JP2003014866A - Metal detector and detecting system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a metal detector in which the detecting operation can be checked without lowering the detection efficiency. SOLUTION: An article 9 is carried on a conveyor belt 40 through a magnetic field generated by a transmission coil 31. When a metal is mixed in the article 9, the magnetic field is disturbed and a detecting section 51 detects mixture of metal based on the outputs from receiving coils 32a and 32b. During carriage of the article 9 on the conveyor belt 40, a test metal inserting/removing section 60 throws a test metal 61 into the magnetic field. A decision section 52 makes a decision that the sensitivity is normal when the detecting section 51 detects the test metal 61, otherwise makes a decision that the sensitivity is abnormal. When the sensitivity is abnormal, an alarm display section 55a delivers an alarm and a stop control section 53 stops apparatus in the upstream of a metal detector 4. Decision results from the decision section 52 are recorded at a recording section 58.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a metal detecting device and a metal detecting device for allowing an article to pass through a generated magnetic field and detecting whether or not metal is mixed in the article based on an output from a receiving coil at that time. Regarding detection system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an article is passed through a magnetic field generated by a magnetic field generating means such as a transmission coil, and the presence or absence of metal inclusion is determined based on a change in the magnetic field that occurs when metal is mixed in the article. Metal detection devices for detection are widely used, especially in production lines for producing food products. When the product to be produced is food, safety and quality control are required for the product, and if metal is mixed in food, it becomes a big problem, so the metal contamination inspection process with a metal detection device is important Becomes

Further, the metal detecting device is also used for checking the oxygen scavenger contained in a bag in which foods that are easily oxidized are packed. Some oxygen scavengers have the same metal properties as iron, and if the metal detector does not detect a metal, it means that no oxygen scavenger is contained and a defective product is generated. Some spices mixed into cup ramen and the like are packaged in aluminum packaging materials, and the metal detection device is sometimes used to detect the mixture of spices.

Therefore, it is necessary that the sensitivity of the metal detecting device is always guaranteed, and normally a sensitivity test using a test piece is regularly performed. A test piece is generally a transparent plastic plate in which a metal ball of a predetermined size is enclosed.For example, if the test piece is inspected before the operation of the device, and if metal is detected, it can be detected as normal. If not, it is abnormal.

[0005]

However, the malfunction of the device occurs at an indefinite time point, and for example, the metal detection device which was normally operating in the morning may fail in the afternoon. Therefore, it is preferable to perform the sensitivity test as often as possible, but for that purpose it is necessary to stop not only the metal detection device but also the entire production line incorporating it, so the problem that the processing efficiency decreases significantly Occurs.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a metal detection device and a metal detection system capable of performing a detection operation check without lowering the metal detection efficiency. .

[0007]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention of claim 1 comprises a conveying means for conveying an article in a substantially horizontal direction, and a magnetic field generating means for generating a magnetic field in a conveying path of the conveying means. A receiving coil for receiving a magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generating means, and a detecting means for detecting whether or not a metal is mixed in an article passing through the magnetic field based on an output from the receiving coil. In the metal detecting device, the metal inserting / removing means for inserting / removing the test metal into / from the magnetic field during operation of the metal detecting device, and the detecting means when the metal inserting / removing means inserts the test metal. It is provided with a judging means for judging that the metal is normal when the metal is detected, and for judging an abnormality when the metal is not detected, and a warning means for warning when the judging means judges the abnormality.

According to a second aspect of the invention, in the metal detecting device according to the first aspect of the invention, the metal inserting / removing means is
The test metal is inserted into the magnetic field together with the article conveyed by the conveying means and at a speed substantially the same as the conveying speed of the article.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the metal detecting device according to the first or second aspect of the present invention, the metal inserting / removing means can insert and remove a plurality of types of test metals in the magnetic field. There is.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, in the metal detecting device according to the third aspect of the invention, the metal inserting / removing means is
When at least two kinds of the plurality of kinds of test metals are inserted into and removed from the magnetic field and the determination means detects the inserted at least two kinds of test metals by the detection means, the result is normal. It makes me judge.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the metal detecting device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, a recording means for recording the judgment result by the judgment means is further provided.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the metal detecting device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the magnetic field generating means and the receiving coil have an opening through which the transport path passes. Built into the detection head,
The test metal is inserted into the metal insertion / removal means at the center of the opening of the detection head.

According to a seventh aspect of the invention, in the metal detecting device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the magnetic field generating means and the receiving coil have an opening through which the transport path passes. Built into the detection head,
When the test metal is inserted in a portion other than the central portion of the opening of the detection head, the test metal is inserted in the central portion of the opening due to a signal change induced in the receiving coil by the disturbance of the magnetic field. The conversion unit further includes a conversion unit for converting the corrected signal change to a corrected value and causing the detection unit to detect the passage of the metal from the corrected signal change.

Further, the invention of claim 8 is the metal detecting device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the metal inserting / removing means has a non-magnetic non-conductive material having a test metal at a tip thereof. And an arm driving means that is disposed outside the magnetic field and that inserts / removes the tip of the arm member into / from the magnetic field.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the metal detecting device according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, the metal insertion / removal means has a hollow non-magnetic non-magnetic element arranged in the magnetic field. Built-in conductive tubular member and test metal,
A non-magnetic, non-conductive lump member is movably arranged in the tubular member, and a moving means for moving the lump member back and forth within the tubular member.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the metal detecting device according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, the metal detecting device is incorporated in a production line for producing articles, and the judging means is provided. When it is determined that the abnormality has occurred, the apparatus further includes stop control means for stopping an apparatus upstream of the metal detection apparatus in the production line.

According to the invention of claim 11, in the metal detecting device according to the invention of claim 1, the metal detecting device is incorporated in a production line for producing articles, and the metal detecting device in the production line is more than the metal detecting device. The upstream device further comprises an external control means for issuing a control signal, wherein the metal insertion / removal means causes the test metal to be inserted / removed when there is no article in the magnetic field, and the external control means causes the metal insertion / removal. Means reduces the processing speed of the upstream device as the test metal is inserted and removed.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the metal detecting device according to the first aspect of the invention, the metal detecting device is incorporated in a production line for producing articles, and the metal detecting device in the production line is more preferable than the metal detecting device. External control means for issuing a control signal to an upstream device, an article conveyed by the conveying means, and inserting the test metal into the magnetic field at a speed substantially the same as the conveying speed of the article, or An insertion / removal control unit for controlling the metal insertion / removal unit to insert or remove the test metal when there is no article in the magnetic field, further comprising:
In the case where the metal insertion / removal means inserts / removes the test metal when there is no article in the magnetic field, the external control means includes the upstream of the metal insertion / removal means when inserting / removing the test metal. It reduces the processing speed of the device.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a metal detection device according to the tenth or twelfth aspect of the invention.
The apparatus further includes a sorting device that sorts the conveyed article with the insertion of the test metal to the outside of the production line.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the metal detection device according to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, the distribution device includes:
When the determination means determines that the test metal is abnormal, all the articles conveyed after the article conveyed with the insertion of the test metal are distributed to the outside of the production line.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the metal detection device according to any one of the first to fourteenth aspects, a metal insertion / removal detection means for detecting the metal insertion / removal operation of the metal insertion / removal means is further provided I have it.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in a metal detection system which is incorporated in a production line for producing an article and which detects metal mixed in the article to be produced, the article is conveyed in a substantially horizontal direction. A magnetic field generating means for generating a magnetic field in the conveying path of the conveying means, a receiving coil for receiving the magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generating means, and an article which has passed through the magnetic field based on the output from the receiving coil. A detection means for detecting whether or not metal is mixed in the metal detection device; a metal mixing device arranged upstream of the metal detection device for mixing a test metal into the article; and the detection device. Is judged to be normal when a metal is detected in an article mixed with the test metal, and is judged to be abnormal when the metal is not detected, and the test metal is conveyed along with the charging. Includes a distributing means for distributing the articles to the outside of the production line, and a warning means for warning when said judgment means judges as abnormal.

According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, in the metal detection system according to the sixteenth aspect of the present invention, the article is used as a package, and the package is arranged upstream of the metal detection device in the production line. A packaging device to be manufactured or a weighing device for weighing an object to be packaged inside the packaging body is further provided, and the metal mixing means is attached to the packaging device or the weighing device to mix the test metal into the packaging body. ing.

The invention of claim 18 is the metal detecting system according to the invention of claim 16, wherein the article is a package, and the package is arranged upstream of the metal detecting device in the production line. A packaging device to be manufactured, and a label sticking device arranged between the packing device and the metal detection device in the production line, for sticking a label to the packaging body, further comprising the metal sticking means for sticking the label. The test metal is attached to a label attached to the device and attached to the package.

In the present specification, the metal means a substance that affects a magnetic field.

[0026]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

<1. First Embodiment> FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of a production line in which a metal detection device according to the present invention is incorporated. Further, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a flow of processing in the production line of FIG. This production line is a line for inspecting a packaged article (food in the present embodiment) and then packaging it in a box and shipping it. In order from the upstream side, a supply device 1, a weighing device 2, a packaging device 3, and metal detection. A device 4, a weight checker 5, a sorting device 10, and a case packer 6 are provided.

The supply device 1 automatically supplies an appropriate amount of articles to the weighing device 2. The weighing device 2 is a so-called computer scale and measures a preset constant weight (or a fixed number) of articles by computer-controlled combination weighing. The packaging device 3 makes a bag of a film, and packs a certain amount of articles weighed by the weighing device 2 in the bag. The metal detection device 4 is a device for inspecting the presence or absence of metal contamination while transporting a bagged article. The metal detection device 4 will be described later.

The article which has been inspected for the presence or absence of metal contamination is further conveyed to the weight checker 5 to inspect whether or not the weight of the articles weighed and combined is appropriate. After the weight inspection, the articles are conveyed to the sorting apparatus 10, and the metal inspection apparatus 4 and the weight checker 5 sort the inspection-defective articles out of the production line. Then, it is conveyed to the case packer 6. The case packer 6 packs the packed articles in a cardboard box.

FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of the metal detection device 4 according to the present invention. Further, FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the metal detection device 4 and the distribution device 10, and FIG. 5 is a plan view of the metal detection device 4 and the distribution device 10. The metal detection device 4 inspects the presence or absence of metal erroneously mixed in the article, and sorts the article in which the metal is mixed to the outside of the production line by the distribution device 10. For convenience of illustration, the distribution device 10 is omitted in FIG. 3, and the weight checker 5 is omitted in FIGS.

The metal detection device 4 mainly has a detection head 30, a conveyor belt 40, an operation control unit 50, an operation panel 55, and a test metal insertion / removal section 6 on the base 20.
It is configured with 0.

The detection head 30 includes one transmission coil 31 and two reception coils 32 inside a square-shaped housing.
a and 32b are built in. A transmitter 35 that outputs an AC signal is electrically connected to the transmission coil 31.
The transmission coil 31 generates an AC magnetic field by the AC signal output from the oscillator 35. In the alternating magnetic field generated by the transmission coil 31, the coil 2 is wound coaxially with the transmission coil 31.
The two receiving coils 32a and 32b are arranged so that the magnetic fluxes are equally linked. An opening 30a is formed at the center of the square-shaped housing of the detection head 30. The magnetic field generated by the transmission coil 31 is also formed in the opening 30a.

The conveyor belt 40 has a driving roller 41a.
And the driven roller 41b. The driving roller 41a is connected to a motor (not shown) provided on the base 20, and is rotated by the motor. The driven roller 41b is rotatably supported by the base 20. When the driving roller 41a rotates, the conveyor belt 40 moves the driving roller 41a and the driven roller 4a.
1b and the article 9 placed thereon is shown in FIG.
It is conveyed in the horizontal direction as indicated by the middle arrow AR51.

The conveyor belt 40 is arranged so as to pass through the opening 30a of the detection head 30. Therefore, the conveyor belt 40 also conveys the article 9 through the opening 30a, so that the transmission coil 31 moves the conveyor belt 40.
An AC magnetic field will be generated in the transport path of.

The two receiving coils 32a and 32b receive the alternating magnetic field generated by the transmitting coil 31 and output the received signals to the detecting section 51. More precisely, the transmission coil 31
By the alternating magnetic field generated by the two receiving coils 32a,
An electromotive force is induced in 32b, and a current generated based on the electromotive force is transmitted to the detection unit 51. The detection unit 51 includes a differential amplifier, a detection circuit, a filter circuit, and the like, and a signal obtained by differentially connecting the two receiving coils 32a and 32b causes metal to be contained in the article 9 conveyed by the conveyor belt 40. Detects whether or not they are mixed.

Specifically, when no metal is present in the AC magnetic field generated by the transmitting coil 31, when the two receiving coils 32a and 32b are differentially connected, the difference signal of the signals output from each of them is not output. . In contrast,
When a magnetic metal (for example, iron, ferritic stainless steel, etc.) enters the magnetic field, the magnetic flux is attracted to disturb the magnetic field, and the two receiving coils 32a and 32b are differentially connected to each other. The difference signal of the output signals is output, and the presence of metal can be detected from the difference signal. On the other hand, when a non-magnetic metal (for example, aluminum, austenitic stainless steel, etc.) enters the magnetic field, eddy current flows and the magnetic flux is consumed as Joule heat, and the magnetic field is disturbed.
By differentially connecting 2a and 32b, a differential signal is similarly obtained, and the presence of metal can be detected from the differential signal.

As described above, the detection unit 51 detects whether or not metal is mixed in the article 9 that has passed through the magnetic field generated by the transmission coil 31 based on the outputs from the two reception coils 32a and 32b. can do. In addition, the detection unit 5
1 is electrically connected to the photoelectric tube 69. Photocell 69
Is the side of the conveyor belt 40 and the detection head 30.
Functioning as an optical sensor provided on the entrance side (upstream side of the detection head 30 in the conveyance path), the article 9 conveyed into the opening 30a of the detection head 30 can be detected by the conveyor belt 40. . Detector 51
When performing a normal detection operation, the metal detection operation is not performed at a timing other than the time when the article 9 is carried into and out of the detection head 30 based on the output of the photoelectric tube 69. As a result, the detection operation by the detection unit 51 is limited to the timing at which the detection operation should be performed, so that the detection malfunction due to the disturbance at other timing is prevented. Since the article 9 itself actually has some magnetic characteristics, the detection unit 51 performs phase adjustment for minimizing the influence of the article 9 and detecting the mixed metal with high sensitivity. Further, the detection section 51 is provided in the operation control unit 50.

The test metal insertion / removal section 60 is fixed to the base 20, and the test metal 61 can be inserted / removed into / from the magnetic field generated by the transmission coil 31. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of the test metal insertion / removal unit 60. The test metal insertion / removal section 60 is
It is composed of an air cylinder, and the arm 63 can be moved forward by supplying air to the cylinder 65 via the air pipe 66, and the arm 63 can be moved backward by switching the switching valve 66a. The arm 63 is made of a non-magnetic non-conductive material such as phenol resin, and has a test metal 61 at its tip.
Is embedded. The arm 63 is made of a non-magnetic, non-conductive material so that the arm 63 itself does not affect the magnetic field when it is inserted into or removed from the magnetic field generated by the transmission coil 31. This is because. The arm 63 is moved forward so that the test metal 61 moves to the rear end of the detection head 30. As the test metal 61, a magnetic metal ball or a non-magnetic metal ball having a predetermined size according to the detection sensitivity may be used. In this embodiment, the iron ball has a diameter of 1 mm.

The cylinder 65 itself is outside the above magnetic field, and its tip can be inserted into the magnetic field generated by the transmission coil 31 when the arm 63 is moved forward, and when the arm 63 is moved backward, the tip of the arm 63 is moved. The tip may be provided at a position where it can be separated from the magnetic field. As a result, the test metal insertion / removal unit 60 can insert / remove the test metal 61 into / from the magnetic field generated by the transmission coil 31. The test metal insertion / removal section 60 is preferably installed at a position where the conveyor belt 40 does not interfere with the conveyance path for conveying the article 9, and is provided on the side of the conveyor belt 40 in the first embodiment.

Returning to FIG. 4, the operation of the test metal insertion / removal section 60 is controlled by the insertion control section 68. The insertion control unit 68 is also electrically connected to the phototube 69. The insertion control unit 68 causes the test metal insertion / removal unit 60 to insert the test metal 61 into the magnetic field in synchronization with the article 9 based on the timing at which the article 9 is conveyed to the detection head 30. Also,
The insertion control unit 68 is electrically connected to the determination unit 52, and when the test metal 61 is inserted into the magnetic field, the insertion control unit 68 issues a signal to the determination unit 52 that the test metal 61 is inserted. As a result, the determination unit 52 recognizes the timing of inserting the test metal 61. It should be noted that when the test metal 61 is inserted and removed, the article 9 is detected by the detection head 3
It is carried out after being carried out from 0 and until the article 9 is detected by the photoelectric tube 69 next time. At this time, normally, the detection unit 51
Does not perform detection when there is no article 9 in the detection head 30, but does so while the test metal 61 is inserted.
No detection is performed when the test metal 61 retracts. The detection unit 51 recognizes the timing of this insertion and retreat by switching the switching valve 66a by the insertion control unit 68. This is because when moving backward, the test metal 61 moves in the opposite direction to the direction in which the article 9 is conveyed, and correct operation may not be confirmed in some cases. In addition, the insertion control unit 68 and the determination unit 52, the stop control unit 53, and the distribution control unit 19 described below.
The conversion unit 59 and the conversion unit 59 are both realized by a computer incorporated in the operation control unit 50 executing a predetermined processing program.

When the test metal insertion / removal section 60 inserts the test metal 61 into the opening 30a of the detection head 30, that is, in the magnetic field generated by the transmission coil 31, the magnetic field is disturbed and the detection section 51 detects the passage of the metal. . However, the detection unit 51
If there is something wrong with the transmitter or transmitter 35, the test metal insertion / removal section 60
Even if the test metal 61 is inserted into the opening 30a of the detection head 30, the detection unit 51 does not detect the passage of the metal. Also,
There is also an abnormality in the detection unit 51 itself. The determination unit 52 is a processing unit that determines whether or not there is an abnormality in the metal detection device 4 as described above, and when the detection unit 51 detects the test metal 61 when the test metal insertion / removal unit 60 inserts the test metal 61. Is judged to be normal, and if not detected, it is judged to be abnormal.

The judgment result of the judgment unit 52 is recorded in the recording unit 58. The recording unit 58 is composed of a nonvolatile memory built in the operation control unit 50. In the recording unit 58, each time the test metal inserting / removing unit 60 inserts the test metal 61, the determination result by the determination unit 52 (regardless of whether it is normal or abnormal) is recorded. The recording unit 58 is not limited to a non-volatile memory, but may be a magnetic disk or another recording medium.

Further, when the judging section 52 judges that there is an abnormality, a signal indicating the abnormality is transmitted to the warning display section 55a, the stop control section 53 and the distribution control section 19. The warning display section 55a is provided on the operation panel 55 of the operation control unit 50.
(See FIG. 3) It is an indicator light provided in part. The warning display unit 55a lights up in red and issues a warning to the operator when the judgment unit 52 judges that there is an abnormality. Note that the warning display unit 55a is not limited to the indicator light, and the determination unit 5
A buzzer, a patrol light, or the like may be used as long as it issues a warning when it is determined that 2 is abnormal.

When the determination unit 52 determines that there is an abnormality, the stop control unit 53 is used when the metal detection device 4 and the metal detection device 4 as in this embodiment are incorporated in a production line for producing articles. Stops the device upstream of the metal detection device 4 in the production line. Specifically, when the determination unit 52 determines that there is an abnormality, the stop control unit 53 sends a stop signal to the electrically connected supply device 1, weighing device 2, and packaging device 3 to stop their operations. Let

The distribution control unit 19 controls the operation of the distribution device 10. The distribution device 10 is incorporated in the metal detection device 4 in association with the metal detection device 4, and basically has a function of distributing the article 9 in which the metal is mixed to the outside of the production line. Therefore, the distribution device 10 is arranged downstream of the metal detection device 4 in the entire production line.

As shown in FIG. 4, the conveyor belt 12 of the sorting apparatus 10 has a driving roller 11a and a driven roller 11b.
It is wrapped between and. The driving roller 11a is connected to a motor (not shown) provided in the sorting device 10, and is rotated by the motor. The driven roller 11b is rotatably supported by the sorting device 10. As the driving roller 11a rotates, the conveyor belt 12 rotates between the driving roller 11a and the driven roller 11b, and the article 9 placed on the conveyor belt 12 is indicated by an arrow A in FIG.
It is conveyed horizontally as indicated by R52. The conveyor belt 12 of the distribution device 10 conveys the inspected article 9 received from the metal detection device 4 through the weight checker 5 further downstream (specifically, the case packer 6 in the next step).

The distribution device 10 is provided with two distribution arms 14. Each of the two distribution arms 14 can be swung by an electric motor (not shown) as shown by an arrow AR53 in FIG. When the sorting arm 14 is located on the two-dot chain line in FIG. 5, the articles 9 conveyed by the conveyor belt 12 are sorted to the outside of the production line. On the other hand, when the sorting arm 14 is located in the solid line in FIG. 5, the article 9 is conveyed by the conveyor belt 12 as it is to the case packer 6 in the next step.

The distribution control unit 19 shown in FIG. 4 controls the operation of the distribution arm 14. Basically, the distribution control unit 19 positions the distribution arm 14 on the chain double-dashed line in FIG. 5 when the detection unit 51 detects a metal in the product 9 and distributes the product 9 to the outside of the production line. However, in the present embodiment, even when the determination unit 52 further determines that there is an abnormality, the sorting arm 14 is positioned on the chain double-dashed line in FIG. 5 and the article 9 is sorted outside the production line. The details will be described later.

The conversion unit 59 includes two receiving coils 32a, 3a.
The output from 2b is converted and transmitted to the detection unit 51. Specifically, when the test metal insertion / removal unit 60 inserts the test metal 61 into the detection head 30, the conversion unit 59 detects the differential signal induced in the two receiving coils 32a and 32b by the disturbance of the magnetic field. The value is converted into a value when the test metal 61 is inserted into the central portion of the opening 30a of 30 and is transmitted to the detection unit 51 as a corrected signal change. Regarding the detection value of the metal depending on the distance from the detection head 30, the same metal is recorded in advance at about 10 points with different distances from the detection head 30. Based on this recording, the actual detected value is converted by the ratio of the detected value with the shortest distance and the detected value in the central portion. The detection unit 51 detects that the metal has passed through the detection head 30 based on the corrected signal change. That is, in the first embodiment, the test metal insertion / removal portion 60 is provided on the test metal 61 except the central portion of the opening 30 a of the detection head 30.
The test metal 61 is inserted into the center of the opening 30a, and the detector 51 is made to detect the passage of the metal. As described above, the timing at which the test metal insertion / removal section 60 inserts the test metal 61 is managed by the insertion control section 68, and is transmitted from the insertion control section 68 to the conversion section 59. Further, the conversion may be performed by creating an approximate expression using the above-described recorded detection value with the distance as a parameter. The equation uses the least squares method or the like.

Next, the operation of the metal detection device 4 having the above structure will be described. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the metal detection device 4 is incorporated in a production line for producing the article 9. In this production line, articles of a certain weight weighed by the weighing device 2 are packed in a bag by the packaging device 3, the metal detection device 4 and the weight checker 5 are used to inspect the presence of metal and the like and the weight, and then the case packer 6 is used to pack the product. To do. The role of the metal detection device 4 in this production line is to detect whether or not metal is mixed into the article 9 (more accurately, the entire bag packed with articles 9 of a certain weight) flowing through the line, and the metal is mixed. The distributed articles 9 are distributed to the outside of the production line by the distribution device 10. When the article 9 is a food that easily oxidizes, a bag filled with the article 9 is appropriately filled with a deoxidizing material (having the same metallic properties as iron) or a condiment packaged with an aluminum packaging material. The metal detection device 4 can also be used to check whether or not it is present. In this case, the article 9 containing no deoxidizing material or condiment is distributed to the outside of the production line by the distribution device 10.

In any case, the detection by the metal detection device 4 must always be maintained normally. For this reason, the test metal insertion / removal section 60 inserts the test metal 61 into the detection head 30 to perform the detection operation. Check it. And
In the first embodiment, the test metal insertion / removal unit 60 inserts the test metal 61 while the article 9 is being conveyed by the conveyor belt 40, that is, when the production line is in operation. The timing of inserting the test metal 61 is managed by the insertion control unit 68, the insertion / removal timing is as described above, and the insertion / removal cycle is inserted at regular time intervals during operation of the production line, for example.

When the test metal insertion / removal section 60 inserts the test metal 61 into the detection head 30 during the conveyance of the article 9 by the conveyor belt 40, the magnetic field generated by the transmission coil 31 is disturbed and the two reception coils 32a and 32b generate a magnetic field. A signal change occurs at the output. The conversion unit 59 converts the signal change into a value when the test metal 61 is inserted into the central portion of the opening 30a of the detection head 30, and transmits it to the detection unit 51 as a corrected signal change. When the test metal insertion / removal unit 60 inserts the test metal 61, the determination unit 52 determines that the sensitivity is normal when the detection unit 51 detects the test metal 61 based on the corrected signal change, and the detection is performed. If not, it is judged as abnormal.

When the judging section 52 judges that there is an abnormality, the warning display section 55a is turned on to warn the operator. Also,
The stop control unit 53 stops the metal detection device 4 and devices upstream of the metal detection device 4 in the production line (the supply device 1, the weighing device 2, and the packaging device 3). Specifically, the stop signal is transmitted to the control units of the supply device 1, the weighing device 2, and the packaging device 3 electrically connected to the stop control unit 53. Further, after the distribution control unit 19 operates the distribution arm 14 of the distribution device 10 and the test metal insertion / removal unit 60 inserts the test metal 61 into the detection head 30, the distribution device 10 passes the detection head 30. All the articles 9 are distributed outside the production line. This is because normal metal detection is not performed on the article 9 that has passed through the detection head 30 when the sensitivity of the metal detection device 4 is abnormal.

On the other hand, when the judging section 52 judges that the article is normal, the article 9 is continuously conveyed to the downstream side (case packer 6) in accordance with the normal processing procedure. The determination unit 52
The determination result is recorded in the recording unit 58 regardless of whether the determination result is normal or abnormal.

As described above, since the test metal insertion / removal section 60 inserts the test metal 61 between the articles being conveyed by the conveyor belt 40, the metal detection device 4 can be operated without stopping the operation of the production line. The detection operation can be checked. Further, since the test metal 61 is inserted and removed by the test metal insertion / removal section 60 with no object inside the detection head 30, the test metal insertion / removal section 60 does not damage the object.

The conversion unit 59 has two receiving coils 32a, 3a.
The signal change induced in 2b is detected by the opening 3 of the detection head 30.
The value is converted into a value when it is considered that the test metal 61 is inserted in the central portion of 0a, and the value is transmitted to the detection unit 51 as a corrected signal change. The central portion of the opening 30a of the detection head 30 is a portion having the lowest detection sensitivity, and if the detection portion 51 cannot detect the insertion when the test metal 61 is inserted into the portion, the detection operation is sufficiently performed. Cannot be guaranteed. Therefore, the signal change induced in the receiving coils 32a and 32b is applied to the test metal 6 at the center of the opening 30a.
If 1 is converted to a value when the signal is inserted and the corrected signal change is detected and the detection unit 51 detects based on the corrected signal change, the detection operation under the condition of the lowest sensitivity (the severest) This is the same as the check, and the reliable detection operation check of the metal detection device 4 can be performed.

Further, since the metal detection device 4 can be realized only by providing the test metal insertion / removal section 60 constituted by the air cylinder, the detection operation can be performed with a simple structure without stopping the operation of the production line. You can check.

When an abnormality in the detection operation of the metal detection device 4 is found, a device upstream of the metal detection device 4 in the production line is stopped, so that the metal detection device 4 with the detection operation abnormality performs a metal contamination inspection. It is possible to prevent the above, and it is possible to prevent the article 9 from overflowing with the metal detection device 4.

When the detection operation abnormality of the metal detection device 4 is found, the test metal insertion / removal section 60 causes the detection head 3 to move.
Since all the articles 9 that have passed the detection head 30 after the test metal 61 is inserted into 0 are distributed to the outside of the production line by the sorting apparatus 10, the articles 9 on which the normal metal detection is not performed are directly on the production line. Can be prevented from continuing to flow.

Further, the judgment result of the judgment unit 52 is recorded in the recording unit 5 regardless of whether the judgment result is normal or abnormal.
It is recorded in 8. In recent years, especially for food, strict quality control is required, and by recording the judgment result of the detection operation check one by one, it is used for later investigation (investigation of the operation status of the metal detection device 4). be able to. As a result, the recording of the determination result in the recording unit 58 can be useful for quality control of the article 9.

Further, since the test metal 61 is inserted and removed, the labor for collecting the test metal 61 is saved and the test metal is not accidentally mixed into the article 9.

<2. Second Embodiment> Next, the second embodiment of the present invention
An embodiment will be described. The configuration of the metal detection device 4 of the second embodiment and the production line incorporating the metal detection device 4 is the same as that of the first embodiment.

In the second embodiment, the insertion control section 68 inserts the test metal 61 into the opening 30a of the detection head 30 in synchronization with the article 9. More specifically, the insertion control unit 68 controls the test metal insertion / removal unit 60 to move the conveyor belt 40.
The test metal 61 is inserted into the opening 30a of the detection head 30 together with the article 9 to be conveyed by and at the same speed as the conveyance speed of the article 9. Opening 3 of detection head 30
The presence of an article passing through 0a can be detected by the photocell 69. Further, the conveyance speed of the article 9 can be measured by connecting an encoder to the driving roller 41a or the driven roller 41b, for example. The insertion control unit 68 inserts the test metal 61 into the detection head 30 in synchronization with the article 9 based on the information. It should be noted that, in order to accurately synchronize the loading of the test metal 61 with the transportation of the article 9, it is preferable that the test metal insertion / removal section 60 be configured using a pulse motor in the second embodiment.

As described above, if the test metal 61 is put into the opening 30a of the detection head 30 together with the article 9 conveyed by the conveyor belt 40 and at the same speed as the conveyance speed of the article 9, the article 9 is actually conveyed. It is possible to perform a detection operation check under the same conditions as when the metal is mixed in, that is, a detection operation check in consideration of the characteristics of the article 9 itself and the magnetic characteristics due to movement and movement of the conveyor belt 40. Therefore, a more realistic detection operation check of the metal detection device 4 can be performed.

Further, in the second embodiment, the test metal 61
The sorting control unit 19 controls the sorting device 10 so that the articles 9 conveyed with the insertion of the sheet are sorted to the outside of the production line regardless of the result of detection of metal contamination. An accurate metal contamination inspection has not been performed on the article 9 conveyed with the insertion of the test metal 61, and such an article 9 can be prevented from continuing to flow on the production line as it is.

When the judging section 52 judges that there is an abnormality,
That is, when the test metal insertion / removal unit 60 inserts the test metal 61, but the detection unit 51 does not detect,
The distribution control unit 19 controls the distribution device 10 so as to distribute all the articles 9 carried after the insertion of the test metal 61 to the outside of the production line. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the article 9 for which normal metal detection is not performed from continuing to flow on the production line as it is because the metal 9 has passed the detection head 30 when the detection operation of the metal detection device 4 is abnormal. Note that the remaining points are the same as those in the first embodiment, so description thereof will be omitted.

<3. Third Embodiment> Next, a third embodiment of the present invention
An embodiment will be described. FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the metal detection device 4 of the third embodiment. The metal detection device 4 of the third embodiment differs from that of the first embodiment in that two test metal insertion / removal sections 60a and 60b are provided on both sides of the conveyor belt 40. Two test metal insertion / extraction parts 60
The configurations of a and 60b are the same as those of the test metal insertion / removal unit 60 of the first embodiment. That is, the two test metal insertion / removal sections 60a and 60b are configured by using an air cylinder, and by moving the non-magnetic, non-conductive arm forward and backward with respect to the detection head 30, the test metal 61 is transferred to the transmission coil 31. It can be inserted into and removed from the generated magnetic field.

However, the test metal insertion / removal portion 60a and the test metal insertion / removal portion 60b are different in the type of the test metal 61 built in the tip of the arm. The test metal insertion / removal portion 60a includes a test metal 61 of magnetic metal, and the test metal insertion / removal portion 60b includes a test metal 61 of nonmagnetic metal. Therefore, in the third embodiment, two different types of test metal 61 can be inserted into the opening 30a of the detection head 30. The two test metal insertion / removal units 60a and 60b are both controlled by the insertion control unit 68, and one of them operates to insert the test metal 61 of a magnetic metal or a non-magnetic metal at the time of checking the detection operation. It should be noted that the two test metal insertion / removal portions 60a and 60b are not
Never insert 1. The remaining points are the same as in the first embodiment.

As described above, whether the metal detection device 4 is magnetic metal or non-magnetic metal, the detection head 3
Although it can be detected when it passes 0, the basic principle for the detection is different. Therefore, when the sensitivity of the metal detector 4 is abnormal, the magnetic metal can be detected but the non-magnetic metal may not be detected, and vice versa. The kind of metal mixed in the article 9 is indefinite, and if it is not detectable whether it is a magnetic metal or a non-magnetic metal, it cannot be said that sufficient sensitivity is guaranteed. Therefore, in the third embodiment, the test metal inserting / removing portion 60 including the two kinds of different test metals 61, respectively.
By providing a and 60b, the detection operation check is performed for both magnetic metal and non-magnetic metal.

The detection check method itself is the same as in the first embodiment, and the test metal 61 is inserted into the detection head 30 while the article 9 is being conveyed by the conveyor belt 40. However, as described above, the test metal insertion / removal portion 60
a and the test metal insertion / removal portion 60b are alternately placed on the test metal 6
1 will be inserted.

The judging section 52 detects the detecting section 51 for both the test metal inserting / removing section 60a and the test metal inserting / removing section 60b.
When the test metal 61 is detected, it is determined that the sensitivity is normal, and when neither is detected, it is determined that the sensitivity is abnormal. The process after the determination unit 52 makes the determination is the first
This is the same as the embodiment.

With the above arrangement, in the third embodiment,
Since the detection operation check is performed for two types of metals having different magnetic characteristics, and the sensitivity is determined to be normal only when the detection unit 51 detects both types of metal, the metal detection device 4 is sufficient. It is possible to guarantee high sensitivity.

<4. Fourth Embodiment> Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention
An embodiment will be described. The metal detection device 4 of the fourth embodiment differs from that of the first embodiment in the installation position of the test metal insertion / removal portion 60. FIG. 8: is a figure which shows the installation position of the test metal insertion / extraction part 60 in 4th Embodiment. This figure is a view of the detection head 30 as seen from the conveyance direction of the conveyor belt 40. In the fourth embodiment, the test metal 61 is inserted and removed at a position where the test metal 61 can be inserted into the central portion of the opening 30a of the detection head 30. A section 60 is provided.

More specifically, in the fourth embodiment, an actuator 67 is fixed to the upper center of the detection head 30, and the actuator 67 holds the cylinder 65 so that the cylinder 65 can move up and down. Cylinder 65 is test metal 6
The arm 63 containing 1 is provided with the opening 30a of the detection head 30.
With respect to moving back and forth, it is the same as in the first embodiment. When the article 9 is conveyed by the conveyor belt 40 during normal processing, the actuator 67 is arranged so that the article 9 and the test metal inserting / removing section 60 do not interfere with each other.
Raises and retracts the cylinder 65. On the other hand, when the detection operation is checked, the actuator 67 lowers the cylinder 65, and when the arm 63 is moved forward, the test metal 61 can be inserted into the central portion of the opening 30a of the detection head 30. The remaining points are the same as in the first embodiment.

As described above, the opening 3 of the detection head 30
The central portion of 0a is the region with the lowest detection sensitivity, and if the detection unit 51 cannot detect the insertion when the test metal 61 is inserted into the region, the sensitivity cannot be sufficiently guaranteed. Therefore, in the fourth embodiment, the installation position of the test metal insertion / removal section 60 is different from that in the first embodiment, and the test metal 61 is inserted into the central portion of the opening 30a of the detection head 30 during the detection operation check. -ing

If the detection unit 51 can detect the insertion when the test metal 61 is inserted into the central portion of the opening 30a of the detection head 30, the detection unit can be inserted even when the test metal 61 is inserted into other portions. 51 can be detected. That is, in the fourth embodiment, the detection operation check is performed under the condition of the lowest sensitivity (the strictest),
A reliable detection operation check of the metal detection device 4 can be performed.

<5. Fifth Embodiment> Next, the fifth embodiment of the present invention
An embodiment will be described. The metal detection device 4 of the fifth embodiment differs from that of the first embodiment in the form of the test metal insertion / removal portion. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the arrangement of the test metal insertion / removal section 80 of the fifth embodiment, and FIG. 10 is a view showing the configuration of the test metal insertion / removal section 80.

The test metal insertion / removal section 80 is used for the detection head 30.
And is fixedly provided through the opening 30a. The test metal insertion / removal portion 80 is provided inside the cylinder 81 with the test metal 6
1 is provided with a shuttle 82. The cylinder 81 is a hollow tubular member made of a non-magnetic non-conductive material, and ventilation pipes 83a and 83b are connected to both ends of the hollow tubular member in the longitudinal direction. Cylinder 8
1 is composed of a non-magnetic non-conductive material,
This is to prevent the cylinder 81 itself from affecting the magnetic field generated by the transmission coil 31, as in the first embodiment. The ventilation pipes 83a and 83b are configured so that air can be supplied into the cylinder 81 from either one of them. The test metal insertion / removal section 80 is
It is arranged between the conveyor belt 40 and the detection head 30.

The shuttle 82 is a non-magnetic, non-conductive lump member that contains the test metal 61 and is movably arranged in the cylinder 81. The shuttle 82 is moved from the position indicated by the solid line in FIG.
It can be moved to the position indicated by the dotted chain line. On the other hand, ventilation pipe 8
By supplying air from 3b, the shuttle 82 can be moved from the two-dot chain line position in FIG. 10 to the solid line position. That is, the ventilation pipes 83a and 83b are connected to the cylinder 81.
It functions as a moving means for reciprocating the shuttle 82 inside.

By moving the shuttle 82 back and forth in the cylinder 81, the test metal 61 is moved to the detection head 30.
Through the opening 30a of the test metal 61
Can be inserted into and removed from the magnetic field generated by the transmission coil 31. As the test metal 61 built in the shuttle 82, a magnetic metal ball or a non-magnetic metal ball having a predetermined size corresponding to the detection sensitivity may be used as in the first embodiment. In addition, the operation of the test metal insertion / removal unit 80 depends on the insertion control unit 6.
It is also the same as in the first embodiment in that it is controlled by 8.

In the fifth embodiment, while the article 9 is being conveyed by the conveyor belt 40, the test metal inserting / removing section 80 supplies air from the ventilation pipe 83a or the ventilation pipe 83b to move the shuttle 82 and detect it. The test metal 61 is put into the head 30. At this time, the cylinder 81
Is not penetrating the central portion of the opening 30a of the detection head 30, the conversion unit 59 causes the signal change induced in the receiving coils 32a and 32b by the opening 30a as in the first embodiment.
It is converted into a value when the test metal 61 is put in the central portion of a to obtain a corrected signal change, and the detection unit 51 detects based on the corrected signal change. The rest of the configuration and the processing contents are the same as those in the first embodiment, and the effects produced by them are also the same as those in the first embodiment, so description thereof will be omitted.

As described above, the metal detection device 4 of the fifth embodiment can be realized only by providing the shuttle-type test metal insertion / removal section 80, so that the operation of the production line is stopped with a simple structure. The detection operation check can be performed without performing the above.

<6. Sixth Embodiment> Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention
An embodiment will be described. FIG. 11: is a figure which shows the whole structure of the metal detection system of 6th Embodiment. In the sixth embodiment, the metal detection device 4 is not provided with a test metal insertion / removal part, and instead, the packaging device 3 is provided with a test metal insertion part 90. The configuration of the metal detection device 4 itself is the same except that the test metal insertion / removal section 60 is not provided.
This is the same as in the first embodiment. The weight checker 5 is omitted.

As described above, the packaging device 3 is arranged on the upstream side of the metal detection device 4 in the production line, and the articles of the constant weight weighed by the weighing device 2 are packed into bags to produce a package. The package produced by the packaging device 3 is sent to the metal detection device 4.

In the sixth embodiment, the test metal feeding section 90 attached to the packaging device 3 mixes the test metal 61 into the packaging body during the process in which the packaging device 3 manufactures the packaging body. FIG. 12 shows the package 7 in which the test metal 61 is mixed.
FIG. A test metal 61 is mixed in the package 7 together with a certain amount of the articles 7a. Then, the package 7 mixed with the test metal 61 is sent to the metal detection device 4 and passes through the opening 30a of the detection head 30 to throw the test metal 61 into the magnetic field generated by the transmission coil 31. It will be. As the test metal 61 mixed in the package 7, a magnetic metal ball or a non-magnetic metal ball having a predetermined size according to the detection sensitivity may be used as in the first embodiment. As the test metal charging unit 90, various known devices that discharge metal balls one by one can be adopted. In addition, as for the input timing,
A signal for ejecting the article 7a is received from the weighing device 2, and the test metal 61 is mixed in in synchronization with the ejection of the article 7a.

The test metal inserting section 90 does not mix the test metal 61 into all the packages 7 manufactured by the packaging apparatus 3, but the test metal inserting / removing section 60 in the first embodiment is provided at regular intervals. The test metal 61 may be mixed at the same intervals as the test metal 61 is charged. Such a test metal charging part 90 is used for the test metal 61.
Similar to the first embodiment, the timing of mixing is managed by the insertion control unit 68, and is transmitted from the insertion control unit 68 to the determination unit 52. Since the transport speed in the production line is constant, the time from the test metal feeding unit 90 mixing the test metal 61 into the package 7 until the package 7 reaches the detection head 30 of the metal detection device 4 is also constant. Is. Therefore, if the arrival time is stored in advance in the memory attached to the determination unit 52, after the arrival time has elapsed after the signal indicating that the test metal 61 is mixed is transmitted from the insertion control unit 68 to the determination unit 52. By the determination unit 52 confirming whether the detection unit 51 detects the passage of metal,
The same detection operation check as in the first embodiment can be performed. In the sixth embodiment, the insertion control unit 6
8 and the determination unit 52 do not necessarily have to be provided in the metal detection device 4, and may be provided in a control unit for controlling the entire production line. The detection operation check method and the distribution operation itself are the same as those in the first embodiment.

As described above, in the sixth embodiment, since the test metal 61 is mixed in the actually produced package 7, the detection is performed in consideration of the magnetic characteristics of the movement of the article 7a and the conveyor belt 40. The operation check can be performed, and the detection operation check can be performed according to the actual operation state. In addition, the test metal feeding section 9 is attached to the weighing device 2.
0 may be additionally provided, and the test metal 61 may be carried in and mixed into the collecting chute 100 of the weighing device 2.

<7. Seventh Embodiment> Next, the seventh embodiment of the present invention
An embodiment will be described. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the metal detection system of the seventh embodiment. Also in the seventh embodiment, the metal detection device 4 is not provided with the test metal insertion / removal section, but instead, the labeler 8 is incorporated into the production line, and the test metal 61 is input by the labeler 8. The configuration of the metal detection device 4 itself is the same as that of the first embodiment except that the test metal insertion / removal section 60 is not provided. The product name, price, date of production, etc. are printed on the surface of the label. The back surface of the label is an adhesive surface.

In the production line, the packaging device 3 is arranged upstream of the metal detection device 4, and the articles of a constant weight weighed by the weighing device 2 are packed in a bag to produce a package. The labeler 8 is arranged between the packaging device 3 and the metal detection device 4 in the production line, issues a label, and affixes the label to the package produced by the packaging device 3. To the metal detection device 4, the labeler 8 sends out the package with the label attached.

In the seventh embodiment, the labeler 8 has a built-in test metal charging section for sticking a test metal to the label to be stuck to the package. The labeler 8 attaches a printed label to which the test metal is attached to the package. FIG. 14: is a figure which shows the package 7 to which the label 95 to which the test metal 61 was stuck was stuck. A certain amount of articles 7a are packed in the package 7, and a label 95 having the test metal 61 attached is attached to the outer surface thereof. Then, the package 7 of FIG. 14 is sent to the metal detection device 4,
By passing through the opening 30a of the detection head 30, the test metal 61 is put into the magnetic field generated by the transmission coil 31. As the test metal 61 attached to the label 95, a magnetic metal ball or a non-magnetic metal ball having a predetermined size corresponding to the detection sensitivity may be used as in the first embodiment. Further, as the test metal charging unit built in the labeler 8, various known devices for discharging metal balls one by one and adhering them to the back surface of the label can be adopted.

The test metal charging unit built in the labeler 8 does not attach the test metal 61 to all the packages 7 produced by the packaging device 3, but at regular intervals, for example, in the first embodiment. Insertion and removal part 60 is test metal 61
The test metal 61 may be attached at the same intervals as the intervals at which is input. The timing at which the test metal loading unit attaches the test metal 61 is managed by the insertion control unit 68, and is transmitted from the insertion control unit 68 to the determination unit 52, as in the first embodiment. Since the transport speed in the production line is constant, the time from the test metal feeding section pasting the test metal 61 to the arrival of the package 7 at the detection head 30 of the metal detection device 4 is also constant. Therefore, if the arrival time is stored in advance in a memory attached to the determination unit 52, the insertion control unit 68 determines the determination unit 5
The determination unit 52 confirms whether or not the detection unit 51 detects the passage of metal after the arrival time has elapsed from the time when the signal indicating that the test metal 61 is attached to 2 is transmitted. The same detection operation check can be performed. Note that in the seventh embodiment, the insertion control unit 68
The determination unit 52 does not necessarily have to be provided in the metal detection device 4, but may be provided in a control unit for controlling the entire production line. Instead of the weighing device 2 and the packaging device 3, a so-called stretch packaging machine or the like may be arranged upstream.

As described above, in the seventh embodiment, the test metal 61 is applied to the label attached to the actually produced package 7.
Since the product is attached, the article 7a and the conveyor belt 40
It is possible to perform the detection operation check in consideration of the magnetic characteristics of the movement of the, and it is possible to perform the detection operation check according to the actual operation state.

<8. Modifications> Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above examples. For example, the production line is not limited to the one shown in FIG. 1, and the necessary devices may be incorporated as appropriate according to the type of articles to be produced.

In each of the above embodiments, the transmitter coil 3 is used.
Although the AC signal is output to 1 to generate the AC magnetic field, the DC signal may be output to generate the DC magnetic field. Further, the magnetic field may be generated by a permanent magnet instead of the transmission coil 31.

Further, the transmitting coil 31 and the receiving coil 32
a and 32b are not limited to being arranged coaxially,
The transmitting coil may be arranged on one side and the receiving coil may be arranged on the other side with the opening 30a of the detection head 30 interposed therebetween.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the arm-type distribution device 10 that distributes the articles to the outside of the production line by the distribution arm 14 is used. An air jet type sorting device 10 for sorting may be adopted.

Further, in the third embodiment, the detection operation check is carried out for two kinds of metals having different magnetic characteristics, but the detection operation check may be carried out for three or more kinds of metals. In this case, the reliability of the metal detection device 4 is enhanced by determining that the sensitivity is normal only when the detection unit 51 detects all of the three or more metals.
Further, the plurality of types of test metals in the third embodiment are not limited to those having different magnetic characteristics, and may have different sizes. Moreover, the combination may be sufficient.

Further, in the fourth embodiment, a slide moving mechanism for moving the actuator 67 of the test metal inserting / removing portion 60 in the horizontal direction may be further provided. By doing so, it is possible to reliably prevent interference between the test metal insertion / removal section 60 and the conveyed article 9 when the detection operation check is not performed.

The length by which the test metal insertion / removal portion 60 inserts the test metal 61 may be half the length of the detection coil (one of the reception coils 32a and 32b). By doing so, the time required for inserting and removing the test metal 61 can be shortened, and the check efficiency can be improved.

In the case where the articles are continuously conveyed from the upstream without the time for checking the detection operation, the stop control unit 53 as the external control means controls the upstream devices (the supply device 1, the weighing device 2, the packaging device). It suffices to reduce the processing speed of 3), intentionally create the article conveyance interval, and use the conveyance interval to check the detection operation. Specifically, the photoelectric tube 69 detects the conveyance interval of the articles, and when it is narrower than a predetermined interval, when the test metal insertion / removal section 60 inserts / removes the test metal 61, it is located upstream of the metal detection device 4. The stop control unit 53 issues a control signal to the devices (the supply device 1, the weighing device 2, the packaging device 3) to reduce the processing speed. It should be noted that the term “decrease in processing speed” here includes not only reducing the processing speed of the upstream apparatus but also stopping the processing of the upstream apparatus. The test metal insertion / removal unit 60 inserts / removes the test metal 61 when the article conveyance interval becomes large and there is no article in the magnetic field. By doing so, even when the articles are continuously conveyed without interruption, the detection operation check can be performed by forcibly creating the article conveyance interval. Furthermore, in this case, the test metal 61 is used when there is no article in the magnetic field.
And the insertion and removal of the test metal 61 with the article 9 conveyed by the conveyor belt 40 as in the second embodiment and at the same speed as the conveyance speed of the article 9 are switched. As described above, the insertion control unit 68 may control the test metal insertion / removal unit 60.

Further, a means for detecting the operation of the test metal insertion / removal section 60 itself, for example, a sensor such as a photoelectric tube for detecting the operation of the arm 63 may be provided. By doing so, it is possible to check whether or not the test metal insertion / removal unit 60 itself is operating properly at the time of checking the detection operation.

[0102]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, when the test means detects the metal when the test metal is inserted into the magnetic field during the operation of the metal detecting device, Since it is determined to be normal and abnormal if not detected, the detection operation check can be performed without stopping the metal detection device, that is, without lowering the workability of the metal detection operation.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the test metal is inserted into the magnetic field together with the article conveyed by the conveying means and at a speed substantially the same as the conveying speed of the article, the actual article is actually inserted. It is possible to carry out a test under the same conditions as when the metal is mixed in and to perform a more realistic detection operation check.

Further, according to the third aspect of the present invention, a plurality of types of test metals can be inserted in the magnetic field, so that the detection operation check can be performed for a plurality of types of metals.

Further, according to the invention of claim 4, when at least two kinds of the plurality of kinds of test metals are inserted into and removed from the magnetic field and the detecting means detects at least two kinds of inserted test metals. Since it is judged to be normal, it is possible to guarantee the sensitivity of the device for a plurality of kinds of metals.

Further, according to the invention of claim 5, since the recording means for recording the judgment result by the judging means is provided, the judgment result can be used for the investigation at a later date, and it is also useful for the quality control of the article. be able to.

Further, according to the invention of claim 6, since the test metal is inserted into the central portion of the opening of the detection head, the detection operation check is performed under the condition of the lowest sensitivity. A reliable detection operation check can be performed.

According to the invention of claim 7, when the test metal is inserted in a portion other than the central portion of the opening of the detection head, a signal change induced in the receiving coil due to the disturbance of the magnetic field is detected. It is converted to the value when the test metal is inserted into the section to obtain the corrected signal change, and the detection means detects the passage of the metal from the corrected signal change, so the detection operation is checked under the condition with the lowest sensitivity. This is the same as performing the above, and a reliable detection operation check of the metal detection device can be performed.

Further, according to the invention of claim 8, the metal inserting / removing means is arranged outside the magnetic field and the non-magnetic non-conductive arm member having the test metal at the tip, and the tip of the arm member is exposed to the magnetic field. Since the arm driving means for inserting / removing into / from is provided, the detection operation check can be performed with a simple structure without lowering the metal detection efficiency.

Further, according to the invention of claim 9, the metal insertion / removal means has a hollow non-magnetic non-conductive tubular member arranged in the magnetic field and a test metal, and is movable in the tubular member. Since the non-magnetic non-conductive lump member and the moving means for reciprocating the lump member in the tubular member are provided in the tubular member, the detection operation can be checked with a simple structure without lowering the metal detection efficiency. It can be performed.

Further, according to the invention of claim 10, when the metal detecting device is incorporated in a production line for producing articles, and when the judging means judges that it is abnormal, the metal detecting device on the upstream side of the metal detecting device in the production line is arranged. Since the apparatus is stopped, it is possible to prevent the metal detection apparatus with the abnormal sensitivity from performing a metal contamination inspection and prevent the metal detection apparatus from overflowing the articles.

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, when the metal insertion / removal means reduces the processing speed of the upstream device when inserting / removing the test metal, the case where the article is conveyed without interruption Even in this case, the detection operation check can be performed.

According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, the test metal is inserted into the magnetic field together with the article conveyed by the conveying means and at a speed substantially the same as the conveying speed of the article, or in the magnetic field. Since the metal insertion / removal means is controlled so as to insert or remove the test metal when there is no article in the article, it is possible to perform a detection operation check in accordance with the transportation state of the article. Versatility can be improved.

According to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, since the articles conveyed with the insertion of the test metal are distributed to the outside of the production line, the articles for which normal metal detection has not been performed flow directly on the production line. You can prevent it from continuing.

According to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, when the determination means determines that there is an abnormality, all the articles conveyed after the article conveyed with the insertion of the test metal are distributed to the outside of the production line. Therefore, it is possible to prevent an article for which normal metal detection is not performed from continuing to flow on the production line as it is.

According to the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, since the insertion / removal detection means for detecting the insertion / removal operation of the metal insertion / removal means is provided, it is checked whether or not the metal insertion / removal means itself is operating properly. can do.

According to the sixteenth aspect of the invention, when the detection means detects the metal in the article in which the test metal is mixed, it is judged as normal, and when it is not detected, it is judged as abnormal. The detection operation check can be performed without stopping the metal detection device, that is, without lowering the workability of the metal detection operation.

According to the seventeenth aspect of the invention, since the article is a package and the test metal is mixed in the package, it is possible to check the detection operation according to the actual operating condition.

According to the eighteenth aspect of the present invention, the article is a package, and the test metal is attached to the label attached to the package. Therefore, the detection operation check according to the actual operating state is performed. You can

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of a production line in which a metal detection device according to the present invention is incorporated.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a flow of processing in the production line of FIG.

FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of a metal detection device according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a metal detection device and a distribution device.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a metal detection device and a distribution device.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration of a test metal insertion / removal section.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a metal detection device according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an installation position of a test metal insertion / removal portion according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an arrangement of test metal insertion / removal portions according to a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a configuration of a test metal inserting / removing portion of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a metal detection system of a sixth embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a view showing a package in which a test metal is mixed.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a metal detection system of a seventh embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a view showing a package to which a label having a test metal attached is attached.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 feeder 2 weighing devices 3 packaging equipment 4 Metal detector 5 X-ray foreign matter detection device 6 case packer 7 packaging 7a, 9 articles 8 Labelers 10 Sorting unit 19 Distribution control unit 30 detection head 30a opening 31 transmitter coil 32a, 32b receiving coil 40 conveyor belt 50 Operation control unit 51 detector 52 Judgment section 53 Stop controller 55a Warning display section 58 recording section 59 Conversion Department 60, 60a, 60b, 80 Test metal insertion / removal part 61 test metal 63 arms 68 Input control section 81 cylinders 82 Shuttle 83a, 83b ventilation pipe 90 Test metal input section 95 labels

Claims (18)

[Claims] 1. A conveying means for conveying an article in a substantially horizontal direction, a magnetic field generating means for generating a magnetic field in a conveying path of the conveying means, a receiving coil for receiving a magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generating means, and the receiving means. In a metal detection device provided with a detection means for detecting whether or not metal is mixed in an article that has passed through the magnetic field based on the output from the coil, in the magnetic field during operation of the metal detection device. A metal insertion / removal means for inserting / removing the test metal, and when the metal insertion / removal means inserts the test metal, it is judged as normal when the detection means detects the metal, and abnormal when not detected. A metal detection device comprising: a determination unit that determines that the determination is made, and a warning unit that issues a warning when the determination unit determines that the abnormality has occurred. 2. The metal detecting device according to claim 1, wherein the metal inserting / removing means removes the test metal together with an article conveyed by the conveying means and at a speed substantially the same as a conveying speed of the article. A metal detection device characterized by being inserted into the magnetic field. 3. The metal detection device according to claim 1, wherein the metal insertion / removal unit is capable of inserting / removing a plurality of types of test metals into / from the magnetic field. apparatus. 4. The metal detection device according to claim 3, wherein the metal insertion / removal means inserts / removes at least two kinds of the plurality of kinds of test metals into / from the magnetic field, and the determination means is inserted. In addition, the metal detecting device is characterized as normal when the detecting means detects the at least two kinds of test metals. 5. The metal detection device according to claim 1, further comprising a recording unit that records the determination result by the determination unit. 6. The metal detection device according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic field generation unit and the reception coil are incorporated in a detection head having an opening through which the transport path passes, The insertion / removal means inserts the test metal into the central portion of the opening of the detection head. 7. The metal detection device according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic field generation unit and the reception coil are incorporated in a detection head having an opening through which the transport path passes, and the detection is performed. When the test metal is inserted in a portion other than the central portion of the opening of the head, a signal change induced in the receiving coil due to the disturbance of the magnetic field is generated when the test metal is inserted in the central portion of the opening. The metal detection device further comprising: a conversion unit that converts the corrected signal change to a value of 1 to obtain the corrected signal change, and the detection unit detects passage of metal from the corrected signal change. 8. The metal detection device according to claim 1, wherein the metal insertion / removal means includes a nonmagnetic nonconductive arm member having a test metal at a tip thereof, and the magnetic field An arm driving unit that is arranged outside and that inserts / removes the tip of the arm member into / from the magnetic field. 9. The metal detection device according to claim 1, wherein the metal insertion / removal means is a hollow nonmagnetic nonconductive tubular member arranged in the magnetic field, and a test is performed. A non-magnetic, non-conductive lump member that is movably arranged in the tubular member, and a moving unit that reciprocates the lump member within the tubular member. Metal detection device. 10. The metal detection device according to claim 1, wherein the metal detection device is incorporated in a production line for producing articles, and when the determination means determines that the abnormality occurs. The metal detection device further comprising stop control means for stopping a device upstream of the metal detection device in the production line. 11. The metal detecting device according to claim 1, wherein the metal detecting device is incorporated in a production line for producing articles, and issues a control signal to a device upstream of the metal detecting device in the production line. An external control means is further provided, wherein the metal insertion / removal means inserts / removes the test metal when there is no article in the magnetic field, and the external control means has the metal insertion / removal means inserts / removes the test metal. The metal detection device is characterized in that the processing speed of the upstream device is reduced when the metal detection device is operated. 12. The metal detection device according to claim 1, wherein the metal detection device is incorporated in a production line for producing articles, and issues a control signal to a device upstream of the metal detection device in the production line. When the test metal is inserted into the magnetic field together with the external control means and the article conveyed by the conveying means and at a speed substantially the same as the conveying speed of the article, or when there is no article in the magnetic field. Further comprising an insertion / removal control means for controlling the metal insertion / removal means to insert or remove the test metal, when the metal insertion / removal means has no article in the magnetic field. When the test metal is inserted and removed, the external control means reduces the processing speed of the upstream device when the metal insertion and removal means inserts and removes the test metal. Metal detection equipment. 13. The metal detection device according to claim 10 or 12, further comprising a distribution device that distributes an article conveyed together with the insertion of the test metal, to the outside of the production line. Metal detector. 14. The metal detection device according to claim 13, wherein, when the determination unit determines that the distribution device is abnormal, all of the products conveyed after the article conveyed along with the insertion of the test metal. A metal detection device, characterized in that articles are distributed to the outside of the production line. 15. The metal detection device according to claim 1, further comprising an insertion / removal operation detection unit that detects an insertion / removal operation of the metal insertion / removal unit. apparatus. 16. A metal detection system, which is incorporated in a production line for producing an article and detects a metal mixed in an article to be produced, the article comprising: a delivery means for delivering an article in a substantially horizontal direction; and the delivery means. Magnetic field generating means for generating a magnetic field in the transport path of, a receiving coil for receiving the magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generating means, based on the output from the receiving coil, metal is mixed into the article passing through the magnetic field. A detection means for detecting whether or not there is a metal detection device, a metal mixing device arranged upstream of the metal detection device for mixing a test metal into the article, and the detection device is a test metal. When the metal mixed with the mixed metal is detected, it is judged as normal, and when it is not detected, it is judged as abnormal, and the product conveyed with the introduction of the test metal is judged as the production line. Metal detection system, characterized in that it comprises between distributing means for distributing to the outside, and a warning means for warning when said judgment means judges as abnormal. 17. The metal detection system according to claim 16, wherein the article is a packaging body, and the packaging machine or the packaging body is disposed upstream of the metal detection apparatus in the production line and produces the packaging body. A metal detecting device further comprising a weighing device for weighing an object to be packaged, wherein the metal mixing means is attached to the packaging device or the weighing device, and mixes the test metal in the package. system. 18. The metal detection system according to claim 16, wherein the article is a package, and the packaging device is arranged upstream of the metal detection device in the production line and produces the package; Arranged between the packaging device and the metal detection device in the line, further comprising a label sticking device for sticking a label to the packaging body, the metal mixing means is attached to the label sticking device,
A metal detection system, wherein the test metal is attached to a label attached to the package.