JP6664837B2 - Transport device and weighing and packaging system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a transport device that transports an article, and a weighing and packaging system that includes the transport device and weighs and packages the article.

  In a packaging line in which articles are transported to a packaging machine by a transport conveyor of a transport device, and articles are wrapped by a packaging machine in predetermined numbers, articles conveyed from an upstream supply line are discharged into a plurality of discharge lines. In some cases. As devices for distributing articles conveyed from the upstream side in a plurality of rows as described above, there are, for example, those disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2.

JP 2004-284720 A JP-A-10-194233

  In the packaging line as described above, in order to wrap a predetermined number of articles by the wrapping machine, every time the number of articles supplied to the wrapping machine by the transport conveyor reaches the predetermined number, the predetermined number of articles is For example, a certain packaging time for bagging and packaging, that is, a certain sealing time for sealing a predetermined number of articles stored in a packaging material is required.

  Therefore, after the number of articles supplied to the packaging machine reaches a predetermined number, it is necessary to prevent the next article from being supplied to the packaging machine until the sealing time has elapsed.

  As a countermeasure, it is conceivable to reduce the transport speed of the transport conveyor so that the interval between articles transported to the packaging machine by the transport conveyor is equal to or longer than the interval corresponding to the sealing time. In this case, before the number of articles supplied to the packaging machine reaches the predetermined number, that is, during a period in which it is not necessary to perform packaging and it is not necessary to secure a sealing time, supply of articles to the packaging machine is not required. Since the time interval is equal to or longer than the sealing time, the original packaging ability of the packaging machine is impaired.

  For this reason, a storage tank such as a hopper is provided at the front stage of the packaging machine so as not to impair the packaging ability of the packaging machine, and the articles conveyed by the conveyor are temporarily stored in the storage tank, and a predetermined number of articles are conveyed. Every time an article is stored, a gate at the bottom of the storage tank may be opened and closed to supply a predetermined number of articles together to the packaging machine.

  However, since a storage tank such as a hopper opens and closes a gate at the bottom to supply articles to the packaging machine, when the gate is opened and closed, articles may bite, and a predetermined number of articles may be stored in the packaging machine. There is a problem that articles cannot be supplied stably.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and provides a transport device capable of stably supplying articles to a subsequent device, and a weighing and packaging system using the same. With the goal.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is configured as follows.

(1) The carrying unit, and a double number single conveyor you conveying articles supplied, the conveying speed of the conveyor, a second faster than the first conveying speed and the first transport speed and a speed control means for switching control to the transport speed, said speed control means, based on the value relating to the articles to be supplied to one of the conveyor, switches only the conveying speed of the conveyor of the scratch.

  The value relating to the articles supplied to the transport conveyor is preferably a number value of the articles supplied to the transport conveyor, an article weight value corresponding to the number of articles supplied to the transport conveyor, or the like.

  According to the transport device of the present invention, when transporting an article supplied to the transport conveyor to a subsequent device, a value relating to the articles supplied to the transport conveyor, for example, based on the number value of the supplied articles, the transport conveyor is used. Is switched between the first transport speed and the second transport speed higher than the first transport speed. Therefore, when the articles are sequentially supplied to the transport conveyor, the transport interval for transporting the articles by the transport conveyor is set to the first transport speed. It is possible to switch between a first transport interval corresponding to the transport speed and a second transport interval corresponding to the second transport speed and wider than the first transport interval.

  Thereby, when the articles are conveyed and supplied by the transport conveyor to the subsequent apparatus of the transport apparatus, the time interval of the supply is set to a value relating to the articles supplied to the transport conveyor, for example, of the articles supplied to the transport conveyor. Switching can be performed in accordance with the individual value, that is, the number of articles conveyed by the conveyor and supplied to the subsequent device. Thereby, when the subsequent device is, for example, a packaging machine, every time a predetermined number of articles are supplied, such that a certain sealing time is required to pack the predetermined number of articles, A wide second transport interval corresponding to the sealing time is set, and when the sealing time is not required, the transport can be performed at the narrow first transport interval.

  Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a storage tank for storing a predetermined number of articles in the preceding stage of the packaging machine without impairing the packaging capacity of the packaging machine, and the articles are bitten by opening and closing the gate at the bottom of the storage tank. There is no such thing.

  (2) In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the value relating to the articles supplied to the transport conveyor is a number value of the articles supplied to the transport conveyor.

  According to this embodiment, when the articles supplied to the transport conveyor are supplied to the subsequent apparatus, the number of articles supplied to the transport conveyor, that is, the articles are transported by the transport conveyor and supplied to the subsequent apparatus. Based on the number of articles, the transport speed of the transport conveyor can be switched between a first transport speed and a second transport speed higher than the first transport speed. That is, the transport interval of the articles can be switched between the first transport interval and the second transport interval that is wider than the first transport interval in accordance with the number of articles supplied to the subsequent device.

  (3) In another embodiment of the present invention, the speed control means adjusts the transport speed of the transport conveyor before the value relating to the article supplied to the transport conveyor reaches a preset value. When the set value is reached as the first transfer speed, the transfer speed of the transfer conveyor is switched to the second transfer speed, and thereafter, the transfer speed switching control of returning to the first transfer speed is repeated.

  The preset set value is, for example, a number value of the articles supplied to the transport conveyor or a weight value of the articles corresponding to the number of articles supplied to the transport conveyor so as to correspond to the value relating to the articles. Is preferred. It is preferable that the preset value is a value corresponding to a packaging unit such as the number of articles to be packaged at one time by a subsequent device of the transport device, for example, a packaging machine.

  According to this embodiment, the articles are sequentially supplied to the conveyor, and when a value related to the articles supplied to the conveyor, for example, the number of articles supplied to the conveyor reaches a set value, that is, the conveyor is When the number of articles to be supplied to the set number reaches the set number, the speed is switched to the second transfer speed higher than the first transfer speed, so that when the last article in the group of articles having the set number is supplied to the transfer conveyor, This last article will be transported at the high second transport speed, and this last article and the next article to be supplied next, ie, the first article in the next article group consisting of the set number Can be widened.

  After switching to the second transport speed, the transport speed switching control of returning to the first transport speed is repeated, so that each time the number of articles supplied to the transport conveyor reaches the set number, an article group consisting of the set number Each time, a second transport interval wider than the first transport interval is formed.

  Therefore, by setting, for example, the number of articles to be packaged at one time by the packaging machine, that is, the number of articles in a packaging unit, the transport interval can be widened for each packaging unit.

  (4) The weighing and packaging system of the present invention is any of the above (1) to (3), in which a sorting machine for sorting articles into non-defective products and non-defective products, and a non-defective product selected by the sorting machine are supplied. And a packaging machine for supplying the non-defective articles conveyed by the conveyance conveyor and packaging the non-defective articles supplied.

  According to the weighing and packaging system of the present invention, the articles selected as non-defective products by the sorting machine are supplied to the packaging machine by the transport conveyor of the transport device and packaged by the packaging machine, and at that time, the articles transported to the packaging machine by the transport conveyor. The first transport interval corresponding to the first transport speed and the second transport interval larger than the first transport interval corresponding to the second transport speed, based on the value of the articles supplied to the transport conveyor. And can be switched to Thereby, the transport interval based on the value relating to the articles supplied to the transport conveyor, for example, the number of articles supplied to the transport conveyor, that is, the number of articles transported by the transport conveyor and supplied to the packaging machine, Can be switched. That is, every time a predetermined number of articles are supplied to the packaging machine, when a predetermined sealing time is required to pack the predetermined number of articles, a wide second transport interval corresponding to the sealing time is set. Can be transported at a narrow first transport interval.

  As a result, the packaging capacity of the packaging machine is not impaired, and there is no need to provide a storage tank for storing a predetermined number of articles in front of the packaging machine. There is no such thing as.

  (5) In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the transport device is the transport device according to (3) above, wherein the packaging machine is configured to transfer the non-defective articles supplied from the transport conveyor for each of the set values. Packaging.

  According to this embodiment, when a predetermined number of articles are packed by the packaging machine, the predetermined number is set in advance as a value related to the articles supplied to the conveyor, for example, as a value of the number of articles supplied to the conveyor. By doing so, the transport interval of the articles supplied to the packaging machine by the transport conveyor is set to a wide second transport interval for each predetermined number, that is, for each packaging unit that is the number of articles to be packaged at one time by the packaging machine. It is possible to secure a sealing time required for packaging in a packaging unit for each packaging unit.

  (6) In the above embodiment (5), the transport device includes two first and second transport conveyors as the transport conveyor, and the sorting machine weighs and weighs the article. A weight sorter that sorts non-defective articles whose weight is within an appropriate weight range, and alternates non-defective articles from the weight sorter to the first and second transport conveyors of the transport apparatus for each of the set values. May be provided.

According to this embodiment, the sorting device supplies a good article from the weight sorter to one of the first and second conveyors, and supplies a value related to the supplied article, for example, the number of articles. However, when the set value is reached, the subsequent non-defective products are supplied to the other conveyor, and when the supplied number of articles reaches the set value, the subsequent non-defective products are again supplied to the one conveyor. Each time the number of articles to be supplied reaches the set value, the articles are alternately distributed and supplied. Therefore, the articles of the set value, that is, the articles of the set number are supplied to the packaging machine at the subsequent stage of each conveyor. It is supplied alternately from the conveyor.
Thereby, after the last article of the group of articles consisting of the set number is supplied to the packing machine by one conveyor, the first article of the next group of articles consisting of the set number is supplied to the packaging machine by the other conveyor. A sufficient time interval can be ensured.

  In this case, the one conveyor that conveys the last article of the group of articles consisting of the set number to the packaging machine is set to a high second conveying speed, and the first article of the next group of articles consisting of the set number is sent to the packaging machine. By setting the other conveyor to be transported at a first transport speed, the time interval between the supply of the last article to the packaging machine and the supply of the first article to the packaging machine corresponds to the speed difference. It will be wide.

  According to the present invention, when an article supplied to a transport conveyor is transported and supplied to a subsequent device, a value relating to the article supplied to the transport conveyor, for example, the article is transported based on the number of articles. The transport interval can be switched between a first transport interval corresponding to the first transport speed and a second transport interval corresponding to the second transport speed that is wider than the first transport interval.

  Thereby, when supplying the article to the subsequent device of the transport device, the time interval of the supply can be switched according to the number value of the article and the like, the subsequent device is, for example, a packaging machine, Each time a predetermined number of articles are supplied, in order to package the predetermined number of articles, when a certain sealing time is required, a wide transport interval corresponding to the sealing time is used. It can be transported at transport intervals.

  Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a storage tank for storing a predetermined number of articles in the preceding stage of the packaging machine without impairing the packaging ability of the packaging machine which is the latter stage, and by opening and closing the gate at the bottom of the storage tank. Thus, the article can be stably supplied to the subsequent device without biting the article.

It is a top view showing the schematic structure of the measuring and packaging system provided with the conveyance device concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram of the principal part of the weighing and packaging system of FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the control device in FIG. 2. 4 is a flowchart illustrating details of FIG. 3. 4 is a flowchart illustrating details of FIG. 3. 4 is a flowchart illustrating details of FIG. 3.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of a weighing and packaging system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The weighing and packaging system 1 of this embodiment includes a weight sorter 2 that weighs an article conveyed in the direction of arrow A, for example, a small bag (not shown), and sorts the article into a non-defective article and a non-defective article. A transport path switching sorting device 5 for sorting the small bags selected as good products by the sorting machine 2 so as to switch the transport path, and the small bags sorted by the transport path switching sorting device 5 are transported in the arrow B direction. And a packaging device 7 for supplying small packages supplied from the transportation device 6 to the packaging machine 7 and packing the bags into a large number of bags (not shown). Have.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, a weight inspection device 8 for inspecting the weight of the large bag is provided downstream of the packaging machine 7 of the weighing and packaging system 1, that is, downstream of the large bag carried out in the arrow C direction in the transport direction. A package sorting device 15 for sorting large bags according to the inspection result is provided. That is, in this embodiment, a weighing and packaging inspection system is configured in which the small bags are weighed and sorted by the weight sorter 2, the selected good small bags are packed in a large bag by the packaging machine 7, and the weight of the packed large bag is inspected. .

  The weight sorter 2 includes an infeed conveyor 21, a weighing conveyor 22 supported by a weight sensor (not shown) including a load cell and the like, and an article distribution for sorting small bags into non-defective products and non-defective products according to the weighing result. The apparatus includes an apparatus 23, an article detector 24 for detecting a small bag fed to the weighing conveyor 22, and an operation setting display 25 for starting / stopping operation of the weight sorter 2, setting and displaying various operation parameters, and the like. . The article sorting device 23 includes a sorting conveyor 26, and a pair of sorting arms 27a and 27b for discharging defective overweight products and lightweight products out of the transport path. The article detector 24 includes, for example, a photoelectric sensor having a light emitter and a light receiver, and detects a small bag sent to the weighing conveyor 22.

  The weight sorter 2 sequentially sends the small bags to be sorted one by one to the weighing conveyor 22 by the sending conveyor 21, and the weighing conveyor 22 sends the small bags based on the timing of the small bag detection by the article detector 24. The weight of the small bag is measured while the small bag is being conveyed, and the small bag is sorted by the article sorting device 23 according to the measurement result. In the article distribution device 23, when the weight of the pouch weighed by the weighing conveyor 22 is a non-defective item within an appropriate weight range, the transport path switching on the downstream side in the transport direction is performed without operating the distribution arms 27a and 27b. If it is a defective product (excessive product) exceeding the appropriate weight range or a defective product (light product) below the appropriate weight range, the distributing arm 27a or the distributing arm 27b is moved. The small bags on the sorting conveyor 26 are discharged out of the transport path by rotating each of the small bags as indicated by arrows.

  The transport device 6 of this embodiment includes first and second transport conveyors 3 and 4 each of which is a belt conveyor that transports good-quality small bags sorted by the transport path switching sorting device 5 to the packaging machine 7. The transport speeds of the transport conveyors 3 and 4 are switched between a first transport speed and a second transport speed higher than the first transport speed, as described later.

  The transfer path switching sorting device 5 is configured to move the sorting chute, which is inclined downward toward the unloading direction of the pouch (rightward in FIG. 1), into the first inclined state and the second inclined state, which is inclined downward from the first inclined state. This is a swing-type sorting device that switches between two inclined states. The transfer path switching sorting device 5 supplies the good-quality pouches supplied from the article sorting device 23 one by one to the second transfer conveyor 4 in the first inclined state shown in FIG. To supply one by one to the first conveyor 3.

  Each transport end of each of the transport conveyors 3 and 4 is located above a collecting chute 71 for charging a small bag into the packaging machine 7. The small bags conveyed by the respective conveyors 3 and 4 are dropped into the packaging machine 7 via the collecting chute 71, and are packed and wrapped in a large number of bags by the packaging machine 7 in predetermined numbers.

  In this packaging machine 7, every time a predetermined number of small bags are supplied, a certain sealing time is required to pack them in a large bag, that is, to seal the state in which a predetermined number of small bags are stored in the packaging material. is necessary.

  The weight inspection device 8 for inspecting the weight of the large bags carried out of the packaging machine 7 detects the weighing conveyor 16 supported by a weight sensor (not shown) including a load cell and the like, and the large bags sequentially sent to the weighing conveyor 16. A package detector 17 and an operation setting display 18 for starting / stopping operation of the weight inspection device 8 and setting and displaying various operation parameters are provided.

  The package sorting device 15 for sorting the large bags according to the inspection result is a pusher-type sorting device including a sorting conveyor 19 and a pusher 20 for discharging a defective product out of the transport path. The package detector 17 includes, for example, a photoelectric sensor having a light emitter and a light receiver, and detects a large bag fed to the weighing conveyor 16.

  The weight inspection device 8 sequentially sends the large bags one by one to the weighing conveyor 16 by the transport conveyor 9, and the weighing conveyor 16 weighs the large bags while transporting the large bags based on the timing of the large bag detection by the package detector 17. Then, it is inspected whether it is a good product within the allowable weight range. The package sorting device 15 transfers the packaged product to the downstream side of the package sorting device 15 as a non-defective product without operating the pusher 20 when the product is good. The large bag is advanced onto the distribution conveyor 19, and the large bag is pushed out of the transport path and discharged.

  In this embodiment, when the measured weight of the large bag is within the allowable weight range, the weight inspection device 8 determines that the large bag is a non-defective product in which the predetermined number of small bags are stored, and the weight is less than the allowable weight range. In some cases, it is determined that a small number of small bags are stored as a defective product (out of stock). The distributing device 15 is controlled to discharge defective or over-defective products out of the transport path.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a main part of the weighing and packaging system of FIG. 1, and portions corresponding to FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  The weight sorter 2 includes a weight sorter control unit 28. The weight sorter control unit 28 controls each unit such as the sending conveyor 21, the weighing conveyor 22, the distribution conveyor 26, and the distribution arms 27a and 27b. Control. The weight sorter control unit 28 determines the quality by weighing the small bag by the weighing conveyor 22 based on the timing of the small bag detection by the article detector 24 as described above. 27a and 27b are controlled and discharged out of the transport path.

  The weight inspection device 8 includes a weight inspection device control unit 87, and the weight inspection device control unit 87 controls each unit such as the weighing conveyor 16, the distribution conveyor 19, and the pusher 20. The weight inspection device control unit 87 determines the quality by measuring the weight of the large bag by the weighing conveyor 16 based on the timing of the large bag detection by the package detector 17 as described above. 20 is discharged to the outside of the transport path.

  In this embodiment, a control device 10 that controls the entire weighing and packaging system 1 is provided. The control device 10 includes an operation setting display section 31 that performs various settings and displays for controlling the transfer device 5 for controlling the transfer of the transfer path, the transfer device 6, and the like, and the first and second transfer conveyors 3 and 3 of the transfer device 6. 4 and the first to third motor driving units 11 to 13 for driving the conveyor 9, the motor driving units 11 to 13 and the transfer path switching sorting device 5, and a weight sorter control unit 28, The control unit 14 includes a control unit 14 that can communicate with the inspection device control unit 87 and the packaging machine 7. That is, the control unit 14 of the control device 10 communicates with the weight sorter control unit 28 of the weight sorter 2, the weight inspection device control unit 87 of the weight inspection device 8, and the control unit of the packaging machine 7 by, for example, a LAN. Connected as possible.

  Each time a small bag is weighed and determined to be good by the weight sorter 2, the weight value of the good bag is transmitted from the weight sorter control unit 28 to the control device 10 as a weight signal. Numeral 10 acquires the number of non-defective pouches selected by the weight sorter 2 and the weight value of each pouch.

  As will be described later, the control device 10 integrates the weight value of the non-defective pouches up to the predetermined number, which is the number of pouches to be packed as large bags by the packaging machine 7, and calculates the integrated weight value of the pouch corresponding to the large bag. Is calculated. The control device 10 associates the integrated weight value with the timing at which the corresponding large bag is sent to the weight inspection device 8 based on the detection output of the package detector 17 that detects the large bag sent to the weight inspection device 8. Then, the allowable weight range for determining pass / fail is transmitted to the weight inspection device control unit 87 of the weight inspection device 8 as a reference value for defining as described later.

  That is, the control device 10 calculates the integrated weight value of a predetermined number of non-defective small bags for each packaging unit to be packed as a large bag by the packaging machine 7 at the timing of the large bag corresponding to the integrated weight value sent to the weight inspection device 8. At the same time, it is transmitted as a reference value for defining the allowable weight range.

  Further, whenever the number of non-defective small bags transmitted from the weight sorter control unit 28 reaches a predetermined number, which is a packaging unit for packaging as a large bag by the packaging machine 7, the control device 10 wraps the predetermined number of small bags. At the timing when the supply to the machine 7 is completed, a supply completion signal is transmitted to the packaging machine 7.

  The control section 14 of the control device 10 has a function as a speed control means for switching and controlling the transport speeds of the first and second transport conveyors 3 and 4 of the transport device 6 as described later.

  As described above, the packaging machine 7 requires a certain sealing time to pack the small bags into a large bag every time a predetermined number of small bags are put.

  In this embodiment, a seal for packaging in a large bag without impairing the packaging capacity of the packaging machine 7 and without providing a storage tank such as a hopper for storing a predetermined number of small bags in the preceding stage of the packaging machine 7. In order to secure time, it is configured as follows.

  That is, in this embodiment, the operation setting display unit 31 of the control device 10 is operated to set the value relating to the small bag supplied to the first and second conveyors 3 and 4 of the conveyor 6 to the large bag by the packaging machine 7. The predetermined number, which is the number of small bags to be packed, is set in advance as a set number. This set number is the number of small bags to be packed at one time by the packaging machine 7, and is the number of small bags serving as a packaging unit.

  The control device 10 controls the transport path switching sorting device 5 shown in FIG. 1 to remove non-defective pouches supplied one by one from the article sorting device 23 of the weight sorter 2 into the first and second pouches. One of the two conveyors 3, 4 is supplied to one of the conveyors 3 (or 4) one by one, and when the number of supplied small bags reaches the set number, the conveyor path is switched to change the other conveyor 4 (or 4). Or, the small bags are supplied one by one to 3), and when the number of supplied small bags reaches the set number again, the transport path is switched, and the small bags are again supplied one to one transport conveyor 3 (or 4) again. I do. In other words, the control device 10 controls the sorting device 5 for switching the transport path, and the first transport conveyor 3 or the second transporter divides the non-defective pouches supplied from the weight sorter 2 for each set number, that is, for each packaging unit. It is alternately distributed to the two conveyors 4. At the time when the supply of the set number of pouches to one of the conveyors 3 (or 4) of each of the conveyors 3 and 4 is completed, all of the set number of the conveyors being transported are transferred onto one of the conveyors 3 (or 4). May be present, or some of the preceding pouches may have already been loaded into the packaging machine 7 and some of the pouches may not be present.

  Assuming that the set number is N (N is a natural number), the transfer path switching sorting device 5 alternately sorts the first and second transfer conveyors 3 and 4 for every N packing units, and is composed of N pieces. The pouch group of the first packaging unit is distributed to one of the first and second conveyors 3 and 4 (or 4), and the next pouch group of N packaging units is divided into the other conveyors. 4 (or 3).

  Thus, each of the conveyors 3 and 4 alternately supplies the packaging machine 7 with the set number of small pouches of N packaging units.

  Further, the control device 10 controls the transport speed of the first and second transport conveyors 3 and 4 based on the number of small bags supplied to the first and second transport conveyors 3 and 4 by the transport path switching sorting device 5. , And switches between a first transport speed and a second transport speed higher than the first transport speed.

  Specifically, when supplying a set number of pouches, which are packaging units, to one of the conveyors 3 (or 4), the control device 10 controls one of the pouches before the number of supplied pouches reaches the set number. When the number of pouches to be supplied reaches the set number, that is, the last set number of pouches is transferred to one of the conveyors 3 (or 4). ), The transport speed is switched to a second transport speed higher than the first transport speed, and the small bags are supplied to the packaging machine 7 at a stretch. After the supply of the set number of pouches to the packaging machine 7 is completed by transporting the pouches at the second transport speed over a certain period of time, the control device 10 again reduces the transport speed of one transport conveyor 3 (or 4). Return to the first transport speed. At this time, the control device 10 transmits a supply completion signal to the packaging machine 7 as described above.

  When the number of pouches to be supplied to the one conveyor 3 (or 4) reaches the set number, the transport conveyor for supplying the pouches is switched by the transport path switching sorting device 5 as described above, and the other. The supply of small bags to the conveyor 4 (or 3) is started. At this time, the transport speed of the other transport conveyor 4 (or 3) is the first transport speed.

  Before the number of pouches supplied to the other conveyor 4 (or 3) reaches the set number, the transport speed is maintained at the first transport speed, and the number of pouches supplied reaches the set number. Then, the transport speed of the other transport conveyor 4 (or 3) is switched to the second transport speed higher than the first transport speed, and the small bags on the other transport conveyor 4 (or 3) are packed at a high speed by the packaging machine 7. , And then return to the first transport speed again.

  As described above, before the number of pouches supplied to each of the conveyors 3 and 4 reaches the set number, each of the conveyors 3 and 4 sets the transport speed to the first transport speed and supplies each of the conveyors 3 and 4 with the first transport speed. When the number of small bags to be reached reaches the set number, the speed is switched to the second transfer speed higher than the first transfer speed and the set number of small bags are supplied to the packaging machine 7 at a stretch. it can.

  Assuming that the set number is N as described above, the transport interval of the first to Nth pouches of the first pouch group of the N packaging units supplied to one transport conveyor 3 (or 4). Is a first transport interval corresponding to the first transport speed. When the Nth pouch is supplied to one of the conveyors 3 (or 4), the transport speed is switched to the high second transport speed, so that the Nth (last) pouch in the first pouch group is The transport interval between the next subsequent pouch, that is, the first (initial) pouch in the second pouch group of the next N-package unit is set to a second transport speed wider than the first transport interval. The corresponding second transport interval is reached.

  Further, the first pouch in the second pouch group is supplied to the other transport conveyor 4 (or 3) at the first transport speed lower than the second transport speed, so that one transport conveyor 3 (or 4) is supplied. ), The N-th (last) pouch of the first pouch group is supplied to the packaging machine 7 after being conveyed at the high second conveyance speed, and the second conveyer 4 (or 3) supplies the first pouch. The time interval until the first (first) pouch of the second pouch group conveyed at one conveyance speed and supplied to the packaging machine 7 is supplied depends on the speed difference between the first and second conveyance speeds. Long time intervals.

  Therefore, for each small bag group of the packaging unit consisting of the set number, supply of the last (N-th) small bag of the preceding small bag group and the first (first) small bag of the succeeding small bag group to the packaging machine 7. Can be made longer. This makes it possible to ensure a sufficient sealing time required for packing the large bags by the packaging machine 7 for each set number of small bag groups, that is, for each packaging unit.

  In addition, there is no need to provide a storage tank for storing a set number of small bags in the preceding stage of the packaging machine 7, and the opening and closing of the gate at the bottom of the storage tank does not cause the small bags to bite into the gate.

  As another embodiment of the present invention, the first and second transport conveyors 3 and 4 have a configuration in which no pouches are present on the conveyor and no pouches are supplied from the transport path switching sorting device 5. It may be stopped.

  The large bag packed by the packaging machine 7 is weighed by the weight inspection device 8 to determine the quality.

  In this case, the weight inspection device 8 measures the weight of the large bag, and when the weight of the large bag is within the allowable weight range, determines that the large bag has the set number (the predetermined number) of small bags stored therein. If the weight is less than the allowable weight range, it is determined that a small number of small bags are stored (defective goods). ) Is determined.

  That is, the weight inspection device 8 inspects whether or not the set number of small bags is properly stored in the large bag by checking the weight of the large bag.

  The allowable weight range is defined as (reference value−lower limit value) or more and (reference value + upper limit value) or less based on the reference value, the upper limit value, and the lower limit value.

  Conventionally, the reference value, the upper limit allowable value and the lower limit allowable value are set in the weight inspection device. The reference value may be corrected to be, for example, the average weight value of the weight values of the actually weighed large bags.

  However, in the case where the weight of the small bags packed in the large bag has a large variation and the weight changes suddenly, the weight is acceptable even for a good product in which the set number of small bags are stored in the large bag. There is a case where the weight is out of the weight range and is determined to be missing or excessive.

  For this reason, this embodiment is configured as follows in order to enable the weight inspection device 8 to accurately inspect whether or not the small bag is stored in the large bag without excess or shortage.

  That is, as described above, the weight value of the non-defective pouch is transmitted from the weight discriminator control unit 28 to the control device 10 as a weight signal every time the weight is measured by the weight discriminator 2 and the packet is determined to be non-defective. Thereby, the control device 10 acquires the number of non-defective sachets selected by the weight sorter 2 and the weight value of each sachet.

  The control device 10 integrates the weight value of the obtained good small bags by the set number of bags packed in the large bags by the packaging machine 7. In the control device 10, the set number of small bags selected as non-defective products by the weight sorter 2 is supplied to the packaging machine 7, and the set number of small bags are collected by the packaging machine 7 and packed in a large bag. Is detected by the package detector 17 by the number of small bags, that is, the set number of small bags selected as non-defective products by the weight sorter 2 is switched from the weight sorter 2 to the transfer path. The number of small bags that exist between the transport path switching sorting device 5 and the package detector 17 at the time of supply to the sorting device 5 is stored in advance. Therefore, based on the detection output of the package detector 17 for detecting the large bag, the control device 10 calculates the integrated weight value obtained by integrating the weight value of the small bag by the set number and the large bag detected by the package detector 17. Can correspond.

  The controller 10 integrates the integrated weight value obtained by integrating the weight values of the non-defective small bags by the set number based on the detection output of the packaged article detector 17 that detects the large bag sent to the weight inspection device 8 and corresponds to the integrated weight value. At the timing when the large bag to be sent is sent to the weight inspection device 8, it is transmitted as a reference value for defining an allowable weight range to the weight inspection device control unit 87 of the weight inspection device 8.

  For this reason, the control unit 14 of the control device 10 stores each integrated weight value in the shift memory and shifts it sequentially each time the integrated weight value for the set number is calculated. Then, based on the detection output of the package detector 17 for detecting the large bag sent to the weight inspection device 8, the accumulated weight value corresponding to the integrated weight value is sent to the weight inspection device 8 in accordance with the timing. Is transmitted as a reference value for defining the allowable weight range.

  In this manner, the control device 10 synchronizes the integrated weight value of the set number of good quality small bags with the timing of the large bags sent to the weight inspection device 8 for each packaging unit to be packed as a large bag by the These are sequentially transmitted as reference values for defining the weight range.

  The weight inspection device 8 receives the sequentially transmitted reference values, sets a value obtained by adding the weight (tare weight) of the packaging material constituting one large bag to the received reference value as a correction reference value, and sets a lower limit allowable value. And the upper limit allowable value, the allowable weight range of the large bag is set to be equal to or more than (correction reference value-lower limit value) and equal to or less than (correction reference value + upper limit value). The lower limit allowable value and the upper limit allowable value may be, for example, １ ／ of the regular weight of the large bag.

  The weight inspection device 8 measures the weight of the large bags sequentially supplied from the packaging machine 7, and determines whether the weight of the large bags is within the allowable weight range based on the reference value sequentially transmitted from the control device 10, that is, Then, it is determined whether or not the set number of small bags are non-defective products stored therein.

  As described above, in the weight inspection device 8, the allowable weight range is defined based on the integrated weight value (reference value) of the set number of the weight values of the pouches actually measured by the weight sorter 2, and the allowable weight range is defined by the allowable weight range. Inspection is performed by determining whether the weight of the large bag corresponding to the integrated weight value is within the allowable weight range. Therefore, even if the weight of the small bag varies or the weight of the small bag changes suddenly, the allowable Since the weight range changes, the weight inspection device 8 accurately inspects whether or not the set number of small bags is stored in the large bag without excess or shortage without being affected by variation in the weight of the small bags or sudden change. be able to.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the control device 10 of the present embodiment will be described based on the flowcharts of FIGS.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an outline of the entire operation.

  First, it is determined whether or not the operation switch is turned on (step S1). When the operation switch is turned on, initialization is performed (step S2). More specifically, the transfer path switching sorting device 5 is tilted toward the first transfer conveyor 3, and a supply flag indicating that small bags are being supplied to the first transfer conveyor 3 is turned on, so that the first and first transfer devices are turned on. The low speed operation for setting the transport speed of the two transport conveyors 3 and 4 to the low first transport speed is set, the data memory for storing various data such as the number of non-defective bags and the weight value is cleared, and the process proceeds to step S3.

  In step S3, control is performed on the first conveyor 3 and the process proceeds to step S4. In step S4, control is performed on the second conveyor 4 and the process proceeds to step S5. In step S5, control is performed on the weight inspection device 8. Move to step S6. In step S6, it is determined whether or not the operation switch has been turned off. If it has not been turned off, the process returns to step S3, and if it has been turned off, the process ends.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing details of the control on the first conveyor 3 in step S3 in FIG.

  It is determined whether or not a supplying flag indicating that the small bag is being supplied to the first conveyor 3 is ON (step S301). It is determined whether there is communication of a weight signal indicating the weight value of the small bag (step S302). If there is communication of the weight signal, the weight value of the non-defective bag is integrated and stored as the integrated value of the first transport conveyor 3. Then, the process proceeds to step S304 (step S303). In step S304, "1" is added to the count value of the weight signal reception counter for counting the number of non-defective pouches supplied to the first conveyor 3, and the process proceeds to step S305.

  In step S305, it is determined whether or not the count value of the weight signal reception counter of the first transport conveyor 3 has reached the set number. When the count has reached the set number, the set number of non-defective pouches to the first transport conveyor 3 is determined. Has been completed, the transfer path switching sorting device 5 is tilted toward the second transfer conveyor 4 and switched (step S306), indicating that a good pouch is being supplied to the second transfer conveyor 4. The supply flag is turned on, and the process proceeds to step S308 (step S307).

  In step S308, the supplying flag of the first conveyor 3 is turned off, the conveying speed of the first conveyor 3 is switched to the second conveying speed, and the high speed indicating that the first conveyor 3 is operating at high speed. The in-operation flag is turned on, the high-speed operation timer of the first conveyor 3 for measuring the high-speed operation time is set, measurement is started, and the process proceeds to step S309.

  In step S309, the integrated value of the weight of the set number of non-defective bags supplied to the first conveyor 3 is set as a reference value for transmission to the weight inspection device 8, and the weight signal of the first conveyor 3 is set. The reception counter is cleared, and the integrated value of the first transport conveyor 3 is cleared, and the process ends (step S310).

  In step S301, when the supply flag of the first conveyor 3 is not ON, it is determined whether the high-speed operation flag indicating that the transport speed of the first conveyor 3 is the second transport speed is ON. Is determined (step S311), and when the high-speed operation flag is ON, the process proceeds to step S312, and when the high-speed operation flag is not ON, the process ends. In step S312, the count value of the high-speed operation timer of the first conveyor 3 is decreased, and it is determined whether or not the high-speed operation timer of the first conveyor 3 has expired (step S313). The process proceeds to step S314 assuming that the supply of the good number of small bags to the packaging machine 7 has been completed by the conveyor 3 and ends when the time is not up.

  In step S314, the transport speed of the first transport conveyor 3 is returned to the low first transport speed, and a supply completion signal indicating that the supply of the set number of small bags has been completed is transmitted to the packaging machine 7 (step S315). The high-speed operation flag of the one conveyor 3 is turned off and the process ends (step S316).

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the details of the control on the second conveyor 4 in step S4 in FIG.

  It is determined whether or not a supplying flag indicating that a good-quality pouch is being supplied to the second conveyor 4 is ON (step S401). If the supplying flag is ON, the weight sorting machine 2 It is determined whether there is communication of a weight signal indicating the weight value of a good pouch (step S402). If there is communication of a weight signal, the weight value of the good pouch is integrated, and the integration of the second conveyor 4 is performed. The value is stored as a value, and the process proceeds to step S404 (step S403). In step S404, "1" is added to the count value of the weight signal reception counter for counting the number of non-defective pouches supplied to the second conveyor 4, and the process proceeds to step S405.

  In step S405, it is determined whether or not the count value of the weight signal reception counter of the second conveyor 4 has reached the set number, and when the count has reached the set number, the set number of non-defective sachets on the second conveyor 4 Has been completed, the conveying path switching sorting device 5 is tilted toward the first conveying conveyor 3 and switched (step S406), indicating that a good quality pouch is being supplied to the first conveying conveyor 3. The supply flag is turned on, and the process proceeds to step S408 (step S407).

  In step S408, the supplying flag of the second conveyor 4 is turned off, the conveying speed of the second conveyor 4 is switched to the second conveying speed, and the high speed indicating that the second conveyor 4 is operating at high speed. The in-operation flag is turned on, the high-speed operation timer of the second conveyor 4 for measuring the time of the high-speed operation is set, the measurement is started, and the routine proceeds to step S409.

  In step S409, the integrated value of the weight of the set number of non-defective bags supplied to the second conveyor 4 is set as a reference value for transmission to the weight inspection device 8, and the weight signal of the second conveyor 4 is set. The reception counter is cleared, and the integrated value of the second conveyor 4 is cleared, and the process ends (step S410).

  In step S401, when the supply flag of the second conveyor 4 is not ON, whether the high-speed operation flag indicating that the conveyance speed of the second conveyor 4 is the second conveyance speed is ON or not. Is determined (step S411). If the high-speed operation flag is ON, the process proceeds to step S412, and if the high-speed operation flag is not ON, the process ends. In step S412, the count value of the high-speed operation timer of the second conveyor 4 is decreased, and it is determined whether or not the high-speed operation timer of the second conveyor 4 has expired (step S413). The process proceeds to step S414 assuming that the supply of the set number of non-defective bags to the packaging machine 7 has been completed by the transport conveyor 4, and ends when the time is not up.

  In step S414, the transport speed of the second transport conveyor 4 is returned to the low first transport speed, and a supply completion signal indicating that the supply of the set number of small bags has been completed is transmitted to the packaging machine 7 (step S415). The high-speed operation flag of the two-conveyor 4 is turned off, and the process ends (step S416).

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing details of the control on the weight inspection device 8 in step S5 in FIG.

  It is determined whether or not the package detection sensor 17 has detected a large bag as a package (step S501). If the package has not been detected, the process ends, and if it has been detected, the process proceeds to step S502. In step S502, a reference value, which is an integrated value of the set number of weight values of non-defective bags corresponding to the detected large bag, is transmitted to the weight inspection device 8, the memory of the reference value is cleared, and the process ends (step S503). .

  The weight inspection device 8 receives the reference value as described above, determines the allowable weight range, weighs the large bag supplied from the packaging machine 7, and determines that the weighed weight is within the determined allowable weight range. It is checked whether or not the product is a non-defective product, that is, whether or not a set number of small bags are stored in a large bag.

In the above-described embodiment, the transport device 6 includes the two transport conveyors 3 and 4. However, the number of transport conveyors is not limited to two, and may include three or more transport conveyors.

  In the above embodiment, the transport speed of each of the transport conveyors 3 and 4 is switched in two stages of the first and second transport speeds, but may be switched in three or more stages.

  The controller 10 may be incorporated in the weight selector control unit 28 of the weight selector 2 or the weight inspection device controller 87 of the weight inspection device 8.

  In the above embodiment, the weight sorter 2 sorts the weight of small bags. However, the weight is not limited to small bags, and may be small boxes or unpackaged articles. Further, in the packaging machine 7, bag packing is performed, but box packing may be performed.

  The sorter upstream of the transport device 6 is not limited to the weight sorter 2 and may be, for example, a device that detects the incorporation of foreign matter and sorts good and defective products.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 weighing and packaging system 2 weight sorter 3, 4 first and second transport conveyor 5 transport path switching distribution device 6 transport device 7 packaging machine 8 weight inspection device 10 control device 14 control unit 15 package distribution device 16, 22 weighing conveyor 23 goods sorting device

Claims (6)

And a double number single conveyor you conveying articles supplied,
Speed control means for switching and controlling the transfer speed of the transfer conveyor to a first transfer speed and a second transfer speed higher than the first transfer speed;
It said speed control means, based on the value relating to the articles to be supplied to one of the conveyor, switches only the conveying speed of the conveyor of the one,
A transfer device characterized by the above-mentioned. The value related to the articles supplied to the transport conveyor is a number value of the articles supplied to the transport conveyor,
The transport device according to claim 1. Before the value relating to the article supplied to the transport conveyor reaches a preset set value, the speed control unit sets the transport speed of the transport conveyor to the first transport speed, and reaches the set value. Sometimes, the transport speed switching control of switching the transport speed of the transport conveyor to the second transport speed and thereafter returning to the first transport speed is repeated.
The transport device according to claim 1. A sorting machine that sorts articles into non-defective products and non-defective products;
The transport device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the non-defective articles selected by the sorting machine are supplied.
A packaging machine that is supplied with the non-defective article conveyed by the conveyance conveyor, and wraps the supplied non-defective article,
A weighing and packaging system comprising: The transport device according to claim 3, wherein the transport device is
The packaging machine, the non-defective article supplied from the transport conveyor, wraps for each of the set values,
The weighing and packaging system according to claim 4. The transfer device includes two first and second transfer conveyors as the transfer conveyor,
The sorter is a weight sorter that weighs the weight of the article and sorts non-defective articles whose measured weight is within an appropriate weight range,
A sorting device that alternately sorts non-defective articles from the weight sorter to the first and second transport conveyors of the transport device for each of the set values,
The weighing and packaging system according to claim 5.

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