Container support device

Abstract

To provide a container support device that can improve work efficiency regardless of the primary operator. [Solution] The support part 1 is a surface that supports the bottom surface of the container C and includes a container support surface 11 that is inclined to become lower as it approaches the work area side D1, a first restricting part 12 provided at the end of the container support surface 11 on the work area side D1 that restricts the movement of the container C toward the work area side D1, and a second restricting part 13 provided on the container support surface 11 on the opposite side D2 of the work area from the first restricting part 12 that restricts the movement of the container C toward the work area side D1. The article placement part 2 is positioned in a location that overlaps with the container C at the first restricting position P1 in a vertical view, and the support part 1 includes a transmissive part 14 that transmits visible light in the vertical direction, and the transmissive part 14 is positioned in at least a region of the container support surface 11 that overlaps with the container C at the first restricting position P1 in a vertical view, but does not overlap with the container C at the second restricting position P2 in a vertical view.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a container support device disposed adjacent to a work area where a work entity performing work on a container is located.

Background Art

[0002] An example of such a container support device is disclosed in Patent Document 1 below. In the following description of the background art, the reference numerals in Patent Document 1 are cited in parentheses.

[0003] The container support device (10) of Patent Document 1 includes a support portion (12a) that supports a container (6) that is the object of work. An operator (M) as a work entity performs an operation of transferring an article (P) from a loading container (7) loaded by a loading conveyor (60) to the container (6) supported by the support portion (12a).

[0004] In the container support device (10) of Patent Document 1, the support portion (12a) is configured to be able to support the container (6) in an inclined state such that the opening of the container (6) faces the side of the operator (M). Thus, the workability when the operator (M) performs the above operation is improved.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] However, since the above work is performed by various workers (M), the support position of the container (6) by the support part (12a) may not be appropriate depending on the worker (M). Also, because the container (6) is supported by the support part (12a) in an inclined position, visibility below the container (6) may be poor. Thus, with the container support device (10) of Patent Document 1, the work efficiency when performing the above work may be poor depending on the worker (M).

[0007] Therefore, there is a need for a container support device that can improve work efficiency regardless of the operator performing the work. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In light of the above, the characteristic configuration of the container support device is: A container support device positioned adjacent to the work area where the person performing work on the container is located, A support part that supports the container that is the subject of the aforementioned work, The system includes an article placement section located below the support section, where articles to be placed into the container or articles removed from the container by the aforementioned operation are placed, When viewed from above, the direction in which the support portion and the work area are aligned is defined as the depth direction, the side of the depth direction on which the work area is located relative to the support portion is defined as the work area side, and the side opposite to the work area side is defined as the anti-work area side. The aforementioned support portion is A surface that supports the bottom surface of the container, the container support surface being inclined so as to become lower toward the work area, A first restricting portion is provided at the end of the container support surface on the work area side, which restricts the movement of the container toward the work area side, The container support surface includes a second restricting portion provided on the side of the container support surface that is not on the work area side than the first restricting portion, which restricts the movement of the container toward the work area side, The position of the container in which its movement toward the work area is restricted by the first restricting unit is defined as the first restricted position, and the position of the container in which its movement toward the work area is restricted by the second restricting unit is defined as the second restricted position. The article placement section is positioned in a location that overlaps with the container in the first restricted position when viewed from above and below. The support portion includes a transparent portion through which visible light is transmitted in the vertical direction, The transparent portion is located at least in a region of the container support surface that overlaps with the container at the first restricted position in the vertical view, and does not overlap with the container at the second restricted position in the vertical view.

[0009] This feature configuration allows the container to be supported at either the first or second restricted position. When the container is supported at the first restricted position, it can be positioned closer to the work area. When the container is supported at the second restricted position, it can be positioned further away from the work area, and visibility to the item placement area can be improved through the transparent portion of the container support surface. This allows the container to be supported at an appropriate position considering the convenience of the work. Therefore, work efficiency can be improved regardless of the work area. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] Plan view of a container support device according to an embodiment [Figure 2] Side view of a container support device according to an embodiment [Figure 3] Perspective view showing the configuration of the second regulatory section. [Figure 4] This diagram shows an example of a case where the operator changes the position of the container between the first and second regulated positions. [Figure 5] This diagram shows an example of a case where the operator changes the position of the container between the first and second regulated positions. [Figure 6]A diagram showing an example of a case where the working entity changes the position of the container between the first regulated position and the second regulated position [Figure 7] A plan view showing a support part according to other embodiments

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, the container support device 100 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0012] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the container support device 100 is arranged adjacent to the work area S. The work area S is an area where the working entity P that performs work on the container C is located. To add an explanation, the work area S includes the floor surface on which the working entity P is located and a three-dimensional space that overlaps with the floor surface in the vertical direction view. Here, regarding the arrangement of the two elements, "overlapping in a specific direction view" means that when a virtual straight line parallel to the line-of-sight direction is moved in each direction orthogonal to the virtual straight line, there is at least a partial area where the virtual straight line intersects both of the two elements.

[0013] The work on the container C includes the work of putting the article A into the container C and the work of taking out the article A from the container C. In this embodiment, the work on the container C is the work of putting the article A into the container C. The container C is a container with an open upper surface, such as a folding container or a carton. The working entity P is a worker, a working robot, or the like. In this embodiment, the working entity P is a worker.

[0014] The container support device 100 includes a first support part 1 and an article placement part 2. The first support part 1 is a "support part" that supports the container C that is the object of work. The article placement part 2 is configured such that the article A to be put into the container C by the work or the article A taken out from the container C is placed. The article placement part 2 is arranged below the first support part 1 (see FIG. 2).

[0015] In the following description, in a top-down view (see FIG. 1), the direction in which the first support portion 1 and the work area S are aligned is defined as the "depth direction D". And, the side where the work area S is located with respect to the first support portion 1 in the depth direction D is defined as the "work area side D1", and the side opposite to the work area side D1 is defined as the "opposite work area side D2". Also, the direction orthogonal to the depth direction D in a top-down view is defined as the "width direction W".

[0016] As shown in FIG. 2, the first support portion 1 includes a container support surface 11, a first restricting portion 12, and a second restricting portion 13.

[0017] The container support surface 11 is a surface that supports the bottom surface of the container C. The container support surface 11 is inclined so as to become lower as it goes toward the work area side D1. In the present embodiment, the container support surface 11 is the upper surface of the plate-like support member 10.

[0018] The first restricting portion 12 is configured to restrict the movement of the container C toward the work area side D1. The first restricting portion 12 is provided at the end portion on the work area side D1 of the container support surface 11. In the present embodiment, the first restricting portion 12 is formed such that the end portion on the work area side D1 of the support member 10 stands up in a wall shape and is perpendicular to the container support surface 11. Note that, in the present embodiment, the "end portion on the work area side D1 of the container support surface 11" coincides with the end portion on the work area side D1 of the support member 10. However, when the end portion on the work area side D1 of the container support surface 11 is located on the opposite work area side D2 rather than the end portion on the work area side D1 of the support member 10, they do not coincide.

[0019] The second restricting portion 13 is configured to restrict the movement of the container C toward the work area side D1. The second restricting portion 13 is provided on the opposite work area side D2 of the first restricting portion 12 on the container support surface 11.

[0020] In the following explanation, the position of container C when its movement toward the work area D1 is restricted by the first restricting unit 12 will be referred to as the "first restricting position P1". The position of container C when its movement toward the work area D1 is restricted by the second restricting unit 13 will be referred to as the "second restricting position P2".

[0021] As shown in Figure 1, in this embodiment, a pair of first support parts 1 are arranged side by side in the width direction W. In the example shown in Figure 1, the container C supported by the first support part 1 on the right side as viewed from the work subject P is at the first regulating position P1, and the container C supported by the first support part 1 on the left side as viewed from the work subject P is at the second regulating position P2.

[0022] The item placement section 2 is positioned so as to overlap with the container C at the first restricted position P1 in a vertical view. In this embodiment, the item placement section 2 is also positioned so as to overlap with the container C at the second restricted position P2 in a vertical view, but the overlapping area between the item placement section 2 and the container C at the first restricted position P1 in a vertical view is larger than the overlapping area between the item placement section 2 and the container C at the second restricted position P2 in a vertical view. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the item placement section 2 is formed in a tray shape.

[0023] The first support portion 1 is equipped with a transmissive portion 14 that transmits visible light in the vertical direction.

[0024] The transparent portion 14 is positioned in a region of the container support surface 11 that overlaps with the container C at the first regulated position P1 in a vertical view, but does not overlap with the container C at the second regulated position P2 in a vertical view. In this embodiment, the transparent portion 14 is positioned over a portion of the region of the container support surface 11 that overlaps with the container C at the first regulated position P1 in a vertical view, but does not overlap with the container C at the second regulated position P2 in a vertical view, and over a portion of the region of the container support surface 11 that overlaps with both the container C at the first regulated position P1 and the container C at the second regulated position P2 in a vertical view.

[0025] In this embodiment, a pair of first restricting units 12 are arranged separately in the width direction W. Similarly, a pair of second restricting units 13 are arranged separately in the width direction W. The pair of first restricting units 12 are arranged at the same position in the depth direction D. The pair of second restricting units 13 are also arranged at the same position in the depth direction D.

[0026] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the permeable portion 14 is an opening 15 formed to penetrate the first support portion 1 (here, the support member 10) in the vertical direction. The opening 15 is located between a pair of first restricting portions 12 in the width direction W. The opening 15 is formed to open toward the work area side D1. In other words, the opening 15 is formed so that a part of the support member 10 is cut away from the edge of the support member 10 on the work area side D1 toward the opposite work area side D2. In the example shown in Figure 1, the support member 10 is formed in a U shape. The opening 15 is located between a pair of first restricting portions 12 in the width direction W and between a pair of second restricting portions 13 in the width direction W.

[0027] As shown in Figure 1, in this embodiment, the first support portion 1 further comprises a pair of side wall portions 16 and a back wall portion 17.

[0028] The pair of side wall portions 16 are configured to restrict the movement of the container C in the width direction W. In this embodiment, the pair of side wall portions 16 are formed such that the ends on both sides of the support member 10 in the width direction W rise up in a wall-like manner and are perpendicular to the container support surface 11.

[0029] The back wall portion 17 is configured to restrict the movement of the container C toward the non-working area side D2. The back wall portion 17 is positioned toward the non-working area side D2 than the container C at the second restricting position P2. In this embodiment, the back wall portion 17 is formed such that the end of the support member 10 toward the non-working area side D2 rises up in a wall shape and is perpendicular to the container support surface 11.

[0030] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, in this embodiment, the container support device 100 further comprises an article moving device 3, a container transport device 4, and a second support section 5.

[0031] The item moving device 3 is a device that moves an item A along the depth direction D. An item placement section 2 is provided adjacent to the work area side D1 relative to the item moving device 3, or the item placement section 2 is provided in the end region of the work area side D1 of the item moving device 3. In this embodiment, the item placement section 2 is provided adjacent to the work area side D1 relative to the item moving device 3. In addition, the travel path of a transport vehicle such as an AGV (Automated Guided Vehicle) or AMR (Autonomous Mobile Robot) is arranged on the opposite side D2 from the item moving device 3. The item moving device 3 then moves the item A received from the transport vehicle toward the work area side D1 to the item placement section 2. In the illustrated example, the item moving device 3 is a belt conveyor.

[0032] The container transport device 4 is a device that transports containers C after the work has been completed. The container transport device 4 is located below the article placement section 2 (see Figure 2). In this embodiment, the container transport device 4 is located in a position that overlaps with the article placement section 2 and the article moving device 3 in a vertical view. In the illustrated example, the container transport device 4 is a roller conveyor that transports containers C along the width direction W.

[0033] The second support section 5 is configured to support the container C that is the object of the work. The second support section 5 is positioned adjacent to the work area D1 with respect to the container transport device 4, and adjacent to the opposite work area D2 with respect to the work area S. The second support section 5 is positioned below the item placement section 2 (see Figure 2). In this embodiment, the second support section 5 is configured to support two containers C side by side in the width direction W (see Figure 1).

[0034] As shown in Figure 2, in this embodiment, the second support section 5 is configured to support the container C in an inclined state such that the upper surface of the container C faces the work area side D1. In this embodiment, the second support section 5 is also configured to transport the container C along the depth direction D. The end of the transport surface of the second support section 5 on the side opposite the work area D2 is positioned above the transport surface of the container transport device 4. Thus, in this embodiment, when work on the container C supported by the second support section 5 is completed, the worker P, as the work subject, pushes the container C toward the work area side D1, thereby moving the container C to the container transport device 4. In the illustrated example, the second support section 5 is a roller conveyor.

[0035] As shown in Figure 3, in this embodiment, the second regulating section 13 includes a regulating member 131, a biasing member 132, a pivot shaft member 133, and a pivot support member 134.

[0036] The restricting member 131 is configured to change between a protruding state in which at least a portion of it protrudes from the container support surface 11 (see Figures 3, 4, and 6) and an embedded state in which the entire member does not protrude from the container support surface 11 (see Figure 5). In this embodiment, the restricting member 131 is positioned in a through hole 10a formed to penetrate the support member 10 in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the upper surface of the restricting member 131 is inclined downwards as it approaches the work area side D1. The dimensions of the restricting member 131 are set to be such that, for example, if the bottom surface of the container C is mesh-like or otherwise has irregularities formed on the bottom surface of the container C, it will not fit into such irregularities. To elaborate, at least the width W dimension of the restricting member 131 is set to be larger than the width W dimension of the recess formed on the bottom surface of the container C.

[0037] The biasing member 132 is a member that biases the regulating member 131, which is in an embedded state, to a protruding state. In this embodiment, the biasing member 132 is a torsion coil spring comprising a first arm portion 132a and a second arm portion 132b. The first arm portion 132a extends toward the work area side D1, and the second arm portion 132b extends toward the opposite work area side D2.

[0038] The pivot shaft member 133 is a shaft member that extends in the width direction W. The pivot shaft member 133 is positioned to penetrate the restricting member 131 in the width direction W. The pivot shaft member 133 pivotably supports the restricting member 131. In this embodiment, a torsion coil spring acting as a biasing member 132 is wound around each of the portions of the restricting member 131 that protrude from the pivot shaft member 133 on both sides in the width direction W (illustration of one biasing member 132 is omitted).

[0039] The pivot support member 134 is a member that supports the oscillating shaft member 133. In this embodiment, the pivot support member 134 comprises a fixed portion 134a and a pair of shaft support portions 134b.

[0040] The fixing portion 134a is fixed to the support member 10. In this embodiment, the fixing portion 134a is formed in the shape of a plate. The fixing portion 134a is fixed to the support member 10 by bolt fastening while in contact with the lower surface of the support member 10 (the surface opposite to the container support surface 11).

[0041] The pair of shaft support portions 134b are arranged to support the shaft support member 134 from both sides in the width direction W. In this embodiment, the pair of shaft support portions 134b are formed in a plate shape that extends downward from both sides in the width direction W of the fixed portion 134a. The pair of shaft support portions 134b fix the oscillating shaft member 133 with both ends of the oscillating shaft member 133 passing through it in the width direction W.

[0042] In this embodiment, the first arm portion 132a of the biasing member 132 contacts the fixing portion 134a from below, applying an upward biasing force to the fixing portion 134a. In addition, in this embodiment, the second arm portion 132b of the biasing member 132 contacts the abutment portion 131a provided on the regulating member 131 from below, applying an upward biasing force to the abutment portion 131a.

[0043] The contact portion 131a is positioned to protrude from the restricting member 131 on both sides in the width direction W (illustration of one contact portion 131a is omitted). In this embodiment, the contact portion 131a is positioned so that the restricting member 131 is in contact with the lower surface of the support member 10 (the surface opposite to the container support surface 11) when the restricting member 131 is in a protruding state. In this way, the upward movement of the restricting member 131 is restricted in this embodiment. In the illustrated example, the contact portion 131a is the head of a bolt fixed to the restricting member 131.

[0044] The following describes an example in which a worker, acting as the work subject P, changes the position of container C between the first regulated position P1 and the second regulated position P2, with reference to Figures 4 to 6.

[0045] As shown in Figure 4, when container C is in the second regulated position P2, the worker lifts the portion of container C on the work area side D1. Then, as shown in Figure 5, the worker places the lifted container C on the protruding regulated member 131. As a result, the regulated member 131 is pressed downward against the biasing force of the biasing member 132 and becomes embedded. The worker then pulls container C towards the work area side D1 and brings it into contact with the first regulated section 12. In this way, container C is supported at the first regulated position P1.

[0046] To move container C to the second restricted position P2 again from this state, as shown in Figure 6, the worker pushes container C toward the side opposite the work area D2. When container C is pushed beyond the restricted member 131 toward the side opposite the work area D2, the restricted member 131 protrudes due to the biasing force of the biasing member 132. The worker then pulls container C toward the work area D1, bringing it into contact with the protruding restricted member 131. In this way, container C is supported at the second restricted position P2.

[0047] [Other Embodiments] (1) In the above embodiment, a configuration in which a pair of second restricting units 13 are arranged separately in the width direction W was described as an example, but the configuration is not limited to such a configuration. For example, there may be a configuration in which one second restricting unit 13 is arranged, or a configuration in which three or more second restricting units 13 are arranged separately in the width direction W. Also, as shown in Figure 7, multiple second restricting units 13 may be arranged separately in the depth direction D. In the example shown in Figure 7, a pair of second restricting units 13 arranged separately in the width direction W and a pair of second restricting units 13 arranged separately in the width direction W are arranged separately in the depth direction D. This makes it possible to set multiple (in this case, two) second restricting positions P2 at different positions in the depth direction D.

[0048] (2) In the above embodiment, a configuration in which the restricting member 131 of the second restricting section 13 can change between a protruding state and an embedded state was described as an example. However, the configuration is not limited to such a configuration, and for example, the restricting member 131 may be configured not to change from the protruding state. In this case, it is preferable that the restricting member 131 is configured to be detachably attached to the container support surface 11.

[0049] (3) In the above embodiment, a configuration was described as in which the container C is placed on the protruding restricting member 131, causing the restricting member 131 to be pressed downward against the biasing force of the biasing member 132 and become embedded. However, the configuration is not limited to such a configuration, and for example, a locking mechanism can be provided in the second restricting part 13 that can fix the restricting member 131 in a protruding state and also release the fixation. In this case, it is preferable that the restricting member 131 changes to an embedded state when the locking mechanism is released.

[0050] (4) In the above embodiment, the regulating member 131 was described as being in a protruding state, with at least a part of it protruding from the container support surface 11. However, the configuration is not limited to such a configuration, and for example, the protruding state may be a configuration in which a part of the regulating member 131 protrudes from each of the pair of side wall portions 16. In this configuration, the state in which the entire regulating member 131 does not protrude from the side wall portion 16 is called the embedded state. Furthermore, in this configuration, when the container C is placed on the pair of regulating members 131 in the protruding state, it is preferable that the upper surfaces of each of the pair of regulating members 131 are inclined upward as they face the side wall portion 16, so that each of the pair of regulating members 131 is pressed against the side wall portion 16 against the biasing force of the biasing member 132 and becomes embedded.

[0051] (5) In the above embodiment, the regulating member 131 was described as having a configuration in which its upper surface is inclined downwards as it approaches the work area D1. However, the configuration is not limited to such a configuration, and for example, the upper surface of the protruding regulating member 131 may be parallel to the container support surface 11.

[0052] (6) In the above embodiment, a configuration in which the regulating member 131 is pivotably supported by the pivot shaft member 133 was described as an example. However, the configuration is not limited to such a configuration, and for example, the regulating member 131 may be supported so as to be movable in a direction perpendicular to the container support surface 11.

[0053] (7) In the above embodiment, a configuration in which the biasing member 132 is a torsion coil spring was described as an example. However, the configuration is not limited to such a configuration, and for example, the biasing member 132 may be a compression coil spring or rubber.

[0054] (8) In the above embodiment, a configuration in which the first restricting portion 12 is formed such that the end of the support member 10 on the work area side D1 rises up in a wall shape was described as an example. However, the configuration is not limited to such a configuration, and for example, the first restricting portion 12 may be formed to protrude from each of the pair of side wall portions 16.

[0055] (9) In the above embodiment, a configuration was described as in which a pair of first restricting portions 12 are arranged separately in the width direction W, a pair of second restricting portions 13 are arranged separately in the width direction W, and the permeable portion 14 (opening 15) is arranged between the pair of first restricting portions 12 in the width direction W and between the pair of second restricting portions 13 in the width direction W. However, the configuration is not limited to such a configuration, and for example, one first restricting portion 12 and one second restricting portion 13 are arranged in the center of the container support surface 11 in the width direction W, and a pair of permeable portions 14 are arranged separately in the width direction W relative to them.

[0056] (10) In the above embodiment, the transparent portion 14 was described as being arranged over a portion of the area on the container support surface 11 that overlaps with the container C at the first regulated position P1 in a vertical view and does not overlap with the container C at the second regulated position P2 in a vertical view, and over a portion of the area on the container support surface 11 that overlaps with both the container C at the first regulated position P1 and the container C at the second regulated position P2 in a vertical view. However, the configuration is not limited to such an example, for example, the transparent portion 14 may not be arranged in the area on the container support surface 11 that overlaps with both the container C at the first regulated position P1 and the container C at the second regulated position P2 in a vertical view. Alternatively, the transparent portion 14 may be arranged over the entire area of ​​the container support surface 11.

[0057] (11) In the above embodiment, the transparent portion 14 was described as an example in which the transparent portion 14 is an opening 15 formed to penetrate the first support portion 1 in the vertical direction. However, the embodiment is not limited to such a configuration, and for example, the transparent portion 14 may be made of a material that transmits visible light. Such a transparent portion 14 can be realized, for example, by using a glass plate or a synthetic resin plate. Alternatively, for example, the transparent portion 14 may be made of a number of small holes that penetrate the first support portion 1 in the vertical direction. Such a transparent portion 14 can be realized, for example, by using perforated metal.

[0058] (12) In the above embodiment, a configuration in which the opening 15 is formed to open toward the work area side D1 was described as an example. However, the configuration is not limited to such a configuration, and for example, the opening 15 may not open toward the work area side D1, but may simply be formed to penetrate the first support portion 1 in the vertical direction.

[0059] (13) In the above embodiment, a configuration in which the opening 15 is arranged so that the support member 10 is formed in a U shape was described as an example. However, the configuration is not limited to such a configuration, and for example, the support member 10 may be formed in an angular U shape or in a V shape.

[0060] (14) In the above embodiment, a configuration in which the article placement section 2 is formed in a tray shape independently of the article moving device 3 was described as an example. However, the configuration is not limited to such a configuration, and the article placement section 2 may be composed of a part of the article moving device 3. Specifically, the article placement section 2 may be provided in the end region of the work area side D1 of the article moving device 3. For example, the article moving device 3 may be a conveyor, and the end region of the work area side D1 of the conveyor may be the article placement section 2. Alternatively, the article moving device 3 may be a chute that slides articles, and the end region of the work area side D1 of the chute may be the article placement section 2. Furthermore, the article moving device 3 may consist of a conveyor and a chute arranged adjacent to the work area side D1 relative to the conveyor, and a part of the chute may be the article placement section 2.

[0061] (15) The configurations disclosed in each of the above embodiments can be applied in combination with configurations disclosed in other embodiments, as long as no inconsistencies arise. With regard to other configurations, the embodiments disclosed herein are merely illustrative in all respects. Therefore, various modifications can be made as appropriate without departing from the spirit of this disclosure.

[0062] [Summary of this embodiment] The following describes the overview of the container support device described above.

[0063] The container support device is A container support device positioned adjacent to the work area where the person performing work on the container is located, A support part that supports the container that is the subject of the aforementioned work, The system includes an article placement section located below the support section, where articles to be placed into the container or articles removed from the container by the aforementioned operation are placed, When viewed from above, the direction in which the support portion and the work area are aligned is defined as the depth direction, the side of the depth direction on which the work area is located relative to the support portion is defined as the work area side, and the side opposite to the work area side is defined as the anti-work area side. The aforementioned support portion is A surface that supports the bottom surface of the container, the container support surface being inclined so as to become lower toward the work area, A first restricting portion is provided at the end of the container support surface on the work area side, which restricts the movement of the container toward the work area side, The container support surface includes a second restricting portion provided on the side of the container support surface that is not on the work area side than the first restricting portion, which restricts the movement of the container toward the work area side, The position of the container in which its movement toward the work area is restricted by the first restricting unit is defined as the first restricted position, and the position of the container in which its movement toward the work area is restricted by the second restricting unit is defined as the second restricted position. The article placement section is positioned in a location that overlaps with the container in the first restricted position when viewed from above and below. The support portion includes a transparent portion through which visible light is transmitted in the vertical direction, The transparent portion is located at least in a region of the container support surface that overlaps with the container at the first restricted position in the vertical view, and does not overlap with the container at the second restricted position in the vertical view.

[0064] This configuration allows the container to be supported at either the first or second restricted position. When the container is supported at the first restricted position, it can be positioned closer to the work area. When the container is supported at the second restricted position, it can be positioned further away from the work area, and visibility to the item placement area can be improved through the transparent portion of the container support surface. This allows the container to be supported at an appropriate position considering the convenience of the work. Therefore, work efficiency can be improved regardless of the work area.

[0065] Here, it is preferable that the second restricting portion includes a restricting member configured to change between a protruding state in which at least a part of it protrudes from the container support surface and an embedded state in which the entirety does not protrude from the container support surface.

[0066] With this configuration, even if the second restricting part is positioned to interfere with the container at the first restricting position, interference between the second restricting part and the container can be avoided by embedding the second restricting part. Therefore, it is easier to improve the stability of the container at the first restricting position.

[0067] In the above configuration, it is preferable that the second restricting portion further comprises a biasing member that biases the restricting member, which is in the embedded state, to the protruding state.

[0068] With this configuration, the biasing force of the biasing member can maintain the protruding state of the restricting member. On the other hand, by pressing the restricting member with the container against the biasing force of the biasing member, the restricting member can be moved from the protruding state to an embedded state. Therefore, the state of the restricting member can be easily changed.

[0069] Furthermore, the direction perpendicular to the depth direction in the vertical view is defined as the width direction. The pair of first restricting parts are arranged separately in the width direction, The aforementioned permeable portion is an opening formed to penetrate the support portion in the vertical direction, Preferably, the opening is formed so as to open toward the work area side between the pair of first restricting portions in the width direction.

[0070] In this configuration, the opening is formed to open towards the work area near the center in the width direction of the container support surface. This improves workability to the article placement area through the opening.

[0071] Furthermore, it is preferable that multiple second restricting units are arranged separately in the depth direction.

[0072] This configuration allows for the setting of multiple second restraining positions at different locations in the depth direction. This further increases the options for the position in which the container is supported by the support section. Therefore, it is easier to further improve work efficiency.

[0073] Furthermore, the container support device further comprises a container transport device for transporting the container after the work has been completed. The container transport device is preferably positioned below the article placement section.

[0074] With this configuration, the containers that have completed their work can be transported to another location by a container transport device. Furthermore, because this configuration tends to result in a higher support section, it is suitable to have a configuration that can support the container at either the first or second restricted position described above.

[0075] Furthermore, the container support device further comprises an article moving device for moving articles along the depth direction, Preferably, the article placement section is provided adjacent to the work area side of the article moving device, or is provided in the end region of the article moving device on the work area side.

[0076] With this configuration, the supply of goods to the goods placement area, or the retrieval of goods from the goods placement area, can be appropriately carried out by the goods moving device. Therefore, it is easier to further improve work efficiency. [Industrial applicability]

[0077] The technology described herein can be used in a container support device positioned adjacent to a work area where a worker performing work on containers is located. [Explanation of symbols]

[0078] 100: Container support device 1 :1st support part (support part) 11: Container support surface 12: First Regulatory Department 13: Second Regulatory Department 131: Regulating member 132: Biasing member 14:Transparent part 15: Opening 2: Goods arrangement section 3: Goods moving device 4: Container conveying device A:Goods C: Container P: Work-based S: Work area D: Depth direction D1: Work area side D2: Non-working area side W: width direction

Claims

1. A container support device positioned adjacent to the work area where the person performing work on the container is located, A support part that supports the container that is the subject of the aforementioned work, The system includes an article placement section located below the support section, where articles to be placed into the container or articles removed from the container by the aforementioned operation are placed, When viewed from above, the direction in which the support portion and the work area are aligned is defined as the depth direction, the side of the depth direction on which the work area is located relative to the support portion is defined as the work area side, and the side opposite to the work area side is defined as the anti-work area side. The aforementioned support portion is A surface that supports the bottom surface of the container, the container support surface being inclined so as to become lower toward the work area, A first restricting portion is provided at the end of the container support surface on the work area side, which restricts the movement of the container toward the work area side, The container support surface includes a second restricting portion provided on the side of the container support surface that is not on the work area side, which restricts the movement of the container toward the work area side, The position of the container in which its movement toward the work area is restricted by the first restricting unit is defined as the first restricted position, and the position of the container in which its movement toward the work area is restricted by the second restricting unit is defined as the second restricted position. The article placement section is positioned in a location that overlaps with the container in the first restricted position when viewed from above and below. The support portion includes a transparent portion through which visible light is transmitted in the vertical direction, The container support device wherein the transparent portion is located at least in a region of the container support surface that overlaps with the container at the first restricted position in the vertical view, and does not overlap with the container at the second restricted position in the vertical view.

2. The container support device according to claim 1, wherein the second restricting portion comprises a restricting member configured to change between a protruding state in which at least a portion protrudes from the container support surface and an embedded state in which the entire portion does not protrude from the container support surface.

3. The container support device according to claim 2, wherein the second restricting portion further comprises a biasing member that biases the restricting member, which is in the embedded state, to the protruding state.

4. In the aforementioned vertical view, the direction perpendicular to the depth direction is defined as the width direction. The pair of first restricting parts are arranged separately in the width direction, The aforementioned permeable portion is an opening formed to penetrate the support portion in the vertical direction, The container support device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the opening is formed to open toward the work area side between a pair of first restricting portions in the width direction.

5. The container support device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a plurality of the second restricting parts are arranged separately in the depth direction.

6. The container transport device further comprises a container transport device for transporting the container after the above work has been completed. The container support device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the container transport device is located below the article placement section.

7. The device further comprises an article moving device for moving articles along the aforementioned depth direction, The container support device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the article placement section is provided adjacent to the work area side with respect to the article moving device, or is provided in the end region on the work area side of the article moving device.

Images