Packer scale for flexible container bags

Abstract

We provide a packer scale for flexible container bags that is small, compact, inexpensive, easy to attach to flexible container bags, and capable of accurate weighing. [Solution] The system consists of two sets of frame members: a fixed outer frame shaped like a triangular prism and a suspended inner frame shaped like a triangular prism located inside the outer frame. A load cell is provided at the upper end of the corner of the outer frame, a pallet mounting platform is provided inside the lower end of the inner frame, and a raw material filling chute is provided in the center of the upper end. The inner frame is suspended via the load cell, and a roughly square-shaped pallet is loaded onto the pallet mounting platform. The raw material input port of a flexible container bag is attached to the filling port of the raw material filling chute on the pallet, allowing the amount of raw material to be measured while filling the raw material through the raw material filling chute.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the structure of a packer scale for a flexible container bag for filling a flexible container bag with a predetermined amount of raw materials such as powders or granules.

Background Art

[0002] Currently, as a means for filling, transporting, and storing raw materials such as powders or granules, flexible container bags, which are bag-shaped packaging materials, are generally used. And in many cases, the filling amount of the raw materials filled in this flexible container bag is required to be a predetermined amount.

[0003] Therefore, for filling a flexible container bag with raw materials such as powders or granules, in order to accurately fill the required predetermined amount of raw materials, a packer scale for a flexible container bag having a weighing function for the filling amount is generally used. There are several forms of this packer scale for a flexible container bag. In many cases, four columns of a predetermined length are erected in a rectangular prism column structure at the vertex portions of the respective corner portions of a substantially square projected on the installation surface, and both the upper end portion and the lower portion at a predetermined dimension below the upper end portion are interconnected and integrated by four connecting frames in the horizontal direction. At the same time, a raw material filling chute for filling the flexible container bag with raw materials is provided between the two sets of upper and lower connecting frames. On the other hand, a square platform scale is provided between the lower end portions. In addition, hook members for suspending the four corners of the shoulder portion of the flexible container bag are provided on the connecting frame portion at a predetermined dimension below the upper end portion via rubber bands of a predetermined length. Furthermore, the raw material supply port on the upper end side of the raw material filling chute is adapted to the raw material supply portion of a hopper or other predetermined raw material supply means.

[0004] When filling a flexible container bag with raw materials, first a rectangular pallet (transport pallet) is brought onto the scale and placed on top of it. Then, an empty flexible container bag is brought onto it, and the flexible container bag is spread out on the pallet, with its raw material inlet attached to the lower end opening of the raw material filling chute. After that, air is injected into the flexible container bag using a predetermined air injection means, and it is inflated into the appropriate cylindrical shape. After that, the raw materials are filled into the flexible container bag via the raw material filling chute, and the amount filled is weighed on the scale via the pallet (although it does not have a weighing function, refer to the configuration of the automatic filling device in Patent Document 1, for example, as a packer for flexible containers for filling powders or granules in a rectangular columnar structure housing using four support columns).

[0005] However, in the case of a packer scale (and packer) with a rectangular column structure using these four support columns, the support strength and support state of the raw material filling chute, pallet, flexible container bag, etc., are stable. On the other hand, the structure of the housing becomes large, requiring a large installation space, the housing structure is complex, and the product cost is high. In addition, the burden of installation and transportation work is also large. Furthermore, because the pallet and flexible container bag are located inside the four support columns (inside the housing), there is a problem of limited freedom in the loading and unloading of pallet and flexible container bag work, and in the attachment of flexible container bag to the raw material filling chute (clamping and hooking of the input port) (as a problem when not fully automated as in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1).

[0006] For these reasons, as shown in Figures 12 and 13, for example, a simplified packer scale is also provided in which the two front-facing (inbound and outbound) support columns of the four-column structure described above are omitted, and the upper connecting frame portion that supports the raw material filling chute is supported only by the two rear-facing support columns, resulting in a U-shaped structure when viewed from the side.

[0007] In Figures 12 and 13, reference numeral 81,81 denotes the two rear left and right support columns of the housing, 82,82,82,82 denotes the upper end connecting frame supported horizontally by the two rear left and right support columns 81,81, 83 denotes a cylindrical raw material filling chute provided in the center between the upper end connecting frames 82,82,82,82 via an intermediate connecting frame (not shown), 84 denotes a platform scale that connects and supports the two rear left and right support columns 81,81 at the rear frame portion, 86,86,86,86 denotes four sets of hook members suspended from the front and rear ends of the two upper end connecting frames 82,82 respectively, 87,87,87 87 are two sets of corner brackets (side and back) on the left and right sides that reinforce the corner between the upper ends of the two rear left and right support columns 81,81 and the rear ends of the two connecting frames 82,82 on the upper end side; 88,88,88,88 are two sets of corner brackets on each side (side and back) that reinforce the corner between the lower ends of the two rear left and right support columns 81,81 and the left and right ends of the rear frame of the scale 84; 6 is a flexible container bag; 6a is the raw material input port of the flexible container bag 6; and 7 is a slatted pallet for transporting the flexible container bag 6 with a forklift.

[0008] With this configuration, compared to the four-pillar type packer scale mentioned earlier, the two pillars on the left and right sides of the front are eliminated, and the front section for loading and unloading pallets 7 and flexible container bags 6 is open to the outside, making loading and unloading operations significantly easier. In addition, since the front and both sides of the flexible container bag 6 located on the pallet 7 are open to the outside, the operation of attaching the flexible container bag 6 to the raw material supply port of the raw material filling chute 83 and the operation of hooking it also become easier. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0009] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 7-33117 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0010] However, in the case of the packer scale shown in Figures 12 and 13 above, there are indeed no obstacles around the upper outer perimeter of the flexible container bag 6, and in that sense, the above-mentioned work becomes easier.

[0011] However, the size of the lower platform scale 84 is basically the same as the four-pillar type packer scale described above, and the flexible container bag 6 is located inside by a predetermined dimension of its outer diameter, so the constraints on the worker's footing are not resolved at all. In other words, it is not possible to work close to the flexible container bag 6. Therefore, currently, as shown in Figure 13, for example, workers are actually working while standing on the platform scale 84, which is the weighing instrument. This is a problem that must be avoided in order to ensure the weighing accuracy of the weighing instrument.

[0012] Furthermore, although this allows for a compact and simple structure in terms of appearance (spatially), the actual required installation area is the same as the aforementioned four-pillar type packer scale, and therefore does not necessarily result in an effective improvement in space factor.

[0013] Furthermore, corner brackets 87,87,87,87,88,88,88,88 are used to reinforce the connection points between the two basic rear support columns 81,81 and the upper connecting frames 82,82,82 that support the raw material filling chute 83, and the connection points (side and back) between the two support columns 81,81 and the rear of the platform scale 84 that supports them, respectively. However, as is clear from the side view structure (U-shaped structure) in Figure 13, there is a problem in that the housing structure does not necessarily have sufficient strength and stability.

[0014] Therefore, in this structure, it is basically not possible to adopt a configuration that enables weight measurement of a suspended structure by providing load cells on the upper end (top surface) of the support columns 81, 81 and connecting frames 82, 82. Of course, this is why a rectangular platform scale configuration is used, but in the case of a platform scale configuration, as mentioned above, there is a problem that the degree of freedom of the worker's feet is restricted, and at the same time, when supported at four points via load cells, the load balance is shifted (the center of gravity of the flexible container bag 6 is shifted from the center position between the four sets of load cells), which leads to a deterioration in weighing accuracy.

[0015] Furthermore, raw materials and other debris tend to accumulate in the 84mm section of the scale during use, requiring frequent cleaning. If raw materials and other debris remain, it becomes impossible to place the pallet horizontally, affecting the weighing accuracy.

[0016] The present invention was made to solve the problems of these conventional packer scales for flexible container bags, and consists of two sets of frame members: a fixed outer frame configured in the shape of a triangular prism, and a suspended inner frame configured in the shape of a triangular prism located inside the outer frame. A load cell is provided at the upper end of the corner of the outer frame, a pallet mounting platform is provided inside the lower end of the inner frame, and a raw material filling chute is provided in the center of the upper end. The inner frame is suspended via the load cell, a rectangular pallet is loaded onto the pallet mounting platform, and the raw material input port of the flexible container bag is attached to the filling port of the raw material filling chute on the pallet. The amount of raw material to be filled is measured while the raw material is being filled through the raw material filling chute. The purpose of this invention is to provide a packer scale for flexible container bags that is small and compact in its housing structure, has high weighing accuracy and excellent workability. [Means for solving the problem]

[0017] In order to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, the present invention is configured to include the following problem-solving means.

[0018] (1) Means for solving the problem of the invention of claim 1 The means for solving the problem of this invention is characterized by comprising two sets of frame members: a fixed outer frame configured in the shape of a triangular prism, and a suspended inner frame located inside the outer frame and configured in the shape of a triangular prism. A load cell is provided at the upper end of the corner of the outer frame, a pallet mounting platform is provided inside the lower end of the inner frame, and a raw material filling chute is provided in the center of the upper end. The inner frame is suspended via the load cell, and a rectangular pallet is carried onto the pallet mounting platform. On the pallet, the raw material input port of a flexible container bag is attached to the filling port of the raw material filling chute, and the amount of raw material to be filled can be measured while the raw material is being filled through the raw material filling chute.

[0019] In the solution to the problem of this invention, the housing portion of the packer scale is composed of two sets of frame members: a fixed outer frame configured in the shape of a triangular prism, and a suspended inner frame located inside the outer frame and configured in the shape of a triangular prism.

[0020] Furthermore, a load cell is provided at the upper end of the corner of the outer frame, a pallet mounting platform is provided inside the lower end of the inner frame, and a raw material filling chute is provided in the center of the upper end, with the inner frame suspended via the load cell.

[0021] Therefore, the housing has an extremely simple triangular prism-shaped frame structure overall, making it far smaller and more compact than the conventional packer scale configuration which requires four support columns and a rectangular platform.

[0022] As a result, it requires less installation space, uses fewer materials, and has a lower product cost. Furthermore, it is lightweight, making installation and transportation easier. In addition, it offers a packer scale with an innovative shape that is not found in conventional packer scales for flexible container bags.

[0023] Moreover, the shape of the bottom of the inner frame forming the pallet mounting table is also triangular, and the size of the pallet mounting table side can be made sufficiently smaller than the size of the square pallet on which the flexible container bag is placed (the size becomes smaller toward the rear side). As a result, when attaching the flexible container bag to the raw material filling chute, the operator can approach as close as possible to the vicinity of the pallet placed on the pallet mounting table for work.

[0024] Therefore, it is possible to freely perform work without getting on the weighing scale, which is a measuring instrument, as in the conventional platform scale type packing scale (see Fig. 13). Also, the work at night becomes easier. Therefore, it is very safe and has good workability.

[0025] Furthermore, in the above configuration, different from the conventional platform scale type packing scale with a four-column structure or a two-column structure, load cells are provided at the upper ends of each corner part of the outer frame with a triangular prism structure, so the replacement work of the load cell during maintenance is also easy.

[0026] Also, since the corner part has a three-triangular prism structure, the number of load cells can be reduced to three compared to a packing scale with a four-column structure (four load cells are required in the case of a square platform scale type).

[0027] Moreover, since the detection of the load cell load is by a suspension method, the load of the flexible container bag acts evenly on each of the three load cells, and there is no unevenness in the load balance acting on the four load cells as in the case of the platform scale method. Therefore, the load detection accuracy is also high.

[0028] (2) Means for Solving the Problems of the Invention of Claim 2 The means for solving the problem of this invention is the means for solving the problem of the invention of claim 1 described above, wherein the fixed outer frame consists of three support columns that are located at each vertex of a triangle projected onto the installation surface and extend vertically upward to a predetermined height, and three horizontal connecting frames that are located at the upper ends of these three support columns and connect and integrate the upper ends in a triangular shape, while the inner frame consists of three support columns that are located at each vertex of a triangle projected onto a virtual space surface a predetermined dimension above the installation surface of the outer frame and extend vertically upward to a predetermined height, three upper connecting frames that are located at the upper ends of these three support columns and connect and integrate the upper ends in a triangular shape, and three lower connecting frames that are located at the lower ends of the three support columns and connect and integrate the lower ends in a triangular shape, with a raw material filling chute provided in the upper three connecting frame portions, while the lower three connecting frame portions constitute a pallet mounting platform on which pallets are placed.

[0029] With this configuration, the operation and effects of the means for solving the problem of the invention of claim 1 can be realized more specifically.

[0030] In other words, the fixed outer frame, which is configured in the shape of a triangular prism, is composed of three support columns that are located at each vertex of a triangle projected onto its installation surface and extend vertically upward to a predetermined height, and three horizontal connecting frames that are located at the upper ends of these three support columns and connect and integrate their upper ends in a triangular shape. The inner frame, on the other hand, is composed of three support columns that are located at each vertex of a triangle projected onto a virtual space surface a predetermined dimension above the installation surface of the outer frame and extend vertically upward to a predetermined height, three upper connecting frames that are located at the upper ends of these three support columns and connect and integrate their upper ends in a triangular shape, and three lower connecting frames that are located at the lower ends of the three support columns and connect and integrate their lower ends in a triangular shape.

[0031] Therefore, compared to conventional packer scales with a two-pillar structure (see Figures 12 and 13), the support is far more stable, and the overall strength of the housing, formed by the superimposition of two sets of triangular prism-shaped frame bodies, is sufficiently high. As a result, it can adequately handle heavy loads of flexible container bags despite its small size and compact design.

[0032] (3) Means for solving the problem of the invention of claim 3 The means for solving the problem of this invention is as described in claim 1 or 2 above, wherein flexible container bag suspension arms are provided at four locations corresponding to the vertices of each corner of a rectangular pallet placed on a pallet mounting platform on the lower side of the inner frame, at two locations on both the left and right ends of the upper connecting frame on the front side of the inner frame and one location on each of the rear ends of the side connecting frame, for suspending the four corners of the shoulder portion of the flexible container bag. Hook members are suspended downward from the tip of each of these arms via rubber bands of a predetermined length. The arms on the left and right of the front connecting frame are shorter, and the arms on the rear end of the side connecting frame are longer by a predetermined dimension, so that the positions of each hook member correspond to the vertices of each corner of the rectangular pallet in a projected view.

[0033] With this configuration, the outer frame and inner frame are formed as a triangular, extremely simple columnar structure, and the shape of the upper connecting frame and lower pallet support platform of the inner frame is triangular. Even if the size is smaller than that of a rectangular pallet, the flexible container bag can be properly suspended with its four shoulder corners spread out, just as in the case of a packer scale with four support columns. Therefore, the same reliable filling condition as with the four-column system can be achieved. Furthermore, the suspension operation is also easy.

[0034] (4) Means for solving the problem of the invention of claim 4 The means for solving the problem of this invention is that, in the means for solving the problem of the invention of claim 2 above, a plurality of connecting frames are provided inside the three lower connecting frames that constitute the pallet mounting base, and a plurality of openings are formed in the pallet mounting section by these plurality of connecting frames.

[0035] Therefore, with this configuration, raw materials and other debris do not accumulate in the pallet placement area of ​​the pallet stand, and are all discharged downwards through multiple openings. Consequently, cleaning is essentially unnecessary. In addition, the pallet can always be placed horizontally, ensuring stable weighing accuracy.

[0036] The connection shape (opening shape) of the multiple connecting frames that connect the three lower connecting frames constituting the pallet mounting platform can be of various shapes, such as triangular or trapezoidal grid structures. The number of openings (size and number of each opening) is appropriately designed according to, for example, the strength of the pallet used and the filling capacity of the flexible container bag. This prevents partial deformation (bending) of pallets with low strength. [Effects of the Invention]

[0037] As a result of the above, the configuration of the present invention provides a small, compact packer scale for flexible container bags that does not require a large installation space, allows for easy attachment of flexible container bags to a raw material filling chute, and enables accurate weighing at a low cost. Furthermore, the overall structure and the structure of each part are simple, making daily maintenance such as cleaning easy. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0038] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing the configuration of a packer scale for flexible container bags according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a front view showing the configuration of the packer scale. [Figure 3]This is a partially enlarged view of Figure 2, showing the configuration of the inner frame suspension section of the packer scale. [Figure 4] This is a partially enlarged view (corner front view) showing the configuration of the load cell in the inner frame suspension section of the packer scale. [Figure 5] This is a partially enlarged view (corner side view) showing the configuration of the load cell in the inner frame suspension section of the packer scale. [Figure 6] This is a top view showing the configuration of the packer scale. [Figure 7] This is a bottom view diagram showing the configuration of the packer scale. [Figure 8] This is a rear view showing the configuration of the packer scale. [Figure 9] This is a perspective view of a modified example of the same packer scale, in which part of the configuration of the pallet mounting platform has been changed. [Figure 10] This is a top view of the same modified example. [Figure 11] This is a lower view of the modified example. [Figure 12] This is a front view showing the configuration of a conventional two-pillar type packer scale when a flexible container bag is attached. [Figure 13] This is a side view showing the configuration of the conventional packer scale when a flexible container bag is attached. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0039] Hereinafter, with reference to Figures 1 to 8, a specific embodiment (hereinafter simply referred to as "an embodiment") for implementing the packer scale for flexible container bags of the present invention will be described in detail.

[0040] First, Figures 1, 2, and 6-8 show the overall configuration of the packer scale for flexible container bags of the present invention in this embodiment. The packer scale in this embodiment is configured as a packer scale that automatically weighs and fills, for example, a predetermined granular or powdered raw material into a flexible container bag (bag-shaped packaging material) of a predetermined volume.

[0041] The housing portion of this flexible container bag packer scale is constructed by combining two sets of frame members: a fixed outer frame 1 configured in the shape of a triangular prism, and a suspension side (load-bearing side) inner frame 2 located inside the outer frame 1 and configured in the same triangular prism shape as the outer frame 1.

[0042] The fixed outer frame 1 consists of three support columns 11, 12, and 13 that are located at the vertices of a triangle projected onto the installation surface and extend vertically upward to a predetermined height, and three horizontal connecting frames 14, 15, and 16 that are located at the upper ends 11a, 12a, and 13a of these three support columns 11, 12, and 13 and connect and integrate these upper ends 11a, 12a, and 13a in a triangular shape. Both the support columns 11, 12, and 13 and the connecting frames 14, 15, and 16 are made of channel steel with a C-shaped cross-section, and are erected with their opening faces facing each other and are connected to each other horizontally. The dimensions of the support columns 11, 12, and 13 are relatively larger than those of the connecting frames 14, 15, and 16.

[0043] Furthermore, the lower ends 11b, 12b, and 13b of the support columns 11, 12, and 13 are each provided with bottom plates 11c, 12c, and 13c to fix the support columns to the installation surface. On the other hand, the upper surfaces of the upper ends 11a, 12a, and 13a of the support columns 11, 12, and 13 are each provided with load cell installation plates 11d, 12d, and 13d for installing load cells 8, 8, and 8.

[0044] The inner frame 2 is composed of three support columns 21, 22, and 23 that are located at the vertices of a triangle projected onto a virtual space plane a predetermined dimension (for example, about 40 mm) above the installation surface of the outer frame 1 and extend vertically upward to a predetermined height; three upper connecting frames 24, 25, and 26 that are located at the upper ends 21a, 22a, and 23a of these three support columns 21, 22, and 23 and connect and integrate these upper ends 21a, 22a, and 23a in a triangular shape; and three lower connecting frames 27, 28, and 29 that are located at the lower ends 21b, 22b, and 23b of the three support columns 21, 22, and 23 and connect and integrate these lower ends 21b, 22b, and 23b in a triangular shape.

[0045] The support columns 21, 22, and 23 are all made of channel steel with a C-shaped cross-section, and are erected with their opening faces facing each other. The upper connecting frames 24, 25, and 26 and the lower connecting frames 27, 28, and 29 are all made of channel steel with a C-shaped cross-section, and are connected to the upper ends 21a, 22a, and 23a and lower ends 21b, 22b, and 23b of the support columns 21, 22, and 23, respectively, with their web faces facing each other. The dimensions of the support columns 21, 22, and 23 are such that the support columns 21, 22, and 23 are relatively larger than those of the upper connecting frames 24, 25, and 26, and the lower connecting frames 27, 28, and 29.

[0046] The outer diameter of the inner frame 2 is set to be a predetermined dimension smaller than the inner diameter of the outer frame 1. The inner frame 2 is housed inside the outer frame 1 and is suspended within the outer frame 1 via load cells 8, 8, 8 at each corner, as will be described later.

[0047] Inside the upper connecting frames 24, 25, 26, which are connected in a triangular shape to the upper ends 21a, 22a, 23a of the support columns 21, 22, 23, there are three raw material filling chute mounting frames 31, 32, 33, which further connect the intermediate parts of each connecting frame 24, 25, 26 in a triangular shape. These raw material filling chute mounting frames 31, 32, 33 are also made of channel steel with a C-shaped cross-section, just like the connecting frames 24, 25, 26, and are connected to the intermediate parts of the connecting frames 24, 25, 26 with their web faces facing each other.

[0048] A cylindrical raw material filling chute 4 is vertically mounted to the intermediate portions of the raw material filling chute mounting frames 31, 32, and 33 via raw material filling chute mounting brackets 31a, 32a, and 33a. The upper end opening 4a of the raw material filling chute 4 corresponds to, for example, a hopper or other predetermined raw material supply means, and the lower end opening 4b is fitted with a cylindrical raw material inlet 6a of a flexible container bag 6 via a predetermined clamping means 4c.

[0049] Inside the lower connecting frames 27, 28, 29, which are connected in a triangular shape to the lower ends 21b, 22b, 23b of the support columns 21, 22, 23, three connecting frames 34, 35, 36 are also provided, connecting the intermediate parts of each of these connecting frames 27, 28, 29 in a triangular shape. These three connecting frames 34, 35, 36 are also made of channel steel with a C-shaped cross-section, similar to the connecting frames 24, 25, 26, and are connected to the intermediate parts of connecting frames 27, 28, 29 with their web faces facing each other.

[0050] As a result, a pallet mounting base (pallet base) 5 is formed at the lower end portions 21b, 22b, 23b of the support columns 21, 22, 23 of the inner frame 2, which are connected in a triangular shape by lower connecting frames 27, 28, 29, and within the lower connecting frames 27, 28, 29, which are connected in a triangular shape by connecting the intermediate parts of the lower connecting frames 27, 28, 29, respectively. This combination of two sets of horizontal triangular frames forms a pallet mounting base (pallet base) 5.

[0051] As described above, the pallet platform 5 has three support columns 21, 22, and 23 that constitute the inner frame 2, which extend vertically upward from a virtual space plane that is a predetermined dimension (for example, about 40 mm) above the installation surface of the outer frame 1. Therefore, its bottom surface is also located a predetermined dimension (for example, about 40 mm) above the installation surface of the outer frame 1. As a result, the vertical space is expanded compared to the platform scale type, leading to improved workability.

[0052] Then, a rectangular pallet (a slatted cargo frame) 7 that supports the flexible container bag 6 is placed on this pallet mounting platform 5, for example, as shown in Figures 2, 6, and 8. In other words, in this embodiment, the side of the support columns 11 and 12 of the outer frame 1 (the side of the support columns 21 and 22 of the inner frame 2) shown in Figures 1, 6, and 7 is configured as the front opening for loading and unloading the pallet 7. The square-shaped pallet 7 is loaded through this opening and placed on the pallet mounting platform 5 by abutting it against a stopper (not shown) provided a predetermined distance in front of the support column 23 of the inner frame 2 at the back (see Figure 6). Then, the flexible container bag 6 is attached to the center of the pallet 7 in this state.

[0053] Therefore, in this state, the rectangular pallet 7 is significantly larger than the triangular pallet mounting base 5 on the inner frame 2 side, and the outer diameter of the flexible container bag 6 that is inflated and attached to the pallet 7 is also larger by a predetermined dimension than the outer diameter of the triangular pallet mounting base 5, resulting in a protruding state.

[0054] Therefore, the worker who attaches the flexible container bag 6 to the raw material filling chute 4 and sets it on the pallet 7 can get as close to the raw material filling chute 4 as possible without being obstructed by the pallet mounting platform 5, and can perform the attachment and setting work of the flexible container bag 6.

[0055] On the other hand, the inner frame 2 is suspended in a manner that allows it to be weighed by three load cells 8, 8, 8, which are installed at the upper ends of the three support columns 11, 12, and 13 of the outer frame 1.

[0056] In other words, as described above, load cell mounting plates 11d, 12d, and 13d are provided on the upper surfaces of the upper ends 11a, 12a, and 13a of the three support columns 11, 12, and 13 that constitute the outer frame 1, respectively. These load cell mounting plates 11d, 12d, and 13d have a width that is a predetermined dimension larger than the opening surface of the upper ends 11a, 12a, and 13a of the support columns 11, 12, and 13, and are securely and firmly fixed to the upper surfaces of the upper ends 11a, 12a, and 13a of the support columns 11, 12, and 13 and the connecting frames 14, 15, and 16 on both sides thereof. The fixing portion 8a side of each load cell 8 is securely fixed to each of these load cell mounting plates 11d, 12d, and 13d, for example, using hexagonal bolts 9, 9. On the other hand, the load-applying portion 8b of the load cell 8 is located in the middle of the corner portions of the connecting frames 14, 15, and 16, which are connected to both sides of the upper ends 11a, 12a, and 13a of the support columns 11, 12, and 13, and is provided in a state that extends by a predetermined dimension in the inward-center direction (towards the center of the triangle formed by the connecting frames 14, 15, and 16).

[0057] Furthermore, an inner frame suspension rod fitting hole (not shown) is provided on the inside of the tip, penetrating from the upper side to the lower side, and the upper end (head side) of the inner frame suspension rod 40 for connecting the joint member is fitted and fixed through the inner frame suspension rod fitting hole. The joint member connecting end 40a of the inner frame suspension rod 40 extends downward by a predetermined length and has a connecting pin insertion hole that extends in the left-right direction. Then, via a connecting pin 41 inserted through the connecting pin insertion hole, the U-shaped upper ends 42a of a joint member 42 of a predetermined length are connected to both sides so as to be rotatable in the front-rear direction. The lower end 42b of the joint member 42 is a U-shaped part that is positioned 90 degrees horizontally from the U-shaped part of the upper end, and the upper end 44a of the suspension bolt 44 is connected to this U-shaped part so as to be rotatable in the left-right direction via a connecting pin 43 similar to the one described above. The lower end portion 44b of the suspension bolt 44 passes through the weight seat 45 of the flange structure, which is integrally provided on the lower surface of each corner portion between the upper connecting frames 24, 25, and 26 of the inner frame 2 as described above. The inner frame 2 is then suspended evenly (evenly) at three points on each corner portion of the inner frame 2 via a level adjustment nut 46 located on the lower surface side of the weight seat 45.

[0058] Therefore, in this configuration, the load of the pallet 7 on the pallet mounting platform 5 at the lower end of the inner frame 2 and the flexible container bag 6 placed on the pallet 7 and filled with a predetermined raw material (granules or powder) are evenly applied to the three load cells 8, 8, 8 at the upper ends 11a, 12a, 13a of the support columns 11, 12, 13 of the outer frame 1, allowing for accurate detection of the filling amount.

[0059] By the way, in order to evenly fill the entire volume of the flexible container bag 6 filled with the above raw material (granules or powder), it is necessary to inflate the entire bag evenly by injecting air during filling and then suspend it in this inflated state. In order to maintain the inflated state of the flexible container bag 6, conventional packer scales with four support columns employ a method of suspending the flexible container bag 6 by attaching hook members to the four corners of the shoulder portion using horizontal connecting members that connect the upper ends of the four support columns.

[0060] However, in this embodiment, as described above, not only the outer frame 1 but also the inner frame 2 is a triangular columnar structure, and the connecting frames 24, 25, and 26 on the upper end of the inner frame 2 are also connected in a triangular shape. Furthermore, the outer diameter of the pallet 7 is considerably larger than the outer diameter of the triangular pallet mounting base 5, and it is rectangular in shape. The outer diameter of the flexible container bag 6, which is inflated and attached to the pallet 7, is also a protruding size that is larger by a predetermined dimension than the outer diameter of the upper triangular connecting frames 24, 25, and 26. Therefore, it is not possible to suspend the hook members using the upper triangular connecting frames 24, 25, and 26 to suspend the four corners of the shoulder portion of the flexible container bag 6.

[0061] To solve this problem, in this embodiment, suspension arms 51, 52, 53, and 54 are provided at a total of four locations corresponding to the vertices of each corner of the rectangular pallet 7: two locations on both the left and right ends of the upper connecting frame 24 on the front side of the inner frame 2, and one location each on the rear end of the side connecting frames 25 and 26. These suspension arms extend outward by a predetermined length in an orthogonal direction to suspend the shoulder portion of the flexible container bag 6. Hook members 71, 72, 73, and 74 are suspended downward from the tips of these arms via rubber bands 61, 62, 63, and 64 of a predetermined length. Of these suspension arms 51, 52, 53, and 54, the arms 51 and 52 on the left and right sides of the front connecting frame 24 are shorter, while the arms 53 and 54 on the rear end of the side connecting frames 25 and 26 are configured to be a predetermined length longer than those arms. As a result, the positions of each of the hook members 71, 72, 73, and 74 are configured to correspond to the corners of the rectangular pallet 7 as shown in Figure 6 when viewed from a projected perspective.

[0062] With this configuration, as described above, the outer frame 1 and inner frame 2 are formed as a triangular, extremely simple columnar structure, and even if the shape of the upper connecting frames 24, 25, 26 and the lower pallet mounting platform 5 of the inner frame 2 are triangular and their size is smaller than that of the pallet 7, the four corners of the shoulder portion of the flexible container bag 6 can be suspended in exactly the same way as in the case of a packer scale with four support columns. Therefore, a reliable filling state similar to that of a four-column system can be achieved.

[0063] <Regarding variations> In the above configuration, inside the three lower connecting frames 27-29 that constitute the pallet mounting platform 5 of the inner frame 2, there are multiple connecting frames (intermediate frames) 34-35 that connect these three connecting frames 27-29 to each other. These multiple connecting frames 34-35 form four relatively large triangular openings in the pallet mounting section of the pallet mounting platform 5. As a result, raw materials and other debris do not accumulate in the pallet mounting section of the pallet mounting platform 5, and are all discharged downwards through these multiple openings. Therefore, cleaning is basically unnecessary. In addition, the pallet 7 that is always placed on it can be set horizontally, and stable weighing accuracy can be maintained.

[0064] However, the connection shape (opening formation shape) of the multiple connecting frames (intermediate frames) that connect the three lower connecting frames 27-29 constituting the pallet mounting base 5 is not limited to such a triangular shape. For example, as shown in Figures 9-11, it is also possible to create a grid-shaped opening (four trapezoidal openings and one triangular opening) using two parallel connecting frames (intermediate frames) 55, 56 connected at a predetermined interval in the front-rear direction between the lower connecting frames (their side connecting frames) 28, 29, and one straight connecting frame (intermediate frame) 57 that extends from the middle of the lower connecting frame (their front connecting frame) 27 toward the rear in the direction of the support column 23 and is connected to the middle of each of the parallel connecting frames 55, 56.

[0065] In this configuration, as is clear from Figures 10 and 11, for example, the connecting frames 56 and 57 are arranged in a cross structure at the center of the relatively large triangular opening formed by the connecting frames (intermediate frames) 34-36 in the above embodiment, and the center of gravity of the flexible container bag 6 is supported by this cross structure via the pallet 7. Therefore, even if a large load is applied to this part, the central part of the pallet 7 will not deform (bend) downward.

[0066] In other words, in the present invention, various shapes such as triangular and trapezoidal grid structures are used for the connection shape (opening formation shape) of the multiple connecting frames (intermediate frames) that connect the three lower connecting frames 27 to 29 that constitute the pallet mounting base 5. The arrangement position of the connecting frames (intermediate frames) and the number of openings (size and number of each opening) are appropriately designed according to the strength of the pallet used and the filling amount (load) of the flexible container bag. As a result, even if a pallet 7 with low strength is used, partial deformation (bending) can be reliably avoided.

[0067] In the above embodiments, the terms "triangle" and "triangular shape" include equilateral triangles and isosceles triangles. Furthermore, the term "square" includes both squares and rectangles.

[0068] <Features of the packer scale for flexible container bags according to an embodiment of the present invention> With a packer scale configured as described above, the following significant advantages can be achieved compared to the conventional packer scale mentioned earlier. Both the outer frame 1 and inner frame 2 are composed of three support columns 11-13 and 21-23, resulting in an overall triangular prism-shaped frame configuration. This allows for a significantly smaller size compared to hopper scales that require four support columns. As a result, it requires less installation space and lowers product costs. Furthermore, it offers a novel design for a packer scale, unlike conventional flexible container bag packer scales. The bottom of the inner frame 2 forming the pallet mounting platform 5 is triangular in shape, allowing the size of the pallet mounting platform 5 to be significantly smaller compared to the rectangular pallet 7 on which the flexible container bag 6 is placed. As a result, when attaching the flexible container bag 6 (clamping the opening 6a on the flexible container bag 6 side to the raw material filling port 4b of the raw material filling chute 4, hooking onto the four corners of the shoulder, etc.), the worker can work as close to the pallet 7 as possible. Therefore, as with conventional platform-type packer scales (see Figure 13), the worker can work freely without having to stand on the weighing scale 84. Consequently, it is very safe and efficient to use. It also makes nighttime work safer. Unlike conventional four-column or two-column platform packer scales, load cells 8, 8, and 8 are provided at the upper ends of the three columns 11-13 of the outer frame 1, making it easy to replace the load cells during maintenance. Compared to a packer scale with a four-pillar structure (a platform scale type requiring four load cells), the number of load cells 8 can be reduced to three. Moreover, because the load cell load is detected by a suspension method, the load of the flexible container bag 6 acts evenly on each of the three load cells 8, 8, 8, and the load balance acting on the four load cells does not become uneven, as in the case of a platform scale type. Therefore, the load detection accuracy is high. Compared to conventional packer scales with a two-pillar structure (see Figures 12 and 13), this design offers more stable support and higher overall strength. Therefore, despite its small size and compact design, it can accommodate heavy loads of flexible container bags 6. By attaching four suspension arms 51-54, the flexible container bag's shoulders can be suspended and supported at four points in a rectangular shape, similar to a four-pillar structure, despite having a three-pillar structure. This makes filling easier, increases filling efficiency, and improves filling accuracy. 〇 Inside the three lower connecting frames 27-29 that constitute the pallet mounting platform 5 of the inner frame 2, there are multiple connecting frames (intermediate frames) 34-36 and 55-57 that connect these three connecting frames 27-29 to each other. These multiple connecting frames 34-36 and 55-57 form multiple openings in the pallet mounting section of the pallet mounting platform 5. As a result, raw materials and other debris do not accumulate in the pallet mounting section of the pallet mounting platform 5, and are all discharged downwards through the multiple openings. Therefore, cleaning is basically unnecessary. In addition, the pallet can always be placed horizontally, and stable weighing accuracy can be maintained. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0069] 1: Outer frame 11-13: The three support pillars that make up Outer Frame 1 14-16: Three connecting frames that connect the upper ends of the three support columns 11-13 of the outer frame 1. 2: Inner frame 21-23: The three support pillars that make up the inner frame 2 24-26: Three connecting frames that connect the upper ends of the three support columns 21-23 of the inner frame 2. 27-29: Three connecting frames that connect the lower ends of the three support columns 21-23 of the inner frame 2. 34-36, 55-57: Multiple connecting frames (intermediate frames) that connect the three connecting frames 27-29 to each other. 4: Filling chute 51-54: Hanging arm 6: Flexible container bag 7: Palette 8: Load cell

Claims

1. The flexible container bag packer scale is characterized by comprising two sets of frame members: a fixed outer frame configured in the shape of a triangular prism, and a suspended inner frame located inside the outer frame and configured in the shape of a triangular prism; a load cell is provided at the upper end of the corner of the outer frame, a pallet mounting platform is provided inside the lower end of the inner frame, and a raw material filling chute is provided in the center of the upper end; the inner frame is suspended via the load cell, a rectangular pallet is loaded onto the pallet mounting platform, and the raw material input port of the flexible container bag is attached to the filling port of the raw material filling chute on the pallet, allowing the amount of raw material to be measured while filling the raw material through the raw material filling chute.

2. The fixed outer frame consists of three support columns that extend vertically upward to a predetermined height from each vertex of a triangle projected onto the installation surface, and three horizontal connecting frames that are located at the upper ends of these three support columns and connect and integrate their upper ends in a triangular shape, while the inner frame consists of three support columns that extend vertically upward to a predetermined height from each vertex of a triangle projected onto a virtual space surface a predetermined dimension above the installation surface of the outer frame, three upper connecting frames that are located at the upper ends of these three support columns and connect and integrate their upper ends in a triangular shape, and three lower connecting frames that are located at the lower ends of the three support columns and connect and integrate their lower ends in a triangular shape, wherein a raw material filling chute is provided in the upper three connecting frame portions, and the lower three connecting frame portions constitute a pallet mounting platform on which pallets are placed, characterized in that the packer scale for flexible container bags according to claim 1.

3. The packer scale for flexible container bags according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that flexible container bag suspension arms are provided at four locations corresponding to the vertices of each corner of a rectangular pallet placed on a pallet mounting platform on the lower side of the inner frame, at two locations on both the left and right ends of the upper connecting frame on the front side of the inner frame and one location on each of the rear ends of the side connecting frame, and hook members are suspended downward from the tips of each of these arms via rubber bands of a predetermined length, and the length of the arms on the left and right of the front connecting frame is shorter than that of the arms on the rear end of the side connecting frame is configured to be a predetermined length longer than those, so that the positions of each of the hook members correspond to the vertices of each corner of the rectangular pallet in a projected view.

4. The packer scale for flexible container bags according to claim 2, characterized in that, inside the three lower connecting frames that constitute the pallet mounting platform, a plurality of connecting frames are provided to connect these three connecting frames to each other, and the plurality of connecting frames form a plurality of openings in the pallet mounting section.

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