Purge device

A purge device comprising:

• a placement section on which a container is placed by a transfer device;
• a purge nozzle provided in the placement section;
• a controller configured to control and execute a purging process in which purge gas is supplied through the purge nozzle into the container placed on the placement section;
• and
• an entry detection sensor configured to detect an entry in the horizontal direction of the transfer device or the container to a space directly above the placement section by detecting a sliding operation of the transfer device or the container in the horizontal direction, when the transfer device causes the container to enter the space directly above the placement section from a front side or a depth side of the placement section,
• wherein the controller is configured to control, based on a detection result of the entry detection sensor, to discharge the purge gas from the purge nozzle before the purging process is performed.