Product processing equipment

Abstract

To provide a product processing device capable of working in accordance with the work tempo of downstream workers without erroneously sorting processed products even when production instructions are switched. [Solution] A product processing device S produces processed products P2 that have been processed based on production instructions. The product processing device S includes a control unit 60 that, when the production instructions are switched from producing products for a first store to producing products for a second store, ends processing of the products P1 for the first store and then waits for a preset time to elapse before starting processing of the products P1 for the second store, and an operation unit 70 that starts processing of the products for the second store without waiting for the set time to elapse.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] One aspect of the present invention relates to a product processing apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] There is known a product processing device that performs predetermined processing on products based on production instructions to produce processed products. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a product processing device (weighing, packaging, and pricing device) that weighs products, packages the products in film, and affixes product labels based on the weighing results to the packaged products to produce processed products.

[0003] When processed products are produced using such product processing equipment, workers upstream of the product processing equipment feed products to be weighed into the product processing equipment one after another, while workers downstream of the product processing equipment attach store-specific labels to containers and then load specified numbers of processed products fed out of the product processing equipment into those store-specific containers for sorting.As a result, the work tempo of workers downstream of the product processing equipment is slower than that of workers upstream of the product processing equipment, and processed products tend to back up downstream of the product processing equipment. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-95524 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In production using a product processing device where this tendency occurs, when a production instruction is switched from producing products for a first store to producing products for a second store different from the first store, processed products for the first store and processed products for the second store will be mixed and accumulated downstream of the product processing device. In this case, workers will have to load the products accumulated downstream of the product processing device into the store-specific containers while checking the store names on the product labels. Therefore, as the processing volume increases, there is a high possibility that processed products with the wrong delivery destination will be loaded into the store-specific containers.

[0006] One way to prevent this backlog is to set a waiting time in the product processing device that delays the start of production of products for the second store after production of products for the first store has finished. In this case, the waiting time is set long enough for one worker to complete the sorting work. However, as the worker becomes accustomed to the work, even if they want to speed up their work tempo, they must wait a certain amount of time, which can lead to a decrease in work efficiency. Furthermore, if the number of workers downstream increases due to daily personnel changes, the set waiting time must be adjusted, which can lead to the problem of not being able to complete the work in a short time.

[0007] To provide a product processing device that can work in accordance with the work tempo of downstream workers without missorting processed products, even when production instructions are switched. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] (1) A product processing device according to one aspect of the present invention is a product processing device that produces processed products that have been processed based on production instructions, and includes a control unit that, when the production instructions are switched from producing products for a first store to producing products for a second store, ends the processing of the products for the first store and then waits for a preset time to elapse before starting processing of the products for the second store, and an operation unit that starts processing of the products for the second store without waiting for the set time to elapse.

[0009] In a product processing device with this configuration, after processing of products for the first store is completed, processing of products for the second store begins after a preset time has elapsed, so even if there is only one worker positioned downstream, they can clearly distinguish between products for the first store and products for the second store and proceed with the sorting work, thereby reducing missorting of products.Furthermore, if two workers are positioned downstream, they can start processing products for the second store by operating the operation unit without waiting for the preset time to elapse, thereby shortening the wait time before the workers can start sorting and completing the work in a short amount of time.

[0010] (2) The product processing device described in (1) above may further include a setting unit that sets the number of workers who will sort the processed products, and the control unit may adjust the set time according to the number of workers set by the setting unit. With this configuration, the time required for sorting decreases as the number of workers increases, and this configuration makes it possible to adjust the set time appropriately according to the number of workers. This allows for immediate response even if the number of workers increases or decreases due to daily changes in personnel allocation, thereby more reliably preventing a decrease in production capacity.

[0011] (3) The product processing device of (1) or (2) above may further include a processing unit that performs a weighing process to weigh products, a packaging process to wrap the weighed products in film and an attachment process to attach product labels to the packaged products, and a weighing process to weigh packaged products or an attachment process to attach product labels to the weighed packaged products, a supply unit that supplies products to the processing unit, and a conveyance unit that transports processed products that have been processed by the processing unit. With this configuration, in a product processing device that performs a weighing process, a packaging process, and an attachment process on products, or a weighing process and an attachment process on packaged products, even if production instructions are switched, it is possible to reduce the chance of a worker sorting the processed products and shorten the waiting time until the worker starts sorting.

[0012] (4) In the product processing device of (3) above, when the production instruction is switched from the production of products for the first store to the production of products for the second store, the control unit may control the supply unit to supply the products for the first store to the processing unit, wait for a set time to elapse, and then supply the products for the second store to the processing unit. In this configuration, by adjusting the timing of supplying the products to the processing unit, it is possible to wait for a preset set time to elapse after the processing of the products for the first store has ended and then start processing the products for the second store. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to one aspect of the present invention, even if production instructions are switched, work can be performed in accordance with the work tempo of downstream workers without missorting processed products. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a product processing apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the product processing device of FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the product processing device of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a production instruction. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the various setting screens. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a product processing device according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] A product processing device S according to one embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, identical elements are given the same reference numerals, and duplicate explanations will be omitted. In the following description, the terms "upper" and "lower" correspond to the up and down vertical directions as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, and the terms "upstream" and "downstream" refer to the upstream and downstream directions in the conveying directions D1, D2, and D3 of the products P1 and P2.

[0016] The product processing apparatus S is an apparatus that produces processed products P2 that have been processed based on production instructions. The product processing apparatus S is an apparatus that weighs the products P1, packages the products P1, issues a product label on which information about the products P1 is printed, and affixes the issued product label to the top surface of the packaged products P1 (processed products P2). First, the basic configuration of the product processing apparatus S according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. The products P1 to be weighed and packaged in the product processing apparatus S consist, for example, of a tray and food or the like placed or contained on the tray.

[0017] The product processing device S includes an upstream processing device 1A, a downstream processing device 1B, a supply section 9, a second transport conveyor (discharge section) 20, a sorting section (discharge section) 50, a product processing controller (control section) 60, and an operation section 70.

[0018] The upstream processing device 1A and the downstream processing device 1B are, for example, weighing, packaging, and pricing devices having substantially the same functions. Therefore, in the following explanation, the configuration of one of the packaging devices (for example, the upstream processing device 1A) will be explained as a representative, and explanations of the configurations that overlap between the upstream processing device 1A and the downstream processing device 1B may be omitted.

[0019] The upstream processing device 1A and the downstream processing device 1B (hereinafter also referred to as processing devices 1A and 1B) are arranged side by side in the above-mentioned one direction (conveyance direction D1). The processing devices 1A and 1B each include a weighing unit (processing unit) 2, a packaging unit (processing unit) 3, a printing unit (processing unit) 4, an attaching unit (processing unit) 5, and a device controller 6. The processing devices 1A and 1B are both weighing, packaging, and pricing devices that perform weighing, packaging, and pricing processes on products P1. The processing capacities per unit time of the processing device 1A and the processing device 1B as weighing, packaging, and pricing devices are, for example, equivalent.

[0020] Processing device 1A includes a main housing 41A and an upstream auxiliary housing 42A that houses a film roll 8A. Processing device 1B includes a main housing 41B and a downstream auxiliary housing 42B that also houses a film roll 8B. Processing devices 1A and 1B are configured such that auxiliary housings 42A and 42B that house film rolls 8A and 8B are located outside the adjacent main housings 41A and 41B. Note that the mechanisms of processing devices 1A and 1B have the same functions and configurations except for their opposite arrangements. Therefore, in this specification, the modifiers "upstream" and "downstream" may be omitted for the "processing device," "main housing," "auxiliary housing," and the "pusher" and "film roll" described below.

[0021] In the processing devices 1A, 1B, the weighing unit 2, packaging unit 3, and device controller 6 are mainly located inside the main housings 41A, 41B, while the printing unit 4 of the label printer and the label application unit 5 consisting of a label application machine are located above the packaging unit 3. The processing devices 1A, 1B have a supply opening 43 at the front center of the main housings 41A, 41B for carrying products P1 into the device, and a discharge opening 44 at the top center of the front of the main housings 41A, 41B for discharging packaged, labeled, processed products P2. In the processing devices 1A, 1B, the height of the supply opening 43 is approximately equal to the height of the conveying surface of the first transport conveyor 10, for example.

[0022] The weighing unit 2 executes a weighing process to weigh the product P1. The weighing unit 2 is provided in the center of the front of the main housings 41A, 41B (at the supply port 43). The weighing unit 2 has a weighing platform (not shown) that weighs the mass of the product P1 when loaded by a load sensor such as a load cell, and a weighing conveyor 2a that transports the product P1 placed on the weighing platform to the packaging unit 3. When the product P1 is placed on the weighing platform, the mass of the product P1 is measured by the load sensor, and when the measured value stabilizes, the weighing conveyor 2a is driven to transport the product P1 to the packaging unit 3. The transport direction of the product P1 by the weighing conveyor 2a is the same as the supply direction D2 by the upstream pusher 30A and downstream pusher 30B described below, which is, for example, the front-to-back direction in the figure.

[0023] The packaging unit 3 performs packaging processing by wrapping the product P1 in film. The packaging unit 3 has a lift mechanism that lifts the product P1 received from the weighing unit 2 to the packaging position, a film roll support mechanism that supports the film roll 8A or film roll 8B, a film delivery mechanism that delivers the stretch film pulled out from the film rolls 8A and 8B to the packaging position, a folding mechanism that folds the stretch film lifted together with the product P1 by the lift mechanism into the bottom side of the product P1 at the packaging position, and a sealing mechanism that heat-seals the overlapping portion of the folded film (all not shown).

[0024] The packaging section 3 of the processing devices 1A and 1B includes film rolls 8A and 8B housed in accessory housings 42A and 42B. The film rolls 8A and 8B are arranged with their respective axes aligned along the supply direction D2. However, the two film rolls 8A and 8B are attached in opposite positions and orientations. This allows the processing device 1A to unwind film from the film roll 8A in the conveying direction D1 (i.e., to the right), while the processing device 1B unwinds film from the film roll 8B in the direction opposite to the conveying direction D1 (i.e., to the left).

[0025] The printing unit 4 issues product labels by printing product information about the product P1 and store information about the store (for example, the store name and the price for that store) on labels fed from a label roll. The printing unit 4 issues product labels based on information about the product P1 displayed on the operation display units (operation units) 7A and 7B. The labels may be either backing labels attached to a backing or backingless labels not attached to a backing.

[0026] The affixing unit 5 performs an affixing process to affix a product label to the product P1. The affixing unit 5 receives the label issued by the printing unit 4 and affixes it to the top surface of the wrapped product P1. To this end, the affixing unit 5 has an affixing head that receives the product label at a label issuing port, transports it above the wrapped product P1, and affixes it. The processed product P2, to which the label has been affixed by the printing unit 4 and affixing unit 5, is discharged from the discharge port 44 onto the second transport conveyor 20 by a push-out mechanism (not shown).

[0027] The device controller 6 is configured as a computer, and controls various operations in the processing devices 1A and 1B by reading and executing stored programs. This computer is configured, for example, with a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The device controller 6 of the processing device 1B also functions as a product processing controller 60 that controls various operations in the product processing device S. Control of the product processing device S by the product processing controller 60 will be described in detail later. The device controller 6 of the processing device 1A may also function as the product processing controller 60.

[0028] For example, operation display units 7A, 7B are attached to the sides of the main housings 41A, 41B. Each operation display unit 7A, 7B is configured as a touch panel on which various information necessary for operation can be set, such as the product call number, the operating speed of the processing devices 1A, 1B, the transport speed of the first transport conveyor 10 (the amount processed per unit time), the packaging size of the product P1, etc. Each operation display unit 7A, 7B may also have physical buttons or the like for operation.

[0029] Each operation display unit 7A, 7B basically operates the corresponding processing device 1A, 1B individually, but they are capable of communicating with each other via wire or wirelessly, and from one of the operation display units 7A, 7B of the processing devices 1A, 1B, it is possible to specify both processing devices 1A, 1B, set their operating conditions, and start their operations simultaneously. Various information set on the operation display unit 7A is transmitted to the device controller 6 of the processing device 1B. Various information set on the operation display unit 7B is transmitted to the device controller 6 of the processing device 1A.

[0030] The processing devices 1A, 1B configured as described above lift up products P1 supplied in the supply direction D2, wrap them in film, and then send the film-wrapped processed products P2 in the direction D3 opposite to the supply direction D2 (i.e., forward) to be delivered to the second transport conveyor 20. In the processing devices 1A, 1B, the weighing unit 2 sequentially weighs multiple products P1, and the weighed products P1 are packaged and labeled in the packaging unit 3, printing unit 4, and labeling unit 5 in sequence at predetermined cycles (time intervals). Therefore, in the processing devices 1A, 1B, the processing cycle from when one product P1 is supplied to the supply port 43 to when the processed product P2 emerges from the discharge port 44 is substantially the same.

[0031] The supply section 9 supplies the products P1 to the processing devices 1A and 1B. The supply section 9 is made up of a first transport conveyor 10 and a feed section 30.

[0032] The first transport conveyor 10 sequentially transports (supplies) a plurality of products P1 in, for example, one direction (hereinafter also referred to as the transport direction D1). The first transport conveyor 10 includes a first conveyor 11, a second conveyor 12, a third conveyor 13, a fourth conveyor 16, a fifth conveyor 17, and a sixth conveyor 18, to which the products P1 are supplied. The first conveyor 11, the second conveyor 12, the third conveyor 13, the fourth conveyor 16, the fifth conveyor 17, and the sixth conveyor 18 are arranged in this order from upstream to downstream, and each has a known configuration as a belt conveyor. The transport surfaces of these conveyors are arranged on the same plane. Note that the number of conveyors constituting the first transport conveyor 10 is not limited to the above.

[0033] The second conveyor 12 is provided with a first sensor 12A that detects the product P1. The fourth conveyor 16 is provided with a second sensor 16A that detects the product P1. The first sensor 12A and the second sensor 16A each consist of, for example, a light-emitting unit and a light-receiving unit, and detect the presence or absence of a product based on whether the light-receiving unit receives light emitted from the light-emitting unit. The detection results by the first sensor 12A and the second sensor 16A are acquired by the product processing controller 60.

[0034] The feeding section 30 is provided in each of the processing devices 1A and 1B, and feeds the products P1 conveyed by the first transport conveyor 10 into the processing devices 1A and 1B. The feeding section 30 includes an upstream pusher 30A that feeds the products P1 conveyed by the first transport conveyor 10 in the supply direction D2 to supply them to the processing device 1A, and a downstream pusher 30B that feeds the products P1 conveyed by the first transport conveyor 10 in the supply direction D2 to supply them to the processing device 1B.

[0035] The upstream pusher 30A and the downstream pusher 30B (hereinafter also referred to as pushers 30A and 30B) are provided at the same height above the conveying surface of the first transfer conveyor 10. The pushers 30A and 30B are provided at a position higher than the conveying surface of the first transfer conveyor 10 and lower than the conveying surface of the second transfer conveyor 20. The direction in which the pushers 30A and 30B send out the products P1, i.e., the supply direction D2, is, for example, horizontal and perpendicular to the conveying direction D1.

[0036] The upstream pusher 30A includes, for example, a guide unit 31 that is provided on the first transport conveyor 10 or the main housing 41A and extends in the front-rear direction, and a slide unit 32 that is movable in the front-rear direction along the guide unit 31 by a front-rear drive unit including a motor or the like. The upstream pusher 30A also includes, for example, an arm unit 34 that is fixed to the slide unit 32 and extends horizontally upstream (to the left), and a pusher plate 35 that is provided at the tip of the arm unit 34 and is movable in the up-down direction by a lift drive unit including a motor or the like. That is, the upstream pusher 30A includes a pusher plate 35 that is movable on two axes, that is, in the front-rear direction and the up-down direction.

[0037] The pusher plate 35 extends in the vertical and horizontal directions (i.e., directions perpendicular to the supply direction D2) and abuts against the product P1 on the first transport conveyor 10, sending (pushing) the product P1 in the supply direction D2, i.e., backward. The pusher plate 35 moves backward while lowered to its lowest position, transfers the product P1 onto the weighing conveyor 2a, and then rises to its highest position where it does not interfere with the product P1. The pusher plate 35 then moves forward while maintaining the level of the highest position, and then descends to its lowest position to wait for the next supply operation. In this way, the pusher plate 35 of the upstream pusher 30A moves while tracing a rectangular trajectory in a vertical plane along the supply direction D2.

[0038] The downstream pusher 30B is configured to be opposite to the upstream pusher 30A, but the operation of the arm portion 34 and the pusher plate 35 is the same as that of the upstream pusher 30A. The pushers 30A and 30B are controlled by a product processing controller 60.

[0039] The second transport conveyor 20 transports processed products P2 processed by the processing devices 1A and 1B. The second transport conveyor 20 sequentially transports multiple processed products P2 delivered from the processing devices 1A and 1B in one direction (transport direction D1). The second transport conveyor 20 includes a first conveyor 21 located in front of the processing device 1A, an intermediate conveyor 22 located downstream thereof, a second conveyor 23 located in front of the processing device 1B, and a first discharge conveyor 26 and a second carry-out conveyor 27 located downstream thereof. The first conveyor 21, intermediate conveyor 22, second conveyor 23, and first discharge conveyor 26 are arranged in series from upstream to downstream in this order, and each has a known configuration as a belt conveyor, thereby sequentially transporting multiple processed products P2 in the transport direction D1. The transport surfaces of these multiple conveyors are maintained on the same plane. The second discharge conveyor 27 is provided downstream of the first discharge conveyor 26 and sends the products to a sorting section 50 further downstream.

[0040] A third sensor 26A that detects processed products P2 is provided on the first discharge conveyor 26. The third sensor 26A, for example, comprises a light-emitting unit and a light-receiving unit, and detects the passage of processed products P2 based on whether the light-receiving unit receives light emitted from the light-emitting unit. The number of processed products P2 that have passed the third sensor 26A is counted by the product processing controller 60.

[0041] In the processing devices 1A and 1B, the height of the discharge port 44 is, for example, approximately equal to the height of the conveying surface of the second transfer conveyor 20. The conveying surface of the second transfer conveyor 20 is higher than the conveying surface of the first transfer conveyor 10. In addition, the second transfer conveyor 20 is disposed at a different position from the first transfer conveyor 10 in a plan view. More specifically, the second transfer conveyor 20 is parallel to the first transfer conveyor 10 in a plan view, and is disposed between the processing devices 1A and 1B and the first transfer conveyor 10 in the front-to-rear direction.

[0042] The sorting unit 50 is a section where workers sort the processed products P2 processed by the processing devices 1A, 1B by store. More specifically, in the sorting unit 50, workers load specified numbers of processed products P2 sent out from the processing devices 1A, 1B into containers prepared for each store and sort them. The sorting unit 50 may be staffed by one worker or two or more workers.

[0043] The sorting unit 50 includes a first sorting conveyor 51, a second sorting conveyor 53, a connection unit 55, a rotating roller 56, and a pusher 57.

[0044] The first sorting conveyor 51 transports products sequentially in one direction (conveying direction D1). The first sorting conveyor 51 is, for example, located upstream and includes a plurality of parallel rotating rollers 56 extending in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction D1, followed by a known belt conveyor and a stopper at the end. The first sorting conveyor 51 is configured as a stock conveyor. The first sorting conveyor 51 provides a sorting area 51A where workers can perform sorting work. The second sorting conveyor 53 transports products sequentially in one direction (conveying direction D1). The second sorting conveyor 53 includes, for example, a known belt conveyor and a stopper at the end. The first sorting conveyor 51 is configured as a stock conveyor. The second sorting conveyor 53 provides a sorting area 53A where workers can perform sorting work. These stock conveyors are supplied with the same number of processed products P2 as will fit in one container. Therefore, the worker repeatedly packs the set number of products stocked on the stock conveyor into a container, and then packs the processed products P2 stocked on the adjacent stock conveyor into a new container.

[0045] The connection section 55 forms a transport path for processed products P2 between the first sorting conveyor 51 and the second sorting conveyor 53. The pusher 57 transports the processed products P2 on the rotating rollers 56 from the first sorting conveyor 51 to the second sorting conveyor 53. Instead of this pusher 57, a sorting device may be arranged between the multiple rotating rollers 56 and composed of multiple parallel string belts that run in the axial direction of the rotating rollers 56. When the conveying surfaces of the rotating rollers 56 are maintained at a higher position than the string belts, this sorting device transports the processed products P2 discharged from the second discharge conveyor 27 in the transport direction D1. When the conveying surfaces of the rotating rollers 56 move to a position lower than the string belts, the processed products P2 discharged from the second discharge conveyor 27 are transported by the multiple parallel string belts in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction D1 and supplied to the upstream side of the second sorting conveyor 53.

[0046] In the product processing device S of this embodiment, it is possible to assign one or more workers to each of the two sorting areas 51A, 53A. For example, if the size of the processed products P2 is set so that four products are packed into one container, and store A orders 10 processed products P2, the pusher 57 or sorting device is controlled to first supply four products to the first sorting conveyor 51, and then supply four products to the second sorting conveyor 53. During this time, when the products P2 on the first sorting conveyor 51 are packed into the container, the remaining two processed products P2 are supplied to the first sorting conveyor 51.

[0047] The product processing controller 60 realizes various functions by, for example, loading a program stored in ROM onto RAM and executing it on the CPU. As a result, the product processing controller 60 forms a setting unit 61 and a production control unit 63. The product processing controller 60 further includes a storage unit 65. The storage unit 65 is configured, for example, by RAM, an SSD (Solid State Drive), an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), etc.

[0048] The setting unit 61 sets and displays the production instructions received from the host system in the product processing device S. As described above, the product processing device S performs predetermined processing on the product P1 based on the production instructions to produce processed product P2. The production instructions here refer to the planned production quantity of the product P1 for each store. The planned production quantity for each store is, for example, information such as 10 units for store a and 10 units for store b for a specific product P1, as shown in FIG. 4. The production instructions also define the order in which the products for each store will be produced. Such production instructions are stored in the storage unit 65.

[0049] The above-mentioned production instructions can be confirmed, for example, by displaying the various settings screen SC1 as shown in Fig. 5. The various settings screen SC1 has a product name display section 90A, a production sequence display section 90B, a store name display section 90C, and a planned production quantity display section 90D.

[0050] The product name display section 90A displays the currently set product name. Product information related to various processes in the weighing section 2, packaging section 3, printing section 4, and labeling section 5 is stored in association with the product name. The product information includes the product name, place of production, unit price, tray size, label affixing position, etc. The production sequence display section 90B displays the production sequence of the set product name. The store name display section 90C displays the currently set store name. The planned production quantity display section 90D displays the planned production quantity for the displayed store.

[0051] The above production instructions may be stored in the storage unit 65 as production instructions transmitted from a higher-level system via a network, or may be stored in the storage unit 65 via a storage medium such as a flash memory.

[0052] The product processing device S is configured so that, when the weighing, packaging, and pricing process (product processing) for the planned production quantity for one store is completed, product information for the next store is set and the weighing, packaging, and pricing process for the planned production quantity for the next store is carried out. This type of control is performed by a production control unit 63, which executes various processes in the product processing device S. More specifically, the production control unit 63 controls the first transport conveyor 10 (first conveyor 11, second conveyor 12, third conveyor 13, fourth conveyor 16, fifth conveyor 17, and sixth conveyor 18), the feed unit 30 (upstream pusher 30A and downstream pusher 30B), and the sorting unit 50 for each store based on the planned production quantity for each store.

[0053] When the production instruction is switched from the production of product P1 intended for store a (first store) to the production of product P1 intended for store b (second store), the production control unit 63 of this embodiment ends the processing of product P1 intended for store a, waits for a preset time to elapse, and then starts the processing of product P1 intended for store b. More specifically, when the production instruction is switched from the production of product P1 intended for store a to the production of product P1 intended for store b, the product processing controller 60 controls the supply unit 9 (first transport conveyor 10 and feed unit 30) and the sorting unit 50 to supply product P1 intended for store a to processing devices 1A, 1B, changes the store name set in the printing unit 4 to store b, and then waits for the preset time to elapse before supplying product P1 intended for store b to processing devices 1A, 1B.

[0054] Similarly, from when the production instruction is switched from the production of product P1 for store b (first store) to the production of product P1 for store c (second store) to when the production instruction is switched from the production of product P1 for store i (first store) to the production of product P1 for store j (second store), processing for product P1 for the next store is started after a preset time has elapsed since the processing for product P1 for the previous store was completed. Hereinafter, the store before the store switch in the production instruction will be referred to as the "first store," and the store after the store switch will be referred to as the "second store."

[0055] The setting unit 61 of this embodiment can set the above-mentioned set time (the time from the end of processing the products P1 destined for the first store to the start of processing the products P1 destined for the second store). The setting unit 61 can receive the set time from the worker by displaying a various setting screen SC1 as shown in FIG. 5 on one or both of the operation display unit 7A and the operation display unit 7B. The various setting screen SC1 has an inter-store stop time setting section 91 for one person and an inter-store stop time setting section 92 for two people. By touching these inter-store stop time setting sections 91, 92 and entering a value using the numeric keys, the set time can be entered in units of, for example, one second. At the sorting areas 51A, 53A, workers load specified numbers of processed products P2 into store-specific containers to which store labels are affixed, and sort them. For this reason, it is preferable to appropriately set the set time so that, for example, after a worker at sorting area 51A, 53A packs processed products P2 for the first store into a store-specific container, the worker loads the store-specific container onto a cart to transport it to the next process area (e.g., shipping), and the container for packing processed products P2 for the second store is ready to be supplied to sorting area 51A, 53A at the time when the worker is ready to attach a store label to the container for packing processed products P2 for the second store.

[0056] The setting unit 61 of this embodiment can set the number of workers (number of workers) who will sort in the sorting unit 50. The setting unit 61 can receive the number of workers from the worker by displaying a various setting screen SC1 as shown in FIG. 5 on one or both of the operation display unit 7A and the operation display unit 7B. The various setting screen SC1 has a number of workers setting section 93. After touching the number of workers setting section 93, the desired number of workers can be input using the numeric keys. The product processing controller 60 adjusts the set time according to the number of workers set in the setting unit 61. Specifically, the product processing controller 60 automatically adjusts the set time so that the greater the number of workers set in the setting unit 61, the shorter the set time becomes.

[0057] 1 and 2 is an interface for starting processing of the products P1 destined for the second store without waiting for the set time to elapse. The operation unit 70 is, for example, a button switch. Whether or not the operation unit 70 is operated is acquired by the product processing controller 60. When the product processing controller 60 detects that the operation unit 70 has been operated by an operator, it controls the supply unit 9 (first transport conveyor 10 and feed unit 30) to supply the products P1 destined for the second store to the processing devices 1A, 1B without waiting for the set time to elapse.

[0058] The effects of the product processing apparatus S of the above embodiment will be described. In the product processing apparatus S of the above embodiment, after processing of the products P1 destined for the first store is completed, processing of the products P1 destined for the second store begins after a preset time has elapsed. Therefore, even if there is only one worker positioned downstream, the processed products P2 destined for the first store and the processed products P2 destined for the second store can be clearly distinguished from each other and the sorting work can be carried out, thereby reducing missorting of the processed products P2. Furthermore, when two workers are positioned in the sorting section 50, by operating the operation unit 70, processing of the products destined for the second store can be started without waiting for the preset time to elapse. This shortens the wait time before the workers can start sorting, allowing the work to be completed in a short time.

[0059] In the product processing apparatus S of the above embodiment, the product processing controller 60 adjusts the set time in accordance with the number of workers set in the setting unit 61. In a product processing apparatus S in which the sorting unit 50 sorts processed products P2 to be shipped to each store, the time required for sorting decreases as the number of workers increases, but the product processing apparatus S of the above embodiment can adjust the set time appropriately in accordance with the number of workers. This makes it possible to immediately respond to any increase or decrease in the number of workers due to daily changes in personnel allocation, thereby more reliably preventing a decrease in production capacity.

[0060] In the product processing device S of the above embodiment, in a device that performs packaging, weighing, or pasting processes on product P1, even if production instructions are switched, the waiting time until the worker who sorts the processed product P2 starts sorting can be shortened while reducing the chance of missorting.

[0061] In the product processing apparatus S of the above embodiment, when the production instruction is switched from production of the products P1 intended for the first store to production of the products P1 intended for the second store, the product processing controller 60 controls the supply unit 9 to supply the products P1 intended for the first store to the processing apparatuses 1A, 1B, and then wait for a set time to elapse before supplying the products P1 intended for the second store to the processing apparatuses 1A, 1B. This adjusts the timing of supplying the products P1 to the processing apparatuses 1A, 1B, so that after processing of the products P1 intended for the first store has finished, processing of the products P1 intended for the second store can be started after a preset set time has elapsed.

[0062] Although one embodiment has been described above, one aspect of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0063] Although the product processing device S in the above embodiment has been described with an example in which two processing devices, a processing device 1A and a processing device 1B, are arranged, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the product processing device S1 may be configured to include one processing device 1A, a supply unit 81 that supplies products P1 to the processing device 1A, transport conveyors (discharge units) 82, 83, 84, and 85 that transport processed products P2 processed by the processing device 1A in one direction D, a sorting unit 80 where an operator sorts the processed products P2, and an operation unit 70. The processing device 1A has the same configuration as the processing device 1A described in the above embodiment. The sorting unit 80 has the same configuration (first sorting conveyor 86, second sorting conveyor 87, connection unit 88, pusher 89, and rotating rollers) as the configuration (first sorting conveyor 51, second sorting conveyor 53, connection unit 55, rotating rollers 56, and pusher 57) of the sorting unit 50 described in the above embodiment.

[0064] Even with a product processing apparatus S1 configured in this modified example, after processing of the products P1 destined for the first store is completed, processing of the products P1 destined for the second store begins after a preset time has elapsed. This means that even if there is only one worker positioned downstream, the sorting work can be carried out while clearly distinguishing between processed products P2 destined for the first store and processed products P2 destined for the second store. This reduces the chance of missorting of processed products P2. Furthermore, when two workers are positioned in the sorting section 50, by operating the operation unit 70, processing of the products destined for the second store can be started without waiting for the preset time to elapse. This shortens the wait time before the workers can start sorting, allowing the work to be completed in a short time.

[0065] The product processing device S of the above embodiment and the product processing device S1 of the above modified example have been described as examples equipped with a processing unit that performs all of the packaging process of packaging the products P1 in film, the weighing process of weighing the products P1, and the affixing process of affixing product labels to the products P1, but any configuration may be used as long as it has a processing unit that performs at least one of the packaging process, weighing process, and affixing process. Furthermore, the product processing device S may also be equipped with a horizontal pillow packaging device on the upstream side, and perform a weighing unit to weigh products packaged by the packaging device, followed by an affixing unit to affix product labels to the packaged products. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] 1A...upstream processing device (processing device), 1B...downstream processing device (processing device), 2...weighing section (processing section), 3...packaging section (processing section), 4...printing section (processing section), 5...affixing section (processing section), 6...device controller, 7A...operation display section (operation section), 7B...operation display section (operation section), 9...supply section, 10...first transport conveyor, 20...second transport conveyor (discharge section), 30...feed section, 50, 80...sorting section (discharge section), 60...product processing controller (control section), 70...operation section, 81...supply section, 82, 83, 84, 85...transport conveyor (discharge section), P1...product, P2...processed product, S, S1...product processing device, SC1...setting screen.

Claims

1. A product processing apparatus that produces processed products that have been processed based on production instructions, a control unit that, when the production instruction is switched from production of merchandise intended for a first store to production of merchandise intended for a second store, ends the processing for the merchandise intended for the first store, and then starts the processing for the merchandise intended for the second store after a preset time has elapsed; an operation unit that starts the processing of the products destined for the second store without waiting for the set time to elapse.

2. A setting unit for setting the number of workers who will sort the processed products is further provided, The product processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit adjusts the set time in accordance with the number of people set by the setting unit.

3. a processing unit that executes a weighing process for weighing products, a packaging process for packaging the weighed products in film and a pasting process for pasting product labels on the packaged products, and a weighing process for weighing packaged products or a pasting process for pasting product labels on the weighed packaged products; a supply unit that supplies the product to the processing unit; The product processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: a conveying section that conveys the processed products that have been processed by the processing section.

4. 4. The product processing device of claim 3, wherein when the production instruction is switched from producing products for the first store to producing products for the second store, the control unit controls the supply unit to supply the products for the first store to the processing unit, wait for the set time to elapse, and then supply the products for the second store to the processing unit.

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