Measuring packaging system

A weighing and packaging system includes a combination weighing apparatus including a plurality of weighing units that accumulates and weighs supplied articles, a combination calculator that performs combination calculation using weighing values weighed by the weighing units and selects a combination of corresponding articles, and a collecting chute that collects and discharges the articles pertaining to the combination and a packaging apparatus including a former that receives the articles discharged from the combination weighing apparatus disposed on an upper side and forms a belt-shaped package into a cylindrical shape such that the articles fill an inside thereof, a seal portion disposed below the former to seal the cylindrical package, thereby forming a bag, and a discharge portion that discharge the bag formed by the seal portion, wherein a first opening that opens to a lateral side of a discharge direction of the bag and exposes the collecting chute and the former on the lateral side is provided.

TECHNICAL FIELD

An aspect of the present invention relates to a weighing and packaging system including a packaging apparatus and a weighing apparatus loaded on the packaging apparatus.

BACKGROUND ART

Conventionally, Patent Literature 1 proposed a weighing and packaging system in which a weighing apparatus (for example, a combination weighing apparatus) is directly loaded on a packaging apparatus (for example, a vertical type bag-making packaging apparatus).

This device has advantages in that an installation place may be narrowed and an installation height may be lowered because the combination weighing apparatus is directly loaded on the vertical type bag-making packaging apparatus.

CITATION LIST

Patent Literature

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

In this system, food is targeted as an article to be weighed and packaged in many cases. When a weighing operation and a packaging operation are completed, a component with which the article comes into contact needs to be removed and cleaned.

In addition, when maintenance of the system is performed, various components are removed and maintenance is performed in some cases.

However, in the system described in Patent Literature 1, because a plurality of structures such as columns or beams are disposed, a component needs to be removed while avoiding the structures.

In addition, in a direction in which an inclination guiding plate19illustrated in the system of Patent Literature 1 discharges a bag, a conveyor for discharging the bag is present in many cases. For this reason, a component needs to be removed while avoiding a structure other than the weighing and packaging system as well, and there is a concern that workability may deteriorate.

An object of an aspect of the invention is to provide a weighing and packaging system capable of improving workability at the time of removing a component.

Solution to Problem

A weighing and packaging system according to a first viewpoint of the invention includes a combination weighing apparatus including a plurality of weighing units that accumulates and weighs supplied articles, a combination calculator that performs combination calculation using weighing values weighed by the weighing units and selects a combination of corresponding articles, and a collecting chute that collects and discharges the articles pertaining to the combination and a packaging apparatus including a former that receives the articles discharged from the combination weighing apparatus disposed on an upper side and forms a belt-shaped package into a cylindrical shape such that the articles fill an inside thereof, a seal portion disposed below the former to seal the cylindrical package, thereby forming a bag, and a discharge portion that discharge the bag formed by the seal portion, wherein a first opening that opens to a lateral side of a discharge direction of the bag and exposes the collecting chute and the former on the lateral side is provided.

Conventionally, the collecting chute or the former has been surrounded by a structure. For this reason, a removing direction or an installation space of the collecting chute or the former was restricted. In this weighing and packaging system, the first opening that opens to the lateral side of the discharge direction of the bag and exposes the collecting chute and the former on the lateral side is provided. For this reason, it is possible to easily remove the collecting chute or the former to the lateral side among components removed at the time of cleaning or maintenance.

In addition, in a so-called stacking type weighing and packaging system, the collecting chute and the former are arranged side by side in the vertical direction. In this weighing and packaging system, when the first opening that exposes the collecting chute and the former on the lateral side is provided, it is possible to provide the first opening having a size larger than or equal to that of a component to be removed. Therefore, a removal operation in a large space is allowed, and thus efficiency of the removal operation is improved.

Further, in this weighing and packaging system, the first opening opens to the lateral side of the discharge direction of the bag. Conventionally, a discharge conveyor is present in the discharge direction of the bag to be a structure obstructing a removal operation. In this weighing and packaging system, the first opening opens to the lateral side at which the discharge conveyor is not present, and thus a removal operation in a large space is allowed.

In a weighing and packaging system according to a second viewpoint of the invention, a second opening that opens to the discharge direction and exposes the collecting chute and the former on a discharge direction side may be further provided.

According to the second viewpoint of the invention, because the second opening that opens to the discharge direction of the bag and exposes the collecting chute and the former on a discharge direction side is provided, it is possible to perform operations from two directions of a lateral direction and the discharge direction in parallel. In addition, an operation direction may be selected depending on the circumstances. For this reason, efficiency of the removal operation is improved.

In a weighing and packaging system according to a third viewpoint of the invention, the first opening and the second opening may be continuous with each other.

According to the third viewpoint of the invention, because the first opening and the second opening are continuous with each other, a large opening is formed. For this reason, operations from the lateral side, the discharge direction, and a direction therebetween are allowed. In addition, because the first opening and the second opening are continuous with each other, a removal operation in a large space is allowed, and thus efficiency of the removal operation is improved.

A weighing and packaging system according to a fourth viewpoint of the invention may further include a main body frame supporting the weighing units, a plurality of first supporting legs disposed along a vertical direction to support the main body frame, a plurality of second supporting legs disposed along the vertical direction to support the former, and a plurality of horizontal beams connecting the plurality of first supporting legs to each other or the plurality of second supporting legs to each other, wherein the horizontal beams may not be disposed in the first opening.

According to the fourth viewpoint of the invention, rigidity of the weighing and packaging system is ensured by the horizontal beams provided between the first supporting legs or the second supporting legs disposed along the vertical direction. In addition, because the horizontal beams are not disposed in the first opening, the first opening widens. For this reason, efficiency of the removal operation is improved.

In a weighing and packaging system according to a fifth viewpoint of the invention, the respective first supporting legs may be supported by the second supporting legs.

According to the fifth viewpoint of the invention, because the respective first supporting legs are supported by the second supporting legs, a separate support member for supporting the weighing apparatus may not be provided. For this reason, an installation space may be narrowed. For this reason, a space for the removal operation may be widened, and efficiency of the removal operation is improved.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to an aspect of the invention, it is possible to provide a weighing and packaging system capable of improving workability at the time of removing a component.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

As illustrated inFIG. 1, a weighing and packaging system1includes a combination weighing apparatus2and a vertical type bag-making packaging apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a packaging apparatus)3. The combination weighing apparatus2is directly loaded on the bag-making packaging apparatus3.

The combination weighing apparatus2performs combination weighing on articles supplied from above, and discharges an article selected in the combination weighing to the packaging apparatus3disposed below. Details of the combination weighing apparatus2will be described below.

The packaging apparatus3forms a belt-shaped package (film) into a cylindrical shape to form a cylindrical package. The packaging apparatus3fills an inside of the cylindrical package with the article discharged from the combination weighing apparatus2. The packaging apparatus3manufactures a bag by sealing the cylindrical package, and discharges the bag to an outside of the packaging apparatus3. Details of the packaging apparatus3will be described below.

The bag manufactured by the packaging apparatus3is discharged in a direction indicated by a symbol α ofFIG. 1. That is, α corresponds to a discharge direction of the bag.

InFIG. 1, a surface on a lateral side of the discharge direction α of the bag is indicated by β. In other words, two side surfaces β are present in a direction orthogonal to a vertical direction and the discharge direction α of the bag.

As illustrated inFIG. 2andFIG. 4, the combination weighing apparatus2includes a distributing unit21, radiation units22radially disposed around the distributing unit21, a plurality of pool hoppers23disposed below outer peripheral portions of the radiation units22, a plurality of weighing hoppers (weighing units)24disposed below the pool hoppers23, a plurality of booster hoppers (weighing units)25disposed below the weighing hoppers24, and a collecting chute26disposed below the booster hoppers25.

The combination weighing apparatus2further includes a main body frame27that supports the distributing unit21, the radiation units22. . .22, the pool hoppers23. . .23, the weighing hoppers24. . .24, and the booster hoppers25. . .25, and a first support (weighing support)28that supports the main body frame27.

Details of the first support28will be described below.

The distributing unit21has a conical distributing table and a distributing vibration unit211for vibrating the distributing table. In the distributing unit21, articles are supplied to the distributing table from above. The distributing unit21distributes the articles around the distributing table to convey the articles by vibrating the distributing table.

The radiation unit22has a radiation trough and a radiation vibration unit221for vibrating the radiation trough. A plurality of radiation units22is disposed around the distributing unit21. The articles distributed and conveyed by the distributing table are supplied to the radiation trough. The radiation trough conveys the articles by vibrating.

The pool hoppers23are disposed below the radiation units22on a downstream side in an article convey direction of the respective radiation units22. Each of the pool hoppers23includes a pool hopper-side wall having an opening that opens in the vertical direction, a gate that closes or opens the opening on a lower side of the pool hopper-side wall, and a pool hopper gate driving unit231that opens or closes the gate. The pool hopper23temporarily accumulates articles conveyed from the radiation trough. The pool hopper23discharges articles to the weighing hopper24described below by opening the gate.

The weighing hoppers24are disposed below the pool hoppers23for the respective pool hoppers23. Each of the weighing hoppers24includes a weighing hopper-side wall having an opening that opens in the vertical direction, a gate that closes or opens the opening on a lower side of the weighing hopper-side wall, a weighing hopper gate driving unit241that opens or closes the gate, and a load cell242connected to the weighing hopper-side wall. The weighing hopper24accumulates articles discharged from the pool hopper23. The load cell242weights the articles accumulated in the weighing hopper24.

The booster hoppers25are disposed below the weighing hoppers24for the respective weighing hoppers24. Each of the booster hoppers25includes a booster hopper-side wall having an opening that opens in the vertical direction, a gate that closes or opens the opening on a lower side of the booster hopper-side wall, and a booster hopper gate driving unit251that opens or closes the gate. The booster hopper25accumulates articles weighed and discharged by the weighing hopper24. The booster hopper25participates in combination calculation.

The collecting chute26has an inverted conical shape. The collecting chute26is disposed below the weighing hoppers24. . .24and the booster hoppers25. . .25. The collecting chute26collects articles discharged from weighing hoppers24. . .24and booster hoppers25. . .25selected by a combination calculator292of a controller9described below, and discharges the articles from a discharge port on a lower side.

As illustrated inFIG. 4, the controller9includes a weighing value calculator291, the combination calculator292, a gate controller293, and a conveyance controller294. A configuration of the packaging apparatus3will be described below.

The weighing value calculator291calculates weight values of articles weighed by respective load cells242. . .242as weighing values of the respective weighing hoppers24.

The combination calculator292combines weighing values of the respective weighing hoppers24and the respective booster hoppers25calculated by the weighing value calculator291and selects a combination of the weighing hoppers24and/or the booster hoppers25close to (corresponding to) a target weight value.

The gate controller293drives pool hopper gate driving units231. . .231, weighing hopper gate driving units241. . .241, and booster hopper gate driving units251. . .251to discharge articles in the pool hoppers23. . .23, the weighing hoppers24. . .24, and the booster hoppers25. . .25. Specifically, the gate controller293drives a gate of a weighing hopper24and/or a booster hopper25selected by the combination calculator292to discharge an article in the weighing hopper24and/or the booster hopper25. Thereafter, the gate controller293drives a gate of a pool hopper23or a weighing hopper24disposed above the empty weighing hopper24or booster hopper25to discharge an article in the pool hopper23or the weighing hopper24to the hopper on a lower side.

In addition, a touch panel serving as a display input unit91is connected to the controller9to allow display of various information or input of setting.

It is possible to obtain a product having a weight close to a target weight using the combination weighing apparatus2configured as described below.

As illustrated inFIG. 1,FIG. 3, andFIG. 4, the packaging apparatus3includes a former31, a horizontal seal portion32disposed below the former31, a bag discharge portion33disposed below the horizontal seal portion32, a vertical seal portion, a film supply portion, and a cutter portion (not illustrated).

A conveyor for conveying a bag is present on the downstream side of the bag discharge portion33in the discharge direction α. For this reason, an operation space is narrow.

The packaging apparatus3further includes a front door34, which can be opened or closed, disposed on the discharge direction α side, and a side door35, which can be opened or closed, disposed on each of the two side surfaces β. The packaging apparatus3may further include a rear door, which can be opened or closed, disposed on a rear side opposite to the discharge direction α.

The packaging apparatus3further includes a second support (packaging support)38that supports the former31, the horizontal seal portion32, the bag discharge portion33, the vertical seal portion, the film supply portion, and the cutter portion.

Details of the second support38will be described below.

The former31has an inverted conical upper cylinder and a cylindrical lower cylinder extending under the upper cylinder. An inside of the former31receives and passes the articles discharged from the combination weighing apparatus2on the upper side. An outside of the former31forms a film (package) supplied from the film supply portion into a cylindrical shape. The former31further has a vertical seal portion. The former31heat-seals a vertical portion of the package formed in the cylindrical shape using the vertical seal portion.

The horizontal seal portion32is disposed below the former31. The horizontal seal portion32forms a sealed bag by heat-sealing an upper portion and a lower portion of a cylindrical film storing an article therein in a lateral direction.

The cutter portion is incorporated in the horizontal seal portion32. The cutter portion drops the bag onto the bag discharge portion33by cutting a part sealed in the lateral direction using a cutter.

The bag discharge portion33is disposed below the horizontal seal portion32, and discharges the bag dropped from the horizontal seal portion32to the outside of the packaging apparatus3. The bag discharge portion33is made of a plate inclined downward.

The above-described controller9further includes a film conveyance controller391, a seal drive controller392, a seal temperature controller393, and a cutter drive controller394.

The film conveyance controller391controls a film conveyance drive unit300to control conveyance of the film supplied from the film supply portion.

The seal drive controller392controls a seal drive unit321to control driving of the seal portions of the vertical seal portion and the horizontal seal portion32.

The seal temperature controller393controls a seal heater unit322to control a seal temperature of the seal portion of the vertical seal portion or the horizontal seal portion32.

The cutter drive controller394controls a cutter drive unit323to control driving of the cutter of the cutter portion.

A bag filled with an article may be obtained using the packaging apparatus3configured as described above.

The first support28will be described with reference toFIG. 5,FIG. 6, andFIG. 7.

The first support28has three first supporting legs281, a horizontal beam282, a horizontal beam283, a horizontal beam284, and two horizontal beams285. The first supporting legs281are provided along vertical oblique directions. In other words, the first supporting legs281are disposed to be inclined with respect to the vertical direction. That is, the first supporting legs281are disposed along the vertical direction. The first supporting legs281may be disposed parallel to the vertical direction.

FIG. 5is a diagram of the weighing and packaging system1viewed from a side.FIG. 6is a diagram of the combination weighing apparatus2viewed from a bottom surface side.FIG. 7is a side view of a cross section taken along A-A line ofFIG. 6.

When a rectangular (square) region is imaginarily set to surround the combination weighing apparatus2in a planar view (viewed from above), four vertexes of the region are set to corners. The first supporting legs281are disposed at three corners among four corners. That is, as illustrated inFIG. 2, the first supporting legs281are not disposed at one of the four corners (in this example, a front right side inFIG. 2).

As illustrated inFIG. 6, one horizontal beam282is disposed in a part having a longest distance between the first supporting legs281to connect two first supporting legs281to each other. In other words, the horizontal beam282connects two first supporting legs281disposed at two diagonally positioned corners to each other. The horizontal beam282is disposed above the first supporting legs281along the horizontal direction. The main body frame27is stacked and fixed on the horizontal beam282.

As illustrated inFIG. 7, the horizontal beam282supports a bottom surface of the main body frame27. In this way, the horizontal beam282supports all the distributing unit21, the radiation units22, the pool hoppers23, the weighing hoppers24, the booster hoppers25, and the load cell242supported by the main body frame27.

The horizontal beam282includes one member. For this reason, rigidity of the horizontal beam282is high. In this way, the main body frame27is inhibited from vibrating in the vertical direction.

As illustrated inFIG. 6, the horizontal beam283connects the first supporting leg281(the first supporting leg281not connected by the horizontal beam282) and the horizontal beam282to each other. The horizontal beam283is disposed on the bottom surface of the main body frame27along the horizontal direction. The horizontal beam283is disposed to intersect the horizontal beam282. The horizontal beam283may be connected to a middle point of the horizontal beam282in an extending direction.

As illustrated inFIG. 6, the horizontal beam284is connected to the horizontal beam282and is disposed on the bottom surface of the main body frame27along the horizontal direction. The horizontal beam284is disposed to intersect the horizontal beam282. The horizontal beam284may be connected to the middle point of the horizontal beam282in the extending direction.

A plane is configured by the horizontal beam282, the horizontal beam283, and the horizontal beam284. Rigidity for preventing the combination weighing apparatus2from vibrating in the vertical direction is ensured by supporting the whole bottom surface of the main body frame27using the plane.

The horizontal beams285are disposed in parts in which intervals between the first supporting legs281are shortest on an outer circumferential side of the combination weighing apparatus2. Each of the horizontal beams285is disposed along the horizontal direction and connects the first supporting legs281to each other. In other words, the horizontal beam285connects two first supporting legs281disposed at two adjacent corners to each other. The two horizontal beams285are orthogonal to each other. A triangle is formed by the horizontal beam282and the two horizontal beams285in the planar view. Two triangles are formed by the horizontal beam283dividing the triangle. In this way, extremely high rigidity is ensured with respect to horizontal vibration and vertical vibration of the combination weighing apparatus2.

The first supporting legs281and the horizontal beams285are not disposed at one of the four corners. For this reason, there is no structure that may interfere with work on lateral sides of the collecting chute26, that is, on a front side (the discharge direction α side) and one lateral side (a right side inFIG. 2). For this reason, a wide space is present when the collecting chute26is removed at the time of cleaning. As a result, the collecting chute26is easily removed, and workability is improved.

The second support38will be described with reference toFIG. 3.FIG. 3illustrates a state in which the front door34, the side door35, etc. are removed.

The second support38has three second supporting legs381and one second supporting leg3810shorter than the second supporting legs381in a height direction (vertical direction). The second supporting legs381and3810are provided along the vertical direction. In this example, the second supporting legs381and3810are disposed parallel to the vertical direction. The second supporting legs381and3810may be disposed to be inclined with respect to the vertical direction. The second supporting legs381are disposed at three of four corners of the packaging apparatus3. The second supporting leg3810is disposed at a corner at which the above-described first supporting legs281are not disposed. The second supporting leg3810is disposed below the former31.

The second support38further has a horizontal beam382, four horizontal beams383, three horizontal beams384, two horizontal beams385, one horizontal beam388, a former supporting plate386, and a horizontal seal portion support387.

The second supporting legs381directly comes into contact with an installation floor surface, and are disposed immediately below the first supporting legs281. The second supporting legs381support the first supporting legs281. For this reason, an installation space rarely becomes larger even when the combination weighing apparatus2is directly loaded on the bag-making packaging apparatus3. In addition, the combination weighing apparatus2is strongly supported.

The horizontal beam382connects the second supporting legs381disposed at two corners on a rear side in an opposite direction to the discharge direction α. The horizontal beam382is disposed along the horizontal direction on a rear side of a mounting position of the former31. The former supporting plate386is fixed to the horizontal beam382. The former supporting plate386supports a lower portion of the former31.

As illustrated inFIG. 3, the horizontal beam382is not disposed on a front surface in the discharge direction α and a side surface on which the second supporting leg3810is disposed. In this way, no obstructive structure is present on the front side and one lateral side of the former31. For this reason, a wide space is present on the front side and the one lateral side when the former31is removed. As a result, the former31is easily removed, and workability is improved.

The horizontal beams383are disposed along the horizontal direction on all surfaces of the front surface, the rear surface, and the side surfaces of the packaging apparatus3. Two horizontal beams383connect the second supporting legs381to each other. The other two horizontal beams383connect the second supporting legs381and the second supporting leg3810to each other. The horizontal beams383are disposed below the former31.

For this reason, a wide space is present around (on lateral sides of) the former31when the former31is removed. Thus, the former31is easily removed, and workability is improved.

The horizontal beams384are disposed along the horizontal direction on surfaces other than the front surface of the bag in the discharge direction α. The horizontal beams384connect the second supporting legs381to each other or the second supporting leg381and the second supporting leg3810to each other. The horizontal beams384are disposed below the former31. Specifically, the horizontal beams384are disposed at a lowermost part of the packaging apparatus3.

For this reason, a wide space is present around the former31when the former31is removed. Thus, the former31is easily removed, and workability is improved.

The horizontal beams385are disposed along the horizontal direction at an uppermost part of the packaging apparatus3. The horizontal beams385are disposed on a rear side and the other lateral side (a left side inFIG. 3) of the collecting chute26. The horizontal beams385connect the second supporting legs381to each other, and are not connected to the second supporting leg3810. Further, the horizontal beams385are disposed on the same side surface and rear surface as those of the horizontal beams285of the combination weighing apparatus2described above. In other words, there is no structure interfering with work on the front side and one lateral side of the collecting chute26similarly to the horizontal beams285of the combination weighing apparatus2described above. For this reason, a wide space is present on the front side and the one lateral side when the collecting chute26is removed at the time of cleaning. As a result, the collecting chute26is easily removed, and workability is improved.

The horizontal beam388is disposed below the horizontal beam383on the front surface of the packaging apparatus3and along the horizontal direction. The horizontal beam388connects the second supporting leg381and the second supporting leg3810to each other.

For this reason, a wide space is present around the former31when the former31is removed. As a result, the former31is easily removed, and workability is improved.

The horizontal seal portion support387is connected to the horizontal beam384on the rear surface and the horizontal seal portion32. The horizontal seal portion support387supports the horizontal seal portion32.

In this way, the second support38configures a structure as a rectangular parallelepiped having high rigidity by the second supporting legs381and the second supporting leg3810provided along the vertical direction and the horizontal beam382, the horizontal beams383, the horizontal beams384, the horizontal beams385, and the horizontal beam388provided along the horizontal direction. For this reason, high rigidity is ensured with respect to the horizontal direction and the vertical direction.

As described above, the first supporting legs281are not disposed at corners on the right side and the near side inFIG. 8, and the second supporting leg3810having a low height is disposed.

In addition, the horizontal beams285of the combination weighing apparatus2and the horizontal beam382, the horizontal beams383, the horizontal beams384, the horizontal beams385, and the horizontal beam388of the packaging apparatus3are not disposed on the front side and the one lateral side of the collecting chute26and the former31.

In this way, a second upper opening α1and a first upper opening β1are formed on the front side and one lateral side of the collecting chute26. The second upper opening α1opens to the discharge direction α, and exposes the discharge direction α side of the collecting chute26. The first upper opening β1opens to one lateral side, and exposes the one lateral side of the collecting chute26.

Further, a second lower opening α2and a first lower opening β2are formed on the front side and one lateral side of the former31. The second lower opening α2opens to the discharge direction α, and exposes the discharge direction α side of the former31. The first lower opening β2opens to one lateral side, and exposes the one lateral side of the former31. In other words, the horizontal beams285of the combination weighing apparatus2and the horizontal beam382, the horizontal beams383, the horizontal beams384, the horizontal beams385, and the horizontal beam388of the packaging apparatus3are not disposed in the second openings α1and α2and the first openings β1and β2. In other words, the horizontal beams285of the combination weighing apparatus2and the horizontal beam382, the horizontal beams383, the horizontal beams384, the horizontal beams385, and the horizontal beam388of the packaging apparatus3are disposed such that the second openings α1and α2and the first openings β1and β2are formed.

The second upper opening α1and the second lower opening α2are continuous with each other and the first upper opening β1and the first lower opening β2are continuous with each other in a longitudinal direction (vertical direction). For this reason, large openings are formed. In more detail, the first openings β1and β2laterally continuous from the collecting chute26to the former31are provided on one of side surfaces with respect to the discharge direction α of the bag of the weighing and packaging system1. In addition, the second openings α1and α2laterally continuous from the collecting chute26to the former31are provided on the surface in the discharge direction α of the bag of the weighing and packaging system1.

In this way, the opening may be easily larger than each of the collecting chute26or the former31. Accordingly, when the collecting chute26or the former31is removed, an operation of removing the collecting chute26or the former31may be easy.

Because the first openings β1and β2are formed on the lateral side in the discharge direction α, an operation may be performed in a large space without being interfered by the conveyor that conveys the bag. For this reason, efficiency of a removal operation is improved.

The second upper opening α1and the first upper opening β1are continuous with each other and the second lower opening α2and the first lower opening β2are continuous with each other in the lateral direction (a direction intersecting the vertical direction). That is, the second upper opening α1and the first upper opening β1, and the second lower opening α2and the first lower opening β2are adjacent to each other to form continuous openings. For this reason, large openings are formed in the lateral direction. In this way, the operation of removing the collecting chute26or the former31becomes easy.

The front side or one lateral side may be selected as a removing direction of the collecting chute26or the former31depending on the circumstances. In addition, removal is allowed in a direction between the second upper opening α1and the first upper opening β1and between the second lower opening α2and the first lower opening β2, and removal is allowed from three or more directions.

In the weighing and packaging system1, large openings are formed by providing continuous openings on two of the front surface, the rear surface, and the side surfaces in four directions, which is implemented by unevenly arranging the supporting legs and setting a widest interval in the removing direction of the components.

According to the weighing and packaging system1, the first opening that opens to the lateral side in the discharge direction of the bag and exposes the collecting chute and the former on the lateral side, is provided. For this reason, an opening having a size equal to or larger than that of a component to be removed is formed. Therefore, a removal operation in a space having a margin is allowed. For this reason, efficiency of the removal operation is improved.

In addition, in the weighing and packaging system1, the first opening is present on the lateral side in the discharge direction of the bag. Because the weighing and packaging system1includes the first opening that opens to a direction in which a structure such as a discharge conveyor is not present, a removal operation in a wide space is allowed, and efficiency of the removal operation is improved.

Modified Example A

In the above embodiment, the combination weighing apparatus having circular arrangement has been described. However, a combination weighing apparatus having so-called linear arrangement may be provided.

Modified Example B

In the above embodiment, the description has been given of the vertical type bag-making packaging apparatus. However, it is possible to employ a packaging apparatus including a former or an article input unit. The packaging apparatus may correspond to a bag packaging apparatus.

Modified Example C

In the above embodiment, the openings are provided on the front surface and the one side surface. However, the opening may not be provided on the front surface, and the opening may be provided only on the one side surface. In this case, an operation in a wide space is allowed without being interfered by the conveyor that conveys the bag, and thus efficiency of the removal operation is improved.

Modified Example D

In the above embodiment, the first supporting legs and the second supporting leg are unevenly disposed at three of the four corners. However, the supporting legs may be equally allocated at 120 degree intervals. In more detail, when a triangular (regular triangular) region is imaginarily set to surround the combination weighing apparatus2in the planar view, and three vertexes of the region are set to corners, the first supporting legs and the second supporting leg may be disposed at the three respective corners. It is essential to provide an opening that opens to the lateral side in the discharge direction of the bag and exposes the collecting chute and the corner on the lateral side.

For example, in a case of a combination weighing machine having a U-shaped electric case in a planar view which opens only to one of side surfaces, the electric case may be disposed such that an opening opens to a lateral side in a discharge direction. In this case, the former may be removed to a side of the vertical type bag-making packaging apparatus.

Modified Example E

In the above embodiment, the three first supporting legs of the weighing apparatus and the three long second supporting legs of the packaging apparatus are provided. However, the invention is not restricted thereto, and one first supporting leg of the weighing apparatus and one second supporting leg of the packaging apparatus or two first supporting legs of the weighing apparatus and two second supporting legs of the packaging apparatus may be provided. In this case, main components of the respective devices are supported by a cantilever beam structure. Four or more first supporting legs of the weighing apparatus and four or more second supporting legs of the packaging apparatus may be provided. In this case, an opening for removing the collecting chute or the former may be provided.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST