JP2011079564A - Defective package inspection method and apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce erroneous detection that a package acceptable as a proper product is detected as a defective product while reliably detecting defects of packages. <P>SOLUTION: An apparatus has: an illuminating part 31 for illuminating the package 1 packaging a product with a packaging material from all the elevation angles of all the directions of which center is the package 1; an image-pickup part 32 for picking up an image of the package 1 from above; and a computer 33 for subjecting the data of the image picked up by the image-pickup part 32 to smoothing processing and subjecting the smoothed data to binarizing processing. If shadow serving as a possible defect is present in the binarized data, the computer measures at least the length of the shadow and determines whether the shadow is a defect or not by using the measured length. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a packaging defect inspection method and apparatus for inspecting a packaging defect of a packaged product in which a product is packaged with a packaging material, and more particularly to a packaging defect inspection method and apparatus capable of suppressing erroneous detection.

  A package in which a product is packaged with a packaging material (for example, paper, film, aluminum foil, composite material) (for example, caramel wrapping, combined wrapping, etc.) is packaged by a packaging machine in a mass production site. When packaged by a packaging machine, defects such as improper folding of the package or adhesion of dirt on the package surface rarely occur in the appearance of the package. In many cases, such inspection of defects is visually inspected by an operator, but in recent years, inspection has been performed using an inspection apparatus.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, the side surface of a photographic paper roll packaged in a package is uniformly illuminated with a ring-shaped lamp and imaged with a CCD camera, and the imaged data is binarized with a computer. A packaging defect detection device that converts a fold into vector data having coordinate information, measures the angle of each fold from the converted vector data, and compares the value with a preset threshold value to determine whether there is a packaging defect. It is disclosed. Moreover, in patent document 2, in the state which folded and adhere | attached the wrapping paper edge part which wrapped the square article, light was irradiated to the folding part, the site | part which irradiated light was imaged with the camera, and a crease | fold part is obtained from the obtained image. A wrapping paper folding quality determining device is disclosed that calculates a crease line based on a luminance difference between a dark part and a bright part in the image and determines whether a deviation from a preset crease reference line is within an allowable range. These devices are suitable for detecting crease defects, but are not suitable for detecting defects such as dirt.

  As a technique for detecting defects such as dirt, in Patent Document 3, the adhesive material and the adhesive material that is provided with the adhesive layer and a separator that is coated with the adhesive layer and has a back cut are irradiated with light. And an image processing step of extracting a defect from the captured image and determining pass / fail, and in the image processing step, the region where the back cut is formed and printing are performed. A defect inspection method for extracting and masking the formed region is disclosed. Thus, it is possible to accurately detect a defect such as a stain without erroneously detecting backcutting and printing as a defect.

JP 2001-287713 A JP 2004-10130 A JP 2005-351863 A

  By the way, according to the inventor's knowledge, when the solid product 2 is packaged with the packaging material 3 (for example, caramel wrapping, wrapping packaging, etc.), the folded lower layer side packaging material 3c on the folded surface of the packaging material 3 A depression 4 (crater) is generated in a region in the vicinity of a fold (for example, a fold of a line segment between b and f) (see FIG. 15), or a fold (for example, between df) in the folded upper layer side packaging material 3b. There is a tendency that floating occurs in a region in the vicinity of the crease (see FIG. 16). Since such dents and floats are naturally formed during the packaging process, a package having such dents and floats may be handled as a non-defective product.

  However, even if the package body having such depressions and floats is irradiated with light, an image of the package body is taken, and even if image processing of the photographed image is performed, shadows due to the depressions and the float remain, There is a problem in that the shadow is erroneously detected as a defect such as a stain and is determined as a defective product, and the yield decreases. In other words, since such dents and floats are generated near the folds, the folded upper packaging material creates shadows in the vicinity of the folds on the lower packaging material, unlike simple dents and floats. The shadow is erroneously detected as a defect.

  In addition, it is conceivable to mask the vicinity of the crease so that a shadow caused by such a depression or float is not erroneously detected as a defect such as dirt, but such a depression or float does not always occur. Even if the float occurs, it does not occur at a fixed position, and the area of the region where the depression or the float occurs is not constant, so that it is difficult to define the position and size of the mask. Further, if the vicinity of the crease is masked, real dirt may be overlooked in the vicinity of the crease, so it is difficult to apply means for masking the vicinity of the crease.

  The main subject of this invention is providing the packaging defect inspection method and apparatus which can reduce the misdetection which makes the packaging body which may be good goods inferior goods, detecting the defect of a packaging body reliably. .

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a packaging failure inspection method for inspecting packaging failure of a packaging body in which a product is packaged with a packaging material, wherein the packaging body is omnidirectional in all directions centering on the packaging body. A first step of imaging the package from above while illuminating from an elevation angle, a second step of smoothing the data imaged in the first step, and smoothing in the second step If there is a shadow that becomes a defect candidate in the third step of binarizing the data and the data binarized in the third step, at least the length of the shadow is measured and the measured length And a fourth step of determining whether or not the shadow is a defect.

  In the packaging defect inspection method of the present invention, in the fourth step, the shadow area is measured, the length of the shadow in a predetermined direction is measured, the measured area is corrected to a predetermined value, The measured length is corrected by multiplying the predetermined value by the value obtained by dividing the pre-correction area, a value obtained by dividing the predetermined value by the post-correction length is calculated, and the calculated value and When the calculated value is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the shadow is determined as a defect, and when the calculated value is less than the threshold value, it is determined that the shadow is not a defect.

  In the packaging defect inspection method of the present invention, in the fourth step, the longest length in the longitudinal direction is measured for the shadow, and the length of the longest portion in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction is measured. Measuring, calculating an aspect ratio obtained by dividing the measured length in the longitudinal direction by the measured length in the perpendicular direction, comparing the calculated aspect ratio with a threshold value, and calculating the calculated If the aspect ratio is greater than or equal to the threshold, the shadow is determined not to be a defect, and if the calculated aspect ratio is less than the threshold, the shadow can be determined to be a defect.

  In the packaging defect inspection method of the present invention, a fifth step of imaging the other package body from above while illuminating a side surface of the other package body from the outer periphery with respect to another package body, Sixth step of binarizing the data imaged in the step, and coordinate data relating to each edge that becomes each fold of the other package based on the binarized data in the sixth step A seventh step of detecting, and an eighth step of determining whether or not there is a folding failure in the other package using the coordinate data relating to each edge detected in the seventh step. In addition, it is preferable that the fifth to eighth steps are performed in parallel with the first to fourth steps.

  In the packaging defect inspection method of the present invention, in the eighth step, at least the line segment position of each edge, the intersection point position, and the coordinate data related to each edge detected in the seventh step, and It is preferable to determine whether or not the other package has a folding failure by determining whether or not the angle is within a predetermined range.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a packaging defect inspection apparatus for inspecting packaging defects of a package body in which a product is packaged with a packaging material. An illumination unit that illuminates from an elevation angle, an imaging unit that images the package from above, and data that is captured by the imaging unit are smoothed, and the smoothed data is binarized and binarized. A computer that determines at least the length of the shadow and determines whether or not the shadow is a defect using the measured length when a shadow that is a defect candidate exists in the data. Features.

  In the packaging defect inspection apparatus of the present invention, the computer measures the area of the shadow, measures the length of the shadow in a predetermined direction, corrects the measured area to a predetermined value, and performs the measurement. A length is corrected by multiplying the predetermined value by a value obtained by dividing the predetermined value by the area before correction, a value obtained by dividing the predetermined value by the corrected length is calculated, and the calculated value and the threshold value are calculated. In comparison, if the calculated value is greater than or equal to the threshold value, the shadow can be determined as a defect, and if the calculated value is less than the threshold value, it can be determined that the shadow is not a defect.

  In the packaging defect inspection apparatus of the present invention, the computer measures the longest length in the longitudinal direction for the shadow, and measures the length of the longest portion in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, The aspect ratio obtained by dividing the measured length in the longitudinal direction by the measured length in the perpendicular direction is calculated, the calculated aspect ratio is compared with a threshold value, and the calculated aspect ratio is calculated. Can be determined not to be a defect if the calculated aspect ratio is less than the threshold, the shadow can be determined to be a defect.

  In the said packaging defect inspection apparatus of this invention, the other illumination part which illuminates the side surface of the said other package from the outer periphery with respect to another package, and the other imaging part which images the said other package from above The binarization processing is performed on the data imaged by the other imaging unit, and the coordinate data related to each edge that becomes each fold of the other package is detected based on the binarized data, and the detected data is detected. Another computer that determines whether or not there is a folding failure in the other package using the coordinate data relating to each edge, and the operation for determining the folding failure by the other computer is a defect by the computer. It is preferable to be performed in parallel with the determination operation.

  In the packaging defect inspection apparatus of the present invention, the other computer uses coordinate data relating to each detected edge, and at least the line segment position, the intersection position, and the angle of each edge are within a predetermined range. It is preferable to determine whether or not there is a folding failure in the other package by determining whether or not the other packaging body is present.

  According to the present invention, the packaging body is imaged from above while illuminating the packaging body from all elevation angles in all directions, and defects are determined by smoothing processing and binarization processing, as shown in FIGS. It is possible to reduce false detections that make the packaging body 1 (having the dents 4 and the floats 5), which are good non-defective products, as defective products, and dramatically improve the product yield. It has become possible to inspect the relatively irregular shapes such as foods such as consomme cubes, curry roux, and sheepskin with the image processing of the present invention without visual inspection.

It is the schematic diagram which showed the structure of the production line containing the packaging defect inspection apparatus which concerns on Example 1 of this invention. It is the schematic diagram which showed the structure of the packaging defect inspection apparatus which concerns on Example 1 of this invention. It is the figure which showed the example of the packaging defect (folding defect) of the package used as the test object in the edge inspection part in the packaging defect inspection apparatus which concerns on Example 1 of this invention. It is the figure which showed the example of the packaging defect (defective defect) of the package used as the test object in the defect inspection part in the packaging defect inspection apparatus which concerns on Example 1 of this invention. It is the block diagram which showed typically the circuit structure of the edge inspection part in the packaging defect inspection apparatus which concerns on Example 1 of this invention. It is an image when it images by the edge inspection part in the packaging defect inspection apparatus which concerns on Example 1 of this invention. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the inspection item in the edge inspection part in the packaging defect inspection apparatus which concerns on Example 1 of this invention, (A) The schematic diagram which concerns on the test | inspection of an edge position, (B) Edge length, intersection, angle FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram related to inspection of a distance from a center line. It is the block diagram which showed typically the circuit structure of the defect inspection part in the packaging defect inspection apparatus which concerns on Example 1 of this invention. It is an image when it images by the defect inspection part in the packaging defect inspection apparatus which concerns on Example 1 of this invention, (A) The image of the inferior goods to which dirt adhered, (B) The image of the good article in which the hollow generate | occur | produced in the crease vicinity. It is. It is a figure for demonstrating the shape determination process of the defect inspection part in the packaging defect inspection apparatus which concerns on Example 1 of this invention. It is the block diagram which showed typically the circuit structure of the conveyance line part in the packaging defect inspection apparatus which concerns on Example 1 of this invention. It is the flowchart figure which showed typically operation | movement of the edge inspection part in the packaging defect inspection apparatus which concerns on Example 1 of this invention. It is the flowchart figure which showed typically operation | movement of the defect inspection part in the packaging defect inspection apparatus which concerns on Example 1 of this invention. It is the flowchart figure which showed typically the operation | movement of the conveyance line part in the packaging defect inspection apparatus which concerns on Example 1 of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the hollow which generate | occur | produces in the package which may be good goods, (A) The top view of a folding surface, (B) It is sectional drawing between XX '. It is a figure for demonstrating the float which generate | occur | produces in the package which may be good goods, (A) The top view of a folding surface, (B) It is sectional drawing between YY '.

  In the packaging defect inspection method according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, the packaging body is imaged from above while illuminating the packaging body in which the product is packaged with a packaging material from all elevation angles in all directions around the packaging body. The first step (step B2 in FIG. 13), the second step (step B3 in FIG. 13) for smoothing the data imaged in the first step, and the second step A third process (step B4 in FIG. 13) for binarizing the obtained data, and a shadow that becomes a defect candidate in the data binarized in the third process (in step B5 in FIG. 13). YES), and a fourth step (step B6 in FIG. 13) of measuring at least the length of the shadow and determining whether or not the shadow is defective using the measured length.

  In the packaging defect inspection apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, an illumination unit that illuminates a package (1 in FIG. 2) in which products are packaged with a packaging material from all elevation angles in all directions centering on the package. 31) in FIG. 2, an imaging unit (32 in FIG. 2) that images the package from above, and the data captured by the imaging unit is smoothed, and the smoothed data is binarized. When a shadow that is a defect candidate exists in the binarized data, at least the length of the shadow is measured, and a computer that determines whether the shadow is a defect using the measured length ( 33) of FIG.

  A packaging defect inspection apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a production line including a packaging defect inspection apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of the packaging defect inspection apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a packaging failure (folding failure) of a package to be inspected by the edge inspection unit in the packaging failure inspection apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a packaging defect (defect defect) of a package to be inspected by a defect inspection unit in the packaging defect inspection apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a circuit configuration of an edge inspection unit in the packaging defect inspection apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is an image taken by the edge inspection unit in the packaging defect inspection apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram for explaining the inspection items in the edge inspection unit in the packaging defect inspection apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, (A) a schematic diagram relating to the inspection of the side position, and (B) the side length. It is a schematic diagram which concerns on a test | inspection of a distance from an intersection, an angle, and a centerline. FIG. 8 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a circuit configuration of a defect inspection unit in the packaging defect inspection apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 9A and 9B are images taken by the defect inspection unit of the packaging defect inspection apparatus according to Example 1 of the present invention, where (A) an image of a defective product with dirt attached, and (B) a dent near the fold. This is a good quality image. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the shape determination process of the defect inspection unit in the packaging defect inspection apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a circuit configuration of a conveyance line unit in the packaging defect inspection apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  Referring to FIG. 1, in a production line, a solid product (for example, a consomme) formed in a predetermined shape (for example, a square shape) includes a plurality of transport lines (for example, a packaging machine 10A and a packaging defect inspection device 12A). (A second conveyance line including a conveyance line, a packaging machine 10B, and a packaging defect inspection apparatus 12B). The solid product supplied to each conveyance line is conveyed to the packaging machines 10A and 10B, and is packaged in a packaging material (for example, caramel wrapping, matching wrapping, etc.) in the packaging machines 10A and 10B. The packaging body in which the solid product is packaged with the packaging material in the packaging machines 10A and 10B is supplied to each conveyance line toward the packaging defect inspection apparatuses 12A and 12B at equal intervals, and is conveyed to the packaging defect inspection apparatuses 12A and 12B. Inspectors 12A and 12B perform folding inspection and defect inspection of the package. As for the folding inspection and the defect inspection, when the defect inspection is performed on the first package, the folding inspection is performed on the second package immediately after the first package. As a result of each inspection in the packaging defect inspection apparatuses 12A and 12B, the packaging body is discharged from the conveyance line as a defective product when it is determined that there is a folding defect or a defect defect, and it is determined that there is no folding defect or defect defect. In this case, it is conveyed toward the junction device 14 as a non-defective product. When a defective product is discharged from the line, the defective product is discharged in parallel with the folding inspection and the defect inspection. Each package conveyed as a non-defective product from the packaging defect inspection devices 12A and 12B is merged into one conveyance line by the merge device 14 and conveyed toward the outer box packaging machine 16. In the outer box packaging machine 16, a plurality of packages are packed in an outer box, and the packed outer box is packaged. The details of the configuration of the packaging defect inspection devices 12A and 12B are as follows.

  Referring to FIG. 2, the packaging defect inspection apparatus 12 (corresponding to 12A and 12B in FIG. 1) is an apparatus for inspecting the packaging body 1 for the presence of packaging defects (folding defects and defect defects). The packaging defect inspection apparatus 12 includes an edge inspection unit 20, a defect inspection unit 30, and a conveyance line unit 40 as main components.

  Here, the packaging failure is roughly classified into a folding failure and a defect failure.

  The defective edge is inspected by the edge inspection unit 20. Examples of the folding failure include the folding failures 1 to 6 in FIG. 3. Folding failure 1 is a defective product having a portion (a portion surrounded by a circle in the figure) in which a part of the packaging material on the folding surface is folded and folded. The folding failure 2 is a defective product having a portion (a portion surrounded by a circle in the figure) in which a part of the packaging material on the side surface (side surface when the folded surface is the upper surface) is folded in a folded manner. The folding failure 3 is a defective product in which the folds in the diagonal direction of the folding surface are asymmetric and the packaging material has a bowl-shaped portion (portion surrounded by a circle in the figure). The folding failure 4 is a defective product having a portion (a portion surrounded by a circle in the figure) where a part of the fold of the mountain folded portion is recessed. The folding failure 5 is a defective product having a portion (dotted line portion in the figure) in which the solid product in the package has a crushed or chipped portion and has not been folded into a prescribed size. The folding failure 6 is a defective product having a portion where the folding surface of the packaging body has become shallower (dotted line portion in the figure) due to a shift in the position of the solid product with respect to the packaging material before folding.

  The defect inspection is inspected by the defect inspection unit 30. The defect defects include, for example, defect defects 1 to 7 in FIG. Defect defect 1 is a defective product in which wrinkles (portions circled in the figure) occur on the packaging surface of the package. The defect 2 is a defective product having a portion (a portion surrounded by a circle in the figure) where the surface of the packaging material that should face the solid product side is folded and exposed to the outer surface. The defect defect 3 is a defective product having a part (a part surrounded by a circle in the figure) where a crack or tear occurs in the packaging material and a part of the solid product is exposed. Defect defect 4 is a defective product having a part (a part surrounded by a circle in the figure) where a part of the solid product cannot be wrapped and a part of the solid product is exposed, for example, a part of the packaging material is lost. The defect defect 5 is a defect product in which dirt (such as a circle in the figure) such as a solid product fragment or scrap adheres to the surface of the packaging material. The defect defect 6 is a defective product in which a solid product is packaged with a packaging material having an end portion (a portion with a color (for example, red); a portion not originally used) of a roll material that is a base of the packaging material. The defect defect 7 is a defective product having a portion (a portion surrounded by a circle in the figure) whose corners on the side surface of the package are crushed.

  Referring to FIGS. 2 and 5, the edge inspection unit 20 is a part that inspects the folding failure of the package 1. The edge inspection unit 20 includes a ring illumination 21, a camera 22, and an edge inspection computer 23.

  The ring illumination 21 is a ring-shaped lighting fixture that uniformly illuminates at least the side surface of the package 1 from the outer periphery. By uniformly illuminating the side surface of the package 1 from the outer periphery with the ring illumination 21, the brightness of the edge corresponding to the fold can be made higher than that of other portions regardless of the direction of the fold of the package 1. The ring illumination 21 is disposed to face the package 1 at the inspection position. The ring illumination 21 is arranged so that the axis passing through the center of the hole of the ring illumination 21 is at the center of the package 1 with respect to the horizontal position. The ring illumination 21 is arranged at a position as low as possible so as not to disturb the conveyance of the package 1 with respect to the vertical position. The ring illumination 21 is supported by a stand or the like. The illuminance of the ring illumination 21 is set according to the form of the package 1, but it is desirable to make it as low as possible so that the detected breaks in the edge do not increase too much. As the ring illumination 21, for example, one in which a plurality of LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) are arranged on the inner peripheral surface of a ring-shaped support can be used. The color of the light of the ring illumination 21 is selected so that the brightness of the edge is higher than that of the other parts according to the color of the surface of the package 1. For example, the color of the surface of the package 1 is silver. For example, it can be red (wavelength: about 610 to 750 nm). The ring illumination 21 may be configured such that the color of light can be switched according to the color of the surface of the package 1. The ring illumination 21 is controlled by the edge inspection computer 23.

  The camera 22 is an imaging device that images the upper surface of the package 1 through a hole in the ring illumination 21. As the camera 22, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) camera (for example, quadruple speed, 300,000 pixels) can be used. The camera 22 is disposed above the ring illumination 21 and is supported by a stand or the like. Image data captured by the camera 22 (see, for example, the image of FIG. 6) is output toward the edge inspection computer 23. The camera 22 is controlled by an edge inspection computer 23.

  The edge inspection computer 23 is a computer that inspects an edge that becomes a fold of the package 1 based on imaging data of the package 1 captured by the camera 22. The computer 23 for edge inspection detects the edge which becomes the fold of the package 1 by performing image processing on the image data captured by the camera 22, and inspects whether there is a folding failure based on the detected edge. The inspection result is notified to the line control computer 45. The edge inspection computer 23 controls the ring illumination 21 and the camera 22. The edge inspection computer 23 operates based on an image processing program, an inspection program, and a control program, and by executing each program, an edge detection unit 23a, a calculation unit 23b, and a control unit 23c. Is realized. The edge inspection computer 23 may be configured to execute the image processing program, the inspection program, and the control program in separate central processing units, thereby speeding up the inspection process (one package) The setting condition can be changed without stopping the production line.

  The edge detection unit 23a is a functional unit realized by executing an image processing program. When the edge detection unit 23a receives a transfer completion notification from the line control computer 45 through the control unit 23c, the edge detection unit 23a binarizes the imaged data of the package 1 captured by the camera 22, and the package based on the binarized data. Coordinate data relating to each edge (corresponding to the solid line in FIG. 7) that is each fold of 1 is detected. In the binarization, the luminance of each pixel portion of the imaging data is compared with the reference luminance (threshold value), and a portion having a higher luminance than the reference luminance is white and a portion having a lower luminance than the reference luminance is black. The edge that is the fold line of the packaging material 1 is processed as white because it is imaged by the ring illumination 21 so as to have a higher brightness than the other parts. In the detection of the coordinate data, the end points of the edges (corresponding to a to h in FIG. 7) and the line segments of each edge (the line segment between a and b in FIG. 7, a-c). Line segment between, line segment between a and e, line segment between b and d, line segment between b and f, line segment between c and d, line segment between c and g, between d and h And a center line (corresponding to an alternate long and short dash line L passing through e and f in FIG. 7B). The edge detection unit 23a outputs the detected coordinate data to the calculation unit 23b. The edge detection unit 23a is controlled by the control unit 23c.

  Based on the coordinate data detected by the edge detection unit 23a, the calculation unit 23b checks whether the line segment position, the intersection position, the angle, and the distance from the center line of each edge are within a predetermined range. In “inspection of line segment position”, it is inspected whether or not a line segment in coordinate data is within a plurality of detection areas (areas surrounded by dotted lines in FIG. 7A; also referred to as checkers). If all are within the detection area, the test is accepted. In FIG. 7A, two detection areas for line segment position inspection are set for one line segment. In the “intersection position inspection”, it is inspected whether or not the intersection points (e and f in FIG. 7B) among the end points in the coordinate data are within the set detection areas, and all the detection points are within the detection area. If there is one, it will be accepted and if it is not in the detection area, it will be rejected. The detection areas relating to the inspection of the intersection position are set for each intersection, and two detection areas are set in FIG. In the “angle inspection”, the angle formed by two predetermined line segments in coordinate data (two angles in FIG. 7B) is inspected to determine whether it is within the set angle range. If it is within the range, it will be accepted, and if even one is not within the angle range, it will be rejected. FIG. 7B shows an angle formed by a line segment between ab and a line segment between ae, and an angle formed by a line segment between ab and a line segment between bf. An example of examining two angles is shown. In “examination of distance from center line”, a center line in coordinate data (corresponding to an alternate long and short dash line L passing through e and f in FIG. 7B) and a predetermined line segment (between gh in FIG. 7B) The distance (interval) with the line segment) is inspected to determine whether it is within the set distance range, and if it is within the distance range, it is accepted, and if it is not within the distance range, it is rejected. The calculation unit 23b determines that the product is a non-defective product when all inspections pass, and determines that the product is defective when one or more inspection items fail. The calculation unit 23b outputs the non-defective / defective product inspection results to the control unit 23c.

  The control unit 23c is a functional unit realized by executing a control program. The controller 23c controls the ring illumination 21 (light quantity, etc.) and the camera 22 (focus, etc.). The control unit 23c controls the edge detection unit 23a and the calculation unit 23b. The control unit 23c manages the reference luminance in the edge detection unit 23a and the detection area, angle range, and distance range in the calculation unit 23b. The control unit 23c can change the setting of the reference luminance in the edge detection unit 23a and the detection area, angle range, and distance range in the calculation unit 23b by the operation of the edge inspection computer 23 by the administrator. . The control unit 23 c exchanges information with the line control computer 45. When receiving the non-defective / defective product inspection result from the calculation unit 23b, the control unit 23c transmits the inspection result to the line control computer 45.

  Referring to FIGS. 2 and 8, the defect inspection unit 30 is a part that inspects the defective defect of the package 1. In FIG. 2, the defect inspection unit 30 is disposed on the downstream side of the edge inspection unit 20 on the transport line, but may be disposed on the upstream side of the edge inspection unit 20. The defect inspection unit 30 includes a dome illumination 31, a camera 32, and a defect inspection computer 33.

  The dome illumination 31 is a luminaire that uniformly illuminates from the dome surface (hemispherical surface) toward the center (center of gravity of the spherical surface). The dome illumination 31 is from all elevation angles (all upward angles with respect to the horizontal plane) about the packaging body 1 with respect to the packaging body 1 arranged at the center of the dome surface corresponding to the inspection position. Illuminate uniformly. By using the dome illumination 31, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of shadows even if there are small irregularities such as embosses (floating patterns) on the surface of the packaging material. The dome illumination 31 is supported by a stand or the like. The dome illumination 31 includes, for example, a plurality of LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) (direct light type) disposed on the inner peripheral surface of a dome-shaped support body having an imaging hole directly above, or a reflection It is possible to use a LED light reflected from a dome surface of a member having a dome surface as a surface (reflected light type). The light color of the dome illumination 31 is selected such that a defect such as dirt is likely to be a shadow, or a color such as a character or pattern printed on the packaging material is less likely to be a shadow. If the solid product is a consomme, it can be a blue color (wavelength: about 435 to 480 nm) opposite to the brown color of the consomme. The dome illumination 31 may be configured to be able to switch the color of light according to the color of the defect. The dome illumination 31 is controlled by a defect inspection computer 33.

  The camera 32 is an imaging device that images the upper surface of the package 1 through a hole in the dome illumination 31. As the camera 32, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) camera (for example, quadruple speed, 300,000 pixels) can be used. The camera 32 is disposed above the hole of the dome illumination 31 and is supported by a stand or the like. Imaging data captured by the camera 32 (see, for example, the image of FIG. 9) is output to the defect inspection computer 33. The camera 32 is controlled by a defect inspection computer 33.

  The defect inspection computer 33 is a computer that inspects the defects of the package 1 based on the imaging data of the package 1 captured by the camera 32. The defect inspection computer 33 detects a shadow that is a defect candidate of the package 1 by performing image processing on the image data captured by the camera 32, and inspects whether the shadow detected by the shape determination process is a defect. Then, the inspection result is notified to the line control computer 45. The defect inspection computer 33 controls the dome illumination 31 and the camera 32. The defect inspection computer 33 operates based on the image processing program, the inspection program, and the control program. By executing each program, the defect detection unit 33a, the calculation unit 33b, and the control unit 33c. Is realized. The defect inspection computer 33 may be configured such that the image processing program, the inspection program, and the control program are executed in separate central processing units, so that the inspection processing can be accelerated (one package). The setting condition can be changed without stopping the production line.

  The defect detection unit 33a is a functional unit realized by executing an image processing program. When the defect detection unit 33a receives a transfer completion notification from the line control computer 45 through the control unit 33c, the defect detection unit 33a smoothes the imaging data of the package 1 captured by the camera 32, and binarizes the smoothed data. It is determined whether or not there is a shadow as a defect candidate in the converted data. In the smoothing, the luminance of the pixels of the imaging data is averaged with the luminance of the surrounding pixels to smooth the change in luminance. In the smoothing, when the shadow that becomes a defect candidate of the packaging material 1 is a shadow due to a non-defective dent 4 or a float 5 as shown in FIG. 15 and FIG. When the shadow which becomes remarkably thin and becomes a defect candidate of the packaging material 1 is a defect of a defective product, the shadow area hardly changes. In the binarization, the brightness of each pixel portion of the smoothed data is compared with the reference brightness (threshold value), and a portion having a higher brightness than the reference brightness is white and a portion having a lower brightness than the reference brightness is black. In binarization, a shadow that is a defect candidate of the packaging material 1 is processed as black because it is captured by the dome illumination 31 so that the luminance is lower than that of other portions. In particular, in binarization, when a shadow that is a defect candidate of the packaging material 1 is a shadow due to a non-defective dent 4 or a float 5 as shown in FIG. 15 and FIG. When the shadow disappears and becomes a long and narrow shadow, and the shadow that is a defect candidate of the packaging material 1 is a defect of a defective product, there is almost no change as long as the shadow area is slightly reduced. When there is a shadow that becomes a defect candidate in the binarized data, the defect detection unit 33a outputs the binarized data to the calculation unit 33b. The defect detection unit 33a is controlled by the control unit 23c.

  The computing unit 33b is a functional unit realized by executing the inspection program. Based on the binarized data from the defect detection unit 33a, the calculation unit 33b measures at least the length of a shadow that is a defect candidate (for example, the length in the longest direction), and calculates the measured length. It is used to inspect whether or not a shadow as a defect candidate is a defect (shape determination process). The arithmetic unit 33b determines that the shadow that is a defect candidate is a defective product when the shadow is a defect, and determines that the shadow that is a defect candidate is a non-defective product when the shadow that is a defect candidate is not a defect. The calculation unit 33b outputs the non-defective / defective product inspection results to the control unit 33c. In the shape determination process, as a basic idea, it is determined whether or not the shape of the shadow is an elongated shape. If the shape is elongated, a non-defect (non-defective dent 4 or float 5 as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16) is obtained. If it is not an elongated shape, it is regarded as a defect (defect such as a dirty product). An example of the shape determination process is as follows.

  As a first example of shape determination processing, referring to FIG. 10, the shadow area (corresponding to the number of pixels) is measured, the length of the shadow in a predetermined direction is measured, and the measured area is corrected to “100”. Then, the measured length is corrected by multiplying by “100 / area before correction”, a value obtained by dividing the corrected area (100) by the corrected length is calculated, and the calculated value and a threshold value (for example, 15 ) And if the calculated value is equal to or greater than the threshold value, it is determined as a defective defective product, and if the calculated value is less than the threshold value, it is determined as a non-defective dent 4 or float 5 as shown in FIGS. In the example of [Defect of defective product] in FIG. 10, the area after correction is “100” and the length after correction is “5”, so the area after correction (100) is the length after correction ( Since the value divided by 5) is “20” which is equal to or greater than the threshold (15), it is determined that the defect is defective. In the example of [non-defective dent] in FIG. 10, the area after correction is “100” and the length after correction is “10”, so the area after correction (100) is the length after correction. The value divided by (10) is “10”, which is less than the threshold value (15).

  As a second example of the shape determination process, the length (longitudinal length) of the shadow in the longest direction (longitudinal direction) is measured, and the length (short) of the longest portion in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction is measured. Measure the length in the hand direction), calculate the aspect ratio by dividing the measured length in the longitudinal direction by the length in the short direction, compare the calculated aspect ratio with the threshold value, and if the aspect ratio is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the elongated shape Therefore, the non-defective dents 4 and the floats 5 as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 are used, and if the aspect ratio is less than the threshold value, the shape is not an elongated shape.

  In addition, about the shadow used as the defect candidate of the packaging material 1, when the dome illumination 31 is used, it can avoid that the shadow by a small unevenness | corrugation generate | occur | produces. However, even if the dome illumination 31 is used, there is a limit in preventing shadows due to the depressions 4 and the floats 5 near the folds that may be good products as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16. Therefore, as a result of repeated research by the inventor, the size of the shadow due to the depression 4 and the float 5 as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 is reduced by smoothing and binarizing the imaging data, and it becomes dirty. It has been found that the size of the shadow due to defects such as the above has a property that it hardly changes even if the imaging data is smoothed and binarized. However, even if the imaging data is smoothed and binarized, the shadows due to the depressions 4 and the floats 5 as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 are not completely eliminated. Therefore, as a result of repeated research by the inventor, the shape of the shadow due to the dent 4 and the float 5 as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 tends to be an elongated shape (a shape with a high aspect ratio) along the crease, and It has been found that the shape of the shadow due to defects such as dirt is a shape with a low aspect ratio.

  The control unit 33c is a functional unit realized by executing a control program. The control unit 33c controls the dome illumination 31 (light quantity, etc.) and the camera 32 (focus, etc.). The control unit 33c controls the defect detection unit 33a and the calculation unit 33b. The control unit 33c manages the reference luminance in the defect detection unit 33a and the determination element (for example, aspect ratio) in the calculation unit 33b. The control unit 33c can change the reference luminance in the defect detection unit 33a and the setting of the determination element in the calculation unit 33b by the operation of the defect inspection computer 33 by the administrator. The control unit 33c exchanges information with the line control computer 45. When the control unit 33c receives the non-defective / defective product inspection result from the calculation unit 33b, the control unit 33c notifies the line control computer 45 of the inspection result.

  Referring to FIGS. 2 and 11, the transport line unit 40 is a part that transports the package 1. The conveyance line unit 40 has a function of discharging the package 1 related to the defective product when the edge inspection unit 20 or the defect inspection unit 30 determines that the package 1 is a defective product. The conveyance line unit 40 includes a conveyor 41, a guide unit 42, a detection sensor 43, a discharge air nozzle 44, and a line control computer 45.

  The conveyor 41 is a device that conveys the package 1. For example, an electric belt conveyor can be used as the conveyor 41. On both sides of the conveyance path of the conveyor 41, guide portions 42 for preventing the package 1 from falling from the conveyor 41 are disposed. The guide part 42 is set lower than the upper surface of the package 1 so as not to hinder illumination in the edge inspection part 20 and the defect inspection part 30. The guide portion 42 is not disposed on both sides of an area where the discharge air nozzle 44 can blow air. In FIG. 2, the conveyor 41 is configured to continuously convey through the portion where the edge inspection unit 20, the defect inspection unit 30, and the discharge air nozzle 44 are disposed. You may make it convey. The conveyor 41 is controlled by a line control computer 45.

  The detection sensor 43 is a sensor that detects the package 1 that has been conveyed to an area where the discharge air nozzle 44 on the conveyor 41 can blow air. The detection sensor 43 is disposed above (or on the side of) a region on the downstream side of the defect inspection unit 30 on the transport line. The sensing sensor 43 outputs a sensing signal to the line control computer 45 when the packaging body 1 is sensed. When the packaging body 1 cannot be sensed due to the packaging body 1 being discharged as a defective product, the line control computer 45. A non-sensing signal is output toward.

  The discharge air nozzle 44 is an air nozzle for discharging the package 1 related to a defective product from the transport line. The discharge air nozzle 44 is disposed on the side of the downstream region of the defect inspection unit 30 on the transport line. The discharge air nozzle 44 blows air from the side of the conveyor 41. The discharge air nozzle 44 is controlled by a line control computer 45.

  The line control computer 45 is a computer that controls the transport of the package 1 in the transport line and the discharge of the package 1 related to a defective product. In FIG. 11, one line control computer 45 performs conveyance control and defective product discharge control. However, conveyance control and defective product discharge control may be performed by separate computers. The line control computer 45 is configured so that the package 1 arranged at equal intervals on the conveyor 41 is conveyed in the order of the edge inspection unit 20, the defect inspection unit 30, and the discharge air nozzle 44 in an area in which air can be blown. In addition, the conveyor 41 is intermittently controlled. The line control computer 45 is configured such that when the packaging body 1 relating to a defective product is transported to an area where the air nozzle 44 for ejecting air can be blown, and the sensing sensor 43 detects the packaging body 1, the air nozzle 44 for ejection Control is performed such that air is blown against the package 1 and the blow of the discharge air nozzle 44 is stopped when the package 1 is discharged. It should be noted that the line control computer 45 is configured so that the discharge air nozzle 44 can discharge the air nozzle even if the sensor 1 detects the package 1 when the non-defective package 1 is transported to an area where the discharge air nozzle 44 can blow air. 44 does not blow air against the package 1. The line control computer 45 operates on the basis of the conveyor control program, the defective product discharge control program, and the control program, and executes each program, thereby the conveyor control unit 45a and the defective product discharge control unit. 45b and the control unit 45c are realized.

  The conveyor control unit 45a is a functional unit realized by executing a conveyor control program. The conveyor control unit 45a is a supply completion notification from a package supply device (not shown) that supplies the package 1 at the most upstream of the conveyor 41, each inspection result from the edge inspection computer 23 and the defect inspection computer 33, In addition, by receiving a notification (defective product discharge completion notification / non-defective product non-discharge notification) from the defective product discharge control unit 45b through the control unit 45c, the upstream packaging body 1 is conveyed to the edge inspection unit 20, and in parallel. Then, the packaging body 1 in the edge inspection unit 20 is transported to the defect inspection unit 30, and the packaging body 1 in the defect inspection unit 30 is simultaneously ejected by the air nozzle 44 for discharging air (defective product discharge). The conveyor 41 is controlled so as to be transported to the section). The conveyor controller 45a completes the conveyance of the package 1 in the edge inspection unit 20 to the defect inspection unit 30 and completes the conveyance of the package 1 in the defect inspection unit 30 to the defective product discharge unit. Then, a conveyance completion notice is transmitted to the edge inspection computer 23, the defect inspection computer 33, the defective product discharge control unit 45b, and the package supply device (not shown) through the control unit 45c.

  The defective product discharge control unit 45b is a functional unit realized by executing a defective product discharge control program. The defective product discharge control unit 45b receives the transfer completion notification from the conveyor control unit 45a and the inspection results from the edge inspection computer 23 and the defect inspection computer 33 through the control unit 45c, and from the detection sensor 43. When there is a result judged to be defective in the inspection result by receiving the sensing signal, air is blown from the discharge air nozzle 44 to the packaging body 1 related to the defective product, and there is no result judged to be defective in the inspection result Is controlled so as not to blow air by the discharge air nozzle 44. The defective product discharge control unit 45 b receives the non-sensing signal from the sensing sensor 43 when the packaging body 1 is ejected from the transport line when air is blown from the discharge air nozzle 44 to the packaging body 1 related to the defective product. Thus, control is performed to stop the air blowing by the discharge air nozzle 44, and after the blowing is stopped, a defective product discharge completion notification is transmitted to the conveyor control unit 45a through the control unit 45c. The defective product discharge control unit 45b transmits a non-defective product non-discharge notification to the conveyor control unit 45a through the control unit 45c when there is no result determined as a defective product in the inspection result.

  The control unit 45c is a functional unit realized by executing a control program. The control unit 45c controls the conveyor control unit 45a and the defective product discharge control unit 45b. The control unit 45 c manages setting information related to the control of the conveyor 41, the detection sensor 43, and the discharge nozzle 44. The controller 45c can change the setting information regarding the control of the conveyor 41, the sensor 43, and the discharge nozzle 44 by the operation of the line control computer 45 by the administrator. The control unit 45c mediates exchange of predetermined information with the conveyor control unit 45a, the defective product discharge control unit 45b, the edge inspection computer 23, and the defect inspection computer 33.

  Operation | movement of the packaging defect inspection apparatus which concerns on Example 1 of this invention is demonstrated using drawing. FIG. 12 is a flowchart schematically showing the operation of the edge inspection unit in the packaging defect inspection apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 13: is the flowchart figure which showed typically operation | movement of the defect inspection part in the packaging defect inspection apparatus which concerns on Example 1 of this invention. FIG. 14 is a flowchart schematically showing the operation of the transport line unit in the packaging defect inspection apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  The operation of the edge inspection unit (20 in FIG. 2) will be described with reference to the drawings.

  Referring to FIG. 12, first, in the edge inspection computer (23 in FIG. 2), an uninspected package (1 in FIG. 2) is inspected at the inspection position of the edge inspection section (20 in FIG. 2). It is confirmed whether it has been conveyed (step A1). When the uninspected package is not transported to the inspection position (NO in step A1), step A1 is repeated. The conveyance of the package to the inspection position can be confirmed based on whether or not a conveyance completion notification is received from the line control computer (45 in FIG. 2).

  When an uninspected package is transported to the inspection position (YES in step A1), the camera (22 in FIG. 2) is illuminated with the package (1 in FIG. 2) by ring illumination (21 in FIG. 2). Thus, the package (1 in FIG. 2) is imaged (step A2).

  After step A2, in order to detect the edge (corresponding to the solid line in FIG. 7) of the package (1 in FIG. 2) from the captured image (imaging data), in the edge inspection computer (23 in FIG. 2) The image acquired from the camera (22 in FIG. 2) is binarized, and based on the binarized data, coordinate data (end points (FIG. 7) related to each fold of the package (1 in FIG. 2) is formed. A to h), a line segment of each edge (a line segment between a and b in FIG. 7, a line segment between a and c, a line segment between a and e, a line segment between b and d, b Line segment between -f, line segment between cd, line segment between ct, line segment between dh, line segment between gh), center line (FIG. 7B) (Corresponding to an alternate long and short dash line L passing through e and f))) (step A3).

  After step A3, in order to perform a packaging defect inspection based on the detected edge, in the edge inspection computer (23 in FIG. 2), the line segment position and intersection of each edge based on the detected coordinate data of each edge It is inspected whether the position, angle, and distance from the center line are within a predetermined range (step A4).

  After step A4, in the edge inspection computer (23 in FIG. 2), it is confirmed whether all inspection items (line segment position, intersection position, angle, and distance from the center line of each edge) have passed. (Step A5). If all inspection items have not passed (NO in step A5), the process proceeds to step A7.

  When all the inspection items are passed (YES in step A5), the edge inspection computer (23 in FIG. 2) checks the package (1 in FIG. 2) against the line control computer (45 in FIG. 2). ) Notifies the inspection result that it is a non-defective product (step A6), and returns to step A1.

  If all inspection items have not passed (NO in step A5), the edge inspection computer (23 in FIG. 2) inspects the package (FIG. 2) with respect to the line control computer (45 in FIG. 2). Of 1) is notified of the inspection result indicating that it is a defective product (step A7), and the process returns to step A1.

  The operation of the defect inspection unit (30 in FIG. 2) will be described with reference to the drawings.

  Referring to FIG. 13, first, in the defect inspection computer (33 in FIG. 2), an uninspected package (1 in FIG. 2) is located at the inspection position of the defect inspection section (30 in FIG. 2) for inspection of defects. It is confirmed whether it has been conveyed (step B1). When the uninspected package is not transported to the inspection position (NO in step B1), step B1 is repeated. The conveyance of the package to the inspection position can be confirmed based on whether or not a conveyance completion notification is received from the line control computer (45 in FIG. 2).

  When an uninspected package is transported to the inspection position (YES in Step B1), the camera (32 in FIG. 2) is illuminated with the package (1 in FIG. 2) by dome illumination (31 in FIG. 2). Thus, the package (1 in FIG. 2) is imaged (step B2).

  After step B2, the image (imaging data) acquired from the camera (32 in FIG. 2) is smoothed in the defect inspection computer (33 in FIG. 2) (step B3).

  After step B3, the smoothed image is binarized in the defect inspection computer (33 in FIG. 2) (step B4).

  After step B4, the defect inspection computer (33 in FIG. 2) determines whether or not there is a shadow (black part) as a defect candidate in the binarized data (step B5). If there is no shadow as a defect candidate (NO in step B5), the process proceeds to step B7.

  If there is a shadow that is a defect candidate (YES in step B5), at least the length of the shadow that becomes a defect candidate in the defect inspection computer (33 in FIG. 2) in order to perform the shape determination processing of the shadow that becomes a defect candidate. (For example, the length in the longest direction) is measured, and using the measured length, it is determined whether or not a shadow as a defect candidate is a defect (step B6). If the shadow as a defect candidate is not a defect (NO in step B6), the process proceeds to step B7. If the shadow as a defect candidate is a defect (YES in step B6), the process proceeds to step B8.

  As an example of determining whether or not a shadow that is a defect candidate is a defect using the measured length in step B6, the length (longitudinal length) in the longest shadow direction (longitudinal direction) is used. Measured, measured the length of the longest part in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (length in the short direction), and calculated the aspect ratio by dividing the measured length in the longitudinal direction by the length in the short direction. If the aspect ratio is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the shape is elongated, so that it is a good dent 4 or float 5 as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, and if the aspect ratio is less than the threshold value, the shape is not elongated. Defective product defect.

  When there is no shadow that is a defect candidate (NO in step B5), or when a shadow that is a defect candidate is not a defect (NO in step B6), the package inspected in the defect inspection computer (33 in FIG. 2) An inspection result indicating that (1 in FIG. 2) is a non-defective product is notified (step B7), and the process returns to step B1.

  In the case where the shadow as a defect candidate is a defect (YES in step B6), the inspection result that the inspected package (1 in FIG. 2) is defective is displayed on the defect inspection computer (33 in FIG. 2). Notification is made (step B8), and the process returns to step B1.

  The operation of the transport line unit (40 in FIG. 2) will be described.

  Referring to FIG. 14, first, in the line control computer (45 in FIG. 2), it is confirmed whether or not the supply of the package (1 in FIG. 2) at the uppermost stream of the conveyor (41 in FIG. 2) has been completed. (Step C1). When the supply of the package is not completed (NO in step C1), the process returns to step C1. Whether or not the supply of the package has been completed is confirmed by supplying from a package supply device (not shown) for supplying the package (1 in FIG. 2) at the most upstream of the conveyor (41 in FIG. 2). This can be confirmed by whether or not a completion notification has been received. In Step C1, it is assumed that the edge inspection, defect inspection, and operation of the defective product discharge unit have been completed.

  When the supply of the package has been completed (YES in step C1), the package (41 in FIG. 2) is edge-inspected by the conveyor (41 in FIG. 2) to convey the package (1 in FIG. 2) one step. 2 (20 in FIG. 2) and in parallel the package that was in the edge inspection section (20 in FIG. 2) is transported to the defect inspection section (30 in FIG. 2) and simultaneously in the defect inspection section (FIG. 2). 2) is transported to an area (defective product discharge section) where the air nozzle for discharging (44 in FIG. 2) can spray air (step C2).

  After step C2, when the sensor (43 in FIG. 2) detects the package (1 in FIG. 2) in the defective product discharge section before the discharge air nozzle (44 in FIG. 2), the line control computer (45 in FIG. 2), the packaging body (1 in FIG. 2) in the defective product discharge section is subjected to inspection results (edge inspection section (20 in FIG. 2) and defect inspection section (30 in FIG. 2) of the packaging body. In step C3, it is determined whether or not each inspection result in (1) is already acquired). If it is not determined that the product is defective (NO in step C3), the process proceeds to step C6.

  When it is determined that the product is defective (YES in step C3), or when the discharge of the package related to the defective product is not completed (NO in step C5), air is discharged from the discharge air nozzle (44 in FIG. 2). The package body (1 in FIG. 2) related to the defective product is discharged from the defective product discharge section (step C4).

  After step C4, in order to confirm whether or not the packaging body (1 in FIG. 2) related to the defective product is completely discharged from the defective product discharge section, the line sensor computer (45 in FIG. 2) detects the sensor. It is confirmed whether or not the package (1 in FIG. 2) is not detected in (43 in FIG. 2) (step C5). When the discharge of the package related to the defective product is not completed (NO in step C5), the process returns to step C4.

  In addition, when performing Step C3 to Step C5, each inspection is performed in parallel in the edge inspection unit (20 in FIG. 2) and the defect inspection unit (30 in FIG. 2).

  When it is not determined as a defective product (NO in Step C3), when the discharge of the package related to the defective product is completed (YES in Step C5), or when the edge inspection and the defect inspection are not completed ( NO in step C6), in the line control computer (45 in FIG. 2), edge inspection (edge inspection of the package in the current edge inspection section (20 in FIG. 2)) and defect inspection (current defect inspection section ( It is confirmed whether or not the package inspection 30) in FIG. 2 has been completed (step C6). If the edge inspection and the defect inspection are not completed (NO in step C6), the process returns to step C6. Whether or not the edge inspection and the defect inspection are completed is confirmed by checking whether the line control computer (45 in FIG. 2) has received the inspection results from the edge inspection computer 23 and the defect inspection computer 33. This can be confirmed.

  When the edge inspection and the defect inspection are completed (YES in Step C6), in the line control computer (45 in FIG. 2), the inspection results from the edge inspection computer 23 and the defect inspection computer 33 are displayed on the package. Is held (stored) corresponding to (Step C7), and the process returns to Step C1.

  According to the first embodiment, the defect inspection unit 30 uses the dome illumination 31 and the smoothing process in the defect inspection computer 33 while reliably detecting the fold failure and the defect of the package 1 (100% detection). By performing defect inspection by binarization processing and shape determination processing, it is possible to reduce false detections that cause the packaging 1 that may be good products as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 to be defective products, and to dramatically increase the yield. Can be improved.

  It should be noted that the examples and the examples can be changed and adjusted within the scope of the entire disclosure (including claims) of the present invention and based on the basic technical concept. Various combinations and selections of various disclosed elements are possible within the scope of the claims of the present invention. That is, the present invention of course includes various variations and modifications that could be made by those skilled in the art according to the entire disclosure including the claims and the technical idea.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Packing body 2 Solid product 3 Packaging material 3a Folding surface 3b Upper layer side packaging material 3c Lower layer side packaging material 4 Dimple 5 Floating 10A, 10B Packaging machine 12, 12A, 12B Packaging defect inspection device 14 Junction device 16 Outer packaging machine 20 Edge inspection unit 21 Ring illumination (other illumination units)
22 Camera (other imaging unit)
23 Edge inspection computer (other computers)
23a Edge detection unit 23b Calculation unit 23c Control unit 30 Defect inspection unit 31 Dome illumination (illumination unit)
32 Camera (imaging part)
33 Computer for defect inspection (computer)
33a Defect detection unit 33b Operation unit 33c Control unit 40 Conveyance line unit 41 Conveyor 42 Guide unit 43 Sensor 44 Discharge air nozzle 45 Line control computer 45a Conveyor control unit 45b Defective product discharge control unit 45c Control unit

Claims (10)

A packaging defect inspection method for inspecting a packaging defect of a packaging body in which a product is packaged with a packaging material,
A first step of imaging the packaging body from above while illuminating the packaging body from all elevation angles in all directions around the packaging body;
A second step of smoothing the data imaged in the first step;
A third step of binarizing the data smoothed in the second step;
If there is a shadow that is a defect candidate in the data binarized in the third step, at least the length of the shadow is measured, and whether or not the shadow is a defect using the measured length A fourth step of determining
A packaging defect inspection method comprising:   In the fourth step, the area of the shadow is measured, the length of the shadow in a predetermined direction is measured, the measured area is corrected to a predetermined value, and the measured length is changed to the predetermined value. Is multiplied by the value divided by the area before correction, the value obtained by dividing the predetermined value by the length after correction is calculated, the calculated value is compared with a threshold value, and the calculated value is calculated. The packaging defect inspection method according to claim 1, wherein if the value is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the shadow is determined as a defect, and if the calculated value is less than the threshold value, the shadow is determined not to be a defect. .   In the fourth step, the longest length in the longitudinal direction is measured for the shadow, the length of the longest portion in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction is measured, and the measured longitudinal direction The aspect ratio obtained by dividing the measured length by the measured length in the perpendicular direction is calculated, the calculated aspect ratio is compared with a threshold value, and the calculated aspect ratio is equal to or greater than the threshold value. The packaging defect inspection method according to claim 1, wherein the shadow is determined not to be a defect, and the shadow is determined to be a defect if the calculated aspect ratio is less than the threshold. A fifth step of imaging the other package body from above while illuminating the other package body from the outer periphery with respect to the other package body;
A sixth step of binarizing the data imaged in the fifth step;
A seventh step of detecting coordinate data relating to each edge that becomes each fold of the other package based on the binarized data in the sixth step;
An eighth step of determining whether or not there is a folding failure in the other package using the coordinate data relating to each edge detected in the seventh step;
Including
The packaging defect inspection method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the fifth to eighth steps are performed in parallel with the first to fourth steps.   In the eighth step, whether or not at least the line segment position, the intersection position, and the angle of each edge are within a predetermined range using the coordinate data related to each edge detected in the seventh step. 5. The packaging defect inspection method according to claim 4, wherein it is determined whether or not the other package body has a folding failure. A packaging defect inspection device for inspecting packaging defects of a package in which a product is packaged with a packaging material,
An illumination unit that illuminates the package body from all elevation angles in all directions around the package body,
An imaging unit for imaging the package from above;
If the data captured by the imaging unit is smoothed, the smoothed data is binarized, and if a shadow that is a defect candidate exists in the binarized data, at least the length of the shadow is A computer for measuring and determining whether the shadow is defective using the measured length;
A packaging defect inspection apparatus comprising:   The computer measures the area of the shadow, measures the length of the shadow in a predetermined direction, corrects the measured area to a predetermined value, and corrects the measured length to the predetermined value. Correcting by multiplying by the value divided by the previous area, calculating a value obtained by dividing the predetermined value by the length after correction, comparing the calculated value with a threshold value, the calculated value is the 7. The packaging defect inspection device according to claim 6, wherein the shadow is determined to be a defect if it is greater than or equal to a threshold value, and the shadow is determined not to be a defect if the calculated value is less than the threshold value.   The computer measures the longest length in the longitudinal direction with respect to the shadow, measures the length of the longest portion in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and measures the measured length in the longitudinal direction. Is calculated by dividing the measured aspect ratio by the length in the perpendicular direction, the calculated aspect ratio is compared with a threshold value, and if the calculated aspect ratio is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the shadow is calculated. The packaging defect inspection apparatus according to claim 6, wherein it is determined that the defect is not a defect, and the shadow is determined to be a defect if the calculated aspect ratio is less than the threshold value. Other illumination units that illuminate the side surface of the other package body from the outer periphery with respect to the other package body,
Another imaging unit for imaging the other package from above;
The binarization processing is performed on the data imaged by the other imaging unit, the coordinate data relating to each edge that becomes each fold of the other package is detected based on the binarized data, and the detected Another computer for determining whether there is a folding failure in the other package using the coordinate data relating to each edge;
With
The packaging defect inspection apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the operation for determining the folding failure by the other computer is performed in parallel with the operation for determining the defect by the computer.   The other computer uses the coordinate data relating to each detected edge to determine whether at least the line segment position, the intersection position, and the angle of each edge are within a predetermined range. The packaging defect inspection device according to claim 9, wherein it is determined whether or not another package has a folding failure.