Container transfer method and container transfer apparatus with closeable holder

A container transfer method for transferring a container to a holding position on a container holder capable of holding a plurality of containers, by using a holding section capable of performing an opening/closing operation, vertical movement, and horizontal movement, the method comprising:

• moving downward the holding section that holds a target container, toward the holding position on the container holder at which the target container is to be stored;
• opening the holding section;
• horizontally moving the holding section in an opened state toward a position where the container is not held;
• and
• moving the holding section upward.

A container transfer apparatus configured to transfer a container from a container holder capable of holding a plurality of containers, the apparatus comprising:

• a holding section that is openable and closable;
• a movement mechanism configured to vertically and horizontally move the holding section;
• and
• a controller configured to control operations of the holding section and the movement mechanism, wherein
• the controller controls the holding section and the movement mechanism to
• move the holding section downward to a position in which the container is not held in a plan view and which is lower than a head portion of the container,
• horizontally move the holding section in an opened state toward a target container on the container holder,
• close the holding section with respect to the target container after the horizontal movement of the holding section to the target container, and
• move upward the holding section in a closed state.