CN118202235A

CN118202235A - Thermal imaging inspection device and inspection method

Info

Publication number: CN118202235A
Application number: CN202280057791.4A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 增田浩二; 日野真; 平川真
Original assignee: Ricoh Co Ltd
Current assignee: Ricoh Co Ltd
Priority date: 2021-08-31
Filing date: 2022-08-12
Publication date: 2024-06-14

Abstract

An inspection apparatus includes a light emitting unit configured to emit light having a wavelength absorbed by a light energy absorbing material toward a sealing portion of a package including the light energy absorbing material; a light receiving unit configured to receive heat radiation from the sealing portion as heat information; and a two-dimensional image acquisition unit configured to acquire the thermal information about the sealing portion as a two-dimensional image by the light receiving unit. The light receiving unit is arranged not to directly receive light emitted from the light emitting unit and transmitted through the sealing portion and light emitted from the light emitting unit and reflected by the sealing portion.

Description

Thermal imaging inspection device and inspection method

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an inspection apparatus and an inspection method.

Background

A package inspection apparatus for inspecting a package containing contents such as food in a packaging material, the package being formed by sealing is known. The inspection device inspects the sealing portion of the package to check whether the sealing portion is properly sealed.

For example, patent document 1 discloses an inspection apparatus for inspecting a package including an object to perform high-precision inspection. The inspection device inspects whether the object is caught in the sealing portion of the package. The inspection apparatus includes a beam irradiation unit; a light beam detection unit that detects a light beam transmitted through the package; and an inspection unit that generates an image based on a detection result of the light beam detection unit, and performs inspection based on the image.

However, such a package inspection apparatus as described above may use a light emitting unit and a light detecting unit whose wavelengths are matched to each other according to the material of the package, due to the use of light transmitted through the package, and inevitably involves a fixed layout of the light emitting unit and the light detecting unit (i.e., the light emitting unit and the light detecting unit face each other).

CITATION LIST

Patent literature

[ Patent document 1] Japanese unexamined patent application publication No. 2015-155831

Disclosure of Invention

Technical problem

The purpose of the present invention is to improve the wavelength and the degree of freedom of arrangement of a light emitting means and a light detecting means used in a package inspection apparatus.

Solution to the problem

An inspection method includes emitting light having a wavelength absorbed by a light energy absorbing material to a sealing portion of a package body including the light energy absorbing material by a light emitting unit; receiving heat radiation from the sealing part as heat information by the light receiving unit; and acquiring the thermal information about the sealing portion as a two-dimensional image by the light receiving unit. The receiving does not include directly receiving light emitted from the light emitting unit and transmitted through the sealing part and light emitted from the light emitting unit and reflected by the sealing part.

Effects of the invention

According to the embodiment of the present invention, the wavelength range and layout are increased relative to the light emitting unit and the light detecting unit for inspecting the package.

Drawings

The drawings are intended to depict exemplary embodiments of the invention, and should not be interpreted as limiting the scope thereof. The drawings are not to be regarded as being drawn to scale unless specifically indicated otherwise. Also, the same or similar reference numerals refer to the same or similar parts throughout the several views.

Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an inspection apparatus according to an embodiment:

fig. 2 is a view showing a package inspected by the inspection device of fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a view showing the structure of the packaging material of fig. 2;

FIG. 4 is a graph showing the absorptivity of the aluminum of FIG. 2;

fig. 5 is a view showing a point light source for emitting light to a package being conveyed;

Fig. 6 is a view showing a point light source for emitting light to a stopped package;

fig. 7 is a view showing a line light source for emitting light to a package being conveyed;

fig. 8 is a view showing a line light source for emitting light to a stopped package;

fig. 9 is a view showing an area light source for emitting light to a package being conveyed;

Fig. 10 is a view showing an area light source for emitting light to a stopped package;

fig. 11 is a view showing a spot light receiving element for receiving heat radiation from a package being conveyed;

Fig. 12 is a view showing a spot light receiving element for receiving heat radiation from a stopped package;

Fig. 13 is a view showing a line light receiving element for receiving heat radiation from a package being conveyed;

Fig. 14 is a view showing a line light receiving element for receiving heat radiation from a stopped package;

fig. 15 is a view showing a region light receiving element for receiving heat radiation from a package being conveyed;

Fig. 16 is a view showing a region light receiving element for receiving heat radiation from a stopped package;

fig. 17 is a diagram showing a first configuration of the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit;

fig. 18 is a diagram showing a second configuration of the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit;

fig. 19 is a diagram showing a third configuration of the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit;

Fig. 20 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the control device;

fig. 21 is a functional block diagram showing the function of the control device;

fig. 22 is a graph showing a change in surface temperature between a position in a normal state and a position in an abnormal state;

fig. 23 is a two-dimensional image showing whether or not the seal portion is acceptable.

Detailed Description

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

In describing the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. However, the disclosure of this specification is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar result.

Hereinafter, embodiments of an inspection apparatus and an inspection method will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a structure of an inspection apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a view showing a package 50 inspected by the inspection apparatus of fig. 1. The inspection device 1 inspects whether the package 50 is properly sealed and excludes the package 50 found to be abnormal from the production line.

The package 50 will be described.

As shown in fig. 2, the package 50 has a pouch-shaped packaging material 51, and contains food (the content of the package 50) such as curry or soup, for example. In the package 50 shown in fig. 2, the bag-like opening is sealed by bonding the packaging materials 51 to each other.

As the packaging material 51 of the package 50, a single-layer plastic film subjected to surface treatment, or a plastic film laminated by a plurality of single-layer films is used. Examples of the surface treatment include a coating for increasing moisture resistance or vapor deposition of aluminum, silica or alumina for increasing gas barrier properties, or the like.

As the packaging material 51 of the package 50, a film in which an aluminum foil 51b (fig. 3) is laminated on the plastic film is used. The packaging material 51 laminated with the aluminum foil 51b is used in applications involving higher gas barrier and moisture resistance. In particular, the packaging material 51 laminated with the aluminum foil 51b is a packaging container for pre-packaged foods, retort foods, sealed bags or retort pouches.

Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the structure of the packaging material 51. The packaging material 51 shown in fig. 3 is a structural example of a packaging material for a retort pouch. In the packaging material 51 of fig. 3, a polyester film 51a, an aluminum foil 51b, and a non-stretched polypropylene (CPP) film 51c are laminated in order from the surface of the packaging material 51. The film laminated with the aluminum foil or the aluminum deposited film as in the packaging material 51 of fig. 3 has poor visual transparency, and the content packaged in the packaging material 51 is difficult to be recognized.

The package 50 shown in fig. 2 has a bag-like opening in which the packaging materials 51 face each other. The bag-like opening is sealed by bonding the packaging materials 51 to each other, which is referred to as a sealing portion 52. The sealing portion 52 is joined by heat sealing by pressing a heating rod against the portion to be sealed, i.e., thermocompression bonding or ultrasonic sealing by ultrasonic vibration and pressurizing the portion to be sealed to melt.

Here, a manufacturing process of the package 50 will be briefly described. The package 50 is manufactured by filling the contents (for example, food such as curry or soup) into the bag-shaped packaging material 51 by a filling device (for example, a filling machine) and sealing the sealing portion 52 of the packaging material 51.

In such a manufacturing process, the inspection apparatus 1 inspects the package 50 sealed at the seal portion 52 to ensure that the package 50 is tightly sealed and the contents do not leak (i.e., seal inspection). In the seal inspection, the inspection device 1 determines whether the seal portion 52 is in a normal state or an abnormal state (i.e., a defect). Abnormal conditions are, for example, inclusions, pinholes, through holes, wrinkles, and channels. Specifically, the inclusions are defects in which the content is trapped in the sealing portion 52, the pinholes or through holes are defects in which holes are formed in the sealing portion, the wrinkles are defects in which wrinkles occur when the sealing portion 52 is folded or pressed, and the channels are defects in which the content may leak to the outside is formed in the sealing portion 52.

The inspection apparatus 1 will be described in detail.

As shown in fig. 1, the inspection apparatus 1 includes a conveying unit 2, an image acquisition apparatus 3, and a control unit 4.

The image acquisition device 3 includes a light emitting unit 31 (light emitter) disposed below the conveying unit 2 and a light receiving unit 32 (light receiver) disposed above the conveying unit 2.

The conveying unit 2 includes a first conveying portion 21 and a second conveying portion 22. The first conveying portion 21 and the second conveying portion 22 convey the packages 50 on the endless belt by rotationally driving the endless belt. The first conveying section 21 is disposed upstream of the image pickup device 3 in the conveying direction X of the package 50. The second conveying portion 22 is disposed on the downstream side in the conveying direction X of the package 50 with respect to the position of the image pickup device 3. The conveying unit 2 has a gap O (symbol) between the first conveying portion 21 and the second conveying portion 22. The gap O is also a space between the light emitting unit 31 and the light receiving unit 32. The gap O between the first conveying portion 21 and the second conveying portion 22 is a distance that does not affect the conveyance of the package 50 from the first conveying portion 22 to the second conveying portion 22. Since the conveying unit 2 has the above-described configuration, the conveying unit 2 conveys the package 50 through the space between the light emitting unit 31 and the light receiving unit 32.

The image acquisition device 3 acquires, as an image, two-dimensional thermal information of the sealing portion 52 of the package 50 conveyed by the conveying unit 2.

The light emitting unit 31 emits light two-dimensionally to the entire sealing portion 52 of the package 50 conveyed by the conveying unit 2. The light emitting unit 31 may emit light to the package 50 conveyed by the conveying unit 2 at the gap O between the first conveying portion 21 and the second conveying portion 22, or may emit light to the package 50 temporarily stopped on the conveying unit 2.

The light receiving unit 32 two-dimensionally receives heat radiation from the entire sealing portion 52 of the package 50. The heat radiation is caused by the light emitting unit 31 emitting light to the sealing part 52.

The light emitting unit 31 and the light receiving unit 32 will be described in detail.

As described above, an aluminum deposition film or a film laminated with an aluminum foil is used in the packaging material 51 of the package 50, and aluminum is included at least in the packaging material 51 of the package 50. Therefore, the light emitting unit 31 of the inspection apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment emits light to one side of the sealing portion 52 of the package 50, wherein the light has at least a wavelength of aluminum absorption. The aluminum foil 51b (fig. 3) of the packaging material 51 absorbs the light emitted from the light emitting unit 31 and converts the light energy of the light into heat energy. Heat generated in the aluminum foil 51b of the packaging material 51 is conducted between and through the surface of each layer to the surface of the packaging material 51. The packaging material 51 radiates light due to heat radiation from the surface. The optical radiation is emitted as a spectrum based on planck's law and received by the light receiving unit 32. The light receiving unit 32 receives information about heat radiation two-dimensionally.

Fig. 4 is a graph showing the absorptivity of aluminum having an absorption spectrum as shown in fig. 4. As shown in fig. 4, aluminum effectively absorbs light at an absorption peak of near infrared light having a wavelength of 0.78 μm to 1.0 μm. In addition, aluminum has high absorptivity to ultraviolet light (wavelength of 0.38 μm or less) and visible light (wavelength of 0.38 μm to 0.78 μm). The absorbance of aluminum decreases at a wavelength of 1 μm or more. Preferably, the light emitting unit 31 emits at least one of ultraviolet light, visible light, or near infrared light. A halogen lamp capable of emitting light including at least ultraviolet, visible, or near infrared light may be applied to the light emitting unit 31 of the present embodiment. In general, a halogen lamp can emit light having a wavelength longer than that of visible light, and has a very broad emission spectrum. The halogen lamp includes a large amount (e.g., 50% or more) of light having a longer wavelength than that of the near infrared light according to the temperature of the halogen lamp.

The light emitting unit 31 is not limited to a halogen lamp, and a xenon lamp capable of emitting ultraviolet light, visible light, or near infrared light may be applied. Generally, xenon lamps have a broad emission spectrum exceeding ultraviolet, visible, and near infrared light, and have a plurality of sharp emission spectra in near infrared light. Xenon lamps hardly include light having a longer wavelength (e.g., 5% or less) than near infrared light. Such light having a longer wavelength than that of the near infrared light is also called heat rays, and heats surrounding components, which affects miniaturization of the apparatus and selection of components. Preferably, the light emitting unit 31 excludes light having a wavelength longer than the near infrared wavelength.

A near infrared Light Emitting Diode (LED) or a near infrared laser having a peak wavelength in the near infrared wavelength may be applied to the light emitting unit 31. Since the peak wavelength of the emission spectrum of the near infrared light emitting diode or the near infrared laser is substantially the same as the peak wavelength of the absorption spectrum of aluminum, the light energy can be converted into heat energy with high efficiency. The near-infrared LED or near-infrared laser generally has a longer lifetime than that of a halogen lamp or a xenon lamp, and has the advantage of a longer replacement period when used in the continuously operated inspection apparatus 1.

The light emitting unit 31 may be continuously turned on (i.e., direct Current (DC) light emission) or intermittently turned on (i.e., pulsed light emission). However, in terms of life, preferably, the light emitting unit 31 may be intermittently turned on at about 1Hz to 2 Hz. Specifically, the light emitting unit 31 is a laser, an LED, or a xenon lamp.

When continuously turned on (i.e., DC light emission), the light emitting unit 31 may be provided with an intermittent light emitting device (e.g., a shutter) between the light emitting unit 31 and the package 50 so as to intermittently emit light to the package 50.

In this embodiment, the surface temperature of the sealing portion 52 may be raised by about several degrees to 10 degrees. Depending on the cost and size of the light source, a high power light source may be used to further increase the temperature. When the ambient temperature around the inspection device 1 is about 20 ℃ to 30 ℃, the surface temperature of the sealing portion is about 295K to 315K in absolute temperature. (0deg.C is 273K. When the ambient temperature is about 20deg.C to 30deg.C, it is about 293K to 303K. Considering the surface temperature of the sealing portion, about 295K to 315K) according to Planck's law, the 300K corresponds to a heat radiation wavelength of about 3 μm or more. Therefore, according to the planck's law, light emitted from the sealing portion 52 of the package 50 caused by heat radiation has a wavelength of about 3 μm or more. Accordingly, the light receiving unit 32 receives light having a wavelength of 3 μm or longer.

As described above, since the wavelength of the light emitted from the light emitting unit 31 and the wavelength of the heat radiation received by the light receiving unit 32 are different from each other (i.e., the wavelength difference), the light receiving unit 31 does not receive the light emitted from the light emitting unit 31. Therefore, the wavelength difference does not generate noise to the light receiving unit 32, and thus the light receiving unit 32 can obtain a signal with good quality.

In the transmission spectrum of the atmosphere, there is a wavelength band called an atmosphere window in which the transmittance of the atmosphere is high. Such a band is preferably used when the examination is performed in the atmosphere. Such as mid-wavelength infrared radiation (MWIR) having a wavelength band of 3 to 6 μm and long-wavelength infrared radiation (LWIR) having a wavelength band of 8 to 14 μm.

Further, since the thermal radiation spectrum of about 300K has a peak at a wavelength of about 10 μm, an atmospheric window of LWIR is preferably used to achieve measurement of higher sensitivity.

Thus, in the present embodiment, an infrared light receiving element that receives LWIR is used as the light receiving unit 32. The infrared light receiving element includes a cooled type infrared light receiving element cooled to an extremely low temperature to achieve higher sensitivity and a non-cooled type infrared light receiving element operable at room temperature. In the present embodiment, a non-cooling type infrared light receiving element is used as the light receiving unit 32 because of its low cost.

The light emitting unit 31 may be a point light source, a line light source, or a region light source as long as the light sources emit light two-dimensionally toward the entire sealing part 52.

Fig. 5 is a view of a point light source in the case of emitting light to the package 50 being conveyed. Fig. 6 is a view of a point light source in the case of emitting light to the stopped package 50. As shown in fig. 5 and 6, the point light source emits light as a point to the sealing portion 52. As shown in fig. 5, when light is emitted to the package 50 being conveyed, the light emitting unit 31 emits light two-dimensionally from the point light source by one-dimensionally scanning the optical system of the sealing portion 52. As shown in fig. 6, when light is emitted to the stopped package 50, the light emitting unit 31 emits light two-dimensionally from the point light source by two-dimensionally scanning the optical system of the sealing portion 52.

Fig. 7 is a view of a line light source in the case of emitting light to the package 50 being conveyed. Fig. 8 is a view of a line light source in the case of emitting light to the stopped package 50. As shown in fig. 7 and 8, the line light source emits light to the sealing portion 52 in a line shape. The line light source may be composed of point light sources arranged in one or more rows, or may form a line-shaped emission pattern by an optical system using the point light sources. As shown in fig. 7, when light is emitted to the package 50 being conveyed, the light emitting unit 31 emits light to the package 50 two-dimensionally by a line light source longer than the width of the sealing part 52 (i.e., the longitudinal width of the sealing part 52). As shown in fig. 8, when light is emitted to the stopped package 50, the light emitting unit 31 two-dimensionally emits light to the package 50 by a line light source slightly longer than the lateral width of the sealing portion 52 through an optical system of the one-dimensional scanning sealing portion 52.

Fig. 9 is a view of the area light source in the case of emitting light to the package 50 being conveyed. Fig. 10 is a view of the area light source in the case of emitting light to the stopped package 50. As shown in fig. 9 and 10, the area light source emits light to the sealing part 52 at one time in an area shape. The area light sources may be composed of point light sources arranged vertically and horizontally, line light sources arranged in rows, or these light sources may be combined with an optical system to form an area-shaped emission pattern. Accordingly, in the area light source, the point light sources are arranged in the vertical and horizontal directions. As shown in fig. 9, when light is emitted to the package 50 being conveyed, the light emitting unit 31 using the area light source emits light to the package 50 at one time. As shown in fig. 10, when light is emitted to the stopped package 50, the light emitting unit 31 using the area light source emits light to the package 50 at one time.

On the other hand, the light receiving unit 32 may be any one of a dot light receiving element, a line light receiving element, and a region light receiving element as long as these light receiving elements two-dimensionally receive heat radiation from the entire sealing portion 52 when light is emitted to the sealing portion 52. The thermopile may be applied to a point light receiving element. The microbolometer may be applied to a regional light receiving element.

Fig. 11 is a view of the spot light receiving element in the case of receiving heat radiation from the package 50 being conveyed. Fig. 12 is a view of the spot light receiving element in the case of receiving heat radiation from the stopped package 50. As shown in fig. 11, when the light receiving unit 32 receives the heat radiation from the package 50 being conveyed, the light receiving unit 32 receives the heat radiation two-dimensionally with the spot light receiving element by the optical system that performs one-dimensional scanning on the sealing portion 52. As shown in fig. 12, when the light receiving unit 32 receives the heat radiation from the stopped package 50, the light receiving unit 32 using the spot light receiving element receives the heat radiation two-dimensionally by the optical system that performs two-dimensionally scanning on the sealing portion 52.

Fig. 13 is a view of the line light receiving element in the case of receiving heat radiation from the package 50 being conveyed. Fig. 14 is a diagram of a line light receiving element in the case of receiving heat radiation from the stopped package 50. As shown in fig. 13, when the light receiving unit 32 receives the heat radiation from the package 50 being conveyed, the light receiving unit 32 receives the heat radiation two-dimensionally using a line light receiving element slightly longer than the width of the seal portion 52. As shown in fig. 14, when the light receiving unit 32 receives the heat radiation from the stopped package 50, the light receiving unit 32 receives the heat radiation two-dimensionally with a line light receiving element slightly longer than the lateral width of the sealing part 52 by an optical system that performs one-dimensional scanning of the sealing part 52.

Fig. 15 is a diagram of the area light receiving element in the case of receiving heat radiation from the package 50 being conveyed. Fig. 16 is a diagram of the area light receiving element in the case of receiving heat radiation from the stopped package 50. As shown in fig. 15, when the light receiving unit 32 receives the heat radiation from the package 50 being conveyed, the light receiving unit 32 receives the heat radiation from the sealing portion 52 at one time with the area light receiving element. As shown in fig. 16, when the light receiving unit 32 receives the heat radiation from the stopped package 50, the light receiving unit 32 receives the heat radiation from the sealing part 52 at one time with the area light receiving element.

As described above, there are various modifications to the light emitting unit 31 that emits light to the entire sealing portion 52 and the light receiving unit 32 that receives heat radiation from the entire sealing portion 52. In the present embodiment, the light emitting unit 31 is a region light source, and the light receiving unit 32 is a region light receiving element. As described above, by combining the area light source and the area light receiving element, light can be emitted to the entire sealing portion 52 at one time even when the package 50 is being conveyed or stopped, and heat radiation from the entire sealing portion can be received at one time. Further, in the case of using the area light source and the area light receiving element in which point light sources (e.g., LEDs) are vertically and horizontally arranged, an optical system for one-dimensional or two-dimensional scanning (i.e., a movable member) can be omitted, and a higher quality image can be acquired without being affected by vibration of the movable member.

The positional relationship (i.e., setting or configuration) between the light emitting unit 31 and the light receiving unit 32 will be described in detail.

As described above, the light receiving unit 32 does not directly receive the light emitted from the light emitting unit 31 and the light transmitted through the sealing portion 52 of the packaging material 51 or the light reflected by the sealing portion 52. The light receiving unit 32 receives light emitted from the surface of the packaging material 51 as heat radiation generated by the light emitted from the light emitting unit 31. The light emitting unit 31 and the light receiving unit 32 are not limited to the arrangement based on the transmission of light or the regular reflection of light. Accordingly, the degree of freedom in the arrangement of the light emitting unit 31 and the light receiving unit 32 is increased.

Fig. 17 is a diagram of a first configuration of the light emitting unit 31 and the light receiving unit 32 as an example. In the example shown in fig. 17, the light receiving unit 32 is disposed in such a manner that the optical axis is inclined with respect to the sealing portion 52 of the packaging material 51 having a surface substantially parallel to the conveying direction X and the light emitting unit 31. By tilting the optical axis of the light receiving unit 32 with respect to the sealing portion 52 of the packaging material 51, reflection (reflected image) of the light receiving unit 32 itself can be prevented.

Specifically, as shown in fig. 17, the package 50 has an expansion portion for packaging the content in the packaging material 51. The package 50 has an inclined portion 53 and an inclined portion 54. The sealing portion 52 is substantially parallel to the conveying direction X, but the inclined portion 53 is inclined upward with respect to the conveying direction X and the inclined portion 54 is inclined downward with respect to the conveying direction X. In fig. 17, the light receiving unit 32 is disposed such that the optical axis is inclined in the same direction as the inclined portion 53.

Fig. 18 is a diagram of a second configuration of the light emitting unit 31 and the light receiving unit 32 as an example. In the example shown in fig. 18, the light receiving unit 32 may be disposed at a position orthogonal to the sealing portion 52 having a surface substantially parallel to the conveying direction X without being inclined in the same direction as the inclined portion 53 in the absence of the reflection influence of the light receiving unit 32 itself.

Fig. 19 is a diagram of a third configuration of the light emitting unit 31 and the light receiving unit 32 as an example. In the example shown in fig. 19, in addition to the second configuration of fig. 18, the light emitting unit 31 is disposed in such a manner that the optical axis is inclined with respect to the sealing portion 52 of the packaging material 51 having a surface substantially parallel to the conveying direction X and the light receiving unit 32.

The control unit 4 will be described. The control unit 4 controls the entire inspection apparatus 1. Fig. 20 is a block diagram of hardware of the control unit 4. As shown in fig. 20, the control unit 4 includes a Central Processing Unit (CPU) 41, a Read Only Memory (ROM) 42, a Random Access Memory (RAM) 43, and a Hard Disk Drive (HDD) 44. The control unit 4 drives and controls each unit of the conveying unit 2 and the image acquisition device 3 using the RAM 43 as a work memory according to a program stored in the RAM 43 or the HDD 44 in advance. As the control unit 4, for example, a personal computer (e.g., a desktop computer, a notebook computer, or a laptop computer) may be used.

The program executed by the control unit 4 according to the present embodiment may also be provided as a file in an installable format or an executable format recorded in a computer-readable recording medium such as a compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM), a flexible magnetic disk (FD), a recordable compact disc (CD-R), a Digital Versatile Disc (DVD), or the like.

Further, the program executed by the control unit 4 according to the present embodiment may also be stored in a computer connected to a network such as the internet and provided by being downloaded via the network. The program executed by the control unit 4 according to the present embodiment may also be provided or distributed via a network such as the internet.

The control unit 4 determines whether the sealing portion 52 of the package 50 is in a normal state or an abnormal state (i.e., defect) based on the two-dimensional image acquired by the image acquisition device 3.

The function of the control unit 4 will be described.

Fig. 21 is a functional block diagram of the control unit 4. As shown in fig. 21, when the CPU41 operates according to a program, the control unit 4 functions as a controller 401, a two-dimensional image acquisition unit 402, and a qualification or non-qualification determining unit 403.

The controller 401 controls the emission light of the light emitting unit 31 and the light reception of the light receiving unit 32 of the image pickup device 3. The controller 401 controls driving of the first conveying section 21 and the second conveying section 22 of the conveying unit 2.

The two-dimensional image acquisition unit 402 acquires, as an image, two-dimensional thermal information about the sealing portion 52 of the package 50 from the thermal radiation information received two-dimensionally by the light receiving unit 32. The two-dimensional image acquisition unit 402 converts the light information into thermal information and acquires a thermal image. The two-dimensional image acquisition unit 402 is also called thermal imaging (thermal image). The two-dimensional image acquisition unit 402 may be provided in an infrared camera in which the light receiving unit 32 is an uncooled microbolometer.

The qualification determining unit 403 determines whether the sealing portion 52 of the package 50 is in a normal state or an abnormal state (i.e., a determination of whether or not it is qualified) based on the two-dimensional image having the thermal information. The pass or fail determination unit 403 performs various conventional image processing on the two-dimensional image so as to reveal an abnormal state.

As described above, when the sealing portion 52 of the package 50 has an abnormal state, the heat capacity of the abnormal state of the sealing portion 52 changes from that of the normal state. For example, when the contents of the package 50 or a portion of the contents are caught in the seal 52 (i.e., inclusions), the inclusions are defects in which the contents are caught between the package materials (i.e., one package material 51 and the opposite package material 51). Thus, a new layer is created by the contents entrained in the sealing portion 52, and heat transfer becomes slow. The passage is a defect in which a passage in which the content leaks to the outside of the package is formed in the sealing portion 52. Because of the air layer between one packaging material 51 and the opposite packaging material 51, heat transfer is slowed down due to the high thermal resistance of air. As described above, when the sealing portion 52 of the package 50 is in an abnormal state, it takes time for heat to reach the surface of the sealing portion 52, and the time is delayed, so that temperature distribution occurs on the surface. Accordingly, the pass or fail determination unit 403 can determine that the two-dimensional image is in an abnormal state, that is, failed, based on the temperature distribution generated in the two-dimensional image having the thermal information.

The determination of whether or not the sealing portion 52 is acceptable in the acceptance/rejection determination unit 403 will be described.

Fig. 22 is a graph of the change in surface temperature with time t between the position of the normal state and the position of the abnormal state shown in fig. 23. Fig. 23 is a two-dimensional image relating to the pass/fail determination of the seal portion 52 as a specific example. In fig. 23, as an example of the abnormal state, an air layer is in the sealing portion 52. The above-described abnormal state also occurs in the passage, or in the inclusion of the content including air.

In the example shown in fig. 22, at time 0, light is emitted from the light emitting unit 31 to one side of the sealing portion 52 containing aluminum and having a normal state and an abnormal state, and the temperature distribution of the surface of the other side of the sealing portion 52 is acquired at a specific time. Time 0 is a time at which the light emitting unit 31 emits light to the sealing portion 52.

The two-dimensional image in fig. 23 is an image acquired at time a in fig. 22. The image in fig. 23 is a monochrome image in which a white portion indicates a higher temperature and a gray portion indicates a lower temperature. As shown in fig. 23, the position where the abnormal state (i.e., defect) occurs due to the air layer in the sealing portion 52 is darker than the surrounding environment.

In the example of fig. 22, the position of the normal state reaches the peak temperature at time T. Although this time varies depending on the type and thickness of the packaging material 51, it is about several hundred milliseconds (ms) to 1 second(s) or less. On the other hand, as shown in fig. 22, the position of the abnormal state (defect) reaches the peak temperature after the time T, and the peak temperatures of the normal state and the abnormal state are almost the same. As can be seen from fig. 22, when time T is greater than 0 and less than T (i.e., 0 < T), the temperature in the normal state is higher than that in the abnormal state. The normal state and the abnormal state have substantially the same peak temperature with the lapse of time, and the temperature difference after the peak temperature is small.

As described above, when an air layer exists in the sealing portion 52, as shown in fig. 23, the thermal resistance of the sealing portion 52 having an air layer portion increases. As a result, heat transfer slows down. The surface temperature of the sealing portion 52 varies between a normal state and an abnormal state with time, and a large temperature difference that can be detected is generated at a certain time. The eligibility or non-eligibility determination unit 403 may detect an abnormal state by acquiring a two-dimensional image at this time.

According to the abnormal state, the thermal resistance may become small, and the temperature may become higher than the ambient temperature. In this case, the abnormal state of the sealing portion 52 can be detected by checking the difference between the normal state and the abnormal state.

As described above, the inspection device 1 determines whether the sealing portion 52 of the package 50 is in a normal or abnormal state. In the inspection apparatus 1, after the package 50 is conveyed by the second conveying portion 22 of the conveying unit 2, the package 50 determined to have a defect (i.e., an abnormal state) is removed from the second conveying portion 22 by a sorting device (e.g., an ejector). In contrast, the package 50 determined to be in the normal state is conveyed by the second conveying portion 22, and is packed into a box by a packing device (for example, a box filler) or manually.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, light including at least any one of ultraviolet light, visible light, or near infrared light is emitted to the package 50, and light having a wavelength longer than that of near infrared light through thermal radiation is received from the package 50. Therefore, light transmitted through the sealing portion 52 of the package 50 and light reflected by the sealing portion 52 of the package 50 are not utilized. Thus, the wavelength of light emission and light reception is different. Since the layout of the light emitting unit 31 and the light receiving unit 32 is not limited to the layout facing each other, the degree of freedom of the layout of the light emitting unit 31 and the light receiving unit 32 for inspection of the package 50 increases.

In the present embodiment, aluminum is used as the material that absorbs light energy, but the material is not limited thereto, and other metals or resins may be used as long as the material absorbs light energy and converts light energy into heat energy.

In the present embodiment, a retort pouch is applied as the packaging material 51 of the package 50, but the packaging material 51 is not limited thereto, and various packaging materials 51 that package the contents and seal the opening may be applied. The packaging material 51 of the package 50 is, for example, a cap of a yogurt container, a container for sealing tablets therein, or the like.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the above embodiments are merely examples of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the configurations of the above embodiments. Design variations and the like that do not depart from the gist of the invention are also included in the invention.

Aspects of the invention are as follows:

In a first aspect, an inspection apparatus includes a light emitting unit configured to emit light having a wavelength absorbed by a light energy absorbing material toward a sealing portion of a package including the light energy absorbing material; a light receiving unit configured to receive heat radiation from the sealing portion as heat information; and a two-dimensional image acquisition unit configured to acquire the thermal information about the sealing portion as a two-dimensional image by the light receiving unit. The light receiving unit is arranged not to directly receive light emitted from the light emitting unit and transmitted through the sealing portion and light emitted from the light emitting unit and reflected by the sealing portion.

In a second aspect, in the inspection apparatus according to the first aspect, the light emitting unit emits at least one of ultraviolet light, visible light, and near infrared light.

In a third aspect, in the inspection apparatus according to the second aspect, the light emitting unit emits light excluding light longer than a wavelength of near infrared light.

In a fourth aspect, in the inspection apparatus according to the third aspect, the light emitting units are light emitting diodes or lasers, each having a peak wavelength in a near infrared light wavelength.

In a fifth aspect, in the inspection apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, a wavelength of light emitted from the light emitting unit is different from a wavelength of heat radiation received by the light receiving unit.

In a sixth aspect, in the inspection apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the light receiving unit receives heat radiation having a wavelength longer than that of the mid-wavelength infrared radiation.

In a seventh aspect, in the inspection apparatus according to the sixth aspect, the light receiving unit is an uncooled infrared light receiving element configured to receive long-wavelength infrared radiation.

In an eighth aspect, in the inspection apparatus according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, the light emitting unit irradiates light to the sealing portion at one time, and the light receiving unit receives heat radiation from the sealing portion at one time.

In a ninth aspect, in the inspection apparatus according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, the light emitting unit is an area light source in which point light sources are arranged in vertical and horizontal directions.

In a tenth aspect, in the inspection apparatus according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, further comprising a qualification judging unit configured to judge whether the sealing portion is qualified or not based on the two-dimensional image acquired by the two-dimensional image acquiring unit.

In an eleventh aspect, an inspection method includes emitting light, having a wavelength absorbed by a light energy absorbing material, by a light emitting unit toward a sealing portion of a package body including the light energy absorbing material; receiving heat radiation from the sealing part as heat information by the light receiving unit; and acquiring the thermal information about the sealing portion as a two-dimensional image by the light receiving unit. The receiving does not include directly receiving light emitted from the light emitting unit and transmitted through the sealing part and light emitted from the light emitting unit and reflected by the sealing part.

The above embodiments are illustrative and not limiting of the invention. Thus, many additional modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. For example, elements and/or features of different illustrative embodiments may be combined with each other and/or substituted for each other within the scope of the invention. Any of the above operations may be performed in various other ways, for example, in a different order than described above.

The invention can be implemented in any convenient form, for example using dedicated hardware, or a mixture of dedicated hardware and software. The invention may be implemented as computer software implemented by one or more networked processing devices. The processing device may be any suitably programmed device, such as a general purpose computer, personal digital assistant, mobile telephone (e.g., WAP or 3G compatible telephone), etc. Since the present invention can be implemented as software, each aspect of the invention encompasses computer software that can be implemented on a programmable device. The computer software may be provided to the programmable device using any conventional carrier medium, such as a recording medium. The carrier medium may be a transitory carrier medium such as an electrical, optical, microwave, acoustic, or radio frequency signal carrying computer code. An example of such a transient medium is a TCP/IP signal carrying computer code over an IP network (e.g., the internet). The carrier medium may also include a storage medium for storing the processor readable code, such as a floppy disk, hard disk, CDROM, tape device, or solid state memory device.

Each function of the described embodiments may be implemented by one or more processing circuits or circuitry. The processing circuitry includes a programmed processor just as if the processor included circuitry. The processing circuitry also includes devices such as Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), digital Signal Processors (DSPs), field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), and conventional circuit components configured to perform the functions described.

The present patent application is based on and claims priority from japanese patent application nos. 2021-141913, filed by the japanese patent office at month 31 of 2021, and from japanese patent application nos. 2022-124250, filed by the japanese patent office at month 03 of 2022, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

List of reference numerals

1 Inspection apparatus

31 Luminous unit

32 Light receiving unit

51 Packaging material

52 Sealing part

402 Two-dimensional image acquisition unit

403 Pass/fail determination unit

Claims

1. An inspection apparatus comprising:

A light emitting unit configured to emit light having a wavelength absorbed by a light energy absorbing material to a sealing portion of a package body including the light energy absorbing material;

a light receiving unit configured to receive heat radiation from the sealing portion as heat information; and

A two-dimensional image acquisition unit configured to acquire the thermal information about the sealing portion as a two-dimensional image by the light receiving unit,

Wherein the light receiving unit is arranged not to directly receive light emitted from the light emitting unit and transmitted through the sealing portion and light emitted from the light emitting unit and reflected by the sealing portion.

2. An inspection apparatus according to claim 1,

Wherein the light emitting unit emits at least one of ultraviolet light, visible light, and near infrared light.

3. An inspection apparatus according to claim 2,

Wherein the light emitting unit emits light not including a wavelength longer than a wavelength of the near infrared light.

4. An inspection apparatus according to claim 3,

Wherein the light emitting units are light emitting diodes or lasers, each having a peak wavelength in a near infrared light wavelength.

5. An inspection apparatus according to claim 1,

Wherein a wavelength of light emitted from the light emitting unit is different from a wavelength of the heat radiation received by the light receiving unit.

6. An inspection apparatus according to claim 1,

Wherein the light receiving unit receives the heat radiation having a wavelength longer than that of the mid-wavelength infrared radiation.

7. An inspection apparatus according to claim 6,

Wherein the light receiving unit is an uncooled infrared light receiving element configured to receive long wavelength infrared radiation.

8. An inspection apparatus according to claim 1,

Wherein the light emitting unit irradiates light to the sealing part at one time, and the light receiving unit receives heat radiation from the sealing part at one time.

9. An inspection apparatus according to claim 1,

Wherein the light emitting unit is a regional light source in which point light sources are arranged in vertical and horizontal directions.

10. The inspection device of claim 1, further comprising:

and a qualification judging unit configured to judge whether the sealing portion is qualified or not based on the two-dimensional image acquired by the two-dimensional image acquiring unit.

11. An inspection method comprising:

emitting light, having a wavelength absorbed by a light energy absorbing material, to a sealing portion of a package body including the light energy absorbing material by a light emitting unit;

Receiving heat radiation from the sealing part as heat information by a light receiving unit; and

The thermal information about the sealing portion is acquired as a two-dimensional image by the light receiving unit,

Wherein the receiving does not include directly receiving light emitted from the light emitting unit and transmitted through the sealing part and light emitted from the light emitting unit and reflected by the sealing part.