Production control equipment, production management system, combination weighing equipment, and packaging equipment
The production management system addresses the need for manual sampling inspection by associating weighing values with identification information, reducing man-hours through automated data linkage and eliminating the need for manual weighing of packaged goods.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- ISHIDA CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2022-03-15
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-08
AI Technical Summary
Existing production lines require significant man-hours for sampling inspection due to the need to manually extract and weigh packaged goods to verify the accuracy of combination weighing devices and packaging processes.
A production management system that associates weighing values with identification information using calculation numbers, allowing for the generation of production information that eliminates the need to remove packaged goods for weighing by linking the weighing values with identification information stored in the packaging material.
Reduces the man-hours required for sampling inspection by enabling the retrieval of weighing values directly from the packaging material, thereby streamlining the inspection process and reducing communication and processing loads.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0005] , , ,
[0001] One aspect of the present invention relates to a production management device, a production management system, a combination weighing device, and a packaging device.
Background Art
[0002] As a production line for confectionery and the like, there is known a series of production lines including a combination weighing device that weighs and divides objects to be weighed having variations in individual weights so as to achieve a target weight, and a packaging device that manufactures bags from a film and accommodates the objects to be weighed weighed and divided by the combination weighing device in the manufactured bags. Patent Document 1 discloses a recording device that assigns a barcode to a bag containing a product manufactured in this way and stores the inspection result (X-ray image) of the product with the barcode in a storage memory.
[0003] In such a production line, in addition to the above-described X-ray inspection, an extraction inspection is performed manually in which the object to be weighed in the bag is extracted, the object to be weighed is weighed by static weighing, and compared with the display data of the combination weighing device. Then, based on the result of such an extraction inspection, an operation of verifying (adjusting) the combination weighing device is carried out.
Prior Art Documents
Patent Documents
[0004]
Patent Document 1
[0006] Therefore, one aspect of the present invention is to provide a production control device, a production management system, a combination weighing device, and a packaging device that can reduce the man-hours required for sampling inspection in a manufacturing line including a combination weighing device and a packaging device. [Means for solving the problem]
[0007] A production management device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a combination weighing device for calculating the combination of articles, a packaging device downstream of the combination weighing device for packaging the articles discharged from the combination weighing device with packaging material, a communication unit provided to communicate with the combination weighing device and the packaging device via the communication unit, and a storage unit for storing various information. The management unit generates production information that associates the weighed value of the articles weighed by the combination weighing device, which is output at the discharge timing when the combination weighing device discharges articles to the packaging device, with the identification information attached to the packaging material of the articles, which is output at the packaging timing when the articles discharged at the discharge timing are packaged by the packaging device, and stores this information in the storage unit.
[0008] In this production management system, by reading the identification information attached to the packaging material in which the goods are wrapped, the system can obtain the weighing value of the packaged goods based on the production information stored in the memory. This eliminates the need to remove the packaged goods from their packaging and weigh them. As a result, the man-hours required for sampling inspection can be reduced in a manufacturing line that includes a combined weighing device and a packaging device.
[0009] In a production management device according to one aspect of the present invention, the management unit may receive weighing information from a combination weighing device, which associates weighing values with calculation numbers associated with combination calculations, and also receive packaging information from a packaging device, which associates calculation numbers with identification information output at the packaging timing, and generate production information based on the weighing information and packaging information. In a production management device with this configuration, the weighing value of an item and the identification information attached to the packaging material can be associated using the calculation number as a key.
[0010] In a production management device according to one aspect of the present invention, the weighing information may include, in addition to the weighing value, information about the combined weighing device used when combined weighing was performed, as information associated with the calculation number. In a production management device with this configuration, instead of simply associating the weighing value with the identification information, information about the combined weighing device used when combined weighing was performed can be associated with the calculation number and stored. As a result, not only can the weighing value for each packaged product be grasped, but the state of the combined weighing device used when the items of the product identified by the identification information were combined weighed can be grasped retrospectively.
[0011] In a production management device according to one aspect of the present invention, the packaging information may include, in addition to identification information, information about the packaging device used when the article was packaged, as information associated with the calculation number. In a production management device with this configuration, instead of simply associating weighing values with identification information, information about the packaging device used when the article was packaged can be associated with the calculation number and stored. As a result, it is possible not only to grasp the weighing value for each packaged product, but also to retrospectively grasp the state of the packaging device when the article was packaged.
[0012] A production management system according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a combination weighing device for calculating combinations of articles, a packaging device provided to communicate with the combination weighing device and downstream of the combination weighing device for packaging articles discharged from the combination weighing device with packaging material, a management device provided to communicate with the combination weighing device and the packaging device, and a storage device for storing various information. The management device generates production information that associates weighing values for articles weighed by the combination weighing device, which are output at the discharge timing when the combination weighing device discharges articles to the packaging device, with identification information attached to the packaging material of the articles, which are output at the packaging timing when the articles corresponding to the weighing values are packaged by the packaging device, and stores this information in the storage device.
[0013] In this production management system configuration, by reading the identification information attached to the packaging material in which the goods are wrapped, the weighing value of the packaged goods can be obtained based on the production information stored in the memory. This eliminates the need to remove the packaged goods from their packaging and weigh them. As a result, the man-hours required for sampling inspection can be reduced in a manufacturing line that includes a combined weighing device and a packaging device.
[0014] In a production management system according to one aspect of the present invention, the combination weighing device outputs a calculation number generated each time a combination calculation is performed to the packaging device at the discharge timing, and outputs weighing information that associates the weighed value with the calculation number to the management device. The packaging device receives the calculation number output from the combination weighing device and outputs packaging information that associates the received calculation number with the identification information output at the packaging timing to the management device. The management device may generate production information based on the weighing information received from the combination weighing device and the packaging information received from the packaging device. In a production management system with this configuration, the calculation number can be used as a key to associate the weighed value of an item with the identification information attached to the packaging material.
[0015] In a production management system according to one aspect of the present invention, the weighing information may include, in addition to the weighing value, information about the combination weighing device when the combination calculation was performed, as information associated with the calculation number. In a production management system with this configuration, instead of simply associating weighing values with identification information, other information can be associated with and stored with the calculation number. As a result, not only can the weighing value for each packaged product be grasped, but the state of the combination weighing device when the items of the product identified by the identification information were combined and weighed can be grasped retrospectively.
[0016] In a production management system according to one aspect of the present invention, the packaging information may include, in addition to identification information, information related to the packaging device used when the article was packaged, as information associated with the calculation number. In a production management system with this configuration, instead of simply associating weighing values with identification information, other information can be associated with and stored in relation to the calculation number. As a result, it is possible not only to grasp the weighing value for each packaged product, but also to retrospectively grasp the state of the packaging device when the article was packaged.
[0017] In a combination weighing device for a production management system according to one aspect of the present invention, the timing of sending weighing information to the management device and the timing of sending the calculation number to the packaging device may differ. In a production management system with this configuration, communication load or processing load can be reduced by changing the timing of each transmission. In other words, the transmission timing to the packaging device, which is immediately required during production, can be sent before the transmission timing to the management device. By making the transmission timings different in this way, communication load or processing load can be reduced.
[0018] A combination weighing device according to one aspect of the present invention is a combination weighing device that performs combination calculations on articles, and comprises a communication unit that is communicably provided to a packaging device downstream of the combination weighing device that packages articles discharged from the combination weighing device with packaging material, a management device that manages the combination weighing device, and a control unit that outputs a calculation number generated each time a combination calculation is performed to the packaging device at the discharge timing when articles are discharged to the packaging device, and outputs weighing information to the management device that associates the weighed values of the articles weighed by the combination calculation with the calculation number.
[0019] In this configuration of a combined weighing device, the combined weighing device can output information necessary to generate production information that associates the weighed value of the item weighed by the combined weighing device (output at the discharge timing when the combined weighing device discharges the item to the packaging device) with the identification information attached to the packaging material of the item (output at the packaging timing when the item corresponding to the weighed value is packaged by the packaging device). This eliminates the need to remove the packaged item from its packaging and weigh it. As a result, the man-hours required for sampling inspection can be reduced in a manufacturing line that includes both a combined weighing device and a packaging device.
[0020] In the control unit of a combination weighing device according to one aspect of the present invention, the timing of sending weighing information to the management device and the timing of sending the calculation number to the packaging device may be different. In a combination weighing device with this configuration, the communication load can be reduced by changing the timing of their transmissions. In other words, the transmission timing to the packaging device, which is immediately required during production, can be sent before the transmission timing to the management device. By making the transmission timings different in this way, the communication load or processing load can be reduced.
[0021] A packaging device according to one aspect of the present invention is a packaging device that packages articles discharged from a combination weighing device with packaging material downstream of a combination weighing device that calculates the combination of articles, and comprises a communication unit provided to communicate with a combination weighing device and a management device that manages the packaging device, and a control unit that receives a calculation number generated each time a combination calculation is performed at the discharge timing when articles are discharged from the combination weighing device, and outputs packaging information to the management device that associates the calculation number with identification information attached to the packaging material of the articles output at the packaging timing when the articles discharged from the combination weighing device are packaged.
[0022] In the packaging device with this configuration, the management device can output information necessary to generate production information in which the measured value of the articles measured by the combined weighing device, which is output at the discharge timing when the combined weighing device discharges the articles to the packaging device, is associated with the identification information given to the packaging material of the articles, which is output at the packaging timing when the articles corresponding to the measured value are packaged in the packaging device. Thereby, the labor of taking out the packaged articles from the package and weighing the articles can be saved. As a result, in the production line including the combined weighing device and the packaging device, the man-hours required for sampling inspection can be reduced.
Effect of the Invention
[0023] According to one aspect of the present invention, in a production line including a combined weighing device and a packaging device, the man-hours required for sampling inspection can be reduced.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0024] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration of a production line managed by a production management system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a combined weighing device. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a bag-making packaging device. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a production management system. [Figure 5] FIG. 5(A) is a diagram showing an example of weighing information, and FIG. 5(B) is a diagram showing an example of packaging information. [Figure 6] FIG. 6(A) is a diagram showing an example of weight inspection information, FIG. 6(B) is a diagram showing an example of bag thickness inspection information, and FIG. 6(C) is a diagram showing an example of production information.
Mode for Carrying Out the Invention
[0025] A production management system 100 according to one embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations are omitted.
[0026] As shown in Figure 1, the production management system 100 comprises at least a combination weighing device 1, a bag-making and packaging device (packaging device) 3, and a production management device 10. In addition to these components, the production management system 100 also comprises a weight inspection device 5, a seal inspection device 6, and a box-packing device 7. The group of devices consisting of the combination weighing device 1, the bag-making and packaging device 3, the weight inspection device 5, the seal inspection device 6, and the box-packing device 7 constitutes a manufacturing line that performs weighing and packaging of item A, as well as inspection and box-packing of product M. Item A is an item with variations in individual mass, such as snacks, agricultural products, marine products, and processed foods.
[0027] The combination weighing device 1 is a device that calculates the combined weight of item A. As shown in Figure 2, the combination weighing device 1 comprises an input chute 12, a distribution feeder 13, a plurality of radiating feeders 14, a plurality of pool hoppers 15, a plurality of weighing hoppers 16, a collection chute 17, a timing hopper 18, a weighing unit 11, a display operation unit 24, a communication unit 26, and a control unit 22. The combination weighing device 1 supplies item A to the plurality of weighing hoppers 16 for weighing, determines a combination of the plurality of weighing hoppers 16 based on the weighed value of each item in the plurality of weighing hoppers 16 obtained, selects a combination of item A that is close to the target weight value from the determined combination, and repeats the cycle of discharging the item from the plurality of weighing hoppers 16 related to the selected combination.
[0028] The weighing unit 11 is located in a case 21 supported by a frame 20. The weighing unit 11 has a plurality of load cells 11A. Each load cell 11A supports a corresponding weighing hopper 16. The weighing unit 11 weighs (acquires) the weight value of each weighing hopper (a weighing value corresponding to the mass of item A) when item A is temporarily stored in each weighing hopper 16. In this embodiment, the weighing unit 11 acquires a time-series weighing value by weighing in real time (sequentially weighing) in at least one of the plurality of weighing hoppers 16.
[0029] The communication unit 26 is an interface that enables communication with other devices. The communication unit 26 is provided to communicate with the bag-making and packaging device 3 and the control device 8. Communication between the bag-making and packaging device 3 and the control device 8 may be wired or wireless.
[0030] The control unit 22 is located inside the case 21. The control unit 22 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The control unit 22 controls each part that constitutes the combined weighing device 1. As shown in Figure 4, the control unit 22 is connected to both the bag-making and packaging device 3 and the management device 8 via a communication unit 26.
[0031] The control unit 22 stores the measured values measured by the weighing unit 11 in association with the weighing hopper 16 that stores the corresponding item A. From the multiple measured values of each item A measured by the weighing unit 11 and associated with each weighing hopper 16, the control unit 22 selects a combination of item A such that the sum equals the target weight. More specifically, the control unit 22 combines the measured values of each item A output by each weighing unit 11 and selects a combination of item A such that the sum of the combinations is close to the target weight and falls within a predetermined range (combination calculation). Then, the control unit 22 discharges the item A from the weighing hopper 16 of the calculated combination of item A.
[0032] The control unit 22 issues (generates) a calculation number each time a combination calculation is performed. More specifically, as shown in Figure 5(A), the control unit 22 generates weighing information T1 that associates at least the weighing value with the calculation number generated each time a combination calculation is performed. The weighing value is a value close to the target weight value calculated by combining the weighing values of load cells 11A corresponding to multiple weighing hoppers 16. In this embodiment, the weighing information T1, as information associated with the calculation number, includes not only the weighing value but also information about the combination weighing device at the time the combination calculation was performed. Examples of this information about the combination weighing device include a timestamp 1, which is time information when the combination calculation was performed; the number of heads, which is the number of weighing hoppers 16 used in the combination calculation; and hopper identification information, which identifies the weighing hoppers 16 used in the combination calculation.
[0033] As shown in Figure 4, the control unit 22 outputs a calculation number generated each time a combination calculation is performed to the bag-making and packaging device 3 at the discharge timing for discharging item A. Item A, discharged from the weighing hopper 16 selected when the combination calculation is performed, is discharged simultaneously from the timing hopper 18 by the interlocking mechanism described above. The control unit 22 controls the interlocking mechanism and also monitors the timing at which item A, discharged from the weighing hopper 16 selected when the combination calculation is performed, is discharged from the timing hopper 18. This allows the control unit 22 to output the discharge timing for discharging item A to the bag-making and packaging device 3.
[0034] Furthermore, the control unit 22 outputs the weighing information T1 to the management device 8 via the communication unit 26. The timing at which the control unit 22 outputs the weighing information T1 to the management device 8 is different from the timing at which the calculation number is sent to the bag-making and packaging device 3. In other words, the timing at which the control unit 22 sends the calculation number to the bag-making and packaging device 3 and the timing at which it sends the weighing information T1 to the management device 8 are different. For example, the control unit 22 sends the weighing number to the bag-making and packaging device 3 prior to the timing at which it sends the weighing information T1 to the management device 8. In this way, the communication load or processing load on the control unit 22 and the communication unit 26 can be reduced while transmitting the information necessary for production in real time.
[0035] The bag-making and packaging apparatus 3 shown in Figure 1 is a device that manufactures product M by packaging product A, which has been calculated by the combination weighing device 1, while simultaneously making bags to package product A. As shown in Figure 3, the bag-making and packaging apparatus 3 bags product A supplied from the combination weighing device 1. The bag-making and packaging apparatus 3 comprises a bag-making and packaging unit 31, a film supply unit 37, a printing unit 40, a display operation unit 44, and a control unit 42.
[0036] The printing unit 40 prints (assigns) a bag serial number (identification information) that identifies bag B onto the packaging film (packaging material) F that forms bag B. The bag serial number is, for example, a number that can uniquely distinguish bags B manufactured during a certain period. The bag serial number printed by the printing unit 40 is acquired by the control unit 42.
[0037] The communication unit 46 is an interface that enables communication with other devices. The communication unit 46 is provided to communicate with the combination weighing device 1 and the control device 8. Communication between the combination weighing device 1 and the control device 8 may be wired or wireless.
[0038] The control unit 42 is located inside the main body (not shown) of the bag-making and packaging device 3. The control unit 42 includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc. The control unit 42 controls each part that constitutes the bag-making and packaging device 3. The control unit 42 is connected to both the combined weighing device 1 and the management device 8 via a communication unit 46.
[0039] The control unit 42 assigns a bag serial number (identification information) output at the packaging timing when packaging item A discharged from the combination weighing device 1 to the packaging film F (i.e., bag B) of item A. More specifically, the control unit 42 issues (generates) a bag serial number each time bag B is formed, and controls the printing unit 40 to print the issued bag serial number onto bag B in which item A discharged from the combination weighing device 1 is packaged.
[0040] The control unit 42 receives a calculation number, which is generated each time a combination calculation is performed, via the communication unit 46 at the discharge timing when item A is discharged from the combination weighing device. Then, as shown in Figure 5(B), the control unit 42 generates packaging information T2 that associates the calculation number with the bag serial number assigned to the packaging film F of item A, which is output at the packaging timing when item A discharged from the combination weighing device 1 is packaged. As shown in Figure 4, the control unit 42 outputs the packaging information T2 to the management device 8 via the communication unit 46.
[0041] In this embodiment, the packaging information T2 includes, in addition to the bag serial number, information about the bag-making and packaging device 3 at the time when the item A discharged from the combination weighing device was packaged, as information associated with the calculation number. Examples of this information about the bag-making and packaging device 3 include a timestamp 2, which is time information when the bag-making and packaging device 3 was operated, and information such as whether or not the item A was jammed when it was packaged.
[0042] The weight inspection device 5 is a device that inspects the weight of the product M manufactured by the bag-making and packaging device 3. As shown in Figure 6(A), the weight inspection device 5 generates weight inspection information T3 that associates the bag serial number read by the camera 51, the weight value inspected by the weight inspection device 5, and the inspection time (timestamp 3). As shown in Figure 4, the control unit outputs the weight inspection information T3 to the management device 8 via the communication unit 53.
[0043] The seal inspection device 6 is a device that inspects the thickness of the product M bag and whether or not there is any air leakage. As shown in Figure 6(B), the seal inspection device 6 generates bag thickness inspection information T4 that associates the bag serial number read by the camera 61, the bag thickness inspected by the seal inspection device 6, and the inspection time (timestamp 4). As shown in Figure 4, the control unit outputs the bag thickness inspection information T4 to the management device 8 via the communication unit 63. The boxing device 7 is a device that packs the product M into cardboard boxes. The boxing device 7 packs multiple products M into cardboard boxes and transports them to the downstream process.
[0044] As shown in Figure 4, the production control device 10 comprises a communication unit 83, a control device (control unit) 8, and a memory device (storage unit) 9. The communication unit 83 is an interface that enables communication with other devices. The communication unit 83 is provided to communicate with the combination weighing device 1, the bag-making and packaging device 3, the weight inspection device 5, the seal inspection device 6, and the box-packing device 7. Communication with other devices may be wired or wireless.
[0045] The control device 8 is a device that comprehensively manages the combination weighing device 1, the bag-making and packaging device 3, the weight inspection device 5, the seal inspection device 6, the box-packing device 7, and the storage device 9. The control device 8 is a computer device having a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc. The control device 8 generates production information T5 shown in Figure 6(C), which associates the weighed value of the total value of item A weighed by the combination weighing device 1, output at the discharge timing when item A is discharged to the bag-making and packaging device 3, with the bag serial number assigned to the packaging film F of item A, output at the packaging timing when item A discharged at the discharge timing is packaged by the bag-making and packaging device 3, and stores this production information T5 in the storage device 9.
[0046] As shown in Figure 4, in this embodiment, the control device 8 receives weighing information T1, shown in Figure 5(A), from the combination weighing device 1, which associates weighing values with calculation numbers associated with combination calculations. The control device 8 also receives packaging information T2, shown in Figure 5(B), from the bag-making and packaging device 3, which associates calculation numbers with identification information output at the packaging timing. The control device 8 then uses the calculation number as a key to combine the weighing information T1 received from the combination weighing device 1 and the packaging information T2 received from the bag-making and packaging device 3 to generate production information T5.
[0047] The storage device 9 is a device that stores production information T5 (described in detail later) generated by the management device 8. The storage device 9 is a device such as a hard disk drive or a solid state drive. The storage device 9 stores production information T5 generated by the management device 8.
[0048] The effects and advantages of the production management system 100 in the above embodiment will now be explained. In the production management system 100 of the above embodiment, by reading the bag serial number printed on the packaging film F in which the item A is packaged, the weighing value of the packaged item A can be obtained based on the production information T5 stored in the storage device 9. This eliminates the need to remove the packaged item A from its packaging and weigh it. As a result, the man-hours required for sampling inspection can be reduced in a manufacturing line including the combined weighing device 1 and the bag-making and packaging device 3.
[0049] In the production management system 100 of the above embodiment, the combination weighing device 1 outputs a calculation number generated each time a combination calculation is performed to the bag-making and packaging device 3 at the discharge timing, and also outputs weighing information T1, which associates the weighed value with the calculation number, to the management device 8. The bag-making and packaging device 3 receives the calculation number output from the combination weighing device 1 and outputs packaging information T2 to the management device 8, which associates the received calculation number with the bag serial number output at the packaging timing. The management device 8 generates production information T5 based on the weighing information T1 received from the combination weighing device 1 and the packaging information T2 received from the bag-making and packaging device 3. This makes it possible to associate the weighed value of item A with the bag serial number assigned to the packaging film F, using the calculation number as a key.
[0050] In the production management system 100 of the above embodiment, instead of simply associating weighing values with bag serial numbers, information such as the number of heads, hopper identification information, and a timestamp (time information when the combination calculation was performed) can be associated with the calculation number and stored. This makes it possible not only to grasp the weighing value for each packaged product, but also to retrospectively grasp the state of the combination weighing device 1 when item A of product M, identified by the bag serial number, was combined weighed.
[0051] In the production management system 100 of the above embodiment, instead of simply associating the weighed value with the bag serial number, the system can associate and store information such as a timestamp, which is the time information when the bag-making and packaging device 3 was operated, and whether or not the item A was jammed when it was packaged, with the calculation number. This makes it possible not only to grasp the weighed value for each packaged product M, but also to retrospectively grasp the state of the bag-making and packaging device 3 when the item A was packaged.
[0052] In the combined weighing device 1 of the production management system 100 of the above embodiment, the timing of sending weighing information T1 to the management device 8 and the timing of sending the calculation number to the bag-making and packaging device 3 are different from each other, and the communication load can be reduced by changing the timing of their respective transmissions.
[0053] Although one embodiment has been described above, one aspect of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. Various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention.
[0054] In the above embodiment, an example was given for the calculation number issued by the combination weighing device 1, which consists of a combination of numbers and letters. However, any combination that can be distinguished from other weighings is acceptable, such as numbers only, letters only, or a combination of these with symbols. The same applies to the bag serial number issued by the bag-making and packaging device 3.
[0055] In the above embodiments and modifications, examples were given in which a bag serial number is printed on the bag manufactured by the bag-making and packaging device 3, but the invention is not limited thereto. For example, an IC tag storing the bag serial number may be attached, or a code (one-dimensional code, two-dimensional code, design, color, pattern, color scheme) that can be uniquely converted to the bag serial number may be used.
[0056] In the above embodiments and modifications, an example was given in which the bag-making and packaging device 3 seals article A into bag B and prints a bag serial number on the sealed bag B. However, for example, a bag serial number may be pre-assigned to the packaging film F, and the bag serial number may be generated (acquired) by reading the bag serial number printed on the sealed bag B with a camera or the like.
[0057] In the above embodiments and modifications, an example was given in which the combination weighing device 1 transmits a calculation number to the bag-making and packaging device 3. However, the combination weighing device 1 may transmit the weighing value to the bag-making and packaging device 3, the bag-making and packaging device 3 may generate packaging information associating the weighing value with the bag serial number and transmit it to the management device 8, and the management device 8 may store the packaging information received from the bag-making and packaging device 3 in the storage device 9.
[0058] In the above embodiments and modifications, a manufacturing line consisting of a group of devices including a combination weighing device 1, a bag-making and packaging device 3, a weight inspection device 5, a seal inspection device 6, and a box-packing device 7 was described as an example. However, as long as the combination weighing device 1 and the bag-making and packaging device 3 are included, the weight inspection device 5, the seal inspection device 6, and the box-packing device 7 do not all need to be included, some of the devices may be included, or other devices may be included. Furthermore, regardless of the devices that constitute the manufacturing line, the control device 8 may store packaging information in the storage device 9, in which at least the weighing value and the bag serial number of the bag B in which the item A corresponding to the weighing value is packaged are associated.
[0059] In the above embodiments and modifications, an example was given in which a device that manufactures bags B and then places articles A into bags B is used as an example of a packaging device. However, it may also be applied to a device that places articles A into bags B that have been manufactured in advance.
[0060] In addition to the functions of the management device 8 of the above embodiment and modified example, a combined weighing function (hereinafter referred to as "check weighing") may be provided to check whether the weighed value of item A contained in bag B, which is identified by the bag serial number acquired as production information T5, matches the weighed value acquired by production information T5. Specifically, the management device 8 controls the control unit 22 of the combined weighing device 1 to weigh a weight value greater than the target weight value set in the combined weighing device 1 (for example, a 5% increase) at a predetermined timing.
[0061] The predetermined timings may include patterns such as performing a check weighing once every few normal weighings, or performing one normal weighing → one check weighing → two normal weighings → one check weighing → three normal weighings → one check weighing. The control device 8 may also check whether the weighing value of item A contained in bag B, which is identified by the bag serial number acquired as production information T5, matches the weighing value acquired by production information T5, based on whether the weighing number, weighing value, and weight value inspected by the weight inspection device 5 at the time of the check weighing are approximately the same, and whether the appearance pattern of the weighing value at the time of the check weighing matches the predetermined timings. [Explanation of Symbols]
[0062] 1...Combination weighing device, 3...Bag making and packaging device (packaging device), 5...Weight inspection device, 6...Seal inspection device, 7...Box packing device, 8...Management device (management unit), 9...Storage device (storage unit), 10...Production management device, 100...Production management system, A...Items, B...Bags, F...Packaging film (packaging material), M...Products, T1...Weighing information, T2...Packaging information, T5...Production information.
Claims
1. A combination weighing device for weighing a combination of items, and a packaging device downstream of the combination weighing device for packaging the items discharged from the combination weighing device with packaging material, and a communication unit provided to enable communication between the two, A control unit is provided to communicate with the combination weighing device and the packaging device via the aforementioned communication unit. It comprises a memory unit for storing various types of information, The aforementioned management department, The combined weighing device receives weighing information from the combined weighing device, which is output at the discharge timing when the combined weighing device discharges the articles to the packaging device, and which includes a calculation number generated for each combined weighing operation or the weighed value of the articles weighed by the combined weighing device. The system receives packaging information that associates the calculation number or the measured value with the identification information attached to the packaging material of the article, which is output at the packaging timing when the article discharged at the discharge timing is packaged by the packaging device. A production management device that generates production information based on the weighing information and the packaging information and stores it in the storage unit.
2. The production management device according to claim 1, wherein the management unit receives the weighing information from the combination weighing device, which associates the weighing value with the calculation number, and receives the packaging information from the packaging device, which associates the calculation number with the identification information output at the packaging timing, and generates the production information based on the weighing information and the packaging information.
3. The production management device according to claim 2, wherein the weighing information includes, in addition to the weighing value, information relating to the combination weighing device when the combination weighing is performed, as information associated with the calculation number.
4. The production management device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the packaging information includes, in addition to the identification information, information relating to the packaging device when the article was packaged, as information associated with the calculation number.
5. A combination weighing device for weighing items in combination, A packaging device is provided to communicate with the aforementioned combination weighing device and is located downstream of the combination weighing device for packaging articles discharged from the combination weighing device with packaging material. A control device is provided that can communicate with the aforementioned combination weighing device and the aforementioned packaging device, It is equipped with a memory device that stores various types of information, The aforementioned control device is The combined weighing device receives weighing information from the combined weighing device, which is output at the discharge timing when the combined weighing device discharges the articles to the packaging device, and which includes a calculation number generated for each combined weighing operation or the weighed value of the articles weighed by the combined weighing device. The system receives packaging information that associates the calculation number or the measured value with the identification information attached to the packaging material of the article, which is output at the packaging timing when the article discharged at the discharge timing is packaged by the packaging device. A production management system that generates production information based on the weighing information and the packaging information and stores it in the storage device.
6. The combination weighing device outputs the calculation number to the packaging device at the discharge timing, and outputs the weighing information, which associates the weighing value with the calculation number, to the management device. The packaging device receives the calculation number output from the combination weighing device and outputs the packaging information, which associates the received calculation number with the identification information output at the packaging timing, to the management device. The production management system according to claim 5, wherein the management device generates the production information based on the weighing information received from the combined weighing device and the packaging information received from the packaging device.
7. The production management system according to claim 6, wherein the weighing information includes, in addition to the weighing value, information relating to the combination weighing device when the combination weighing is performed, as information associated with the calculation number.
8. The production management system according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the packaging information includes, in addition to the identification information, information relating to the packaging device when the article was packaged, as information associated with the calculation number.
9. The production management system according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the timing of sending the weighing information to the management device and the timing of sending the calculation number to the packaging device are different.
10. A combination weighing device for weighing items in combination, A packaging device that packages the items discharged from the combination weighing device with packaging material downstream of the combination weighing device, and a communication unit provided to communicate with the combination weighing device, A combination weighing device comprising: a control unit that outputs a calculation number generated each time the combination weighing is performed, or the weighed value of the article weighed by the combination weighing device, to the packaging device at the discharge timing for discharging the article to the packaging device, and outputs weighing information including the calculation number or the weighed value to the management device.
11. The combination weighing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the timing for sending the weighing information to the management device and the timing for sending the calculation number to the packaging device are different in the control unit.
12. A packaging device located downstream of a combination weighing device that weighs a combination of items, which packages the items discharged from the combination weighing device with packaging material, A communication unit is provided to communicate with the aforementioned combination weighing device and the management device for managing the aforementioned packaging device. A packaging device comprising: a control unit that receives a calculation number generated each time the combined weighing is performed, or the weighed value of the article weighed by the combined weighing device, at the discharge timing when the article is discharged from the combined weighing device, and outputs packaging information to the management device, which associates the calculation number or the weighed value with identification information attached to the packaging material of the article, which is output at the packaging timing when the article discharged from the combined weighing device is packaged.