JP3564588B2

JP3564588B2 - Pinhole inspection device and pinhole inspection method for sealed packaging bags

Info

Publication number: JP3564588B2
Application number: JP01844696A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 俊和八木; 正弘田中; 義正四宮; 達也田中; 和成竹内; 賢二松本
Original assignee: Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co Ltd
Current assignee: Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co Ltd
Priority date: 1996-01-08
Filing date: 1996-01-08
Publication date: 2004-09-15
Anticipated expiration: 2016-01-08
Also published as: JPH09189638A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は密封包装袋から洩れ出した検査用ガスを検知することによって密封包装袋のピンホールを検査する装置および方法に関するものであり、特に包装箱内に充填された密封包装袋のピンホールを、包装箱を開封しないで検査し得るピンホール検査装置およびピンホール検査方法に関するものである。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来より、密封包装袋のピンホール検査方法として、内容物と一緒に検査用ガスを封入した密封包装袋に所定の押圧力を加え、ピンホールから洩れ出した検査用ガスをガス検知装置で検知することにより、ピンホールの存在を検査する装置が提案されている。例えば、特願平５−２８０５６６号の密封包装袋のピンホール検査装置等がこれである。
【０００３】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
ところが、このような検査装置では密封包装袋を包装箱に収容する前に、密封包装袋一つずつに所定の押圧力を加えねばならないので、手間が掛かる上に検査時間を長く要し、生産ライン上に採用することが困難であり、またガスバリアーフィルムによる密封包装を必要とする大容量の輸液製剤（例えばアミノ酸輸液や脂肪乳剤等）では、検査装置が大型化して採用することが困難であるという問題点があった。
【０００４】
ところで、ピンホールの発生率は現実にはそれ程高いものではないので、本願発明者は内容物と一緒に検査用ガスを封入したガスバリアーフィルムからなる密封包装袋を個々に検査し判断するのではなく、例えば包装箱に収容された密封包装袋全体を対象として洩れ出した検査用ガスをまとめてガス検知装置に供給し、包装箱を単位としてピンホールの有無を検査することを試みた。しかし、包装箱を直接押圧することによって内部の密封包装袋に押圧力を加えようとすれば、包装箱が破損するので、密封包装袋を収容した包装箱を検査用真空室に入れ、検査用真空室内の負圧により密封包装袋内の検査用ガスをピンホールを通して吸引するようにし、洩れ出した検査用ガスをガス検知装置に供給してピンホールの有無を検査しようとしたが、負圧のみによる吸引では洩れ出す検査用ガスが少なくピンホーの有無を判断することは実用困難であった。
【０００５】
そこで、本願発明者は種々研究を続けているうちに、検査用真空室では包装箱内の密封包装袋は負圧によりその前面側と後面側の方向に膨張し包装箱が変形するので、膨張時包装箱と当接する部材を検査用真空室内に設け、包装箱の膨張を制限すれば、包装箱を介して内部の密封包装袋に押圧力を加え得ること、および包装箱の変形を防止し得ることを見い出し、本願発明を完成したものである。
本発明はこのような事情を背景としてなされたものであり、本発明の目的は、包装箱内に充填された密封包装袋のピンホール検査を、包装箱を開封することなく行い得るようにしたピンホール検査装置およびピンホール検査方法を提供しようとするものである。
【０００６】
【課題を解決するための手段】
本発明はこのような目的を達成するためになされたものであり、本発明は下記のように構成される。
Ａ検査用ガスを封入した１または２以上の密封包装袋を非密封性の包装箱内に充填した状態で包装箱を開封しないで密封包装袋のピンホールを検査する装置であって、
前記包装箱を収容し得る検査用真空室を設けると共に、該検査用真空室内には包装箱に充填された密封包装袋の前面側もしくは後面側と相対向する方向の位置に減圧時密封包装袋が膨張することを規制するための膨張規制部材を包装箱に接触可能に配置し、しかも膨張規制部材は減圧時包装箱の膨張が制限されることによって包装箱内の密封包装袋に加えられる押圧力が強くなり検査用ガスを漏出させ得るものであり、かつ該膨張規制部材は減圧開始前から包装箱に接触して膨張を規制できるようにされ、さらに密封包装袋から検査用真空室内に洩れ出した検査用ガスを吸引してガス検知装置に供給するための吸引配管を設けた密封包装袋のピンホール検査装置。
Ｂ前記A項記載のピンホール検査装置において、包装箱と膨張規制部材との間隔を移動調節可能とした駆動機構を設け、検査用真空室内に包装箱を収容後減圧開始前に膨張規制部材を包装箱に接触させ得ると共に、減圧後の検査用真空室内のガスをガス検知装置に供給することが完了した後膨張規制部材を包装箱から離し得るようにした密封包装袋のピンホール検査装置。
Ｃ前記Ｂ項記載のピンホール検知装置において、前記膨張規制部材の駆動機構は、膨張規制部材に立設された１または２以上のガイド部材が摺動可能な状態で検査用真空室を貫通すると共に該ガイド部材は流体圧シリンダ装置により直接移動可能もしくはピストンロッドの往復運動をガイド部材の往復運動に変え得る変換機構を介してガイド部材を移動可能として膨張規制部材を所定位置に停止させ得るようにしてなり、あるいは検査用真空室を貫通した前記ガイド部材の先端部に直接もしくは他の部材を介してねじ軸を回動可能に連結すると共に該ねじ軸は検査用真空室の外側に取付けられたねじ軸取付台に螺合させ、かつ各ねじ軸はチエン、歯車、ベルト等の回転力伝達機構を介してモータにより同時に回動させてガイド部材を移動可能とし、膨張規制部材を所定位置に停止させ得るようにしてなるものである密封包装袋のピンホール検知装置。
Ｄ前記Ａ項〜Ｃ項のいずれか１項に記載の密封包装袋のピンホール検査装置において、前記吸引配管を検査用真空室に設けた１もしくは２以上の吸引孔に連結し、かつ各吸引孔と前記吸引配管とを連結する各管路にはそれぞれ該管路を開閉するための第１のバルブ、第２のバルブ、第３のバルブ、……を設けると共に、前記吸引配管による検査用ガスの吸引を容易にするために検査用真空室内に大気を導入する大気導入孔を検査用真空室に１もしくは２以上設け、かつ各大気導入孔は各管路を介して一端が大気中に開放された大気開放管に連結し、さらに該大気開放管には大気開放管自体を開閉するためのバルブを設けた密封包装袋のピンホール検査装置。
Ｅ前記Ａ項〜Ｄ記載のいずれか１項に記載の密封包装袋のピンホール検査装置において、前記検査用真空室は入口部と出口部の扉が開閉可能とされると共に入口部から搬入された包装箱は横方向に移動可能とされて出口部から搬出し得るようにされ、かつ前記膨張規制部材は検査用真空室内の上面側もしくは側面側に包装箱との間隔が移動調節可能に配置され、検査用真空室内の減圧開始前から包装箱に接触して膨張を規制できるようにした密封包装袋のピンホール検査装置。
Ｆ検査用ガスを封入した１または２以上の密封包装袋を非密封性の包装箱内に充填した状態で包装箱を開封しないで密封包装袋のピンホールを検査する方法であって、検査用真空室内に包装箱を搬入する工程と、検査用真空室内の減圧時に密封包装袋が膨張することを規制するための膨張規制部材を減圧開始前に包装箱に接触させる工程と、包装箱が搬入された検査用真空室内を減圧し負圧にする工程と、減圧により密封包装袋から検査用真空室内に洩れ出した検査用ガスを吸引配管で吸引してガス検知装置に供給する工程とを含む密封包装袋のピンホール検査方法。
Ｇ前記Ｂ項記載のピンホール検査装置を使用したピンホール検査方法であって、包装箱と膨張規制部材との間隔を移動調節可能とした駆動機構により膨張規制部材を検査用真空室内の包装箱に接触させる工程と、膨張規制部材を包装箱に接触させた後、検査用真空室内を減圧して負圧にする工程と、減圧により密封包装袋から検査用真空室内に洩れ出した検査用ガスを吸引してガス検知装置に供給する工程と、洩れ出した検査用ガスをガス検知装置に供給すると共に前記駆動機構により膨張規制部材を包装箱から離れさせる工程とを含む密封包装袋のピンホール検査方法。
Ｈ前記Ｄ項記載のピンホール検査装置を使用したピンホール検査方法であつて、検査用真空室内に包装箱を搬入する工程と、膨張規制部材を包装箱に接触させる工程と、膨張規制部材を包装箱に接触させた後検査用真空室内を減圧して負圧にする工程と、減圧により密封包装袋から検査用真空室内に洩れ出した検査用ガスを吸引配管で吸引する前に、大気開放管に設けたバルブを開いて検査用真空室内を大気に開放する工程と、減圧により密封包装袋から洩れ出した検査用ガスを検査用真空室内の大気開放後に、吸引配管で吸引してガス検知装置に供給する工程を含む密封包装袋のピンホール検査方法。
Ｉ前記Ｈ項記載の密封包装袋のピンホール検査方法において、減圧により密封包装袋から検査用真空室内に洩れ出した検査用ガスを吸引配管を介してガス検知装置に供給するに際し、検査用真空室と吸引配管とを接続する各管路に設けられたバルブを同時もしくは順次に開いて検査用真空室内の検査用ガスをガス検知装置に供給する工程を含む密封包装袋のピンホール検査方法。
Ｊ前記Ｆ項〜Ｉ項のいずれか一項に記載の密封包装袋のピンホール検査方法において、密封包装袋のピンホールから検査用ガスを洩れ出させるために検査用真空室を減圧して負圧にする工程前に検査用真空室内を掃気して、検査用真空室内のガス濃度を所定値以下にする工程を含む密封包装袋のピンホール検査方法。
Ｋ前記Ｆ項〜Ｊ項のいずれか一項に記載の密封包装袋のピンホール検査方法において、ガス検知装置に供給された検査用ガスの濃度検査値が所定値以上のときにはガス濃度検査後に検査用真空室内を掃気する工程を含む密封包装袋のピンホール検査方法。
ここに、「ピンホール」とは微細な孔に限らず、シール不良の部分等のように密封が完全でない部分も含むものであり、「包装箱」とはその内部に充填された密封包装袋の減圧時発生する膨圧により変形可能な包装用の箱を意味するものであり、例えば段ボール等が含まれる。「非密封性の包装箱」における「非密封性」とは、検査用ガスが洩れ出し得る隙間を有することを意味する。また、「包装箱に接触」とは膨張規制部材が単に包装箱に接触する場合に限らず、当接する場合も含むものであり、「掃気」とは検査用真空室内のガス濃度を低くするために、検査用真空室内のガスを排出すると共に新しい空気を導入することを意味する。
【０００７】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下本発明の実施例を記載した図面に基づいて、発明の実施の形態を詳細に説明する。
図１、図２において１０は床１２上に設置された検査用真空室であり、その入口部と出口部にはそれぞれ扉１４、１６が開閉可能に取付けられると共に、検査用真空室１０内には電動機を内蔵し通電によって回動可能とされた多数のモータローラ１８が水平方向に配置され、その上に複数の包装箱２０を１列に載置した状態で収容できるようにされている。検査用真空室１０内の上方位置には、図１〜図３に示すように膨張規制部材２２が配置され、かつ該部材２２は上下方向に移動調節可能とされている。すなわち、検査用真空室１０の上部外側には長方形の枠状部材２３が配置され、かつその四隅付近にはガイド部材としての吊下げ軸２４が下向きに立設されると共に各吊下げ軸２４は検査用真空室１０の上部壁面部を貫通して検査用真空室１０内に突入するようにされ、しかも吊下げ軸２４は該貫通部において摺動可能に嵌合され、さらに各吊下げ軸２４の下端部が膨張規制部材２２の四隅付近に固定されており、後述する上下移動調節装置により枠状部材２３を上下方向に移動させることによって、膨張規制部材２２を上下方向に移動調節することが可能とされている。この上下移動調節装置は膨張規制部材と包装箱との間隔を移動調節可能とした「駆動機構」をなしている。
【０００８】
上下移動調節装置は検査用真空室１０の上部外側に配置されており、枠状部材２３の相対する二辺の中間部でその外側位置に固定されたねじ軸取付台２６に、ねじ軸２７が螺着され、かつねじ軸２７の下端部は回動可能な状態で枠状部材２３に連結されると共に、各ねじ軸２７にはスプロケット２８が固定され、かつ各スプロケット２８にはチエン２９が巻掛けられ、さらに一方のねじ軸２７に取付けられたスプロケット３２とブレーキ付きモータ３４のスプロケット３６とはチエン３８が巻掛けられて構成されている。スプロケット３２はねじ軸２７の上端寄りに形成されたスプライン部（図示省略）に嵌合しねじ軸２７に回転力を伝え得るが、上下には移動しないようにされている。ブレーキ付きモータ３４が回転すると、チエン３８を介して一方のねじ軸２７が回転し、さらにチエン２９を介して各ねじ軸２７は同じ角度だけ回転するので枠状部材２３を常に一様に上下させることができ、従って、吊下げ軸２４を介して枠状部材２３に一体に結合された膨張規制部材２２も常に一様に上下させることができる。なお、検査用真空室１０上で枠状部材２３付近には、高さ位置検出センサ（例えば光電スイッチ、リミットスイッチ、無接点スイッチ等）（図示省略）が取付けられ、枠状部材２３が所定高さ位置に達したときブレーキ付きモータ３４を停止させて、枠状部材２３や膨張規制部材２２を所定位置に停止させ得るようにされている。また高さ位置検出センサを作動させる部材は上下方向に調節可能とされ、膨張規制部材２２を任意位置に停止できるようされている。その結果、膨張規制部材２２を包装箱２０に当接させたり、包装箱２０との間隔を調節したりすることができ、また種々の大きさの包装箱についても対応できる。なお、膨張規制部材２２は、枠状の部材の下面側にパンチングプレート（図示省略）を取り付けたものであり、ピンホール検査時に検査用ガスが上方に抜け易いようにされている。
なお、扉１４、１６や吊下げ軸２４の突入部は検査用真空室１０の気密が充分保持できるようにされている。
【０００９】
検査用真空室１０には、その上面側に複数の吸引孔（本実施例では３個）が形成され、各吸引孔には図１に示すように管路４０、４２、４４が連結され、さらに各管路にはそれぞれ第１のバルブ、第２のバルブ、第３のバルブとしての電磁弁４６、４８、５０が接続されている。管路４２の電磁弁４８と吸引孔との中間部に管路５２が連結され、さらに管路５２には電磁弁５４を介して真空ポンプ５６が接続され、検査用真空室１０内を減圧できるようにされている。検査用真空室１０内の真空度は、ゲージ圧で３００〜７００ｍｍＨｇ程度である（以下真空度はすべてゲージ圧で示す）。さらに、検査用真空室１０の上面側に接続された管路４０、４２、４４は、ガス検知装置５８に連結する吸引配管６０に接続され、検査用真空室１０内に洩れ出した検査用ガスを、ガス検知装置５８に内蔵された真空ポンプ（図示省略）によりガス検知装置５８内に供給できるようにされている。
【００１０】
また、検査用真空室１０内の下面側には、複数の大気導入孔（本実施例では３個）が形成され、各大気導入孔に連結された各管路は図１に示すようにひとつにまとめられて、一端が大気中に開放された大気開放管６４に連結されると共に、該大気開放管６４の中間部には電磁弁６６が接続され、吸引配管６０により検査用真空室１０内のガスを吸引する際、外部から検査用真空室１０内に大気が入り込むようにされている。これにより、検査用真空室１０内のガスを吸引することが容易になる。さらに、吸引配管６０の中間部に、先端部が大気中に開放された管路６８が電磁弁７０を介して接続されている。ガス検知装置５８で検査用ガスを吸引しないときには、電磁弁４６、４８、５０を閉じると共に電磁弁７０を開いた状態にしておく。なお、すべての電磁弁は非通電時には閉じている。
【００１１】
検査用真空室１０に形成された３つの吸引孔には、前述のように管路４０、４２、４４が接続されるが、吸引孔はそれぞれ検査用真空室１０の上面側の両端部寄りと中間部に設けられ、それぞれ各部付近のガスを吸引し、ガス検知装置５８に供給できるようにされている。そして、上記各管路に接続された電磁弁４６、４８、５０は、全部同時に開くことも、順次開くこともできるようにされている。
また、検査用真空室１０内に形成された３つの大気導入孔に連結された各管路は、さらに大気開放管６４に接続されるが、各大気導入孔は検査用真空室１０内の下面側の両端部寄りと中間部に設けられ、それぞれ各部から検査用真空室１０内に大気を導入できるようにされている。
【００１２】
検査用真空室１０の入口部と出口部の側方には、それぞれ前記モータローラ１８と同様な構成の複数のローラを取り付けたローラコンベア７４、７６が配置され、ローラコンベア７４上に載置された包装箱２０は、入口部の扉１４を開いた状態で検査用真空室１０内に搬入することができるようにされ、さらに包装箱２０はモータローラ１８により出口部側方向に移送できるようにされている。そして、ピンホール検査終了後は出口部側の扉１６を開き、包装箱２０をローラコンベア７６上に搬出できるようにされている。
【００１３】
以上のように構成された実施例装置の使用方法は例えば次の通りである。
まず、検査用真空室１０内に検査対象である包装箱２０を複数個（１個でもよい）入れ、扉１４、１６を密閉する。なお、包装箱２０は図４（イ）に示すように内部の密封包装袋８０の前後面が水平方向に向くように載置する。ついで、ブレーキ付きモータ３４が起動されると膨張規制部材２２が下降し、高さ位置検出センサ（図示省略）により予め決められた位置、すなわち膨張規制部材２２が包装箱２０に当接する位置でブレーキ付きモータ３４が停止すると共に膨張規制部材２２もその位置で停止する。その後検査用真空室１０内の前掃気を行なう。前掃気は、本来のガス洩れ検査前に、検査用真空室１０内や包装箱２０内に存在するＨｅガス等の検査用ガスを予め除去するもので、真空ポンプ５６を起動状態にしたままで電磁弁５４を開き、検査用真空室１０内を減圧した後、電磁弁６６を開き、大気開放管６４から大気を導入して行なう。前掃気後、電磁弁６６を閉じると共に電磁弁５４を開き、真空ポンプ５６により検査用真空室１０内を所定真空度（本実施例では約６００ｍｍＨｇ）に減圧させ、電磁弁５４を閉じて所定時間減圧状態を保持させる。減圧状態におかれた密封包装袋８０は、図４（ロ）に示すようにその前後面と直角方向すなわち鉛直方向に膨張し、包装箱２０の上面側を押し上げることになるが、膨張規制部材２２は包装箱２０に当接しているので、包装箱２０の上面が圧迫され、内部に充填された密封包装袋８０も所定の押圧力を受けることになる。密封包装袋８０が押圧されるとピンホールがあれば、密封包装袋８０内の検査用ガスがそこから洩れ、包装箱２０の隙間を通り、さらに主に膨張規制部材２２のパンチングプレート（図示省略）の孔を経て、検査用真空室１０の上方の空間部に洩れ出すことになる。減圧状態を所定時間保持させた後、電磁弁５４を閉じたままで電磁弁６６を開くと、大気開放管６４により検査用真空室１０の内部が大気圧に開放される。ついで、電磁弁４６、４８、５０を開くと、検査用真空室１０内のガスはガス検知装置５８内に吸い込まれることになる。吸引時にも電磁弁６６を開いておくと吸引に応じた大気が大気開放管６４から流入するので、吸引が容易、かつ速やかに行い得る。
【００１４】
本実施例では、検査用真空室１０内に３つの吸引孔が設けられ、それぞれ管路４０、４２、４４を介して吸引配管６０に接続され、さらにガス検知装置５８に連結されているが、各包装箱ごとのガス検査精度は通常吸引孔付近の包装箱で最もよく、吸引孔から離れる程、悪くなるので、検査用真空室１０内に収容される包装箱の数に見合った吸引孔を設けることが望ましい。また、ガスの吸引を容易かつ迅速に行なうため、大気導入孔の数も吸引孔に見合ったものとすることが望ましい。
検査用真空室１０内のガスをガス検知装置５８に供給する際、電磁弁４６、４８、５０の全部を開くと、各部のガス濃度が平均化され検査精度が低下するが、前記各電磁弁を順次開くようにすれば、平均化しない各部のガス濃度を検知できるので、検査精度が向上する利点がある。
【００１５】
なお、前述の前掃気は下記の効果を奏する。すなわち、密封包装袋８０を包装箱２０内に充填する作業が、密封包装用袋内に検査用ガスを注入しガス置換後密封するガス置換包装機付近で行なわれるときには、周りに漂っている検査用ガスが密封包装袋と一緒に包装箱２０内に包み込まれ、ピンホール検査精度が悪くなるおそれがあり、またピンホール検査装置の近くで何等かの理由によりＨｅガスが多少発散されたような場合、Ｈｅガスが包装箱２０と一緒に検査用真空室１０内に入り、同様にピンホール検査精度を悪くするおそれがある。前掃気はこのような悪影響をなくし、ピンホール検査精度の維持、向上に役立つ。
【００１６】
検査の結果、検査用ガスが検知されないときには、すべての密封包装袋８０にピンホールがなく、包装箱２０を開封しないで一度に包装箱２０内の密封包装袋８０の検査が完了する。検査終了後、電磁弁７０を開くと共に、電磁弁４６、４８、５０を閉じてガス検知装置５８を検査用真空室１０から切り離す。ガス洩れした包装箱（不良品）が存在するときには、検査用真空室１０内はＨｅガスが充満し、以後の検査が困難になるので、ガス洩れ検知後検査用真空室１０内のＨｅガス濃度が一定値以下になるまで、真空吸引、大気開放、検査用ガス吸引をくり返す、いわゆる後掃気を行なう。
【００１７】
一方、検査用ガスが検知されたときには、複数個の包装箱内のいずれかの密封包装袋にピンホールが存在するので、密封包装袋を各包装箱ごとに小さいグループに分けて検査したり、例えば、減圧法によるピンホールの有無検査法（密封包装袋を真空デシケータ等の減圧可能な容器中に水没させ、真空ポンプを作動させて容器内を６００ｍｍＨｇにしてピンホールの有無を気泡の発生によって判断する方法）に準拠して各密封包装袋ごとに検査すれば、いずれの密封包装袋にピンホールがあるか追求できる。前述のように、各電磁弁を順次開いてガスを吸引して検査する場合には、検査用ガスが検知されたとき、どの吸引孔付近の包装箱によるものか、見当がつくので包装箱の個別検査が容易になるという利点がある。
【００１８】
検査サイクルの具体例を図５に示す。包装箱の検査用真空室への搬入、いわゆる製品搬入が８秒、搬入後入口部の扉を閉めるのが２．５秒、つぎに検査用真空室１０内の雰囲気を清浄にするため真空ポンプにより減圧させる真空吸引１５秒と、その後の大気開放１秒とからなる前掃気が１６秒、さらに真空度を６００ｍｍＨｇに減圧させる真空吸引が７秒、その減圧状態を保持させる、いわゆる減圧保持が３０秒、減圧保持終了後電磁弁６６を開いて検査用真空室内に大気を導入する、いわゆる大気開放が３秒、つぎに検査用真空室内のガスをガス検知装置に送って検査用ガスを検知する検査用ガス吸引が１０秒、入口部出口部の扉を開くのが２．５秒、製品（包装箱）の搬出が９秒、出口部の扉を閉じるのが２．５秒、従って、１検査サイクルに要する合計時間は９０．５秒である。なお、ガス検知装置により検査用ガスが検知された時（不良品検知時）にはガス洩れ検知後、検査用真空室内の真空吸引、大気開放、検査用ガス吸引をガス濃度が所定値以下になるまでくり返す、いわゆる後掃気を行なう。
なお、上記検査の具体例において、検査用ガスとしてＨｅガスを使用した。Ｈｅガスは窒素ガスと混合して密封包装袋に封入するが、Ｈｅガスの割合は通常１〜２０％、好ましくは２〜１０％、特に好ましくは５％である。上記具体例ではＨｅガスは５％とした。
【００１９】
図６（イ）〜（ハ）は、上記実施例の上下移動調節装置、すなわち膨張規制部材２２を上下に移動調節する駆動機構の他の例を示す。膨張規制部材２２の四隅付近に立設されたガイド部材８２は、検査用真空室１０の上部壁面部８４を貫通すると共に摺動可能に嵌合し、かつ左右両端側の２つのガイド部材８２同士はその上端部で連結板８６により結合され、同時に上下するようにされている。一方、上部壁面部８４上の各連結板８６の側方には揺動軸８８、９０が揺動可能に取付けられると共に、揺動軸８８に設けられた揺動アーム９２は、ピストンロッドを任意の中間位置で停止し得るトラニオン形のブレーキ付きシリンダ装置（ロックアップシリンダ）９４のピストンロッド９５に連結され、揺動軸８８を揺動し得るようにされている。さらに、揺動軸８８の他端側に設けられた揺動アーム９３は、リンク９６を介して、他の揺動軸９０に設けられた揺動アーム９８に連結されている。各揺動軸８８、９０の中間部に設けられた揺動アーム１００、１０２の先端部にはローラが取付けられると共に、各ローラは各連結板８６の下面側に設けられた係合部９９に回動可能、かつ水平方向に滑動可能に係合されている。ブレーキ付きシリンダ装置９４のロッド９５が前進もしくは後退すれば揺動アーム１００、１０２は同位相で等距離下降もしくは上昇する。従って、両連結板８６は各ガイド部材８２と共に下降もしくは上昇し、膨張規制部材２２が下降もしくは上昇する。
【００２０】
さらに、連結板８６には、高さ位置検出センサとしての光電スイッチ（門形）（図示省略）が取付けらると共に、上部壁面部８４上には光電スイッチを作動させる作動部材（図示省略）が高さ位置調節可能に取付けられている。作動部材は、光電スイッチの発光部と受光部との間に位置したとき光を遮り光電スイッチを作動させるもので棒状をなしている。連結板８６が所定高さ位置に達したときに、光電スイッチの発光部と受光部の間に前記作動部材が位置し、ブレーキ付きシリンダ装置９４を停止させ、ガイド部材８２の下端部に取付けられた膨張規制部材２２を所定位置に停止させ得るようにされている。前記作動部材の高さ位置を調節し、光電スイッチの作動位置を変えることにより、検査用真空室１０内の減圧開始前に膨張規制部材２２を包装箱２０に当接させたり、包装箱２０との間隔を隔てて膨張規制部材２２を停止させたり、あるいはガス洩れ検査終了後膨張規制部材２２を包装箱２０から離したりすることが可能である。この上下移動調節装置によれば、上下位置の調節が簡単かつ迅速に行い得ると共に、装置自体の高さを低くコンパクトにできる利点がある。
なお、膨張規制部材の駆動機構の変形例として、ガイド部材に流体圧シリンダ装置のロッドを直結し、かつ分流弁等を介して各流体圧シリンダ装置を同時に作動させるようにすることも可能である。
【００２１】
上記実施例では、膨張規制部材２２は検査用真空室１０内の上方に配置したが、これに代えて検査用真空室１０内の側方に鉛直方向に配置してもよい。但し、この場合は包装箱２０内の密封包装袋８０の向きが、上記実施例の場合より９０度異なり、鉛直方向である。密封包装袋８０および包装箱２０は、検査用真空室１０内の負圧により横方向に膨張するが、前記鉛直方向の膨張規制部材に当接しているので、膨張が制限されることになる。また、検査用ガスとしてＨｅガスに代えて、フロンガス、炭酸ガス、窒素ガス、その他各種のガスを使用することも可能である。
以上本発明の実施例について説明したが、本発明はこのような実施例に何等限定されるものではなく、本発明の要旨を逸脱しない範囲において種々なる態様で実施し得ることはもちろんである。
【００２２】
【発明の効果】
本発明は上述の通り構成されているので、次に記載する効果を奏する。
請求項１〜請求項８記載の密封包装袋のピンホール検置装置、方法によれば、包装箱を開封しなくても、包装箱内に充填された密封包装袋のピンホール検査ができるので、既述のピンホール検査装置（特願平５−２８０５６６号）のように包装箱充填前に密封包装袋の一つずつに押圧力を加えて、検査用ガスの洩れを検知しなくてもよいことから、取扱が簡単で検査時間を短縮でき、検査の作業能率の向上を図ることができる。従って、製造ライン上のピンホール検査装置として採用し得る利点がある。特に膨張規制部材は検査用真空室内の減圧前から包装箱に接触可能とされているので、減圧時、包装箱の膨張が制限されて包装箱内の密封包装袋に加えられる押圧力が強くなり、その結果ガス洩れ検査、ひいてはピンホール検査精度が向上すると共に、検査時間が短縮できる。
請求項２、請求項３、請求項７記載のピンホール検査装置、方法によれば、駆動機構により包装箱と膨張規制部材との間隔を調節できるので、種々の大きさの異なる包装箱についても使用でき、また検査用真空室内の減圧前から膨張規制部材を接触させることによって、ピンホール検査精度の向上を図ると共に、検査後には膨張規制部材を包装箱から離し、包装箱の搬出を容易にできる。
さらに、請求項５記載のピンホール検査装置によれば、包装箱を横方向に移動して検査用真空室に出し入れできるので、包装箱の搬入、搬出が容易である。
請求項４、請求項９記載のピンホール検査装置、方法によれば、検査用真空室のガスを吸引してガス検知装置に供給する吸引孔が１もしくは２以上設けられ、かつこれ等に連結された各管路には、バルブが設けられているので、各バルブを順次開くことによって、検査用真空室内の各部分域ごとの検査が可能となり、検査精度が向上する。なお、各バルブを同時に開きガス検知装置にガスを供給すれば、各部の検査精度は平均化するが、検査時間を短縮できる。また、検査用真空室に連結した大気開放管にバルブが設けられているので、このバルブを開くことにより検査用真空室内のガスを吸引してガス検知装置に供給することが容易となる。さらに、前記吸引孔とガス検知装置とを連結し、かつバルブを有する管路と、ガスの吸引を容易にする一端が大気中に開放された管路とを、検査用真空室内の包装箱の数や、検査用真空室内の大きさに見合った数とすることにより、検査精度の維持、向上を図ることができる。
請求項１０記載のピンホール検査方法によれば、本来のピンホール検査前に検査用真空室内のガスを除去する前掃気により、検査精度を向上させることができる。
請求項１１記載のピンホール検査方法によれば、検査用真空室内ガスの濃度検査値が一定値以上のときには、ガス濃度検査後に検査用真空室内のガスを除去する掃気を行なうので、次の包装箱のピンホール検査の精度が悪くなることを回避できる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の一実施例を示す概略説明図（断面図）である。
【図２】図１におけるＡ−Ａ断面図である。
【図３】図１におけるＢ視図である。
【図４】（イ）、（ロ）は同実施例の検査対象である包装箱の模式的説明図である。
【図５】同実施例を使用した検査サイクルの具体例を示す検査サイクル図である。
【図６】（イ）、（ロ）、（ハ）は同実施例に適用し得る膨張規制部材の駆動機構の他の例を示す部分断面図、部分平面図、作動状態を模式的に表わした説明図である。
【符号の説明】
１０検査用真空室
１４扉
１６扉
２０包装箱
２２膨張規制部材
２４吊下げ軸（ガイド部材）
２７ねじ軸
４６電磁弁（第１のバルブ）
４８電磁弁（第２のバルブ）
５０電磁弁（第３のバルブ）
５６真空ポンプ
５８ガス検知装置
６０吸引配管
６４大気開放管
６６電磁弁（バルブ）
８０密封包装袋
８２ガイド部材
９４流体圧シリンダ装置
９５ピストンロッド[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for inspecting a pinhole of a sealed packaging bag by detecting an inspection gas leaked from a sealed packaging bag, and particularly to a pinhole of a sealed packaging bag filled in a packaging box. The present invention relates to a pinhole inspection apparatus and a pinhole inspection method capable of inspecting a package box without opening it.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, as a pinhole inspection method for sealed packaging bags, a predetermined pressure is applied to the sealed packaging bag in which the inspection gas is enclosed together with the contents, and the inspection gas leaked from the pinhole is detected by a gas detection device. Accordingly, an apparatus for inspecting the presence of a pinhole has been proposed. For example, a pinhole inspection device for a sealed packaging bag disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 5-280566 is an example.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, with such an inspection device, a predetermined pressing force must be applied to each of the sealed packaging bags before the sealed packaging bags are stored in the packaging box, which is troublesome and requires a long inspection time. It is difficult to adopt it on the line, and it is difficult to adopt large-capacity infusion preparations (for example, amino acid infusions and fat emulsions) that require hermetic packaging with a gas barrier film due to the large size of the inspection device. There was a problem.
[0004]
By the way, since the incidence of pinholes is not so high in practice, the inventor of the present application individually examines and judges a sealed packaging bag made of a gas barrier film filled with an inspection gas together with the contents. Instead, for example, an inspection gas leaked from the entire sealed packaging bag housed in the packaging box was supplied to the gas detection device, and an attempt was made to inspect the presence or absence of a pinhole in the packaging box as a unit. However, if an attempt is made to apply a pressing force to the internal sealed packaging bag by directly pressing the packaging box, the packaging box will be damaged, so the packaging box containing the sealed packaging bag is put into a vacuum chamber for inspection, and is used for inspection. The test gas in the sealed packaging bag was sucked through the pinhole by the negative pressure in the vacuum chamber, and the leaked test gas was supplied to the gas detector to check for the presence of the pinhole. It is practically difficult to judge the presence or absence of a pin hoe because only a small amount of test gas leaks out by suction using only suction.
[0005]
Therefore, while the inventor of the present application has continued various studies, in the inspection vacuum chamber, the sealed packaging bag in the packaging box expands in the directions of the front side and the rear side due to the negative pressure, and the packaging box is deformed. When the member that comes into contact with the packaging box is provided in the vacuum chamber for inspection and the expansion of the packaging box is limited, pressing force can be applied to the internal sealed packaging bag via the packaging box, and the deformation of the packaging box can be prevented. It has been found that the present invention has been completed and the present invention has been completed.
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to perform a pinhole inspection of a sealed packaging bag filled in a packaging box without opening the packaging box. An object of the present invention is to provide a pinhole inspection device and a pinhole inspection method.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention has been made to achieve such an object, and the present invention is configured as follows.
A. Put one or more sealed packaging bags filled with gas for inspection. Non-hermetic A device for inspecting a pinhole of a sealed packaging bag without opening the packaging box in a state filled in the packaging box,
An inspection vacuum chamber capable of accommodating the packaging box is provided, and the inspection vacuum chamber is provided with a reduced-pressure sealed packaging bag at a position facing the front side or the rear side of the sealed packaging bag filled in the packaging box. An expansion restricting member for restricting the expansion of the packaging box is provided so as to be in contact with the packaging box, and the expansion restricting member restricts the expansion of the packaging box during depressurization, so that a push is applied to the sealed packaging bag in the packaging box. The pressure is increased so that the gas for inspection can leak, and the expansion restricting member can contact the packaging box before the start of depressurization so as to restrict the expansion, and further leak from the sealed packaging bag into the vacuum chamber for inspection. A pinhole inspection device for hermetically sealed packaging bags provided with a suction pipe for sucking out the supplied inspection gas and supplying it to the gas detection device.
B In the pinhole inspection device according to the above A, a drive mechanism capable of moving and adjusting the distance between the packaging box and the expansion restricting member is provided, and the expansion restricting member is accommodated in the inspection vacuum chamber before the decompression is started after the packaging box is accommodated. A pinhole inspection device for a hermetically sealed packaging bag, which can be brought into contact with a packaging box, and which can release an expansion regulating member from the packaging box after completing supply of a gas in a vacuum chamber for inspection after pressure reduction to a gas detection device.
C. In the pinhole detection device according to the above B, the drive mechanism of the expansion restricting member penetrates the inspection vacuum chamber in a state where one or more guide members erected on the expansion restricting member can slide. At the same time, the guide member can be moved directly by a fluid pressure cylinder device, or the guide member can be moved via a conversion mechanism capable of changing the reciprocating motion of the piston rod into the reciprocating motion of the guide member so that the expansion regulating member can be stopped at a predetermined position. Or a screw shaft is rotatably connected directly or via another member to the tip end of the guide member that has penetrated the inspection vacuum chamber, and the screw shaft is attached to the outside of the inspection vacuum chamber. The screw can be screwed onto the screw shaft mounting base, and each screw shaft can be simultaneously rotated by a motor via a torque transmission mechanism such as a chain, gear, or belt to move the guide member. A pinhole detecting device for a sealed packaging bag, wherein the expansion regulating member can be stopped at a predetermined position.
D In the pinhole inspection device for a sealed packaging bag according to any one of Items A to C, the suction pipe is connected to one or more suction holes provided in an inspection vacuum chamber, and each suction pipe is connected to the suction pipe. Each pipe connecting the hole and the suction pipe is provided with a first valve, a second valve, a third valve,... For opening and closing the pipe, respectively. One or more air introduction holes for introducing air into the inspection vacuum chamber are provided in the inspection vacuum chamber to facilitate gas suction, and one end of each air introduction hole is exposed to the atmosphere through each pipe. A pinhole inspection device for a sealed packaging bag which is connected to an open-to-atmosphere pipe and further provided with a valve for opening and closing the open-to-atmosphere pipe itself.
E In the pinhole inspection device for hermetically sealed packaging bags according to any one of the above items A to D, the inspection vacuum chamber is brought in from the entrance while the entrance and exit doors are openable and closable. The packaging box is movable in the lateral direction so as to be able to be carried out from the outlet portion, and the expansion restricting member is arranged on the upper or side surface of the vacuum chamber for inspection so that the distance from the packaging box can be adjusted. A pinhole inspection device for hermetically sealed packaging bags that is capable of restricting expansion by contacting the packaging box before the start of pressure reduction in the vacuum chamber for inspection.
F Insert one or more sealed packaging bags Non-hermetic A method of inspecting pinholes in a sealed packaging bag without opening the packaging box in a state where the packaging box is filled. A step of bringing an inflation regulating member for restricting the bag from inflating into contact with the packaging box before the start of depressurization; a step of reducing the pressure in the vacuum chamber for inspection into which the packaging box has been introduced to a negative pressure; A method of inspecting a pinhole of a sealed packaging bag, the method including: a step of sucking an inspection gas leaked from a bag into an inspection vacuum chamber through a suction pipe and supplying the gas to a gas detection device.
G A pinhole inspection method using the pinhole inspection device according to the above B, wherein the expansion regulating member is packaged in a vacuum chamber for inspection by a drive mechanism capable of moving and adjusting the distance between the packaging box and the expansion regulating member. And contacting the expansion restricting member with the packaging box, and then reducing the pressure in the vacuum chamber for inspection to a negative pressure, and the test gas leaked out of the sealed packaging bag into the vacuum chamber for inspection due to the reduced pressure. And supplying the leaked inspection gas to the gas detection device and moving the expansion regulating member away from the packaging box by the driving mechanism. Inspection methods.
H A pinhole inspection method using the pinhole inspection device described in the above D, wherein the step of carrying the packaging box into the inspection vacuum chamber, the step of bringing the expansion restriction member into contact with the packaging box, and the step of: After contacting with the packaging box, reducing the pressure in the vacuum chamber for inspection to a negative pressure, and releasing the gas for inspection leaked from the sealed packaging bag into the vacuum chamber for inspection by the reduced pressure before releasing the gas to the atmosphere with the suction pipe. Opening the valve provided in the pipe to open the vacuum chamber for inspection to the atmosphere, and detecting the gas leaked from the sealed packaging bag by depressurization after releasing it to the atmosphere in the vacuum chamber for suction and detecting the gas by suction pipe. A pinhole inspection method for a sealed packaging bag including a step of supplying to a device.
I In the pinhole inspection method for hermetically sealed packaging bags according to the above paragraph H, when the inspection gas leaked from the hermetically sealed packaging bag into the inspection vacuum chamber due to reduced pressure is supplied to the gas detection device through the suction pipe, the inspection vacuum is used. A method for inspecting a pinhole of a sealed packaging bag, comprising a step of simultaneously or sequentially opening valves provided in each conduit connecting a chamber and a suction pipe to supply a gas for inspection in a vacuum chamber for inspection to a gas detector.
J In the method for inspecting a pinhole of a sealed packaging bag according to any one of the above items F to I, the pressure in the inspection vacuum chamber is reduced by reducing the pressure of the inspection vacuum chamber in order to leak the inspection gas from the pinhole of the sealed packaging bag. A method for inspecting a pinhole of a sealed packaging bag, comprising a step of scavenging the vacuum chamber for inspection before the step of increasing the pressure to reduce the gas concentration in the vacuum chamber for inspection to a predetermined value or less.
K In the pinhole inspection method for a sealed packaging bag according to any one of the above items F to J, when the concentration test value of the test gas supplied to the gas detection device is equal to or more than a predetermined value, the inspection is performed after the gas concentration test. For inspecting pinholes in sealed packaging bags, including the step of purging the vacuum chamber.
Here, the "pinhole" is not limited to a fine hole, but also includes a part that is not completely sealed such as a part with a bad seal, and a "packaging box" is a sealed packaging bag filled therein. Means a packaging box that can be deformed by turgor pressure generated at the time of decompression, and includes, for example, cardboard. “Non-sealing” in the “non-sealing packaging box” means that there is a gap through which the test gas can leak. Further, "contact with the packaging box" is not limited to the case where the expansion regulating member simply contacts the packaging box, but also includes the case where the expansion regulating member comes into contact with the packaging box, and "scavenging" is to reduce the gas concentration in the inspection vacuum chamber. In addition, it means that gas in the inspection vacuum chamber is exhausted and new air is introduced.
[0007]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings illustrating embodiments of the present invention.
In FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, reference numeral 10 denotes a vacuum chamber for inspection installed on a floor 12, and doors 14 and 16 are respectively attached to the entrance and the outlet so as to be openable and closable. A large number of motor rollers 18 which have a built-in electric motor and are rotatable by energization are arranged in a horizontal direction, and a plurality of packaging boxes 20 can be accommodated in a state of being placed in a line thereon. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, an expansion restricting member 22 is arranged at an upper position in the inspection vacuum chamber 10, and the member 22 is capable of moving vertically. That is, a rectangular frame-shaped member 23 is disposed outside the upper part of the inspection vacuum chamber 10, and hanging shafts 24 as guide members are provided in the vicinity of four corners thereof, and each hanging shaft 24 is It penetrates through the upper wall portion of the vacuum chamber for inspection 10 and protrudes into the vacuum chamber for inspection 10, and the suspension shafts 24 are slidably fitted in the penetrating portions. The lower end is fixed to the vicinity of the four corners of the expansion restricting member 22, and the vertical movement adjusting device described later can move the frame-shaped member 23 in the vertical direction to adjust the expansion restricting member 22 in the vertical direction. It is possible. This vertical movement adjusting device constitutes a "drive mechanism" which can adjust the distance between the expansion regulating member and the packaging box.
[0008]
The vertical movement adjusting device is disposed outside the upper portion of the inspection vacuum chamber 10, and a screw shaft 27 is fixed to a screw shaft mounting base 26 fixed at an intermediate position between two opposing sides of the frame-shaped member 23. The lower end of the screw shaft 27 is rotatably connected to the frame member 23, and a sprocket 28 is fixed to each screw shaft 27, and a chain 29 is wound around each sprocket 28. A sprocket 32 attached to one of the screw shafts 27 and a sprocket 36 of the brake-equipped motor 34 are wound around a chain 38. The sprocket 32 is fitted to a spline portion (not shown) formed near the upper end of the screw shaft 27 and can transmit torque to the screw shaft 27, but is prevented from moving up and down. When the motor with brake 34 rotates, one of the screw shafts 27 rotates through the chain 38, and each of the screw shafts 27 rotates by the same angle through the chain 29, so that the frame member 23 is always moved up and down uniformly. Therefore, the expansion restricting member 22 integrally connected to the frame member 23 via the suspension shaft 24 can always be moved up and down uniformly. A height position detection sensor (for example, a photoelectric switch, a limit switch, a non-contact switch, etc.) (not shown) is attached near the frame member 23 on the inspection vacuum chamber 10 so that the frame member 23 has a predetermined height. When it reaches the position, the motor with brake 34 is stopped, and the frame-shaped member 23 and the expansion regulating member 22 can be stopped at predetermined positions. The member for operating the height position detection sensor is adjustable in the vertical direction, so that the expansion regulating member 22 can be stopped at an arbitrary position. As a result, the expansion restricting member 22 can be brought into contact with the packaging box 20, the distance between the expansion regulating member 22 and the packaging box 20 can be adjusted, and packaging boxes of various sizes can be handled. The expansion restricting member 22 is formed by attaching a punching plate (not shown) to the lower surface side of the frame-shaped member so that the inspection gas can easily escape upward during a pinhole inspection.
Note that the doors 14 and 16 and the protruding portions of the suspension shaft 24 are configured to sufficiently maintain the airtightness of the inspection vacuum chamber 10.
[0009]
A plurality of suction holes (three in this embodiment) are formed on the upper surface side of the inspection vacuum chamber 10, and pipe lines 40, 42, and 44 are connected to each suction hole as shown in FIG. Furthermore, solenoid valves 46, 48, and 50 as a first valve, a second valve, and a third valve are connected to the respective conduits. A conduit 52 is connected to an intermediate portion between the electromagnetic valve 48 and the suction hole of the conduit 42, and a vacuum pump 56 is connected to the conduit 52 via an electromagnetic valve 54, so that the pressure in the inspection vacuum chamber 10 can be reduced. It has been like that. The degree of vacuum in the vacuum chamber for inspection 10 is about 300 to 700 mmHg in terms of gauge pressure (hereinafter, all degrees of vacuum are indicated by gauge pressure). Further, the pipes 40, 42, 44 connected to the upper surface side of the inspection vacuum chamber 10 are connected to a suction pipe 60 connected to a gas detector 58, and the inspection gas leaked into the inspection vacuum chamber 10. Can be supplied into the gas detection device 58 by a vacuum pump (not shown) built in the gas detection device 58.
[0010]
Further, a plurality of air introduction holes (three in this embodiment) are formed on the lower surface side in the inspection vacuum chamber 10, and each pipe connected to each air introduction hole is one as shown in FIG. One end is connected to an open-to-atmosphere tube 64 open to the atmosphere, and an electromagnetic valve 66 is connected to an intermediate portion of the open-to-atmosphere tube 64. When the gas is sucked, the atmosphere is introduced into the inspection vacuum chamber 10 from the outside. Thereby, it becomes easy to suck the gas in the inspection vacuum chamber 10. Further, a conduit 68 whose distal end is open to the atmosphere is connected to an intermediate portion of the suction pipe 60 via an electromagnetic valve 70. When the gas for inspection is not sucked by the gas detection device 58, the electromagnetic valves 46, 48, and 50 are closed and the electromagnetic valve 70 is opened. Note that all the solenoid valves are closed when not energized.
[0011]
The pipes 40, 42, and 44 are connected to the three suction holes formed in the inspection vacuum chamber 10 as described above, and the suction holes are located near both ends on the upper surface side of the inspection vacuum chamber 10, respectively. It is provided in the middle part, and is configured to be able to suck the gas near each part and supply it to the gas detection device 58. The electromagnetic valves 46, 48, 50 connected to the respective conduits can be opened simultaneously or sequentially.
Each of the conduits connected to the three air introduction holes formed in the inspection vacuum chamber 10 is further connected to an atmosphere opening pipe 64, and each air introduction hole is connected to the lower surface in the inspection vacuum chamber 10. It is provided near the both ends of the side and in the middle part, so that the atmosphere can be introduced into the inspection vacuum chamber 10 from each part.
[0012]
Roller conveyors 74 and 76 each having a plurality of rollers having the same configuration as the motor roller 18 are arranged on the side of the entrance and the exit of the inspection vacuum chamber 10, and are placed on the roller conveyor 74. The packaging box 20 can be carried into the inspection vacuum chamber 10 with the entrance door 14 opened, and the packaging box 20 can be transported by the motor roller 18 toward the exit side. Have been. After the pinhole inspection, the door 16 on the exit side is opened, and the packaging box 20 can be carried out onto the roller conveyor 76.
[0013]
A method of using the embodiment apparatus configured as described above is as follows, for example.
First, a plurality of (or one) packaging boxes 20 to be inspected are placed in the inspection vacuum chamber 10 and the doors 14 and 16 are sealed. The packaging box 20 is placed so that the front and rear surfaces of the inner sealed packaging bag 80 face horizontally as shown in FIG. Next, when the motor 34 with a brake is activated, the expansion regulating member 22 is lowered, and the brake is moved at a position predetermined by a height position detection sensor (not shown), that is, at a position where the expansion regulating member 22 contacts the packaging box 20. When the motor 34 stops, the expansion regulating member 22 also stops at that position. Thereafter, pre-scavenging in the inspection vacuum chamber 10 is performed. The pre-scavenging is to remove a gas for inspection such as He gas present in the vacuum chamber for inspection 10 or the packaging box 20 before the original gas leak inspection, and to keep the vacuum pump 56 activated. After the electromagnetic valve 54 is opened and the pressure in the inspection vacuum chamber 10 is reduced, the electromagnetic valve 66 is opened and the atmosphere is introduced from the atmosphere opening pipe 64. After the pre-purging, the electromagnetic valve 66 is closed and the electromagnetic valve 54 is opened. The vacuum chamber 56 is evacuated to a predetermined degree of vacuum (about 600 mmHg in this embodiment) by the vacuum pump 56, and the electromagnetic valve 54 is closed for a predetermined time. The reduced pressure state is maintained. The sealed packaging bag 80 placed in the decompressed state expands in a direction perpendicular to the front and rear surfaces, that is, in a vertical direction as shown in FIG. 4B, and pushes up the upper surface side of the packaging box 20. Since 22 is in contact with the packaging box 20, the upper surface of the packaging box 20 is pressed, and the sealed packaging bag 80 filled therein is also subjected to a predetermined pressing force. If there is a pinhole when the sealed packaging bag 80 is pressed, the inspection gas in the sealed packaging bag 80 leaks therefrom, passes through the gap of the packaging box 20, and further mainly the punching plate of the expansion regulating member 22 (not shown). ) Leaks into the space above the inspection vacuum chamber 10. After the depressurized state is maintained for a predetermined time, when the electromagnetic valve 66 is opened while the electromagnetic valve 54 is closed, the inside of the inspection vacuum chamber 10 is opened to the atmospheric pressure by the atmosphere opening pipe 64. Next, when the solenoid valves 46, 48, 50 are opened, the gas in the inspection vacuum chamber 10 is sucked into the gas detection device 58. If the electromagnetic valve 66 is opened during suction, the air corresponding to the suction flows from the atmosphere opening pipe 64, so that suction can be performed easily and promptly.
[0014]
In the present embodiment, three suction holes are provided in the inspection vacuum chamber 10, and are connected to the suction pipe 60 via the conduits 40, 42, 44, respectively, and further connected to the gas detection device 58. The gas inspection accuracy of each packaging box is usually the best in the packaging box near the suction hole, and the further away from the suction hole, the worse the gas inspection accuracy becomes. It is desirable to provide. In addition, in order to easily and quickly suck the gas, it is preferable that the number of the air introduction holes is set to match the number of the suction holes.
When supplying the gas in the inspection vacuum chamber 10 to the gas detection device 58, if all of the electromagnetic valves 46, 48, and 50 are opened, the gas concentrations in the respective parts are averaged and the inspection accuracy is reduced. Are sequentially opened, it is possible to detect the gas concentration of each part that is not averaged, and thus there is an advantage that the inspection accuracy is improved.
[0015]
The above-described pre-scavenging has the following effects. That is, when the operation of filling the sealed packaging bag 80 into the packaging box 20 is performed in the vicinity of a gas replacement packaging machine in which an inspection gas is injected into the sealed packaging bag and sealed after the gas replacement, the inspection floating around the package is performed. The gas for use may be wrapped in the packaging box 20 together with the sealed packaging bag, and the pinhole inspection accuracy may be deteriorated. Also, for some reason, He gas may be scattered near the pinhole inspection device. In this case, the He gas may enter the inspection vacuum chamber 10 together with the packaging box 20, and similarly may deteriorate the pinhole inspection accuracy. Pre-scavenging eliminates such adverse effects and helps maintain and improve pinhole inspection accuracy.
[0016]
As a result of the inspection, when the inspection gas is not detected, all the sealed packaging bags 80 have no pinhole, and the inspection of the sealed packaging bags 80 in the packaging box 20 is completed at a time without opening the packaging box 20. After the inspection, the electromagnetic valve 70 is opened, and the electromagnetic valves 46, 48, and 50 are closed to disconnect the gas detection device 58 from the inspection vacuum chamber 10. When there is a gas leaking packaging box (defective product), the inside of the inspection vacuum chamber 10 is filled with He gas, and the subsequent inspection becomes difficult. Therefore, the He gas concentration in the inspection vacuum chamber 10 after detecting the gas leakage. Vacuum suction, opening to the atmosphere, and suction of the inspection gas are repeated until so that the pressure becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value, that is, post-scavenging is performed.
[0017]
On the other hand, when the inspection gas is detected, since there is a pinhole in any of the sealed packaging bags in the plurality of packaging boxes, the sealed packaging bags are divided into small groups for each packaging box and inspected, For example, a pinhole presence inspection method by a decompression method (a sealed packaging bag is immersed in a container capable of decompression such as a vacuum desiccator, and a vacuum pump is operated to set the inside of the container to 600 mmHg and the presence or absence of the pinhole is determined by the generation of bubbles. If the inspection is performed for each sealed packaging bag according to the method of determining), it is possible to pursue which sealed packaging bag has a pinhole. As described above, when each solenoid valve is sequentially opened and gas is suctioned for inspection, when the inspection gas is detected, it is possible to determine which suction hole is due to the packing box near the suction hole. There is an advantage that individual inspection becomes easy.
[0018]
FIG. 5 shows a specific example of the inspection cycle. Loading of the packaging box into the vacuum chamber for inspection, so-called product loading, for 8 seconds, closing the door at the entrance after loading for 2.5 seconds, and then a vacuum pump for purifying the atmosphere in the vacuum chamber for inspection 10 Pre-scavenging, which consists of 15 seconds of vacuum suction for reducing pressure by 1 second and then 1 second of opening to the atmosphere, is performed for 16 seconds, vacuum suction for reducing the degree of vacuum to 600 mmHg is 7 seconds, and the reduced pressure is maintained. After the completion of the pressure reduction, the solenoid valve 66 is opened to introduce the atmosphere into the vacuum chamber for inspection, that is, the atmosphere is opened for 3 seconds. Then, the gas in the vacuum chamber for inspection is sent to the gas detector to detect the gas for inspection. Inspection gas suction is 10 seconds, the door at the inlet and outlet is opened for 2.5 seconds, the product (packaging box) is carried out for 9 seconds, and the door at the outlet is closed for 2.5 seconds. The total time required for the inspection cycle is 90.5 seconds That. When the gas detection device detects a gas for inspection (when a defective product is detected), after detecting gas leakage, the vacuum concentration in the vacuum chamber for inspection, the opening to the atmosphere, and the suction of gas for inspection are reduced to a gas concentration below a predetermined value. Repeat so-called post-scavenging.
In the specific example of the inspection, He gas was used as the inspection gas. He gas is mixed with nitrogen gas and sealed in a sealed packaging bag. The proportion of He gas is usually 1 to 20%, preferably 2 to 10%, particularly preferably 5%. In the above specific example, the He gas content was 5%.
[0019]
FIGS. 6A to 6C show another example of the vertical movement adjusting device of the above-described embodiment, that is, another example of a drive mechanism that adjusts the expansion regulating member 22 up and down. The guide members 82 erected near the four corners of the expansion restricting member 22 penetrate the upper wall portion 84 of the vacuum chamber for inspection 10 and are slidably fitted to each other. Are connected by a connecting plate 86 at the upper end thereof, and are simultaneously moved up and down. On the other hand, swinging shafts 88 and 90 are swingably attached to the side of each connecting plate 86 on the upper wall surface portion 84, and a swinging arm 92 provided on the swinging shaft 88 can freely move the piston rod. Is connected to a piston rod 95 of a trunnion-type cylinder device with a brake (lock-up cylinder) 94 which can be stopped at an intermediate position so that the swing shaft 88 can swing. Further, a swing arm 93 provided on the other end side of the swing shaft 88 is connected to a swing arm 98 provided on another swing shaft 90 via a link 96. A roller is attached to the tip of each of the swing arms 100 and 102 provided at an intermediate portion of each of the swing shafts 88 and 90, and each roller is connected to an engaging portion 99 provided on the lower surface side of each connecting plate 86. It is rotatably and slidably engaged in the horizontal direction. When the rod 95 of the cylinder device 94 with a brake moves forward or backward, the swing arms 100 and 102 move down or rise in the same phase by the same distance. Therefore, both connecting plates 86 move down or ascend together with each guide member 82, and the expansion regulating member 22 moves down or ascends.
[0020]
Further, a photoelectric switch (gate type) (not shown) as a height position detection sensor is attached to the connecting plate 86, and an operating member (not shown) for operating the photoelectric switch is provided on the upper wall portion 84. It is installed so that the height position can be adjusted. The operating member, which is located between the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion of the photoelectric switch, blocks light and activates the photoelectric switch, and has a rod shape. When the connecting plate 86 reaches a predetermined height position, the operating member is located between the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion of the photoelectric switch, the cylinder device 94 with the brake is stopped, and is attached to the lower end portion of the guide member 82. The expanded expansion restricting member 22 can be stopped at a predetermined position. By adjusting the height position of the operation member and changing the operation position of the photoelectric switch, the expansion restricting member 22 can be brought into contact with the packaging box 20 before the pressure reduction in the inspection vacuum chamber 10 starts, It is possible to stop the expansion restricting member 22 at intervals of, or separate the expansion restricting member 22 from the packaging box 20 after the end of the gas leakage inspection. According to this vertical movement adjusting device, there is an advantage that the vertical position can be adjusted easily and quickly, and the height of the device itself can be reduced to be compact.
As a modified example of the drive mechanism of the expansion restricting member, it is also possible to directly connect the rod of the hydraulic cylinder device to the guide member and to simultaneously operate each hydraulic cylinder device via a flow dividing valve or the like. .
[0021]
In the above embodiment, the expansion restricting member 22 is disposed above the inside of the inspection vacuum chamber 10, but may be arranged vertically in the side of the inspection vacuum chamber 10 instead. However, in this case, the direction of the sealed packaging bag 80 in the packaging box 20 is different from that of the above embodiment by 90 degrees, and is the vertical direction. Although the sealed packaging bag 80 and the packaging box 20 expand in the horizontal direction due to the negative pressure in the vacuum chamber for inspection 10, the expansion is restricted because they abut the vertical expansion regulating member. Also, instead of He gas, Freon gas, carbon dioxide gas, nitrogen gas, and other various gases can be used as the inspection gas.
Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to such embodiments at all, and it goes without saying that the present invention can be implemented in various modes without departing from the gist of the present invention.
[0022]
【The invention's effect】
Since the present invention is configured as described above, the following effects can be obtained.
According to the pinhole inspection device and method of the sealed packaging bag according to claims 1 to 8, the pinhole inspection of the sealed packaging bag filled in the packaging box can be performed without opening the packaging box. As described in the above-mentioned pinhole inspection apparatus (Japanese Patent Application No. 5-280566), it is possible to apply a pressing force to each of the sealed packaging bags before filling the packaging box without detecting the leakage of the inspection gas. Since it is good, the handling is simple, the inspection time can be reduced, and the work efficiency of the inspection can be improved. Therefore, there is an advantage that it can be adopted as a pinhole inspection device on a production line. In particular, since the expansion restricting member is capable of contacting the packaging box before decompression in the vacuum chamber for inspection, expansion of the packaging box is restricted during decompression, and the pressing force applied to the sealed packaging bag in the packaging box increases. As a result, the accuracy of gas leak inspection and, consequently, pinhole inspection is improved, and the inspection time can be shortened.
According to the pinhole inspection device and method according to the second, third, and seventh aspects, the distance between the packaging box and the expansion regulating member can be adjusted by the drive mechanism, so that packaging boxes of various sizes can be used. It can be used, and by contacting the expansion restricting member before the pressure reduction in the inspection vacuum chamber, the pinhole inspection accuracy is improved, and after the inspection, the expansion restricting member is separated from the packaging box and the packaging box can be easily taken out. it can.
Furthermore, according to the pinhole inspection device of the fifth aspect, the packaging box can be moved in and out of the inspection vacuum chamber in the lateral direction, so that the packaging box can be easily loaded and unloaded.
According to the pinhole inspection apparatus and method according to the fourth and ninth aspects, one or two or more suction holes for sucking the gas in the inspection vacuum chamber and supplying the gas to the gas detection apparatus are provided and connected to these. Each of the pipes provided with a valve is provided with a valve. By sequentially opening the valves, inspection can be performed for each partial area in the inspection vacuum chamber, and the inspection accuracy is improved. If the valves are simultaneously opened and gas is supplied to the gas detection device, the inspection accuracy of each part is averaged, but the inspection time can be shortened. Further, since a valve is provided in the open-to-atmosphere pipe connected to the vacuum chamber for inspection, opening the valve makes it easy to suck the gas in the vacuum chamber for inspection and supply it to the gas detector. Furthermore, a pipe line connecting the suction hole and the gas detection device and having a valve, and a pipe line having one end open to the atmosphere for facilitating gas suction, are connected to a packaging box in the vacuum chamber for inspection. By setting the number and the number according to the size of the vacuum chamber for inspection, the inspection accuracy can be maintained and improved.
According to the pinhole inspection method according to the tenth aspect, inspection accuracy can be improved by scavenging before removing gas in the inspection vacuum chamber before the original pinhole inspection.
According to the pinhole inspection method of claim 11, when the concentration test value of the gas in the vacuum chamber for inspection is equal to or more than a certain value, scavenging for removing the gas in the vacuum chamber for inspection is performed after the gas concentration inspection. It is possible to prevent the precision of the pinhole inspection of the box from being deteriorated.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory view (cross-sectional view) showing one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a diagram viewed from B in FIG. 1;
FIGS. 4A and 4B are schematic explanatory diagrams of a packaging box to be inspected in the embodiment.
FIG. 5 is an inspection cycle diagram showing a specific example of an inspection cycle using the embodiment.
FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C schematically show a partial cross-sectional view, a partial plan view, and an operating state of another example of a drive mechanism of an expansion regulating member applicable to the embodiment. FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Vacuum chamber for inspection
14 door
16 doors
20 packaging boxes
22 Expansion control member
24 Suspension shaft (guide member)
27 Screw shaft
46 solenoid valve (first valve)
48 solenoid valve (second valve)
50 Solenoid valve (third valve)
56 vacuum pump
58 Gas detector
60 Suction piping
64 open air pipe
66 Solenoid valve (valve)
80 sealed packaging bag
82 Guide member
94 Fluid pressure cylinder device
95 piston rod

Claims

An apparatus for inspecting a pinhole of a sealed packaging bag without opening the packaging box in a state in which one or more sealed packaging bags filled with an inspection gas are filled in a non-sealing packaging box, wherein the packaging box is provided. Is provided, and the sealed packaging bag expands in the inspection vacuum chamber to a position in a direction opposite to the front side or the rear side of the sealed packaging bag filled in the packaging box when the pressure is reduced. The expansion restricting member is arranged so as to be capable of contacting the packaging box, and the expansion restricting member has a strong pressing force applied to the sealed packaging bag in the packaging box by restricting the expansion of the packaging box when depressurizing. The expansion restricting member is capable of restricting the expansion by contacting the packaging box before the start of the depressurization, and further, the inspection leaking from the sealed packaging bag into the inspection vacuum chamber. Aspirating gas Pinhole inspection apparatus of a sealed packaging bag provided with a suction pipe for supplying the gas detector.

2. The pinhole inspection apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a drive mechanism capable of moving and adjusting a distance between the packaging box and the expansion restricting member. A pinhole inspection device for a hermetically sealed packaging bag that can be brought into contact with a box, and that allows the expansion restricting member to be separated from the packaging box after the gas in the inspection vacuum chamber after decompression is completely supplied to the gas detection device.

3. The pinhole detecting device according to claim 2, wherein the drive mechanism of the expansion restricting member penetrates through the inspection vacuum chamber in a state where one or more guide members erected on the expansion restricting member can slide. The guide member can be moved directly by a hydraulic cylinder device, or the guide member can be moved via a conversion mechanism capable of changing the reciprocating motion of the piston rod into the reciprocating motion of the guide member so that the expansion regulating member can be stopped at a predetermined position. Or a screw shaft is rotatably connected directly or via another member to the tip end of the guide member that has passed through the inspection vacuum chamber, and the screw shaft is mounted outside the inspection vacuum chamber. The guide member can be moved by screwing to the screw shaft mounting base, and each screw shaft is simultaneously rotated by a motor via a rotational force transmission mechanism such as a chain, gear, belt, etc. Pinhole detection apparatus sealed packaging bag in which to become in so it may stop the deployment regulating member at a predetermined position.

4. The pinhole inspection device for a sealed packaging bag according to claim 1, wherein the suction pipe is connected to one or more suction holes provided in a vacuum chamber for inspection, and each suction pipe is connected to the suction pipe. 5. Each pipe connecting the hole and the suction pipe is provided with a first valve, a second valve, a third valve,... For opening and closing the pipe, respectively. One or more air introduction holes for introducing air into the vacuum chamber for inspection are provided in the vacuum chamber for inspection to facilitate the suction of air, and one end of each air introduction hole is open to the atmosphere through each pipe. A pinhole inspection device for a sealed packaging bag, which is connected to the open-to-atmosphere pipe, and further provided with a valve for opening and closing the open-to-atmosphere pipe itself.

5. The pinhole inspection device for a sealed packaging bag according to claim 1, wherein the inspection vacuum chamber has a door at an inlet and an outlet that can be opened and closed and is loaded from the inlet. The packaging box is made movable in the lateral direction so that it can be carried out from the outlet, and the expansion regulating member is capable of moving and adjusting the distance between the packaging box and the upper or side surface of the vacuum chamber for inspection. A pinhole inspection device for hermetically sealed packaging bags that is arranged and can regulate expansion by contacting the packaging box before the start of decompression in the vacuum chamber for inspection.

A method of inspecting a pinhole of a sealed packaging bag without opening a packaging box in a state where one or more sealed packaging bags filled with a test gas are filled in a non-sealing packaging box, and comprising a vacuum for inspection. A step of bringing the packaging box into the room, a step of bringing an expansion regulating member for restricting the expansion of the sealed packaging bag when the pressure inside the inspection vacuum chamber is reduced into contact with the packaging box before the start of the decompression, and a step of bringing the packaging box into the chamber. Including a step of reducing the pressure in the inspection vacuum chamber to a negative pressure and a step of sucking the inspection gas leaked from the sealed packaging bag into the inspection vacuum chamber by the reduced pressure with a suction pipe and supplying the gas to the gas detection device. Pinhole inspection method for packaging bags.

A pinhole inspection method using the pinhole inspection device according to claim 2, wherein the expansion regulating member is mounted on the packaging box in the vacuum chamber for inspection by a drive mechanism capable of adjusting the distance between the packaging box and the expansion regulating member. The step of contacting, and after contacting the expansion regulating member with the packaging box, the step of reducing the pressure in the vacuum chamber for inspection to a negative pressure, and the step of reducing the pressure of the inspection gas leaked from the sealed packaging bag into the vacuum chamber for inspection. A pinhole inspection of a sealed packaging bag including a step of sucking and supplying the gas detection apparatus to the gas detection apparatus, and a step of supplying the leaked inspection gas to the gas detection apparatus and separating the expansion regulating member from the packaging box by the driving mechanism. Method.

5. A pinhole inspection method using the pinhole inspection device according to claim 4, wherein a step of carrying the packaging box into the vacuum chamber for inspection, a step of bringing the expansion regulating member into contact with the packaging box, and packaging the expansion regulating member. A step of reducing the pressure in the vacuum chamber for inspection after contacting the box to a negative pressure, and a pipe for opening to the atmosphere before sucking the gas for inspection leaked from the sealed packaging bag into the vacuum chamber for inspection by the reduced pressure with the suction pipe. Opening the valve provided in the test chamber to open the test vacuum chamber to the atmosphere, and, after releasing the test gas leaked from the sealed packaging bag by depressurization to the atmosphere in the test vacuum chamber, suctioning the gas through the suction pipe to detect the gas. A method for inspecting a pinhole of a sealed packaging bag, which includes a step of supplying to a package.

9. The method for inspecting a pinhole of a sealed packaging bag according to claim 8, wherein the inspection gas leaked from the sealed packaging bag into the inspection vacuum chamber due to the reduced pressure is supplied to the gas detection device via the suction pipe. A method for inspecting a pinhole of a sealed packaging bag, comprising a step of simultaneously or sequentially opening valves provided in respective conduits connecting the suction pipe and a suction pipe and supplying an inspection gas in an inspection vacuum chamber to a gas detection device.

The method for inspecting a pinhole of a sealed packaging bag according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the pressure in the inspection vacuum chamber is reduced by reducing the pressure of the inspection vacuum chamber in order to leak the inspection gas from the pinhole of the sealed packaging bag. A method for inspecting a pinhole of a sealed packaging bag, comprising a step of scavenging the vacuum chamber for inspection before the step of increasing the pressure to reduce the gas concentration in the vacuum chamber for inspection to a predetermined value or less.

In the pinhole inspection method for a sealed packaging bag according to any one of claims 6 to 10, when the concentration inspection value of the inspection gas supplied to the gas detection device is equal to or more than a predetermined value, the inspection is performed after the gas concentration inspection. For inspecting pinholes in hermetically sealed packaging bags, including the step of scavenging the vacuum chamber.