Patent Publication Number: US-11047148-B2

Title: Storage facility for object of paying of respects

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-249943 filed Dec. 26, 2017, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a storage facility for objects of paying of respects, the storage facility comprising a plurality of storage locations each configured to store an object of paying of respects, a respects-paying area which includes an area for a person, visiting to pay respects, to pay respects in, a transport system configured to transport an object of paying of respects between the storage location and a support location provided in the respects-paying area. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     JP Publication of Application No. 2002-235459 (Patent Document 1) discloses a storage facility for object of paying of respects which comprises a storage area (A) for storing a plurality of containers (2) each for holding a housed item (1), respects-paying areas (B) each for a person (visiting to pay respects) to pay respects in, and a transport system (C) for transporting a container (2) between the storage area (A) and a support location (D) provided in each respects-paying area (B). In Patent Document 1, the container (2) and one or more housed items (1) held therein are referred to as an object of paying of respects (referred to, hereinafter, simply as an “object”). 
     In the storage facility of Patent Document 1, when a person visits to pay respects, a desired container (2) is retrieved from the storage area (A) by the transport device (C) and is transported to the respects-paying area (B) in which the person visiting to pay respects awaits. Attached to one side surface of the container (2) is a plate (5) that shows information related to the object, such as the deceased&#39;s family name, the deceased&#39;s family crest or symbol, and the deceased&#39;s favorite words or sayings, etc. The visiting person pays respects with the view of the information shown on the plate (5) of the container (2) which is transported to the support location (D) in the respects-paying area (B). In the following in this BACKGROUND ART section, the surface (of an object) that is available for a viewing purpose for a person visiting to pay respects will be referred to as a “viewing surface”. In the storage facility of Patent Document 1, one side surface of a container (2) to which the plate-shaped member (5) is attached corresponds to the “viewing surface”. 
     Incidentally, in the storage facility of Patent Document 1, a “decorative portion 22” is provided to surround the viewing surface of a container (2) located at a support location (D). However, the storage facility of Patent Document 1 is designed for viewing surfaces having the same one size and shape defined in advance and does not contemplate the possibility of dealing with viewing surfaces of different sizes and shapes. Thus, there are instances in which the object in the respects-paying area cannot be properly presented depending on the size of the viewing surface that is selected to be viewed. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Thus, a storage facility for objects of paying of respects is desired in which an object of paying of respects can be properly presented regardless of the size of the viewing surface that is selected to be viewed. 
     In light of the point described above, a storage facility for objects of paying of respects comprises: a plurality of storage locations each configured to store an object of paying of respects; a respects-paying area which includes an area for a person, visiting to pay respects, to pay respects in; a transport system configured to transport an object of paying of respects between the storage location and a support location provided in the respects-paying area; a partition wall located in the respects-paying area to partition off the support location from a respects-paying location for a person visiting to pay respects, to pay respects at; and a respects-paying window provided in the partitioning wall and configured to allow a person who is visiting to pay respects and who is located at the respects-paying location to view an object of paying of respects being at the support location; wherein each object of paying of respects is provided with at least one viewing surface which is a surface selectable to be viewed through the respects-paying window, wherein a plurality of kinds of viewing surfaces are provided wherein a viewing surface of one kind being different in size from a viewing surface of another kind, and wherein the respects-paying window is provided with an altering device configured to change the size of a visually unobstructed area depending on the size of a viewing surface, of an object of paying of respects located at the support location, that is selected to be viewed, the visually unobstructed area being an area through which a person visiting to pay respects can view the object of paying of respects. 
     With such an arrangement, the size of the visually unobstructed area of the respects-paying window is changed depending on the size of the viewing surface (of the object of paying of respects at the support location) that is selected to be viewed. This makes it possible to keep the gap between the outer edges of the viewing surface and the outer edges of the visually unobstructed area of the respects-paying window, from becoming too large, for the size of the viewing surface that is selected to be viewed. This makes possible to properly present an object of paying of respects in the respects-paying area regardless of the size of the viewing surface that is selected to be viewed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a plan view of a storage facility for objects of paying of respects in accordance with an embodiment, 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the storage facility for objects of paying of respects in accordance with the embodiment, 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view showing an object of paying of respects, 
         FIG. 4  is a plan view showing a first viewing surface facing toward a respects-paying location, 
         FIG. 5  is a plan view showing a second viewing surface facing toward a respects-paying location, 
         FIG. 6  is a front view showing the first viewing surface facing toward a respects-paying location, 
         FIG. 7  is a front view showing the second viewing surface facing toward a respects-paying location, 
         FIG. 8  is a plan view of a work area 
         FIG. 9  is a block diagram showing control-related components, 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of an object of paying of respects in accordance with another embodiment, 
         FIG. 11  is a side view showing how an object of paying of respects in accordance with the another embodiment may be used, 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of an object of paying of respects in accordance with yet another embodiment, 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of an object of paying of respects in accordance with yet another embodiment, 
         FIG. 14  is a plan view of a transport system in accordance with another embodiment, 
         FIG. 15  is a front view of a first viewing surface facing toward a respects-paying location as seen through a respects-paying window provided with an altering device in accordance with another embodiment with, and 
         FIG. 16  is a front view of a second viewing surface facing toward the respects-paying location as seen through the respects-paying window provided with the altering device in accordance with the another embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     As an embodiment of a storage facility for object of paying of respects, a storage facility  100  for objects of paying of respects  1  (each of which will be referred to hereinafter simply as an “object  1 ”) is described next with reference to the attached drawings. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the storage facility  100  includes storage racks  2  each having a plurality of storage locations  21  each configured to store an object  1 , a respects-paying area  3  which includes an area for a person V (visiting to pay respects) pays respects in, and a transport system  4  configured transport an object  1  between the storage location  21  and a support location P 1  provided in the respects-paying area  3 . Note that, as can be understood from the description below, the respects-paying area  3  also includes an area for an object of paying of respects which includes an area surrounding an object of paying of respects  1  when such object  1  is at a support location described below. Thus, the respects-paying area  3  includes an area intended for a person visiting to pay respects to be oriented toward when paying respects. As such, the respects-paying area  3  includes a respects-paying portion which includes a support location described below as well as a portion that can provide an area for a person (visiting to pay respects) to pay respects in, among other things that may be described to be provided in a respects-paying area  3 . 
     Firstly, an object of paying of respects  1  (or simply “object  1 ”) is described in detail. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , an object of paying of respects  1  comprises a container  11  and one or more items  12  held in the container  11  (each such item is sometimes referred to herein as a “housed item”). A housed item  12  may, for example, be any type of item which has something to do with the deceased, such as an item left by the deceased and a photograph of the deceased, or may be an ornamental object appropriate for a season of the year, such as artificial flowers. A housed item  12  may also be a funerary urn containing deceased&#39;s cremated remains. 
     Each container  11  is one configured to be capable of holding one or more housed items  12  within it. Each container  11  is generally formed in a shape of a rectangular parallelepiped in the present embodiment. Thus, the container  11  has four side walls  110  each different in size from the side walls next to it. 
     Here, one of the two smaller side walls  110  of the four side walls  110  is referred to as the “first designated wall  111 ” whereas one of the two larger side walls  110  is referred to as the “second designated wall  111 ”. And in the present embodiment, the outer surface  111   a  of the first designated wall  111  functions as the “first viewing surface” when the plate-shaped member  13  described below is not attached to, or otherwise placed over, the outer surface of the first designated wall  111 , whereas the outer surface of the second designated wall  112  functions as the “second viewing surface  112   a ”. The term “viewing surface” is used to mean a surface that is available for a viewing purpose and is either a physical surface that can be viewed by a person V visiting to pay respects or (as described in detail below) an imaginary surface or a transparent physical surface through which the contents of the container  11  can be viewed by a person V visiting to pay respects, when the object  1  of paying of respects is located at the support location P 1  and the viewing surface faces the respects paying window  6  (as described below). In addition, a horizontal direction parallel to the outer surface  111   a  of the first designated wall  111  will be referred to as first horizontal direction H 1  whereas a horizontal direction parallel to the second viewing surface  112   a  (i.e., a horizontal direction perpendicular to the first horizontal direction H 1 ) will be referred to as second horizontal direction H 2 . 
     In the present embodiment, the container  11  has a container main body  11 A and a lid  11 B configured to close the opening  11 Aa of the container main body  11 A. Provided to the container main body  11 A and the lid  11 B are one or more lock mechanisms (not shown) which can fasten and unfasten the container main body  11 A and the lid  11 B to each other with the opening  11 Aa of the container main body  11 A closed by the lid  11 B. In the present example, the container main body  11 A has the opening  11 Aa formed at the top, and is so configured that the opening  11 Aa can be closed by the formed lid  11 B which is formed separately from the container main body  11 A. Note that the opening  11 Aa may be formed in, or in place of, a side wall  110  that is not the first designated wall  111  or the second designated wall  112 , for example. The container main body  11 A and the lid  11 B may be connected to each other through one or more members that allow relative pivoting, such as hinges. 
     In the present embodiment, a container window  113  for allowing a person V visiting to pay respects to view inside the container  11  is provided in the second designated wall  112 . The container window  113  is formed with a container window opening  113   a  formed to extend from the inner surface of the second designated wall  112  to the outer surface, and a container transparent member  113   b , such as a sheet of glass, which is so located to close the container window opening  113   a . The container window  113  preferably occupies as great an area of the second designated wall  112  as possible. And for example, the entire second designated wall  112  may be formed as the container window  113 . If such is the case, the container window  113  is considered to form the second designated wall  112 . In addition, the container window  113  may be formed by only the container window opening  113   a  without the container transparent member  113   b . If such is the case, the second designated wall  112  and the second viewing surface  112   a  are an imaginary wall and an imaginary surface respectively that would have been formed by a container window  113  having a container transparent member  113   b  if such a container window  113  was present. Therefore, if such is the case, the second viewing surface  112   a  is an imaginary surface through which the contents of the container  11  can be viewed by a person V visiting to pay respects when the object  1  of paying of respects is located at the support location P 1  and the viewing surface faces the respects paying window  6 . 
     On the other hand, a plate-shaped member  13  which shows information (hereafter referred to as “displayed information”) related to the object  1  is attached to, or otherwise placed over, the outer surface  111   a  of the first designated wall  111 , where a “plate-shaped member” means a member that is generally flat and thin (thickness being less than width and length). When the plate-shaped member  13  is attached to, or placed over, the outer surface  111   a  of the first designated wall  111 , the outer surface of the plate-shaped member  13  functions as the first viewing surface. The displayed information is shown as one or more of letters, figures, symbols, or a combination of these, and is inscribed on the surface of the plate-shaped member  13  (outer surface with the plate-shaped member  13  attached to, or placed over, the outer surface  111   a  of the first designated wall  111 ) by writing, engraving, or printing or using any other known method. The displayed information may include, for example, the deceased&#39;s family name, the deceased&#39;s family crest or symbol, the deceased&#39;s favorite words or sayings, etc. In the example shown in the drawings, the displayed information is a deceased&#39;s family crest or symbol. 
     The plate-shaped member  13  is held by a holding portion  14  in the present embodiment. The holding portion  14  includes a pair of side holding members  141  configured to hold both end portions (along the first horizontal direction H 1 ) of the plate-shaped member  13 , and a lower holding member  142  configured to support the plate-shaped member  13  from below. The pair of side holding members  141  and the lower holding member  142  are formed integrally with the container main body  11 A of the container  11 , or, alternatively, fixed to the container main body  11 A by fastening bolts, etc. The pair of side holding members  141  are configured to hold both end portions, along the first horizontal direction H 1 , of the plate-shaped member  13  such that the plate-shaped member  13  can be moved vertically while restricting movement of the plate-shaped member  13  along the first horizontal direction H 1  and the second horizontal direction  112 . The lower holding member  142  is configured to restrict the downward movement of the plate-shaped member  13 . 
     In the present example, the plate-shaped member  13  is rectangular in shape that matches the shape of the outer surface  111   a  of the first designated wall  111 . And each of the side holding members  141  of the pair has a side surface guiding portion  141   a  which faces the corresponding side surface of the plate-shaped member  13  and which is formed to extend along the corresponding side surface it faces, and a front surface guiding portion  141   b  which faces the corresponding end portion, along the first horizontal direction H 1 , of the front surface of the plate-shaped member  13  and which extends along the first horizontal direction H 1 . Further, the lower holding member  142  has a contacting portion  142   a  which is formed to extend along the lower end surface of the plate-shaped member  13  and which the lower end surface contacts. Therefore, the plate-shaped member  13  can be attached to, or otherwise placed over, the outer surface  111   a  of the first designated wall  111  by inserting the plate-shaped member  13  in the space between the pair of side holding members  141  from above. In addition, the plate-shaped member  13  held by the holding portion  14  can be removed, or moved away, from the outer surface  111   a  of the first designated wall  111  by moving it upward to remove it from the space between the pair of side holding members  141 . Note that the pair of side holding members  141  and the lower holding member  142  may be formed integrally with one another. 
     In the present embodiment, each container  11  is provided with an engaged portion  142   b  which is configured to be engaged by an engaging portion (not shown) of the transfer device  41  of the transport system  4  (described below) when bringing the container  11  into and out of a storage location  21 , etc., of a storage rack  2 . In the present example, the engaged portion  142   b  is formed to project downward from the contacting portion  142   a  at a location spaced apart from the outer surface  111   a  of the first designated wall  111 . 
     The storage racks  2 , the respects-paying area  3 , and the transport system  4  are described in detail next. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , each storage rack  2  has a plurality of storage locations  21  each configured to store an object  1  of paying of respects (or simply an “object  1 ”). In the present embodiment, the plurality of storage locations  21  in each storage rack  2  are arranged in a plurality of vertical rows and a plurality of horizontal rows. 
     In the description below, a direction along which the storage locations  21  in each horizontal row are arranged will be referred to as the “rack lateral width direction X”. And a horizontally direction that is perpendicular to the rack lateral width direction X will be referred to as the “rack depth direction Y”. In addition, a direction along a vertical direction will be referred to as the “vertical direction Z”. 
     In the present embodiment, an object  1  is stored in a storage location  21  such that the second horizontal direction H 2  of the object  1  is parallel to the rack depth direction Y. More specifically, each storage rack  2  has a plurality of support frame members  22  each extending along the vertical direction Z, and a plurality of horizontal frame members  23  each extending along the rack depth direction Y. And each horizontal frame member  23  is fixed to two support frame members  22  that are spaced apart from each other along the rack depth direction Y. And an object  1  is supported with the object  1  placed on two horizontal frame members  23  that are spaced apart from each other along the rack lateral width direction X. In addition, in the present embodiment, two storage racks  2  are provided such that they face each other along the rack depth direction Y. 
     The storage facility  100  includes walls  5  that surround the pair of storage racks  2 . And the objects  1  are transported, one at a time, by the transport system  4  in the area surrounded by the walls  5 . The walls  5  include a partition wall  51  located in the respects-paying area  3  to partition off, or separate, a support location P 1  from a respects-paying location P 2  which is a location for a person V (visiting to pay respects) to pay respects. Provided in the partition wall  51  is a respects-paying window  6  configured to allow a person V (visiting to pay respects) located at the respects-paying location P 2  to view (i.e., see) the object  1  at the support location P 1 . The respects-paying location P 2  is a location used merely as a reference point (imaginary or otherwise) in the present description and may be, for example, a location spaced 1 meter from a lateral and vertical center point of the respects-paying window  6  and in a horizontal direction that is normal to the respects-paying window and points away from the support location P 1 . The respects-paying window  6  is located in a portion (of the partition wall  51 ) that is located across from the object  1  supported at the support location P 1 . A first reading device  64  configured to read identifying information of a person V visiting to pay respects is provided on the respects-paying location P 2  side of the partition wall  51  in the respects-paying area  3 . This first reading device  64  may, for example, be a card reader or the like configured to read the information on, or stored in, an item for identification, such as an ID card, owned by, or provided to, a person V visiting to pay respects. Based on the identifying information of the person V visiting to pay respects read by the first reading device  64 , a supervising controller  10  (see  FIG. 9 ) of the storage facility  100  sends instructions to a second controller  10 B (see  FIG. 9 ) to cause the second controller  10 B to cause the object  1  associated with the person V (visiting to pay respects) to be transported to the support location P 1  by the transport system  4 . This causes the transport system  4  to transport the object  1  associated with the person V visiting to pay respects from a storage location  21  to the support location P 1 . 
     The transport system  4  is configured to transport an object  1  between the storage location  21  and the support location P 1 . The support location P 1  is provided in the respects-paying area  3  and is a location at which an object  1  is supported, for example, when a person V (visiting to pay respects) pays respects. In other words, the support location P 1  is a location in the transporting path of the object  1  that is closest to the respects-paying location P 2 . The transport system  4  includes a transfer device  41  and a linear transport portion  42  in the present embodiment. 
     The transfer device  41  is configured to transfer an object  1  to and from a storage location  21 . In the present embodiment, the transfer device  41  is used to transfer an object  1  to and from a storage location  21  and also to transfer an object  1  to and from the linear transport portion  42 . The transfer device  41  includes a travel rail  411  which is installed on the floor surface between the two storage racks  2  and which extends parallel to the rack lateral width direction X, a travel member  412  configured to travel while being guided by the travel rail  411 , a pair of masts  413  arranged vertically on the travel member  412 , a vertically movable member  414  which is configured to be moved along the vertical direction Z while being guided by the pair of masts  413 , a support platform  415  which is supported by the vertically movable member  414  and which is configured to support an object  1  when such object  1  is placed thereon, and a projecting and retracting mechanism  416 . The transfer device  41  may, for example, be a conventional stacker crane. The travel member  412  has an actuator (such as an electric motor) and one or more wheels which are in contact with the rail  411  and at least one of which is driven by the actuator. The vertically movable member  414  may be moved vertically by an actuator (such as an electric motor) through a cable and a pulley over which the cable is run. 
     The projecting and retracting mechanism  416  has an engaging portion (not shown) configured to engage the engaged portion  142   b  of a container  11  of an object  1 , and to transfer an object  1  between the transfer device  41  and a storage location  21  by projecting or retracting at least a part of the projecting and retracting mechanism  416  along a transfer direction (rack depth direction Y) with the engaging portion engaged with the engaged portion  142   b . The projecting and retracting mechanism  416  may be any conventional mechanism, and may be one that includes, for example, an actuator (such as an electric motor), a linear actuator (such as a ball screw) actuated by the actuator, and a member with the engaging portion attached thereto and coupled to and moved linearly by the linear actuator. Thus, each object  1  is stored in a storage location  21  such that the engaged portion  142   b  faces toward the front side where the transfer device  41  travels. In the present example, the projecting and retracting mechanism  416  is provided to the support platform  415 . In addition, in the present embodiment, the transfer device  41  includes a transfer turning mechanism  431  configured to turn the support platform  415  and the projecting and retracting mechanism  416  about a shaft extending along the vertical direction Z with respect to the vertically movable member  414 . Thus, the transfer device  41  is capable of changing the orientation of an object  1  to an appropriate orientation when transferring it to a storage location  21 . In addition, the structure or arrangement of the transfer device  41  is not limited to the one in the example just described. Instead, the transfer device  41  may be a device that includes, for example, a fork that is used to move an object  1  while supporting it from below. 
     The linear transport portion  42  is configured to transport an object  1  along a path that extends linearly toward the support location P 1 . The linear transport portion  42  includes slide rails  421  extending along the rack depth direction Y, a slide member  422  which slides on the slide rails  421 , and a pair of support members  423  which are supported by the slide member  422  and on which an object  1  is placed. Each of the support members  423  of the pair extends horizontally. And an object  1  is transferred between the transfer device  41  and the linear transport portion  42  with the direction along which the support members  423  extend being parallel to the second horizontal direction H 2  of the object  1 . In the present embodiment, an object  1  is transferred between the transfer device  41  and the linear transport portion  42  with the object  1  in such an orientation that the second horizontal direction H 2  of the object  1  is parallel to the rack depth direction Y. The linear transport portion  42  transports an object  1  along the linear path extending parallel to the rack depth direction Y between the location at which the object  1  is transferred to and from the transfer device  41  and the support location P 1 . 
     An orientation changing device  43  is located on a transporting path of the transport system  4 . The orientation changing device  43  changes the orientation of the object  1  to cause the object  1  to be in a selected orientation at the support location P 1 , the selected orientation being selected from a plurality of different orientations. In the present embodiment, the orientation changing device  43  includes a linear transport turning mechanism  432  configured to turn the pair of support members  423  of the linear transport portion  42  about a shaft extending along the vertical direction Z with respect to the slide member  422 . In other words, the linear transport turning mechanism  432 , which functions as a first turning mechanism capable of turning an object  1 , is provided to the linear transport portion  42 . 
     In the present embodiment, the object  1  is turned by the linear transport turning mechanism  432  provided to the linear transport portion  42  so that one of the first designated wall  111  and the second designated wall  112  of the container  11  of the object  1  faces toward the respects-paying location P 2  side when the object  1  is at the support location P 1 . In other words, the object  1  is turned by the linear transport turning mechanism  432  so that one of the first viewing surface and the second viewing surface  112   a  of the container  11  of the object  1  faces toward the respects-paying window  6  when the object  1  is at the support location P 1 . 
     More specifically, as shown in  FIG. 4 , to cause the first viewing surface to face toward the respects-paying location P 2  side at the support location P 1 , the object  1  is first transferred to the linear transport portion  42  by the transfer device  41  with the object  1  in such an orientation that the second horizontal direction H 2  of the object  1  is parallel to the rack depth direction Y. And if the first viewing surface already faces toward the respects-paying location P 2  side, the object  1  is transported to the support location P 1  by the linear transport portion  42  without changing its orientation. If the first viewing surface is facing away from the respects-paying location P 2  side when the object  1  is transferred to the linear transport portion  42  by the transfer device  41 , then the object  1  is transported to the support location P 1  after it is turned by the linear transport turning mechanism  432  to cause its first viewing surface to face the respects-paying location P 2  side. This causes the first viewing surface to face toward the respects-paying window  6  when the object  1  is at the support location P 1 . 
     On the other hand, as shown in  FIG. 5 , to cause the second viewing surface  112   a  to face the respects-paying location P 2  side when the object  3  is at the support location P 1 , the object  1  is first transferred to the linear transport portion  42  by the transfer device  41  with the object  1  in such an orientation that the second horizontal direction H 2  of the object  1  is parallel to the rack depth direction Y. Next, the object  1  is rotated by the linear transport turning mechanism  432  so that the second viewing surface  112   a  faces the respects-paying location P 2  side. And the object  1  is transported to the support location P 1  by the linear transport portion  42  without changing its orientation. This causes the second viewing surface  112   a  to face toward the respects-paying window  6  when the object  1  is at the support location P 1 . 
     As such, in the storage facility  100 , it is possible to select the orientation of the object  1  such that, when the object  1  is at the support location P 1 , its orientation is either one of the orientation in which the first viewing surface faces toward the respects-paying location P 2  side and one in which the second viewing surface  112   a  faces toward the respects-paying location P 2  side. In other words, it is possible for a person V (visiting to pay respects) to make a choice or selection as to whether the person V views the displayed information on the plate-shaped member  13  or the housed item or items  12  inside the container  11 . As the selected orientation of the object  1 , a person V visiting to pay respects selects one of (1) the orientation in which the first viewing surface faces toward the respects-paying location P 2  side and (2) the orientation in which the second viewing surface  112   a  faces toward the respects-paying location P 2  side. An arrangement may be such that it possible for a person (visiting to pay respects) to make this choice or selection in advance so that the object  1  is transported to the support location P 1  such that the object is in the same orientation each time it is at the support location P 1 . In addition, or alternatively, the arrangement may also be such that a person V visiting to pay respects makes the choice each time the person visits so that the object  1  is transported to the support location P 1  such that the object  1  is in the selected orientation at the support location P 1 . 
     In the present embodiment, the object  1  is transferred between the transfer device  41  and the linear transport portion  42  with the object  1  in such an orientation that the second horizontal direction  112  of the object  1  is parallel to the rack depth direction Y. Thus, of the two turning mechanisms (i.e., the transfer turning mechanism  431  and the linear transport turning mechanism  432 ) provided to the transport system  4 , only the linear transport turning mechanism  432  functions as an orientation changing device  43  configured to cause one of the first viewing surface and the second viewing surface  112   a  to face toward the respects-paying location P 2  side when the object  1  is located at the support location P 1 . However, the invention is not limited to such an arrangement. For example, the transfer turning mechanism  431  may function as the orientation changing device  43  instead. Such an arrangement is described below with reference to  FIG. 14 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the respects-paying window  6  includes a respects-paying window opening  61  formed to extend from the inner surface of the partition wall  51  to its outer surface, and a respects-paying window transparent member  62 , such as a sheet glass, provided to close the respects-paying window opening  61 . The respects-paying window opening  61  is formed to be equal in size as, or to be greater in size than, that of the largest envisaged viewing surface. In the present embodiment, the respects-paying window opening  61  is formed to match the size (more specifically, a dimension or dimensions) and the shape of a second viewing surface  112   a  which is the largest viewing surface of the objects  1 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the respects-paying window  6  is provided with an altering device  63  configured to change the size (more specifically, a dimension or dimensions) of the visually unobstructed area S depending on the size of the viewing surface (of the object  1  at the support location P 1 ) that is selected to be viewed by a person V visiting to pay respects where the visually unobstructed area S is an area through which a person V visiting to pay respects can view or see the object  1 . In the present embodiment, the altering device  63  has a plurality of (three in the present example) variable-light-transmittance members  631  each of whose light transmittance can be adjusted. The respects-paying window  6  (respects-paying window transparent member  62 ) is divided into a plurality of distinct areas  6 S (three distinct areas  6 S in the present example) and each of the plurality of distinct areas  6 Sa has a variable-light-transmittance member  631  provided thereto. The word “distinct” is used to mean “non-overlapping”. 
     In the present example, the three distinct areas  6 S are arranged horizontally with one on each side of the middle distinct area  6 S. And the middle area  6 S is formed to have the same size and the shape as the first viewing surface. And provided to each of the three distinct areas  6 S is a variable-light-transmittance member  631  so arranged to cover the entire area of the corresponding one of the plurality of distinct areas  6 S, with each variable-light-transmittance member  631  generally formed in a shape of a sheet or a plate (flat and thin (thickness less than width and length)) and with each variable-light-transmittance member  631  attached to the inner surface (surface on the side of the support location P 1 ) of the respects-paying window transparent member  62 . Note that the invention is not limited to such an arrangement. For example, the arrangement may be such that the variable-light-transmittance members  631  each generally formed in a shape of a sheet or a plate are held between a pair of respects-paying window transparent members  62 . Note that, among other possibilities, transmission type liquid crystal panels, for example, may be used, as the variable-light-transmittance members  631 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 9 , each variable-light-transmittance member  631  is connected to the first controller  10 A such that it can at least receive signals (for example, electrical signals) from the first controller  10 A and such that its light transmittance can be controlled by the first controller  10 A. Each controller, such as the supervising controller  10 , first controller  10 A, the second controller  10 B, and the third controller  10 C described below, includes a CPU and peripheral circuitry such as memory circuitry and interface circuitry for sending and receiving signals to and/or from one or more of various components such as an actuator, sensor, input device, and other controller(s) and may be a microcomputer, with algorithms in the form of software that is stored in the memory circuitry and executable by the CPU for performing the required functions disclosed in the present specification. The first controller  10 A is a part of the altering device  63 . The first controller  10 A is configured to control the light transmittance of the variable-light-transmittance member  631  of each distinct area  6 S, depending on the size of the viewing surface (of the object  1  located at the support location P 1 ) that is selected to be viewed by a person V visiting to pay respects (i.e., based on information about the viewing surface (of the object  1 ) that is selected to be viewed by a person V paying to pay respects wherein the information includes the information related to the size of the selected viewed surface). More specifically, as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 6 , when the viewing surface (of the object  1  at the support location P 1 ) that is selected to be viewed by a person V visiting to pay respects is the first viewing surface, the first controller  10 A controls the light transmittance of the variable-light-transmittance members  631  such that one or more among the plurality of variable-light-transmittance members  631  that face, or are located across from, the first viewing surface becomes transparent while the rest of the variable-light-transmittance members  631  do not transmit light. In the present embodiment, the first controller  10 A controls the light transmittance of the variable-light-transmittance members  631  such that the one provided to the middle area  6 S among the three variable-light-transmittance members  631  becomes transparent while the rest of the variable-light-transmittance members  631  do not allow light to be transmitted through them. When this happens, the area  6 S in the middle becomes, or provides, the visually unobstructed area S. Note that a supervising controller  10  signally connected to the first controller  10 A may determine which of the variable-light-transmittance members  631  should be made transparent based on information about the size of the viewing surface (of the object  1 ) that is selected to be viewed by a person V visiting to pay respects. If such is the case, the first controller  10 A may be a switch that can be controlled by the supervising controller  10  and that can cause one or more of the variable-light-transmittance members  631  to become transparent. 
     On the other hand, as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 7 , when the viewed surface of the object  1  at the support location P 1  that is selected to be viewed is the second viewing surface  112   a , the first controller  10 A controls the light transmittance of the variable-light-transmittance members  631  such that all of the variable-light-transmittance members  631  become transparent. When this happens, all areas  6 S together become, or provide, the visually unobstructed area S. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 8 , the storage facility  100  includes a work area  7 . The work area  7  is provided to allow various work to be performed on an object  1 . The work area  7  is located at a location separate from the respects-paying area  3 . Provided in the work area  7  is a work-purpose support location P 3  at which a container  11  is supported when replacing one or more housed items  12  in a container  11  (such work is referred to hereafter simply as “replacement work”). 
     Here, the replacement work includes work performed to place and arrange one or more items within a container  11  as housed items  12  as well as work performed to remove one or more previously housed items  12  from a container  11  and to change positions of the items within the container  11 . Replacement work can be performed by a managing personnel of the storage facility  100 , a person V visiting to pay respects, and/or a maintenance worker, etc. 
     Provided in the work area  7  are a pair of support members  71  on which an object  1  is placed (“work-purpose support members” for short), and a lid support table  72  on which the lid  11 B of the container  11  of an object  1  is placed. Each of work-purpose support members  71  of the pair extends along the rack depth direction Y. And an object  1  is placed on the pair of work-purpose support members  71  with the object  1  in such an orientation that the second horizontal direction H 2  of the object  1  is parallel to the rack depth direction Y. In the present embodiment, the location of an object  1  that is placed on the pair of work-purpose support member  71  is the work support location P 3 . And an object  1  is transported between the work-purpose support location P 3  and a storage location  21  by at least a part of the transport system  4 . In the present embodiment, an object  1  is transported between the work-purpose support location P 3  and the storage location  21  by the transfer device  41 . 
     When performing replacement work in the work area  7 , the lid  11 B is removed to expose the container opening  11 Aa of the object  1  supported at the work-purpose support location P 3 . And replacement work is performed through the container opening  11 Aa. In the present embodiment, the lid  11 B removed from the container main body  11 A is placed on the lid support table  72 . The lid support table  72  may be fixed at a specific location or may be configured to be movable along at least one of the rack lateral width direction X, the rack depth direction Y, and the vertical direction Z. In addition, the lid support table  72  may be integrally formed with, or directly connected to, at least one of the work-purpose support members  71  of the pair. 
     The work area  7  is located in a work room  7 R separated from the outside. The work room  7 R has an entrance  73  for a person to go in and out of the work area  7 , an entrance door  74  provided at the entrance  73  such that the door  74  can be opened and closed, a carry in and out opening  75  for carrying an object  1  into and out of the work area  7 , and a shutter  76  provided at the carry in and out opening  75  such that the shutter  76  can be opened and closed. The carry in and out opening  75  opens to the area surrounded by the walls  5 , and is so located to be across from the object  1  supported at the work-purpose support location P 3 . The shutter  76  is configured to open only when an object  1  is transferred between the work-purpose support location P 3  and the transfer device  41 . Such operation of the shutter  76  is controlled by the second controller  10 B (see  FIG. 9 ). 
     In addition, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 8 , a second reading device  77  configured to read the identifying information of a person V visiting to pay respects is provided at a location outside the work room  7 R and adjacent to the entrance door  74 . This second reading device  77  may have the same structure as the first reading device  64 . As such, the second reading device  77  may, for example, be a card reader or the like configured to read the information on, or stored in, an item for identification, such as an ID card, owned by, or provided to, a person V visiting to pay respects (who instead may be a managing personnel of the storage facility  100 , or a maintenance worker. Same is true in the description below). As shown in  FIG. 9 , the second reading device  77  and the entrance door  74  are connected (through wire or wires or wirelessly) to the third controller  10 C such that the second reading device  77  can at least transmit signals (for example, electrical signals) to the third controller  10 C, and such that the entrance door  74  can at least receive signals from the third controller  10 C. The third controller  10 C transmits the identifying information of the person V visiting to pay respects read by the second reading device  77  to the supervising controller  10 . Based on this identifying information, the supervising controller  10  issues a command to the second controller  10 B to cause the second controller  10 B to cause the object  1  associated with the person V visiting to pay respects to be transported to the work-purpose support location P 3 . This causes the transport system  4  to transport the object  1  associated with the person V visiting to pay respects from its storage location  21  to the work-purpose support location P 3 . Note that the invention is not limited to an arrangement described above where the object  1  associated with the person V visiting to pay respects is transported from a storage location  21  to the work-purpose support location P 3  as a result of the person V causing the second reading device  77  to read his/her identifying information. For example, the arrangement may be such that the person V visiting to pay respects selects the transport destination for the object  1  to be one of the support location P 1  and the work-purpose support location P 3  after the person V causes the first reading device  64  to read his/her identifying information. In addition, or alternatively, a command to the second controller  10 B to cause the second controller  10 B to cause an object  1  to be transported to the work-purpose support location P 3  may be sent from a reception area which may be spaced apart from the respects-paying area  3  and the work area  7 . 
     Further, the third controller  10 C determines if the identifying information of the person V (visiting to pay respects) read by the second reading device  77  is information that has been registered and is on the record, and causes the entrance door  74  to be opened and allows entrance into the work room  7 R if the information is registered information. This prevents persons, other than those authorized, from entering the work area  7 . 
     The work area  7 A has a human detector  9 A provided therein which is configured to detect the presence of a person in the work room  7 R. The human detector  9 A may be of any conventional type and may include an infrared sensor. The human detector  9 A is controlled by the second controller  10 B as shown in  FIG. 9 . The second controller  10 B is connected (through wire or wires or wirelessly) to the human detector  9 A, the transfer device  41 , and the linear transport portion  42  such that it can at least transmit signals (for example, electrical signals) to the transfer device  41 , and the linear transport portion  42  and at least receive signals from the human detector  9 A. The second controller  10 B controls the transfer device  41  so that the transfer device  41  does not transport an object  1  from the work-purpose support location P 3  to a storage location  21 , when the presence of a person is detected in the work room  7 R by the human detector  9 A. In other words, the object  1  is not carried out of the work area  7  by the transfer device  41  until all persons have left the work room  7 R. In addition, if an object  1  is being carried into the work area  7  by the transfer device  41  when a person is about to enter the work room  7 R, the second controller  10 B instructs the third controller  10 C through the supervising controller  10  not to allow the entrance door  74  to be opened until the object  1  is located at the work-purpose support location P 3 . 
     In addition, the second controller  10 B is connected (through wire or wires or wirelessly) to a placed-lid detector  9 B and a weight detector  9 C such that the second controller  10 B can at least receive signals (for example, electric signals) from each. The placed-lid detector  9 B is provided at a location along the path along which an object  1  is transported from the work-purpose support location P 3  to a storage location  21  by the transfer device  41 , and is configured to detect whether a lid  11 B is properly placed on the container main body  11 A. If it is detected, by using the placed-lid detector  9 B, that the lid  11 B is not properly placed on the container main body  11 A, the second controller  10 B controls the transfer device  41  so that the transfer device  41  does not transport the object  1  to a storage location  21 . The placed-lid detector  9 B may include, for example, an image recognition device which is configured to capture an image of the object  1  in the transporting path of the object  1  with a camera (such as a digital camera and may be the camera  8 A described below), and to determine whether the lid  11 B is not properly positioned with respect to the container main body  11 A by analyzing the image. Alternatively, the placed-lid detector  9 B may include, for example, an optical sensor configured to detect, among other possibilities, the vertical position of the lid  11 B with respect to the transporting surface. Note that, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 8 , it is preferable that the placed-lid detector  9 B is located at or near the work-purpose support location P 3  in order to eliminate the possibility of a useless transporting operation. 
     In addition, the weight detector  9 C is provided at a location along the path along which an object  1  is transported from the work-purpose support location P 3  to a storage location  21  by the transfer device  41  and is configured to detect whether the weight of the object  1  is less than or equal to a weight upper limit value defined in advance. If it is detected that the weight of an object  1  is greater than the weight upper limit value, the second controller  10 B controls the transfer device  41  so that the transfer device  41  does not transport the object  1  to a storage location  21 . The weight detector  9 C may include, for example, a weight sensor configured to measure the weight of an object  1  in its transporting path. Note that it is preferable that weight detector  9 C is located at or near the work-purpose support location P 3  in order to eliminate the possibility of a useless transporting operation. For example, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 8 , it is preferable that a sensor, etc. which is used in the weight detector  9 C is placed between the pair of the work-purpose support members  71  on the one hand and a floor surface on the other hand. 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , the storage facility  100  includes a camera  8 A and a storage device  8 B in the present embodiment. As shown in  FIG. 9 , the camera  8 A and the storage device  8 B are connected (through a wire or wires or wirelessly) to the third controller  10 C such that signals (for example, electrical signals) can be transmitted to and received from the third controller  10 C. The camera  8 A captures an image of the inside of the container  11  and is provided in the work area or at a location along the path along which an object  1  is transported from the work-purpose support location P 3  to a storage location  21  by the transfer device  41 . In the present example, the camera  8 A is located in the work area  7 . The storage device  8 B stores image data obtained by the camera  8 A such that the image data is associated with image-capture-time information which includes information about circumstances at the time of the capturing of the image data. As such, storage device  8 B has memory circuitry (memory) and circuitry for receiving data for storage in the memory and transmitting data out of the memory. 
     Here, examples of information included in the image-capture-time information include, among other possibilities, time and date of the capturing of the image data by the camera  8 A, identifying information of the person V visiting to pay respects who performed replacement work, etc. in the work area  7 , and the full name of the person V visiting to pay respects. Here, the information obtained by the second reading device  77  when the person V visiting to pay respects entered the work room  7 R is used as the identifying information, mentioned above, for the person V. Information which is associated with the identifying information of the person V visiting to pay respects and which has been stored in a data base, etc. is used for the full name, etc., of the person V. In the present embodiment, the image data captured by the camera  8 A is sent to the third controller  10 C, is associated with the image-capture-time information by the third controller  10 C, and is stored in the storage device  8 B. The image data stored in the storage device  8 B can be viewed, and searched based on the image-capture-time information, using the supervising controller  10  or a terminal, such as a personal computer, which is connected to the supervising controller  10 . This makes it possible to check the condition inside of a container  11  if such checking is desired later, without having to retrieve the container  11  from its storage location  21 . 
     Other Embodiments 
     (1) The structure and arrangement of the object  1  of paying of respects does not have to be limited to those described in the embodiment above. For example, the object  1  may also be one shown in  FIG. 10 . In the example shown in  FIG. 10 , an upper window  115  is provided in the top surface (lid  11 B) of the container  11 . The upper window  115  has, or formed with, an upper opening  115   a  formed to extend through the surface of the lid  11 B, and an upper window transparent member  115   b , such as a sheet glass, provided to close the upper opening  115   a . In the example shown in  FIG. 10 , one rectangular upper window  115  occupies approximately the entire area of the lid  11 B of the container  11 . The presence of the upper window  115  allows light to enter the container  11 . Thus, for example, as shown in  FIG. 11 , by illuminating the area inside the container  11  with an illuminating device  116  which is so installed to be located above an object  1  at the support location P 1 , a person V visiting to pay respects can view the housed items  12  inside the container  11  well when the second viewing surface  112   a  is facing toward the respects-paying location P 2  side. The illuminating device  116  may be a conventional electric light source such as one or more LEDs, or fluorescent lamps. Note that, as shown in  FIG. 12 , one rectangular upper window  115  may be provided in an area closer to the second viewing surface  112   a  with respect to the center, along the first horizontal direction H 1 , of the lid  11 B. In addition, or alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 13 , a plurality of circular upper windows  115  may be provided in an area on the opposite side (from the second viewing surface  112   a ) with respect to the center, along the first horizontal direction H 1 , of the lid  11 B. As such, the examples described above are not limiting in terms of the number of the upper windows  115 , location or locations and shape or shapes thereof. Note that only the upper opening portion  115   a  may be provided without the upper window transparent member  115   b . Also, the arrangement may be such that the lid  11 B is not provided, in which case, the opening  11 Aa of the container main body  11 A functions as the upper opening  115   a.    
     (2) In the embodiment above, an example arrangement is described in which the linear transport turning mechanism  432  configured to turn the pair of support members  423  with respect to the slide member  422  about a shaft extending along the vertical direction Z functions as the orientation changing device  43 . However, the invention is not limited to such arrangement. For example, as shown in  FIG. 14 , the transfer turning mechanism  431  configured to turn the support platform  415  of the transfer device  41  with respect to the vertically movable member  414  about a shaft extending along the vertical direction Z may function as the orientation changing device  43 . In this case, the transfer turning mechanism  431  provided to the transfer device  41  functions as a second turning mechanism which is capable of turning the object  1 . And when such arrangement is adopted, the linear transport portion  42  is preferably configured (a) to be capable of transporting an object  1  with the object  1  in such an orientation that the second horizontal direction H 2  of the object  1  is parallel to the rack depth direction Y as well as in such an orientation that the first horizontal direction H 1  of the object  1  is parallel to the rack depth direction Y and (b) to be capable of transferring the object  1  to and from the transfer device  41  regardless of whether the object  1  is in one or the other of the two such orientations. For example, a roller conveyor, or a belt conveyor, etc., that do not place any restriction on the orientation of the object  1  when transferring an object  1  to and from the transfer device  41  may be used as such linear transport portion  42 . Note that, if the linear transport portion  42  is a roller conveyor, or a belt conveyor, etc., then the linear transport turning mechanism  432  may be located at an intermediate location along the length of the linear transport portion  42 , or at an upstream end or a downstream end of the linear transport portion  42 . 
     (3) In the embodiment above, an example arrangement is described in which the transport system  4  includes the transfer device  41  and the linear transport portion  42 . However, the invention is not limited to such arrangement. For example, the arrangement may be such that the transport system  4  does not include the linear transport portion  42  and such that the transport device  41  transports an object  1  directly to the support location P 1 . In such arrangement, the transfer turning mechanism  431  which functions as the orientation changing device  43  is provided to the transfer device  41 . 
     (4) In the embodiment described above, an example arrangement is described in which each of the plurality of objects  1  has the first viewing surface  111   a  and the second viewing surface  112   a  which are the two viewing surfaces. However, the invention is not limited to such an arrangement. For example, each of a plurality of objects  1  has one of a plurality of viewing surfaces of different sizes so that one object  1  has a viewing surface that is different in size from a viewing surface of another object  1 . Examples of such a case include a case where the objects  1  include containers  11  (with one or more housed items  12 ) of different sizes and a case where the objects  1  include mortuary tablets, and/or statues of a religious figure such as Buddha, Christ, or Mary, etc., of different sizes. In such cases, the orientation changing device  43  may not be provided to the transport system  4 . 
     (5) In the embodiment above, an example arrangement is described in which the altering device  63  has a plurality of variable-light-transmittance members  631  and the first controller  10 A. However, the invention is not limited to such arrangement. For example, as shown in  FIGS. 15 and 16 , instead of a plurality of variable-light-transmittance members  631 , a pair of exposed-area-reducing-and-increasing members  632  which are capable of changing the size of an exposed area  632 A are provided on at least one of the support location P 1  side and the respects-paying location P 2  side with respect to the respects-paying window  6  (respects-paying window transparent member  62 ) (the respects-paying location P 2  side with respect to the respects-paying window transparent member  62  in the example shown in  FIGS. 15 and 16 ). Thus, the size of the exposed area  632 A defined at least in part by the pair of exposed-area-reducing-and-increasing member  632  is controlled by the first controller  10 A depending on the size of the viewing surface that is selected to be viewed by a person V visiting to pay respects. Each of the exposed-area-reducing-and-increasing members  632  of the pair is a sliding door, curtain, etc., for example. In the example shown, the pair of exposed-area-reducing-and-increasing members  632  are a pair of sliding doors which are located at one and the other side locations along a horizontal direction parallel to the surface, on the respects-paying location P 2  side, of the respects-paying window transparent member  62  such that the exposed-area-reducing-and-increasing members  632  are capable of being moved toward and away from each other. As shown in  FIG. 15 , when the viewing surface (of an object  1  at the support location P 1 ) that is selected to be viewed by a person V visiting to pay respects is the first viewing surface, the first controller  10 A causes the pair of exposed-area-reducing-and-increasing members  632  to be moved so that the portions (of the respects-paying window transparent member  62 ) other than the portion that is across from the first viewing surface are covered by the pair of exposed-area-reducing-and-increasing members  632 . On the other hand, as shown in  FIG. 16 , when the viewing surface (of an object  1  at the support location P 1 ) that is selected to be viewed by a person V visiting to pay respects is the second viewing surface  112   a , the first controller  10 A causes the pair of exposed-area-reducing-and-increasing members  632  to be moved so that the entire respects-paying window transparent member  62  is exposed. With such an arrangement, the exposed area  632 A defined at least in part by the pair of exposed-area-reducing-and-increasing members  632  coincides with the visually unobstructed area S. Note that an arrangement may such that only one exposed-area-reducing-and-increasing member  632  is provided. In addition, it may be so arranged that one or more exposed-area-reducing-and-increasing members  632  are moved along the vertical direction Z. When such is the case, the one or more exposed-area-reducing-and-increasing members  632  may, for example, be one or more doors that are provided on at least one of the support location P 1  side and the respects-paying location P 2  side with respect to the respects-paying window  6  (respects-paying window transparent member  62 ). 
     (6) In the embodiment above, an example arrangement is described in which an object of paying of respects  1  comprises a container  11  and one or more housed items  12  held in the container. However, the invention is not limited to such arrangement. For example, the object  1  (of paying of respects) may be an item that is not held in a container, such as a mortuary tablet, a statue of Buddha, Christ, or Mary, or a long wooden tablet with religious inscriptions. 
     (7) In the embodiment above, an example arrangement is described in which the work area  7  is provided separately from the respects-paying area  3 . However, the invention is not limited to such arrangement. Instead, it is possible to have a storage facility in which the work area  7  is not provided. 
     (8) In the embodiment above, an example arrangement is described in which a human detector  9 A, a placed-lid detector  9 B, and a weight detector  9 C are provided. However, the invention is not limited to such arrangement. It is possible to have a storage facility in which none of the human detector  9 A, the placed-lid detector  9 B, and the weight detector  9 C is provided. It is also possible to have a storage facility in which one or two of the human detector  9 A, the placed-lid detector  9 B, and the weight detector  9 C is/are provided. 
     (9) In the embodiment above, an example arrangement is described in which a camera  8 A and a storage device  8 B are provided. It is possible to have a storage facility in which neither the camera  8 A nor the storage device  8 B is provided. 
     (10) Note that an arrangement disclosed in any of the embodiments described above can also be used in combination with any arrangement disclosed in any other embodiment unless inconsistency arises. Regarding any arrangements and features, the embodiments disclosed in the present description are provided for the purposes of illustration only regarding all aspects. Therefore, it is possible to make various suitable changes without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. 
     Summary of Embodiments Described Above 
     A brief summary of the storage facility for objects of paying of respects described above is provided next. 
     A storage facility for objects of paying of respects comprises: a plurality of storage locations each configured to store an object of paying of respects; a respects-paying area which includes an area for a person, visiting to pay respects, to pay respects in; a transport system configured to transport an object of paying of respects between the storage location and a support location provided in the respects-paying area; a partition wall located in the respects-paying area to partition off the support location from a respects-paying location for a person visiting to pay respects, to pay respects at; and a respects-paying window provided in the partitioning wall and configured to allow a person who is visiting to pay respects and who is located at the respects-paying location to view an object of paying of respects being at the support location; wherein each object of paying of respects is provided with at least one viewing surface which is a surface selectable to be viewed through the respects-paying window, wherein a plurality of kinds of viewing surfaces are provided wherein a viewing surface of one kind being different in size from a viewing surface of another kind, and wherein the respects-paying window is provided with an altering device configured to change the size of a visually unobstructed area depending on the size of a viewing surface, of an object of paying of respects located at the support location, that is selected to be viewed, the visually unobstructed area being an area through which a person visiting to pay respects can view the object of paying of respects. 
     With such an arrangement, the size of the visually unobstructed area of the respects-paying window is changed depending on the size of the viewing surface (of the object of paying of respects at the support location) that is selected to be viewed. This makes it possible to keep the gap between the outer edges of the viewing surface and the outer edges of the visually unobstructed area of the respects-paying window, from becoming too large, for the size of the viewing surface that is selected to be viewed. This makes possible to properly present an object of paying of respects in the respects-paying area regardless of the size of the viewing surface that is selected to be viewed. 
     Here, the respects-paying window is preferably divided into a plurality of distinct areas, 
     wherein the altering device includes variable-light-transmittance members each of which is provided to the corresponding one of the plurality of distinct areas, and each of whose light transmittance can be adjusted, and a controller configured to control light transmittance of the variable-light-transmittance members, and 
     wherein the controller is preferably further configured to control the light transmittance of each of the variable-light-transmittance members provided to the corresponding one of the plurality of distinct areas, depending on the size of the viewing surface, of the object of paying of respects located at the support location, that is selected to be viewed. 
     With such an arrangement, the size of the visually unobstructed area of the respects-paying window is changed by controlling the light transmittance of each variable-light-transmittance member provided to the corresponding one of the plurality of distinct areas of the respects-paying window. Therefore, the size of the visually unobstructed area of the respects-paying window can be changed without a mechanical actuating mechanism for the respects-paying window. 
     In addition, the altering device preferably includes one or more exposed-area-reducing-and-increasing members capable of changing the size of an exposed area and provided on at least one of a side where the respects-paying location is located and a side where the support location is located with respect to the respects-paying window, and a controller configured to control the size of the exposed area defined at least in part by the one or more exposed-area-reducing-and-increasing members, and wherein the controller is preferably configured to control the size of the exposed area depending on the size of a viewing surface that is selected to be viewed. 
     With such an arrangement, the size of the visually unobstructed area of the respects-paying window is changed by moving the one or more exposed-area-reducing-and-increasing members. Therefore, movements required to change the size of the visually unobstructed area of the respects-paying window can be used, for example, to create a solemn atmosphere, etc., which can enhance the satisfaction of a person visiting to pay respects. 
     Also, an object of paying of respects preferably comprises a container and one or more items held in the container, 
     wherein the container is preferably generally formed in a shape of a rectangular parallelepiped and has a first designated wall, and a second designated wall that is different in size from the first designated wall, and 
     wherein it is preferable that an outer surface of the first designated wall is one of the at least one viewing surface whereas an outer surface of the second designated wall is another of the at least one viewing surface, and 
     wherein the transport system is preferably configured to transport a container such that one of the first designated wall and the second designated wall faces toward a respects-paying location at the support location. 
     With the arrangement described above, a viewing surface is generally quadrangular in shape. Therefore, the respects-paying window and the altering device can be of a relatively simple construction, making it easier to have an arrangement for properly presenting an object of paying of respects in the respects-paying area for the size of the viewing surface that is selected to be viewed by a person visiting to pay respects. 
     Also, a plate-shaped member which shows information related to the object of paying of respects is preferably attached to the outer surface of the first designated wall, and wherein a container window configured to allow a person, visiting to pay respects, to view inside the container is preferably provided in the second designated wall. 
     With such an arrangement, when the outer surface of the plate-shaped member is selected to be viewed, a person visiting to pay respects can pay respects with the plate-shaped member with information related to the object of paying of respects in view. And when the outer surface of the second viewing surface is selected to be viewed, a person visiting to pay respects can pay respects with the inside of the container visible through the container window. And in either case, the size of the visually unobstructed area of the respects-paying window is changed depending on the size of the viewing surface that is selected to be viewed by a person visiting to pay respects. Therefore, regardless of which surface is selected to be viewed, the object of paying of respects in the respects-paying area can be properly presented. 
     The present invention in accordance with the present disclosure can be used in a storage facility for objects of paying of respects comprising a plurality of storage locations each configured to store an object of paying of respects, a respects-paying area which includes an area for a person, visiting to pay respects, to pay respects in, a transport system configured to transport an object of paying of respects between the storage location and a support location provided in the respects-paying area.