Item measurement and discharge device

Abstract

To reduce the time and effort wasted for performing the proper inspection of an inspection device.SOLUTION: A weighing device 1 includes a hopper for storing items, a load cell for measuring the weight of the items, a control unit 80, and a communication unit 85 for receiving signals from the outside. The control unit 80 discharges the items from the hopper when the weight of the items satisfies an appropriate amount discharge condition. When the communication unit 85 receives an improper item request signal regarding the inspection of the items discharged from the hopper, the control unit discharges any items whose weight does not meet the appropriate amount discharge condition from the hopper.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an article measuring and discharging device. [Background technology]

[0002] As disclosed in Patent Document 1 (JP 2021-89251 A), a weighing device that measures items and discharges a predetermined amount of items, and a production line including the weighing device, are known. In this production line, a predetermined amount of items is discharged from the weighing device, packaged by a downstream packaging device, and the packages are then inspected by an inspection device. Examples of devices that inspect whether the weight and number of items are appropriate include weight checkers and X-ray inspection devices. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] Conventionally, when checking whether an inspection device is performing an inspection properly, it is necessary to send not only items that pass the inspection but also items that do not pass the inspection (hereinafter referred to as defective items) to the inspection device, and workers manually place the defective items in front of the inspection device. For example, to perform a weight checker's proper inspection, a worker places a bag containing overweight or underweight items in front of the weight checker once an hour.

[0004] However, in order to perform the proper inspection using this inspection device, the production line must be temporarily stopped and workers must take extra time and effort, so there is a need to reduce wasted time and effort. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] An item measuring and discharging device according to a first aspect includes a storage unit for storing items, a measurement unit, a control unit, and a receiving unit. The measurement unit measures the weight or number of items stored in the storage unit. The control unit discharges the items from the storage unit when the weight or number of items measured by the measurement unit meets a predetermined discharge condition. The receiving unit receives a signal from the outside. When the receiving unit receives a signal related to the inspection of the items discharged from the storage unit, the control unit discharges from the storage unit any items whose weight or number of items does not meet the discharge condition.

[0006] Here, the control unit basically discharges items from the storage unit when the measured value (weight or number) of the measured items meets the predetermined discharge conditions. However, exceptionally, when the receiving unit receives a signal related to item inspection, the control unit discharges items from the storage unit when the measured value does not meet the discharge conditions. As a result, when a signal related to item inspection is received, the item measuring and discharging device discharges items with a weight or number that does not meet the predetermined discharge conditions. In other words, the weight or number of items discharged from the storage unit does not meet the predetermined discharge conditions. Therefore, for example, when a downstream inspection device on a production line inspects whether the weight, etc. of the items actually meets the discharge conditions, it becomes easier to determine whether the inspection device is operating properly, thereby reducing conventional waste.

[0007] An item measuring and discharging device according to a second aspect is the item measuring and discharging device according to the first aspect, wherein the storage unit has first to Nth hoppers (N is an integer equal to or greater than 2). The first to Nth hoppers store items, respectively. The measurement unit measures first to Nth weights or numbers of items stored in the first to Nth hoppers. The control unit selects a combination of hoppers whose total weight or number satisfies the discharge condition based on the first to Nth weights or numbers, and discharges the items from the hoppers that make up the selected combination. Furthermore, when the receiving unit receives a signal, the control unit selects a combination of hoppers whose total weight or number does not satisfy the discharge condition, and discharges the items from the hoppers that make up the selected combination.

[0008] Here, by changing the combination of multiple hoppers selected, the amount of articles discharged from one or more hoppers constituting the selected combination can be made to deviate from the discharge conditions.

[0009] An item measuring and discharging device according to a third aspect is the item measuring and discharging device according to the second aspect, wherein the discharge conditions include an upper limit and a lower limit for the total weight or number of items. The external signal is an upper limit exceeding signal that requests the discharge of items whose weight or total number exceeds the upper limit. When the receiving unit receives the upper limit exceeding signal, the control unit selects a predetermined combination of hoppers and discharges the items from the hoppers that make up the selected combination. The predetermined combination of hoppers is a combination of hoppers whose total weight or number exceeds the upper limit and whose total weight or number falls within a predetermined numerical range that does not cause defects in another item processing device that processes the items discharged from the storage unit.

[0010] Here, when the receiver receives the upper limit exceeding signal, items whose weight or number exceeds the upper limit of the discharge conditions will be discharged from the storage unit. Therefore, it is expected that the amount of items discharged from the storage unit will be quite large, and if the weight or number becomes too large, there is a risk that the processing capacity of another item processing device will be exceeded. In light of this, the item measuring and discharging device according to the third aspect selects a combination of hoppers so that the total weight or number falls within a predetermined numerical range that will not cause defects in the other item processing device that processes the items discharged from the storage unit.

[0011] An item measuring and discharging device according to a fourth aspect is the item measuring and discharging device according to the third aspect, wherein the item processing device is a packaging device that packages the items discharged from the storage section.

[0012] An item measuring and discharging device according to a fifth aspect is an item measuring and discharging device according to any one of the first aspect to the fourth aspect, in which the inspection of the items discharged from the storage section is an inspection of the weight or number of the items. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing an entire production system for bagged products. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing an entire production system. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a weighing device. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing the main components of the packaging device. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a weight inspection device. [Figure 6] 10 is an example of an inspection result of the weight inspection device. [Figure 7] 1 is a table showing upper and lower limits of each discharge condition. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a flow diagram of the weighing and discharging operation of the weighing device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] A production system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below.

[0015] (1) Overall overview As shown in Fig. 1, the production system 100 is a system for weighing, packaging, and inspecting goods. As shown in Fig. 1, the production system 100 includes a weighing device 1, a packaging device 2, a weight inspection device 3, a seal inspection device 4, and a memory unit 5.

[0016] The weighing device 1, packaging device 2, weight inspection device 3, and seal inspection device 4 shown in Figure 1 constitute a weighing, packaging, and inspection system that weighs, packages, and inspects items. In the weighing, packaging, and inspection system, items to be weighed are supplied to the weighing device 1. The items supplied to the weighing device 1 are divided into groups of predetermined weight, then discharged from the weighing device 1 as weighed items and sent to the packaging device 2. In the packaging device 2, the weighed items are packed into bags in predetermined weight units. The weighed items (hereinafter also referred to as packages) filled into bags are placed on a belt conveyor and pass, in order, through the weight inspection device 3 and the seal inspection device 4. As they pass through, the packages are inspected for weight and seal condition. The inspection results from the weight inspection device 3 and the seal inspection device 4 are sent to a sorting mechanism (not shown) downstream. Based on the inspection results, this sorting mechanism sorts non-defective items to a regular line conveyor (not shown) and defective items to a defective item collection conveyor (not shown). The sorting mechanism is well known, and is, for example, a mechanism such as that shown in Japanese Patent No. 6721241 (JP6721241B2).

[0017] The memory unit 5 shown in FIG. 2 constitutes the control device C used in the production system 100. The memory unit 5 is included in the control device C. The control device C, the control unit 80 of the weighing device 1, the control unit of the packaging device 2, the control unit of the weight inspection device 3, and the control unit of the seal inspection device 4 are each realized by a computer. The control unit includes a control arithmetic unit and a storage device. The control arithmetic unit can use a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit). The control arithmetic unit reads a program stored in the storage device and performs predetermined arithmetic processing in accordance with the program. Furthermore, the control arithmetic unit can write arithmetic results to the storage device and read information stored in the storage device in accordance with the program.

[0018] (2) Detailed configuration (2-1)Measuring device 3, the weighing device 1 weighs the items supplied from the conveying unit 9 to a target weight value and supplies the weighed items to the packaging device 2. The items are items whose individual masses vary, such as agricultural products, marine products, processed foods, etc.

[0019] The weighing device 1 of this embodiment is a combination weighing device and includes a hopper that stores the articles to be weighed. Specifically, the weighing device 1 includes a dispersion table 11, a supply feeder 12, a pool hopper PH, a weighing hopper WH, a booster hopper BH, a chute 13, and a timing hopper TH. A plurality of each of the supply feeders 12, pool hoppers PH, weighing hoppers WH, and booster hoppers BH are installed. Here, first to Nth (N=10) supply feeders 12, pool hoppers PH, weighing hoppers WH, and booster hoppers BH are arranged at equal intervals around the dispersion table 11 in a top view.

[0020] The dispersion table 11 has a conical shape and is rotatable. The articles dropped onto the dispersion table 11 from the conveying unit 9 move radially while being dispersed circumferentially on the dispersion table 11 by the rotation, and then drop onto the supply feeders 12 arranged around the dispersion table 11.

[0021] The supply feeder 12 is vibrated by an electromagnetic vibration device (not shown). The supply feeder 12 receives the articles supplied from the dispersion table 11, and moves the received articles outward by the vibration, causing them to drop into the pool hopper PH downstream.

[0022] The pool hoppers PH receive articles from the supply feeder 12 and temporarily store them. Each pool hopper PH is supported by a support member (not shown) fixed to the main body frame 14. Below each pool hopper PH, a gate 15 is provided to open and close the discharge outlet at the bottom of the pool hopper PH. The timing of opening and closing each gate 15 is controlled by a controller (not shown). When the gate 15 opens, the articles stored in the pool hopper PH fall into the weighing hopper WH downstream.

[0023] The weighing hoppers WH are storage units that store items. The weighing hoppers WH weigh the items. Specifically, the weighing hoppers WH are located directly below the gates 15 and receive and temporarily store items from the pool hoppers PH. Each weighing hopper WH is supported by a support member (not shown) fixed to the main frame 14. The weight of the items in the weighing hoppers WH is measured by a load cell 16. Below each weighing hopper WH, a first gate 17 and a second gate 18 are provided to open and close the discharge outlet at the bottom of the weighing hopper WH. The timing of opening and closing the gates 17 and 18 is controlled by a controller (not shown). When the first gate 17 opens, the items stored in the weighing hopper WH fall into the downstream chute 13. When the second gate 18 opens, the items stored in the weighing hopper WH fall into the downstream booster hopper BH.

[0024] Each load cell 16 is a measuring unit that measures the weight of the items stored in the weighing hopper WH. Each load cell 16 weighs the products stored in the weighing hopper WH corresponding to that load cell 16. Each load cell 16 is disposed inside the weighing hopper WH corresponding to that load cell 16.

[0025] The booster hoppers BH are storage units that store and hold articles. Specifically, the booster hoppers BH are disposed directly below the second gate 18, and receive and temporarily store weighed articles from the weighing hoppers WH. Each booster hopper BH is supported by a support member (not shown) fixed to the main body frame 14. Below each booster hopper BH, a gate 19 is provided that opens and closes the discharge port at the bottom of the booster hopper BH. The timing of opening and closing each gate 19 is controlled by a controller (not shown). When the gate 19 opens, the articles stored in the booster hopper BH fall into the chute 13 downstream.

[0026] The chute 13 is formed in a cylindrical shape with an inner surface that is a truncated cone tapering downward. The chute 13 is arranged so that its inner surface is located below all of the weighing hoppers WH and all of the booster hoppers BH. The inner surface of the chute 13 is a surface that receives articles discharged from the weighing hoppers WH or booster hoppers BH and guides them to the packaging device 2.

[0027] The timing hopper TH is disposed below the chute 13. The timing hopper TH discharges the weighed objects. More specifically, a gate 20 is provided below the timing hopper TH to open and close the discharge port at the bottom of the timing hopper TH. The timing of opening and closing the gate 20 is controlled by a controller (not shown). With the gate 20 closed, the timing hopper TH temporarily stores the weighed objects discharged from the chute 13, and by opening the gate 20, the temporarily stored weighed objects are discharged to the packaging device 2.

[0028] The driving of the dispersing table 11, the vibration of the supply feeder 12, the opening and closing of the gates 17, 18, 19, and 20, etc. are controlled by the control unit 80 of the weighing device 1 shown in Fig. 2. The control unit 80 is connected via a communication unit 85 to the communication unit 8 of the control device C of the production system 100, the communication unit 35 of the weight inspection device 3, the packaging device 2, etc., and performs the discharge operation of the weighed objects based on signals from the other devices.

[0029] (2-2) Packaging equipment The packaging device 2 packages the weighed objects weighed by the weighing device 1. Specifically, the packaging device 2 packs the weighed objects sent from the weighing device 1 in predetermined weight increments into bags. As shown in FIG. 4 , the packaging device 2 includes a film supply mechanism (not shown), a forming mechanism 22, a conveying mechanism 23, a vertical sealing mechanism 24, and a horizontal sealing mechanism 25.

[0030] A film roll around which film F is wound is set in the film supply mechanism. The forming mechanism 22 forms the sheet-like film F sent from the film supply mechanism into a cylindrical shape. The forming mechanism 22 has a tube (cylindrical portion) 22a and a former 22b.

[0031] Tube 22a is a cylindrical member that is open at the top and bottom and extends in the vertical direction. Tube 22a is fixed to former 22b via a bracket (not shown). The objects to be weighed, which drop from the weighing device 1 in predetermined weight increments, are fed into the opening at the top end of tube 22a. In other words, the objects to be weighed are configured to pass through the inside of tube 22a.

[0032] Former 22b is disposed near the top of tube 22a so as to surround tube 22a. Former 22b is shaped so that sheet-like film F fed from the film supply mechanism is formed into a cylindrical shape when passing through the gap between former 22b and tube 22a. In other words, sheet-like film F is wrapped around the outer surface of tube 22a as it passes through the gap, and is formed into a cylindrical shape.

[0033] The conveying mechanism 23 conveys downward the film F (hereinafter referred to as the tubular film Fc) formed into a tubular shape by the forming mechanism 22. The conveying mechanism 23 has a pair of pull-down belts 26, 27. The pull-down belts 26, 27 are arranged to extend vertically symmetrically with respect to the tube 22a extending vertically. The pull-down belts 26, 27 come into contact with the tubular film Fc wound around the tube 22a and serve to convey the tubular film Fc downward while adsorbing it.

[0034] The vertical sealing mechanism 24 seals the overlapping portions of the tubular film Fc in the vertical direction. The vertical sealing mechanism 24 is disposed so as to extend vertically along the tube 22a. The vertical sealing mechanism 24 heat-seals the overlapping portions of the tubular film Fc wrapped around the tube 22a by pressing them against the side of the tube 22a with a constant pressure. The vertical sealing mechanism 24 has a heater and a heater belt that is heated by the heater.

[0035] The horizontal sealing mechanism 25 seals the bag by sealing the upper and lower ends of the tubular film Fc in the horizontal direction. The horizontal sealing mechanism 25 is disposed below the tube 22a. The horizontal sealing mechanism 25 has a pair of left and right sealing jaws 25a.

[0036] The sealing jaws 25a have an internal heater. This heater heats the sealing surfaces (the surfaces that face each other during lateral sealing) of the sealing jaws 25a, and the tubular film Fc sandwiched between the sealing jaws 25a is heat-sealed in the lateral direction. The sealing jaws 25a are connected to a rotating shaft (not shown) via an arm member (not shown) and rotate around the rotating shaft. The rotating shaft rotates the sealing jaws 25a and moves them horizontally so that they move toward and away from each other, causing the sealing jaws 25a to sandwich the tubular film Fc at the appropriate timing.

[0037] (2-3) Weight inspection equipment The weight inspection device 3 shown in FIGS. 1 and 5 inspects the weight of the objects discharged from the weighing device 1. Here, the weight inspection device 3 inspects the weight of the objects discharged from the packaging device 2. The weight inspection device 3 selects only the objects determined to be non-defective and transports them to the seal inspection device 4 located downstream. The weight inspection device 3 includes a weighing conveyor 31 shown in FIG. 5, a load cell (not shown), a housing 32, legs 33, a display unit 34, and a communication unit 35 shown in FIG. 2.

[0038] The weighing conveyor 31 transports the objects M downstream. The weighing conveyor 31 includes a motor (not shown), rollers 31a, and a belt 31b.

[0039] The pair of rollers 31a are rotatably disposed at both ends in the horizontal direction. When one roller 31a is driven by a motor, the other roller 31a is driven.

[0040] The belt 31b is wound around a pair of rollers 31a. In this example, the belt 31b is a flat belt. When the rollers 31a are driven by a motor, the belt 31b transports the objects M placed on the belt 31b horizontally forward (in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 5).

[0041] The weight checker 3 may further include another conveyor disposed upstream and downstream of the weighing conveyor 31 in the transport direction.

[0042] The load cell detects a change in strain caused by the weight of the object M being weighed being conveyed by the weighing conveyor 31, and measures the weight of the object M to be weighed.

[0043] The housing 32 is supported by a pair of legs 33 and houses the weighing conveyor 31 and the load cell.

[0044] The display unit 34 is a touch panel type input / output display that displays the results of the inspection of the weight of the object M. The display unit 34 displays the inspection results so that they can be visually recognized. The display unit 34 displays the weight value of the object M, a predetermined reference weight, etc. The display unit 34 also displays the inspection results of correct weight, overweight, and underweight, which will be described later. Furthermore, the display unit 34 displays an improper weight request button 34a, which will be described later, when operated (see FIG. 2).

[0045] 2 communicates with the control device C. Here, the communication unit 35 transmits the inspection result of the weight inspection device 3 to the storage unit 5, which will be described later.

[0046] The weight inspection device 3 further includes a determination unit 36. The determination unit 36 ​​determines whether the inspection result is correct, overweight, or underweight relative to a predetermined reference weight. The predetermined reference weight is set arbitrarily. The predetermined weight may be a weight set in advance or may be based on the weight measured by the weighing device 1. The determination unit 36 ​​compares the weight of the object M measured by the weight inspection device 3 with the predetermined weight. A correct weight is a weight within the predetermined weight range. An overweight is a weight that exceeds the predetermined weight. A underweight is a weight that is less than the predetermined weight. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 6, the predetermined reference weight is set to 100 or more and 105 or less, and a weight value inspected by the weight inspection device 3 is correct if it is 100 or more and 105 or less, overweight if it is over 105, and underweight if it is less than 100.

[0047] (2-4) Seal inspection device 1, the seal inspection device 4 inspects bags filled with weighed items for defective seals. Here, the seal inspection device 4 inspects whether or not the package in which the weighed items are packaged by the packaging device 2 is sealed.

[0048] The seal inspection device 4 includes a conveying unit 41, a holding device 42, a parallel motion mechanism 43, and a rotation angle detector (not shown). The conveying unit 41 conveys the packaged objects to be weighed. The holding device 42 holds the objects to be weighed from above. The parallel motion mechanism 43 moves the holding device 42 in a parallel manner. The parallel motion mechanism 43 has a link connected to the holding device 42. The holding device 42 is attached to the parallel motion mechanism 43 so that it can rotate freely within a predetermined angle range. When an object to be weighed enters, the holding device 42 lifts diagonally upward and presses down on the bag of the object by its own weight.

[0049] The rotation angle detector is provided at the rotation center of the parallel motion mechanism 43 and is, for example, a rotary encoder. The rotation angle detector detects the rotation angle of the parallel motion mechanism 43. If the detected rotation angle is smaller than the reference rotation angle, the control unit of the seal inspection device 4 determines that the seal is defective.

[0050] (2-5) Storage section The memory unit 5 shown in Fig. 2 stores the inspection results of the weight inspection device 3. More specifically, it stores the inspection results of successive objects inspected by the weight inspection device 3, along with the order in which they were inspected. An example of the inspection results stored in the memory unit 5 is shown in Fig. 6.

[0051] (3) Operation of the measuring device (3-1) Weighing operation of the weighing device First, as shown in Figure 3, an appropriate amount of articles are sequentially fed from the conveying unit 9 of the weighing device 1 onto the dispersion table 11. The articles fed onto the dispersion table 11 move on the dispersion table 11 as the dispersion table 11 rotates, and fall onto the supply feeders 12 arranged in a circle around the dispersion table 11. The articles that have fallen onto the supply feeders 12 move on the supply feeders 12 due to the vibration of the supply feeders 12, and fall into the pool hoppers PH arranged in a circle around the supply feeders 12. At this time, the gate 15 is in a closed state, and the articles are stored in the pool hoppers PH.

[0052] Each gate 15 is controlled to open when no articles are stored in the weighing hopper WH located below that gate 15. As a result, the articles stored in the pool hopper PH are discharged into the weighing hopper WH downstream of that pool hopper PH. At this time, both gates 17 and 18 are closed, and the articles are stored in the weighing hopper WH. The load cell 16 performs measurement when articles are stored in the weighing hopper WH corresponding to that load cell 16.

[0053] Each second gate 18 is controlled to open when no articles are stored in the booster hopper BH located below that gate 18. This causes the articles stored in the weighing hopper WH to be discharged into the booster hopper BH downstream of that weighing hopper WH. At this time, the gate 19 is closed, and articles are stored in the booster hopper BH.

[0054] Then, after the weighing hopper WH has been emptied by discharging the articles into the booster hopper BH, new articles are placed into the weighing hopper WH from the upstream pool hopper PH. The weight of the new articles placed into the weighing hopper WH is also measured by the load cell 16.

[0055] (3-2) Combination calculation of weighing device and item discharge operation The items in the weighing hoppers WH and the booster hoppers BH, whose weights have been measured by the load cell 16, are subjected to a combination calculation using these weight values. The combination calculation is executed by the control unit 80 of the weighing device 1. The combination calculation refers to combining and adding up the weight values ​​of the items stored in each weighing hopper WH and each booster hopper BH to find a combination of items such that the total weight value falls within a predetermined range.

[0056] The control unit 80 executes a combination calculation process to select several hoppers WH, BH from the plurality of hoppers WH, BH. When several hoppers WH, BH are selected by the combination calculation process, the gates 17, 19 that open and close the discharge outlets of the selected hoppers WH, BH are controlled to open, and the articles stored in the selected hoppers WH, BH are discharged into the chute 13. Then, the hoppers WH, BH that have been emptied by discharging the articles into the chute 13 are sequentially replenished with new articles from the upstream hoppers PH, WH.

[0057] The collected articles slide down the chute 13 and are discharged into the timing hopper TH. At this time, the gate 20 is closed and the articles are stored in the timing hopper TH. The gate 20 is controlled to open in accordance with the timing at which the articles are supplied to the packaging device 2 located below the gate 20. As a result, the articles stored in the timing hopper TH are transported to the packaging device 2 downstream of the weighing device 1.

[0058] (3-3) Each discharge condition in the combined calculation As described above, the control unit 80 of the weighing device 1 determines a combination of items in the combination calculation such that the total weight value falls within a predetermined range. As this predetermined range, i.e., as the discharge conditions, the control unit 80 stores the appropriate amount discharge condition, which is the basic discharge condition, as well as the other inappropriate amount discharge conditions A and B (see the three conditions in Figures 7 and 8).

[0059] (3-3-1) Appropriate amount discharge conditions When producing packaging that will become a product, the control unit 80 performs a combination calculation so that the total weight value falls within the range of the basic optimum amount discharge condition. As shown in Figure 7, the optimum amount discharge condition has an upper weight limit of 105 grams and a lower weight limit of 100 grams. When the optimum amount discharge condition is used, the control unit 80 performs a combination calculation to select a hopper so that the total weight value falls within the range of 100 to 105 grams.

[0060] (3-3-2) Inappropriate Discharge Condition A and Inappropriate Discharge Condition B As described above, the display unit 34 of the weight inspection device 3 displays the improper-weight item request button 34a when operated by an operator who checks whether the weight inspection device 3 is operating normally in the production system 100. When the operator presses this improper-weight item request button 34a, an improper-weight item request signal is sent from the communication unit 35 of the weight inspection device 3 to the weighing device 1. The improper-weight item request signal is a signal that requests the weighing device 1 to discharge an improperly weighed item (improperly weighed item) instead of a properly weighed item.

[0061] Here, two types of buttons are provided as the improper-quantity item request button 34a. The first button is a button that requests weighing of an excessively heavy item that exceeds the appropriate weight range, and when this button is pressed, improper-quantity discharge condition A is used only once in the weighing device 1. As shown in FIG. 7, improper-quantity discharge condition A has an upper weight limit of 140 grams for the combination calculation and a lower weight limit of 106 grams for the combination calculation. When improper-quantity discharge condition A is used, the control unit 80 selects a hopper by performing a combination calculation so that the total weight value is between 106 and 140 grams.

[0062] The second button is a button for requesting weighing of a light object that is below the appropriate weight range, and when this button is pressed, the improper amount discharge condition B is used only once in the weighing device 1. As shown in Fig. 7, the improper amount discharge condition B has an upper weight limit of 99 grams for the combination calculation and a lower weight limit of 30 grams for the combination calculation. When the control unit 80 uses the improper amount discharge condition B, it performs a combination calculation and selects a hopper so that the total weight value is between 30 and 99 grams.

[0063] The improper-weight item request signal sent to the weighing device 1 when the improper-weight item request button 34a is pressed to request an overweight item is an upper limit exceeding signal requesting the discharge of items with a total weight value that exceeds the weight range of the appropriate-weight discharge conditions. The weight range of the improper-weight discharge conditions A corresponding to this signal is set to a weight range that will not result in defective packaging in the packaging device 2 that packages the weighed items discharged from the weighing device 1. Specifically, even if the weight of the item is overweight, if it is between 106 and 140 grams, there is no risk of poor horizontal sealing or bag rupture in the packaging device 2, and the packaging will be carried out normally.

[0064] (3-4) Flow of combination calculation and discharge operation When the control unit 80 of the weighing device 1 receives a signal (discharge request signal) from the downstream packaging device 2 requesting the discharge of weighed objects, it opens the gate 20 and drops the objects stored in the timing hopper TH into the packaging device 2. Once the objects have been discharged from the timing hopper TH, the control unit 80 discharges the objects from several hoppers WH, BH selected by the combination calculation process, and sends the weighed objects from the chute 13 to the timing hopper TH. Below, the combination calculation process performed by the control unit 80 and the discharge operation of the weighed objects will be described with reference to FIG. 8.

[0065] Prior to the combination calculation process, the control unit 80 determines which discharge condition to use in steps S11 to S15. First, in step S11, the communication unit 85 determines whether or not it has received an improper-weight item request signal from the weight inspection device 3. If it has not received an improper-weight item request signal, the process proceeds to step S12, where it determines to use the appropriate-weight discharge condition, and executes the combination calculation process in step S16. If it has received an improper-weight item request signal, the process proceeds to step S13, where the control unit 80 determines whether the improper-weight item request signal is an overweight request signal or a light-weight request signal. If the improper-weight item request signal is an overweight request signal, the process proceeds to step S14, where it determines to use improper-weight discharge condition A, and executes the combination calculation process in step S16. If the improper-weight item request signal is a light-weight request signal, the process proceeds to step S15, where it determines to use improper-weight discharge condition B, and executes the combination calculation process in step S16.

[0066] As described above, in step S16, the control unit 80 executes a combination calculation process using the appropriate amount discharge condition, or the improper amount discharge condition A or the improper amount discharge condition B, which deviate from the appropriate amount discharge condition. Then, the process proceeds to step S17, where the control unit 80 opens the gates 17 and 19 corresponding to the several hoppers WH and BH selected by the combination calculation, and discharges the weighed objects whose total weight is the predetermined weight from the hoppers WH and BH.

[0067] (4) Operation of packaging equipment As shown in Figure 4, the conveying mechanism 23 is driven, and the film F is unwound from the film roll of the film supply mechanism and guided to the forming mechanism 22. In the forming mechanism 22, the sheet-like film F unwound from the film roll travels along the surface of the former 22b, and as it passes through the gap between the former 22b and the tube 22a, it is wrapped around the outer surface of the cylindrical tube 22a to become a tubular film Fc. The tubular film Fc is then conveyed downward with its inner surface following the outer surface of the tube 22a. At this time, the vertical sealing mechanism 24 applies heat sealing to the overlapping portions of the tubular film Fc that should be vertically sealed.

[0068] Next, the tubular film Fc passes through tube 22a and descends to horizontal sealing mechanism 25. In horizontal sealing mechanism 25, a horizontal heat seal is applied to the portion of the tubular film Fc that will become the bottom end of the bag. At this time, the block of articles falls from weighing device 1 through tube 22a and accumulates in the tubular film Fc. Then, with the articles filled inside, a horizontal heat seal is applied to the portion of the tubular film Fc that will become the top end of the bag, and then this heat seal is cut horizontally by a cutter (not shown) built into one of sealing jaws 25a. This separates the preceding package from the following package. The separated package falls onto the subsequent belt conveyor.

[0069] (5) Operation of weight inspection equipment The objects to be weighed that have fallen onto the belt conveyor are transported to the weighing conveyor 31 of the weight inspection device 3 shown in Figures 1 and 5. The weight inspection device 3 measures the weight of the objects to be weighed positioned on the weighing conveyor 31 using a load cell. If the weight of the object to be weighed exceeds or falls below a predetermined weight range, the object is determined to be defective and is removed from the regular line conveyor by the sorting mechanism described above.

[0070] (6) Operation of the seal inspection device The weighed object, whose weight has been measured by the weight inspection device 3, is transported to the transport section 41 of the seal inspection device 4 shown in FIG. 1. In the seal inspection device 4, a presser 42 is rotated by a parallel motion mechanism 43 to press down on the packaged object from above. At this time, a rotation angle detector detects the rotation angle of the parallel motion mechanism 43 (link). If the detected rotation angle is equal to or greater than a reference rotation angle, the seal is determined to be good and the object is transported as a product. If the detected rotation angle is smaller than the reference rotation angle, the seal is determined to be bad and the object is removed from the production line.

[0071] (7) Features (7-1) In the weighing device 1 of this embodiment, the control unit 80 basically discharges items from the hoppers WH, BH when the measured value (weight) of the measured items satisfies the appropriate amount discharge condition. However, as an exception, when the communication unit 85 receives a signal related to item inspection (an improper amount item request signal) during normal operation of the weighing device 1, the control unit 80 discharges items from the hoppers WH, BH when the measured value does not meet the appropriate amount discharge condition. In other words, a combination calculation process is performed so that the total weight falls under the improper amount discharge condition A or the improper amount discharge condition B, which do not meet the appropriate amount discharge condition, and the control unit 80 discharges from the hoppers WH, BH the weighed items with a total weight that meets the overweight request signal or the light weight request signal.

[0072] As a result, even when the weighing device 1 is operating normally, when it receives an improper-weight item request signal from the weight inspection device 3, it will discharge an item whose weight does not meet the appropriate discharge conditions. In other words, the weight of the item discharged from the hoppers WH, BH will not meet the appropriate discharge conditions. This makes it easier for the downstream weight inspection device 3 in the production system 100 to determine whether or not a normal inspection is being performed, and eliminates the need to manually feed excessively heavy or light items into the weight inspection device 3 as in the past, thereby reducing unnecessary work by workers.

[0073] As described above, during normal operation of the weighing device 1, the weighing object discharge operation (inappropriate amount discharge mode in FIG. 2) is performed under conditions that are not in line with the appropriate amount discharge conditions in order to check the operation of the weight inspection device 3 on the production line (production system 100). Normal operation refers to an operation in which the production line is operating and produces, weighs, processes, and inspects items.

[0074] (7-2) In the weighing device 1 of this embodiment, by changing the combination selection of multiple hoppers WH and BH, the amount of goods discharged from one or more hoppers WH and BH that make up the selected combination can be made to deviate from the appropriate amount discharge conditions.

[0075] (7-3) In the weighing device 1 of this embodiment, when the weight inspection device 3 presses the improper-weight item request button 34a, which requests weighing of an overweight item, an improper-weight item request signal is sent to the weighing device 1. This improper-weight item request signal is an upper limit exceeding signal requesting the discharge of items whose combined weight exceeds the weight range of the appropriate-amount discharge conditions. When the communication unit 85 of the weighing device 1 receives this upper limit exceeding signal, items whose combined weight exceeds the upper limit of the appropriate-amount discharge conditions (105 grams in this case) will be discharged from the hoppers WH and BH. Therefore, it is expected that the amount of items discharged from the hoppers WH and BH will be too large. If the weight becomes too large, there is a risk that the processing capacity of the packaging device 2 will be exceeded. In consideration of this, the weighing device 1 of this embodiment selects a combination of hoppers WH and BH so that the total weight falls within a predetermined numerical range (106 to 140 grams) that will not result in defects in the packaging device 2, which processes the weighed items discharged from the hoppers WH and BH.

[0076] (8) Variations Modifications of the above embodiment are shown below. Note that part or all of the content of each modification may be combined with the content of the above embodiment or with the content of other modifications as long as they do not contradict each other.

[0077] (8-1) Variation A In the above embodiment, the weighing device 1 performs a combination calculation using the weight values ​​of the items in the hoppers WH and BH, and discharges items whose combined weight falls within a predetermined numerical range from the hoppers WH and BH. However, the present invention can also be applied to a weighing device that measures the number of items in the hoppers WH and BH instead of the weight values, and discharges items whose combined number falls within a predetermined numerical range from the hoppers WH and BH.

[0078] The number of items in the hoppers WH and BH can be calculated by converting the weight of the items in the hoppers WH and BH, or by photographing the items in the hoppers from above with a camera and analyzing the image to determine the number of items.The number of items can also be determined by using a sensor to detect the items being put into the hoppers WH and BH.

[0079] (8-2) Variation B In the above embodiment, the devices that make up the production system 100 are described as a weighing device 1, a packaging device 2, a weight inspection device 3, a seal inspection device 4, a sorting device, etc., but a boxing device that boxes the packages that have been inspected, other inspection devices, etc. may also be incorporated into the production line.

[0080] For example, instead of the weight inspection device 3, an X-ray inspection device may be used to measure the number and weight of the articles in the package and inspect the package.

[0081] Furthermore, instead of the weighing device 1 being a combination weighing device, the present invention may be applied to a weighing device that does not perform combination calculations. For example, the present invention may be applied to a weighing device for powdery materials or tablets.

[0082] (8-3) Variation C In the above embodiment, an improper quantity request button 34a is provided on the display unit 34 of the weight inspection device 3, but a touch panel or physical button may also be provided on the control device C of the production system 100, and an improper quantity request signal may be sent from there to the weighing device 1.

[0083] In addition, instead of a configuration in which an improper-quantity item request signal is sent to the weighing device 1 when an operator presses the improper-quantity item request button 34a, a schedule setting function may be provided in the weight inspection device 3 or the control device C, and an improper-quantity item request signal may be sent to the weighing device 1 based on the schedule setting.

[0084] (8-4) Variation D In the weighing device 1 of the above embodiment, the control unit 80 executes the combination calculation process using the appropriate amount discharge condition, or an improper amount discharge condition A or an improper amount discharge condition B that deviate from the appropriate amount discharge condition. Alternatively, only the appropriate amount discharge condition and the improper amount discharge condition A may be used, or only the appropriate amount discharge condition and the improper amount discharge condition B may be used.

[0085] Alternatively, the inappropriate amount discharge condition may not be set, and combination calculation processing may be performed so that the appropriate amount discharge condition is met when an inappropriate amount item request signal is not received, and combination calculation processing may be performed so that the appropriate amount discharge condition is not met when an inappropriate amount item request signal is received. Examples of combination calculation processing performed so that the appropriate amount discharge condition is not met include processing to select one hopper after confirming that the weight of the items in any one non-empty hopper does not satisfy the appropriate amount discharge condition (below the lower limit weight value), and processing to select three hoppers after confirming that the total value of the weights of the top three items in the hoppers does not satisfy the appropriate amount discharge condition (exceeds the upper limit weight value). [Explanation of symbols]

[0086] 1. Weighing device (item measurement and discharge device) 2 Packaging equipment 3. Weight inspection equipment 16 Load cell (measuring part) 80 Control Unit 85 Communication unit (receiving unit) WH, BH Hopper (storage section) [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0087] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-89251

Claims

1. a storage unit for storing items; a measuring unit that measures the weight or number of the items stored in the storage unit; a control unit that discharges the articles from the storage unit when the weight or the number measured by the measurement unit satisfies a predetermined discharge condition; a receiving unit that receives a signal from an external device; Equipped with When the receiving unit receives a signal related to the inspection of the items discharged from the storage unit, the control unit discharges from the storage unit the items whose weight or number falls outside the discharge condition. Item measurement and discharge device.

2. the storage unit has first to Nth hoppers (N is an integer of 2 or more) that store the items, respectively; the measuring unit measures first to Nth weights or numbers, which are weights or numbers of the articles stored in the first to Nth hoppers; the control unit selects a combination of hoppers whose total weight or number satisfies the discharge condition based on the first to Nth weights or numbers, and discharges the articles from the hoppers constituting the selected combination; When the receiving unit receives the signal, the control unit selects a combination of the hoppers whose total weight or number does not satisfy the discharge condition, and discharges the articles from the hoppers that constitute the selected combination.

2. The article measuring and discharging device according to claim 1.

3. the discharge conditions include upper and lower limits of the total weight or the total number of the waste materials, the signal is an upper limit exceeding signal requesting the discharge of the articles whose total weight or number exceeds the upper limit value, When the receiving unit receives the upper limit exceeding signal, the control unit selects a combination of hoppers in which the total of the weight or the number exceeds the upper limit value and falls within a predetermined numerical range that will not cause defects in another article processing device that processes the articles discharged from the storage unit, and discharges the articles from the hoppers that make up the selected combination.

3. The article measuring and discharging device according to claim 2.

4. the article processing device is a packaging device that packages the article discharged from the storage section, 4. The article measuring and discharging device according to claim 3.

5. The inspection of the items discharged from the storage section is an inspection of the weight or number of the items.

5. An article measuring and discharging device according to claim 1.

Images