JPS62239043A - Method and device for detecting buckled can - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve detection accuracy by detecting a buckled can by a light emitting device and a sensor head. CONSTITUTION:Cans 1 sent in order from a contents charging process are sent, one by one, in pockets 10a of a turret 10 by a front-stage auxiliary turret 11 and mounted on a turntable. Consequently, the cans 1 while rotating and revolving on their axes are covered through the clamping operation of a clamping roll and then conveyed to an inspection position A. When can 1 reaches the position A, light incident on the sensor head 14 is cut off by the can 1. Photodetecting elements on both side parts of the head 14 enter a 'light' state and the number of photodetecting elements in a 'dark' state at the intermediate part of the head 14 when a specific number of elements at the intermediate part enter the 'dark' state are counted; and the counted value is compared with a set value to detect bucking. If a buckled can is detected, an operation signal is sent to a solenoid valve 32 when the buckled can reaches a discharge position B, and air is injected from a discharge air pipe 33, thereby removing the buckled can.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Field of Application] The present invention is directed to the treatment of buckled cans that occur during the manufacturing process of canned goods.
This invention relates to a method and device for automatically detecting buckled cans.

[Prior art 1] In the manufacturing process of canned goods, there is a process of wrapping one lid around a can body, a process of forming a flange on the mouth of an empty can with a lid wrapped tightly, or a process of forming a flange on the mouth of an empty can with a lid wrapped tightly, or In the process of performing neck-in processing and flanging TI on the mouth of a DI can with an integrally formed can body, and in the process of tightening the other lid after filling these empty cans with contents, etc. A large load may be applied in the axial direction of the can.

That is, in the step of winding the lid onto the can body, the lid is compressed and fixed to the can body using a chuck or the like, and the edges of the lid are rolled up using a seaming roll. In addition, in the neck-in processing of DI cans, a wringer applies a load in the axial direction while squeezing the can mouth inward, and in the flange processing process, a flange machine applies a load in the axial direction. The mouth of the can is opened outward.

For this reason, in the manufacturing process of canned goods, buckling often occurs in the can body. Canned goods with buckling in the can body have poor aesthetic appearance and significantly reduce product value, as well as lead to poor seaming and canning. This was a major cause of poor sealing. Furthermore, due to the phenomenon in which a part of the can body protrudes due to buckling, there is a drawback that one can gets clogged when the can is transported during the can manufacturing process.

Therefore, there is peace of mind in detecting buckled cans and sorting them out from good seedlings, but the biggest drawback of buckled cans, which is the loss of aesthetic appearance, is an intuitive judgment, and there is no automatic detection method. Since there is no suitable method for detecting buckled cans, buckled cans have conventionally been detected by human visual inspection.

[Problem to be Solved 1] As mentioned above, conventional buckled can detection was performed by human visual inspection. This causes variations in the criteria for determining whether or not a can is buckled, and it is impossible to avoid human detection errors due to worker fatigue or carelessness, making it impossible to achieve high-accuracy detection. Ta. In addition, visual inspection by a worker makes it difficult to speed up the inspection, and there are also major problems in automating the inspection and, by extension, the can manufacturing process.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and
The present invention aims to improve the detection accuracy by detecting buckled cans using an image sensor, and to provide a method and device for detecting buckled cans that can speed up and automate the inspection.

[Means for solving the problem] In order to achieve the following points, the buckled can detection method of the present invention is as follows:
The light emitting device emits light toward the can that has been transferred to the inspection position by the transfer means.

A predetermined number of light receiving elements on both sides of the sensor head, which are arranged in the transport direction and facing the light emitter, receive light from the light emitter,
When the light receiving elements in the middle part of the sensor head are not receiving light, the number of light receiving elements not receiving light in the middle part is compared with a preset value to prevent buckling of the can. There is a method of determining whether or not there is one and outputting a signal according to the result of this determination.

The buckled can detection device of the present invention also includes a transport means for transporting the can, a light emitter that emits light toward the can transported to the inspection position, and a sensor head that is disposed opposite to the light emitter in the transport direction. , a counter that outputs a signal when any light receiving element on one side of the sensor head receives light, and a counter that outputs a signal when any number of light receiving elements on the other side of the sensor head receives light. A counter, a counter that outputs a signal when the light receiving elements in a predetermined range in the middle part of the sensor head do not receive light, and a counter that outputs a signal when the light receiving elements in a predetermined range in the middle part of the sensor head do not receive light. A determination unit that compares the number of light-receiving elements with a set value to determine whether or not the can is buckled, and outputs a signal based on the determination result, and performs predetermined processing based on the output from the determination unit. It consists of a processing means.

It goes without saying that the present invention can also be applied to the detection of cans that have irregularities on the outer peripheral surface due to causes other than buckling, and therefore, in the present invention, these cans are also referred to as buckled cans.

[Examples] Examples of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

First, an embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention will be described based on the drawings. Fig. 1 is a schematic plan view of an embodiment in which the detection device is installed during the lid tightening process, Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the arrangement relationship between the light emitter and the light receiver, and Figs. 3 (a) and (b). ) and (c) are explanatory diagrams of the detection state, FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the circuit configuration of the control section, and FIG. 5 is a waveform diagram of each part showing the operating state of the device.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 indicates a can to be inspected for the presence or absence of buckling, and in the case of this embodiment, the inspection target is a so-called real can, which is filled with contents and whose lid is tightened. In FIG. 1, numeral 10 is a turret used in the Ml seaming process, and is located on the outer periphery.

It has a plurality of equally spaced cans 10a for transporting cans 1 filled with contents and tightened with lids,
A front auxiliary turret 11 rotates at a predetermined speed, and sends the can l whose lid is to be tightened, sent from the filling process, to the loa of the turret lO.

Reference numeral 12 denotes a pulse generator provided in the front auxiliary turret 11, which generates a pulse signal every time the front auxiliary turret 11 sends a can l to the lower part of the turret 10.

Reference numeral 13 denotes a light emitter, which is arranged at the inspection position A so as to emit light toward the can (2).

The light emitter 13 emits a luminous flux over a wider range than the diameter of the can l. Reference numeral 14 denotes a first sensor head serving as a light receiver, which faces the light emitter 13 with the inspection position A in between, and is arranged in a horizontally elongated manner on a horizontal line in the can transport direction. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the second and third sensor heads 15, 16 are arranged in the same manner as the first sensor head 14 in the height direction of the can l. These first to third sensor heads 14°15.
16 forms a kind of image sensor together with the light emitter 13, and is located at the part of the can where buckling is most likely to occur (usually
It is arranged to inspect the area (near the center of the can body).

In addition, each sensor head 14, 15, 16 has a large number of light receiving elements 17 arranged in horizontal rows (
The number is as long as the width of the can shadow, 20 in the case of this example.
48 pieces) are arranged densely, and the "bright" and "dark" states of these light receiving elements 17 are connected to the element address designation signal (the opening signal line in Fig. 4), and a signal of "0" (the fourth It is repeatedly sent out as signal line A in the figure).

18 is a rotating table, each pocket lo of the turret 10
It is located at the bottom of g, for example.

turret) 10 for rotation. In other words, the one-turn table 18 rotates on its axis at the same time as the turret 10 revolves. 19 is a rear auxiliary turret, and the can l transferred from the inspection position A by the turret 10 is transported from the pocket 10a of the turret 10 to the downstream process. Send it to the line.

20 is a control unit, each sensor head 14°15.16
Buckling inspection processing is performed based on the signals sent from the Here, in order to make the explanation easier to understand, we will explain the circuit system that processes the signal sent out from the first sensor head 14 (the second and third sensor heads 15
．． The same applies to the circuit system No. 16).

The circuit system of the first sensor head 14 includes first to sixth counters 21a, 21f, and 21f.

Second and third gate circuits 22a, 22b, 22c
and first, second, and third comparison circuits 24a.

24b, 24c, first, second, and third setting circuits 25a
, 25b, 25c, and a discriminating section 22 consisting of a discriminating circuit 26.

The first counter 21a operates from address 1 to 3 on the - side based on the "bright" and "dark" signals sent from the sensor head 14.
One pulse signal is output only when the light receiving element 17 up to the address is counted as being in the "bright" state, and the second counter 21b and the third counter 21c One pulse signal is output only when it is counted that the light receiving elements 17 up to the address are in the "bright" state. Also, the fourth
The counter 21d is from address 2046 to address 2048 on the other side.
The fifth counter 21e outputs one pulse state when it counts that the light receiving elements 17 up to the address are in the "bright" state, and the fifth counter 21e counts the light receiving elements 17 within the range from address 4 to address 2045 in the middle part. It outputs one pulse signal when it counts that a part of it is in the "dark" state. Roughly speaking, the sixth counter 21f counts the number of light receiving elements 17 in the "dark" state between addresses 1 and 2048.

The first gate circuit 22a has first, fourth, and fifth counters 2
When pulse signals are sent from 1a, 21d, and 21e, one pulse signal is output, and the second gate circuit 22b
are the second, fourth, and fifth counters 21b, 21d, and 21e.
The third gate circuit 22c outputs one pulse signal when a pulse signal is sent from the third, fourth, and fifth counters 21c, 21d, and 21e. Outputs two signals.

The first comparison circuit 24& calculates the number of light receiving elements 17 in the "dark" state in the sensor head/F14B by a fourth counter 2 when there is an output from the first gate circuit 22a.
It is input from 1f and compared with the value set in the setting circuit 25a. If the number of light-receiving elements 17 in the "dark" state is larger than the allowable range of the preset value due to buckling of the can 1, or if the number is small, the light is set to high.
Outputs level signal. The second comparison circuit 23b performs the same process as the first comparison circuit 24& when there is an output from the second gate circuit 22b, and also performs the same processing as the first comparison circuit 24&.
4c is the above-mentioned comparison circuit 24a when there is an output from the third gate circuit 22c.

The same processing as 24b is performed.

The discrimination circuit 26 is the first to third comparison circuits 24a of the first sensor head 14 system described above.

Signals from 24b and 24c and the second sensor head 15
And, it is determined whether or not there is buckling in the can l based on signals from fourth to ninth comparison circuits (not shown) of the third sensor head 16 system, and at least one comparison circuit of the first to ninth comparison circuits is used. When the output of the circuit becomes high level, a buckled can detection signal is output.

Reference numeral 31 denotes a device for displaying the determination result, which displays whether the inspected can l is a food can or a buckled can, based on a signal from the determination circuit 26. Reference numeral 32 designates a solenoid pulp provided in the discharge air pipe 33, which is activated when the buckled can is discharged from the conveyance line, and causes air to be ejected from the discharge air pipe 33 toward the discharge position B. The activation signal to this solenoid valve 32 is stored in the shift register 34, and the number of buckled cans detected at the inspection position A to be sent to the discharge position B is determined in advance, and the pulse The signal from the generator 12 is output when the shift register 34 counts the number of signals.

Next, an embodiment of the method of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 3, 4, and 5.

The cans 1 whose lids are to be tightened, which have been sent sequentially from the contents filling process, are sent -m by m to the pockets 10a of the turret 10 by the front-stage auxiliary turret 12, and placed on the rotary table 18. As a result, while each can 1 revolves and rotates, the lid is tightened by a tightening roll (not shown), and the can 1 is placed at the inspection position. When the light is transferred to A, the light entering the sensor head 14 is blocked by the can 1, and the 2048 light receiving elements 17 of the sensor head 14
is divided into "bright" and "dark" states.Now, when the can l reaches the position marked ■ in Fig. 3, the sensor head 1
The light receiving element 17 of No. 4 is located between X and S (from address 1 to address 3)
is in the “bright” state, and between S and e (from address 4 to n
11 address nl 2046) becomes “dark”, and e and
The area between them (from address nl +11 to address 2048) is in the "bright" state. Therefore, the first gate circuit 22a outputs a pulse signal to the first comparison circuit 24a. Thereby, the first comparison circuit 24a reads the output of the sixth counter 21f that counts the number of light receiving elements in the "dark" state of the sensor head 14, and sets the value set in advance in the second setting circuit 25a. Compare with value. And the sixth counter 21f
If the output is larger or smaller than the allowable range of the set value due to buckling of 1 can liter, a high level signal is output, and the output is within the allowable range because 1 can liter has no buckling or very small buckling. If it is, do not output the signal (5th
(The figure shows the case where it is within the permissible range).In this way, the inspection at the inspection position IA at position 3 is completed.

Next, when the can l moves from the 1 position to the ■ position while orbiting and rotating on its own axis with the turret 10 and the rotating plate 18,
The area between X and So of the light receiving element 17 of the sensor head 14 (from address 1 to address 400) is in a "bright" state, and the area between So and e' (from address 401 to address n22, n2<2046) is in a "dark" state, Between e' and X' (20 from address n2+1
48) becomes "bright". Therefore, the second gate circuit 22b outputs a pulse signal to the second comparison circuit 24b. Thereby, the second comparison circuit 24b reads the output of the sixth counter 21f that counts the number of "dark" light receiving elements of the sensor head 14, and
Compare with the setting value set in advance. If the output of the sixth counter 21f is larger or smaller than the allowable range of the set value due to the buckling of the can 1, h i
outputs a gh level signal, and does not output a signal if the can L has no buckling or very small buckling and is within the allowable range (Figure 5 shows the case where it is within the allowable range); In this way, the inspection at position ① of inspection position A is completed.

Furthermore, when one can l moves from the ■ position to the ■ position while orbiting and rotating by the turret lO and the rotating plate 18,
The area between X and S'' (from addresses 1 to 700) of the light receiving element 17 of the sensor head 14 is in the "bright" state, and the area between S" and e" (from address 701 to n33, n3<2046) is in the "dark" state. between e" and y (from address n3+1 to 204
8) becomes "bright". Therefore, the third gate circuit 22c outputs a pulse signal to the third comparison circuit 24c. As a result, the third comparison circuit 24c reads the output of the sixth counter 21f that counts the number of "dark" light receiving elements of the sensor head 14, and compares it with the setting value preset in the third setting circuit 25c. compare. If the output of the sixth counter 21f is larger or smaller than the allowable range of the set value due to the buckling of the can l, the output is set to high.
It outputs a level signal, and does not output a signal if there is no buckling in the can or if the buckling is very small and within the allowable range (Figure 5 shows that the can has a dent caused by buckling. , the number of "dark" light receiving elements 17 is smaller than the allowable range, h
(This shows the case where a high level signal is output.) In this way, the inspection at position ① of inspection position A is completed.

As a result, the first sensor head 14 operates at three locations on the outer circumference (1, II, I
This means that the buckling at I [position] has been checked.

The circuit systems of the second sensor head 15 and the third sensor head 16 perform similar processing, and when buckling is detected,
hi from the fourth to ninth comparator circuits (not shown), respectively.
Outputs a gh level signal. As a result, three locations on the outer circumference at three different heights of the can l, that is,
In total, buckling was checked at nine locations.

The discrimination circuit 26 outputs a buckling detection signal when a high level signal is sent from at least one of the first to ninth comparison circuits, and outputs a buckling detection signal when a high level signal is sent from at least one of the first to ninth comparison circuits. Outputs a buckling non-detection signal when a level signal is not sent.

The discrimination signal from the discrimination circuit 26 is sent to the display device 31,
Here, the results based on the signal are displayed. at the same time,
If the determination result is that a buckled can is detected, the determination signal is stored in the shift register 34.

As mentioned above, in this embodiment, the sensor head is in Buckling is detected by counting the number of light-receiving elements that are in a "dark" state in the intermediate region and comparing this with a set value. Therefore, even if the diameter of the can to be inspected changes, this can be easily handled by simply changing the set values of the setting circuit.

When the inspection is completed in this way, the pulse generator 12 outputs the first to sixth counters 21a.

~, 21f, a reset signal is sent to each counter 21a,
~, Clear the count in 21fe. At the same time, the cans l that have been inspected are sequentially transferred by the turret 10 and sent to the conveyance line for the next process by the rear auxiliary turret 19. If the inspection result is that a buckled can is detected, the cans are discharged. The number of cans sent to the position 21B is counted by a shift register 34 using a pulse signal from the pulse generator 12. When the buckled can reaches the discharge position B of the conveyance line, an activation signal is sent to the solenoid valve 32 to blow out air from the discharge air pipe 33 to remove the buckled can from the line.

As described above, if buckled can detection is performed simultaneously with the lid seaming process, a separate buckled can detection process is not necessary, and a buckled can detection device is also required.

A lid tightening device can be used, and the device can be simplified and the detection process can be shortened.

It is also possible to inspect the actual cans filled with contents and with the lids tightened in a separate and independent buckling can detection process. A transfer device similar to the one used in the seaming process can be used.

Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and includes, for example, the following modifications.

■ Method and device for detecting buckling of empty cans.

(2) A method and device for detecting buckled cans by arranging one or two sets of sensor heads, or four or more sets of sensor heads for more accurate detection.

■ A method and device for detecting buckled cans using a sensor head in which multiple rows of light-receiving elements are arranged in the vertical direction. For example, if the light-receiving element is arranged vertically longer than the height of the can, the entire can shadow can be captured by the light-receiving element of the sensor head, making it possible to check for buckling more reliably.

- Check buckling using the set sensor head,
A method and an apparatus for detecting a spot h; by performing detection at one location, two locations, or at least four locations to further improve detection accuracy. In this case, the address of the counter element that outputs a signal when the light receiving element on one side of the sensor head receives light can be set to any address.

■ After drying the liquid adhering to the outer circumferential surface of the can using air or a dryer such as a heater, ), a method and apparatus for detecting buckled cans.

(2) A method and apparatus for detecting buckled cans by transporting cans using a rotary transport means other than a turret, or a linear transport means such as a belt conveyor.

(2) A method and apparatus for detecting buckled cans by rotating the can using a rotating means other than a rotary table, such as a belt or roll.

■ Detect buckled cans by outputting the setting value input to the comparison circuit from one setting circuit)? Eight
[-1 book - Ku Tsume Mak Junyama] A method and device for detecting a buckled can using a circuit other than the above as a constituent circuit of a discriminating section.

[Phase] A method and device for detecting a buckled can by sounding an alarm or flashing an indicator light as a predetermined process when a buckled can is detected.

◎ Use a device other than the air exclusion type as the removal device for buckled cans.
Also, a method and apparatus for detecting buckled cans by providing a removal device near the detection position as necessary.

@ A method and device for detecting buckled cans around the entire circumference of the can by rotating the can one or more revolutions at the inspection position (the turret rotates intermittently).

■ A method and device for detecting buckled cans in plastic cans other than metal cans, paper cans, etc.

[Phase] A method and apparatus for detecting a buckled can by appropriately combining the above-described embodiments and modifications.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, by detecting buckled cans using a light emitting device and a sensor head, it is possible to improve detection accuracy and to speed up and automate inspection. . Another advantage is that it can be easily applied to cans with different diameters.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of an embodiment in which a detection device is installed during the lid tightening process, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the arrangement relationship between a light emitter and a light receiver, and FIG. 3 (a). (b) and (C) are explanatory diagrams of the detection state, FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the circuit configuration of the control section, and FIG. 5 is a waveform diagram of each part showing the operating state of the device. l: Can 10: Turret 11:
Front stage auxiliary turret 12: Pulse generation base 13: Light emitter 14, 15, 16: Sensor head 17: Light receiving element 18: Turntable 20: Control unit 21a, 21b, 21c, 21d, 2
1e, 21f: counters 22a, 22b, 22c
:Gate circuit 23: Discrimination section

Claims (7)

[Claims] (1) A light emitter emits light toward the can that has been transferred to the inspection position by the transfer means, and a predetermined number of light receiving elements on both sides of the sensor head, which is arranged in the transfer direction and facing the light emitter, A preset value for the number of light-receiving elements that do not receive light in the intermediate part when the light-receiving elements in the intermediate part of the sensor head receive light from the light emitter and do not receive light. A method for detecting a buckled can, characterized by determining whether or not the can is buckled by comparing the results with the results of the determination, and outputting a signal according to the determination result. (2) While the can is being transferred from one inspection position to another, the number of light-receiving elements that are not receiving light in the middle area is counted multiple times to detect buckling at multiple locations on the same outer circumferential line of the can. A method for detecting a buckled can according to claim 1. (3) Detection of a buckled can according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the signal according to the determination result that the can has buckling is a buckled can removal means activation signal. Method. (4) A transfer means for transferring the can, a light emitting device that emits light toward the can transferred to the inspection position, a sensor head facing the light emitting device and arranged in the transfer direction, and an optional part on the side of the sensor head. A counter that outputs a signal when a light receiving element on the other side of the sensor head receives light, a counter that outputs a signal when an arbitrary number of light receiving elements on the other side of the sensor head receive light, and a counter that outputs a signal when an arbitrary number of light receiving elements on the other side of the sensor head receive light. A counter that outputs a signal when a light receiving element in a predetermined range does not receive light, and a set value that is the number of light receiving elements that are not receiving light in the middle part of the sensor head when a signal is output from these counters. In addition to comparing and determining whether or not the can is buckled,
1. A buckled can detection device comprising: a discriminator that outputs a signal based on a discrimination result; and a processing means that performs predetermined processing based on the output from the discriminator. (5) The buckled can detection device according to claim 4, wherein a plurality of the sensor heads are arranged in the height direction of the can. (6) The buckled can detection device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the transfer means is a means for transferring the can while rotating the can. (7) Claim 4, characterized in that the means for performing the predetermined treatment is a device for removing buckled cans;
The buckled can detection device according to item 5 or 6.