JP2011209111A - Inspection apparatus of paper cup and method of the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To discriminate a regular type of a paper cup from a different type of a paper cup, and to eject a different type of the paper cup from a manufacturing process.SOLUTION: An inspection apparatus 1 is equipped with: an area camera 3 for imaging the paper cup passing through a chute 20 connecting adjacent processes in the manufacturing process; a determination section 11 for comparing an image data obtained by imaging on the area camera 3 with a previously-prepared comparative image, data and determining whether the paper cup is the regular type or not; and a warning control section 12 and a warning apparatus 5 for announcing that the paper cup is not the regular type if the determination section 11 determines that the paper cup is not the regular type.

Description

  The present invention relates to an inspection apparatus and method, and more particularly to an inspection apparatus and method for inspecting a paper cup.

  Regarding the inspection of the paper cup, Patent Document 1 describes an inspection device that inspects the protrusion of the outer sleeve of the heat insulating paper cup. Patent Document 2 describes a paper cup appearance inspection for detecting a shape defect occurring in a top curl portion of a paper cup.

JP 2002-71324 A JP 2001-255276 A

There are cases where paper cups of different varieties which are not regular varieties are mixed in the manufacturing process of paper cups.
However, since the technique of Patent Document 1 is an inspection device that inspects the protrusion of the outer sleeve of the heat insulating paper cup, it cannot distinguish between a regular-type paper cup and a different-type paper cup.
Further, since the technique of Patent Document 2 is a paper cup appearance inspection for detecting a shape defect occurring in the top curl portion of the paper cup, it is not possible to discriminate between a regular type paper cup and a different type paper cup.

  An object of the present invention is to distinguish between a regular-type paper cup and a different-type paper cup so that the different-type paper cup can be discharged from the manufacturing process.

  In order to solve the problem, the invention according to claim 1 is directed to an image pickup means for picking up an image of a paper cup passing through a shooter connecting adjacent steps in a manufacturing process, image data obtained by the image pickup means and image data obtained in advance. A determination unit that compares the prepared image data for comparison to determine whether or not the paper cup is a regular product, and a notification unit that notifies that the paper cup is not a regular product when the determination unit determines that the product is not the regular product And a paper cup inspection device.

  The invention according to claim 2 is provided with a plurality of the imaging means arranged to surround the periphery of the shooter and image the outer peripheral surface of the paper cup passing through the shooter according to claim 1, The determination means compares each image data obtained by imaging by each imaging means with the image data for comparison, and determines whether or not the paper cup is a regular product. It is.

  The invention according to claim 3 is based on the detection means that outputs a signal when the paper cup passing through the shooter is detected in claim 1 or 2, and the signal that the detection means outputs, A light emitting means that emits light toward the paper cup, the imaging means images the paper cup based on a signal output from the detection means, and the light emitting means is synchronized with an imaging timing of the imaging means. An inspection apparatus for paper cups that emits light.

  Further, the invention according to claim 4 is based on the detection step of outputting a signal when a paper cup passing through a shooter connecting adjacent steps in the manufacturing process is detected, and the signal output in the detection step, An image capturing step of emitting light toward the paper cup and capturing the paper cup in synchronization with the light emission timing, comparing the image data obtained in the image capturing step with image data for comparison prepared in advance, A paper cup inspection method comprising: a determination step for determining whether or not the paper cup is a regular variety; and a notification step for notifying that the paper cup is not a regular variety when it is determined that the paper cup is not a regular variety in the determination step.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to distinguish between regular-type paper cups and different-type paper cups, and to allow different-type paper cups to be discharged from the manufacturing process.

It is a side view which shows schematic structure of the inspection apparatus of this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows a series of operation | movement of an inspection apparatus.

The best mode of the present invention will be described below.
(Constitution)
FIG. 1 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of an inspection apparatus 1 of the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 1, the inspection apparatus 1 includes a sensor 2, an area camera 3, a bar illumination 4, a PC (personal computer) 10, and a warning device 5.

  The sensors 2 are arranged in pairs in the direction perpendicular to the traveling direction of the paper cup 30 passing through the shooter 20. The sensor 2 detects the paper cup 30 that passes through the shooter 20. The sensor 2 outputs a trigger signal to the area camera 3 when detecting the paper cup 30.

  Here, the shooter 20 connects adjacent processes in the manufacturing process of the paper cup 30, and has a shape that allows the paper cup 30 to pass through while maintaining a certain posture. The posture of the paper cup 30 at this time is a state in which a printing surface or the like that can identify the type of the paper cup 30 is oriented in the normal direction to the traveling direction of the paper cup 30. The paper cup 30 passes through the shooter 20 by the force of air pressure. The shooter 20 is composed of a plurality of stays (guide rods), and the plurality of stays are arranged in parallel with each other at equal intervals on a cylindrical surface around the moving space of the paper cup 30.

  The area camera 3 is disposed downstream of the sensor 2 in the traveling direction of the paper cup 30. Although not shown, a plurality of area cameras 3 are arranged, and the plurality of area cameras 3 are arranged so as to surround the shooter 20. The plurality of area cameras 3 capture images of the entire outer peripheral surface of the paper cup 30 that passes through the shooter 20. That is, the area camera 3 is arranged so that the appearance of the paper cup 30 can be covered.

In the present embodiment, six area cameras 3 are arranged so that the camera viewing width is 150 mm. The number of area cameras 3 is not limited to this, and may be another number, for example, eight.
Each area camera 3 starts exposure (imaging) at the input timing of the trigger signal from the sensor 2. At the same time, each area camera 3 outputs a trigger signal to each bar illumination 4. Each area camera 3 outputs an imaging result as image data.

A plurality of bar lights 4 are arranged corresponding to the area camera 3 and arranged so as to illuminate the field of view of the area camera 3 in the shooter 20. Each bar illumination 4 emits strobe light at the input timing of the trigger signal from each corresponding area camera 3. Note that the bar illumination 4 may be configured to emit strobe light based on the trigger signal from the sensor 2.
In the present embodiment, six bar lights 4 are arranged corresponding to the number of area cameras 3. The bar illumination 4 has an irradiation width of 120 mm. The number of bar lights 4 is not limited to this, and may be another number, for example, eight.

The PC 10 captures a plurality of image data obtained by each area camera 3. The PC 10 determines whether or not the paper cup 30 is a regular product based on the image data. Therefore, the PC 10 includes a determination unit 11, a warning control unit 12, and a storage unit 13. For example, these configurations are configured by an arithmetic processing unit in the PC 10.
The storage unit 13 stores a program 13a and various data used by the PC 10 in various processes. The various types of data include image data of the regular type paper cup 30 (image data based on the normal type) as image data for comparison prepared in advance. For example, the image data can be acquired from a data server via a communication means such as a LAN (Local Area Network), or can be registered in advance by a user or an administrator.

  The determination unit 11 patterns each image data input from each area camera 3 (hereinafter referred to as input image data) and image data stored in the storage unit 13 (hereinafter referred to as comparison image data). Comparison is made by matching to determine whether or not the paper cup 30 related to the input image data is a regular product type. When any of the plurality of input image data matches the comparison image data, for example, when the degree of matching is greater than a preset threshold, the determination unit 11 determines that the paper cup 30 related to the input image data is a regular product. Is determined. When the determination unit 11 determines that the product is not a regular product, the warning control unit 12 drives the warning device 5 and outputs a warning sound.

(Operation etc.)
FIG. 2 shows a series of operations of the inspection apparatus 11 as described above.
As shown in FIG. 2, first, in step S1, in the inspection apparatus 1, when the sensor 2 detects the paper cup 30, the process proceeds to step S2, where each bar illumination 4 emits light toward the paper cup 30 and is synchronized with the light emission timing. Then, each area camera 3 images the paper cup 3.
In subsequent step S3, in the inspection apparatus 1, the determination unit 11 compares each input image data obtained by imaging by each area camera 3 with comparison image data by pattern matching, and determines whether or not the paper cup 30 is a regular product. Determine.

In subsequent step S4, in the inspection apparatus 1, when the determination unit 11 determines that the product is not a regular product, the warning control unit 12 drives the warning device 5 to output a warning sound.
As described above, in the present embodiment, when the inspection apparatus 1 detects the paper cup 30 passing through the shooter 20, the inspection apparatus 1 images the detected paper cup 30, and the image data obtained thereby and the comparison image data. When it is determined that the product is not the regular product, the warning device 5 notifies the user that the product is not the regular product.

As a result, the inspection apparatus 1 can distinguish between regular-type paper cups and different-type paper cups, and allow different-type paper cups to be discharged from the manufacturing process. As a result, the inspection apparatus 1 can prevent the boxed and shipped with different types of paper cups mixed therein.
Furthermore, since the inspection apparatus 1 uses the shooter 20 that connects various processes widely used in the manufacturing process, a regular type paper cup and a different type of paper can be easily obtained without providing inspection equipment during the manufacturing process. A paper cup can be distinguished.

In the inspection apparatus 1, the bar illumination 4 is flashed to take an image. As a result, the paper cup 30 passing through the shooter 20 at a high speed can be clearly imaged with sufficient brightness.
By the way, when a paper cup is shipped at a paper cup manufacturing site, the paper cup is packed in a stacked state and shipped. In this stack state, it becomes impossible to determine the type of individual paper cups. Therefore, it is necessary to inspect the paper cups before the process of making the stack state. Further, since there is a possibility that different types of paper cups may be mixed in any process of the manufacturing process, it is preferable to inspect the paper cups immediately before entering the stack state in order to prevent shipping with mixed.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the inspection apparatus 1 can be installed on the shooter 20 immediately before becoming a stack. As a result, the inspection apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment can inspect the paper cups immediately before entering the stack state, and can effectively prevent the boxed and shipped different types of paper cups from being mixed.

  In the present embodiment, the sensor 2 is used as detection means. Moreover, the area camera 3 is used as an imaging means. Moreover, the determination part 11 is used as a determination means. Moreover, the warning control part 12 and the warning apparatus 5 are used as an alerting | reporting means. Moreover, the bar illumination 4 is used as a light emission means.

(Modification)
In the modification of the present embodiment, image data of a product type expected to be mixed in the manufacturing process may be used as comparison image data, and the comparison image data and each input image data may be compared by pattern matching. In this case, when any of the input image data matches the image data of the type that is expected to be mixed, the inspection apparatus 1 determines that the type is not the normal type. For example, the varieties expected to be mixed are different varieties manufactured in different time zones using the same line, different varieties manufactured in adjacent lines, and the like.

  Needless to say, the inspection apparatus 1 needs to be configured according to the number of stays (guide rods) constituting the shooter 20. That is, when there are six or eight stays (guide bars), six or eight area cameras 3, bar lights 4 and the like are provided at positions where each stay (guide bar) can be imaged. To. This is because the paper cup 30 passing through the shooter 20 is rotatable, and it is not determined from which stay the characteristic print portion that can identify the type of the paper cup 30 can be seen. This is because it is necessary to take an image.

Further, as a modification of the present embodiment, when it is determined that the product is not a regular product, it may be displayed on the monitor and displayed.
As a modification of the present embodiment, when it is determined that the product is not a regular product, the paper cup 30 may be automatically excluded from the production line by an exclusion device or the like.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Inspection apparatus, 2 sensor, 3 area camera, 4 bar illumination, 5 warning device, 11 determination part, 12 warning control part, 13 memory | storage part, 20 shooter, 30 paper cup

Claims (4)

An imaging means for imaging a paper cup passing through a shooter that connects adjacent processes in the manufacturing process;
A determination unit that compares the image data obtained by the imaging unit with image data for comparison prepared in advance and determines whether the paper cup is a regular product;
If the determination means determines that the product is not a regular product, a notification device for notifying that the product is not a regular product;
A paper cup inspection device comprising: A plurality of imaging means arranged to surround the periphery of the shooter and imaging the outer peripheral surface of the paper cup passing through the shooter;
2. The determination unit according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines whether or not the paper cup is a regular product by comparing the image data obtained by the imaging unit with the image data for comparison. The paper cup inspection device described. When detecting a paper cup passing through the shooter, a detection means for outputting a signal, and a light emission means for emitting light toward the paper cup based on a signal output by the detection means,
The imaging means images the paper cup based on a signal output from the detection means,
The paper cup inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light emitting unit emits light in synchronization with an imaging timing of the imaging unit. A detection step of outputting a signal when a paper cup passing through a shooter connecting adjacent steps in the manufacturing process is detected;
Based on the signal output in the detection step, the imaging step of emitting light toward the paper cup and imaging the paper cup in synchronization with the light emission timing;
A determination step of comparing the image data obtained by imaging in the imaging step with image data for comparison prepared in advance to determine whether the paper cup is a regular product,
If it is determined in the determination step that the product is not a regular product, a notification process for notifying that the product is not a regular product;
A method for inspecting a paper cup.

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