Distributed feeding device and combined weighing device

Abstract

A dispersion supply device and a combination weighing device are provided that can prevent the dispersion supply of long articles from being stagnated from a dispersion table to a conveying feeder. [Solution] The dispersion supply device 1 includes a dispersion table 2a that distributes long articles J supplied from above around the periphery and transports the articles J in a circumferential direction D1 at an outer periphery 2d so that the longitudinal direction of the articles J follows the circumferential direction D1 of the dispersion table 2a, a plurality of guide members 20 provided around the periphery 2d of the dispersion table 2a, and a plurality of transport feeders 3 that are arranged radially around the dispersion table 2a and transport the articles J in the radial direction D2 while aligning the articles J received from the dispersion table 2a so that they face the radial direction D2. The guide members 20 are provided so as to interfere with the articles J being transported at the outer periphery 2d of the dispersion table 2a so that the longitudinal direction of the articles J faces the radial direction D2 instead of the circumferential direction D1.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a dispersion supply device and a combination weighing device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent document 1 describes a combination weighing machine in which rod-shaped items are dropped from a drop opening in a circular feeder onto a straight feeder, and an alignment piece on the guide surface of the straight feeder guides the rod-shaped items so that they are parallel to the alignment piece. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 08-271327 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above-described conventional combination weighing machine, rod-shaped articles are guided on a linear feeder with their longitudinal direction perpendicular to the radial direction. On the other hand, in a dispersion supply device and combination weighing device equipped with a conveying feeder that conveys articles in the radial direction while aligning the articles so that they face the radial direction, long articles supplied from above may continue to be conveyed in the circumferential direction on the dispersion table that distributes them around it, with their longitudinal direction aligned with the circumferential direction of the dispersion table. In this case, there is a risk that the dispersion supply of articles from the dispersion table to the conveying feeder may be delayed.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a dispersion supply device and a combination weighing device that can prevent the dispersion supply of long items from being delayed from a dispersion table to a conveying feeder. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] (1) A dispersion supply device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a dispersion table that distributes long items supplied from above around the periphery and transports the items in a circumferential direction so that the longitudinal direction of the items at the outer periphery is aligned with the circumferential direction; a plurality of guide members provided around the periphery of the dispersion table; and a plurality of transport feeders that are arranged radially around the dispersion table and transport the items in a radial direction while aligning the items received from the dispersion table so that they face in the radial direction, and the guide members are provided so as to interfere with the items being transported at the outer periphery of the dispersion table so as to orient the longitudinal direction of the items from the circumferential direction to the radial direction.

[0007] In a dispersion supply device according to one aspect of the present invention, a guide member interferes with articles being transported at the outer periphery of the dispersion table, thereby orienting the longitudinal direction of the articles from the circumferential direction to the radial direction. By orienting the longitudinal direction of the articles from the circumferential direction to the radial direction, not only the articles themselves but also the articles around them are reoriented from the circumferential direction when they collide. In this way, the articles are prevented from continuing to be transported circumferentially on the dispersion table while their longitudinal direction is aligned with the circumferential direction of the dispersion table, facilitating the discharge of the articles to the conveying feeder. Therefore, the dispersion supply device according to one aspect of the present invention can prevent delays in the dispersion supply of long articles from the dispersion table to the conveying feeder.

[0008] (2) In the above (1), the guide member may have an extending portion extending radially from below the outer periphery of the dispersing table, and an upright portion bending upward at the tip of the extending portion, and the upright portion may include a guide surface that is not orthogonal to the radial direction. In this case, the guide surface that is not orthogonal to the radial direction can guide the articles whose longitudinal direction is oriented from the circumferential direction to the radial direction without stopping the movement of the articles in the radial direction so that the articles are dispersed to the conveying feeders.

[0009] (3) In the above (1) or (2), the conveying feeder may be provided at a position lower than the outer periphery of the dispersing table, and the step between the end of the outer periphery of the dispersing table and the bottom surface of the conveying surface of the conveying feeder may be greater than the longitudinal length of the articles. In this case, it is possible to prevent the articles from being suspended between the end of the outer periphery of the dispersing table and the bottom surface of the conveying surface of the conveying feeder.

[0010] (4) In any one of the above (1) to (3), the conveying feeder is provided at a position lower than the outer periphery of the dispersing table, and the edge of the outer periphery of the dispersing table does not have to come into contact with the upper ends of the articles when the lower ends of the articles abut on the conveying surface of the conveying feeder. In this case, it is possible to prevent the articles from being retained between the edge of the outer periphery of the dispersing table and the conveying surface of the conveying feeder.

[0011] (5) In any one of (1) to (4) above, the conveying feeder may have a bottom surface that has a U-shaped cross section when viewed from the radial direction, and widening side surfaces that extend upward from a pair of upper ends of the bottom surface when viewed from the radial direction. In this case, even if the articles distributed to the conveying feeder are guided by the widening side surfaces, they can slide down to the U-shaped cross-sectional bottom surface and be aligned so as to face the radial direction at the bottom surface.

[0012] (6) In the above (5), the width of the pair of upper ends of the bottom surface as viewed from the radial direction may be shorter than the longitudinal length of the articles. In this case, even if the articles distributed to the conveying feeder are oriented so as to intersect with the radial direction, at least one of the ends of the articles is guided by the widening side. Therefore, the articles can more reliably slide down to the bottom surface of the U-shaped cross section and be aligned so as to face the radial direction at the bottom surface.

[0013] (7) Another aspect of the present invention provides a combination weighing device having any one of the dispersion supply devices (1) to (6) on its upper stage. The combination weighing device may include: multiple hoppers for receiving items conveyed by the conveying feeders of the dispersion supply devices; a weighing unit for weighing the items stored in each of the multiple hoppers; and a control unit for performing combination weighing based on the weights of the items and discharging the combined items from the hoppers. Even in this case, the guide members interfere with the conveyed items at the outer periphery of the dispersion table, thereby orienting the longitudinal direction of the items from the circumferential direction to the radial direction. By orienting the longitudinal direction of the items from the circumferential direction to the radial direction, not only the items themselves but also the surrounding items are reoriented from the circumferential direction when they collide. In this way, the continuous circumferential conveyance of the items on the dispersion table with their longitudinal direction aligned with the circumferential direction of the dispersion table is suppressed, thereby facilitating the dispersion of the items to the conveying feeders. Therefore, the combination weighing device according to another aspect of the present invention can suppress the disruption of the dispersion and supply of long items from the dispersion table to the conveying feeders. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the dispersion and supply of long articles from the dispersion table to the conveying feeder from being delayed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a dispersion supply device and a combination weighing device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a perspective view illustrating a dispersion supply device and a combination weighing device according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the dispersion supply device and the combination weighing device of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a side view of the dispersion supply device and the combination weighing device of FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a plan view illustrating interference between the guide member and the article. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] Hereinafter, an embodiment 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.

[0017] [Overall configuration of combination weighing device] 1 and 2, the combination weighing device 100 includes a dispersion supply device 1 arranged on an upper level, and a plurality of pool hoppers (hoppers) 5, a plurality of weighing hoppers (hoppers) 7, an individual chute 8, a weighing unit 11, and a control unit 14 arranged on a lower level. The combination weighing device 100 weighs an item J supplied by a conveying feeder 50 provided upstream of the dispersion unit 2 to a target weight value. The item J is, for example, a food product such as a long, sticky jerky.

[0018] The dispersion supply device 1 includes a dispersion section 2 and a plurality of transport feeders 3.

[0019] The dispersion unit 2 is disposed below the downstream end 51 of the conveying feeder 50. The dispersion unit 2 disperses the articles J supplied from above to the surrounding area. The dispersion unit 2 has a dispersion table 2a with an obtuse apex angle and a conical portion 2b with an acute apex angle that is provided coaxially above the center of the dispersion table 2a. The diameter of the dispersion table 2a is larger than the diameter of the conical portion 2b. The dispersion table 2a and the conical portion 2b are, for example, formed from stainless steel. The surfaces of the dispersion table 2a and the conical portion 2b may be embossed.

[0020] The articles J, which are transported from the outside by the conveying feeder 50 and discharged from the downstream end 51, are dropped onto the upper part of the conical part 2b and dispersed onto the dispersing table 2a. The dispersing table 2a is vibrated by a drive unit provided below the dispersing table 2a, and the articles J on the upper surface 2c of the dispersing table 2a are moved in the circumferential direction D1 (see FIG. 3) while the dispersing table 2a itself is not rotating in the circumferential direction D1. The articles J on the upper surface 2c are dispersed while moving around a vertical axis (for example, counterclockwise when viewed from above) and sent to the surrounding conveying feeder 3. Therefore, the dispersing table 2a disperses the long articles J supplied from above around it, and conveys the articles J in the circumferential direction D1 at the outer periphery 2d of the dispersing table 2a so that the longitudinal direction of the articles J is along the circumferential direction D1 (see FIG. 5).

[0021] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, multiple conveying feeders 3 are arranged radially around the dispersing table 2a. Each conveying feeder 3 has a trough 3a and a drive unit provided below the trough 3a. The trough 3a has a base end below the outer periphery 2d of the upper surface 2c of the dispersing table 2a and extends outward along the radial direction D2 (see Figure 3). The articles J discharged from the outer periphery 2d of the upper surface 2c of the dispersing table 2a fall onto the trough 3a. Each conveying feeder 3 vibrates the trough 3a using the drive unit, thereby conveying the articles J on the trough 3a toward the tip of the trough 3a.

[0022] 2 and 3, 14 troughs 3a are arranged radially around the distribution section 2. The number and arrangement of the troughs 3a are not limited to this. The number and arrangement of the troughs 3a may be changed as appropriate depending on, for example, the number and arrangement of the pool hoppers 5 described below.

[0023] The multiple conveying feeders 3 convey the articles J received from the dispersing table 2a in the radial direction D2 while aligning the articles J so that they face the radial direction D2. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 4, the trough 3a of the conveying feeder 3 has a bottom surface 3b, a pair of widening side surfaces 3c, and a discharge portion 3d.

[0024] The bottom surface 3b extends in the radial direction D2 at the center of the width of one trough 3a. The bottom surface 3b extends linearly in the radial direction D2 to the discharge portion 3d, and is provided so as to become lower or to be substantially horizontal as it approaches the discharge portion 3d. The discharge portion 3d is a portion that continues from the bottom surface 3b at the downstream end of the trough 3a.

[0025] The bottom surface 3b and the discharge portion 3d have a U-shaped cross section that is convex downward when viewed from the radial direction D2. Due to the shape of the bottom surface 3b and the discharge portion 3d, the article J that has fallen entirely onto the bottom surface 3b or the discharge portion 3d is guided so that it slides down to the lowest part of the bottom surface 3b or the discharge portion 3d. Therefore, the article J is oriented along the extension direction of the bottom surface 3b and the discharge portion 3d, and its longitudinal direction is aligned with the radial direction D2.

[0026] The pair of widening side surfaces 3c extend upward from the pair of upper end portions 3bu of the bottom surface 3b as viewed in the radial direction D2. The pair of widening side surfaces 3c are spaced apart as they extend upward, forming part of a V-shaped cross section as viewed in the radial direction D2. Each widening side surface 3c becomes wider as it approaches the discharge portion 3d in a plan view. The upper end portion of each widening side surface 3c faces the upper end portion of the widening side surface 3c of the adjacent trough 3a.

[0027] In one trough 3a, a cover portion 3e is formed at the upper end of one of the widening side surfaces 3c to cover the gap between the upper end of the widening side surface 3c of the adjacent trough 3a. The cover portion 3e has a U-shaped cross section that is convex upward when viewed from the radial direction D2. The shape of each widening side surface 3c and the cover portion 3e ensure that the articles J discharged from the outer periphery 2d of the dispersing table 2a fall onto the trough 3a.

[0028] When viewed from the radial direction D2, the width dimension W of the pair of upper ends 3bu of the bottom surface 3b, which is perpendicular to the radial direction D2, is shorter than the longitudinal length L of the article J. For example, an article J that falls onto the trough 3a with its longitudinal direction intersecting the radial direction D2 is prevented from being suspended within the bottom surface 3b in that orientation. When the article J falls onto the trough 3a with its longitudinal direction intersecting the radial direction D2, at least one of the ends of the article J is positioned on the widened side surface 3c.

[0029] In this way, the article J that has fallen onto the trough 3a falls onto the bottom surface 3b with the entire article J initially aligned with the longitudinal direction along the radial direction D2, or falls so that one or both ends of the article J are positioned on the widened side surface 3c. When one or both ends of the article J are positioned on the widened side surface 3c, the article J is guided to slide down to the bottom surface 3b, which more reliably ensures that the longitudinal direction of the article J is aligned with the radial direction D2.

[0030] The multiple pool hoppers 5 are arranged, for example, to surround a center line (not shown) of the combination weighing device 100 that is parallel to the vertical direction. Each pool hopper 5 is arranged below the discharge section 3d at the tip of the trough 3a of each conveying feeder 3. Each pool hopper 5 temporarily stores the items J discharged from each conveying feeder 3 by closing a gate provided at the bottom thereof. Furthermore, each pool hopper 5 discharges the temporarily stored items J downward by opening the gate.

[0031] The multiple weighing hoppers 7 are arranged, for example, surrounding the center line. Each weighing hopper 7 is arranged below a corresponding pool hopper 5 and receives the articles J discharged from the pool hopper 5. Each weighing hopper 7 temporarily stores the articles J discharged from the corresponding pool hopper 5 by closing a gate provided at the bottom thereof. Furthermore, each weighing hopper 7 discharges the temporarily stored articles J downward by opening the gate.

[0032] The individual chutes 8 collect the items J discharged from each weighing hopper 7 into the discharge section 9. The discharge section 9 is a section that discharges the items J weighed by the combination weighing device 100 to the outside, and is located on the above-mentioned center line below the combination weighing device 100. The individual chutes 8 receive the items J discharged from each weighing hopper 7 and slide the items J toward the discharge section 9.

[0033] The weighing unit 11 is disposed in a case 13 supported by a frame 12. The weighing unit 11 has a plurality of load cells 11a. Each load cell 11a supports a corresponding weighing hopper 7. When an item J is temporarily stored in each weighing hopper 7, the weighing unit 11 measures a weight value corresponding to the mass of the item J.

[0034] In this way, the multiple weighing hoppers 7 indirectly receive the articles J transported by the conveying feeders 3 of the dispersion supply device 1 via the multiple pool hoppers 5. The weighing unit 11 weighs the articles J stored in each of the multiple weighing hoppers 7.

[0035] The control unit 14 is disposed inside the case 13. The control unit 14 has a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The control unit 14 controls the operation of each unit of the combination weighing device 100, such as the conveying operation of the dispersing table 2a and the conveying feeder 3, the opening and closing operation of the gates of each pool hopper 5, and the opening and closing operation of the gates of each weighing hopper 7.

[0036] The control unit 14 performs combined weighing based on the weight values ​​of the items J and discharges the combined items J from the weighing hoppers 7. The control unit 14 stores the weight values ​​measured by the weighing unit 11 in association with the weighing hoppers 7 that store the items J corresponding to the weight values. The control unit 14 selects a combination of weight values ​​from the multiple weight values ​​measured by the weighing unit 11 and associated with each weighing hopper 7 so that the total value becomes the target weight value. The control unit 14 discharges the items J to the weighing hopper 7 that corresponds to the combination.

[0037] The dispersion unit 2, the plurality of conveying feeders 3, the plurality of pool hoppers 5, and the plurality of weighing hoppers 7 are directly or indirectly supported on a case 13. The individual chutes 8 and the discharge unit 9 are directly or indirectly supported on a frame 12.

[0038] [Detailed configuration of the distributed supply device] When long articles J are supplied from above to the dispersing table 2a configured as described above, the longitudinal direction of the articles J on the dispersing table 2a may be aligned with the circumferential direction D1 of the dispersing table 2a, and the articles J may continue to be transported in the circumferential direction D1. Therefore, a plurality of guide members 20 are provided around the outer periphery 2d of the dispersing table 2a.

[0039] The guide member 20 is a member for facilitating the discharge of the articles J conveyed on the dispersing table 2a into the conveying feeder 3. The guide member 20 is indirectly supported on the case 13, for example, around the outer periphery 2d of the dispersing table 2a, and is fixed so as not to move together with the articles J conveyed on the dispersing table 2a.

[0040] 3, seven guide members 20 are provided for fourteen troughs 3a as the plurality of guide members 20. One guide member 20 is arranged for every two troughs 3a, and they are equally spaced apart. In other words, the plurality of guide members 20 are arranged around the outer periphery 2d of the dispersing table 2a so that the distance between adjacent guide members 20 is longer than the length L of the articles J in the longitudinal direction.

[0041] The guide member 20 is provided so as to interfere with the articles J being transported on the outer periphery 2d of the dispersing table 2a so as to orient the longitudinal direction of the articles J from the circumferential direction D1 to the radial direction D2. For example, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the guide member 20 has, for example, an extending portion 21 and an erecting portion 22.

[0042] The extension portion 21 is a portion extending from below the outer periphery 2d of the dispersing table 2a along the radial direction D2. The extension portion 21 is, for example, a flat portion extending horizontally along the radial direction D2. The extension length of the extension portion 21 in the radial direction D2 is not particularly limited, but can be determined, for example, in consideration of the degree to which the articles J protrude from the end 2e of the dispersing table 2a in a situation where the discharge of the articles J is delayed at the outer periphery 2d of the dispersing table 2a.

[0043] The standing portion 22 is a portion that bends and extends upward at the tip 21a of the extending portion 21. The standing portion 22 is, for example, a flat portion that extends upward from the tip 21a. The standing portion 22 may be formed integrally with the extending portion 21 by bending a flat member at the tip 21a to form a valley fold.

[0044] The tip 21a is a fold that extends at an angle perpendicular to the radial direction D2. The tip 21a is inclined in a direction perpendicular to the radial direction D2 so that the tip 21a is closer to the end 2e of the dispersion table 2a on the upstream side in the conveying direction of the articles J on the dispersion table 2a than on the downstream side in the conveying direction. Therefore, because the tip 21a is inclined in a direction perpendicular to the radial direction D2 in this way, the normal direction of the flat plate-shaped portion of the standing portion 22 is also inclined in a direction perpendicular to the radial direction D2. In other words, the standing portion 22 includes a guide surface 22a that is not perpendicular to the radial direction D2. The guide surface 22a is the upper surface portion of the flat plate-shaped standing portion 22.

[0045] The guide surface 22a has, for example, a triangular shape. The guide surface 22a has a triangular shape in which the angle α, which is located on the upstream side in the conveying direction, among the three corners, is the smallest. This makes it easier for the articles J that have jumped out from the end 2e of the dispersing table 2a to climb onto the standing portion 22.

[0046] The angle formed between the guide surface 22a and the upper surface of the extending portion 21 is, for example, an obtuse angle. The guide surface 22a makes it easier to push upward the article J that has jumped out from the end 2e of the dispersing table 2a and landed on the standing portion 22, compared to when the angle formed between the guide surface 22a and the upper surface of the extending portion 21 is a right angle or larger.

[0047] Such interference between the guide member 20 and the articles J will be explained with reference to Figures 4 and 5. As shown in Figure 4, the articles J are dispersed to the outer periphery 2d by being pushed by the articles J further supplied from above or by approaching the end 2e due to the downward slope of the dispersion table 2a. However, at the outer periphery 2d, multiple articles J are transported with their longitudinal directions facing the circumferential direction D1, which may prevent the articles J from being discharged into the conveying feeder 3 and cause the articles J to stagnate.

[0048] Figure 5 shows a state in which a plurality of articles J are being transported in the circumferential direction D1 on the outer periphery 2d of the dispersing table 2a. The article J in Figure 5 is one of the articles J transported on the outer periphery 2d that is located near the end 2e. As shown in Figure 5, the article J transported on the outer periphery 2d is transported with its longitudinal direction facing the circumferential direction D1, and eventually, a part of the article J (article J1) protrudes from the end 2e.

[0049] When the article J is transported with a portion of it protruding from the end 2e, the article J that has protruded from the end 2e hits (interferes with) the upstream end of the standing portion 22 and runs up onto the standing portion 22 (article J2). At this time, because the guide member 20 is fixed to the article J being transported on the dispersing table 2a, a force acts on the article J on the dispersing table 2a to move it in the transport direction, while a force acts from the standing portion 22 to hinder the movement of the article J. As a result, the article J is rotated in a planar view on the dispersing table 2a so that the longitudinal direction of the article J is directed from the circumferential direction D1 to the radial direction D2.

[0050] The object J, whose longitudinal direction now aligns with the radial direction D2, is pushed outward in the radial direction D2 by the force moving it in the conveying direction on the dispersion table 2a and the downward slope of the dispersion table 2a, and rides up onto the upright portion 22, and falls from the end 2e while being pushed upward by the guide surface 22a (object J3).

[0051] Incidentally, other objects J around the object J are caught up in the object J as the object J rotates and is pushed upward. When the object J hits the other objects J, the orientation of the other objects J is also changed from the circumferential direction D1 to the radial direction D2, making them more likely to fall from the end 2e (object J4 in FIG. 4).

[0052] 4, each conveying feeder 3 is provided at a position lower than the outer periphery 2d of the dispersing table 2a. The step d between the end 2e of the outer periphery 2d of the dispersing table 2a and the conveying surface 3f of the conveying feeder 3 is larger than the longitudinal length L of the article J. The conveying surface 3f here means the surface of the bottom surface 3b having a U-shaped cross section, and corresponds to the range from one upper end 3bu to the other upper end 3bu via the lowest part of the bottom surface 3b when viewed from the radial direction D2.

[0053] Because the step d is larger than the longitudinal length L of the item J, even when the item J (item J5 in Figure 4) is in a position where it stands vertically by abutting against the lowest part of the bottom surface 3b, the item J is prevented from being bridged between the end 2e of the outer periphery 2d of the dispersion table 2a and the lowest part of the conveying surface 3f of the conveying feeder 3.

[0054] Furthermore, even when the article J assumes a posture inclined from the vertical direction, the guide member 20 may be arranged so that the upper end Jb of the article J does not continue to rest on the end 2e of the outer circumferential portion 2d of the dispersing table 2a. For example, when the article J (article J6 in FIG. 4) assumes a posture in which it extends in the direction connecting the downstream end 20a of the guide member 20 and the upper end 3bu of the bottom surface 3b, the distance between the downstream end 20a of the guide member 20 and the conveying surface 3f of the conveying feeder 3 may be set so that the article J does not span between the downstream end 20a and the upper end 3bu. The downstream end 20a of the guide member 20 here is, for example, the downstream end 21b of the extension portion 21.

[0055] If the article J is hung between the downstream end 20a and the upper end 3bu in this position, the lower end Ja of the article J may remain in contact with the conveying surface 3f of the conveying feeder 3, and the upper end Jb of the article J may lean against the corner where the end 2e of the outer periphery 2d of the dispersing table 2a and the downstream end 20a of the guide member 20 intersect. The upper end Jb of the article J leaning against the corner where the end 2e and the downstream end 20a intersect may hinder the conveyance of other articles J on the dispersing table 2a, causing the article J to accumulate on the dispersing table 2a. If the accumulated articles J form a lump and fall into the trough 3a, the articles J may become clogged in the pool hopper 5 or the weighing hopper 7, or the weighing value in the weighing hopper 7 may be overscaled.

[0056] Therefore, the end 2e of the outer periphery 2d of the dispersing table 2a is configured not to come into contact with the upper end Jb of the article J when the lower end Ja of the article J abuts against the conveying surface 3f of the conveying feeder 3. This prevents the upper end Jb of the article J from leaning against the corner where the end 2e and the downstream end 20a intersect. As a result, the accumulated articles J are prevented from forming clumps and falling into the trough 3a, preventing clogging of the articles J in the pool hopper 5 or the weighing hopper 7 and preventing over-scaling of the weighed values ​​in the weighing hopper 7.

[0057] As described above, in the dispersion supply device 1, the guide member 20 interferes with the articles J being transported on the outer periphery 2d of the dispersing table 2a, causing the longitudinal direction of the articles J to be directed from the circumferential direction D1 to the radial direction D2. By directing the longitudinal direction of the articles J from the circumferential direction D1 to the radial direction D2, not only the articles J but also the articles J surrounding the articles J are changed in orientation from the circumferential direction D1 by the collision of the articles J. In this way, the articles J are prevented from continuing to be transported in the circumferential direction D1 on the dispersion table 2a while their longitudinal directions are aligned with the circumferential direction D1 of the dispersion table 2a, and the discharge of the articles J to the conveying feeder 3 is promoted. Therefore, the dispersion supply device 1 can prevent delays in the dispersion supply of long articles J from the dispersion table 2a to the conveying feeder 3.

[0058] The guide member 20 has an extending portion 21 extending along the radial direction D2 from below the outer circumferential portion 2d of the dispersing table 2a, and an upright portion 22 bending upward at the tip 21a of the extending portion 21. The upright portion 22 includes a guide surface 22a that is not orthogonal to the radial direction D2. As a result, the guide surface 22a that is not orthogonal to the radial direction D2 can guide the article J, whose longitudinal direction is oriented from the circumferential direction D1 to the radial direction D2, so that the article J is dispersed into the conveying feeder 3 without stopping the movement of the article J in the radial direction D2.

[0059] The conveying feeder 3 is provided at a position lower than the outer periphery 2d of the dispersing table 2a. The step d between the end 2e of the outer periphery 2d of the dispersing table 2a and the bottom surface 3b of the conveying surface 3f of the conveying feeder 3 is larger than the longitudinal length L of the article J. This makes it possible to prevent the article J from accumulating between the end 2e of the outer periphery 2d of the dispersing table 2a and the bottom surface 3b of the conveying surface 3f of the conveying feeder 3.

[0060] The end 2e of the outer periphery 2d of the dispersing table 2a does not come into contact with the upper end Jb of the article J when the lower end Ja of the article J abuts against the conveying surface 3f of the conveying feeder 3. This makes it possible to prevent the article J from accumulating between the end 2e of the outer periphery 2d of the dispersing table 2a and the conveying surface 3f of the conveying feeder 3.

[0061] The conveying feeder 3 has a bottom surface 3b that has a U-shaped cross section when viewed from the radial direction D2, and widening side surfaces 3c that extend upward from each of a pair of upper ends 3bu of the bottom surface 3b when viewed from the radial direction D2. As a result, even if the articles J distributed to the conveying feeder 3 are guided by the widening side surfaces 3c, they can slide down to the U-shaped cross-sectional bottom surface 3b and be aligned at the bottom surface 3b so as to face the radial direction D2.

[0062] The width dimension W of the pair of upper end portions 3bu of the bottom surface 3b as viewed from the radial direction D2 is shorter than the longitudinal length L of the articles J. As a result, even if the articles J distributed to the conveying feeder 3 are oriented so as to intersect with the radial direction D2, at least one of the ends of the articles J is guided by the widening side surface 3c. This allows the articles J to more reliably slide down to the U-shaped cross-section bottom surface 3b and be aligned on the bottom surface 3b so as to face the radial direction D2.

[0063] The combination weighing device 100 is a combination weighing device 100 having the above-mentioned dispersion supply device 1 on its upper stage, and is equipped with a plurality of weighing hoppers 7 that receive the items J transported by the transport feeders 3 of the dispersion supply device 1, a weighing unit 11 that weighs the items J stored in each of the plurality of weighing hoppers 7, and a control unit 14 that performs combination weighing based on the weighed values ​​of the items J and discharges the combined items J from the hoppers. Even in this case, the guide members 20 interfere with the items J transported at the outer periphery 2d of the dispersion table 2a, so that the longitudinal directions of the items J are directed from the circumferential direction D1 to the radial direction D2. As the longitudinal directions of the items J are directed from the circumferential direction D1 to the radial direction D2, the orientations of not only the items J but also the items J present around the items J are changed from the circumferential direction D1 by the collision of the items J. In this way, the articles J on the dispersing table 2a are prevented from continuing to be transported in the circumferential direction D1 while their longitudinal directions are aligned with the circumferential direction D1 of the dispersing table 2a, and the dispersion of the articles J to the conveying feeder 3 is promoted. Therefore, the combination weighing device 100 can prevent the dispersion and supply of long articles J from the dispersing table 2a to the conveying feeder 3 from being delayed.

[0064] Although the embodiment and the modified examples of the weighing device according to the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and the modified examples.

[0065] For example, in the above embodiment, the guide member 20 has the extending portion 21 and the standing portion 22 made of plate-like members, but is not limited to this example. For example, the extending portion and the standing portion may be made of rod-like members. Furthermore, the extending portion 21 may extend at an angle relative to the horizontal plane, and the standing portion 22 may be perpendicular to the radial direction D2. Furthermore, the guide member 20 may not have either the extending portion 21 or the standing portion 22.

[0066] In the above embodiment, the step d between the end 2e of the outer periphery 2d of the dispersing table 2a and the bottom surface 3b of the conveying surface 3f of the conveying feeder 3 is larger than the longitudinal length L of the article J, but this is not limited to this example. The end 2e of the outer periphery 2d of the dispersing table 2a does not come into contact with the upper end Jb of the article J when the lower end Ja of the article J abuts against the conveying surface 3f of the conveying feeder 3, but this is not limited to this example. For example, in the above embodiment, the outer periphery 2d of the dispersing table 2a has a uniform incline and the height position of the end 2e is also uniform, but the height position of the end 2e may be partially lower, in which case the step d may be partially smaller than the longitudinal length L of the article J, or there may be a portion where the upper end Jb of the article J and the end 2e of the outer periphery 2d come into contact when the lower end Ja of the article J abuts against the conveying surface 3f of the conveying feeder 3.

[0067] In the above embodiment, the conveying feeder 3 has a bottom surface 3b with a U-shaped cross section when viewed from the radial direction D2 and a pair of widened side surfaces 3c, but this configuration is not limited thereto. For example, the bottom surface 3b may have a V-shaped cross section when viewed from the radial direction D2. As long as the bottom surface 3b has a downwardly convex cross section that extends along the radial direction D2 when viewed from the radial direction D2, the longitudinal direction of the articles J on the bottom surface 3b can be aligned so that it faces the radial direction D2. Furthermore, for example, the pair of widened side surfaces 3c may be omitted, and the entire conveying feeder 3 may be composed only of a bottom surface with a U-shaped cross section when viewed from the radial direction D2. In this case, the width dimension of the pair of upper end portions of the bottom surface when viewed from the radial direction D2 may be longer than the longitudinal length of the articles J.

[0068] In the above embodiment, the dispersing table 2a is vibrated by a drive unit provided below the dispersing table 2a, and the articles J on the upper surface 2c of the dispersing table 2a are moved in the circumferential direction D1 without the dispersing table 2a itself rotating in the circumferential direction D1, but this example is not limiting. For example, the dispersing table 2a may be configured to rotate the dispersing table 2a itself in the circumferential direction D1 by a rotation drive unit provided below the dispersing table 2a, and the articles J on the upper surface 2c of the dispersing table 2a may be moved in the circumferential direction D1 as the dispersing table 2a rotates.

[0069] In the combination weighing devices of the above embodiment and the above modified example, the pool hopper 5 is provided in front of the weighing hopper 7, but the pool hopper 5 may be omitted. Also, although a booster hopper is not provided below the weighing hopper 7, a booster hopper may be provided. [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] 1...dispersion supply device, 2a...dispersion table, 2d...periphery, 2e...end, 3...conveying feeder, 3b...bottom surface, 3bu...upper end, 3c...widening side, 3f...conveying surface, 7...weighing hopper (hopper), 11...weighing section, 14...control section, 20...guide member, 21...extension section, 21a...tip, 22...upright section, 22a...guide surface, d...step, J...article, Ja...lower end, Jb...upper end, W...width dimension.

Claims

1. a dispersion table that distributes long articles supplied from above around the periphery and transports the articles in a circumferential direction so that the longitudinal direction of the articles is aligned with the circumferential direction at the outer periphery; A plurality of guide members provided around the outer periphery of the dispersing table; A plurality of conveying feeders are arranged radially around the dispersion table and convey the articles in the radial direction while aligning the articles received from the dispersion table so that they face the radial direction, The guide member is arranged to interfere with the articles being transported at the outer periphery of the dispersion table so as to orient the longitudinal direction of the articles from the circumferential direction to the radial direction.

2. The guide member has an extending portion extending along the radial direction from below the outer circumferential portion of the dispersion table, and a standing portion bending upward at a tip of the extending portion, The dispersion supply device according to claim 1 , wherein the standing portion includes a guide surface that is not perpendicular to the radial direction.

3. the conveying feeder is provided at a position lower than the outer periphery of the dispersing table, 3. The dispersion supply device according to claim 1, wherein a step between an end of the outer periphery of the dispersion table and a bottom surface of the conveying surface of the conveying feeder is greater than a length of the articles in the longitudinal direction.

4. the conveying feeder is provided at a position lower than the outer periphery of the dispersing table, 3. The dispersion supply device according to claim 1, wherein the edge of the outer periphery of the dispersion table does not come into contact with the upper ends of the articles when the lower ends of the articles abut on the conveying surface of the conveying feeder.

5. The dispersion supply device described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the conveying feeder has a bottom surface that is U-shaped in cross section when viewed from the radial direction, and widening side surfaces that extend upward from each of a pair of upper ends of the bottom surface when viewed from the radial direction.

6. The dispersion supply device according to claim 5 , wherein a width dimension of a pair of upper end portions of the bottom surface as viewed in the radial direction is shorter than a length of the articles in the longitudinal direction.

7. A combination weighing device having the dispersion supply device according to claim 1 or 2 in an upper stage, a plurality of hoppers for receiving the articles conveyed by the conveying feeders of the dispersion supply device; a weighing unit that weighs the items stored in each of the plurality of hoppers; a control unit that performs combination weighing based on the weight values ​​of the items and discharges the combined items from the hopper.

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