JPH11325879A - Apparatus for inspecting vessel - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an apparatus for inspecting a vessel which allows the measuring time to be reduced, and can be compactly and economically constituted and improve the productivity. SOLUTION: A measuring apparatus 30 comprising a plurality of stations ST1-ST23 and means 33 for conveying vessels 1 under inspection to these stations one after another, means 10 for carrying the vessels 1 under inspection into the measuring apparatus 30, and means 20 for carrying the measured vessels 1 under inspection by the measuring apparatus 30 out. A plurality of inspection items of the vessel 1 under inspection are classified into several groups so that the measuring times required for the grouped inspection items are averaged over the groups and measuring machines 43, 45, 46, 48, 49 for measuring the inspection items of each group are assigned to the stations.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a container inspection apparatus. More specifically, the present invention relates to a container inspection apparatus that measures a plurality of types of inspection items for a cylindrical container such as a bottle or a plastic bottle and evaluates the quality of the inspection target container based on the measurement results.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Bottle production lines and PET bottle production lines measure manufactured bottles and PET bottles, and specifically measure multiple types of inspection items such as dimensions and shapes of each part, and the measurement results Is evaluated based on the information, and when the product is defective, the information is fed back to the production line and used for adjustment in the production line.

For example, in a bottle production line, as shown in FIG. 7, the bottle weight w, the mouth screw diameter a, the mouth top surface inclination (top inclination) b, the total length c, the bottom depression amount (push-up amount) ) Inspection / measurement of each inspection item such as d, body diameters e1 and e2, mouth inside diameter f, mouth outside diameter g, and body verticality h using a separate and independent measuring machine or gauge. Then, based on the measurement results, non-defective products and defective products are evaluated. If the products are defective, the information is fed back to the production line and used for adjustment in the production line.

[0004]

However, in the above-described inspection method, since each inspection item is measured by a separate and independent measuring device, a number of measuring devices corresponding to the number of inspection items must be prepared. In addition to this, the economic burden is large, and it takes time and effort to set up each measuring machine, and the measuring time becomes long.
In addition, when these measuring instruments are installed in a line and all the inspections are performed, the measurement time varies for each inspection item, so the line is stopped based on the measurement time of the inspection item that takes the longest measurement time. I have to decide the time.
In this way, for an inspection item having a short measurement time, a waiting time occurs, so that efficient inspection cannot be performed, and improvement in productivity of the production line cannot be expected. In addition,
Some types of inspection items are measured by a single measuring instrument. However, if they are incorporated into a line, the downtime on the line will be longer, which will lead to higher productivity. Can not.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve such a conventional problem, to achieve a great saving in labor, to shorten the measuring time, to be compact and economical, and to provide a line. An object of the present invention is to provide a container inspection device that can be expected to improve productivity even when incorporated.

[0006]

The present invention employs the following configuration to achieve the above object. The invention according to claim 1 is a container inspection apparatus that performs measurement on a plurality of types of inspection items with respect to an inspection target container and evaluates the quality of the inspection target container from the measurement result, and includes a plurality of stations and these stations. A measuring device provided with a transport unit for sequentially transporting the inspection target container, a loading unit for loading the inspection target container into the measurement device, and an unloading unit for unloading the inspection target container measured by the measurement device. ,
The plurality of types of test items are divided into a plurality of groups,
It is characterized in that a measuring means for measuring the inspection items of the divided groups is allocated to a station of the measuring device.

According to this configuration, a plurality of inspection items are divided into a plurality of groups in advance, and the measurement time for measuring the inspection items of the divided groups is divided into groups so that the measurement time is averaged. Since the measuring means for measuring the inspection items are allocated to the stations of the measuring device, there is little wasted waiting time, the time required for all measurements can be shortened compared to the past, and the productivity can be improved even when incorporated into the line. Can be expected to improve. Moreover,
This means that the test items and the measuring devices do not correspond one-to-one, so that the economic burden can be reduced as compared with the conventional case. In addition, since the measuring device is provided with a plurality of stations and transport means for sequentially transporting the inspection target containers to these stations, it is possible to achieve significant labor savings, and a plurality of measurements are centralized in one place, The entire device can be made compact. That is, since various measuring means which are apt to be arranged at a plurality of locations are integrated, the size can be reduced. In addition, since the power supply, the air source, the control / management device, the cover, and the like can be shared, the cost can be reduced and the maintenance can be facilitated.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the container inspecting apparatus according to the first aspect, the measuring device includes a plurality of stations allocated at predetermined angular intervals on the same circumference; An index table provided rotatably and stopably at predetermined angles about the center of the table as a rotation center, and transport means having a transport plate attached to the index table and sequentially transporting the test target containers to the stations while pushing the container to be inspected. It is characterized by having. According to this configuration, since the plurality of stations are allocated to the predetermined angular positions on the same circumference, the entire apparatus can be made more compact than when these stations are arranged in a straight line.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the container inspection apparatus according to the second aspect, the transport plate has a V-shaped notch on a side on which the container to be inspected is pressed. It is characterized by. According to this configuration, when the container to be inspected is pushed by the transport plate, the V of the transport plate is reduced.
Since the container to be inspected is transported while being automatically positioned in the character-shaped notch, it can be positioned at a predetermined position at the next station without providing any special positioning means.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the container inspection apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, the plurality of stations have dimensions for measuring a thread diameter of a mouth of the container to be inspected. It is characterized in that a measuring machine, a dimension measuring machine for measuring the body diameter of the container to be inspected, and a dimension measuring machine for measuring the outer diameter of the mouth of the container to be inspected are respectively allocated. According to this, since the measurement time required for the mouth screw diameter, body diameter, and mouth outer diameter can be made substantially equal, in particular,
In measurement of containers such as bottles, wasteful waiting time is eliminated, so that the time required for all measurements can be shortened as compared with the related art.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the container inspection apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, the plurality of stations include a weight measuring device for measuring a weight of the container to be inspected. , A dimension measuring machine for measuring the screw diameter of the mouth of the container to be inspected, a measuring machine for measuring the inclination of the top surface of the mouth of the inspection container, the total length and the amount of depression at the bottom, and a dimensional measurement for measuring the trunk diameter of the container to be inspected. And a dimension measuring machine for measuring the inner diameter of the mouth of the container to be inspected and a dimension measuring machine for measuring the outer diameter of the mouth of the container to be inspected. According to this configuration, the weight of the container to be inspected, the screw diameter of the mouth, the inclination of the top of the mouth, the total length and the amount of depression at the bottom, the body diameter,
Since the inner diameter of the mouth can be measured by a series of measurements, the inspection of the container can be performed efficiently.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the container inspection apparatus according to the fourth or fifth aspect, the size measuring device includes a non-contact type size measuring device.
According to this configuration, since the non-contact type dimension measuring device is used, various inspection items can be measured without damaging the container to be inspected.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the container inspection apparatus according to the sixth aspect, the non-contact type dimension measuring device is arranged on one side of the container to be inspected and directs light toward the container to be inspected. And a light irradiation unit that scans in the radial direction, and a light receiving unit that is arranged on the other side of the container to be inspected and receives light from the light irradiation unit. According to this configuration, since the light irradiation unit and the light receiving unit are arranged to sandwich the container to be inspected, the shape of each part of the container to be inspected can be accurately and efficiently measured.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the container inspection apparatus according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, the unloading means includes an unloading conveyor for unloading the inspection target container evaluated as a non-defective product. And a defective product stock conveyor for storing inspection target containers evaluated as defective products. According to this configuration, the inspection target container evaluated as a non-defective product is carried out from the unloading conveyer, and the inspection target container evaluated as a defective product is stocked on the defective product stock conveyor. Containers to be inspected can be sorted.

[0015]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the inspection apparatus of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the inspection apparatus according to the present embodiment is roughly divided into a measurement apparatus 30 that sequentially measures inspection items set in advance for the inspection container 1, and loading the inspection object container 1 into the measurement apparatus 30. And a carry-out device 20 as carry-out means for carrying out the test container 1 measured by the measuring device 30.
And Here, as shown in FIG. 7, the inspection items of the container 1 to be inspected include a weight w, a mouth screw diameter a, a top inclination b, a total length c, a push-up amount d, a body diameter e1, e2, and a verticality h. , The mouth inner diameter f and the mouth outer diameter g.

The carry-in device 10 includes a carry-in conveyor 11 for carrying the container 1 to be inspected in an upright posture, and an L-shaped stopper 1 disposed at an end position of the carry-in conveyor 11.
2 and a carry-in side slide means 13 for sliding the container 1 to be inspected stopped by the stopper 12 to the measuring device 30 in its posture. The unloading device 20 comprises a defective stock conveyor 21 arranged on an extension of the carry-in conveyor 11 and an unloading conveyor 2 arranged in parallel with the defective stock conveyor 21.
2 and an unloading side slide means 23 for distributing the inspection target container 1 measured by the measuring device 30 to one of the defective stock conveyor 21 and the unloading conveyor 22 while sliding. Each of the slide means 13 and 23 has a linear moving mechanism 14 and 24 and a slide plate 15 provided movably by the linear moving mechanism 14 and 24 and having V-shaped cutouts 16 and 26 on the pressing side. 25.

The measuring device 30 includes a base member 31 and
Arranged on the base member 31, a plurality of (12) at predetermined angular interval positions (here, 30 ° interval positions) in an annular band shape.
Plate 32 to which the stations ST1 to ST12 are allocated, and the container 1 to be inspected is placed on the reference plate 32.
And transport means 33 for sequentially transporting to each of the stations ST1 to ST12 while pressing. The transport means 33 is
Motor 3 arranged at the center of reference plate 32
4 and a predetermined angle by the motor 34 (here,
An index table 35 rotatable and stopable at every 30 degrees) and an index table 35
And a transport plate 36 which is mounted at a predetermined angular interval position (30-degree interval position) and sequentially transports to the stations ST1 to ST12 while pressing the container 1 to be inspected. A V-shaped notch 37 is formed on the side of each transport plate 36 on the side where the container 1 to be inspected is pressed, in order to determine the transport position of the container 1 to be inspected.

Of the stations ST1 to ST12, the first, third, fifth, sixth, eighth, ninth and eleventh stations are included.
Stations ST1, ST3, ST5, ST6, ST
Measuring means for measuring one or a plurality of inspection items obtained by grouping a plurality of inspection items of the container 1 to be inspected are assigned to 8, ST9 and ST11. Here, so that the measurement time taken by each measurement means is averaged,
A plurality of inspection items are divided into a plurality of groups, and measuring means for measuring the inspection items of the group are allocated to the respective stations.

Specifically, the first station ST1 is provided with a weight measuring device 41 for measuring the weight w of the container 1 to be inspected.
In the third station ST3, a dimension measuring device 43 for measuring the screw diameter a of the mouth of the container 1 to be inspected is provided in the fifth station S3.
A measuring device 45 for measuring the top inclination b, the total length c and the push-up amount d of the container 1 to be inspected is provided at T5, and a dimension measuring device 46 for measuring the body diameters e1 and e2 of the container 1 to be inspected is provided at the sixth station ST6. However, the eighth station ST8 has a dimension measuring machine 48 for measuring the inner diameter f of the mouth of the container 1 to be inspected.
In the ninth station ST9, a dimension measuring machine 49 for measuring the outer diameter g of the mouth of the container 1 to be inspected is provided. In the eleventh station ST11, a model code (CID code) formed on the bottom surface of the container 1 to be inspected is provided. Code reader 50 to read
Are allocated respectively.

As the weight measuring device 41, a known weight sensor is used. For example, a top plate on which the container to be inspected is placed, a structure supporting the top plate, a sensor such as a strain gauge for detecting the amount of bending of the structure, and a top plate based on the amount of bending detected by this sensor. 2. Description of the Related Art A weight sensor including a calculation device for calculating the weight of an inspection object placed on a plate is used.

Each of the dimension measuring machines 43, 46 and 49 (the dimension measuring machines provided at the third, sixth and ninth stations ST3, ST6 and ST9), as shown in FIG. An elevating rotary table device 51 that raises and lowers and rotates the inspection target container 1 while holding the bottom surface
And a non-contact type dimension measuring device 61 for non-contact measurement of the measurement site of the inspection object container 1 raised by the lifting type rotary table device 51. The elevating rotary table device 51 includes a support block 52 fixed to the base member 31, an elevating body 54 provided on the support block 52 via a feed mechanism 53 so as to be able to move up and down, and an elevating body A hollow cylindrical support cylinder 56 which is vertically and rotatably supported by a bearing block 55 via a bearing block 55 and has an elevating plate 56A at an upper end; a rotation driving mechanism 57 for rotating the support cylinder 56; Is housed so as to be movable in the vertical direction, and has a vacuum lip 58A at the upper end.
, And a vertical movement mechanism 59 that constantly urges the vacuum shaft 58 downward and moves it upward when the test container 1 is sucked. Here, the feed mechanism 53 is configured by a ball screw feed mechanism. In addition, the rotation drive mechanism 5
Reference numeral 7 denotes a motor 57A fixed to the elevating body 54, timing gears 57B and 57C fixed to the output shaft of the motor 57A and the support cylinder 56, respectively, and is wound around the timing gears 57B and 57C. And a timing belt 57D. Further, the vertical movement mechanism 59 includes a spring receiving plate 59A fixed to the lower end of the vacuum shaft 58, a spring 59B interposed between the spring receiving plate 59A and the timing gear 57C, and a support member for the elevating body 54. The spring receiving plate 5 fixed through 59C
And a cylinder 59D for moving 9A upward against the urging force of the spring 59B. The non-contact type dimension measuring device 61 is arranged on one side of the container 1 to be inspected and sandwiches the light irradiation unit 62 that scans light toward the container 1 to be inspected and radially scans the container 1 to be inspected. A light receiving unit 63 arranged on the other side for receiving light from the light irradiation unit 62, and an arithmetic circuit (not shown) for calculating a measurement site of the inspection object container 1 from a cutoff time of the light received by the light receiving unit 63; It is comprised including.

The dimension measuring device 45 (the fifth station S)
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the dimension measuring device provided at T5 includes a measuring device 71 for measuring the top inclination b and the total length c of the container 1 to be inspected, and a push-up amount d of the container 1 to be inspected. And a push-up amount detector 91 for measuring the The measuring device 71 includes an elevating plate 72 provided above the reference plate 32 so as to be able to move up and down in the vertical direction (the entire length direction of the container to be inspected).
2, a contact plate 74 that can be tilted in an arbitrary direction via a swing support mechanism 73 and that can be returned to a position substantially parallel to the reference plate 32, and a tilt detection that detects the tilt of the contact plate 74. Means 75, said elevating plate 72
Mechanism 76 for raising and lowering the container in the full length direction of the container 1 to be inspected
And a vertical position detecting means 77 for detecting the vertical position of the contact plate 74 by the vertical mechanism 76. Here, the swing support mechanism 73 is provided with the lift plate 7.
A support 73B projecting from the center of the second container 2 (on the center axis of the container 1 to be inspected) and supporting the contact plate 74 at its lower end via a ball 73A so as to be tiltable in an arbitrary direction; Between the plate 74 and the support 73
It comprises three springs 73C which are arranged at 120-degree intervals on the same circumference around B and hold the contact plate 74 in a horizontal state (position substantially parallel to the reference plate 32). Further, the inclination detecting means 75 measures the distance from the elevating plate 72 to the contact plate 74 between the three springs 73C at intervals of 120 degrees on the same circumference around the support column 73B.
75A and three displacement detectors 75A
And an arithmetic circuit (not shown) for obtaining the top inclination b of the inspection target container 1 from the measured values of the above. Further, the elevating mechanism 76 includes a column 82 erected on the base member 31 and a rail 83 fixed to a side surface of the column 82.
A lifting / lowering block 84 provided so as to be able to move up and down along the rail 83 and to which the lifting / lowering plate 72 is attached; It comprises a mechanism 85 and a cylinder 86 for raising the lifting block 84. The balance mechanism 85 includes two pulleys 85 </ b> A, 8 provided at the upper end of the support 82.
5B and a wire 85C wound around the two pulleys 85A and 85B and having one end connected to the lifting block 84.
And a balance weight 85D connected to the other end of the wire 85C. The balance weight 85D is connected to a rail 87 fixed to the side surface of the column 82.
It is supported to be able to move up and down. The lifting position detecting means 7
7 is a scale 77A fixed to the back of the column 82.
And a detection head 77B arranged on the lifting block 84 so as to face the scale 77A. The push-up amount detector 91 includes the base member 3
1 and a rail 93 fixed to the lower surface via a support member 92
And a lift 94 having a push-up measurement stylus 94A at the upper end provided to be vertically movable along the rail 93, a spring receiver 95 fixed to the lift 94, and the support member 92. A spring 96 spanned therebetween, a cylinder 97 fixed to the support member 92 to prevent the lifter 94 from moving upward by the spring 96, and a displacement sensor 98 for detecting the lift position of the lifter 94. It is configured.

The dimension measuring machine 48 (the eighth station S)
As shown in FIG. 5, the dimension measuring machine provided at T8
The inspection apparatus includes a holding unit 101 that holds the bottom surface of the inspection container 1 and a dimension measuring device 111 that measures the inner diameter f of the mouth of the inspection container 1 held by the holding unit 101. The holding means 101 includes the base member 3
A hollow shaft 103 having a vacuum lip 103A at the upper end thereof, which is provided on the lower surface of the first shaft 1 via a bearing cylinder 102 so as to be able to move up and down, and the vacuum shaft 103
And a vertically moving mechanism 104 that constantly urges the downward movement and moves the upward movement when the inspection target container 1 is sucked. The vertical movement mechanism 104 includes the vacuum shaft 103.
Receiving plate 104A fixed to the lower end of the spring
And a spring 104B interposed between the spring receiving plate 104A and the bearing cylinder 102, and a spring 104B fixed to the bearing cylinder 102 via a support member 104C.
And a cylinder 104D that moves upward against the urging force of the cylinder 104D. The dimension measuring device 111 includes a measuring element 112 that can be inserted into the mouth of the container 1 to be inspected, and a slide mechanism 113 that moves the measuring element 112 up and down.
And a displacement sensor 114 for measuring an amount of movement of the tracing stylus 112
It is composed of At the lower end of the measuring element 112, a plurality of measuring spheres 112A, 112 having a gradually increasing diameter are provided.
B and 112C are arranged at predetermined intervals upward from the lower end. The slide mechanism 113 includes a support 113A erected on the upper surface of the base member 31, an air cylinder 113C supported by the support 113A in parallel with the support 113A via a bracket 113B, and a moving member of the air cylinder 113C. And a connecting member 113D for connecting the tracing stylus 112. Displacement sensor 1
Numeral 14 is fixed to the column 113A so as to face the moving member of the air cylinder 113C.

The code reader 50 (code reader provided in the eleventh station ST11) irradiates a known reader, for example, a light on the bottom surface of the container 1 to be inspected, and based on the reflected light from the same. A structure for reading the CID code formed on the bottom surface of the inspection target container 1 may be used. The CID code read here is sent to the personal computer 121 shown in FIG. 6 together with the measured value at each station. A plurality of standard information is input to the personal computer 121 from the host computer 122 in advance, and an allowable value of each inspection item corresponding to the CID code is set. The personal computer 121 compares the set allowable value of each inspection item with the input measurement value, and sorts the inspection target container 1 to one of the defective stock conveyor 21 and the unloading conveyor 22 according to the result. Then, a command is sent to the discharge side slide means 23. Further, the read CID code is transmitted to the host computer 122 together with the measured value as process information of the bottle forming machine.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. After being stopped by the stopper 12, the inspection target container 1 transferred from the production line by the carry-in conveyor 11 is carried into the measuring device 30 from the carry-in conveyor 11 by the slide plate 15 of the slide means 13. The container 1 to be inspected carried into the measuring device 30 is
From the first station ST1 to the twelfth station ST12 while being rotated by a predetermined angle (30 degrees).
To the first, third, fifth, sixth, eighth, ninth, and eleventh stations ST1, ST3, ST5, and ST.
In ST6, ST8, ST9, and ST11, each inspection item is measured in order.

In the first station ST1, the weight w of the container 1 to be inspected is measured by the weight measuring device 41.

In the third station ST3, the dimension measuring machine 43 measures the mouth diameter a of the container 1 to be inspected. First, when the container 1 to be inspected is carried into the third station ST3, the vacuum shaft 58 of the elevating rotary table device 51 is raised by the vertical movement mechanism 59. Thus, when the vacuum lip 58A contacts the bottom surface of the container 1 to be inspected, the container 1 to be inspected is sucked and held by the vacuum lip 58A. Next, the lifting body 54 is raised by the feed mechanism 53. Then, the bearing block 5
5, the support cylinder 56 and the vacuum shaft 58 are raised. As a result, the container 1 to be inspected is raised, and is stopped when the measurement site (in this case, the threaded portion of the mouth) of the container 1 to be inspected reaches the optical scanning position of the non-contact type dimension measuring instrument 61. . After or before this, the support cylinder 56 is rotated by the rotation drive mechanism 57.
In this state, light is irradiated from the light irradiation unit 62 of the non-contact type dimension measuring device 61 to the measurement site (here, the mouth screw portion) of the container 1 to be inspected, and the light is received by the light receiving unit 63 on the opposite side. You. Then, the size of the measurement site of the container 1 to be inspected, that is, the mouth screw diameter a is obtained from the time when the light is blocked.

In the fifth station ST5, the measuring device 45 simultaneously measures the top inclination b, the total length c, and the push-up amount d of the container 1 to be inspected. First, when the container 1 to be inspected is carried into the fifth station ST5, the piston rod of the cylinder 86 of the elevating mechanism 76 is retracted (downward). Then, the elevating plate 72 is lowered at a gentle speed by the balance mechanism 85, and is stopped at a position where the contact plate 74 is in contact with the top surface of the mouth of the container 1 to be inspected. At this time, the contact plate 74 is inclined with the ball 73A as a fulcrum according to the inclination of the top surface of the mouth of the container 1 to be inspected. This contact plate 74
Of the inclination, that is, the top inclination b, is determined by three displacement detectors 7
It is obtained by calculation from the measured value measured at 5A. Incidentally, the top inclination b is obtained from the following equation.

[0029]

(Equation 1)

Here, m1, m2, and m3 are measured values measured by the three displacement detectors 75A, r is a radius of a circumscribed circle of a triangle connecting measurement points of the three displacement detectors 75A, and D is
Is the outer diameter of the top surface of the mouth of the container 1. At this time, the vertical position of the contact plate 74 is determined by the vertical position detecting means 77.
Read by. Thereby, the total length c of the container 1 to be inspected is measured. In addition, after the contact plate 74 comes into contact with the top surface of the mouth of the container 1 to be inspected, the lifter 94 whose upward movement is restricted by the cylinder 97 is released from the restriction by the cylinder 97. Is displaced upward. That is, it is displaced upward by the urging force of the spring 96. The displacement sensor 98 measures the displacement of the lifter 94 when the stylus 94A of the lifter 94 contacts the bottom surface of the container 1 to be inspected, whereby the push-up amount d is measured. In this way, the top inclination b, the total length c, and the push-up amount d of the inspection target container 1 are measured simultaneously.

In the sixth station ST6, the size measuring machine 46 uses the body diameters e1 and e2 of the container 1 to be inspected.
And the verticality h are measured. The measurement of the body diameters e1 and e2 is different from the measurement at the third station ST3 only in that the measurement sites are two places of the body of the container 1 to be inspected, and thus detailed description is omitted. In the measurement of the verticality h, the container 1 to be inspected is raised by raising the rotary table device 51, and the side shape of the container 1 to be inspected is continuously measured by the non-contact type dimension measuring device 61 at this time. Thus, the verticality h of the container 1 to be inspected is obtained.

In the eighth station ST8, the inner diameter f of the mouth of the container 1 to be inspected is measured by the dimension measuring machine 48. First, the container 1 to be inspected is placed in the eighth station S
When loaded into T8, the cylinder 10 of the vertical movement mechanism 104
The 4D piston rod is advanced. Then, the spring receiving plate 104A is displaced upward against the spring 104B, whereby the vacuum shaft 103 is raised. The vacuum lip 103A is the container 1 to be inspected.
, The container 1 to be inspected is sucked and held by the vacuum lip 103A. Next, the slide mechanism 113
As a result, the tracing stylus 112 is lowered. Then, the lower end of the measuring element 112 is inserted into the mouth of the container 1 to be inspected, and the measuring balls 112A, 11 having a diameter larger than the inner diameter of the mouth.
Stop at 2B, 112C. By reading the displacement amount of the tracing stylus 112 with the displacement sensor 114 at this time, the inner diameter f of the mouth of the inspection target container 1 is measured.

At the ninth station ST 9, the outer diameter g of the mouth of the container 1 to be inspected is measured by the dimension measuring machine 49. Regarding this measurement, the point that the measurement site is the outside diameter g of the mouth of the container 1 to be inspected is the third station ST3.
Since only the measurement is different from that in the above, detailed description is omitted.

At the eleventh station ST11,
The CID code (model number) formed on the bottom surface of the inspection target container 1 is read by the code reading device 50. The CID code read here is sent to the personal computer 121 together with the measured value at each station. PC 1
In step 21, the permissible value of each test item corresponding to a preset CID code is compared with the input measured value. If the measured value is out of the permissible value, the inspection target container 1 is rejected. 21 and if the measured value is within the allowable value, the container 1 to be inspected is moved out of the conveyor 22.
To the carry-out side slide means 23 so as to flow to
Thereby, the inspection target container whose measured value is out of the allowable value is stocked on the defective stock conveyor 21, and the inspection target container 1 whose measured value is within the allowable value is sent from the unloading conveyor 22 to the next step. . Note that these CID codes and measured values are further transmitted to the host computer 122.
Is transmitted as process information of the bottle forming machine.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the measuring device 3
A plurality of inspection items are divided into a plurality of groups so that the measurement time required in each of the stations ST1 to ST12 of 0 is averaged, and a measuring means for measuring the inspection items of the group is allocated to each of the stations ST1 to ST12. Therefore, wasteful waiting time is small, the time required for all measurements can be shortened as compared with the related art, and productivity can be improved even when incorporated in a line. In addition, since the inspection items and the measuring instruments do not correspond one-to-one as in the related art, the economic burden can be reduced as compared with the related art.

More specifically, the weight w of the container 1 to be inspected is measured at the first station ST1, the diameter a of the screw of the mouth of the container 1 to be inspected is measured at the second station ST3, and the object to be inspected is measured at the fifth station ST5. The top inclination b, the total length c and the push-up amount d of the container 1 are measured,
At the sixth station ST6, the body diameters e1, e2 and the verticality h of the container 1 to be inspected are measured, and at the eighth station ST8, the inner diameter f of the mouth of the container 1 to be inspected is measured.
In the ninth station ST9, the outer diameter g of the mouth of the container 1 to be inspected is measured, so that the weight w of the container to be inspected, the screw diameter a of the mouth, the top inclination b, the total length c and the push-up amount d, the body diameter Since e1 and e2 and the degree of verticality h, the inside diameter f of the mouth, and the outside diameter g of the mouth can be measured by a series of measurements, significant labor saving (labor saving) can be achieved.

The measuring device 30 includes a plurality of stations ST1 to ST12 and these stations ST1 to ST12.
Transport means 3 for sequentially transporting the inspection target container 1 to ST12
3, the plurality of measurements are collected at one location, and the entire apparatus can be made compact. That is, since various measuring means which are apt to be arranged at a plurality of locations are integrated, the size can be reduced. Moreover, power supply, air source, control
Because management devices and covers can be shared,
Cost can be reduced and maintenance can be facilitated.

The transport means 33 is provided at the station ST.
An index table 35 provided rotatably and stopably at predetermined angles about the center position of 1 to ST12 at a predetermined angle, and each station ST1 attached to the index table 35 while pushing the container 1 to be inspected.
To a transport plate 36 for sequentially transporting to ST12,
V is located on the side of the transport plate 36 on which the container 1 to be inspected is pressed.
Since the cut-out portion 37 is formed, when the container 1 to be inspected is pushed by the transport plate 36, the transport plate 36
Since the container 1 to be inspected is conveyed while being automatically positioned in the V-shaped notch 37, it can be positioned at a predetermined position even in the next stations ST1 to ST12 without providing any special positioning means. .

Further, the dimension measuring machines 43, 46, and 49 raise and lower the inspection object container 1 while holding the bottom surface of the inspection object container 1, and rotate the lifting and lowering type rotary table device 5.
1 and a dimension measuring device 6 for measuring the measurement site of the container 1 to be inspected which has been lifted by the vertically movable rotary table device 51.
1, an arbitrary measurement site of the inspection target container 1 can be positioned at the optical scanning position of the non-contact type dimension measuring instrument 61 by the lifting / lowering rotary table device 51. Therefore, various inspection items can be measured. In addition, since the elevating rotary table device 51 includes the vacuum lip 58A that sucks the bottom surface of the inspection target container 1, the inspection target container 1 can be stably held. Dimension measuring device 61
Uses a non-contact type dimension measuring device 61 having a light irradiation unit 62 and a light receiving unit 63 arranged with the container 1 to be inspected therebetween, so that various inspection items can be accurately measured without damaging the container 1 to be inspected. can do.

The measuring device 45 is provided above the reference plate 32 and measures the top inclination b and the total length c of the container to be inspected. The measuring device 45 is provided below the reference plate 32 and pushes the container 1 to be inspected. Since the push-up amount detector 91 for measuring the up amount d is provided, the top inclination b, the total length c, and the push-up amount d of the inspection target container 1 can be simultaneously measured in one station ST5. Further, the measuring device 71 is provided with the reference plate 32.
A contact plate 74 that is provided to be able to move up and down and that can be inclined along the top of the mouth when in contact with the top of the mouth of the container 1 to be inspected, and an inclination for detecting the inclination of the contact plate 74 Since it is configured to include the detecting means 75 and the elevating position detecting means 77 for detecting the elevating position of the abutting plate 74, the test object container 1 is placed on the reference plate 32, and then the abutting plate 74 is lowered. When the abutment plate 74 is brought into contact with the top of the mouth of the container 1 to be inspected, the abutment plate 74 is inclined according to the inclination of the top of the mouth. The inclination of the top of the mouth of the container 1 to be inspected can be measured. At this time, the elevating position of the contact plate 74 is determined by the elevating position detecting means 7.
7, the distance from the reference plate 32 to the contact plate 74, ie, the total length c of the container 1 to be inspected.
Can be measured. Further, the push-up amount detector 91 includes a stylus 94A provided to be able to protrude and retract from the upper surface of the reference plate 32, and a stylus 9A.
The displacement sensor 98 for detecting the amount of protrusion of the 4A from the upper surface of the reference plate 32 is included. Push-up amount d without hindrance
Can be measured.

The contact plate 74 is tiltably supported on the elevating plate 72 via a swing support mechanism 73,
Since an elevating mechanism 76 is provided for elevating the elevating plate 72 in the full length direction of the inspection container 1, if the elevating plate 72 is moved up and down in the full length direction of the inspection container 1, the contact plate 74 is automatically moved Can be lifted and lowered. Therefore, after placing the container 1 to be inspected on the reference plate 32, the worker does not have to move the contact plate 74 up and down, so that the burden on the worker can be reduced. In addition, since the balance mechanism 85 for adjusting the descending speed of the contact plate 74 is provided, when the contact plate 74 descends, the contact plate 7 is moved at an appropriate speed.
4 can be brought into contact with the top surface of the mouth of the container 1 to be inspected. Therefore, damage to the top surface of the mouth of the inspection target container 1 due to the collision can be avoided.

The swing support mechanism 73 includes a column 73B that supports the contact plate 74 so as to be tiltable in an arbitrary direction via the ball 73A on the elevating plate 72 on the center axis of the container 1 to be inspected. Since the contact plate 74 includes three springs 73C which are arranged at 120 ° intervals on the same circumference around the support column 73B and hold the reference plate 32 in a substantially parallel posture, the contact plate 7
4 is pressed against the top of the mouth by the pressure of the three springs, so that the contact plate 74 can be accurately tilted by following the inclination of the top of the mouth, and the inclination is measured by the displacement measuring device 75A. By measuring, the push-up amount d can be accurately measured.

Further, the dimension measuring machine 48 is used for the container 1 to be inspected.
And a dimension measuring device 111 for measuring the inner diameter f of the mouth of the container 1 to be inspected held by the holding means 101, that is, the holding means 101 As a result, the inner diameter f of the mouth is measured while the bottom surface of the inspection target container 1 is suction-held, so that the inner diameter can be accurately measured. Further, the dimension measuring device 111 includes a measuring element 112 that can be inserted into the mouth of the container 1 to be inspected, a slide mechanism 113 that moves the measuring element 112 up and down, and a displacement sensor 114 that measures the amount of movement of the measuring element 112. The lower end of the measuring element 112 has a plurality of measuring balls 11 of gradually increasing diameter.
Since 2A, 112B and 112C are arranged at predetermined intervals upward from the lower end, these measuring balls 112A, 112C
The inner diameter of the mouth can be easily measured by a stop gauge as shown by B and 112C. In addition, by changing these diameters, it is possible to easily measure the inner diameter of the mouth portion of any diameter. Therefore, even if the container (product type) to be inspected changes, the setup can be easily changed.

In the above embodiment, the container 1 to be inspected is
The weight w, the mouth thread diameter a, the top slope b, the total length c and the push-up amount d, the body diameters e1, e2 and the verticality, the inside diameter f, and the outside diameter g of the mouth are always measured. ,
It is not necessary to measure all of these test items. Further, the present invention is not limited to these test items, and may measure other test items. Further, as a container to be inspected, the present invention can be applied to all cylindrical containers such as bottles and PET bottles.

[0045]

According to the container inspection apparatus of the present invention, a large labor saving can be achieved, and the measurement time can be shortened.
In addition, it is compact and economical, and can be expected to improve productivity even when incorporated into a line.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an inspection device of the present embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a dimension measuring machine provided in a third station of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a measuring device provided in a fifth station of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the dimension measuring device shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing a dimension measuring device provided in an eighth station of the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the overall system configuration of the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing inspection items for bottles.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 loading device (loading device) 20 loading device (loading device) 30 measuring device 33 transporting device 35 index table 36 transport plate 37 notch 41 weight measuring device (measuring device) 43 dimension measuring device (measuring device) 45 measuring device (measuring) Means) 46 Dimension measuring machine (measuring means) 48 Dimension measuring machine (measuring means) 49 Dimension measuring machine (measuring means) 61 Non-contact type dimension measuring instrument 62 Light irradiation unit 63 Light receiving unit ST1-ST12 Station

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Yoshihiko Takahashi 1-2-1-1, Sakado, Takatsu-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa Pref. Toyo Glass Co., Ltd.

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A container inspection apparatus for measuring a plurality of types of inspection items with respect to a container to be inspected and evaluating the quality of the container to be inspected based on a result of the measurement, comprising: a plurality of stations; A measuring device provided with a transport unit for sequentially transporting the containers, a loading unit for loading the container to be inspected into the measuring device, and an unloading unit for unloading the container to be inspected measured by the measuring device; Inspection items are divided into multiple groups,
A container inspection apparatus, wherein measurement means for measuring the inspection items of the divided groups is assigned to a station of the measurement apparatus. 2. The container inspection device according to claim 1, wherein the measurement device includes a plurality of stations allocated at predetermined angular intervals on the same circumference, and a predetermined center around the circumference of the circumference. A container comprising: an index table provided rotatably and stoppably at each angle; and transport means having a transport plate attached to the index table and transporting the inspection target container sequentially to each of the stations while pressing the container. Inspection equipment. 3. The container inspection apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the transport plate has a V-shaped notch on a side on which the container to be inspected is pressed. apparatus. 4. The container inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of stations include: a dimension measuring machine that measures a screw diameter of a mouth of the container to be inspected; A container measuring device for measuring the outside diameter of the mouth of the container to be inspected. 5. The container inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of stations include a weight measuring device for measuring a weight of the container to be inspected, and a mouth portion of the container to be inspected. A measuring machine for measuring the screw diameter, a measuring machine for measuring the inclination of the top of the mouth at the mouth, the total length and the amount of depression at the bottom, a measuring machine for measuring the trunk diameter of the container to be inspected, and a measuring device for the container to be inspected. A dimension measuring machine for measuring the inner diameter of the mouth,
A container inspection apparatus, wherein a dimension measuring device for measuring an outer diameter of a mouth of a container to be inspected is allocated to each of them. 6. The container inspection apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the dimension measuring device includes a non-contact type dimension measuring device. 7. The container inspection apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the non-contact type dimension measuring device is disposed on one side of the container to be inspected and scans light toward the container to be inspected and in a radial direction. A container inspection apparatus comprising: a light irradiation unit; and a light receiving unit disposed on the other side of the container to be inspected and receiving light from the light irradiation unit. 8. The container inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the unloading unit is configured to unload the inspection target container evaluated as a non-defective product, and is evaluated as a defective product. A container inspection apparatus, comprising: a defective stock conveyor for stocking a container to be inspected.