JP2012098162A - Weight sorter and metric package inspection system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a weight sorter and a metric package inspection system in which it can be more accurately inspected whether or not articles of storage objects are put in a package neither too much not too little.SOLUTION: There are provided a combination balance 1 which determines such a combination of hoppers that the total number of supplied articles matches a target number, and ejects articles from the combination of hoppers iteratively, a packaging machine 3 which manufactures a package in which the articles ejected from the hoppers are stored in a bag, and a weight sorter 4 which performs metric processing, reference value calculation processing and quality determination processing. In the metric processing, a weight of the package conveyed from the packaging machine 3 is measured. In the reference value calculation processing, a total weight value of the articles ejected from the hoppers is acquired and a weight value of the bag is added to the acquired total weight value, thereby calculating a reference value for the package in which the articles of the acquired total weight value are stored. In the quality determination processing, it is determined whether the package has a high quality or not on the basis of whether the weight of the package is settled within an allowable range for the reference value.

Description

  The present invention relates to a weight sorter and a weighing and packaging inspection system that perform weight inspection on a packaged product in which articles are packaged.

  For products such as confectionery, for example, an article weighed with a combination weigher is discharged into a packaged product and packaged by a packaging machine, and then inspected by a weight sorter.

  In such a conventional weighing and packaging inspection system, for example, a packaging machine is installed below the combination weigher, and articles weighed by the combination weigher are sequentially discharged and sequentially packaged by the packaging machine. Here, in the combination weigher, the articles are discharged to the packaging machine by opening and closing the discharge gates of the hoppers selected for the combination. However, there may be cases where the shortage and excessive quantity of the packaged goods occur due to defective discharge of the articles from the hopper. is there. Causes of defective discharge of articles from the hopper include when the article bites into the hopper discharge gate, when the article sticks to the hopper and does not discharge, or when the article is delayed from being discharged from the hopper due to adhesion, etc. Etc. In addition, in the packaging machine, a shortage and an excessive quantity may occur in the package due to poor sealing timing by the horizontal sealing machine 35 (see FIG. 2).

  Therefore, a weight sorter is installed at the subsequent stage of the packaging machine, and the weight sorter inspects a missing item or the like for the packaged product.

  Here, in the weight sorter, a reference value, an upper limit allowable value, and a lower limit allowable value are set in order to determine a range (appropriate amount range) to be determined as a non-defective product, and (reference value−lower limit allowable value) to (reference value). Value + upper limit allowable value) is an appropriate amount range. If the weight of the packaged product is within the appropriate amount range, it is determined to be a non-defective product, and if it is outside the appropriate amount range, it is determined to be a defective product.

  In Patent Document 1, in a weight sorter, an appropriate amount range is changed by changing a reference value so as to be equal to an average weight of a predetermined number of weights within an appropriate amount range, thereby being included in an object to be weighed. There is described a configuration in which an excess or deficiency in the number of items contained in an object to be weighed can be checked even when the average weight of the item changes due to moisture absorption, drying, or the like.

  Further, in Patent Document 2, in a weight sorter, a next reference value is obtained by a least square method using a weighing signal indicating the weight of an object to be weighed within an appropriate amount range and the number of times of weighing or the weighing time. A configuration is disclosed in which the time delay of the reference value change is eliminated by estimating

Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. 61-12525 Japanese Patent No. 3427945

  The techniques described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 above are based on whether or not the number of articles in the object to be weighed (packaged product) is excessive or insufficient with respect to articles whose weight increases or decreases over time. This is effective when performing inspection. However, an accurate inspection cannot be performed in the following cases.

  For example, when manufacturing a packaged product in which a predetermined number (a target number) of articles is packaged, if the variation in the weight of one article is large, the inspection cannot be performed. More specifically, for example, in the case of manufacturing a packaged product in which 10 articles each having a large variation such as a weight of 3 g to 5 g (for example, candy) are contained in one bag, an appropriate reference value is set. An upper limit allowable value and a lower limit allowable value cannot be set, and it cannot be inspected whether or not a predetermined number of articles are contained in the packaged product.

  Even when the combination weigher is configured to discharge the articles whose total weight is within the predetermined weight range without counting the number of articles, for example, when the appropriate amount range in the weight sorter is wide, accurate inspection is possible. Can not. A configuration capable of performing a more accurate inspection is desired.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems, and a weight sorter and weighing device that can more accurately inspect whether or not an article as a stored item is contained in a package without excess or deficiency. The purpose is to provide a packaging inspection system.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the weight sorter of the present invention, an article discharged from the hopper selected in a combination determined in a combination weigher having a plurality of hoppers to which articles are supplied is stored in a bag. The total weight value of the articles discharged from the hopper selected for the combination and the weighing process for weighing the packaged goods conveyed from the packaging machine that manufactures the packaged goods, and the obtained total A reference value calculation process for calculating a reference value for performing a pass / fail judgment process for a packaged product in which the articles of the acquired total weight value are stored by adding a weight value of a predetermined bag to the weight value; Before determining whether or not the packaged product is a non-defective product with no excess or shortage of stored articles based on whether or not the weight of the measured packaged product is within an allowable range with respect to the calculated reference value. It is configured to perform a quality judgment process.

  According to this configuration, the total weight value of the articles discharged from the hopper of the combination weigher is obtained, and an allowable range for determining a non-defective product is determined using a value obtained by adding the weight value of the bag to the total weight value as a reference value. ing. Therefore, the allowable range can be set narrow, and it is possible to more accurately check whether or not an article is contained in the packaged product without excess or deficiency. For example, when the combination weigher is configured to obtain one hopper combination in which the total number of supplied articles matches the target number, and to discharge the articles from the hopper selected for the combination. Even if there is a large variation in the weight of one article, the allowable range can be set narrowly, and it is possible to accurately inspect whether or not the target number of articles is contained in the package without excess or deficiency. . Further, the combination weigher obtains one hopper combination in which the total weight of the supplied articles falls within a predetermined weight range (allowable range with respect to the target weight), and discharges the articles from the hopper selected as the combination. Even in such a configuration, the allowable range can be set narrow, and it is possible to more accurately check whether or not an article is contained in the package without excess or deficiency.

  The weighing and packaging inspection system of the present invention includes a plurality of hoppers to which articles are supplied, and calculates the number of articles supplied to the hopper based on a weight value of the articles supplied to the hopper. A combination weigher that repeatedly obtains one combination of the hoppers in which the total number of supplied articles matches the target number, and repeatedly discharges the articles from the hopper selected as the combination, and selects the combination A packaging machine that manufactures a packaged product in which a product discharged from the hopper is stored in a bag, a weighing process that measures the weight of the packaged product conveyed from the packaging machine, and the combination is selected. The total weight value of the articles discharged from the hopper is acquired, and the weight value of the predetermined bag is added to the acquired total weight value so that the articles having the acquired total weight value are collected. Based on a reference value calculation process for calculating a reference value for performing a pass / fail judgment process for the packaged product, and whether or not the weight of the measured packaged product is within an allowable range for the calculated reference value, The package product includes a weight sorter that performs the pass / fail determination process for determining whether or not the number of stored articles is a non-defective product.

  According to this configuration, the weight sorter acquires the total weight value of the articles discharged from the hopper of the combination weigher, and allows the determination as a non-defective product using the value obtained by adding the weight value of the bag to the total weight value as a reference value. By defining the range, even if there is a large variation in the weight of one item, the allowable range can be set narrow, and the inspection of whether or not the target number of items is contained in the package is accurate. Can be done.

  Further, the packaging machine simultaneously seals the upper end of the bag containing the articles discharged from the hopper and the lower end of the next bag following the upper end, and cuts the central part of the sealed portion to A vertical pillow type packaging machine configured to be separated into packaged items, a biting detection means for detecting that the article has been caught in the sealing portion, and an article caught by the biting detection means For transporting a packaged product in which the upper end of the bag is sealed and a packaged product in which the lower end of the bag is sealed from the packaging machine to the weight sorter. Distribution means for removing from the transport path, and configured to transmit package product deletion information indicating the package product removed from the transport path by the distribution means to the combination weigher, Contained in the package that is transported from the packaging machine to the weight sorter. The total weight value of the article being may be configured to transmit to the weight sorter.

  According to this configuration, in the packaging machine, when an article is caught in the sealed part, the packaged product having the sealed part is removed from the transport path by the sorting means. The total weight value of the articles stored in is not transmitted from the combination weigher to the weight sorter.

  In addition, the packaging machine has input means for inputting package product deletion information indicating the package product removed from the transport path for transporting the package product from the packaging machine to the weight sorter, and a predetermined abnormality has occurred. Control means for sometimes stopping the operation of the packaging machine, and operation means for restarting the operation after the stop, and after the package item deletion information is input by the input means, the operation means is operated. When resumed, the package item deletion information is configured to be transmitted to the combination weigher, and the combination weigher is a total of articles stored in the package item conveyed from the packaging machine to the weight sorter. The weight value may be transmitted to the weight sorter.

  According to this configuration, when a predetermined abnormality occurs in the packaging machine and automatically stops, the operator removes the package, inputs the package deletion information indicating the removed package, and then resumes operation. By doing so, the total weight value of the articles stored in the removed package is not transmitted from the combination weigher to the weight sorter.

  The apparatus further comprises a metal detector that is provided in a passage through which articles discharged from the combination weigher drop and are sent to the packaging machine, and detects the metal that passes through the passage, and the packaging machine includes the metal detector A packaged product in which an article discharged from the hopper when a metal is detected and an article discharged from the hopper are stored in a single bag having a length longer than that of the packaged package containing no metal And a long bag product manufacturing information indicating that a package product having a long bag is manufactured is transmitted to the combination weigher, and the combination weigher is sent from the packaging machine to the weight sorter. The total weight value of the articles stored in the package that does not include the metal among the packages to be conveyed is configured to be transmitted to the weight sorter, and the weight sorter has a length of the bag. For long packages, the above standard value is calculated. Without the physical and the quality determination process, it may be configured to process as a defective product.

  According to this configuration, the weight sorter processes a packaged product containing metal as a defective product without performing the reference value calculation process and the pass / fail determination process.

  The present invention provides a weight sorter and a weighing and packaging inspection system having the above-described configuration and capable of more accurately inspecting whether or not a packaged article contains a stored item without excess or deficiency. There is an effect that can be done.

It is the schematic which shows an example of a structure of the measurement packaging inspection system of embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic which shows an example of a structure of the packaging machine used for the measurement packaging inspection system of embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows transmission and reception of the signal and information in the measurement packaging inspection system of embodiment of this invention. (A) is a figure which shows the scale table memorize | stored in the memory in a combination scale control apparatus, (b) is a figure which shows the packaging table memorize | stored in the memory in a packaging machine control apparatus.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same or corresponding elements are denoted by the same reference symbols throughout all the drawings, and redundant description thereof is omitted. Further, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiment.

(Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a weighing and packaging inspection system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the packaging machine according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing transmission and reception of signals and information in the weighing and packaging inspection system of the present embodiment.

  The weighing and packaging inspection system of this embodiment includes a combination weigher 1, a metal detector 2, a packaging machine 3, and a weight sorter 4.

  The combination weigher 1 is provided with a conical dispersion feeder 11 in the center of the upper part of the apparatus for dispersing the articles supplied from the external supply devices 6 and 7 radially by vibration. Around the dispersion feeder 11, a plurality of linear feeders 12 are provided for sending the articles sent from the dispersion feeder 11 to the respective supply hoppers 13 by vibration. A supply hopper 13 is provided below each linear feeder 12, and a weighing hopper 14 to which articles discharged from the supply hopper 13 are supplied is further provided below the supply hopper 13. A plurality of these supply hoppers 13 and weighing hoppers 14 are arranged around the center base 10 in a circular shape. The dispersion feeder 11, the linear feeder 12, the supply hopper 13, and the weighing hopper 14 are attached to the center base 10, and their drive units and the like are accommodated in the center base 10. Each weighing hopper 14 is attached with a weight sensor 15 such as a load cell for measuring the weight of the article in the weighing hopper 14, and the weight sensor 15 is accommodated in the center base 10. The measurement value by each weight sensor 15 is output to the combination scale control device 1A.

  Below the weighing hoppers 14 arranged in a circle, upper-stage collecting chutes 16R and 16L are arranged, and further below the lower-stage collecting chutes 17 are arranged. The article discharged from the weighing hopper 14 slides down the upper collective chute 16R, 16L, further slides down the lower collective chute 17, and further passes through a cylindrical portion 18 provided at the lower part of the discharge port of the lower collective chute 17. It is discharged to the packaging machine 3. The upper stage collective chutes 16R and 16L and the lower stage collective chutes 17 may be configured by one collective chute.

  Further, a partition plate 8 is disposed on the dispersion feeder 11, and the area on the dispersion feeder 11 is divided into a left area 11a and a right area 11b. The first product type 6 is supplied from the first supply device 6 to the left region 11a, and the second product item is supplied from the second supply device 7 to the right region 11b. Accordingly, among the weighing hoppers 14 arranged in a circle, the first type of articles are supplied to the weighing hoppers 14 in the left half group (left group), and the weighing hoppers 14 in the right half group (right group) are supplied. Is supplied with the second kind of goods.

  The combination weigher control device 1A includes a CPU, a microcontroller having a ROM and a RAM memory in which an operation program and operation parameters of the CPU are stored, and the CPU stores an operation program stored in the ROM. By executing this, the operation of the entire combination weigher is controlled. That is, the combination weigher control device 1A controls the vibration amplitudes and the operation time of the dispersion feeder 11 and the linear feeder 12. Moreover, the opening and closing of the discharge gate (not shown) of the supply hopper 13 and the discharge gate (not shown) of the weighing hopper 14 are controlled.

  Further, the combination weigher control device 1A obtains the weight value of the article held in the weighing hopper 14 from the weight sensor 15, and obtains the combination of the weighing hopper 14 that discharges the article (hereinafter referred to as “discharge combination”). Perform combination processing. Details of this combination processing will be described later.

  Then, the combination weigher control device 1A obtains the above-mentioned discharge combination, and when the discharge request signal a (FIG. 3) is input from the packaging machine control device 3A, the article is discharged from the weighing hopper 14 selected as the discharge combination, The articles are supplied from the supply hopper 13 above the weighing hopper 14 which has been emptied by discharging the articles. Further, the articles are supplied from the linear feeder 12 above the supply hopper 13 which has been emptied, and the articles are further supplied from the dispersion feeder 11 to the linear feeder 12. The combination weigher controller 1A outputs a discharge completion signal b (FIG. 3) to the packaging machine controller 3A at a predetermined timing when the articles are discharged from the weighing hopper 14.

  The combination weigher operation indicator 1B has, for example, a touch screen type display screen, operation means for starting and stopping the operation of the combination weigher 1, and input means for setting operation parameters thereof. The operation means, the input means, and the display means for displaying the total data on the display screen are provided. The combination weigher controller 1A inputs a signal from the operation indicator 1B and outputs a signal such as data to be displayed on the operation indicator 1B.

  The metal detector 2 is provided in a cylindrical portion 18 below the collective chute 17. A magnetic field is formed in the cylindrical portion 18 by an electromagnet, and an electromotive force generated by the passage of metal through the magnetic field is detected. Thereby, the metal mixed in the article passing through the cylindrical portion 18 is detected, and the metal detection signal c (FIG. 3) is output to the combination weigher controller 1A.

  The articles discharged from the combination weigher 1 pass through the metal detector 2 and are supplied to the input port 31a of the packaging machine 3.

  The packaging machine 3 is, for example, a vertical pillow type packaging machine as shown in FIG. 2, and packages articles filled in the bag while manufacturing the bag. A tube (forming tube) 31 is provided following the input port 31a to which articles are supplied. In this packaging machine 3, a sheet-like packaging material 36 drawn out from a packaging material roll (not shown) is wound around a tube 31 by a former 32 and formed into a cylindrical shape, and is adsorbed by a pull-down belt machine 33. While being sent downward, the vertical sealing machine 34 seals the vertical edges (vertical seals) on which the cylindrical packaging materials 36 are stacked. Then, horizontal sealing (horizontal sealing) is performed across the upper end of the preceding bag and the lower end of the subsequent bag by a horizontal sealing machine (a pair of sealing jaws) 35 disposed below the tube 31. By performing this horizontal sealing, the preceding bag becomes a complete bag whose upper and lower sides are sealed because the lower end is sealed by the previous horizontal sealing. After this horizontal sealing is performed, the center of the horizontal sealing portion is cut by a cutter 37 built in the horizontal sealing machine 35, and the preceding bag and the subsequent bag are separated. In addition, after the horizontal sealing is performed, the articles discharged from the combination weigher 1 are filled into the cylindrical bag 36 a through the tube 31. Thereafter, the above operation is repeated.

  Further, the packaging machine control device 3A includes a CPU, a microcontroller having a ROM and a RAM memory in which an operation program, operation parameters, and the like of the CPU are stored, and an operation in which the CPU is stored in the ROM. By executing the program, the overall operation of the packaging machine is controlled. Further, the packaging machine control device 3A outputs a discharge request signal a (FIG. 3) requesting the combination weigher to discharge the article to the combination weigh control device 1A.

  The packaging machine operation indicator 3B has, for example, a touch screen type display screen, operation means for starting and stopping the operation of the packaging machine 3, and input means for setting operation parameters thereof. The operation means, the input means, and the display means for displaying the operation status (for example, operation speed) of the packaging machine on the display screen. Further, the packaging machine control device 3A inputs a signal from the operation indicator 3B and outputs a signal such as data to be displayed on the operation indicator 3B.

  A series of operations performed for packaging the articles discharged from the combination scale 1 by the packaging machine 3 includes a bag feeding operation for sending the packaging material 36 downward by the pull-down belt machine 33 and a vertical seal by the vertical sealing machine 34. A vertical sealing operation to be performed, a horizontal sealing operation to perform horizontal sealing by the horizontal sealing machine 35, and a bag cutting operation to separate the preceding bag and the subsequent bag by the cutter 37. By normally performing a series of these operations, a packaged product in which an article is stored in a bag having a predetermined length is manufactured. Here, as described above, the bag feeding operation and the vertical sealing operation are performed simultaneously. Further, the packaging machine control device 3A confirms that the discharge completion signal b (FIG. 3) has been input from the combination weigher control device 1A, and then starts the lateral sealing operation.

  The packaging machine 3 is provided with a sorting device (sorting means) 38. The distribution device 38 includes a chute plate 38a provided so as to be rotatable about a lower end shaft 38c, and an air cylinder 38b having a rod coupled to the chute plate 38a. The chute plate 38a is normally held at a position for guiding the packaged product to the carry-out conveyor 40 as shown by the solid line in FIG. The carry-out conveyor 40 and the air cylinder 38b are controlled by the packaging machine control device 3A. When the packaging machine control device 3A distributes the packaged product to the defective product storage container 39, the air cylinder 38b is driven to rotate the chute plate 38a to the position indicated by the chain line to distribute the packaged product to the defective product storage container 39. .

  Further, the packaging machine 3 is provided with biting detection means (not shown). The biting detection means is configured by using, for example, a proximity sensor, and when sealing is performed by the horizontal sealing machine 35, the horizontal sealing machine 35 pinches the bag from both sides, but the interval between the two is larger than a predetermined value. Then, biting of the article at the lateral seal portion is detected. In addition, what is necessary is just to use a well-known thing as a biting detection means.

  The packaging machine control device 3A controls the sorting device 38 to distribute the packaged product to the defective product storage container 39 when the biting detection means detects the biting. Instead of the sorting device 38 shown in FIG. 2, for example, a sorting device having another configuration such as a configuration in which a packaged product is blown off with air and dropped from the carry-out conveyor 40 may be used.

  Further, the packaged product placed on the carry-out conveyor 40 by the packaging machine 3 is conveyed to the weight sorter 4. As shown in FIG. 1, the weight sorter 4 includes a feeding conveyor 41, a weighing conveyor 42 supported by a weight sensor 43 such as a load cell, a sorting conveyor 44 including a sorting device 45, and a feeding conveyor. A package detection sensor 46 comprising a photoelectric sensor or the like provided at the end of the weighing conveyor 42 on the conveyor 41 side, an electrical component storage box 47, and an operation indicator 4B attached above the electrical component storage box 47; And a weight sorter control device 4 </ b> A housed in the electrical component storage box 47. The detection signal of the package detection sensor 46 and the weighing signal of the weight sensor 43 are input to the weight sorter control device 4A. The weight sorter control device 4A controls the feeding conveyor 41, the weighing conveyor 42, the sorting conveyor 44, and the sorting device 45.

  The feeding conveyor 41 receives the packaged products sequentially conveyed from the carry-out conveyor 40 of the packaging machine 3 and transfers them to the weighing conveyor 42. The weighing conveyor 42 receives the packaged product conveyed by the feeding conveyor 41 and transfers it to the sorting conveyor 44. Based on the detection signal of the packaged product detection sensor 46, the weight of the packaged product is measured by the weight sensor 43 when the packaged product is transferred to a predetermined position on the weighing conveyor 42.

  The weight sorter control device 4A is composed of a CPU, a microcontroller having a ROM and a RAM memory in which an operation program and operation parameters of the CPU are stored, and the operation program in which the CPU is stored in the ROM. To control the operation of the entire weight sorter. Further, the weight sorter control device 4A performs a quality determination process for the packaged product. In this pass / fail determination process, the weight of the packaged product weighed by the weight sensor 43 is determined as “non-defective” when it is within the non-defective range, and is determined as “defective” when it is outside the non-defective range. In addition, when the weight of the packaged product exceeds the upper limit value of the non-defective product range, it may be determined as “excess product”, and when it is less than the lower limit value of the non-defective product range, it may be determined as “out of product”.

  In addition, the weight sorter control device 4A, for example, includes a long bag product (long bag package product), which will be described later, and a package product determined as a defective product (overweight product or missing product) among other package products. The sorting device 45 is controlled so as to be excluded from the sorting conveyor 44. Therefore, only the packaged product that has not been excluded by the sorting device 45 passes through the sorting conveyor 44 and is conveyed to a next-stage device (for example, a boxing device) that is not shown. Here, as the sorting device 45, in order to exclude the packaged products to be discharged from the sorting conveyor 44, a sorting arm that rotates horizontally is disposed on the side of the sorting conveyor 44. For example, other configurations such as a configuration in which the package on the sorting conveyor 44 is blown off with air may be used.

  The weight sorter operation indicator 4B has, for example, a touch screen type display screen, an operation means for starting and stopping the operation of the weight sorter 4, and an input for setting operation parameters thereof. Means and display means for displaying the operation means, the input means, the weight value of the packaged goods, the total data, etc. on the display screen. Further, the weight sorter control device 4A inputs a signal from the operation indicator 4B and outputs a signal such as data to be displayed on the operation indicator 4B.

  The combination weigher control device 1A, the packaging machine control device 3A, and the weight sorter control device 4A are communicably connected to each other through a LAN, for example, and can transmit and receive information and the like.

  Note that each of the combination weigher control device 1A, the packaging machine control device 3A, and the weight sorter control device 4A may be configured by a single control device that performs centralized control, or a plurality of units that perform distributed control in cooperation with each other. You may be comprised by the control apparatus.

  The operation of the weighing and packaging inspection system of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 4A is a diagram showing a table (balance table T1) stored in the memory in the combination weigher control device 1A, and FIG. 4B is stored in the memory in the packaging machine control device 3A. It is a figure which shows a table (packing table T2).

  First, the combination process performed by the combination weigher controller 1A will be described. In this combination process, a combination of the first product type and a combination of the second product type are obtained, and these are combined to form a discharge combination. Here, before the start of operation, the unit weight setting value (the set weight value of one item of the first product), the target number and the target weight of the first product, which are used in the combination process, The unit weight set value (the set weight value of one second-type article) of the second-type article, the target number and target weight of the second-type article are input using the combination weighing operation display 1B, and the combination It is stored in the memory in the scale control device 1A.

  For example, the unit weight setting value of the first product type is 3 g, the target number of the first product type is 5, the target weight is 15 g, the unit weight setting value of the second product type is 4 g, and the target of the second product type The number is set to 5 and the target weight is set to 20 g. In this case, when the weight of one article of the first type varies within the range of 2 to 4 g and the weight of one article of the second kind varies within the range of 3 to 5 g, the combination weight (discharge) described later is used. The range that can be taken by the total weight of the articles held in the weighing hopper 14 selected for the combination is 25 to 45 g.

  In addition, the combination weigher 1 includes, for example, 20 weighing hoppers 14 in total, and the number of the weighing hoppers 14 in the left group to which the first type of articles are supplied is 10, and the second type The number of the weighing hoppers 14 in the right group to which the article is supplied is ten. Then, the operations of the linear feeders 12 and the like corresponding to the respective weighing hoppers 14 in the left group are controlled so that one item of the first type is supplied to each weighing hopper 14 in the left group. The operations of the linear feeders 12 and the like corresponding to the weighing hoppers 14 in the right group are controlled so that the second type of articles are supplied to the weighing hoppers 14 one by one. Even if it is controlled in this way, one article is not necessarily supplied to each weighing hopper 14, and two or more articles may be supplied.

  When the combination weigher control device 1A obtains the combination of the first product in the combination process, the weight of the product held in each weighing hopper 14 of the left group to which the product of the first product is supplied, The number of articles held in each weighing hopper 14 is calculated based on the unit weight setting value of the article, and one combination of the weighing hoppers 14 in which the total number of articles held matches the target number is obtained. A combination of the first variety. When there are a plurality of combinations of the weighing hoppers 14 in which the total number of held articles matches the target number of the first type, the absolute value of the difference between the total weight of the items and the target weight of the first type is the smallest. The combination is a combination of the first type. The number of articles held in each weighing hopper 14 is obtained by dividing the weight of the article held in each weighing hopper 14 by the unit weight setting value of the first type article and rounding off to the nearest decimal place. calculate.

  The case of obtaining the combination of the second kind is the same as the case of obtaining the combination of the first kind, the weight of the article held in each weighing hopper 14 of the right group to which the article of the second kind is supplied, The number of articles held in each weighing hopper 14 is calculated based on the unit weight setting values of the two types of articles, and a combination of weighing hoppers 14 in which the total number of articles held matches the target number is 1 To obtain a combination of the second type.

  Then, the combination weigher control device 1A sets a combination of the combination of the first type and the combination of the second type as the discharge combination, and the total weight of the articles held in the weighing hopper 14 selected as the discharge combination. Is determined as a combined weight. Each time a discharge combination is obtained, the production number and the combination weight are stored in the scale table T1.

  Then, the combination weigher control device 1A obtains the discharge combination by the above-described combination processing, and when the discharge request signal a from the packaging machine 3 is input, the article is discharged from the weighing hopper 14 selected as the discharge combination, and the packaging machine 3 outputs a discharge completion signal b. The articles discharged from the weighing hopper 14 slide down the upper stage collective chutes 16R and 16L and the lower stage collective chutes 17, and further pass (drop) through the cylindrical portion 18 and are put into the packaging machine 3.

  When the metal detector 2 detects metal when the article passes through the cylindrical portion 18, a metal detection signal c is output to the combination scale control device 1A. The combination weigher control device 1A, when receiving the metal detection signal c from the metal detector 2, outputs a long bag generation signal d to the packaging machine control device 3A.

  When the long bag generation signal d is input, the packaging machine control device 3A controls the next horizontal sealing operation and the bag cutting operation to rest once. Thereby, the article mixed with metal and the article discharged from the combination scale 1 are stored in one long bag (here, a bag having a length of two bags). A packaged product (hereinafter referred to as “long bag product”) in which the articles for two times are stored in a long bag is the same as a normal packaged product (normal product) in which the product is stored in a bag of a predetermined length. It is placed on the carry-out conveyor 40 and sent to the weight sorter 4.

  Further, in the packaging machine 3, when the biting detection means (not shown) detects the biting of the article at the horizontal seal portion, the packaging machine control device 3A seals the upper end by the horizontal seal at the time of biting detection. The sorting device 38 is controlled so that the bag to be stopped and the bag sealed at the lower end following the bag are discharged to the defective product storage container 39. The bag discharged to the defective product storage container 39 is a waste product.

  Each time an article is discharged from the combination weigher 1, the packaging machine control device 3A stores the production number and the packaging process result of the article in the packaging table T2, and the packaging process including the production number and the packaging process result. The information D1 is transmitted to the combination scale control device 1A. Here, the packaging machine control device 3A determines that the packaging process result is a normal product (a normal packaging process is performed) when a normal lateral sealing operation is performed without detecting the biting of the article at the lateral seal portion. When a long bag product is generated by the long bag generation signal d, the packaging processing result is a long bag product, and when the bite of the article at the side seal portion is detected, the packaging processing result is a waste product. To do.

  The packaging machine control device 3A combines the production number and the information indicating the normal product as packaging processing information D1 when a normal lateral sealing operation is performed without detecting biting at the lateral seal portion. Transmit to the scale control device 1A. When a long bag product is generated by the long bag generation signal d, the combination scale control device 1A uses the production number of the article contained in the long bag product and the information indicating that the product is a long bag product as the packaging processing information D1. Send to. Further, when it is detected that the article is caught in the lateral seal portion, the combination scale control device 1A uses the production number of the article discharged to the defective product storage container 39 and the information indicating that it is a waste product as the packaging processing information D1. Send to.

  In the combination weigher control device 1A, when combination processing is performed, numbers are assigned in the order in which the discharge combinations are obtained (that is, the discharge order), the numbers are used as production numbers, and the production numbers are associated with the combination weights. Stored in table T1.

  Further, in the packaging machine control device 3A, the articles discharged from the combination weigher 1 are supplied with numbers in the order of supply, the numbers are used as production numbers, and the production numbers and the packaging processing results are associated with each other for packaging. Stored in table T2. Accordingly, the packaging machine control device 3A and the combination weigher control device 1A are assigned the same production numbers for the same items.

  In the packaging machine control device 3A, for example, a production number is assigned every time the discharge completion signal b is input, and the packaging process result is stored in the packaging table T2 together with the production number until the next discharge request signal a is output. Then, the packaging processing information D1 including the production number and the packaging processing result is transmitted to the combination scale control device 1A.

  When receiving the packaging processing information D1 from the packaging machine control device 3A, the combination weigher control device 1A stores the packaging processing result in the packaging processing result column of the same production number as the production number of the packaging processing information D1 in the scale table T1. The following processing is performed according to the packaging processing result. First, when the packaging process result is a normal product, a transport number is determined for the production number, and transport information D2 including the combined weight and transport number of the production number is transmitted to the weight sorter control device 4A. . Further, when the packaging process result is a long bag product, one transport number is determined for the two production numbers, and transport information D2 including information indicating this transport number and the long bag product is obtained. Transmit to the weight sorter control device 4A. Further, when the packaging processing result is a waste product, no conveyance number is assigned, and no information is transmitted to the weight sorter control device 4A. That is, the conveyance number is assigned so as to correspond to the order in which the packaged products (normal products and long bag products) reach the weight sorter 4, and are also stored in the scale table 1.

  For example, in the case of the scale table T1 shown in FIG. 4A, the products with production numbers 1 to 4 have normal packaging processing results, and the transport numbers are also given in order. Moreover, since the product of the production numbers 5 and 6 has a long bag product as a result of the wrapping process, a single transport number is given together. Further, since the products of production numbers 9 and 10 are discarded as the packaging processing result, no conveyance number is given.

  In the weight sorter control device 4A, the conveyance information D2 transmitted from the combination weigher control device 1A is stored in an internal memory. Then, the weight sorter control device 4A transfers the packaged product to a predetermined position on the weighing conveyor 42 based on the detection signal detected by the packaged product detection sensor 46 on the packaged product conveyed on the conveyors 40 and 41. The weight of the package measured by the weight sensor 43 when it arrives is acquired. Further, when the combination weight is stored corresponding to the same transport number as the detection number in the stored transport information D2, the detection numbers are given in the order detected by the package detection sensor 46. A reference value calculation process and a pass / fail determination process are performed. Prior to the start of operation, the lower limit allowable value (for example, 1 g) and the upper limit allowable value (for example, 1 g) used for calculation of the non-defective product range in the pass / fail determination process are input in advance using the weight sorter operation indicator 4B, and the weight It is stored in a memory in the sorter control device 4A.

  First, in the reference value calculation process, a value obtained by adding a predetermined weight of one bag (tare weight) to a combination weight corresponding to the same transport number as the detection number is calculated as a reference value. Next, in the pass / fail judgment process, using a preset lower limit allowable value (for example, 1 g) and an upper limit allowable value (for example, 1 g), (reference value + lower limit allowable value) or more and (reference value + upper limit allowable) Value) The following range is set as the non-defective range, and it is determined whether or not the weight of the packaged product acquired from the weight sensor 43 is within the non-defective range. That is, when the weight of the packaged product is within the non-defective product range, it is determined to be a good product, and when it is outside the good product range, it is determined to be a defective product. Here, when the weight of the packaged product is less than (reference value-lower limit allowable value), the number of articles is based on the target number of all types (the sum of the target number of the first type and the target number of the second type). If it is determined that there are few missing items, and the weight of the packaged product exceeds (reference value + upper limit allowable value), it may be determined that the number of articles is an overdose due to, for example, more than the target number of all products. .

  Further, in the stored conveyance information D2, when information indicating that the product is a long bag product is stored corresponding to the same conveyance number as the detection number, the reference value calculation process and the pass / fail determination process are performed. A long bag product is regarded as a defective product. The weight sorter control device 4A determines whether the product is a normal product or a long bag product based on the duration of the detection signal of the packaged product detection sensor 46, and the packaged product conveyed is a normal product. It may be confirmed whether the product is a long bag product.

  Then, the weight sorter control device 4 </ b> A excludes the packaged product and the long bag product determined as defective by the quality determination process from the sorting conveyor 44 by the sorting device 45.

  In the present embodiment, the weight sorter control device 4A acquires the combined weight (the total weight value of the articles) of the articles discharged from the combination scale 1, and uses the value obtained by adding the weight of the bag to the combined weight as a reference value. By determining the non-defective product range (allowable range), even if there is a large variation in the weight of one product, the good product range can be set narrow, and whether the target number of products is contained in the package without excess or deficiency. Such an inspection can be performed accurately.

  In the present embodiment, the combination scale 1 may be configured to discharge a combination of three or more types of articles, or may be configured to discharge a combination of single-type articles. In the case of a combination weigher configured to discharge a combination of articles of a single variety, for example, in the combination weigher 1 shown in FIG. 1, the articles of a single variety are supplied to all weighing hoppers 14. The partition plate 8 on the dispersion feeder 11 is not provided, and only one kind of article is supplied to the dispersion feeder 11, and the unit weight setting value, target number and target of the article are previously set. Set the weight. In the combination process, one combination of the weighing hoppers 14 in which the total number of articles held matches the target number is determined as a discharge combination. At this time, when there are a plurality of combinations of the weighing hoppers 14 in which the total number of held articles matches the target number, the combination having the smallest absolute value of the difference between the total weight of the articles and the target weight is defined as the discharge combination. To do.

  In the present embodiment, the combination scale 1 is configured to discharge a predetermined number of articles, but may be configured to discharge articles having a total weight in a predetermined weight range. In this case, in the combination process in the combination weigher 1, for example, one combination of the weighing hoppers 14 in which the total weight of the held articles is within a predetermined weight range (allowable range with respect to the target weight) is obtained and set as a discharge combination. At this time, when there are a plurality of combinations of the weighing hoppers 14 in which the total weight of the held articles is within the predetermined weight range, the combination having the smallest absolute value of the difference between the total weight of the articles and the target weight is discharged. And Even when configured in this manner, the non-defective product range for performing the pass / fail judgment process in the weight sorter 4 can be set narrow, and the inspection as to whether or not the package product is filled with excess or deficiency is performed more accurately. be able to.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the wrapping machine 3 is provided with the sorting device 38 that sorts the packaged product in which the bite of the article is detected in the lateral seal portion into the defective product storage container 39. Without being provided, the operation of the packaging machine 3 may be stopped when the biting of the article at the lateral seal portion is detected. In this case, the operator removes the package that has bitten in the horizontal seal portion, inputs the data of the packaging processing result regarding the removed package from the packaging machine operation indicator 3B as a waste product, and then resumes operation. Let For example, the packaging machine operation indicator 3B is configured so as to schematically display the packaged product that should be in the packaging machine 3 on the display screen (hereinafter also referred to as “screen”), and the operator actually removed it. Touch and select the package displayed on the screen corresponding to the package, and touch the “Delete” key displayed on the screen to display the package processing result for the removed package as a discarded product. Is stored in the packaging table T2. After that, by touching the “RUN” key displayed on the screen, the packaging machine control device 3A resumes the operation of the packaging machine 3 and the packaging processing result (in this case, the waste product) regarding the removed packaging product. And packaging processing information D1 including the production number is transmitted to the combination scale control device 1A.

  Also in the present embodiment, the packaging machine 3 has some abnormality other than the biting of the article in the lateral seal portion, and when the abnormality is detected and the packaging machine 3 stops operation, the packaged product with the operator is present. When the product is removed from the production line, it is configured in the same manner as described above, and after the packaging processing result data regarding the removed package is input from the packaging machine operation indicator 3B as a waste product, the operation is resumed. May be.

  In the present embodiment, the metal detection signal c from the metal detector 2 is input to the combination weigher controller 1A, and the long bag generation signal d is output from the combination weigher controller 1A to the packaging machine controller 3A. However, instead of this configuration, the metal detection signal c from the metal detector 2 is input to the packaging machine control device 3A. When the packaging machine control device 3A inputs the metal detection signal c, the long bag generation signal An operation similar to that when d is input may be performed.

  Moreover, it is not restricted to the structure of this embodiment, You may comprise so that the weight sorter control apparatus 4A can acquire the combined weight of the articles | goods in the normal goods carried out from the packaging machine 3. FIG. For example, each time the combination weigher control device 1A discharges an article, the combination weight (total weight value) of the article is transmitted to the packaging machine control apparatus 3A, and the packaged goods control apparatus 3A transfers from the packaging machine 3 to the weight sorter 4. You may make it transmit the combined weight of the articles | goods in the normal goods about the normal goods conveyed to 4 A of weight sorter control apparatuses.

  Moreover, the structure by which the metal detector 2 is not provided between the combination scale 1 and the packaging machine 3 may be sufficient. In that case, for example, a device for detecting foreign matter such as a metal detector may be provided in the subsequent stage of the weight sorter 4.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention is useful as a weight sorter, a weighing and packaging inspection system, and the like that can more accurately inspect whether or not an article that is a stored item is contained in a packaged product without excess or deficiency.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Combination scale 2 Metal detector 3 Packaging machine 4 Weight sorter 4A Weight sorter control apparatus 4B Weight sorter operation indicator 14 Weighing hopper 18 Tube part 38 Sorting device 43 Weight sensor

Claims (5)

A package that has been transported from a packaging machine that manufactures a packaged product in which a product discharged from the hopper selected in a combination determined in a combination weigher having a plurality of hoppers to which the product is supplied is stored in a bag. Weighing process to weigh,
By acquiring a total weight value of articles discharged from the hopper selected for the combination and adding a predetermined bag weight value to the acquired total weight value, the total weight value of the acquired A reference value calculation process for calculating a reference value for performing a pass / fail judgment process for a packaged article in which the article is stored;
Based on whether or not the weight of the measured packaged product is within an allowable range with respect to the calculated reference value, the packaged product is determined to be a non-defective product in which there are no excess or deficiency in the stored articles. A weight sorter configured to perform pass / fail judgment processing. The apparatus has a plurality of hoppers to which articles are supplied, calculates the number of articles supplied to the hopper based on the weight value of articles supplied to the hopper, and sets the total number of articles to be supplied as a target. A combination weigher that obtains one combination of the hoppers that matches the number and repeatedly discharges the articles from the hoppers selected for the combination;
A packaging machine for producing a packaged product in which articles discharged from the hopper selected for the combination are stored in a bag;
A total weight value of articles discharged from the hopper selected for the combination and a weighing process for measuring the weight of the packaged goods conveyed from the packaging machine is acquired, and the acquired total weight value is predetermined. A reference value calculation process for calculating a reference value for performing a pass / fail judgment process for a packaged product in which articles of the acquired total weight value are stored by adding the weight value of the obtained bag, and the measured packaged product The pass / fail determination process for determining whether the packaged product is a non-defective product in which the number of stored articles is not excessive or insufficient based on whether the weight of the package is within an allowable range with respect to the calculated reference value. A weighing and packaging inspection system equipped with a weight sorter that performs The packaging machine
The upper end of the bag containing the articles discharged from the hopper and the lower end of the next bag following the upper end are simultaneously sealed, and the central portion of the sealed portion is cut to be separated into two packages. A vertical pillow type packaging machine,
Biting detection means for detecting that an article has been bitten into the sealing portion;
From the packaging machine, the packaged product in which the upper end of the bag is sealed and the packaged product in which the lower end of the bag is sealed are detected from the packaging machine when the biting detection means detects that the article is bitten. Sorting means to remove from the transport path for transporting the packaged goods to the weight sorter,
It is configured to transmit package product deletion information indicating the package product removed from the transport path by the sorting means to the combination weigher,
The combination weigher is
Configured to transmit to the weight sorter a total weight value of articles stored in a package that is transported from the packaging machine to the weight sorter;
The measuring and packaging inspection system according to claim 2. The packaging machine
Input means for inputting package product deletion information indicating the package product removed from the transport path for transporting the package product from the packaging machine to the weight sorter;
Control means for stopping the operation of the packaging machine when a predetermined abnormality occurs;
An operating means for resuming operation after the stop,
After the package item deletion information is input by the input unit, when the operation is resumed by the operation unit, the package item deletion information is configured to be transmitted to the combination weigher,
The combination weigher is
Configured to transmit to the weight sorter a total weight value of articles stored in a package that is transported from the packaging machine to the weight sorter;
The measuring and packaging inspection system according to claim 2. A metal detector for detecting a metal passing through the passage provided in a passage through which articles discharged from the combination weigher are dropped and sent to the packaging machine;
The packaging machine
When the metal detector detects metal, the article discharged from the hopper and the article discharged from the hopper are combined into one bag having a length longer than that of a package that does not contain metal. It is configured to manufacture a packaged product that is stored, and to transmit long bag product manufacturing information indicating that a package product having a long bag length is manufactured to the combination weigher,
The combination weigher is
The package is transported from the packaging machine to the weight sorter, and is configured to transmit the total weight value of articles stored in the package not including the metal to the weight sorter,
The weight sorter is
The package product having a long bag length is configured to be processed as a defective product without performing the reference value calculation process and the quality determination process.
The measuring and packaging inspection system according to claim 2.

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