Plate-like object storage device

Abstract

To provide a plate-like object storage device capable of suitably storing plate-like objects in a storage area partitioned by a partition wall provided in a container.SOLUTION: A refrigerant storage device includes a magazine 73. The magazine 73 also includes a front first drop guide portion 143b that guides one side edge portion 11e of a refrigerant 11 when the refrigerant 11 is dropped into a storage area defined within a container 12, and a front central drop guide portion 147b that guides a side edge portion 11d opposite to the one side edge. The front central drop guide portion 147b is formed to protrude further in the direction in which the refrigerant 11 falls than the front first drop guide portion 143b, and the end portion thereof in the protruding direction enters a bottom plate 13 side of the container 12 through a container opening 12a when the refrigerant 11 is dropped into the storage area.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 15

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a plate-like object storage device for storing plate-like objects in a container. [Background technology]

[0002] In the home delivery of chilled foods, frozen foods, etc., plate-shaped ice packs are used to prevent the temperature of the foods, etc. contained in the delivery box from rising. A device has also been proposed in which a frozen plate-shaped ice pack is dropped from the top of the delivery box while maintaining a horizontal position, and set near the upper opening of the delivery box (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] A container for storing plate-shaped ice packs collected after use is provided with a partition wall for dividing the storage area for the ice pack. The ice packs are stored in the storage area divided within the container and placed in a freezer or the like for freezing. Once the ice packs are frozen, they become usable again. If a container used to freeze the plate-shaped ice packs has a large contact area between the ice packs and the partition wall, the ice packs will stick to the partition wall after being frozen in the container, making it difficult to remove. For this reason, a container used to freeze ice packs is known in which the protruding dimensions and area of ​​the partition wall provided within the container for dividing the storage area are limited. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-118675 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Storing a large amount of used ice packs into a container is a time-consuming and labor-intensive task. Therefore, a device that can perform this task automatically is needed. However, the orientation of the ice packs stored in the container differs from that of the ice packs placed near the upper opening of the delivery box. Therefore, even with the device described in Patent Document 1, it is not possible to store the ice packs in the container without them shifting from the storage area defined within the container. Furthermore, if the protruding dimension or area of ​​the partition wall provided within the container to define the storage area is limited, even if a plate-shaped ice pack is dropped from the container opening toward the storage area, the storage position of the ice pack is likely to shift from the storage area. Thus, there is still room for improvement in plate-shaped object storage devices.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the circumstances exemplified above, and aims to provide a plate-like object storage device that can suitably store plate-like objects in a storage area partitioned by a partition wall provided inside a container. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problem, the invention described in claim 1 is a plate-like object storage device that stores plate-like objects in a container having a predetermined storage area partitioned by a predetermined partition wall, the predetermined storage area being open to the outside through a predetermined opening, a storage execution means for holding the predetermined plate-like object and dropping the held predetermined plate-like object into the predetermined storage area, thereby storing the predetermined plate-like object in the predetermined storage area; the storage execution means includes a guide portion that, when dropping the predetermined plate-shaped object into the predetermined storage area, at least a portion of which enters the interior of the predetermined container through the predetermined opening and guides the dropping of the predetermined plate-shaped object toward the predetermined storage area; the predetermined partition wall of the predetermined container has a predetermined protruding wall that protrudes from a predetermined side wall of the predetermined container toward the center and faces a predetermined peripheral edge portion of the predetermined plate-like object stored in the predetermined storage area that is present on the side of the predetermined side wall, The guide portion is a first guide portion that guides a side edge of the predetermined plate-like object at which the predetermined peripheral edge portion exists when the predetermined plate-like object is dropped into the predetermined storage area; a second guide portion that guides a side edge of the predetermined plate-like object opposite to a side edge where the predetermined peripheral edge portion is present when the predetermined plate-like object is dropped into the predetermined storage area; Equipped with The second guide portion is formed so as to protrude in the direction of fall when the specified plate-shaped object falls into the specified storage area more than the first guide portion, and its end in the protruding direction penetrates into the bottom side of the specified container through the specified opening when the specified plate-shaped object is dropped into the specified storage area. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to suitably store plate-like objects in a storage area partitioned by a partition wall provided in a container. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a plan view of a refrigerant storage system according to a first embodiment, as viewed from above. [Figure 2] FIG. 1(a) is a front view of the refrigerant, (b) is a side view of the refrigerant, and (c) is a perspective view of an empty container seen obliquely from above. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a plan view of an empty container. [Figure 4] (a) A side view of an empty container seen from the first upright wall side, (b) A side view of an empty container seen from the second upright wall side, (c) A plan view of the container seen from above when a refrigerant is stored inside, and (d) A cross-sectional view along line AA. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a side view of the ice storage agent storage system. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the refrigerant transport device as seen from above. [Figure 7](a) is a plan view of the ice storage agent transport device showing an enlarged view of the area around the first ice storage agent stopping device, (b) is a cross-sectional view along line BB, and (c) is a cross-sectional view of the first ice storage agent stopping device and the first conveyor in a state in which the first ice storage agent stopping device prevents the ice storage agent from moving in the transport direction. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the container transport device seen from above. [Figure 9] 1(a) to 1(g) are explanatory diagrams for explaining the movement of a container in a container transport device. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a front view of the magazine in the cooling storage agent containing position, as viewed from the magazine entrance side. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a plan view of the magazine in the cooling agent containing position as viewed from above. [Figure 12] (a) A side view of the magazine in the ice storage material storage position as seen from the front first side guide side, (b) a cross-sectional view along line CC, (c) a cross-sectional view along line DD, and (d) a side view of the magazine in the ice storage material storage position as seen from the rear second side guide side. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a front view of the support column, the lifting table, and the horizontal arm as seen from the container transport device side. [Figure 14] 5(a) to 5(d) are explanatory diagrams for explaining the operation of the ice storage agent storage device. [Figure 15] 1 is a partially cutaway cross-sectional view of a magazine and a container in a storage execution state, with a portion of the container cut away. FIG. [Figure 16] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the ice storage agent storage system. [Figure 17] 10A is a flowchart showing main processing in the CPU, and FIG. 10B is a flowchart showing timer interrupt processing in the CPU. [Figure 18] 10 is a flowchart showing a first refrigerant transfer process in a CPU. [Figure 19] 10 is a flowchart showing a second refrigerant transfer process in the CPU. [Figure 20] 10 is a flowchart showing a first container transfer side process in the CPU. [Figure 21]10 is a flowchart showing second container transfer side processing in the CPU. [Figure 22] 10 is a flowchart showing a first refrigerant storage side process in the CPU. [Figure 23] 10 is a flowchart showing a second refrigerant storage side process in the CPU. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] First Embodiment A first embodiment of the flat object storage system will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a plan view of a refrigerant storage system 10 as seen from above.

[0011] Plate-shaped ice packs 11 used for transporting products such as chilled foods and frozen goods are frozen and then placed in a delivery box (refrigerated box) made of, for example, polystyrene foam to prevent the product from rising in temperature during transport or storage. Ice packs 11 that have returned to room temperature after use are collected and stored in a container 12 that can store multiple ice packs 11 (specifically, 18 ice packs). The container 12 containing the multiple ice packs 11 is then placed in a freezer, where the multiple ice packs 11 are frozen and ready for reuse. In warehouses and other locations that handle large quantities of ice packs 11, workers must store the collected ice packs 11 in the containers 12, which is a time-consuming task. Furthermore, each ice pack 11 weighs 0.65 kg, and storing a large quantity of ice packs 11 in the containers 12 places a burden on the workers. The ice pack storage system 10 of this embodiment is used in warehouses and other locations where the collected ice packs 11 are stored in the containers 12.

[0012] Prior to describing the ice storage agent storage system 10, the configuration of the ice storage agent 11 and the configuration of the container 12 in which the ice storage agent 11 is stored will be described. FIG. 2(a) is a front view of the ice storage agent 11, and FIG. 2(b) is a side view of the ice storage agent 11. As shown in FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b), the ice storage agent 11 includes a hollow outer case 11a. The outer case 11a is made of resin. The outer case 11a has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. As shown in FIG. 2(a), the outer case 11a includes a pair of parallel upper and lower edge portions 11b and 11c, and a pair of parallel side edge portions 11d and 11e extending in a direction perpendicular to the upper and lower edge portions 11b and 11c. The longitudinal dimension of the outer case 11a (the vertical dimension in FIG. 2(a)) is 220 mm, and the lateral dimension of the outer case 11a (the horizontal dimension in FIG. 2(a)) is 140 mm. As shown in FIG. 2(b), the thickness of the outer case 11a is 25 mm. As shown in FIG. 2(a), a spout 11f for pouring a cooling liquid into the outer case 11a is provided in the center of the top of the outer case 11a, and the cooling liquid is poured into the outer case 11a. The spout 11f is sealed with a cap 11g.

[0013] <Container configuration> Next, the configuration of the container 12 will be described. The container 12 is made of resin. FIG. 2(c) is a perspective view of the empty container 12 as viewed obliquely from above, and FIG. 3 is a plan view of the empty container 12 as viewed from above. As shown in FIG. 2(c), the container 12 has a rectangular bottom plate 13. The bottom plate 13 has a pair of parallel first short sides 13a and second short sides 13b, and a pair of parallel first long sides 13c and second long sides 13d that are perpendicular to the short sides 13a and 13b. The container 12 also has a first upright wall 14 provided on the first short side 13a side of the bottom plate 13, a second upright wall 15 provided on the second short side 13b side, a third upright wall 16 provided on the first long side 13c side, and a fourth upright wall 17 provided on the second long side 13d side. The first to fourth upright walls 14 to 17 are integrally formed with the bottom plate 13. A container opening 12a is provided at the upper end of each of the first to fourth upright walls 14 to 17. The container 12 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and is open upward via the container opening 12a.

[0014] FIG. 4(a) is a side view of the empty container 12 as viewed from the first upright wall 14 side, FIG. 4(b) is a side view of the empty container 12 as viewed from the second upright wall 15 side, FIG. 4(c) is a plan view of the container 12 as viewed from above when the refrigerant 11 is stored therein, and FIG. 4(d) is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 4(c). As shown in FIG. 2(c), the length (vertical dimension) of the short sides 13a and 13b of the bottom plate 13 is 305 mm, and the length (horizontal dimension) of the long sides 13c and 13d is 380 mm. As shown in FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b), the thickness of the bottom plate 13 is 7 mm. The first to fourth upright walls 14 to 17 extend 268 mm above the top surface of the bottom plate 13. The distance from the upper surface of the bottom plate 13 to the upper ends of the first to fourth upright walls 14 to 17 is 28 mm longer than the longitudinal dimension (220 mm) of the refrigerant 11. As shown in FIG. 4(d), the refrigerant 11 is stored in the container 12 with the entire refrigerant 11 inside the container 12.

[0015] As shown in Figures 2(c) and 3, the bottom plate 13 is provided with first to eighth bottom-side partitions 21 to 28 that are integrally formed and protrude upward. The first to eighth bottom-side partitions 21 to 28 extend from the first upright wall 14 to the second upright wall 15. The maximum upward protrusion dimension of the first to eighth bottom-side partitions 21 to 28 is 18 mm. The upward protrusion dimension of the first to eighth bottom-side partitions 21 to 28 is less than 18 mm near the first upright wall 14, near the second upright wall 15, and near the center of the container (the intermediate position between the first upright wall 14 and the second upright wall 15). The upward protrusion dimensions of the first to eighth bottom partitions 21 to 28 are 18 mm in the area between the first upright wall 14 and the center of the container (the intermediate position between the first upright wall 14 and the second upright wall 15), and 18 mm in the area between the second upright wall 15 and the center of the container (the intermediate position between the first upright wall 14 and the second upright wall 15).

[0016] 2(c), the first upright wall 14 is provided with first to eighth side partitions 31 to 38 which are integrally formed and protrude toward the second upright wall 15. The second upright wall 15 is provided with eleventh to eighteenth side partitions 41 to 48 which are integrally formed and protrude toward the first upright wall 14. The first to eighth side partitions 31 to 38 extend 130 mm from a position 80 mm below the upper end of the first upright wall 14 toward the bottom plate 13, and the eleventh to eighteenth side partitions 41 to 48 extend 130 mm from a position 80 mm below the upper end of the second upright wall 15 toward the bottom plate 13.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 4(d), the first side partition 31 has a first upper inclined surface 31a on the container opening 12a side that slopes downward toward the second upright wall 15 side. Similarly to the first side partition 31, the second to eighth side partitions 32 to 38 have second to eighth upper inclined surfaces 32a to 38a (FIG. 3) on the container opening 12a side that slope downward toward the second upright wall 15 side. The protrusion dimensions of the first to eighth side partitions 31 to 38 toward the second upright wall 15 side are greatest below the first to eighth upper inclined surfaces 31a to 38a. The maximum protrusion dimension of the first to eighth side partitions 31 to 38 toward the second upright wall 15 side is 20 mm. The second upright wall 15 is disposed 346 mm away from the first upright wall 14. The dimension from the first upright wall 14 to the midpoint between the first upright wall 14 and the second upright wall 15 (the center of the container 12) is 173 mm, and the maximum protrusion dimension of the first to eighth side partitions 31 to 38 toward the second upright wall 15 is smaller than 1 / 8 of this 173 mm. In this manner, the configuration in which the protrusion dimension of the first to eighth side partitions 31 to 38 toward the second upright wall 15 is suppressed reduces the contact area between the ice storage material 11 stored in the container 12 and the first to eighth side partitions 31 to 38.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 4(d), the eleventh side partition 41 has an eleventh upper inclined surface 41a on the container opening 12a side that slopes downward toward the first upright wall 14 side. Similarly to the eleventh side partition 41, the twelfth to eighteenth side partitions 42 to 48 have twelfth to eighteenth upper inclined surfaces 42a to 48a (FIG. 3) on the container opening 12a side that slope downward toward the first upright wall 14 side. The protrusion dimension of the eleventh to eighteenth side partitions 41 to 48 toward the first upright wall 14 side is greatest below the upper inclined surfaces 41a to 48a. The maximum protrusion dimension of the eleventh to eighteenth side partitions 41 to 48 toward the first upright wall 14 side is 20 mm. The dimension from the second upright wall 15 to the midpoint between the first upright wall 14 and the second upright wall 15 (the center of the container 12) is 173 mm, and the maximum protrusion dimension of the 11th to 18th side partitions 41 to 48 toward the first upright wall 14 is smaller than 1 / 8 of this 173 mm. In this manner, the configuration in which the protrusion dimension of the 11th to 18th side partitions 41 to 48 toward the first upright wall 14 is suppressed reduces the contact area between the ice storage material 11 stored in the container 12 and the 11th to 18th side partitions 41 to 48.

[0019] As described above, the contact area between the refrigerant 11 stored in the container 12 and the first to eighth side partitions 31 to 38 or the eleventh to eighteenth side partitions 41 to 48 is reduced. This reduces the possibility that, after the container 12 containing a plurality of refrigerant materials 11 is placed in a freezer or the like, the frozen refrigerant materials 11 will stick to and become inseparable from the first to eighth side partitions 31 to 38 or the eleventh to eighteenth side partitions 41 to 48.

[0020] As shown in Fig. 3, the first side partition 31, the eleventh side partition 41, and the first bottom partition 21 are spaced 28 mm apart from the third upright wall 16 toward the fourth upright wall 17. This 28 mm space is slightly larger than the thickness (25 mm) of the ice storage material 11 already described with reference to Fig. 2(b). The (n+1)th side partition (n is any of "1" to "7"), the (n+11)th side partition, and the (n+1)th bottom partition are spaced 28 mm apart from the nth side partition, the (n+10)th side partition, and the nth bottom partition toward the fourth upright wall 17. As an example of the case where n is "1," the second side partition 32, the twelfth side partition 42, and the second bottom partition 22 are arranged 28 mm apart from the first side partition 31, the eleventh side partition 41, and the first bottom partition 21 toward the fourth upright wall 17. Thus, the first upright wall 14 has eight side partitions 31-38 spaced 28 mm apart in the direction from the third upright wall 16 toward the fourth upright wall 17, and the second upright wall 15 has eight side partitions 41-48 spaced 28 mm apart in the direction from the third upright wall 16 toward the fourth upright wall 17. Furthermore, the bottom plate 13 has eight bottom partitions 21-28 spaced 28 mm apart in the direction from the third upright wall 16 toward the fourth upright wall 17. The eighth side partition 38, the eighteenth side partition 48 and the eighth bottom partition 28 are arranged at intervals of 28 mm from the fourth upright wall 17 towards the third upright wall 16.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 3 , a central bulge 51 is formed by bulging the bottom plate 13 upward in the center between the first upright wall 14 and the second upright wall 15. As shown in FIG. 4(d), the central bulge 51 bulges upward by 9 mm from the upper surface of the bottom plate 13. The central bulge 51 is provided between the third upright wall 16 and the first bottom-side partition 21, between the (n+1)th bottom-side partition (n is any of "1" to "7") and the nth bottom-side partition, and between the eighth bottom-side partition 28 and the fourth upright wall 17. As shown in FIG. 4(d), a drainage through-hole 51a is provided in the center of the central bulge 51, penetrating the bottom plate 13 in the thickness direction. The drainage through-hole 51a is used to drain the liquid used for washing the ice storage agent 11 stored in the container 12 with water or other liquid from the container 12. As shown in FIG. 3, there are nine drainage through holes 51a, and the nine drainage through holes 51a are arranged at predetermined intervals in the direction from the third upright wall 16 toward the fourth upright wall 17.

[0022] The central bulge 51 has a first inclined surface 51b that is located closer to the first upright wall 14 than the drainage through holes 51a, and a second inclined surface 51c that is located closer to the second upright wall 15 than the drainage through holes 51a. The first inclined surface 51b is inclined downward toward the first upright wall 14. The first inclined surface 51b is an inclined surface that guides the ice storage material 11 that comes into contact with the first inclined surface 51b from the first upright wall 14 side toward the first upright wall 14 side. The second inclined surface 51c is inclined downward toward the second upright wall 15 side. The second inclined surface 51c is an inclined surface that guides the ice storage material 11 that comes into contact with the second inclined surface 51c from the second upright wall 15 side toward the second upright wall 15 side. The distance between the first upright wall 14 and the end of the first inclined surface 51b on the first upright wall 14 side is slightly larger than the dimension (140 mm) of the refrigerant 11 in the short side direction, which has already been described with reference to Fig. 2(a). Also, the distance between the second upright wall 15 and the end of the second inclined surface 51c on the second upright wall 15 side is slightly larger than the dimension (140 mm) of the refrigerant 11 in the short side direction.

[0023] As shown in Figure 3, in the container 12, the first storage space 62 is partitioned by the bottom plate 13, the first upright wall 14, the third upright wall 16, the fourth upright wall 17 and the central bulge portion 51, and nine areas are partitioned by the first to eighth side partitions 31 to 38 and the first to eighth bottom partitions 21 to 28. Specifically, the first storage space 62 includes a first storage area 62a partitioned by the third upright wall 16, the first side partition 31, and the first bottom partition 21; a second storage area 62b partitioned by the first side partition 31, the first bottom partition 21, the second side partition 32, and the second bottom partition 22; a third storage area 62c partitioned by the second side partition 32, the second bottom partition 22, the third side partition 33, and the third bottom partition 23; a fourth storage area 62d partitioned by the third side partition 33, the third bottom partition 23, the fourth side partition 34, and the fourth bottom partition 24; and a fifth storage area 62d partitioned by the fourth side partition 34, the fourth bottom partition 24, and the fifth side partition 25. There is a fifth storage area 62e partitioned by the partition 35 and the fifth bottom side partition 25; a sixth storage area 62f partitioned by the fifth side partition 35, the fifth bottom side partition 25, the sixth side partition 36 and the sixth bottom side partition 26; a seventh storage area 62g partitioned by the sixth side partition 36, the sixth bottom side partition 26, the seventh side partition 37 and the seventh bottom side partition 27; an eighth storage area 62h partitioned by the seventh side partition 37, the seventh bottom side partition 27, the eighth side partition 38 and the eighth bottom side partition 28; and a ninth storage area 62i partitioned by the eighth side partition 38, the eighth bottom side partition 28 and the fourth upright wall 17. In this way, nine storage areas, namely, first to ninth storage areas 62a to 62i, are defined in the first storage space 62. Each of the storage areas 62a to 62i is capable of storing one ice storage agent 11. As shown in FIG. 4(c), nine ice storage agents 11 are stored in the first storage space 62.

[0024] As shown in Figure 3, in the container 12, the second storage space 63 is partitioned by the bottom plate 13, the second upright wall 15, the third upright wall 16, the fourth upright wall 17 and the central bulge portion 51, and nine areas are partitioned by the 11th to 18th side partitions 41 to 48 and the 1st to 8th bottom partitions 21 to 28. Specifically, there is an eleventh storage area 63a partitioned by the third upright wall 16, the eleventh side partition 41, and the first bottom partition 21; a twelfth storage area 63b partitioned by the eleventh side partition 41, the first bottom partition 21, the twelfth side partition 42, and the second bottom partition 22; a thirteenth storage area 63c partitioned by the twelfth side partition 42, the second bottom partition 22, the thirteenth side partition 43, and the third bottom partition 23; a fourteenth storage area 63d partitioned by the thirteenth side partition 43, the third bottom partition 23, the fourteenth side partition 44, and the fourth bottom partition 24; and a fifteenth storage area 63d partitioned by the fourteenth side partition 44, the fourth bottom partition 24, and the fifteenth side partition 44. There are a 15th storage area 63e partitioned by the 5th and 5th bottom side partitions 25, a 16th storage area 63f partitioned by the 15th side partition 45, the 5th bottom side partition 25, the 16th side partition 46 and the 6th bottom side partition 26, a 17th storage area 63g partitioned by the 16th side partition 46, the 6th bottom side partition 26, the 17th side partition 47 and the 7th bottom side partition 27, an 18th storage area 63h partitioned by the 17th side partition 47, the 7th bottom side partition 27, the 18th side partition 48 and the 8th bottom side partition 28, and a 19th storage area 63i partitioned by the 18th side partition 48, the 8th bottom side partition 28 and the 4th upright wall 17. In this way, the second storage space 63 is divided into nine storage areas, namely, eleventh to nineteenth storage areas 63a to 63i. Each of the storage areas 63a to 63i is capable of storing one ice storage agent 11. As shown in FIG. 4(c), nine ice storage agents 11 are stored in the second storage space 63.

[0025] As described above, nine storage areas 62a to 62i are provided in the first storage space 62. Furthermore, nine storage areas 63a to 63i are provided in the second storage space 63 arranged next to the first storage space 62. As a result, the container 12 can store a total of 18 ice storage agents 11 in two columns and nine rows.

[0026] The first inclined surface 51b of the central bulge 51 is located closer to the second upright wall 15 than the refrigerant 11 stored in the first to ninth storage regions 62a to 62i. This reduces the possibility that the refrigerant 11 falling toward the first to ninth storage regions 62a to 62i will move closer to the second upright wall 15 than the first inclined surface 51b, and also restricts the refrigerant 11 stored in the first to ninth storage regions 62a to 62i from moving toward the second upright wall 15. Furthermore, the second inclined surface 51c of the central bulge 51 is located closer to the first upright wall 14 than the refrigerant 11 stored in the eleventh to nineteenth storage regions 63a to 63i. This reduces the possibility that the ice storage material 11 falling toward the 11th to 19th storage areas 63a to 63i will move toward the first upright wall 14 rather than the second inclined surface 51c, and also restricts the movement of the ice storage material 11 stored in the 11th to 19th storage areas 63a to 63i toward the first upright wall 14.

[0027] In the first storage space 62, between two consecutive ice storage agents 11 lined up along the first upright wall 14, there is one of the first to eighth side partitions 31 to 38 and one of the first to eighth bottom partitions 21 to 28. In the second storage space 63, between two consecutive ice storage agents 11 lined up along the second upright wall 15, there is one of the eleventh to eighteenth side partitions 41 to 48 and one of the first to eighth bottom partitions 21 to 28. This reduces the possibility that two ice storage agents 11 will stick together when frozen. In addition, when two ice storage agents 11 stick together, the contact area between the ice storage agents 11 is reduced. Furthermore, by reducing the contact area between the ice storage material 11 and the side partitions 31-38, 41-48 or the bottom partitions 21-28, the possibility of the ice storage material 11 sticking to the side partitions 31-38, 41-48 during freezing is reduced, and the possibility of the ice storage material 11 sticking to the bottom partitions 21-28 is also reduced. Furthermore, in the case where the ice storage material 11 sticks to the side partitions 31-38, 41-48 or the bottom partitions 21-28, the contact area between the ice storage material 11 and the side partitions 31-38, 41-48 or the bottom partitions 21-28 is reduced.

[0028] <Configuration of the ice pack storage system> Next, the configuration of the ice storage agent storage system 10 will be described. As shown in Fig. 1, the ice storage agent storage system 10 includes a ice storage agent transport device 71 that transports ice storage agents 11, a container transport device 72 that transports containers 12, a ice storage agent storage device 74 that moves, changes the posture, and changes the state of a magazine 73 in which a plurality of ice storage agents 11 (specifically, 36 ice storage agents) supplied from the ice storage agent transport device 71 are set, so that the ice storage agents 11 drop from the magazine 73 into two empty containers 12 on the container transport device 72 and are stored therein, and a storage control device 75. The ice storage agent transport device 71 is supplied with ice storage agents 11 at room temperature that have been collected after use. Furthermore, the container transport device 72 is supplied with empty containers 12.

[0029] The transport direction of the ice storage agent 11 in the ice storage agent transport device 71 is the right direction in FIG. 1. The transport direction of the containers 12 in the container transport device 72 is a direction perpendicular to the ice storage agent transport direction, that is, the upward direction in FIG. 1. Hereinafter, in this embodiment, the transport direction of the ice storage agent 11 in the ice storage agent transport device 71 will also be referred to as the "ice storage agent transport direction." The transport direction of the containers 12 in the container transport device 72 will also be referred to as the "container transport direction." The container transport device 72 is arranged on the ice storage agent transport direction side (right side in FIG. 1) of the ice storage agent transport device 71 and the storage control device 75. The storage control device 75 is arranged on the opposite side of the container transport direction (lower side in FIG. 1) of the ice storage agent transport device 71 and the ice storage agent storage device 74.

[0030] <Cooling agent transport device> First, the configuration of the ice storage agent transport device 71 in the ice storage agent storage system 10 will be described. FIG. 5 is a side view of the ice storage agent storage system 10. As shown in FIG. 5, the ice storage agent transport device 71 includes a base frame 71a. The base frame 71a is supported from below by ice storage agent transport legs 71b provided at multiple locations in the extension direction of the base frame 71a (the left-right direction in FIGS. 1 and 5), spaced above the floor of the facility. The ice storage agent transport legs 71b are fixed to the floor of the facility. This prevents misalignment between the ice storage agent storage device 74 and the ice storage agent transport device 71.

[0031] FIG. 6 is a plan view of the refrigerant transport device 71 as viewed from above. As shown in FIG. 6, the refrigerant transport device 71 includes first to fourth conveyors 81 to 84 arranged side by side on a base frame 71a. The transport direction of the refrigerant 11 on the first to fourth conveyors 81 to 84 is to the right in FIGS. 1 and 6. Of the first to fourth conveyors 81 to 84, the first conveyor 81 is arranged closest to the container transport direction (upper side in FIGS. 1 and 6). The second conveyor 82 is arranged on the opposite side of the container transport direction from the first conveyor 81, the third conveyor 83 is arranged on the opposite side of the container transport direction from the second conveyor 82, and the fourth conveyor 84 is arranged on the opposite side of the container transport direction from the third conveyor 83.

[0032] As shown in Fig. 6, the first to fourth conveyors 81 to 84 are electrically driven belt conveyors. The first conveyor 81 includes a first belt portion 81a, the second conveyor 82 includes a second belt portion 82a, the third conveyor 83 includes a third belt portion 83a, and the fourth conveyor 84 includes a fourth belt portion 84a. The first to fourth belt portions 81a to 84a are endless, and the widths of the first to fourth belt portions 81a to 84a are slightly larger than the dimension (140 mm) of the refrigerant 11 in the short direction. The upper surfaces of the belt portions 81a to 84a of the first to fourth conveyors 81 to 84 are located at a height of 800 mm from the floor of the facility such as a warehouse.

[0033] The first conveyor 81 includes a first conveying guide 81b provided on one side (the upper side in FIG. 6) of the first belt portion 81a, and a second conveying guide 81c provided on the opposite side of the first belt portion 81a from the first conveying guide 81b. The pair of first conveying guide 81b and second conveying guide 81c protrudes 25 mm above the upper surface of the first belt portion 81a. The first conveying guide 81b and second conveying guide 81c are provided over the entire area of ​​the first conveyor 81 in the refrigerant conveying direction. This restricts movement of the refrigerant 11 conveyed by the first belt portion 81a in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction. Like the first conveyor 81, the second conveyor 82 is provided with a pair of third conveying guides 82b and fourth conveying guides 82c that regulate the movement of the refrigerant 11 conveyed by the second belt portion 82a in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction, the third conveyor 83 is provided with a pair of fifth conveying guides 83b and sixth conveying guides 83c that regulate the movement of the refrigerant 11 conveyed by the third belt portion 83a in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction, and the fourth conveyor 84 is provided with a pair of seventh conveying guides 84b and eighth conveying guides 84c that regulate the movement of the refrigerant 11 conveyed by the fourth belt portion 84a in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction.

[0034] As described above, the first to fourth conveyors 81 to 84 are supplied with used and collected refrigerant 11 at room temperature. Each of the first to fourth conveyors 81 to 84 transports the refrigerant 11 in a single file in the refrigerant transport direction, with the short side of the refrigerant 11 perpendicular to the refrigerant transport direction (the right direction in FIGS. 1 and 6) and the long side of the refrigerant 11 parallel to the refrigerant transport direction. In this way, the refrigerant transport device 71 transports the refrigerant 11 in this position in four files.

[0035] 1, the refrigerant transport device 71 includes a first conveyor drive unit 85 that operates the first conveyor 81, a second conveyor drive unit 86 that operates the second conveyor 82, a third conveyor drive unit 87 that operates the third conveyor 83, and a fourth conveyor drive unit 88 that operates the fourth conveyor 84. The storage control device 75 can drive the first to fourth conveyor drive units 85 to 88 to cause the refrigerant 11 on the first to fourth conveyors 81 to 84 to be transported in the refrigerant transport direction, and can stop the transport of the refrigerant 11 on the first to fourth conveyors 81 to 84 by deactivating the first to fourth conveyor drive units 85 to 88.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 6, the end of the refrigerant transport device 71 in the refrigerant transport direction is a refrigerant transport outlet 71c for supplying the refrigerant 11 toward the magazine 73 of the refrigerant storage device 74 (FIG. 1).

[0037] The refrigerant transport device 71 includes a first refrigerant stopping device 91 capable of stopping the movement of the leading refrigerant 11 on the first conveyor 81 in the transport direction (rightward in FIGS. 1 and 6), a second refrigerant stopping device 92 capable of stopping the movement of the leading refrigerant 11 on the second conveyor 82 in the transport direction, a third refrigerant stopping device 93 capable of stopping the movement of the leading refrigerant 11 on the third conveyor 83 in the transport direction, and a fourth refrigerant stopping device 94 capable of stopping the movement of the leading refrigerant 11 on the fourth conveyor 84 in the transport direction. The refrigerant transport device 71 also includes a first plate 101 to which the first to fourth refrigerant stopping devices 91 to 94 are fixed, and a pair of first and second support plates 102 and 103 standing upright from the floor of the facility. The first support plate 102 is disposed closer to the container transport direction than the first conveyor 81 (upper side in FIG. 1), and the second support plate 103 is disposed on the opposite side of the container transport direction than the fourth conveyor 84. The first support plate 102 and the second support plate 103 extend from near the end of the refrigerant transport device 71 on the refrigerant transport direction side (right side in FIGS. 1 and 6) to the opposite side of the refrigerant transport direction. The end of the first plate 101 on the container transport direction side (upper side in FIGS. 1 and 6) is fixed to the upper end of the first support plate 102, and the end of the first plate 101 on the opposite side to the container transport direction is fixed to the upper end of the second support plate 103. As a result, the first plate 101 is located at a position spaced above the upper surfaces of the first to fourth belt portions 81a to 84a. The first plate 101 is located at a predetermined distance (specifically, 180 mm) from the vicinity of the end of the refrigerant transport device 71 in the refrigerant transport direction to the opposite side of the refrigerant transport direction.

[0038] The first to fourth refrigerant stopping devices 91 to 94 are fixed to the underside of the first plate 101. The first refrigerant stopping device 91 is disposed above and spaced apart from the first belt portion 81a, the second refrigerant stopping device 92 is disposed above and spaced apart from the second belt portion 82a, the third refrigerant stopping device 93 is disposed above and spaced apart from the third belt portion 83a, and the fourth refrigerant stopping device 94 is disposed above and spaced apart from the fourth belt portion 84a.

[0039] The refrigerant transport device 71 includes a fifth refrigerant stopping device 95 capable of stopping the movement of the second refrigerant 11 from the front on the first conveyor 81 in the refrigerant transport direction, a sixth refrigerant stopping device 96 capable of stopping the movement of the second refrigerant 11 from the front on the second conveyor 82 in the refrigerant transport direction, a seventh refrigerant stopping device 97 capable of stopping the movement of the second refrigerant 11 from the front on the third conveyor 83 in the refrigerant transport direction, and an eighth refrigerant stopping device 98 capable of stopping the movement of the second refrigerant 11 from the front on the fourth conveyor 84 in the refrigerant transport direction. The refrigerant transport device 71 also includes a second plate 104 to which the fifth to eighth refrigerant stopping devices 95 to 98 are fixed. The end of the second plate 104 facing the container transport direction is fixed to the upper end of the first support plate 102, and the end of the second plate 104 facing the opposite side to the container transport direction is fixed to the upper end of the second support plate 103. As a result, the second plate 104 is located above and spaced apart from the upper surfaces of the first to fourth belt portions 81a to 84a. The second plate 104 is also located spaced apart from the first plate 101 on the opposite side to the refrigerant transport direction. The dimension of the second plate 104 in the short direction (left-right direction in FIGS. 1 and 6) is 120 mm. The distance between the first to fourth belt portions 81a to 84a and the second plate 104 is greater than the thickness of the refrigerant 11 (25 mm) and less than twice the thickness of the refrigerant 11 (50 mm). This prevents two or more ice storage agents 11 from passing between the first to fourth belt portions 81a to 84a and the second plate 104 in a vertically overlapping state. This prevents two layers of ice storage agents 11 from being supplied to the magazine 73 from the ice storage agent transport outlet 71c.

[0040] The fifth to eighth refrigerant stopping devices 95 to 98 are fixed to the underside of the second plate 104. The fifth refrigerant stopping device 95 is disposed above and spaced apart from the first belt portion 81a, the sixth refrigerant stopping device 96 is disposed above and spaced apart from the second belt portion 82a, the seventh refrigerant stopping device 97 is disposed above and spaced apart from the third belt portion 83a, and the eighth refrigerant stopping device 98 is disposed above and spaced apart from the fourth belt portion 84a.

[0041] The configurations of the first to eighth refrigerant stopping devices 91 to 98 will be described using the first refrigerant stopping device 91 as an example. Fig. 7(a) is a plan view of the refrigerant transport device 71 showing an enlarged view of the periphery of the first refrigerant stopping device 91, Fig. 7(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in Fig. 7(a), and Fig. 7(c) is a cross-sectional view of the first refrigerant stopping device 91 and the first conveyor 81 in a state in which the first refrigerant stopping device 91 prevents the refrigerant 11 from moving in the transport direction.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 7A, the first refrigerant stopping device 91 includes a pair of electric actuators, a first actuator 91a and a second actuator 91b. The first actuator 91a is disposed closer to the first transport guide 81b than the second actuator 91b. The first actuator 91a includes a first movable plate 91c that is movable in a direction perpendicular to the refrigerant transport direction (left-right direction in FIG. 7A), and the second actuator 91b includes a second movable plate 91d that is movable in a direction perpendicular to the refrigerant transport direction (left-right direction in FIG. 7A). When the first actuator 91a is activated, the first movable plate 91c moves toward the first transport guide 81b, and when the first actuator 91a is deactivated, the first movable plate 91c moves away from the first transport guide 81b. In addition, when the second actuator 91b is in a driven state, the second movable plate 91d moves toward the second transport guide 81c, and when the second actuator 91b is in a non-driven state, the second movable plate 91d moves toward the opposite side from the second transport guide 81c.

[0043] 7(b), a first rod 91e extending downward to the vicinity of the upper surface of the first belt portion 81a is fixed to the end of the first movable plate 91c on the first transport guide 81b side, and a second rod 91f extending downward to the vicinity of the upper surface of the first belt portion 81a is fixed to the end of the second movable plate 91d on the first transport guide 81b side. When the first actuator 91a and the second actuator 91b are in a non-driven state, as shown in FIG. 7(c), the lower part of the first rod 91e is in a position where it contacts the end of the refrigerant 11 on the first transport guide 81b side, and the lower part of the second rod 91f is in a position where it contacts the end of the refrigerant 11 on the second transport guide 81c side, i.e., the first refrigerant stopping device 91 is in a blocking state where the movement of the refrigerant 11 in the transport direction is blocked. Furthermore, when the first actuator 91a and the second actuator 91b are in a driven state, as shown in Figure 7(b), the lower part of the first rod 91e is located closer to the first transport guide 81b than the end of the refrigerant 11 on the first transport guide 81b side, and the lower part of the second rod 91f is located closer to the second transport guide 81c than the end of the refrigerant 11 on the second transport guide 81c side, i.e., a movement permitted state in which the movement of the refrigerant 11 in the transport direction is not prevented by the first refrigerant stopping device 91.

[0044] In this way, in the blocking execution state of the first refrigerant stopping device 91 where the pair of actuators 91a, 91b are in the non-driven state, the movement of the refrigerant 11 in the transport direction is blocked. On the other hand, in the movement permitted state of the first refrigerant stopping device 91 where the pair of actuators 91a, 91b are in the driven state, the movement of the refrigerant 11 in the transport direction is allowed.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 6, similarly to the first refrigerant stopping device 91 described above, the second refrigerant stopping device 92 has a pair of third actuator 92a and fourth actuator 92b, the third refrigerant stopping device 93 has a pair of fifth actuator 93a and sixth actuator 93b, the fourth refrigerant stopping device 94 has a pair of seventh actuator 94a and eighth actuator 94b, the fifth refrigerant stopping device 95 has a pair of ninth actuator 95a and tenth actuator 95b, the sixth refrigerant stopping device 96 has a pair of eleventh actuator 96a and twelfth actuator 96b, the seventh refrigerant stopping device 97 has a pair of thirteenth actuator 97a and fourteenth actuator 97b, and the eighth refrigerant stopping device 98 has a pair of fifteenth actuator 98a and sixteenth actuator 98b. Furthermore, as explained using the first refrigerant stopping device 91 as an example, when the pth refrigerant stopping device (p is any of "1" to "8") is in a blocking execution state, the pth refrigerant stopping device is in a state where it blocks the movement of the refrigerant 11 in the conveying direction, and when the pth refrigerant stopping device (p is any of "1" to "8") is in a movement permission state, the pth refrigerant stopping device is in a state where it does not block the movement of the refrigerant 11 in the conveying direction.

[0046] If the first refrigerant stopping device 91 is switched to the blocking state while the refrigerant 11 on the first conveyor 81 is passing through the first refrigerant stopping device 91, the refrigerant 11 continues to move in the refrigerant transport direction, but the refrigerant 11 following the refrigerant 11 is blocked by the first refrigerant stopping device 91 from moving in the refrigerant transport direction. The second to eighth refrigerant stopping devices 92-98 operate in the same manner as the first refrigerant stopping device 91. Specifically, if the refrigerant 11 on the conveyors 81-84 is passing through the refrigerant stopping devices 92-98, the refrigerant 11 continues to move in the refrigerant transport direction, but the refrigerant 11 following the refrigerant 11 is blocked by the refrigerant stopping device 92-98.

[0047] 6, provided near the end of the first plate 101 on the side of the ice storage agent transport outlet 71c are a first ice storage agent detection sensor 105 for detecting ice storage agent 11 on the first conveyor 81 moving toward the ice storage agent transport outlet 71c, a second ice storage agent detection sensor 106 for detecting ice storage agent 11 on the second conveyor 82 moving toward the ice storage agent transport outlet 71c, a third ice storage agent detection sensor 107 for detecting ice storage agent 11 on the third conveyor 83 moving toward the ice storage agent transport outlet 71c, and a fourth ice storage agent detection sensor 108 for detecting ice storage agent 11 on the fourth conveyor 84 moving toward the ice storage agent transport outlet 71c. The first to fourth ice storage agent detection sensors 105 to 108 are located closer to the ice storage agent transport direction than the first to fourth ice storage agent stopping devices 91 to 94 (to the right in FIGS. 1 and 6).

[0048] The first to fourth refrigerant detection sensors 105 to 108 are fixed to the underside of the first plate 101. The first refrigerant detection sensor 105 is disposed above and spaced apart from the upper surface of the first belt portion 81a, the second refrigerant detection sensor 106 is disposed above and spaced apart from the upper surface of the second belt portion 82a, the third refrigerant detection sensor 107 is disposed above and spaced apart from the upper surface of the third belt portion 83a, and the fourth refrigerant detection sensor 108 is disposed above and spaced apart from the upper surface of the fourth belt portion 84a. The first to fourth refrigerant detection sensors 105 to 108 are ultrasonic sensors that measure distance based on the time from transmission to reception of ultrasonic waves. The storage control device 75 can determine whether the refrigerant 11 is being detected based on the information received from the first to fourth refrigerant detection sensors 105 to 108.

[0049] Near the end of the first plate 101 on the opposite side from the ice storage agent transport outlet 71c (left side in Figures 1 and 6), there are provided a first ice storage agent preparation detection sensor 111 which detects the leading ice storage agent 11 on the first conveyor 81 before the first ice storage agent stopping device 91, a second ice storage agent preparation detection sensor 112 which detects the leading ice storage agent 11 on the second conveyor 82 before the second ice storage agent stopping device 92, a third ice storage agent preparation detection sensor 113 which detects the leading ice storage agent 11 on the third conveyor 83 before the third ice storage agent stopping device 93, and a fourth ice storage agent preparation detection sensor 114 which detects the leading ice storage agent 11 on the fourth conveyor 84 before the fourth ice storage agent stopping device 94. The first to fourth refrigerant preparation detection sensors 111 to 114 are located on the opposite side of the refrigerant transport direction from the first to fourth refrigerant stopping devices 91 to 94.

[0050] The first to fourth refrigerant preparation detection sensors 111 to 114 are fixed to the underside of the first plate 101. The first refrigerant preparation detection sensor 111 is disposed above and spaced apart from the upper surface of the first belt portion 81a, the second refrigerant preparation detection sensor 112 is disposed above and spaced apart from the upper surface of the second belt portion 82a, the third refrigerant preparation detection sensor 113 is disposed above and spaced apart from the upper surface of the third belt portion 83a, and the fourth refrigerant preparation detection sensor 114 is disposed above and spaced apart from the upper surface of the fourth belt portion 84a. The first to fourth refrigerant preparation detection sensors 111 to 114 are ultrasonic sensors that measure distance based on the time from transmission to reception of ultrasonic waves. The storage control device 75 can determine whether the refrigerant 11 is being detected based on the information received from the first to fourth refrigerant preparation detection sensors 111 to 114.

[0051] Next, an operation will be described in which one refrigerant 11 is supplied to the magazine 73 of the refrigerant storage device 74 from each of the first to fourth conveyors 81 to 84 using the first to eighth refrigerant stopping devices 91 to 98. This operation is performed in a state in which the magazine 73 (FIG. 1) is arranged ahead of the refrigerant transport outlet 71c of the refrigerant transport device 71.

[0052] First, in a state where the first to fourth refrigerant stopping devices 91 to 94 are in the blocking execution state and the fifth to eighth refrigerant stopping devices 95 to 98 are in the movement permission state, the first to fourth conveyors 81 to 84 are operated to stop the leading refrigerant 11 by the first to fourth refrigerant stopping devices 91 to 94. Based on the first to fourth refrigerant preparation detection signals received from the first to fourth refrigerant preparation detection sensors 111 to 114, the storage control device 75 (FIG. 1) can recognize that the leading refrigerant 11 has been stopped by the first to fourth refrigerant stopping devices 91 to 94.

[0053] Thereafter, the fifth to eighth refrigerant stopping devices 95-98 are set to the blocking execution state. As a result, the movement of the second and subsequent refrigerant storage materials 11 from the front on the first to fourth conveyors 81-84 in the conveying direction beyond the fifth to eighth refrigerant storage material stopping devices 95-98 is blocked. Thereafter, while the first to fourth conveyors 81-84 are operating, the first to fourth refrigerant storage material stopping devices 91-94 are set to the movement permitted state. As a result, in a state where the second and subsequent refrigerant storage materials 11 on the first to fourth conveyors 81-84 cannot move in the conveying direction beyond the fifth to eighth refrigerant storage material stopping devices 95-98, the front refrigerant storage material 11 on the first to fourth conveyors 81-84 can be supplied to the magazine 73 located beyond the refrigerant conveying outlet 71c. In this way, in a situation where the leading refrigerant 11 on the first to fourth conveyors 81 to 84 is stopped by the first to fourth refrigerant stopping devices 91 to 94 and the second leading refrigerant 11 is stopped by the fifth to eighth refrigerant stopping devices 95 to 98, by setting the first to fourth refrigerant stopping devices 91 to 94 in a movement-permitted state so that only the leading refrigerant 11 can be moved to the magazine 73, one refrigerant 11 can be supplied to the magazine 73 from each of the first to fourth conveyors 81 to 84.

[0054] One second after the first to fourth refrigerant detection sensors 105 to 108 detect the passage of the refrigerant 11, the first to fourth refrigerant stopping devices 91 to 94 are set to the blocking execution state, and the fifth to eighth refrigerant stopping devices 95 to 98 are set to the movement permitted state. By setting a period of one second from the time the first to fourth refrigerant detection sensors 105 to 108 detect the passage of the refrigerant 11 until the first to fourth refrigerant stopping devices 91 to 94 are set to the blocking execution state, it is possible to prevent the first to fourth refrigerant stopping devices 91 to 94 from entering the blocking execution state before the leading refrigerant 11 on the first to fourth conveyors 81 to 84 is supplied to the magazine 73. Furthermore, the ice storage materials 11 are set in the magazine 73 in a state in which the fifth to eighth ice storage material stopping devices 95 to 98 restrict the movement of the second and subsequent ice storage materials 11 from the front in the ice storage material conveying direction further than the fifth to eighth ice storage material stopping devices 95 to 98, thereby preventing multiple ice storage materials 11 from being supplied to the magazine 73 from one conveyor 81 to 84.

[0055] After four refrigerant materials 11 are supplied from the refrigerant transport device 71 to the magazine 73, the first to fourth refrigerant stopping devices 91 to 94 are in the blocking execution state and the fifth to eighth refrigerant stopping devices 95 to 98 are in the movement permission state, and the first to fourth conveyors 81 to 84 are returned to an operating state. As a result, the leading refrigerant material 11 is stopped by the first to fourth refrigerant stopping devices 91 to 94, and the next operation can be started to supply one refrigerant material 11 from each of the first to fourth conveyors 81 to 84 to the magazine 73. As will be described in detail later, nine stages of refrigerant materials 11 are set in the magazine 73. The operation of supplying one ice accumulator 11 to the magazine 73 from each of the first to fourth conveyors 81 to 84 is repeated each time the tier in the magazine 73 to which the ice accumulator 11 is to be set is updated, until ice accumulator 11 is set in all tiers of the magazine 73.

[0056] <Container transport equipment> Next, we will explain the container transport device 72 in the ice storage agent storage system 10. Fig. 8 is a plan view of the container transport device 72 as seen from above. As already explained with reference to Fig. 1, the container transport device 72 is arranged on the ice storage agent transport direction side (to the right in Fig. 1) of the ice storage agent transport device 71.

[0057] As shown in Fig. 1, the container transport device 72 includes a pair of first and second conveyor frames 72a and 72b. The conveyor frames 72a and 72b are supported from below by container transport legs 72c provided at multiple locations in the extension direction of the conveyor frames 72a and 72b (the vertical direction in Figs. 1 and 8), spaced above the floor of the facility. The container transport legs 72c are fixed to the floor of the facility. This prevents misalignment between the container transport device 72 and the refrigerant transport device 71.

[0058] A plurality of transport rollers 72d are rotatably fixed between the first and second conveyor frames 72a and 72b. The transport rollers 72d are arranged at predetermined intervals in the extension direction of the conveyor frames 72a and 72b. As shown in FIG. 5, the upper ends of the transport rollers 72d are located at a height of 600 mm from the floor of the facility.

[0059] The container transport device 72 is an electric roller conveyor. As shown in FIG. 8, approximately one-third of the transport rollers 72d used in the container transport device 72 have a built-in transport motor 72e. Driving power is transmitted to free rollers (transport rollers 72d not incorporating a transport motor 72e) located before and after the transport rollers 72d (motor rollers) incorporating the transport motor 72e in the container transport direction via a drive transmission mechanism (specifically, a chain or belt) (not shown). Empty containers 12 supplied to the container transport device 72 are guided by the rotating transport rollers 72d and move in the container transport direction (upward in FIGS. 1 and 8). The container transport direction in the container transport device 72 is the direction from the storage control device 75 toward the refrigerant transport device 71 (upward in FIGS. 1 and 8) within the extension direction of the conveyor frames 72a and 72b.

[0060] As will be described in detail later, the ice storage agent storage device 74 drops the ice storage agent 11 from the magazine 73 into two containers 12 stopped at the storage execution position in the container transfer device 72 to store the ice storage agent 11. In this way, the container transfer device 72 targets two containers 12 at a time to store the ice storage agent 11. As shown in FIG. 1 , the container transfer device 72 is provided with a target container stopping device 115 for stopping the leading container 12 that is to store the ice storage agent 11 at the leading storage execution position and for stopping the second container 12 from the leading that is to store the ice storage agent 11 at the second storage execution position. The leading storage execution position is a position where the operation of dropping the ice storage agent 11 from the magazine 73 into the leading container 12 to store it is executed. The second storage execution position is a position where the operation of dropping the ice storage agent 11 from the magazine 73 into the second container 12 from the leading is executed to store it. 1, when a container 12 is stopped at the leading storage execution position, the leading container 12 is positioned at a predetermined distance in the refrigerant transport direction from the ends of the first and second conveyors 81 and 82 of the refrigerant transport device 71 on the refrigerant transport outlet 71c side. When a container 12 is stopped at the second storage execution position, the second container 12 from the leading is positioned at a predetermined distance in the refrigerant transport direction from the ends of the third and fourth conveyors 83 and 84 of the refrigerant transport device 71 on the refrigerant transport outlet 71c side.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 8, the target container stopping device 115 includes a plate-shaped target container stopper 115a and a target stopper drive unit 115b capable of raising and lowering the target container stopper 115a. The target stopper drive unit 115b is a solenoid having a movable iron core (not shown). The target container stopper 115a is fixed to the tip of the movable iron core of the solenoid. The target stopper drive unit 115b is disposed below the conveying rollers 72d of the container conveying device 72. The target container stopper 115a can protrude upward from the gap between the conveying rollers 72d. The target container stopper 115a can move between a target stopper standby position where the upper end of the target container stopper 115a is below the upper end of the conveying rollers 72d and a target stop execution position where the upper end of the target container stopper 115a is above the upper end of the conveying rollers 72d.

[0062] The upper end of the target container stopper 115a positioned at the target stop execution position is located 50 mm above the upper end of the conveying roller 72d. As a result, if a container 12 moves in the conveying direction and comes into contact with the target container stopper 115a while the target container stopper 115a is positioned at the target stop execution position, the container 12 cannot move in the conveying direction even if the conveying roller 72d is rotating. Furthermore, if the target container stopper 115a moves from the target stopper standby position to the target stop execution position while the rear end of the container 12 in the conveying direction is located above the target container stopper 115a and the conveying roller 72d is continuing to rotate, the container 12 moves in the conveying direction due to the rotation of the conveying roller 72d, and the next container 12 after the container 12 comes into contact with the target container stopper 115a and stops. This prevents a container 12 that should move toward the target container stopper 115a in the conveying direction from being held up by the target container stopper 115a.

[0063] As shown in Fig. 1, the container transport device 72 is provided with a pre-container stopping device 116 for causing the container 12 to wait behind the second storage execution position in the transport direction. The pre-container stopping device 116 is arranged on the opposite side of the target container stopping device 115 in the container transport direction (below in Fig. 1).

[0064] The advance container stopping device 116 is a device for preventing the movement of the third and subsequent containers 12 from the front in the conveying direction, leaving only the leading container 12 and the second leading container 12, i.e., the two containers 12 to be stored. As shown in FIG. 8 , the advance container stopping device 116 includes a plate-shaped advance container stopper 116a and an advance stopper drive unit 116b that can raise and lower the advance container stopper 116a. The advance stopper drive unit 116b is a solenoid having a movable iron core (not shown). The advance container stopper 116a is fixed to the tip of the movable iron core of the solenoid. The advance stopper drive unit 116b is disposed below the conveying roller 72d of the container conveying device 72. The advance container stopper 116a can protrude upward from the gap between the conveying rollers 72d. The advance container stopper 116a is movable between an advance stopper standby position where the upper end of the advance container stopper 116a is located below the upper end of the conveying roller 72d, and an advance stop execution position where the upper end of the advance container stopper 116a is located above the upper end of the conveying roller 72d.

[0065] The upper end of the advance container stopper 116a disposed at the advance stop execution position is located 50 mm above the upper ends of the conveying rollers 72d. As a result, if a container 12 moves in the conveying direction and comes into contact with the advance container stopper 116a while the advance container stopper 116a is disposed at the advance stop execution position, the container 12 will be unable to move in the conveying direction even if the conveying rollers 72d are rotating. Furthermore, if the advance container stopper 116a moves from the advance stopper standby position to the advance stop execution position while the vicinity of the rear end of the container 12 in the conveying direction is located above the advance container stopper 116a and the conveying rollers 72d are continuing to rotate, the container 12 will move in the conveying direction due to the rotation of the conveying rollers 72d, and the container 12 following the advance container 12 will come into contact with the advance container stopper 116a and stop.

[0066] Next, a configuration for preventing misalignment of two containers 12 to be stored will be described. When the leading container 12 is stopped at the leading storage execution position and the second leading container 12 is stopped at the second storage execution position, the distance between the rear end of the second leading container 12 and the advance container stopper 116a is 60 mm. As shown in Fig. 8, the container transfer device 72 is provided with a rear positioning device 117. The rear positioning device 117 is a device for restricting movement of the container 12 present at the second storage execution position in the direction opposite to the transfer direction (downward in Figs. 1 and 8).

[0067] The rear positioning device 117 includes a rear positioning cylinder 117a and a rear positioning leg 117b that secures the rear positioning cylinder 117a. The rear positioning cylinder 117a is an air cylinder. The rear positioning leg 117b extends from the lower end of the rear positioning cylinder 117a to the floor of the facility. The rear positioning cylinder 117a is secured by the rear positioning leg 117b at a height spaced above the floor. The rear positioning leg 117b is disposed on the opposite side of the conveyor frames 72a and 72b from the refrigerant transport device 71. The rear positioning leg 117b is secured to the floor of the facility. This prevents the rear positioning device 117 from shifting in position relative to the conveyor frames 72a and 72b.

[0068] The rear positioning cylinder 117a includes a hollow cylindrical rear positioning main body 117c and a rear positioning rod 117d. The rear positioning main body 117c is inclined toward the refrigerant transport device 71 in the container transport direction. One end of the rear positioning rod 117d is housed inside the rear positioning main body 117c, and the other end of the rear positioning rod 117d extends from the rear positioning main body 117c toward the rear end of the container 12 stopped at the second storage execution position in the transport direction. A rear positioning plate 117e is fixed to the other end of the rear positioning rod 117d to restrict movement of the container 12 stopped at the second storage execution position in the opposite direction to the transport direction.

[0069] The rear positioning plate 117e moves between a rear standby position where it does not come into contact with the container 12 being transported by the container transport device 72, and a rear positioning execution position where it comes into contact with the rear end of the container 12 from diagonally behind in the transport direction of the container 12 present at the second storage execution position. When the rear positioning cylinder 117a is in a non-driven state, the rear positioning plate 117e is located at the rear standby position, and when the rear positioning cylinder 117a is in a driven state, the rear positioning plate 117e is located at the rear positioning execution position.

[0070] 1, the container transport device 72 is provided with a first side positioning device 118 and a second side positioning device 119. The first side positioning device 118 and the second side positioning device 119 are disposed near the boundary between the container 12 stopped at the leading storage execution position and the container 12 stopped at the second storage execution position.

[0071] As shown in FIG. 8, the first lateral positioning device 118 includes a first lateral positioning cylinder 118a and a first lateral positioning leg 118b that secures the first lateral positioning cylinder 118a. The second lateral positioning device 119 includes a second lateral positioning cylinder 119a and a second lateral positioning leg 119b that secures the second lateral positioning cylinder 119a. The first lateral positioning cylinder 118a and the second lateral positioning cylinder 119a are air cylinders. The first lateral positioning leg 118b extends from the lower end of the first lateral positioning cylinder 118a to the floor of the facility. The first lateral positioning cylinder 118a is secured at a height above the floor by the first lateral positioning leg 118b. The second lateral positioning leg 119b extends from the lower end of the second lateral positioning cylinder 119a to the floor of the facility. The second lateral positioning cylinder 119a is fixed at a height spaced above the floor by the second lateral positioning legs 119b. The first lateral positioning legs 118b and the second lateral positioning legs 119b are fixed to the floor of the facility. This prevents the first lateral positioning device 118 and the second lateral positioning device 119 from shifting relative to the conveyor frames 72a and 72b.

[0072] The first side positioning leg 118b is disposed closer to the refrigerant transport device 71 (on the left side in FIGS. 1 and 8) than the conveyor frames 72a and 72b. The second side positioning leg 119b is disposed on the opposite side of the conveyor frames 72a and 72b from the refrigerant transport device 71 (on the right side in FIGS. 1 and 8).

[0073] The first side positioning cylinder 118a includes a hollow cylindrical first side positioning main body 118c and a first side positioning rod 118d. The first side positioning main body 118c extends toward the container transport device 72. One end of the first side positioning rod 118d is housed inside the first side positioning main body 118c, and the other end of the first side positioning rod 118d extends from the first side positioning main body 118c toward the container transport device 72. A first side positioning plate 118e is fixed to the other end of the first side positioning rod 118d to restrict movement of the containers 12 located at the leading and second storage execution positions toward the ice storage agent transport device 71.

[0074] The first side positioning plate 118e moves between a first side standby position where it does not come into contact with the container 12 being transported by the container transport device 72, and a first side positioning execution position where it restricts the movement of the containers 12 present at the first storage execution position and the second storage execution position toward the refrigerant transport device 71. When the first side positioning cylinder 118a is in a non-driven state, the first side positioning plate 118e is located at the first side standby position, and when the first side positioning cylinder 118a is in a driven state, the first side positioning plate 118e is located at the first side positioning execution position.

[0075] The second side positioning cylinder 119a includes a hollow cylindrical second side positioning main body 119c and a second side positioning rod 119d. The second side positioning main body 119c extends toward the container transport device 72. One end of the second side positioning rod 119d is housed inside the second side positioning main body 119c, and the other end of the second side positioning rod 119d extends from the second side positioning main body 119c toward the container transport device 72. A second side positioning plate 119e is fixed to the other end of the second side positioning rod 119d to restrict movement of the containers 12 located at the leading and second storage execution positions toward the ice storage agent transport device 71.

[0076] The second side positioning plate 119e moves between a second side standby position where it does not come into contact with the container 12 being transported by the container transport device 72, and a second side positioning execution position where it restricts the movement of the containers 12 present at the first storage execution position and the second storage execution position toward the refrigerant transport device 71. When the second side positioning cylinder 119a is in a non-driven state, the second side positioning plate 119e is located at the second side standby position, and when the second side positioning cylinder 119a is in a driven state, the second side positioning plate 119e is located at the second side positioning execution position.

[0077] The first side positioning plate 118e and the second side positioning plate 119e extend from near the front end of the leading container 12 stopped at the storage execution position to near the rear end of the second container 12. Furthermore, the upper ends of the first side positioning plate 118e and the second side positioning plate 119e are located above the center in the height direction of the two containers 12 to be stored.

[0078] As shown in FIG. 8 , below the conveyance roller 72d of the container conveying device 72, there are provided a leading container detection sensor 121 capable of detecting a container 12 located at the leading storage position, a second container detection sensor 122 capable of detecting a container 12 located at the second storage position, and a preliminary container detection sensor 123 capable of detecting a container 12 whose movement in the conveying direction is blocked by the preliminary container stopper 116a. Also, below the conveyance roller 72d of the container conveying device 72, there is provided an intermediate container detection sensor 124 between the leading container detection sensor 121 and the second container detection sensor 122. The intermediate container detection sensor 124 can detect a container 12 moving toward the leading container detection sensor 121 after storing the refrigerant 11 at the second storage position. The container detection sensors 121-124 are ultrasonic sensors that measure distance based on the time from transmission to reception of ultrasonic waves. The storage control device 75 can determine whether a container 12 is being detected based on the information received from the container detection sensors 121-124.

[0079] The second container detection sensor 122 is arranged on the opposite side of the conveying direction from the leading container detection sensor 121 (below in Figures 1 and 8) at a distance of 400 mm, which is slightly larger than the longitudinal dimension (380 mm) of the container 12, and the advance container detection sensor 123 is arranged on the opposite side of the conveying direction from the second container detection sensor 122 at a distance of 420 mm, which is larger than the longitudinal dimension (380 mm) of the container 12. In addition, the distance between the leading container detection sensor 121 and the intermediate container detection sensor 124, and the distance between the intermediate container detection sensor 124 and the second container detection sensor 122 are shorter than the longitudinal dimension of the container 12.

[0080] After the refrigerant 11 is stored in the container 12 stopped at the leading storage execution position and the container 12 stopped at the second storage execution position, the two containers 12 move in the container transfer direction. Because the distance between the leading container detection sensor 121 and the second container detection sensor 122 is longer than the longitudinal dimension of the container 12, if the second container 12 is present between the leading container detection sensor 121 and the second container detection sensor 122, the second container 12 cannot be detected by these two container detection sensors 121, 122. To address this issue, an intermediate container detection sensor 124 is provided between the leading container detection sensor 121 and the second container detection sensor 122. This makes it possible to determine whether a container 12 is present between the leading container detection sensor 121 and the second container detection sensor 122.

[0081] Next, we will explain the operation for stopping two containers 12 at the leading storage execution position and the second storage execution position using the target container stopping device 115 and the preceding container stopping device 116. Figures 9(a) to 9(g) are explanatory diagrams for explaining the movement of the container 12 in the container transport device 72.

[0082] 9(a), with the target container stopper 115a positioned at the target stop execution position and the advance container stopper 116a positioned at the advance stop execution position, the conveyance roller 72d is rotated to bring an empty container 12 supplied to the container conveyance device 72 into contact with the advance container stopper 116a and into a stopped state. The container 12 is detected by the advance container detection sensor 123, so the storage control device 75 can recognize that the container 12 is in contact with the advance container stopper 116a and into a stopped state.

[0083] Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 9(b), while the conveying roller 72d continues to rotate, the advance container stopper 116a is lowered to the advance stopper standby position. As a result, one container 12 that had been waiting in contact with the advance container stopper 116a moves closer to the target container stopper 115a than the advance container stopper 116a. One second after the advance container stopper 116a is lowered to the advance stopper standby position, as shown in FIG. 9(c), the advance container stopper 116a is returned to the advance stop execution position. As a result, the advance container stopper 116a prevents the container 12 next to the container 12 that moved closer to the target container stopper 115a than the advance container stopper 116a from moving in the conveying direction. Thereafter, the storage control device 75 can determine that the leading container 12 has come into contact with the target container stopper 115a and is stopped, based on the fact that the leading container detection sensor 121 has detected the container 12.

[0084] Thereafter, if the second container detection sensor 122 does not detect a container 12 and the advance container detection sensor 123 does not detect a container 12, the conveyor roller 72d continues to rotate, and the conveyor roller 72d waits until the advance container detection sensor 123 detects the container 12. Furthermore, if the second container detection sensor 122 does not detect a container 12, i.e., if the second container 12 from the front is not present at the second storage execution position, the advance container stopper 116a is lowered to the advance stopper standby position as shown in FIG. 9(d), provided that the advance container 12 is detected by the advance container detection sensor 123. As a result, one container 12 that has been waiting in contact with the advance container stopper 116a moves toward the conveyance direction from the advance container stopper 116a. One second after the advance container stopper 116a is lowered to the advance stopper standby position, the advance container stopper 116a is returned to the advance stop execution position as shown in FIG. 9(e). As a result, the container 12 next to the container 12 that has moved closer to the target container stopper 115a than the advance container stopper 116a is prevented from moving in the conveying direction by the advance container stopper 116a. Based on the state in which the containers 12 are detected by the leading container detection sensor 121 and the second container detection sensor 122, the storage control device 75 can recognize that the leading container 12 and the second container 12 from the leading are stopped at the storage execution position, i.e., that the two containers 12 to be stored are stopped at the storage execution position.

[0085] As described above, the operation of lowering the advance container stopper 116a to the advance stopper standby position and returning the advance container stopper 116a to the advance stop execution position after one second has elapsed is executed on the condition that the container 12 is detected by the advance container detection sensor 123. If the container 12 is not detected by the advance container detection sensor 123, the configuration is such that the operation waits until the container 12 is detected by the advance container detection sensor 123. This reduces the possibility that the container 12 will not move from the advance container stopper 116a to the target container stopper 115a side even when the operation of lowering the advance container stopper 116a to the advance stopper standby position and returning the advance container stopper 116a to the advance stop execution position after one second has elapsed is executed.

[0086] The storage control device 75 stops the rotation of the conveying roller 72d when the container 12 is detected by the leading container detection sensor 121 and the second container detection sensor 122, that is, when the container 12 is stopped at the leading storage execution position and the second storage execution position, thereby reducing the possibility of misalignment of the two containers 12 to be stored.

[0087] Next, we will explain the operation for fixing two containers 12 at the front storage execution position and the second storage execution position using the target container stopper 115a, rear positioning plate 117e, first side positioning plate 118e, and second side positioning plate 119e.

[0088] 8, after the target container stopper 115a is placed in the target stop execution position and the rotation of the conveying roller 72d is stopped, the rear positioning plate 117e is placed in the rear positioning execution position, whereby the rear end in the conveying direction of the container 12 stopped at the second storage execution position is in contact with the rear positioning plate 117e. This prevents the two containers 12 to be stored from shifting in position in the opposite direction to the container conveying direction. Furthermore, because the target container stopper 115a is placed in the target stop execution position, the two containers 12 to be stored are also prevented from shifting in position in the container conveying direction.

[0089] After the target container stopper 115a and the rear positioning plate 117e restrict the forward and backward movement of the two containers 12 in the conveying direction, the first side positioning plate 118e is positioned at the first side positioning position and the second side positioning plate 119e is positioned at the second side positioning position, thereby restricting the two containers 12 from shifting toward the refrigerant conveying device 71 and toward the opposite side from the refrigerant conveying device 71.

[0090] In this manner, with the two containers 12 fixed at the leading storage execution position and the second storage execution position by the target container stopper 115a, the rear positioning plate 117e, the first side positioning plate 118e, and the second side positioning plate 119e, an operation is executed in which the refrigerant 11 stored in the magazine 73 is dropped and stored into the two containers 12. This reduces the possibility that the refrigerant 11 will fall to a position deviated from the storage areas 62a to 62i, 63a to 63i (FIG. 3) in the container 12.

[0091] Next, an operation for transporting the two containers 12 downstream of the container transport device 72 after the refrigerant 11 has been stored in the two containers 12 to be stored will be described.

[0092] As will be described in detail later, after the refrigerant 11 is stored from the magazine 73 into the two containers 12, the magazine 73 rises and does not come into contact with the containers 12. After the magazine 73 rises, the first side positioning plate 118e returns to the first side standby position, the second side positioning plate 119e returns to the second side standby position, and the rear positioning plate 117e returns to the rear standby position. Then, as shown in FIG. 9(f), the target container stopper 115a is placed in the target stop standby position, and the conveyance roller 72d starts to rotate. As a result, the two containers 12 containing the refrigerant 11 move in the conveyance direction. When one second has elapsed after the leading container detection sensor 121 no longer detects the container 12, the storage control device 75 places the target container stopper 115a in the target stop execution position, as shown in FIG. 9(g). This allows the container 12 containing the ice storage agent 11 to be transported downstream of the target container stopping device 115, and also prepares the container 12 to be next stored to be set at the storage execution position.

[0093] In this way, the container transport device 72 places two containers 12 to be stored at the storage execution position, and after the refrigerant 11 is stored in those two containers 12 and they are transported out of the storage execution position, the container transport device 72 places the next two containers 12 at the storage execution position. This allows two empty containers 12 to be supplied to the storage execution position at a time.

[0094] <Ice storage device> Next, the configuration of the ice storage agent storage device 74 will be described. The ice storage agent storage device 74 is a device that stores the ice storage agents 11, which are set in the magazine 73 from the ice storage agent transport device 71, into empty containers 12 that are stopped at the first and second storage execution positions in the container transport device 72. As already described, the ice storage agent storage device 74 includes the magazine 73 into which the ice storage agents 11 supplied from the ice storage agent transport device 71 are set. As shown in FIG. 1 , the magazine 73 is rotatably supported by a magazine support part 125. The magazine support part 125 is fixed to a horizontal arm 126, which is fixed to a lifting table 127. The ice storage agent storage device 74 also includes an elevating mechanism 129 that can lift and lower the lifting table 127 along a support 128, and a traveling mechanism 132 that can travel a base 131, to which the support 128 is fixed, toward the container transport device 72 or away from the container transport device 72.

[0095] <Magazine configuration> First, the configuration of the magazine 73 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the magazine 73 has a magazine entrance 73a through which the ice storage agent 11 supplied from the ice storage agent transport device 71 enters the magazine 73, and a magazine exit 73b through which the ice storage agent 11 contained in the magazine 73 drops into the container 12. The magazine exit 73b is provided on the opposite side from the magazine entrance 73a. When the ice storage agent 11 is set in the magazine 73 from the ice storage agent transport device 71, the magazine 73 is in a ice storage agent containing position. The ice storage agent containing position is a position in which the magazine entrance 73a is open toward the ice storage agent transport device 71 and the magazine exit 73b faces away from the ice storage agent transport device 71. In the magazine 73 in the ice storage agent containing position, the direction from the magazine entrance 73a to the magazine exit 73b is horizontal. Furthermore, in a situation where the ice storage material 11 contained in the magazine 73 is dropped into the container 12 and stored in the container 12, the magazine 73 is in a ice storage material dropping position. The ice storage material dropping position is a position after the magazine 73 in the ice storage material storing position is rotated 90 degrees, and is a position in which the magazine entrance 73a faces upward and the magazine exit 73b faces downward in the magazine 73 in the ice storage material dropping position. The direction from the magazine entrance 73a to the magazine exit 73b is vertical.

[0096] FIG. 10 is a front view of the magazine 73 in the refrigerant storage position as seen from the magazine inlet 73a side, and FIG. 11 is a plan view of the magazine 73 in the refrigerant storage position as seen from above. The magazine 73 is made of metal. As shown in FIG. 10, the magazine 73 includes a front magazine unit 137 capable of accommodating 18 refrigerant materials 11 (two columns and nine rows) to be stored in a container 12 stopped at the front storage execution position, and a rear magazine unit 138 capable of accommodating 18 refrigerant materials 11 (two columns and nine rows) to be stored in a container 12 stopped at the second storage execution position. The front magazine unit 137 and the rear magazine unit 138 are arranged side by side. The front magazine unit 137 is located on the container transfer direction side (upper side in FIG. 1, left side in FIG. 10) of the rear magazine unit 138.

[0097] The magazine 73 includes a pair of parallel plate-shaped common front guide 141 and common back guide 142. The common front guide 141 and common back guide 142 are substantially rectangular. The thickness of the common front guide 141 and common back guide 142 is 6 mm. In the refrigerant storage position, the common front guide 141 is the upper outer wall of the front magazine unit 137 and the rear magazine unit 138, and the common back guide 142 is the lower outer wall of the front magazine unit 137 and the rear magazine unit 138.

[0098] The leading magazine unit 137 includes a leading first side guide 143, a leading second side guide 144, and a leading central guide 147, which are parallel plates perpendicular to the common front guide 141 and the common back guide 142. The leading first side guide 143, the leading second side guide 144, and the leading central guide 147 are substantially rectangular. The leading first side guide 143 is an outer wall of the leading magazine unit 137 on the container transport direction side (upper side in FIG. 1, left side in FIG. 10), and is also an outer wall of the magazine 73 on the container transport direction side. The leading second side guide 144 is an outer wall of the leading magazine unit 137 on the opposite side to the container transport direction (lower side in FIG. 1, right side in FIG. 10). In the magazine 73, a rear magazine unit 138 is located on the opposite side of the container transport direction from the leading second side guide 144. Furthermore, the leading central guide 147 is disposed at an intermediate position between the leading first lateral guide 143 and the leading second lateral guide 144. In this manner, the leading magazine unit 137 has a pair of leading first lateral guide 143 and leading second lateral guide 144, sandwiching the leading central guide 147. The leading first lateral guide 143 and leading second lateral guide 144 each have a thickness of 6 mm, and the leading central guide 147 has a thickness of 36 mm.

[0099] 10, in the front magazine unit 137, the front first side guide 143 is disposed on the container transfer direction side (left side in FIG. 10) from the front central guide 147 at a distance (specifically, 150 mm) that is slightly larger than the short-side dimension (140 mm) of the refrigerant 11 already described with reference to FIG. 2(a). Furthermore, the front second side guide 144 is disposed on the opposite side of the container transfer direction from the front central guide 147 at a distance (150 mm) that is slightly larger than the short-side dimension (140 mm) of the refrigerant 11. This makes it possible to store the refrigerant 11 on the front first side guide 143 side of the front central guide 147 and on the front second side guide 144 side of the front central guide 147.

[0100] In the front magazine unit 137, a front first storage space 133 capable of accommodating nine ice storage agents 11 is defined by the common front guide 141, the common back guide 142, the front first lateral guide 143, and the front central guide 147, and a front second storage space 134 capable of accommodating nine ice storage agents 11 is defined by the common front guide 141, the common back guide 142, the front central guide 147, and the front second lateral guide 144. In this manner, the front first storage space 133 is provided on the front first lateral guide 143 side (container conveying direction side) across the front central guide 147, and the front second storage space 134 is provided on the front second lateral guide 144 side (opposite to the container conveying direction), so that the front magazine unit 137 can accommodate 18 ice storage agents 11.

[0101] The rear magazine unit 138 has a configuration similar to that of the front magazine unit 137. Specifically, the rear magazine unit 138 includes a rear first side guide 145, a rear second side guide 146, and a rear central guide 148, which are parallel plates perpendicular to the common front guide 141 and the common back guide 142. The rear first side guide 145, the rear second side guide 146, and the rear central guide 148 are substantially rectangular. The rear first side guide 145 is an outer wall of the rear magazine unit 138 on the container conveying direction side (upper side in FIG. 1, left side in FIG. 10). In the magazine 73, the front magazine unit 137 is located closer to the container conveying direction than the rear first side guide 145. The rear second lateral guide 146 is an outer wall of the rear magazine unit 138 on the opposite side to the container transfer direction (the lower side in FIG. 1, the right side in FIG. 10), and is also an outer wall of the magazine 73 on the opposite side to the container transfer direction. The rear central guide 148 is disposed at an intermediate position between the rear first lateral guide 145 and the rear second lateral guide 146. In this way, the rear magazine unit 138 has a pair of rear first lateral guide 145 and rear second lateral guide 146, with the rear central guide 148 sandwiched between them. The rear first lateral guide 145 and rear second lateral guide 146 each have a thickness of 6 mm, and the rear central guide 148 has a thickness of 36 mm.

[0102] As with the front magazine unit 137, in the rear magazine unit 138, the rear first side guide 145 is disposed on the container transfer direction side from the rear central guide 148 at a distance (specifically, 150 mm) that is slightly larger than the dimension (140 mm) of the refrigerant 11 in the short direction, and the rear second side guide 146 is disposed on the opposite side of the container transfer direction from the rear central guide 148 at a distance (150 mm) that is slightly larger than the dimension (140 mm) of the refrigerant 11 in the short direction. This makes it possible to store the refrigerant 11 on the rear first side guide 145 side of the rear central guide 148 and on the rear second side guide 146 side of the rear central guide 148.

[0103] In the rear magazine unit 138, a rear first storage space 135 capable of accommodating nine ice storage agents 11 is defined by the common front guide 141, the common back guide 142, the rear first lateral guide 145, and the rear central guide 148, and a rear second storage space 136 capable of accommodating nine ice storage agents 11 is defined by the common front guide 141, the common back guide 142, the rear central guide 148, and the rear second lateral guide 146. In this manner, the rear first storage space 135 is provided on the rear first lateral guide 145 side (container conveying direction side) across the rear central guide 148, and the rear second storage space 136 is provided on the rear second lateral guide 146 side (opposite to the container conveying direction), so that the rear magazine unit 138 can accommodate 18 ice storage agents 11.

[0104] The dimension of the leading first side guide 143, the leading second side guide 144, the rear first side guide 145, and the rear second side guide 146 in the direction from the magazine entrance 73a toward the magazine exit 73b is 340 mm. The dimension of the leading central guide 147 and the rear central guide 148 in the direction from the magazine entrance 73a toward the magazine exit 73b is 500 mm. As shown in FIG. 11, the central guides 147 and 148 protrude more toward the magazine exit 73b than the side guides 143 to 146.

[0105] The front second side guide 144 is disposed 42 mm away from the rear first side guide 145 in the container conveying direction. The 42 mm distance is shorter than the dimension (140 mm) of the refrigerant 11 in the short direction. The refrigerant 11 is not accommodated between the front second side guide 144 and the rear first side guide 145.

[0106] The front magazine unit 137, in the refrigerant storage position, is provided with a first front partition plate 151 to an eighth front partition plate 158 that divide the front first storage space 133 into nine sections in the vertical direction (specifically, in the direction from the common front guide 141 to the common rear guide 142). The first to eighth front partition plates 151 to 158 are parallel to the common front guide 141 and the common rear guide 142. The first to eighth front partition plates 151 to 158 each have a thickness of 2 mm. Nine refrigerant materials 11 are stored in the front first storage space 133 in a substantially horizontal position. The first front partition plate 151 is disposed 28 mm apart from the common front guide 141 toward the common rear guide 142. The 28 mm spacing is slightly larger than the thickness (25 mm) of the refrigerant material 11 described above. The (n+1)th leading partition plate (n is any of "1" to "7") is disposed 28 mm apart from the nth leading partition plate on the common rear guide 142 side. The eighth leading partition plate 158 is disposed 28 mm apart from the common rear guide 142 on the common front guide 141 side. This allows the leading first storage space 133, defined by the common front guide 141, the common rear guide 142, the leading first lateral guide 143, and the leading central guide 147, to store the ice storage material 11 in one row and nine stages. Each stage of the leading first storage space 133 stores one ice storage material 11.

[0107] Similar to the front-side first storage space 133, the front-side second storage space 134, the rear-side first storage space 135, and the rear-side second storage space 136 are vertically partitioned into nine stages. Nine ice storage agents 11 are stored in each of the front-side second storage space 134, the rear-side first storage space 135, and the rear-side second storage space 136 in a substantially horizontal position. The front-side magazine unit 137 includes an eleventh front-side partition plate 161 to an eighteenth front-side partition plate 168 that vertically partition the front-side second storage space 134 into nine stages in the magazine 73 in the ice storage agent storage position. Furthermore, the rear magazine unit 138 includes, when the magazine 73 is in the refrigerant storage orientation, a first rear partition plate 171 to an eighth rear partition plate 178 that divide the first rear storage space 135 into nine vertical sections, and an eleventh rear partition plate 181 to an eighteenth rear partition plate 188 that divide the second rear storage space 136 into nine vertical sections. The eleventh to eighteenth leading partition plates 161 to 168, the first to eighth rear partition plates 171 to 178, and the eleventh to eighteenth rear partition plates 181 to 188 are parallel to the common front guide 141 and the common rear guide 142. The plate thicknesses of the eleventh to eighteenth leading partition plates 161 to 168, the first to eighth rear partition plates 171 to 178, and the eleventh to eighteenth rear partition plates 181 to 188 are 2 mm. The eleventh leading partition plate 161, the first rear partition plate 171, and the eleventh rear partition plate 181 are arranged 28 mm apart from the common front guide 141 toward the common rear guide 142. The (q+1)th leading partition plate (q is any one of "11" to "17") is arranged 28 mm apart from the qth partition plate toward the common rear guide 142, and the (r+1)th rear partition plate (r is any one of "1" to "7" or "11" to "17") is arranged 28 mm apart from the rth partition plate toward the common rear guide 142. The eighteenth leading partition plate 168, the eighth rear partition plate 178, and the eighteenth rear partition plate 188 are arranged 28 mm apart from the common rear guide 142 toward the common front guide 141. This allows the ice storage agent 11 to be stored in one row and nine stages in each of the front-side second storage space 134, the rear-side first storage space 135, and the rear-side second storage space 136. One ice storage agent 11 is stored in each stage of the front-side second storage space 134, the rear-side first storage space 135, and the rear-side second storage space 136.In this manner, the magazine 73 in the refrigerant storage orientation stores 36 refrigerant materials 11 in four rows and nine stages.

[0108] In the magazine 73 in the refrigerant storing position, the storing positions of the refrigerant 11 in the p-th row (p is any of "1" to "8") are at the same height in the front first storing space 133, the front second storing space 134, the rear first storing space 135, and the rear second storing space 136. To illustrate the case where p is "1," in the magazine 73 in the refrigerant storing position, the storing positions of the refrigerant 11 in the first row of the front first storing space 133, the first row of the front second storing space 134, the first row of the rear first storing space 135, and the first row of the rear second storing space 136 are at the same height. In this way, in the magazine 73 in the refrigerant storage position, the storage positions of the refrigerant 11 in each tier are configured to be at the same height in each storage space 133 to 136, thereby preventing the operation of setting one tier (four pieces) of refrigerant 11 from the refrigerant transport device 71 into the magazine 73 from becoming complicated.

[0109] As already explained, when the refrigerant 11 is set in the magazine 73 from the refrigerant transport device 71, the magazine 73 is in the refrigerant storing position. As shown in FIG. 1, in this state, the front-side first storage space 133 is located at a predetermined distance from the first conveyor 81 of the refrigerant transport device 71 in the refrigerant transport direction (to the right in FIG. 1). The nine refrigerant materials 11 stored in the front-side first storage space 133 are stored in the eleventh to nineteenth storage areas 63a to 63i (FIG. 3) of the container 12 stopped at the front storage execution position of the container transport device 72. In addition, in this state, the front-side second storage space 134 is located at a predetermined distance from the second conveyor 82 in the refrigerant transport direction (to the right in FIG. 1). The nine ice storage agents 11 stored in the front second storage space 134 are stored in the first to ninth storage areas 62a to 62i (FIG. 3) of the container 12 stopped at the front storage execution position. Furthermore, in this state, the rear first storage space 135 is located at a predetermined distance in the ice storage agent transport direction from the third conveyor 83. The nine ice storage agents 11 stored in the rear first storage space 135 are stored in the eleventh to nineteenth storage areas 63a to 63i of the container 12 stopped at the second storage execution position of the container transport device 72. Furthermore, in this state, the rear second storage space 136 is located at a predetermined distance in the ice storage agent transport direction from the fourth conveyor 84. The nine ice storage agents 11 stored in the rear second storage space 136 are stored in the first to ninth storage areas 62a to 62i of the container 12 stopped at the second storage execution position.

[0110] Next, a description will be given of a configuration that allows switching between a state in which the ice storage material 11 contained in the magazine 73 is supported and a state in which the ice storage material 11 falls without being supported when the magazine 73 is in the ice storage material dropping position. As shown in Fig. 11, the magazine 73 includes a metal front-side rotating member 191, a middle rotating member 192, and a rear-side rotating member 193. The front-side rotating member 191 includes a front-side first stopper portion 194 that can restrict movement of the ice storage material 11 contained between the front-side first lateral guide 143 and the front-side central guide 147 in the front-side magazine unit 137 toward the magazine outlet 73b. The intermediate rotating member 192 also includes a front second stopper portion 195 that can restrict the movement of the refrigerant 11 accommodated between the front central guide 147 and the front second lateral guide 144 in the front magazine unit 137 toward the magazine outlet 73b, and a rear first stopper portion 196 that can restrict the movement of the refrigerant 11 accommodated between the rear first lateral guide 145 and the rear central guide 148 in the rear magazine unit 138 toward the magazine outlet 73b. The rear rotating member 193 also includes a rear second stopper portion 197 that can restrict the movement of the refrigerant 11 accommodated between the rear central guide 148 and the rear second lateral guide 146 in the rear magazine unit 138 toward the magazine outlet 73b. The magazine 73 is provided with a front rotating shaft 201 for rotatably fixing the front rotating member 191, an intermediate rotating shaft 202 for rotatably fixing the intermediate rotating member 192, and a rear rotating shaft 203 for rotatably fixing the rear rotating member 193. These rotating shafts 201 to 203 are made of metal.

[0111] As already explained, in the front magazine unit 137, the front first side guide 143 is an outer wall on the container conveying direction side (the left side in FIG. 10, the right side in FIG. 11), and the front second side guide 144 is an outer wall on the opposite side to the container conveying direction. Also, as already explained, in the rear magazine unit 138, the rear first side guide 145 is an outer wall of the rear magazine unit 138, and the rear second side guide 146 is an outer wall on the opposite side to the container conveying direction. The front rotating shaft 201 is disposed outside the front first side guide 143 (the opposite side from the front first accommodating space 133). Moreover, the intermediate rotating shaft 202 is disposed between the front second side guide 144 and the rear first side guide 145. Furthermore, the rear rotating shaft 203 is disposed outside the rear second side guide 146 (the opposite side from the rear second accommodating space 136). The front rotating shaft 201, the middle rotating shaft 202 and the rear rotating shaft 203 are positioned 80 mm away from the end of the common front guide 141 and the common back guide 142 on the magazine exit 73b side toward the magazine entrance 73a.

[0112] As already explained, in the magazine 73 in the refrigerant storage attitude, the common front guide 141 is the upper outer wall of the front magazine unit 137 and the rear magazine unit 138, and the common back guide 142 is the lower outer wall of the front magazine unit 137 and the rear magazine unit 138. The rotating shafts 201-203 extend from the vicinity of the common front guide 141 to the vicinity of the common back guide 142. The end of the front rotating shaft 201 on the common front guide 141 side is fixed to a front front fixing plate 204, and the front front fixing plate 204 is fixed to the outside of the common front guide 141 (the opposite side from the storage spaces 133-136). In addition, the end of the front rotating shaft 201 on the common back guide 142 side is fixed to a front back fixing plate 205 (FIG. 10), and the front back fixing plate 205 is fixed to the outside of the common back guide 142 (the opposite side from the storage spaces 133-136). Furthermore, the end of the intermediate rotating shaft 202 on the common front guide 141 side is fixed to an intermediate front side fixing plate 206, and the intermediate front side fixing plate 206 is fixed to the outside of the common front guide 141 (the opposite side from the storage spaces 133 to 136). Furthermore, the end of the intermediate rotating shaft 202 on the common back guide 142 side is fixed to an intermediate back side fixing plate 207 (FIG. 10), and the intermediate back side fixing plate 207 is fixed to the outside of the common back guide 142 (the opposite side from the storage spaces 133 to 136). Furthermore, the end of the rear rotating shaft 203 on the common front guide 141 side is fixed to a rear front side fixing plate 208, and the rear front side fixing plate 208 is fixed to the outside of the common front guide 141 (the opposite side from the storage spaces 133 to 136). In addition, the end of the rear pivot shaft 203 on the common back guide 142 side is fixed to a rear back fixing plate 209 (Figure 10), and the rear back fixing plate 209 is fixed to the outside of the common back guide 142 (the side opposite the storage spaces 133-136).

[0113] 10, the magazine 73 is provided with a pair of first leading front-side cylinder 211 and first leading back-side cylinder 212 that open and close the leading first stopper portion 194 (FIG. 11), a pair of second leading front-side cylinder 213 and second leading back-side cylinder 214 that open and close the leading second stopper portion 195 (FIG. 11), a pair of first rear front-side cylinder 215 and first rear back-side cylinder 216 that open and close the rear first stopper portion 196 (FIG. 11), and a pair of second rear front-side cylinder 217 and second rear back-side cylinder 218 that open and close the rear second stopper portion 197 (FIG. 11). The cylinders 211 to 218 are electric cylinders. The front cylinders 211, 213, 215, and 217 are fixed to the outside of the common front guide 141 (the opposite side to the accommodation spaces 133 to 136), and the back cylinders 212, 214, 216, and 218 are fixed to the outside of the common back guide 142 (the opposite side to the accommodation spaces 133 to 136).

[0114] FIG. 12(a) is a side view of the magazine 73 in the refrigerant storage position, as viewed from the front-side first lateral guide 143 side. As shown in FIG. 11, the front-side rotating member 191 has a substantially cylindrical front-side stopper fixing portion 221 located closer to the magazine entrance 73a than the front-side first stopper portion 194. The front-side stopper fixing portion 221 is a fixing portion for fixing the front-side rotating member 191 to the front-side rotating shaft 201. As shown in FIG. 12(a), the front-side stopper fixing portion 221 extends from outside the common front guide 141 (the opposite side from the storage spaces 133 to 136) to outside the common back guide 142 (the opposite side from the storage spaces 133 to 136). As shown in FIG. 11, the front-side rotating member 191 is fixed to the front-side rotating shaft 201 with the front-side stopper fixing portion 221 inserted therethrough. This allows the front-side rotating member 191 to rotate around the front-side rotating shaft 201 .

[0115] As shown in FIG. 12(a), the leading-side first stopper portion 194 includes a plate-shaped leading-side first stopper body portion 194a extending from the leading-side stopper fixing portion 221 toward the magazine outlet 73b. A leading-side first protrusion 194b (FIG. 11) protruding toward the leading-side central guide 147 (FIG. 11) is integrally formed on the pivoting tip of the leading-side first stopper body portion 194a. The leading-side first protrusion 194b extends from a position between the common front guide 141 and the first leading-side partition plate 151 (FIG. 10) to a position between the common back guide 142 and the eighth leading-side partition plate 158 (FIG. 10). The leading-side first lateral guide 143 is formed with a leading-side first through-hole 143a through which the leading-side first protrusion 194b can be inserted, and the leading-side first protrusion 194b is inserted into the leading-side first through-hole 143a.

[0116] 10, the first leading front-side cylinder 211 includes a first leading front-side rod 211a, and the first leading back-side cylinder 212 includes a first leading back-side rod 212a. As shown in FIG. 11, the end of the first leading front-side cylinder 211 opposite the first leading front-side rod 211a is rotatably fixed to a first leading front-side rotating shaft 231, and the first leading front-side rotating shaft 231 is fixed to the outside of the common front guide 141 in a manner such that its axis is perpendicular to the outer plate surface of the common front guide 141 (the plate surface on the opposite side from the leading side first accommodating space 133). In addition, the tip of the first leading front-side rod 211a is fixed to a plate-shaped first leading front-side connecting piece 232, and the first leading front-side connecting piece 232 is fixed to the end of the leading side first stopper main body portion 194a on the common front guide 141 side. In this way, the tip end of the first leading front-side rod 211a is fixed to the leading-side first stopper main body portion 194a via the first leading front-side connecting piece 232. The first leading front-side cylinder 211 and the first leading front-side rod 211a are inclined toward the magazine outlet 73b toward the leading-side first lateral guide 143. Like the first leading front-side cylinder 211, the end of the first leading back-side cylinder 212 opposite the first leading back-side rod 212a is rotatably fixed to a first leading back-side rotating shaft (not shown), and the first leading back-side rotating shaft is fixed to the outside of the common back guide 142 in a manner such that its axis is perpendicular to the outer plate surface of the common back guide 142 (the plate surface on the side opposite to the leading-side first accommodating space 133). Furthermore, the tip of the first leading back-side rod 212a is fixed to a plate-shaped first leading back-side connecting piece 233, and the first leading back-side connecting piece 233 is fixed to the end of the leading-side first stopper main body 194a on the common back guide 142 side. In this way, the tip of the first leading back-side rod 212a is fixed to the leading-side first stopper main body 194a via the first leading back-side connecting piece 233. The first leading back-side cylinder 212 and the first leading back-side rod 212a are inclined toward the magazine outlet 73b toward the leading-side first lateral guide 143.The first leading front side rod 211a and the first leading back side rod 212a move the leading first stopper body portion 194a from the closed position to the open position by pushing the leading first stopper body portion 194a toward the outside of the leading magazine unit 137 (the opposite side from the leading first storage space 133), and move the leading first stopper portion 194 from the open position to the closed position by pulling the leading first stopper body portion 194a toward the inside of the leading magazine unit 137 (towards the leading first storage space 133).

[0117] 11, when the first front front-side cylinder 211 and the first front back-side cylinder 212 (FIG. 10) are in a non-driven state, the front-side rotating member 191 is disposed in the closed position. When the front-side first stopper portion 194 is in the closed position, the front-side first protrusion 194b inserted through the front-side first through-hole 143a protrudes toward the front-side central guide 147 beyond the front-side first lateral guide 143. As a result, in the magazine 73 in the refrigerant dropping position, the corners of the lower edges 11c of the nine refrigerant materials 11 housed in the front-side first housing space 133 on the front-side first lateral guide 143 side are in contact with and supported by the front-side first protrusion 194b, i.e., the movement of the refrigerant materials 11 toward the magazine outlet 73b is restricted.

[0118] When the first front front-side cylinder 211 and the first front back-side cylinder 212 are switched to the driving state, the front-side rotating member 191 rotates around the front-side rotating shaft 201 to the open position in the opposite direction to the front-side first lateral guide 143 (see FIG. 15). When the front-side first stopper portion 194 is in the open position, the front-side first protrusion 194b inserted through the front-side first through-hole 143a does not protrude further toward the front-side central guide 147 than the front-side first lateral guide 143. As a result, in the magazine 73 in the ice storage agent dropping position, the corners of the lower edges 11c of the nine ice storage agents 11 stored in the front-side first storage space 133 on the front-side first lateral guide 143 side do not come into contact with the front-side first protrusion 194b, i.e., the ice storage agents 11 can be dropped from the magazine outlet 73b side. Furthermore, when the first leading front-side cylinder 211 and the first leading back-side cylinder 212 are switched to a non-driven state, the leading-side turning member 191 returns to a state in which it is disposed at the closed position.

[0119] As shown in FIG. 12(a), the leading-side first lateral guide 143 has a leading-side first drop guide portion 143b on the magazine outlet 73b side of the leading-side first through-hole 143a, which guides the side edge portion 11e (FIG. 11) of the refrigerant 11 falling from the leading-side first accommodating space 133 when the magazine 73 is in the refrigerant dropping position, the leading-side first drop guide portion 143b. The leading-side first drop guide portion 143b has a length dimension of 80 mm in the guide direction (downward in FIG. 11, leftward in FIG. 12(a)). The leading-side central guide 147 also has a leading-side central drop guide portion 147b. The leading-side central drop guide portion 147b guides the side edge portion 11d (FIG. 11) of the refrigerant 11 falling from the leading-side first accommodating space 133, the side edge portion 11d being on the leading-side central guide 147 side. The length of the front-side central drop guide portion 147b in the guide direction (downward in FIG. 11, leftward in FIG. 12(a)) is 250 mm. The length of the front-side central drop guide portion 147b in the guide direction is greater than the length (220 mm) of the refrigerant 11 in the longitudinal direction. This reduces the possibility that the falling position of the refrigerant 11 will deviate toward the front-side central guide 147 when the refrigerant 11 is dropped from the front-side first housing space 133 into a container that does not have a partition wall on the front-side central guide 147 side of the refrigerant 11 or a container in which the protruding dimension of the partition wall on the front-side central guide 147 side of the refrigerant 11 is reduced.

[0120] 12(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. 10, and FIG. 12(c) is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD in FIG. 10. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12(b), the common front guide 141 is provided with a common front-side recess 141a between the leading magazine unit 137 and the rear magazine unit 138, which allows the intermediate rotation member 192 and the intermediate rotation shaft 202 to enter from the magazine outlet 73b side. As shown in FIG. 11, the common front-side recess 141a is formed such that the end of the common front guide 141 on the magazine outlet 73b side is recessed toward the magazine inlet 73a side. Similar to the common front guide 141, the common rear guide 142 is provided with a common rear-side recess 142a (FIGS. 12(b) and 12(c)) between the leading magazine unit 137 and the rear magazine unit 138, which allows the intermediate rotation member 192 and the intermediate rotation shaft 202 to enter from the magazine outlet 73b side. The common back-side recess 142a is formed in such a manner that the end of the common back guide 142 on the magazine outlet 73b side is recessed toward the magazine inlet 73a. By providing the common front-side recess 141a and the common back-side recess 142a in this manner, the intermediate rotation shaft 202 can be positioned closer to the magazine inlet 73a than the ends of the common front guide 141 and the common back guide 142 on the magazine outlet 73b side.

[0121] As shown in Fig. 11, semi-cylindrical intermediate stopper fixing portions 222 are integrally formed on the magazine inlet 73a sides of the leading second stopper portion 195 and the rear first stopper portion 196 of the intermediate rotating member 192. In this manner, the magazine inlet 73a side of the leading second stopper portion 195 and the magazine inlet 73a side of the rear first stopper portion 196 are connected by the intermediate stopper fixing portions 222. As shown in Fig. 10, the intermediate stopper fixing portions 222 are fixing portions for fixing the intermediate rotating member 192 to the intermediate rotating shaft 202. The intermediate stopper fixing portions 222 extend from outside the common front guide 141 (the opposite side from the common back guide 142) to outside the common back guide 142 (the opposite side from the common front guide 141). 11 , the intermediate rotation member 192 is fixed to the intermediate rotation shaft 202 with the intermediate rotation shaft 202 inserted through the intermediate stopper fixing portion 222. This allows the intermediate rotation member 192, which has a leading second stopper portion 195 and a rear first stopper portion 196, to rotate around the intermediate rotation shaft 202. The leading second stopper portion 195 faces the rear first stopper portion 196 across the intermediate rotation shaft 202. The leading second stopper portion 195 is arranged closer to the leading second lateral guide 144 than the intermediate rotation shaft 202, and the rear first stopper portion 196 is arranged closer to the rear first lateral guide 145 than the intermediate rotation shaft 202.

[0122] As shown in FIG. 12(b), the leading-side second stopper portion 195 includes a plate-shaped leading-side second stopper body portion 195a extending from the intermediate stopper fixing portion 222 toward the magazine outlet 73b. A leading-side second protrusion 195b (FIG. 11) protruding toward the leading-side central guide 147 is integrally formed at the end of the leading-side second stopper body portion 195a on the rotational tip side. The leading-side second protrusion 195b extends from a position between the common front guide 141 and the eleventh leading-side partition plate 161 (FIG. 10) to a position between the common back guide 142 and the eighteenth leading-side partition plate 168 (FIG. 10). A leading-side second through-hole 144a is formed in the leading-side second lateral guide 144, through which the leading-side second protrusion 195b can be inserted. The leading-side second protrusion 195b is inserted into the leading-side second through-hole 144a.

[0123] As shown in Fig. 10, the second leading front-side cylinder 213 has a second leading front-side rod 213a, and the second leading back-side cylinder 214 has a second leading back-side rod 214a. As shown in Fig. 11, the end of the second leading front-side cylinder 213 opposite the second leading front-side rod 213a is rotatably fixed to a second leading front-side rotating shaft 234, and the second leading front-side rotating shaft 234 is fixed to the outside of the common front guide 141 in a manner such that its axis is perpendicular to the outer plate surface of the common front guide 141 (the plate surface on the opposite side from the leading side second accommodation space 134). In addition, the tip of the second leading front-side rod 213a is fixed to a plate-shaped second leading front-side connecting piece 235, and the second leading front-side connecting piece 235 is fixed to the end of the leading side second stopper main body portion 195a on the common front guide 141 side. In this way, the tip end of the second leading front-side rod 213a is fixed to the leading-side second stopper main body portion 195a via the second leading front-side connecting piece 235. The second leading front-side cylinder 213 and the second leading front-side rod 213a are inclined toward the magazine outlet 73b toward the leading-side second lateral guide 144. Like the second leading front-side cylinder 213, the end of the second leading back-side cylinder 214 opposite the second leading back-side rod 214a is rotatably fixed to a second leading back-side pivot shaft (not shown), and the second leading back-side pivot shaft is fixed to the outside of the common back guide 142 in a manner such that its axis is perpendicular to the outer plate surface of the common back guide 142 (the plate surface on the side opposite to the leading-side second accommodation space 134). Furthermore, the tip of the second leading back-side rod 214a is fixed to a plate-shaped second leading back-side connecting piece 236, and the second leading back-side connecting piece 236 is fixed to the end of the leading-side second stopper body portion 195a on the common back guide 142 side. In this way, the tip of the second leading back-side rod 214a is fixed to the leading-side second stopper body portion 195a via the second leading back-side connecting piece 236. The second leading back-side cylinder 214 and the second leading back-side rod 214a are inclined toward the magazine outlet 73b, facing the leading-side second lateral guide 144.The second leading front side rod 213a and the second leading back side rod 214a move the leading side second stopper body portion 195a from the closed position to the open position by pushing the leading side second stopper body portion 195a toward the outside of the leading side magazine unit 137 (the opposite side from the leading side second storage space 134), and move the leading side second stopper portion 195 from the open position to the closed position by pulling the leading side second stopper body portion 195a toward the inside of the leading side magazine unit 137 (towards the leading side second storage space 134).

[0124] 11, when the second leading front-side cylinder 213 and the second leading back-side cylinder 214 (FIG. 10) are in a non-driven state, the leading-side second stopper portion 195 is disposed in the closed position. When the leading-side second stopper portion 195 is in the closed position, the leading-side second protrusion 195b inserted through the leading-side second through-hole 144a protrudes toward the leading-side central guide 147 beyond the leading-side second lateral guide 144. As a result, in the magazine 73 in the refrigerant dropping position, the corners of the lower edges 11c of the nine refrigerant materials 11 housed in the leading-side second housing space 134 on the leading-side second lateral guide 144 side are in contact with and supported by the leading-side second protrusion 195b, i.e., the movement of the refrigerant materials 11 toward the magazine outlet 73b is restricted.

[0125] When the second leading front-side cylinder 213 and the second leading back-side cylinder 214 are switched to the driving state, the leading-side second stopper portion 195 rotates around the intermediate pivot shaft 202 to the open position in the opposite direction to the leading-side central guide 147 (see FIG. 15 ). When the leading-side second stopper portion 195 is in the open position, the leading-side second protrusion 195b inserted through the leading-side second through-hole 144a does not protrude further toward the leading-side central guide 147 than the leading-side second lateral guide 144. This causes the corners of the lower edges 11c of the nine ice storage agents 11 stored in the leading-side second storage space 134 of the magazine 73 in the ice storage agent dropping position, on the leading-side second lateral guide 144 side, to not come into contact with the leading-side second protrusion 195b, i.e., the ice storage agents 11 can be dropped from the magazine outlet 73b side. Furthermore, when the second leading front-side cylinder 213 and the second leading back-side cylinder 214 are switched to a non-driven state, the leading-side second stopper portion 195 returns to a state in which it is disposed at the closed position.

[0126] As shown in FIG. 12(b), the leading-side second lateral guide 144 has a leading-side second drop guide portion 144b on the magazine outlet 73b side of the leading-side second through-hole 144a, which guides a side edge portion 11d (FIG. 11) of the refrigerant 11 dropping from the leading-side second accommodating space 134 when the magazine 73 is in the refrigerant dropping position, the leading-side second drop guide portion 144b. The leading-side second drop guide portion 144b has a length of 80 mm in the guide direction (downward in FIG. 11, rightward in FIG. 12(b)). As already described, the leading-side central guide 147 has a leading-side central drop guide portion 147b. The leading-side central drop guide portion 147b guides a side edge portion 11e (FIG. 11) of the refrigerant 11 dropping from the leading-side second accommodating space 134, the side edge portion 11e (FIG. 11) of the refrigerant 11 dropping from the leading-side second accommodating space 134. As already explained, the length dimension (250 mm) in the guide direction of the front-side central drop guide portion 147b is greater than the length dimension (220 mm) in the longitudinal direction of the ice storage agent 11. This reduces the possibility that the falling position of the ice storage agent 11 will deviate toward the front-side central guide 147 when the ice storage agent 11 is dropped from the front-side second housing space 134 into a container that does not have a partition wall on the front-side central guide 147 side of the ice storage agent 11, or into a container in which the protruding dimension of the partition wall on the front-side central guide 147 side of the ice storage agent 11 is reduced.

[0127] The rear first stopper portion 196 has a configuration similar to that of the above-described leading second stopper portion 195. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 12(c), the rear first stopper portion 196 includes a plate-shaped rear first stopper main body portion 196a extending from the intermediate stopper fixing portion 222 toward the magazine outlet 73b. A rear first protrusion 196b (FIG. 11) protruding toward the rear central guide 148 is integrally formed with the end portion of the rear first stopper main body portion 196a on the rotation tip side. The rear first protrusion 196b extends from a position between the common front guide 141 and the first rear partition plate 171 (FIG. 10) to a position between the common back guide 142 and the eighth rear partition plate 178 (FIG. 10). Further, the rear first lateral guide 145 is formed with a rear first through hole 145a through which the rear first protrusion 196b can be inserted, and the rear first protrusion 196b is inserted into the rear first through hole 145a.

[0128] 10, the first rear front-side cylinder 215 includes a first rear front-side rod 215a, and the first rear back-side cylinder 216 includes a first rear back-side rod 216a. The fixing manner of the first rear front-side cylinder 215 and the first rear back-side cylinder 216 in the rear magazine unit 138 is similar to the fixing manner of the first front front-side cylinder 211 and the first front back-side cylinder 212 in the front magazine unit 137. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11, the end of the first rear front-side cylinder 215 opposite the first rear front-side rod 215a is rotatably fixed to a first rear front-side pivot shaft 237. In addition, the tip end of the first rear front-side rod 215a is fixed to the rear first stopper main body portion 196a via a first rear front-side connecting piece 238. The end of the first rear back-side cylinder 216 opposite the first rear back-side rod 216a is rotatably fixed to a first rear back-side pivot shaft (not shown). The tip of the first rear back-side rod 216a is fixed to the rear first stopper body portion 196a via a first rear back-side connecting piece 239. The first rear front-side rod 215a and the first rear back-side rod 216a move the rear first stopper portion 196 from the closed position to the open position by pushing the rear first stopper body portion 196a toward the outside of the rear magazine unit 138 (the side opposite to the rear first accommodating space 135), and move the rear first stopper portion 196 from the open position to the closed position by pulling the rear first stopper body portion 196a toward the inside of the rear magazine unit 138 (toward the rear first accommodating space 135).

[0129] 11, when the first rear front-side cylinder 215 and the first rear back-side cylinder 216 (FIG. 10) are in a non-driven state, the rear first stopper portion 196 is disposed in the closed position. When the rear first stopper portion 196 is in the closed position, the rear first protrusion 196b inserted through the rear first through-hole 145a protrudes toward the rear central guide 148 beyond the rear first lateral guide 145. As a result, in the magazine 73 in the refrigerant dropping position, the corners of the lower edges 11c of the nine refrigerant materials 11 housed in the rear first housing space 135 on the rear first lateral guide 145 side are in contact with and supported by the rear first protrusion 196b, i.e., the movement of the refrigerant materials 11 toward the magazine outlet 73b is restricted.

[0130] When the first rear front-side cylinder 215 and the first rear back-side cylinder 216 are switched to the driving state, the rear first stopper portion 196 rotates around the intermediate pivot shaft 202 to the open position in the opposite direction to the rear central guide 148 (see FIG. 15 ). When the rear first stopper portion 196 is in the open position, the rear first protrusion 196b inserted through the rear first through-hole 145a does not protrude further toward the rear central guide 148 than the rear first lateral guide 145. This causes the corners of the lower edges 11c of the nine ice storage agents 11 housed in the rear first housing space 135 of the magazine 73 in the ice storage agent dropping position, on the rear first lateral guide 145 side, to not come into contact with the rear first protrusion 196b, i.e., the ice storage agents 11 can be dropped from the magazine outlet 73b side. Furthermore, when the first rear front-side cylinder 215 and the first rear back-side cylinder 216 are switched to a non-driven state, the rear first stopper portion 196 returns to a state in which it is disposed in the closed position.

[0131] As described above, the leading-side second stopper portion 195 and the rear-side first stopper portion 196 are provided on a single member, the intermediate rotating member 192. In a configuration in which a rotating member having the rear-side first stopper portion 196 is provided as a separate member from the rotating member having the leading-side second stopper portion 195, and in which a rotating shaft for fixing the rotating member having the rear-side first stopper portion 196 is provided as a separate rotating shaft from the rotating shaft for fixing the rotating member having the leading-side second stopper portion 195, it becomes necessary to dispose two rotating shafts between the leading-side magazine unit 137 and the rear-side magazine unit 138 (specifically, between the leading-side second lateral guide 144 and the rear-side first lateral guide 145). In contrast, in this configuration, the intermediate rotating member 192 having the leading-side second stopper portion 195 and the rear-side first stopper portion 196 is rotatably fixed to the intermediate rotating shaft 202. This allows for a short distance between the front magazine unit 137 and the rear magazine unit 138. Therefore, when two containers 12 are stopped on the container conveying device 72 in a state where the containers 12 are in contact with each other, the magazine 73 in the refrigerant dropping position can be lowered until part of the magazine 73 enters the container 12.

[0132] As shown in FIG. 12(c), the rear first lateral guide 145 has a rear first drop guide portion 145b on the magazine outlet 73b side of the rear first through-hole 145a. When the magazine 73 is in the refrigerant dropping position, the rear first drop guide portion 145b guides the side edge portion 11e (FIG. 11) of the refrigerant 11 dropping from the rear first accommodating space 135, which is located on the rear first lateral guide 145 side. The length of the rear first drop guide portion 145b in the guide direction (downward in FIG. 11, leftward in FIG. 12(c)) is 80 mm. The rear central guide 148 also has a rear central drop guide portion 148b. The rear central drop guide portion 148b guides the side edge portion 11d (FIG. 11) of the refrigerant 11 dropping from the rear first accommodating space 135, which is located on the rear central guide 148 side. The length of the rear central fall guide portion 148b in the guide direction (downward in FIG. 11, leftward in FIG. 12(c)) is 250 mm. The length of the rear central fall guide portion 148b in the guide direction is greater than the length (220 mm) of the ice storage agent 11 in the longitudinal direction. This reduces the possibility that the falling position of the ice storage agent 11 will deviate toward the rear central guide 148 when the ice storage agent 11 is dropped from the first rear housing space 135 into a container that does not have a partition wall on the rear central guide 148 side of the ice storage agent 11, or into a container in which the protruding dimension of the partition wall on the rear central guide 148 side of the ice storage agent 11 is reduced.

[0133] FIG. 12(d) is a side view of the magazine 73 in the ice storage agent storing position, as viewed from the rear second lateral guide 146 side. The configuration of the rear second stopper portion 197 is similar to the configuration of the front first stopper portion 194 described above. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11, the rear rotating member 193 has a substantially cylindrical rear stopper fixing portion 223 located closer to the magazine entrance 73a than the rear second stopper portion 197. The rear stopper fixing portion 223 is a fixing portion for fixing the rear rotating member 193 to the rear rotating shaft 203. As shown in FIG. 12(d), the rear stopper fixing portion 223 extends from outside the common front guide 141 to outside the common back guide 142. As shown in FIG. 11, the rear rotating member 193 is fixed to the rear rotating shaft 203 with the rear rotating shaft 203 inserted through the rear stopper fixing portion 223. This allows the rear rotating member 193 to rotate around the rear rotating shaft 203 .

[0134] As shown in FIG. 12(d), the rear second stopper portion 197 includes a plate-shaped rear second stopper main body portion 197a extending from the rear stopper fixing portion 223 toward the magazine outlet 73b. A rear second protrusion 197b (FIG. 11) protruding toward the rear central guide 148 is integrally formed with the rotational tip of the rear second stopper main body portion 197a. The rear second protrusion 197b extends from a position between the common front guide 141 and the eleventh rear partition plate 181 (FIG. 10) to a position between the common back guide 142 and the eighteenth rear partition plate 188 (FIG. 10). The rear second lateral guide 146 is formed with a rear second through-hole 146a through which the rear second protrusion 197b can be inserted, and the rear second protrusion 197b is inserted into the rear second through-hole 146a.

[0135] 10, the second rear front-side cylinder 217 includes a second rear front-side rod 217a, and the second rear back-side cylinder 218 includes a second rear back-side rod 218a. The second rear front-side cylinder 217 and the second rear back-side cylinder 218 are fixed in the rear magazine unit 138 in the same manner as the second front front-side cylinder 213 and the second front back-side cylinder 214 in the front magazine unit 137. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11, the end of the second rear front-side cylinder 217 opposite the second rear front-side rod 217a is rotatably fixed to a second rear front-side pivot shaft 241. In addition, the tip end of the second rear front-side rod 217a is fixed to the rear second stopper main body 197a via a second rear front-side connecting piece 242. The end of the second rear back-side cylinder 218 opposite the second rear back-side rod 218a is rotatably fixed to a second rear back-side pivot shaft (not shown). The tip of the second rear back-side rod 218a is fixed to the rear second stopper main body 197a via a second rear back-side connecting piece 243. The second rear front-side rod 217a and the second rear back-side rod 218a move the rear second stopper main body 197a from the closed position to the open position by pushing the rear second stopper main body 197a toward the outside of the rear magazine unit 138 (the side opposite the rear second accommodating space 136), and move the rear second stopper main body 197a from the open position to the closed position by pulling the rear second stopper main body 197a toward the inside of the rear magazine unit 138 (toward the rear second accommodating space 136).

[0136] 11, when the second rear front-side cylinder 217 and the second rear back-side cylinder 218 (FIG. 10) are in a non-driven state, the rear second stopper portion 197 is disposed in the closed position. When the rear second stopper portion 197 is in the closed position, the rear second protrusion portion 197b inserted through the rear second through-hole 146a protrudes toward the rear central guide 148 beyond the rear second lateral guide 146. As a result, in the magazine 73 in the refrigerant dropping position, the corners of the lower edges 11c of the nine refrigerant materials 11 housed in the rear second housing space 136 on the rear second lateral guide 146 side are in contact with and supported by the rear second protrusion portion 197b, i.e., the movement of the refrigerant materials 11 toward the magazine outlet 73b is restricted.

[0137] When the second rear front-side cylinder 217 and the second rear back-side cylinder 218 are switched to the driving state, the rear second stopper portion 197 rotates around the rear pivot shaft 203 to the open position in the opposite direction to the rear central guide 148 (see FIG. 15 ). When the rear second stopper portion 197 is in the open position, the rear second protrusion 197b inserted through the rear second through-hole 146a does not protrude further toward the rear central guide 148 than the rear second lateral guide 146. This causes the corners of the lower edges 11c of the nine ice storage agents 11 housed in the rear second housing space 136 of the magazine 73 in the ice storage agent dropping position, on the rear second lateral guide 146 side, to not come into contact with the rear second protrusion 197b, i.e., the ice storage agents 11 can be dropped from the magazine outlet 73b. Furthermore, when the second rear front-side cylinder 217 and the second rear back-side cylinder 218 are switched to a non-driven state, the rear second stopper portion 197 returns to a state in which it is disposed in the closed position.

[0138] Thus, when the cylinders 211-218 of the magazine 73 are in a non-driven state, the front first stopper portion 194, the front second stopper portion 195, the rear first stopper portion 196, and the rear second stopper portion 197 are located in the closed position. Furthermore, when the cylinders 211-218 are driven, the stopper portions 194-197 move from the closed position to the open position. This allows the refrigerant 11 to move toward the magazine outlet 73b. Furthermore, when the cylinders 211-218 are switched from the driven state to the non-driven state, the stopper portions 194-197 return to the closed position. When the refrigerant 11 is being set from the refrigerant transport device 71 to the magazine 73, the stopper portions 194-197 are located in the closed position. This prevents the refrigerant 11 from moving toward the magazine outlet 73b beyond the protrusions 194b-197b.

[0139] As shown in FIG. 12(d), the rear second side guide 146 has a rear second drop guide portion 146b on the magazine outlet 73b side of the rear second through-hole 146a. This portion guides the side edge 11d (FIG. 11) of the refrigerant 11 falling from the rear second accommodating space 136 when the magazine 73 is in the refrigerant dropping position. The length of the rear second drop guide portion 146b in the guide direction (downward in FIG. 11, rightward in FIG. 12(d)) is 80 mm. As already described, the rear central guide 148 also has a rear central drop guide portion 148b. The rear central drop guide portion 148b guides the side edge 11e (FIG. 11) of the refrigerant 11 falling from the rear second accommodating space 136. As already explained, the length dimension (250 mm) in the guide direction of the rear central fall guide portion 148b is greater than the length dimension (220 mm) in the longitudinal direction of the ice storage agent 11. This reduces the possibility that the falling position of the ice storage agent 11 will deviate toward the rear central guide 148 when the ice storage agent 11 is dropped from the rear second housing space 136 into a container that does not have a partition wall on the rear central guide 148 side of the ice storage agent 11, or into a container in which the protruding dimension of the partition wall on the rear central guide 148 side of the ice storage agent 11 is reduced.

[0140] As already explained, the first to eighth leading side partition plates 151-158 are located on the leading side first lateral guide 143 side, and the eleventh to eighteenth leading side partition plates 161-168 are located on the leading side second lateral guide 144 side, with the leading side central guide 147 sandwiched between them. The pth leading side partition plate and the (p+10)th leading side partition plate (p is any of "1" to "8") form a pair. As shown in FIG. 11 , the first leading side partition plate 151 has a first leading side inclined portion 151a on the magazine outlet 73b side, which is inclined from the leading side first lateral guide 143 toward the leading side central guide 147 toward the magazine outlet 73b, and the eleventh leading side partition plate 161 has an eleventh leading side inclined portion 161a on the magazine outlet 73b side, which is inclined from the leading side second lateral guide 144 toward the leading side central guide 147 toward the magazine outlet 73b. The first leading side inclined portion 151a is inclined from the end of the leading side first lateral guide 143 on the magazine outlet 73b side to the vicinity of the end of the leading side central guide 147 on the magazine outlet 73b side, and the eleventh leading side inclined portion 161a is inclined from the end of the leading side second lateral guide 144 on the magazine outlet 73b side to the vicinity of the end of the leading side central guide 147 on the magazine outlet 73b side. As a result, the pair of first leading side inclined portion 151a and eleventh leading side inclined portion 161a have a shape that tapers toward the vicinity of the tip 147a on the magazine outlet 73b side of the leading side central guide 147.

[0141] The second to eighth leading-side partition plates 152 to 158 have the same shape as the first leading-side partition plate 151 described above, and the twelfth to eighteenth leading-side partition plates 162 to 168 have the same shape as the eleventh leading-side partition plate 161 described above. A pair of pth leading-side inclined portions and a (p+10)th leading-side inclined portion (p is any of "1" to "8") have shapes that taper toward the vicinity of the tip 147a on the magazine outlet 73b side of the leading-side central guide 147. This makes it possible for the leading-side magazine unit 137 of the magazine 73 in the ice storage agent dropping posture to enter the container 12 stopped at the leading storage execution position while avoiding contact with the first to eighth side partition portions 31 to 38 and the eleventh to eighteenth side partition portions 41 to 48 provided on the container 12.

[0142] The front-side central guide 147 protrudes 10 mm toward the magazine outlet 73b beyond the ends of the first to eighth front-side inclined portions 151a to 158a and the eleventh to eighteenth front-side inclined portions 161a to 168a on the magazine outlet 73b side. This makes it possible to bring the tip 147a of the front-side central guide 147 on the magazine outlet 73b side close to the central bulge 51 (FIG. 3) of the container 12 when the ice storage agent 11 is dropped from the magazine 73 into the container 12.

[0143] The shapes of the first to eighth rear partition plates 171 to 178 are the same as the shapes of the first to eighth leading partition plates 151 to 158 described above, the shapes of the eleventh to eighteenth rear partition plates 181 to 188 are the same as the shapes of the eleventh to eighteenth leading partition plates 161 to 168 described above, and the shape of the rear central guide 148 is the same as the shape of the leading central guide 147 described above. Specifically, as already described, the first to eighth rear partition plates 171 to 178 are located on the side of the rear first lateral guide 145, and the eleventh to eighteenth rear partition plates 181 to 188 are located on the side of the rear second lateral guide 146, with the rear central guide 148 sandwiched between them. As shown in FIG. 11 , the pth rear partition plate and the (p+10)th rear partition plate (p is any of "1" to "8") form a pair. 11 , the magazine outlet 73b side of the first rear partition plate 171 has a first rear inclined portion 171a that inclines toward the magazine outlet 73b from the rear first lateral guide 145 toward the rear central guide 148, and the magazine outlet 73b side of the eleventh rear partition plate 181 has an eleventh rear inclined portion 181a that inclines toward the magazine outlet 73b from the rear second lateral guide 146 toward the rear central guide 148. The first rear inclined portion 171a inclines from the end of the rear first lateral guide 145 on the magazine outlet 73b side to the vicinity of the end of the rear central guide 148 on the magazine outlet 73b side, and the eleventh rear inclined portion 181a inclines from the end of the rear second lateral guide 146 on the magazine outlet 73b side to the vicinity of the end of the rear central guide 148 on the magazine outlet 73b side. As a result, the pair of first rear inclined portion 171a and eleventh rear inclined portion 181a have a shape that tapers toward the vicinity of the tip 148a on the magazine outlet 73b side of the rear central guide 148. Similarly, the pair of pth rear inclined portion and (p+10)th rear inclined portion (p is any of "1" to "8") have a shape that tapers toward the vicinity of the tip 148a on the magazine outlet 73b side of the rear central guide 148.Therefore, it is possible to insert the rear magazine unit 138 of the magazine 73 in the ice storage material dropping position into the container 12 stopped at the second storage execution position while avoiding contact with the first to eighth side partitions 31 to 38 and the eleventh to eighteenth side partitions 41 to 48 provided on the container 12.

[0144] The rear central guide 148 protrudes 10 mm toward the magazine outlet 73b beyond the ends of the first to eighth rear inclined portions 171a to 178a and the eleventh to eighteenth rear inclined portions 181a to 188a on the magazine outlet 73b side. This makes it possible to bring the tip 148a of the rear central guide 148 on the magazine outlet 73b side close to the central bulge 51 (FIG. 3) of the container 12 when the ice storage agent 11 is dropped from the magazine 73 into the container 12.

[0145] <Traveling mechanism> Next, the traveling mechanism 132 of the ice storage agent storage device 74 will be described. As described above, the ice storage agent storage device 74 includes a base 131 and a support 128 extending upward from the base 131. As shown in FIG. 5, the bottom surface of the base 131 is a horizontal plane parallel to the floor surface of the facility. As shown in FIG. 1, a traveling nut member 251 is fixed to the center of the lower side of the base 131. The traveling nut member 251 is fixed to the base 131 in a manner that protrudes downward from the bottom surface of the base 131. In addition, a traveling ball screw shaft 253 that engages with the traveling nut member 251 is disposed on a traveling base 252 disposed below the base 131. The traveling base 252 is disposed between the ice storage agent transport device 71 and the storage control device 75. The traveling base 252 extends from near the container transport device 72 to the opposite side from the container transport device 72. The traveling ball screw shaft 253 extends from the vicinity of the container transport device 72 to the opposite side from the container transport device 72. The end of the traveling ball screw shaft 253 on the opposite side from the container transport device 72 is connected to a traveling servo motor 254, and the end of the traveling ball screw shaft 253 on the container transport device 72 side is connected to a traveling bearing portion 255.

[0146] A screw thread is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the traveling ball screw shaft 253. In addition, a screw thread is also formed on the inner peripheral surface of the traveling nut member 251 in a manner corresponding to the screw thread of the traveling ball screw shaft 253. The traveling ball screw shaft 253 is inserted into the traveling nut member 251 in a manner such that the screw thread formed on the outer peripheral surface of the traveling ball screw shaft 253 meshes with the screw thread formed on the inner peripheral surface of the traveling nut member 251. The traveling servo motor 254 rotates the traveling ball screw shaft 253 in a forward direction or a reverse direction. When the traveling servo motor 254 rotates the traveling ball screw shaft 253 in the forward direction, the traveling nut member 251 fitted to the traveling ball screw shaft 253 moves toward the container conveying device 72 (to the right in FIG. 1 ). This allows the pedestal 131 to which the traveling nut member 251 is fixed to move toward the container conveying device 72. Furthermore, when the traveling servo motor 254 rotates the traveling ball screw shaft 253 in the reverse direction, the traveling nut member 251 fitted to the traveling ball screw shaft 253 moves to the opposite side (left side in FIG. 1) from the container conveying device 72. This makes it possible to move the pedestal 131 to which the traveling nut member 251 is fixed to the opposite side from the container conveying device 72. A traveling bearing portion 255 is provided at the end of the traveling ball screw shaft 253 on the opposite side from the traveling servo motor 254, making the traveling ball screw shaft 253 rotatable and preventing the rotation axis of the traveling ball screw shaft 253 from shifting.

[0147] Next, a configuration for stabilizing the posture of the base 131, which moves toward the container transfer device 72 or the opposite side to the container transfer device 72 by rotation of the traveling ball screw shaft 253, will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, first to fourth traveling slide guides 256 to 259 are provided on the underside of the base 131. The first to fourth traveling slide guides 256 to 259 are arranged at the four corners of the base 131. Furthermore, the first traveling slide guide 256 and the second traveling slide guide 257 are arranged at a predetermined interval on the container transfer device 72 side from the third traveling slide guide 258 and the fourth traveling slide guide 259. Furthermore, the traveling base 252 is provided with a pair of first traveling guide rails 261 and second traveling guide rails 262 that are parallel to the traveling ball screw shaft 253. The first traveling guide rail 261 is disposed closer to the refrigerant transfer device 71 than the traveling ball screw shaft 253, and the second traveling guide rail 262 is disposed on the opposite side of the traveling ball screw shaft 253 from the refrigerant transfer device 71. The first traveling slide guide 256 and the third traveling slide guide 258 are slidably fitted into the first traveling guide rail 261, and the second traveling slide guide 257 and the fourth traveling slide guide 259 are fitted into the second traveling guide rail 262. When the traveling ball screw shaft 253 rotates forward or backward, the first to fourth traveling slide guides 256 to 259 slide along the traveling guide rails 261 and 262. This allows the base 131 to travel toward the container transfer device 72 or opposite to the container transfer device 72 in a stable posture.

[0148] The base 131 is movable between a refrigerant setting position and a refrigerant storage position that is set at a position 700 mm toward the container conveying device 72 from the refrigerant setting position. The refrigerant setting position is a position where the base 131 stops when the refrigerant 11 is being set from the refrigerant conveying device 71 to the magazine 73. The refrigerant storage position is a position where the base 131 stops when the container conveying device 72 performs an operation of dropping the refrigerant 11 from the magazine 73 into two containers 12 stopped at the first storage execution position and the second storage execution position to store them.

[0149] The refrigerant storage device 74 includes a traveling servo driver 263 connected to the storage control device 75 and a traveling encoder 264 connected to the traveling servo driver 263. The traveling encoder 264 detects the rotational position of the traveling ball screw shaft 253. The storage control device 75 transmits to the traveling servo driver 263 a first traveling drive signal for rotating the traveling ball screw shaft 253 forward or a second traveling drive signal for rotating the traveling ball screw shaft 253 reversely. The traveling servo driver 263 drives the traveling servo motor 254 in accordance with the received drive signal. The traveling servo driver 263 also feeds back rotation information of the traveling ball screw shaft 253 detected by the traveling encoder 264 to the traveling servo driver 263. The traveling servo driver 263 then feeds back the received rotation information to the storage control device 75. The storage control device 75 can grasp the position of the base 131 based on the rotation information received from the traveling servo driver 263.

[0150] <Lifting mechanism> Next, the lifting mechanism 129 of the ice storage agent storage device 74 will be described. As described above, the ice storage agent storage device 74 includes the lifting table 127 that rises and falls along the support column 128 extending upward from the base 131. As shown in FIG. 1, the lifting table 127 is provided upright on the peripheral surface of the support column 128 on the container transfer device 72 side. FIG. 13 is a front view of the support column 128, the lifting table 127, and the horizontal arm 126 as viewed from the container transfer device 72 side. As shown in FIG. 13, a lifting nut member 271 is fixed to the center of the lifting table 127 on the support column 128 side. The lifting nut member 271 is fixed to the lifting table 127 in a manner that protrudes toward the support column 128 from the plate surface of the lifting table 127 on the support column 128 side. As a result, the lifting nut member 271 is present between the support column 128 and the lifting table 127. Further, an elevation ball screw shaft 272 that fits into the elevation nut member 271 is disposed on the support 128. The elevation ball screw shaft 272 extends in the vertical direction along the support 128. The elevation ball screw shaft 272 is disposed closer to the support 128 than the elevation table 127. As shown in FIG. 5 , an upper end of the elevation ball screw shaft 272 is connected to an elevation servo motor 273, and a lower end of the elevation ball screw shaft 272 is connected to an elevation bearing portion 274.

[0151] A screw thread is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the lifting ball screw shaft 272. Furthermore, a screw thread is also formed on the inner peripheral surface of the lifting nut member 271 corresponding to the screw thread of the lifting ball screw shaft 272. The lifting ball screw shaft 272 is inserted into the lifting nut member 271 in such a manner that the screw thread formed on the outer peripheral surface of the lifting ball screw shaft 272 meshes with the screw thread formed on the inner peripheral surface of the lifting nut member 271. The lifting servo motor 273 rotates the lifting ball screw shaft 272 in a forward or reverse direction. When the lifting servo motor 273 rotates the lifting ball screw shaft 272 in the forward direction, the lifting nut member 271 fitted to the lifting ball screw shaft 272 moves upward. This causes the lifting table 127 to which the lifting nut member 271 is fixed to be raised. Furthermore, when the lifting servo motor 273 rotates the lifting ball screw shaft 272 in the reverse direction, the lifting nut member 271 fitted to the lifting ball screw shaft 272 moves downward. This allows the lifting table 127 to which the lifting nut member 271 is fixed to be lowered. The lifting bearing portion 274 is provided at the end of the lifting ball screw shaft 272 opposite to the lifting servo motor 273, making the lifting ball screw shaft 272 rotatable and preventing the rotation axis of the lifting ball screw shaft 272 from shifting.

[0152] Next, a configuration for stabilizing the posture of the lifting table 127, which moves upward or downward by rotation of the lifting ball screw shaft 272, will be described. As shown in FIG. 13 , first to fourth lifting slide guides 275 to 278 are provided at the four corners of the lifting table 127. The first to fourth lifting slide guides 275 to 278 are arranged on the support column 128 side. The third lifting slide guide 277 and the fourth lifting slide guide 278 are arranged at a predetermined distance downward from the first lifting slide guide 275 and the second lifting slide guide 276. The support column 128 is also provided with a pair of first and second lifting guide rails 281 and 282 that are parallel to the lifting ball screw shaft 272. The first and second lifting guide rails 281 and 282 are arranged between the support column 128 and the lifting table 127. Furthermore, the first lifting guide rail 281 is disposed closer to the refrigerant storage agent transfer device 71 than the lifting ball screw shaft 272, and the second lifting guide rail 282 is disposed on the opposite side of the lifting ball screw shaft 272 from the refrigerant storage agent transfer device 71. The first lifting slide guide 275 and the third lifting slide guide 277 are slidably fitted into the first lifting guide rail 281, and the second lifting slide guide 276 and the fourth lifting slide guide 278 are fitted into the second lifting guide rail 282. When the lifting ball screw shaft 272 rotates forward or backward, the first to fourth lifting slide guides 275 to 278 slide along the lifting guide rails 281 and 282. This allows the lifting table 127 to be raised or lowered in a stable position.

[0153] The lifting table 127 can move up and down between a first set height position and a rotation execution height position that is set above the first set height position. As will be described in detail later, the first set height position is a stop position of the lifting table 127 when an operation to set the ice storage agent 11 on the top stage (first stage) of the magazine 73 is performed. The rotation execution height position is a stop position of the lifting table 127 when an operation to rotate the magazine 73 between the magazine storage position and the magazine drop position is performed.

[0154] As shown in FIG. 5 , the refrigerant storage device 74 includes a lifting / lowering servo driver 283 connected to the storage control device 75 and a lifting / lowering encoder 284 connected to the lifting / lowering servo driver 283. The lifting / lowering encoder 284 detects the rotational position of the lifting / lowering ball screw shaft 272. The storage control device 75 transmits to the lifting / lowering servo driver 283 a first lifting / lowering drive signal for rotating the lifting / lowering ball screw shaft 272 forward or a second lifting / lowering drive signal for rotating the lifting / lowering ball screw shaft 272 reversely. The lifting / lowering servo driver 283 drives the lifting / lowering servo motor in accordance with the received drive signal. The lifting / lowering servo driver 283 also feeds back rotation information of the lifting / lowering ball screw shaft 272 detected by the lifting / lowering encoder 284 to the lifting / lowering servo driver 283. The lifting / lowering servo driver 283 then feeds back the received rotation information to the storage control device 75. The storage control device 75 can grasp the height position of the lift table 127 based on the rotation information received from the lift servo driver 283.

[0155] <Configuration for Rotatably Supporting Magazine> Next, a configuration for rotatably supporting the magazine 73 will be described. As described above, the magazine 73 is rotatably supported by the magazine support portion 125. As shown in FIG. 1, a horizontal arm 126 is fixed to the lift table 127. The horizontal arm 126 extends from the opposite side of the support column 128 from the refrigerant storage agent transport device 71 (the lower side in FIG. 1) toward the refrigerant storage agent transport device 71 (the upper side in FIG. 1). The horizontal arm 126 is disposed closer to the container transport device 72 than the lift table 127. The horizontal arm 126 extends from near the end of the traveling base 252 on the opposite side from the container transport direction (the lower side in FIG. 1) to the container transport direction side beyond the end of the refrigerant storage agent transport device 71 on the container transport direction side (the upper side in FIG. 1). The magazine support portion 125 described above includes a pair of parallel first and second connection plates 285 and 286 that connect the horizontal arm 126 to the magazine 73.

[0156] The first connecting plate 285 and the second connecting plate 286 are plate-like members with a vertical plate surface and a thickness of 10 mm. The first connecting plate 285 is arranged on the container transfer direction side (upper side in FIG. 1) of the refrigerant storage agent transfer device 71, and the second connecting plate 286 is arranged on the opposite side of the container transfer direction (lower side in FIG. 1) of the refrigerant storage agent transfer device 71. The end of the first connecting plate 285 on the horizontal arm 126 side is screwed to the horizontal arm 126 from the side opposite the horizontal arm 126. Furthermore, the end of the second connecting plate 286 on the horizontal arm 126 side is screwed to the horizontal arm 126 using a hinge 287. The first connecting plate 285 and the second connecting plate 286 extend from the horizontal arm 126 in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the horizontal arm 126 and in a direction sloping downward toward the container transfer device 72.

[0157] A first bearing 288 is fixed to the surface of the first connecting plate 285 facing the magazine 73. A first rotating shaft 291 is fixed to the outer surface of the leading first side guide 143 of the magazine 73, i.e., the surface facing the first connecting plate 285. The end of the first rotating shaft 291 facing the first connecting plate 285 is inserted through the first bearing 288. A second bearing 292 is fixed to the surface of the second connecting plate 286 facing the magazine 73. A second rotating shaft 293 is fixed to the outer surface of the rear second side guide 146 of the magazine 73, i.e., the surface facing the second connecting plate 286. The end of the second rotating shaft 293 facing the second connecting plate 286 is inserted through the second bearing 292. The center lines of the first rotating shaft 291 and the second rotating shaft 293 are on the same straight line. As a result, the magazine 73 is rotatably supported relative to the first connecting plate 285 and the second connecting plate 286. Furthermore, a magazine rotation motor 294 for rotating the magazine 73 about the first rotation shaft 291 and the second rotation shaft 293 is provided on the plate surface of the second connecting plate 286 opposite to the magazine 73. The magazine rotation motor 294 is a stepping motor. The magazine 73 is rotatable between a ice storage agent storing position for setting the ice storage agent 11 supplied from the ice storage agent transport device 71 in the magazine 73 and a ice storage agent dropping position for dropping the ice storage agent 11 set in the magazine 73 into the container 12 for storage.

[0158] The storage control device 75 can rotate the magazine 73 in the forward direction by outputting a forward rotation signal to the magazine rotation motor 294, and can rotate the magazine 73 in the reverse direction by outputting a reverse rotation signal to the magazine rotation motor 294. The magazine 73 in the ice storage agent containing position is rotated 90 degrees in the forward direction to assume the ice storage agent dropping position. The magazine 73 in the ice storage agent dropping position is rotated 90 degrees in the reverse direction to assume the ice storage agent containing position.

[0159] Next, a description will be given of the operation of the refrigerant storage device 74, from when the refrigerant 11 supplied from the refrigerant transport device 71 is set in the magazine 73 to when a part of the magazine 73 is inserted into the containers 12 stopped at the first and second storage execution positions in the container transport device 72. Figures 14(a) to 14(d) are explanatory diagrams for explaining the operation of the refrigerant storage device 74.

[0160] When an initialization operation is performed after power-on, as shown in Fig. 5, the magazine 73 is in the refrigerant storage position, the lift-up table 127 is in the first set height position, and the base 131 is in the refrigerant setting position. With the lift-up table 127 in the first set height position, the top surfaces of the first leading partition plate 151, the eleventh leading partition plate 161, the first rear partition plate 171, and the eleventh rear partition plate 181 (Fig. 8) of the magazine 73 in the refrigerant storage position are at the same height as the top surfaces of the first to fourth belt portions 81a to 84a (Fig. 2) of the refrigerant transport device 71. This makes it possible to set the refrigerant 11 in the first storage position of the magazine 73 in the refrigerant storage position. Furthermore, when the lift table 127 is positioned at the first set height position and the base 131 is positioned at the refrigerant setting position, the distance between the ends of the first to fourth belt portions 81a to 84a on the refrigerant transport outlet 71c side and the magazine entrance 73a is 30 mm. In this manner, when the lift table 127 is positioned at the first set height position and the base 131 is positioned at the refrigerant setting position, one refrigerant 11 is set in the first row of the magazine 73 from each of the first to fourth conveyors 81 to 84. As a result, four refrigerant agents 11 are set in the first row of the magazine 73.

[0161] After four refrigerant materials 11 are set from the refrigerant transport device 71 to the first stage of the magazine 73, the lift table 127 is raised by one stage (specifically, 30 mm). This places the lift table 127 at the second refrigerant setting position. The second setting height position is a height position where the upper surfaces of the second leading partition plate 152, the twelfth leading partition plate 162, the second rear partition plate 172, and the twelfth rear partition plate 182 (FIG. 8) in the magazine 73 in the refrigerant storage orientation are at the same height as the upper surfaces of the first to fourth belt portions 81a to 84a (FIG. 2) in the refrigerant transport device 71, and is a height position where the refrigerant materials 11 are set at the second storage position in the magazine 73 in the refrigerant storage orientation. In this manner, when the lift table 127 is disposed at the second set height position and the base 131 is disposed at the refrigerant setting position, one refrigerant 11 is set on the second level of the magazine 73 from each of the first to fourth conveyors 81 to 84. As a result, four refrigerant 11 are set on the second level of the magazine 73.

[0162] In this way, by repeating the operation of setting one level of refrigerant 11 from the first to fourth conveyors 81 to 84 into the magazine 73 and raising the lifting table 127 by one level, the magazine 73 in the refrigerant storage position will be filled with refrigerant 11 up to the lowest level (9th level).

[0163] Thereafter, as shown in Fig. 14(a), an operation is executed to move the lift table 127, which is present at the ninth set height position, upward by 400 mm to the rotation execution height position. Thereafter, as shown in Fig. 14(b), an operation is executed to move the base 131 700 mm toward the container conveying device 72. This moves the base 131 from the ice storage agent setting position to the ice storage agent storing position. Thereafter, as shown in Fig. 14(c), an operation is executed to rotate the magazine 73, which is in the ice storage agent storing position, by 90 degrees in the forward direction to switch it to the ice storage agent dropping position. Thereafter, in the container transfer device 72, under the condition that the two containers 12 are stopped at the storage execution position and the containers 12 are prevented from shifting position by the target container stopper 115a, the rear positioning plate 117e, the first side positioning plate 118e, and the second side positioning plate 119e, an operation is executed to lower the lift table 127, which is present at the rotation execution height, by 293 mm to the storage execution height position, as shown in FIG. 14(d). This results in a storage execution state in which part of the magazine 73 is inserted into the container 12. Thereafter, an operation is executed to move the front-side first stopper portion 194, the front-side second stopper portion 195, the rear-side first stopper portion 196, and the rear-side second stopper portion 197 from the closed position to the open position. This causes the ice storage agent 11 to fall from the magazine outlet 73b into the container 12 and be stored in the container 12.

[0164] When the magazine 73 is switched from the ice storage material storing position to the ice storage material dropping position, if the container 12 is not being positioned by the target container stopper 115a, the rear positioning plate 117e, the first side positioning plate 118e, and the second side positioning plate 119e, the lowering operation of the lifting table 127 to the storage execution height position is suspended until the container 12 is being positioned. This prevents the magazine 73 from being lowered to the storage execution position even though there are no empty containers 12 when the supply of empty containers 12 to the container conveying device 72 is interrupted.

[0165] In this way, the second to ninth set height positions and the storage execution height position are set as stop positions of the lift-up table 127 between the first set height position and the rotation execution height position. The sth set height position (s is any of "1" to "9") is a stop position for setting the ice storage agent 11 in the sth stage of the magazine 73. The (p+1)th set position (p is any of "1" to "8") is set one stage above the pth set position. The rotation execution height position is set 400 mm above the ninth set height position.

[0166] The first to eighth leading side partition plates 151 to 158 extend from the leading side first lateral guide 143 to the leading side central guide 147. This reduces the possibility of the refrigerant 11 being displaced in the magazine 73 in the operation of lifting the lift table 127 by one step (30 mm), the operation of moving the base 131 toward the container conveying device 72, the operation of switching the position of the magazine 73 from the refrigerant containing position to the refrigerant dropping position, or the operation of lowering the magazine 73 toward the container 12, compared to a configuration in which the protruding dimension of the first to eighth leading side partition plates 151 to 158 from the leading side first lateral guide 143 to the leading side central guide 147 is reduced, or a configuration in which the protruding dimension of the first to eighth leading side partition plates 151 to 158 from the leading side first lateral guide 143 to the leading side central guide 147 is reduced. The eleventh to eighteenth leading partition plates 161 to 168, the first to eighth rear partition plates 171 to 178, and the eleventh to eighteenth rear partition plates 181 to 188 are similar to the first to eighth leading partition plates 151 to 158. Specifically, the eleventh to eighteenth leading partition plates 161 to 168 extend from the leading second lateral guide 144 to the leading central guide 147. Furthermore, the first to eighth rear partition plates 171 to 178 extend from the rear first lateral guide 145 to the rear central guide 148, and the eleventh to eighteenth rear partition plates 181 to 188 extend from the rear second lateral guide 146 to the rear central guide 148.

[0167] After the ice storage agent 11 is set in the magazine 73 when the magazine 73 is in the ice storage agent storing position, the magazine 73 is rotated to set the magazine 73 in the ice storage agent dropping position. As a result, even if a part of the ice storage agent 11 supplied from the ice storage agent transport device 71 to the magazine 73 protrudes outside the magazine inlet 73a, the entire ice storage agent 11 can be accommodated in the accommodation spaces 133-136 in the process of switching the magazine 73 to the ice storage agent dropping position. Therefore, in the storage execution state, the ice storage agent 11 can be dropped into the container 12 at the timing when the stopper portions 194-197 of the magazine 73 are switched from the closed position to the open position.

[0168] Next, the relationship between the magazine 73 and the container 12 in the storage execution state will be described. FIG. 15 is a partially cutaway cross-sectional view of the magazine 73 and the container 12 in the storage execution state, showing a portion of the container 12 cut away. As already explained, in the storage execution state, the magazine 73 is in the refrigerant dropping position. As shown in FIG. 15, in the storage execution state, portions of the front-side central guide 147 and the rear-side central guide 148 are inserted into the container 12, and further, portions of the front-side first lateral guide 143, the front-side second lateral guide 144, the rear-side first lateral guide 145, and the rear-side second lateral guide 146 are inserted into the container 12. As already explained, in the front-side magazine unit 137, pairs of the first to eighth front-side partition plates 151 to 158 and the eleventh to eighteenth front-side partition plates 161 to 168, which are present on either side of the front-side central guide 147, are configured to taper toward the magazine outlet 73b. This allows the front magazine unit 137 to enter deeply into the container 12 stopped at the front storage execution position during storage execution. Also, as already explained, in the rear magazine unit 138, the pairs of first to eighth rear partition plates 171 to 178 and eleventh to eighteenth rear partition plates 181 to 188 that are present on either side of the rear central guide 148 are configured to taper toward the magazine outlet 73b. This allows the rear magazine unit 138 to enter deeply into the container 12 stopped at the second storage execution position during storage execution.

[0169] In the storage execution state, a portion of the front central drop guide portion 147b, a portion of the front first drop guide portion 143b, and a portion of the front second drop guide portion 144b are inside the container 12 stopped at the front storage execution position, and a portion of the rear central drop guide portion 148b, a portion of the rear first drop guide portion 145b, and a portion of the rear second drop guide portion 146b are inside the container 12 stopped at the second storage execution position. In addition, in the storage execution state, the lower ends of the front first side guide 143, the front second side guide 144, the rear first side guide 145, and the rear second side guide 146 are located 30 mm above the side partition portions 31-38, 41-48 (FIG. 3) on the container 12 side. In addition, in the storage execution state, the stopper portions 194 to 197 of the magazine 73 are located above the upper end of the container 12, and the front side cylinders 211, 213, 215, 217 and the rear side cylinders 212, 214, 216, 218 (FIG. 10) are located above the upper end of the container 12.

[0170] In a storage execution state, the inclination angles of the 11th to 18th leading inclined portions 161a to 168a of the 11th to 18th leading partition plates 161 to 168 in the leading magazine unit 137 are approximately the same as the inclination angles of the 1st to 8th upper inclined surfaces 31a to 38a of the 1st to 8th side partition portions 31 to 38 in the leading container 12, and the inclination angles of the 1st to 8th leading inclined portions 151a to 158a of the 151 to 158 are approximately the same as the inclination angles of the 11th to 18th upper inclined surfaces 41a to 48a of the 11th to 18th side partition portions 41 to 48 in the container 12. The leading inclined portions 161a-168a face the first to eighth upper inclined surfaces 31a-38a at intervals of 30 mm in the vertical direction, and the leading inclined portions 151a-158a face the eleventh to eighteenth upper inclined surfaces 41a-48a at intervals of 30 mm in the vertical direction. The intervals of 30 mm are less than 1 / 5 of the longitudinal dimension (220 mm) of the refrigerant 11 already described with reference to FIG. 2(a). Since the distance between the leading inclined portions 151a-158a, 161a-168a and the upper inclined surfaces 31a-38a, 41a-48a is less than 1 / 2 of the longitudinal dimension of the refrigerant 11, the possibility that the falling position of the refrigerant 11 and the storage position after falling will be shifted toward the third upright wall 16 or the fourth upright wall 17 of the container 12 is reduced. Furthermore, since the distance between the leading inclined portions 151a-158a, 161a-168a and the upper inclined surfaces 31a-38a, 41a-48a is less than 1 / 5 of the longitudinal dimension of the refrigerant 11, the falling position of the refrigerant 11 and the storage position after falling will be prevented from being shifted.

[0171] The relationship between the rear magazine unit 138 and the second container 12 from the front in the storage execution state is the same as the relationship between the front magazine unit 137 and the front container 12. Specifically, the inclination angles of the 11th to 18th rear inclined portions 181a to 188a of the 11th to 18th rear partition plates 181 to 188 in the rear magazine unit 138 are approximately the same as the inclination angles of the first to eighth upper inclined surfaces 31a to 38a of the first to eighth side partition portions 31 to 38 in the second container 12 from the front, and the inclination angles of the first to eighth rear inclined portions 171a to 178a of the first to eighth rear partition plates 171 to 178 are approximately the same as the inclination angles of the 11th to 18th upper inclined surfaces 41a to 48a of the 11th to 18th side partition portions 41 to 48 in the container 12. The rear inclined portions 181a-188a face the first to eighth upper inclined surfaces 31a-38a at intervals of 30 mm in the vertical direction, and the rear inclined portions 171a-178a face the eleventh to eighteenth upper inclined surfaces 41a-48a at intervals of 30 mm in the vertical direction. The intervals of 30 mm are less than 1 / 5 of the longitudinal dimension (220 mm) of the refrigerant 11. Since the intervals between the rear inclined portions 171a-178a, 181a-188a and the upper inclined surfaces 31a-38a, 41a-48a are less than 1 / 2 of the longitudinal dimension of the refrigerant 11, the possibility that the falling position of the refrigerant 11 and its subsequent storage position in the second container 12 from the front will be shifted toward the third upright wall 16 or the fourth upright wall 17 of the container 12 is reduced. Furthermore, since the distance between the rear inclined portions 171a-178a, 181a-188a and the upper inclined surfaces 31a-38a, 41a-48a is less than 1 / 5 of the longitudinal dimension of the ice storage material 11, the falling position of the ice storage material 11 and the shifting of the storage position after falling are prevented.

[0172] In the storage execution state, the tips 147a, 148a of the central guides 147, 148 are located 22 mm apart above the centers of the first to eighth bottom-side partitions 21-28. Furthermore, in the storage execution state, the tips 147a, 148a of the central guides 147, 148 face the central bulge 51 at a vertical interval of 25 mm. This 25 mm interval is less than 1 / 5 of the longitudinal dimension (220 mm) of the refrigerant 11, as already described with reference to FIG. 2(a). Since the interval between the central guides 147, 148 and the central bulge 51 is less than 1 / 2 of the longitudinal dimension of the refrigerant 11, the possibility that the drop position of the refrigerant 11 and the storage position after drop will be shifted toward the center of the container 12 is reduced. Furthermore, the distance between the central guides 147, 148 and the central bulge 51 is less than 1 / 5 of the longitudinal dimension of the refrigerant 11, thereby preventing the refrigerant 11 from falling and shifting from its stored position after falling.

[0173] In the storage execution state, the front first stopper portion 194 is switched from the closed position to the open position, and the nine ice storage agents 11 present in the front first storage space 133 (Figure 10) of the magazine 73 are guided by the front first lateral guide 143, the front central guide 147, and the first to eighth front partition plates 151 to 158, and fall into the 11th to 19th storage areas 63a to 63i (Figure 3) in the front container 12 and are stored therein. In addition, when the storage is being performed, the front second stopper portion 195 is switched from the closed position to the open position, and the nine ice storage agents 11 present in the front second storage space 134 (Figure 10) of the magazine 73 are guided by the front central guide 147, the front second lateral guide 144, and the 11th to 18th front partition plates 161 to 168, and fall into the first to ninth storage areas 62a to 62i (Figure 3) of the front container 12 and are stored therein. Furthermore, when the storage is being performed, the rear first stopper portion 196 is switched from the closed position to the open position, and the nine ice storage agents 11 present in the rear first storage space 135 (Figure 10) of the magazine 73 are guided by the rear first side guide 145, the rear central guide 148, and the first to eighth rear partition plates 171 to 178, and fall into the 11th to 19th storage areas 63a to 63i of the second container 12 from the front, where they are stored. In addition, when the storage is being performed, the rear second stopper portion 197 is switched from the closed position to the open position, and the nine ice storage agents 11 present in the rear second storage space 136 (Figure 10) of the magazine 73 are guided by the rear central guide 148, the rear second lateral guide 146, and the 11th to 18th rear partition plates 181 to 188, and fall into the first to ninth storage areas 62a to 62i of the second container 12 from the front, where they are stored.

[0174] When storage is performed, the front central guide 147 and the rear central guide 148 are configured to protrude downward further than the front first side guide 143, the front second side guide 144, the rear first side guide 145 and the rear second side guide 146. This reduces the possibility that the falling position of the ice pack 11 will shift toward the center of the container 12 (toward the central bulge 51) even in a configuration in which the upward protrusion dimension of the central bulge 51 or the bottom partitions 21-28 at the center of the container 12 is reduced, or in a configuration in which no partition is provided at the center of the container 12.

[0175] In the storage execution state, the common front guide 141 and the common back guide 142 are located outside the container 12 (above the container 12). If a configuration is adopted in which a portion of the common front guide 141 is recessed into the container 12 in the storage execution state, it is necessary to prepare a container in which the distance between the third upright wall 16 and the first bottom partition 21, the first side partition 31, and the eleventh side partition 41 is set wider than the distance between the nth bottom partition (n is any of "1" to "7"), the nth side partition, and the (n+10)th side partition and the (n+1)th bottom partition, the (n+1)th side partition, and the (n+11)th side partition. In contrast, this configuration is such that the common front guide 141 is located outside the container 12 in the storage execution state. This makes it possible to store ice packs 11 in containers 12 in which the distance between the third upright wall 16 and the first bottom partition 21, first side partition 31 and 11th side partition 41 is the same as the distance between the nth bottom partition (n is any of "1" to "7"), nth side partition and (n+10) side partition and the (n+11)th bottom partition, (n+1)th side partition and (n+11) side partition. Furthermore, if a configuration is adopted in which a portion of the common back guide 142 is recessed into the container 12 during storage execution, it is necessary to prepare a container in which the distance between the 8th bottom partition 28, the 8th side partition 38, and the 18th side partition 48 and the fourth upright wall 17 is set wider than the distance between the nth bottom partition (n is any of "1" to "7"), the nth side partition, and the (n+10)th side partition and the (n+1)th bottom partition, the (n+1)th side partition, and the (n+11)th side partition. In contrast, this configuration is such that the common back guide 142 is present outside the container 12 during storage execution. This makes it possible to store ice packs 11 in containers 12 in which the distance between the 8th bottom partition 28, the 8th side partition 38 and the 18th side partition 48 and the 4th upright wall 17 is the same as the distance between the nth bottom partition (n is any of "1" to "7"), the nth side partition and the (n+10)th side partition and the (n+11)th bottom partition, the (n+1)th side partition and the (n+11)th side partition.

[0176] In the front magazine unit 137, the pairs of first to eighth front partition plates 151 to 158 and eleventh to eighteenth front partition plates 161 to 168 that sandwich the front central guide 147 are configured to taper toward the magazine outlet 73b, so that in a storage execution state, the front inclined portions 151a to 158a, 161a to 168a can be placed in the container 12. This allows the refrigerant 11 dropping from the front first housing space 133 or the front second housing space 134 to be guided by the front inclined portions 151a to 158a, 161a to 168a. Therefore, compared to a configuration in which the first to eighth leading partition plates 151 to 158 and the eleventh to eighteenth leading partition plates 161 to 168 extend only up to the lower ends of the leading first side guide 143 and the leading second side guide 144, the possibility that the falling position of the ice storage agent 11 will be shifted toward the third upright wall 16 (FIG. 3) or the fourth upright wall 17 (FIG. 3) in the container 12 stopped at the leading storage execution position is reduced. As with the leading magazine unit 137, in the rear magazine unit 138, the pairs of first to eighth rear partition plates 171 to 178 and the eleventh to eighteenth rear partition plates 181 to 188 that are present on either side of the rear central guide 148 are configured to taper toward the magazine outlet 73b, so that the rear inclined portions 171a to 178a, 181a to 188a can be placed in the container 12 during storage execution. This allows the refrigerant 11 dropping from the rear first accommodating space 135 or the rear second accommodating space 136 to be guided by the rear inclined portions 171a-178a, 181a-188a. Therefore, compared to a configuration in which the first to eighth rear partition plates 171-178 and the eleventh to eighteenth rear partition plates 181-188 extend only up to the lower ends of the rear first side guide 145 and the rear second side guide 146, the possibility that the dropping position of the refrigerant 11 will be shifted toward the third upright wall 16 (FIG. 3) or the fourth upright wall 17 (FIG. 3) is reduced in the container 12 stopped at the second storage execution position.

[0177] In the storage execution state, in the front magazine unit 137, the front first side guide 143 extends from the front first stopper portion 194 to the vicinity of the eleventh to eighteenth side partitions 41 to 48 of the container 12. This reduces the possibility that the falling position of the ice storage agent 11 will be shifted to the first upright wall 14 side or the second upright wall 15 side of the container 12, compared to a configuration in which no guide exists between the front first stopper portion 194 and the eleventh to eighteenth side partitions 41 to 48. In addition, in the storage execution state, the front second side guide 144 extends from the front second stopper portion 195 to the vicinity of the first to eighth side partitions 31 to 38 of the container 12. This reduces the possibility that the falling position of the refrigerant 11 will be displaced toward the first upright wall 14 or the second upright wall 15, compared to a configuration in which no guide exists between the front second stopper portion 195 and the first to eighth side partitions 31 to 38. As with the front magazine unit 137, in the storage execution state, in the rear magazine unit 138, the rear first side guide 145 extends from the rear first stopper portion 196 to the vicinity of the eleventh to eighteenth side partitions 41 to 48 of the container 12. This reduces the possibility that the falling position of the refrigerant 11 will be displaced toward the first upright wall 14 or the second upright wall 15, compared to a configuration in which no guide exists between the rear first stopper portion 196 and the eleventh to eighteenth side partitions 41 to 48. Furthermore, in the storage execution state, the rear second side guide 146 extends from the rear second stopper portion 197 to the vicinity of the first to eighth side partitions 31 to 38 of the container 12. This reduces the possibility that the falling position of the ice storage agent 11 will shift toward the first upright wall 14 or the second upright wall 15, compared to a configuration in which no guide exists between the rear second stopper portion 197 and the first to eighth side partitions 31 to 38.

[0178] In this configuration, four stopper portions 194 to 197 provided on the magazine 73 are moved from the closed position to the open position at the same time. This allows 36 ice storage agents 11 to be dropped simultaneously from the magazine 73 into two containers 12. If the ice storage agents 11 were dropped in multiple batches, for example, 18 ice storage agents 11 were dropped into the leading container 12 and then the next 18 ice storage agents 11 were dropped into the second container 12 from the front, there is a risk that the second container 12 from the front may be displaced due to the impact of the first 18 ice storage agents 11 being dropped. In contrast, by dropping 36 ice storage agents 11 simultaneously, the possibility of the ice storage agents 11 being displaced from the storage areas 62a to 62i and 63a to 63i is reduced.

[0179] In the front magazine unit 137, when the front first stopper portion 194 is positioned in the closed position in the ice storage material drop posture, the corner of the lower edge portion 11c of the ice storage material 11 contained in the front first storage space 133 on the front first side guide 143 side is supported from below by the front first stopper portion 194, and the side edge portion 11d of the ice storage material 11 on the opposite side from the front first stopper portion 194 is supported by the front central guide 147. Furthermore, in the ice storage material falling posture, when the front-side second stopper portion 195 is positioned in the closed position, the corner of the lower edge portion 11c of the ice storage material 11 contained in the front-side second storage space 134 on the side of the front-side second side guide 144 is supported from below by the front-side second stopper portion 195, and the side edge portion 11e of the ice storage material 11 on the opposite side from the front-side second stopper portion 195 is supported by the front-side central guide 147. As with the front magazine unit 137 described above, when the rear magazine unit 138 is in the ice storage material drop position and the rear first stopper portion 196 is positioned in the closed position, the corner of the lower edge portion 11c of the ice storage material 11 contained in the rear first storage space 135 on the side of the rear first side guide 145 is supported from below by the rear first stopper portion 196, and the side edge portion 11d of the ice storage material 11 on the opposite side to the rear first stopper portion 196 is supported by the rear central guide 148. Furthermore, in the ice storage agent dropping posture, when the rear second stopper portion 197 is disposed at the closed position, the corner of the lower edge portion 11c of the ice storage agent 11 contained in the rear second housing space 136 on the side of the rear second lateral guide 146 is supported from below by the rear second stopper portion 197, and the side edge portion 11e of the ice storage agent 11 on the opposite side to the rear second stopper portion 197 is supported by the rear central guide 148. Thus, in the ice storage agent dropping posture, the stopper portions 194 to 197 support one corner of the lower edge portion 11c of the ice storage agent 11, and the other side of the ice storage agent 11 is supported by the front central guide 147 or the rear central guide 148.The stopper portions 194-197 are configured to support one corner of the magazine 73, which simplifies the configuration of the magazine 73 compared to a configuration in which the stopper portions 194-197 are provided on both sides of the refrigerant 11. Furthermore, compared to a configuration in which the stopper portions 194-197 support substantially the entire lower edge portion 11c of the refrigerant 11, the protrusion dimension of the stopper portions 194-197 when the stopper portions 194-197 are moved to the open position is reduced, thereby improving safety.

[0180] As already explained, the target container stopper 115a, rear positioning plate 117e, first side positioning plate 118e and second side positioning plate 119e are configured to prevent horizontal positional shifting of the two containers 12 to be stored, thereby reducing the possibility that the ice storage material 11 will fall to a position other than the storage areas 62a-62i, 63a-63i within the container 12.

[0181] Next, the operation of dropping the refrigerant 11 from the magazine 73 into the container 12 and storing it therein, and then making the magazine 73 ready to receive a new refrigerant 11, will be described.

[0182] After storing the refrigerant 11 in the container 12, the lifting table 127, which is at the storage execution height position, is raised by 293 mm to the rotation execution height position as shown in FIG. 14(c). This ensures that the magazine 73 will not come into contact with the container 12 even when rotated. Thereafter, the magazine 73, which is in the refrigerant dropping position (FIG. 14(c)), is rotated 90 degrees in the opposite direction to the refrigerant storing position (FIG. 14(b)). Thereafter, the base 131, which is at the refrigerant storing position, is moved in the opposite direction from the container conveying device 72 to the refrigerant setting position as shown in FIG. 14(a). Thereafter, the lifting table 127 is lowered to the first setting height position. This results in the magazine 73 being in a refrigerant storage position, the lift table 127 being at the first set height position, and the base 131 being at the refrigerant setting position, i.e., the magazine 73 being able to store refrigerant 11 from the first to fourth conveyors 81 to 84.

[0183] As already explained, the ice storage agent storage system 10 is equipped with the storage control device 75. As shown in Fig. 1, the storage control device 75 is provided on the opposite side of the traveling base 252 from the ice storage agent transport device 71. An operation start button 301, an operation stop button 302, and an initialization execution button 303 are provided on the front of the storage control device 75.

[0184] When the storage control device 75 is powered on while the initialization execution button 303 is being operated, an initialization operation of the ice storage agent storage system 10 is executed. Then, by executing the initialization operation of the ice storage agent storage system 10, the ice storage agent transport device 71 enters a state in which the transport operation by the first to fourth conveyors 81 to 84 is stopped. Furthermore, the first to fourth ice storage agent stopping devices 91 to 94 and the fifth to eighth ice storage agent stopping devices 95 to 98 enter a movement permitted state. Furthermore, the container transport device 72 enters a state in which the transport operation by the roller conveyor is stopped. Furthermore, the preliminary container stopper 116a, the target container stopper 115a, the rear positioning cylinder 117a, the first side positioning cylinder 118a, and the second side positioning cylinder 119a enter a non-driven state. Furthermore, the ice storage agent storage device 74 is in a state where the magazine 73 is in the ice storage agent storage position, the base 131 is in the ice storage agent setting position, and the lifting table 127 is in the first set height position.

[0185] After powering on, the operation of the ice storage agent storage system 10 is started by operating the operation start button 301. The operation of the ice storage agent storage system 10 is stopped by operating the operation stop button 302. The operation stop button 302 is operated by an operator when the work of storing the ice storage agent 11 in the container 12 is to be interrupted, for example, when there is no more collected ice storage agent 11 to be supplied to the ice storage agent transport device 71, when there are no more empty containers 12 to be supplied to the container transport device 72, or when a person has entered the vicinity of the ice storage agent storage device 74. After the operation stop button 302 is operated to stop the operation of the ice storage agent storage system 10, the operation of the ice storage agent storage system 10 is started by operating the operation start button 301.

[0186] If the initialization operation is configured to be executed when the power is turned on, the initialization operation may be executed when the magazine 73 already contains ice storage material 11, which may result in the operation of adding ice storage material 11 to the magazine 73 that already contains ice storage material 11. To address this issue, an initialization execution button 303 is provided, allowing the user to select whether or not to execute the initialization operation after power is turned on. This makes it possible to avoid the execution of the initialization operation when the supply of operating power to the storage control device 75 starts again after the supply of operating power to the storage control device 75 has been stopped due to a power outage or the like.

[0187] 16 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the ice storage agent storage system 10. The storage control device 75 is equipped with a storage control board 304. The storage control board 304 is equipped with a CPU 305, a ROM 306 that stores various control programs and fixed value data executed by the CPU 305, and a RAM 307 that is a memory for temporarily storing various data etc. when the control programs stored in the ROM 306 are executed.

[0188] The operating power for the storage control device 75, ice storage agent transport device 71, container transport device 72, ice storage agent storage device 74, first to eighth ice storage agent stopping devices 91 to 98, target container stopping device 115, advance container stopping device 116, rear positioning device 117, first side positioning device 118, second side positioning device 119, and cylinders 211 to 218 for opening and closing stopper portions 194 to 197 of magazine 73 is supplied from a power supply unit (not shown) built into the storage control device 75.

[0189] The storage control board 304 is provided with an input port and an output port (not shown). As shown in Fig. 16, the input side of the storage control device 75 is connected to an operation start button 301, an operation stop button 302, an initialization execution button 303, the first to fourth refrigerant detection sensors 105-108, the first to fourth refrigerant preparation detection sensors 111-114, the leading container detection sensor 121, the second container detection sensor 122, the preliminary container detection sensor 123, and the intermediate container detection sensor 124. The output side of the storage control device 75 is connected to the first to fourth conveyor drive units 85-88 of the refrigerant transport device 71, and also to a transport motor 72e built into the transport roller 72d of the container transport device 72. The output side of the storage control device 75 is connected to the actuators 91a-98a, 91b-98b of the first to eighth refrigerant stopping devices 91-98, the target stopper drive unit 115b, the advance stopper drive unit 116b, the rear positioning cylinder 117a, the first side positioning cylinder 118a, and the second side positioning cylinder 119a. The output side of the storage control device 75 is also connected to cylinders 211-218 for opening and closing the stopper units 194-197 of the magazine 73. Furthermore, the input and output sides of the storage control device 75 are connected to a traveling servo driver 263 and a lifting servo driver 283. A remote control having an operation start button 301, an operation stop button 302, and an initialization execution button 303 is provided, and the storage control device 75 may be configured to have a receiving unit for receiving button operation information transmitted from the remote control.

[0190] Next, prior to describing the main processing (FIG. 17(a)) executed by the CPU 305, the configuration of the RAM 307 used in the main processing will be described. As shown in FIG. 16, the RAM 307 is provided with a stop state flag 307a. The stop state flag 307a is a flag that enables the CPU 305 to grasp that the operation is stopped. In the operation stopped state, the operation of the refrigerant transport device 71 to transport the refrigerant 11 is stopped, and the operation of the container transport device 72 to transport the containers 12 is stopped. In the operation stopped state, the operation of the refrigerant storage device 74 is stopped.

[0191] <Main processing> Next, the main processing executed by the CPU 305 will be described with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 17(a). The main processing is executed when the supply of operating power to the storage control device 75 is started. The main processing is started in a state where interrupts by the timer interrupt processing (Fig. 17(b)), which will be described later, are prohibited.

[0192] First, it is determined whether the initialization execution button 303 has been operated (step S101). If the determination in step S101 is affirmative, i.e., if the supply of operating power to the storage control device 75 has started while the initialization execution button 303 has been operated, an initialization operation execution process is executed (step S102). In the initialization operation execution process, an initialization operation of the ice storage agent storage system 10 is executed. By executing the initialization operation, the magazine 73 assumes a ice storage agent storage posture. Furthermore, the base 131 is positioned at the ice storage agent setting position, and the lift table 127 is positioned at the first set height position. Furthermore, the first to eighth ice storage agent stopping devices 91 to 98 are permitted to move. Furthermore, the target stopper driving unit 115b, the advance stopper driving unit 116b, the rear positioning cylinder 117a, the first side positioning cylinder 118a, and the second side positioning cylinder 119a are deactivated. The initialization operation execution process ends when the initialization operation of the ice storage agent storage system 10 is completed.

[0193] If a negative determination is made in step S101 or if the process of step S102 is performed, the stop state flag 307a is set to "1" (step S103). This allows the CPU 305 to recognize that the device is in an operation stop state. In this way, the device is in an operation stop state whether or not an initialization operation is performed after the supply of operating power to the CPU 305 has started. This allows the device to be in a state where the transport of the ice storage agent 11 in the ice storage agent transport device 71 and the transport of the containers 12 in the container transport device 72 are stopped, and the operation of the ice storage agent storage device 74 is stopped, until the operation start button 301 is operated.

[0194] After executing the process of step S103, an interrupt by a timer interrupt process is permitted (step S104). This causes the main process (FIG. 17(a)) to be interrupted at a cycle of 4 milliseconds, and a timer interrupt process (FIG. 17(b)), which will be described later, is executed. Thereafter, a stop operation response process is executed in steps S105 to S111. In the stop operation response process, if the stop state flag 307a is set to "1" (step S105: YES), it is determined whether or not an operation of the operation start button 301 has been detected (step S106), and if an operation of the operation start button 301 has not been detected (step S106: NO), the process returns to step S105.

[0195] If operation of the operation start button 301 is detected (step S106: YES), the stop state flag 307a is cleared to "0" (step S107). This ends the operation stop state. Thereafter, the operation start process is executed (step S108). In the operation start process, if operation interruption information is stored in the RAM 307, the interrupted operations of the refrigerant transport device 71, the container transport device 72, and the refrigerant storage device 74 are resumed based on the operation interruption information. The operation interruption information is stored in the RAM 307 in step S111, which will be described later. Furthermore, if no operation interruption information is stored in the RAM 307, such as when the operation start process (step S108) is executed for the first time after the supply of operating power to the CPU 305 is started, the operation start process (step S108) is terminated. After the operation start process is executed in step S108, the process returns to step S105.

[0196] If it is determined in step S105 that the value of the stop state flag 307a is "0," it is then determined whether or not operation of the operation stop button 302 has been detected (step S109). If operation of the operation stop button 302 has not been detected (step S109: NO), the process returns to step S105. If operation of the operation stop button 302 has been detected (step S109: YES), the stop state flag 307a is set to "1" (step S110). This allows the CPU 305 to determine that the operation is in a stop state. Thereafter, the operation stop process is executed (step S111), and the process returns to step S105. In the operation stop process (step S111), operation interruption information referenced in the above-mentioned operation start process (step S108) is stored in the RAM 307. This makes it possible to resume the currently interrupted operation after the end of the operation stop state. In the operation stop process (step S111), the operation of the first to fourth conveyors 81 to 84 in the refrigerant transport device 71 is stopped, and the rotation of the transport roller 72d in the container transport device 72 is stopped. In the operation stop process (step S111), the operation of the refrigerant storage device 74 is stopped.

[0197] In this way, in the main processing (FIG. 17(a)), after the interrupt permission processing is executed in step S104, the stop operation response processing (steps S105 to S111) is executed. This makes it possible to quickly start the operation stop state when the operation stop button 302 is operated. Also, when the operation start button 301 is operated in the operation stop state, it is possible to end the operation stop state.

[0198] Next, the timer interrupt process executed by the CPU 305 will be described with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 17(b). As already explained, the timer interrupt process is executed periodically at a cycle of 4 milliseconds after the interrupt permission process is executed in step S104 of the main process (Fig. 17(a)).

[0199] If the stop state flag 307a is set to "1" (step S201: YES), the timer interrupt process (FIG. 17(b)) is terminated without executing the processes of steps S202 to S204. As a result, in the operation stop state, the transport of the refrigerant 11 by the refrigerant transport device 71 and the transport of the containers 12 by the container transport device 72 can be prevented. Also, in the operation stop state, the operation of the refrigerant storage device 74 can be prevented.

[0200] If the value of the stop state flag 307a is "0" (step S201: NO), the first refrigerant transport side process described later is executed in step S202, the first container transport side process described later is executed in step S203, and the first refrigerant storage side process described later is executed in step S204, and this timer interrupt process (Figure 17(b)) is terminated.

[0201] Next, prior to describing the first refrigerant transfer process (FIG. 18) executed in step S202 of the timer interrupt process (FIG. 17(b)), the configuration of the RAM 307 used in the first refrigerant transfer process will be described. As shown in FIG. 16, the RAM 307 is provided with a first refrigerant preparation flag 307b, a second refrigerant preparation flag 307c, a third refrigerant preparation flag 307d, a fourth refrigerant preparation flag 307e, and a refrigerant side status counter 307f. The first refrigerant preparation flag 307b is a flag that enables the CPU 305 to grasp that the leading refrigerant 11 on the first conveyor 81 has been stopped by the first refrigerant stopping device 91 and the second leading refrigerant 11 has been stopped by the fifth refrigerant stopping device 95. The second refrigerant preparation flag 307c is a flag that allows the CPU 305 to grasp that the leading refrigerant 11 on the second conveyor 82 is stopped by the second refrigerant stopping device 92 and the second leading refrigerant 11 is stopped by the sixth refrigerant stopping device 96. The third refrigerant preparation flag 307d is a flag that allows the CPU 305 to grasp that the leading refrigerant 11 on the third conveyor 83 is stopped by the third refrigerant stopping device 93 and the second leading refrigerant 11 is stopped by the seventh refrigerant stopping device 97. The fourth refrigerant preparation flag 307e is a flag that allows the CPU 305 to grasp that the leading refrigerant 11 on the fourth conveyor 84 is stopped by the fourth refrigerant stopping device 94 and the second leading refrigerant 11 is stopped by the eighth refrigerant stopping device 98.

[0202] The refrigerant side status counter 307f is set to one of numerical values ​​"0" to "2" depending on the operating status of the refrigerant transport device 71. When the value of the refrigerant side status counter 307f is "0", this corresponds to a stage where an operation is performed to stop the leading refrigerant 11 on the first to fourth conveyors 81 to 84 of the refrigerant transport device 71 at the first to fourth refrigerant stopping devices 91 to 94. When the value of the refrigerant side status counter 307f is "1", this corresponds to a stage where an operation is performed to stop the second leading refrigerant 11 at the fifth to eighth refrigerant stopping devices 95 to 98 when the leading refrigerant 11 on the first to fourth conveyors 81 to 84 is stopped at the first to fourth refrigerant stopping devices 91 to 94. Furthermore, the state in which the value of the ice storage agent side status counter 307f is "2" corresponds to the stage in which an operation is performed to move the leading ice storage agent 11 toward the magazine 73 when the second ice storage agent 11 from the front on the first to fourth conveyors 81 to 84 is stopped by the fifth to eighth ice storage agent stopping devices 95 to 98.

[0203] Next, the first refrigerant transfer process executed in step S202 of the timer interrupt process (FIG. 17(b)) will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0204] First, it is determined whether the value of the refrigerant-side status counter 307f is "0" (step S301). As already explained, the state in which the value of the refrigerant-side status counter 307f is "0" corresponds to the stage in which an operation is performed to stop the leading refrigerant 11 on the first to fourth conveyors 81 to 84 of the refrigerant transport device 71 by the first to fourth refrigerant stopping devices 91 to 94. When the first refrigerant transport side process (FIG. 18) is executed for the first time after the supply of operating power to the CPU 305 is started, the value of the refrigerant-side status counter 307f is "0". Furthermore, the value of the refrigerant-side status counter 307f is cleared to "0" in step S709 of the first refrigerant storage side process (FIG. 22) described later.

[0205] If the value of the refrigerant-side status counter 307f is "0" (step S301: YES), the first to fourth refrigerant stopping devices 91-94 are set to the blocking execution state (step S302). Then, the refrigerant transfer start process is executed to start the operation of the first to fourth conveyors 81-84 (step S303). Then, the refrigerant-side status counter 307f is set to "1" (step S304), and the first refrigerant transfer process (FIG. 18) is terminated. By setting the refrigerant-side status counter 307f to "1" in step S304, a positive determination is made in step S305 in the next first refrigerant transfer process (FIG. 18), and the process of steps S306 to S318 is executed.

[0206] If the value of the refrigerant storage agent side state counter 307f is "1" (step S301: NO, step S305: YES), it is determined whether the first to fourth refrigerant storage agent preparation flags 307b to 307e are set to "1" (step S306). The process of setting the first to fourth refrigerant storage agent preparation flags 307b to 307e to "1" is executed in steps S309, S312, S315, and S318, which will be described later. If the first to fourth refrigerant storage agent preparation flags 307b to 307e are set to "1" (step S306: YES), the first refrigerant storage agent transfer process (FIG. 18) is ended.

[0207] If the value of one or more of the first to fourth refrigerant preparation flags 307b to 307e is "0" (step S306: NO), it is determined whether the first refrigerant preparation detection sensor 111 has changed from a state in which it does not detect the refrigerant 11 to a state in which it detects the refrigerant 11 (step S307). Since the first refrigerant stopping device 91 is set to the blocking execution state in the above-mentioned step S302, when the first refrigerant preparation detection sensor 111 starts detecting the refrigerant 11, the first refrigerant stopping device 91 stops the leading refrigerant 11 on the first conveyor 81. When the first refrigerant preparation detection sensor 111 starts detecting the refrigerant 11 (step S307: YES), the fifth refrigerant stopping device 95 is set to the blocking execution state (step S308). As a result, the second refrigerant 11 from the front on the first conveyor 81 is stopped by the fifth refrigerant stopping device 95. After that, the first refrigerant preparation flag 307b is set to "1" (step S309). As a result, the CPU 305 can grasp that the first refrigerant 11 on the first conveyor 81 is stopped by the first refrigerant stopping device 91 and that the second refrigerant 11 from the front is stopped by the fifth refrigerant stopping device 95.

[0208] If the determination in step S307 is negative, or if the process in step S309 is performed, it is determined whether the second refrigerant preparation detection sensor 112 has changed from a state in which it does not detect the refrigerant 11 to a state in which it detects the refrigerant 11 (step S310). Because the second refrigerant stopping device 92 is set to the stop execution state in step S302, when the second refrigerant preparation detection sensor 112 starts detecting the refrigerant 11, the first refrigerant 11 on the second conveyor 82 is stopped by the second refrigerant stopping device 92. When the second refrigerant preparation detection sensor 112 starts detecting the refrigerant 11 (step S310: YES), the sixth refrigerant stopping device 96 is set to the stop execution state (step S311). As a result, the second refrigerant 11 from the front on the second conveyor 82 is stopped by the sixth refrigerant stopping device 96. Thereafter, the second refrigerant preparation flag 307c is set to "1" (step S312). This allows the CPU 305 to recognize that the leading refrigerant 11 on the second conveyor 82 has been stopped by the second refrigerant stopping device 92, and that the second leading refrigerant 11 has been stopped by the sixth refrigerant stopping device 96.

[0209] If a negative determination is made in step S310 or if the process of step S312 is performed, it is determined whether the third refrigerant preparation detection sensor 113 has changed from a state in which it does not detect the refrigerant 11 to a state in which it detects the refrigerant 11 (step S313). Because the third refrigerant stopping device 93 is set to the stop execution state in step S302 described above, when the third refrigerant preparation detection sensor 113 starts detecting the refrigerant 11, the third refrigerant stopping device 93 stops the leading refrigerant 11 on the third conveyor 83. When the third refrigerant preparation detection sensor 113 starts detecting the refrigerant 11 (step S313: YES), the seventh refrigerant stopping device 97 is set to the stop execution state (step S314). As a result, the second leading refrigerant 11 on the third conveyor 83 is stopped by the seventh refrigerant stopping device 97. Thereafter, the third refrigerant preparation flag 307d is set to "1" (step S315). This allows the CPU 305 to recognize that the leading refrigerant 11 on the third conveyor 83 has been stopped by the third refrigerant stopping device 93, and that the second leading refrigerant 11 has been stopped by the seventh refrigerant stopping device 97.

[0210] If a negative determination is made in step S313 or if the process of step S315 is performed, it is determined whether the fourth refrigerant preparation detection sensor 114 has changed from a state in which it does not detect the refrigerant 11 to a state in which it detects the refrigerant 11 (step S316). Because the fourth refrigerant stopping device 94 was set to the stop execution state in step S302 described above, when the fourth refrigerant preparation detection sensor 114 starts detecting the refrigerant 11, the fourth conveyor 84 is in a state in which the fourth refrigerant stopping device 94 has stopped the leading refrigerant 11. When the fourth refrigerant preparation detection sensor 114 starts detecting the refrigerant 11 (step S316: YES), the eighth refrigerant stopping device 98 is set to the stop execution state (step S317). As a result, the second leading refrigerant 11 on the fourth conveyor 84 is stopped by the eighth refrigerant stopping device 98. Thereafter, the fourth refrigerant preparation flag 307e is set to "1" (step S318). This allows the CPU 305 to recognize that the leading refrigerant 11 on the fourth conveyor 84 has been stopped by the fourth refrigerant stopping device 94, and that the second leading refrigerant 11 has been stopped by the eighth refrigerant stopping device 98.

[0211] If a negative determination is made in step S305, i.e., if the value of the ice storage agent side counter 307f is "2", a second ice storage agent transfer process (FIG. 19) described later is executed in step S319, and the first ice storage agent transfer process (FIG. 18) is terminated. The process of setting the ice storage agent side counter 307f to "2" is executed in step S704 of a first ice storage agent storage process (FIG. 22) described later.

[0212] Next, prior to describing the second refrigerant transfer process (FIG. 19) executed in step S319 of the first refrigerant transfer process (FIG. 18), the configuration of the RAM 307 used in the second refrigerant transfer process will be described. As shown in FIG. 16, the RAM 307 is provided with a refrigerant setting completion flag 307g, a first refrigerant setting flag 307h, a second refrigerant setting flag 307j, a third refrigerant setting flag 307k, a fourth refrigerant setting flag 307m, and a refrigerant timer counter 307n. The refrigerant setting completion flag 307g is a flag that enables the CPU 305 to grasp that refrigerants 11 have been set in the magazine 73 from each of the first to fourth conveyors 81 to 84, i.e., that one stage's worth (four refrigerants) of refrigerants 11 have been set in the magazine 73 from the refrigerant transfer device 71.

[0213] The first ice storage agent set flag 307h is a flag that enables the CPU 305 to recognize that the leading ice storage agent 11 on the first conveyor 81 has moved closer to the magazine 73 than the detection range of the first ice storage agent detection sensor 105, the second ice storage agent set flag 307j is a flag that enables the CPU 305 to recognize that the leading ice storage agent 11 on the second conveyor 82 has moved closer to the magazine 73 than the detection range of the second ice storage agent detection sensor 106, the third ice storage agent set flag 307k is a flag that enables the CPU 305 to recognize that the leading ice storage agent 11 on the third conveyor 83 has moved closer to the magazine 73 than the detection range of the third ice storage agent detection sensor 107, and the fourth ice storage agent set flag 307m is a flag that enables the CPU 305 to recognize that the leading ice storage agent 11 on the fourth conveyor 84 has moved closer to the magazine 73 than the detection range of the fourth ice storage agent detection sensor 108. The refrigerant-side timer counter 307n is a timer counter that can grasp whether one second has passed since the first to fourth refrigerant detection sensors 105 to 108 detected the passage of the refrigerant 11. When the value of the refrigerant-side timer counter 307n is 1 or more, the refrigerant-side timer counter 307n is updated at a cycle of 4 milliseconds. "1" in the refrigerant-side timer counter 307n corresponds to 4 milliseconds.

[0214] Next, the second refrigerant transfer process executed in step S319 of the first refrigerant transfer process (FIG. 18) will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0215] If the ice storage agent setting completion flag 307g is set to "1" (step S401: YES), the second ice storage agent transfer process (FIG. 19) is terminated without executing the processes from step S402 onwards. If the ice storage agent setting completion flag 307g is not set to "1" (step S401: NO), that is, if the setting of one stage (four ice storage agents) of ice storage agents 11 from the ice storage agent transfer device 71 to the magazine 73 is not completed, it is determined whether the values ​​of the first to fourth ice storage agent setting flags 307h, 307j, 307k, 307m are "1" (step S402). If the value of one or more of the first to fourth ice storage agent set flags 307h, 307j, 307k, and 307m is "0" (step S402: NO), it is determined whether the state in which the first ice storage agent detection sensor 105 detects the ice storage agent 11 has changed to a state in which the ice storage agent 11 is not detected (step S403). If the first ice storage agent detection sensor 105 has finished detecting the ice storage agent 11 (step S403: YES), that is, if the leading ice storage agent 11 on the first conveyor 81 has passed the detection range of the first ice storage agent detection sensor 105, the first ice storage agent set flag 307h is set to "1" (step S404). This allows the CPU 305 to know that the leading ice storage agent 11 on the first conveyor 81 has moved toward the magazine 73 beyond the detection range of the first ice storage agent detection sensor 105.

[0216] If a negative determination is made in step S403 or if the process of step S404 is performed, it is determined whether the second refrigerant detection sensor 106 has changed from a state in which it detects the refrigerant 11 to a state in which it does not detect the refrigerant 11 (step S405). If the second refrigerant detection sensor 106 has finished detecting the refrigerant 11 (step S405: YES), that is, if the leading refrigerant 11 on the second conveyor 82 has passed the detection range of the second refrigerant detection sensor 106, the second refrigerant set flag 307j is set to "1" (step S406). This enables the CPU 305 to determine that the leading refrigerant 11 on the second conveyor 82 has moved toward the magazine 73 beyond the detection range of the second refrigerant detection sensor 106.

[0217] If a negative determination is made in step S405 or if the process of step S406 is performed, it is determined whether the state in which the third refrigerant detection sensor 107 detects the refrigerant 11 has changed from a state in which the refrigerant 11 is detected to a state in which the refrigerant 11 is not detected (step S407). If the third refrigerant detection sensor 107 has finished detecting the refrigerant 11 (step S407: YES), that is, if the leading refrigerant 11 on the third conveyor 83 has passed the detection range of the third refrigerant detection sensor 107, the third refrigerant set flag 307k is set to "1" (step S408). This enables the CPU 305 to know that the leading refrigerant 11 on the third conveyor 83 has moved closer to the magazine 73 than the detection range of the third refrigerant detection sensor 107.

[0218] If a negative determination is made in step S407 or if the process of step S408 is performed, it is determined whether the fourth refrigerant detection sensor 108 has changed from a state in which it detects the refrigerant 11 to a state in which it does not detect the refrigerant 11 (step S409). If the fourth refrigerant detection sensor 108 has finished detecting the refrigerant 11 (step S409: YES), that is, if the leading refrigerant 11 on the fourth conveyor 84 has passed the detection range of the fourth refrigerant detection sensor 108, the fourth refrigerant set flag 307m is set to "1" (step S410). This enables the CPU 305 to determine that the leading refrigerant 11 on the fourth conveyor 84 has moved toward the magazine 73 beyond the detection range of the fourth refrigerant detection sensor 108.

[0219] If a negative judgment is made in step S409 or if the processing of step S410 is performed, it is judged whether the first to fourth refrigerant set flags 307h, 307j, 307k, and 307m are set to "1" (step S411), and if the value of one or more of the first to fourth refrigerant set flags 307h, 307j, 307k, and 307m is "0" (step S411: NO), the second refrigerant transport side processing (Figure 19) is terminated. Furthermore, if the first to fourth refrigerant setting flags 307h, 307j, 307k, and 307m are set to "1" (step S411: YES), numerical information ("250") corresponding to the waiting period (specifically, 1 second) for waiting until the refrigerant 11 that has passed through the detection ranges of the first to fourth refrigerant detection sensors 105-108 is set in the magazine 73 is set in the refrigerant-side timer counter 307n (step S412), and the second refrigerant transport process (FIG. 19) is terminated. If the first to fourth refrigerant setting flags 307h, 307j, 307k, and 307m are set to "1," an affirmative determination is made in step S402 in the next and subsequent second refrigerant transport process (FIG. 19), and the process from step S413 onward is executed. Furthermore, by setting "250" in the refrigerant storage agent side timer counter 307n in step S412, the CPU 305 can determine whether one second has elapsed since the first to fourth refrigerant storage agent detection sensors 105 to 108 detected the passage of the refrigerant storage agent 11.

[0220] If the determination in step S402 is affirmative, the value of the ice storage agent-side timer counter 307n is decremented by 1 (step S413), and if the value of the ice storage agent-side timer counter 307n after decrementing by 1 is equal to or greater than 1 (step S414: NO), the second ice storage agent transport-side process (FIG. 19) is terminated. If the value of the ice storage agent-side timer counter 307n is "0" (step S414: YES), that is, if one second has elapsed since the first to fourth ice storage agent detection sensors 105 to 108 detected the passage of the ice storage agent 11 and the setting of one stage (four ice storage agents) of the ice storage agent 11 into the magazine 73 has been completed, the first to fourth ice storage agent setting flags 307h, 307j, 307k, and 307m are cleared to "0" (step S415), and the ice storage agent setting completion flag 307g is set to "1" (step S416). This allows the CPU 305 to grasp that one stage (four ice packs) of ice packs 11 have been set from the ice pack transport device 71 to the magazine 73. Furthermore, by setting the ice pack setting completion flag 307g to "1", a state is created in which a positive determination is made in step S707 of the first ice pack storage side process (FIG. 22) described later.

[0221] Thereafter, the first to fourth refrigerant halting devices 91 to 94 are set to the blocking execution state (step S417), and the fifth to eighth refrigerant halting devices 95 to 98 are set to the movement permission state (step S418), thereby terminating the second refrigerant transport process (FIG. 19). In this way, when the first to fourth conveyors 81 to 84 are operating, by setting the first to fourth refrigerant halting devices 91 to 94 to the blocking execution state and the fifth to eighth refrigerant halting devices 95 to 98 to the movement permission state, the leading refrigerant 11 on the first to fourth conveyors 81 to 84 can be stopped by the first to fourth refrigerant halting devices 91 to 94.

[0222]

[0111] Next, prior to describing the first container transfer-side process (Fig. 20) executed in step S203 of the timer interrupt process (Fig. 17(b)), the configuration of the RAM 307 used in the first container transfer-side process will be described. As shown in Fig. 16, the RAM 307 is provided with a container-side preparation completion flag 307p, a container-side status counter 307q, and a container-side timer counter 307r. The container-side preparation completion flag 307p is a flag that enables the CPU 305 to grasp that the target stopper drive unit 115b, the rear positioning cylinder 117a, the first side positioning cylinder 118a, and the second side positioning cylinder 119a in the container transfer device 72 are in a driven state, that is, that the two containers 12 to be stored are fixed by the target container stopper 115a, the rear positioning plate 117e, the first side positioning plate 118e, and the second side positioning plate 119e.

[0223] The container-side status counter 307q is set with numerical information of any one of "0" to "7." A state in which the value of the container-side status counter 307q is "0" corresponds to a stage in which the target stopper drive unit 115b and the advance stopper drive unit 116b (FIG. 8) are driven and the operation of the container transport device 72 is started. A state in which the value of the container-side status counter 307q is "1" corresponds to a stage in which the advance container stopper 116a is placed at the advance stopper standby position on the condition that the container 12 is detected by the advance container detection sensor 123. A state in which the value of the container-side status counter 307q is "2" corresponds to a stage in which the advance container stopper 116a is returned to the advance stop execution position based on the elapse of one second since the advance container stopper 116a was placed at the advance stopper standby position. In addition, the state in which the value of the container side status counter 307q is "3" corresponds to the stage in which, one second after the advance container stopper 116a is placed at the advance stop execution position, if there are not two containers 12 lined up at the storage execution position, the value of the container side status counter 307q is returned to "1," and if there are two containers 12 lined up at the storage execution position, the rear positioning cylinder 117a is put into an actuated state.

[0224] The state where the value of the container-side status counter 307q is "4" corresponds to the stage where the first side positioning cylinder 118a and the second side positioning cylinder 119a are driven one second after the rear positioning cylinder 117a is driven. Furthermore, the state where the value of the container-side status counter 307q is "5" corresponds to the stage where the container-side preparation completion flag 307p is set to "1" one second after the first side positioning cylinder 118a and the second side positioning cylinder 119a are driven. Furthermore, the state where the value of the container-side status counter 307q is "6" corresponds to the stage where the container 12 is not detected by the leading container detection sensor 121, the second container detection sensor 122, and the intermediate container detection sensor 124 after the ice storage material 11 is stored in the container 12 and the target container stopper 115a is positioned at the target stopper standby position. Furthermore, the state in which the value of the container side status counter 307q is "7" corresponds to the stage in which the target container stopper 115a is placed at the target stop execution position one second after the container 12 is no longer detected by the leading container detection sensor 121, the second container detection sensor 122, and the intermediate container detection sensor 124.

[0225] The container-side timer counter 307r is a timer counter that enables the CPU 305 to determine whether the waiting period set in the first container transfer-side process (FIG. 20) or the second container transfer-side process (FIG. 21) described later has elapsed. When the value of the container-side timer counter 307r is 1 or greater, the value of the container-side timer counter 307r is updated at a cycle of 4 milliseconds. "1" in the container-side timer counter 307r corresponds to 4 milliseconds.

[0226] Next, the first container transfer side process executed in step S203 of the timer interrupt process (FIG. 17(b)) will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0227] First, it is determined whether the container-side preparation completion flag 307p is set to "1" (step S501), and if the container-side preparation completion flag 307p is set to "1" (step S501: YES), that is, if the two containers 12 to be stored are fixed by the target container stopper 115a, the rear positioning plate 117e, the first side positioning plate 118e, and the second side positioning plate 119e, the first container transfer-side process (FIG. 20) is terminated without executing the processes from step S502 onwards. This makes it possible to maintain this state.

[0228] If the value of the container-side preparation completion flag 307p is "0" (step S501: NO), it is determined whether the value of the container-side status counter 307q is "3" or greater (step S502). If the value of the container-side status counter 307q is "0" (step S502: NO, step S503: YES), that is, if the state is after the supply of operating power to the CPU 305 has started but before the operation of the container conveying device 72 has started, the preliminary stopper driving unit 116b is set to the driving state (step S504), and the target stopper driving unit 115b is set to the driving state (step S505). Thereafter, a container conveyance start process is executed to start the rotation of the conveying roller 72d of the container conveying device 72 (step S506). Thereafter, the container-side status counter 307q is set to "1" (step S507), and the first container conveyance side process (FIG. 20) is terminated. By setting "1" to the container side state counter 307q, a negative determination is made in step S503 in the next first container transfer side process (FIG. 20), and the process of steps S508 to S512 is executed.

[0229] If the value of the container-side status counter 307q is "1" (step S503: NO, step S508: YES), it is determined whether or not a container 12 is detected by the advance container detection sensor 123 (step S509). If a container 12 is not detected by the advance container detection sensor 123 (step S509: NO), the first container transfer-side process (FIG. 20) is terminated. Also, if a container 12 is detected by the advance container detection sensor 123 (step S509: YES), the advance stopper driver 116b is set to a non-driven state (step S510). As a result, the advance container stopper 116a is placed at the advance stopper standby position, and the leading container 12 becomes movable toward the container transfer direction side of the advance container stopper 116a.

[0230] Thereafter, numerical information ("250") corresponding to the waiting time (specifically, 1 second) from when the advance container stopper 116a is placed in the advance stopper standby position until when it is returned to the advance stop execution position is set in the container-side timer counter 307r (step S511). This enables the CPU 305 to determine whether 1 second has elapsed since the advance container stopper 116a was placed in the advance stopper standby position. Thereafter, "2" is set in the container-side status counter 307q (step S512), and the first container transfer-side process (Fig. 20) is terminated. As a result of "2" being set in the container-side status counter 307q, a negative determination is made in step S508 in the next first container transfer-side process (Fig. 20), and the process of steps S513 to S517 is executed.

[0231] If the determination in step S508 is negative, that is, if the value of the container-side status counter 307q is "2," the value of the container-side timer counter 307r is subtracted by 1 (step S513). If the value of the container-side timer counter 307r after subtraction of 1 is 1 or greater (step S514: NO), the first container transfer-side process (FIG. 20) is terminated. Also, if the value of the container-side timer counter 307r is "0" (step S514: YES), that is, if one second has elapsed since the advance container stopper 116a was placed at the advance stopper standby position, the advance stopper driving unit 116b is put into a driving state (step S515). As a result, the advance container stopper 116a is placed at the advance stop execution position.

[0232] Thereafter, numerical information ("250") corresponding to the waiting period (specifically, one second) after the advance container stopper 116a is placed in the advance stop execution position is set in the container-side timer counter 307r (step S516). This enables the CPU 305 to determine whether one second has elapsed since the advance container stopper 116a was placed in the advance stop execution position. Thereafter, "3" is set in the container-side status counter 307q (step S517), and the first container transfer-side process (Fig. 20) is terminated. By setting "3" in the container-side status counter 307q, a positive determination is made in step S502 in the next first container transfer-side process (Fig. 20), and the process of step S518 is executed.

[0233] If the value of the container side status counter 307q is "3" or more (step S502: YES), the second container transfer side process is executed (step S518), and the first container transfer side process (Fig. 20) is terminated. Fig. 21 is a flowchart showing the second container transfer side process (step S518).

[0234] In the second container transfer-side process (FIG. 21), if the value of the container-side status counter 307q is "3" (step S601: YES), the value of the container-side timer counter 307r is subtracted by 1 (step S602). If the value of the container-side timer counter 307r after subtraction of 1 is 1 or greater (step S603: NO), the second container transfer-side process (FIG. 21) is terminated. Also, if the value of the container-side timer counter 307r is "0" (step S603: YES), that is, if one second has elapsed since the advance container stopper 116a was placed in the advance stop execution position, it is determined whether or not the container 12 is detected by the leading container detection sensor 121 and the second container detection sensor 122 (step S604). In step S604, if the container 12 is detected by both the leading container detection sensor 121 and the second container detection sensor 122, a positive determination is made.

[0235] If a negative determination is made in step S604, the container side status counter 307q is set to "1" (step S605), and the second container transfer side process (Fig. 21) is terminated. By setting the container side status counter 307q to "1", a positive determination is made in step S508 of the first container transfer side process (Fig. 20) already described, and the process of steps S509 to S512 is executed.

[0236] If the container 12 is detected by the leading container detection sensor 121 and the second container detection sensor 122 (step S604: YES), that is, if the container 12 is present at the leading storage execution position and the second storage execution position, the rear positioning cylinder 117a is driven (step S606). Thereafter, numerical information ("250") corresponding to the waiting period (specifically, 1 second) from when the rear positioning cylinder 117a is driven until when the side positioning cylinders 118a, 119a are driven is set in the container-side timer counter 307r (step S607). Thereafter, the container-side status counter 307q is set to "4" (step S608), and the second container transfer-side process (FIG. 21) is terminated. By setting the container-side status counter 307q to "4," a negative determination is made in step S601 in the next second container transfer-side process (FIG. 21), and the process of steps S609 to S614 is executed.

[0237] If the value of the container-side status counter 307q is "4" (step S601: NO, step S609: YES), the value of the container-side timer counter 307r is subtracted by 1 (step S610), and it is determined whether the value of the container-side timer counter 307r after subtraction of 1 has become "0" (step S611). If the value of the container-side timer counter 307r is 1 or greater (step S611: NO), the second container transfer-side process (FIG. 21) is terminated. If the value of the container-side timer counter 307r is "0" (step S611: YES), that is, if a waiting period of 1 second has elapsed since the rear positioning cylinder 117a was put into the driving state, the first side positioning cylinder 118a and the second side positioning cylinder 119a are put into the driving state (step S612). Thereafter, the container-side timer counter 307r is set to numerical information ("250") corresponding to the waiting period (specifically, 1 second) from when the lateral positioning cylinders 118a, 119a are put into the driving state until the container-side preparation completion flag 307p is set to "1" (step S613). Thereafter, the container-side status counter 307q is set to "5" (step S614), and the second container transfer-side process (Fig. 21) is terminated. By setting the container-side status counter 307q to "5", a negative determination is made in step S609 in the next second container transfer-side process (Fig. 21), and the process of steps S615 to S619 is executed.

[0238] If the value of the container-side status counter 307q is "5" (step S609: NO, step S615: YES), the value of the container-side timer counter 307r is subtracted by 1 (step S616), and it is determined whether the value of the container-side timer counter 307r after the subtraction of 1 has become "0" (step S617). If the value of the container-side timer counter 307r is 1 or greater (step S617: NO), the second container transfer-side process (FIG. 21) is terminated. If the value of the container-side timer counter 307r is "0" (step S617: YES), that is, if a waiting period of 1 second has elapsed since the lateral positioning cylinders 118a, 119a were put into the driving state, the container-side preparation completion flag 307p is set to "1" (step S618). This allows the CPU 305 to grasp that the target stopper driving unit 115b, the rear positioning cylinder 117a, the first side positioning cylinder 118a, and the second side positioning cylinder 119a are in a driving state. Also, a state is reached in which a positive determination is made in step S802 of the second refrigerant storage side process (FIG. 23) to be described later.

[0239] In this way, the process of setting the container side preparation completion flag 307p to "1" is not executed until a waiting period of one second has elapsed since the side positioning cylinders 118a, 119a were driven. This prevents the magazine 73 from starting to lower before the two containers 12 are fixed at the leading storage execution position and the second storage execution position by the target container stopper 115a, the rear positioning plate 117e, the first side positioning plate 118e, and the second side positioning plate 119e.

[0240] After the process of step S618 is performed, the container side status counter 307q is set to "6" (step S619), and the second container transfer side process (Fig. 21) is terminated. By setting the container side status counter 307q to "6", a negative determination is made in step S615 in the next second container transfer side process (Fig. 21), and the process of steps S620 to S623 is executed.

[0241] If the value of the container-side status counter 307q is "6" (step S615: NO, step S620: YES), it is determined whether or not the container 12 is not being detected by the leading container detection sensor 121, the second container detection sensor 122, and the intermediate container detection sensor 124 (step S621). In step S621, a positive determination is made if the container 12 is not being detected by any of the leading container detection sensor 121, the second container detection sensor 122, and the intermediate container detection sensor 124. If a negative determination is made in step S621, that is, if the container 12 containing the ice storage agent 11 has not been completely carried out downstream of the detection range of the leading container detection sensor 121, the second container transfer-side process (FIG. 21) is terminated. Furthermore, if a positive determination is made in step S621, i.e., if the two containers 12 containing the refrigerant 11 have been transported downstream of the detection range of the leading container detection sensor 121, numerical information ("250") corresponding to the waiting period (specifically, 1 second) after the containers 12 have been transported is set in the container-side timer counter 307r (step S622). Thereafter, "7" is set in the container-side status counter 307q (step S623), and the second container transfer-side process (FIG. 21) is terminated. By setting "7" in the container-side status counter 307q, a negative determination is made in step S620 in the next second container transfer-side process (FIG. 21), and the process of steps S624 to S627 is executed.

[0242] If the determination in step S620 is negative, i.e., if the value of the container-side status counter 307q is "7," the value of the container-side timer counter 307r is decremented by 1 (step S624), and it is determined whether the value of the container-side timer counter 307r after decrementing by 1 has become "0" (step S625). If the value of the container-side timer counter 307r is 1 or greater (step S625: NO), the second container transfer-side process (FIG. 21) is terminated. If the value of the container-side timer counter 307r is "0" (step S625: YES), i.e., if a one-second waiting period has elapsed since the leading container detection sensor 121, the second container detection sensor 122, and the intermediate container detection sensor 124 no longer detected the container 12 and the unloading of the container 12 containing the ice storage agent 11 has been completed, the target stopper driver 115b is driven (step S626). As a result, the target container stopper 115a is positioned at the target stop execution position. Thereafter, the container side status counter 307q is set to "1" (step S627), and the second container transfer side process (FIG. 21) is terminated. By setting the container side status counter 307q to "1" in step S627, a positive determination is made in step S508 of the first container transfer side process (FIG. 20) already described, and the process of steps S509 to S512 is executed.

[0243] Next, prior to describing the first refrigerant storage-side process (FIG. 22) executed in step S204 of the timer interrupt process (FIG. 17(b)), the configuration of the RAM 307 used in the first refrigerant storage-side process will be described. As shown in FIG. 16, the RAM 307 is provided with a storage-side status counter 307s. One of "0" to "12" is set in the storage-side status counter 307s. The state in which the value of the storage-side status counter 307s is "0" corresponds to the stage in which an operation of setting one layer of refrigerant 11 from the refrigerant transport device 71 into the magazine 73 is started. Furthermore, the state in which the value of the storage-side status counter 307s is "1" corresponds to the stage in which an operation of setting one layer of refrigerant 11 into the magazine 73 is executed. Furthermore, the state in which the value of the storage side status counter 307s is "2" corresponds to the stage in which the process of setting the next level of ice storage material 11 in the magazine 73 is started on the condition that the lifting operation of lifting the lifting table 127 by one level (specifically, 30 mm) has been completed.

[0244] The state where the value of the storage-side status counter 307s is "3" corresponds to the stage where a pre-storage lifting operation is performed, in which the lifting table 127 is raised 400 mm until the lifting table 127 is located at the rotation execution height position. Furthermore, the state where the value of the storage-side status counter 307s is "4" corresponds to the stage where a pre-storage traveling operation is performed, in which the base 131 is traveled 700 mm toward the container conveying device 72 until the base 131 is located at the ice storage agent storing position. Furthermore, the state where the value of the storage-side status counter 307s is "5" corresponds to the stage where a drop preparation rotation operation is performed, in which the orientation of the magazine 73 is switched from the ice storage agent storing orientation to the ice storage agent dropping orientation. Furthermore, the state where the value of the storage-side status counter 307s is "6" corresponds to the stage where a pre-storage lowering operation is started, in which the magazine 73 is lowered toward the container 12. Furthermore, the state where the value of the storage-side status counter 307s is "7" corresponds to the stage where a pre-storage lowering operation is performed. Furthermore, the state in which the value of the storage side state counter 307s is "8" corresponds to the stage in which the stopper portions 194 to 197 of the magazine 73 are moved to the open position.

[0245] The state where the value of the storage-side status counter 307s is "9" corresponds to a stage where a post-storage lifting operation is performed in which the lift table 127 is raised until it is located at the rotation execution height position. Furthermore, the state where the value of the storage-side status counter 307s is "10" corresponds to a stage where a storage preparation rotation operation is performed in which the orientation of the magazine 73 is switched from the ice storage agent dropping orientation to the ice storage agent storing orientation. Furthermore, the state where the value of the storage-side status counter 307s is "11" corresponds to a stage where a post-storage traveling operation is performed in which the pedestal 131 is moved 700 mm toward the side opposite the container conveying device 72 until it is located at the ice storage agent setting position. Furthermore, the state where the value of the storage-side status counter 307s is "12" corresponds to a stage where an operation is performed to lower the lift table 127 until it is located at the first set height position.

[0246] Next, the first refrigerant storage side process executed in step S204 of the timer interrupt process (FIG. 17(b)) will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0247] First, it is determined whether the value of the storage-side status counter 307s is "0" (step S701). When the first refrigerant storage-side process (FIG. 22) is executed for the first time after the supply of operating power to the CPU 305 is started, the value of the storage-side status counter 307s is "0". Furthermore, when the process of step S715 described later is executed, or when the process of step S831 of the second refrigerant storage-side process (FIG. 23) described later is executed, the value of the storage-side status counter 307s becomes "0". When the value of the storage-side status counter 307s is "0" (step S701: YES), it is determined whether the first to fourth refrigerant preparation flags 307b to 307e are set to "1" (step S702).

[0248] If the value of one or more of the first to fourth refrigerant preparation flags 307b to 307e is "0" (step S702: NO), the first refrigerant storage side process (FIG. 22) is terminated. If the first to fourth refrigerant preparation flags 307b to 307e are set to "1" (step S702: YES), that is, if the leading refrigerant 11 on the first to fourth conveyors 81 to 84 is stopped by the first to fourth refrigerant stopping devices 91 to 94 and the second leading refrigerant 11 is stopped by the fifth to eighth refrigerant stopping devices 95 to 98, the first to fourth refrigerant preparation flags 307b to 307e are cleared to "0" (step S703), and the refrigerant side status counter 307f is set to "2" (step S704). As a result, a negative determination is made in step S305 of the first refrigerant transport-side process (FIG. 18) already described, and the second refrigerant transport-side process (FIG. 19) is executed in step S319. Thereafter, the storage-side state counter 307s is set to "1" (step S705), and the first refrigerant storage-side process (FIG. 22) is terminated. By setting the storage-side state counter 307s to "1", a negative determination is made in step S701 of the next first refrigerant storage-side process (FIG. 22), and the process of steps S706 to S710 is executed.

[0249] If the value of the storage-side state counter 307s is "1" (step S701: NO, step S706: YES), it is determined whether the ice storage agent setting completion flag 307g is set to "1" (step S707). The process of setting the ice storage agent setting completion flag 307g to "1" is executed in step S416 of the second ice storage agent transfer-side process (FIG. 19) already described. If the value of the ice storage agent setting completion flag 307g is "0" (step S707: NO), the first ice storage agent storage-side process (FIG. 22) is terminated. If the ice storage agent setting completion flag 307g is set to "1" (step S707: YES), that is, if one stage (four ice storage agents) of ice storage agents 11 have been set from the ice storage agent transfer device 71 to the magazine 73 in the ice storage agent storing position, the ice storage agent setting completion flag 307g is cleared to "0" (step S708). Thereafter, the refrigerant side state counter 307f is cleared to "0" (step S709), and the process returns to the stage of executing the operation to make the leading refrigerant 11 on the first to fourth conveyors 81 to 84 of the refrigerant transport device 71 stop at the first to fourth refrigerant stopping devices 91 to 94.

[0250] Thereafter, it is determined whether the lift table 127 is positioned at the ninth set height position based on the rotation information received from the lift servo driver 283 (step S710). If the determination in step S710 is negative, that is, if an empty stage remains in the magazine 73, a one-stage lift start process is executed to start a one-stage lift operation to lift the lift table 127 by one stage (specifically, 30 mm) (step S711). Thereafter, the storage-side status counter 307s is set to "2" (step S712), and the first refrigerant storage-side process (FIG. 22) is terminated. By setting the storage-side status counter 307s to "2," a negative determination is made in step S706 in the next first refrigerant storage-side process (FIG. 22), and the process of steps S713 to S715 is executed.

[0251] If the value of the storage-side status counter 307s is "2" (step S706: NO, step S713: YES), it is determined whether the lifting operation by one step has been completed (step S714). In step S714, if the CPU 305 determines that the lifting table 127 has been lifted by one step based on the rotation information received from the lifting servo driver 283, a positive determination is made. If the lifting operation by one step has been completed (step S714: YES), the value of the storage-side status counter 307s is cleared to "0" (step S715), and the first refrigerant storage-side process (FIG. 22) is terminated. By clearing the value of the storage-side status counter 307s to "0," a positive determination is made in step S701 in the next first refrigerant storage-side process (FIG. 22), and the process of steps S702 to S705 is executed. This allows the process of setting one level of refrigerant 11 from the refrigerant transport device 71 into the magazine 73 to be repeated until the refrigerant 11 is set in the lowest level (9th level) of the magazine 73 in the refrigerant storage position.

[0252] If the lift table 127 is in the ninth set height position (step S710: YES), that is, if 36 ice storage agents 11 (four rows and nine stages) are set in the magazine 73 in the ice storage agent storing position, the storage-side status counter 307s is set to "3" (step S716), and the first ice storage agent storing-side process (FIG. 22) is terminated. By setting the storage-side status counter 307s to "3", a negative determination is made in step S713 in the next first ice storage agent storing-side process (FIG. 22), and the process of steps S717 to S720 is executed.

[0253] If the value of the storage-side status counter 307s is "3" (step S713: NO, step S717: YES), a pre-storage ascent process is executed (step S718). In the pre-storage ascent process, a process is executed to raise the lift table 127 to the rotation execution height position. After the pre-storage ascent process is executed in step S718, it is determined whether the pre-storage ascent operation has ended (step S719). The pre-storage ascent operation ends when the lift table 127 has risen 400 mm and is at the rotation execution height position. In step S719, if the CPU 305 determines that the lift table 127 has reached the rotation execution height position based on the rotation information received from the lift servo driver 283, it makes a positive determination. If the pre-storage ascent operation has not ended (step S719: NO), the first refrigerant storage-side process (FIG. 22) ends. Furthermore, when the pre-storage raising operation is completed (step S719: YES), the storage-side state counter 307s is set to "4" (step S720), and the first refrigerant storage-side process (FIG. 22) is terminated. By setting the storage-side state counter 307s to "4", a negative determination is made in step S717 in the next first refrigerant storage-side process (FIG. 22), and the process of steps S721 to S724 is executed.

[0254] If the value of the storage-side state counter 307s is "4" (step S717: NO, step S721: YES), a pre-storage travel process is executed (step S722). In the pre-storage travel process, an operation of traveling the base 131 toward the container conveying device 72 to the refrigerant storage position is executed. After executing the pre-storage travel process in step S722, it is determined whether the pre-storage travel operation has ended (step S723). The pre-storage travel operation ends when the base 131 has traveled 700 mm toward the container conveying device 72 and is present at the storage execution position. In step S723, if the CPU 305 determines that the base 131 has reached the refrigerant storage position based on the rotation information received from the travel servo driver 263, an affirmative determination is made. If the pre-storage travel operation has not ended (step S723: NO), the first refrigerant storage-side process (FIG. 22) ends. Furthermore, when the pre-storage traveling operation is completed (step S723: YES), the storage-side state counter 307s is set to "5" (step S724), and the first refrigerant storage-side process (FIG. 22) is terminated. By setting the storage-side state counter 307s to "5", a negative determination is made in step S721 in the next first refrigerant storage-side process (FIG. 22), and the process of steps S725 to S728 is executed.

[0255] If the value of the storage side status counter 307s is "5" (step S721: NO, step S725: YES), a drop preparation rotation process is executed (step S726). In the drop preparation rotation process, if the drop preparation rotation table has not been read, the drop preparation rotation table stored in ROM 306 is read, and output of a forward rotation signal to the magazine rotation motor 294 is started in accordance with the drop preparation rotation table. Also, in the drop preparation rotation process (step S726), if the drop preparation rotation table has been read, output of a forward rotation signal to the magazine rotation motor 294 is executed in accordance with the drop preparation rotation table.

[0256] After the drop preparation rotation process is executed in step S726, it is determined whether the drop preparation rotation operation has been completed (step S727). In step S727, a positive determination is made if the signal output for rotating the magazine 73 by 90 degrees in the forward direction has been completed. If the drop preparation rotation operation has not been completed (step S727: NO), the first ice storage agent storage side process (FIG. 22) is terminated. On the other hand, if the drop preparation rotation operation has been completed (step S727: YES), that is, if the magazine 73 in the ice storage agent storage position has been rotated 90 degrees in the forward direction and switched to the ice storage agent dropping position, the storage side status counter 307s is set to "6" (step S728), and the first ice storage agent storage side process (FIG. 22) is terminated. By setting the storage side status counter 307s to "6," a negative determination is made in step S725 in the next first ice storage agent storage side process (FIG. 22), and the second ice storage agent storage side process (FIG. 23) is executed in step S729.

[0257] If the value of the storage side state counter 307s is "6" or more (step S725: NO), the second refrigerant storage side process is executed (step S729), and the first refrigerant storage side process (FIG. 22) is ended.

[0258] Next, before describing the second refrigerant storage-side process (FIG. 23) executed in step S729 of the first refrigerant storage-side process (FIG. 22), the configuration of the RAM 307 used in the second refrigerant storage-side process will be described. As shown in FIG. 16, the RAM 307 is provided with a storage-side timer counter 307t. The storage-side timer counter 307t is a timer counter that enables the CPU 305 to determine whether a waiting period (specifically, one second) has elapsed since the stopper portions 194 to 197 of the magazine 73 were moved from the closed position to the open position until the magazine 73 was raised. If the value of the storage-side timer counter 307t is 1 or greater, a process of updating the value of the storage-side timer counter 307t is executed at a cycle of 4 milliseconds. "1" in the storage-side timer counter 307t corresponds to 4 milliseconds.

[0259] Next, the second refrigerant storage side process executed in step S729 of the first refrigerant storage side process (FIG. 22) will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0260] If the value of the storage-side status counter 307s is "6" (step S801: YES), it is determined whether the container-side preparation completion flag 307p is set to "1" (step S802). The process of setting the container-side preparation completion flag 307p to "1" is executed in step S618 of the second container transfer-side process (FIG. 21) already described. If the value of the container-side preparation completion flag 307p is "0" (step S802: NO), that is, if the two containers 12 to be stored have not been fixed by the target container stopper 115a, the rear positioning plate 117e, the first side positioning plate 118e, and the second side positioning plate 119e, the second ice storage agent storage-side process (FIG. 23) is terminated. This makes it possible to prevent the process of step S803 from being executed until the container-side preparation completion flag 307p is set to "1." Therefore, the ice storage material 11 is prevented from being transferred from the magazine 73 to the container 12 when the container 12 is not prevented from shifting position by the target container stopper 115a, rear positioning plate 117e, first side positioning plate 118e and second side positioning plate 119e.

[0261] If the container-side preparation completion flag 307p is set to "1" (step S802: YES), a pre-storage descent start process is executed (step S803). In the pre-storage descent start process, an operation of lowering the lift table 127 is started in order to lower the magazine 73 toward the target container 12 that is stopped on the container transport device 72. Thereafter, the storage-side status counter 307s is set to "7" (step S804), and the second refrigerant storage-side process (FIG. 23) is terminated. By setting the storage-side status counter 307s to "7", a negative determination is made in step S801 in the next second refrigerant storage-side process (FIG. 23), and the process of steps S805 to S810 is executed.

[0262] If the value of the storage-side status counter 307s is "7" (step S801: NO, step S805: YES), a pre-storage descending process is executed (step S806). In the pre-storage descending process, an operation of lowering the lift-up table 127 toward the storage execution height position is executed. After executing the pre-storage descending process in step S806, it is determined whether the pre-storage descending operation has ended (step S807). The pre-storage descending operation ends when the lift-up table 127 has descended 293 mm and is at the storage execution height position. In step S807, if the CPU 305 determines that the lift-up table 127 has reached the storage execution height position based on the rotation information received from the lift servo driver 283, a positive determination is made. If the pre-storage descending operation has not ended (step S807: NO), the second refrigerant storage-side process (FIG. 23) ends. Furthermore, if the pre-storage lowering operation has been completed (step S807: YES), a stopper release process is executed (step S808). In the stopper release process, the cylinders 211-218 for opening and closing the stopper portions 194-197 of the magazine 73 are driven. This allows the stopper portions 194-197 to be moved from the closed position to the open position. Then, by moving the stopper portions 194-197 to the open position, 36 ice storage agents 11 (four columns and nine rows) can be dropped from the magazine 73 into the two containers 12 and stored therein.

[0263] Thereafter, the storage-side timer counter 307t is set to numerical information ("250") corresponding to the waiting period (specifically, 1 second) from when the stopper portions 194-197 are moved to the open position until when the magazine 73 is raised (step S809), and the storage-side status counter 307s is set to "8" (step S810), thereby terminating the second refrigerant storage-side process (Fig. 23). By setting the storage-side status counter 307s to "8", a negative determination is made in step S805 in the next second refrigerant storage-side process (Fig. 23), and the process of steps S811 to S814 is executed.

[0264] If the value of the storage-side status counter 307s is "8" (step S805: NO, step S811: YES), the value of the storage-side timer counter 307t is subtracted by 1 (step S812), and if the value of the storage-side timer counter 307t after subtraction of 1 is 1 or greater (step S813: NO), the second refrigerant storage-side process (FIG. 23) is terminated. If the value of the storage-side timer counter 307t is "0" (step S813: YES), that is, if one second has elapsed since the stopper portions 194 to 197 of the magazine 73 were placed in the open position, the storage-side status counter 307s is set to "9" (step S814), and the second refrigerant storage-side process (FIG. 23) is terminated. By setting "9" in the storage side state counter 307s, a negative determination is made in step S811 in the next second refrigerant storage side process (FIG. 23), and the process of steps S815 to S820 is executed.

[0265] If the value of the storage-side status counter 307s is "9" (step S811: NO, step S815: YES), a post-storage ascent process is executed (step S816). In the post-storage ascent process, a post-storage ascent operation is executed to raise the lift table 127 to the rotation execution height position. After the post-storage ascent process is executed in step S816, it is determined whether the post-storage ascent operation has been completed (step S817). The post-storage ascent operation is completed when the lift table 127 has been raised to the rotation execution height position. In step S817, if the CPU 305 determines that the lift table 127 has reached the rotation execution height position based on the rotation information received from the lift servo driver 283, it makes a positive determination. If the post-storage ascent operation has not been completed (step S817: NO), the second refrigerant storage-side process (FIG. 23) is terminated. If the post-storage ascent operation has been completed (step S817: YES), a drive state termination process is executed (step S818).

[0266] In the drive state termination process (step S818), the target stopper drive unit 115b, the rear positioning cylinder 117a, the first side positioning cylinder 118a, and the second side positioning cylinder 119a are set to a non-driven state. As a result, the target container stopper 115a is positioned at the target standby position. In addition, the rear positioning plate 117e is positioned at the rear standby position. Furthermore, the first side positioning plate 118e is positioned at the first side standby position, and the second side positioning plate 119e is positioned at the second side standby position. However, even when the drive state termination process (step S818) is executed, the advance container stopper 116a remains positioned at the advance stop execution position. Thereafter, the container side preparation completion flag 307p is cleared to "0" (step S819). This allows the CPU 305 to determine that the target stopper drive unit 115b, the rear positioning cylinder 117a, the first side positioning cylinder 118a, and the second side positioning cylinder 119a are not in a driven state. Thereafter, the storage-side state counter 307s is set to "10" (step S820), and the second refrigerant storage-side process (FIG. 23) is terminated. By setting the storage-side state counter 307s to "10", a negative determination is made in step S815 in the next second refrigerant storage-side process (FIG. 23), and the process of steps S821 to S824 is executed.

[0267] If the value of the storage-side status counter 307s is "10" (step S815: NO, step S821: YES), a storage preparation rotation process is executed (step S822). In the storage preparation rotation process, if the storage preparation turn table has not been read, the storage preparation turn table stored in ROM 306 is read, and output of a reverse rotation signal to the magazine rotation motor 294 is started in accordance with the storage preparation turn table. Also, in the storage preparation rotation process (step S822), if the storage preparation turn table has been read, output of a reverse rotation signal to the magazine rotation motor 294 is executed in accordance with the storage preparation turn table.

[0268] After the storage preparation rotation process is executed in step S822, it is determined whether or not the storage preparation rotation operation has been completed (step S823). In step S823, a positive determination is made if the output of a signal for rotating the magazine 73 90 degrees in the reverse direction has been completed. If the storage preparation rotation operation has not been completed (step S823: NO), the second ice storage agent storage process (FIG. 23) is terminated. If the storage preparation rotation operation has been completed (step S823: YES), that is, if the magazine 73 has been switched to the ice storage agent storage position, the storage side status counter 307s is set to "11" (step S824), and the second ice storage agent storage side process (FIG. 23) is terminated. By setting the storage side status counter 307s to "11," a negative determination is made in step S821 in the next second ice storage agent storage side process (FIG. 23), and the process of steps S825 to S828 is executed.

[0269] If the value of the storage-side state counter 307s is "11" (step S821: NO, step S825: YES), a post-storage travel process is executed (step S826). In the post-storage travel process, a post-storage travel operation is executed in which the base 131 travels in the opposite direction from the container conveying device 72 to the ice storage agent setting position. After the post-storage travel process is executed in step S826, it is determined whether the post-storage travel operation has ended (step S827). The post-storage travel operation ends when the base 131 has traveled 700 mm in the opposite direction from the container conveying device 72 and is present at the ice storage agent setting position. In step S827, an affirmative determination is made when the CPU 305 determines that the base 131 has reached the ice storage agent setting position based on the rotation information received from the travel servo driver 263. If the post-storage travel operation has not ended (step S827: NO), the second ice storage agent storage process (FIG. 23) ends. If the post-storage traveling operation has ended (step S827: YES), the storage-side state counter 307s is set to "12" (step S828), and the second refrigerant storage-side process (FIG. 23) is terminated. By setting the storage-side state counter 307s to "12", a negative determination is made in step S825 in the next second refrigerant storage-side process (FIG. 23), and the process of steps S829 to S831 is executed.

[0270] If the determination in step S825 is negative, i.e., if the value of the storage-side status counter 307s is "12," a first set position return process is executed (step S829). In the first set position return process, a first set position return operation is executed to lower the lift-up table 127 toward the first set height position. After the first set position return process is executed in step S829, it is determined whether the first set position return operation has been completed (step S830). The first set position return operation is completed when the lift-up table 127 has been lowered to the first set height position. In step S830, a positive determination is made when the CPU 305 determines that the lift-up table 127 has reached the first set height position based on the rotation information received from the lift servo driver 283. If the first set position return operation has not been completed (step S830: NO), the second refrigerant storage-side process (FIG. 23) is terminated. If the first set position return operation has been completed (step S830: YES), the value of the storage-side status counter 307s is cleared to "0" (step S831), and the second refrigerant storage-side process (FIG. 23) is terminated. By clearing the value of the storage-side status counter 307s to "0" in step S831, an affirmative determination is made in step S701 of the first refrigerant storage-side process (FIG. 22) already described, and the process of steps S702 to S705 is executed.

[0271] In this way, by executing the stopper opening process in step S808, 36 ice storage agents 11 are stored in the two containers 12. After the stopper opening process (step S808) is executed, the value of the storage-side state counter 307s is cleared to "0" in step S831, without the condition of operating the operation start button 301, and the operation of setting the ice storage agents 11 from the ice storage agent transport device 71 into the magazine 73 is started. This makes it possible to repeat the operation of storing the ice storage agents 11 into the containers 12 without requiring any operation by the operator. Therefore, the operational burden on the operator is reduced compared to a configuration in which the operation of setting the ice storage agents 11 from the ice storage agent transport device 71 into the magazine 73 is not started until the operation of the operation start button 301 is detected after the stopper opening process (step S808) is executed.

[0272] According to the embodiment described above in detail, the following excellent effects are achieved.

[0273] The container 12 has an eleventh storage area 63a partitioned by the third upright wall 16 and the eleventh side partition 41. The eleventh storage area 63a is open to the outside through the container opening 12a. The ice storage agent storage device 74 is a device that stores the plate-shaped ice storage agent 11 in the container 12. By having the ice storage agent storage device 74 perform the operation of storing the ice storage agent 11 in the eleventh storage area 63a of the container 12, the workload of the worker can be reduced compared to when the operation is performed by an operator. Furthermore, the time required for the operation can be shortened.

[0274] The ice storage agent storage device 74 includes a magazine 73 that holds ice storage agents 11 and allows the held ice storage agents 11 to drop into the eleventh storage area 63a, thereby storing the ice storage agents 11 in the eleventh storage area 63a. The container 12 has an eleventh side partition 41 that protrudes toward the center from the second upright wall 15 and faces a predetermined peripheral edge portion (side edge portion 11e of the ice storage agent 11) that is located on the second upright wall 15 side of the ice storage agent 11 stored in the eleventh storage area 63a. The magazine 73 includes a front-side first drop guide portion 143b that guides the side edge where the predetermined peripheral edge portion of the ice storage agent 11 is located when the ice storage agent 11 is dropped into the eleventh storage area 63a. This reduces the possibility that the refrigerant 11 will fall to a position shifted from the eleventh storage area 63a where a predetermined peripheral edge of the refrigerant 11 faces the eleventh side partition 41 of the container 12. The magazine 73 also includes a front-side central drop guide 147b that guides the side edge (side edge 11d of the refrigerant 11) opposite to the side edge where the predetermined peripheral edge of the refrigerant 11 exists when the refrigerant 11 is dropped into the eleventh storage area 63a. This reduces the possibility that the refrigerant 11 will fall to a position shifted from the eleventh storage area 63a to the side opposite to the second upright wall 15 (toward the center of the container 12).

[0275] The ice storage material 11 is dropped in such a manner that the side edge where the specified peripheral portion of the ice storage material 11 exists is guided by the leading side first drop guide portion 143b, and the side edge opposite to the side edge where the specified peripheral portion of the ice storage material 11 exists is guided by the leading side central drop guide portion 147b. This reduces the possibility that the drop position and storage position of the ice storage material 11 will deviate from the 11th storage area 63a, compared to a configuration in which only one of the two side edges is guided.

[0276] The front-side central fall guide portion 147b is formed to protrude further in the falling direction of the ice storage agent 11 than the front-side first fall guide portion 143b. This reduces the possibility that the ice storage agent 11 will fall from the eleventh storage area 63a to a position shifted to the opposite side from the second upright wall 15, compared to a configuration in which the protruding dimension of the front-side central fall guide portion 147b in the falling direction is the same as the protruding dimension of the front-side first fall guide portion 143b in the falling direction.

[0277] When the refrigerant 11 is dropped into the eleventh storage area 63a, the tip 147a of the front-side central drop guide portion 147b in the protruding direction enters the bottom plate 13 of the container 12 through the container opening 12a. This reduces the distance that the edge of the refrigerant 11 in the dropping direction (the lower edge 11c of the refrigerant 11) must travel after leaving the front-side central drop guide portion 147b until it comes into contact with the bottom plate 13, compared to a configuration in which the refrigerant 11 is dropped while the front-side central drop guide portion 147b is outside the container 12. This reduces the possibility that the drop position and storage position of the refrigerant 11 will be displaced from the eleventh storage area 63a to the side opposite the second upright wall 15.

[0278] The second upright wall 15 of the container 12 has an area on the container opening 12a side where the eleventh side partition 41 is not present. When the refrigerant 11 is dropped into the eleventh storage area 63a, the edge of the leading first fall guide 143b on the side of the direction in which the refrigerant 11 falls enters the bottom plate 13 of the container 12 from the container opening 12a. This reduces the distance between when the leading first fall guide 143b is outside the container 12 and when the edge of the refrigerant 11 on the side of the direction in which the refrigerant falls (the lower edge 11c of the refrigerant 11) leaves the leading first fall guide 143b and when it comes into contact with the bottom plate 13 of the container 12, compared to a configuration in which the leading first fall guide 143b is outside the container 12 when the refrigerant 11 is dropped into the eleventh storage area 63a. This reduces the possibility that the drop position and storage position of the refrigerant 11 will deviate from the eleventh storage area 63a.

[0279] When the refrigerant 11 is dropped into the eleventh storage area 63a, the end of the leading first drop guide portion 143b on the drop direction side is located on the opposite side (above) of the drop direction from the eleventh side partition portion 41 of the container 12 in a manner that does not contact the eleventh side partition portion 41. This reduces the possibility that the magazine 73 and the container 12 will be displaced from each other in position relative to each other due to contact between the magazine 73 and the container 12, as compared to a configuration in which the leading first drop guide portion 143b contacts the eleventh side partition portion 41 when the refrigerant 11 is dropped into the eleventh storage area 63a. This reduces the possibility that the drop position and storage position of the refrigerant 11 will be displaced from the eleventh storage area 63a.

[0280] The container 12 is provided with a central bulge 51 that bulges from the bottom plate 13 of the container 12 toward the container opening 12a and defines the opposite side of the eleventh storage area 63a from the second upright wall 15. When the refrigerant 11 is dropped into the eleventh storage area 63a, the leading end 147a of the leading central drop guide 147b in the protruding direction is located on the opposite side (above) of the central bulge 51 in the dropping direction without contacting the central bulge 51. By configuring the leading central drop guide 147b not to contact the central bulge 51 when the refrigerant 11 is dropped into the eleventh storage area 63a, the possibility of the magazine 73 and the container 12 being misaligned due to contact between the magazine 73 and the container 12 is reduced. This reduces the possibility that the drop position and storage position of the refrigerant 11 are misaligned from the eleventh storage area 63a.

[0281] The magazine 73 includes a front-side first stopper portion 194 that can support a predetermined corner (a corner on the side edge portion 11e side of the lower edge portion 11c of the ice storage material 11) on the side in the falling direction of the ice storage material 11 and on the side where the predetermined peripheral edge portion exists before the ice storage material 11 falls into the eleventh storage area 63a. The magazine 73 also includes a first front-side cylinder 211 and a first front-side cylinder 212 that switch a state in which the predetermined corner angle of the ice storage material 11 is supported by the front-side first stopper portion 194 to a s...

Claims

1. A plate-like object storage device for storing plate-like objects in a container having a predetermined storage area partitioned by a predetermined partition wall, the predetermined storage area being open to the outside through a predetermined opening, a storage execution means for holding the predetermined plate-like object and dropping the held predetermined plate-like object into the predetermined storage area, thereby storing the predetermined plate-like object in the predetermined storage area; the storage execution means includes a guide portion that, when dropping the predetermined plate-shaped object into the predetermined storage area, at least a portion of which enters the interior of the predetermined container through the predetermined opening and guides the dropping of the predetermined plate-shaped object toward the predetermined storage area; the predetermined partition wall of the predetermined container has a predetermined protruding wall that protrudes from a predetermined side wall of the predetermined container toward the center and faces a predetermined peripheral edge portion of the predetermined plate-like object stored in the predetermined storage area that is present on the side of the predetermined side wall, The guide portion is a first guide portion that guides a side edge of the predetermined plate-like object at which the predetermined peripheral edge portion exists when the predetermined plate-like object is dropped into the predetermined storage area; a second guide portion that guides a side edge of the predetermined plate-like object opposite to a side edge where the predetermined peripheral edge portion is present when the predetermined plate-like object is dropped into the predetermined storage area; Equipped with A plate-shaped object storage device characterized in that the second guide portion is formed to protrude in the direction of fall when the specified plate-shaped object falls into the specified storage area more than the first guide portion, and the end portion in the protruding direction penetrates into the bottom side of the specified container through the specified opening when the specified plate-shaped object is dropped into the specified storage area.

2. a region where the predetermined protruding wall does not exist is provided on the predetermined side wall on the predetermined opening side, A plate-shaped object storage device as described in claim 1, characterized in that when the specified plate-shaped object is dropped into the specified storage area, the end of the first guide portion on the dropping direction side enters the bottom side of the specified container from the specified opening.

3. A plate-shaped object storage device as described in claim 2, characterized in that when the specified plate-shaped object is dropped into the specified storage area, the end of the first guide portion on the side facing the dropping direction is located on the opposite side of the specified protruding wall from the dropping direction, in a manner that does not contact the specified protruding wall of the specified container.

4. the predetermined partition wall of the predetermined container has a bottom partition wall portion that bulges from the bottom of the predetermined container toward the predetermined opening and partitions the opposite side of the predetermined storage area from the predetermined side wall, A plate-shaped object storage device as described in claim 1, characterized in that when the specified plate-shaped object is dropped into the specified storage area, the end of the second guide portion in the protruding direction is located on the opposite side of the bottom partition wall portion from the dropping direction, without contacting the bottom partition wall portion.

5. The storage execution means is a predetermined support means capable of supporting a predetermined corner on a side of the predetermined plate-like object in a falling direction and on a side where the predetermined peripheral edge portion exists before the predetermined plate-like object falls into the predetermined storage area; a predetermined switching means for switching from a state in which the predetermined corner angle of the predetermined plate-shaped object is supported by the predetermined support means to a state in which the predetermined corner angle of the predetermined plate-shaped object is not supported by the predetermined support means, thereby dropping the predetermined plate-shaped object into the predetermined storage area; Equipped with 5. The plate-like object storage device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined support means is provided on the storage execution means on the side of the first guide portion.

6. A plate-shaped object storage device as described in claim 5, characterized in that when the specified plate-shaped object is dropped into the specified storage area, the specified support means is located on the opposite side of the dropping direction from the specified opening of the specified container.

7. The predetermined container has a specific side wall that is located on the opposite side of the predetermined side wall across the center of the predetermined container, The predetermined storage area of ​​the predetermined container is a first predetermined storage area located closer to the predetermined side wall than the center of the predetermined container; a second predetermined storage area that is located closer to the specific sidewall than the center of the predetermined container and is arranged next to the first predetermined storage area; and The predetermined partition wall of the predetermined container is a first predetermined partition wall that partitions the first predetermined storage area; a second predetermined partition wall that partitions the second predetermined storage area; and the first predetermined partition wall has the predetermined protruding wall, the predetermined protruding wall is provided so as to protrude from the predetermined side wall of the predetermined container toward the center and to face the predetermined peripheral edge portion of the predetermined plate-like object stored in the first predetermined storage area, the predetermined peripheral edge portion being located on the side of the predetermined side wall, the second predetermined partition wall has a specific protruding wall that protrudes from the specific side wall toward the center and faces a specific peripheral edge portion of the specific plate-like object stored in the second predetermined storage area that is located on the side of the specific side wall, the storage execution means includes a third guide portion, located on the opposite side of the second guide portion from the first guide portion, for guiding a side edge of the predetermined plate-like object on which the specific peripheral portion exists when the predetermined plate-like object is dropped into the second predetermined storage area; When the predetermined plate-like object is dropped into the first predetermined storage area, a side edge of the predetermined plate-like object on which the predetermined peripheral edge portion is located is guided by the first guide portion, When the predetermined plate-like object is dropped into the first predetermined storage area, a side edge of the predetermined plate-like object opposite to a side edge where the predetermined peripheral edge portion is present is guided by the second guide portion, The plate-shaped object storage device described in claim 1, characterized in that when the specified plate-shaped object is dropped into the second specified storage area, the side edge opposite to the side edge where the specific peripheral portion of the specified plate-shaped object is located is guided by the second guide portion.

8. The predetermined storage area of ​​the predetermined container has a first storage area and a second storage area aligned along the predetermined side wall, the predetermined protruding wall of the predetermined container has an intermediate protruding wall located between the predetermined plate-like object stored in the first storage area and the predetermined plate-like object stored in the second storage area, a side edge of the predetermined plate-like object to be dropped into the first storage area, on which the predetermined peripheral edge portion is located, and a side edge of the predetermined plate-like object to be dropped into the second storage area, on which the predetermined peripheral edge portion is located, are guided by the first guide portion; a side edge opposite to a side edge where the predetermined peripheral edge portion of the predetermined plate-like object to be dropped into the first storage area and a side edge opposite to a side edge where the predetermined peripheral edge portion of the predetermined plate-like object to be dropped into the second storage area are guided by the second guide portion, the storage execution means includes a predetermined partition portion that separates the space between the first guide portion and the second guide portion into a space through which the predetermined plate-like object to be dropped into the first storage area passes and a space through which the predetermined plate-like object to be dropped into the second storage area passes, A plate-shaped object storage device as described in claim 1, characterized in that when the specified plate-shaped object is dropped into each of the first storage area and the second storage area, a portion of the specified partition portion extends into the bottom side of the specified container from the specified opening.

9. the intermediate protruding wall of the predetermined container has a specific inclined portion on the predetermined opening side that is inclined from the predetermined side wall toward the center of the predetermined container toward the bottom side of the predetermined container, the predetermined partition section includes a predetermined inclined section that is inclined from the first guide section side toward the second guide section side toward the falling direction when the predetermined plate-like object is dropped into each of the first storage area and the second storage area, The plate-shaped object storage device according to claim 8, characterized in that when the specified plate-shaped object is dropped into each of the first storage area and the second storage area, the specified inclined portion faces the specific inclined portion.

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