JP6397836B2 - Pickup device and blister packaging machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a pick-up device for picking up articles and a blister packaging machine for producing blister sheets.

  A blister packaging machine for producing blister sheets is a means for forming a concave pocket portion on a belt-like container film to be conveyed, a means for filling various items such as tablets and electronic components (chips) in the pocket portion, and a container. Means for attaching the cover film to the film, means for punching a strip-shaped blister film made of a container film and a cover film into blister sheet units, and the like are provided.

  In addition, an apparatus for selectively sucking and collecting various articles using a negative pressure in a blister packaging machine has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). More specifically, this apparatus is provided corresponding to each of the housing provided with a plurality of suction holes (open chambers) facing the band-shaped carrier strip (corresponding to the container film) side by side. And an air valve. When the article to be collected reaches a predetermined collection position, the carrier strip pauses for a short time. In this state, by switching the air valve, a negative pressure is supplied to the suction hole corresponding to the article to be collected (the suction hole is in a vacuum state). Thereby, the articles to be collected are sucked and collected.

  By the way, in the above method, since the article is sucked up and collected, the article may be damaged during the collection. Therefore, there is a possibility that the safety and reliability of the collected articles cannot be sufficiently ensured.

  Therefore, in order to solve such problems, the applicant of the present application has proposed an apparatus for adsorbing and collecting articles by a pickup device including a rotary drum having a plurality of adsorption portions provided on the outer periphery. (For example, refer to Patent Document 2). According to the apparatus, the non-defective article is selectively sucked from the planned sheet portion (the part that will eventually become a blister sheet) related to the defect determination by the suction portion disposed at a predetermined suction position before the sealing. To be recovered.

JP-A-5-270507 Japanese Patent Application No. 2014-170501

  By the way, from the viewpoint of more reliably adsorbing the article by the adsorption unit, it is preferable that the adsorption unit and the article come into contact at the adsorption position.

  However, when the suction portion and the article are always in contact with each other at the suction position, the suction portion is likely to be consumed (worn or deteriorated), and the suction portion is maintained in an appropriate state. (Life) may be shortened. In particular, if the suction part is made of a relatively soft material in order to reduce the load applied to the article during suction, the wear of the suction part can easily progress and the life can be shortened. There is sex.

  In addition, it is conceivable that an article that is not the object of suction is damaged or a foreign object or dirt is attached due to the contact of the suction part.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and the object thereof is to more reliably prevent the suction part from being consumed, damage the article, etc., and more reliably hold the article by the suction part. And a blister packaging machine.

  In the following, each means suitable for solving the above-described object will be described in terms of items. In addition, the effect specific to the means to respond | corresponds as needed is added.

Means 1. Arranged above a band-shaped container film having a pocket portion filled with a predetermined article, and has a plurality of adsorbing portions on the outer periphery, and can be rotated according to the container film being conveyed. A rotating drum,
While each said adsorption part can be switched to an adsorption state or a non-adsorption state individually, while said article is adsorbed to said adsorption part by setting said adsorption part arranged at a predetermined adsorption position, A pickup apparatus comprising: an adsorption state switching unit capable of preventing the article from being adsorbed to the adsorption unit by setting the adsorption unit disposed at the adsorption position to a non-adsorption state;
A suction target determining means for determining the article to be suctioned by the suction unit;
Lift means configured to lift the container film toward the rotating drum;
A lift control means capable of controlling the operation of the lift means;
The lift means lifts the container film when adsorbing the article to be adsorbed by the adsorbing unit so that the article to be adsorbed is brought close to the adsorbing unit. The pickup device is configured to be controlled by the lift control means so that the article is separated from the suction portion.

  According to the said means 1, when adsorb | sucking articles | goods, it will be in the state which the container film was lifted by the lift means, and will be in the state which approached the adsorption | suction part. Therefore, the article can be more reliably adsorbed by the adsorbing portion, and as a result, the article can be more reliably collected.

  Further, when the article is brought close to the suction portion, the rotating drum having a heavy weight and a complicated structure is not moved up and down. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a large-scale mechanism, and it is possible to reduce the cost related to the manufacture of the device and to realize a more stable and faster operation.

  Furthermore, according to the means 1, the article is separated from the suction portion when the article is not being sucked. Therefore, consumption (wear and deterioration) of the suction portion can be effectively suppressed, and the suction portion can be maintained in an appropriate state for a longer period. In addition, since the suction part is separated from the article, it is possible to more reliably prevent the article from being damaged or soiled due to the contact of the suction part.

  In addition, according to the said means 1, the site | part which contacts an article | item among adsorption | suction parts can be formed with a comparatively soft material. By comprising in this way, the load given to articles | goods at the time of adsorption | suction can be reduced, and articles | goods can be collect | recovered in a better state. On the other hand, there is a concern that at least a portion of the suction portion that comes into contact with the article is made of a relatively soft material, so that the suction portion is likely to be consumed easily. be able to.

  Mean 2. The pick-up device according to claim 1, wherein the lift means includes a rotating roller that is rotatable in accordance with the conveyance of the container film, and has an outer peripheral surface that contacts the container film when the container film is lifted. .

  According to the means 2, the container film is lifted by the rotating roller that can be rotated in accordance with the conveyance of the container film. Therefore, the container film can be more reliably prevented from being damaged when lifted, and the quality of the blister sheet can be improved.

  The rotating roller may be a freely rotatable driven roller that rotates in contact with the container film, or a driving roller that rotates in accordance with the conveyance of the container film by power from a predetermined driving means. May be.

  Means 3. The pickup device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the suction portion includes a cylindrical bellows portion that extends in a direction protruding from the outer peripheral surface of the rotating drum and that can extend and contract along the protruding direction.

  According to the means 3, when the article is adsorbed, the load applied to the article can be further reduced by the contraction of the bellows part. Thereby, articles can be collected in a better state.

  By the way, if it is set as the state which lifted the container film when adsorb | sucking articles | goods, as a result, it will be in the state which the adsorption | suction part and the pocket part approached. Therefore, it is conceivable that the adsorbed article easily comes into contact with the pocket portion when it comes out of the pocket portion as the rotating drum rotates. If the article comes into contact with the pocket portion, the article may be detached from the adsorption portion or the article may be damaged.

  In this respect, according to the means 3, the article is lifted from the pocket portion by the contraction of the bellows portion, and the article comes out of the pocket portion in this state. Therefore, it can prevent more reliably that articles | goods contact a pocket part, and can suppress a suction mistake and damage of articles | goods effectively. That is, according to the above means 3, it is difficult to occur when only the technical matter of the above means 3 is used, which eliminates the disadvantages that may occur due to the use of the above means 1 etc. Special effects are exhibited.

Means 4. The suction portion has suction holes extending radially with respect to the rotation axis of the rotary drum,
The rotating drum has a cylindrical shape extending in the rotation axis direction, and the suction hole penetrates from the inner periphery to the outer periphery,
A switching space portion that is disposed on the inner periphery of the rotating drum in an immovable state and that opens to the outer peripheral side configured to be able to communicate individually with the suction hole of the suction portion disposed at the suction position. A cylindrical fixed drum having;
Negative pressure supply means capable of supplying a negative pressure to the switching space,
The adsorption state switching unit is configured to be able to switch the adsorption unit to an adsorption state or a non-adsorption state by switching supply and non-supply of negative pressure to the switching space from the negative pressure supply unit. 4. The pickup device according to any one of means 1 to 3, which is a feature.

  For example, a center valve system is conceivable as a method for switching each suction portion to the suction state or the non-adsorption state. In this center valve system, a fixed valve having a plurality of switching space portions is provided so as to cover the end surface in the axial direction of the rotary drum, and the suction holes of each suction portion communicate with each switching space portion individually. It is the system comprised so that it might do. In this method, by switching between supply and non-supply of negative pressure to the switching space portion, supply and non-supply of negative pressure to each suction hole is switched, and consequently each suction portion is brought into an adsorption state or a non-adsorption state. Further, in this method, each suction hole is formed so as to extend in the axial direction of the rotating drum inside the rotating drum and to open at the axial end surface (end surface on the fixed valve side) of the rotating drum. Is done.

  However, in this system, it is necessary to enlarge the rotating drum (increase the diameter) in order to provide each suction hole as described above.

  In addition, if necessary, both of the cleaning can be performed after disassembling the rotating drum and the fixed valve so that there is no foreign matter such as a fragment of the article in the suction hole or the switching space portion. Since the suction hole extends in the axial direction of the rotary drum, it is not easy to check the inside, and as a result, it may be difficult to check the remaining foreign matter after cleaning.

  In this respect, according to the means 4, the suction hole is formed in a shape extending radially from the rotation shaft of the rotary drum. Therefore, it is not necessary to increase the size (increase in diameter) of the rotating drum in order to form the suction hole, and the apparatus can be reduced in size.

  The rotating drum has a cylindrical shape and suction holes extending radially from the rotating shaft. Furthermore, the fixed drum has a cylindrical shape and a shape in which the switching space is opened to the outer peripheral side. Therefore, after disassembling the rotating drum and the fixed drum, the inside of the suction hole, the switching space portion, and the like can be easily confirmed. As a result, it is possible to easily check the remaining foreign matter after cleaning, and to improve convenience.

Means 5. A light emitting means provided inside the rotating drum and capable of irradiating light to the outside of the rotating drum through the suction hole;
A light receiving means provided outside the rotating drum and capable of detecting light from the light emitting means;
The pickup device according to claim 4, further comprising: a suction quality determination unit that determines whether the product is attracted to the suction unit based on a detection result of the light receiving unit.

  According to the above means 5, when the article is adsorbed to the adsorbing part, the light from the light emitting means is blocked by the article, while when the article is not adsorbed to the adsorbing part. The light from the light emitting means goes out without being blocked. For this reason, the light detected by the light receiving unit differs depending on the presence or absence of the article, and the adsorption quality determination unit determines the quality of the adsorption of the article to the adsorption unit based on the difference in the detected light. Therefore, it is possible to accurately and easily determine whether an article to be adsorbed is adsorbed to the adsorbing part or whether an article not to be adsorbed is accidentally adsorbed to the adsorbing part.

  Note that it may be possible to determine whether the article is adsorbed or non-adsorbed by the sensor that can detect the article itself. In this case, the interval (pitch) between the adsorbing parts along the rotation direction of the rotating drum is set. When it is relatively narrow, there is a possibility that the determination accuracy is lowered. This is because, as the interval between the adsorption portions becomes narrower, the interval between the adsorbed articles also becomes narrower, making it difficult to detect the article by the sensor. On the other hand, according to the means 5, even when the interval (pitch) between the suction portions along the rotation direction of the rotary drum is relatively narrow, the determination can be performed with high accuracy and easily. .

Means 6. The fixed drum is always supplied with a negative pressure, and from the time when the suction part passes through the suction position to the time when it reaches the recovery position where the article adsorbed by the suction part is recovered. Comprising a negative pressure space communicating with the suction hole of the suction portion;
The pickup device according to claim 5, wherein the light emitting means is disposed in the negative pressure space.

  According to the means 6, the suction part can be more reliably maintained in the suction state after passing through the suction position and before reaching the recovery position. Therefore, the article can be transported to the collection position while being more reliably adsorbed. As a result, the falling of the article at the time of conveyance can be effectively suppressed, and the article can be more reliably collected.

  Further, according to the means 6, since the light emitting means is disposed in the negative pressure space portion, it is difficult for foreign matters such as pieces of articles to adhere to the light emitting means. Thereby, it can be determined with higher accuracy whether or not the article to be sucked is sucked into the sucking portion.

  Mean 7 Any of means 4 to 6, wherein the switching space portion is configured to communicate with the suction hole of the suction portion in a state where the suction portion is disposed in front of the suction position. The pickup device described in 1.

  According to the means 7, the negative pressure starts to be supplied to the suction hole of the suction portion that is to suck the article before the suction position. Therefore, when the suction position is reached, the suction portion can be more reliably brought into a suckable state, and the suction error of the article can be made less likely to occur.

Means 8. A pickup device according to any one of means 1 to 7;
Filling means for filling the pocket portion with the article on the upstream side of the rotating drum;
Sealing means for attaching a band-shaped cover film to the container film so as to close the pocket portion on the downstream side of the rotating drum, and obtaining a blister film in which the cover film is attached to the container film; ,
On the downstream side of the sealing means, punching means for punching the blister film in sheet units to obtain a predetermined blister sheet;
Inspection means for performing pass / fail judgment on a plurality of inspection items including items relating to pass / fail of the article with respect to a scheduled sheet portion that finally becomes the blister sheet located between the filling means and the rotating drum. A blister packaging machine,
When the scheduled sheet portion determined to be defective for at least one of the inspection items by the inspection means is a defective sheet portion,
The suction target determining means is configured to be able to determine, as the suction target, an article that is determined as a non-defective item in the item relating to the quality of the article by the inspection means, among the articles filled in the pocket portion of the defective sheet portion. Blister packaging machine characterized by being made.

  According to the above means 8, before the cover film is attached to the container film, it is possible to adsorb and collect the articles determined to be non-defective from the planned sheet portion determined to be defective (defective sheet portion). it can. Therefore, non-defective articles can be effectively reused, and production costs can be reduced.

  Further, according to the means 8, since the article is adsorbed before reaching the sealing means, the vibration to be adsorbed is applied to the article to be adsorbed over a long period of time, and the heat generated by the sealing means. It is possible to more reliably prevent the influence of the above. As a result, the article can be collected in a better state, and the safety and reliability of the collected article can be more reliably ensured. In addition, since an article in such a good state can be collected, re-inspection of the collected article before reuse can be omitted, and the production cost can be more effectively suppressed.

  In addition, according to the means 8, the article is recovered at a relatively early stage before reaching the sealing means. Therefore, when the article is hygroscopic (for example, a tablet), moisture absorption in the article can be suppressed.

  By the way, in terms of improving the safety and reliability of the blister sheet, it is desirable to increase the inspection sensitivity by the inspection means. However, if the inspection sensitivity is increased, there are many cases where it is erroneously determined to be defective. If the number of cases judged to be defective increases in this way, when adopting a method of discarding defective blister sheets as they are, many non-defective articles contained in defective blister sheets are wasted. The cost may increase extremely. In this regard, according to the means 8, since the articles determined as non-defective items are collected, even if the inspection sensitivity is increased, a situation where many articles are not wasted does not occur. Therefore, the safety and reliability of the blister sheet can be improved without causing an increase in cost.

It is a perspective view which shows a PTP sheet. It is a partial expanded sectional view of a PTP sheet. It is a perspective view which shows a PTP film. It is a schematic diagram which shows schematic structure of a PTP packaging machine. It is a block diagram which shows the electric constitution of a test | inspection apparatus. It is a figure for demonstrating the data of the test result memorize | stored in a 1st test | inspection apparatus. It is a figure for demonstrating the data of the test result memorize | stored in a 2nd test | inspection apparatus. It is a figure for demonstrating the data of the test result memorize | stored in a 3rd test | inspection apparatus. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the serial number and tablet number in a sheet | seat plan part. It is a perspective view, such as a rotating drum arrange | positioned in the conveyance path | route of a container film, a lift apparatus. It is a partially broken front view of a rotating drum or the like. It is sectional drawing of a rotating drum and a fixed drum. It is sectional drawing of a rotating drum and a fixed drum. It is a perspective view of a fixed drum. It is a perspective view of a fixed drum. It is a perspective view of a fixed drum. It is a perspective schematic diagram of a lift device. It is a partially broken front view of a rotating drum or the like in a state where a container film is lifted. It is a schematic diagram for showing the connection state of a negative pressure space part and a switching space part, and a vacuum pump. It is a figure for demonstrating the quality determination result grasped | ascertained by the control apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of an operation | movement schedule table. It is a flowchart of an operation schedule setting process. It is a flowchart of adsorption | suction determination processing. It is a top view which shows an example of the PTP sheet discharged | emitted as inferior goods. It is a top view which shows an example of the PTP sheet discharged | emitted as inferior goods. It is a front schematic diagram which shows the lift apparatus in another embodiment.

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

  First, the PTP sheet 1 as a blister sheet will be described. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the PTP sheet 1 includes a container film 3 having a plurality of pocket portions 2 and a cover film 4 attached to the container film 3 so as to close the pocket portions 2. doing.

  The container film 3 is formed of, for example, a thermoplastic resin material such as PP (polypropylene) or PVC (polyvinyl chloride), aluminum foil, or the like.

  On the other hand, the cover film 4 is made of an opaque material (for example, aluminum foil or the like) having a sealant made of, for example, a polyester resin or the like applied on the surface.

  The PTP sheet 1 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view, and two pocket rows composed of five pocket portions 2 arranged along the longitudinal direction of the sheet are formed in the lateral direction of the sheet. That is, a total of 10 pocket portions 2 are formed. Each pocket 2 stores one tablet 5 as an article (see FIG. 2).

  The PTP sheet 1 is manufactured into a sheet shape by punching a PTP film 6 (see FIG. 3) as a blister film formed from a strip-shaped container film 3 and a cover film 4.

  Next, an outline of the PTP packaging machine 11 as a blister packaging machine for producing the PTP sheet 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  On the most upstream side of the PTP wrapping machine 11, the raw material of the strip-shaped container film 3 is wound into a roll. The drawing end side of the container film 3 wound in a roll shape is guided by a guide roll 13. The container film 3 is hooked on the intermittent feed roll 14 on the downstream side of the guide roll 13. The intermittent feed roll 14 is connected to a motor that rotates intermittently and transports the container film 3 intermittently.

  Between the guide roll 13 and the intermittent feed roll 14, a heating device 15 and a pocket portion forming device 16 are sequentially arranged along the conveyance path of the container film 3. Then, in a state where the container film 3 is heated by the heating device 15 and the container film 3 becomes relatively flexible, the pocket portion forming device 16 forms a plurality of pocket portions 2 at predetermined positions of the container film 3. The pocket portion 2 is formed at an interval between the transport operations of the container film 3 by the intermittent feed roll 14.

  The container film 3 sent out from the intermittent feed roll 14 is hung in the order of the tension roll 18, the guide roll 19, and the film receiving roll 20. Since the film receiving roll 20 is connected to a motor that rotates at a constant speed, the container film 3 is transported continuously and at a constant speed. The tension roll 18 is in a state where the container film 3 is pulled toward the side where the container film 3 is tensioned by an elastic force, and prevents the container film 3 from slackening due to the difference in the transport operation between the intermittent feed roll 14 and the film receiving roll 20. The container film 3 is always kept in a tension state. Thereby, the container film 3 is continuously conveyed between the tension roll 18 and the film receiving roll 20 without stopping.

  Between the guide roll 19 and the film receiving roll 20, a tablet filling device 21, a pre-seal inspection device 22 as an inspection means, and a pickup device 23 are arranged in this order along the conveyance path of the container film 3. Has been.

  The tablet filling device 21 has a function as a filling means for automatically filling the tablet 5 in the pocket portion 2. The tablet filling device 21 is configured to drop the tablets 5 by opening the shutter at predetermined intervals in synchronization with the transport operation of the container film 3 by the film receiving roll 20, and each pocket portion is accompanied by the shutter opening operation. 2 is filled with tablets 5.

  The pre-seal inspection device 22 includes a first inspection device T1, a second inspection device D, and a third inspection device A in order from the upstream side. By these inspection devices T1, D, A, abnormalities relating to the tablet 5 and the container film 3 (sheet portion) are inspected. Moreover, each inspection apparatus T1, D, A can specify the conveyance amount of the container film 3 by the signal from the encoder which is not shown in figure. A more detailed configuration of each inspection apparatus T1, D, A will be described later.

  The pickup device 23 has a function of picking up and collecting a specific tablet 5 from the container film 3 being conveyed. The configuration of the pickup device 23 will be described in detail later.

  On the other hand, the raw material of the cover film 4 formed in a strip shape is wound in a roll shape on the most upstream side.

  The drawing end of the cover film 4 wound in a roll shape is guided toward the heating roll 27 by the guide roll 26. The heating roll 27 can be pressed against the film receiving roll 20, and the container film 3 and the cover film 4 are fed between the rolls 20 and 27. And when the container film 3 and the cover film 4 pass between both the rolls 20 and 27 in a heating-pressing state, the cover film 4 is stuck to the container film 3, and the pocket part 2 is closed by the cover film 4. . Thereby, the strip-shaped PTP film 6 in which the tablet 5 is filled in each pocket portion 2 is manufactured. In the present embodiment, the film receiving roll 20 and the heating roll 27 constitute a sealing means.

  The PTP film 6 delivered from the film receiving roll 20 is hung in the order of the tension roll 28 and the intermittent feed roll 29. Since the intermittent feed roll 29 is connected to a motor that rotates intermittently, the PTP film 6 is intermittently conveyed. The tension roll 28 is in a state in which the PTP film 6 is pulled toward the side to be tensioned by an elastic force, and prevents the PTP film 6 from slacking due to the difference in transport operation between the film receiving roll 20 and the intermittent feed roll 29. The PTP film 6 is always kept in tension.

  The PTP film 6 delivered from the intermittent feed roll 29 is applied in the order of the tension roll 31 and the intermittent feed roll 32. Since the intermittent feed roll 32 is connected to an intermittently rotating motor, the PTP film 6 is intermittently conveyed. The tension roll 31 is in a state in which the PTP film 6 is pulled toward the side where the PTP film 6 is tensioned by an elastic force, and prevents the PTP film 6 from loosening between the intermittent feed rolls 29 and 32.

  Between the intermittent feed roll 29 and the tension roll 31, a slit forming device 33 and a marking device 34 are sequentially arranged along the transport path of the PTP film 6. The slit forming device 33 has a function of forming a slit for separation at a predetermined position of the PTP film 6. The marking device 34 has a function of marking a predetermined position (for example, a tag portion) of the PTP film 6.

  The PTP film 6 sent out from the intermittent feed roll 32 is wound on the downstream side in the order of the tension roll 35 and the continuous feed roll 36. A sheet punching device 37 is disposed between the intermittent feed roll 32 and the tension roll 35 along the transport path of the PTP film 6. The sheet punching device 37 has a function as punching means for punching the outer edge of the PTP film 6 in units of one PTP sheet.

  The PTP sheet 1 punched by the sheet punching device 37 is conveyed by a take-out conveyor 38 and temporarily stored in a finished product hopper 39. In addition, when a defect is determined by any of the inspection devices T1, D, and A, the PTP sheet 1 that has been determined to be defective is separately discharged by a defective sheet discharge mechanism 40 provided along the conveyance path of the take-out conveyor 38. And transferred to a defective hopper (not shown).

  A cutting device 41 is disposed on the downstream side of the continuous feed roll 36. Then, the unnecessary film portion 42 constituting the remaining material portion (scrap portion) remaining in a strip shape after being punched by the sheet punching device 37 is guided to the tension roll 35 and the continuous feed roll 36 and then guided to the cutting device 41. It is burned. The continuous feed roll 36 is in pressure contact with a driven roll, and performs a conveying operation while sandwiching the unnecessary film portion 42. The cutting device 41 has a function of cutting the unnecessary film portion 42 into a predetermined size and scrapping. The scrap is stored in the scrap hopper 43 and then disposed of separately.

  Each of the rolls 14, 19, 20, 29, 31, 32 and the like has a positional relationship in which the roll surface and the pocket portion 2 face each other. Since the recessed part which accommodates is formed, the pocket part 2 is not crushed fundamentally. Further, the feeding operation is performed while the pocket portion 2 is accommodated in the recesses such as the rolls 14, so that the intermittent feeding operation and the continuous feeding operation are performed reliably.

  Next, each inspection device T1, D, A will be described. As shown in FIG. 5, each inspection device T1, D, A includes an illumination device 70, a camera 71, a processing execution device 72, and the like.

  The illuminating device 70 receives predetermined light (for example, near-infrared light or visible light) from the opening side or the protruding side of the pocket part 2 with respect to the container film 3 and the tablet 5 (particularly, the part that finally becomes the PTP sheet 1). ).

  The camera 71 images the container film 3 and the like irradiated with light by the lighting device 70. In the present embodiment, a CCD camera having sensitivity in the wavelength region of light emitted from the illumination device 70 is employed as the camera 71. Not limited to this, a CMOS camera may be employed. Note that a color CCD camera is employed for the camera 71 of some inspection apparatuses such as the third inspection apparatus A so that the colors can be identified.

  The image data (luminance image data or color image data) captured by the camera 71 is converted into a digital signal inside the camera 71 and then input to the processing execution device 72 in the form of a digital signal.

  The processing execution device 72 is configured as a so-called computer system that includes a CPU as a calculation means, a ROM that stores various programs, and a RAM that temporarily stores various data such as calculation data and input / output data. Various processes such as image processing can be executed.

  The processing execution device 72 includes an image memory 73, an inspection result storage device 74, a determination memory 75, a data memory 76, a camera timing control device 77, and a CPU and an input / output interface 78. Various image processing such as processing, defect determination processing (inspection processing), and the like can be performed.

  The image memory 73 stores image data output from the camera 71. An inspection is executed based on the image data stored in the image memory 73. Of course, when the inspection is executed, the image data may be processed. For example, it is conceivable to perform processing such as masking processing or shading correction. The shading correction is for correcting variations in light brightness caused by a difference in position because there is a technical limit to uniformly illuminating the entire imaging range such as the container film 3 with the light of the illumination device 70. is there. It should be noted that binarized image data obtained by performing binarization processing on image data at the time of inspection, masking image data subjected to masking processing, and the like are also stored in the image memory 73.

  The inspection result storage device 74 stores data such as coordinates relating to image data, quality determination result data for the inspection object, statistical data obtained by probabilistically processing the data, and the like. Further, in the inspection result storage device 74 of each inspection device T1, D, A, as shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, each tablet 5 indicated by a predetermined tablet number J1 to J10 (see FIG. 9), and a sheet Information indicating the pass / fail judgment result in predetermined inspection items X1 to X9, Y1, Z1, and Z2 for the portion is a serial number LA1, for specifying the scheduled sheet portion 7 (see FIG. 9) that will eventually become the PTP sheet 1. It is stored together with LA2 (see FIG. 9). The tablet number is individually set corresponding to each tablet 5 of the scheduled sheet portion 7. In FIGS. 6 to 8 and the like, the non-defective product determination is indicated by “◯” and the failure determination is indicated by “x”.

  The inspection items X1 to X9 are items related to the quality of the tablet 5. The inspection item Y1 is an item related to the quality of the sheet portion (container film 3). Inspection items Z1 and Z2 are items relating to the quality of both the tablet 5 and the sheet portion. Each inspection item X1-X9, Y1, Z1, Z2 will be described in detail later.

  Returning to FIG. 5, the determination memory 75 stores a determination value (threshold value or the like) used for the inspection. The determination value is set for each inspection item. The determination values used for the inspection include, for example, the dimensions of the PTP sheet 1, the pocket portion 2, the tablet 5, the shapes and dimensions of various window frames for demarcating various inspection regions, the threshold value for binarization processing, and the area determination Determination values, color reference values for color identification inspection, and the like.

  The data memory 76 is constituted by, for example, a hard disk device. The data memory 76 stores the date and time of defect determination, the inspection conditions used for the inspection, and the like.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the data memory 76 stores data related to the two-dimensional position of the pocket portion 2 with respect to the two-dimensional position of the tablet 5 in advance. In addition, design data regarding the positional relationship between the pocket portion 2 and the outer edge of the PTP sheet 1 is also stored in the data memory 76 in advance. By using these data, based on the position of the tablet 5, the position of the pocket portion 2 in the container film 3 and consequently the position of the scheduled sheet portion 7 in the container film 3 can be specified.

  The camera timing control device 77 controls the imaging timing of the camera 71. The imaging timing is controlled based on a signal from the encoder, and imaging by the camera 71 is performed every time the container film 3 is fed by a predetermined amount.

  The CPU and the input / output interface 78 perform various controls in the inspection apparatuses T1, D, and A, and determine whether the tablet 5 and the sheet portion in the scheduled sheet portion 7 are good or bad based on the obtained image data. Further, the CPU and the input / output interface 78 specify the scheduled sheet portion 7 to be inspected based on the positions of the pocket portion 2 and the tablet 5 in the image data. And the said serial number according to the conveyance order of the container film 3 is set with respect to the specified sheet | seat plan part 7. FIG. The serial numbers of the scheduled sheet portion 7 are increased one by one toward the upstream side in the conveyance direction.

  Next, the configuration of each inspection device T1, D, A will be described in more detail.

  The first inspection device T1 is a transmitted light type inspection device that inspects from the protruding portion side (the surface side of the tablet 5) of the container film 3 before sealing. In the first inspection apparatus T1, the illumination device 70 is disposed on the opening side of the pocket portion 2 of the container film 3, and the camera 71 is provided on the pocket portion 2 protruding portion side of the container film 3. And it has the structure which carries out the two-dimensional imaging of the light which permeate | transmitted the container film 3 among the lights (near infrared light) irradiated from the illuminating device 70. FIG.

  In the first inspection apparatus T1, inspections regarding the inspection items X1 to X6 are performed.

  The inspection item X1 is an item relating to so-called “tablet cracking”. In this item, it is determined whether or not the tablet 5 is cracked.

  The inspection item X2 is an item relating to so-called “tablet fragment mixing”. In this item, it is determined whether or not there is a foreign substance other than the tablet 5 such as a broken piece of the tablet 5 in the pocket portion 2.

  The inspection item X3 is an item related to so-called “missed tablet”, and in this item, it is determined whether or not the tablet 5 is filled in the pocket portion 2.

  The inspection item X4 is an item related to so-called “tablet shape / size difference”, and in this item, it is determined whether or not the shape and size of the tablet 5 are compatible with the production type.

  The inspection item X5 is an item related to so-called “tablet chipping”. In this item, it is determined whether or not the tablet 5 has chipping.

  The inspection item X6 is an item related to so-called “tablet surface peeling”, and in this item, it is determined whether or not the surface layer of the tablet 5 is peeled.

  The 2nd test | inspection apparatus D is a reflected light type test | inspection apparatus which test | inspects from the pocket part 2 opening part side (back surface side of the tablet 5) of the container film 3 before sealing. In the second inspection device D, the illumination device 70 and the camera 71 are disposed on the pocket portion 2 opening side of the container film 3. And among the light (near infrared rays) irradiated from the illuminating device 70, it has the structure which images the light reflected on the tablet 5 two-dimensionally.

  In the second inspection apparatus D, inspections regarding inspection items X7 and X8 are performed in addition to the inspection items X1 to X5.

  The inspection item X7 is an item relating to so-called “hair on tablet”, and in this item, it is determined whether or not a linear foreign substance such as hair exists on the tablet 5.

  The inspection item X8 is an item related to so-called “foreign matter on tablet”. In this item, it is determined whether or not a large foreign matter having a size of several mm (for example, 5 mm) or more exists on the tablet 5.

  The third inspection apparatus A has both a transmitted light type and a reflected light type inspection to inspect from the pocket part 2 protruding part side and the opening part side (front and back side of the tablet 5) of the container film 3 before sealing. Device. In the third inspection apparatus A, the illuminating device 70 is arranged one on each side of the pocket part 2 protruding part side and the opening part side of the container film 3, and two cameras 71 are arranged on the pocket part 2 opening part side of the container film 3. Is provided. Of the light (visible light) emitted from the illumination device 70 on the pocket 2 protruding portion side, the light transmitted through the container film 3 is two-dimensionally imaged by one camera 71, and illumination on the pocket 2 opening side. Of the light (visible light) emitted from the device 70, the light reflected on the tablet 5 is two-dimensionally imaged by the other camera 71 (color CCD camera).

  In the third inspection apparatus A, inspections relating to inspection items X9, Y1, Z1, and Z2 are performed in addition to the inspection items X1 to X5.

  The inspection item X9 is an item relating to the so-called “tablet color”, and in this item, it is determined whether or not the color of the tablet 5 is compatible with the production type.

  The inspection item Y1 is an item relating to so-called “tablet powder on the sheet”. In this item, whether or not a small foreign substance having a size of less than several mm (for example, 5 mm) is present on the container film 3 is determined. Determined.

  The inspection item Z1 is an item relating to so-called “hair on the sheet”, and in this item, it is determined whether or not a linear foreign matter such as hair exists on the container film 3.

  The inspection item Z2 is an item related to so-called “foreign matter on the sheet”, and in this item, it is determined whether or not a large foreign matter having a size of several mm (for example, 5 mm) or more exists on the container film 3.

  Next, the configuration of the pickup device 23 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the pickup device 23 includes a rotary drum 51, a fixed drum 52, a vacuum pump 53 as a negative pressure supply means, an electromagnetic switching valve 54 as an adsorption state switching means, and a lift as lift means. The apparatus 55 and the control apparatus 56 as an adsorption | suction object determination means, a lift control means, and an adsorption | suction quality determination means are provided.

  As shown in FIGS. 10 to 13, the rotating drum 51 has a cylindrical shape, and is disposed immediately above the conveyance path of the container film 3. The rotating drum 51 is continuously rotated by a driving unit (not shown) in accordance with the speed of the container film 3 being conveyed. An adsorption portion 51 </ b> A is provided on the outer periphery of the rotating drum 51.

  The adsorbing part 51 </ b> A has a cylindrical shape extending in a direction protruding from the outer peripheral surface of the rotating drum 51. In the present embodiment, the number of adsorbing portions 51A is provided along the axial direction of the rotating drum 51 as many as the number of pocket portions 2 along the width direction of the container film 3 (in this embodiment, five). A plurality (12 in this embodiment) are provided at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of 51. Further, the tip side portion of the suction portion 51A is configured by a cylindrical bellows portion 51B that can be expanded and contracted along the protruding direction of the suction portion 51A. The bellows portion 51B is formed of a relatively soft material (for example, soft rubber or soft resin).

  Furthermore, each adsorption | suction part 51A is provided with the suction hole 51C penetrated to the inner periphery of the rotating drum 51 from the front-end | tip of the bellows part 51B. Each suction hole 51 </ b> C extends radially with respect to the rotation axis of the rotary drum 51 (extends in the radial direction of the rotary drum 51). And the tablet 5 is adsorb | sucked in the front-end | tip part of 51 A of suction parts by supplying a negative pressure to 51 C of suction holes. In addition, in the adsorption | suction part 51A in the state which adsorb | sucked the tablet 5, the bellows part 51B will be in the state which shrunk and deform | transformed (refer FIG. 11).

  Further, the suction portion 51A sequentially moves with respect to the suction position P1, the inspection position P2, and the collection position P3 as the rotary drum 51 rotates (see FIG. 11).

  The suction position P1 is a position corresponding to a position vertically below the axis of the rotary drum 51, and the tablet 5 to be sucked is sucked to the suction portion 51A at this position.

  The inspection position P2 is a position corresponding to between the LED 64 and the light receiving sensor 65 described later between the suction position P1 and the collection position P3. The suction part 51A arranged at this position is a determination target such as whether or not the tablet 5 to be suctioned is actually sucked.

  The collection position P3 is a position shifted by about 270 ° along the rotation direction of the rotary drum 51 with respect to the suction position P1, and the suction of the tablet 5 by the suction portion 51A is released at this position. Note that a tablet collection box 61 is provided corresponding to the collection position P3, and the tablets 5 released from the suction are collected into the tablet collection box 61.

  The rotary drum 51 is provided with an encoder (not shown), and a signal related to the rotation angle of the rotary drum 51 is output from the encoder to the control device 56 at regular intervals.

  The fixed drum 52 has a cylindrical shape and is provided on the inner periphery of the rotary drum 51 in a state where it cannot move. As shown in FIGS. 11 to 16, the fixed drum 52 includes a negative pressure space portion S <b> 1, an open space portion S <b> 2, and a switching space portion S <b> 3 that are spaces that open to the outer peripheral side of the fixed drum. The fixed drum 52 has a linear through hole 52A that penetrates the inner periphery and the spaces S1 to S3. In FIG. 11 and the like, a gap is formed between the drums 51 and 52, but actually there is almost no gap between the drums 51 and 52.

  The negative pressure space S1 is sucked by the suction part 51A when the suction part 51A is arranged in a range including the inspection position P2 from a position slightly past the suction position P1 to a position before the collection position P3. It is a space communicating with the hole 51C. The negative pressure space S1 is in a state in which a negative pressure is always supplied from the vacuum pump 53 (a vacuumed state) via the through hole 52A and a predetermined vent pipe 62 communicating with the through hole 52A. (See FIG. 19). Further, the negative pressure space S <b> 1 has a relatively large width along the axial direction of the fixed drum 52. Therefore, the negative pressure space S1 can communicate with the suction holes 51C arranged in a line along the axial direction of the rotary drum 51 at a time.

  The open space portion S2 is a space that communicates with the suction hole 51C of the suction portion 51A when the suction portion 51A is disposed at the collection position P3. The open space S2 is always open to the atmosphere via the through hole 52A.

  The switching space portion S3 is configured such that when the suction portion 51A is disposed in a range including the suction position P1 from a position before the suction position P1 to a position slightly past the suction position P1, the suction hole of the suction portion 51A is arranged. It is a space communicating with 51C. A plurality of switching space portions S3 are provided at equal intervals along the axial direction of the fixed drum 52, and the suction holes 51C arranged in a line along the axial direction of the rotating drum 51 as the rotating drum 51 rotates. It communicates with one of them individually. Note that the length of the switching space portion S3 along the circumferential direction of the fixed drum 52 is shorter than the interval between the openings on the inner peripheral side of the suction holes 51C along the rotation direction of the rotating drum 51. Two or more suction holes 51C are configured not to communicate with the portion S3 at the same time.

  Each switching space S3 is connected to the vacuum pump 53 through a through hole 52A and a predetermined vent pipe 63 communicating with the through hole 52A (see FIG. 19). However, the electromagnetic switching valve 54 is provided in the vent pipe 63. The electromagnetic switching valve 54 switches between a state in which negative pressure is supplied from the vacuum pump 53 to the switching space portion S3 and a state in which the switching space portion S3 is open to the atmosphere. . By switching the state of the switching space portion S3, each suction portion 51A arranged at the suction position P1 can be individually switched to the suction state or the non-suction state. The electromagnetic switching valve 54 is electrically connected to the control device 56, and the operation of the electromagnetic switching valve 54 is controlled by the control device 56.

  Further, an LED 64 as a light emitting means is provided on the outer periphery of the fixed drum 52 in a state of being disposed in the negative pressure space S1. The LED 64 is provided corresponding to the transport path of the sucked tablet 5 from the suction position P1 to the collection position P3, and is arranged at a position corresponding to the inspection position P2 in this embodiment. A plurality of LEDs 64 (five in the present embodiment) are provided along the axial direction of the fixed drum 52 at intervals equal to the intervals between the suction holes 51C along the axial direction of the rotating drum 51. When the suction hole 51C is arranged in front of the LED 64, the light from the LED 64 is irradiated to the outside of the rotary drum 51 through the suction hole 51C.

  A light receiving sensor 65 as a light receiving means is provided outside the rotating drum 51 and at a position facing the LED 64 (see FIG. 11 and the like). The light receiving sensor 65 has a function of detecting light emitted from the LED 64, and is configured to transmit a light receiving signal to the control device 56 when detecting the light.

  The lift device 55 is disposed below the conveyance path of the container film 3 and is positioned vertically below the rotation shaft of the rotary drum 51. The lift device 55 includes driving means (not shown). The driving means contacts the container film 3 and lifts it by a certain amount (for example, 1 mm to 3 mm) (see FIG. 18), and the container film. It is possible to move to a lower position separated from 3. And in the state which has arrange | positioned the lift apparatus 55 to the said upper position, 51 A of adsorption | suction parts arrange | positioned in adsorption | suction position P1 approach the tablet 5 (in this embodiment, both contact). On the other hand, in the state where the lift device 55 is disposed at the lower position, the suction portion 51A disposed at the suction position P1 is separated from the tablet 5.

  The lift device 55 is electrically connected to the control device 56, and the lifting operation of the lift device 55 is controlled by the control device 56.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 17, the lift device 55 includes a pair of rotating rollers 55 </ b> A and 55 </ b> B extending in the width direction of the container film 3. The rotation rollers 55 </ b> A and 55 </ b> B are freely rotatable driven rollers, and when the container film 3 is lifted by the lift device 55, the outer peripheral surface thereof contacts the container film 3. Then, the rotation rollers 55A and 55B rotate in accordance with the contact with the container film 3 being conveyed.

  In addition, annular grooves 55C extending in the circumferential direction of the rotating rollers 55A and 55B are provided on the outer circumferences of the rotating rollers 55A and 55B along the width direction of the container film 3 along the axial direction of the rotating rollers 55A and 55B. The same number as the number of pocket portions 2 is provided. The interval between the groove portions 55C along the axial direction of the rotating rollers 55A and 55B is substantially the same as the interval between the pocket portions 2 along the width direction of the container film 3. In addition, the width of the groove 55C is larger than the outer diameter of the pocket portion 2, and the depth of the groove 55C is larger than the height of the pocket portion 2. Therefore, when the lift device 55 is disposed at the upper position and the container film 3 is lifted, the pocket portion 2 is disposed in the groove portion 55C so that the deformation of the pocket portion 2 is suppressed. It has become.

  In the present embodiment, the pocket portion 2 is arranged in the groove portion 55C even when the rotary rollers 55A and 55B are arranged in the lower position. Therefore, the moving distance of the lift device 55 from the lower position to the upper position can be made relatively small. As a result, the container film 3 can be quickly lifted, and the tablet 5 can be more reliably adsorbed.

  The control device 56 is configured by a so-called computer system, like the processing execution device 72. The control device 56 is electrically connected to each of the inspection devices T1, D, and A, and is configured to be able to receive information regarding the inspection results stored therein. Then, based on the information on the inspection results received from the inspection devices T1, D, A, the control device 56, as shown in FIG. 20, for each tablet designated by the tablet numbers J1 to J10 for each scheduled sheet portion 7. 5 and the sheet portion can be identified and grasped as to whether the inspection items X1 to X9, Y1, Z1, and Z2 are acceptable.

  In the present embodiment, some of the inspection items executed by each of the inspection devices T1, D, and A are overlapped. However, the control device 56 does not include at least one inspection for the overlapped inspection items. If the devices T1, D, A are determined to be defective, the inspection item is specified as defective. For example, in the inspection item X1, when a certain tablet 5 is determined to be good in the inspection devices T1 and D and defective in the inspection device A, the control device 56 determines that the certain tablet 5 is defective in the inspection item X1. Identifies it.

  Further, the control device 56 controls the electromagnetic switching valve 54 and the lift device 55 based on the quality determination result of the scheduled sheet portion 7 (see FIG. 20), and only the non-defective tablets 5 from the scheduled sheet portion 7 determined to be defective. The electromagnetic switching valve 54 and the lift device 55 are controlled so as to be adsorbed to the adsorption part 51A.

  More specifically, the control device 56 first performs a process (operation schedule setting process) for setting a switching schedule of the electromagnetic switching valve 54 and a lifting schedule of the lift device 55 based on the pass / fail determination result of the scheduled seat portion 7. The set operation schedule relating to the electromagnetic switching valve 54 and the lift device 55 is additionally stored in the RAM operation schedule table KT (see FIG. 21) in the control device 56.

  In FIG. 21, “Y” indicates that the electromagnetic switching valve 54 is operated so that the negative pressure is supplied to the switching space S3, and the electromagnetic switching valve 54 is opened so that the switching space S3 is opened to the atmosphere. "N" indicates that is operated. That is, “Y” indicates when the tablet 5 is adsorbed, and “N” indicates when the tablet 5 is not adsorbed. Further, “Y” indicates that the lift device 55 is operated so as to be disposed at the upper position, and “N” indicates that the lift device 55 is operated so as to be disposed at the lower position. Furthermore, in FIG. 21, the tablet numbers J1 to J10 of the tablets 5 corresponding to the electromagnetic switching valve 54 to be operated are also shown for easy explanation.

  Further, the control device 56 shifts the data of the operation schedule table KT at every predetermined timing (for example, every timing immediately after the suction hole 51C of the suction portion 51A is disconnected from the switching space portion S3). Thus, data relating to the switching schedule of the electromagnetic switching valve 54 corresponding to the suction portions 51A arranged in a line in the axial direction of the rotating drum 51 and the lifting schedule of the lift device 55 are stored in predetermined implementation tables JT1, JT2 (see FIG. 21). Shift sequentially.

  In addition, the control device 56, based on the data of the implementation table JT1, immediately before the suction holes 51C of the suction portions 51A corresponding to the data of the implementation table JT1 reach the switching space S3. 54 and the operation of the lift device 55 are controlled. The execution timing of the operation control of the electromagnetic switching valve 54 and the lift device 55 is determined based on the signal from the encoder of the rotary drum 51.

  Further, the control device 56, based on the data of the implementation table JT2 and the presence / absence of the light reception signal from the light receiving sensor 65, at the timing when each suction portion 51A corresponding to the data of the implementation table JT2 reaches the inspection position P2. It is determined whether or not the tablet 5 to be adsorbed is actually adsorbed to the adsorbing part 51A, whether or not the tablet 5 that is not the adsorbing object is accidentally adsorbed to the adsorbing part 51A, and the like. In addition, when the adsorption abnormality such as the tablet 5 to be adsorbed is not adsorbed to the adsorption unit 51A has occurred, the control device 56 executes an adsorption abnormality process. Examples of the adsorption abnormality process include a process for urgently stopping the operation of the PTP packaging machine 11 and a process for notifying that an adsorption abnormality has occurred.

  Next, a setting process (scheduled operation setting process) for switching the electromagnetic switching valve 54 and a lifting / lowering schedule for the lift device 55 and a control process (adsorption determination process) relating to the adsorption determination of the tablet 5 will be described.

  First, the operation schedule setting process will be described with reference to FIG. In the operation schedule setting process, first, in step S11, it is determined whether or not an inspection result (inspection result for one sheet) of one scheduled sheet portion 7 is input from each of the inspection apparatuses T1, D, and A. Then, the process of step S11 is repeated until the inspection result for one sheet is input. When the inspection result for one sheet is input (step S11: YES), the process proceeds to step S12.

  In subsequent step S12, based on the inspection results input from the inspection devices T1, D, A, the quality of each tablet 5 and sheet portion inspection items X1 to X9, Y1, Z1, Z2 in one scheduled sheet portion 7 is specified. (See FIG. 20).

  Next, in step S13, the quality of the scheduled sheet portion 7 is determined based on the quality of each of the inspection items X1 to X9, Y1, Z1, and Z2 for each specified tablet 5 and sheet portion. In the present embodiment, in each tablet 5 and sheet portion, when there is no defect determination in all the inspection items X1 to X9, Y1, Z1, and Z2 (step S13: YES), the scheduled sheet portion 7 is specified as a non-defective sheet portion. In subsequent step S14, normal operation setting processing is performed, and the process returns to step S11.

  In the normal operation setting process, the operation schedules of the electromagnetic switching valve 54 and the lift device 55 are set so that the tablets 5 are not collected from the non-defective sheet portion and the lift device 55 is arranged at the lower position.

  Specifically, at the suction position P1, the switching schedule of the electromagnetic switching valve 54 is set so that the suction hole 51C of each suction portion 51A corresponding to the non-defective sheet portion is opened to the atmosphere. For example, when the scheduled sheet portion 7 indicated by the serial number LA1 is a non-defective sheet portion, the suction holes 51C are opened to the atmosphere in the suction portions 51A corresponding to the tablets 5 supplied to the non-defective sheet portion. The switching schedule of the corresponding electromagnetic switching valve 54 is set. Further, the lifting / lowering schedule of the lifting device 55 is set so that the lifting device 55 is disposed at the lower position. Then, the set operation schedules of the electromagnetic switching valve 54 and the lift device 55 are added to the operation schedule table KT and stored.

  On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S13, it is determined in step S15 whether or not the inspection item determined to be defective is the inspection item Z1 or the inspection item Z2. Here, when it is determined as defective in the inspection item Z1 or the inspection item Z2 (step S15: YES), the process proceeds to step S14, and normal operation setting processing is performed. That is, in this embodiment, when it is determined that the inspection item “hair on sheet” or “foreign material on sheet” is defective, all the tablets 5 in the defective sheet portion are determined to be good in inspection items X1 to X9. Even if it is set, it is set not to collect the tablets 5 from the scheduled sheet portion 7. This takes into consideration the possibility that hair or foreign matter is in contact with any one of the tablets 5.

  On the other hand, when it is not determined to be defective in both of the inspection items Z1 and Z2 (step S15: NO), the process proceeds to step S16, and the scheduled sheet portion 7 related to the defect determination is specified as a defective sheet portion. For example, if at least one of the tablets 5 in the scheduled sheet portion 7 indicated by the serial number LA2 is determined to be defective, the scheduled sheet portion 7 is specified as a defective sheet portion.

  In a succeeding step S17, a collection operation setting process is performed based on the specified information on pass / fail, and the process returns to the step S11. In the collection operation setting process, the negative pressure is supplied to the suction hole 51C of each suction portion 51A corresponding to the defective sheet portion corresponding to the non-defective tablet 5 at the suction position P1, while the failure determination is performed. The switching schedule of the electromagnetic switching valve 54 is set so that the tablet 5 corresponding to the tablet 5 is opened to the atmosphere.

  Further, the lifting / lowering schedule of the lift device 55 is set based on the set switching schedule. Specifically, when the switching schedule of the electromagnetic switching valve 54 is set so that all the suction holes 51C of the suction portions 51A arranged in a line in the axial direction of the rotary drum 51 are opened to the atmosphere, The lifting / lowering schedule of the lift device 55 is set so as to be arranged at the lower position. On the other hand, when the switching schedule of the electromagnetic switching valve 54 is set so that the negative pressure is supplied to at least one of the suction holes 51C of the suction portions 51A arranged in a row, the lift is arranged so as to be arranged at the upper position. The raising / lowering schedule of the apparatus 55 is set. Then, the set operation schedules of the electromagnetic switching valve 54 and the lift device 55 are added to the operation schedule table KT and stored.

  Next, the suction determination process will be described with reference to FIG. Here, the determination process for one of the suction portions 51A arranged at the inspection position P2 will be described. However, in actuality, all of the suction portions 51A arranged at the inspection position P2 are processed. On the other hand, the same determination process is performed.

  In the suction determination process, first, in step S21, it is repeatedly determined whether or not the suction portion 51A has reached the inspection position P2, that is, whether or not it is the determination timing. The determination timing is determined based on a signal from the encoder of the rotary drum 51.

  If the determination timing is reached (step S21: YES), it is determined in step S22 whether a light reception signal is input from the light reception sensor 65 or not. If a light reception signal is input (step S22: YES), the process proceeds to step S23. If a light reception signal is not input (step S22: NO), the process proceeds to step S24.

  In step S23, it is determined whether the switching schedule of the electromagnetic switching valve 54 is set so that the suction hole 51C is opened to the atmosphere in consideration of the data of the implementation table JT2. When the switching schedule of the electromagnetic switching valve 54 is set so that the suction hole 51C is opened to the atmosphere (step S23: YES), the process proceeds to step S25. Then, in step S25, it is determined that the tablet 5 that is not the target of adsorption is not accidentally adsorbed, and the normal adsorption is determined, and the process returns to step S21.

  On the other hand, when the switching schedule of the electromagnetic switching valve 54 is set to supply negative pressure to the suction hole 51C (step S23: NO), the process proceeds to step S26. Then, in step S26, assuming that the tablet 5 to be adsorbed has not been adsorbed, an adsorption abnormality process is executed, and the process returns to step S21.

  In step S24, the data of the implementation table JT2 is referred to and it is determined whether or not the switching schedule of the electromagnetic switching valve 54 is set so that the suction hole 51C is opened to the atmosphere. Here, when the switching schedule of the electromagnetic switching valve 54 is set so that the suction hole 51C is opened to the atmosphere (step S24: YES), the process proceeds to step S26. Then, in step S26, assuming that the tablet 5 that is not the object of adsorption is in a state of being adsorbed by mistake, an adsorption abnormality process is executed, and the process returns to step S21.

  On the other hand, when the switching schedule of the electromagnetic switching valve 54 is set to supply negative pressure to the suction hole 51C (step S24: NO), the process proceeds to step S25. In step S25, it is determined that the tablet 5 to be adsorbed is normally adsorbed and normal adsorbing, and the process returns to step S21.

  As described above in detail, according to the present embodiment, when the tablet 5 is adsorbed, the container film 3 is lifted by the lift device 55, and the tablet 5 is brought into a state of approaching the adsorbing portion 51A. Therefore, the tablet 5 can be more reliably adsorbed by the adsorbing portion 51A, and as a result, the tablet 5 can be more reliably collected.

  Further, since the container film 3 is lifted by the rotating rollers 55A and 55B that can be rotated in accordance with the conveyance of the container film 3, it is possible to more reliably prevent the container film 3 from being damaged when lifted. Quality can be improved.

  Further, when the tablet 5 is brought closer to the suction portion 51A, the rotating drum 51, the fixed drum 52, and the like that are heavy and have a complicated structure are not moved up and down. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a large-scale mechanism, and it is possible to reduce the cost related to the manufacture of the device and to realize a more stable and faster operation.

  In addition, when the tablet 5 is not being adsorbed, the tablet 5 is separated from the adsorbing portion 51A. Therefore, consumption (wear and deterioration) of the adsorption portion 51A can be effectively suppressed, and the adsorption portion 51A can be maintained in an appropriate state for a longer period. Moreover, the adsorption | suction part 51A will be in the state spaced apart from the tablet 5, and it can prevent more reliably the breakage | damage of the tablet 5 accompanying the contact of the adsorption | suction part 51A, or a stain | pollution | contamination.

  In the present embodiment, at least a portion (the bellows portion 51B) in contact with the tablet 5 in the adsorption portion 51A is formed of a relatively soft material. Therefore, the load given to the tablet 5 at the time of adsorption | suction can be reduced, and the tablet 5 can be collect | recovered in a better state. In addition, there is a concern that at least a portion of the suction portion 51A that is in contact with the tablet 5 is made of a relatively soft material, the wear of the suction portion 51A is likely to progress. However, as described above, the consumption of the suction portion 51A is suppressed. Such a concern can be eliminated because it can be effectively achieved.

  Furthermore, when the tablet 5 is adsorbed, the load applied to the tablet 5 can be further reduced by the contraction of the bellows portion 51B. Thereby, the tablet 5 can be recovered in a better state. Moreover, when the bellows part 51B shrinks, the tablet 5 is lifted from the pocket part 2, and the tablet 5 comes out of the pocket part 2 in this state. Therefore, it can prevent more reliably that the tablet 5 contacts the pocket part 2, and can suppress the adsorption | suction mistake and the damage of the tablet 5 effectively.

  In addition, the suction hole 51 </ b> C has a shape extending radially from the rotation shaft of the rotary drum 51. Therefore, it is not necessary to increase the size (increase in diameter) of the rotating drum 51 in order to form the suction hole 51C, and the device can be reduced in size.

  Further, after the rotary drum 51 and the fixed drum 52 are disassembled, the inside of the suction hole 51C, the switching space portion S3, and the like can be easily confirmed. As a result, it is possible to easily check the remaining foreign matter after cleaning, and to improve convenience.

  Further, the adsorption target tablet 5 is adsorbed to the adsorption unit 51A by the adsorption determination process using the LED 64 that emits light that can pass through the suction hole 51C and the light receiving sensor 65 that can receive the light from the LED 64. It is possible to accurately and easily determine whether or not the tablet 5 that is not an adsorption target is accidentally adsorbed to the adsorption unit 51A. Further, according to the present embodiment, even when the interval (pitch) between the suction portions 51A along the rotation direction of the rotary drum 51 is relatively narrow, the above determination can be performed with high accuracy and ease. .

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, since LED64 is arrange | positioned in the negative pressure space part S1, foreign materials, such as a fragment of the tablet 5, become difficult to adhere to LED64. Thereby, it can be determined with higher accuracy whether or not the tablet 5 to be adsorbed is adsorbed to the adsorbing portion 51A.

  In addition, since the suction hole 51C of the suction portion 51A communicates with the negative pressure space portion S1 after passing through the suction position P1 and reaching the recovery position P3, the suction portion 51A is more reliably attracted. Can be maintained. Therefore, the tablet 5 can be transported to the collection position P3 while being more reliably adsorbed. As a result, the drop of the tablet 5 at the time of conveyance can be suppressed effectively, and the tablet 5 can be collected more reliably.

  In the present embodiment, the suction hole 51C of the suction portion 51A that is to suck the tablet 5 communicates with the switching space portion S3 before the suction position P1. Accordingly, the supply of negative pressure to the suction hole 51C can be started before the suction position P1, and the suction portion 51A can be more reliably brought into a suction capable state when the suction position P1 is reached. As a result, an adsorption error of the tablet 5 can be made less likely to occur.

  Furthermore, before the cover film 4 is attached to the container film 3, the tablet 5 determined to be non-defective can be adsorbed and recovered from the planned sheet portion 7 determined to be defective (defective sheet portion). . Therefore, the non-defective tablet 5 can be effectively reused, and the production cost can be suppressed.

  In addition, since the tablet 5 is adsorbed before reaching the film feed roll 20 and the heating roll 27 (sealing means), vibration accompanying the conveyance is applied to the adsorption target tablet 5 over a long period of time. It is possible to more reliably prevent the influence of heat and the like accompanying the seal. Thereby, the tablet 5 can be recovered in a better state, and the safety and reliability of the recovered tablet 5 can be more reliably ensured. Moreover, since the tablet 5 in such a good state can be collected, reinspection of the collected tablet 5 before reuse can be omitted, and the production cost can be more effectively suppressed.

  In addition, since the tablet 5 is collected at a relatively early stage before reaching the film feed roll 20 and the heating roll 27 (sealing means), moisture absorption in the tablet 5 can be suppressed.

  In addition, since the tablets 5 determined as non-defective products from the defective sheet portion are collected, even if the inspection sensitivity by the pre-seal inspection device 22 is increased in order to further improve the safety and reliability of the PTP sheet 1, many There is no situation where the tablet 5 is wasted. Therefore, it is possible to further improve the safety and reliability of the PTP sheet 1 without increasing the cost.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 24, as the defective PTP sheet 1, all the tablets 5 are collected and all the pocket portions 2 are empty as the foreign matter P is detected. As shown in FIG. 25, the one with the tablet 5 remaining can be discharged. Here, in the defective PTP sheet 1 in which all the pocket portions 2 are emptied, the scheduled sheet portion 7 is abnormal in the sheet itself or an abnormality that the tablet 5 is not accommodated in a part of the pocket portions 2 (so-called “ As a result of being determined to be defective by "missing tablet"), it is discharged. In addition, the defective PTP sheet 1 in which the tablets 5 remain is discharged as a result of determining that the scheduled sheet portion 7 is defective due to an abnormality in the remaining tablets 5. Therefore, by looking at the state of the discharged PTP sheet 1, it is possible to easily determine for what reason it is determined to be defective. Further, when the tablet 5 remains, the abnormality that has occurred can be easily identified by looking at the remaining tablet 5 and the sheet portion. As a result, the inspection item in which the defect has occurred can be easily identified, and appropriate measures can be executed at an early stage.

  In addition, it is not limited to the description content of the said embodiment, For example, you may implement as follows. Of course, other application examples and modification examples not illustrated below are also possible.

  (A) The lift device 55 should just be a thing which can lift the container film 3, and the structure is not limited to the thing of the said embodiment. Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. 26, eccentric rollers 81A and 81B that increase or decrease the distance from the rotation axis to the outer periphery are provided, and when the container film 3 is lifted, the eccentric rollers 81A and 81B rotate, The lift device 81 may be configured so that the container film 3 is lifted by the rollers 81A and 81B. In this case, since the driving means for moving the lift device 81 up and down is not necessary, the device can be reduced in size and simplified, and higher-speed operation of the device can be realized. Further, in this case, by configuring the eccentric rollers 81A and 81B to rotate in accordance with the conveyance speed of the container film 3, the container film 3 can be more reliably prevented from being damaged, and the PTP sheet 1 Can improve quality.

  (B) In the above embodiment, the suction hole 51C of the suction portion 51A is configured to be opened to the atmosphere at the collection position P3. However, a positive pressure is supplied to the suction hole 51C. May be. In this case, the adsorption of the tablet 5 by the adsorption unit 51A can be more reliably released, and the tablet 5 can be collected more reliably.

  (C) The arrangement and the number of pocket portions 2 in the PTP sheet 1 are not limited to the above embodiment (2 rows, 10 pieces), and for example, a type having 12 pocket portions in 3 rows, PTP sheets having various arrangements and numbers can be used.

  Further, the PTP film 6 has a configuration in which the number of pocket portions 2 corresponding to one sheet is arranged along the width direction, but is not limited to this, for example, in the width direction. A configuration in which the number of pocket portions 2 corresponding to a plurality of sheets is arranged along may be used.

  Moreover, according to the shape change of the PTP sheet 1 or the PTP film 6, the shape (outer diameter etc.) of the rotating drum 51 etc., the number of the adsorption | suction part 51A, arrangement | positioning, etc. may be changed suitably.

  (D) In the above embodiment, the pickup device 23 is used to collect the non-defective tablet 5 from the sheet corresponding portion 7 determined to be defective. However, the use of the pickup device 23 is not limited to this. In addition, the pickup device 23 can be used for various purposes. For example, the pickup device 23 can also be used when it is desired to leave a predetermined pocket portion open.

  (E) In the above embodiment, the adsorption and non-adsorption of the tablet 5 in the scheduled sheet portion 7 are determined based only on the quality of the scheduled sheet portion 7. On the other hand, the adsorption and non-adsorption of the tablet 5 in the scheduled sheet portion 7 is performed by the quality of the scheduled sheet portion 7 itself and the planned sheet portion 7 positioned before and after (immediately upstream and immediately downstream) of the scheduled sheet portion 7. It may be determined based on pass / fail. For example, when a predetermined sheet inspection part (for example, inspection items Z1 and Z2) is determined to be defective when the predetermined sheet inspection part 7 positioned before and after a certain predetermined sheet preparation part 7 is determined as good or bad. The adsorption of the tablet 5 in the certain scheduled sheet portion 7 may be stopped. In this case, when the tablet 5 is adsorbed, it is possible to more reliably prevent the foreign matter or the like of the adjacent scheduled sheet portion 7 determined to be defective from being adsorbed to the adsorbing portion 51A. Thereby, the safety | security etc. in the collect | recovered tablet 5 can be improved more.

  (F) In the above-described embodiment, the case where the article is the tablet 5 is embodied, but the type, shape, etc. of the article are not particularly limited. For example, the article such as a food, an electronic component, a medical instrument, etc. It may be different from the tablet 5.

  (G) In the above embodiment, the container film 3 is formed of a transparent or translucent thermoplastic resin material such as PP or PVC, and the cover film 4 is formed using an aluminum foil or the like as a base material. , 4 are not limited to these, and other materials may be employed.

  (H) In the above embodiment, the recovered tablet 5 is recovered to the tablet recovery box 61. However, the recovered tablet 5 is returned directly to the tablet filling device 21 side and returned. Alternatively, the tablet 5 may be filled into the pocket portion 2 by the tablet filling device 21. In this case, the work for returning the collected tablets 5 to the tablet filling device 21 side becomes unnecessary, and the productivity can be improved.

  (I) The configuration of each inspection apparatus T1, D, A is not limited to the above embodiment. In addition, the inspection items in the above embodiment are merely examples, and can be changed as appropriate.

  (J) In the above embodiment, the tablet 5 is not collected when it is determined that the inspection item Z1 or the inspection item Z2 is defective. Even in such a case, the tablet 5 is collected. You may comprise as follows. That is, you may change suitably the relationship between the quality determination result in each test | inspection item, and the tablet 5 determined as collection | recovery object.

  (K) The container film 3 may be transported in a lower humidity atmosphere than the outside air between the tablet filling device 21 and the rotating drum 51. In this case, the moisture absorption of the tablet 5 can be more effectively suppressed, and the safety and reliability of the reused tablet 5 can be further ensured.

  The low humidity atmosphere means, for example, that the transport path of the container film 3 between the tablet filling device 21 and the rotating drum 51 is covered with a predetermined case, and a gas having a lower humidity than the outside air is supplied into the case. Can be realized.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... PTP sheet (blister sheet), 2 ... Pocket part, 3 ... Container film, 4 ... Cover film, 5 ... Tablet (article), 6 ... PTP film (blister film), 7 ... Sheet planned part, 11 ... PTP packaging Machine (blister packaging machine), 20 ... film receiving roll (sealing means), 21 ... tablet filling device (filling means), 22 ... pre-seal inspection device (inspection means), 23 ... pick-up device, 27 ... heating roll (sealing means) 37 ... sheet punching device (punching means), 51 ... rotating drum, 51A ... adsorption part, 51B ... bellows part, 51C ... suction hole, 52 ... fixed drum, 53 ... vacuum pump (negative pressure supply means), 54 ... Electromagnetic switching valve (adsorption state switching means), 55 ... Lift device (lift means), 55A, 55B ... Rotating roller, 56 ... Control device (Adsorption object determining means, lift control means) Adsorbing quality determination means), 64 ... LED (light emitting means), 65 ... light-receiving sensor (light receiving unit), S1 ... vacuum space portion, portions between S3 ... switching diversion.

Claims (8)

Arranged above a band-shaped container film having a pocket portion filled with a predetermined article, and has a plurality of adsorbing portions on the outer periphery, and can be rotated according to the container film being conveyed. A rotating drum,
While each said adsorption part can be switched to an adsorption state or a non-adsorption state individually, while said article is adsorbed to said adsorption part by setting said adsorption part arranged at a predetermined adsorption position, A pickup apparatus comprising: an adsorption state switching unit capable of preventing the article from being adsorbed to the adsorption unit by setting the adsorption unit disposed at the adsorption position to a non-adsorption state;
A suction target determining means for determining the article to be suctioned by the suction unit;
Lift means configured to lift the container film toward the rotating drum;
A lift control means capable of controlling the operation of the lift means;
The lift means lifts the container film when adsorbing the article to be adsorbed by the adsorbing unit so that the article to be adsorbed is brought close to the adsorbing unit. The pickup device is configured to be controlled by the lift control means so that the article is separated from the suction portion.   2. The pickup according to claim 1, wherein the lift means is rotatable in accordance with the conveyance of the container film, and has a rotating roller whose outer peripheral surface comes into contact with the container film when the container film is lifted. apparatus.   3. The pickup device according to claim 1, wherein the suction portion includes a cylindrical bellows portion that extends in a direction protruding from the outer peripheral surface of the rotating drum and that can expand and contract along the protruding direction. . The suction portion has suction holes extending radially with respect to the rotation axis of the rotary drum,
The rotating drum has a cylindrical shape extending in the rotation axis direction, and the suction hole penetrates from the inner periphery to the outer periphery,
A switching space portion that is disposed on the inner periphery of the rotating drum in an immovable state and that opens to the outer peripheral side configured to be able to communicate individually with the suction hole of the suction portion disposed at the suction position. A cylindrical fixed drum having;
Negative pressure supply means capable of supplying a negative pressure to the switching space,
The adsorption state switching unit is configured to be able to switch the adsorption unit to an adsorption state or a non-adsorption state by switching supply and non-supply of negative pressure to the switching space from the negative pressure supply unit. The pickup device according to claim 1, wherein the pickup device is characterized. A light emitting means provided inside the rotating drum and capable of irradiating light to the outside of the rotating drum through the suction hole;
A light receiving means provided outside the rotating drum and capable of detecting light from the light emitting means;
The pickup device according to claim 4, further comprising: a suction quality determination unit that determines quality regarding the suction of the article with respect to the suction unit based on a detection result in the light receiving unit. The fixed drum is always supplied with a negative pressure, and from the time when the suction part passes through the suction position to the time when it reaches the recovery position where the article adsorbed by the suction part is recovered. Comprising a negative pressure space communicating with the suction hole of the suction portion;
The pickup device according to claim 5, wherein the light emitting means is disposed in the negative pressure space.   7. The switching space portion is configured to communicate with the suction hole of the suction portion in a state where the suction portion is disposed before the suction position. 2. The pickup device according to claim 1. The pickup device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
Filling means for filling the pocket portion with the article on the upstream side of the rotating drum;
Sealing means for attaching a band-shaped cover film to the container film so as to close the pocket portion on the downstream side of the rotating drum, and obtaining a blister film in which the cover film is attached to the container film; ,
On the downstream side of the sealing means, punching means for punching the blister film in sheet units to obtain a predetermined blister sheet;
Inspection means for performing pass / fail judgment on a plurality of inspection items including items relating to pass / fail of the article with respect to a scheduled sheet portion that finally becomes the blister sheet located between the filling means and the rotating drum. A blister packaging machine,
When the scheduled sheet portion determined to be defective for at least one of the inspection items by the inspection means is a defective sheet portion,
The suction target determining means is configured to be able to determine, as the suction target, an article that is determined as a non-defective item in the item relating to the quality of the article by the inspection means among the articles filled in the pocket portion of the defective sheet portion Blister packaging machine characterized by being made.

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