TRANSPORT DEVICE

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a transport device capable of transporting a plurality of transport vessels pneumatically into a transport path. SOLUTION: The transport device is equipped with an engaging means (engagement part 12b) to engage transport vessels 2 at certain intervals along the transport path 1, in which a sealed space is generated between the seal parts of adjoining vessels 2 by engaging together the vessels 2 with one engaging means reserved empty, and air pressure is fed into each sealed space by an air pressure feeding means. Accordingly another vessel 2 moves to the empty engaging means. By conducting alternate movement of the vessels 2, a plurality of vessels 2 can be transported into the transport path 2 pneumatically. As a result, the transporting performance (capacity) of transporting objects can be enhanced. Because the air pressure to move the vessels may be in a portion corresponding to the sealed space between adjoining vessels with one engaging means reserved empty, it is possible to construct small the device to generate air pressure and reduce the costs. COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI