JP2007304030A - Apparatus for detecting foreign matter in container - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To eliminate the need for exchanging aligning mechanism parts for respective shapes and kinds of containers even if a plurality of kinds of containers are conveyed. <P>SOLUTION: An apparatus for detecting a foreign matter in a container is provided, which photographs the container 1 being transparent and enclosing a liquid by using a photographing means 20 while conveying the container, and detects the foreign matter in the container by performing an image processing operation. A container aligning conveyor 14 is arranged, which aligns the container 1 conveyed on the upstream side of a position in a conveyor line where the photographing means 20 is set, and moves the container at a speed lower than a movement speed at which the container passes through the photographing means 20. An aligning/conveying auxiliary means is also arranged for moving the container which is conveyed from an aligning/conveying means, at a speed equal to the movement speed at which the container passes through the photographing means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an in-container foreign object detection device, and more particularly, to a container of an in-container foreign object detection device that images a container with an imaging means while transporting a transparent container in which liquid is sealed, and detects the foreign matter in the container by image processing. Concerning transportation.

  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.

  The conventional 100% inspection relies on the operator's visual inspection. However, there is a possibility that foreign object detection may be missed, and automation of the inspection is required. Therefore, in place of the operator's visual observation, various proposals have been made for a device that irradiates a transparent container having a change in container thickness with illumination light and detects foreign matter mixed in the container by image processing from the image of the container obtained by the imaging means. Has been.

  The foreign object detection device must first specify the position of the container present in the captured image. Unlike a worker's visual recognition, a bright portion different from the background brightness in the video is determined as a container portion. In other words, when performing image processing, it is determined by the difference in brightness. It is desirable that the container to be inspected is contained in one unit of one whole or two in the video, and when the second half is reflected, it becomes easy to generate a discrimination error.

  Therefore, in order to maintain the inspection performance, it is necessary to provide an alignment mechanism for ensuring a gap between the containers and keeping the container interval constant.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2003-228867 discloses a conventional technique for showing this kind of foreign matter detection apparatus in a container and aligning containers connected continuously without a gap at a constant interval.

  In this prior art, a screw type feeder having a spiral groove is used in order to align a continuous container without a gap at a constant interval. Specifically, a large number of containers are placed on a transport conveyor, and while being pushed by the transport conveyor, are bitten one by one in a groove of the screw type feeder, and the rotating shaft extending in the transport direction rotates to follow the groove. The containers are separated while creating a gap, and are supplied and conveyed to the downstream side where the imaging means is located.

  Containers that are continuous without gaps at the inlet of the screw feeder are also arranged one by one at the outlet at intervals determined by the pitch of the grooves of the screw feeder.

JP 2004-279218 A

  However, in the above prior art, the gap between the container and the groove becomes a problem. If there is a gap, the container is swung in the groove of the screw-type feeder rotating at high speed, and the container may fall over at the outlet of the screw-type feeder in an unstable posture.

  Therefore, in the prior art of Patent Document 1, a screw-type feeder having a groove shape corresponding to the shape type of the container is provided so that stable conveyance can be performed.

  Therefore, although there is no problem when manufacturing using the same type of container is repeated every day, if you frequently switch to manufacturing using a container of a different shape, prepare multiple screw feeders that match that type, Therefore, it is necessary to replace the screw type feeder, and it takes time for adjustment and confirmation.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an in-container foreign matter detection apparatus that does not require replacement of alignment mechanism parts for each shape type of containers even when a plurality of types of containers are conveyed.

  The device of the present invention that achieves the above object is characterized in that the container is imaged by the imaging means while transporting the transparent container in which the liquid is sealed, and the foreign object detection in the container is detected by image processing. An aligning and conveying means for reliably aligning the containers conveyed upstream from the position where the imaging means of the conveying path is installed in the apparatus and moving the containers at a speed slower than the moving speed of the containers passing through the imaging means; Alignment transport for holding and moving the container transported from the alignment transport means between the position where the imaging means is installed and the alignment transport means at a speed equal to the moving speed of the container passing through the imaging means The auxiliary means is provided.

  According to the present invention, the container is transported at a speed higher than the speed of passing through the aligning and conveying means until the conveying path passes through the imaging means downstream from the outlet of the aligning and conveying means. The containers are kept at a desired distance from each other at the exit of the aligning / conveying means, and the distance between the containers is determined by the difference between the moving speed of the containers passing through the imaging means and the moving speed of the containers in the aligning / conveying means.

  In addition, since the alignment conveyance auxiliary means holds and conveys the container at the outlet of the alignment conveyance means, the container can move without slipping on the conveyance path, and the container is kept in a stable posture and has a constant interval. Can do.

  Therefore, it is not necessary to stop the conveyance path for each shape type of the container and replace the alignment mechanism parts. Even if a plurality of types of containers are aligned and conveyed using the same alignment mechanism parts, one container obtained by the imaging means is obtained. The unit image can be image-processed to reliably detect foreign matter, and high productivity can be obtained.

  The first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 13 will be described below.

  FIG. 1 is a top view showing a schematic configuration of a container foreign matter detecting device 10 according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a side view thereof.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the foreign substance detection apparatus 10 in the container is arranged from the right side to the left side in FIG. 1 in the carry-in part R1, the alignment transport part R2, the first detection part R3, the second detection part R4, and the defective container. It comprises a removal unit R5 and a carry-out unit R6. In FIG. 1, the direction from the carry-in part R1 to the carry-out part R6 is defined as the transport direction, and the horizontal direction orthogonal to the transport direction is defined as the width direction.

  The transparent PET containers 1 are sequentially loaded on the entrance transport conveyor 11 at the carry-in portion R1 and are continuously transported. The entrance conveyor 11 can transport the mounted containers 1 from the alignment transport unit R2 to the entrance of the second detection unit R4 via the first detection unit R3.

  The part on which the container 1 on the entrance conveyor 11 is mounted is made of resin or rubber having a small friction coefficient in order to prevent deterioration due to friction with the container 1. Furthermore, in order to reduce the friction between the container 1 and the inlet transport conveyor 11, a lubricant may be applied on the inlet transport conveyor 11.

  The container 1 is already filled with liquid contents, mainly chemicals and beverages, and further sealed with a container lid 2.

  The foreign object detection is performed after the container 1 is sealed with the container lid 2, and in the process of performing the foreign object detection, there is no printed matter that becomes an optical obstacle on the surface of the container, and the container determined to be a non-defective product in the foreign object detection. There are many cases where printed matter is affixed only to. In addition, the container and the contents (liquid sealed in the container) targeted in the present embodiment are both transparent, but are not limited to colorless and transparent, and are colored and transparent and are not transparent in general ambient light. Even if it is a case, it can be made into the object of a foreign material detection according to the degree of light transmission.

  As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the foreign matter mixed in the container 1 floats on the liquid surface, the floating foreign matter D1 floating in the liquid 3 of the container 1, the precipitated foreign matter D2 settled on the bottom, and the liquid surface. It is divided into the floating foreign matter D3, and the floating foreign matter D3 is smaller than the floating foreign matter D1 and the precipitated foreign matter D2.

  1 and 2, a stopper 12 is provided in the carry-in portion R <b> 1, and this stopper 12 is used to transfer the container 1 such as the convenience of conveyance of the entire production line and the convenience of the foreign matter detection device into the foreign matter detection device 10. The container 1 is forcibly stopped when it is not necessary to carry the container.

  The containers 1 moving on the entrance transport conveyor 11 have their container side surfaces widened by a pair of container alignment conveyors 14 juxtaposed in the width direction (arranged on both sides in the width direction along the transport direction) in the alignment transport unit R2. Transport while pinching from both sides of the direction.

  The containers 1 transported by the container aligning conveyor 14 are placed in a container by a pair of container aligning auxiliary conveyors 70 juxtaposed in the width direction (disposed on both sides in the width direction along the transport direction) on the downstream side of the container aligning conveyor 14. Transport while sandwiching the side from both sides in the width direction.

  As shown in FIG. 4, each container alignment conveyor 14 and each container alignment auxiliary conveyor 70 are continuously provided with a plurality of grippers 15 made of rubber and having a hollow inner shape, as shown in FIG. 4. The container 1 can be sandwiched only by managing the gap in the width direction, regardless of the difference in the shape of the container, such as a round shape or a square shape, or the presence or absence of the undulations on the surface of the container.

The mountain-shaped gripper 15a shown in FIG. 5 is suitable for a container having a large side undulation of the container 1 or a container that is not line-symmetric. Further, for a rectangular container having a side surface close to a flat surface, the container has a crease-like gripper 15b shown in FIG. An inclined gripper 15c shown in FIG. 7 that does not enter the undulation pattern is suitable. In order to provide a reliable container interval, a female gripper 15d paired with a rubber or sponge container shape shown in FIG. 8 may be used.

  1 and 2, each container aligning conveyor 14 to be sandwiched is endless, and as an example, the downstream rotary shaft 17 is a drive shaft and the upstream rotary shaft 16 is a driven shaft. The drive shaft 17 of the aligning conveyor 14 is mechanically coupled so as to rotate at the same speed by the same drive source.

  Therefore, by arranging the grippers 15 in the two container alignment conveyors 14 in plane symmetry, the two container alignment conveyors 14 can be moved in synchronization.

  As with each container alignment conveyor 14, each container alignment auxiliary conveyor 70 is endless, the downstream rotary shaft 72 is a drive shaft, and the upstream rotary shaft 71 is a driven shaft. The drive shaft 72 is mechanically coupled so as to rotate at the same speed by the same drive source.

  Therefore, by arranging the grippers 15 in both the container alignment auxiliary conveyors 70 in plane symmetry, both the container alignment auxiliary conveyors 70 can be moved in synchronization. The container alignment auxiliary conveyor 70 can be driven by the drive source of the inlet transfer conveyor 11 by mechanically coupling the drive shaft 72 of the container alignment auxiliary conveyor 70 with the drive shaft 73 of the inlet transfer conveyor 11.

The respective rotating shafts 16 and 17 of each container aligning conveyor 14 and the respective rotating shafts 71 and 72 of each container aligning auxiliary conveyor 70 have a common right-handed screw and left-handed screw without changing their positions in the transport direction. It is structured to be able to slide in the width direction on a straight line with a single ball screw.

  A rotation handle is attached to one end of the ball screw, and the rotation of the rotation handle in the normal direction reduces the gap in the width direction of the container alignment conveyor 14 and the container alignment auxiliary conveyor 70, and the rotation handle rotates in the reverse direction. In the rotation, the gap becomes large, and it is possible to cope with different container types very easily.

  If the conveyance guides are also fixed before and after each of the container alignment conveyors 14 and each of the container alignment auxiliary conveyors 70, the interval between the conveyance guides is changed simultaneously with the change of the gaps of the respective container alignment conveyors 14, and the setup change is further performed. It becomes simple.

  Assuming that the moving speed V2 of the container 1 in a state where the containers 1 are sandwiched between the container aligning conveyors 14 with respect to the conveying (moving) speed V1 of the container 1 by the inlet transfer conveyor 11, the moving speed V2 is slower than the moving speed V1. It is like that.

  Further, assuming that the moving speed V3 of the container 1 in a state where the containers 1 are sandwiched by the respective container alignment auxiliary conveyors 70, the moving speed V3 is set to be equal to the moving speed V1 of the container 1 by the inlet transport conveyor 11.

  According to such a speed relationship (V2 <V1, V3 = V1), the containers 1 sandwiched between the grippers 15 of the container aligning conveyors 14 are once decelerated to the speed V2 in the aligning / conveying section R2, and then the container aligning conveyors. The containers 1 are opened from the 14 grippers 15 and the containers sandwiched by the grippers 15 of the respective container alignment auxiliary conveyors 70 are increased to the speed V3 (= V1). Then, the containers 1 are opened from the grippers 15 of the respective container alignment auxiliary conveyors 70, and are conveyed again by the entrance conveyor 11 while the moving speed of the containers 1 is kept constant.

The containers 1 having various intervals up to the position where they enter the aligning and conveying section R2 are temporarily clogged in the interval between the grippers 15 of the container aligning conveyors 14, and the container interval is reduced to S1. Next, when the container aligning conveyor 14 is released from the gripper 15, the desired interval S <b> 2 that is the final interval is reached.

  Therefore, the container interval S2 can be adjusted by the relative speed difference between the moving speeds V1 and V2 (the container alignment auxiliary conveyor 70 and the entrance conveyor 11 are in contact with the container 1 when the gripper 15 of the container alignment conveyor 14 is opened). The distance moved at the speed V1 is the container interval S2), and the container interval S2 can be increased as the speed V2 is smaller than the speed V1.

Even when each container alignment auxiliary conveyor 70 is not used, the container interval can be increased by the relative speed difference between the moving speeds V1 and V2. However, since the coefficient of friction between the container 1 and the inlet conveyor 11 is small and there is a difference between the moving speeds V1 and V2 of the container, the container 1 is released from the gripper 15 of each container alignment conveyor 14. As a result, the container interval S2 may be reduced.

  Further, when the relative speed difference between the moving speeds V1 and V2 is increased, the posture of the container 1 may be tilted when the container is arranged from the gripper 15 of each container aligning conveyor 14, and may fall over in some cases.

  By using each container alignment auxiliary conveyor 70, the containers are clamped by the gripper 15 of each container alignment auxiliary conveyor 70 when the container alignment auxiliary conveyor 70 is released from the gripper 15, and moved while maintaining the posture of the container 1. A constant container interval S2 that can be conveyed at the speed V1 can be maintained. In addition, when the gripper 15 of each container alignment auxiliary conveyor 70 is opened, there is no relative speed difference from the inlet transport conveyor 11, so that the container 1 is stably transported by the inlet transport conveyor 11 without being tilted or overturned. can do.

  Since each container alignment auxiliary conveyor 70 has a speed V3 and is equal to the conveyance speed V1 of the entrance transfer conveyor, the containers 1 remain stationary when released from the gripper 15 of each container alignment auxiliary conveyor 70. The first detection unit R3 is reached by the entrance conveyor 11 as it is. That is, in the container 1, the liquid surface of the sealed liquid is in a state where a hydrostatic surface where no waves or bubbles are generated is maintained, and the first detection unit R 3 and the second detection unit R 4 are used for imaging the container. Bring a good environment.

  The first detection unit R3 is for detecting the floating foreign material D1 and the floating foreign material D3 shown in FIG. 3A, and the second detection unit R4 detects the precipitated foreign material D2 shown in FIG. 3B. Is for.

  An imaging means 20 is provided in the first detection unit R3, and an illumination light source 21 having a halogen lamp is installed on the apparatus base F (see FIG. 2).

  As shown in FIG. 9, the imaging unit 20 is configured to receive the light from the illumination light source 21 through the light guide 22 on the side of the container 1 from the illumination light irradiation unit 23 installed on one side (width direction) of the entrance conveyor 11. Irradiate. The illumination light source 21 is selected from a fluorescent lamp, LED, EL, incandescent lamp, metal halide lamp, infrared light lamp, ultraviolet light lamp, surface emitting illumination device, etc. in addition to a 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, it becomes a rectangular transmitted illumination light L1 gradually spreading from a straight line as the distance to the illumination light irradiation means 23 increases.

  On the side opposite to the container 1, a plurality of imaging cameras 24 that image the container 1 are arranged. The arrival of the container 1 at the floating foreign matter detection position P1 where the illumination light irradiation means 23 and the imaging camera 24 exist is detected by the container detection sensor 25 arranged above the entrance transport conveyor 11, and the imaging camera is based on the detection result. 24, and image processing is performed by the foreign object detection control unit 40 of FIG.

  As the type of the container detection sensor 25, a light transmission type or an ultrasonic type may be used in addition to the light reflection type.

  The imaging camera 24 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. FIG. 9 shows an example in which two units are installed at the top and bottom, 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 composite process in the foreign object detection control unit 40 after the image pickup to discriminate the boundary line to form one image.

  In FIG. 2, after passing through the first detection unit R <b> 3, the container 1 reaches the upstream end of the container sandwiching conveyor 31 in the second detection unit R <b> 4 provided with the imaging means 30.

  The configuration of each container sandwiching conveyor 31 arranged on both sides in the width direction along the transport direction is the same as that of the container aligning conveyor 14 in the aligning and transporting section R2, and can be transported while sandwiching both side surfaces of the container 1. ing.

  The adjustment of the gap in the width direction is similarly performed by a rotary handle attached to a common ball screw. Moreover, both the container clamping conveyors 31 are mechanically coupled as a configuration having a synchronized speed.

  The moving speed V1 of the container 1 when the container 1 is mounted on the entrance conveyor 11 and the moving speed V4 of the container 1 when the container is held by the container holding conveyor 31 are made equal (moving speed V1 = The movement speed V4), and thus the container interval S2 in the first detection unit R3 is maintained as it is.

  In the second detection unit R4, there is no conveyor on which the containers 1 are mounted unlike the entrance transport conveyor 11. Therefore, the container 1 clamped by the container clamping conveyor 31 is in a floating state.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the imaging camera 32 of the imaging means 30 for imaging the bottom part of the container 1 is provided below the conveyance path constituted by the container sandwiching conveyor 31, and is provided on the apparatus mount F (see FIG. 2). An illumination light source 33 having a halogen lamp is installed.

  Light from the illumination light source 33 is irradiated from above the container 1 from the illumination light irradiation means 35 via the light guide 34 above the conveyance path. What is necessary is just to use the thing similar to the illumination light source 21 as the illumination light source 33. FIG.

  The tip of the optical fiber in the light guide 34 is fixed in a ring shape directly above the container 1 with the illumination light irradiation means 35 facing directly below. As in the case of floating foreign object detection, light has a certain spread angle at the tip of the optical fiber. For this reason, as the distance from the illumination light irradiating means 35 increases, in the case of detecting a precipitated foreign substance, the transmitted illumination light L2 gradually becomes circular from the ring shape.

  At this time, since the tip of the optical fiber is arranged in a ring shape in the illumination light irradiation means 35, the shadow of the container lid 2 which may be an opaque material is not projected on the bottom side of the container. It is not an obstacle to foreign object 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, the ring-shaped arrangement diameter in the illumination light irradiation means 35 is preferably made larger than that of the container lid 2.

  In this embodiment, one imaging camera 32 is arranged below the entrance conveyor 11, but the image may be enlarged and divided by a plurality of imaging cameras.

  The arrival of the container 1 at the foreign substance detection position P2 where the imaging camera 32 and the illumination light irradiation means 35 are present is detected by the container detection sensor 36 disposed above the entrance conveyor 11 and the imaging camera is based on the detection result. 32, and image processing is performed by the foreign object detection control unit 40 of FIG.

  Here, the foreign object detection control unit 40 will be described.

In FIG. 11, the detection results of the container detection sensors 25 and 36 at the floating foreign substance detection position P1 and the settled foreign substance detection position P2 are grasped by the main computing unit 42 via the I / O interface 41, and the shutter signal control unit 43 and Reflected in the shutter signals of the imaging cameras 24 and 32 by the camera controller 44.

  Based on the shutter signal, the imaging cameras 24 and 32 capture images of the container 1 and temporarily store them in the image information storage unit 46 that performs image processing from the camera controller 44 via the camera interface 45. The process which extracts a foreign material with is performed.

  The captured image and the video that has already been processed are displayed on the image processing monitor 47. The start, stop, and error of the apparatus are managed by the operation switch 48 and the display lamp 49, and the operation status management of the entire apparatus including the management and image processing of the video is performed by the main arithmetic unit 42 and the main storage unit 50. I'm in charge. The operation status of the entire apparatus is displayed on the monitor 51.

  FIG. 12 shows an example of a synthesized image obtained by obtaining the container 1 containing the floating foreign substance D1 with the imaging camera 24. FIG. 12A shows a grayscale image M1, and FIG. 12B shows a binarized image M2 after the grayscale image M1 of FIG.

  In the grayscale image M1, vertical and horizontal lines within the container range are traces of dark parts due to the influence of container undulations on the side wall of the container 1. By illuminating light, the undulating pattern in the dark part is eliminated as much as possible, and the outline of the container 1 and its peripheral part are divided into black and white by image processing as in the binarized image M2 in FIG. Search for the presence of an object.

  If the black object is the foreign object image MD1, and this foreign object image MD1 exists, it is determined as a defective container, and if it does not exist, it is determined as a non-defective container, and is managed with internal data.

  FIG. 13 shows an example of an image captured by the imaging camera 32 of the container 1 containing the precipitated foreign substance D2. FIG. 13A shows a grayscale image N1, and FIG. 13B shows a binarized image N2 after the grayscale image N1 shown in FIG.

  Also in the case of the precipitated foreign matter D2, in the grayscale image N1, the radial line within the container range indicates the occurrence of a dark part due to the influence of the container undulation at the bottom of the container 1.

  By removing the undulating pattern in the dark area with illumination light and performing image processing, the outline of the container and its peripheral part are divided into black and white as shown in FIG. 13B, and the presence or absence of a black object in the container area is searched. To do.

  If the black object is a foreign object image ND2, and this foreign object image ND2 exists, it is determined as a defective container, and if it does not exist, it is determined as a non-defective container, and is managed by internal data together with the floating foreign object image MD1.

  Since the captured image M1 of the floating foreign material D1 shown in FIG. 12 and the captured image N1 of the precipitated foreign material D2 shown in FIG. 13 are kept constant by the container alignment conveyor 14 in the alignment transport unit R2, The container can be easily identified, and stable image processing is possible.

  Returning to FIG. 1, when the floating / floating / sedging foreign matter inspection is completed, the defective container removing unit R5 sorts according to the inspection result managed by the internal data. If it is a defective container, it will be discharged from a normal manufacturing line by pushing the defective container 1 to the container discharge conveyor 18b side by the pusher 61 of the container extrusion unit 60 from the side of the exit conveyance conveyor 18a.

  Alternatively, instead of the container push-out unit 60, a means for adding a defect identification mark as a mark at a conspicuous position of the defective container 1 may be provided so that the defective container can be rejected in a subsequent process.

  The floating foreign matter detection position P1, the precipitated foreign matter detection position P2 and its surroundings are surrounded by a light shielding cover (not shown) to block light from the surroundings which is an optical disturbance to the container 1 and the imaging cameras 24 and 32, and stable foreign matter. Is to be detected.

  The inlet conveyor 11, the container alignment conveyor 14, the container alignment auxiliary conveyor 70, the container holding conveyor 31, the outlet conveyor 18a and the container discharge conveyor 18b need to be set at all times except for the speed setting. Since it does not require much control, the description of the electric system is omitted.

  Next, a foreign substance detection apparatus 10 in a container according to a second embodiment, which is another example of aligning the containers at regular intervals, will be described with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 14, the same components as those shown in FIGS.

In this embodiment, instead of the container alignment conveyor 14 and the container alignment auxiliary conveyor 70 that sandwich the side portion of the container 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the container alignment conveyor 14A that sandwiches the container lid 2 from the side and the container alignment auxiliary A conveyor 70A is used.

  A pair of endless resin or metal belts are provided on the side of the container alignment conveyor 14A and the container alignment auxiliary conveyor 70A between which the container lid 2 is sandwiched. It is arranged on both sides in the width direction. Each belt may be provided with the grippers 15 to 15d shown in FIGS. 4 to 8 as in the first embodiment.

  The shape of the container lid 2 is various, such as a round shape and a square shape, and further, the shape of the container lid 2 is similar in many cases. Therefore, by using the container alignment conveyor 14A and the container alignment auxiliary conveyor 70A that sandwich the container lid 2, there is an advantage that it is possible to further save the trouble of changing the setup for every container 2. In addition, the container 1 is conveyed in the state mounted in the entrance conveyance conveyor 11 similarly to 1st embodiment.

  The speed setting of the container alignment conveyor 14 </ b> A that sandwiches the container lid 2 is smaller than the speed of the entrance transport conveyor 11, and the speed setting of the container alignment auxiliary conveyor 70 </ b> A is equal to the speed of the entrance transport conveyor 11. By doing so, the container 1 sandwiched by the belt of the container alignment conveyor 14A is once decelerated, and then the container 1 is released from the belt of the container alignment conveyor 14A and is sandwiched by the belt of the container alignment auxiliary conveyor 70A again. The speed is increased to the speed of the entrance conveyor 11.

  In this way, the containers 1 that were originally at various intervals become a constant container interval when they come out of the container alignment auxiliary conveyor 70A.

  Furthermore, a container foreign matter detecting device 10 according to a third embodiment that is aligned at a constant interval without contacting the side surface of the container will be described with reference to FIG.

  Also in FIG. 15, the same reference numerals are given to the same or equivalent parts as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.

  In this embodiment, the container alignment conveyor 14B and the container alignment auxiliary conveyor 70B are arranged above the container lid 2 in the container 1 along the transport direction, and the container 1 is transferred to the container by the container alignment conveyor 14B and the container alignment auxiliary conveyor 70B. It is pressed from the upper surface of the lid 2.

  In many cases, a label or the like is attached to the side surface of the container 1, which is suitable when it is desired to avoid contact with the container 1. A vertical movement mechanism that can adjust the height of the container alignment conveyor 14B and the container alignment auxiliary conveyor 70B (not shown) is provided so that the burden of setup change can be reduced as much as possible.

  The entrance conveyor 11 includes an upstream front half part 11a and a downstream rear half part 11b. The front half part 11a is an area where the container alignment conveyor 14B presses the containers 1 (an area until the pressing is released), and the rear half part 11b is The container alignment conveyor 14B releases the pressing against the container 1, and the container alignment auxiliary conveyor 70B presses the container 1 (an area until the pressing is released).

  The moving speed of the second half part 11b of the entrance conveyor 11 is V1, the moving speed of the first half part 11a is V2 synchronized with the container aligning conveyor 14B, and a relationship of V1> V2 is established.

The front half part 11a and the rear half part 11b have a horizontal part and an inclined part, and the container alignment conveyor 14B releases the pressing against the container 1 at the boundary between the horizontal part and the inclined part, and the container alignment auxiliary conveyor 70B presses against the container 1 instead. This is the starting position Px.

  The horizontal part and the inclined part in the front half part 11a and the rear half part 11b are alternately arranged in the width direction when viewed from above (front half part 11a-second half part 11b-front half part 11a-second half part 11b). In the position Px where the pressing against the container 1 is released, the container 1 is transferred from the horizontal part of the front half part 11a to the horizontal part of the rear half part 11b.

  When the entrance conveyor 11 is viewed from above, the rear half part 11b is disposed on both sides with the front half part 11a in the center in the width direction (the rear half part 11b-the front half part 11a-the front half part 11a-the rear half part 11b in the width direction). ) Or the reverse arrangement (arrangement of the first half part 11a, the second half part 11b, the second half part 11b, and the first half part 11a in the width direction).

  According to such a configuration, the container interval S1 at the container aligning conveyor 14B becomes a constant expanded container interval S2 when it comes out of the container aligning auxiliary conveyor 70B.

  Furthermore, a container foreign matter detection device 10 according to a fourth embodiment that aligns containers at regular intervals will be described with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 16 as well, the same or equivalent parts as those shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  In this embodiment, instead of the container aligning conveyor 14 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, container holding plates 19 having cushioning materials are arranged on both sides in the width direction of the inlet transport conveyor 11 and are mounted on the inlet transport conveyor 11. The side surface of the container 1 to be conveyed is intermittently sandwiched by the buffer material in the container pressing plate 19. In the clamping operation, a linear motion element such as an air cylinder that moves each container pressing plate 19 in the width direction is used, and the structure can be configured with a simpler structure than the container alignment conveyor 14 shown in FIGS.

  1 and 2, the container alignment assisting conveyors 70 are replaced with the container alignment assisting rollers 75 disposed on both sides in the width direction of the entrance transporting conveyor 11, and are transported by being released from both the container holding plates 19. The side surface of the container 1 is sandwiched from both sides in the width direction. The outer peripheral surface of the container alignment auxiliary roller 75 is covered with a cushioning material such as rubber or sponge.

  Both container holding plates 19 repeat an intermittent operation of sandwiching the container 1 from the side with a certain time interval. During the time when each container holding plate 19 is pushed out and the container 1 is sandwiched, the container 1 stops while slipping on the entrance conveyor 11 and the container 1 is opened downstream from the position of both the container holding plates 19. The container interval becomes S2.

  And although the container upstream from carrying-in part R1 is conveyed until it reaches the position of the container stopped previously, after reaching this position, it is stopped.

  During the time when both the container holding plates 19 release the container 1 from being sandwiched, the container 1 is transported in a state of being mounted on the inlet transport conveyor 11.

  The peripheral speeds of the respective container alignment auxiliary rollers 75 are equal and equal to the moving speed V1 of the entrance transport conveyor 11, and each of the container alignment auxiliary rollers 75 is provided with a driving source or rotated at the same speed. Thus, the drive source can be made one by combining them mechanically. Further, the drive source can be omitted by mechanically coupling with the drive shaft of the entrance conveyor 11.

  Therefore, by managing the time during which both the container holding plates 19 sandwich the container 1 and the time during which the container 1 is opened, the moving speed V2 of the container 1 in the alignment transport unit R2 can be set, and the container interval S2 after opening is free Can be set to

  For the difference in the container shape, the setup can be easily changed by adjusting the position where the container pressing plate 19 is pushed and stopped.

  Further, each container alignment auxiliary roller 75 is provided with a guide for moving the same distance in the width direction so that the clearance in the width direction of both container alignment auxiliary rollers 75 can be easily adjusted.

It is a top view which shows schematic structure of the foreign material detection apparatus in a container which is 1st embodiment of this invention. It is a side 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 shape of the gripper in the foreign material detection apparatus in a container shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the other shape of the gripper in the foreign material detection apparatus in a container shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the other shape of the gripper in the foreign material detection apparatus in a container shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the other shape of the gripper in the foreign material detection apparatus in a container shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the other shape of the gripper in the foreign material detection apparatus in a container shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the detection part of the floating foreign material in the container foreign material detection apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the detection part of the settled foreign material in the foreign material detection apparatus in a container shown in FIG. It is a figure explaining the structure of the foreign material detection control part in the foreign material detection apparatus in a container shown in FIG. It is a figure explaining the condition which detects a floating foreign material by the foreign material detection apparatus in a container shown in FIG. It is a figure explaining the condition which detects the foreign material settled by the foreign material detection apparatus in a container shown in FIG. It is a side view which shows schematic structure of the foreign material detection apparatus in a container which is 2nd embodiment of this invention. It is a side view which shows schematic structure of the foreign material detection apparatus in a container which is 3rd embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which shows schematic structure of the foreign material detection apparatus in a container which is 4th embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Container, 2 ... Container lid, 10 ... Foreign material detection apparatus in container, 11 ... Entrance conveyance conveyor, 14 ... Container alignment conveyor, 20, 30 ... Imaging means, 70 ... Container alignment auxiliary conveyor.

Claims (5)

In the container foreign matter detection device that images the container with the imaging means while transporting the transparent container in which the liquid is sealed, and detects the foreign matter in the container by image processing,
Aligning and conveying means for aligning the containers conveyed upstream from the position where the imaging means for the conveying path is installed and moving the containers at a speed slower than the moving speed of the containers passing through the imaging means, and the imaging means An apparatus for detecting foreign matter in a container, comprising: an aligning and conveying auxiliary means for holding and moving the container at a speed equal to a moving speed of the container passing through the imaging means between the installed position and the aligning and conveying means. In the container foreign matter detection device that images the container with the imaging means while transporting the transparent container in which the liquid is sealed, and detects the foreign matter in the container by image processing,
Aligning and conveying means for aligning the containers conveyed upstream from the position where the imaging means for the conveying path is installed and moving the containers at a speed slower than the moving speed of the containers passing through the imaging means, and the imaging means Alignment conveyance assisting means for holding and moving the container at a speed higher than the moving speed of the container for moving the container by the alignment conveyance means is provided between the installed position and the alignment conveyance means. In-container foreign object detection device. In the container foreign object detection device according to any one of claims 1 and 2,
The aligning and conveying means and the aligning and conveying auxiliary means synchronize the endless member with a pair of endless members that sandwich the body or lid of the container from both sides in the width direction perpendicular to the conveying direction in the conveying path. A container foreign matter detecting device comprising a driving means for moving the device. In the container foreign matter detecting device according to any one of claims 1 and 2,
The apparatus for detecting foreign matter in a container, wherein the aligning / conveying means and the aligning / conveying auxiliary means each include an endless member that presses the lid of the container between the aligning and conveying means. In the container foreign object detection device according to any one of claims 1 and 2,
The aligning and conveying means includes a pair of members that intermittently sandwich the body of the container from both sides in the width direction perpendicular to the conveying direction in the conveying path and a driving means that moves the members synchronously. The aligning and conveying auxiliary means includes a pair of rollers arranged on both sides in the width direction orthogonal to the conveying direction in the conveying path and means for equalizing the peripheral speeds of the rollers. In-container foreign object detection device.

Images