Hopper and combination weigher equipped with same

Abstract

To provide a hopper which can effectively suppress adhesion of an article to a gate inner face and can be easily cleaned.SOLUTION: A hopper comprises a cylindrical hopper body and a gate for opening / closing a lower end opening of the hopper body, and stores supplied articles and discharges the same downward. A plurality of projections 17, 18 which extend along an article flow-down direction, are arranged in parallel on an inner face of the gate 13, and a cross-sectional shape of each of the projections 17, 18 has an apex of a curved shape of a convex curve.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a hopper that stores and discharges articles by opening and closing a gate, and a combination weigher provided with the same. [Background technology]

[0002] A typical combination weighing scale is configured such that a dispersion feeder radially disperses and transports articles supplied from above the center, and multiple linear feeders are arranged around the dispersion feeder to further transport the dispersed and transported articles outward, and the scale supplies articles to multiple weighing units arranged corresponding to each linear feeder.

[0003] The weighing unit includes a supply hopper that temporarily stores and discharges the articles supplied from the linear feeder, and a weighing hopper that stores the articles discharged from the supply hopper and weighs them.

[0004] The combination weigher performs a combination calculation to select a combination of weighing hoppers from which an article should be discharged, the combination weight being the total weight of the weights of the articles in the weighing hoppers that falls within a predetermined weight range based on the target combination weight, as an appropriate combination, which is a combination of weighing hoppers from which the article should be discharged. The combination weigher is configured to discharge articles from the weighing hoppers of the appropriate combination selected by this combination calculation, temporarily store the discharged articles within the predetermined weight range in a collecting hopper, and discharge them to the packaging device based on a supply request command from the packaging device.

[0005] If the item to be weighed is sticky, the item may remain attached to the inner surface of the hopper that comes into contact with the item, for example, the inner surface of a weighing hopper. In such a case, the item discharged from the weighing hopper may not be within the specified weight range, which may result in an incorrect weighing.

[0006] In order to prevent articles from adhering to the inner surface of the hopper, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a hopper having a mesh-like inner surface. In addition to the mesh-like inner surface, it is also common to subject the inner surface of the hopper to embossing or coating. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 7-55545 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] However, the mesh of the inner surface of the hopper is prone to clogging with articles, and when clogging occurs, it becomes difficult to wash away the articles during cleaning.

[0009] In embossing, numerous protrusions are formed, which make it easy for articles to adhere to the protrusions, while in coating, the contact area with the article is large, making it difficult to sufficiently prevent the article from adhering.

[0010] The present invention has been made in light of the above-mentioned points, and has an object to provide a hopper that can effectively prevent articles from adhering to the hopper, and a combination weigher equipped with the same. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is configured as follows.

[0012] (1) The hopper of the present invention is a hopper that stores supplied articles and discharges them downward, and comprises a cylindrical hopper body and a gate that opens and closes the lower end opening of the hopper body. A plurality of ridges extending in the downstream direction of the articles are arranged in parallel on the inner surface of the gate, and the cross-sectional shape of each ridge is a curved shape with a convex curved apex.

[0013] According to the hopper of the present invention, the inner surface of the gate is provided with a plurality of parallel ridges extending in the direction in which the articles flow, so that the articles fed into the hopper are supported in a point or line manner by the curved tops of the convex curves of the ridges. In other words, the articles are supported by the plurality of ridges on the inner surface of the gate with a small contact area, which makes it possible to prevent the articles from adhering to the inner surface of the gate.

[0014] In addition, since multiple ridges are arranged in parallel, when cleaning the hopper, cleaning water can flow smoothly along the ridges, and even if any deposits remain, they can be washed away reliably and easily.

[0015] (2) In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the protrusions are formed of rod members having a curved cross-sectional shape with a convex curved apex.

[0016] According to this embodiment, the protrusions are made of bar material, so that they can be manufactured more inexpensively than when a gate is pressed using a die to form a plurality of parallel protrusions.

[0017] (3) In one embodiment of the present invention, two or more types of protrusions having different heights are arranged in parallel.

[0018] In this embodiment, two or more types of ribs with different heights are arranged in parallel, so that the article support surface connecting the tops of the convex curves of the multiple ribs in the hopper width direction varies in height. As a result, articles are received and supported by the tops of the convex curves of the multiple ribs at various heights and positions. When the gate is quickly opened, the articles at various heights and positions are smoothly separated by static inertia from the tops of the convex curves of the multiple ribs extending in the direction of the articles flowing down, and are then dropped and discharged.

[0019] (4) In another embodiment of the present invention, the protrusions are made of two types of round bar material having different diameters.

[0020] According to this embodiment, a protrusion having a convex curved apex and a desired height can be easily formed using a round bar material which is inexpensively available.

[0021] (5) In still another embodiment of the present invention, a support plate having the plurality of ridges arranged in parallel is detachably attached to the gate to form the inner surface.

[0022] According to this embodiment, multiple support plates with different parallel pitches and heights of the protrusions are prepared in advance in accordance with the size and properties of the article, and the support plates can be replaced and attached in response to changes in the type of article, thereby providing an appropriate adhesion suppression function corresponding to the article.

[0023] (6) A combination weigher according to the present invention is a combination weigher including a dispersion feeder that radially disperses and conveys supplied articles, a plurality of linear feeders that convey the dispersed and conveyed articles outward, a plurality of supply hoppers that store and discharge the articles conveyed by each linear feeder, a plurality of weighing hoppers that weigh the articles discharged from each supply hopper, a collection chute that collects and discharges the articles discharged from the weighing hoppers, and a collection hopper that stores and discharges the articles discharged from the collection chute, At least one of the supply hopper, the weighing hopper, and the collecting hopper is any one of the hoppers (1) to (5) described above.

[0024] According to the combination weigher of the present invention, adhesion of articles to the hopper is effectively suppressed, and highly accurate combination weighing can be performed. Effect of the Invention

[0025] Thus, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a hopper that can effectively prevent articles from adhering to the inner surface of the gate and that is easy to clean, and a combination weigher equipped with the same. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional front view showing the schematic configuration of a combination weigher according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a collecting hopper according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional front view of the collecting hopper of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the outer gate of the collecting hopper. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a plan view of the outer gate of the collecting hopper. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the inner gate of the collecting hopper. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a plan view of the inner gate of the collecting hopper. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD in FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view showing an outer gate of a collecting hopper according to another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0027] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0028] 1 is a vertical sectional front view showing the schematic configuration of a combination weigher according to one embodiment of the present invention. The combination weigher of this embodiment weighs and discharges predetermined amounts of various foods and other items, is installed on a floor surface F, and is used in a packaging line where the weighed items are fed into a packaging device (not shown) below and packed into bags.

[0029] A hollow base 1 with an opening extending vertically through the center is placed on floor surface F, and a hollow center base 2 formed into a polygonal short pillar is supported above the center via multiple legs 3.

[0030] A dispersion feeder 4 is installed above the center of the center base 2, which places objects dropped and supplied from a supply conveyor (not shown) on a vibration-driven top cone 4a and distributes and transports them radially. Surrounding this dispersion feeder 4, multiple linear feeders 5 are provided radially, which place the dispersed and transported objects on vibration-driven troughs 5a and transport them in a straight line outward.

[0031] Furthermore, on the outer peripheral wall of the center base 2, there are provided supply hoppers 6 that temporarily store and discharge articles from each linear feeder 5, and weighing hoppers 7 that weigh the articles discharged from each supply hopper 6. The linear feeders 5, supply hoppers 6, and weighing hoppers 7 form a multi-series weighing unit, which combines and weighs and discharges the articles.

[0032] Below each weighing hopper 7, there is provided a collecting chute 8 for collecting articles discharged from the multiple weighing hoppers 7 selected by combination calculation so as to fall within a predetermined weight range. Below this collecting chute 8, there is provided a collecting funnel 9 for further collecting articles that have slid down from the collecting chute 8. Furthermore, below the collecting funnel 9, there is provided a collecting hopper 10 for temporarily receiving and storing the articles collected by the collecting funnel 9 and discharging them based on a supply request command from the packaging device, and this collecting hopper 10 is supported by a support frame 11 provided below the hollow base 1.

[0033] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the collecting hopper 10, and FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional front view thereof.

[0034] The collecting hopper 10 is configured such that a gate 13 that can rotate about a fulcrum p and a gate 14 that can rotate about a fulcrum q are pivotally connected to a rectangular cylindrical hopper body 12 that is open at the top and bottom, so that the hopper bottom can be opened and closed in a double-door manner. The collecting hopper 10 is detachably connected and supported to the support frame 11 via mounting brackets 12a that protrude from the outside of the upper part of the hopper body 12.

[0035] Both gates 13, 14 are made of stainless steel plates, and as shown in Figures 4 and 8, are configured with flat bottom plate portions 13a, 14a and side plate portions 13b, 14b bent upright from both ends. The width of one gate 13 is set slightly larger than the width of the other gate 14, so that when the hopper is in a closed state, the side plate portion 13a of one gate 13 embraces the side plate portion 14a of the other gate 14 from the outside. In the following description, one gate 13 will be called the outer gate, and the other gate 14 will be called the inner gate.

[0036] The outer surfaces of the side plate portions 13b, 14b of both gates 13, 14 are provided with fulcrum bosses 13c, 14c for connection to the hopper body 12 and connecting shafts 13d, 14d, respectively.

[0037] 2 and 3, an operating protrusion 15 is provided on the outer surface of the bottom plate portion 13a of the outer gate 13. This operating protrusion 15 is linked to a drive unit (not shown) mounted on the support frame 11, and is adapted to be opened and closed. By attaching a link 16 across both gates 13, 14, the inner gate 14 is opened and closed in conjunction with the opening and closing of the outer gate 13, as shown by the phantom line in FIG. 3.

[0038] In this embodiment, in order to prevent highly sticky articles, such as dried pickled plums sprinkled with sugar, from adhering to the gates 13, 14 of the collecting hopper 10, both gates 13, 14 are provided with an adhesion prevention structure, which will be described below.

[0039] 5 is a plan view of the outer gate 13, FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 5, and FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG.

[0040] As shown in Figures 4 to 7, two types of protrusions 17, 18 of different heights are fixed in parallel and alternately in the gate width direction on the inner surface of the bottom plate portion 13a of the outer gate 13. The protrusions 17, 18 are fixed in parallel with a pitch that forms gaps between them. Stainless steel round bars of different diameters are used for the protrusions 17, 18, and each is welded to the bottom plate portion 13a at multiple points in its longitudinal direction.

[0041] Each of the protrusions 17, 18 extends in the downstream direction of the articles indicated by the arrow D1 in Fig. 3, and has a length extending from the upper end to the lower end of the outer gate 13. The cross-sectional shape of each of the protrusions 17, 18 has a curved shape with a convex curved apex, and in this embodiment, the apex is arc-shaped as shown in Fig. 7.

[0042] 9 is a plan view of the inner gate 14, FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. 9, and FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD in FIG.

[0043] 8 to 11, two types of protrusions 19, 20 of different heights are fixed in parallel, alternating at a fixed pitch in the width direction of the gate, on the inner surface of the bottom plate 14a of the inner gate 14. Similar to those of the outer gate 13, these protrusions 19, 20 are stainless steel round bars of different diameters that are arranged in parallel, alternating at a pitch that leaves gaps between them, and are welded to the bottom plate 14a at multiple points in the longitudinal direction.

[0044] Each of the protrusions 19, 20 extends in the downstream direction of the articles indicated by the arrow D2 in Fig. 3, and has a length extending from the upper end to the lower end of the inner gate 14. The cross-sectional shape of each of the protrusions 19, 20 has a curved shape with a convex curved apex, and in this embodiment, the apex is arc-shaped as shown in Fig. 11.

[0045] In this embodiment, the diameter (height) of the higher ridges 17, 19 and 19, 20 is, for example, about 6 mm, the diameter (height) of the lower ridges 18, 20 is, for example, about 4 mm, and the parallel pitch is, for example, about 7 mm.

[0046] In this embodiment, when the weighed articles are collected and stored in the collecting hopper 10, the inner surfaces of both gates 13, 14 are formed into a vertical lattice shape along the downward flow direction of the articles by the parallel ribs 17, 18 and the groups 19, 20. As a result, the articles are received and supported in a point or line manner by the arc-shaped tops of the ribs 17, 18 and the groups 19, 20. In other words, the articles are supported by the ribs 17, 18 and the groups 19, 20 with a small contact area, which makes it possible to reduce the area of ​​contact of the articles with the inner surface of the gate and to suppress adhesion of the articles.

[0047] In addition, since the two types of protrusions 17, 18 and 19, 20 of different heights are arranged in parallel and alternately, the article support surface connecting the arc-shaped top groups of the protrusions 17, 18 and 19, 20 in the width direction of the hopper is wavy with repeated highs and lows, and articles are received and supported by the arc-shaped top groups at various heights and postures.

[0048] When the gates 13 and 14 are rapidly opened, articles at various heights and positions are smoothly separated from the arc-shaped peaks extending along the downward flow direction of the articles by static inertia and dropped out.

[0049] In addition, since the ribs 17, 18, and the groups 19, 20 are arranged in parallel to form a vertical tray shape, when cleaning the collecting hopper 10, cleaning water can flow smoothly along the ribs 17, 18, and the groups 19, 20, and even if any deposits remain, they can be washed away reliably and easily.

[0050] [Other embodiments] The present invention can also be implemented in the following forms.

[0051] (1) Figure 12 shows another embodiment of the outer gate 13. That is, it is also possible to provide the ribs 17, 18 in parallel on a support plate 21, and attach this support plate 21 to the bottom surface 13a of the gate 13 via a flat head screw 22 and a nut 23. Although not shown, the inner gate 14 can also be configured in the same manner as above.

[0052] According to this configuration, multiple specifications of support plates 21 with different parallel pitches and heights (diameters of the round bar material) of the groups of protrusions 17, 18 are prepared in advance in accordance with the size and properties of the article to be weighed, and by replacing and attaching the support plates 21 in response to changes in the type of article, it is possible to achieve an appropriate adhesion suppression function corresponding to the article.

[0053] (2) In the above embodiment, two types of ridges of different heights are alternately arranged on the inner surface of the gate. However, this does not have to be the case. Alternatively, a single type of ridge of the same height may be arranged, or three or more types of ridges of different heights may be arranged.

[0054] (3) In the above embodiment, the present invention is applied to the collecting hopper 10 that finally stores and discharges the articles after they have been weighed, but it may also be applied to the weighing hopper 7 or the supply hopper 6. It may also be applied to a memory hopper that stores and discharges articles discharged from the weighing hoppers and is provided to increase the number of hoppers that are the subject of the combination calculation.

[0055] (4) The hopper in the above embodiment is one in which the inner and outer gates open and close in a double-leaf manner, but it can also be applied to one in which a single gate opens and closes in a single-leaf manner. In a hopper in which a single-leaf gate faces the inclined side wall of the hopper body, it is preferable to provide a group of ribs in parallel on the inner surface of the inclined side wall of the hopper body.

[0056] (5) The rod material forming the protrusions 17, 18, 19, 20 is not limited to those having a circular cross section, but may have a curved shape with a convex curved top. For example, a rod material having a semi-elliptical cross section cut along the minor axis, or a rod material having a semi-elliptical cross section cut along the major axis, may be attached in such a manner that the cut flat surface is joined to the bottom surface of the gate or the support plate.

[0057] (6) In the above embodiment, a combination weigher having multiple weighing units arranged in a ring is exemplified. However, the present invention can also be applied to a combination weigher having multiple weighing units arranged in parallel in a horizontal row. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 6 Supply hopper 7 Weighing hopper 10 Collection Hopper 12 Hopper body Gate 13 (Outer Gate) 14 Gate (inner gate) 17 protrusion 18 protrusion 19 protrusion 20 protrusions 21 Support plate

Claims

1. A hopper that stores and discharges the supplied items downward, The hopper has a cylindrical body and a gate for opening and closing a bottom opening of the hopper body. A plurality of protrusions extending along the downstream direction of the article are arranged in parallel on the inner surface of the gate, The cross-sectional shape of each protrusion is a curved shape having a convex curved apex, The protrusion is formed of a rod having a curved cross-sectional shape with a convex curved apex, Two or more types of protrusions having different heights are arranged in parallel. The hopper according to claim 1,

2. The protrusions are made of two types of round bar materials having different diameters.

2. The hopper of claim 1.

3. A support plate having the plurality of ribs arranged in parallel is detachably attached to the gate to form the inner surface.

3. A hopper according to claim 1 or 2.

4. A combination weigher comprising a dispersion feeder which radially disperses and conveys supplied articles, a plurality of linear feeders which convey the dispersed and conveyed articles outward, a plurality of supply hoppers which store and discharge the articles conveyed by each linear feeder, a plurality of weighing hoppers which weigh the articles discharged from each supply hopper, a collection chute which collects and discharges the articles discharged from the weighing hoppers, and a collection hopper which stores and discharges the articles discharged from the collection chute, 4. A combination weigher, wherein at least one of the supply hopper, the weighing hopper and the collecting hopper is the hopper according to claim 1.

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