JP2012143218A - Supply apparatus for object to be measured and seasoning apparatus having the supply apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a supply apparatus for an object to be measured which is used for a seasoning apparatus for improving uniformity of the seasoning addition (the way of sprinkling a seasoning) to the object to be measured (a semi-finished product) compared to a conventional art.SOLUTION: The supply apparatus for an object to be measured includes: a vibrating feeder 10 for conveying the object to be measured by vibration; a reflecting type layer thickness measuring instruments 13A, 13B, 13C for measuring layer thickness of the object to be measured piling up in a layered shape on the vibrating feeder 10; a weighing conveyor 20 for measuring weight of the object to be measured when the object to be measured discharged from an end part of the vibrating feeder 10 is transported on a conveyor; and a controller 30 for controlling conveying speed of the object to be measured by the weighing conveyor 20 so that the layer thickness of the object to be measured on the weighing conveyor 20 is constant based on the layer thickness of the object to be measured.

Description

  The present invention relates to an apparatus for supplying an object to be weighed and a seasoning apparatus provided with the supply apparatus. In particular, the present invention relates to an improvement of a seasoning device that can season semi-finished products such as snacks with seasonings.

  Conventionally, as a device for seasoning with a seasoning such as salt when manufacturing a snack, there is a quantitative supply device described in Patent Document 1, for example. In this apparatus, an unsealed semi-finished product and seasoning are supplied to an opening at one end of a cylindrical mixer having both ends opened, and the other end while the semi-finished product and seasoning are mixed in the mixer. It is transported to and discharged from the opening and supplied to the next process section such as weighing.

  In this apparatus, a predetermined amount of seasoning is added by controlling the flow rate of the semi-finished product to be constant, but the exact weight of the semi-finished product cannot be measured. For this reason, the mixing ratio of a semi-finished product and a seasoning becomes non-uniform | heterogenous, and it is easy to produce dispersion | variation in quality (seasoning).

  Then, the improvement plan of a seasoning apparatus is proposed so that it may be easy to mix a semi-finished product and a seasoning uniformly in a mixer (for example, refer patent document 2).

  In this seasoning device, the semi-finished product is dropped intermittently onto the weighing conveyor to reduce the thickness of the semi-finished product on the conveyor belt, and then the weighed semi-finished product is dropped to the inlet of the mixer. ing. Then, it is configured to sprinkle seasoning with an added weight corresponding to the weight of the semi-finished product toward the semi-finished product falling toward the inlet, and uniformly mix the semi-finished product and seasoning in the mixer. ing.

JP-A-6-137925 JP 2006-158300 A

  However, in the seasoning device of Patent Document 2, the layer thickness of the semi-finished product stacked on the conveyor belt may change depending on the state of conveyance of the semi-finished product. In this case, the manner in which the seasoning is sprinkled on the semi-finished product during the fall of the semi-finished product becomes uneven, and the quality (seasoning) of the semi-finished product may vary.

  This invention is made | formed in view of such a situation, and provides the seasoning apparatus which the uniformity of the seasoning addition (how to sprinkle seasonings) of a to-be-measured item (semi-finished product) improves rather than a prior art example. The purpose is to do.

  It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for supplying an object to be used for such a seasoning device.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides:
A vibration feeder for conveying an object to be weighed by vibration;
A reflection-type layer thickness measuring instrument for measuring the layer thickness of the object to be weighed stacked in layers on the vibration feeder;
A weighing conveyor for weighing a weight of the object to be weighed when the object to be weighed discharged from an end of the vibration feeder is conveyed by the conveyor;
A controller for controlling a conveyor conveying speed of the object to be weighed by the weighing conveyor so that the layer thickness of the object to be weighed on the weighing conveyor is constant based on the layer thickness of the object to be weighed;
An apparatus for supplying an object to be weighed is provided.

  As described above, the apparatus for supplying an object to be weighed according to the present invention vibrates without causing the layer thickness of the object to be measured on the vibration feeder measured by the layer thickness measuring instrument to be linked (feedback) to the vibration operation of the vibration feeder. It is characterized in that the weighing conveyor at the rear stage of the feeder is controlled by the controller.

  For example, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 1-148916, the layer thickness fluctuation of the powder (object to be weighed) on the electromagnetic feeder detected by the detecting device is fed back to the vibration operation of the electromagnetic feeder, and the object to be weighed by the electromagnetic feeder is disclosed. An example of controlling the supply amount is described.

  However, as a result of experimental studies, the present inventor has noticed that the layer thickness of the object to be measured cannot be controlled with high accuracy by the feedback control of the vibration operation of the electromagnetic feeder exemplified in JP-A-1-148916.

  Therefore, the present invention has been devised based on the above knowledge, and in the apparatus for supplying an object to be weighed according to the present invention, for example, when the drive motor of the belt conveyor is inverter-controlled using a weighing conveyor drive circuit, The conveyor transport speed of the objects to be weighed on the weighing conveyor can be adjusted with high accuracy, so the uniformity of the layer thickness of the objects to be weighed on the weighing conveyor is fed back by the vibration action of the vibration feeder. There is an effect of improvement as compared with the case of controlling.

Further, the present invention provides the above-mentioned weighing object supply apparatus,
An applicator for sprinkling a seasoning having an added weight according to the weight of the object to be weighed by the weighing conveyor onto the object to be weighed from above the object to be weighed;
After receiving the object to be weighed and the seasoning through the opening and stirring the object to be weighed and the seasoning, the object to be weighed is rotated from the opening by rotating so that the opening faces downward. And a mixer for discharging a mixture of said seasoning and
There is also provided a seasoning device comprising:

  Thereby, the layer thickness of the objects to be weighed on the weighing conveyor can be made substantially constant by using the above-described apparatus for feeding objects to be weighed. Therefore, the fluctuation | variation of the layer thickness of the semi-finished product supplied to the downstream of a weighing conveyor is suppressed. As a result, in the seasoning device of the present invention, seasoning can be added to the object to be weighed (how to sprinkle the seasoning), and variations in the quality (seasoning) of the object to be weighed can be improved.

  Moreover, in the seasoning apparatus of this invention, when the said to-be-measured item is a semi-finished snack confectionery with hot water, you may use an ultrasonic sensor for the said layer thickness measuring device.

  Due to the oil adhering to the surface of the semi-finished product, hot light may cause irregular reflection of light emitted from the photoelectric sensor or the like on the surface of the semi-finished product. Then, when a photoelectric sensor or the like is used as a layer thickness measuring instrument, there is a possibility that the layer thickness of the semi-finished product cannot be measured appropriately. Therefore, as described above, when the object to be weighed is a semi-finished snack confectionery product, it is preferable to use an ultrasonic sensor.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the seasoning apparatus in which the uniformity of the seasoning addition (how to sprinkle seasonings) of a to-be-measured item (semi-finished product) improves compared with a prior art example is obtained.

  Moreover, the supply apparatus of the to-be-measured object used for such a seasoning apparatus is also obtained.

FIG. 1 is a view showing a main part of a seasoning device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows a side view of the seasoning device. FIG. 2 is a view showing a main part of the seasoning device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows a plan view of the seasoning device. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an outline of a control system of the seasoning device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a timing chart showing the operation timing of the seasoning device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  Throughout the drawings, the same or corresponding components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and in the following specific description, redundant description of such components may be omitted.

  Further, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiment. That is, the following specific description merely shows an example of the “object supply device” and the “seasoning device” of the present invention.

  Therefore, the following specific examples will be given with appropriate reference numerals attached to the same or equivalent terms as the components specifying the “weighing object supply device” and “seasoning device” of the present invention. In the description, the specific device is an example of the components of the “measurement object supply device” and the “seasoning device” according to the present invention.

  For example, the configuration in which the “picking conveyor 1”, “vibrating feeder 10”, “weighing conveyor 20”, and “controller 30” in the following embodiment are combined is only the “weighing object supply device” of the present invention. This is just an example. Another specific example of the “weighing object supply device” of the present invention is described in Modification 1 described later.

In addition, “ultrasonic sensors 13A, 13B, and 13C” in the following embodiments are described only as a preferable example of the “reflective layer thickness measuring instrument for measuring the layer thickness of an object” according to the present invention. There are only. Other specific examples of the “reflective layer thickness measuring instrument for measuring the layer thickness of the object to be measured” according to the present invention are listed in Modification 2 described later.
(Embodiment)
1 and 2 are views showing a main part of a seasoning device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows a side view of the seasoning device 100, and FIG. 2 shows a plan view of the seasoning device 100.

  As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the seasoning device 100 of the present embodiment is configured by a supply device for multi-stage objects to be weighed (here, semi-finished products of snack confectionery) that can be weighed while conveying semi-finished products of snack confectionery. Yes. Specifically, the multi-stage weighing object supply device includes a picking conveyor 1, a vibration feeder 10 (electromagnetic feeder), and a weighing conveyor 20 in order from the conveyance direction of the weighing object.

  In addition, the weighing object supply apparatus includes a controller 30 and various measuring instruments (for example, an ultrasonic sensor and a linear encoder described later) for knowing the state of a control target by the controller 30 every moment. .

  Further, in the seasoning device 100, in addition to the above-described object supply device, a tilting feeder 40, an applicator 45, and a tumbler mixer 50 (mixer) are arranged at appropriate positions after the weighing conveyor 20. .

  As described above, in the seasoning device 100, for example, a semi-finished snack confectionery such as a stick-like potato is seasoned.

  In addition, although detailed description is abbreviate | omitted here, the combination scale (not shown) may be provided in the back | latter stage of the seasoning apparatus 100, and the packaging machine (not shown) may be further provided in the back | latter stage of the combination scale. Thereby, since the combination scale and the packaging machine can be provided together with the seasoning apparatus 100, a snack confectionery manufacturing system can be constructed.

  Hereinafter, the configuration of each device of the seasoning apparatus 100 will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the picking conveyor 1 includes a conveyor belt (not shown) that can discharge a semi-finished product to the vibratory feeder 10 by conveying the semi-finished snack confectionery that has been hot water. During the conveyance of the semi-finished product by the picking conveyor 1, the defective semi-finished product is picked up and removed by the visual inspection of the operator.

  As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the vibration feeder 10 is arranged at the rear stage of the picking conveyor 1 and supports a trough 11 on which a semi-finished product (non-defective product) discharged from the end of the picking conveyor 1 is placed. And a vibration device 12 that vibrates.

  Due to the vibration force of the vibration device 12, the semi-finished product placed on the trough 11 moves in small increments. Thereby, a semi-finished product is conveyed linearly on the conveyance path of the trough 11.

  In addition, the seasoning device 100 includes three ultrasonic sensors 13A, 13B, and 13C that can measure the thickness of the semi-finished product stacked on the trough 11, and these ultrasonic sensors 13A, 13B, and 13C. And a bracket 14 that can be fixed in place.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, when the seasoning device 100 is viewed in plan, the ultrasonic heads 13 </ b> A, 13 </ b> B, and 13 </ b> C have ultrasonic waves such that each of the sensor heads is positioned approximately at the center in the width direction of the trough 11. The sensors 13A, 13B, 13C are arranged in a straight line along the transport path of the trough 11.

  Here, the ultrasonic sensor 13 </ b> C is disposed at a position closest to the end of the weighing conveyor 20, and the ultrasonic sensor 13 </ b> A is disposed at the position farthest from the end of the weighing conveyor 20. Further, the ultrasonic sensor 13B is disposed approximately in the middle between the ultrasonic sensor 13A and the ultrasonic sensor 13C.

  And in the seasoning apparatus 100 of this embodiment, an ultrasonic wave is transmitted from the sensor heads of the ultrasonic sensors 13A, 13B, and 13C, and the ultrasonic waves reflected by the semi-finished product are reflected on the sensor heads of the ultrasonic sensors 13A, 13B, and 13C. Receive. By measuring the time from transmission to reception of such an ultrasonic wave, the height position of the surface of the semi-finished product can be known, and consequently the layer thickness of the semi-finished product can be measured.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the weighing conveyor 20 includes a belt conveyor 21 and a weight detector (for example, a load cell) 22.

  The belt conveyor 21 includes a conveyor belt 21C on which a semi-finished product is placed, a pair of rollers 21A and 21B used for driving the conveyor belt 21C, and a drive motor (not shown) that applies a driving force to the rollers 21A and 21B. . Thereby, the semi-finished product placed on the belt conveyor 21 is conveyed by the conveyor.

  Further, the belt conveyor 21 is supported by the weight detector 22, and the weight detector 22 is fixed to a mount 23 placed on the floor. Thereby, when the semi-finished product discharged from the end of the vibration feeder 10 is placed on the belt conveyor 21 and conveyed by the conveyor, the weight of the semi-finished product is detected using the weight detector 22.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the linear encoder 24 is arrange | positioned at the belt conveyor 21, and, thereby, the linear encoder 24 functions as a length measuring device which measures the feed length of the conveyor belt 21C. The reason for measuring the feed length of the conveyor belt 21C will be described later.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the tilting feeder 40 includes a chute 41 and a vibration device 42 that supports and vibrates the chute 41.

  The chute 41 is arranged so that the inclined surface for conveying the semi-finished product of the chute 41 is located below the end of the weighing conveyor 20, and tilts obliquely downward from here in the conveying direction of the semi-finished product. Accordingly, the chute 41 is configured to extend toward the tumbler mixer 50 in the semi-product receiving posture (the posture of the tumbler mixer 50 shown by the solid line in FIG. 1). The vibration device 42 that supports the chute 41 is fixed on a gantry 43 placed on the floor.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the tumbler mixer 50 includes a pot-type container 50 </ b> B having an opening 50 </ b> A serving as a semi-finished product inlet from the chute 41 and a semi-finished product outlet from the tumbler mixer 50. Is provided. In this container 50B, blades (not shown) for stirring semi-finished products and seasonings are provided.

  The container 50B of the tumbler mixer 50 is configured to be rotatable about a horizontal axis H and to be rotatable about a rotation axis G substantially orthogonal to the horizontal axis H. That is, the container 50B can be rotated around the horizontal axis H by a tilting motor (not shown), and can be rotated around the rotation axis G by a rotation motor (not shown). An opening 50A is provided at the end of the container 50B on the rotation axis G.

  Moreover, as shown in FIG. 2, the applicator 45 is an apparatus which can supply an appropriate seasoning (for example, salt). The applicator 45 includes, for example, a screw feeder 46, a drive unit 47 of the screw feeder 46, a hopper (not shown) for storing seasonings, and a weight detector (not shown) used for measuring the amount of seasonings supplied. And). The applicator 45 is fixed to a gantry (not shown) placed on the floor.

  The screw feeder 46 passes through the bottom of the hopper, and the tip thereof is disposed so as to reach the vicinity of the center in the width direction of the inclined surface of the chute 41. And the screw (not shown) in the screw feeder 46 can be rotated by the drive part 47 which consists of a motor, a gear, etc. Then, the seasoning at the bottom in the hopper is sent toward the tip of the screw feeder 46, and the seasoning is sent out from the tip.

  Thereby, a seasoning is supplied to the appropriate place on the inclined surface of the chute 41, and as a result, the seasoning is sprinkled on the semi-finished product that slides on the chute 41.

  The supply amount of the seasoning supplied from the applicator 45 can be calculated using a value obtained by subtracting the measurement value of the weight detector immediately after the end of supply from the measurement value of the weight detector immediately before the start of supply.

  In the seasoning device 100 configured as described above, first, the picking potatoes are fried in a stick-like potato, the quality of the semi-finished product before seasoning is selected, and only the quality semi-finished product is supplied to the vibration feeder 10. Is done.

  Then, the semi-finished product is conveyed by the vibration of the vibration feeder 10, and the layer thickness of the semi-finished product stacked on the vibration feeder 10 in the middle of the conveyance of the semi-finished product by the vibration feeder 10 is determined by the ultrasonic sensors 13A, 13B, 13C. After being used and measured, the semi-finished product is discharged to the weighing conveyor 20. Then, during the conveyance of the semi-finished product on the weighing conveyor 20, the weight of the semi-finished product is measured by the weighing conveyor 20.

  At this time, in the seasoning device 100 of this embodiment, the weighing is performed so that the layer thickness of the semi-finished product on the weighing conveyor 20 is constant based on the layer thickness of the semi-finished product measured by the ultrasonic sensors 13A, 13B, and 13C. The conveyor conveyance speed of the semi-finished product by the conveyor 20 is controlled. Details thereof will be described later.

  After the weight of the semi-finished product is weighed, the semi-finished product is discharged onto the inclined surface of the chute 41 of the tilting feeder 40, and the seasoning from the applicator 45 is applied while the semi-finished product slides on the inclined surface of the jute 41. Sprinkled on the semi-finished product, and the semi-finished product and the seasoning are supplied to the tumbler mixer 50.

  In the tumbler mixer 50, the semi-finished product and the seasoning are stirred and mixed more uniformly in the tumbler mixer 50 by the rotation of the tumbler mixer 50. After both are sufficiently stirred, the tumbler mixer 50 is rotated in the direction of the arrow a1 (see FIG. 1) so that the opening 50A faces downward, and the semi-finished product is discharged (two-dot chain line in FIG. 1). The semi-finished product seasoned from the opening 50 </ b> A is discharged onto the discharge conveyor 60.

  A mixture of semi-finished products and seasonings (sealed semi-finished product) discharged from the tumbler mixer 50 to the discharge conveyor 60 is supplied to a combination weigher (not shown) using the discharge conveyor 60, Each group is weighed, and one combination of groups in which the total weight falls within the predetermined weight range is obtained, and the mixture of the groups selected for the combination is repeatedly discharged as a lump, and the packaging machine ( (Not shown). The packaging machine is configured to sequentially pack a lump of the mixture repeatedly discharged from the combination weigher.

  In this way, snacks such as stick-like potatoes are manufactured using the seasoning device 100 of the present embodiment.

  Next, the control system of the seasoning apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an outline of a control system of the seasoning device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  The controller 30 includes a calculation unit including a microcomputer (CPU) and the like, and memories such as a RAM and a ROM. The memory stores an operation program, setting data for a number of operation parameters, other measurement value data, and the like.

  As shown in FIG. 3, for example, the controller 30 receives signals from the ultrasonic sensors 13A, 13B, 13C, the weight detector 22 and the linear encoder 24, and stores them in the memory of the controller 30 based on these signals. By executing the operating program, various control objects as described below can be operated. Thereby, the controller 30 can control the whole seasoning apparatus 100.

  The vibration feeder drive circuit 30 </ b> B is a circuit that controls the vibration operation of the vibration device 12 of the vibration feeder 10. Therefore, the controller 30 can control the vibration operation of the vibration device 12 using the vibration feeder drive circuit 30B, and thus can control the vibration conveyance speed of the semi-finished product placed on the trough 11 of the vibration feeder 10.

  The weighing conveyor drive circuit 30C includes an inverter circuit for controlling the drive motor, and is a circuit that performs inverter control of the drive motor that rotates the rollers 21A and 21B of the belt conveyor 21. Therefore, the controller 30 can inverter-control the drive motor of the belt conveyor 21 using the weighing conveyor drive circuit 30C, and thus can control the conveyor conveyance speed of the semi-finished product placed on the belt conveyor 21 of the weighing conveyor 20 with high accuracy. .

  The tilt feeder driving circuit 30 </ b> D is a circuit that controls the vibration operation of the vibration device 42 of the tilt feeder 40. Therefore, the controller 30 can control the vibration operation of the vibration device 42 by using the tilt feeder driving circuit 30D, and thus can control the sliding state of the semi-finished product placed on the inclined surface of the chute 41 of the tilt feeder 40.

  The tumbler mixer drive circuit 30E is a circuit that controls the rotation operation (for example, the rotational speed of the motor shaft) of the tumbler mixer 50 and the tilt operation of the tilt motor. Therefore, the controller 30 uses the tumbler mixer drive circuit 30E to control the rotation and tilting operations of the tumbler mixer 50. As a result, the agitated state of the semi-finished product and the seasoning in the tumbler mixer 50 and the tumbler mixer 50 The posture state can be controlled.

  The applicator driving circuit 30 </ b> F is a circuit that controls the operation of the screw driving motor of the screw feeder 46 of the applicator 45. Therefore, the controller 30 can control the rotation operation of the screw of the screw feeder 46 by using the applicator drive circuit 30F, and thus can control the amount of seasoning supplied from the tip of the screw feeder 46.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the controller 30 receives a signal from the operation panel 30A and outputs a signal such as data to be displayed on the operation panel 30A.

  The operation panel 30A includes a touch screen display. Thereby, it is possible to easily start and stop the seasoning device 100 and the discharge conveyor 60 on the display screen.

  In addition, the display screen of the display can be switched to an operation parameter setting screen, and the operation parameters of the seasoning device 100 and the discharge conveyor 60 can be set.

  For example, in the seasoning device 100 of the present embodiment, the use of three ultrasonic sensors 13A, 13B, and 13C is exemplified, but the number of such ultrasonic sensors also depends on the configuration of the device. It can be changed to an appropriate value on the display.

  Further, during the operation of the seasoning device 100, the operating status of the seasoning device is usually displayed on the display.

  The controller 30 may be any processing device having a processing function. Therefore, the controller 30 can be configured by various processing devices such as an MPU, a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller), and a logic circuit in addition to the above-described microcomputer (CPU).

  Moreover, the controller 30 does not necessarily need to be comprised with an independent apparatus. The controller 30 may be configured such that a plurality of devices are distributed and controlled, and the operations of the seasoning device 100 and the like may be controlled in cooperation with each other.

  An example of the operation of the seasoning apparatus 100 configured as described above will be described in detail below with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 4 is a timing chart showing the operation timing of the seasoning device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  As described above, the controller 30 controls the operation of the seasoning device 100 of the present embodiment. In this example, it is assumed that the discharge conveyor 60 is controlled so that it always operates from the start to the end of the operation of the seasoning device 100.

  As shown in FIG. 4, at time t <b> 1, the semi-finished product supply operation by the vibration feeder 10 is started and the semi-finished product transport operation by the weighing conveyor 20 is started.

  For example, the reference start layer thickness of the semi-finished product may be set in advance in each of the ultrasonic sensors 13A, 13B, and 13C. Then, when the layer thickness of the semi-finished product measured by the specific ultrasonic sensor selected from these sensors 13A, 13B, and 13C becomes equal to or greater than the reference start layer thickness, the supply operation of the semi-finished product by the vibration feeder 10 and The operations of the vibrating feeder 10 and the weighing conveyor 20 can be controlled so that the semi-finished product conveyance operation by the weighing conveyor 20 is started.

  At this time, the controller 30 makes the layer thickness of the semi-finished product on the weighing conveyor 20 constant based on the layer thickness of the semi-finished product on the vibration feeder 10 measured by the ultrasonic sensors 13A, 13B, 13C. The conveyor speed of the semi-finished product by the belt conveyor 21 is controlled. For example, the layer thickness of the semi-finished product is obtained as an average value of the layer thickness of the semi-finished product measured by each of the ultrasonic sensors 13A, 13B, 13C, and based on this average value, the layer of the semi-finished product on the weighing conveyor 20 is obtained. You may determine the conveyor conveyance speed of the semi-finished product by the belt conveyor 21 so that thickness may become fixed.

  Moreover, you may always monitor the layer thickness change of the semi-finished product in the edge part of the vibration feeder 10 using the ultrasonic sensor 13C nearest to the weighing conveyor 20. As a result, even when a significant increase or decrease in the layer thickness occurs in the semi-finished product on the vibration feeder 10 closest to the weighing conveyor 20, the semi-finished product by the belt conveyor 21 is made so that the layer thickness of the semi-finished product on the weighing conveyor 20 is constant. It is possible to temporarily change the conveyor conveyance speed.

  Thus, the seasoning apparatus 100 of this embodiment does not link (feedback) the layer thickness of the semi-finished product on the vibration feeder 10 measured by the ultrasonic sensors 13A, 13B, and 13C with the vibration operation of the vibration feeder 10. In addition, the weighing conveyor 20 at the rear stage of the vibration feeder 10 is a control target of the controller 30.

  As described above, in the weighing conveyor 20, the drive motor of the belt conveyor 21 can be inverter-controlled using the weighing conveyor drive circuit 30C. Therefore, since the seasoning apparatus 100 of this embodiment can adjust the conveyor conveyance speed of the semi-finished product mounted on the weighing conveyor 20 with high accuracy, the uniformity of the layer thickness of the semi-finished product on the weighing conveyor 20 is the vibration feeder 10. There is an effect that the layer thickness of the semi-finished product is improved by feedback control of the semi-finished product.

  As described above, in the seasoning device 100 of this embodiment, the layer thickness of the semi-finished product on the weighing conveyor 20 can be made substantially constant, and the layer thickness of the semi-finished product supplied to the tilting feeder 40 on the downstream side of the weighing conveyor 20. Fluctuations are suppressed. As a result, it is possible to uniformly add the seasoning to the semi-finished product (how to sprinkle the seasoning) in the tilting feeder 40 and improve the quality (seasoning) variation of the semi-finished product.

  Next, when the weight of the semi-finished product weighed by the weight detector 22 reaches the predetermined reference weight Wa while the semi-finished product is being supplied to the weighing conveyor 20, the driving of the vibration device 12 of the vibration feeder 10 is stopped. At the same time, the operation of the belt conveyor 21 of the weighing conveyor 20 is stopped (time t2).

  At this time, the maximum length of the semi-finished product that can be placed on the conveyor belt 21C of the belt conveyor 21 is determined by the device configuration of the seasoning device 100 (that is, this maximum length is the longitudinal direction of the conveyor belt 21C). Less than the total length). For this reason, the feed length of the conveyor belt 21 </ b> C is changed every moment using the linear encoder 24 so that the semi-finished product first supplied to the weighing conveyor 20 does not fall from the tip of the belt conveyor 21 to the chute 41 of the tilting feeder 40. It is measured (monitored).

  Thereby, the controller 30 uses the feed length of the conveyor belt 21C and the change in the weight of the semi-finished product measured by the weight detector 22 to place a semi-finished product having the reference weight Wa or more on the conveyor belt 21C. Thus, the conveyor conveyance speed of the semi-finished product by the belt conveyor 21 is set to a desired value.

  Next, the controller 30 has a period (hereinafter referred to as “weight acquisition period”) from the end of conveyance of the semifinished product by the weighing conveyor 20 (time t2) to the start of discharge of the semifinished product by the weighing conveyor 20 (time t3). In addition, the weight (final static weight) of the semi-finished product measured by the weight detector 22 is acquired. As described above, the seasoning device 100 of the present embodiment is configured to intermittently send the objects to be weighed on the weighing conveyor 20 to the tilting feeder 40. As a result, the final static weight is measured during the weight acquisition period. It is weighed by the weight detector 22 of the conveyor 20.

  Thereby, the exact weight in the stationary state of the semi-finished product mounted on the belt conveyor 21 of the weighing conveyor 20 is obtained.

  Thereafter, at time t3, the operation of the belt conveyor 21 of the weighing conveyor 20 starts again. Thereby, the semi-finished product on the belt conveyor 21 is discharged to the chute 41 of the tilting feeder 40.

  Further, at time t3, driving of the vibration device 42 of the tilt feeder 40 is started. Thereby, the vibration by the vibration device 42 is applied to the chute 41, and as a result, the semi-finished product on the chute 41 smoothly slides toward the tumbler mixer 50.

  Next, at time t4 after the elapse of a predetermined time from time t3, the supply of seasoning starts from the applicator 45, and the rotation (stirring) operation of the tumbler mixer 50 starts.

  As a result, the seasoning having the added weight corresponding to the weight of the semi-finished product is sprinkled on the semi-finished product running on the chute 41, and the semi-finished product and seasoning are supplied to the tumbler mixer 50. The seasoning and the semi-finished product are stirred in the tumbler mixer 50.

  At this time, the target supply amount (addition weight) of the seasoning to be supplied from the applicator 45 based on the weight (final static weight) of the semi-finished product acquired in the weight acquisition period (period between time t2 and time t3). When the actual supply amount of the seasoning reaches the target supply amount, the supply of the seasoning from the applicator 45 is stopped.

  In particular, in the seasoning device 100 of the present embodiment, the layer thickness of the semi-finished product on the belt conveyor 21 is substantially constant, so that the layer thickness of the semi-finished product supplied to the tilting feeder 40 on the downstream side of the weighing conveyor 20 is obtained. Variation is suppressed. Therefore, if the supply amount of the seasoning per unit time is made constant, the seasoning addition (sprinkling method) to the semi-finished product can be made uniform, which is convenient.

  Here, the target supply amount of the seasoning can be calculated by multiplying the weight value of the semi-finished product acquired in the weight acquisition period (period between time t2 and time t3) by a predetermined addition rate. .

  The actual supply amount of the seasoning can be calculated, for example, by subtracting the measurement value at the time of measurement during the seasoning supply from the measurement value before the start of the seasoning supply of the weight detector of the applicator 45. That is, when supplying the seasoning, the applicator 45 stops the supply when the weight of the supplied seasoning reaches the target supply amount (added weight).

  Furthermore, the supply amount of the seasoning per unit time can be calculated based on, for example, the target supply amount of the seasoning and the length of the semi-finished product placed on the conveyor belt 21 </ b> C predicted by the linear encoder 24.

  Next, when the weight value of the semi-finished product weighed by the weight detector 22 when the semi-finished product is discharged from the weighing conveyor 20 becomes 0 (or a value in a state where there is no semi-finished product), the belt conveyor 21 of the weighing conveyor 20 Is stopped (time t5), and the driving of the vibration device 42 of the tilting feeder 40 is stopped at time t6 after a predetermined time has elapsed since the operation of the belt conveyor 21 was stopped.

  Then, the rotation operation of the tumbler mixer 50 continues until the time t7 after a predetermined time elapses from the time t6, and the rotation operation of the tumbler mixer 50 stops at the time t7. Thereafter, the seasoning in the tumbler mixer 50 is added by tilting the tumbler mixer 50 so that the opening 50A of the tumbler mixer 50 faces downward (indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 1). The semi-finished product is discharged onto the discharge conveyor 60.

  As described above, the seasoning device 100 (semi-finished product supply device) of the present embodiment has the vibration feeder 10 that conveys a semi-finished product such as snack confectionery by vibration, and the layer thickness of the semi-finished product stacked in layers on the vibration feeder 10. Weighing conveyor 20 that measures the weight of the semi-finished product using the weight detector 22 when the ultrasonic products 13A, 13B, 13C to be measured and the semi-finished product discharged from the end of the vibration feeder 10 are conveyed by the conveyor. And a controller 30.

  Then, the controller 30 conveys the semi-finished product by the belt conveyor 21 of the weighing conveyor 20 so that the layer thickness of the semi-finished product on the weighing conveyor 20 is constant based on the layer thickness of the semi-finished product stacked on the vibration feeder 10. The conveyance speed is controlled.

  With this configuration, the layer thickness of the semi-finished product on the weighing conveyor 20 can be made almost constant. Therefore, the fluctuation of the layer thickness of the semi-finished product supplied to the tilting feeder 40 on the downstream side of the weighing conveyor 20 is suppressed. As a result, it is possible to uniformly add the seasoning to the semi-finished product (how to sprinkle the seasoning) in the tilting feeder 40 and improve the quality (seasoning) variation of the semi-finished product.

In particular, in the weighing conveyor 20 of the seasoning device 100 of this embodiment, the drive motor of the belt conveyor 21 can be inverter-controlled using the weighing conveyor drive circuit 30C. Therefore, since the seasoning apparatus 100 of this embodiment can adjust the conveyor conveyance speed of the semi-finished product mounted on the weighing conveyor 20 with high accuracy, the uniformity of the layer thickness of the semi-finished product on the weighing conveyor 20 is the vibration feeder 10. There is an effect that the layer thickness of the semi-finished product is improved by feedback control of the semi-finished product.
(Modification 1)
In the present embodiment, the example in which the supply device for the object to be weighed is incorporated in the seasoning device 100 used for seasoning the semi-finished snack confectionery is described, but the application example of the apparatus for supplying the object to be weighed is not limited thereto. .

That is, the weighing object supply apparatus according to the present embodiment is required to supply the weighing object in a state where the layer thickness of the weighing object is constant (in other words, the weight of the weighing object is constant). Applicable to the system. For example, the apparatus for supplying an object to be weighed according to the present embodiment can also be applied to a quantitative weighing technique for conveying a powdered object to be weighed described in JP-A-1-148916.
(Modification 2)
In the seasoning apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, the ultrasonic sensors 13A, 13B, and 13C are exemplified as the reflective layer thickness measuring instrument capable of measuring the layer thickness of the semi-finished product, but the invention is not limited thereto.

  For example, instead of the ultrasonic sensor, a photoelectric sensor, an infrared sensor, a laser length measuring device, or the like can be used.

However, the oil adhering to the surface of the semi-finished product listed as hot water may cause irregular reflection of light emitted from the photoelectric sensor or the like on the surface of the semi-finished product. Then, when a photoelectric sensor or the like is used as a layer thickness measuring instrument, there is a possibility that the layer thickness of the semi-finished product cannot be measured appropriately. Therefore, when the semi-finished product is a semi-finished snack confectionery product, it is preferable to use an ultrasonic sensor like the seasoning device 100 of the present embodiment.
(Modification 3)
The seasoning apparatus 100 of this embodiment can also be configured not to provide the tilting feeder 40.

For example, the tip of the belt conveyor 21 of the weighing conveyor 20 and the tip of the screw feeder 46 may be inserted into the tumbler mixer 50 through the opening 50A. In this case, when the semi-finished product falls due to its own weight in the tumbler mixer 50, the seasoning may be sprinkled on the semi-finished product from above the semi-finished product.
(Modification 4)
In the seasoning apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, the picking conveyor 1 is provided in the front stage of the vibration feeder 10. However, if the semi-finished product is poorly sorted out, the picking conveyor 1 is not provided. Even if comprised, you may comprise so that another supply means may be provided.

As other supply means, various devices such as a belt conveyor, a chute, and an electromagnetic feeder may be employed.
(Modification 5)
In the seasoning device 100 of the present embodiment, the example in which the feed length of the conveyor belt 21C is measured (monitored) from moment to moment using the linear encoder 24 has been described, but the measurement (monitoring) of the feed length of the conveyor belt 21C is as follows. Not limited to this.

  For example, the controller 30 may calculate a predicted value of the feed length of the conveyor belt 21 </ b> C based on the conveyor conveyance speed of the belt conveyor 21.

  The present invention provides a seasoning device in which the uniformity of seasoning addition (how to sprinkle seasonings) of an object to be weighed (semi-finished product) is improved as compared with the conventional example.

  Therefore, this invention can be utilized for the snack confectionery manufacturing system in which seasoning of semi-finished products (for example, stick-shaped potato), such as snack confectionery, is performed.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Picking conveyor 10 Vibration feeder 11 Trough 12 Vibration feeder vibration apparatus 13A, 13B, 13C Ultrasonic sensor 14 Bracket 20 Weighing conveyor 21 Belt conveyor 21A, 21B Roller 21C Conveyor belt 22 Weight detector 23 Weighing conveyor base 30 Controller 30A Operation Panel 30B Vibration Feeder Drive Circuit 30C Weighing Conveyor Drive Circuit 30D Tilt Feeder Drive Circuit 30E Tumbler Mixer Drive Circuit 30F Applicator Drive Circuit 40 Tilt Feeder 41 Chute 42 Tilt Feeder Vibration Device 43 Tilt Feeder Mount 45 Applicator 46 Screw Feeder 47 Drive unit 50 Tumbler mixer 50A Opening 50B Container 60 Discharge conveyor 100 Seasoning device H Horizontal axis G Rotation axis

Claims (3)

A vibration feeder for conveying an object to be weighed by vibration;
A reflection-type layer thickness measuring instrument for measuring the layer thickness of the object to be weighed stacked in layers on the vibration feeder;
A weighing conveyor for weighing a weight of the object to be weighed when the object to be weighed discharged from an end of the vibration feeder is conveyed by the conveyor;
A controller for controlling a conveyor conveying speed of the object to be weighed by the weighing conveyor so that the layer thickness of the object to be weighed on the weighing conveyor is constant based on the layer thickness of the object to be weighed;
An apparatus for supplying an object to be weighed. The weighing object supply device according to claim 1;
An applicator for sprinkling a seasoning having an added weight corresponding to the weight of the object to be weighed on the weighing conveyor from above the object to be weighed;
After receiving the object to be weighed and the seasoning through the opening and stirring the object to be weighed and the seasoning, the object to be weighed is rotated from the opening by rotating so that the opening faces downward. And a mixer for discharging a mixture of said seasoning and
A seasoning device comprising: The seasoning apparatus according to claim 2, wherein an ultrasonic sensor is used for the layer thickness measuring instrument when the object to be weighed is a semi-finished snack confectionery product.

Images