JP2006292419A - Defect inspection device and ptp packaging machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a defect inspection device capable of suppressing complication of processing in inspection, and improving inspection accuracy, while preventing a smear phenomenon, in defect inspection in a manufacturing process of a PTP sheet, and a PTP packaging machine. <P>SOLUTION: This defect inspection device 21 is used in a stage before fixing a sealing film 4 for blocking a pocket part, after storing a tablet in the pocket part formed on a container film 3 to be conveyed. The defect inspection device 21 is equipped with a lighting system 22 equipped with the first light source and the second light source, a camera 23 capable of imaging light transmitted through the tablet, and an image processing device 24 for processing an image signal outputted from the camera 23. The lighting system 22 is provided on the pocket part side of the container film 3, and the camera 23 is provided on the opposite side to the lighting system 22 through the container film 3. Then, transmitted light inspection on a tablet chip or the like is executed by light transmitted through the tablet in light from the first light source and by light directly entering the camera 23 from the second light source. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a device including a device for defect inspection that is performed using relatively strong light that is transmitted through a tablet, a capsule, or the like in manufacturing a PTP sheet, and a PTP packaging machine that includes the defect inspection device. Belongs to the field.

  In general, a PTP sheet is attached to a packaging film made of resin in which a pocket portion filled with tablets or the like is formed, and the packaging film so that the opening side of the pocket portion is sealed to the packaging film. It is comprised from the cover film made from aluminum.

  By the way, after the pocket portion is filled with tablets or the like, before the cover film is attached, it is inspected for abnormality relating to the chipping of the surface of the tablet or the like. As such an inspection method, it is common to perform inspection after obtaining luminance data from an image signal based on irradiating a tablet with predetermined light using an irradiating means and imaging the reflected light there. is there.

  However, in the above technique, it is necessary to prepare an irradiation means that can shade the chipped portion of the tablet. On the other hand, when irradiation is performed using such irradiation means, the illuminance unevenness on the tablet surface increases, and the expected detection accuracy may not be obtained.

On the other hand, after tablet filling, for example, there is a technique in which light is irradiated from an irradiation unit provided on the pocket portion side, and transmitted light is imaged by a camera provided on the side opposite to the irradiation unit. In this technique, based on image data of light transmitted through a packaging film and a tablet, whether or not there is an abnormality such as a chip on the tablet surface is inspected (for example, see Patent Document 1).
JP 2004-198175 A

  However, in the above technique, the irradiation means irradiates relatively strong light enough to pass through the tablet. For this reason, the luminance difference (brightness difference) between the region where the tablet is present and the background region where the tablet is not present is significantly increased. In particular, when the image is taken with a CCD camera, a so-called smear phenomenon occurs, and the tablet region cannot be accurately specified, which may hinder accurate inspection or decrease the abnormality detection accuracy. There was a risk of malfunction.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and when inspecting defects in the manufacturing process of a PTP sheet, a defect inspection apparatus capable of dramatically improving inspection accuracy while preventing smearing, One of the main purposes is to provide a PTP packaging machine. Another object of the present invention is to suppress complication of processing during inspection.

  In the following, each means suitable for solving the above-mentioned purpose will be described in terms of items. In addition, the effect etc. peculiar to the means to respond | correspond as needed are added.

Means 1. In the manufacturing process of the PTP sheet, after the tablet is stored in the pocket portion formed in the belt-shaped packaging film to be conveyed, the stage before the cover film is attached in a sealed state so as to close the pocket portion A defect inspection apparatus used in
Illumination means comprising a first light source and a second light source capable of irradiating the tablet and the packaging film with predetermined light;
The illumination means is provided on the opposite side through the packaging film, and imaging means capable of imaging light that is irradiated from the first light source and the second light source and passes through the tablet and the packaging film;
An image processing device for processing an image signal output from the imaging means,
The image processing device is configured to be able to detect at least a surface abnormality of the tablet based on image data obtained from the image signal,
Of the light from the first light source, light that has passed through the tablet through the packaging film and light that is directly incident on the imaging means from the second light source through the packaging film are captured by the imaging unit. A defect inspection apparatus characterized in that it is configured.

  According to the means 1, in the process of manufacturing the PTP sheet, after the tablet is stored in the pocket portion formed in the belt-shaped packaging film to be conveyed, the cover film is taken in a sealed state so as to close the pocket portion. A defect inspection by a defect inspection apparatus is performed at a stage before being worn. That is, predetermined light is irradiated to the tablet and the packaging film from the light source of the illumination means. Moreover, the light which is irradiated from a light source and permeate | transmits a tablet and the packaging film is imaged by the imaging means provided on the opposite side through the packaging film with respect to the illumination means. In the image processing apparatus, the image signal output from the imaging means is processed, and at least a surface abnormality of the tablet is detected based on the image data obtained from the image signal. For this reason, unlike the case where the inspection is performed using the reflected light, there is no need to worry that the illuminance unevenness on the tablet surface becomes large.

  In addition, when the imaging means is configured to directly capture light that is sufficient to pass through the tablet (relatively strong light), the luminance difference (brightness difference) between the area where the tablet exists and the background area where it does not exist ) May become significantly larger. In this regard, in this means, only the light transmitted through the tablet is picked up by the image pickup means with respect to the light from the first light source. Therefore, by making the first light source capable of irradiating with sufficient light to pass through the tablet, it is possible to carry out the inspection with the transmitted light as described above, and the light incident on the imaging means is strong. It is possible to prevent a problem caused by the excess, for example, a smear phenomenon when a CCD camera or the like is employed as the imaging means.

  Further, for example, when only the light from the first light source is irradiated, the region where the tablet is present is bright and the background region where the tablet is not present is dark. However, among the light from the first light source, the light that passes through the edge portion of the pocket portion (the portion that connects the packaging film surface and the bottom surface of the pocket portion) is transmitted to the imaging means when passing through the edge portion. There is a risk of refraction in the direction of direct incidence. Then, due to the refraction, a portion corresponding to the edge portion in the background region becomes bright, and there is a concern that it is difficult to distinguish between the region where the tablet exists and the region of the edge portion. In particular, if the tablet is close to the edge portion, the region of the edge portion may be recognized as a region where the tablet exists, so there is a tablet distinguishing the tablet from the edge portion. It is necessary to separately perform processing for specifying an area, and in this case, the processing may be complicated.

  In this respect, the present means irradiates light from the second light source, thereby allowing direct incidence of light to the imaging means through the packaging film. For this reason, the background area without the tablet is surely brighter than the area with the tablet. That is, a difference in brightness between the background area where the tablet including the edge portion does not exist and the area where the tablet exists clearly appears, and thus the tablet and the background area can be reliably distinguished. Therefore, it is not necessary to separately perform processing for distinguishing between the edge portion and the tablet in order to specify the tablet region, and the risk that the processing becomes complicated can be suppressed. As a result, it is possible to improve the abnormality detection accuracy while preventing the smear phenomenon and without complicating the processing during the inspection.

  The second light source may be capable of irradiating a relatively weak light that does not cause a smear phenomenon (does not pass through the tablet). In this case, the effect of preventing the smear phenomenon is reliably exhibited.

Mean 2. A configuration in which the first light source is disposed outside a lens field angle range of the imaging unit, and the second light source is disposed within a lens field angle range of the imaging unit; and
The first light source can be irradiated with directional light so that the light from the first light source is irradiated only on the tablet through the packaging film at least during imaging by the imaging means, and 2. The defect inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second light source employs at least one of the configurations that enables irradiation of light directly incident on the imaging unit through the packaging film.

  According to the means 2, the first light source is arranged outside the range of the lens angle of view of the image pickup means, or when the image pickup means takes an image, the light having directivity from the first light source is applied to the tablet through the packaging film. For example, it is possible to reliably prevent (relatively strong) light from the first light source from directly entering the imaging unit, and to prevent a smear phenomenon caused by direct incidence.

  In addition, the light from the second light source is irradiated, so that direct incidence of light to the image pickup means is allowed through the packaging film. By adopting the configuration as described above, the effect of the means 1 is more reliably achieved.

  The “directional light” includes, for example, “light traveling in one direction without spreading” as typified by laser light. Further, in this means, a technical feature is to avoid a problem caused by direct incidence of light from the first light source on the imaging means. For example, “the packaging film out of the light from the first light source” It is also possible to provide light shielding means for blocking light directly incident on the imaging means through the light source from the first light source (except for light directly incident on the imaging means through the packaging film). The above-mentioned problems can be avoided. That is, “light” as described above is also included in “directional light”.

Means 3. In the manufacturing process of the PTP sheet, after the tablet is stored in the pocket portion formed in the belt-shaped packaging film to be conveyed, the stage before the cover film is attached in a sealed state so as to close the pocket portion A defect inspection apparatus used in
A first light source capable of irradiating light in the first wavelength range sufficient to transmit the tablet and the packaging film, and a second wavelength range different from the first wavelength range Illumination means comprising a second light source capable of irradiating light;
The illumination means is provided on the opposite side through the packaging film, and imaging means capable of imaging light that is irradiated from the first light source and the second light source and passes through the packaging film and the tablet;
An image processing device for processing an image signal output from the imaging means,
The image processing device is configured to be able to detect at least a surface abnormality of the tablet based on image data obtained from the image signal,
Further, with respect to the light from the first light source, the light directly incident on the imaging means through the packaging film is removed or reduced, and with respect to the light from the second light source, the light is transmitted through the packaging film. A defect inspection apparatus comprising a direct incident light limiting unit that allows direct incidence of light on an imaging unit.

  According to the means 3, by providing the direct incident light limiting means, the light directly incident on the imaging means through the packaging film out of the light from the first light source that is strong enough to pass through the tablet. Removed or dimmed. In addition, the light from the second light source is irradiated, so that direct incidence of light to the image pickup means is allowed through the packaging film. Therefore, the same function and effect as the above means 1 can be achieved.

Means 4. In the manufacturing process of the PTP sheet, after the capsule is accommodated in the pocket portion formed in the belt-shaped packaging film to be conveyed, the stage before the cover film is attached in a sealed state so as to close the pocket portion A defect inspection apparatus used in
Illumination means comprising a first light source and a second light source capable of irradiating predetermined light to the capsule and the packaging film;
The illumination means is provided on the opposite side via the packaging film, and imaging means capable of imaging light that is irradiated from the first light source and the second light source and passes through the capsule and the packaging film;
An image processing device for processing an image signal output from the imaging means,
The image processing device is configured to detect at least an empty abnormality of the capsule based on image data obtained from the image signal,
Of the light from the first light source, the light transmitted through the capsule through the packaging film and the light directly incident on the imaging means from the second light source through the packaging film are captured by the imaging unit. A defect inspection apparatus characterized in that it is configured.

  According to the means 4, it is possible to realize the inspection of the capsule empty abnormality by using the transmitted light. And in the said test | inspection, the effect similar to the said means 1 is show | played.

Means 5. A configuration in which the first light source is disposed outside a lens field angle range of the imaging unit, and the second light source is disposed within a lens field angle range of the imaging unit; and
The first light source can be irradiated with directional light so that the light from the first light source is irradiated only on the tablet through the packaging film at least during imaging by the imaging means, and 5. The defect inspection apparatus according to claim 4, wherein at least one of the second light sources is configured to be capable of irradiating light directly incident on the imaging unit through the packaging film.

  According to the means 5, the same effect as that of the means 2 can be obtained with respect to the inspection of the capsule empty abnormality.

Means 6. In the manufacturing process of the PTP sheet, after the capsule is accommodated in the pocket portion formed in the belt-shaped packaging film to be conveyed, the stage before the cover film is attached in a sealed state so as to close the pocket portion A defect inspection apparatus used in
A first light source capable of irradiating light in a first wavelength range sufficient to transmit the capsule and the packaging film, and a second wavelength range different from the first wavelength range Illumination means comprising a second light source capable of emitting the light of
The illumination means is provided on the opposite side through the packaging film, and imaging means capable of imaging light that is irradiated from the first light source and the second light source and passes through the packaging film and the capsule;
An image processing device for processing an image signal output from the imaging means,
The image processing device is configured to detect at least an empty abnormality of the capsule based on image data obtained from the image signal,
Further, with respect to the light from the first light source, the light directly incident on the imaging means through the packaging film is removed or reduced, and with respect to the light from the second light source, the light is transmitted through the packaging film. A defect inspection apparatus comprising a direct incident light limiting unit that allows direct incidence of light on an imaging unit.

  According to the means 6, the inspection of the capsule empty abnormality can be realized by using the transmitted light. And in the said test | inspection, the effect similar to the said means 3 is show | played.

  Mean 7 The direct incident light limiting means is configured to be capable of partially reflecting or totally reflecting light on a straight line connecting at least the first light source and the center of the lens portion of the imaging means. Defect inspection device described in 1.

  According to the means 7, the light on the straight line connecting at least the first light source and the center of the lens portion of the imaging means is partially or totally reflected by the direct incident light limiting means. For this reason, it becomes difficult for the light from the first light source to be directly incident on the image pickup means, and the above-described operation and effect can be more reliably achieved.

  Means 8. The direct incident light limiting means is configured to be capable of partially reflecting or totally reflecting light from the first light source within an angle of view of the lens unit with respect to at least the linear direction. 8. The defect inspection apparatus according to 7.

  According to the means 8, the light from the first light source within the angle of view of the (plus or minus) lens part is partially reflected or totally reflected by the direct incident light limiting means at least in the linear direction. For this reason, it becomes difficult for strong light from the light source to be incident on the image pickup means, and the above-described operational effects are more easily achieved.

  Means 9. 9. The defect inspection apparatus according to any one of means 3, 6 to 8, wherein the illuminating means comprises at least a diffusing means for diffusing light from the first light source.

  According to the means 9, since at least light from the first light source is diffused by the diffusing means, the light can be made uniform, and for example, suitable surface emission can be easily realized. In addition, it is possible to further prevent a situation in which direct light from the first light source is imaged by the imaging means.

  Means 10. 10. The defect inspection apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the direct incident light limiting means is a filter attached to the diffusing means.

  According to the means 10, the direct incident light limiting means is constituted by a filter, which is attached to the diffusing means. For this reason, unitization as an illuminating means and compactness can be achieved, and the entire apparatus can be prevented from becoming bulky.

  Means 11. The defect inspection apparatus according to any one of means 1 to 10, wherein the imaging means performs imaging based on light simultaneously emitted from the first light source and the second light source.

  According to the means 11, the abnormality can be detected based on the image data based on the single imaging by the imaging means. For this reason, for example, it is possible to save the trouble of photographing separately when light is emitted from the first light source and when light is emitted from the second light source. Further, it is not necessary to perform processing such as combining (superimposing) image data when only the light from the first light source is irradiated with image data when only the light from the second light source is irradiated. Can be avoided. Furthermore, as described above, when image data are combined later, there is a concern that there may be a deviation when combining both image data, or that it is necessary to perform another process for correcting the deviation. However, the above-described problem can be avoided by adopting the configuration of this means. As a result, the effect that the abnormality detection can be performed with high accuracy without complicating the processing is more reliably achieved.

  Means 12. 12. The defect inspection apparatus according to any one of means 1 to 11, further comprising a dimming means capable of individually adjusting the light intensity of the first light source and the light intensity of the second light source.

  According to the means 12, the light intensity of the first light source and the light intensity of the second light source can be individually adjusted. For this reason, it is possible to appropriately cope with the case where the inspection object (tablet, capsule) or the packaging film is changed. The light control means may be configured such that the light intensity of each light source can be manually adjusted, or may be configured to be automatically adjustable according to the product type.

  Means 13. The defect inspection apparatus according to any one of means 1 to 12, wherein at least the first light source is capable of emitting infrared light.

  According to the means 13, infrared light is irradiated from the light source. Here, since infrared light has a higher transmittance of tablets or the like than visible light, a more accurate inspection can be performed. In addition, a colored product such as a tablet may be employed, or a colored film may be employed as a packaging film. is there. The second light source may be configured to be able to irradiate infrared light, or may be configured to be able to irradiate light other than infrared light (for example, visible light).

  Means 14. A PTP packaging machine comprising the defect inspection apparatus according to any one of means 1 to 13.

  By providing the defect inspection apparatus in the PTP packaging machine as in the means 14, there is a merit that defective products can be efficiently excluded in the manufacturing process of the PTP sheet.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

  In this embodiment, by installing a defect inspection device in the PTP packaging machine, the PTP sheet machine is inspected for defects in the PTP sheet (particularly, abnormalities such as chipping of the tablet called chipping, capping, sticking, etc.). It has become so. As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the PTP sheet 1 is attached to the container film 3 as a packaging film having a plurality of pocket portions 2 and the container film 3 so as to close the pocket portions 2. And a sealing film 4 as a covered cover film. The container film 3 is made of, for example, a relatively hard thermoplastic resin material having a predetermined rigidity, such as PP (polypropylene) or PVC (polyvinyl chloride), and has light transparency (here, transparent). Presents). The sealing film 4 is made of aluminum. Each pocket 2 contains one tablet 5 (in this example, an orally disintegrating tablet) as an object to be filled.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the PTP packaging machine 7 automatically packages the tablets 5 on the container film 3. Specifically, a belt-shaped resin film such as PP or PVC is fed to the heating device 12 and the molding device 13 by the film feed roll 9 and the tension rolls 10 and 11, and the pocket portion 2 for filling the tablet 5 is used as the resin film. Mold. And if the container film 3 in which the pocket part 2 was shape | molded by the resin film is sent to the bottom of the filling apparatus 14, the filling apparatus 14 will fill each pocket part 2 with the tablet 5 automatically.

  On the other hand, the sealing film 4 formed in a belt shape is guided toward the film receiving roll 18 via the tension rolls 16 and 17. A heating roll 19 can be pressed against the film receiving roll 18, and a lattice-like line (not shown) formed in a slightly convex shape is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the heating roll 19. The container film 3 and the sealing film 4 are fed between the rolls 18 and 19. The sealing film 4 is attached to the container film 3 by passing both the films 3 and 4 between the rolls 18 and 19 in a heated and pressed state. Thus, a long PTP film 20 in which the tablet 5 is filled in each pocket portion 2 is manufactured.

  Now, on the downstream side of the filling device 14 and the upstream side of the film receiving roll 18 and the heating roll 19, defects in the container film 3 (filled tablet 5) are detected along the transfer path of the container film 3. A defect inspection device 21 for inspection is provided. The defect inspection apparatus 21 performs an inspection mainly intended to detect surface abnormalities such as cracks and chipping of the tablet 5 filled in the pocket portion 2.

  After the inspection, after the sealing film 4 is attached to the container film 3, the PTP film 20 is cut into one PTP sheet by a punching device (not shown). In addition, when a defective product is determined by the defect inspection apparatus 21, the PTP sheet that has been determined to be defective is separately discharged by a defective sheet discharge mechanism (not shown).

  Now, the outline of the PTP packaging machine 7 is as described above. Hereinafter, the defect inspection apparatus 21 will be described more specifically based on FIGS.

  The defect inspection apparatus 21 includes an illumination device 22 as an illumination unit, a camera 23 as an imaging unit, an image processing device 24, a monitor 25, a keyboard 26, and the like.

  First, the lighting device 22 will be described in detail. The illuminating device 22 in this embodiment is provided in the pocket part 2 side of the container film 3 (refer FIG. 1), and surface emission is possible. As shown in FIG. 3, the illuminating device 22 has a diffusion plate 27 extending in parallel with the container film 3 on the side close to the container film 3 (upper side in the figure), and an LED mounting substrate 28 is provided in the inside thereof. Is provided. A large number of first infrared LEDs 28 a as first light sources and second infrared LEDs 28 b as second light sources are alternately arranged on the LED mounting substrate 28. And both infrared LED28a, 28b irradiates light with respect to the tablet 5 and the container film 3 simultaneously. In the present embodiment, the first infrared LED 28a emits infrared light in the wavelength range of 800 nm to 900 nm (for example, infrared light of 850 nm). On the other hand, the second infrared LED 28b is configured to irradiate infrared light in a wavelength region other than 800 nm to 900 nm (for example, infrared light of 950 nm).

  Further, an angle transmittance control filter 29 as a direct incident light limiting unit is attached to the surface of the diffusion plate 27 on the container film 3 side. As shown in FIG. 4, the angular transmittance control filter 29 is a straight line connecting at least the light source (here, the first infrared LED 28 a) and the center of the lens unit of the camera 23 with respect to light in the wavelength range of 800 nm to 900 nm. The light on L1 is configured to be totally reflective, and the light within the angle of view θ of the lens unit is configured to be capable of total reflection with respect to the straight line L1. In other words, the angular transmittance control filter 29 is configured to transmit only light larger than the angle of view θ of the lens portion with respect to the light of the first infrared LED 28a. Thereby, the direct incidence of the infrared light from the first infrared LED 28a on the camera 23 is restricted.

  On the other hand, the angle transmittance control filter 29 is not related to the light irradiation angle with respect to the lens portion of the camera 23 for light outside the wavelength range of 800 nm to 900 nm (here, the light of the second infrared LED 28b), It is configured to allow light transmission.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the light control means 31 is connected to the illumination device 22. The light control means 31 is configured to be capable of individually adjusting the light intensity of the first infrared light LED 28a and the second infrared light LED 28b. The dimmer 31 adjusts the first infrared light LED 28a so as to emit a relatively strong light sufficient to pass through the tablet 5, while corresponding to the second infrared light LED 28b. Therefore, the light is adjusted so as to emit a relatively weak light that does not cause a smear phenomenon. Of the light from the first infrared LED 28, the light hitting the tablet 5 is repeatedly diffused inside the tablet 5, so that the surface of the tablet 5 becomes bright. The light quantity of each infrared LED 28a, 28b is set to a different value depending on the thickness, density, presence or absence of sugar coating, and the thickness, material, color, etc. of the container film 3 at that time.

  Further, the camera 23 constituting the imaging means is provided on the opposite side (upper side in FIG. 1) to the illumination device 22 via the container film 3, and among the light irradiated from the illumination device 22, The light transmitted through the container film 3 and the tablet 5 can be imaged. In this embodiment, a CCD camera that is sensitive to at least infrared light is employed as the camera 23.

  Thus, in this embodiment, the light of the first infrared light LED 28a and the second infrared light LED 28b illuminates the container film 3 and the tablet 5, and the light transmitted therethrough is two-dimensionally imaged by the camera 23. It is configured as follows. The image data captured by the camera 23 is converted into a digital signal inside the camera 23 and then input to the image processing device 24 in the form of a digital signal.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the image processing device 24 includes an image memory 41 corresponding to the camera 23, a masking unit 42, a binarizing unit 43, a determination memory 44, an inspection result and statistical data memory 45, and a camera timing control unit 46. In addition, it includes a CPU, an input / output interface 47, and the like, and can perform image data processing, tablet defect determination (inspection), and the like as described later.

  The two-dimensional image data captured by the camera 23 is converted into a digital signal and then stored in the corresponding image memory 41. Further, at the time of inspection, the image data is subjected to masking processing by the masking means 42 and then stored again in the image memory 41. Similarly, after being binarized by the binarizing means 43, the image data 41 again. Is remembered.

  The CPU and the input / output interface 47 execute various processing programs while using the stored contents of the determination memory 44 and the like, and send control signals to the PTP packaging machine 7 or various signals such as operation signals from the PTP packaging machine 7. Is for sending and receiving. Thereby, for example, the defective sheet discharge mechanism of the PTP packaging machine 7 can be controlled. The CPU and input / output interface 47 also has a function of sending display data to the monitor 25. With this function, binary or grayscale image data, a defect inspection result, and the like can be displayed on the monitor 25. Further, the CPU and input / output interface 47 has a function of inputting data from the keyboard 26.

  The inspection result and statistical data memory 45 stores data such as coordinates relating to image data, inspection result data, statistical data obtained by probabilistically processing the inspection result data, and the like. These inspection result data and statistical data can be appropriately displayed on the monitor 25 based on the control of the CPU and the input / output interface 47. Further, the CPU and the input / output interface 47 can send a control signal to the PTP packaging machine 7 based on these inspection result data and statistical data.

  The camera timing control means 46 controls the timing at which image data captured by the camera 23 is taken into the image memory 41. Such timing is controlled based on a signal from an encoder (not shown) provided in the PTP packaging machine 7, and images (photographs) in sheet units (for example, PTP sheet units to be punched) by the camera 23 every time the container film 3 is fed by a predetermined amount. Is done.

  In the present embodiment, the setting process for each window is executed prior to the inspection. The window includes a tablet window JW and a tablet shape window KW that are set in advance. As shown in FIG. 8, the tablet window JW is a boundary for distinguishing between an area in the pocket part 2 (pocket part area) and an area of the sheet part outside the pocket part 2 (sheet part area). It is. The tablet window JW is set in advance based on the non-defective sample and various data, and is concentric with the circle of the pocket portion 2 (when the pocket portion 2 is circular) and has a diameter once ( For example, the diameter is 1 mm) larger. Then, at the time of inspection, for example, as shown in FIG. 8 (b), the tablet window JW is set for each inspection image data, and the abnormality of the tablet is detected in the region in the pocket portion 2 ( The area outside the pocket portion 2 (the area with a mesh pattern in the figure) is masked).

  Moreover, as shown in FIG. 9, the tablet shape window KW is used when inspecting whether the shape of the tablet 5 is appropriate, and is set in advance. The tablet-shaped window KW includes an inner-shaped window KW1 that is slightly smaller than the size of the tablet 5 and an outer-shaped window KW2 that is slightly larger than the size of the tablet 5.

  Next, the procedure of the defect inspection (tablet inspection) will be described according to the flowchart of FIG.

  As shown in the figure, in the “inspection routine”, first, in step S101, a gray image for inspection is acquired. Next, in step S102, shading correction is performed on the acquired image, and in the subsequent step S103, binarization processing is performed based on a predetermined threshold value to obtain tablet binarized images A and B. Here, the binarization process will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 10. In FIG. 7, (a) is a plan view schematically showing a tablet 5 in which chipping (chip) T occurs, a dividing line PL is provided at the center, and a “C” -shaped engraving KM is attached. (B) is a sectional view taken along line JJ of (a), and (c) is a graph showing an image signal (lightness) curve along the line JJ. The portion of the tablet 5 that is thin due to chipping or the like is easier to transmit light. For this reason, the thinner the portion, the brighter the image. In the binarization process in the present embodiment, first, a binarized image A (see FIG. 10A) having a first threshold value δ1 or less is obtained. In the image A, the normal tablet portion excluding the chipping T and the secant PL is dark. At the same time, a binarized image B having a second threshold value δ2 or less is obtained. In the image B, in addition to the chipping T and the secant line PL, the normal tablet portion excluding the marking KM portion is dark. The first threshold value δ1 and the second threshold value δ2 are set to different values depending on the tablet thickness, density, presence or absence of sugar coating, etc. at that time.

  Thereafter, in step S104, lump processing is performed. More specifically, the result C of the binarized image A obtained by the lump processing and the result D of the binarized image B obtained by the lump processing are obtained.

  Next, in step S105, using the tablet window JW set in advance, the pocket portion area is specified, and in each pocket portion area, a lump whose area value is greater than or equal to the reference tablet area Lo is extracted (a lump less than Lo). Removed). Thereafter, in step S106, it is determined whether or not the number of chunks for each pocket area is “1”. If a negative determination is made, the process proceeds to step S110 described later.

  On the other hand, if the number of lumps for each pocket area is “1”, it is determined in step S107 whether or not the shape of the tablet 5 is good (appropriate) using the tablet shape window KW. to decide. More specifically, the center of gravity of the tablet 5 is obtained from the mass data of the tablet 5, and the tablet shape windows KW (the inner shape window KW1 and the outer shape window KW2) set in advance are set simultaneously so that the center of gravity is concentric. It arranges and it is judged whether the outline of tablet 5 deviates from between both windows KW1 and KW2. Then, when the outline of the tablet 5 deviates from between the two windows KW1, KW2, it is determined that the shape of the tablet 5 is abnormal, and the process proceeds to step S109. Exit once.

  If the determination in step S107 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S108, the non-defective product is determined for the tablet 5, and the subsequent processing is temporarily ended.

  If a negative determination is made in step S106, the process proceeds to step S110. In step S110, it is determined whether or not “with secant” is set in the current inspection routine, and whether or not the number of chunks is “2”. And only when the setting of “with dividing line” is made and the number of lumps is “2”, the process proceeds to step S111, and the tablet shape of step S107 is good after performing the dividing line mask process. It is determined whether or not.

  Here, the dividing line mask process will be described with reference to FIG. 11. The center-of-gravity positions M1 and M2 of the two blocks are obtained, and the center point C1 of the line segment α passing through the center-of-gravity positions M1 and M2 is obtained. Then, a line segment (straight line) γ that passes through the center point C1 and is orthogonal to the line segment α is obtained, and a band-like region in which the line segment γ has a width of plus or minus β is regarded as a dividing line PL. Set as mask part. By performing the mask process, in the next step S107, the shape inspection can be performed after the influence of the dividing line portion is excluded.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S110 that the setting of “with dividing line” is not made, or if it is determined that the number of lumps is not “2”, the process proceeds to step S109, and the tablet 5 is related. Defect determination is performed, and the subsequent processing is temporarily ended.

  As described in detail above, according to the present embodiment, infrared light is irradiated to the tablet 5 and the container film 3 from the first infrared LED 28a and the second infrared LED 28b of the illumination device 22, and the opposite side. The transmitted light that passes through the tablet 5 and the container film 3 is picked up by the camera 23 provided in. Then, the image processing device 24 detects surface abnormality such as chipping of the tablet 5 based on the image data obtained from the image signal. For this reason, unlike the case where the inspection is performed using the reflected light, there is no need to worry that the illuminance unevenness on the tablet surface becomes large.

  On the other hand, when the transmitted light is imaged by the camera 23 as in the present embodiment, the luminance difference (brightness difference) between the area where the tablet 5 exists and the background area where the tablet 5 does not exist becomes significantly large. There is a concern that In this regard, in the present embodiment, the angular transmittance control filter 29 is provided, and the first infrared LED 28a that is relatively strong light sufficient to pass through the tablet 5 by the angular transmittance control filter 29. The light directly incident on the camera 23 through the container film 3 is removed or attenuated.

  More specifically, the light on the straight line L1 connecting the first infrared LED 28a and the center of the lens part of the camera 23 and the light within the angle of view θ of the lens part with respect to the straight line L1 are totally reflected. ing. As a result, the direct incidence of infrared light from the first infrared LED 28a on the camera 23 is limited, thereby preventing problems caused by excessively incident light on the camera 23, such as smearing. The region of the tablet 5 can be accurately specified. As a result, accurate inspection can be realized, and abnormality detection accuracy can be improved.

  Further, for example, when only the light of the first infrared LED 28a is irradiated on the tablet 5 and the container film 3 as shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, as shown in FIG. The area where the tablet 5 is present is bright and the background area where the tablet 5 is absent is dark. However, of the light from the first infrared LED 28a, the light passing through the edge 2a of the pocket 2 (the portion connecting the surface of the container film 3 and the bottom 2b of the pocket 2) is transmitted through the edge 2a. There is a possibility that the light will be refracted in the direction of direct incidence to the lens portion of the camera 23 during transmission. Then, due to the refraction, the portion corresponding to the edge portion 2a in the background region becomes bright (see FIG. 12C). For this reason, for example, if the tablet 5 has approached the edge portion 2a, as shown in FIG. 12D, the boundary between the tablet 5 and the edge portion 2a is obtained only with the binarized image using δ3 as a threshold value. Cannot be recognized, and the area of the edge portion 2a may be recognized as an area where the tablet 5 exists. For this reason, it is necessary to separately perform processing for distinguishing between the tablet 5 and the edge portion 2a and specifying the region where the tablet 5 exists, and in this case, there is a possibility that the processing becomes complicated.

  In this regard, in the present embodiment, the light from the second infrared LED 28b is irradiated, and this allows light to be directly incident on the lens portion of the camera 23 through the container film 3. For this reason, the background area where the tablet 5 does not exist is surely brighter than the area where the tablet 5 exists. That is, the brightness difference between the background area where the tablet 5 including the edge portion 2a does not exist and the area where the tablet 5 exists clearly appears, whereby the tablet 5 and the background area can be reliably distinguished. Therefore, it is not necessary to separately perform processing for distinguishing the edge portion 2a from the tablet 5 in order to specify the region of the tablet 5, and the risk of complicating the processing can be suppressed. As a result, it is possible to improve the abnormality detection accuracy while preventing the smear phenomenon and without complicating the processing during the inspection. In addition, since the second infrared LED 28b is configured to emit relatively weak light that does not pass through the tablet 5 to such an extent that the smear phenomenon does not occur, the smear phenomenon can be reliably prevented. In FIG. 12, in addition to the chipping T and secant PL of the tablet 5, the marking KM portion is omitted.

  In the present embodiment, since the first and second infrared LEDs 28a and 28b emit light at the same time, the camera 23 performs imaging based on the lights simultaneously from both the infrared LEDs 28a and 28b. It becomes. Thereby, abnormality can be detected based on the image data based on one imaging by the camera 23. For this reason, for example, it is possible to omit the trouble of separately photographing when irradiating light from the first infrared light LED 28a and when irradiating light from the second infrared light LED 28b. Further, the image data when only the first infrared LED 28a is irradiated and the image data when only the second infrared LED 28b is irradiated are not subjected to processing such as later combining (superimposing). It is possible to avoid complicated processing. Furthermore, as described above, when image data are combined later, there is a concern that there may be a deviation when combining both image data, or that it is necessary to perform another process for correcting the deviation. However, the above-described problem can be avoided by adopting the configuration of the present embodiment. As a result, the effect that the abnormality can be accurately detected without complicating the processing at the time of inspection is more reliably achieved.

  In addition, by providing the light control means 31, the light intensity of the first infrared LED 28a and the light intensity of the second infrared LED 28b can be individually adjusted. For this reason, it is possible to accurately cope with the case where the inspection object (tablet 5) or the packaging film 3 is changed.

  Moreover, when the tablet 5 has the dividing line PL, the said dividing line PL part is thin compared with the other 5 tablet part, and it is easy to permeate | transmit light more. Therefore, there is a concern that it may be erroneously determined that the tablet 5 is missing. In this regard, in the present embodiment, the algorithm for detecting the surface abnormality of the tablet 5 differs depending on whether or not the tablet 5 has the secant PL (see steps S106, 107, etc.). That is, even when the dividing line PL is provided, the dividing line PL is masked (step S111), or the number of blocks to be determined is changed (step S110), so that there is no dividing line PL. Exact inspection similar to the case can be performed. Therefore, it is possible to perform an appropriate inspection according to the tablet 5 having various aspects.

  Further, the irradiation device 22 includes a diffusion plate 27, and the light from the first infrared light LED 28 a and the second infrared light LED 28 b is diffused by the diffusion plate 27. For this reason, the light is made uniform, and it is easy to realize suitable surface light emission. Moreover, the malfunction that the direct light from 1st infrared light LED28a is imaged with the camera 23 can be prevented further. As a result, the inspection accuracy can be further improved.

  In addition, since the means for limiting the direct incident light is constituted by the angle transmittance control filter 29 and is attached to the diffusion plate 27, it is possible to achieve unitization and compactness as the illumination device 22. It can suppress that the whole apparatus becomes bulky.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, the light source (1st and 2nd infrared-light LED28a, 28b) which can irradiate infrared light is employ | adopted. Here, since infrared light has a higher transmittance of the tablet 5 or the like than visible light, a more accurate inspection can be performed. In addition, a colored product may be used as the tablet 5 or the like, or a colored film may be used as the container film 3. Even in such a case, it is easy to ignore the dimming element due to coloring. There is.

  In the embodiment described above, for example, a part of the configuration can be appropriately changed as follows. Of course, other modifications not exemplified below are also possible.

  (A) In the above embodiment, an orally disintegrating tablet is exemplified as the tablet 5 accommodated in the pocket portion 2, and the tablet 5 is embodied when the presence or absence of a chip or the like of the tablet 5 is inspected. On the other hand, instead of or in addition to the tablet 5, it is also possible to embody when inspecting for the presence or absence of an empty capsule.

  In FIG. 13, a capsule 5A (see FIG. 14) is adopted as an object to be accommodated in the pocket portion 2, and it is inspected whether or not the content is correctly filled in the capsule 5A (whether there is no empty abnormality). 5 is a flowchart showing an “inspection routine”. Explaining in accordance with the flowchart, first, in step S201, a gray image for inspection is acquired, and in the next step S202, shading correction is performed on the acquired image, and in the subsequent step S203, binarization is performed based on a predetermined threshold value. Processing is performed to obtain a binary image A. Here, the binarization process will be described with reference to FIG. In the figure, (a) is a schematic plan view showing the capsule 5A, (b) is a sectional view taken along the line KK of (a) showing the capsule 5A, and the capsule 5A on the left side is normal. The right side is a diagram showing an empty capsule 5A, and (c) is a graph showing an image signal (lightness) curve along the line KK for each. The capsule 5A is easy to transmit light if it is not filled with the contents (medicine), and difficult to transmit light if it is filled. Therefore, if the capsule 5A is empty, the image tends to become brighter. In view of this point, in the binarization process in the present embodiment, a binarized image A having a first threshold value δ1 or less is obtained. In the image A, the capsule 5A portion is dark when the capsule 5A is properly filled with the contents, and the capsule 5A is bright when the capsule 5A is empty.

  Thereafter, in step S204, a lump process is performed. More specifically, a result C obtained by performing the lump processing on the binarized image A is obtained.

  Next, in step S205, for the result C, the pocket region is specified using the tablet window JW set in advance, and a lump whose area value is equal to or larger than the reference tablet area Lo is extracted in each pocket region. (Removes lumps less than Lo). After that, in step S206, it is determined whether or not the number of lumps for each pocket area is “1”. If an affirmative determination is made, the process proceeds to step S207 to perform non-defective determination regarding the capsule 5A. The subsequent processing is temporarily terminated. On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S206, a failure determination is made as an empty abnormality in step S208, and the subsequent processing is temporarily terminated.

  (B) In the above-described embodiment, the angle transmittance control filter 29 is provided for the lighting device 22, but the angle transmittance control filter 29 may be omitted. Hereinafter, an example of a case in which the angle transmittance control filter 29 is omitted will be described with reference to FIG. 15 with a focus on a configuration different from the above embodiment. FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram for schematically explaining the positional relationship between the camera 23, the tablet 5, and the first and second infrared LEDs 28a and 28b.

  As in the above embodiment, the illumination device 22 includes the first and second infrared LEDs 28a and 28b, but the arrangement and the like thereof are different from those in the above embodiment. First, the second infrared light LED 28b will be described. The second infrared light LED 28b is disposed within the imaging range of the camera 23 (the lens field angle range of the camera 23). Thereby, direct incidence of light to the lens portion of the camera 23 through the container film 3 is allowed.

  Next, the first infrared light LED 28 a will be described. The first infrared light LED 28 a is disposed outside the lens field angle range of the camera 23. Thus, since the first infrared LED 28a does not exist in the shooting range of the camera 23, light that directly enters the lens unit of the camera 23 out of the light from the first infrared LED 28a is not imaged. Only the light transmitted through the tablet 5 existing within the lens angle of view range of the camera 23 is imaged by the camera 23. For this reason, it is possible to prevent a smear phenomenon caused by the fact that relatively strong light sufficient to pass through the tablet 5 is directly incident on the lens portion of the camera 23.

  Further, the first infrared LED 28a is adapted to irradiate directional light. Furthermore, when the camera 23 takes an image, the light from the first light source passes only through the container film 3 to the tablet 5 only. It has come to hit. In other words, the first infrared LED 28 a emits only light that strikes the tablet 5 through the container film 3. For this reason, the problem that the comparatively strong light from the 1st infrared LED28a directly injects into the lens part of the camera 23 can be prevented more reliably.

  Even by adopting the configuration as described above, it is possible to improve the abnormality inspection accuracy without incurring the complexity of the processing at the time of inspection while preventing the smear phenomenon, and the same effect as the above embodiment can be obtained. Played. As for the first infrared LED 28a, one of a configuration in which the first infrared LED 28a is disposed outside the lens angle of view and a configuration in which the light has directivity and the light is applied to the tablet 5 (only). The above-described effect can be sufficiently achieved by simply adopting the configuration.

  (C) Moreover, in said (b), it is comprised so that the 1st infrared light LED28a can irradiate directional light. As an example of such a configuration, the first infrared LED 28a may be configured to be capable of irradiating light traveling in one direction without spreading as typified by laser light. For example, as shown in FIG. In addition, by providing a light shielding means (light shielding plate) 51 for shielding light directly incident on the lens portion of the camera 23 through the container film 3 out of the light from the first infrared light LED 28a, the light from the first infrared light LED 28a is provided. You may comprise so that light may have directivity. That is, the first infrared light LED 28a itself may be configured to be able to irradiate light having directivity, or the light irradiated from the first infrared light LED 28a may be configured to have directivity as a result. Good. Whichever configuration is employed, it is possible to avoid a problem caused by the light from the first infrared LED 28a being directly incident on the lens portion of the camera 23.

  (D) Although not specifically mentioned in the above embodiment, the image B and the result D may be used to inspect the marking KM portion. By performing such inspection, it is possible to detect abnormalities such as sticking. If inspection such as marking is not performed, the process of obtaining the image B in the binarization process (step S103) and the process of obtaining the result D in the block process (step S104) may be omitted.

  (E) In the above embodiment, the first infrared light LED 28a and the second infrared light LED 28b that can irradiate infrared light as the light source are employed, but visible light (for example, red light, blue light, white light, etc.) ) May be used.

  (F) In the above embodiment, the illumination device 22 is provided on the pocket portion 2 side and the camera 23 is provided on the opposite side, but the arrangement relationship between them may be reversed. In this case, there are advantages such as being able to realize an inspection that is kind to the eyes of the operator. Of course, it is also possible to perform inspection on both sides by providing a combination of a lighting device and a camera in which the arrangement relationship between them is reversed.

  (G) In the above embodiment, each window has a circular shape, but the window can be appropriately set according to the shape of the tablet and the like, and is not necessarily limited to the circular shape.

  (H) The wavelength of light of the first infrared LED 28a and the second infrared LED 28b in the above embodiment is not particularly limited. However, when the wavelength of the light of the first infrared light LED 28a is changed, the light on the straight line connecting the first infrared light LED 28a and the angular transmittance control filter 29 by the angular transmittance control filter 29, and the straight line On the other hand, the angle transmittance control filter 29 that can totally reflect light within the angle of view θ of the lens unit is selected. Further, when the wavelength of the light of the second infrared LED 28b is set to be lower than the wavelength range (800 nm to 900 nm) of the light of the first infrared LED 28a in the above embodiment, visible light of 700 nm or less and It is desirable to do.

  (I) In the above embodiment, the first infrared light LED 28a and the second infrared light LED 28b are simultaneously irradiated with light, and the abnormality is detected based on the image data based on one imaging. The tablet 5 may be imaged in two portions when the light of only the external light LED 28a is irradiated and when the light of only the second infrared LED 28b is irradiated.

  (J) Although not specifically mentioned in the above embodiment, the dimming unit 31 may be configured to manually adjust the light intensity of the first infrared light LED 28a and the second infrared light LED 28b. However, it may be configured to be automatically adjustable according to the product type.

It is a schematic diagram which shows schematic structure, such as a PTP packaging machine in one Embodiment. (A) is a perspective view which shows a PTP sheet, (b) is a partial expanded sectional view which shows a PTP sheet. It is a fragmentary sectional view which shows an illuminating device typically. It is explanatory drawing which illustrates typically the function of an angle transmittance control filter among illuminating devices. It is a block diagram which shows the electric constitution of a defect inspection apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows an "inspection routine." (A) is a plan view schematically showing a tablet in which chipping (chip) occurs, has a secant in the center and is engraved, (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line JJ of (a), ( c) is a graph showing an image signal (lightness) curve along the line JJ, and (d) is a photographed image of the camera. It is a plane schematic diagram for demonstrating the concept of a tablet window. It is a plane schematic diagram for demonstrating the concept of a tablet-shaped window. It is a schematic diagram which shows the image after binarization. It is explanatory drawing explaining the method of the mask process of a secant part. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating and demonstrating the case where only the light of 1st infrared light LED28a is irradiated, (a) is a top view which shows a tablet typically, (b) is LL of (a). (C) is a graph showing an image signal (brightness) curve along line LL, (d) is a schematic diagram showing an image after binarization. It is a flowchart which shows the "inspection routine" in another embodiment. (A) is a schematic plan view showing the capsule, (b) is a sectional view taken along the line KK of (a) showing the capsule, and shows a normal capsule and an empty capsule, (c) These are graphs showing image signal (lightness) curves along the line KK for each. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating typically the positional relationship of the camera in another embodiment, a tablet, and 1st and 2nd infrared light LED. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating typically the positional relationship of the camera in another embodiment, a tablet, a light-shielding means, and 1st and 2nd infrared-light LED.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... PTP sheet, 2 ... Pocket part, 3 ... Container film as packaging film, 4 ... Sealing film as cover film, 5 ... Tablet, 5A ... Capsule, 7 ... PTP packaging machine, 21 ... Defect inspection apparatus, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 22 ... Illuminating device as an illumination means, 23 ... Camera as an imaging means, 24 ... Image processing apparatus, 27 ... Diffusing plate as a diffusing means, 28a ... 1st infrared light LED as a 1st light source, 28b ... 2nd Second infrared LED as light source, 29... Angle transmittance control filter as direct incident light limiting means, 31.

Claims (14)

In the manufacturing process of the PTP sheet, after the tablet is stored in the pocket portion formed in the belt-shaped packaging film to be conveyed, the stage before the cover film is attached in a sealed state so as to close the pocket portion A defect inspection apparatus used in
Illumination means comprising a first light source and a second light source capable of irradiating the tablet and the packaging film with predetermined light;
The illumination means is provided on the opposite side through the packaging film, and imaging means capable of imaging light that is irradiated from the first light source and the second light source and passes through the tablet and the packaging film;
An image processing device for processing an image signal output from the imaging means,
The image processing device is configured to be able to detect at least a surface abnormality of the tablet based on image data obtained from the image signal,
Of the light from the first light source, light that has passed through the tablet through the packaging film and light that is directly incident on the imaging means from the second light source through the packaging film are captured by the imaging unit. A defect inspection apparatus characterized in that it is configured. A configuration in which the first light source is disposed outside a lens field angle range of the imaging unit, and the second light source is disposed within a lens field angle range of the imaging unit; and
The first light source can be irradiated with directional light so that the light from the first light source is irradiated only on the tablet through the packaging film at least during imaging by the imaging means, and 2. The defect inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the second light sources is configured to be capable of irradiating light directly incident on the imaging unit through the packaging film. In the manufacturing process of the PTP sheet, after the tablet is stored in the pocket portion formed in the belt-shaped packaging film to be conveyed, the stage before the cover film is attached in a sealed state so as to close the pocket portion A defect inspection apparatus used in
A first light source capable of irradiating light in the first wavelength range sufficient to transmit the tablet and the packaging film, and a second wavelength range different from the first wavelength range Illumination means comprising a second light source capable of irradiating light;
The illumination means is provided on the opposite side through the packaging film, and imaging means capable of imaging light that is irradiated from the first light source and the second light source and passes through the packaging film and the tablet;
An image processing device for processing an image signal output from the imaging means,
The image processing device is configured to be able to detect at least a surface abnormality of the tablet based on image data obtained from the image signal,
Further, with respect to the light from the first light source, the light directly incident on the imaging means through the packaging film is removed or reduced, and with respect to the light from the second light source, the light is transmitted through the packaging film. A defect inspection apparatus comprising a direct incident light limiting unit that allows direct incidence of light on an imaging unit. In the manufacturing process of the PTP sheet, after the capsule is accommodated in the pocket portion formed in the belt-shaped packaging film to be conveyed, the stage before the cover film is attached in a sealed state so as to close the pocket portion A defect inspection apparatus used in
Illumination means comprising a first light source and a second light source capable of irradiating predetermined light to the capsule and the packaging film;
The illumination means is provided on the opposite side via the packaging film, and imaging means capable of imaging light that is irradiated from the first light source and the second light source and passes through the capsule and the packaging film;
An image processing device for processing an image signal output from the imaging means,
The image processing device is configured to detect at least an empty abnormality of the capsule based on image data obtained from the image signal,
Of the light from the first light source, the light transmitted through the capsule through the packaging film and the light directly incident on the imaging means from the second light source through the packaging film are captured by the imaging unit. A defect inspection apparatus characterized in that it is configured. A configuration in which the first light source is disposed outside a lens field angle range of the imaging unit, and the second light source is disposed within a lens field angle range of the imaging unit; and
The first light source can be irradiated with directional light so that the light from the first light source is irradiated only on the tablet through the packaging film at least during imaging by the imaging means, and 5. The defect inspection apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the second light source employs at least one of a configuration in which light that is directly incident on the imaging unit can be irradiated through the packaging film. In the manufacturing process of the PTP sheet, after the capsule is accommodated in the pocket portion formed in the belt-shaped packaging film to be conveyed, the stage before the cover film is attached in a sealed state so as to close the pocket portion A defect inspection apparatus used in
A first light source capable of irradiating light in a first wavelength range sufficient to transmit the capsule and the packaging film, and a second wavelength range different from the first wavelength range Illumination means comprising a second light source capable of emitting the light of
The illumination means is provided on the opposite side through the packaging film, and imaging means capable of imaging light that is irradiated from the first light source and the second light source and passes through the packaging film and the capsule;
An image processing device for processing an image signal output from the imaging means,
The image processing device is configured to detect at least an empty abnormality of the capsule based on image data obtained from the image signal,
Further, with respect to the light from the first light source, the light directly incident on the imaging means through the packaging film is removed or reduced, and with respect to the light from the second light source, the light is transmitted through the packaging film. A defect inspection apparatus comprising a direct incident light limiting unit that allows direct incidence of light on an imaging unit.   The direct incident light limiting means is configured to be capable of partially reflecting or totally reflecting light on a straight line connecting at least the first light source and the center of the lens portion of the imaging means. 6. The defect inspection apparatus according to 6.   The direct incident light limiting unit is configured to be capable of partially reflecting or totally reflecting light from the first light source within an angle of view of the lens unit with respect to at least the linear direction. Item 8. The defect inspection apparatus according to Item 7.   9. The defect inspection apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the illuminating means includes at least a diffusing means for diffusing light from the first light source.   The defect inspection apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the direct incident light limiting unit is a filter attached to the diffusion unit.   The defect inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the imaging unit performs imaging based on light simultaneously irradiated from the first light source and the second light source.   The defect inspection apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a dimming unit capable of individually adjusting the light intensity of the first light source and the light intensity of the second light source. .   The defect inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least the first light source is capable of emitting infrared light. A PTP packaging machine comprising the defect inspection apparatus according to claim 1.

Images