Product processing equipment

Abstract

To provide a product treatment device that can improve the workability of a worker and prevent the occurrence of work mistakes. [Solution] The weighing, packaging, and pricing device 1 comprises an acquisition unit that acquires work instruction information including work instructions, a display panel 6 that displays a screen related to the work instructions in the work instruction information acquired by the acquisition unit, and a control unit 10 that controls the display on the display unit based on the work instruction information; if the work instruction information only includes work instructions related to products in the store, the control unit 10 displays a first screen SC1 including product information for the products on the display panel 6; if the work instruction information only includes work instructions related to products in other stores, or if the work instruction information includes work instructions related to products in both the store and other stores, the control unit 10 displays a second screen SC2 including product information for the products and the number of products processed on the display panel 6.

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a product processing device that has the functions of film wrapping, weighing, and labeling products. The product processing device described in Patent Document 1 is equipped with a display unit (display panel) that displays product information and the like. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-57004 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the backrooms of medium-sized stores such as supermarkets, product processing equipment is often used to process packaged products such as fresh produce (packaging, labeling, etc.) not only for the store itself but also for other nearby stores in the same chain. Work instructions are sent from a center (host system) that oversees the store. When a store receives a work instruction, the worker must confirm whether the work instruction applies only to the store itself or to both the store itself and other stores, and then manually switch the screen on the product processing equipment's display to match the respective specifications according to the work instruction. Thus, the task of switching the screen of the product processing equipment according to the work instruction is time-consuming for the worker and can lead to operational errors.

[0005] An object of one aspect of the present invention is to provide a product processing device that can improve the workability of a worker while avoiding the occurrence of work errors. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A product processing device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises an acquisition unit that acquires work instruction information including work instructions, a display unit that displays a screen related to the work instructions of the work instruction information acquired by the acquisition unit, and a control unit that controls the display on the display unit based on the work instruction information, and the control unit causes the display unit to display a first screen including product information of the product if the work instruction information includes only work instructions related to products of the store itself, and causes the display unit to display a second screen including product information of the product and the number of products processed if the work instruction information includes only work instructions related to products of other stores, or if the work instruction information includes work instructions related to products of both the store itself and other stores.

[0007] In a product processing device according to one aspect of the present invention, when the work instruction information includes only work instructions related to products in the local store, the control unit causes the display unit to display a first screen including product information for the products. Furthermore, when the work instruction information includes only work instructions related to products in other stores, or when the work instruction information includes work instructions related to products in both the local store and other stores, the control unit causes the display unit to display a second screen including product information and the number of products to be processed. In this way, the product processing device automatically switches the screen on the display unit in response to the work instructions. This eliminates the need for workers to manually switch screens, thereby preventing operational errors. Therefore, the product processing device can improve worker operability while avoiding operational errors.

[0008] In one embodiment, the product processing device may include a weighing unit that weighs the products, a packaging unit that packages the products, and a label issuing unit that issues labels on which information based on the weighing results of the weighing unit is printed. This configuration allows product processing including weighing, packaging, and label issuing. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to improve the workability of a worker while avoiding the occurrence of work errors. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a product processing system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a weighing, packaging, and pricing device according to one embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the weighing, packaging, and pricing device shown in FIG. [Figure 4] 4(a) and 4(b) are diagrams showing an example of the contents of the work instruction information. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the first screen displayed on the display panel. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the second screen displayed on the display panel. [Figure 7] FIG. 7(a) is a perspective view of an electronic scale according to a modified example, and FIG. 7(b) is a perspective view of a labeler according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same or corresponding elements are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0012] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a product processing system. As shown in Fig. 1, the product processing system 100 includes a control center 110 and a plurality of stores 120. In the product processing system 100, products are processed at each of the plurality of stores 120 based on work instructions sent from the control center 110. Product processing refers to the production of products. Production includes weighing, packaging, pricing, and the like of products. In this embodiment, all of the stores 120 are equipped with a weighing, packaging, and pricing device 1, but it is also possible for only the mother store 120 to be equipped with the weighing, packaging, and pricing device 1, and for the other stores 120 to simply receive packaged, priced products sent from the mother store.

[0013] The control center 110 manages (controls) a plurality of stores 120 in an integrated manner. The control center 110 has a control system 130. The control system 130 may be configured by a computer including a processor, a main memory unit, an auxiliary memory unit, a communication control unit, an input device, and an output device. The control system 130 may be configured by one computer or by multiple computers. When multiple computers are used, these computers are connected via a communication network such as the Internet or an intranet to logically construct a single control system.

[0014] The centralized system 130 transmits work instruction information related to the production of products in each store 120 to the weighing, packaging, and pricing devices 1 in the stores 120. The work instruction information can be created by a user operating the centralized system 130 at the centralized center 110. Details of the work instruction information will be described later.

[0015] Store 120 is, for example, a supermarket. As shown in Fig. 1, mother store 120 has a weighing, packaging, and pricing device (product processing device) 1. Fig. 1 shows a state in which a weighing, packaging, and pricing device 1 is installed in each store 120, but it is also possible that only mother store 120 has a weighing, packaging, and pricing device 1, and other stores 120 have product processing devices that only weigh and price packaged products sent from mother store 120.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 2, the weighing, packaging, and pricing device 1 is a device that weighs and packages products, and then issues and affixes to the products printed labels on which product information relating to the products is printed.

[0017] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the weighing, packaging, and pricing device 1 includes a weighing unit 2, a packaging unit 3, a label issuing unit 4, an attaching unit 5, a display panel (display unit) 6, and a control unit (acquisition unit, control unit) 10.

[0018] The weighing unit 2 weighs the products. The weighing unit 2 is provided in the center of the front of the main body 1a. The weighing unit 2 has a weighing pan 21 that is loaded by a load sensor such as a load cell to measure the weight of products such as food placed on a tray, and a conveying mechanism 23 that conveys the products placed on the weighing pan 21 to the packaging unit 3.

[0019] The packaging unit 3 packages the products weighed by the weighing unit 2 in stretch film. The packaging unit 3 has a lift mechanism 31 that lifts the products to a predetermined position, a film roll support mechanism 32 that supports the stretch film, a film delivery mechanism 33 that delivers the stretch film to a predetermined position, a folding mechanism 34 that folds the stretch film onto the bottom side of the product, and a sealing mechanism 35 that seals the stretch film.

[0020] The lift mechanism 31 raises the product received from the weighing unit 2 to a predetermined position and lifts up the stretch film stretched to a predetermined position by the film feeding mechanism 33. The folding mechanism 34 folds the stretch film lifted by the product onto the bottom side of the product to package the product. The sealing mechanism 35 applies a heat seal to the stretch film folded onto the bottom side of the product by the folding mechanism 34.

[0021] The label issuing unit 4 prints product information on a label and issues it as a printed label. The label issuing unit 4 is located above the folding mechanism 34 and the sealing mechanism 35. The label issuing unit 4 is configured integrally with the attaching unit 5. A portion of the product information, which is made up of multiple product items, is printed on the printed label. Examples of the product information include the product name, place of origin, unit price (price per unit weight), processing date, expiration date, etc. The product information for the product to be weighed can be obtained from a product master in which multiple pieces of product information are registered. The product master is stored in the memory unit 7. The memory unit 7 may be an auxiliary storage device, such as an SSD or HDD, built into the weighing, packaging, and pricing device 1, or it may be an external server device or the like that can communicate via a network.

[0022] The application unit 5 applies the printed label issued by the label issuing unit 4 to the product packaged by the packaging unit 3. The application unit 5 is provided so as to be movable between the label issuing unit 4 and an application position on the product to which the printed label is to be applied. The application unit 5 applies the printed label received from the label issuing unit 4 to a predetermined position on the product packaged in film.

[0023] The display panel 6 is provided on the top of the main body 1a. The display panel 6 is a touch panel that displays various information to the operator and can accept operations from the operator. The display panel 6 may be configured to include a touch panel and fixed keys. If fixed keys are included, keys such as a "unit price" key, a "fixed amount" key, a "tare" key, a "print" key, and a "call" key, which are necessary for a fee scale, may be provided, and these may be appropriately arranged together with the numeric keys. The display panel 6 displays information necessary for operating the weighing, packaging, and pricing device 1 under the control of the control unit 10.

[0024] For example, when the operator specifies a product to be weighed (when the product number is entered), a product information management screen is displayed on the display panel 6. The product information management screen displays the product number (call number), product name, place of origin, unit price, etc. of the product to be weighed.

[0025] The control unit 10 controls the operation of the weighing, packaging, and pricing device 1. The control unit 10 is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The ROM stores programs and the like for controlling the weighing, packaging, and pricing device 1. The control unit 10 is capable of communicating with the control system 130 of the control center 110.

[0026] The control unit 10 is disposed on top of the main body 1a and controls various operations of the weighing, packaging, and pricing device 1. In the weighing, packaging, and pricing device 1, when a product is placed on the weighing pan 21, the weight of the product is weighed by a load sensor supporting the weighing pan 21, and when the control unit 10 determines that the weight value of the product measured by the weighing section 2 has stabilized, the control unit 10 controls the conveying mechanism 23 to convey the product to the packaging section 3, controls the packaging section 3 to package the product, controls the label issuing section 4 to issue a printed label, and controls the affixing section 5 to affix the printed label to the product packaged by the packaging section 3.

[0027] The control unit 10 receives and acquires the work instruction information transmitted from the central control center 110. Alternatively, the control unit 10 acquires the work instruction information from a USB memory device on which the work instruction information is stored. The control unit 10 acquires the work instruction information at a predetermined timing. The predetermined timing may be, for example, when the weighing, packaging, and pricing device 1 is turned on.

[0028] 4(a) and 4(b) are diagrams showing examples of work instruction information indicating how many packs of each product to produce. FIG. 4(a) is an example of work instruction information for the store itself, and FIG. 4(b) is an example of work instruction information for the store itself and other stores. As shown in FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b), the work instruction information may include a "department number," a "product number" as a call number, a "store number" indicating whether the store is the store itself or another store, a "product name," a "weighing mode," a "sales price," a "number of packs" indicating the number to be produced, a "number to be placed in the container," a "production category," a "shipment number," and so on. A "production category" of "1" indicates the first production instruction, and a "shipment number" of "1" indicates the first shipment. Therefore, production is performed in the order of the production category numbers. Here, store number "0001" is the store itself, and other store numbers, such as "0002," are other stores. In the case of your own store, the "flight number" is the order in which the items are put out, and in the case of other stores, the "flight number" is the truck delivery.

[0029] 4(a), when the store number in the received work instruction information or the work instruction information received from the USB memory is "0001" indicating the store itself, the control unit 10 causes the display panel 6 to display a first screen including product information for the product intended for the store itself. Specifically, when "1" in the "product number" is entered as the call number, the control unit 10 reads out the product information for call number 1 from the product master because the store number "0001" indicates the store itself, and causes the display panel 6 to display a first screen such as that shown in FIG.

[0030] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example in which product information for product number "1" (call number 1) is read out and displayed as the first screen on the display panel 6. As shown in Fig. 5, the first screen SC1 displays product information such as the product name, place of origin, unit price, processing date, and expiration date.

[0031] When the work instruction information includes only work instructions for other stores, or when it includes work instructions for the store itself and other stores, the control unit 10 displays a second screen including product information for the products and the number of products to be processed on the display panel 6. Specifically, when the store number of the store itself is "0001," and the store number in the work instruction information is only the store number of the other store, "0002" (if there are multiple other stores, different store numbers are assigned, such as "0003," "0004," etc.), or when the store number of the store itself is "0001" and the store number of the other store, "0002," is included, the control unit 10 displays a second screen such as that shown in FIG. 6 on the display panel 6.

[0032] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the second screen displayed on the display panel 6 when "item number" 1 shown in FIG. 4(b) is entered as the call number. As shown in FIG. 6, the second screen SC2 displays product information such as the product name, place of origin, unit price, processing date, and expiration date. In addition, the second screen SC2 displays items K (enclosed by a dashed line) related to the number of products to be processed, such as the "store number" indicating the store, the "order number" indicating the planned production quantity, the current "backlog," and the "total number of stores" indicating the total planned production quantity for the store and other stores. The worker processes (produces) products for each store based on the second screen SC2. Then, when production for "store number" 0001 in FIG. 4(b) is completed, the product information for the next "store number" 0002 is read and production begins. At this time, the store name, address, and other information for the next store number 0002 are read from the product master and printed on the affixed label.

[0033] As described above, in the weighing, packaging, and pricing device 1 according to this embodiment, when the work instruction information includes only work instructions for the own store, the control unit 10 causes the display panel 6 to display a first screen SC1 containing product information for the product. Furthermore, when the work instruction information includes only work instructions for other stores, or when the work instruction information includes work instructions for both the own store and other stores, the control unit 10 causes the display panel 6 to display a second screen SC2 containing product information and the number of products to be processed. In this way, the weighing, packaging, and pricing device 1 automatically switches the screen on the display panel 6 in accordance with the work instructions. Therefore, the weighing, packaging, and pricing device 1 eliminates the need for workers to manually switch screens, thereby preventing operational errors. Therefore, the weighing, packaging, and pricing device 1 improves worker operability while preventing operational errors.

[0034] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not necessarily limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0035] In the above embodiment, the product processing device has been described as an example of a weighing, packaging, and pricing device 1 as shown in Fig. 1. However, the product processing device may also be an electronic scale (electronic scale with printer) 101 as shown in Fig. 7(a). The electronic scale 101 is a face-to-face electronic scale equipped with a main body operation unit 105 consisting of a store clerk operation unit 105A and a customer operation unit 105B. The electronic scale 101 shown in Fig. 7(a) comprises a main body case 103, a main body operation unit 105 consisting of a touch panel, a weighing unit 106 having a weighing pan 106A, a label issuing unit 108 that issues printed labels LC, and a control unit 109.

[0036] Alternatively, the product processing device may be a labeler 201, as shown in Fig. 7(b). The labeler 201 includes a main body operation unit 205. As shown in Fig. 7(b), the labeler 201 includes a main body case 203, the main body operation unit 205 configured as a touch panel, fixed keys 205A, a weighing unit 207 having a weighing dish 207A that is connected as an option, a label issuing unit 209, and a control unit 210. [Explanation of symbols]

[0037] 1...weighing, packaging and pricing device (product processing device), 2,106,207...weighing section, 3...packaging section, 4,108,209...label issuing section, 6...display panel (display section), 101...electronic scale (product processing device), 201...labeler (product processing device), SC1...first screen, SC2...second screen.

Claims

1. an acquisition unit that acquires work instruction information including a work instruction; a display unit that displays a screen related to the work instruction of the work instruction information acquired by the acquisition unit; a control unit that controls the display on the display unit based on the work instruction information, The control unit When the work instruction information includes only the work instruction related to the product of the store, a first screen including product information of the product is displayed on the display unit; If the work instruction information includes only work instructions related to products from other stores, or if the work instruction information includes work instructions related to products from both the store and the other stores, the product processing device displays a second screen on the display unit that includes product information about the products and the number of products processed.

2. a weighing unit that weighs the product; a packaging unit that packages the product; The product processing apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising: a label issuing unit that issues a label on which information based on the weighing result obtained by the weighing unit is printed.

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