Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to drink 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, for differentiating 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 drink containers causing respective marks to face a predetermined direction when the drink containers are displayed so as to stand upright on the display device, even if the marks face random directions. Solution to Problem

[0008] In order to attain the above objects, there is provided a drink container to which the present invention is applied including: a container main body portion including a bottom portion and a side portion that is provided above the bottom portion and on which a mark for product identification is applied; and any one of a projecting portion and a concave portion that is used when the container main body portion having rotated is stopped in a state where the mark faces a predetermined direction.

[0009] Here, a plurality of the marks are provided, and any one of a plurality of the projecting portions and a plurality of the concave portions are provided so as to correspond to the plurality of marks. In addition, any one of the projecting portion and the concave portion is formed on an opposite side to a side where the mark is provided. Further, the bottom portion includes an annular projecting portion that annularly projects toward an outside of the container main body portion, and any one of the projecting portion and the concave portion is formed on a side face of the annular projecting portion. Furthermore, any one of the projecting portion and the concave portion is formed at a portion different from a portion where the mark is applied. Still furthermore, any one of the projecting portion and the concave portion is formed on the bottom portion of the container main body portion.

[0010] From another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a drink container to which the present invention is applied, including: a bottom portion; a side portion that is provided above the bottom portion and on which a mark for product identification is applied; and any one of a projecting portion and a concave portion that is formed on any one of the bottom portion and the side portion. Any one of the projecting portion and the concave portion has a predetermined positional relationship with the mark.

[0011] Here, the bottom portion has an annular projecting portion that annularly projects from the bottom portion, any one of the projecting portion and the concave portion is formed on the bottom portion, and any one of the projecting portion and the concave portion formed on the bottom portion is formed on an inner side of the annular projecting portion. In addition, the concave portion is formed on the side portion. Further, the concave portion is formed along a circumferential direction of the side portion that is formed into a tube, and the concave portion is formed at a part of the side portion. Furthermore, any one of the projecting portion and the concave portion is formed by deformation of any one of the bottom portion and the side portion.

[0012] From further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a drink container to which the present invention is applied, including: a curved surface having a circular cross section; a mark portion that is marked for product identification at a specific portion on an outer face; and a deformation portion that is sequentially provided on the curved surface and that is formed by deformation of the curved surface. After any one of the deformation portion and the mark portion is formed, the other one of the deformation portion and the mark portion is formed with reference to a position where the one of the deformation portion and the mark portion is formed.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

[0013] It is possible to provide drink containers causing marks to face a predetermined direction when the drink containers are displayed so as to stand upright on the display device, even if the marks face random directions. Brief Description of Drawings [0014] [fig. I]FIG. 1 is a view showing a schematic configuration of a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[fig.2]FIG 2 is a view for explaining the placement unit of the display device.

[fig.3]FIG. 3 is a view when one of the containers is seen from a bottom side thereof.

[fig.4]FIG. 4 is a view showing the behavior of the display device and the container.

[fig.5]FIG. 5 is a view showing another exemplary embodiment of the display device.

[fig.6] FIG. 6 is a view showing another exemplary embodiment of the rotation stopping mechanism.

[fig.7]FIG. 7 is a view showing behavior of the rotation stopping mechanism and each of the containers.

[fig.8]FIG. 8 is a view showing the further exemplary embodiment of the display device and the containers.

[fig.9]FIG. 9 is a view showing the still further exemplary embodiment of the display device and the containers.

[fig.1O]FIG. 10 is a view for explaining the still further exemplary embodiment of the display device.

[fig.11]FIG. 11 is a view for explaining the behavior of the display device and the containers.

Description of Embodiments [0015] Best modes for carrying out the invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG.l (FIGs. IA and IB) is a view showing a schematic configuration of a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. IA, a display device 30 according to this 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 that is formed transparently, arranged along one side of the placement unit 31 and stops movement of the containers 20. Here, each of the guides

32 is fixed to the placement unit 31 by having both ends portion thereof inserted into openings 33 formed in the placement unit 31. Additionally, although a can shaped as a circular cylinder is illustrated as an example of each of the containers 20, 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] 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 form 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 thereof 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 thereof where the regulation plate 34 is provided may be positioned at a lower level than a side 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 (a side of a taken-out portion) from which the containers 20 are taken out.

[0017] Here, the display case 10 in this 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. There, the containers 20 having been supplied move on the placement unit 31 toward the doors 1OB. 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. [0018] The display device 30 will be described further in detail.

FIG. 2 (FIGs. 2A and 2B) is a view for explaining the placement unit 31 of the display device 30. Here, FIG. 2A is a top view of the placement unit 31, and FIG. 2B is a side view of the placement unit 31.

As shown in FIG. 2A, on each of the moving routes formed by the guides 32 (not shown in FIG. 2A), the placement unit 31 includes: a first roller portion 311 that moves the containers 20 frontward; and a resistance application portion 312 which applies sliding resistance (frictional resistance) to the containers 20 by making contact with bottom portions (end portions) of the containers 20. Additionally, the placement unit 31 includes a rotation stopping mechanism 313 that is arranged between the first roller portion 311 and the resistance application portion 312, and that stops rotation of the containers 20 (which will be described later in detail).

Here, the first roller portion 311, the resistance application portion 312 and the rotation stopping mechanism 313 are arranged side by side in the lateral direction. Ad- ditionally, in front of the first roller portion 311, the resistance application portion 312 and the rotation stopping mechanism 313, the placement unit 31 includes a second roller portion 314 which moves the containers 20 further frontward.

[0019] The first roller portion 311 has plural roll-shaped members 311a provided so as to be rotatable along the moving direction of the containers 20. Note that these roll-shaped members 31 Ia are arrayed along the moving direction (a front-back direction) of the containers 20.

The resistance application portion 312 may be formed of, for example, a rubber member. Note that EPDM (ethylene-propylene rubber), for example, may be used as the rubber member.

The second roller portion 314 has plural roll-shaped members 314a provided so as to be rotatable along the moving direction of the containers 20. Here, the plural roll- shaped members 314a are arrayed along the moving direction of the containers 20. Additionally, the roll-shaped members 314a are arranged in two lines in the width direction. Furthermore, each of the roll-shaped members 314a is formed wider in width than each of the roll-shaped members 31 Ia in the first roller portion 311.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 2B, the rotation stopping mechanism 313 includes a belt member 313a that is formed into an endless shape and that is circularly movable. Additionally, the rotation stopping mechanism 313 includes a first stretching roll 313b and a second stretching roll 313c that are provided so as to be rotatable, and that suspend the belt member 313a in a tensioned state from inside of the belt member 313a. Additionally, the rotation stopping mechanism 313 includes plural moving members 313d that are provided to be fixed to a surface of the belt member 313a and arrayed along a moving direction of the belt member 313a, and that make a circular movement along with the movement of the belt member 313a. Furthermore, the rotation stopping mechanism 313 includes plural protrusions 313e that are provided at predetermined intervals in the moving direction of the belt member 313a, and that protrude from surfaces of the moving members 313d. Here, the protrusions 313e are provided so as to protrude toward the containers 20 to be placed on the placement unit 31 farther than contact positions between the lowest end portions of the containers 20 and the moving members 313d (the placement unit 31).

[0021] Note that the rotation stopping mechanism 313 is arranged so that a flat face 313f formed by the moving members 313d may slope at an angle x (refer to FIG. 2B) with respect to a surface 312f of the resistance application portion 312 and the like. Specifically, the rotation stopping mechanism 313 is arranged so as to have a sloping angle larger than sloping angles of the resistance application portion 312 and the like. For this reason, in this exemplary embodiment, protrusion heights of the protrusions 313e from the surface 312f and the like decrease as the protrusions 313e move frontward. As a result, in this exemplary embodiment, on an occasion (details of which will be described later) when each of the protrusions 313e goes into a state where the protrusion 313e makes no contact with the containers 20, this non-contact state may be formed more smoothly than otherwise. Note that the above angle x is not essential. This is because, even without the angle x, the protrusions 313e move to a lower portion of the placement unit 31, and go into a state where the protrusions 313e make no contact with the containers 20.

[0022] Next, the containers 20 will be described.

FIG.3 (FIGs. 3 A to 3H) is a view when one of the containers 20 is seen from a bottom side thereof.

Each of the containers 20 in this exemplary embodiment is formed into a cylinder, and, as shown in FIG. 3 A, includes an annular projecting portion 211 on a bottom portion 21. The annular projecting portion 211 annularly projects toward the outside. Additionally, on an inner side face (as one example of a curved surface) of the annular projecting portion 211, the container 20 includes a first concave portion 212a and a second concave portion 212b (as one example of deformation portions and concave portions) that are formed through deformation of the container 20 and that are sequentially provided on the inner side face (Note that, in this description of the invention, such a concave portion formed in the container 20 is sometimes referred to simply as a concave portion 212.). Here, the first concave portion 212a and the second concave portion 212b are arranged in a mutually-facing relationship. Specifically, the first concave portion 212a and the second concave portion 212b are arranged so that phases thereof may be shifted by 180 degrees in a circumferential direction of the container 20.

[0023] Furthermore, the container 20 has, in specific portions on a side portion 22, which are parts of an outer face thereof, a first identification mark 23a and a second identification mark 23b (mark portions), each of which is a trade name, a trademark or the like, used for differentiating a product from other products (Note that, in this description, each of the first identification mark 23a and the second identification mark 23b is sometimes referred to simply as "an identification mark 23".). Here, the first identification mark 23a and the second identification mark 23b may be the same configuration, or different configurations. Note that the first identification mark 23a and the second identification mark 23b are arranged so that phases thereof may be shifted by 180 degrees in the circumferential direction of the container 20.

[0024] A description will be given of relationships of the concave portions 212 with the identification marks 23. The first identification mark 23 a and the first concave portion 212a are arranged so that phases thereof may be shifted by 180 degrees in the circumferential direction of the container 20. Additionally, the second identification mark 23b and the second concave portion 212b are also arranged so that phases thereof may be shifted by 180 degrees. That is, while the first identification mark 23a and the first concave portion 212a are formed so as to have a predetermined positional relationship, the second identification mark 23b and the second concave portion 212b are also formed so as to have a predetermined positional relationship. In further description, the first identification mark 23a and the first concave portion 212a are arranged in positions different from each other, and the second identification mark 23b and the second concave portion 212b are also arranged in positions different from each other.

[0025] In further description, the first concave portion 212a is formed on an opposite side to a side on which the first identification mark 23a is provided, and the second concave portion 212b is formed on an opposite side to a side on which the second identification mark 23b is provided. Additionally, in this exemplary embodiment, while the plural identification marks 23 such as the first identification mark 23 a and the second identification mark 23b are provided, the respective concave portions 212 (the first concave portion 212a and the second concave portion 212b) are provided so as to correspond to these respective identification marks 23.

[0026] Note that, in this exemplary embodiment, the identification mark 23 and the concave portion 212 are formed in a manner that, after one of them is formed, the other one is formed on the basis of a position at which the one is formed.

Here, although the containers 20 formed as cans are exemplified in FIG. 3A, an exemplary embodiment according to which the concave portion 212 is formed is more suitable for resin-made containers such as a PET bottle. In a case of such a resin-made container, a convex portion corresponding to the concave portion 212 is previously formed on a mold, and then the concave portion 212 is formed, for example, in the process of blow molding. Thereafter, in a process of wrapping, around the container 20, a film (sticker) having the identification mark 23 thereon, alignment is performed, and the film having the identification mark 23 thereon is wrapped around the container 20 on the basis of a position at which the concave portion 212 is formed.

[0027] On the other hand, in a case where the container 20 is an aluminum can or the like, formation of the concave portion 212 is performed as follows. For example, in a case of a two-piece aluminum can, processing and the like are performed in this order: cup making; DI (draw and iron) press; washing; decoration; curing and drying; internal coating; curing and drying; necking process; and inspection. The concave portion 212 may be formed while this processing is performed. For example, the above-described annular projecting portion 211 and the concave portion 212 may be formed, for example, in the process of DI press. Additionally, the identification mark 23 may be formed, on the basis of a position at which the concave portion 212 is formed, through multi-color offset printing for example, after the alignment is performed in the decoration process.

[0028] Incidentally, the decoration through multi-color offset printing or the like is normally performed at a rate almost as high as 2,000 cans per minute. For this reason, a situation may be assumed where the alignment on the basis of the concave portion 212 becomes difficult. Thus, for example, in a process prior to the necking process, for example, positional detection of the identification mark 23 is performed by use of a sensor or the like while the container 20 is rotated. Then, the concave portion 212 may be formed on the container 20 by use of a mold or the like after the container 20 is stopped according to a result of this positional detection. Incidentally, the concave portion 212 may be formed with a mold, for example, by use of an existing technology disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid Open Publication No. 2000-211624. Alternatively, the concave portion 212 may be formed, for example, by use of a molding machine for applying pressure to the container 20 from inside and outside thereof in a state where molds are disposed inside and outside the container 20.

[0029] Here, the concave portions 212 in each of the containers 20 may alternatively be provided on an outer side face of the annular projecting portion 211, as shown in FIG. 3B.

Alternatively, for example, a projecting portion 213 (another example of the deformation portion) formed through deformation of the container 20 may be provided on the inner side face of the annular projecting portion 211 instead of the concave portions 212, as shown in FIG. 3C. Note that such an exemplary embodiment is more suitable for a container, such as a PET bottle, having a large degree of freedom in molding processing.

Alternatively, although not shown in the figure, the projecting portion 213 may be provided on the outer side face (another example of the curved surface) of the annular projecting portion 211. Incidentally, positions where the projecting portion 213 and the concave portion 212 are formed are not restricted to the side faces of the annular projecting portion 211, and may include a region surrounded by the annular projecting portion 211, and a region between the annular projecting portion 211 and the side portion 22 (refer to FIG. 3A) of the container 20.

[0030] Additionally, although the containers 20 each provided with the annular projecting portion 211 have been described above, the projecting portion 213 or the concave portion (not shown in the figure) may be provided on the bottom portion 21 not having the annular projecting portion 211, and being substantially flatly formed, as shown in FIG. 3D. Incidentally, FIG. 3D exemplifies a so-called three-piece can, and shows one of the containers 20 obtained by seaming the bottom portion 21 formed as a member different from the side portion 22. Here, the projecting portion 213 or the concave portion (not shown in the figure) is formed on the bottom portion 21, and this bottom portion 21 is provided to the container 20 by being seamed to the side portion 22. Furthermore, for example, in a case where it is difficult to perform molding processing on the containers 20, the projecting portion 213 may alternatively be formed not through deformation of each container 20 but through attachment of another member such as a resin piece, a metal piece, an adhesive, a sheet or a sticker, as shown in FIGs. 3E and 3F. Incidentally, while FIG. 3E shows an example where the projecting portions 213 are formed on an inner side of the annular projecting portion 211, FIG. 3F shows an example where the projecting portions 213 are formed on an outer side of the annular projecting portion 211.

[0031] Here, for example, formation of the projecting portion 213 with resin may be performed, for example, by welding the projecting portion 213 to each of the containers 20 by use of a device (for example, a thermal ejection gun) which fuses and ejects thermoplastic resin represented by epoxy-based resin or the like. Additionally, for example, positional detection of the identification mark 23 is performed, for example, by use of a sensor or the like while the container 20 is rotated. Then, after the container 20 is stopped according to a result of this positional detection, the resin is adhered (welded) to a predetermined position by use of the above device. These aspects lead to speedy formation of the projecting portion 213, and also result in simplification of processes of the formation. Note that, when being sold, the containers 20 may be subjected to warming or the like in some cases. For this reason, it is preferable that resin not melting at a temperature to which the containers 20 are warmed when being sold should be selected as the resin used for the projecting portion 213.

[0032] Further alternatively, as shown in FIGs. 3G and 3H, rising portions 214 rising from the bottom portion 21 are provided, for example, through application of an adhesive or through pasting of another member such as a sticker, to the bottom portion 21. Then, a part relatively concave with respect to these rising portions 214 may alternatively be set as the concave portion 212.

[0033] Incidentally, a material of the containers 20 is not particularly restricted as long as the material is resistant to alcoholic beverages such as beer, or soft drinks such as juice. For example, a metal such as aluminum or steel, resin such as PET (polyethylene terephthalate), glass, or the like may be used.

Additionally, shapes and types of the containers 20 are also not particularly restricted. Examples of the containers 20 include so-called two-piece cans (DI cans), three-piece cans, PET bottles, glass bottles and cans with thread (so-called bottle cans).

[0034] Here, in a case where a resin material such as PET resin is used for the containers 20, it is preferable that the concave portion 212 or the projecting portion 213 should be formed concurrently in the process of forming each of the containers 20 through blow molding or the like. In such a case, there is no need of separately providing a process of forming the concave portion 212 or the like, and this leads to reduction in number of manufacturing processes of the container 20. Additionally in this case, separation of the projecting portion 213 from the container 20 may be prevented. Note that, obviously, the projecting portion 213 may alternatively be attached after the container 20 is formed.

In addition, in a case where the containers 20 are two-piece cans, the concave portion 212 or the projecting portion 213 may be formed concurrently in the process of forming the bottom portion 21. Specifically, in known processes of forming two-piece cans, the concave portion 212 or the projecting portion 213 may be formed together in a process of forming the bottom portion 21. Note that, it is obvious that the concave portion 212 or the projecting portion 213 may alternatively be formed after the printing process ends.

[0035] Next, a description will be given of behavior of the display device 30 and each of the containers 20 when the container 20 is placed on the placement unit 31 of the display device 30.

Here, FIG. 4 is a view showing the behavior of the display device 30 and the container 20.

As shown by a solid line 4A in FIG. 4, when the container 20 is placed at the back side of the display device 30, the annular projecting portion 211 (refer to FIG. 3A) makes contact with one of the protrusions 313e. Thereby, a load is applied on the rotation stopping mechanism 313 from the container 20, and the moving members 313d included in the rotation stopping mechanism 313 move frontward. At this time, while a right-hand side of the container 20 in the figure is forced, by the first roller portion 311, to smoothly move frontward, a left-hand side thereof in the figure is regulated in frontward movement because resistance is applied to the left-hand side by the resistance application portion 312.

[0036] As a result, as shown by a broken line 4B, the container 20 rotates clockwise (in a circumferential direction thereof) while moving frontward. That is, resistance force acting against movement force which forces the container 20 to move frontward becomes different depending on sections of the container 20, whereby the container 20 rotates. In detail, resistance force acting on the left and right sides of the container 20 with respect to the center of gravity thereof becomes different, whereby the container 20 rotates.

Thereafter, the one of the protrusions 313e of the rotation stopping mechanism 313 enters any one of the first concave portion 212a and the second concave portion 212b of the container 20 (refer to FIG. 3A). That is, any one of the first concave portion 212a and the second concave portion 212b, and the protrusion 313e are opposed to each other. Thereby, rotation of the container 20 is stopped (regulated) (refer to a broken line 4C). Thereafter, when the container 20 reaches a predetermined position of the second roller portion 314, the container 20 and the protrusion 313e go into a non- contact state. Thereby, the container 20 is further moved frontward by the second roller portion 314 (refer to a broken line 4D). Note that, an example where the containers 20 each provided with the first concave portion 212a and the second concave portion 212b are used is described in FIG. 4. However, even in a case of using, for example, the containers 20 each provided with the projecting portion 213 (refer to, for example, FIG. 3E), rotation of the container 20 may be stopped since the projecting portion 213 and one of the protrusions 313e bump into each other.

[0037] In this exemplary embodiment, as shown by the solid line 4A, even if each of the containers 20 is placed on the placement unit 31 with the first identification mark 23a facing backward, the first identification mark 23a comes to face frontward at the stage when the container 20 reaches the front. For this reason, even if placement (supply) of the container 20 is made without the first identification mark 23 a facing frontward, the first identification mark 23a ends up facing frontward when the container 20 reaches the front side of the display case 10 (refer to FIG. IB). That is, even if a supplier who supplies the containers 20 to the display device 30 does not perform any particular operations, the first identification marks 23 a may be faced frontward.

[0038] Here, a length of the rotation stopping mechanism 313 in the front-back direction is configured as a length corresponding to a length of the resistance application portion 312. That is, the rotation stopping mechanism 313 is formed in the same length as the resistance application portion 312. Here, the length of the rotation stopping mechanism 313 in the front-back direction may alternatively be made larger than the length of the resistance application portion 312. Note that, if the length of the resistance application portion 312 is made larger than the length of the rotation stopping mechanism 313, it is feared that the container 20, which has been stopped by the rotation stopping mechanism 313 from rotating and has the identification mark 23 facing frontward, may start to rotate again, and that the identification mark 23 may thereby face a direction that is not frontward.

Additionally, in a case where the containers 20 each having the identification marks 23 in two positions, that is, on front and back sides thereof (for example, refer to FIG. 3A) are used, the rotation stopping mechanism 313 is required to have a length (distance) enough for each of the containers 20 to make at least a half rotation. Further in detail, the rotation stopping mechanism 313 is required to have a length being at least a half of an outer circumferential length of the container 20.

[0039] Note that, when plural ones of the containers 20 are successively supplied, it is feared that rotation of those containers 20 may be hindered because of mutual contact between adjacent ones of the containers 20. For this reason, the protrusions 313e of the rotation stopping mechanism 313 are provided at such intervals that adjacent ones of the containers 20 make no contact with each other.

[0040] Another exemplary embodiment of the display device 30 will be additionally described.

FIG. 5 (FIGs. 5A to 5C) is a view showing another exemplary embodiment of the display device 30.

In the above described exemplary embodiments, rotation of each of the containers 20 is caused through application of resistance force to the bottom portion 21 of the container 20. In this exemplary embodiment, while frontward movement of the container 20 is guided by one of the guides 32, the container 20 is rotated by this guide 32. Note that the same functions as those in the above description will be denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted here.

[0041] In this exemplary embodiment, the back side (an upper side) of the placement unit 31 is arranged in such a sloping state that, in the width direction, a side of one end portion (one side) may be positioned lower than a side of the other end portion (the other side). In detailed description, the back side of the placement unit 31 is arranged in such a sloping state that a side thereof closer to the guide 32 is positioned lower than a side thereof opposite to the side closer to the guide 32. On the other hand, the front side (specifically, a front side located in front of the guide 32) of the placement unit 31 is not provided with slope in the width direction. Note that, a triangle and a rectangle denoted by reference numerals 1 IA and 1 IB in FIG. 5 A indicate sloping conditions of the back side and the front side of the placement unit 31, respectively. Note that, in the below described figures also, such triangles and rectangles indicate slope of corresponding members and portions.

[0042] When each of the containers 20 is placed on the back side of the placement unit 31

(refer to a solid line 11C in FIG. 5B), the side portion 22 of the container 20 is brought into contact with the guide 32 by the slope provided to the placement unit 31. Thereafter, the container 20 moves frontward while being guided by the guide 32, and rotates counterclockwise with resistance force being applied thereto by the guide 32 (refer to a broken line 1 ID). In this exemplary embodiment, rotation of the container 20 is caused by the guide 32 as described above. For this reason, the resistance application portion 312 shown in FIG. 2 and the like is not provided on the placement unit 31 in this exemplary embodiment. Here, on the placement unit 31, plural rotatable roll-shaped members may be provided, or a plate-shaped member whose surface is flat and smooth may be provided.

[0043] Then, the container 20 is stopped by the rotation stopping mechanism 313 from rotating, and goes into a state where the identification mark 23 thereof faces frontward (refer to a broken line 1 IE). Thereafter, the container 20 further moves frontward on the placement unit 31, and stops at a predetermined position (refer to the broken line HF). Note that slope is not provided to the placement unit 31 at a lower side thereof than the guide 32. For this reason, the container 20 which has finished being guided by the guide 32 moves frontward substantially in a straight line as shown by an arrow HG.

[0044] Incidentally, this exemplary embodiment allows the sloping angle of the placement unit 31 in the front-back direction to be made small as compared to those in the exemplary embodiments (in which frictional force acting on the bottom portion 21 is made different between the left-hand and right-hand sides) shown in FIG. 2 and the like. That is, this exemplary embodiment allows rotation of the containers 20 to be caused with the sloping angle being smaller than the exemplary embodiments shown in FIG. 2. For this reason, this exemplary embodiment allows a height of the display device 30 to be made small as compared to those in the exemplary embodiments shown in FIG. 2. In other words, this exemplary embodiment allows a space occupied by the display device 30 in a height direction thereof to be smaller than otherwise.

[0045] Note that, although a shape and the like of the guide 32 do not particularly matter, the guide 32 may be formed of, for example, a rubber member such as EPDM. For the guide 32, one obtained by pasting a rubber member or the like on a surface of a base material made of a metal or the like may also be used, for example. Furthermore, for the guide 32, one obtained by providing asperities or the like on any one of various base materials may be used. Note that, although no guide is provided to a side opposite to the guide 32 in FIGs. 5A and 5B, a guide may be provided thereto as appropriate. Furthermore, a guide may be provided as appropriate at the front side of the guide 32.

[0046] Here, in a case where a guide is additionally provided at the front side of the guide 32, it is preferable that this guide should be one whose surface is smooth and has extremely small frictional resistance. Otherwise, it is preferable that a guide width (a width in a height direction of the guide) should be rather small. This is because it is feared that, when another guide is present at the front side of the guide 32 and frictional force acts on the container 20 from this guide, another rotation of the container 20 may be caused in a region where no rotation stopping mechanism 313 exists, which in turn causes the identification marks 23 to face a direction which is not frontward.

In addition, in a case where the additional guide is provided at the front side of the guide 32, it is preferable that, for preventing the container 20 from making contact with this guide, a portion of the placement unit 31 in front of the rotation stopping mechanism 313 should be set in a state where slope in the width direction is not provided thereto, as described above. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5C, it is also preferable that the placement unit 31 should be configured so that a central portion (a central portion of the moving route of the containers 20) of the placement unit 31 in the width direction may be positioned lower than end portions thereof in the width direction. Incidentally, in a case where two roll-lines are provided in the width direction of the placement unit 31, it is preferable that each of the rolls should be arranged in such a sloping state that the moving route becomes lower toward the vicinity of the central portion thereof.

[0047] Here, FIG. 6 (FIGs. 6A to 6C) is a view showing another exemplary embodiment of the rotation stopping mechanism 313. FIG. 7 is a view showing behavior of the rotation stopping mechanism 313 and each of the containers 20.

As shown in FIG. 6A, in this exemplary embodiment, the rotation stopping mechanism 313 is arranged not directly under the movement route of the containers 20 but at a lateral side of the moving route. Note that, FIG. 6A shows a top view of the display device 30, FIG. 6B shows a side view of the rotation stopping mechanism 313; and FIG. 6C shows a state where the display device 30 is seen from the front side.

[0048] The rotation stopping mechanism 313 shown in FIG. 6 is configured to have the protrusions 313e projecting in the width direction of the rotation stopping mechanism 313 instead of projecting upward. In other words, the protrusions 313e are configured to project in a direction orthogonal to (a direction intersecting with) the moving direction of the containers 20. That is, the protrusions 313e are configured to project from the lateral side of the moving route of the containers 20 over the moving route.

Additionally, the rotation stopping mechanism 313 includes plural rod-shaped members 313j that projects over the moving route of the containers 20, enters between each adjacent ones of the containers 20, and thereby prevents mutual contact between the corresponding containers 20. Note that the identification mark 23 and the projecting portion 213 of each of the containers 20 used in the display device 30 in this exemplary embodiment are, as indicated by reference numeral 17 A in FIG. 7, arranged so that phases may be shifted by 90 degrees in the circumferential direction of the container 20.

[0049] Behavior of the rotation stopping mechanism 313 and each of the containers 20 will be described by use of FIG. 7.

The container 20 (refer to reference numeral 17A) placed on the back side of the display device 30 moves frontward while being guided by the guide 32. Here, on this occasion, the container 20 moves frontward while rotating counterclockwise by receiving rotational force from the guide 32 (refer to reference numeral 17B). Then, after the container 20 further moves frontward while rotating, and then goes into a state where the projecting portion 213 thereof and one of the protrusions 313e bump into each other, rotation of the container 20 is stopped (refer to reference numeral 17C). At this time, the container 20 is in a state where the identification mark 23 faces frontward. Then, after passing through the rotation stopping mechanism 313, the container 20 further moves frontward, and is then stopped at a predetermined position with the identification mark 23 facing frontward (refer to reference numeral 17D).

[0050] Here, it is feared that occurrence of mutual contact among the containers 20 may cause rotation of each of the containers 20 to be hindered by another one of the containers 20, and thereby cause the corresponding identification mark 23 not to face frontward. In this exemplary embodiment, mutual contact among the containers 20 is avoidable because of provision of the rod-shaped members 313j. Incidentally, the protrusions 313e and the rod-shaped members 313j which have moved to the front side move toward the lower side through a cutout 315 formed in the placement unit 31, and then move toward the back side.

[0051] In addition, further exemplary embodiment of the display device 30 and the like will be described.

FIG. 8 (FIGs. 8A and 8C) is a view showing the further exemplary embodiment of the display device 30 and the containers 20.

Here, FIG. 8A shows a top view of the display device 30. Additionally, FIG. 8B shows a state where the display device 30 together with one of the containers 20 is seen from the front side. Furthermore, FIG. 8C shows behavior of the container 20.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 8B, each of the containers 20 in this exemplary embodiment has, on a part of the tubular side portion 22, a groove-shaped concave portion 221 formed along the circumferential direction of the container 20. Here, the concave portion 221 and the identification mark 23 have phases that are shifted by 90 degrees. Note that, in the case of metal cans, such formation of the partial and large concave portion 221 is often difficult. On the other hand, in the case of the containers 20 made of resin, a degree of freedom in processing is large, and thus it is easier to form the concave portion 221 than in the case of metal cans.

Additionally, each of the guides 32 in the display device 30 is formed into a rod shape as shown in FIGs. 8 A and 8B.

[0053] Here, with reference to FIG. 8C, behavior of each of the containers 20 will be described. The container 20 having been placed at the back side of the display device 30 moves frontward while being guided by one of the guide 32 in the same manner as described above. There, on this occasion, rotational force is applied to the container 20 from the guide 32. Then, when the container 20 rotates, the guide 32 enters the concave portion 221 of the container 20 (refer to FIG. 8B) (the concave portion 221 and the guide 32 are opposed to each other), whereby rotation of the container 20 is stopped (refer to reference numeral 22A). Then, the container 20 moves (slides) frontward while being guided by the guide 32. Thereby, the container 20 having reached the taken-out portion of the display device 30 results in a state where the iden- tification mark 23 faces frontward.

[0054] Moreover, a still further exemplary embodiment of the display device 30 and the like will be described.

FIG. 9 (FIGs. 9A and 9B) is a view showing the still further exemplary embodiment of the display device 30 and the containers 20.

Similarly in this exemplary embodiment also, because of blow moldability and a large degree of freedom in processing, containers made of resin are easier to employ for the containers 20. Here, in FIG. 9, a PET bottle is shown as an example of each of the containers 20.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 9A, this container 20 has, on both of the side portion 22 in one side and the side portion 22 in the other side with respect to the axial center of the container 20, the concave portions 221 formed along the circumferential direction of the container 20. Specifically, the container 20 has the concave portions 221 whose phases are shifted by 180 degrees. Note that, in the container 20 of this exemplary embodiment, each concave portion 221 and the identification mark 23 have phases that are shifted by 90 degrees.

Meanwhile, the display device 30 has the two guides 32 at both sides of the moving route of the containers 20. However, each of these guides 32 is not formed into a straight-line shape along the front-back direction, but is formed into such a curve that the moving route of the container 20 becomes narrower toward the front side. Note that slope in the width direction is not provided to the placement unit 31 in this exemplary embodiment, and only slope in the front-back direction is provided.

[0056] Here, in this exemplary embodiment, when placed on the placement unit 31, the container 20 moves frontward on the placement unit 31, and makes contact with one of the both guides 32 as shown in FIG. 9B. Then, the container 20 is guided for its frontward movement by the guide 32, and rotational force is applied to the container 20 from the guide 32. Then, rotation of the container 20 is stopped by the guide 32 fitted into the concave portion 221 of the container 20. Thereafter, the container 20 further moves frontward with the identification mark 23 thereof facing frontward.

[0057] 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 the like but also through separate attachment or the like of a film or the like. Here, as a composition of the film subjected to thermal shrinkage, a composition normally used for a heat-shrinkable film may be employed. For example, a composition described in Japanese Patent Application Laid Open Publication No. 2006-341568 may be used. Additionally, a production method of the film subjected to thermal shrinkage is not particularly restricted, and an existing production method may be employed. For example, a production method described in Japanese Patent Application Laid Open Publication No. 2006-341568 may be employed. Additionally, existing conditions may be applied as conditions on which the film is subjected to thermal shrinkage, and the film may be subjected to thermal shrinkage through, for example, steam treatment at 90 degrees centigrade.

[0058] Moreover, a still further exemplary embodiment of the display device 30 will be described.

FIG. 10 (FIGs. 1OA and 10B) is a view for explaining the still further exemplary embodiment of the display device 30. Here, FIG. 1OA is a top view of the display device 30 on the front side, and FIG. 1OB is a side view of the display device 30 on the front side.

As shown in FIG. 1OA, a bottom plate 3110 on which the containers 20 are placed is provided for the placement unit 31. Here, the bottom plate 3110 is arranged so that the front side thereof may be lower than the back side thereof, that is, the bottom plate 3110 is arranged in a downward sloping state toward the front side. Note that, plural cylindrical rollers, which are rotatable, may be provided for the bottom plate 3110. Alternatively, plural ball-shaped rollers, which are rotatable, may be provided for the bottom plate 3110. The bottom plate 3110 may be formed of a plate member having a flat and smooth surface, such as an acrylic board.

Further, a rotation table 3120 is provided for the placement unit 31. Here, the rotation table 3120 is arranged in front of the bottom plate 3110, and the container 20 having moved from the bottom plate 3110 is placed on the rotation table 3120. The rotation table 3120 is formed into a disk shape, and is rotatable in a circumferential direction. As described above, in this exemplary embodiment, a part of the placement unit 31 is rotatable.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 1OB, a rotation mechanism 35 rotating the container 20 through the rotation table 3120 is provided for the display device 30 in this exemplary embodiment. Further, a separation mechanism 36 separating the container 20 rotated by the rotation mechanism 35 from another container 20 following (adjacent to) that container 20 is provided for the display device 30.

The rotation mechanism 35 includes a base board 351 that is arranged below the rotation table 3120 and is formed into a disk shape, and coil springs 354 that are attached to the base board 351, that are arranged between the rotation table 3120 and the base board 351, and that upwardly bias the rotation table 3120. Note that, to the base board 351, first and second protrusions 352 and 353 that upwardly extend from the base board 351 and that are formed into a cylindrical shape are provided.

[0060] The rotation table 3120 includes a first penetration hole 312a and a second penetration hole 312b that are provided so as to penetrate the rotation table 3120 from one side face to the other side face. Here, the first penetration hole 312a and the second penetration hole 312b are formed into an arc along the circumferential direction of the rotation table 3120 as shown in FIG. 1OA. In this exemplary embodiment, the first protrusion 352 is arranged inside the first penetration hole 312a, and the second protrusion 353 is arranged inside the second penetration hole 312b.

[0061] On the other hand, the base board 351 includes a penetration hole 351a provided at the center thereof. The penetration hole 351a penetrates the base board 351 from one side face to the other side face. In addition, the base board 351 has a screw portion 351b formed into a spiral on an inner circumferential face of the penetration hole 351a. For the rotation table 3120, a shaft 312c is provided, and the shaft 312c downwardly extends from the center of the rotation table 3120. On the outer circumferential face of the shaft 312c, a screw portion 312d formed into a spiral is provided.

In this exemplary embodiment, the shaft 312c of the rotation table 3120 is arranged so as to penetrate the penetration hole 351a of the base board 351. In addition, the base board 351 and the rotation table 3120 are arranged in a state where the screw portion 351b of the base board 351 and the screw portion 312d of the shaft 312c are engaged with each other.

[0062] The separation mechanism 36 includes a rod-shaped rotation member 362 that is rotatable (swingable) around a pin 361 arranged so as to penetrate the rotation member 362. The rotation member 362 is arranged so that one end portion side thereof may be located under a protrusion 312e provided on the bottom face of the rotation table 3120. In addition, the separation mechanism 36 includes an advancing and retracting member 363 that is advanceable and retractable in up and down directions. Here, the advancing and retracting member 363 projects into the moving route of the containers 20 (projects from the upper face of the bottom plate 3110) when the separation mechanism 36 moves upward, while the advancing and retracting member 363 retracts from the moving route when the separation mechanism 36 moves downward. In this exemplary embodiment, the advancing and retracting member 363 is provided above the rotation member 362, and the lower end portion of the advancing and retracting member 363 comes into contact with the other end portion of the rotation member 362.

[0063] Next, a description will be given of behavior of the display device 30 and each of the containers 20 in this exemplary embodiment by use of FIG. 11. FIG. 11 is a view for explaining the behavior of the display device 30 and the containers 20. As shown in FIG. 11, when the container 20 is placed on the rotation table 3120, the rotation table 3120 moves down by the weight of the container 20. In this exemplary embodiment, the screw portion 351b (refer to FIG. 10) is provided for the base board 351, and the screw portion 312d is also provided for the shaft 312c, as described above. By this configuration, the rotation table 3120 moves down while rotating clockwise, for example. As a result, the container 20 placed on the rotation table 3120 also moves down while rotating clockwise in the circumferential direction.

[0064] When the rotation table 3120 moves down, the first and second protrusions 352 and 353 project from the upper face of the rotation table 3120. That is, the first and second protrusions 352 and 353 project toward the container 20 farther than a contact position between the rotation table 3120 and the lowest end portion of the container 20 placed thereon. Further, for example, the projecting first protrusion 352 enters, for example, the first concave portion 212a (refer to FIG. 3A) of the container 20, and the second protrusion 353 enters the second concave portion 212b of the container 20. More specifically, the first protrusion 352 is opposed to (comes into contact with) the first concave portion 212a, and the second protrusion 353 is opposed to (comes into contact with) the second concave portion 212b. Thereby, the rotation of the container 20 is stopped (restricted), and, as shown in FIG. 11, the second identification mark 23b comes to face the front side, for example.

[0065] Note that, if the container 20 on the rotation table 3120 is in contact with the following container 20, the rotation of the container 20 (on the rotation table 3120) may be hindered by the following container 20, in some cases. Thus, the separation mechanism 36 is provided in this exemplary embodiment.

[0066] When the rotation table 3120 moves down in response to the placement of the container 20, the protrusion 312e of the rotation table 3120 also moves down. Then, the protrusion 312e presses the one end portion of the rotation member 362. By this operation, the other end portion of the rotation member 362 moves up, the other end portion presses the advancing and retracting member 363, and thus the advancing and retracting member 363 projects into the moving route of the containers 20. More specifically, the advancing and retracting member 363 projects from the upper face (surface) of the bottom plate 3110. Accordingly, the annular projecting portion 211 of the following container 20 is pressed by the advancing and retracting member 363 at the outer side face, and the following container 20 moves to the back side of the display device 30. As a result, as shown in FIG. 11, the container 20 on the rotation table 3120 is separated from the following container 20.

Note that, when the container 20 on the rotation table 3120 is removed, the rotation table 3120 moves up and the advancing and retracting member 363 is retracted from the moving route of the containers 20 in conjunction with the upward movement of the rotation table 3120. Then, the container 20 on the bottom plate 3110 (new container 20) moves onto the rotation table 3120. Reference Signs List

[0067] 20 Container

21 Bottom portion

22 Side portion

23 Identification mark

211 Annular projecting portion

212 Concave portion

213 Projecting portion 221 Concave portion