JP4477516B2 - Inspection device and PTP packaging machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention belongs to a technical field including an inspection apparatus used in manufacturing a PTP sheet and a PTP packaging machine provided with the inspection apparatus.

  In general, a PTP sheet is attached to a packaging film made of resin in which a pocket portion filled with tablets or the like is formed, and the packaging film so that the opening side of the pocket portion is sealed to the packaging film. It is comprised from the cover film made from aluminum.

  In manufacturing a PTP sheet, after a tablet or the like is filled in a pocket portion, an abnormality relating to chipping of the tablet or an abnormality relating to a packaging film (sheet portion) is inspected. In the inspection, for example, light is irradiated from the irradiation means, the transmitted light is imaged by a camera, and the shape of the tablet or the foreign matter on the sheet is inspected based on the captured image.

  In general, imaging by a camera is performed in sheet units (for example, punched PTP sheet units) every time a predetermined amount of packaging film is conveyed. That is, at the timing when the predetermined sheet corresponding part moves below the camera, imaging by the camera is performed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

When setting the imaging timing, for example, the packaging film is slowly conveyed in a low-speed mode with a relatively low conveyance speed, and in this state, the operator watches the monitor and looks for an appropriate timing to stop the packaging film. The timing corresponding to the stopped position is registered as the imaging timing.
JP 2004-317187 A

  However, it is very difficult to stop the sheet-corresponding portion of the packaging film at an appropriate position in accordance with the imaging position of the camera, and there is a possibility that individual differences may occur between workers in the imaging timing. Furthermore, there is a possibility that the setting operation of the imaging timing may be re-executed many times, which is a very time-consuming operation. As a result, the packaging film (PTP sheet) is also wasted.

  If the conveyance speed of the packaging film is slowed down as much as possible, it is possible to stop the sheet-corresponding portion at a position as close as possible to the imaging position of the camera, but this takes too much time. On the other hand, if an attempt is made to set at a somewhat high speed, there is inevitably a deviation between the stop position of the sheet corresponding portion and the imaging position of the camera as described above.

  As described above, in the above-described prior art, it is difficult to set the imaging timing, and there is a possibility that the setting time is prolonged, the production cost is increased, and the production efficiency is lowered.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and the imaging timing can be set to a more optimal timing. As a result, the setting time is shortened, the setting operation is simplified, the production cost is reduced, and the production efficiency is improved. One of the main purposes is to provide an inspection apparatus and a PTP packaging machine that can achieve the above.

  In the following, each means suitable for solving the above-mentioned purpose will be described in terms of items. In addition, the effect etc. peculiar to the means to respond | correspond as needed are added.

Means 1. The tablet is accommodated in the pocket portion formed in the belt-shaped packaging film to be transported, and used for manufacturing the PTP sheet to which the cover film is attached so as to close the pocket portion,
Illumination means for irradiating the packaging film containing the tablet with predetermined light;
Imaging means for imaging the packaging film irradiated with light within a field of view;
An inspection apparatus comprising image processing means for processing an image signal output from the imaging means,
Used when setting the imaging timing prior to the inspection,
Display means capable of displaying the setting image based on a setting image which is an image for calculating a positional deviation amount imaged by the imaging means in a state where the packaging film is stopped;
A measurement frame that has a predetermined width in the conveyance direction of the packaging film with respect to the setting image displayed on the display means and is set so as to fit the PTP sheet corresponding region is set as an imaging target position of the packaging film. Settable imaging target position setting means;
A positional deviation amount calculating means for calculating a positional deviation amount between the appropriate imaging position automatically set within the range of the field of view by the imaging means and the imaging target position;
An inspection apparatus comprising: an imaging timing calculation unit that calculates an appropriate imaging timing based on the imaging timing of the setting image and the positional deviation amount .

According to the above means 1, in the manufacturing process of the PTP sheet, for example, the tablet (including the capsule tablet) is accommodated in the pocket portion formed in the belt-shaped packaging film to be conveyed, and then irradiated with light. The tablet and the packaging film are imaged by the imaging unit, the image signal output from the imaging unit is processed by the image processing unit, and various inspections are performed based on the image obtained from the image signal. Furthermore, processing for adjusting the imaging timing of the imaging means is performed in order to perform an appropriate inspection. That is, when setting the imaging timing performed prior to the inspection, based on the image captured by the imaging unit, an appropriate imaging position that is automatically set within the field of view by the imaging unit, and the packaging that is set separately The amount of positional deviation from the film image pickup target position is calculated, and the image pickup timing appropriate for the image pickup means, that is, the image pickup target position of the packaging film is picked up based on the image pickup timing and the position shift amount. The timing at which the means is located at the appropriate imaging position is calculated. Thereby, it is not necessary to repeat the setting operation of the imaging timing over and over, and the imaging timing at the time of inspection in the manufacturing process of the PTP sheet can be set more easily. Furthermore, waste of the packaging film (PTP sheet) can be reduced. As a result, setting time can be shortened, setting work can be simplified, production cost can be reduced, and production efficiency can be improved. The “imaging target position of the packaging film” includes, for example, the position of the sheet corresponding part (imaging target) corresponding to the punched PTP sheet. The imaging timing includes a meaning such as a timing at which a predetermined position of the packaging film is positioned at an appropriate imaging position of the imaging unit, and can be represented by a value corresponding to the predetermined position of the packaging film. That is, the value corresponding to the predetermined position of the packaging film located at the appropriate imaging position of the imaging means can be referred to as the imaging timing, and even when the packaging film is stopped as well as during the transportation of the packaging film It can obtain | require as an imaging timing. For example, the imaging timing can be represented by a phase angle that is assigned to one period for each predetermined length of the packaging film so as to correspond to each position of the packaging film. For example, the intermediate point of the predetermined length is 180 degrees. In this case, if a predetermined imaging timing (predetermined phase angle) is set, the packaging film is conveyed by a predetermined length, and the position corresponding to the imaging timing of the packaging film passes through the appropriate imaging position of the imaging means. Imaging is performed.
In addition, it is possible to reduce the waste of the packaging film (PTP sheet) due to molding defects and to reset the packaging film after setting the imaging timing, compared to the case where the packaging film is moved and set in the low speed mode. Therefore, it is possible to proceed to the manufacturing process of the PTP sheet as it is after setting the imaging timing. As a result, production cost can be reduced and production efficiency can be improved.
In addition, the operator can set (position) the imaging target position while looking at the display means. Therefore, for example, a part that becomes a delimiter of the PTP sheet can be confirmed from the interval of the pocket part, the presence or absence of scrap, the presence or absence of printing on the packaging film, and the imaging target position can be set according to each sheet corresponding part. . When multiple rows of pocket portions are formed on a single PTP sheet, it is not possible to specify sheet separation only by specifying the position of the pocket portion, so if the operator does not set the imaging target position while looking at the setting image, for example, There is also a possibility that the imaging target position is set at a position shifted by one line of the pocket portion. In this respect, this means can prevent such a problem and can more reliably perform imaging at a more appropriate position (for example, PTP sheet unit). When imaging twice for tablets and sheets (when imaging means are installed at two locations along the transport direction), the middle of the imaging positions of the imaging means is the appropriate imaging position of the imaging means. It can also be set as follows.

Mean 2. The tablet is accommodated in the pocket portion formed in the belt-shaped packaging film to be transported, and used for manufacturing the PTP sheet to which the cover film is attached so as to close the pocket portion,
Illumination means for irradiating the packaging film containing the tablet with predetermined light;
Imaging means for imaging the packaging film irradiated with light within a field of view;
Timing control means for controlling the imaging timing of the imaging means;
Image processing means for processing an image signal output from the imaging means,
Each time the packaging film is conveyed for a predetermined length, an inspection device configured to capture an image of the packaging film with the imaging means,
Used when setting the imaging timing prior to the inspection,
Display means capable of displaying a setting image, which is an image for calculating at least the positional deviation amount imaged in a state where the packaging film is stopped by the imaging means;
Imaging that has a predetermined width in the conveyance direction of the packaging film with respect to the setting image displayed on the display means, and that can be set as the imaging target position and is set so that the PTP sheet corresponding region is accommodated A target position setting means;
Imaging target position detecting means for detecting the imaging target position;
Appropriate imaging position detection means for detecting an appropriate imaging position that is automatically set within the field of view by the imaging means based on the setting image;
A positional deviation amount calculating means for calculating a positional deviation amount between the appropriate imaging position and the imaging target position;
An inspection apparatus comprising: an imaging timing calculation unit that calculates an appropriate imaging timing based on the imaging timing of the setting image and the positional deviation amount .

  According to the means 2, the same effects as the means 1 can be obtained. An example of the predetermined length of the packaging film is a sheet feed length. The sheet feed length is a feed length for one PTP sheet, and a value obtained by adding the scrap to the sheet length in the conveyance direction of the PTP sheet is the sheet feed length. However, when there is no scrap, the sheet length in the transport direction is the sheet feed length. In addition, the proper imaging position and the imaging target position are detected as coordinate data, for example.

Means 3 . 3. The inspection apparatus according to means 1 or 2 , further comprising appropriate imaging position setting means capable of automatically setting the appropriate imaging position for the setting image.

According to the means 3 , the amount of positional deviation between the appropriate imaging position and the imaging target position can be confirmed on the display means, and the setting operation of the imaging timing can be performed more accurately.

Means 4 . Upon setting of the proper imaging position by prior Symbol proper imaging position setting means, inspection apparatus according to the means 3, characterized in that the reference frame and can be set to have a predetermined width in the conveyance direction of the packaging film to the position .

According to the said means 4, the said effect can be improved further.

Means 5 . The inspection apparatus according to any one of means 1 to 4 , further comprising a deviation amount conversion means for converting the positional deviation amount into a timing deviation amount.

According to the means 5 , the amount of timing deviation can be obtained from the image picked up by the image pick-up means, so that an appropriate image pick-up timing can be set. Of course, the amount of timing deviation can also be expressed by, for example, a phase angle difference as in the case of the imaging timing.

Means 6 . A PTP packaging machine comprising the inspection device according to any one of means 1 to 5 .

By providing the inspection apparatus in the PTP packaging machine as in the means 6 , there is a merit that defective products can be efficiently excluded in the manufacturing process of the PTP sheet.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

  In the present embodiment, the appearance inspection device is equipped in the PTP packaging machine, whereby the appearance defect of the PTP sheet is inspected in the PTP packaging machine. As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the PTP sheet 1 is attached to the container film 3 as a packaging film having a plurality of pocket portions 2 and the container film 3 so as to close the pocket portions 2. And a sealing film 4 as a covered cover film. The container film 3 is made of, for example, a relatively hard thermoplastic resin material having a predetermined rigidity, such as PP (polypropylene) or PVC (polyvinyl chloride), and has light transparency (here, transparent). Presents). The sealing film 4 is made of aluminum. Each pocket portion 2 accommodates one tablet 5 (including a capsule tablet) as an object to be filled.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the PTP packaging machine 7 automatically packages the tablets 5 on the container film 3. Specifically, a belt-shaped resin film such as PP or PVC is fed to the heating device 12 and the molding device 13 by the film feed roll 9 and the tension rolls 10 and 11, and the pocket portion 2 for filling the tablet 5 is used as the resin film. Mold. And if the container film 3 in which the pocket part 2 was shape | molded by the resin film is sent to the bottom of the filling apparatus 14, the filling apparatus 14 will fill each pocket part 2 with the tablet 5 automatically.

  On the other hand, the sealing film 4 formed in a belt shape is guided toward the film receiving roll 18 via the tension rolls 16 and 17. A heating roll 19 can be pressed against the film receiving roll 18, and a lattice-like line (not shown) formed in a slightly convex shape is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the heating roll 19. The container film 3 and the sealing film 4 are fed between the rolls 18 and 19. The sealing film 4 is attached to the container film 3 by passing both the films 3 and 4 between the rolls 18 and 19 in a heated and pressed state. Thus, a long PTP film 20 in which the tablet 5 is filled in each pocket portion 2 is manufactured.

  Now, on the downstream side of the filling device 14 and on the upstream side of the film receiving roll 18 and the heating roll 19, the container film 3 (filled tablets 5 and sheet portions) along the transfer path of the container film 3. An appearance inspection apparatus 21 for inspecting the appearance defects is provided. The appearance inspection device 21 is present on the sheet portion as an abnormality of the tablet 5 filled in the pocket portion 2, detecting the presence / absence of the tablet 5, an abnormality such as a crack or a chip, and an abnormality in the sheet portion other than the pocket portion 2. The transmission type inspection is performed mainly for the detection of foreign matter such as hair (hereinafter referred to as “sheet foreign matter”).

  After the inspection, after the sealing film 4 is attached to the container film 3, the PTP film 20 is cut into one PTP sheet by a punching device (not shown). When a defective product is determined by the appearance inspection apparatus 21, the PTP sheet that has been determined to be defective is separately discharged by a defective sheet discharge mechanism (not shown).

  Now, the outline of the PTP packaging machine 7 is as described above. In the following, the appearance inspection apparatus 21 will be described more specifically based on FIGS.

  The appearance inspection device 21 includes an illumination device 22 as an illumination unit, an imaging device 23 as an imaging unit, an image processing device 24 as an image processing unit, a monitor 25 as a display unit, an input device 26 as an input unit, and the like. ing.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the illuminating device 22 is provided on the protruding side of the pocket portion 2 of the container film 3. The imaging device 23 can capture images from a substantially vertical direction with respect to the plane of the PTP film 20. And it is comprised so that the light irradiated from the illuminating device 22 permeate | transmits the container film 3, and is imaged by the imaging device 23. FIG. An image (image data) captured by the imaging device 23 is converted into a digital signal inside the imaging device 23 and then input to the image processing device 24 in the form of a digital signal. Note that the imaging device 23 in the present embodiment is configured by two cameras arranged in parallel along the width direction of the PTP film 20 (direction orthogonal to the transport direction).

  As shown in FIG. 3, the image processing device 24 described above includes an image memory 41 corresponding to the imaging device 23, an appropriate imaging position detection unit 42 that detects an appropriate imaging position of the PTP film 20, and the captured PTP film 20. An imaging target position detecting unit 43 for detecting the imaging target position, an imaging timing calculating unit 44 for calculating the imaging timing, an inspection unit 45 for performing the above inspection, a camera timing control unit 46 as a timing control unit, and a CPU And an input / output interface 47 and the like, and can perform image processing, appearance defect determination, and the like as will be described later.

  The inspection unit 45 includes a masking unit, a binarization unit, a determination memory, an appearance inspection result and statistical data memory, and the like. Usually, an image captured by the imaging device 23 is stored in the image memory 41 after being converted into a digital signal. In addition, the image is subjected to masking processing by the masking means at the time of inspection and then stored again in the image memory 41. Similarly, the image is binarized by the binarizing means and then stored again in the image memory 41. .

  The CPU and the input / output interface 47 execute various processing programs while using the stored contents of the determination memory and the like, and send control signals to the PTP packaging machine 7 or various signals such as operation signals from the PTP packaging machine 7. Is for sending and receiving. Thereby, for example, the defective sheet discharge mechanism of the PTP packaging machine 7 can be controlled. The CPU and input / output interface 47 also has a function of sending display data to the monitor 25. With this function, various images and appearance inspection results can be displayed on the monitor 25. Further, the CPU and input / output interface 47 has a function of inputting data from the input device 26. For the input device 26, a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, or the like is used.

  The appearance inspection result and statistical data memory stores data such as coordinates relating to images, appearance inspection result data, and statistical data obtained by probabilistically processing the appearance inspection result data. These appearance inspection result data and statistical data can be appropriately displayed on the monitor 25 based on the control of the CPU and the input / output interface 47. Further, the CPU and the input / output interface 47 can send a control signal to the PTP packaging machine 7 based on the appearance inspection result data and the statistical data.

  The camera timing control means 46 controls the timing at which an image captured by the imaging device 23 is taken into each image memory 41. Such timing is controlled based on a signal from an encoder (not shown) provided in the PTP packaging machine 7, and each time the PTP film 20 is fed by a predetermined amount, the image pickup device 23 makes a sheet unit (in this embodiment, one PTP sheet to be punched). ). That is, imaging by the imaging device 23 is performed at a timing when a predetermined sheet-corresponding portion (imaging target) moves below the imaging device 23.

  Next, a procedure for appearance inspection of the PTP film 20 will be described. First, an “imaging timing setting routine” as an imaging timing setting process executed in advance prior to the appearance inspection will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In addition, what is called the PTP film 20 in the said inspection is the container film 3 of the stage before the sealing film 4 is attached after the tablet part 5 is filled with the tablet 5.

  In this routine, first, in step S101, the visual field width of the imaging device 23 is registered. Specifically, first, in a state where the transport of the PTP film 20 is stopped (a state where the PTP packaging machine 7 is stopped), the PTP film 20 is transparent or semi-transparent along the width direction of the PTP film 20 as shown in FIG. A transparent ruler 50 is placed, the PTP film 20 is imaged, and a grayscale image is acquired. Note that a center line 51 is written in advance along the transport direction at the center in the width direction of the PTP film 20, and a ruler 50 is placed along the center line 51. Next, based on the image G1 captured by the camera installed on the front side (right side in FIG. 5) of the two cameras of the imaging device 23 and displayed on the monitor 25, the front end of the area shown in the image G1 The visual field width X1 from the center to the center line 51 is obtained. Also, based on the image G1, the visual field width X2 from the back end (left side in FIG. 5) of the region shown in the image G1 to the center line 51 is obtained. Then, the total value of the visual field width X1 and the visual field width X2 is registered as the visual field width of the imaging device (each camera) 23.

  In step S102, the resolution A of the imaging device (each camera) 23 is calculated from the following equation (1) based on the image G1 acquired in step S101.

Field width (mm) / number of horizontal pixels (dot) = resolution A (mm / dot) (1)
For example, when the visual field width is 160 (mm) and the number of image horizontal pixels is 1280 (dot), the resolution A is 0.125 (mm / dot). Since one pixel of the image has a fixed aspect ratio (usually the same size), the viewing width in the transport direction of the PTP film 20 can be obtained based on the resolution A.

  In step S103, the sheet feed length W (mm) is registered. The sheet feed length W is the feed length for one PTP sheet. In the present embodiment, a value obtained by adding the scrap amount to the sheet length in the conveyance direction of the PTP sheet 1 is registered as the sheet feed length W. However, when there is no scrap, the sheet length in the transport direction is the sheet feed length.

  In step S104, the number of pixels (sheet feed amount) S corresponding to the sheet feed length W in the image G1 is calculated from the following equation (2).

Sheet feed length W (mm) / resolution A (mm / dot) = pixel number S (dot) (2)
Next, in step S105, the ruler 50 is not placed, and the PTP film 20 is imaged in a state where the transport of the PTP film 20 is stopped as described above, and a setting image (grayscale image) is acquired (see FIG. 6). In FIG. 6, only the image G <b> 3 captured by the camera installed on the front side of the two cameras of the imaging device 23 and displayed on the monitor 25 is illustrated. In addition, a vertical center line 55 and a horizontal center line 56 are displayed on the display screen 25a of the monitor 25 in accordance with the reference position of the imaging device 23 so as to divide the display screen 25a substantially vertically and horizontally.

In step S106, a reference frame D1 as a frame is set at an appropriate imaging position in the setting image. In the present embodiment, as the setting image is displayed on the monitor 25, a predetermined reference position (horizontal center line 56) of the image pickup device 23 is detected by the appropriate image pickup position detecting means 42, and the reference position is set. The reference frame D1 (see the dotted line frame in FIG. 6) is automatically set . What slave, proper imaging position setting means in the present embodiment is constituted by function and an input device 26 of the step S106. The reference frame D1 has substantially the same length as the sheet length with respect to the conveyance direction of the PTP film 20.

  In step S107, a measurement frame D2 as a frame is set at the imaging target position in the setting image. In the present embodiment, the measurement frame D2 is displayed at a position slightly shifted from the reference frame D1 when the reference frame D1 is displayed. Then, the measurement frame D2 is moved by operating the input device 26, and the measurement frame D2 is positioned so that the corresponding portion of the sheet is within the measurement frame D2 (see the solid line frame in FIG. 6). Therefore, the imaging target position setting means in the present embodiment is configured by the function of the step S107 and the input device 26.

  In step S108, a positional deviation amount between the reference frame D1 and the measurement frame D2 is calculated based on the coordinate data of both. That is, the amount of positional deviation between the appropriate imaging position detected by the appropriate imaging position detection unit 42 and the imaging target position detected by the imaging target position detection unit 43 is calculated. The function of step S108 constitutes the positional deviation amount calculation means in this embodiment.

  In step S109, the number of pixels D (dot) corresponding to the positional deviation amount between the reference frame D1 and the measurement frame D2 is calculated.

  In step S110, the angle deviation amount α is calculated from the following equation (3) based on the number of pixels D acquired in step S109.

360 (degrees) × number of pixels D / number of pixels S = angle deviation amount α (degrees) (3)
The angle shift amount α obtained here is a shift amount corresponding to the positional shift amount of the phase angle that is assigned by one period (360 degrees) for each sheet feed length W. In the present embodiment, for example, the position of the PTP film 20 can be specified based on the rotation angle of the film feed roll 9. More specifically, every time the film feed roll 9 changes by a predetermined angle, the PTP film 20 advances by the sheet feed length W, and the encoder assigns one cycle (360 degrees) for each sheet feed length W. Each position of the PTP film 20 is represented by the phase angle. Further, the timing at which the predetermined position of the PTP film 20 is positioned at the appropriate imaging position of the imaging device 23 is considered as the imaging timing at which imaging is performed by the imaging device 23, and the imaging timing is a phase angle corresponding to the predetermined position of the PTP film 20. Is set to a value (for example, 273 degrees). Therefore, the angle deviation amount corresponds to the timing deviation amount. Further, the imaging timing T1 of the setting image acquired in step S105 can also be acquired at a predetermined phase angle. The angle deviation amount α and the imaging timing T1 are appropriately displayed on the display screen of the monitor 25.

  In step S111, an appropriate imaging timing T2 is calculated from the following equation (4).

Imaging timing T2 (degrees) = imaging timing T1 (degrees) + angle deviation amount α (degrees) (4)
For example, when the imaging timing T1 when the setting image is acquired is 273 degrees and the imaging target position of the PTP film 20 is shifted by 31 degrees in the direction opposite to the traveling direction, the imaging timing T2 is 304 degrees. . Note that the value of the angle shift amount α is “−” when the imaging target position of the PTP film 20 is shifted in the traveling direction, and is “+” when it is shifted in the reverse direction.

  In step S112, the appropriate imaging timing T2 is registered as the output timing of the control signal of the camera timing control means 46. Thereby, every time the position corresponding to the imaging timing T2 of the PTP film 20 passes the appropriate imaging position of the imaging device 23, imaging is performed.

  The series of steps is mainly executed by the CPU, the input / output interface 47, the imaging timing calculation means 44, and the like. In particular, the functions of step S104, step S109, and step S110 constitute a deviation amount conversion means in the present embodiment.

  Next, the transmission inspection will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In this embodiment, the tablet part and the sheet part are inspected in the transmission inspection.

  As shown in the “transmission type inspection routine” of FIG. 7, at the time of inspection, first, in step S301, the non-defective tablet flags of all the pocket portions 2 are set to 0, respectively.

  In step S302, an inspection grayscale image of the PTP film 20 to be inspected is acquired.

  In step S303, shading correction is performed on the inspection grayscale image acquired in step S302. In step S304, the inspection grayscale image is binarized at the tablet detection level, and the binarized image data is stored in the image memory 41 (tablet described later). Used for partial inspection). At the same time, the inspection grayscale image acquired in step S302 is binarized at the sheet foreign object detection level, and the binarized image data is stored in the image memory 41 (used for sheet portion inspection described later).

  Next, in step S305, each binarized image data is subjected to a labeling process (a lump process), and a process of superimposing a preset tablet window PW on the binarized image data is performed. At this time, the center position of the pocket portion 2 is determined from the binarized image data, and the tablet window PW is positioned so that the center position of the tablet window PW is aligned with the center position of the pocket portion 2. The tablet window PW serves as a boundary for distinguishing between the region in the pocket portion 2 (pocket portion region) and the region of the sheet portion outside the pocket portion 2 (sheet portion region). As shown in FIG. 5, the circle is concentric with the circle of the pocket portion 2 and the diameter is set to be larger (for example, about 1 mm). And using the said tablet window PW, it distinguishes into a pocket part area | region and a sheet | seat part area | region, The tablet part test | inspection in a pocket part area | region is performed in the following step S306-step S312 and the sheet | seat part test | inspection in a sheet | seat part area | region in step S313 Execute. Note that, in each of the inspections, a process of masking a portion that is not subject to inspection among the regions distinguished by the tablet window PW is performed. For example, when the tablet portion inspection is executed, masking is applied to the sheet portion region, and when the sheet portion inspection is executed, masking is applied to the pocket portion region.

  In the tablet part inspection, first, in step S306, 1 is set to the pocket number counter value C1 (hereinafter simply referred to as pocket number C1). In step S307, it is determined whether or not the value of the pocket number C1 is equal to or less than the number N of pockets per inspection (per sheet). If the determination is affirmative, in step S308, in the pocket portion 2 corresponding to the pocket number C1, a mass having a tablet area value equal to or larger than the reference tablet area value Lo is extracted (a mass less than Lo is removed). Thereafter, in step S309, it is determined whether or not the number of lumps in the pocket portion 2 is “1”. If a negative determination is made, 1 is added to the value of the pocket number C1 in step S312 and step S307 is performed again. Migrate to

  On the other hand, if the lump number is “1”, it is determined in step S310 whether or not the shape, length, area, etc. of the tablet 5 in the tablet window PW are appropriate. Here, when it is determined that the tablet 5 is inappropriate, the process proceeds to step S312. On the other hand, if the determination is appropriate, in step S311, assuming that the tablet 5 is a non-defective product, 1 is set in the non-defective tablet flag corresponding to the pocket number C1, and the process proceeds to step S312.

  If a negative determination is made in step S307, that is, if it is determined that the value of the pocket number C1 exceeds the number of pockets N per inspection (per sheet), a sheet portion inspection is performed in step S313.

  Next, in step S314, it is determined whether or not the sheet part is a non-defective product, for example, whether or not a sheet foreign object exists in the sheet part region. If an affirmative determination is made here, it is determined in step S315 whether or not 1 is set in the non-defective tablet flag for all pocket portions 2 per inspection (per sheet). If an affirmative determination is made here, a non-defective product determination is performed in step S316, and this process is temporarily terminated. On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S314 or step S315, defective product determination is performed in step S317, and this process is temporarily terminated. These inspection results are output to the monitor 25 and the PTP packaging machine 7 (including the defective sheet discharge mechanism).

  As described above in detail, according to the present embodiment, processing for adjusting the imaging timing of the imaging device 23 is performed in order to perform an appropriate inspection. That is, based on the image captured by the imaging device 23, the amount of positional deviation between the appropriate imaging position by the imaging device 23 and the imaging target position (sheet corresponding portion) of the PTP film 20 is calculated, and the image is captured. Based on the timing and the positional deviation amount, an imaging timing appropriate for the imaging device 23, that is, a timing at which the imaging target position of the PTP film 20 is located at an appropriate imaging position of the imaging device 23 is calculated. Thereby, it is not necessary to repeat the setting operation of the imaging timing over and over, and the imaging timing at the time of inspection in the manufacturing process of the PTP sheet 1 can be set more easily. Furthermore, waste of the PTP film 20 (PTP sheet 1) can be reduced. As a result, setting time can be shortened, setting work can be simplified, production cost can be reduced, and production efficiency can be improved.

  Furthermore, the setting image, which is an image for calculating the positional deviation amount, is configured to be imaged in a state where the PTP film 20 is stopped. Therefore, compared to the case where the setting is performed by moving the PTP film 20 in the low speed mode or the like, waste of the PTP film 20 (PTP sheet 1) due to molding defects can be reduced, and the PTP film 20 and the like are reset after the imaging timing is set. Since it is not necessary, it is possible to proceed to the manufacturing process of the PTP sheet 1 as it is after setting the imaging timing. As a result, production cost can be reduced and production efficiency can be improved.

  In addition, the operator can set the imaging target position while looking at the monitor 25. Therefore, for example, a portion that becomes a delimiter of the PTP sheet 1 can be confirmed from the interval between the pocket portions 2, the presence or absence of scrap, the presence or absence of printing on the PTP film 20, and the imaging target position can be set according to the corresponding portion of each sheet. it can. In the case where a plurality of rows of pocket portions 2 are formed on one PTP sheet 1, the position of the pocket portion 2 cannot be specified only by specifying the position of the pocket portion 2, so the operator does not set the imaging target position while viewing the setting image. For example, there is a possibility that the imaging target position is set at a position shifted by one row of the pocket portions 2. In this respect, in the present embodiment, such a problem can be prevented, and imaging at a more appropriate position (for example, one PTP sheet) can be more reliably performed.

  In the embodiment described above, for example, a part of the configuration can be appropriately changed as follows. Of course, other modifications not exemplified below are also possible.

  (A) In the said embodiment, although the tablet tablet is mentioned as an aspect example of the tablet used as test | inspection object, the kind of tablet is not restricted to this, For example, a capsule tablet etc. may be sufficient.

  (B) In the above-described embodiment, it is embodied in an appearance inspection apparatus that performs transmission inspection, but it can also be embodied in other inspection apparatuses. For example, the present invention may be embodied in an appearance inspection device that performs a reflection inspection such as a color identification inspection, a defective product inspection device that inspects the presence or absence of a drug in a capsule tablet, and the like.

  (C) In the above-described embodiment, the setting image is configured to be captured in a state where the PTP film 20 is stopped in order to calculate the positional deviation amount. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the setting is performed by moving the PTP film 20. It is good also as a structure which images the image for business. It is also possible to carry out the setting operation of the imaging timing by conveying the PTP film 20 at the conveyance speed at the time of manufacturing the PTP sheet and capturing an image for setting.

( D ) The proper imaging position and imaging target position are not limited to the above embodiment. For example, when imaging twice for tablets and sheets (when imaging devices are installed at two locations along the transport direction), the middle of the imaging position of each imaging device is the appropriate imaging position.

( E ) In the above embodiment, the imaging timing is set by the value of the phase angle corresponding to the predetermined position of the PTP film 20. However, the way of expressing the imaging timing is not limited to this. For example, it may be expressed by other values corresponding to a sheet conveyance cycle (time) or a predetermined position of the PTP film 20.

It is a schematic diagram which shows schematic structure, such as a PTP packaging machine in one Embodiment. (A) is a perspective view which shows a PTP sheet, (b) is a partial expanded sectional view which shows a PTP sheet, (c) is a plane schematic diagram for demonstrating the concept of a tablet window. It is a block diagram which shows the electrical structure of an external appearance inspection apparatus. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an “imaging timing setting routine”. It is a plane schematic diagram for demonstrating concepts, such as a visual field width. It is a plane schematic diagram for demonstrating concepts, such as position shift of the PTP film. It is a flowchart which shows a "transmission type inspection routine".

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... PTP sheet, 2 ... Pocket part, 3 ... Container film as packaging film, 4 ... Sealing film as cover film, 5 ... Tablet, 7 ... PTP packaging machine, 20 ... PTP film, 21 ... Visual inspection apparatus , 23 ... an imaging device as an imaging means, 25 ... a monitor as a display means, 26 ... an input device, 42 ... an appropriate imaging position detection means, 43 ... an imaging target position detection means, 44 ... an imaging timing calculation means, 45 ... an inspection means .

Claims (6)

The tablet is accommodated in the pocket portion formed in the belt-shaped packaging film to be transported, and used for manufacturing the PTP sheet to which the cover film is attached so as to close the pocket portion,
Illumination means for irradiating the packaging film containing the tablet with predetermined light;
Imaging means for imaging the packaging film irradiated with light within a field of view;
An inspection apparatus comprising image processing means for processing an image signal output from the imaging means,
Used when setting the imaging timing prior to the inspection,
Display means capable of displaying the setting image based on a setting image which is an image for calculating a positional deviation amount imaged by the imaging means in a state where the packaging film is stopped;
A measurement frame that has a predetermined width in the conveyance direction of the packaging film with respect to the setting image displayed on the display means and is set so as to fit the PTP sheet corresponding region is set as an imaging target position of the packaging film. Settable imaging target position setting means;
A positional deviation amount calculating means for calculating a positional deviation amount between the appropriate imaging position automatically set within the range of the field of view by the imaging means and the imaging target position;
An inspection apparatus comprising: an imaging timing calculation unit that calculates an appropriate imaging timing based on the imaging timing of the setting image and the positional deviation amount . The tablet is accommodated in the pocket portion formed in the belt-shaped packaging film to be transported, and used for manufacturing the PTP sheet to which the cover film is attached so as to close the pocket portion,
Illumination means for irradiating the packaging film containing the tablet with predetermined light;
Imaging means for imaging the packaging film irradiated with light within a field of view;
Timing control means for controlling the imaging timing of the imaging means;
Image processing means for processing an image signal output from the imaging means,
Each time the packaging film is conveyed for a predetermined length, an inspection device configured to capture an image of the packaging film with the imaging means,
Used when setting the imaging timing prior to the inspection,
Display means capable of displaying a setting image, which is an image for calculating at least the positional deviation amount imaged in a state where the packaging film is stopped by the imaging means;
Imaging that has a predetermined width in the conveyance direction of the packaging film with respect to the setting image displayed on the display means, and that can be set as the imaging target position and is set so that the PTP sheet corresponding region is accommodated A target position setting means;
Imaging target position detecting means for detecting the imaging target position;
Appropriate imaging position detection means for detecting an appropriate imaging position that is automatically set within the field of view by the imaging means based on the setting image;
A positional deviation amount calculating means for calculating a positional deviation amount between the appropriate imaging position and the imaging target position;
An inspection apparatus comprising: an imaging timing calculation unit that calculates an appropriate imaging timing based on the imaging timing of the setting image and the positional deviation amount .   The inspection apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an appropriate imaging position setting unit capable of automatically setting the appropriate imaging position for the setting image.   The inspection apparatus according to claim 3, wherein when setting the proper image pickup position by the appropriate image pickup position setting unit, a reference frame having a predetermined width in the conveyance direction of the packaging film can be set at the position. .   The inspection apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a shift amount conversion unit that converts the positional shift amount into a timing shift amount.   A PTP packaging machine comprising the inspection device according to claim 1.

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