JP2023092679A - Device and method for inspecting packaging body - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a device and a method for inspecting a packaging body capable of improving the detection accuracy even when a sealing part is deformed.SOLUTION: A device for inspecting a packaging body according to an embodiment includes: a storage part for storing an object; and a sealing part for sealing at least one end of the storage part. The device for inspecting the packaging body includes: a correction part for correcting the deformation of the sealing part; an irradiation part for irradiating the sealing part corrected by the correction part with ultraviolet rays; and a detection part for detecting light generated in the sealing part by the ultraviolet rays irradiated to the sealing part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD Embodiments of the present invention relate to a package inspection device and a package inspection method.

There is a packaging body in which an object is hermetically packaged with a resin film or the like. For example, there are packages in which objects such as fluids, semi-liquids, powders, granules, and solids are hermetically packaged by horizontal pillow packaging, vertical pillow packaging, vacuum packaging, squeeze packaging, pouch packaging, and the like. There is also a package in which an object is housed through an opening in a resin container whose at least one end is sealed, and the opening is capped or sealed. In such a package, sealing is performed by heat-pressing the resin of the portion that will be the sealing portion.

Here, when the resin of the part to be sealed is heat-pressed, wrinkles or voids may occur in the sealed part, or a part of the object to be sealed inside the package may be stuck in the sealed part. It may enter. If the sealing part is wrinkled or if part of the object enters the sealing part, for example, when an external force is applied to the package, the object may leak or the outside air may enter the package. There is a risk of intrusion into the inside.

Therefore, a technique has been proposed in which an abnormality in the sealing portion is detected by irradiating the sealing portion with ultraviolet rays. However, since the sealing portion is formed by thermocompression bonding of resin, the sealing portion may be deformed. For example, the sealing portion may be warped or curved. If the sealing portion is deformed, the state of reflection of ultraviolet rays in the sealing portion changes according to the degree of deformation. As a result, there is a risk that the detection accuracy will be lowered and accurate inspection will not be possible.

Therefore, it has been desired to develop a technique capable of improving the detection accuracy even when the sealing portion is deformed.

JP-A-2003-75352

The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a package inspection device and a package inspection method that can improve detection accuracy even when the sealing portion is deformed. .

An inspection apparatus for a package according to an embodiment includes a storage section that stores an object, and a sealing section that seals at least one end of the storage section. The inspection device for the package includes a correction unit that corrects deformation of the sealing portion; an irradiation unit that irradiates the sealing portion corrected by the correction unit with ultraviolet rays; a detection unit that detects light generated in the sealing unit by the ultraviolet rays;

ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to the embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to provide a package inspection device and a package inspection method that can improve detection accuracy even when the sealing portion is deformed.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an inspection apparatus for a package according to an embodiment; FIG. (a) is a photograph for illustrating voids generated in the sealing portion. (b) is a photograph for illustrating the luminescence generated in the void. (a) is a photograph for illustrating an object that has entered the inside of the sealing portion. (b) is a photograph for illustrating light emission generated in an object that has entered the inside of the sealing portion. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state before the correcting section presses the vicinity of the end of the storage section where the sealing section is provided; FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which the correction section presses the vicinity of the end of the storage section where the sealing section is provided; It is a mimetic diagram for illustrating the correction part concerning other embodiments.

(Inspection device for package)
Hereinafter, embodiments will be illustrated with reference to the drawings. In addition, in each drawing, the same reference numerals are given to the same constituent elements, and detailed description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for illustrating a package inspection apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment.
A package inspection apparatus 1 (hereinafter simply referred to as inspection apparatus 1) inspects a sealed portion 100a of a package 100 in which an object is hermetically sealed. The sealing portion 100a is formed, for example, by heat-pressing the resin of the end portion of the storage portion 100b.

For example, the package 100 has a storage portion 100b that stores an object, and a sealing portion 100a that seals at least one end of the storage portion 100b. Note that the package 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 has a sealing portion 100a that seals two ends of the storage portion 100b. Such a package 100 can be manufactured by vertical pillow packaging, for example.

The objects to be stored in the storage portion 100b of the package 100 are not particularly limited. The object may be, for example, a fluid, a semi-fluid, a powder, a grain, a solid, or the like. However, when the object is food, the sealing portion 100a is required to have high reliability. Foods include, for example, agricultural products, meat materials, fresh fish materials, and processed foods. Processed food can be, for example, fluid or semi-fluid such as retort food, tomato sauce and mayonnaise, or powder, granules or solid such as grated cheese and confectionery. Note that the types of processed foods are not limited to those exemplified.

As shown in FIG. 1, the inspection apparatus 1 has, for example, a housing 10, a placement section 20, an irradiation section 30, a detection section 40, a correction section 50, and a controller 60.

The housing 10 has a box shape and has a space inside for inspecting the sealing portion 100a of the package 100 . The external shape of the housing 10 is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a cylindrical shape or a rectangular tubular shape. The housing 10 is made of a light-shielding material. If the housing 10 is made of a light-shielding material, it is possible to prevent disturbance light from entering the detection unit 40 . Therefore, it is possible to improve the inspection accuracy of the sealing portion 100a, which will be described later. The light-shielding material can be, for example, a metal such as stainless steel or an aluminum alloy, or a light-shielding resin.

The housing 10 can be provided with an opening 10a for loading and unloading the package 100 . Further, an opening door 11 can be provided in the opening 10a. Carrying-in and carrying-out of the package 100 into and out of the housing 10 may be performed by an operator, or may be performed by a conveying device such as a robot.

The mounting section 20 can be provided inside the housing 10, for example. The mounting unit 20 changes the position of the mounted package 100 so that the sealed portion 100a to be inspected enters the ultraviolet irradiation area of the irradiation unit 30 and the detection area of the detection unit 40. .

The mounting section 20 has, for example, a table 21 and a driving section 22 .
The table 21 has a plate shape, and one surface serves as a mounting surface 21a on which the package 100 is mounted.
The drive unit 22 is provided, for example, on the side of the table 21 opposite to the mounting surface 21a. The drive unit 22, for example, rotates the table 21 by a predetermined angle. For example, when there are sealing portions 100a in two directions, the driving portion 22 rotates the table 21 by 180 degrees. For example, when there are sealing portions 100a in four directions, the driving portion 22 rotates the table 21 by 90°. The drive unit 22 can be provided with a control motor, such as a servomotor, for example.

Although the mounting unit 20 that rotates the mounted package 100 is illustrated, the mounting unit 20 linearly moves the mounted package 100 like a uniaxial table or a conveyor. good too. For example, when there are two sealed portions 100a in two directions, the placement portion intermittently moves the package 100 in a linear direction so that each of the two sealed portions 100a is exposed to the irradiation portion 30 and the detection portion. 40 can be inspected sequentially. In the case of a conveyor or the like, the surface of a belt, pallet, or the like serves as the mounting surface on which the package 100 is mounted.

Also, the mounting section 20 is not necessarily required and can be omitted. When the mounting portion 20 is omitted, the package 100 may be mounted on a mounting table provided inside the housing 10 or on the bottom surface inside the housing 10 . In such a case, the surface on which the package 100 is placed serves as the placement surface.

Here, as described above, the sealing portion 100a is formed by thermocompression bonding of resin. In this case, wrinkles or voids may occur in the formed sealing portion 100a. In addition, part of the object stored in the storage section 100b may enter the inside of the formed sealing section 100a.

If the sealing portion 100a is wrinkled or if a part of the object enters the inside of the sealing portion 100a, for example, when an external force is applied to the storage portion 100b, the object may be removed from the sealing portion. 100a, or external air may enter the storage portion 100b.

In this case, light emission occurs when ultraviolet rays are incident on wrinkles, voids, or the like in the sealing portion 100a.
FIG. 2(a) is a photograph for illustrating the void A generated in the sealing portion 100a.
FIG. 2(b) is a photograph for illustrating the luminescence generated in the void A. FIG.
When there is a void A in the sealing portion 100a as shown in FIG. 2(a), light is emitted when ultraviolet light enters the void A as shown in FIG. 2(b).

In addition, when ultraviolet rays are incident on an object that is inside the sealing portion 100a, light is emitted.
FIG. 3(a) is a photograph for illustrating an object B that has entered the inside of the sealing portion 100a.
FIG. 3(b) is a photograph for exemplifying light emission generated in the object B that has entered the inside of the sealing portion 100a.
As shown in FIG. 3A, when the object B is inside the sealing portion 100a, as shown in FIG. occur.

Therefore, the occurrence of an abnormality, the size of the abnormal portion, the type of the abnormal portion, and the like can be detected by detecting the light generated by the ultraviolet rays being incident on these abnormal portions.
Therefore, the inspection apparatus 1 is provided with an irradiation section 30 and a detection section 40 .

The irradiation unit 30 irradiates the sealing unit 100a with ultraviolet rays. As will be described later, the irradiation section 30 irradiates the sealing section 100a corrected by the correction section 50 with ultraviolet rays. The peak wavelength of the ultraviolet rays with which the sealing portion 100a is irradiated can be, for example, 350 nm or more and 450 nm or less. If the peak wavelength of the ultraviolet rays is within this range, it is possible to increase the amount of light emitted from the abnormal portion, which will be described later. The irradiation unit 30 may include, for example, at least one of a light-emitting element capable of irradiating ultraviolet rays and a discharge lamp. The light emitting element can be, for example, a light emitting diode, a laser diode, or the like. The discharge lamp can be, for example, a mercury lamp, an excimer lamp, or the like.

The detector 40 detects light generated in the abnormal portion. The detector 40 converts the amount of light generated in the abnormal portion into an electrical signal and transmits the electrical signal to the controller 60 . The detection unit 40 may detect light in the visible light range, but preferably can detect light in the ultraviolet range to the visible light range. The detector 40 can be, for example, a CCD camera (Charge Coupled Device Camera).

Although the case where one irradiation unit 30 and one detection unit 40 are provided has been illustrated above, a plurality of irradiation units 30 and detection units 40 may be provided. For example, the irradiation unit 30 and the detection unit 40 may be provided for each of the plurality of sealing units 100a. In addition, when the size of the package 100 is small, or the ultraviolet irradiation area by the irradiation unit 30 and the detection area by the detection unit 40 are large, and a plurality of sealed parts 100a can be inspected at once, The drive unit 22 can be omitted, or the number of the irradiation units 30 and the detection units 40 can be reduced.

As described above, if the irradiation unit 30 and the detection unit 40 are provided, it is possible to detect the occurrence of an abnormality, the size of the abnormal portion, the type of the abnormal portion, and the like in the sealing portion 100a. The package 100 with an abnormality in the sealing portion 100a is discarded, for example. Also, by analyzing the position of the abnormal portion, the size of the abnormal portion, the type of the abnormal portion, and the like, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of abnormalities.

Here, the sealing portion 100a may be deformed. For example, the sealing portion 100a is formed by thermocompression bonding a thin material such as a resin film. Therefore, for example, the sealing portion 100a may be warped or curved. When the sealing portion 100a is deformed, the angle of incidence of ultraviolet rays on the sealing portion 100a changes according to the degree of deformation. If the incident angle of the ultraviolet rays changes, the amount of ultraviolet light reaching the abnormal portion inside the sealing portion 100a is reduced, and there is a risk that light emission may not occur or may become weak. Further, when the deformation of the sealing portion 100a becomes large, the ultraviolet rays do not enter the sealing portion 100a, or the ultraviolet rays that have entered the sealing portion 100a are totally reflected on the surface of the sealing portion 100a, resulting in an abnormal portion. may become impossible to detect.

Therefore, the inspection apparatus 1 is provided with a correction section 50 that corrects the deformation of the sealing section 100a.
As shown in FIG. 1, the correction section 50 can be provided, for example, above the end of the storage section 100b where the sealing section 100a is provided.
The correction section 50 has, for example, a pressing section 51, a correction plate 52, and a drive section 53. As shown in FIG.

As will be described later, when correcting the deformation of the sealing portion 100a, the pressing portion 51 presses the vicinity of the end portion of the storage portion 100b where the sealing portion 100a is provided. Further, a correction plate 52 can be provided at the end of the pressing portion 51 on the table 21 side (package body 100 side). The pressing part 51 holds the correction plate 52 so as to be substantially parallel to the mounting surface 21a of the table 21, for example.

The correction plate 52 has a plate shape and can transmit ultraviolet rays. In this case, it is preferable to set the transmittance of ultraviolet rays having a peak wavelength of 350 nm or more and 450 nm or less to 50% or more. For example, the correction plate 52 can be made of acrylic resin, glass, or the like. If the correction plate 52 that transmits ultraviolet rays is provided, it is possible to transmit the ultraviolet rays emitted from the irradiation unit 30 and the light generated in the abnormal portion. Therefore, it becomes easy to detect an abnormal portion.

The planar dimension of the correction plate 52 is not particularly limited. preferably. In this case, it is more preferable that the end of the correction plate 52 is positioned at the end of the sealing portion 100a or outside the end of the sealing portion 100a.

The thickness of the correction plate 52 is not particularly limited. For example, when the pressing portion 51 presses the storage portion 100b, the correction plate 52 should not be deformed by the reaction force from the sealing portion 100a.

The driving portion 53 changes the position of the pressing portion 51 with respect to the table 21 . For example, when performing detection by the irradiation unit 30 and the detection unit 40, the driving unit 53 moves the pressing unit 51 in a direction to approach the table 21 (package 100). For example, when the detection by the irradiation unit 30 and the detection unit 40 is completed, the driving unit 53 moves the pressing unit 51 away from the table 21 (package 100). The correcting plate 52 may be provided with, for example, an air cylinder or a control motor such as a servomotor.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state before the correcting section 50 presses the vicinity of the end of the storage section 100b where the sealing section 100a is provided.
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which the correction section 50 presses the vicinity of the end of the storage section 100b where the sealing section 100a is provided.
As shown in FIG. 4, the sealing portion 100a may be greatly deformed. When the sealing portion 100a is largely deformed, it becomes difficult for ultraviolet rays to enter the sealing portion 100a. In addition, the amount of ultraviolet rays reflected on the surface of the sealing portion 100a may increase, and the amount of ultraviolet rays reaching the abnormal portion may decrease.

If the correcting part 50 is provided, as shown in FIG. The sealing portion 100a can be inserted into the gap between the mounting surface 21a and the mounting surface 21a. If the sealing portion 100a enters the gap between the correction plate 52 and the mounting surface 21a, the deformation of the sealing portion 100a can be kept within a predetermined range. That is, the sealing portion 100a can be corrected so that the deformation of the sealing portion 100a is reduced.

Here, the sealing portion 100a is positioned substantially in the center of the storage portion 100b in the thickness direction of the storage portion 100b. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, when correcting the sealing portion 100a, the distance L (mm) between the correcting plate 52 and the mounting surface 21a is, for example, the same as that of the storage portion 100b before correcting the sealing portion 100a. can be about 1/2 of the thickness T (mm).

As described above, if the correcting portion 50 is provided, the deformation of the sealing portion 100a can be reduced. Therefore, even if the sealing portion 100a is deformed, detection accuracy can be improved.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram for illustrating a correction section 50 according to another embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 6, when correcting the sealing portion 100a, the correcting portion 50 may contact only the sealing portion 100a. Also in this way, the deformation of the sealing portion 100a can be reduced. Therefore, even if the sealing portion 100a is deformed, detection accuracy can be improved.

That is, the correcting section 50 may press at least one of the sealing section 100a and the storage section 100b near the end where the sealing section 100a is provided.
However, as illustrated in FIG. 5, when the sealing portion 100a is corrected, if the correcting portion 50 presses the storage portion 100b as well, the sealing reliability can be inspected and the inspection accuracy can be further improved. You can let For example, in some cases, the sealing strength of a region of the sealing portion 100a where an abnormal portion (eg, wrinkles, voids, objects that have entered the inside of the sealing portion 100a, etc.) is generated is reduced. If the storage portion 100b is pressed when the sealing strength is low, the object may enter the area where the sealing strength is low. Since the above-described light emission is generated in the area where the object has entered, it is possible to detect the area where the sealing strength is low and, in turn, to inspect the reliability of the sealing. In addition, if an object enters a wrinkle or a void, or if an object further enters a portion where the object has already entered, the amount of emitted light increases, so that inspection accuracy can be further improved.

A controller 60 controls the operation of each element provided in the inspection apparatus 1 . The controller 60 has, for example, an arithmetic unit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a storage unit such as a semiconductor memory. Controller 60 is, for example, a computer. The storage unit can store, for example, a control program for controlling the operation of each element provided in the inspection apparatus 1 .

Further, the controller 60 can determine the occurrence of abnormality, the size of the abnormal portion, the type of the abnormal portion, and the like in the sealing portion 100 a based on the signal from the detection portion 40 . The controller 60 can detect the occurrence of abnormality and the size of the abnormal portion by using image processing such as binarization, for example. Also, the controller 60 can determine the type of the abnormal portion from the shape, size, and the like of the abnormal portion.

(Package inspection method)
Next, a package inspection method according to the present embodiment will be described.
The method for inspecting a package according to the present embodiment is a method for inspecting a package 100 having a storage portion 100b for storing an object and a sealing portion 100a for sealing at least one end of the storage portion 100b. is.
The inspection method for the package 100 can include the following steps.
A step of correcting the deformation of the sealing portion 100a.
A step of irradiating the corrected sealing portion 100a with ultraviolet rays.
A step of detecting light generated in the sealing portion 100a by the ultraviolet rays irradiated to the sealing portion 100a.
In this case, in the step of correcting the deformation of the sealing portion 100a, the vicinity of the end portion of the storage portion 100b where the sealing portion 100a is provided can be pressed.
In addition, since the contents of each step can be the same as those described above, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Although some embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated above, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, changes, etc. can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention described in the claims and equivalents thereof. Moreover, each of the above-described embodiments can be implemented in combination with each other.

Reference Signs List 1 inspection device, 10 housing, 20 placement unit, 21 table, 21a placement surface, 30 irradiation unit, 40 detection unit, 50 correction unit, 51 pressing unit, 52 correction plate, 53 drive unit, 60 controller, 100 packaging body, 100a sealing portion, 100b storage portion

Claims (4)

An inspection device for a package having a storage portion for storing an object and a sealing portion for sealing at least one end of the storage portion,
a correction section that corrects deformation of the sealing section;
an irradiation unit that irradiates ultraviolet rays to the sealing portion corrected by the correction unit;
a detection unit that detects light generated in the sealing portion by the ultraviolet rays irradiated to the sealing portion;
A package inspection device comprising: The correction unit is
a pressing portion;
a correction plate provided at the end of the pressing portion and transmitting the ultraviolet rays;
has
2. The package inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when correcting the deformation of the sealing portion, the pressing portion presses the vicinity of the end portion of the storage portion where the sealing portion is provided. A method for inspecting a package having a storage section for storing an object and a sealing section for sealing at least one end of the storage section,
correcting deformation of the sealing portion;
a step of irradiating the corrected sealing portion with ultraviolet rays;
a step of detecting light generated in the sealing portion by the ultraviolet rays irradiated to the sealing portion;
A package inspection method comprising In the step of correcting deformation of the sealing portion,
4. The method for inspecting a package according to claim 3, wherein a vicinity of an end portion of said storage portion where said sealing portion is provided is pressed.

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