towards the held portion 13, by suspending the lifting device 10, the posture of the lifting device 10 can be more reliably determined so that the held portion 13 is in a position lower than the connecting portion 11. In Embodiment 1, when the lifting device 10 is positioned to the side of the flexible container 1, the lifting device 10 is positioned with the connecting portion 11 above the held portion 13. Hereinafter, the posture of the lifting device 10 with the connecting portion 11 above the held portion 13 will be referred to as the "upright posture". By arranging the lifting device 10 to the side of the flexible container 1, the process of step S3 is completed.

[0148] When there are multiple flexible containers 1 that are to be transported, steps S2 and S3 are performed on each of the flexible containers 1 that are to be transported. That is, a lifting device 10 is connected to each flexible container 1 that is to be transported, and the lifting device 10 is positioned upright on the side of the flexible container 1.

[0149] Steps S1 to S3 in a series of processes involving the use of the lifting and conveying unit 50 to move the flexible container 1 are equivalent to the preparation process for moving the flexible container 1. Figure 12 This indicates the completion status of the process from step S1 to step S3. That is, Figure 12 This indicates that the flexible container 1 is connected to a lifting device 10, and a retainer 20 is connected to the forklift 60. Furthermore, the order of steps S1 to S3 can be appropriately changed. That is, step S1 can be performed after step S3.

[0150] Step S4 (Use retainers to hold the lifting device)

[0151] After steps S1 to S3 are completed, step S4 begins, which involves using the retainer 20 to hold the lifting device 10. The driver sits in the driver's seat of the forklift 60, as follows: Figure 20 The forklift 60 is moved laterally in the x1 direction as shown. Then, while appropriately adjusting the height of the forks 61 along the lifting rail 64 provided on the mast 62, the retainer 20 is brought close from below the spreader 10 as indicated by the symbol Pk. Furthermore, in Figure 20 For ease of explanation, the description of the sling 7 of the flexible container 1 has been appropriately omitted.

[0152] In step S3, the lifting device 10 hangs down to the side of the flexible container 1 with the held portion 13 positioned lower than the connecting portion 11. Therefore, when the retaining member 20 approaches from below the lifting device 10, the upper opening 40 of the retaining portion 20 first approaches the held portion 13 in the lifting device 10.

[0153] The operator adjusts the position of the retainer 20 by moving it below the held portion 13 on the spreader 10 through the receiving hole 22. After adjusting the position of the retainer 20, the operator raises the forks 61 further, thereby moving the retainer 20 upward. By moving the retainer 20 upward, the held portion 13 is received in the receiving hole 22. That is, the forklift operator raises the retainer 20 by scooping up the held portion 13.

[0154] Figures 21 to 24 The figures show the state in which the retained part 13 is accommodated in the receiving hole 22. This is achieved by moving the retainer 20 upwards, as... Figure 21 (a) and Figure 21 As shown in (b), the holding portion 13 of the lifting device 10 is received in the tapered region 26 of the receiving hole 22 via the opening 40. The tapered region 26 of the receiving hole 22 has a shape that widens from bottom to top. That is, the upper end of the tapered region 26 is wider than the lower end, so even if the position of the receiving hole 22 and the holding portion 13 is slightly misaligned when viewed in a planar view, the holding portion 13 can be more reliably received in the tapered region 26 of the receiving hole 22.

[0155] When the held part 13 passes through the opening 40 and is received in the conical region 26, the driver raises the retainer 20 further along with the fork part 61. As the retainer 20 rises, the spreader 10 descends relative to it. As the spreader 10 descends relative to the retainer 20, the held part 13 is guided downwards along the side surface 41 of the conical region 26. That is, as... Figure 22 (a) and Figure 22 As shown in (b), the held portion 13 is moved to the cylindrical region 27 of the conical region 26. Then, the held portion 13 is guided further downward along the inner wall 43.

[0156] like Figure 22 As shown in (b), the inner wall 43 of the sidewall 24 is inclined upwards in the x1 direction. In other words, the inner wall 43 is inclined downwards in the x2 direction. That is, when the held part 13 descends and contacts the inner wall 43, and the held part 13 is guided downwards along the inner wall 43, the direction of movement of the held part 13 changes from the downward direction in the z-direction to a downward direction in the z-direction that contains a component of the x2 direction (direction E1). Therefore, in Figure 21 (a) and Figure 21(b) The lifting device 10, which is in an upright position, is tilted so that the connecting part 11 is positioned on the x1 side of the held part 13 (refer to symbol Rs). Hereinafter, the position in which the connecting part 11 is positioned on the x1 side of the held part 13 is defined as the "horizontal position".

[0157] With the lifting device 10 in a horizontal position, the connecting portion 15 is tilted (protruding) from the held portion 13 towards the x1 direction. Therefore, as the lifting device 10 descends relative to the holding member 20 in its horizontal position, the connecting portion 15 of the lifting device 10 engages with the upper end of the guide groove 28 formed on the side wall 24 in the x1 direction. The connecting portion 15, engaged with the upper end of the guide groove 28, is guided downwards along the guide groove 28 from the upper side to the lower side of the main body. With the connecting portion 15 guided downwards along the guide groove 28, and the held portion 13 guided downwards along the cylindrical region 27 of the receiving hole 22, the lifting device 10 as a whole moves downwards towards the lower side of the main body 21.

[0158] When the retaining part 13 is accommodated in the cylindrical region 27, the operator further raises the retaining member 20 together with the fork part 61. As the retaining member 20 rises, the spreader 10 further descends relative to it. As a result, as... Figure 23 (a) and Figure 23 As shown in (b), the held portion 13 of the lifting device 10 reaches the bottom 32 of the receiving hole 22 and is inhibited. In other words, the held portion 13, which is guided to the lower side along the cylindrical region 27, is inhibited from moving downward by the upper surface 30 of the base portion 23.

[0159] Furthermore, the retained portion 13 reaching the bottom 32 is inhibited from moving in the x and y directions by the inner wall 43 of the side wall 24. That is, the retained portion 13 of the lifting device 10 is held in a stable position on the retainer 20 by being inhibited by the bottom 32 of the receiving hole 22 and the inner wall 43 of the side wall 24.

[0160] After the holding part 13 reaches the bottom 32 of the receiving hole 22, the driver further raises the holding member 20 together with the fork part 61. Since the holding member 20 rises while the holding part 13 is restrained by the bottom 32, the connecting part 11 in the spreader 10, protruding from the guide groove 28 towards the outside of the holding member 20 in the x1 direction, is further pulled downward relative to the holding member 20. Additionally, the connecting part 15 is guided from the side of the base part 23 towards the center along the guide groove 29, which communicates with the guide groove 28, in the x2 direction.

[0161] With the downward movement of the retaining part 13 inhibited by the bottom 32 and thus prevented, when the horizontally positioned lifting device 10 is guided downward, as... Figure 24 (a) and Figure 24As shown in (b), the connecting part 15 and the connecting part 11 pivot about the held part 13. That is, the connecting part 15 and the connecting part 11 move from the side of the holding member 20 to below the holding member 20 by pivoting. The direction of pivoting of the connecting part 15 and the connecting part 11 is indicated by the symbol Ph. Furthermore, when the connecting part 15, which is guided in the x2 direction along the guide groove 29, reaches the center of the base part 23, its movement in the x2 direction is suppressed by the inner wall surface 38 of the guide groove 29. Figure 24 In each of the diagrams, dashed lines are used to indicate... Figure 23 The position of the connecting part 11 in the middle. That is, in Figure 24 In the middle, the connecting part 11 moves from the position shown by the dashed line to the position shown by the solid line.

[0162] The held portion 13 is held at the bottom 32 of the receiving hole 22, and its height relative to the retainer 20 remains constant. On the other hand, by pivoting the connecting portion 15 and the connecting portion 11 from the side of the retainer 20 toward the bottom of the retainer 20, the height of the connecting portion 15 and the connecting portion 11 relative to the retainer 20 decreases. As a result, by pivoting the connecting portion 15 and the connecting portion 11 from the side of the retainer 20 toward the bottom of the retainer 20, the posture of the lifting device 10 is reversed in the vertical direction. That is, the lifting device 10, which was in a posture where the connected portion 13 was lower than the connecting portion 11, is reversed by this pivoting to a posture where the connected portion 13 is above the connecting portion 11. Hereinafter, the posture of the lifting device 10 with the connected portion 13 above the connecting portion 11 will be referred to as the "inverted posture".

[0163] The forklift 10 is held by the holding member 20 via the holding part 13 of the spreader 10, and the forklift 60 holds the spreader 10 via the forks 61 and the holding member 20. Then, the forklift 60 can arbitrarily adjust the position of the spreader 10 by operating the forks 61. Step S4 is completed when the spreader 10 is held by the holding member 20 via the holding part 13 of the spreader 10 and the spreader 10 is reversed so that the connecting part 11 is lower than the connecting part 13. Step S4 is completed when the forklift 60 raises the holding member 20. Figure 25 As shown.

[0164] Step S5 (Move the spreader over the load)

[0165] After holding the lifting device 10 by the retaining member 20, the lifting device 10 is moved upwards towards the flexible container 1, which is the object being lifted. That is, as... Figure 26 As shown, the operator raises the forks 61 while simultaneously raising the spreader 10 to a position higher than the upper surface 5 of the flexible container 1, and then moves the forklift 60 in the x1 direction. Through the operation of the forklift 60, the spreader 10, positioned to the side of the flexible container 1, moves upwards above the flexible container 1. Furthermore, in Figure 25The position of the lifting device 10, which is configured on the side of the flexible container 1, is... Figure 26 It is shown in dashed lines. That is, the lifting device 10 is moved to a position above the central part of the upper surface portion 5 of the flexible container 1.

[0166] By moving the inverted lifting device 10 above the flexible container 1, the lifting device 10 can pull up the slings 7 individually via the auxiliary rope 9. That is, by moving the lifting device 10 above the flexible container 1, the lifting device 10 can pull up the slings 7 individually to suspend the flexible container 1. By moving the lifting device 10 above the flexible container 1, the process of step S5 is completed.

[0167] By raising the holding part 20, the holding part 13 is accommodated and held at the bottom 32 of the receiving hole 22, and the posture of the lifting device 10 is reversed. The path of movement of the holding part 20 and the lifting device 10 by raising the holding part 20 is part of the path of moving the lifting device 10 from the side upward of the flexible container 1 in step S5. That is, the process of raising the holding part 20 in step S4 is performed in the initial stage of the process of moving the lifting device 10 from the side upward of the flexible container 1.

[0168] Step S6 (Lift and move the load)

[0169] After the spreader 10 is moved above the flexible container 1, the process of lifting and transporting the flexible container 1 begins. That is, the operator raises the forks 61 further along the lifting rail 64, and the spreader 10 and the retainer 20 rise together. As the spreader 10 rises, the sling 7 is pulled up by the spreader 10. When the sling 7 is pulled up, the flexible container 1 floats off the floor surface G, and the flexible container 1 is held by the spreader 10.

[0170] After the flexible container 1 is lifted by the spreader 10, the driver operates the forklift 60 to move the flexible container 1 to the desired location. Figure 27 This indicates the state in which the flexible container 1, which is being lifted by the lifting device 10, is moved to another flexible container 1 that is resting on the floor surface G.

[0171] In Embodiment 1, when the flexible container 1 is being lifted, the lifting device 10 is positioned above the flexible container 1; conversely, when the flexible container 1 is not being lifted, the lifting device 10 is positioned to the side of the flexible container 1. By positioning the lifting device 10 to the side of the flexible container 1, the upper surface 5 of the flexible container 1 can be kept flat. That is, when the flexible container 1 is placed on top of the flexible container 1, the lifting device 10 will not obstruct the placement process. Therefore, by using the lifting and conveying unit 50, it is possible to stack two or more layers of the flexible container 1.

[0172] Step S6 is completed by transporting and placing the flexible container 1 at the predetermined location. Through steps S4 to S6, the forklift 60 lifts the flexible container 1 via the lifting and transporting unit 50 and transports the flexible container 1 to the predetermined location. That is, steps S4 to S6 correspond to the main process of actually transporting the flexible container 1 in a series of lifting and transporting processes.

[0173] Furthermore, in step S4 of Embodiment 1, the holding part 13 is accommodated in the bottom 32 of the receiving hole 22, and the connecting part 15 is guided along the guide grooves 28 and 29, thereby causing the lifting device 10 to reverse into an inverted position. By the lifting device 10 being in an inverted position and the connecting part 15 being restrained by the inner wall surface 38, the lifting device 10 is in an anti-falling state.

[0174] The anti-detachment state is as follows: the retaining part 13, which is accommodated in the receiving hole 22, and the connecting part 11, which moves to the lower part of the base part 23, are positioned opposite each other across the base part 23, and the connecting part 15 is restrained by the inner wall surface 38 while passing through the guide groove 29 in the vertical direction (see reference). Figure 24 (See the figures). By making the lifting device 10 in an anti-fall-off state, the lifting device 10 is prevented from jumping upward due to vibration or other reasons when lifting and transporting the flexible container 1, or from being pushed upward by the upper surface 5 of the flexible container 1 when the retaining member 20 is lowered excessively when the flexible container 1 is placed, thus preventing the lifting device 10 from floating upward and falling off the retaining member 20.

[0175] Details of the structure preventing the lifting device 10 from falling off, including the receiving hole 22 and the base portion 23, will be explained. The width w2 of the guide groove 29 provided in the base portion 23 is wider than the diameter L1 of the connecting portion 15. On the other hand, the width w2 of the guide groove 29 is set to be smaller than the width L3 of the connecting portion 11. By making the width w2 smaller than the width L3, as... Figure 38 As shown, even if the connecting portion 11, which has moved below the base portion 23, jumps upward due to vibration or the like, it can prevent the connecting portion 11 from entering the receiving hole 22 via the guide groove 29. That is, even if the connecting portion 11 jumps upward due to vibration or the like, the connecting portion 11 is suppressed by the lower surface 34 of the base plate 23.

[0176] With the connecting portion 11 of the lifting device 10 located below the base portion 23, in order to move the connecting portion 11 above the base portion 23, it is necessary to move the retaining member 20 holding the lifting device 10 at least in a direction including the x2 direction, and guide the connecting portion 15 along the guide groove 29, thereby causing the connecting portion 11 to pivot laterally toward the base portion 23 (see reference). Figure 29However, when the lifting device 10 is in the anti-fall-off state, even if the lifting device 10 is subjected to an upward force due to contact with the upper surface portion 5 or vibration, since the connecting portion 11 is located below the held portion 13, the upward force cannot cause the connecting portion 11 to pivot. Therefore, the lifting device 10 held in the holding member 20 can be reliably prevented from falling off the holding member 20 through the opening portion 40. That is, the lifting device 10, in its reversed state, can be reliably held in the holding member 20.

[0177] Step S7 (Move the spreader to the side of the load)

[0178] After the flexible container 1 is moved to the designated location, the lifting device 10 is moved laterally towards the flexible container 1. The action performed in step S7 is essentially the reverse of the action performed in step S5. That is, as... Figure 28 As shown, the driver reverses the forklift 60 in the x2 direction while lowering the forks 61, which are positioned higher than the upper surface of the flexible container 1. Through the operation of the forklift 60, the spreader 10, located above the flexible container 1, moves to the side of the flexible container 1. That is, the spreader 10... Figure 28 Move from the position shown by the dashed line to the position shown by the solid line.

[0179] By moving the lifting device 10 to the side of the flexible container 1, the auxiliary rope 9 and the sling 7 lie horizontally on the upper surface 5 of the flexible container 1. Furthermore, by moving the lifting device 10 to the side of the flexible container 1, the state in which the flexible container 1 is held by the lifting device 10 (the holding state) is released. The process of step S7 is completed by moving the lifting device 10 to the side of the flexible container 1.

[0180] Step S8 (Release the holding of the spreader)

[0181] After releasing the lifting state of the flexible container 1 by moving the lifting device 10 laterally toward the flexible container 1, a step of releasing the holding of the lifting device 10 is performed. That is, in step S8, the step of releasing the state in which the lifting device 10 is held by the holding member 20 is performed. The action performed in step S8 is basically the reverse of the action performed in step S4. That is, the positional relationship between the lifting device 10 and the holding member 20 in step S8 is changed from... Figure 24 Starting with the positional relationships shown in the figures, towards Figure 23 The various diagrams, Figure 22 The various diagrams, Figure 21 The positional relationships shown in the various figures change sequentially.

[0182] When step S8 begins, the driver moves the retainer 20 and the fork section 61 together in the x2 direction and downward direction. At this time, Figure 29In (a), the symbol J1 indicates the direction of the force acting on the retainer 20. As the retainer 20 moves in the x2 direction, firstly, the connecting portion 15 and the connecting portion 11 rotate from the lower part of the retainer 20 to the side pivot of the retainer 20. That is, as the retainer 20 moves in the x2 direction, the connecting portion 11 of the lifting device 10 is pulled in the x1 direction by the auxiliary rope 9 fixed to the flexible container 1. In other words, as the retainer 20 moves in the x2 direction, a force in the x1 direction is applied to the connecting portion 11.

[0183] At this time, the held portion 13 is located at the bottom 32 of the receiving hole 22, and therefore the held portion 13 is supported by the inner wall of the main body portion 21. Therefore, by applying a force in the x1 direction to the connecting portion 11, the held portion 13 is maintained at the bottom 32, while the connecting portion 15 is guided along the guide groove 29 from the center of the base portion 23 toward the side portion in the x1 direction. As a result, the lifting device 10... Figure 29 (a) The position shown by the dashed line moves towards the position shown by the solid line. That is, the connecting part 15 and the connecting part 11 pivot about the held part 13 as a fulcrum, rotating from the lower part of the holding member 20 towards the side of the holding member 20. In other words, the connecting part 15 and the connecting part 11 move towards the position shown by the solid line. Figure 24 The symbol Ph shown pivots in the opposite direction. By means of... Figure 29 (a) The ground connection 15 and the connecting part 11 shown in the figure pivot rotate, and the anti-falling state of the lifting device 10 is released.

[0184] After the connecting portion 15 and the connecting portion 11 are pivoted laterally toward the retainer 20, the driver further lowers the retainer 20 together with the fork portion 61. At this time, the direction of the force acting on the retainer 20 is... Figure 29 (b) is represented by the symbol J2. As the retainer 20 descends, the lifting device 10 rises relative to the retainer 20. The result is as follows: Figure 29 As shown in (b), the connecting portion 15 is guided upward along the guide groove 28, and the held portion 13 is guided upward along the cylindrical region 27 of the receiving hole 22. That is, by lowering the retainer 20, the state in which the bottom 32 holds the held portion 13 is released. As the connecting portion 15 and the held portion 13 are guided upward, the connecting portion 11 also moves upward.

[0185] By further lowering the retainer 20 together with the fork portion 61, the connecting portion 15 moves upward along the guide groove 28 and disengages from the upper end of the guide groove 28 toward the outside of the retainer 20. Furthermore, as the connecting portion 15 moves, the retained portion 13 moves from the cylindrical region 27 of the receiving hole 22 to the conical region 26. Moreover, the retained portion 13, contained in the receiving hole 22, disengages from the outside of the retainer 20 via the opening 40. Therefore, through a series of simple operations—operating the fork portion 61 equipped with the retainer 20 and moving the spreader 10 laterally from the upper part of the flexible container 1, and then moving the retainer 20 downward—the anti-drop condition of the spreader 10 is released, and the spreader 10 disengages from the retainer 20.

[0186] The state in which the lifting device 10 is held in place by the retainer 20 is released as the lifting device 10 is disengaged from the outside of the retainer 20. The process of step S8 is completed when the state in which the lifting device 10 is held in place by the retainer 20 is released. The state in which step S8 is completed is achieved by the forklift 60 lowering the retainer 20. Figure 30 As shown. Steps S7 and S8 are equivalent to the follow-up steps in a series of procedures for lifting and transporting the load, performed after the load has been transported.

[0187] The action of lifting and transporting a flexible container 1 is completed after the process up to step S8. If there is another flexible container 1 that will be lifted and transported, return to step S4 and perform the processes from steps S4 to S8 on that other flexible container 1. Furthermore, if the lifting device 10 is not connected to the flexible container 1 that will be transported, perform the processes from steps S2 to S8. Once all the flexible containers 1 that will be lifted and transported have been transported, the retainer 20 is removed from the forklift 60, and the series of processes is completed.

[0188] <Effects of the structure in Example 1>

[0189] Here, the effect of the lifting and conveying unit 50 of Embodiment 1 will be explained while comparing it with existing methods for lifting and conveying the flexible container 1.

[0190] Previously, as a first example of a method for lifting and transporting the flexible container 1, the method of using the hook 71 provided by the crane 70 was cited. In this first existing example, as Figure 31 As shown, the hook 71, which has an anti-fall-off component 72, is secured to the sling 7 of the flexible container 1. Then, the flexible container 1 and the sling 7 are lifted and transported together by using a crane 70, which serves as a transport device, to pull up the hook 71.

[0191] However, in the first existing example, there is a concern regarding the following issue: The sling 7 of the flexible container 1 is typically made of a material such as cloth, and therefore is not a self-supporting structure when stationary. Therefore, it is necessary to have an operator near the flexible container 1 to perform the process of locking and securing the hook 71 to the sling 7, and to operate the anti-drop component 72 to make the hook 71 in an open / closed loop state. In other words, in addition to the first operator (driver) sitting in the crane 70 seat Se and driving the crane 70, a second operator Ma is needed to perform the hoisting process of the flexible container 1.

[0192] Moreover, such as Figure 31 As shown, in the case of unloading a multi-layered flexible container 1, the second operator, Ma, needs to perform the hoisting operation on the multi-layered flexible container. The flexible container is unstable at footholds, thus fatigue can easily accumulate for the operator performing the hoisting operation. Furthermore, there is a concern that the cargo in the flexible container may collapse during the hoisting operation.

[0193] As a variant of this first existing example that allows for the omission of the hoisting operation, we consider using... Figure 32 The self-supporting component 80 is shown. The self-supporting component 80 includes an annular lower surface ring 81, a support column 82 erected on the lower surface ring 81, and an upper surface ring 83 positioned at the upper end of the support column 82. The self-supporting component 80 is made of a material, such as metal, with strength sufficient to withstand the lifting force of the flexible container 1, and is self-supporting on the upper surface 5 of the flexible container 1. The lower surface ring 81 has a through hole 84 in its center, through which each lifting strap 7 passes and is secured. The upper surface ring 83 has a through hole 85 in its center, through which a hook 71 passes and is locked.

[0194] In existing variations using the self-supporting component 80, such as Figure 33 As shown, a self-supporting component 80 is provided on the upper surface 5 of the flexible container 1, and the lifting straps 7 are pre-fastened to the lower surface ring 81. Then, the hook 71, with the anti-drop component 72 opened to the open state, is hooked and locked onto the upper surface ring 83, thereby fixing the hook 71 to the lifting straps 7 via the self-supporting component 80. By having the operator pull up the hook 71 using the crane 70, the flexible container 1 can be lifted without any lifting operation. Alternatively, when using a forklift 60 as a transport device, the flexible container 1 and the self-supporting component 80 can be lifted together by inserting the forks 61 into the lower surface of the upper surface ring 83 and lifting it.

[0195] However, in this modified example, since the self-standing member 80 is disposed on the upper surface portion 5 of the flexible container 1, the flatness of the upper surface portion 5 is significantly reduced. Due to the reduced flatness of the upper surface portion 5, it is difficult to stably stack the flexible container 1 on other flexible containers 1 on which the self-standing member 80 is disposed (see reference). Figure 33 The symbol ND).

[0196] Furthermore, when hoisting a flexible container 1 positioned at a height higher than the driver of a transport device such as a crane 70, it is difficult to visually confirm the upper surface 5 of the flexible container 1 (see reference) from the driver's seat Se. Figure 35 (The symbol Kb). That is, it is difficult to accurately lock the hook 71 onto the self-supporting component 80 for the flexible container 1, which is positioned at a high position. As a result, it is difficult to stack multiple layers of the flexible container 1, and therefore, in the modified existing example, the storage efficiency of the flexible container 1 is greatly reduced.

[0197] In response to this existing structure, in Embodiment 1, when the flexible container 1 is transported using a transport device such as a forklift 60 or a crane 70, a lifting and transporting unit 50 is used. The lifting and transporting unit 50 of Embodiment 1 includes a lifting device 10 and a retaining member 20. The lifting device 10 of Embodiment 1 is configured to move between the side and the top of the flexible container 1 while connected to it.

[0198] Figure 34 (a) indicates the state in which the spreader 10 is positioned above the flexible container 1 (above configuration state). Figure 34 (b) indicates the state in which the spreader 10 is positioned to the side of the flexible container 1 (side-mounted configuration state). The position of the spreader 10 in the side-mounted configuration state, that is, the position corresponding to the side of the flexible container 1, is... Figure 34 (a) is represented by the symbol D1. The position of the spreader 10 in the upper configuration state, that is, the position above the flexible container 1, is... Figure 34 (a) is represented by the symbol D2.

[0199] Specifically, the lifting device 10 has a structure in which the connecting part 11 and the held part 13 are connected by a connecting part 15. The connecting part 11 is connected to the flexible container 1 via an auxiliary rope 9 or a sling 7. Moreover, the connecting part 11 is configured to be movable between the side and the top of the flexible container 1 while connected to the flexible container 1. The held part 13 is held by a holding member 20 connected to the conveying device.

[0200] When using the lifting and conveying unit 50 to lift and convey the flexible container 1, the retaining member 20 is connected to the conveying device, for example, the forklift 60 (step S1). After connecting the spreader 10 to the flexible container 1, the spreader 10 is positioned in a side-mounted state (steps S2, S3). Then, after holding the held portion 13 of the spreader 10 using the retaining member 20 (step S4), the spreader 10 is moved to an upward-mounted state (step S5). In the upward-mounted state, the spreader 10 and the retaining member 20 are pulled up together, thereby lifting the flexible container 1 (step S6). When the lifting and conveying of the flexible container 1 is completed, the spreader 10 is moved from the upward-mounted state to the side-mounted state (step S7), and the retaining member 20 is released from holding the spreader 10 (step S8).

[0201] Thus, in the conveying method of Embodiment 1, when the flexible container 1 is being lifted and conveyed, the lifting device 10 is switched to an upper configuration state, and when the flexible container 1 is not being lifted and conveyed, the lifting device 10 is switched to a side configuration state.

[0202] 10 lifting devices Figure 34 In the side-mounted configuration shown in (b), the spreader 10 hangs down to the side of the flexible container 1. Figure 35 As shown, the driver, seated in the cab Se of the transport device, can reliably visually confirm the spreader 10 positioned to the side of the flexible container 1. In particular, even when the flexible containers 1 are stacked high, the spreader 10 hanging to the side of the flexible containers 1 can be reliably visually confirmed by the driver (refer to symbol Ka). Therefore, by having the driver of the forklift 60 hold the spreader 10 positioned to the side of the flexible container 1, which is the object to be transported, via the retainer 20 and the spreader 10, the transport device is reliably connected to the flexible container 1. That is, even when multiple layers of flexible containers 1 are stacked, the driver can hold any number of flexible containers 1.

[0203] Furthermore, the process of directly holding the slings 7, which lie horizontally on the upper surface 5 of the flexible container 1, to the conveying device is difficult to perform by the driver of the conveying device and requires an assistant for the lifting operation. On the other hand, the process of holding the lifting device 10, which is moved to the side D1 of the flexible container 1, can be easily performed by the driver of the conveying device alone. Therefore, the lifting device 10 can stably and reliably hold each of the slings 7 connected to the flexible container 1 without the need for an assistant.

[0204] 10 lifting devices Figure 34In the configuration shown in (a), by applying an upward force to the spreader 10, the slings 7 connected to the spreader 10 change from a horizontal state to an upright state. Furthermore, by applying a further upward force to the spreader 10, the flexible container 1 is lifted by each action of the slings 7. As a result, the flexible container 1 can be held in a stable position. By holding the spreader 10 with the retainer 20, the conveying device can apply an upward force to the spreader 10 via the retainer 20. In this case, the operator can lift the spreader 10 and hold the flexible container 1 by operating the conveying device. Therefore, the flexible container 1 can be held by the operator alone. In other words, the flexible container 1 can be reliably lifted and conveyed without the need for lifting operations and personnel.

[0205] In this way, by setting a structure that appropriately switches the lifting device 10 between an upper configuration state and a side configuration state according to the timing of lifting and transporting the flexible container 1, it is possible to lift, transport and stack the flexible container 1 in multiple layers while reducing the number of personnel required for lifting.

[0206] Furthermore, the lifting device 10 has a structure that connects an annular connecting portion 11 and a block-shaped holding portion 13, such as a sphere, via a connecting portion 15. Moreover, the annular connecting portion 11 is connected to the flexible container 1, and the holding member 20 holds the block-shaped holding portion 13. By equipping the lifting device 10 with this structure, the following effects can be achieved.

[0207] First, the connecting part 11 is a ring-shaped component. The ring-shaped component is easy to securely fasten to other ring-shaped components. That is, a ring-shaped component, such as the auxiliary rope 9 or the sling 7, can be easily and securely fastened to the connecting part 11. In other words, the connecting part 11, as a ring-shaped component, can be easily connected to the flexible container 1 via the ring-shaped component. Furthermore, since the connecting part 11 is a ring-shaped component, the fastened ring-shaped component can be easily detached. Therefore, by using the connecting part 11, which is a ring-shaped component, the lifting device 10 and the flexible container 1 can be easily secured, and the securing can be easily released.

[0208] Furthermore, when the annular component is secured, the annular component can be easily moved along the annular component. Therefore, the connecting part 11 can easily move back and forth between the side and the top of the flexible container 1 along the auxiliary rope 9. That is, by making the connecting part 11 an annular component, the lifting device 10 can be easily switched between the top configuration state and the side configuration state.

[0209] Then, the retained part 13 is a block-shaped component, exemplified by a sphere. Furthermore, the retaining member 20 can easily hold the retained part 13 by accommodating this block-shaped component within the receiving hole 22. That is, by simply moving the retaining member 20 closer to the retained part 13 from below and raising it with the retained part 13 accommodated in the receiving hole 22, the retaining member 20 can stably hold the lifting device 10. In particular, by making the retained part 13 a sphere, when the lifting device 10 is in a side-mounted configuration, the retaining member 20 can easily hold the lifting device 10 regardless of its orientation. Regarding the effect of the retaining member 20 easily holding the lifting device 10, using… Figure 36 and Figure 37 Please provide further explanation.

[0210] When the lifting device 10 with the fixed auxiliary rope 9 hanging down to the side of the flexible container 1, the lifting device 10 is in a state where it can rotate about the z-axis with the connection part 11 of the fixed auxiliary rope 9 as the fulcrum (see reference). Figure 36 The symbol Rt). That is, the posture of the spreader 10 changes by rotating it along the z-direction. As an example of the posture of the spreader 10 in a lateral configuration state, Figure 19 This shows the case where the through hole 19 of the connecting part 11 faces the same direction as the x direction. This is another example of the posture of the lifting device 10 in a side-mounted configuration. Figure 36 This shows the case where the through hole 19 of the connecting part 11 is oriented in the same direction as the y direction.

[0211] When the part held in the spreader 10 is annular in shape, it is difficult to maintain the spreader 10 when it rotates in the z-direction and its posture changes. As a comparative example, Figure 37 A lifting device 10P is shown, comprising an annular connecting portion 11 and an annular retaining portion 13P. When the retaining portion 13P is annular, the lifting device 10P can be held in place by engaging the hook 71 or the like with the retaining portion 13P.

[0212] However, in the annular holding part 13P, the through hole Cn is as follows Figure 37When the hook 71 is oriented in the x-direction, if it is brought close to the held portion 13P in the x-direction, the hook 71 cannot hold the held portion 13P (refer to the symbol Mx). As an example, if the hook 71 is brought close to the held portion 13P in the y-direction, the main body of the annular held portion 13 interferes with the hook 71, thus preventing the hook 71 from being hooked into the through hole Cn. Therefore, when using the annular structure, exemplified by the connecting portion 11, to hold the lifting device 10, the direction of approach to the retaining member 20 needs to be precisely aligned according to the posture of the lifting device 10 (the orientation of the through hole 19). Therefore, the time required to hold the lifting device 10 using the retaining member 20 is prolonged.

[0213] On the other hand, in the lifting device 10 of Embodiment 1, the held portion 13 is spherical, therefore the shape of the held portion 13 is constant and does not depend on the orientation of the through hole 19. That is, in such... Figure 36 With the through hole 19 facing the x-direction, the retainer 20 can be accurately accommodated and held in the receiving hole 22 (refer to the symbols Nx and Ny) even when it is brought close to the lifting device 10 in either the x-direction or the y-direction. That is, the retainer 20 can be accommodated and held in the receiving hole 22 regardless of which direction it is brought close to the lifting device 10.

[0214] In addition, in such Figure 19 With the through hole 19 oriented in the x-direction, the retaining member 20 can be precisely accommodated and held in the receiving hole 22 even when it is brought close along either the x-direction or the y-direction. Thus, by making the retaining member 13 a block shape such as a sphere, it can be easily and reliably held by the retaining member 20 regardless of the three-dimensional orientation of the connecting part 11. That is, regardless of the orientation of the through hole 19 of the connecting part 11, the retaining member 20 can be brought close to the lifting device 10 from any direction and precisely accommodated and held in the receiving hole 22.

[0215] Furthermore, in Embodiment 1, the retaining member 20 guides the connecting portion 15 along the guide groove 28 provided on the side and the guide groove 29 provided on the bottom, thereby holding the lifting device 10 in an upside-down reversed state. That is, in the side-mounted state, the connecting portion 11 of the lifting device 10 is positioned higher than the held portion 13. On the other hand, in the top-mounted state, the lifting device 10 is reversed compared to the side-mounted state. That is, in the top-mounted state, the held portion 13 of the lifting device 20 is held at a position higher than the connecting portion 11 connected to the flexible container 1 via the auxiliary rope 9, etc.

[0216] In the upper configuration, the holding part 13 is positioned higher than the connecting part 11, thereby preventing the auxiliary rope 9 or other parts fastened to the connecting part 11 from becoming entangled in the holding part 13 or the connecting part 15. That is, it avoids situations where the lifting and transporting of the flexible container 1 is hindered due to entanglement of the auxiliary rope 9 or other parts. When the flexible container 1 is lifted and transported with the holding part 13 lower than the connecting part 11, consider the connecting part 11 pivoting around the holding part 13. If this pivoting occurs, useless vibrations act on the lifting device 10 and the flexible container 1, hindering the lifting and transporting. Therefore, by reversing and holding the lifting device 10, the pivoting of the connecting part 11 is prevented, allowing for more appropriate lifting and transporting of the flexible container 1.

[0217] Furthermore, the width w2 of the guide groove 29 provided on the base portion 23 is wider than the diameter L1 of the connecting portion 15. On the other hand, the width w2 of the guide groove 29 is set to be smaller than the width L3 of the connecting portion 11. By making the width w2 smaller than the width L3, as... Figure 38 As shown, even if the connecting portion 11, which has moved below the base portion 23, jumps upward due to vibration or the like, it can prevent the connecting portion 11 from entering the receiving hole 22 via the guide groove 29. That is, even if the connecting portion 11 jumps upward due to vibration or the like, the connecting portion 11 is restrained by the lower surface 34 of the base plate 23. When the connecting portion 11 of the lifting device 10 is below the base portion 23, in order to move the connecting portion 11 above the base portion 23, the retaining member 20 holding the lifting device 10 needs to be moved at least in a direction including the x2 direction, so that the connecting portion 15 is guided along the guide groove 29, thereby causing the connecting portion 11 to pivot laterally toward the base portion 23. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent the lifting device 10 held in the retaining member 20 from falling off the outside of the retaining member 20 via the opening 40. That is, the lifting device 10, which has been reversed in the vertical position, can be reliably held in the retaining member 20.

[0218] Furthermore, the lifting device 10 and the retaining member 20 do not require the power generating device found in the conveying device. Therefore, by using the lifting and conveying unit 50 composed of the lifting device 10 and the retaining member 20, the lifting operation can be omitted, and the process of lifting and conveying the flexible container 1 in a multi-layer manner can be achieved without electricity, fuel, or a power generating device. In addition, the manufacturing cost and operating cost of the lifting and conveying unit 50 can also be reduced.

[0219] Furthermore, the steps of connecting the flexible container 1 to the forklift 60 by holding the lifting device 10 with the retainer 20, and disconnecting the flexible container 1 from the forklift 60 by releasing the retainer 20 from the lifting device 10, can both be performed by operating the forks 61 of the forklift 60. That is, the steps of connecting the conveying device and the load, and disconnecting the connection, do not require manual operation, as in the case of a lifting operation. In other words, in the lifting and conveying method of Embodiment 1, the steps of connecting the conveying device and the load, and disconnecting the connection, can be performed automatically based on mechanical operation. Therefore, by using the lifting and conveying unit 50, loads can be lifted and conveyed in a multi-layered manner in places where it is difficult for people to enter. Examples of places where it is difficult for people to enter include high places, places with high or low temperatures, places with high radiation, and places where gases harmful to humans are present.

[0220] Example 2

[0221] Next, Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described. Furthermore, the same symbols are used for the same structures as in Embodiment 1's lifting and conveying unit 50, and the different structural parts will be described in detail. In Embodiment 2, as... Figure 40 As shown, a crane 70 is used as the transport device. That is, in the lifting and transporting unit 50A of Embodiment 2, the retaining member 20A differs from the retaining member 20 of Embodiment 1, which can be connected to the crane 70, in that the retaining member 20A can be connected to the forklift 60. The structure of the lifting device 10 in the lifting and transporting unit 50A of Embodiment 2 is the same as that of Embodiment 1. In addition, in Embodiment 2, as in Embodiment 1, a flexible container 1 is used as the load to be lifted.

[0222] Figure 39 (a) is a front view of the retainer 20A of Embodiment 2. Figure 39 (b) is a longitudinal sectional view showing the main parts of the retainer 20A in Embodiment 2. The retainer 20A includes a main body portion 21, a base portion 23, and a connecting unit 25A. The structure of the main body portion 21 and the base portion 23 in Embodiment 2 is the same as that in Embodiment 1, so the description is omitted.

[0223] The connecting unit 25A connects the retaining member 20A to the crane 70. For example... Figure 39 As shown in (a), the connecting unit 25A includes a crane adapter 89 and a connecting member 33. The crane adapter 89 is a cylindrical member that extends integrally in the vertical direction and is connected to the connecting member 33 at its lower end. The connecting member 33 is connected to the main body 21 and the base 23. The crane adapter 89 has a shackle 90 at its upper end. The retainer 20A is connected to the crane 70 by being secured to the shackle 90 by the hook 71 provided on the crane 70. Figure 40 The state of connection between retainer 20A and crane 70 is shown.

[0224] Using the lifting and conveying unit 50A of Embodiment 2 to convey a series of actions of the flexible container 1 as the suspended object, and Figure 13 The series of procedures shown in Embodiment 1 are the same. That is, except that the crane 70 is used as a transport device to transport the suspended object instead of the forklift 60, the procedures in Embodiment 2 are the same as those in Embodiment 1. Hereinafter, the lifting and transporting procedures of Embodiment 2 will be briefly described.

[0225] When the lifting and transporting process of Embodiment 2 begins, the crane 70, which serves as the transporting device, is connected to the retaining member 20A (step S1). In step S1, the hook 71 of the crane 70 is hooked and fixed to the shackle 90 of the crane adapter 89 provided on the retaining member 20A. By locking the hook 71 to the shackle 90, the crane 70 is connected to the main body 21 and the base 23 of the retaining member 20A via the connecting unit 25A.

[0226] When the crane 70 is connected to the retainer 20A, the spreader 10 is connected to the flexible container 1 (step S2). The procedure of step S2 is common in both Embodiment 2 and Embodiment 1. That is, as an example, Figure 18 Using the lark knot technique shown, the auxiliary rope 9 is secured to the connection 11 of the lifting device 10. By securing the auxiliary rope 9, the lifting device 10 is connected to the flexible container 1.

[0227] When the spreader 10 is connected to the flexible container 1, the spreader 10 is positioned to the side of the flexible container 1 (step S3). The procedure of step S3 is common in both Embodiment 2 and Embodiment 1. That is, as... Figure 19 As shown, the lifting device 10 is lowered to the side of the flexible container 1 in the x2 direction. Figure 19 In the side-mounted configuration shown, the lifting device 10 is positioned such that the connecting part 11 is higher than the held part 13. By performing these steps S1 to S3, the preparation stage (preliminary stage) for lifting and transport is completed.

[0228] After positioning the spreader 10 to the side of the flexible container 1, the spreader 10 is held in place by the retainer 20A (step S4). The driver sits in the driver's seat Se of the crane 70, as follows: Figure 41 As shown, while adjusting the height of the hook 71 holding the retainer 20A appropriately, the retainer 20A is brought closer from below the lifting device 10. Furthermore, the retainer 20A is moved slightly in the x1 direction and raised as indicated by the symbol Pk, thereby allowing the held part 13 of the lifting device 10 to be accommodated in the receiving hole 22 of the retainer 20A.

[0229] The state in which the retaining part 13 is accommodated in the receiving hole 22 of the retaining member 20A is the same as in Embodiment 1 (see Example 1). Figures 21 to 24(See the figures). That is, the holding part 13 is guided through the opening 40 of the main body part 21 to the tapered region 26 of the receiving hole 22 ( Figure 21 (See the figures). Furthermore, while the connecting portion 15 is inserted into the guide groove 28, the connecting portion 15 is guided downwards along the guide groove 28. Figure 22 (as shown in the figures), while the held part 13 is guided downward along the cylindrical region 27 and reaches the bottom 32 of the receiving hole 22 ( Figure 23 (The various figures).

[0230] With the holding part 13 supported by the bottom 32, the connecting part 15 is guided along the guide groove 29 from the side of the base part 29 in the x1 direction to the center of the base part 23, thereby pivoting the connecting part 15 and the connecting part 11 about the holding part 13. Through this pivoting rotation, the posture of the lifting device 10 is reversed, and the lifting device 10 is positioned such that the holding part 13 is higher than the connecting part 11. Figure 24 (The various figures).

[0231] By reversing the spreader 10, the connecting part 11 moves downward toward the base part 23, and the floating of the connecting part 11 is suppressed by the lower surface 34 of the base part 23. That is, by reversing the spreader 10, the retaining member 20A can hold the spreader 10 more stably. Figure 42 The state after step S4 in Example 2 is shown.

[0232] By bringing the retainer 20A close to the spreader 10 in its side-mounted configuration, the retainer 20A is moved upwards by scooping up the retained part 13 using the main body 21, and the retained part 13 is accommodated in the receiving hole 22. When the retained part 13 is accommodated in the receiving hole 22, the operator operates the crane 70 to move the retainer 20A and the spreader 10 together from the side upwards of the flexible container 1. During the process of raising the retainer 20A to the top of the flexible container 1, step S4 is performed, the retained part 13 is held by the bottom 32 of the receiving hole 22, and the posture of the spreader 10 is reversed to an anti-falling state. That is, by simply raising the retainer 20A from below the spreader 10, the retainer 20A can stably hold the spreader 10.

[0233] When the retainer 20A holds the spreader 10 and the spreader 10 is reversed, the operator further moves the retainer 20A together with the spreader 10 in the x1 direction and upward, so that the spreader 10 moves above the flexible container 1 and becomes the upward configuration state (step S5).

[0234] When the lifting device 10 is in the upper configuration state, the process of lifting and transporting the flexible container 1 is performed (step S6). With the lifting device 10 above the flexible container 1, it is further raised, thereby pulling the slings 7 up to an upright position. Furthermore, by pulling the slings 7 up, the flexible container 1 is lifted and floated from the floor surface G (see reference). Figure 40 The driver operates the crane 70 appropriately to move the flexible container 1, which is to be transported, and place it in the desired location.

[0235] After the flexible container 1 is moved to the desired position, similarly to Embodiment 1, the lifting device 10 is moved from the top configuration state to the side configuration state (step S7). That is, the operator moves the crane 70 backward in the x2 direction while lowering the hook 71, which is located at a position higher than the upper surface of the flexible container 1. Through the operation of the crane 70, the lifting device 10, which is positioned above the flexible container 1, moves to the side of the flexible container 1. By moving the lifting device 10 to the side of the flexible container 1, the auxiliary rope 9 and the sling 7 lie horizontally on the upper surface portion 5 of the flexible container 1. Moreover, by moving the lifting device 10 to the side of the flexible container 1, the state in which the flexible container 1 is held by the lifting device 10 (the holding state) is released.

[0236] After the spreader 10 is moved to the side of the flexible container 1, the process of releasing the spreader 10 from its holding position is performed (step S8). That is, the operator operates the crane 70 to move the retainer 20A in the x2 direction and downward direction. By moving the retainer 20A in the x2 direction while the held part 13 is supported by the bottom 32 and the inner wall of the main body 21, a pulling force in the x1 direction is applied to the connecting part 11. As a result, the connecting part 15 is guided in the x1 direction along the guide groove 29, and the connecting part 15 and the connecting part 11 pivot about the held part 13 from the downward direction of the retainer 20 to the side of the retainer 20.

[0237] After the connecting part 15 and the connecting part 11 are pivoted, the retaining member 20A moves downward, thereby guiding the lifting device 10 upward along the guide groove 28 and the receiving hole 22. At this time, the posture of the lifting device 10 is reversed again, so that the connecting part 11 is in a position higher than the held part 13. Moreover, as the lifting device 10 is guided upward, the held part 13 disengages from the outside of the retaining member 20A through the opening 40. As the lifting device 10 disengages from the outside of the retaining member 20A, the state in which the lifting device 10 is held by the retaining member 20A is released. The process of step S8 is completed when the state in which the lifting device 10 is held by the retaining member 20A is released. The operation of lifting and transporting a flexible container 1 is completed until the process of step S8 is completed.

[0238] Thus, in Embodiment 2, by using the connecting unit 25A for the crane 70 to connect to the retaining member 20A of the main body 21, the crane 70 can be used as a transport device to properly lift and transport the flexible container 1 in the same way as in Embodiment 1. That is, instead of directly connecting the hook 71 of the crane 70 to the sling 7 or auxiliary rope 9 of the flexible container 1, the crane 70 and the flexible container 1 are indirectly connected via the lifting and transporting unit 50A.

[0239] That is, the steps of connecting the holding part 20A to the hook 71 and connecting the lifting device 10 to the sling 7 or auxiliary rope 9 of the flexible container 1 are performed as preparatory steps (steps S1 to S3). Then, by holding the lifting device 10 with the holding part 20A, the crane 70 holds the flexible container 1 via the lifting and conveying unit 50A. The step of holding the lifting device 10 with the holding part 20A does not need to be performed manually and can be performed by operating the conveying device. Therefore, in the structure in which the load and the conveying device are indirectly connected via the lifting and conveying unit 50A, the personnel required for the lifting operation can be eliminated. That is, the flexible container 1 can be lifted and conveyed by the operator of the conveying device alone.

[0240] Similar to retainer 20, retainer 20A accommodates the retained portion 13 in receiving hole 22 while guiding the connecting portion 15 through guide grooves 28 and 29. By guiding the connecting portion 15 through guide grooves 28 and 29, the posture of lifting device 10 is reversed, so that connecting portion 11 is in a lower position than the retained portion 13. By reversing the posture, the auxiliary rope 9 fastened to connecting portion 11 can be prevented from getting tangled in retainer 20A and becoming an obstacle to lifting and transporting. In addition, by guiding the connecting portion 15 through guide grooves 28 and 29, the posture of lifting device 10 is reversed, so that connecting portion 11 and the retained portion 13 are facing each other across guide groove 29 of base portion 23.

[0241] The width w2 of the guide groove 29 is larger than the diameter L1 of the connecting portion 15. On the other hand, the width w2 of the guide groove 29 is smaller than the diameter L2 of the held portion 13, and the width w2 of the guide groove 29 is smaller than the width L3 of the connecting portion 11. That is, even if the connecting portion 11 floats due to vibration or the like, the floated connecting portion 11 will not pass through the guide groove 29, but will be suppressed by the lower surface 34 of the base portion 23. Therefore, even after the posture of the lifting device 10 is reversed, it is possible to prevent the lifting device 10 from falling upward through the guide groove 29 of the base portion 23. Therefore, the holding member 20A can stably hold the lifting device 10 without performing a holding action based on manual operation. Therefore, the flexible container 1 can be lifted and transported with the lifting device 10 held more stably by the holding member 20A. In other words, the flexible container 1 can be lifted and transported with the posture of the flexible container 1 more stable.

[0242] Example 3

[0243] Next, Embodiment 3 of the present invention will be described. The lifting and conveying unit 50B of Embodiment 3 consists of a lifting device 10 and a retainer 20B. The retainer 20B of Embodiment 3 differs from the retainer 20A of Embodiment 2 in that it has a rotating plate 93. In Embodiment 3, as in Embodiment 2, a crane 70 is used.

[0244] Figure 43 This is a front view of the retainer 20B in Embodiment 3. Figure 44 This is a plan view of the retainer 20B in Embodiment 3. Figure 43 As shown, the rotating plate 93 is a flat plate component disposed on the bottom surface of the retaining member 20B. The rotating plate 93 is connected to the lower surface of the connecting member 33. Figure 44 As shown, the rotating plate 93 is a roughly semi-circular plate-shaped component that is wider than the main body 21 when viewed in plan view. Therefore, when the retainer 20B is placed on the floor surface G, the rotating plate 93 functions as a self-supporting platform, thus stably supporting the retainer 20B.

[0245] like Figure 44 As shown, a plurality of through holes 94 are formed at predetermined intervals near the outer periphery of the rotating plate 93 along the x2 direction. The through holes 94 pass through the rotating plate 93 in the vertical direction. An operating rope 95 is installed in at least one through hole 94. By pulling the operating rope 95, which is fastened to the rotating plate 93 through the through hole 94, the rotating plate 93 rotates about an axis in the z-direction according to the position of the through hole 94 where the operating rope 95 is installed.

[0246] The rotating plate 93 is fixed to the connecting member 33, which is fixed to the main body 21 and the base 23. Therefore, when the rotating plate 93 rotates about the z-axis, the main body 21 and the base 23 also rotate about the z-axis. That is, when the rotating plate 93 rotates about the z-axis, the retaining member 20B rotates as a whole about the z-axis. When the retaining member 20B rotates, the direction Dh of the guide groove 28 changes when viewed in a plane. That is, the retaining member 20B of Embodiment 3 is configured to adjust the direction Dh of the guide groove 28 in a manner corresponding to the direction a of the extension of the connecting member 15 of the lifting device 10 in a side-mounted configuration.

[0247] In embodiment 3, two control ropes 95 are mounted on the rotating plate 93. The control ropes 95 are located on the left side of the rotating plate 93. Figure 44 The control rope 95 installed in the through hole 94 (lower side) is designated as control rope 95a. Furthermore, the control rope 95 is installed on the right side of the rotating plate 93 (…). Figure 44 The control rope 95 installed through the through hole 94 (top side) is designated as control rope 95b, thus distinguishing the two. One end of the control rope 95 is installed on the rotating plate 93 through the through hole 94, and the other end is held by the operator of the conveying device. Figure 44 The other end of the control rope 95 is not shown in the diagram.

[0248] The series of actions performed by the lifting and conveying unit 50B of Embodiment 3 to move the flexible container 1, which is the object to be lifted, are the same as the process of Embodiment 2. However, in Embodiment 3, in step S4, the direction Dh of the guide groove 28 can be adjusted in a manner corresponding to the direction a of the extension of the connecting portion 15 of the lifting device 10. Here, the operation of adjusting the direction Dh of the guide groove 28 using the rotating plate 93 in the holding member 20B of Embodiment 3 will be described.

[0249] Figure 45 This is a plan view of the lifting and conveying unit 50B, etc., in step S4. After positioning the spreader 10 to the side of the flexible container 1 in step S3, in step S4, the spreader 10 is held in place by the retainer 20B. The driver sits in the driver's seat Se of the crane 70, and while adjusting the height of the hook 71 holding the retainer 20B appropriately, approaches the retainer 20B from below the spreader 10 (see reference). Figure 41 ).

[0250] However, as Figure 45 As shown, sometimes the direction Dh of the guide groove 28 in the retainer 20B and the direction a of the connecting part 15 in the lifting device 10 are not exactly aligned. In other words, sometimes the guide groove 28 and the connecting part 15 are not precisely aligned, and the directions Dh and a are misaligned.

[0251] When the direction a in which the connecting part 15 extends is offset from the direction Dh in which the guide groove 28 faces, and the holding part 13 is to be accommodated in the receiving hole 22, such as Figure 46 As shown, in planar view, the guide groove 28 and the connecting portion 15 do not overlap precisely. When the retainer 20B is raised in this state, the retained portion 13 is inserted into the receiving hole 22 via the opening 40, while the connecting portion 15 cannot be inserted into the guide groove 28 and interferes with the upper surface of the main body 21. As a result, the connecting portion 15 cannot be guided downward along the guide groove 28, and therefore the retainer 20B cannot be used to hold the lifting device 10.

[0252] Therefore, when the direction a of the connecting part 15 extends and the direction Dh of the guide groove 28 are misaligned, the rotating plate 93 is rotated using the control rope 95 to adjust the direction Dh of the guide groove 28. That is, as Figure 47 As shown, the operator of the crane 70 (not shown) rotates the rotating plate 93 about its z-axis by appropriately pulling the various control cables 95. Figure 47As indicated by the symbol Pu, when the control rope 95a is pulled, the rotating plate 93 rotates to the left (counterclockwise) (refer to the symbol Lf). Furthermore, when the control rope 95b is pulled, the rotating plate 93 rotates to the right (clockwise). The angle of rotation of the rotating plate 93 can be adjusted by adjusting the force applied to each control rope 95.

[0253] As the rotating plate 93 rotates about its z-axis, the main body 21 and base 23 connected to the rotating plate 93 also rotate about their z-axis. Consequently, the guide groove 28 on the x1-direction side of the main body 21 also rotates about its z-axis in the direction Dh. Furthermore, the driver appropriately pulls each control cable 95 to rotate the rotating plate 93, thereby making adjustments as needed. Figure 47 The direction Dh of the guide groove 28 is aligned with the direction a with high precision, as shown.

[0254] By aligning the direction Dh of the guide groove 28 with the direction a of the connecting part 15, such as Figure 47 As shown, the retaining part 13 can be accommodated in the receiving hole 22 while the connecting part 15 is inserted into the guide groove 28. After the connecting part 15 is inserted into the guide groove 28, the operator operates the crane 70 to raise the retaining member 20B. By raising the retaining member 20B, the connecting part 15 can be guided downward along the guide groove 28. Figure 22 (as shown in the figures), the retaining part 13 will be guided downward along the cylindrical region 27 to reach the bottom 32 of the receiving hole 22. Figure 23 (See the figures). The other steps in Example 3 are the same as in Example 2, so the description is omitted.

[0255] Thus, in Embodiment 3, by providing the rotating plate 93 to the retainer 20B, the direction Dh of the guide groove 28 as viewed from the plane can be arbitrarily changed. Therefore, it is possible to avoid the operation of guiding the connecting part 15 along the guide groove 28 being hindered due to the inconsistency between the direction Dh of the guide groove 28 and the direction a of the connecting part 15. Furthermore, the rotating plate 93 of Embodiment 3 can also be applied to the retainer 20 of Embodiment 1. That is, the rotating plate 93 can also be provided at the bottom of the retainer 20, allowing the retainer 20 to be rotated about the z-axis.

[0256] <Other Implementation Methods>

[0257] Furthermore, the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and are not intended to be limiting. The scope of the invention is defined by the claims, rather than by the description of the embodiments above, and includes all modifications (variations) of the same meaning and scope as the claims. As an example, the invention can be modified as follows.

[0258] (1) In each embodiment, the flexible container 1 is exemplified by having two lifting straps 7, but is not limited to this. As an example, it may also be configured to have a total of four lifting straps 7 on each side of the square cylindrical main body 3. In another example, it may also be configured to have a total of four lifting straps 7 at each corner of the main body 3. The number and position of the lifting straps 7 can be appropriately changed in a way that allows the flexible container 1 to be stably suspended. In this case, the connecting part 11 of the lifting device 10 is not limited to a structure that connects to all the lifting straps 7, and the connecting part 11 only needs to be connected to multiple lifting straps 7 in a way that allows the flexible container 1 to be suspended in a stable posture. As an example, when a pair of opposing lifting straps 7 are connected to the connecting part 11 respectively, the lifting device 10 can hold the flexible container 1 in a stable posture by moving the lifting device 10 upward and pulling it up.

[0259] (2) In various embodiments, forklifts 60 and cranes 70 are exemplified as conveying devices, but are not limited to these. Any conveying device that can be connected to the retainer 20 and allows the retainer 20 to move in three dimensions can be appropriately used. As an example, heavy equipment with movable arms or conveying robots can be used as conveying devices. In particular, when using a drone with movable arms as a conveying device, the process of lifting and conveying multiple layers of flexible containers 1 can be fully automated without the need for an operator by using the lifting and conveying unit 50.

[0260] (3) In each embodiment, the shape of the held portion 13 is not limited to a spherical shape. Any three-dimensional shape that is visually similar from multiple directions can be used. Because the shape is similar when visually confirmed from multiple directions, when the lifting device 10 is in a side-mounted configuration, the holding member 20 can be brought closer from multiple directions to hold the held portion 13 (see reference 11) without depending on the orientation of the through hole 19 of the connecting portion 11. Figure 36 Examples of preferred shapes for the retained part 13 include cubes, cuboids, regular octahedrons, polygonal prisms, cylinders, etc.

[0261] (4) In each embodiment, the shape of the flexible container 1 is not limited to a square tube shape, but can also be a suitable shape, such as a cylindrical shape.

[0262] (5) In each embodiment, a structure using a flexible container 1 as a suspended object is illustrated, but it is not limited thereto. Other examples of suspended objects include bag-shaped objects to be transported, such as snake cages or shopping baskets with handles that can switch between a horizontal and an upright state.

[0263] (6) In each embodiment, a structure is shown for the connecting part 11 of the lifting device 10, in which the auxiliary rope 9 is fastened to the sling 7 in a loop, but it is not limited to this. The connecting part 11 can also be directly fastened to each sling 7. When the length of each sling 7 is sufficient to position the lifting device 10 to the side of the object being lifted, the connecting part 11 can be directly fastened to each sling 7.

[0264] (7) In each embodiment, a structure is illustrated where the guide groove 28 disposed on the main body 21 of the retainer 20 has a constant width w1 in the vertical direction, but it is not limited thereto. That is, as shown in the examples... Figure 48 As shown, the guide groove 28 can also be configured such that its width w1 narrows from the upper end to the lower end of the main body 21. In the retainer 20D of this modified example, the width w1 of the guide groove 28 in the y-direction is largest at the upper end and smallest at the lower end. The guide groove 28 is configured such that the maximum value of the width w1 of the guide groove 28 in the y-direction is smaller than the diameter L2 of the retained part 13, and the minimum value of the width w1 of the guide groove 28 in the y-direction is larger than the diameter L1 of the connecting part 15. Furthermore, it is preferable that the minimum value of the width w1 of the guide groove 28 in the y-direction is equal to the width w2 of the guide groove 29 in the y-direction.

[0265] By maximizing the width w1 of the guide groove 28 at its upper end, in step S4 where the holding part 13 is lifted and held using the holding member 20, the connecting part 15 can be more reliably embedded in the guide groove 28. That is, when the holding part 13 is accommodated in the receiving hole 22, interference between the connecting part 15 or the connecting part 11 and the upper surface of the main body 21, thus preventing the lifting device 10 from being guided downwards, can be more reliably avoided. Furthermore, by making the maximum value of the width w1 of the guide groove 28 in the y-direction smaller than the diameter L2 of the holding part 13, the holding part 13 can be reliably prevented from detaching from the holding member 20 via the guide groove 28.

[0266] By making the minimum value of the width w1 of the guide groove 28 in the y direction larger than the diameter L1 of the connecting part 15, the connecting part 15 can be reliably inserted from the upper end to the lower end of the guide groove 28. That is, the connecting part 15 is reliably guided by the guide groove 28, so that the lifting device 10 can be guided from the upper part of the main body 21 downward while preventing the holding part 13 from detaching.

[0267] By making the minimum width w1 of the guide groove 28 in the y-direction equal to the width w2 of the guide groove 29, a step can be avoided between the lower end of the guide groove 28 and the guide groove 29. That is, it prevents the connecting portion 15, which is guided to the lower end of the guide groove 28, from interfering with this step and hindering movement from the guide groove 28 to the guide groove 29. Therefore, the action of guiding the lifting device 10 to the underside of the main body 21 and reversing it into an inverted position can be performed more smoothly.

[0268] (7) In each embodiment, the holding part 13 is used Figure 2 The structure of the spherical component shown is illustrated as an example, but it is not limited to this. The shape of the retaining part 13 is preferably spherical. The spherical body has a three-dimensional form resembling the shape of a sphere. Examples of spherical bodies, besides a sphere, include... Figure 49 An object as shown, which has a shape that combines a part of a sphere and a cone.

[0269] exist Figure 49 In the modified example shown, the holding part 13 has a structure that combines a first component 13p having a shape equivalent to a part of a sphere (the shape after a part of the sphere has been removed) and a second component 13s having a shape equivalent to a cone. Furthermore, the second component 13s may also have a shape with rounded corners at its front end 13t. Other examples of spherical bodies include objects having a shape formed by combining a part of a sphere and a cylindrical body, and objects having a shape formed by combining a part of a sphere and a frustum.

[0270] Symbol Explanation

[0271] 1—Flexible container, 3—Main body, 5—Upper surface, 7—Sling, 9—Auxiliary rope, 10—Lifting device, 11—Connecting part, 13—Retained part, 15—Connecting part, 17—Main body, 19—Through hole, 20—Retaining member, 21—Main body, 22—Receiving hole, 23—Base part, 25—Connecting unit, 26—Conical area, 27—Cylindrical area, 28—Guide groove, 29—Guide groove, 30—Upper surface, 32—Bottom surface, 33—Connecting component, 34—Lower surface, 35—Insertion port, 40—Opening, 41—Inclined surface, 60—Forklift, 61—Fork part, 70—Crane, 71—Hook, 93—Rotating plate, 94—Through hole, 95—Control rope.

Claims

1. A lifting device for lifting objects being moved, characterized in that it comprises: A connecting part, which can be connected to the aforementioned transported object; Connecting part, which is connected to the aforementioned connecting part; and The retaining part is connected to the connecting part via the aforementioned connecting part. The connecting part is configured to move between the side of the transported object and the top of the transported object together with the holding part when connected to the transported object.

2. The lifting device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The aforementioned connecting part is a ring-shaped component. The connecting part is configured to secure the strap-shaped or rope-shaped handle of the object being transported without causing the ring-shaped component to open.

3. The lifting device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The aforementioned connecting part is a ring-shaped component. The aforementioned retained part is a spherical body. The aforementioned connecting part is a rod-shaped body that connects the aforementioned connecting part and the aforementioned held part.

4. A retainer connected to a conveying device capable of conveying the conveyed object, and used to retain the lifting device as claimed in claim 1. The retaining element is characterized by having: A retaining part that retains the aforementioned retained part of the lifting device; The connected part, which is connected to the aforementioned conveying device; and The anti-detachment part prevents the retained part, which is held by the retaining part, from falling off from the retaining part.

5. The retainer according to claim 4, characterized in that, The device includes a posture reversal unit that reverses the posture of the lifting device from a first posture in which the connecting part is located higher than the held part, to a second posture in which the connecting part is located below the held part. The aforementioned retaining part retains the retained part when the aforementioned lifting device is reversed to the aforementioned second posture.

6. A retainer connected to a conveying device capable of conveying the conveyed object, and used to retain the lifting device of claim 3. The retaining element is characterized by having: A receiving hole having an opening at its upper end, through which the held portion is received; An inhibitor wall, positioned around the aforementioned receiving hole, inhibits the detachment of the retained portion received within the receiving hole; and A guide groove is formed on one side and bottom of the aforementioned restraining wall and guides the aforementioned connecting portion.

7. The retainer according to claim 6, characterized in that, The inner wall of the aforementioned suppressing wall is configured to be inclined in the vertical direction relative to the aforementioned retaining member.

8. A lifting and conveying unit for conveying the object being conveyed while lifting it. The characteristic of this lifting and conveying unit is that... It comprises a lifting device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and a retaining member according to any one of claims 4 to 7.

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