Abstract: A bagmaking and packaging apparatus includes a film supply unit that conveys a film, a printing unit, a speed detector, and a control unit. The printing unit applies laser light to the film to print the film. The speed detector acquires data relating to the conveyance speed of the film. The control unit links the operation of the printing unit when printing the film to the conveyance speed of the film based on the data from the speed detector.

Abstract: A combination weighing apparatus 1 includes: an interface 11 that transmits a control signal for instructing an external apparatus 100 to start or stop supply of an article based on weight of the article on a distribution table 2 supplied from the external apparatus; a chute 12 that is vertically opened and temporarily blocks the article supplied on the distribution table 2; a lifting mechanism 13 that moves the chute 12 up and down with respect to the distribution table 2; and a controller 14 that controls a timing at which the chute 12 is moved up and down by the lifting mechanism 13 based on a transmission timing of the control signal by the interface 11.

Abstract: A bag-making and packaging machine includes a bag-making and packaging section and a film supply section. The film supply section includes a film conveyance section that conveys a starting end portion of a replacement film roll supported by a film roll support portion to a bonding portion. The film conveyance section includes a clamping portion that holds a tape adhering to the starting end portion of the replacement film roll, and a pulling mechanism that pulls a second film held by the clamping portion from the replacement film roll. When the replacement film roll is mounted, the film roll support portion rotates the replacement film roll, and the clamping portion holds the tape of the replacement film roll rotated by the film roll support portion.

Abstract: A container has a product in a product-receiving area and has a sealing area surrounding the product-receiving area. A length of film is arranged over the container. A space above the film is evacuated using an evacuating portion of an upper sealing module arranged over the film, so as to cause a portion of the film to conform to the upper sealing module. An area of the film is cut out by moving a cutting tool relative to the upper sealing module from a recessed position to a cutting position. The cut-out area of film includes the portion of the film conformed to the upper sealing module, is brought into contact with the sealing area of the container by moving the upper sealing module relative to the container, and is sealed to the sealing area of the container using a heat sealing portion of the upper sealing module.

Abstract: A leak detection system for detecting breaches in sealed food containers is disclosed. The leak detection system comprises a first optical sensor configured to transmit a light signal across a first testing path, said first optical sensor being sensitive to gas composition variations. A permeable pressing member is configured to, in use, apply pressure to the sealed food container. The first optical sensor is arranged such that at least a portion of the first testing path along which the light signal is transmitted is located behind or within the permeable pressing member.

Abstract: An X-ray inspection apparatus includes: a transport unit configured to transport an article; an X-ray source configured to irradiate the article with X-rays; an X-ray detection unit configured to detect the X-rays using a photon counting method and to classify photon energy of the detected X-rays into two or more energy regions on the basis of a threshold value; a threshold value setting unit configured to set the threshold value; an X-ray image generation unit configured to generate two or more X-ray transmission images corresponding to the two or more energy regions on the basis of a detection result of the X-rays; and an inspection unit configured to inspect the article on the basis of the X-rays. The threshold value setting unit is configured to set the threshold value on the basis of gradations of the two or more X-ray transmission images.

Abstract: A box-packing apparatus that reduces inefficiency attributable to the box-replacement process includes a first conveyance unit and a second conveyance unit. The first conveyance unit conveys articles. The second conveyance unit conveys the articles transferred from the first conveyance unit and feeds them into a box waiting downstream. When the second conveyance unit feeds a predetermined number of the articles into the box, the second conveyance unit retains the articles transferred from the first conveyance unit without feeding them into the box. Furthermore, in the box packing apparatus, the second conveyance unit may perform a back-feed operation when it retains the articles transferred from the first conveyance unit.

Abstract: An X-ray inspection apparatus includes a conveyance unit configured to convey articles, an X-ray irradiation unit configured to irradiate the articles conveyed by the conveyance unit with X-rays, an X-ray detection unit configured to detect X-rays transmitted through the articles, an image generation unit configured to generate an X-ray transmission image based on a detection result by the X-ray detection unit, and a calculation unit configured to calculate, based on the X-ray transmission image, the total amount of the articles conveyed per predetermined time by the conveyance unit.

Abstract: A conveyance apparatus (1) according to an embodiment includes: a conveyance unit (3) configured to convey an article that is charged from an outside and contains fat on at least a surface of the article, wherein a hydrophilic coating layer is formed on a conveyance front surface (31) of the conveyance unit (3).

Abstract: An article sorting determination device including a conveying unit configured to convey an article, an acquisition unit configured to acquire first information and second information, the first information relating to a size of the article being conveyed by the conveying unit and the second information relating to a width of a passage port through which the article passes through downstream of the conveying unit; and a control unit configured to output a sorting signal for sorting the article from the conveying unit when determining that the article would get stuck in the passage port on the basis of the first information and the second information.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a weighing device in which dropping of articles from gripping means and reductions in weighing precision are suppressed. In a weighing device (100), when at least one of an operation state of grippers (30) and weighing results from weighing units (40) fulfills any condition from among “a weight value of articles (A) weighed by the weighing units (40) not being a preset target weight value,” “an operating distance in an operation in which the articles (A) are held by gripping members (32) being greater than a prescribed range,” and “the operating distance in the operation in which the articles (A) are held by the gripping members (32) being less than the prescribed range,” the articles (A) gripped by the grippers (30) are returned to an article group accommodation container (52) by a control unit (70) without said articles (A) being discharged to a discharge chute.

Abstract: An article processing apparatus (1) according to an embodiment discharges an article to a downstream apparatus (2) disposed downstream. The article processing apparatus includes: a display (110); a capturing unit (100) that captures a picture including at least part of the downstream apparatus; and a controller (30) that displays, in a case where a processing operation of the article remains stopped in the article processing apparatus, on the display, the picture captured by the capturing unit.

Abstract: A combination weighing device includes: a storage unit that stores time-series measurement values sequentially acquired by the measurement hoppers; a time measurement unit that measures an elapsed time from a timing corresponding to supply of the products to the measurement hoppers until a timing at which the time-series measurement values enter a region considered to be stabilized when the time-series measurement values stored in the storage unit converge to the region considered to be stabilized as a stabilization time until the measurement values become stabilized; and a selection unit that acquires the stabilization times by the time measurement unit over a plurality of cycles and can select a recommended stabilization time that is the stabilization time in which a predetermined measurement accuracy can be maintained based on a standard deviation of the acquired stabilization times for the plurality of cycles.

Abstract: A flavouring dispenser for dispensing doses of flavouring is disclosed. The flavouring dispenser comprises a flavouring chamber for containing flavouring; a dosing member having a dosing volume for receiving flavouring from the flavouring chamber, the dosing member defining an opening to the dosing volume through which flavouring is received from the flavouring chamber. A reciprocating member is movable relative to the dosing member between a closed position, at which the opening is isolated from the flavouring chamber by the reciprocating member, to a first open position, at which the opening is partially exposed to the flavouring chamber such that an amount of flavouring may enter into the dosing volume via the opening, and back to the closed position, such that the flavouring may be dispensed by the dosing member.

Abstract: A food product quality control system is provided. The system comprises a support structure, an inspection unit for detecting at least one property of a food product supplied to the inspection unit, the inspection unit being mounted on the support structure, and a conveyor system for conveying a food product through and/or past the inspection unit, the conveyor system being mounted on the support structure. The conveyor system comprises a conveying apparatus carried on a frame. The frame is movably mounted to the support structure such that the frame may move relative to the inspection unit between an operation position, at which the frame is laterally aligned with the inspection unit such that food product may be conveyed through and/or past the inspection unit, and a maintenance position, at which the frame is laterally offset from the inspection unit.

Abstract: A combination weighing device includes: an electroconductive plate opposed, with an interval, to an electroconductive part enabling detection of water intrusion inside the combination weighing device; a voltage wire for application of voltage to the electroconductive plate; and a detector that detects a potential difference between the electroconductive part and the electroconductive plate, wherein the detector or a controller of the combination weighing device determines presence or absence of water intrusion inside the interval, based on the detected potential difference.

Abstract: There are provided hoppers for separating slack from a mixture of product and slack, and systems and method using such hoppers. Each hopper comprises: an internal gate configured to prevent the passage of product therethrough, but to allow the passage of slack therethrough; and, an external gate configured to prevent the passage of product and the passage of slack therethrough; the internal gate and the external gate being moveable between respective open and closed positions; the hopper configured such that: when the internal gate and external gate are in their respective closed positions and the mixture is introduced into the hopper, product is retained by the internal gate whilst slack passes through the internal gate and is retained by the external gate; and, when the external gate and internal gate are each in their respective open positions, product may exit the hopper along a first path.

Abstract: A weighing apparatus includes: a transport unit capable of transporting an article; a weighing unit connected to the transport unit and configured to output an original signal related to a weight; and a weighing control unit configured to output a weighing value of the article by processing the original signal, wherein the weighing control unit is configured: to determine whether or not to adjust a zero point on the basis of a determination signal obtained by applying a first filter to the original signal; to generate an adjustment signal obtained by applying a second filter having more stages than the first filter to the original signal or the determination signal in a case where it is determined that the zero point is to be adjusted; and to perform adjustment of the zero point on the basis of the adjustment signal.

Abstract: A combination weighing device (1) performs combination weighing of at least two different articles, weighing hoppers (5) and booster hoppers (6) are divided into at least two groups on the basis of types of the articles, a controller (1) sets each of the groups to either a first mode or a second mode, in the group set to the first mode, the articles retained in the weighing hopper (5) are discharged to a receiver (9) via the booster hopper (6), and in the group set to the second mode, the articles retained in the weighing hopper (5) are discharged to either the booster hopper (6) or the receiver (9).

Abstract: An X-ray inspection apparatus includes an X-ray source configured to irradiate an article with X-rays in a plurality of energy bands, an X-ray detection unit capable of detecting the X-rays by a photon counting method, an image generation unit configured to generate an overall transmission image corresponding to the X-rays in all of the plurality of energy bands and a transmission image corresponding to the X-rays in some of the plurality of energy bands on the basis of a detection result of the X-rays by the X-ray detection unit, and an inspection unit configured to inspect the article on the basis of the overall transmission image and the transmission image.