Commodity processing system

Abstract

To provide a commodity processing system configured so that a situation where operation of the commodity processing system as a whole stops can be avoided even when operation of some of a plurality of commodity processing devices are stopped.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 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 plurality of second conveying parts 20A and 20B that receive processed commodities P2 discharged from the plurality of commodity processing devices respectively and then convey the commodities to a downstream step; and a control part 63 that controls the feeding-in parts. The control part sets destinations into which the commodities are fed by the feeding-in parts, on the basis of whether the plurality of commodity processing devices can be respectively operated or not and whether the plurality of second conveying parts respectively can be respectively operated or not.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

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 on a conveyor, pushes the products up against a film stretched above the lift by lifting them up, 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 labels to the packaged products according to the specifications of each store (such as the store name, the presence or absence of sale items, and unit prices) based on the number of orders from the stores, produces processed products, and delivers them 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 independently controlling the carrying-in process and the pushing-up process, 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 the processed products that have been processed by the multiple product processing devices to a downstream process by a 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, even when a configuration is adopted in which multiple product processing devices are arranged side by side along the first conveying path as described above, there are cases where it is necessary to replace consumable items such as label rolls and film rolls. In such cases, stopping product transport on the first conveying path affects the entire production line, so there is a demand for production to continue using the other product processing devices even if the operation of one of the multiple product processing devices is temporarily stopped.

[0006] Therefore, an object of one aspect of the present invention is to provide a product processing system that can prevent the operation of the entire product processing system from stopping even if some of the multiple product processing devices stop operating. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A product processing system according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a first conveying section for conveying products, a plurality of product processing devices arranged in parallel along the conveying direction of the first conveying section and processing the products, a plurality of feeding sections provided for each of the plurality of product processing devices for feeding the products conveyed by the first conveying section into the product processing devices, a plurality of second conveying sections for conveying processed products discharged from each of the plurality of product processing devices downstream, and a control section for controlling the feeding sections, and the control section sets a destination to which the products are to be sent by the feeding sections based on the ability of each of the plurality of product processing devices to operate and the ability of each of the plurality of second conveying sections to operate.

[0008] For example, even if one of the multiple product processing devices stops operating, the control unit controls the feed unit to supply products only to the operable product processing device, so that the entire product processing system can be prevented from stopping. Also, even if each product processing device is operable, if one second conveying unit is inoperable, the processed products cannot be discharged from the product processing device corresponding to the inoperable second conveying unit. Therefore, if the product processing device corresponding to the operable second conveying unit is operable, the control unit controls the feed unit to supply products to that product processing device. As a result, products conveyed from an upstream process are processed by the operable product processing device, and the processed products are conveyed to a downstream process by the operable second conveying unit, so that the entire product processing system can be prevented from stopping even if some of the multiple product processing devices stop operating.

[0009] In a product processing system according to one aspect of the present invention, the multiple second conveying units may be arranged in series in the conveying direction of the second conveying units. In this case, if the multiple second conveying units are operable, even if one of the multiple product processing devices becomes inoperable due to replacement of consumables or the like, the operable product processing device can be set as the product sending destination. However, in this configuration, if the downstream second conveying unit becomes inoperable, each product processing device cannot discharge processed products downstream, and in this case, the entire system will stop. However, in other cases, for example, if the downstream second conveying unit is operable, even if the upstream second conveying unit is inoperable, processed products can be discharged using the downstream product processing device and the downstream second conveying unit. Therefore, even with this configuration, even if one of the multiple product processing devices stops operating, the stoppage of operation of the entire product processing system can be minimized.

[0010] In the product processing system according to one aspect of the present invention, the control unit may control the conveying speed of the first conveying unit based on the number of operable product processing devices. In this configuration, even if the number of operable product processing devices decreases, products can be supplied to the reduced number of product processing devices at an appropriate time.

[0011] In a product processing system according to one aspect of the present invention, the product processing device may be a weighing, packaging, and pricing device including a weighing unit that weighs products sent in by a sending unit, a packaging unit that packages the products weighed by the weighing unit in film, a label issuing unit that issues labels on which the masses of the products weighed by the weighing unit are printed, and a label pasting unit that pastes the labels issued by the label issuing unit onto the products packaged by the packaging unit. In this configuration, in a configuration in which products transported from an upstream process are weighed, packaged, label issued, and label pasted by a plurality of weighing, packaging, and pricing devices, and the processed products are transported to a downstream process, even if some of the plurality of product processing devices stop operating, it is possible to avoid the operation of the entire product processing system being stopped. Effect of the Invention

[0012] According to one aspect of the present invention, even if some of a plurality of product processing devices stop operating, it is possible to prevent the operation of the entire product processing system from stopping. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a product processing system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the product processing system of FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the product processing system of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the product delivery operation in the product processing system of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] Hereinafter, a product processing system S according to one embodiment will be described 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 vertical direction as shown in Fig. 1, and the terms "upper" and "downstream" refer to the upstream and downstream 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.

[0015] First, the basic configuration of a product processing 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 product processing system S is, for example, a tray and food placed or contained on the tray. The product processing system S is a device that weighs the product P1, packages the product P1, issues a product label on which information about the product P1 is printed, and affixes the issued product label to the top surface of the packaged product P1.

[0016] The product processing system S comprises a first conveyor (first conveying section) 10, an upstream packaging device (product processing device) 1A arranged in one direction along the first conveyor 10, a downstream packaging device (product processing device) 1B, a second conveyor 20, an input section 30, and a system controller (control section) 60.

[0017] 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.

[0018] 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.

[0019] 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.

[0020] 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) 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 device.

[0021] 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 disposed 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 configuration, 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.

[0022] 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.

[0023] 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.

[0024] 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).

[0025] 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).

[0026] The printing unit 4 issues a product label by printing product information about the product P1 on a label fed from a label roll. The printing unit 4 issues a product label based on information about the product P1 output from the operation and display units 7A and 7B. The label may be a liner-attached label, or a linerless label without a liner.

[0027] The affixing unit 5 receives the label issued by the printing unit 4 and affixes it to the top surface of the wrapped packaged product P1. To this end, the affixing unit 5 has an affixing head that receives the product label at a label issuing port, transports it above the wrapped packaged product P1, and affixes it. The processed product P2 to which the label has been affixed by the printing unit 4 and affixing unit 5 is discharged forward (to the second transport conveyor 20) from the discharge port 44 by a push-out mechanism (not shown).

[0028] The device controller 6 is composed of a computer, and controls various operations of the packaging device 1A or 1B by reading and executing a stored program. This computer is composed of, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a RAM (Random Access Memory). The device controller 6 of one of the packaging devices 1A and 1B (packaging device 1B in FIG. 3) controls the entire system as a system controller 60. The system controller 60 is configured to communicate with the device controller 6 of the other packaging device 1A to obtain information on whether the packaging device 1A is operable. The device controller 6 of the downstream packaging device 1B controls the operations of the upstream pusher 30A and downstream pusher 30B of the feed section 30 as a system controller 60. The control of the product processing system S by the system controller 60 will be described in detail later.

[0029] 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 product call number, the transport speed of the first transport conveyor 10 (the amount of processing per unit time), the package size of the product P1, etc. Each operation display unit 7A, 7B may also have physical buttons for operation.

[0030] 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.

[0031] 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.

[0032] The second transport conveyor 20 sequentially transports the multiple processed products P2 delivered from each of the packaging devices 1A, 1B in one direction (transport direction D1). The second transport conveyor 20 is composed of an upstream second transport section 20A, a downstream second transport section 20B, and a discharge conveyor 26. The upstream second transport section 20A is composed of a first conveyor 21 arranged in front of the upstream packaging device 1A and an intermediate conveyor 22 arranged downstream (to the right) thereof. The downstream second transport section 20B is composed of a second conveyor 23 arranged in front of the downstream packaging device 1B. These second transport sections 20A, 20B are provided in accordance with the number of packaging devices 1A, 1B to be installed (two in this embodiment). The discharge conveyor 26 is arranged downstream (to the right) of the downstream second transport section 20B.

[0033] The second transport sections 20A, 20B and the discharge conveyor 26 that constitute the second transport conveyor 20 are arranged in a line along the transport direction D1. That is, the first conveyor 21, the intermediate conveyor 22, the second conveyor 23, and the discharge conveyor 26 are arranged (in series) from upstream to downstream in this order, and each has a known configuration as a belt conveyor, thereby sequentially transporting a plurality of processed products P2 in the transport direction D1. The transport surfaces of these multiple conveyors are maintained on the same plane. A transport conveyor 52 is provided downstream of the discharge conveyor 26 to send the products to a delivery line further downstream.

[0034] A third sensor 21A and a fourth sensor 26A for detecting processed products P2 are provided on the first conveyor 21 and the discharge conveyor 26 of the second transport conveyor 20. The third sensor 21A and the fourth sensor 26A each consist of a light-projecting unit and a light-receiving unit, for example, 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 signals of the third sensor 21A and the fourth sensor 26A are input to an information acquisition unit 61 of a system controller 60, which will be described in detail later.

[0035] 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.

[0036] The feeding section 30 is provided for 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.

[0037] 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 sending direction by the pushers 30A and 30B, i.e., the supply direction D2, is, for example, horizontal and perpendicular to the conveying direction D1.

[0038] 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.

[0039] 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.

[0040] 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.

[0041] The pushers 30A, 30B are controlled by a system controller 60. The system controller 60 is composed of a computer including, for example, a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. The system controller 60 realizes various functions by, for example, loading a program stored in the ROM onto the RAM and executing the program on the CPU. As a result, the system controller 60 forms an information acquisition unit 61 that executes various processes in the product processing system S, a conveyor control unit (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.

[0042] 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.

[0043] The system controller 60 acquires information on whether each packaging device 1A, 1B is operational. For example, when replacing a film or a label during operation, the worker operates the operation display unit 7A (7B) to temporarily suspend the packaging device 1A (1B) before carrying out the replacement work. When the device is in such a stopped state, the device controller 6 of the packaging device 1A or the system controller 60 of the packaging device 1B determines that the device is inoperable. When the replacement of consumables or the like is completed and the stopped state is released, the device determines that the device is operable. The device controller 6 of the upstream packaging device 1A transmits such a determination on whether the device is operational to the downstream system controller 60.

[0044] Meanwhile, the upstream packaging device 1A is configured to control the upstream second conveyor 20A, and the downstream packaging device 1B is configured to control the downstream second conveyor 20B. Therefore, the second conveyor units 20A and 20B, which are made up of belt conveyors, are unlikely to have mechanical failures if they are properly maintained on a daily basis, but they may become uncontrollable due to poor electrical connections. In such a case, the device controller 6 or system controller 60 determines that the second conveyor units 20A and 20B under its control are inoperable.

[0045] The system controller 60 may detect whether each of the packaging devices 1A, 1B is set to a temporary stop state via the operation display units 7A, 7B, etc. For example, during maintenance, part replacement, or consumable replacement, the system controller 60 may determine whether the device is operable based on the temporary stop of the device set via the operation display units 7A, 7B, etc.

[0046] The information acquisition unit 61 acquires a product detection signal from the third sensor 21A arranged at the downstream end of the first conveyor 21. The system controller 60 of the downstream packaging device 1B estimates the timing when the detected processed product P2 will reach the discharge outlet 44 of the downstream packaging device 1B based on the detection signal from the third sensor 21A. If the processed product P2 is likely to be discharged from the downstream packaging device 1B at that estimated timing, there is a possibility that the two processed products P2 will collide at the discharge outlet. In such a case, the system controller 60 stops the upstream processed product P2 on the intermediate conveyor 22. The information acquisition unit 61 also acquires detection signals from the first sensor 12A and the second sensor 16A of the first transport conveyor 10 and transmits them to the pusher control unit 63. The pusher control unit 63 controls the operation of the upstream pusher 30A and the downstream pusher 30B based on a predetermined delay time from the time when the product P1 is detected.

[0047] 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 amount of processing per unit time) set from the operation display units 7A and 7B. Furthermore, the conveyor control unit 62 adjusts 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) depending on whether the packaging devices 1A and 1B are operable. In other words, the conveyor control unit 62 adjusts the conveying speeds of the first conveyor 10 and the second conveyor 20 depending on the feeding status by the pushers 30A and 30B. For example, the conveyor control unit 62 may slow down the conveying speed of the first conveyor 10 when one of the packaging devices 1A and 1B is inoperable, compared to when both of the packaging devices 1A and 1B are operable. In addition, the conveyor control unit 62 may control the conveying speed of the second transport conveyor 20 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.

[0048] 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 by the upstream pusher 30A and the feeding by the downstream pusher 30B of the product P1 conveyed by the first transport conveyor 10. The pusher control unit 63 sets the packaging devices 1A and 1B to which the product P1 is to be fed by the feeding unit 30, based on the operation availability of each of the upstream packaging device 1A and the downstream packaging device 1B and the operation availability of each of the two second transport units 20A and 20B.

[0049] In this system, the number of processed products P2 corresponding to the number of orders (planned production number) for the same product is manufactured in sequence for each store, and the planned production number 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 number for each store may be a numerical value set (input) by an operator via the operation display unit 7A or the operation display unit 7B and stored in the storage unit 65, or information transmitted from another device configured to be able to communicate via a network may be stored in the storage unit 65.

[0050] Next, the operation of the product processing system S will be described mainly with reference to Fig. 4. In the product processing system S, for example, when the power is turned on, the system controller 60 communicates with the second conveyor 20B controlled by the parent machine (downstream packaging device 1B) and determines whether the second conveyor 20B is operable (step S1). If it is determined that the second conveyor 20B is inoperable (S1: NO), the system controller 60 causes the operation display unit 7B of the parent machine (the parent machine in this embodiment) to display an error (step S2). That is, the system controller 60 notifies the operator that the second conveyor 20B is not operating normally.

[0051] On the other hand, if it is determined that the second conveying section 20B is operable (S1: YES), the system controller 60 communicates with the slave unit (the upstream packaging device 1A) (step S3) and acquires information on whether the slave unit is operable or not from the slave unit. The system controller 60 judges whether the slave unit is normal (operable) or not based on the acquired information on the slave unit (step S4). In this flowchart, normal means that all processes including weighing, packaging, and pricing are possible. Here, if the system controller 60 judges that the slave unit is abnormal (inoperable) (S4: NO), it acquires information on the parent unit and judges whether the parent unit is normal (operable) or not based on the acquired information on the parent unit (step S5). If the system controller 60 judges that the parent unit is abnormal (inoperable) (S5: NO), it causes the operation display unit 7B of the parent unit to display an error (step S2).

[0052] On the other hand, if the system controller 60 determines that the parent machine is normal (operable) (S5: YES), it sets the destination of the products P1 to the parent machine (i.e., the downstream packaging device 1B). In other words, the system controller 60 sets the parent machine to operate only (step S51). Then, the system controller 60 controls the downstream pusher 30B to send the planned production quantity of products P1 stored in the memory unit 65, and controls the upstream pusher 30A not to send the products P1 (step S52). The system controller 60 obtains information related to the planned production quantity from the memory unit 65.

[0053] In step S4, if the system controller 60 determines that the child machine is normal (operable) (S4: YES), it determines whether the parent machine is normal (operable) or not (step S6), similar to step S5. If the system controller 60 determines that the parent machine is normal (operable) (S6: YES), it sets the destination of the product P1 to both the parent machine (i.e., the downstream packaging device 1B) and the child machine (i.e., the upstream packaging device 1A). In other words, the system controller 60 sets both the parent machine and the child machine to operate (step S61). Then, the system controller 60 controls the upstream pusher 30A and the downstream pusher 30B to send the planned production quantity of products P1 stored in the memory unit 65 (step S62).

[0054] In step S6, if the system controller 60 determines that the parent machine is abnormal (inoperable) (S6: NO), it sets the destination of the products P1 to the child machine (i.e., the upstream packaging device 1A). In other words, the system controller 60 sets the child machine to operate alone (step S65). Then, the system controller 60 controls the upstream pusher 30A to send the products P1 in the planned production quantity stored in the memory unit 65 (step S66).

[0055] The effects of the product processing system S of the above embodiment will be described. In the product processing system S of the above embodiment, the packaging device 1A, 1B (at least one of the upstream packaging device 1A and the downstream packaging device 1B) to which the product P1 is sent is set based on whether the upstream packaging device 1A and the downstream packaging device 1B are operable and whether the second conveying section 20A and the second conveying section 20B are operable. As a result, the product P1 conveyed from the upstream process is processed by the operable packaging device 1A, 1B, and the processed product P2 is conveyed to the downstream process by the operable second conveying section 20A, 20B. As a result, even if one of the upstream packaging device 1A and the downstream packaging device 1B stops operating, it is possible to avoid stopping the operation of the entire product processing system S.

[0056] In the product processing system S of the above embodiment, the second conveying section 20B is disposed adjacent to the downstream side of the second conveying section 20A. That is, the second conveying section 20A and the second conveying section 20B are disposed in series in the conveying direction. Here, when the upstream second conveying section 20A and the downstream second conveying section 20B that form one discharge path are disposed in series, if the second conveying section 20B cannot be operated, the processed product P2 sent out to the second conveying section 20A cannot be conveyed to the downstream process. In this configuration, even if the operation of part of the upstream packaging device 1A and the downstream packaging device 1B stops, the stoppage of the operation of the entire product processing system S can be kept to a minimum.

[0057] In the product processing system S of the above embodiment, the conveyor control unit 62 controls the transport speed of the first transport conveyor 10 based on the number of operable packaging devices 1A, 1B to which the products P1 are fed (for example, whether both the upstream packaging device 1A and the downstream packaging device 1B, or either the upstream packaging device 1A or the downstream packaging device 1B). With this configuration, products can be supplied to the operable packaging devices 1A, 1B at appropriate times.

[0058] In the product processing system S of the above embodiment, in a configuration in which a product P1 transported from an upstream process is weighed, packaged, label issued and label attached by the upstream packaging device 1A and the downstream packaging device 1B, and the processed product P2 is transported to a downstream process, even if operation of the upstream packaging device 1A and part of the downstream packaging device 1B stops, operation of the entire product processing system S can be prevented from stopping.

[0059] 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.

[0060] In the above embodiment and modified example of the product processing system S, 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. Furthermore, the system controller 60 may be provided independently of the upstream packaging device 1A and the downstream packaging device 1B.

[0061] In the above embodiment and the above modified example of the product processing system S, an example in which two packaging devices 1A, 1B are arranged has been described. However, three or more packaging devices may be provided. In this case, it is sufficient to provide the same number of second conveying units as the number of packaging devices.

[0062] In the above embodiment and the above modified example of the product processing system S, 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.

[0063] In the above embodiment and the above modified example of the product processing system S, an example has been described in which the second conveying section 20A and the second conveying section 20B are arranged in series, but the second conveying section 20A and the second conveying section 20B may also be arranged in parallel and connected to a single discharge conveyor 26. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] 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, 30...feed section, 30A...upstream pusher, 30B...downstream pusher, 60...system controller, 61...information acquisition section, 62...conveyor control section (control section), 63...pusher control section (control section), P1...product, P2...processed product, S...product processing system.

Claims

1. A first conveying unit that conveys the product; a plurality of product processing devices arranged in parallel along a conveying direction of the first conveying section and configured to process 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 plurality of second conveying units that receive the processed products discharged from each of the plurality of product processing devices and convey them downstream; A control unit that controls the feeding unit, A product processing system, wherein the control unit sets a destination for the product to be sent by the sending unit based on whether each of the multiple product processing devices is operational and whether each of the multiple second conveying units is operational.

2. The product processing system according to claim 1 , wherein the second transport sections are arranged in series in a transport direction of the second transport sections.

3. The product processing system according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit controls a conveying speed of the first conveying unit based on the number of operable product processing devices.

4. 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 packaged by the packaging unit.

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