Container opening and closing device

Abstract

The present invention provides a container opening and closing device that does not require the use of a separate vacuum pump for air supply equipment or air piping. When the container is opened, the lid is held in place by means of a holding mechanism that is mechanically linked to the switching action of a switching mechanism. Therefore, the outer shell and lid of the container can be reliably separated, and the lid of the container is prevented from falling off. A container opening and closing device is used to open and close a container, the container including a shell covering a cartridge containing a transported item and a lid disposed at the bottom of the shell. The container opening and closing device includes: a platform for placing the container with the lid facing the platform; a lifting mechanism for moving the shell and lid of the container placed on the platform relative to each other to separate them; a switching mechanism disposed on the platform for performing a switching action to switch between an engaged state of the shell and lid and an unengaged state of the shell and lid being disengaged; and a holding mechanism disposed on the platform for holding the lid on the platform. The holding mechanism is linked to the switching action of the switching mechanism from the engaged state to the unengaged state to hold the lid, and is also linked to the switching action of the switching mechanism from the unengaged state to the engaged state to release the holding of the lid.

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