Funnel installation structure and metering device with the same

Abstract

A funnel mounting structure is used to detachably mount a funnel that uses a door to open and close the discharge outlet of the funnel body on a drive unit that drives the door to open and close. The drive unit has a snap-fit ​​protrusion and a support protrusion. The funnel has a mounting bracket extending from the funnel body. The mounting bracket has a hook portion that engages with the snap-fit ​​protrusion and an abutment portion that abuts with the support protrusion. The funnel is mounted by engaging the hook portion of the mounting bracket with the snap-fit ​​protrusion of the drive unit and abutting and supporting the abutment portion of the mounting bracket with the support protrusion of the drive unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a mounting structure of a funnel for temporarily holding and discharging articles and a metering device equipped with the structure. Background Art

[0002] In a combination weighing device, such as the combination weighing device (combination weighing device) described in Patent Document 1, a dispersion feeder is provided on the upper portion of the device body for radially distributing fed articles, and a plurality of linear feeders are provided for further externally conveying the articles dispersed and conveyed by the dispersion feeder. Furthermore, a plurality of supply hoppers are provided on the outer periphery of the device body for temporarily holding and discharging articles from each linear feeder, and a plurality of weighing funnels are provided for temporarily holding and weighing articles discharged from each supply hopper.

[0003] Combination weighers calculate the weight of items in multiple weighing hoppers, select a hopper combination within a specified weight range, and then open the doors of the selected hoppers to discharge the items. The discharged items are collected and guided to the center of the machine body via a collecting chute and fed into packaging equipment below.

[0004] In combination weighers that weigh food items, fragments and debris often cling to various parts of the weigher. To remove these clinging fragments and debris, a detachable funnel or the like is provided so that the funnel or the like can be easily removed from the main body of the device for cleaning.

[0005] As a hopper mounting structure that allows for detachable hopper attachment, for example, in Patent Document 1, a pair of upper and lower support rods are horizontally arranged on the back of the hopper. Furthermore, a pair of upper and lower hangers are provided on the outer surface of a drive unit mounted on the main body of the combination weigher. The hopper support rods are hooked from above onto upward-facing slots on the hangers, thereby attaching the hopper to the drive unit in a predetermined position.

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Utility Model Patent No. 3221867

[0007] The hanger used in the funnel mounting structure of the above-mentioned patent document 1 extends from a flat base portion, and the flat base portion is mounted to the front of the drive unit with bolts or the like. Therefore, at the mounting portion, a step is formed at the upper end of the flat base portion in the transverse direction, which is long and upward and corresponds to the thickness of the base portion. Fragments and debris of articles are easily attached to and accumulated on this step. In particular, in the gaps in the steps, that is, the long gaps formed between the flat base portion and the front of the drive unit, fragments and debris of articles are easily entered and accumulated. Fragments and debris of articles remaining in the steps and gaps may become a breeding ground for bacteria. Therefore, meticulous cleaning operations are required during cleaning, and in combination weighers equipped with multiple funnels, cleaning operations require considerable time and effort. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of this point, and an object of the present invention is to provide a funnel mounting structure and a weighing device having the same, which can reduce the accumulation of fragments and residues of articles and can be easily cleaned.

[0009] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention is constructed as follows.

[0010] (1) The funnel mounting structure of the present invention is used to detachably mount a funnel that uses a door to open and close a discharge port of a funnel body to a drive unit that drives the door to open and close, wherein:

[0011] The drive unit has a locking protrusion and a supporting protrusion, respectively. The funnel has a mounting bracket extending from the funnel body, and the mounting bracket has a hook portion that is engaged with the locking protrusion and a contact portion that abuts against the supporting protrusion. The funnel is mounted by engaging the hook portion of the mounting bracket with the locking protrusion of the drive unit and abutting and supporting the contact portion of the mounting bracket with the supporting protrusion of the drive unit.

[0012] According to the funnel mounting structure of the present invention, the drive unit is provided with only an engaging protrusion for engaging with the mounting bracket supporting the funnel and a supporting protrusion for contacting the abutment portion of the mounting bracket. There is no need to bolt or otherwise attach a flat base portion with a hanger to the front of the drive unit. Consequently, there is no need to create long steps or gaps where debris and debris could easily accumulate. Furthermore, because the upper portions of the engaging protrusion and supporting protrusion are covered by the hook portion and abutment portion of the mounting bracket, debris and debris are unlikely to accumulate. Even if they do accumulate, they can be easily cleaned and removed.

[0013] In addition, since the hook portion and the abutment portion of the funnel can be formed by shaping a portion of the mounting bracket, other components such as a support rod for hanging on the hanger are not required. Thus, costs can be reduced and the overall lightweight of the funnel can be achieved.

[0014] (2) In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the engaging protrusions are protrudingly provided on both side surfaces of the driving unit, and the supporting protrusions are protrudingly provided on both side surfaces.

[0015] A pair of mounting brackets extend from the funnel body in an opposing manner.

[0016] According to this embodiment, the funnel can be easily mounted on the drive unit only by engaging the hook portions of a pair of opposing mounting brackets extending from the funnel body with the engaging protrusions on both side surfaces of the drive unit, and by abutting the contact portions of the mounting brackets with the supporting protrusions on both side surfaces of the drive unit. In addition, by lifting the funnel body, the engagement between the hook portions and the engaging protrusions can be released and the funnel can be easily disassembled.

[0017] (3) In another embodiment of the present invention, the engaging protrusion protruding from one of the two side surfaces of the driving unit is a boss portion that rotatably supports a driving arm for opening and closing the door.

[0018] According to this embodiment, since the boss portion for pivotally supporting the driving arm is used as an engaging protrusion on one side surface, the number of parts can be reduced and the cost can be lowered compared to a case where a dedicated engaging protrusion is provided independent of the boss portion.

[0019] (4) In still another embodiment of the present invention, the boss portion for pivotally supporting the drive arm is screwed into and mounted on the one side surface of the drive unit.

[0020] According to this embodiment, the boss portion can be mounted simply by screwing the boss portion itself into the side surface of the drive unit, and no other mounting components are required.

[0021] (5) In other embodiments of the present invention, the support protrusions on the two side surfaces of the driving unit are protrudingly provided on a side closer to the funnel body than the engaging protrusions, and the support protrusions abut against the abutting portion of the mounting bracket and support the mounting bracket from below.

[0022] According to this embodiment, the funnel, which is engaged and supported by the engaging protrusions on both sides of the drive unit, tends to rotate downward due to its own weight, with the engaging portions serving as fulcrums. At this time, the supporting protrusions, which protrude closer to the funnel body than the engaging portions, contact the abutment portion of the mounting bracket, thereby reliably supporting the entire funnel in a predetermined position and posture.

[0023] (6) The weighing device according to the present invention is provided with a dispersion feeder for radially distributing and conveying articles, and a plurality of straight feeders for conveying the articles dispersed and conveyed by the dispersion feeder to the outside, on the upper portion of the central base, a plurality of drive units are provided on the outer periphery of the central base, and a plurality of funnels for temporarily holding and discharging articles are detachably mounted on the plurality of drive units, wherein:

[0024] The plurality of funnels respectively use doors to open and close the discharge outlets of the funnel bodies, and the plurality of driving units respectively open and close the doors.

[0025] The measuring device includes the funnel mounting structure described in any one of (1) to (5) above, wherein the funnel mounting structure is configured to detachably mount the plurality of funnels on the plurality of drive units.

[0026] According to the weighing device of the present invention, the drive unit to which the hopper is mounted is provided with an engaging protrusion for engaging with the mounting bracket supporting the hopper, and a supporting protrusion for contacting the abutment portion of the mounting bracket. This eliminates the formation of long steps and gaps where debris and residue from items can easily accumulate. This significantly reduces the effort required for cleaning, compared to cleaning and removing debris and residue from steps and gaps, allowing for easier and faster cleaning.

[0027] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a hopper mounting structure that does not accumulate fragments and residues of the objects to be weighed and that allows for easy cleaning, and a weighing device having the same. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Figure 1 It is a longitudinal sectional front view showing a schematic structure of a combination weighing device as one embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 2 This is a side view of the funnel mounting portion.

[0030] Figure 3 This is a side view of the other side of the funnel mounting portion.

[0031] Figure 4 This is a perspective view of the mounting structure of the measuring funnel as seen from one side.

[0032] Figure 5 This is a perspective view of the installation structure of the metering funnel as viewed from the other side.

[0033] Figure 6 This is a perspective view of the drive unit of the metering funnel as seen from one side.

[0034] Figure 7This is a perspective view of the drive unit of the metering funnel as seen from the other side.

[0035] Figure 8 This is a side view of the installation method of the metering funnel.

[0036] Figure 9 This is the other side view of the installation method of the metering funnel. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0038] Figure 1 It is a longitudinal sectional front view showing a schematic structure of a combination weighing machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] This combination weigher is used, for example, in a packaging line that weighs items such as snacks and other foods and discharges items within a predetermined weight range into a packaging device (not shown) below for bagging.

[0040] In the center of the combination weigher, a central base 1 serving as a substantially cylindrical device body is supported on a base 2 by a plurality of legs 3. The base 2 has an opening extending vertically through which the lower portion of the combination weigher is inserted, and is installed on a floor surface F.

[0041] A dispersion feeder 4 is provided on the upper portion of the central base 1. This dispersion feeder 4 is used to radially disperse and transport items dropped from a supply device (not shown) by vibration. Furthermore, a plurality of straight feeders 5 are radially provided around the dispersion feeder 4. These straight feeders 5 are used to transport the dispersed items directly to the outside by vibration. Furthermore, a supply hopper 6 and a metering hopper 7 are provided below the terminal end of each straight feeder 5. Multiple metering units, each consisting of these straight feeders 5, supply hoppers 6, and metering hoppers 7, are arranged in a circular pattern around the central base 1.

[0042] Below each circular weighing hopper 7, a collecting chute 8 is provided. This collecting chute 8 collects items discharged from a plurality of weighing hoppers 7 selected to form a predetermined weight range. Below this collecting chute 8, a funnel-shaped collecting hopper 9 is provided. This collecting hopper 9 collects items that fall from the collecting chute 8. Furthermore, below this collecting hopper 9, a collecting hopper 10 is provided. This hopper 10 temporarily catches and holds items guided to the center lower portion of the collecting hopper 9, and then opens in response to a discharge request from the packaging device.

[0043] The disperser feeder 4 on the upper portion of the central base 1 includes a top cone 11 for receiving the supplied articles and an exciter (not shown) for vibrating and driving the top cone 11. The linear feeder 5 includes a trough (feed tray) 12 in the inner and outer directions and an exciter (not shown) for vibrating and driving the trough 12.

[0044] Attached to the outer periphery of the center base 1 are a drive unit 13 for opening and closing the door of the supply hopper 6 and a drive unit 14 for opening and closing the door of the weighing hopper 7 and measuring the weight of the items in the weighing hopper 7. The supply hopper 6 and the weighing hopper 7 are detachably attached to these drive units 13 and 14 by hooks.

[0045] Figure 2 This is a side view of the mounting portion of each funnel 6, 7, Figure 3 This is a side view of the other side of the mounting portion of each funnel 6, 7.

[0046] The supply hopper 6 is constructed with a pair of inner and outer doors 6b and 6c supported on a sleek, cylindrical hopper body 6a, open at the top and bottom. These doors 6b and 6c are linked by a synchronization link 15 for synchronized opening and closing. Furthermore, a pair of mounting brackets 16 are welded to the left and right outer surfaces of the hopper body 6a.

[0047] like Figure 2 As shown, on the outer surface of a mounting bracket 16 serving as the driving side for opening and closing the two doors 6b and 6c, a working link 17 is supported in a manner that can rotate around a transverse fulcrum a. The working link 17 is linked to the inner door 6b through a connecting link 18.

[0048] like Figure 2 As shown, a drive arm 19 is pivotally supported on one side of the drive unit 13. This drive arm 19 is rotated forward and reverse about a transverse fulcrum a by a built-in motor. A drive pin 20 on the free end of this drive arm 19 engages with an engaging portion 17a on the end of the operating link 17. Consequently, the inner and outer doors 6b and 6c open and close synchronously with the forward and reverse rotation of the drive arm 19.

[0049] Furthermore, a stopper 16a extends outward from the mounting bracket 16 and is bent to limit the swing limit of the inner door 6b in the closing direction by abutting against the stopper 16a. Thus, the two doors 6b and 6c are maintained in a predetermined hopper closed position.

[0050] Similar to the supply hopper 6, the metering hopper 7 is constructed with a pair of inner and outer doors 7b and 7c supported on a rectangular cylindrical hopper body 7a, open at the top and bottom. These doors 7b and 7c are linked by a synchronization link 21 for synchronized opening and closing. Furthermore, a pair of mounting brackets 22 are welded to the left and right outer surfaces of the hopper body 7a.

[0051] like Figure 2 As shown, a working link 23 is supported rotatably around a lateral fulcrum b on the outer side of a mounting bracket 22 serving as a drive side for opening and closing two doors 7b, 7c. The working link 23 is linked to the inner door 7b by a connecting link 24.

[0052] The driving unit 14 of the measuring funnel 7 includes an upper housing 14a and a lower housing 14b supported so as to be vertically displaceable relative to the upper housing 14a. The load acting on the lower housing 14b is measured by a load cell built into the upper housing 14a.

[0053] like Figure 2 As shown, a drive arm 25 is axially supported on one side of the lower housing 14b, which is rotated forward and reverse about a transverse fulcrum b by a built-in motor. A drive pin 26 on the free end of the drive arm 25 engages with an engaging portion 23a on the end of the operating link 23. As a result, the inner and outer doors 7b and 7c open and close synchronously with the forward and reverse rotation of the drive arm 25. Furthermore, a stopper 22a extends outward from the mounting bracket 22, restraining the inner door 7b by abutting against it, thereby maintaining both doors 7b and 7c in the specified closed hopper position.

[0054] Since the supply funnel 6 and the measuring funnel 7 are detachably mounted on the drive units 13 and 14 in basically the same structure, the mounting structure of the measuring funnel 7 will be described below as a representative example.

[0055] Figure 4 This is a perspective view of the mounting structure of the metering funnel 7 from one side. Figure 2 A perspective view of the working link 23 and the connecting link 24 in the installation structure shown. Figure 5 This is a perspective view of the mounting structure of the measuring funnel 7 as viewed from the other side. Figure 6 This is a perspective view of the drive unit 14 of the metering funnel 7 as viewed from one side. Figure 7 This is a perspective view of the drive unit 14 of the metering funnel 7 as seen from the other side.

[0056] A pair of mounting brackets 22 connected to the left and right sides of the funnel body 7a of the measuring funnel 7 extend to the back side, that is, the drive unit 14 side. The pair of mounting brackets 22 extend in an opposing manner, and a hook portion 27 opening downward is formed at its extended end.

[0057] like Figure 6 As shown, a boss portion 28 is screwed into and fixed to one side of the lower housing 14b of the drive unit 14. This boss portion 28 serves as an engaging protrusion for rotatably supporting the drive arm 25. A portion of this boss portion 28 is formed with a circular portion 28a that securely engages the hook portion 27 of one mounting bracket 22. In other words, the boss portion 28 serves as an engaging protrusion for hooking and supporting the mounting bracket 22. By using the boss portion 28, which rotatably supports the drive arm 25 for opening and closing the doors 7b and 7c, as an engaging protrusion, the number of components can be reduced, thereby lowering costs, compared to a case where a dedicated engaging protrusion is provided separately from the boss portion.

[0058] In addition, if Figure 7 As shown, on the other side of the lower housing 14b, a boss portion 29 as an engagement protrusion is specially screwed in. On a part of this boss portion 29, a circular portion 29a is formed with which the hook portion 27 of another mounting bracket 22 is not loosely engaged.

[0059] Furthermore, support pins 30 serving as support protrusions are screwed and fixed to the outer sides of the bosses 28 and 29 on both side surfaces of the lower housing 14b, that is, on the funnel side.

[0060] Figure 8 It is a side view showing the mounting form of the measuring funnel 7, and is a side view seen from one side. Figure 9 It is a side view showing the mounting mode of the measuring funnel 7, and is a side view seen from the other side.

[0061] Regarding the funnel installation structure with the above structure, as Figure 8 and Figure 9 As shown, the measuring funnel 7 is brought closer to the drive unit 14 mounted on the outer periphery of the center base 1 from the upper outside portion, and the hook portions 27 of the left and right mounting brackets 22 are engaged with the bosses 28 and 29, which are engaging protrusions provided on the left and right side surfaces of the lower housing 14b. Furthermore, the abutment portion 31 formed on the lower edge of the mounting bracket 22 is brought into contact with the support pin 30 of the lower housing 14b.

[0062] The contact portion 31 is a corner portion. The corner portion of the contact portion 31 contacts the support pin 30 from both the upper and inner sides (drive unit side), thereby attaching the measuring funnel 7 to the lower housing 14b in a predetermined posture with limited forward and backward movement and downward rotation, and in a state in which it is positioned in the left-right direction.

[0063] Furthermore, simultaneously with the funnel mounting operation, the operating link 23 is engaged with the driving pin 26, thereby achieving a state in which the opening and closing doors 7b and 7c can be driven.

[0064] Furthermore, the attached measuring funnel 7 can be easily removed by lifting it upward and outward and pulling the hook portion 27 out of the engaging protrusions 28 and 29 .

[0065] As described above, according to this embodiment, in order to mount the measuring funnel 7, it is preferred that bosses 28, 29 for engaging with a pair of mounting brackets 22 supporting the measuring funnel 7 and support pins 30, 30 for abutting against the abutting portions 31, 31 of the mounting brackets 22 are provided on both sides of the drive unit 14. Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, the front surfaces of the upper shell 14a and the lower shell 14b of the drive unit 14, that is, the surfaces opposite to the funnel body 7a of the metering funnel 7, are flat surfaces on which no parts are installed, and there are no steps or gaps as in the above-mentioned patent document 1 in which the flat base portion of the hanger is mounted to the front surface of the drive unit by bolts, etc.

[0066] In this way, since there are no steps or gaps on the front of the upper shell 14a and the lower shell 14b of the drive unit 14, fragments and residues of items will not accumulate. In addition, since the bosses 28, 29 and support pins 30, 30 on the side surfaces of the upper shell 14a and the lower shell 14b are covered by the mounting bracket 22 of the installed metering funnel 7, fragments and residues of items will hardly accumulate, and even if they accumulate, they can be easily cleaned and removed.

[0067] Therefore, compared with Patent Document 1 which requires detailed cleaning to remove fragments and debris of articles accumulated in steps and gaps, the cleaning work can be performed easily and quickly.

[0068] Furthermore, the drive unit 14 can be provided with the bosses 28, 29 and support pins 30, 30 as described above, eliminating the need for a pair of upper and lower hangers as in Patent Document 1. Furthermore, the weighing funnel 7 can be formed by shaping a portion of the pair of mounting brackets 22 to form the hook portion 27 and the abutment portion 31, eliminating the need for a pair of upper and lower support rods on the back of the funnel as in Patent Document 1. This reduces costs and makes the funnel lighter overall.

[0069] [Other embodiments]

[0070] The present invention can also be implemented in the following manner.

[0071] (1) In the above embodiment, the boss portion 28 for axially supporting the drive arm 25 is used as a snap-fitting protrusion for snap-fitting and supporting a hook portion 27 provided on the left and right sides of the metering funnel 7, but the hook portion 27 can also be snap-fitted to a dedicated snap-fitting protrusion provided independently of the boss portion 28 for axially supporting the drive arm 25.

[0072] (2) The support pin 30 may also be constructed by driving the support pin into the side surface of the housing and fixing it.

[0073] (3) In the weighing device of the above embodiment, the plurality of weighing units including the linear feeder 5, the supply hopper 6, and the weighing hopper 7 are arranged in a circle. However, a weighing device in which the plurality of weighing units are arranged in a horizontal row may also be applied.

[0074] Description of Reference Numerals

[0075] 1 Central matrix

[0076] 4 Dispersing feeder

[0077] 5 straight feeder

[0078] 6 Supply Funnel

[0079] 7. Measuring funnel

[0080] 7a Funnel body

[0081] Doors 7b and 7c

[0082] 13, 14 drive units

[0083] 22 Mounting bracket

[0084] 27 Hook

[0085] 28, 29 boss part (engagement protrusion)

[0086] 30 Support pin (support protrusion)

[0087] 31 Butt part

Claims

1. A funnel mounting structure for detachably mounting a funnel that uses a door to open and close a discharge port of a funnel body to a drive unit that drives the door to open and close, wherein: The driving unit has a snap-on protrusion and a supporting protrusion respectively. The funnel is provided with a mounting bracket extending from the funnel body, wherein the mounting bracket has a hook portion engaged with the engaging protrusion and an abutting portion abutting against the supporting protrusion. The funnel is mounted by engaging the hook portion of the mounting bracket with the engaging protrusion of the driving unit and supporting the abutment portion of the mounting bracket with the supporting protrusion of the driving unit. When the funnel is mounted on the driving unit, the hook portion covers an upper portion of the engaging protrusion, and the contact portion covers an upper portion of the supporting protrusion.

2. The funnel mounting structure according to claim 1, wherein: The engaging protrusions are protrudingly provided on both side surfaces of the driving unit, and the supporting protrusions are protrudingly provided on both side surfaces. A pair of mounting brackets extend from the funnel body in an opposing manner.

3. The funnel mounting structure according to claim 2, wherein: The engaging protrusion protruding from one of the two side surfaces of the driving unit is a boss portion that rotatably supports a driving arm for opening and closing the door.

4. The funnel mounting structure according to claim 3, wherein: The boss portion for axially supporting the driving arm is screwed into and mounted on the one side surface of the driving unit.

5. The funnel mounting structure according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein: The support protrusions on the two side surfaces of the driving unit are protrudingly provided on a side closer to the funnel body than the engaging protrusion, and the support protrusions abut against the abutting portion of the mounting bracket to support the mounting bracket from below.

6. A weighing device, comprising a central base body having a scattering feeder for radially distributing and conveying articles, and a plurality of linear feeders for conveying the articles dispersed and conveyed by the scattering feeder to the outside, a plurality of drive units provided on the periphery of the central base body, and a plurality of hoppers for temporarily holding and discharging articles detachably mounted on the plurality of drive units, wherein: The plurality of funnels respectively use doors to open and close the discharge outlets of the funnel bodies, and the plurality of driving units respectively drive the doors to open and close. The measuring device includes the funnel mounting structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the funnel mounting structure is configured to detachably mount the plurality of funnels to the plurality of drive units.

7. A weighing device, comprising a central base body having a dispersion feeder for radially distributing and conveying articles, and a plurality of linear feeders for conveying the articles dispersed and conveyed by the dispersion feeder to the outside, a plurality of drive units provided on the periphery of the central base body, and a plurality of hoppers for temporarily holding and discharging articles detachably mounted on the plurality of drive units, wherein: The plurality of funnels respectively use doors to open and close the discharge outlets of the funnel bodies, and the plurality of driving units respectively drive the doors to open and close. The measuring device includes the funnel mounting structure according to claim 5 , wherein the funnel mounting structure is configured to detachably mount the plurality of funnels to the plurality of drive units.

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