JP3183476B2 - Automatic ice bagging equipment - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic bagging apparatus for automatically storing ice in a stocker by a predetermined amount of ice produced by an ice maker.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, this type of apparatus is provided between a pair of ice-making machines and a stocker as shown in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,109,651, and has a large number of bags. A bag storage mechanism for storing a bag, a bag loading mechanism for loading bags one by one from the bag storage mechanism into a predetermined position, and a bag supporting mechanism for expanding and supporting an upper opening of the loaded bag,
It comprises a pair of tanks provided below each ice machine and respectively containing ice generated by each ice machine, an auger provided in each tank, and an electric motor for rotating and driving the auger. An ice loading mechanism that transports ice in the tank by the rotation of the auger and throws ice into the supported bag, and a weight that has a weighing table at the position where the bag is loaded and is given to the table; A measuring mechanism for measuring the amount of ice put into the bag by measuring the temperature of the bag, a sealing mechanism for sealing the top of the bag filled with ice, and a bag dropping mechanism for dropping the sealed bag into the stocker. And an electric control device for controlling the operation of each mechanism, and the electric control device puts the ice into the bag until a predetermined amount of ice is detected by the bag loading operation by the bag loading mechanism and the measuring mechanism. Ice loading by the ice loading mechanism The sequential operation consisting of the bag sealing operation by the bag mechanism and the bag dropping operation by the dropping mechanism is repeatedly controlled to sequentially pack the predetermined amount of ice into the bags and sequentially pack the packed ice into the stocker one bag at a time. I try to accumulate. Then, in this case, the ice charging mechanism keeps charging the ice in the same tank into the bag until the ice in one tank runs out. Ice in the bag.

[0003]

However, in the conventional apparatus configured as described above, the ice in one tank starts to be poured into the bag after the ice in one tank runs out. Ice in the tank may be left for a long time. In this case, the ice in the other tank may stick together (arching), which may hinder the next ice charging operation. Further, in the above-mentioned conventional apparatus, the height of the weighing table is always kept constant from the carry-in of the bag to the end of the weighing. Therefore, during the weighing operation, the bag supporting mechanism also shares a part of the weight of ice in the bag. As a result, there is a problem that ice is not accurately measured. In addition, in the conventional apparatus, since the rotation of the auger is simply stopped after the ice is weighed, the ice remaining at the tip of the auger may fall after the weighing, or the ice remaining in the auger may be removed. There was a problem of sticking to each other. Further, in the above-mentioned conventional apparatus, when an abnormality occurs in the operation of weighing ice, the operation of putting ice into the bag, or the like, the electric motor constituting the ice loading mechanism continues to rotate forever. There is also a problem that the durability of the motor deteriorates at the same time as it causes a failure of the motor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to address the above-mentioned problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide an automatic ice bagging apparatus capable of always accurately feeding ice into a bag. .

[0005]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a structural feature of the invention according to the first aspect is that an electric control unit alternately switches each ice input mechanism for each sequence operation. That is, alternate feeding control means for operating the same.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an automatic ice bag filling apparatus according to the first aspect.
A pair of tanks is provided with a pair of detectors for detecting low ice in the tank, and alternately charged to the electronic control unit when one of the tanks detects low ice in one tank. There is provided one-side charging control means for inhibiting the operation of the control means and operating the ice charging mechanism in the other tank.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an automatic ice bag filling apparatus according to the second aspect, wherein one of the detectors is provided in the electric control device and the other is provided in the one tank. When a small amount of ice is detected, the ice charging mechanism in the same tank is operated only for a short time, and a remaining ice charging control means for charging the ice remaining in the same tank into the bag is added.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the weighing mechanism is moved up and down by an electric motor to support a bag, and a weight for measuring the weight applied to the weighing plate. In addition to the measuring device, the electric control device includes an ice loading mechanism in a state where the weighing plate of the weighing mechanism is set at the first height position where the bottom of the bag supported by the bag supporting mechanism does not contact the weighing plate. The initial loading control means, which operates only for a short time, and initially loads a small amount of ice into the bag, and the bag into which the ice is loaded by controlling the electric motor immediately after the initial loading of the ice, regardless of the support mechanism. Second supported only by weighing plate
Ascent control means for elevating the ice to a height position; main input control means for starting the main input of ice into the bag by activating the ice input mechanism shortly after completion of the initial input of ice; and a predetermined amount of ice by a weight measuring device. And stop control means for stopping the operation of the ice input mechanism by the main input control means when the detection is made.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a lift control unit according to the fourth aspect of the present invention.
First raising control means for starting to raise the weighing plate from the end of the initial charging of ice and stopping the raising of the weighing plate at the start of the main charging of ice, and the weighing plate shortly after stopping the raising of the weighing plate by the first raising control means And the second lifting control means for restarting the rising of the weighing plate to the second height position.

[0010] A structural feature of the invention according to claim 6 is that a pair of tanks are provided with a pair of detectors for detecting that the amount of ice in the tanks is small, respectively.
The weighing mechanism consists of a weighing plate that is moved up and down by an electric motor to support the bag, and a weighing device that measures the weight given to the weighing plate. Storage means for storing data representing the tank containing the next ice to be loaded, and the weighing plate of the weighing mechanism is supported when both detectors do not detect low ice in each tank. With the bottom of the bag supported by the mechanism set at the first height position where it does not contact the weighing plate, the ice loading mechanism in the tank specified by the data is operated for a short time to put a small amount of ice into the bag. Initially, when one of the detectors detects that the amount of ice in one of the tanks is low, the ice loading mechanism in the other tank is briefly set with the weighing plate of the weighing mechanism set at the first height position. Only operate and bag a small amount of ice Initial charging means for initial charging, and the electric motor is controlled immediately after the initial charging of the ice to control the weighing plate to the second height position where the bag filled with ice is supported only by the weighing plate without using the support mechanism. Ascent control means for raising, and when both detectors do not detect that the amount of ice in each tank is low, actuate the ice loading mechanism in the tank designated by the data shortly after the end of initial loading. When the ice is fully loaded into the bag and one of the detectors detects that the amount of ice in one tank is low, the ice loading mechanism in the other tank is activated shortly after the completion of the initial loading of ice. The main charging control means for starting the main charging into the bag and the ice charging mechanism in the same tank for a short time before the main charging of the ice is started when one of the detectors detects that the ice in the one tank is low. And leave it in the tank And a stop control unit for stopping the operation of the ice input mechanism by the main input control unit when a predetermined amount of ice is detected by the weight measuring device. .

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electric control device comprising an auger reverse rotation control means for controlling an electric motor after the auger normal rotation control operation to reverse the auger for a short time. It has been provided.

Further, a structural feature of the invention according to claim 8 is that the electric control device stops the operation of the ice charging mechanism after a predetermined time from the start of the operation, and the bag sealing operation by the sealing mechanism. That is, there is provided a transfer control means for shifting to.

[0013]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, as described above, the ice in each tank is alternately thrown into the bag for each sequence operation by the alternate throwing control means. The ice in the tank will not be left for a long time. As a result, according to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the ice in the tank from sticking together (arching), so that the operation of putting the ice into the bag is not hindered.

Further, in the invention according to claim 2 configured as described above, when the amount of ice in one tank decreases, this state is detected by one of the detectors, and the other side is controlled by the operation of the one-side charging control means. Only the ice in the tank will be thrown into the bag. As a result, according to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the first aspect of the present invention, even when one of the tanks is empty, the ice bag is efficiently packed.

Further, in the invention according to claim 3 configured as described above, even if the ice in one tank is reduced and the ice in the other tank is packed as described above, the remaining Due to the operation of the ice charging control means, the ice in the tank whose remaining amount is reduced is poured into the bag and is exhausted. As a result, according to the third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the second aspect, the ice in the tank having a reduced remaining amount is not left for a long time. It is possible to prevent the occurrence of operation abnormalities such as an ice loading mechanism due to the solidification of the ice pieces.

Further, in the invention according to claim 4 configured as described above, first, the bottom of the bag in which the weighing plate is supported by the bag supporting mechanism by the action of the initial charging control means does not contact the weighing plate. A small amount of ice is initially thrown into the bag with it set at the one height position. Immediately after the initial loading, the rising control means makes the weighing plate support the bag filled with ice only by the weighing plate without using the supporting mechanism.
As soon as the ice is raised to the height position, a short time after the end of the initial charging of the ice, the main charging control means starts to put ice into the bag, and the stop control means detects the predetermined amount of ice by the weight measuring device. At times, the main charging is stopped. As a result, according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the ice is stored in the bottom of the bag by the initial charging, and the bag is accurately positioned by the ice. In this state, the bag is lifted by the weighing plate. At the time of loading, the weight of the ice is no longer applied to the bag supporting mechanism, and all the weight is applied to the weighing plate, so that the ice is accurately measured and a large force is not applied to the bag supporting mechanism.

Further, in the invention according to claim 5 configured as described above, the operation of the first and second elevation control means causes the weighing plate to rise in two stages from the start of initial charging of the ice into the bag. Since the bag is divided, the operation of being supported by the weighing plate after the bag is pulled downward by the ice is performed even after the ice is fully charged. As a result, according to the invention of claim 5, it is possible to prevent wrinkling of the bag immediately after the main charging of the ice, and the weighing plate surely supports the bag containing the ice at the end of the ice weighing. Therefore, the ice is more accurately measured than in the case of the invention according to claim 4.

Further, in the invention according to claim 6 configured as described above, when both tanks are filled with ice, the tank designated by data alternately switched for each sequence operation. After the ice in the tank is initially thrown into the bag by the action of the initial throw control means, the ice in the tank is permanently thrown into the bag by the action of the full throw control means. . When the ice in one tank is low, the ice in the other tank is initially charged into the bag by the action of the initial charging control means, and then the ice in the other tank is reduced by the main charging control means. It is fully loaded into the bag by the action. If the amount of ice in one of the tanks is low, the ice in the same tank is thrown into the bag by the operation of the remaining ice throwing-in control means before the main throw-in. Further, at the time of the initial loading operation and the main loading operation, similarly to the invention according to the fourth aspect, the lifting of the weighing plate of the weighing mechanism is controlled in relation to both the ice loading operations. As a result, according to the sixth aspect of the invention, as in the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, the ice is always accurately measured and the operation of the ice loading mechanism and the like is always normally performed. In addition, a large force is no longer applied to the bag support mechanism, and even if the ice in one tank is low, a certain amount of ice can always be thrown into the bag by initial loading, and the operation after initial loading It will be sure.

In the invention according to claim 7, the auger is rotated in the normal direction, the ice in the tank is charged into the bag, and then the auger is rotated in the reverse direction. The ice remaining in the auger tip and the auger is returned to the tank. As a result, this claim 7
According to the invention according to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the ice remaining at the tip of the auger from falling after weighing or to prevent the ice remaining in the auger from sticking to each other, and to perform the ice weighing operation,
The next operation of throwing ice can be performed accurately.

Further, in the invention according to claim 8 configured as described above, when the operation of the ice input mechanism continues for a predetermined time or more, the sequence operation is performed from the ice input operation by the ice input mechanism to the seal mechanism. Automatically shift to bag sealing operation. As a result, according to the invention according to claim 8, even if an abnormality occurs in the weighing operation, the ice charging operation, or the like, the driving portion of the ice charging mechanism can be prevented from continuing to operate forever, and the same driving operation can be avoided. It is possible to reduce the failure of the part and improve the durability.

[0021]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. This ice making bagging machine includes a pair of left and right ice making machines A1 and A2 arranged in an upper stage, an automatic ice bagging device B arranged in a middle stage, and an opening / closing door C on a front surface arranged in a lower stage.
1 and C2. Each ice maker A1 and A2 repeats the ice making process and the deicing process at a predetermined cycle, automatically generates ice of a predetermined shape at a predetermined speed in the ice making process, and automatically drops the ice in the deicing process. Is supplied to an automatic bagging apparatus B for ice placed below, for example, US Pat. No. 4,795.
No. 1,792 can be used.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 6, the automatic bag filling apparatus B for ice is disposed at the front of the central part of the apparatus B, and has a bag storing mechanism 10 for storing a large number of bags F, and a bag storing mechanism. 10, a bag carrying mechanism 20 for carrying the bags F one by one from the mechanism 10 to the predetermined position, and a bag carrying mechanism 20 disposed above the bag storing mechanism 10 and the bag carrying mechanism 20. In cooperation with the bag support mechanism 30, the upper opening of the bag F is extended and supported as shown by the imaginary line in FIG. 2, and the ice making machines A1 and A2 are arranged on the left and right sides of the bag support mechanism 30. A pair of left and right ice storing and charging mechanisms 40A and 40B for storing the generated ice and for charging the ice into the opened bag F;
A sealing mechanism 50 for sealing the upper part of the bag F filled with a predetermined amount of ice, and a bag F disposed below the bag supporting mechanism 30;
A bag drop mechanism 60 for sliding the ice packed and sealed into the stocker C and a weighing mechanism 70 for measuring the ice packed in the bag F which is integrated with the bag drop mechanism 60 and the like. ing.

As shown in FIGS. 4, 7, and 8, the bag storage mechanism 10 includes a cassette 11 formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape with opened back and bottom surfaces to store a large number of bags F. The cassette 11 is rotatably mounted on a frame 91 by a shaft 12 fixed to the lower end, and holding pins 13 and 14 for holding the bag F and erroneous mounting of the bag F are provided at the upper end of the inner surface thereof. Direction designation pin 15 is fixed. The holding pins 13 and 14 are formed in a hollow shape, and are formed by cutting out the lower half of the tip.
a and 14a. The cassette 11 thus configured is fixed substantially vertically by the fixing plate 16 rotatably assembled to the frame 91 when the automatic bagging apparatus B is operated, so that the bag F can be taken out rearward. The bag F is tilted forward in a state where the fixing plate 16 is rotated upward, and the bag F can be assembled to each of the pins 13 to 15. A detection switch SW1 for detecting the set state of the cassette 11 is mounted on the frame 91. The switch SW1 is turned on when the cassette 11 is in the set state and turned off when the cassette 11 is not in the set state. are doing. Each bag F is formed of a transparent synthetic resin that is melted by heat, and as shown in FIG. 9, the bottom is woven in the upper inside and partially extends downward when ice is stored. At the front side of the opening at the upper end of the bag F, mounting holes Fa1 and Fa for the pins 13 to 15 of the cassette 11 are provided.
2, a mounting piece Fa having Fa3 is formed.

The bag carrying mechanism 20 is shown in FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 12, a pair of shafts 21 fixed to the lower end
A gate-shaped main arm 21 is attached to the frame 91 so as to be tiltable at a and 21b. Main arm 2
Numeral 1 is mounted on a frame 91 and tilted by an electric motor M1 with a speed reducer, and its original position (the state shown in FIG. 4) is detected by an optical detection switch SW2. ing. The detection switch SW2 detects the rotational position of the rotating shaft of the bag carrying motor M1, and is turned on when the main arm 21 returns to the original position, and is turned off at other times. A gate-shaped sub-arm 22 is attached to the inside of the main arm 21 so as to be tiltable. The sub arm 22 includes a pair of leaf springs 23a and 23b fixed to the back surface of the main arm 21 and protrusions 22a and 22b protruding left and right from the back surface of the sub arm 22.
When the main arm 21 is tilted counterclockwise in FIG. 4, the main arm 21 is resiliently pushed in the same direction by the leaf springs 23a and 23b.
Are tilted clockwise, they are integrally pushed in the same direction by the projections 22a and 22b. A detection switch SW3 for confirming a bag gripping operation is attached to a rear surface of the main arm 21. The detection switch SW3 is turned on when the main arm 21 is tilted by a predetermined angle or more with respect to the sub arm 22. When it is off.

A plate 24 having a front end bent downward is fixed to the upper side of the sub arm 22.
A pair of left and right swing levers 25, 25 are swingably mounted on the plate 24. At both ends of the downwardly bent portion of the plate 24, fixed claw portions 24 a and 24 a are formed by cutting out the center portions thereof, and the claw portions 24 a and 24 a are formed.
Movable claws 25a, 25a having a number of vertical grooves are formed on the end face of the swing lever 25 facing the a, 24a.
Pins 26, 26 projecting up and down are fixed on the outer circumference of the swing levers 25, 25, respectively.
One end of a spring 27 is fixed to the lower end of the plate 6 and the other end of the spring 27
4 is fixed to the central part. Therefore, the movable claws 25a, 25a have the fixed claws 24a,
24b, the swing levers 25, 25 are urged forward, and the movable claws 25a, 25a
swing levers 25, 25 when they are separated from
To the rear. A release lever 28 is attached to the inner side surface of the sub arm 22 so as to be tiltable between the front surface of the plate 24 and the pins 26. The swing lever 25, the pin 26, the spring 27 and the release lever 28 constitute a chuck mechanism for holding the bag F.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, 7, and 8, the bag support mechanism 30 is formed in an L-shape and has a frame 91 at one end.
Left and right pair of bag support shafts 3 rotatably mounted on
1 and 32 are provided. The bag support shafts 31, 32 are urged clockwise in FIGS. 4 and 7 at one end by springs 33, 34, and the other end is cut out of the holding pins 13, 14 of the bag storage mechanism 10 at the original position. It is engaged with the parts 13a and 14a. Stoppers 31a and 32a are integrally provided on the parallel extending portions of the bag support shafts 31 and 32, and the bag F is moved by the bag loading mechanism 20 in FIGS.
8, when it is pulled to the right, the displacement of the mounting piece Fa is regulated. In addition, the bag support shaft 3
Light-shielding plates 35 and 36 having a predetermined width that rotate integrally with the shafts 31 and 32 are attached to the shafts 1 and 32, and optical detection switches SW that sandwich the light-shielding plates 35 and 36, respectively.
4, SW5 is fixed to the frame 91. These detection switches SW4 and SW5 are turned on when the bag support shafts 31 and 32 are in their original positions (the state shown in FIGS. 4, 7 and 8), and the shafts 31 and 32 are turned counterclockwise in FIGS. When the light is shielded by the light shielding plates 35 and 36 after a slight rotation in the direction, the light is turned off, and when the shafts 31 and 32 are further rotated in the same direction, the light is turned on again. The cassette 1
In a state where the bag 1 is tilted forward for replacement of the bag F, the bag support shafts 31 and 32 are rotated downward against the springs 33 and 34 by the rotation of the lever 37, and the bag F is refilled. When the cassette 11 is set, the holding pins 13 and 14 are engaged with the bag support shafts 31 and 32 at the notches 13a and 14a.

As shown in FIG. 3, the right-side ice storage / injection mechanism 40A is mounted on a frame 91 and is a tank 41a for storing ice dropped and supplied from the right-side ice making machine A1.
It has. A transport chute 42a for dropping ice at the center of the automatic bagging device B is integrally attached to the tank 41a, and an auger 43 for transporting ice along the transport chute 42a from the lower part of the tank 41a.
a is rotatably assembled. The auger 43a is driven to rotate by an electric motor M2 with a speed reducer assembled to the frame 91. An end of a drain pipe 44a is connected to the bottom of the tank 41a, and the water distribution pipe 44a discharges molten water accumulated in the tank 41a to the outside. Above the tank 41a, the tank 41a
A sprinkling pipe 45a for melting the ice inside is provided, and the sprinkling pipe 45a can be supplied with water from outside via a water supply valve 46a driven by an electromagnetic solenoid.
An optical detection switch SW6L and a detection switch SW6H are mounted on the lower and upper portions of the tank 41a, respectively. The detection switch SW6L is normally in an off state, and is turned on when the ice in the tank 41 becomes equal to or more than the full amount of the bag F. The detection switch SW6H is normally in an off state, and is turned on when the ice is almost full in the tank 41a. The left ice storing and charging mechanism 40B is configured symmetrically with the right ice storing and charging mechanism 40A, and has the same tank 41b, transport chute 42b, auger 43b, drain pipe 44b, sprinkler pipe 4 as described above.
5b and a water supply valve 46b (not shown). In the following description, each component in the right ice storage and throwing mechanism 40A will be referred to by assigning “right”, and each component in the left ice storage and throwing mechanism 40B will be assigned “left”. I will call it. In addition, the left ice storage / injection mechanism 40B
Also, the same electric motor M3 and detection switches SW7L, S
Equipped with W7H.

The seal mechanism 50 includes a heater block 51 and a seal bar 52 as shown in FIGS. The heater block 51 is fixed to the frame 91, and is heated by energizing the built-in heater 51a. The seal bar 52 is rotatably mounted on a frame 91 via a gate-shaped support arm 53 and support shafts 54, 54. Both ends of the support arm 53 are connected to a drive shaft 58 rotatably mounted on the frame 91 via a pair of links 55, 55, drive arms 56, 56 and tension coil springs 57, 57. By the rotation of the shaft 58, the arm 53 is driven to rotate together with the seal bar 52. The drive shaft 58 is rotationally driven by an electric motor M4 with a speed reducer mounted on a frame 91. An optical detection switch SW8 is mounted on the frame 91 near the right drive arm 56. The switch SW8 is turned on when the seal bar 52 is at the upper position depending on the rotation position of the arm 56, and otherwise turned on. When it is off. A detection switch is provided on the frame 91 near the right drive shaft 58.
The switch SW9 is mounted, and the switch SW9 is turned on when the seal bar 52 is at the lower position and turned off otherwise.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, the bag dropping mechanism 60 has a rectangular base 61. The base 61 can be moved up and down at four corners by four pairs of links 62, 63, 64 and 65. Supported. Right and left link pairs 62,
64 is fixed at its base end to a drive shaft 66 rotatably mounted on the frame 91, and the shaft 66 is connected to the electric motor M5 with a speed reducer mounted on the frame 91.
Is driven to rotate. The left and right front and rear link pairs 63 and 65 are fixed at their base ends to a drive shaft 67 rotatably mounted on a frame 91, and the shaft 67 is electrically driven with a speed reducer mounted on the frame 91. It is designed to be rotationally driven by a motor M6. Also, the frame 9 near the right drive shaft 66
1 includes optical detection switches SW10, SW11, and SW12 that respond to the rotational position of the shaft 66. The detection switch SW10 is turned on when the right end of the base 61 is at the upper position, and is turned off at other times. Detection switch SW
Numeral 11 is on when the right end of the base 61 is at the center position, and off at other times. The detection switch SW12 is turned on when the right end of the base 61 is at the lowermost position, and is turned off otherwise. The detection switches SW10, SW11, SW are provided on the frame 91 near the left drive shaft 67.
Detection switches SW13, SW14, and SW15 of the same type as 12 are assembled.

As shown in FIG. 4, the weighing mechanism 70 has a weighing plate 72 supported at the right end in the drawing so as to be tiltable by the base 61 of the bag dropping mechanism 60 and elastically supported at the left end by a spring 71. . A substantially U-shaped holding plate 73 for holding a bag F containing ice is fixed on the weighing plate 72, and an optical device for measuring the weight on the weighing plate 72 is provided below the weighing plate 72. An expression detection switch SW16 is provided. The detection switch SW16 is normally in an off state, and is turned on when the weight on the weighing plate 72 exceeds a predetermined value.

The automatic bagging apparatus B for ice includes an electric control device 80 for controlling the electric motors M1 to M6 and the heater 51a. The electric control device 80
As shown in FIG. 13, a microcomputer 81 (hereinafter simply referred to as a microcomputer 8) connected to the detection switches SW1 to SW16.
1), a drive circuit 82 connected to the microcomputer 81, a warning device 83, and a power switch 84. The microcomputer 81 and the drive circuit 82 are built in the electric control device main body 80A shown in FIGS.
The drive circuit 82 is controlled by the microcomputer 81 to drive the electric motors M1 to M6 and the heater 51a. The alarm device 83 and the power switch 84 are provided on an operation panel 80B which is opened to the outside via a window B1 formed in the front cover of the automatic bagging device B. The warning device 83 comprises a display, a buzzer, etc., for instructing the user on abnormality of the automatic bagging device B, bag supply, etc., and a power switch 84 for starting the operation of the automatic bagging device B. It is.

Next, the operation of the embodiment configured as described above will be described. When the power switch 84 is turned on, the microcomputer 81 starts the execution of the “main program” in step 100 of FIG. 14 and repeatedly executes the circulation processing including steps 102 to 116, and executes the “main program”. In the middle, the “interrupt program” of FIG. 20 is executed every predetermined time. The microcomputer 81 determines in step 102 whether one of the detection switches SW6L and SW7L is on. In this case, the left and right tanks 4
The detection switches SW6L and SW7L have less ice in 1a and 41b.
Are turned off, the microcomputer 81 proceeds to step 102.
The processing of step 102 is continuously executed based on the determination of "NO" in. On the other hand, one of the tanks 41a, 41b
If more than one bag of ice is stored in the inside and one of the detection switches SW6L and SW7L is on, the microcomputer 81 determines “YES” in step 102 and advances the program to step 104.

At step 104, the microcomputer 81 executes a bag carry-in process for carrying one of the bags F housed in the bag housing mechanism 10 above the base 61. In this process, first, the electric motor M1 is rotated forward. The forward rotation of the electric motor M1 causes the main arm 21 to rotate.
Starts rotating counterclockwise from the original position (the state of FIG. 4). In this case, the sub arm 22 and the release lever 28
The plate 2 also rotates together with the main arm 21 while maintaining the positional relationship shown in the center of FIG.
The rotation of the arm 22 stops when the front side surface of the arm 4 comes into contact with the bag F accommodated in the cassette 11. After that, since the electric motor M1 continues to rotate forward, the main arm 21 continues to rotate further by the action of the leaf springs 23a, 23b and presses the pins 26, 26 forward against the springs 27,27. As a result, the swing levers 25, 25 are rotated, and as shown on the left side of FIG. Between the movable claws 25a, 25a and the fixed claws 24a, 24a formed on the plate 24, respectively. On the other hand, in this state, the main arm 21 is located ahead of the sub arm 22, and the detection switch SW3 is turned on. In response to the ON of the detection switch SW3, the microcomputer 81 stops the forward rotation of the electric motor M1. At this time,
Since the springs 27, 27 urge the swing levers 25, 25 toward the fixed claws 24a, 24a, the rear surface of the bag F is held between the fixed claws 24a, 24a and the movable claws 25a, 25a.

Then, two seconds after the stop control of the electric motor M1, the microcomputer 81 reversely rotates the electric motor M1.
By the reverse rotation of the electric motor M1, the main arm 21 rotates clockwise in FIG.
The sub arm 22 also rotates in the same direction together with the main arm 21 and returns to the original position. When the main arm 21 returns to the original position, the detection switch SW2 is turned on, and in response to the ON operation of the switch SW2, the microcomputer 81 stops the reverse rotation of the electric motor M1. At this time, swing lever 2
The bags 25 move on the bag support shafts 31 and 32 while the movable claws 25a and 25a hold the rear side surface of the bag F by the action of the springs 27 and 27, respectively. As shown in (2), the mounting piece Fa on the front side of the bag F comes into contact with the stoppers 31a and 32a, and the upper opening is widened. Further, the mounting piece Fa of the bag F is
When the sub-arm 22 is in contact with the bag support shafts 31 and 32, the bag support shafts 31 and 32
7, the light-shielding plates 35, 36 are also turned to turn off the detection switches SW4, SW5 which were initially turned on.

After the processing in step 104, the microcomputer 8
1 executes a base center position setting process for setting the base 61 at the center height position in step 106. In this process, the microcomputer 81 performs feedback control of the rotation of the electric motors M5 and M6 in accordance with signals from the detection switches SW11 and SW14, and sets the base 61 at the center height position. This center height position is, as shown in FIG.
The height of the bottom of the bag F supported by the support shafts 31 and 32 does not reach the base 61.

Next, at step 108, the microcomputer 81 executes an ice charging measurement routine for charging the ice in the left and right tanks 41a and 41b into the bag F by a predetermined amount. The operation of this routine will be described in detail later. However, here, briefly, the microcomputer 81 controls the weighing mechanism 70.
The augers 43a and 43b are rotated forward by rotating the electric motors M2 and M3 forward until the detection switch SW16 is turned on with the weighing plate 72 raised.

Next, the microcomputer 81 determines in steps 110 to 1
At 14, a sealing process for sealing the upper part of the bag F containing ice supported by the bag support mechanism 30 is executed. In step 110, first, the electric motor M4 is rotated forward. The forward rotation of the electric motor M4 causes the drive shaft 58 to rotate.
Is rotated forward. The rotation of the drive shaft 58 is transmitted to the support arm 53 via the drive arms 56 and 56 and the links 55 and 55, and the support arm 53 is connected to the support shaft 54.
21 starts to rotate counterclockwise in FIG. 4 (FIG. 21).
(A) to (C)). With the rotation of the support arm 53, the seal bar 52 also rotates in the counterclockwise direction. The bar 52 moves the upper part of the front side of the bag F locked by the bag support shafts 31, 32 to the shafts 31, 32. Is moved toward the heater block 51 together with the counterclockwise rotation of. At this time, the movable claws 2 of the swing levers 25, 25 of the bag carrying mechanism 20
5a and 25a are fixed claws 24a and 2 of the plates 24 and 24, respectively.
4a, the rear surface of the bag F is grasped, so that the seal bar 52 sandwiches the upper part of the bag F between the heater block 51 and the front surface and the rear surface of the bag F together. On the other hand, almost simultaneously with the pinching, the seal bar 52 presses the release lever 28 of the bag carrying mechanism 20 in the clockwise direction in FIG. 4, so that the upper side of the lever 28 pushes the pins 26, 26 in FIG.
Press to the right. Thereby, the swing levers 25, 2
5, the holding of the bag F by the movable claws 25a, 25a is released. In this release state, the spring 2
7 and 27, the main arm 21 and the sub arm 2
2. The swing levers 25, 25, etc. are maintained in the central state in FIG. In this state, the detection switch SW9 is turned on, and the microcomputer 81 stops the forward rotation of the electric motor M4 in response to the turning on of the switch SW9.

In step 112, the microcomputer 81
Energizes the heater 51a in the heater block 51 for 0.6 seconds. Thereby, the upper portion of the bag F sandwiched between the heater block 51 and the seal bar 52 is melted, and the front side surface and the rear side surface are adhered, and the bag F is sealed. Next Step 11
At 4, the electric motor M4 is reversed. The reverse rotation of the electric motor M4 causes the drive shaft 58 to rotate in the reverse direction, and the seal bar 52, the support arm 53, and the like are moved upward in the opposite direction to return to the upper position (the state of FIG. 4). In this case, when the upper position of the drive arm 56 returns, the detection switch SW
8 is turned on, and the microcomputer 81 stops the reverse rotation of the electric motor M4 in response to the on operation of the switch SW8. In this state, the bag F is placed on a weighing plate 72 provided on the base 61 in a state where a predetermined amount of ice is packed.

Next, the microcomputer 81 executes a bag dropping process for dropping the bag F containing ice into the stocker C at step 116. In this process, first, the electric motors M5 and M6 are reversed, and the base 61 is lowered by the action of the links 62 to 65. In this case, the base 61 is initially at the upper position as shown in FIG. 22B, and the base 61 is lowered to the lower position as shown in FIG. In this state, the detection switches SW12 and SW15 are turned on, and the microcomputer 81 responds to the on operation of the switches SW12 and SW15 to turn on the electric motors M5 and M15.
Stop the reversal of 6 respectively. Next, the microcomputer 81 rotates the electric motor M6 (or the electric motor M5) forward. As a result, the left end (or right end) of the base 61 rises,
As shown in FIG. 22D, the bag F containing ice is
And fall into the stocker C. This base 6
1 left end (or right end) rise is the same left end (or right end)
Continues until it reaches the upper position. When the left end (or right end) of the base 61 reaches the upper position as shown in FIG. 22E, the detection switch SW13 (or the detection switch SW
10) is turned on, and the microcomputer 81 stops the forward rotation of the electric motor M6 in response to the ON operation of the switch SW13. Thereafter, the microcomputer 81 rotates the electric motor M5 (or the electric motor M6) forward until the detection switch SW10 (or the detection switch SW13) is turned on, and raises the right end (or the left end) of the base 61 to the upper position. Note that such tilting of the base 61 left and right is performed alternately so that the bags F are accumulated flatly in the stocker C.

As described above, the microcomputer 81 determines in step 10
4 to 116, a loading operation of the bag F by the bag loading mechanism 20, an ice loading operation by the ice storing and loading mechanisms 40A, 40B for loading ice into the bag F until a predetermined amount of ice is detected by the measuring mechanism 70, A sequence operation consisting of the sealing operation of the bag F by the sealing mechanism 50 and the dropping operation of the bag F by the dropping mechanism 60 is repeatedly controlled, so that a predetermined amount of ice is sequentially bagged, and the bagged ice is bagged one by one. The data is sequentially stored in the stocker C. On the other hand, such a step 10
During the processes 2 to 116, the microcomputer 81 interrupts the "interrupt program" shown in the flowchart of FIG.

Next, a detailed description will be given of the "ice charging measurement routine" in step 108, which is directly related to the present invention. This routine is shown in detail in FIG.
The microcomputer 81 starts the execution of this routine in step 200, sets a flag OPER for indicating that the ice is being put into operation in step 202 to "1", and defines the ice putting operation time. After the timer value BKTM is initialized to "0", it is determined in step 204 whether the detection switches SW6L and SW7L in the left and right tanks 41a and 41b are both on. Both tanks 41a, 4
If one cup or more of ice remains in 1b, the microcomputer 81 determines “YES” in step 204 and advances the program to step 206. Step 206
In, the right tank flag RT and the left tank flag LT indicating that one or more cups of ice remain in the right tank 41a and the left tank 41b are respectively set to "1". Next, in step 208, a flag TS indicating the tanks 41a and 41b for storing ice to be next charged.
Invert EL (from “1” to “0” or “0” to “1”
And the flag TSEL is set to "" at step 210.
It is determined whether the flag TSEL is “1”.
If “1”, the microcomputer 81 determines “Y
The program is determined as “ES” and the program
Go to "Ice Input Routine". Also, the flag TSEL is “0”
If so, the microcomputer 81 determines "NO" in step 210.
And the program proceeds to step 224, “Second ice throwing routine”.

As shown in FIG. 16 in detail, in the "first ice throwing routine", the microcomputer 81 starts its execution in step 300, and in step 302,
By the process of 304, the electric motor M2 is rotated forward until both the detection switches SW4 and SW5 are turned on. This electric motor M2
The right auger 43a also rotates forward by the forward rotation of the right tank 41.
The ice in a is sent upward along the transport chute 42a, and the ice is initially thrown into the bag F supported by the bag support shafts 31,32. In this state, the base 6
1 is located at the center position as shown in FIG.
Is floating from the base 61. Therefore, the thrown ice is surely inserted to the bottom of the bag F, and the bag F is accurately positioned on the holding plate 73 at the center of the base 61 by the weight of the ice. On the other hand, when the weight of the ice causes the support shafts 31, 32 to rotate slightly counterclockwise in FIG.
36 comes below the detection switches SW4 and SW5, and both switches SW4 and SW5 are turned on. Thereby, the microcomputer 81
Determines “YES” in step 304 and returns to step 3
At 06, the forward rotation of the electric motor M2 is stopped. Therefore,
By the processing of these steps 302 to 306, a small amount of ice is initially put into the bag F. In the present embodiment, the ice is initially loaded into the bag F for a short time by the detection operation of the detection switches SW4 and SW5. May be initially charged.

Next, the microcomputer 81 sets a flag OMD for indicating the control mode of the electric motor M2 at step 308 to "".
The timer value OTM for setting the operation time of the motor M2 to "1" is initialized to "0". Next, in step 310, the electric motor M5 is rotated forward,
The flag RBMD for indicating the control mode of is set to "1",
And a timer value RB for defining the operation time of the motor M5.
Initialize TM to "0". Next, in step 312, the electric motor M6 is rotated forward, a flag LBMD for indicating the control mode of the motor M6 is set to "1", and a timer value LBTM for defining the operation time of the motor M6 is set. Is initialized to “0”. After the processing of these steps 308 to 312,
The microcomputer 81 repeatedly executes a circulation process including steps 314 to 348. During these circulating processes, the microcomputer 81 executes the “interrupt program” of FIG. 20 at predetermined time intervals, and increases the timer values by “1” by the process of step 510.

During the circulation process, the microcomputer 81 starts the normal rotation of the electric motor M2 again 10 seconds after the stop of the electric motor M2 and resets the flag OMD to "0" by the processing of steps 314 to 318. Keep it. At the same time, the microcomputer 81 stops the normal rotation of both motors M5 and M6 10 seconds after the start of the normal rotation of the electric motors M5 and M6 by the processing of steps 320 to 324 and steps 334 to 338, and sets the flag RBMD , LBMD to “2” and the timer values RMTM, LBTM to be initialized to “0”. Therefore, immediately after the initial loading of the ice, the base 61 rises from the center position to support the bag F in which a small amount of ice has been initially loaded, and 10 seconds after the completion of the initial loading, the ice in the right tank 41a is re-opened. It starts to be fully charged in the bag F. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent a large load due to the introduction of ice into the bag F from being applied to the support shafts 31 and 32. Next, the microcomputer 81 determines in steps 320, 326, and 328
And the processing of steps 334, 340, and 342,
Twenty seconds after the electric motors M5 and M6 stop rotating forward, the motors M5 and M6 start rotating forward again,
Change the flags RBMD and LBMK to “3”. Therefore, when 20 seconds have elapsed from the start of the main insertion, the base 61 starts to rise again. Thereby, even if a lot of ice is thrown into the bag F and the bag F is spread horizontally and the length of the bag F in the vertical direction is shortened, the load of the ice is applied to the support shafts 31 and 32. And the bag F does not wrinkle. When the base 61 moves to the upper position and the detection switches SW10 and SW13 are turned on, the microcomputer 81 proceeds to steps 320, 330, 332 and steps 334, 34.
In steps 4 and 346, the normal rotation of the electric motors M5 and M6 is stopped, and the flags RBMD and LBMK are returned to "0". As described above, when the main charging of ice is started and the base 61 is raised to the upper position, and the flags OMD, RBMD, and LBMK are all “0”, the microcomputer 81 proceeds to step 348.
Is determined to be "YES", the circulation process is stopped, and the program proceeds to step 214 in FIG.

In step 214, the microcomputer 81
Determines whether the detection switch SW16 is on.
In this case, if the amount of ice charged into the bag F is small and the detection switch SW16 is in the off state, the microcomputer 81 sets “NO”.
And the process of step 214 is continued. On the other hand, bag F
When the amount of ice charged into the inside reaches the predetermined amount, the detection switch SW16
Is turned on, the microcomputer 81 determines “YES” and advances the program to step 216. In step 216, the microcomputer 81 stops the forward rotation of the electric motor M2 and stops the charging of the ice into the bag F. In the measurement of ice by the detection switch SW16, since the base 61 is raised to the upper position and supports the entire load of ice irrespective of the support shafts 31, 32, the ice is accurately measured. .

Next, the microcomputer 81 returns the flag OPER to “0” by the processing of step 218, and
By the process of 222, the electric motor M2 is reversely rotated for 1.5 seconds two seconds after the stop of the normal rotation of the electric motor M2. As a result, the right auger 43a reverses, so that the ice in the right transport chute 42a is returned to the right tank 41a, so that the ice remaining at the tip of the chute 42a does not fall down and Ice can be prevented from remaining in the auger 43a and sticking together in the auger 43a. Then, in step 254, the execution of the "ice loading routine" is terminated.

On the other hand, if the flag TSEL inverted by the processing in step 208 of FIG. 15 indicates "0", the "second ice throwing routine" is executed in step 224 as described above. This “second ice throwing routine” has substantially the same configuration as the above “first ice throwing routine”.
Steps 302, 306, 31 marked with * in FIG.
The only difference is that the electric motor M3 in the ice storage / injection mechanism 40B is controlled in place of the electric motor M2 in FIG. Therefore, in this case, the rotation of the left auger 43b is controlled and the left tank 41
The ice in b is poured into the bag F by a predetermined amount. Other operations are the same as those in the above-described “first ice throwing routine”. After executing this “second ice throwing routine”,
The microcomputer 81 executes the processing of steps 226 to 234 substantially similar to the processing of steps 214 to 222 described above. In this case, compared to the case described above, step 228,
The only difference is that stop and reverse rotation of the electric motor M3 is controlled at 234 instead of the electric motor M2.

As described above, the flag TSEL is inverted every time a series of ice bagging operation is performed, and the left and right tanks 41a, 41b are determined based on the inverted flag TSEL.
Since the ice inside is alternately put into the bag F, the ice is not left in one tank for a long time. as a result,
It is possible to prevent a plurality of ices in each of the tanks 41a and 41b from sticking together (arching), and the ice is always packed properly.

When the ice in one of the left and right tanks 41a and 41b becomes low and one of the detection switches SW6L and SW7L is turned off, the microcomputer 81 determines "NO" in step 204 of FIG. The program proceeds to step 236. In step 236, the microcomputer 81 determines whether or not both the flags RT and LT are "1". In this case, if ice more than a full bag is left in the left and right tanks 41a and 41b before the ice is supplied in the previous operation sequence, both flags RT and LT are set to "1". The microcomputer 81 determines "Y
ES ”and the program proceeds to step 238. In step 238, the microcomputer 81 determines whether the detection switch SW6L is on. If almost the full bag of ice remains in the right tank 41a and the detection switch SW6L is turned on, the microcomputer 81 proceeds to step 2
38 is determined as “YES” and the program is executed in step 2
Proceed to 40. In this case, there is no bag of ice left in the left tank 41b. In step 240, the microcomputer 81 sets the flag RT to "1" indicating that more than one bag of ice remains in the right tank 41a, and sets the flag LT to more than one bag in the left tank 41b. The program is set to “0” indicating that no ice remains, and the program proceeds to a “third ice charging routine” of step 242.

In the "third ice throwing routine", as shown in detail in FIG.
At 406, the electric motor M2 is rotated forward for a short time and a small amount of ice is initially charged into the bag F, similarly to the processing of steps 302 to 306 described above. Next, the microcomputer 81 executes step 4
In steps 08 to 412, the electric motors M5 and M6 are rotated forward in the same manner as in the processing in steps 308 to 312 described above, and the flag OM is set.
Set D, RBMD, LBMD to “1” and set the timer values OTM, RBT
Initialize M and LBTM to "0" and execute steps 414-45.
8 is repeatedly executed. During these circulation processes, the microcomputer 81 executes the “interrupt program” of FIG.
The timer value is incremented by "1" by the process of step 10.

During the circulation process, the microcomputer 81 starts the forward rotation of the electric motor M3 10 seconds after the stop of the electric motor M2 and changes the flag OMD to "2" by the processing of steps 414 to 418, Also, initialize the timer value OTM to "0". As a result, the left auger 43b rotates forward, and the ice in the left tank 41b is fully charged into the bag F. When 30 seconds have passed since the start of normal rotation of the electric motor M3, the microcomputer 81 determines in steps 414, 420, 42
By the processing of 2, the forward rotation of the electric motor M3 is stopped,
The electric motor M2 is started to rotate forward, the flag OMD is changed to "3", and the timer value OTM is initialized to "0". As a result, the forward rotation of the left auger 43b stops, and the left tank 41
In addition to stopping the actual charging of the ice in the bag b into the bag F (the charging of the residual ice), the right auger 43a starts to rotate forward and the right tank 41a
The ice inside starts to be thrown into the bag F. The electric motor M3
When two seconds have elapsed from the stop of the normal rotation of the motor, the microcomputer 81 starts the reverse rotation of the electric motor M3 by the processing of steps 414, 424, and 426, changes the flag OMD to "4", and sets the timer value OTM to "0". To the default setting. This allows
When the left auger 43b starts to reverse and ice remains in the auger 43b, the ice is returned to the left tank 41b. 1.5 hours from the start of reverse rotation of the electric motor M3.
After the elapse of the second, the microcomputer 81 proceeds to steps 414, 4
By the processes of 28 and 430, the reverse rotation of the electric motor M3 is stopped, and the flag OMD is returned to "0".

As described above, by the initial charging process and the main charging process, a small amount of ice in the right tank 41a in which more than a full bag of ice remains at first is initially charged into the bag F, and thereafter, the bag is fully filled. While the ice in the left tank 41b in which no minute ice remains remains, the ice in the right tank 41a is additionally charged. As a result, according to this operation,
The ice required for the initial charging is always ensured, and a small amount of residual ice in the left tank 41b is charged into the bag F and exhausted, and the ice is left in the tank 41b for a long time so that the ices stick together. Can be prevented beforehand.

On the other hand, the processing of steps 432 to 444 for controlling the electric motor M5 during the circulation processing and the processing of steps 446 to 458 for controlling the electric motor M6 are the same as those of steps 320 to 332 in FIG. And the processes of steps 334 to 346 are the same. As a result, the base 61 is controlled to rise exactly in the same manner as described above. When the main ice is started and the base 61 is raised to the upper position, and the flags OMD, RBMD, and LBMK are all "0", the microcomputer 81 proceeds to step 460.
Is determined to be "YES", the circulation process is stopped, and the program proceeds to step 214 in FIG. The processing after step 214 is as described above, and the microcomputer 81 completes the measurement of the ice and ends the execution of the “ice loading measurement processing routine”.

If no more than a full bag of ice remains in the right tank 41a and a full bag of ice remains in the left tank 41b, the detection switch SW6L is off and the microcomputer 81 is “NO” in the step 238.
And the program proceeds to step 244. In step 244, the microcomputer 81 sets the flag RT to "0" indicating that no more than a bag of ice remains in the right tank 41a, and sets the flag LT to the left tank 4a.
Indicates that more than one bag of ice remains in 1b. "
The program is set to "1" and the program proceeds to the "fourth ice loading routine" of step 246. This "fourth ice throwing routine"
Are substantially the same as those in the above-mentioned "third ice throwing routine". Steps 402 and 40 marked with * in FIG.
At 6,418, 422, 426, and 430, only the electric motor M2 in the ice storing and putting mechanism 40A and the electric motor M3 in the ice storing and putting mechanism 40B are reversed. Therefore, in this case, a small amount of ice in the left tank 41b, in which ice of almost a full bag remains at first, is initially charged into the bag F, and thereafter, the right tank 41a, in which no ice of the full bag remains, is stored. The ice in the left tank 41b is additionally charged while the ice in the tank is fully charged.

Further, at the same time that the ice in one of the left and right tanks 41a and 41b becomes less than the full bag, the left and right tanks 41a and 41b before the ice is thrown in the previous operation sequence.
If no more than a full bag of ice remains in one of the areas b (one of the flags RT and LT is "0"), the microcomputer 81 determines "NO" in step 236 and executes the program. Proceed to step 248. In step 248, the microcomputer 81 determines whether the detection switch SW6L is on. If more than a full bag of ice remains in the right tank 41a and the detection switch SW6L is ON, the microcomputer 81 determines “YES” in step 248 and proceeds to step 250. In step 250, the microcomputer 81 sets the flag RT to "1" indicating that more than one bag of ice remains in the right tank 41a, and sets the flag LT to a value of more than one bag in the left tank 41b. The program is set to “0” indicating that no ice remains, and the program proceeds to step 212. Therefore, in this case, the right tank 4
The ice in 1a is initially and permanently charged into the bag F. If no more than a full bag of ice remains in the right tank 41a and the detection switch SW6L is not turned on, the microcomputer 81 determines "NO" in step 248 and proceeds to step 252. In this case, more than one full bag of ice remains in the left tank 41b. In step 252, the microcomputer 81 sets the flag RT to "0" indicating that no more than one bag of ice remains in the right tank 41a, and sets the flag LT to the left tank 4a.
Indicates that more than one bag of ice remains in 1b. "
1 ”is set and the program proceeds to step 224.
Therefore, in this case, the ice in the left tank 41b is initially and permanently charged into the bag F as in the case described above.

As described above, according to the above embodiment, when the ice in the left and right tanks 41a and 41b is packed alternately,
If one of the tanks 41a (or 41b) does not have a bag of ice, the other tank 41b (or 4b).
Since the ice in 1a) is bagged, the ice bagging is performed efficiently.

The above operation is performed when the ice bag F is normally loaded. Next, a case where the ice bag F is abnormally charged for some reason will be described.
When the "ice charging measurement routine" is started, as described above, the flag OPER is set to "" in step 202 of FIG.
At the same time, the timer value BKTM is initialized to "0". In this case, if the “interrupt program” of FIG. 20 is executed at predetermined time intervals during the execution of the “ice charging measurement routine”, the microcomputer 81 proceeds to step 5.
After the execution of the same program starts at 00, step 50
The timer value is set on condition that the flag OPER is "1" by the process of 2,504 (the ice-in process is executed).
BKTM is incremented by "1". When the timer value BKTM becomes greater than or equal to 3 minutes, the microcomputer 8
1 determines “YES” in step 506, and determines in step 508 the electric motors M2 and M3 (the left and right augers 43a and 43a).
3b) The flag OSTP for stopping is set to "1". The flag OSTP is initially set to “0” when the power switch 84 is turned on by an initialization process (not shown). When the flag OSTP is set to "1", the microcomputer 81 counts up the various timer values in step 510, determines "YES" in step 512, and advances the program to step 514. After returning the flag OSTP to “0” in step 514, the microcomputer 81 performs the processing in steps 516 to 522 similar to the above steps 216 to 222 and 228 to 234, and
Stop M2 and M3. These steps 516-522
After the processing of (1), the microcomputer 81 advances the program to step 254 in FIG. 15 to end the "ice loading measurement processing routine", and advances the program to the sealing processing consisting of steps 110 to 114 in FIG. Thereby, the tank 41a,
Even if an ice conveyance abnormality in 41b, an operation abnormality of the weighing mechanism 70, or the like occurs, it is possible to prevent the electric motors M2, M3 and the left and right augers 43a, 43b from continuing to operate forever. Auger 43a,
It is possible to reduce the failure of the components 43b and their connection parts and to improve the durability.

In the above embodiment, specific numerical values of the operation time of each mechanism have been exemplified, but these times are variously changed according to the capacity and performance of each part employed in each mechanism. Is what is done.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of an ice making bag filling machine showing one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway front view of the automatic ice bagging apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a partially broken side view of the automatic ice bagging apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a partial front view of the same.

FIG. 6 is a partial rear view of the same.

FIG. 7 is a side sectional view of a bag storage mechanism and a bag support mechanism.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a bag storage mechanism and a bag support mechanism.

9A is a front view of a bag, and FIG. 9B is a side view of the bag.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the bag carrying mechanism as viewed from the front side.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the bag carrying mechanism as viewed from the rear side.

FIG. 12 is a plan view showing an operation state of the bag carrying mechanism.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram of an electric control device.

14 is a flowchart of a “main program” executed by the microcomputer of FIG.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the details of an “ice loading measurement processing routine” in FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a first half of a flowchart showing details of a “first ice throwing routine” of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a latter half of the flowchart showing details of the “first ice throwing routine” of FIG. 15;

FIG. 18 is a first half of a flowchart showing details of a “third ice throwing routine” of FIG. 15;

FIG. 19 is a latter half of the flowchart showing details of the “third ice throwing routine” of FIG. 15;

20 is a flowchart of an “interrupt program” executed by the microcomputer of FIG.

FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the seal mechanism.

FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the bag dropping mechanism.

[Explanation of symbols]

A1, A2: ice machine, B: automatic bagging device, C: stocker, F: bag, 10: bag storage mechanism, 11: cassette, 20
... bag carrying mechanism, 21 ... main arm, 30 ... bag supporting mechanism, 31, 32 ... bag supporting shaft, 40A, 40B ... ice accommodation and loading mechanism, 41a, 41b ... tank, 43 ... auger, 50 ... sealing mechanism, 51 ... Heater block, 52 ...
Seal bar, 60: bag dropping mechanism, 61: base, 62-
64: link pair, 70: measuring mechanism, 71: spring,
72: weighing plate, 81: microcomputer, 83: warning device, M1 to M6: electric motor, SW1 to SW16
... Detection switch.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-62-208312 (JP, A) JP-A-4-121201 (JP, U) JP-A-58-190373 (JP, U) 504509 (JP, A) US Patent 3,789,570 (US, A) US Patent 4,368,608 (US, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B65B 1/32 B65B 5/06 F25C 5/00 303

Claims (8)

(57) [Claims] 1. A bag storage mechanism provided between a pair of ice machines and a stocker, for storing a large number of bags, a bag loading mechanism for loading bags one by one from the bag storage mechanism to a predetermined position, A bag support mechanism that expands and supports the upper opening of the loaded bag, and a pair of tanks that are provided below the ice machines and respectively store the ice generated by the ice machines,
A pair of ice loading mechanisms provided in each of the tanks to transport ice in the tanks and throw them into the supported bag, and a measuring mechanism to measure the amount of ice thrown into the bags, A sealing mechanism for sealing the upper portion of the bag in which the ice has been charged, a bag dropping mechanism for dropping the sealed bag into the stocker, a bag loading operation by the bag loading mechanism, and a predetermined amount of ice by the weighing mechanism. An electric control device that repeatedly controls a sequence operation including an ice loading operation by the ice loading mechanism for loading ice into the bag until the ice is detected, a bag sealing operation by the sealing mechanism, and a bag falling operation by the falling mechanism. In the automatic bagging device for ice, wherein the predetermined amount of ice is sequentially bagged and the bagged ice is sequentially stored in the stocker one by one, the electric control device includes: An automatic bagging apparatus for ice, comprising: an alternate charging control means for alternately switching and operating an ice charging mechanism for each sequence operation. 2. The automatic bagging apparatus for ice according to claim 1, further comprising: a pair of detectors in each of the pair of tanks for detecting a low amount of ice in the tanks, and the electric control device. In one embodiment, when one of the detectors detects that the amount of ice in one of the tanks is low, the one-side charging control means for prohibiting the operation of the alternate charging control means and operating the ice charging mechanism in the other tank is provided. Automatic bagging device for ice. 3. The automatic bagging apparatus for ice according to claim 2, wherein when the one of the detectors detects that the amount of ice in one of the tanks is low, the electric control unit controls the electric control unit. An automatic ice bagging device, characterized by adding a residual ice charging control means for operating the ice charging mechanism for only a short time and charging the ice remaining in the tank into the bag. 4. A bag storage mechanism provided between the ice making machine and the stocker for storing a large number of bags, a bag loading mechanism for loading bags one by one from the bag storage mechanism to a predetermined position, and A bag supporting mechanism for expanding and supporting an upper opening of the bag, a tank provided below the ice making machine for containing ice generated by the ice making machine, and an ice provided in the tank and contained in the tank. An ice charging mechanism for transporting the ice into the supported bag, a measuring mechanism for measuring the amount of ice charged in the bag, and a sealing mechanism for sealing an upper portion of the ice bag. A bag dropping mechanism for dropping the sealed bag into the stocker, a bag loading operation by the bag loading mechanism, and the ice loading until a predetermined amount of ice is detected by the measuring mechanism. Ice loading operation by the mechanism and sealing of the bag by the sealing mechanism. And an electric control device for repeatedly controlling a sequence operation including a bag operation by the drop mechanism and a bag drop operation by the drop mechanism. In an automatic bagging device for ice that accumulates, the weighing mechanism is configured to include a weighing plate that moves up and down by an electric motor to support the bag, and a weighing device that measures the weight given to the weighing plate, In the electric control device, with the measuring plate of the weighing mechanism set at the first height position where the bottom of the supported bag does not contact the weighing plate, the ice input mechanism is operated for a short time to reduce a small amount of the ice. An initial loading control means for initially loading ice into the bag; and controlling the electric motor immediately after the completion of the initial loading of the ice so that the weighing plate is loaded with ice only by the weighing plate without using the support mechanism. Lifting control means for raising to a supported second height position; main charging control means for starting the main charging of ice into the bag by activating the ice charging mechanism shortly after completion of the initial charging of the ice; An automatic ice bag filling apparatus, further comprising stop control means for stopping the operation of the ice input mechanism by the main input control means when a predetermined amount of ice is detected by a measuring instrument. 5. An automatic bagging apparatus for ice according to claim 4, wherein said lifting control means starts lifting said measuring plate from the end of said initial charging of said ice and starts said main measuring plate when said main charging of said ice is started. First rising control means for stopping the rise of the measuring plate; and raising the measuring plate to the second height position by restarting the rising of the measuring plate shortly after stopping the rise of the measuring plate by the first rising control means. An automatic bagging apparatus for ice, comprising: a second ascent control means for causing the ice to rise. 6. A bag storage mechanism provided between a pair of ice making machines and a stocker for storing a large number of bags, a bag loading mechanism for loading bags one by one from the bag storage mechanism to a predetermined position, A bag support mechanism that expands and supports the upper opening of the loaded bag, and a pair of tanks that are provided below the ice machines and respectively store the ice generated by the ice machines,
A pair of ice loading mechanisms provided in each of the tanks to transport ice in the tanks and throw them into the supported bag, and a measuring mechanism to measure the amount of ice thrown into the bags, A sealing mechanism for sealing the upper portion of the bag in which the ice has been charged, a bag dropping mechanism for dropping the sealed bag into the stocker, a bag loading operation by the bag loading mechanism, and a predetermined amount of ice by the weighing mechanism. An electric control device that repeatedly controls a sequence operation including an ice loading operation by the ice loading mechanism for loading ice into the bag until the ice is detected, a bag sealing operation by the sealing mechanism, and a bag falling operation by the falling mechanism. In the automatic bagging apparatus for ice, wherein the predetermined amount of ice is sequentially bagged and the bagged ice is sequentially stored in the stocker one bag at a time, the tank is stored in the pair of tanks. A pair of detectors for detecting that there is little ice in the container, a weighing plate for supporting the bag by moving the weighing mechanism up and down by an electric motor, and a weight for measuring the weight given to the weighing plate. A storage device configured to store data representing a tank containing ice to be subsequently loaded and alternately switched in each of the sequence operations; When it is not detected that the amount of ice in the tank is low, it is specified by the data in a state where the weighing plate of the weighing mechanism is set at the first height position where the bottom of the supported bag does not contact the weighing plate. Activate the ice charging mechanism in the tank for a short time and initially put a small amount of ice into the bag,
When one detector detects that the amount of ice in one tank is low, the ice loading mechanism in the other tank is operated for a short time with the weighing plate of the weighing mechanism set to the first height position. Initial charging means for initially charging a small amount of ice into the bag, and controlling the electric motor immediately after completion of the initial charging of the ice so that the weighing plate is loaded with ice regardless of the support mechanism. Ascent control means for raising to a second height position supported only by the sensor, and when both detectors do not detect that the ice in each tank is low, the data is specified shortly after the end of the initial injection. Activate the ice loading mechanism in the tank and start putting ice into the bag, and when one of the detectors detects that the amount of ice in one tank is low, shortly after the completion of the initial loading of the ice, the other Ice loading machine in the tank The main charging control means for starting the main charging of ice into the bag by operating the same, and when the one detector detects that the amount of ice in the one tank is small, the same tank is used before the main charging of the ice is started. A remaining ice loading control means for operating the ice loading mechanism for only a short time to load the ice remaining in the tank into the bag, and the main loading control means when a predetermined amount of ice is detected by the weighing device. An automatic ice bagging apparatus, further comprising: stop control means for stopping the operation of the ice charging mechanism. 7. A bag storage mechanism provided between the ice making machine and the stocker for storing a large number of bags, a bag loading mechanism for loading bags one by one from the bag storage mechanism to a predetermined position, and A bag supporting mechanism for expanding and supporting an upper opening of the bag, a tank provided below the ice making machine for containing ice generated by the ice making machine, an auger provided in the tank, and an auger provided in the tank. An ice motor for driving the auger so that the auger can be rotated forward and reverse, the ice advancing mechanism for transporting ice in the tank by forward rotation of the auger and throwing ice into the supported bag; A weighing mechanism for measuring the amount of input ice, a sealing mechanism for sealing an upper portion of the bag in which the ice is input, a bag dropping mechanism for dropping the sealed bag into a stocker, and the bag loading mechanism. Bag loading operation, prescribed by the weighing mechanism The electric motor is rotated until the ice is detected, and the ice is input into the bag by the forward rotation of the auger to feed the ice into the bag, the operation of sealing the bag by the sealing mechanism, and the operation of closing the bag by the drop mechanism. An electric control device for repeatedly controlling a sequence operation consisting of a dropping operation, and an automatic bagging device for ice for sequentially bagging the predetermined amount of ice and accumulating the bagged ice one by one in a stocker. 3. The automatic ice bag filling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electric control device further comprises an auger reverse rotation control means for controlling the electric motor after the auger normal rotation control operation to reverse the auger for a short time. 8. A bag storage mechanism provided between the ice making machine and the stocker for storing a large number of bags, a bag loading mechanism for loading bags from the bag storage mechanism one by one to predetermined positions, and A bag supporting mechanism for expanding and supporting an upper opening of the bag, a tank provided below the ice making machine for containing ice generated by the ice making machine, and an ice provided in the tank and contained in the tank. An ice charging mechanism for transporting the ice into the supported bag, a measuring mechanism for measuring the amount of ice charged in the bag, and a sealing mechanism for sealing an upper portion of the ice bag. A bag dropping mechanism for dropping the sealed bag into the stocker, a bag loading operation by the bag loading mechanism, and the ice loading until a predetermined amount of ice is detected by the measuring mechanism. Ice loading operation by the mechanism and sealing of the bag by the sealing mechanism. And an electric control device for repeatedly controlling a sequence operation including a bag operation by the drop mechanism and a bag drop operation by the drop mechanism. In the automatic bagging device for ice accumulated in the ice storage device, the electric control device includes a transition control unit that stops the operation of the ice charging mechanism after a predetermined time from the start of the operation and shifts to the bag sealing operation by the sealing mechanism. Automatic bagging device for ice, characterized in that: