JP2002188976A - Seal inspection method and seal inspection device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a seal inspection method and a seal inspection device capable of executing inspection accurately, and automatizing the inspection. SOLUTION: In this seal inspection method, a paper pack container 12 is arranged on a prescribed place before the paper pack container 12 taken out of a conveyance line 15 is put into a sealed inspection container 13, and by using this seal inspection device 10 equipped with a liquid part removal station 16 for removing a liquid part adhering on the outside of the paper pack container 12 by blowing the air from the periphery, the paper pack container 12 enclosing a content therein is arranged in the sealed inspection container 13, and the pressure inside the sealed inspection container 13 is reduced, and the change of the air pressure inside the sealed inspection container 13 is measured, to thereby execute the inspection of a sealed part. In the method, before the paper pack container 12 is arranged in the sealed inspection container 13, the liquid part adhering on the outside of the paper pack container 12 is removed by blowing the air to the outside of the paper pack container 12.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a seal inspection method and a seal inspection apparatus, and more particularly, to an inspection method and an inspection for automatically detecting a liquid leak of a paper pack container containing sake, drinking water, seasonings and the like. Related to the device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, a paper pack container has been widely used as a container for enclosing a liquid. Paper pack containers filled with drinking water mainly composed of water are often waterproofed with resin materials such as low-waterproof plastic films. To prevent this, a structure with a highly water-resistant aluminum foil covering the inside was often used. For example, a paper pack container called a gable top type includes a type in which a thin film aluminum layer is sanded on the inner surface of the container and a type in which an aluminum vapor deposition layer is sanded. However, since a composite of aluminum and paper is difficult to recycle, paper pack containers used for alcohols have recently been shifting to those using a resin material instead of aluminum. The paper pack container is manufactured from one sheet of paper on which aluminum processing and resin processing are performed. First, a piece of paper cut into a predetermined shape is welded in a cylindrical shape, and then the bottom portion is bent and welded to form a vertically long rectangular tubular body having an open top. And
After the liquid is injected from the open upper part of the rectangular cylinder, the upper end is welded.

[0003] In the process of filling a paper pack container with a liquid, poor sealing occurs due to the influence of the type of liquid, temperature, and the like, and this may cause liquid leakage. Conventionally, a paper pack container extracted from a production line is cut and divided into upper and lower portions, and each of the upper and lower divided containers is filled with a penetrant for inspection, left for 2 to 3 hours, and then visually checked for liquid leakage. Was. The present inventor has disclosed a method of inspecting a paper pack container that can significantly reduce the inspection time in JP-A-2000-20339. In this inspection method, the paper pack container into which the liquid has been injected is placed in the inspection container and sealed, and then the inside of the inspection container is evacuated when a predetermined pressure is reached. In this method, a change in pressure was measured to detect a defective seal at an early stage. If the paper pack container to be inspected has a defective seal, the gas or liquid inside the paper pack container is sucked outside through the poorly sealed portion, and the pressure inside the paper pack container decreases. Then, the sensor detects that the liquid is vaporized due to the decrease in pressure and the atmospheric pressure in the test container rises. By applying this method, it was possible to discover a defective seal in a short time.

[0004]

However, the method of inspecting a paper pack container disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-203539 utilizes a phenomenon in which the volume increases due to the vaporization of the liquid and the air pressure increases. However, for example, in the manufacturing process of the paper pack container, if water droplets adhere to the outside of the paper pack container, the water droplets are vaporized by the reduced pressure and the pressure increases, and the inspection device malfunctions. There was something. In consideration of such an error, it is necessary to set a large difference in pressure change when determining that the seal is defective, and it is determined that the seal is non-defective when a minute gap is formed in the seal portion. The measurement accuracy was poor. On the other hand, when inspecting the paper pack container, the inspection could be automated, but no detailed description for the automation was disclosed. The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a seal inspection method and a seal inspection apparatus capable of performing an inspection with high accuracy and automating the inspection.

[0005]

According to the present invention, there is provided a seal inspection method according to the present invention, wherein a paper pack container enclosing contents is arranged in a closed inspection container, and the pressure in the closed inspection container is reduced. In a seal inspection method for inspecting a seal portion by measuring a change in air pressure in a closed inspection container, a liquid adhering to the outside of the paper pack container before placing the paper pack container in the closed inspection container. Minutes are removed by blowing air on the outside of the paper pack container. In the case where, for example, a washing process or the like is performed after the contents are sealed in the paper pack container, a liquid component such as water droplets may adhere to the outside of the paper pack container. Since air is blown to the outside of the paper pack container, the liquid component can be removed without contacting the paper pack container, and it is possible to prevent the liquid component from being vaporized at the time of inspection and causing a measurement error. Preferably, the air is heated. By blowing the heated air, it is possible to evaporate and remove small granular liquid components that cannot be removed by blowing normal temperature air.

A seal inspection apparatus according to the present invention, which meets the above object, is disposed adjacent to a transport line of a paper pack container filled with contents, and takes out and inspects the paper pack container transported by the transport line. A seal inspection apparatus for performing a pressure reduction test by putting the paper pack container taken out of the transport line into a hermetic inspection container arranged in a station. And a liquid removal station for removing liquid attached to the outside of the paper pack container by blowing air from the surroundings. The transported paper pack container can be inspected in a vertical or horizontal state. Since the liquid removing station is provided separately from the inspection station, it is possible to prevent the liquid removed from the paper pack container from remaining in the inspection station and improve the measurement accuracy. The inspection station and the liquid removing station can be arranged in a straight line, or can be arranged concentrically.

[0007] The liquid removing station may be provided with a support member having a drain groove for supporting at least the bottom of the paper pack container, and a support table rotatable together with the support member. The drainage grooves can be formed, for example, in a plurality of parallel straight lines, and can also be formed to intersect in two directions or three or more directions. Further, the cross-sectional shape of the drain groove may be any shape as long as the liquid component can be poured out, and for example, may be formed in a U shape or a V shape. When supporting a portion other than the bottom of the paper pack container, it is preferable to provide a drain groove in the supporting portion so that the liquid component does not stay. Since the bottom of the paper pack container is supported by the support member having the drain groove, the liquid component that has flowed down the outer surface of the paper pack container further separates from the lower surface of the paper pack container along the drain groove, and flows out. The liquid can be prevented from staying on the surface of the container.

Further, at a position adjacent to the transport line,
A turntable for partially feeding and transporting the paper pack container was provided, and the liquid removal station, the inspection station, and the inspection were completed every 90 degrees around the turntable with respect to a transport position to the transport line. A temporary storage station for temporarily storing paper pack containers is provided in order,
Further, a transport mechanism for moving the paper pack container forward and backward in the radial direction on the turntable is provided at four locations every 90 degrees, and the transport mechanism allows the transport line, the liquid removing station, the inspection station, and It is also possible to transfer the paper pack container between each of the temporary storage stations. Here, the partial feed conveyance refers to the movement at a predetermined angle in the circumferential direction. The paper pack container that failed at the inspection station is discarded from the temporary storage station, and the non-defective paper pack container is returned to the transport line.

[0009] Since turntables having transfer mechanisms are provided at four locations, the paper pack containers are simultaneously received from the transfer line, the liquid removal station, the inspection station, and the temporary storage station. It is possible to shorten the processing time by simultaneously delivering the paper pack container to the minute removing station and the inspection station. Further, since the stations can be arranged around the turntable, the apparatus can be formed small, and the inspection space can be reduced. further,
It is also possible to provide a suction cup at the tip of the transport mechanism.
With this configuration, the paper pack container is moved while being sucked by the suction cup, so that the surface of the soft paper pack container can be hardly damaged.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings to provide an understanding of the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a seal inspection device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is disposed adjacent to a transport line 15 of a paper pack container 12 filled with contents 11 such as liquor and drinking water. This is an apparatus that takes out paper pack containers 12 that are arranged and conveyed by the conveyance line 15 at predetermined intervals or at predetermined intervals, and puts them into a sealed inspection container 13 arranged at an inspection station 17 to perform a reduced pressure inspection. A turntable 14 for partially feeding and transporting the paper pack container 12 is provided at a position adjacent to the transport line 15 of the seal inspection device 10, and around the turntable 14 is 90 ° with respect to the transport position to the transport line 15. Each time, a liquid removing station 16, an inspection station 17, and a temporary placement station 18 for temporarily placing the inspected paper pack container 12 are sequentially provided. The details will be described below. First, the paper pack container 12 to be inspected will be described. The paper pack container 12 is formed in the shape of a rectangular tube with the bottom 20 closed, and the side corners 19 and the bottom 20 are sealed with a resin material. In this state, the contents 11 are injected, and thereafter, the upper end portion 21 is sealed. A seal is also applied around the base of the plastic tubular spout 22 provided at the top.

Next, with reference to FIG. 3, the transport line 15 of the paper pack container 12 after the contents 12 are filled will be described. The transport line 15 includes a belt conveyor 23 for vertically placing and transporting the paper pack container 12 and a belt conveyor 2.
Air cylinders 24, 2 disposed on opposite sides of
L-shaped guide plates 26, 27 which are provided on the cylinder rods of the air cylinders 24, 25, respectively, and which can contact the downstream side surface of the paper pack container 12 being conveyed.
And When the air cylinders 24 and 25 contract the cylinder rods, the paper pack container 12 can move to the downstream side by passing between them, and when the cylinder rods are extended, the paper pack containers 12 come into contact with the guide plates 26 and 27 and It stays on the transport line 15.

Next, the seal inspection device 10 and the transport line 1
The connecting portion 28 disposed between the first and second seal inspection devices 5 and fixed to the seal inspection device 10 will be described. The connection portion 28 is provided with a rectangular frame 29 disposed on the air cylinder 25 side of the transfer line 15.
And the transport line 15
Sliding rails 3 parallel to the direction perpendicular to the flow direction
0. The paper pack container 12 slides on the slide rail 30 of the connecting portion 28 to move between the transport line 15 and the seal inspection device 10 by the transport mechanisms 31 to 34 provided in the seal inspection device 10. You can move in the direction. Since the sliding rails 30 are used, when liquid is attached to the paper pack container 12, the liquid is discharged from the gap between the adjacent sliding rails 30 and the seal inspection device 1 is used.
The amount of liquid adhering to zero can be reduced.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, a circular plate-shaped turntable 14 provided with four transport mechanisms 31 to 34 for moving the paper pack container 12 forward and backward in the radial direction at every 90 degrees. Will be described. The lower part of the turntable 14
The rotation support shaft 35 is supported by the rotation support shaft 35,
By the deceleration motor 42, it can be rotated and stopped every 90 degrees. Since the transport mechanisms 31 to 34 have substantially the same structure, the transport mechanism 34 will be described here.
The transport mechanism 34 is fixed to the vicinity of the center of the turntable 14 via a fixing bracket 36, and is provided with a transport air cylinder 37 having a rod that can be extended and retracted in the horizontal direction. The mounting plate member 37a whose tip is offset so as to protrude in the radial direction of the turntable 14 in accordance with the length of the paper pack container 12 provided vertically in two stages at the tip of the mounting plate member 37a. Suction cups 38 and 39 are provided on the side surfaces.

The suction cups 38, 39 can be connected to a vacuum tank (not shown) via an air hose, and suction and release of suction can be controlled by a control device (not shown). On the turntable 14 below the position of the suction cups 38 and 39 when the rod is contracted, the turntable 14
Are provided so that the paper pack container 12 can be placed thereon. Each sliding rail 4
The outer end of 1 is disposed so as to protrude outside the outer peripheral edge of the turntable 14. Since the paper pack container 12 is placed on the slide rail 41, if liquid is attached to the paper pack container 12, it is allowed to flow out of the gap between the adjacent slide rails 41 and to be discharged from the seal inspection device 10. The amount of liquid adhering to the surface can be reduced. Note that a plurality of sliding rails 41
Instead of this, it is also possible to use a plate material having a drain groove formed on the upper part. A transport mechanism 31 adjacent to the transport mechanism 34,
The 33 transfer air cylinders 43 are arranged at different heights to avoid interference with the transfer air cylinder 37, but the other parts have the same structure. When transporting the paper pack container 12, first, the rod is projected by operating the transport air cylinder 37, and the suction cups 38, 3
9 is projected outward from the outer peripheral edge of the turntable 14 to suck the paper pack container 12 located outside the turntable 14. Next, the rod is contracted while the paper pack container 12 is being sucked, and the paper pack container 12 is moved toward the center of the turntable 14 to be placed and held on the slide rail 41. Next, the deceleration motor 42 is operated to rotate the turntable 14 90 degrees, and the paper pack container 12
Change the position of. Then, the air cylinder 37 is operated to move the paper pack container 12 to the outside of the turntable 14, and then the suction state of the suction cups 38, 39 is released.

Next, the liquid removing station 16 will be described with reference to FIGS. The liquid removing station 16 arranges the paper pack container 12 taken out of the transport line 15 into a predetermined place via the turntable 14 before putting the paper pack container 12 into the hermetically sealed inspection container 13, and blows air from the surroundings to form the paper pack container 12. The liquid adhering to the outside of is removed. The liquid removing station 16 includes a rectangular support member 4 having a drain groove 43a for supporting the bottom of the paper pack container 12.
And a rotating shaft 4 for supporting the center of the support member 44 from below.
5 and a support table 46 provided below the support member 44 of the rotating shaft 45 and rotatable together with the support member 44. The lower end of the rotating shaft 45 is connected to a deceleration motor (not shown), and the rotating shaft 45, the support member 44, and the support table 46 can rotate at a speed of, for example, 10 to 30 rpm.

A plurality of drainage grooves 43a are formed, for example, in two directions orthogonal to each other in the horizontal direction. On one side of the support member 44, stopper members 54 in the form of rectangular bars having a short length are provided upright at predetermined intervals. The support table 46 is formed in a horizontally long hexagonal shape, and its longitudinal direction when viewed in plan is 4 degrees with respect to the outer side of the rectangular support member 44.
It is inclined 5 degrees. Straight rails 47 and 48 are provided on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the support table 46 with respect to the rotation shaft 45. On the linear rails 47 and 48, the moving tables 49 and 5
0 is disposed so as to be movable along the linear rails 47 and 48, respectively.
The fixing cylinders 51 and 52 are arranged in parallel with the cylinder rods 8 and connected to the leading ends of the cylinder rods.

The linear rails 47, 4 of the moving tables 49, 50
A round bar-shaped fixed guide 53 that stands in the vertical direction is provided on both sides of the movable member 8. The upper ends of the four fixed guides 53 are set to be at least half the height of the paper pack container 12 placed on the support member 44. In a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the support table 46,
On the opposite side of the stopper member 54, a blower nozzle 55 having an opening 55a substantially the same as or longer than the height of the paper pack container 12 is provided.
2 is provided toward the side at the time of installation. The blowing nozzle 55 is connected to a blower (not shown). It is also possible to provide a blower with a heater to heat the air to be blown. In addition, a blower fan can be installed instead of the blower and the blower nozzle 55, and a compressor can be connected to the blower nozzle 55 for use.

In the initial state, the supporting member 44 has the side on which the stopper member 54 is provided radially outward with respect to the turntable 14, extends the cylinder rods of the fixing cylinders 51 and 52, and Support member 44
It is in a state separated from. In addition, the support table 46
The suction direction of the suction cup 3 which advances and retreats in the direction of the liquid removal station 16 in plan view is
They are arranged at an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the forward and backward directions of 8, 39. With this configuration, the stopper member 54 and the blowing nozzle 55 do not overlap with the movement path of the paper pack container 12 indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 5, and the paper pack container 12 can be reliably transported. When removing water droplets from the paper pack container 12 at the liquid removal station 16, first, the paper pack container 12 adsorbed to the suction cups 38 and 39 is transported from the turntable 14 to the support member 44, and the paper pack container 12 is stopped by the stopper member. The suction is released at the position where it comes into contact with 54. Next, the fixing cylinders 51 and 52 are operated, the cylinder rod is contracted, and the fixing guide 53 is brought into contact with each of the four side surfaces of the paper pack container 12 to support the paper pack container 12 so as not to fall. Next, the air is blown by the blower and the deceleration motor is rotated, and the paper pack container 12 is rotated while the paper pack container 12 is supported by the fixed guide 53. At this time, the paper pack container 12 has a bottom portion in contact with the support member 44 and four
3, and a lower portion of one side surface is in contact with the stopper member 54. Most of the water droplets attached by the blowing are blown off, and the remaining water droplets flow downward along the standing guide 53 or the stopper member 54, and move downwind along the drain groove 43a of the support member 44. It flows down from the support member 44.

Next, the inspection station 17 will be described with reference to FIGS. Inspection station 17
Is the turntable 14 side (hereinafter, inspection station 1)
7 is described as the front side. ) Is open and the closed inspection container 13 is capable of storing the paper pack container 12 vertically.
And a fixed arrangement plate 56 that stands upright against the rear surface of the closed inspection container 13 to fasten and fix the sealed inspection container 13, and a side fixing portion that fixes both sides of the fixed arrangement plate 56 and stands in parallel with each other. 57, and an opening / closing device 60 provided on the front side of the closed inspection container 13 for opening and closing a lid plate 59 that is erected. An O-ring 61 for sealing is provided around the opening of the sealed inspection container 13. Further, a through hole (not shown) connected to a vacuum pump is formed on one side of the closed inspection container 13.

A rail holding member 76 extending laterally is provided at a front upper end portion of each of the side fixing portions 57 and 58 with a gap provided between the side fixing portions 57 and 58 and the closed inspection container 13. A rail holding member 77 is provided at the lower front end of each of the rails 58. Rail holding members 76, 77
Are arranged in parallel with the front surface of the closed inspection container 13 in the horizontal direction. Opening / closing rails 62, 62a are provided at rear portions of the rail holding members 76, 77, respectively. Upper and lower portions of an opening / closing base plate 64 are movably attached to the opening / closing rails 62, 62a.
The one side fixing portion 57 is provided with an opening / closing cylinder 63 that can expand and contract laterally, and the tip of the opening / closing cylinder 63 is fixed to an opening / closing base plate 64. Opening / closing base plate 64
In the center of the rear part, a thin sealing cylinder 65 that can move forward and backward is provided, and the cover plate 59 is attached to the tip of a cylinder rod of the sealing cylinder 65. A plurality of guide members 66 for guiding the movement of the cover plate 59 are provided between the cover plate 59 and the opening / closing base plate 64. At the lower part on the other side of the opening / closing base plate 64, there is provided a bridge plate 68 whose height is adjusted to the lower surface 67 inside the sealed inspection container 13.

When inspecting the paper pack container 12, the paper pack container 12 sucked from the turntable 14 by the suction cups 38 and 39 is passed through the erection plate 68 and placed in the closed inspection container 13. Release adsorption. Next, after retracting the suction cups 38 and 39 to the front side, the opening / closing cylinder 63 is opened.
To move the opening / closing base plate 64 and the lid plate 59 to the front side of the closed inspection container 13. Then, the sealing cylinder 65 is operated to bring the cover plate 59 into contact with the entire periphery of the O-ring 61 to seal the inside of the sealed inspection container 13 and perform a predetermined inspection. When the paper pack container 12 is taken out, the steps are performed in substantially the reverse order of the above procedure.

Next, the temporary storage station 18 will be described with reference to FIG. The temporary storage station 18
A first sliding plate 69 protruding outward in the radial direction of the turntable 14, a second sliding plate 70 connected to the tip of the first sliding plate 69 and changing the transport direction by 90 degrees, and a first sliding plate It has a discharge cylinder 78 that pushes out the paper pack container 12 conveyed to the tip of the moving plate 69 along the longitudinal direction of the second sliding plate 70. At the end of the first sliding plate 69, a detection switch (not shown) is provided. The paper pack container 12 is pushed out from the turntable 14 along the first sliding plate 69 while being held by the suction cups 38 and 39, and comes into contact with the detection switch. Here, when the paper pack container 12 is determined to be defective at the inspection station 17, the discharge cylinder 78 operates to push the paper pack container 12 along the second sliding plate 70. On the front side of the second sliding plate 70, for example, a defective product collection box (not shown) or the like can be provided. On the other hand, when the paper pack container 12 is determined to be non-defective at the inspection station 17, the discharge cylinder 78 does not operate, and the paper pack container 12 is moved to the temporary storage station 18.
It is in the state of waiting above. When returning the paper pack container 12 to the turntable 14, the suction cups 38, 3
9 and is moved along the first sliding plate 69. In addition, a sensor and a signal cable (not shown) are provided on each movable part of the seal inspection device 10, and each sensor and the signal cable are connected to the control device 75.
Each movable part automatically performs a continuous operation according to a command from the control device 75.

Next, the overall operation of the seal inspection device 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, the paper pack container 7 is placed on the transport line 15, the liquid removing station 16, the inspection station 17, and the temporary placing station 18.
Description will be made from a state in which 1 to 74 are respectively arranged.
As shown in FIG. 9A, at the inspection station 17,
After the inspection of the paper pack container 73 is completed, the opening and closing device 60 is operated to separate the lid plate 59 from the closed inspection container 13,
The opening / closing base plate 64 is moved to the side of the closed inspection container 13. At the liquid removing station 16, in accordance with the end of the inspection at the inspection station 17, the support member 44 and the support table 46 are stopped at the initial position to stop the air blowing, and the fixed guide 53 is moved to the side, and the paper is removed. The fixing of the pack container 72 is released. On the temporary storage station 18, the inspection is completed first, and for example, the paper pack container 74 determined to be non-defective is temporarily stored. In the transfer line 15, the air cylinder 24,
25 is operated to stop the paper pack container 71 on the transport line 15.

In this state, the transport mechanisms 31 to 34 are operated to transport the paper pack containers 71 to 74 onto the turntable 14. Next, as shown in FIG. 9B, the turntable 14 is rotated 90 degrees. Then, FIG. 9 (C)
As shown in (1), the transport mechanisms 31 to 34 are operated to transport the paper pack containers 71 to 74 to the liquid removal station 16, the inspection station 17, the temporary storage station 18, and the transport line 15, respectively. The paper pack container 74 determined to be non-defective and transported to the transport line 15 passes between the opposed air cylinders 24 and 25 and moves downstream of the transport line 15. The paper pack container 71 transported to the liquid removal station 16 is subjected to liquid removal, and the paper pack container 72 transported to the inspection station 17 is inspected. If the paper pack container 73 conveyed to the temporary storage station 18 is determined to be defective, for example, after being taken out, analysis processing for the cause of the defect is performed. As described above, the transfer line 1 is provided by the transfer mechanisms 31 to 34 provided on the turntable 14.
5. Liquid removal station 16, Inspection station 1
The transfer of the paper pack containers 12 (71 to 74) to and from the temporary storage station 18 can be performed at the same time.

Next, a procedure of a seal inspection method using the seal inspection apparatus 10 will be described. Seal inspection method,
The paper pack container 12 enclosing the contents 11 is placed in the closed inspection container 13, the pressure in the closed inspection container 13 is reduced, and the change in the air pressure in the closed inspection container 13 is measured to inspect the sealed portion. According to the method, a liquid removing step, an inspection step, a temporary placing step, and a transfer line returning step are performed in this order.
(Liquid Removal Step) First, the paper pack container 12 is transported from the transport line 15 to the liquid removal station 16 via the turntable 14, and the liquid attached to the outside of the paper pack container 12 is removed from the paper pack container 12. Blow off air to remove.

(Inspection Step) The paper pack container 12 from which water droplets have been removed from the liquid removal station 16 via the turntable 14 is transported to the inspection station 17, placed in the sealed inspection container 13, and placed on the lid plate 59. Close. It is preferable that the volume of the closed inspection container 13 is equal to the volume of the paper pack container 12, for example. Next, the vacuum pump is operated to raise the air pressure in the closed inspection container 13 to, for example, 260
The pressure is reduced to ６660 mmHg, and the through hole communicating with the vacuum pump is closed. At this time, if the pressure does not reach the predetermined pressure even if the inside of the closed inspection container 13 is suctioned for the predetermined time, the device may be stopped because a gap may be large due to a defective seal generated in the paper pack container 12 or a crack may be generated. And is configured to generate an alarm. This state is, for example, 30
After holding for ６０60 seconds, the pressure in the sealed inspection container 13 is measured, and the difference from the predetermined pressure after decompression is determined. If the difference is larger than the set value, it is considered that liquid leakage has occurred from the seal portion, and it is determined that the product is defective. If the difference is equal to or less than the set value, it is determined that there is no liquid leakage, and the product is determined to be non-defective. In the present embodiment, since the liquid component removing station 16 is provided, it is possible to prevent the liquid component adhering to the surface of the paper pack container 12 from evaporating due to the reduced pressure and increasing the air pressure in the closed inspection container 13. The accuracy of the determination can be improved.

(Temporary Placement Step) If the paper pack container 12 is determined to be defective in the inspection step, the temporary placement station 1
8 and the subsequent processing is performed. (Transport line return step) If the paper pack container 12 is determined to be non-defective in the inspection step, it is transported to the transport line 15 and
Packaged and shipped with other products. As described above, the embodiment according to the present invention has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, the paper pack container 12 can be placed horizontally for inspection. . Further, the pressure at the time of pressure reduction is -50 with respect to the atmospheric pressure.
It is also possible to set in the range of 0 to -100 mmHg. Also, it is possible to add a drain groove to the fixed guide that holds the paper pack container from the side at the liquid removal station, and it is easier to flow air by using a fixed guide with a net-like body formed in a cylindrical shape. However, it is also possible to reliably remove the liquid component.

[0028]

In the seal inspection method according to the first and second aspects, since air is blown to the outside of the paper pack container, liquid can be removed without contacting the paper pack container. It is possible to prevent the measurement error from occurring due to vaporization, and to perform the inspection with high accuracy. In particular, in the seal inspection method according to the second aspect, since the air is heated, it is possible to evaporate and remove small granular liquid components that cannot be removed even by blowing air at room temperature.
The blowing time can be reduced. In the seal inspection device according to the third to sixth aspects, since a liquid removal station is provided separately from the inspection station, the liquid removed from the paper pack container is prevented from remaining in the inspection station, and measurement accuracy is improved. Can be improved. In particular, in the seal inspection device according to the fourth aspect, since the bottom portion of the paper pack container is supported by the support member having the drain groove, it is possible to prevent the liquid component from remaining on the surface of the paper pack container, and to reliably remove water. Can be removed. In the seal inspection apparatus according to the fifth aspect, since turntables provided with transport mechanisms at four locations are provided, the paper pack containers are received from the transport line, the liquid removing station, the inspection station, and the temporary placing station. At the same time,
It is also possible to shorten the processing time by simultaneously delivering the paper pack container to at least the liquid removing station and the inspection station. Further, since the stations can be arranged around the turntable, the apparatus can be formed small, and the inspection space can be reduced. In addition, since it is not necessary to manually move the paper pack container, when performing the sampling inspection, the inspection can be automated, and the inspection is performed at predetermined time intervals or for each lot, Stable quality checks can be reliably performed. In the seal inspection device according to the sixth aspect, a suction cup is provided at the tip of the transport mechanism.
Although it is formed in a planar shape, it can be securely brought into contact with the surface of the paper pack container that can be deformed within a small range, and the surface of the soft paper pack container can be hardly damaged.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan sectional view of a seal inspection device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a paper pack container used in the seal inspection device.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a connection portion between the seal inspection device and a transport line.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing a structure of a turntable of the seal inspection device.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a liquid removing station of the seal inspection apparatus.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view of a liquid removing station of the seal inspection device.

FIG. 7 is a plan sectional view of an inspection station of the seal inspection apparatus.

FIG. 8 is a front view of an inspection station of the seal inspection device.

FIGS. 9A to 9C are explanatory diagrams showing states of the seal inspection device during operation.

[Explanation of symbols]

10: Seal inspection device, 11: Contents, 12: Paper pack container, 13: Sealed inspection container, 14: Turntable, 1
5: transport line, 16: liquid removal station, 17:
Inspection station, 18: Temporary storage station, 19:
Corner, 20: bottom, 21: top, 22: cylindrical spout,
23: belt conveyor, 24, 25: air cylinder, 2
6, 27: guide plate, 28: connecting part, 29: rectangular frame, 3
0: sliding rail, 31 to 34: transport mechanism, 35: rotation support shaft, 36: fixed bracket, 37: transport air cylinder, 37a: mounting plate member, 38, 39: suction cup, 41:
Sliding rail, 42: deceleration motor, 43: transport air cylinder, 43a: drain groove, 44: support member, 45: rotary shaft, 46: support table, 47, 48: straight rail, 4
9, 50: movable table, 51, 52: fixing cylinder, 5
3: fixed guide, 54: stopper member, 55: blow nozzle, 55a: opening, 56: fixed arrangement plate, 57, 58:
Side fixing portion, 59: cover plate, 60: opening / closing device, 61: O-ring, 62, 62a: opening / closing rail, 63: opening / closing cylinder, 64: opening / closing base plate, 65: sealing cylinder, 6
6: guide member, 67: lower surface, 68: bridge plate, 69: first sliding plate, 70: second sliding plate, 71 to 74: paper pack container, 75: control device, 76, 77: rail holding member , 7
8: Discharge cylinder

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An inspection of a sealed portion by disposing a paper pack container enclosing the contents in a hermetically sealed test container, lowering the pressure in the hermetically sealed test container, and measuring a change in air pressure in the hermetically sealed test container. In the seal inspection method, the liquid attached to the outside of the paper pack container is removed by blowing air to the outside of the paper pack container before placing the paper pack container in the closed inspection container. A seal inspection method. 2. The seal inspection method according to claim 1, wherein said air is heated. 3. The paper pack container, which is disposed adjacent to a transport line of a paper pack container filled with contents and is taken out by the transport line, is taken out and placed in a sealed inspection container arranged at an inspection station. A seal inspection apparatus for performing a pressure reduction inspection, wherein the paper pack container taken out of the transport line is placed in a predetermined place before being put into the closed inspection container, and the paper pack container is blown with air from the surroundings. A seal inspection device comprising a liquid removal station for removing a liquid attached to the outside of a paper pack container. 4. The seal inspection apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the liquid removing station includes a support member having a drain groove for supporting at least a bottom portion of the paper pack container, and a support table rotatable together with the support member. A seal inspection device, characterized in that a seal inspection device is provided. 5. The seal inspection device according to claim 3, wherein a turntable for partially feeding and transporting the paper pack container is provided at a position adjacent to the transport line, and the turntable is provided around the turntable. The liquid removal station, the inspection station, and a temporary placing station for temporarily placing the inspected paper pack container are provided in order at every 90 degrees with respect to the transport position to the transport line. There are provided four transfer mechanisms for moving the paper pack container in the radial direction at every 90 degrees, and the transfer mechanism controls the transfer line, the liquid removing station, the inspection station, and the temporary storage station. Wherein the delivery of the paper pack container is performed between each of the following. 6. The seal inspection apparatus according to claim 5, wherein a suction cup is provided at a front end of the transport mechanism.