JP4664726B2 - Meter - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a measuring instrument used in a weighing and seasoning device for producing snacks such as potato chips.

Conventionally, when manufacturing snacks, such as potato chips, there is an apparatus described in Patent Document 1 as an apparatus for seasoning salty taste and the like. In the apparatus described in Patent Document 1, non-seasoned semi-finished products that flow one after another are supplied to the opening of one end of a cylindrical tumbler that is open at both ends, and seasonings are supplied. And the seasoning are mixed in the tumbler, transferred to the opening at the other end, and supplied to the combination weighing device. Further, a configuration is shown in which a weighing conveyor supported by a load cell is arranged in front of a tumbler to which semi-finished products flowing one after another are supplied, and the supply amount of the semi-finished product supplied to the tumbler is measured.
Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. 4-35132 (see FIG. 6)

  However, as described above, in the configuration in which the supply amount of the semi-finished product is measured using the weighing conveyor supported by the load cell, the semi-finished product flowing one after another is measured while being conveyed by the weighing conveyor, so the supply of the semi-finished product is performed. It is difficult to accurately measure the amount. Therefore, it is conceivable to temporarily store and weigh semi-finished products that flow one after another, but store and measure a large amount of fragile objects such as potato chips without breaking them, and smoothly discharge them. There is no conventional measuring instrument that can be used.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and is capable of accurately storing a fragile object such as potato chips, etc. without damaging it, allowing accurate weighing, and discharging smoothly. The purpose is to provide a vessel.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the measuring instrument of the present invention is arranged with an inclination so that the other end is higher than one end, and a chute constituting the flow path of the object to be weighed, and the one end of the chute A discharge gate that can be opened and closed and shuts off the flow path in a closed state, and is disposed between the one end and the other end of the chute so that it can be opened and closed. An intermediate gate that shuts off, a weight detector that measures the weight of the object to be weighed on the chute, and a control unit that controls opening and closing of the discharge gate and the intermediate gate, the discharge gate and the intermediate gate being closed When the objects to be weighed are sequentially supplied in the vicinity of the other end of the chute, the control means determines in advance the weight of the objects to be weighed on the chute based on the weight value of the weight detector. Predetermined The intermediate gate is opened when the weighing object is finished, and the discharge gate is controlled to be opened at a predetermined timing after the feeding of the weighing object is finished, and the weight is measured in a state where the feeding of the weighing object is finished. The weight of the object to be weighed by the detector is set to a measured value to be obtained, and the control means further opens the discharge gate based on the measured value to be obtained. It is comprised so that the target supply amount of the seasoning added to a measurement thing may be calculated .

  According to this configuration, when a fragile object such as potato chips is supplied in a state where the intermediate gate is closed, the layer is stored with a considerable layer thickness. When the intermediate gate is opened, the object to be weighed that has been supplied up to that point and has a considerable layer thickness slides down on the chute to the discharge gate while maintaining almost the same layer thickness, and then is continuously supplied. The object is stored so as to have a considerable layer thickness continuously on the object to be weighed down. As described above, since a considerable layer thickness is stored on the chute, a large amount of objects to be weighed can be measured. Moreover, since it measures in the stored state, exact measurement can be performed. In addition, once a predetermined amount of object is stored at the intermediate gate, it slides down to the discharge gate, so the distance to slide down at one time is shortened and the speed does not increase compared to the case without the intermediate gate. This reduces the impact on the object and prevents the object to be weighed from being broken or easily broken. Moreover, it can discharge | emit smoothly by opening the discharge gate of the lower end of the chute | shoot arrange | positioned by inclination.

  A plurality of intermediate gates are provided at predetermined intervals, and the predetermined amount when the intermediate gate is opened by the control means is a plurality of different predetermined amounts corresponding to the plurality of intermediate gates. May be determined in advance, and the plurality of predetermined amounts may be set to a larger value as the predetermined amount corresponding to the intermediate gate closer to the one end of the chute. In this case, as the supply amount of the object to be weighed increases, it is opened in order from the intermediate gate closer to the other end of the chute on the object supply side.

  The present invention provides a measuring instrument having the above-described configuration, capable of storing a large amount of fragile objects such as potato chips, etc. without breaking them, accurately measuring them, and discharging them smoothly. There is an effect that can be.

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

  First, an example of an apparatus using the measuring instrument in the embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 4 is a plan view of a confectionery manufacturing system including a weighing seasoning device using a semi-finished product weighing device, a combination weighing device, and a packaging machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. This confectionery production system is a production system for small-sized snack confectionery such as flaky potato chips.

  The weighing seasoning device includes a circular turntable 1, four tilted pot-type mixers 2 mounted on the turntable 1 at equal intervals on a circumference centered on the rotation center thereof, and a mixer 2. A semi-finished product weighing device 3 (measuring device of the present embodiment) for supplying a semi-finished product of a substantially predetermined amount to the first and second seasoning supply devices 4, 5. Each mixer 2 is provided with blades inside a container having an opening 2a that serves as an inlet / outlet for semi-finished products, etc., and can be rotated around a horizontal axis and around a rotation axis substantially orthogonal to the horizontal axis. And an opening 2a is provided at the end on the rotation axis. Each mixer 2 is rotated about a horizontal axis by a tilting motor and rotated by a rotation motor. The turntable 1 is configured to be intermittently rotatable so that each mixer 2 stops at four stop positions (ST1, ST2, ST3, ST4). In FIG. 4, mixer 2 at stop position ST1 is 2 (ST1), mixer 2 at stop position ST2 is 2 (ST2), mixer 2 at stop position ST3 is 2 (ST3), and mixer 2 is at stop position ST4. Is shown as 2 (ST4). Each mixer 2 is transferred in the order of stop positions ST1, ST2, ST3, and ST4 by the rotation of the turntable 1, and then returns to the stop position ST1 and is repeated in the same manner.

  The semi-finished product measuring instrument 3 will be described in detail later, but the weight of the semi-finished product supplied from the semi-finished product supply feeder 8 constituted by the vibration feeder is measured, and the measured semi-finished product is discharged to the mixer 2. It is configured. Based on the weight value of the semi-finished product measured by the semi-finished product measuring instrument 3, the control device 100 calculates the target supply amount of each seasoning to be supplied from the first and second seasoning supply devices 4 and 5. Is done.

  The 1st seasoning supply apparatus 4 is a 1st seasoning supply apparatus which consists of powders, such as salt, has a hopper by which the 1st seasoning was stored, and the 1st seasoning is from the front-end | tip of the screw feeder 43. It is comprised so that it may be delivered, and it is the structure which can measure the delivery weight of a seasoning. The seasoning supply device 4 is configured so as to be able to advance and retreat in the longitudinal direction of the screw feeder 43. When the first seasoning is supplied to the mixer 2, the seasoning supply device 4 moves forward so that the tip portion of the screw feeder 43 is in the mixer 2. The screw feeder 43 is retracted out of the mixer 2 by being inserted into the interior and retracting when the supply is completed.

  The second seasoning supply device 5 is a second seasoning supply device composed of small pieces (small pieces smaller than semi-finished products) obtained by drying seaweed, parsley, etc., and a hopper in which the second seasonings are stored. The second seasoning is transported by air through the hose 58 and sent together with air from the second seasoning supply nozzle 56 attached to the tip of the hose 58, and the seasoning delivery weight Can be measured. The second seasoning supply nozzle 56 is attached to a movable attachment portion 59 disposed at a predetermined position. When supplying the second seasoning to the mixer 2, the tip of the second seasoning supply nozzle 56 is the tip of the mixer 2. When it is inserted into the interior and the supply is completed, the movable mounting portion 59 operates so as to retreat out of the mixer 2.

  The control device 100 includes an arithmetic control unit including a CPU and the like, and memories such as a RAM and a ROM. The memory stores an operation program, setting data for a number of operation parameters, other measurement value data, and the like. In the control device 100, the arithmetic control unit executes the operation program stored in the memory, thereby controlling the entire weighing seasoning device, and also controls the semi-finished product supply feeder 8 and the discharge conveyor 9 here. In addition, when the control device 100 stops and starts (restarts) the operation of the semi-finished product supply feeder 8, the control device 100 stops and starts (restarts) the supply of the semi-finished product to the semi-finished product supply feeder 8 with respect to the semi-finished product supply device 7. The signal to be output is output. The control device 100 is a weight detector 36 (see FIG. 1) of the semi-finished product measuring instrument 3 when the operation of the semi-finished product supply feeder 8 is stopped and the supply of the semi-finished product to the semi-finished product measuring instrument 3 is finished. Based on the measured weight value of the semi-finished product, a target supply amount of each seasoning to be supplied from each seasoning supply device 4, 5 is obtained. This calculates the target supply amount of each seasoning by multiplying the weight value of the semi-finished product by an addition rate predetermined for each seasoning.

  In this confectionery manufacturing system, for example, a semi-finished product such as potato chips before seasoning in which a potato is sliced and fried is supplied from a semi-finished product supply device 7 to a semi-finished product supply feeder 8 constituted by a vibration feeder. After being fed from the semi-finished product supply feeder 8 to the semi-finished product measuring instrument 3 of the weighing seasoning device and weighed by the semi-finished product measuring instrument 3, the mixer 2 (ST1) at the stop position ST1 in which the opening 2a is directed obliquely upward. Supplied. After the semi-finished product is supplied from the semi-finished product measuring instrument 3, the mixer 2 starts rotating and the first seasoning supply device 4 supplies the first seasoning. Next, the second seasoning is supplied from the second seasoning supply device 5 to the mixer 2 in which the turntable 1 is rotated 1/4 and becomes the stop position ST2. Next, the turntable 1 is rotated by a quarter of the turntable ST3. Next, the turntable 1 is rotated by a quarter of the turntable ST4. The stop time at each stop position ST1 to ST4 is set equal. In this example, the seasoning is not supplied to the mixer 2 at the stop positions ST3 and ST4, and the semi-finished product and the respective seasonings are continuously stirred by the rotation of the mixer 2. After completing the rotation of the mixer 2 at the stop position ST4, the mixer 2 is tilted so that the opening 2a is directed downward, and the seasoned semi-finished product is discharged onto a discharge conveyor 9 constituted by a vibration feeder. . Thereafter, the turntable 1 is rotated 1/4 and returns to the stop position ST1. At that time, during rotation of the turntable 1, the mixer 2 is tilted so that the opening 2a is directed obliquely upward (state shown in FIG. 1). Thereafter, the same operation is repeated. Although one certain mixer 2 and the operation | movement corresponding to it were demonstrated above, the other mixer 2 and the operation | movement corresponding to it are the same. The semi-finished product discharged from the mixer 2 at the stop position ST4 to the discharge conveyor 9 slides down the chute 10 and is supplied to the supply device 11 for the combination weighing device 12. The semi-finished products supplied from the supply device 11 to the combination weighing device 12 are combined and weighed by the combination weighing device 12, and the semi-finished products having a weight within a predetermined weight range are sequentially discharged to the packaging machine 13. The packaging machine 13 is disposed below the combination weighing device 12 and packs and packs a batch of semi-finished products sequentially discharged from the combination weighing device 12 while sequentially manufacturing the bags.

  Next, the structure of the semi-finished product measuring instrument 3 which is the measuring instrument of this embodiment will be described in detail. FIG. 1 is a side view showing the configuration of a semi-finished product measuring instrument 3 used in the weighing and seasoning apparatus shown in FIG. 4 and the vicinity thereof. Although four mixers 2 are mounted on the turntable 1, only the mixer 2 at the stop position ST1 is shown in FIG.

  The semi-finished product measuring instrument 3 is fixed on a weight detector (a platform scale using a load cell) 36 via two support legs 37 and the like with a chute 31 having a U-shaped cross section inclined. The inclination angle of the chute 31 can be adjusted by the angle adjusting bracket 371 at the upper part of each support leg 37. The weight detector 36 is installed on a support base 38 that is fixed on the floor and attached to a gantry 39 that also serves as a storage. A discharge gate 32 is attached to an end of the chute 31 on the mixer 2 side in the longitudinal direction, and two intermediate gates 33 and 34 are attached to predetermined positions in the middle of the chute 31 in the longitudinal direction. The discharge gate 32 is configured to be opened and closed by a drive unit 320 using an air cylinder or the like, and opens downward. The intermediate gates 33 and 34 are also configured to be opened and closed by driving units 330 and 340 (FIG. 4) using air cylinders, respectively, and open upward.

  The discharge gate 32 opens so as to face the opening 2a of the mixer 2 as indicated by a two-dot chain line. When the discharge gate 32 opens, the semi-finished product in the chute 31 passes over the discharge gate 32 and is supplied to the mixer 2 Is done. Therefore, the discharge gate 32 is also used as a chute when discharging.

  FIG. 2A is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the drive unit 340 of the intermediate gate 34 of the semi-finished product measuring instrument 3, and FIGS. 2B and 2C are the discharge of the semi-finished product measuring instrument 3. It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of the drive part 320 of the gate 32, FIG.2 (d) is sectional drawing of the chute | shoot 31 of the semi-finished product measuring instrument 3. FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2 (d), the chute 31 has a bowl shape having side surfaces 312 on both sides of the bottom surface 311. As shown in FIG. 2 (a), the intermediate gate 34 shoots when closed. The upper end of the intermediate gate 34 is fixed to a shaft 345 rotatably supported by means (not shown), and the shaft 345 rotates to open and close the intermediate gate 34. Both ends of the shaft 345 are rotatably supported by means (not shown) on both side surfaces 312, and an arm 344 is attached to one end side of the shaft 345. The tip of the arm 344 is attached to a connecting member 343 fixed to the tip of the piston rod 342 of the air cylinder 341 through a connecting pin so as to be swingable. The air cylinder 341 is provided with a pair of holes 348 facing the flange portion 347 from both sides, and a shaft 349 (FIG. 2) fixed to the holes 348 on both sides by a support member 350 attached to one side surface 312. (D)) is fitted and is swingably attached to the shaft 349. As the piston rod 342 moves forward and backward, the shaft 345 rotates together with the arm 344, and the intermediate gate 34 is opened and closed. In FIG. 2A, the intermediate gate 34 in the closed state when the piston rod 342 is in the forward movement position is shown by a solid line, and when the piston rod 342 moves backward, the intermediate gate 34 opens and opens as shown by the chain line. It becomes a state. An arrow 346 indicates the direction in which the semi-finished product flows. Another intermediate gate 33 and its driving unit 330 can be configured in the same manner. However, when the drive unit 330 is disposed at the position shown in FIG. 4 with respect to the intermediate gate 33, the intermediate gate 33 is open when the piston rod is in the forward position, and the intermediate gate 33 is closed when the piston rod is in the reverse position. It is comprised so that.

  FIG. 2B shows a state where the discharge gate 32 is closed, and FIG. 2C shows an opened state. The discharge gate 32 is rotatably attached to a fixed shaft 325 attached to an end portion of the bottom surface 311 of the downstream chute 31 through which the semi-finished product flows by a hinge or the like. An arm 324 is fixed to the lower center of the outer surface of the discharge gate 32, and the arm 324 is swingably attached to a connecting member 323 fixed to the tip of the piston rod 322 of the air cylinder 321 via a connecting pin. ing. The air cylinder 321 is provided with a pair of holes 328 facing the flange portion 327 from both sides, and a shaft (not shown) fixed to the holes 328 on both sides by a support member 329 attached to the bottom surface 311 of the chute 31. The same as the above-mentioned shaft 349) is fitted, and is attached to the shaft so as to be swingable. When the piston rod 322 is in the forward position, the discharge gate 32 is closed as shown in FIG. 2B, and when the piston rod 322 moves backward, the discharge gate 32 is opened and opened as shown in FIG. It becomes a state. Since the discharge gate 32 also serves as a chute for supplying the semi-finished product to the mixer 2 in the open state, at this time, the discharge gate 32 is arranged so that the semi-finished product does not fall sideways from above the discharge gate 32. Side plates 326 are integrally provided on both sides.

  The operation of the semi-finished product measuring instrument 3 configured as described above will be described.

  A small piece of semi-finished product such as potato chips is supplied from the semi-finished product feeder 8 to the semi-finished product measuring instrument 3. In the semi-finished product measuring instrument 3, when the supply amount from the supply feeder 8 becomes, for example, 1/3 of a predetermined semi-finished product supply amount with the intermediate gates 33 and 34 and the discharge gate 32 closed. 34 is opened. The semi-finished product target supply amount is determined in advance to be supplied from the supply feeder 8 to the semi-finished product measuring instrument 3 by one supply operation (operation from the start of the operation of the supply feeder 8 to the next stop). The target weight value. Subsequently, when the supply amount becomes, for example, 2/3 of the semi-finished product supply amount, the intermediate gate 33 is opened, and then the supply feeder 8 is stopped so that the supply amount becomes the semi-product target supply amount. After that, at a predetermined timing (in this example, when the mixer 2 at the stop position ST4 is stopped after the turntable 1 is rotated by 1/4 turn and transferred to the stop position ST1), the discharge gate 32 is opened and discharged. To do. The operations of the semi-finished product measuring instrument 3 and the semi-finished product supply feeder 8 are controlled by the control device 100. A signal (measured value) from the weight detector 36 is always input to the control device 100. When the semi-finished product is being supplied to the semi-finished product weighing device 3, the control device 100 uses the weight detector 36. Based on the measured value to be weighed, the first intermediate gate 34 is opened when the measured value reaches a first predetermined amount (for example, 1/3 of the semi-finished product target supply amount as described above). When the second predetermined amount larger than the predetermined amount (for example, 2/3 of the semi-finished product target supply amount) is reached, the next intermediate gate 33 is opened, and the final supply amount is the semi-finished product target supply. The operation of the semi-finished product supply feeder 8 is stopped so as to reach the quantity. Even if the operation of the semi-finished product supply feeder 8 is stopped so that the semi-finished product target supply amount is reached, the actual supply amount varies. Therefore, the control device 100 supplies the seasoning as described above using the accurate weight value of the semi-finished product measured by the weight detector 36 when the semi-finished product supply feeder 8 is stopped and the supply is once finished. The target supply amount of the seasoning supplied from each of the devices 4 and 5 is calculated.

  FIGS. 3A to 3C are schematic views showing a state where the semi-finished product is supplied to the semi-finished product measuring instrument 3. 1 and 4, the semi-finished product supply feeder 8 is disposed obliquely with respect to the semi-finished product measuring instrument 3, and the upper end of the side surface 312 on one side of the chute 31 of the semi-finished product measuring instrument 3 is cut off. A semi-finished product supply feeder 8 is disposed therethrough. However, this is an example, and FIG. 3 shows the positions of the semi-finished product supply feeder 8 and the semi-finished product measuring instrument 3 in a simplified manner. Yes.

  First, as shown in FIG. 3A, when the discharge gate 32 and the intermediate gates 33 and 34 are closed, the semi-finished product is supplied from the semi-finished product supply feeder 8 to the semi-finished product measuring instrument 3, For example, when 1/3 is supplied, the first intermediate gate 34 is opened. When the intermediate gate 34 is opened, the semi-finished product supplied so far slides down in the chute 31 to the next intermediate gate 33. The semi-finished product slipped down at this time is a semi-finished product of the portion x1 between the one-dot chain line shown in FIG. 3B and the next intermediate gate 33. Subsequently, when the semi-finished product is supplied and, for example, 2/3 of the semi-finished product supply amount is supplied, the intermediate gate 33 is opened. When the intermediate gate 33 is opened, the semi-finished product supplied so far slides down the chute 31 to the discharge gate 32. The semi-finished product slipped down at this time is a semi-finished product of the portion x2 between the one-dot chain line and the discharge gate 32 shown in FIG. Subsequently, the semi-finished product is supplied so as to become the semi-finished product target supply amount.

  On the other hand, FIG. 3D shows a state where the semi-finished product is supplied without the intermediate gates 33 and 34. In this case, the semi-finished product supplied from the semi-finished product supply feeder 8 slides down to the discharge gate 32 at first, but stops in a state where the semi-finished product is overlapped by 1 to 2 sheets or several sheets. A large amount of semi-finished products cannot be stored inside. Moreover, since the semi-finished product that slides down to the discharge gate 32 has a long sliding distance, the speed is increased, and the semi-finished product collides with the discharge gate 32 to be broken or easily broken.

  In the semi-finished product measuring instrument 3 of the present embodiment, when the respective intermediate gates 34 and 33 are opened, the semi-finished product that has been supplied up to that time and has a considerable layer thickness, like the portions x1 and x2, Since it slides down while maintaining almost the same layer thickness, a large amount of semi-finished products can be weighed. In addition, since the intermediate gates 34 and 33 are opened and slid in order, the sliding speed does not increase as compared with the case where the intermediate gates 33 and 34 are not provided, and therefore, the impact with the intermediate gate 33 and the discharge gate 32 is small. The product can be prevented from being broken or fragile.

  As described above, the semi-finished product measuring instrument 3 can store a large amount of fragile semi-finished products (objects to be weighed) such as potato chips that are sequentially conveyed without breaking, and stores and measures them. Accurate weighing of large quantities of semi-finished products. Moreover, it can discharge | emit smoothly by opening the discharge gate 32 of the lower end of the semi-finished product measuring instrument 3 arrange | positioned in inclination. Further, by adjusting the inclination angle of the chute 31 of the semi-finished product measuring instrument 3 with the angle adjusting fitting 371, it is possible to make the storage state and the flow condition of the semi-finished product on the chute 31 desired.

  In the present embodiment, two intermediate gates 33 and 34 are provided in the semi-finished product measuring instrument 3, but one or three or more may be provided. For example, what is necessary is just to select suitably according to the half product target supply amount, the width | variety, length, etc. of the chute | shoot 31. Also, the configurations of the intermediate gate and the discharge gate may be variously changed. These gates only need to be able to open and close the channel of the semi-finished product. For example, the gate is not limited to the vertical direction and may be rotated horizontally, or may be double-opened instead of single-opened. Alternatively, an aperture type such as a slide type or a camera aperture may be used.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention is useful as a measuring instrument that measures a fragile object such as potato chips.

It is a side view which shows the measuring instrument in embodiment of this invention, and the structure of the vicinity. (A) is a figure which shows an example of a structure of the drive part of the intermediate | middle gate of the measuring device in embodiment of this invention, (b) and (c) are the structures of the drive part of the discharge | emission gate of a measuring device. It is a figure which shows an example, (d) is sectional drawing of the chute | shoot of a measuring device. It is a schematic diagram which shows the state by which a semi-finished product is supplied to the measuring instrument in embodiment of this invention. It is a top view of the confectionery manufacturing system which consists of a measurement seasoning apparatus using the measuring instrument in embodiment of this invention, a combination measurement apparatus, and a packaging machine.

Explanation of symbols

3. Semi-finished product weighing device 31 Chute 32 Discharge gate 33 Intermediate gate 34 Intermediate gate 36 Weight detector 100 Control device

Claims (2)

A chute that is disposed with an inclination so that the other end is higher than the one end, and constitutes the flow path of the object to be measured;
A discharge gate disposed at the one end of the chute so as to be openable and closable and blocking the flow path in a closed state;
An intermediate gate that is disposed so as to be freely openable and closable between the one end and the other end of the chute and shuts off the flow path in a closed state;
A weight detector for weighing the object to be weighed on the chute;
Control means for controlling opening and closing of the discharge gate and the intermediate gate,
When the objects to be weighed are sequentially supplied in the vicinity of the other end of the chute with the discharge gate and the intermediate gate being closed, the control means is arranged on the chute based on the measured value of the weight detector. When the weight of the object to be weighed reaches a predetermined amount, the intermediate gate is opened, and after the supply of the object to be weighed is finished, the discharge gate is opened at a predetermined timing. The weight of the object to be weighed by the weight detector in a state where the supply of the object to be weighed is completed ,
The control unit is further configured to calculate a target supply amount of the seasoning added to the discharged object to be measured by opening the discharge gate based on the measured value to be obtained . A plurality of the intermediate gates are provided at predetermined intervals,
As the predetermined amount when the intermediate gate is opened by the control means, a plurality of different predetermined amounts corresponding to a plurality of the intermediate gates are determined in advance, and the plurality of predetermined amounts are determined by the chute. 2. The measuring instrument according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined amount corresponding to the intermediate gate closer to the one end is set to a larger value .

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