Placement method

A placement method using a placement device configured to take out and place a topmost layer sheet member from among a plurality of sheet members set horizontally at a placement station in a pre-stacked state, which placement device comprising:

• a restraint device having a restraining blade pressing against the plurality of sheet members from above in the stacking direction, arranged at a side of the placement station, and configured to be able to switch between a restraining state where it uses the restraining blade to press against the plurality of sheet members from above in the stacking direction and a non-restraining state making the restraining blade retract from above the plurality of sheet members and release the restraining action of the restraining blade;
• a transfer device having a transfer plate picking up and holding the topmost layer sheet member from above the plurality of sheet members in the stacking direction, arranged so as to face the restraint device across the placement station, and configured to be able to switch the transfer plate between a horizontal state where the transfer plate faces the topmost layer sheet member in parallel and an inclined state lifting upward a front end part side of the transfer plate at the restraint device side;
• and
• a holder configured to receive the topmost layer sheet member from the transfer plate and to pick up and hold the topmost layer sheet member received,
• the method comprising:
• a first process of pressing the transfer plate rendered the horizontal state against the topmost layer sheet member from above the plurality of sheet members in the stacking direction so as to pick up and hold the topmost layer sheet member when the restraint device is rendered the restraining state;
• a second process, after the first process, of rendering the restraint device the non-restraining state to render the transfer plate the inclined state while pressing down the plurality of sheet members from above in the stacking direction by a base end part side of the transfer plate rendered the inclined state at the side opposite to the restraint device side;
• a third process, after the second process, of inserting the restraining blade into a space formed between the topmost layer sheet member and the sheet member of the layer below it due to rendering the transfer plate the inclined state in the second process to again render the restraint device the restraining state;
• and
• a fourth process, after the third process, of making the transfer plate picking up and holding the topmost layer sheet member retract upward while returning it to the horizontal state and transferring the topmost layer sheet member picked up and held on the transfer plate to the holder.