JP2004361207A - Method and device for inspecting leak of sealed packaging container - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a leak inspection method and its device for sealed packaging containers which inspect the sealed state of a sealed container with high precision, can be used for a filling packer etc. and can perform inspection continuously. <P>SOLUTION: When no inspection is performed, the gas in a hood 22 i.e. in a dead space 89 is purged with a cleaning gas, and along with it the gas in an inspection passage communicating with a helium sensor 34 from the hood is also purged. A high-pressure cleaning gas is supplied into the hood, especially when the sealing section of the container 2 is put in the hood, and a contaminated air in the periphery of the inspection device 21 is prevented from entering the hood. When inspection is performed, an inner cylinder 61 is moved upwards with respect to the outer cylinder 41, the gas in the dead space 89 is led into the inspection passage, and an inspecting gas having leaked from the container is detected. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for inspecting leaks or leaks in a sealed packaging container, and more particularly, to filling a packaging container with contents and enclosing an inspection gas for sealing, and detecting the inspection gas. The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for detecting the presence or absence of a leak by doing so.
[0002]
[Prior art]
It is widely practiced to package various products such as food in closed containers, but from the viewpoint of quality maintenance and safety, it is important that there is no leak from the sealed container. Various proposals have been made.
[0003]
For example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-134164, a detection head detachable so as to seal a joint between the container and the lid by enclosing a nitrogen gas or an argon gas mixed with helium gas in a container, and to surround the joint. Is installed, and the space around the joint is connected to a leak detector to detect leaks. In this case, since the head is detachable, it is possible to perform a continuous or line-based inspection.
[0004]
In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-187152, a sealed bag filled with helium gas together with an enclosure is placed in a container having an airflow, and the bag is pushed by mechanical pressing means to increase the internal pressure inside the bag. It leads to a helium detector. It says that the inspection can be performed without destroying the sealed bag and without losing the enclosure.
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-2002-134164 (pages 2-3, FIGS. 1 and 2)
[Patent Document 2]
JP-A-7-187152 (pages 2-4, FIG. 1).
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in any of the above cases, if there is a leak in the container, the leak from the container occurs before and after the inspection as well as during the inspection of the leak. Furthermore, when a test gas such as helium is sealed in a container, spillage occurs. Therefore, the leaked test gas is present in the working environment. In such an environment, where a gas flow is generated or a head is mounted, the gas to be tested includes a test gas that has so spilled out of the container or leaked from the previously tested container, There is a problem with the accuracy of the inspection.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems of the related art, and has as its object to provide a method and an apparatus for inspecting a leak in a sealed container which can be inspected continuously and have excellent inspection accuracy.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is directed to a method for inspecting a leak of a container, in which a gas for inspection is sealed in a container, the container is sealed in a sealed portion of the container, and an inspection is performed by measuring a leakage amount of the gas for inspection. Covering at least the closed portion of the container with a hood, guiding the gas in the hood to an inspection gas detector to detect and measure the inspection gas, and detecting and measuring at least the inspection gas. Prior to the above, there is provided a leak inspection method for a packaging container, wherein the inside of the hood is purged with a cleaning gas containing a gas of a type different from the inspection gas.
[0009]
The invention of the present application also provides a method for degassing the inside of a packaging container, filling the container with a liquid material, filling the container with an inspection gas, and sealing the sealed portion of the container. A filling and packaging method for implementing an inspection method is provided.
[0010]
Further, the invention of the present application is to seal a test gas in a container, seal in a closed portion of the container, perform a test by measuring the amount of leakage of the test gas, in a container leak inspection device, at least the closed portion of the container A hood member to be covered, an inspection gas detector connected to the hood member, and a cleaning gas supply connected to the hood device and supplying a cleaning gas containing a gas different from the inspection gas into the hood member. Provided is a leak detecting device for a sealed container, comprising: a device; and a determining device for determining whether the sealed state of the container is good or not based on a signal from an inspection gas detector. Since the inside of the hood can be purged before the inspection, contaminated air around the inspection device is prevented from entering the hood, and a highly accurate leak inspection can be performed. In addition, since the inspection is performed by covering the container with a hood, a continuous inspection is easy, and it is very convenient to use it for a filling and packaging machine.
[0011]
In one embodiment, an on-off valve that is connected between the cleaning gas supply unit and the inspection gas detector and that permits or shuts off the supply of the inspection gas to the inspection gas detector is further provided. Thus, the inspection passage can be cleaned with the cleaning gas during non-inspection, so that the inspection accuracy can be further improved.
[0012]
In still another embodiment, the hood member includes an outer cylinder and a sliding member slidably disposed inside the outer cylinder, and the open / close valve is configured by the outer cylinder and the sliding member. The on-off valve opens and closes when the sliding member slides. Thus, the inspection passage can be more reliably and stably cleaned.
[0013]
In still another embodiment, the hood member further includes driving means for sliding the sliding member. As a result, the risk of contaminated air being drawn into the inspection passage can be reliably prevented as compared with a case where the sliding member is biased by a spring or the like and the sliding member is moved by abutment of the cap.
[0014]
In still another embodiment, the hood member includes a guide member fixedly arranged inside the slide member and guiding the slide member, and the sealed portion of the container is received in the guide member. It has become so. As a result, even if the sliding member slides, the volume of the cavity of the hood that receives the sealed portion of the container does not change, and air contaminated with the test gas is caught in the cavity 89. To prevent. This stabilizes the inspection accuracy.
[0015]
In still another embodiment, the apparatus further includes pressure switching means for switching the supply pressure of the cleaning gas supplied from the cleaning gas supply means into the hood member to at least two levels, high and low. This makes it possible to increase the pressure of the cleaning gas at an appropriate timing before the start of the inspection, enhance the purging effect, and improve the inspection accuracy.
[0016]
Further, in one embodiment, the hood covers only the enclosure of the container for leak testing. As a result, a higher-speed inspection can be performed.
[0017]
The present invention is further a filling and packaging machine for filling a packing container with a spout with a filling material, which degass the inside of the packaging container, fills the liquid material, and fills a test gas with a liquid material filling nozzle, A filling and packaging machine provided with a sealing means for sealing a mouth portion of a spout of a filled container and a leak inspection device for any of the above-mentioned closed packaging containers.
[0018]
When the inspection device is installed in the filling and packaging machine, the air around the inspection device is reliably contaminated by the inspection gas because the gas for inspection is sealed in the same space. Works effectively.
[0019]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, but these are exemplifications and do not limit the scope of the present invention.
[0020]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a filling and packaging machine 1 that uses a leak inspection apparatus of the present invention to automatically fill, for example, liquid food. The filling and packaging machine 1 fills a container 2 with a spout 3 with liquid food. , Cap 4 for sealing. In the figure, reference numeral 5 denotes a rotary table that rotates intermittently, and a plurality of spout holding members 6 are attached to the rotary table 5 at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction. Since these are publicly known, detailed description is omitted.
[0021]
In the present embodiment, the numbers described on the turntable 5 indicate the order of the working steps. In step 1, the container 2 to which the spouts 3 are attached is supplied, and the spouts 3 are held in a known manner. The container 2 is held by holding the container 2.
[0022]
Steps 2 and 3 are preliminary, and in this embodiment, no operation is performed in these steps. When the container 2 moves to the step 4, a nozzle 7 is provided in the step 4, and the liquid supply device 8 and the deaeration and helium supply device 9 are connected to the nozzle. As the nozzle 7, for example, a nozzle as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-211692 can be used, and the nozzle 7 switches communication between the liquid supply device 8 and the deaeration and helium supply device 9. It is supposed to be. The deaeration and helium supply device 9 includes a vacuum source 9a and a helium supply source 9b, and communication with the nozzle 7 is switched by an electromagnetic valve 9c. 9d is a control device.
[0023]
First, when the tip of the nozzle 7 comes into contact with the mouth of the spout 3, the nozzle 7 is connected to the degassing and vacuum source 9 a of the helium supply device 9, and the inside of the container 2 is degassed. Next, the nozzle 7 is communicated with a liquid supply device 8, and is filled with a liquid as a filler. When a predetermined amount of liquid is filled, the nozzle 7 is again connected to the degassing and helium supply device 9. However, in this case, the communication is switched by the solenoid valve 9c to communicate with the helium supply source 9b, and a predetermined amount of helium is sealed. This helium is an inspection gas detected in an inspection step 8 described later. However, the test gas is not limited to helium.
[0024]
In step 5, the mouth of the spout 3 is washed, and in step 6, the mouth of the spout 3 is dried by air blowing. Then, in step 7, the cap 4 is supplied, put on the spout 3, and fastened. That is, it is sealed. In step 8, a leak test is performed using a leak test device 21 described later, and in step 9, the container 2 is removed from the spout holding member 6 and discharged onto the conveyor 10. Defective products are configured such that the second conveyor 11 is inclined and removed from the discharge line, and non-defective products are delivered to the third conveyor 12.
[0025]
In the case of the packaging container 2 with the spout 3 used in the present embodiment, a so-called inner seal made of a thin plastic sheet is affixed to the tip end of the spout 3 before the cap 4 is attached and tightened. As a result, a method of sealing the mouth of the spout 3 and subsequently attaching the cap 4 may be adopted. In this case, since the sealing performance of the inner seal becomes a problem, a leak inspection step is provided after the step of attaching the inner seal, and then a cap attaching step is provided.
[0026]
FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the leak inspection device 21. In step 8 for performing a leak test, a press device 13 is also provided, and the air cylinder 14 is operated to press the container 2 from both sides with the press plates 15a and 15b. This facilitates leak inspection.
[0027]
The leak inspection device 21 includes a hood 22 that is covered from above the cap 4 so as to cover a tightened portion between the cap 4 and the spout 3, that is, a sealed portion, as described later. The hood 22 is fixed to an elevating shaft (not shown), which is erected on a machine stand and rises and falls by a cam, and moves up and down.
[0028]
The hood 22 is connected to first and second nitrogen gas supply lines 23 and 24. These lines 23, 24 are connected to a nitrogen gas supply. The first line 23 is partially divided into two parallel branch lines 23a and 23b each including a low-pressure regulator 26 and a high-pressure regulator 27. The first line 23 is switched by a solenoid valve 29 to reduce nitrogen to a low pressure. Alternatively, it is supplied under high pressure. The second line 24 is provided with a low-pressure regulator 28. The nitrogen gas supplied from the nitrogen gas supply source 25 to the hood 22 is used for cleaning or purging the inside of the hood 22 as described later, and for sending the helium gas leaking from the container 2 to the helium detector 34 accompanying the helium gas. Used as gas.
[0029]
Reference numeral 32 denotes an air cylinder that is connected to the compressor 30 via the electromagnetic valve 31 and that raises and lowers an inner cylinder of the hood 22 described below. Reference numeral 34 denotes a helium detector having a built-in vacuum pump. As the detector 34, a known detector can be used. Reference numeral 35 is a control device.
[0030]
Next, the configuration of the hood 22 will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, the hood 22 has a double structure, and includes an outer cylinder 41 and an inner cylinder 61.
[0031]
The outer cylinder 41 has a cylindrical side wall 42 and a bottom wall 43, and is a cylinder whose upper side in FIG. 3 is open, and has two steps, that is, a first shoulder portion 44 and a second shoulder portion. A portion 45 is formed, and a first cylindrical portion 46 having a large inner diameter and a second cylindrical portion 47 having a small inner diameter are formed concentrically from the upper side. A through hole 48 having a diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the second cylindrical portion 47 is formed in the center of the bottom wall 43. The through-hole 48 includes an upper small diameter portion 49 having a small diameter and a lower large diameter portion 50 having a large diameter. The inner diameter and height of the large diameter portion 50 are dimensions corresponding to the outer diameter and height of the uppermost flange 3a of the spout 3.
[0032]
On one side of the side wall 42, a first through-hole 51 and a second through-hole 52 are formed at positions vertically separated from each other at a portion of the first cylindrical portion 46 and communicate with an internal hole. A groove 53 extending in a predetermined range in the vertical direction is formed on the inner peripheral surface corresponding to the first through hole 51. These first and second through holes 51 and 52 are connected to the first and second nitrogen gas supply lines 23 and 24, respectively, to define supply passages. On the other hand, a third through-hole 54 is formed in the side wall 42 at a position that is the same as the second through-hole 52 in the height direction and on the opposite side in the radial direction. The third through hole 54 is connected to the aforementioned helium detector 4 and defines an inspection passage.
[0033]
The outer cylinder 41 is fixed to an outer cylinder fixing member 57 via mounting members 55 and 56 at its upper end. As described above, the outer cylinder fixing member 57 is fixed to an elevating shaft (not shown) which is erected on a machine base and rises and falls by a cam, and moves up and down.
[0034]
Reference numeral 61 denotes an inner cylinder which is slidably fitted in the first cylinder portion 46 of the outer cylinder 41 in an airtight manner and whose lower end is received by the first shoulder 44. The inner cylinder 61 is provided with a hole 62 penetrating vertically, a shoulder 63 is formed at an intermediate position in the height direction, and a first cylinder portion 64 having a small inner diameter on the upper side and an inner diameter on the lower side. The second cylindrical portion 65 is large.
[0035]
A first through hole 66 is formed in the first cylindrical portion 64 at a position corresponding to the groove 53 on the inner peripheral portion of the first cylindrical portion 46 of the outer cylinder 41, and the first peripheral portion is formed in the inner peripheral portion in the circumferential direction. A groove 67 extending at a predetermined length in the height direction is formed at a position corresponding to the through hole 66. Accordingly, the first through hole 51 of the outer cylinder 41 communicates with the groove 67 of the inner cylinder 61 in the state shown in the drawing.
[0036]
At the position near the first cylinder portion 64 of the second cylinder portion 65, vertically long slots 68, 69 penetrating in a radially opposed manner are formed. On the outer peripheral side of the second cylindrical portion 65, a circumferential groove extending in the circumferential direction at a position corresponding to the second and third through holes 52, 54 of the outer cylinder 41 in the height direction in the state of FIG. 70 is formed as a communication passage. That is, the second and third through holes 52 and 54 of the outer cylinder 41 communicate with each other through the circumferential groove 70.
[0037]
The second cylinder portion 65 of the inner cylinder 61 further corresponds to the second and third through holes 52 and 54 of the outer cylinder 41 in a circumferential direction at a position below the aforementioned circumferential groove 70. The second and third through holes 71 and 72 are formed at the positions thus set. When the inner cylinder 61 is moved upward, they communicate with the second and third through holes 52, 54 of the outer cylinder 41, respectively, and define a part of the supply passage and the inspection passage. An air cylinder 73 is attached to the outer cylinder fixing member 57 and moves the inner cylinder 61 up and down by a rod 74.
[0038]
Reference numeral 75 denotes a guide cylinder received in the inner cylinder 61. The outer diameter corresponds to the inner diameter of the second cylindrical portion 65 of the inner cylinder 61, and the inner diameter is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the first cylindrical portion 64. And its length corresponds to the length of the second cylindrical portion 65. Therefore, the upper and lower ends thereof rest on the shoulder 63 of the inner cylinder 61 and the first shoulder 44 of the outer cylinder 41. The guide cylinder 75 is attached to a portion of the side wall 42 of the outer cylinder 41 corresponding to the second cylinder portion 47 so as to extend in the radial direction, and extends through the long holes 68 and 69 of the inner cylinder 61 described above. It is fixed to the outer cylinder 41 by pins 76 and 77.
[0039]
One end of the guide cylinder 75 is located at a position corresponding to the second and third through holes 52, 54 of the outer cylinder 41 and thus the second and third through holes 71, 72 of the inner cylinder 61 in the circumferential direction. At a position above the second and third through holes 71 and 72 of the cylinder 61, an opening is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the guide cylinder 75, and the other end is formed at the lower end surface of the guide cylinder 75 by the second cylindrical portion 47 of the outer cylinder 41. L-shaped passages 78 and 79 are provided as shown in FIG. When the inner cylinder 61 is moved upward, the passages 78 and 79 communicate with the second and third through holes 71 and 72 of the inner cylinder 61, respectively, and define a part of the supply passage and the inspection passage.
[0040]
Reference numeral 83 denotes a sliding shaft. The upper large-diameter portion 84 fits into the first cylindrical portion 64 of the inner cylinder 61, and the lower small-diameter portion 85 fits into the hole 80 of the guide cylinder 75, and the shoulder 86 between them fits. It is received by the upper end surface of the guide cylinder 75. Reference numeral 90 denotes a spring for urging the sliding shaft 83 downward. The distal end of the small diameter portion 85 is fitted in the small diameter portion 49 of the through hole 48 in the bottom wall 43 of the outer cylinder 41. A short protrusion 87 having a small diameter is formed at the tip. Therefore, near the lower end of the sliding shaft 83, an annular space 89 is defined by the inner circumference of the second cylindrical portion 47 of the outer cylinder 41, the inner side surface of the bottom wall 43, and the lower end surface of the guide cylinder 75. I have.
[0041]
One end of the sliding shaft 83 is opened at its outer peripheral surface at a position corresponding to the groove 67 of the inner cylinder 61, and extends radially from the opening to the center of the shaft, where it bends downward and extends, and Thus, a passage 88 is formed which branches into two branches and extends further downward, and the other end of which is open to the lower surface of the sliding shaft 83 on both sides of the projection 87. Accordingly, in the illustrated state, the first through hole 51 of the outer cylinder 41 communicates with the lower surface opening of the sliding shaft 83 via the passage 88.
[0042]
The state shown in FIG. 3 is a state in which the container 2 with the cap 4 attached and tightened is moved below the hood 22 of the leak inspection device 21 and is on standby. At this time, low-pressure nitrogen gas is supplied from the nitrogen gas supply source 25 through the branch line 23a of the first supply line 23, and is guided into the passage 88 of the sliding shaft 83 as understood from the above description. Injection is performed from the opening at the lower end surface to purge the area below the hood 22 to prevent outside air from entering the above-mentioned space 89.
[0043]
On the other hand, in this standby state, low-pressure nitrogen gas is sent from the second supply line 24 to the second through-hole 52 of the outer cylinder 41, and is sent to the helium detector 34 through the third through-hole 54. The inspection passage is being purged.
[0044]
FIG. 4 shows a state in which the elevation shaft (not shown) has been moved downward by the action of the cam from the state shown in FIG. 3 and the hood 22 has been moved downward by a predetermined distance. That is, the entire hood 22 moves downward, and the cap 4 enters the hole 80 of the guide cylinder 75 while preventing the downward movement of the sliding shaft 83, and the upper surface of the spout holding member 6 becomes the lower end surface of the outer cylinder 41. , And the sealed portion between the spout 3 and the cap 4 has entered the above-mentioned space 89.
[0045]
In the inspection preparation state, the communication state between the through-holes of the outer cylinder 41, the inner cylinder 61, and the guide cylinder 75 has not changed from that of FIG. 3, and the purging of the cavity 89 and the inspection passage is continued. I have. However, at a predetermined timing during the transition from the state shown in FIG. 3 to the state shown in FIG. 4, the solenoid valve 29 (FIG. 2) on the nitrogen gas supply side is switched, and high-pressure nitrogen gas is sent to the passage 88 of the sliding shaft 83. And is injected from the opening at the lower end surface. This is because the cap 4 prevents the contaminated air from entering the space 89 when the cap 4 enters the space 89 while preventing the sliding shaft 83 from moving downward. This is to sufficiently purge the surroundings. Further, in this state, the projection 41a provided on the lower end surface of the outer cylinder 41 fits into the opening 6a at the tip of the spout holding member 6, and fills the opening 6a (see FIG. 2). . In this state, the space between the lower end surface of the outer cylinder 41 and the upper surface of the spout holding member 6 is not completely sealed.
[0046]
Next, the operation moves from the state of FIG. 4 to the inspection state of FIG. That is, the inner cylinder 61 is moved upward by a predetermined distance by the operation of the air cylinder 73. In this state, the nitrogen gas sent from the second nitrogen gas supply line 24 to the second through hole 52 of the outer cylinder 41 passes through the second through hole 71 of the inner cylinder 61 and the L-shaped passage 78 of the guide cylinder 75. The helium detector 34 enters the empty space 89 and is sent to the helium detector 34 through the opposite L-shaped passage 79 and the through holes 72 and 54. Therefore, if there is a leak of helium from the container 2, it is sent to the detector 34 together with the nitrogen gas, and the detector 34 detects it. A signal is sent from the detector 34 to the control device 35, where the presence or absence of a leak is determined. Prior to this inspection, the nitrogen gas fed into the passage 88 of the sliding shaft 83 is switched to a low pressure. However, also in this case, the total amount of nitrogen gas sent from the first and second nitrogen gas supply lines 23 and 24 is larger than the amount sucked by the helium detector 34, and the inside of the space 89 is always kept in a positive pressure state. The gas in the space 89 is slightly discharged to the outside through a gap between the lower end surface of the outer cylinder 41 and the upper surface of the spout holding member 6, and the space 89 is purged as a result. Is prevented from entering the empty space 89.
[0047]
When the inspection is completed in this manner, the air cylinder 73 operates to move the inner cylinder 61 in the opposite direction, that is, downward, to the inspection end state in FIG. The flow path of the nitrogen gas in this state is the same as the inspection preparation state in FIG. Thereafter, the process returns to the standby state of FIG.
[0048]
In the above description, nitrogen gas is used as the cleaning gas, but the cleaning gas is not limited to this. Further, since the helium detector to be used can set a reference according to the cleaning gas to be used, helium gas may be contained in the cleaning gas. In other words, it is sufficient that the gas contains a gas that is detectable and different from the test gas.If the concentration of helium gas contained in the gas is stable, a reference value is set in accordance with the value, and The leakage may be determined based on the leakage. Furthermore, the use of air is also possible. That is, any normal air that is guided from a place other than the place where this inspection is performed, that is, air that is not contaminated with helium used for this inspection can be used. The air contains a small amount of helium, and in this case, the concentration may be slightly varied within the small amount. That is, the amount of helium contained in the normal air is very small, and when helium leaks from the container into the aforementioned space 89, which is a limited space, the amount of helium in the space becomes remarkably in terms of the ratio. This is because it will increase.
[0049]
In the above embodiment, the entire hood 22 is moved up and down. However, the hood 22 may be fixed and arranged, and the spout-equipped container 2 may be moved up and down.
[0050]
Next, a hood 101 according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The hood 101 is made of a single member, and is provided with an inspection space 102 that can receive a part of the cap 4 and the spout 3 of the container 2 from the lower surface side of the central portion. The space 102 is provided with a first flow path 103 formed by connecting an L-shaped portion 103a and a forked portion 103b as shown in FIG. Are opened to the outer periphery and connected to the nitrogen gas supply source 104 to form a purge passage 105. On the other hand, a second flow path 106 having one end opened to the cavity 102 and the other end opened to the outer periphery is formed as shown in the figure, and is connected to the helium detector 107 to form an inspection passage 108. Reference numeral 109 denotes an air cylinder that moves the hood up and down.
[0051]
The figure shows a state during the inspection in which the cap 4 is received in the empty space 102. Even when the inspection is not performed, the nitrogen gas is constantly supplied, and the inside of the hood 101 is purged. Further, at this time, the suction device of the detector 107 operates to draw the nitrogen gas into the inspection passage 108, and the passage is also purged. In this embodiment, the supply amount from the nitrogen gas supply source 104 is larger than the supply amount to the inspection passage 108, and the space 102 is purged even during the inspection.
[0052]
FIG. 8 is a view showing the third embodiment. In this embodiment, the hood itself is the same as the hood 101 used in the second embodiment, and therefore, the description thereof will be omitted. This embodiment differs from the second embodiment in that a dedicated purge passage 110 provided with an electromagnetic valve 111 for purging the inspection passage 108 is provided between the purge passage 105 and the inspection passage 108. Is a point. Thus, the inspection passage 108 is actively purged during non-inspection.
[0053]
FIG. 9 shows a fourth embodiment. In this embodiment, in the configuration of the second embodiment, the purge passage 105 is branched midway into first and second branch passages 105a and 105b, and a high pressure regulator 112 and a solenoid valve are provided in the first branch passage 105a. A low-pressure regulator 114 is provided in the second branch passage 105b so that a low-pressure gas can be supplied to the dedicated purge passage 110 and a high-pressure gas and a low-pressure gas can be selectively supplied to the purge passage to the cavity 102. It was done.
[0054]
FIG. 10 shows a fifth embodiment. The hood 121 according to this embodiment includes an outer cylinder 122 attached to an outer cylinder attachment member 123 attached to an elevating shaft (not shown) in the same manner as in the first embodiment. And a sliding member 124 which is slidably received up and down by an air cylinder 125 mounted on the outer cylinder mounting member 123.
[0055]
As in the first embodiment, a first through hole 126, a second through hole 127, a groove 128 formed on the inner peripheral side, and a third through hole 129 are formed in the outer cylinder 122 as shown in the drawing. ing. On the other hand, the sliding member 124 has a passage 130 having the same configuration as the passage 88 formed of the L-shaped portion and the forked portion formed in the sliding shaft 83 in the first embodiment, and the first embodiment. , A circumferential groove 131 having the same configuration as the circumferential groove 70 formed in the inner cylinder 61, and an L-shaped passage 78, 79 having the same configuration as the L-shaped passages 78 and 79 formed in the guide cylinder 75 in the first embodiment. The character-shaped passages 132 and 133 are formed as shown.
[0056]
Reference numeral 134 denotes a nitrogen gas supply source, which is connected to the first and second through holes 126 and 127. A low-pressure regulator 135, a high-pressure regulator 136, an electromagnetic valve 138, and a low-pressure regulator 137 are arranged on the way as shown. This is the same as in the first embodiment. Reference numeral 139 denotes a helium detector, which is connected to the third through hole 133. This is also the same as in the first embodiment.
[0057]
The illustrated state is a preparation state in which the cap 4 is received in the space 140 defined in the outer cylinder 122. The first nitrogen gas supply passage 141 communicates with the inside of the empty space 140 and is purged. On the other hand, the second nitrogen gas supply passage 142 is connected to a helium detector 139 to purge the inspection passage 143. When the sliding member 124 is moved upward by a predetermined distance from this state, the inspection state is established. The second nitrogen gas supply passage 142 communicates with the cavity 140, and the cavity 140 communicates with the inspection passage 143. Is sent to the detector 139, and if there is a leak, it is detected by the detector 139.
[0058]
【The invention's effect】
As is clear from the above description, in the present invention, at least the sealed portion of the sealed container in which the test gas is sealed is covered with the hood, and at least the stage before the start of the inspection, the inside of the hood receiving the sealed portion is purged. At the time of inspection, since air contaminated by the surrounding inspection gas is purged from the inside of the hood, highly accurate leak inspection can be performed. In addition, since the inspection is performed by putting the hood on the container, continuous inspection can be performed, which is very convenient for using an automatic packaging machine or the like.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a filling and packaging machine using a leak inspection device of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of a leak inspection device according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of a hood, showing a standby state.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an inspection preparation state.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an inspection state.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an inspection end state.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a second embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a third embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a fourth embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a fifth embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Filling and packaging machine
2 containers
3 Spout
4 caps
6 Spout holding member
7 nozzle
8 liquid supply device
9 Degassing and helium supply device
21 Leak inspection device
22 Food
23 1st nitrogen gas supply line
24 Second nitrogen gas supply line
25 Nitrogen gas supply source
34 Helium detector
41 outer cylinder
61 inner cylinder
75 Guide tube
83 sliding shaft

Claims (18)

A leak test for a hermetically sealed packaging container, in which a sealed state of a packaging container filled with an object to be packaged and an inspection gas and sealed in the hermetically sealed portion is inspected by measuring a leakage amount of the inspection gas from the hermetically sealed portion. A method of covering at least a closed portion of the container with a hood, guiding the gas in the hood to a test gas detector to detect and measure the test gas, and detecting at least the test gas. Before the measurement, the inside of the hood is purged with a cleaning gas containing a gas of a type different from the inspection gas, and a method for inspecting leaks in a hermetically sealed packaging container. 2. The leak inspection method for a hermetically sealed package according to claim 1, wherein an inspection passage from the hood to the detector is purged with the cleaning gas when the detection gas is not detected and measured. , A leak inspection method for hermetically sealed packaging containers. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the pressure of the cleaning gas is increased at a predetermined timing immediately before the start of the detection and measurement of the inspection gas. Inspection methods. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the purging of the hood is continued even when the detection and the measurement are performed. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein only the closed portion of the container is covered with the hood. The leak inspection method for a hermetically sealed packaging container according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the inspection gas is a helium gas. 7. The leak inspection method for a hermetically sealed packaging container according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning gas is a nitrogen gas. The method for inspecting a leak of a sealed packaging container according to claim 1, wherein the container is filled with an article to be packaged, the container is filled with a gas for inspection, and a sealed portion of the container is sealed. Filling and packaging method. A leak test for a hermetically sealed packaging container, in which a sealed state of a packaging container filled with an object to be packaged and an inspection gas and sealed in the hermetically sealed portion is inspected by measuring a leakage amount of the inspection gas from the hermetically sealed portion. In the apparatus, a hood member that covers at least the sealed portion of the container, an inspection gas detector connected to the hood member, and a cleaning connected to the hood member and containing a gas of a different type from the inspection gas. A cleaning gas supply device that supplies a working gas into the hood member, and a determination device that determines whether the container is in a closed state based on a signal from the inspection gas detector. Leak inspection device for hermetically sealed packaging containers. The leak inspection apparatus for a sealed packaging container according to claim 9, wherein the inspection gas detector is connected between the cleaning gas supply device and the inspection gas detector to allow supply of the inspection gas to the inspection gas detector. Or a leak inspection device for a hermetically sealed packaging container, further comprising an on-off valve for shutting off. The leak inspection device for a hermetically sealed packaging container according to claim 10, wherein the hood member includes an outer cylinder, and a sliding member slidably disposed inside the outer cylinder, and the hood member includes the outer cylinder and the sliding member. The on-off valve is configured, and the on-off valve opens and closes when the sliding member slides, wherein a leak inspection device for a hermetically sealed packaging container is provided. 12. The leak inspection apparatus for a hermetically sealed packaging container according to claim 11, wherein the hood member further includes a driving means for sliding the sliding member. The leak inspection apparatus for a sealed packaging container according to claim 11, wherein the hood member is fixedly disposed inside the sliding member, and includes a guide member that guides the sliding member. A leak inspection device for a hermetically sealed packaging container, wherein the leak inspection device is received in the guide member. 14. The leak inspection apparatus for a hermetically sealed packaging container according to claim 9, wherein a supply pressure of the cleaning gas supplied from the cleaning gas supply unit into the hood member is switched between at least two levels. A leak inspection device for a hermetically sealed packaging container, further comprising a pressure switching means. The leak inspection apparatus for hermetically sealed packaging containers according to any one of claims 9 to 14, wherein only the sealed portion of the container is covered with the hood member. The leak inspection apparatus for a hermetically sealed packaging container according to any one of claims 9 to 15, wherein the inspection gas is helium gas. The leak inspection apparatus for a hermetically sealed packaging container according to any one of claims 9 to 16, wherein the cleaning gas is a nitrogen gas. In a filling and packaging machine that fills a packing container with a spout, a liquid filling nozzle that degass the inside of the packaging container, fills a liquid material, and fills a gas for inspection, and a packing container filled with the filling material. A filling and packaging machine, comprising: a sealing means for sealing a mouth of a spout; and a leak inspection device for a hermetically sealed packaging container according to any one of claims 9 to 17.

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