JP4647643B2 - Defect inspection device and PTP packaging machine - Google Patents

Description

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

  The PTP sheet is composed of a packaging film in which a pocket portion filled with tablets or the like is formed, and a cover film attached to the packaging film so as to seal the opening side of the pocket portion.

  The packaging film is generally formed of a synthetic resin material or the like, but may be formed of aluminum or the like in order to improve moisture resistance or the like. However, since the packaging film made of aluminum is harder to be stretched than the resin, a pocket called a pinhole may be formed in the pocket portion or the like when the pocket portion is molded. For this reason, when manufacturing a PTP sheet with a packaging film made of aluminum, a pinhole inspection for detecting a pinhole is performed after the pocket portion is formed and before a tablet or the like is filled.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the pinhole inspection is generally performed by irradiating light from the illumination unit 70 to the PTP sheet 71 and imaging the transmitted light passing through the pinhole by the camera 72.

  However, in the conventional inspection method, it is possible to detect the lights H1 and H2 that pass through the pinholes 80A and 80B existing in the bottom portion 75a of the pocket portion 75 and the sheet portion 76 opposite to the illumination means 70, Regarding the light H3 passing through the pinhole 80C existing in the side surface portion 75b of the pocket portion 75, it is difficult to detect the light H3 because the sufficient amount of light does not reach the camera 72.

  Among them, pinholes are more easily formed at the corner 75c where the bottom 75a and the side surface 75b of the pocket 75, which is heavily loaded at the time of molding, than other parts, and the frequency of occurrence thereof is high. Therefore, in the conventional inspection method, the light H4 that passes through the pinhole 80D existing in the corner portion 75c of the pocket portion 75 is not detected, and many PTP sheets that are determined as non-defective products may be generated.

In recent years, therefore, a method has been proposed in which a fisheye lens is brought close to the pocket portion or a mirror is inserted into the pocket to detect a pinhole opened in the side surface portion of the pocket portion (see, for example, Patent Document 1). ).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-67947

  However, in the method using the fisheye lens and mirror described in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-67947, the fisheye lens, mirror, etc. must be provided for the number of pockets. Moreover, it is necessary to dispose the fisheye lens at a substantially central portion of the pocket portion or insert a mirror into the pocket portion every time inspection is performed. Since the PTP sheet at the time of manufacture is continuously conveyed at a high speed and a large number of pocket portions are formed on the PTP sheet, it is not practical to employ the method in an actual manufacturing process.

  Further, in recent years, the inclination θ (see FIG. 8) of the side surface portion of the pocket portion with respect to the vertical direction can be reduced to about 10 degrees or less by the advancement of aluminum forming technology. It has become more difficult to detect pinholes existing in the section.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and relates to a pinhole detection inspection in the manufacturing process of a PTP sheet, a defect inspection apparatus capable of dramatically improving inspection accuracy, and a PTP packaging machine. It is one of the main purposes to provide.

  In the following, each means suitable for solving the above-described problems 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. A defect used in the manufacturing process of a PTP sheet in which a cover film is attached in a sealed state so as to close the pocket portion after a tablet is stored in a pocket portion formed in a strip-shaped and opaque packaging film to be conveyed An inspection device,
Illumination means capable of irradiating the packaging film with predetermined light at least after the tablet is stored in the pocket portion;
Imaging means provided on the opposite side of the illumination means with the packaging film,
Image processing means for processing an image signal output from the imaging means,
The image processing means is configured to be able to detect pinholes existing in the pocket portion by determining the brightness of the surface of the tablet accommodated in the pocket portion based on image data obtained from the image signal. A defect inspection apparatus characterized by having

  According to said means 1, after a tablet is accommodated in the pocket part formed in the strip | belt-shaped and opaque packaging film conveyed, the cover film is attached in a sealed state so as to close the pocket part. In the manufacturing process, a pinhole detection inspection is performed by a defect inspection apparatus.

  When a pinhole is present in the pocket portion, the light emitted from the illumination means passes through the pinhole. In this case, in a state where the tablet is accommodated in the pocket portion, light that has passed through the pinhole is irradiated to the tablet. Then, the light that is irregularly reflected (reflected, diffused, etc.) on the tablet surface is imaged by the imaging means. As a result, the image processing means can determine the presence or absence of a pinhole by determining the brightness of the tablet surface based on the image data obtained from the image signal output from the imaging means.

  That is, it is possible to detect a pinhole on the side surface of the pocket part, which has been difficult to detect conventionally, by performing a pinhole detection inspection using transmitted illumination after storing the tablet as in this means.

  Depending on the depth of the pocket, the size of the tablet, the pinhole formation position on the side surface of the pocket, etc., the light that has passed through the pinhole may not be applied to the tablet, and the pinhole may not be detected. Concerned. However, as described in the prior art, many pinholes are easily formed at the corners where the bottom and side portions of the pockets intersect, so in many cases, for example, when the tablet is relatively small compared to the pockets. However, without any problem, the light that passed through the pinhole irradiates the tablet. Therefore, pinhole detection inspection using the inspection apparatus of this means can be widely applied regardless of the type of pocket or tablet and is highly versatile.

  In addition, high-speed processing corresponding to a PTP sheet that is continuously conveyed at high speed and has a large number of pocket portions is possible.

  The same applies to the following means 2, but the light passing through the pinhole, and thus the brightness of the tablet or the like based thereon, for example, (1) measure the brightness, (2) perform binarization or multi-value processing, (3) It can be determined by performing a difference process or the like. Then, based on the values obtained by these processes, the presence or absence of a pinhole can be determined based on whether or not there is a portion where the value exceeds the allowable range, that is, a bright portion.

Mean 2. A defect used in the manufacturing process of a PTP sheet in which a cover film is attached in a sealed state so as to close the pocket portion after a tablet is stored in a pocket portion formed in a strip-shaped and opaque packaging film to be conveyed An inspection device,
Illumination means capable of irradiating the packaging film with predetermined light at least after the tablet is stored in the pocket portion;
Imaging means provided on the opposite side of the illumination means with the packaging film,
Image processing means for processing an image signal output from the imaging means,
The image processing means is present in the pocket portion by detecting light that has passed through the packaging film and reflected on the surface of the tablet accommodated in the pocket portion based on image data obtained from the image signal. A defect inspection apparatus configured to be able to detect a pinhole.

  According to the means 2, the same effects as the means 1 can be obtained. The light reflected on the surface of the tablet may be reflected again on the inner surface (side surface, etc.) of the pocket portion. Therefore, in the said means 2, you may detect the light reflected on the surface of the tablet indirectly by detecting the light reflected on the inner surface of a pocket part. In particular, when the light passing through the pinhole is irradiated and reflected on a part of the tablet surface facing the bottom side of the pocket portion, it is often detected as light reflected on the inner surface of the pocket portion. Even if the tablet is not contained, the light that has passed through the pinhole may be reflected on the inner surface of the pocket portion. In this case, the distance from the pinhole to the reflecting surface is relatively long, so the light In many cases, a sufficient amount of light does not reach the imaging means. In this regard, when detection is performed after storing the tablet as in the present means, since the interval between the tablet and the inner surface of the pocket portion is narrowed, a sufficient amount of light is obtained even when light reflected on the inner surface of the pocket portion is detected. be able to.

Means 3. A defect used in the manufacturing process of a PTP sheet in which a cover film is attached in a sealed state so as to close the pocket portion after a tablet is stored in a pocket portion formed in a strip-shaped and opaque packaging film to be conveyed An inspection device,
A first illumination means capable of irradiating the packaging film with predetermined light at least before the tablet is stored in the pocket portion;
A first imaging means provided on the opposite side of the first illumination means via the packaging film;
First image processing means for processing an image signal output from the first imaging means;
A second illuminating means capable of irradiating the packaging film with predetermined light at least after the tablet is stored in the pocket portion;
A second imaging means provided on the opposite side of the second illumination means via the packaging film;
Second image processing means for processing an image signal output from the second imaging means,
The first image processing means discriminates the brightness of the packaging film based on image data obtained from an image signal output from the first imaging means, so that at least the bottom of the pocket portion and the pocket portion It is configured to be able to detect pinholes present in the sheet part outside the area,
The second image processing means discriminates the brightness of the surface of the tablet accommodated in the pocket portion based on image data obtained from the image signal output from the second imaging means, thereby at least the pocket portion. A defect inspection apparatus configured to be able to detect a pinhole existing in a side surface portion.

  According to the means 3, in addition to the function and effect of the means 1, it is possible to perform a pinhole detection inspection at the bottom of the pocket portion that cannot be inspected after storing the tablet. That is, by performing the pinhole detection inspection before and after the tablet accommodation, the entire sheet can be inspected, and the inspection accuracy is further improved.

Means 4. A defect used in the manufacturing process of a PTP sheet in which a cover film is attached in a sealed state so as to close the pocket portion after a tablet is stored in a pocket portion formed in a strip-shaped and opaque packaging film to be conveyed An inspection device,
A first illumination means capable of irradiating the packaging film with predetermined light at least before the tablet is stored in the pocket portion;
A first imaging means provided on the opposite side of the first illumination means via the packaging film;
First image processing means for processing an image signal output from the first imaging means;
A second illuminating means capable of irradiating the packaging film with predetermined light at least after the tablet is stored in the pocket portion;
A second imaging means provided on the opposite side of the second illumination means via the packaging film;
Second image processing means for processing an image signal output from the second imaging means,
The first image processing means detects at least light passing through the packaging film based on image data obtained from an image signal output from the first imaging means, so that at least the bottom of the pocket portion and the pocket Configured to be able to detect pinholes present in the sheet portion outside the area of the portion,
The second image processing means, based on the image data obtained from the image signal output from the second imaging means, reflects the light that has passed through the packaging film and reflected on the surface of the tablet accommodated in the pocket portion. A defect inspection apparatus configured to be able to detect at least a pinhole existing in a side surface portion of the pocket portion by detection.

  According to the said means 4, the effect similar to the said means 1-3 is show | played.

  Means 5. The defect inspection apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the second illumination unit includes a diffusion unit that diffuses light.

  According to the above means 5, by irradiating the film with diffused light, it becomes easier for light to pass through the pinholes present on the side surfaces of the pockets, so that the pinholes can be detected more reliably.

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

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

  Mean 7 7. The PTP packaging machine according to claim 6, further comprising pocket part forming means for forming the pocket part on the packaging film so that the bottom part of the pocket part is convex toward the outside of the pocket part. .

  According to the said means 7, since the bottom part of a pocket part becomes convex outward, the tablet accommodated becomes easy to be mounted in a center part rather than the peripheral part of a pocket part. That is, it becomes difficult for a tablet to contact the side part of a pocket part, and it becomes easy to form a clearance gap between both. As a result, it becomes possible to more reliably detect pinholes existing in the side surface portion of the pocket portion without deviation.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, a PTP sheet is inspected for defects in the PTP packaging machine by installing the defect inspection apparatus 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 and the sealing film 4 in the present embodiment are made of, for example, aluminum and are opaque and have no light transmittance.

  Each pocket portion 2 contains one tablet 5 as an object to be filled. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6 and the like, the bottom portion 2a of the pocket portion 2 bulges out in a substantially arc shape so as to protrude downward. Further, the inclination θ with respect to the vertical direction of the side surface portion 2b of the pocket portion 2 is set to about 10 degrees.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the PTP packaging machine 7 automatically packages the tablets 5 on the container film 3. Specifically, the belt-shaped aluminum film is fed into the molding device 13 as the pocket portion molding means by the film feeding roll 9 and the tension rolls 10 and 11, and the pocket portion 2 for filling the tablet 5 is molded into the aluminum film. And if the container film 3 in which the pocket part 2 was shape | molded to the aluminum film is sent to the lower part of the filling apparatus 14, the filling apparatus 14 will fill each pocket part 2 with the tablet 5 automatically.

  However, the PTP wrapping machine 7 in the present embodiment is not limited to the container film 3 made of aluminum, but is a relatively hard thermoplastic resin material having a predetermined rigidity, such as PP (polypropylene) or PVC (polyvinyl chloride). This is a packaging machine (combined machine) that can be manufactured. Therefore, the heating device 12 is provided on the upstream side of the molding device 13. Of course, when the aluminum container film 3 is formed, the heating device 12 is not used.

  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, the defect inspection apparatus in this embodiment is for inspecting the container film 3 for defects, and includes a first defect inspection apparatus 21A and a second defect inspection apparatus 21B. The first defect inspection device 21 </ b> A is disposed upstream of the filling device 14 and the second defect inspection device 21 </ b> B is disposed downstream of the filling device 14 along the transfer path of the container film 3.

  The defect inspection devices 21 </ b> A and 21 </ b> B perform inspection mainly intended to detect pinholes existing in the container film 3.

  More specifically, the first defect inspection apparatus 21A performs an inspection mainly for detection of pinholes existing in the bottom 2a of the pocket portion 2 and the sheet portion 3a (see FIG. 6 and the like) (hereinafter referred to as “before tablet injection for convenience”). This is referred to as “inspection”. The second defect inspection apparatus 21B mainly inspects pinholes formed in the side surface portion 2b of the pocket portion 2 or the corner portion 2c (see FIG. 6 and the like) where the side surface portion 2b and the bottom portion 2a intersect. (Hereinafter referred to as “inspection after tablet injection” for convenience).

  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 first defect inspection device 21A or the second defect inspection device 21B, 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 defect inspection apparatuses 21A and 21B will be described more specifically based on FIG.

  The first defect inspection device 21A includes an illumination device 22A as a first illumination means, a camera 23A as a first imaging means, an image processing device 24A as a first image processing means, a monitor 25A, a keyboard 26A, and the like.

  Similarly, the second defect inspection apparatus 21B includes an illumination device 22B as a second illumination unit (illumination unit), a camera 23B as a second imaging unit (imaging unit), and a second image processing unit (image processing unit). An image processing device 24B, a monitor 25B, a keyboard 26B, and the like are provided.

  First, the lighting devices 22A and 22B will be described in detail. The illuminating devices 22A and 22B in the present embodiment are provided on the protruding side of the pocket portion 2 of the container film 3 (see FIG. 6 and the like), and surface emission is possible.

  As can be seen from FIG. 3 which is a sectional view of the lighting device 22B, an LED mounting board 28 is provided inside the lighting devices 22A and 22B, and a number of infrared LEDs 28a as light sources are arranged on the LED mounting board 28. Yes. Furthermore, regarding the illuminating device 22B, it has the diffusion plate 27 as a spreading | diffusion means extended in parallel with the container film 3. FIG. Therefore, in this embodiment, the illumination device 22A irradiates the container film 3 with infrared light substantially orthogonally, whereas the illumination device 22B diffuses the infrared light into the container film 3. A part is irradiated obliquely. The wavelength of infrared light is desirably about 760 nm to 1100 nm, and more preferably 850 nm to 950 nm.

  Moreover, as shown in FIG. 6 etc., each camera 23A, 23B is provided on the opposite side to each illuminating device 22A, 22B through the said container film 3, respectively, and is irradiated from each illuminating device 22A, 22B. The light that has passed through the container film 3 can be imaged. In this embodiment, as each of the cameras 23A and 23B, a monochrome CCD camera sensitive to at least infrared light is employed.

  The image data captured by each camera 23A, 23B is converted into a digital signal inside each camera 23A, 23B and then input to each image processing device 24A, 24B in the form of a digital signal. ing.

  The image processing devices 24A and 24B respectively include image memories 41A and 41B, masking means 42A and 42B, binarization means 43A and 43B, determination memories 44A and 44B, inspection results and statistical data corresponding to the cameras 23A and 23B. It comprises memory 45A, 45B, camera timing control means 46A, 46B, CPU and input / output interfaces 47A, 47B, etc., and can perform image data processing, defect determination (each inspection), etc. as will be described later. Yes.

  Image data captured by the cameras 23A and 23B are converted into digital signals and then stored in the corresponding image memories 41A and 41B, respectively. Each image data is subjected to masking processing by the masking means 42A and 42B at the time of inspection, and is stored again in the image memories 41A and 41B. Similarly, the image data is stored by the binarizing means 43A and 43B. After being converted into a value, it is stored again in each of the image memories 41A and 41B.

  Each CPU and the input / output interfaces 47A and 47B execute various processing programs while using the stored contents of the determination memories 44A and 44B, and send control signals to the PTP packaging machine 7 or from the PTP packaging machine 7. This is for transmitting and receiving various signals such as operation signals. Thereby, for example, the defective sheet discharge mechanism of the PTP packaging machine 7 can be controlled. The CPU and input / output interfaces 47A and 47B also have a function of sending display data to the monitors 25A and 25B. With this function, various image data and inspection results can be displayed on the monitors 25A and 25B. Further, the CPU and input / output interfaces 47A and 47B also have a function of inputting data from the keyboards 26A and 26B.

  The inspection result and statistical data memories 45A and 45B store data such as coordinates relating to image data, inspection result data, statistical data obtained by probabilistically processing the inspection result data, and the like. These inspection result data and statistical data can be appropriately displayed on the monitors 25A and 25B based on the control of the CPU and the input / output interfaces 47A and 47B. In addition, the CPU and the input / output interfaces 47A and 47B can send control signals to the PTP packaging machine 7 based on these inspection result data and statistical data.

  The camera timing control means 46A, 46B controls the timing at which image data captured by each camera 23A, 23B is taken into each image memory 41A, 41B. Such timing is controlled based on a signal from an encoder (not shown) provided in the PTP packaging machine 7, and images are taken in sheet units (for example, PTP sheet units to be punched) by the cameras 23A and 23B each time a predetermined amount of the container film 3 is fed. Is done.

  Next, the procedure of the defect inspection (pinhole detection inspection) will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In this embodiment, the procedures in the pre-tablet inspection and the post-tablet inspection are the same, and will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in the figure, in the “inspection routine”, first, in step S101, an inspection gray image of the container film 3 per sheet to be inspected is acquired.

  In step S102, the grayscale image data acquired in step S101 is binarized based on a predetermined threshold, and the binarized image data is stored in the image memory 41A (or 41B).

  In subsequent step S103, the block processing is performed on the binarized image data acquired in step S102. By this process, a pixel portion having a luminance exceeding a predetermined threshold is defined. In the case of the inspection after tablet insertion, since the inspection is an inspection only in the pocket portion area, a process of previously masking the sheet portion area that is not to be inspected may be performed.

  In step S104, it is determined whether or not there is a lump. Here, if it is determined that there is no lump in the area per sheet, a non-defective product determination is performed in step S105, and this process ends. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is a lump, a defective product is determined in step S106, 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, in this embodiment, the pinhole detection inspection is performed before and after the tablet 5 is charged.

  As shown in FIG. 6, in the pre-tablet inspection, infrared light is irradiated from the lighting device 22A to the container film 3 substantially orthogonally. And when the pinholes 50A and 50B exist in the bottom part 2a and the sheet | seat part 3a of the pocket part 2, the transmitted lights G1 and G2 which passed the said pinholes 50A and 50B are imaged with the camera 23A. Based on the image data obtained from the camera 23A, the image processing device 24A determines the brightness of the container film 3 and detects the pinholes 50A and 50B.

  On the other hand, in the post-tablet inspection, as shown in FIG. 7, infrared light is diffused from the illumination device 22 </ b> B and applied to the container film 3. And when the pinholes 50C and 50D exist in the side part 2b and the corner | angular part 2c of the pocket part 2, the transmitted light G3 and G4 which passed the said pinholes 50C and 50D are irradiated to the tablet 5. FIG. Then, irregular reflection (reflection / diffusion etc.) is performed on the surface of the tablet 5, and this is imaged by the camera 23B. Based on the image data obtained from the camera 23B, the image processing device 24B determines the brightness of the surface of the tablet 5 and detects the pinholes 50C and 50D.

  Thus, by performing the pinhole detection inspection using transmitted illumination after the tablet is inserted, it is possible to detect the side holes 2b of the pocket portion 2 and the pinholes 50C and 50D of the corner portion 2c, which have been difficult to detect conventionally. It becomes possible. Further, the pinhole detection inspection can be performed at a higher speed corresponding to the container film 3 that is continuously conveyed at a high speed and in which many pocket portions 2 are formed.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, the bottom part 2a of the pocket part 2 bulges in a substantially arc shape so as to protrude downward. For this reason, the stored tablet 5 is more easily placed on the central portion than on the peripheral portion of the pocket portion 2. That is, it becomes difficult for the tablet 5 to come into contact with the side surface portion 2b of the pocket portion 2, and a gap is easily formed therebetween. As a result, it is possible to detect the pinholes 50C and 50D in the side surface portion 2b and the corner portion 2c of the pocket portion 2 more reliably without deviation.

  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 5 which is a flat tablet is illustrated as an example of the tablet accommodated in the pocket part 2, the kind of tablet is not restricted to this, For example, a capsule tablet and a lens It may be a lock or the like.

  (B) In the above embodiment, both the pre-tablet inspection and the post-tablet inspection are performed, but at least only the post-tablet inspection may be performed. Since many pinholes are easily formed at the corners 2c of the pocket part 2, if the sheet part 3a is inspected together in the post-tablet inspection, the entire sheet is inspected. Can fully function. However, in order to increase the inspection accuracy, it is more preferable that the configuration of the above-described embodiment can be performed, in which the bottom portion 2a of the pocket portion 2 that cannot be inspected after the tablet is inserted can be inspected to inspect the entire sheet.

  (C) In the above-described embodiment, processing for binarizing the inspection grayscale image is performed to determine the brightness of the container film 3 or the tablet 5. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and brightness is measured or multivalued. It is good also as a structure which discriminates the brightness of the tablet 5 grade | etc., By performing a process, a difference process, etc.

  (D) In the said embodiment, although it becomes the structure which performs a pinhole detection test | inspection with respect to the container film 3 made from aluminum, not only this but the test | inspection method of the said embodiment is translucent also with a resin film etc. Applicable if it is scarce.

  (E) In the above embodiment, the infrared light LED 28a capable of irradiating infrared light is used as the light source. However, for example, a light source capable of irradiating visible light may be employed. Moreover, if the container film 3 is a resin film and is UV-cut, it will be easier to inspect if blue light or ultraviolet light is used.

  (F) The PTP wrapping machine 7 in the above embodiment is a dual-purpose machine that can manufacture the container film 3 not only from aluminum but also from a resin film, but when the container film 3 is formed from a transparent resin film, The defect inspection devices 21A and 21B perform an inspection different from the pinhole detection inspection. For example, in the first defect inspection device 21A before the tablet insertion, foreign matter detection inspection such as hair existing on the sheet portion 3a is performed, and in the second defect inspection device 21B after the tablet injection, the presence or absence of the tablet 5, cracks, An inspection for detecting a chip or the like is performed.

  (G) In the above embodiment, the first defect inspection device 21A and the second defect inspection device 21B are provided independently. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and both the defect inspection devices 21A and 21B are provided integrally. It is good also as a structure. In this case, for example, the lighting devices 22A and 22B and the cameras 23A and 23B are provided separately, but the image processing devices 24A and 24B, the monitors 25A and 25B, the keyboards 26A and 26B, and the like are shared.

  (H) The illumination device 22A of the first defect inspection device 21A may irradiate diffuse light.

  (I) In the above embodiment, the inclination θ of the side surface portion 2b of the pocket portion 2 with respect to the vertical direction is set to about 10 degrees. Not only this but the inspection method of the said embodiment will be more effective if it is the side part 2b with the inclination of 0 degree-30 degree | times, for example.

  (J) In the above embodiment, the bottom portion 2a of the pocket portion 2 bulges out in a substantially arc shape so as to protrude downward. The shape of the pocket part 2 is not limited to this. For example, the bottom part 2a of the pocket part 2 may be configured to be flat.

  (K) In the above embodiment, a monochrome CCD camera that is sensitive to at least infrared light is employed as each of the cameras 23A and 23B. Not only this but a color camera may be adopted. The above inspection can be carried out in the same manner even with a color camera.

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. It is a fragmentary sectional view which shows an illuminating device typically. It is a block diagram which shows the electric constitution of a defect inspection apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows an "inspection routine." It is a schematic diagram which shows the optical path in a test | inspection before tablet injection | pouring. It is a schematic diagram which shows the optical path in a test | inspection after tablet injection. It is a schematic diagram which shows the optical path in the conventional test | inspection.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... PTP sheet, 2 ... Pocket part, 3 ... Container film, 4 ... Sealing film, 5 ... Tablet, 7 ... PTP packaging machine, 21A, 21B ... Defect inspection apparatus, 22A, 22B ... Illumination apparatus, 23A, 23B ... Camera, 24A, 24B ... Image processing device.

Claims (7)

A defect used in the manufacturing process of a PTP sheet in which a cover film is attached in a sealed state so as to close the pocket portion after a tablet is stored in a pocket portion formed in a strip-shaped and opaque packaging film to be conveyed An inspection device,
Illumination means capable of irradiating the packaging film with predetermined light at least after the tablet is stored in the pocket portion;
Imaging means provided on the opposite side of the illumination means with the packaging film,
Image processing means for processing an image signal output from the imaging means,
The image processing means is configured to be able to detect pinholes existing in the pocket portion by determining the brightness of the surface of the tablet accommodated in the pocket portion based on image data obtained from the image signal. A defect inspection apparatus characterized by having A defect used in the manufacturing process of a PTP sheet in which a cover film is attached in a sealed state so as to close the pocket portion after a tablet is stored in a pocket portion formed in a strip-shaped and opaque packaging film to be conveyed An inspection device,
Illumination means capable of irradiating the packaging film with predetermined light at least after the tablet is stored in the pocket portion;
Imaging means provided on the opposite side of the illumination means with the packaging film,
Image processing means for processing an image signal output from the imaging means,
The image processing means is present in the pocket portion by detecting light that has passed through the packaging film and reflected on the surface of the tablet accommodated in the pocket portion based on image data obtained from the image signal. A defect inspection apparatus configured to be able to detect a pinhole. A defect used in the manufacturing process of a PTP sheet in which a cover film is attached in a sealed state so as to close the pocket portion after a tablet is stored in a pocket portion formed in a strip-shaped and opaque packaging film to be conveyed An inspection device,
A first illumination means capable of irradiating the packaging film with predetermined light at least before the tablet is stored in the pocket portion;
A first imaging means provided on the opposite side of the first illumination means via the packaging film;
First image processing means for processing an image signal output from the first imaging means;
A second illuminating means capable of irradiating the packaging film with predetermined light at least after the tablet is stored in the pocket portion;
A second imaging means provided on the opposite side of the second illumination means via the packaging film;
Second image processing means for processing an image signal output from the second imaging means,
The first image processing means discriminates the brightness of the packaging film based on image data obtained from an image signal output from the first imaging means, so that at least the bottom of the pocket portion and the pocket portion It is configured to be able to detect pinholes present in the sheet part outside the area,
The second image processing means discriminates the brightness of the surface of the tablet accommodated in the pocket portion based on image data obtained from the image signal output from the second imaging means, thereby at least the pocket portion. A defect inspection apparatus configured to be able to detect a pinhole existing in a side surface portion. A defect used in the manufacturing process of a PTP sheet in which a cover film is attached in a sealed state so as to close the pocket portion after a tablet is stored in a pocket portion formed in a strip-shaped and opaque packaging film to be conveyed An inspection device,
A first illumination means capable of irradiating the packaging film with predetermined light at least before the tablet is stored in the pocket portion;
A first imaging means provided on the opposite side of the first illumination means via the packaging film;
First image processing means for processing an image signal output from the first imaging means;
A second illuminating means capable of irradiating the packaging film with predetermined light at least after the tablet is stored in the pocket portion;
A second imaging means provided on the opposite side of the second illumination means via the packaging film;
Second image processing means for processing an image signal output from the second imaging means,
The first image processing means detects at least light passing through the packaging film based on image data obtained from an image signal output from the first imaging means, so that at least the bottom of the pocket portion and the pocket Configured to be able to detect pinholes present in the sheet portion outside the area of the portion,
The second image processing means, based on the image data obtained from the image signal output from the second imaging means, reflects the light that has passed through the packaging film and reflected on the surface of the tablet accommodated in the pocket portion. A defect inspection apparatus configured to be able to detect at least a pinhole existing in a side surface portion of the pocket portion by detection.   The defect inspection apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the second illumination unit includes a diffusion unit that diffuses light.   A PTP packaging machine comprising the defect inspection apparatus according to claim 1.   7. The PTP packaging according to claim 6, further comprising: a pocket portion forming means for forming the pocket portion on the packaging film so that a bottom portion of the pocket portion is convex toward the outside of the pocket portion. Machine.

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