JP4907119B2 - Article processing equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique in which a plurality of article processing apparatuses that perform predetermined processing on articles are arranged in series.

  In food processing factories, etc., two or more food processing devices (article processing devices whose processing objects are foods) that each perform predetermined processing on the food while conveying the food are arranged in series as a line. A food processing system is used. For example, there is a food processing system including a labeler that attaches a label to food and a label inspection device that inspects whether the label is normally attached to food in series.

  In such a food processing system, there is a case in which a sorting device is provided that automatically excludes food in which some abnormality has occurred from a predetermined transport path (line). In this case, if a dedicated sorting device is provided for each food processing apparatus that constitutes one transport path, the line length becomes long, which is inefficient. For this reason, in general, one sorting apparatus is shared by a plurality of food processing apparatuses. For example, in a food processing system equipped with a labeler, a label inspection device, and a sorting device in this order, regardless of whether the labeler or the label inspection device has an abnormality, the same sorting device will affect the abnormality. Food is being excluded.

  As prior art documents disclosing techniques related to the present invention, there are the following documents.

JP 2004-355402 A JP 2004-230376 A JP 2001-101303 A

  By the way, in the conventional food processing system, the processing result of the food is stored only in the storage device provided in the food processing apparatus on which the processing is performed. For this reason, for example, when one sorter is shared as described above, when a certain food is eliminated by the sorter, the cause of the exclusion can be confirmed afterwards. It was necessary to check the processing results stored in the storage devices of all food processing devices that processed the food. For this reason, a great amount of time is required to obtain a necessary processing result.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of grasping the processing results of a plurality of article processing apparatuses by handling only one article processing apparatus.

In order to solve the above-described problem, the invention of claim 1 receives an article from an upstream device arranged along an article conveyance path, performs a predetermined process on the article, and applies the processing to the downstream sorting device. An article processing apparatus for delivering an article, the receiving means for receiving a processing result for the article from the upstream apparatus, the processing result for the article received by the receiving means, and the processing result for the article in its own apparatus Storing means for each article as a record, and determining means for determining a distribution direction of the article by the sorting device based on a processing result for the article stored in the storage means, A transmission means for transmitting an instruction signal indicating a distribution direction for the article determined by the determination means to the distribution device, and an extraction for extracting a record stored in the storage means As an example, based on the input means for inputting the specific information given to the same type of article and the specific information input by the input means, the record of the article specified by the specific information is extracted from the storage means. Extraction means and display means for displaying the records extracted by the extraction means .

The invention according to claim 2 is the article processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the input means can input a processing date of the processed article, and the extraction means is input from the input means. The records of the articles on the processing date are further extracted .

The invention according to claim 3 is the article processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the display means displays the processing result of the article and the processing result of the article. In this case, different color display is performed when the processing result is a processing result for the article in the upstream device and when it is a processing result for the article in the own device .

Further, the invention of claim 4, article processing apparatus odor according to any one of claims 1 to 3 Te, the records to be extracted by the extraction means, the number of records the processing result is the same further comprising a collecting unit for aggregate, the display means, that displays the counting result by the tallying unit.

The invention of claim 5 is the article processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the article processing apparatus, checks whether a label to an article is normally attached Ru label inspection apparatus der.

According to the first to fifth aspects of the present invention, by referring to the information stored in the storage unit, it is possible to grasp the processing results of the upstream apparatus as well as the own apparatus later. Further, the distribution direction of the articles can be determined using the processing result of the upstream apparatus as well as the own apparatus. Further, by referring to the information stored in the storage means, it is possible to grasp afterwards which of the processing results of the upstream apparatus and the self apparatus has determined the distribution direction by the distribution apparatus. In addition, necessary records can be referenced quickly .

In particular, according to the invention of claim 3 , it is possible to grasp in real time which of the processing results of the upstream apparatus and the own apparatus has determined the distribution direction by the distribution apparatus .

In particular, according to the invention of claim 4 , the number of records with the same processing result is counted for each processing result, and the result is displayed, so that the processing result can be easily analyzed .

  Hereinafter, a food processing system in which an article to be processed is a food will be described as an article processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

<1. First Embodiment>
<1-1. Overall configuration>
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of a food processing system ST1 according to the first embodiment. The food processing system ST1 performs a predetermined process on each food f while continuously conveying the food (hereinafter simply referred to as “food”) f placed on the tray by a plurality of food processing apparatuses. Is. This food processing system ST1 is used, for example, in a food processing factory that processes food as a product for a store such as a supermarket and ships it to the store. As shown in the figure, the food processing system ST1 includes a labeler (labeling device) 1 that applies a label to the food f as a food processing device, a label inspection device 2 that inspects the label attached to the food f, and a food product. The distribution apparatus 3 mainly distributes f in a plurality of directions.

  The labeler 1, the label inspection device 2, and the sorting device 3 are arranged in series in this order from the upstream side to the downstream side so as to form one conveyance path (line) of the food f. Each of the labeler 1, the label inspection device 2, and the sorting device 3 includes conveyors 11, 21, and 31 as transport mechanisms that transport the food f substantially horizontally. These conveyors 11, 21, 31 are linearly arranged at substantially the same height without a large interval so as to sequentially convey the food f in the same direction (from left to right in the figure). Is arranged. Thereby, the labeler 1, the label inspection apparatus 2, and the sorting apparatus 3 each bear a part of the conveyance path | route of the food f.

<1-2. Labeler>
The labeler 1 performs a label sticking process of sticking a label describing predetermined information on the food f. The labeler 1 of the present embodiment can attach labels to both the upper side and the lower side of the food f. Also, in the labeler 1, when it is not necessary to attach the lower label of the food f according to the request of the shipping destination, etc., a setting for performing an operation of not attaching the lower label (hereinafter, “label unnecessary setting”). Is also possible. The food product f to which the label is attached by the labeler 1 is delivered to a label inspection device 2 as a downstream device in the transport path.

  The labeler 1 includes a console unit 12, an upper label sticking machine 15, and a lower label sticking machine 16 in addition to the conveyor 11 described above. The console unit 12 functions as a user interface, and includes a display 13 that displays various information in color and has a touch panel function, and an input button 14 that receives an input from the user.

  Moreover, the upper label sticking machine 15 prints predetermined information on a label, and sticks the printed label on the upper side of the food f. On the other hand, the lower label sticking machine 16 prints predetermined information on a label and sticks the printed label on the lower side (bottom face) of the food f. In the present embodiment, a barcode is printed on the label handled by the lower label sticking machine 16.

<1-3. Label inspection device>
The label inspection apparatus 2 receives the food f from the labeler 1 as an upstream apparatus in the conveyance path, and performs a label inspection process for inspecting whether or not the label is normally attached to the food f. The food f inspected by the label inspection device 2 is delivered to the sorting device 3 as a downstream device in the transport path. Note that the label inspection apparatus 2 according to the present embodiment has a label attached to the lower side of the food f (a label attached by the lower label attaching machine 16) as an inspection target, but is attached to the upper side of the food f. A label (a label affixed by the upper label affixing machine 15) may be an inspection target.

  The label inspection apparatus 2 includes a console unit 22, a scanner 25, and a warning display 26 in addition to the conveyor 21 described above. The console unit 22 functions as a user interface, and includes a display 23 that displays various information in color and has a touch panel function, and an input button 24 that receives input from the user.

  The scanner 25 acquires an image on the lower side of the food f, and includes an imaging sensor such as a CCD. The imaging direction of the scanner 25 is slightly outward from the upstream end of the conveyor 21. As a result, the scanner 25 images the bottom surface of the food f through the gap between the conveyor 11 and the conveyor 21 when the food is delivered from the conveyor 11 of the labeler 1 to the conveyor 21 of the label inspection apparatus 2. Become. In the label inspection apparatus 2, the presence / absence of a label is determined based on whether or not the barcode of the label that should be included in the image acquired by the scanner 25 can be recognized.

  The warning indicator 26 notifies the user of predetermined information including a warning by light emission, and includes three rotating lights. The three rotating lamps have different emission colors, and are red, yellow, and green from the top. These rotating lights are turned on as necessary based on the processing result of the label inspection apparatus 2 and the like.

<1-4. Sorting device>
The sorting device 3 receives food from the label inspection device 2 as an upstream device in the transport path, and further moves the food f in either the direction toward the downstream device 4 or the direction of removal from the transport path. Sorting process is performed.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the distribution device 3 as viewed from above. As shown in the drawing, the sorting apparatus 3 includes a sorting arm 32 for sorting food in addition to the conveyor 31 described above. The sorting arm 32 is a long member, and is a position that is retracted to the side of the conveyor 31 along the conveying direction of the conveyor 31 (position indicated by a solid line in the figure: hereinafter referred to as “passing position”), and the conveyor. It is possible to rotate around a rotation shaft 32c between a position (a position indicated by a broken line in the drawing: hereinafter referred to as “exclusion position”) that blocks a food conveyance path by 31.

  When the sorting arm 32 is in the passing position, the food is conveyed to the downstream device 4 as it is. On the other hand, when the sorting arm 32 is at the exclusion position, the food is conveyed to the side of the conveyor 31 by contact with the sorting arm 32. In this way, the food is distributed in either of the direction toward the downstream apparatus 4 (hereinafter referred to as “passing direction”) and the direction of exclusion from the transport path (hereinafter referred to as “exclusion direction”). The food will be sorted out.

  The direction of food distribution is instructed by the instruction signal from the label inspection apparatus 2. Usually, when food is processed normally, the food is sorted in the passing direction, and when some abnormality occurs in the food processing, the food is sorted in the exclusion direction. As a result, the abnormal food is removed from the transport route, and only normal food is shipped to the store.

<1-5. Electrical configuration>
Each of the labeler 1, the label inspection device 2, and the sorting device 3 includes a control unit that is a computer for comprehensively controlling the device itself. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an electrical configuration of the food processing system ST1 including the control unit of each apparatus.

  The control unit 10 of the labeler 1 includes a CPU 101 that performs various arithmetic processes, a ROM 102 that stores programs and the like, a RAM 103 that serves as a work area for arithmetic processes, and a battery-backed SRAM 104 that is a non-volatile memory that stores various data. A timer 105 having a timekeeping function and a communication unit 106 for performing data communication with other food processing apparatuses are provided.

  The conveyor 11, the display 13, the input button 14, the upper label sticking machine 15, and the lower label sticking machine 16 are electrically connected to the control unit 10 via a bus line 19. As a result, all these units operate under the control of the control unit 10. The control unit 10 has a control function and a data processing function. Such a function of the control unit 10 is realized by the CPU 101 performing arithmetic processing according to a program as firmware stored in the ROM 102 in advance.

  The configuration of the control unit 20 of the label inspection apparatus 2 is the same as that of the control unit 10 of the labeler 1. That is, the control unit 20 includes a CPU 201 that performs various arithmetic processes, a ROM 202 that stores programs, a RAM 203 that serves as a work area for arithmetic processes, a battery-backed SRAM 204 that is a nonvolatile memory that stores various data, A timer 205 having a timekeeping function and a communication unit 206 for performing data communication with other food processing apparatuses are provided.

  The control unit 20 is electrically connected to the conveyor 21, the display 23, the input button 24, the scanner 25, and the warning indicator 26 described above via a bus line 29. As a result, all these units operate under the control of the control unit 20. The control unit 20 has a control function and a data processing function. Such a function of the control unit 20 is realized by the CPU 201 performing arithmetic processing according to a program as firmware stored in the ROM 202 in advance.

  In addition, the control unit 30 of the sorting apparatus 3 performs data communication with a CPU 301 that performs various arithmetic processes, a ROM 302 that stores programs, a RAM 303 that is a work area for arithmetic processes, and other food processing apparatuses. And a communication unit 306. The control unit 30 is electrically connected to the conveyor 31 and the sorting arm 32 described above via a bus line 39. As a result, all these units operate under the control of the control unit 30. The function of the control unit 30 is realized by the CPU 301 performing arithmetic processing according to a program as firmware stored in advance in the ROM 302.

  Communication units 106, 206, and 306 provided in the control unit of each food processing apparatus are connected by a communication line so as to enable communication between adjacent food processing apparatuses in the transport path. That is, the communication unit 106 of the labeler 1 and the communication unit 206 of the label inspection device 2 are connected by the communication line L1, and the communication unit 206 of the label inspection device 2 and the communication unit 306 of the sorting device 3 are connected by the communication line. Connected at L2.

<1-6. Processing result file>
The SRAM 204 of the control unit 20 of the label inspection apparatus 2 stores a processing result file (log file) indicating the processing result of food processed in the past in the label inspection apparatus 2. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the processing result file 91.

  The processing result file 91 is, for example, data in a table format such as CSV format, and various pieces of information related to one food are expressed as one record (corresponding to a row in the table) R. Each record R is composed of a plurality of data items (corresponding to table columns), and information on the food is stored for each data item.

  As shown in the figure, this data item includes “date and time”, “product code”, “inspection result”, “barcode data”, “error content”, and the like. “Date and time” indicates the time when the food is processed in the label inspection apparatus 2. “Product code” indicates an identification number of the food as a product. The “inspection result” indicates the result of processing or judgment regarding the food. “Barcode data” indicates the recognition result of the barcode attached to the lower surface of the food. The “error content” indicates the specific content of the abnormality when an abnormality (error) occurs when the food is processed.

  Among these data items, “inspection result” and “error content” include not only information based on the processing result of the label inspection apparatus 2 but also information based on the processing result of the labeler 1. Will be described later.

<1-7. Labeler Operation>
Next, the operation of the food processing system ST1 will be described. As described above, the labeler 1, the label inspection device 2, and the sorting device 3 form a single conveyance path, so when focusing on one food, the labeler 1, the label inspection device 2, and the sorting device 3 are in this order. The processing is sequentially performed. Therefore, the operation of the labeler 1 will be described first.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a flow of operation of the labeler 1. First, the food to be processed is delivered to the conveyor 11 from an upstream device or the like. In response to this, necessary information is printed on the label in the upper label sticking machine 15, and the printed label is stuck on the upper side of the food (step S11). If no label unnecessary setting has been made (No in step S12), the lower label applicator 16 similarly prints necessary information on the label and attaches the label to the lower side of the food. (Step S13).

  If no abnormality occurs in the upper and lower label attaching processes (No in step S14), a “normal processing signal” indicating that the label attaching process has been normally performed is transmitted. The information is transmitted from the unit 106 to the label inspection apparatus 2 (step S15).

  However, if any abnormality such as label clogging or label breakage occurs in the label application process (Yes in step S14), an “error signal” indicating that the abnormality has occurred is sent from the communication unit 106 to the label inspection apparatus 2. It will be sent to. This “error signal” includes error information (character string or error identification code) indicating the specific contents of the abnormality (“label clogged”, “label out”, etc.) (step S16).

  Further, when the label unnecessary setting has been made (Yes in step S12), the label affixing processing on the lower side of the food is not performed, and the “label unnecessary signal” indicating that the label unnecessary setting has been made is performed. Is transmitted to the label inspection apparatus 2 (step S18). In this case as well, if any abnormality occurs in the upper label attaching process (Yes in step S17), an “error signal” is transmitted (step S16).

  The “normal processing signal”, “error signal”, and “label unnecessary signal” transmitted to the label inspection apparatus 2 are processing result signals indicating the processing results of the labeler 1. These processing result signals also include information other than the processing results such as product codes related to food. After any one of the processing result signals is transmitted to the label inspection apparatus 2, the food to be processed is delivered to the conveyor 21 of the label inspection apparatus 2.

<1-8. Operation of the label inspection device>
Next, the operation of the label inspection apparatus 2 will be described. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a flow of operations of the label inspection apparatus 2. First, before receiving the food to be processed from the labeler 1, the communication unit 206 of the control unit 20 receives a processing result signal from the labeler 1 (step S21).

  In response to this, in order to indicate to the user that label inspection processing is being performed, “processing in progress” is displayed on the display 23 (step S22). FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of display on the display 23 during the label inspection process.

  As shown in the figure, the display 23 displays a plurality of display areas A1, A2 on which various kinds of predetermined information are displayed, a command button C1 for accepting a user operation, and the like. In the display area, there are a product name area A1 for displaying the name of the food product to be processed at that time, a state area A2 for indicating the operation state and processing result of the label inspection apparatus 2 at that time, and the like. include.

  In step S22 of FIG. 6, a character string “processing” is displayed in the state area A2. In the label inspection apparatus 2, since the physical operating part is only the conveyor 21, it is difficult for the user to determine whether or not the label inspection apparatus 2 is operating normally only from the physical operation state. However, in the label inspection apparatus 2 of the present embodiment, since the operation state and processing result at that time are displayed in real time in the state area A2, the user can easily grasp the state of the label inspection apparatus 2. Yes.

  Next, it is determined whether the processing result signal received from the labeler 1 is a “normal processing signal”, an “error signal”, or a “label unnecessary signal” (step S23). Thereafter, an operation corresponding to the processing result signal is performed.

  First, a case where the processing result signal is a “normal processing signal”, that is, a case where the labeling process is normally performed in the labeler 1 will be described. In this case, in order to inspect for the presence of the lower label, the barcode that should be present on the bottom of the food is read. More specifically, the bottom surface of the food located in the gap between the conveyor 11 and the conveyor 21 is imaged by the scanner 25, and the barcode is recognized by the CPU 201 based on the acquired image. Then, the presence / absence of a label is inspected based on whether the barcode can be recognized (whether it can be decoded) (step S24).

  If the barcode can be recognized, it is determined that the label exists normally (No in step S25), and a character string “normal” is displayed in the state area A2 of the display 23 to indicate to that effect. Is displayed. At this time, the background color other than the character string in the state area A2 is set to “white” (step S26).

  Subsequently, a record R indicating the processing result relating to the food is created by the CPU 201 and added to the processing result file 91 (step S27). An example of the record R created at this time is the record R1 in FIG. Specifically, the date and time of the data item is stored based on the time measured by the timer 205, and the product code obtained from the processing result signal is stored in the “product code”. The “inspection result” stores the recognized barcode type (JAN, ITF, etc.), and the “barcode data” stores the recognized barcode content (numerical value). Since no abnormality occurred, the “error content” is blank.

  When the record R is created, the distribution direction of the distribution device 3 is next determined by the CPU 201. In this case, since both the labeler 1 and the label inspection apparatus 2 are normally processed, it is not necessary to exclude the food. For this reason, the distribution direction is determined as the passing direction. Then, an instruction signal (hereinafter referred to as “pass signal”) indicating that the determined distribution direction is the passage direction is transmitted from the communication unit 206 to the distribution device 3 (step S28).

  On the other hand, when the barcode cannot be recognized, it is determined that a label error has occurred as an abnormality in which the label does not normally exist in the food (Yes in step S25). Therefore, a character string “label error” is displayed in the state area A2 of the display 23 to indicate to that effect to the user. At this time, the background color other than the character string in the state area A2 is set to “yellow” (step S29). Further, the “yellow” rotating lamp of the warning indicator 26 is turned on so that the user who is present at a relatively distant position can grasp the fact (step S30).

  Subsequently, a record R indicating the processing result relating to the food is created and added to the processing result file 91 (step S31). An example of the record R created at this time is the record R2 in FIG. Specifically, the date and time of the data item stores the time at that time, and the product code stores the product code. In the “inspection result”, a character string “label error” is stored. Also, “error content” stores error information indicating “label error”. Since the barcode is not recognized, the “barcode data” is blank.

  When the record R is created, the distribution direction of the distribution device 3 is next determined by the CPU 201. In this case, since an abnormality (label error) has occurred in the label inspection apparatus 2, it is necessary to exclude the food. For this reason, the distribution direction is determined as the exclusion direction. Then, an instruction signal (hereinafter referred to as “exclusion signal”) indicating that the determined distribution direction is the exclusion direction is transmitted from the communication unit 206 to the distribution device 3 (step S32).

  Next, the case where the processing result signal received from the labeler 1 in step S23 is an “error signal” will be described. In this case, since the labeling process is not normally performed in the labeler 1, it is necessary to always remove food by the sorting device 3. Therefore, when the processing result signal is received, it is possible to uniquely determine that the distribution direction is the exclusion direction. For this reason, since it is not necessary to perform the label inspection process, the label inspection function such as the scanner 25 is turned off (deactivated) by the CPU 201, and the label inspection process is not performed (step S33). This prevents unnecessary label inspection processing.

  In order to indicate to the user that an abnormality has occurred in the upstream labeler 1, a character string “upstream error” is displayed in the state area A <b> 2 of the display 23. At this time, the background color other than the character string in the state area A2 is set to “red” (step S34). Further, the “red” rotating lamp of the warning indicator 26 is turned on so that the user who is present at a relatively distant position can grasp the fact (step S35).

  Subsequently, a record R indicating the processing result relating to the food is created and added to the processing result file 91 (step S36). An example of the record R created at this time is the record R3 in FIG. Specifically, the date and time of the data item stores the time at that time, and the product code stores the product code. In the “inspection result”, a character string “upstream error” is stored. Further, “error content” stores error information indicating specific contents of abnormality such as “label clogging” and “label out” included in the “error signal”. Also in this case, since the barcode is not recognized, “barcode data” is blank.

  When the record R is created, the distribution direction of the distribution device 3 is next determined by the CPU 201. As described above, in this case, the distribution direction is determined as the exclusion direction based on the processing result signal. Then, the exclusion signal is transmitted from the communication unit 206 to the sorting device 3 (step S32).

  Next, a case where the processing result signal received from the labeler 1 in step S23 is a “label unnecessary signal” will be described. In this case, since the label unnecessary setting is made in the labeler 1 and the lower label attaching process is not performed, it is not necessary to inspect the label. On the other hand, since no abnormality has occurred, it is not necessary to exclude the food. Therefore, when the processing result signal is received, the distribution direction can be uniquely determined as the passing direction. Therefore, also in this case, the label inspection function such as the scanner 25 is turned off (deactivated) by the CPU 201, and the label inspection process is not performed (step S37). This prevents unnecessary label inspection processing.

  Then, in order to indicate to the user that the label unnecessary setting has been made, a character string “label unnecessary” is displayed in the status area A2 of the display 23. At this time, the background color other than the character string in the state area A2 is set to “green” (step S38). Furthermore, the “green” rotating lamp of the warning indicator 26 is turned on so that the user who is present at a relatively distant position can grasp the fact (step S39).

  Subsequently, a record R indicating the processing result relating to the food is created and added to the processing result file 91 (step S40). An example of the record R created at this time is the record R4 in FIG. Specifically, the date and time of the data item stores the time at that time, and the product code stores the product code. In the “inspection result”, a character string “label unnecessary” is stored. Also in this case, since the barcode is not recognized, the “barcode data” is blank. Furthermore, since no abnormality has occurred, “error content” is also blank.

  When the record R is created, the distribution direction of the distribution device 3 is next determined by the CPU 201. As described above, in this case, the distribution direction is determined as the passing direction based on the processing result signal. Then, the passing signal is transmitted from the communication unit 206 to the sorting device 3 (step S28).

  In this way, when any instruction signal of the passage signal and the exclusion signal is transmitted to the sorting device 3, the food to be processed is delivered to the conveyor 31 of the sorting device 3. Then, the sorting device 3 sorts the received food according to the received instruction signal. That is, when the instruction signal is a passing signal, the sorting device 3 passes the food further downstream using the sorting arm 32 as a passing position, while when the instruction signal is a rejection signal, the sorting arm 32 is set as a rejecting position. Food will be removed from the transport path.

<1-9. Processing pattern>
As described above, as described for the operation of the food processing system ST1, in the food processing system ST1 of the present embodiment, the food is processed in any of four patterns.

  More specifically, when the determined sorting direction is the passing direction (when the food is passed through the sorting device 3), the label is normally attached to the food (hereinafter referred to as “normal pattern”). ) And when the label unnecessary setting is made in the labeler 1 (referred to as “label unnecessary pattern”). The former normal pattern is a case where the sorting direction is determined based on the processing result of the label inspection apparatus 2, and the latter label-unnecessary pattern is a case where the sorting direction is determined based on the processing result of the labeler 1. It is.

  Further, when the determined distribution direction is the exclusion direction (when the food is excluded in the distribution device 3), when an abnormality occurs in the labeler 1 (referred to as an “upstream error pattern”), the food is used. There are two patterns when the label is not properly attached (referred to as “label error pattern”). The former upstream error pattern is a case where the sorting direction is determined based on the processing result of the labeler 1, and the latter label error pattern is determined based on the processing result of the label inspection apparatus 2. Is the case.

  On the other hand, it is difficult to grasp by which pattern the food has been processed only from the processing result (pass or reject) of the sorting apparatus 3 that finally performs the processing. That is, it is impossible to grasp which of the processing results of the labeler 1 and the label inspection apparatus 2 is the determination of the distribution direction.

  However, in the food processing system ST1 of the present embodiment, in the state area A2 of the display 23, a character string ("Normal", "Label unnecessary", "Upstream error", "Label error") indicating which pattern is used to process the food. ") Is displayed in real time. That is, when determining the distribution direction, when the determination is based on the processing result of the labeler 1 (that is, the processing result signal) and based on the processing result of the label inspection device 2 (that is, the processing result of the own device) Different displays will be made. Here, “when determining the distribution direction” is a concept including the entire series of processing periods shown in FIG. 6 for determining the distribution direction. In other words, it is only necessary to display the character string indicating the pattern in one of a series of processes for determining the distribution direction, and the exact time between the determination of the actual distribution direction and the display of the character string indicating the pattern. The context does not matter.

  Therefore, the user can grasp in real time which pattern the food is processed and which of the labeling apparatus 1 and the label inspection apparatus 2 determines the distribution direction. For this reason, for example, in the case of an upstream error pattern, it is possible to easily determine that the labeler 1 should be checked because an abnormality has occurred in the labeler 1.

  The background color other than the character string indicating the pattern in the state area A2 of the display 23 is a color unique to the pattern (a color different between the patterns). Specifically, the background color is “white” for the normal pattern, “green” for the label-unnecessary pattern, “red” for the upstream error pattern, and “yellow” for the label error pattern. Therefore, even if the character string of the state area A2 is not read (or cannot be read), as long as the correspondence between the pattern and the background color is grasped, any pattern can be obtained based on only the background color of the state area A2. This makes it possible to intuitively understand whether or not processing has been performed. Further, except for the normal pattern, the background color of the state area A2 matches the emission color of the rotating lamp that is lit on the warning indicator 26. Therefore, even a user who is present at a relatively distant position can grasp in real time and intuitively which pattern the food is being processed. As a result, even when a worker as a user is working away from the label inspection apparatus 2, it is possible to respond quickly when some abnormality occurs.

  In addition, in the food processing system ST1 according to the present embodiment, not only information about food processing can be grasped in real time, but also it is easy to grasp afterwards. This is because, in the label inspection apparatus 2, information based on both the processing result of the labeler 1 (that is, the processing result signal) and the processing result of the label inspection apparatus 2 (that is, the processing result of the own apparatus) is stored in the processing result file. This is because 91 records R are recorded.

  More specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the “inspection result” of the record R records the type of bar code when the food is processed in the normal pattern. A character string (“label unnecessary”, “upstream error”, “label error”) indicating whether the food has been processed according to the pattern is recorded. Furthermore, when food is excluded in the sorting apparatus 3 (“upstream error pattern” and “label error pattern”), the “error content” of the record R is set with the specific content of the abnormality that caused the exclusion. Error information is recorded.

  Thereby, even if a considerable time has elapsed since the food is processed, by referring to the record R, it is possible to clearly grasp which pattern the food corresponding to the record R is processed. Therefore, it can be grasped afterwards whether the food has been allocated based on the processing result of the labeler 1 or the label inspection apparatus 2. In addition, since information related to the processing results of both the labeler 1 and the label inspection apparatus 2 is described, the processing result file 91 stored in the label inspection apparatus 2 can be checked without checking the information stored in the labeler 1. It is possible to grasp the processing results of both the labeler 1 and the label inspection apparatus 2 and the contents of the abnormality afterwards only by handling the label.

  With these, for example, when something goes wrong with the food after the shipment of the food, whether the labeler 1 or the label inspection device 2 has an abnormality, or the cause of the trouble such as a human error, It becomes possible to investigate easily from the information stored in the label inspection apparatus 2.

<1-10. Extract records>
However, since the record R in the processing result file 91 is created for each processed food, the number of records R becomes enormous when a large amount of food is processed, and it takes a lot of time to find the target record. A scene can also be considered. Therefore, the label inspection apparatus 2 has a record extraction function for extracting the record R included in the processing result file 91 according to a predetermined condition. The record extraction function can be executed by touching the command button C1 displayed on the display 23 as a touch panel. The record extraction function is executable even when label inspection processing is performed on food.

  When the record extraction function is executed, the screen shown in FIG. FIG. 8 shows a condition setting screen for setting extraction conditions for extracting records. As shown in the figure, a text box B1 for setting a date as an extraction condition and a text box B2 for setting a product code as an extraction condition are displayed on the condition setting screen.

  The user inputs the date in the text box B1 and the product code in the text box B2 via the input button 24. When the “execute” button C2 is touched after these inputs, the information input in the text boxes B1 and B2 is received by the CPU 201 as an extraction condition.

  If the “cancel” button C3 included in the condition setting screen is touched, the record extraction function is terminated. Also in the condition setting screen, the state area A2 is included at the upper right end of the screen. As described above, the record extraction function can be executed even during the label inspection process, but the operation of the label inspection apparatus 2 can be performed even when the record extraction function is being executed by displaying the status area A2. The user can grasp the state and the processing result in real time.

  When the extraction condition is accepted by the CPU 201, the processing result file 91 stored in the SRAM 204 is referred to, and the CPU 201 extracts the record R that satisfies the extraction condition from all the records R. More specifically, the date entered in the text box B1 matches the data item “date” information, and the product code entered in the text box B2 matches the data item “product code” information. Only the records to be extracted are extracted. Then, the extracted record R is displayed on the display 23 as the extraction result.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an extraction result screen of the display 23 on which the extraction result is displayed. As shown in the figure, on the extraction result screen, a list of a plurality of records R satisfying the extraction condition is displayed as a record table T2 in a table format. Since the display area of the display 23 is limited, when a predetermined number (10 in the present embodiment) or more records R are extracted, the records R include a plurality of pages for each predetermined number. It is divided and displayed. The page display is switched by touching the “previous page” button C4 or the “next page” button C5 displayed on the extraction result screen.

  When the “return” button C6 is touched, the record extraction function is terminated. The extraction result screen also includes a state area A2 at the upper right end of the screen so that the user can grasp the operation state and processing result of the label inspection apparatus 2 in real time.

  In addition, on the extraction result screen, an extraction totaling table T1 indicating a result of totalizing the extracted records R under a predetermined condition is displayed on the upper part of the record table T2. As shown in the figure, the extracted total table T1 includes seven display columns of “total number”, “passage number”, “normal”, “label unnecessary”, “exclusion number”, “label error”, and “upstream error”. It is configured. In each display column, the results obtained by the CPU 201 regarding the “inspection results” of the record R are displayed.

  Specifically, the number of extracted records R is shown in the “total number” column of the extracted total table T1. In the “normal” column, the number of records R whose “inspection result” is a barcode type, that is, the number of records R related to food processed with the “normal pattern” is shown. On the other hand, in the “label unnecessary” column, the number of records R whose “inspection result” is “label unnecessary”, that is, the number of records R related to food processed by the “label unnecessary pattern” is shown. Become. Also, the “passing number” column shows the total value of the value in the “normal” column and the value in the “label unnecessary” column. Since the food processed with the “normal pattern” or “unlabeled pattern” is passed through the sorting device 3, the value in the “number of passes” column is the number of records R relating to the food passed through the sorting device 3. It becomes.

  In the “label error” column, the number of records R whose “inspection result” is “label error”, that is, the number of records R related to food processed by the “label error pattern” is shown. On the other hand, in the “upstream error” column, the number of records R whose “inspection result” is “upstream error”, that is, the number of records R related to food processed by the “upstream error pattern” is shown. Become. In addition, the total number of the value in the “label error” column and the value in the “upstream error” column is shown in the “number of exclusions” column. Since the food processed in the “label error pattern” or “upstream error pattern” is excluded in the sorting device 3, the value in the “number of exclusions” column is the value of the record R relating to the food removed in the sorting device 3. Number.

  As described above, by executing the record extraction function, only the record R satisfying the desired extraction condition can be displayed, so that the user can quickly refer to the necessary record R. Further, regarding the “inspection result” of the record R, the number of records R having the same stored information (“label unnecessary”, “label error”, “upstream error”) is the information (“label unnecessary”, “label error”, “ Is derived for each “upstream error”), and the derivation result is displayed as the extraction tabulation table T1, so that the record R satisfying the desired extraction condition can be easily analyzed.

<2. Second Embodiment>
<2-1. Overall configuration>
Next, a second embodiment will be described. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an outline of the food processing system ST2 of the present embodiment. The food processing system ST2 of the present embodiment includes a labeler 55, a label inspection device 56, and a sorting device 57 similar to those of the first embodiment, and four food processing devices 51 to 54 on the further upstream side thereof. ing. Each of these food processing apparatuses 51 to 57 performs a predetermined process on each food while continuously conveying the food. The configurations of the labeler 55, the label inspection device 56, and the sorting device 57 are the same as those of the labeler 1, the label inspection device 2, and the sorting device 3 of the first embodiment unless otherwise specified.

  Also in the present embodiment, these seven food processing devices 51 to 57 are arranged in series so as to form one conveyance path (line) of food. That is, each of the seven food processing apparatuses 51 to 57 includes a conveyor as a transport mechanism that transports food substantially horizontally, and these conveyors feed the food in the same direction (from left to right in the figure). So as to be sequentially conveyed, they are linearly arranged at substantially the same height without a large gap therebetween.

  Thereby, each food processing apparatus 51-57 bears a part of conveyance path | route of a foodstuff, respectively. Each of the food processing apparatuses 52 to 56 serving as an intermediate path in the transport path receives food from an upstream apparatus in the transport path (a food processing apparatus adjacent to the upstream side), performs a predetermined process on the food, and downstream in the transport path. The processed food is delivered to the side apparatus (food processing apparatus adjacent to the downstream side).

  FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an electrical configuration of the food processing system ST2. The food processing devices 51 to 57 included in the food processing system ST2 are a packaging device 51, a metal inspection device 52, a weight inspection device 53, an X-ray inspection device 54, a labeler 55, a label inspection device 56, and the like in order from the upstream side in the transport path. A distribution device 57 is provided.

  The packaging device 51 performs a packaging process for packaging food with a film. The metal inspection device 52 performs a metal inspection process for inspecting whether or not the food contains a metal based on a magnetic change. The weight inspection apparatus 53 performs a weight inspection process for measuring food and inspecting whether the weight of the food is within a reference range. The X-ray inspection apparatus 54 acquires an X-ray image transmitted through the food and performs an X-ray inspection process for inspecting the food for foreign substances based on the density of the image. In addition, the labeler 55, the label inspection device 56, and the sorting device 57 perform a label sticking process, a label inspection process, and a sorting process, respectively, as in the first embodiment.

  As shown in the figure, each of the food processing apparatuses 51 to 57 includes control units 61 to 67 which are computers for comprehensively controlling the apparatus. The configuration of these control units is the same as that of the control units 10 and 20 of the first embodiment, and includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, SRAM, timer, communication unit, and the like (see FIG. 3). The communication units provided in the control units 61 to 67 are connected by communication lines L11 to L16 so as to be able to communicate with each other between the food processing apparatuses 51 to 57 adjacent in the conveyance path.

<2-2. Operation>
Next, operation | movement of such food processing system ST2 is demonstrated. In the first embodiment, the label inspection device 2 adjacent to the upstream side of the sorting device 3 controls the sorting device 3 based on the processing results of both the labeler 1 and its own device. Similarly, in the present embodiment, the label inspection device 56 adjacent to the upstream side of the sorting device 3 has all the processing results of the five food processing devices 51 to 55 existing further upstream and the processing of the own device. Based on the result, the sorting device 3 is controlled.

  In order to perform this control, the label inspection device 56 needs to acquire all the processing results of the five food processing devices 51 to 55 on the upstream side. In order to cope with this, in the food processing system ST2 of the present embodiment, together with the food to be processed, the processing result signal related to the food is sequentially delivered from the upstream device to the downstream device. Then, in the process of sequentially transferring the processing result signal, each device adds information indicating the processing result of its own device to the processing result signal. As a result, the label inspection device 56 finally receives a processing result signal including all the processing results of the five food processing devices 51 to 55. The details will be described below.

  First, the operation of the packaging device 51 will be described. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a flow of operation of the packaging device 51. First, a food to be processed is delivered from an upstream apparatus or the like, and a packaging process is performed on the food (step S51).

  If the packaging process is performed normally (No in step S52), the CPU generates a process result signal including normal process information indicating that the process has been performed normally (step S53). On the other hand, when an abnormality (error) such as a film break has occurred (Yes in step S52), a processing result signal including error information indicating the specific content of the abnormality is generated by the CPU (step S54).

  The generated processing result signal is a signal including information indicating the processing result of the packaging device 51 of either normal processing information or error information. The normal processing information or error information is included in the processing result signal in a state associated with the device code unique to the packaging device 51. The processing result signal is transmitted from the communication unit to the metal inspection device 52 almost simultaneously with the delivery of the corresponding food to the metal inspection device 52 as the downstream device (step S55).

  Next, the operation of the metal inspection apparatus 52 will be described. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a flow of operation of the metal inspection apparatus 52. First, food to be processed is delivered from the packaging device 51, which is an upstream device, and at the same time, the communication unit receives a processing result signal relating to the food from the packaging device 51 (step S61).

  Subsequently, a metal inspection process is performed on the food (step S62). When the metal inspection process is normal (No in step S63), normal process information is added to the process result signal by the CPU (step S64). On the other hand, when an abnormality (error) such as metal detection has occurred (Yes in step S63), error information indicating the specific content of the abnormality is added by the CPU to the processing result signal (step S65). ). Also in this case, normal processing information or error information is included in the processing result signal in a state associated with the device code unique to the metal inspection device 52.

  Since the information indicating the processing result of the metal inspection apparatus 52 is added to the processing result signal thus obtained, a new processing result based on both the received processing result signal and the processing result of the metal inspection apparatus 52 is added. Signal. This processing result signal is transmitted from the communication unit to the weight inspection apparatus 53 at approximately the same time as the delivery of the corresponding food to the weight inspection apparatus 53, which is a downstream apparatus (step S66).

  Thereafter, in the weight inspection apparatus 53, the X-ray inspection apparatus 54, and the labeler 55, the same process as the process in FIG. 13 is performed. In other words, each of the food processing devices 52 to 55 downstream of the packaging device 51 and upstream of the label inspection device 56 in the transport path receives the processing result signal from the upstream device, and the processing result signal On the other hand, a signal obtained by adding information indicating the processing result of the own device in association with the device code of the own device is transmitted to the downstream device as a new processing result signal. Thereby, in the processing result signal transmitted from the labeler 55 to the label inspection device 56, information indicating all processing results of the packaging device 51, the metal inspection device 52, the weight inspection device 53, the X-ray inspection device 54, and the labeler 55. Will be included together. This processing result signal is transmitted to the label inspection device 56 before the food is delivered to the label inspection device 56.

  Next, the operation of the label inspection apparatus 56 that receives such a processing result signal will be described. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a flow of operations of the label inspection apparatus 56. First, the communication unit receives a processing result signal from the labeler 55 (step S71). In response to this, “processing in progress” is displayed in the state area A2 of the display 23 (step S72). Then, it is determined whether or not the received processing result signal includes one or more error information (step S73).

  When the processing result signal does not include any error information (No in step S73), all the food processing apparatuses 51 to 55 on the upstream side have been processed normally. In this case, the processes in steps S74 to S82 are thereafter performed. This process is the same as the process of steps S24 to S32 in FIG. That is, the label is inspected (step S74), and if the label is present normally (No in step S75), the normal pattern is processed (steps S76 to S78). In the case of a label error (Yes in step S75), a label error pattern is processed (steps S79 to S82).

  On the other hand, if the processing result signal includes at least one error information (Yes in step S73), an abnormality has occurred in any of the five food processing apparatuses 51 to 55 on the upstream side. In this case, it is necessary to exclude food by the sorting device 3. Therefore, since the distribution direction can be uniquely determined to be the exclusion direction when the processing result signal is received, the label inspection function is turned off (deactivated) (step S83). Thereafter, steps S84 to S86 are performed. This process is the same as the process of steps S34 to S36 in FIG. That is, the upstream error pattern is processed.

  Through the above processing, the label inspection device 56 according to the present embodiment has obtained all the processing results of the five upstream food processing devices 51 to 55 (that is, processing result signals indicating the processing results) and the processing results of the device itself. Based on the above, the food distribution direction can be determined.

  Also in the label inspection apparatus 56 of the present embodiment, the processing result of the processed food is recorded as a record of the processing result file. In each record, not only the processing results of the label inspection device 56 but also the processing results of the five upstream food processing devices 51 to 55 are recorded as data items.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of the processing result file 92 according to the present embodiment. Also in the present embodiment, the processing result file 92 is data in a table format, and various pieces of information related to one food are represented as one record R. Each record R is composed of a plurality of data items, and information relating to the food is stored for each data item.

  As shown in the figure, this data item includes “date and time”, “product code”, “inspection result”, “barcode data”, “error content”, as well as “packaging device”, “metal” as in the first embodiment. Items 92f corresponding to the five upstream food processing apparatuses 51 to 55, which are “detection”, “weight inspection”, “X-ray inspection”, and “labeling”, are included. In these items 92f, information indicating the processing results of the food processing apparatuses 51 to 55 is stored. More specifically, the item 92f stores a character string “normal” when the information indicating the processing result is normal processing information, and a specific content of abnormality (“foreign object detection” when the information is error information. A character string indicating “weight error” or the like is stored. Which food processing device corresponds to the information indicating the processing result included in the processing result signal is determined based on the device code associated with the information.

  In the upstream error pattern processing, error information included in the processing result signal is stored in the “error content” of the data item. If a plurality of pieces of error information exist in the processing result signal, the one related to the most upstream device is selected. In the other pattern processing, the information stored in the “error content” is the same as in the first embodiment. That is, error information indicating “label error” is stored in “error content” in the label error pattern processing, and “error content” is blank in the normal pattern processing.

  As described above, in the processing result file 92, not only the processing result of the label inspection device 56 but also the processing results of the five upstream food processing devices 51 to 55, and any abnormalities (errors) are described. Target content is also recorded. For this reason, all the processing results of the six food processing apparatuses 51 to 56 and the contents of the abnormality can be grasped afterwards only by confirming the processing result file 92 stored in the label inspection apparatus 56.

<2-3. Totaling errors>
Also, the label inspection apparatus 56 of the present embodiment is provided with the same record extraction function as that of the first embodiment in consideration of the situation where the number of records in the processing result file 92 becomes enormous. Furthermore, the label inspection apparatus 56 of the present embodiment is provided with an error totaling function for totaling records R relating to foods in which some abnormality (error) has occurred. This error counting function can also be executed by pressing a command button displayed on a display as a touch panel.

  When the error totaling function is executed, the screen shown in FIG. 16 is displayed on the display 80 of the label inspection apparatus 56. In the error totaling function, it is possible to perform totaling regarding either “error content” or “product code” of the record R in the processing result file 92. For this reason, the user touches one of the “error content” button C7 and the “product code” button C8 on the screen shown in FIG. 16 to set one of the data items “error content” and “product code”. Select as an item to be counted. If the “Cancel” button C9 is touched, the error totaling function is terminated.

  When a data item is selected, the selected data item is accepted by the CPU as a data item to be derived (hereinafter, referred to as “aggregation target item”). Then, only the record R relating to the food in which the abnormality (error) has occurred, that is, the record R whose “error content” is not blank is counted. In this aggregation, the number of records with the same information stored in the aggregation target item is derived for each information. For example, if the aggregation target item is “error content”, the number of records having the same error information such as “label error” and “foreign object detection” is derived for each error information. On the other hand, if the aggregation target item is “product code”, the number of records having the same product code is derived for each product code. Then, the tabulation results derived in this way are displayed on the display 80.

  FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a screen of the display 80 on which a totaling result is displayed when the totaling target item is “error content”. As shown in the figure, the tabulation results are displayed as an error tabulation table T3 in a table format. In this error totaling table T3, the totaling results relating to the error information with the top five numbers of totalized records are shown as column data, respectively. Each column data is composed of three items of “error content”, “generating device”, and “occurrence status”.

  “Error contents” indicates error information which is a key for aggregation. “Generator” indicates a food processing apparatus in which an abnormality related to the error information has occurred. This food processing apparatus is specified from another data table or the like based on the error information. In addition, the “occurrence status” indicates the total number of records. The number of records is indicated not only by a character string indicating the numerical value but also by a graph having a length corresponding to the numerical value. By referring to such a screen, the user can clearly grasp what kind of abnormality has occurred in which food processing apparatus.

  A “detail” button C10 is displayed on the right side of each column data. When the “detail” button C10 is touched, only the record R related to the column data is extracted from the processing result file 92 and displayed on the display 80 as a list. Thereby, the user can also refer to the contents of the record R for each food as necessary. When the “return” button C11 is touched, the error totaling function is terminated.

  FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a screen of the display 80 on which a totaling result is displayed when the totaling item is “product code”. Also in this case, the tabulation result is shown as an error tabulation table T4, and tabulation results relating to the top five product codes with the total number of records tabulated are respectively shown as column data.

  Each column data is composed of three items, “product code”, “product name”, and “occurrence status”. “Product code” indicates a product code that is a key for aggregation. “Product name” indicates the name of the product corresponding to “Product code”. This product name is acquired from another data table or the like based on the product code. In addition, in the “occurrence status”, the number of totalized records is indicated by a character string and a graph as in the screen of FIG. By referring to such a screen, the user can clearly grasp which foods have many abnormalities. The functions of the “detail” button C10 and the “return” button C11 in FIG. 18 are the same as those in the screen of FIG.

  As described above, the label inspection apparatus 56 according to the present embodiment is provided with the error counting function, so that it is possible to easily analyze the abnormality. In addition, since the user can select data items to be aggregated, abnormality analysis can be performed from various viewpoints.

<3. Modification>
Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the food processing system in which the article to be processed is a food has been described, but a plurality of article processing apparatuses that each perform predetermined processing on the article while conveying the article. The technology according to the present embodiment can be applied to any article processing system provided.

  Moreover, in 2nd Embodiment, although the control parts 61-67 of the food processing apparatuses 51-57 were connected by the communication lines L11-L16 so that communication was possible between adjacent apparatuses, 19, the control units 61 to 67 of all the food processing apparatuses 51 to 57 may be connected to a network L20 such as the same LAN so that all apparatuses can communicate with each other. In this case, the host computer 40 is connected to the network L20, and each time the food processing apparatuses 51 to 56 process the food, the processing result signal is transmitted to the downstream apparatus, and the host computer 40 is automatically notified. A processing result related to the apparatus may be transmitted. If these processing results are stored in the host computer 40, the processing results of the six food processing apparatuses 51 to 56 and the contents of the abnormality can be grasped afterwards only by referring to the information stored in the host computer 40. become.

  Further, the labeler 55 of the second embodiment may be configured so that no label is required. In this case, if an abnormality occurs in any of the food processing apparatuses 51 to 54 upstream of the labeler 55, the distribution direction is determined as the exclusion direction, and if no abnormality occurs, the distribution direction is passed. The direction can be determined.

  Moreover, the arrangement | sequence order of the food processing apparatuses 51-56 of 2nd Embodiment is only an example, and another arrangement | sequence may be sufficient. Even when other arrangements are adopted, it is desirable that the food processing apparatus adjacent to the upstream side of the sorting apparatus 57 controls the sorting apparatus 57. As in the above embodiment, if the food processing apparatus upstream of this apparatus sequentially passes the processing result signal, the food processing apparatus that controls the sorting apparatus 57 is able to perform all the food processing. The distribution direction of the distribution device 57 can be determined based on the processing result of the device.

  In the meantime, the label inspection apparatus according to the above-described embodiment is intended to inspect products flowing on the line. However, as a label inspection apparatus, a product placed on a predetermined inspection table by a user's hand. Some of them have a label affixed to the upper side of the test object. In the case of such an apparatus, since the label size and the attachment position differ depending on the product, it is very difficult for the user to accurately position the product label at the position where the imaging sensor is focused. In order to cope with this, it is conceivable to automatically adjust the height of the examination table or to provide the image sensor with an autofocus function, but this leads to an increase in the cost of the apparatus. Therefore, in order to cope with this, a flat plate having a rectangular opening at the center may be arranged and provided so that the opening corresponds to a position where the imaging sensor is in focus. According to this, the user can easily obtain an image of a focused label at low cost simply by arranging the product so that the label and the flat plate opening portion coincide with each other.

  By the way, in the case of a label inspection apparatus that inspects a label affixed to the upper side of a product placed on a predetermined inspection table by a user's hand, the user determines the image acquisition timing by the imaging sensor by pressing the execution button. It is supposed to let you. However, in such a label inspection apparatus, inspection must be performed by pressing the execution button many times. Therefore, in order to cope with this, when a product is placed on a predetermined inspection table, the product is detected by a sensor, and the inspection is continuously executed thereafter. Then, when each inspection item has passed a certain number of times in a continuous inspection, a final determination is made. According to this, since the inspection is automatically completed, no complicated work is required, and the inspection accuracy can be improved because the inspection is performed a plurality of times.

It is a figure which shows the outline | summary of the food processing system of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows a mode that the distribution apparatus was seen from the upper part. It is a figure which shows the electric constitution of the food processing system of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of a process result file. It is a figure which shows the flow of operation | movement of a labeler. It is a figure which shows the flow of operation | movement of a label inspection apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of the display of a display. It is a figure which shows the screen for setting the extraction conditions for extracting a record. It is a figure which shows the example of the screen of the display on which the extraction result was displayed. It is a figure which shows the outline | summary of the food processing system of 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the electric constitution of the food processing system of 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the flow of operation | movement of a packaging apparatus. It is a figure which shows the flow of operation | movement of a metal inspection apparatus. It is a figure which shows the flow of operation | movement of a label inspection apparatus. It is a figure which shows the example of the process result file 92 of this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the screen for selecting the data item used as a total object. It is a figure which shows the example of the screen of the display on which the count result was displayed. It is a figure which shows the example of the screen of the display on which the count result was displayed. It is a figure which shows an example of the electrical constitution of a food processing system.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Labeler 2 Label inspection apparatus 3 Sorting apparatus 23 Display 25 Scanner 26 Warning indicator 91 Processing result file ST1 Food processing system f Food

Claims (5)

Receive articles from the upstream side device which is arranged along a transport path of the article, by performing a predetermined process on the article, an article processing system that passes the article sorting apparatus downstream,
Receiving means for receiving a processing result for the article from the upstream device;
Storage means for storing the processing result for the article received by the receiving means and the processing result for the article in its own device as a record for each article;
Determining means for determining a distribution direction of the article by the distribution device based on a processing result for the article stored in the storage means;
Transmitting means for transmitting to the sorting device an instruction signal indicating a sorting direction for the article determined by the determining means;
As an extraction condition for extracting the record stored in the storage means, an input means for inputting specific information given to the same type of article;
Based on the specific information input by the input means, an extraction means for extracting a record of the article specified by the specific information from the storage means;
Display means for displaying records extracted by the extraction means ;
An article processing apparatus comprising: The article processing apparatus according to claim 1.
The input means can input a processing date of the processed article,
The article processing apparatus , wherein the extracting means further extracts a record of articles on a processing date input from the input means . In the article processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 and 2,
The display means displays the processing result of the article, and when displaying the processing result of the article, when the processing result is a processing result for the article in the upstream device, An article processing apparatus that performs different color display depending on a processing result for the article. Article processing apparatus odor according to any one of claims 1 to 3 Te,
For the records extracted by the extracting means, further comprising a counting means for counting the number of records having the same processing result,
The display means, article processing apparatus according to claim you to view the summary result of the tallying unit. In the article processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The article processing apparatus, article processing apparatus according to claim label inspection apparatus der Rukoto to check whether a label to an article is normally attached.

Images