Container installation apparatus and container
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2025541221
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Filing Date
- 2023-08-22
- Publication Date
- 2025-02-27
Abstract
Description
Container erection device and container
[0001] The present invention relates to a container installation device and a container.
[0002] Conventionally, there is a container installation device that installs multiple containers containing items such as chips, reagents, and specimens in a stacked state inside the device and raises and lowers the containers using an elevator (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The container installation device described in Patent Document 1 is used in an automatic analyzer for analyzing samples, and is configured to lift multiple stacked component racks to a rack collection station located above using the elevator.
[0003] Special Publication No. 2021-529314
[0004] As will be explained below, the conventional technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 is desired to make it difficult for foreign objects to get mixed into the stored items and to allow the containers to be removed from the device in the order in which they were installed.
[0005] For example, in conventional technology, when multiple containers containing items (contents) such as chips, reagents, and specimens are stacked inside the device, the top of the lower container may come into contact with the bottom of the upper container, which could result in foreign matter being mixed into the contents of the lower container.
[0006] Furthermore, in this type of device, it is desirable to remove and use the containers in the order in which they were installed in order to appropriately manage the remaining quantity and quality of the contents stored in the containers. However, in the conventional technology, the first container installed is placed on the bottom tier, the last container installed is placed on the top tier, and the containers are removed and used in the order from the last container on the top tier to the containers below it. Therefore, in the conventional technology, the containers are installed in an order that differs from the desired order in which they are used, and it is not possible to remove and use the containers in the order in which they were installed.
[0007] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its main object is to provide a container installation device that prevents foreign objects from getting into the contents of a container and improves the order in which the containers are used, and a container to be used with the container installation device.
[0008] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a container installation device comprising: an installation section for installing a plurality of containers, each having engagement sections on at least the left and right side sections, and an elevator for raising and lowering the containers within the installation section, the installation section having a plurality of insertion openings that open on the front section and are used to insert the containers into the installation section, an extraction opening that opens on the ceiling and is used to remove the containers from the installation section, multiple holding sections that are provided on the left and right inner wall sections and engage with the engagement sections of the containers to hold the containers horizontally, and an insertion opening guide section that is provided to close a portion of the insertion opening and is used to guide the insertion of the containers into the insertion opening. Other means will be described later.
[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent foreign matter from entering the contents of the container and improve the order in which the containers are used.
[0010] 1 is a perspective view of a container erection device and a container according to embodiment 1. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the container erection device according to embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a movable holder of the container erection device according to embodiment 1. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a container as viewed from diagonally above right. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a container as viewed from diagonally below right. FIG. 6 is a top view of a container. FIG. 7 is a front view of a container. FIG. 8 is a front cross-sectional view of a container. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a modified container as viewed from diagonally above right. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a modified container as viewed from diagonally below right. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a stored state of the container erection device according to embodiment 1. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram (1) of the operation of the container erection device according to embodiment 1. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram (2) of the operation of the container erection device according to embodiment 1. FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram (3) of the operation of the container erection device according to embodiment 1. FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram (4) of the operation of the container erection device according to embodiment 1. FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram (5) of the operation of the container erection device according to embodiment 1. FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a container erection device according to embodiment 2. FIG. 18 is a front view of a container erection device according to embodiment 2. FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram of a container erection device according to embodiment 2. FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a movable holder of the container erection device according to embodiment 2. FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a container erection device according to embodiment 3. FIG. 1 is a front view of a container erection device according to embodiment 3. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram (1) of the operation of a container erection device according to embodiment 3. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram (2) of the operation of a container erection device according to embodiment 3. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram (5) of the operation of a container erection device according to embodiment 3. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a container erection device according to embodiment 4. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram (1) of the operation of a container erection device according to embodiment 4. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram (2) of the operation of a container erection device according to embodiment 4. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram (3) of the operation of a container erection device according to embodiment 4.
[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as "the present embodiment") will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that each drawing is merely a schematic illustration to allow a sufficient understanding of the invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated examples. Furthermore, in each drawing, common or similar components are assigned the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations thereof will be omitted.
[0012] [Embodiment 1] <Configuration of Container Installation Device> The configuration of a container installation device 10 according to this embodiment 1 will be described below with reference to Figs. 1 to 3. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the container installation device 10 and a container 60 according to this embodiment 1. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the container installation device 10. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a movable holding unit of the container installation device 10. In this embodiment, the description will be made assuming that the container installation device 10 is used in a genetic testing device. A genetic testing device is a device in which it is desirable to prevent foreign matter from entering the contents of the containers and to improve the order in which the containers are used.
[0013] As shown in Fig. 1, the container erection device 10 according to this embodiment includes an erection unit 11, an elevator 12, an operation unit 41, and a control unit 42. Note that, although the operation unit 41 and the control unit 42 are shown in the example shown in Fig. 1, the operation unit 41 and the control unit 42 are omitted in other drawings to clearly explain the configuration and operation of the container erection device 10 (the same applies to other embodiments).
[0014] The erection unit 11 is a component that erects multiple containers 60 inside. Multiple containers 60 are erected inside the container erection device 10, stacked vertically. The elevator 12 is a component that raises and lowers the containers 60 inside the erection unit 11. The operation unit 41 is a component that is operated by a user. The operation unit 41 is used, for example, to instruct the elevator 12 to start raising and lowering the containers. The control unit 42 is a component that controls the operation of each part of the container erection device 10.
[0015] In this embodiment, the control unit 42 will be described as starting the lifting and lowering operation of the elevator 12 in response to a command input by the user to the container erecting device 10 via the operation unit 41 to start the lifting and lowering operation of the elevator 12. Note that in this embodiment, the operation of the elevator 12 is automatically controlled by the control unit 42, and is not stopped when the user stops operating the operation unit 41, but is stopped when a predetermined height position is reached and detected by a sensor (not shown) or the like.
[0016] As shown in FIG. 2 , in this embodiment, the bridging portion 11 is formed into a shape by sheet metal processing (bending) a flat metal member. In this embodiment, the bridging portion 11 is described as being made of a metal material to ensure strength. However, the bridging portion 11 may be made of a resin material or the like as long as sufficient strength can be ensured. The bridging portion 11 has multiple insertion openings 21, one removal opening 26, multiple stages of holding portions 30, multiple insertion opening guide portions 22, and an insertion restriction portion 35.
[0017] The insertion openings 21 are openings for inserting the containers 60 into the interior of the installation section 11. The insertion openings 21 are provided as openings on the front surface of the installation section 11. In this embodiment, the description will be given assuming that three insertion openings 21 are provided in the vertical direction.
[0018] The outlet 26 is an opening for removing the container 60 from inside the erection section 11. The outlet 26 is provided in the ceiling section of the erection section 11.
[0019] The holding portions 30 are components that hold the containers 60 horizontally by engaging with the engaging portions 62 of the containers 60. In this embodiment, the holding portions 30 are configured as plate-shaped members having a horizontal surface. The holding portions 30 are provided on the left and right inner wall portions of the erection portion 11. The holding portions 30 hold the containers 60 in a hanging manner when the containers 60 are erected, and release the holding portions when the containers 60 are raised and lowered by the elevator 12. After all the containers 60 have been raised and lowered by the elevator 12, an empty space is formed in the lowest insertion opening 21, and the next container 60 is inserted therein, and the holding portions 30 hold the container 60.
[0020] The holding portions 30 are arranged so as to protrude into the interior of the erection portion 11 from the left and right inner wall portions of the erection portion 11. In this embodiment, of the multiple stages of holding portions 30, the lowest holding portion 30 is configured as a fixed holding portion 31 inside the erection portion 11. The fixed holding portion 31 is configured from a flat, plate-shaped member. On the other hand, the holding portions 30 other than the lowest stage are configured as movable holding portions 32 inside the erection portion 11 so as to be movable when the container 60 rises as the elevator 12 rises.
[0021] In this embodiment, two movable holding parts 32 are provided. Hereinafter, when distinguishing between the two movable holding parts 32, they will be referred to as the "upper movable holding part 32" and the "lower movable holding part 32." The movable holding part 32 has a holding member 33 (FIG. 3) and a movable mechanism 34 for moving the holding member 33. Details of the movable holding part 32 will be described later.
[0022] The intervals T30a, T30b, and T30c (FIG. 7) between the multiple stages of holding units 30 in the height direction are greater than the height T12 (FIG. 4B) of the container 60 below the engaging unit 62. Therefore, when inserting and installing multiple containers 60 inside the installation unit 11, the container installation device 10 can prevent the upper container 60 from contacting the lower container 60.
[0023] The insertion opening guide portion 22 is a component that guides the insertion of the container 60 into the insertion opening 21. The insertion opening guide portion 22 is provided so as to block a portion of the insertion opening 21 of the installation portion 11. The upper end (upper edge) of the insertion opening guide portion 22 determines the lowest insertion position of the container 60. That is, when the container 60 is inserted into the insertion opening 21 (when the container 60 is installed in the installation portion 11), the upper end of the insertion opening guide portion 22 guides the upper container 60 to a position where it does not come into contact with the foreign matter intrusion prevention portion 72 provided on the upper surface of the lower container 60. Furthermore, when the container 60 is inserted into the insertion opening 21 (when the container 60 is installed in the installation portion 11), the upper end of the insertion opening guide portion 22 guides the insertion of the container 60 so that the engagement portion of the container 60 does not slip under the holding portion 30 of the installation portion 11. Furthermore, the lower ends (lower edges) of the insertion port guides 22 define the upper limit insertion position of the container 60. That is, when the container 60 is inserted into the insertion port 21 (when the container 60 is installed in the installation unit 11), the lower ends of the insertion port guides 22 guide the container 60 to a position where the foreign matter intrusion prevention unit 72 provided on the upper surface of the lower container 60 does not come into contact with the upper container 60. In other words, the container installation device 10 regulates the vertical position of the container 60 inserted into the insertion port 21 via the gap formed between the lower ends (lower edges) and upper ends (upper edges) of the two insertion port guides 22 arranged vertically. Such insertion port guides 22 can prevent the upper container 60 from interfering with the foreign matter intrusion prevention unit 72 of the lower container 60.
[0024] Furthermore, the widthwise end (right side) of the insertion opening guide portion 22 determines the left-right position of the container 60. That is, when the container 60 is inserted into the insertion opening 21 (when the container 60 is installed in the installation portion 11), the widthwise end of the insertion opening guide portion 22 guides the container 60 to a position in the direction opposite to the insertion opening guide portion 22. Furthermore, when the container 60 is raised, the widthwise end of the insertion opening guide portion 22 guides the container 60 to a position in the direction opposite to the insertion opening guide portion 22. Such widthwise end of the insertion opening guide portion 22 can stabilize the position of the container 60.
[0025] The insertion port guide portion 22 is provided on either the left or right side of the insertion port 21 of the installation unit 11 to restrict the insertion direction of the container 60 to a specific direction (in this embodiment, the longitudinal direction of the container 60). In other words, the insertion port 21 has an asymmetrical structure, with the insertion port guide portion 22 provided on one side of the insertion port 21 to prevent the container 60 from being installed in the wrong orientation. In this embodiment, the insertion port guide portion 22 is provided on the left side of the insertion port 21 of the installation unit 11. This container installation device 10 allows the user to insert the container 60 in the rearward direction while the insertion port guide portion 22 shifts the container 60 to the right. This allows the container installation device 10 to guide the insertion of the container 60 so that the notch 65 of the container 60 fits into the insertion restriction portion 35 of the installation unit 11.
[0026] In this embodiment, the insertion opening guide 22 is configured from a rectangular plate-like member. However, the shape of the insertion opening guide 22 is not limited to the illustrated example. The upper edge portion of the insertion opening guide 22 is provided at the same height as the portion of the holder 30 that holds the container 60 so as to contact the bottom surface of the engagement portion 62 (FIGS. 4A to 4E) of the container 60 when the container 60 is inserted, thereby guiding the insertion of the container 60. Furthermore, the container erection device 10 can cause the insertion opening guide 22 to function as a reinforcement for the left-side holder 30 against the vertical load of the container 60.
[0027] The horizontal width W22 (FIG. 2) of the insertion opening 21 where the insertion opening guide section 22 is provided is shorter than the vertical width L11 (FIG. 4A) of the storage section 61 (described later) of the container 60. In other words, "horizontal width W22 (FIG. 2) < vertical width L11 (FIG. 4A)". Furthermore, the horizontal width W22 (FIG. 2) of the insertion opening 21 where the insertion opening guide section 22 is provided is shorter than the vertical width L12 (FIG. 4C) of the engagement section 62 (described later) of the container 60. In other words, "horizontal width W22 (FIG. 2) < vertical width L12 (FIG. 4C)". Such a container erection device 10 can limit the insertion direction of the container 60 into the insertion opening 21 of the erection section 11 to only the front-to-rear direction of the container 60.
[0028] Furthermore, the width W22 ( FIG. 2 ) of the insertion opening 21 where the insertion opening guide 22 is provided is longer than the width W11 ( FIG. 4A ) of a storage section 61 (described later) of the container 60, but shorter than the width W12 ( FIG. 4C ) of an engagement section 62 (described later) of the container 60. In other words, "width W12 ( FIG. 4A ) < width W22 ( FIG. 2 ) < width W12 ( FIG. 4C )." This container installation device 10 can insert a container 60 into the installation section 11 only when the storage section 61 ( FIG. 4A ) (described later) of the container 60 passes through the insertion opening 21 where the insertion opening guide 22 is provided. Therefore, when inserting multiple containers 60 into the installation section 11, the container installation device 10 can prevent an upper container 60 from contacting a lower container 60.
[0029] The insertion restricting portion 35 is a component that restricts the insertion of a container 60 inserted into the installation unit 11 in an incorrect orientation. The insertion restricting portion 35 is provided in a protruding shape so as to fit into a notch 65 ( FIGS. 4A to 4C ) provided in a corner of the engagement portion 62 ( FIGS. 4A to 4E ) of the container 60. In this embodiment, the insertion restricting portion 35 is provided in a corner of the interior of the installation unit 11, at the rear end on the side opposite the insertion opening guide portion 22 (the right side in this embodiment). This container installation device 10 prompts the user to insert the container 60 in a rearward direction while the insertion opening guide portion 22 is shifting the container 60 to the right. If the container 60 is inserted in the wrong direction, the insertion restricting portion 35 will not fit into the notch 65 ( FIGS. 4A to 4C ) of the container 60, causing the container 60 to stop before being fully inserted. Therefore, the container erection device 10 can restrict the insertion of a container 60 that has been inserted into the erection section 11 in the wrong direction by the insertion restricting section 35. Note that the position and shape of the insertion restricting section 35 are not limited to those shown in the illustrated example, as long as it can restrict the insertion of a container 60 that has been inserted into the erection section 11 in the wrong direction.
[0030] 3 , the movable holding portion 32 has a holding member 33 that engages with an engaging portion 62 of the container 60, a hinge shaft 34a (shaft) that rotatably supports the holding member 33, and a kick spring 34b (urging member) that urges the holding member 33 toward the inside of the container 60. The hinge shaft 34a (shaft) and the kick spring 34b (urging member) constitute a movable mechanism 34 that moves the holding member 33. The holding member 33 is configured to rotate around the hinge shaft 34a (shaft), and is urged toward the inside of the container 60 by the kick spring 34b (urging member).
[0031] In this embodiment, the holding member 33 is described as being made of a metal material to ensure strength, but the holding member 33 may be made of a resin material or the like as long as sufficient strength can be ensured.
[0032] The holding member 33 has an inclined surface, and when the container 60 rises in conjunction with the rise of the elevator 12, the engaging portion 62 (FIGS. 4A to 4E) of the container 60 abuts against the inclined surface. At this time, the holding member 33 is pushed outward by the engaging portion 62 (FIGS. 4A to 4E) of the container 60, and moves back in a direction from the inside to the outside of the container 60. Then, when the container 60 rises further, the holding member 33 is released from abutment with the engaging portion 62 (FIGS. 4A to 4E) of the container 60. At this time, the holding member 33 is pushed inward by the kick spring 34b (biasing member), and moves forward in a direction from the outside to the inside of the container 60.
[0033] The holding member 33 has a horizontal surface 33a and a restricting surface 33b. The horizontal surface 33a is a surface that holds the container 60 horizontally by engaging with (supporting) the engaging portion 62 (FIGS. 4A to 4E) of the container 60 when the holding member 33 has advanced into the container 60. The restricting surface 33b is a surface that stops the rotation of the holding member 33 and maintains the horizontal surface 33a in the horizontal direction when the holding member 33 has advanced into the container 60 by abutting against the outer wall surface of the erection portion 11 (or the wall surface of a separately provided member not shown).
[0034] <Container Configuration> The configuration of the container 60 will be described below with reference to Figures 4A to 4E, 5A and 5B. Figure 4A is a perspective view of the container 60 as seen from diagonally above right. Figure 4B is a perspective view of the container 60 as seen from diagonally below right. Figure 4C is a top view of the container 60. Figure 4D is a front view of the container 60. Figure 4E is a front cross-sectional view of the container 60. In this embodiment, the container 60 will be described as being configured as a tip rack on which multiple tips are mounted. However, the container 60 may also be one that stores reagents, specimens, etc. The container 60 has an asymmetrical left-right structure to prevent the container 60 from being installed in the wrong orientation.
[0035] As shown in FIG. 4A , the container 60 includes a storage portion 61 , an engagement portion 62 , a foreign matter intrusion prevention portion 72 , legs 63 , and a notch 65 .
[0036] The storage section 61 is a component for storing an item 71 therein. The storage section 61 has a rectangular cubic shape. The width W11 of the storage section 61 in the left-right direction is shorter than the length L11 of the storage section 61 in the front-rear direction. In other words, the width W11 is smaller than the length L11.
[0037] The engaging portions 62 are components that are provided on at least the left and right side surfaces of the container 60 and engage with the holding portions 30 provided on the left and right inner wall portions of the erection portion 11 of the container erection device 10. In this embodiment, the engaging portions 62 are provided on the front, rear, left, and right side surfaces of the container 60 so as to protrude from the storage portion 61. Of the engaging portions 62 provided on the front, rear, left, and right side surfaces of the container 60, the engaging portion 62a provided on the left side of the container 60 and the engaging portion 62b provided on the right side of the container 60 engage with the holding portions 30 of the erection portion 11. The left engaging portion 62a and the right engaging portion 62b protrude from the storage portion 61 by different amounts.
[0038] The foreign matter intrusion prevention part 72 is provided on the upper part of the container 60 and is a component that prevents foreign matter from intruding into the contents 71 stored in the container 60. In this embodiment, the foreign matter intrusion prevention part 72 is described as being provided on a chip mounted on the container 60. The foreign matter intrusion prevention part 72 is provided so as to protrude upward from the ceiling surface 64. Note that in FIG. 4B , the ceiling surface 64 is hidden behind the engagement part 62.
[0039] The legs 63 are provided at the bottom of the container 60 and are components that form a hollow space inside (between the legs 63). The legs 63 are formed so that, when the elevator 12 raises or lowers the containers 60, the upper container 60 rests on the lower container 60, avoiding the foreign matter intrusion prevention portion 72 of the lower container 60. In other words, the legs 63 prevent the upper container 60 from interfering with the foreign matter intrusion prevention portion 72 of the lower container 60. As shown in FIG. 4B , the height T12 of the container 60 below the engagement portion 62 is higher than the height T11 of the storage section 61 below the engagement portion 62 by the height of the legs 63. In the example shown in FIGS. 4A to 4E , the legs 63 are provided so as to protrude downward from two of the four side surfaces of the storage section 61, the left and right. In other words, the legs 63 are provided only on the lower portions of the left and right side surfaces of the four side surfaces of the container 60. This type of container 60 has openings between the legs 63 at the front and rear, which makes it difficult for the upper container 60 to come into contact with the lower container 60 when multiple containers 60 are inserted into the bridging section 11. Therefore, the container 60 can easily prevent foreign matter from entering the contents 71 stored in the container 60. Furthermore, compared to the container 160 ( FIGS. 5A and 5B ) described below, the container 60 can make it difficult for the upper container 60 to come into contact with the lower container 60, which allows the spacing between the holding sections 30 of the bridging section 11 to be smaller. Therefore, the container 60 can reduce the height of the bridging section 11 (i.e., the bridging section 11 can be made more compact). The shape of the legs 63 is not limited to the illustrated example, as long as the position and height are set so that the upper container 60 can be placed on the lower container 60 while avoiding the foreign matter entry prevention section 72 of the lower container 60.
[0040] The notch 65 is a portion formed so that the insertion restricting portion 35 inside the bridging portion 11 fits into it. In this embodiment, the notch 65 is provided in a corner on the far side (rear side) of the engaging portion 62b. The container 60 is inserted in one direction into the bridging portion 11 so that the notch 65 is on the far side.
[0041] As shown in FIG. 4C , the engaging portion 62 of the container 60 has a rectangular shape in a top view. Furthermore, the engaging portion 62 of the container 60 has a length in one direction that is different from the length in the other direction in a top view. In this embodiment, the horizontal width W12 of the engaging portion 62 in the left-right direction is shorter than the vertical width L12 of the engaging portion 62 in the front-rear direction. In other words, "the horizontal width W12 is smaller than the vertical width L12." When inserting such a container 60 into the installation portion 11, the user can be guided to insert the container 60 in the direction of the vertical width L12, which is longer than the horizontal width W12 (i.e., the front-rear direction).
[0042] Furthermore, the engaging portion 62 has a notch 65 at one of its four corners (in this embodiment, the right rear corner) that is formed so that the insertion restricting portion 35 of the bridging portion 11 fits into it. When the container 60 is inserted in the wrong direction, the container 60 collides with the insertion restricting portion 35, thereby preventing it from being inserted further back than the predetermined position.
[0043] 4D, the engaging portions 62 are provided so as to protrude by different amounts from at least the left and right side surfaces of the container 60. In this embodiment, the protrusion amount W62a of the left engaging portion 62a is greater than the protrusion amount W62b of the right engaging portion 62b. In other words, the protrusion amount W62a of the engaging portion 62a is greater than the protrusion amount W62b of the engaging portion 62b.
[0044] Such a container 60 can restrict the insertion direction of the container 60 when the container 60 is inserted into the insertion port 21 of the installation part 11 provided with the insertion port guide part 22. Furthermore, since the protrusion amount W62a of the engagement part 62a of such a container 60 is large, the engagement part 62a reaches the holding part 30 of the installation part 11 after the container 60 has passed through the insertion port 21 of the installation part 11 provided with the insertion port guide part 22. Therefore, the container 60 can have the engagement part 62a well engaged with (supported by) the holding part 30 of the installation part 11.
[0045] Furthermore, the container 60 is configured such that the engaging portion 62 protrudes outward from the storage portion 61. Therefore, when a user grips the container 60, the engaging portion 62 functions as a non-slip surface, thereby preventing the user from accidentally dropping the container 60. Furthermore, when the container 60 is installed on the installation portion 11 of the container installation device 10, the engaging portion 62 engages with the holding portion 30, thereby preventing the container 60 from being installed in a position where it should not be installed (a position other than the installation completion position).
[0046] As shown in Fig. 4E, the container 60 has a foreign matter intrusion prevention portion 72 that protrudes above the ceiling surface 64. Furthermore, a hollow space is formed between the legs 63 of the container 60. As shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the height of the hollow space is set to a height that forms a gap 73 between the bottom surface 61a of the storage portion 61 of the upper container 60 and the top of the foreign matter intrusion prevention portion 72 of the lower container 60 when multiple containers 60 are stacked one on top of the other inside the container installation device 10 so that the contact surfaces 63a of the legs 63 of the upper container 60 abut against the lower container 60.
[0047] <Modified Container> The container 60 can be modified, for example, as shown in container 160 in Fig. 5A and Fig. 5B. Fig. 5A is a perspective view of the modified container 160 as seen from diagonally above right. Fig. 5B is a perspective view of the modified container 160 as seen from diagonally below right.
[0048] 5A and 5B , in the container 160, the legs 63 are provided so as to protrude downward from the four side surfaces of the storage section 61 (front, back, left, and right). That is, in the container 160, the legs 63 are provided at the lower part of the four side surfaces of the container 60.
[0049] Compared to the container 60 (FIGS. 4A and 4B), this container 160 does not have an opening between the legs 63, and therefore cannot make it difficult for the upper container 160 to come into contact with the lower container 160 when inserting multiple containers 160 into the bridging section 11. However, since the containers 160 are provided at the bottom of the four side surfaces of the container 160, the strength of the legs 63 can be improved compared to the container 60. This container 160 can suppress bending and breakage of the legs 63.
[0050] <Operation of Container Installation Device> The operation of the container installation device 10 will be described below with reference to Figures 6 to 11. Figure 6 is an explanatory diagram of the storage state of the container installation device 10. Figures 7 to 11 are explanatory diagrams of the operation of the container installation device 10. Here, the explanation will be given assuming that a user inserts a container 60 into the installation section 11. When an operation is performed in which additional containers 60 are installed without using up all the containers 60 in a single inspection cycle, the container installation device 10 operates as follows in order to standardize the installation order and the use order and to maximize the number of additional installations.
[0051] As shown in FIG. 6 , the container installation device 10 installs multiple containers 60 in a stacked state inside the installation unit 11. At this time, the user inserts all of the containers 60 into the installation unit 11's insertion ports 21 so that no missing containers are left in the installation unit 11's insertion ports 21. The containers 60 are inserted in order of earliest use, from the upper to the lower insertion ports 21. That is, the user inserts, for example, the container 60a that will be used first into the top insertion port 21, the container 60b that will be used second into the middle insertion port 21, and the container 60c that will be used third (latest) into the bottom insertion port 21. Note that the fact that the containers 60 are inserted in order of earliest use, from the upper insertion port 21 to the lower insertion port 21, is the same in other embodiments. Furthermore, the user can change the order in which the containers 60 are inserted as long as the user can insert the containers 60 into the insertion slot 21 of the row that corresponds to the order of use. Therefore, the user can, for example, first insert the container 60b, which is the second earliest to be used, into the insertion slot 21 of the middle row, then insert the container 60c, which is the third earliest to be used, into the insertion slot 21 of the bottom row, and then insert the container 60a, which is the first earliest to be used, into the insertion slot 21 of the top row.
[0052] As shown in Figure 7, the user inserts the containers 60 on each tier into the installation section 11 to install them. At this time, each container 60 is installed while being spaced apart from the other containers 60. That is, the container installation device 10 installs container 60a by holding the engaging portion 62 of container 60a with the upper movable holding section 32. The container installation device 10 also installs container 60b by holding the engaging portion 62 of container 60b with the lower movable holding section 32. The container installation device 10 also installs container 60c by holding the engaging portion 62 of container 60c with the fixed holding section 31.
[0053] As shown in FIG. 8 , when a user operates the operation unit 41 ( FIG. 1 ) to instruct the elevator 12 to start raising or lowering, the container installation device 10 raises the elevator 12 (see arrow A11). At this time, the first container 60c from the bottom rises. At the same time, the engagement portion 62 of the first container 60c from the bottom rises and separates from the fixed holder 31. Then, the contact surface 63a of the second container 60b from the top abuts against the first container 60c from the bottom. At this time, the container installation device 10 forms a gap 73 between the bottom surface 61a of the storage portion 61 of the second container 60b from the top and the top of the foreign matter intrusion prevention portion 72 of the first container 60c from the bottom.
[0054] 9, when the container installation device 10 raises the elevator 12, the containers 60a, 60b, and 60c rise (see arrow A12). At this time, the engaging portion 62 of the second-highest container 60b rises and separates from the movable holder 32 in the lower tier. The ground contact surface 63a of the first-highest container 60a then abuts against the second-highest container 60b. At this time, the container installation device 10 forms a gap 73 between the bottom surface 61a of the storage portion 61 of the first-highest container 60a and the top of the foreign matter intrusion prevention portion 72 of the second-highest container 60b. Furthermore, the engaging portion 62 of the first-highest container 60a rises and separates from the movable holder 32 in the upper tier.
[0055] As the container 60 rises, the engaging portion 62 of the container 60 comes into contact with the holding member 33 of the movable holding unit 32. At this time, the holding member 33 of the movable holding unit 32 is pushed by the engaging portion 62 of the container 60 and rotates in the backward direction. After that, as the container 60 further rises, the engaging portion 62 of the container 60 and the holding member 33 of the movable holding unit 32 are released from contact with each other. At this time, the holding member 33 of the movable holding unit 32 is pushed by the kick spring 34b (biasing member) and rotates in the forward direction. The rotation of the holding member 33 is stopped when the restricting surface 33b comes into contact with the outer wall surface of the erection unit 11 (or the wall surface of a separately provided member not shown). At this time, the horizontal surface 33a of the holding member 33 is positioned horizontally.
[0056] 10 , when the container installation device 10 raises the elevator 12, the containers 60a, 60b, and 60c rise further (see arrow A13). As a result, the first container 60a from the top is sent out from the installation section 11 through the removal port 26. At this time, the second container 60b from the top is installed on the upper movable holder 32. The user removes the first container 60a from the top that has been sent out from the installation section 11.
[0057] 11 , the container installation device 10 lowers the elevator 12 (see arrow A14). This causes the containers 60b and 60c to descend. At this time, the container installation device 10 holds the engaging portion 62 of container 60b with the upper movable holding portion 32 and installs container 60b. The container installation device 10 also holds the engaging portion 62 of container 60c with the lower movable holding portion 32 and installs container 60c. Since an empty space is created in the lowest insertion opening 21 of the installation unit 11, the user can insert the next container 60 into the lowest insertion opening 21. This container installation device 10 can install the containers 60 in the same order as the containers 60 are used. Therefore, the container installation device 10 can be operated so that the containers 60 are removed from the device and used in the same order as they were installed.
[0058] <Main Features of the Container Installation Device> (1) As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the container installation device 10 according to this embodiment includes an installation unit 11 and an elevator 12. The installation unit 11 is a component that installs multiple containers 60, each having an engagement unit 62 on at least the left and right side surfaces. The elevator 12 is a component that raises and lowers the containers 60 within the installation unit 11. The installation unit 11 includes multiple insertion openings 21 for inserting the containers 60 into the installation unit 11, an ejection opening 26 for removing the containers 60 from the installation unit 11, multiple holding units 30 for holding the containers 60 horizontally by engaging with the engagement units 62 of the containers 60, and an insertion opening guide unit 22 for guiding the insertion of the containers 60 into the insertion openings 21. The multiple insertion openings 21 are provided as openings in the front surface of the installation unit 11. The ejection opening 26 is provided as an opening in the ceiling of the installation unit 11. The holding portions 30 are provided on the left and right inner wall portions of the bridging portion 11. The insertion opening guide portions 22 are provided so as to close a part of the insertion opening 21 of the bridging portion 11.
[0059] The container installation device 10 according to this embodiment uses the insertion port guide 22 to guide the insertion position of the container 60. Therefore, the container installation device 10 can insert the containers 60 without the upper container 60 colliding with the lower container 60. Therefore, the container installation device 10 can prevent foreign objects from entering the contents 71 inside the containers 60. Furthermore, the container installation device 10 can install the containers 60 in the same order as the order in which the containers 60 are used. Therefore, the container installation device 10 can remove and use the containers 60 in the same order in which they were installed. Therefore, the container installation device 10 can prevent foreign objects from entering and improve the order in which the containers 60 are used.
[0060] (2) As shown in FIG. 2 , in the container erection device 10 according to this embodiment, the insertion opening guide portion 22 may be provided on either the left or right side of the insertion opening 21 of the erection portion 11 .
[0061] The container installation device 10 according to this embodiment allows the user to insert the container 60 in the rearward direction while the container 60 is moved in the direction opposite to the side where the insertion opening guide section 22 is provided. Therefore, the container installation device 10 can effectively guide the insertion of the container 60.
[0062] (3) As shown in FIG. 2, in the container installation device 10 according to this embodiment, the upper edge portion of the insertion port guide portion 22 is preferably provided at the same height as the portion of the holder 30 that holds the container 60.
[0063] The container erection device 10 according to this embodiment guides the insertion height position of the container 60 with the upper edge portion of the insertion opening guide portion 22. Therefore, the container erection device 10 can insert the containers 60 without the upper container 60 colliding with the lower container 60. Therefore, the container erection device 10 can prevent foreign objects from getting into the contents 71 inside the containers 60.
[0064] (4) As shown in Figures 2 and 3, in the container erection device 10 of this embodiment, the holding portion 30 is preferably arranged so as to protrude into the interior of the erection portion 11 from the left and right inner wall portions of the erection portion 11.
[0065] The container erection device 10 according to this embodiment can erect the container 60 well inside the erection section 11 .
[0066] (5) As shown in Figure 2, in the container erection device 10 of this embodiment, of the multiple stages of holding sections 30, the lowest stage holding section 30 is configured as a fixed holding section 31 inside the erection section 11, while the holding sections 30 other than the lowest stage are configured as movable holding sections 32 inside the erection section 11 so as to be movable when the container 60 rises as the elevator 12 rises.
[0067] The container installation device 10 of this embodiment can send out the container 60 installed on the movable holding part 32 and the fixed holding part 31 toward the removal outlet 26 by raising the elevator 12.
[0068] (6) As shown in Figure 3, in the container erection device 10 of this embodiment, the movable holding portion 32 may be configured to have a holding member 33 that engages with the engagement portion 62 of the container 60, a hinge shaft 34a (shaft portion) that supports the holding member 33 so that it can rotate freely, and a kick spring 34b (urging member) that urges the holding member 33 toward the inside of the container 60.
[0069] The container erection device 10 according to this embodiment can move the holding member 33 toward the inside of the container 60 by using the kick spring 34b (biasing member). As the elevator 12 rises and the container 60 passes beside the holding member 33, the container erection device 10 rotates backward and then forward. The container erection device 10 can erect the containers 60 in the order of use.
[0070] (7) In the container installation device 10 of this embodiment, the spacing T30a, T30b, and T30c (Figure 7) between the multiple vertical stages of the holding sections 30 may be greater than the height T12 (Figure 4B) of the container 60 below the engagement section 62.
[0071] The container installation device 10 of this embodiment can prevent the upper container 60 from coming into contact with the lower container 60 when multiple containers 60 are inserted and installed inside the installation section 11.
[0072] (8) As shown in Figures 2 and 3, in the container installation device 10 of this embodiment, the installation section 11 may have an insertion restriction section 35 that restricts the insertion of a container 60 that has been inserted into the installation section 11 in the wrong insertion direction.
[0073] In the container erection device 10 according to this embodiment, when the container 60 is inserted into the erection section 11 in the wrong direction, the insertion restricting section 35 can stop the container 60 from being fully inserted. Therefore, the container erection device 10 can prevent the user from fully inserting the container 60 in the wrong direction.
[0074] (9) As shown in Figures 1 and 2, in the container installation device 10 according to this embodiment, the installation unit 11 is formed by sheet metal processing (bending) a flat metal member. In this configuration, the holding unit 30 may be formed of a plate-shaped member so as to have a horizontal surface.
[0075] In the container erection device 10 according to this embodiment, the erection section 11 can be formed by deforming a plate-like member into a ] shape. In this manner, the container erection device 10 can form the erection section 11 at low cost.
[0076] <Main Features of the Container> (1) The container 60 according to this embodiment is a container in which a plurality of containers 60 are stacked vertically inside the container erection device 10. As shown in Fig. 4A , the container 60 includes a storage section 61 for storing contents 71 therein, engagement sections 62 provided on at least the left and right side surfaces and for engaging with holders 30 provided on the left and right inner wall sections of the container erection device 10, a foreign matter intrusion prevention section 72 provided on the upper section and for preventing foreign matter from entering the interior, and legs 63 provided on the lower section and for forming a hollow space therein. As shown in Figs. 8 and 9 , the height of the hollow space is set to a height such that, when a plurality of containers 60 are stacked vertically inside the container erection device 10, a gap 73 is formed between the bottom surface of the storage section 61 of an upper container 60 and the top of the foreign matter intrusion prevention section 72 of a lower container 60.
[0077] The container 60 according to this embodiment can prevent the upper container 60 from coming into contact with the lower container 60 when multiple containers 60 are installed on the container installation device 10 .
[0078] (2) As shown in FIG. 4D, in the container 60 according to this embodiment, the engaging portions 62 are preferably provided so as to protrude from at least the left and right side surfaces of the container 60 by different protrusion amounts W62a, W62b.
[0079] The container 60 according to this embodiment can limit the insertion direction when it is installed on the container installation device 10. Furthermore, since the protrusion amount W62a of the engaging portion 62a of this container 60 is large, the engaging portion 62a reaches the holding portion 30 of the installation portion 11 after the container 60 passes through the insertion opening 21 of the installation portion 11 provided with the insertion opening guide portion 22. Therefore, the container 60 can have the engaging portion 62a satisfactorily engaged with (supported by) the holding portion 30 of the installation portion 11.
[0080] (3) As shown in Figure 4C, the container 60 of this embodiment has a rectangular shape when viewed from above, and preferably has a notch 65 at one of its four corners formed so that the insertion restriction section 35 provided inside the container erection device 10 can fit into it.
[0081] When the container 60 according to this embodiment is inserted into the container erection device 10 in the wrong direction, the insertion restriction portion 35 provided inside the container erection device 10 does not fit into the notch 65, and the container is not fully inserted and stops midway. Therefore, the container 60 can be prevented from being fully inserted into the container erection device 10 in the wrong direction by the user.
[0082] (4) As shown in FIG. 4C, the container 60 according to this embodiment may have different lengths in one direction and the other direction when viewed from above.
[0083] When inserting the container 60 according to this embodiment into the container erection device 10, the user can be guided to insert the container 60 in the direction of its longer length.
[0084] (5) As shown in FIGS. 4A to 4E, in the container 60 according to this embodiment, the legs 63 may be provided only on the lower portions of the left and right side surfaces of the four side surfaces of the container 60.
[0085] In the container 60 according to this embodiment, the front and rear portions are open between the legs 63, so that when multiple containers 60 are inserted into the bridging section 11, it is possible to prevent the upper container 60 from coming into contact with the lower container 60. Therefore, the container 60 can easily prevent foreign matter from entering the contents 71 stored in the container 60.
[0086] (6) As shown in FIGS. 4A to 4E, in the container 60 according to this embodiment, the engaging portion 62 may be provided in the form of a protrusion so as to function as an anti-slip device.
[0087] In the container 60 according to this embodiment, the engaging portion 62 functions as an anti-slip portion, so that the container 60 can be prevented from being accidentally dropped by the user.
[0088] (7) As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, in the container 160 according to this embodiment, the legs 63 may be provided at the bottom of the four side surfaces of the container 60.
[0089] In the container 60 according to this embodiment, the legs 63 are provided at the bottom of the four side surfaces of the container 160, and therefore the strength of the legs 63 can be improved compared to the container 60.
[0090] As described above, the container installation device 10 according to the first embodiment can prevent the intrusion of foreign matter and improve the order in which the containers 60 are used.
[0091] [Embodiment 2] The configuration of a container installation device 10A according to this embodiment 2 will be described below with reference to Figures 12 to 15. Figure 12 is a perspective view of the container installation device 10A according to this embodiment 2. Figure 13 is a front view of the container installation device 10A. Figure 14 is an explanatory diagram of the container installation device 10A. Figure 15 is a perspective view of a movable holding unit 32 of the container installation device 10A.
[0092] As shown in Figures 12 and 13, the container erection device 10A of this embodiment 2 differs from the container erection device 10 of embodiment 1 (see Figure 2) in that it is equipped with an erection section 111 instead of the erection section 11.
[0093] The bridge portion 111 is configured in a frame shape using rod-shaped members. The bridge portion 111 is composed of a left bridge portion 111a and a right bridge portion 111b. An insertion restricting portion 35 is provided at the rear of the right bridge portion 111b. In addition, an insertion opening guide portion 22a is provided on the left bridge portion 111a.
[0094] The insertion opening guide portion 22a is configured in a ] shape using a rod-shaped member. The upper edge portion of the insertion opening guide portion 22a is provided at the same height as the portion of the holder 30 that holds the container 60 so as to contact the bottom surface of the engagement portion 62 (FIGS. 4A to 4E) of the container 60 when the container 60 is inserted and guide the insertion of the container 60.
[0095] As shown in Figure 14, the container installation device 10A of this embodiment 2 has three insertion ports 21 on the front portion and one removal port 26 (Figure 12) on the ceiling portion, similar to the container installation device 10 of embodiment 1 (see Figure 2).
[0096] The container erection device 10A erects a plurality of containers 60 in a stacked state inside the erection section 111. The containers 60 are inserted in order of earliest use from the upper insertion opening 21 to the lower insertion opening 21. The container erection device 10A according to the second embodiment operates in the same manner as the container erection device 10 according to the first embodiment (see FIG. 2).
[0097] As shown in FIG. 15 , the fixed holding unit 31 of the container installation device 10A is configured with a flat, plate-like member. Meanwhile, the movable holding unit 32 of the container installation device 10A is configured in a frame-like shape using rod-like members so as to have a horizontal surface. In this embodiment, the movable holding unit 32 includes a holding member 133 that engages with the engaging portion 62 of the container 60 and a movable mechanism 134 that moves the holding member 133. The holding member 133 includes a plate portion 133a that engages with the engaging portion 62 of the container 60 and a shaft portion 133b that rotatably supports the plate portion 133a. In the example shown in FIG. 15 , the holding member 133 is configured by joining multiple flat, plate-like members. The movable mechanism 134 includes a restricting member 134a that restricts the rotation of the holding member 133 and a kick spring 134b (a biasing member) that biases the holding member 133 toward the interior of the container 60.
[0098] In this embodiment, the holding member 133 is described as being made of a metal material to ensure strength, but the holding member 133 may be made of a resin material or the like as long as sufficient strength can be ensured.
[0099] When the container 60 rises in conjunction with the rise of the elevator 12, the engaging portion 62 of the container 60 comes into contact with the holding member 133. At this time, the holding member 133 is pushed outward by the engaging portion 62 of the container 60, and moves backward from the inside to the outside of the container 60. Then, when the container 60 rises further, the holding member 133 is released from contact with the engaging portion 62 of the container 60. At this time, the holding member 133 is pushed inward by the kick spring 134b (biasing member), and moves forward from the outside to the inside of the container 60. A portion of the holding member 133 pushed inward by the kick spring 134b (biasing member) comes into contact with the regulating member 134a, and the holding member 133 stops rotating in a state where it has advanced into the interior of the container 60. As a result, the holding member 133 provided on the left-side bridge portion 111a and the holding member 133 provided on the right-side bridge portion 111b stop at an angle that allows them to hold the container 60 horizontally between them.
[0100] In such a container erecting device 10A, the erecting section 111 can be configured using a rod-shaped member. Also, in the container erecting device 10A, the fixed holding section 31 can be configured using a flat plate-shaped member. Also, in the container erecting device 10A, the movable holding section 32 can be configured using a rod-shaped member. The fixed holding section 31 of the container erecting device 10A is configured using a flat plate-shaped member. On the other hand, in the container erecting device 10A, the holding member 133 of the movable holding section 32 can be configured using a rod-shaped member.
[0101] Like the container erection device 10 according to embodiment 1, this container erection device 10A can prevent the intrusion of foreign matter and improve the use order of the containers 60. Moreover, compared to the container erection device 10 according to embodiment 1, this container erection device 10A has an opening on the side of the erection section 111, so that the user can visually check the state of each container 60 erected on the erection section 111 from the side of the erection section 111.
[0102] [Embodiment 3] Hereinafter, the configuration of a container erection device 10B according to this embodiment 3 will be described with reference to Fig. 16 and Fig. 17. Fig. 16 is a perspective view of the container erection device 10B according to this embodiment 3. Fig. 17 is a front view of the container erection device 10B.
[0103] As shown in Figures 16 and 17, the container installation device 10B of this embodiment 3 differs from the container installation device 10 of embodiment 1 (see Figure 2) in that the movable holding part 32 is composed of a holding member 233 and a solenoid 234 (electrically operated member), and in that it has a container detection sensor 235.
[0104] The holding member 233 is a member that engages with the engaging portion 62 of the container 60. The holding member 233 is configured to slide in the left-right direction. In the example shown in FIG. 16 , the solenoid 234 is an electrically driven member that selectively advances (advances) or retreats the holding member 233 by sliding it relative to the internal space inside the installation unit 11. The container detection sensor 235 is a sensor that detects the container 60 (particularly the engaging portion 62 of the container 60) rising inside the installation unit 11. Note that, in this embodiment, the movable holding unit 32 is configured such that the solenoid 234 (electrically driven member) slides the holding member 233, but the mechanism is not limited to the illustrated example.
[0105] The operation of the container erection device 10B will be described below with reference to Figures 18 to 22. Figures 18 to 22 are explanatory diagrams of the operation of the container erection device 10B. In the initial state, the container erection device 10B is in a state in which the holding members 233 of each stage are advanced (a state in which they are advanced into the internal space inside the erection section 11).
[0106] As shown in FIG. 18 , the container installation device 10B installs multiple containers 60 in a stacked state inside the installation section 11. The containers 60 are inserted in order of earliest use, from the upper insertion port 21 to the lower insertion port 21. The user inserts the containers 60 on each tier into the installation section 11 to install them. At this time, each container 60 is installed while being spaced apart from the other containers 60. That is, the container installation device 10B installs container 60a using the upper tier movable holding section 32. The container installation device 10B also installs container 60b using the lower tier movable holding section 32. The container installation device 10B also installs container 60c using the fixed holding section 31.
[0107] As shown in FIG. 19 , when a user operates the operation unit 41 ( FIG. 1 ) to instruct the elevator 12 to start lifting and lowering, the container installation device 10B raises the elevator 12 (see arrow B11). At this time, the first container 60c from the bottom rises. At this time, the engagement portion 62 of the first container 60c from the bottom rises and separates from the fixed holder 31. Then, the contact surface 63a ( FIG. 4E ) of the second container 60b from the top abuts against the first container 60c from the bottom. After this, when the first container 60c from the bottom rises further, the second container 60b from the top is pushed by the first container 60c from the bottom and rises. At this time, the engagement portion 62 ( FIG. 4E ) of the second container 60b from the top rises and separates from the holding member 233 of the lower movable holder 32. At this time, the lower container detection sensor 235 detects the rise of the container 60b (particularly the engagement portion 62 (FIG. 4E) of the container 60b). Then, the container installation device 10B drives the solenoid 234 of the lower movable holding portion 32 to retract the holding member 233 of the lower movable holding portion 32.
[0108] After this, as shown in FIG. 20 , when the container installation device 10B raises the elevator 12, the contact surface 63a ( FIG. 4E ) of the first container 60a from the top abuts against the second container 60b from the top, and the containers 60a, 60b, and 60c rise (see arrow B12). At this time, the engaging portion 62 ( FIG. 4E ) of the first container 60a from the top rises and separates from the upper movable holder 32. At this time, the upper container detection sensor 235 detects the rise of the container 60a (particularly the engaging portion 62 ( FIG. 4E ) of the container 60a). The container installation device 10B then drives the solenoid 234 of the upper movable holder 32 to retract the holding member 233 of the upper movable holder 32.
[0109] 21 , when the container installation device 10B raises the elevator 12, the containers 60a, 60b, and 60c further rise (see arrow B13). As a result, the first container 60a from the top is sent out from the installation unit 11 through the removal port 26. At this time, the engaging portion 62 ( FIG. 4E ) of the second container 60b from the top is positioned higher than the upper container detection sensor 235. Therefore, the upper container detection sensor 235 detects the rise of container 60b (particularly the engaging portion 62 ( FIG. 4E ) of container 60b). The container installation device 10B then drives the solenoids 234 of the upper and lower movable holding units 32 to advance the holding members 233 of the upper and lower movable holding units 32. The user then removes the first container 60a from the top that has been sent out from the installation unit 11.
[0110] After this, as shown in FIG. 22 , the container installation device 10B lowers the elevator 12 (see arrow B14). This causes the containers 60b and 60c to descend. At this time, the container installation device 10B installs the container 60b by holding the engaging portion 62 ( FIG. 4E ) of the container 60b with the upper movable holding portion 32. The container installation device 10B also installs the container 60c by holding the engaging portion 62 ( FIG. 4E ) of the container 60c with the lower movable holding portion 32. Since an empty space is created in the lowest insertion opening 21 of the installation unit 11, the user can insert the next container 60 into the lowest insertion opening 21. This container installation device 10B can install the containers 60 in the same order as the containers 60 are used. Therefore, the container installation device 10B can be operated by removing and using the containers 60 in the order in which they were installed.
[0111] Like the container erection devices 10 and 10A according to the other embodiments, this container erection device 10B can prevent the intrusion of foreign matter and improve the use order of the containers 60. Moreover, compared to the container erection device 10 according to the first embodiment, this container erection device 10A uses a solenoid 234 (electrically-operated member) in the movable holding unit 32 instead of a kick spring 34b (biasing member), and therefore can reduce the operating noise of the movable holding unit 32.
[0112] [Fourth Embodiment] The configuration of a container erection device 10C according to a fourth embodiment will be described below with reference to Fig. 23. Fig. 23 is a perspective view of the container erection device 10C according to the fourth embodiment.
[0113] As shown in Fig. 23, the container erection device 10C according to the fourth embodiment differs from the container erection device 10 according to the first embodiment (see Fig. 2) in that the erection unit 11 has holding units 30 only at the insertion openings 21 of the stages other than the top stage (i.e., the second stage from the top and the first stage from the bottom). Thus, in this embodiment, the container erection device 10C has a fixed holding unit 31 on the first stage from the bottom and a movable holding unit 32 on the second stage from the top.
[0114] The operation of the container erection device 10C will be described below with reference to Figures 24 to 26. Figures 24 to 26 are explanatory diagrams of the operation of the container erection device 10C.
[0115] In the example shown in FIG. 24, the container erection device 10C is in a state in which the container 60 has not yet been erected.
[0116] As shown in FIG. 25, the user inserts the container 60b into the insertion slot 21 (FIG. 24) in the second row from the top, and causes the container 60b to be held by the movable holding portion 32.
[0117] Next, as shown in Fig. 26, the user inserts container 60a into the insertion slot 21 (Fig. 24) in the first row from the top and places container 60a on top of container 60b. The user also inserts container 60c into the insertion slot 21 (Fig. 24) in the first row from the bottom and causes container 60c to be held by fixed holder 31. Note that the order of inserting container 60a and container 60c may be reversed.
[0118] Thereafter, when the user operates the operation unit 41 (FIG. 1) to instruct the elevator 12 to start the lifting operation, the container erection device 10C operates in the same manner as the container erection device 10 of the first embodiment.
[0119] When stacking a container 60a on top of an already installed container 60b, the container installation device 10C can guide the insertion of the container 60a using the insertion port guide section 22 provided at the insertion port 21 so that the container 60a avoids the foreign matter entry prevention section 72 of the container 60b and is placed on top of the container 60b.
[0120] Furthermore, although the container installation device 10C disrupts the chronological order of the containers 60 used, in cases such as when an emergency inspection is being performed, it is possible to stack another container 60 (e.g., container 60c) on top of a container 60 (e.g., container 60b) that is already installed on the movable holding section 32.
[0121] Like the container installation device 10 according to embodiment 1, this container installation device 10C can prevent the intrusion of foreign matter and improve the use order of the containers 60. Moreover, since the upper movable holding unit 32 is eliminated in this container installation device 10C compared to the container installation device 10 according to embodiment 1, it can be manufactured at a correspondingly lower cost. Furthermore, this container installation device 10C can be suitably used in cases where the additional containers 60 to be installed are used with the highest priority, such as in urgent inspections, and when a discrepancy between the installation order and the use order can be tolerated.
[0122] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
[0123] For example, the above-described embodiment has been described in detail to clearly explain the gist of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not necessarily limited to an embodiment including all of the components described. Furthermore, the present invention may include some components by adding other components to them, or by replacing some components with other components. Furthermore, the present invention may also include some components by deleting them.
[0124] 10, 10A, 10B, 10C Container erection device 11, 111, 111a, 111b Erection section 12 Elevator 21 Insertion port 22, 22a Insertion port guide section 26 Extraction port 30 Holding section 31 Fixed holding section 32 Movable holding section 33, 133, 233 Holding member 33a Horizontal surface 33b Restricting surface 34, 134 Movable mechanism 34a Hinge shaft (shaft section) 34b, 134b Kick spring (urging member) 35 Insertion restricting section 41 Operation section 42 Control section 60, 60a, 60b, 60c, 160 Container 61 Storage section 61a Bottom surface 62, 62a, 62b Engagement section 63 Leg section 63a Ground surface 64 Ceiling surface 65 Notch 71 Stored item 72 Foreign matter contamination prevention portion 73 Gap 133a Plate portion 133b Shaft portion 134a Restriction member 233 Holding member 234 Solenoid (electrically driven member) 235 Container detection sensor
Claims
1. A container installation device comprising: an installation section for installing a plurality of containers, each having an engagement section on at least the left and right side sections; and an elevator for raising and lowering the containers inside the installation section, wherein the installation section has: a plurality of insertion openings that open onto the front section, for inserting the containers into the installation section; an removal opening that opens onto the ceiling section, for removing the containers from inside the installation section; multiple holding sections that are provided on the left and right inner walls, for holding the containers horizontally by engaging with the engagement sections of the containers; and an insertion opening guide section that is provided to cover a portion of the insertion opening, for guiding the insertion of the containers into the insertion opening.
2. A container installation device as described in claim 1, characterized in that the insertion opening guide portion is provided on either the left or right side of the insertion opening.
3. A container installation device as described in claim 1, characterized in that the upper edge portion of the insertion port guide portion is provided at a height position equivalent to that of the portion of the holding portion that holds the container.
4. A container installation device as described in claim 1, characterized in that the holding portion is arranged so as to protrude into the interior of the installation portion from the left and right inner wall portions of the installation portion.
5. A container installation device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, among the multiple holding sections, the lowest holding section is configured as a fixed holding section inside the installation section, while the holding sections other than the lowest section are configured as movable holding sections inside the installation section so as to move when the container rises as the elevator rises.
6. A container installation device as described in claim 5, characterized in that the movable holding portion is configured to have a holding member that engages with the engaging portion of the container, an axis portion that supports the holding member so that it can rotate freely, and a biasing member that biases the holding member toward the inside of the container.
7. A container installation device as described in claim 1, characterized in that the spacing between the holding parts in the multiple stages in the height direction is higher than the height of the container below the engagement part.
8. A container installation device as described in claim 1, characterized in that the installation section has an insertion restriction section that restricts the insertion of a container inserted into the installation section in the wrong direction.
9. A container installation device as described in claim 1, characterized in that the installation section is configured in a ] shape using plate-like members.
10. A container installation device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the installation section is constructed in a frame shape using rod-shaped members.
11. A container installation device as described in claim 5, characterized in that the installation section has a container detection sensor for detecting the container rising inside the installation section, and the movable holding section has a holding member that engages with the engagement section of the container, and an electrically-driven member that selectively moves the holding member forward or backward relative to the internal space inside the installation section.
12. A container which is erected in a vertically stacked manner inside a container erection device, comprising: a storage section for storing items therein; engaging sections provided on at least the left and right side sections for engaging with holding sections provided on the left and right inner wall sections of the container erection device; a foreign matter entry prevention section provided on the upper section for preventing foreign matter from entering the interior; and legs provided on the lower section for forming a hollow space inside, wherein the height of the hollow space is set to a height which forms a gap between the bottom surface of the storage section of an upper container and the top of the foreign matter entry prevention section of a lower container when a plurality of such containers are erected in a vertically stacked manner inside the container erection device.
13. A container according to claim 12, characterized in that the engaging portion is provided so as to protrude from at least the left and right side surfaces of the container by different amounts.