JP3807515B2 - Article counting machine - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an article counting and feeding machine for automatically counting a predetermined number of articles and putting them in a packaging bag or the like set in a bagging and packaging machine.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As a device for automatically counting a predetermined number of articles, for example, a vibration type counting and throwing device as shown in Japanese Patent Publication No. 3-44253 or a so-called computer scale as shown in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 4-3236 is available. Are known.
However, when the above-mentioned type of device is used as a counting and throwing machine for articles such as meat balls, for example, the device is frequently cleaned (preferably every 4 hours) in order to prevent the meat balls from decaying or changing their taste. In any case, there is a problem that cleaning takes a lot of trouble. In addition, in the case of the vibration type, the meatball can be easily chipped or broken. Is expensive
[0003]
On the other hand, the automatic counting and throwing machine for meat balls currently used is an apparatus called a bucket type. As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, a plurality of buckets 3 each having a predetermined number of storage holes 2 for storing meat balls 1 one by one are connected, and an endless track A that is inclined by winding the bucket 3 around a sprocket 4 or the like is formed. In addition, a frame-shaped storage hopper 5 whose lower side is open is disposed in a lower region of the endless track A.
[0004]
When a number of meat balls 1 are stored in the storage hopper 5 and the endless track A is moved in the direction of the arrow, one meat ball enters the storage hole 2 of each bucket 3, and in the illustrated example, 10 meat balls at a time. Each bucket 3 takes out the ball. If the required number (packed number) is 10 at a time, the endless track A is intermittently moved by the width of the bucket 3 at a time to drop 10 meat balls 1 onto the hopper 6, and then the predetermined number. At this timing, the shutter of the charging hopper 6 is opened (indicated by a virtual line), and the meatball 1 is charged into a packaging bag set in a bagging and packaging machine (not shown). Reference numeral 7 denotes a fall-preventing cover installed close to the upper end of the endless track A, which prevents the meatballs that have entered the storage hole 2 of the bucket 3 from dropping unnecessarily until the meatball reaches the loading position. It is.
[0005]
By the way, in the illustrated apparatus, ten meat balls are taken out at a time by the bucket 3, but sometimes the meat balls may not enter all the ten storage holes 2. If the detecting device 8 detects a shortage of meatballs in a bucket, when the meatball stored in the bucket is dropped, the shutter of the refilling device 9 installed separately is opened. Open and replenish the missing meatball 1.
[0006]
Since the conventional automatic counting and throwing machine is configured as described above, it has the following problems.
{Circle around (1)} First, a separate replenishing device 9 is required in case the number of meat balls taken out by the bucket 3 is insufficient. Further, a time loss occurs due to the shortage of replenishment operations.
(2) In order to securely store meat balls in all the storage holes of the bucket, it is necessary to always store a large amount of meat balls in the storage hopper 5, and when the remaining amount decreases (for example, about 400 or less) If the number stored in the bucket 3 is insufficient, a time loss occurs due to replenishment, and if the remaining amount in the storage hopper 5 is further reduced, the insufficient number increases and there is no point in using this automatic counting charging device. Come.
[0007]
(3) When the required number of times is changed (for example, 10 → 11), it is necessary to replace all buckets (10 storage holes → 11) in order not to reduce the efficiency. This takes a lot of work.
(4) Recognizing the lack of product and defective color (koge) relies on manpower, which is a factor in increasing costs.
(5) When changing the size of the meatball, it is necessary to exchange all the buckets, which takes a lot of trouble.
{Circle around (6)} Cleaning is easier than with a vibration type or computer scale, but it still takes a considerable amount of time.
[0008]
Also, instead of the endless track A connecting the buckets, a rotating disk is used in which a predetermined number of storage holes are provided at regular angular intervals in the vicinity of the outer periphery (for example, four holes are formed every 90 °, 10 holes each). An automatic counting input device is also known. In other words, this rotating disk is installed at an inclination, a storage hopper for storing meat balls is provided in the lower area, and when the rotating disk passes through the lower area, one meat ball enters the storage hole one by one. When rotating and reaching the loading position, it is dropped and discharged downward.
[0009]
This automatic counting and throwing device throws the meatballs stored in the storage hole into a hopper or the like provided below the charging position by intermittently rotating the rotating disk at the above-mentioned angular intervals at a predetermined timing. Similarly to the automatic counting and throwing apparatus using the endless track A, the meatball may fail to enter the storage hole, and therefore a detection device and a replenishment charging apparatus for detecting the meatball entering the storage hole are provided.
[0010]
In this automatic counting and throwing device, when the required number of one time or the size of the meatball is changed, the disk is replaced, but this is very simple and does not take time, and the cleaning disk is removed. Since it can be simplified, there is an advantage that the endless track A does not have in that the time loss is small even if it is frequently cleaned. However, the above-mentioned problems (1), (2), and (4) are not different from the automatic counting input device using the endless track A. Also, as described above, there are many places where the storage holes are formed, so it is necessary to increase the speed of intermittent rotation to increase the efficiency, and at this time there is a problem that the meatball can easily be chipped. is there.
[0011]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The present invention was made in view of the problems of such a conventional counting input device, and can automatically and reliably insert a predetermined number of articles into a hopper or the like without a replenishment input device, The main objectives are to increase the capacity of the counting and throwing device, and to allow a predetermined number of articles to be thrown in without reducing the capacity even when the remaining amount of articles in the storage hopper decreases. Another object is to automatically identify a product (packaging bag) in which an article having a shape defect or a color defect is mixed, or to eliminate such a defective article.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In the article counting and throwing apparatus according to the present invention, a storage means for storing a large number of articles and a bucket having a storage hole for storing each article are connected in the transport direction to form an endless track, Conveying means for receiving the article in the storage hole when passing under the article stored in the storage means, and dropping the article from the storage hole at the article insertion position at the edge; and a driving means for driving the conveying means A plurality of sets of conveying means installed in parallel and driven by independent driving means, and detecting means for detecting the presence / absence of an article in each storage hole coming out of the storage means upstream of the article input position. When, with counting the number of articles conveyed to the article loading position on the basis of a signal of said sensing means, all or at least the driving means until the total number reaches the feed amount of 1 batch 1 Drives, characterized in that it comprises a control means for stopping when it reaches the feed amount of the single dose. In this counting and throwing machine, it is preferable that each bucket of each endless conveying means has one storage hole.
[0015]
Further, the article counting and throwing machine includes a hopper that once receives an article to be thrown in, and a weighing means for weighing the article thrown into the hopper, and the detecting means changes the shape and / or color of the article. A specific embodiment includes providing a means for identifying.
The article counting and throwing machine is appropriately applied to not only spherical objects such as meat balls and candy, but also disk-shaped objects and other shapes that can be stored one by one in the storage hole and separated from the storage position. be able to.
[0016]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described more specifically with reference to FIGS.
First, FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show a rotating disk type meatball automatic counting and throwing machine. In the vicinity of the outer periphery of the rotating disk 11, two rows of storage holes 12 are formed in the circumferential direction so as to penetrate the meat balls 1 one by one, and the positions of the storage holes 12 in each row are in the circumferential direction. If they are viewed, they are displaced from each other back and forth (it can be said that the storage holes are arranged in a staggered manner).
[0017]
The rotating disk 11 is placed in close proximity to and parallel to a sealing plate 13 installed at an inclination, and is rotatable by a motor 14. The seal plate 13 is located under the rotating disk 11 and prevents the meatballs stored in the storage hole 12 from dropping off. The seal plate 13 has a substantially rectangular opening, that is, a slot 15 at its highest position. ing. In addition, the periphery of the lower area of the rotating disk 11 is surrounded by a storage hopper 16 so that a large number of meat balls 1 can be stored therein.
[0018]
A detection device 17 such as a photoelectric sensor is placed corresponding to each row of the storage holes 12 just above the rotating disk 11 and slightly before the insertion port 15. This detection device 17 detects the presence or absence of a meatball in the storage hole 12, and the signal is sent to a control device (not shown). This detection is performed in synchronization with the position of the rotating disk, and the presence or absence of the meatball is detected every time the storage hole 12 comes to the detection position, so there is no counting error. In addition, a charging hopper 18 is installed at a position below the charging port 15 and is connected to a weighing device 19 for weighing the weight of the accommodated meatball. The charging hopper 18 once receives meat balls falling one after another from the charging port 15 and then opens the shutter at a predetermined timing after being accumulated once (see the virtual line), and puts it on a packaging bag set in a bagging and packaging machine (not shown). A predetermined number of meat balls are inserted.
[0019]
In the counting and throwing machine, when the meatball 1 is put into the storage hopper 16 and the rotating disk 11 is rotated, each one of the meatballs 1 is put into the storage hole 12 of the rotating disk 11, which is the upper inlet 15. And is dropped one by one from the input port 15 one by one (because the storage holes 12 are arranged in a staggered manner) and stored in the input hopper 18. In addition, the means for dropping meat balls one by one from the insertion port 15 in order is not limited to the above example. For example, the two rows of storage holes are arranged side by side in the circumferential direction without shifting back and forth, and thrown in instead. Appropriate means such as a method of making the shape of the mouth stepped can be used.
In addition, in order to prevent the meatballs from overlapping (a phenomenon in which another meatball is caught in the storage hole 12 in which the meatballs are stored and carried), a natural fall due to the inclination of the rotating disk, or a brush or scraper not shown in the figure. It is preferable to use conventional techniques such as drawing off by air and blowing away by air.
[0020]
On the other hand, the detection device 17 detects the presence or absence of a meatball in each storage hole 12 in front of the insertion port 15, and the detection signal is sent to the control device. The control device continues the rotation of the motor 14 until the number of meat balls 1 reaches the number of times of insertion, but when the number of meat balls 1 reaches the number of times of insertion, the motor 14 is controlled and the storage hole is opened. The rotary disk 11 is stopped at the timing when it comes over the insertion port 15 (the meatball is dropped) and the next storage hole is still in front of the insertion port 15 (the meatball does not fall).
[0021]
When a predetermined number of meat balls are stored in the charging hopper 18 in this way, the shutter is opened in accordance with the operation timing of the bag filling and packaging machine, and a predetermined number of meat balls are input into the packaging bag.
Next, when the shutter is closed, the motor 14 starts to rotate by the control device, and detection by the detection device 17 and counting of the detection signal are started.
[0022]
In this counting and throwing machine, the meat balls are actually detected and counted, and the rotating disk 11 continues to rotate until it reaches a predetermined number, so there are some storage holes 12 in which no meat balls are stored. But there is no shortage of input. Therefore, it is not necessary to install a replenishing / dispensing device that has been necessary in the past, and there is no time loss for replenishing / dispensing. And even if the remaining amount of meatballs in the storage hopper 16 is reduced and the number of storage holes 12 in which meatballs are not stored increases, any number of holes can be counted until the predetermined number is reached. Never lose a role.
Furthermore, this rotating disk 11 has a high processing capacity because the storage holes are continuously formed in the circumferential direction and the number of rows is set to two, and conversely, the rotational speed of the rotating disc is reduced. It is possible to prevent the meatball from being chipped.
Further, when the storage hole 12 of the rotating disk 11 is a straight hole as shown in FIG. 3A, the drag force is large in the dropping direction (indicated by an arrow), but the storage hole as shown in FIG. By making the taper hole 12 downward, even a resilient meatball that is somewhat deformed will easily fall because there is little drag in the drop direction.
[0023]
In this counting and throwing machine, even if the required number for one time is changed, an operation such as replacement of the rotating disk 11 is not necessary, and it can be handled by simply changing the number of meatballs. Further, the efficiency can be increased by using a rotating disk having a large number of rows of the storage holes 12. Furthermore, when the meatball size is changed, it can be easily dealt with simply by replacing it with a rotating disk having a different storage hole diameter, and the apparatus can be cleaned very easily and in a short time by removing the rotating disk.
[0024]
In the counting and throwing machine, when a required number of meat balls fall into the feeding hopper 18, the weight is weighed by the weighing device 19. Since the weight per non-defective meatball is almost constant, if the weight of the whole meatball is measured and it is less than the specified weight, it can be estimated that a meatball with a defective shape such as a chip is mixed. . In such a case, the meatballs in the charging hopper 18 are not charged into the packaging bag of the bagging and packaging machine, but are discharged into a separately prepared container and only the defective shape is removed, and the rest is returned to the storage hopper. After packaging, this packaging bag may be appropriately dealt with, such as being excluded as a defective product.
[0025]
In addition to identifying the presence or absence of a meatball as the detection means of the counting thrower, if a camera is used to identify the shape and color of the meatball, the image is processed to obtain a defective shape (chip) A color defect (burning) can be detected. If a meatball shape defect or color defect is detected, the meatball is not counted, and when it falls from the insertion port 15, the shutter is released and warped aside, so that it does not enter the insertion hopper 18, or The meatballs are counted, and after packaging, this packaging bag may be eliminated as a defective product.
[0026]
FIG. 4 shows a bucket-type meatball automatic counting and throwing machine. Here, a large number of buckets 22 having only one storage hole 21 are connected, and an endless track 23 is formed by winding the bucket 22 around a sprocket, and three endless tracks 23 (23a, 23b, 23c) are arranged in parallel. Is arranged. The endless tracks 23a to 23c are wound around sprockets that are independently driven, and can be independently rotated or stopped by a control device (not shown).
A fall-preventing cover 24 is arranged in the upper rotating portion of the endless tracks 23a to 23c to prevent the meatballs that have entered the storage hole 21 of the bucket 22 from dropping until they reach the loading position.
[0027]
A detection device 25 is installed corresponding to each endless track, just above each endless track 23a to 23c, near the top, and detects the presence or absence of meat balls in the storage holes 21 of the buckets 22 moving side by side. The signal is sent to a control device (not shown). This automatic counting and charging machine is also provided with a storage hopper and a charging hopper as in the conventional example shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, but is not shown for simplicity.
[0028]
In the counting and throwing machine, when the meat balls 1 are put into the storage hopper and the endless tracks 23a to 23c are rotated, one meat ball 1 is put into the storage hole 21 of each bucket 22 and is conveyed upward. Then, when it rotates at the top and passes the cover 24 (dropping position S), it falls and is accommodated in the charging hopper.
Each of the endless tracks 23a to 23c starts to move simultaneously with the buckets 22 arranged side by side, for example, and the presence or absence of meat balls in the storage holes 21 in which the detection devices 25 are arranged in three rows near the top of each endless track. Are detected in order, and the detection signal is sent to the control device.
[0029]
When the control device starts moving the endless tracks 23a to 23c at the same time, the detection device 25 sequentially detects the presence or absence of meat balls in the storage holes 21 of the buckets 22 in three rows. The controller counts the number of buckets that have detected meatballs, and when that number reaches the number of throws for one time, the entire bucket up to that point (including whether or not meatballs are detected) is counted once. This is the input. On the other hand, the control device continuously rotates the endless tracks 23a to 23c until all of the buckets for the one-time insertion reach the insertion position S (the meatball drops), and then stops.
[0030]
FIG. 5 is a development view of the endless tracks 23a to 23c described in order to explain the above points more specifically. In FIG. 5, a hatched circle indicates a storage hole in which a meatball is stored, and a simple circle indicates a meatball. Means a storage hole that was not stored. Here, for example, when the number of thrown ones is 10 and the meat balls are detected by the detector 25 by moving the endless tracks 23a to 23c, the meat in the buckets numbered 1 to 10 in FIG. A ball is detected and counted. In other words, the buckets in the hatched range are the buckets for one input (the buckets in the endless track 23c in the same sequence are also detected, but this is the next input), and all these buckets are in the input position. In order to bring to S, the endless tracks 23a to 23c rotate at the same time up to four buckets to drop the meatball, 23c stops there, 23a and 23b stop further after one bucket, 23b Drop a meatball. At this time, the arrangement of the buckets in the endless tracks 23a to 23c is as shown in FIG. 5B, and the bucket in the range enclosed by the oblique lines is the next input.
[0031]
When a predetermined number of meat balls are stored in the charging hopper in this way, the shutter is opened in accordance with the operation timing of the bag filling and packaging machine, and a predetermined number of meat balls are input into the packaging bag. Next, when the shutter is closed, the endless tracks 23a to 23c are simultaneously rotated again by the control device, and the next one bucket is moved toward the closing position S.
In the above example, the count of the detection signal by the detection device 25 is updated every predetermined number of times (10 in the above example), but the detection is continued while the endless tracks 23a to 23c are stopped. ing.
[0032]
In this counting and throwing machine, as in the case shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the number of throws does not run short no matter how many storage holes 21 in which meatballs are not stored. Therefore, it is not necessary to install a replenishing / dispensing device that has been conventionally required, and there is no time loss for replenishing / dispensing. And even if the remaining amount of meatballs in the storage hopper is reduced and the number of storage holes 21 in which meatballs are not stored increases, any number of holes can be counted until the predetermined number is reached. Never lose. Further, even if the required number for one change is changed, an operation such as exchanging buckets is not necessary, and it can be handled by simply changing the number of meatballs.
[0033]
In the above counting machine, three rows of endless tracks that are driven and controlled independently of each other are used. However, the number of rows can be changed as appropriate, and the control method is not limited to the above example. It can also be used without being driven independently (for example, the same drive control is performed for two rows and the other one row is controlled independently), and the number of meat balls to be conveyed is counted and inserted into the hopper. All or at least one endless track is driven until the number of meatballs reaches a predetermined number, and other control methods can be taken as long as the predetermined number of meatballs is reached and the endless track is stopped. Of course.
Further, in the above counting and throwing machine, as in the case shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the weighing hopper is combined with a weighing device, or a camera is used as a detection means to identify the shape and color of the meatball. It is free to do.
[0034]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, a predetermined number of articles can be automatically and surely loaded into a hopper or the like without a replenishing / dispensing apparatus, the capacity of the counting apparatus can be increased, and the remaining amount of articles in the storage hopper is reduced. However, a predetermined number of articles can be thrown in without reducing the ability. Further, even if the required number of times is changed, it can be handled without changing the conveying means.
Further, by combining weighing means with a hopper that once accepts an article to be charged, it can be detected when a meat ball having a poor shape such as a chip is mixed. If a camera is used to identify colors, shape defects (chips) and color defects (burnt) can be detected, products containing these (packaging bags) can be checked, and only defective articles can be excluded. It is also possible to prevent these from entering the product.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a side view for explaining an example of a counting thrower using a rotating disk as a conveying means.
FIG. 2 is also a plan view with a part cut away.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the shape of a storage hole of a rotating disk.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view for explaining an example of a counting thrower using an endless track with buckets connected as conveying means.
FIG. 5 is a development view of an endless track for explaining the control method.
FIG. 6 is a partially cutaway side view for explaining a conventional bucket type counting and throwing machine.
FIG. 7 is a plan view thereof.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the bucket.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Meat ball 11 Rotating discs 12, 21 Storage hole 13 Seal plate 15 Input port 16 Storage hoppers 17, 25 Detector 18 Input hopper 19 Weighing device 22 Bucket 23 (23a, 23b, 23c) Endless track S Input position

Claims (4)

A storage means for storing a large number of articles inside and a bucket having a storage hole for storing one article at a time are connected in the transport direction to form an endless track, and the bucket is below the article stored in the storage means. A conveying means for receiving the article in the accommodation hole when passing through the container and dropping the article from the accommodation hole at the article insertion position at the edge, and a driving means for driving the conveying means. Each of which is driven by an independent drive means, and further detects a presence or absence of an article in each storage hole that exits from the storage means on the upstream side of the article insertion position , and an article based on a signal of the detection means with counting the number of articles conveyed to the insertion position, the total number of whole or drives at least one of the drive means until it reaches the feed amount of one time, reaches the feed amount of 1 batch Article count-up machine, characterized in that it comprises a control means for come stopped.   2. The article counting and feeding machine according to claim 1, wherein each of the buckets of each endless conveying means has one accommodation hole.   The article counting and feeding machine according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: a hopper that once receives an article to be thrown in, and a weighing unit for weighing the article thrown into the hopper.   4. The article counting and throwing machine according to claim 1, wherein the detection means includes means for identifying the shape and / or color of the article.

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