Patent ID: 6851913

Claim:
A transport system comprising: a) a transport container including: i) a main container body defining an opening for receiving articles, and an upper support portion for suspension support; and ii) a lid for closing said opening of said main container body, wherein an interior space of said main container body is sealed when said lid closes said opening; b) a moving body that moves said transport container; c) lift means supported by said moving body for suspending said support portion and raising and lowering said transport container; d) means for receiving said transport container, switchable between a holding position capable of contacting a bottom of said transport container and of bearing a weight of said transport container and a position retracted from said bottom of said transport container; and e) a controller connected for control with said lift means and said receiving means, said controller causing said lift means to be lowered after switching said receiving means to said holding position, whereby at least part of the weight of said transport container is supported by said receiving means, to lessen, or reduce to zero, the force of support for said support portion.