Production management device, production management system, combination weighing device, and packaging device

Abstract

This invention discloses a production management device, a production management system, a combined metering device, and a packaging device. The production management device includes: a communication unit configured to communicate with the combined metering device and the bag-making and packaging device; a management device configured to communicate with the combined metering device and the bag-making and packaging device (3) via the communication unit; and a storage device for storing various information. The management device generates production information and stores it in the storage device. The production information is production information that corresponds to the metering value of the item measured by the combined metering device output at the discharge time of the item discharged from the bag-making and packaging device and the identification information assigned to the packaging film of the item output at the packaging time when the item discharged at the discharge time is packaged in the bag-making and packaging device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] One aspect of the present invention relates to a production management device, a production management system, a combined metering device, and a packaging device. Background Technology

[0002] As production lines for confectionery and the like, a series of production lines are known, including a combined weighing device and a packaging device. The combined weighing device separately weighs items whose individual weights differ, in order to bring them to a target weight. The packaging device manufactures bags from film and houses the items separately weighed by the combined weighing device in the manufactured bags. In Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2004-28821), a recording device is disclosed that assigns a barcode to a bag containing goods manufactured in this way, and stores the inspection results (X-ray image) of the goods with the assigned barcode in a storage memory.

[0003] In such a production line, in addition to the X-ray inspections mentioned above, manual sampling inspections are also performed. This sampling involves selecting the items to be measured in their bagged state, measuring them using static metering, and comparing the results with the data displayed on the combined metering device. Then, based on the results of these sampling inspections, the combined metering device is validated (adjusted). Summary of the Invention

[0004] The technical problem that the invention aims to solve

[0005] Regarding such sampling inspections, it is desirable to efficiently verify (adjust) the combined metering device by retaining records as described above using existing recording devices, without relying on manual inspection work. However, the inspection results require information from upstream processes managing the packaging equipment, which cannot be handled by the existing recording devices that manage inspection results from downstream processes managing the packaging equipment.

[0006] Technical solutions for solving the problem

[0007] Therefore, one aspect of the present invention is to provide a production management device, a production management system, a combined metering device, and a packaging device that can reduce the time required for sampling inspection in a production line including a combined metering device and a packaging device.

[0008] One aspect of the present invention relates to a production management apparatus comprising: a communication unit configured to communicate with a combined metering device and a packaging device, the combined metering device performing combined calculations on articles, and the packaging device packaging the articles discharged from the combined metering device downstream of the combined metering device using packaging material; a management unit configured to communicate with the combined metering device and the packaging device via the communication unit; and a storage unit storing various information, wherein the management unit generates production information and stores the production information in the storage unit, the production information being production information that corresponds to the metering value of the articles measured by the combined metering device output at the discharge timing when the combined metering device discharges the articles to the packaging device, and the identification information assigned to the packaging material of the articles output at the packaging timing when the articles discharged at the discharge timing are packaged in the packaging device.

[0009] In the production management device of this structure, if the identification information of the packaging material containing the packaged items is read, the measurement value of the packaged items can be obtained based on the production information stored in the storage device. This saves time previously spent removing the packaged items from the packaging and measuring them. Consequently, in production lines that include both a combined metering device and a packaging device, the time required for sampling inspection can be reduced.

[0010] In a production management apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention, a management unit can receive measurement information from a combined measurement device that maps measurement values ​​to calculation numbers corresponding to combined calculations, and receive packaging information from a packaging device that maps calculation numbers to identification information output at a packaging time, and generate production information based on the measurement information and packaging information. In this production management apparatus, the measurement value of an article can be mapped to the identification information assigned to the packaging material using the calculation number as a key.

[0011] In a production management apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention, the measurement information, as information corresponding to the calculation number, may include, in addition to the measurement value, information related to the combined measuring device used when performing combined measurement. In this production management apparatus, instead of simply mapping measurement values ​​to identification information, it is possible to map and store information related to the combined measuring device used when performing other combined measurements to the calculation number. As a result, not only can the measurement value of each packaged item be known, but the status of the combined measuring device when the items identified by the identification information are combined and measured can also be known afterward.

[0012] In a production management apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention, the packaging information, as information corresponding to the calculation number, may include, in addition to identification information, information related to the packaging apparatus when packaging the items. In this production management apparatus, instead of simply mapping measurement values ​​to identification information, it is possible to map and store information related to the packaging apparatus when other items are packaged to the calculation number. As a result, not only can the measurement value of each packaged item be known, but the status of the packaging apparatus when the items are packaged can also be known afterward.

[0013] One aspect of the present invention relates to a production management system comprising: a combined metering device for performing combined calculations on articles; a packaging device configured to communicate with the combined metering device and to package articles discharged from the combined metering device downstream of the combined metering device using packaging materials; a management device configured to communicate with both the combined metering device and the packaging device; and a storage device for storing various information, wherein the management device generates production information and stores the production information in the storage device, the production information being production information that corresponds to a metering value related to the article measured by the combined metering device and output at the discharge timing when the combined metering device discharges the article to the packaging device, and identification information assigned to the packaging material of the article and output at the packaging timing when the article corresponding to the metering value is packaged in the packaging device.

[0014] In this production management system, by reading the identification information of the packaging material containing the items, the measurement value of the packaged items can be obtained based on the production information stored in the storage device. This saves time previously spent removing the packaged items from the packaging and measuring them. Consequently, in production lines that include both a combined metering device and a packaging device, the time required for sampling inspection can be reduced.

[0015] In a production management system according to one aspect of the present invention, a combined metering device can output a calculation number generated from each combined calculation performed at the discharge timing to the packaging device, and output metering information that maps the metered value to the calculation number to the management device. The packaging device receives the calculation number output from the combined metering device, and outputs packaging information that maps the received calculation number to the identification information output at the packaging timing to the management device. The management device generates the production information based on the metering information received from the combined metering device and the packaging information received from the packaging device. In this production management system, the metered value of an item can be mapped to the identification information assigned to the packaging material using the calculation number as a key.

[0016] In a production management system according to one aspect of the present invention, the measurement information, as information corresponding to the calculation number, may include, in addition to the measurement value, information related to the combined measuring device used when performing the combined calculation. In this production management system, instead of simply mapping measurement values ​​to identification information, other information can be mapped to the calculation number and stored. As a result, not only can the measurement value of each packaged item be known, but the status of the combined measuring device can also be known retrospectively when the items identified by the identification information are combined and measured.

[0017] In a production management system according to one aspect of the present invention, the packaging information, as information corresponding to the calculation number, may include, in addition to identification information, information related to the packaging apparatus when packaging the goods. In this production management system, instead of simply mapping measurement values ​​to identification information, other information can be mapped to the calculation number and stored. As a result, not only can the measurement value of each packaged item be known, but the status of the packaging apparatus when packaging the goods can also be known afterward.

[0018] In a combined metering device for a production management system according to one aspect of the present invention, the timing of sending metering information to the management device and the timing of sending calculated numbers to the packaging device are different. In this production management system, by changing the mutual sending timings, the communication load or processing load can be reduced. In other words, the timing of sending information needed immediately during production to the packaging device can be prioritized over the timing of sending information to the management device. By differentiating the sending timings in this way, the communication load or processing load can be reduced.

[0019] One aspect of the present invention relates to a combined metering device for performing combined calculations on articles. The combined metering device includes: a communication unit configured to communicate with a packaging device and a management device, the packaging device being downstream of the combined metering device and using packaging material to package articles discharged from the combined metering device; and a control unit that, at the timing of discharging articles from the packaging device, outputs a calculation number generated each time the combined calculation is performed to the packaging device, and outputs measurement information that maps the article-related measurement values ​​obtained through the combined calculations to the calculation number to the management device.

[0020] In this combined metering device, the information required to generate production information can be output to a management device. This production information corresponds to the metering value related to the item, output by the combined metering device at the time of discharging the item from the packaging device, and the identification information assigned to the packaging material, output at the time of packaging the item corresponding to the metering value in the packaging device. This saves time compared to the operation of removing the packaged item from the packaging and measuring it. As a result, in a production line including both the combined metering device and the packaging device, the time required for sampling inspection can be reduced.

[0021] In the control unit of the combined metering device according to one aspect of the present invention, the timing of sending metering information to the management device and the timing of sending the calculated number to the packaging device can be different. In this combined metering device, by changing the mutual sending timing, the communication load can be reduced. In other words, the timing of sending information needed immediately during production to the packaging device can be prioritized over the timing of sending information to the management device. By differentiating the sending timings in this way, the communication load or processing load can be reduced.

[0022] One aspect of the present invention relates to a packaging apparatus that packages articles discharged from a combination metering device using packaging material downstream of the combination metering device for performing combination calculations on articles. The packaging apparatus includes: a communication unit configured to communicate with the combination metering device and a management device that manages the packaging apparatus; and a control unit that receives a calculation number generated each time the combination calculation is performed at a discharge timing when the articles are discharged from the combination metering device, and outputs packaging information to the management device. The packaging information is packaging information that corresponds the calculation number to identification information assigned to the packaging material of the articles at a packaging timing when the articles are packaged from the combination metering device.

[0023] In this packaging apparatus, the information required to generate production information can be output to a management device. This production information corresponds to the metering value related to the item, output by the combined metering device at the time of discharging the item from the packaging device, and the identification information assigned to the packaging material corresponding to the item, output at the time of packaging in the packaging device. This saves time previously spent removing the packaged item from the packaging and measuring it. Consequently, in production lines including the combined metering device and the packaging device, the time required for sampling inspection can be reduced.

[0024] Invention Effects

[0025] According to one aspect of the invention, in a production line that includes a combined metering device and a packaging device, the time required for sampling inspection can be reduced. Attached Figure Description

[0026] Figure 1 This is a general structure of a production line managed by a production management system involved in one implementation method.

[0027] Figure 2 It is a diagram showing the general structure of the combined metering device.

[0028] Figure 3 This is a diagram showing the general structure of a bag-making and packaging device.

[0029] Figure 4 It is a block diagram representing the functional structure of the production management system.

[0030] Figure 5A This is a diagram illustrating an example of measurement information. Figure 5B This is an example of a diagram representing packaging information.

[0031] Figure 6A This is an example diagram showing weight check information. Figure 6B This is an example diagram showing bag thickness inspection information. Figure 6C This is a diagram representing an example of production information. Detailed Implementation

[0032] Hereinafter, a production management system 100 according to one embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are labeled with the same symbols, and repeated descriptions are omitted.

[0033] like Figure 1 As shown, the production management system 100 includes at least a combined metering device 1, a bag-making and packaging device (packaging device) 3, and a production management device 10. Based on these structures, the production management system 100 also includes a weight inspection device 5, a seal inspection device 6, and a boxing device 7. The device assembly consisting of the combined metering device 1, the bag-making and packaging device 3, the weight inspection device 5, the seal inspection device 6, and the boxing device 7 constitutes a production line that performs the measurement and packaging of item A to the inspection and boxing of commodity M. Item A is, for example, an item whose individual weight may vary, such as snacks, agricultural products, aquatic products, or processed foods.

[0034] The combined measuring device 1 is a device for performing combined calculations on item A. For the combined measuring device 1, as follows... Figure 2As shown, the combined metering device 1 includes an input chute 12, a dispersing feeder 13, multiple radial feeders 14, multiple storage hoppers 15, multiple metering hoppers 16, an collecting chute 17, a timing hopper 18, a metering unit 11, a display and operation unit 24, a communication unit 26, and a control unit 22. The combined metering device 1 repeatedly performs the following cycle: Item A is fed into multiple metering hoppers 16 and metered; based on the obtained metering values ​​of each item in the multiple metering hoppers 16, a combination of multiple metering hoppers 16 is determined; from the determined combinations, a combination of items A that is close to the target weight value is selected; and the item is discharged from the multiple metering hoppers 16 involved in the selected combination.

[0035] The metering unit 11 is disposed within a housing 21 supported by a frame 20. The metering unit 11 has a plurality of force sensors 11A. Each force sensor 11A supports a corresponding metering hopper 16. When the metering unit 11 temporarily stores an item A in each metering hopper 16, it measures (obtains) the weight value of each metering hopper (a measurement value corresponding to the mass of item A). In this embodiment, the metering unit 11 performs real-time measurement (successive measurement) in at least one of the plurality of metering hoppers 16 to obtain a time-series measurement value.

[0036] The communication unit 26 is an interface capable of communicating with other devices. The communication unit 26 is configured to communicate with the bag-making and packaging device 3 and the management device 8. Communication between the bag-making and packaging device 3 and the management device 8 can be wired or wireless.

[0037] The control unit 22 is housed within the casing 21. The control unit 22 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), and RAM (Random Access Memory). The control unit 22 controls the various components constituting the combined metering device 1. For example... Figure 4 As shown, the control unit 22 is communicatively connected to the bag making and packaging device 3 and the management device 8 via the communication unit 26.

[0038] The control unit 22 associates and stores the measurement values ​​measured by the measurement unit 11 with the metering hoppers 16 that store the corresponding items A. The control unit 22 selects a combination of items A from the multiple measurement values ​​measured by the measurement unit 11 and corresponding to each metering hopper 16, with the total value being the target weight value. More specifically, the control unit 22 combines the measurement values ​​of each item A output by each measurement unit 11 and selects a combination of items A whose combined total value is close to the target weight value and converges within a specified range (performing a combination calculation). Then, the control unit 22 discharges items A from the metering hoppers 16 of the calculated combination.

[0039] The control unit 22 issues (generates) a calculation number each time a combined calculation is performed. More specifically, as... Figure 5A As shown, the control unit 22 generates measurement information T1 that associates at least the measurement value with the calculation number generated each time the combined calculation is performed. The measurement value is a value close to the target weight value calculated by combining the measurement values ​​of the force sensors 11A corresponding to the multiple metering hoppers 16. In the measurement information T1 of this embodiment, in addition to the measurement value, as information corresponding to the calculation number, it also includes information related to the combined metering device when the combined calculation is performed. Examples of information related to the combined metering device include time information when the combined calculation is performed, i.e., timestamp 1, the number of metering hoppers 16 used in the combined calculation, i.e., the number of heads, and hopper determination information for determining the metering hoppers 16 used in the combined calculation, etc.

[0040] like Figure 4 As shown, the control unit 22 outputs a calculation number generated each time the combination calculation is performed when discharging item A from the bag-making and packaging device 3. Item A discharged from the metering hopper 16 selected during the combination calculation is discharged together with the item A from the timing hopper 18 via the aforementioned linkage mechanism. The control unit 22 controls the aforementioned linkage mechanism and monitors the timing of the discharge of item A from the metering hopper 16 selected during the combination calculation from the timing hopper 18. Therefore, the control unit 22 can output the discharge timing of item A discharged from the bag-making and packaging device 3.

[0041] Furthermore, the control unit 22 outputs the aforementioned metering information T1 to the management device 8 via the communication unit 26. The timing of the control unit 22 outputting the metering information T1 to the management device 8 differs from the timing of sending the calculation number to the bag-making and packaging device 3. In other words, in the control unit 22, the timing of sending the calculation number to the bag-making and packaging device 3 differs from the timing of sending the metering information T1 to the management device 8. For example, the control unit 22 sends the metering number to the bag-making and packaging device 3 before the timing of sending the metering information T1 to the management device 8. Therefore, it is possible to send the information required for production in real time while reducing the communication load or processing load of the control unit 22 and the communication unit 26.

[0042] Figure 1 The bag-making and packaging apparatus 3 shown is an apparatus that simultaneously makes bags for packaged items A and packages items A calculated by the combined metering device 1 to manufacture product M. For example... Figure 3 As shown, the bag-making and packaging apparatus 3 bags the article A supplied by the combined metering device 1. The bag-making and packaging apparatus 3 includes a bag-making and packaging unit 31, a film supply unit 37, a printing unit 40, a display and operation unit 44, and a control unit 42.

[0043] The printing unit 40 prints (assigns) a bag serial number (identification information) for identifying bag B on the packaging film (packaging material) F that forms bag B. The bag serial number is, for example, a number that can uniquely distinguish bags B manufactured within a certain period. The bag serial number printed by the printing unit 40 is obtained by the control unit 42.

[0044] The communication unit 46 is an interface capable of communicating with other devices. The communication unit 46 is configured to communicate with the combined metering device 1 and the management device 8. Communication between the combined metering device 1 and the management device 8 can be wired or wireless.

[0045] The control unit 42 is located inside the main body (not shown) of the bag-making and packaging apparatus 3. The control unit 42 includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc. The control unit 42 controls the various components constituting the bag-making and packaging apparatus 3. The control unit 42 is communicatively connected to the combined metering device 1 and the management device 8 via the communication unit 46.

[0046] The control unit 42 assigns the bag serial number (identification information) that is output at the time of packaging of the article A discharged from the combined metering device 1 to the packaging film F (i.e., bag B) of article A. More specifically, the control unit 42 issues (generates) the bag serial number each time bag B is formed, and controls the printing unit 40 to print the issued bag serial number on the bag B containing the article A discharged from the combined metering device 1.

[0047] The control unit 42 receives, via the communication unit 46, the calculation number generated each time the combined calculation is performed when the article A is discharged from the combined metering device. Then, as... Figure 5B As shown, the control unit 42 generates packaging information T2, which is calculated and corresponds to the bag serial number assigned to the packaging film F of item A at the timed output of the packaging of item A discharged from the combined metering device 1. Figure 4 As shown, the control unit 42 outputs the packaging information T2 to the management device 8 via the communication unit 46.

[0048] In the packaging information T2 of this embodiment, in addition to the bag serial number, the information corresponding to the calculation number also includes information related to the bag-making and packaging device 3 when packaging the article A discharged from the combined metering device. Examples of the information related to the bag-making and packaging device 3 include time information, i.e., timestamp 2, when the bag-making and packaging device 3 is implemented, and information such as whether there was biting when packaging the article A.

[0049] The weight checking device 5 is a device for checking the weight of the commodity M manufactured in the bag-making and packaging device 3. For example... Figure 6AAs shown, the weight inspection device 5 generates weight inspection information T3, which corresponds to the bag serial number read by the camera 51, the weight value inspected by the weight inspection device 5, and the inspection time (timestamp 3). Figure 4 As shown, the control unit outputs the weight check information T3 to the management device 8 via the communication unit 53.

[0050] The sealing inspection device 6 is used to check the thickness of the bag containing product M and whether there is any air leakage. For example... Figure 6B As shown, the sealing inspection device 6 generates bag thickness inspection information T4, which is a combination of the bag serial number read by the camera 61, the bag thickness inspected by the sealing inspection device 6, and the inspection time (timestamp 4). Figure 4 As shown, the control unit outputs bag thickness inspection information T4 to the management device 8 via the communication unit 63. The packing device 7 is a device for packing goods M into corrugated cartons. The packing device 7 packs multiple goods M into corrugated cartons and conveys them to downstream processes.

[0051] like Figure 4 As shown, the production management device 10 includes a communication unit 83, a management unit 8, and a storage unit 9. The communication unit 83 is an interface capable of communicating with other devices. The communication unit 83 is configured to communicate with the combined metering device 1, the bag making and packaging device 3, the weight checking device 5, the seal checking device 6, and the boxing device 7. Communication with other devices can be wired or wireless.

[0052] Management device 8 is a device that integrates and manages the combined metering device 1, bag making and packaging device 3, weight checking device 5, seal checking device 6, boxing device 7, and storage device 9. Management device 8 is a computer device equipped with a CPU, ROM, and RAM. Management device 8 generates... Figure 6C The production information T5 shown is stored in the storage device 9. The production information T5 corresponds to the total value of the item A measured by the combined metering device 1 at the discharge time of the item A discharged by the combined metering device 1 to the bag making and packaging device 3, and the bag serial number assigned to the packaging film F of item A at the packaging time of the item A discharged at the discharge time and packaged in the bag making and packaging device 3.

[0053] like Figure 4 As shown, in this embodiment, the management device 8 receives from the combined metering device 1 a number that corresponds to the measurement value and the calculation number for the combined calculation. Figure 5A The measurement information T1 is shown. Additionally, the management device 8 receives from the bag-making and packaging device 3 the information that matches the calculated number with the identification information output at the packaging time. Figure 5BThe packaging information T2 is shown. Then, the management device 8 combines the metering information T1 received from the combined metering device 1 and the packaging information T2 received from the bag making and packaging device 3, using the calculation number as the key, to generate production information T5.

[0054] Storage device 9 is a device that stores production information T5 generated by management device 8 (described in detail later). Storage device 9 is a device such as a hard disk drive or a solid state drive. Storage device 9 stores production information T5 generated by management device 8.

[0055] The effects of the production management system 100 described in the above embodiment will be explained. In the production management system 100 of the above embodiment, if the bag serial number printed on the packaging film F containing the item A is read, the measurement value of the packaged item A can be obtained based on the production information T5 stored in the storage device 9. This saves the time required for measuring the item A after removing it from the packaging. As a result, in a production line including the combined metering device 1 and the bag-making and packaging device 3, the time required for sampling inspection can be reduced.

[0056] In the production management system 100 of the above embodiment, the combined metering device 1 outputs the calculation number generated by each combined calculation to the bag-making and packaging device 3 at the discharge timing, and outputs the metering information T1 that maps the metered value to the calculation number to the management device 8. The bag-making and packaging device 3 receives the calculation number output from the combined metering device 1 and outputs packaging information T2 to the management device 8, which maps the received calculation number to the bag serial number output at the packaging timing. The management device 8 generates production information T5 based on the metering information T1 received from the combined metering device 1 and the packaging information T2 received from the bag-making and packaging device 3. Thus, the metered value of item A can be mapped to the bag serial number assigned to the packaging film F using the calculation number as a key.

[0057] In the production management system 100 described above, instead of simply mapping the measurement value to the bag serial number, it is possible to map and store information such as the number of heads, hopper determination information, and time information (time stamp) used for combination calculation to the calculation number. Therefore, it is possible not only to know the measurement value of each packaged item, but also to know the status of the combination metering device 1 when item A of item M determined by the bag serial number is combined and measured.

[0058] In the production management system 100 described above, instead of simply mapping the measurement value to the bag serial number, it is possible to map and store the time information (time stamp) of the bag-making and packaging device 3 during operation, information such as whether the item A was bitten during packaging, and the calculated number. Therefore, it is possible not only to know the measurement value of each packaged item M, but also to know the status of the bag-making and packaging device 3 when item A was packaged.

[0059] In the combined metering device 1 of the production management system 100 described above, the timing of sending the metering information T1 to the management device 8 and the timing of sending the calculation number to the bag making and packaging device 3 are different. By changing the mutual sending timing, the communication load can be reduced.

[0060] The above description describes one embodiment, but one aspect of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. Various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the disclosure.

[0061] In the above embodiments, examples of calculation numbers issued by the combined metering device 1 consisting of combinations of numerical values ​​and English letters have been given. However, for example, numbers only, English letters only, or combinations of these and symbols can be arbitrary, as long as they can be distinguished from other metering devices. The same applies to the bag serial numbers issued by the bag making and packaging device 3.

[0062] In the above embodiments and variations, examples of printing bag serial numbers on bags manufactured by the bag-making and packaging apparatus 3 have been given, but the embodiments are not limited thereto. For example, an IC tag storing the bag serial number may be installed, or a code (one-dimensional barcode, two-dimensional barcode, pattern, color, design, color) that can be uniquely converted into the bag serial number may be installed.

[0063] In the above embodiments and variations, an example was given in which the bag-making and packaging device 3 seals the article A into a bag B and prints the bag serial number on the sealed bag B. However, it is also possible to pre-assign a bag serial number to the packaging film F, and generate (obtain) the bag serial number by reading the bag serial number printed on the sealed bag B using a camera or the like.

[0064] In the above embodiments and variations, an example of the combined metering device 1 sending a calculated number to the bag making and packaging device 3 has been described. However, it is also possible for the combined metering device 1 to send a metering value to the bag making and packaging device 3, and for the bag making and packaging device 3 to output packaging information that associates the metering value with the bag serial number and send it to the management device 8. The management device 8 stores the packaging information received from the bag making and packaging device 3 in the storage device 9.

[0065] In the above embodiments and variations, examples of production lines consisting of a group of devices including a combined metering device 1, a bag-making and packaging device 3, a weight checking device 5, a sealing checking device 6, and a box-packing device 7 have been described. However, as long as the combined metering device 1 and the bag-making and packaging device 3 are included, it is not necessary to exclude all of the weight checking device 5, the sealing checking device 6, and the box-packing device 7, or it may only include a portion of the devices, or it may include other devices. In addition, regardless of the devices constituting the production line, the management device 8 may at least store packaging information associated with the measurement value and the bag serial number of the bag B containing the item A corresponding to that measurement value in the storage device 9.

[0066] In the above embodiments and variations, an example of a packaging device is described, which uses a device that stores article A in the manufactured bag B while manufacturing bag B. However, it can also be applied to a device that stores article A in a pre-manufactured bag B.

[0067] In addition to the functions of the management device 8 in the above-described embodiments and variations, a combined metering (hereinafter referred to as inspection metering) may also be provided. This combined metering checks whether the measurement value of the item A contained in bag B, determined by the bag serial number obtained as production information T5, is consistent with the measurement value obtained from production information T5. Specifically, the management device 8 controls the control unit 22 of the combined metering device 1 in such a way that the weight measured at a predetermined time is greater than the target weight value set in the combined metering device 1 by a weight value (e.g., a 5% increment).

[0068] Furthermore, at predetermined time intervals, there may be a pattern of performing a check measurement every few normal measurements, or a pattern of performing 1 normal measurement → 1 check measurement → 2 normal measurements → 1 check measurement → 3 normal measurements → 1 check measurement, etc. The management device 8 can also check whether the measurement value of the item A contained in bag B, determined by the bag serial number obtained as production information T5, is consistent with the measurement value obtained by the weight inspection device 5, based on whether the measurement number, measurement value, and weight value obtained by the weight inspection device 5 are approximately consistent, and whether the occurrence pattern of the measurement value during the check measurement is consistent with the aforementioned predetermined time intervals.

Claims

1. A production management apparatus comprising: a communication section configured to be able to communicate with a combination weighing apparatus and a packaging apparatus, the combination weighing apparatus performing combination weighing of articles, the packaging apparatus performing packaging of the articles discharged from the combination weighing apparatus using a packaging material downstream of the combination weighing apparatus; a management section configured to be able to communicate with the combination weighing apparatus and the packaging apparatus via the communication section; and a storage section storing various information, the management section generating and storing in the storage section production information that corresponds the measured value of the articles measured by the combination weighing apparatus output at the discharge timing at which the combination weighing apparatus discharges the articles to the packaging apparatus to identification information imparted to the packaging material of the articles output at the packaging timing at which the articles are packaged in the packaging apparatus, the identification information being a bag serial number of a bag packaged by the packaging apparatus, the management section receiving from the combination weighing apparatus measurement information that corresponds the measured value, the number of measuring hoppers used in the combination weighing, hopper determination information that determines the measuring hoppers used in the combination weighing, and a calculation number corresponding to the combination weighing, and receiving from the packaging apparatus packaging information that corresponds the calculation number to the identification information output at the packaging timing, and generating the production information based on the measurement information and the packaging information.

2. The production management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein in the packaging information, as information corresponding to the calculation number, information related to the packaging apparatus at the time of packaging the articles is included in addition to the identification information.

3. A production management system comprising: a combination weighing apparatus performing combination weighing of articles; a packaging apparatus configured to be able to communicate with the combination weighing apparatus and performing packaging of the articles discharged from the combination weighing apparatus using a packaging material downstream of the combination weighing apparatus; a management apparatus configured to be able to communicate with the combination weighing apparatus and the packaging apparatus; and a storage apparatus storing various information, the management apparatus generating and storing in the storage apparatus production information that corresponds the measured value related to the articles measured by the combination weighing apparatus output at the discharge timing at which the combination weighing apparatus discharges the articles to the packaging apparatus to identification information imparted to the packaging material of the articles output at the packaging timing at which the articles corresponding to the measured value are packaged in the packaging apparatus, the identification information being a bag serial number of a bag packaged by the packaging apparatus. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ The management device receives, from the combination weighing device, weighing information that corresponds the number of times of weighing, the number of heads of the weighing hoppers used in the combination weighing, hopper determination information that determines the weighing hoppers used in the combination weighing, and the calculation number corresponding to the combination weighing, and receives, from the packaging device, packaging information that corresponds the calculation number and the identification information output at the packaging timing, and generates the production information based on the weighing information and the packaging information.

4. The production management system according to claim 3, wherein the combination weighing device outputs the calculation number generated each time the combination weighing is performed to the packaging device at the discharge timing, the packaging device receives the calculation number output from the combination weighing device, and outputs, to the management device, the packaging information that corresponds the received calculation number and the identification information output at the packaging timing, the management device generates the production information based on the weighing information received from the combination weighing device and the packaging information received from the packaging device.

5. The production management system according to claim 3 or 4, wherein in the packaging information, as information corresponding to the calculation number, information related to the packaging device at the time of packaging the article is included in addition to the identification information.

6. The production management system according to claim 3 or 4, wherein in the combination weighing device, the timing at which the weighing information is sent out to the management device and the timing at which the calculation number is sent out to the packaging device are different from each other.

7. A combination weighing device that performs combination weighing of an article, wherein the combination weighing device is provided with: a communication section that is configured to be able to communicate with a packaging device and a management device, the packaging device packaging the article discharged from the combination weighing device with a packaging material downstream of the combination weighing device, and the management device managing the combination weighing device; and a control section that outputs, to the packaging device, a calculation number generated each time the combination weighing is performed at a discharge timing at which the article is discharged to the packaging device, and outputs, to the management device, weighing information that corresponds the calculation number and a weighing value related to the article weighed by the combination weighing, the packaging material has identification information that is a bag serial number of a bag packaged by the packaging device, the management device receives, from the combination weighing device, weighing information that corresponds the number of times of weighing, the number of heads of the weighing hoppers used in the combination weighing, hopper determination information that determines the weighing hoppers used in the combination weighing, and the calculation number corresponding to the combination weighing, and receives, from the packaging device, packaging information that corresponds the calculation number and the identification information output at the packaging timing, and generates production information based on the weighing information and the packaging information.

8. The combination weighing device according to claim 7, wherein ​ In the control section, the timing of sending out the metering information to the management device and the timing of sending out the calculation number to the packaging device are different from each other.

9. A packaging device that packages articles discharged from a combination metering device that performs combination metering on articles downstream of the combination metering device with a packaging material, wherein the packaging device is provided with a communication section that is configured to be able to communicate with the combination metering device and a management device that manages the packaging device; and a control section that receives a calculation number generated each time the combination metering is performed at a discharge timing at which the articles are discharged from the combination metering device, and outputs packaging information to the management device, the packaging information being packaging information that corresponds the calculation number to identification information that is given to the packaging material for the articles at a packaging timing at which the articles discharged from the combination metering device are packaged, the identification information being a bag serial number of a bag that is packaged by the packaging device, the management device receives, from the combination metering device, metering information that corresponds a metering value, a head count of a metering hopper used in the combination metering, hopper determination information that determines the metering hopper used in the combination metering, and a calculation number corresponding to the combination metering, and receives the packaging information from the packaging device, and generates production information based on the metering information and the packaging information.

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