Goods Supply System

Abstract

To provide an article supply system in which intermittent operation is unlikely to occur in a plurality of processing machines in which articles conveyed in multiple rows by belt conveyors are supplied.SOLUTION: An article supply system includes a belt conveyor 10 that loads and conveys a plurality of articles W in multiple rows, and a plurality of processing mechanisms 30 that processes the articles W. The articles W are sorted into rows by sorting means 12 and conveyed by a conveyor mechanism 20 to each of the processing mechanisms 30. On the basis of detection information of the articles W, processing amount calculation means determines in which rows the articles W are respectively located and calculates the processing amount Y, which is the quantity to be processed by the processing mechanisms 30 corresponding to each of the determined rows for the articles W. On the basis of the processing amount Y, processing change means generates values of processing capacity to be changed for each of the processing mechanisms 30 before the articles W arrive at the processing mechanisms 30. In this way, the articles W, which are conveyed in multiple rows, are distributed to the plurality of processing mechanisms 30, and the processing capacity can be adjusted according to the number of articles W per row.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an article supply system. [Background technology]

[0002] Various types of article supply devices have been known in the past as article supply devices that supply articles that are conveyed at irregular conveyance intervals to a packaging machine. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses that a packaging machine that can change its packaging capacity (the number of articles that can be processed per unit time) reduces intermittent operation of the processing machine even when the amount of articles arriving becomes irregular. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6615715 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Incidentally, when processing a large number of articles conveyed in multiple rows, for example, the intervals between the articles tend to become irregular due to, for example, a belt conveyor with a long path that curves along the way, as the intervals between the articles tend to widen (narrow) and the positions of the articles tend to shift when the articles cross the joints of the belt conveyor. As a result, there is a concern that the intermittent operation of the processor may become more likely, such as when more articles than expected are supplied to a particular processor out of multiple processors, exceeding the processing capacity of the processor.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an article supply system that is less susceptible to intermittent operation in a plurality of processing machines to which articles are supplied in multiple rows conveyed by a belt conveyor. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the article supply system of the present invention takes the following measures. First, the invention according to claim 1 transports a plurality of articles (W) by placing them in multiple rows with a space between each of the articles (W), A plurality of regions defining the boundaries of each row are set to determine the position of the article (W) on the conveying surface (10a). A belt conveyor (10) and an object (W) placed on the belt conveyor (10) in a width direction of the belt conveyor (10) for a predetermined time. The lined up items A detection means (13) for detecting (W) collectively; A pair of conveyors is provided for each area of ​​the belt conveyor (10), The transported item (W) Film packaging And the item (W) packaging and a plurality of processing mechanisms (30) that are capable of changing the processing capacity for the articles (W) placed on the belt conveyor (10), which are provided downstream of the detection means (13). corresponding to each area of ​​the belt conveyor To each of the processing mechanisms (30) On the conveying route arranged in pairs A sorting means (12) for sorting, and the sorting means (12) On the conveying path a conveying mechanism (20) that sequentially receives the distributed articles (W) and conveys them sequentially toward the processing mechanism (30) in synchronization with the processing timing of the processing mechanism (30); a control unit for changing the processing capacity of the processing mechanism (30), The system includes a processing amount calculation means for determining in which row each of the articles (W) detected by the detection means (13) at the predetermined time is located, and for calculating a processing amount (Y) per unit time for processing the articles (W) detected at the predetermined time for each of the determined rows by the processing mechanism (30) corresponding to the row, and a processing change means for generating a value of the processing capacity to be changed based on information on the processing amount (Y) per unit time calculated by the processing amount calculation means until the head of the articles (W) detected at the predetermined time reaches the processing mechanism (30) for each of the rows, and for changing the processing capacity of the processing mechanism (30) corresponding to each of the rows based on the processing capacity value generated by the processing change means. The range within which the processing capacity can be changed is set to an upper limit (Ymax) of the allowable processing volume that can prevent poor sealing due to insufficient film sealing time, and a lower limit (Ymin) of the allowable processing volume that can prevent poor sealing due to excessive heat. The conveying mechanism (20) is equipped with a discharge means (26) that discharges the items (W) upstream of the conveying mechanism (20). When the items (W) sorted by the sorting means (12) are conveyed to the conveying path in an amount that exceeds the upper limit (Ymax) of the processing volume (Y), the discharge means (26) discharges the amount of the items (W) that exceeds the upper limit (Ymax) of the processing volume (Y) outside the conveying path.

[0007] According to the invention of claim 1, the article supply system includes a belt conveyor (10) that conveys a plurality of articles (W) placed in multiple rows, and a conveyor (11) that conveys the conveyed articles (W). packagingThe system is provided with a plurality of processing mechanisms (30) for handling the waste materials. Downstream of the belt conveyor (10) is provided a sorting means (12). Between the sorting means (12) and the processing mechanisms (30), Transporting the articles (W) along a transport path toward each processing mechanism (30) The system is equipped with a conveying mechanism (20). The articles (W) are sorted into rows by a sorting means (12) and conveyed by the conveying mechanism (20) toward the respective processing mechanisms (30). The article supply system also includes a detection means (13). The detection means (13) detects all of the articles (W) lined up in the width direction on the belt conveyor (10) in a predetermined time. This detection information allows the number of articles (W) passing through in a predetermined time to be determined for each row. The processing volume calculation means calculates, for each row, a processing volume (Y) per unit time for processing the identified articles (W) in each row by the processing mechanism (30) corresponding to that row, based on the number of articles (W) conveyed. The processing change means generates, based on the calculated processing volume (Y), a value for changing the processing capacity for each processing mechanism (30) until the articles (W) arrive at the processing mechanism (30). With this configuration, the throughput (Y) per unit time is calculated for each row of conveyed articles (W), and the throughput (Y) of each processing mechanism (30) is adjusted. That is, articles (W) conveyed in multiple rows can be distributed to multiple processing mechanisms (30), and the processing capacity of the processing mechanisms (30) can be adjusted according to the number of articles (W) in each row. Therefore, an article supply system can be provided in which intermittent operation of each processing mechanism (30) is unlikely to occur, even if the number of articles (W) conveyed in large quantities fluctuates. The conveying mechanism (20) also includes a discharge means (26). When the number of articles (W) conveyed to the conveying mechanism (20) exceeds the upper limit (Ymax) of the processing volume (Y), the amount of articles (W) exceeding the upper limit (Ymax) of the processing volume (Y) is discharged outside the system by the discharge means (26). This ensures that the number of articles (W) conveyed toward the processing mechanism (30) does not exceed the upper limit (Ymax) of the processing volume (Y). Therefore, the articles (W) can be conveyed within a range that does not exceed the processing capacity limit of the processing mechanism (30). Furthermore, the distance between the conveyed articles (W) can be maintained.

[0008] Next, the invention according to claim 2, which is dependent on claim 1, is as follows: The conveying mechanism (20) includes a transfer conveyor (21) that adjusts the gap between the front and rear of the article (W), a delivery conveyor (23) disposed downstream of the transfer conveyor (21), and a supply conveyor (24) that supplies the article (W) delivered from the delivery conveyor (23) in accordance with the timing of film feeding, and forms conveying surfaces that are arranged in series along the conveying path, and the control unit adjusts the throughput (Y) from an upper limit (Ymax) to a lower limit (Ymin). When the article (W) is sent toward the processing mechanism (30) within the range of , the processing capacity of the processing mechanism (30) is gradually changed during the period from when the processing capacity value is generated until the head of the article (W) reaches the processing mechanism (30), the conveying speed of the supply conveyor (24) is changed in accordance with the packaging processing speed of the processing mechanism (30), and the conveying speed of the delivery conveyor (23) is changed to the same speed as the conveying speed of the supply conveyor (24).

[0009] According to the invention of claim 2, The speed and timing of the supply conveyor (24) to send out the articles (W) are adjusted by a control unit to correspond to the packaging processing speed and operation timing of the processing mechanism (30). The delivery conveyor (23) is adjusted to the same speed as the supply conveyor (24), i.e., to match the film feed speed. The delivery conveyor (23) and supply conveyor (24) sequentially transport the articles (W) toward the processing mechanism (30) so as to synchronize with the processing timing of the processing mechanism (30), i.e., one packaging cycle of the processing mechanism (30). Therefore, the transport mechanism (20) can transport the articles (W) that are delivered irregularly at predetermined intervals to the processing mechanism (30) at intervals that match one packaging cycle of the processing mechanism (30).

[0010] Next, the invention according to claim 3, which is dependent on claim 1 or claim 2, is as follows: The processing mechanism (30) is a horizontal form-fill-seal machine that overlaps both end edges of a strip-shaped packaging material to form it into a cylindrical shape, applies a vertical seal to the overlapping portion of the cylindrical packaging material along the feeding direction of the packaging material, and applies horizontal seals in a direction intersecting the feeding direction of the packaging material at positions before and after the item (W) wrapped in the cylindrical packaging material.

[0011] According to the invention of claim 3,The article supply system includes multiple horizontal form-fill-seal machines as a processing mechanism (30). Articles (W) are conveyed in multiple rows on a belt conveyor (10), and are assigned to a horizontal form-fill-seal machine for packaging, one row at a time. The horizontal form-fill-seal machine changes its throughput (Y) per unit time for packaging articles W, depending on the number of articles (W) conveyed. This allows the articles (W) conveyed in multiple rows to be assigned to multiple horizontal form-fill-seal machines, and the packaging capacity of the horizontal form-fill-seal machine can be adjusted according to the number of articles (W) per row. Therefore, even if the number of articles (W) conveyed in large quantities fluctuates, the number of times each horizontal form-fill-seal machine has to stop sending packaging material to the horizontal form-fill-seal machine can be reduced. In other words, this reduces the likelihood of intermittent operation of the horizontal form-fill-seal machine. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] The present invention can provide an article supply system that is less susceptible to intermittent operation in a plurality of processing machines to which articles are supplied in multiple rows transported by a belt conveyor. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic plan view showing the arrangement of each device that constitutes an item supply system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of the transport mechanism according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The article supply system according to the present embodiment is an article supply system that sorts a plurality of articles W that are placed in multiple rows and transported by a belt conveyor 10, and supplies the articles to a plurality of packaging units 30 (processing mechanisms) by row.

[0015] 1, the article supply system includes a belt conveyor 10 that transports multiple articles W in multiple rows, multiple packaging units 30 (five in this embodiment) that package the articles W, and multiple sorting guides 12 (sorting means) and a conveying mechanism 20 for transporting the articles W toward each packaging unit 30. The article supply system also includes a detection device 13 (detection means) that collectively detects the articles W placed on the belt conveyor 10, and a control unit (not shown) that controls the devices included in the conveying mechanism 20, the packaging units 30, etc.

[0016] The belt conveyor 10 has a conveying surface 10a on which multiple rows of articles W can be placed. In this embodiment, multiple articles W are placed and conveyed so that they are lined up in approximately five rows in the width direction of the conveying surface 10a with spaces between the articles W.

[0017] As a detection means, for example, a detection device 13 such as a 3D camera is disposed above the conveying surface 10a of the belt conveyor 10 across the width of the conveying surface 10a. The detection device 13 detects all of the articles W placed on the belt conveyor 10 that are lined up across the width of the belt conveyor 10 for a predetermined period of time. The detection device 13 detects information about the articles W when they pass a detection line 13a that is set across the conveying surface 10a of the belt conveyor 10 in the width direction (corresponding to the detection means). Then, a control unit (described later) determines whether the articles W have passed every predetermined period of time based on the detection information from the detection device 13 (corresponding to the detection means). Here, the predetermined period of time refers to the time during which the articles W are detected. The predetermined period of time (constant period of time) is an interval that allows the number of articles W that have passed consecutively to be determined. The detection device 13 detects the articles W for a predetermined period of time. The information about the articles W obtained by the detection is sent to the control unit.

[0018] A plurality of (five in this embodiment) conveying mechanisms 20 are disposed downstream of the detection device 13. The conveying mechanisms 20 are connected to the belt conveyor 10 so that their conveying directions intersect with the conveying direction of the belt conveyor 10 (toward the viewer in FIG. 1). The plurality of conveying mechanisms 20 are adjacent to each other and disposed in parallel. In other words, the plurality of conveying mechanisms 20 are disposed so that the conveying paths for the articles W branch off from the belt conveyor 10.

[0019] In addition, a plurality of sorting guides 12 (five in this embodiment) are provided downstream of the detection device 13 on the belt conveyor 10, corresponding to the connection points with the conveying mechanism 20. The sorting guides 12 sort the articles W placed on the belt conveyor 10 toward each packaging section 30 by row. The sorting guides 12 are arranged at an angle inclined with respect to the conveying direction of the belt conveyor 10 in a plan view. These sorting guides 12 are configured to guide one row of articles W placed on the conveying surface 10a of the belt conveyor 10, starting from the front, toward the conveying mechanism 20, and allow the remaining rows of articles W on the rear side to pass through. The articles W that come into contact with the side of the sorting guide 12 move along the side of the sorting guide 12 on the conveying surface 10a of the belt conveyor 10 and are delivered to the conveying mechanism 20.

[0020] As shown in Fig. 2, the conveying mechanism 20 includes a conveying conveyor 21, a delivery conveyor 23 disposed downstream of the conveying conveyor 21, and a supply conveyor 24 arranged in series. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the conveying conveyor 21 includes a plurality of belt conveyors 22, a discharge means 26, and article guides 27 and 28. The conveying mechanism 20 sequentially receives the articles W sorted by the sorting guide 12 and transports them toward the packaging section 30.

[0021] The belt conveyor 22 has an endless conveying surface that rotates due to a servo motor as a drive motor. A sensor 25 for detecting an article W is provided near the boundary between the belt conveyors 22 (see Figure 2). By detecting the article W when it crosses over to the next belt conveyor 22, the interval between the articles W detected by the sensor 25 is calculated, and the speed of the belt conveyor 22 downstream of the detected sensor 25 is adjusted so that the articles W are aligned at a predetermined interval. The belt conveyor 22 before the delivery conveyor 23 delivers the articles W so that the interval between the articles W sent to the delivery conveyor 23 matches the processing timing of the delivery conveyor 23.

[0022] The delivery conveyor 23 and the supply conveyor 24 are belt conveyors with endless conveying surfaces that are rotated by servo motors as drive motors. The delivery conveyor 23 receives the articles W from the transport conveyor 21, the front and rear spacing of which has been adjusted, and delivers them to the supply conveyor 24. The supply conveyor 24 supplies the articles W to the packaging section 30. The speed and timing of the supply conveyor 24 to feed the articles W are adjusted by a control unit to correspond to the packaging processing speed and operation timing of the packaging section 30, which will be described later. The delivery conveyor 23 has its speed adjusted to the same speed as the supply conveyor 24, i.e., to match the film feed speed. The delivery conveyor 23 and the supply conveyor 24 sequentially transport the articles W toward the bag making section 30a of the packaging section 30 so as to be synchronized with the processing timing of the packaging section 30, i.e., one packaging cycle of the packaging section 30. In this way, the conveying mechanism 20 conveys the irregularly conveyed articles W at predetermined intervals, and conveys them to the packaging unit 30 at intervals that match one packaging cycle of the packaging unit 30.

[0023] 1, the conveying mechanism 20 is equipped with a discharge means 26 that discharges articles W upstream of the conveying mechanism 20. When the articles W sorted by the sorting guide 12 exceed an upper limit Ymax (predetermined number) of a processing amount Y (described later) and are conveyed toward the packaging unit 30, the discharge means 26 discharges the number of articles W that exceeds the upper limit Ymax (predetermined number) out of the conveying path in response to a discharge command from the control unit based on detection information from the detection device 13. In this embodiment, for example, an air discharge device is selected.

[0024] Article guides 27 and 28 are arranged upstream of the transport conveyor 21. The article guides 27 and 28 guide the articles W sorted by the sorting guide 12 along the transport direction of the transport mechanism 20. This adjusts the position of the articles W on the transport conveyor 21 in the width direction.

[0025] A horizontal form-fill-seal machine is disposed downstream of the conveying mechanism 20 as a packaging unit 30 that packages (processes) the conveyed items W. The horizontal form-fill-seal machine forms a cylindrical shape by overlapping both edges of a strip-shaped film (packaging material) in a bag making unit 30a (see FIG. 2), applying vertical seals along the film feed direction to the overlapped portion of the cylindrical film, and then applying horizontal seals in a direction intersecting the film feed direction to positions before and after the item W wrapped in the cylindrical film. In other words, the horizontal form-fill-seal machine obtains packaged products by controlling the packaging operation with a control unit. The control of the packaging operation includes starting and stopping the packaging operation and controlling the sealer temperature. The packaging unit 30 changes the number of items W packaged (processed) per unit time (processing capacity) based on information from a process change means (described later).

[0026] The control unit includes a processing amount calculation means and a processing change means that perform calculation processing, which will be described later, based on the detection information of the detection device 13. The control unit also controls each belt conveyor 22 of the transport mechanism 20 based on information from the sensor 25. The control unit 30 also controls the packaging operation of the packaging unit.

[0027] The processing volume calculation means determines in which row each of the articles W detected by the detection device 13 at a predetermined time set in advance is located, and calculates the processing volume Y for the articles W detected at the predetermined time for each determined row in the packaging unit 30 corresponding to the row. The processing change means generates a processing capacity value to be changed based on information on the processing volume Y calculated by the processing volume calculation means for each row until the head of the articles W detected at the predetermined time reaches the packaging unit 30. The control unit changes the packaging operation of each packaging unit 30 based on information from the processing change means.

[0028] The case of calculating the throughput Y per minute for packaging the article W for each discriminated column by the throughput calculation means with, for example, a predetermined time of t seconds (t < 60) using the corresponding packaging unit 30 will be described. As shown in Table 1, let the number of articles W in t seconds received from the detection device 13 for the first time be X1, the number of articles W in the next t seconds received for the second time be X2, and thereafter X3, X4, X5, ···. Note that the number of articles W is calculated for each column. Each time the throughput calculation means receives the number of detected articles W, it calculates the number of articles W per minute (throughput Y). Specifically, based on the latest received data and the immediately preceding received data, it calculates the number Q of articles W in 2t seconds, and calculates the number Y of articles W per minute based on the number Q. For example, when receiving the third data, X2 + X3 is calculated as the number Q of articles W in 2t seconds. Then, by multiplying X2 + X3 by a predetermined coefficient α, the number of articles W per minute, that is, the throughput Y per minute for packaging the article W by the packaging unit 30 is calculated. [[ID=③]]

Table 1

[0029] The process change means generates a value of the process capacity to be changed for each column based on the information of the throughput Y calculated by the throughput calculation means until the head of the article W detected in a predetermined time reaches the packaging unit 30. For example, as shown in Table 2, the process capacity of the packaging unit 30 corresponding to the calculated value of the throughput Y is set in advance. When the throughput Y is less than or equal to the reference value A, the packaging unit 30 is set to package the article W with 100% process capacity. When the value of the throughput Y exceeds the reference value A, for example, when A < Y ≤ A + a, a value of the process capacity for changing the process capacity of the packaging unit 30 to 101% is generated. Further, when the value of the throughput Y increases, for example, when A + d < Y ≤ A + e, a value of the process capacity for changing the process capacity of the packaging unit 30 to 10⒌% is generated. The control unit changes the packaging operation of each packaging unit 30 based on the information of the process change means.

Table 2

[0029] and are left unchanged as they are 7 - digit tags. Also, the "⒌" in "10⒌%" is left as it is in case it has a specific meaning in the original context. If it's a misprint, it should be corrected according to the actual situation.

[0030] Note that the control unit gently changes the processing capacity of the packaging unit between the time when the processing amount Y is calculated and the time when the corresponding article W reaches the packaging unit 30. For example, when changing the processing capacity from 101% to 105%, instead of rapidly increasing the processing capacity immediately before the amount of article W that requires a processing capacity of 105% reaches the packaging unit 30, it is set to gradually increase the processing capacity during the period until the corresponding article W arrives.

[0031] Also, in order to ensure proper packaging by the packaging unit 30, the range within which the processing capacity can be changed is set as the upper limit value Ymax of the processing amount Y, which is the maximum allowable processing amount that can prevent the film from peeling due to insufficient heat sealing, and the lower limit value Ymin, which is the allowable lower limit that can prevent problems such as the film melting due to excessive heat addition. For example, when the value of the processing amount Y is below the lower limit value Ymin when it is below the reference value A, the operation of the packaging unit 30 is set to stop. When the value of the processing amount Y exceeds the upper limit value Ymax when A + i < Y, the article W is set to be discharged out of the system upstream in the conveying mechanism 20.

[0032] The control unit detects the article W with the sensor 25 provided at the boundary of each conveying conveyor 21, and adjusts the interval between the front and rear articles W by changing the speed of the belt conveyor 22 on the downstream side of the detected sensor 25. As a result, the interval between the article W and the front and rear articles W on the conveying conveyor 21 is adjusted, and the article W is conveyed toward the supply conveyor 24. Also, the control unit changes the conveying speed of the supply conveyor 24 based on the packaging processing speed obtained from the encoder pulses attached to each packaging unit 30. As a result, the supply conveyor 24 supplies the article W at the same speed as the packaging processing speed in synchronization for each packaging cycle of the packaging unit 30.

[0033] Next, the operation and control of each item W by the above-mentioned item conveying system will be described. Referring to FIG. 1, the items W are placed in multiple rows on the conveying surface 10a of the belt conveyor 10 and conveyed. When an item W passing through the detection line 13a is detected by the detector 13, the detected information is sent to the control unit. A throughput calculation means in the control unit determines in which row each item W is located based on the detection information from the detector 13, and calculates the throughput Y per unit time for packaging the items W for each determined row in the packaging unit 30 corresponding to that row. A processing change means in the control unit generates a value for the processing capacity to be changed based on the information on the throughput Y calculated by the processing change means. The control unit changes the packaging operation of each packaging unit 30 based on the information from the processing change means.

[0034] The processing capacity of the packaging unit 30 is gradually changed so that it reaches the calculated processing capacity between the time when the control unit calculates the processing amount Y and the time when the corresponding article W arrives at the packaging unit 30. The control unit also adjusts the speed of the supply conveyor 24 in accordance with the timing of the change in the processing capacity of the packaging unit 30, and further adjusts the speed of the delivery conveyor 23 to be the same speed as the supply conveyor 24. The articles W detected by the detection device 13 are sent by the sorting guide 12 to the respective conveying mechanisms 20 in rows.

[0035] In each conveying mechanism 20, a sensor 25 detects the passage of an article W, calculates the front-to-back spacing of the article W detected by the sensor 25, and adjusts the speed of the belt conveyor 22 downstream of the detected sensor 25 (see FIG. 2). This gradually adjusts the spacing between the articles W on the belt conveyor 22. The articles W transferred from the belt conveyor 22 at the end of the transfer conveyor 21 to the delivery conveyor 23 have been adjusted to a spacing that matches the packaging timing of the packaging unit 30. The articles W with their spacing adjusted are delivered from the delivery conveyor 23 to the supply conveyor 24. At this time, the conveying speeds of the delivery conveyor 23 and the supply conveyor 24 are adjusted to synchronize with one packaging cycle of the packaging unit 30. The supply conveyor 24 supplies the articles W in a tubular film toward the bag making unit 30a in accordance with the film feed timing. The packaging unit 30 that has received the supply packages the articles W at the packaging capacity calculated by the process change means.

[0036] If the value of the processing volume Y exceeds the upper limit Ymax of the processing capacity, based on the detection information, the discharge means 26 on the upstream side of the conveying mechanism 20 discharges the articles W that exceed the upper limit Ymax outside the system. Also, if the value of the processing volume Y falls below the lower limit Ymin of the processing capacity, the control unit controls based on the detection information to stop the operation of the delivery conveyor 23, the supply conveyor 24, and the packaging unit 30 until the articles W that exceed the lower limit Ymin reach the transport conveyor 21.

[0037] The item supply system according to the above embodiment has the following advantages. (1) The above-mentioned item supply system includes a belt conveyor 10 that transports multiple items W in multiple rows, and multiple packaging sections 30 (processing mechanisms) that process the transported items W. Multiple sorting guides 12 (sorting means) are provided downstream of the belt conveyor 10. A conveying mechanism 20 is provided between the sorting guides 12 and the packaging sections 30. The items W are sorted into rows by the multiple sorting guides 12, and are transported toward each packaging section 30 by the conveying mechanism 20. The item supply system also includes a detection device 13 (detection means) and a control section. The detection device 13 detects information about the items W when they pass through a detection line 13a set in the detection device 13. The control section uses this detection information to determine whether the items W have passed through at a predetermined time interval based on the detection information of the detection device 13. The processing volume calculation means in the control unit determines, based on the detection information from the detection device 13, the row in which each of the items W detected by the detection device 13 at a predetermined time is located, and calculates the processing volume Y for each of the determined rows in which the items W detected at the predetermined time are processed by the packaging unit 30 corresponding to that row. Furthermore, the processing change means in the control unit generates, for each row, a processing capacity value to be changed for each packaging unit 30 before the items W detected at the predetermined time reach the packaging unit 30, based on the processing volume Y calculated by the processing volume calculation means. Furthermore, the control unit changes the packaging operation of each packaging unit 30 based on the information from the processing change means. This configuration allows the control unit to determine the row in which the conveyed items W are located and change the packaging operation of the packaging unit 30 corresponding to the determined row to a processing capacity that can process the identified items W before they reach the packaging unit 30, thereby providing an item supply system in which intermittent operation in each packaging unit 30 is unlikely to occur, even if the number of conveyed items W fluctuates in large quantities. (2) The product supply system detects the products W with the detection device 13 located at least upstream of the sorting guide 12, and can calculate the number of products W to be transported to each packaging section 30 per unit (at 10-second intervals in this embodiment) with ample time between the detection of the products W and the arrival of the detected products W at the packaging section 30. By calculating in this manner, the processing capacity of the packaging section 30 can be quickly changed, reducing the number of times the packaging section 30 operates intermittently. (3) The item supply system includes multiple horizontal form-fill-seal machines (packaging sections 30). Items W, which are conveyed in multiple rows on the belt conveyor 10, are assigned to the horizontal form-fill-seal machines for packaging, one row at a time. The horizontal form-fill-seal machine changes its throughput Y per unit time depending on the number of items W conveyed. This allows the items W conveyed in multiple rows to be assigned to multiple packaging sections 30, and the packaging capacity (processing capacity) of the horizontal form-fill-seal machine can be adjusted depending on the number of items W per row. Therefore, even if the number of items W conveyed in large quantities fluctuates, it is possible to reduce the number of times each horizontal form-fill-seal machine has to stop feeding film to the horizontal form-fill-seal machine. In other words, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of intermittent operation of the horizontal form-fill-seal machine. (4) The item supply system is equipped with a discharge means 26 on the upstream side of the conveying mechanism 20. If more than a predetermined number of items W are conveyed to the conveying mechanism 20, the excess number of items W is discharged outside the system by the discharge means 26. This prevents the number of items W conveyed toward the packaging unit 30 from exceeding the predetermined number. Therefore, the items W can be conveyed within a range that does not exceed the limit of the packaging unit 30's processing capacity. This allows the packaging unit 30 to process items without exceeding the upper limit Ymax (predetermined number) of the processing volume Y. In other words, this reduces the number of times the packaging unit 30 operates intermittently to prevent the production of defective products due to exceeding its processing capacity. In addition, it is possible to maintain a distance between the items W conveyed by the delivery conveyor 23 and the supply conveyor 24, allowing the items W to be supplied in accordance with the packaging timing of the packaging unit 30. (5) The detection means of the above-described item supply system can detect the number of items W placed in multiple rows for each row (each packaging unit 30) using a single detection device 13. This simplifies the device configuration compared to when a detection device is provided for each row. This reduces the manufacturing cost of the item supply system. Furthermore, control can be simplified compared to controlling multiple detection devices. (6) Since the processing capacity of the multiple packaging units 30 can be changed individually, even if the conveying amount varies depending on the row, such as in a curved conveyor, the multiple packaging units 30 can individually change their packaging capacity according to the changed conveying amount, making it less likely that intermittent operation will occur.

[0038] <Example of change> The present invention is not limited to the configurations described in the above-described embodiments, and various modifications, additions, and deletions are possible within the scope that does not change the gist of the present invention. (1) In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which a horizontal form-fill-seal machine was used as the processing mechanism, but this is not limited to this. For example, a horizontal three-sided packaging machine may be selected. Also, a boxing device that transfers items W into containers, boxes, etc. may be selected. By detecting the number of items W early and changing the processing capacity of the boxing device, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of items W being displaced or tipping over. (2) As long as the detection means can detect the number of items W, it is possible to select a CCD camera, a photoelectric sensor, a line sensor, etc. in addition to a 3D camera. (3) In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which a sorting guide 12 was arranged on the conveying surface 10a of the belt conveyor 10 as a sorting means, but this is not limited to this, and the configuration may also be such that the items W are sorted by a robot or pusher and handed over to each conveying mechanism 20. (4) In the above embodiment, five packaging units 30 are provided, but this is not limiting and the number of packaging units 30 can be changed as needed. In addition, the packaging units 30 may be packaging machines in which the capacity of only some of the packaging units 30 is fixed. (5) The transfer mechanism 20 may be configured such that part or all of the transfer conveyor 21 is driven by a linear motor. (6) In the above embodiment, the article supply system is exemplified as an example in which the conveying mechanism 20 does not include the supply conveyor 24 that supplies articles W to the packaging unit 30. However, the conveying mechanism 20 may not include the supply conveyor 24. In this case, the horizontal form-fill-seal machine may include the supply conveyor 24 and the bag making unit 30a. (7) The conveying mechanism 20 may be provided with a storage section for temporarily storing the articles W. For example, as in Patent No. 5478112, a conveyor for storing the articles W may be arranged between the transfer conveyor 21 and the delivery conveyor 23. This allows the shortage of articles W to be sent out without stopping the operation of the packaging section 30 when the number of conveyed articles W falls below the lower limit of the processing capacity. In other words, the frequency of intermittent operation to avoid producing empty packages can be reduced. (8) In the above embodiment, a single control unit in the article supply system (i) controls the processing amount calculation means and the processing change means based on detection information from the detection device 13, (ii) controls each belt conveyor 22 of the conveying mechanism 20 based on information from the sensor 25, and (iii) controls the packaging operation of the packaging unit 30. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and some or all of the above (i), (ii), and (iii) may be separated. For example, (i) and (ii) may be performed by one control unit, and (iii) may be performed by another control unit. Furthermore, the processing or control of (i), (ii), and (iii) may each be performed by a separate control unit. For convenience of explanation, an example in which a single control unit controls the packaging operation of all packaging units 30 has been described. However, a configuration in which each packaging unit 30 has its own control unit for controlling its packaging operation may also be used. Furthermore, a configuration in which control is performed based on upper and lower settings may also be used. Furthermore, a configuration in which information is transmitted between the separated control units may also be used. The timing for calculating each column may be calculated in ascending order based on the speed at which the articles arrive at the packaging machine. (9) The values ​​of t, X, α, A, Y, Ymax, Ymin, a to i, etc. in the above description and in Tables 1 and 2 are set arbitrarily depending on the article W to be transported, the configuration of each device, etc. (10) The range of processing capacity that allows proper processing of the packaging unit 30 may be set to less than 100%. For example, if the packaging capacity is 100% for the reference value A, the packaging capacity may be changed within the range of 90% to 110%. [Explanation of symbols]

[0039] W: Item Y: Processing volume 10: Belt conveyor 12: Sort guide (sorting means) 13: Detector (detection means) 20: Conveying mechanism 21: Conveying conveyor (conveying mechanism) 23: Delivery conveyor (conveying mechanism) 24: Supply conveyor (conveying mechanism) 26: Discharge means 30: Packaging section (processing mechanism)

Claims

1. a belt conveyor that conveys a plurality of articles placed in multiple rows with spaces between the articles, and that has a plurality of areas set to define boundaries between the rows in order to determine the positions of the articles on the conveying surface; a detection means for detecting all of the articles placed on the belt conveyor that are lined up in the width direction of the belt conveyor at once for a predetermined time period; a plurality of processing mechanisms that are provided in pairs for each region of the belt conveyor, and that wrap the transported articles in film and have variable processing capacities for wrapping the articles; a sorting means provided downstream of the detection means for sorting the articles placed on the belt conveyor to a pair of conveying paths arranged toward each of the processing mechanisms corresponding to each area of ​​the belt conveyor; a conveying mechanism that sequentially receives the articles sorted to the conveying path by the sorting means and sequentially conveys the articles toward the processing mechanism in synchronization with the processing timing of the processing mechanism; a control unit that changes the processing capacity of the processing mechanism, The control unit a processing amount calculation means for determining in which row each of the articles detected by the detection means at the predetermined time is located, and for calculating a processing amount per unit time for processing the articles detected at the predetermined time for each of the determined rows by the processing mechanism corresponding to the row; a processing change means for generating a processing capacity value to be changed based on information on the processing amount per unit time calculated by the processing amount calculation means until the head of the article detected at the predetermined time reaches the processing mechanism for each of the rows, changing the processing capacity of the processing mechanism corresponding to each of the columns based on the processing capacity value generated by the processing change means; As a range within which the processing capacity can be changed, an upper limit of an allowable processing amount that can prevent sealing defects due to insufficient sealing time of the film and a lower limit of an allowable processing amount that can prevent sealing defects due to excessive heat are set, The conveying mechanism is equipped with a discharge means for discharging the items upstream of the conveying mechanism, and when the items sorted by the sorting means are transported to the conveying path in excess of the upper limit of the processing volume, the discharge means discharges the amount of items exceeding the upper limit of the processing volume outside the conveying path system.

2. The transport mechanism comprises a transport conveyor that adjusts the distance between the front and rear of the articles, a delivery conveyor arranged downstream of the transport conveyor, and a supply conveyor that supplies the articles delivered from the delivery conveyor in accordance with the timing of film feeding, thereby forming transport surfaces that are arranged in series along the transport path, The item supply system of claim 1, wherein when the items are sent toward the processing mechanism within a range between the upper limit and lower limit of the processing volume, the control unit gradually changes the processing capacity of the processing mechanism between generating the processing capacity value and the time when the front of the items reaches the processing mechanism, changes the conveying speed of the supply conveyor in accordance with the packaging processing speed of the processing mechanism, and changes the conveying speed of the delivery conveyor to the same speed as the conveying speed of the supply conveyor.

3. The product supply system described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the processing mechanism is a horizontal bag form-fill-seal machine that overlaps both end edges of a strip-shaped packaging material to form it into a cylindrical shape, applies a vertical seal to the overlapping portion of the cylindrical packaging material along the feed direction of the packaging material, and applies horizontal seals in a direction intersecting the feed direction of the packaging material at positions before and after the product wrapped in the cylindrical packaging material.

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