Container Processing Apparatus

A container processing apparatus configured to execute at least one of:

• stacking processing for generating a stacked container group by sequentially stacking a plurality of containers;
• and unstacking processing for sequentially separating the containers from the stacked container group composed of the plurality of containers stacked on each other, the container processing apparatus comprising:
• a conveyor device configured to convey the containers placed on a placement plane in a conveying direction that intersects an up-down direction;
• a first lifting device positioned in such a manner as to hold, lift, and lower the containers above the placement plane and configured to hold, lift, and lower the stacked container group;
• and
• a second lifting device positioned in such a manner as to hold, lift, and lower the containers above the placement plane and configured to hold, lift, and lower a lowest container of the stacked container group,
• wherein the container processing apparatus further comprises a container group arrangement region in which the stacked container group is arranged above the placement plane,
• the first lifting device includes:
• a pair of first locking units facing each other and sandwiching the container group arrangement region therebetween;
• and
• a first drive unit configured to drive the pair of first locking units, the first locking units each include:
• a first endless member wound around a pair of first rotary members spaced apart from each other in the up-down direction;
• and
• a plurality of first locking portions fixed to an outer circumferential portion of the first endless member at a constant interval along an extending direction of the first endless member,
• the first drive unit drives a pair of the first endless members included in the pair of first locking units in such a manner that the first endless members rotate synchronously with each other,
• the second lifting device includes:
• a pair of second locking units facing each other and sandwiching the container group arrangement region therebetween;
• and
• a second drive unit configured to drive the pair of second locking units, the second locking units each include:
• a second endless member wound around a pair of second rotary members spaced apart from each other in the up-down direction;
• and
• a second locking portion fixed to an outer circumferential portion of the second endless member,
• the second drive unit drives a pair of the second endless members included in the pair of second locking units in such a manner that the second endless members rotate synchronously with each other,
• each first locking unit of the pair of first locking units is positioned in such a manner that the plurality of first locking portions are respectively locked to side surfaces of the plurality of containers included in the stacked container group arranged in the container group arrangement region, in a state where the first locking portions are lined up along the up-down direction and face the container group arrangement region,
• each second locking unit of the pair of second locking units is positioned in such a manner that the second locking portion is locked to a side surface of the lowest container of the stacked container group arranged in the container group arrangement region, in a state where the second locking portion faces the container group arrangement region, and
• the first drive unit and the second drive unit are configured to operate independently of each other.