JPH06201446A - Combination balance equipped with weight sorting function - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To reduce expense or manpower for a weight sorting system by providing a combination balance performing weight sorting of article. CONSTITUTION:The combination balance comprises means (102) for weighing an article being fed individually, means (100) for setting more than one weight range, means (104) for determining the weight range of an article weighed by the weighing means, and means (108) performing operation for selecting a combination of articles having total weight equal to or close to a desired weight based on the weight of articles belonging to a same weight range.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a combination scale with a weight selection function which sorts a weighed article into two or more weight ranks and performs a combination calculation based on the weights of the articles of the same weight rank.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, in a packed product in which 3 to 6 products (products) are packed, a pack in which the weight (size) of each product packed in one pack is substantially uniform is preferred by consumers. It is rare.

However, in the conventional combination weigher, since the total weight of the articles weighed by an arbitrary weighing hopper is selected and discharged, a combination of articles within a predetermined allowable weight range is selected and discharged. The weight of each article can be quite uneven. This is because the conventional combination weigher does not take measures for reducing the variation in the weight of the articles forming the set. As described above, when the articles of different weights are packed in one pack, the irregularities can be recognized at a glance, and as a result, the consumer's willingness to purchase may be reduced.

Therefore, for example, first, the articles are weight-sorted into a large size (L), a medium size (M), and a small size (S), and then, for the large size articles, a combination operation is performed using only the large size articles. Then, the combination of the articles whose total weight of the weighed articles is within a predetermined allowable weight range is selected and discharged. Also, for medium-sized articles and small-sized articles, a combination calculation is performed in the same manner as for large-sized articles to create a predetermined combination. In this way, packs filled with large size articles and packs filled with medium or small size articles can be made.

[0005]

However, when the weight sorter is used to sort the articles into large size (L), medium size (M), and small size (S) in advance, the weight sorter is used. There is a problem in that the cost of the device is high, and there is a problem in that labor is required for the work when manually performed.

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a combination weighing machine with a weight sorting function which can reduce the cost of the weight sorting device or labor by causing the combination weighing machine to perform the weight sorting of articles. .

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, a plurality of weighing means for feeding articles to each of them and weighing the fed articles, and a weight range setting means for setting two or more weight ranges are provided. Weight range determining means for determining the weight range to which the weight of the articles weighed by the weighing means belongs, and whether the total weight is equal to the desired weight based on the weights of the articles belonging to the same weight range. Alternatively, a combination calculation means for performing a combination calculation for selecting a combination of articles close to the combination is provided.

[0008]

According to the present invention, among the measured values of a plurality of articles, for example, the measured value of a certain article belongs to a preset weight range, and the measured value of a certain article is another preset weight range. In the case where the total weight is equal to or close to the desired weight, the combination calculation is performed based on the weights of the respective articles belonging to the same weight range to select the combination of the articles. Thereby, the variation in weight of the articles forming the selected set can be kept within the weight range to which the articles belong. That is, even when the weight variations of a plurality of articles to be weighed are over a plurality of weight ranges, a combination of articles belonging to the same weight range can be selected.

[0009]

EXAMPLE A combination weigher with a weight selection function of the first example is
The present invention is applied to the automatic combination scale shown in FIG. This combination weighing machine with a weight sorting function
A crosshead feeder (article feeding device) 2 for supplying articles is provided on the top of the crosshead feeder 2.
Items are supplied from the bucket feeder 100. A plurality of (n) linear feeders 3-1 ... Are radially provided around the dispersion feeder 1, and the vibrator 4-
When 1 ... vibrates, the articles supplied from the dispersion feeder 1 are conveyed to the tip side thereof. At the tip of the linear feeder 3-1, the feed hopper 5-1 ...
Is provided, and this feed hopper 5-1 ...
The articles are loaded one by one from the linear feeder 3-1. Below these feed hoppers 5-1 ..., there are provided weighing hoppers 6-1 ... respectively, and when these are empty, the gates 7- of the feed hoppers 5-1.
1 ... is opened and one article is supplied. Each of these weighing hoppers 6-1 ... has a weight detector 8-1.
.. is provided to detect the weight of one article supplied to the weighing hopper 6-1. These weighing hoppers 6-1
It is determined to which single weight range among a plurality of preset single weight ranges (which will be described later) the weight values of the articles in the range belong. Then, the weight values of the articles within a certain predetermined single weight range are variously combined, and a combination of articles whose total weight is equal to or close to the desired weight (combination within the allowable weight range) is selected. It That is, a combination calculation is performed to select from which weighing hopper the article is to be discharged. For example, when the weighing hopper 6-1 is selected, the gate 10-1 outside the weighing hopper 6-1 is opened, Collecting chute 12 below the weighing hopper 6-1
And the wrapping machine 1 below through the collecting hopper 13 in the shape of an inverted truncated cone.
4 is supplied. However, if the weight value of the article is outside the predetermined single weight range, it passes through the collecting chute 12 and the collecting hopper 13,
It is supplied to the lower discharge conveyor 9 and discharged.

The combination scale has a weighing unit A as shown in FIG. Although not shown in the figure, a plurality of sets (n sets) of weighing units A are actually provided. The weighing unit A has a weighing hopper 6-1 equipped with a weight detector 8-1 and a feed hopper 5-1.
The weighing signal of the weight detector 8-1 is amplified by an amplifier (not shown) and then supplied to the A / D converter 15 of the control unit B via a multiplexer (not shown), where the digital signal is output. And is supplied to the arithmetic control unit (microprocessor (CPU)) 16. Arithmetic control unit 16
When a predetermined activation signal is input from the operation setting display unit 17, the digital weighing signals of the articles supplied to the weighing hoppers 6-1 ... Are sequentially input, and the combination calculation is performed based on these signals. Determine which items to eject.

When the articles in the feed hopper 5-1 ... and the weighing hopper 6-1 ... are discharged or supplied,
Each gate is opened and closed by driving the gate drive device 18 of the weighing unit A by the drive circuit 19. When the gates 30 and 31 of the collecting hopper 13 are opened and closed, the gate drive device 32 is driven by the drive circuit 19. Further, the vibration control circuit 20 drives the linear feeders 3-1 ...

Further, the arithmetic control unit 16 includes a storage unit 21,
Timer 22, I / F circuit (interface circuit) 23
The packaging machine 14 is connected via the, and the operation setting display unit 17 is also connected. The storage unit 21 is a RAM,
It has a ROM in which programs corresponding to the later-described flowcharts, various operating constants, etc. are written. Timer 2
Reference numeral 2 is composed of a plurality of counters each counting down a clock pulse from a set value which is proportional to the set time, and when the count value becomes 0, the set time is reached.

Further, the operation setting display section 17 has a weight range setting means for setting a plurality of weight ranges. The weight range is a weight range of one article that participates in the combination calculation and a weight range of one article that does not participate in the combination calculation. The weight range of one article is the above-mentioned "single weight range of the article". The single weight range of the articles to participate in the combination calculation can be widened or narrowed depending on the type of the articles, and the number of the single weight ranges can be set to 1 or 2 or more. The case where the weight is W and the range of b <W ≦ c is set as the single weight range of the articles to participate in the combination calculation will be described. Further, the single weight range of the articles not to participate in the combination calculation is a weight range other than the above weight range, and W ≦ b and W> c. Further, the operation setting display unit 17 can set various operation constants such as a target weight necessary for the operation of the combination weigher, and can perform ON / OFF operation of the operation. Further, the data can be displayed and the printing unit 24 connected to the data can be operated.

The calculation control unit 16 includes a weight range determination means and a combination calculation means. The weight range determining means has a function of determining whether the weight of each article weighed by the weight detector 8 belongs to a single weight range to participate in the combination calculation or to other single weight ranges.

The combination calculation means variously combines the weights of the articles belonging to the single weight range to be involved in the combination calculation so that the total weight is equal to or close to the desired weight (combination within the allowable weight range). ) Has a function to select.

Next, the operation of the combination weigher with the weight selection function will be described with reference to a flow chart. FIG. 1 is a flow chart showing a program for operating this combination weigher with a weight selection function, and this program is a storage unit 21.
It is written in the ROM.

First, the operator operates the operation setting display section 17 to perform various settings for operating the combination weigher and set a single weight range (step 100). That is, for example, b <W ≦ c is set as the unit weight range to participate in the combination calculation.
To set. Note that W is the weight of one article. Then, when b <W ≦ c is set, the single weight ranges W ≦ b and W> c of the articles not to participate in the combination calculation are automatically set. Then, when the activation switch is turned on, various devices of the combination weigher, for example, the vibrator 4 of the linear feeder, the weighing of articles in the weighing hopper 6, and the gate drive device 18 of the feed hopper 5 are operated (step 102). Then, the weight range determination means determines the weight W of the articles in each weighing hopper 6 within the range of b <W ≦ c, and selects the determined one (step 104). Next, b <W
If it is determined that the number of weighing hoppers 6 for storing articles having a weight within the range of ≦ c is equal to or greater than a preset specified number R (step 106) and the number is equal to or larger than the specified number, , B <W ≦ c, a combination of articles whose total weight is equal to or close to the desired target weight is selected (step 108). Then, the respective selected articles are discharged from the respective weighing hoppers 6,
The gate 30 of the collecting hopper 13 is thrown into the collecting hopper 13.
Is opened to supply the selected article to the packaging machine 14 (step 110). As described above, according to the combination scale with the weight selection function, the weight of one of the weighed articles is b <W.
Since the articles within the range of ≦ c are selected and the selected articles are combined and packaged in a pack, the variation in the weight of the articles packaged in one pack is adjusted within the range of b <W ≦ c. You can In addition, since the variation in weight of the articles packaged in one pack can be kept within the above weight range, when the specific gravities of the articles are substantially the same, the size of the articles packaged in one pack is The variation can be kept within a certain range. Then, since the articles within the range of W ≦ b and W> c are taken out from the combination scale, such articles do not stay in the weighing hopper 6, and as a result, the articles within the range of b <W ≦ c. Can be measured without delay.

In step 106, b <W ≦
The reason for determining whether or not the number of weighing hoppers 6 that store articles having a weight within the range of c is equal to or greater than the prescribed number R is that the combination calculation is performed based on the number of articles smaller than the prescribed number R. This is because there is a low probability that a combination of articles within the allowable weight range will be possible.

However, in step 106, b <W
When it is determined that the number of weighing hoppers 6 that accommodate articles having a weight within the range of ≦ c is less than the prescribed number R, articles having a weight within the range of W ≦ b or W> c (do not participate in the combination) It is determined whether or not the number of weighing hoppers 6 accommodating articles) is equal to or greater than a preset specified number S (step 112). The articles are discharged from the respective weighing hoppers 6 and loaded into the collecting hopper 13, the gate 31 of the collecting hopper 13 is opened, and the articles are supplied to the discharging conveyor 9 (step 114). Then, returning to step 102, in the same manner as described above, new articles are supplied to the weighing hopper 6 and the empty weighing hopper 6 that have discharged the articles not to participate in the combination, and b <W ≦ c to be joined in the combination. When it is determined that the number of weighing hoppers 6 that accommodate articles with weights within the range is equal to or greater than the specified number R, combination calculation is performed and the selected articles are supplied to the packaging machine 14 (steps 102 to 11).
0).

When it is determined that the number of weighing hoppers 6 containing articles having a weight within the range of W ≦ b or W> c is less than the specified number S, the articles are not discharged from the weighing hoppers 6. Then, the process returns to step 102 and the supply of articles to the empty weighing hopper 6 is repeated in the same manner as above. This completes one cycle of the metering and discharging operation. After that, the above operation is repeatedly executed until the operation stop command is received.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing the details of step 104 in FIG. 1, in which the weighed articles are b <W ≦.
It is a flowchart which shows the procedure which determines whether it is in the single weight range of c, or is in the single weight range of W <= b or W> c.

First, the arithmetic control unit 16 selects the No. of the n weighing hoppers 6. The weight W ₁ of the article in the first weighing hopper 6-1 is read (step 200), and this weight is b <W.
It is determined whether or not it is within the range of ≤c (step 20).
2). When it is determined that the weight W ₁ is within the allowable range of b <W ≦ c, No. The articles in the weighing hopper 6 of No. 1 are set within the permissible single weight range (step 2).
04). Items within this allowable single weight range are allowed to participate in the combination calculation. When it is determined that the weight W ₁ is not within the allowable range of b <W ≦ c, that is, within the range of W ≦ b or W> c (outside the allowable range), No. The articles in the first weighing hopper 6 are set as outside the permissible single weight range (step 204). Items outside this permissible unit weight range are
Do not participate in combination calculation. Similarly, No. 2,
Weights W ₂ , W of articles in the weighing hopper 6 of 3, ..., N
_3, ..., sequentially reads the W _n, respectively determined by whether the weight loaded thereon is in the range of b <W ≦ c,
Articles having respective weights W ₂ , W ₃ , ..., W _n are sequentially set as articles within the allowable single weight range or outside the allowable single weight range. This completes the selection of the weight of the articles to participate in the combination calculation.

The combination weighing machine with a weight selection function of the second embodiment is obtained by applying the present invention to the semi-automatic combination weighing machine shown in FIGS. This combination scale with weight selection function
As shown in FIG. 7, it has a main body frame 29 and a forehead plate 25 provided above it. The frame plate 25 is provided with 20 article supply ports 26-1 to 26-20. Inside the main body frame 29, weighing hoppers 27-1 to 27-20 are provided so as to be positioned below the article supply ports 26-1 to 26-20, respectively. These weighing hoppers 27-1 to 27-20 have gates 28-1 to 28-20 which are open on both sides. These gates 28-1 to 28-20 are opened / closed by gate driving devices 36-1 to 36-20 provided therein. Then, these weighing hoppers 27-1 to 27-2
0 is attached to the body frame 29 while being supported by the weight detectors 8-1 to 8-20. These weighing hoppers 27-1 to 27-20 have an article supply port 26-
1 to 26-20 are fed with articles and the gates 28-1 to 28-20 of the weighing hoppers 27-1 to 27-20 are opened.
The articles in 7-1 to 27-20 fall onto the transport conveyor 33 provided in the main body frame 29, and the transport conveyor 33
Are carried to the S, M, L, or other size storage boxes 37, 40, 41, or 42 shown in FIG.

The weighing of the articles supplied to the above-mentioned weighing hoppers 27 is performed by the weighing unit P shown in FIG. Although not shown in the figure, 20 sets of weighing units P are actually provided. The weighing unit P has a weight detector 8, and the weighing signal generated by each weight detector 8 is amplified by an amplifier (not shown) and is sent to the control unit Q via a multiplexer (not shown). It is supplied to the A / D converter 15, where it is converted into a digital weighing signal and supplied to the arithmetic control unit 39. The arithmetic control unit 39
When a predetermined activation signal is input from the operation setting display section 17, each weighing hopper 27-1 ...
The digital weighing signals of the articles supplied to are sequentially input, the combination calculation is performed based on these, and the articles to be discharged are determined.

When the articles in the weighing hoppers 27-1 ... Are discharged, the gate driving device 36 of the weighing unit A is driven by the drive circuit 38 to open and close the respective gates. The drive circuit 38 is also used when driving the transport conveyor 33 and the sorting devices 34 and 35.
Is driven by.

Further, the arithmetic control unit 39 includes a storage unit 21,
The timer 22 and the operation setting display unit 17 are connected.
The storage unit 21 has a RAM and a ROM, and stores a program corresponding to a flowchart described later, various operation constants, and the like. The timer 22 is the same as that of the first embodiment.

The operation setting display section 17 is equivalent to that of the first embodiment, and has a weight range setting means for setting a plurality of single weight ranges. In this example, assuming that the weight of one article is W, (a <W ≦ b), (b <W ≦
The case where c), (c <W ≦ d) and (W ≦ a, W> d) are set as the single weight range will be described. That is, two single weight ranges are set in the first embodiment, but four single weight ranges are set in the second embodiment. In addition, the unit weight range to participate in the combination calculation is (a <W ≦ b), (b <W ≦
c) and (c <W ≦ d), and the single weight range not to participate in the combination calculation is (W ≦ a, W> d). Furthermore,
Similar to the first embodiment, the operation setting display unit 17 can set various operation constants such as target weight, and can perform operation ON / OFF operation. In addition, the data can be displayed, and the printing unit 24 connected to the data can be displayed.
Can be activated.

The calculation control section 39 comprises a weight range determining means and a combination calculating means. The weight range determining means has a function of determining which of the three single weight ranges to participate in the combination calculation and the other single single weight range the weight of each article measured by the weight detector 8 belongs to. I have it.

The combination calculation means assigns priorities to the above three single weight ranges in the order of (a <W ≦ b), (b <W ≦ c), (c <W ≦ d), In order, it is determined whether or not the number of articles belonging to each single weight range is, for example, a predetermined number U or more, and when the number of articles belonging to a certain single weight range is U or more, the articles belonging to the single weight range Combinations of various weights such that the total weight is equal to or close to the desired weight (combination within the allowable weight range)
It has a function to select.

Next, the operation of the combination weigher with the weight selection function will be described with reference to the flow chart. FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing a program for operating this combination weigher with a weight selection function. This program is stored in the storage unit 21.
It is written in the ROM.

First, the operator operates the operation setting display unit 17 to perform various settings for operating the combination weigher and set a single weight range (step 300). In other words, as the unit weight range to participate in the combination calculation (a <W ≦ b),
(B <W ≦ c) and (c <W ≦ d) are set. Note that W
Is the weight of one article. Then, when the above three single weight ranges are set, the single weight ranges (W ≦ a, W> d) of the articles not to participate in the combination calculation are automatically set. Then, the activation switch is turned on, and the operator puts the articles to be weighed into the article supply ports 26 (step 30).
2) The items in each weighing hopper 27 are automatically weighed (step 304). Then, the weight range determining means determines the weight W of the articles in each weighing hopper 6 into four single weight ranges (a <W ≦ b), (b <W ≦ c), (c <W ≦ d).
And (W ≦ a, W> d), the unit weight range is determined, and the products belong to (a <W ≦ b), (b <W ≦ c) and (c <W ≦ d). Weighing hopper 27 for accommodating
Is selected (step 306). Next, first, (a <W
It is determined whether or not the number of weighing hoppers 27 that accommodate articles (S-sized articles) within the range of ≦ b) is equal to or greater than a preset specified number U ₁ (step 308). And (a
When it is determined that the number of articles within the range of <W ≦ b) is less than the specified number, then, the weighing hopper that accommodates the articles within the range of (b <W ≦ c) (the article of M size) The number of 27
It is determined whether the number is equal to or more than the specified number U ₂ (step 31
0). Then, when it is determined that the number of articles within the range of (b <W ≦ c) is also less than the specified number, the same process as in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7, the number of weighing hoppers 27 that accommodate articles (L-sized articles) within the range of (c <W ≦ d), and (W ≦
a, W> d), the number of weighing hoppers 27 that accommodate articles (outside size articles) within a range is a prescribed number U ₃ or V (V is
For example, it is 1/4 of the total number of weighing hoppers, that is, 5 units. )
It is determined whether or not the above (steps 312 and 31).
4).

When the weight is within the range of (a <W ≦ b), that is, when the number of S-size articles is equal to or more than the specified number U ₁ , combination calculation is performed based on the weight of the S-size articles. A combination of articles whose total weight is equal to or close to the desired target weight is selected (step 316). Then, the respective weighing hoppers 27 are provided for the selected respective articles.
And conveys it to the conveyer 33 and drives the conveyer 33 in the M and S directions shown in FIG.
The sorting device 34 is moved to a position parallel to the transport direction of the transport conveyor 33. As a result, the selected S size article is loaded into the S size storage box 37 (step 3).
22, 330).

In step 308, (a <W
Weighing hopper 27 for containing articles having a weight within the range of ≤b)
The reason why it is determined whether or not the number is equal to or more than the specified number U ₁ is the same as that described in the first embodiment, and when the combination calculation is performed, the probability of combination within the allowable weight range is increased. This is because.

Then, similarly to the above, the weight is (b <W≤
Articles within the range of c), that is, M-sized articles, have a prescribed number U ₂
If there is the above, a combination calculation is performed based on the weight of the M size articles, and the articles of the desired combination are selected (step 318). Articles whose weight is within the range of (c <W ≦ d),
That is, if the number of L-sized articles is U ₃ or more, L
A combination calculation is performed based on the weights of the sized articles to select the desired combination of articles (step 320). When the M size article is selected, the conveyor 3
3 is driven in the M and S directions, and the sorting device 34
Is moved to a position traversing the transport direction of the transport conveyor 33, and the selected M size article is loaded into the M size storage box 40 (steps 324 and 330). However,
When the L size article is selected, the transport conveyor 33 is driven in the L and size outside direction shown in FIG. 8 and the sorting device 35 is moved to a position traversing the transport direction of the transport conveyor 33 for selection. An L-size article is put into the L-size storage box 41 (steps 326 and 33).
0).

When it is determined that the out-of-size articles are equal to or larger than the specified number V, the out-of-size articles are discharged from the weighing hopper 27 without performing the combination calculation, and the conveyer 33 is moved to the L-outward direction. In addition, the sorting device 35 is moved to a position parallel to the transport direction of the transport conveyor 33, and the discharged out-of-size article is put into the out-size storage box 42 (steps 328 and 330).

As described above, according to the combination weigher with the weight selection function, the weight of each article weighed one by one is (a <W
≤ b), (b <W ≤ c) and (c <W ≤ d), it is determined which weight range they belong to, and since the articles that belong to the same weight range are combined and packed, 1
The weight range of the articles packaged in one pack can be made uniform within the above-mentioned constant weight ranges. That is, even if the weighed articles include those of S, M, and L sizes, the articles of S size can be packed with each other of S size. The articles can be packed in different sizes. Further, since the variation in weight of the articles packaged in one pack can be kept within the weight range to which the articles belong, when the specific gravities of the articles are substantially the same, the articles packaged in one pack The size variation can be kept within a certain range. Then, (W ≦ a, W
Since the articles within the range> d) are taken out from the combination weigher, such articles do not stay in the weighing hopper 6, and as a result, the weighing of the articles within the S, M, L size range is delayed. Can be done without.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the details of step 306 in FIG. 5, in which the weighed articles are (a <W
≦ b), (b <W ≦ c), (c <W ≦ d) and (W ≦
3 is a flowchart showing a procedure for determining which of the single weight ranges a, W> d) belongs to.

First, the arithmetic and control unit 39 selects the No. of 20 weighing hoppers 27. The weight W ₁ of the article in the first weighing hopper 27-1 is read (step 400), and this weight W 1
₁ is (W ≦ a, W> d), (a <W ≦ b), (b <W ≦
c) and (c <W ≦ d), the weight range to which the weight range belongs is determined in this order (step 40).
2, 404, 406, 408). And its weight W ₁
Is outside the allowable range of (W ≦ a, W> d), the article is set as an out-of-size article (step 41).
0). This out-of-size article is an article that is not allowed to participate in the combination calculation. Further, the weight W ₁ is (a <W ≦ b),
If it belongs to (b <W ≦ c) or (c <W ≦ d), the article is set to S size, M size, or L size (steps 412, 414, 416). The S, M, and L size articles are articles that participate in the combination calculation. Next, in the same manner, No. The weights W ₂ , W ₃ , ..., W ₂₀ of the articles in the weighing hoppers 6, ₂ , ₃ , ..., ₂₀ are sequentially read, and the respective weights read are in any of the above four weight ranges. It is determined whether or not they belong to the weight range, and the articles of the respective weights W ₂ , W ₃ , ..., W ₂₀ are sequentially set as S, M, L size articles or out-of-size articles (steps 418 to 452). ). This completes the selection of the weight of the articles to participate in the combination calculation.

However, in the first embodiment, the weighed articles are weight-sorted into two weight ranges of (b <W≤c) and (W≤b or W> c), and the weight variation of the articles ( b <
Although it is configured to make a pack within the weight range of W ≦ c), the weighed article as in the second embodiment is set to (a <W ≦
b), (b <W ≦ c), (c <W ≦ d) and (W ≦ a,
W> d) four weight ranges are selected, and the weight variations of the articles are (a <W ≦ b), (b <W ≦ c) and (c <
You may comprise so that a pack in three weight ranges of W <= d) may be produced. In this case, a distribution device for distributing the articles discharged from the collecting hopper 13 into S, M, and L sizes is provided, and the articles distributed by the distribution apparatus are packaged by the packaging machine 14 for each size. Good to do. Of course, in the first and second embodiments, the set number of the weight ranges of the articles that participate in the combination may be 2, 4, 5, 6, ... Other than the above.

Although the number of the weighing hoppers 27 is 20 in the second embodiment, other numbers may be used. It is necessary to increase the number of weighing hoppers 27 as the number of weight ranges for sorting increases.

[0041]

The combination weigher with a weight selection function of the present invention,
Since the combination calculation is performed based on the weight of each article belonging to the same weight range and the combination within the allowable weight range is selected, the variation in the weight of the articles constituting the selected set is determined by the weight to which the article belongs. It can fit within the range. That is, when the articles selected as the combination are packaged in one pack, the weight variation of the articles packaged in each pack can be kept within a predetermined weight range. As a result, unlike the conventional case, there is no need for a weight sorter for manually sorting the articles into each weight range or manual labor, and thus the cost or labor of the weight sorter can be reduced. .

Further, according to the present invention, since the variation in the weight of the articles selected for the combination can be kept within the weight range to which the articles belong, when the specific gravities of the articles to be weighed are substantially the same, the combination is There is also an effect that it is possible to keep the variation in the size of the article selected in a certain range.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of a combination weigher with a weight selection function according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing details of an operation procedure in step 104 shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is an external view of a combination weigher with a weight selection function according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an electric circuit of the combination weigher with a weight selection function of the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the combination weigher with a weight selection function according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a flowchart showing details of an operation procedure in step 306 shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the combination weigher with a weight selection function of the second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the combination weigher with a weight selection function of the second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an electric circuit of the combination weigher with a weight selection function of the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 6 weighing hopper 8 weight detector 16 arithmetic control unit 17 operation setting display unit Step 100 single weight range setting means step 102 weighing means step 104 weight range determining means step 108 combination computing means

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of weighing means for feeding articles to each of them, a plurality of weighing means for weighing the fed articles, a weight range setting means for setting two or more weight ranges, and an article weighed by the weighing means. A combination of weight range determining means for determining the weight range to which the weight belongs for each of the articles, and an article in which the total weight is equal to or close to a desired weight based on the weights of the articles belonging to the same weight range. A combination weighing machine with a weight selection function, comprising: a combination calculation means for performing a combination calculation to be selected.