JP2884343B1 - Article counting method and counting packaging device - Google Patents

Abstract

An object counting method is provided which can easily and accurately count even small-sized articles. SOLUTION: In a process of supplying articles to be counted in an aligned state to a temporary storage container 3, articles 1 are counted by a counting means 4.
When the counted value of the article reaches a predetermined value, the article 1 is closed by the temporary storage container side opening / closing means 6 so that the article 1 does not pass through the temporary storage container 3. The articles 1 that have passed through the temporary storage container 3 are stored in the counting article storage container 9. After the article 1 is closed by the temporary storage container side opening / closing means 6 so as not to pass through the temporary storage container 3, the counting article storage container side opening / closing means 14 at the bottom of the counting article storage container 9 is opened, and the total number of articles already counted is calculated. Supply to process. After the end of the supply, the counting article storage container side opening / closing means 14 is closed, and thereafter the temporary storage container side opening / closing means 6 is opened so that the articles 1 counted by the counting means 4 can pass through the temporary storage container 3.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an article counting method for counting articles and an article counting and packaging apparatus for counting and packaging the articles.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an example of articles to be counted, for example, a hook button as a fastener for clothing will be described. To stop one place of clothing, a pair of front and back attached to one side of clothing is required. And a pair of front and back attached to the other side of the garment constitute a set. In order to sell such a hook button in a set unit, it is necessary to count the hook button and wrap it in predetermined numbers.

Conventionally, there has been no suitable method for efficiently counting such articles, so that a predetermined number of articles to be counted are weighed, and the articles are weighed to reach the weight. And indirectly counted.

[0004]

However, in terms of the material, for example, there is a standard of tolerance for a thin metal plate in Japanese Industrial Standards, and therefore, there is an uneven thickness within the range of the tolerance, and a material having the same thickness is also required. The supply is limited and the same material cannot be supplied. Further, in terms of manufacturing, even if articles having the same name are made of the same material, their weights are not the same if the machine tools are different. Further, on the processed surface, after the steps of plating, painting, etc., the weight is not the same even for articles processed with the same processing machine using the same material. Furthermore, due to the necessity of distributed manufacturing and division of labor due to large orders and short delivery times, the weight of individual articles is slightly different.

[0005] For this reason, it is basically impossible to determine the exact number of articles by weight, and as a correction, weighing is performed by intentionally adding an extra number of articles over the real number to prevent shortage. Measures were being taken.

As a result, there are the following problems. (A) The smaller the number of articles, the larger the number of shortage prevention pieces that can compensate for the measurement error. (B) The more expensive the material, the greater the price loss due to the shortage prevention number that compensates for the weighing error. (C) The greater the number of orders divided into small bags, the greater the number of deficiencies to compensate for weighing errors and the greater the price loss. (D) For example, when packaging 1,000 pieces in one bag, if 10 extra pieces are added per bag, there is a problem that 100,000 pieces are lost in packaging of 10,000 bags.

An object of the present invention is to provide an article having a small shape,
An object of the present invention is to provide an article counting method and a counting and packaging apparatus that can easily and accurately count.

[0008]

According to a method for counting articles according to claim 1, articles to be counted are supplied in an individually recognizable aligned state to a temporary storage container which normally functions as a pipe,
During the supply process, the article is counted by the counting means at the entrance side of the temporary storage container, and when the count value of the article reaches a predetermined value, the temporary storage container side opening / closing means does not allow the article to pass through the temporary storage container. And the total number of the articles that have passed through the temporary storage container is stored in a counting article storage container, and the temporary storage container side opening / closing means is closed after the article is closed so as not to pass through the temporary storage container. The counting article storage container side opening / closing means at the bottom of the article storage container is opened to supply all the counted articles to the next step, and after the supply is completed, the counting article storage container side opening / closing means is closed and the counting article storage is completed. The temporary storage container side opening / closing means is opened from the time when the counting article storage container side opening / closing means at the bottom of the container is opened until after it is closed, and the articles counted by the counting means are temporarily stored. Characterized in that to make the counting article container side switching means through the container it is accommodated in the counting article container after closing.

In this way, using the temporary storage container and the counting article storage container, the articles to be counted are supplied to the temporary storage container in an aligned state while being counted by the counting means, and the counting articles are counted until the number of articles is determined. If the product is stored in the storage container and supplied to the next process after the counting is completed, the articles can be easily and accurately counted. For this reason, it is not necessary to add an extra number of articles so as to compensate for the lack of counting unlike the conventional counting method using weighing.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a counting and packaging apparatus for articles.
An article alignment and supply unit that supplies articles to be counted in an individually recognizable alignment state, a temporary storage container that temporarily stores the articles supplied from the article alignment and supply means, and usually functions as a pipeline; Counting means for counting the articles at the entrance side of the temporary storage container in the process of supplying to the temporary storage container, and when the count value of the articles by the counting means reaches a predetermined value, the article causes the temporary storage container to A temporary storage container side opening / closing means for closing so as not to pass through, a counting article storage container for storing the total number of the articles which have passed through the temporary storage container, and the temporary storage container After opening the counting article storage container side opening / closing means at the bottom of the counting article storage container to supply all the counted articles to the next step. And from the time when the counting article storage container side opening / closing means is closed and the counting article storage container side opening / closing means at the bottom of the counting article storage container is opened after the completion of the supply of all the counted articles from the counting article storage container. Until after closing, the temporary storage container side opening / closing means is opened, and the articles counted by the counting means pass through the temporary storage container, and after the counting article storage container side opening / closing means is closed, the counting article storage container is closed. It is characterized by comprising control means for controlling to be stored, and a packaging mechanism for packaging a predetermined number of the articles supplied from the counting article storage container.

[0011] The articles to be counted using the article alignment supply means, the temporary storage container, the counting means, the temporary storage container side opening / closing means, the counting article storage container, the control means, and the packaging mechanism. If the items are counted by the counting means while being supplied to the temporary storage container in an aligned state, and the items are stored in the counting item storage container until the number of items is determined and the counting is completed and then supplied to the packaging mechanism, the items can be easily and accurately obtained. Can be counted and packaged. For this reason, like the conventional counting method,
This eliminates the need to add and package an extra number of articles to compensate for the undercount.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the articles to be counted are supplied in an individually recognizable aligned state to one of two temporary storage containers which normally function as pipes. In the course of the supply, the article is counted by the counting means at the entrance side of the temporary storage container, and one of the two temporary storage containers receiving the supply of the article is the temporary storage container. Opening the inside so that the article can pass by the side opening / closing means and closing the inside so that the article cannot pass by the temporary storage container side opening / closing means on the other temporary storage container. When the counted value of the articles reaches a predetermined value, the supply of the articles is switched from one temporary storage vessel to the other temporary storage vessel by supply switching means at the entrance sides of the two temporary storage vessels. The total number of the articles passing through one of the temporary storage containers is stored in the counting article storage container, and after the articles are not supplied to the one of the temporary storage containers by the supply switching means, the counting article storage container Opening the counting article storage container side opening / closing means at the bottom, supplying the total number of the counted articles to the next step, closing the counting article storage container opening / closing means after the end of the supply, and opening the bottom of the counting article storage container. The temporary storage container side opening / closing means is operated to open the temporary storage container side opening / closing means from the time when the article storage container side opening / closing means is opened to the time after the other. The article is passed through the container so that the article can be stored in the counting article storage container after the counting article storage container side opening / closing means is closed, and the article can pass through one of the temporary storage containers. Characterized by the closed state odd.

Using the temporary storage container and the counting article storage container, the articles to be counted are supplied to the temporary storage container in an aligned state while being counted by the counting means, and the counted articles are counted until the number of articles is determined. If the product is stored in the storage container and supplied to the next process after the counting is completed, the articles can be easily and accurately counted. For this reason, it is not necessary to add an extra number of articles so as to compensate for the lack of counting unlike the conventional counting method using weighing. In particular, if two temporary storage containers provided side by side as in this method and supply switching means for switching the supply of articles at the entrance side of these temporary storage vessels are used, the articles are counted near by the counting means. Can be switched, and the correct number of articles can be easily supplied to the temporary storage container.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a counting and packaging apparatus for articles.
Article alignment supply means for supplying articles to be counted in an individually recognizable alignment state, and temporary storage functioning as two usually provided pipes for temporarily storing the articles supplied from the article alignment supply means A container, counting means for counting the articles at the entrance side of the temporary storage container in a process of supplying the article to one of the temporary storage containers, and supply of the article among the two temporary storage containers One of the temporary storage containers is open inside so that the article can pass through, and the other temporary storage container is closed inside so that the article cannot pass through. A temporary storage container side opening / closing means for performing an operation of performing, when the count value of the article reaches a predetermined value, one temporary storage container from the other temporary storage container at the entrance side of the two temporary storage containers. Supply switching means for switching the supply of the article to the tube container, a counting article storage container for accommodating the total number of articles which have passed through the temporary storage container which can pass through, and the article being one of the articles by the supply switching means. After the supply to the temporary storage container is stopped, the counting article storage container side opening / closing means at the bottom of the counting article storage container is opened to control the supply of the total number of the articles already counted to the next step, and after the supply is completed, The temporary storage container side opening / closing means is operated and opened between the time when the counting article storage container side opening / closing means is closed and the counting article storage container side opening / closing means at the bottom of the counting article storage container is opened and after the closing. After the article has passed through the other temporary storage container receiving the supply of the article being counted and is being counted, the article is stored in the counting article storage container after the counting article storage container side opening / closing means is closed. Control means for controlling to close one of the temporary storage containers so that the article cannot pass through, and a package for packaging a predetermined number of the articles supplied from the counting article storage container. And a mechanism.

[0015] Such article alignment and supply means, two temporary storage containers, counting means, temporary storage container side opening and closing means, supply switching means, counting article storage container, control means, and packaging mechanism are provided. Using the counting means, the articles to be counted are supplied in an aligned state to one of the temporary storage containers and counted by the counting means. When supplied to the packaging mechanism,
Articles can be easily and accurately counted and supplied to the packaging mechanism. For this reason, it is not necessary to add an extra number of articles so as to compensate for the lack of counting as in the related art and to package the articles. In particular, if two temporary storage containers provided side by side as in this method and supply switching means for switching the supply of articles at the entrance side of these temporary storage vessels are used, the articles are counted near by the counting means. Can be switched, and the correct number of articles can be easily supplied to the temporary storage container.

[0016]

FIG. 1 shows a first example of an embodiment of an article counting and packaging apparatus according to the present invention.

This article counting and packaging apparatus has article alignment supply means 2 for supplying articles 1 to be counted in an individually recognizable alignment state. The article alignment supply means 2 is constituted by a pipe or a part feeder having a passage cross-sectional area such that the articles 1 to be counted can pass only in one row,
It is arranged above the temporary storage container 3 described below. A temporary storage container 3 for temporarily storing the articles 1 supplied from the article alignment and supply means 2, which normally functions as a pipe, is opened at a place where the articles 1 supplied from the article alignment and supply means 2 fall, and is vertically oriented. Are located in In the process of supplying the articles 1 to the temporary storage container 3, the photoelectric sensor 5 of the counting means 4 can count the articles 1 at the entrance side of the temporary storage container 3.
Are disposed at the entrance of the temporary storage container 3 or at the exit of the article alignment and supply means 2. The temporary storage container 3 is provided with a temporary storage container side opening / closing means 6 including a shutter for closing the article 1 so that the article 1 does not pass through the temporary storage container 3 when the count value of the article 1 by the counting means 4 reaches a predetermined value. Have been. The opening / closing operation of the temporary storage container side opening / closing means 6 is performed by operating means 7 comprising a cylinder. The operating means 7 operates according to a command from the counting means 4.

The entire number of articles 1 passing through the temporary storage container 3 is supplied to a counting article storage container 9 through a pipe 8. The temporary storage container 3 normally functions as a pipe 8. A suction passage 10 is provided in the counting article storage container 9 so that the article 1 can be easily supplied from the temporary storage container 3 to the counting article storage container 9 even when the counting article storage container 9 is at a position higher than the temporary storage container 3. After that, suction is performed by suction means 11 such as a blower or a vacuum pump.
A cover 26 such as a net for preventing the articles 1 stored in the counting article storage container 9 from being sucked is attached to the opening inside the counting article storage container 9 of the suction passage 10.

Even if the inside of the temporary storage container 3 is closed by the temporary storage container side opening / closing means 6, the pipe line 8 can be sucked into the temporary storage container 3 below the temporary storage container side opening / closing means 6. A vent 12 is provided at the upper end. The bottom of the counting article storage container 9 is always closed and opened after the counting of the articles 1 is completed, so that all the articles 1 are packed in the packaging mechanism 1 in the next step.
3 is provided with a counting article storage container side opening / closing means 14 for sending to the counting article 3.

In the counting and packaging apparatus for articles, the temporary storage container side opening / closing means 6 closes the article 1 so as not to pass through the temporary storage container 3 and then opens and closes the bottom of the counting article storage container 9 on the counting article storage container side. Control for opening the means 14 to supply the total number of the counted articles 1 to the packaging mechanism 13 in the next process, and storing the counted articles 1 after the completion of the supply of the total number of the counted articles 1 from the counting article storage container 9. The temporary storage container side opening / closing means 6 is opened from the time the container side opening / closing means 14 is closed and the counting article storage container side opening / closing means 14 at the bottom of the counting article storage container 9 is opened until the counting, and the counting is performed. The article 1 counted by the means 4 is stored in the temporary storage container 3
A control means 15 is provided for performing control so that the article is stored in the counting article storage container 9 after the counting article storage container side opening / closing means 14 is closed.

The counting article storage container side opening / closing means 14 is designed to be opened and closed by operating means 16 comprising a cylinder. When the control means 15 receives a signal from the operating means 7 that the temporary storage container side opening / closing means 6 is closed, the control means 15 is located on the bottom side of the temporary storage container 3 after the temporary storage container side opening / closing means 6 is closed by the built-in timer. After the article 1 reaches the counting article storage container 9, a command to open the counting article storage container side opening / closing means 14 at the bottom of the counting article storage container 9 is issued to the operation means 16.

The control means 15 is a timer having a built-in time when the counting article storage container side opening / closing means 14 is opened and the counted number of articles 1 in the counting article storage container 9 is completely sent to the packaging mechanism 13 in the next step. After completion of the supply of all the counted articles 1 from the counting article storage container 9, a command to close the counting article storage container side opening / closing means 14 is issued to the operation means 16 and the temporary storage container side opening / closing means 6 is opened. Then, a command is issued to the operating means 7 to allow the articles 1 counted by the counting means 4 to pass through the temporary storage container 3.

A packaging mechanism 13 for packaging a predetermined number of articles 1 supplied from the counting article storage container 9 has a
A thermoplastic sheet supply means 18 for supplying a thermoplastic sheet 17 as a material of the packaging container; and a supplied thermoplastic sheet 17 is formed into a tubular shape, and the side and bottom portions are heat-sealed to form a tubular container 19. The article 1 supplied from the counting article accommodating container 9 via the hopper 20 is accommodated in the cylindrical container 19 which has been processed and the bottom is heat-sealed, and then the upper portion is sealed to seal the cylindrical container 19. And a packaging mechanism main body 21 that performs an operation of separating the cylindrical container 19 after the completion of the packaging.

Next, an example of an article counting and packaging operation by such an article counting and packaging apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 (A) to 2 (E).

Article 1 to be counted as shown in FIG.
Is supplied to the temporary storage container 3 in an aligned state that can be individually recognized by the article alignment and supply means 2. In the course of the supply, the articles 1 are counted by the counting means 4 while detecting the articles 1 by the photoelectric sensor 5 at the entrance side of the temporary storage container 3.

When the counted value of the article 1 by the counting means 4 reaches a predetermined value, the temporary storage container side opening / closing means 6 closes the article 1 so as not to pass through the temporary storage container 3 as shown in FIG. Then, a command is issued from the counting means 4 to the operating means 7, and the temporary storage container 3 is closed by the temporary storage container side opening / closing means 6. After the temporary storage container 3 is closed by the temporary storage container side opening / closing means 6, the articles 1 continuously counted by the counting means 4 are then put on the temporary storage container side opening / closing means 6 in the temporary storage container 3. Keep temporarily. Article 1 passing through temporary storage container 3
Is a counting article storage container 9 as shown in FIGS.
Housed in

After the article 1 is closed by the temporary storage container side opening / closing means 6 so as not to pass through the temporary storage container 3, the article located on the bottom side of the temporary storage container 3 after the temporary storage container side opening / closing means 6 is closed. After the time when 1 reaches the counting article storage container 9, a command to open the counting article storage container side opening / closing means 14 at the bottom of the counting article storage container 9 is sent from the control means 15 to the operation means 16.
Then, as shown in FIG. 2 (C), the counting article storage container side opening / closing means 14 at the bottom of the counting article storage container 9 is opened, and the total number of counted articles 1 is transferred to the hopper 2 of the packaging mechanism 13 in the next step.
Supply 0.

After the end of the supply of the articles 1 from the counting article storage container 9, a command is issued from the control means 15 to the operation means 16, and the counting article storage container side opening / closing means 14 is opened as shown in FIG. close. Thereafter, the control means 15 issues a command to the operation means 7 to open the temporary storage container side opening / closing means 6 as shown in FIG. 2 (E), and the articles 1 counted by the counting means 4 pass through the temporary storage container 3. To be able to
This returns to the state shown in FIG. 2A, and the same series of operations are repeated thereafter.

A predetermined number of articles 1 supplied from the counting article storage container 9 are supplied to a cylindrical packaging container 19 having a closed bottom formed by the packaging mechanism 13 shown in FIG. When the total number of
Is closed, and cut at an intermediate position of the closing margin to separate the packaging container 19 in which packaging is completed.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show a second example of the embodiment of the article counting and packaging apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 3 shows features of the article counting and packaging apparatus of the second example. FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view showing two temporary storage containers provided side by side and supply switching means for switching the supply of articles to these two temporary storage containers. FIG. 4 switches the passage of articles between the two temporary storage containers. It is a top view which shows the structure of the temporary storage container side opening / closing means.

In this article counting and packaging apparatus, two temporary storage containers 3A and 3B for temporarily storing the articles 1 supplied from the article alignment and supply means 2 are provided at the outlet side of the article alignment and supply means 2.
Is attached. The photoelectric sensor 5 detects the count of the articles 1 in the process of supplying the articles 1 to any one of the temporary storage containers at the outlet of the article alignment and supply means 2 existing on the entrance side of the temporary storage containers 3A and 3B. A counting means 4 for counting is arranged. At the entrance side of the temporary storage containers 3A and 3B, when the counted value of the article 1 reaches a predetermined value, the supply of the article 1 from one temporary storage container 3A that has been receiving the supply of the article 1 to the other temporary storage container 3B is performed. A supply switching means 22 for switching is provided. And this supply switching means 2
Between the temporary storage container 3A or 3B whose opening serving as an entrance is closed by the switching operation of 2 and the supply switching means 22, the inside of the temporary storage container 3A or 3B whose opening is closed and the outside are provided. The communicating air opening 27 is formed.

Further, the temporary storage containers 3A, 3B attached to the
In one of the temporary storage containers 3A and 3B, one of the temporary storage containers 3A receiving the supply of the article 1 is opened inside so that the article 1 can pass through, and the other temporary storage container 3B is opened. Is provided with a temporary storage container side opening / closing means 6 for performing an operation of closing the inside so that the article 1 cannot pass through. The temporary storage container side opening / closing means 6 includes a hole 24A for opening the temporary storage container 3A in the common shutter 23, and a temporary storage container 3A.
A and a closing plate 25 for alternately closing the inside of the storage container 3B, and a hole 24B for opening the inside of the temporary storage container 3B are provided with holes 24A on both sides of the closing plate 25 as shown in FIGS. , 24
The structure is provided so that B exists.

The other structure is the same as the first structure shown in FIG.
The configuration is the same as in the example. However, the control means 15
In the supply switching means 22, the article 1 is stored in one of the temporary storage containers 3A.
After opening the counting article storage container side opening / closing means 14 at the bottom of the counting article storage container 9, the total number of counted articles 1 is reduced to the hopper 20 of the packaging mechanism 13 in the next step.
And the other temporary storage container receiving the supply of the articles 1 being counted by operating the temporary storage container side opening / closing means 6 after closing the counting article storage container side opening / closing means 14 after the supply is completed. Control is performed such that 3B is opened to allow the article 1 to pass through and one temporary storage container 3A is closed to prevent the article 1 from passing through.

Next, the counting and packaging operation of articles by such an article counting and packaging apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 (A) to 5 (I).

As shown in FIG.
The articles 1 to be counted are supplied in an aligned state by one of the two temporary storage containers 3A and 3B, for example, to the temporary storage container 3A by the article alignment supply unit 2. In the course of the supply, the articles 1 are counted by the counting means 4 at the entrance side of the temporary storage container 3A.

One of the two temporary storage containers 3A and 3B, to which the article 1 is supplied, is supplied with the article 1 so that the article 1 can pass through the hole 24A of the temporary storage container side opening / closing means 6. The interior is opened and the other temporary storage container 3B is closed so that the article 1 cannot pass through the closing plate 25 of the temporary storage container side opening / closing means 6.

When the counted value of the article 1 in the counting means 4 reaches a predetermined value, as shown in FIG. 5 (B), the supply switching of the article 1 is performed at the inlet sides of the two temporary storage containers 3A and 3B.
2, one temporary storage container 3A to the other temporary storage container 3A.
Switch to B. The article 1 that has passed through one temporary storage container 3A is stored in a counting article storage container 9 via a pipe 8 as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B.

After the supply switching means 22 prevents the article 1 from being supplied to one of the temporary storage containers 3A, the article 1 on the bottom side of the temporary storage container 3A is removed from the counting article storage container 9A.
After the time has elapsed, a command to open the counting article storage container side opening / closing means 14 at the bottom of the counting article storage container 9 is issued from the control means 15 to the operating means 16, and as shown in FIG. The opening / closing means 14 on the counting article storage container side is opened, and the total number of counted articles 1 is stored in the packaging mechanism 13 in the next step.
To the hopper 20.

After the end of the supply of the articles 1 from the counting article storage container 9, a command is issued from the control means 15 to the operation means 16, and as shown in FIG. close. Thereafter, a command is issued from the control means 15 to the operation means 7, and the temporary storage container side opening / closing means 6 is moved as shown in FIG. 5 (E), so that the article 1 passes through the hole 24B in the other temporary storage container 3B. The temporary storage container 3A is closed so that the article 1 cannot pass by the closing plate 25 of the temporary storage container side opening / closing means 6 so that the article 1 cannot pass by.

When the counted value of the article 1 in the counting means 4 reaches a predetermined value, as shown in FIG. 5 (F), the supply switching of the article 1 is performed at the inlet side of the two temporary storage containers 3A and 3B.
2, the temporary storage container 3B is moved from the temporary storage container 3B to the temporary storage container 3B.
Switch to A. The article 1 that has passed through the other temporary storage container 3B is stored in the counting article storage container 9 via the pipeline 8 as shown in FIGS.

After the supply switching means 22 prevents the article 1 from being supplied to the other temporary storage container 3B, the article 1 on the bottom side of the temporary storage container 3B is removed from the counting article storage container 9B.
After the time has elapsed, a command to open the counting article storage container side opening / closing means 14 at the bottom of the counting article storage container 9 is issued from the control means 15 to the operating means 16, and as shown in FIG. The opening / closing means 14 on the counting article storage container side is opened, and the total number of counted articles 1 is stored in the packaging mechanism 13 in the next step.
To the hopper 20.

After the end of the supply of the articles 1 from the counting article storage container 9, a command is issued from the control means 15 to the operation means 16, and the counting article storage container side opening / closing means 14 is opened as shown in FIG. close. Thereafter, a command is issued from the control means 15 to the operation means 7, and the temporary storage container side opening / closing means 6 is moved as shown in FIG. 5 (I), so that the article 1 is moved through one of the temporary storage containers 3A through the hole 24A. The temporary storage container 3B is closed so that the article 1 cannot pass by the closing plate 25 of the temporary storage container-side opening / closing means 6 so that the article 1 cannot pass by. This returns to the state shown in FIG. 5A, and the above-described operation is repeated.

Two temporary storage containers 3A and 3B provided side by side as in this method, and these temporary storage containers 3A and 3B
By using the supply switching means 22 for switching the supply of articles on the inlet side of B, the supply of the articles 1 can be switched near the counting by the counting means 4, so that an accurate number of articles can be easily obtained. 1 can be supplied to the temporary storage containers 3A and 3B. For this reason, there is an advantage that control at the end of each count is easier than in the first example.

In the above example, the articles 1 are supplied from the temporary storage container 3 to the counted articles storage container 9 by air because the counted article storage container 9 is located above the temporary storage container 3.
When the counting article storage container 9 is below the temporary storage container 3, the article 1 can be supplied by being dropped from the temporary storage container 3 to the counting article storage container 9 by the gravity of the article 1.
In addition, the packaging was also performed by using this apparatus to form the packaging container 19, but the packaging container 19 may be formed by molding a rigid material or the like in a separate process.

[0045]

As described above, in the article counting method according to the present invention, the counting means is used while the articles to be counted are supplied to the temporary storage container in an aligned state using the temporary storage container and the counting article storage container. The number of articles is counted, and the articles are stored in a counting article storage container until the number of articles is determined and the counting is completed. Then, the articles are supplied to the next process, so that articles can be easily and accurately counted. For this reason, like the conventional counting method,
This eliminates the need to add an extra number of articles to compensate for the undercount.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a first example of an embodiment of an article counting device according to the present invention.

2 (A) to 2 (E) are explanatory diagrams of an article counting and packaging operation by the article counting and packaging apparatus of the first example shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of a main part showing a second example of the embodiment of the article counting device according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the structure of the temporary storage container side opening / closing means used in FIG. 3;

5 (A) to (I) are explanatory diagrams of the counting and packaging operation of the articles by the article counting and packaging apparatus of the second example shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Articles to be counted 2 Article alignment supply means 3, 3A, 3B Temporary storage container 4 Counting means 5 Photoelectric sensor 6 Temporary storage container side opening / closing means 7 Operating means 8 Pipe line 9 Counting article storage container 10 Suction passage 11 Suction means 12 Communication Pores 13 Packaging mechanism 14 Counting article storage container side opening / closing means 15 Control means 16 Operating means 17 Thermoplastic sheet 18 Thermoplastic sheet supply means 19 Cylindrical container 20 Hopper 21 Packaging mechanism main body 22 Supply switching means 23 Shutter 24A, 24B Hole 25 Closing plate 26 Cover 27 Air vent

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] An article to be counted is supplied in an individually recognizable aligned state to a temporary storage container which normally functions as a conduit,
During the supply process, the article is counted by the counting means at the entrance side of the temporary storage container, and when the count value of the article reaches a predetermined value, the temporary storage container side opening / closing means does not allow the article to pass through the temporary storage container. And the total number of the articles that have passed through the temporary storage container is stored in a counting article storage container, and the temporary storage container side opening / closing means is closed after the article is closed so as not to pass through the temporary storage container. The counting article storage container side opening / closing means at the bottom of the article storage container is opened to supply all the counted articles to the next step, and after the supply is completed, the counting article storage container side opening / closing means is closed and the counting article storage is completed. The temporary storage container side opening / closing means is opened from the time when the counting article storage container side opening / closing means at the bottom of the container is opened until after it is closed, and the articles counted by the counting means are temporarily stored. Counting method of an article, characterized in that to make the counting article container side switching means through the container is accommodated in the counting article container after closing. 2. An article alignment and supply unit for supplying articles to be counted in an individually recognizable alignment state, and a temporary storage container for temporarily storing the articles supplied from the article alignment and supply means, usually functioning as a pipeline. Counting means for counting the articles at the entrance side of the temporary storage container in the process of supplying the articles to the temporary storage container, and when the count value of the articles by the counting means reaches a predetermined value, the article is A temporary storage container side opening / closing means for closing so as not to pass through the temporary storage container, a counting article storage container for accommodating a total number of the articles which have passed through the temporary storage container, and the article in the temporary storage container side opening / closing means. Is closed so as not to pass through the temporary storage container, and opens the counting article storage container side opening / closing means at the bottom of the counting article storage container to supply all the counted articles to the next step. After the completion of the control for supplying and counting the number of articles already counted from the counting article storage container, the counting article storage container side opening / closing means is closed, and the counting article storage container side opening / closing means at the bottom of the counting article storage container is closed. The temporary storage container side opening / closing means is opened from the time of opening to the time after the closing, and the articles counted by the counting means pass through the temporary storage container and are counted after the counted article storage container side opening / closing means is closed. An article counting apparatus comprising: control means for performing control to be stored in a number article storage container; and a packaging mechanism for packaging a predetermined number of the articles supplied from the counting article storage container. Packaging equipment. 3. An article to be counted is supplied in an individually recognizable alignment state to one of two temporary storage containers normally functioning as a pipeline, and the temporary storage container is supplied in the course of the supply. The article is counted by the counting means at the entrance side of the container, and one of the two temporary storage containers receiving the supply of the article may be passed by the temporary storage container side opening / closing means. The inside of the temporary storage container is closed so that the article cannot be passed by the temporary storage container side opening / closing means, and the count value of the article is a predetermined value. At the entrance of the two temporary storage containers, the supply of the articles is switched from one temporary storage container to the other temporary storage container by supply switching means, and passes through the one temporary storage container. The total number of the dropped articles is stored in the counting article storage container, and after the supply switching means prevents the article from being supplied to one of the temporary storage containers, the bottom of the counting article storage container is opened and closed on the counting article storage container side. Open the means and supply the total number of said counted articles to the next step;
After the end of the supply, the temporary storage container side opening / closing means is closed from the time when the counting article storage container side opening / closing means is closed and the counting article storage container side opening / closing means at the bottom of the counting article storage container is opened. Is operated to open, and the article passes through the other temporary storage container receiving the supply of the article during counting, and is stored in the counting article storage container after the counting article storage container side opening / closing means is closed. A method for counting articles, wherein the article is closed in such a manner that the article cannot pass through one of the temporary storage containers. 4. An article aligning / supplying means for supplying articles to be counted in an individually recognizable alignment state, and two ordinary pipes provided to temporarily store the articles supplied from the article aligning / supplying means. A temporary storage container that functions as a counter, a counting unit that counts the articles at the entrance side of the temporary storage container in the process of supplying the article to one of the temporary storage containers, In one of the temporary storage containers receiving the supply of the article, the inside is opened so that the article can pass through, and the other temporary storage container can not pass the article in the other temporary storage container. A temporary storage container side opening / closing means for performing an operation of closing the inside, and, when the counted value of the article reaches a predetermined value, two temporary storage containers at the entrance side from one temporary storage container to another. Supply switching means for switching the supply of the article to one of the temporary storage containers, a counting article storage container for accommodating the total number of the articles which have passed through the temporary storage container which can pass through, and the supply switching means. After the articles are prevented from being supplied to one of the temporary storage containers, control is performed to open the counting article storage container side opening / closing means at the bottom of the counting article storage container and supply the total number of the counted articles to the next process and supply thereof. After the end of the above, the temporary storage container side opening / closing means is closed from when the counting article storage container side opening / closing means is closed and when the counting article storage container side opening / closing means at the bottom of the counting article storage container is opened. After the article has passed through the other temporary storage container receiving the supply of the article being counted by being opened and being counted, the article is stored after the counting article container side opening / closing means is closed. Control means for controlling to be stored in a container and to close one of the temporary storage containers so that the articles cannot pass through; and a predetermined number of the articles supplied from the counting article storage container And a packaging mechanism for packaging the articles.