Selective combination weigher

Abstract

To provide a selective combination weigher facilitating attachment / detachment of a collecting chute, the selective combination weigher including a plurality of supply hoppers in a circular parallel arrangement, causing a weighing unit to measure weight of measuring objects dropped and discharged from each feeding hopper, combining and calculating measured values that become target weight, selecting a weighting unit for discharge from a plurality of weighing units and guiding the measuring objects discharged from the selected weighting unit via the collecting chute to flow down to a collecting point set below a center of the device.SOLUTION: A collecting chute 8 is divided into at least funnel-shaped divided chutes 8a and 8b vertically divided in two stages, a lower divided chute 8a out of the divided chutes 8a and 8b vertically divided in the two stages, is demountably mounted and supported on an upper end of a collecting funnel 9, and the upper divided chute 8b is demountably mounted and supported on the upper end of the lower divided chute 8a.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a combination scale configured to weigh and discharge objects to be weighed, such as foods and confectioneries, by a predetermined weight each.

Background Art

[0002] As such a combination scale, a circular array type as shown in Patent Document 1 and the like is often used. For example, in Patent Document 2, in a circular array type combination scale, a center base is provided on the upper part of a base having a large opening in the center part vertically via a plurality of legs. On the upper center of this center base, a dispersion feeder for dropping and supplying an object to be weighed and a number of linear feeders for radially vibrating and conveying the object to be weighed vibrationally conveyed by the dispersion feeder are detachably equipped. Further, on the outer peripheral part of the center base, a number of supply hoppers for receiving the object to be weighed conveyed by the linear feeders and a number of weighing hoppers for receiving the object to be weighed discharged from each supply hopper are detachably equipped respectively.

[0003] In a combination scale having such a structure, the object to be weighed dropped and supplied from above the center of the apparatus is dispersed and conveyed by the dispersion feeder and sent into a group of linear feeders, and the object to be weighed conveyed by each linear feeder is supplied little by little to the weighing hopper via the supply hopper to measure its weight, and from among a number of measured values obtained by the group of weighing hoppers, a combination of measured values falling within the target weight range is calculated and selected, and the weighing hoppers of the selected measured values are discharged.

[0004] The objects to be weighed discharged from the selected plurality of weighing hoppers are guided to flow down below the center of the apparatus by a collecting chute, collected by a collecting funnel and supplied to a collecting hopper. The collecting hopper operates based on a discharge request from a packaging machine and discharges an object to be weighed of a predetermined weight.

[0005] In the combination scale with such a configuration, the collecting chute that guides the object to be weighed flowing down from the weighing hopper to the center of the device is divided into a plurality of parts in the circumferential direction while avoiding the legs, and each of the divided collecting chutes is detachably attached to a support member (not shown) attached to the legs.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] In a combination scale, cleaning is performed regularly or as needed to remove residues and fragments of the object to be weighed adhering and remaining on each part. At this time, the device parts that come into contact with the object to be weighed need to be removed, but the collecting chute is divided in the circumferential direction. Therefore, the operator has to move around the device to perform the detachment work of the divided collecting chute, which is time-consuming.

[0008] In addition, the collecting chute that is divided and arranged while avoiding the legs forms a gap for passing the legs between adjacent collecting chutes. Therefore, it is necessary to erect a vertical wall at the circumferential end of the collecting chute so that the object to be weighed does not jump out from the gap between the collecting chutes. As a result, the individual weights of the divided collecting chutes increase, making them difficult to handle.

[0009] The present invention has been made paying attention to such points, and an object thereof is to provide a combination scale capable of easily detaching the collecting chute.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0010] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is configured as follows.

[0011] (1) The combination weigher according to the present invention is configured such that a plurality of supply hoppers are arranged in parallel in a circular shape in a plan view, and a plurality of weighing units for measuring the weight of the object to be weighed discharged from each of the supply hoppers are arranged below each of the supply hoppers, and a measurement value that becomes a target weight is combined and calculated to select a weighing unit to be discharged from among the plurality of weighing units, and the object to be weighed sent out from the selected weighing unit is guided to flow down through a collection chute and guided to a collection funnel set below the center of the apparatus. The collection chute is divided into at least two vertically divided chute-shaped divided chutes. Among the two vertically divided chutes, the lower divided chute is detachably mounted and supported on the upper end portion of the collection funnel, and the upper divided chute is detachably mounted and supported on the upper end portion of the lower divided chute.

[0012] According to this configuration, since each of the two vertically divided chutes is funnel-shaped in two vertical stages, the assembly of the collection chute can be easily performed by simply stacking the two vertically divided chutes on the collection funnel. In addition, the collection chute can be easily removed by simply removing the two vertically divided chutes in order from the upper stage side, and the work of detaching the collection chute is much easier than before. Furthermore, since the collection chute is funnel-shaped without gaps in the circumferential direction, there is no need to provide a vertical wall for preventing the object to be weighed from spilling out, which is also extremely effective in reducing the weight of the entire collection chute.

[0013] (2) In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the lower end portion of the upper divided chute is configured to be insertable into the upper end portion of the lower divided chute, and a plurality of protruding portions that contact the upper end edge of the lower divided chute are provided at a plurality of locations in the circumferential direction on the lower outer periphery of the upper divided chute.

[0014] According to this configuration, when assembling the collective chute, the lower end of the upper split chute is fitted into the upper end of the lower split chute, and the protruding portion of the upper split chute is brought into contact with the upper end of the lower split chute. By doing so, the upper split chute can be correctly positioned and mounted and supported on the lower split chute.

[0015] (3) In another embodiment of the present invention, The protruding portions are provided at at least three locations in the circumferential direction.

[0016] According to this configuration, the upper split chute can be stably mounted and supported on the lower split chute in a state of being supported at at least three points without play.

[0017] (4) In still another embodiment of the present invention, The entire circumference of the upper edge of the lower split chute is configured as a thickened edge.

[0018] According to this configuration, the strength of the entire circumference of the upper edge of the lower split chute can be increased, deformation of the split chute can be prevented, and it is also effective in preventing injury during the attachment / detachment operation.

[0019] (5) In still another embodiment of the present invention, The thickened edge of the lower split chute is configured by hemming and bending.

[0020] According to this configuration, the entire circumference of the upper edge of the split chute can be formed into a thickened edge by relatively simple bending.

[0021] (6) In still another embodiment of the present invention, The metering unit is configured by a metering conveyor. After measuring the weight of the object to be metered on the metering conveyor, the metered object to be metered is placed and conveyed toward the center side of the apparatus and fed into the upper end of the collective chute.

[0022] According to this configuration, the discharge position from the metering unit is closer to the center of the apparatus than that of a general combination scale configured with a metering hopper as the metering unit. When guiding the material to flow down toward the collecting funnel through a collecting chute with a constant downward inclination angle, the closer the discharge position is to the center of the apparatus, the smaller the overall height of the collecting chute can be made.

[0023] Therefore, the collecting chute in the case where the metering unit is configured with a metering conveyor is low-profile and small in diameter, and effectively exhibits the characteristic of excellent handleability.

Advantages of the Invention

[0024] Thus, according to the combination scale of the present invention, the collecting chute is divided into at least a two-stage funnel-shaped split chute in the vertical direction. Among the two-stage split chute in the vertical direction, the lower split chute is detachably mounted and supported on the upper end portion of the collecting funnel, and the upper split chute is detachably mounted and supported on the upper end portion of the lower split chute. Therefore, the collecting chute can be detached more easily than before.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0025]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0026] Hereinafter, the combination scale according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0027] FIG. 1 shows a longitudinal front view showing the schematic configuration of the combination scale according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the combination scale with a part removed.

[0028] This combination scale measures and delivers objects to be weighed, such as various foods and confectioneries, in predetermined amounts, and is installed on the floor surface F of the upper floor portion in a frame (not shown) assembled in a ladder shape that allows an operator to go up and down. In the combination scale installed on the floor surface F, the weighed object of a predetermined weight is used in a packaging line for bagging by being put into a packaging device (not shown) installed downstairs.

[0029] On the floor surface F, a base 1 having a hollow structure with a large vertical through-opening in the central portion is installed. Above the center of the base 1, a center base 2 having a hollow structure formed in a polygonal short column shape is supported via four legs 3.

[0030] Above the center of the center base 2, a dispersion feeder 4 is provided which places the object to be weighed dropped and supplied from a supply conveyor (not shown) on a vibration-driven top cone 4a and dispersedly conveys it radially, and a number of straight-feeders 5 are radially provided surrounding the dispersion feeder 4 which place the dispersedly conveyed object to be weighed on a vibration-driven trough 5a and convey it straight outward. Further, on the outer peripheral wall of the center base 2, a supply hopper 6 is provided which temporarily stores and discharges the object to be weighed conveyed by each straight-feeder 5.

[0031] Below each supply hopper 6, a number of weighing conveyors 7 are mounted and arranged in a circle on the upper surface of the base 1 as a weighing unit which receives the object to be weighed dropped and discharged from the supply hopper 6, measures its weight, performs combined calculation, and discharges the object to be weighed of a predetermined weight.

[0032] Further, at the central opening portion of the center base 2, a collecting chute 8 is provided to guide the material to be measured discharged from a plurality of weighing conveyors 7, which are combined and selected to achieve a predetermined target weight, to flow downward toward the lower part of the center of the apparatus. At the lower center of the collecting chute 8, a collecting funnel 9 for collecting the material to be measured flowing down along the collecting chute 8 to the center of the apparatus and a collecting hopper 10 for temporarily retaining the collected material to be measured are provided. The weighing conveyor 7 that constitutes the weighing unit is configured by detachably mounting and supporting a belt conveyor 11 driven and controlled toward the center of the apparatus on a base frame 12. The total weight of the belt conveyor 11 is measured by a load cell-based weight measuring unit 13 incorporated in the base frame 12, and the weight of the material to be measured on the conveyor is configured to be determined.

[0033] Next, the weighing operation will be described. The dispersion feeder 4 is configured such that its total weight is detected, and the supply of the material to be measured to the dispersion feeder 4 is controlled based on the weight detection information so that a material to be measured within a predetermined weight range is always placed on the top cone 4a.

[0034] When the supply hopper 6 becomes empty, the linear feeder 5 is controlled to perform a conveying operation for a set short time, and a small amount of the material to be measured, which is about one fraction of the target weight, is fed into the supply hopper 6. The supply hopper 6 is controlled to open when the corresponding weighing conveyor 7 becomes empty, and the material to be measured falls and is supplied onto the belt conveyor 11 of the weighing conveyor 7. In the weighing conveyor 7, the material to be measured from the supply hopper 6 is received while the belt conveyor 11 is stopped, and its weight is measured. When the measured values of all the weighing conveyors 7 are obtained, a combination of weight values within the set target weight range is calculated, and a plurality of weighing conveyors 7 to be the target of the discharge operation are selected.

[0035] When it is confirmed that the collecting hopper 10 is empty, the conveyor belt 11 of the selected weighing conveyor 7 is activated, and the object to be weighed is conveyed and discharged toward the center of the apparatus. After being guided to flow down by the collecting chute 8, it is collected in the collecting hopper 10 via the collecting funnel 9. The belt conveyor 11 operates for a preset time sufficient to completely discharge the placed object to be weighed and then stops, and the next object to be weighed is supplied from the supply hopper 6 to the emptied belt conveyor 11. When a discharge request is issued from a packaging machine (not shown) to the collecting hopper 10, gate opening control is performed, and the object to be weighed with the target weight drops and is discharged.

[0036] In the present invention, the collecting chute 8 is configured as follows. That is, referring to FIG. 3, the collecting chute 8 is entirely formed in a funnel shape, divided into two stages in the vertical direction, and each is composed of two divided chutes 8a and 8b that are funnel-shaped.

[0037] Each of the divided chutes 8a and 8b in the two stages in the vertical direction is formed in a funnel shape, that is, a downwardly tapered ring shape. The lower end portion of the lower divided chute 8a fits into the upper end portion of the collecting funnel 9, and the lower end portion of the upper divided chute 8b fits into the upper end portion of the lower divided chute 8a.

[0038] Also, contact pins 14 as protrusions are fixed at a plurality of circumferential locations on the lower outer peripheral surface of each of the divided chutes 8a and 8b in the two stages in the vertical direction, three locations in this embodiment, at equal intervals in the circumferential direction.

[0039] The contact pin 14 of the lower divided chute 8a is placed and abutted on the upper edge of the collecting funnel 9. Thereby, the lower divided chute 8a is mounted and supported in a stable and fixed posture in a three-point support state with respect to the collecting funnel 9. Also, the contact pin 14 of the upper divided chute 8b is placed and abutted on the upper edge of the lower divided chute 8a, whereby the upper divided chute 8b is mounted and supported in a stable and fixed posture in a three-point support state with respect to the lower divided chute 8a.

[0040] As shown in Fig. 4, the upper edge of the collecting funnel 9 and the upper edges of the respective divided chutes 8a and 8b are hemmed and formed into thick edges without corners. Therefore, by this formation, the strength against the reception of the contact pins 14 is ensured, and a function of preventing injury during the attaching / detaching operation is provided.

[0041] In the combination scale, cleaning is performed regularly or as necessary. At this time, various device parts that come into contact with the object to be weighed are to be detached.

[0042] When detaching the collecting chute 8, as shown in Fig. 5, the supply hopper 6, the weighing conveyor 7, etc. are removed to open the outer periphery of the device widely, and the two-stage divided chutes 8a and 8b in the vertical direction are sequentially disassembled from the upper one and taken out from between the legs 3.

[0043] Also, when assembling the collecting chute 8, the two-stage divided chutes 8a and 8b in the vertical direction inserted from between the legs 3 are sequentially fitted and connected to the collecting funnel 9.

[0044] At this time, by rotating the inserted two-stage divided chutes 8a and 8b in the vertical direction and confirming that they are stable in a three-point support state, a correct mounting and support state can be ensured. 〔Other Embodiments〕 The present invention can also be implemented in the following forms. (1) As shown in Fig. 6, a round bar 15 may be welded to the upper edges of the two-stage divided chutes 8a and 8b in the vertical direction and the upper edge of the collecting funnel to form a thick edge without corners. (2) As the protruding portions provided on the outer peripheries of the two-stage divided chutes 8a and 8b in the vertical direction, it is not necessarily the contact pins 14. For example, protruding pieces made of plate materials may be used. (3) When the outer diameter of the collecting chute 8 is large, if handles are attached at appropriate positions on the outer peripheries of the two-stage divided chutes 8a and 8b in the vertical direction, the handling becomes easy. (4) By equipping the collecting funnel 9 and a plurality of appropriate locations on the outer peripheral surface of the lower split chute 8a with fastening fittings (patch fittings) that perform fastening and release by operating beyond the dead center of the lever, rattling during operation can be prevented. At this time, it is also possible to use the abutting pin (protrusion) as the engaging portion of the fastening fitting. (5) When the collecting chute 8 becomes tall in the vertical direction, the collecting chute 8 may be vertically divided into three or more stages. (6) The above embodiment illustrates the case where the weighing conveyor 7 is used as the weighing unit, but it can also be applied to a combination scale with a specification that uses a weighing hopper as the weighing unit.

Explanation of Signs

[0045] 6 Supply hopper 7 Weighing unit (weighing conveyor) 8 Collecting chute 8a Lower split chute 8b Upper split chute 9 Collecting funnel 14 Protrusion (abutting pin)

Claims

1. A combination scale is configured such that a plurality of supply hoppers are arranged in parallel in a circular pattern in a plan view, and a plurality of weighing units for measuring the weight of the weighed object discharged from each supply hopper are provided below each supply hopper. A measurement value that is the target weight is combined and calculated to select a weighing unit to be discharged from among the plurality of weighing units, and the weighed object sent out from the selected weighing unit is guided to flow down through a collection chute and led to a collection funnel set and arranged below the center of the apparatus. In this combination scale, the collection chute is divided into at least two-stage funnel-shaped split chutes in the vertical direction. Among the two-stage split chutes in the vertical direction, the lower split chute is detachably mounted and supported on the upper end portion of the collection funnel, and the upper split chute is detachably mounted and supported on the upper end portion of the lower split chute. This is the characteristic of the combination scale.

2. The lower end portion of the upper split chute is configured to be insertable into the upper end portion of the lower split chute, and a plurality of protruding portions that abut against the upper end edge of the lower split chute are provided at a plurality of circumferential locations on the lower outer periphery of the upper split chute. The combination scale according to Claim 1.

3. The protruding portions are provided at at least three locations in the circumferential direction. The combination scale according to Claim 2.

4. The entire circumference of the upper end edge of the lower split chute is configured as a thick edge. The combination scale according to Claim 3.

5. The thick edge is configured by hemming bending. The combination scale according to Claim 4.

6. Each of the plurality of weighing units is configured by a weighing conveyor. After measuring the weight of the weighed object in each weighing conveyor, the weighed object that has been weighed is placed and conveyed toward the center side of the apparatus and sent into the upper end portion of the collection chute. The combination scale according to any one of Claims 1 to 5.

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