Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a display device and a display system that display 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 caused to face 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 and a display system which allow containers to be displayed with marks thereon facing a predetermined direction even if the containers are placed with the marks facing random directions, when the containers are displayed so as to stand upright on the display device. Solution to Problem

[0008] In order to attain the above objects, a display device to which the present invention is applied is a display device that allows a container marked at a specific portion of an outer face thereof to be displayed in a downward sloping state on a moving route of the container, the moving route extending from a supplying portion to which the container is supplied to a taken-out portion from which the container is taken out. The display device includes: a placement unit that has a roller portion and an anti-roller portion and that causes the container supplied from the supplying portion to move toward the taken-out portion while rotating, the roller portion having a plurality of rotatable rollers and being provided along the moving route, the anti-roller portion being provided side by side with the roller portion; and a rotation stopping unit that performs positioning of the specific portion of the container so as to face the taken-out portion side, and that stops rotation of the container, the container being placed on the placement unit and being to rotate.

[0009] Here, the rotation stopping unit includes a protruding portion that projects toward the container farther than a contact position at which a lowermost end portion of the container is in contact with the placement unit, and the protruding portion comes into contact with any one of a concave portion and a convex portion provided to the container, so that the container is positioned. The protruding portion is provided so as to be movable along the moving route of the container. Further, a plurality of the protruding portions are provided along the moving route of the container, and each of the plurality of protruding portions is arranged at such intervals that a plurality of the containers placed on the placement unit do not make contact with one another. The rotation stopping unit performs the positioning of the container by use of magnetic attraction.

[0010] Further, the placement unit causes the container whose rotation is stopped by the rotation stopping unit to move further toward the taken-out portion in a state without rotation. The placement unit has the anti-roller portion from the supplying portion side to a predetermined position, and does not have the anti-roller portion from the predetermined position to the taken-out portion side. Furthermore, a ratio of the roller portion to the anti-roller portion in a width direction is different between at the supplying portion side and at the taken-out portion side. The placement unit causes the container that is ready to move toward the taken-out portion to rotate by applying resistance force to the container by use of the anti-roller portion.

[0011] According to another aspect of the present invention, a display system to which the present invention is applied includes: a container marked at a specific portion of an outer face thereof; and a display device that allows the container to be displayed in a downward sloping state on a moving route of the container, the moving route extending from a supplying portion to which the container is supplied to a taken-out portion from which the container is taken out. The display device includes: a placement unit that has a roller portion and an anti-roller portion and that causes the container supplied from the supplying portion to move toward the taken-out portion while rotating, the roller portion having a plurality of rotatable rollers and being provided along the moving route, the anti-roller portion being provided side by side with the roller portion; and a rotation stopping unit that positions the specific portion of the container so as to face the taken-out portion side, and that stops rotation of the container, the container being placed on the placement unit and being to rotate. [0012] Here, the container rotates with resistance force applied by the anti-roller portion while moving toward the taken-out portion of the display device.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

[0013] According to the present invention having the above mentioned configuration, it is possible to provide a display device and a display system which, when containers are displayed so as to stand upright on the display device, allow 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 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 shows a side view of another example of the rotation stopping mechanism.

[fig.6] FIG. 6 is a view for explaining behavior of the rotation stopping mechanism shown in FIG. 5.

[fig.7]FIG. 7 is a view for explaining another exemplary embodiment of the resistance application portion.

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

[fig.9]FIG. 9 is a view for explaining units configuring the placement unit.

[fig.1O]FIG. 10 is a view showing another exemplary embodiment of the display device.

[fig.11]FIG. 11 is a view showing another exemplary embodiment of the display device.

[fig.12] FIG. 12 is a view showing another exemplary embodiment of the display device.

[fig.13]FIG. 13 is a view showing another exemplary embodiment of the display device.

Description of Embodiments [0015] 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 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, that is arranged along one side of the placement unit 31 and that 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 (toward 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. Each of the first roller portion 311, the resistance application portion 312 and the rotation stopping mechanism 313 is provided along the moving routes of the containers 20. Additionally, 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 (an example of a roller portion) has plural roll-shaped members 31 Ia, as an example of rotatable rollers, that are provided so as to be rotatable along the moving direction of the containers 20. These roll-shaped members 311a are arrayed along the moving direction (a front-back direction) of the containers 20. Although in FIG. 2A, an example in which the plural roll-shaped members 311a are provided has been described, rotatable ball-shaped members, for example, may be provided instead of the roll-shaped members. That is, not only roll-shaped members but also ball-shaped members may be included in the rotatable rollers. [0020] The resistance application portion 312 functioning as an anti-roller potion 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 resistance application portion 312 is provided between the back side of the display device 30 and a predetermined position located toward the front side. The placement unit 31 has a configuration where the resistance application portion 312 is not provided in front of the predetermined position.

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 located side by side in the lateral 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.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 2B, the rotation stopping mechanism 313 functioning as a rotation stopping unit 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 (protruding portions) 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 placed on the placement unit 31 from positions at which the lowest end portions of the containers 20 come into contact with the moving members 313d (the placement unit 31).

[0022] 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 312a 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 312a 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.

[0023] Next, the containers 20 will be described.

FIG. 3 (FIGs. 3A 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 of the annular projecting portion 211, the container 20 includes a first concave portion 212a and a second concave portion 212b formed through deformation of the container 20 (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.

[0024] Furthermore, the container 20 has, in specific portions on a side portion 22 which is a part of an outer face thereof, a first identification mark 23a and a second identification mark 23b, 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 23 a 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.

[0025] 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.

[0026] In further description, the first concave portion 212a is formed on a side opposite to a side on which the first identification mark 23a is provided, and the second concave portion 212b is formed on a side opposite 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.

[0027] 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.

[0028] 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.

[0029] 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. For this reason, 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.

[0030] A provision method of the identification mark 23 to the container 20 will be addi- tionally described. In a case where the container 20 is a can, the identification mark 23 may be provided through coating or printing, as described above. 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 as described above, 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.

[0031] 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 (an example of a convex portion) 213 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 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.

[0032] 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 each 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.

[0033] 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.

[0034] 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.

[0035] 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). [0036] 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. Here, it is obvious that the concave portion 212 or the projecting portion 213 may alternatively be formed after the printing process ends.

[0037] 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 and the protrusions 313e 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.

[0038] 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 section 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 gravity center thereof becomes different, whereby the container 20 rotates.

Thereafter, the one of the protrusions 313e of the rotation stopping mechanism 313 enters (contacts with) 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 of the container 20, and the protrusion 313e of the rotation stopping mechanism 313 go into a state where they oppose to each other. Thereby, rotation of the container 20 is stopped (regulated) (refer to a broken line 4C), and positioning of the container 20 is performed. 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 without rotation 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 thereof may be stopped since the projecting portion 213 and one of the protrusions 313e bump into each other.

[0039] 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.

[0040] 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.

[0041] 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. Additionally, by forming each of the above protrusions 313e by, for example, a magnet (for which a Nd-Fe-B based magnet is particularly preferred because this magnet is small and strong), and by providing a magnet, which is attracted by the magnet (the protrusion 313e), on the bottom portion 21 of each of the containers 20, rotation of the containers 20 may be stopped by use of those magnets. Incidentally, a magnet only needs to be provided on any one of the rotation stopping mechanism 313 and each of the containers 20, and a metal piece (which is, for example, a commercially-available thin plate piece made of SUS 430 (having a thickness of, for example, 0.1 mm)) attracted by this magnet may be attached on the other one thereof. Alternatively, for example, a coating material in which a Fe-based magnetic powder is mixed may be applied on the other one thereof, as well as the attachment of the metal piece. In this case, it is preferable that, while a content of a magnetic powder in the coating materiel should be as much as possible, a coating material film thickness should be large since an absolute amount of the magnetic powder is necessary. Incidentally, if the application is difficult, resin containing a magnetic powder and formed into a film may also be attached. That is, as long as stopping of the containers 20 is enabled by use of magnetic attraction, configurations thereof should not be taken into consideration.

[0042] Here, exemplary embodiments of the rotation stopping mechanism 313 are not restricted to the above exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 5 shows a side view of another example of the rotation stopping mechanism 313.

Each of the protrusions 313e shown above had a configuration where the protrusion 313e is not movable with respect to the corresponding moving member 313d. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5, each protrusion 313e may alternatively have a configuration where the protrusion 313e is movable with respect to the corresponding moving member 313d.

Each of the protrusions 313e shown in FIG. 5 is provided rotatably (swingably) about a corresponding supporting point 313g. Additionally, while being provided in a substantially L- letter shape, the protrusion 313e has a configuration where, when an end portion Tl in one side thereof projects from the surface of the corresponding moving member 313d, an end portion T2 in the other side thereof does not project from the surface of the moving member 313d.

Furthermore, the rotation stopping mechanism 313 in this exemplary embodiment includes, in a position above the second stretching roll 313c, a driving portion 313h that drives the protrusion 313e, and that sets the end portion T2 projecting from the surface of the moving member 313d into a non-projecting state, and the end portion Tl into a projecting state at the same time.

[0043] FIG. 6 (FIGs. 6A to 6C) is a view for explaining behavior of the rotation stopping mechanism 313 shown in FIG. 5.

Each of the containers 20 (refer to FIG. 6A) placed on the moving members 313d slides frontward on the moving members 313d. Thereby, the annular projecting portion 211 and the end portion Tl side make contact with each other. Then, the end portion Tl goes into the non-projecting state from the surface of the corresponding moving member 313d, while the container 20 further moves frontward. On the other hand, in response to a change in state of the end portion Tl into the non-projecting state, the end portion T2 projects from the surface of the corresponding moving member 313d. As a result, the annular projecting portion 211 and the end portion T2 make contact with each other as shown in FIG. 6B. Thereafter, the container 20 further moves frontward while rotating. Additionally, the container 20 is stopped from rotating by the end portion T2 fitted into the first concave portion 212a (refer to FIG. 3A) or the like. Thereafter, the container 20 further moves frontward on the second roller portion 314 (refer to FIG. 6C). Note that, on this occasion, the first identification mark 23a (refer to FIG. 3A) or the like is in a frontward-facing state.

[0044] Here, the end portion T2 whose contact with the annular projecting portion 211 has been released is pressured by the driving portion 313h as shown in FIG. 6C. In response to this, the end portion T2 goes into the non-projecting state, and, at the same time, the end portion Tl goes into the projecting state. As a result, in the protrusion 313e, as shown in FIG. 6A, when one of the containers 20 is placed thereon, the end portion Tl is in the projecting state, and, at the same time, the end portion T2 is in the non-projecting state.

Although the containers 20 are required to be supplied (placed) so that the protrusions 313e may enter the insides of the annular projecting portions 211 in the examples shown in FIGs. 2A and 2B, the protrusions 313e (the end portions T2 of the protrusions 313e) are configured to automatically enter the insides of the annular projecting portions 211 in this exemplary embodiment. For this reason, it leads to reduce time and labor of a supplier who supplies the containers 20 to the display device 30.

[0045] Alternatively, the resistance application portion 312 may have a configuration shown in FIG. 7.

Here, FIG. 7 is a view showing another exemplary embodiment of the resistance application portion 312.

The resistance application portion 312 may be shaped into a triangle, and be formed so as to be narrower in width from back to front sides thereof, for example, as shown in FIG. 7. That is, the resistance application portion 312 may be formed so as to have different widths in the back side and in the front side. In further description, the resistance application portion 312 may be formed so that a ratio of the length of the first roller portion 311 to that of the resistance application portion 312 in the width direction may be different between at the back (the supplying portion) side and at the front (the taken-out portion) side of the display device 30.

[0046] Here, in the above described display device 30, the container 20 is supplied from the back side, and is caused to move toward the front side. Then, in the course of this frontward movement, the container 20 is rotated, and then the rotation of the container 20 is stopped. Incidentally, the display device 30 may be configured as follows, so that rotation and rotation stopping of the container 20 may be performed in the course of backward movement of the container 20 and in the course of movement thereof in the width direction (a direction orthogonal to the front-back direction). That is, also in the following configuration, a function unit (an application and stopping function portion 36 described later) that has a rotational force application function and a rotation stopping function is provided. Now, there is proposed the display device 30 that is novel and is devised with this function unit.

[0047] Here, FIG. 8 (FIGs. 8A and 8B) is a view showing another exemplary embodiment of the display device 30. FIG. 8A is a top view, and FIG. 8B is a perspective view schematically showing the display device 30. Note that, in the following description, a location to which a function of applying rotational force to the container 20 and stopping rotation of the container 20 is provided will be described under the name of an application and stopping function portion 36.

[0048] The display device 30 in this exemplary embodiment represents the display device 30 in which the containers 20 are supplied from the front side (a side where the doors 1OB are provided) of the display case 10 (refer to FIG. IB) and the containers 20 are taken out from the same front side of the display case 10.

In detailed explanation, this display device 30 includes: a first moving route 37a that allows the containers 20 supplied from the front side to move toward the back side; a second moving route 37b that allows the containers 20 coming from the first moving route 37a to move in the width direction of the display device 30; and a third moving route 37c that allows the containers 20 coming from the second moving route 37b to move toward the front side (return to the front side). [0049] In this exemplary embodiment, the application and stopping function portion 36 is provided on the first moving route 37a. The identification marks 23 of the containers 20 come to face frontward (a direction opposite to the moving direction thereof) in the course of movement of the containers 20 on the first moving route 37a. Then, the containers 20 move on the second moving route 37b and on the third moving route 37c with the identification marks 23 facing the front side, and then reach the front side of the display case 10. Note that, although there is only one roller-line on each of the moving routes, the number of the roller lines is not limited to one, and may be two or three as a matter of course.

[0050] Note that the placement unit 31 is normally configured by coupling of plural units each including plural roll-shaped members or the like. FIG. 9 (FIGs. 9A to 9D) is a view for explaining units configuring the placement unit 31. For example, as shown in FIG. 9A, the placement unit 31 is configured by coupling of a first unit 317a and a second unit 317b. Here, each of the first unit 317a and the second unit 317b has a side wall 317c in an outer marginal portion thereof as shown in FIG. 9B. Additionally, a cutout 317d is provided in this side wall 317c.

[0051] Additionally, in this exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIGs. 9B and 9C, there is provided a coupling member 319 that is configured as a member different from the first unit 317a and the second unit 317b, and that couples the first unit 317a and the second unit 317b together.

As shown in FIG. 9C, this coupling member 319 is formed substantially into an H- letter shape, and has facing portions 319a and 319b that face each other, and a connection portion 319c that connects these facing portions 319a and 319b with each other.

[0052] The coupling member 319 couples the first unit 317a and the second unit 317b together by having the connection portion 319c inserted into the cutouts 317d in the first unit 317a and the second unit 317b. Then, in this state, separation of the first unit 317a and the second unit 317b is prevented by the facing portions 319a and 319b. FIG. 9D shows the first unit 317a in a conventional case. In a conventional embodiment, a key- shaped hook has been projected from one of the units. However, this conventional embodiment generates dead space, whereby the number of the containers 20 to be put in the display case 10 is reduced.

[0053] Here, FIG. 10 is a view showing another exemplary embodiment of the display device 30.

In this display device 30, a first moving route 38a that allows the containers 20 supplied from the back side of the display case 10 to move frontward is provided behind a hinge portion 1OC connecting the case main body unit 1OA to the door 1OB of the display case 10 (refer to FIG. IB). Additionally, there are provided a second moving route 38b that allows the containers 20 coming from the first moving route 38a to move in the lateral direction, a third moving route 38c that allows the containers 20 coming from the second moving route 38b to move toward the back side again, and a fourth moving route 38d that allows the containers 20 coming from the third moving route 38c to further move in the lateral direction.

[0054] Further, there is provided a fifth moving route 38e that allows the containers 20 coming from the fourth moving route 38d to move frontward, and that guides those containers 20 to the taken-out portion of the containers 20. Furthermore, there are provided a sixth moving route 38f that is provided adjacently to the fifth moving route 38e and that allows the containers 20 supplied from the front side to move toward the back side, and a seventh moving route 38g that allows the containers 20 coming from the sixth moving route 38f to move to the fifth moving route 38e. Here, in this exemplary embodiment, the application and stopping function portions 36 are provided on the first moving route 38a and on the sixth moving route 38f.

[0055] Each of the containers 20 supplied onto the first moving route 38a from the back side of the display case 10 is rotated by the application and stopping function portion 36 in the course of movement toward the front side so that the corresponding identification mark 23 may face the front side. Then, with the identification mark 23 facing frontward, the container 20 passes through the second moving route 38b, the third moving route 38c, the fourth moving route 38d and the fifth moving route 38e, and then reaches the taken-out portion. Meanwhile, each of the containers 20 supplied onto the sixth moving route 38f from the front side of the display case 10 is rotated by the application and stopping function portion 36 in the course of movement toward the back side so that the corresponding identification mark 23 may face the front side. Then, with the identification mark 23 facing frontward, the container 20 passes through the seventh moving route 38g and the fifth moving route 38e, and then reaches the taken-out portion.

[0056] Normally, the containers 20 may not be supplied to and taken out from a location in which the hinge portion 1OC is provided, and thus the display device 30 is not installable in that location. For this reason, such location often becomes dead space. Therefore, in this exemplary embodiment, filling of the containers 20 into a part behind the hinge portion 1OC is allowed by providing, behind the hinge portion 1OC, the first moving route 38a connected to the third moving route 38c.

Here, it is feared that, when one of the containers 20 that has been once taken out is returned again to the display device 30 from the front side, the container 20 may not be returnable thereto if the containers 20 are densely filled on the fifth moving route 38e. For this reason, the sixth moving route 38f used for returning the containers 20 to the display device 30 is provided in this exemplary embodiment. Additionally, on the second moving route 38b in this exemplary embodiment, two of the containers 20 are arranged side by side with their identification marks 23 facing frontward. This allows presence of the containers 20 (products) to have stronger appeal to purchasers who purchase the containers 20.

[0057] As mentioned above, provision of the supplying portion and the taken-out portion for the containers 20 is not feasible in the part behind the hinge portion 1OC, whereby the part behind hinge portion 1OC tends to become dead space. Another exemplary embodiment of the display device 30 in which the part behind the hinge portion 1OC is configured as storage space of the containers 20 will be additionally described in connection with FIGs. 11 and 12. Additionally, in connection with FIG. 13, another exemplary embodiment of the display device 30 will be described.

[0058] FIG. 11 is a view showing another exemplary embodiment of the display device 30. As shown in FIG. 11, in the display device 30 in this exemplary embodiment, a first moving route 39a that allows the containers 20 to move from the front side to the back side is provided behind the hinge portion 1OC. Additionally, there is provided a second moving route 39b that allows the containers 20 to move in the lateral direction so as to feed those containers 20 to the first moving route 39a, the containers 20 being supplied through the supplying portion provided in a position other than the hinge portion 1OC. Furthermore, there are provided a third moving route 39c that allows the containers 20 coming from the first moving route 39a to move in the lateral direction, a fourth moving route 39d that allows the containers 20 coming from the third moving route 39c to move frontward, and a fifth moving route 39e that allows the containers 20 coming from the fourth moving route 39d to move in the lateral direction. Further, there are provided a sixth moving route 39f that allows the containers 20 coming from the fifth moving route 39e to further move backward, a seventh moving route 39g that allows the containers 20 coming from the sixth moving route 39f to move in the lateral direction, and an eighth moving route 39h that allows the containers 20 coming from the seventh moving route 39g to move frontward and that guides those containers 20 to the taken-out portion.

[0059] Meanwhile, in this exemplary embodiment, the application and stopping function portion 36 is provided on the first moving route 39a.

Each of the containers 20 supplied onto the second moving route 39b from the front side of the display case 10 is rotated by the application and stopping function portion 36 in the course of movement on the first moving route 39a toward the back side so that the corresponding identification mark 23 may face the front side. Then, with the identification mark 23 facing frontward, the container 20 passes through the third moving route 39c, the fourth moving route 39d, the fifth moving route 39e, the sixth moving route 39f, the seventh moving route 39g and the eighth moving route 39h, and then reaches the taken-out portion.

[0060] FIG. 12 is a view showing another exemplary embodiment of the display device 30. As shown in FIG. 12, in the display device 30 in this exemplary embodiment, a first moving route 40a that allows the containers 20 to move from the front side to the back side is provided behind the hinge portion 1OC. Additionally, there is provided a second moving route 40b that allows the containers 20 to move in the lateral direction so as to feed those containers 20 to the first moving route 40a, the containers 20 being supplied through the supplying portion provided in a position other than the hinge portion 1OC. Furthermore, a third moving route 40c that allows the containers 20 coming from the first moving route 40a to move in the lateral direction is provided.

[0061] Additionally, a fourth moving route 4Od that allows the containers 20 coming from the third moving route 40c to move frontward, and then guides those containers 20 to the taken-out portion is provided. Additionally, there is provided a fifth moving route 4Oe that is provided between the first moving route 40a and the fourth moving route 4Od, and that allows the containers 20 coming from the third moving route 40c to moves to the fourth moving route 4Od. In other words, two moving routes that lead to the taken-out portion from the third moving route 40c are provided in this exemplary embodiment.

[0062] Here, in this exemplary embodiment, the application and stopping function portion 36 is provided on the first moving route 40a.

Each of the containers 20 supplied onto the second moving route 40b from the front side of the display case 10 is rotated by the application and stopping function portion 36 in the course of movement on the first moving route 40a toward the back side so that the corresponding identification mark 23 may face the frontward side. Then, with the identification mark 23 facing frontward, the container 20 passes through the third moving route 40c and the fourth moving route 4Od and then reaches the taken-out portion. Additionally, the container 20 reaches the taken-out portion from the third moving route 40c through the fifth moving route 4Oe when, for example, the containers 20 are densely filled on the fourth moving route 4Od.

[0063] FIG. 13 is a view showing another exemplary embodiment of the display device 30. As shown in FIG. 13, in the display device 30 in this exemplary embodiment, a first moving route 41a that allows the containers 20 supplied from the front side to move toward the back side is provided. Additionally, there is provided a second moving route 41b that allows the containers 20 coming from the first moving route 41a to move in the lateral direction (rightward in FIG. 13). Further, there is provided a third moving route 41c that is provided in front of the second moving route 41b, and that allows the containers 20 coming from the second moving route 41b to move again in the lateral direction (leftward in FIG. 13). Furthermore, there are provided fourth to eighth moving routes 41d to 41h that are provided so as to extend frontward from the third moving route 41c, and that allow the containers 20 coming from the third moving route 41c to move frontward. These fourth to eighth moving routes 41d to 41h are arranged side by side, and respectively have the taken-out portions of the containers 20.

[0064] In this exemplary embodiment, the application and stopping function portion 36 is provided on the second moving route 41b.

Each of the containers 20 supplied onto the first moving route 41a from the front side of the display case 10 is rotated by the application and stopping function portions 36 in the course of movement on the second moving route 41b in the lateral direction so that the corresponding identification mark 23 may face the front side. Then, with the identification mark 23 facing frontward, the container 20 passes through the third moving route 41c and the eighth moving route 4 Ih and then reaches the corresponding taken- out portion. Note that, when the containers 20 are filled on the eighth moving route 41h, the container 20 moves in the lateral direction on the third moving route 41c. Then, the container 20 enters unfilled one of the moving routes, and then reaches corresponding one of the taken-out portions.

[0065] Here, in any one of the exemplary embodiments in FIGs. 8A to 13, the containers 20 are suppliable from the front side. For this reason, supply of the containers 20 into the display device 30 is made feasible even when there is no space in the back of (at the back side of) the display case 10 (refer to FIG. IB). Additionally, when a purchaser returns one of the containers 20 to the display device 30 after taking out the container 20 from the display device 30, the container 20 is prevented from being returned to one of the taken-out portions from which the container 20 has been taken out, and hence is prevented from being displayed with the identification mark 23 thereof facing, for example, backward. When the container 20 is returned in any one of these exemplary embodiments, the container 20 is returned to the supplying portion side provided in the front side. Then, the identification mark 23 comes to face frontward in the course of movement of the container 20 to reach any one of the taken-out portions. Accordingly, even when the container 20 is returned, display of the container 20 is made with the identification mark 23 facing frontward. Reference Signs List

[0066] 20 Container

30 Display device

31 Placement unit

212a First concave portion 212b Second concave portion 213 Projecting portion

311 First roller portion 311a Roll-shaped member

312 Resistance application portion

313 Rotation stopping mechanism 313e Protrusion