Technical Field

[0001] The present invention is related to a display device displaying containers. Background Art

[0002] When being sold, for example, in a convenience store, containers, such as drink cans and PET bottles, filled with drink are placed to stand upright on a display device put, for example, in a display case. There, the display device as described above is arranged, for example, in a sloping state so that each container may move frontward in the display case due to its own weight. When one container at a front side (in the front row) is taken out, other containers following that container move toward the front side due to their own weight.

Here, for example, a plastic flat plate is provided, because of good sliding of containers, to a part on which the containers are placed in the display device. Meanwhile, a display device in which a large number of rotatable rollers are arranged has become available in recent years (for example, refer to Patent Literature 1). Additionally, although containers are supplied from a back side of a display device in general, there is proposed a display device allowing containers to be supplied from a front side, and allowing a container, which has moved backward, to move to the front side again so as to be displayed (for example, refer to Patent Literature 2). That is, there is proposed a display device in which a container supplied from a front side makes a U-turn and returns. Furthermore, with regard to a container, there has been proposed a can having inside concave portions and vertical ribs alternately formed, in a circumferential direction, in an inner circumferential wall of an annular convex portion formed on a bottom of the can (for example, refer to Patent Literature 3).

[0003] An outer face of a container is provided with a mark, such as a trade name or a trademark, in order to differentiate a product from other products. If this mark does not face a side from which a purchaser takes out the container, the purchaser finds it difficult to identify the product, and also the product does not look good when being displayed. For this reason, it is preferable that marks on displayed containers face a predetermined direction which is, for example, a front direction or the like.

[0004] As a conventional technique described in the official gazettes, there has been proposed a display method (for example, refer to Patent Literature 4) in which: on an upper face of a sloping shelf plate on which containers are placed, a rod- shaped guide ridge is provided to extend in a sloping direction of the shelf plate; on a bottom portion of each container, a concave fitting portion is provided to connect a position directly under a mark to a position directly under a face opposite to a face where the mark is attached; and the container is displayed by use of this guide ridge and this concave fitting portion. In this display method, plural containers are aligned in a front-back direction by having the concave fitting portions fit to the guide ridge with each of those containers put in such a position that the mark faces frontward. As a result, the containers are displayed with the marks facing frontward. Citation List

Patent Literature

[0005] PTL 1 : Japanese Patent Application Laid Open Publication No. 11 - 155701 PTL 2: United States Patent No. 6,502,408

PTL 3: Japanese Patent Application Laid Open Publication No. 2000-211624 PTL 4: Japanese Patent Application Laid Open Publication No. 2006-288676 Summary of Invention Technical Problem

[0006] In Patent Literature 4 mentioned above, by performing display of the containers with the concave fitting portions being fit to the guide ridge, the marks are reliably faced frontward. In this invention, however, a supplier of the containers is required to fit the concave fitting portions to the guide ridge every time the supplier puts the container on a display device, and this makes displaying work of the containers troublesome. Additionally, in a case where the mark is formed on only one part of each of the containers, it is feared that there may occur a display failure where some of the containers are displayed with the marks facing backward. Additionally, in a store or the like, such as a convenience store, where a large number of drinks are sold, work of supplying the containers in a way to make the containers face the same direction is very extensive.

[0007] A main object of the present invention is to provide a display device which, when containers are displayed so as to stand upright on the display device, allows the containers to be displayed with marks thereon facing a predetermined direction even if the containers are placed with the marks facing random directions. Solution to Problem

[0008] In order to attain the above object, there is provided a display device to which the present invention is applied, the display device displaying a container that has a mark for differentiating a product from other products and that contains drink inside thereof. The display device includes: a placement unit on which the container is to be placed; and a rotation unit that rotates the container so that the mark on the container placed on the placement unit may face a specific direction.

[0009] Here, the rotation unit performs rotation of the container by rotating at least a part of the placement unit. Moreover, the display device further includes: a pattern detecting unit that detects a pattern applied on the container, the pattern having a certain positional relationship with the mark. The rotation unit stops rotation of the container that has been rotated on the basis of a detection result obtained by the pattern detecting unit, and faces the mark toward the specific direction. In addition, the pattern is a barcode applied on the container. Besides, a plurality of the containers are placeable on the placement unit, and the display device further includes a separation unit that separates the container that is to be rotated by the rotation unit from another container placed on the placement unit.

[0010] Further, the rotation unit includes a contact member that is allowed to come into contact with a side portion of the container, the rotation unit stops rotation of the container by making the contact member come into contact with the side portion of the container that has been rotated, and the rotation unit makes the mark face the specific direction. In addition, the rotation unit includes: an applying portion that comes into contact with a side portion of the container placed on the placement unit, and that performs guidance of the container toward a taken-out portion for the container while applying rotation force to the container along with the guidance; and a rotation stopping portion that makes the applying portion and the container in a non-contact state when the mark on the container rotated by the applying portion faces the specific direction, and that stops rotation of the container performed by the applying portion.

[0011] From another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a display device to which the present invention is applied, the display device displaying a container that has a mark for differentiating a product from other products and that contains drink inside thereof. The display device includes: a moving member that moves the container placed thereon in one direction by sloping arrangement thereof; and a rotation unit that rotates the container placed on the moving member so that the mark on the container may face the one direction.

[0012] From further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a display device to which the present invention is applied, the display device displaying, for a purchaser, a container that has a mark for differentiating a product from other products and that contains drink inside thereof. The display device includes: a placement unit on which the container is to be placed; and a rotation unit that rotates the container placed on the placement unit so that the mark on the container may face the purchaser.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

[0013] It is possible to provide a display device which, when containers are displayed so as to stand upright on the display device, allows the containers to be displayed with marks thereon facing a predetermined direction even if the containers are placed with the marks facing random directions. Brief Description of Drawings

[0014] [fig. I]FIG. 1 is a view for explaining a schematic configuration of a display device according to the first exemplary embodiment.

[fig.2]FIG. 2 is a view for explaining the display device according to the first exemplary embodiment.

[fig.3]FIG. 3 is a diagram showing control blocks of the controller. [fig.4]FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure executed by the controller.

[fig.5]FIG. 5 is a view showing a display device according to the second exemplary embodiment.

[fig.6] FIG. 6 is a top view showing a display device according to the third exemplary embodiment. Description of Embodiments

[0015] - First exemplary embodiment -

Best modes for carrying out the invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 (FIGs. IA and IB) is a view for explaining a schematic configuration of a display device according to the first exemplary embodiment.

As shown in FIG. IA, a display device 30 according to the first exemplary embodiment includes a placement unit 31 on which containers 20 with drink filled therein are placed, and guides 32 that form moving routes (transportation routes) of the containers 20, and that guide movement of the containers 20. The display device 30 also includes a regulation plate 34, a part of which is formed transparently, arranged along one side of the placement unit 31 and stops the containers 20 having moved. Here, each of the guides 32 is fixed to the placement unit 31 by having both ends thereof inserted into openings 33 formed in the placement unit 31. Additionally, although a can shaped as a cylinder is illustrated as an example of each of the containers 20 in FIGs. IA and IB, a container made of resin such as a so-called PET bottle, a so-called bottle can having a cap, or the like may also be used.

[0016] On the outer circumferential face of the container 20, an identification mark 23 for differentiating a product from other products, such as a product name, a trademark or the like, is normally provided. Note that, as to a provision method of the identification mark 23 to the container 20, in a case where the container 20 is a can, the identification mark 23 may be provided through coating or printing. On the other hand, in a case where the container 20 is a PET bottle or the like, the identification mark 23 may be provided in a manner that, after a film having the identification mark 23 is wrapped around the container 20, this film is thermally shrunk. That is, the identification mark 23 may be provided not only through coating or printing but also through separate attachment or the like of a film or the like.

[0017] The display device 30 is, as shown in FIG. IB, put inside a display case 10 installed in a convenience store, a super market or the like. This display case 10 includes a case main body unit 1OA formed into a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and doors 1OB provided so as to be openable and closable with respect to this case main body unit 1OA, which configure a main part of the display case 10.

Here, the display device 30 is placed on a shelf (not shown in the figure) provided to the display case 10. On this occasion, the display device 30 is placed so that the side where the regulation plate 34 is provided may be located at the side where the doors 1OB are provided. Additionally, the display device 30 is placed so that the side where the regulation plate 34 is provided may be positioned at a lower level than a side thereof opposite to the side where the regulation plate 34 is provided. That is, the display device 30 is arranged in a downward sloping state from a back side of the display case 10 toward a front side thereof (toward a taken-out portion) from which the containers 20 are taken out.

[0018] Here, the display case 10 in the first exemplary embodiment also has a door (not shown in the figure) provided on the back side thereof, whereby the back side becomes also openable. The containers 20 are supplied to the display device 30 from this back side. That is, the display case 10 has a configuration where a supplying portion for the containers 20 is provided at the back side of the display case 10, and at the back side of the display device 30. Thereafter, the containers 20 move on the placement unit 31 toward the doors 1OB (toward the front side). That is, the containers 20 move toward purchasers who purchase the containers 20. Note that, in this description of the invention, the side where the doors 1OB are provided is sometimes referred to as a front side (frontward), whereas the side opposite to the doors 1OB is sometimes referred to as a back side (backward). Additionally, a width direction (a direction orthogonal to a direction in which the containers 20 move) of the display case 10 is sometimes referred to as a lateral direction, or as a width direction.

[0019] A detailed description will be given of the display device 30.

FIG. 2 (FIGs. 2A and 2B)is a view for explaining the display device 30 according to the first exemplary embodiment. Here, FIG. 2A is a top view of the display device 30, and FIG. 2B is a view of the display device 30 seen from the front side. In FIG. 2B, illustration of the container 20 is omitted.

[0020] For the placement unit 31 of the display device 30 according to the first exemplary embodiment, a bottom plate 311 (an example of a moving member) is provided. The bottom plate 311 is arranged so that the front side thereof may be lower than the back side thereof, that is, the bottom plate 311 is arranged in a downward sloping state toward the front side, and the bottom plate 311 moves the container 20 placed thereon to the front side. Plural rotatable rollers such as roll-shaped members or ball-shaped members may be provided for the bottom plate 311. Alternatively, a plate member having a flat and smooth surface, such as an acrylic board, may be used for the bottom plate 311.

Further, for the placement unit 31, a rotation table 312 arranged in front of the bottom plate 311 is provided. The container 20 having moved from the bottom plate 311 is to be placed on the rotation table 312. The rotation table 312 is formed into a disk shape, and is arranged so as to be rotatable in a circumferential direction. The rotation table 312 is also arranged so that the front side thereof may be lower than the back side thereof. That is, the rotation table 312 is arranged in a downward sloping state toward the front side.

[0021] The display device 30 includes a projecting member 35 at the front end part of the bottom plate 311. The projecting member 35 projects toward the moving route of the containers 20, and the projecting member 35 is retractable from the moving route. Additionally, the display device 30 includes a first motor Ml for projection and retraction of the projecting member 35. Further, the display device 30 includes a second motor M2 (refer to FIG. 2B) for rotation of the rotation table 312, and a barcode detecting sensor S 1 (an example of a pattern detecting unit) that detects a barcode applied on the container 20. Furthermore, the display device 30 includes a presence detecting sensor S2 that detects presence or absence of the container 20 on the rotation table 312. Moreover, the display device 30 includes a controller 36 that controls the first and second motors Ml and M2 and the like. In FIG. 2A, the controller 36 is arranged on one side of the moving route of the containers 20, but this arrangement is only an example. For example, the controller 36 may be arranged below the bottom plate 311.

[0022] As described above, the identification mark 23 for differentiating the product from the other products, such as a product name or a trademark, is provided on the outer face of the container 20 (refer to FIG. IA, too). If the identification mark 23 does not face the taken-out direction of the purchasers, differentiation of the product from the other products may be difficult, and the product may not look good when it is on display. In order to avoid this, the containers 20 that are to be displayed are preferable to be displayed in a state where the respective identification marks 23 face frontward. Accordingly, in the first exemplary embodiment, a processing is performed in which the containers 20 are made to rotate so that the identification marks 23 may face frontward.

[0023] Note that, the barcode may not always be applied on a fixed position of the container 20. That is, the barcode may be applied on a different position in a height direction in a case where a different type of the container 20 is used. More specifically, a barcode may be applied on a lower position in a case of one type of the container 20, and on a higher position in a case of another type of the container 20. In such a case, if the barcode detecting sensor Sl is fixed at the fixed position, it is difficult to detect the barcode. In order to avoid this, in the first exemplary embodiment, the barcode detecting sensor S 1 is arranged so as to be slidable in an up and down direction (the height direction of the container 20), as shown in FIG. 2B.

[0024] As a result, even if the container 20 is changed to another type of the container 20, the barcode may be appropriately detectable by changing the position of the barcode detecting sensor Sl. Note that, if the barcode detecting sensor Sl is located at the center part of the moving route of the containers 20, visibility of the identification mark 23 may get worse by the barcode detecting sensor S 1 in some cases (the identification mark 23 may be hidden in some cases). In order to avoid this, in the first exemplary embodiment, the barcode detecting sensor S 1 is arranged at the one side of the moving route of the containers 20, as shown in FIGs. 2A and 2B. More specifically, the barcode detecting sensor S 1 is arranged at a position other than the center part of the moving route of the containers 20.

[0025] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing control blocks of the controller 36. Note that, only blocks related to rotation control of the containers 20 are illustrated in FIG. 3.

The controller 36 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 361, a read only memory (ROM) 362 and a random access memory (RAM) 363. The CPU 361 of the controller 36 executes a predetermined processing while communicating data with the RAM 363 as necessity, in accordance with a program stored in the ROM 362. Here, to the controller 36, output from the barcode detecting sensor Sl and output from the presence detecting sensor S2 are inputted through an input/output interface 364. The controller 36 controls the first motor Ml and the second motor M2 through the input/ output interface 364.

[0026] Next, a specific description will be given of a processing executed by the controller 36.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure executed by the controller 36. The processing executed by the controller 36 will be explained with reference to FIGs. 2 A and 2B.

The controller 36 monitors the output from the presence detecting sensor S2, and determines whether or not the container 20 is removed from the rotation table 312 on the basis of this output (step 101). Then, if the controller 36 determines that the container 20 is removed, the controller 36 retracts the projecting member 35 from the moving route of the containers 20 only for a predetermined time by driving the first motor Ml (step 102). Accordingly, only one container 20 is placed on the rotation table 312, as shown in FIG. 2A. Note that, after one container 20 is placed on the rotation table 312, the one container 20 is prevented from coming into contact with a following container 20 by the projecting member 35. More specifically, the container 20 placed on the rotation table 312 and the following container 20 are separated from each other. By this configuration, rotation of the container 20 on the rotation table 312 (described later) may be smoothly performed. The projecting member 35 according to the first exemplary embodiment may be taken as a separation unit that separates the container 20 placed on the rotation table 312 and the following container 20 from each other.

[0027] Thereafter, the controller 36 functioning as one of a rotation unit rotates the rotation table 312 counterclockwise, for example, as shown in FIG. 2A, by driving the second motor M2 (step 103). Thereby, the container 20 also rotates counterclockwise. Note that, the rotation table 312 is arranged in the downward sloping state toward the front side, as described above. Therefore, the container 20 on the rotation table 312 rotates in a contact state with the regulation plate 34.

[0028] Then, the controller 36 determines whether or not the barcode applied on the container 20 (indicated as a symbol BK in FIG. 2A) is detected on the basis of the output from the barcode detecting sensor Sl (step 104). If the controller 36 determines that the barcode is detected, the controller 36 drives the second motor M2 only by, for example, the predetermined number of steps (or for the predetermined time), and then stops the driving of the second motor M2. That is, the controller 36 stops the rotation of the rotation table 312 by stopping the second motor M2 after the driving of the second motor M2 only by, for example, the predetermined number of steps (or for the predetermined time) (step 105). By this sequential processing, the identification mark 23 faces frontward (refer to the forefront container 20 in FIG. IA).

[0029] The identification mark 23 and the barcode on the container 20 normally have a certain positional relationship. The number of steps (time) from the barcode detection timing to the stop timing of the driving of the second motor M2 is stored in advance in the ROM 362, for example. On the basis of the information (the number of steps or time) stored in the ROM 362, the controller 36 controls the second motor M2 and stops the rotation of the rotation table 312 so that the identification mark 23 may face frontward.

Note that, the barcode may be applied on a different position in the height direction as described above, in a case of using a different type of the container 20. In addition, the barcode may be applied on a different position also in the circumferential direction in a case of using a different type of the container 20. Thus, in accordance with the type of the containers 20 to be displayed, the position of the barcode detecting sensor Sl is necessary to be modified and settings related to the above-described number of steps and the like are necessary to be changed, in advance. Note that, the barcode is used for confirmation of the position of the identification mark 23, and therefore it is enough to recognize (read) a part of the barcode instead of the whole barcode. As the barcode detecting sensor Sl, an optical unit such as an image camera may be used, and alternatively a barcode reader or the like may be used. Note that, it is more convenient to use a barcode reader, since it is widely available on markets and a ready-made is usable.

[0030] In the above description, only one container 20 is supplied to the front side by retracting the projecting member 35 only for the predetermined time. In addition, a passage detecting sensor (not shown in the figure) may be provided, for example. The passage detecting sensor detects whether or not the container 20 passes over the projecting member 35 that has been retracted from the moving route. In a case where passage of the container 20 is detected by the passage detecting sensor, the projecting member 35 may project, for example. In this case, only one container 20 may be supplied to the front side more securely. In the first exemplary embodiment, an example has been described in which the projection and retraction of the projecting member 35 are performed by the first motor Ml. However, it is not restricted to the motor. Alternatively, another drive source (for example, a solenoid) may be used.

[0031] In the first exemplary embodiment, the rotation of the container 20 is stopped on the basis of a detection result of the barcode. However, it is not restricted to the barcode. Alternatively, a mark having a certain positional relationship with the identification mark 23 is detected, and then the rotation of the container 20 may be stopped on the basis of the detection result of the mark. Instead, a stylized mark (maker mark) that is arranged so as to have a certain positional relationship with the identification mark 23 for example, and that is applied by a manufacturing maker of the container 20 is detected, and then the rotation of the container 20 may be stopped on the basis of the detection result. Also, a protrusion or a concave portion having a certain positional relationship with the identification mark 23 is detected, and then the rotation of the container 20 may be stopped on the basis of the detection result.

[0032] In the above description, the rotation table 312 is provided on a most downstream side of the moving route of the containers 20, that is, at the taken-out portion for the container 20. However, the present invention is not restricted to such a configuration. For example, the rotation table 312 may be provided at a supplying portion for the containers 20, that is, on a most upstream side of the moving route of the containers 20. In this case, the container 20 is rotated by the rotation table 312 so that the identification mark 23 may face frontward (toward the taken-out portion), similarly to the above description. After the rotation, the container 20 is started to move frontward. The position of the rotation table 312 is not restricted to the above-mentioned taken- out portion or supplying portion. Alternatively, the rotation table 312 may be provided in the middle of the moving route of the containers 20, for example. [0033] In the first exemplary embodiment, the container 20 is rotated by use of the rotation table 312 located below the container 20, that is, the container 20 is rotated through a bottom portion of the container 20. However, the rotation may be performed by another configuration. For example, a rotation roller rotated by a drive source such as a motor is brought into contact with a side portion of the container 20, and then the rotation of the container 20 may be performed through the side portion of the container 20. Alternatively, for example, a member coming into contact with a pull-tab projecting from the upper face (lid) of the container 20 is provided, and then the rotation of the container 20 may be performed by application of driving force to the container 20 through the pull-tab.

[0034] - Second exemplary embodiment -

FIG. 5 (FIGs. 5A and 5B) is a view showing a display device 30 according to the second exemplary embodiment. Here, FIG. 5A is a top view of the display device 30, and FIG. 5B is a view of the display device 30 seen from the front side. In FIG. 5B, illustration of the container 20 is omitted. Note that, same reference numerals are used for the same functions as the first exemplary embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted here.

[0035] A regulation plate 34 according to the second exemplary embodiment is formed into an arc so as to be convex toward the front side of the display device 30, as shown in FIG. 5A. In addition, the regulation plate 34 is arranged so as to be located along an outer circumferential edge of a rotation table 312. The regulation plate 34 further includes plural ball-shaped members 341 (for example, bearings) that are rotatably provided on an inner circumferential side thereof (contact side with the container 20). In the second exemplary embodiment, although the ball-shaped members 341 are exemplified, rotatable roller-shaped members may be used, instead.

[0036] The rotation table 312 according to the second exemplary embodiment is arranged so that a front side thereof may be located lower than a back side thereof, similarly to the first exemplary embodiment. That is, the rotation table 312 is arranged in a downward sloping state toward the front side. By this configuration, the container 20 is positioned on the front side (side where the regulation plate 34 is located), on the rotation table 312. The regulation plate 34 is formed into an arc convex toward the front side, as described above. Thus, the container 20 rotating on the rotation table 312 is positioned at an approximately center part of the regulation plate 34. Accordingly, the container 20 may rotate more stably, and the barcode detection accuracy of the barcode detecting sensor S 1 may be higher.

[0037] In the second exemplary embodiment, the plural ball-shaped members 341 are provided on the inner circumferential face of the regulation plate 34, as described above. Therefore, the container 20 rotates more stably in the second exemplary em- bodiment.

Also in the second exemplary embodiment, the barcode detecting sensor S 1 is arranged so as to be slidable in the up and down direction (height direction of the container 20). In addition, the barcode detecting sensor S 1 is arranged at a position other than the center part of the moving route of the containers 20.

[0038] In the above-described first exemplary embodiment, the container 20 is stopped by the driving control (driving stop) of the second motor M2. On the other hand, in the second exemplary embodiment, the rotation of the container 20 is stopped by a stop mechanism 38 that is additionally provided and that stops the rotation of the container 20.

[0039] The stop mechanism 38 according to the second exemplary embodiment includes a first projecting member 381 that is arranged on one side of the moving route of the containers 20 and that projects toward the moving route of the containers 20 (specifically, toward the rotation table 312) from the one side. Additionally, the stop mechanism 38 includes a second projecting member 382 that is arranged on the other side of the moving route of the containers 20 and that projects toward the moving route of the containers 20 (specifically, toward the rotation table 312) from the other side. Further, the stop mechanism 38 includes a first drive source Kl that makes the first projecting member 381 project toward the moving route, and a second drive source K2 that makes the second projecting member 382 project toward the moving route. Note that, in order to secure a contact area between the container 20, the first projecting member 381 and the like, the first projecting member 381 and the second projecting member 382 are preferably formed into an approximately T shape as shown in FIG. 5 A. In addition, the contact portions of the first projecting member 381 and the second projecting member 382 with the container 20 are preferably formed into a shape so as to fit with a surface shape of the container 20 (for example, an arc shape).

In this configuration, the first projecting member 381 and the second projecting member 382 are usually retracted from the moving route of the containers 20 by a biasing member such as a coil spring. When the first drive source Kl and the second drive source K2 are turned on by the controller 36, the first projecting member 381 and the second projecting member 382 project toward the moving route of the containers 20. Note that, a solenoid may be used as the first drive source Kl and the second drive source K2, for example.

[0040] In the second exemplary embodiment, a processing similar to that of the above steps 101 to 104 is performed. However, if the barcode is detected in the step 104, the controller 36 turns on the first drive source Kl and the second drive source K2 after a predetermined time has elapsed since the detection of the barcode, and then the first projecting member 381 and the second projecting member 382 are made to project toward the moving route of the containers 20.

Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 5A, the first projecting member 381 and the second projecting member 382 functioning as a contact member come into contact with the side portion of the container 20, and the rotation of the container 20 is stopped. More specifically, the container 20 is held with the first projecting member 381 and the second projecting member 382, and the rotation of the container 20 is stopped. Then, the container 20 becomes in a state where the identification mark 23 faces frontward, as also shown in FIG. IA.

Thereafter, the controller 36 stops the driving of the second motor M2, and thus stops the rotation of the rotation table 312. Then, the controller 36 turns off the first drive source Kl and the second drive source K2, and thereby makes the first projecting member 381 and the second projecting member 382 retracted from the moving route of the containers 20. Accordingly, the container 20 may be taken out from the display device 30. [0041] - Third exemplary embodiment -

FIG. 6 (FIGs. 6A and 6B) is a top view showing a display device 30 according to the third exemplary embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 6A, a guide 32 according to the third exemplary embodiment is formed of a front-side guide 321 and a back-side guide 322 provided behind the front- side guide 321.

The front-side guide 321 is formed of a first guide member 321a arranged on the left side (one side) of the moving route of the containers 20 and a second guide member 321b arranged on the right side (the other side) of the moving route. The front-side guide 321 forms the moving route of the containers 20 (hereinafter, referred to as "a front-side moving route") with the first guide member 321a and the second guide member 321b. Note that the first guide member 321a and the second guide member 321b are provided along the front-back direction of the display device 30. Accordingly, the above-described front-side moving route also extends along the front-back direction of the display device 30.

[0042] On the other hand, the back-side guide 322 includes guide members on the left side (one side) and the right side (the other side) of the moving route of the containers 20, similarly to the front-side guide 321. Note that, in this description, the guide member on the left side is referred to as a third guide member 322a and the guide member on the right side is referred to as a fourth guide member 322b. The back-side guide 322 forms the moving route of the containers 20 (hereinafter, referred to as "a back-side moving route") with the third guide member 322a and the fourth guide member 322b. Note that the third guide member 322a and the fourth guide member 322b are obliquely provided relative to the front-back direction of the display device 30. Ac- cordingly, the back-side moving route also obliquely extends relative to the front-back direction of the display device 30.

[0043] The front end part of the third guide member 322a and the back end part of the first guide member 321a are connected with each other through a hinge 323. The third guide member 322a is rotatable (swingable) around the hinge 323 as the center thereof. Similarly, the front end part of the fourth guide member 322b and the back end part of the second guide member 321b are also connected with each other through a hinge 324. The fourth guide member 322b is rotatable (swingable) around the hinge 324 as the center thereof.

[0044] In the third exemplary embodiment, a coordination member 325 that is attached to both of the third guide member 322a and the fourth guide member 322b and that makes both of them coordinate with each other is provided. In addition, in the third exemplary embodiment, a drive source K3 that presses the fourth guide member 322b from one side, and that rotates the fourth guide member 322b around the hinge 324 as the center thereof is provided. Note that, for example, an air cylinder or a solenoid may be used as the drive source K3. Moreover, in the third exemplary embodiment, a barcode detecting sensor Sl that detects a barcode applied on the container 20 is provided to the fourth guide member 322b, similarly to the above description.

[0045] In the third exemplary embodiment, the back-side moving route is formed in an inclined state so that a side where the fourth guide member 322b is located may be lower than a side where the third guide member 322a is located, as shown with a reference numeral 6A in FIG. 6A. That is, the back-side moving route is in a state where an inclination is given in the width direction of the moving route. Note that, the front-side moving route formed by the front-side guide 321 is in a state where no inclination is given in the width direction, as shown with a reference numeral 6B in FIG. 6A.

[0046] The container 20 supplied to the back-side moving route starts moving frontward. At this time, the container 20 becomes in a state where the container 20 comes into contact with the fourth guide member 322b and receives resistance force from the fourth guide member 322b since the inclination is given to the back-side moving route in the width direction. Accordingly, the container 20 moves frontward while rotating counterclockwise (refer to FIG. 6A). In other words, the fourth guide member 322b as an example of an applying portion comes into contact with the side portion of the container 20, and guides the container 20 to the front side while applying rotation force to the container 20 along with the guidance.

[0047] On the other hand, the controller 36 monitors the output from the barcode detecting sensor Sl. When the barcode is detected, the controller 36 turns on the drive source K3 after a predetermined time has elapsed since the detection. As a result, rotation of the fourth guide member 322b is performed as shown in FIG. 6B. By this operation, the fourth guide member 322b pushes the container 20 in the center-part direction of the back-side moving route. Then, the container 20 is separated from the fourth guide member 322b, and enters the front-side moving route in a state where the identification mark 23 faces frontward. Thereafter, the container 20 further moves frontward while keeping the state where the identification mark 23 faces frontward. Here, the drive source K3 may be taken as a rotation stopping portion that makes the fourth guide member 322b and the container 20 in a non-contact state and that stops the rotation of the container 20, when the identification mark 23 on the container 20 faces frontward.

[0048] Note that, in the third exemplary embodiment, the coordination member 325 that makes the third guide member 322a and the fourth guide member 322b coordinate with each other is provided, as described above. By this configuration, when the fourth guide member 322b rotates, the third guide member 322a also rotates. Accordingly, contact between the third guide member 322a and the container 20 separated from the fourth guide member 322b may be prevented, and the identification mark 23 may be prevented from facing an unintended direction.

[0049] Note that, in the third exemplary embodiment, plural moving routes each having the front-side moving route and the back-side moving route are provided in the width direction of the display device 30. On each of the moving routes, the barcode detecting sensor Sl is provided. Accordingly, also in the other moving routes, the identification mark 23 may be made to face frontward. On the other hand, the drive source K3 is not provided for each of the plural moving routes. That is, only one drive source K3 is provided. In the third exemplary embodiment, driving force is supplied to the guide members that are provided on the respective moving routes and that push the containers 20, by use of the coordination member 325. Accordingly, the number of the drive sources may be reduced, and the display device 30 may be configured at a low cost. Reference Signs List

[0050] 20 Container

23 Identification mark

30 Display device

31 Placement unit

35 Projecting member

36 Controller 311 Bottom plate

322b Fourth guide member 381 First projecting member 382 Second projecting member

K3 Drive source

Sl Barcode detecting sensor