JPWO2016027622A1 - Continuous dough weighing and cutting system - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is a weighing and cutting system that suppresses variation in weight of a piece of dough to be cut in response to fluctuations in the weight of continuous dough. The weighing and cutting system (1) according to the present invention for cutting continuous dough into dough pieces of a predetermined target cutting weight includes an inlet conveyor (2), a weighing conveyor (4), a cutting device (6), and a controller (16). Have The inlet conveyor (2) includes a first inlet conveyor (10), a weighing unit (12), and a second inlet conveyor (14). The controller (16) continuously determines the weight of a predetermined unit length in the continuous dough using the weighing unit (12), and determines the advance speed of the inlet conveyor (2) based on the unit length weight. The predetermined number of cuts per unit time is determined.

Description

  The present invention relates to a system that weighs a continuous dough such as a bread conveyed by a conveyor and cuts it with a target cutting weight.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a weighing and cutting system having an entrance conveyor for advancing continuous dough, a weighing conveyor disposed adjacent to and downstream of the entrance conveyor, and a cutting device disposed above the entrance conveyor and the weighing conveyor is known. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1). In such a weighing and cutting system, when the weight of the dough on the weighing conveyor reaches a target cutting weight (actually, a set cutting weight smaller than the target cutting weight), a signal is sent to the cutting device to activate the cutting device. . Thereby, the dough piece of the target cutting weight is cut from the continuous dough.

  The difference between the target cutting weight and the set cutting weight is the weight of the fabric that is not sensed by the weighing conveyor, including the weight of the fabric from the boundary between the entrance conveyor and the weighing conveyor to the cutting device and the activation signal. It includes the weight of the fabric advanced beyond the cutting device during the delay time from the moment of transmission to the actual cutting of the fabric. The delay time is caused by the calculation time of the controller, the response time of the system, etc., and becomes substantially constant once the system is determined.

JP 2003-000135 A

  The supplied continuous dough includes a relatively heavy part and a relatively light part. Specifically, when the dough mixed in batch mode is transported as a continuous dough, the specific gravity of the dough conveyed later is the specific gravity of the dough conveyed later by fermenting the dough. Smaller than. For this reason, the weight of the fabric that moves forward during the delay time and exceeds the cutting device gradually decreases, and the actual cutting weight tends to become light, and as a result, the variation of the cutting weight may occur as a whole. .

  Further, when the weight of the cut fabric piece is measured and fed back based on the measured weight, the feedback can cope with a gradual change in the specific gravity of the fabric that proceeds during the delay time. . However, if the specific gravity of the dough changes relatively rapidly to such an extent that it cannot be handled by feedback, the actual cut weight may vary.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a weighing and cutting system that suppresses variation in the weight of cut pieces of cloth (improves weighing accuracy) in response to fluctuations in the weight of continuous dough.

  In order to achieve the above object, a weighing and cutting system according to the present invention for cutting a continuous dough into dough pieces having a predetermined target cutting weight includes an inlet conveyor for advancing the continuous dough and an adjacent downstream of the inlet conveyor. And a controller connected to the inlet conveyor, the weighing conveyor and the cutting device at a downstream end of the inlet conveyor or between the inlet conveyor and the weighing conveyor. The controller sends a signal to the cutting device to activate the cutting device when the weight sensed by the weighing conveyor is a set cutting weight corresponding to the target cutting weight, and the inlet conveyor is configured with the first inlet conveyor; A weighing unit disposed downstream of the first inlet conveyor and downstream of the weighing unit; and a second inlet conveyor disposed downstream of the weighing unit; The trawler continuously determines the weight of the predetermined unit length in the continuous dough using the weighing unit, and based on the unit length weight, the advance speed of the entrance conveyor is set to the predetermined number of cuttings per unit time. It is characterized by deciding to do.

  According to the weighing and cutting system according to the present invention configured as described above, the weight distribution of the continuous dough is grasped by continuously determining the weight of the unit length in the continuous dough using the weighing unit of the entrance conveyor. . Then, based on the weight of the unit length, the advance speed of the entrance conveyor is determined and changed so that a predetermined number of cuts per unit time is achieved. Due to the forward speed, the weight of the continuous fabric exceeding the cutting device is made uniform during the delay time, and as a result, the variation in the weight of the fabric pieces to be cut can be suppressed.

  In embodiments of the present invention, the forward speed may be constant or may vary between cuts. If the advance speed changes, the advance speed may change from a relatively fast speed to a relatively slow speed between cuts and the next cut, or may change from a relatively fast speed to zero.

  If the forward speed changes, the weight of the continuous dough D over the cutting device 6 can be equalized and relatively reduced during the delay time that occurs when the cutting device 6 is operated. The variation in the weight of the cut piece can be further suppressed.

  In an embodiment of the invention, preferably the controller determines the unit length using an encoder coupled to the entrance conveyor.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, preferably, the weight of the unit length in the continuous dough is calculated by dividing the weight of the continuous dough sensed by the weighing unit by the set length of the weighing unit.

  In an embodiment of the present invention, preferably determining the advance speed of the entrance conveyor is the next target to be cut using the continuously determined unit length weight after activating the cutting device. This is done by calculating the expected length of the cut piece of dough and calculating the rate of advancement of the expected length of the continuous dough to be a predetermined number of cuts per unit time.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, preferably, the controller corrects the set length of the weighing unit based on the actual number of cuttings.

  In an embodiment of the present invention, preferably further comprising a second weighing conveyor disposed downstream of the weighing conveyor and connected to the controller, the controller cutting the dough pieces discharged from the weighing conveyor. The weight is measured by a second weighing conveyor and the set cutting weight is corrected based on the actual cutting weight.

  According to the weighing and cutting system of the present invention, it is possible to suppress the variation in the weight of the piece of dough to be cut in response to the change in the weight of the continuous dough.

1 is a schematic view of a weighing and cutting system according to the present invention. It is a figure explaining how to determine the weight of a unit length. It is a figure explaining how to determine the weight of a unit length. It is a figure explaining how to determine the expected length. It is a figure which shows the modification of a weighing cutting system. It is a figure which shows the modification of a cutting device. It is a figure which shows the modification of a cutting device.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a weighing and cutting system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  A weighing and cutting system 1 according to the present invention that cuts a continuous dough D into dough pieces having a predetermined target cutting weight includes an entrance conveyor 2 for advancing the continuous dough D and a downstream side adjacent to the entrance conveyor 2. 1 weighing conveyor 4 and a cutting device 6 arranged at the downstream end 2a of the inlet conveyor 2. Preferably, the weighing and cutting system 1 has a second weighing conveyor 8 and an outlet conveyor 9 arranged on the downstream side of the first weighing conveyor 4.

  The inlet conveyor 2 includes a first inlet conveyor 10, a weighing unit 12 disposed downstream of the first inlet conveyor 10, and a first weighing unit disposed downstream of the weighing unit 12. 2 inlet conveyors 14.

  The first entrance conveyor 10 and the second entrance conveyor 14 are belt conveyors that advance the continuous dough D supplied from a dough feeder (not shown), and are configured so that their advance speeds V1 are the same. Has been. In the present embodiment, the driving device 10a of the first entrance conveyor 14 and the driving device 14a of the second entrance conveyor are configured separately, but may be common. The first entrance conveyor 10 includes an encoder 10b that generates a pulse corresponding to the transport distance of the continuous dough D. The length of the second entrance conveyor 14 is, for example, 10 cm.

  In this embodiment, the weighing unit 12 includes three free rollers 12a and a load cell 12b that supports the free rollers 12a. The free roller 12a is freely rotatable so that the continuous dough D advanced by the first entrance conveyor 10 and the second entrance conveyor 14 can move on the free roller 12a. The number and diameter of the free rollers 12a are arbitrary, and the diameter of the free rollers 12a is 3 cm, for example.

  The first weighing conveyor 4 is a belt conveyor that measures the weight of the continuous dough D, and includes a belt conveyor portion 4b that includes a drive motor 4a and a load cell 4c that supports the belt conveyor portion 4b. The speed of the first weighing conveyor 4 can be switched between a forward speed V1, which is the same as the speed of the first inlet conveyor 10 and the second inlet conveyor 14, and a faster unloading speed V2. It is configured as follows. The length of the first weighing conveyor 4 is, for example, 12 cm.

  The second weighing conveyor 8 is a belt conveyor that measures the weight of the cut dough or the weight of the continuous dough D in cooperation with the first weighing conveyor 4, and includes a belt conveyor portion 8b including a drive motor 8a, and a belt conveyor. A load cell 8c that supports the portion 8b is provided. The speed of the second weighing conveyor 8 can be switched between a forward speed V1, which is the same as the speed of the first inlet conveyor 10 and the second inlet conveyor 14, and a faster unloading speed V2. It is configured as follows. The length of the second weighing conveyor 8 is preferably longer than the length of the first weighing conveyor 4 and is, for example, 30 cm.

  The downstream portion of the first inlet conveyor 10, the weighing section 12, and the second inlet conveyor 14, the first weighing conveyor 4 and the second weighing conveyor 8 each have a flat and horizontal conveying surface. It is configured to determine. The heights of these transport surfaces are substantially the same. However, in order to ensure that the dough rests on the free roller 12a, the height of the conveying surface of the free roller 12a is such that the conveying surface of the downstream portion of the first inlet conveyor 10 and the second inlet conveyor 14 It is preferable that the height is slightly higher than the height of the conveying surface, for example, it is preferably 2 to 6 mm higher. Moreover, it is preferable that the roller of the upstream end of the 1st weighing conveyor 4 and the 2nd weighing conveyor 8 is small diameter in order to make the clearance gap between conveyors small. With these configurations, it is possible to improve weighing accuracy.

  In the present embodiment, the cutting device 6 is arranged at the downstream end 2a of the second entrance conveyor 14 and is configured to cut the continuous dough D. Specifically, the cutting device 6 includes a cutter blade 6a disposed perpendicular to the fabric flow direction A, and a drive device 6b that drives the cutter blade 6a in the vertical direction. In the illustrated embodiment, the driving device 6b includes an air-operated air cylinder 6b and a solenoid valve (not shown) connected to the air cylinder. The driving device 6b may be an electric motor actuated type.

  The weighing and cutting system 1 further includes a controller 16 and an input device 18 such as an operation panel. The controller 16 includes an inlet conveyor 2 (first inlet conveyor 10, weighing unit 12, and second inlet conveyor 14), a first weighing conveyor 4, a cutting device 6, a second weighing conveyor 8, and an input device 18. (Not shown). The controller 16 also determines a predetermined unit length LU. In the present embodiment, the controller 16 determines the unit length LU using the encoder 10b coupled to the entrance conveyor 2. Although unit length LU is arbitrary, it is the moving distance of the entrance conveyor 2 equivalent to 1 pulse of the encoder 10b, for example.

  Next, the operation of the weighing and cutting system 1 will be described.

  A target cutting weight WT and a target production speed RT are set via the input device 18. In the present embodiment, the target production rate RT is the target number of cuttings NT per unit time (for example, per minute). As a result, the target production amount PT per unit time is calculated as WT × NT.

  The entrance conveyor 2 and the first weighing conveyor 4 are operated at the same advance speed V 1, and the continuous dough D is advanced from the entrance conveyor 2 to the first weighing conveyor 4. When the weight W1 sensed by the first weighing conveyor 4 is the set cutting weight WS corresponding to the target cutting weight WT (for example, when the set cutting weight WS is reached), a signal is sent to the cutting device 6 for cutting. The device 6 is activated. The difference between the target cutting weight WT and the set cutting weight WS is the weight of the dough that is not sensed by the first weighing conveyor 4, and includes the cutting device from the boundary between the inlet conveyor 2 and the first weighing conveyor 4. The weight of the continuous dough D up to 6 and the weight of the continuous dough D that has advanced beyond the cutting device 6 during the time from when the actuation signal is transmitted to when the dough is actually cut are included. The set cutting weight WS is determined empirically and may be feedback-controlled using the actual cutting weight WA measured by the second weighing conveyor 8 as will be described later.

  After cutting the continuous dough D, the speeds of the first weighing conveyor 4 and the second weighing conveyor 8 are operated at an unloading speed V2 higher than the advance speed V1, and the cut dough pieces are moved to the first weighing conveyor 4. To prepare for the next cutting of the continuous dough D.

  Preferably, the controller 16 returns the speed of the first weighing conveyor 4 and the second weighing conveyor 8 to the advance speed V1 when the cut dough pieces move to the second weighing conveyor 8, and the first weighing conveyor 8 The actual cut weight WA of the dough discharged from 4 is measured with a second weighing conveyor.

  Next, an example of how the controller 16 determines the forward speed V1 will be described.

  The controller 16 uses the weighing unit 12 to continuously determine the weight WU of the predetermined unit length LU in the continuous dough D. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the weight WU of the unit length LU is calculated by dividing the weight W2 of the continuous dough D sensed by the weighing unit 12 by the set length LS of the weighing unit 12. In the present embodiment, the weight WU of the unit length LU at the center of the weighing unit 12 is determined as the calculated value. Next, when the entrance conveyor 2 advances by the unit length LU, the same calculation is performed. By repeating this, as shown in FIG. 3, the weights WU1, WU2,... Of the dough subdivided into unit lengths LU over a distance L1 from the cutting position P1 by the cutting device 6 to the center P2 of the weighing unit 12. Is determined. The set length LS is the length of the weighing unit 12, but as described later, it is preferable that feedback control is performed using the actual number of times of cutting NA.

  Next, the controller 16 determines the advance speed V1 of the entrance conveyor 2 based on the weight WU of the unit length LU so that the flow rate of the continuous dough D is a predetermined constant flow rate. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, after the cutting device 6 is operated, the weight WU of the unit length LU determined continuously is used to determine the fabric piece having the target cutting weight to be cut next. The expected length L2 is calculated, the speed at which the continuous fabric D having the expected length L2 is advanced at a predetermined constant flow rate (production amount) is calculated, and is set as the forward speed V1. More specifically, WU1, WU2,... Are added in order, and the added number when the target cutting weight WT is reached becomes the expected length L2. As described above, the target production amount PT per unit time is the target cutting weight WT × the target cutting number NT per unit time. Thus, the forward speed V1 is calculated by the expected length L2 × the target cutting number NT.

  In the weighing and cutting system 1, the weight distribution of the continuous dough D is grasped by continuously determining the weight WU of the unit length LU in the continuous dough D using the weighing unit 12 of the entrance conveyor 2. Next, based on the weight WU of the unit length LU, the forward speed V1 of the entrance conveyor 2 is determined and changed so that the flow rate of the continuous dough D becomes constant. Thus, the weight of the continuous fabric D exceeding the cutting device 6 is made uniform during the delay time that occurs when the cutting device 6 is operated, and as a result, the variation in the weight of the cut fabric pieces can be suppressed.

  The controller 16 preferably corrects the set length LS of the weighing unit 12 based on the actual number of times of cutting NA. Specifically, the controller 16 calculates the actual number of cuts NA per minute. When the actual cutting number NA is different from the target cutting number NT, the actual cutting number NA is brought close to the target cutting number NT by correcting the set length LS of the weighing unit 12. For example, when the actual cutting number NA is smaller than the target cutting number NT, the set length LS is increased.

  The controller 16 preferably corrects the set cutting weight WS based on the actual cutting weight WA of the dough piece. Specifically, the average of the actual cutting weight WA is calculated. When the actual cutting weight WA is different from the target cutting weight WT, the actual cutting weight WA is brought close to the target cutting weight WT by correcting the set cutting weight WS. For example, when the average of the actual cutting weight WA is larger than the target cutting weight WT, the set cutting weight WS is decreased.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention described in the claims. Needless to say, these are also included within the scope of the present invention.

  In the above-described embodiment, the forward speed V1 is a constant speed calculated by the expected length L2 × the target number of cuts NT. However, if the target length of cuts NT is cut at the expected length L2, the forward speed V1 is arbitrarily set. It may be changed to. For example, until the cutting is performed at the expected length L2, first, the first forward speed V11 that is faster than the forward speed V1 is adopted, and then the second forward speed V12 that is slower than the forward speed V1 is used. It may be adopted. In this case, the weight of the continuous dough D exceeding the cutting device 6 is equalized and relatively reduced during the delay time that occurs when the cutting device 6 is operated. Can be further suppressed.

  In addition, the first forward speed V11 that is faster than the forward speed V1 is first adopted until the cutting at the expected length L2, and then the second forward speed V12 that is slower than the forward speed V1. Zero may be adopted. In this case, since the weight of the continuous fabric D exceeding the cutting device 6 becomes zero during the delay time generated when the cutting device 6 is operated, as a result, the variation in the weight of the cut fabric pieces is further suppressed. Can do.

  In the above embodiment, the unit length is the moving distance of the entrance conveyor 2 corresponding to one pulse of the encoder 10b, but the unit length is arbitrary, and may be a plurality of encoder pulses, such as 1 mm. It may be the actual length.

  In the above embodiment, the weight of the unit length LU of the continuous fabric D is determined by dividing the weight W2 sensed by the weighing unit 12 by the set length LS, but other methods may be adopted. Moreover, although the weight of the unit length obtained by division was made into the weight of the center of the weighing part 12, it is good also as a location other than that.

  In the above embodiment, the first entrance conveyor 10 and the second entrance conveyor 14 are configured to have the same advance speed V1. However, the advance speed V12 of the second entrance conveyor 14 is set to the first entrance conveyor 14. It may be faster than 10 forward speed V11. For example, when the dough is relatively hard like a cold dough such as a pastry, the advance speed V12 of the second entrance conveyor 14 is made faster than the advance speed V11 of the first entrance conveyor 10, thereby allowing If the continuous dough is slightly pulled so that the continuous dough is always brought into close contact with the free roller 12a, the weighing accuracy may be improved. When the advance speed V12 of the second entrance conveyor 14 is made faster than the advance speed V11 of the first entrance conveyor 10, for example, at a constant rate, the continuous dough on the second entrance conveyor 14 is conveyed without slipping. Even in this case, the control method and the correction described above can be employed.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the cutting device 6 was arrange | positioned in the downstream end part of the entrance conveyor 2, the cutting device 30 of a modification is like the weighing conveyor system 1 'of the modification shown in FIG. It may be arranged between the entrance conveyor 2 and the first weighing conveyor 4. Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the weighing part 12 was comprised by the free roller 12a, the weighing part 12 was comprised by the weighing conveyor 32 like the weighing conveyor system 1 'of the modification shown in FIG. May be.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the cutting device 30 includes an upper cutter blade 30a and a lower cradle 30b that are arranged perpendicular to the dough flow direction A and are arranged above and below the continuous dough. Drive devices 30c and 30d are provided for driving the cutter blade 30a and the lower cradle 30b in the vertical direction, respectively. In the illustrated embodiment, the driving devices 30c and 30d include air-operated air cylinders 30c and 30d and electromagnetic valves (not shown) connected to the air cylinders 30c and 30d. When the cutting device 30 is operated, the upper cutter blade 30a descends from above the continuous fabric, and the lower cradle 30b rises from below the continuous fabric, and at or near the continuous fabric, the upper cutter blade 30a. The front end portion of the lower pedestal 30b is engaged with the front end portion of the lower cradle 30b, thereby cutting the continuous fabric (see FIG. 6). In this modification, the height of the conveying surface of the first weighing conveyor 4 is preferably higher than the conveying surface of the second inlet conveyor 14, and is preferably 3 mm higher, for example. The position where the tip of the upper cutter blade 30a and the tip of the lower cradle 30b engage is preferably above the transport surface of the first weighing conveyor 4, for example, 1. It is preferably 5 mm or more. With such a configuration, the distance between the first weighing conveyor 4 and the cutting device 30 is reduced to reduce the amount of dough that is not placed on the first weighing conveyor 4 when the continuous dough is cut. Accuracy can be improved.

  The weighing conveyor 32 has a belt conveyor portion 32b including a drive motor 32a, and a load cell 32c that supports the belt conveyor portion 32b. The speed of the weighing conveyor 32 is preferably an advance speed V1 that is the same as the speed of the first inlet conveyor 10 and the second inlet conveyor 14. The height of the conveying surface of the weighing conveyor 32 is preferably slightly higher than the conveying surface of the downstream portion of the first inlet conveyor 10 and the conveying surface of the second inlet conveyor 14, for example, 2 to 6 mm higher It is preferable.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 1 'Weighing cutting system 2 Inlet conveyor 2a Downstream end part 4 First weighing conveyor 6, 30 Cutting device 8 Second weighing conveyor 10 First inlet conveyor 10a Encoder 12 Weighing part 14 Second inlet conveyor 16 Controller 32 Weighing conveyor D Continuous dough L2 Expected length LS Set length LU Unit length NA Actual number of cuts NT Target number of cuts V1, V11, V12 Advance speed V2 Unloading speed W1 Weight of continuous dough sensed by weighing conveyor W2 Weighing section Continuous fabric weight WA detected by WA Actual cutting weight WT Target cutting weight WS Set cutting weight WU Weight of unit length

Claims (10)

A weighing and cutting system for cutting continuous dough into dough pieces of a predetermined target cut weight,
An entrance conveyor that advances the continuous dough,
A weighing conveyor disposed adjacent to the inlet conveyor downstream thereof;
A cutting device arranged at the downstream end of the inlet conveyor or between the inlet conveyor and the weighing conveyor;
A controller connected to the first entrance conveyor, the weighing conveyor, and the cutting device;
The controller sends a signal to the cutting device to activate the cutting device when the weight sensed by the weighing conveyor is a set cutting weight corresponding to the target cutting weight,
The inlet conveyor includes a first inlet conveyor, a weighing unit disposed downstream of the first inlet conveyor, and a second weighing unit disposed downstream of the weighing unit. An inlet conveyor,
The controller continuously determines the weight of a predetermined unit length in the continuous dough using the weighing unit, and determines the advance speed of the inlet conveyor per unit time based on the weight of the unit length. Weighing and cutting system characterized in that it is determined to be the number of times of cutting.   The weighing and cutting system according to claim 1, wherein the forward speed is constant between cuts.   The weigh cutting system according to claim 1, wherein the advance speed varies between cuts.   4. The weigh cutting system of claim 3, wherein the forward speed changes from a relatively fast speed to a relatively slow speed between cuts.   4. The weighing and cutting system according to claim 3, wherein the forward speed changes from a relatively fast speed to zero between cuts.   The weighing and cutting system according to claim 1, wherein the controller determines the unit length using an encoder coupled to the entrance conveyor.   The weight of the unit length in the continuous dough is calculated by dividing the weight of the continuous dough sensed by the weighing unit by the set length of the weighing unit. The weighing and cutting system according to item.   Determining the advancing speed of the entrance conveyor means that after operating the cutting device, the weight of the unit cutting length to be cut next is determined using the weight of the unit length determined continuously. 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein an expected length is calculated, and a speed at which the continuous dough of the expected length is advanced is calculated to be a predetermined number of cuttings per unit time. The weighing and cutting system according to claim 1.   The weighing cutting system according to claim 1, wherein the controller corrects the set length of the weighing unit based on an actual number of cuttings. A second weighing conveyor disposed downstream of the weighing conveyor and connected to the controller;
The controller measures an actual cutting weight of the dough pieces discharged from the weighing conveyor by the second weighing conveyor, and corrects the set cutting weight based on the actual cutting weight. Item 10. The weighing and cutting system according to any one of Items 1 to 9.

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