JP4734538B2 - Foreign matter inspection device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a foreign matter inspection apparatus that inspects for the presence or absence of foreign matter that has precipitated in a liquid in a container.

  Illuminating the container from the side while conveying the container along a predetermined conveyance path, rotating the illuminated container, and acquiring a plurality of images of the bottom surface of the rotating container, the plurality of images An apparatus for inspecting the presence or absence of a foreign substance in a container based on this is known (see Patent Document 1). Further, while illuminating the container from at least one of the upper and outer peripheral sides and the bottom surface, an image of the bottom surface of the illuminated container is taken, and the presence or absence of foreign matter is inspected based on the image. An inspection apparatus is known (see Patent Document 2).

JP 2005-121570 A JP 2004-219399 A

  In such a foreign matter inspection apparatus, containers filled with various liquids having different degrees of turbidity (hereinafter, abbreviated as turbidity) such as transparent liquids and turbid liquids are inspected. However, in the conventional apparatus, an apparatus for inspecting the presence or absence of a foreign substance in the container while transporting the container, which corresponds to both a container filled with a transparent liquid and a container filled with a turbid liquid is considered. It has not been.

  In the present invention, the transparent liquid means a liquid through which illumination light is transmitted, and it does not matter whether the liquid is colored. Moreover, the turbid liquid means the liquid in which illumination light diffuses, such as milk drink and fruit juice drink, for example.

  Accordingly, the present invention is compatible with both a container filled with a transparent liquid and a container filled with a turbid liquid, and a foreign object inspection capable of accurately inspecting the presence or absence of a foreign substance in the container while transporting the container. An object is to provide an apparatus.

The foreign matter inspection apparatus of the present invention acquires an image of a container (BT), and in the foreign matter inspection apparatus (1) for inspecting the presence or absence of a foreign matter in the container based on the image, the container is placed in an arcuate conveyance path. Swirl transporting means (10) swirling along, container rotating means (3) for rotating the container swirled and transported by the swirl transporting means around its center line (CL), and the arc-shaped transport path The first illuminating means (4) for illuminating the rotating container disposed along the arc from the inner peripheral side of the arc-shaped transport path, and the container disposed along the arc-shaped transport path and rotating Second illuminating means (5) for illuminating the container from the bottom side of the container, and image acquiring means (6) for acquiring an image of the rotating container as viewed from the outer peripheral side of the arcuate conveyance path. The second illumination means is located at the center of the arcuate conveyance path. By being disposed on the outer peripheral side toward the remote the arcuate transport path, to solve the problems described above.

  According to the foreign matter inspection apparatus of the present invention, the rotating container can be illuminated from the inner peripheral side of the arcuate conveyance path and the bottom surface side of the container. When inspecting a container filled with a transparent liquid, the first illumination means irradiates the container with illumination light from the inner circumference side to the outer circumference side of the arcuate conveyance path, thereby allowing the foreign matter in the container and the portion other than the foreign matter And the contrast can be enlarged. On the other hand, when inspecting a container filled with a turbid liquid, the illumination light of the second illumination means can be diffused by the turbid liquid to increase the luminance near the bottom of the container. Therefore, it is possible to cause the image acquisition unit to acquire an image in which the contrast between the foreign matter and the portion other than the foreign matter is enlarged. In this way, the foreign matter inspection apparatus switches between the first illumination means and the second illumination means, so that both the container filled with the transparent liquid and the container filled with the turbid liquid are on the same line. In addition, inspection can be performed with substantially the same accuracy.

Moreover, in the foreign material inspection apparatus of the present invention, the container is transported along the arc-shaped transport path by the swivel transport means, so that the foreign material in the container can be moved to the outer peripheral side of the arc-shaped transport path by centrifugal force. . Moreover, since the container is rotated, the foreign matter can be moved in the direction of the outer surface of the container. That is, the foreign matter can be moved so that the foreign matter moves to a portion located on the outer peripheral side of the most arcuate conveyance path in the container. By moving the foreign matter in this way, the foreign matter can be easily reflected in the image acquired by the image acquisition means. As a result, the inspection accuracy of the foreign matter can be improved. Further, since the second illumination means is arranged closer to the outer peripheral side of the arcuate conveyance path than the center of the arcuate conveyance path, it is possible to irradiate the illumination in a concentrated manner on the part where the foreign matter is moved.

  Furthermore, in this foreign matter inspection apparatus, since the container is rotated, it is possible to uniformly illuminate the entire circumference of the container from the first illumination means arranged along the arcuate conveyance path. Therefore, the blind spot of the inspection can be eliminated.

  In one form of the foreign substance inspection apparatus of the present invention, the image acquisition means may acquire respective images in a plurality of different ranges with respect to the circumferential direction of the rotating container. Thus, by acquiring images in a plurality of ranges and inspecting the presence or absence of foreign matter based on these images, foreign matter can be detected more reliably. Therefore, inspection accuracy can be improved. The plurality of ranges may be set so that the entire circumference of the rotating container is acquired by being divided into a plurality of images. By acquiring images for the entire circumference of the container in this way, it is possible to prevent omission of inspection.

  In one form of the foreign matter inspection apparatus of the present invention, the swivel transport means has a support member (16) for supporting a container swirled and transported along the arc-shaped transport path from below, and the second illumination. Means is disposed below the support member, and the support member is swirled along the arc-shaped transport path in a section of the arc-shaped transport path where the second illumination means is disposed. So that at least a part of the bottom surface of the container is illuminated by the second illumination means from below the outer peripheral side of the arcuate conveying path with respect to the second illumination means. You may provide the window part (16a) to expose. In this case, since the support member supports the container from below, it is not necessary to provide a mechanism for gripping the container in the swivel conveying means to prevent the container from falling. Further, since the support member is provided with the window portion in the section where the second illumination means is arranged in the arcuate conveyance path, the bottom surface of the container can be illuminated by the second illumination means.

  In one form of the foreign matter inspection apparatus of the present invention, at least one of the first illumination unit and the second illumination unit irradiates the rotating container by irradiating infrared illumination light. Also good. Infrared light is likely to pass through a turbid liquid as compared to visible light. Thus, the rotating container is illuminated with the illumination light in the infrared region in this way, and foreign matter in the container is detected more reliably.

  In one form of the foreign matter inspection apparatus of the present invention, the image acquisition means follows the imaging means (40, 41) and the container that is swirled and conveyed along the arc-shaped conveyance path, and images the container. And an optical system (42, 43) leading to the means. In this case, since the optical system follows the container and guides the image of the container to the imaging unit, a plurality of images can be acquired without moving the imaging unit. Further, by acquiring a plurality of images and inspecting for the presence or absence of foreign matter based on these images, the inspection accuracy can be improved.

  In this embodiment, a plurality of inspection sections (θ1, θ2) are set continuously on the arcuate conveyance path, and the same number of the imaging units as the plurality of inspection sections are provided, and each of the imaging units has a different inspection. A plurality of the optical systems may be provided so that the images of the containers conveyed through the sections are guided respectively. By providing a plurality of imaging means and optical systems in this way, more images of one container can be acquired, so that the inspection accuracy can be further improved. Moreover, each test | inspection area may each be set so that a part may overlap with an adjacent test | inspection area. By setting each inspection section in this way, inspection omission can be prevented.

  In addition, in the above description, in order to make an understanding of this invention easy, the reference sign of the accompanying drawing was attached in parenthesis, but this invention is not limited to the form of illustration by it.

  As described above, according to the foreign matter inspection apparatus of the present invention, the presence or absence of foreign matter in the container can be inspected regardless of the turbidity of the liquid filled in the container. That is, a container filled with various liquids can be inspected with the same inspection apparatus without switching the inspection line. Moreover, since it moves to the outer peripheral side of the circular-arc-shaped conveyance path | route which is a position which is easy to detect the foreign material in a container, the presence or absence of a foreign material can be test | inspected accurately. Furthermore, since the container is rotated, the entire circumference of the container can be illuminated by the first illumination means and the second illumination means provided along the arcuate conveyance path.

  1 and 2 show an embodiment of the foreign matter inspection apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows a top view of the foreign substance inspection apparatus, and FIG. 2 shows an enlarged part of the foreign substance inspection apparatus. The foreign matter inspection apparatus 1 includes a transport apparatus 2 that transports a container BT to be inspected, and a container rotation apparatus 3 as a container rotation unit that rotates the container BT transported to the transport apparatus 2 around its center line CL (FIG. 2). Reference), a first illumination device 4 as a first illumination means, a second illumination device 5 as a second illumination means, and an image acquisition device 6 as an image acquisition means. The container BT to be inspected is, for example, a glass bottle made of a material having permeability. The container BT is filled with a liquid such as a beverage and sealed with a cap CP (see FIG. 3).

  As shown in FIG. 2 in an enlarged manner, the transport device 2 includes a star wheel device 10 as a swivel transport means, an inlet guide 11 that guides the container BT to be inspected to the star wheel device 10, and the star wheel device 10. And an outlet guide 12 for guiding the container BT discharged from the outlet to a downstream process. FIG. 3 shows a view of the star wheel device 10 as viewed from the outer peripheral side thereof, that is, the lower side of FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 shows a longitudinal sectional view of the star wheel device 10. As shown in FIG. 4, the star wheel device 10 includes a base 13 installed on the floor F, a rotary shaft 14 that is rotatably supported by the base 13 to the left and right, and a rotary shaft 14 that is connected to the rotary shaft 14. A wheel 15 attached to rotate integrally, a support plate 16 as a support member that supports the container BT fixed to the base 13 and transported by the wheel 15 from below, and the rotary shaft 14 in the direction of arrow A in FIG. And a drive motor (not shown) for rotationally driving.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the wheel 15 supports a pocket 15a for receiving the container BT to be inspected, and the upper part of the container BT so that the container BT in the pocket 15a rotates stably around its center line CL. The container support 17 (see FIG. 4) is arranged side by side at a constant pitch in the circumferential direction. The pocket 15a is provided by forming a substantially half-moon-shaped recess on the outer periphery of the wheel 15, and the container support 17 is provided on the wheel 15 so as to rotate integrally with the wheel 15. The size and shape of the pocket 15a and the container support 17 are appropriately set according to the shape and diameter of the portion of the container BT facing them. In addition, rotation rollers 18 are provided on both sides of each pocket 15a. These rotating rollers 18 are attached to the wheel 15 so as to be able to rotate left and right around the center line CLR (see FIG. 4) and to contact the outer surface of the container BT received in the pocket 15a to assist the rotation of the container BT. It has been. In addition, as shown in FIG. 4, two rotating rollers 18 are provided at each of the left and right portions of the pocket 15a.

  The wheel 15 is rotationally driven in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 2 when the rotary shaft 14 is rotationally driven by the drive motor. As the wheel 15 is swiveled in this way, the containers BT received in the pockets 15a are swirled and conveyed along the arc-shaped conveying path. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a part of the outer peripheral side of the support plate 16 is removed in the section where the first lighting device 4 and the second lighting device 5 are arranged in the arc-shaped transport path. The outer peripheral recess 16a is formed. Further, a part of the inner peripheral side of the support plate 16 is removed so as to face the outer peripheral recess 16a across the arcuate conveyance path, and an inner peripheral recess 16b is formed. The size of the support plate 16 in the section before and after the section in which the recesses 16a and 16b are formed is set to a size that can support the entire bottom surface of the container BT. The outer peripheral recess 16a and the inner peripheral recess 16b can be seen from below at least a part of the bottom surface of the container BT passing through the section of the support plate 16 where the recesses 16a and 16b are formed. What is necessary is just to be formed. Therefore, the size and shape may be appropriately changed according to the diameter and the shape of the bottom of the container BT that is swirled and conveyed by the star wheel device 10.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the container rotating device 3 includes a belt 20, a plurality of pulleys 21 around which the belt 20 is wound, and a tensioner 22 that adjusts the tension of the belt 20. The belt 20 is stretched so as to be pressed against the container BT swirled and conveyed by the wheel 15 in the circumferential direction of the wheel 15, and the container BT is pressed toward the inner peripheral side of the wheel 15 so that the container BT is placed in the pocket 15a. Hold. The belt 20 is provided so that the inspection target portion DA (see FIG. 4) of the container BT can be seen from the outer peripheral side of the star wheel device 10, and the container inspection device 1 contacts the substantially center of the container BT as shown in FIG. It is provided as follows. The rotation of an electric motor (not shown) is transmitted to any one of the plurality of pulleys 21, and the belt 20 is rotationally driven in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 2 by the rotation of the electric motor. At this time, the belt 20 causes the container BT in the pocket 15a to rotate around the center line CL and the container BT in the section combined with the inspection section θ1 and the inspection section θ2 to be described later in the arcuate conveyance path. It is driven to rotate one or more times.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the first lighting device 4 is arranged along the transport path of the container BT, and the container BT that is swirled and transported by the star wheel device 10, that is, the center wheel of the star wheel device 10, has an arc shape. The container BT is provided so as to illuminate from the inner peripheral side of the transfer path, and to illuminate the container BT passing through the section of the arc-shaped transfer path where the inner peripheral side recess 16b is formed in the support plate 16. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the first lighting device 4 is disposed under the wheel 15 and fixed to the base 13 so as to illuminate the vicinity of the lower part including the bottom of the container BT. The first lighting device 4 is fixed to the base 13 via the lighting support base 30. The illumination support base 30 includes a main body 31 fixed to the base 30, a movable part 32 to which the first illumination device 4 is fixed, and clamps 33 and 33 that sandwich and restrain the movable part 32. The movable part 32 is attached to the main body 31 so as to be movable in the vertical direction. Therefore, the height of the first illumination device 4 can be adjusted as appropriate according to the shape and size of the container BT by releasing the restraint by the clamps 33 and 33 and moving the movable portion 32 in the vertical direction. After the height adjustment, the movable portion 32 is restrained by the clamps 33 and 33, and the height of the first lighting device 4 is fixed. By adjusting the height of the first lighting device 4 in this manner, the illumination light necessary for the inspection can be appropriately irradiated from the first lighting device 4 to the container BT.

  The second lighting device 5 is also arranged along the transport path of the container BT, and is provided so as to illuminate the container BT that is swirled and transported by the star wheel device 10 from the bottom surface side. The second lighting device 5 is disposed below the support plate 16 and in a portion of the support plate 16 where the outer peripheral recess 16a is formed. By disposing the second lighting device 5 at such a position, a part of the bottom surface of the container BT transported along the transport path is exposed to the second lighting device 5, and the bottom surface of the container BT is exposed. Can be illuminated from below the arcuate conveyance path. Therefore, in this foreign matter inspection apparatus 1, the outer peripheral side recessed part 16a functions as a window part. Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the second lighting device 5 is arranged closer to the outer peripheral side of the transport path than the center of the arc-shaped transport path. For example, infrared LED illumination is used as the first illumination device 4 and the second illumination device 5, and from these illumination devices 4, 5, infrared illumination light is irradiated onto the container BT.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image acquisition device 6 includes a first camera 40 and a second camera 41 as imaging means, and a container BT viewed from the outer peripheral side of the arcuate conveyance path in the first camera 40. The first follow-up mirror 42 as an optical system for guiding the image of the second image and the second follow-up mirror 43 as an optical system for guiding the image of the container BT to the second camera 41 are provided. The cameras 40 and 41 are connected to an image processing apparatus (not shown), and images acquired by the cameras 40 and 41 are processed by the image processing apparatus. Each camera 40 and 41 includes zoom lenses 40a and 41a and signal generation units 40b and 41b, respectively. The signal generators 40b and 41b have built-in image sensors using semiconductor elements such as CCDs and CMOSs, for example, and output image signals corresponding to the luminance distribution of the photographing range set in each field of view of the lenses 40a and 41a. . The magnifications of the zoom lenses 40a and 41a are adjusted so that the inspection target portion of the container BT is included in the image signals output from the cameras 40 and 41. Since the foreign matter is deposited on the bottom of the container BT, a range DA including the bottom of the container BT is set as the inspection target part as shown in FIG. 4, for example. This range DA may be changed as appropriate according to the size and shape of the container.

  The first tracking mirror 42 follows the container BT being transported in the inspection section θ1 set in the arc-shaped transport path, and guides the image of the container BT to the first camera 40. Similarly, the second tracking mirror 43 follows the container BT being conveyed in the inspection section θ2 set in the arcuate conveyance path, and guides the image of the container BT to the second camera 41. As shown in FIG. 1, the inspection section θ1 and the inspection section θ2 are set so that a part thereof overlaps. By setting the inspection section θ1 and the inspection section θ2 in this way, the container BT to be inspected is moved by three pitches at the interval of the pocket 15a of the wheel 15 by the two cameras 40 and 41, that is, the position P1 in FIG. The image of the container BT can be acquired while moving from to the position P3. Instead of the first tracking mirror 42, a fixed reflection mirror (hereinafter abbreviated as a fixed mirror) having a size capable of guiding the entire image of the inspection section θ1 to the camera 40 is provided. May be. In this case, since the entire image of the inspection section θ1 is guided to the camera 40 by the fixed mirror, the image of the kite BT passing through the inspection section θ1 can be guided to the camera 40 without moving the mirror. Similarly, a fixed mirror may be provided instead of the second follow-up mirror 43 so that the entire image of the inspection section θ <b> 2 is guided to the camera 41. By using a fixed mirror in this way, the movable parts of the image acquisition device 6 can be reduced and the reliability of the device can be improved. Note that the size of the fixed mirror may be appropriately changed according to the size of the container BT to be inspected, the length of the inspection section, and the like.

  Next, a foreign matter inspection method by the foreign matter inspection apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. First, an inspection method for the container BT filled with a transparent liquid will be described, and then an inspection method for the container BT filled with a turbid liquid will be described.

  When the container BT filled with a transparent liquid is transported to the foreign matter inspection apparatus 1, it is guided to the pocket 15a of the wheel 15 by the entrance guide 11, and then the star wheel apparatus 10 along the arc-shaped transport path in the direction of arrow A. To be transported. As shown in FIG. 2, the belt 20 is pressed against the container BT conveyed by the star wheel device 10. Therefore, the container BT conveyed by the star wheel device 10 rotates around its center line CL. The rotating container BT is irradiated with illumination light from the first illumination device 4. Note that no illumination is emitted from the second illumination device 5. When the rotating container BT is conveyed to the inspection section θ <b> 1, the image of the container BT is guided to the camera 40 by the tracking mirror 42. The tracking mirror 42 rotates around the center point MC1 in the direction of arrow C in FIG. 1 so that the image of the container BT passing through the inspection section θ1 is guided to the camera 40 as the container BT moves in the direction of arrow A. To do. After the container BT that was following has passed through the inspection section θ1, the tracking mirror 42 rotates in the direction of arrow D in FIG. 2 and starts following the container BT that is transported next to the container BT that has been tracked so far. . Thus, the tracking mirror 42 sequentially tracks the containers BT passing through the inspection section θ1 and sequentially guides the images of these containers BT to the camera 40.

  Similarly, in the inspection section θ2, as the container BT moves in the inspection section θ2, the tracking mirror 43 rotates in the direction of arrow C about the center line MC2, and an image of the container BT passing through the inspection section θ2 is captured by the camera 41. Lead to. Further, after the container BT has passed through the inspection section θ2, the tracking mirror 43 rotates in the direction of the arrow D, and starts following the container BT to be transported next. Therefore, the image of the container BT passing through the inspection section θ2 can be sequentially guided to the camera 41 by the tracking mirror 43. The tracking mirrors 42 and 43 follow the container in this way, and guide the images of the container BT to the cameras 40 and 41 during the movement of three pitches at intervals of the pockets 15a of the wheel 15. Further, since the container BT rotates, the images of a plurality of different ranges in the circumferential direction of the container BT can be acquired by the cameras 40 and 41. Furthermore, since the container BT rotates one or more times in the section including the inspection section θ1 and the inspection section θ2 in the arcuate conveyance path, images of the entire circumference of the container BT can be acquired by the cameras 40 and 41.

  The plurality of images acquired by the cameras 40 and 41 are processed by an image processing device (not shown), and the presence or absence of foreign matter in the container is determined based on the plurality of images. Note that the method for determining the presence or absence of a foreign substance performed in the image processing apparatus may be the same as a known method, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted here. The container BT after passing the inspection section θ2 is guided to the next step by the outlet guide 12, and appropriate processing is performed according to the inspection result of the foreign matter inspection apparatus 1.

  In the case of a transparent liquid, the illumination light passes through the liquid. Thus, by irradiating the illumination from the inner peripheral side of the arc-shaped transport path by the first illumination device 4 in this way, the foreign matter in the container BT and other than the foreign matter And the contrast can be enlarged.

  On the other hand, when inspecting a container filled with a turbid liquid, the rotating container BT is illuminated by the second illumination device 5. Note that no illumination is emitted from the first illumination device 4. Since the operation of the other foreign matter inspection apparatus 1 may be the same as that in the case of inspecting the container BT filled with the transparent liquid described above, the description thereof is omitted. In the case of a turbid liquid, the illumination light is diffused by the liquid. Therefore, the container BT is illuminated from the bottom side in this way, and the illumination light is diffused near the bottom, thereby increasing the luminance near the bottom of the container BT. Therefore, an image in which the contrast between the foreign matter in the container BT and the portion other than the foreign matter is enlarged can be acquired by the cameras 40 and 41.

  As described above, according to the foreign matter inspection apparatus 1, the container BT rotates while being swirled and conveyed by the star wheel device 10. Therefore, if there is a foreign matter in the container, the foreign matter is placed on the outer circumference of the most circular transport path in the container BT. It can be moved to the part located on the side. Since the cameras 40 and 41 acquire an image viewed from the outer peripheral side of the arcuate conveyance path, this position is a position where foreign objects are easily detected. Therefore, it is possible to inspect foreign matter with high accuracy. Further, in the case of a transparent liquid, the foreign matter moved in this way is transmitted through the illumination light from the inner peripheral side of the transport path by the first illumination device 4 to increase the contrast between the foreign matter and a portion other than the foreign matter, In the case of a turbid liquid, the brightness of the vicinity of the bottom of the container BT is increased by the second illumination device 5 to increase the contrast between the foreign matter and the portion other than the foreign matter. Therefore, the container filled with a transparent liquid by the foreign matter inspection device 1 Both the BT and the container BT filled with the turbid liquid can be inspected with substantially the same accuracy.

  The first illumination device 4 and the second illumination device 5 emit infrared illumination light. Infrared illumination light can easily pass through a turbid liquid as compared with visible illumination light and the like, so that the accuracy of inspection of foreign matters can be further improved. Further, since the container BT is rotated, the illumination irradiated from the first illumination device 4 and the second illumination device 5 can be uniformly applied to the entire circumference of the container BT. Therefore, the blind spot of the inspection can be eliminated.

  The two cameras 40 and 41 obtain a plurality of images of the rotating container BT while moving three pitches at the interval of the pockets 15a of the wheel 15, and based on the plurality of images, determine the presence or absence of foreign matter in the container BT. Since the inspection is performed, it is possible to eliminate the inspection omission and further improve the inspection accuracy.

  The present invention is not limited to the form described above, and may be implemented in various forms. For example, a camera may be disposed below the star wheel device, and an image of the container BT may be guided to the camera by an optical system. By arranging the camera in this way, the foreign substance inspection apparatus can be made compact and the installation space can be reduced. You may illuminate a container by irradiating visible light from an illuminating device. The shape of the support plate of the star wheel device is not limited to the shape described above. For example, a support plate having a width narrower than the diameter of the container may be provided along the arcuate conveyance path. In this case, the shape of the support plate can be simplified. In the above-described embodiment, the support plate is removed from the outer peripheral side to the vicinity of the center of the transport path to form the outer peripheral recess, but both sides near the center of the transport path along the arc-shaped transport path are window-shaped. The bottom surface of the container may be exposed to the second lighting device. Thus, by removing in window shape, the part removed from a support plate can be reduced and the rigidity of a support plate can be improved.

The top view of the foreign material inspection apparatus which concerns on one form of this invention. The figure which expands and shows a part of foreign material inspection apparatus. The figure which looked at the star wheel apparatus from the outer peripheral side. The figure which shows the longitudinal cross-section of a star wheel apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

1 Foreign object inspection device 3 Container rotating device (container rotating means)
4 1st illuminating device (1st illumination means)
5 Second lighting device (second lighting means)
6 Image acquisition device (image acquisition means)
16 Support plate (support member)
16a Peripheral recess (window)
40 First camera (imaging means)
41 Second camera (imaging means)
42 First tracking mirror (optical system)
43 Second tracking mirror (optical system)
BT container θ1 Inspection section θ2 Inspection section

Claims (8)

In a foreign matter inspection apparatus that acquires an image of a container and inspects for the presence or absence of foreign matter in the container based on this image,
Revolving conveying means for revolving and conveying the container along an arcuate conveying path, container rotating means for rotating the container revolved by the revolving conveying means about its center line, and the arcuate conveying path And a first illuminating means for illuminating the rotating container from the inner peripheral side of the arc-shaped transport path, and the container being rotated along the arc-shaped transport path. Second illuminating means for illuminating from the bottom surface side, and image obtaining means for obtaining an image of the rotating container as seen from the outer peripheral side of the arcuate conveyance path ,
The foreign object inspection apparatus, wherein the second illuminating means is disposed closer to an outer peripheral side of the arcuate conveyance path than a center of the arcuate conveyance path .   The foreign matter inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image acquisition unit acquires images of a plurality of different ranges with respect to the circumferential direction of the rotating container.   The foreign object inspection apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of ranges are set such that the entire circumference of the rotating container is acquired by being divided into a plurality of images. The swivel transport means includes a support member that supports a container that swirls and transports along the arc-shaped transport path from below, and the second illumination means is disposed below the support member,
The support member is configured such that at least a part of a bottom surface of a container that is swirled along the arc-shaped transport path in the section in which the second illumination unit is disposed in the arc-shaped transport path is the arc-shaped transport path. A window for exposing at least a part of the bottom surface of the container to the second illuminating means is provided so that the second illuminating means illuminates from below the outer peripheral side of the transport path. The foreign matter inspection apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.   5. At least one of said 1st illumination means and said 2nd illumination means irradiates the illumination light of infrared region, and illuminates the container under rotation, The any one of Claims 1-4 characterized by the above-mentioned. The foreign matter inspection apparatus according to claim 1. The image acquisition means includes an imaging means, and an optical system that guides an image of the container to the imaging means by following the container that is swirled and conveyed along the arc-shaped conveyance path. The foreign matter inspection apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5 . A plurality of inspection sections are continuously set on the arcuate conveyance path, and the same number of the imaging means as the plurality of inspection sections are provided. The foreign matter inspection apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein a plurality of the optical systems are provided so as to be guided respectively. The foreign substance inspection apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein each inspection section is set so that a part thereof overlaps with an adjacent inspection section.

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