JP7122096B2 - Empty container inspection device inspection method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an inspection method for an empty container inspection device.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an empty container inspection apparatus has been proposed for inspecting an empty container before being filled with a liquid to determine whether or not there is an abnormality such as adherence of foreign matter.

For example, in Patent Document 1, a container to be inspected is arranged so that illumination light is incident from the bottom side of the container and is guided into the body, and the incidence of the illumination light from the outer surface of the body is restricted. and a photographing means for photographing an image obtained by observing the inner wall of the body from the mouth of the container.

JP 2016-217825 A

By using such an empty container inspection device, it is possible to identify an empty container in an abnormal state such as adhesion of a foreign substance, and to avoid a situation in which the empty container in the abnormal state is filled with liquid and commercialized. can be done.
However, if there is a problem with this empty container inspection device, it will be impossible to avoid the above situation. , it is necessary to check whether the device works normally.

As an inspection method of an empty container inspection device, there is a method of inspecting a sample empty container that is in a state of having an abnormality by the device, and inspecting whether or not it is correctly determined that there is an abnormality.
Here, since the empty sample container that is in the abnormal state is usually stored strictly separated from the empty product container, it is almost impossible to imagine a situation in which the two are confused.
However, from the perspective of consumer protection, the possibility of a product with an empty sample container filled with liquid reaching the consumer should be eliminated as much as possible. We need to make every effort to deliver.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an inspection method for an empty container inspection apparatus that can prevent sample empty containers from being commercialized.

The above problems can be solved by the following means.
(1) An inspection method for an empty container inspection device for inspecting an abnormality in an empty container before being filled with a liquid, in which a sample empty container in a state of having an abnormality is inspected by the empty container inspection device, and the sample is inspected. An inspection step of inspecting whether the empty container inspection device correctly determines that the empty container is abnormal, and the sample empty container penetrates the side surface separately from the abnormality for inspection of the empty container inspection device. An inspection method for an empty container inspection device having holes.
(2) The inspection method for the empty container inspection apparatus according to (1) above, wherein the empty container and the sample empty container are bottles.
(3) The empty sample container is in at least one of the following abnormal states: liquid remaining inside, foreign matter attached, and damaged. 3. An inspection method for an empty container inspection apparatus according to 1 or 2 above.

According to the inspection method of the empty sample container inspection apparatus according to the present invention, since the through hole is formed in the side surface of the empty sample container, the empty sample container is not filled with liquid in the first place. When the filled liquid leaks out from the through-hole, a state clearly different from that of a normal product (a state in which the liquid is not sufficiently filled) occurs. As a result, according to the inspection method of the empty container inspection apparatus according to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the production of sample empty containers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an empty container inspection device to be inspected by an empty container inspection device inspection method according to the present embodiment; FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an empty sample container (with an abnormality in which the mouth is damaged) according to the present embodiment; FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an empty sample container according to the present embodiment (with an abnormality in which a foreign object is attached to the body). FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an empty sample container according to the present embodiment (with an abnormality in which liquid remains inside). FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an empty sample container according to the present embodiment (in a state in which foreign matter is attached to the bottom).

An inspection method for an empty container inspection apparatus according to the present invention (hereinafter referred to as an "inspection method" as appropriate) and an embodiment for carrying out sample empty containers will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[Overview of Empty Container Inspection Device]
First, with reference to FIG. 1, an outline of an empty container inspection apparatus to be subjected to the inspection method according to the present embodiment will be described.
(Empty container inspection device)
The empty container inspection device 1 is a device that inspects an empty container E for abnormalities after the empty container E has been cleaned and before it is filled with a desired liquid.
The empty container inspection apparatus 1 includes first data acquisition means 11, second data acquisition means 12, third data acquisition means 13, determination means 14, and control means (not shown).

The first data acquisition means 11 is a means for acquiring image data of the mouth and body of the empty container E flowing along the lines r1 to r3. Further, the data acquisition second means 12 is a means for acquiring residual liquid data of the liquid (cleaning liquid such as water and chlorine water) accumulated inside the empty container E that has flowed through the lines r4 and r5. Further, the third data acquiring means 13 is means for acquiring image data of the bottom of the empty container E flowing along the line r6.
These data acquisition means 11, 12, and 13 may be well-known imaging devices or sensors (photoelectric sensor, laser sensor, etc.).

Judgment means 14 judges whether or not there is an abnormality (attachment of foreign matter, occurrence of damage, remaining liquid) of the empty container E based on the image data and residual liquid data acquired by the data acquisition means 11, 12, and 13. It is a means.
As for the method of determination by the determining means 14, a known method may be used. is detected, there is a method of determining that there is an abnormality (presence of adhesion of foreign matter such as rust or residue, occurrence of damage such as scratches, cracks, or cracks). In addition, if the size of the black (or white) portion that is judged to be abnormal on the image data is larger than a predetermined standard, it will be an abnormality that cannot be handled by rewashing (rust, scratches, cracks, cracks, etc.) If it is smaller than a predetermined standard, it may be determined as an abnormality that can be handled by rewashing (abnormality such as residue, dirt, etc.).
Further, regarding the residual liquid data obtained by the second data acquisition means 12, there is a method of judging that there is an abnormality (liquid remains) when a result is obtained that even a small amount of residual liquid exists.

A control means (not shown) is means for controlling the transfer of the empty container E based on the determination result of the determination means 14 .
Specifically, the control means controls to transfer the empty container E, which is determined to be "no abnormality" by the determination means 14, to the filling line r9 so as to be sent to the filling filler to be filled with the desired liquid. Further, the control means controls to transfer the empty container E, which has been determined by the determining means 14 as "there is an abnormality but can be handled by rewashing", to the rewashing line r10. Further, the control means controls to transfer the empty container E, which has been determined by the determination means 14 to be "abnormal and cannot be rewashed", to the disposal line r11.
Note that the determination means 14 and the control means (not shown) described above are realized by program execution processing by a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a dedicated circuit, or the like.

(Empty container)
The empty container E to be inspected by the empty container inspection apparatus 1 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include bottles (recycled bottles, one-way bottles, etc.), PET bottles, and the like. Among these containers, recycled bottles (for example, beer bottles), which may cause some kind of abnormality by being used, are particularly suitable as inspection targets.
Recycled bottles are thoroughly cleaned before being filled with liquid, so there is usually no problem with dirt or the like. By inspecting whether or not there is an abnormality with an empty container inspection device 1 after washing the recycled bottles and before filling them with a desired liquid, unqualified recycled bottles are prevented from being commercialized. be able to.

[Sample empty container]
Next, the empty sample container according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 5 (see FIG. 1 as appropriate).

The sample empty container S used in the inspection method of the empty container inspection device 1 is an empty container before the empty container E to be commercialized is inspected by the empty container inspection device 1 (or, as appropriate, during or after operation). It is a container for inspecting whether the inspection device 1 operates normally.
The empty sample container S is provided with a through hole H on its side surface.

Although the shape of the through-hole H of the empty sample container S is not particularly limited, it is preferably circular as shown in FIGS. 2 to 5 from the viewpoint of ease of formation.
Although the size of the through-hole H of the empty sample container S is not particularly limited, it is preferably 2 mm ² or more so that if the desired liquid is filled, the liquid will leak out. 6 mm ² or less is preferable so that the container does not explode (broken bottle, etc.).
Although the installation location of the through-hole H of the empty sample container S is not particularly limited, it is preferably a shoulder portion so that the liquid will preferably leak out in the unlikely event that it is filled with a desired liquid.

The sample empty container S is not only provided with a through hole H, but also has predetermined abnormalities D1 to D4 so that the empty container inspection apparatus 1 can inspect whether it operates normally.
Specifically, the sample empty container S1 of FIG. It is in an abnormal state that there is damage D1 such as a crack in the part.
Also, the sample empty container S2 in FIG. 3 is tested for normal operation of the first data acquisition means 11, the determination means 14 (especially the determination of the body), and the control means of the empty container inspection apparatus 1. It is in an abnormal state that D2 is attached.
Further, the sample empty container S3 in FIG. 4 is inspected for normal operation of the data acquisition second means 12, the determination means 14, and the control means of the empty container inspection apparatus 1, so that the abnormality that the liquid D3 remains inside is detected. It is in a state of having
The sample empty container S4 shown in FIG. 5 is inspected for normal operation of the third data acquisition means 13, the determination means 14, and the control means of the empty container inspection apparatus 1, so foreign matter D4 such as residue adheres to the bottom. It is in a state of having an anomaly.

[Inspection method for empty container inspection device]
Next, an inspection method according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. The operation of the above empty container inspection apparatus will also be described.
The inspection method according to this embodiment includes an inspection process, and may include a preparation process before the inspection process.
Each step of the inspection method according to this embodiment will be described below.

(Preparation process)
The preparation step is a step of making the sample empty container S have abnormalities D1 to D4 to be inspected by the empty container inspection apparatus 1 . Then, in this preparatory step, a through hole H may be formed in the side surface of the empty sample container S.
The details of the state of the empty sample container S having the abnormalities D1 to D4 and the through hole H are as described above. The empty sample container S may be selected from among the empty containers E to have the predetermined abnormalities D1 to D4, and the through hole H may be formed in the empty container E. FIG.
Once the sample empty container S in the state described above is prepared in the preparation step, the sample empty container S can be used many times. can be done.

(Inspection process)
The inspection step is a step of having the empty container inspection device 1 inspect the sample empty container S prepared in the preparation step, and inspecting whether or not the empty container inspection device 1 correctly determines that the sample empty container S is abnormal. be.

A specific inspection method in the inspection process is, for example, as follows.
First, after the empty sample containers S1 to S4 prepared in the preparation process are transferred along the lines r1 to r3, the first data acquisition means 11 acquires the image data of the mouth and body. After the empty sample containers S1 to S4 are transferred through the lines r4 and r5, the second data acquisition means 12 acquires residual liquid data. Then, after the empty sample containers S1 to S4 are transported along the line r6, the third data acquisition means 13 acquires the image data of the bottom portion.

Then, the determination means 14 determines "no abnormality"/"abnormality but no problem after rewashing" based on the image data and residual liquid data regarding each empty sample container S1 to S4 acquired by the data acquisition means 11, 12, and 13. It derives the judgment result of "can be dealt with" / "abnormality is present and can not be dealt with by rewashing".
Specifically, the judging means 14 judges that the sample empty container S1 (FIG. 2) having an abnormality such as a crack or other damage D1 in the mouth portion is "abnormal and cannot be rewashed." produce results. In addition, since an abnormality in the mouth may lead to cracking, from a safety point of view, even a small abnormality will lead to a judgment result that "there is an abnormality and rewashing is not possible". .
In addition, regarding the sample empty container S2 (FIG. 3) having an abnormality in which a foreign matter D2 (a foreign matter smaller than a predetermined standard) adheres to the body portion, the determination means 14 determines that "there is an abnormality, but it can be washed again." It is possible to deal with
Further, the determination means 14 derives the determination result that "there is an abnormality, but it can be handled by rewashing" for the empty sample container S3 (FIG. 4) having an abnormality in which the liquid D3 remains inside. .
Further, the determining means 14 determines that the empty sample container S4 (FIG. 5) having an abnormality in which a foreign matter D4 (a foreign matter smaller than a predetermined standard) such as a residue adheres to the bottom of the sample container S4 (Fig. 5), "there is an abnormality, but Re-washing is possible" result is derived.

Then, based on the determination result of the determining means 14, the control means (not shown) controls the empty sample container S1 to be transferred to the disposal line r11, and the empty sample containers S2, S3, and S4 to the rewashing line r10. control to transfer to

Finally, it is possible to check whether or not the empty container inspection apparatus 1 operates normally by checking the transfer result of each sample empty container S1 to S4.
Specifically, when the sample empty container S1 to be transferred to the disposal line 11 is transferred to the filling line r9 or the rewashing line r10, at least one of the data acquisition first means 11, the determination means 14, and the control means It can be confirmed that there is a problem with
Moreover, when the empty sample container S2 to be transferred to the rewashing line 10 is transferred to the filling line r9 or the disposal line r11, at least one of the first data acquisition means 11, the determination means 14, and the control means has a problem. can be confirmed to have occurred.
Further, when the empty sample container S3 to be transferred to the rewashing line 10 is transferred to the filling line r9 or the disposal line r11, at least one of the data acquisition second means 12, the determination means 14, and the control means has a problem. can be confirmed to have occurred.
Moreover, when the empty sample container S4 to be transferred to the rewashing line 10 is transferred to the filling line r9 or the disposal line r11, at least one of the data acquisition third means 13, the determination means 14, and the control means has a problem. can be confirmed to have occurred.
Then, the sample empty containers S1 to S4 for which the inspection process has been completed are strictly separated and stored until the next inspection by the empty container inspection apparatus so as not to be confused with the product empty container E.

It should be noted that, up to this point, with regard to the foreign matter D2 and D4 in the sample empty containers S2 and S4, if the size of the foreign matter is smaller than a predetermined standard, in other words, the sample empty containers S2 and S4 are "abnormal but can be handled by rewashing." Although the case of deriving the determination result of "possible" has been described, when the foreign matter D2 and D4 of the samples S2 and S4 are larger than a predetermined standard, in other words, the sample empty containers S2 and S4 are "abnormal". It is also possible to derive the judgment result that "response by rewashing is also impossible".

[Inspection Method of Empty Container Inspection Apparatus According to Present Embodiment and Effect of Sample Empty Container]
Next, the inspection method of the empty container inspection apparatus according to the present embodiment and the effect of the sample empty container will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. FIG.

According to the inspection method according to this embodiment, since the through-hole H is formed in the side surface of the empty sample container S, the empty sample container S is not filled with liquid in the first place. When the filled liquid leaks out from the through-hole H, a state clearly different from that of a normal product (a state in which the liquid is not sufficiently filled) occurs. As a result, according to the inspection method according to the present embodiment, it is possible to prevent the empty sample container S from being commercialized.

According to the empty sample container S according to this embodiment, since the through hole H is formed in the side surface, the empty sample container S is not filled with liquid in the first place. leaks from the through-hole H, a state (a state in which the liquid is not sufficiently filled) is clearly different from that of a normal product. As a result, according to the empty sample container S according to the present embodiment, it is possible to prevent the empty sample container S from being commercialized.

In particular, regarding the abnormality that liquid (washing liquid such as water or chlorine water) remains inside, if an empty container without a through hole H is used as a sample as in the conventional case, there is no problem with the empty container itself. Therefore, if the desired liquid is filled, it will be completely indistinguishable from other products.
According to the inspection method and the empty sample container S according to the present embodiment, even if it is determined that there is liquid (washing liquid such as water or chlorine water) remaining inside, even if the sample is empty. Even if the container S is filled with a liquid, the empty sample container S can be prevented from being commercialized because the through hole H is formed in the side surface.

[Modification]
In the inspection process of the inspection method according to the present embodiment described above, the empty sample container S1 (Fig. 2) is judged to be "abnormal and cannot be rewashed", and the empty sample container S2 (Fig. 3) Regarding the empty sample container S3 (Fig. 4) and the empty sample container S4 (Fig. 5), it was configured to derive the judgment result that "there is an abnormality, but it can be handled by rewashing", but this configuration is limited to can't
For example, only for the empty sample container S3 (FIG. 4) having an abnormality that liquid D3 remains inside, the determination result that "there is an abnormality but can be handled by rewashing" is derived, and the other empty sample containers are Concerning the containers S1 (FIG. 2), S2 (FIG. 3), and S4 (FIG. 5), a configuration may be adopted in which a determination result is derived that "there is an abnormality and rewashing is not possible".

As the empty sample container S, a container in a normal state (a container having only through holes H) may be prepared together with other empty sample containers S1 to S4. By using this sample empty container S, it is possible to confirm whether or not a container in a normal state can be transferred to the filling line r9 without any problem.
Also, as the sample empty container S, a container having any one of the predetermined abnormalities D1 to D4 (FIGS. 2 to 5) has been described, but a container having a plurality of abnormalities at the same time (for example, the abnormal D1 and D2, or four anomalies D1 to D4).

The number of data acquisition means 11, 12, 13 of the empty container inspection apparatus 1, which is the object of the inspection method according to the present embodiment, is not limited to three, and may be increased or decreased. Also, the installation locations of the data acquisition means 11, 12, and 13 are not particularly limited, and can be changed as appropriate.
Further, the distance between the lines r1 to r11 of the empty container inspection apparatus 1 to be inspected by the inspection method according to the present embodiment, the annular configuration, etc. are not particularly limited, and can be changed as appropriate.

The present embodiment is described in detail for easy understanding of the present invention, and is not necessarily limited to those having all the described configurations. Moreover, it is possible to add, delete, or replace a part of the configuration of this embodiment with another configuration.
Further, the mechanisms and configurations described above show those considered necessary for explanation, and do not necessarily show all the mechanisms and configurations on the product.

1 Empty Container Inspection Device 11 Data Acquisition First Means (Data Acquisition Means)
12 Data Acquisition Second Means (Data Acquisition Means)
13 Data Acquisition Third Means (Data Acquisition Means)
14 Determination means r1 to r11 line r9 filling line r10 rewashing line r11 disposal line E empty container S, S1 to 4 sample empty container H through hole D1 Damage such as cracking (abnormality)
D2 Foreign matter (abnormality)
D3 Liquid inside (abnormal)
Foreign matter such as D4 residue (abnormality)

Claims (3)

An inspection method for an empty container inspection device for inspecting an abnormality in an empty container before filling with a liquid, comprising:
An inspection step of inspecting the empty sample container in an abnormal state by the empty container inspection device and inspecting whether the empty container inspection device correctly determines that the sample empty container is abnormal;
A method for inspecting an empty container, wherein the sample empty container has a through-hole formed in its side surface in addition to an abnormality for inspection by the empty container inspecting device. 2. The inspection method for an empty container inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said empty container and said sample empty container are bottles. 3. The empty sample container is in at least one of a state in which liquid remains inside, a state in which a foreign substance adheres, and a state in which the container is damaged. The inspection method for an empty container inspection device according to claim 1 or claim 2.

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