Packaging-related equipment and replacement parts mounting equipment

Abstract

The purpose is to prevent the installation of replacement parts that do not fit the mounting area. [Solution] A packaging material-related device to which multiple different types of replacement parts are attached, comprising: a packaging information acquisition unit that acquires packaging information indicating the type of packaging; an attachment unit to which replacement parts are attached; a parts information acquisition unit located near the attachment unit that acquires parts information indicating the type of replacement part from an electronic tag attached to the replacement part; and a warning unit that issues a warning when the parts information acquired by the parts information acquisition unit and the parts information associated with the packaging information acquired by the packaging information acquisition unit are different.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a packaging-related device and a replacement part mounting device.

Background Art

[0002] In various devices installed in a factory, different replacement parts may be mounted according to products or the like handled by the device. For example, in a cardboard caser that houses a package for packaging food in a cardboard box, parts such as a suction hand that lifts the package are replaced according to the size of the packaging bag or the like.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for specifying a tool attached to an attachment position by using an identification medium attached to the tool in a conveyance device that conveys an article via a tool for holding the article.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in the technique of Patent Document 1, the attachment position of the identification medium varies depending on the tool. Therefore, in order to have the detection unit read the identification code of the identification medium, it was necessary to move the tool to different positions for each type of identification medium.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of such points, and an object thereof is to prevent a replacement part that does not fit the mounting part from being mounted.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The present invention relates to a packaging material-related device to which multiple different types of replacement parts are attached, comprising: a packaging information acquisition unit that acquires packaging information indicating the type of packaging; an attachment unit to which the replacement parts are attached; a parts information acquisition unit located near the attachment unit that acquires parts information indicating the type of replacement parts from an electronic tag attached to the replacement parts; and a warning unit that issues a warning when the parts information acquired by the parts information acquisition unit differs from the parts information associated with the packaging information acquired by the packaging information acquisition unit.

[0008] Another embodiment of the present invention is a replacement parts mounting device to which multiple different types of replacement parts are mounted, comprising: a work content information acquisition unit that acquires work content information indicating the content of work; a mounting unit to which the replacement parts are mounted; a parts information acquisition unit disposed near the mounting unit and acquiring parts information indicating the type of replacement part from an electronic tag attached to the replacement part; and a warning unit that issues a warning when the parts information acquired by the parts information acquisition unit differs from the parts information associated with the work content information acquired by the work content information acquisition unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the installation of replacement parts that do not fit the mounting area. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a top view of the boxing machine. [Figure 2] This is a side view of the boxing machine. [Figure 3] This is a magnified perspective view of a parallel link robot. [Figure 4] This is a control unit cylinder. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of the data structure of the replacement parts table. [Figure 6] This is a flowchart showing the registration process. [Figure 7] This is a flowchart of the matching process. [Figure 8] This is an explanatory diagram of a modified example. [Figure 9] This is an explanatory diagram of a modified example. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] Figures 1 and 2 are schematic diagrams of the box packing device 1 according to this embodiment. Figure 1 is a top view of the box packing device 1. Figure 2 is a side view of the box packing device 1. Here, in the box packing device 1, the vertical direction of the box packing device 1 is the z direction, the direction in which the conveyor belts of the transport conveyor 101 and the accumulation conveyor 102 described later extend is the y direction, and the width direction of the conveyor belts is the x direction.

[0012] The box packing device 1 of this embodiment packs a package P containing, for example, snack foods, into a corrugated cardboard box D. The box packing device 1 is an example of a packaging-related device. The package P is transported from a packaging machine and supplied to the box packing device 1. The packaging machine is a device that forms a package P filled with the contents to be packaged. The corrugated cardboard box D is transported from a box-making machine and supplied to the box packing device 1. The box-making machine is a device that unfolds and forms corrugated cardboard boxes. The box in which the package P is contained is not limited to a corrugated cardboard box, but may also be a transport container or the like.

[0013] The main body 10 of the box packing device 1 is equipped with a transport conveyor 101 for transporting packaged bodies P transported from the packaging machine, a stacking conveyor 102 for transporting a stacking bag PG containing multiple packaged bodies P arranged in a row, a box transport roller conveyor 103 for transporting cardboard boxes D, and a discharge conveyor 104 for discharging the cardboard boxes D containing the stacking bag PG.

[0014] The conveying conveyor 101 is continuously provided from the packaging machine. The accumulating conveyor 102 is installed at a position adjacent to the conveying conveyor 101 in the x direction on the downstream side of the conveying conveyor 101, and its conveying direction is opposite to that of the conveying conveyor 101. The box conveying roller conveyor 103 is installed at a position adjacent to the accumulating conveyor 102 in the y direction on the downstream side of the accumulating conveyor 102 and below the accumulating conveyor 102. The conveying direction of the box conveying roller conveyor 103 is opposite to that of the accumulating conveyor 102. The discharge conveyor 104 is installed at a position adjacent to the box conveying roller conveyor 103 in the y direction on the downstream side of the box conveying roller conveyor 103. The conveying direction of the discharge conveyor 104 is the same as that of the box conveying roller conveyor 103.

[0015] Above the downstream side of the conveying conveyor 101, a parallel link robot 20 is installed. The parallel link robot 20 includes a suction hand 21, and the suction hand 21 adsorbs and moves the package P. The suction hand 21 is movable in three dimensions.

[0016] Above the downstream side of the accumulating conveyor 102, a box loading robot 30 is installed. The box loading robot 30 includes a suction hand 31, and the suction hand 31 adsorbs and moves the package P. The suction hand 31 is movable in the y direction and the z direction.

[0017] In the packaging machine, the package P formed into a bag is conveyed to the boxing device 1 by the conveying conveyor 101. Then, the package P on the conveying conveyor 101 is adsorbed by the adsorption hand 21 of the parallel link robot 20 and placed on the stacking conveyor 102. Specifically, on the stacking conveyor 102, in the y direction, three packages P are arranged such that the ends of adjacent packages P overlap each other. Thereby, a bag stack PG composed of three packages P is formed. Note that the number of packages P included in the bag stack PG and the arrangement method of the packages P are changed according to the size and shape of the cardboard box D to be accommodated. As another example, the bag stack PG may be formed by a total of four packages P in which two packages P are arranged in the y direction and two packages P are arranged in the x direction. The bag stack PG is conveyed by the stacking conveyor 102 in the direction opposite to that of the conveying conveyor 101.

[0018] On the other hand, the cardboard box D is conveyed in the direction opposite to that of the stacking conveyor 102 by the box conveying roller conveyor 103 that is supplied from the box making machine and arranged below the stacking conveyor 102. The four packages P as the bag stack PG are adsorbed by the adsorption hand 31 of the box loading robot 30 and accommodated in the cardboard box D conveyed by the box conveying roller conveyor 103. The cardboard box D containing the bag stack PG is discharged toward the sealing machine by the discharge conveyor 104.

[0019] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an enlarged parallel link robot 20. The parallel link robot 20 mainly includes an adsorption hand 21 and a support portion 22 that supports the adsorption hand 21. A plurality of adsorption portions 212 are provided on the lower surface 211 of the adsorption hand 21. The adsorption portion 212 adsorbs the package P by sucking air. The number and arrangement position of the adsorption portions 212, the size of the lower surface 211, etc. differ according to the size and number of the packages to be gripped, the arrangement position of the packages in the bag stack PG to be formed, etc. For this reason, a plurality of parts are prepared as the adsorption hand 21. That is, the adsorption hand 21 is an example of an exchangeable part. For example, an adsorption hand A having four adsorption portions, an adsorption hand B having two adsorption portions, etc. are prepared as the adsorption hand 21.

[0020] The suction hand 21 is connected at its upper surface 213 to a flat mounting part 24 provided at the tip of the support part 22 by a detachment lever 23. By releasing the detachment lever 23, the suction hand 21 is removed from the mounting part 24, allowing it to be replaced with another type of suction hand 21.

[0021] Furthermore, in this embodiment, an RFID (Radio Frequency Identifier) ​​reader 201 is positioned on the support unit 22. An RFID tag 202 is positioned on the upper surface 213 of the suction hand 21. This allows the RFID reader 201 to read (acquire) information from the RFID tag 202 attached to the suction hand 21 mounted on the attachment unit 24. The RFID communication method may be either electromagnetic induction or radio wave. The RFID tag 202 stores a tag ID. The tag ID is component information indicating the type of suction hand 21 to which it was attached. The RFID tag 202 is an example of an electronic tag. The RFID reader 201 is an example of a component information acquisition unit that acquires component information (tag ID).

[0022] The RFID tag 202 only needs to be attached to the suction hand 21, and its placement is not limited to this embodiment. The RFID reader 201 only needs to be placed near the attachment unit 24, and its placement is not limited to this embodiment. Here, "near the attachment unit 24" means the range in which the RFID reader 201 can read the information of the RFID tag 202 when the worker brings the suction hand 21 close to the attachment unit 24 in order to attach it to the attachment unit 24.

[0023] Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the control unit 40 of the boxing device 1. The control unit 40 comprises a control unit 400, a storage unit 420, a display unit 430, an operation unit 440, and an RFID reader 201.

[0024] The control unit 400 includes a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and controls the operation of the control unit 40. The storage unit 420 includes, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), SSD (Solid State Drive), etc. The storage unit 420 stores various programs executed by the control unit 400 and various data. In this embodiment, the storage unit 420 stores the replacement parts table 421.

[0025] The display unit 430 displays various information. The operation unit 440 accepts user input. The display unit 430 and the operation unit 440 may be integrated as a touch panel.

[0026] Figure 5 shows an example of the data structure of the replacement parts table 421. The replacement parts table 421 stores item names and registration information in association. Here, the item name is the name of the item to be boxed. The item name identifies the type of packaging P, which is the item to be boxed. In other words, the item name is information indicating the type of packaging, and is an example of packaging information. In this embodiment, the item name indicates the size of the packaging, the type of packaged item contained in the packaging, etc., such as "Confectionery A Regular Size," "Confectionery A Small Bag," and "Confectionery A Bulk Bag."

[0027] For example, the regular size of confectionery A and the small bag of confectionery A have different packaging sizes, and accordingly, different suction hands 21 are used for the parallel link robot 20. Also, in the case of regular size confectionery A, a bag stack is formed from three packaging units, while in the case of small bag of confectionery A, a bag stack is formed from four packaging units. Thus, the type of replacement parts used in the box packing device 1 and the processing performed in the box packing device 1 differ depending on the type of confectionery and the size of the packaging unit.

[0028] The registration information includes the tag ID and box size. Here, the tag ID is the tag ID (part information) that indicates the type of suction hand 21 used to pick up the item identified by name. The box size is information indicating the size of the cardboard box in which the item is contained. In addition to the above, the registration information also includes the number of packages contained in the bag stack and the placement position of each package contained in the bag stack.

[0029] Next, the configuration of the control unit 400 will be described with reference to Figure 4. The control unit 400 functions as an item name acquisition unit 401, a registration unit 402, and a warning unit 403 by executing a program stored in the storage unit 420. In the following, the processes described as being performed by the item name acquisition unit 401, the registration unit 402, and the warning unit 403 are processes performed by the control unit 400 by executing a program.

[0030] The item name acquisition unit 401 acquires the item name based on input from the user via the operation unit 440. The item name acquisition unit 401 is an example of a packaging information acquisition unit that acquires the item name (packaging information). The registration unit 402 registers information about new replacement parts in the replacement parts table 421. The warning unit 403 issues a warning if the tag ID associated with the item name acquired by the item name acquisition unit 401 in the replacement parts table 421 differs from the tag ID read by the RFID reader 201 from the RFID tag 202. The processing of each function unit will be described in detail with reference to Figures 6 and 7.

[0031] The control unit 40 of the boxing device 1 in this embodiment can be set to two operating modes: a matching mode and a registration mode. Here, the matching mode is an operating mode that checks whether the type of suction hand 21 attached to the attachment unit 24 as a replacement part matches the type of suction hand 21 that has been pre-registered for the type of packaged body P. The registration mode is an operating mode that registers the type of suction hand 21 attached to the attachment unit 24 in association with an item name.

[0032] The following describes the processes in registration mode and matching mode with reference to Figures 6 and 7. Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the registration process performed in registration mode. In registration mode, the operator first attaches the replacement part to be registered, for example, a new type of suction hand 21, to the mounting unit 24. This suction hand 21 is attached to an RFID tag 202 that stores a tag ID (part information) indicating the new type. The operator then inputs the item name to which this suction hand 21 will be applied via the operation unit 440.

[0033] In contrast, during the registration process, the item name acquisition unit 401 of the control unit 400 acquires the item name (step S100). Next, the registration unit 402 acquires the tag ID read by the RFID reader 201 from the RFID tag 202 attached to the suction hand 21 (step S102). Then, the registration unit 402 associates the item name acquired by the item name acquisition unit 401 with the tag ID read by the RFID reader 201 and registers it in the replacement parts table 421 (step S104). With this, the registration process is completed.

[0034] Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the matching process performed in matching mode. In matching mode, the operator inputs the type of package P to be boxed, i.e., the item name, via the operation unit 440. In response, during the matching process, the item name acquisition unit 401 of the control unit 400 acquires the item name (step S200). Next, the warning unit 403 identifies the tag ID associated with the item name acquired by the item name acquisition unit 401 in the replacement parts table 421 (step S202).

[0035] Next, the warning unit 403 obtains the tag ID read by the RFID reader 201 from the RFID tag 202 attached to the suction hand 21 (step S204). Next, the warning unit 403 compares the tag ID associated with the item name in the replacement parts table 421 with the tag ID read from the RFID tag 202 in step S204 (step S206). If both tag IDs match (Y in step S206), the warning unit 403 permits operation by the suction hand 21 (step S212).

[0036] On the other hand, if the two tag IDs do not match (N in step S206), the warning unit 403 prohibits operation by the suction hand 21 (step S208). Furthermore, the warning unit 403 issues a warning (step S210). Here, the warning only needs to be an output that alerts the worker. For example, the warning unit 403 displays a warning screen on the display unit 430. The warning screen may indicate that the suction hand 21 and the item name do not correspond. Another example is that the boxing device 1 is equipped with a speaker, and the warning unit 403 emits a warning sound. With this, the matching process is completed.

[0037] As described above, the boxing device 1 of this embodiment acquires the item name (packaging information) in response to user operation and identifies the tag ID (part information) associated with the packaging information. At the same time, the boxing device 1 acquires the tag ID of the RFID tag 202 attached to the replacement part. The boxing device 1 then issues a warning if the two tag IDs do not match. This allows the operator to be notified by the warning if the combination of item and replacement part is incorrect. In other words, it is possible to prevent the installation of a replacement part that does not fit the mounting part.

[0038] This prevents situations where the boxing process continues with the wrong replacement part installed, resulting in incorrect operation or damage to parts of the device due to collision with other components.

[0039] Furthermore, the boxing device 1 according to this embodiment can acquire the tag ID of the RFID tag 202 attached to the replacement part. Therefore, the tag ID can always be acquired appropriately without difficulty in reading the tag ID due to the shape of the replacement part or its installation position on the mounting part.

[0040] The embodiments described above are merely examples for carrying out the present invention, and various other embodiments can be adopted. For example, various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention as described in the claims, such as applying one modification to another. For example, some of the components of the above embodiments may be omitted, or the order of processing may be changed or omitted.

[0041] As a first example of such a modification, if replacement parts are attached to multiple attachment points of a single box-packing device 1, such as the suction hand 21 of the parallel link robot 20 and the suction hand 31 of the box-loading robot 30, then an RFID tag may be provided for each replacement part attached to the attachment point.

[0042] Figure 8 is an explanatory diagram of the first modified example. As shown in Figure 8, three replacement parts (replacement part A, replacement part B, and replacement part C) are used for three mounting parts of one box packing device 1. For example, multiple types of parts with different shapes and functions are prepared as replacement part A. Similarly, multiple types of different parts are prepared as replacement part B, and multiple types of different parts are prepared as replacement part C. Then, an RFID tag 202a is attached to replacement part A, an RFID tag 202b is attached to replacement part B, and an RFID tag 202c is attached to replacement part C.

[0043] RFID tag 202a stores a tag ID, which is part information indicating the type of replacement part A (type A). RFID tag 202b stores a tag ID, which is part information indicating the type of replacement part B (type B). RFID tag 202c stores a tag ID, which is part information indicating the type of replacement part C (type C). These tag IDs of RFID tags 202a, 202b, and 202c are read by a single RFID reader 201.

[0044] In this case, replacement parts tables for replacement parts A, B, and C are stored in the storage unit 420. Specifically, in the replacement parts table for replacement part A, the item name is associated with a tag ID indicating the type of each of the multiple parts prepared as replacement part A. In the replacement parts table for replacement part B, the item name is associated with a tag ID indicating the type of each of the multiple parts prepared as replacement part B. In the replacement parts table for replacement part C, the item name is associated with a tag ID indicating the type of each of the multiple parts prepared as replacement part C.

[0045] The warning unit 403 issues a warning if the tag ID read from the RFID tag 202a attached to replacement part A is different from the tag ID associated with the item name acquired by the item name acquisition unit 401 in the replacement part table for replacement part A. Similarly, the warning unit 403 issues a warning if the tag ID read from the RFID tag 202b attached to replacement part B is different from the tag ID associated with the item name acquired by the item name acquisition unit 401 in the replacement part table for replacement part B. In addition, the warning unit 403 issues a warning if the tag ID read from the RFID tag 202c attached to replacement part C is different from the tag ID associated with the item name acquired by the item name acquisition unit 401 in the replacement part table for replacement part C.

[0046] As another example, as shown in Figure 9, three RFID readers (RFID readers 201a, 201b, and 201c) for reading the RFID tags 202a, 202b, and 202c of replacement parts A, B, and C respectively may be placed on the mounting portion of each replacement part. In this case, the tag IDs are read by the correspondingly provided RFID readers. In this case as well, a replacement part table for each of replacement parts A, B, and C is stored in the storage unit 420, and the warning unit 403 issues a warning if the tag ID does not match for each replacement part.

[0047] In a second modification, in this embodiment, the parallel link robot 20 identifies the suction hand 21 through communication between the RFID reader and the RFID tag. However, the communication between them can be any short-range wireless communication using electronic tags. Other examples of short-range wireless communication include NFC (Near Field Communication) and Bluetooth®. Examples of electronic tags include IC tags and IC cards.

[0048] As a third variation, in this embodiment, a process for issuing a warning when the combination of an item and a replacement part is incorrect in the boxing device 1 has been described, but the device on which this process is performed is not limited to the boxing device 1. As another example, in packaging-related devices that handle packaged goods directly or indirectly, such as packaging filling machines, box making machines, and box sealing machines, warnings may be issued based on the correspondence between replacement parts and the items handled by the replacement parts. Furthermore, not limited to packaging-related devices, replacement part mounting devices to which replacement parts may be attached may also be configured to issue warnings based on the correspondence between replacement parts and the items handled by the replacement parts. In this case, the replacement part table registers work content information indicating the work content using the replacement parts and a tag ID in association. A warning is issued when the tag ID associated with the work content entered in response to user operation does not match the tag ID read from the RFID tag. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0049] 1. Packing machine 10 Main unit 20 Parallel Link Robots 21 Suction Hand 22 Support part 23 Detachable lever 24 Mounting part 30 Box Loading Robot 31 Suction Hand 40 Control Units 101 Conveyor 102 Accumulation Conveyor 103 Box transport roller conveyor 104 Discharge conveyor 201 RFID Reader 202 RFID tags 211 Bottom surface 212 Adsorption part 213 Top surface 400 Control Unit 401 Item Name Acquisition Section 402 Registration Department 403 Warning section 420 Storage section 421 Replacement Parts Table 430 Display section 440 Operation section

Claims

1. A packaging material-related device to which multiple different types of replacement parts are attached, A packaging information acquisition unit that acquires packaging information indicating the type of packaging, The mounting portion on which the aforementioned replacement part is attached, A component information acquisition unit is located near the mounting portion and acquires component information indicating the type of the replacement component from an electronic tag attached to the replacement component. A warning unit issues a warning when the part information acquired by the part information acquisition unit differs from the part information associated with the packaging information acquired by the packaging information acquisition unit. Packaging-related equipment equipped with the following features.

2. It comprises a first mounting portion and a second mounting portion, Multiple different types of first replacement parts can be attached to the first mounting portion. Multiple different types of second replacement parts can be attached to the second mounting portion. A first component information acquisition unit is located near the first mounting portion and acquires first component information of the first replacement component from an electronic tag attached to the first replacement component, A second part information acquisition unit is located near the second mounting portion and acquires second part information of the second replacement part from an electronic tag attached to the second replacement part, Equipped with, The packaging-related apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the warning unit issues a warning when the first part information acquired by the first part information acquisition unit differs from the first part information associated with the packaging information acquired by the packaging information acquisition unit, and issues a warning when the second part information acquired by the second part information acquisition unit differs from the second part information associated with the packaging information acquired by the packaging information acquisition unit.

3. It comprises a first mounting portion and a second mounting portion, Multiple different types of first replacement parts can be attached to the first mounting portion. Multiple different types of second replacement parts can be attached to the second mounting portion. The component information acquisition unit acquires first component information of the first replacement component from the electronic tag attached to the first replacement component, and acquires second component information of the second replacement component from the electronic tag attached to the second replacement component. The packaging-related apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the warning unit issues a warning when the first part information acquired by the part information acquisition unit differs from the first part information associated with the packaging information acquired by the packaging information acquisition unit, and issues a warning when the second part information acquired by the part information acquisition unit differs from the second part information associated with the packaging information acquired by the packaging information acquisition unit.

4. The following operating modes can be set: a matching mode that compares the part information obtained from the electronic tag of the replacement part attached to the mounting unit with the part information associated with the packaging information obtained by the packaging information acquisition unit; and a registration mode that registers the part information recorded on the electronic tag of the replacement part attached to the mounting unit in association with the packaging information. In the state set to the registration mode, the system further includes a registration unit that associates the packaging information acquired by the packaging information acquisition unit with the part information acquired from the electronic tag of the replacement part attached to the mounting unit, and registers it in a replacement part table. The packaging-related device according to claim 1, wherein the warning unit, when set to the matching mode, issues a warning if the part information acquired by the part information acquisition unit is different from the part information associated with the packaging information acquired by the packaging information acquisition unit.

5. The packaging-related apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electronic tag is an RFID tag.

6. A replacement parts mounting device on which multiple different types of replacement parts are attached, A work content information acquisition unit acquires work content information that indicates the details of the work, The mounting portion on which the aforementioned replacement part is attached, A component information acquisition unit is located near the mounting portion and acquires component information indicating the type of the replacement component from an electronic tag attached to the replacement component. A warning unit issues a warning when the part information acquired by the part information acquisition unit differs from the part information associated with the work content information acquired by the work content information acquisition unit. A replacement parts mounting device equipped with the following features.

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