PURPOSE: To pile up a certain quantity of containers in a small installation space without overturning the containers, and hygienically transfer food received in the containers, by providing a container carry-in element and an expansion/ contraction element expanding/contracting the container placing part of the container carry-in element.

CONSTITUTION: Containers K are carried in a container loading device 2 one by one using a container carry-in device 1. A supporting body 4 having a multistep supporting part 3 is provided, and the supporting part 3 is horizontally held while the container K is supported. The supporting body 4 in the condition of supporting the containers K with the supporting parts 3 is lifted to the height allowing carry-in of the next container K and then stopped. When the ascent and stop are repeated and a specific quantity of containers K are supported, a container placing part 5 is contracted in the direction of the container carry-in side 6 using an expansion/contraction element 29. Introduction of a carriage 7 on a definite position is detected, the supporting body 4 is brought down, engagement of the containers K with the supporting parts 3 is automatically released, and the containers K are surely piled up on the carriage 7 one by one.