U-turn extrusion storage container

Abstract

To smoothly perform a U-turn movement from an approach direction, which is a travel route of a product in a curved road portion, to a discharge direction along a curve direction.SOLUTION: A U-turn extrusion storage container 100 includes a U-turn extrusion storage plate 50 and a cover member 60. The U-turn extrusion storage plate 50 is placed on a bottom panel portion 61 of the cover member 60, and the U-turn extrusion storage plate 50 is provided with a plurality of hole portions 25 in each of an inner curved road 22 and an outer curved road of a curved road portion 20. The bottom panel portion 61 of the cover member 60 is provided with rotation assisting portions 70 at positions within a space generated when the U-turn extrusion storage plate 50 is placed thereon and facing the respective plurality of hole portions 25. Each rotation assisting portion 70 includes a holder that supports the U-turn extrusion storage plate 50, and a spherical main rolling ball 72 that is housed in the holder and partially protrudes from one of the plurality of hole portions 25 of the U-turn extrusion storage plate 50.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] Conventionally, when chilling products such as bottles and cans in a refrigerator at restaurants and other establishments, it was necessary to carry out a first-in, first-out process in which chilled products that were put in first were moved to the front, and then unchilled products that were put in later were moved to the back. In response to this, in order to reduce the work of first-in, first-out, a storage container was developed in which products such as bottles and cans are pushed in order in the direction of entry, and the first product put in makes a U-turn and is sent out to the front.

[0002] In this regard, there is a simple first-in, first-out compartmentalized case that allows first-in, first-out by simply pushing the products upright into the compartmentalized case. For example, there is a simple first-in, first-out partitioned case that is placed on a store shelf or refrigerator shelf, and has products lined up in two rows, divided down the middle, with a gentle semi-oval shape at the back; when putting products in, you gently push it in from the right entrance with your hand, and the products that were previously put in are pushed in succession, passing through the gentle semi-oval part at the back and coming out to the front left, allowing the products to be taken out; and if you want to take only the items at the back, there is a drawer that can be used to take out just the contents (Patent Document 1). Specifically, this is a case in which chilled products are placed at the front and unchilled products are placed at the back when displaying canned drinks and the like.It is a simple first-in, first-out partition case that has two rows of straight entry and exit paths on the left and right that extend linearly along the entry and exit directions, formed by erecting a thin rectangular partition board in the center, and a semi-elliptical U-turn guide board that gently curves along the curved path section to make a U-turn from the entry direction to the exit direction at the back of the entry direction of the two rows of straight paths on the left and right.

[0003] There are also showcases that require only a small amount of force to insert beverage cans into the closet, and that allow cans to move smoothly within the can guide groove, especially when making U-turns. For example, there is a patent document 2 which states, "A showcase having shelves and either a heating device or a cooling device arranged inside, in which a bent portion is positioned at the rear side of the upper surface of the shelf to form a U-shaped can guide groove, and in which a partial protrusion portion is formed on the outer part of the can guide groove." Specifically, similar to the simple first-in, first-out partition case of Patent Document 1, this showcase has a straight entry path section, a straight exit path section, and a curved path section, and is equipped with a protruding section that converts vertical pushing force into horizontal force, allowing beverage cans that have been pushing straight along the straight entry path section along the entry direction to make a U-turn from the entry direction to the exit direction. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Utility Model Registration No. 3089708 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 62-120855 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In both the simple first-in, first-out partitioned case described in Patent Document 1 and the showcase described in Patent Document 2, products are moved straight along the entry direction along the entry side straight path section by applying a force pushing the products in the entry direction. However, in the simple first-in, first-out partitioned case described in Patent Document 1 and the showcase described in Patent Document 2, when moving a product along a curved path that makes a U-turn from the entry direction to the exit direction, the heavier the product, the greater the frictional resistance (dynamic friction force) that occurs between the bottom of the product and the floor surface of the curved path, so there was a problem that simply providing the U-turn guide plate in Patent Document 1 or the protrusion in Patent Document 2 made it difficult to move the product along the curved path. The present inventors have conducted extensive research to solve the above problems and have completed the present invention.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a U-turn extrusion storage container that can smoothly make a U-turn movement from the entry direction, which is the path of the goods on a curved road section, to the discharge direction, following the curve direction. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The characteristic configuration of the U-turn pushing and storing container of the present invention to solve the above problem is as follows: an entrance-side straight path section provided so that the path of products such as bottles or cans proceeds straight from the product entrance along the entrance direction; a curved road section that is connected to an end of the straight road section on the approach side in the approach direction so that the path of the goods makes a U-turn along the curve direction; a discharge-side straight path section that is connected to the discharge direction end of the curved path section and is parallel to the entry-side straight path section so that the path of the product advances straight to the product discharge outlet along the discharge direction; A U-turn extrusion storage plate having a partition plate provided between the entrance side straight path portion and the discharge side straight path portion; a cover member having side panel portions standing up from the bottom panel portion along the approach direction, the curve direction, and the discharge direction of the U-turn extrusion storage plate when the U-turn extrusion storage plate is placed on the bottom panel portion, and surrounding the approach side straight path portion, the curve path portion, and the discharge side straight path portion; The U-turn extrusion storage plate has a plurality of holes formed on the inner curve path and the outer curve path of the curved road section, The bottom panel portion is provided with rotation assist portions in a space generated between the U-turn extrusion storage plate and the bottom panel portion when the U-turn extrusion storage plate is placed, and at positions facing the plurality of hole portions, The rotation assisting part comprises a retainer that supports the U-turn extrusion storage plate from below, and a spherical main rolling ball that is stored inside the retainer and has a portion that protrudes from the multiple holes in the U-turn extrusion storage plate.

[0008] With this U-turn push-out storage container, the main rolling balls protruding from the multiple holes provided on the inner and outer curved paths of the curved path section of the U-turn push-out storage plate come into point contact with the bottom of the product passing through the inner and outer curved paths of the curved path section. As a result, frictional resistance is reduced compared to the case of surface contact when no main rolling balls are provided, and the product can make a smooth U-turn movement from the entry direction, which is the path the product takes on the curved path section, to the discharge direction, following the curve direction.

[0009] In the U-turn pushing and storing container of the present invention, the approach-side straight path section is provided with an approach-side straight path section roller section in which a plurality of rollers are arranged in the approach direction, The discharge-side straight path section preferably includes a discharge-side straight path roller section in which a plurality of rollers are arranged in the discharge direction.

[0010] With this U-turn push-out storage container, the rollers in the entry straight path section and the bottom of the product come into line contact with each other, which reduces frictional resistance compared to surface contact when no rollers are provided in the entry straight path section, allowing for smooth movement of the product in the entry direction, which is the path it takes, on the entry straight path section. Furthermore, since the discharge side straight path section roller and the bottom of the product come into line contact with each other, frictional resistance is reduced compared to the case of surface contact when no discharge side straight path section roller is provided, resulting in smooth movement of the product in the discharge direction, which is the path of the product on the discharge side straight path section.

[0011] In the U-turn pushing and storing container of the present invention, It is preferable that the rotation assisting portion is provided with a spherical sub-rolling ball that is arranged below the main rolling ball and is housed inside the retainer so that it comes into contact with the main rolling ball and rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the main rolling ball.

[0012] With this U-turn extrusion storage container, the main rolling ball rotates by point contact with the bottom of the product, and also rotates by point contact with the sub-rolling ball inside the holder.This means that the main rolling ball rotates more smoothly than when a sub-rolling ball is not provided, and the U-turn movement from the entry direction, which is the path of the product on the curved road section, to the discharge direction, following the curve direction, can be made smoother.

[0013] In the U-turn pushing and storing container of the present invention, It is preferable that a plurality of the sub-rolling balls are housed inside the cage.

[0014] With this U-turn extrusion storage container, the main rolling ball rotates through point contact with the bottom of the product, and also rotates through point contact with multiple sub-rolling balls inside the holder.This means that the main rolling ball rotates more smoothly than when there is only one sub-rolling ball, and the U-turn movement from the entry direction, which is the path of the product on the curved road section, to the discharge direction, following the curve direction, can be made even smoother.

[0015] In the U-turn pushing and storing container of the present invention, It is preferable that the curved road section is provided with a U-shaped plate for supporting the bottom of the product on the central curved road between the inside curved road and the outside curved road.

[0016] With this U-turn push-out storage container, the peripheral edge of the bottom of the product passing through the inner and outer curved paths of the curved road section comes into point contact with the main rolling ball, which prevents the product from making an unstable U-turn, such as swinging, and the U-shaped plate supports and stabilizes the center of the bottom of the product, allowing the product passing through the curved road section to make a stable U-turn along the curve direction.

[0017] In the U-turn pushing and storing container of the present invention, In a state where the main rolling balls and the sub rolling balls are housed inside the retainer of the rotation assisting part, The relationship between the height a of the cage, the thickness t of the U-turn extrusion storage plate, and the total length b of the diameters of the main rolling balls and the sub rolling balls is expressed by the following formula (1): b>a+t …Formula (1) It is preferable to select or adjust the diameters of the main rolling balls and the sub rolling balls so as to satisfy the following.

[0018] According to the U-turn push-out storage container of this configuration, a portion of the main rolling ball arranged on the upper surface of the sub-rolling ball can be made to protrude from the hole in the U-turn push-out storage plate.

[0019] In the U-turn pushing and storing container of the present invention, It is preferable that a fall prevention stop fence be provided at the product discharge port of the U-turn push-out storage plate to prevent the products that have passed through the discharge-side straight path section from falling out.

[0020] With this configuration of U-turn push-out storage container, products that have passed through the discharge side straight path section are caught on the fall prevention stop fence, preventing the products from falling out of the U-turn push-out storage plate from the product discharge outlet. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] 1 is a front perspective view of a U-turn pushing and storing container according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a plan view of a U-turn pushing-out storing plate of a U-turn pushing-out storing container according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is a bottom perspective view of a U-turn pushing and storing container according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 4] 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of the U-turn pushing and storing container according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 5] 1 is a plan view of a bottom panel portion that is a cover member of a U-turn pushing-out storage container according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6]1 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the relationship between the diameter of the main rolling ball, the inner height of the rotation assisting part, and the thickness of the U-turn pushing-out storing plate of the U-turn pushing-out storing container according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of a U-turn pushing and storing container according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a plan view of a U-turn pushing-out storing plate of a U-turn pushing-out storing container according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 5 is a BB cross-sectional view of a U-turn pushing and storing container according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a front perspective view of a U-turn pushing and storing container according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a plan view of a U-turn pushing-out storing plate of a U-turn pushing-out storing container according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a plan view of a bottom panel portion that is a cover member of a U-turn pushing-out storage container according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a CC cross-sectional view of a U-turn pushing and storing container according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a detailed view of a U-turn pushing and storing container according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] FIG. 11 is a plan view of a rotation assisting portion of a U-turn pushing and storing container according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] This is a cross-sectional view to explain the relationship between the diameter of the main rolling ball, the diameter of the sub-rolling ball, the inner height of the rotation assisting part, and the thickness of the U-turn pushing storage plate of a U-turn pushing storage container of embodiment 4 of the present invention. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of a U-turn pushing and storing container according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a plan view of a U-turn pushing-out storing plate of a U-turn pushing-out storing container according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 19] FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of a U-turn pushing and storing container according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 20] FIG. 10 is a front view of a U-turn pushing and storing container according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0023] <Embodiment 1> As shown in FIG. 1, a U-turn pushing-out storing container 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a U-turn pushing-out storing plate 50 and a cover member 60. The U-turn pushing-out storing plate 50 and the cover member 60 are made of a plastic material. As shown in Figure 2, the U-turn extrusion storage plate 50 has an entry-side straight path section 10 that is arranged so that the path of products Pd such as bottles or cans goes straight from the product entry opening 12 along the entry direction Ad, a curved path section 20 that is connected to the entry direction end 10Ad of the entry-side straight path section 10 so that the path of the products Pd makes a U-turn along the curved direction Cd, and a discharge-side straight path section 30 that is connected to the discharge direction end 21 of the curved path section 20 so that the path of the products Pd goes straight to the product discharge opening 32 along the discharge direction Dd, and a partition plate 40 is provided between the entry-side straight path section 10 and the discharge-side straight path section 30.

[0024] The "U-turn push-out storage plate 50" refers to a plate-like member on which the products Pd are sequentially placed and stored. Examples of the products Pd to be stored in the U-turn pushing-out storing container 100 according to the first embodiment include beverage bottles and cans, such as bottles of bottled beer and cans of canned beer. The "product entrance 12" is the point where the product Pd is first placed when the product Pd is placed in the U-turn push-out storage container 100 and moved straight along the entry direction Ad to store the product Pd sequentially, and refers to the area within approximately 1 cm to 5 cm from the discharge direction end 10Dd of the entry side straight path section 10 described below toward the entry direction Ad. The "approach direction Ad" refers to the direction in which new products Pd are sequentially placed at the product entrance 12 and moved straight ahead to be stored. The "entrance-side straight path section 10" refers to a plate-like member that is rectangular in plan view and on which the product Pd is placed and which moves straight along the entrance direction Ad. The approach-side straight path section 10 has an approach-side straight path section side downward bent section 10a that is bent downward in an L-shape with respect to the outer end along the approach direction Ad. The "entrance direction end 10Ad of the entry side straight road section 10" refers to the end on the entry direction Ad side of the entry side straight road section 10 along a direction perpendicular to the entry direction Ad, and means the portion that connects to the discharge direction end 21 of the curved road section 20.

[0025] "Curve direction Cd" means a U-shaped direction that changes the path of product Pd, which has been traveling straight along the entry direction Ad, to a discharge direction Dd, which is 180 degrees opposite the entry direction Ad, thereby making a U-turn. The "curved road section 20" refers to a plate-like member having a semicircular shape in a plan view, which changes the path of a commodity Pd that has traveled straight along the approach direction Ad (to make a U-turn) along the curve direction Cd to the discharge direction Dd. The curved road section 20 is provided with an inner curved road 22 which is an inner curved road of the curved road section 20 that surrounds the semicircular center of the curved road section 20 in a plan view along a semicircle, an outer curved road 23 which is an outer curved road of the curved road section 20 that follows the semicircle of the semicircle of the curved road section 20 in a plan view, and a center curved road 24 which is a curved road between the inner curved road 22 and the outer curved road 23. "Discharge direction end 21 of curved road section 20" means the end on the discharge direction Dd side along a direction perpendicular to the approach direction Ad or the discharge direction Dd in the curved road section 20, and means the portion that connects the approach direction end 10Ad of the approach side straight road section 10 and the approach direction end 30Ad of the discharge side straight road section 30, respectively, and there is the discharge direction end 21Ad on the approach side straight road section side of the curved road section 20 and the discharge direction end 21Dd on the discharge side straight road section side of the curved road section 20. "The discharge direction end 21Ad on the entry side straight road section side of the curved road section 20" means the portion of the end on the discharge direction Dd side along a direction perpendicular to the entry direction Ad or the discharge direction Dd in the curved road section 20 (i.e., the discharge direction end 21 of the curved road section 20) that connects to the entry side straight road section 10. The "discharge direction end 21Dd on the discharge side straight road section side of the curved road section 20" refers to the end on the discharge direction Dd side of the curved road section 20 along a direction perpendicular to the approach direction Ad or the discharge direction Dd. (i.e., the discharge direction end 21 of the curved road section 20) that is connected to the discharge-side straight road section 30. The U-turn push-out storage plate 50 is provided with a plurality of holes 25 for the inner curved path 22 and the outer curved path 23 of the curved path section 20, respectively.

[0026] The "discharge direction Dd" is a direction 180 degrees opposite to the entry direction Ad, and refers to the direction in which the stored products Pd are sequentially removed from the U-turn push-out storage container 100. The "product discharge outlet 32" is the point where the product Pd that has traveled straight along the discharge direction Dd is removed from the U-turn extrusion storage container 100, and refers to the area within approximately 1 cm to 5 cm from the discharge direction end 30Dd of the discharge side straight path section 30 described below toward the entry direction Ad. The "discharge side straight path section 30" refers to a plate-like member that is rectangular in plan view and that changes the path of the product Pd that has been traveling along the curve direction Cd to the discharge direction Dd, and causes it to travel straight along the discharge direction Dd. The discharge-side straight path section 30 has a downward bent side section 30a of the discharge-side straight path section that is bent downward in an L-shape from the outer end along the discharge direction Dd. The length of the downward bent side section 30a of the discharge-side straight path section along the height direction of the U-turn extrusion storage plate 50 is set to be the same length as the downward bent side section 10a of the entry-side straight path section. The "partition plate 40" refers to a plate-like member having a rectangular shape when viewed from the side, which is provided between the entry-side straight path section 10 and the discharge-side straight path section 30 and serves to separate the entry-side straight path section 10 and the discharge-side straight path section 30.

[0027] The approach-side straight road section 10 and the curved road section 20 are integrally formed by connecting an approach direction end 10Ad of the approach-side straight road section 10 and an approach-side straight road section side discharge direction end 21Ad of the curved road section 20 to each other. The curved road section 20 and the discharge-side straight road section 30 are integrally formed by connecting the discharge-side straight road section side discharge direction end 21Dd of the curved road section 20 and the approach direction end 30Ad of the discharge-side straight road section 30 to each other. The entry side straight path section 10 and the discharge side straight path section 30 are integrally formed by connecting the end of the entry side straight path section 10 along the entry direction Ad and the end of the discharge side straight path section 30 along the discharge direction Dd to each other. As described above, the U-turn push-out storage plate 50 has the approach-side straight path section 10, the curved path section 20, and the discharge-side straight path section 30 integrally formed as a single plate-like member. In addition, the U-turn extrusion storage plate 50 has an entry side straight path section 10a bent downward in an L-shape toward the outer end along the discharge direction Dd, and an entry side straight path section 30a bent downward in an L-shape toward the outer end, so that the tip side in the discharge direction as a whole is bent downward in an L-shape.

[0028] As shown in Figure 3, the cover member 60 has side panel portions 62 that stand upright from the bottom panel portion 61 along the entry direction Ad, curve direction Cd and discharge direction Dd of the U-turn extrusion storage plate 50 when the U-turn extrusion storage plate 50 is placed on the bottom panel portion 61, and so as to surround the entry side straight path portion 10, curve path portion 20 and discharge side straight path portion 30. Therefore, when the U-turn push-out storage plate 50 is placed on the bottom panel portion 61 , it is disposed inside the cover member 60 .

[0029] The "bottom panel portion 61" is a member on which the U-turn push-out storage plate 50 is placed, and is a substantially plate-like member having an outer shape that is the same as the U-turn push-out storage plate 50 and is rectangular in plan view. The bottom panel portion 61 has a bottom panel portion forward bent portion 61a that bends upward from the tip where the product entrance opening 12 and the product discharge opening 32 are provided. When the U-turn extrusion storage plate 50 is placed on the bottom panel portion 61, the discharge direction end portion 10Dd of the entry side straight path portion 10 and the discharge direction end portion 30Dd of the discharge side straight path portion 30 are positioned inside the front bend portion 61a of the bottom panel portion. The "side panel portion 62" prevents the products Pd from accidentally falling out of the U-turn extrusion storage container 100 due to the products Pd coming into contact with each other and causing a swaying motion when the products Pd move along the entry direction Ad, curve direction Cd, and discharge direction Dd of the U-turn extrusion storage plate 50. The side panel portion 62 includes an entry-side straight path portion side panel 62a that stands up from the bottom panel portion 61 along the entry-side straight path portion 10, a curved path portion side panel 62b that is connected to the end of the entry-side straight path portion side panel 62a and stands up from the bottom panel portion 61 along the curved path portion 20, and a discharge-side straight path portion side panel 62c that is connected to the end of the curved path portion side panel 62b and stands up from the bottom panel portion 61 along the discharge-side straight path portion 30.

[0030] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, when the U-turn extrusion storage plate 50 is placed on the bottom panel portion 61, the downward bend portion 10a on the side of the entry side straight path portion of the entry side straight path portion 10 of the U-turn extrusion storage plate 50 is placed on the bottom panel portion 61, and the downward bend portion 30a on the side of the discharge side straight path portion of the discharge side straight path portion 30 is placed on the bottom panel portion 61.As a result, a space S is created between the U-turn extrusion storage plate 50 and the bottom panel portion 61, the height of which is equal to the length along the vertical direction of the downward bend portion 10a on the side of the entry side straight path portion or the length along the vertical direction of the downward bend portion 30a on the side of the discharge side straight path portion. The bottom panel portion 61 has a plurality of rotation assist portions 70 provided in the space S that is generated between the U-turn extrusion storage plate 50 and the bottom panel portion 61 when the U-turn extrusion storage plate 50 is placed thereon, and at positions that face the plurality of hole portions 25 of the U-turn extrusion storage plate 50 when the U-turn extrusion storage plate 50 is placed thereon. The "rotation assisting part 70" refers to a component that supports the U-turn push-out storage plate 50 from below and also assists in changing the path of the product Pd that has been moving straight along the entry direction Ad to the discharge direction Dd along the curve direction Cd. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the rotation assist section 70 includes a cylindrical retainer 71 that supports the U-turn extrusion storage plate 50 from below, and a spherical main rolling ball 72 that is stored within the retainer 71 so as to rotate and has a portion that protrudes from the multiple hole portions 25 of the U-turn extrusion storage plate 50. The main rolling balls 72 are housed inside the retainer 71 so as to be able to rotate inside the retainer 71 even when part of the main rolling balls 72 protrudes from the plurality of holes 25 of the U-turn extrusion housing plate 50 . When the U-turn push-out storage plate 50 is placed on the bottom panel portion 61 , the U-turn push-out storage plate 50 is supported by the upper peripheral surface of the cylindrical holder 71 of the rotation assist portion 70 . The "upper peripheral surface of the holder 71" refers to the surface of the holder 71 that faces the U-turn extrusion storage plate 50 when the U-turn extrusion storage plate 50 is placed on the bottom panel portion 61. Therefore, between the entrance side straight path portion 10 of the U-turn push-out storage board 50 and the bottom panel portion 61, A space S of the same height as the downward bend portion 10a on the side of the straight path section on the entry side is created, a space S of the same height as the downward bend portion 30a on the side of the straight path section on the entry side is created between the straight path section 30 on the exit side and the bottom panel section 61, and a space S of the same height as the retainer 71 of the rotation assist section 70 is created between the curved path section 20 and the bottom panel section 61. The heights of the space S between the entry side straight path section 10 and the bottom panel section 61, the space S between the exit side straight path 30 and the bottom panel section 61, and the space S between the curved path section 20 and the bottom panel section 61 are all the same.

[0031] The materials for the U-turn extrusion storage plate 50 and the cover member 60 include, for example, aluminum, iron, stainless steel, plastic, etc., and are not particularly limited. However, considering that the U-turn extrusion storage container of the present invention is used to keep things cold inside a refrigerator, stainless steel is preferred, as it has low thermal conductivity and excellent cooling power. The U-turn push-out storage plate 50 and the cover member 60 may be made of the same material or different materials. The size of the U-turn push-out storage container 100, i.e., the size of the U-turn push-out storage plate 50 and the size of the cover member 60, can be changed appropriately according to the size of the products Pd to be stored in the U-turn push-out storage container 100 and are not particularly limited. In this regard, in the U-turn push-out storage container 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the length of the U-turn push-out storage plate 50 along the entry direction Ad, i.e., the long dimension, is in the range of 20 cm to 100 cm, the length along the direction perpendicular to the entry direction Ad, i.e., the short dimension, is in the range of 10 cm to 50 cm, and the height of the cover member 60 is set in the range of 5 cm to 50 cm. Furthermore, the length of each panel of the cover member 60 along the entry direction Ad, i.e., the long dimension, and the length along the direction perpendicular to the entry direction Ad, i.e., the short dimension, are formed according to the size of the U-turn push-out storage plate 50. The distance between the inner curved path 22 and the outer curved path 23 in the curved path section 20 also varies according to the size of the U-turn pushing and storing container 100. The bottom panel portion 61 does not necessarily have to have the same outer shape as the U-turn extrusion storage plate 50, and is not particularly limited thereto. For example, the outer shape of the bottom panel portion 61 may be a wide, rectangular plate-like member in a plan view that extends along a direction perpendicular to the entry direction Ad or the discharge direction Dd, compared to the U-turn extrusion storage plate 50. In this case, the bottom panel portion 61 has a larger area than the U-turn extrusion storage plate 50, and as a result, even if the product Pd is a heavy product such as a beer bottle, when the product Pd moves along the entry direction Ad, curve direction Cd, and discharge direction Dd of the U-turn extrusion storage plate 50, the products Pd will come into contact with each other, causing them to swing and collide repeatedly against the side panel portion 62 (entry side straight path portion side panel 62a, curve path portion side panel 62b, and discharge side straight path portion side panel 62c), which is the cover member 60, thereby reliably preventing the entire U-turn extrusion storage container 100 from becoming unstable.

[0032] The shapes of the entrance-side straight path section side panel 62a and the exit-side straight path section side panel 62c, which are the side panel sections 62 of the cover member 60, are not particularly limited. In this regard, the U-turn pushing and storing container 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention adopts a curved shape that gradually slopes from the curved road portion side panel 62b toward the discharge direction Dd, as shown in Figures 1 and 3. In this case, as a result of the curved shapes of the side panel 62a of the straight path section on the entry side and the side panel 62c of the straight path section on the discharge side, even when the U-turn push-out storage container 100 is placed inside a refrigerator, cold air will enter the inside of the U-turn push-out storage container 100 from the curved parts, and as a result, the cooling effect on the products Pd stored in the U-turn push-out storage container 100 is improved compared to when the curved parts are not present. In addition, a plurality of holes may be provided on the surface of each of the side panel portions 62, that is, the approach side straight road section side panel 62a, the curved road section side panel 62b, and the exit side straight road section side panel 62c. In this case, as a result of providing multiple holes on the surface of each panel of the side panel portion 62, even when the U-turn extrusion storage container 100 is placed inside a refrigerator, cold air can enter the inside of the U-turn extrusion storage container 100 through the multiple holes, thereby improving the cooling effect on the products Pd stored in the U-turn extrusion storage container 100 compared to a side panel portion 62 that does not have the multiple holes.

[0033] The path of the product Pd in ​​the U-turn push-out storage container 100 of embodiment 1 is such that, when viewed from the front of the U-turn push-out storage container 100 of embodiment 1, the partition board 40 is the boundary, with the right side being the straight entry path section 10 with the product entry entrance 12 and the left side being the straight exit path section 30 with the product discharge outlet 32, but the path of the product Pd may also be exactly the opposite. That is, when the U-turn pushing-out storage container 100 according to the first embodiment is viewed from the front, the partition plate 40 may be used as a boundary, with the left side being the entry-side straight path section 10 having the product entry opening 12, and the right side being the discharge-side straight path section 30 having the product discharge opening 32. In this case, the path of the products Pd will be a flow that proceeds from the left side to the right side.

[0034] In the U-turn extrusion storage container 100 of embodiment 1, a downward bend portion 10a on the side of the entry side straight path section is provided for the entry side straight path section 10, and a downward bend portion 30a on the side of the discharge side straight path section is provided for the discharge side straight path section 30, thereby resulting in the generation of a space S between the U-turn extrusion storage plate 50 and the bottom panel section 61. However, as a method for generating the space S, a configuration other than providing a downward bend portion 10a on the side of the entry side straight path section and an outer bend portion 30a on the discharge side straight path section may be adopted, and is not particularly limited. For example, by adjusting the height of the bottom panel portion forward bend 61a of the bottom panel portion 61 to a length equivalent to the space S and changing the configuration (shape) so that the bottom panel portion forward bend 61a supports the bottom surface of the U-turn extrusion storage plate 50, a space S of a height equivalent to the bottom panel portion forward bend 61a is created between the U-turn extrusion storage plate 50 and the bottom panel portion 61.

[0035] <Embodiment 2> As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, a U-turn pushing and storing container 200 according to a second embodiment of the present invention includes: The entry side straight path section 10 is provided with an entry side straight path section roller section 11 in which a plurality of rollers are arranged in the entry direction Ad, and the discharge side straight path section 30 is provided with a discharge side straight path section roller section 31 in which a plurality of rollers are arranged in the discharge direction Dd.

[0036] As shown in Figure 9, the entry-side straight path section roller section 11 is stored in the space S between the entry-side straight path section 10 and the bottom panel section 61 so as to partially protrude from the surface of the entry-side straight path section 10 and rotate, and the discharge-side straight path section roller section 31 is stored in the space S between the discharge-side straight path section 30 and the bottom panel section 61 so as to partially protrude from the surface of the discharge-side straight path section 30 and rotate.

[0037] <Embodiment 3> As shown in Figures 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14, the U-turn extrusion storage container 300 of embodiment 3 of the present invention is provided with a spherical sub-rolling ball 73 that is positioned below the main rolling ball 72 relative to the rotation assist section 70 and is stored inside the retainer 71 so that it comes into contact with the main rolling ball 72 and rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the main rolling ball 72.

[0038] Figure 15(A) shows a state in which the main rolling ball 72 is positioned above the sub-rolling ball 73, while Figure 15(B) shows a state in which the main rolling ball 72 positioned above the sub-rolling ball 73 has been removed. In both Figures 15(A) and 15(B), four sub-rolling balls 73 are housed inside the retainer 71, but it is sufficient that multiple sub-rolling balls 73 are housed inside the retainer 71, and the number of sub-rolling balls 73 is not particularly limited.

[0039] The diameters of the main rolling ball 72 and the sub-rolling ball 73 are not particularly limited, but in order for a portion of the main rolling ball 72 arranged on the upper surface of the sub-rolling ball 73 stored inside the retainer 71 to protrude from the hole portion 25 of the U-turn extrusion storage plate 50, the diameters of the main rolling ball 72 and the sub-rolling ball 73 must satisfy the following relationship. That is, as shown in Figure 16, when the inner height of the retainer 71 is h, the thickness of the U-turn extrusion storage plate 50 is t, the diameter of the main rolling ball 72 is a, the diameter of the sub-rolling ball 73 is b, and the total length of the diameter a of the main rolling ball 72 and the diameter b of the sub-rolling ball 73 is c, the diameters of the main rolling ball 72 and the sub-rolling ball 73 must be selected or adjusted so that the relationship c>h+t is satisfied.

[0040] <Embodiment 4> As shown in Figures 17 and 18, in a U-turn pushing and storing container 400 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, a curved path section 20 is provided with a U-shaped plate 33 that supports the bottom of the product on the central curved path 24 between the inner curved path 22 and the outer curved path 23.

[0041] Generally, in products Pd such as bottles or cans, the bottom surface of the product Pd has a dome-shaped recess that is slightly recessed toward the inside of the product Pd, in order to improve strength or to disperse the pressure of carbon dioxide gas in carbonated drinks or beer and create a structure that can withstand internal pressure. Therefore, in the case of products Pd such as bottles or cans, the peripheral edge of the product bottom comes into contact with the main rolling balls 72, and the product has a structure that tends to become unstable, such as swinging. The U-shaped plate 33 supports the central portion of the bottom of the product Pd as it passes through the inner curve path 22 and the outer curve path 23 of the curved road section 20, thereby stabilizing the U-turn movement of the product Pd, which tends to become unstable. The thickness and shape of the U-shaped plate 33 are not particularly limited. The material for the U-shaped plate 33 is the same as that for the U-turn extrusion storage plate 50 and the cover member 60, and examples include aluminum, iron, stainless steel, plastic, etc., and is not particularly limited. However, considering that the U-turn extrusion storage container of the present invention is used to keep things cold inside a refrigerator, stainless steel is preferred, as it has low thermal conductivity and excellent cold retention.

[0042] <Embodiment 5> As shown in Figures 19 and 20, the U-turn push-out storage container 500 of embodiment 5 of the present invention is provided with a fall prevention stop fence 34 at the product discharge outlet 32 ​​of the U-turn push-out storage plate 50 to prevent a product Pd that has passed through the discharge side straight path section 30 from coming into contact with another following product Pd and being pushed out in the discharge direction Dd, thereby falling out of the U-turn push-out storage container 50. The anti-fall stop fence 34 refers to a rectangular plate-shaped member located in an area within approximately 1 cm to 3 cm from the discharge direction end 30Dd of the discharge side straight path section 30 toward the entry direction Ad, and arranged between the side panel section 62 and the partition plate 40. The fall prevention stop fence 34 not only serves as a stop fence to prevent the product Pd from falling off, but also serves to make it easier to store the products Pd compared to when the fall prevention stop fence 34 is not provided, as the product Pd that was placed first in the U-turn push-out storage container 500 is automatically stopped by the fall prevention stop fence 34, causing the subsequent products Pd that are placed later to repeatedly come into contact with each other. The fall prevention stop fence 34 only needs to be high enough to collide with part of the bottom of the product Pd that has passed through the discharge side straight path section 30, and the height of the discharge side straight path section 30 is not particularly limited, and similarly, the shape and material of the fall prevention stop fence 34 are not particularly limited. [Industrial Applicability]

[0043] The U-turn push-out storage container of the present invention is not limited to being used as a storage container for cooling products such as bottles and cans in refrigerators in restaurants and the like, but can also be used in situations where items other than food are stored. [Explanation of symbols]

[0044] 100 U-turn extrusion storage device of embodiment 1 200 U-turn extrusion storage device of embodiment 2 300 U-turn extrusion storage device of embodiment 3 400 U-turn extrusion storage device of embodiment 4 500 U-turn extrusion storage device of embodiment 5 10 Straight section on approach side 10a Downward bend on the side of the straight path on the approach side 10Ad Approach end of straight road section on approach side 10Dd Discharge direction end of the straight path on the approach side 11. Roller section of straight road section on approach side 12 Product entrance 20 Curved road section 21 End of curved section in the direction of discharge 21Ad End of curved road section, approach side, straight road section, discharge direction 21Dd End of discharge direction on curved road section and straight road section 22 Inside curve 23 Outside curve 24 Center curve 25 Hole 30 Discharge side straight path section 30a Downward bent part of the straight path section on the discharge side 30Ad Entrance direction end of the straight passage section on the discharge side 30Dd End of the discharge direction of the straight path on the discharge side 31 Discharge side straight path roller section 32 Product outlet 33 U-shaped plate 34 Fall prevention stop fence 40 Divider 50 U-turn push-out storage board 60 Cover member 61 Bottom panel 61a Bottom panel forward bend 62 Side panel 62a Side panel of straight section on approach side 62b Curved road side panel 62c Side panel of straight section on discharge side 70 Rotation assist unit 71 Cage 72 Main rolling ball 73 Sub-rolling ball Pd products Ad approach direction Cd Curve direction Dd Discharge direction S space

Claims

1. an entrance-side straight path section provided so that the path of products such as bottles or cans proceeds straight from the product entrance along the entrance direction; a curved road section connected to an end of the straight road section on the approach side in the approach direction so that the path of the goods makes a U-turn along the curved direction; a discharge-side straight path section that is connected to the discharge direction end of the curved path section and is parallel to the entry-side straight path section so that the path of the product advances straight to the product discharge outlet along the discharge direction; a U-turn extrusion storage plate provided with a partition plate between the entrance-side straight path portion and the discharge-side straight path portion; a cover member having side panel portions standing up from the bottom panel portion along the approach direction, the curve direction, and the discharge direction of the U-turn extrusion storage plate when the U-turn extrusion storage plate is placed on the bottom panel portion, and surrounding the approach side straight path portion, the curve path portion, and the discharge side straight path portion; The U-turn extrusion storage plate has a plurality of holes formed on the inner curve path and the outer curve path of the curved road section, The bottom panel portion is provided with rotation assist portions in a space generated between the U-turn extrusion storage plate and the bottom panel portion when the U-turn extrusion storage plate is placed, and at positions facing the plurality of hole portions, The rotation assisting portion is a U-turn extrusion storage container characterized by having a retainer that supports the U-turn extrusion storage plate from below, and a spherical main rolling ball that is stored inside the retainer and has a portion that protrudes from the multiple holes in the U-turn extrusion storage plate.

2. the approach-side straight path section is provided with an approach-side straight path section roller section in which a plurality of rollers are arranged in the approach direction, 2. The U-turn pushing and storing container according to claim 1, wherein the discharge-side straight path section is provided with a discharge-side straight path section roller section in which a plurality of rollers are arranged in the discharge direction.

3. The U-turn extrusion storage container described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the rotation assisting portion is provided with a spherical sub-rolling ball that is arranged below the main rolling ball and is stored inside the retainer so that it comes into contact with the main rolling ball and rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the main rolling ball.

4. 4. The U-turn extrusion container according to claim 3, wherein a plurality of the sub-rolling balls are housed inside the cage.

5. 3. The U-turn push-out storage container according to claim 1, wherein the curved path section is provided with a U-shaped plate for supporting the bottom of the product on the central curved path between the inner curved path and the outer curved path.

6. In a state where the main rolling balls and the sub rolling balls are housed inside the retainer of the rotation assisting part, The relationship between the height a of the cage, the thickness t of the U-turn extrusion storage plate, and the total length b of the diameters of the main rolling balls and the sub rolling balls is expressed by the following formula (1): b>a+t...Formula (1) 4. The U-turn extrusion container according to claim 3, wherein the diameters of the main rolling ball and the sub rolling ball are selected or adjusted so as to satisfy the above.

7. A U-turn extrusion storage container as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a fall prevention stop fence is provided at the product discharge outlet of the U-turn extrusion storage plate to prevent the products that have passed through the discharge side straight path section from falling out.

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