JP4526961B2 - Foreign matter inspection device in a container - Google Patents

Foreign matter inspection device in a container Download PDF

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JP4526961B2
JP4526961B2 JP2005012259A JP2005012259A JP4526961B2 JP 4526961 B2 JP4526961 B2 JP 4526961B2 JP 2005012259 A JP2005012259 A JP 2005012259A JP 2005012259 A JP2005012259 A JP 2005012259A JP 4526961 B2 JP4526961 B2 JP 4526961B2
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container
foreign matter
inspection
rotor
light
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JP2006201003A (en
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忠弘 片根
裕久 福田
三千男 三村
正伸 黒澤
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Hitachi Information and Control Solutions Ltd
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Description

本発明は、容器に充填された液体中の異物を検出する容器内の異物検査装置に関する。   The present invention relates to a foreign matter inspection apparatus in a container that detects foreign matter in a liquid filled in the container.

飲料等の液体が充填された瓶やプラスチックボトル等の容器は、自動生産ラインにおいて連続的に大量生産されることが多い。
このため容器中の液体に異物等が混入した場合、生産後の発見が困難となることから、従来では生産ラインの途中に検査工程を設置して、検査工程で容器内に混入した異物の検査を行っている。
また液体が収容された容器が透明や半透明であって、容器の外部から異物の混入が視覚的に発見が可能な場合、従来では搬送ラインの途中に検査ロータを設置して、検査ロータ上を容器が自転している間に容器に光を照射し、異物からの反射光を撮像手段により撮像することにより、容器内に混入した異物を検出する検査装置が例えば特許文献1ないし3等で公知である。
Containers such as bottles and plastic bottles filled with liquids such as beverages are often continuously mass-produced in automatic production lines.
For this reason, if foreign matter or the like is mixed in the liquid in the container, it will be difficult to find it after production. Therefore, in the past, an inspection process was installed in the middle of the production line, and inspection of foreign substances mixed in the container during the inspection process It is carried out.
Also, if the container containing the liquid is transparent or translucent, and foreign matter can be visually detected from the outside of the container, an inspection rotor is conventionally installed in the middle of the transfer line. For example, Patent Documents 1 to 3 disclose an inspection apparatus that detects foreign matter mixed in a container by irradiating the container with light while the container is rotating and imaging reflected light from the foreign substance with an imaging unit. It is known.

前記特許文献1に記載の異物検査装置は、検査ロータの異なる3つの回転角度にカメラと照明を設置し、かつ検査ロータ上を移動する容器をそれぞれ異なるモータで回転、停止制御して、容器内の液体をカメラで撮影することにより、液体中の異物を検出するようになっている。
また特許文献2に記載の異物検出装置は、縦波光を照射する第1照明と横波光を照射する第2照明とで容器を照明し、容器を透過した光をハーフミラーで分光した後、縦波光偏光フィルタを備えた検査用センサと、横波光偏光フィルタを備えた検査用センサでそれぞれ受光することにより、液体の色と無関係に液体中の異物が検出できるように構成されている。
さらに前記特許文献3に記載された自動検液装置は、ターレットに設けた回転台を高速回転させて、回転台上の容器を回転させ、回転中の容器に下方から光線を照射して、容器内に混入した異物からの反射光を捕捉することにより、異物検査を行うように構成されている。
特開2003−107011号公報 特開2004−12219号公報 特公昭47−10466号公報
The foreign substance inspection apparatus described in Patent Document 1 is provided with a camera and illumination at three different rotation angles of the inspection rotor, and the containers moving on the inspection rotor are rotated and stopped by different motors, respectively. A foreign object in the liquid is detected by photographing the liquid with a camera.
The foreign object detection device described in Patent Document 2 illuminates a container with a first illumination that irradiates longitudinal wave light and a second illumination that illuminates transverse wave light, and after the light transmitted through the container is spectrally separated by a half mirror, Light is received by each of the inspection sensor provided with the wave light polarization filter and the inspection sensor provided with the transverse light polarization filter, so that the foreign matter in the liquid can be detected regardless of the color of the liquid.
Furthermore, the automatic sample analyzer described in Patent Document 3 rotates a rotating table provided on the turret at high speed, rotates a container on the rotating table, irradiates the rotating container with light rays from below, The apparatus is configured to inspect the foreign matter by capturing reflected light from the foreign matter mixed in.
JP 2003-107011 A JP 2004-12219 A Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. 47-10466

しかし前記特許文献1ないし3に記載された異物検査装置では、液体を収容した容器の形状や材質が一定の場合は効果を発揮するが、近年のようにユーザのニーズに呼応して容器の形状や材質が多種多様化してる上、多品種少量生産されることが多くなっている現状では、容器の形状や材質によって異物の発見が困難となったり、検査ミスが発生する等の問題がある。
かかる問題を解消するためには、容器に死角が発生しないように照明手段や撮像手段の位置を変える等の調整が必要となるが、照明手段や撮像手段を調整自在とするためには複雑な調整機構を必要とすることから、異物検査装置のコストが高くなると共に、多品種少量生産する生産ラインでは、容器の形状や材質が変わる毎に調整作業を繰り返す必要があるため、生産性を低下させる等の問題もある。
本発明はかかる問題を改善するためになされたもので、複雑な調整手段等を必要とせずに容器内の異物検査ができる容器内の異物検査装置を提供することを目的とするものである。
However, the foreign substance inspection apparatuses described in Patent Documents 1 to 3 are effective when the shape and material of the container containing the liquid are constant, but the shape of the container in response to user needs as in recent years. In addition to the diversification of materials and materials, there are many problems such as difficulty in finding foreign substances and inspection errors depending on the shape and material of the container.
In order to solve such a problem, adjustments such as changing the positions of the illumination means and the imaging means are necessary so that blind spots do not occur in the container, but in order to make the illumination means and the imaging means adjustable, it is complicated. Since an adjustment mechanism is required, the cost of foreign object inspection equipment increases, and in a production line that produces a large variety of products in small quantities, the adjustment work must be repeated each time the shape and material of the container changes, reducing productivity. There are also problems such as
The present invention has been made to remedy such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a foreign matter inspection apparatus in a container that can inspect the foreign matter in the container without requiring complicated adjustment means.

本発明の容器内の異物検査装置は、容器に充填されている液体中に混入した異物を検査する容器内の異物検出装置であって、個別に設けられたモータにより回転自在な複数の台座が円周方向に設けられ、かつ一定方向に回転される検査ロータと、検査ロータの検査位置に設置され、載置台を介して台座上に載置された検査すべき容器の底面側へ、または外周側から容器内を照明する照明手段と、照明手段と容器を挟んで対向するように設置され、照明手段より容器内に入射した光を反射する異物を撮像する撮像手段と、載置台内に設けられ、照明手段からの光を容器の底面側または異物より反射した光を撮像手段側へ反射する反射手段と、検査位置において反射手段が照明手段または撮像手段と対向する位置に停止するようモータの回転を制御すると共に、撮像手段が撮像した画像から異物を検出する制御手段とから構成したものである。   The foreign matter inspection device in a container of the present invention is a foreign matter detection device in a container that inspects foreign matter mixed in a liquid filled in the container, and includes a plurality of pedestals that can be rotated by motors provided individually. An inspection rotor provided in the circumferential direction and rotated in a fixed direction, and installed at the inspection position of the inspection rotor and placed on the pedestal via the mounting table, or to the bottom side of the container to be inspected An illuminating means for illuminating the inside of the container from the side, an imaging means installed so as to oppose the illuminating means and the container and reflecting a light incident on the container from the illuminating means, and provided in the mounting table A reflecting means for reflecting light reflected from the bottom surface of the container or a foreign object to the imaging means side, and a motor for stopping the reflecting means at a position facing the illumination means or the imaging means at the inspection position. Rotation control While, in which the imaging means is composed of a control means for detecting a foreign object from the image captured.

前記構成により、回転されながら検査位置に達した容器は、検査位置で載置台とともに停止し、同時に載置台内の反射手段が照明手段または撮像手段と対向するため、照明手段により効率よく容器内を照明し、もしくは異物より反射した光を効率よく撮像手段へ入射することができるようになる。
これによって容器内に充填されている液体中に混入した異物を確実に検出することができると共に、容器の形状や材質が種々変わっても、照明手段や撮像手段の位置を調整する等の複雑な調整作業が不要なことから、特に多品種少量生産することが多い生産ラインにおいて生産性の向上が図れると共に、複雑な構造の調整手段を設ける必要がないことから、異物検査装置全体のコスト低減が図れる。
また容器を底部から照明したり、底部を透過した光を撮像手段へ入射するようにしたことから、容器を回転させてもなお底部に沈殿している異物が液体中に混入している場合でも、異物の検出が可能となるため、異物検査の信頼性が向上する。
With the above configuration, the container that has reached the inspection position while being rotated stops together with the mounting table at the inspection position, and at the same time, the reflecting means in the mounting table faces the illuminating means or the imaging means. Light that is illuminated or reflected from a foreign object can be efficiently incident on the imaging means.
This makes it possible to reliably detect foreign matters mixed in the liquid filled in the container and to adjust the positions of the illumination means and the imaging means even if the shape and material of the container change variously. Since no adjustment work is required, productivity can be improved especially in production lines that often produce a wide variety of products in small quantities, and it is not necessary to provide adjustment means with a complicated structure. I can plan.
In addition, since the container is illuminated from the bottom and light transmitted through the bottom is incident on the imaging means, even when the container is rotated, foreign matter that has settled on the bottom is still mixed in the liquid. Since foreign matter can be detected, the reliability of foreign matter inspection is improved.

本発明の容器内の異物検査装置は、検査位置を検査ロータの円周方向に複数個所設けて、各検査位置に照明手段及び撮像手段を対向設置したものである。   The foreign matter inspection apparatus in the container of the present invention is provided with a plurality of inspection positions in the circumferential direction of the inspection rotor, and an illuminating means and an image pickup means are provided facing each inspection position.

前記構成により、第1の検査位置で検出できなかった異物を、第2の検査位置で検出が可能となるため、液体中に混入した異物が微細であっても確実に検出できるようになり、検査精度が向上する。   With the above configuration, since the foreign matter that could not be detected at the first inspection position can be detected at the second inspection position, it can be reliably detected even if the foreign matter mixed in the liquid is fine, Inspection accuracy is improved.

本発明の容器内の異物検査装置によれば、容器の形状や材質が種々変わっても、照明手段や撮像手段の位置を調整する等の複雑な調整作業が不要なことから、特に多品種少量生産することが多い生産ラインにおいて生産性の向上が図れる。   According to the foreign matter inspection apparatus in the container of the present invention, even if the shape and material of the container are variously changed, a complicated adjustment work such as adjusting the position of the illumination means and the imaging means is not required. Productivity can be improved on production lines that are often produced.

本発明の実施の形態を、図面を参照して詳述する。
図1は異物検査装置の構成図、図2は図1のA−A線に沿う断面図、図3は載置台の断面図、図4は変形例を示す説明図である。
図1に示す異物検査装置の本体1は、透明な容器2に液体を充填する生産ライン(図示せず)の途中に設置された大径な環状の検査ロータ3を有しており、生産ラインの搬送ラインに接続された搬入ライン4より小径な搬入ロータ5を介して容器2が連続的に搬入されるようになっており、検査ロータ3をほぼ1周して検査の完了した容器2は、小径な搬出ロータ6を介して搬出ライン7へ搬出されるようになっている。
検査ロータ3には、円周方向に等間隔に多数の台座8が設けられていて、これら台座8は検査ロータ3とともに反時計回り方向へ一定の回転速度で回転(公転)されるようになっている。
Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a foreign matter inspection apparatus, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a mounting table, and FIG.
A main body 1 of the foreign substance inspection apparatus shown in FIG. 1 has a large-diameter annular inspection rotor 3 installed in the middle of a production line (not shown) for filling a transparent container 2 with a liquid. The container 2 is continuously carried in through a carry-in rotor 5 having a smaller diameter than the carry-in line 4 connected to the carry-in line 4. The small-diameter unloading rotor 6 is unloaded to the unloading line 7.
The inspection rotor 3 is provided with a large number of pedestals 8 at equal intervals in the circumferential direction, and these pedestals 8 are rotated (revolved) at a constant rotational speed in the counterclockwise direction together with the inspection rotor 3. ing.

台座8は円板により形成されていて、各台座8の下方に図2に示すように設置されたモータ9により高速で回転されるようになっており、各台座8上に、容器2を載置する載置台10が着脱自在に設置されている。
載置台10は図3に示すように、上部と下部に大径部10a、10bを有する筒体により形状されていて、下部の大径部10bに、台座8上面に突設された嵌合部8aが下方から嵌合されており、上部の大径部10aには、上面に容器2の底部が上方より嵌合する凹入部10cが形成されている。
そして載置台10内に反射手段12が取り付けられている。
反射手段12は、載置台10の外周面に開口された開口部10dより入射した光を上方へと反射する反射ミラー12aと、反射ミラー12aを45度の角度で固定する固定台12bとから構成されていて、固定台12bの底部が載置台10の大径部10a上面に固着具13により固着されている。
The pedestal 8 is formed of a disk, and is rotated at high speed by a motor 9 installed below each pedestal 8 as shown in FIG. 2. The container 2 is placed on each pedestal 8. A mounting table 10 to be placed is detachably installed.
As shown in FIG. 3, the mounting table 10 is formed by a cylindrical body having large-diameter portions 10a and 10b at the upper and lower portions, and a fitting portion protruding from the upper surface of the base 8 on the large-diameter portion 10b at the lower portion. 8a is fitted from below, and a concave portion 10c into which the bottom of the container 2 is fitted from above is formed on the upper large diameter portion 10a.
Reflecting means 12 is attached in the mounting table 10.
The reflection means 12 includes a reflection mirror 12a that reflects light incident from an opening 10d opened on the outer peripheral surface of the mounting table 10 upward, and a fixed table 12b that fixes the reflection mirror 12a at an angle of 45 degrees. In addition, the bottom portion of the fixed base 12 b is fixed to the upper surface of the large-diameter portion 10 a of the mounting table 10 by the fixing tool 13.

また検査ロータ3の周辺には、検査ロータ3を横切るようにした複数箇所、例えば2箇所に検査位置14、15が設けられていて、各検査位置14、15に検査ロータ3の台座8上に設置された載置台10を挟んで対向するよう照明手段16及び撮像手段17が設置されている。
照明手段16は、例えばキセノンランプにより形成されていて、検査ロータ3の外側に位置する固定基台1a上に設置されており、照射面16aが載置台10内に設けられた反射手段12と図2に示すように対向するように設置されていると共に、後述する制御手段20からの指令によりストロボ発光されるようになっている。
撮像手段17は、例えばCCDカメラにより形成されていて、検査ロータ3の内側に位置する固定基台1a上に設置されており、載置台10上に載置された容器2内の異物からの反射光が受光できるように、図2に示すように容器2の中央部分をほぼ同じ高さに設置されていると共に、照明手段16と同期して撮像した映像を制御手段20へ送るようになっている。
本体1の上部には、検査ロータ3と一体に回転する円板状の回転支持部材18が設けられていて、回転支持部材18には、検査ロータ3の各台座8毎に容器保持手段19が設けられている。
容器保持手段19は、回転支持部材18に上下摺動自在に支承された保持杆19aを有していて、保持杆19aの下端に回転自在に設けられた保持キャップ19bにより載置台10上の容器2の上部を下方へ押圧しており、これによって載置台10上の容器2が高速回転(自転)しても、載置台10上から容器2が飛び出さないようになっている。
In the vicinity of the inspection rotor 3, inspection positions 14, 15 are provided at a plurality of positions, for example, two positions that cross the inspection rotor 3, and the inspection positions 14, 15 are provided on the base 8 of the inspection rotor 3. An illumination unit 16 and an imaging unit 17 are installed so as to face each other with the installation table 10 installed therebetween.
The illumination means 16 is formed of, for example, a xenon lamp, and is installed on the fixed base 1a located outside the inspection rotor 3. The illumination means 16 and the reflection means 12 provided in the mounting table 10 are illustrated in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, they are installed so as to be opposed to each other, and strobe light is emitted by a command from the control means 20 described later.
The imaging means 17 is formed by, for example, a CCD camera, is installed on the fixed base 1 a located inside the inspection rotor 3, and is reflected from foreign matter in the container 2 placed on the placement table 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the central portion of the container 2 is installed at substantially the same height so that light can be received, and an image captured in synchronization with the illumination means 16 is sent to the control means 20. Yes.
A disc-shaped rotation support member 18 that rotates integrally with the inspection rotor 3 is provided on the upper portion of the main body 1, and a container holding means 19 is provided on the rotation support member 18 for each base 8 of the inspection rotor 3. Is provided.
The container holding means 19 has a holding rod 19a that is supported by the rotation support member 18 so as to be slidable up and down, and a container on the mounting table 10 by a holding cap 19b that is rotatably provided at the lower end of the holding rod 19a. The upper part of 2 is pressed downward, so that even if the container 2 on the mounting table 10 rotates at high speed (spins), the container 2 does not jump out of the mounting table 10.

一方検査ロータ3の回転中心には、回転各を検出する角度検出手段21が設置されていて、検査ロータ3の回転角を検出するようになっており、台座8を駆動するモータ9には、ポテンショメータ等の角度検出手段21aが設けられていて、これら角度検出手段21,22により検出された回転角信号が制御手段20へ入力されるようになっている。
制御手段20は、検査ロータ3に設けられたモ−タ9の回転を制御するモータ制御部20aと、容器2の形状や材質等に応じた回転パターンが予め記憶され、制御手段20に接続された検査モード入力手段23より入力される回転パターン選択信号に応じて回転パターン情報を出力するパターン情報記憶部20bと、検査ロータ3と台座8の回転角度情報(位置情報)から搬入位置Bにおける台座8の基準位置を記憶する角度情報記憶部20c及び撮像手段17が撮像した画像を処理する画像処理部20dから構成されていて、台座8を回転するモ−タ9の回転制御と、画像処理部20dが処理した画像から、容器2内に充填された液体中の異物を検出するようになっている。
なお図1中24はスリップリングである。
On the other hand, an angle detection means 21 for detecting each rotation is installed at the rotation center of the inspection rotor 3 so as to detect the rotation angle of the inspection rotor 3. The motor 9 for driving the base 8 includes An angle detection means 21 a such as a potentiometer is provided, and a rotation angle signal detected by these angle detection means 21 and 22 is input to the control means 20.
The control unit 20 stores in advance a motor control unit 20 a that controls the rotation of the motor 9 provided in the inspection rotor 3, and a rotation pattern corresponding to the shape, material, and the like of the container 2, and is connected to the control unit 20. The pattern information storage unit 20b for outputting rotation pattern information in accordance with the rotation pattern selection signal input from the inspection mode input means 23, and the pedestal at the loading position B from the rotation angle information (position information) of the inspection rotor 3 and the pedestal 8 8 includes an angle information storage unit 20c that stores eight reference positions, and an image processing unit 20d that processes an image captured by the imaging unit 17, and includes a rotation control of a motor 9 that rotates the base 8, and an image processing unit. The foreign matter in the liquid filled in the container 2 is detected from the image processed by 20d.
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 24 denotes a slip ring.

次に前記構成された異物検査装置の作用を説明する。
生産ラインにより飲料や薬品等の液体が充填された透明な容器2は、生産ラインの搬送手段により連続的に搬送されて検査工程に達し、搬入ライン4により搬入ロータ5へと送り込まれる。
搬入ロータ5へ送り込まれた容器2は、搬入位置Bで検査ロータ3の台座8上に設置された載置台10上に載置された後、容器保持手段19の保持杆19aが下降することにより、載置台10と保持キャップ19bとの間で容器2が上下方向から挟着されると同時に、搬入位置Bにおいて、載置台10の位置が一定方向、例えば開口部10dが検査位置14、15にある照明手段16と対向する位置となるように制御手段20によりモ−タ9が回転制御され、その位置を基準位置として角度情報記憶部20cに記憶される。
Next, the operation of the foreign matter inspection apparatus constructed as described above will be described.
The transparent container 2 filled with liquids such as beverages and medicines by the production line is continuously conveyed by the conveying means of the production line, reaches the inspection process, and is sent to the carry-in rotor 5 by the carry-in line 4.
After the container 2 fed into the carry-in rotor 5 is placed on the placement table 10 installed on the base 8 of the inspection rotor 3 at the carry-in position B, the holding rod 19a of the container holding means 19 is lowered. At the same time as the container 2 is sandwiched between the mounting table 10 and the holding cap 19b from above and below, at the loading position B, the position of the mounting table 10 is in a certain direction, for example, the opening 10d is in the inspection positions 14 and 15. The motor 9 is rotationally controlled by the control means 20 so as to be in a position facing a certain illumination means 16, and is stored in the angle information storage section 20c with the position as a reference position.

その後検査ロータ3の回転(公転)とともに、検査モード入力手段23から予め入力された回転パターン選択信号に応じて制御手段20のパターン情報記憶部20bから回転パターンが読み出され、制御手段20よりスリップリング24を介して検査ロータ3の各モ−タ9へ回転信号が出力されるため、モ−タ9は回転パターンに応じて載置台10上の容器2を高速回転(自転)させる。
これによって容器2の液体内で沈殿していた異物が浮上された状態で、容器2は第1の検査位置14に達する。
検査位置14に達した容器2は、搬入位置24で角度情報記憶部20cに記憶された基準位置、すなわち載置台10の開口部10dが照明手段16と対向する位置に停止され、同時に制御手段20からの指令により照明手段16がストロボ発光される。
Thereafter, along with the rotation (revolution) of the inspection rotor 3, the rotation pattern is read from the pattern information storage unit 20 b of the control means 20 in accordance with the rotation pattern selection signal input in advance from the inspection mode input means 23, and slips from the control means 20. Since a rotation signal is output to each motor 9 of the inspection rotor 3 via the ring 24, the motor 9 rotates (rotates) the container 2 on the mounting table 10 at a high speed according to the rotation pattern.
Accordingly, the container 2 reaches the first inspection position 14 in a state where the foreign matter precipitated in the liquid of the container 2 is levitated.
The container 2 that has reached the inspection position 14 is stopped at the carry-in position 24 at the reference position stored in the angle information storage unit 20c, that is, the position where the opening 10d of the mounting table 10 faces the illumination unit 16, and at the same time the control unit 20 The illumination means 16 emits strobe light in response to a command from

照明手段16の発光面16aから照射された光は、反射手段12の反射ミラー12aにより上方へと反射され、載置台10上の容器2内へ底面側より入射される。
このとき容器2内に充填されている液体中に異物が存在している場合は、入射された光が異物に反射するため、照明手段16に同期して動作する撮像手段17によりその画像が撮像される。
撮像手段17により撮像された画像は、制御手段20に取り込まれて画像処理部20dで画像処理され、異物のない正常時の画像と比較されて異物の検出が行われて、もし異物が発見された場合は、その容器2が載置された台座8の番号が制御手段20に記憶される。
第1の検査位置14で検査が終了した容器2は、再び所定の回転パターンで高速回転されながら第2の検査位置15に達し、第2の検査位置15で同様に検査が行われ、第1の検査位置14で発見されなかった異物の検査が行われる。
The light emitted from the light emitting surface 16a of the illuminating means 16 is reflected upward by the reflecting mirror 12a of the reflecting means 12, and enters the container 2 on the mounting table 10 from the bottom surface side.
At this time, if there is a foreign substance in the liquid filled in the container 2, the incident light is reflected by the foreign substance, so that the image is captured by the imaging unit 17 that operates in synchronization with the illumination unit 16. Is done.
The image picked up by the image pickup means 17 is captured by the control means 20 and subjected to image processing by the image processing unit 20d. The foreign object is detected by comparing with a normal image without the foreign object, and if a foreign object is found. If this happens, the number of the base 8 on which the container 2 is placed is stored in the control means 20.
The container 2 that has been inspected at the first inspection position 14 reaches the second inspection position 15 while being rotated again at a high speed with a predetermined rotation pattern, and is similarly inspected at the second inspection position 15. The foreign matter not found at the inspection position 14 is inspected.

その後第2の検査位置15で検査の完了した容器2は、搬出位置Cに達して、搬送ロータ6により搬出ライン7へと搬出されるが、第1、第2検査位置14、15で異物が発見され、台座8の番号が制御手段20に記憶された容器2は、搬送ロータ6により図示しない排出ラインへと振り分けられ、排出ラインにより不良品の保管場所へ排出される。
以下前記動作を繰り返して、生産ラインにより連続的に生産される容器2内の液体中に混入した異物を検出するもので、多品種少量生産ラインのように容器2の形状や材質が種々変更になっても、照明手段16の位置や撮像手段17の位置調整等の面倒な調整をほとんど必要とせずして容器2内の液体中に混入した異物の検出が行えるようになる。
After that, the container 2 that has been inspected at the second inspection position 15 reaches the unloading position C, and is unloaded to the unloading line 7 by the transfer rotor 6. However, foreign substances are detected at the first and second inspection positions 14 and 15. The containers 2 that have been discovered and whose pedestal 8 numbers are stored in the control means 20 are distributed to a discharge line (not shown) by the transfer rotor 6 and discharged to a storage location for defective products by the discharge line.
In the following, the above operation is repeated to detect foreign matter mixed in the liquid in the container 2 continuously produced by the production line, and the shape and material of the container 2 can be variously changed as in the high-mix low-volume production line. Even in this case, it is possible to detect the foreign matter mixed in the liquid in the container 2 with almost no troublesome adjustments such as the position of the illumination means 16 and the position of the imaging means 17.

なお図4は、照明手段16及び撮像手段17の設置位置の変形例を示すもので、この変形例のように照明手段16により外周側から容器2を照明し、反射手段12と対向するように設置した撮像手段17により液体中の異物を撮像して、異物の検出を行うようにしても勿論よい。
また本発明の異物検査装置は、飲料等の液体を充填したガラス容器やプラスチック容器の他に、薬品分野で使用されているアンプル薬、バイアル薬、点眼薬等の液体を充填した容器であって、透明または半透明の容器全般に適用できるものである。
さらに反射手段12にはミラーに変えてプリズム等を使用してもよい。
FIG. 4 shows a modification of the installation positions of the illumination means 16 and the imaging means 17, and the container 2 is illuminated from the outer peripheral side by the illumination means 16 so as to face the reflection means 12 as in this modification. Needless to say, foreign matter in the liquid is imaged by the installed image pickup means 17 to detect the foreign matter.
The foreign substance inspection apparatus of the present invention is a container filled with a liquid such as an ampoule, a vial or an eye drop used in the pharmaceutical field in addition to a glass container or a plastic container filled with a liquid such as a beverage. Applicable to all transparent or translucent containers.
Further, a prism or the like may be used as the reflecting means 12 instead of a mirror.

本発明の実施の形態になる容器内の異物検査装置の構成図である。It is a block diagram of the foreign material inspection apparatus in the container which becomes embodiment of this invention. 図1のA−A線に沿う断面図である。It is sectional drawing which follows the AA line of FIG. 本発明の実施の形態になる容器内の異物検査装置に設けられた載置台付近の断面図である。It is sectional drawing of the mounting base vicinity provided in the foreign material inspection apparatus in the container which becomes embodiment of this invention. 本発明の実施の形態になる容器内の異物検査装置の変形例を示す説明図である。It is explanatory drawing which shows the modification of the foreign material inspection apparatus in the container which becomes embodiment of this invention.

符号の説明Explanation of symbols

2 容器
3 検査ロータ
8 台座
9 モータ
10 載置台
12 反射手段
14 検査位置
15 検査位置
16 照明手段
17 撮像手段
20 制御手段
2 container 3 inspection rotor 8 pedestal 9 motor 10 mounting table 12 reflecting means 14 inspection position 15 inspection position 16 illumination means 17 imaging means 20 control means

Claims (2)

容器に充填されている液体中に混入した異物を検査する容器内の異物検出装置であって、個別に設けられたモータにより回転自在な複数の台座が円周方向に設けられ、かつ一定方向に回転される検査ロータと、台座上に設けられて検査する容器を載置すると共に、外部からの照射光を反射させて載置した容器の底部からその内部へと入射させる反射ミラーを具えた載置台と、前記検査ロータの検査位置に設置され、上記反射ミラーへの外部からの照射光を、照射させる照明手段と、前記照明手段と前記容器を挟んだ側であって容器からの異物の反射光の光路上に設置され、上記反射ミラーを介して前記容器内に入射した光を反射する異物を撮像する撮像手段と、を備えると共に、前記検査位置において、前記載置台上の反射ミラーが、上記照明手段からの照射光を、外部からの照射光として受光できるように、台座を停止するよう前記モータの回転を制御すると共に、前記撮像手段が撮像した画像から異物を検出する制御手段とを具備したことを特徴とする容器内の異物検査装置。 A foreign matter detection device in a container for inspecting foreign matter mixed in a liquid filled in a container, wherein a plurality of pedestals that are rotatable by individually provided motors are provided in a circumferential direction and in a fixed direction. The inspection rotor to be rotated and a container provided on the pedestal for mounting and a reflection mirror for reflecting the irradiation light from the outside to be incident on the inside from the bottom of the container placed thereon An illuminating unit that is installed at an inspection position of the pedestal and the inspection rotor and that irradiates irradiation light from the outside to the reflection mirror; and a reflection of foreign matter from the container on the side sandwiching the illuminating unit and the container An imaging unit that is installed on the optical path of light and that captures a foreign object that reflects light incident on the container through the reflection mirror, and at the inspection position, the reflection mirror on the mounting table is Above The irradiation light from the means, so that it can be received as the irradiation light from the outside, controls the rotation of said motor to stop pedestal, said imaging means has a control means for detecting a foreign object from the image captured A foreign matter inspection device in a container. 容器に充填されている液体中に混入した異物を検査する容器内の異物検出装置であって、個別に設けられたモータにより回転自在な複数の台座が円周方向に設けられ、かつ一定方向に回転される検査ロータと、台座上に設けられて検査する容器を載置すると共に、容器内の異物からの容器の底部を介しての反射光を受光し外部へ反射させる反射ミラーを具えた載置台と、前記検査ロータの検査位置に設置され、外周側から前記容器内を照明する照明手段と、前記照明手段と前記容器を挟んだ側であって且つ反射ミラーからの反射光の光路上に設置され、前記容器内に入射した光を反射する異物を上記反射ミラーを介して受光し撮像する撮像手段と、を備えると共に、前記検査位置において前記載置台上の反射ミラーが、上記容器底部からの異物の反射光を、当該反射ミラーを介して上記撮像手段が受光できるように、台座を停止するよう前記モータの回転を制御すると共に、前記撮像手段が撮像した画像から異物を検出する制御手段とを具備したことを特徴とする容器内の異物検査装置。A foreign matter detection device in a container for inspecting foreign matter mixed in liquid filled in a container, wherein a plurality of pedestals that are rotatable by individually provided motors are provided in a circumferential direction, and in a fixed direction. A rotating inspection rotor and a container provided on the pedestal for mounting a container to be inspected, and a reflection mirror for receiving reflected light from the foreign matter in the container through the bottom of the container and reflecting it to the outside. An illuminating means that is installed at an inspection position of the inspection rotor and that illuminates the inside of the container from the outer peripheral side, and is on the side sandwiching the illuminating means and the container and on the optical path of the reflected light from the reflecting mirror And an imaging means for receiving and imaging the foreign matter reflecting the light incident on the container through the reflection mirror, and the reflection mirror on the mounting table at the inspection position from the bottom of the container. The difference Control means for controlling the rotation of the motor to stop the pedestal and detecting foreign matter from the image captured by the imaging means so that the imaging means can receive the reflected light through the reflecting mirror. A foreign matter inspection device in a container, comprising:
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JP4813437B2 (en) * 2007-09-18 2011-11-09 株式会社日立情報制御ソリューションズ Foreign object detection device and foreign object detection method in container
JP5376295B2 (en) * 2008-12-26 2013-12-25 キリンテクノシステム株式会社 Conveying device, inspection device using the same, and conveying method
JP5651084B2 (en) * 2011-08-22 2015-01-07 株式会社 日立産業制御ソリューションズ Foreign matter inspection device
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DE102012016342A1 (en) 2012-08-20 2014-05-15 Khs Gmbh Tank inside inspection from below through the floor
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