JP5307459B2 - Foreign matter inspection method and foreign matter inspection device in powder in transparent container - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a foreign substance inspection method and a foreign substance inspection apparatus for inspecting the mixing of a foreign substance in powder filled in a transparent container, and more specifically, to a powder injection filled in a transparent container such as a vial container. The present invention relates to a foreign matter inspection method and a foreign matter inspection apparatus suitable for inspection of mixed foreign matter.

Patent Documents 1, 2 and the like disclose a foreign substance inspection method for foreign matters mixed in a transparent container such as a vial filled with a powder injection or the like, and an apparatus used for the inspection.
Patent Document 1 discloses a method in which a transparent container is vibrated to separate a foreign substance having a specific gravity heavier than the powder or a light foreign substance from the powder to the head side and detect the separated foreign substance. However, this method has been detected by separating the foreign matter based on the specific gravity difference with respect to the powder. Therefore, the foreign matter having a specific gravity substantially equal to the powder is separated and floated on the surface of the powder or jumped out of the powder. It has the problem that it cannot be separated.

  In Patent Document 2, the transparent member is vibrated by vibrating the pressing member that is in contact with the bottom of the container, and the powder is rotated and convected in the container to increase the frequency of appearance of foreign matter on the powder surface. Thus, an apparatus has been disclosed in which foreign matter appears on the surface of the powder even if the foreign matter has a specific gravity substantially equal to that of the powder.

  However, the powder to be inspected has the property of high adhesion, and if the powder is rotated and convected in the container, the powder will adhere to the wall of the container, making it difficult to see the inside, making inspection impossible. There's a problem. Such adhesive powder cannot be inspected by the methods and apparatuses of Patent Documents 1 and 2.

  Patent Document 2 discloses that the powder adhered to the upper part of the inner surface of the container is dropped by hitting the container with a powder dropping stick. It cannot be dropped. Furthermore, in the method in which the transparent member is vibrated by vibrating the pressing member, since the powder does not rotate sufficiently, the degree of appearance of the powder on the surface of the powder is insufficient, so that the powder has no adhesion. However, there is also a problem that inspection mistakes are likely to occur. Furthermore, even if the powder has no adhesion, if the fluidity is poor, the method and apparatus of Patent Documents 1 and 2 cannot be inspected.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-187646 JP 2000-298103 A

  In view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, the present invention can inspect even a powder that adheres to the inner wall of a transparent container or a powder with poor flowability, and is not limited to a specific gravity with respect to the powder. It is an object of the present invention to provide a foreign matter inspection method and foreign matter inspection device in powder in a transparent container that can easily and reliably inspect foreign matter in powder filled in a container.

The inventors of the present invention, when convection of adhesive powder in a transparent container, even if the powder adheres to the side of the container and the inside becomes difficult to see, the powder contacts the inner surface. If it is through the wall of the transparent container that is in close contact, the powder inside the container can be observed and further imaged can be found, and further, a vibration that combines the vertical reciprocal vibration and the horizontal reciprocal vibration is applied to the transparent container. The present inventors have found that both powder and foreign matter in a container can be circulated and flowed stably.
According to the present invention, the following foreign substance inspection method and foreign substance inspection apparatus in powder in a transparent container are provided.
[1] In the foreign matter inspection method for inspecting the presence or absence of foreign matter mixed in the powder filled in the transparent container, the transparent container is a vibration obtained by synthesizing a vertical reciprocal vibration and a horizontal reciprocal vibration . The powder comes into contact with the inner surface while applying a vibration in which the phase of the reciprocating vibration in the transverse direction is delayed by 30 to 60 ° with respect to the phase of the reciprocating vibration in the vertical direction and circulating and flowing the powder in the transparent container together with the foreign matter. A method for inspecting foreign matter in powder in a transparent container, comprising: imaging a powder that circulates and flows through the wall surface of the transparent container, and inspecting the presence or absence of foreign matter using the obtained image.
[2] a bottom generally flat of the transparent container, make a transparent container vertically, with causing a reciprocating oscillation in the longitudinal direction of the reciprocating movement and laterally from beneath the transparent container, transparent container bottom 2. The method for inspecting foreign matter in powder in a transparent container as described in 1 above, wherein the powder is imaged through .
[ 3 ] The method for inspecting foreign matter in the powder in the transparent container as described in 1 or 2 above, wherein the vertical reciprocating vibration and the horizontal reciprocating vibration are performed in the same cycle.
[ 4 ] The powder in the transparent container according to any one of the above items 1 to 3 , wherein the imaging is performed a plurality of times in synchronization with the vertical and horizontal reciprocating vibrations of the transparent container and the imaging. Foreign substance inspection method.
[5] The image obtained by imaging the plurality of times, particle inspection method of the transparent container in the powder according to the 4, characterized in that to detect the foreign substance on the basis of the gray-scale information of the image.
[ 6 ] The method for inspecting foreign matter in powder in the transparent container according to 4 or 5 above, wherein a plurality of images obtained by the plurality of times of imaging are displayed at a double speed on a display screen.
[ 7 ] The method for inspecting foreign matter in the powder in the transparent container as described in any one of 1 to 6 above, wherein the powder is a powder that easily adheres to the inner wall surface of the transparent container or a powder having poor fluidity.
[ 8 ] In the foreign matter inspection apparatus for inspecting the presence or absence of foreign matter mixed in the powder filled in the transparent container, the transparent container is caused to perform both vertical reciprocal vibration and horizontal reciprocal vibration, and the two are combined. A circulating vibration mechanism for circulating and flowing powder together with foreign matter, a phase adjusting mechanism for delaying the phase of the horizontal reciprocating vibration by 30 to 60 ° with respect to the phase of the vertical reciprocating vibration, and a gripping mechanism for the transparent container And an imaging mechanism that images the powder circulating and flowing in the transparent container through the wall surface of the transparent container.
[ 9 ] The bottom of the transparent container is substantially flat, the gripping mechanism can stand the transparent container vertically, and the camera constituting the imaging mechanism has its optical axis facing upward, 9. The foreign matter inspection apparatus for powder in a transparent container as described in 8 above, which is provided below the transparent container.
[ 10 ] The apparatus for inspecting a foreign matter in powder in a transparent container as described in 8 or 9 above, wherein the powder is a powder that easily adheres to the inner wall surface of the transparent container or a powder having poor fluidity.

According to the method of the present invention, the vibration is a combination of the vertical reciprocating vibration and the horizontal reciprocating vibration, and the phase of the horizontal reciprocating vibration is 30 to the phase of the vertical reciprocating vibration. While applying a vibration delayed by 60 ° to circulate and flow the powder in the transparent container, the powder is in contact with the inner surface, and the powder is imaged through the wall surface of the transparent container, and the obtained image is used to check for the presence of foreign matter. By inspecting, even if the powder easily adheres to the inner wall surface of the transparent container, the foreign matter in the powder can be easily inspected.
The foreign matter inspection apparatus of the present invention causes a transparent container to perform vertical reciprocal vibration and horizontal reciprocal vibration, and circulates and flows the powder by synthesizing both, and the phase of the vertical reciprocal vibration. And a phase adjusting mechanism that delays the phase of the reciprocating vibration in the transverse direction by 30 to 60 °, so that the powder in the transparent container can be reliably circulated and flowed in the transparent container. Is provided with an imaging mechanism for imaging through the wall surface of the transparent container that is in close contact with and in close contact with the inner surface, so that whether or not there is a foreign substance in the powder by using the image obtained by the imaging mechanism Can be easily and reliably performed.

  First, a method for inspecting whether or not foreign matter is mixed in the powder filled in the transparent container according to the present invention will be described.

  The process to which the foreign substance inspection method of the present invention is applied constitutes a part of an inspection process for removing defective products after filling a transparent container such as a vial with powder and sealing with a stopper. The entire inspection process of the transparent container can include other inspection processes such as whether or not there is no abnormality in the rubber stopper sealing the transparent container such as a vial filled with powder.

Examples of the transparent container that is an object of the present invention include vials, ampoules, glass bottles, resin bottles, and syringes.
Examples of the powder filled in the transparent container include a powder drug for injection.
In addition, the foreign matter to be detected in the present invention includes foreign matter that can be distinguished from powder and color such as insects, hair, glass, fibers, and metals.

  The feature of the foreign matter inspection method of the present invention is that a transparent container is subjected to a vibration that combines a vertical reciprocal vibration and a horizontal reciprocal vibration to circulate and flow the powder in the container, and the circulated and filled material is transferred to the transparent container wall surface. And inspecting the presence or absence of foreign matter mixed in the powder using the obtained image. In the present specification, the “longitudinal direction” refers to the direction in which gravity acts, that is, the z direction. The “lateral direction” refers to a direction that is perpendicular to the direction in which gravity acts, that is, the x direction (a direction parallel to the bottom surface when the transparent container is placed in the vertical direction).

  When the powder in the transparent container is circulated and flowed by applying a vibration that is a combination of the vertical reciprocal vibration and the horizontal reciprocating vibration, if foreign matter is mixed in the powder, regardless of the size and specific gravity of the foreign matter, Since the foreign material circulates and flows with the powder, the mixed foreign material can be easily and reliably detected.

In the present invention, when photographing the circulating and flowing powder, the imaging is performed through the wall surface of the transparent container in which the powder is in contact with and in close contact with the circulating and flowing inner surface. If it does in this way, even if it is a case where powder adheres to the inner surface of a transparent container, the powder in a transparent container can be imaged easily. That is, when the inside of the container is viewed through the wall surface of the transparent container in which the powder is in contact with and in close contact with the inner surface (hereinafter also referred to simply as adhesion), the powder surface is good because the distance between the powder surface on the container inner side and the wall surface is short Can be seen. On the other hand, when the inside of the container is viewed through a wall surface that is not in close contact with the powder, the distance between the powder surface and the wall surface is so long that the powder surface cannot be clearly seen, and the confirmation of the mixed foreign matter is insufficient. The phenomenon used in the present invention is the same as when you look through a lace curtain, you can't see the other side from a distance, but when you look closer to the curtain, you can see the other side. It is a phenomenon.
However, the present invention is not limited to imaging through the transparent container wall surface where the powder is in contact with and in close contact with the inner surface. When imaging non-adhesive powder, the powder is not in contact with the inner surface. Images can be taken through the wall of the transparent container.

  For example, when the transparent container is gripped in the vertical direction (vertical direction), the wall surface that is in contact with and in close contact with the powder is the lower lower wall surface, preferably the bottom of the container. In this case, there is an advantage that the device configuration can be simplified. For example, when the transparent container is gripped in the horizontal direction (horizontal direction), the lower wall surface is a lower side wall surface in which the side wall surface is in close contact with the powder. Furthermore, as will be described later, the transparent container can be tilted and held in the range of 0 to 90 °, and in this case, the wall surface in contact with the powder as appropriate and in close contact can be selected.

  In the following explanation, a case where a transparent container is inspected by holding and vibrating in a vertical direction (vertical direction) will be described as an example.

  In the present invention, the position serving as a reference for motion is fixed, causing vertical reciprocal vibration and horizontal reciprocal vibration, generating a circulation vibration by synthesizing it, and transmitting the circulation vibration to the transparent container, Circulate and flow the powder in the transparent container. In this case, the periods of the vertical reciprocal vibration and the horizontal reciprocal vibration may be the same or different. For example, if the vertical direction and the horizontal direction are reciprocally vibrated at different periods, a circulatory vibration in the form of ∞ or 8 can be generated. However, from the viewpoint that the apparatus can be manufactured easily and inexpensively, it is preferable to carry out the same cycle.

Furthermore, the cause circulating fluidized stable, relative to the longitudinal direction of the reciprocating movement phase, the lateral reciprocal vibration phase 30 to 60 °, good Mashiku is 35 to 55 °, more preferably 40 Delay by 50 °.

Moreover, the period of reciprocating vibration is preferably 1500 to 3600 rpm, and more preferably 1800 to 2400 rpm.
The distance (amplitude) of the reciprocating vibration is preferably 1 to 10 mm in the vertical direction, more preferably 1 to 5 mm, preferably 1 to 10 mm in the horizontal direction, more preferably 2 to 7 mm, and further preferably 3 to 5 mm. is there. If it is in this range, the circulating flow of the powder can be caused stably.

  In addition, when only reciprocating vibration in the vertical direction is performed, as shown in FIG. 3, when the transparent container is tilted slightly, a circulatory flow close to the tilt side occurs, but the small amount can be accumulated at the center of the flow. Foreign matter remains confined in the pool, and large foreign matter tends to remain on the powder surface due to segregation effects. In addition, when only the reciprocating vibration in the horizontal direction is performed, as shown in FIG. 4, the flow around the four corners of the bottle starts, and when the transparent container is slightly tilted, the circulation flow close to the tilt side occurs. Large foreign matters appear on the bottom of the container along the flow of the flow, but small foreign matters tend to remain confined in a pool formed at the center of the flow.

In the present invention, imaging is preferably performed with moving images. In addition, it is preferable that the imaging is performed a plurality of times by synchronizing the imaging with the reciprocating vibration in the vertical and horizontal directions of the transparent container. In this way, it is possible to continuously obtain captured images in which the circulating and flowing powder is at a fixed position in the transparent container, so that it is possible to easily perform a foreign matter inspection visually. Also, stable processing can be performed when image processing is performed on the obtained captured image. Note that the vertical and horizontal reciprocal vibrations and imaging can be synchronized by adjusting the frame rate of the camera (number of imaging per second) with respect to the actual number of rotations.

In foreign matter inspection using an image obtained by imaging, an image can be displayed on, for example, a display screen and visually inspected. In this case, it is preferable to improve inspection efficiency by displaying a plurality of captured images on the screen at a double speed.
Also, automatic inspection by image processing using a computer or the like can be performed. That is, it is possible to detect a foreign substance based on the obtained shade information for each of a plurality of images obtained by performing imaging a plurality of times. Furthermore, visual inspection and automatic inspection can be used in combination. For example, foreign substances can be automatically inspected, and glass or the like can be inspected visually.

Next, a procedure for automatically detecting a foreign object from an image captured by a camera by image processing will be described.
(1) An image (still image) captured by the camera is stored in a memory in the image processing apparatus. (Small images such as images cut out from the powder area are preferred to reduce processing time)
For example, it is converted into grayscale data of 256 gradations with a pixel size of 320 × 480.
(2) In the image processing apparatus, an inspection area is set in advance in the foreign substance appearance range in the captured image.
(3) A binarization process is performed on this area based on a preset threshold value to determine the presence or absence of foreign matter.
(3) For the determination, the number of pixels corresponding to the foreign matter in the inspection window is counted for the binarized image and compared with a preset sensitivity level. If the counted number of pixels is equal to or higher than the set sensitivity level, it is determined that a foreign substance is present and a defect detection signal is output.
(4) If the sensitivity level is lower than the set sensitivity level, it is determined that the product is non-defective.
(5) Image processing may be performed for each image, but a composite image may be created and processed together.

Next, an inspection apparatus for foreign matters mixed in the powder filled in the transparent container according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a front view of a structure example of a foreign matter inspection apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a plan view thereof.
In FIG. 1, 2 is a fixing base, 2a is a fixing block, 2b is a motor fixing plate, 2c is a conversion / synthesis mechanism fixing plate, 3 is a motor, 3a is a rotating shaft of the motor 3, 3b is a wheel, and 4 is longitudinal vibration. Conversion mechanism, 41 is a longitudinal eccentric disc cam portion, 411 is a longitudinal cam shaft, 412 is a pulley, 413 is a longitudinal eccentric disc cam, 414 is a ball bearing, 42 is a longitudinal link arm, and 5 is a lateral link Directional vibration converting mechanism, 51 is a laterally eccentric disc cam portion, 511 is a lateral camshaft, 512 is a pulley, 513 is a laterally eccentric disc cam, 52 is a lateral link arm, and 6 is a longitudinal and lateral vibration combining mechanism. , 61 is an L-shaped member, 61a is a connecting member, 62 is a horizontal slider, 63 is a vertical slider, 64 is a vertical L-shaped link arm, 64a is a connecting member, 8 is a transparent container gripping mechanism, and 81 is a transparent container holding member. Plate, 81a Mouth part, 82 is a clamping unit, 821 is a U-shaped gripping member, 822 is a gripping arm, 822a is a semicircular gripping part, 823 is a movable plate, 824 is a spring, 825 is a fixed rod, and 826 is a restraint Plate, 827 is a first through hole, 828 is a second through hole, 9 is a rotational motion transmission mechanism, 91 is an endless drive belt, 92a and 92b are guide rollers, 10 is a transparent container, 11 is a camera, 12a is a dome shape An illuminating device 12b represents a bar illuminating device.

  This foreign matter inspection apparatus includes a circulation vibration mechanism provided on a fixed block 2a arranged in a direction perpendicular to the fixed base 2, and an imaging mechanism including a camera 11 and illumination devices 12 (12a, 12b). Is.

The circulation vibration mechanism includes a motor 3, a longitudinal vibration conversion mechanism 4 that converts rotation of the motor 3 into longitudinal reciprocation vibration, and a lateral vibration conversion mechanism 5 that converts rotation of the motor 3 into lateral reciprocation vibration. Rotation of the motor 3, the longitudinal / horizontal vibration synthesizing mechanism 6 that synthesizes the reciprocating vibration in the vertical direction and the reciprocating vibration in the horizontal direction to convert it into the circulating vibration, the transparent container gripping mechanism 8 that grips the transparent container 7 and performs the circulating vibration Is provided with a rotary motion transmission mechanism 9 that transmits the vibration to the vertical vibration conversion mechanism 4 and the horizontal vibration conversion mechanism 5.

In this foreign matter inspection apparatus, the longitudinal vibration converting mechanism 4 and the rotational motion transmitting mechanism 9 are provided on the fixed block 2a, and the lateral vibration converting mechanism 5 and the vertical / horizontal vibration synthesizing mechanism 6 are fixed to the fixed block 2a. The transparent container gripping mechanism 8 is provided on a connecting member 64 a constituting the longitudinal / horizontal vibration synthesizing mechanism 6.
In the following description, the front side of the fixed block 2a in FIG. 1 is referred to as the front side, the back side is referred to as the back side, and the left and right sides are determined based on the front side.

The motor 3 is fixed to the fixed block 2a via the motor fixing plate 2c (the lower right direction of the fixed block 2a in the front view).
The rotational motion transmission mechanism 9 includes an endless drive belt 91 and guide rollers 92a and 92b. The longitudinal vibration conversion mechanism 4 includes a longitudinal eccentric disc cam portion 41 and a longitudinal link arm 42 that links with the longitudinal eccentric disc cam portion 41 and performs longitudinal reciprocating vibration. The vertical eccentric disc cam portion 41 rotates together with the vertical cam shaft 411 that is supported in the horizontal direction so as to be rotatable with respect to the fixed block 2a, and the vertical cam shaft 411. A pulley 412 that is directly transmitted and a longitudinally eccentric disc cam 413 that converts circular motion into longitudinal linear motion (linear vibration). A circular hole is formed in the lower part of the vertical link arm 42, and the vertical eccentric disc cam 413 is fixed via a ball bearing 414 (FIG. 2), thereby deviating along the inner periphery of the circular hole. The core is configured to be rotatable. The upper end of the vertical link arm 42 is connected to a portion extending in the horizontal direction below the vertical L-shaped link arm 64 constituting the vertical / horizontal vibration synthesizing mechanism 6 described later by a connecting member 64a that can rotate around the axis. Has been.

  The lateral vibration converting mechanism 5 is linked to the laterally eccentric disc cam part 51 and the laterally eccentric disk cam part 51 and laterally reciprocatingly vibrates in the left horizontal direction. 52. The laterally eccentric disc cam portion 51 rotates together with the lateral camshaft 511 that is pivotally supported in the horizontal direction so as to be rotatable with respect to the fixed block 2a, and the lateral camshaft 511 rotates. A pulley 512 that is directly transmitted and a laterally eccentric disc cam 513 that converts circular motion into lateral linear motion (linear vibration). A circular hole is formed on the right end side of the lateral link arm 52, and the laterally eccentric disk cam 513 is fixed to the circular hole via a ball bearing 514 (FIG. 2), so that the inner periphery of the circular hole is formed. It is comprised so that eccentric rotation is possible along. Note that the left end of the lateral link arm 52 is connected to a vertical portion of an L-shaped member 61 constituting the vertical / horizontal vibration synthesizing mechanism 6 by a connecting member 61a that can rotate around an axis.

As shown in FIG. 2, the wheel 3b of the motor 3 is attached to the front side of the motor fixing plate 2b extending rightward from the lower right side of the fixed block 2a, and the rotational motion transmission mechanism 9 is attached to the front side of the fixed block 2a. The vertical vibration converting mechanism 4, the horizontal vibration converting mechanism 5, and the vertical / horizontal vibration synthesizing mechanism 6 are attached to the back side of the fixed block 2a. The pulley 412 fixed to the vertical cam shaft 411 and the pulley 512 fixed to the horizontal cam shaft 511 are provided on the front side of the fixed block 2a.

  The motor 3 is fixed to the back side of the motor fixing plate 2b, and its rotating shaft 3a is supported by the motor fixing plate 2b in the horizontal direction, and the wheel 3b rotates on the front side of the fixing block 2a. The lateral cam shaft 411 is pivotally supported by the fixed block 2 a so as to face the front side at a position in the horizontal left direction with respect to the rotation shaft 3 a of the motor 3, and the lateral cam shaft 511 includes the vertical cam shaft 411 and the motor 3. Is supported by the fixed block 2a so as to face the front side at a position above the line connecting the rotary shafts 3a. The drive belt 91 advances leftward from the pulley of the rotation shaft 3a of the motor 3 toward the longitudinal eccentric disc cam shaft 411 and rotates the pulley 412 and the longitudinal cam shaft 411 of the longitudinal vibration conversion mechanism 4. Proceeding to the right, the traveling direction can be changed upward by a guide roller 92a attached to the fixed block 2a at a position on the lower left side of the lateral cam shaft 511, and the pulley 512 of the upper lateral vibration converting mechanism 5 and the lateral direction The eccentric disk cam shaft 511 is rotated and then moved downward, and the traveling direction is set to the right by the rotating roller 92b attached to the fixed block 2a at a position to the lower right of the laterally eccentric disk cam portion 51. It is changed and it is comprised so that it may return to the pulley of the rotating shaft 3a of the motor 3. FIG. Therefore, when the motor 3 is operated, the vertical cam shaft 411 and the horizontal cam shaft 511 start to rotate simultaneously.

  When the longitudinal cam shaft 411 rotates, the rotational motion is transmitted to the longitudinal eccentric disc cam 413, and the eccentric rotational motion of the longitudinal eccentric disc cam 413 is the reciprocating vibration in the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal link arm 42. Is converted to Since the tip of the vertical link arm 42 is connected to the vertical L-shaped link arm 64 constituting the vertical / horizontal vibration synthesizing mechanism 6 as described above, the vertical reciprocating vibration of the vertical link arm 42 is the vertical L-shaped vibration. It is transmitted to the link arm 64.

When the lateral cam shaft 511 rotates, the rotational motion is transmitted to the lateral eccentric disc cam 512, and the rotational motion of the lateral eccentric disc cam 512 is converted into lateral reciprocating vibration of the lateral link arm 52. Further, the L-shaped member 61 performs a reciprocating vibration in the lateral direction.
Note that the distance of the reciprocating vibration is determined by the lift dimensions L1 and L2 of the eccentric disk cam in both the vertical and horizontal directions.

  The vertical / horizontal vibration synthesizing mechanism 6 of the present invention includes an L-shaped member 61, a horizontal slider 62, a vertical slider 63, and a vertical L-shaped link arm 64. The horizontal slider 62 is fixed on the conversion / synthesis mechanism fixing plate 2c extending from the fixed block 2a to the back side, and has a function of sliding while supporting a portion extending in the horizontal direction of the L-shaped member 61. Since the portion extending in the vertical direction of the mold member 61 is connected to the tip of the lateral link arm 52, the L-shaped member 61 is moved in a stable lateral direction in conjunction with the horizontal reciprocating vibration of the lateral link arm 52. The reciprocating vibration is performed. Further, since the left end edge of the portion extending in the vertical direction of the L-shaped member 61 is connected to the vertical L-shaped link arm 64 via the vertical slider 63, the vertical L-shaped link arm 64 is connected to the L-shaped member 61. On the other hand, it slides smoothly and performs longitudinal reciprocating vibration, and at the same time, the lateral reciprocating vibration of the lateral link arm 52 is transmitted to the longitudinal L-shaped link arm 64. As a result, the vertical L-shaped link arm 64 circulates and the circular vibration is transmitted to the transparent container gripping mechanism 8 connected to the tip of the vertical L-shaped link arm 64, and further the powder in the transparent container 10 is removed. Circulate and flow.

  The foreign matter inspection apparatus of the present invention includes a phase adjustment mechanism capable of delaying or advancing the phase of the horizontal reciprocating vibration with respect to the phase of the vertical reciprocating vibration. The phase adjustment in the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is performed by, for example, a straight line α connecting the center of the circle of the longitudinally eccentric disc cam 413 and the center of the circle of the longitudinal camshaft 411 as shown in FIG. Is set in the vertical direction, and as shown in FIG. 5B, a straight line β connecting the center of the circle of the laterally eccentric disc cam 513 and the center of the circle of the lateral camshaft 511, This can be done by inclining with respect to the straight line α. In this case, if the straight line β is inclined by θ ° in the direction opposite to the eccentric rotation with respect to the straight line α, the phase of the horizontal reciprocating vibration can be delayed by θ ° with respect to the phase of the vertical reciprocating vibration. On the other hand, if the straight line β is inclined by θ ° in the positive direction of eccentric rotation, the phase of the horizontal reciprocating vibration can be advanced by θ ° with respect to the phase of the vertical reciprocating vibration.

  When X and Z have the same eccentricity, if θ ° is set to 0 ° or 180 °, circular motion (elliptical motion when X and Z are different in eccentricity) is performed, and θ ° is 90 °. Or, if it is set to -90 °, it will move linearly (if X and Z are different in eccentricity), and if θ ° is set to 0 °, 90 °, -90 °, and other than 180 °, it will move elliptically. . In this elliptical motion, when the angle is changed from 90 ° to 0 ° or from 90 ° to 180 °, the width of the ellipse increases and the maximum width becomes 0 °. Also, if the setting exceeds ± 90 °, the movement is reverse rotation with respect to the setting when it is less than ± 90 °.

Specifically, when X and Z have the same eccentricity, when θ ° is set to 0 ° or 180 °, as shown in FIG. 5 (c), a circular motion is performed, as shown in FIG. 5 (d). When θ ° is set to 90 ° or −90 °, linear motion is performed, and when θ ° is set to other than 0 °, 90 °, −90 °, and 180 °, elliptical motion is performed (see θ ° in FIG. 5E). Is set to 45 ° and −45 °). In this elliptical motion, when the angle is changed from 90 ° to 0 ° or from 90 ° to 180 °, the width of the ellipse increases and the maximum width becomes 0 °. Also, if the setting exceeds ± 90 °, the movement is reverse rotation with respect to the setting when it is less than ± 90 °.
The phase can also be adjusted by using two motors and electrically changing the phase.

  In the apparatus shown in FIG. 1, since the vertical cam shaft and the horizontal cam shaft are rotated by a single motor, the vertical reciprocating vibration and the horizontal reciprocating vibration are performed at the same period. However, in the present invention, by using two or more motors and electrically changing the phase, the reciprocating vibration in the vertical direction and the reciprocating vibration in the horizontal direction can be performed at the same or different periods, or the reciprocating vibration. Can be shifted in phase. In the apparatus shown in FIG. 1, the eccentric cam is used for reciprocal vibration. However, the linear motor can be used for reciprocal vibration.

When two motors are used, the reciprocal vibration in the vertical direction can be reduced by shifting the phase of the eccentric cam at the stage of the motor origin (motor rotation stop position) and rotating it at the same time as in the above link mechanism. It becomes possible to shift the phase of the reciprocating vibration in the lateral direction.
Whether or not synchronization is achieved can be determined by monitoring the period of the rotation detection sensor of each motor.
Further, the phase can be varied by driving the other motor with an arbitrary delay between the periods of the one-rotation sensor of the Z or X axis motor.
The motor always stops rotating at the same position (motor origin), and the clamp unit always stops at the same position.

  The transparent container gripping mechanism 8 includes a transparent container holding plate 81 attached to the upper end side of the vertical L-shaped link arm 64 and a clamping unit 82. The clamping unit 82 has a gripping frame 821 having a U-shaped cross section, and the tip side is curved in a semicircular shape following the shape of the outer peripheral wall of the transparent container 10 (semicircular gripping portion 822a), and on the rear end side. Includes a gripping arm 822 provided with a movable plate 823, a spring 824, a spring fixing rod 825, and a holding plate 826.

  The U-shaped gripping frame 821 is fixed to the transparent container holding plate 81 so that the open side of the U-shape faces the side opposite to the fixed block 2a. A fixing rod 825 extending in the right direction is attached to a substantially central portion corresponding to the vertical bar of the U-shaped gripping frame 821, and a holding plate 826 is provided at the right end of the fixing rod 825.

  A first through hole 827 is formed on the opposite side of the fixed block 2 a of the vertical bar portion of the U-shaped grip frame 821, and a grip arm 823 is inserted through this first through hole, and the center of the movable plate 822 is formed. A second through hole 828 is also formed in the part, and a fixing rod 825 is inserted through the second through hole. A holding plate 87 is fixed to the right end of the fixing rod 825, and the movable plate 83 is U-shaped. It is possible to move between the vertical bar portion of the gripping frame 821 and the holding plate 826. Further, a spring 824 is arranged around the fixed bar 825 between the vertical bar portion of the U-shaped gripping frame 821 and the movable plate 822, and a clamping unit 82 for clamping and gripping the transparent container 10 is formed. ing. Specifically, by pressing the movable plate 823 with an air cylinder (not shown), the space between the semicircular gripping portion 822a of the gripping arm 822 and the U-shaped gripping frame 821 is expanded, and the transparent container 10 is inserted between them. The transparent container 10 can be gripped by retracting the air cylinder, and the gripping of the transparent container 10 can be released by advancing the air cylinder.

  The transparent container gripping mechanism is not limited to this configuration. For example, as long as the transparent container 10 can be gripped, the transparent container 10 may be gripped by a chuck or the like.

  The transparent container 10 for inspection is gripped by transporting the transparent container 10 from the previous process by a belt conveyor or the like, and using a robot arm or the like, the transparent container 10 is directed in the vertical direction (vertical). After placing on top, the above operation is performed. When the motor 3 is operated in this state, the transparent container 10 starts circulating vibration by the circulation vibration mechanism, and the powder in the transparent container 10 starts circulating flow. The transparent container 10 that has been inspected by the circulation flow is transported to the next process using a robot arm or the like.

The foreign matter inspection apparatus of the present invention includes an imaging mechanism that images from below the powder that circulates and flows in the transparent container 10.
In this example, the imaging mechanism includes a camera 11, a dome-shaped illumination 12a, and two bar illuminations 12b. The camera 11, the dome-shaped illumination 12a, and the two bar illuminations 12b are fixed to a stand (not shown) provided on the fixed base 2.

  For imaging by the camera 11, an opening 81a having a smaller area than the bottom surface of the transparent container 10 is formed at the place where the transparent container 10 of the transparent container holding plate 81 is placed. An opening (not shown) is also formed at the center. As shown in the drawing, the camera 11 is fixedly disposed below the dome-shaped illumination 12a with its optical axis facing upward. The camera 11 images the powder circulating and flowing in the transparent container 10 that circulates and vibrates from below through these openings. The imaging range of the camera 11 is set to a range where the inspection can be reliably performed.

  The camera 11 may be a digital system such as a CCD camera or an analog system such as a TV camera as long as it can capture a moving image. Of course, the arrangement of illumination, illumination conditions, and the like are not limited to this example, and various settings can be made to make the inspection more accurate.

  The foreign matter inspection apparatus of the present invention can be applied to inspection of various kinds of powders such as non-adhesive powders and poorly flowable powders including adhesive powders.

Using the foreign substance inspection apparatus of the present embodiment, the relics in the powder were subjected to foreign substance inspection under the following conditions.
(1) Container: Transparent glass vial bowl (φ24mm, height 54mm, capacity 14ml, rubber stopper (material: butyl rubber)
(2) Powder: 250 mg of acicular crystal white particles having an average particle diameter of 15 μm
(3) Foreign matter: Black foreign matter: 1 to 0.01 mm ² , Hair: 1 to 10 mm, Seni: 5 mm
(4) Longitudinal vibration distance 4 mm, lateral vibration distance 4 mm, vibration period 1940 rpm, vibration time 3.4 sec
(5) Monitor visual inspection was performed by reproducing an image of 3.4 seconds at a double speed.

Under the above conditions, the foreign matter inspection apparatus was continuously operated at a processing speed of 140 lines / min. As a result, a good detection result was obtained for any foreign matter, and stable foreign matter inspection was performed.
In the inspection devices described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, since the powder adheres to the wall surface of the transparent container, the inspection is impossible.

FIG. 1 is a front view showing the structure of the device of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a side view showing the structure of the device of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of circulation flow when longitudinal vibration is applied to the powder. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the circulation flow when a lateral vibration is applied to the powder. FIG. 5A is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the longitudinal eccentric disc cam and the longitudinal cam shaft. FIG. 5B is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the laterally eccentric disc cam and the lateral camshaft. FIG. 5C is an explanatory diagram illustrating a motion in which the longitudinal vibration and the lateral vibration are combined.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 2 Fixed stand 2a Fixed block 2b Motor fixed plate 2c Conversion / synthesis mechanism fixed plate 3 Motor 3a Rotating shaft 3b Wheel 4 Longitudinal vibration converting mechanism 41 Longitudinal flat circular disc cam part 411 Longitudinal cam shaft 412 Pulley 413 Longitudinal flattened Core disk cam 414 Ball bearing 42 Longitudinal link arm 5 Lateral vibration conversion mechanism 51 Lateral flat disk cam portion 511 Lateral cam shaft 512 Pulley 513 Lateral flat disk cam 514 Ball bearing 52 Lateral link arm 6 Longitudinal and transverse vibration synthesizing mechanism 61 L-shaped member 61a Connecting member 62 Horizontal slider 63 Vertical slider 64 Vertical L-shaped link arm 64a Connecting member 8 Transparent container gripping mechanism 81 Transparent container holding plate 81a Opening 82 Clamping unit 821 Cross section Character-shaped gripping frame 822 gripping arm 822a semicircular Gripper 823 movable plate 824 spring 825 fixed bar 826 holding plate 827 first through hole 828 second through hole
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 9 Rotation motion transmission mechanism 10 Transparent container 11 Camera 12a Dome type illuminating device 12b Bar illuminating device

Claims (10)

In particle inspection method for inspecting the presence or absence of foreign material into filled in a transparent container powder, a reciprocating oscillation in the longitudinal direction of the reciprocating movement and lateral a synthesized vibration to the transparent container, said longitudinal direction respect of the reciprocating vibration phase, while giving vibration phase is delayed 30 to 60 ° of reciprocal vibration of said lateral powder of the transparent container is circulated fluidized with foreign substances, the powder is in contact with the inner surface A method for inspecting foreign matter in powder in a transparent container, wherein the powder flowing through the transparent container wall is imaged, and the presence or absence of foreign matter is inspected using the obtained image. The bottom of the transparent container is substantially flat, and the transparent container is set up vertically to cause vertical reciprocal vibration and horizontal reciprocal vibration, and from below the transparent container, the powder is passed through the bottom of the transparent container. The method for inspecting foreign matter in powder in a transparent container according to claim 1, wherein imaging is performed. The method for inspecting foreign matter in powder in a transparent container according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the vertical reciprocating vibration and the horizontal reciprocating vibration are performed in the same cycle. And reciprocating oscillation in the longitudinal direction and the transverse direction of the transparent container, foreign matters transparent container in the powder according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein to synchronize the imaging and performing imaging of a plurality of times Inspection method. 5. The method for inspecting foreign matter in powder in a transparent container according to claim 4 , wherein foreign matter is detected from the image obtained by the plurality of times of imaging based on density information of the image. The method for inspecting foreign matter in powder in a transparent container according to claim 4 or 5 , wherein a plurality of images obtained by the plurality of times of imaging are displayed at a double speed on a display screen. The method for inspecting foreign matter in powder in a transparent container according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the powder is a powder that easily adheres to the inner wall surface of the transparent container, or a powder having poor fluidity. In the foreign matter inspection apparatus for inspecting the presence or absence of foreign matter mixed in the powder filled in the transparent container, the transparent container is caused to perform vertical reciprocal vibration and horizontal reciprocal vibration, and the powder is synthesized by combining both. A circulating vibration mechanism that circulates and flows together with foreign matter, a phase adjustment mechanism that delays the phase of the reciprocating vibration in the lateral direction by 30 to 60 ° with respect to the phase of the reciprocating vibration in the longitudinal direction, a gripping mechanism for the transparent container, An apparatus for inspecting powder in a transparent container, comprising: an imaging mechanism that images powder circulating and flowing in the transparent container through a wall surface of the transparent container. The bottom of the transparent container is substantially flat, the gripping mechanism can stand the transparent container vertically, and the camera constituting the image pickup mechanism faces the optical axis upward, The foreign matter inspection apparatus for powder in a transparent container according to claim 8 , wherein the foreign substance inspection apparatus is provided below. The foreign matter inspection apparatus for powder in a transparent container according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the powder is a powder that easily adheres to the inner wall surface of the transparent container, or a powder having poor fluidity.