Metering device

Abstract

To prevent the occurrence of an inaccurate commodity weight.SOLUTION: The weighing apparatus 1 according to an embodiment includes the weighing unit 22 that weighs the products A to C while conveying the products A to C, the storage unit 101 that stores the correction coefficient for correcting the weighing error occurring during the conveyance of the products A to C in association with the products A to C, the designation unit 71 that designates the products A to C, and the control unit 100 that acquires the correction coefficient corresponding to the products A to C designated by the designation unit 71 from the storage unit 101, corrects the actual measurement value of the weighing unit 22 with the acquired correction coefficient, and outputs that the weights of the products A to C are not corrected when the correction coefficient is not stored in the storage unit 101.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a weighing device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, in weighing devices that weigh products while they are being transported, an error occurs between the actual measured value during transport and the actual measured value when the device is stationary. Therefore, the deviation between the average value of the actual measured value during transport and the actual measured value when the device is stationary is registered in advance, and the actual measured value during transport is corrected using the registered deviation. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-25831 [Patent Document 2] Special Publication No. 7-60108 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the above-mentioned correction is only necessary when weighing relatively heavy products, and if the weight of the product is below a specified weight (for example, below 2 kg), the error falls within the allowable error and correction may not be necessary.

[0005] However, when pricing products by weight, the weight of the products arranged on trays, etc. is not constant, so if a product is transported assuming that it is less than 2 kg, and it actually weighs more than 2 kg, the measurement error will exceed the allowable range, resulting in the problem of pricing the product by weight based on an inaccurate actual measurement.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and has as its object to provide a weighing device that does not produce the above-mentioned inaccurate product weights. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A weighing device according to one embodiment comprises a weighing unit that weighs a product while it is being transported, a memory unit that stores a correction coefficient for correcting a weighing error that occurs during the transport of the product, corresponding to the product, a designation unit that designates the product, and a control unit that acquires from the memory unit the correction coefficient corresponding to the product designated by the designation unit, corrects the actual measured value of the weighing unit with the acquired correction coefficient, and, if the correction coefficient is not stored in the memory unit, outputs a message indicating that the weight of the product has not been corrected. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a weighing device that does not produce the above-mentioned inaccurate product weights. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a weighing device 1 according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of functional blocks of the weighing device 1 according to one embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a product master according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a product master according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description of the drawings, identical or similar parts are designated by identical or similar reference numerals. However, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic, and the dimensional ratios and the like may differ from those of the actual parts. Therefore, specific dimensions and the like should be determined with reference to the following description. Furthermore, parts in the drawings may have different dimensional relationships and ratios. In this specification and the drawings, elements having substantially the same functions and configurations are designated by the same reference numerals to avoid redundant description, and elements not directly related to the present invention are not shown.

[0011] (First embodiment) A weighing device 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. Figure 1 shows an example of the overall configuration of the weighing device 1 according to this embodiment, Figure 2 shows an example of functional blocks of the weighing device 1 according to this embodiment, and Figure 3 shows an example of a product master according to this embodiment.

[0012] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the weighing device 1 of this embodiment includes an intake conveyor 10, a weighing conveyor 20, an application conveyor 30, a sorting conveyor 40, a first sensor 50, a second sensor 60, an operation and display unit 70, a label printer (printing unit) 80, a label application machine (application unit) 90, and a control unit 100.

[0013] The intake conveyor 10 is a device that takes in the products A to C from outside and transports them to the weighing conveyor 20.

[0014] The first sensor 50 is provided between the intake conveyor 10 and the weighing conveyor 20, and is a sensor that detects the front ends of the products A to C on the weighing conveyor 20.

[0015] The weighing conveyor 20 is a device that weighs the products A to C conveyed from the intake conveyor 10 while conveying them to the application conveyor 30.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 2, the weighing conveyor 20 includes a transport section 21 and a weighing section 22.

[0017] As described above, the conveying section 21 conveys the products A to C conveyed from the intake conveyor 10 to the application conveyor 30. The weighing unit 22 weighs the products A to C while they are being transported. Specifically, the weighing unit 22 acquires the weights of the products A to C (actual measured values ​​during transport) when a predetermined time has elapsed since the entire products are placed on the weighing conveyor, which is estimated based on the time when the first sensor 50 detects the front ends of the products A to C (the time when the leading edges of the products A to C reach the discharge end of the weighing conveyor 20).

[0018] The second sensor 60 is provided between the weighing conveyor 20 and the application conveyor 30, and is a sensor that detects the front ends of the products A to C on the weighing conveyor 20.

[0019] The control unit 100 controls the speed and ON / OFF operation of the intake conveyor 10, weighing conveyor 20, application conveyor 30 and sorting conveyor 40 by sending control signals to the intake conveyor 10, weighing conveyor 20, application conveyor 30 and sorting conveyor 40.

[0020] In addition, the control unit 100 controls the conveying speeds of the intake conveyor 10, the weighing conveyor 20, the application conveyor 30 and the sorting conveyor 40 by sending speed instruction signals to the intake conveyor 10, the weighing conveyor 20, the application conveyor 30 and the sorting conveyor 40 based on the conveying speeds set by the products A to C.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 100 includes a storage unit 101.

[0022] The storage unit 101 stores correction coefficients for correcting weighing errors that occur during the transport of the products A to C, in association with the products A to C. It also stores the transport speed at the time the correction coefficients were obtained.

[0023] For example, the storage unit 101 stores a product master as shown in Fig. 3. The product master shown in Fig. 3 shows only a part of the product master, and stores, for example, a "call number," a "product name," a "unit price," a "use-by date," an "additive name," an "estimated weight," a "tare weight," and a "correction coefficient" in association with each other.

[0024] Here, "call number" indicates the number used to call products A to C, "product name" indicates the name (identification information) of products A to C, "unit price" indicates the price per unit weight of products A to C, "best before date" indicates the best before date of products A to C based on the date of manufacture, "additive name" indicates the name of the additive contained in products A to C, "estimated weight" indicates the estimated weight of products A to C placed on a tray, "tare" indicates the weight of a tare such as a tray on which products A to C are placed, and "correction coefficient" indicates a correction coefficient for correcting weighing errors that occur when products A to C are transported at a standard speed. Note that instead of the estimated weight, the tray size large enough to place products of the estimated weight may be stored.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 2, the operation / display unit 70 includes a designation unit 71 for calling up products A to C and a display unit 72 for displaying an operation screen.

[0026] The designation unit 71 designates products A to C in response to an operation by the user. For example, products A to C are designated by inputting a call number from an operation screen. The display unit 70 displays various operation screens in response to an operation by the user, and displays a display screen for the product name, weight, etc.

[0027] The control unit 100 acquires from the storage unit 101 the correction coefficients corresponding to the products A to C (call numbers) designated by the designation unit 71, and corrects the actual measurement values ​​(weights of products A to C) of the weighing unit 22 using the acquired correction coefficients (dynamic correction). In this case, the control unit 100 may acquire the corrected weights of products A to C (including the tare weights of products A to C) by multiplying the actual measurement values ​​of products A to C at the time of transport by the correction coefficients.

[0028] If the expected weights of products A to C are registered as being equal to or greater than a reference weight (e.g., 2 kg), the control unit 100 obtains a correction coefficient corresponding to the expected weights of products A to C from the product master, corrects the actual measured values ​​of products A to C at the time of transportation obtained by the weighing unit 22, and subtracts the tare weights of products A to C obtained from the product master from the corrected weights to determine the net weights of products A to C.

[0029] Next, the control unit 100 calculates the sales price by multiplying the determined net weight of each of the products A to C by the unit price, and outputs data relating to the calculated sales price to the label printer 80.

[0030] When the correction coefficient is called up from the storage unit (product master) 101 based on the call number, the product information (product name, unit price, expiration date, additive names, tare weight, etc.) is also read out and set in the working area. At this time, information that does not change, such as the product name, unit price, and additive names, is output to the label printer 80 first, and information that does change, such as the weight, sales price, and expiration date and time, is output to the label printer 80 once it has been determined.

[0031] On the other hand, if the correction coefficients corresponding to the products A to C specified by the specification unit 71 are not stored in the storage unit 101, the control unit 100 outputs a message to the effect that the weights of the products A to C have not been corrected. For example, in this case, the control unit 100 outputs a message to the label printer 80 that the weights of the products A to C have not been corrected.

[0032] Here, if the estimated weights of products A to C are less than the reference weight, the resulting error weight falls within the allowable range, and therefore correction coefficients for products A to C do not need to be registered. In such a case, the control unit 100 may calculate the net weights and sales prices of products A to C from the actual measurements made during transport of products A to C, and output them to the label printer 80.

[0033] However, since the serving amount of each product A to C varies slightly, if the actual measured value of the product A to C exceeds the reference weight, dynamic correction is required. However, since a correction coefficient has not been registered in advance for such products A to C, the control unit 100 may stop the weighing conveyor 20 or remove the products A to C from the conveying line without issuing a product label.

[0034] The label printer 80 issues a product label L by printing the product information (product name, net weight, sales price, additive names, unit price, etc.) input from the control unit 100.

[0035] That is, the label printer 80 prints the net weights and sales prices of the products A to C, as well as other product information, on the product labels L based on the weights of the products A to C corrected by the control unit 100.

[0036] The label applicator 90 applies the product labels L printed by the label printer 80 to the products A to C being conveyed.

[0037] Specifically, the label application machine 90 receives the product label L issued by the label printer 80 with the label suction head 91, and based on an operation instruction signal from the control unit 100, lowers the label suction head 91 when the products A to C reach the label application position, thereby applying the product label L to the products A to C.

[0038] That is, when a predetermined time has elapsed since the second sensor 60 detected the leading ends of the products A to C, the control unit 100 lowers the label suction head 91 of the label applicator 90 to apply the product label L to the predetermined position of the products A to C.

[0039] Furthermore, since the error between the actual measured value and the actual weight of the product during transportation depends on the weight of the product, the memory unit 101 may calculate correction coefficients for products A to C for each weight range within the weight range expected for pre-packed products (for example, a range of 2000g to 3500g) in which the error falls within the allowable limit, and store these correction coefficients according to the weight range of products A to C.

[0040] In the example of Figure 3, the correction coefficient for products A to C within the weight range of 2000g to 2500g is stored as α1, the correction coefficient for products A to C within the weight range of 2501g to 3000g is stored as α2, and the correction coefficient for products A to C within the weight range of 3001g to 3500g is stored as α3.

[0041] However, since the correction coefficient in this case depends on the speed, here, the correction coefficient when the speed is constant is stored. Then, if the product conveying speed switches between low speed, medium speed, and high speed, for example, as shown in Figure 4, the correction coefficient calculated for each speed is stored. Note that at speeds below low speed, the error weight that occurs during conveyance falls within the allowable error, so here, the correction coefficient is not required.

[0042] Therefore, if the assumed product weight is within a weight range that does not require correction and the correction coefficients for products A to C are not stored in the memory unit 101, and the weights of products A to C obtained by the weighing unit 22 fall within a predetermined weight range, the control unit 100 may stop the transport of products A to C or remove products A to C from the transport line.

[0043] According to this configuration, if a correction coefficient is not stored in the product master because the actual measurement value is of a weight that does not require correction, and the actual measurement value falls within a weight range that requires correction, the product label L is not issued, thereby preventing incorrect price display.

[0044] Furthermore, since the weighing device 1 switches the product conveying speed depending on the time required to issue the product label L, the control unit 100 may control the conveying speed of the products A to C based on the length of the product labels L of the products A to C.

[0045] The length of the label L is determined, for example, by the label format when the product information is called up from the product master 101. Therefore, if the product label L is long, the control unit 100 slows down the conveying speed of each conveyor 10, 20, 30, 40 so that the issued product label L is held by the label suction head 91 by the time products A to C reach the label attachment position.

[0046] In this case, the actual measurement value is corrected with a correction coefficient according to the changed speed, and the selling price is calculated based on the corrected value, so that an incorrect price display can be prevented.

[0047] Furthermore, if the actual measured values ​​are weights that do not require correction, the operation display unit 70 may display a message that the weights of products A to C have not been corrected.

[0048] Hereinafter, the relationship between the product weight, the conveying speed, and the correction coefficient will be described with reference to FIG.

[0049] The storage unit 101 stores a correction coefficient corresponding to the conveying speed for each weight range that requires correction.

[0050] For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the product master in the storage unit 101 stores, in association with each other, for example, a "call number," a "product name," a "unit price," an "estimated weight," a "lower limit speed," a "correction coefficient for low speed," a "correction coefficient for medium speed," a "correction coefficient for high speed," and an "upper limit speed."

[0051] Here, the "lower limit speed" is a speed slower than the low speed, and at this slow speed, no correction coefficient is calculated as it is not necessary to correct the actual measurement value. Similarly, the "upper limit speed" is a speed faster than the high speed, and products are not transported at this high speed, so no correction coefficient is calculated. Here, for example, the "lower limit speed" is set to 20 m / min and the "upper limit speed" is set to 30 m / min, but this is not limiting. The "upper limit speed" may also be the limit speed of each conveyor 10, 20, 30, and 40.

[0052] The "correction coefficient for low speed" stores multiple correction coefficients α1 and α2 according to the estimated weights of products A to C, the "correction coefficient for medium speed" stores multiple correction coefficients β1 and β2 according to the estimated weights, and the "correction coefficient for high speed" stores multiple correction coefficients θ1 and θ2 according to the estimated weights of products A to C. In this case, the "low speed" is set to, for example, 20 m / min to 23 m / min, the "medium speed" is set to 24 m / min to 26 m / min, and the "high speed" is set to 27 m / min to 30 m / min, but is not limited to these.

[0053] In addition, in the product master as shown in Figure 4, the number of correction coefficients does not have to be three, namely, "correction coefficient for low speed", "correction coefficient for medium speed", and "correction coefficient for high speed", but may be one or four or more.

[0054] According to this configuration, the actual measured value of the product can be appropriately corrected in accordance with the estimated weight of the product and the conveying speed, thereby eliminating erroneous weight and price indications.

[0055] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, it is necessary to determine in advance the respective correction coefficients based on the preset assumed weight and conveying speed, but if the conveying speed determined by the label format called up from the product master 101 is not included in the conveying speeds shown in Fig. 4, the control unit 100 may select the closest conveying speed from the conveying speeds stored in the memory unit 101, change the speeds of the conveyors 10, 20, 30, and 40 so that it becomes the selected conveying speed, and correct the actual measurement values ​​of products A to C using the correction coefficients corresponding to the changed conveying speeds and assumed weight. However, when selecting a conveying speed, it is preferable to select the lower conveying speed.

[0056] According to this configuration, the correction coefficient can be selected based on the estimated weight and the conveying speed, so that the weights of products A to C can be determined more accurately.

[0057] According to the above embodiment, even if the conveyance speed of the products A to C is changed depending on the length of the product label L, it is possible to prevent erroneous weighing.

[0058] Although the present invention has been described in detail using the above-described embodiments, it is clear to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein. The present invention can be implemented in modified and altered forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the claims. Therefore, the description in this specification is intended to be illustrative and explanatory and does not have any limiting meaning on the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] 1...Measuring device 10...Intake conveyor 20...Weighing conveyor 21...Transport unit 22...Measuring part 30...Attachment conveyor 40...Sorting conveyor 50...First sensor 60...Second sensor 70...Operation / display section 71...Specified part 72…Display section 80...Label printer 90...Label applicator 91...Label suction head 100...Control unit 101...Storage section L...Product label

Claims

1. a weighing unit that weighs products while transporting them; a storage unit that stores a correction coefficient for correcting a weighing error that occurs during the transport of the product, in correspondence with the product; a designation unit for designating the product; a control unit that acquires from the memory unit the correction coefficient corresponding to the product designated by the designation unit, corrects the actual measurement value of the weighing unit using the acquired correction coefficient, and if the correction coefficient is not stored in the memory unit, outputs a message indicating that the weight of the product has not been corrected.

2. the storage unit stores the correction coefficient according to a weight range of the product; 2. The weighing device of claim 1, wherein when the correction coefficient is not stored in the memory unit and the actual measured value of the product obtained by the weighing unit falls within the weight range, the control unit stops the transport of the product or removes the product from the conveying line.

3. The weighing device according to claim 1 , wherein the storage unit stores the correction coefficient according to the conveying speed of the product.

4. 4. The weighing device according to claim 3, wherein the control unit changes the conveying speed to a value corresponding to the correction coefficient stored in the memory unit, and corrects the actual measurement value of the weighing unit using the correction coefficient corresponding to the changed conveying speed.

5. a printing unit that prints product information of the product on a product label based on the weight of the product corrected by the control unit; The weighing device according to claim 1 , further comprising an attachment unit that attaches the product label printed by the printing unit to the product during transport.

6. The weighing device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit controls the conveying speed of the product based on the length of the product label of the product.

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