JP2011095107A - Foreign matter inspection device and foreign matter inspection method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a foreign matter inspection device and a foreign matter inspection method, which can detect more accurately a foreign matter that may be mixed in a content liquid of an article to be inspected in distinction from soil, dirt, dust, flaw, etc. attached to the outside of a container, and which are excellent in yield and productivity. <P>SOLUTION: In the foreign matter inspection device 1, an article to be inspected 60 is caused to rotate and then stopped to rotate, and a foreign matter that may be mixed in a content liquid of the article to be inspected 60 is detected by inspection units 10a, 10b... The inspection units 10a, 10b... include: an imaging part 21; a processed image forming means 25 for forming many processed images; a combined master image forming means 26 for forming a combined master image by combining a plurality of processed images optionally selected by logical sum operation; a means for extracting images for detection 27; and a judgment means 29 for judging the presence or absence of a foreign matter in the content liquid by comparing the combined master image with each of the plurality of the images for detection. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention uses a container filled with a content liquid as an inspection article, and detects a foreign substance that can be mixed in the content liquid of the inspection article by distinguishing it from dirt or the like adhering to the outside of the container. Regarding the method.

  Conventionally, as this type of technology, a foreign object that can be mixed in the content liquid is detected by rotating the inspection article, imaging the state in which the content liquid flows, and performing predetermined image processing and determination processing. There is something like that (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP-A-6-273351

  The conventional technique as described in Patent Document 1 compares a plurality of “inspection images”, subtracts and removes image components whose relative positions do not change as dirt attached to the outside of the container, and the relative positions change. Since the image component to be extracted is extracted as a foreign substance in the content liquid, erroneous detection is likely to occur, and the yield may be too low at an actual production site.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and the main object of the present invention is to remove foreign matter that may be mixed in the content liquid of the inspection article with dirt, dust, dust, scratches attached to the outside of the container. It is an object of the present invention to provide a foreign substance inspection apparatus and a foreign substance inspection method that can be detected more accurately and have good yield and productivity.

The foreign matter inspection apparatus according to the present invention uses a container filled with a content liquid as an inspection article, and rotates the inspection article and then stops rotation, so that foreign matter that can be mixed in the content liquid in a predetermined inspection unit. A foreign substance inspection device for detecting a foreign object, and the inspection unit may have an imaging unit that continuously images the inspection article that has stopped rotating, and a number of possible foreign object suspicion areas based on imaging by the imaging unit. A composite image forming means for forming a processed image, and a composite master that forms a composite master image that can have a foreign object suspected master area by combining a plurality of processed images arbitrarily selected from the multiple processed images by logical sum operation An image forming means, a detection image extracting means for extracting a plurality of processed images that were not used for forming the composite master image as a plurality of detection images, and a foreign object suspicion of the composite master image By comparing the foreign substance suspected region of the star region and the plurality of detection images respectively, and provided with a determining means for determining whether the foreign matter of the content liquid.

  Preferably, the foreign object inspection apparatus uses an NG pattern when the foreign object suspected area of the detection image exists so as to leak from the position of the foreign object suspected master area of the composite master image, and the detection image The presence / absence of foreign matter in the content liquid is determined based on the number corresponding to the NG pattern.

In the foreign matter inspection apparatus, preferably, the recognition sensitivity of the foreign object suspected master region in the composite master image is larger than the recognition sensitivity of the foreign object suspected region in the detection image.

  The foreign object inspection apparatus preferably has a rotating drum that supports and conveys the inspection article in a substantially circular shape in plan view at regular intervals, and the inspection unit is provided along the rotating drum. According to the determination result by the unit, the inspection article carried out from the rotating drum is further provided with return means that can carry it into the rotating drum again.

  Preferably, the foreign object inspection apparatus further includes a posture holding unit that holds the inspection article being imaged in a fixed posture with respect to the imaging unit.

  Preferably, the foreign object inspection apparatus is configured such that the imaging unit is fixed independently from the rotating drum, and an inspection area in the inspection article is automatically set following the conveyance of the inspection article. Is done.

Further, the foreign matter inspection apparatus of the present invention uses a container filled with the content liquid as an inspection article, stops the rotation after rotating the inspection article, and detects the foreign matter that may be mixed in the content liquid. An inspection apparatus, comprising: an imaging unit that continuously images the inspection article that has stopped rotating; and a predetermined image inspection unit, wherein the image inspection unit is based on the imaging by the imaging unit, A large number of processed images that can have areas are formed, and a plurality of processed images arbitrarily selected from the large number of processed images are synthesized by a logical sum operation to form a composite master image that can have a foreign object suspected master area At the same time, among the large number of processed images, those not used for forming the composite master image are extracted as a plurality of detection images, and the foreign object suspected master region of the composite master image and the plurality of detection images are extracted. The suspicious area By respectively comparing configured to determine the presence or absence of the foreign substance of the content liquid.

  Further, the foreign matter inspection method of the present invention is a foreign matter inspection method for detecting foreign matter that may be mixed in the content liquid using a container filled with the content liquid as an inspection article, and floating the foreign matter in the content liquid. After applying an external force to be applied to the inspection article, a step of relatively stationary the container of the inspection article, and a continuous imaging of the inspection article in which the container is relatively stationary, a number of foreign object suspicious areas may be provided. A step of forming a processed image; a step of combining a plurality of processed images arbitrarily selected from the plurality of processed images by a logical sum operation to form a composite master image that may have a foreign object suspected master region; Of the processed images that have not been used to form the composite master image are extracted as a plurality of detection images, a foreign object suspected master area of the composite master image, and a foreign object suspected of the plurality of detection images. Area and By respectively comparing includes the step of determining the presence or absence of foreign matter of the content liquid.

According to the present invention, since it is configured as described above, foreign substances that can be mixed in the liquid content of the inspection article can be detected more accurately by distinguishing them from dirt, dust, dust, scratches, etc. adhering to the outside of the container. At the same time, yield and productivity can be improved.

It is a schematic plan view which shows the whole structure of the inspection apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is an enlarged front view which shows the test | inspection condition which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows the real image of the test | inspection article which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows the process image which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows the formation condition of the synthetic | combination master image which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows the comparison condition of the synthetic | combination master image which concerns on embodiment, and the image for a detection. It is a schematic plan view which shows a partial structure of the inspection apparatus which concerns on a modification.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view showing an overall configuration of an inspection apparatus 1 according to the embodiment, and FIG. 2 is an enlarged front view showing an inspection state. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a real image of the inspection article 60 according to the embodiment. 4 to 6 are intended to illustrate the inspection procedure according to the embodiment, FIG. 4 is a processed image ([No.1] ~ [No.12] ) are shown FIG, 5 is a synthetic master image G _M It shows the formation state, FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the comparison condition of the detection image G _S and the synthetic master image G _M.

As shown in FIG. 1, the foreign matter inspection apparatus 1 mainly includes a rotating drum 3, carry-in means 4 and carry-out means 5, and predetermined inspection units 10 a to 10 d.
As shown in FIGS. 2 to 3, the inspection article 60 is obtained by filling a well-shaped ampoule container 62, which is formed by constricting the distal end of a cylindrical body, with a liquid 63 such as a medicine. It is. In this embodiment, the ampule container 62 and the content liquid 63 are both colorless or colored transparent or translucent. The inspection article 60 is transported in a vertical state with the tip portion facing upward.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 2, the rotating drum 3 is provided with a lower disk 31 on which the inspection articles 60 are placed on the peripheral edge in a line at equal intervals, and a space above the lower disk 31. And an upper disk 32 that maintains a vertical state, and supports the inspection article 60 in a substantially annular shape in plan view and transports it horizontally. The lower disk 31 and the upper disk 32 are fixed to the main shaft 33 and are continuously rotated in a constant rotation direction R ₃ .

In the rotating drum 3, as shown in FIG. 2, a pair of upper and lower holders 35 are attached to each inspection article 60. The holder 35 is connected to a predetermined lower rod 36 and upper rod 37, and is inserted into the lower disk 31 and the upper disk 32 via bearings or the like (not shown). The rotation means 11 described later acts on an appropriate portion of the lower rod 36, so that each inspection article 60 can rotate (spin) around its own axis integrally with the holder 35. A cam mechanism or the like (not shown) is further connected to the upper end of the upper rod 37. The upper rod 37 moves up and down at an appropriate timing, and the holder 35 is attached to and detached from the inspection article 60 accordingly.

The carrying-in means 4 includes a preparation star wheel 41 and a supply star wheel 42 that rotate horizontally (and synchronizes with the rotating drum 3) in the directions of R ₄₁ and R ₄₂ shown in FIG. The article 60 is carried into the rotating drum 3. On the other hand, the carry-out means 5 includes a sorting star wheel 51, a non-defective product take-out star wheel 52, and a defective product take-out star that rotate horizontally (and synchronize with the rotating drum 3) in the directions of R ₅₁ , R ₅₂ , and R ₅₃ shown in FIG. The inspection article 60 made of the wheel 53 and having been inspected is carried out from the rotary drum 3.

As shown in FIG. 1, the inspection units 10 a to 10 d are arranged along the rotation direction R ₃ of the rotary drum 3. Each of the inspection units 10a to 10d is provided with a rotating means 11, a stopping means 15, and a posture holding means 16 so as to face the outer periphery of the rotating drum 3 (below the lower disk 31).

As shown in FIG. 1, the rotation means 11 includes a motor 12 and a roller 13, and a belt 14 that is wound around these and can come into contact with the lower rod 36. The rotation means 11 causes the lower rod 36 and the holder 35 to generate a large rotational force of about several thousand rpm and causes the inspection article 60 to rotate at a high speed. The stopping means 15 is made of, for example, a friction brake member, and acts appropriately on the lower rod 36 to suddenly stop the inspection article 60 during high-speed rotation. On the other hand, the posture holding means 16 is constituted by the motor 17, the roller 18 and the belt 19, similar to the rotation means 11, but is adjusted so as to generate a predetermined slight rotational force on the lower rod 36 and the holder 35. Yes.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the inspection units 10 a to 10 d include an imaging unit 21 that images the inspection article 60 that has been stopped by the stop unit 15 and a predetermined image inspection unit 23 that is connected to the imaging unit 21. Prepare each.

The imaging unit 21 includes, for example, a CCD camera, and images the inspection article 60 from the outside of the rotating drum 3 as shown in FIG. The imaging unit 21 is arranged in the radial direction of the rotary drum 3, but visible light is directed toward the inspection article 60 and the imaging unit 21 on the opposite side of the imaging unit 21 (inside the rotary drum 3) across the inspection article 60. An illumination unit 22 that irradiates in the horizontal direction is appropriately provided. The imaging unit 21 and the illuminating unit 22 are separated from the rotation of the rotary drum 3 and are fixed independently. As the illuminating unit 22, for example, a white LED light source combined with a diffusion plate, a polarizing filter, or the like is used. The imaging unit 21 receives visible light that has passed through the inspection article 60, and continuously fluoroscopically images each inspection article 60 conveyed by the rotating drum 3 many times (see FIG. 2 and the like).

The posture holding means 16 serves to hold the inspection article 60 being imaged by the imaging unit 21 in a fixed posture with respect to the imaging unit 21. As the inspection article 60 moves in the camera visual field 70 (see FIG. 2) in the rotation direction R ₃ , the central angle formed by the imaging unit 21 and each inspection article 60 changes, and the inspection article 60 at each instant of imaging is changed. Although slight misalignment may occur in the projection, since the posture holding means 16 slowly rotates (spins) the inspection article 60 and corrects it, the image capturing unit 21 always takes a still image of each inspection article 60 on a predetermined projection plane. Can be imaged.

As shown in FIG. 1, the image inspection unit 23 includes a processed image forming unit 25, a composite master image forming unit 26, a detection image extracting unit 27, an image comparing unit 28, and a determining unit 29. 1. In FIG. 1, these configurations are shown only for the inspection unit 10a, but the same applies to the inspection units 10b to 10d.
The processed image forming unit 25 forms a large number of processed images for each inspection article 60 based on the imaging by the imaging unit 21, and the composite master image forming unit 26 selects a plurality of images arbitrarily selected from the large number of processed images. The processed image is synthesized by a predetermined calculation to form a synthesized master image.

Further, the detection image extraction means 27 extracts a plurality of processed images that have not been used for the formation of the composite master image as a plurality of detection images, and the composite master via the image comparison means 28. By comparing the image and the plurality of detection images, the determination unit 29 determines the presence or absence of foreign matter 66 (see FIG. 3) in the content liquid 63 in each inspection article 60.

Although not shown, the inspection units 10a to 10d include storage means such as a memory, arithmetic processing means and control means such as a CPU, display means such as a monitor / display, input means such as a touch panel / keypad / keyboard, Various interfaces, power ports, predetermined programs, and other necessary hardware and software are provided as appropriate.

A specific inspection method using the foreign matter inspection apparatus 1 configured as described above will be described. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, an inspection article 60 in which slight dirt 65 or the like adheres to the outside of the ampoule container 62 and minute foreign matters 66 are mixed in the content liquid 63 is taken as an example. The “foreign matter” is, for example, fiber, glass, plastic, wood, paper piece, insect, dust, or the like that can be mixed in the ampule container 62 during the filling process of the content liquid 63. In each of the inspection units 10a to 10d, the inspection is performed in the same manner.

As described above, the inspection article 60 conveyed by the rotary drum 3 via the carry-in means 4 intermittently repeats the high-speed rotation by the rotation means 11 and the rotation stop by the stop means 15 as described above. That is, after the rotation means 11 applies an external force that floats the foreign matter 66 in the content liquid 63 to the inspection article 60, the stop means 15 causes the ampoule container 62 to be relatively stationary with respect to the rotating drum 3. The unit 21 images each state immediately after this.

  A signal input from the imaging unit 21 to the image inspection unit 23 is converted into digital data, and a processed image is formed by the processed image forming unit 25. The processed image is preferably a monochrome (monochrome) binary image obtained by performing binarization processing at a set binarization level. A grayscale grayscale image or color multivalued image expressed in multiple tones according to the brightness of each pixel may be used as the processed image. When a binary image is employed, the data amount can be reduced and the inspection speed can be increased.

FIG. 4 shows an example of the processed image. In this embodiment, each inspection article 60 is continuously imaged twelve times while being transported and moved by one pitch d (see FIG. 2) within the camera visual field 70, and each processed article 60 is processed by the processed image forming means 25. Twelve processed images such as [No. 1] to [No. 12] are formed. As shown in FIG. 4, the dirt 65 and the foreign matter 66 of the inspection article 60 are recognized as black pixels, for example, in the processed image, and constitute a foreign matter suspected region 77.

As shown in FIG. 2, a predetermined inspection area 72 is set for each inspection article 60 in the camera visual field 70, and the processed images [No. 1] to [No. 12] based on the inspection area 72. Is formed. Reference numeral 73 in FIG. 2 denotes detection means for detecting the pipe wall / pipe bottom of the ampoule container 62 and the liquid level of the content liquid 63 in the inspection article 60. Each inspection article 60 is transported and moved along the rotation direction R ₃ within the camera field of view 70, and each inspection area 72 electrically follows each inspection article 60 via this detection means 73, The position and size of the inspection area 72 are automatically set.
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, a maximum of three inspection articles 60 are stored in the camera visual field 70, and each inspection article 60 is conveyed and moved by two pitches (= d × 2). Two sets of inspections are possible each.

When the processed image [No.1] ~ [No.12] is formed by combining a master image forming unit 26, the synthetic master image G _M is formed. Synthetic master image G _M is a plurality of processed images selected arbitrarily from the processed image [No.1] ~ [No.12], the corresponding logical OR operation of each pixel (OR operation; for example, a black pixel 1, White pixel is 0, and 1 + 1 → 1, 1 + 0 → 1, and 0 + 0 → 0).
It shows an example of the formation conditions of the synthetic master image G _M in FIG. In this embodiment, processed images of [No. 1] [No. 4] [No. 7] [No. 11] are used. As shown in FIG. 5, these processed images [No.1] [No.4] [No.7 ] foreign substance suspected region 77 of [No.11] was synthesized, during the synthesis master image G _M, the foreign matter suspected A master area 79 is configured. In the formation of the synthetic master image G _M, it may be such may also be the processed image of definite constant No. is selected, the processed image is selected in random each inspection article 60 No..

Then, the detection image extracting unit 27, among the processed image [No.1] ~ [No.12], which was not used in the formation of a combined master image G _M is extracted as a detection image G _S.
In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, [No. 2] [No. 3] [No. 5] [No. 6] [No. 8] [No. 9] [No. 10] [No. processing image 12] is extracted as the detection image G _S. In addition to extract all remaining processing image which has not been used in the formation of the synthetic master image G _M as a detection image G _S, detection image processing image a certain number out of the remaining processing image G You may make it extract as _S.

Through the image comparing unit 28, the above-mentioned synthetic master image G _M and detection image G _S are compared, the determination means 29, the presence or absence of the foreign matter 66 in the content liquid 63 in the test article 60 is determined. More specifically, the synthesis position of each foreign substance suspected regions 77 in position and the detected image G _S of the foreign substance suspected master region 76 in the master image G _M is, for example, are stored by converting the coordinate system, a comparison of these Based on this, a predetermined determination process is performed.

Figure 6 shows an example of a comparison condition of the synthetic master image G _M and the detection image G _S. “Individual determination” in FIG. 6 is based on the determination criteria in Table 1.

As shown in Table 1, in this embodiment, depending corresponds to any of patterns as follows, "individual decision" for each detection image G _S ( "OK" or "NG") is performed.
"Pattern 1": to match the position of the foreign substance suspected master region 79 of the composite master image G _M, the foreign substance suspected area 77 of the detection image G _S is present (exact)
"Pattern 2": to be included in the position of the foreign substance suspected master region 79 of the composite master image G _M, the foreign substance suspected area 77 of the detection image G _S exists (inclusive)
"Pattern 3": As from leaking out position of the synthetic master image G _M of the foreign substance suspected master region 79, foreign substances suspected area 77 of the detection image G _S is present (leaking out, protruding)
"Pattern 4": synthetic master image G _M of the foreign substance suspected master region 79, no foreign substances suspected area 77 of the detection image G _S exist

Dirt 65 or the like adhering to the outside of the ampoule container 62 of the inspection article 60 appears at the same position in each of the processed images [No. 1] to [No. 12]. Since the content liquid 63 is floated by the inertia force generated by the action of the rotation means 11 and the stop means 15, the probability of appearing at relatively different positions in the processed images [No. 1] to [No. 12]. Becomes higher. At least “Pattern 3” cannot theoretically occur unless a foreign matter 66 is mixed in the content liquid 63.

In the present embodiment, the “pattern 3” that is very likely to contain the foreign matter 66 is defined as an NG pattern. Then, the number of "NG" in the "individual decision", ie based on the number of hits to the NG pattern detection image G _S, "the determination result" is outputted. For example, the detection image G _S corresponding to the NG pattern there is at least 1, since it is more likely that foreign matter 66 is mixed in the content liquid 63, a "judgment result" may "poor" (FIG. 6). In contrast, if there is no detection image G _S corresponding to the NG pattern, since the foreign matter 66 is relatively less likely to mix in the content liquid 63, a "judgment result" can "good". "Judgment result" such a process for outputting can be arbitrarily changed, the number of hits to the NG pattern detection image G _S other or not is whether more than a predetermined value, the detection image G _S The “judgment result” may be output based on the majority of the number of hits and non-matches to the NG pattern, the ratio between the number of hits and the number of hits, and the like.
“Pattern 1” and “Pattern 2” have a risk (although with a low probability) that a foreign matter 66 is mixed in the content liquid 63 and becomes “OK” in “individual determination”. using a plurality of detection image G _S as described above, by comprehensively these the "individual decision" appropriate "judgment result" is adapted to be secured.

When a specific processed image is used as it is as a master image, or when a process other than the overlapping portion is detected as a foreign object 66 by simple comparison between a plurality of processed images, the accuracy depends on the accuracy of each processed image. Misdetections due to components, resolution, etc. are likely to occur.
As in this embodiment, to form a plurality of processed images ([No.1] [No.4] [ No.7] [No.11]) synthesized by the ORing synthetic master image G _M, as the synthetic master image G _M a comparison reference, by performing the determination processing as described above, variations in the individual processing image accuracy is absorbed, erroneous detection becomes hard to occur. Number of processed images to form a composite master image G _M may be set appropriately, but preferably at least two, three or more is more preferable. Further, the number of processed images to form a composite master image G _M is for a small number than the number of processed image less are extracted as the detection image G _S well, preferably less than degree 2/3. In general, the more the number of the processed image to be extracted as a detection image G _S increases, it is easy to prevent erroneous detection, it is possible to obtain a more suitable "judgment result". Therefore, it is preferable to prepare as many processed images as possible by the processed image forming means 25, depending on the conveyance speed of the rotating drum 3, the processing capability of the image inspection unit 23, and the like.

Note that when the comparison of the synthetic master image G _M and the detection image G _S, the recognition sensitivity of the foreign substance suspected master regions 79 in the composite master image G _M, recognition sensitivity of the foreign substance suspected regions 77 in the respective detection image G _S It is preferable to make it larger. Specifically, for example, a binarization level of the processed image to be used in the formation of a combined master image G _M, (the bright side) than the binarization level of the processed image to be extracted as a detection image G _S high and, for the same concentration level portion of subtle neutral, towards the foreign substance suspected master regions 79 in the composite master image G _M, keep easily recognized than foreign substance suspected region 77 in the detection image G _S. According to this, it becomes precise image close synthetic master image G _M is the real image than the detection image G _S constituting the comparison reference, I the "pattern" set with phase俟, better yield and productivity it can.

In this way, a minimum of four sets of inspections per inspection article 60 are performed by the inspection units 10a to 10d. A signal based on each “determination result” of the inspection units 10a to 10d is input to the unloading means 5 via a control circuit (not shown) connected to the solenoid valve, and the “determination result” is a certain number. When the above-mentioned “good” is included, or less than a certain number of “defects” are included, the inspection article 60 is regarded as a non-defective product (60A; foreign matter 66 is not mixed) via the non-defective product take-out star wheel 52. If the “determination result” includes a certain number or more of “defectives” or includes only “good” that is less than a certain number, the inspection article 60 is defective (60B; foreign matter 66). As a result, the defective product is taken out via the star wheel 53. In this embodiment, when all the “determination results” are “good”, they are carried out as non-defective products 60A, and when there is even one “defect” in the “determination results”, they are carried out as defective products 60B. It has become. Of the non-defective product 60A, those with dirt 65 attached thereto are finally removed by a later process (not shown).

As described above, according to the inspection apparatus 1, the foreign matter 66 that is unlikely to be erroneously detected and can be mixed in the content liquid 63 of the inspection article 60 is distinguished from the dirt 65 or the like attached to the outside of the ampule container 62. It becomes possible to detect accurately. In addition, since the quality of the inspection article 60 (whether it is a non-defective product 60A or a defective product 60B) can be appropriately determined, the yield and productivity can be improved, and it can be easily introduced into an actual production site.

  In addition, since each imaging unit 21 is fixed independently from the rotary drum 3 and the inspection area 72 in the inspection article 60 is automatically set following the conveyance of the inspection article 60, the imaging unit 21 is provided. The structure can be greatly simplified and a large amount of the inspection article 60 can be processed in a short time compared with the case where the inspection object 60 is moved synchronously with the rotation (revolution) of the inspection article 60.

A modification of the above embodiment is shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a schematic plan view showing a partial configuration of the foreign matter inspection apparatus 100 according to the modification. The components common to the above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the inspection units 10a to 10d, the rotation means 11, the stop means 15, the posture holding means 16 and the like are not shown.

As shown in FIG. 7, the foreign matter inspection apparatus 100 includes a predetermined return unit 102. The return means 102 includes a return distribution star wheel 103 and a return star wheel 104 that horizontally rotate in the directions of R ₁₀₃ and R ₁₀₄ shown in FIG. Yes.

  In the foreign matter inspection apparatus 100, a signal is input to the unloading means 5 and the return means 102 by a control circuit (not shown) connected to the electromagnetic valve according to each “determination result” by the inspection units 10a to 10d, and the rotation The inspection article 60 carried out from the drum 3 is again carried into the rotating drum 3 via the return means 102 and can be automatically re-inspected. Based on the above signal, by applying compressed air from a small hole (not shown) drilled in each concave wall surface of the return sorting star wheel 103, the inspection article 60 being carried out by the sorting star wheel 51 is returned. It is adsorbed to the star wheel 103.

  In the foreign matter inspection apparatus 100, if the “determination result” of the inspection units 10a to 10d includes “defect” exceeding ¼ of the whole, the return means 102 does not operate, and the inspection article 60 takes out the defective product star wheel 53. When the “determination results” of the inspection units 10a to 10d have only “defects” of ¼ or less of the whole, the return means 102 operates and the inspection article 60 is reinspected. It is set to. However, this setting can be changed arbitrarily, and depending on the number of locations where the inspection units 10a, 10b,... 102 may be operated.

  According to such a foreign matter inspection apparatus 100, since the inspection article 60 originally in the gray zone is automatically re-inspected, the quality of the inspection article 60 (whether it is a non-defective product 60A or a defective product 60B) is determined. It will be performed more appropriately, and it will be possible to further improve yield and productivity.

The description of the above embodiment does not limit the present invention, and various modifications and design changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
For example, the number of locations where the inspection units 10a, 10b,... Are arranged, the size of the rotating drum 3, and the like can be changed as appropriate. In order to improve the inspection accuracy, the inspection units 10a, 10b... Should be arranged at least at three places, preferably at four places or more.
Instead of the rotating drum 3, for example, other conveying means such as a conveyor that conveys the inspection article 60 in a straight line can be used. The imaging unit 21 and the illumination unit 22 may be configured by a reflected light method or the like.

  In the above-described embodiment, the same inspection is performed by the inspection units 10a, 10b,..., But the number of processed images is changed for each inspection unit 10a, 10b, and processing based on different determination criteria is performed. You may make it let. The rotation speed by the rotation means 11 can be changed for each of the inspection units 10a, 10b,.

In the above embodiment, the ampule container 62 filled with a medicine or the like has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and various containers such as a syringe and a vial, and preferably a certain degree of fluidity. What consists of the various content liquids which it has is employ | adopted as the test | inspection article 60. FIG. Even when the container of the inspection article 60 and the content liquid are opaque, the present invention can be applied by appropriately using X-rays, ultraviolet light, infrared light, or the like.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Inspection apparatus 3 Rotating drum 4 Loading means 5 Unloading means 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d Inspection unit
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Rotating means 15 Stopping means 16 Attitude holding means 21 Imaging part 23 Image inspection part 25 Processed image formation part 26 Composite master image formation part 27 Image extraction means 28 for detection Image comparison part 29 Determination means 60 Inspection article 62 Ampoule container 63 Content liquid 65 dirt 66 foreign matter 72 inspection area 77 foreign substance suspected region 79 foreign substance suspected master region _{G M} synthetic master image _{G S} detection image

Claims (8)

A foreign matter inspection apparatus that uses a container filled with content liquid as an inspection article, rotates the inspection article, stops rotation, and detects foreign matters that may be mixed in the content liquid with a predetermined inspection unit. And
The inspection unit is
An imaging unit that continuously images the inspection article that has stopped rotating;
Processing image forming means for forming a large number of processed images that may have a foreign object suspected area based on imaging by the imaging unit;
A combined master image forming unit that combines a plurality of processed images arbitrarily selected from the multiple processed images by a logical sum operation to form a combined master image that may have a foreign object suspected master region;
A detection image extracting means for extracting a plurality of processed images that were not used for forming the composite master image as a plurality of detection images;
A foreign matter inspection apparatus comprising: a foreign matter suspected master area of the composite master image and a foreign matter suspected area of the plurality of detection images, respectively, to determine the presence or absence of foreign matter in the content liquid. When the foreign object suspicious area of the detection image exists so as to leak from the position of the foreign object suspicious master area of the composite master image, the number of corresponding NG patterns of the detection image is defined as an NG pattern. The foreign matter inspection device according to claim 1, wherein the presence or absence of foreign matter in the content liquid is determined based on the determination. The foreign substance inspection apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the recognition sensitivity of the foreign object suspected master area in the composite master image is greater than the recognition sensitivity of the foreign object suspected area in the detection image. The inspection article has a rotating drum that supports and conveys the inspection article in a substantially annular shape in plan view at regular intervals, and the inspection unit is provided along the rotating drum,
4. The foreign matter according to claim 1, further comprising return means capable of returning the inspection article carried out of the rotating drum to the rotating drum again according to a determination result by the inspection unit. Inspection device. The foreign matter inspection apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising posture holding means for holding the inspection article being imaged in a fixed posture with respect to the imaging unit. The imaging unit is fixed independently from the rotating drum,
The foreign matter inspection apparatus according to claim 5, wherein an inspection area in the inspection article is automatically set to follow the conveyance of the inspection article. A foreign substance inspection device that detects a foreign substance that can be mixed in the content liquid by stopping the rotation after rotating the inspection article after a container filled with the content liquid is an inspection article,
An imaging unit that continuously images the inspection article that has stopped rotating;
A predetermined image inspection unit,
The image inspection unit forms a large number of processed images that may have a foreign object suspicious area based on the imaging by the imaging unit, and combines a plurality of processed images arbitrarily selected from the large number of processed images by a logical sum operation. And forming a composite master image that may have a foreign object suspected master region, and extracting a plurality of processed images that were not used for forming the composite master image as a plurality of detection images, A foreign matter inspection apparatus configured to determine the presence or absence of foreign matter in the content liquid by comparing the foreign matter suspected master region of the composite master image with the foreign matter suspected regions of the plurality of detection images. A foreign matter inspection method for detecting a foreign matter that can be mixed in the content liquid, using a container filled with the content liquid as an inspection article,
A step of relatively stationary the container of the inspection article after applying an external force to the inspection article to float the foreign matter in the content liquid;
Continuously imaging the inspection article in which the container is relatively stationary to form a number of processed images that may have a foreign object suspected area;
Combining a plurality of processed images arbitrarily selected from the plurality of processed images by a logical sum operation to form a composite master image that may have a foreign object suspected master region;
Extracting a plurality of processed images that were not used to form the composite master image as a plurality of detection images;
A foreign matter inspection method including a step of determining the presence or absence of foreign matter in the content liquid by comparing the foreign matter suspected master region of the composite master image and the foreign matter suspected regions of the plurality of detection images.