JP2018184260A - Article supply device and measuring system provided with the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To automatically distribute and supply an article to a plurality of supply destinations. SOLUTION: A pre-stage transport mechanism 3 for transporting an article w along a single transport path, and an allowable state for passing and moving the transported article w at a plurality of locations in a transport direction of the pre-stage transport mechanism 3. The article discharge mechanism 4 that can be switched to the discharge state of discharging to the outside of the transport path, the distribution transport mechanism 5 that distributes and transports the article w discharged by the article discharge mechanism 4 to a plurality of different locations, and the transport route are conveyed. A first article detecting means for detecting an article w, a plurality of second article detecting means for detecting an article discharged out of a transport path, a third article detecting means for detecting an article in the distribution transport mechanism 5, and the above. A control means for controlling the article discharge mechanism 4 based on the output of each article detection means is provided. [Selection diagram] Fig. 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an article supply apparatus that supplies various articles to a plurality of locations and a weighing system including the article supply. More specifically, the present invention is suitable for supplying articles to a semi-automatic combination weigher in which articles are manually supplied. The present invention relates to an article supply apparatus and a weighing system including the same.

  As an apparatus to which articles are supplied, for example, there is a combination weigher. This combination weigher has a plurality of weighing units, and selects and selects a combination of weighing units in which a combined weight, which is a total weight obtained by combining various weights of articles supplied to each weighing unit, falls within a predetermined weight range. It discharges the goods in the measuring section.

  Combination weighers can be broadly classified into automatic, semi-automatic, and manual types depending on the method of supplying and discharging articles to the weighing unit. In the manual combination weigher, supply and discharge of articles are performed manually. In the semi-automatic combination weigher, the article is supplied manually and the article is automatically discharged. Further, in an automatic combination weigher, supply and discharge of articles are automatically performed regardless of human hands.

  Semi-automatic combination weighers manually supply articles to the combination weigher, so that the unit weight is relatively large and irregular, or difficult to handle by machines, such as sticky chicken pieces or seafood It is suitable for handling.

  As such a semi-automatic combination weigher that manually supplies articles, for example, Patent Document 1 includes a circulation conveyor that circulates articles around the input ports of a plurality of weighing hoppers of the combination weigher. There is described a combination weigher in which a person can grab an article on a circulation conveyor in the vicinity of a loading port of each weighing hopper and put it into the loading port. In addition, in Patent Document 2, by manually placing an article on a plurality of supply conveyors, the articles are supplied to each of the plurality of weighing conveyors by each supply conveyor and weighed. A combination weigher that selects a combination of weighing conveyors in which the combined weight, which is a total weight of various combinations of weights, falls within a predetermined weight range, and discharges the articles on the selected weighing conveyor through the collective conveyor is described. Has been.

Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 60-7033 JP 2012-251990 A

  Each of the semi-automatic combination weighers described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 above requires an operator to grab and supply articles on a plurality of weighing hoppers and a plurality of supply conveyors. It took a lot of labor to measure the articles.

  For this reason, the present applicant has proposed an article supply apparatus capable of automatically distributing and supplying articles to a plurality of suppliers as Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-12942 on January 27, 2017.

  According to the proposed article supply apparatus, when an article is supplied on the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the preceding conveyance mechanism, the article conveyed by the preceding conveyance mechanism is discharged out of the conveyance path by the article discharge mechanism at a plurality of locations on the conveyance path. The discharged articles are further distributed and transported to a plurality of locations by the distribution transport mechanism. Therefore, for example, when the article discharge mechanism is arranged at three locations on the transport path and is further distributed to three locations by the distribution transport mechanism, the articles supplied at one location upstream of the front-stage transport mechanism are set to a predetermined 9 It becomes possible to distribute and supply to locations.

  Thus, for example, by supplying an article that has been manually supplied to a semi-automatic combination weigher to one place upstream of the front-stage transport mechanism, a plurality of article inlets of the semi-automatic combination weigher can be supplied. Since articles can be distributed and supplied, it is not necessary for the operator to grab the articles one by one and put them into the article input port of the semi-automatic combination weigher, which greatly reduces the labor of the operator. Will be.

  Here, in the above-described article supply apparatus, the article discharge mechanism is arranged at, for example, three places on the conveyance path, that is, three places upstream, midstream, and downstream in the conveyance direction of the article, and conveyed by the article discharge mechanism at each place. Assume that articles are discharged and supplied to each of the three distribution transport mechanisms outside the route.

  When it is necessary to discharge the articles to the three distribution transport mechanisms in the same way, if the three article discharge mechanisms are simply discharged in the same manner, the upstream article discharge mechanism can handle the articles. Although it can be discharged to the distribution and transport mechanism, in the downstream article discharge mechanism, the article is discharged to the corresponding distribution and transport mechanism by the upstream article discharge mechanism. In the article discharge mechanism, it is difficult to discharge the articles to the corresponding distribution transport mechanism.

  As described above, the amount of articles discharged to the distribution and transport mechanism increases as the upstream-side article discharge mechanism increases, and the discharge of articles to the distribution and transport mechanism may vary between the upstream side and the downstream side.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and is capable of automatically distributing and supplying articles to a plurality of supply destinations as well as supplying articles according to requests from a plurality of supply destinations. It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and a weighing system including the apparatus.

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

  (1) The article supply apparatus according to the present invention includes a front stage transport mechanism that transports a supplied article through a single transport path, and a plurality of locations on the transport path along the transport direction of the article by the front stage transport mechanism. A plurality of article discharge mechanisms that can be switched between a permissible state that allows passage of the conveyed article and a discharge state that discharges the conveyed article out of the conveyance path, and the conveyance by the plurality of article discharge mechanisms. Each of the articles discharged out of the path is supplied, and a plurality of distribution transport mechanisms that transport the supplied articles and distribute them to a plurality of distribution destinations, and a first that detects the articles transported through the transport path One article detection means, a plurality of second article detection means for detecting articles discharged out of the transport path by the plurality of article discharge mechanisms, and an article in the plurality of distribution transport mechanisms. Based on the output of the third article detection means, the output of the first article detection means, the output of the second article detection means, and the output of the third article detection means, the allowable state and the discharge of the article discharge mechanism Control means for switching and controlling the state.

  According to the article supply apparatus of the present invention, when an article is supplied on the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the preceding conveyance mechanism, the article conveyed by the preceding conveyance mechanism is discharged out of the conveyance path by the article discharge mechanism at a plurality of locations on the conveyance path. The discharged articles are further distributed and transported to a plurality of locations by the distribution transport mechanism. Therefore, for example, when the article discharge mechanism is arranged at three locations on the transport path and is further distributed to three locations by the distribution transport mechanism, the articles supplied at one location upstream of the front-stage transport mechanism are set to a predetermined 9 It becomes possible to distribute and supply to locations.

  As a result, for example, by supplying an article that has been manually supplied to a semi-automatic combination weigher to one place on the upstream side of the pre-stage transport mechanism, a plurality of article input ports of the semi-automatic combination weigher are provided. Since articles can be distributed and supplied, it is not necessary for the operator to grab the articles one by one and put them into the article input port of the semi-automatic combination weigher, which greatly reduces the labor of the operator. Is done.

  Further, according to the article supply apparatus of the present invention, the articles are discharged by the plurality of article discharge mechanisms based on the output of the first article detection means, the output of the second article detection means, and the output of the third article detection means. Since the control is performed, the articles can be discharged and supplied to the distribution / conveyance mechanism having no articles based on the output of the third article detection means for detecting the articles in the distribution / conveyance mechanism.

  In addition, since the first article detection unit detects the article conveyed on the conveyance path, for example, the amount of the article conveyed on the conveyance path is grasped based on the detection time of the article by the first article detection unit. It becomes possible.

  Therefore, for example, the first article detection means transports at least the amount necessary for the discharge of the article by the article discharge mechanism on the downstream side to the downstream side in the article conveyance direction from the upstream article discharge mechanism. The discharge of the article by the upstream article discharge mechanism can be controlled. As a result, the necessary amount of articles is conveyed to the article discharge mechanism on the downstream side in the article conveyance direction, and the articles are discharged to the distribution conveyance mechanism by the article discharge mechanism on the downstream side. Compared to the downstream article discharge mechanism, it is possible to improve a state in which a large number of articles are discharged to the distribution transport mechanism by the upstream article discharge mechanism.

  Further, since the plurality of second article detection means respectively detect the articles discharged out of the conveyance path, the discharge of the articles by the plurality of article discharge mechanisms is controlled based on the outputs of the plurality of second article detection means. Accordingly, for example, it is possible to control the amount of articles discharged and supplied to the distribution and transport mechanism detected by the second article detection unit to be a required amount.

  (2) According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there are provided a plurality of subsequent transport mechanisms for transporting the articles distributed to the respective distribution destinations by the distribution transport mechanism.

  According to this embodiment, since the articles distributed by the distribution transport mechanism are further transported to the article supply destination by the rear transport mechanism, the rear transport mechanism transports the articles at an arbitrary transport speed or stops transport. Accordingly, it becomes easy to supply the article at a timing according to the request of the supply destination of the article.

  (3) In one embodiment of the present invention, the latter-stage transport mechanism is a vibration feeder that vibrates and transports the article in a certain direction.

  According to this embodiment, it is possible to transport articles that are difficult to transport by changing the vibration amplitude and the like to increase the transport force, and also separate the articles transported in an adjacent state into individual articles by vibration. Can be transported.

  (4) In one embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of the first article detection means are provided, and the plurality of first article detection means respectively correspond to the plurality of article discharge mechanisms and detect a plurality of the conveyance paths. Each of the articles passing through the region is detected and a detection output is output to the control means.

  The plurality of first article detection means respectively correspond to the plurality of article discharge mechanisms, and the detection time of the article by the first article detection means is a time during which an article passing through the plurality of detection areas of the conveyance path is detected. There is a time corresponding to the amount of articles to be conveyed.

  According to this embodiment, the control means controls the discharge of the articles by the plurality of article discharge mechanisms based on the detection times of the articles by the plurality of first article detection means respectively corresponding to the plurality of article discharge mechanisms. The amount of articles passing through the detection area can be controlled. Thus, for example, the upstream side of the article discharge mechanism is configured so that the conveyance amount of the article passing through the detection region on the downstream side of the conveyance path is at least an amount necessary for the discharge of the article by the downstream article discharge mechanism. The discharge of the article can be controlled.

  (5) In another embodiment of the present invention, each of the plurality of detection regions of the plurality of first article detection means is upstream of each of the articles in the transport direction adjacent to each of the plurality of article discharge mechanisms. It is an area.

  According to this embodiment, the discharge control of the articles by the plurality of article discharge mechanisms is performed based on the output of the first article detection means on the upstream side adjacent to each of the article discharge mechanisms. It is possible to control the discharge of the article by the upstream article discharge mechanism so that the quantity is at least the quantity necessary for the discharge of the article, and the upstream article discharge mechanism as compared with the downstream article discharge mechanism. An increase in the number of articles discharged by the mechanism can be prevented.

  (6) In still another embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of article discharge mechanisms are in a retracted posture in which the plurality of article discharge mechanisms are retracted from the conveyance path to allow passage of articles in the allowable state, while in the discharge state Each of the guide members capable of switching and turning, wherein the guide member moves forward on the transport path so as to obliquely intersect the transport direction of the article and has a discharge posture for guiding and discharging the article out of the transport path. The control means performs switching control between the allowable state and the discharge state of the guide member of the plurality of article discharge mechanisms.

  According to this embodiment, when the guide member of the article discharge mechanism is in the retracted posture, the article is conveyed as it is and passes through the article discharge mechanism, and when the guide member is in the discharge posture, the article is guided by the guide member, It is discharged out of the transport path and supplied to the distribution transport mechanism. Therefore, the control means drives the guide member of the article discharge mechanism at a plurality of locations on the transport path to the discharge posture, thereby allowing the articles transported on the single transport path to be at a plurality of locations along the transport direction. The paper can be discharged to a plurality of distribution transport mechanisms outside the transport path.

  (7) In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the distribution transport mechanism is at a lower position than the transport path, and the second article detection means is moved out of the transport path by the guide member in the discharged state. The article which is guided and discharged and falls to the distribution and transport mechanism is detected.

  Depending on the transport status, articles transported on a single transport path may be transported as a stack of multiple articles or lined up in the width direction of the transport path. Then, the correspondence between the detection time for detecting the article and the amount of the article to be conveyed may be deteriorated.

  According to this embodiment, the article to be conveyed is gradually guided out of the conveyance path along the guide member that has advanced so as to obliquely intersect the conveyance direction, and is dropped and discharged to a lower discharge location. Compared to the state in which the route is being conveyed, the article is discharged in a loose state. Since the separated article is detected by the second article detection unit, the amount of the article can be grasped more accurately than in the state where the article is being conveyed on the conveyance path.

  (8) In another embodiment of the present invention, the distribution transport mechanism transports the articles discharged by the article discharge mechanism, and a swivel conveyor that can be switched to a plurality of positions around the transport start end side. Prepare.

  According to this embodiment, since the swivel conveyor rotates around the conveyance start end side, the articles discharged by the article discharge mechanism can be used to convey the articles discharged by the article discharge mechanism regardless of the rotation position of the swivel conveyor. The article can be transferred from the article discharge mechanism to the orbiting conveyor at an arbitrary timing regardless of the state of distribution operation of the orbiting conveyor.

  (9) The weighing system of the present invention includes the article supply device according to any one of (1) to (8) above, a plurality of weighing units, and the weight of the article supplied to each weighing unit. A combination weigher that performs a combination operation for selecting a combination of the weighing units in which a combination weight within a predetermined weight range is selected, and discharges the article from the selected weighing unit. The articles distributed and conveyed to the plurality of places by the distribution and conveyance mechanism of the supply device are supplied.

  According to the weighing system of the present invention, the article supply device distributes and conveys articles supplied on the upstream side of the conveyance path of the preceding conveyance mechanism, and at a plurality of article supply destinations corresponding to a plurality of weighing units in the combination weigher. Since it can be supplied to an article insertion port, etc., the operator does not have to grab the articles one by one and put them into the article insertion port of the semi-automatic combination weigher as before. It is reduced.

  According to the present invention, when an article is supplied on the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the preceding conveyance mechanism that conveys the article through a single conveyance path, the article conveyed by the preceding conveyance mechanism is a plurality along the conveyance direction of the conveyance path. At the place, the article is discharged out of the transport path by the article discharge mechanism, and the discharged article is further distributed and transported to a plurality of places by the distribution transport mechanism, so that a plurality of articles supplied at one place upstream of the preceding stage transport mechanism It is possible to distribute and supply to other suppliers.

  Thus, a plurality of article input ports of the semi-automatic combination weigher, etc., are supplied to one place on the upstream side of the pre-stage transport mechanism, for example, by supplying articles conventionally supplied manually to the semi-automatic combination weigher, etc. Since it is possible to distribute and supply articles to the operator, it is not necessary for the operator to grab the articles one by one and put them into the article input port of the semi-automatic combination weigher as in the past, which greatly increases the labor of the operator. It is reduced.

  The control means controls the discharge of the articles by the plurality of article discharge mechanisms based on the output of the first article detection means, the output of the second article detection means, and the output of the third article detection means. Based on the output of the third article detection means for detecting the article in the transport mechanism, the article can be discharged and supplied to the distribution transport mechanism without the article.

  Since the first article detection means detects the article conveyed on the conveyance path, for example, the conveyance amount of the article on the downstream side of the upstream article discharge mechanism is at least used to discharge the article by the downstream article discharge mechanism. The discharge of the article by the upstream article discharge mechanism can be controlled so that the required amount is obtained. Accordingly, it is possible to improve a state in which a large amount of articles are discharged to the distribution and transport mechanism by the upstream article discharge mechanism compared to the downstream article discharge mechanism in the article transport direction.

  Further, since the plurality of second article detection means respectively detect articles discharged out of the conveyance path, for example, the amount of articles discharged and supplied to the distribution conveyance mechanism detected by the second article detection means However, it is possible to perform control so that the required amount is obtained.

FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of an embodiment of a weighing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the weighing system of FIG. FIG. 3 is a side view of the metering system of FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a set of article distribution locations. FIG. 5 is a schematic front view showing a set of article distribution locations. FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of the combination weigher. FIG. 7 is a schematic plan view corresponding to FIG. 2 showing an example of an installation state of an article detection sensor for detecting an article. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the weighing system of FIG. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of overall control of the article supply apparatus. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of control of the vibration feeder. FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of control of the distribution transport mechanism. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of the first half process in the control of the article discharge mechanism. FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the latter half of the process in the control of the article discharge mechanism.

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

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an overall configuration of a weighing system including an article supply apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a plan view thereof, and FIG. 3 is a side view thereof. The weighing system according to this embodiment includes an article supply apparatus 1 that supplies articles and a semi-automatic combination scale 2 that conventionally supplies articles manually.

  The weighing system automatically supplies articles to the semi-automatic combination weigher 2 by the article supply device 1, and as a whole, an automatic combination weigher that automatically supplies and discharges articles. It can also be called.

  In this embodiment, an object having a relatively large single-unit weight and having an adhesive shape that is difficult to handle by a machine, for example, a block-shaped piece of meat such as a peach meat or a breast meat obtained by disassembling a broiler (meat chicken) is to be measured. It is said.

  That is, the measuring system of this embodiment is a system suitable for the measuring process of the broiler dismantling line.

  The article supply apparatus 1 includes a front-stage transport mechanism 3 disposed horizontally, a plurality of locations along the transport direction of the transport path, in this example, the article discharge mechanisms 4 (1) to 4 (3) disposed at three locations, Three distribution conveyance mechanisms 5 (1) to 5 (3) respectively corresponding to the article discharge mechanisms 4 (1) to (3), and a plurality corresponding to each distribution conveyance mechanism 5 (1) to 5 (3). In this example, a total of nine vibration feeders 6 (1) to 6 (9) are provided as the latter-stage transport mechanism arranged in parallel in this example.

  As shown by an arrow A in FIG. 2, the front-stage transport mechanism 3 is configured by a belt conveyor that rotationally drives a transport belt 7 wound horizontally at a constant speed set from right to left. ing. On the right-side start end side of the transport belt 7 of the front transport mechanism 3, the broiler meat pieces disassembled are supplied as an article w, and the article w is transported through a single transport path.

  The article discharge mechanisms 4 (1) to 4 (3) are installed on one side of both sides of the transport path in the front transport mechanism 3 and can be driven to rotate within a predetermined angular range around the vertical fulcrum a. Long plate-shaped guide members 8 (1) to 8 (3) are provided. The guide members 8 (1) to 8 (3) are, as shown by solid lines in FIG. 2, in the permissible state where the guide members 8 (1) to 8 (3) are in the retracted posture along the transport direction by moving away from the one side of the transport path. The passage of the article w on the transport path is allowed. When the guide members 8 (1) to 8 (3) are driven and rotated toward the transport path side about the vertical fulcrum a as shown by the phantom line in FIG. 2, the long plate-shaped guide member 8 ( 1) to 8 (3) are in a discharge state in a discharge posture that obliquely intersects the conveyance direction of the article w in plan view. In this discharge state, the article w transported along the transport path gradually moves along the plate surfaces of the guide members 8 (1) to 8 (3) intersecting so as to cross the transport path diagonally. It is guided to the outside on the other side and discharged from the conveyance path.

  On the discharge side of the article w by the guide members 8 (1) to 8 (3) in the pre-stage transport mechanism 3, discharge chutes 9 (1) to 9 (3) that are inclined downward are fixedly arranged. The articles w guided and discharged by the guide members 8 (1) to 8 (3) are slid down and guided to the lower side of the other side via the discharge chutes 9 (1) to 9 (3).

  As described above, the article discharge mechanisms 4 (1) to 4 (3) intersect the long plate-shaped guide members 8 (1) to 8 (3) so as to be inclined with respect to the transport direction of the preceding transport mechanism 3. Then, the article w transported by the preceding transport mechanism 3 is guided and discharged along the plate surfaces of the guide members 8 (1) to 8 (3), so that the article w which is a piece of sticky broiler meat is removed. It is possible to reliably discharge at a predetermined location.

  The distribution transport mechanisms 5 (1) to 5 (3) are located at a position lower than the transport surface of the article w of the transport belt 7 of the preceding transport mechanism 3. Articles discharged to the distribution transport mechanisms 5 (1) to 5 (3) by the article discharge mechanisms 4 (1) to 4 (3) and guided to slide down by the discharge chutes 9 (1) to 9 (3) w is supplied.

  The article w transported by the upstream transport mechanism 3 is transported by overlapping a plurality of articles w depending on the supply status of the articles w to the upstream transport mechanism 3, or the width direction of the transport belt 7 of the upstream transport mechanism 3 (FIG. 2). In the state of being aligned in the vertical direction), and the state of conveyance varies. Since the guide members 8 (1) to 8 (3) advance on the conveyor belt 7 so as to obliquely intersect the conveyance direction, the article w conveyed by the preceding conveyance mechanism 3 is in the conveyance direction. Along the plate surfaces of the guide members 8 (1) to 8 (3) crossing obliquely, the guide members 8 (1) to 8 (3) are gradually guided to the outside of the preceding transport mechanism 3 and discharged to the discharge chutes 9 (1) to 9 (3). become. For this reason, the article w sliding down along the inclined surfaces of the discharge chutes 9 (1) to 9 (3) is in a separated state as compared with the state of being transported by the preceding transport mechanism 3.

  Each of the distribution transport mechanisms 5 (1) to 5 (3) transports the upwardly spreading funnel-shaped input funnel 10 that receives the article w, and the article w that has been input to the input funnel 10, and can be rotated by a predetermined angle. Rotating conveyors 14 (1) to 14 (3). The swirl conveyors 14 (1) to 14 (3) are configured to place the article w guided by the loading funnel 10 and horizontally convey the article w, and the left and right sides of the conveyor belt 11 erected on both sides. A side plate 12 and a discharge cover 13 having a U-shaped planar shape attached to the end portions of both side plates 12 are provided.

  The discharge cover 13 forms a dropping port through which the article w placed and conveyed by the conveying belt 11 is dropped without jumping out in the conveying direction. As shown in FIG. 4, the discharge cover 13 is bolted and connected to the both side plates 12 so that the position of the discharge cover 13 can be adjusted along the conveyance direction. By changing the opening length of the mouth in the conveying direction, the article w is accurately dropped and released to a predetermined position without clogging.

  The swivel conveyors 14 (1) to 14 (3) are rotated by a predetermined angle by a servo motor around a longitudinal fulcrum b set on the conveyance start end side of the conveyance belt 11 on which the article w from the input funnel 10 slides down. Is possible. The swivel conveyors 14 (1) to 14 (3) are configured so that the drop end at the conveyance end of the conveyance belt 11 is connected to each vibration feeder 6 (1) at the center position in the rotation range and the rotation end positions on both sides thereof. ) To 6 (9). That is, each of the swirling conveyors 14 (1) to 14 (3) is swung by a predetermined angle around the vertical fulcrum b, and the article w is moved to each of the three vibration feeders 6 (1) to 6 (3), 6 (4) to 6 (6) and 6 (7) to 6 (9) are assigned.

  As described above, the swivel conveyors 14 (1) to 14 (3) rotate around the longitudinal fulcrum b set on the conveyance start end side of the conveyance belt 11 on which the article w from the input funnel 10 slides down. Regardless of the rotational position of the conveyors 14 (1) to 14 (3), the articles w transported by the preceding transport mechanism 3 are transferred to the guide members 8 (1) of the article discharge mechanisms 4 (1) to 4 (3). ) To 8 (3) and can be supplied to the conveying start end side of the swivel conveyors 14 (1) to 14 (3). Therefore, when it is necessary to supply the article w to the conveyance start end side of the swirl conveyors 14 (1) to 14 (3), regardless of the rotation position of the swirl conveyors 14 (1) to 14 (3), the upstream conveyance mechanism The three articles w can be discharged by the article discharge mechanisms 4 (1) to 4 (3), and the articles w can be quickly supplied to the swivel conveyors 14 (1) to 14 (3).

  As shown in FIG. 3, the vibration feeders 6 (1) to 6 (9) as the rear-stage transport mechanism are linearly-moved by connecting the trough-shaped troughs 15 (1) to 15 (9) to the shaker 16 so as to be detachable. It is a feeder, and is configured to convey an article w placed by vibrating the troughs 15 (1) to 19 (9) to the combination weigher 2. A support frame 17 that supports the troughs 15 (1) to 15 (9) in a state where the troughs 15 (1) to 15 (9) are inclined downward toward the transport direction is connected to the lower surfaces of the troughs 15 (1) to 15 (9). The support frame 17 is positioned and engaged with a vibration head 16a provided at the upper end portion of the vibration exciter 16, and is fastened and fixed using a buckle type coupling mechanism 18 operated by a lever.

  Moreover, as shown in FIG. 4 etc., the slit-shaped through-hole along the longitudinal direction of trough 15 (1) -15 (9) is provided in the bottom face and right and left side surfaces of trough 15 (1) -15 (9). A number 19 is formed in alignment. This through-hole 19 discharges the fats and oils floating on the surface of the article w, which is a piece of meat disassembled from the broiler, to the outside of the troughs 15 (1) to 19 (9), and troughs 15 (1) to 15 (9). It prevents the fats and oils from adhering to the inner surface in large quantities and making it difficult to convey the article w.

  Thus, the troughs 15 (1) to 15 (9) of the vibration feeders 6 (1) to 6 (9) are inclined downward toward the conveying direction and have a large number of through holes 19. Article w which is a piece of broiler meat having properties can be smoothly conveyed.

  Three vibratory feeders 6 (1) to 6 (3), 6 (3) for each swivel conveyor 14 (1) to 14 (3) of one distribution transport mechanism 5 (1) to 5 (3). 4) to 6 (6), 6 (7) to 6 (9) are arranged in parallel, and can be switched to the center position of the swivel conveyors 14 (1) to 14 (3) and the rotation end positions on both sides thereof. Correspondingly, the three vibration feeders 6 (1) to 6 (3), 6 (4) to 6 (6), 6 (7) to 6 (9) from each swivel conveyor 14 (1) to 14 (3). ) Can be supplied to the troughs 15 (1) to 15 (3), 15 (4) to 15 (6), and 15 (7) to 15 (9). Therefore, as a whole, the article w can be vibrated and conveyed to nine places by nine vibration feeders 6 (1) to 6 (9) arranged in parallel in a straight line.

  In each of the vibration feeders 6 (1) to 6 (9), the article w can be transported and stopped by driving and stopping the article, so that the article w is turned into the trough 15 of the vibration feeders 6 (1) to 6 (9). (1) to 15 (9) are controlled so that they are transported to the end and are put on standby, and the article w is supplied to the combination weigher 2 at a timing according to the input request to the article input port 25 of the combination weigher 2. Can do.

  Of the group of three vibration feeders 6 (1) -6 (9), the central troughs 15 (2), 15 (5), 15 (8) and the troughs 15 (1), 15 (3) on both sides thereof ); 15 (4), 15 (6); 15 (7), 15 (9) at intermediate positions between the conveyors 14 (1) -14 (14) of the distribution transport mechanisms 5 (1) -5 (3). The idler roller 20 is supported horizontally in the transport direction so as to face the end rotation locus of 3). This idler roller 20 is arranged in the middle of the troughs 15 (2), 15 in the middle while the swivel conveyors 14 (1) -14 (3) of the distribution transport mechanisms 5 (1) -15 (3) are rotating. (5), 15 (8) and one of the sides, ie, left or right troughs 15 (3), 15 (1); 15 (6), 15 (4); 15 (9), 15 ( 7) is received at an intermediate position with respect to 7), and the trough 15 (2), 15 (5), 15 (8) in the center or the left or right trough 15 (3), by its own weight. 15 (1); 15 (6), 15 (4); 15 (9), 15 (7).

  In addition, as shown in the schematic front view of FIG. 5, a relatively long article w may stay while straddling the idle roller 20, but next, the swivel conveyor 14 of the distribution transport mechanism 5. Is rotated in the opposite direction (leftward in the case of FIG. 5), the article w on the idle roller 20 is pushed and moved at the end of the swivel conveyor 14, that is, at the lower end of the discharge cover 13. Thus, the idle roller 20 rotates, and the article w can be dropped into the trough 15 on the side where the swivel conveyor 14 moves.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4 and the like, both sides of a group of three troughs 15 (1) -15 (3), 15 (4) -15 (6), 15 (7) -15 (8) The left and right troughs 15 (1), 15 (3); 15 (4), 15 (6); A mountain-shaped inclined guide plate 21 is installed. By this angle-shaped inclined guide plate 21, the article w put into the left or right troughs 15 (1), 15 (3); 15 (4), 15 (6); 15 (7), 15 (9) Troughs 15 (1), 15 (3); 15 (4), 15 (6); Troughs 15 (1), 15 (3) without being caught by the outer side walls of 15 (7), 15 (9) 15 (4), 15 (6); 15 (7), 15 (9).

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, on the upper surface of the semi-automatic combination weigher 2, a large number, in this example, nine article insertion ports 25 are arranged in a straight line from side to side. The combination weigher 2 is installed so that these article insertion ports 25 face the distribution / discharge section of the article supply apparatus 1, that is, the end of the group of vibration feeders 6 (1) to 6 (9). In addition, each article insertion opening 25 is provided with a pair of left and right insertion gates 26 that can be opened and closed in the form of an inward opening door. Each input gate 26 is opened during a period when the input of articles is requested.

  In the weighing system of this embodiment, the supply amount of the article w is set so that the weighing processing amount of the article w of the semi-automatic combination weigher 2 exceeds the supply amount of the article w to the upstream conveyance mechanism 3 of the article supply apparatus 1. The operation speed of the combination scale 2 is set.

  In addition, when the supply amount of the articles | goods w to the front | former stage conveyance mechanism 3 of the article | item supply apparatus 1 temporarily exceeds the measurement processing amount of the combination scale 2, the articles | goods w conveyed by the front stage conveyance mechanism 3 are used. This can be dealt with by allowing the article discharge mechanisms 4 (1) to 4 (3) to pass through without being discharged by the guide members 8 (1) to 8 (3).

  FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of the semi-automatic combination weigher 2.

  This combination scale 2 is basically the same as a conventional semi-automatic combination scale. A supply hopper 40 is disposed immediately below the input gate 26 of each article input port 25 of the combination weigher 2, and a measurement having two storage chambers 41-1 and 41-2 below each supply hopper 40. A weighing hopper 41 as a part is arranged.

  Each supply hopper 40 includes two discharge gates 40a and 40b that can be opened and closed independently. By opening one discharge gate 40a, the articles are discharged into one storage chamber 41-1 of the weighing hopper 41, By opening the other discharge gate 40b, articles can be discharged into the other storage chamber 41-2 of the weighing hopper 41.

  Each weighing hopper 41 is provided with a discharge gate 41a in one storage chamber 41-1 and a discharge gate 41b in the other storage chamber 41-2. By opening the discharge gates 41a and 41b, The articles w can be discharged separately from the storage chambers 41-1 and 41-2.

  Each weighing hopper 41 is attached with a weight sensor 42 such as a load cell. The weight sensor 42 detects the weight of the article w in the weighing hopper 41, and the output is sent to the control unit of the combination weigher 2 described later. Sent. Accordingly, the control unit of the combination weigher 2 calculates the weight of the article w in each of the storage chambers 41-1 and 41-2 of the weighing hopper 41 based on the change in the weight of the article w in the weighing hopper 41, Based on the weight of the article w in each of the storage chambers 41-1 and 41-2 of each weighing hopper 41, a combination calculation described later is performed.

  Below the weighing hopper 41, a collective conveyor 43 that receives and conveys the articles w discharged from the weighing hopper 41 is disposed. The articles w conveyed by the collective conveyor 43 are supplied to a packaging machine (not shown). In the packaging machine, the article w having a predetermined weight range is vacuum-packed.

  The control unit of the combination weigher 2 has a combination weight that is a total weight obtained by combining various weights of the articles w in the storage chambers 41-1 and 41-2 of the weighing hopper 41 holding the articles w within a predetermined weight range. A combination operation for selecting one combination of the storage chambers 41-1 and 41-2 is performed, and the articles w in the selected storage chambers 41-1 and 41-2 are discharged to the collective conveyor 43.

  In the weighing system of the present embodiment having the above-described configuration, the article w supplied to the starting end portion that is upstream in the transport direction of the front-stage transport mechanism 3 is sent by the article discharge mechanisms 4 (1) to 4 (3). It is discharged from three locations in the transport direction and sent to the swivel conveyors 14 (1) to 14 (3) of the respective distribution transport mechanisms 5 (1) to 5 (3), and each of the distribution transport mechanisms 5 (1) to 5 ( The articles w sent to the swirl conveyors 14 (1) to 14 (3) of 3) are further distributed to three places and sent to the vibration feeders 6 (1) to 6 (9). Accordingly, for convenience, the articles w conveyed by the nine vibration feeders 6 (1) to 6 (9) are supplied to the article input ports 25 of the combination weigher 2. Note that the article w that has passed through the three article discharge mechanisms 4 (1) to 4 (3) and has reached the end of the preceding transport mechanism 3 is unloaded and collected in a collection container or the like. It is supplied to the start end of the transport mechanism 3.

  In the supply of the article w as described above, the presence / absence of the article w at each location, each article insertion port 25 of the combination weigher 2, each vibration feeder 6 (1) to 6 (9), each distribution transport mechanism 5 ( 1) -5 (3), each article discharge mechanism 4 (1) -4 (3), each distribution conveyance according to the request | requirement condition etc. of the article w in each article discharge mechanism 4 (1) -4 (3) The mechanisms 5 (1) to 5 (3) and the vibration feeders 6 (1) to 6 (3) are controlled.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic schematic plan view corresponding to FIG. 2 illustrating an example of an installation state of the article detection sensor that detects the article w.

  Each article detection sensor Sa (1) to Sa (3), Sb (1) to Sb (3), Sc (1) to Sc (3), Sd (1) to Sd (3), Se () of this embodiment 1) to Se (9) and Sf (1) to Sf (9) are, for example, transmission type photoelectric sensors each including a projector and a light receiver, and pass through a detection region between the light projector and the light receiver that are arranged to face each other. An article w to be detected is detected and a detection output is given.

  Articles adjacent to the detection areas immediately before the respective article discharge mechanisms 4 (1) to 4 (3), that is, the respective article discharge mechanisms 4 (1) to 4 (3), in the transport path of the upstream transport mechanism 3 Pre-stage article detection sensors Sa (1) to Sa (3) are arranged as first article detection means for detecting articles w passing through each detection area on the upstream side in the conveyance direction of w.

  Each of the preceding article detection sensors Sa (1) to Sa (3) detects the article w passing through the detection area immediately before each of the article discharge mechanisms 4 (1) to 4 (3) and gives a detection output. Therefore, the detection time when each of the preceding article detection sensors Sa (1) to Sa (3) gives a detection output is the time when the article w passes the detection area. Since the transport belt 7 of the upstream transport mechanism 3 is rotationally driven at a constant speed as described above, the transport speed of the article w is constant, and each of the upstream article detection sensors Sa (1) to Sa (3) is The detection time during which the article w is detected corresponds to the amount of the article w that passes through each detection region.

  In this embodiment, the discharge of the article discharge mechanisms 4 (1) to 4 (3) on the downstream side is controlled based on the detection outputs of the respective preceding article detection sensors Sa (1) to Sa (3). Yes.

  For example, while an amount of the article w necessary to be discharged by the article discharge mechanism 4 (2) or the article discharge mechanism 4 (3) passes through the detection area of the preceding article detection sensor Sa (1), the upstream article By holding the guide member 8 (1) of the discharge mechanism 4 (1) in an allowable state that allows passage of the article w, at least downstream to the downstream of the detection region of the preceding article detection sensor Sa (1). It is possible to transport the amount of articles w necessary for discharging the product.

  Further, when at least a necessary amount of articles w is conveyed downstream of the detection area of the preceding article detection sensor Sa (1), the detection area of the preceding article detection sensor Sa (2) downstream of the detection area is set to the article discharge mechanism 4. While the amount of the article w necessary for the discharge in (3) passes, the guide member 8 (2) of the upstream article discharge mechanism 4 (2) is held in an allowable state that allows the passage of the article w. By placing it, it is possible to transport at least the amount of the article w necessary for discharging to the downstream of the detection area of the preceding article detection sensor Sa (2).

  This makes it possible to transport the amount of articles w necessary for discharge to the most downstream article discharge mechanism 4 (3).

  In addition, at the base of each discharge chute 9 (1) -9 (3) through which the article w discharged by each article discharge mechanism 4 (1) -4 (3) passes, the discharged article w is detected. Discharged article detection sensors Sb (1) to Sb (3) are disposed as two-article detection means. In addition, through holes are formed in the bases of the discharge chutes 9 (1) to 9 (3) so as not to block the optical paths that are the detection areas of the discharged article detection sensors Sb (1) to Sb (3). Yes.

  The articles w discharged to the outside of the transport belt 7 of the preceding transport mechanism 3 are collectively guided by the discharge chutes 9 (1) to 9 (3) and are distributed at a substantially constant speed by the distribution transport mechanisms 5 (1) to 5 (3). Since the slidable conveyors 14 (1) to 14 (3) slide down, the detection time during which each discharged article detection sensor Sb (1) to Sb (3) detects the slid down article w is the preceding transport mechanism. 3 corresponds to the amount of articles w discharged to the swivel conveyors 14 (1) to 14 (3) of the distribution transport mechanisms 5 (1) to 5 (3).

  Accordingly, for example, the guide member 8 (1) of the article discharge mechanism 4 (1) is advanced on the conveyance belt 7 of the front-stage conveyance mechanism 3 so as to obliquely intersect the conveyance direction, and the article w is conveyed in the previous stage. When discharged out of the mechanism 3, the discharged article detection sensor Sb (1) detects the passage of the article w discharged out of the preceding transport mechanism 3. By returning the guide member 8 (1) to a permissible state that allows the passage of the article w so that the required amount of the article w passes, the distribution transport mechanisms 5 (1) to 5 ( The required amount of articles w can be discharged to the swivel conveyors 14 (1) to 14 (3) of 3). This required amount is set in advance as a second predetermined time, which will be described later, serving as a threshold for the detection time of the article w by the discharged article detection sensors Sb (1) to Sb (3).

  Along the plate surfaces of the guide members 8 (1) to 8 (3) obliquely intersecting the transport direction, the guide members 8 (1) to 8 (3) are gradually guided out of the transport belt 7 of the preceding transport mechanism 3 and discharged chute 9 (1) to Since the article w sliding down along the inclined surface 9 (3) is in a state of being scattered as described above as compared with the state of being conveyed by the conveyor belt 7, the discharged article detection sensors Sb (1) to Sb The discharge amount of the article w obtained based on the detection time of (3) is accurate.

  Each of the swivel conveyors 14 (1) to 14 (3) of each of the distribution transport mechanisms 5 (1) to 5 (3) has a first end that is upstream in the transport direction and detects articles w at the start end. Distributing start end article detection sensors Sc (1) to Sc (3) are arranged as three article detection means. In addition, distribution end article detection sensors Sd (1) to Sd (3) that respectively detect articles w at the end sections are provided at the end sections of the swirling conveyors 14 (1) to 14 (3) that are downstream in the transport direction. ) Are arranged.

  The side plates 12 and the discharge cover 13 of the swivel conveyor 14 are optical paths that serve as detection areas for the distribution start end article detection sensors Sc (1) to Sc (3) and the distribution end end article detection sensors Sd (1) to Sd (3). A through hole is formed so as not to obstruct.

  The starting end on the upstream side and the terminating end on the downstream side of the troughs 15 (1) to 15 (9) of the troughs 15 (1) to 15 (9) of the vibration feeders 6 (1) to 6 (9) as the subsequent transport mechanism Rear-stage start-end article detection sensors Se (1) to Se (9) and rear-stage end-end article detection sensors Sf (1) to Sf (9) that respectively detect articles w at the front and end sections are arranged. The troughs 15 (1) to 15 (9) of the vibration feeders 6 (1) to 6 (9) include rear-stage start-end article detection sensors Se (1) to Se (9) and rear-stage end-end article detection sensors Sf (1 ) To Sf (9), through holes are formed so as not to block the optical path.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the weighing system of this embodiment.

  The weighing system of this embodiment includes a programmable controller (hereinafter abbreviated as “PLC”) 27 as control means for controlling the whole.

  The PLC 27 is connected to a programmable display 29 which is an operation display terminal. In the programmable display 29, the transport speed of the upstream transport mechanism 3 and the swivel conveyors 14 (1) to 14 (3), the vibration feeder 6 and the like. Various setting operations such as vibration intensity of (1) to 6 (9), a predetermined time serving as a threshold of detection time by the article detection sensors Sa (1) to Sa (3), Sb (1) to Sb (3), and Various displays are performed.

  The PLC 27 receives input request signals (1) to (9) when the control unit 28 of the semi-automatic combination weigher 2 requests input of articles to the nine article input ports 25, respectively. In addition, each article detection sensor Sa (1) to Sa (3), Sb (1) to Sb (3), Sc (1) to Sc (3), Sd (1) to Sd (3), The outputs of Se (1) to Se (9) and Sf (1) to Sf (9) are input.

  The PLC 27 controls the front-stage transport mechanism 3 via the front-stage transport mechanism drive control circuit 30, and guides the guide members 8 (1) to 8 (3) of the article discharge mechanisms 4 (1) to 4 (3). Control is performed via the member drive circuit 31. In addition, the PLC 27 passes the swivel conveyors 14 (1) to 14 (3) of the distribution transport mechanisms 5 (1) to 5 (3) via the swivel conveyor drive control circuit 32 and the swivel conveyor swivel drive control circuit 33. The vibration feeders 6 (1) to 6 (9) are controlled via the vibration feeder drive circuit 34.

  The PLC 27 basically controls so that when an article is input from the combination weigher 2 to each article insertion port 25, the article can be immediately inserted into the article insertion port 25 that has been requested. Control is performed so that the article w can be transported to the end of the troughs 15 (1) to 15 (9) of the vibration feeders 6 (1) to 6 (9).

  That is, in the vibration feeders 6 (1) to 6 (9), when there is no article w at the end of the troughs 15 (1) to 15 (9), detection is made at the start of the troughs 15 (1) to 15 (9). The conveyed article w is transported to the end of the troughs 15 (1) to 15 (3), and when there is no article w detected at the start end of the troughs 15 (1) to 15 (9), the distribution transport mechanism 5 (1) -5 (3) of the conveyors 14 (1) -14 (3) are requested to input the article w.

  In the swivel conveyors 14 (1) to 14 (3) of the distribution transport mechanisms 5 (1) to 5 (3), the troughs 15 (1) of the vibration feeders 6 (1) to 6 (9) that are requested to load the articles w. ) To 15 (9), the article w is transported to the end portions of the swivel conveyors 14 (1) to 14 (3) and the rotation position is controlled so that the article w can be immediately put into the article w. When there is no article w at the terminal end of the swivel conveyors 14 (1) to 14 (3), the article w detected at the start end of the swirl conveyors 14 (1) to 14 (3) is conveyed to the terminal end, and the swivel conveyor When there is no article w detected at the starting ends of 14 (1) to 14 (3), the article discharge mechanisms 4 (1) to 4 (3) are requested to supply the article w.

  The PLC 27 is basically used for the revolving conveyors 14 (1) to 14 (3) in which the articles w are not detected by the distribution start end article detection sensors Sc (1) to Sc (3), that is, the articles w at the start end. If there is a supply request for requesting the supply of the article w to the conveyors 14 (1) to 14 (3) having no article, the article discharge mechanism 4 corresponding to the conveyors 14 (1) to 14 (3) is provided. Control is performed so that the article w is discharged by (1) to 4 (3).

  Here, a plurality of swirl conveyors, for example, both conveyors 14 (1) and 14 (3) of the most upstream swivel conveyor 14 (1) and the most downstream swirl conveyor 14 (3) in the conveying direction of the article w. ) Is assumed to be detected simultaneously by the corresponding distribution start end article detection sensors Sc (1) and Sc (3).

  In this case, the article discharge mechanisms 4 (1) and 4 (3) corresponding to the swivel conveyors 14 (1) and 14 (3) replace the guide members 8 (1) and 8 (3) with the transport belt of the preceding transport mechanism 3. 7, the product w is distributed to the upstream swirling conveyor 14 (1) by the upstream product discharge mechanism 4 (1), so that the downstream product is discharged. The discharge mechanism 4 (3) does not carry the required amount of articles w necessary for discharge, and it becomes difficult to discharge the required quantity of articles to the downstream conveyor 14 (3).

  That is, even if there is a request for supply of the article in the same way on the upstream side and downstream side in the conveyance direction of the article w, the arrival of the article w is delayed on the downstream side compared to the upstream side. Since w cannot be discharged, variation occurs in discharge, and the swirl conveyor 14 on the upstream side is preferentially supplied with the article w, and the swirl conveyors 14 (1) to 3 (3) and thereafter However, the articles w are not supplied equally between the upstream side and the downstream side.

  For this reason, when there is a request for supply of an article in the same way on the upstream side and the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the article w, the article w needs to be discharged and supplied equally to the upstream side and the downstream side. There is.

  In this embodiment, when there is no article w at the start end of the swivel conveyor 14 on the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the article w, that is, when there is a supply request for the article, the swivel conveyor 14 is requested to supply the article. The upstream article discharge mechanism 4 corresponding to the upstream swirl conveyor 14 allows the guide member 8 to pass through the articles w so that at least an amount of articles w necessary for discharge is conveyed downstream. Hold in an acceptable state. Whether or not the amount of the article w necessary for discharge has passed through the upstream article discharge mechanism 4 is detected by the preceding article detection sensor Sa immediately before the upstream article discharge mechanism 4 detecting the article w. The determination can be made based on the time and the elapsed time from the time when the required amount of the article w has passed. This elapsed time is determined from the time when the required amount of articles w passes through the detection area of the preceding-stage article detection sensor Sa, and the upstream-side article discharge mechanism 4 where the required quantity of articles is adjacent to the preceding-stage article detection sensor Sa. Corresponds to the time to pass.

  The upstream article discharge mechanism 4 holding the guide member 8 in an allowable state is when there is no supply request of articles from the swivel conveyor 14 corresponding to the downstream article discharge mechanism 4, that is, more than that. When there is no need to transport the article w to the downstream side, the guide member 8 of the upstream article ejection mechanism 4 can be placed in the ejected state. That is, there is no need to transport the article w downstream, and when there is a request for article supply from the swivel conveyor 14 corresponding to the upstream article discharge mechanism 4, the guide member 8 is transported by the preceding transport mechanism 3. On the belt 7, the paper w is advanced so as to cross obliquely with respect to the conveying direction, and the article w is discharged. Thereby, the article w can be discharged to the swivel conveyor 14 corresponding to the upstream-side article discharge mechanism 4.

  Note that the upstream article discharge mechanism 4 that holds the guide member 8 in an allowable state has a supply request even if there is an article supply request from the swivel conveyor 14 corresponding to the downstream article discharge mechanism 4. When the amount of the article w necessary for the above has passed through the upstream article discharge mechanism 4 and has already been conveyed to the downstream side, it is based on the output of the preceding article detection sensor Sa immediately before the upstream article discharge mechanism 4. When the determination is made, the guide member 8 of the upstream article discharge mechanism 4 may be in a discharge state in which the articles w are discharged. That is, the upstream-stage article detection sensor Sa immediately before the upstream-side article discharge mechanism 4 detects that the amount of articles w necessary for the downstream-side article supply request has passed, and further, the necessary quantity of articles w. When the time required for the article w to pass through the upstream article discharge mechanism 4 has elapsed from the time when the article has passed, the quantity of articles w required for the supply request of the article has changed to the upstream article. It is determined that the paper has already been transported to the downstream side through the discharge mechanism 4.

  In other words, even if there is a request for supply of articles from the downstream side conveyor 14, if the quantity of articles w necessary for the supply request has already been transported to the downstream side, it corresponds to the upstream article discharge mechanism 4. When there is a supply request of the article from the swiveling conveyor 3, the discharge state in which the guide member 8 is advanced on the conveyance belt 7 of the preceding conveyance mechanism 3 so as to obliquely intersect the conveyance direction and the article w is discharged. It may be.

  For example, the most upstream article discharge mechanism 4 (1) is configured to supply articles from the swivel conveyors 14 (2) and 14 (3) corresponding to the article discharge mechanisms 4 (2) and 4 (3) on the downstream side. When there is a supply request, that is, when there is no article w at the start end of the swivel conveyors 14 (2) and 14 (3), the guide member 8 (1) is allowed to pass through the article w and the downstream side The article w is conveyed to As a result, the downstream article discharge mechanisms 4 (2) and 4 (3) discharge the conveyed articles w to the swirl conveyors 14 (2) and 14 (3) that have a supply request.

  The most upstream article discharge mechanism 4 (1) requests supply of articles from the swivel conveyors 14 (2) and 14 (3) corresponding to the article discharge mechanisms 4 (2) and 4 (3) on the downstream side. When there is an article supply request from the swivel conveyor 14 (1) corresponding to the most upstream article discharge mechanism 4 (1), the guide member 8 (1) is placed on the conveyance belt 7 of the preceding conveyance mechanism 3. Is advanced to a discharge state, and the conveyed article w is discharged to the swivel conveyor 14 (1).

  When it is determined that the discharge amount of the article w to the swivel conveyor 14 (1) has reached the required amount based on the detection output of the discharged article detection sensor Sb (1), the required amount of the article w has been discharged. Then, the guide member 8 (1) is retracted from the conveying belt 7 to return to an allowable state in which the passage of the article w is allowed.

  As described above, the most upstream article discharge mechanism 4 (1) has the swirl conveyors 14 (2) and 14 (3) corresponding to the article discharge mechanisms 4 (2) and 4 (3) on the downstream side. ), That is, even if there is no article w at the start end of the swivel conveyors 14 (2), 14 (3), the quantity of articles w required for the article supply request is Based on the detection output of the immediately preceding preceding article detection sensor Sa (1), when it is determined that the article has already been conveyed downstream through the article discharge mechanism 4 (1), the most upstream article discharge mechanism 4 ( When there is a supply request of the article from the swivel conveyor 14 (1) corresponding to 1), the guide member 8 (1) is advanced onto the conveyance belt 7 of the preceding conveyance mechanism 3 to be in a discharge state in which the article w is discharged. Also good.

  Next, the article discharge mechanism 4 (2) at the midstream position in the conveyance direction of the article w receives an article supply request from the rear conveyor 3 (3) corresponding to the article discharge mechanism 4 (3) on the downstream side. In some cases, the guide member 8 (2) is set in an allowable state in which the article w is allowed to pass, and the article w is transported downstream. As a result, the downstream article discharge mechanism 4 (3) discharges the articles w to the swivel conveyor 14 (3) that is requested to supply articles.

  The article discharge mechanism 4 (2) at the midstream position does not have an article supply request from the swivel conveyor 14 (3) corresponding to the article discharge mechanism 4 (3) downstream of the article discharge mechanism 4 (2). ), The guide member 8 (2) is advanced onto the transport belt 7 of the preceding transport mechanism 3 to be discharged and transported. The article w is discharged to the swivel conveyor 14 (2).

  If it is determined that the discharge amount of the articles w to the swivel conveyor 14 (2) has reached the required amount based on the detection output of the discharged article detection sensor Sb (2), the required amount of articles has been discharged. Then, the guide member 8 (2) is retracted from the conveyance belt 7 to return to an allowable state in which the passage of the article w is allowed.

  As with the most upstream article discharge mechanism 4 (1), the article discharge mechanism 4 (2) at the midstream position corresponds to the swivel conveyor 14 () corresponding to the article discharge mechanism 4 (3) at the downstream side. 3) Even if there is an article supply request from 3), the quantity of articles w required for the discharge corresponding to the supply request is based on the detection output of the immediately preceding preceding article detection sensor Sa (2). When it is determined that the product has already been conveyed downstream through 4 (2), if there is a supply request for the product w from the swivel conveyor 14 (2) corresponding to the product discharge mechanism 4 (2), the guide member 8 (2) may be in a discharge state in which the article w is discharged by advancing onto the transport belt 7 of the preceding transport mechanism 3.

  Next, since the article discharge mechanism 4 (3) on the most downstream side has no article discharge mechanism on the downstream side thereof, when there is a request for supply of articles from the corresponding swivel conveyor 14 (3). The guide member 8 (3) is advanced onto the transport belt 7 of the upstream transport mechanism 3 to be in a discharge state, and the transported article w is discharged to the swivel conveyor 14 (3).

  If it is determined that the discharge amount of the articles w to the swivel conveyor 14 (3) has reached the required amount based on the detection output of the discharged article detection sensor Sb (3), it is assumed that the required amount of articles has been discharged. Then, the guide member 8 (3) is retracted from the conveying belt 7 and returned to an allowable state in which the passage of the article w is allowed.

  As described above, when there is a supply request of articles from the downstream side conveyor 14, the upstream article discharge mechanism 4 is configured so that at least an amount of articles w necessary for discharge is conveyed downstream. Since the discharge of the article w is controlled, it is possible to prevent variations in the discharge of the article w between the upstream side and the downstream side.

  Next, an example of control by the PLC 27 will be described in more detail.

  FIG. 9 is a schematic flowchart showing an example of overall control of the article supply apparatus 1 of this embodiment.

  First, it is determined whether or not the operation switch of the programmable display 29 has been turned on (step S1). When turned on, the operation is started, and the semi-automatic combination weigher 2 to the nine article insertion ports 25 are loaded. When the request signals (1) to (9) are input (step S2), the vibration feeders 6 (1) to 6 (9) that are the most downstream in the article transport direction in the article supply apparatus 1 are controlled (step S2). S3) Next, the upstream distribution transport mechanisms 5 (1) to 5 (3) are controlled (step S4), and further, the upstream of the article discharge mechanisms 4 (1) to 4 (3). Control is performed (step S5), it is determined whether or not the operation switch is turned off (step S6), and the process is terminated when the operation switch is turned off.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of control of the vibration feeders 6 (1) to 6 (9), which is a subroutine in the overall control flowchart of FIG.

  Basic control is that the article w is not detected by the rear end article detection sensors Sf (1) to Sf (9), that is, the troughs 15 (1) to 15 of the vibration feeders 6 (1) to 6 (9). When there is no article w at the terminal end of (9), the vibratory feeders 6 (1) to 6 (9) are driven for a certain period of time, and the article w at the start end of the troughs 15 (1) to 15 (9). Are transported to the end of troughs 15 (1) -15 (9). Instead of driving for a certain period of time, the rear end article detection sensors Sf (1) to Sf (9) are driven until the end article w of the troughs 15 (1) to 15 (9) is detected. May be.

  When the article w is not detected by the rear stage start-end article detection sensors Se (1) to Se (9), that is, the start ends of the troughs 15 (1) to 15 (9) of the vibration feeders 6 (1) to 6 (9). When there is no article w in the part, the article insertion command flag for instructing to put the article w into the troughs 15 (1) to 15 (9) of the vibration feeders 6 (1) to 6 (9) is turned ON, The article w is put into the vibration feeders 6 (1) to 6 (9) from the distribution and transport mechanisms 5 (1) to 5 (3).

  The article w is detected by the rear end article detection sensors Sf (1) to Sf (9), and the article w is placed at the end of the troughs 15 (1) to 15 (9) of the vibration feeders 6 (1) to 6 (9). When an input request signal for an article w is input from the semi-automatic combination weigher 2 at a certain time, the vibration feeders 6 (1) to 6 (9) corresponding to the input request signal are driven for a certain time, and the vibration is generated. The article w at the terminal end of the troughs 15 (1) to 15 (9) of the feeders 6 (1) to 6 (9) is supplied to the article insertion port 25 of the semi-automatic combination weigher 2. In place of driving for a certain period of time, the article w at the end of the troughs 15 (1) to 15 (9) is no longer detected by the rear end article detection sensors Sf (1) to Sf (9). Assuming that w is supplied to the article insertion port 25 of the combination weigher 2, the driving of the vibration feeders 6 (1) to 6 (9) may be stopped.

  In this example, as shown in FIG. 10, first, the number k for designating one of the vibration feeders 6 (1) to 6 (9) is set to “1” (step S301), and the vibration feeder 6 (k) with the number k is set. It is determined whether or not a driving flag indicating that is being driven is ON (step S302). When the driving flag is ON, the driving time corresponding to the vibration feeder 6 (k) of number k is determined. The measurement drive timer is decremented (step S303), and it is determined whether or not the drive timer has expired (step S304).

  When the drive timer corresponding to the vibration feeder 6 (k) with the number k is timed up in step S304, the drive of the vibration feeder 6 (k) with the number k is stopped assuming that the driving for a certain period of time has ended (step S305). , The driving flag of the vibration feeder 6 (k) of number k is turned OFF (step S306), the number k is incremented (step S307), and whether or not the number k becomes “10”, that is, nine vibrations It is determined whether or not the processing for the feeders 6 (1) to 6 (9) has been completed (step S 308). When the number k is not “10”, the process returns to step S 302 and the number k is “10”. When it becomes, return from the subroutine.

  In step S302, when the driving flag of the vibration feeder 6 (k) of number k is not ON, has the article w been detected at the end of the trough 15 (k) of the vibration feeder 6 (k) of number k? Whether or not the article w is detected by the rear end article detection sensor Sf (k) corresponding to the vibration feeder 6 (k) of the number k (step S309), and when the article w is detected, It is determined whether or not the input request signal (k) corresponding to the number k has been input from the semi-automatic combination weigher 2 (step S310), and when the input request signal has been input, the vibration feeder 6 (k ) Driving flag is turned on (step S311), a driving timer corresponding to the vibration feeder 6 (k) of number k is set (step S312), and the vibration feeder 6 of number k ( ) And starts driving the process proceeds to step S307 (step S313).

  In step S309, when an article is not detected at the end of the trough 15 (k) of the vibration feeder 6 (k) of number k, the start end of the trough 15 (k) of the vibration feeder 6 (k) of number k Whether or not the article w is detected, that is, whether or not the article w is detected by the rear-stage start-end article detection sensor Se (k) corresponding to the vibration feeder 6 (k) of number k (step S314). When the article w is detected, the driving flag of the vibration feeder 6 (k) with the number k is turned ON (step S315), a driving timer corresponding to the vibration feeder 6 (k) with the number k is set (step S316), The driving of the vibration feeder 6 (k) of number k is started, and the process proceeds to step S307 (step S317).

  In step S314, when the article w is not detected at the start end of the trough 15 (k) of the vibration feeder 6 (k) of number k, the number is given to the distribution transport mechanism 5 (k) corresponding to number k. The input instruction flag for instructing input of the article w to the trough 15 (k) of the k vibration feeder 6 (k) is turned on, and the process proceeds to step S307 (step S318).

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of control of the distribution transport mechanisms 5 (1) to 5 (3), which is a subroutine in the overall control flowchart of FIG.

  The basic control is that when the article w disappears at the start end of the troughs 15 (1) to 15 (9) of the vibration feeders 6 (1) to 6 (9), that is, the rear-stage start-end article detection sensor Se (1) to When the article w is no longer detected in Se (9), the distributed conveyance is performed so that the article w can be put into the start end of the troughs 15 (1) to 15 (9) of the vibration feeders 6 (1) to 6 (9). The article w is transported to the end portions of the swivel conveyors 14 (1) to 14 (3) of the mechanisms 5 (1) to 5 (3).

  The article w is not detected by the distribution end article detection sensors Sd (1) to Sd (3), that is, the article w is a swirl conveyor 14 (1) to 14 (1) of the distribution transport mechanism 5 (1) to 5 (3). If it is not at the terminal end of 3), the swivel conveyors 14 (1) to 14 (3) are driven for a certain time, and the article w at the start end of the swirl conveyors 14 (1) to 14 (3) 1) to 14 (3). In addition, instead of driving for a certain period of time, when the article w is detected by the distribution end article detection sensors Sd (1) to Sd (3), the article w is the end of the swivel conveyors 14 (1) to 14 (3). As a result, the driving of the swivel conveyors 14 (1) to 14 (3) may be stopped.

  If the article w is not detected by the distribution start end article detection sensors Sc (1) to Sc (3), that is, if there is no article w at the start end of the swivel conveyors 14 (1) to 14 (3), an article supply request As described above, the discharge command flag for commanding the discharge of the articles w to the swivel conveyors 14 (1) to 14 (3) to the article discharge mechanisms 4 (1) to 4 (3) is turned ON.

  Further, there is no article w at the start end of the troughs 15 (1) -15 (9) of the vibration feeders 6 (1) -6 (9), and the swivel conveyor 14 ( When there is an article w at the end of 1) to 14 (3), the turning position of the swivel conveyors 14 (1) to 14 (3) is the trough 15 of the vibration feeders 6 (1) to 6 (9). (1) to 15 (9) When the article w is not put in the position, the swivel conveyors 14 (1) to 14 (3) are connected to the troughs 15 (1) to (9) of the vibration feeders 6 (1) to 6 (9). 15 (9), the swivel conveyors 14 (1) to 14 (3) are driven for a certain period of time, and the vibrating feeders 6 (1) to 14 (3) are driven from the swivel conveyors 14 (1) to 14 (3). The article w is put into the starting end of 6 (3).

  There is no article w at the starting end of the troughs 15 (1) -15 (9) of the vibration feeders 6 (1) -6 (9), and the swivel conveyor 14 (1) of the distribution transport mechanisms 5 (1) -5 (3). When there is an article w at the terminal end of -14 (3), the rotational positions of the swivel conveyors 14 (1) -14 (3) are the troughs 15 (1) of the vibratory feeders 6 (1) -6 (9). ) To 15 (9), the swivel conveyors 14 (1) to 14 (3) are driven for a certain period of time, and the vibration feeder 6 is turned from the swirl conveyors 14 (1) to 14 (3). (1)-Article 6 is thrown into the starting end of 6 (9). In addition, instead of driving for a fixed time, when the article w at the end of the swivel conveyors 14 (1) to 14 (3) is no longer detected by the distribution end article detection sensors Sd (1) to Sd (3), Assuming that the article w has been thrown into the starting ends of the troughs 15 (1) -15 (9) of the vibration feeders 6 (1) -6 (9), the driving of the swivel conveyors 14 (1) -14 (3) is stopped. You may do it.

  Each swivel conveyor 14 (1) -14 (3) of one distribution conveyance mechanism 5 (1) -5 (3) is rotated, and each trough 15 of three vibration feeders 6 (1) -6 (9). The articles w are supplied to (1) to 15 (9), but the swivel conveyors 14 (1) to 14 (3) are rotated by a servo motor, so that the input position can be easily controlled.

  In this example, as shown in FIG. 11, first, a number j that designates one of the distribution transport mechanisms 5 (1) to 5 (3) and one of the vibration feeders 6 (1) to 6 (9) are designated. The number k and the number a that defines the number of vibration feeders 6 (1) to 6 (9) distributed by one distribution transport mechanism 5 (1) to 5 (3) are set to “1”, respectively (step) S401), it is determined whether or not a driving flag indicating that the turning conveyor 14 (j) of the distribution transport mechanism 5 (j) of number j is being driven is ON (step S402). When it is ON, the drive timer for driving time measurement corresponding to the swivel conveyor 14 (j) of the distribution transport mechanism 5 (j) of number j is decreased (step S403), and it is determined whether or not the drive timer has expired. Judgment is made (step S404).

  When the drive timer corresponding to the swivel conveyor 14 (j) of the number j distribution transport mechanism 5 (j) is up in step S404, the swivel conveyor 14 (j) of the number j distribution transport mechanism 5 (j) is driven. (Step S405), the driving flag of the swivel conveyor 14 (j) of the distribution transport mechanism 5 (j) of number j is turned OFF (Step S406), and the vibration feeders 6 (1) to 6 (9) are designated. Number k and the number a of the vibration feeders 6 (1) to 6 (9) are incremented (step S407), whether or not the number a becomes “4”, that is, the three vibration feeders 6 (1) to 6 6 (3), 6 (4) to 6 (6), 6 (7) to 6 (9) is judged whether or not the distribution process has been completed (step S408), and the number a is “4”. When there is not, three vibration fee 6 (1) 6 (3), 6 (4) 6 (6), the flow returns to step S402 as a distribution process for 6 (7) 6 (9) has not been completed.

  When the number a becomes “4” in step S408, the three vibratory feeders 6 (1) to 6 (3), 6 (4) to 6 (6) by the distribution transport mechanism 5 (j) of number j, Assuming that the distribution process for 6 (7) to 6 (9) has been completed, the number j is incremented and the number a is returned to “1” (step S409), whether or not the number j has become “4”. It is determined whether or not the processing for the three distribution transport mechanisms 5 (1) to 5 (3) has been completed (step S410). If not "4", the process returns to step S402 and is set to "4". When this happens, return from the subroutine.

  In step S402, when the driving flag of the swivel conveyor 14 (j) of the number j distribution transport mechanism 5 (j) is not ON, the swirl conveyor 14 (j) of the number j distribution transport mechanism 5 (j). It is determined whether or not the article w is detected at the end of the article, that is, whether or not the article is detected by the distribution end article detection sensor Sd (j) corresponding to the distribution transport mechanism 5 (j) of the number j (step). S411), when an article is detected, whether or not the instruction w flag of the article w to the trough 15 (k) of the vibration feeder 6 (k) of number k is ON, that is, the trough of the vibration feeder 6 (k). It is determined whether or not there is a request for loading the article w to 15 (k) (step S412). If the article loading command flag is ON, the process proceeds to step S413, and the article loading command flag is turned ON. When not, the procedure proceeds to step S407.

  In step S413, the swivel conveyor 14 (j) of the distribution transport mechanism 5 (j) with the number j is set to the position where the article w is put into the trough 15 (k) of the vibration feeder 6 (k) with the number k. Whether or not the end of the conveyor belt 11 of the swivel conveyor 14 (j) is directly above the trough 15 (k) of the vibration feeder 6 (k) of number k, Is turned OFF (Step S414), and the turning conveyor 14 (j) of the distribution / conveyance mechanism 5 (j) of number j is turned OFF. ) Driving flag is turned on (step S415), a driving timer corresponding to the turning conveyor 14 of the distribution transport mechanism 5 (j) of number j is set (step S416), and the distribution transport mechanism 5 (j) of number j is set. Swivel The driving of the conveyor 14 (j) is started and the process proceeds to step S407 (step S417). In step S413, when the swivel conveyor 14 (j) of the distribution transport mechanism 5 (j) with the number j is not in the loading position of the article w with respect to the trough 15 (k) of the vibration feeder 6 (k) with the number k, the number j The swiveling conveyor 14 (j) of the distribution transport mechanism 5 (j) is rotated to the article loading position with respect to the trough 15 (k) of the vibration feeder 6 (k) of number k, that is, swiveled, and the process proceeds to step S407. (Step S418).

  In step S411, when the article w is not detected at the end portion of the swivel conveyor 14 (j) of the distribution transport mechanism 5 with the number j, the swirl conveyor 14 (j) of the distribution transport mechanism 5 (j) with the number j. It is determined whether or not the article w is detected at the start end, that is, whether or not the article is detected by the distribution start end article detection sensor Sc (j) corresponding to the distribution transport mechanism 5 (j) of number j (step S419). When an article is detected, the driving flag of the swivel conveyor 14 (j) of the distribution transport mechanism 5 (j) of number j is turned on (step S420), and the swivel conveyor of the distribution transport mechanism 5 (j) of number j 14 (j) is set (step S421), the driving of the swivel conveyor 14 (j) of the distribution transport mechanism 5 (j) of number j is started, and the process proceeds to step S407 (step S407). S422).

  In step S419, when the article w is not detected at the starting end of the swivel conveyor 14 (j) of the number j distribution transport mechanism 5 (j), the number j distribution transport mechanism 5 (j The discharge command flag to the article discharge mechanism 4 corresponding to the number j is turned on and the process proceeds to step S407 so that the articles w are discharged to the swirl conveyor 14 (j).

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of the first half process in the control of the article discharge mechanisms 4 (1) to 4 (3) which is a subroutine in the overall control flowchart of FIG.

  In the basic control of the article discharge mechanisms 4 (1) to 4 (3), there is a supply request of articles from any of the rotary conveyors 14 (1) to 14 (3), and the rotary conveyor 14 that has received the supply request. When the article w is being conveyed to the article discharge mechanisms 4 (1) to (3) corresponding to (1) to 14 (3), the article w is being transferred to the article discharge mechanisms 4 (1) to (3). The in-convey flag indicating that the At the same time as the conveyance flag is turned on, the guide members 8 (1) to 8 (3) of the article discharge mechanisms 4 (1) to 4 (3) that are turned on are moved on the conveyance belt 7 of the preceding conveyance mechanism 3. In addition, the guide member 8 of the article discharge mechanisms 4 (1) and 4 (2) on the upstream side is set to a discharge state in which the article w is discharged so as to obliquely intersect the conveyance direction. 1) and 8 (2) are allowed to be allowed to pass through the article w by being retracted from the conveying belt 7. That is, the article w to be conveyed is conveyed to the article discharge mechanisms 4 (1) to 4 (3) where the conveyance flag is ON, and the discharged guide members 8 (1) to 8 (3) The swirl conveyors 14 (1) to 14 (3) that are required to supply the articles can be discharged.

  When there is no article supply request from any of the swivel conveyors 14 (1) to 14 (3) and all the article discharge mechanisms 4 (1) to 4 (3) are not in the on-transport flag, the downstream swivel conveyor 14 (3) -14 (1) is given priority and the supply request of goods is received. When an article supply request is received, the in-conveyance flag of the article discharge mechanism 4 (3) -4 (1) corresponding to the received swirling conveyor 14 (3) -14 (1) is turned ON, as described above. The guide members 8 (1) to 8 (3) of the article discharge mechanisms 4 (1) to 4 (3) are advanced onto the conveyance belt 7 of the preceding conveyance mechanism 3 to guide and discharge the articles w to the outside of the conveyance belt 7. To be discharged, that is, turned on. At the same time, the guide members 8 (1) and 8 (2) of the article discharge mechanisms 4 (1) and 4 (2) upstream of the article discharge mechanisms 4 (1) to 4 (3) with the conveyance flag turned ON It is retracted from above the conveyor belt 7 and returned to an allowable state that allows the passage of the article w, that is, turned off.

  The article detection sensors Sa (1) to Sa (1) immediately before the article discharge mechanisms 4 (1) to 4 (3) in a state where the conveying flag of the article discharge mechanisms 4 (1) to 4 (3) is ON. When the article w is detected by (3), the article w is discharged by the article discharge mechanisms 4 (1) to 4 (3) and discharged to the corresponding swirl conveyors 14 (1) to 14 (3). Therefore, the charging flag indicating that it is the charging period of the articles w to the swirl conveyors 14 (1) to 14 (3) of the article discharge mechanisms 4 (1) to 4 (3) is turned ON.

  This in-feed flag indicates that the required amount of articles w discharged by the article discharge mechanisms 4 (1) to 4 (3) has been discharged to the swivel conveyors 14 (1) to 14 (3). When it is detected by Sb (1) to Sb (3), it is turned off as the discharge is completed.

  Immediately before the article discharge mechanisms 4 (1) to 4 (3) in a state where the charging flag of the swivel conveyors 14 (1) to 14 (3) of the article discharge mechanisms 4 (1) to 4 (3) is ON. When the detection time of the article w by the preceding article detection sensors Sa (1) to Sa (3) reaches the first predetermined time, the required quantity of articles w is detected by the preceding article detection sensors Sa (1) to Sa (3). The required amount of articles w that have passed through the region, that is, to be discharged to the swivel conveyors 14 (1) to 14 (3) by the article discharge mechanisms 4 (1) to 4 (3). Assuming that the product is transported to 4 (3), the in-convey flag of the article discharge mechanisms 4 (1) to 4 (3) is turned OFF.

  When the conveyance flag is turned off, it becomes possible to newly accept an article supply request.

  Thus, even if the discharge of the required amount of articles w to the swivel conveyors 14 (1) to 14 (3) by the article discharge mechanisms 4 (1) to 4 (3) has not been completed, the preceding article detection sensor Sa ( When it is detected by 1) to Sa (3) that the required amount of articles w has been conveyed to the article discharge mechanisms 4 (1) to 4 (3), the article discharge mechanisms 4 (1) to 4 (3). Is turned off and a new article supply request is accepted, so that the article w can be discharged at high speed.

  Note that the completion of the discharge of the required amount of articles w to the swivel conveyors 14 (1) to 14 (3) by the article discharge mechanisms 4 (1) to 4 (3) is the discharge article detection sensors Sb (1) to Sb ( When it is detected in 3), the conveying flag may be turned off.

  Since the control program of this embodiment is turned on every predetermined time, for example, if it is turned on every 10 ms, the detection outputs of the preceding article detection sensors Sa (1) to Sa (3) are continued 10 times. For example, the article w blocks the optical path, which is the detection area of the preceding article detection sensors Sa (1) to Sa (3), over a period of 10 ms × 10 = 100 ms, so that the approximate conveyance amount of the article is grasped. it can. Therefore, when the detection time during which the article w is detected by the preceding article detection sensors Sa (1) to Sa (3) reaches the first predetermined time, the required amount of articles corresponding to the first predetermined time is moved downstream. It has been transported.

  As described above, when the detection time of the article w by the preceding article detection sensors Sa (1) to Sa (3) reaches the first predetermined time, the required amount of articles to the article discharge mechanisms 4 (1) to 4 (3). Since the conveyance of w has been completed, a conveyance completion flag, which will be described later, indicating that the conveyance of the required amount of articles w has been completed is turned ON. At the same time, a timer after completion of conveyance which measures the elapse of the set time from the completion of conveyance is set and measurement is started. During the set time, after the required amount of articles w has been transported to the article discharge mechanisms 4 (1) to 4 (3), the required quantity of articles w is supplied to the article discharge mechanisms 4 (1) to 4 (3). Is the time required to be discharged to the swirl conveyors 14 (1) to 14 (3) and completed.

  When the discharge of the article w to the swirl conveyors 14 (1) to 14 (3) is not completed beyond the set time, for example, between the guide members 8 (1) to 8 (3) and the transport belt 7. If an abnormality such as clogging of the article w has occurred, an alarm or the like notifies that adjustment is necessary.

  The article discharge mechanism in a state in which the charging flag indicating that the article w is being put into the swivel conveyors 14 (1) to 14 (3) of the article discharge mechanisms 4 (1) to 4 (3) is ON. 4 (1) to 4 (3) starts discharging the articles w to the swirl conveyors 14 (1) to 14 (3), and the discharged articles w are detected as discharged article detection sensors Sb (1) to Sb. When detected by (3), an ON detection output is given. When the detection time during which this detection output is given reaches the second predetermined time, it is assumed that the required amount of articles w has been discharged to the swirling conveyors 14 (1) to 14 (3) whose loading flag is ON. The guide members 8 (1) to 8 (3) of the article discharge mechanisms 4 (1) to 4 (3) are retracted from the transport belt 7 to enter an allowable state in which the article w is allowed to pass. Turn off.

  When the detection time of the discharged article detection sensors Sb (1) to Sb (3) for detecting the discharged article w reaches the second predetermined time, the guide of the article discharge mechanisms 4 (1) to 4 (3). By retracting the members 8 (1) to 8 (3) from the conveying belt 7 to an allowable state, the required amount of articles w can be discharged to the swivel conveyors 14 (1) to 14 (3). it can.

  The first predetermined time and the second predetermined time are based on a difference between detection in a state where the article w is being conveyed or detection in a state where the article w is falling.

  Next, it demonstrates in detail based on the flowchart of FIG.

  First, it is determined whether or not a conveyance flag indicating that the article w is being conveyed to the most upstream article discharge mechanism 4 (1) is ON (step S501), and the article discharge mechanism 4 (1) When the conveying flag is not ON, it is determined that the article w is not being conveyed to the article discharging mechanism 4 (1), and the conveying flag of the article discharging mechanism 4 (2) downstream from the article discharging mechanism 4 (1) is ON. (Step S502), and when the in-convey flag of the article discharge mechanism 4 (2) is not ON, it is determined that the article w is not being conveyed to the article discharge mechanism 4 (2) and is most downstream. It is determined whether or not the in-conveying flag of the article discharging mechanism 4 (3) on the side is ON (step S503), and when the in-conveying flag of the article discharging mechanism 4 (3) is not ON, the article discharging mechanism 4 (3) While conveying the article w Itoshite, the process moves to step S504.

  In step S504, since the conveying flags of all the article discharge mechanisms 4 (1) to 4 (3) are not ON, the most downstream swivel conveyor 14 ( It is determined whether or not there is a supply request for goods from 3). That is, since there is no article w at the start end of the most downstream swivel conveyor 14 (3), the discharge command flag for instructing discharge of the article to the article discharge mechanism 4 (3) which is the most downstream is turned on. Determine whether or not. When the discharge command flag of the article discharge mechanism 4 (3) is ON, it is determined that there is a supply request for the article, and the article discharge mechanism 4 (3) is transferred to the article discharge mechanism 4 (3) in order to transport the article w to the article discharge mechanism 4 (3). The conveyance flag of the article discharge mechanism 4 (3) indicating that the article w is being conveyed is turned ON (step S505), and the article discharge mechanism 4 (1) on the upstream side in the conveyance direction from the article discharge mechanism 4 (3). , 4 (2) guide members 8 (1), 8 (2) are retracted from the conveying belt 7 of the preceding conveying mechanism 3 to allow the article w to pass, that is, turn OFF (step S506). ).

  Further, the guide member 8 (3) of the article discharge mechanism 4 (3) is advanced onto the transport belt 7 of the preceding stage transport mechanism 3 so that the article w can be discharged, that is, turned on, that is, the step shown in FIG. The process moves to S536 (step S507).

  In the above step S501, when the conveyance flag of the article discharge mechanism 4 (1) indicating that the article w is being conveyed to the article discharge mechanism 4 (1) is ON, the preceding article of the article discharge mechanism 4 (1). It is determined whether or not the article w is detected by the detection sensor Sa (1) (step S529). When the article w is detected, the swirl conveyor indicates that it is a period during which the article w is put into the swivel conveyor 14 (1). 14 (1) is turned on (step S530), the detection time by the timer for measuring the article detection time by the preceding article detection sensor Sa (1) is increased (step S531), and the detection time is the first predetermined time. Whether or not the passage amount of the article detected by the preceding article detection sensor Sa (1) has reached the required amount (step S532). When not in constant time, the sequence proceeds to step S536 of FIG. 13, when it becomes the first predetermined time, the processing proceeds to step S533.

  In step S533, the article discharge mechanism 4 (1) indicating that the article w is being conveyed to the article discharge mechanism 4 (1) on the assumption that the conveyance of the required amount of the article w to the article discharge mechanism 4 (1) has ended. The conveyance completion flag of the guide member 8 (1) is turned on (step S534), and the conveyance completion flag of the guide discharge member 4 (1) is turned on (step S534). A timer is set after the completion of conveyance of the guide member 8 (1) for measuring the elapse of the set time from the point when conveyance according to (1) is completed, and measurement is started (step S535), and the process proceeds to step S536 in FIG.

  In the above step S502, when the in-convey flag of the article discharge mechanism 4 (2) is ON, the above steps of the article discharge system of the article discharge mechanism 4 (1) with respect to the article discharge system of the article discharge mechanism 4 (2). Processes similar to S529 to S535 are executed (steps S522 to S528). That is, in the above step S502, when the conveying flag of the article discharge mechanism 4 (2) is ON, it is determined whether or not the article w is detected by the preceding article detection sensor Sa (2) of the article discharge mechanism 4 (2). When the judgment is made (step S522) and the article w is detected, the in-feed flag of the orbiting conveyor 14 (2) indicating that the article w is being put into the orbiting conveyor 14 (2) is turned on (step S523). The detection time by the timer that measures the detection time of the article w by the preceding article detection sensor Sa (2) is increased (step S524), and whether or not the detection time has reached the first predetermined time, that is, the preceding article detection sensor Sa ( It is determined whether or not the passing amount of the article detected in 2) has reached the required amount (step S525), and when the first predetermined time has not been reached, FIG. Proceeds to step S536, when it becomes the first predetermined time, the processing proceeds to step S526.

  In step S526, the conveyance flag of the article discharge mechanism 4 (2) is turned OFF and the guide member of the article discharge mechanism 4 (2) is turned off, assuming that the conveyance of the required amount of the article w to the article discharge mechanism 4 (2) is completed. The conveyance completion flag of the guide member 8 (2) is turned ON (step S527), and the passage of the set time from the point when the conveyance by the guide member 8 (2) is completed is measured. After completion of the conveyance of the guide member 8 (2), a timer is set to start measurement (step S528), and the process proceeds to step S536 in FIG.

  In step S503, when the conveying flag of the article discharge mechanism 4 (3) is ON, the article discharge system of the article discharge mechanism 4 (1) Processing similar to that in steps S529 to S535 is executed (steps S515 to S521). That is, in step S503, when the conveying flag of the article discharge mechanism 4 (3) is ON, it is determined whether or not the article w is detected by the preceding article detection sensor Sa (3) of the article discharge mechanism 4 (3). When the determination is made (step S515) and the article w is detected, the charging flag of the turning conveyor 14 (3) indicating that the article w is being put into the turning conveyor 14 (3) is turned on (step S516). The detection time by the timer for measuring the detection time of the article w by the preceding article detection sensor Sa (3) is increased (step S517), and whether or not the detection time has reached the first predetermined time, that is, the preceding article detection sensor Sa ( It is determined whether or not the passing amount of the article w detected in 3) has reached the required amount (step S518), and when it is not the first predetermined time, FIG. Proceeds to the step S536, when it becomes the first predetermined time, the processing proceeds to step S519.

  In step S519, assuming that the transportation of the required amount of the article w to the article ejection mechanism 4 (3) is completed, the conveyance flag of the article ejection mechanism 4 (3) is turned OFF, and the guide member of the article ejection mechanism 4 (3). The conveyance completion flag of the guide member 8 (3) is turned ON assuming that the conveyance by 8 (3) is completed (step S520), and the elapse of the set time from the time when the conveyance by the guide member 8 (3) is completed is measured. After completion of the conveyance of the guide member 8 (3), a timer is set to start measurement (step S521), and the process proceeds to step S536 in FIG.

  In step S504, when the article discharge command flag to the most downstream article discharge mechanism 4 (3) is not ON, it is determined that there is no request for supply of articles to the article discharge mechanism 4 (3), and the most downstream side. It is determined whether or not the discharge command flag to the article discharge mechanism 4 (2) upstream of the article discharge mechanism 4 (3) is ON (step S508), and the discharge command to the article discharge mechanism 4 (2) is determined. When the flag is ON, it indicates that there is a supply request for the article, and that the article w is being conveyed to the article ejection mechanism 4 (2) in order to convey the article w to the article ejection mechanism 4 (2). The conveyance flag of the article discharge mechanism 4 (2) is turned ON (step S509), and the guide member 8 (1) of the article discharge mechanism 4 (1) on the upstream side in the conveyance direction from the article discharge mechanism 4 (2) is conveyed upstream. From above the conveyor belt 7 of the mechanism 3 By removing that permissive to permit passage of the article w and, namely, to OFF (step S510).

  Further, the guide member 8 (2) of the article discharge mechanism 4 (2) is advanced onto the transport belt 7 of the preceding stage transport mechanism 3 so that the article w can be discharged, that is, turned on, that is, the step shown in FIG. The process moves to S536 (step S511).

  In step S508, when the discharge command flag to the article discharge mechanism 4 (2) is not ON, it is determined that there is no supply request of the article to the article discharge mechanism 4 (2) and the article discharge mechanism 4 (2) It is determined whether or not the discharge command flag to the upstream article discharge mechanism 4 (1) is ON (step S512), and when the discharge command flag to the article discharge mechanism 4 (1) is ON, When there is a supply request, in order to transport the article w to the article discharge mechanism 4 (1), the conveyance flag of the article discharge mechanism 4 (1) is turned on (step S513), and the article discharge mechanism 4 (1) guides. The member 8 (1) is advanced onto the transport belt 7 of the preceding transport mechanism 3 to enter a discharge state in which the article w can be discharged, that is, turned on, and the process proceeds to step S536 in FIG. 13 (step S514).

  Next, in step S536 shown in FIG. 13, the swirl conveyor 14 (3) indicates that it is a period during which the articles w are thrown into the swirl conveyor 14 (3) of the most downstream article discharge mechanism 4 (3). It is determined whether the charging flag is ON. If the charging flag is not ON, the process proceeds to step S547. If the charging flag is ON, the process proceeds to step S537.

  In step S537, it is determined whether or not the article w discharged from the article discharge mechanism 4 (3) is detected by the discharged article detection sensor Sb (3). If the article w is not detected, the process proceeds to step S543. When the article w is detected, the process proceeds to step S538.

  In step S538, the detection time by the timer that measures the detection time of the article w by the discharged article detection sensor Sb (3) is increased, and whether or not the detection time has reached the second predetermined time, that is, the discharged article detection sensor Sb (3). ) Is detected to determine whether or not the discharge amount of the article has reached the required amount (step S539). If the second predetermined time has not been reached, the step of FIG. Returning to S501, when the second predetermined time is reached, the process proceeds to step S540.

  In step S540, it is assumed that the required amount of articles w has been discharged to the swivel conveyor 14 (3), and that the period into which the articles w are thrown into the swivel conveyor 14 (3) is input to the swivel conveyor 14 (3). Since the intermediate flag is turned OFF and the required amount of articles w has been discharged, the guide member 8 (3) is a flag for measuring the passage of a set time after the conveyance by the guide member 8 (3) is completed. ) Is turned off (step S541), and the discharge of the article w by the article discharge mechanism 4 (3) is completed, and the guide member 8 (3) is set in an allowable state in which the passage of the article is permitted. , OFF (step S542), and returns to step S501 of FIG.

  In step S543, it is determined whether or not the conveyance completion flag of the guide member 8 (3) is ON. If the conveyance completion flag of the guide member 8 (3) is not ON, the process returns to step S501 in FIG. When the conveyance completion flag is ON, the timer after the completion of conveyance of the guide member 8 (3) for measuring the lapse of the set time from the conveyance completion time is decreased (step S544), and the conveyance of the guide member 8 (3) is performed. After completion, it is determined whether or not the timer has expired (step S545). When the timer has not expired, the process returns to step S501 in FIG. 12, and when the timer has expired, the article discharge mechanism 4 (3) is supplied with the required amount of articles. In spite of the completion of the transport, the swirl conveyor 14 (3) is informed that the required amount of articles w has not been discharged and needs to be adjusted. -Up S546), the process proceeds to step S540.

  In step S536, when the loading flag to the swivel conveyor 14 (3) indicating that it is a period during which the article w is thrown into the swivel conveyor 14 (3) of the article discharge mechanism 4 (3) is not ON, the swivel conveyor 14 (3), it is determined that it is not the input period of the article, and the process proceeds to step S547. In step S547, it is determined whether or not the charging flag to the turning conveyor 14 (2) upstream of the turning conveyor 14 (3) is ON. If the charging flag is not ON, the process proceeds to step S558. When the middle flag is ON, the process proceeds to step S548.

  In step S548, it is determined whether the article w discharged from the article discharge mechanism 4 (2) is detected by the discharged article detection sensor Sb (2). If the article w is not detected, the process proceeds to step S554. When the article w is detected, the process proceeds to step S549.

  In step S549, the detection time by the timer for measuring the detection time of the article w by the discharged article detection sensor Sb (2) is increased, and whether or not the detection time has reached the second predetermined time, that is, the discharged article detection sensor Sb (2). 12), it is determined whether or not the discharge amount of the articles discharged to the swivel conveyor 14 (2) has reached the required amount (step S550). If the second predetermined time has not been reached, the step of FIG. Returning to S501, when the second predetermined time is reached, the process proceeds to step S551.

  In step S551, assuming that the required amount of articles w has been discharged to the swivel conveyor 14 (2), the swirl conveyor 14 (2) being put in is a period during which the articles w are thrown into the swivel conveyor 14 (2). Since the flag is turned off and the required amount of articles w has been discharged, the guide member 8 (2) is a flag for measuring the passage of a set time after the conveyance by the guide member 8 (2) is completed. The conveyance completion flag is turned off (step S552), and the discharge of the article w by the article discharge mechanism 4 (2) is completed, and the guide member 8 (2) is allowed to pass the article. It is turned off (step S553), and the process returns to step S501 in FIG.

  In step S554, it is determined whether or not the conveyance completion flag of the guide member 8 (2) is ON. If the conveyance completion flag of the guide member 8 (2) is not ON, the process returns to step S501 in FIG. When the conveyance completion flag is ON, the timer after the completion of conveyance of the guide member 8 (2) for measuring the elapse of the set time from the conveyance completion time is decreased (step S555), and the conveyance of the guide member 8 (2) is performed. After completion, it is determined whether or not the timer has expired (step S556). When the timer has not expired, the process returns to step S501 of FIG. 12, and when the timer has expired, the article discharge mechanism 4 (2) is supplied with the required amount of articles. In spite of the completion of the transport, the swirl conveyor 14 (2) is informed that the required amount of articles w has not been discharged and needs to be adjusted. -Up S557), the process proceeds to step S551.

  In the above step S547, when the charging flag of the swivel conveyor 14 (2) of the article discharge mechanism 4 (2) is not ON, it is determined that it is not the charging period of the article w of the swivel conveyor 14 (2), and the process proceeds to step S558. It is determined whether or not the charging flag of the turning conveyor 14 (1) upstream of the conveyor 14 (2) is ON. If the charging flag is not ON, the process proceeds to step S501 in FIG. 12, and the charging flag is set. If it is ON, the process moves to step S559.

  In step S559, it is determined whether or not the article w discharged by the article discharge mechanism 4 (1) is detected by the discharged article detection sensor Sb (1). If the article w is not detected, the process proceeds to step S565. When the article w is detected, the process proceeds to step S560.

  In step S560, the detection time by the timer that measures the detection time of the article w by the discharged article detection sensor Sb (1) is increased, and whether or not the detection time has reached the second predetermined time, that is, the discharged article detection sensor Sb (1). 12), it is determined whether or not the discharge amount of the articles discharged to the swivel conveyor 14 (1) has reached the required amount (step S561). If the second predetermined time has not been reached, the step of FIG. Returning to S501, when the second predetermined time is reached, the process proceeds to step S562.

  In step S562, assuming that the required amount of articles w has been put into the swivel conveyor 14 (1), the swirl conveyor 14 (1) being put in is a period during which the articles w are put into the swivel conveyor 14 (1). Since the flag is turned off and the required amount of articles w has been discharged, the guide member 8 (1), which is a flag for measuring the passage of the set time after the conveyance by the guide member 8 (1) is completed. The conveyance completion flag is turned off (step S563), and it is assumed that the discharge of the article w by the article discharge mechanism 4 (1) is completed, and the guide member 8 (1) is set in an allowable state in which the passage of the article is permitted. It is turned off (step S564), and the process returns to step S501 in FIG.

  In step S565, it is determined whether or not the conveyance completion flag of the guide member 8 (1) is ON. If the conveyance completion flag of the guide member 8 (1) is not ON, the process returns to step S501 in FIG. When the conveyance completion flag is ON, the timer after completion of conveyance of the guide member 8 (1) is decremented (step S566), and it is determined whether or not the timer after completion of conveyance of the guide member 8 (1) has expired. (Step 567) When the time has not expired, the process returns to step S501 of FIG. 12, and when the time has expired, the swivel conveyor 14 is in spite of the completion of conveying the required amount of articles to the article discharge mechanism 4 (1). A notification is sent to (1) that the required amount of articles w has not been discharged and adjustment is required (step S568), and the flow proceeds to step S562.

  As described above, when the article w is supplied on the upstream side in the transport direction of the preceding transport mechanism 3, the guide members 8 (1) to 8 (1) to 4 (1) to 4 (5) of the article discharge mechanisms 4 (1) to 4 (5) are provided at three locations on the transport path. 8 (3) is discharged to the swivel conveyors 14 (1) to 14 (3) of the three distribution transport mechanisms 5 (1) to 5 (3) outside the transport path, and the swirl conveyors 14 (1) to 14 (1) 14 (3), the troughs 15 (1) to 15 (3) of the three vibration feeders 6 (1) to 6 (3), 6 (4) to 6 (6), and 6 (7) to 6 (9) 3), 15 (4) to 15 (6), and 15 (7) to 15 (9), respectively. That is, the article w supplied at one location upstream in the transport direction of the front transport mechanism 3 is distributed and transported to the troughs 15 (1) to 15 (9) of the nine vibration feeders 6 (1) to 6 (9). The troughs 15 (1) to 15 (9) of the vibration feeders 6 (1) to 6 (9) can be supplied to the nine article insertion ports 25 of the combination weigher 2.

  Therefore, the article w, which is a piece of sticky broiler meat, can be automatically supplied to the nine article inlets 25 of the combination weigher 2, and the operator can grasp the articles one by one and semi-automatically. There is no need to perform the operation of putting it into the article input port of the type combination weigher, and the labor of the operator can be greatly reduced.

For example, when a 2 kg vacuum pack of broiler meat pieces is manufactured in a subsequent packaging machine of a semi-automatic combination weigher, assuming that the weighing capacity of the combination weigher is, for example, 20 times / minute, the operator is 1 In time, a piece of meat corresponding to 2 kg × 20 × 60 = 2.4 t is grasped and put into the article insertion port of the semi-automatic combination weigher. Moreover, since the worker works while standing, if you work for a long time,
It will consume too much physical strength.

  According to the present embodiment, since the article w is automatically distributed and supplied to the article insertion port 25 of the combination weigher 2 by the article supply device 1, the operator grasps a piece of meat and puts it into the article insertion port 25 of the combination scale 2. There is no need, and a great deal of labor can be saved.

  Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the preceding article detection sensors Sa (1) to Sa (3), the discharged article detection sensors Sb (1) to Sb (3), and the distribution start end article detection sensors Sc (1) to Sc. Since the discharge of the article w by the article discharge mechanisms 4 (1) to 4 (3) is controlled based on the output of (3), on the upstream side and the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the article w by the preceding stage transfer mechanism 3, The articles w can be discharged uniformly to the three swivel conveyors 14 (1) to 14 (3) without variations in the discharge of the articles w by the article discharge mechanisms 4 (1) to 4 (3). As a result, the articles w can be evenly supplied to the nine article insertion ports 25 of the combination weigher 2, and the combination weigher 2 can be operated efficiently.

[Other Embodiments]
The present invention can also be implemented in the following forms.

  (1) The pre-stage transport mechanism can be arbitrarily selected according to the size, weight, property, etc. of the article w. For example, an annular belt connecting a large number of lateral slat bars made of a hard resin material or a metal material. It is also possible to use a slat type conveyor, a wire mesh belt conveyor, or the like.

  (2) The distribution transport mechanism may be configured to perform vibration transport instead of the conveyor.

  (3) The rear-stage transport mechanism can be a belt conveyor type instead of the vibration feeder.

  (4) The article detection sensor is not limited to the transmission type photoelectric sensor as described above, and other sensors such as a reflection type photoelectric sensor and an ultrasonic sensor can also be used.

  (5) Locations where the articles are discharged by the article discharge mechanism and distribution destinations where the articles are distributed by the distribution transport mechanism are not limited to three, and may be two or four or more.

  (6) In the above embodiment, the preceding article detection sensors Sa (1) to Sa (3) are immediately before the article discharge mechanisms 4 (1) to 4 (3), that is, the article discharge mechanisms 4 (1) to 4 ( 3) provided on the upstream side adjacent to, for example, provided upstream article detection sensors Sa (1), Sa (2) on the downstream side adjacent to the article discharge mechanism 4 (1), 4 (2), respectively, The amount of articles on the downstream side of the article discharge mechanisms 4 (1) and 4 (2) may be detected.

  In this case, for example, when it is detected by the downstream upstream article detection sensor Sa (1) that an amount of articles necessary to be conveyed to the downstream article discharge mechanism 4 (2) has passed, the detection area In the adjacent upstream article discharge mechanism 4 (1), since the necessary amount of articles has already passed, the upstream article discharge mechanism 4 (1) It is possible to immediately discharge out of the transport path.

  In addition, you may provide a front | former article | item detection sensor in the upstream and downstream of an article | item discharge | emission mechanism.

  (7) In the above embodiment, the article is supplied to the article input port of the combination weigher by the article supply device. However, for example, on the plurality of supply conveyors of the semi-automatic combination weigher of Patent Document 2 described above. The article may be supplied to the apparatus, and the article may be supplied to other devices without being limited to the combination weigher.

  (8) In the above embodiment, the articles distributed by the distribution transport mechanism are transported to the article input port of the combination weigher which is each supply destination by the vibration feeder as the rear transport mechanism, but the rear transport mechanism is omitted and distributed. Articles may be directly distributed and supplied to each supply destination by the transport mechanism.

  (9) In the above embodiment, the article has been described as being applied to a broiler meat piece that has been dismantled. However, the article is not limited to such a piece of meat, and may be applied to root vegetables such as salmon and onions, and other articles. .

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Article supply apparatus 2 Combination weigher 3 Previous stage conveyance mechanism 4 (1) -4 (3) Article discharge | emission mechanism 5 (1) -5 (3) Distribution conveyance mechanism 6 (1) -6 (9) Vibration feeder (second stage conveyance mechanism) )
8 (1) -8 (3) Guide member 14 (1) -14 (3) Swivel conveyor 15 (1) -15 (9) Trough 27 PLC (control means)
w Article Sa (1) to Sa (3) Previous article detection sensor (first article detection means)
Sb (1) to Sa (3) Discharged article detection sensor (second article detection means)
Sc (1) to Sc (3) Distribution start end article detection sensor (third article detection means)

Claims (9)

A pre-stage transport mechanism for transporting a supplied article through a single transport path;
An allowed state in which the conveyed article is allowed to pass at a plurality of locations along the conveyance direction of the article by the preceding conveyance mechanism, and a discharge state in which the conveyed article is discharged out of the conveyance path. A plurality of article discharge mechanisms switchable to
A plurality of distribution transport mechanisms for supplying the articles discharged to the outside of the transport path by the plurality of article discharge mechanisms and transporting the supplied articles to each of a plurality of distribution destinations;
First article detection means for detecting the article conveyed along the conveyance path;
A plurality of second article detection means for detecting articles discharged out of the transport path by the plurality of article discharge mechanisms;
Third article detection means for detecting articles in the plurality of distribution transport mechanisms;
Control for switching and controlling the permissible state and the discharge state of the article discharge mechanism based on the output of the first article detection means, the output of the second article detection means, and the output of the third article detection means Means,
An article supply apparatus comprising: A plurality of subsequent transport mechanisms for transporting the articles distributed to the respective distribution destinations by the distribution transport mechanism;
The article supply apparatus according to claim 1. The latter-stage transport mechanism is a vibration feeder that vibrates and conveys the article in a certain direction.
The article supply apparatus according to claim 2. A plurality of the first article detection means;
The plurality of first article detection means correspond to the plurality of article discharge mechanisms, respectively, detect the articles passing through the plurality of detection areas of the transport path, and output detection outputs to the control means, respectively. To
The article supply apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3. Each of the plurality of detection areas of the plurality of first article detection means is each area on the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the article adjacent to each of the plurality of article discharge mechanisms.
The article supply apparatus according to claim 4. The plurality of article discharge mechanisms are retracted from the conveyance path in the permissible state and are allowed to pass through the article, while in the discharge state, the plurality of article discharge mechanisms are obliquely intersected with the conveyance direction of the article. , Each having a guide member capable of switching and turning, which has a discharge posture to advance on the transport path and guide and discharge the article out of the transport path,
The control means switches and controls the permissible state and the discharge state of the guide member of the plurality of article discharge mechanisms,
The article supply apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The distribution conveyance mechanism is at a lower position than the conveyance path, and the second article detection means is guided and discharged out of the conveyance path by the guide member in the discharged state and falls to the distribution conveyance mechanism. Detecting the article;
The article supply apparatus according to claim 6. The distribution transport mechanism transports the articles discharged by the article discharge mechanism, and includes a swivel conveyor that can be switched to a plurality of positions around the transport start end side.
The article supply apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7. The combined weight of the article supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 8 and a plurality of weighing units and combining the weights of the articles supplied to each weighing unit is within a predetermined weight range. A combination operation for performing a combination operation for selecting a combination of the weighing units and discharging the article from the selected weighing unit;
The combination balance is supplied with the articles distributed and conveyed to the plurality of locations by the distribution and conveyance mechanism of the article supply device.
A weighing system characterized by that.

Images