Commodity processing system

Abstract

To provide a commodity processing system that can prevent processed commodities having different specifications for each shop from being conveyed to a downstream step while being mixed together.SOLUTION: A commodity processing system S is provided with: a first conveying part 10 that conveys a commodity P1; a plurality of commodity processing devices 1A and 1B, arranged in parallel along a conveying direction of the first conveying part, which apply first processing to the commodity; a plurality of feeding-in parts 30A and 30B, provided in the plurality of commodity processing devices respectively, which feed the commodity conveyed by the first conveying part into the commodity processing devices; a second conveying part 20 that receives processed commodities discharged from the plurality of commodity processing devices respectively and then conveys the commodities to a downstream step; an obtaining part 61 that obtains the number that is the total number of commodities fed-into by the plurality of feeding-in parts; and a control part 63 that when determining that the first number has reached a preset production-scheduled number, stops the feeding-int of the commodities by the plurality of feeding-in parts.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] One aspect of the present invention relates to a product processing system. [Background technology]

[0002] There is a known product processing device (stretch wrapping machine) that carries weighed products in via a conveyor, pushes the products up against a film stretched above the lift by using an internal lift, and folds the end of the film over the bottom of the product to wrap it. For example, in a packing center that delivers products to multiple stores, the product processing device attaches printed labels to the packaged products according to the specifications of each store (such as the presence or absence of sale items and differences in product unit price) based on the number of orders from the stores, and then delivers the products to each store.

[0003] In recent years, there has been an increasing demand for faster processing capabilities. For example, even in the above-mentioned conventional product processing devices, it has become possible to process products without significantly reducing the processing speed by controlling the loading process and the pushing up process independently, but there is a limit to how fast the processing speed can be increased. Therefore, it is conceivable to arrange multiple product processing devices in parallel along a first conveying section for products conveyed from an upstream process, and to convey processed products discharged individually from the multiple product processing devices to a downstream process by a single (common) second conveying section. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-183420 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, when multiple product processing devices are arranged in parallel as described above and processed products are discharged from the product processing devices at their respective processing speeds to the second conveying section, the conveying order in the second conveying section may be switched between products discharged from the upstream product processing device and products discharged from the downstream product processing device. In this case, if the products are destined for the same store, there is no problem even if the conveying order is switched, but if the products are destined for different stores, problems may occur. For example, before the downstream product processing device discharges the last product destined for the first store, the upstream product processing device discharges the first product destined for the next second store and conveys it to the downstream product processing device. If the conveying order is switched in this way, problems are likely to occur in the downstream process of sorting by store, such as products destined for one store being mixed in a conveying container destined for another store.

[0006] Therefore, an object of one aspect of the present invention is to provide a product processing system that can prevent processed products with different specifications from each store from being transported to a downstream process in a mixed state. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] (1) A product processing system according to one aspect of the present invention is a product processing system that processes a predetermined planned production quantity of products, and comprises a first conveying section that conveys the products, a plurality of product processing devices arranged in parallel along the conveying direction of the first conveying section and that perform a first processing on the products, a plurality of feeding sections provided for each of the plurality of product processing devices and feeding the products conveyed by the first conveying section to the product processing devices, a second conveying section that receives processed products discharged from each of the plurality of product processing devices and conveys them downstream, an acquisition section that acquires a first number which is the total number of products fed by the plurality of feeding sections, and a control section that controls the feeding sections, and when the control section determines that the first number has reached the predetermined planned production quantity, it stops the feeding of the products by the plurality of feeding sections.

[0008] In the product processing system having this configuration, when it is determined that the first number, which is the total number of products sent by the multiple sending units, has reached a preset planned production number, the sending units stop sending products. Therefore, products intended for different stores are not processed by multiple product processing devices. As a result, it is possible to prevent processed products with different specifications from each store from being transported to a downstream process in a mixed state.

[0009] (2) In the product processing system described in (1) above, the acquisition unit may acquire a second number, which is the total number of processed products transported by the second transport unit, and the control unit may operate the stopped feed unit to feed products when it determines that the second number has reached a preset planned production number. In this configuration, the operation of the feed unit may be resumed when the second transport unit has finished discharging processed products of the same specifications downstream. This allows the next product to be processed with different specifications to be sent to each product processing device.

[0010] (3) The product processing system described in (1) or (2) above may further include a storage unit that stores a planned production quantity preset for each store, and when the control unit determines that the first quantity has reached the planned production quantity for the store currently being processed, it may stop the sending of products by the multiple sending units, and when it starts sending products by the stopped sending unit, it may set the planned production quantity for the store to be processed next. With this configuration, it is possible to operate multiple product processing devices on a store-by-store basis.

[0011] (4) In the product processing system described in any one of (1) to (3) above, the product processing device may determine whether or not a product is suitable for the first processing, and may subject products determined to be unsuitable for the first processing to a second processing different from the first processing and discharge the products to the second conveying section, and the control section may determine whether or not a number obtained by subtracting the number of products that have been subjected to the second processing from the first number when the products that have been subjected to the second processing are discharged by the product processing device reaches a predetermined planned production number. The second processing here includes not performing the processing that would be performed on normal products, or processing the products in such a manner that it is clear that the products are not normal. In this configuration, the number of products that have been subjected to the second processing is subtracted from the number of products sent to the product processing device, so that the planned production number of normal products can be reliably produced.

[0012] (5) In the product processing system described in any one of (1) to (4) above, the product processing device may be a weighing, packaging, and pricing device including a weighing unit that weighs products sent by a sending unit, a packaging unit that packages the products weighed by the weighing unit in film, a label issuing unit that prints and issues a label indicating the weight of the product weighed by the weighing unit, and a label application unit that applies the label issued by the label issuing unit to the product packaged by the packaging unit. In this configuration, in a configuration in which products transported from an upstream process are subjected to weighing, packaging, label issuing, and label application processes (these processes may be collectively referred to as pricing processes) by multiple weighing, packaging, and pricing devices and the processed products are transported to a downstream process, it is possible to prevent processed products with different specifications from each store from being transported to the downstream process in a mixed state.

[0013] (6) In the product processing system described in (4) above, the product processing device is a weighing, packaging, and pricing device including a weighing unit that weighs products sent by a sending unit, a packaging unit that packages the products weighed by the weighing unit in film, a label issuing unit that issues a label on which the weight of the product weighed by the weighing unit is printed, and a labeling unit that affixes the label issued by the label issuing unit to the product packaged by the packaging unit, and the control unit may determine that the product is not suitable for the first processing if the weight or price of the product is not within a predetermined range. In this configuration, in a configuration in which products transported from an upstream process are weighed, packaged, and priced by multiple weighing, packaging, and pricing devices and then transported to a downstream process, it is possible to prevent processed products with different specifications from being transported to the downstream process in a mixed state. Furthermore, in this configuration, products whose weight or price are not within a predetermined range can be automatically rejected. Effect of the Invention

[0014] According to one aspect of the present invention, for example, it is possible to prevent processed products with different specifications from each store from being transported to a downstream process in a mixed state. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a packaging system according to one embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the packaging system of FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the packaging system of FIG. [Figure 4] 4(A) and 4(B) are diagrams for explaining the effects of the packaging system according to one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] A packaging system (product processing system) S according to one embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are given the same reference numerals, and duplicated description will be omitted. In the following description, the terms "upper" and "lower" correspond to the up and down vertical directions as shown in Fig. 1, and the terms "upper" and "downstream" refer to the upstream and downstream sides in the conveying direction D1 of the product P1. In addition, the upstream side of the conveying direction D1 in Figs. 1 and 2 may be referred to as the left side, and the downstream side of the conveying direction D1 may be referred to as the right side.

[0017] First, the basic configuration of a packaging system S according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. A product P1 to be weighed and packaged in the packaging system S is, for example, a tray and food placed or contained on the tray. The packaging system S is a device that weighs the product P1, packages the product P1, issues a print label on which information about the product P1 is printed, and attaches the issued print label to the top surface of the packaged product P1.

[0018] The packaging system S comprises a first transport conveyor (first transport section) 10, an upstream packaging device (product processing device) 1A arranged in the above-mentioned direction, a downstream packaging device (product processing device) 1B, a second transport conveyor (second transport section) 20, a feed section 30, and a system controller (control section) 60.

[0019] The first transport conveyor 10 sequentially transports (supplies) a plurality of products P1 in one direction (hereinafter also referred to as the transport direction D1). The first transport conveyor 10 has a first conveyor 11 to which the products P1 are supplied, a second conveyor 12, a third conveyor 13, a fourth conveyor 16, a fifth conveyor 17, and a sixth conveyor 18. The first conveyor 11, the second conveyor 12, the third conveyor 13, the fourth conveyor 16, the fifth conveyor 17, and the sixth conveyor 18 are arranged in this order from upstream to downstream, and each has a known configuration as a belt conveyor. The transport surfaces of these conveyors are arranged on the same plane. The number of conveyors constituting the first transport conveyor 10 is not limited to the above.

[0020] The second conveyor 12 is provided with a first sensor 12A for detecting the product P1. The fourth conveyor 16 is provided with a second sensor 16A for detecting the product P1. The first sensor 12A and the second sensor 16A each include, for example, a light-projecting unit and a light-receiving unit, and detect the presence or absence of a product based on whether or not the light-receiving unit receives light projected from the light-projecting unit. The detection results by the first sensor 12A and the second sensor 16A are acquired by an information acquisition unit 61 of the system controller 60, which will be described in detail later.

[0021] The upstream packaging device 1A and the downstream packaging device 1B are, for example, weighing, packaging, and pricing devices having substantially the same functions. Therefore, in the following description, the configuration of one of the packaging devices (for example, the upstream packaging device 1A) will be described as a representative, and the description of the configuration that is the same in both packaging devices may be omitted.

[0022] The upstream packaging device 1A and the downstream packaging device 1B (hereinafter also referred to as packaging devices 1A, 1B) are arranged side by side in the above-mentioned one direction (conveying direction D1). Each of the packaging devices 1A, 1B includes a weighing section 2, a packaging section 3, a printing section (label issuing section) 4, an application section (label application section) 5, and a device controller 6. Each of the packaging devices 1A, 1B is a weighing, packaging, and pricing device that performs weighing, packaging, and pricing processes (weighing, packaging, and pricing processes: first processes) on the products P1. The upstream packaging device 1A and the downstream packaging device 1B have, for example, the same processing capacity per unit time as the weighing, packaging, and pricing devices.

[0023] The upstream packaging device 1A includes a main housing 41A and an upstream-side accessory housing 42A that houses a film roll 9A. The downstream packaging device 1B includes a main housing 41B and a downstream-side accessory housing 42B that houses a film roll 9B. Each packaging device 1A, 1B has a configuration in which the accessory housings 42A, 42B that house the film rolls 9A, 9B are arranged outside the adjacent main housings 41A, 41B. Note that the mechanisms of each packaging device 1A, 1B have the same functions and configurations except for the opposite arrangement configurations, so in this specification, the modifiers "upstream" and "downstream" may be omitted for the "packaging device," "main housing," "accessory housing," and the "pusher" and "film roll" described later.

[0024] In each packaging device 1A, 1B, the weighing section 2, packaging section 3 and device controller 6 are mainly provided inside the main housing 41A, 41B, while the printing section 4 of the label printer and the application section 5 consisting of a label application machine are provided above the packaging section 3. Each packaging device 1A, 1B has a supply port 43 at the front center of the main housing 41A, 41B for carrying products P1 into the device, and a discharge port 44 at the front upper center of the main housing 41A, 41B for discharging processed products P2 that have been packaged and labeled. In each packaging device 1A, 1B, the height of the supply port 43 is approximately equal to the height of the conveying surface of the first transport conveyor 10, for example.

[0025] The weighing unit 2 is provided at the center of the front of the main housings 41A, 41B (the supply port 43). The weighing unit 2 has a weighing platform (not shown) that weighs the mass of the product P1 when loaded by a load sensor such as a load cell, and a weighing conveyor 2a that transports the product P1 placed on the weighing platform to the packaging unit 3. When the product P1 is placed on the weighing platform, the mass of the product P1 is measured by the load sensor, and when the measured value becomes stable, the weighing conveyor 2a is driven to transport the product P1 to the packaging unit 3. The transport direction of the product P1 by the weighing conveyor 2a is the same as the supply direction D2 by the upstream pusher 30A and downstream pusher 30B described later, and is, for example, the front-to-rear direction in the figure.

[0026] The packaging section 3 has a lift mechanism that lifts the product P1 received from the weighing section 2 to the packaging position, a film roll support mechanism that supports the film roll 9A or film roll 9B, a film delivery mechanism that delivers the stretch film pulled out from the film rolls 9A, 9B to the packaging position, a folding mechanism that folds the stretch film lifted together with the product P1 by the lift mechanism onto the bottom side of the product P1 at the packaging position, and a sealing mechanism that heat-seals the overlapping portion of the folded film (all not shown).

[0027] The packaging section 3 of each packaging device 1A, 1B includes film rolls 9A, 9B housed in auxiliary housings 42A, 42B. The film rolls 9A, 9B are arranged with their respective axial cores aligned along the supply direction D2. However, the two film rolls 9A, 9B are attached in opposite positions and orientations. As a result, the upstream packaging device 1A pays out film from the film roll 9A in the conveying direction D1 (i.e., to the right), while the downstream packaging device 1B pays out film from the film roll 9B in the direction opposite to the conveying direction D1 (i.e., to the left).

[0028] The printing unit 4 issues a printed label by printing product information about the product P1 and store information about the store (e.g., the store name and the price for that store) on a label fed from a label roll. The printing unit 4 issues a printed label based on the information about the product P1 displayed on the operation display units 7A and 7B. The label may be a liner-attached label attached to a liner, or a linerless label not attached to a liner.

[0029] The application unit 5 receives the label issued by the printing unit 4 and applies it to the top surface of the packaged product P1. To this end, the application unit 5 has an application head that receives the printed label at a label issuing port, transports it above the packaged product P1, and applies it. The processed product P2 to which the label has been applied by the printing unit 4 and application unit 5 is discharged from the discharge port 44 onto the second transport conveyor 20 by a push-out mechanism (not shown).

[0030] The equipment controller 6 is configured as a computer, and controls various operations in each of the packaging equipment 1A, 1B by reading and executing stored programs. This computer is configured, for example, with a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The equipment controller 6 also controls various operations in the packaging system S. The control of the packaging system S by the equipment controller 6 will be described in detail later.

[0031] For example, operation display units 7A, 7B are attached to the sides of the main housings 41A, 41B. Each operation display unit 7A, 7B is configured with a touch panel that can set various information required for operation, such as the call number of the product, the operating speed of each packaging device 1A, 1B, the transport speed of the first transport conveyor 10 (the amount of processing per unit time), the packaging size of the product P1, etc. Each operation display unit 7A, 7B may also have physical buttons for operation.

[0032] Although each operation display unit 7A, 7B basically operates the corresponding packaging device 1A, 1B individually, they can communicate with each other by wire or wirelessly, and it is possible to specify both packaging devices 1A, 1B from one of the operation display units 7A, 7B of the packaging devices 1A, 1B, set their operating conditions, and start their operation simultaneously. In addition, various information set on the operation display unit 7A or operation display unit 7B is transmitted to the device controller 6 of the specified packaging device 1A, 1B.

[0033] Each of the packaging devices 1A, 1B configured as described above packages the products P1 supplied in the supply direction D2 in film by lifting them upward, and sends out the processed products P2 wrapped in film in the opposite direction (i.e. forward) D3 to the supply direction D2, where they are delivered to the second transport conveyor 20. In each of the packaging devices 1A, 1B, the weighing section 2 sequentially weighs the multiple products P1, and the weighed products P1 are packaged and labeled in sequence at a predetermined cycle (time interval) by the packaging section 3, printing section 4, and labeling section 5. Therefore, in each of the packaging devices 1A, 1B, the processing cycle from when one product P1 is supplied to the supply port 43 to when the processed product P2 comes out of the discharge port 44 is substantially the same.

[0034] The second transport conveyor 20 transports the processed products P2 delivered from the packaging devices 1A and 1B in one direction (transport direction D1). The second transport conveyor 20 has a first conveyor 21 arranged in front of the upstream packaging device 1A, an intermediate conveyor 22 arranged downstream (to the right), a second conveyor 23 arranged in front of the downstream packaging device 1B, and a discharge conveyor 26 arranged downstream (to the right). The first conveyor 21, the intermediate conveyor 22, the second conveyor 23, and the discharge conveyor 26 are arranged in this order from upstream to downstream (arranged in series), and each of them has a known configuration as a belt conveyor, thereby transporting the processed products P2 in the transport direction D1. The transport surfaces of these multiple conveyors are kept on the same plane. A transport conveyor 52 is provided downstream of the discharge conveyor 26 to send the processed products P2 to a delivery line further downstream.

[0035] A third sensor 26A that detects processed products P2 is provided on the discharge conveyor 26. The third sensor 26A is composed of, for example, a light-projecting section and a light-receiving section, and detects the passage of the processed products P2 based on whether the light-receiving section receives light projected from the light-projecting section. The number of processed products P2 that have passed the third sensor 26A is counted by an information acquisition section 61 of the system controller 60, which will be described in detail later.

[0036] In each of the packaging devices 1A, 1B, the height of the discharge outlet 44 is, for example, approximately equal to the height of the conveying surface of the second transport conveyor 20. The conveying surface of the second transport conveyor 20 is higher than the conveying surface of the first transport conveyor 10. The second transport conveyor 20 is disposed at a different position from the first transport conveyor 10 in a plan view. In other words, the second transport conveyor 20 is disposed at a different level from the first transport conveyor 10. More specifically, the second transport conveyor 20 is parallel to the first transport conveyor 10 in a plan view, and is disposed between the packaging devices 1A, 1B and the first transport conveyor 10 in the front-rear direction.

[0037] The feeding section 30 is provided in each of the upstream packaging device 1A and the downstream packaging device 1B, and feeds the product P1 conveyed by the first transport conveyor 10 into each of the packaging devices 1A, 1B. The feeding section 30 includes an upstream pusher 30A that feeds the product P1 conveyed by the first transport conveyor 10 in the supply direction D2 to supply it to the upstream packaging device 1A, and a downstream pusher 30B that feeds the product P1 conveyed by the first transport conveyor 10 in the supply direction D2 to supply it to the downstream packaging device 1B.

[0038] The upstream pusher 30A and the downstream pusher 30B (hereinafter also referred to as pushers 30A and 30B) are provided at the same height above the conveying surface of the first transport conveyor 10. The pushers 30A and 30B are provided at a position higher than the conveying surface of the first transport conveyor 10 and lower than the conveying surface of the second transport conveyor 20. The direction in which the pushers 30A and 30B send out the products P1, i.e., the supply direction D2, is, for example, horizontal and perpendicular to the conveying direction D1.

[0039] The upstream pusher 30A includes, for example, a guide portion 31 provided on the first transport conveyor 10 or the main housing 41A and extending in the front-rear direction, and a slide portion 32 movable in the front-rear direction along the guide portion 31 by a front-rear drive portion including a motor or the like. The upstream pusher 30A also includes, for example, an arm portion 34 fixed to the slide portion 32 and extending horizontally upstream (leftward), and a push plate 35 provided at the tip of the arm portion 34 and movable in the up-down direction by a lift drive portion including a motor or the like. That is, the upstream pusher 30A includes the push plate 35 that is biaxially movable in the front-rear direction and the up-down direction.

[0040] The push plate 35 extends in the vertical and horizontal directions (i.e., in directions perpendicular to the supply direction D2), and abuts against the product P1 on the first transport conveyor 10 to send (push) the product P1 in the supply direction D2, i.e., backward. The push plate 35 moves backward while lowered to the lowest position, transfers the product P1 onto the weighing conveyor 2a, and then rises to the highest position where it does not interfere with the product P1. The push plate 35 then moves forward while maintaining the level of the highest position, and descends to the lowest position to wait for the next supply operation. In this way, the push plate 35 of the upstream pusher 30A moves while describing a rectangular trajectory in a vertical plane along the supply direction D2.

[0041] The downstream pusher 30B is configured opposite to the upstream pusher 30A, but the operation of the arm portion 34 and the pusher plate 35 is similar to that of the upstream pusher 30A.

[0042] The pushers 30A, 30B are controlled by a system controller 60. The system controller 60 is configured, for example, by a computer including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, etc. The system controller 60 realizes various functions by, for example, loading a program stored in the ROM onto the RAM and executing it on the CPU. As a result, the system controller 60 forms an information acquisition unit (acquisition unit) 61 that executes various processes in the packaging system S, a conveyor control unit 62, and a pusher control unit (control unit) 63, as shown in FIG. 3. The system controller 60 further has a memory unit 65.

[0043] In this embodiment, the device controller 6 of the downstream packaging device 1B has the functionality of the system controller 60. In a configuration including two packaging devices 1A and 1B, the downstream packaging device 1B, which is the packaging device having the functionality of the system controller 60, is referred to as a parent device, and the upstream packaging device 1A, which is the packaging device not having the functionality of the system controller 60, is referred to as a child device.

[0044] The information acquisition unit 61 detects the operating status (operating or stopped, etc.) of each packaging device 1A, 1B. The information acquisition unit 61 also acquires a first number N1, which is the total number of products P1 sent by the upstream pusher 30A and the downstream pusher 30B. For example, the information acquisition unit 61 acquires the number of products P1 sent to the downstream packaging device 1B based on the detection result of the second sensor 16A, and acquires the number of products P1 sent to the upstream packaging device 1A based on the detection results of the first sensor 12A and the second sensor 16A (i.e., by calculating the difference between the number of products P1 detected by the first sensor 12A and the number of products P1 detected by the second sensor 16A). The first number N1 is the sum of the number of products P1 sent to the upstream packaging device 1A and the number of products P1 sent to the downstream packaging device 1B. The information acquisition unit 61 also acquires a second number N2, which is the total number of processed products P2 transported by the second transport conveyor 20. The information acquiring unit 61 calculates the second number N2 based on the detection result of the third sensor 26A.

[0045] The conveyor control unit 62 controls the conveying speeds of the first conveyor 10 and the second conveyor 20 based on the operating speed (the processing amount per unit time) set from the operation display units 7A and 7B. The conveyor control unit 62 may adjust the conveying speed of the first conveyor 10 (at least any or all of the first conveyor 11, the second conveyor 12, the third conveyor 13, the fourth conveyor 16, and the fifth conveyor 17) according to the operating state of the packaging devices 1A and 1B.

[0046] The conveyor control unit 62 may control the conveying operation of the second transport conveyor 20 (at least any or all of the first conveyor 21, intermediate conveyor 22, second conveyor 23, and discharge conveyor 26) depending on the operating status of the packaging devices 1A, 1B. The conveyor control unit 62 controls the conveying operation of the intermediate conveyor 22 so that the processed products P2 transferred from the intermediate conveyor 22 to the second conveyor 23 do not collide with the processed products P2 transferred from the downstream packaging device 1B to the second conveyor 23 on the second conveyor 23. The conveyor control unit 62 may also adjust the conveying speeds of the first transport conveyor 10 and the second transport conveyor 20 depending on the feeding status by the pushers 30A, 30B.

[0047] The pusher control unit 63 controls the operation of the upstream pusher 30A and the downstream pusher 30B. More specifically, the pusher control unit 63 controls the feeding of the product P1 conveyed by the first transport conveyor 10 by the upstream pusher 30A and the downstream pusher 30B. When the pusher control unit 63 determines that the first number N1 has reached a planned production number preset for each store, it stops the feeding of the product P1 by the upstream pusher 30A and the downstream pusher 30B (stop control). When the pusher control unit 63 executes the stop control, the conveyor control unit 62 may stop the transport of the product P1 by the first transport conveyor 10, or may transport the product P1 at a slower speed than the transport speed before the stop control by the pusher control unit 63.

[0048] The planned production quantity for each store is stored in the storage unit 65. The storage unit 65 is composed of, for example, a RAM, a solid state drive (SSD), a hard disk drive (HDD), etc. The planned production quantity for each store may be a numerical value set (input) by an operator from the operation display unit 7A or the operation display unit 7B and stored in the storage unit 65, or may be a value transmitted via a network from a server or the like that stores the planned production quantities for multiple products for each store. The information stored in the storage unit 65 includes the planned production quantity for each product for each store, as well as the store name and a price (special price) specially set for a certain store. The planned production quantity for each store is, for example, information such as 10 units for store a and 5 units for store b for product A.

[0049] Then, when information is received from the previous process of arranging products on trays that the next product P1 to be sent is product A, for example, the worker operates the operation display unit 7B of the parent machine to call up information about product A. Then, the system controller 60 reads out the planned production quantity and the name of the first store a for product A from the memory unit 65 and sets them in each packaging device 1A, 1B. In this state, when product A is transported by the first transport conveyor 10, each pusher 30A, 30B supplies product A to each packaging device 1A, 1B one after another. As a result, each packaging device 1A, 1B weighs, packages, and prices product A, and sends it out to the second transport conveyor 20. In this way, when the information acquisition unit 61 determines that the supply of product A by each pusher 30A, 30B has reached the planned production quantity for store A, the pusher control unit 63 stops each pusher 30A, 30B, and at the same time the conveyor control unit 62 also stops the first transport conveyor 10.

[0050] Meanwhile, the processed products P2 sent from each packaging device 1A, 1B to the second transport conveyor 20 are detected by the third sensor 26A, and if the information acquisition unit 61 determines that the number of detections has reached the planned production quantity for store a, the system controller 60 reads out the planned production quantity for the next store b from the memory unit 65 and sets it in the pusher control unit 63, and also sets the printing information for store b, such as the store name and price, in the printing units 4 of each packaging device 1A, 1B. In addition, the conveyor control unit 62 resumes operation of the first transport conveyor 10 that had been stopped. As a result, each pusher 30A, 30B successively supplies product A transported by the first transport conveyor 10 to each packaging device 1A, 1B.

[0051] The effects of the packaging system S of the above embodiment will be described. As described above, in a configuration in which two or more (plural) packaging devices 1A, 1B are arranged side by side along the first transport conveyor 10 that transports products P1 transported from the upstream side and the second transport conveyor 20 that transports processed products P2 toward the downstream side, the order in which the weighing, packaging, and pricing processes are completed by the upstream packaging device 1A and the downstream packaging device 1B and the transport order on the second transport conveyor 20 may be interchanged.

[0052] Specifically, as shown in Fig. 4(A), when information that the planned production quantity for store 1 is 2 and the planned production quantity for store 2 is 1 is stored in the memory unit 65, the upstream packaging device 1A and the downstream packaging device 1B perform packaging and pricing processing in the order stored in the memory unit 65, that is, in order for each store, as shown in Fig. 4(B). However, as shown in Fig. 4(B), there are cases where the first processed product P2 for store 2 is transported to the discharge conveyor 26 before the last processed product P2 for store 1. For example, this is the case when the transport of the second transport conveyor 20 is controlled so that the processed product P2 transferred from the intermediate conveyor 22 to the second conveyor 23 and the processed product P2 transferred from the downstream packaging device 1B to the second conveyor 23 do not collide on the second conveyor 23.

[0053] Even in such a case, if the products P1 that are weighed, packaged, and priced by the upstream packaging device 1A and the downstream packaging device 1B are shipped to the same store, there is no problem even if the transport order is reversed. However, if the products are shipped to different stores, problems may occur. This is because the upstream packaging device 1A and the downstream packaging device 1B perform processing according to the specifications of each store (information such as the store name, special prices, and sale dates). If the transport order is reversed in this way, processed products with different specifications for each store will be transported to the downstream process in a mixed state. As a result, in the downstream process where the products are sorted by store, problems are likely to occur, such as products intended for different stores being mixed in a transport container intended for one store.

[0054] In the packaging system S of the above embodiment, when it is determined that the first number N1, which is the total number of products P1 sent by the upstream pusher 30A and the downstream pusher 30B, has reached a preset planned production number, the upstream pusher 30A and the downstream pusher 30B stop sending the products P1. This prevents the upstream packaging device 1A and the downstream packaging device 1B from processing products P1 for different stores at the same time. As a result, it is possible to prevent processed products P2 with different specifications for each store from being transported to the downstream process in a mixed state.

[0055] In the packaging system S of the above embodiment, when the pusher control unit 63 determines that the second number N2 has reached the preset planned production number, it causes the stopped upstream pusher 30A and downstream pusher 30B to resume feeding of the products P1. In this configuration, the operation of the upstream pusher 30A and downstream pusher 30B can be resumed when processed products P2 with different specifications are no longer being transported in a mixed state.

[0056] Although one embodiment has been described above, one aspect of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0057] For example, the upstream packaging device 1A and the downstream packaging device 1B may determine whether or not the product P1 is suitable for undergoing a weighing, packaging, and pricing process (first process), and may subject the product P1 determined to be unsuitable for the weighing, packaging, and pricing process to a second process different from the weighing, packaging, and pricing process, and then discharge the product P1 onto the second transport conveyor 20.

[0058] Cases where the product P1 is not suitable for weighing, packaging, and pricing (hereinafter also referred to as ineligible product P1) include cases where the product P1 transported by the first transport conveyor 10 does not match the product set in each packaging device 1A, 1B, or where the products arranged on the tray collapse during transportation and the weight or price of the product P1 does not fall within a predetermined range, etc. Examples of the second processing include affixing a blank label, not affixing a label to the product P1, or not wrapping the product in stretch film so that it is immediately recognizable that the weighing, packaging, and pricing process has not been completed.

[0059] Thus, in a packaging system S according to a modified example in which an upstream packaging device 1A and a downstream packaging device 1B that perform a second process on non-qualified products P1 are arranged side by side, when non-qualified products P1 that have been subjected to the second process are discharged by the upstream packaging device 1A and the downstream packaging device 1B, the pusher control unit 63 may determine whether the number obtained by subtracting the number of non-qualified products P1 that have been subjected to the second process from the first quantity N1 reaches a predetermined planned production number, and may stop the upstream pusher 30A and the downstream pusher 30B from sending the products P1 based on the planned production number determined in this manner.

[0060] In the packaging system S according to such a modified example, it is possible to prevent processed products with different specifications from each store from being transported to a downstream process in a mixed state. Note that the non-qualified products P1 that have been subjected to the second process may be sorted by the discharge conveyor 26 or a sorting device arranged downstream of the discharge conveyor 26 to a route other than the route to which the products P1 determined to be suitable for weighing, packaging, and pricing are transported. In this case, non-qualified products P1 (for example, products P1 whose weight or price are not within a predetermined range) can be automatically rejected.

[0061] In the packaging system S of the above embodiment and the above modified example, when the upstream pusher 30A and downstream pusher 30B in a stopped state are to resume the feeding of the products P1, an example has been described in which the weighing, packaging, and pricing process is executed based on a planned production quantity set (stored) in advance for a plurality of stores, but this is not limiting. For example, the planned production quantity for the next weighing, packaging, and pricing process may be set via the operation display units 7A and 7B to resume the feeding of the products P1 by the stopped upstream pusher 30A and downstream pusher 30B. In this configuration, the upstream pusher 30A and downstream pusher 30B can be operated on a store-by-store basis.

[0062] In the packaging system S of the above embodiment and the above modified example, an example has been described in which the equipment controller 6 of the downstream packaging device 1B has the functions of the system controller 60, but the equipment controller 6 of the upstream packaging device 1A may have the functions of the system controller 60. In addition, the system controller 60 may be provided independently of the upstream packaging device 1A and the downstream packaging device 1B.

[0063] Although the packaging system S of the above embodiment and the above modified example has been described with reference to an example in which two packaging devices 1A and 1B are provided, three or more packaging devices may be provided.

[0064] In the packaging system S of the above embodiment and the above modified example, an example has been described in which a weighing, packaging, and pricing device is used as a product processing device, but it is also possible to apply a product processing device having at least one of the functions of weighing, packaging, and pricing, for example. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 1A...upstream packaging device (product processing device), 1B...downstream packaging device (product processing device), 2...weighing section, 3...packaging section, 4...printing section (label issuing section), 5...application section (label application section), 6...device controller, 7A...operation display section, 7B...operation display section, 10...first transport conveyor (first transport section), 20...second transport conveyor (second transport section), 30...feed section, 30A...upstream pusher, 30B...downstream pusher, 60...system controller, 61...information acquisition section (acquisition section), 62...conveyor control section, 63...pusher control section (control section), 65...memory section, P1...product, P2...processed product, S...packaging system.

Claims

1. A product processing system that processes a preset number of products to be produced, A first conveying unit that conveys the product; a plurality of product processing devices arranged side by side along a conveying direction of the first conveying section and configured to perform a first processing on the products; a plurality of feeding units provided for each of the plurality of product processing devices, the feeding units feeding the products conveyed by the first conveying unit into the product processing device; a second conveying section that receives the processed products discharged from each of the plurality of product processing devices and conveys them downstream; an acquisition unit that acquires a first number, which is a total number of the products sent by the plurality of sending units; A control unit that controls the feeding unit, A product processing system, wherein the control unit stops the sending of the products by the multiple sending units when it determines that the first number has reached the preset planned production number.

2. The acquisition unit acquires a second number, which is a total number of the processed products transported by the second transport unit, The product processing system according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit, when determining that the second number has reached the preset planned production number, starts the sending unit, which is in a stopped state, to send the products.

3. A storage unit that stores the predetermined planned production quantity for each store, The control unit is When it is determined that the first number has reached the planned production number of the store in which the processing is being performed, stopping the sending of the products by the multiple sending units; 3. The product processing system according to claim 1, wherein when the sending unit is stopped and the sending of the products is started, the planned production quantity for the store to be processed next is set.

4. the product processing device determines whether the product is suitable for the first treatment, and performs a second treatment different from the first treatment on the product determined to be unsuitable for the first treatment, and discharges the product to the second conveying section; A product processing system as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the control unit, when the product that has been subjected to the second processing is discharged by the product processing device, determines whether the number obtained by subtracting the number of the products that have been subjected to the second processing from the first quantity reaches the predetermined planned production quantity.

5. The product processing device includes: a weighing unit that weighs the product fed by the feeding unit; a packaging unit that packages the product weighed by the weighing unit in a film; a label issuing unit that issues a label on which the mass of the commodity weighed by the weighing unit is printed; 3. The product processing system according to claim 1, further comprising a label application unit that applies the label issued by the label issuing unit to the product to be packaged by the packaging unit.

6. The product processing device includes: a weighing unit that weighs the product fed by the feeding unit; a packaging unit that packages the product weighed by the weighing unit in a film; a label issuing unit that prints the mass of the commodity measured by the measuring unit on a label and issues the label; a label attachment unit that attaches the label issued by the label issuing unit to the product packaged by the packaging unit, 5. The product processing system according to claim 4, wherein the control unit determines that the product is not suitable for being subjected to the first process when a weight or a price of the product is not within a predetermined range.

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