Tray feeding device

Abstract

The present invention provides a tray supply device that can reliably supply trays with uneven surfaces on their adsorption surfaces, as well as various types and varieties of trays, to the next process. [Solution] A tray supply device that separates the bottom tray 1 from a stack of multi-tiered trays 1 and transfers it to a lower transport unit 40, and then transports the tray 1 transferred to the transport unit 40 to the next process, comprising a tray stacking unit 10 that stacks and holds the trays 1, and a tray suction unit 20 that sucks the bottom tray 1 from the multi-tiered trays 1 held by the tray stacking unit 10 and transfers it to the lower transport unit 40, wherein the tray suction unit 20 comprises a flat plate-shaped suction member 24 that can move up and down and has a plurality of suction holes 26 that penetrate vertically, an elastic return member 27 attached to the upper surface of the suction member 24 so as to surround the plurality of suction holes 26, and a suction tube 29 that generates suction force from the suction holes 26 into the internal space surrounded by the elastic return member 27 while the elastic return member 27 is in close contact with the bottom surface or inner surface of the bottom tray 1.

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present invention relates to a supply device that supplies trays used for packaging foods and the like to a next process.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, devices for supplying trays used for packaging foods and the like to a next process are known. For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a device that sends a tray unit in which a plurality of food packaging trays are integrally formed with resin to a punching station by adsorption transfer means, and takes out the punched sealed tray food by adsorption taking-out means. Adsorption pads for adsorbing the tray are respectively used in each of the adsorption transfer and adsorption taking-out means of this device.

[0003] Also, in the tray automatic supply device of Patent Document 2, when supplying a tray filled with food onto a conveyor, the tray stored in a tray stocker is vacuum-adsorbed by an adsorption pad, the movable shaft is rotated downward, and pressurized air is supplied to the adsorption pad to detach the tray onto the lower conveyor. An adsorption pad is used for adsorbing the tray.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, the shape and size of trays vary greatly depending on the food or items (such as electronic components) being packaged. Furthermore, the suction surface of the tray (mostly the bottom or inner surface) is not always flat; many trays have numerous irregularities (including rows or grids) covering part or the entire surface. Conventional suction pads were insufficient to handle such trays.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and aims to provide a tray supply device that can reliably supply trays with uneven surfaces on the adsorption surface, as well as various types of trays, to the next process. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To solve the above problems, the tray supply device according to the present invention is A tray supply device that separates the bottom tray from a stack of multi-tiered trays, transfers it to a lower transport section, and then transports the tray transferred to the lower transport section to the next process, A tray stacking section that stacks and holds trays, The tray suction unit is equipped with a tray suction unit that picks up the bottom tray from the multi-tiered trays held in the tray stacking unit and transfers it to the conveying unit below. The tray suction unit comprises a flat plate-shaped suction member that is vertically movable and has multiple suction holes penetrating vertically, an elastic return member attached to the upper surface of the suction member so as to surround the multiple suction holes, and a suction force generating unit that generates suction force from the suction holes into the internal space surrounded by the elastic return member while the elastic return member is in close contact with the bottom or inner surface of the lowest tray. And a rotating part that allows the suction member to be switched from a horizontal position to an inclined position. Equipped with, This is its first characteristic.

[0009] The tray supply device according to the present invention is The tray separation section includes a tray separation unit that separates only the bottom tray from the multi-tiered trays held in the tray stacking section, A third feature of the tray separation unit is that it comprises a pair of claw members that move forward from opposing positions and enter between the bottom tray and the second-to-last tray among the multi-tiered trays held in the tray stacking unit.

[0010] The tray supply device according to the present invention is The tray stacking section comprises a first holding means that holds the stacked multi-tiered trays from the front and rear in the same direction as the transport direction, and a second holding means that holds the stacked multi-tiered trays from the left and right in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction. The fourth feature is that the holding interval between these first and second holding means can be adjusted according to the shape of the stacked trays.

[0011] The tray supply device according to the present invention is The tray stacking section and the tray suction section are considered as one set, and multiple sets are arranged along the conveying direction of the conveying section. Occasionally, Each tray stacking section is equipped with a first holding means that holds the stacked multi-tiered trays from the front and rear in the same direction as the transport direction, and a second holding means that holds the stacked multi-tiered trays from the left and right in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction. The first holding means in each tray stacking section can adjust the holding interval in the transport direction simultaneously via a first connecting member driven in the transport direction by a first drive device, in accordance with the shape of the stacked trays, and the second holding means in each tray stacking section can adjust the holding interval in the direction perpendicular to the transport direction simultaneously via a second connecting member driven in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction by a second drive device. This is the fifth characteristic. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] As described above, the present invention offers the excellent advantage of reliably supplying trays with uneven surfaces on the adsorption surface, as well as various types and shapes of trays, to the next process. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] This shows one embodiment of the present invention, a side view of a tray supply device. [Figure 2] Plan view of the device, [Figure 3] Front view of the device, [Figure 4] Rear view of the device, [Figure 5] (A) Side view of stacked trays, (B) Bottom view of the trays. [Figure 6] Plan view showing the tray stacking section. [Figure 7] (A) Plan view showing tray suction part, (B) Side view showing tray suction part [Figure 8] Plan view showing X-direction guide of tray stacking part [Figure 9] Plan view showing Y-direction guide of tray stacking part [Figure 10] Plan view showing Y-direction guide of tray separation part [Figure 11] (A) Diagram showing multi-stage trays held in tray stacking part, (B) Diagram showing the state where tray suction part rises with respect to the lowermost tray [Figure 12] (A) Diagram showing the state where the claw part of tray separation part separates from the lowermost tray, (B) Diagram showing the state where the tray held in tray stacking part has descended one step [Figure 13] (A) Diagram showing the state of separating the lowermost tray from the second-lowermost tray from below, (B) Diagram showing the state where the separated lowermost tray descends [Figure 14] Diagram showing the state where the lowermost tray is transferred to the conveyor belt [Figure 15] (A) Side view of trays with different shapes, (B) Diagram showing the state of switching the suction plate to an inclined posture [Figure 16] (A) Side view of trays with different shapes, (B) Diagram showing the state where the suction plate is in an inclined posture and is suctioned to the bottom surface of the tray

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIGS. 1 to 16 show an embodiment of the present invention, and in these figures, reference sign S denotes a tray supply device and reference sign 1 denotes a tray

[0015] To begin with, let's describe Tray 1. Figure 5(A) shows the trays stacked, and Figure 5(B) shows the trays viewed from arrow B. Tray 1 is made of a lightweight resin material and has a rectangular or square shape when viewed from above (the illustrated example is rectangular), and has a concave storage section 1a inside for storing food, etc. Tray 1 has four sides 2, a bottom 3, and a top opening 4, with a peripheral edge 5 around the top opening 4. In addition, the outer surface (adhesion surface) of the bottom 3 is provided with regular or patterned bumps 6 (multiple rows of bumps in the illustrated example) all over or partially.

[0016] As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the supply device S comprises a plurality of tray stacking units 10, a plurality of tray suction units 20, a plurality of tray separation units 30, a tray transport unit 40, and a control unit 50. In the illustrated example, the tray stacking units 10, tray suction units 20, and tray separation units 30 are each arranged in 2 rows of 5 sets (10 sets in total), and the tray transport units 40 are arranged in 2 rows.

[0017] As shown in Figures 2 and 6, the tray stacking section 10 stacks trays 1 in multiple layers from above and holds them from the X direction (conveying direction) and the Y direction (direction perpendicular to the conveying direction). It is equipped with two front and two rear guide pillars 11 that hold the trays 1 from the X direction, and two left and two right guide pillars 11 that hold the trays 1 from the Y direction.

[0018] The two front guide posts 11 and the two rear guide posts 11 are each supported by horizontal support members 12 (reference numeral 12a indicates a retaining plate), and these horizontal support members 12, 12 are connected to connecting members 13, 13 (see Figure 8) which are driven in the X direction by a drive device 14. The drive device 14 can then be driven (expanded or contracted) to reduce or expand the distance in the X direction between the two front guide posts 11 and the two rear guide posts 11 via the connecting members 13, 13.

[0019] Furthermore, in each of the multiple (5 sets) tray stacking sections 10 arranged in each row, each horizontal support member 12, 12 is connected to a single connecting member 13, 13, and the drive device 14 can simultaneously reduce or reduce the distance in the X direction between the two front guide pillars 11 and the two rear guide pillars 11 in each tray stacking section 10 by driving (expanding or contracting) the drive device 14.

[0020] The two guide posts 11 on one side and the two guide posts 11 on the other side are each supported by horizontal support members 15, 15, and the horizontal support members 15, 15 are connected to connecting members 16, 16 (see Figure 9) which are driven in the Y direction by a drive device 17. The drive device 17 can then be driven (expanded or contracted) to expand or contract the distance in the Y direction between these two guide posts 11 on the left and right sides via the connecting members 16, 16.

[0021] Furthermore, in each of the multiple (5 sets) tray stacking sections 10 arranged in each row, each horizontal support member 15, 15 is connected to a single connecting member 16, 16, and the drive device 17 can simultaneously expand or contract the Y-direction spacing between the two left and right guide pillars 11 and the two guide pillars 11 in each tray stacking section 10.

[0022] The tray suction unit 20 is positioned directly below each tray stacking unit 10, between the two conveyor belts 41, 41 of the tray conveyor unit 40, as shown in Figure 7(A). As shown in Figures 7(A) and 7(B), the tray suction unit 20 comprises a support plate 21, an auxiliary support plate 23 cantilevered on the support plate 21 via a rotating unit 22, a suction plate 24 fixed on the auxiliary support plate 23, and a base plate 25 that supports the members above the support plate 21 between the conveyor belts 41, 41. This base plate 25 can move up and down between the conveyor belts 41, 41 by a lifting device (not shown).

[0023] The suction plate 24 has a convex suction portion 24a on its upper surface, and numerous suction holes 26 (2 rows x 5 in the illustrated example) are provided, penetrating from the upper surface of the suction portion 24a to the lower surface of the suction plate 24. A rectangular elastic return member 27 is attached to the upper surface of the suction portion 24a so as to surround these numerous suction holes 26. The elastic return member 27 has a predetermined height, and its upper surface is one level higher than the upper surface of the suction portion 24a.

[0024] The elastic recovery member 27 is a sponge-like elastic member made of resin, which elastically deforms by adhering to the outer surface of the bottom 3 of the tray 1 as the suction plate 24 rises (if there are irregularities 6 on the bottom 3 of the tray 1, it elastically deforms to match the shape of the irregularities 6), and returns to its original shape when the suction plate 24 descends and separates from the outer surface of the bottom 3 of the tray 1.

[0025] The support plate 21 has a telescopic cylinder 28 for adjusting the tilt angle attached to it at a position opposite the rotating part 22, and a telescopic rod 28a is connected to one end of the auxiliary support plate 23. When the telescopic rod 28a is extended using an electric motor (not shown), as shown in Figure 15(B), the auxiliary support plate 23 rotates around the pivot axis 22a of the rotating part 22, causing the suction plate 24 to tilt upward. When the telescopic rod 28a is retracted from the tilted position of the suction plate 24, the suction plate 24 returns to its original horizontal position. Also, when the telescopic rod 28a is retracted using an electric motor (not shown), as shown in Figure 16(B), the auxiliary support plate 23 rotates around the pivot axis 22a of the rotating part 22, causing the suction plate 24 to tilt downward. When the telescopic rod 28a is extended from the tilted position of the suction plate 24, the suction plate 24 returns to its original horizontal position.

[0026] The rod-shaped members 28b (see Figure 11(B)) located on both sides of the telescopic cylinder 28 support the suction plate 24 in a horizontal position, and the cylinder body of the telescopic cylinder 28 supports the support plate 21 on the base plate 25.

[0027] The auxiliary support plate 23 has a through hole 23a in the center that penetrates its upper and lower surfaces, and the upper part of a flexible, bendable hose-shaped suction tube 29 is attached to the through hole 23. A vacuum suction device 29A (see Figure 1), such as a blower, generates negative pressure inside the suction tube 29, which generates a suction force due to the negative pressure inside the surrounding elastic return member 27 from each suction hole 26 of the suction plate 24, causing the outer surface of the bottom 3 of the tray 1 (or the uneven part 6 if there is an uneven part 6) to adhere tightly to the upper surface of the suction part 24a.

[0028] Each tray suction unit 20 is positioned for each of the multiple (5 sets) tray stacking units 10 arranged in each row. Each tray suction unit 20 is configured to generate suction force simultaneously through each suction tube 29 by a vacuum suction device 29A.

[0029] The tray separation unit 30 separates only the bottom tray 1 from the multi-tiered trays 1 held in the tray stacking unit 10, and, as shown in Figure 6, is equipped with a pair of left and right claw members 31, 31 located between two left and right guide pillars 11, 11 facing in the Y direction.

[0030] The claw members 31, 31 are each supported by horizontal support members 32, 32, and the horizontal support members 32, 32 are connected to connecting members 33, 33 (see Figure 10) which are driven in the left-right direction by a drive device 34. The drive device 34 can then drive (expand / contract) the distance between these left and right pairs of claw members 31, 31 in the Y direction via the connecting members 33, 33.

[0031] Furthermore, in each of the multiple (5 sets) tray stacking sections 10 arranged in each row, each horizontal support member 32, 32 is connected to a single connecting member 33, 33, and the Y-direction spacing of the left and right pairs of claw members 31, 31 in each tray stacking section 10 can be expanded or contracted at once by driving (expanding or contracting) the drive device 34.

[0032] The pair of claw members 31, 31, through their approaching motion, simultaneously enter the gap between the bottom tray 1 and the second-to-last tray 1 of the multi-tiered trays 1 held in the tray stacking section 10 from both sides in the Y direction, pushing up the second-to-last tray 1 and acting to separate only the bottom tray 1 downwards.

[0033] The tray transport unit 40 transports the bottom tray 1, which has been separated by the tray suction unit 20 and the tray separation unit 30 from the multi-tiered trays 1 held in the tray stacking unit 10, to the next process. It is equipped with a pair of left and right transport belts 41, 41 on which the tray 1 is placed. The transport belts 41 are operated by a drive device (not shown).

[0034] The control unit 50 is configured to adjust and control the tray stacking unit 10, the tray suction unit 20, the tray separation unit 30, and the tray transport unit 40, respectively, through operation by the operator and a pre-set built-in program.

[0035] Next, we will describe the procedure for supplying stacked multi-tiered trays 1 to the next process using the tray supply device S with the above configuration.

[0036] First, the spacing between the front, rear, left, and right guide pillars 11-11 of each tray stacking section 10 is adjusted in the X and Y directions to match the shape of the tray 1 to be supplied to the next process. This adjustment is performed simultaneously on multiple sets by driving the drive devices 14 and 17 under control from the control unit 50.

[0037] Next, the stacked multi-tiered trays 1 are set from above into each tray stacking section 10 (see Figure 6). The multi-tiered trays 1 set into each tray stacking section 10 are held horizontally from the X direction (front and back) and the Y direction (left and right) by eight guide pillars 11.

[0038] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 11(A), the claw members 31, 31, which have been advanced to their locking positions from the left and right, lock onto the peripheral edge 5 (peripheral edge 5 in the Y direction) of the bottom tray 1, and the stacked multi-tiered trays 1 are held in the vertical direction.

[0039] Next, when the control unit 50 operates the tray suction units 20 and tray separation units 30, the tray suction units 20 rise due to a lifting device (not shown), as shown in Figure 11(B). Furthermore, as shown in Figure 12(A), the elastic return member 27 comes into close contact with the outer surface (uneven portion 6) of the bottom 3 of the lowest tray 1 (the uneven portion 6 is depicted in the figure for easier understanding), and at the same time, the negative pressure (air) from the suction tube 29 causes the suction portion 24a of the suction plate 24 to adhere to the bottom (suction surface) 3 of the lowest tray 1 and stop.

[0040] Next, as shown by the arrows in Figure 12(A), the left and right claw members 31, 31 retract to the reference position, and as shown in Figure 12(B), the entire tray 1, including the lowest tray 1 that has been picked up, moves down one level and stops due to the descent of the lifting device.

[0041] In this state, as shown in Figure 13(A), the left and right claw members 31, 31 move forward again, pushing and lifting the side of the second tray 1 from the bottom (separating the bottom tray 1 from the second tray 2 from the bottom), thereby reliably separating only the bottom tray 1 downwards.

[0042] As shown in Figure 13(B), the separated bottom tray 1 is lowered by a lifting device (not shown) while still being held in place by the suction plate 24, and finally, as shown in Figure 14, it is transferred onto the conveyor belts 41, 41 as the suction plate 24 passes downward between the left and right conveyor belts 41, 41.

[0043] Once the bottom tray 1 of each tray stacking section 10 is placed onto the conveyor belts 41, 41, the conveyor belts 41, 41 are activated to transport the trays 1 on the conveyor belts 41, 41 to the next process (see 2nd in Figure 2).

[0044] Next, when the second tray 1 from the bottom of each tray stacking section 10 becomes the bottom tray 1, the tray suction section 20 and tray separation section 30 are activated according to the procedure shown in Figures 11 to 14, and then the tray transport section 40 is activated to sequentially separate the trays 1 stacked in each tray stacking section 10 and supply them to the next process.

[0045] When the number of trays 1 in each tray stacking section 10 decreases, trays 1 are supplied from above to continue supplying trays 1 to the next process.

[0046] In this way, using the supply device S, the bottom tray 1 of the multi-tiered stacked trays 1 can be adsorbed and separated, transferred to the tray transport unit 40 below, and reliably supplied to the next process.

[0047] The supply device S of this embodiment integrates a set of tray stacking section 10, tray suction section 20, and tray separation section 30 into a single unit, and arranges multiple sets (in the illustrated example, 2 rows of 5 sets) in series, enabling efficient supply of multiple trays 1 (in the illustrated example, 10) to the next process at once.

[0048] Figure 15 shows another embodiment, namely, an example in which a tray 1' with a different shape from tray 1 shown in Figure 5 is supplied.

[0049] As shown in Figure 15(A), the tray 1' has a top edge 5 that is lower at the front and higher at the rear relative to the bottom surface shape of the bottom 3. When viewed from the side, the top edge 5 slopes upward from the front to the rear relative to the bottom surface of the bottom 3 (angle of inclination α). Trays 1' with this shape are designed to improve the appearance of food placed at the rear, among other purposes.

[0050] When tray 1' is set in the tray stacking section 10 (with the front of tray 1' facing the supply direction), as shown in Figure 15(B), each tray 1', which is locked to the left and right claw members 31, 31, has its peripheral edge 5 horizontal, and the bottom surface of the bottom 3 inclined downward from front to rear. Then, when the telescopic rod 28a of the telescopic cylinder 28 is extended to match the shape of the bottom 3 of tray 1' set in the tray stacking section 10, the auxiliary plate 23 rotates clockwise around the pivot axis 22a of the rotating section 22, and the upper surfaces of the suction plate 24 and the elastic return member 27 inclined as shown in the figure (inclination angle α).

[0051] When the tray suction unit 20 is raised while maintaining the same inclined position, the elastic return member 27 makes full contact with the outer surface of the bottom 3 of the lowest tray 1', and the suction plate 24 is securely attached. If there are irregularities on the outer surface of the bottom 3 of tray 1', the elastic return member 27 makes contact with the irregularities and seals the inside, and the suction force from the suction tube 29 causes the suction plate 24 to be attached to the outer surface of the bottom 3 of tray 1'.

[0052] Therefore, even if the bottom surface of the tray 1' set in the tray stacking section 10 is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane, it can be reliably supplied to the next process by following the procedure shown in Figures 11 to 14.

[0053] Figure 16 shows yet another embodiment, namely, a tray 1' which has a different shape from the tray 1 shown in Figure 5, and an example in which the tray 1' is oriented in the opposite direction to that of the tray 15.

[0054] When tray 1' is set in the tray stacking section 10 (with the rear side of tray 1' facing the supply direction), as shown in Figure 16(B), each tray 1' that is locked to the left and right claw members 31, 31 has its peripheral edge 5 horizontal, and the bottom surface of the bottom 3 is inclined upward from the rear to the front. Then, when the telescopic rod 28a of the telescopic cylinder 28 is retracted to match the shape of the bottom 3 of tray 1' set in the tray stacking section 10, the auxiliary plate 23 rotates counterclockwise around the pivot axis 22a of the rotating section 22, and the upper surfaces of the suction plate 24 and the elastic return member 27 are inclined (inclination angle α).

[0055] When the tray suction unit 20 is raised while maintaining the same inclined position, the elastic return member 27 makes full contact with the outer surface of the bottom 3 of the lowest tray 1', and the suction plate 24 is securely attached. As shown in Figure 16(B), if there is an uneven portion 6 in the center of the outer surface of the bottom 3 of tray 1', the elastic return member 27 makes close contact with the uneven portion 6 and seals the inside, and the suction force from the suction tube 29 causes the suction plate 24 to be attached to the outer surface of the bottom 3 of tray 1'.

[0056] According to this embodiment, the tray suction portion 20 makes close contact with the outer surface of the bottom 3 of the tray 1. However, the contact surface is not limited to the outer surface of the bottom 3 of the tray 1, but may also be the inner surface of the tray 1. In this case, the inner surface of the tray 1 often has irregularities, and the elastic return member 27 around the tray suction portion 20 of this embodiment absorbs the irregularities, ensuring that the suction plate 24 is reliably adsorbed to the inner surface. Furthermore, it goes without saying that the suction plate 24 and the elastic return member 27 are reliably adsorbed even when the outer surface of the bottom 3 of the tray 1 is a smooth surface.

[0057] In this embodiment, the supply device S is configured by unitizing one set of tray stacking section 10, tray suction section 20, and tray separation section 30, and arranging multiple sets in series. However, it is also possible to configure this supply device with just one set of tray stacking section 10, tray suction section 20, tray separation section 30, tray transport section 40, and control unit 50.

[0058] The trays 1,1' of this embodiment are not limited to food. They can be used in a wide range of applications, including industrial parts such as electronic components and optical components, medical and dental products, and household goods.

[0059] Thus, the tray supply device of the present invention can reliably and efficiently supply trays with uneven surfaces on the suction surface, as well as a wide variety of trays of different sizes and shapes, to the next process. [Industrial applicability]

[0060] This invention can be used as a tray supply device for supplying stacked trays to the next process. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0061] 1,1' Tray 1a Storage area 2 Side 3 bottom 4 Top opening 5 Peripheral area 6 Uneven part 10 Tray stacking section 11 Guide posts 12,15,32 Horizontal support members 12a Holding plate 13, 16, 33 Connecting members 14,17,34 Drive unit 20 Tray suction section 21 Support plate 22 Rotating parts 22a Rotary shaft 23 Auxiliary support plate 24. Adsorption plate (adsorption member) 24a Adsorption part 25 base plate 26 Suction hole 27 Elastic recovery member 28 Telescopic Cylinder 28a Telescopic rod 28b Rod-shaped member 29. Suction tube (suction force generating part) 29A Vacuum suction device 30 Tray separation section 31 Claw member 40 Tray transport section 41 Conveyor belt 50 Control Unit

Claims

1. A tray supply device that separates the bottom tray from a stack of multi-tiered trays, transfers it to a lower transport section, and then transports the tray transferred to the lower transport section to the next process, A tray stacking section that stacks and holds trays, The tray suction unit is equipped with a tray suction unit that picks up the bottom tray from the multi-tiered trays held in the tray stacking unit and transfers it to the conveying unit below. The tray supply device is characterized by comprising a tray suction section having a plurality of suction holes penetrating vertically and a flat plate-shaped suction member that can move up and down, an elastic return member attached to the upper surface of the suction member so as to surround the plurality of suction holes, a suction force generating section that generates suction force from the suction holes into the internal space surrounded by the elastic return member while the elastic return member is in close contact with the bottom surface or inner surface of the lowest tray, and a rotating section that allows the suction member to be switched from a horizontal position to an inclined position.

2. The tray separation section includes a tray separation unit that separates only the bottom tray from the multi-tiered trays held in the tray stacking section, The tray supply device according to claim 1, characterized in that the tray separation section comprises a pair of claw members that advance from opposing positions and enter between the bottom tray and the second-to-last tray among the multi-tiered trays held in the tray stacking section.

3. The tray supply device according to claim 1, wherein the tray stacking section comprises a first holding means for holding the stacked multi-tiered trays from the front and rear in the same direction as the transport direction, and a second holding means for holding the stacked multi-tiered trays from the left and right in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction, and the holding interval between the first and second holding means can be adjusted according to the shape of the stacked trays.

4. Multiple sets of the tray stacking section and the tray suction section are arranged along the conveying direction of the conveying section, with each set representing one unit. Each tray stacking section is equipped with a first holding means that holds the stacked multi-tiered trays from the front and rear in the same direction as the transport direction, and a second holding means that holds the stacked multi-tiered trays from the left and right in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction. The tray supply device according to claim 1, characterized in that, in accordance with the shape of the stacked trays, the first holding means in each set of tray stacking sections can adjust the holding interval in the transport direction at once via a first connecting member driven in the transport direction by a first drive device, and the second holding means in each set of tray stacking sections can adjust the holding interval in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction at once via a second connecting member driven in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction by a second drive device.

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