JPH11245906A - Product processing equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] To provide a product processing apparatus capable of accurately specifying a tray in a product processing apparatus and appropriately performing product processing based on the specified tray. SOLUTION: Based on the dimensions of the tray on which the product is placed,
The present invention relates to a product processing apparatus that performs a predetermined process on a product. The product processing apparatus includes: a size detecting unit that detects a size of the tray; a specification tray size S1 used as information for specifying the tray by being compared with a detection value detected by the size detecting unit; And a tray information storage unit 51 for storing a tray size S2 for product processing used as information serving as a reference for processing the information in association with each tray.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for processing goods such as packaging, price setting and taring.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Food and the like in a supermarket are packaged in a film together with the tray while being placed on the tray, and a label indicating the net weight and price of the food is attached to the film. Such packaging and pricing are performed by a packaging and pricing device. The packaging price applicator pushes up the tray on which the product is placed to the upper packaging station, unwinds the film from the film roll to the packaging station, cuts the film into a predetermined cut length, and presses the product against the lower surface of the film. Fold the film on the bottom side of the tray to wrap the product. After the packaging, the packaging price applicator affixes the label issued from the label printer to the film.

In order to perform such packaging, it is necessary to change the cut length of the film and the like based on the size of the tray. Here, since it is troublesome to input the dimensions of the tray for each packaging, the size of the tray is detected and measured before packaging. As one of such detection methods, a television camera is provided above a conveyor that conveys the tray, an image of the tray is taken from above, and the dimensions of the tray are obtained by image processing (for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-2575).
No. 24).

[0004]

Here, conventionally, in order to determine a film width or a film length or to specify a tray from the detected dimensions of the detected tray, a tray master (tray information storage unit) has been used. The dimensions of the tray are input and registered in advance. However, even if the trays have the same planar dimensions, the dimensions detected by imaging with a camera differ depending on the height of the tray. That is, a tray having a high height is measured (detected) largely as shown by a solid line in FIG. 9A, while a tray having a low height is measured (detected) small as shown by a two-dot chain line. As described above, it is inevitable that an error occurs in the detected value. Therefore, if the detected value is compared with a registered value in which the actual dimensions of the tray are input and the detected value is specified, an error is likely to occur in specifying the tray. Therefore, it is conceivable to register in advance the detection values of the detected trays and compare the registered detection values with the detection values at the time of packaging. The cut length and the like are determined, and the finished state of the package deteriorates.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 9 (b) and 9 (c), there are various shapes of the tray T, and not only the planar size of the tray T, but also the width and length of the film due to the difference in shape. Alternatively, it is necessary to change the timing of the packaging operation. For example, as shown in FIG.
Is high, the film length should be determined based on a value larger than the actual width W of the tray T.
Also, when the folded plate 204 of the film F reaches the lower corner Tc of the tray T in FIG. 9C, if the end Fa of the film F is released, a good packaging state can be obtained. In the case of the tray T in which the width Wb on the bottom surface side of the tray T is smaller than the width Wu of the upper portion of T (the width of the tray), the timing of the packaging operation is determined based on the lower width Wb of the tray T. preferable. However, if a value different from the actual size is registered as the size of the tray, the difference from the detected value becomes large, so that an error is more likely to occur in specifying the tray.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to enable a product processing apparatus to accurately specify a tray and appropriately perform product processing based on the specified tray. is there.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is based on the dimensions of a tray on which goods are placed.
An article processing apparatus for performing a predetermined process on an article, comprising: a dimension detecting unit that detects a dimension of the tray; and information for identifying the tray by being compared with a detection value detected by the dimension detecting unit. A tray information storage unit for storing the tray size for use to be used and the tray size for product processing to be used as reference information for processing products in association with each tray.

In the present invention, in a product processing mode in which a predetermined process is performed on a product, a detection value obtained by the dimension detecting means prior to the processing of the product, and a specifying tray stored in the tray information storage unit. Identify trays based on size. Next, the product processing tray size for the specified tray is read from the tray information storage unit, and a predetermined calculation or search required for the product processing is performed based on the product processing tray size to process the product. Determine the content.

In the present invention, the “dimensions of the tray”
It refers to at least one of a rectangular side, a long side and a height of the tray, but the dimensions of the tray do not necessarily have to match the dimensions of the actual tray, and the pseudo dimensions may be based on various factors. Sometimes set. In addition, `` to perform predetermined processing on the product '' means that the width and length of the packaging film are determined from the dimensions of the tray, the film roll is selected, and the cut length of the film is determined, and the film is cut. Wrap the product, or, determine the tare weight of the tray from the dimensions of the tray, tare to determine the net weight of the product, affix a label printed with the net weight,
Alternatively, it refers to a process of obtaining a label sticking position from the dimensions of the tray and sticking a label at the sticking position.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show a weighing / packaging / pricing device which is an example of a product processing device. First, the weighing / packaging mechanism of the device will be described.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 100 denotes a weighing conveyor, 2
00 is a packaging device. The weighing conveyor 100 spans between a weight detector 101 such as a load cell for weighing the weight of the contents (product) M including the tare, and a pair of pulleys 102 and 102 supported on the upper part of the weight detector 101. The driving belt 103 includes a plurality of driving belts 103. A claw-shaped projection 104 that pushes the end of the tray T and feeds the tray T to the packaging device 200 side is fixed to each of the drive belts 103. Accordingly, the placed product is weighed and then sent onto the post 210 of the lifter 201 together with the tray T while sliding on the transport surface 105.

The post 210 of the lifter 201 is disposed immediately below the packaging station S, and can be moved up and down by a lifting means 208. This lifter 2
01, when goods are supplied from the weighing conveyor 100,
The post 210 rises and lifts the product M to the packaging station S.

On the other hand, prior to the wrapping operation, a stretched film F cut to a predetermined film length is supplied to the wrapping station S by the transfer mechanisms 202,202. When the product M is pushed up, the film F comes into close contact with the upper surface of the product M. In this state, the film folding mechanism 203 includes a pair of left and right folding plates 204,
204, a rear folding plate 205, and a round bar-shaped front folding member 20
6 and the pusher 207 (FIG. 2).
The front, rear, left and right side edges are folded into the bottom side of the tray T to package the product, and the packaged product is discharged onto the discharge conveyor 209 in FIG.

In FIG. 1, inside the main body frame 20,
A plurality of film rolls Fr having different widths F2 (FIG. 3) are accommodated, and any one of the film rolls F is stored.
By selecting r, the film F can be unwound into the packaging station S. Above the packaging station S, a label pasting machine 13 is provided. The label sticking machine 13 sticks the label issued from the label printer 12 on the surface of the film F at the packaging station S in FIG. The label printer 12 and the label sticking machine 13 shown in FIG. 1 are movably supported by an upper support frame 21, and the labeling head 13 shown in FIG.
a is supported so as to be pivotable about a vertical axis, so that the position at which the label L is applied and the attitude at which the label L is applied can be selected.

In FIG. 2, an illuminating device 1 and a CCD camera (imaging device) 2 are provided above a weighing conveyor 100.
Are provided below the discharge conveyor 209. The illumination device 1 mainly emits, for example, infrared rays to a slightly wider range than the imaging area A (see FIGS. 4 and 5). Below the CCD camera 2, there is provided a filter 2f for absorbing light other than the infrared light directed toward the CCD camera 2, and the CCD camera 2 detects the infrared light from the image pickup area A, thereby obtaining the signal shown in FIG. The image of the tray T is taken as described above, and the taken image information is output to the microcomputer (microcomputer) 3 in FIG. The CCD camera 2
The image processing means 40 of the microcomputer 3 constitutes a dimension detecting means for detecting (measuring) the dimension of the tray T.

In FIG. 4 (a), the microcomputer 3 has a measuring means 106, a touch screen (input operation section) 10, a stroke key section (input operation section), in addition to the CCD camera 2, via an interface (not shown). Part) 11,
A label printer 12, a controller 14 with weighing and packaging values, and the like are connected. The microcomputer 3 includes a CPU 4 and a memory 5. The CPU 4 includes an image processing unit 40, a processing content determining unit 41, and a tray specifying unit 42.
It has. On the other hand, the memory 5 has a product information storage unit 5.
0, a tray information storage unit 51 and a film roll selection reference storage unit 52.

FIG. 6A shows the product information storage unit 50.
Corresponding to the product call No. of each product, in addition to the product name and unit price for each product, 1
One or more tray numbers are stored. The information of the product name and the unit price is used as label print information.

The tray information storage unit 51 shown in FIG. 6B stores a tray number and a specific tray size S1 for each tray.
And the product processing tray size S2 are stored in association with each other. The specification tray size S1 is for specifying the detected tray. The specification tray size S1 is a detection value detected by a size detection unit described later, that is, the width (length) of the tray shown in FIG. A registered detection value including a side dimension) and a depth (short side dimension) is stored for each tray. The product processing tray size S2 is a tray setting value input from the stroke key unit 11, and is a dimension used as a reference when processing products such as packaging. As the product processing tray size S2, for example, the actual width and depth of the tray T in FIG. 6E are stored for each tray.

The CPU 4 shown in FIG. 4A has a tray information registration mode and a product processing mode for performing a predetermined process on a product. In the tray information registration mode, the specifying tray size S, which is information on the dimensions of the tray, is used.
1 and a tray size S2 for product processing, and a tray No. are stored in the tray information storage unit 51 in advance.
The tray registration screen of (b) is displayed. The screen is provided with a display column for displaying a tray size S1 for specifying a tray to be registered and a tray size S2 for processing products.

The film roll selection criterion storage section 52 of FIG. 6C stores the numbers of the film rolls Fr (FIG. 1) having different film widths and the depth threshold of the tray T in association with each other. . Film rolls having different film widths are selected based on the depth of the tray T.

The image processing means 40 shown in FIG.
Based on the imaging information input from the CD camera 2, the position of the apparent planar edge of the tray T is detected by the method described below, and further, from the position of the edge,
The apparent size of the tray T is calculated. C in FIG.
In the imaging area A of the CD camera 2, the first and second
The image processing means 40 binarizes the amount of infrared light with reference to a predetermined threshold value Sh as shown in FIG. Is detected. Further, the image processing means 4
0, based on the distance between the end O _N and the edge Te of the imaging area A in the two reference lines C1, the C2, calculates the magnitude of the apparent tray T. For example, tray T
Is calculated by the following equation (1). Wa = Wo− (W ₁ + W ₂ ) (1)

The tray specifying means 42 shown in FIG.
Based on the sizes W and D of the tray T, which are the detection values obtained by the size detection means, and the specifying tray size S1 (registered detection value) stored in the tray information storage unit 51 in FIG. For example, the tray number (type of tray) is specified by the following procedure. First, the tray specifying means 42 reads a tray number corresponding to the product call number input from the stroke key unit 11 from the product information storage unit 50, and reads the width W and the depth W of the tray T of each read tray number. For D, the measured value and the registered detection value are compared, and the absolute value ΔW of the difference for the width W and the absolute value ΔD of the difference for the depth D are determined. Subsequently, the tray specifying unit 42 specifies the tray T by selecting the tray T having the smallest sum of the absolute value ΔW + ΔD.

The processing content determining means 41 shown in FIG.
Is the tray No. specified by the tray specifying means 42.
FIG. 6B shows the product processing tray size S2 of FIG.
Is read from the tray information storage unit 51. The processing content determining means 41 determines the processing content of the product by performing a predetermined calculation or search necessary for processing the product based on the product processing tray size S2. For example, the processing content determining means 41 determines the depth of the product processing tray size S2 and the depth of FIG.
By comparing the depth of the film roll selection reference storage unit 52 shown in FIG.
To determine. On the other hand, the cut length of the film and the timing of each device during packaging are determined based on the depth and width of the product processing tray size S2. The cut length and timing of the film may be determined by searching and reading from a table (not shown) or may be calculated based on a predetermined mathematical formula. For example, the calculation of the cut length of the film is calculated based on the following equation (2). Cut length = ((tray height) + (tray width)) x 2 + allowance ... (2)

Next, the operation of the present weighing / packaging / pricing apparatus will be described. Prior to product processing, tray No., tray size S1 for specifying and tray size S for product processing
2 is registered in the tray information storage unit 51. To perform the registration, a predetermined button on the touch screen 10 in FIG. 4 is touched to set the CPU 4 to the tray information registration mode.
When the CPU 4 is set to the tray information registration mode, the tray registration screen shown in FIG.
Will be displayed.

In the tray information registration mode, the operator specifies the tray No. of the tray to be registered, and the depth (short side dimension) and width (long side dimension) of the product processing tray size S2.
Is input by depressing the stroke key unit 11, the CPU 4 stores the tray number in the tray information storage unit 51. On the other hand, the tray is placed on the weighing conveyor 100 and the tray detection button T on the touch screen 10 is set.
When S is touched, the weighing means 106 starts the weight detector 100
Is converted into a weight and output to the microcomputer 3. The microcomputer 3 takes in light amount information from the CCD camera 2 when the weight signal is stabilized (the weight detector 101 is stabilized). Thereafter, the CPU 4 detects the edge Te of the tray based on the above method, and calculates the apparent dimensions of the tray from the edge Te. The CPU 4 sets the calculated tray size as the tray size S1 for specifying the tray N
O. and the merchandise processing tray size S2.

In order to carry out product processing, first, the stroke key section 11 and a predetermined button on the touch screen 10 are touched to set the CPU 4 to the product processing mode. Next, after inputting the call number of the product M to be processed, the product M
Is placed on the weighing conveyor 100, the dimensions of the tray T are calculated in the same manner as described above. When the dimensions of the tray T are calculated, the tray specifying unit 42 detects the detected dimensions of the tray T (detected value at the time of packaging) and the specifying tray size S1 stored in the tray information storage unit 51 in FIG. (Registration detection value) and specify the tray No. Thereafter, the processing content determining means 41 searches the tray information storage unit 51 for the product processing tray size S2 corresponding to the specified tray number and reads it out. After this detection,
The processing content determining means 41 determines the film roll number by comparing the depth of the product processing tray size S2 with the depth of the film roll selection reference storage unit 52 in FIG. Tray size S2
And the timing of releasing the film clamp, etc., based on the depth and width of the film. Thereafter, based on the determined values, the above-described weighing, packaging, and valuation of the product M are performed.

As described above, in the present apparatus, the values detected by the size detecting means (CCD camera 2 and image processing means 40) are stored in advance as the specifying tray size S1 (registered detected value). Since an error is less likely to occur between the detection value at the time of packaging detected by the detection means and the registered detection value, the accuracy of specifying the tray is improved. on the other hand,
When processing products, the tray size for identification S1
Product packaging, taring and labeling are performed based on the product processing tray size S2, which is different from the product processing tray size, so that the apparent dimensions of the tray (detected values at packaging and registered detection values) and the actual dimensions of the tray Even if there is an error between them, the processing accuracy of each product does not decrease. That is, the finished state of the packaging is improved, and the accuracy of the taring and the label attaching position is improved.

Note that the product processing tray size S2 does not necessarily need to be the actual size of the tray T. For example, as shown in FIG. The tray size may be changed according to the tray T, for example, by setting and inputting a larger tray size in order to increase the film cut length or the like.

In the above-described embodiment, one image obtained by imaging a product is binarized to detect edges. However, in the present invention, a first frame memory for storing only a background image in advance, and a product for packaging are stored. A second frame memory for capturing and storing images may be provided, and both frame memories may be compared to detect the edge of the product. In the above-described embodiment, the reference lines C1 and C2 in FIG. 5A are vertically and horizontally one by one in order to simplify the description.
A plurality of C1s and C2s may be provided.

In the above embodiment, the weighing conveyor 100 and the label pasting machine 13 shown in FIG. 1 are provided. However, the present invention can be applied to a packaging apparatus without the weighing conveyor 100 and the label pasting machine 13. Further, in the above embodiment, the stretch packaging was performed after weighing.
As shown in (a), weighing may be performed after stretch packaging. For example, as shown in FIG.
0, a carry-in conveyor 110 is provided, and a weighing conveyor 1 is provided.
The present invention can also be applied to a weighing apparatus in which the label pasting machine 13 is provided on the conveyor 120 downstream of 00.

Further, in the above embodiment, C in FIG.
Although the size of the tray is detected by using the CD camera 2 and the image processing means 40, the mechanism for detecting the size of the tray is not limited in the present invention. For example, when a carry-in conveyor is provided upstream of the weighing conveyor 100 in FIG. 1 (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 7-257524), as shown in FIG. Detector 300 on which reflected light is incident while moving on carry-in conveyor
The width W of the tray T is calculated from the number of the trays T. On the other hand, while the transmission type photoelectric detectors 301 and 302 are provided, while the tray T moves on the carry-in conveyor 100, the tray T May be calculated. Also, when a centering device for centering the tray is provided,
Alternatively, when a pusher that pushes and transports the tray from behind is provided, the size of the tray may be detected from the stroke of the centering device or the pusher.

[0032]

As described above, according to the present invention, the size of the tray for identification for detecting and specifying the tray and the size of the tray for product processing serving as a reference for determining the content of the product processing are determined. Because they are set and stored separately,
The accuracy of identification by tray detection is improved, and the accuracy of product processing can be improved. So, for example,
Good finished packaging can be obtained. Alternatively, it is possible to improve the accuracy of taring and the accuracy of the label attaching position.

Further, by storing the detected value detected by the dimension detecting means as the specifying tray size, even if the dimension detected value is significantly different from the actual tray size, the accuracy of the dimension detection reproducibility can be improved. If it is good, it will not hinder the identification of the tray. Therefore,
The accuracy of specifying the tray is improved, and the accuracy of the product processing is not affected at all. Therefore, the accuracy of the product processing is improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a weighing / packing and pricing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the same mechanism.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a packaging method.

FIG. 4 (a) is a schematic configuration diagram of a weighing / packing / pricing device,
(B) is a tray registration screen.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a method of detecting dimensions and edges of a tray.

FIGS. 6 (a), (b), and (c) are tables showing examples of storage contents of a product information storage unit, a tray information storage unit, and a film roll selection reference storage unit, respectively. It is a top view which shows the tray size for specification and the tray size for goods processing, respectively.

FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram showing a schematic mechanism of another product processing apparatus.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing another example of the detector of the dimension detecting means.

9A is a conceptual diagram illustrating a method for detecting the dimensions of a tray, FIG. 9B is a side view illustrating a packaging state, and FIG. 9C is a side view illustrating a packaging method.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10: Touch screen (input operation unit) 11: Stroke key unit (input operation unit) 2: CCD camera 42: Tray specifying unit 41: Processing content determining unit 40: Image processing unit 51: Tray information storage unit F: Film Fr: Film roll M: Commodity S1: Tray size for specification S2: Tray size for product processing S: Packaging station T: Tray

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. Based on the dimensions of the tray on which the product is placed,
A product processing apparatus for performing a predetermined process on a product, comprising: dimension detection means for detecting a dimension of the tray; and information for identifying the tray by being compared with a detection value detected by the dimension detection means. A product processing apparatus comprising: a tray information storage unit for storing a tray size for use to be used and a tray size for product processing to be used as reference information for processing products in association with each tray. 2. Based on the dimensions of the tray on which the product is placed,
A product processing apparatus for performing a predetermined process on a product, comprising: a size detection unit configured to detect a size of the tray; and a tray information registration mode configured to store information on a size of the tray in advance. While the value is stored as a tray size for specifying the tray, the set value of the tray input from the input operation unit is stored as a tray size for processing the product for processing the product, and the tray for specifying the tray is stored. A tray information storage unit that stores the size and the product processing tray size in association with each tray, and a detection value obtained by the dimension detection unit prior to the processing of the product in a product processing mode for performing a predetermined process on the product. And a tray for specifying a tray based on the specifying tray size stored in the tray information storage unit. Specifying means, a product processing tray size for the specified tray is read from the tray information storage unit, and a predetermined calculation or search required for processing the product is performed based on the product processing tray size, and the product is processed. And a processing content determining means for determining the processing content of the product. 3. The commodity processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the size detecting means obtains information on light from the tray and the background to detect the size of the tray. 4. The product processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the size detection unit includes an imaging device and an image processing unit. 5. The commodity processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the commodity processing apparatus pushes up a tray on which the commodity is placed to an upper packaging station, and places the commodity on a lower surface of a film stretched in the packaging station. A product processing apparatus comprising a packaging device for pressing and folding the film to the bottom side of the tray to package the product.