Manufacturing history management system, manufacturing history management method
The manufacturing history management system effectively manages product history through container identifiers and process data association, enabling defect analysis and resolution, thus enhancing product quality.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2021174505
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2021-10-26
- Publication Date
- 2025-09-09
- Estimated Expiration
- 2041-10-26
AI Technical Summary
Existing manufacturing systems fail to effectively manage the manufacturing history of products after they are shipped, leading to defects that can occur post-shipment.
A manufacturing history management system and method that includes a container identifier acquisition unit and a manufacturing history information processing unit to associate process execution results with container identifiers, storing this information in a memory unit and making it accessible from external terminals.
Enables proper management of manufacturing history, allowing for effective identification and resolution of defects by analyzing process data, thereby improving product quality and reducing defects.
Smart Images

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Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] The present invention relates to a manufacturing history management system and a manufacturing history management method. [Background technology]
[0002] There is known technology for a filling and sealing device that assembles paper containers, seals liquid in the assembled paper containers, and inspects the sealing condition of the bottom of the paper container (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This technology makes it possible to eliminate defective products when manufacturing products using the filling and sealing device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-125132 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0004] Defects may occur after products in which contents are filled into containers using manufacturing equipment such as the above-mentioned filling and sealing equipment are shipped. In consideration of this, it is preferable to take effective measures in response to defects that occur in products manufactured by the manufacturing equipment after shipping. To achieve this, it is necessary to properly manage the manufacturing history of each product manufactured by the manufacturing equipment.
[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to enable the manufacturing history of each product manufactured by a manufacturing device to be properly managed. [Means for solving the problem]
[0006] The present invention, which solves the above-mentioned problems, provides a method for managing the manufacturing history of each product by a manufacturing device that performs a predetermined plurality of steps for manufacturing a product in which contents are sealed in a container. and capable of supplying the manufacturing history in response to access from an externally connected terminal device.A manufacturing history management system comprising: a container identifier acquisition unit that acquires a container identifier attached to a container that is input into the manufacturing equipment to seal the contents; and a manufacturing history information processing unit that generates manufacturing history information that associates the process execution results corresponding to each of the plurality of processes performed for one container input into the manufacturing equipment with the container identifier of the one container, and stores the generated manufacturing history information in a memory unit.
[0007] The present invention also provides a method for managing the manufacturing history of each product by a manufacturing device that performs a predetermined plurality of steps for manufacturing a product in which contents are sealed in a container. and capable of supplying the manufacturing history in response to access from an externally connected terminal device. This is a manufacturing history management method in a manufacturing history management system, comprising: a container identifier acquisition step for acquiring a container identifier attached to a container that is input into the manufacturing equipment to seal the contents; and a manufacturing history information processing step for generating manufacturing history information that associates process execution results corresponding to each of the plurality of processes performed in response to one container input into the manufacturing equipment with the container identifier of the one container, and storing the generated manufacturing history information in a memory unit. [Effects of the Invention]
[0008] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to obtain the effect that the manufacturing history of each product manufactured by a manufacturing device can be properly managed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]
[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a manufacturing history management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of a filling device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing the relationship between the mandrel section and the container transport position in the carrier section in the filling device according to the present embodiment and the process. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a manufacturing history management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5]FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of manufacturing history information according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure executed by the container identifier management device, the manufacturing history information processing device, and the manufacturing history management server according to the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0010] Fig. 1 shows an example of the overall configuration of a manufacturing history management system according to this embodiment. The manufacturing history management system in Fig. 1 manages the manufacturing history of products manufactured in a factory FC. In this embodiment, the product manufactured in the factory FC is a paper container in which a liquid beverage is sealed, as an example.
[0011] The manufacturing history management system of this embodiment shown in FIG. 1 includes a filling device 100 (an example of a manufacturing device), a container identifier management device 200, an imaging device 300, and a manufacturing history information processing device 400 in a factory FC. The filling device 100 assembles paper containers, fills the assembled containers with a liquid beverage, and seals the containers after they have been filled with the liquid.
[0012] The container identifier management device 200 manages the container identifiers of the containers inserted into the filling device 100 . A container identifier unique to each container is printed on the container using, for example, UV (ultraviolet) luminescent ink. The imaging device 300 is capable of capturing an image of the portion printed with UV luminescent ink. When the container is inserted into the filling device 100, the imaging device 300 captures an image of the portion of the container where the container identifier is printed. The imaging device 300 outputs the captured image to the container identifier management device 200. The container identifier management device 200 extracts container identifiers from the captured images input from the imaging device 300 through image processing. The container identifier management device 200 stores the extracted container identifiers in association with the timing at which the corresponding containers were inserted into the filling device 100. Specifically, the insertion timing here may be the time at which the corresponding containers were inserted, or an insertion number corresponding to the order in which the containers were inserted.
[0013] The manufacturing history information processing device 400 executes processing related to the generation of manufacturing history information. The manufacturing history information is data indicating the results of the operations performed by the filling device 100 for each process from when a container is loaded into the filling device 100 until the container is discharged from the filling device 100 after production is completed. The manufacturing history information corresponding to a process includes information on the results of the operation of the filling device 100 in the corresponding process (process result information). As an example, the process result information corresponding to the process of forming the bottom of the container may include information on the conditions such as the time when the process was performed, the heater temperature, pressure, and crimping time when the process was performed, etc. The manufacturing history information processing device 400 transmits the manufacturing history information for each container to the manufacturing history management server 500 .
[0014] The manufacturing history management server 500 is provided on, for example, a network, and is communicably connected to the manufacturing history information processing device 400 in the factory FC. The production history management server 500 (an example of a storage unit) stores the production history information (production history information) for each container transmitted from the production history information processing device 400.
[0015] The manufacturing history management system of this embodiment also includes an office terminal 600 in the office OF. As part of quality control for products shipped from the factory FC, the office OF receives reports of product defects from, for example, stores or general customers, analyzes the reported defects, and considers measures to prevent product defects from occurring and improve quality. The office terminal 600 is a terminal used by a user in the office OF. The office terminal 600 is communicably connected to the manufacturing history management server 500 via a network. The office terminal 600 can acquire manufacturing history information indicating the manufacturing history of products that have been manufactured in the factory FC in the past from the manufacturing history management server 500, and output the acquired manufacturing history information by displaying, printing, etc.
[0016] 2 shows an example of the overall configuration of the filling device 100. The filling device 100 in the figure includes a container receiving section 101, a mandrel section 102, a carrier section 103, and a filling section 104.
[0017] The container storage section 101 stores containers in a folded state and transports the stored containers one by one to the mandrel section 102 of the filling device 100. In this embodiment, loading a container into the filling device 100 means transporting the container stored in the container storage section 101 to the mandrel section 102.
[0018] The mandrel unit 102 has a plurality of mandrel arms. In this embodiment, an example is given in which the mandrel unit 102 has eight mandrel arms. A container discharged from the container storage unit 101 is loaded into the mandrel arms of the mandrel unit 102 by being folded, and a molding process is carried out in which the bottom of the container is sealed while the mandrel unit 102 is rotating.
[0019] The container that has undergone the process of forming the bottom in the mandrel section 102 is removed from the mandrel arm and carried out to the carrier section 103.
[0020] The carrier unit 103 intermittently transports the containers carried out from the mandrel unit 102 in a lined-up state. In this embodiment, an example is given in which the carrier unit 103 has 18 transport positions. As the containers are transported, the carrier unit 103 performs a series of processes to fill the containers with contents and seal the containers filled with the contents. The containers conveyed from the carrier unit 103 are filled with contents and sealed as products. The products conveyed from the carrier unit 103 in this manner are packed into, for example, cases for transportation.
[0021] The filling section 104 is a section that fills the contents into the container at a predetermined transport position in the carrier section 103.
[0022] 3 shows the relationship between the process and the container transport position in the mandrel section 102 and carrier section 103 in the filling device 100. For ease of explanation, the container storage section 101 and the filling section 104 are not shown in the figure.
[0023] 3 schematically shows container transfer positions ps1 to ps8 and ps11 to ps28 in the filling device 100. Transfer positions ps1 to ps8 are transfer positions in the mandrel section 102, and transfer positions ps11 to ps28 are transfer positions in the carrier section 103.
[0024] The mandrel unit 102 rotates eight mandrel arms in a fixed direction indicated by arrow A. In the figure, mandrel numbers m1 to m8 are assigned to each mandrel arm 121 so that they are unique. In the figure, the mandrel arms 121 with mandrel numbers m1 to m8 are shown positioned at transfer positions ps1 to ps8, respectively. One mandrel arm 121 moves cyclically through the eight transfer positions ps1 to ps8 in sequence as the mandrel unit 102 rotates. In other words, the mandrel numbers m1 to m8 move cyclically through the eight transfer positions ps1 to ps8 in sequence as the mandrel unit 102 rotates.
[0025] The carrier unit 103 has 18 transfer positions ps11 to ps28 in the transfer order. The carrier unit 103 has a container holding unit 141 that holds the containers transferred from the transfer position ps8 of the mandrel unit 102 and transfers them sequentially to the transfer positions ps11 to ps28. A predetermined number of container holding units 141 are provided so as to be connected together, including the portions corresponding to the transport positions ps11 to ps28. With this structure, the container holding units 141 move cyclically as indicated by arrow B in the figure. In the figure, container holding unit numbers c1 to c18 are assigned to each container holding unit 141 so as to be unique. In the figure, the container holding units 141 assigned container holding unit numbers c11 to c18 are shown positioned at the transport positions ps11 to ps28, respectively. For example, the container holding unit 141 with container holding unit number c11, while holding a container, moves from a position at transport position ps11 as shown in the same figure to transport positions ps12 to ps28 in sequence, and then returns to transport position ps11 and moves to transport position ps28 again.
[0026] 3, the following describes the steps of manufacturing a product (a container filled with content) using the filling device 100. In the following description, the numbers pr1 to pr6 and pr11 to pr17 assigned to the steps will be used.
[0027] Step pr1: First, one folded container pck discharged from the container storage section 101 is put into the transfer position ps1 of the mandrel section 102. Step pr2: When the container pck is placed in the transport position ps1, the image capturing device 300 captures an image of the container identifier printed on the container pck. As a result, the container identifier management device 200 executes a process of extracting the container identifier from the captured image input from the image capturing device 300.
[0028] Step pr3: The container pck loaded into the transfer position ps1 in step pr1 moves sequentially to the transfer positions ps2 and ps3 while being loaded onto one mandrel arm 121. At the transfer position ps3, the filling device 100 heats the bottom of the container pck for the first time. Heating of the bottom of the container is performed to melt the resin at the bottom of the container. Step pr4: The container pck moves from the transfer position ps3 to the transfer position ps4. At the transfer position ps4, the filling device 100 heats the bottom for the second time.
[0029] Step pr5: The container pck moves from the transfer position ps4 to the transfer positions ps5 and ps6 in sequence. At the transfer position ps6, the filling device 100 seals the bottom of the container pck. When sealing the bottom of the container pck, the filling device 100 folds the bottom of the container pck and bonds predetermined portions of the bottom together with the resin melted in the previous steps pr3 and pr4. This forms the bottom of the container pck.
[0030] Step pr6: The container pck whose bottom has been formed in step pr5 moves from the transfer position ps6 to the transfer positions ps7 and ps8 in order. The filling device 100 transfers the container pck moved to the transfer position ps8 to the transfer position ps11 in the carrier unit 103.
[0031] Step pr11: The container pck conveyed to the carrier unit 103 is held by the container holding unit 141 at the transfer position ps11 and moves sequentially to transfer positions ps12 and ps13. At the transfer position ps13, the filling device 100 attaches a stopper to the container by welding.
[0032] Step pr12: The container to which the stopper has been attached in step pr11 is moved sequentially from transfer position ps13 to transfer positions ps14 and ps15. At transfer position ps15, the filling device 100 inspects the inner surface.
[0033] Process pr13: The container pck that has undergone the inner surface inspection in process pr12 is moved sequentially from the transfer position ps15 to the transfer positions ps16 and ps17. At the transfer position ps17, the filling device 100 performs a top breaker. The top breaker is a process of creating a crease in the top of the container pck so as to close the opening.
[0034] Step pr14: The container pck that has been top broken in step pr13 is moved sequentially from the transfer position ps17 to the transfer positions ps18, ps19, and ps20. At the transfer position ps20, the filling device 100 fills the container pck with the contents.
[0035] Step pr15: The container pck filled with the contents in step pr14 is moved sequentially from the transfer position ps20 to the transfer positions ps21, ps22, and ps23. At the transfer position ps23, the filling device 100 heats the upper part of the container pck to melt the resin in the upper part of the container pck. Step pr16: The container pck, the upper part of which resin has been melted in step pr15, is moved sequentially from the transfer position ps23 to the transfer positions ps24 and ps25. At the transfer position ps25, the filling device 100 seals the upper part of the container pck.
[0036] Process pr17: The container pck whose top has been sealed in process pr16 is moved sequentially from transfer position ps25 to transfer positions ps26, ps27, and ps28. The container pck that has reached transfer position ps26 in the carrier unit 103 is dispensed as a product.
[0037] FIG. 4 shows an example of the functional configuration of the manufacturing history management system of this embodiment. The container identifier management device 200 includes a container identifier acquisition unit 201. The container identifier acquisition unit 201 extracts a container identifier from a captured image obtained by capturing an image of a portion of a container on which a container identifier is printed using the imaging device 300. The container identifier acquisition unit 201 extracts a character string (e.g., alphanumeric characters) as a container identifier included in the captured image using OCR (Optical Character Recognition). It takes, for example, several seconds for the container identifier acquisition unit 201 to extract the container identifier from the captured image.
[0038] The manufacturing history information processing device 400 includes a manufacturing history information processing unit 401 and a temporary identifier setting unit 402 . The manufacturing history information processing unit 401 generates manufacturing history information about the corresponding product for each container placed in the filling device 100. The temporary identifier setting unit 402 sets (issues) a temporary container identifier (an example of a temporary identifier) for each container that is input into the filling device 100. The temporary container identifier is an identifier that is used to identify a container in place of the container identifier acquired by the container identifier acquisition unit 201 while the container is input into the filling device 100 and undergoes a process.
[0039] 5(A) shows an example of the content of the manufacturing history information generated by the manufacturing history information processing unit 401 when a product corresponding to one container is manufactured. The manufacturing history information in the figure has a structure in which process result information, a mandrel number, and a container holder number are associated with a temporary container identifier.
[0040] In the manufacturing history information, the temporary container identifier field stores the temporary container identifier set for the corresponding container by the manufacturing history information processing unit 401. It takes several seconds for the container identifier acquisition unit 201 to extract (acquire) the container identifier from the captured image. In other words, when a container is loaded into the filling device 100, the container identifier for that container has not yet been acquired by the container identifier acquisition unit 201. Therefore, when the container is undergoing a process for manufacturing a product, the temporary identifier setting unit 402 sets a temporary container identifier for that container in accordance with the time when the container is loaded into the filling device 100 as an identifier to identify the container instead of the container identifier. The manufacturing history information processing unit 401 associates the process result information, the mandrel number, and the container holder number with the temporary container identifier.
[0041] The process result information field stores process result information for the corresponding container. The process result information includes information indicating the results of operations for each predetermined process performed by the filling device 100 on the corresponding container. The process information may include the results of operations for a predetermined portion of the processes pr1 to pr6 and pr11 to pr17 shown in FIG. 3, rather than all of them. The process result information is updated by adding information indicating the results of operations for the executed processes as the processes for the corresponding container progress by the filling device 100.
[0042] The mandrel number field stores the mandrel number of the mandrel arm 121 into which the corresponding container is loaded. During the process, when the mandrel arm 121 into which the corresponding container is loaded is identified, the manufacturing history information processing unit 401 may store the mandrel number of the identified mandrel arm 121 in the mandrel number field.
[0043] The container holding unit number field stores the container holding unit number of the container holding unit 141 that holds the corresponding container in the carrier unit 103. During the process, when the corresponding container is transported to the carrier unit 103 and the container holding unit 141 that holds the container is identified, the manufacturing history information processing unit 401 may store the container holding unit number of the identified container holding unit 141 in the container holding unit number field.
[0044] At the stage when all processes for one container have been completed, that is, when all processes to be included in the process result information have been completed, the container identifier for that one container has already been acquired by the container identifier acquisition unit 201. Therefore, for example, at the timing when all processes for the corresponding container have been completed, the manufacturing history information processing unit 401 acquires the container identifier of the corresponding container from the container identifier acquisition unit 201. For example, the container identifier acquisition unit 201 stores identifier correspondence information that associates the container identifier acquired for the same one container with the temporary container identifier set by the temporary identifier setting unit 402. The manufacturing history information processing unit 401 acquires the container identifier associated with the temporary container identifier set for the corresponding container from the identifier association information. The manufacturing history information processing unit 401 replaces the temporary container identifier field in the manufacturing history information generated as shown in Fig. 5(A) with a container identifier field as shown in Fig. 5(B). As a result, the manufacturing history information associates the process result information, mandrel number, and container holder number with the container identifier.
[0045] The manufacturing history information processing unit 401 transmits the manufacturing history information generated as shown in Fig. 5(B) to the manufacturing history management server 500. The manufacturing history management server 500 stores the received manufacturing history information.
[0046] An example of a processing procedure executed by the container identifier management device 200, the manufacturing history information processing device 400, and the manufacturing history management server 500 of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, an example of a processing procedure executed by the container identifier management device 200 will be described. Step S100: In the container identifier management device 200, the container identifier acquisition unit 201 determines whether it is time to load a container into the filling device 100. Specifically, the container identifier acquisition unit 201 may determine that it is time to load a container, for example, in response to obtaining an output from a sensor that detects the operation of a mechanism that transports a container from the container storage unit 101 of the filling device 100 to the mandrel unit 102.
[0047] Step S102: In response to the timing at which a container is inserted into the filling device 100 in step S100, the imaging device 300 captures an image of the location on the container to be inserted into the filling device 100 where the container identifier is printed. The container identifier acquisition unit 201 acquires the captured image obtained by imaging device 300.
[0048] Step S104: The container identifier acquisition unit 201 executes a process of extracting a container identifier from the captured image acquired in step S102. Step S106: The container identifier acquisition unit 201 stores the container identifier extracted from the captured image. At this time, the container identifier acquisition unit 201 receives a temporary container identifier set (issued) in step S202 (described later) from the manufacturing history information processing device 400 in accordance with the timing at which the corresponding container was inserted in step S100, and stores the received temporary container identifier as identifier correspondence information in association with the container identifier.
[0049] Step S108: In response to the container identifier request sent from the manufacturing history information processing device 400, the container identifier acquisition unit 201 acquires a container identifier associated with the same temporary container identifier included in the container identifier request from the identifier correspondence information, and transmits the acquired container identifier to the manufacturing history information processing device 400.
[0050] Next, a description will be given of an example of a processing procedure executed by the manufacturing history information processing device 400. The processing in this figure is executed by the manufacturing history information processing device 400 in response to processing of manufacturing history information corresponding to one container.
[0051] Step S200: In the manufacturing history information processing device 400, the manufacturing history information processing unit 401 determines whether or not it is time to insert a container into the filling device 100. In step S200, the manufacturing history information processing unit 401 makes a determination at the same timing as in step S100.
[0052] Step S202: The temporary identifier setting unit 402 sets a temporary container identifier in response to the determination in step S101 that it is time to insert a container into the filling device 100. That is, the temporary identifier setting unit 402 sets a temporary container identifier and stores the set temporary container identifier in the temporary container identifier field in the manufacturing history information. The temporary container identifier set in this manner is also passed to the container identifier acquisition unit 201 of the container identifier management device 200. The container identifier acquisition unit 201 associates the passed temporary container identifier with a container identifier extracted from the image captured by the imaging device 300 obtained at the time the temporary container identifier was passed, and stores the association information as identifier correspondence information.
[0053] Step S204: The manufacturing history information processing unit 401 stores the mandrel number associated with the mandrel arm 121 of the mandrel unit 102 on which the container ejected from the container storage unit 101 in response to step S101 is loaded in the mandrel number field of the manufacturing history information.
[0054] Step S206: The manufacturing history information processing unit 401 determines whether or not it is time for the target container to be transferred from the mandrel unit 102 to the carrier unit 103. Step S208: If it is determined that the time has come for the target container to be transported from the mandrel section 102 to the carrier section 103, the manufacturing history information processing section 401 stores the container holding section number of the container holding section 141 that will hold the target container in the carrier section 103 in the container holding section number field of the manufacturing history information.
[0055] Step S210: When the processing of step S208 is performed and step S210 is reached, the manufacturing history information processing unit 401 acquires process result information indicating the result of the process in response to the target container being transported to the carrier unit 103 and the first process being performed. In addition, if the manufacturing history information processing unit 401 reaches step S210 because it determines in step S206 that the time has not yet come for the target container to be transported from the mandrel unit 102 to the carrier unit 103, it acquires process result information indicating the result of the process in response to a new process being performed in the mandrel unit 102 or the carrier unit 103. As an example, when a process of forming the bottom of the target container is performed at a predetermined transport position in the carrier section 103, information on the time when the process was performed, the heater temperature, pressure, crimping time, and other conditions at the time the process was performed is obtained from the filling device 100 as process result information. Step S212: The manufacturing history information processing unit 401 updates the process result information in the manufacturing history information by adding the contents of the process result information acquired in step S210.
[0056] Step S214: The manufacturing history information processing unit 401 determines whether or not all of the processes performed by the filling device 100 to manufacture a product corresponding to the target container have been completed. The manufacturing history information processing unit 401 may determine that all of the processes performed by the filling device 100 have been completed when the target container has been moved to the final transport position in the filling device 100. If all steps have not yet been completed, the process returns to step S206.
[0057] Step S216: If it is determined in step S214 that all processes performed by the filling device 100 have been completed, the manufacturing history information processing unit 401 transmits a container identifier request to the container identifier management device 200. The container identifier request includes the temporary container identifier of the target container. The container identifier management device 200 transmits, from the identifier correspondence information stored therein, a container identifier associated with the same temporary container identifier as included in the received container identifier request to the manufacturing history information processing device 400. The container identifier transmitted in this manner is a container identifier extracted from the captured image obtained by capturing an image of the target container by the imaging device 300. In other words, it is a container identifier printed on the target container.
[0058] Step S218: The manufacturing history information processing unit 401 stores the container identifier acquired in step S216, replacing it with the temporary container identifier in the manufacturing history information of the target container. By the processing of step S218, the manufacturing history information corresponding to the target container is changed from a structure in which the temporary container identifier is associated with the process result information, mandrel number, and container holding unit number as shown in Figure 5(A) to a structure in which the container identifier is associated with the process result information, mandrel number, and container holding unit number as shown in Figure 5(B).
[0059] Step S220: The manufacturing history information processing unit 401 transmits the manufacturing history information having the structure shown in FIG. 5B obtained in step S218 to the manufacturing history management server 500.
[0060] Next, an example of a processing procedure executed by the manufacturing history management server 500 will be described. Step S300: The production history management server 500 stores the production history information transmitted from the production history information processing device 400 in step S220.
[0061] 5(B) through the processing of step S218, the manufacturing history information processing device 400 may transmit the manufacturing history information to the manufacturing history management server 500. Alternatively, the manufacturing history information processing device 400 may store the manufacturing history information of the structure of FIG. 5(B) obtained through the processing of step S218 for a certain period or a certain number of times, and transmit the stored manufacturing history information to the manufacturing history management server 500 all at once at a predetermined timing.
[0062] By executing the process of FIG. 6 for each container at the product manufacturing stage, the manufacturing history management server 500 stores manufacturing history information for each product manufactured by the filling device 100 in the factory FC. The manufacturing history information stored in this manner is associated with the product container by a container identifier. The container identifier is obtained from the identifier physically printed on the product container. This allows the manufacturing history information to be reliably associated with the shipped product. Furthermore, the manufacturing history information corresponding to one product includes, in addition to the results of each process, the mandrel number of the mandrel arm 121 that held and transported the corresponding container, and the container holding unit number of the container holding unit 141. This makes it possible to determine, depending on the manufacturing history information, which mandrel arm 121 and which container holding unit 141 held the product and what process results were obtained for each process. According to this embodiment, such manufacturing history information allows the manufacturing history of each product manufactured by the filling device 100 to be properly managed.
[0063] The post-manufacturing manufacturing history information stored in the manufacturing history management server 500 as described above is used to deal with defects in products shipped from the factory FC. When dealing with a product defect, the person in charge uses the office terminal 600 provided in the office OF. The office terminal 600 accesses the manufacturing history management server 500 to acquire manufacturing history information of the product shipped from the factory FC. The office terminal 600 can display the acquired manufacturing history information.
[0064] For example, a certain number of customers reported defects in products after shipment to a product manufacturer. The reports were accompanied by the return of the defective products. The person in charge obtains the container identifier printed on the container of the returned product, and then causes the office terminal 600 to obtain the manufacturing history information for the container identifier that is the same as the one that the person in charge obtained.
[0065] For example, in the case where there are a large number of reports of defective sealing of the bottom of containers, the person in charge displays the manufacturing history information of the container identifiers for each product for which defective shielding of the container bottom has been reported on the office terminal 600. The person in charge analyzes the mandrel numbers in the displayed manufacturing history information for each product and the process result information of the process related to the shielding of the container bottom. As a result of the analysis, for example, the person in charge determines that a defect in the sealing of the bottom of the container has occurred in the mandrel arm 121 with a specific mandrel number. In this case, the person in charge can take measures such as prohibiting the use of the mandrel arm 121 with the mandrel number identified as having the defect or performing maintenance.
[0066] Alternatively, if the analysis reveals that the heater temperature during the process of sealing the bottom of the container was outside the appropriate range, the person in charge can identify the cause of the heater temperature being outside the appropriate range and perform maintenance so that the heater temperature during the corresponding process is within the appropriate range.
[0067] Furthermore, if there are a large number of reports of defects in the sealing of the top of the container, the person in charge will display on the office terminal 600 the manufacturing history information of the container identifiers for each product for which defects in the sealing of the top of the container have been reported. The person in charge analyzes the container holder number in the displayed manufacturing history information for each product and the process result information for the process related to the shield on the top of the container.
[0068] Alternatively, if the analysis reveals that the crimping force during the process of sealing the top of the container was outside the appropriate range, the person in charge can identify the cause of the crimping force being outside the appropriate range and carry out maintenance to bring the crimping force in the corresponding process within the appropriate range.
[0069] Furthermore, when a large number of reports of defects are received regarding the processes in the carrier section 103, the person in charge displays on the office terminal 600 the manufacturing history information of the container identifiers for each product for which the defects are reported. The person in charge analyzes the container holding unit number in the displayed manufacturing history information for each product and the process result information for the corresponding process. As a result of the analysis, for example, the person in charge determines that a defect has occurred in a product in which a container was held in a container holding unit 141 with a specific container holding unit number. In this case, the person in charge can take measures such as prohibiting the use of the container holding unit 141 with the container holding unit number determined to be defective or performing maintenance.
[0070] Furthermore, when there are a large number of reports of defects regarding the spouts attached to the containers, the person in charge displays on the office terminal 600 the manufacturing history information of the container identifiers for each product for which the defects have been reported. The person in charge analyzes the container holder number in the displayed manufacturing history information for each product and the process result information for the process related to the attachment of the stopper. As a result of the analysis, the person in charge identified that there was a problem with the welding time when welding the stopper to the container. In such cases, the person in charge can take action by performing maintenance such as resetting the welding time.
[0071] Furthermore, the office terminal 600 may perform the above-described analysis and present countermeasures based on the analysis results, based on the acquired manufacturing history information.
[0072] In this way, in this embodiment, by using the manufacturing history information stored in the manufacturing history management server 500, it is possible to identify the cause of a defect in a product after shipment and take measures according to the identified cause.
[0073] In this embodiment, when a container is undergoing a manufacturing process by the filling device 100, the manufacturing history information processing device 400 stores a temporary container identifier when generating manufacturing history information. Then, when the manufacturing process is completed, the temporary container identifier stored in the manufacturing history information is changed to a container identifier. This is because it takes a certain amount of time for the container identifier management device 200 to extract a container identifier from a captured image, and therefore the container identifier cannot be associated with the container from the timing of the first process. However, if a container identifier can be extracted from a captured image before the corresponding container undergoes the first process, the manufacturing history information processing device 400 may use the container identifier from the beginning without using a temporary container identifier in the manufacturing history information.
[0074] The manufacturing apparatus according to this embodiment is not limited to the filling apparatus 100 shown in Fig. 2. For example, the manufacturing apparatus may not include a mandrel unit, and containers may be loaded from a container storage unit into a carrier unit.
[0075] The container identifier management device 200 and the manufacturing history information processing device 400 may be integrated into a single device. The manufacturing history information processing unit 401 and the temporary identifier setting unit 402 in the manufacturing history information processing device 400 may be provided in different devices. The manufacturing history management server 500 may be configured to have at least one of the functions of the container identifier management device 200 and the manufacturing history information processing device 400.
[0076] Programs for implementing the functions of the container identifier management device 200, manufacturing history information processing device 400, and manufacturing history management server 500 may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the programs may be loaded into a computer system and executed to perform the processing of each device. Here, "loading a program recorded on a recording medium into a computer system and executing it" includes installing the program on a computer system. The term "computer system" here includes hardware such as an operating system and peripheral devices. The term "computer system" may also include multiple computer devices connected via a network, including the Internet, a wide area network (WAN), a local area network (LAN), or a dedicated line. The term "computer-readable recording medium" refers to portable media such as floppy disks, optical magnetic disks, ROMs, and CD-ROMs, as well as storage devices such as hard disks built into a computer system. The recording medium storing the program may also be a non-transitory recording medium such as a CD-ROM. The term "recording medium" also includes internal or external recording media accessible from a distribution server for distributing the program. The program code stored on the distribution server's recording medium may be different from the program code executable on a terminal device. In other words, the format in which the program is stored on the distribution server does not matter as long as it can be downloaded from the distribution server and installed in a form that is executable on the terminal device. The program may be divided into multiple parts, each of which may be downloaded at different times and then combined on the terminal device, or each of the divided programs may be distributed by a different distribution server. Furthermore, the term "computer-readable recording medium" also includes a storage medium that stores a program for a certain period of time, such as volatile memory (RAM) within a computer system that serves as a server or client when a program is transmitted over a network. The program may also be one that realizes part of the functions described above.Furthermore, the above-mentioned functions may be realized in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system, that is, a so-called differential file (differential program). [Explanation of symbols]
[0077] 100 Filling device, 101 Container storage unit, 102 Mandrel unit, 103 Carrier unit, 104 Filling unit, 121 Mandrel arm, 141 Container holding unit, 200 Container identifier management device, 201 Container identifier acquisition unit, 300 Imaging device, 400 Manufacturing history information processing device, 401 Manufacturing history information processing unit, 402 Temporary identifier setting unit, 500 Manufacturing history management server, 600 Office terminal
Claims
1. A manufacturing history management system that manages, for each product, a manufacturing history of a manufacturing device that performs a predetermined plurality of processes for manufacturing a product in which a content is sealed in a container, and that is capable of providing the manufacturing history in response to access from an externally connected terminal device, a container identifier acquisition unit that acquires a container identifier attached to a container that is input into the manufacturing device for filling the contents; a manufacturing history information processing unit that generates manufacturing history information in which process execution results corresponding to each of the plurality of processes performed in response to one container input into the manufacturing device are associated with a container identifier of the one container, and stores the generated manufacturing history information in a storage unit; A manufacturing history management system equipped with
2. The manufacturing history information processing unit associates, in the manufacturing history information, a container identifier of a container input into the manufacturing device with a holding unit identifier of a container holding unit that holds and transports the container in the manufacturing device. The manufacturing history management system according to claim 1 .
3. the manufacturing apparatus includes a plurality of mandrel arms, each mandrel arm including a mandrel portion adapted to seal and form a bottom of a container loaded therein; The container holding portion includes a mandrel portion having a plurality of mandrel arms. The manufacturing history management system according to claim 2 .
4. The manufacturing apparatus includes a carrier section to which the containers are transported, for a step of filling the contents into the containers that are carried out from the mandrel section that includes a plurality of mandrel arms and is configured to seal and form the bottoms of the containers loaded in each of the mandrel arms, The container holding section includes a portion that holds and transports one container in the carrier section. The manufacturing history management system according to claim 2 or 3.
5. a temporary identifier setting unit that sets a temporary container identifier for each container input into the manufacturing device; The manufacturing history information processing unit associates a process execution result corresponding to each process with the temporary container identifier set by the temporary identifier setting unit during the manufacturing process of the product, and when the process has progressed to a predetermined process, associates a container identifier acquired from the container to which the temporary container identifier has been set, instead of the temporary container identifier, with the process execution result corresponding to each process. The manufacturing history management system according to claim 1 .
6. A manufacturing history management system that manages, for each product, the manufacturing history of a manufacturing device that performs a predetermined plurality of processes for manufacturing a product in which contents are sealed in a container, comprising: a container identifier acquisition unit that acquires a container identifier attached to a container that is input into the manufacturing device for filling the contents; a manufacturing history information processing unit that generates manufacturing history information in which process execution results corresponding to each of the plurality of processes performed in response to one container input into the manufacturing device are associated with a container identifier of the one container, and stores the generated manufacturing history information in a storage unit; a temporary identifier setting unit that sets a temporary container identifier for each container that is input into the manufacturing device; Equipped with The manufacturing history information processing unit associates a process execution result corresponding to each process with the temporary container identifier set by the temporary identifier setting unit during the manufacturing process of the product, and when the process has progressed to a predetermined process, associates a container identifier acquired from the container to which the temporary container identifier has been set, instead of the temporary container identifier, with the process execution result corresponding to each process. Manufacturing history management system.
7. A manufacturing history management method in a manufacturing history management system that manages, for each product, a manufacturing history of a manufacturing device that performs a predetermined plurality of processes for manufacturing a product in which a content is sealed in a container, and that is capable of providing the manufacturing history in response to access from an externally connected terminal device, comprising: a container identifier acquisition step of acquiring a container identifier attached to a container to be inserted into the manufacturing device for filling the contents; a manufacturing history information processing step of generating manufacturing history information in which process execution results corresponding to each of the plurality of processes performed in response to one container input into the manufacturing device are associated with a container identifier of the one container, and storing the generated manufacturing history information in a storage unit; A manufacturing history management method comprising:
8. A manufacturing history management method in a manufacturing history management system that manages, for each product, the manufacturing history of a manufacturing device that performs a predetermined plurality of processes for manufacturing a product in which contents are sealed in a container, comprising: a container identifier acquisition step of acquiring a container identifier attached to a container to be inserted into the manufacturing device for filling the contents; a manufacturing history information processing step of generating manufacturing history information in which process execution results corresponding to each of the plurality of processes performed in response to one container input into the manufacturing device are associated with a container identifier of the one container, and storing the generated manufacturing history information in a storage unit; a temporary identifier setting step of setting a temporary container identifier for each container input into the manufacturing device; Equipped with In the manufacturing history information processing step, in the manufacturing process of the product, the temporary container identifier set in the temporary identifier setting step is associated with the corresponding process execution result for each of the processes, and when the process has progressed to a predetermined process, a container identifier acquired from the container to which the temporary container identifier is set is associated with the process execution result for each of the processes in place of the temporary container identifier. Manufacturing history management method.
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