CN112113966A

CN112113966A - Inspection apparatus

Info

Publication number: CN112113966A
Application number: CN202010547756.3A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 中野信行; 西川贵之
Original assignee: Screen Holdings Co Ltd
Current assignee: Screen Holdings Co Ltd
Priority date: 2019-06-20
Filing date: 2020-06-16
Publication date: 2020-12-22
Also published as: KR20200145690A; JP7221147B2; JP2021001741A

Abstract

The invention provides an inspection apparatus. The display device is arranged at a position which is easy for an operator to observe without sacrificing the ease of access to the inside of the opening. The tablet printing device (inspection device) (1) is a tablet printing device for inspecting granular tablets (inspection objects) (9) while conveying the tablets by a conveying device, and is provided with a box body (100), an opening (105) and a display device (70). A box body accommodating and conveying device. The opening is located the side of box. The display device is located outside the side surface and displays at least one of information relating to the operation of the tablet printing device and information relating to the inspection result. The display device is rotatable between a use position and a non-use position around a rotation axis perpendicular to the side surface. When the display device is in the use position, the opening overlaps the display device as viewed from the side. When the display device is in the non-use position, the opening does not overlap the display device when viewed from the side.

Description

Inspection apparatus

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an inspection apparatus.

Background

Conventionally, an inspection apparatus that performs an inspection while conveying an inspection object by a conveying apparatus is known. Such an inspection apparatus is disclosed in patent document 1, for example.

The tablet printing apparatus (inspection apparatus) described in patent document 1 includes: first and second conveying conveyors (conveying means) for conveying tablets; a first and a second ink jet printer sections for printing the tablets during the conveyance by the first and the second conveyance conveyors; a drying conveyor disposed below the first and second conveying conveyors and configured to dry the printed surface of the tablet while conveying the tablet transferred from the second conveying conveyor after the printing process is completed; and a dispersing bar for dispersing the plurality of tablets transferred from the second conveying conveyor in the width direction on the conveying surface of the drying conveyor. In the tablet printing apparatus described in patent document 1, the tablet after the printing process is imaged by the inspection line sensor camera, and defective products such as defective printing are discarded based on the inspection result.

In the tablet printing apparatus described in patent document 1, for example, when the type of tablet to be printed is switched, each part needs to be detached for cleaning. Therefore, the side surface of the case that houses each part of the tablet printing apparatus is provided with an opening that is large enough to allow each part to be taken out. A door that can be opened and closed is generally provided in the opening, and an operator can open the door to perform maintenance such as cleaning when switching tablets.

Further, the tablet printing apparatus described in patent document 1 may include a display device for displaying information related to the operation state of the apparatus, information related to the printing result (inspection result), and the like.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2019-5411

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

However, the opening needs to be large enough to allow each part to be removed. The opening is generally disposed at a position where the removal of each part is easy. Therefore, if the display device is disposed at a position on the side surface of the case that does not overlap the opening, a space sufficient for disposing the display device may not be secured. In addition, even if a space for disposing the display device can be secured on the side surface of the case, the display device is often disposed only at a position difficult for an operator to operate.

Therefore, a corresponding case is also considered in which the display device described above is mounted outside a door that opens and closes an opening. However, in this case, there are problems such as an increase in the weight of the door and difficulty in accommodating cables of the display device.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to arrange a display device at a position that is easy for an operator to observe without sacrificing the ease of access to the inside of an opening.

Means for solving the problems

The problems to be solved by the present invention are as described above, and the means for solving the problems are described below.

A first aspect of the present application provides an inspection apparatus for inspecting a granular object to be inspected while conveying the object by a conveying device. The inspection device includes a case, an opening, and a display device. The box body accommodates the carrying device. The opening is positioned on the side surface of the box body. The display device is located outside the side surface, and displays at least one of information relating to operation of the inspection device and information relating to inspection results. The display device is rotatable between a use position and a non-use position around a rotation axis perpendicular to the side surface. When the display device is in the use position, the opening overlaps the display device when viewed from the side. When the display device is in the non-use position, the opening does not overlap the display device when viewed from the side.

A second aspect of the present application is the inspection device according to the first aspect, further comprising a door capable of opening and closing the opening. When the display device is in the non-use position, the display device does not interfere with the opening/closing trajectory of the door.

A third aspect of the present invention is the inspection device according to the second aspect, wherein the display device is rotatable from the non-use position to the use position in a state where the door is opened.

A fourth aspect of the present application provides the inspection apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the display device has a rectangular shape when viewed from a side. When the display device is at the use position, the length direction of the display device faces the plumb direction. When the display device is in the non-use position, the longitudinal direction of the display device is oriented in the horizontal direction.

A fifth aspect of the present application is the inspection device according to the fourth aspect, wherein the display device is rectangular when viewed from the side. The rotating shaft is located at one end of the display device in the length direction. The display device includes a handle that can be gripped by an operator at the other end in the longitudinal direction.

A sixth aspect of the present application is the examination apparatus according to the fifth aspect, wherein the handle has a shape following an outline of the rectangle of the display device.

A seventh aspect of the present application is the inspection device according to the fifth or sixth aspect, wherein the pivot shaft is located above the opening in the plumb direction.

An eighth aspect of the present application is the inspection device according to the seventh aspect, wherein a lamp is provided at the one end in the longitudinal direction of the display device.

A ninth aspect of the present application is the inspection device according to the eighth aspect, wherein the display device includes a display at a position sandwiched between the handle and the lamp in the longitudinal direction, and the display displays at least one of information related to the operation of the inspection device and information related to an inspection result.

A tenth aspect of the present application is the inspection device according to the ninth aspect, wherein the display has a touch panel on a surface thereof.

An eleventh aspect of the present application provides the inspection device according to any one of the first to tenth aspects, wherein the display device includes a gas spring that applies an assist force when the display device is rotated between the use position and the non-use position.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION

According to the first to eleventh aspects of the present invention, the display device can be arranged at a position that is easily visible to an operator without sacrificing the ease of access to the inside of the opening.

In particular, according to the first aspect of the present application, when the display device is not used, the display device can be positioned in the non-use position, so that the access from the opening to the conveying device can be easily performed.

In particular, according to the second aspect of the present application, in a situation where the display device is not used, the door can be easily opened and closed by positioning the display device in the non-use position.

Here, for example, in order to confirm the operation of the conveying device, it is sometimes desired to confirm the display of the display device in a state where the door is opened. In this regard, according to the third aspect of the present invention, the display device can be arranged at the use position where the operator can easily observe and confirm while opening the door, and the operability can be improved.

In particular, according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the operator can rotate the display device between the use position and the non-use position by applying an external force by gripping the handle.

In particular, according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, a handle having a shape that is simple and easy to be held by an operator is realized.

In particular, according to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the lamp is always positioned above the opening in the plumb direction, and when turned on, it becomes conspicuous even if it is far away. Therefore, for example, when the inspection result is abnormal, the operator can easily notice the abnormality by lighting the lamp.

In particular, according to the ninth aspect of the present application, the handle, the lamp, and the display can be arranged appropriately.

In particular, according to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, the operator can apply the assisting force to the display device in addition to the external force by applying only a small external force to the display device, and the display device can be easily rotated.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a tablet printing apparatus.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the vicinity of the transport cylinder of the tablet printing apparatus.

Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a structure in the vicinity of the second transport conveyor of the tablet printing apparatus.

Fig. 4 is a bottom view of the head of the tablet printing apparatus.

Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing the connection between each unit and the control unit in the tablet printing apparatus.

Fig. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration of a side surface on one side in the width direction of the tablet printing apparatus, and shows a state where the display device is in a non-use position.

Fig. 7 is a diagram showing a structure of a side surface on one side in the conveying direction of the tablet printing apparatus, and shows a state where the display device is in a non-use position.

Fig. 8 is a diagram showing a structure of a side surface on one side in the width direction of the tablet printing apparatus, and shows a state where the display device is in a use position.

Fig. 9 is a diagram showing a structure of a side surface on one side in the conveying direction of the tablet printing apparatus, and shows a state where the display device is in a use position.

In the figure:

1-tablet printing apparatus (inspection apparatus), 9-tablet, 10-control section, 20-supply mechanism, 30-transport mechanism, 31-transport roller (transport apparatus), 32-first transport conveyor (transport apparatus), 33-second transport conveyor (transport apparatus), 34-carry-out conveyor, 40-printing section, 41-first printing section, 42-second printing section, 50-inspection mechanism, 51-first appearance inspection camera, 52-second appearance inspection camera, 53-first printing inspection camera, 54-third appearance inspection camera, 55-second printing inspection camera, 60-recovery section, 61-defective printing recovery section, 62-defective appearance recovery section, 70-display apparatus, 71-handle, 72-display, 73-lamp, 100-box, 105-opening, 107-door, 310-adsorption section, 330-adsorption section, 611-blowing mechanism for defective printing recovery, 612-a print defective recycling box, 613-a guide portion, 614-an opening and closing member, 621-an air blowing mechanism for appearance defective recycling, 622-an appearance defective recycling box.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, a direction in which a plurality of tablets are conveyed is referred to as a "conveying direction", and a direction perpendicular to and horizontal to the conveying direction is referred to as a "width direction".

< 1. integral Structure of tablet printing apparatus >

Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a tablet printing apparatus 1 as an embodiment of an inspection apparatus of the present invention. The tablet printing apparatus 1 is an apparatus that prints images such as product names, product codes, company names, and icons on the surface of each tablet 9 while conveying a plurality of tablets 9 as one embodiment of a granular inspection object of the present invention.

The tablet printing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment includes a supply mechanism 20, a conveyance mechanism 30, a printing unit 40, an inspection mechanism 50, a collection unit 60, a display device 70 (not shown in fig. 1), and a control unit 10.

The feeding mechanism 20 includes a hopper 21, a linear feeder 22, a rotary feeder 23, and an inclined feeder 24. The supply mechanism 20 is a mechanism for delivering the tablet 9 loaded into the apparatus to the conveying mechanism 30.

The hopper 21 is a loading section for collectively receiving the plurality of tablets 9 into the apparatus. The hopper 21 is disposed at the uppermost portion of the casing 100 of the tablet printing apparatus 1. The hopper 21 has: an opening 211 located on the upper surface of the case 100; and a funnel-shaped inclined surface 212 which gradually shrinks downward. The plurality of tablets 9 put into the opening 211 flow into the straight feeder 22 along the inclined surface 212.

The linear feeder 22, the rotary feeder 23, and the inclined feeder 24 are mechanisms for conveying the plurality of tablets 9 loaded into the hopper 21 to the conveying mechanism 30. The linear feeder 22 has a plate-like vibration groove 221. The plurality of tablets 9 supplied from the hopper 21 to the vibration tank 221 are conveyed to the rotary feeder 23 side by the vibration of the vibration tank 221.

The rotary feeder 23 has a disk-shaped rotary table 231. The plurality of tablets 9 falling from the vibration groove 221 onto the upper surface of the rotary table 231 are collected near the outer peripheral portion of the rotary table 231 by the centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the rotary table 231.

The inclined feeder 24 includes a plate-like inclined member 241, and the plate-like inclined member 241 extends obliquely downward from the outer periphery of the rotating table 231 to a conveying roller 31 of the conveying mechanism 30, which will be described later. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a part of the inclined feeder 24, the transport roller 31, and a part of the first transport conveyor 32. As shown in fig. 2, a plurality of (eight in the example of fig. 2) conveyance grooves 242 are provided on the upper surface of the tilting member 241. The plurality of tablets 9 conveyed to the outer periphery of the rotary table 231 are supplied to any one of the plurality of conveying grooves 242, and flow down obliquely along the conveying grooves 242. In this way, the plurality of tablets 9 are supplied to the plurality of conveying grooves 242 in a dispersed manner, and thereby arranged in a plurality of conveying rows. Then, the plurality of tablets 9 in each conveying line are sequentially supplied to the conveying drum 31 from the head.

The conveying mechanism 30 includes a conveying roller 31 as a conveying device, a first conveying belt 32, a second conveying belt 33, and a carrying-out belt 34.

The conveying roller 31 is a mechanism for transferring the plurality of tablets 9 from the inclined feeder 24 to the first conveying conveyor 32. The conveying roller 31 has a substantially cylindrical outer peripheral surface. The conveying roller 31 is rotated in the direction of the arrow in fig. 1 and 2 about a rotation shaft extending in the width direction by power obtained from a motor, not shown. As shown in fig. 2, a plurality of suction portions 310 arranged at substantially equal intervals in the conveying direction and the width direction are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the conveying drum 31. The plurality of suction units 310 are arranged along the outer circumferential surface of the conveying drum 31 at the positions in the width direction corresponding to the conveying grooves 242 of the inclined feeder 24.

The suction portions 310 are through holes provided on the surface of the transport drum 31. Fig. 3 is a partial schematic view showing the configuration of the transport rollers 31, a part of the first transport conveyor 32, and the second transport conveyor 33. As shown in fig. 3, a suction mechanism 311 is provided inside the transport drum 31. When the suction mechanism 311 is operated, negative pressures lower than the atmospheric pressure are generated in each of the plurality of suction units 310. The suction unit 310 sucks and holds the tablets 9 supplied from the inclined feeder 24 one by the negative pressure.

Further, a release blower mechanism 312 is provided inside the transport drum 31. The release blowing mechanism 312 partially blows the pressurized gas from the inside of the transport drum 31 toward the first transport conveyor 32. The releasing air blowing mechanism 312 applies a positive pressure higher than the atmospheric pressure to the suction unit 310 disposed at the position facing the first transport conveyor 32, and releases the suction of the tablets 9 in the suction unit 310.

Thus, the suction of the tablets 9 is released only by the suction portion 310 facing the first conveying belt 32 while the suction state of the tablets 9 is maintained in the suction portion 310 disposed at a position not facing the first conveying belt 32. In this way, the conveying roller 31 rotates while holding the plurality of tablets 9 supplied from the inclined feeder 24 by suction, and transfers the tablets 9 to the first conveying conveyor 32.

Here, the surface of the front and back surfaces of the tablet 9 that is adsorbed by the adsorption portion 310 while the tablet 9 is adsorbed and held by the transport drum 31 is referred to as a first surface. On the other hand, the surface opposite to the first surface among the front and back surfaces of the tablet 9 is referred to as a second surface. That is, the surface of the front and rear surfaces of the tablet 9 exposed to the outside while the tablet 9 is adsorbed and held by the conveying roller 31 is referred to as a second surface. When the tablets 9 are transferred from the transfer drum 31 to the first transfer conveyor 32, the second surface of the tablets 9 faces the first transfer conveyor 32. Therefore, the second surface of the tablet 9 is adsorbed to the first conveying conveyor 32. Therefore, while being sucked and held by the first conveying conveyor 32, the first surface of the tablet 9 is exposed to the outside. In this way, the front and back sides of the tablets 9 are reversed while being held by suction by the conveying drum 31 and while being held by suction by the first conveying belt 32.

The first transport conveyor 32 includes a pair of pulleys 321, a transport belt 322, and a suction mechanism 323. The conveying belt 322 is looped around a pair of pulleys 321. A part of the conveying belt 322 is disposed close to and opposite to the outer peripheral surface of the conveying roller 31. One of the pair of pulleys 321 is rotated by power obtained from a motor, not shown. Thereby, the conveying belt 322 rotates in the direction of the arrow in fig. 1 and 2. At this time, the other of the pair of pulleys 321 is driven to rotate with the rotation of the conveying belt 322.

As shown in fig. 2, the conveying belt 322 is provided with a plurality of suction units 320. The suction portions 320 are through holes provided on the surface of the conveying belt 322, similar to the suction portions 310 of the conveying drum 31. The plurality of suction units 320 are arranged in the conveying direction at the width direction positions corresponding to the plurality of conveying rows, respectively. The intervals in the conveying direction and the width direction of the plurality of suction units 320 in the conveying belt 322 are equal to the intervals in the conveying direction and the width direction of the plurality of suction units 310 in the conveying drum 31.

As shown in fig. 3, the first conveyance belt 32 has a suction mechanism 323. The suction mechanism 323 generates negative pressure in the space inside the pulley 321 and the conveyor belt 322. When the suction mechanism 323 is operated, the plurality of suction units 320 generate negative pressures lower than the atmospheric pressure. The suction unit 320 sucks and holds the tablets 9 delivered from the transport drum 31 one by the negative pressure. Thus, the first conveying conveyor 32 conveys the tablets 9 in a state where the plurality of tablets 9 are aligned in the conveying direction and the width direction.

In addition, the first conveyance belt 32 is provided with a release blowing mechanism 324 shown in fig. 3. The release blower mechanism 324 blows the pressurized gas locally from the inside of the conveyor belt 322 toward the second conveyor belt 33. The releasing blowing mechanism 324 applies a positive pressure higher than the atmospheric pressure to the suction unit 320 disposed at the position facing the second transport conveyor 33, and releases the suction of the tablets 9 in the suction unit 320. Thereby, the adsorption of the tablets 9 by the adsorption portion 320 is released, and the tablets 9 are transferred from the first conveying belt 32 to the second conveying belt 33.

Here, while the tablets 9 are adsorbed and held on the first conveying conveyor 32, the second surfaces of the tablets 9 are adsorbed by the adsorbing portions 320, and the first surfaces of the tablets 9 are exposed to the outside. When the tablets 9 are transferred from the first conveying conveyor 32 to the second conveying conveyor 33, the first surface of the tablets 9 faces the second conveying conveyor 33. Therefore, the first surface of the tablet 9 is adsorbed to the second conveying conveyor 33. Therefore, while being sucked and held by the second conveying conveyor 33, the second face of the tablet 9 is exposed to the outside. In this way, the front and back sides of the tablets 9 are reversed while being held by suction on the first conveying conveyor 32 and while being held by suction on the second conveying conveyor 33.

The second conveyance belt 33 includes a pair of pulleys 331, a conveyance belt 332 having a plurality of suction portions 330, and a suction mechanism 333. The pair of pulleys 331, the conveying belt 332, and the suction mechanism 333 of the second conveying belt 33 are the same as the pair of pulleys 321, the conveying belt 322, and the suction mechanism 323 of the first conveying belt 32, and therefore, description thereof is omitted.

As shown in fig. 3, the second transport conveyor 33 is provided with a discharge blower mechanism 334. A chute 341 for connecting the second conveyance belt 33 and the discharge belt 34 is disposed below the discharge blower mechanism 334. The discharge blower mechanism 334 partially blows the pressurized gas from the inside of the conveyor belt 332 toward the chute 341. The discharge blower mechanism 334 causes a positive pressure higher than the atmospheric pressure to act on the entire suction unit 330 disposed at a predetermined position facing the chute 341, thereby releasing the suction of the tablet 9 in the suction unit 330. Thereby, the adsorption of the tablets 9 in the adsorption portion 330 is released, and the tablets 9 are transferred from the second transport conveyor 33 to the discharge conveyor 34.

The carrying-out conveyor 34 is a mechanism for carrying out the plurality of printed tablets 9 to the outside of the casing 100 of the tablet printing apparatus 1. The upstream end of the discharge conveyor 34 is located below the chute 341. The downstream end of the carry-out conveyor 34 is located outside the casing 100. The downstream end of the carry-out conveyor 34 is connected to a packaging device that packages the tablet 9 after the printing process, for example. The carrying-out conveyor 34 uses, for example, a belt conveying mechanism. The tablets 9 transferred from the second conveying conveyor 33 to the discharge conveyor 34 are discharged to the outside of the casing 100 by the discharge conveyor 34.

The printing portion 40 has a first printing portion 41 and a second printing portion 42.

The first printing unit 41 is a processing unit for printing an image on the first surface of the tablet 9. The first printing unit 41 is disposed at a position facing the outer surface of the transport belt 322 of the first transport conveyor 32. As shown in fig. 1, the first printing portion 41 is an ink jet type head unit having four heads 411. The four heads 411 respectively eject ink droplets toward the first surface of the tablet 9 conveyed by the first conveyance conveyor 32. Further, the four heads 411 eject ink droplets of mutually different colors (for example, cyan, magenta, yellow, and black colors). By superimposing monochromatic images formed by these colors, a multicolor image is recorded on the surface of the tablet 9. The ink ejected from each head 411 is edible ink manufactured from raw materials approved by the japanese pharmacopoeia, food hygiene law, and the like.

Fig. 4 is a bottom view of the head 411. In fig. 4, the conveying belt 322 and the plurality of tablets 9 held by the conveying belt 322 are indicated by two-dot chain lines. As shown enlarged in fig. 4, a plurality of nozzles 410 capable of ejecting ink droplets are provided on the lower surface of the head 411. In the present embodiment, a plurality of nozzles 410 are two-dimensionally arrayed in the conveyance direction and the width direction on the lower surface of the head 411. The nozzles 410 are arranged in staggered positions in the width direction. In this way, if the plurality of nozzles 410 are two-dimensionally arranged, the positions of the nozzles 410 in the width direction can be made close to each other. However, the plurality of nozzles 410 may be arranged in a row in the width direction.

As a method of ejecting ink droplets from the nozzle 410, for example, a so-called piezoelectric method is used in which ink in the nozzle 410 is ejected by applying a voltage to a piezoelectric element as a piezoelectric element and deforming the piezoelectric element. The head 411 of the present embodiment can switch the specification of the ink droplets ejected from the nozzles 410 according to the magnitude of the voltage applied to the piezoelectric element. Specifically, any of four kinds of ink droplets, from "specification 1" which is the finest ink droplet to "specification 4" which is the largest ink droplet, can be ejected. However, the specification of the ink droplets that can be ejected may be two to three, or five or more. The ink droplet ejection method may be a so-called thermal method in which ink in the nozzle 410 is thermally expanded and ejected by applying power to a heater.

The second printing section 42 is a processing section for printing an image on the second surface of the tablet 9. The second printing unit 42 is disposed at a position facing the outer surface of the conveyance belt 332 of the second conveyance belt 33. The second printing portion 42 is an inkjet head unit having four heads 421. The second printing portion 42 has the same configuration as the first printing portion 41, and therefore, description thereof is omitted.

As shown in fig. 1, the inspection mechanism 50 has a first appearance inspection camera 51, a second appearance inspection camera 52, a first print inspection camera 53, a third appearance inspection camera 54, and a second print inspection camera 55.

The first visual inspection camera 51 is a camera that photographs the second surface of the tablet 9 conveyed by the conveying drum 31.

The second appearance inspection camera 52 is a camera that photographs the first surface of the tablet 9 conveyed by the first conveying conveyor 32 on the upstream side of the first printing portion 41. The first printing inspection camera 53 is a camera that photographs the first surface of the tablet 9 conveyed by the first conveyor 32 on the downstream side of the first printing unit 41.

The third visual inspection camera 54 is a camera that photographs the second surface of the tablet 9 conveyed by the second conveying conveyor 33 on the upstream side of the second printing section 42. The second printing inspection camera 55 is a camera that photographs the second surface of the tablet 9 conveyed by the second conveyor belt 33 on the downstream side of the second printing section 42.

The recovery unit 60 includes a defective printing recovery unit 61, a defective appearance recovery unit 62, a discharge sensor 63, and a post-recovery unit 64.

The defective printing product collecting unit 61 includes a blowing mechanism 611 for collecting defective printing products and a defective printing product collecting box 612. The air blowing mechanism 611 for recovering defective print products is disposed downstream of the second print inspection camera 55. A defective printing product collection box 612 is disposed below the defective printing product collection blower mechanism 611. The defective print recovery blower mechanism 611 blows a gas under pressure locally from the inside of the conveyor belt 332 toward the defective print recovery box 612. The defective print recovery blower mechanism 611 releases the adsorption of the target tablets held by the adsorption unit 330 by applying a positive pressure higher than atmospheric pressure to only a part of the adsorption unit 330 of the target tablets that the holding control unit 10 determines as defective print based on the images captured by the

print inspection cameras

53 and 55. Thereby, the target tablet is collected in the defective printing product collection box 612.

The defective appearance product collecting unit 62 includes a defective appearance product collecting blower 621 and a defective appearance product collecting box 622. The air blowing mechanism 621 for collecting defective appearance products is disposed downstream of the defective printing product collecting unit 61. A defective appearance product collection box 622 is disposed below the defective appearance product collection blower mechanism 621. The defective appearance product collection blower mechanism 621 blows a pressurized gas locally toward the defective appearance product collection tank 622 from the inside of the conveyor belt 332. The air blowing mechanism 621 for collecting defective appearance applies a positive pressure higher than atmospheric pressure to only a part of the suction unit 330 of the target tablet determined to be defective appearance by the holding control unit 10 based on the images captured by the

appearance inspection cameras

51, 52, and 54, and releases the suction of the target tablet held by the suction unit 330. Thereby, the target tablet is collected in the defective appearance collecting box 622.

The discharge sensor 63 is disposed downstream of the defective printing product collection unit 61 and the defective appearance product collection unit 62. The discharge sensor 63 irradiates the laser light to the suction unit 330, detects the reflected light thereof, and detects the distance to the object. The discharge sensor 63 can detect whether or not the tablet 9 is held in each adsorption part 330 by detecting the reflection distance.

The rear collection unit 64 includes a rear collection blowing mechanism 641 and a rear collection box 642. The rear recovery blowing mechanism 641 is disposed downstream of the discharge sensor 63. A rear recovery tank 642 is disposed below the rear recovery blower mechanism 641. The rear recovery blower mechanism 641 partially blows the pressurized gas from the inside of the conveyor belt 332 toward the rear recovery tank 642. The post-recovery blowing mechanism applies a positive pressure higher than the atmospheric pressure to only the predetermined adsorption part 330 holding the residual tablet specified by the control part 10 based on the detection result of the discharge sensor 63, and releases the adsorption of the tablet 9 held by the adsorption part 330. This allows the tablet 9 to be collected in the rear collection box 642.

The display device 70 (not shown in fig. 1) is a device that visually displays information on the operation of the tablet printing apparatus 1 and information on the inspection results of the first appearance inspection camera 51, the second appearance inspection camera 52, the first printing inspection camera 53, the third appearance inspection camera 54, and the second printing inspection camera 55 to the operator. The display device 70 is located on one side surface (front surface in the present embodiment) in the width direction of the case 100 that houses the respective units of the tablet printing apparatus 1 together. The display device 70 will be described later.

The control unit 10 is a unit for controlling the operations of the respective units in the tablet printing apparatus 1. Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing the connection between the control unit 10 and each unit in the tablet printing apparatus 1. As schematically shown in fig. 1, the control unit 10 is constituted by a computer having an arithmetic processing unit 101 such as a CPU, a memory 102 such as a RAM, and a storage unit 103 such as a hard disk drive. A computer program P for executing a printing process is installed in the storage unit 103.

As shown in fig. 5, the control unit 10, the linearly moving feeders 22, the rotary feeders 23, the transport rollers 31 (including motors, the suction mechanism 311, and the blowing mechanism 312 for release), the first transport conveyors 32 (including motors, the suction mechanism 323, and the blowing mechanism 324 for release), the second transport conveyors 33 (including motors, the suction mechanism 333, and the blowing mechanism 334 for discharge), the discharge conveyors 34, the four heads 411 of the first printing unit 41, the four heads 421 of the second printing unit 42, and the first visual inspection camera 51, the second appearance inspection camera 52, the first printing inspection camera 53, the third appearance inspection camera 54, the second printing inspection camera 55, the defective printing collection blowing mechanism 611, the defective appearance collection blowing mechanism 621, the discharge sensor 63, the post-collection blowing mechanism 641, and a display control unit (not shown) of the display device 70 are connected so as to be able to communicate with each other.

The control unit 10 temporarily reads out the computer program P and data stored in the storage unit 103 to the memory 102, and the arithmetic processing unit 101 performs arithmetic processing based on the computer program P to control the operations of the above-described units. Thereby, the printing process and the inspection process are performed for the plurality of tablets 9.

Fig. 6 is a side view of the tablet printing apparatus 1 as viewed from one side in the width direction. In the tablet printing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, an opening 105 is provided in one side surface in the width direction of the case 100. For example, when the type of tablet to be printed is switched in the tablet printing apparatus 1, each part is detached and used for cleaning, replacement, or the like. Specifically, each part of the tablet printing apparatus 1 is taken out to the outside of the apparatus through the opening 105. Therefore, the opening 105 extends over a large area on the side surface of the casing 100 and is provided at a position easily accessible to the operator.

The opening 105 is provided with a door 106 opened and closed by an operator. The door 106 of this embodiment is double-acting. That is, the door 106 of the present embodiment includes a pair of plate-like door members 106a that are rotatable about an axis extending in the plumb direction. Each door member 106a is formed of a transparent acrylic plate or glass. This allows the operator to easily check the inside of the apparatus from the outside of the door 106.

Here, there is a need for: the display device 70 is easily viewed by an operator and disposed in a position where the operator can easily operate without sacrificing the ease of access into the device through the opening 105 and without sacrificing the visibility of the inside of the device from outside the door 106. In this regard, the tablet printer 1 of the present embodiment has a unique configuration, and the display device 70 is arranged as required.

< 2. Fine Structure of display device

Next, a structure unique to the tablet printer 1 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 6 to 9. Fig. 6 and 8 are views of the tablet printing apparatus 1 viewed from one side in the width direction. Fig. 7 and 9 are views of the tablet printing apparatus 1 viewed from one side in the conveying direction.

As shown in fig. 6 and 8, the display device 70 includes a display control unit (not shown), a rotation mechanism (not shown), a handle 71, a display 72, a lamp 73, and a hardware key 74.

The display device 70 has a substantially rectangular plate shape when viewed from the side. The display device 70 has a constant thickness in the width direction.

The display control unit of the display device 70 generates display data to be displayed on a display 72 described later by communicating with the control unit 10. The display control unit appropriately switches the display content of the display 72 described later, based on the signal received from the control unit 10.

The rotation mechanism of the display device 70 is a mechanism that supports the display device 70 rotatably about one end in the longitudinal direction. The rotation axis of the display device 70 is located above the opening 105 in the plumb direction. The rotation axis of the display device 70 extends perpendicularly to one side surface in the width direction of the case 100. That is, the rotational axis of the display device 70 extends in the width direction. The rotation mechanism of the display device 70 includes a gas spring (not shown).

The handle 71 is provided at the other end in the longitudinal direction of the display device 70. The handle 71 has a shape following the rectangular outline of the display device 70. That is, the handle 71 has a rectangular shape with a hollow inside.

The display 72 has a touch panel on the surface. The operator can confirm with reference to the information displayed on the display 72. Further, the operator can operate a touch panel of the display 72, a hardware key 74 disposed near the display 72, or the like, and transmit a control signal for controlling the tablet printing apparatus 1 to the control unit 10 of the tablet printing apparatus 1. The control signal is, for example, an emergency stop signal or an instruction signal for switching various settings.

The lamp 73 is provided at one end in the longitudinal direction of the display device 70. The lamp 73 is, for example, an LED lamp. The lamp 73 of the present embodiment can change the color of the emitted light. The lamp 73 emits light based on a control signal from the control unit 10. Specifically, when the defective proportion exceeds a predetermined value, the lamp 73 emits light in a conspicuous color (for example, red) different from the normal color.

The display device 70 having the above-described configuration is rotated between the non-use position and the use position by an operator gripping the handle 71 applying an external force to the handle 71. Fig. 6 and 7 show the display device 70 in the non-use position. Fig. 8 and 9 show the display device 70 in the use position.

Specifically, when an external force is applied to the handle 71 of the display device 70 in the use position, the display device 70 is rotated to the non-use position shown in fig. 6 and 7 by the external force and the assisting force of the gas spring. Specifically, the display device 70 is rotated clockwise by only 90 ° from the use position when viewed from one side in the width direction. That is, when a small external force is applied to the display device 70 in the use position, the display device 70 is naturally sprung to the non-use position by the auxiliary force of the gas spring acting thereafter. The length direction of the display device 70 extends in the horizontal direction when in the non-use position. In this state, the opening 105 does not overlap the display device 70 when viewed from the side. In this state, even if the operator opens or closes the door 106, the display device 70 does not interfere with the trajectory of opening or closing the door 106.

When an external force is applied to the handle 71 of the display device 70 located at the non-use position with the door 106 closed, the display device 70 is rotated to the use position shown in fig. 8 and 9 by the external force and the assist force of the gas spring. Specifically, the display device 70 is rotated counterclockwise by only 90 ° from the non-use position when viewed from one side in the width direction. That is, when a small external force is applied to the display device 70 in the non-use position, the display device 70 naturally springs down to the use position by the auxiliary force of the gas spring acting thereafter. The length direction of the display device 70 extends in the plumb direction when in the use position. In this state, the opening 105 overlaps the display device 70 when viewed from the side. Thereby, the height of the display 72 is lowered to a height close to the line of sight of the operator.

Further, even in a state where the door 106 is opened, the display device 70 can be rotated from the non-use position to the use position. In this way, the operator can confirm the movement of the

conveyance conveyors

32 and 33 and the like while approaching the door 106 in the opened state, and can also confirm the display of the display 72 of the display device 70.

< 3. summary >

As described above, the tablet printer (inspection apparatus) 1 of the present embodiment includes the housing 100, the opening 105, and the display device 70. The display device 70 is positioned avoiding the opening 105 in the side surface of the housing 100 and is rotatable between a use position and a non-use position around a rotation axis perpendicular to the side surface. When the display device 70 is in the use position, the opening 105 overlaps the display device 70 when viewed from the side. When the display device 70 is in the non-use position, the opening 105 does not overlap the display device 70 when viewed from the side. Accordingly, when the display device 70 is not used, the position of the display device 70 is set to the non-use position, so that the access from the opening 105 to the

transport conveyors

32, 33 and the like can be easily performed. Further, when the display device 70 is in the use position, the display device 70 can be brought close to the field of view of the operator, while when the display device 70 is in the non-use position, the display device 70 can be brought away from the field of view of the operator.

The tablet printing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment includes a door 106. When the display device 70 is in the non-use position, the display device 70 does not interfere with the opening/closing trajectory of the door 106. Thus, when the display device 70 is not used, the door 106 can be easily opened and closed by positioning the display device 70 at the non-use position. That is, the display device 70 does not become an obstacle when the door 106 is opened for maintenance or the like.

In the tablet printing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the display device 70 can be rotated from the non-use position to the use position with the door 106 opened. Here, for example, in order to confirm the operation of the

conveyance conveyors

32 and 33, the display of the display device 70 may be confirmed in a state where the door 106 is opened. In this regard, according to the present embodiment, the display device 70 can be disposed at a use position where the operator can easily observe and confirm while opening the door 106, and operability can be improved.

In the tablet printer 1 of the present embodiment, the rotation axis of the display device 70 is positioned at one end in the longitudinal direction of the display device 70. The display device 70 includes a handle 71 that can be gripped by an operator at the other end in the longitudinal direction. Thus, the operator can rotate the display device 70 between the use position and the non-use position by applying an external force while gripping the handle 71.

In the tablet printer 1 of the present embodiment, the handle 71 has a shape that follows the rectangular outline of the display device 70. This realizes a simple handle 71 having a shape that can be easily gripped by the operator.

In the tablet printing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the rotation axis of the display device 70 is positioned above the opening 105 in the plumb direction. The rotation axis of the display device 70 is located at one side in the longitudinal direction of the display device 70. Further, a lamp 73 is provided at one end portion in the longitudinal direction of the display device 70. Thus, the lamp 73 is always positioned above the opening 105 in the plumb direction, and when turned on, it becomes conspicuous even if it is far away. Therefore, for example, when the inspection result is abnormal, the operator can easily notice the abnormality by lighting the lamp 73.

In the tablet printing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the display device 70 includes a display 72 at a position sandwiched between the handle 71 and the lamp 73 in the longitudinal direction. This allows the handle 71, the lamp 73, and the display 72 to be appropriately arranged.

In the tablet printing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the display device 70 includes a gas spring that applies an assist force when the tablet printing apparatus is rotated between the use position and the non-use position. Thus, the operator applies a small external force to the display device 70, and an assisting force is applied to the display device 70 in addition to the external force, so that the display device 70 is easily rotated.

< 4. about the modification

While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made to the above configuration without departing from the spirit thereof.

In the above-described embodiment, the rotation axis of the display device 70 is located above the opening 105 in the plumb direction, but the present invention is not limited to this. Instead of the above configuration, the rotation shaft of the display device may be located below the opening in the plumb direction.

In the above-described embodiment, the lamp 73 can change the color of the emitted light, but is not limited thereto. Instead of the above configuration, the lamp may be configured to have a variable blinking interval in accordance with a control signal from the control unit.

In the above-described embodiment, the handle 71 is shaped to follow the outline of the rectangle of the display device 70, but is not necessarily limited thereto. Instead of the above configuration, the handle may be formed in a columnar shape extending in the width direction from the other end in the longitudinal direction of the display device.

The tablet printing apparatus 1 performs printing on both sides of the tablet 9 by the first printing unit 41 and the second printing unit 42. However, the inspection apparatus may be an apparatus that performs printing only on one side of the inspection object.

The "object to be inspected" in the present invention may be a thin disc-shaped tablet having a front surface and a back surface as described in the above embodiment, or may be a capsule, an oval, or the like. The "test object" is not limited to tablets as a pharmaceutical product, but may be tablets as a health food such as a dietary supplement, or a tablet-shaped snack such as a refreshing drink. Further, the "inspection object" in the present invention is not limited to a tablet, and can be applied to various known granular products.

The elements described in the above embodiments and modifications may be appropriately combined within a range not inconsistent with each other.

Claims

1. An inspection apparatus for performing an inspection while conveying a granular inspection object by a conveying apparatus, comprising:

a box body for accommodating the conveying device;

an opening located on the side surface of the box body; and

a display device which is positioned outside the side surface and displays at least one of information relating to the operation of the inspection device and information relating to the inspection result,

the display device can rotate between a use position and a non-use position by taking a rotating shaft vertical to the side surface as a center,

when the display device is in the use position, the opening overlaps the display device when viewed from the side,

when the display device is in the non-use position, the opening does not overlap the display device when viewed from the side.

2. The inspection device of claim 1,

further comprises a door capable of opening and closing the opening,

when the display device is in the non-use position, the display device does not interfere with the opening/closing trajectory of the door.

3. The inspection apparatus of claim 2,

the display device can be rotated from the non-use position to the use position in a state where the door is opened.

4. The inspection apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,

the display device is rectangular when viewed from the side,

when the display device is at the using position, the length direction of the display device faces to the plumb direction,

when the display device is in the non-use position, the longitudinal direction of the display device is oriented in the horizontal direction.

5. The inspection device of claim 4,

the rotating shaft is positioned at one end part of the display device in the length direction,

the display device includes a handle that can be gripped by an operator at the other end in the longitudinal direction.

6. The inspection device of claim 5,

the handle has a shape following the outline of the rectangle of the display device.

7. The inspection device of claim 5 or 6,

the rotating shaft is located above the opening in the plumb direction.

8. The inspection device of claim 7,

the display device includes a lamp at the one end in the longitudinal direction.

9. The inspection apparatus of claim 8,

the display device includes a display at a position sandwiched between the handle and the lamp in the longitudinal direction, and the display displays at least one of information related to the operation of the inspection device and information related to the inspection result.

10. The inspection device of claim 9,

the display has a touch panel on the surface.

11. The inspection apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10,

the display device includes a gas spring that applies an assist force when the display device is rotated between the use position and the non-use position.