JP6654857B2 - Weighing device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a weighing device incorporated in a production line for instant noodles and the like.

  As a method for producing noodles, mechanical noodle making using a noodle making machine is known. Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose a process in which noodle dough produced by adding water or the like to a noodle raw material such as flour and kneading is rolled into a band shape by a rolling roller to form a noodle band, and the noodle band is cut in the longitudinal direction. There is described a noodle making machine that performs a step of forming a plurality of thin noodles (noodle strings), a step of cutting the noodle strings in a width direction to a predetermined length of one ball, and the like.

  On the other hand, in the instant noodle production line, in addition to the above steps, a step of drying the noodle strings cut into a predetermined length of one ball into a mold frame and performing a drying process, and those that are determined to be non-defective in subsequent inspections It is provided with a packaging step for packaging.

JP-A-11-127763 JP-A-11-346638

  In the instant noodle production line described above, after the drying process is performed and before the packaging process, various inspections such as the weight, shape, and color of the noodles removed from the mold are performed, and the inspection is performed according to the standards. Those that are not are removed. Here, the weight of the noodles varies due to variations in the thickness of the noodle band when rolled by a rolling roller, etc., but if the weight inspection is performed almost at the final stage after the drying process, before the inspection is performed, There is a risk that a large amount of noodles with poor weight may be produced, and there is a problem that the noodles with poor weight are subjected to useless processing such as drying.

  An aspect of the present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and provides a weighing device capable of improving production efficiency in a production line for instant noodles and the like.

  The weighing device according to one embodiment of the present invention is supplied with a plurality of noodle strings that are cut to a predetermined length by a cutter arranged above and fall, and temporarily hold the plurality of noodle strings, and then downward. An upper hopper for discharging, and a plurality of noodle strings discharged from the upper hopper are supplied, and a weighing hopper for weighing the plurality of noodle strings and discharging the same downward is provided. A plurality of noodle strings discharged from the weighing hopper are supplied to a mold having a predetermined shape sequentially conveyed.

  According to the weighing device of one embodiment of the present invention, production efficiency can be improved in a production line for instant noodles and the like.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of a weighing device of a first configuration example of the present embodiment viewed from a side. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the weighing device of the second configuration example of the present embodiment as viewed from the side. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the weighing device of the third configuration example of the present embodiment as viewed from the side.

(Embodiment)
The weighing device of the present embodiment is supplied with a plurality of noodle strings that are cut to a predetermined length by a cutter arranged above and fall, and temporarily hold the plurality of noodle strings, and then discharge the noodle strings downward. An upper hopper and a plurality of noodle strings to be discharged from the upper hopper are supplied, and a weighing hopper is provided to measure the weight of the plurality of noodle strings and discharge the noodle strings to a lower side, and sequentially convey the noodle strings below the weighing hopper. A plurality of noodle strings discharged from the weighing hopper are supplied to the formed mold having a predetermined shape.

  According to this configuration, the weight of the plurality of noodle strings cut into a predetermined length is measured by the weighing hopper and then supplied to the mold. In the instant noodle production line, after the drying process and the like are performed on the noodle strings put in the mold, the weight and the like are inspected. Since the weight of the noodle strings is measured by the weighing hopper before the noodle strings are supplied to the formwork, it is possible to determine whether or not the noodles have a poor weight based on the weight of the noodle strings. In the case of noodles having a weight defect, for example, by stopping the entire production line and performing an appropriate treatment, it is possible to suppress the production of the noodles having a weight defect (improving the yield) and to reduce the weight of the noodles. It is possible to reduce the use of unnecessary processing such as drying in a post-process for the noodles, thereby improving the production efficiency.

  The weighing device may further include a determiner that determines whether the weight of the noodle strings in the weighing hopper is within an allowable weight range.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to determine whether or not the noodle has a weight failure based on the determination result of the determiner.

  In addition, the weighing hopper can selectively discharge a plurality of noodle strings in a first direction, which is a direction in which the noodle strings are discharged to be supplied to the mold, and in a second direction different from the first direction. When the weight of the noodle strings in the weighing hopper is within the allowable weight range, a plurality of noodle strings are discharged in the first direction, and the weight within the allowable weight range is determined. If not, it may be configured to discharge in the second direction.

  According to this configuration, when the weight of the noodle strings in the weighing hopper is not within the allowable weight range, by discharging the noodle strings in the weighing hopper in the second direction, it is possible to suppress the production of the noodles having a poor weight. In addition, it is possible to reduce the need for performing unnecessary processing such as drying in a post-process on noodles having a poor weight, and to improve production efficiency.

  Also, a plurality of noodle strings that are disposed between the weighing hopper and the form and are discharged from the weigh hopper are supplied, and the plurality of noodle strings are temporarily held and then discharged to the form. A lower hopper may be further provided.

  Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following, the same or corresponding elements are denoted by the same reference symbols throughout the drawings, and redundant description will be omitted. Further, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

[First configuration example]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of a weighing device of a first configuration example of the present embodiment viewed from a side.

  The weighing device W1 of this example is provided in the middle of an instant noodle production line, and includes an upper hopper 4, a weighing hopper 5, and a controller 10.

  In an instant noodle production line, for example, a process of adding water or the like to a noodle raw material such as flour and kneading to make a noodle dough, a process of rolling the noodle dough into a belt shape with a rolling roller to form a noodle belt, Into a plurality of thin noodles (noodle strings forming step), a step of cutting the noodle strings in the width direction to a predetermined length, and placing the noodle strings having the predetermined length into a mold. A drying process such as oil fry or hot air drying, and a packaging process of packaging non-defective products in subsequent inspections.

  Above the weighing device W1, a transport conveyor 1 that transports a noodle string group M1 composed of a plurality of thin noodle strings formed in the noodle string forming step in the direction of arrow a, and a discharge end of the transport conveyor 1 Below, a cutting device 2 is provided which cuts the continuous noodle string group M1 in the width direction and cuts it into noodle string groups M2 of a predetermined length. The noodle strings M1 and M2 are bundles of noodle strings.

  The continuous noodle string group M1 conveyed by the conveyor 1 is continuously carried out from the unloading end of the conveyor 1 and hangs down. Is cut off into a noodle string group (for example, a noodle string group for one ball) M2 having a length of.

  The cutter 2 includes a rotating roller 2b having one or two (two in this example) cutting blades 2a extending in the depth direction of the paper surface of FIG. 1 and an eccentric rotating roller (the rotating shaft is shifted rightward in FIG. 1). 2c), the rotating roller 2b rotates in the direction of the arrow b, and the eccentric rotating roller 2c rotates in the direction of the arrow d, so that the cutting blade 2a of the rotating roller 2b rotates the eccentric rotating roller every predetermined time. The noodle string group M1 is configured to be cut in contact with 2c. In this example, since the rotary roller 2b is provided with two cutting blades 2a, the eccentric rotary roller 2c is rotated at twice the speed of the rotary roller 2b. In addition, the cutting device 2 is not limited to the above-described configuration, and the cutting device 2 intermittently cuts the noodle string group M1 that is unloaded from the unloading end of the transport conveyor 1 and is continuously fed into the noodle string group M2 having a predetermined length. It is only necessary to be configured so as to be separated and dropped.

  Further, below the weighing device W1, there is provided a form conveying device 3 for transferring a plurality of metal forms 3a connected at a predetermined interval on a orbit. In this example, below the weighing hopper 5, the mold 3a is transported in the direction of arrow c. Each mold 3a is formed in a predetermined shape such as a round shape or a square shape according to the completed shape of the instant noodle.

  After the weight of the noodle string group M2 cut by the cutter 2 is measured by the measuring device W1, the noodle string group M2 is supplied to the mold 3a and conveyed to a subsequent process, where a drying process or the like is performed in the subsequent process.

  A plurality of noodle strings M1 arranged in the depth direction of FIG. 1 are formed by the plurality of noodle strings obtained by cutting the noodle belt in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, in this example, the weighing device W1 is provided corresponding to each of the plurality of noodle string groups M1, and the form transport device 3 is transported in the direction of the arrow c corresponding to each weighing device W1. It has a plurality of molds 3a.

  Next, the weighing device W1 will be described in detail.

  The upper hopper 4 is provided below the cutter 2 and is supplied with a group of noodle strings M2 that are sequentially cut to a predetermined length by the cutter 2 and fall, and temporarily hold the group of noodle strings M2 before discharging. can do. The upper hopper 4 is provided with a pair of discharge gates 4g, and by opening the pair of discharge gates 4g, the held noodle string group M2 can be discharged downward.

  The weighing hopper 5 is provided below the upper hopper 4, is supplied with the noodle string group M2 (object to be weighed) discharged from the upper hopper 4, and weighs the noodle string group M2 before discharging. it can. The weighing hopper 5 is provided with a pair of discharge gates 5g. By opening the pair of discharge gates 5g, the held noodle group M2 is discharged downward and supplied to the mold 3a. Can be. Further, the weighing hopper 5 is provided with a weight sensor 5s composed of a load cell or the like. The weight of the noodle string group M2 being held is measured by the weight sensor 5s, and the weight of the noodle string group M2 is controlled. Output to the container 10.

  The controller 10 is provided in each weighing device W1, is configured to control the operation of the weighing device W1, and is communicably connected to the system controller 11.

  Specifically, the controller 10 controls opening and closing of the discharge gate 4 g of the upper hopper 4 and controls opening and closing of the discharge gate 5 g of the weighing hopper 5.

  Further, the controller 10 acquires the weight of the noodle string group M2 in the weighing hopper 5 from the weight sensor 5s, and determines whether or not the weight of the noodle string group M2 is within a preset allowable weight range. A determination is made (function as a determiner), and if the weight is not within the allowable weight range, a weight abnormality signal is generated and transmitted to the system controller 11.

  The system controller 11 is a controller that controls the entire production line including the transport conveyor 1, the cutter 2, the weighing device W1, the form transport device 3, and the like. As described above, the weighing device W1 is directly controlled by the controller 10.

  The system controller 11 normally operates the conveyor 1 at a predetermined speed and operates the cutter 2 at a predetermined cutting speed. Further, the form conveying device 3 is operated so as to convey each form 3a at a predetermined speed in the direction of arrow c.

  Then, for example, in a state where the noodle string group M2 is supplied to the upper hopper 4 and the weighing hopper 5, a supply command is transmitted from the system controller 11 to the controller 10 at predetermined time intervals. The controller 10 opens and closes the discharge gate 5g of the weighing hopper 5 every time the supply command is received, and supplies the noodle strings group M2 in the weighing hopper 5 to the mold 3a that has been conveyed immediately below. Subsequently, the discharge gate 4g of the upper hopper 4 is opened and closed to supply the noodle strings group M2 in the upper hopper 4 to the measuring hopper 5. When the weighing device W1 performs the above-described operation based on the supply command from the system controller 11, the noodle string group M2 discharged from the weighing hopper 5 is contained in the mold 3a conveyed immediately below. It is configured.

  When the system controller 11 receives the above-mentioned weight abnormality signal from any one of the controllers 10, for example, it takes emergency measures. As this emergency measure, for example, the entire production line is stopped, and a notification means (not shown) is notified that a weight abnormality has occurred. The notification means may be configured by a display device or the like capable of displaying characters and the like.

  Here, for example, when the system controller 11 receives weight abnormality signals simultaneously from the controllers 10 of two or more predetermined number of the weighing devices W1 out of the plurality of weighing devices W1, the emergency control is performed. An emergency measure may be taken when a weight abnormality signal is received two or more predetermined times consecutively from a certain weighing device W1. In other words, the system controller 11 may be configured not to take an emergency measure, for example, when a single weight abnormality signal is received from one controller 10 once.

  The controller 10 and the system controller 11 can be configured by, for example, a microcontroller or the like. Further, the system controller 11 may be configured by a single controller that performs centralized control, or may be configured by a plurality of controllers that perform distributed control in cooperation with each other. Further, the plurality of controllers 10 may be configured by one controller, or the controller 10 may be configured to be included in the system controller 11.

  In the first configuration example, since the weighing device W1 is provided for each of all the noodle string groups M2 cut to a predetermined length, all the noodle string groups before being supplied to the mold 3a. The weight of M2 can be weighed.

  Then, when the controller 10 generates a weight abnormality signal, that is, when the weight of the noodle string group M2 in the weighing hopper 5 is not within the allowable weight range, for example, the entire production line is stopped and appropriate measures (for example, Adjustment of the thickness of the noodle band, adjustment of the length of the noodle string group M2, etc.). Therefore, it is possible to suppress the production of noodles having a poor weight (improve the yield), and to reduce the need for performing unnecessary processing such as a drying process in a post-process on the noodles having a poor weight, thereby improving the production efficiency. Improvement can be achieved.

  For example, when there is no upper hopper 4 and the vertically long noodle string group M2 cut by the cutter 2 is supplied to the weighing hopper 5, the vertically long noodle string group M2 is supplied to the weighing hopper 5. It takes a long time until all the noodle strings M2 are stored in the weighing hopper 5 and the weighing is completed after the process is started. On the other hand, as in the present example, the upper hopper 4 is provided immediately above the weighing hopper 5, and the lump noodle group M2 in the upper hopper 4 is supplied to the weighing hopper 5 so that 4, the time required from when the noodle string group M2 is supplied to the weighing hopper 5 until the weighing by the weighing hopper 5 is completed can be reduced. Therefore, it is possible to shorten the discharge time interval of the weighing hopper 5, and it is possible to cope with an increase in the production speed of the entire production line and an increase in the transfer speed of the continuously transported form 3a.

[Second configuration example]
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the weighing device of the second configuration example of the present embodiment as viewed from the side.

  The weighing device W2 of this example is provided in the middle of the instant noodle production line similarly to the weighing device W1 described above, and includes an upper hopper 4, a weighing hopper 5, a lower hopper 6, and a controller 10. .

  In the weighing device W2, unlike the weighing device W1 described above, the lower hopper 6 is provided below the weighing hopper 5, and the controller 10 also controls opening and closing of the discharge gate 6g of the lower hopper 6. Is similar to that of the above-described weighing device W1.

  The lower hopper 6 is supplied with the noodle string group M2 discharged from the weighing hopper 5, and can temporarily discharge the noodle string group M2 after temporarily holding the noodle string group M2. The lower hopper 6 is provided with a pair of discharge gates 6g. By opening the pair of discharge gates 6g, the held noodle string group M2 is discharged downward and supplied to the mold 3a. Can be.

  Then, for example, in a state where the noodle string group M2 is supplied to the upper hopper 4, the weighing hopper 5, and the lower hopper 6, a supply command is transmitted from the system controller 11 to the controller 10 at predetermined time intervals. The controller 10 opens and closes the discharge gate 6g of the lower hopper 6 every time the supply command is received, and supplies the noodle group M2 in the lower hopper 6 to the form 3a which has been conveyed immediately below. Subsequently, the discharge gate 5g of the weighing hopper 5 is opened and closed to supply the noodle strings group M2 in the weighing hopper 5 to the lower hopper 6. Subsequently, the discharge gate 4g of the upper hopper 4 is opened and closed to supply the noodle strings group M2 in the upper hopper 4 to the measuring hopper 5. When the weighing device W2 performs the above-described operation based on the supply command from the system controller 11, the noodle string group M2 discharged from the lower hopper 6 is set in the form 3a conveyed immediately below. It is configured.

  Also in the case of the second configuration example, the system controller 11 can take an emergency measure based on the weight abnormality signal from the controller 10. In the second configuration example, the same effect as in the first configuration example can be obtained.

[Third configuration example]
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the weighing device of the third configuration example of the present embodiment as viewed from the side.

  The weighing device W3 of this example is provided in the middle of the instant noodle production line similarly to the weighing devices W1 and W2 described above, and includes an upper hopper 4, a weighing hopper 5, a lower hopper 6, and a controller 10. ing.

  In the weighing device W3, the two discharge gates 5g1 and 5g2 of the weighing hopper 5 are configured to be independently openable and closable, and the noodle string group M2 is discharged in the first direction by opening one of the discharge gates 5g1. By opening the other discharge gate 5g2, the noodle string group M2 can be discharged in a second direction different from the first direction. That is, the weighing hopper 5 in this example is configured to be capable of selectively discharging the held noodle string group M2 in the first direction and the second direction.

  In this example, the lower hopper 6 is provided diagonally below the weighing hopper 5 so that the noodle string group M2 discharged when one of the discharge gates 5g1 of the weighing hopper 5 is opened is supplied to the lower hopper 6. Have been. Other configurations are the same as those of the weighing device W2 of the second configuration example.

  In this example, a discharge device 7 is provided for receiving the noodle string group M2 discharged when the other discharge gate 5g2 of the weighing hopper 5 is opened. The discharging device 7 may be configured by, for example, a conveyor that transports the noodle string group M2, or may be configured by a chute that is inclined so that the noodle string group M2 can slide down.

  In the case of the third configuration example, the controller 10 acquires the weight of the noodle string group M2 in the weighing hopper 5 from the weight sensor 5s, and the weight of the noodle string group M2 falls within a predetermined allowable weight range. The discharge gate 5g1 is opened and closed at a predetermined timing based on a supply command from the system controller 11, and if the weight is within the allowable weight range, the noodle band group M2 in the weighing hopper 5 is determined. Is discharged to the empty lower hopper 6. If the weight of the noodle string group M2 is not within the allowable weight range, control is performed so that the discharge gate 5g2 is opened and closed to discharge the noodle string group M2 in the weighing hopper 5 to the discharge device 7.

  Here, when the weight of the noodle string group M2 in the weighing hopper 5 is not within the allowable weight range, the controller 10 does not transmit the weight abnormality signal to the system controller 11 as in the first and second configuration examples.

  Configurations and operations other than those described above are the same as those in the second configuration example.

  In the case of the third configuration example, when the weight of the noodle string group M2 in the weighing hopper 5 is not within the allowable weight range, by discharging the noodle string group M2 to the discharging device 7, it is possible to suppress the production of noodles having a weight failure and to reduce the weight failure. It is possible to reduce the need for performing unnecessary processing such as drying in a subsequent step on the noodles to be produced, and to improve the production efficiency.

  In addition, also in the third configuration example, the controller 10 generates a weight abnormality signal as in the first and second configuration examples when the weight of the noodle string group M2 in the weighing hopper 5 is not within the allowable weight range. May be transmitted to the system controller 11. In this case, the system controller 11 may take emergency measures such as stopping the entire production line based on, for example, the frequency of occurrence of the weight abnormality signal.

  Further, in the third configuration example, the noodle string group M2 discharged from the weighing hopper 5 when the discharge gate 5g1 is opened may be directly supplied to the mold 3a without providing the lower hopper 6. Good.

  In the above-described first to third configuration examples, one noodle string group M2 cut by the cutter 2 is configured to be supplied to one mold 3a. The plurality (for example, two) of the noodle string groups M2 may be supplied to one mold 3a. In this case, for example, the plurality of noodle string groups M2 continuously cut by the cutter 2 are held by the upper hopper 4, and the plurality of noodle string groups M2 are supplied from the upper hopper 4 to the weighing hopper 5, and the weighing hopper 5 5, the weight of the plurality of noodle strings group M2 may be measured. Alternatively, each time the cutter 2 cuts, the upper hopper 4 temporarily holds one noodle string group M2 and supplies it to the weighing hopper 5, and a plurality of noodle strings continuously supplied from the upper hopper 4 a plurality of times. The noodle string group M2 may be held by the weighing hopper 5 and the weight of the plurality of noodle string groups M2 may be measured by the weighing hopper 5.

  In addition, in the said embodiment, although the noodle string group was illustrated as an object supplied to a hopper, it is not limited to this. The present technology can also be applied to thread-like objects other than the noodle strings.

  From the above description, many modifications and other embodiments of the present invention are obvious to one skilled in the art. Accordingly, the above description should be construed as illustrative only and is provided for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art the best mode of carrying out the invention. Details of its structure and / or function may be substantially changed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION This invention is useful as a measuring device etc. which can aim at the improvement of production efficiency in the production line of instant noodles etc.

W1, W2, W3 Weighing device 2 Cutting device 3a Mold 4 Upper hopper 5 Weighing hopper 6 Lower hopper 10 Controller 11 System controller

Claims (4)

After a plurality of noodle strings cut to a predetermined length by a cutter are put in a mold of a predetermined shape, a measuring device provided in the middle of a production line in which the drying processing of the noodle strings is performed, ,
It said cutting instrument is provided below, the plurality of noodle strings plurality of noodle strings hanging state falls disconnected to the predetermined length by the cutter supply temporary noodles of the plurality of An upper hopper that discharges downward after holding,
A plurality of noodle strings discharged from the upper hopper are supplied, comprising a weighing hopper that weighs the plurality of noodle strings and discharges downward.
Wherein the mold coming sequentially conveyed downward of the weighing hoppers, a plurality of noodle strings are discharged from the weighing hoppers is configured to be supplied, the metering device. Further comprising a determiner to determine whether the weight of the noodle strings in the weighing hopper is within the allowable weight range,
The weighing device according to claim 1. The weighing hopper is
A first direction, which is a direction for discharging a plurality of noodle strings to be supplied to the mold, and a second direction different from the first direction can be selectively discharged, and
As a result of the determination by the determiner, when the weight of the noodle strings in the weighing hopper is within the allowable weight range, a plurality of noodle strings are discharged in the first direction. Configured to discharge in a second direction,
The weighing device according to claim 2. A plurality of noodle strings arranged between the weighing hopper and the formwork and discharged from the weighing hopper are supplied, and after temporarily holding the plurality of noodle strings, the lower hopper is discharged to the formwork. Further equipped with
The weighing device according to claim 1.

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