JP2006292598A - Method of detecting foreign matter in container, and device therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To process an image of a following container even under a processing condition for an image of a preceding container, to simplify a container interval securing means to inspect a foreign matter under the condition where limitation for a container interval is moderated, and to enhance a processing capacity per unit time. <P>SOLUTION: In this method for detecting the in-container foreign matter contaminated into the container, based on the image obtained by an imaging means of the transparent container with a sealed liquid, the imaging means of the number same to an optional number are installed to correspond to the optional number of containers conveyed with the equal interval on a conveying route, the image data are exposed and read once every optional number concurrently in the imaging means, as to the image data by the respective imaging means, the image data in the imaging means are sequentially data-transferred thereafter to an image processing means, and the image data in the each imaging means are sequentially image-processed by the image processing means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an in-container foreign matter detection and apparatus for detecting foreign matter mixed in a container from an image of a transparent container filled with a liquid obtained by an imaging means.

  The main foreign substances mixed in a container sealed with drinking water or the like are a part of a container material or a part of a part filled with a liquid of contents at the stage of forming and manufacturing the container. Although almost no foreign matter is mixed in the container, there is a possibility of adverse effects on the human body. Therefore, it is necessary to reliably detect and remove it regardless of the frequency of occurrence.

  Although the conventional 100% inspection relies on human visual inspection, there is a possibility that foreign object detection may be overlooked, and automation of the inspection is required. In view of this, various devices have been proposed for irradiating a transparent container with a change in container thickness with illumination light, and detecting foreign matter mixed in the container by image processing from the image of the container obtained by the imaging means. ing.

  As a conventional technique for detecting foreign matter inside a container that is sequentially transported on a transport path using an imaging means, there is a technique described in the following patent document.

JP 2004-28930 A

  When image (image) processing is performed in the foreign matter detection control unit using a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) camera as an image pickup means, a series of operation times related to image information are (1) exposure time (accumulation of charge in each pixel of CCD) T1), (2) Read time (time when the camera controller reads the charge magnitude and position data as image data from each pixel of the CCD and temporarily stores it in the built-in memory until it is transferred to the image processing device) t2, (3) Data transfer time (data transfer time for storing image data temporarily stored in the built-in memory of the camera controller in a storage area such as an image processing device) t3, (4) Image processing time ( 4 items of t4 (time for performing various operations of image processing using the image data in the storage area) occupy the most, and usually the above (1) and (2) are combined. Image time, often referred to as imaging to perform the exposure and read by the imaging time.

  When image processing is performed on one container, a total time T obtained by adding the exposure time, readout time, data transfer time, and image processing time is required, and the image of the preceding container is being image processed. However, there is a restriction on image processing of the next transported container.

  During exposure to the CCD camera, electric charge is accumulated in the element according to the intensity of light, and during this time, the current light amount data is captured, and the next exposure cannot be performed to avoid data confusion, Also, reading cannot be performed until the exposure is completed.

  When the exposure is completed, it becomes a reading time for sequentially taking out the charge amount of each element. During the readout time, the next video cannot be exposed to avoid data confusion. That is, during the exposure time of the CCD camera, the next image cannot be exposed or the previous image cannot be read.

  For this reason, if the containers next to each other are in contact with each other or transported in a state where the distance between the containers is small, there is a possibility that the next video will be exposed before the processing of the previous video is completed. In order to ensure execution, it is necessary to reduce the number of treatments per unit time by installing a device such as a timing screw to provide a means for securing a certain amount of container spacing or reducing the container transport speed. .

  This problem becomes conspicuous because the amount of data increases as a CCD camera having a larger number of pixels is used to detect smaller foreign matters mixed in the container.

  Therefore, the object of the present invention is to process the image of the succeeding container even while processing the image of the preceding container, simplify the container interval securing means, and reduce the limit of the container interval. An object of the present invention is to provide a container foreign matter detecting device that can perform processing and has a high processing capacity per unit time.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide an in-container foreign object detection device that can detect even a small foreign object without taking time.

  A feature of the container foreign matter detection method of the present invention that achieves the above object is that an arbitrary number of imaging means are installed so as to correspond to an arbitrary number of containers transported at equal intervals on the transport path. The image data is exposed and read out for each arbitrary number of image data at the same time by each image pickup means, and then the image data at each image pickup means is sequentially transferred to the image processing means. The image processing means sequentially performs image processing on the image data.

  Further, the foreign object detection device in the container that achieves the above object is characterized in that the foreign object in the container that detects the foreign material mixed in the container from the image of the transparent container filled with the liquid obtained by the imaging means. In the detection device, the same number of image pickup means installed on the transfer path so as to correspond to the arbitrary number of containers transferred on the transfer path at equal intervals, and each image pickup means at the same time for each arbitrary number of image pickup means Foreign matter detection in which image data is exposed and read out, and then image data is transferred to each image processing means sequentially to the image processing means, and image processing is sequentially performed on the image data in each image pickup means. To have a control device.

  According to the present invention, by installing a plurality of imaging means and partially performing simultaneous processing, particularly imaging, for each of a plurality of containers, the processing time can be shortened as a whole, and the processing capability is enhanced. The extra time generated by shortening the processing time absorbs the variation in the container interval, and the inspection can be performed without the need to ensure the container interval strictly, and the reliability as the inspection system is improved.

  Further, even when a CCD camera having a large number of pixels is used, the processing time as a whole can be shortened, and a small foreign object can be detected without taking much time.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment shown in the drawings will be described.

  In FIGS. 1 and 2 showing the first embodiment, 10 is a container alignment unit, 11 is an inlet transfer conveyor, 12 is a transfer stop plate, and 13 is a container alignment grip conveyor.

  The transparent PET container 1 is sequentially and continuously conveyed from the right side to the left side in the drawings on the entrance conveyor 11 where the part on which the container 1 is mounted is made of resin or rubber. The container 1 is already filled with a liquid which is mainly a medicine or a beverage, and is further sealed with a container lid 2.

  The container 1 and the contents (liquid filled and sealed in the container) are not limited to colorless and transparent ones, and even if they are colored and transparent or opaque in general ambient light, the degree of light transmission Accordingly, it can be set as a target for foreign object detection.

  Normally, foreign matter detection is performed after sealing with the container lid 2, and in the step of detecting foreign matter, there is no printed matter that becomes an optical obstacle on the outer surface of the container 1. In many cases, a printed matter or the like is attached only to the container 1 determined to be.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the foreign matter mixed in the container 1 is divided into a precipitated foreign matter 3a that settles at the bottom of the container, a floating foreign matter 3b that floats in the liquid, and a floating foreign matter 3c that floats on the liquid surface. Less than precipitated foreign matter 3a and floating foreign matter 3b. In many cases, the precipitated foreign matter 3a is smaller than the floating foreign matter 3b and the floating foreign matter 3c.

  3A is a longitudinal sectional view of the container 1, FIG. 3B is a bottom view of the container 1 viewed from the bottom side, and FIG. 3C is an enlarged view of the bottom of the container 1 on which foreign matter has settled. It is a partial longitudinal cross-sectional view shown.

  Returning to FIGS. 1 and 2, the container 1 moving on the entrance transport conveyor 11 is transported while being sandwiched from both sides by the gripper 14 of the container alignment grip conveyor 13 in the container alignment unit 10. In the container alignment grip conveyor 13 that is divided into the left and right sides (in FIG. 1, both the upper and lower sides in the figure), the motors installed in the container alignment grip conveyors 13 are rotationally driven by an inverter.

  As shown in FIG. 4 (a), the gripper 14 is made of rubber and has a hollow kamaboko shape. Only by managing the gaps on both sides facing each other, the difference in the shape of the container, such as a round shape or a square shape, It can be inserted with or without undulations.

  Depending on the type of container to be handled, even a container having a large side undulation of the container or a container that is not a line target can be accommodated up to a certain range by deformation of the gripper 14 because the inside is hollow. Further, for such a container, a saw-toothed gripper 15 made of sponge as shown in FIG. 4B may be used.

  1 and 2, the container alignment grip conveyor 13 on both the left and right sides for sandwiching the container 1 has a structure that can be slid on a straight line with a single ball screw having a right screw and a left screw. . A rotation handle is attached to one end of the ball screw, the rotation of the rotation handle in the forward rotation direction reduces the gap between the container alignment grip conveyors 13 on the left and right sides, and the rotation of the rotation handle in the reverse rotation direction increases the gap. Corresponding to different container types can be performed very simply. If the conveyance guides are also fixed before and after the container alignment grip conveyor 13 on both the left and right sides, the guide interval of the inlet conveyance conveyor 11 is changed simultaneously with the change of the gap of the container alignment grip conveyor 13, and the setup change is further simplified. it can.

  Further, when it is desired to stop the conveyance of the container 1 into the foreign object detection device due to the convenience of conveyance of the entire production line, a conveyance stop plate 12 provided on the side of the inlet conveyance conveyor 11 is provided on the inlet conveyance conveyor 11. The container 1 is forcibly stopped by inserting the container 1 across the container.

Next, the function of the container alignment unit 10 will be described with reference to FIG.
The speed V2 of the container alignment grip conveyor 13 is smaller than the speed V1 of the entrance transport conveyor 11.

  If the container 1 is conveyed at the speed V1 of the inlet conveyor 11 in the state in which the conveyance stop plate 12 is retracted, the container 1 is sandwiched by the container alignment grip conveyor 13 and decelerated to the speed V2 to move. Since the speed is different from that of the conveyor 11, the container 1 is conveyed while the bottom surface slides with respect to the inlet conveyor 11. When the container 1 is released from the container alignment grip conveyor 13 at the downstream end of the container alignment grip conveyor 13, the speed is increased again to the speed V1 of the inlet transport conveyor 11.

  The container 1 that was at various intervals up to the position where it enters the container alignment grip conveyor 13 is temporarily clogged in the section sandwiched between the container alignment grip conveyor 13, and the container interval decreases to P1. Next, when the container alignment grip conveyor 13 is released, the desired interval P2, which is the final interval, is reached.

  Therefore, the container interval P2 can be adjusted by the relative speed difference between the speed V1 and the speed V2, and the container interval P2 can be increased as the speed V2 is smaller than the speed V1.

  The container 1 in which the container interval P2 is secured by the container aligning unit 10 reaches the floating foreign matter inspection unit 20 on the entrance transport conveyor 11. An illumination light source 21 (see FIG. 2) is installed at a location corresponding to the floating foreign matter inspection unit 20 of the apparatus base F.

  In FIG. 5 showing the configuration of the floating foreign matter inspection unit 20, the light from the illumination light source 21 having a halogen lamp is irradiated to the side of the container 1 from the illumination light irradiation means 23 via the light guide 22. As the illumination light source 21, a fluorescent lamp, LED, EL, incandescent lamp, metal halide lamp, infrared lamp, ultraviolet lamp, and other surface emitting illumination devices can be used in addition to the halogen lamp.

  The inside of the light guide 22 is in a state where several hundred optical fibers are bundled, and the optical fibers are divided by the illumination light irradiating means 23, and the tips of the optical fibers are linearly arranged and fixed. Since the light has a constant spread angle at the tip of the optical fiber, the transmission light 24 becomes rectangular transmission light that gradually spreads from a straight line as the distance to the illumination light irradiation means 23 increases.

  On the side opposite to the container 1, one or a plurality of imaging cameras (imaging means) 25 including a CCD that images the container 1 are arranged. FIG. 5 shows an example in which two units are arranged.

  The container detection sensor 26 detects that the container 1 has arrived at the floating foreign object detection unit 20, and based on the detection result, the foreign object detection control device 60 of FIG. To do. As the container detection sensor 26, in addition to the illustrated reflected light type, a light transmission type or ultrasonic type may be used.

  The imaging camera 25 calculates the size of a foreign object to be recognized from the width of the field of view, and determines the number of installations in consideration of the resolution of the camera. In the floating foreign object detection of FIG. 5, two units are installed, and the upper half and the lower half of the container 1 are divided and imaged. It is also possible to pick up images separately, and to perform a synthesis process with a foreign object detection control device 60 (see FIG. 7), which will be described later after the image pickup, to discriminate the boundary line to form one image.

  The imaging camera 25 uses a CCD camera with a small number of pixels because the floating foreign matter in the container 1 is often larger than the precipitated foreign matter and is easy to pick up images.

  In FIG. 2, the container 1 reaches the tip of the grip conveyor 31 of the precipitated foreign matter inspection unit 30 after passing through the floating foreign matter inspection unit 20. The container 1 is transported while being sandwiched between grippers 32 attached to the precipitated foreign matter inspection unit grip conveyor 31 in a state where the container interval P2 is secured.

  The structure of the settled foreign matter inspection unit grip conveyor 31 is the same as that of the container alignment grip conveyor 13, and can be transported while sandwiching both side surfaces of the container 1. The left and right clearances are similarly adjusted with a rotating handle attached to a common ball screw.

  There is no conveyor corresponding to the entrance transport conveyor 11 in the container alignment unit 10 in the region where the precipitated foreign matter inspection unit grip conveyor 31 sandwiches both side surfaces of the container 1, and the bottom of the container 1 is in an open state.

The structure of the precipitated foreign matter inspection unit 30 is shown in FIG.
The gripper 32 is made of the sponge shown in FIG. 4B and has a sawtooth shape. In the precipitated foreign matter detection unit 30 of FIG. 6, two illumination light irradiation means 33 a and 33 b are arranged side by side in the conveyance direction of the container 1.

  A gripper 32 is provided on the side surface of the container 1, and light from illumination light sources 34a and 34b (see FIG. 2) having halogen lamps installed on the apparatus base F is irradiated through the light guides 35a and 35b. The container 1 is irradiated from above by 33a, 33b. The illumination light sources 34a and 34b may be the same as those used in the floating foreign matter inspection unit 10.

  The tips of the optical fibers in the light guides 35a and 35b are fixed in a ring shape directly above the container 1 with the illumination light irradiation means 33a and 33b facing directly below. As in the case of floating foreign substance inspection, light has a certain spread angle at the tip of the optical fiber. For this reason, as the distance from the illumination light irradiation means 33a and 33b increases, in the case of the precipitated foreign matter inspection, the ring-shaped transmitted illumination light 36a and 36b is gradually changed from the ring shape. At this time, in the illumination light irradiation means 33a and 33b, the tip of the optical fiber is arranged in a ring shape, so that the shadow of the container lid 2, which may be an opaque material, is not projected on the bottom side of the container 1, and the foreign matter It is not an obstacle to detection. In order to further avoid the influence of the shadow of the container lid 2 being projected on the bottom side of the container 1, the ring-shaped arrangement diameter in the illumination light irradiation means 33 a and 33 b is preferably larger than that of the container lid 2.

  Two imaging cameras 37a and 37b made of a CCD for imaging the container 1 are arranged upwardly below the gripping foreign matter inspection unit grip conveyor 31. The imaging cameras 37a and 37b respectively capture the illumination lights 36a and 36b emitted from the illumination light irradiation means 33a and 33b and transmitted through the container 1 from above.

  Since it is often required to detect even a small amount of precipitated foreign matter, each imaging camera 37a, 37b has a higher number of pixels (four times or more) than the imaging camera 25 for detecting floating foreign matter. Yes.

  The container 1 sequentially passes above the imaging cameras 37a and 37b. Although the container 1 passes over the imaging camera 37a, the arrival of the container 1 on the imaging camera 37a is detected by the container detection sensor 38a.

  A large number of containers 1 conveyed side by side with a container interval P2 are treated as one set of container groups, and two imaging cameras 37a and 37b correspond to a set of container groups.

  In the group of two containers, the preceding container 1 is imaged and conveyed by the upstream imaging camera 37a, and this container 1 next passes over the downstream imaging camera 37b. Even if the container detection sensor 38b detects that it has arrived on the camera 37b, it is ignored and the imaging by the imaging camera 37b is not performed.

  On the other hand, with respect to the subsequent containers 1 in the set of two containers, even if the upstream container detection sensor 38a detects the subsequent container 1, it is ignored and is not imaged by the upstream imaging camera 37a. When the downstream container detection sensor 38b detects the image, the downstream imaging camera 37b performs imaging.

  The container 1 that is transported third is handled as a preceding container in the next container group that is a set of two. In this way, the containers 1 are alternately imaged by the imaging cameras 37a and 37b, and the handling of the odd-numbered containers 1 and the handling of the even-numbered containers 1 are the same. Accordingly, each time the two containers 1 are arranged as a set of containers in the precipitated foreign matter inspection unit 20, the containers 1 are imaged simultaneously by the imaging cameras 37a and 37b, respectively.

  The floating foreign substance inspection unit 10, the precipitating foreign substance inspection unit 20, and the periphery thereof are surrounded by a light shielding cover (not shown) to block light from the surroundings that is an optical disturbance to the container 1 and the imaging cameras 25, 37a, and 37b. It is possible to detect the foreign matter.

Here, the foreign object detection control device 60 will be described with reference to FIG.
The detection results of the container detection sensors 26, 38a, and 38b in the floating foreign substance inspection unit 10 and the precipitated foreign substance inspection unit 20 are grasped by the main arithmetic unit 62 via the I / O interface 61, and the shutter signal control unit 63 and the camera controller are detected. 64 is reflected in the shutter signals of the imaging cameras 25, 37a, and 37b.

  Based on the shutter signal, the imaging camera 25, 37 a, 37 b captures the image of the container 1, temporarily stores the image data from the camera controller 64 via the camera interface 65 in the image data storage unit 66, and Image processing for extracting foreign matter is performed on the image processing program.

  The camera controller 64 includes a plurality of AD conversion circuits and a memory circuit for writing and reading data to and from the memory.

  In addition to the image processing program, the main computing unit 62 includes an imaging processing program for obtaining image data obtained by imaging with the imaging cameras 25, 37a, and 37b in accordance with the container detection results from the container detection sensors 26, 38a, and 38b. Yes. The image processing program is based on a known technique, and the imaging processing program is based on sequence control as will be described below, so detailed description of both programs will be omitted.

  The captured image and the video that has already been processed are displayed on the image monitor 67. Further, the start, stop, and error of the apparatus are managed by the operation switch 68 and the display lamp 69, and the main operation unit 62 and the main storage unit 70 are responsible for the management of the entire apparatus including the management and image processing of the video. ing. The operation status of the entire apparatus is displayed on the monitor 71.

  FIG. 8 shows an example of an image (image) of the container 1 containing floating foreign substances inside, and FIG. 8A is an image before image processing is performed by the image processing program of the main computing unit 62 shown in FIG. A grayscale image M1 obtained by the camera 25 is shown in FIG. 8B, which is a binary image M2 composed of white and black after image processing is performed by the image processing program of the main computing unit 62.

  In the grayscale image M1 of the floating foreign matter, a dark portion is generated due to the influence of the container undulation on the side wall portion of the container 1 as vertical and horizontal lines within the container range. By performing image processing with the undulation pattern of the dark part as much as possible by illumination light, the outline of the container 1 and its peripheral part are divided into black and white like the binary image M2 in FIG. Search for black objects in the.

  The black object is the foreign object image R1, and in the binary image M2, if the foreign object image R1 exists, the inspection result is managed by the main storage unit 70 shown in FIG. deep.

  FIG. 9 shows an example of an image obtained by imaging the container containing the precipitated foreign matter with the imaging cameras 37a and 37b. FIG. 8A shows a grayscale image N1 before image processing by the image processing program of the main arithmetic unit 62 shown in FIG. 7, and FIG. 8B shows image processing by the image processing program of the main arithmetic unit 62. It is the binary image N2 which consists of white and black after performing.

  Also in the case of the precipitated foreign matter, a dark part is generated in the grayscale image N1 of the precipitated foreign matter due to the influence of the container undulation at the bottom of the container 1 as a radial line within the container range. By eliminating the undulating pattern in the dark portion with illumination light and performing image processing, the outline of the container and its peripheral portion are divided into black and white as shown in the binary image N2 in FIG. Search for existence.

  The black object is the foreign object image R2, and in the binary image N2, if the foreign object image R2 is present, the main memory unit shown in FIG. It is managed at 70.

  Returning to FIG. 1, when the floating and sediment foreign body detection inspection is completed, the container evacuation unit 80 sorts according to the inspection result managed by the main storage unit 70 shown in FIG. 7.

  If it is a defective container, it will be discharged | emitted from a normal manufacturing line by pushing out the container 1 to the container discharge conveyor 83 side by the container extrusion unit 82 from the side of the exit conveyance conveyor 81. FIG. Instead of the container push-out unit 82, a means for adding a defect identification mark as a mark to a conspicuous position of the container 1 may be provided so that the container 1 can be discharged in a subsequent process.

Next, an imaging processing program provided in the main computing unit 62 will be described.
The imaging processing program in the main computing unit 62 will be described in comparison with the processing time in the case of one imaging camera by the processing time in the case where foreign object detection is performed by two imaging cameras (37a, 37b).

  Since imaging with two imaging cameras is to obtain image data of two containers, the processing time in the case of one imaging camera is to obtain image data of two containers with one imaging camera. .

  As shown in FIG. 10, as a series of processing times for obtaining image data of two containers with one imaging camera, firstly, an exposure time t <b> 1 for accumulating charges in the imaging camera is required. Second, it takes a read time t2 for reading and temporarily storing image data (charge magnitude and position data) from each element.

  Next, a data transfer time t3 for storing the image data in the image data storage unit 66 is required, and finally an image processing time t4 for performing various calculations using the image data in the storage area is required.

  Since it cannot be executed simultaneously at each time, the total time T0 of the above four items becomes the total time T0 necessary for processing the image of one container.

  In the case of the single imaging camera of FIG. 10, the exposure time t1 to the image processing time t4 are all repeated until the next process starts as soon as the previous process ends. That is, the video processing of the second container starts after the waiting time δ1 has elapsed after all the video processing of the first container has been completed. Considering the third container, it is necessary to provide the waiting time δ1 even after the processing of the second container. Therefore, the processing time of the two containers is T1 = 2 × (T0 + δ1) time, that is, T1 = 2. It takes time of x (t1 + t2 + t3 + t4 + δ1). The necessity of this waiting time δ1 will be described later.

  In the case of using two imaging cameras, two methods can be used: two imaging cameras are connected to one camera controller 64 in the present embodiment, and two imaging cameras are connected to individual camera controllers. it can. When an individual camera controller is used, an individual camera interface is interposed between each camera controller and the image data storage unit, and the image data storage unit receives images from each camera controller via each camera interface. Data can be received simultaneously.

  The processing time in the former is shown in FIG. 11, and the processing time in the latter is shown in FIG.

  11 and 12, the description will be made based on the example of FIG. 10 on the assumption that two containers are transported on the transport conveyor at the same speed.

  In the example of FIG. 11, the exposure time t1 at which imaging is performed can be executed simultaneously by the imaging camera 37a and the imaging camera 37b. Since the camera controller 64 includes a plurality of AD conversion circuits and memory circuits, the reading time t2 can be performed simultaneously. Since the subsequent image data storage unit 66 is used in common, the image data data transfer time t3b and image processing time t3b in the imaging camera 37b are followed by the image data data transfer time t3a and image processing time t4a in the first half. Time t4b is required.

  The processing time for the two containers is T2 = t1 + t2 + t3a + t4a + t3b + t4b.

  In the processing time T2, since the exposure time t1 for one piece and the reading time t2 overlap each other, it is possible to have a margin time δ2 corresponding to (t1 + t2) hours with respect to the processing time T1.

  On the other hand, in the example of FIG. 12, although the storage area of the foreign object detection control device 60 is common, since the camera controller and the camera interface are provided for each imaging camera, data transfer is performed in addition to the exposure time t1 and the readout time t2. The time t3 can also be executed simultaneously by the imaging camera 37a and the imaging camera 37b.

  For this reason, the image processing time t4a of the image data at the imaging camera 37a and the image processing time t4b of the image data at the imaging camera 37b are separately required, and T3 = (t1 + t2 + t3) + (t4a + t4b) ).

  Accordingly, the processing time T3 in this case can have a margin time δ3 corresponding to (t1 + t2 + t3) hours with respect to the processing time T1, and a margin corresponding to the processing time t3 with respect to the processing time T2.

  In any of the examples of FIGS. 11 and 12, the surplus time δ2 and δ3 can be obtained by using two imaging cameras.

  Although the container 1 is transported at the same speed, the interval varies from several millimeters to several tens of millimeters. If variations occur in the absence of this extra time, the timing for imaging the subsequent container during image processing of the preceding container occurs, and normal imaging cannot be performed. No inspection is a serious situation.

  In order to avoid this problem, a waiting time δ1 until the next imaging is required between the processing time T0 of the preceding container and the processing time T0 of the succeeding container in FIG.

  On the other hand, the margin time generated in the present invention absorbs the variation in the interval between containers if the conveyance speed is the same, and can be inspected even when adjacent containers are in contact with each other if there is a sufficient margin time. Become. In other words, the alignment mechanism for creating the container interval can be simplified or roughly controlled, and the inspection can be performed in a state where the restriction on the container interval is relaxed. This greatly improves the reliability of the inspection apparatus system. If the margin time is set short, the number of lines that can be processed within a unit time increases.

  Also in the embodiment of FIG. 12, the image processing time t4a of the image data at the imaging camera 37a and the image processing time t4b of the image data at the imaging camera 37b are necessary separately, so that it is possible to have a further margin. 7, the foreign object detection control device 60 is installed for each of the imaging cameras 37a and 37b, and the image processing of the image data by the imaging camera 37a and the image processing of the image data by the imaging camera 37b are performed for each foreign object detection control device. 60 may be processed at the same time.

  Next, a second embodiment as another example for further shortening the processing time will be described with reference to FIG.

  In this embodiment, four imaging cameras 37a to 37d are installed so that four containers are simultaneously imaged as a set of container groups. The light guide, illumination light irradiation means, illumination light, and the like corresponding to each of the imaging cameras 37a to 37d are the same as those in the embodiment of FIGS.

  The container 1 sequentially passes over the four imaging cameras 37a to 37d. The arrival at each of the imaging cameras 37a to 37d is detected by the container detection sensors 38a to 38d, the first container is imaged by the imaging camera 37a, and the fourth container is imaged by the imaging camera 37d. As in the first embodiment, which is a unit of two, it is handled in units of four containers. For example, the fifth container is imaged by the imaging camera 37a as the first container of the next container group.

  By doing so, the exposure time t1 and the reading time t2 can be reduced as in the case of two imaging cameras, and the data transfer time t3 can be further reduced if a camera controller is individually installed for each camera. If the foreign object detection control device is individually installed for each camera, the image processing time t4 can be further reduced.

  The reduced time can be used as a margin time to flexibly deal with variations in container spacing, and the reliability of the inspection apparatus system can be improved.

  The margin time generated in proportion to the number of imaging cameras installed may be shorter than the actual time depending on the conveyance state determined by the alignment mechanism that creates the container interval. Shortening the margin time can realize a reduction in processing time, and can also improve the processing speed of the production line by shortening the inspection time.

It is a schematic top view which shows the foreign material detection apparatus in a container provided with the two imaging cameras which are one Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic front view of the foreign substance detection apparatus in a container shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the presence state of the foreign material in a container. It is a figure which shows the gripper in the container alignment part of the foreign material detection apparatus in a container shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the floating foreign material inspection part of the foreign material detection apparatus in a container shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the deposit foreign material inspection part of the foreign material detection apparatus in a container shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the foreign material detection control apparatus of the foreign material detection apparatus in a container shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the image after the imaging and image processing which were obtained in the floating foreign material inspection part shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the image after the imaging and image processing which were obtained in the precipitation foreign material inspection part shown in FIG. It is a figure explaining the timing which images two containers with one imaging camera. It is a figure explaining the timing which images two containers with two imaging cameras by the foreign material detection control apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure explaining the timing which images two containers with two imaging cameras in a sedimentation foreign substance inspection part by the modification of the foreign substance detection control apparatus shown in FIG. It is the schematic which shows the precipitation foreign material inspection part which becomes another embodiment of this invention provided with four imaging cameras.

Explanation of symbols

1 ... Container
2 ... Container lid
30: Precipitation foreign matter inspection position
31 ... Precipitated foreign matter inspection section grip conveyor
32 ... Gripper
33a, 33b ... Illumination light irradiation means
35a, 35b ... Light guide
36a, 36b ... Transmitted illumination light
37a, 37b ... imaging camera
38a, 38b ... container detection sensor

Claims (4)

In the container foreign matter detection method for detecting foreign matter mixed in the container from the image of the transparent container filled with the liquid obtained by the imaging means,
The same number of imaging means as the arbitrary number is installed so as to correspond to the arbitrary number of containers conveyed at equal intervals on the conveyance path, and the image data of each imaging means is exposed for each arbitrary number simultaneously by each imaging means. And then reading the image data in each imaging means to the image processing means sequentially, and sequentially performing image processing on the image data in each imaging means in the image processing means. Internal foreign matter detection method. In the container foreign matter detection method for detecting foreign matter mixed in the container from the image of the transparent container filled with the liquid obtained by the imaging means,
The same number of imaging means as the arbitrary number is installed so as to correspond to the arbitrary number of containers conveyed at equal intervals on the conveyance path, and the image data of each imaging means is exposed for each arbitrary number simultaneously by each imaging means. And reading out the data and transferring the data to the image processing means, and then sequentially performing image processing on the image data in each imaging means by the image processing means. In the container foreign matter detection device for detecting foreign matter mixed in the container from the image of the transparent container filled with the liquid obtained by the imaging means,
The same number of image pickup means installed on the transfer path so as to correspond to each arbitrary number of containers conveyed at equal intervals on the transfer path, and the image data of each image pickup means is exposed for each arbitrary number simultaneously by each image pickup means. A foreign matter detection control device that sequentially reads the image data in each imaging means to the image processing means and sequentially performs image processing on the image data in each imaging means. An in-container foreign object detection device characterized by the above. In the container foreign matter detection device for detecting foreign matter mixed in the container from the image of the transparent container filled with the liquid obtained by the imaging means,
The same number of image pickup means installed on the transfer path so as to correspond to each arbitrary number of containers conveyed at equal intervals on the transfer path, and the image data of each image pickup means is exposed for each arbitrary number simultaneously by each image pickup means. And a foreign matter detection control device that sequentially reads and transfers data to the image processing means, and thereafter sequentially performs image processing on the image data of each imaging means by the image processing means.

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