KR102300158B1 - Container inspection device and container inspection method - Google Patents

Abstract

The container 10 inspection device 1 includes a light emitting part 20 that irradiates light with respect to the concave-convex shape 17 formed on the outer surface 16 of the container 10, and a central axis 12 that rotates about A rotating support part 30 for supporting the container 10, a condensing lens 42 for projecting the light reflected by the container 10 among the light of the light emitting part 20 to the screen 44, and the screen 44 and an imaging unit 40 that captures the projected image. The concave-convex shape 17 may include a character, and the inspection apparatus 1 may include a processing unit 50 for recognizing a character from the image 80 captured by the imaging unit 40 .

Description

Container inspection device and container inspection method

The present invention relates to a container inspection apparatus and a container inspection method.

A mold number reading device for reading characters or symbols in an uneven shape formed on the outer surface of a container, particularly a glass bottle, is known (Non-Patent Document 1). The concave-convex shape is a shape protruding from the outer surface of the glass bottle, a shape concave inward from the outer surface, or a shape composed of a combination of a protruding shape and a concave shape. A general glass bottle type number reading device optically reads the type number (mold number) formed in a concave-convex shape on the bottom or bottom edge of the bottle and combines it with defect information from an inspector that inspects the quality of the bottle and is used for quality control. That is, the inspection results of each bottle are automatically counted for each mold corresponding to the read character, so that it is possible to know which defect is occurring in the bottle molded in which mold. As a result, for example, data aggregated for each mold on bottle quality can be fed back to the operator of the molding machine, or only bottles manufactured with a specific model number can be excluded from the production line.

As disclosed in Non-Patent Document 1, according to the arrangement of the optical system of the model number reading device, light received by the light receiver is generally classified according to whether it is reflected light or transmitted light. A reflection-type is a method of reading the light of the emitter reflected from the glass bottle to the receiver. A transmission-type is a method in which the light of the emitter that has passed through the glass bottle is read by the receiver.

The inspection apparatus previously proposed by the present applicant is a representative example of a transmissive character reading apparatus (Patent Document 1). This transmissive character reading device is a breakthrough in solving the difficulty of reading characters in a transparent (or translucent) glass bottle. In this transmissive character reading device, the recognition of the model number is facilitated by projecting on the screen using the lens effect of the embossed character.

According to the invention of Patent Document 1, it is possible to reduce the misrecognition of the model number in the transparent (or semi-transparent) glass bottle, but it was necessary to place the lighting arrangement space behind the glass bottle.

Recently, a reflective character reading device (container inspection system) has been further proposed (Patent Document 2). However, in this character reading apparatus, a specific solution of how to clarify the contour of the concave-convex shape in a transparent (or semi-transparent) glass bottle using reflected light is not disclosed. However, it is known that a shadow of double reflection of a character (concave-convex shape) occurs in a transparent glass bottle in a reflective character reading device. Such a double reflection shadow is captured with a density close to that of a character's shadow, which causes a reading failure or a reading error. And read failure, etc. will affect subsequent processing.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2008-158943 International Publication No. 2014-50641 Publication

"Field Technology of Glass Manufacturing, Volume 5", Japan Glass Products Industry Association, published on June 3, 1993, p.241-265

An object of the present invention is to provide a container inspection apparatus and a container inspection method capable of inspecting the concave-convex shape of the outer surface of the container.

The present invention has been made to solve at least a part of the above-described problems, and can be realized as the following aspects or application examples.

[Application Example 1]

The container inspection apparatus according to this application example includes a light emitting part for irradiating light with respect to the uneven shape formed on the outer surface of the container, a rotation support part for supporting the container rotating about the central axis of the container, It characterized in that it comprises a condensing lens for projecting the light reflected by the container onto the screen, and an imaging unit for capturing the image projected on the screen.

According to this application example, the concavo-convex shape of the outer surfaces of the colored container and the colorless transparent container can be reliably inspected using the reflection optical system.

[Application Example 2]

In the container inspection apparatus according to this application example, the concave-convex shape may include a character, and a processing unit for recognizing the character from the image captured by the imaging unit may be included.

According to this application example, the characters on the outer surface of the container can be reliably recognized using the reflective optical system.

[Application Example 3]

In the container inspection apparatus according to this application example, a diffusion plate is further included between the light emitting part and the container, and the diffusion plate can diffuse the light from the light emitting part to irradiate the container.

According to this application example, even if the uneven shape is formed on the curved surface of the container, the reflected light can be efficiently used.

[Application Example 4]

In the container inspection apparatus according to this application example, the imaging unit, the condensing lens, the screen, and the light emitting unit may be fixed on one substrate.

According to this application example, each part can be arrange|positioned at an appropriate position in a short time by changing the position of a board|substrate according to the kind of inspection object container.

[Application Example 5]

In the container inspection apparatus according to this application example, the concavo-convex shape formed on the outer surface of the container may be a character protruding from the outer surface of the container.

According to this application example, characters protruding from the outer surface of the container can be reliably read.

[Application example 6]

In the container inspection method according to this application example, the container is rotated about the central axis of the container, the light is emitted from the light emitting part toward the uneven shape formed on the outer surface of the container, and the reflected light from the container is projected onto the screen by a condensing lens. And, it is characterized in that the image of the screen is captured by the imaging unit.

According to this application example, the concavo-convex shape of the outer surface of the container can be reliably inspected using the reflective optical system.

[Application example 7]

In the container inspection apparatus according to this application example, the concave-convex shape includes a character, and the character can be recognized from the image captured by the imaging unit.

According to this application example, the character on the outer surface of the container can be reliably recognized using the reflective optical system.

[Application Example 8]

In the container inspection apparatus according to this application example, the light of the light emitting part can be diffused by the diffusion plate to irradiate the concave-convex shape formed on the outer surface of the container.

According to this application example, even if the uneven shape is formed on the curved surface of the container, the reflected light can be efficiently used.

[Application example 9]

In the container inspection apparatus according to this application example, the diffusion plate has a uniform diffusion angle at a predetermined angle, and the diffusion angle may be 10° to 40°.

According to this application example, the concave-convex shadow projected on the screen can be made clear by matching the diffusion angle of the diffusion plate to the whole. In addition, according to this application example, by making the diffusion angle of the diffusion plate 22 all the same, even if the curvature of the bottom edge of the container is small, it is difficult to narrow the width of the bright background around the concave-convex shape projected on the screen.

The present invention can provide a container inspection apparatus and a container inspection method capable of inspecting the concavo-convex shape of the outer surface of the container.

1 is a plan view of a container inspection apparatus.
2 is a plan view of the inspection unit showing the arrangement of the light emitting unit, the imaging unit, and the container.
3 is a side view of the inspection unit of the container;
4 is a plan view for explaining the relationship between the light emitting unit and the diffusion plate.
5 is a front view illustrating the bottom edge of the container and the screen.
6 is a diagram for explaining characters in a captured image.
7 is a flowchart of a container inspection method.

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Hereinafter, preferred embodiment of this invention is described in detail using drawings. In addition, the embodiment described below does not unduly limit the content of this invention described in a claim. In addition, it cannot be said that all the structures described below are essential components of this invention.

The container inspection apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a light emitting part for irradiating light with respect to the concave-convex shape formed on the outer surface of the container, a rotation support part for supporting the container rotating about the central axis of the container, and the light from the light emitting part to the container. It characterized in that it comprises a condensing lens for projecting the reflected light to the screen, and an imaging unit for capturing an image projected on the screen.

1. Overview of container inspection equipment

The outline|summary of the container 10 test|inspection apparatus 1 is demonstrated using FIG. 1 is a plan view of a container 10 inspection apparatus 1 (hereinafter referred to as "inspection apparatus 1").

As shown in FIG. 1 , the inspection apparatus 1 includes an inlet 78 , a transfer path 72 , an outlet port 79 , and an inspection unit 2 arranged on a machine table 70 . The inspection apparatus 1 further includes a control unit 61 for executing control of the entire apparatus.

The conveyance path 72 is formed in the cylindrical shape centering on the conveyance central axis 75. As shown in FIG. The container 10 is conveyed along a conveyance path 72 in the clockwise direction of FIG. 1 .

The container 10 is intermittently carried into the conveyance path 72 from the inlet port 78 of the inspection apparatus 1 . A rotation support part 30 (only one is shown in FIG. 1) is installed in the conveyance path 72, and supports the containers 10 one by one. The container 10 is intermittently conveyed along the conveyance path 72 to each stage while being supported by the rotation support part 30 .

The inspection station 74 is installed in the middle of the conveyance path 72 of the vessel 10 , and can sequentially inspect the vessel 10 that is conveyed to the inspection station 74 . By providing the inspection station 74 in the middle of the transport path 72 , it is possible to efficiently perform sequential inspection during transport of the container 10 . An inspection unit 2 is installed in any one of the inspection stations 74 in the conveyance path 72 . In addition, although not demonstrated in this embodiment, the test|inspection different from the test|inspection item in the test|inspection unit 2 at another test station 74 can be performed.

The container 10 stopped at the test station 74 of the test unit 2 rotates about the central axis 12 of the container 10 together with the rotation support 30 . The conveyance path 72 is not limited to a cylindrical shape, and may be formed in another shape, for example, a straight shape.

The container 10 is a glass bottle. As long as it is a material that reflects light to the container 10, other containers may be used. As a glass bottle, not only a conventional colored glass bottle advantageous for a reflective optical system, but a colorless transparent (Flint) glass bottle can be used as an inspection object.

1-1. rotating support

The rotation support unit 30 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 . FIG. 2 is a plan view of the inspection unit 2 showing the arrangement of the light emitting unit 20 , the imaging unit 40 , and the container 10 , and FIG. 3 is a side view of the inspection unit 2 of the container 10 .

As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the rotation support part 30 supports the container 10 which rotates centering on the central axis 12. As shown in FIG. The rotation support 30 rotates together with the container 10 while supporting the bottom 14 of the container 10 . The central axis 12 is an imaginary line serving as a rotational central axis on which the container 10 rotates. The side roller 32 rotates the container 10 about the central axis 12 . In addition, the rotation support part 30 may support the container 10 which rotates at least, and the structure which does not rotate together with the container 10 may be sufficient.

The rotation support part 30 is a member for conveying the container 10 to the predetermined position to be tested shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 in the state which supported the container 10. As shown in FIG. Accordingly, the container 10 is sequentially intermittently conveyed to a predetermined position to be inspected by the rotation support unit 30 , and the container centering on the central axis 12 by rotation of the side roller 32 at a predetermined position. Rotate (10). Instead of conveying the vessel 10 by the rotating support 30 , the vessel 10 is sequentially intermittently conveyed to the inspection station 74 using, for example, a star wheel installed in the conveyance path 72 . good to do In that case, a rotational support 30 is arranged at each inspection station 74 .

As shown in FIG. 3, the side roller 32 transmits the driving force of the motor 60 to the container 10 through the belt 35, etc. according to the command of the rotation control part 62 of the control part 61, 10) is rotated. When the side roller 32 is conveyed to a position where the container 10 is inspected, it rotates a predetermined amount at a predetermined speed according to a command from the rotation control unit 62 . The predetermined amount of rotation is sufficient for the entire perimeter of the container 10 to be imaged. The predetermined amount of rotation is set to, for example, 1.2 or more rotations so that the entire circumference of the detection body can be grasped with one image data. The rotation amount of the side roller 32 is calculated as the rotation amount of the container 10 in the control unit 61 by the output of the rotation detection unit 54 . The rotation detection unit 54 may be a rotary encoder installed directly or indirectly on the motor 60 .

Although not shown, the control unit 61 and the processing unit 50 to be described later each include a calculation unit (CPU, etc.), a storage unit (ROM, RAM, HDD, etc.), a communication unit (communication interface, etc.) and a display unit (display, etc.). can

2. Inspection device

The inspection unit 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 .

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the inspection unit 2 includes a light emitting unit 20 that irradiates light to the concave-convex shape 17 formed on the outer surface 16 of the container 10 , and the central axis 12 . ) a rotating support part 30 for supporting the container 10 rotating around the center, and a condensing lens 42 for projecting the light reflected by the container 10 among the light of the light emitting part 20 to the screen 44 and , and an imaging unit 40 that captures an image projected on the screen 44 . The inspection unit 2 can reliably inspect the concavo-convex shape 17 of the outer surface 16 of the colored container and the colorless transparent container 10 by using a reflective optical system. The inspection unit 2 further includes a processing unit 50 that executes image processing or character recognition processing. The inspection unit 2 may be mounted as an additional configuration to the existing inspection apparatus 1 together with the processing unit 50 .

The inspection unit 2 can image the concave-convex shape 17 formed on the outer surface 16 of the container 10, and can perform a predetermined inspection based on the captured image. The predetermined inspection includes, for example, recognizing the model number of the mold in which the container 10 is molded from the concave-convex shape 17 . It is also possible to inspect defects, for example, in the outer surface 16 of the container 10 by a predetermined inspection.

The uneven shape 17 is, for example, a symbol, and includes Arabic numerals, alphabets, dots, and the like. Symbols used for glass bottles include a symbol indicating a manufacturing plant determined by each glass bottle manufacturer, a mold number, and the like. For example, in Japan, a combination of Arabic numerals and alphabets is used as a symbol, and in other countries, a dot or the like is sometimes used as a symbol.

When the concave-convex shape 17 is a character, the processing unit 50 recognizes the character from the image captured by the imaging unit 40 . The inspection unit 2 can reliably recognize the characters on the outer surface 16 of the container 10 by using the reflective optical system.

Next, details of each part of the inspection unit 2 will be described.

2-1. light emitting part

The light emitting unit 20 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4 . 4 is a plan view for explaining the relationship between the light emitting unit 20 and the diffusion plate 22 .

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the light emitting part 20 is fixed on the substrate 48 and irradiates light to the concave-convex shape 17 formed on the outer surface 16 of the container 10 .

The light emitting unit 20 is a light source that illuminates the container 10 . The light emitting unit 20 may use, for example, spot lighting. The spot lighting includes a light source such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode) and a condensing lens capable of condensing light in a predetermined range at a predetermined distance. The light emitting unit 20 may employ a spot light capable of emitting parallel light. The light emitting unit 20 may employ not only spot illumination but also other known illumination, provided that the reflected light from the container 10 has sufficient brightness for imaging.

The inspection unit 2 further includes a diffusion plate 22 between the light emitting unit 20 and the container 10 . The diffusion plate 22 may diffuse the light from the light emitting unit 20 to irradiate the container 10 . The light emitting part 20 and the diffusion plate 22 are fixed to a mounting rail 24 fixed to the substrate 48 . The diffusion plate 22 diffuses the parallel light from the light emitting unit 20 at a predetermined angle while canceling the luminance non-uniformity of the light emitted from the light emitting unit 20 . The light passing through the diffusion plate 22 can uniformly illuminate the outer surface 16 of the container 10 in a predetermined range in a state where the luminance non-uniformity is eliminated. By using the diffusion plate 22 , even if the concave-convex shape 17 is formed on the curved portion of the container 10 , the reflected light can be efficiently used. The container 10 may be irradiated by emitting diffused light as the light emitting part 20 and the diffuser plate 22 are integrated.

The range of illuminating the outer surface 16 of the container 10 using the light emitting unit 20 and the diffusion plate 22 is set to at least the range of the concave-convex shape 17 imaged by the imaging unit 40 to be described later. . The range is set so as to illuminate a range including at least the entire height of the concave-convex shape 17 when, for example, spot lighting having a circular irradiation shape is used as the light emitting unit 20 .

As shown in FIG. 3 , in general, the concave-convex shape 17 is formed on the bottom edge 15 of the container 10 . This is because the cylindrical body 13 is usually used as a label surface for displaying the contents. Since the concave-convex shape 17 is formed on the curved bottom edge 15 that connects the body 13 and the bottom 14, when only parallel light is irradiated, a lot of strength and weakness in luminance are given to the reflected light. When the concave-convex shape 17 is formed on the bottom edge 15 , a relatively homogeneous reflected light can be obtained by using the diffusion plate 22 .

It is preferable that the diffusion plate 22 has a uniform diffusion angle at a predetermined angle as a whole. By making the diffusion angles of the diffusion plate 22 as a whole match, it is possible to clarify the shadows of characters or the like projected on the screen 44 . Further, by making the diffusion angles of the diffusion plate 22 as a whole match, even if the curvature of the bottom edge 15 of the container 10 is small, the width of the bright background around the characters projected on the screen 44 is not narrowed. In addition, the bright background will be described later with reference to FIG. 6 . As a result of an experiment for recognizing the image of the concave-convex shape 17 in the imaging unit 40 for the diffusion plate 22, it was found that the diffusion angle is preferably 10° to 40°. In FIG. 4, the diffusion angle of the diffusion plate 22 is indicated by θ1. The diffusion angle is a diffusion angle of the light passing through the diffusion plate with respect to the incident light from the light emitting unit 20 . It is more preferable that the diffusion angle of the diffusion plate 22 is 25° to 35°.

2-2. condensing lens

2 and 3 , the condensing lens 42 projects the light reflected by the container 10 among the light of the light emitting unit 20 onto the screen 44 . The condensing lens 42 is disposed at a position capable of receiving the light specularly reflected from the outer surface 16 (region including the concave-convex shape 17) of the container 10 among the light of the light emitting unit 20 .

The condensing lens 42 is composed of a plurality of lenses, and condenses the light reflected by the container 10 . The condensing lens 42 is disposed on the substrate 48 so that the image of the concave-convex shape 17 is projected on the screen 44 by the reflected light. Specifically, the condensing lens 42 is provided on the container 10 side of the lens fixing plate 43 whose lower end is fixed to the substrate 48 . The lens fixing plate 43 has a through hole formed therein as shown in Figs.

The screen 44 is a translucent sheet, and, for example, the same material as that of the diffusion plate 22 may be employed. The screen 44 can project the image of the concave-convex shape 17 by projecting the light from the condensing lens 42 . The screen 44 may employ a so-called transmissive screen having a diffusion layer.

The screen 44 is fixed to a screen fixing plate 45 whose lower end is fixed to the substrate 48 , and is fixed to close the through hole provided in the screen fixing plate 45 .

By projecting the image of the concave-convex shape 17 on the screen 44 by the condensing lens 42, the depth of field in the imaging unit 40 can be made shallow, and even if the container 10 is a transparent glass bottle, the concave-convex shape 17 can prevent double reflection. Double reflection means that when a transparent glass bottle is imaged in a conventional reflective optical system, not only the reflected light of the concave-convex shape 17 but also the reflected light of the concave-convex shape 17 reflected on the inner surface of the container 10 is captured by the camera, so the concave-convex shape ( 17) This doubled image is captured. Therefore, in the conventional reflective reading device, the original contour of the concave-convex shape 17 cannot be clearly recognized. In this embodiment, by using the condensing lens 42 and the screen 44, the depth of field of the imaging unit 40 can be made shallow, so that the reflected light of the concave-convex shape 17 reflected on the inner surface of the container 10 is absorbed. influence can be reduced.

As shown in FIG. 5 , the concave-convex shape 17 formed on the bottom edge 15 of the container 10 is clearly projected onto the screen 44 through a condensing lens 42 (not shown). In FIG. 5 , only a part of the concave-convex shape 17 is projected, but since the container 10 rotates, the entire concave-convex shape 17 is sequentially projected onto the screen 44 .

The concave-convex shape 17 is a shape protruding from the outer surface 16 of the container 10 , a shape concave inward than the outer surface 16 , or a shape formed by a combination of a protruding shape and a concave shape. When the container 10 is a glass bottle, the irregularities engraved on the mold are transferred to the outer surface 16 of the container 10 .

The concavo-convex shape 17 formed on the outer surface 16 of the container 10 is a character projecting from the outer surface 16 of the container 10 . The inspection unit 2 prevents double reflection by projecting the characters protruding from the outer surface 16 of the container 10 onto the screen 44, so that it can be reliably recognized by the processing unit 50 described later.

2-3. cinematographer

2 and 3 , the imaging unit 40 is disposed on an extension line connecting the container 10 , the condensing lens 42 , and the screen 44 . The imaging unit 40 is fixed on the substrate 48 . The imaging unit 40 is arranged to image the concave-convex shape 17 of the outer surface 16 of the container 10 projected on the screen 44 .

The imaging unit 40 is disposed at a position capable of imaging an image projected on the screen 44 from the front. The condensing lens 42, the screen 44, and the imaging unit 40 have an optical axis of the light emitting unit 20 indicated by a dashed-dotted line in FIG. 16) is arranged on the specularly reflected optical axis. The imaging unit 40 may not be on the optical axis of the dashed-dotted line in FIG. 2 as long as it is at a position capable of imaging the image projected on the screen 44 .

As shown in FIG. 3 , the condensing lens 42 , the screen 44 , and the imaging unit 40 have the bottom surface of the light emitting unit 20 to capture the specularly reflected light from the bottom edge 15 formed of a curved surface. In accordance with the position of the concave-convex shape 17 on the edge 15, the inspection unit 2 is tilted at an angle θ2. This is because the concave-convex shape 17 is usually on the curved surface of the bottom edge 15 . By tilting the inspection unit 2 at an angle θ2 , the light from the light emitting unit 20 is specularly reflected from the bottom edge 15 and may reach the imaging unit 40 through the condensing lens 42 and the screen 44 . In the image captured by the imaging unit 40 , the dark uneven shape 17 appears on the screen 44 in a bright background. The angle θ2 is the angle of the optical axes of the light emitting unit 20 and the imaging unit 40 with respect to the horizontal plane.

The imaging unit 40 may use, for example, a known line sensor camera. An image captured by using the line sensor camera has a high resolution. The image pickup unit 40 takes an image according to the rotation speed of the container 10 by the output of the rotation detection unit 54 , so that the image 80 is not affected even if the rotation speed changes due to any cause.

2-4. processing unit

The processing unit 50 receives image data in which the imaging unit 40 images the entire circumference (1.2 or more turns) of the body 13 , and performs predetermined image processing on the received image data. Further, the processing unit 50 executes a predetermined inspection from the image-processed image data. Since the processing unit 50 is installed as an additional configuration to the existing inspection apparatus 1 , it is installed in a case independent from the control unit 61 of the inspection apparatus 1 , but may be a part of the control unit 61 .

First, the image 80 captured by the imaging unit 40 will be described with reference to FIG. 6 . FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining characters in the captured image 80 . In FIG. 6 , the concave-convex shape 17 includes a plurality of characters 18 and an identification symbol 19 . In Fig. 6, the character 18 represents an example indicated by "123". The identification symbol 19 is a single straight line extending in the horizontal direction, and is disposed at the lowest position of the character 18 . The identifier 19 is a so-called under bar. The character 18 and the identifier 19 are not limited to this example. The image 80 includes a region serving as a bright background in which the character 18 and the identification symbol 19 are imaged, and a dark region (indicated by hatching) above and below the image 80 . The area serving as the bright background is a portion in which the light of the light emitting unit 20 that is specularly reflected from the bottom edge 15 is projected onto the screen 44 . The dark area is a portion where the light does not sufficiently reach the screen 44 due to the vertical diffusion of light by the curved surface of the bottom edge 15 . The width in the height direction of the region serving as the bright background can be adjusted by the diffusion angle of the diffusion plate 22 or the like.

The processing unit 50 first finds the identification symbol 19 among the identification zeros 81 in which only the identification symbol 19 of the image 80 of FIG. 6 exists independently (pattern matching is performed). Specifically, an image portion (identifier 19) matching image data for matching stored in advance in a storage unit (not shown) of the processing unit 50 is searched for. The identification symbol 19 is an under bar and, like the other characters 18, does not exist above a certain height of the image 80, so, for example, the lower half of the image 80 is used as the identification area 81 .

When the processing unit 50 finds the identification symbol 19 in the identification area 81 , the processing unit 50 converts the predetermined area from the horizontal direction away from the identification symbol 19 to the OCR (Optical Character Recognition/Reader) area 82 . set This is because the identification symbol 19 and the character 18 are always formed in the same positional relationship.

The image 80 shown in FIG. 6 has been subjected to predetermined image processing by the processing unit 50 . In the image processing, processing for emphasizing the outline of the concave-convex shape 17 is executed. As such image processing, a known gradation conversion processing can be executed. As the gradation conversion processing, for example, shading correction processing, processing for performing gradation transformation based on a difference from a reference image, a dynamic threshold method (dynamic binarization processing), and the like can be employed.

The processing unit 50 may execute a predetermined inspection on the image-processed image 80 . The predetermined inspection is, for example, a process of reading the character 18 from the concavo-convex shape 17 . The letter 18 may be the model number of the mold in which the container 10 is molded. The processing unit 50 outputs a predetermined inspection result to the control unit 61 . The model number read according to the inspection result of the processing unit 50 may be stored, for example, in an external storage unit (not shown), and aggregated into data indicating the relationship between the model number and the quality of the container. When the relationship between the model number and the quality of the container is determined (confirmed), for example, the molding conditions of the mold for molding the container 10 of inferior quality can be adjusted.

The processing unit 50 executes processing for extracting characters from the image-processed image 80 . The processing for extracting characters can be executed by, for example, extracting the shape of a black portion in the OCR region 82 of the image 80 . The processing unit 50 executes pattern matching processing for the characters 18 in the OCR area 82 with characters previously registered in a storage unit (not shown) of the processing unit 50 in advance. The pattern matching process is what is called a well-known OCR process. The processing unit 50 can store the result of judging that the character 18 in the OCR area 82 matches the registered character in a storage unit (not shown), and stores the result, for example, in the control unit of the inspection device 1 . Through (61), it is possible to output to an external higher-order information collecting device. When the letter 18 is the model number of the mold, the model number of the container 10 inspected by the inspection unit 2 and the inspection result by another inspection device can be used as characteristic (defect) information for each mold. The use of such characteristic information can be performed, for example, in a higher-order information collecting device in the production line of the container 10 .

In addition to character recognition, for example, when the uneven shape 17 is a dot symbol, the processing unit 50 recognizes a dot combination, compares it with the dot combination registered in the processing unit 50 in advance, and similarly shows the determination result. It can be stored in non-remembered memory.

Moreover, the processing part 50 may perform not only the process of recognizing symbols, such as the character 18, but also other inspection items simultaneously.

2-5. Board

As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the board|substrate 48 is being fixed on the work table 70 of the test|inspection apparatus 1. As shown in FIG.

The imaging unit 40 , the condensing lens 42 , the screen 44 , and the light emitting unit 20 are fixed on one substrate 48 . By configuring in this way, each part can be arrange|positioned at an appropriate position in a short time by changing the position of the board|substrate 48 according to the type of the container 10 to be inspected.

The substrate 48 is fixed on the workbench 70 by means of a fixing portion 49 . The fixing part 49 is fixed to the work table 70 . The fixing unit 49 is movable in the Y direction (vertical direction) and the X direction (horizontal direction) of the substrate 48 with respect to the work table 70 , and the light emitting unit 20 is positioned at a predetermined position with respect to the container 10 . It can be fixed by placing the back. In addition, the fixing part 49 may arrange the substrate 48 to be inclined at an arbitrary angle θ2 with respect to the horizontal plane. The angle θ2 can be adjusted according to the position of the concave-convex shape 17 in the container 10 .

Therefore, even if the type of the container 10 to be produced is changed and the inspection device 1 inspects another container 10, the fixing part 49 is adjusted to match the changed container 10 in the Y direction of the substrate 48 and Adjustment of the inspection unit 2 becomes possible in a short time by making the position in the X direction an appropriate position (a position at which the concave-convex shape 17 is clearly projected on the screen 44). In particular, in the transparent container 10 as in the prior art, a complicated operation such as installing the light emitting unit 20 inside the conveying path 72 becomes unnecessary, and in addition, the inspection unit 2 according to the color of the container 10 ) does not need to be changed.

In addition, in the inspection apparatus 1, by using the condensing lens 42 and the screen 44, it is not necessary to arrange a translucent screen close to the container 10 (1 mm to 3 mm) as in the apparatus of Patent Document 1, so the container ( 10) The screen 44 is not damaged by falling or breakage, and there is no case where readjustment of the apparatus becomes necessary.

3. Container inspection method

In the container 10 inspection method according to the present embodiment, the concave-convex shape 17 formed on the outer surface 16 of the container 10 from the light emitting part 20 by rotating the container 10 about the central axis 12 . It is characterized in that the image of the screen 44 is imaged by the imaging unit 40 by emitting light toward the According to this inspection method, the concave-convex shape 17 of the outer surface 16 of the container 10 can be reliably inspected using a reflection optical system.

An inspection method of the container 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7 . 7 is a flowchart of a container 10 inspection method.

S10: When the container 10 is placed at a predetermined position, the processing unit 50 outputs a rotation start command to the rotation control unit 62 of the control unit 61 . The motor 60 is driven by the rotation start command to rotate the side roller 32 at a predetermined speed. The container 10 conveyed to the inspection station 74 by rotation of the side roller 32 starts rotating about the central axis 12 .

S20: The processing unit 50 instructs the imaging unit 40 to start shooting. The imaging part 40 acquires imaging timing by the signal output with rotation from the rotation detection part 54, and images the whole perimeter (for example, 1.2 turns or more) of the bottom edge 15, for example. At this time, the light from the light emitting unit 20 is diffused by the diffusion plate 22 to irradiate the concave-convex shape 17 formed on the outer surface 16 of the container 10 . By using the diffused light, even if the uneven shape 17 is formed on the bottom edge 15 of the curved surface, the reflected light can be efficiently used. The processing unit 50 stores the captured image 80 in a storage unit (not shown).

S30: The processing unit 50 executes an identification symbol search for the captured image 80 . The identification symbol search detects the position of the identification symbol 19 in the image 80 by pattern matching.

S40: The processing unit 50 determines whether or not the predetermined identification symbol 19 has been recognized. When the predetermined identification symbol 19 is recognized, S50 is executed. When the predetermined identification symbol 19 cannot be recognized, "NG data" is output to the control unit 61 (S90). "NG data" is, for example, fixed data output when the predetermined identification symbol 19 cannot be recognized. Since the character 18 (model number) is not recognized, the container 10 to which "NG data" is output is treated, for example, as a container 10 of unknown model number.

S50: The processing unit 50 executes an OCR area creation process on the image 80 . In the OCR area creation process, a predetermined area is created as the OCR area 82 from a position separated by a predetermined distance from the identification symbol 19 in the horizontal direction.

S60: The processing unit 50 executes pattern matching processing on the image 80 . Prior to the pattern matching process, a predetermined process is first performed on the image 80 . For example, the processing unit 50 executes a process for making the outline of the concave-convex shape 17 in the image 80 stand out (process for darkening the character 18 ), and displays the image 80 after image processing. Memorize in a memory not shown. Next, the processing unit 50 executes processing for extracting a black-shaped portion (character 18) from the stored image 80 . Then, the processing unit 50 executes pattern matching processing for combining the characters 18 in the OCR area 82 with the matching characters previously registered in the processing unit 50 . When the concavo-convex shape 17 includes the character 18 , the character 18 can be read from the image 80 captured by the imaging unit 40 .

S70: The processing unit 50 determines whether or not the correlation of the characters 18 read by the pattern matching processing (S60) is higher than a preset threshold value. The degree of correlation is the degree of correspondence between the matching character registered in advance in the processing unit 50 and the character 18 read out by the pattern matching process. If the correlation is higher than a preset threshold, it means that the character 18 has been read correctly.

S80: The processing unit 50 outputs the result (model number information) of the pattern matching processing to the control unit 61, for example. The control unit 61 also correlates the model number information with information on other inspection results and outputs it to a higher-order information collecting device (not shown). The upper level information collecting device collects the information on the model number in association with the plurality of inspection result information. The upper level information collecting device is, for example, a device for collecting information of the entire container 10 production line.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible. For example, the present invention includes a configuration substantially the same as the configuration described in the embodiment (for example, a configuration having the same function, method, and result, or a configuration having the same purpose and effect). Further, the present invention includes a configuration in which non-essential parts of the configuration described in the embodiments are substituted. Moreover, this invention includes the structure which shows the same operation and effect as the structure demonstrated in embodiment, or the structure which can achieve the same objective. Moreover, this invention includes the structure which added well-known technique to the structure demonstrated in embodiment.

One … Inspection device 2 … inspection unit
10 … Courage 11 … entrance area
12 … central axis 13 … torso
14 … Bottom 15 … bottom edge
16 … outer surface 17 … Concave-convex shape
18 … character 19 … identifier
20 … Light emitting part 22 . diffuser plate
24 … Mounting rail 30 … rotating support
32 … side roller 35 … belt
40 … imaging unit 42 . condensing lens
43. … Lens fixing plate 44 … screen
45 … Screen fixing plate 48 … Board
49 … Fixing part 50 … processing unit
54 … Rotation detection unit 60 ... motor
61 … Control 62 … rotation control unit
70 … Workbench 72 … return route
74 … Inspection station 75 … Conveying central axis
78 … Entrance gate 79 … exit
80 … Image 81 … identification area
82 … OCR region θ1 … Diffusion angle
θ2 … Angle

Claims (9)

A light emitting part for irradiating light with respect to the concave-convex shape formed on the outer surface of the container;
A rotating support for supporting the vessel rotating about the central axis of the vessel,
A condensing lens for projecting the light reflected by the container among the light of the light emitting unit on the screen;
an imaging unit that captures an image of the concave-convex shape projected on the screen;
and a processing unit for recognizing an uneven shape from the image captured by the imaging unit. The method of claim 1,
The uneven shape includes a letter,
and the processing unit recognizes a character from the image captured by the imaging unit. 3. The method of claim 1 or 2,
Further comprising a diffusion plate between the light emitting unit and the container,
The diffusion plate diffuses the light from the light emitting unit and irradiates the container to the container inspection apparatus. 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2,
The container inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the imaging unit, the condensing lens, the screen, and the light emitting unit are fixed on a single substrate. 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2,
A container inspection apparatus, characterized in that the concavo-convex shape formed on the outer surface of the container is a character protruding from the outer surface of the container. By rotating the vessel around the central axis of the vessel,
Light is emitted from the light emitting unit toward the concave-convex shape formed on the outer surface of the container,
The reflected light from the container is projected onto the screen by a condensing lens,
The image of the concave-convex shape projected on the screen is captured by the imaging unit,
A container inspection method, characterized in that the concave-convex shape is recognized from the image captured by the imaging unit. 7. The method of claim 6,
The concave-convex shape is a container inspection method, characterized in that it includes a character. 8. The method according to claim 6 or 7,
A container inspection method, characterized in that the light of the light emitting part is diffused from the diffusion plate and reflected on the concavo-convex shape formed on the outer surface of the container. 9. The method of claim 8,
The diffusion plate has a uniform diffusion angle at a predetermined angle throughout,
The diffusion angle is a container inspection method, characterized in that 10 ° ~ 40 °.

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