Abstract: A method of controlling an article conveyance apparatus (1) includes steps of: (A) generating, with, as learning data, information regarding an amount of charge indicating a weight value of articles that a conveyer (20) conveys to a member disposed on a downstream side, information indicating a state of the articles on the conveyer, and a control parameter for the conveyer, a learning model that estimates the control parameter to be set for conveyance of the articles having a targeted weight; (B) performing conveyance control of the articles, based on the learning model; (C) performing selective switching between a production mode involved in actual production and a non-production mode not involved in the actual production, and causing the article conveyance apparatus to operate; and (D) collecting and storing, when the article conveyance apparatus operates in the non-production mode, as the learning data, the information regarding the amount of charge actually acquired and the control parameter.

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 combination weighing device includes a conveying unit configured to convey articles, a controller configured to perform combination weighing of the articles, and an interface configured to receive an input of information from an operator. The controller has a first operation mode including a first control parameter that defines a conveying operation of the conveying unit and is automatically set in the device, and a second operation mode including a second control parameter that defines the conveying operation of the conveying unit and is set based on the information input from the interface, and when the interface receives an input of the information during an operation of the conveying unit in the first operation mode, the controller makes a transition from the first operation mode to the second operation mode, and controls the operation of the conveying unit using the second control parameter.

Abstract: A combination weighing device includes: a conveyance unit; a plurality of first hoppers each receiving the article; a plurality of second hoppers detachably provided on a downstream side of the plurality of first hoppers, and each receiving the article; a weighing unit weighing the article held in each of the plurality of second hoppers; and a control unit performing combination calculation and discharging the article from the second hopper corresponding to the combination. The control unit performs combination calculation based on a weighing value corresponding to mass of the article held in each of the plurality of second hopper, and continues combination calculation based on a weighing value corresponding to mass of the article held in each of the second hoppers other than a part of the second hoppers in a state in which the part of the plurality of second hoppers has been removed.

Abstract: A method of controlling an article conveyance apparatus (1) includes steps of: (A) generating, with, as learning data, information regarding an amount of charge indicating a weight value of articles that a conveyer (20) conveys to a member disposed on a downstream side, information indicating a state of the articles on the conveyer, and a control parameter for the conveyer, a learning model that estimates the control parameter to be set for conveyance of the articles having a targeted weight; (B) performing conveyance control of the articles, based on the learning model; (C) performing selective switching between a production mode involved in actual production and a non-production mode not involved in the actual production, and causing the article conveyance apparatus to operate; and (D) collecting and storing, when the article conveyance apparatus operates in the non-production mode, as the learning data, the information regarding the amount of charge actually acquired and the control parameter.

Abstract: A combination weighing device 1 includes: a plurality of weighing hoppers 6 which receive articles supplied from an outside, weigh the articles, and discharge the articles; a plurality of booster hoppers 7 which are respectively disposed right below the plurality of weighing hoppers 6 and receive the articles discharged from the weighing hoppers 6; and a control unit 20 which calculates a combination of weighed values so that a total value becomes a target value from a plurality of weighed values respectively correlated with the weighing hoppers 6 and the booster hoppers 7, in which the control unit 20 extracts the weighing hopper 6, corresponding to the booster hopper 7 having the article existing therein and capable of using the weighed value of the article in next combination calculation, as a zero-correction target.

Abstract: A combination weighing apparatus includes a plurality of hoppers a conveying unit; a weighing unit; a controller; and a setting unit, the controller executing the combination weighing based on a measured value acquired in a cycle in which the combination weighing failed and corresponding to the articles that were forcibly discharged from at least some of the hoppers and measuring values associated with the respective hoppers weighed in a cycle after the cycle in which the combination weighing failed.

Abstract: A combination weighing device includes a conveying unit configured to convey articles, a controller configured to perform combination weighing of the articles, and an interface configured to receive an input of information from an operator. The controller has a first operation mode including a first control parameter that defines a conveying operation of the conveying unit and is automatically set in the device, and a second operation mode including a second control parameter that defines the conveying operation of the conveying unit and is set based on the information input from the interface, and when the interface receives an input of the information during an operation of the conveying unit in the first operation mode, the controller makes a transition from the first operation mode to the second operation mode, and controls the operation of the conveying unit using the second control parameter.

Abstract: A combined weighing apparatus 1 includes: a dispersion feeder 3 which conveys an article A supplied from the outside; a load cell 3b which detects an amount of the article A loaded on the dispersion feeder 3; and a control unit 14 which sets a force of conveying the article A in the dispersion feeder 3 on the basis of a detection result of the load cell 3b and controls an operation of the dispersion feeder 3 and the control unit 14 sets the conveying force of the dispersion feeder 3 to be smaller than a current conveying force when a state in which a change amount of the loading amount of the article A on the dispersion feeder 3 is smaller than a threshold value is maintained for a predetermined time or more in the detection result of the load cell 3b.

Abstract: A combination weighing apparatus includes a plurality of hoppers a conveying unit; a weighing unit; a controller; and a setting unit, the controller executing the combination weighing based on a measured value acquired in a cycle in which the combination weighing failed and corresponding to the articles that were forcibly discharged from at least some of the hoppers and measuring values associated with the respective hoppers weighed in a cycle after the cycle in which the combination weighing failed.

Abstract: A combination weighing device includes: a conveyance unit; a plurality of first hoppers each receiving the article; a plurality of second hoppers detachably provided on a downstream side of the plurality of first hoppers, and each receiving the article; a weighing unit weighing the article held in each of the plurality of second hoppers; and a control unit performing combination calculation and discharging the article from the second hopper corresponding to the combination. The control unit performs combination calculation based on a weighing value corresponding to mass of the article held in each of the plurality of second hopper, and continues combination calculation based on a weighing value corresponding to mass of the article held in each of the second hoppers other than a part of the second hoppers in a state in which the part of the plurality of second hoppers has been removed.

Abstract: A combination weighing device 1 includes: a plurality of weighing hoppers 6 which receive articles supplied from an outside, weigh the articles, and discharge the articles; a plurality of booster hoppers 7 which are respectively disposed right below the plurality of weighing hoppers 6 and receive the articles discharged from the weighing hoppers 6; and a control unit 20 which calculates a combination of weighed values so that a total value becomes a target value from a plurality of weighed values respectively correlated with the weighing hoppers 6 and the booster hoppers 7, in which the control unit 20 extracts the weighing hopper 6, corresponding to the booster hopper 7 having the article existing therein and capable of using the weighed value of the article in next combination calculation, as a zero-correction target.

Abstract: A combined weighing apparatus 1 includes: a dispersion feeder 3 which conveys an article A supplied from the outside; a load cell 3b which detects an amount of the article A loaded on the dispersion feeder 3; and a control unit 14 which sets a force of conveying the article A in the dispersion feeder 3 on the basis of a detection result of the load cell 3b and controls an operation of the dispersion feeder 3 and the control unit 14 sets the conveying force of the dispersion feeder 3 to be smaller than a current conveying force when a state in which a change amount of the loading amount of the article A on the dispersion feeder 3 is smaller than a threshold value is maintained for a predetermined time or more in the detection result of the load cell 3b.

Abstract: In a lateral sealing mechanism, a cylindrical film is sandwiched and ultrasonic sealing is performed along a direction that intersects a conveying direction while a first horn and a first anvil, and a second horn and a second anvil rotate. The first horn is mounted on a first rotating body in a state of being coupled to a plurality of vibrating elements. The second horn is mounted on the second rotating body in a state coupled to a plurality of vibrating elements. A securing member grips a horn unit, which includes the horns and the plurality of vibrating elements, on the forward and rearward sides in the direction of rotation of the horn assembly in the vicinity of the node of ultrasonic vibration and secures the horn unit to the first rotating body and the second rotating body, respectively.

Abstract: A form-fill-seal machine 100 has a pull-down belt mechanism 23, a vertical sealing mechanism 2, and a controller 29. The pull-down belt mechanism conveys a cylindrical film Fm. The vertical sealing mechanism applies pressure and ultrasonic oscillation to the cylindrical film which is conveyed by the pull-down belt mechanism, and seals the cylindrical film. The controller controls the pull-down belt mechanism, and the pressure and the amplitude of the ultrasonic oscillation applied to the cylindrical film by the vertical sealing mechanism. The controller applies pressure and ultrasonic oscillation to the cylindrical film immediately before reaching a first point in time when the cylindrical film begins to be conveyed. The controller changes at least one of the pressure and the amplitude of the ultrasonic oscillation applied to the film according to the speed of the film in a time period after reaching the first point in time.

Abstract: A form-fill-seal machine includes a vertical sealing mechanism, a first film detection sensor, and a controller. The vertical sealing mechanism has a horn, an anvil, and an ultrasonic transmitter. The vertical sealing mechanism sandwiches a cylindrical film conveyed by a pull-down belt mechanism, by the horn and the anvil, and seals the cylindrical film by applying ultrasonic vibrations to the cylindrical film. The first film detection sensor detects whether the cylindrical film is sandwiched by the horn and the anvil. The controller stops the ultrasonic transmitter in a circumstance in which the first film detection sensor detects that the cylindrical film is not sandwiched by the horn and the anvil.

Abstract: A form-fill-seal machine has a tube, a sailor-collar-shaped part, and a vertical sealing mechanism. The sailor-collar-shaped part wraps a sheet-shaped film around the tube so that two edges thereof define overlapping portions. The vertical sealing mechanism ultrasonically seals the overlapping portions of the sheet-shaped film in the vertical direction. The vertical sealing mechanism has an oscillator and a roller. The oscillator generates ultrasonic waves. The roller is disposed downstream of the oscillator along the advancing direction of the film. The roller holds down the film while rotating in the advancing direction of the film after the film has passed the oscillator.

Abstract: A form-fill-seal machine includes a vertical sealing mechanism, a first film detection sensor, and a controller. The vertical sealing mechanism has a horn, an anvil, and an ultrasonic transmitter. The vertical sealing mechanism sandwiches a cylindrical film conveyed by a pull-down belt mechanism, by the horn and the anvil, and seals the cylindrical film by applying ultrasonic vibrations to the cylindrical film. The first film detection sensor detects whether the cylindrical film is sandwiched by the horn and the anvil. The controller stops the ultrasonic transmitter in a circumstance in which the first film detection sensor detects that the cylindrical film is not sandwiched by the horn and the anvil.

Abstract: In a lateral sealing mechanism, a cylindrical film is sandwiched and ultrasonic sealing is performed along a direction that intersects a conveying direction while a first horn and a first anvil, and a second horn and a second anvil rotate. The first horn is mounted on a first rotating body in a state of being coupled to a plurality of vibrating elements. The second horn is mounted on the second rotating body in a state coupled to a plurality of vibrating elements. A securing member grips a horn unit, which includes the horns and the plurality of vibrating elements, on the forward and rearward sides in the direction of rotation of the horn assembly in the vicinity of the node of ultrasonic vibration and secures the horn unit to the first rotating body and the second rotating body, respectively.

Abstract: A form-fill-seal machine has a tube, a sailor-collar-shaped part, and a vertical sealing mechanism. The sailor-collar-shaped part wraps a sheet-shaped film around the tube so that two edges thereof define overlapping portions. The vertical sealing mechanism ultrasonically seals the overlapping portions of the sheet-shaped film in the vertical direction. The vertical sealing mechanism has an oscillator and a roller. The oscillator generates ultrasonic waves. The roller is disposed downstream of the oscillator along the advancing direction of the film. The roller holds down the film while rotating in the advancing direction of the film after the film has passed the oscillator.