Patent Application
20080091299
This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-279543, filed on Oct. 13, 2006 and No. 2006-285841, filed on Oct. 20, 2006. The entire disclosures of Japanese Patent Application Nos. 2006-279543 and 2006-285841 are hereby incorporated herein by reference.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a weighing and packaging system and a setting input device for a product processing system.
2. Background Information
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application Publication No. 2005-121512 discloses a combination weighing device in which the operating condition of heads is displayed on a display screen on a real-time basis.
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application Publication No. 2003-11928 discloses a filling and packaging device in which the packaging conditions are captured by a camera and the activation and deactivation of the device is controlled according to the frequency of occurrence of a failure in the filling and packaging process.
Japanese Laid-Open Utility Model Application Publication No. H06-7024 discloses a timing adjusting device in which empty bags are formed in the preceding and the succeeding of a filled bag and the optimal operation timing is set as an operator visually checks the filling condition.
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application Publication No. H05-288596 discloses a weighing device in which operating parameters indicative of operating conditions are displayed on an indicator.
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application Publication No. 2001-287707 discloses a packaging device in which a perspective view of a tray used for packaging is displayed on a screen of an indicator and additionally the setting of the specifications of the tray can be input on the same screen.
In view of the above, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that there exists a need for an improved weighing and packaging system and an improved setting input device for product processing system. This invention addresses this need in the art as well as other needs, which will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure.
However, with the conventional devices as disclosed in the above mentioned references, the operating conditions can be grasped only on device-by-device basis. Therefore, with a weighing and packaging system in which a weighing unit and a packaging unit are cooperatively operated, it is difficult to set the operation timing of each device since a moving condition of the articles cannot be grasped.
In particular, in case of a vertical pillow-type packaging machine, it is difficult to set the above described operation timing since the processing speed is very high (20-180 bags/minute) and since the positional relationship between sealing jaws that seal the end of the bag and the articles in the bag is difficult to be observed from the outside.
In addition, in case of a combination weighing device, dozens of clusters of articles are collected at high speed every minute as a number of circumferentially arranged hopper gates are opened, and the position of the articles is difficult to be observed from the outside.
In addition, devices constituting a product processing system for weighing, packaging, and the like have various operating parameters. These operating parameters need to be changed or additional such parameters need to be set when an object to be processed changes. When the meanings of these parameters are displayed only by letters (names), it is difficult to grasp the meanings of such parameters since this type of product processing device has a complicated structure. Accordingly, it can be a cause of a setting error.
Therefore, one object of the present invention is to provide a weighing and packaging system in which a moving condition of the target object can be easily grasped and the operation timing of each unit can be easily adjusted based on the moving condition.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a setting input device for a product processing system in which even a novice user who is inexperienced in the operation of the product processing system can perform the setting in an easy and error-proof manner.
A weighing and packaging system according to a first aspect of the invention includes a weighing unit, a packaging unit, a dropping path, a display unit, a determination unit and a display control unit. The weighing unit is configured and arranged to weigh a predetermined amount of articles and to discharge the predetermined amount of the articles to a downstream part. The packaging unit is configured and arranged to package the articles discharged from the weighing unit in a packaging material. The dropping path is disposed between the weighing unit and the packaging unit so that the articles pass through the dripping path from when the articles are discharged from the weighing unit until when the articles are supplied to the packaging unit. The display unit includes a display screen to display an image representing the weighing unit, the dropping path and the packaging unit. The determination unit is configured to determine whether the articles are present in the weighing unit, the dropping path, and the packaging unit, respectively. The display control unit is configured to display an indicator indicative of the articles on the image representing the weighing unit, the dropping path and the packaging unit displayed on the display screen according to a determination result by the determination unit.
According to the first aspect of the present invention, whether or not the articles are present in each of the weighing unit, the dropping path, and the packaging unit can be recognized at a glance by looking at the display screen of the display unit. Thus, it is easy to set opening and closing timing of the gate of the weighing unit, sealing timing of the packaging unit and the like.
The weighing and packaging system according to a second aspect of the invention is preferably arranged such that the weighing unit includes a plurality of weighing hoppers configured and arranged to weigh the articles with each of the weighing hoppers being coupled to a gate that selectively opens and closes a respective one of the weighing hoppers, the packaging unit includes a longitudinal sealing unit configured and arranged to form the packaging material into a cylindrical shape, and a pair of sealing jaws configured and arranged to seal the packaging material formed into the cylindrical shape in a transverse direction, and the dropping path includes a collecting unit configured and arranged to collect the articles that are discharged from the gates of the weighing hoppers and to drop the articles to the packaging unit.
With the weighing and packaging system of the second aspect having the combination weighing device and the vertical pillow-type packaging machine, the effect of the present invention becomes further significant.
The weighing and packaging system according to a third aspect of the invention is preferably arranged such that the display control unit is configured to display the indicator indicative of the articles in a stationary state on the display screen at a predetermined timing.
According to the third aspect, since the articles in a motionless or stationary state are displayed on the display screen, the position of the articles can be easily recognized even when the moving speed of the articles is fast.
The weighing and packaging system according to a fourth aspect of the invention is preferably arranged such that the display control unit is configured to set the predetermined timing to a timing at which the sealing jaws are closed.
According to the fourth aspect, since the positional relationship between the closed sealing jaws and the articles can be grasped, it is more likely to prevent problems such as “jamming” of the articles, “a bag with the articles for two bags” (overweight), “an empty bag” (underweight), and the like.
A setting input device according to a fifth aspect of the invention is a setting input device for a product processing system that performs a predetermined process on a product. The setting input device includes a display unit and a setting input unit. The display unit is configured and arranged to display a first screen including an operating parameter of a device of the product processing system and a first image representing the device. The setting input unit is configured and arranged to receive input for a setting of the operating parameter in a state in which the display unit displays the first screen.
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, unlike the case where the operating parameter of the device is displayed only by using text, the parameter is displayed with an illustration of the device. Thus, it makes it easy for an operator to understand the meaning of each parameter. Accordingly, even a novice user who is inexperienced in the operation can perform the setting in an easy and error-proof manner.
The setting input device according to a sixth aspect of the invention is preferably arranged such that the display unit is further configured and arranged to display a second screen including specifications required for the product and a second image representing a perspective view of the product.
According to the sixth aspect, settings can be easily performed on one screen not only for the device but also for the product.
The setting input device according to a seventh aspect is preferably arranged such that the display unit is further configured and arranged to display a third screen including a plurality of third images representing perspective views of a plurality of devices, respectively, of the product processing system. Moreover, the setting input unit is configured and arranged to receive a selection of one of the devices according to a selection of one of the third images in a state in which the display unit displays the third screen, and the display unit is further configured and arranged to display the first screen including the first image corresponding to a selected one of the devices upon the selection of the one of the third images being received by the setting input unit.
The seventh aspect of the present invention enables easy selection of a display screen.
The setting input device according to the eighth aspect of the invention is preferably arranged such that the display unit is configured and arranged to display the first screen including the operating parameter related to an operation of a pair of sealing jaws of a vertical pillow-type packaging machine of the product processing system and the first image corresponding to the sealing jaws and a packaging material sandwiched by the sealing jaws.
Since the vertical pillow-type packaging machine includes a longitudinal sealer and a transverse sealer and the operation of the sealing jaws is relatively complicated, it is difficult to have an operator to accurately understand the meaning of the parameter related to the vertical pillow-type packaging machine only by letters. However, according to the present aspect, the use of the illustrations for the setting screen significantly improves the usability.
These and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses preferred embodiments of the present invention.
Referring now to the attached drawings which form a part of this original disclosure:
Selected embodiments of the present invention will now be explained with reference to the drawings. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that the following descriptions of the embodiments of the present invention are provided for illustration only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
Referring initially to
First, an overall configuration of the product processing system of the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. As shown in
Referring to
Each of a plurality of supply troughs 3i (i=1, 2, . . . , n) supplies the articles M on the dispersion unit 2 to a corresponding one of a plurality of pool hoppers 4i disposed downstream of the supply troughs 3i. Each of the pool hoppers 4i is provided with a gate 5i, and receives and temporarily holds and stores the articles M supplied by the supply trough 3i. Disposed downstream of each of the pool hoppers 4i is a corresponding one of a plurality of weighing hoppers 6i. Each of the weighing hoppers 6i is disposed with a weighing head including a weight detector 7i for detecting the weight of the articles M fed to the weighing hopper 6i from the pool hopper 4i. Each of the weighing hoppers 6i is also provided with a gate 8i. Disposed below the gate 8i are a corresponding one of a plurality of booster hoppers 10i and a gate 19i. Disposed below the gates 19i is a large collecting discharge chute (collecting unit) 9. The combination weighing device 1 combines the weights of the articles M detected by each of the weight detectors 7i. Therefore, the articles M are collected as a group or combination whose weight or whose quantity is equal to or in a vicinity of a target value, and then the group of the articles M is dropped to a packaging machine 40 shown in
The vertical pillow-type packaging machine 40 shown in
With the vertical pillow-type packaging machine 40, a film (an example of a packaging material) F is bent or formed into a cylindrical shape by the former 30. Then, the pull down belts 31 below the former 30 pull the sides of the film F downward. At the same time, the laterally disposed longitudinal sealer 32 seals the end portions (seams) of the film F to each other in its flow direction Z and forms the film F into a cylindrical shape.
The end sealer 33 includes a pair of sealing jaws 33a. As mentioned above, the sheet-like film F is formed into a cylindrical shape as the film F is fitted to the tube device 34, and the overlapped end portions of the film F are sealed to form the longitudinal sealing portion V along its flow direction Z by the longitudinal sealer 32. Then, the cylindrically formed film F is filled with the articles M. Subsequently, the film F is sealed to form the transverse sealing portion H having a strip-shape by the end sealer 33 in a transverse direction X with respect to the flow direction Z of the film F. As a result, a product (the articles M and their package) is produced.
In the first embodiment of the present invention, a drop detector 35 is preferably provided in a top portion of the former 30 as shown in
As shown in
The seal checker 12 shown in
The weight checker 13 weighs the product M while the product M is being transferred, and thereby determines whether or not the product M is within a predetermined weight range.
The sorting device 14 shown in
The combination weighing device 1, the transfer conveyor 11, the seal checker 12, the weight checker 13, the sorting device 14, and the vertical pillow-type packaging machine 40 shown in
The central controller 15 is configured to control the combination weighing device 1, the transfer conveyor 11, the seal checker 12, the weight checker 13, the sorting device 14, and the vertical pillow-type packaging machine 40 in a centralized or integrated manner. The central controller 15 includes a microcomputer 18 and a touch screen device 20. The microcomputer 18 includes a CPU 16 and a memory device 17.
The memory device 17 is configured to store data corresponding to a plurality of display screens that are displayed on the touch screen device 20 as shown in
The microcomputer 18 is operatively connected to the touch screen device 20 as shown in
The touch screen device 20 is configured and arranged to display various screens, for example screens as shown in
The CPU 16 in
The determination unit 16a is configured to determine whether or not the articles M are present in the devices of the product processing device shown in
According to the determination by the determination unit 16a as to the presence of the articles M, the display control unit 16b is configured to control the display on the touch screen device 20 to display an indicator corresponding to the articles M so as to overlap the images or illustrations of the devices displayed in the display screen on the touch screen device 20.
Referring now to
More specifically, the image 21 on the article display screen displays the devices such as the combination weighing device 1, the vertical pillow-type packaging machine 40, the seal checker 12, the weight checker 13, and the like, which constitute the product processing system.
On the image 21 displayed in the article display screen, indicators corresponding to the articles M in a motionless or stationary state at a predetermined timing (described below) are displayed as shown in
First, a method for determining whether or not the articles M are present in portions upstream of the end sealer 33, and a method for displaying the indicators corresponding to the articles M on the article display screen displayed on the touch screen device 20 in the portions upstream of the end sealer 33 are described.
Based on various signals regarding each of the devices of the product processing system (e.g., the combination weighing device 1, the transfer conveyor 11, the seal checker 12, the weight checker 13, the sorting device 14, the vertical pillow-type packaging machine 40, and the like) sent from the controller of each of the devices, the determination unit 16a in
For example, whether or not the articles M are present in the pool hopper 4i shown in
Whether or not the articles M are present in the booster hopper 10i in
According to the result of the determination by the determination unit 16a as to the presence of the articles M in each of the devices, the display control unit 16b in
The following method can be used, for example, in order to determine whether or not the articles M are present in the dropping path 41 in
A period of time elapses after the drop detector 35 detects a first set of articles M1 as shown in
The display control unit 16b is then configured to display the indicators corresponding to these (n−1) sets of the articles M at evenly spaced intervals obtained by dividing a distance L (
Next, method for determining a display timing when the indicators corresponding to the articles M are displayed on the image 21 displayed on the touch screen device 20 is described according to a case in which timing adjustment is performed, and a case in which an error in cycle occurs.
For example, there is a case where timing adjustment is needed for interlocking operations of the combination weighing device 1 and the vertical pillow-type packaging machine 40 of the product processing system. In such a case, a plurality of the sets of the articles M1, . . . Mn, which are detected by the drop detector 35 during a period from when the drop detector 35 detects the first set of articles M1 as shown in
On the image 21 displayed on the touch screen device 20, the sealing jaws 33a, the indicators corresponding to the sets of the articles M in the dropping path 41 at the time when the sealing jaws 33a are closed as shown in
Since the positional relationship between the closed sealing jaws 33a and the articles M can be grasped and observed by the operator on the touch screen device 20, the operator can adjust the closing timing of the sealing jaws 33a to prevent problems such as jamming of the articles M, producing an overfilled bag (e.g., a bag filled with an amount of the articles M for two bags), producing an empty bag, and the like. Further, even when the moving speed of the articles M is fast, the position of the articles M can be easily recognized since the indicators corresponding to the articles M are displayed on the touch screen device 20 in a motionless, stationary state.
If it is determined that the first bag is an empty bag as a result of actually visually checking the product M manufactured by the vertical pillow-type packaging machine 40, the operator delays the closing timing of the sealing jaws 33a. On the other hand, when a bag filled with an amount of the articles M for two bags is produced, the operator accelerates the closing timing of the sealing jaws 33a. When jamming occurs, the closing timing of the sealing jaws 33a is adjusted to be slightly accelerated or slightly delayed.
When the number of the indicators corresponding to the sets of the articles M displayed on the image 21 on the touch screen device 20 is not consistent with the number of actually packaged bags, it is highly possible that the operator made an error in setting the operation timing of the product process system. In this way, the image 21 displayed on the touch screen device 20 can be used as a guide as the operator sets the operation timing.
On the other hand, there is a case where a combination within a predetermined weight range cannot be obtained during the operation of the combination weighing device 1. In such a case, the articles M are supplied to the weighing hopper 6i but the articles M are not discharged from the weighing hopper 6i and the sealing operation of the transverse sealing portion H by the sealing jaws 33a is not performed until a combination within a predetermined weight range is obtained. In other words, the sealing jaws 33a are momentarily stopped during the operation of the product processing system. In such a case, with a conventional product processing system, the operator may easily feel anxiety wondering if the vertical pillow-type packaging machine 40 broke down.
However, with the product processing system of the present invention, the indicators corresponding to the articles M are displayed on the image 21. Accordingly, when a combination within a predetermined weight range cannot be obtained, the operator can immediately know the reason why the sealing jaws 33a did not perform the transverse sealing operation.
Therefore, since the operating conditions of the combination weighing device 1 and the vertical pillow-type packaging machine 40 can be immediately observed, it is possible to eliminate the operator's anxiety and the like.
Next, a method for determining whether or not the articles M are present in the devices downstream of the end sealer 33 (e.g., the transfer conveyor 11, the seal checker 12, the weight checker 13, the sorting device 14 and the like), and a method for displaying the indicators corresponding to the articles M in the image 21 at positions corresponding to such devices downstream of the end sealer 33 are described.
Based on the number of the products M (the number of the sets of the articles M), which are bagged as the sealing jaws 33a are closed, and the transfer speed of the transfer conveyor 11, the determination unit 16a (
In the first embodiment of the present invention, the indicator corresponding to the product M determined to be defective by the seal checker 12 and the weight checker 13 is preferably displayed in a different color than the indicators corresponding to other non-defective products.
According to the first embodiment of the present invention, whether or not the articles are present in each of the weighing unit (the combination weighing device 1), the dropping path 41, and the packaging unit (the vertical pillow-type packaging machine 40) can be recognized by the operator at a glance of the display unit (the touch screen device 20), and thus, it is easy to set operation timings of the product processing system such as opening and closing timing of the gates of the weighing unit, sealing timing of the packaging unit and the like.
Referring now to
The product processing system of the second embodiment differs from the product processing system of the first embodiment in that the drop detector 35 of the first embodiment is not provided in the dropping path 41 in the second embodiment. More specifically, in the second embodiment, the determination unit 16a (
A period of time elapses between timing at which the first discharge signal is sent to the gate 19i corresponding to the booster hopper 10i (
Therefore, the display control unit 16b is configured to display the indicators corresponding to the sets of the articles M in the dropping path 41 on the image 21 at positions at evenly spaced intervals obtained by dividing the distance of dropping path 41 by the value (n−1).
The other configurations of the product processing system of the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment illustrated in
In the first and second embodiments of the present invention described above the indicators corresponding to the articles M and the products M are displayed in a stationary manner. Alternatively, the articles M and the product M may be displayed on the image 21 on a real-time basis.
In addition, the indicators indicative of the product M with a printing error and a jamming error which occur in the vertical pillow-type packaging machine 40, the overweight product and the product M with a weighing error which occur in the combination weighing device 1, and the like may be displayed on the image 21 in a color coded manner.
Furthermore, by using the information regarding the product M displayed on the image 21 displayed on the touch screen device 20, the product processing system may be configured such that the interlock timing of each device can be automatically adjusted after the general device setting is performed.
In addition, a packaging machine which introduces the articles M one after another into a plurality of packaging materials formed in a bag shape while rotating these bags in a generally horizontal direction may be used as a packaging machine of the product processing system instead of the vertical pillow-type packaging machine 40.
In addition, the average drop speeds in which various types of articles drop in the dropping path 41 may be stored in the memory device 17 in advance. The product processing system may be configured such that when the operator specifies the type of the articles that is the most similar to the articles M to be processed, the CPU 16 reads out of the memory device 17 the drop speed corresponding to the specified the type of the articles and calculates the position of the articles M in the dropping path 41 based on the drop speed. The display control unit 16b may display the indicators corresponding to the articles M at positions corresponding to the position of the articles M in the dropping path 41 on the image 21 displayed on the touch screen device 20.
Referring now to FIGS. 8 to 14, a product processing system in accordance with a third embodiment will now be explained. In view of the similarity between the first and third embodiments, the parts of the third embodiment that are identical to the parts of the first embodiment will be given the same reference numerals as the parts of the first embodiment. Moreover, the descriptions of the parts of the third embodiment that are identical to the parts of the first embodiment may be omitted for the sake of brevity.
The structures of the product processing system of the third embodiment are basically identical to the structures of the product processing system illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 7. The third embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that several different display screens are displayed on the touch screen device 20 for setting operating parameters when the product processing system are in a parameter setting mode.
The controller of each of the combination weighing device 1, the transfer conveyor 11, the seal checker 12, the weight checker 13, the sorting device 14, and the vertical pillow-type packaging machine 40 is configured and arranged to store operating parameters to operate the corresponding devices, and to control the corresponding devices based on these operating parameters.
In the third embodiment, the CPU 16 of the central controller 15 is configured to control the product processing system in one of an operation mode and an operating parameter setting mode. In the operation mode, the combination weighing device 1, the transfer conveyor 11, the seal checker 12, the weight checker 13, the sorting device 14, and the vertical pillow-type packaging machine 40 are operated in an interlocked manner. In the operating parameter setting mode, operating parameters are sent to the controllers of the combination weighing device 1, the transfer conveyor 11, the seal checker 12, the weight checker 13, the sorting device 14, and the vertical pillow-type packaging machine 40 and thereby the operating parameters of the combination weighing device 1, the transfer conveyor 11, the seal checker 12, the weight checker 13, the sorting device 14, and the vertical pillow-type packaging machine 40 are set.
When the operator performs predetermined operations on the product processing system (e.g., weighing and packaging operation of the articles M), the display control unit 16b of the central controller 15 is configured to display an initial screen on the touch screen device 20 as shown in
When the operator touches the start button 28 in the initial screed displayed on the touch screen device 20, the CPU 16 is configured to set the product processing system in the operation mode. Then, the combination weighing device 1, the transfer conveyor 11, the seal checker 12, the weight checker 13, the sorting device 14, and the vertical pillow-type packaging machine 40 are configured to read out the operating parameters from the respective controllers connected to the respective devices (the combination weighing device 1, the transfer conveyor 11, the seal checker 12, the weight checker 13, the sorting device 14, and the vertical pillow-type packaging machine 40) and to produce the product (the articles packaged in a packaging material) based on these operating parameters.
On the other hand, when it is desired to change the operating parameters of the combination weighing device 1, the transfer conveyor 11, the seal checker 12, the weight checker 13, the sorting device 14, and/or the vertical pillow-type packaging machine 40, the operator touches the setting screen display button 22 in the initial screen displayed on the touch screen device 20 as shown in
The product setting screen displays an image 23 representing a perspective view of the product, a plurality of setting buttons 24, a plurality of device selection buttons 25, an exit button 26, and the like as shown in
For example, in case of inputting the setting (values) of the operating parameters of the vertical pillow-type packaging machine 40 (
As shown in
On the image 23, the film F, the sealing jaws 33a, a longitudinal seal V portion, a transverse seal H portion, the product M, and the like are illustrated.
On the setting buttons 24, all the operating parameters needed for the operation of the vertical pillow-type packaging machine 40 (
A leader line 23a is displayed between each setting button 24 and the portion of the image 23 corresponding to the setting button 24.
For example, the leader line 23a is drawn from the setting button 24 corresponding to the longitudinal sealing temperature to the longitudinal seal portion V of the film F on the image 23.
In addition, the leader lines 23a are drawn from the setting buttons 24 corresponding to the transverse seal temperature, the transverse sealing pressure, and the period of time for transverse sealing to the transverse seal portion H of the film F on the image 23.
Furthermore, the leader line 23a is drawn from the setting button 24 corresponding to the gap between the sealing jaws 33a and 33a at the time of transverse sealing to an arrow displayed in the gap between the sealing jaws 33a and 33a on the image 23.
In addition, the leader line 23a is drawn from the setting button 24 corresponding to the declining length of the sealing jaws 33a at the time of transverse sealing to an arrow displayed below the sealing jaws 33a on the image 23. When the operator touches one of the setting buttons 24 for inputting the setting of operating parameters, a ten-key window 27 is displayed as shown in
When the operator touches the return button 27b after inputting a predetermined numerical value by touching the number buttons 27a, the packaging machine setting screen shown in
The operator touches the various setting buttons 24 and repeats inputting the setting of the operating parameters for the vertical pillow-type packaging machine 40 as desired.
After inputting the setting of the operating parameters, when the operator touches the exit button 26, the CPU 16 in
Upon receiving the operating parameters from the central controller 15, the controller of the vertical pillow-type packaging machine 40 in
As described above, the image 23 representing the perspective view of the device is displayed on the corresponding device setting screen and the leader lines 23a are drawn from the image 23 to the setting buttons 24 on which the operating parameters are displayed. Thereby, the relationship between each portion of the image 23 and each operating parameter is clearly expressed. Therefore, unlike the case where the operating parameters of the device are displayed only by text, it is easy for the operator to understand the meaning of each parameter, and thus even a novice user who is inexperienced in the operation can perform the setting in an easy and error-proof manner.
In particular, the vertical pillow-type packaging machine 40 (
When inputting the setting of the operating parameters of the device is completed, the operator touches the exit button 26 to return to the initial screen shown in
On the other hand, in case of further inputting the setting of an operating parameter of a different device after the setting of the operating parameters of the vertical pillow-type packaging machine 40 is performed on the packaging machine setting screen in
For example, when the operator touches the device selection button 25 corresponding to the seal checker 12, an inspection device setting screen shown in
The operator touches the setting button 24 for input setting in order to display the ten-key window 27 shown in
As described above, when the operator touches one of the device selection buttons 25, which are disposed on the display screen and on which perspective views of a plurality of devices are illustrated, a different display screen corresponding to the touched device selection button is displayed on the touch screen device 20, enabling easy screen selection.
When inputting the setting of operating parameters of each device for the product M, the operator touches the device selection button 25 on which a perspective view of the product M is illustrated in order to display the product setting screen shown in
As mentioned earlier, the product setting screen displays the image 23 representing the perspective view of the product M, the setting buttons 24, the device selection buttons 25, the exit button 26, and the like.
The setting buttons 24 include buttons for, for example, length, width, and thickness of a bag of the product M, tare weight, target weight of the articles, and maximum and minimum weights of the articles. Each setting button 24 is connected to the corresponding portion of the product M displayed on the image 23 by the leader line 23a.
The operator touches the setting button 24 in order to display the ten-key window 27 shown in
For example, operating parameters such as length, width, and thickness of a bag of the product M, tare weight and the like are sent to the controller of the vertical pillow-type packaging machine 40. On the other hand, operating parameters such as target weight of the articles, maximum and minimum weights of the articles and the like are sent to the controllers of the combination weighing device 1 and the weight checker 13.
As described above, disposition of the product setting screen enables the setting of operating parameters of various devices to be input on one screen not only for the devices but also for the product and thus the convenience is improved.
As shown in
For example, when sorting the product M having a faulty seal to the right, an icon corresponding to a faulty seal is moved to the right sorting field as shown by an arrow in
In addition, although the touch screen device 20 is described as an example of the display and input device in the first to the third embodiments, the system may be equipped with a display device including an LCD or a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) display and an input device such as a mouse and/or a keyboard.
Furthermore, in the third embodiment, the system may be equipped with a help function to display the articles of each operating parameter displayed on the setting button 24 in writing and illustrations. In this way, it is possible to know detailed information regarding each operating parameter by using the help function.
In addition, in the first to the third embodiments, acceleration is facilitated when the booster hopper 10i is disposed below each weighing hopper 6i. However, the booster hopper 10i does not necessarily need to be provided in the combination weighing device 1. In addition, as the combination weighing device 1, a device disposed with timing hoppers may be used. Such timing hoppers may be disposed in a plurality of stages above and below.
In understanding the scope of the present invention, the term “comprising” and its derivatives, as used herein, are intended to be open ended terms that specify the presence of the stated features, elements, components, groups, integers, and/or steps, but do not exclude the presence of other unstated features, elements, components, groups, integers and/or steps. The foregoing also applies to words having similar meanings such as the terms, “including”, “having” and their derivatives. Also, the terms “part,” “section,” “portion,” “member” or “element” when used in the singular can have the dual meaning of a single part or a plurality of parts. The term “detect” as used herein to describe an operation or function carried out by a component, a section, a device or the like includes a component, a section, a device or the like that does not require physical detection, but rather includes determining, measuring, modeling, predicting or computing or the like to carry out the operation or function. The term “configured” as used herein to describe a component, section or part of a device includes hardware and/or software that is constructed and/or programmed to carry out the desired function. The terms of degree such as “substantially”, “about” and “approximately” as used herein mean a reasonable amount of deviation of the modified term such that the end result is not significantly changed.
While only selected embodiments have been chosen to illustrate the present invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that various changes and modifications can be made herein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. For example, the size, shape, location or orientation of the various components can be changed as needed and/or desired. Components that are shown directly connected or contacting each other can have intermediate structures disposed between them. The functions of one element can be performed by two, and vice versa. The structures and functions of one embodiment can be adopted in another embodiment. It is not necessary for all advantages to be present in a particular embodiment at the same time. Every feature which is unique from the prior art, alone or in combination with other features, also should be considered a separate description of further inventions by the applicant, including the structural and/or functional concepts embodied by such feature(s). Thus, the foregoing descriptions of the embodiments according to the present invention are provided for illustration only, and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP 2006-279543 | Oct 2006 | JP | national |
| JP 2006-285841 | Oct 2006 | JP | national |
