Patent Publication Number: US-2021172787-A1

Title: Remedy judging system

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Technical Field 
     The present invention relates to a remedy judging system. 
     Related Art 
     A packaging and weighing system is known where, as disclosed in patent document 1 (Japanese Patent No. 4,312,868), weighed product discharged from a weighing device is packaged by a packaging device and the weights of products after the packaging are checked by a weight checker. Patent document 1 discloses discriminating that the timing when bags are sealed is out of sync and reporting this in a case where an excess or deficiency in the weight of a product that was previously checked and an excess or deficiency in the weight of a product that was currently checked have a complementary relationship. 
     SUMMARY 
     Technical Problem 
     Patent document 1 further discloses stopping the packaging operation because of the occurrence of a clog caused by a bridge in a case where there are consecutive deficiencies in the products a predetermined number of times or more. In this case, there is more downtime in which production of the products stops. 
     It is a problem of the present invention to provide a remedy judging system that enables a reduction in downtime. 
     Solution to Problem 
     A remedy judging system pertaining to a first aspect includes a weight checking device and a judgment unit. The weight checking device checks the weight of weighed product discharged from a weighing device. The judgment unit makes a judgment relating to remedies for the weighing device on the basis of “correct weight,” “overweight,” and “underweight” checking results, relative to a predetermined weight serving as a norm, obtained by the weight checking device. The judgment unit makes the judgment on the basis of determination patterns having an “underweight” checking result and at least one checking result that consecutively follows the “underweight” checking result. 
     The present inventor discovered that a judgment relating to remedies for the weighing device can be made by focusing on an “underweight” checking result as a trigger and at least one checking result that consecutively follows the “underweight” checking result. In the remedy judging system of the first aspect, the judgment unit makes the judgment relating to remedies for the weighing device on the basis of determination patterns having an “underweight” checking result and at least one checking result that consecutively follows the “underweight” checking result. By implementing remedies for the weighing device on the basis of the judgment, the frequency with which production of products is stopped can be reduced. Consequently, the remedy judging system can enable a reduction in downtime. 
     A remedy judging system pertaining to a second aspect is the remedy judging system pertaining to the first aspect, further including a reporting unit that reports the judgment. 
     In the remedy judging system of the second aspect, the judgment can be more promptly made known by the reporting unit, so remedies for the weighing device can be promptly implemented. For this reason, downtime can be further reduced. 
     A remedy judging system pertaining to a third aspect is the remedy judging system pertaining to the first aspect or the second aspect, further including a packaging device that packages the weighed product. The judgment unit makes the judgment relating to remedies relating to the weighing device and the packaging device. 
     In the remedy judging system of the third aspect, even when the system further includes the packaging device, the judgment relating to remedies relating to the weighing device and the packaging device can be made. 
     A remedy judging system pertaining to a fourth aspect is the remedy judging system pertaining to the first aspect to the third aspect, wherein the weighing device includes a hopper that retains product that is to be weighed. The judgment unit makes the judgment relating to remedies for the hoppers. 
     In the remedy judging system of the fourth aspect, problems such as the timing of the opening and closing of the hopper and residual product in the hopper can be remedied. 
     A remedy judging system pertaining to a fifth aspect is the remedy judging system pertaining to the fourth aspect, wherein the hopper has a timing hopper that discharges the weighed product. 
     In the remedy judging system of the fifth aspect, the judgment unit makes the judgment relating to remedies for the timing hopper, so problems with the timing hopper can be remedied. 
     A remedy judging system pertaining to a sixth aspect is the remedy judging system pertaining to the fifth aspect, wherein the weighing device further includes a chute that delivers the product to the timing hopper. The remedy judging system further includes a packaging device that packages the weighed product. The judgment unit, in a case where the “underweight” checking result is consecutively followed by an “overweight” checking result, judges that residual product in the timing hopper, a delay in the discharge of the product at the chute, or clogging of the packaging device with the weighed product should be remedied. 
     In the remedy judging system of the sixth aspect, in a case where the “underweight” checking result is followed by an “overweight” checking result, the judgment unit judges that, as as area for remedy, the product is remaining in the timing hopper, the discharge of the product is being delayed at the chute, or the packaging device is clogged with the weighed product. For this reason, by promptly implementing a remedy for the timing hopper, the chute, or the packaging device, downtime can be further reduced. 
     A remedy judging system pertaining to a seventh aspect is the remedy judging system pertaining to the fourth aspect to the sixth aspect, wherein the hopper has a weigh hopper that weighs the product. The judgment unit, in a case where the “underweight” checking result is consecutively followed by all “correct weight” checking results a predetermined number of times, judges that residual product in the weigh hopper should be remedied. 
     In the remedy judging system of the seventh aspect, in a case where the “underweight” checking result is followed by a “correct weight” checking result and there are consecutive “correct weight” checking results a predetermined number of times, the judgment unit judges that, as an area for remedy, the product is remaining in the weigh hopper. For this reason, by promptly implementing a remedy for the weigh hopper, downtime can be further reduced. 
     A remedy judging system pertaining to an eighth aspect is the remedy judging system pertaining to the fourth aspect to the seventh aspect, wherein the hopper has a booster hopper that holds the product. The judgment unit, in a case where the “underweight” checking result is consecutively followed by a “correct weight” checking result and there is an “overweight” checking result within a predetermined number of times after the “correct weight” checking result, judges that residual product in the booster hopper should be remedied. 
     In the remedy judging system of the eighth aspect, in a case where the “underweight” checking result is followed by a “correct weight” checking result and there is an “overweight” checking result within a predetermined number of times after the “correct weight” checking result, the judgment unit judges that, as an area for remedy, the product is remaining in the booster hopper. For this reason, by promptly implementing a remedy for the booster hopper, downtime can be further reduced. 
     A remedy judging system pertaining to a ninth aspect is the remedy judging system pertaining to the first aspect to the eighth aspect, further including a communication unit that communicates with the weighing device and the weight checking device. 
     In the remedy judging system of the ninth aspect, the judgment made by the judgment unit can be sent by the communication unit to the weighing device. For this reason, the weighing device can report the judgment relating to remedies. 
     A remedy judging system pertaining to a tenth aspect is the remedy judging system pertaining to the first aspect to the ninth aspect, wherein the weight checking device learns the determination patterns by machine learning and accumulates determination results based on the determination patterns. 
     In the remedy judging system of the tenth aspect, by learning various determination patterns, the judgment unit can promptly make the judgment relating to remedies for the weighing device. For this reason, downtime can be further reduced. 
     Advantageous Effects of Invention 
     According to the present invention, a reduction in downtime can be enabled. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic view showing an entire weighing, packaging, and checking system of an embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram of a remedy judging system of the embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic view showing a cross section of a weighing device of the embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a packaging device of the embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic view showing the front of a weight checking device of the embodiment; 
         FIG. 6  is an example of checking results obtained by the weight checking device; 
         FIG. 7  is an example of checking results obtained by the weight checking device; 
         FIG. 8  is an example of checking results obtained by the weight checking device; 
         FIG. 9  is a flowchart showing a remedy judging method of the embodiment; and 
         FIG. 10  is a block diagram of the remedy judging system of an example modification. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A remedy judging system  100  pertaining to an embodiment of the invention will be described below. 
     (1) OVERVIEW 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the remedy judging system  100  is a system that makes judgments relating to remedies for a weighing device  1 . The remedy judging system  100  of the embodiment includes a weighing device  1 , a packaging device  2 , a weight checking device  3 , and a seal checking device  4  as shown in  FIG. 1  and a storage unit  5 , a judgment unit  6 , and a reporting unit  7  as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     The weighing device  1 , the packaging device  2 , the weight checking device  3 , and the seal checking device  4  shown in  FIG. 1  configure a weighing, packaging, and checking system that weighs, packages, and checks product. The product that is to be weighed in the weighing, packaging, and checking system is supplied to the weighing device  1 . The product supplied to the weighing device  1  is divided into a predetermined weight at a time and thereafter is discharged as weighed product from the weighing device  1  and sent to the packaging device  2 . In the packaging device  2 , the weighed product is bag-packed in units of the predetermined weight. The weighed product packed in the bags (hereinafter also called “packages”) is placed on a belt conveyor and sequentially passes through the weight checking device  3  and the seal checking device  4 . During the passage, the packages undergo checks regarding their weights and seals. The checking results obtained by the weight checking device  3  and the seal checking device  4  are sent to a downstream sorting mechanism (not shown in the drawings). The sorting mechanism sorts non-defective products to a regular line conveyor (not shown in the drawings) and defective products to a defective product recovery conveyor (not shown in the drawings). 
     The storage unit  5  and the judgment unit  6  shown in  FIG. 2  configure a control device C utilized in the weighing, packaging, and checking system. The storage unit  5  and the judgment unit  6  are included in the control device C. A control unit of the control device C, the weighing device  1 , the packaging device  2 , the weight checking device  3 , and the seal checking device  4  is realized by a computer. The control unit includes a processor and a storage device. For the processor, a processor such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a graphics processing unit (GPU) can be used. The processor reads programs stored in the storage device and performs predetermined processing in accordance with the programs. Moreover, the processor can, in accordance with the programs, write processing results to the storage device and read information stored in the storage device. 
     The reporting unit  7  is provided in a monitoring screen provided on a production line of the weighing, packaging, and checking system. 
     (2) DETAILED CONFIGURATION 
     (2-1) Weighing Device 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the weighing device  1  weighs, so as to meet a target weigh value, the product supplied from a conveyance unit  9 , and supplies the weighed product to the packaging device  2 . The product is product that varies in mass, such as agricultural products, marine products, and processed foods, for example. 
     The weighing device  1  of this embodiment is a combination weighing device and includes at least one hopper that retains the product that is to be weighed. Specifically, the weighing device  1  includes a dispersion table  11 , supply feeders  12 , pool hoppers PH, weigh hoppers WH, booster hoppers BH, a chute  13 , and a timing hopper TH. 
     The dispersion table  11  has a conical shape and is configured to be rotatable. The product that has dropped from the conveyance unit  9  onto the dispersion table  11  is moved in the radial direction while being dispersed in the circumferential direction on the dispersion table  11  by rotation, and drops onto the supply feeders  12  disposed around the dispersion table  11 . 
     The supply feeders  12  are vibrated by an electromagnetic vibrator (not shown in the drawings). The supply feeders  12  receive the product supplied from the dispersion table  11  and utilize vibration to cause the product they have received to move outward and drop to the downstream pool hoppers PH. 
     The pool hoppers PH receive, and temporarily retain, the product from the supply feeders  12 . Each pool hopper PH is supported by a support member (not shown in the drawings) anchored to a body frame  14 . Under each pool hopper PH is provided a gate  15  that opens and closes a discharge opening in the lower portion of that pool hopper PH. The timing of the opening and closing of each gate  15  is controlled by a controller (not shown in the drawings). When the gates  15  open, the product retained in the pool hoppers PH drops to the downstream weigh hoppers WH. 
     The weigh hoppers WH weigh the product. Specifically, the weigh hoppers WH are provided directly under the gates  15  and receive, and temporarily retain, the product from the pool hoppers PH. Each weigh hopper WH is supported by a support member (not shown in the drawings) anchored to the body frame  14 . The weight of the product in the weigh hoppers WH is weighed by load cells  16 . Under each weigh hopper WH are provided a first gate  17  and a second gate  18  that open and close discharge openings in the lower portion of that weigh hopper WH. The timing of the opening and closing of each gate  17 ,  18  is controlled by a controller (not shown in the drawings). When the first gates  17  open, the product retained in the weigh hoppers WH drops into the downstream chute  13 . When the second gates  18  open, the product retained in the weigh hoppers WH drops into the downstream booster hoppers BH. 
     Each load cell  16  weighs the product being retained in the weigh hopper WH corresponding to that load cell  16 . It will be noted that each load cell  16  is disposed inside the weigh hopper WH corresponding to that load cell  16 . 
     The booster hoppers BH hold the product. Specifically, the booster hoppers BH are disposed directly under the second gates  18  and receive, and temporarily retain, the product after the weighing from the weigh hoppers WH. Each booster hopper BH is supported by a support member (not shown in the drawings) anchored to the body frame  14 . Under each booster hopper BH is provided a gate  19  that opens and closes a discharge opening in the lower portion of that booster hopper BH. The timing of the opening and closing of each gate  19  is controlled by a controller (not shown in the drawings). When the gates  19  open, the product retained in the booster hoppers BH drops into the downstream chute  13 . 
     The chute  13  is formed in a tubular shape having an inside surface with the shape of a truncated cone that tapers downward. The chute  13  is disposed in such a way that its inside surface is positioned under all the weigh hoppers WH and all the booster hoppers BH. The inside surface of the chute  13  is a surface that receives, and guides to the packaging device  2 , the product discharged from the weigh hoppers WH or the booster hoppers BH. 
     The timing hopper TH is disposed under the chute  13 . The timing hopper TH discharges the weighed product. Specifically, under the timing hopper TH is provided a gate  20  that opens and closes a discharge opening in the lower portion of the timing hopper TH. The timing of the opening and closing of the gate  20  is controlled by a controller (not shown in the drawings). In a state in which the gate  20  is closed, the timing hopper TH temporarily retains the weighed product discharged from the chute  13 . When the gate  20  is opened, the timing hopper TH discharges to the packaging device  2  the weighed product it temporarily retained. 
     (2-2) Packaging Device 
     The packaging device  2  packages the weighed product that has been weighed by the weighing device  1 . Specifically, the packaging device  2  bag-packs the weighed product that is delivered a predetermined weight at a time from the weighing device  1 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the packaging device  2  includes a film supply mechanism (not shown in the drawings), a forming mechanism  22 , a conveyance mechanism  23 , a longitudinal sealing mechanism  24 , and a transverse sealing mechanism  25 . 
     In the film supply mechanism is set a film roll into which a film F is wound. The forming mechanism  22  forms into a cylindrical shape the sheet-like film F that is sent from the film supply mechanism. The forming mechanism  22  has a tube (cylindrical portion)  22   a  and a former  22   b.    
     The tube  22   a  is a cylindrical member whose upper end and lower end are open, and the tube  22   a  extends in the longitudinal direction. The tube  22   a  is anchored to the former  22   b  via a bracket (not shown in the drawings). The weighed product that drops the predetermined weight at a time from the weighing device  1  is fed into the open portion in the upper end of the tube  22   a . That is, the tube  22   a  is configured so that the weighed product passes through the inside of the tube  22   a.    
     The former  22   b  is disposed surrounding the tube  22   a  near the upper portion of the tube  22   a . The former  22   b  has a shape by which the sheet-like film F sent from the film supply mechanism becomes formed into a cylindrical shape when it passes through a clearance between the former  22   b  and the tube  22   a . That is, the sheet-like film F becomes wrapped around the outside surface of the tube  22   a  and formed into a cylindrical shape when it passes through the clearance. 
     The conveyance mechanism  23  conveys downward the film F that has been formed into a cylindrical shape by the forming mechanism  22  (hereinafter this film F will be called “the cylindrical film Fc”). The conveyance mechanism  23  has a pair of pull-down belts  26 ,  27 . The pull-down belts  26 ,  27  are disposed extending in the longitudinal direction symmetrical to each other on the right and left sides of the tube  22   a  that extends in the longitudinal direction. The pull-down belts  26 ,  27  have the role of contacting the cylindrical film Fc wrapped around the tube  22   a  and conveying the cylindrical film Fc downward while sucking and holding it. 
     The longitudinal sealing mechanism  24  seals in the longitudinal direction the overlapping portion of the cylindrical film Fc. The longitudinal sealing mechanism  24  is disposed extending in the longitudinal direction along the tube  22   a . The longitudinal sealing mechanism  24  heat-seals the overlapping portion extending in the longitudinal direction of the cylindrical film Fc wrapped around the tube  22   a  while pushing it with a fixed pressure against the side surface of the tube  22   a . The longitudinal sealing mechanism  24  has a heater and a heater belt that is heated by the heater. 
     The transverse sealing mechanism  25  seals the bags by sealing in the transverse direction the portions of the cylindrical film Fc that become upper and lower ends of the bags. The transverse sealing mechanism  25  is disposed under the tube  22   a . The transverse sealing mechanism  25  has a front and rear pair of sealing jaws  25   a.    
     The sealing jaws  25   a  have heaters inside. Sealing surfaces (surfaces that oppose each other during transverse sealing) of the sealing jaws  25   a  are heated by the heaters, and the cylindrical film Fc clamped by the sealing jaws  25   a  is heat-sealed in the transverse direction. The sealing jaws  25   a  are coupled to rotating shafts (not shown in the drawings) via arm members (not shown in the drawings) and revolve around the rotating shafts. The rotating shafts cause the sealing jaws  25  to revolve and perform an operation in which the sealing jaws  25  move horizontally toward and away from each other to clamp the cylindrical film Fc at an appropriate timing. 
     (2-3) Weight Checking Device 
     The weight checking device  3  shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 5  checks the weight of the weighed product discharged from the weighing device  1 . Here, the weight checking device  3  checks the weight of the weighed product discharged from the packaging device  2 . The weight checking device  3  selects only the weighed product determined to be non-defective product and conveys it to the seal checking device  4  disposed downstream. The weight checking device  3  includes a weigh conveyor  31 , a load cell (not shown in the drawings), a housing  32 , legs  33 , and a display unit  34  shown in  FIG. 5  and a communication unit  35  shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     The weigh conveyor  31  conveys weighed product M downstream. The weigh conveyor  31  has a motor (not shown in the drawings), rollers  31   a , and a belt  31   b . The motor is a drive source. 
     The pair of rollers  31   a  are disposed, so as to be freely rotatable, on both ends in the horizontal direction. When one roller  31   a  is driven by the motor, the other roller  31   a  follows. 
     The belt  31   b  is entrained between the pair of rollers  31   a . Here, the belt  31   b  is a flat belt. The belt  31   b , as a result of the rollers  31   a  being driven by the motor, conveys forward in the horizontal direction (the direction of the arrow in  FIG. 5 ) the weighed product M placed on the belt  31   b.    
     It will be noted that the weight checking device  3  may further include other conveyors disposed upstream and downstream of the weigh conveyor  31  in the conveyance direction. 
     The load cell measures the weight of the weighed product M by detecting a change in strain caused by the weight of the weighed product M conveyed by the weigh conveyor  31 . 
     The housing  32  is supported by the pair of legs  33  and houses the weigh conveyor  31  and the load cell. 
     The display unit  34  displays the checking result of the weight of the weighed product M. The display unit  34  displays the checking result in such a way that it can be recognized by sight. For example, the display unit  34  displays the value of the weight of the weighed product M and a predetermined weight serving as a norm. It will be noted that the display unit  34  may also display “correct weight,” “overweight,” and “underweight” checking results described later. 
     The communication unit  35  shown in  FIG. 2  communicates with the control device C including the judgment unit  6 . Here, the communication unit  35  sends the checking results obtained by the weight checking device  3  to the storage unit  5  described later. 
     The weight checking device  3  further includes a determination unit (not shown in the drawings). The determination unit determines “correct weight,” “overweight,” and “underweight” checking results relative to a predetermined weight serving as a norm. The predetermined weight serving as the norm is arbitrarily set. The predetermined weight may be a preset weight or may be based on the weight measured by the weighing device  1 . In the latter case, for example, an arbitrary range is set centered on the weight of the weighed product discharged from the weighing device  1 . The predetermined weight is a weight determined to be non-defective product by the weight checking device  3 . The determination unit compares the weight of the weighed product M measured by the weight checking device  3  and the predetermined weight. “Correct weight” is a weight within the predetermined weight range. “Overweight” is a weight that exceeds the predetermined weight. “Underweight” is a weight that falls below the predetermined weight. 
     For example, in the examples shown in  FIG. 6  to  FIG. 8 , a range of 100 to 106 is set as the predetermined weight serving as the norm, and the weight values checked by the weight checking device  3  are “correct weight” if they are in the range of 100 to 106, “overweight” if they exceed 106, and “underweight” if they fall below 100. 
     (2-4) Seal Checking Device 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the seal checking device  4  checks for seal defects in the bags that have been packed with the weighed product. Here, the seal checking device  4  checks whether or not the packages in which the weighed product has been packaged by the packaging device  2  are sealed. 
     The seal checking device  4  includes a conveyance unit  41 , a presser  42 , a parallel motion mechanism  43 , and an angle of rotation detector (not shown in the drawings). The conveyance unit  41  conveys the weighed product that has been packaged. The presser  42  presses the weighed product from above. The parallel motion mechanism  43  parallel moves the presser  42 . The parallel motion mechanism  43  has links joined to the presser  42 . The presser  42  is attached to the parallel motion mechanism  43  so as to be freely rotatable in a predetermined angular range. When the weighed product advances, the presser  42  rises diagonally upward and presses the bag of the weighed product with its own weight. 
     The angle of rotation detector is provided in the rotational center of the parallel motion mechanism  43  and is, for example, a rotary encoder. The angle of rotation detector detects the angle of rotation of the parallel motion mechanism  43 . The control unit of the seal checking device  4  judges that seals are defective in a case where the detected angle of rotation is smaller than an angle of rotation serving as a norm. 
     (2-5) Storage Unit 
     The storage unit  5  shown in  FIG. 2  stores the checking results obtained by the weight checking device  3 . Specifically, the storage unit  5  stores the checking results of consecutive weighed product checked by the weight checking device  3  together with the order in which the weighed product was checked.  FIG. 6  to  FIG. 8  show examples of checking results that the storage unit  5  stores. 
     The storage unit  5  also stores determination patterns described later. The determination patterns can be overwritten. 
     (2-6) Judgment Unit 
     The judgment unit  6  shown in  FIG. 2  makes at least one judgment relating to remedies for the weighing device  1  on the basis of the “correct weight,” “overweight,” and “underweight” checking results, relative to the predetermined weight serving as the norm, obtained by the weight checking device  3 . In this embodiment, the judgment unit  6  makes judgments relating to remedies for the weighing device  1  and the packaging device  2  on the basis of the “correct weight,” “overweight,” and “underweight” checking results obtained by the weight checking device  3 . The judgment unit  6  makes the judgments on the basis of determination patterns having an “underweight” checking result and at least one checking result that consecutively follows the “underweight” checking result. That is, the judgment unit  6  uses an “underweight” checking result as a trigger to analyze remedies for the members configuring the weighing device  1  and the packaging device  2  from one or more checking results that consecutively follow the “underweight” checking result. 
     It will be noted that the judgment(s) relating to remedies for the weighing device  1  are, for example, identifications of at least one area for remedy in the weighing device  1 . The judgment(s) relating to remedies for the packaging device  2  are, for example, identifications of at least one area for remedy in the packaging device  2 . The remedies may be implemented by the user or may be implemented by the remedy judging system  100 . 
     In this embodiment, the weighing device  1  includes hoppers that retain product that is to be weighed, so the judgment unit  6  makes judgments relating to remedies for the hoppers. The weighing device  1  further includes the chute  13  that delivers the product to the timing hopper TH, so the judgment unit  6  makes judgments relating to remedies for the chute  13 . 
     Here, the determination patterns will be described by way of examples. A case where the “underweight” checking result is consecutively followed by an “overweight” checking result constitutes a first determination pattern. The first determination pattern typically is a case where the average value of consecutive “underweight” and “overweight” checking results is a “correct weight,” and more typically is a case where “underweight” and “overweight” checking results alternatively follow each other. Specifically, as shown in  FIG. 6 , in the first determination pattern the “underweight” checking result of sample No.  2  is consecutively followed by the “overweight” checking result of sample No.  3 . 
     A case where the “underweight” checking result is consecutively followed by all “correct weight” checking results a predetermined number of times constitutes a second determination pattern. The predetermined number of times is arbitrarily set, but typically it is two times or more. Specifically, as shown in  FIG. 7 , in the second determination pattern the “underweight” checking result of sample No.  2  is consecutively followed by the “correct weight” checking results of sample No.  3  and sample No.  4 . 
     A case where the “underweight” checking result is consecutively followed by a “correct weight” checking result and there is an “overweight” checking result within a predetermined number of times after the “correct weight” checking result constitutes a third determination pattern. The predetermined number of times is one time or more. The third determination pattern typically is a case where the average value of the “underweight” checking result and the first “overweight” checking result after the “correct weight” checking result is a “correct weight.” Specifically, as shown in  FIG. 8 , in the third determination pattern the “underweight” checking result of sample No.  2  is consecutively followed by the “correct weight” checking result of sample No.  3 , which in turn is consecutively followed by the “overweight” checking result of sample No.  4 . Furthermore, the average value of the “underweight” checking result of sample No.  2  and the “overweight” checking result of sample No.  4  is a “correct weight.” 
     When an “underweight” checking result occurs, the judgment unit  6  is notified thereof. When the judgment unit  6  acquires the “underweight” checking result, it further acquires at least one checking result that consecutively follows the “underweight” checking result. Then, the judgment unit  6  reads the determination patterns from the storage unit  5  and judges to which determination pattern the consecutive checking results it has acquired correspond. 
     Specifically, in a case where the “underweight” checking result is consecutively followed by an “overweight” checking result (the first determination pattern), the judgment unit  6  judges that residual product in the timing hopper TH, a delay in the discharge of the product at the chute  13 , or clogging of the packaging device  2  with the weighed product is to be remedied. Specifically, when the judgment unit  6  acquires the “underweight” checking result of sample No.  2  in  FIG. 6 , it also acquires the checking result of sample No.  3  that consecutively follows the “underweight” checking result. The judgment unit  6  that has acquired the two consecutive checking results extracts from among the determination patterns the first determination pattern which corresponds to the checking results. Because of this, the judgment unit  6  judges that residual product in the timing hopper TH, a delay in the discharge of the product at the chute  13 , or clogging of the packaging device  2  with the weighed product is to be remedied. 
     Furthermore, in a case where the “underweight” checking result is consecutively followed by all “correct weight” checking results a predetermined number of times (the second determination pattern), the judgment unit  6  judges that residual product in the weigh hoppers WH is to be remedied. Specifically, when the judgment unit  6  acquires the “underweight” checking result of sample No.  2  in  FIG. 7 , it also acquires the checking results of sample No.  3  and sample No.  4  that consecutively follow the “underweight” checking result. The judgment unit  6  that has acquired the three consecutive checking results extracts from among the determination patterns the second determination pattern which corresponds to the checking results. Because of this, the judgment unit  6  judges that residual product in the weigh hoppers WH is to be remedied. 
     Furthermore, in a case where the “underweight” checking result is consecutively followed by a “correct weight” checking result and there is an “overweight” checking result within a predetermined number of times after the “correct weight” checking result, the judgment unit  6  judges that residual product in the booster hoppers BH is to be remedied. Specifically, when the judgment unit  6  acquires the “underweight” checking result of sample No.  2  in  FIG. 8 , it also acquires the checking results of sample No.  3  and sample No.  4  that consecutively follow the “underweight” checking result. The judgment unit  6  that has acquired the three consecutive checking results extracts from among the determination patterns the third determination pattern which corresponds to the checking results. Because of this, the judgment unit  6  judges that residual product in the booster hoppers BH is to be remedied. 
     Here, the determination patterns are machine-learned on the basis of past checking results and remedies. That is, the remedy judging system  100  learns the determination patterns by machine learning and accumulates determination results based on the determination patterns. In this embodiment, the control device C learns the determination patterns by machine learning and accumulates determination results based on the determination patterns. 
     (2-7) Reporting Unit 
     The reporting unit  7  shown in  FIG. 2  reports the judgment(s) made by the judgment unit  6 . The reporting unit  7  may be provided in the weight checking device  3 , but here it is provided in the monitoring screen on the production line of the weighing, packaging, and checking system. 
     The judgment unit  6  sends the judgments made in the judgment unit  6  to the reporting unit  7 . The reporting unit  7  that has received the judgment(s) reports the judgment(s). Here, the reporting unit  7  reports the area(s) for remedy in the weighing device  1  and the packaging device  2 . 
     For example, in the case of the first determination pattern in  FIG. 6 , the reporting unit  7  reports at least one of “Please check to see if there is residual product in the timing hopper TH”, “Please check to see if there is a delay in the discharge of the product at the chute  13 ”, and “Please check to see if the weighed product is clogging the packaging device  2 .” In the case of the second determination pattern in  FIG. 7 , the reporting unit  7  reports “Please check to see if there is residual product in the weigh hoppers WH.” In the case of the third determination pattern shown in  FIG. 8 , the reporting unit  7  reports “Please check to see if there is residual product in the booster hoppers BH.” 
     (3) OPERATION OF WEIGHING, PACKAGING, AND CHECKING SYSTEM 
     (3-1) Operation of Weighing Device 
     First, as shown in  FIG. 3 , appropriate quantities of the product are successively fed onto the dispersion table  11  from the conveyance unit  9  of the weighing device  1 . The product that has been fed onto the dispersion table  11  is moved on the dispersion table  11  by the rotation of the dispersion table  11  and drops onto the supply feeders  12  disposed in a circle around the dispersion table  11 . The product that has dropped onto the supply feeders  12  is moved on the supply feeders  12  by the vibration of the supply feeders  12  and drops into the pool hoppers PH disposed in a circle around the supply feeders  12 . At this time, the gates  15  are in a closed state, and the product is retained in the pool hoppers PH. 
     Each gate  15  is controlled to open when there is no product being retained in the weigh hoppers WH disposed under those gates  15 . Because of this, the product that had been retained in the pool hoppers PH is discharged into the weigh hoppers WH downstream of those pool hoppers PH. At this time, the gates  17 ,  18  are both in a closed state, and the product is retained in the weigh hoppers WH. The load cells  16  perform measurements at a timing when the product is being retained in the weigh hoppers WH corresponding to those load cells  16 . 
     Each second gate  18  is controlled to open when there is no product being retained in the booster hoppers BH disposed under those gates  18 . Because of this, the product that had been retained in the weigh hoppers WH is discharged to the booster hoppers BH downstream of those weigh hoppers WH. At this time, the gates  19  are in a closed state, and the product is retained in the booster hoppers BH. 
     New product is fed from the upstream pool hoppers PH into the weigh hoppers WH that have become empty as a result of having discharged the product to the booster hoppers BH. The weight of the new product that has been fed to the weigh hoppers WH is also measured by the load cells  16 . 
     It will be noted that a combination computation process is executed, whereby several hoppers WH, BH are selected from among the plural hoppers WH, BH. The combination computation process involves combining and adding together the weight values of the product being retained in each weigh hopper WH and each booster hopper BH to find a product combination whose total weight value falls within a predetermined range. When several hoppers WH, BH are selected by the combination computation process, the gates  17 ,  19  that open and close the discharge openings in the selected hoppers WH, BH are controlled to open, and the product that had been retained in those hoppers WH, BH is discharged to the chute  13 . The hoppers WH, BH that have become empty as a result of having discharged the product to the chute  13  are successively replenished with new product from the upstream hoppers PH, WH. 
     The product that has collected while sliding down through the inside of the chute  13  is discharged to the timing hopper TH. At this time, the gate  20  is in a closed state, and the product is retained in the timing hopper TH. The gate  20  is controlled to open in accordance with the timing when the product is to be supplied to the packaging device  2  disposed under the gate  20 . Because of this, the product that had been retained in the timing hopper TH is conveyed to the packaging device  2  downstream of the weighing device  1 . 
     (3-2) Operation of Packaging Device 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the conveyance mechanism  23  is driven, and the film F is paid out from the film roll of the film supply mechanism and guided to the forming mechanism  22 . In the forming mechanism  22 , the sheet-like film F paid out from the film roll advances along the surface of the former  22   b  and becomes wrapped around the outside surface of the cylindrical tube  22   a  and formed into the cylindrical film Fc when it passes through the clearance between the former  22   b  and the tube  22   a . Thereafter also, the cylindrical film Fc is conveyed downward in such a way that its inside surface lies along the outside surface of the tube  22   a . At this time, the longitudinal sealing mechanism  24  carries out heat sealing on the overlapping portion of the cylindrical film Fc that should be longitudinally sealed. 
     Next, the cylindrical film Fc comes off the tube  22   a  and descends to the transverse sealing mechanism  25 . In the transverse sealing mechanism  25 , heat sealing is carried out in the transverse direction on the portion of the cylindrical film Fc that becomes the lower end portion of the bag. At this time, a mass of the product drops through the inside of the tube  22   a  from the weighing device  1  and is collected in the cylindrical film Fc. Then, in a state in which the product has been packed inside, heat sealing is carried out in the transverse direction on the portion of the cylindrical film Fc that becomes the upper end portion of the bag, and thereafter the heat-sealed portion is cut in the transverse direction by a cutter (not shown in the drawings) built into one of the sealing jaws  25   a . Because of this, the preceding package and the subsequent package are cut away from each other. The package that has been cut away drops onto the downstream belt conveyor. 
     (3-3) Operation of Weight Checking Device 
     The weighed product that has dropped onto the belt conveyor is conveyed to the weigh conveyor  31  of the weight checking device  3  shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 5 . In the weight checking device  3 , the weight of the weighed product positioned on the weigh conveyor  31  is measured by the load cell. 
     (3-4) Operation of Seal Checking Device 
     The weighed product whose weight has been measured by the weight checking device  3  is conveyed by the conveyance unit  41  of the seal checking device  4  shown in  FIG. 1 . In the seal checking device  4 , the presser  42  is rotated by the parallel motion mechanism  43 , whereby the presser  42  presses from above the weighed product that has been packaged. At this time, the angle of rotation of the parallel motion mechanism  43  (the links) is detected by the angle of rotation detector. In a case where the detected angle of rotation is equal to or greater than the angle of rotation serving as the norm, it is judged that the seals are good and the weighed product is conveyed as a product. In a case where the detected angle of rotation is smaller than the angle of rotation serving as the norm, it is judged that the seals are defective and the weighed product is removed from the production line. 
     (4) REMEDY JUDGING METHOD 
     Next, a remedy judging method of this embodiment will be described with reference to  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 9 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 9 , the weight of the weighed product discharged from the weighing device  1  is checked by the weight checking device  3  (step S 1 ). In step S 1 , “correct weight,” “overweight,” and “underweight” are output as the checking results obtained by the weight checking device  3 . 
     Next, it is detected whether or not the checking result is “correct weight” (step S 2 ). If the checking result is “correct weight” in step S 2 , the weighing device  1  and the packaging device  2  are operating normally, so the checking by the weight checking device  3  is continued. 
     In a case where the checking result in step S 2  is not “correct weight,” that is, in a case where the checking result is “underweight” or “overweight,” there is an area for remedy in at least one of the weighing device  1  and the packaging device  2 . For this reason, the judgment unit  6  makes a judgment relating to remedies for the weighing device  1  and the packaging device  2  on the basis of the “correct weight,” “overweight,” and “underweight” checking results (step S 3 ). In step S 3 , the judgment unit  6  makes the judgment on the basis of the determination patterns having an “underweight” checking result and at least one checking result that consecutively follows the “underweight” checking result. 
     Specifically, when an “underweight” checking result occurs, at least one checking result that consecutively follows the “underweight” checking result is sent to the judgment unit  6 . In accompaniment with this, the judgment unit  6  reads the determination patterns from the storage unit  5 . In a case where the “underweight” checking result is followed by an “overweight” checking result as shown in  FIG. 6 , the judgment unit  6  judges, as areas for remedy, that the product is remaining in the timing hopper TH, the discharge of the product is being delayed at the chute  13 , or the packaging device  2  is clogged with the weighed product. In a case where the “underweight” checking result is followed by a “correct weight” checking result and there are consecutive “correct weight” checking results a predetermined number of times as shown in  FIG. 7 , the judgment unit  6  judges that, as an area for remedy, the product is remaining in the weigh hoppers WH. In a case where the “underweight” checking result is followed by a “correct weight” checking result and there is an “overweight” checking result within a predetermined number of times after the “correct weight” checking result as shown in  FIG. 8 , the judgment unit  6  judges that, as an area for remedy, the product is remaining in the booster hoppers BH. 
     Next, the judgment made by the judgment unit  6  is reported by the reporting unit  7  (step S 4 ). Because of the reporting unit  7 , the user can know the judgment relating to remedies for the weighing device  1  and the packaging device  2 . 
     If it is reported that the product is remaining in the weigh hoppers WH or the timing hopper TH, for example, the timing of the opening and closing of the gates  17 ,  18 ,  20  is changed. If it is reported that the discharge of the product is being delayed at the chute  13 , for example, the angle of the chute  13  is changed. If it is reported that the packaging device  2  is clogged with the weighed product, the timing when the bags are sealed and coordinated timing with the weighing device  1  is changed. If there are consecutive “correct weight” checking results after implementing these changes, it can be judged that the remedy worked. It will be noted that these changes (remedies) may be implemented by the user or may be implemented by the control unit of the remedy judging system  100 . 
     (5) CHARACTERISTICS 
     (5-1) 
     The remedy judging system  100  of this embodiment includes the weight checking device  3  and the judgment unit  6 . The weight checking device  3  checks the weight of weighed product discharged from the weighing device  1 . The judgment unit  6  makes a judgment relating to remedies for the weighing device  1  on the basis of “correct weight,” “overweight,” and “underweight” checking results, relative to a predetermined weight serving as a norm, obtained by the weight checking device  3 . The judgment unit  6  makes the judgment on the basis of determination patterns having an “underweight” checking result and at least one checking result that consecutively follows the “underweight” checking result. 
     The present inventor discovered that remedies for members configuring the weighing device  1  can be analyzed by focusing on an “underweight” checking result as a trigger and at least one checking result that consecutively follows the “underweight” checking result. In this embodiment, the judgment unit  6  makes the judgment relating to remedies for the weighing device  1  on the basis of the determination patterns having an “underweight” checking result and at least one checking result that consecutively follows the “underweight” checking result. By implementing remedies for the weighing device  1  on the basis of the judgment, the frequency with which production of products is stopped can be reduced by skipping cleaning owing to the product getting stuck in the weighing device  1 . Consequently, a reduction in downtime can be enabled. 
     (5-2) 
     In the embodiment, the judgment unit  6  makes a judgment relating to remedies relating to the weighing device  1  and the packaging device  2  on the basis of the determination patterns having an “underweight” checking result and at least one checking result that consecutively follows the “underweight” checking result. 
     Here, even when the remedy judging system  100  further includes the packaging device  2 , the judgment relating to remedies relating to the weighing device  1  and the packaging device  2  that are positioned upstream of the weight checking device  3  can be made. For this reason, remedies of, for example, defects in the timing when the bags are sealed in the packaging device  2  and defects in the coordinated timing between the weighing device  1  and the packaging device  2  can be promptly implemented. 
     (5-3) 
     The present inventor also focused on determination patterns (the second and third determination patterns) where an “underweight” checking result serves as a trigger and the checking result that consecutively follows the “underweight” checking result is a “correct weight” checking result. The present inventor discovered that an area for remedy differ between a case where the “underweight” checking result is followed by an “overweight” checking result (the first determination pattern) and a case where the “underweight” checking result is followed by a “correct weight” checking result (the second and third determination patterns). Specifically, in a case where the “underweight” checking result is followed by an “overweight” checking result (the first determination pattern), the judgment unit  6  judges that there are an area for remedy such as clogging of the packaging device  2 , residual in the timing hopper TH, or a delay at the chute, for example. In a case where the “underweight” checking result is followed by a “correct weight” checking result and there are consecutive “correct weight” checking results a predetermined number of times (the second determination pattern), the judgment unit  6  judges that there is an area for remedy such as residual in the weigh hoppers WH. In a case where the “underweight” checking result is followed by a “correct weight” checking result and thereafter there is an “overweight” checking result within a predetermined number of times (the third determination pattern), the judgment unit  6  judges that there is an area for remedy such as residual in the booster hoppers BH. 
     In this way, in the case of the second and third determination patterns, the judgment unit  6  judges that residual product in the weigh hoppers WH or the timing hopper TH is to be remedied. Because of this, remedies for the weighing device  1  can be implemented more promptly. 
     (6) Example Modifications 
     Example modifications of the above embodiment will be described below. It will be noted that some or all of the content of each example modification may also be combined with the content of the above embodiment or the content of another example modification to the extent that they do not contradict each other. 
     (6-1) Example Modification A 
     In the above embodiment, an example was described where the judgment unit  6  makes extremely precise judgments, such as remedying problems such as the timing of the opening and closing of the hoppers and residual product in the hoppers. In this example modification, the judgment unit  6  identifies only an area for remedy in the weighing device  1 . In a case where the weighing device  1  includes plural hoppers (e.g., at least two of the weigh hoppers WH, the booster hoppers BH, and the timing hopper TH), the judgment unit  6  identifies which hoppers of the plural hoppers should be remedied. 
     (6-2) Example Modification B 
     In the above embodiment, an example was described where the weighing device  1  includes the pool hoppers PH, the weigh hoppers WH, the booster hoppers BH, and the timing hopper TH. The weighing device  1  may also omit at least one of the pool hoppers PH, the weigh hoppers WH, the booster hoppers BH, and the timing hopper TH. The weighing device  1  of this example modification includes the pool hoppers PH and the weigh hoppers WH but does not include the booster hoppers BH and the timing hopper TH. 
     (6-3) Example Modification C 
     In the above embodiment, the weight checking device  3  makes determinations in which it sorts the weighed product into the three categories of “correct weight,” “overweight,” and “underweight” relative to the predetermined weight serving as the norm. In this example modification, the judgment unit  6  makes determinations in which it sorts the weighed product into the three categories of “correct weight,” “overweight,” and “underweight.” 
     Specifically, the weight checking device  3  checks the weight of the weighed product and outputs weight values. The judgment unit  6  acquires the weight values of the weighed product from the weight checking device  3  and makes determinations in which it sorts the weighed product into the three categories of “correct weight,” “overweight,” and “underweight” relative to the predetermined weight serving as the norm. 
     (6-4) Example Modification D 
     In the above embodiment, an example was described where the control device C learns patterns of consecutive determination results by machine learning and accumulates determination information. In this example modification, the control device C uses determination patterns based on determination information it acquires, without utilizing machine learning. 
     (6-5) Example Modification E 
     In the above embodiment and example modifications A to D, the judgment unit  6  communicates with the weight checking device  3  by means of the communication unit  35 . In this example modification, the judgment unit  6  is included in the control unit of the weight checking device  3 . That is, in this example modification, the communication unit  35  that communicates with the judgment unit  6  is omitted. 
     Specifically, the weight checking device  3  includes the storage unit  5 , the judgment unit  6 , and the reporting unit  7 . The judgment unit  6  makes judgments relating to remedies for the weighing device  1  on the basis of the consecutive plural checking results of “correct weight,” “overweight,” and “underweight” obtained by the weight checking device  3  and the determination patterns read from the storage unit  5 . The judgments made by the judgment unit  6  are displayed on the display unit  34  of the weight checking device  3  serving as the reporting unit  7 . In this way, in this example modification, the judgments relating to remedies for the weighing device  1  are made by the weight checking device  3  alone. 
     Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the control device C learns the determination patterns by machine learning and accumulates determination results based on the determination patterns. In this example modification, the weight checking device  3  learns the determination patterns by machine learning and accumulates determination results based on the determination patterns. 
     (6-6) Example Modification F 
     In the above embodiment, the judgments made by the judgment unit  6  are reported to the monitoring screen on the production line of the weighing, packaging, and checking system. In this example modification, the judgments made by the judgment unit  6  are reported to at least one of the weighing device  1  and the packaging device  2  identified as an area for remedy. The weighing device  1  and the packaging device  2  have display units that report the judgments. 
     In this example modification, as shown in  FIG. 10 , the remedy judging system  100  includes a communication unit  8  that communicates with the weighing device  1  and the packaging device  2 . Here, the communication unit  8  is included in the control device C. Specifically, the communication unit  8  allows the control device C including the judgment unit  6  to communicate with the weighing device  1  and the packaging device  2 . When the judgment unit  6  makes judgments relating to remedies for the weighing device  1 , the communication unit  8  sends them from the judgment unit  6  to the weighing device  1 . When the judgment unit  6  makes judgments relating to remedies for the packaging device  2 , the communication unit  8  sends them from the judgment unit  6  to the packaging device  2 . 
     The communication unit  8  can also communicate with the weight checking device  3 . That is, the communication unit  8  communicates with the weighing device  1 , the packaging device  2 , and the weight checking device  3 . The communication unit  8  receives the checking results obtained by the weight checking device  3 , and the storage unit  5  stores the received checking results. Utilizing the checking results acquired by the communication unit  8  from the weight checking device  3 , the judgment unit  6  makes the judgments relating to remedies on the basis of the determination patterns, and the communication unit  8  reports the judgments to at least one of the weighing device  1  and the packaging device  2  in which remedies have been identified. 
     (6-7) Example Modification G 
     In the above embodiment and example modifications A to F, the remedy judging system  100  includes the packaging device  2 . In this example modification, the packaging device  2  is omitted. In this case, the judgment unit  6  makes judgments relating to remedies for the weighing device  1 , without making judgments relating to remedies for the packaging device  2 . 
     It will be noted that when example modifications F and G are combined, the communication unit  8  communicates with the weighing device  1  and the weight checking device  3 . 
     REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 
     
         
           1 : Weighing Device 
           2 : Packaging Device 
           3 : Weight Checking Device 
           4 : Seal Checking Device 
           5 : Storage Unit 
           6 : Judgment Unit 
           7 : Reporting Unit 
           8 : Communication Unit 
         PH: Pool Hoppers 
         WH: Weigh Hoppers 
         BH: Booster Hoppers 
         TH: Timing Hopper 
           100 : Remedy Judging System 
       
    
     CITATION LIST 
     Patent Literature 
     
         
         Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 4,312,868