JP6998344B2 - Visual inspection equipment, packaging sheet manufacturing equipment, and visual inspection method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an appearance inspection device for inspecting the appearance of tablets, a packaging sheet manufacturing device provided with the device, and a method for inspecting the appearance of tablets.

A PTP (press-through pack) sheet is generally known as a packaging sheet used in the field of pharmaceutical products and the like. The PTP sheet includes a container film having a pocket portion for containing a tablet, and a cover film attached so as to seal the opening side of the pocket portion with respect to the container film.

The PTP sheet can be manufactured by a PTP packaging machine as a packaging sheet manufacturing apparatus. The PTP packaging machine has a means for forming a pocket portion on the band-shaped container film to be conveyed, a means for filling the pocket portion with tablets, and a band-shaped cover film on the container film so as to seal the opening side of the pocket portion. It is provided with a means for attaching, a means for punching a strip-shaped PTP film composed of a container film and a cover film in units of PTP sheets, and the like.

In addition, before filling the pocket portion, the appearance of the tablet (for example, the presence or absence of damage, the quality of printing, etc.) may be inspected while transporting the tablet. The inspection regarding the appearance of the tablet can be performed by a visual inspection device. The visual inspection apparatus includes a transporting means for transporting the tablet, an image pickup means for imaging the transported tablet, and an image processing means for determining the quality of the appearance of the tablet based on the image pickup data obtained by the image pickup means. There is. The visual inspection device may be incorporated in the packaging sheet manufacturing device, or may be provided separately from the packaging sheet manufacturing device.

In recent years, six image pickup means have been provided on each of the upper and lower sides of the tablet transport path, and a total of twelve image pickup means have been used to obtain image pickup data relating to the entire tablet (front surface, back surface, and entire side surface) of the tablet. There has been proposed a visual inspection apparatus capable of simultaneously performing a visual inspection on the front surface, the back surface, and the entire circumference of the side surface (see, for example, Patent Document 1 and the like).

In addition, the first transport means for transporting the tablets in a predetermined direction and the tablets that have been turned upside down from the time of transport by the first transport means are transported in a direction opposite to the predetermined direction, and the first transport means. A second transporting means provided adjacent to the transporting means and a total of five imaging means arranged directly above or diagonally above the transporting means are provided, and an visual inspection of the entire tablet is imaged by these imaging means. The device is also known (see, for example, Patent Document 2 and the like).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2019-39760 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2009-2690

However, each of the above-mentioned visual inspection devices according to the prior art is provided with a large number of imaging means. Therefore, there is a risk that the equipment will become complicated and large, and the cost related to the manufacture and maintenance of the equipment will increase.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is that it is possible to obtain image pickup data of the entire tablet by one imaging means, and it is effective to simplify the apparatus and reduce the manufacturing cost. The purpose is to provide a visual inspection device or the like that can be used for the purpose.

Hereinafter, each means suitable for solving the above object will be described separately for each item. In addition, the action and effect peculiar to the corresponding means will be added as necessary.

Means 1. An visual inspection device for inspecting the appearance of a tablet having a front surface, a back surface, and a side surface located between the front surface and the back surface.
The first transport means for transporting the tablet while adsorbing the front surface or the back surface of the tablet,
A second transport means for transporting the tablet while adsorbing the front surface or the back surface of the tablet,
A delivery means for delivering tablets from the first transport means to the second transport means,
An imaging means for imaging tablets,
An image processing means for inspecting the appearance of a tablet based on the image pickup data obtained by the image pickup means is provided.
The tablets transported by the first transport means and the second transport means are arranged in parallel at positions sandwiching the center of the imaging field of view in the imaging means.
The imaging means is configured to be capable of imaging the non-adsorbed surface and side surface of the front surface and the back surface of each of the first transport means and the second transport means.
The delivery means is such that the surface to be adsorbed of the tablet is inverted and the side surface of the tablet imaged by the imaging means is inverted between the time of transportation by the first transport means and the time of transport by the second transport means. The visual inspection apparatus is configured to deliver the tablet from the first transport means to the second transport means.

According to the means 1, the tablets transported by the first transport means and the second transport means are arranged in parallel at positions sandwiching the center of the image pickup field of view in the image pickup means, and are first transported by the image pickup means. Each of the tablets transported by the means and the second transport means is imaged. Here, the image pickup means is capable of imaging the front surface or the back surface and the side surface (side surface located on the image pickup means side) of the transported tablets that are not adsorbed by the first transport means or the second transport means. ing. Further, the delivery means is such that the surface to be adsorbed of the tablet is inverted and the side surface of the tablet imaged by the imaging means is inverted between the time of transportation by the first transport means and the time of transport by the second transport means. The tablets are delivered from the first transport means to the second transport means. In addition, "the side surface of the tablet imaged by the imaging means is inverted" means that when the side surface of the tablet is divided into half regions along the circumferential direction of the tablet, the side surface of the tablet is transferred by the first transport means and the second transport. The side surface of the tablet imaged by the imaging means (facing the imaging means side) is divided into two from one of the two divided sides (hereinafter referred to as "one side surface") during transportation by the means. It means switching to the other of the two (hereinafter referred to as "the other side surface").

With the above configuration, in the tablet transported by one image pickup means, one and one side surface of the front surface and the back surface of the tablet transported by the first transport means, and the tablet transported by the second transport means. The other side of the front surface and the back surface and the side surface on the other side can be imaged. That is, it is possible to obtain imaging data relating to the entire tablet by using one imaging means. As a result, it is possible to effectively reduce the simplification and miniaturization of the device, and reduce the cost related to the manufacture and maintenance of the device.

Further, since the first transport means and the second transport means transport the tablets while adsorbing them, it is possible to prevent the tablets from moving or rotating due to an impact during transport, and the relative positional relationship of the tablets with respect to the imaging means is more reliable. Can be maintained in proper condition. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably obtain imaging data relating to the entire tablet.

Means 2. The first transport means and the second transport means are configured to transport the tablets at the positions imaged by the image pickup means so that the non-adsorbed surfaces of the front surface and the back surface face the same direction. Has been
The delivery means is
A tablet moving means for moving a tablet from the first transporting means side to the second transporting means side without changing the direction of the side surface.
The visual inspection apparatus according to means 1, further comprising a reversing means for inverting the surface to be adsorbed of the tablet during transportation by the first transport means and during transport by the second transport means.

According to the above means 2, the delivery means can be realized by a relatively simple configuration, and as a result, the equipment can be simplified and the manufacturing cost can be reduced more effectively.

By moving the tablet from the first transporting means side to the second transporting means side without changing the direction of the side surface (without rotating) by the tablet moving means, the tablet is transported by the first transporting means and During transport by the second transport means, the side surface of the tablet imaged by the image pickup means can be inverted.

Means 3. The tablet moving means can adsorb and hold the front surface or the back surface of the tablet and can slide and hold the tablet along a predetermined rotation axis direction, and the tablet sucked and held by the slide movement can be adsorbed and held from the first transport means side. (Ii) It is composed of a suction slide drum that has a moving suction part that can move to the transport means side on the outer circumference and that can rotate around the rotation axis.
The reversing means has a reversing suction portion on the outer periphery capable of sucking and holding the front surface or the back surface of the tablet, and is composed of a rotatable suction reversing drum.
The tablets are transferred in the order of the first transporting means, the tablet moving means, the reversing means and the second transporting means, or in the order of the first transporting means, the reversing means, the tablet moving means and the second transporting means. , The visual inspection apparatus according to means 2, wherein the means is configured to be handed over from the upstream means to the downstream means while inverting the front and back.

According to the above means 3, each of the tablet moving means and the reversing means can more reliably exert the desired function, and the operation stability of the device can be improved. In addition, since the tablet is moved while being sucked and held by the moving suction part and the reverse suction part, it is more reliable to move the tablet from the first transport means side to the second transport means without changing the direction of the side surface. It will be possible. As a result, the side surface of the tablet imaged by the image pickup means can be more reliably inverted between the time of transportation by the first transportation means and the time of transportation by the second transportation means.

According to the above means 3, the operation of transferring the tablet from the upstream means to the downstream means while inverting the front and back is performed three times by the intervention of the reversing means (adsorption reversing drum). As a result, the surface of the tablet adsorbed by the first transport means and the surface of the tablet adsorbed by the second transport means can be turned upside down.

Means 4. Any of the means 1 to 3, wherein the imaging means is configured to image the tablet at a plurality of timings including a timing before and a timing after the tablet to be transported is closest to itself. The visual inspection device described in Crab.

According to the above means 4, since the image pickup means captures the tablet before and after passing through the image pickup means, it is possible to obtain image pickup data on the side surface of the tablet over a wider range. As a result, the state of the side surface of the tablet can be grasped more accurately based on the imaging data, and the quality of the tablet can be determined more accurately.

Means 5. The visual inspection apparatus according to means 4, wherein the image pickup means is configured to image the tablet at least at the timing when the tablet to be conveyed is closest to itself.

According to the above means 5, it is possible to obtain image pickup data of a tablet closest to the image pickup means. Therefore, based on this highly accurate imaging data, the state of the tablet can be grasped more accurately. As a result, it becomes possible to more accurately determine the quality of the tablet.

Means 6. The first transport means and the second transport means are configured to transport tablets in a state of arranging them in a plurality of rows.
The visual inspection apparatus according to any one of means 1 to 5, wherein the image pickup means is configured to image the tablets in each row at one time.

According to the means 6, since the imaging means captures the tablets in each row transported by both transporting means at once, it is possible to obtain imaging data including information on a plurality of tablets. This makes it possible to improve the inspection efficiency.

Means 7. A packaging sheet manufacturing apparatus used for attaching a band-shaped first film and a second film, respectively, and obtaining a packaging sheet in which tablets are stored in a storage space formed between the two films. ,
The visual inspection apparatus according to any one of means 1 to 6 and
An attachment means for attaching the strip-shaped first film to be conveyed and the strip-shaped second film to be conveyed.
A filling means for filling the storage space formed between the first film and the second film with tablets whose appearance has been inspected by the visual inspection device.
The packaging is characterized by comprising a separating means for separating the packaging sheet from the strip-shaped packaging film to which the first film and the second film are attached and the tablets are accommodated in the accommodation space. Sheet manufacturing equipment.

According to the above-mentioned means 7, the same action and effect as those of the above-mentioned means 1 and the like are exhibited.

Means 8. A visual inspection method for inspecting the appearance of a tablet having a front surface, a back surface, and a side surface located between the front surface and the back surface.
The first transport step of transporting the tablet while adsorbing the front or back surface of the tablet along a predetermined first transport path, and the front or back surface of the tablet being adsorbed along the predetermined second transport path. A transport step having a second transport step for transporting the tablets,
The delivery step of delivering tablets from the first transport path to the second transport path,
An imaging step of imaging a tablet conveyed in the conveying step by a predetermined imaging means, and an imaging step.
Including a pass / fail determination step of inspecting the appearance of the tablet based on the imaging data obtained in the imaging step.
The first transport path and the second transport path are provided in parallel at positions sandwiching the center of the imaging field of view in the imaging means.
In the imaging step, the surface and the side surface of the tablet transported in the first transport step and the front and back surfaces of the tablet transported in the second transport step are not adsorbed by the imaging means. Take an image and
In the delivery step, in the first transport step and the second transport step, the surface to be adsorbed of the tablet is turned upside down and the side surface of the tablet imaged by the imaging means is reversed so that the first transport is performed. A visual inspection method comprising delivering a tablet from a route to the second transport route.

According to the above-mentioned means 8, the same action and effect as the above-mentioned means 1 can be achieved.

It is a perspective view which shows the PTP sheet. It is a partially enlarged sectional view of a PTP sheet. It is a perspective view which shows the PTP film. It is a schematic diagram which shows the schematic structure of the PTP packaging machine. It is a block diagram which shows the electrical structure of a visual inspection apparatus. It is a perspective view of the reversal transport device when viewed from the image pickup device side. It is a perspective view of the reversing transport device when viewed from the delivery device side. It is a top view of the reversing transfer device. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line JJ of FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows the image pickup data. It is a schematic diagram which shows the image pickup data which concerns on the tablet obtained when the tablet which is carried by the 1st adsorption conveyor is imaged at the timing before passing. It is a schematic diagram which shows the image pickup data which concerns on the tablet obtained when the tablet which is carried by the 1st adsorption conveyor is imaged at the closest timing. It is a schematic diagram which shows the image pickup data which concerns on the tablet obtained when the tablet which is carried by the first adsorption conveyor is imaged at the timing after passing. It is a schematic diagram which shows the imaging data which concerns on the tablet obtained when the tablet which is carried by the 2nd adsorption conveyor is imaged at the timing before passing. It is a schematic diagram which shows the image pickup data which concerns on the tablet obtained when the tablet which is carried by the 2nd adsorption conveyor is imaged at the closest timing. It is a schematic diagram which shows the image pickup data which concerns on the tablet obtained when the tablet which is carried by the 2nd adsorption conveyor is imaged at the timing after passing. It is a flowchart of a visual inspection process. It is a perspective view which shows the suction conveyor and the delivery device in another embodiment. It is a front view which shows the suction conveyor and the delivery device in another embodiment. It is a side view of the suction conveyor and the like in another embodiment. It is a top view which shows the SP sheet. It is a perspective view which shows the delivery device and the like in another embodiment. It is a side view which shows the delivery device and the like in another embodiment.

Hereinafter, one embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. First, the PTP sheet 1 as a packaging sheet will be described.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the PTP sheet 1 has a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view, and is attached to the container film 3 having a plurality of pocket portions 2 and the container film 3 so as to close the pocket portions 2. It has a worn cover film 4. In the present embodiment, the "container film 3" constitutes the "first film" and the "cover film 4" constitutes the "second film".

The container film 3 is formed of a transparent or translucent thermoplastic resin material such as PP (polypropylene) or PVC (polyvinyl chloride). 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 polypropylene resin or the like coated on the surface thereof.

Further, in the PTP sheet 1, two pocket rows consisting of five pocket portions 2 arranged along the longitudinal direction of the seat are formed in the lateral direction of the seat. That is, a total of 10 pocket portions 2 are formed. One tablet 5 is stored in the storage space 2a in each pocket portion 2. The tablet 5 has a front surface 5a and a back surface 5b and a side surface 5c located between the front surface 5a and the back surface 5b.

Further, the PTP sheet 1 is provided with a slit for dividing the sheet and a marking for showing various information (however, the slit and the marking are not shown in FIG. 1 and the like).

The PTP sheet 1 is manufactured by punching a strip-shaped PTP film 6 (see FIG. 3) formed from a strip-shaped container film 3 and a strip-shaped cover film 4 into a sheet shape. In the present embodiment, the "PTP film 6" constitutes the "packaging film".

Next, a schematic configuration of the PTP packaging machine 10 as a packaging sheet manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing the PTP sheet 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

On the most upstream side of the PTP packaging machine 10, the original fabric of the strip-shaped container film 3 is wound in a roll shape. The drawer end side of the container film 3 wound in a roll shape is guided by the guide roll 13. The container film 3 is hung 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 intermittently conveys the container film 3.

A heating device 15 and a pocket portion forming device 16 are sequentially arranged between the guide roll 13 and the intermittent feed roll 14 along the transport 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 on the container film 3. The formation of the pocket portion 2 is performed during the interval between the transport operations of the container film 3 by the intermittent feed roll 14.

The container film 3 fed 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 continuously conveyed at a constant speed. The tension roll 18 is in a state of pulling the container film 3 toward the tension side by the elastic force, and prevents the container film 3 from loosening 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 tense state.

A tablet filling device 21 is arranged between the guide roll 19 and the film receiving roll 20 along the transport path of the container film 3.

The tablet filling device 21 has a function as a filling means for automatically filling the pocket portion 2 with the tablet 5. The tablet filling device 21 drops the tablet 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 this shutter opening operation. The tablet 5 is filled in the storage space 2a of 2.

Further, the PTP packaging machine 10 is provided with a visual inspection device 50, and the tablets 5 determined to be non-defective by the visual inspection device 50 are supplied to the tablet filling device 21. The visual inspection device 50 will be described later.

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

The drawer 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 pressure-contacted with the film receiving roll 20, and the container film 3 and the cover film 4 are fed between the rolls 20 and 27. Then, as the films 3 and 4 pass between the rolls 20 and 27 in a heat and pressure contact state, the cover film 4 is attached to the container film 3 and the pocket portion 2 is closed by the cover film 4. As a result, a 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 the "attaching means".

The PTP film 6 fed 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 of pulling the PTP film 6 toward the tension side by the elastic force, and prevents the PTP film 6 from loosening due to the difference in the transport operation between the film receiving roll 20 and the intermittent feed roll 29, and PTP. The film 6 is always kept in a tense state.

The PTP film 6 fed from the intermittent feed roll 29 is hung in the order of the tension roll 31 and the intermittent feed roll 32. Since the intermittent feed roll 32 is connected to a motor that rotates intermittently, the PTP film 6 is intermittently conveyed. The tension roll 31 is in a state of pulling the PTP film 6 toward the tension side by the elastic force, and prevents the PTP film 6 from loosening between the intermittent feed rolls 29 and 32.

A slit forming device 33 and a marking device 34 are sequentially arranged between the intermittent feed roll 29 and the tension roll 31 along the transport path of the PTP film 6. The slit forming device 33 has a function of forming a slit 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 fed from the intermittent feed roll 32 is hooked on the tension roll 35 and the continuous feed roll 36 in this order on the downstream side thereof. A sheet punching device 37 is arranged 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 of punching the outer edge of the PTP film 6 in units of one PTP sheet. In the present embodiment, the "sheet punching device 37" constitutes the "cutting means".

The PTP sheet 1 obtained by punching with the sheet punching device 37 is conveyed by the conveyor 39 and temporarily stored in the finished product hopper 40.

A cutting device 41 is arranged on the downstream side of the continuous feed roll 36. Then, the unnecessary film portion 42 remaining in a strip shape after punching 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. The cutting device 41 cuts the unnecessary film portion 42 to a predetermined size. The cut unnecessary film portion 42 (scrap) is stored in the scrap hopper 43 and then separately disposed of.

Next, the visual inspection apparatus 50 will be described. The visual inspection device 50 is a device for inspecting the appearance of the tablet 5, and as shown in FIG. 5, the inversion transport device 60, the lighting device 71 (not shown in FIG. 6 and the like), the image pickup device 72, and the image processing. The device 80 is provided. In the present embodiment, the "imaging device 72" constitutes the "imaging means".

The inversion transport device 60 transports the tablet 5 to be inspected while changing the positional relationship with respect to the image pickup device 72. As shown in FIGS. 6 to 9, the reversing transfer device 60 includes a first suction conveyor 61, a second suction conveyor 62, and a delivery device 63. In the present embodiment, the "first suction conveyor 61" constitutes the "first transport means", the "second suction conveyor 62" constitutes the "second transport means", and the "delivery device 63" constitutes the "delivery means". ”.

The first suction conveyor 61 has a pair of pulleys 61a and 61b, a suction belt 61c and a suction mechanism (not shown), and the second suction conveyor 62 has a pair of pulleys 62a and 62b, a suction belt 62c and a suction mechanism (not shown). (Illustrated). The first suction conveyor 61 and the second suction conveyor 62 are arranged in parallel at intervals.

The pair of pulleys 61a and 61b and the pair of pulleys 62a and 62b are arranged in parallel at intervals, and can rotate about a rotation axis extending in the horizontal direction by a predetermined driving means (not shown). It is said that. However, the rotation direction of the pair of pulleys 61a and 61b is opposite to the rotation direction of the pair of pulleys 62a and 62b. Further, the pulley 61a is provided with an encoder (not shown), and a predetermined timing signal is output to the image processing device 80 each time the pulley 61a rotates by a predetermined amount, that is, each time the suction belt 61c is conveyed by a predetermined amount. It is configured to. The pulley to be detected by the encoder may be appropriately changed.

The suction belt 61c is bridged to a pair of pulleys 61a and 61b, and the suction belt 62c is bridged to a pair of pulleys 62a and 62b. In the present embodiment, when the reversing transfer device 60 is viewed from the front, the suction belt 61c rotates counterclockwise with the rotation of the pair of pulleys 61a and 61b, and the suction belt 62c rotates the pair of pulleys 62a and 62b. It rotates clockwise with it. Both suction belts 61c and 62c continuously rotate at the same speed.

Further, a large number of suction holes (not shown) are formed through the suction belts 61c and 62c, and each suction hole is evacuated (a state in which a negative pressure is supplied) by operating the suction mechanism. Is possible. As a result, both the suction conveyors 61 and 62 can convey the tablet 5 while sucking and holding the front surface 5a or the back surface 5b of the tablet 5 by the suction belts 61c and 62c. More specifically, the first suction conveyor 61 sucks the tablet 5 on the upper surface of the suction belt 61c and moves the tablet from the predetermined supply position P0 (see FIG. 6) to the predetermined first position P1 (see FIG. 9). 5 is transported. That is, the first suction conveyor 61 transports the tablets 5 sucked on the upper surface of the suction belt 61c along the first transport path C1 which is a linear path from the supply position P0 to the first position P1. .. The supply position P0 is a position for supplying the tablets 5 to the first suction conveyor 61. At the supply position P0, the tablets 5 before the inspection are transferred from the predetermined tablet supply device (not shown) to the first suction conveyor 61. Is supplied. Further, the first position P1 is located vertically below the rotation axis R1 of the suction slide drum 631 described later, and is a position where the tablet 5 is delivered from the first suction conveyor 61 to the delivery device 63.

On the other hand, the second suction conveyor 62 sucks the tablet 5 on the upper surface of the suction belt 62c, and the rotation of the suction belt 62c causes the predetermined recovery position P4 (see FIG. 6) from the predetermined third position P3 (see FIG. 9). ), The tablet 5 is transported. That is, the second suction conveyor 62 conveys the tablet 5 adsorbed on the upper surface of the adsorption belt 62c along the second transfer path C2 which is a linear path from the third position P3 to the recovery position P4. .. The third position P3 is located vertically below the rotation axis of the suction reversing drum 632, which will be described later, and is a position where the tablet 5 is delivered from the suction reversing drum 632 to the second suction conveyor 62. The collection position P4 is a position for collecting the tablet 5 after the inspection.

The collection position P4 includes a position for collecting the tablets 5 judged to be non-defective by the inspection (non-defective product collection position) and a position for collecting the tablets 5 judged to be defective by the inspection (defective product collection position). included. Then, a container for non-defective products is installed for temporarily storing the non-defective product tablet 5 corresponding to the non-defective product collection position, and the non-defective product tablet 5 is temporarily stored in the non-defective product container and then the tablet. It is supplied to the filling device 21. On the other hand, a defective product container for storing the defective product tablet 5 is provided corresponding to the defective product collection position, and the defective product tablet 5 is stored in the defective product container and then discarded. The positions of the supply position P0 and the recovery position P4 in the present embodiment are examples, and these positions may be changed as appropriate. For example, the recovery position P4 may be below the suction belt 62c.

Further, in the present embodiment, the first suction conveyor 61 and the second suction conveyor 62 are the tablets 5 sucked and held on the upper surfaces of the suction belts 61c and 62c, that is, the tablets 5 at least in the position of being imaged by the image pickup device 72. Is transported so that the non-adsorbed surfaces of the front surface 5a and the back surface 5b face the same direction (upward in this embodiment). Further, both suction conveyors 61 and 62 convey the tablets 5 in a state of being arranged in a plurality of rows (two rows in the present embodiment).

In addition, a blow mechanism (not shown) is provided inside each of the suction conveyors 61 and 62. The blow mechanism can blow pressurized air toward the suction holes. When the blow mechanism blows air, a pressure higher than the atmospheric pressure can be generated in the suction holes, and as a result, the suction of the tablet 5 by the suction belts 61c and 62c can be released. In the present embodiment, the first suction conveyor 61 is provided with a blow mechanism corresponding to the first position P1 so that the suction of the tablet 5 conveyed to the first position P1 is released by the operation of the blow mechanism. It has become. On the other hand, the second suction conveyor 62 is provided with a blow mechanism corresponding to the recovery position P4, and the operation of the blow mechanism releases the suction of the tablet 5 conveyed to the recovery position P4. As the blow mechanism corresponding to the collection position P4, the one corresponding to the non-defective product collection position and the one corresponding to the defective product collection position are separately provided.

The delivery device 63 is a device for delivering the tablet 5 from the first suction conveyor 61 to the second suction conveyor 62, and includes a suction slide drum 631 and a suction reversal drum 632. In the present embodiment, the "adsorption slide drum 631" constitutes the "tablet moving means", and the "adsorption reversing drum 632" constitutes the "reversing means".

The suction slide drum 631 is such that the tablet 5 is placed on the tablet 5 from the first suction conveyor 61 side to the second suction conveyor 62 side without changing the orientation of the side surface 5c [the tablet 5 is centered on its central axis CL (see FIG. 2). It is for moving]. The suction slide drum 631 includes a rotary drum 631a and a mobile suction unit 631b.

The rotary drum 631a is provided above both the suction conveyors 61 and 62 from the first suction conveyor 61 to the second suction conveyor 62, and the rotation shaft R1 parallel to the rotation shafts of the pulleys 61a, 61b, 62a, 62b. Continuously rotates at a constant speed with the center of rotation as the center of rotation. A plurality of grooves extending in the rotation axis R1 direction and guiding the movement of the moving suction portion 631b are formed on the outer periphery of the rotating drum 631a.

The mobile suction unit 631b is provided on the outer circumference of the rotary drum 631a, that is, the outer circumference of the suction slide drum 631. A plurality of mobile suction portions 631b are provided at equal intervals along the rotation direction of the rotary drum 631a, and are arranged one by one in the groove of the rotary drum 631a. Further, each moving suction unit 631b is provided with a pair of suction holes 631c (see FIG. 9), and each suction hole 631c is evacuated by operating a suction mechanism (not shown) provided in the rotary drum 631a. It is possible to set the state (state in which negative pressure is supplied). As a result, the mobile adsorption unit 631b can adsorb and hold the front surface 5a or the back surface 5b of the tablet 5. A blow mechanism (not shown) for releasing the suction of the tablet 5 by the moving suction portion 631b is provided inside the suction slide drum 631, and the blow mechanism is located at the second position P2 (see FIG. 8). Correspondingly installed. The second position P2 is a position where the tablet 5 is delivered from the suction slide drum 631 to the suction reversal drum 632, and is located on the side of the rotation shaft R1 in the present embodiment.

Further, each moving suction unit 631b is slidable along the rotation axis R1 direction. More specifically, each moving suction unit 631b is located near the first suction conveyor 61, and is the position of its own suction hole 631c and the tablet 5 conveyed by the first suction conveyor 61 along the rotation axis R1 direction. Is a position closer to the suction reversing drum 632 from the position on one end side where is matched, and the positions of its own suction hole 631c and the suction hole 632b described later of the suction reversal drum 632 are the same along the rotation axis R1 direction. It is possible to move back and forth between the position on the other end side. As a result, each moving suction unit 631b slides and holds the front surface 5a or the back surface 5b of the tablet 5 while sucking and holding the tablet 5, so that the tablet 5 sucked and held is second from the first suction conveyor 61 side (the one end side position). It can be conveyed to the suction conveyor 62 side (the other end side position).

Here, the operation of the mobile suction unit 631b will be described in more detail. First, the mobile suction unit 631b reaches the first position P1 in a state of being arranged at the one end side position as the rotary drum 631a rotates. At the first position P1, the mobile suction unit 631b receives and holds the tablet 5 conveyed by the first suction conveyor 61. After that, the moving suction unit 631b gradually slides toward the other end side position (see FIG. 7), and reaches the second position P2 in a state of being arranged at the other end side position. Then, at the second position P2, the mobile suction unit 631b releases the suction of the tablet 5 by the operation of the blow mechanism, and transfers the tablet 5 to the suction reversing drum 632. After that, the moving suction unit 631b returns to the one end side position.

The suction reversing drum 632 is a device for inverting the surface to be adsorbed of the tablet 5 during transportation by the first suction conveyor 61 and when transporting by the second suction conveyor 62. The suction reversing drum 632 continuously rotates at a constant speed with the rotation axis parallel to the rotation axis R1 as the center of rotation.

Further, an inverted adsorption portion 632a having a recessed shape corresponding to the shape of the tablet 5 is provided on the outer periphery of the adsorption inversion drum 632, and an adsorption hole 632b is formed in the center of the inverted adsorption portion 632a. .. A suction mechanism (not shown) is provided inside the suction reversing drum 632, and each suction hole 632b can be evacuated (a state in which a negative pressure is supplied) by operating the suction mechanism. It is possible. As a result, the reverse adsorption unit 632a can adsorb and hold the front surface 5a or the back surface 5b of the tablet 5. The reversing suction unit 632a that sucks and holds the tablet 5 moves from the second position P2 to the third position P3 as the suction reversing drum 632 rotates.

In addition, a blow mechanism (not shown) for releasing the suction of the tablet 5 by the reverse suction portion 632a is provided inside the suction reversing drum 632 corresponding to the third position P3, and the operation of the blow mechanism causes the blow mechanism to operate. , The adsorption of the tablet 5 conveyed to the third position P3 is released.

In the reversing transfer device 60 configured as described above, the tablet 5 is transferred from the upstream device to the downstream device in the order of the first suction conveyor 61, the suction slide drum 631, the suction reversing drum 632 and the second suction conveyor 62. It is handed over while turning the front and back. More specifically, when the tablet 5 is conveyed to the first position P1 by the first suction conveyor 61, the suction holding by the first suction conveyor 61 is released, and the moving suction unit 631b reverses the front and back sides. Adsorbed and held. When the tablet 5 reaches the second position P2 by the sliding movement of the moving suction unit 631b and the rotation of the rotary drum 631a, the suction holding by the moving suction unit 631b is released, and the inverted suction unit 632a is inverted while inverting the front and back. Is adsorbed and held by. Further, when the tablet 5 reaches the third position P3 by the rotation of the suction reversing drum 632, the suction holding by the reversing suction portion 632a is released, and the tablet 5 is sucked and held by the second suction conveyor 62 while inverting the front and back. .. As a result, the tablet 5 conveyed by the suction conveyors 61 and 62 is in a state where the side surface 5c does not change its orientation, but the surface to be sucked is turned upside down. The tablet 5 sucked and held by the second suction conveyor 62 is conveyed to the collection position P4. Then, at the recovery position P4, the non-defective tablet 5 is housed in the non-defective container, and the defective tablet 5 is housed in the defective container.

Returning to FIG. 5, the lighting device 71 irradiates the tablet 5 to be imaged by the image pickup device 72 with light such as infrared light. In the present embodiment, the lighting device 71 is installed above both adsorption conveyors 61 and 62, and irradiates the tablets 5 in each row conveyed by both adsorption conveyors 61 and 62 with light.

The image pickup device 72 captures the tablet 5 conveyed by both suction conveyors 61 and 62, and is composed of, for example, a CCD camera or a CMOS camera that is sensitive to the light emitted from the lighting device 71.

The image pickup device 72 two-dimensionally captures the light reflected from the tablet 5 when the light emitted from the lighting device 71 illuminates the tablet 5. The image pickup data (luminance image data) obtained by the image pickup device 72 is converted into a digital signal (image signal) inside the image pickup device 72, and then input to the image processing device 80 in the form of a digital signal. ..

Further, the image pickup apparatus 72 is located above both suction conveyors 61 and 62, and is arranged so that the optical axis L1 of its own lens (see FIG. 6 and the like) passes through the center between both suction conveyors 61 and 62. (See Figures 8 and 9). As a result, the tablets 5 conveyed by the first suction conveyor 61 and the second suction conveyor 62 are arranged in parallel at positions sandwiching the center of the image pickup field of view in the image pickup apparatus 72. That is, the first transport path C1 and the second transport path C2 are in a state of being present in parallel at positions sandwiching the center of the image pickup field of view in the image pickup apparatus 72. As a result, the image pickup apparatus 72 can take an image of the non-adsorbed surface and the side surface 5c of the front surface 5a and the back surface 5b of the tablet 5 conveyed by both adsorption conveyors 61 and 62. Further, the image pickup apparatus 72 can take an image of the tablets 5 in each row conveyed by the suction conveyors 61 and 62 at once.

Further, as described above, since the tablet 5 conveyed by the suction conveyors 61 and 62 does not change the direction of the side surface 5c, the tablet 5 is conveyed by the first suction conveyor 61 and the second suction conveyor 62. Then, the surface of the side surface 5c arranged on the image pickup device 72 side is inverted. Therefore, when the side surface 5c of the tablet 5 is divided in half along the circumferential direction of the tablet 5, the image pickup apparatus 72 has the tablet 5 conveyed by the first suction conveyor 61 among the two divided side surfaces 5c. One of the tablets 5 transported by the second suction conveyor 62 can be mainly imaged, and the other of the two divided side surfaces 5c can be mainly imaged. That is, in the present embodiment, the delivery device 63 reverses the side surface 5c of the tablet 5 imaged by the image pickup device 72 between the time of transportation by the first suction conveyor 61 and the time of transportation by the second suction conveyor 62. , The tablet 5 is delivered from the first suction conveyor 61 to the second suction conveyor 62.

Further, the image pickup device 72 takes an image of the tablet 5 at the timing when the tablet 5 conveyed by the suction conveyors 61 and 62 comes closest to each other (referred to as "closest approach timing") under the control of the camera timing control device 85 described later. .. Here, the image pickup apparatus 72 can take an image of not only the tablet 5 closest to the tablet 5 but also the tablets 5 located before and after the tablet 5 along the transport direction by one imaging operation. There is. Therefore, by repeatedly performing imaging at the closest timing, as a result, the tablet 5 of 1 is subjected to the closest timing, the timing before the closest timing (referred to as “pre-passage timing”), and the closest timing. It is possible to take images at a plurality of timings including later timings (“post-pass timing”). In the present embodiment, the image pickup apparatus 72 takes an image of the tablet 5 of 1 at a total of three timings of the pre-passage timing, the closest approach timing, and the post-passage timing when the tablet 5 is conveyed by the first suction conveyor 61. At the time of transportation by the suction conveyor 62, similarly, imaging is performed at a total of three timings of the pre-passage timing, the closest approach timing, and the post-passage timing. That is, the image pickup apparatus 72 performs a total of 6 times of imaging on 1 tablet 5.

In the present embodiment, the tablet 5 conveyed by the first adsorption conveyor 61 and the tablet 5 conveyed by the second adsorption conveyor 62 are configured to come closest to the image pickup apparatus 72 at the same timing.

With the image pickup apparatus 72 configured as described above, for example, an image pickup data ID as shown in FIG. 10 can be obtained. In the present embodiment, six imaging data relating to tablet 5 of 1 are obtained. Here, a plurality of imaging data relating to the tablet 5 of 1 will be described. In the following, the side surface 5c of the tablet 5 is divided into four equal parts along the circumferential direction of the tablet 5, and each region of the side surface 5c divided into four equal parts is divided into the front surface 5c1, the rear surface 5c2, the left surface 5c3 and the right surface 5c4 for convenience. That is. Further, it is assumed that the front surface 5c1 and the left surface 5c3 of the tablet 5 are located on the image pickup device 72 side during transportation by the first suction conveyor 61, and at least the surface 5a, the front surface 5c1 and the left surface 5c3 can be imaged.

Then, when focusing on any one tablet 5 (hereinafter referred to as “tablet 5x”), the imaging data ID 1 obtained by imaging the tablet 5x at the timing before passing during transportation by the first adsorption conveyor 61 is shown in FIG. As shown in, in addition to the surface 5a and the front surface 5c1 of the tablet 5x, information relating to the portion from the left surface 5c3 to the rear surface 5c2 is included. Further, as shown in FIG. 12, the imaging data ID 2 obtained by imaging the tablet 5x at the closest timing during transportation by the first suction conveyor 61 contains information relating to the surface 5a, the front surface 5c1 and the left surface 5c3 of the tablet 5x. Is included. Further, as shown in FIG. 13, in addition to the surface 5a and the left surface 5c3 of the tablet 5x, the image pickup data ID3 obtained by imaging the tablet 5x at the timing after passing during the transfer by the first adsorption conveyor 61 includes the front surface 5c1. Information related to the portion from to the right side 5c4 is included.

Further, as shown in FIG. 14, in the image pickup data ID 4 obtained by imaging the tablet 5x at the timing before passing during transportation by the second suction conveyor 62, in addition to the back surface 5b and the rear surface 5c2 of the tablet 5x, the right surface 5c4 Information related to the portion from to the front surface 5c1 is included. Further, as shown in FIG. 15, the imaging data ID 5 obtained by imaging the tablet 5x at the closest timing during transportation by the second suction conveyor 62 contains information relating to the back surface 5b, the rear surface 5c2, and the right surface 5c4 of the tablet 5x. Is included. In addition, as shown in FIG. 16, in the image pickup data ID 6 obtained by imaging the tablet 5x at the timing after passing during transportation by the second suction conveyor 62, in addition to the back surface 5b and the right surface 5c4 of the tablet 5x, the rear surface Information related to the portion from 5c2 to the left side 5c3 is included.

As described above, the imaging data ID1 to ID6 relating to the tablet 5x of 1 include a portion from the right surface 5c4 to the front surface 5c1 and a portion from the left surface 5c3 to the rear surface 5c2, which are difficult to grasp when imaging only at the closest timing. Information on the above will be included. The range of the side surface 5c to be imaged may be appropriately changed by adjusting the transport interval of the tablet 5 by the suction conveyors 61 and 62 and the positional relationship between the tablet 5 and the image pickup device 72.

Returning to FIG. 5, the image processing apparatus 80 will be described. The image processing device 80 determines the quality of the appearance of the tablet 5 based on the image pickup data obtained by the image pickup device 72. The image processing device 80 is configured as a so-called computer system including a CPU as a calculation means, a ROM for storing various programs, a RAM for temporarily storing various data such as calculation data and input / output data, and the like. .. The image processing device 80 includes an image memory 81, an inspection result storage device 82, a determination memory 83, an image / inspection condition storage device 84, a camera timing control device 85, a CPU, and an input / output interface 86.

The image memory 81 stores the image pickup data obtained by the image pickup device 72. The inspection is executed based on the data stored in the image memory 81. Of course, when the inspection is executed, the imaging data may be processed. For example, it is conceivable to perform processing such as binarization processing, masking processing, and shading correction. The shading correction is for correcting the variation in luminance caused by the difference in position. The image data obtained by performing various image processes is also stored in the image memory 81.

The inspection result storage device 82 stores data of the pass / fail determination result, statistical data obtained by processing the data probabilistically, and the like.

The determination memory 83 stores various information used for the inspection. The various information includes a threshold value and a reference value used for pass / fail determination, and data for defining an inspection target range (for example, information for specifying an area occupied by the tablet 5 in the imaging data).

The image / inspection condition storage device 84 stores the date and time of defect determination, the inspection conditions used for the inspection, and the like.

The camera timing control device 85 controls the image pickup timing of the image pickup device 72. The imaging timing is controlled based on the timing signal output from the encoder. The camera timing control device 85 performs imaging by the image pickup device 72 each time the tablet 5 conveyed by the suction conveyors 61 and 62 comes closest to the image pickup device 72.

The CPU and the input / output interface 86 control various controls in the visual inspection device 50. The CPU and the input / output interface 86 are capable of transmitting and receiving signals to and from the constituent devices of the inverting transfer device 60. For example, a signal relating to a quality determination result relating to the tablet 5 is provided corresponding to the collection position P4. It is designed to be output to the control device (not shown) of the blow mechanism.

Further, the image processing device 80 executes a quality determination regarding the appearance of the tablet 5 based on the image pickup data obtained by the image pickup device 72 while using the stored contents of the determination memory 83 and the like. More specifically, the image processing apparatus 80 first sets an inspection target range in the obtained image pickup data. For example, by performing a predetermined masking process on the imaging data, the area occupied by the tablet 5 in the imaging data is set as the inspection target range.

Next, the image processing device 80 performs binarization processing on the image data using the threshold value stored in the determination memory 83 to reduce the brightness of each pixel to “0 (dark)” or “1 (bright)”. The binarized image data represented by "" is obtained.

Next, the image processing apparatus 80 performs mass processing on the set inspection target range. In the agglomeration processing, a process for specifying a connecting component for each of the “0 (dark)” pixel and the “1 (bright)” pixel in the binarized image data is performed, and the specified connecting component (lump portion) is specified. Area (number of pixels in this embodiment) is calculated. After that, based on the area of the lump portion and the reference value stored in the determination memory 83, it is determined whether or not foreign matter is attached or damaged in the tablet 5, and whether or not printing is good or bad.

In the present embodiment, when six imaging data are obtained for one tablet 5, the above-mentioned pass / fail determination processing is performed for each imaging data. Then, when the determination result for the tablet 5 based on the imaging data regarding the tablet 5 of 1 is good, the tablet 5 is determined to be a non-defective product. On the other hand, if this is not the case, that is, if the determination result based on at least one imaging data is defective, the tablet 5 is determined to be a defective product.

The pass / fail judgment method can be appropriately changed according to various conditions. For example, in addition to or instead of the determination process based on the area, the determination process based on the shape and number of the connected components may be performed.

Next, the visual inspection process (visual inspection method) performed by the visual inspection apparatus 50 will be described with reference to the flowchart.

As shown in FIG. 17, first, the tablet supply step of step S1 is performed. In the tablet supply step, the tablet 5 is supplied to the first suction conveyor 61 located at the supply position P0 by the tablet supply device.

Following the tablet supply step, the first transport step of step S21 is performed. In the first transfer step, the tablet 5 is conveyed along the first transfer path C1 while adsorbing the front surface 5a or the back surface 5b of the tablet 5 by the first adsorption conveyor 61.

Next, the first imaging step of step S31 is performed. In the first imaging step, the image pickup apparatus 72 images the non-adsorbed surface (for example, the surface 5a) and the side surface 5c of the front surface 5a and the back surface 5b of the tablet 5 transported by the first transfer path C1. .. In the first imaging step, the imaging of 1 tablet 5 is performed at the pre-pass timing, the closest timing, and the post-pass timing. In the first imaging step, the image pickup device 72 also images the tablet 5 transported by the second transport path C2.

Next, the delivery step of step S4 is performed. In the delivery step, the tablet 5 is delivered from the first suction conveyor 61 to the second suction conveyor 62 (from the first transfer path C1 to the second transfer path C2) by the delivery device 63. In the delivery step, the tablet 5 is delivered so that the surface to be adsorbed of the tablet 5 is turned upside down and the side surface of the tablet 5 imaged by the image pickup apparatus 72 is reversed in the first transfer step and the second transfer step. Will be.

Next, the second transfer step of step S22 is performed. In the second transfer step, the tablet 5 is conveyed along the second transfer path C2 while adsorbing the front surface 5a or the back surface 5b of the tablet 5 by the second adsorption conveyor 62. The first transfer step of step S21 and the second transfer step of step S22 are included in the transfer step of step S2.

Next, the second imaging step of step S32 is performed. In the second imaging step, of the front surface 5a and the back surface 5b of the tablet 5 transported by the imaging device 72 in the second transport path C2, the side surface not imaged in the first imaging step and the side surface 5c. The surface on the side that has not been imaged in the first imaging step is mainly imaged. Further, in the second imaging step, the imaging of the tablet 5 of 1 is performed at the pre-passage timing, the closest approach timing, and the post-passage timing, as in the first imaging step. In the second imaging step, the image pickup device 72 also images the tablet 5 transported by the first transport path C1. The first imaging step of step S31 and the second imaging step of step S32 are included in the imaging step of step S3.

Next, the pass / fail determination step of step S5 is performed. In the quality determination step, the image processing apparatus 80 inspects the appearance of the tablet 5 based on the plurality of imaging data obtained in the first imaging step and the second imaging step.

After that, the recovery step of step S6 is performed, so that the visual inspection step is completed. In the recovery step, the tablet 5 determined to be a non-defective product in the quality determination step is housed in the non-defective product container, and the tablet 5 determined to be a defective product in the quality determination step is housed in the defective product container.

As described in detail above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to obtain imaging data relating to the entire tablet 5 by using one imaging device 72. As a result, it is possible to effectively reduce the simplification and miniaturization of the device, and reduce the cost related to the manufacture and maintenance of the device.

Further, since both suction conveyors 61 and 62 transport the tablets 5 while adsorbing them, it is possible to prevent the tablets 5 from moving or rotating due to an impact during transport, and the relative positional relationship of the tablets 5 with respect to the image pickup apparatus 72 can be improved. It can be reliably maintained in an appropriate state. Therefore, the imaging data relating to the entire tablet 5 can be obtained more reliably.

Further, since the delivery device 63 is composed of the suction slide drum 631 and the suction reversal drum 632, the delivery device 63 can be realized with a relatively simple configuration, and as a result, the device can be simplified and the manufacturing cost can be reduced. Etc. can be planned more effectively.

In addition, by configuring the suction slide drum 631 and the suction reversing drum 632 as described above, the desired functions can be more reliably exhibited in each of the suction slide drum 631 and the suction reversing drum 632. The operational stability of the device can be improved. Further, since the tablet 5 is moved while being sucked and held by the moving suction unit 631b and the reverse suction unit 632a, the tablet 5 is moved from the first suction conveyor 61 side to the second suction conveyor 62 side without changing the direction of the side surface 5c. It will be possible to move it more reliably. As a result, the side surface 5c of the tablet 5 imaged by the image pickup apparatus 72 can be more reliably inverted between the time of transportation by the first suction conveyor 61 and the time of transportation by the second suction conveyor 62.

Further, since the image pickup device 72 captures the image of the tablet 5 before and after passing through the image pickup device 72, it is possible to obtain image pickup data on the side surface 5c of the tablet 5 over a wider range. As a result, the state of the side surface 5c of the tablet 5 can be grasped more accurately based on the imaging data, and the quality of the tablet 5 can be determined more accurately.

Further, since the image pickup data of the tablet 5 closest to the image pickup device 72 can be obtained, the state of the tablet 5 can be grasped more accurately based on the highly accurate image pickup data. As a result, it becomes possible to more accurately determine the quality of the tablet 5.

In addition, since the image pickup apparatus 72 images the tablets 5 in each row conveyed by the suction conveyors 61 and 62 at once, it is possible to obtain image pickup data including information related to the plurality of tablets 5. This makes it possible to improve the inspection efficiency.

The content is not limited to the description of the above embodiment, and may be implemented as follows, for example. Of course, other application examples and modification examples not illustrated below are also possible.

(A) In the above embodiment, both the adsorption conveyors 61 and 62 are configured to transport the tablets 5 in a state of arranging them in two rows, but transport the tablets 5 in a state of arranging them in three or more rows. May be. Of course, both suction conveyors 61 and 62 may convey the tablets 5 in a row.

(B) In the above embodiment, the tablet 5 is flipped from the upstream device to the downstream device in the order of the first suction conveyor 61, the suction slide drum 631, the suction reversing drum 632, and the second suction conveyor 62. It is configured to be handed over. On the other hand, by exchanging the arrangement positions of the suction slide drum 631 and the suction reversing drum 632, the tablet 5 is placed in the order of the first suction conveyor 61, the suction reversing drum 632, the suction slide drum 631 and the second suction conveyor 62. It may be configured to be handed over from the upstream device to the downstream device while inverting the front and back.

(C) In the above embodiment, both suction conveyors 61 and 62 have the tablets 5 at the positions imaged by the image pickup device 72 so that the non-adsorbed surfaces of the front surface 5a and the back surface 5b face in the same direction. It is configured to carry.

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 18 to 20, the non-adsorbed surfaces of the front surface 5a and the back surface 5b of the tablet 5 at the position imaged by the image pickup apparatus 72 are opposed to each other by the suction conveyors 61 and 62. It may be configured to carry the product. Then, the side surface 5c of the tablet 5 to be transported may be configured to face the image pickup apparatus 72 side. In this case, since the side surface 5c can be imaged from the front side by the image pickup device 72, the state of the side surface 5c can be grasped more accurately based on the image pickup data. As a result, the inspection accuracy related to the side surface 5c can be further improved.

In the example shown in FIG. 18 and the like, an intermediate conveyor 92 that receives the tablets 5 from the first suction conveyor 61 and a rotatable rotary conveyor that receives the tablets 5 from the intermediate conveyor 92 and delivers the tablets 5 to the second suction conveyor 62. The suction drum 93 constitutes a delivery device 91 as a delivery means (the delivery device 91 is not shown in FIG. 20). The intermediate conveyor 92 conveys the tablet 5 while adsorbing the front surface 5a or the back surface 5b of the tablet 5, similarly to the first suction conveyor 61 and the like. The intermediate conveyor 92 has a function of reversing the side surface 5c of the tablet 5 imaged by the image pickup apparatus 72 between the time of transportation by the first suction conveyor 61 and the time of transportation by the second suction conveyor 62. On the other hand, the adsorption drum 93 conveys the tablet 5 while adsorbing the front surface 5a or the back surface 5b of the tablet 5 on the outer periphery thereof. The suction drum 93 has a function of inverting the surface to be adsorbed of the tablet 5 between the time of transport by the first suction conveyor 61 and the time of transport by the second suction conveyor 62. The positions of the intermediate conveyor 92 and the suction drum 93 may be exchanged so that the tablets 5 are delivered in the order of the first suction conveyor 61, the suction drum 93, the intermediate conveyor 92 and the second suction conveyor 62.

(D) The packaging sheet is not limited to the PTP sheet 1 according to the above embodiment, and may be, for example, an SP sheet. As shown in FIG. 21, in a general SP sheet 100, two strip-shaped films 101 and 102 made of an opaque material based on aluminum are laminated, and a tablet 5 is placed between the films 101 and 102. By joining both films 101 and 102 around the storage space 103 (the shaded pattern portion in FIG. 21) so as to leave a bag-shaped storage space 103 around the tablet 5 while filling the tablet 5. The wrapping film is formed by cutting the wrapping film into a rectangular sheet shape.

(E) In the above embodiment, the transport direction of the tablet 5 at the position imaged by the image pickup device 72 is configured to be opposite between the transport by the first suction conveyor 61 and the transport by the second suction conveyor 62. Has been done. On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 22 and 23, the transport direction of the tablet 5 at the position imaged by the image pickup device 72 is the same when the tablet 5 is transported by the first suction conveyor 61 and the second suction conveyor 62. It may be configured to be.

In the example shown in FIG. 22 and the like, the delivery device 63 is configured by the suction slide drum 631 and the suction reversal drum 632, as in the above embodiment. However, while the delivery device 63 in the above embodiment is arranged on the image pickup device 72 side, the delivery device 63 in the example shown in FIG. 21 or the like sandwiches both suction conveyors 61 and 62 with the image pickup device 72. Therefore, it is arranged on the side opposite to the image pickup device 72. This makes it possible to more reliably prevent the delivery device 63 from interfering with the image pickup by the image pickup device 72. Further, the suction conveyors 61 and 62 can be made relatively short, and the device can be made compact.

(F) In the above embodiment, the tablet 5 of 1 is configured to be imaged a total of 6 times during transportation by both adsorption conveyors 61 and 62, but the number of times of imaging of the tablet 5 may be appropriately changed. For example, when transporting by the first adsorption conveyor 61, the tablet 5 of 1 is imaged only once at the closest timing, and when transporting by the second adsorption conveyor 62, the tablet 5 is imaged only once at the closest timing. It may be configured. Further, the tablet 5 may be imaged at the pre-pass timing and the post-pass timing without taking the image of the tablet 5 at the closest timing. Further, the tablet 5 may be imaged a plurality of times before the closest timing, or the tablet 5 may be imaged a plurality of times after the closest timing.

(G) In the above embodiment, only one image pickup device 72 is provided, but for the purpose of increasing the number of tablets 5 that can be imaged, the image pickup device 72 is conveyed in the transport direction of the tablets 5 by the suction conveyors 61 and 62. A plurality of units may be provided along the above. However, even in this case, there is no change in that the entire tablet 5 can be imaged by one image pickup device 72.

(H) In the above embodiment, the suction of the tablet 5 is released by the blow mechanism, but the blow mechanism is omitted, and the supply of negative pressure to the suction holes is temporarily released, for example, at a predetermined position. By doing so, the adsorption of the tablet 5 may be released.

(I) In the above embodiment, the visual inspection device 50 is provided in the PTP packaging machine 10 (in-line configuration), but the visual inspection device 50 is provided separately from the PTP packaging machine 10 (in-line configuration). It may be an offline configuration). In the case of the offline configuration, the tablet 5 judged to be a non-defective product is stored in a container such as a bottle.

(J) In the above embodiment, the PTP film 6 has a configuration in which a number of pocket portions 2 corresponding to one sheet is arranged along the width direction thereof, but the PTP film 6 is not limited to this. For example, a configuration in which a number of pocket portions 2 corresponding to a plurality of sheets are arranged along the width direction may be used.

(K) The arrangement and number of pocket portions 2 of one unit of the PTP sheet are not limited to the embodiment (2 rows, 10 pieces) of the above embodiment. Therefore, for example, a PTP sheet having various arrangements and numbers may be adopted, including a type having 12 pocket portions 2 (accommodation space 2a) in 3 rows (the same applies to the above SP sheet).

1 ... PTP sheet (packaging sheet), 2a ... storage space, 3 ... container film (first film), 4 ... cover film (second film), 5 ... tablets, 5a ... front surface, 5b ... back surface, 5c ... side surface, 6 ... PTP film (packaging film), 10 ... PTP packaging machine (packaging sheet manufacturing equipment), 20 ... film receiving roll (attaching means), 21 ... tablet filling equipment (filling means), 27 ... heating roll (attaching means) ), 37 ... Sheet punching device (cutting means), 50 ... Visual inspection device, 61 ... First suction conveyor (first transport means), 62 ... Second suction conveyor (second transport means), 63 ... Delivery device (Delivery means), 72 ... Imaging device (imaging means), 80 ... Image processing device (image processing means), 631 ... Adsorption slide drum (tablet moving means), 631b ... Moving adsorption unit, 632 ... Adsorption reversing drum (reversing means) ), 632a ... Inverted suction portion, C1 ... First transport path, C2 ... Second transport path.

Claims (8)

An visual inspection device for inspecting the appearance of a tablet having a front surface, a back surface, and a side surface located between the front surface and the back surface.
The first transport means for transporting the tablet while adsorbing the front surface or the back surface of the tablet,
A second transport means for transporting the tablet while adsorbing the front surface or the back surface of the tablet,
A delivery means for delivering tablets from the first transport means to the second transport means,
An imaging means for imaging tablets,
An image processing means for inspecting the appearance of a tablet based on the image pickup data obtained by the image pickup means is provided.
The tablets transported by the first transport means and the second transport means are arranged in parallel at positions sandwiching the center of the imaging field of view in the imaging means.
The imaging means is configured to be capable of imaging the non-adsorbed surface and side surface of the front surface and the back surface of each of the first transport means and the second transport means.
The delivery means is such that the surface to be adsorbed of the tablet is inverted and the side surface of the tablet imaged by the imaging means is inverted between the time of transportation by the first transport means and the time of transport by the second transport means. The visual inspection apparatus is configured to deliver the tablet from the first transport means to the second transport means. The first transport means and the second transport means are configured to transport the tablets at the positions imaged by the image pickup means so that the non-adsorbed surfaces of the front surface and the back surface face the same direction. Has been
The delivery means is
A tablet moving means for moving a tablet from the first transporting means side to the second transporting means side without changing the direction of the side surface.
The visual inspection apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a reversing means for inverting the surface to be adsorbed of the tablet during transportation by the first transport means and during transport by the second transport means. The tablet moving means can adsorb and hold the front surface or the back surface of the tablet and can slide and hold the tablet along a predetermined rotation axis direction, and the tablet sucked and held by the slide movement can be adsorbed and held from the first transport means side. (Ii) It is composed of a suction slide drum that has a moving suction part that can move to the transport means side on the outer circumference and that can rotate around the rotation axis.
The reversing means has a reversing suction portion on the outer periphery capable of sucking and holding the front surface or the back surface of the tablet, and is composed of a rotatable suction reversing drum.
The tablets are transferred in the order of the first transporting means, the tablet moving means, the reversing means and the second transporting means, or in the order of the first transporting means, the reversing means, the tablet moving means and the second transporting means. The visual inspection apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the visual inspection apparatus is configured to be passed from the upstream means to the downstream means while inverting the front and back. The imaging means according to claim 1 to 3, wherein the imaging means is configured to image the tablet at a plurality of timings including a timing before and a timing after the tablet to be transported is closest to itself. The visual inspection apparatus according to any one of the following items. The visual inspection apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the imaging means is configured to image the tablet at least at the timing when the tablet to be transported is closest to itself. The first transport means and the second transport means are configured to transport tablets in a state of arranging them in a plurality of rows.
The visual inspection apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the imaging means is configured to image tablets in each row at one time. A packaging sheet manufacturing apparatus used for attaching a band-shaped first film and a second film, respectively, and obtaining a packaging sheet in which tablets are stored in a storage space formed between the two films. ,
The visual inspection apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, and the visual inspection apparatus.
An attachment means for attaching the strip-shaped first film to be conveyed and the strip-shaped second film to be conveyed.
A filling means for filling the storage space formed between the first film and the second film with tablets whose appearance has been inspected by the visual inspection device.
The packaging is characterized by comprising a separating means for separating the packaging sheet from the strip-shaped packaging film to which the first film and the second film are attached and the tablets are accommodated in the accommodation space. Sheet manufacturing equipment. A visual inspection method for inspecting the appearance of a tablet having a front surface, a back surface, and a side surface located between the front surface and the back surface.
The first transport step of transporting the tablet while adsorbing the front or back surface of the tablet along a predetermined first transport path, and the front or back surface of the tablet being adsorbed along the predetermined second transport path. A transport step having a second transport step for transporting the tablets,
The delivery step of delivering tablets from the first transport path to the second transport path,
An imaging step of imaging a tablet conveyed in the conveying step by a predetermined imaging means, and an imaging step.
Including a pass / fail determination step of inspecting the appearance of the tablet based on the imaging data obtained in the imaging step.
The first transport path and the second transport path are provided in parallel at positions sandwiching the center of the imaging field of view in the imaging means.
In the imaging step, the surface and the side surface of the tablet transported in the first transport step and the front and back surfaces of the tablet transported in the second transport step are not adsorbed by the imaging means. Take an image and
In the delivery step, in the first transport step and the second transport step, the surface to be adsorbed of the tablet is turned upside down and the side surface of the tablet imaged by the imaging means is reversed so that the first transport is performed. A visual inspection method comprising delivering a tablet from a route to the second transport route.

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