Abstract:
In a conventional load handling system which has a load storage device and a load handling device and moves a load between these devices, when the load is not resistant to dust and the like, the entire system including the load storage device needs be provided inside a clean room, resulting in high installation costs and high operating costs of the system. Thus, the system cannot be readily adopted. In contrast, a load take in/out sections each for the load storage device and the load handling device are provided to face the clean room defined by partition walls, and a load is transferred between these devices inside the clean room. Thus, although the load storage device and the load handling device can be placed in a non-clean room (an atmospheric air chamber, etc.), a load can be moved between the load storage device and the load handling device in a sufficiently clean atmosphere by using the clean room. The system does not need be entirely formed as a clean room, so that the installation costs and operating costs of the system can be reduced. Hence, the system can be readily adopted.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates to a load handling system used for, for example, transferring loads between a load storage device and a load handling device.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Conventionally, an automated warehouse disclosed in Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. 10-279023 has been provided as this kind of system. To be specific, in such a conventional configuration, a pair of racks having a number of transverse storage positions are arranged in spaced apart parallel relationship. And then, a transfer device is provided between the pair of racks with the space therebetween serving as a traveling path, and a rotary rack is provided on the respective outer ends of the traveling path.  
           [0003]    The transfer device comprises a travel cart which travels along a lifting and lowering rail placed on one of the racks, a turn table provided on the travel cart, an arm and a hand provided on the turn table, and so on. A plurality of transfer stations are provided on the rack, and a traveling rail for an overhead traveling vehicle is provided above the transfer stations.  
           [0004]    According to such a conventional configuration, with the combination of lifting/lowering of the lifting and lowering rail, traveling of the travel cart, rotation of the turn table, and an action of the hand, a load is delivered between the transfer stations, the storage positions of both of the racks, and the rack plates of the rotary racks, respectively. At this moment, the rotary racks are rotated properly. Further, a load can be delivered between the transfer station and the overhead travel cart which is stopped above the transfer station by traveling via the lifting and lowering rail.  
           [0005]    However, according to the above-described conventional configuration, when a load is not resistant to dust and so on, the entire system including the automated warehouse needs to be provided in a clean room. Therefore, such a system has not been readily adopted because of high installation cost and high operating cost of the system.  
           [0006]    Moreover, in order to increase an amount of storage, the racks need be formed with an increased height or length. Here, the formation of higher racks is restricted by the scale of a building, and such racks cannot be readily adopted when a clean space such as a clean room needs be minimized in size. Further, when longer racks are formed, an occupied space is enlarged accordingly, therefore longer racks have not been readily adopted for such a place as a clean room.  
         DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    Thus, the present invention has an object to provide a load handling system which transfers loads between a load storage device and a load handling device by using a clean room at lower installation costs and lower operating costs.  
           [0008]    Further, preferable Embodiments 3 and 4 of the present invention have as an object to provide a load handling system, in which a load storage device can be entirely compact, a storing amount is increased, and a load can be readily taken in and out to and from the outside without largely reducing a storing amount.  
           [0009]    In order to attain the above objects, the load handling system of the present invention has a load storage device and a load handling device, wherein load take in/out sections for the load storage device and the load handling device are provided to face a clean room defined by partition walls, so that a load can be transferred between the load storage device and the load handling device in the clean room.  
           [0010]    According to the present invention, although the load storage device and the load handling device can be placed in a non-clean room (an atmospheric air chamber, etc.), a load can be moved between the load storage device and the load handling device by using the clean room in a sufficiently clean atmosphere. Hence, it is not necessary to entirely form a clean room, and the installation costs and operating costs are reduced, so that the system can be readily adopted.  
           [0011]    Preferable Embodiment 1 of the load handling system of the present invention is characterized in that the load storage device and the load handling device have a load take in/out section formed on the outer plates of the devices, and the outer plates are also used as partition walls.  
           [0012]    According to Embodiment 1, it is possible to reduce an amount of used materials of the partition walls with lower cost and to achieve mutual reinforcement.  
           [0013]    Preferable Embodiment 2 of the load handling system of the present invention is characterized by comprising load transfer means for transferring a load between the load storage device and the load handling device in the clean room.  
           [0014]    According to Embodiment 2, a load can be readily and automatically moved between the load storage device and the load handling device in the clean room by the load transfer means.  
           [0015]    Preferable Embodiment 3 of the load handling system of the present invention is characterized in that the load storage device has a rotary shelf, a fixed shelf, transfer means freely receiving and delivering a load between the shelves, and storing/retrieving means freely delivering a load by using the transfer means, the storing/retrieving means having an outer end positioned inside the clean room as a load take in/out section.  
           [0016]    According to Embodiment 3, with the rotation of the rotary shelf, a load can be taken in and out on the rotary shelf by the transfer means. Further, the load can be taken in and out on the fixed shelf by the transfer means. Moreover, with the starting of the storing/retrieving means, the load can be taken in and out between the load take in/out section in the clean room and a delivering position of the transfer means. Therefore, the load storage device can be made compact on the whole. While the device is readily used for a clean room, etc., the height of the device can be fully utilized and a storing amount can be increased by the rotary shelf and the fixed shelf.  
           [0017]    Embodiment 4 of the load handling system of the present invention is characterized in that the rotary shelf is rotatable around a rotary shelf axis in a vertical direction, a plurality of load receiving sections are provided on a rotary circular path having the rotary shelf axis at the center thereof, the transfer means is positioned laterally outside of the rotary shelf, a transfer operating section of the transfer means is provided rotatably around a transfer shaft in parallel with the rotary shelf axis, the transfer operating section is freely operable on a transfer circular path superimposed tangentially on the rotary circular path, the fixed shelf having load support sections is provided on the transfer circular path, the load receiving sections and the load support sections are provided on a plurality of vertically arranged stages, respectively, at least one of the rotary shelf and the fixed shelf is formed with a space from which the load receiving sections and the load support sections are eliminated, and the storing/retrieving means is provided using this space.  
           [0018]    According to Embodiment 4, the rotary shelf is rotated around the rotary shelf axis to position a desired load receiving section on a superimposed part of the rotary circular path and the transfer circular path, so that a load can be taken in and out from the load receiving section by the transfer means. Further, the transfer operating section of the transfer means is rotated around the transfer axis, so that a load can be taken in and out from the load support sections of the fixed shelf by the transfer means.  
           [0019]    As described above, since the transfer means only rotates the transfer operating section but does not perform traveling movement and so on, it is possible to eliminate the necessity for an occupied space for the transfer means to travel and so on, so that the entire structure can be formed compact including the rotary shelf and the fixed shelf. Additionally, a storing amount can be increased by the rotary shelf and the fixed shelf, and the transfer means having no configuration for travelling can lower the transfer operating section closer to the floor, so that the storing level of the rotary shelf and the fixed shelf can be lowered accordingly, thereby further increasing the storing amount. Therefore, it is possible to suitably and readily adopt the transfer means  51  for a place where a clean space such as a clean room needs be minimized.  
           [0020]    In addition, while the height is fully utilized by a group of the load receiving sections of the rotary shelf and a group of the load support sections of the fixed shelf to increase the storing amount, a load can be always taken in and out smoothly to and from the outside without largely reducing the storing amount, owing to the storing/retrieving means provided by utilizing the space secured by eliminating the load receiving section and the load support section.  
           [0021]    Preferable Embodiment 5 of the load handling system of the present invention is characterized in that the load is a cassette capable of storing a handled load.  
           [0022]    According to Embodiment 5, storing in the load storage device and receiving and delivering in the clean room can be performed for each cassett storing the handled loads, so that the handled loads can be prevented from being adhered with dust and the like.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0023]    [0023]FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a load handling system according to Example 1 of the present invention;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the load handling system;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 3 is an external perspective view showing a load storage device in the load handling system;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 4 is a longitudinal side view showing the load storage device in the load handling system;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 5 is a cross sectional plane view showing the load storage device in the load handling system;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 6 is a partially cutaway side view showing a lower part of a rotary shelf in the load storage device;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 7 is a partially cutaway side view showing an upper part of the rotary shelf in the load storage device;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 8 is a partially cutaway side view showing a lower part of transfer means in the load storage device;  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 9 is a partially cutaway side view showing an upper part of the transfer means in the load storage device;  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 10 is a partially cutaway plan view showing the transfer means in the load storage device;  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 11 is a side view showing a fixed shelf in the load storage device;  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 12 is a plan view showing the fixed shelf in the load storage device;  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 13 is a schematic plan view showing storing/retrieving means in the load storage device;  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 14 is a partially cutaway side view showing the storing means in the load storage device;  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 15 is a partially cutaway front view showing delivery means to storage means in the load storage device;  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 16 is a partially cutaway side view showing the storage means in the load storage device;  
         [0039]    FIGS.  17  show Examples 2 to 4 of the present invention:, FIG. 17(A) being a schematic plan view showing Example 2; FIG. 17(B) being a schematic plan view showing Example 3; FIG. 17(C) being a schematic plan view showing Example 4; and  
         [0040]    FIGS.  18  show Examples 5 and 6: FIG. 18 (A) being a schematic plan view showing Example 5; FIG. 18(B) being a schematic plan view showing Example 6. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0041]    Referring to FIGS.  1  to  16 , the following will discuss Example 1 of the present invention.  
         [0042]    In FIGS.  3  to  5 , a load storage device  10  is constituted by a surrounding wall body  11  formed into a rectangular box, a rotary shelf  21 , transfer means  51 , and fixed shelves  101  that are placed in the surrounding wall body  11 , and storing and delivery means  111   a  and  111   b  which penetrate the surrounding wall body, and so on.  
         [0043]    The surrounding wall body  11  is configured in a closed manner and is constituted by a frame body  12 , a lower outer plate  13  attached to the outside and the lower half of the frame body  12 , an upper outer plate  14  attached to the outside and the upper half of the frame body  12 , a floor plate  15  attached to the bottom of the frame body  12 , a ceiling plate  16  attached to the top of the frame body  12 , and so on. In this case, at least for a part of the lower outer plate  13  and the upper outer plate  14 , mainly for the upper outer plate  14 , a transparent plate made of a resin and so on is used. Thus, the state of a load storage chamber (load storage space)  17  in the surrounding wall body  11  can be observed from the outside through the transparent plate. Here, the surrounding wall body  11  is placed on a floor  2  via legs  19  provided on the bottom of the floor plate  15 .  
         [0044]    In FIGS.  4  to  7 , the rotary shelf  21  is placed on one side of the load storage chamber  17 . The rotary shelf  21  is rotatably placed around a rotary shelf axis  22  formed in a perpendicular direction, and a plurality of load receiving sections  32  are provided on a rotary circular path  23  having the rotary shelf axis  22  as the center.  
         [0045]    On a bottom plate  15 , a turning body  26  shaped like a disk is provided via circular LM guide means  25  having the rotary shelf axis  22  as the center. From the center of the rotating body  26 , a vertical shaft body  27  shaped like a hexagonal cylinder is erected to be positioned on the rotary shelf axis  22 , and a closing plate  27 A is provided on the upper end of the vertical shaft body  27 . Further, a vertical pin  28  erected from the center of the closing plate  27 A is supported to freely rotate on a support plate  20  via a bearing device  29 . The support plate  20  is provided in the upper part of the surrounding wall body  11 .  
         [0046]    Hexagonal annular plates  30  are fitted outside a plurality of points perpendicularly provided on the vertical shaft body  27 , and the annular plates  30  are connected to the vertical shaft body  27  via a plurality of mounting members  31  and so on. The load receiving sections  32  are placed on six points (a plurality of points) in a peripheral direction of the annular plates  30 . The load receiving sections  32  are formed into plate frames, and the base ends are connected to the annular plates  30  via connecting members  33 , so that the load receiving sections  32  are supported on the annular plates  30  in a cantilevered manner to protrude laterally to the outside.  
         [0047]    Moreover, concave sections  34  opened vertically and to rotating ends (outside) are formed on the load receiving sections  32 , and positioning pins  35  are erected from three points (one or more points) around the concave sections  34 . Also, reflection mirrors  36  constituting a part of load detection means are provided on the base ends of the load receiving sections  32 , and reflection tapes  37  constituting a part of the load detection means are provided on the rotating ends of the load receiving sections  32 .  
         [0048]    Rotary shelf driving means  41  is provided for rotating the rotary shelf  21 . To be specific, a rotary driving section  42  is provided on a corner of the bottom plate  15 , and a driving gear  44  is provided on a driving shaft  43  provided downward from the rotary driving section  42 . And then, a ring gear  45  is provided on the outer edge of the turning body  26 , the driving gear  44  is engaged to the ring gear  45  all the time. Here, the rotary driving section  42  is composed of a motor, a speed reducer, and so on and is configured to drive the driving shaft  43  forward and backward.  
         [0049]    Therefore, the driving shaft  43  is driven in a reverse manner by the rotary driving section  42  of the rotary shelf driving means  41 , so that the rotary shelf  21  can be rotated around the rotary shelf axis  22  in a reverse manner via the driving gear  44 , the ring gear  45 , and so on. At this moment, the rotary shelf  21  is configured to rotate 180° at the maximum. The above-described members  22  to  45  constitute an example of the rotary shelf  21 .  
         [0050]    In FIGS. 4, 5,  8  to  10 , the transfer means  51  is placed on the other side in the load storage chamber  17 . A transfer operating section  81  of the transfer means  51  is rotatably provided around a transfer shaft  52 , which is provided in parallel with the rotary shelf axis  22 , and is freely operable on a transfer circular path  53 , which is superimposed on the rotary circular path  23  as a tangent line.  
         [0051]    To be specific, a base frame  54  is formed on the bottom plate  15 , a post body  55  is erected from the base frame  54 , and guide rail  56  is provided on the front side of the post body  55 . Here, the post body  55  is constituted by a pair of side members  55 A provided laterally, a rear member  55 B provided between the inner sides of the side members  55 A, and front members  55 C provided on the front side of the rear member  55 B. The guide rails  56  are provided on the front side of the front member  55 C. Further, an upper frame  57  is provided on the upper end of the post body  55 , and cover members  58  are respectively provided on the front members  55 C.  
         [0052]    A lifting/lowering to  60  is provided, which is guided to the guide rails  56  via a guided body  59  to freely ascend and descend (LM guide), and lifting/lowering driving means  61  in synchronization with the lifting/lowering to  60 . To be specific, the lifting/lowering to  60  is formed like a letter L taken from the side. The lifting/lowering to  60  is constituted by a vertical member  60 A connected to the side of the guided body  59 , and a lateral member  60 B connected to the front from the lower end of the vertical member  60 A.  
         [0053]    The lifting/lowering driving means  61  is constituted by a drive wheel  62  provided in the base frame  54 , a driven wheel  63  provided on a part of the upper frame  57 , and an endless turning body (timing belt, etc.)  64  wound between the wheels  62  and  63 , a guide wheel  65  provided near the drive wheel  62 , a rotating driving to  66  in synchronization with the drive wheel  62 , and so on. Here, the rings  62 ,  63 , and  65  are provided laterally in pairs, and the turning body  64  is also provided laterally in pairs.  
         [0054]    In this case, each of the rotating members  64  comprises a lower rotating to  64 A wound around the drive wheel  62 , and an upper rotating to  64 B wound around the driven ring  63 . Moreover, the rotating ends positioned on the front side of the post body  55  are connected to the guided body  59 , and the rotating ends positioned on the rear side are connected via a tension adjusting member  67 . The rotary driving section  66  is constituted by a motor capable of reverse driving, a speed reducer, and so on. A pair of drive wheels  62  are mounted on a driving shaft  68  of the driving to  66 .  
         [0055]    A rotating body  70  is provided on the lateral member  60 B of the lifting/lowering to  60  to freely rotate around the transfer shaft  52 , and at this moment, a vertical shaft  71  vertically provided from the center of the rotating body  70  is rotatably supported by a bearing  72  on the side of the lateral member  60 B. Moreover, a rotation driving means  73  is provided to be connected to the vertical shaft  71 .  
         [0056]    To be specific, the rotation driving means  73  is constituted by a rotary driving section  74  provided from the vertical member  60 A to the lateral member  60 B, a drive wheel  76  attached to a driving shaft  75  provided under the rotary driving section  74 , a driven ring  77  attached to the vertical shaft  71 , an endless turning body (timing belt, etc.)  78  wound between the ring bodies  76  and  77 , a plurality of guide rings  79  provided in the lateral member  60 B, and so on. Here, the rotary driving section  74  is constituted by a motor capable of reverse driving, a speed reducer, and so on.  
         [0057]    The transfer operating section  81  is provided in a fork form and is placed to freely protrude and retract (laterally) with respect to the rotating body  70 , and thus is provided rotatably around the transfer shaft  52 . To be specific, the transfer operating section  81  is constituted by a support plate  81 A provided in a forward and backward direction, and a displacement regulating plate  81 B erected from the intermediate point of the support plate  81 A, and so on. Further, in front of the displacement regulating plate  81 B, positioning pins  82  are erected on a plurality of points of the support plate  81 A.  
         [0058]    A pair of rail members provided laterally are placed forward and backward on the rotating body  70 , and a guide body  84  provided forward and backward is placed at the center in a lateral direction between the rail members  83 . Moreover, a guided body  85 , which is fitted outside the guide body  84  and constitutes an LM guide, is provided on a rear end and a lower surface of the support plate  81 A.  
         [0059]    An protruding/retracting drive means  90  is provided for protruding and retracting the transfer operating section  81  in forward and backward directions. To be specific, the protruding/retracting drive means  90  is constitute by a screw shaft  91  provided along the guide body  84 , a nut body  92  which is provided on the lower surface of the transfer operating section  81  and is screwed into the screw shaft  91 , a rotary driving section  94  which is mounted on the rotating body  70  and is connected to the screw shaft  91  via a belt interlocking mechanism, and so on. Here, the rotary driving section  94  is constituted by a motor capable of reverse driving, a speed reducer, and so on.  
         [0060]    Besides, the support plate  81 A of the transfer operating section  81  is configured to freely move up and down with respect to a concave section  34  of the load receiving section  32 . Further, a dustproof belt  87  which allows the guided body  59  to move up and down and can close a gap between cover bodies  58  is provided on a part of the post body  55 , and a dustproof belt  88  which allows the transfer operating section  81  to move forward and backward and can close the top of the guide body  84  is provided on a part of the rotating body  70 .  
         [0061]    The above-described members  52  to  94  and so on constitute an example of the transfer means  51 . Moreover, the transfer operating section  81  of the transfer means  51  is provided to freely rotate around the transfer shaft  52  provided in parallel with the rotary shelf axis  22 , and is freely operable on the transfer circular path  53 , which is superimposed on the rotary circular path  23  as a tangent line.  
         [0062]    In FIGS. 4, 5,  11 , and  12 , the fixed shelves  101  are provided at four points (one or more points) on the transfer circular path  53  on the other side in the load storage chamber  17 . Namely, in the surrounding wall body  11 , flat bars  102  provided in a lateral direction are connected to a plurality of points in a vertical direction of the frame body  12 , and load support sections  103  are provided on the flat bars  102 , respectively. The load support sections  103  are shaped like plate frames and has base ends which are connected to the flat bars  102  via connecting members  104  and are thus supported by the flat bars  102  in a cantilevered manner to protrude forward in a lateral direction.  
         [0063]    Further, concave sections  105  opened vertically and to the rotating ends (outside) are formed on the load support sections  103 , and positioning pins  106  are erected from three points (one or more points) around the concave sections  105 . Additionally, the support plate  81 A of the transfer operating section  81  is configured to freely move up and down with respect to the concave sections  105 . The above-described members  102  to  106  and so on constitute an example of a fixed shelf  101 .  
         [0064]    In FIGS.  3  to  5  and  12  to  16 , among the fixed shelves  101  provided on the four points on the transfer circular path  53 , on lower parts of the fixed shelves  101  on two points (one or more points) apart from the rotary shelf  21 , spaces  107  are formed by eliminating the load support sections  103  by three stages from the bottom (a plurality of stages from the bottom). And then, the spaces  107  are used to form storing/retrieving means which can freely deliver loads to the transfer means  51 . In this case, storing/retrieving directions of the storing/retrieving means are provided in parallel with a line  109 , which connects the rotary shelf axis  22  and the transfer shaft  52 .  
         [0065]    To be specific, on the lower outer plate  13  on the other side of the surrounding wall body  11 , a penetrated receiving section  110   a  and a penetrated delivery section  110   b  are formed to be opposed to the spaces  107 , and storing means (storing/retrieving means)  111   a  and delivery means (storing/retrieving means)  111   b  are provided inside and outside the surrounding wall body  11  through the penetrated sections  110   a  and  110   b.    
         [0066]    Here, the storing means  111   a  and the delivery means  111   b  are identical to each other in configuration and respectively have main bodies  112  which are shaped like box frames and are provided inside and outside the surrounding wall body  11 . Temporary receiving bodies  113  are provided on the outer ends of the main bodies  112 . The temporary receiving body  113  is formed in a single plate or a divided plate and has a lifting/lowering operating section  114  formed into a concave section or a penetrated lifting/lowering operating section. Positioning pins  115  are erected from three points (one or more points) around the lifting/lowering operating section  114 .  
         [0067]    In the main body  112 , a moving member  117 , which is supported and guided by the guide body  116  to freely move in inner and outer directions (forward and backward directions), and a moving device  118  for moving the moving member  117  in inner and outer directions.  
         [0068]    Here, the moving device  118  is constituted by a driving lifting/lowering operating (motor or the like)  119  provided on the side of the moving member  117 , a timing pulley  121  attached to an output shaft  120  provided laterally from the driving lifting/lowering operating  119 , guide pulleys  122  which are provided at two points in inner and outer directions above the timing pulley  121  to freely rotate on the side of the moving member  117 , a timing belt  123  looped over the timing pulley  121  and the guide pulleys  122 , and so on. Here, both ends of the timing belt  123  are fixed on inner and outer ends  124  on the side of the main body  112 .  
         [0069]    A lifting/lowering unit  125  is provided in the moving member  117 . The lifting/lowering unit  125  is constituted by a screw shaft  127  rotatably provided on the side of the moving member  117  via a bearing  126 , a driving lifting/lowering operating (motor or the like)  128  which is provided on the side of the moving member  117  and is capable of reverse driving, an endless interlocking mechanism  130  provided between an output shaft  129 , which is provided downward from the driving lifting/lowering operating  128 , and the screw shaft  127 , a nut body  131  screwed into the screw shaft  127 , a guide mechanism  132  which is provided between the moving member  117  and the nut body  131  to lift and guide the nut body  131 , and so on. Lifting/lowering members  133  are connected to the nut body  131 .  
         [0070]    A turning device  135  is provided on the lifting/lowering members  133 . The turning device  135  is constituted by a bracket  136  connected to the lifting/lowering members  133 , a vertical shaft  138  rotatably provided on the bracket  136  via a bearing  137 , a driving lifting/lowering operating (motor or the like)  139  which is provided on the bracket  136  and is capable of reverse driving, an endless interlocking mechanism  141  provided between an output shaft  140 , which is provided up from the driving lifting/lowering operating  139 , and the shaft  138 , and so on. A lifting/lowering body  142  is connected to the upper end of the shaft  138 . Here, the lifting/lowering body  142  is formed into a plate and is configured to freely fit in the lifting/lowering operating section  114  of the temporary receiving body  113 .  
         [0071]    Besides, on the inner end of the main body  112 , positioning pins  143  are erected from predetermined three points (one or more points). The main body  112  and so on is provided at right angles to the penetrated sections  110   a  and  110   b,  and a delivering and receiving direction  145  of the storing means  111   a  and the delivery means  111   b  is thus provided in parallel with the line  109 , which connects the rotary shelf axis  22  and the transfer shaft  52 . The above-described members  112  to  145  and so on constitute examples of the storing means  111   a  and the delivery means  111   b.    
         [0072]    Storage means  151  is integrally provided on the side of the outer end of the delivery means  111   b . To be specific, a main body  152 , which is formed into a box frame integrally with the main body  112 , is shaped like a letter L on a plane by the main body  112 . A temporary receiving body  153  is provided on the rotating end (apart from the delivery means  111   b ) on the main body  152 . The temporary receiving body  153  is formed into a plate and has a lifting/lowering operating section  154  formed by making a concave section. Positioning pins  155  are erected from three points (one or more points) around the lifting/lowering operating section  154 .  
         [0073]    In the main body  152 , a moving member  157 , which is supported and guided by a guide body  156  to freely move in a lateral direction, and a moving device  158  for moving the moving member  157  in inner and outer directions. Here, the moving device  158  is similar to the moving device  118  and is constituted by a driving part  159 , an output shaft  160 , a timing pulley  161 , and guide pulleys  162 , a timing belt  163 , and so on. Further, both ends of the timing belt  163  are fixed to ends  164  on the side of the main body  152 .  
         [0074]    A lifting/lowering unit  165  is provided in the moving member  157 . The lifting/lowering unit  165  is similar to the lifting/lowering unit  125  and is constituted by a bearing  166 , a screw shaft  167 , a driving part  168 , an output shaft  169 , an endless interlocking mechanism  170 , a nut body  171 , a guide mechanism  172 , and so on. Moreover, a lifting/lowering body  174  is connected to the nut body  171  via a lifting/lowering member  173 . Here, the lifting/lowering body  174  is formed into a plate and is configured to be freely fitted to the lifting/lowering operating section  114  and  154  of the temporary receiving bodies  113  and  153 . The above-described members  152  to  174  and so on constitute an example of the storage means  151 .  
         [0075]    As described above, the rotary shelf  21 , the transfer means  51 , and the fixed shelves  101  are provided in the surrounding wall body  11 . Each of the rotary shelf  21 , the transfer means  5   1 , and the fixed shelves  101  is provided as a single member like both of the rotary circular path  23  and the transfer circular path  53 . Further, the fixed shelves  101  are provided at four points (a plurality of points) on the transfer circular path  53 .  
         [0076]    Moreover, load receiving section groups  32  are provided on a plurality of vertical stages in the rotary shelf  21 , and load support sections  103  are provided on a plurality of vertical stages in the fixed shelf  101 . Further, the transfer means  51  operates on the plurality of vertical stages of the rotary shelf  21  and the fixed shelf  101 . Besides, on the lower surfaces of cassettes (an example of a load)  7 , fitting parts  8  permitting the groups of the positioning pins  35 ,  82 ,  106 ,  115 ,  143 ,  155  to be fitted are formed into concave and long holes. Here, the cassettes  7  store handled loads (not shown).  
         [0077]    In FIGS.  1  to  3 , the load storage device  10  has load take in/out sections  148  formed by the outer ends of the storing means  111   a  and the delivery means  111   b  on an outer part of the lower outer plate (outer plate)  13 . In such a load storage device  10 , the load take in/out sections  148  are provided in a pair to be opposed to each other with a predetermined spacing. Moreover, a plurality of load handling devices  180  are provided on the side of the load storage devices  10  at predetermined intervals. Here, the load handling devices  180  are provided at predetermined intervals in the same direction as the load storage devices  10 . Thus, the groups of the load handling devices  180  are opposed to one another at the above-described predetermined spacing.  
         [0078]    The load handling device  180  has a handling chamber  182  in an surrounding wall body  181 , and a various kinds of handling means (not shown) are provided in the handling chamber  182 . Load take in/out sections  184  are formed on the outside of an outer plate  183  serving as a front plate of the surrounding wall body  181 , and the load take in/out section  184  is constituted by a carry-in device  185 , a carry-out device  186 , and so on.  
         [0079]    Partition walls  187  are provided on the outer plates  13 ,  14 ,  183 , and so on between the load storage device  10  and the group of the load handling devices  180 . A region surrounded by the partition walls  187  and so on, that is, the above-described predetermined space is formed as a clean room  5 . Hence, the load storage device  10  and the load handling device  180  are configured that the outer plates  13 ,  14 ,  183  thereof are used also as part of the partition walls  187 , and the load take in/out sections  118  and  184  formed on these outer plates  13  and  183  are provided to face the clean room  5 .  
         [0080]    The clean room  5  is configured such that a filter  3  is provided on a ceiling  1  and a grating floor (porous plate)  4  for suction is provided on a floor  2 . Hence, a down-flow type is used in which clean air A is discharged through the filter  3  and the clean air A is sucked through the grating floor  4 . Thus, the inside of the clean room  5  is brought into a clean atmosphere.  
         [0081]    In the clean room  5 , load transfer means  191  is provided for delivering the cassettes  7  between the load storage device  10  and the load handling device  180 , and is configured to deliver the cassettes  7  in the clean room  5 .  
         [0082]    The load transfer means  191  is constituted by a rail device  192  on the ceiling, a moving body  193 , which is supported and guided by the rail device  192  and automatically travels in a lifted travel mode, a load holding section  194  provided on the lower part of the moving body  193 , and so on. Further, a load hanging device  195  is provided on the load holding part  194  to freely move up and down. Here, a transfer path  196  operated by the load transfer means  191  is formed endlessly to connect an upper interval of the load take in/out sections  118  and  184 .  
         [0083]    A plurality of load handling systems  201  are provided such that the clean rooms  5  are connected via a connection clean room  202 . The load handling system  201  is constituted by the load storage device  10 , the load handling device  180 , the load transfer means  191 , and so on. Further, between the load handling systems  201 , the transfer paths  196  are connected via a connection path  203 .  
         [0084]    Upper transfer means  211  passing outside of the upper outer plate  14  of the load storage device  10  is provided above the connection path  203  and so on. To be specific, the upper transfer means  211  is constituted by a rail device  212  on the ceiling, a moving body  213 , which is supported and guided by the rail device  212  and can travel automatically, a load support section  214  provided on the upper part of the moving body  213 , and so on. Here, the load support section  214  is provided, for example, in a fork form.  
         [0085]    A load passing part  215  for delivering the cassettes  7  to the transfer means  211  is formed on the upper outer plate  14  of the surrounding wall body  11 . To be specific, the load passing part  215  is formed by an opening on the upper outer plate  14  on the side near the rotary shelf  21 . Further, the load support section  214  of the moving body  213  is subjected to fork movement via the load passing part  215 , so that the cassettes  7  can be freely delivered to the target load receiving section  32 .  
         [0086]    Besides, delivering means may be provided, for example, in a fork form on a part of the load passing part  215  to freely deliver the cassettes  7  to the load support section  214  of the moving body  213 . Additionally, the transfer means  211  and the like may be eliminated.  
         [0087]    The following will discuss the operation in the above described Example 1.  
         [0088]    In the clean room  5  and the connection clean room  202 , clean air A discharged through the filter  3  on the ceiling  1  is discharged under the grating floor  4 , so that a clean atmosphere is maintained by the down-flow type. In order to carry the cassette  7  into the load storage device  10  and to store it therein by using such a clean room  5 , the cassette  7  to be carried is placed on the leading end (outer end) of the storing means  111   a.    
         [0089]    To be specific, as shown in E of FIG. 13, the cassette  7  to be carried is placed on the temporary receiving body  113  on the storing means  111   a  by starting the load transfer means  191 , and the fitting parts  8  are fitted to the positioning pins  115 . Before and after the fitting, the lifting/lowering body  142  which moves down in a proper position is positioned below the lifting/lowering operating section  114 .  
         [0090]    In this state, first, the driving part  128  of the lifting/lowering unit  125  is started to rotate the screw shaft  127  via the endless interlocking mechanism  130  and so on. And then, the nut body  131  is lifted in response to the rotation of the screw shaft  127 , the turning device  135  is lifted via the lifting/lowering member  133 , and the lifting/lowering body  142  connected to the shaft  138  on the side of the turning device  135  is lifted accordingly. The ascending lifting/lowering body  142  passes through the lifting/lowering operating section  114  and lifts the cassette  7  on the temporary receiving body  113  as indicated by virtual lines shown in FIG. 14.  
         [0091]    Next, the driving part  119  of the moving device  118  is started to drive and rotate the timing pulley  121 , where the timing belt  123  is looped, so that the moving member  117  is moved to the terminal end (inner end) of the storing means  111   a  while being supported and guided by the guide body  116 . At this moment, the lifting/lowering body  142  is also moved via the lifting/lowering unit  125  and the turning device  135 , the cassette  7  is carried into the surrounding wall body  11  through the penetrated receiving section  110   a,  and then, as indicated by F of FIG. 13 and the solid lines of FIG. 14, the cassette  7  is stopped at the terminal end. Thus, as shown in FIG. 11, the cassette  7  can be positioned on the space  107  and so on which is formed on the lower part of the fixed shelf  101 .  
         [0092]    And then, the driving part  139  of the turning device  135  is started, the shaft  138  is rotated via the endless interlocking mechanism  141  and the like, and thus, as indicated by G of FIG. 13, the direction of the cassette  7  is changed to an tilting direction via the lifting/lowering body  142 . Namely, the cassette  7  is changed in direction to be supported by the load support sections  103  of the fixed shelf  101 .  
         [0093]    Subsequently, the driving part  128  of the lifting/lowering unit  125  is operated in reverse, and the rotation of the screw shaft  127  is reversed via the endless interlocking mechanism  130  and so on. And then, the nut body  131  is moved down in response to the reverse rotation of the screw shaft  127 , the turning device  135  is moved down via the lifting/lowering member  133 , and the lifting/lowering body  142  connected to the shaft  138  on the side of the turning device  135  is moved down. The lifting/lowering body  142 , which is moved down, passes between the positioning pins  143 , and the cassette  7  is thus placed on the side of the main body  112  in a state in which the fitting parts  8  are fitted to the positioning pins  143 .  
         [0094]    And then, the driving part  139  of the turning device  135  is operated in reverse, the rotation of the shaft  138  is reversed via the endless interlocking mechanism  141  and the like, and the direction of the lifting/lowering body  142  is changed to a normal attitude. Subsequently, the driving part  119  of the transfer device  118  is operated in reverse and the timing pulley  121 , on which the timing belt  123  is looped, is driven and rotated in reverse, so that the moving member  117  is moved to the leading end (outer end) of the storing means  111   a.  At this moment, the lifting/lowering body  142  is also moved via the lifting/lowering unit  125  and the turning device  135 , and the lifting/lowering body  142 , which is moved down in a normal attitude, is positioned below the lifting/lowering operating section  114  to return to an initial state.  
         [0095]    And then, the cassette  7  positioned on the inner end of the storing means  111   a  is received by the transfer means  51 . At this moment, as indicated by a solid line of FIG. 8, the rotating and lifting/lowering of the vacant transfer operating section  81  are simultaneously performed or any one of them is firstly performed in a state in which the transfer operating section  81  is retracted into the rotating body  70 .  
         [0096]    Namely, when the transfer operating section  81  is rotated, the rotary driving section  74  in the rotation driving means  73  is normally and reversely driven, and the drive wheel  76  is normally and reversely rotated via the driving shaft  75 . Thus, the rotation of the vertical shaft  71  can be reversed via the endless turning body and the driven ring  77 , and accordingly, the transfer operating section  81  can be normally and reversely rotated around the transfer shaft  52  via the rotating body  70 .  
         [0097]    Further, when the transfer operating section  81  is moved up and down, the rotary driving section  66  in the lifting/lowering driving means  61  is normally and reversely driven, and the drive wheel  62  is normally and reversely rotated via the driving shaft  68 . Hence, the turning body  64  can be normally and reversely rotated, and the transfer operating section  81  can be moved up and down via the guided body  59  and the lifting/lowering section  60 . Since the transfer operating section  81  is rotated and moved up and down in this manner, the transfer operating section  81  can be opposed to the inner end of the storing means  111   a  at a slightly lower level.  
         [0098]    Subsequently, the transfer operating section  81  is retracted. To be specific, the rotary driving section  94  in the protruding/retracting drive means  90  is driven, and the screw shaft  91  is rotated via the belt interlocking mechanism  93 . Thus, the nut body  92  is screwed and moved to retract the transfer operating section  81 . At this moment, the guided body  85  is guided by the guide body  84 , so that the transfer operating section  81  can protrude linearly as indicated by a virtual line of FIG. 8. With this protrusion, the transfer operating section  81  can be positioned below the cassette  7  placed on the inner end of the storing means  111   a.    
         [0099]    In this state, the transfer operating section  81  is slightly moved up by the abovedescribed operation of the lifting/lowering driving means  61  via the lifting/lowering section  60  and the like. And then, the transfer operating section  81  is moves up the inner end of the main body  112  in the storing means  111   a  to lift the cassette  7  positioned on the inner end of the storing means  111   a.  At this moment, the positioning pins  82  are fitted to the fitting sections  8 . And then, the protruding/retracting drive means  90  is operated in reverse from the above-described operation to retract the transfer operating section  81 , so that the cassette  7  can be positioned above the turning body  70 .  
         [0100]    And then, the transfer operating section  81  is rotated as described above and is moved up and down as necessary, so that the cassette  7  can be opposed to the desired load support section  103  of the desired fixed shelf  101 . At this moment, the transfer operating section  81  is positioned slightly higher than the load support section  103 .  
         [0101]    And then, the transfer operating section  81  is protruded as described above to position the cassette  7  above the load support section  103 . Subsequently, the transfer operating section  81  is slightly moved down to place the cassette  7  on the load support section  103 . At this moment, the fitting sections are fitted to the positioning pins  106 , and then, the transfer operating section  81  is retracted. Hence, the cassette  7  positioned on the inner end of the storing means  111   a  can be taken into the fixed shelf  101 . Namely, the transfer operation is ended, in which the cassette  7  supplied to the storing means  111   a  is taken into the load support section  103  of the fixed shelf  101 , which is provided on the transfer circular path  53 .  
         [0102]    Moreover, the cassette  7  positioned on the inner end of the storing means  111   a  can be also taken into the rotary shelf  21 . That is, during the operation for receiving the cassette  7 , which is positioned on the inner end of the storing means  111   a  as described above, in the transfer means  51 , the rotary shelf  21  is rotated and prepared in advance.  
         [0103]    The rotation of the rotary shelf  21  normally and reversely rotates the rotary driving section  42  in the rotary shelf driving means  41 , and the driving gear  44  is normally and reversely rotated via the driving shaft  43 . Hence, the ring gear  45  can be normally and reversely rotated, and a group of the load receiving sections  32  can be thus rotated around the rotary shelf axis  22  via the vertical shaft  27  and so on. At this moment, the group of the load receiving sections  32  is rotated and moved on the rotary circular path  23 . When the desired load receiving section  32  reaches a position superimposed on the transfer circular path  53  as a tangent line, the rotation of the load receiving section  32  is stopped.  
         [0104]    Additionally, the rotary shelf  21  is rotated normally or reversely to a shorter rotating distance of the desired load receiving section  32  from the above superimposing position at 180° at the maximum, so that rotation can be made quickly and efficiently. Further, the rotary shelf  21  is rotated and prepared in advance during the receiving operation of the transfer means  51 , the operating efficiency can be entirely improved. Besides, when the desired load receiving section  32  is on the superimposed position from the start, the rotary shelf  21  is not rotated.  
         [0105]    As described above, after the desired load receiving section  32  is stopped at the superimposed position, the transfer means  51  is operated as discussed above, so that the cassette  7  supported by the transfer operating section  81  can be placed on the load receiving section  32  as shown in FIGS. 4 and 7. At this moment, the fitting sections  8  are fitted to the positioning pins  35 . Hence, the cassette  7  positioned on the inner end of the storing means  111   a  can be placed on the desired load receiving section  32  of the rotary shelf  21 , and accordingly, the operation for taking the cassette  7 , which is supplied to the storing means  111   a , into the rotary shelf  21  is ended.  
         [0106]    Besides, the cassette  7  stored in the fixed shelf  101  can be similarly transferred to the rotary shelf  21  and stored therein by operating the transfer means  51  and rotating the rotary shelf  21 . At this moment, the rotary shelf  21  is rotated and prepared in advance during an operation for receiving the cassette  7  of the fixed shelf  101  by the transfer means  51 , to that the operating efficiency can be entirely improved. Additionally, when the desired load receiving section  32  is on the superimposed position from the start, the rotary shelf  21  is not rotated.  
         [0107]    The transfer means  51  is operated in reverse, the operation for taking out the cassette  7  can be performed, the cassette  7  place on the desired load receiving section  32  of the rotary shelf  21  can be placed on the leading end (inner end) of the delivery means  111   b,  and the cassette  7  placed on the desired load support section  103  of the desired fixed shelf  101  can be positioned on the leading end of the delivery means  111   b.    
         [0108]    Namely, as indicated by H of FIG. 13, the operation of the transfer means  51  is firstly operated to place the cassette  7  on the leading end of the main body  112  in the delivery means  111   b  in a state in which the fitting sections  8  are fitted by the positioning pins  143 . Next, the delivery means  111   b  is operated in a substantially reversed manner from the storing means  111   a.  Namely, the lifting/lowering body  142  changed to a tilting direction is moved up to lift the cassette  7 .  
         [0109]    And then, as indicated by I of FIG. 13, after the direction of the lifting/lowering body  142  is changed to a normal attitude, the cassette  7  is moved to the terminal end (outer end) of the delivery means  111   b  while the moving member  117  is supported and guided by the guide body  116 . At this moment, the lifting/lowering body  142  is also moved via the lifting/lowering unit  125  and the turning device  135 , and the cassette  7  is thus stopped at the terminal end of the delivery means  111   b  as indicated by J of FIG. 13 after being taken out of the surrounding wall body  11  via the penetrated delivery section  110   b.    
         [0110]    Next, the lifting/lowering body  142  is moved down via the lifting/lowering operating section  114  of the temporary receiving body  113 , and the cassette  7  is placed on the side of the temporary receiving body  113  in a state in which the fitting sections  8  are fitted to the positioning pins  115 . In this way, the cassette  7  is positioned on the terminal end (outer end) of the delivery means  111   b  to complete the delivery operation.  
         [0111]    Besides, the cassette  7  stored in the rotary shelf  21  can be also transferred (taken out) to the fixed shelf  101  in this manner by operating the transfer means  51  and rotating the rotary shelf  21 .  
         [0112]    As described above, the cassette  7  taken out to the terminal end of the delivery means  111   b  can be stored by the storage means  151 . Namely, the moving member  157  is moved to the side of the delivery means  111   b , and the descending lifting/lowering body  174  is positioned below the lifting/lowering operating section  114  in the temporary receiving body  113 . And then, after the lifting/lowering body  174  is moved up to lift the cassette  7  as indicated by virtual lines of FIG. 15, the moving member  157  is moved to the rotating end, so that the cassette  7  can be positioned above the temporary receiving body  153  as indicated by solid lines in FIG. 15 and FIG. 16.  
         [0113]    Subsequently, the lifting/lowering body  174  is moved down via the lifting/lowering operating section  154  of the temporary receiving section  153 , and the cassette  7  is thus placed on the side of the temporary receiving section  153  in a state in which the fitting sections  8  are fitted to the positioning pins  155 . In this manner, the cassette  7  is positioned on the rotating end of the storage means  151  to be stored as indicated by K of FIG. 16.  
         [0114]    In the above-described operations, the fitting sections  8  of the cassette  7  are fitted to the positioning pins  35 ,  82 ,  106 ,  115 ,  143 , and  155 , so that it is possible to prevent centrifugal force and so on during rotation from causing collision, displacement, or dropping of the cassettes  7 .  
         [0115]    As described above, the transfer means  51  only rotates the transfer operating section  81  around the transfer shaft  52  but does not have traveling movement and so on. Thus, it is not necessary to have an occupied space for traveling movement, so that the configuration including the rotary shelf  21  and the fixed shelves  101  can be entirely compact.  
         [0116]    In addition, a storage amount can be increased by the rotary shelf  21  and the fixed shelves  101 , and regarding the transfer means  51  having no traveling configuration, the transfer operating section  81  is moved down close to the floor, and the storing level of the load receiving section  32  of the rotary shelf  21  and the storing level of the load support section  103  of the fixed shelf  101  can be lowered close to the floor, thereby increasing the storage amount. Therefore, it is possible to suitably and readily adopt the transfer means  51  for a place where a clean space such as a clean room needs be minimized.  
         [0117]    As described above, with positioning at the terminal end of the delivery means  111   b , the cassette  7  taken out to a load take in/out section  148  and the cassette  7  stored in the storage means  151  can be supplied to the load handling device  180  by the load transfer means  191 . Namely, as shown in FIGS.  1  to  4 , the moving body  193  of the load transfer means  191  is moved on the transfer path  196  and is stopped above the terminal end of the desired delivery means  111   b  and the cassette  7  positioned at the storage means  151 .  
         [0118]    And then, after the load lifting device  195  is moved down to clamp the cassette  7 , the load lifting device  195  is moved up to lift the cassette  7 , and then, the lifted cassette  7  is held by the load holding section  194 . In this state, the moving body  193  is moved on the transfer path  196  and is stopped above the carry-in device  185  in the load take in/out sections  184  of the desired load handling device  180 .  
         [0119]    And then, after the holding of the load holding section  194  is released, the load lifting device  195  is moved down to position the cassette  7  on the carry-in device  185 . And then, after the clamping is released, the load lifting device  195  is moved up. Thus, the cassette  7  can be delivered to the load handling device  180  from the load storage device  10  by the load transfer means  191  provided in the clean room  5 .  
         [0120]    The cassette  7  positioned thus on the leading end of the carry-in device  185  can be carried into the surrounding wall body  181 , that is, into the handling chamber  182  by the carry-in device  185 . And then, after a load is taken out from the cassette  7  to perform predetermined handling, the handled load is stored again in the cassette  7 . Subsequently, the cassette  7  is positioned at the leading end of the carry-out device  186  and is carried out to the outside the surrounding wall body  181 , that is, the terminal end of the carry-out device  186  in the load take in/out section  184 .  
         [0121]    And then, the cassette  7  positioned on the terminal end of the carry-out device  186  is supported by the moving body  193  in the above-described manner and is carried on the transfer path  196 . Thereafter, the cassette  7  is placed on the temporary receiving body  113  in the storing means  111   a  in the above-described manner, so that the cassette  7  can be carried into the load storage device  10 , or the cassette  7  can be carried into another load handling device  180  to perform handling of a plurality of steps (a plurality of stages). Additionally, the connection path  203  is used to deliver the cassette  7  between the load handling systems  201 .  
         [0122]    Besides, in the clean room  5  and the connection clean room  202 , since clean air A of down-flow type flows, dust appearing in the load take in/out sections  148  and  184 , the load transfer means  191 , and so on can be immediately removed along the flow. Therefore, in the clean room  5  and the connection clean room  202 , cassette  7  can be carried in a sufficiently clean atmosphere (clean level).  
         [0123]    Referring to FIGS. 17 and 18, the following will discuss Examples 2 to 6 of the present invention that are variations of the load storage device  10 .  
         [0124]    [0124]FIG. 17(A) shows Example 2. Rotary shelves  21 , transfer means  51 , and fixed shelves  101  are provided while two (a plurality of) rotary circular paths  23  and one (a single) transfer circular path  53  are provided. Further, rotary shelf axes  22  of the rotary shelves  21  and a transfer shaft  52  of the transfer means  51  are positioned on the same line  109 . Moreover, storing means  111   a  and delivery means  111   b  are positioned in a space formed on the lower part of the rotary shelf  21 .  
         [0125]    [0125]FIG. 17(B) shows Example 3, which is a variation of Example 2. A rotary shelf axis  22  of one of rotary shelves  21  is deviated from a line  109  connecting a rotary shelf axis  22  of the other rotary shelf  21  and a transfer shaft  52  of transfer means  51 .  
         [0126]    [0126]FIG. 17(C) shows Example 4. Rotary shelves  21 , transfer means  51 , and fixed shelves  101  are provided while three (a plurality of) rotary circular paths and one (a single) transfer circular path  53  are provided.  
         [0127]    [0127]FIG. 18(A) shows Example 5. Rotary shelves  21 , transfer means  51 , and fixed shelves  101  are provided while one (a single) rotary circular path  23  and two (a plurality of) transfer circular paths  53  are provided.  
         [0128]    [0128]FIG. 18(B) shows Example 6. Rotary shelves  21 , transfer means  51 , and fixed shelves  101  are provided while two rotary circular paths  23  and two transfer circular paths  53  are provided.  
         [0129]    In the above-described Example 1, outer plates  13  and  14  of a load storage device  10  and an outer plate  183  of a load handling device  180  are also used as partition walls  187  to form a clean room  5 . Thus, it is possible to reduce an amount of used materials of the partition walls  187 , to achieve an inexpensive construction, and to allow the plates to reinforce each other. However, the clean room  5  may be formed only by the partition walls  187 . In this case, the partition walls  187  are formed with openings for the load take in/out sections  148  and  184 .  
         [0130]    In the above-described Example 1, load transfer means  191  of an automatic traveling system is provided on the ceiling side in order to deliver the cassette  7  between the load storage device  10  and the load handling device  180 . As load transfer means, it is possible to use a cart capable of automated traveling on a floor and a cart capable of traveling on a floor by being pushed with human hands. Further, the load transfer means may be eliminated to manually receive and deliver the cassette  7  in the clean room  5 .  
         [0131]    In the above-described examples, the transfer operating section  81  of the transfer means  51  is rotatably provided around the transfer shaft  52 . The transfer means  51  may be provided without rotation.  
         [0132]    In the above-described Example 1, as the transfer means  51 , the turning body  70  is rotatably provided around the transfer shaft  52 . The transfer means  51  including the transfer operating section  81  may be entirely provided to freely rotate around the transfer shaft positioned on, for example, a part of the post body  55 .  
         [0133]    In the above-described examples, the fixed shelves  101  are provided on the transfer circular path  53 . The fixed shelves  101  may be eliminated.  
         [0134]    In the above described Example 1, as the transfer means  51 , the transfer operating section  81  is caused to operate on the bottom surface of the cassette  7 . The transfer operating section  81  may be engaged from below to engaged parts protruding from the side and the top of the cassette  7 .  
         [0135]    In the above-described Example 1, the fixed shelves  101  are provided on a plurality of points on the transfer circular path  53 . The fixed shelf  101  may be provided on a single point.  
         [0136]    In the above-described examples, the rotary shelves  21  can rotate normally and reversely at 180° at the maximum. The normal and reverse rotation may be made at 180° or more, or the rotation may be made only in one direction.  
         [0137]    In the above-described Example 1, the rotary shelves  21  are prepared firstly when the operation of the transfer means  51  is performed on the fixed shelves  101 . The rotary shelves  21  may be prepared after completion of the operation of the transfer means  51  on the fixed shelves  101 .  
         [0138]    In the above-described Example 1, the cassette  7  is shown as a load. Other kinds of load are also applicable, and a palette may be handled.  
         [0139]    In the above-described Example 1, the storing means  111   a  and the delivery means  111   b  are provided for the two fixed shelves  101 , which are the farthest from the rotary shelves  21 . The storing means  111   a  and the delivery means  111   b  may be provided for the two fixed shelves  101 , one of which is the close to the rotary shelves  21  and the other is the farthest from the rotary shelves  21 . In this case, two pairs of the storing means  111   a  and the delivery means  111   b  may be provided on both sides.  
         [0140]    In the above-described Example 1, the configuration including the lifting/lowering unit  125  and the turning device  135  is shown as the storing means  111   a  and the delivery means  111   b . The configuration using a roller conveyor and the configuration including a belt conveyor capable of moving up and down are also applicable.  
         [0141]    In the above-described Example 1, the storage means  151  is provided in connection to the delivery means  111   b . Alternatively, the storage means may be provided on the side of the storing means  111   a,  or the storage means  151  may be eliminated.