JP3647579B2 - Constant weight weighing method and constant weight weighing device - Google Patents

Description

である。従って、
１回取り出しの目標重量Ｃ＝１００／２＋５／２＝５２．５ｇ
となる。
【００２７】
次に、上記計量理論を適用した第１実施形態に係る定重量計量装置を各図を参照して説明する。この実施形態の定重量計量装置は請求項１及び２に係る発明と対応している。図７はこの定重量計量装置の構造を示す概略縦断面図である。図に示す４２はランク秤、４３−２、４３−３、４３−４、４３−６は保持ホッパ、４４−１〜４４−３は集合ホッパ、４５−１〜４５−３は補助集合ホッパである。
ランク秤４２は、被計量物であるネギ４を保持する計量ホッパ４６と、この計量ホッパ４６内のネギの重量を計量する計量部と、ランク判定手段と、を具備している。
計量ホッパ４６は、作業者が多量のネギ４が揃えて載置されている溜容器４７から１回取り出しの目標重量Ｃ＝５０ｇをねらって取り出したネギ４の束がその作業者によって投入されるホッパである。
【００２８】
計量部は、計量ホッパ４６に投入されたネギ４の束の重量Ｗを計量することができるものである。この計量部は、図８に示すように、ロードセル４８及びＣＰＵ（中央演算処理装置）４９を備えており、ロードセル４８の出力信号をＡ／Ｄ変換器１４を介してＣＰＵ４９に入力させ、このＣＰＵ４９で演算処理して計量信号を生成する。
ランク判定手段は、計量ホッパ４６に１回で投入されたネギ４の束の重量（計量信号）が上述した重量ランク１〜６のうちいずれの重量ランクに属するかを判定してその判定結果を出力すると共に、いずれの重量ランクにも属していないと判定した場合はその旨を示す信号を出力するものである。なお、この重量ランクを判定するプログラムは、図８に示す記憶部５０に記憶されており、この判定プログラムに基づいてＣＰＵ４９が重量ランクの判定を行う。
【００２９】
保持ホッパ４３−２、４３−３、４３−４、４３−６、集合ホッパ４４−１〜４４−３、及び補助集合ホッパ４５−１〜４５−３は、図７に示すように、互いに組み合わされて全体の輪郭形状が菱形に形成されている。そして、この菱形は、合計９つの小さい菱形に区画されており、この９つの小さい菱形は、外側の輪郭を形成する大きい菱形の互いに対向する各辺を３等分する各点のうち互いに向かい合う点どうしを結ぶ合計４本の直線とその大きい菱形の４つの辺によって区画されている。そして、上部にある１つの小さい菱形及びこの菱形の下部と隣接する２つの小さい菱形の３つの各区画は、夫々が中央の仕切り板５１によって左右に仕切られて小三角形に区画されている。このようにして、この大きな菱形は、６つの小三角形と６つの小菱形に区画されている。そして、上部の１段目の２つの小三角形の各区画は、左から重量ランク３、４に属するネギ４の束を保持する為の保持ホッパ４３−３、４３−４が形成されており、その下側の２段目の４つの小三角形の各区画は、左から重量ランク６、３、４、２に属するネギ４の束を保持する為の保持ホッパ４３−６、４３−３、４３−４、４３−２が形成されており、その下側の３段目の３つの小菱形の各区画は、左から重量ランク１と６、３と４、２と５に属する予め定めた組を成す両方の重量ランクのネギ４の束を集合させて保持する為の集合ホッパ４４−１、４４−２、４４−３が形成されている。そして、その下側の４段目の２つの小菱形の各区画は、左から重量ランク（１と６又は３と４）、（３と４又は２と５）に属する予め定めた組を成す重量ランクのネギ４の束を集合させて保持する為の補助集合ホッパ４５−１、４５−２が形成されており、最下部の５段目の１つの小菱形の区画は、重量ランク（１と６）、（３と４）、又は（２と５）に属する重量ランクの組合せのネギ４の束を集合させて保持する為の補助集合ホッパ４５−３が形成されている。この補助集合ホッパ４５−３から排出されたネギ４の束は、包装機（図示せず）の受入れ部に直接投入される。
【００３０】
また、図７に示すように、計量ホッパ４６により重量が計量されて重量ランクが判定されたネギ４の束を、その重量ランクと対応する各保持ホッパ４３、集合ホッパ４４、補助集合ホッパ４５−１、４５−２を通して最終的に最下部の補助集合ホッパ４５−３から排出することができるように、計量ホッパ４６の左側と右側の各下方位置、及び各ホッパにゲート５２−１〜５２−２８を設けてある。そして、同図に示す５３−１、５３−２は排除ホッパである。この排除ホッパ５３−１、５３−２は、いずれの重量ランクにも属していないランク外重量の計量済みのネギ４、及び今回計量したネギ４の束が投入されるべき重量ランクの保持ホッパに既に前回計量済みのネギ４の束が投入されている場合（満杯である場合）にその今回計量されたネギ４の束が供給される。この排除ホッパ５３−１、５３−２は、いずれか一方を省略してもよい。
【００３１】
なお、重量ランク１〜６の各重量範囲は、図５に示すように、３５〜４０ｇ、４０〜４５ｇ、４５〜５０ｇ、５０〜５５ｇ、５５〜６０ｇ、６０〜６５ｇである。ただし、各重量ランクの境界重量は、軽量側の重量ランクに含めている。従って、集合ホッパ及び補助集合ホッパに夫々保持されているネギの重量は、１００±５ｇとなり、この重量精度で計量されたネギ４の束を包装機に供給することができる。
【００３２】
また、計量ホッパ４６から排出されたネギ４の束がそのネギ４の束の重量ランク、例えば３又は４と対応する保持ホッパ４３−３又は４３−４に投入されると、その保持ホッパの下方に設けられている同重量ランクの保持ホッパ４３−３又は４３−４に投入されるようになっている。そして、この２種類の各保持ホッパ４３−３、４３−４にネギ４が投入されたときに、その下方の集合ホッパ４４−２に組を構成するこれら２種類の重量ランク３と４のネギ４の束が投入されて、その下方に設けられている補助集合ホッパ４５−１又は４５−２を通過して最下部の補助集合ホッパ４５−３に投入されるようになっている。
【００３３】
そして、まず、計量ホッパ４６から排出されたネギ４の束の重量ランクが６であると、そのネギ４は保持ホッパ４３−６に投入され、次に、重量ランク１のネギ４の束が計量されたときに、この重量ランク１と６の２種類のネギ４の束がその保持ホッパ４３−６の左下方に設けられている集合ホッパ４４−１に投入されるようになっている。そして、集合ホッパ４４−１に組を構成する２種類の重量ランク１と６のネギ４の束が投入されると、その下方に設けられている補助集合ホッパ４５−１を通過して最下部の補助集合ホッパ４５−３に投入されるようになっている。ただし、まず、重量ランク１のネギ４の束が計量された場合は、この重量ランク１のネギ４の束を投入する保持ホッパを設けていないので、集合ホッパ４４−１に投入して保持し、重量ランク６のネギ４の束が計量されたときに、この重量ランク６のネギ４の束を集合ホッパ４４−１に投入して、これら重量ランク１と６のネギ４の束が、補助集合ホッパ４５−１を通過して最下部の補助集合ホッパ４５−３に投入されるようになっている。
【００３４】
更に、まず、計量ホッパ４６から排出されたネギ４の束の重量ランクが２であると、そのネギ４は保持ホッパ４３−２に投入され、次に、重量ランク５のネギ４の束が計量されたときに、この重量ランク２と５の２種類のネギ４の束がその保持ホッパ４３−２の右下方に設けられている集合ホッパ４４−３に投入されるようになっている。そして、集合ホッパ４４−３に組を構成する２種類の重量ランク１と６のネギ４の束が投入されると、その下方に設けられている補助集合ホッパ４５−２を通過して最下部の補助集合ホッパ４５−３に投入されるようになっている。ただし、まず、重量ランク５のネギ４の束が計量された場合は、この重量ランク５のネギ４の束を投入する保持ホッパを設けていないので、集合ホッパ４４−３に投入して保持し、重量ランク２のネギ４の束が計量されたときに、この重量ランク２のネギ４の束を集合ホッパ４４−３に投入して、これら重量ランク２と５のネギ４の束が、補助集合ホッパ４５−２を通過して最下部の補助集合ホッパ４５−３に投入されるようになっている。
【００３５】
上記のようにして、最下部の補助集合ホッパ４５−３に組を構成する２種類の重量ランクのネギ４の束が投入されると、所定のタイミングで包装機にそのネギ４の束を投入するようになっている。ただし、各保持ホッパは、計量ホッパ４６から１回計量分のネギ４の束が投入されている場合にはその後の計量分のネギ４の束が投入されないようになっており、同様に、集合ホッパ４４及び補助集合ホッパ４５も、１組の予め定められている２種類の重量ランクのネギ４の束が投入されている場合にはその後の計量分のネギ４の束が投入されないようになっている。つまり、作業者が、１回取り出しの目標重量Ｃ＝５０ｇをねらって取り出したネギ４の束を計量ホッパ４６に投入すると、自動的に対応する２種類の重量ランクのネギ４の束が組み合わされて包装機に投入される。
【００３６】
次に、本発明の特徴をなす供給手段、及び排出手段を説明する。この供給手段、及び排出手段は、請求項２に記載の供給手段、及び排出手段と対応している。供給手段は、今回判定されたネギ４の束の重量ランク（例えば重量ランク４）と対応する２台の保持ホッパ（図７に示す例えば４３−４）がネギ４を保持していることにより、当該ランク判定済みネギ４の束をその対応する保持ホッパに供給することができないときに、当該ランク判定済みネギ４の束を対応する保持ホッパ以外の空の保持ホッパ（例えば４３−３）に供給する手段である。ただし、図７に示す保持ホッパ４３−２、４３−３、４３−４、４３−６のうち、重量ランクにハッチングを描いたものはネギ４が供給されており、ハッチングを描いていないものはネギ４が供給されていないことを示す。また、２台の保持ホッパ４３−４がネギ４を保持しているということは、組合せを構成する他方の重量ランク３のネギ４が２台の保持ホッパ４３−３に保持されていないということである。
【００３７】
排出手段は、各ゲート５２−１〜５２−２８を具備し、上記対応する保持ホッパ（例えば４３−４）以外の保持ホッパ（例えば４３−３）に供給された当該ランク判定済みネギ４（例えば重量ランク４のネギの束）との合計重量が、予め定めた許容重量範囲内（９５ｇ〜１０５ｇ）となる重量のネギ４の束を各保持ホッパに供給されているネギ４の束うちから選択して、当該ランク判定済みネギ４と当該選択したネギ４（例えば保持ホッパ４３−２に供給されている重量ランク２のネギ４の束）とを排出する手段である。
【００３８】
図８は、この定重量計量装置の電気回路を示すブロック図である。同図に示す２６は入力部である。この入力部２６を操作して重量ランクのランク数ｎ、各重量ランクの重量範囲等を入力することができる。そして、同図に示すように、ＣＰＵ４９には、ゲート制御部５４を介してゲート駆動回路５５が接続しており、このゲート駆動回路５５には各ゲート５２−１〜５２−２８を開閉させるエアーシリンダ等の駆動部（図示せず）が接続している。ＣＰＵ４９は、記憶部５０に記憶されている所定のプログラムに従って各ゲート５２−１〜５２−２８を所定のタイミングで開閉するように駆動部を駆動させることができる。
【００３９】
次に、上記構成の定重量計量装置の動作手順を図１に示すフローチャートを参照して説明する。ここで、１パックに包装するネギ４の合計目標重量ＷＴを１００ｇとし、１回取り出しの目標重量Ｃを５０ｇとする。まず、作業者が溜容器４７に載置されている多量のネギ４から１回取り出しの目標重量Ｃ＝５０ｇをねらって１束のネギ４を取り出してその取り出したネギ４の束を計量ホッパ４６に投入する。すると、計量手段がその投入されたネギ４の束の重量を計量し（Ｓ１００）、ランク判定手段がネギ４の束の重量に基づいてその重量の属する重量ランクを判定する（Ｓ１０２）。次に、この重量ランクが判定されたネギ４の束を投入すべき保持ホッパ、又は集合ホッパが満杯であるか否かを判定し（Ｓ１０４）、その投入すべき保持ホッパ等が満杯でなく空であり、ＮＯと判定した場合は、その重量ランクが判定されたネギ４の束を対応する保持ホッパ等に投入する（Ｓ１０６）。例えば計量したネギ４の束の重量ランクを１と判定すると、ゲート５２−１、５２−３、５２−７、５２−１４を順に開閉してそのネギ４の束を集合ホッパ４４−１に投入する。そして、予め設定されている規定の組合せである重量ランク１と６、３と４、２と５のうちのいずれかが成立しているか否かを判定し（Ｓ１０８）、例えば保持ホッパ４３−６内に重量ランク６のネギ４の束が収容されており、重量ランク１と６の組合せが成立し、ＹＥＳと判定した場合は、その重量ランク１と６の組合せのネギ４の各束を最下部の補助集合ホッパ４５−３に投入し、所定のタイミングで排出ゲート５２−２７、５２−２８を開閉してこのネギ４を包装機に投入する（Ｓ１１０）。
【００４０】
また、例えば計量ホッパ４６に投入されたネギ４の束の重量ランクを３と判定すると、ゲート５２−１、５２−４、５２−９を順に開閉してそのネギを保持ホッパ４３−３に投入し、次に計量ホッパ４６に投入されたネギの重量ランクを４と判定すると、ゲート５２−２、５２−５、５２−１０を順に開閉してそのネギ４の束を保持ホッパ４３−４に投入する。重量ランクを２、５と判定した場合も、同様にして、重量ランク２のネギ４の束を保持ホッパ４３−２に投入することができるし、重量ランク５のネギ４の束を集合ホッパ４４−３に投入することができる。このようにして各保持ホッパ４３−２、４３−３、４３−４、４３−６、及び各集合ホッパ４４−１、４４−３に投入されたネギ４の束は、上記と同様にして所定のタイミングで排出ゲート５２−２７、５２−２８を開閉してネギ４の束を包装機に投入することができる。このようにして包装機に投入された各ネギ４の重量は、予め定めた組をなす重量ランク（１と６）、（３と４）、（２と５）の夫々の合計重量であり、図５を参照して説明したように、１００±５ｇとなる。
【００４１】
ただし、ステップ１０８において、規定の重量ランク（１と６）、（３と４）、（２と５）の組合せが存在せず、ＮＯと判定した場合は、ネギ４の束の排出を行うことができないので、ステップ１００に戻って次の計量を行い、上記と同様の処理を行う。
【００４２】
そして、ステップ１０４において、重量ランクが判定されたネギ４の束を投入すべき保持ホッパ又は集合ホッパが満杯であるか否かを判定し、その投入すべき保持ホッパ等が満杯であり、ＹＥＳと判定した場合は、今回計量して重量ランクを判定したネギ４の束の重量と、保持ホッパ４３−２、４３−３、４３−４、４３−６、及び各集合ホッパ４４−１、４４−３のうちのいずれかに収容されているネギ４のうち規定の重量ランクの組合せ（１と６）、（３と４）、（２と５）以外の組合せとなる重量ランクのネギ４の束の重量と、の合計重量を演算する組合せ演算を行い（Ｓ１１２）、合計重量が予め設定されている許容重量範囲（９５ｇ〜１０５ｇ）内となる組合せが存在するか否かを判定し（Ｓ１１４）、組合せが存在し、ＹＥＳと判定した場合は、そのランク判定済みネギ４の束を、組合せが成立する相手側のネギ４の束が収容されているホッパに最も接近するホッパに投入して（Ｓ１１６）、その組合せが成立する１組のネギ４の束を最下部の補助集合ホッパ４５−３に投入し、所定のタイミングで排出ゲート５２−２７、５２−２８を開閉してネギ４を包装機に投入する（Ｓ１１０）。
【００４３】
ただし、ステップ１１４において、ランク判定済みネギ４の重量との合計重量が許容重量範囲内となる重量のネギ４の束がホッパに保持されておらず、ＮＯと判定した場合は、そのランク判定済みネギ４の束を排除ホッパ５３−１又は５３−２に排出して溜容器４７に戻すこととし（Ｓ１１８）、次のネギ４の束の重量を計量するためにステップ１００に戻って上記と同様の処理を行う。
【００４４】
上記ステップ１１６は、請求項２に記載の供給手段に含まれており、ステップ１１０は、請求項２に記載の排出手段に含まれている。
【００４５】
次に、図１において、ネギ４の束の重量が計量されて重量ランクが判定されると、このランク判定済みのネギ４の束をその重量ランクと対応する保持ホッパ４３−２、４３−３、４３−４、４３−６、及び各集合ホッパ４４−１、４４−３のうちのいずれかに投入するのであるが、その投入すべきホッパには、既にネギ４の束が投入されていることにより当該ランク判定済みのネギ４の束をその対応するホッパに投入できず、従って、次のネギ４の束の計量を行うことができない場合に、図１のステップ１１２、１１４、１１６、及び１１０の各処理を行うようにしているので、この処理の内容を詳細に説明する。
【００４６】
今、例えば図５及び図７に示すように重量ランク２と４のネギ４の束を収容することができる全ての保持ホッパ（この実施形態では１台の保持ホッパ４３−２と２台の保持ホッパ４３−４）にネギ４の束が収容されていて、保持ホッパが満杯状態であるとし、重量ランク１、３、５、６に属するネギ４の束は対応するホッパに全く収容されていない状態とする。この状態では、重量ランクの規定組合せ（１と６）、（３と４）、（２と５）が成立するネギ４の束が存在せず、各保持ホッパに収容されているネギ４の束は排出されずに保持されたままである。この状態で重量ランク２に属するネギ４の束が計量された場合、ランク対応ホッパ４３−２が満杯であり投入することができないので（ステップ１０４でＹＥＳ）、ステップ１１２において、この重量ランク２のネギ４の束の重量と、規定組合せの重量ランク５以外のネギ４の束の重量（ここでは重量ランク４の２つのネギ４の束のうち排出可能な下側の保持ホッパ４３−４に収容されているネギ４の束の重量）と、の合計重量を演算する。
【００４７】
図６は、この演算結果を示す図である。この図は、例えば今回計量されたネギ４の束の重量ランクが２（４０ｇを越えて４５ｇ以下の重量）であってその重量が４１ｇである場合は、図７に示す下側の保持ホッパ４３−４に収容されている重量ランク４のネギ４の束の重量が５４ｇ〜５５ｇの範囲内であれば、その合計重量が９５ｇ〜９６ｇとなり、許容重量範囲９５ｇ〜１０５ｇに含まれることを示している。従って、下側の保持ホッパ４３−４に収容されているネギ４の束の重量が例えば５４ｇであれば、その合計重量が９５ｇとなり、許容重量範囲９５ｇ〜１０５ｇに含まれることとなるので（ステップ１１４でＹＥＳ）、この重量が４１ｇの計量済みのネギ４の束を下側の保持ホッパ４３−４に最も接近する集合ホッパ４４−２に投入して（Ｓ１１６）、これら４１ｇと５４ｇのネギ４の束を補助集合ホッパ４５−３を介して包装機に供給することができる。
【００４８】
このように、ステップ１１２、１１４、１１６、及び１１０の各処理を行うことによって、規定の重量ランクの組合せ（１と６）、（３と４）、（２と５）が存在しない場合でも、合計重量が許容重量範囲内の組合せを作って排出することができ、これによってこの定重量計量装置を停止させることなく定重量計量を続行させることができる。
【００４９】
なお、図６において、今回計量したネギ４の束の重量が４２ｇ、４３ｇ、４４ｇ、４５ｇの各場合には、図６に示す４つの各重量範囲（５３〜５５ｇ）、（５２〜５５ｇ）、（５１〜５５ｇ）、（５０．１〜５５ｇ）内のネギ４の束が下側の保持ホッパ４３−４に収容されておれば、その重量のネギ４の束と組み合わせることによって合計重量が許容重量範囲９５ｇ〜１０５ｇに含まれるネギ４を排出することができることを示している。そして、図６に示す組合せられる「重量ランク６」の下方に記載した各計算式は、保持ホッパ４３−６に重量ランク６のネギ４の束が収容されていたとした場合の演算結果を示している。例えば、今回計量したネギ４の束の重量が４１ｇ、４２ｇ、４３ｇ、又は４４ｇである場合には、図６に示す４つの各重量範囲（６０．１〜６４ｇ）、（６０．１〜６３ｇ）、（６０．１〜６２ｇ）、又は（６０．１〜６１ｇ）内のネギ４の束が保持ホッパ４３−６内に存在しておれば、その重量のネギ４の束と組み合わせることによって合計重量が許容重量範囲９５ｇ〜１０５ｇに含まれるネギ４を排出することができることを示している。なお、５０．１ｇ、６０．１ｇは、５０ｇ、６０ｇを越える重量の一例を示している。
【００５０】
上記定重量計量装置によると、作業者が１台の計量ホッパ４６にネギ４の束を順次供給するだけで、その計量ホッパ４６に供給されたネギ４の束が自動的に予め定められた重量ランクどうしのものが組み合わされて最下部の保持集合ホッパ４５−３から所定のタイミングで包装機に投入される。これによって、図１０に示す従来の半自動式組合せ秤のように作業者がネギ４の束を投入する計量ホッパ１−１〜１−１４を探す作業が不要であるし、広い範囲に亘って配置された１４台の各計量ホッパ１−１〜１−１４にネギ４の束を投入する作業も不要であるので、作業が簡単で容易に行うことができる。つまり、計量速度の向上を図ることができる。
【００５１】
そして、図７に示すように、計量ホッパ４６、保持ホッパ、集合ホッパ、及び補助集合ホッパは、夫々の底に設けられているゲート５２−１〜５２−２８の先端部でネギ４の束を保持するが、これらゲートの先端部は略真っ直ぐに形成され、その長さがネギ４の長さよりも少し長い目に形成されている。従って、計量ホッパ４６に投入されたネギ４の束は、ゲートの先端部に沿う纏まった状態で保持ホッパ、集合ホッパ、及び補助集合ホッパに順次投入されてその纏まった状態で包装機に投入することができる。
【００５２】
また、組合せを構成する重量ランク（１と６）、（３と４）、（２と５）のネギ４の束を最下部の１台の補助集合ホッパ４５−３に投入し、この１台の補助集合ホッパから１組の重量が約１００ｇのネギ４の束を包装機に投入することができる。従って、図１０に示す従来の半自動式組合せ秤では、１つの組を構成する複数の束のネギ４を取り出し位置７の一か所に纏めるための搬送時間を必要とするが、この搬送時間を省略することができるし、集合コンベア５の取り出し位置７に排出されたネギ４を纏める作業も不要とすることができ、これによっても計量速度の向上と作業の簡単化を図ることができる。
【００５３】
更に、図７に示すように、２台の補助集合ホッパ４５−１、４５−２は、３台の各集合ホッパ４４−１〜４４−３から排出されたネギ４の束を傷付けずに、絡み合わないようにして最下部の補助集合ホッパ４５−３に供給する役目を果たすと共に、略合計目標重量ＴＷに組み合わされたネギ４を溜めておき、途切れないように順次これらのネギ４を最下部の補助集合ホッパ４５−３から包装機に投入することができるようにしてこの定重量計量装置の計量速度の向上を図る役目を果たしている。ただし、構造を簡単にする為に、この２台の補助集合ホッパ４５−１、４５−２を省略し、３台の各集合ホッパ４４−１〜４４−３から排出されるネギ４の束を最下部の補助集合ホッパ４５−３で受け入れることができるようにこの最下部の補助集合ホッパの上方にシュートを設けた構成としてもよい。
【００５４】
勿論、図７に示すように、組み合わせられる重量ランクのネギ４の束を保持する保持ホッパ４３−３と４３−４を互いに隣接させて設けたが、互いに離れた位置に設けてもよい。要は、組み合わせられる重量ランクのネギ４の束を集合ホッパ４４−１〜４４−３に投入することができるように、保持ホッパと集合ホッパとを接続した構成とすればよい。
【００５５】
次に、第２実施形態の定重量計量装置を説明する。第２実施形態に係る定重量計量装置は、第１実施形態に係る定重量計量装置に図２のフローチャートで示す供給排出機能を付加したものであり、図７に示す計量ホッパ、保持ホッパ、集合ホッパ、補助集合ホッパ等を備えており、図８にブロック図で示す電気回路を備えている。これら各ホッパ及び電気回路は、第１実施形態と同等であるので詳細な説明を省略する。
上記供給排出機能は、供給手段と排出手段から成っており、この供給手段と排出手段は請求項３に記載の供給手段と排出手段と対応している。この図２に示す供給排出機能は、図１に示すステップ１１８で行われるリジェクト排出に代えて設けられている機能であり、第１実施形態の定重量計量装置では、ステップ１１４において、規定の重量ランクの組合せ（１と６）、（３と４）、（２と５）以外の組合せが存在せず、ＮＯと判定した場合には今回計量したネギ４の束を組合せ不良として排除ホッパ５３−１又は５３−２にリジェクト排出していたが、第２実施形態の定重量計量装置では、この時にリジェクト排出せずに、その今回計量されたネギ４の束をその重量ランクと規定の組合せとなる他方の重量ランクと対応して定めた空のホッパに特定投入して保持しておき、次回以降に当該他方の重量ランクに属するネギ４の束が計量された際に、この計量されたネギ４の束を先に計量されて特定投入されているホッパに追加投入して、これら今回計量されたネギ４の束と先に特定投入されているネギ４の束を補助集合ホッパ４５−３から排出して包装機に供給するようにしてある。
【００５６】
これによって、第１実施形態の定重量計量装置では規定又は規定以外の組合せが成立しないのでリジェクト排出していたネギ４の束を、規定の重量ランクの組合せとして包装機に供給することが可能となり、その結果、第１実施形態の定重量計量装置よりも計量速度の向上を図ることができるし、排除ホッパ５３−１等にリジェクト排出されるネギ４の束を減少させることができるので、溜容器４７に戻す手間も軽減することができる。
【００５７】
つまり、図１において、重量ランクが判定されたネギ４の束をその重量ランクと対応するホッパに投入する際に、当該ホッパがネギ４を保持していることによりそのランク判定済みのネギ４の束を当該ホッパに投入することができず（ステップ１０４でＹＥＳ）、しかも、規定以外の組合せも成立しないと判定した場合に（ステップ１１４でＮＯ）、図２において、今回判定された重量ランクと規定の組を成す他方の重量ランクと対応するホッパが空であるか否かを判定し（Ｓ２００）、空でありＹＥＳと判定した場合は、その空のホッパにその今回重量ランクが判定されたネギ４の束を特定供給してその旨を記憶し（Ｓ２０２）する。そして、次回のネギ４の束の計量、及び重量ランクの判定を行い（Ｓ２０４、Ｓ２０６）、この判定された重量ランクは、特定供給された各ホッパと対応する重量ランクのうちの１つであるか否かを判定する（Ｓ２０８）。そして、ステップ２０４において、ＹＥＳと判定した場合は、その判定された重量ランクと対応するホッパ（このホッパは特定供給されたホッパである。）にランク判定済みのネギ４の束を投入し（Ｓ２１０）、この規定の組合せが成立した２つのネギ４の束を補助集合ホッパ４５−３から排出して包装機に供給する（Ｓ１１０）。これにより、上述したように、第１実施形態の定重量計量装置ではリジェクト排出される予定であったネギ４の束を規定の組合せとして排出することができる。
【００５８】
ただし、ステップ２００において、判定された重量ランクと規定の組を成す他方の重量ランクと対応するホッパにネギ４の束が収容されており、ＮＯと判定した場合は、排除ホッパ５３−１等にリジェクト排出して（Ｓ２１２）、ステップ１００に戻り次の計量を順次行う。このように、規定の又は規定以外の組合せが存在せず、しかも先に特定供給されており、今回の特定供給するための空のホッパも存在しない場合はリジェクト排出することとしている。
【００５９】
そして、ステップ２０８において、判定された重量ランクは、特定供給された各ホッパと対応する重量ランクではなく、ＮＯと判定した場合は、ステップ１０４に戻り、それ以降の上記各ステップの処理を行う。
【００６０】
次に、第３実施形態の定重量計量装置を説明する。第３実施形態に係る定重量計量装置と第１実施形態に係る定重量計量装置が相違するところは、供給手段と排出手段からなる供給排出機能である。ただし、第３実施形態に係る定重量計量装置は、図７に示す計量ホッパ、保持ホッパ、集合ホッパ、補助集合ホッパ等を備えており、図８にブロック図で示す電気回路を備えている。これら各ホッパ及び電気回路は、第１実施形態と同等であるので詳細な説明を省略する。
即ち、第１実施形態に係る定重量計量装置の供給排出機能では、図１に示すように、計量及びランク判定済みのネギ４の束を対応するホッパに供給する際に、そのホッパにネギ４が収容されていて供給することができないと判定した時に（ステップ１０４でＹＥＳ）初めてそのランク判定済みのネギ４を規定の組合せ以外の組合せ演算を行い、可能であれば規定以外の組合せとして排出する構成としているが、第３実施形態に係る定重量計量装置の供給排出機能では、第１実施形態と同様に、計量及びランク判定済みのネギ４の束を対応するホッパに供給する際に、そのホッパにネギ４が収容されていて供給することができないと判定した時に、そのランク判定済みのネギ４を規定の組合せ以外の組合せ演算を行うと共に、図３に示すように、計量及びランク判定済みのネギ４の束を対応するホッパに供給することができたが、次回に当該重量ランクのネギ４を供給する為の空のホッパが存在していないと判定した時（ステップ３１０でＹＥＳ）からそのランク判定済みのネギ４を規定の組合せ以外の組合せ演算を行うところである。これ以外は、第１実施形態と同等であるので詳細な説明を省略する。
【００６１】
この供給排出機能によると、ランク判定済みのネギ４の束を供給すべきホッパが存在していないと判定するまでは、規定以外の組合せを行わないのではなく、ランク判定済みのネギ４の束を供給すべきホッパが存在していないと判定する前の段階で規定以外の組合せを行っているので、各ホッパからネギ４を排出する可能性を高くすることができ、これによってランク判定済みのネギ４を組合せ不成立としてリジェクト排出する可能性を低くすることができる。その結果、計量速度の向上を図ることができる。
【００６２】
次に、第３実施形態の定重量計量装置の動作手順を図３に示すフローチャートを参照して説明する。
まず、第１実施形態と同様にして、作業者が目標重量Ｃ＝５０ｇをねらって１束のネギ４を取り出してその取り出したネギ４の束を計量ホッパ４６に投入する。すると、計量手段がネギ４の束の重量を計量し（Ｓ３００）、ランク判定手段がネギ４の束の重量ランクを判定する（Ｓ３０２）。そして、この重量ランクが判定されたネギ４の束を対応する保持ホッパ、又は集合ホッパに供給する（Ｓ３０４）。次に、規定の組合せである重量ランク１と６、３と４、２と５のうちのいずれかが成立しているか否かを判定し（Ｓ３０６）、組合せが成立し、ＹＥＳと判定した場合は、その重量ランクの組合せのネギ４の各束を最下部の補助集合ホッパ４５−３を介して包装機に投入する（Ｓ３０８）。
【００６３】
ただし、ステップ３０６において、規定の組合せが成立せず、ＮＯと判定した場合は、今回計量したネギ４をホッパに供給したことによって、当該ネギ４の重量ランクと対応して定めた１又は２台のホッパの全てにネギ４が収容されて満杯となったか否かを判定する（Ｓ３１０）。そして、このステップで満杯でなくＮＯと判定した場合は、ステップ３００に戻って次の計量を行うが、満杯でありＹＥＳと判定した場合は、第１実施形態と同様に、今回計量したランク判定済みのネギ４の重量と排出可能なホッパに収容されているネギ４の各重量との間で組合せ演算を行う（Ｓ３１２）。そして、合計重量が許容重量範囲内であって、規定以外の組合せが成立したか否かを判定し（Ｓ３１４）、規定以外の組合せが成立し、ＹＥＳと判定した場合は、その組合せのネギ４の２つの束を補助集合ホッパ４５−３を介して包装機に投入する（Ｓ３０８）。
【００６４】
しかし、ステップ３１４において、規定以外の組合せが存在せず、ＮＯと判定した場合は、次のネギ４の重量計量、重量ランクの判定を行い（Ｓ３１６、Ｓ３１８）、当該ランク判定済みのネギ４を供給すべきホッパが満杯であるか否かを判定する（Ｓ３２０）。そして、満杯でなく空のホッパが存在し、ＹＥＳと判定した場合は、ステップ３０４に戻ってこのネギ４を対応するその空のホッパに供給して上記と同様の処理を順次行う（Ｓ３０４、・・・）。ただし、ステップ３２０において、ネギ４を供給すべきホッパが満杯であり、ＹＥＳと判定した場合は、今回計量したランク判定済みのネギ４の重量と排出可能なホッパに収容されているネギ４の各重量との間で組合せ演算を行い（Ｓ３２２）、合計重量が許容重量範囲内であって、規定以外の組合せが成立したか否かを判定し（Ｓ３２４）する。規定以外の組合せが成立し、ＹＥＳと判定した場合は、その組合せのネギ４の２つの束を補助集合ホッパ４５−３を介して包装機に投入する（Ｓ３２８、Ｓ３０８）。しかし、組合せが成立せず、ＮＯと判定した場合は、その今回計量したネギ４を排除ホッパ５３−１又は５３−２に排出して溜容器４７に戻すこととし（Ｓ３２６）、次のネギ４の束の重量を計量するためにステップ１００に戻って上記と同様の処理を行う。
【００６５】
次に、第４実施形態の定重量計量装置を説明する。第４実施形態に係る定重量計量装置は、第３実施形態に係る定重量計量装置に図４のフローチャートで示す供給排出機能を付加したものであり、図７に示す計量ホッパ、保持ホッパ、集合ホッパ、補助集合ホッパ等を備えており、図８にブロック図で示す電気回路を備えている。これら各ホッパ及び電気回路は、第３実施形態と同等であるので詳細な説明を省略する。
上記供給排出機能は、供給手段と排出手段から成っている。この図４に示す供給排出機能は、図３に示すステップ３２６で行われるリジェクト排出に代えて設けられている機能であり、第３実施形態の定重量計量装置では、ステップ３２４において、規定の重量ランクの組合せ（１と６）、（３と４）、（２と５）以外の組合せが存在せず、ＮＯと判定した場合には今回計量したネギ４の束を組合せ不良として排除ホッパ５３−１又は５３−２にリジェクト排出していたが、第４実施形態の定重量計量装置では、この時にリジェクト排出せずに、その今回計量されたネギ４の束をその重量ランクと規定の組合せとなる他方の重量ランクと対応して定めた空のホッパに特定投入して保持しておき、次回以降に当該他方の重量ランクに属するネギ４の束が計量された際に、この計量されたネギ４の束を先に計量されて特定投入されているホッパに追加投入して、これら今回計量されたネギ４の束と先に特定投入されているネギ４の束を補助集合ホッパ４５−３から排出して包装機に供給するようにしてある。
【００６６】
これによって、第３実施形態の定重量計量装置では規定又は規定以外の組合せが成立しないのでリジェクト排出していたネギ４の束を、規定の重量ランクの組合せとして包装機に供給することが可能となり、その結果、第３実施形態の定重量計量装置よりも計量速度の向上を図ることができるし、排除ホッパ５３−１等にリジェクト排出されるネギ４の束を減少させることができるので、溜容器４７に戻す手間も軽減することができる。
【００６７】
ただし、この第４実施形態の供給排出機能における図４に示す各ステップ２００〜２１２の処理内容は、第２実施形態の供給排出機能における図２に示す各ステップ２００〜２１２の処理内容と同一であるので、各ステップ２００〜２１２を同一の符号で示し、各処理内容の詳細な説明を省略する。
【００６８】
第５実施形態を図９を参照して説明する。第５実施形態の定重量計量装置は、図７に示す第１実施形態の定重量計量装置の保持ホッパ４３−６、４３−３、４３−４、４３−２と集合ホッパ４４−１〜４４−３との間に各重量ランク１、６、３、４、２、５に属する重量のネギ４の束を保持する為の上記と同等の保持ホッパ４３−１、４３−６、４３−３、４３−４、４３−２、４３−５を各重量ランクごとに２台ずつ設けた構成としたものであり、これ以外は第１実施形態と同等であり、同様に作用するので詳細な説明を省略する。このように、保持ホッパ４３を増加させた目的は、予め定めた重量ランクのネギ４の束の組合せのできる確率が小さくなった状況においては組合せの成立しないネギ４の束を対応する各保持ホッパで溜めておき、組合せのできる確率が高くなった状況においてこれら保持ホッパに溜めてあるネギ４の束を排出できるようにする為である。これによって、定重量計量装置の稼働率を高めることができる。なお、この増設した各保持ホッパ４３に設けられている各ゲートは第１実施形態の各保持ホッパに設けられている各ゲートと同様に適切なタイミングで開閉する。
【００６９】
ただし、上記第１及び第２実施形態では、図１に示すステップ１１２において、ランク判定済み物品と規定の組合せ物品以外の物品との組合せ演算を行い、ステップ１１４において、この組合せ演算の結果、規定以外の組合せであって、合計重量が許容重量範囲内の組合せが成立したか否かを判定する構成としたが、このステップ１１２と１１４の処理を行う代わりに、上記規定の組合せに使用した上記重量ランク１〜６とは別に合計１２の重量ランク１−１、１−２、・・・・、６−１、６−２（図１３参照）を予め定めると共に、この１２の重量ランクに基づいて合計重量が許容重量範囲（９５〜１０５ｇ）内となる規定以外の組合せを予め定めて記憶しておき、そして図１１のステップ４００に示すように、ランク判定済み物品との組合せがその別に定めた重量ランクの規定以外の組合せのうちの１つの組合せとなる重量ランクの物品がホッパに収容されているか否かを判定することとしてもよい。なお、ステップ１０２における計量された物品の重量ランクの判定は、重量ランク１〜６のうちのいずれの重量ランクであるかを判定すると共に、重量ランク１−１、１−２、・・・・、６−１、６−２のうちのいずれの重量ランクであるかも判定し、この２つの判定結果を記憶することとしている。勿論、ステップ１０２において、重量ランク１〜６の判定を行わずに、計量した物品の重量が重量ランク１−１、１−２、・・・・、６−１、６−２のうちのいずれの重量ランクであるかのみを判定し、この判定結果に基づいて物品を対応するホッパに供給するようにしてもよい。
【００７０】
この構成とすることにより、図１に示すステップ１１２における組合せ演算の処理を不要とすることができ、計量速度の向上とＣＰＵの計量処理の簡単化を図ることができる。
【００７１】
図１３は、重量ランク１〜６とは別に定めた合計１２の上記重量ランク１−１、１−２、・・・・、６−１、６−２を示す図である。同図で分かるように、重量ランク１−１は重量３５〜３７．５ｇ、１−２は重量３７．５〜４０ｇ、２−１は重量４０〜４２．５ｇ、・・・・、５−２は重量５７．５〜６０ｇ、６−１は重量６０〜６２．５ｇ、６−２は重量６２．５〜６５ｇとそれぞれ対応している。そして、重量ランク（３−１と５−１）、（２−２と４−２）、（２−１と６−１）、（１−２と５−２）の組合せ（規定以外の組合せ）が予め記憶部に記憶されている。ステップ４００において、今回計量した物品の重量ランクが例えば２−２である場合は、ホッパに重量ランク４−２の物品が収容されているか否かを判定し、上記実施形態と同様に以降の処理を行う。そして、１２の重量ランク１−１〜６−２の各境界重量値は、互いに隣合う重量ランクのうち重量の軽い方の重量ランクに属するものとする。
【００７２】
また、上記第３及び第４実施形態において、図３に示すステップ３１２と３１４の代わりに上記図１１に示すステップ４００と同等の判定処理（ステップ４００−１）を行うようにすると共に、ステップ３２２と３２４の代わりに同ステップ４００と同等の判定処理（ステップ４００−２）を行うようにしてもよい（図１２参照）。これによって上記と同様の効果が得られる。
【００７３】
上記第１乃至第５の実施形態において、図５に示すように、重量ランク１〜６の各重量範囲の幅を全て同一の５ｇとしたが、各重量範囲の幅を例えば１０ｇ等のように５ｇ以外としてもよいし、各重量範囲の幅を同一の５ｇとしたが、互いに異なる重量範囲の幅としてもよい。また、６つの重量ランク１〜６としたが、これ以外の重量ランク数としてもよい。同様に、図１３に示すように、重量ランク１〜６とは別に１２の重量ランク１−１〜６−２を定めたが、１２以外のランク数の重量ランクを定めてもよいし、各重量ランクの重量範囲の幅を３ｇ等のように２．５ｇ以外の範囲としてもよい。更に、１２の各重量ランク１−１〜６−２の重量範囲を図１３に示す各範囲とせずに、これ以外の範囲としてもよい。
【００７４】
【発明の効果】
本発明によると、合計重量が予め定めた目標重量又はそれに近い重量となるように、予め定めた組を構成する重量ランクの物品を対応する保持手段から排出させるものであるから、この組を構成する重量ランクの物品を保持する保持手段を互いに接近して設けておくことにより、これら組を構成する物品を纏まった状態で一か所に排出することができ、これによって、１つの組をなす物品を一か所に纏めるための搬送時間を省略することができるし、改めて束ねる必要もなく、従って、計量速度の向上と作業の簡単化を図ることができるという効果がある。
【００７５】
そして、計量手段により計量された物品の保持手段への供給は、ランク判定手段の判定結果に基づいて自動的に行われるので、作業者は、物品が排出されて空になった保持手段を探してその保持手段に物品を供給する必要がない。つまり、作業者は、計量済み物品が順次排出される計量手段に被計量物品を順次供給すればよいので、計量手段への物品供給作業を簡単で素早く行うことができ、これによって計量速度の向上を図ることができる。
【００７６】
また、物品の重量が計量されて重量ランクが判定されると、このランク判定済み物品をその重量ランクと対応する保持手段に供給するのであるが、その保持手段には、既に計量済み物品が供給されていること等による原因によって当該ランク判定済み物品をその対応する保持手段に供給できず、この定重量計量装置が停止することがある。
【００７７】
そこで、第１及び第２の各発明によると、当該ランク判定済み物品を当該対応する保持手段以外の保持手段に供給し、当該ランク判定済み物品との合計重量が予め定めた目標重量又はそれに近い重量となる物品を既に保持手段に保持されている１又は２以上の物品のうちから選択して、当該ランク判定済み物品と当該選択した物品を保持手段から排出することができ、これにより、組合せ不成立として排出するはずの物品を組合せ成立として排出することができる。その結果、計量能力の向上を図ることができる。
【００７８】
なお、第１及び第２の各発明において、当該ランク判定済み物品との合計重量が予め定めた目標重量又はそれに近い重量となる物品を既に保持手段に保持されている物品のうちから選択している理由は、ランク判定済み物品を供給すべき保持手段に物品が保持されているということによって、物品が保持されている保持手段と組を成す他の保持手段は空になっていて組合せができないからである。
【００７９】
また、第３の発明によると、当該ランク判定済み物品を、当該重量ランクと組を成す重量ランクに対応させて定めた空の保持手段に供給し（ランク判定済み物品を供給すべき保持手段が満杯であるということは、この満杯である保持手段と組を成す保持手段が空になっている可能性が高い。）、当該ランク判定済み物品が供給された当該保持手段に対応させて定めた重量ランクの物品が計量されたときに、当該計量された物品と当該ランク判定済み物品を排出することができる。これにより、上記組合せ不成立として排出するはずの物品を、第１及び第２の各発明と同様に、組合せ成立として排出することができ、その結果、計量能力の向上を図ることができる。
【００８０】
第４の発明は、予め定めた重量ランクの組合せが成立せず、組合せを構成する一部の重量ランクに属する物品のみが保持手段に多く溜まってきた場合に、これら各保持手段に保持されている物品の重量に基づいて組合せ演算を行い、合計重量が予め定めた目標重量又はそれに近い重量の物品の組合せを排出することができる構成である。従って、予め定めた重量ランクの物品の組合せが不成立の為に、一部の重量ランクに属する物品のみが保持手段に多く溜まって保持手段が満杯となり、物品の計量を続行することができなくなる事態を効果的に回避することができる。その結果、物品の計量が停止する可能性を低くすることができ、能率良く定重量計量を続けることができる。
【００８１】
第５及び第６の発明によると、ランク判定済み物品をその重量ランクと対応する保持手段に供給することができない場合に、当該ランク判定済み物品を当該対応する保持手段以外の保持手段に供給し、当該ランク判定済み物品との組合せが予め定めた重量ランクの組合せのうちの１つの組となる重量ランクの物品を、既に保持手段に保持されている物品のうちから選択する構成である。つまり、ランク判定済み物品と組み合わせようとする物品を選択する際に、予め定めた重量ランクの組合せであるか否かを判定すればよく、演算処理が簡単であり、処理時間が比較的短くて済む。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】この発明の第１実施形態に係る定重量計量装置の動作手順を示すフローチャートである。
【図２】同発明の第２実施形態に係る定重量計量装置の動作手順の一部を示すフローチャートである。
【図３】同発明の第３実施形態に係る定重量計量装置の動作手順を示すフローチャートである。
【図４】同発明の第４実施形態に係る定重量計量装置の動作手順の一部を示すフローチャートである。
【図５】同第１実施形態に係る定重量計量装置に予め設定されている重量ランクの規定の組合せを示す図である。
【図６】同第１実施形態に係る定重量計量装置における規定以外の組合せ例を示す図である。
【図７】同第１実施形態に係る定重量計量装置の概略構成を示す図である。
【図８】同第１実施形態に係る定重量計量装置の電気回路を示すブロック図である。
【図９】同発明の第５実施形態に係る定重量計量装置の概略構成を示す図である。
【図１０】（ａ）は従来の半自動式組合せ秤の平面図、（ｂ）は同組合せ秤の横断面図、（ｃ）は同組合せ秤の縦断面図である。
【図１１】同発明の他の実施形態に係る定重量計量装置の動作手順を示すフローチャートである。
【図１２】同発明の更に他の実施形態に係る定重量計量装置の動作手順を示すフローチャートである。
【図１３】同発明の実施形態に係る定重量計量装置に予め設定されている重量ランクの規定の組合せ及び規定以外の組合せを示す図である。
【符号の説明】
４２ ランク秤
４３ 保持ホッパ
４４ 集合ホッパ
４５ 補助集合ホッパ
４６ 計量ホッパ
５２ ゲート[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention particularly relates to a constant weight measuring method and a constant weight measuring apparatus for weighing vegetables such as leeks, leek and the like, fruits, marine products, livestock products, etc. at a constant weight.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, for example, when packaging green onions in a pack of 100 g each, first, the operator puts the green onions on the platform scale by hand, and the amount of the onions on the platform scale is adjusted so that the display of the platform scale is within a predetermined allowable weight range. Weigh about 100g of green onion by hand. Then, the weighed leeks are packaged one by one by hand or with a packaging machine, thereby completing the leek of 100 g per pack.
[0003]
However, the above-described manual weighing method has a low efficiency, so that it takes a considerable time from weighing the onion to packaging it for the first time. There is also a problem that a large number of workers are required and a large labor cost is required.
[0004]
To solve this problem, there is a method using a fully automatic combination weigher. However, when a fully automatic combination weigher is used, it is necessary to automatically supply the objects to be weighed to this combination weigher and the objects to be weighed to each weighing hopper. It may be necessary to change the supply device used according to the shape, properties, weight, etc. of the weighing object. In this way, when using a fully automatic combination weigher, there are few types of objects to be weighed by one fully automatic combination weigher. There is a problem that it is necessary to prepare a plurality of types of fully-automatic combination weighers of different types according to the type of the weighing object, which increases costs.
[0005]
Therefore, it is possible to use a semi-automatic combination weigher that can measure relatively many kinds of objects to be weighed and is relatively inexpensive. As shown in FIG. 10, the semi-automatic combination weigher includes a total of 14 weighing hoppers 1-1 to 1-14 provided to be inclined. Each weighing hopper 1-1 to 1-14 is supported by load cells 2-1 to 2-14, and discharge gates 3-1 to 3-14 are provided in the lower part. When using this semi-automatic combination weigher to measure 100 g of leeks 4 as a set, first, the operator puts, for example, about 25 g of leeks 4 into each weighing hopper. Then, the weight of the leek put into each weighing hopper is weighed, and a central processing unit (not shown) provided in the combination weigher variously combines these measured values so that the total weight becomes the target weight. A combination of weighing values in the range of 100 g or an allowable weight range is selected, and the onions corresponding to the selected weighing values are discharged from the weighing hoppers and dropped onto the collective conveyor 5. The collective conveyor 5 can convey the leek 4 having a total weight of about 100 g selected for this combination in the direction of the arrow 6 in FIG. The operator can bundle the leeks 4 sent to the take-out position 7 and put them on a packaging machine (not shown).
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the semi-automatic combination weigher shown in FIG. 10, an operator searches for a weighing hopper that has been emptied after the leeks 4 are discharged, and sequentially puts the leeks into the empty weighing hopper as quickly as possible. Since it is impossible to predict the weighing hopper that has been selected and emptied, searching for this weighing hopper is a heavy burden on the operator, which is one of the causes of the decrease in weighing speed. It has become. For example, when the leeks 4 in the four weighing hoppers 1-1 to 1-4 are selected as combinations and discharged onto the collective conveyor 5, these four bundles of leeks 4 are moved from the right end to the left end of the collective conveyor 5. The time required for all these leeks 4 to reach the discharge position 7 takes time to travel substantially the entire distance of the collective conveyor 5 and the transport efficiency is poor, and this is also measured. This is one of the causes of the decrease in speed. Furthermore, it is necessary for an operator to bundle the leeks 4 discharged from the respective weighing hoppers and conveyed to the discharge position 7, and the weighing time is substantially extended by the bundling time. Thus, even the method of weighing with this semi-automatic combination weigher has a problem that the weighing speed is relatively slow and much labor is required.
[0007]
The present invention provides a constant weight weighing method and a constant weight weighing device that have a relatively high weighing speed, can reduce the labor of an operator, and reduce the possibility of stopping weighing due to the fact that the combination cannot be performed. With the goal.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In the constant weight weighing method according to the first invention, a weight rank is determined for each of a plurality of weight ranges, and a step of determining a weight rank to which the weight of the article belongs among the plurality of weight ranks, A holding means is defined for each weight rank, and each rank-ranked article is held by the holding means for each weight rank, and a combination of a weight rank in which the total weight is equal to or close to the target weight is 1 Or two or more predetermined weights, and a step of discharging the weight-ranking articles constituting the predetermined sets as one set from the holding means. When the above-mentioned holding means corresponding to a rank holds an article, the rank-determined article cannot be supplied to the corresponding holding means. Supplying one or more holding means to the holding means other than the corresponding holding means, and an article having a weight such that the total weight of the rank-determined articles is equal to or close to the target weight. And the step of selecting the rank-determined article and discharging the selected article.
[0009]
The constant weight weighing device according to the second invention is a weighing means for weighing an article, and a weight to which the weight of the measured article belongs among a plurality of weight ranks respectively defined for each of a plurality of weight ranges. A combination of rank determination means for determining a rank, holding means provided corresponding to each weight rank and supplied with an article of a corresponding weight rank, and a weight rank in which the total weight becomes a target weight or a weight close thereto is 1 or In a constant weight weighing apparatus having two or more predetermined and discharging means for discharging the articles constituting the combination of the weight ranks as one set from the holding means, the weight rank corresponding to the determined weight rank of the articles When the holding means is holding an article, the rank-determined article cannot be supplied to the corresponding holding means. Supply means for supplying to the holding means other than the holding means, and the discharge means supplies the one or two or more articles having a weight that makes the total weight of the rank-determined articles the target weight or a weight close thereto. The article selected from the articles held by the holding means is selected, and the rank-determined article and the selected article are discharged.
[0010]
A constant-weight weighing device according to a third aspect of the present invention is a weighing unit for weighing an article, and a weight to which the weight of the measured article belongs among a plurality of weight ranks respectively defined for a plurality of weight ranges. A combination of rank determination means for determining a rank, holding means provided corresponding to each weight rank and supplied with an article of a corresponding weight rank, and a weight rank in which the total weight becomes a target weight or a weight close thereto is 1 or In a constant weight weighing apparatus having two or more predetermined and discharging means for discharging the articles constituting the combination of the weight ranks as one set from the holding means, the weight rank corresponding to the determined weight rank of the articles When the rank determining article cannot be supplied to the corresponding holding means because the holding means holds the article, the rank determined article is Supply means for supplying to the holding means determined in correspondence with the weight rank forming a pair with the tank, and the discharging means has a weight rank determined in correspondence with the holding means to which the rank-determined article is supplied. When the article is weighed, the weighed article and the rank-determined article are discharged.
[0011]
A constant weight weighing apparatus according to a fourth invention is a weighing unit for weighing an article, and a weight to which the weight of the measured article belongs among a plurality of weight ranks respectively defined for each of a plurality of weight ranges. A combination of rank determination means for determining a rank, holding means provided corresponding to each weight rank and supplied with an article of a corresponding weight rank, and a weight rank in which the total weight becomes a target weight or a weight close thereto is 1 or In a constant weight weighing apparatus having two or more predetermined and discharge means for discharging the articles constituting the combination of the weight ranks as a set from the holding means, the combination discharge means is provided, and the total weight is a target. When there is no predetermined combination of weight ranks that is a weight or a weight close to it, the combination discharging means is a weight whose total weight is the target weight or a weight close to the target weight. The weight of the goods is characterized in that the discharging selected from among the article being held in the respective holding means.
[0012]
In the constant weight weighing method according to the fifth invention, a weight rank is determined for each of a plurality of weight ranges, and a step of determining a weight rank to which the weight of the article belongs among the plurality of weight ranks, A holding means is defined for each weight rank, and each of the rank-determined articles is held by the corresponding holding means, and an article having a weight rank whose total weight is equal to or close to the target weight is held. The combination of the holding means is predetermined one or more, and the article held in the holding means constituting the predetermined set is discharged from each holding means as one set. In the constant weight weighing method, a combination based on the above weight ranks, or a combination based on a weight rank determined separately from the above weight ranks, in which the total weight is equal to or close to the target weight. The rank is determined when the rank determining article cannot be supplied to the corresponding holding means because the holding means corresponding to the determined weight rank of the article holds the article. Supplying an article having a weight rank in which the combination of the determined article to the holding means other than the corresponding holding means and the combination of the rank-determined article is one of the predetermined combinations of the weight ranks; Selecting from the articles held by the one or more holding means and discharging the selected article and discharging the selected article.
[0013]
A constant weight weighing apparatus according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is a weighing unit for weighing an article, and a weight to which the weight of the measured article belongs among a plurality of weight ranks respectively defined for each of a plurality of weight ranges. Rank determining means for determining a rank, holding means provided corresponding to each weight rank and supplied with an article having a corresponding weight rank, and an article having a weight rank whose total weight is equal to or close to the target weight. There are one or more combinations of the holding means, and a discharge means for discharging articles held by the holding means constituting the predetermined set from the holding means as one set. In a constant weight weighing device, a combination of the above weight ranks or a combination based on a weight rank that is determined separately from the above weight rank, in which the total weight is equal to or close to the target weight. The rank-determined article when the rank-determined article cannot be supplied to the corresponding holding means because the holding means corresponding to the determined weight rank of the article holds the article. Supply means for supplying to the holding means other than the corresponding holding means is provided, and the discharge means is a weight rank in which the combination with the rank-determined article is one combination of the predetermined weight rank combinations. This article is selected from the articles held by the one or more holding means, and the rank-determined article and the selected article are discharged.
[0014]
According to the present invention, the weight rank to which the weight of the article belongs is determined, each article is held for each weight rank, and the articles of the weight rank constituting a predetermined set are discharged as one set. The total weight of the discharged articles is a target weight or a weight close thereto.
[0015]
When the weight of the article is weighed and the weight rank is determined, the rank-determined article is supplied to the holding means corresponding to the weight rank. The already-measured article is supplied to the holding means. In some cases, the rank-determined article cannot be supplied to the corresponding holding means due to the cause of being used.
[0016]
Therefore, according to the first and second inventions, the rank-determined article is supplied to holding means other than the corresponding holding means, and the total weight with the rank-determined article is equal to or close to a predetermined target weight. The article to be weight is selected from one or more articles already held by the holding means, and the rank-determined article and the selected article are discharged from the holding means, whereby the total weight is the target weight. Alternatively, articles having a weight close to that can be discharged as a set.
[0017]
According to the third invention, the rank-determined article is supplied to the empty holding means determined in correspondence with the weight rank that forms a pair with the weight rank, and the rank-determined article is supplied. When an article of a weight rank determined in accordance with the means is weighed, the weighed article and the rank-determined article are discharged, and as a result, an article whose total weight is equal to or close to the target weight Can be discharged.
[0018]
According to the fourth invention, normally, the articles constituting the combination of the predetermined weight ranks are weighed by discharging when the combination is established, but the predetermined combination is not established, When only a large number of articles belonging to one of the weight ranks constituting the combination have accumulated in the holding means, the articles held by these holding means for the purpose of discharging the articles held by the holding means. The combination calculation is performed based on the weight of the item, and the combination of articles whose total weight becomes a predetermined target weight or a weight close thereto can be discharged.
[0019]
According to the fifth and sixth inventions, the weight rank to which the weight of the article belongs is determined, each article is held by the holding means corresponding to each weight rank, and held by the holding means constituting a predetermined set. The items are discharged as a set. The total weight of the discharged articles is a target weight or a weight close thereto.
[0020]
Then, as in the first to fourth inventions, the rank-determined article is supplied to the holding means corresponding to the weight rank, and the weighing article has already been supplied to the holding means. In some cases, the rank-determined article cannot be supplied to the corresponding holding means due to the cause.
[0021]
Therefore, according to the fifth and sixth inventions, the rank-determined article is supplied to a holding means other than the corresponding holding means, and the combination with the rank-determined article is a predetermined weight rank combination. An article having a weight rank that is a combination of the above is selected from articles already held by the holding means, and the rank-determined article and the selected article are discharged from the holding means, whereby the total weight is a target. Articles having a weight or a weight close thereto can be discharged as a set.
[0022]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A constant weight weighing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described. This constant weight weighing apparatus uses the constant weight weighing method of the present invention. First, the theory of weighing an article to a constant weight using the constant weight weighing device according to this embodiment will be described.
For example, when measuring a constant weight of 100 g (total target weight TW) of an onion, the operator picks up about 50 g of the half of the accumulated leek twice and makes the total weight about 100 g. There is a method of weighing, but the distribution of the measured value of the leek picked up by the operator at one time is a curve close to a normal distribution curve as shown in FIG. The average weight of this distribution curve is a weight close to 50 g of the target weight C taken out once. This is because the operator has a corrective mind to read the measured value displayed on the scale and pick up the green onion whose weight is as close as possible to the target weight C.
[0023]
Here, the variation R (35 to 65 g) of the measured value is ranked into n = 6 weight ranks (weight ranks 1 to 6). The width (rank width e) of the respective weight ranges of the weight ranks 1 to 6 is 5 g. In the weight ranks 1 to 6, two heavy weight ranks that are symmetrical to each other on the heavy side and the light weight side with respect to the central weight C, that is, weight ranks 1 and 6, weight ranks 2 and 5, and weight rank 3 And the range of the sum of measured values of articles belonging to 4 is
(1) Weight rank 1 Weight rank 6 Sum
Min35g + Min60g = Min 95g
Max40g + Max65g = Max105g
(2) Weight rank 2 Weight rank 5 Sum
Min40g + Min55g = Min 95g
Max45g + Max60g = Max105g
(3) Weight rank 3 Weight rank 4 Sum
Min45g + Min50g = Min 95g
Max50g + Max55g = Max105g
It becomes.
[0024]
That is, in any combination of weight ranks (1) to (3), the sum of the measured values is in the range of 100 ± 5 g. On the other hand, the weight when the operator picks up the onion twice with the target weight C as 50 g,
Min35g + Min35g = Min 70g
Max65g + Max65g = Max130g
Thus, the sum of the measured values is in a range of 100 ± 30 g, and the above-described extraction method has an accuracy of about 6 times (30/5 = 6) of the variation when the operator takes out with the intuition of the operator.
[0025]
Next, a variation r of the total weight of articles constituting each combination of the above-described predetermined weight ranks (1 and 6), (2 and 5), and (3 and 4) is expressed by an equation:
r = 2R / n (1)
It can be expressed as. However, R is the variation of the measured value of the article picked up at once by the operator's intuition, and n is the number of weight ranks. In the example of FIG. 5, R = 30 g, n = 6, and therefore r = 10 g.
From equation (1), if the number n of ranks is increased, the measurement accuracy is improved, and the width of the weight range of each weight rank is narrowed when the variation R of the weight of the articles picked up by the operator is reduced. This also means that the weighing accuracy is improved.
[0026]
Further, in the above example, the average system is described in which the error is ± 5 g with respect to the total target weight TW = 100 g. However, when managing as a so-called minimum system that regulates the lower limit of the measurement value, the target weight to be taken out once. C may be shifted by e / 2 to the plus side of TW / 2 (total target weight / 2). That is,
Target weight for one-time removal C = TW / 2 + e / 2 (2)
And it is sufficient. Where e is the rank width, and in the example of FIG.

It is. Therefore,
Target weight for one extraction C = 100/2 + 5/2 = 52.5 g
It becomes.
[0027]
Next, the constant weight weighing device according to the first embodiment to which the above weighing theory is applied will be described with reference to the drawings. The constant weight weighing device of this embodiment corresponds to the inventions according to claims 1 and 2. FIG. 7 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing the structure of the constant weight weighing device. In the figure, 42 is a rank scale, 43-2, 43-3, 43-4 and 43-6 are holding hoppers, 44-1 to 44-3 are collecting hoppers, and 45-1 to 45-3 are auxiliary collecting hoppers. is there.
The rank scale 42 includes a weighing hopper 46 that holds the onion 4 that is an object to be weighed, a weighing unit that measures the weight of the leek in the weighing hopper 46, and rank determination means.
In the weighing hopper 46, a bundle of leeks 4 taken out by a worker with the aim of a target weight C = 50 g taken out once from the storage container 47 on which a large amount of leeks 4 are arranged and placed is put by the worker. It is a hopper.
[0028]
The measuring unit can measure the weight W of the bundle of leeks 4 put into the measuring hopper 46. As shown in FIG. 8, the weighing unit includes a load cell 48 and a CPU (central processing unit) 49, and inputs an output signal of the load cell 48 to the CPU 49 via the A / D converter 14. The measurement signal is generated by performing the arithmetic processing in.
The rank determination means determines which weight rank of the above-described weight ranks 1 to 6 the weight (measurement signal) of the leek 4 bundle loaded into the weighing hopper 46 at a time belongs to the determination result. In addition to outputting, if it is determined that it does not belong to any weight rank, a signal indicating that is output. The program for determining the weight rank is stored in the storage unit 50 shown in FIG. 8, and the CPU 49 determines the weight rank based on the determination program.
[0029]
As shown in FIG. 7, the holding hoppers 43-2, 43-3, 43-4, 43-6, the collecting hoppers 44-1 to 44-3, and the auxiliary collecting hoppers 45-1 to 45-3 are combined with each other. Thus, the entire contour shape is formed in a diamond shape. And this rhombus is divided into a total of nine small rhombuses, and these nine small rhombuses are points that face each other among the points that equally divide the opposite sides of the large rhombus that forms the outer contour into three equal parts. It is demarcated by a total of four straight lines that connect each other and four sides of the large rhombus. Each of the three sections of one small rhombus in the upper part and two small rhombuses adjacent to the lower part of the rhombus is divided into left and right sides by a central partition plate 51 and divided into small triangles. In this way, the large rhombus is divided into six small triangles and six small rhombuses. And each section of the two small triangles in the upper first stage is formed with holding hoppers 43-3 and 43-4 for holding a bundle of leeks 4 belonging to the weight ranks 3 and 4 from the left, The sections of the four small triangles in the second lower stage are holding hoppers 43-6, 43-3, 43 for holding a bundle of leeks 4 belonging to the weight ranks 6, 3, 4, 2 from the left. -4, 43-2 are formed, and each of the three small rhombus sections in the lower third stage is a predetermined group belonging to the weight ranks 1 and 6, 3, 4, 2, and 5 from the left. Collective hoppers 44-1, 44-2, and 44-3 are formed for collecting and holding bundles of leeks 4 having both weight ranks. And each section of the two small rhombuses in the lower fourth row forms a predetermined set belonging to the weight rank (1 and 6 or 3 and 4) and (3 and 4 or 2 and 5) from the left. Auxiliary collecting hoppers 45-1 and 45-2 for collecting and holding bundles of weight onions 4 are formed, and one small rhombus section at the bottom of the fifth stage is weight rank (1 And 6), (3 and 4), or a combination of weight ranks belonging to (2 and 5), an auxiliary collective hopper 45-3 for collecting and holding a bundle of leeks 4 is formed. The bundle of leeks 4 discharged from the auxiliary collecting hopper 45-3 is directly put into a receiving part of a packaging machine (not shown).
[0030]
Further, as shown in FIG. 7, a bundle of leeks 4 whose weight rank has been determined by weighing with a weighing hopper 46 is divided into holding hoppers 43, collecting hoppers 44, auxiliary collecting hoppers 45- 1, 45-2 so that the lower auxiliary collecting hopper 45-3 can finally be discharged from the lowermost auxiliary collecting hopper 45-3, the lower positions on the left side and the right side of the weighing hopper 46, and gates 52-1 to 52-at each hopper. 28 is provided. Reference numerals 53-1 and 53-2 shown in FIG. The exclusion hoppers 53-1 and 53-2 are used as holding hoppers having weight ranks that have not been assigned to any weight rank and have been weighed, and to which a bundle of leeks 4 that have been weighed this time should be put. When a bundle of leeks 4 that has been weighed last time is already loaded (when full), the bundle of leeks 4 that has been weighed this time is supplied. Either one of the exclusion hoppers 53-1 and 53-2 may be omitted.
[0031]
In addition, each weight range of the weight ranks 1-6 is 35-40g, 40-45g, 45-50g, 50-55g, 55-60g, 60-65g, as shown in FIG. However, the boundary weight of each weight rank is included in the weight rank on the lightweight side. Accordingly, the weights of the leeks held in the collecting hopper and the auxiliary collecting hopper are 100 ± 5 g, and the bundle of leeks 4 weighed with this weight accuracy can be supplied to the packaging machine.
[0032]
When the bundle of leeks 4 discharged from the weighing hopper 46 is put into the holding hopper 43-3 or 43-4 corresponding to the weight rank of the bundle of leeks 4, for example 3 or 4, the lower part of the holding hopper Is placed in a holding hopper 43-3 or 43-4 of the same weight rank. When the leeks 4 are put into the two types of holding hoppers 43-3 and 43-4, the two types of weight ranks 3 and 4 leeks that form a set in the lower assembly hopper 44-2. 4 bundles are thrown in, passed through the auxiliary collecting hoppers 45-1 or 45-2 provided therebelow, and fed into the lowermost auxiliary collecting hopper 45-3.
[0033]
First, if the weight rank of the bundle of leeks 4 discharged from the weighing hopper 46 is 6, the leeks 4 are put into the holding hopper 43-6, and then the bundle of leeks 4 having the weight rank 1 is weighed. When this is done, a bundle of two types of leeks 4 of weight ranks 1 and 6 is put into a collecting hopper 44-1 provided at the lower left of the holding hopper 43-6. Then, when a bundle of two kinds of weight ranks 1 and 6 leeks 4 constituting the set is put into the collecting hopper 44-1, it passes through the auxiliary collecting hopper 45-1 provided below and moves to the lowermost part. The auxiliary collective hopper 45-3. However, first, when a bundle of leeks 4 of weight rank 1 is weighed, there is no holding hopper for loading this bundle of leeks 4 of weight rank 1, so that it is loaded and held in the collecting hopper 44-1. When the bundle of leeks 4 of weight rank 6 is weighed, the bundle of leeks 4 of weight rank 6 is put into the collecting hopper 44-1, and the bundle of leeks 4 of weight ranks 1 and 6 is supplemented. It passes through the collection hopper 45-1 and is put into the lowermost auxiliary collection hopper 45-3.
[0034]
Furthermore, when the weight rank of the bundle of leeks 4 discharged from the weighing hopper 46 is 2, the leeks 4 are put into the holding hopper 43-2, and then the bundle of leeks 4 having the weight rank 5 is weighed. When this is done, a bundle of two types of leeks 4 of weight ranks 2 and 5 is put into a collecting hopper 44-3 provided at the lower right of the holding hopper 43-2. When a bundle of two types of weight ranks 1 and 6 leeks 4 constituting the set is put into the collecting hopper 44-3, the bundle passes through the auxiliary collecting hopper 45-2 provided below the lowermost part. The auxiliary collective hopper 45-3. However, first, when a bundle of leeks 4 of weight rank 5 is weighed, there is no holding hopper for loading this bundle of leeks 4 of weight rank 5, so it is put into and held in the collecting hopper 44-3. When a bundle of weight onions 4 of weight rank 2 is weighed, the bundle of onions 4 of weight rank 2 is put into the collecting hopper 44-3, and the bundle of onions 4 of weight rank 2 and 5 It passes through the collecting hopper 45-2 and is put into the lowermost auxiliary collecting hopper 45-3.
[0035]
As described above, when a bundle of leeks 4 of two kinds of weight ranks constituting a set is put into the lower auxiliary collecting hopper 45-3, the leeks 4 are put into the packaging machine at a predetermined timing. It is supposed to be. However, each holding hopper is configured such that when a bundle of leeks 4 for one measurement is loaded from the weighing hopper 46, a bundle of leeks 4 for the subsequent weighing is not loaded. The hopper 44 and the auxiliary collective hopper 45 are also configured such that when one set of bundles of leeks 4 having two predetermined weight ranks is loaded, a bundle of leeks 4 for the subsequent weighing is not loaded. ing. That is, when an operator puts a bundle of leeks 4 picked up for the target weight C = 50 g to be taken out once into the weighing hopper 46, the bundles of leeks 4 having two corresponding weight ranks are automatically combined. And put into the packaging machine.
[0036]
Next, supply means and discharge means that characterize the present invention will be described. The supply means and the discharge means correspond to the supply means and the discharge means described in claim 2. The supply means holds the leeks 4 by two holding hoppers (for example, 43-4 shown in FIG. 7) corresponding to the weight rank (for example, weight rank 4) of the bundle of leeks 4 determined this time. When the bundle of the determined green onions 4 cannot be supplied to the corresponding holding hopper, the bundle of the determined green onions 4 is supplied to an empty holding hopper (for example, 43-3) other than the corresponding holding hopper. It is means to do. However, among the holding hoppers 43-2, 43-3, 43-4, and 43-6 shown in FIG. 7, the ones on which the hatching is drawn on the weight rank are supplied with the onions 4 and the ones on which the hatching is not drawn Shows that leek 4 is not being supplied. In addition, the fact that the two holding hoppers 43-3 hold the leeks 4 means that the other weight rank 3 leeks 4 constituting the combination are not held by the two holding hoppers 43-3. It is.
[0037]
The discharging means includes the respective gates 52-1 to 52-28, and the rank-determined green onions 4 (for example, supplied to a holding hopper (for example, 43-3) other than the corresponding holding hopper (for example, 43-4) are provided. Select a bundle of leeks 4 having a weight that is within a predetermined allowable weight range (95 g to 105 g) from the bundle of leeks 4 supplied to each holding hopper. Then, the rank determined green onion 4 and the selected green onion 4 (for example, a bundle of weight rank 2 green onions 4 supplied to the holding hopper 43-2) are discharged.
[0038]
FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an electric circuit of the constant weight weighing device. 26 shown in the figure is an input unit. By operating the input unit 26, the rank number n of the weight rank, the weight range of each weight rank, and the like can be input. As shown in the figure, a CPU 49 is connected to a gate drive circuit 55 via a gate control unit 54. The gate drive circuit 55 is connected to an air that opens and closes the gates 52-1 to 52-28. A drive unit (not shown) such as a cylinder is connected. The CPU 49 can drive the drive unit so as to open and close the gates 52-1 to 52-28 at a predetermined timing according to a predetermined program stored in the storage unit 50.
[0039]
Next, the operation procedure of the constant weight weighing apparatus having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. Here, the total target weight WT of the leeks 4 packed in one pack is set to 100 g, and the target weight C to be taken out once is set to 50 g. First, the operator picks up a bundle of leeks 4 aiming at a target weight C = 50 g to be taken out once from a large amount of leeks 4 placed on the storage container 47, and takes out the bundle of leeks 4 taken out from the weighing hopper 46. In Then, the weighing means weighs the loaded leek 4 bundle (S100), and the rank determining means determines the weight rank to which the weight belongs based on the weight of the leek 4 bundle (S102). Next, it is determined whether or not the holding hopper or the collecting hopper to which the bundle of leeks 4 whose weight rank has been determined is to be loaded is full (S104), and the holding hopper to be loaded is not full and is empty. If it is determined NO, the bundle of leeks 4 whose weight rank is determined is put into a corresponding holding hopper or the like (S106). For example, if the weight rank of the measured leek 4 bundle is determined to be 1, the gates 52-1, 52-3, 52-7, 52-14 are opened and closed in sequence, and the leek 4 bundle is put into the collecting hopper 44-1. To do. Then, it is determined whether any one of weight ranks 1 and 6, 3, 4, 2, and 5, which is a predetermined combination set in advance, is established (S108), for example, holding hopper 43-6. A bundle of leeks 4 with a weight rank of 6 is housed therein, and a combination of weight ranks 1 and 6 is established. It is put into the lower auxiliary collecting hopper 45-3, and the discharge gates 52-27, 52-28 are opened and closed at a predetermined timing, and this leek 4 is put into the packaging machine (S110).
[0040]
Further, for example, if it is determined that the weight rank of the bundle of leeks 4 put into the weighing hopper 46 is 3, the gates 52-1, 52-4, 52-9 are opened and closed in order and the leeks are put into the holding hopper 43-3. Then, when it is determined that the weight rank of the leeks introduced into the weighing hopper 46 is 4, the gates 52-2, 52-5, 52-10 are opened and closed in order, and the bundle of the leeks 4 is put into the holding hopper 43-4. throw into. Similarly, when the weight rank is determined to be 2 or 5, the bundle of the leeks 4 having the weight rank 2 can be put into the holding hopper 43-2, and the bundle of the leeks 4 having the weight rank 5 can be put into the collecting hopper 44. -3. In this way, the holding hoppers 43-2, 43-3, 43-4, 43-6 and the bundle of the leeks 4 put into the collecting hoppers 44-1, 44-3 are predetermined in the same manner as described above. At the same time, the discharge gates 52-27 and 52-28 can be opened and closed, and the bundle of leeks 4 can be put into the packaging machine. The weight of each leek 4 put into the packaging machine in this way is the total weight of the weight ranks (1 and 6), (3 and 4), (2 and 5) forming a predetermined set, As described with reference to FIG.
[0041]
However, if the combination of the specified weight ranks (1 and 6), (3 and 4), and (2 and 5) does not exist in step 108 and it is determined NO, the leek 4 bundle is discharged. Therefore, returning to step 100, the next measurement is performed, and the same processing as described above is performed.
[0042]
In step 104, it is determined whether or not the holding hopper or the collecting hopper to which the bundle of spring onions 4 whose weight rank has been determined is to be loaded is full, and the holding hopper to be loaded is full. If it is determined, the weight of the bundle of leeks 4 weighed this time to determine the weight rank, the holding hoppers 43-2, 43-3, 43-4, 43-6, and the collective hoppers 44-1, 44- A bundle of leeks 4 having a weight rank other than the combinations (1 and 6), (3 and 4), and (2 and 5) of the specified weight rank among the leeks 4 accommodated in any of the three The combination calculation is performed to calculate the total weight of the total weight (S112), and it is determined whether there is a combination in which the total weight falls within the preset allowable weight range (95 g to 105 g) (S114). , There is a combination, YES and If determined, the rank determined leek 4 bundle is put into the hopper closest to the hopper accommodating the bundle of the partner onion 4 for which the combination is established (S116), and the combination is established. A bundle of leeks 4 is put into the lowest auxiliary collecting hopper 45-3, and the discharge gates 52-27 and 52-28 are opened and closed at a predetermined timing, and the leeks 4 are put into the packaging machine (S110).
[0043]
However, in Step 114, if the total weight of the onion 4 with the rank determined onion 4 is within the allowable weight range and the bundle of the onions 4 is not held by the hopper and it is determined NO, the rank has been determined. The leek 4 bundle is discharged to the reject hopper 53-1 or 53-2 and returned to the storage container 47 (S <b> 118), and the process returns to step 100 to measure the weight of the next leek 4 bundle and the same as above. Perform the process.
[0044]
The step 116 is included in the supply means according to claim 2, and the step 110 is included in the discharge means according to claim 2.
[0045]
Next, in FIG. 1, when the weight of the leek 4 bundle is weighed and the weight rank is determined, this rank-determined leek 4 bundle corresponds to the weight rank of the holding hoppers 43-2 and 43-3. , 43-4, 43-6, and any one of the collective hoppers 44-1, 44-3, a bundle of leeks 4 has already been put into the hopper to be put in. In this case, if the bundle of leeks 4 whose rank has been determined cannot be put into the corresponding hopper, and therefore the next bundle of leeks 4 cannot be measured, steps 112, 114, 116, and Since each process of 110 is performed, the content of this process will be described in detail.
[0046]
Now, for example, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, all holding hoppers (in this embodiment, one holding hopper 43-2 and two holding hoppers) capable of accommodating a bundle of leeks 4 of weight ranks 2 and 4 It is assumed that a bundle of leeks 4 is accommodated in the hopper 43-4) and the holding hopper is full, and a bundle of leeks 4 belonging to the weight ranks 1, 3, 5, 6 is not accommodated in the corresponding hopper at all. State. In this state, there is no bundle of leeks 4 in which the specified combinations of weight ranks (1 and 6), (3 and 4), and (2 and 5) are established, and a bundle of leeks 4 accommodated in each holding hopper. Remains retained without being discharged. In this state, when the bundle of leeks 4 belonging to the weight rank 2 is weighed, the rank corresponding hopper 43-2 is full and cannot be put in (YES in step 104). The weight of the leek 4 bundle and the weight of the leek 4 bundle other than the weight rank 5 of the specified combination (here, stored in the lower holding hopper 43-4 that can be discharged out of the two leek 4 bundles of the weight rank 4) And the total weight of the leek 4 bundles).
[0047]
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the calculation results. For example, when the weight rank of the leek 4 weighed this time is 2 (weight exceeding 40 g but not exceeding 45 g) and the weight is 41 g, the lower holding hopper 43 shown in FIG. -4, if the weight of the bundle of leeks 4 of weight rank 4 is in the range of 54 g to 55 g, the total weight is 95 g to 96 g, indicating that it is included in the allowable weight range 95 g to 105 g. Yes. Therefore, if the weight of the bundle of leeks 4 accommodated in the lower holding hopper 43-4 is 54 g, for example, the total weight is 95 g, which is included in the allowable weight range 95 g to 105 g (step). 114), this bundle of weighed leeks 4 weighing 41 g is put into the collecting hopper 44-2 closest to the lower holding hopper 43-4 (S116), and these 41g and 54g leeks 4 Can be supplied to the packaging machine via the auxiliary collecting hopper 45-3.
[0048]
As described above, by performing the processes of steps 112, 114, 116, and 110, even when the specified combinations of weight ranks (1 and 6), (3 and 4), and (2 and 5) do not exist, A combination in which the total weight is within the allowable weight range can be made and discharged, so that the constant weight weighing can be continued without stopping the constant weight weighing device.
[0049]
In FIG. 6, when the weight of the leek 4 weighed this time is 42 g, 43 g, 44 g, and 45 g, the four weight ranges (53 to 55 g), (52 to 55 g) shown in FIG. If a bundle of leeks 4 in (51 to 55 g) and (50.1 to 55 g) is accommodated in the lower holding hopper 43-4, the total weight is allowed by combining with a bundle of leeks 4 of that weight. It shows that the leek 4 contained in the weight range of 95 g to 105 g can be discharged. And each calculation formula described below the "weight rank 6" shown in FIG. 6 shows the calculation result when the bundle of the onions 4 of the weight rank 6 is accommodated in the holding hopper 43-6. Yes. For example, when the weight of the leek 4 weighed this time is 41 g, 42 g, 43 g, or 44 g, each of the four weight ranges (60.1 to 64 g) and (60.1 to 63 g) shown in FIG. , (60.1-62g), or (60.1-61g), if the bundle of leeks 4 is present in the holding hopper 43-6, the total weight is obtained by combining the leeks 4 with that weight. Indicates that leek 4 contained in the allowable weight range of 95 g to 105 g can be discharged. In addition, 50.1g and 60.1g have shown an example of the weight exceeding 50g and 60g.
[0050]
According to the constant weight weighing apparatus, the operator simply supplies the bundle of leeks 4 to one weighing hopper 46 in sequence, and the bundle of leeks 4 supplied to the weighing hopper 46 is automatically set to a predetermined weight. The ranks are combined and fed into the packaging machine at a predetermined timing from the lowest holding and collecting hopper 45-3. This eliminates the need for the operator to search for the weighing hoppers 1-1 to 1-14 into which the bundle of leeks 4 is inserted as in the conventional semi-automatic combination weigher shown in FIG. 10, and is arranged over a wide range. Since the work of putting the bundle of leeks 4 into each of the 14 weighing hoppers 1-1 to 1-14 is unnecessary, the work can be performed easily and easily. That is, the measurement speed can be improved.
[0051]
As shown in FIG. 7, the weighing hopper 46, the holding hopper, the collecting hopper, and the auxiliary collecting hopper are bundled with the leeks 4 at the tips of the gates 52-1 to 52-28 provided on the respective bottoms. However, the end portions of these gates are formed to be substantially straight, and the length thereof is formed to be slightly longer than the length of the leeks 4. Accordingly, the bundle of leeks 4 put into the weighing hopper 46 is sequentially put into the holding hopper, the collecting hopper, and the auxiliary collecting hopper in a bundled state along the tip of the gate and put into the packaging machine in the bundled state. be able to.
[0052]
In addition, a bundle of leeks 4 of the weight ranks (1 and 6), (3 and 4), and (2 and 5) constituting the combination is put into one auxiliary collective hopper 45-3 at the lowermost position. A bundle of leeks 4 having a weight of about 100 g can be put into the packaging machine from the auxiliary collecting hopper. Therefore, the conventional semi-automatic combination weigher shown in FIG. 10 requires a transportation time for collecting a plurality of bundles of leeks 4 constituting one group at one place of the take-out position 7. It can be omitted, and the work of gathering the leeks 4 discharged to the take-out position 7 of the collective conveyor 5 can be made unnecessary. This also improves the measuring speed and simplifies the work.
[0053]
Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the two auxiliary collecting hoppers 45-1 and 45-2 do not damage the bundle of leeks 4 discharged from the three collecting hoppers 44-1 to 44-3. In addition to serving to supply to the lowermost auxiliary collecting hopper 45-3 so as not to be entangled, the leeks 4 combined with the substantially total target weight TW are stored, and these leeks 4 are sequentially transferred so as not to be interrupted. It plays the role of improving the measuring speed of the constant weight measuring device by allowing it to be put into the packaging machine from the lower auxiliary collecting hopper 45-3. However, in order to simplify the structure, the two auxiliary collecting hoppers 45-1 and 45-2 are omitted, and a bundle of leeks 4 discharged from each of the three collecting hoppers 44-1 to 44-3. A configuration may be adopted in which a chute is provided above the lowermost auxiliary collecting hopper so that the lowermost auxiliary collecting hopper 45-3 can receive it.
[0054]
Of course, as shown in FIG. 7, the holding hoppers 43-3 and 43-4 for holding the bundles of the weight onions 4 to be combined are provided adjacent to each other, but may be provided at positions separated from each other. In short, the holding hopper and the collecting hopper may be connected so that the bundle of the leek 4 having the weight rank to be combined can be put into the collecting hoppers 44-1 to 44-3.
[0055]
Next, the constant weight weighing device of the second embodiment will be described. The constant weight weighing device according to the second embodiment is obtained by adding the supply / discharge function shown in the flowchart of FIG. 2 to the constant weight weighing device according to the first embodiment. The weighing hopper, holding hopper, and assembly shown in FIG. A hopper, an auxiliary collecting hopper, and the like are provided, and an electric circuit shown in a block diagram in FIG. 8 is provided. Each of these hoppers and electric circuits is the same as that of the first embodiment, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.
The supply / discharge function includes supply means and discharge means, and the supply means and discharge means correspond to the supply means and discharge means described in claim 3. The supply / discharge function shown in FIG. 2 is a function provided in place of the reject discharge performed in step 118 shown in FIG. 1. In the constant weight weighing device of the first embodiment, the specified weight is set in step 114. If there is no combination other than rank combinations (1 and 6), (3 and 4), and (2 and 5), and it is determined as NO, the bundle of green onions 4 weighed this time is regarded as a combination failure and rejected hopper 53- In the constant weight weighing device according to the second embodiment, the bundle of the leek 4 weighed this time is not discharged at this time, and the weight rank and the prescribed combination are used. When a bundle of green onions 4 belonging to the other weight rank is weighed after the next time, the weighed green onions 4 bundles first Then, it is added to the hopper that has been weighed and specified, and the bundle of leeks 4 that has been weighed this time and the bundle of leeks 4 that have been previously input are discharged from the auxiliary collective hopper 45-3 to the packaging machine. It is made to supply.
[0056]
As a result, the constant weight weighing apparatus according to the first embodiment does not establish a regulation or a combination other than the regulation, so that the bundle of leek 4 that has been rejected can be supplied to the packaging machine as a combination of the prescribed weight ranks. As a result, the weighing speed can be improved as compared with the constant weight weighing device of the first embodiment, and the bundle of leeks 4 rejected and discharged to the rejection hopper 53-1, etc. can be reduced. The trouble of returning to the container 47 can also be reduced.
[0057]
That is, in FIG. 1, when a bundle of leeks 4 whose weight rank is determined is put into a hopper corresponding to the weight rank, the hopper holds the leeks 4, so that When it is determined that the bundle cannot be put into the hopper (YES in step 104) and that any combination other than the prescribed is not established (NO in step 114), the weight rank determined this time in FIG. It is determined whether or not the hopper corresponding to the other weight rank forming the prescribed set is empty (S200). If it is determined to be empty and YES, the current weight rank is determined for the empty hopper. The bundle of leeks 4 is specified and stored to that effect (S202). Then, the next leek 4 bundle is weighed and the weight rank is determined (S204, S206), and the determined weight rank is one of the weight ranks corresponding to each specified hopper. It is determined whether or not (S208). If it is determined as YES in step 204, a bundle of green onions 4 whose rank has been determined is loaded into a hopper corresponding to the determined weight rank (this hopper is a hopper that has been specifically supplied) (S210). ), A bundle of two leeks 4 in which this prescribed combination is established is discharged from the auxiliary collective hopper 45-3 and supplied to the packaging machine (S110). Thereby, as above-mentioned, in the constant weight weighing | measuring apparatus of 1st Embodiment, the bundle | flux of the onion 4 which was due to be rejected can be discharged as a specified combination.
[0058]
However, in step 200, a bundle of leeks 4 is accommodated in a hopper corresponding to the determined weight rank and the other weight rank that forms a prescribed set. The reject is discharged (S212), and the process returns to step 100 to sequentially perform the next measurement. As described above, when there is no combination other than the specified or other than the specified, and the specific supply is performed first, and there is no empty hopper for the specific supply this time, the reject is discharged.
[0059]
In step 208, if the determined weight rank is not a weight rank corresponding to each specified hopper but is determined to be NO, the process returns to step 104, and the subsequent steps are performed.
[0060]
Next, the constant weight weighing device of the third embodiment will be described. The constant weight weighing device according to the third embodiment is different from the constant weight weighing device according to the first embodiment in a supply / discharge function including a supply unit and a discharge unit. However, the constant weight weighing device according to the third embodiment includes the weighing hopper, the holding hopper, the collecting hopper, the auxiliary collecting hopper, and the like shown in FIG. 7, and the electric circuit shown in the block diagram in FIG. Each of these hoppers and electric circuits is the same as that of the first embodiment, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.
That is, in the supply / discharge function of the constant weight weighing apparatus according to the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, when a bundle of leeks 4 that have been weighed and rank-determined is supplied to the corresponding hopper, Is judged to be contained and cannot be supplied (YES in step 104), the first determined green onion 4 is subjected to combination calculation other than the prescribed combination, and if possible, discharged as a combination other than the prescribed. In the supply and discharge function of the constant-weight weighing device according to the third embodiment, when a bundle of leeks 4 that have been weighed and rank-determined is supplied to the corresponding hopper, as in the first embodiment, When it is determined that the leeks 4 are accommodated in the hopper and cannot be supplied, the leeks 4 whose rank has been determined are subjected to combination calculations other than the prescribed combinations, and as shown in FIG. A bundle of leeks 4 that have been weighed and rank-determined can be supplied to the corresponding hopper, but the next time it is determined that there is no empty hopper for supplying the leeks 4 of the weight rank (step From 310), the leek 4 whose rank has already been determined is subjected to a combination calculation other than the prescribed combination. Since other than this is the same as the first embodiment, detailed description thereof is omitted.
[0061]
According to this supply / discharge function, until it is determined that there is no hopper to supply a bundle of green onions 4 for which rank has been determined, a combination other than prescribed is not performed, but a bundle of green onions 4 for which rank has been determined. Since there is a combination other than that specified in the stage before determining that there is no hopper to be supplied, the possibility of discharging the leeks 4 from each hopper can be increased, and thus the rank has been determined. It is possible to reduce the possibility of rejecting the leeks 4 as a combination failure. As a result, the measurement speed can be improved.
[0062]
Next, the operation procedure of the constant weight weighing device of the third embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
First, in the same manner as in the first embodiment, an operator takes out a bundle of leeks 4 aiming at a target weight C = 50 g, and puts the taken out leeks 4 into a weighing hopper 46. Then, the weighing means measures the weight of the leek 4 bundle (S300), and the rank determining means determines the weight rank of the leek 4 bundle (S302). Then, the bundle of leeks 4 for which the weight rank is determined is supplied to the corresponding holding hopper or collecting hopper (S304). Next, it is determined whether or not any of weight ranks 1 and 6, 3 and 4, 2 and 5 as defined combinations is established (S306), and the combination is established and it is determined YES Puts each bundle of leeks 4 of the combination of the weight ranks into the packaging machine through the lower auxiliary collecting hopper 45-3 (S308).
[0063]
However, in step 306, if the prescribed combination is not established and it is determined NO, one or two units determined in correspondence with the weight rank of the leek 4 by supplying the leek 4 weighed this time to the hopper. It is determined whether or not the leeks 4 are accommodated in all the hoppers (S310). If it is determined that this step is not full and NO, the process returns to step 300 and the next measurement is performed. If it is full and YES is determined, as in the first embodiment, the rank determination performed this time is determined. A combination calculation is performed between the weight of the leeks 4 and the weights of the leeks 4 accommodated in the dischargeable hopper (S312). Then, it is determined whether or not the total weight is within the permissible weight range and a combination other than the standard is established (S314). If the combination other than the standard is established and it is determined YES, the leek 4 of the combination is determined. Are fed into the packaging machine via the auxiliary collecting hopper 45-3 (S308).
[0064]
However, if there is no combination other than specified in step 314 and it is determined NO, the weight of the next leek 4 is weighed and the weight rank is determined (S316, S318). It is determined whether the hopper to be supplied is full (S320). If it is determined that there is an empty hopper that is not full and it is determined YES, the process returns to step 304 to supply the leek 4 to the corresponding empty hopper and sequentially perform the same processing as above (S304,.・ ・）. However, in step 320, if the hopper to which the leeks 4 are to be supplied is full and it is determined YES, the weight of the leeks 4 that have been determined this time and the leeks 4 accommodated in the dischargeable hopper are measured. A combination calculation is performed with respect to the weight (S322), and it is determined whether or not the total weight is within the allowable weight range and a combination other than the specified one has been established (S324). When a combination other than the standard is established and it is determined as YES, two bundles of the leeks 4 of the combination are put into the packaging machine via the auxiliary collective hopper 45-3 (S328, S308). However, if the combination is not established and it is determined as NO, the leek 4 weighed this time is discharged to the reject hopper 53-1 or 53-2 and returned to the storage container 47 (S326), and the next leek 4 In order to measure the weight of the bundle, the process returns to step 100 and the same processing as described above is performed.
[0065]
Next, the constant weight weighing device of the fourth embodiment will be described. The constant weight weighing device according to the fourth embodiment is obtained by adding the supply / discharge function shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4 to the constant weight weighing device according to the third embodiment. The weighing hopper, holding hopper, and assembly shown in FIG. A hopper, an auxiliary collecting hopper, and the like are provided, and an electric circuit shown in a block diagram in FIG. 8 is provided. Since each of these hoppers and electric circuits is the same as that of the third embodiment, detailed description thereof is omitted.
The supply / discharge function includes a supply means and a discharge means. The supply / discharge function shown in FIG. 4 is a function provided in place of the reject discharge performed in step 326 shown in FIG. 3. In the constant weight weighing device of the third embodiment, the specified weight is set in step 324. If there is no combination other than rank combinations (1 and 6), (3 and 4), and (2 and 5), and it is determined as NO, the bundle of green onions 4 weighed this time is regarded as a combination failure and rejected hopper 53- In the constant weight weighing device according to the fourth embodiment, the bundle of green onions 4 weighed this time is used as the weight rank and the specified combination. When a bundle of green onions 4 belonging to the other weight rank is weighed after the next time, the weighed green onions 4 bundles first Then, it is added to the hopper that has been weighed and specified, and the bundle of leeks 4 that has been weighed this time and the bundle of leeks 4 that have been previously input are discharged from the auxiliary collective hopper 45-3 to the packaging machine. It is made to supply.
[0066]
As a result, the constant weight weighing device according to the third embodiment does not establish a regulation or a combination other than the regulation, so that the bundle of leek 4 that has been rejected can be supplied to the packaging machine as a combination of the prescribed weight ranks. As a result, it is possible to improve the weighing speed as compared with the constant weight weighing device of the third embodiment, and it is possible to reduce the bundle of leeks 4 that are rejected and discharged to the rejection hopper 53-1, etc. The trouble of returning to the container 47 can also be reduced.
[0067]
However, the processing contents of steps 200 to 212 shown in FIG. 4 in the supply / discharge function of the fourth embodiment are the same as the processing contents of steps 200 to 212 shown in FIG. 2 of the supply / discharge function of the second embodiment. Therefore, the steps 200 to 212 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description of each processing content is omitted.
[0068]
A fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The constant weight weighing device of the fifth embodiment includes holding hoppers 43-6, 43-3, 43-4, 43-2 and collecting hoppers 44-1 to 44-44 of the constant weight weighing device of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 3, holding hoppers 43-1, 43-6, 43-3 equivalent to the above for holding a bundle of leeks 4 of weights belonging to the respective weight ranks 1, 6, 3, 4, 2, 5. , 43-4, 43-2, 43-5 are provided for each weight rank, and the other parts are the same as in the first embodiment and operate in the same manner. Is omitted. As described above, the purpose of increasing the holding hopper 43 is that each holding hopper corresponding to a bundle of leeks 4 in which a combination cannot be established in a situation where the probability of combining a bundle of leeks 4 having a predetermined weight rank is reduced. This is because the bundle of leeks 4 stored in these holding hoppers can be discharged in a situation where the probability of combination is increased. Thereby, the operation rate of the constant weight weighing device can be increased. In addition, each gate provided in each extended holding hopper 43 opens and closes at an appropriate timing similarly to each gate provided in each holding hopper of the first embodiment.
[0069]
However, in the first and second embodiments described above, in step 112 shown in FIG. 1, combination calculation is performed between the rank-determined article and an article other than the specified combination article. It is configured to determine whether or not a combination whose total weight is within the allowable weight range has been established. In addition to the weight ranks 1 to 6, a total of 12 weight ranks 1-1, 1-2,..., 6-1, 6-2 (see FIG. 13) are determined in advance and based on these 12 weight ranks. In addition, combinations other than the standard in which the total weight falls within the allowable weight range (95 to 105 g) are determined and stored in advance, and as shown in step 400 of FIG. Allowed may be possible to determine whether or not an article of weight ranks the one combination of the combinations of provided weight categories as defined in another of which is housed in the hopper. Note that the determination of the weight rank of the weighed article in step 102 determines which of the weight ranks 1 to 6 is the weight rank, and the weight ranks 1-1, 1-2,. , 6-1 and 6-2, which weight rank is also determined, and these two determination results are stored. Of course, in step 102, without determining the weight ranks 1 to 6, the weight of the weighed article is any of the weight ranks 1-1, 1-2, ..., 6-1, 6-2. It is possible to determine only whether the weight rank is equal, and supply the article to the corresponding hopper based on the determination result.
[0070]
With this configuration, it is possible to eliminate the processing of the combination calculation in step 112 shown in FIG. 1, and it is possible to improve the measurement speed and simplify the measurement process of the CPU.
[0071]
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a total of twelve weight ranks 1-1, 1-2,..., 6-1 and 6-2 determined separately from the weight ranks 1-6. As can be seen in the figure, the weight rank 1-1 is 35 to 37.5 g, 1-2 is 37.5 to 40 g, 2-1 is 40 to 42.5 g,... 5-2 Corresponds to a weight of 57.5 to 60 g, 6-1 corresponds to a weight of 60 to 62.5 g, and 6-2 corresponds to a weight of 62.5 to 65 g, respectively. And combinations of weight ranks (3-1 and 5-1), (2-2 and 4-2), (2-1 and 6-1), and (1-2 and 5-2) (non-standard combinations) ) Is stored in the storage unit in advance. In step 400, when the weight rank of the article weighed this time is 2-2, for example, it is determined whether or not the article of the weight rank 4-2 is accommodated in the hopper, and the subsequent processing is performed as in the above embodiment. I do. The boundary weight values of the 12 weight ranks 1-1 to 6-2 belong to the weight rank of the lighter weight rank among the adjacent weight ranks.
[0072]
In the third and fourth embodiments, a determination process (step 400-1) equivalent to step 400 shown in FIG. 11 is performed instead of steps 312 and 314 shown in FIG. In place of 324 and 324, a determination process (step 400-2) equivalent to step 400 may be performed (see FIG. 12). As a result, the same effect as described above can be obtained.
[0073]
In the first to fifth embodiments, as shown in FIG. 5, the weight ranges of the weight ranks 1 to 6 are all set to the same 5 g, but the width of each weight range is, for example, 10 g. It may be other than 5 g, and the width of each weight range is the same 5 g, but may be a width of a different weight range. In addition, although the six weight ranks 1 to 6 are used, the number of weight ranks may be other than this. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 13, twelve weight ranks 1-1 to 6-2 are defined separately from the weight ranks 1 to 6, but weight ranks other than 12 ranks may be defined, The width of the weight range of the weight rank may be a range other than 2.5 g, such as 3 g. Furthermore, the weight ranges of the 12 weight ranks 1-1 to 6-2 are not limited to the ranges shown in FIG.
[0074]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, articles having a weight rank constituting a predetermined set are discharged from the corresponding holding means so that the total weight becomes a predetermined target weight or a weight close thereto. By providing the holding means for holding the articles of the weight rank to be close to each other, the articles constituting the set can be discharged together in one place, thereby forming one set. The conveyance time for collecting the articles in one place can be omitted, and there is no need to bundle them again. Therefore, there is an effect that the measuring speed can be improved and the operation can be simplified.
[0075]
The supply of the articles weighed by the weighing means to the holding means is automatically performed based on the determination result of the rank determining means, so that the operator searches for the holding means that is empty after the articles are discharged. There is no need to supply articles to the holding means. In other words, since the operator only needs to sequentially supply the articles to be weighed to the weighing means from which the weighed articles are sequentially discharged, the work of supplying the articles to the weighing means can be performed easily and quickly, thereby improving the weighing speed. Can be achieved.
[0076]
Further, when the weight of the article is weighed and the weight rank is determined, the rank-determined article is supplied to the holding means corresponding to the weight rank. The already-measured article is supplied to the holding means. The constant-weight weighing device may stop because the rank-determined article cannot be supplied to the corresponding holding means due to the cause of being used.
[0077]
Therefore, according to the first and second inventions, the rank-determined article is supplied to holding means other than the corresponding holding means, and the total weight with the rank-determined article is equal to or close to a predetermined target weight. By selecting one or two or more articles that are already held by the holding means, the rank-determined article and the selected article can be discharged from the holding means. Articles that should be discharged as unsatisfied can be discharged as a combination. As a result, the measurement capacity can be improved.
[0078]
In each of the first and second inventions, an article whose total weight with the rank-determined article is a predetermined target weight or a weight close thereto is selected from the articles already held by the holding means. The reason is that the article is held by the holding means to which the rank-determined article is to be supplied, so that the other holding means forming a pair with the holding means holding the article is empty and cannot be combined. Because.
[0079]
According to the third invention, the rank-determined article is supplied to empty holding means determined in correspondence with the weight rank forming a pair with the weight rank (the holding means to which the rank-determined article is to be supplied It is highly likely that the holding means paired with this full holding means is empty.), Determined in accordance with the holding means to which the rank-determined article has been supplied. When a weight-ranked article is weighed, the weighed article and the rank-determined article can be discharged. As a result, the articles that should be discharged when the combination is not established can be discharged as the combination is established as in the first and second inventions, and as a result, the measuring ability can be improved.
[0080]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, when a combination of predetermined weight ranks is not established and only articles belonging to a part of the weight ranks constituting the combination are accumulated in the holding means, the holding means holds the weight ranks. The combination calculation is performed on the basis of the weight of the existing articles, and the combination of the articles whose total weight is equal to or close to the predetermined target weight can be discharged. Therefore, because the combination of articles having a predetermined weight rank is not established, only articles belonging to some weight ranks are accumulated in the holding means, and the holding means becomes full, and the weighing of the articles cannot be continued. Can be effectively avoided. As a result, the possibility of stopping the weighing of the article can be reduced, and constant weight weighing can be continued efficiently.
[0081]
According to the fifth and sixth aspects, when the rank-determined article cannot be supplied to the holding means corresponding to the weight rank, the rank-determined article is supplied to the holding means other than the corresponding holding means. In this configuration, an article having a weight rank whose combination with the rank-determined article is one of a predetermined combination of weight ranks is selected from articles already held by the holding means. That is, when selecting an article to be combined with a rank-determined article, it is only necessary to determine whether the combination is a predetermined weight rank, the calculation process is simple, and the processing time is relatively short. That's it.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of a constant weight weighing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a part of an operation procedure of the constant weight weighing device according to the second embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the constant weight weighing device according to the third embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a part of an operation procedure of the constant weight weighing device according to the fourth embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a prescribed combination of weight ranks preset in the constant weight weighing device according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a view showing a combination example other than the regulation in the constant weight weighing device according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the constant weight weighing device according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an electric circuit of the constant weight weighing device according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a constant weight weighing device according to a fifth embodiment of the invention.
10A is a plan view of a conventional semi-automatic combination weigher, FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional view of the combination weigher, and FIG. 10C is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the combination weigher.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of a constant weight weighing device according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of a constant weight weighing device according to still another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a prescribed combination of weight ranks set in advance in the constant weight weighing device according to the embodiment of the invention and combinations other than those prescribed.
[Explanation of symbols]
42 rank scale
43 Holding hopper
44 Collective hopper
45 Auxiliary collective hopper
46 Weighing hopper
52 Gate

Claims (6)

A weight rank is defined for each of the plurality of weight ranges, a stage for determining the weight rank to which the weight of the article belongs among the plurality of weight ranks, and a holding means are defined for each of the weight ranks. One or two or more weight rank combinations in which each of the rank-determined articles is held by the holding means for each weight rank and the total weight is equal to or close to the target weight are determined in advance. Discharging the weight rank articles constituting the set as a set from each holding means, and a constant weight weighing method comprising:
When the holding means corresponding to the determined weight rank of the article holds the article, the rank-determined article can be supplied to the corresponding holding means when the rank-determined article cannot be supplied to the corresponding holding means. Of the articles held in the one or more holding means, the article having a weight of which the total weight of the rank determination article and the rank-determined article is equal to or close to the target weight is provided. And a step of discharging the selected article and the selected article. Weighing means for weighing the article, rank determining means for judging a weight rank to which the weight of the measured article belongs among a plurality of weight ranks respectively defined for a plurality of weight ranges, and each weight rank 1 or 2 or more of a combination of holding means to be provided correspondingly and supplied with an article of a corresponding weight rank, and a weight rank in which the total weight becomes a target weight or a weight close to the target weight. A constant weight weighing apparatus having discharge means for discharging articles constituting the combination as one set from the holding means;
When the holding means corresponding to the determined weight rank of the article holds the article, the rank-determined article can be supplied to the corresponding holding means when the rank-determined article cannot be supplied to the corresponding holding means. Supply means for supplying to the holding means other than the above, and the discharge means supplies, to the one or more holding means, articles having a weight that makes the total weight with the rank-determined articles the target weight or a weight close thereto. A constant weight weighing apparatus characterized by selecting from among held articles and discharging the rank-determined article and the selected article. Weighing means for weighing the article, rank determining means for judging a weight rank to which the weight of the measured article belongs among a plurality of weight ranks respectively defined for a plurality of weight ranges, and each weight rank 1 or 2 or more of a combination of holding means to be provided correspondingly and supplied with an article of a corresponding weight rank, and a weight rank in which the total weight becomes a target weight or a weight close to the target weight. A constant weight weighing apparatus having discharge means for discharging articles constituting the combination as one set from the holding means;
When the holding means corresponding to the determined weight rank of the article holds the article and the rank-determined article cannot be supplied to the corresponding holding means, the rank-determined article is paired with the weight rank. Supply means for supplying to the empty holding means determined in correspondence with the weight rank forming, and the discharging means is an article of weight rank determined in correspondence with the holding means to which the rank-determined article is supplied A constant-weight weighing device that discharges the weighed article and the rank-determined article when the is weighed. Weighing means for weighing the article, rank determining means for judging a weight rank to which the weight of the measured article belongs among a plurality of weight ranks respectively defined for a plurality of weight ranges, and each weight rank 1 or 2 or more of a combination of holding means to be provided correspondingly and supplied with an article of a corresponding weight rank, and a weight rank in which the total weight becomes a target weight or a weight close to the target weight. A constant weight weighing apparatus having discharge means for discharging articles constituting the combination as one set from the holding means;
A combination discharge means is provided, and when the above-mentioned predetermined combination having a weight rank in which the total weight is equal to or close to the target weight does not exist, the combination discharge means is a weight in which the total weight is equal to or close to the target weight. The constant-weight weighing device is characterized in that the article is selected from the articles held by the holding means and discharged. A weight rank is defined for each of the plurality of weight ranges, a step of determining a weight rank to which the weight of the article belongs among the plurality of weight ranks, and a holding means is defined for each of the weight ranks. One or two or more combinations of the stage of holding the respective articles whose ranks have been determined by the corresponding holding means and the holding means for holding the articles of the weight rank in which the total weight becomes the target weight or a weight close thereto are predetermined. A step of discharging the articles held in the holding means constituting the predetermined set from the holding means as one set,
A step of predetermining a combination of the above-described weight ranks, or a combination based on a weight rank determined separately from the above-mentioned weight rank, in which the total weight is equal to or close to the target weight, and corresponds to the determined weight rank of the article Supplying the rank-determined article to the holding means other than the corresponding holding means when the rank-determined article cannot be supplied to the corresponding holding means because the holding means holds the article; Selecting an article having a weight rank whose combination with the rank-determined article is one of the predetermined weight rank combinations from among the articles held by the one or more holding means. And a step of discharging the selected article and the selected article. Weighing means for weighing the article, rank determining means for judging a weight rank to which the weight of the measured article belongs among a plurality of weight ranks respectively defined for a plurality of weight ranges, and each weight rank One or two or more combinations of holding means that are provided correspondingly and supplied with articles of a corresponding weight rank and holding means that hold an article of a weight rank whose total weight is equal to or close to the target weight are predetermined. A constant weight weighing device having discharge means for discharging the articles held by the holding means constituting the predetermined set as one set from the holding means,
The holding means corresponding to the determined weight rank of the article, wherein a combination of the weight ranks, or a combination based on a weight rank determined separately from the weight rank, in which the total weight becomes a target weight or a weight close thereto is predetermined. A supply means for supplying the rank-determined article to the holding means other than the corresponding holding means when the rank-determined article cannot be supplied to the corresponding holding means by holding the article; The discharging means includes a weight rank article whose combination with the rank-determined article is one of the predetermined weight rank combinations. A constant weight weighing device characterized in that the rank-determined article and the selected article are selected from among them and discharged.

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