TW201332527A - Inspection device for seal part as in absorbent article, and inspection method - Google Patents

Abstract

An inspection device for a seal part for bonding a plurality of sheets stacked in the thickness direction constituting an absorbent article, at an edge part of the absorbent article, wherein the inspection device comprises: an imaging processing unit for imaging a region, in which the seal part is formed, of one surface of the plurality of sheets, and generating data of a planar image of the region, as planar image data; a first binarization processing unit for binarizing the planar image data on the basis of a first threshold value and generating a binarized image, thereupon carrying out first binarization processing so that an image (W1) specified by one of two values in the binarized image includes a region (Ah) in which a perforated portion (h) in a perforated state is imaged in the thickness direction, within an imaged portion (A1s) of the seal part in the planar image; a second binarization processing unit for binarizing the planar image data on the basis of a second threshold value different than the first threshold value and generating a binarized image, thereupon carrying out second binarization processing so that an image (W2) specified by one of two values in the binarized image includes a region (A1dn) in which an abnormally bonded portion (1dn) where the plurality of sheets are in an unbonded state is imaged, within the imaged portion (A1s) of the seal part in the planar image; a first abnormality determination processing unit for determining whether or not there is a perforation abnormality, on the basis of the binarized image generated by the first binarization processing unit; and a second abnormality determination processing unit for determining whether or not there is a bonding abnormality, on the basis of the binarized image generated by the second binarization processing unit.

Description

Inspection device for sealing portion of absorbent article, and inspection method

The present invention relates to an inspection device for an insulating portion of an absorbent article such as a sanitary napkin, and an inspection method.

Conventionally, physiological sanitary napkins have been known as an example of an absorbent article that absorbs liquid such as excretion liquid. Such a sanitary napkin has an absorbent body containing pulp fibers as a main material, a liquid-permeable surface sheet provided by covering the absorbent body from the wearer's skin side, and a liquid provided by covering the absorbent body from the non-skin side. Impervious inside sheet. Further, the sheets are integrally joined by a sealing portion formed at a portion protruding outward from the absorber, whereby the absorbent body is held inside the tampon.

The formation of such seals is carried out by means of a sealing device. In other words, the sealing device has a pair of rollers that are driven to rotate toward each other with the outer circumference facing each other, and a convex portion having a shape corresponding to the outer edge portion of the sanitary napkin is provided on the outer circumferential surface of one of the rollers. Thereby, when the three of the surface sheet, the absorber, and the back sheet pass through the roll gap between the rolls in a stacked state, the above-mentioned convex portion is pressed in the thickness direction along the pattern of the outer edge portion of the sanitary napkin. The sheets are pressed against each other by both the front sheet and the inner sheet, whereby the sealing portion is formed. (Patent Document 1)

[Advanced technical literature] [Patent Document]

[Patent Document 1] JP-A-2007-135940

Here, when the pressing load at the time of forming the sealing portion is more than necessary, the sealing portion generates a through hole penetrating in the thickness direction, and when the through hole is large, the sanitary napkin becomes an abnormal opening. On the other hand, when the pressing load is smaller than necessary, a portion where the partial surface sheet and the inner sheet are not joined is formed in the sealing portion, and when the unjoined portion is large, the sanitary napkin becomes a joint abnormality. Therefore, in the manufacturing line of the sanitary napkin, the size of the roll gap of the sealing device is finely adjusted, and the abnormality does not occur.

However, recently, in the outer edge portion of the sanitary napkin, the number of products in which the number of sheets of the partial sheets differs is increased. On the other hand, it is difficult to finely adjust the size of the roll gap to suppress the occurrence of the above-described abnormality. Further, with such a situation, the necessity of accurately inspecting the abnormality of the opening of the sealing portion and the inspection device and the inspection method of the joint abnormality is high.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an inspection apparatus and an inspection method for accurately detecting an abnormality of a hole in a sealing portion of an absorbent article such as a sanitary napkin or a joint abnormality.

The main invention for achieving the above object is an inspection apparatus for a sealing portion of an absorbent article, which is a sealing which is laminated on the outer edge portion of the absorbent article in a plurality of sheets constituting the thickness direction of the absorbent article. The inspection device of the part, wherein the sealing portion is on the outer edge The portion is formed by pressure-bonding the plurality of sheets stacked in the thickness direction, and includes an imaging processing unit that images an area in which the sealing portion is formed on one surface of the plurality of sheets The first binarization processing unit performs a binarization process to generate the planar image data according to the first threshold value, and generates data of the planar image of the region as the planar image data. When the binarized image is generated to generate a binarized image, the image specified by one of the binary values in the binarized image includes the image capturing portion of the sealed portion of the planar image. The second binarization processing unit performs a binarization process to capture a second threshold different from the first threshold value by the second binarization processing unit that captures the region of the opening portion that penetrates the thickness direction. When the planar image data is binarized to generate a binarized image, the image specified by one of the binary values in the binarized image includes the plane image In the image pickup portion of the seal portion, the image of the joint abnormal portion in which the plurality of sheets are not joined is imaged, and the first abnormality determination processing unit is based on the first binarization processing. The binarized image generated by the unit determines the presence or absence of the hole abnormality, and the second abnormality determination process unit is based on the binarization generated by the second binarization processing unit. The image is judged by the presence or absence of the joint abnormality.

Moreover, a method of inspecting a sealing portion of an absorbent article is a method of inspecting a sealing portion which is laminated on a plurality of sheets constituting an absorbent article in a thickness direction at an outer edge portion of the absorbent article, and is characterized The sealing portion is pressure-bonded to the outer edge portion in the thickness direction. The laminated plurality of sheets are formed, and the data of the planar image in which the region in which the sealing portion is formed on one surface of the plurality of sheets is imaged to generate the planar image is used as the planar image data; The image processing is performed by binarizing the planar image data in accordance with the first threshold to generate a binarized image, and the binary image is imaged by one of the binary values. The imaging portion of the sealing portion including the planar image captures a region of the opening portion penetrating in the thickness direction, and performs a second binarization process to cause a second threshold value different from the first threshold value When the planar image data is binarized to generate a binarized image, the image specified by one of the binary values in the binarized image is included in the sealed portion of the planar image. a portion of the portion of the plurality of sheets that has been joined to the abnormal portion of the unjoined state; and the binarized image generated by the first binarization processing Determination of the presence or absence of an abnormal opening; and based on the second binarization processing of the generated binarized image, the determination of the presence or absence of abnormal engagement.

Other features of the present invention will become apparent from the description and appended claims.

According to the present invention, there is provided an inspection apparatus and an inspection method for accurately detecting an opening abnormality and a joint abnormality of a sealing portion of an absorbent article such as a sanitary napkin.

[Formation for carrying out the invention]

At least the following items can be understood based on the description of this manual and the drawings.

An inspection device for a sealing portion of an absorbent article is an inspection device for a sealing portion that is laminated on a plurality of sheets constituting an absorbent article in a thickness direction in an outer edge portion of the absorbent article, and is characterized in that: The sealing portion is formed by pressure-bonding the plurality of sheets stacked in the thickness direction in the thickness direction, and has an imaging processing unit that is disposed on one side of the plurality of sheets The region in which the sealing portion is formed is imaged, and data of a planar image of the region is generated as planar image data. The first binarization processing unit performs binarization processing on the basis of the second binarization processing unit. When the threshold image is binarized to generate a binarized image, the image specified by one of the binary values in the binarized image includes the planar image. In the imaging portion of the sealing portion, an area of the opening portion penetrating in the thickness direction is captured, and the second binarization processing unit is connected to the second binarization processing unit. In the binarization processing, when the binarized video is binarized by the second threshold different from the first threshold, a binary image is generated, and one of the binary values is used in the binarized video. The image specified by the value includes an area in which the abnormal portion of the plurality of sheets is not joined in the image capturing portion of the sealed portion of the planar image, and a first abnormality determination processing unit that determines the first abnormality The processing unit is based on the first binarization processing unit The second abnormality determination processing unit determines the presence or absence of the opening abnormality, and the second abnormality determination processing unit is based on the binarized image generated by the second binarization processing unit. The determination of the presence or absence of the joint abnormality is performed.

According to the inspection apparatus for the sealing portion of the absorbent article, the binarized image of the determination of the presence or absence of the specialization opening abnormality is generated based on the first threshold value, and the determination of the presence or absence of the specialized joint abnormality based on the second threshold value is generated. Valued images. Then, the presence or absence of the opening abnormality and the joint abnormality is determined based on the corresponding binarized images. Thereby, the inspection of the opening abnormality and the joint abnormality of the sealing portion can be performed accurately.

In the inspection apparatus for the sealing portion of the absorbent article, the plurality of sheets are conveyed in the conveyance direction in a state in which the continuous sheet is continuous in the conveyance direction, and the sealing portion corresponds to the absorbent article. Each unit of the product is formed in a predetermined pattern in a predetermined direction, and the image processing unit performs the area in which the sealing portion is formed before the plurality of sheets are divided into units corresponding to the product. Camera is ideal.

According to the inspection apparatus for the sealing portion of the absorbent article, since the region in which the sealing portion is formed is imaged in the state of the continuous sheet, the region can be imaged stably. As a result, it is possible to accurately perform the inspection of the opening abnormality and the joint abnormality of the sealing portion in accordance with the image capturing portion of the sealing portion in the plane image.

An inspection apparatus for a sealing portion of an absorbent article, wherein the absorbent article has a predetermined number of thin layers of the plurality of sheets laminated a second portion of the sheet; and a first portion laminated with the other predetermined sheet of the second portion; the sealing portion having a first sealing portion formed in the first portion; and forming In the second sealing portion of the second portion, the first binarization processing unit is configured to correspond to the target region of the binarization processing in the planar image in the inner region corresponding to the imaging portion of the first sealing portion. In the first inspection window, the second binarization processing unit is preferably a second inspection window defined by the target region in which the imaging portion of the second sealing portion is set to the binarization processing of the planar image.

According to the inspection apparatus for the sealing portion of the absorbent article, even if the number of laminated sheets between the first portion and the second portion is different, an abnormality easily occurs between the first portion and the second portion. When the types are different from each other, it is possible to quickly generate a binarized image necessary for the inspection of the hole abnormality and the joint abnormality while reducing the calculation load of the binarization process. The details are as follows.

First, since the first portion in which the first sealing portion is formed is larger than the number of laminated sheets in the second portion in which the second sealing portion is formed, the opening in the first sealing portion is likely to be abnormal, and the opposite is 2 The joint abnormality of the seal portion is likely to occur. In the above-described inspection apparatus, the first binarization processing unit that generates the binarized image for inspection of the hole abnormality is set to the first seal by the first inspection window. The camera part of the department. Therefore, the first binarization processing unit can quickly generate a binarized image for inspection of the hole abnormality while reducing the calculation load. Moreover, the second binarization of the binarized image for the inspection of the joint abnormality is generated. The management unit sets the target range of the binarization processing in the imaging portion of the second sealing portion by the second inspection window. Therefore, the second binarization processing unit can quickly generate a binarized image for inspection of the joint abnormality while reducing the calculation load.

In the inspection apparatus for a sealing portion of an absorbent article, the absorbent article has a longitudinal direction, a width direction, and a thickness direction, and the absorbent article has a pair of wing portions extending in the width direction, and the aforementioned The wing portion is joined by the sealing portion in a state in which a plurality of the plurality of sheets are laminated, and the second binarization processing portion corresponds to an image forming portion of the sealing portion formed in the wing portion. It is preferable to set the second inspection window defined by the target region of the binarization processing of the planar image in the inner region.

According to the inspection device for the sealing portion of the absorbent article, it is possible to reliably detect an undesired product that may cause undesirable considerations during use, while reducing the calculation load of the second binarization processing unit. The details are as follows.

In the use of an absorbent article, the portion of the user's most frequently used is the wing. Therefore, when the joining of the sheets in which the wing portions are stacked is abnormal, the opening is used as the starting point for peeling or the like, and as a result, the user's hand is likely to be unsatisfactory.

In this regard, according to the inspection apparatus described above, the second binarization processing unit sets the target range of the binarization processing to the imaging portion formed in the sealing portion of the wing portion by the second inspection window. Therefore, the second binarization processing unit can also reduce the calculation load, and can cooperate with the second abnormality determination processing unit. It is possible to detect an absorbent article having an abnormal joint at the wing portion, and as a result, it is possible to reliably detect an absorbent article which is undesirably caused by the user's hand.

In the inspection apparatus of the sealing portion of the absorbent article, the absorbent article has an absorbent body in which a pair of the plurality of sheets are interposed with a liquid absorbing member as a material, and the plurality of sheets The conveyance is carried out in the conveyance direction in a state in which the continuous sheet is continuous in the conveyance direction, and the absorbent body is arranged intermittently in the conveyance direction, and the seal portion has an end located further in the conveyance direction than the absorber. The portion of the portion is an end seal portion, and includes a third binarization processing unit that performs binarization processing to binarize the plane image data in accordance with the third threshold value. When a binarized video is generated, an image specified by one of the binary values in the binarized video includes an imaging portion of the end seal portion in the planar image; and a fourth binarization In the processing unit, the fourth binarization processing unit performs binarization processing to binarize the plane image data in accordance with the fourth threshold to generate binarization. In the case of the binarized video, the image specified by the value of one of the binary images includes the imaging portion of the end portion of the absorber in the transport direction in the planar image; the third abnormality determination In the processing unit, the third abnormality determination processing unit performs the transport direction based on the binarized video generated by the third binarization processing unit and the binarized video generated by the fourth binarization processing unit. It is preferable that the relative position of the absorber and the sealing portion is within the target range.

According to the inspection apparatus for the sealing portion of the absorbent article, the third abnormality determination processing unit performs the absorption and sealing in the transport direction based on the binarized image of the end seal portion and the binarized image of the end portion of the absorber. Whether the relative position of the part enters the determination within the target range. Therefore, the presence or absence of an abnormality in the relative position of the absorber and the sealing portion can be detected.

In the inspection apparatus of the sealing portion of the absorbent article, the determination of the presence or absence of the abnormality of the opening in the first abnormality determination processing unit is based on the binarized image generated by the first binarization processing unit. When the value of the size of the video is larger than the predetermined threshold value for the first abnormality determination, the first abnormality determination processing unit issues an abnormality in the opening. It is determined that the determination of the presence or absence of the joint abnormality by the second abnormality determination processing unit is based on the image of the binarized image generated by the second binarization processing unit indicating that the image is not the value of the one of the values. The value of the size is determined to be smaller than the predetermined threshold value for the second abnormality determination, and the second abnormality determination processing unit determines that the abnormality of the joint is abnormal.

In the first abnormality determination processing unit, the first abnormality determination processing unit indicates that the value of the size of one of the image capturing areas including the opening portion is smaller than the predetermined first abnormality in the binarized image. When the determination threshold is larger, the determination of the opening abnormality is issued. Thereby, the presence or absence of the abnormality of the opening can be correctly determined.

On the other hand, in the second abnormality determination processing unit, the binarized video indicates that the image of one of the imaging regions that does not include the abnormal portion is large. The small value, that is, the value of the size of the image of one of the imaging regions including the normal joint portion is smaller than the predetermined threshold value for the second abnormality determination, and the determination of the joint abnormality is performed. Therefore, the presence or absence of the joint abnormality can be correctly determined.

Moreover, a method of inspecting a sealing portion of an absorbent article is a method of inspecting a sealing portion which is laminated on a plurality of sheets constituting an absorbent article in a thickness direction at an outer edge portion of the absorbent article, and is characterized by The sealing portion is formed by pressure-bonding the plurality of laminated sheets in the thickness direction in the outer edge portion, and includes: forming a region in which the sealing portion is formed on one surface of the plurality of sheets Recording and generating data of the planar image of the area as the planar image data; performing the first binarization processing to generate the binarized image when the planar image data is binarized according to the first threshold value, In the binarized video, the image specified by the value of one of the binary values includes the region of the imaging portion of the sealed portion of the planar image that is captured in the opening portion in the thickness direction; And performing a binarization processing on the planar image data based on the second threshold different from the first threshold value to generate a binarized image, An image specified by one of the binary values in the binarized video image includes an area in which an abnormal portion of the plurality of sheets in an unjoined state is captured in an imaging portion of the sealing portion of the planar image; Determining the presence or absence of the opening abnormality based on the binarized image generated by the first binarization processing; and performing the joint abnormality based on the binarized image generated by the second binarization processing. determination.

According to the inspection method of the sealing portion of the absorbent article, the binarized image of the determination of the presence or absence of the specialization opening abnormality is generated based on the first threshold value, and the determination of the presence or absence of the specialized joint abnormality based on the second threshold value is generated. Valued images. Then, the presence or absence of the opening abnormality and the joint abnormality is determined based on the corresponding binarized images. Therefore, it is possible to accurately perform the inspection of the opening abnormality and the joint abnormality of the sealing portion.

===This embodiment ===

The inspection device 70 of the sealing portion of the absorbent article of the present embodiment is used in a manufacturing line of the sanitary napkin 1 as an example of a sanitary article. 1A is a plan view of the sanitary napkin 1, and FIGS. 1B and 1C are a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B and a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C of FIG. 1A, respectively. 2A is an enlarged view of a portion II in FIG. 1A, and FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in FIG. 2A.

The sanitary napkin 1 is a member having a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view in the longitudinal direction, the wide direction, and the thickness direction. Further, the constituent member includes an absorbent body 3 that absorbs and retains a liquid such as excretion liquid, and a liquid-permeable surface sheet 2 such as a non-woven fabric that covers the absorbent body 3 from the skin side of the user; A liquid-impermeable back sheet 4 such as a film provided on the side of the absorbent body 3; and a pair of side sheets 6 and 6 which are provided at the respective end portions of the sanitary napkin 1 in the wide direction.

The absorber 3 is a body in which a pulp fiber as a liquid absorbing member is formed into a predetermined shape such as a substantially rectangular parallelepiped. Further, the shape of the body of the absorbent body 3 is not limited to any substantially rectangular parallelepiped, and is formed, for example, in an arbitrary three-dimensional shape. Moreover, the absorbent body 3 is not limited to only pulp fibers. For example, the molded body may be coated with a thin paper, or a highly absorbent polymer may be mixed therein.

The surface sheet 2 is obtained by blocking the liquid discharged from the human body and quickly sucking it into the thickness direction and guiding it to the absorber 3, for example, a substantially rectangular sheet having a shape slightly larger than the plane shape of the absorber 3. A non-woven fabric such as a hot air non-woven fabric or a spunbonded nonwoven fabric is used as the material of the surface sheet 2, and as the constituent fibers of the nonwoven fabric, for example, a thermoplastic resin fiber such as polyethylene or polyethylene terephthalate can be used. Further, the surface of the surface sheet 2 is pressed into the embossed groove 2t in the thickness direction of the sanitary napkin 1 in a predetermined pattern, whereby the surface sheet 2 is joined to the absorbent body 3 to be integrated.

The inner sheet 4 is a leakage preventing sheet that prevents leakage of liquid from the back side of the sanitary napkin 1, and has a planar shape that is larger than the absorbent body 3 and has a substantially rectangular shape. That is, the outer edge portion thereof protrudes further outward than the absorber 3 over the entire circumference. Further, in a state in which the absorber 3 is placed on the surface side of the back sheet 4, at least both ends in the longitudinal direction are joined to the surface sheet 2, whereby the absorber is held between the back sheet 4 and the surface sheet 2. 3.

Further, the inner sheet 4 has portions 4w and 4w extending toward both sides in the width direction at a position substantially at the center of the longitudinal direction. The portions 4w and 4w are bonded to the portions 6w and 6w of the side sheets 6, 6 to be described later to form the wing portions 1w and 1w. The wings 1w and 1w are folded back and fixed to the outside of the undergarment with an adhesive when the sanitary napkin 1 is attached to the inner surface of the undergarment. As a material of such a back sheet 4, for example, a film made of a thermoplastic resin such as polyethylene or polyethylene terephthalate can be used.

A pair of side sheets 6, 6 are for preventing wide width from the sanitary napkin 1. The liquid leakage of each of the end portions, the side sheets 6, 6 are respectively located at the respective ends in the wide direction, and the surface sheet 2 and the inner sheet 4 are covered from the surface side and adhered to the sheets 2, 4 . Specifically, the surface sheet 2 is provided only in the central portion in the wide direction and covers only the absorber 3 and is not provided at both end portions in the width direction. Therefore, the inner sheet 4 is more outward than the surface sheet 2 in the width direction. The party stands out. Therefore, the side sheets 6, 6 which cover both the protruding portions 4g, 4g of the inner sheet 4 and the end portions 2e, 2e of the wide sheet 2 from the surface side are provided. As the material of the side sheet 6, for example, a suitable non-woven fabric such as a hot air non-woven fabric or a spunbonded nonwoven fabric formed of synthetic resin fibers can be used.

In the outer edge portion 1e of the sanitary napkin 1, a substantially band-shaped sealing portion 1s (see an annular region indicated by a dot pattern in Fig. 1A) is formed over the entire circumference. Moreover, the absorbent body 3 is positioned around the inner side of the sealing portion 1s. The sealing portion 1s is formed by pressing the outer edge portion 1e in the thickness direction by a circular sealing device 60 to be described later. Further, the sealing portion 1s is melt-bonded to the outer edge portion 1e to bond the sheets 2, 4, the sheets 4, 6 and the sheets 2, 4, and 6 which are laminated in the thickness direction. For example, in the wide-end end portions 1ee and 1ee of the outer edge portion 1e, since only the inner sheet 4 and the side sheet 6 are laminated, the sealing portion 1s formed at the end portions 1ee and 1ee is fusion-bonded. The inner sheet 4 and the side sheet 6 are provided. Further, in the central portion 1ec in the wide direction of the outer edge portion 1e, since only the inner sheet 4 and the surface sheet 2 are laminated, the sealing portion 1s formed in the central portion 1ec in the wide direction is fusion-bonded. The inner sheet 4 and the surface sheet 2 are inside. On the other hand, in the central portion of the wide direction 1ec and the end Since the boundary portion 1eb of the portion 1ee is laminated with the inner sheet 4 and the surface sheet 2 and the side sheet 6, the inner sheet 4 and the surface sheet 2 are fused by the sealing portion 1s formed at the boundary portion 1eb. Three of the side sheets 6.

Fig. 2A is a view showing a part of the enlarged sealing portion 1s, that is, an enlarged view of a portion II in Fig. 1A. 2B is a B-B arrow view of FIG. 2A. The sealing portion 1s is formed by a plurality of concave portions 1d, 1d, ... which are formed dispersedly by pressing. Further, the sheets 2, 4 are pressed against each other at the bottom portion 1db of each recess 1d, whereby the sheets 2, 4 are fused to each other. Further, according to the planar position of the sanitary napkin 1, the sheets 4, 6 are pressed against each other at the bottom 1db of each recess 1d; or the sheets 2, 4, 6 are mutually connected, whereby the bonded sheets 4, 6 are fused to each other; or the sheets are mutually 2 4, 6 each other.

Further, in the example of FIG. 2A, the shape of the bottom portion 1db of the concave portion 1d is formed in a square shape, and is not limited thereto. It may be a rectangle other than a square, a polygonal shape having a triangular shape or a pentagon shape, or a circular shape or an elliptical shape. Further, in the example of FIG. 2A, the formation pattern of the concave portions 1d, 1d, ... is formed in a lattice pattern, and is not limited thereto, and may be a zigzag pattern or a shape other than the above. Further, it goes without saying that the concave portion 1d is a thin thin portion which is thicker than the peripheral portion 1n where the concave portion 1d is not formed.

Moreover, such a sealing portion 1s does not need to be continuously formed on the entire circumference of the outer edge portion 1e of the sanitary napkin 1, and may be selectively formed at a suitable portion of the outer edge portion 1e in accordance with the product specifications of the sanitary napkin 1. That is, a plurality of recesses 1d, 1d, ... may be intermittently formed along the outer edge portion 1e. A group of concave groups of a plurality of groups formed in a group. For example, the end portions 1ee and 1ee in the wide direction of the sanitary napkin 1 may be formed only on the wings 1w and 1w (Fig. 1A).

3 is a schematic side view of a manufacturing line of the sanitary napkin 1.

In the manufacturing line of the sanitary napkin 1, the semi-finished product 1a of the sanitary napkin 1 is conveyed at a predetermined conveyance speed in a predetermined conveyance direction by a suitable conveyance mechanism 124. Then, in such a transfer, the semi-finished product 1a is subjected to various parts followed by melting and pressing. In the various processes such as die cutting, the semi-product 1a gradually changes state in this process, and finally the sanitary napkin 1 in the state of Fig. 1A is finally produced. In this example, the semi-finished product 1a is conveyed in a so-called vertical flow. In other words, the semi-finished product 1a is conveyed while the direction corresponding to the longitudinal direction of the sanitary napkin 1 is aligned with the conveyance direction. As the transport mechanism 124 for transporting the semi-finished product 1a, for example, a suction belt conveyor belt having a suction/holding function on the belt surface as a mounting surface, and a space between the upper and lower annular belts arranged in pairs may be used as a half. A belt conveyor or a conveyance roller of the conveyance path of the product 1a.

The manufacturing line of the sanitary napkin 1 has a fiber accumulation project S10, a surface sheet supply engineering S20, a embossing groove processing project S30, a side sheet supply engineering S40, a sheet feeding engineering S50, and a circular sealing processing project along the conveying path of the semi-product 1a. S60, seal inspection project S70, and division project S80.

In the following description, the respective directions S10 to S80 will be described. In the following description, the direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the semi-finished product 1a (the direction in which the paper surface is penetrated in FIG. 3) is also referred to as "CD direction". In addition, The CD direction is parallel to the wide direction of the semi-finished product 1a, and is also parallel to the wide direction of the sanitary napkin 1.

In the first fiber-splitting process S10, the pulp fiber as the main material of the absorber 3 is formed into a predetermined shape such as a substantially rectangular parallelepiped to form the absorber 3, and the formed absorbent body 3 is delivered at the product pitch P1 in the conveyance direction. The conveyor belt 124 of the transport mechanism 124 is placed on the conveyor belt 124. In addition, each of the absorbers 3, 3, ... is conveyed downstream in the conveyance direction in a state of being intermittently arranged in the conveyance direction. Such a forming process is performed by, for example, the rotary drum device 10. The rotary drum device 10 has a rotary drum 12 that is driven to rotate in a conveyance direction at a peripheral speed value that is substantially the same as the conveyance speed value of the conveyor belt 124. On the outer peripheral surface of the rotary drum 12, a plurality of adsorption regions 14, 14 ... which are stacked by adsorbing pulp fibers are intermittently disposed at a product pitch P1 in the circumferential direction. Further, a duct 16 for supplying pulp fibers is disposed above the rotary drum 12. Thereby, when the respective adsorption regions 14 of the rotary drum 12 pass through the position of the duct 16, the pulp fibers are laminated in the respective adsorption regions 14, and the absorber 3 is formed, and thereafter, each of the adsorption regions 14 passes through the position of the conveyor belt 124. The absorbent body 3 is delivered to the conveyor belt 124 from each of the adsorption zones 14. Thereby, each of the absorbers 3, 3, ... is sent downstream in the conveyance direction in the state in which the product pitch P1 is arranged in the conveyance direction.

In the succeeding surface sheet supply process S20, the continuous sheet 2a of the surface sheet 2 (hereinafter, simply referred to as the surface sheet 2a) is directed to the image as the absorber 3 of the semi-finished product 1a at this time. 3... is continuously supplied, whereby the absorbers 3, 3, ... are formed in a state of being covered by the surface sheet 2a from above.

In the succeeding embossing groove processing project S30, the embossing groove 2t is pressed by the embossing processing device 30 from the upper surface of the surface corresponding to the surface sheet 2a, whereby the surface sheet 2a and the absorber 3 are formed. Join and integrate.

In the succeeding side sheet supply process S40, the continuous sheets 6a and 6a of the pair of side sheets 6 and 6 (hereinafter, simply referred to as side sheets 6a and 6a) are supplied to the respective semi-products via the upper supply roller 40. Each end portion of the surface sheet 2a of the 1a in the CD direction is thereby joined to the side sheets 6a, 6a at the respective ends.

In the subsequent inner sheet supply process S50, the continuous sheet 4a of the inner sheet 4 (hereinafter also simply referred to as the inner sheet 4a) is supplied to the semi-finished product 1a via the lower supply roller 50, and the inner sheet 4a is attached to the surface from the inner side. Sheet 2a and a pair of side sheets 6a, 6a. Thereby, the semi-finished product 1a is in a state in which the absorber 3 is interposed between the surface sheet 2a and the pair of side sheets 6a and 6a and the back sheet 4a.

In the subsequent circular sealing process S60, the sealing portion 1s is formed at a portion corresponding to the outer edge portion 1e of the sanitary napkin 1 of the semi-product 1a, whereby the sheets 2, 4 are formed at the portion corresponding to the outer edge portion 1e. Among the sheets 6, the sheets adjacent to the thickness direction are fused to each other. The formation processing of such a sealing portion 1s is performed by the circular sealing processing device 60. The circular seal processing device 60 is a pair of upper and lower rollers 60a and 60b that are driven to rotate around the rotation axis C60 along the CD direction while facing the outer peripheral surfaces. Here, the upper roller 60a has a convex portion (not shown) on the outer peripheral surface, and the lower roller 60b has a smooth outer peripheral surface that must receive the convex portion. Again, the convex part is right The shape of the pattern formed by the sealing portion 1s described above protrudes from the outer circumferential surface of the roller 60a. Specifically, the convex portion has a rib (not shown) corresponding to the shape of the outer edge portion 1e of the sanitary napkin 1; and a plurality of island-like convex portions that are discretely provided on the top surface of the rib (not shown) ). Therefore, when the semi-finished product 1a passes through the roll gap between the rolls 60a and 60b, the sanitary napkin corresponding to the semi-finished product 1a is crimped by a predetermined pressing load by the plurality of island-shaped convex portions and the outer peripheral surface of the roller 60b. The portion of the outer edge portion 1e of the first portion is pressed to form a sealing portion 1s formed by a plurality of concave portions 1d, 1d, ... at a portion corresponding to the outer edge portion 1e of the sanitary napkin 1 of the semi-product 1a.

Further, such a circular seal processing device 60 is configured to have an adjustable pressing load. In other words, at least one of the rollers 60a or 60b (60b) can be raised and lowered by an actuator (not shown) such as a suitable hydraulic cylinder at both ends of the roller 60a (60b) in the CD direction. It is supported and has a control unit 64 that controls the actuator. Therefore, the control unit 64 can adjust the pressing load via the roller gap between the actuator opening/closing roller 60a and the roller 60b. For example, when the pressing load is changed in the decreasing direction, the roller gap is operated in the opening direction, and when the pressing load is changed in the increasing direction, the roller gap is operated in the closing direction.

In the sealing portion inspection project S70, the sealing portion 1s of the semi-product 1a is inspected for the presence or absence of the opening abnormality and the joint abnormality. This inspection is performed by the seal inspection device 70. This inspection apparatus 70 will be described later.

In the division process S80, the semi-finished product 1a that is continuous in the conveyance direction is divided into product units, whereby the single-piece sanitary napkin 1 is produced. This division processing is performed by the die cutter device 80. The die cutter device 80 has a The upper and lower rollers 80a and 80b that are rotated around the rotation axis C80 along the CD direction are faced on the outer peripheral surface. Further, the upper roller 80a is a cutting roller 80a having a cutting blade (not shown) on the outer circumferential surface, and the lower roller 80b is an anvil roller 80b that receives the cutting blade on a smooth outer circumferential surface. Moreover, the cutting blade protrudes from the outer peripheral surface of the cutting roller 80a in the shape corresponding to the outer shape of the above-mentioned sanitary napkin 1. Therefore, when the semi-finished product 1a passes through the roll gap between the rolls 80a, 80b, the sanitary napkin 1 is punched from the semi-finished product 1a.

Then, the sanitary napkins 1, 1, ... generated by the above-described items S10 to S80 are accumulated in a predetermined number of sheets, and then shipped in a stacking unit or the like.

The operations of the respective processes S10 to S80 of such a manufacturing line are performed by interlocking signals with each other. The synchronization signal is, for example, a rotation angle signal obtained by dividing the respective rotation angle values of 0 to 360 degrees in proportion to the conveyance amount by one conveyance amount corresponding to the sanitary napkin 1. In other words, when the semi-product 1a corresponding to the length of one of the sanitary napkins 1 (the same value as the product pitch P1) is conveyed, a rotation angle value of 0° to 360° is output, and the one-time conveyance is periodically repeated every time. The output of the rotation angle value from ° to 360°. Then, the synchronization signal is transmitted to an amplifier of each servo motor that is a driving source of the operation of each of the processes S10 to S80, and each servo motor is positionally controlled according to the synchronization signal, and is formed at a target position where the semi-product 1a must be processed. Each processing.

Here, the synchronizing signal is generated by a rotary encoder provided on the cutting roller 80a of the die cutter device 80. That is, according to the cutting roller 80a The rotation action generates a synchronization signal. Then, the rotary drum 12 of the rotary drum device 10 and the roller 60a of the circular seal processing device 60 are synchronized with the rotation operation of the cutting roller 80a of the die cutter device 80 as a reference. Rotate in conjunction with each other. Therefore, in the semi-finished product 1a, the position at which the cutting roller 80a punches the outline line of the sanitary napkin 1 (the punching position) becomes the reference of the processing position.

However, in the circular sealing processing apparatus 60 described above, the sealing portion 1s is basically formed by a predetermined pressing load, but the dispersion of the basis weight of the surface sheet 2a and the dispersion of the basis weight of the back sheet 4a, the side sheet 6a, For the reason of the dispersion of the basis weight of 6a, etc., the recesses 1d, 1d, ... of the sealing portion 1s are formed at a certain ratio to cause an opening abnormality in which the through-state is caused to be pressed, or conversely, the sheets 2, 4, 6 must be in charge. When the recesses 1d and 1d of the sealing portion 1s that are joined to each other are insufficiently pressed, there is a case where an abnormality in the unjoined state occurs. Further, recently, since the number of laminated sheets of the sheets 2, 4, and 6 in the outer edge portion 1e of the sanitary napkin 1 is increased, it is necessary to crimp the circular sealing processing device 60 with the same size of the roller gap. The portions of the sheets 2, 4, and 6 having different numbers of layers are mutually different, and such a situation also contributes to the occurrence of the above-described abnormality. For example, even in the case of the sanitary napkin 1 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, a portion 1ec (or 1ee) having a two-layer structure in which the inner sheet 4 and the surface sheet 2 (or the side sheet 6) overlap; In addition to this, the portion 1eb of the three-layer structure in which the side sheet 6 is further overlapped is present in the outer edge portion 1e, and the above-described abnormal portion is likely to occur.

Here, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, in the circular sealing process Between the item S60 and the dividing line S80, the sealing portion inspection device 70 that accurately inspects the opening abnormality and the joint abnormality of the sealing portion 1s must be disposed. Hereinafter, the inspection apparatus 70 will be described.

Further, the semi-finished product 1a which is sent to the inspection apparatus 70 is interposed between the surface sheet 2a in the state of the continuous sheet in which the side sheets 6a, 6a in the continuous sheet state are adhered, and the inner sheet 4a in the state of the continuous sheet. In a state in which a plurality of the absorbers 3, 3 are arranged in the direction of the transport, and the seal portion 1s formed in the portion corresponding to the outer edge portion 1e of the napkin 1 is formed, the sheets 2a and 4a become a certain portion. In a state in which the joints are integrated, the sheets 4a and 6a are joined to each other in a certain state, and the sheets 2a, 4a, and 6a are joined to each other in a certain state. Moreover, such a semi-finished product 1a is a continuum in a state in which it has not been divided into units corresponding to the product of the sanitary napkin 1. Therefore, in the following description, the unit 1b of the product corresponding to the sanitary napkin 1 in the semi-product 1a is referred to as "unit semi-product 1b". Further, the unit semi-product 1b corresponds to the "unit corresponding to the product of the absorbent article" of the request.

As shown in FIG. 3, the inspection apparatus 70 is disposed adjacent to the downstream side of the circular seal processing project S60. In the inspection device 70, for each unit semi-product 1b which is a unit corresponding to the product 1 of the semi-product 1a, the opening abnormality and the joint abnormality of the sealing portion 1s are inspected. When the hole abnormality or the joint abnormality is determined for a certain unit semi-product 1b, the determination result is transmitted to the control unit 64 of the circular seal processing device 60 as the opening/closing control of the roll gap.

The inspection device 70 includes a camera 72 as an imaging processing unit at a predetermined position of the conveyance path of the semi-product 1a, and an illumination member 74 disposed at a position that sandwiches the conveyance path from the upper and lower sides together with the camera 72. The image processing unit 76 that is abnormal in the opening of the sealing portion 1s and the presence or absence of the joint abnormality.

The camera 72 is, for example, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) camera. In addition, the surface on the side of the surface sheet 2a of the semi-finished product 1a (corresponding to the "sheet surface of the plurality of sheets") is disposed oppositely, whereby the surface on the surface sheet 2a side of the semi-finished product 1a passing through the imaging position PS is imaged. Generate data for a flat image. The imaging operation is performed in accordance with the synchronization signal, whereby the unit half product 1b is imaged in such a manner that the plane center thereof almost coincides with the plane center of the plane image. Here, the synchronization signal means that, as described above, the conveyance amount corresponding to one unit half product 1b is used as the unit conveyance amount (the same value as the product pitch P1), and the respective rotation angle values of 0° to 360° are A rotation angle signal in which the amount of conveyance is proportionally distributed. Therefore, as described above, the phase of the synchronization signal of the imaging timing in which the plane center of the corresponding unit half product 1b coincides with the plane center of the plane image is found as a predetermined rotation angle value, and is set as a predetermined rotation of the phase thereof in advance. When the imaging operation is performed with the angle value, all of the unit half products 1b passing through the imaging position PS can be imaged so that the plane center of the unit half product 1b coincides with the plane center of the plane image.

Further, the camera 72 adjusted to such an imaging timing repeats imaging for each unit of the semi-finished product 1b. Each time of imaging, data of the captured planar image is generated as planar image data. And each time the plane will be produced The image data is transferred to the image processing unit 76. Then, the image processing unit 76 determines the presence or absence of the opening abnormality and the joint abnormality of the sealing portion 1s per unit half of the product 1b based on the plane image data. In this way, the sanitary cotton 1 is inspected in full. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and for example, imaging may be performed every several unit and half products 1b.

In addition, the semi-finished product 1a at the time of imaging is in a state of being divided into a continuous body before the product unit, that is, the semi-finished product 1a is imaged in a state in which the continuous product is continuous in the transport direction. Therefore, it is possible to stably image the region in which the sealing portion 1s is formed.

The illumination member 74 is suitable light such as a white LED light, a fluorescent lamp, or the like, and the type of the light source can be appropriately selected in accordance with the imaging condition after that. Further, as described above, the arrangement position of the illumination member 74 is set at a position where the semi-finished product 1a is sandwiched between the upper and lower sides and the camera 72, whereby the camera 72 receives the transmitted light that has passed through the semi-finished product 1a in the thickness direction and is imaged.

The image processing unit 76 has a suitable computer as a main body and has a processor and a memory. Then, the processor executes various processing programs stored in the memory and executes them to perform various arithmetic processing.

In the present embodiment, the first binarization processing program for generating the binarized image for the hole abnormality inspection from the plane image data and the joint abnormality check for the same plane image data are stored in advance in the memory. The second binarization processing program for binarized images. In addition, a first abnormality determination processing program for determining whether or not the opening abnormality of the sealing portion 1s is abnormal according to the binarized image for the inspection of the opening abnormality, and a binarized image determination for the joint abnormality inspection are also stored in advance. The joint of the sealing portion 1s is abnormal The presence or absence of the second abnormality determination processing program.

Therefore, the image processing unit 76 functions as the first binarization processing unit that generates the binarized image for the hole abnormality inspection from the plane image data, and also functions as the first binarization processing unit that generates the binarized image for the hole abnormality inspection from the plane image data. The first abnormality determination processing unit that determines the presence or absence of the abnormality of the opening of the sealing portion 1s in accordance with the binarized image for the inspection of the opening abnormality functions as a binarized image for detecting the joint abnormality from the planar image data. The second binarization processing unit functions as a second abnormality determination processing unit that determines the presence or absence of the joint abnormality of the sealing portion 1s based on the binarized image for the joint abnormality inspection. In the following, the first binarization processing (corresponding to the first binarization processing), the first abnormality determination processing, the second binary processing (corresponding to the second binarization processing), and the second abnormality determination processing are performed. Description.

<<<The first binarization processing and the first abnormality determination processing for the hole abnormality inspection>>>

First, before the description of the first binarization processing, the plane image and the plane image data will be described with reference to FIG. 4.

Figure 4 is an image view of a planar image. Further, in Fig. 4, the image portion A 1s of the sealing portion 1s is marked with a dot pattern. The planar image is imaged by, for example, the CD direction as the X direction and the transport direction as the Y direction, and the planar image is taken as a single image of the unit half product 1b.

Such a planar image is in both directions of the X direction and the Y direction. According to each predetermined resolution, a collection of a plurality of pixels in a lattice shape is arranged at a predetermined pitch. In other words, the planar image is a pixel sequence composed of a plurality of pixels in which the straight lines are arranged at a predetermined pitch in the X direction, and is arranged in the Y direction at a predetermined pitch. Moreover, the planar image data has respective color information corresponding to each pixel. For example, when the planar image data is grayscale, only the brightness is used as the color information in each pixel. In addition, in this case, since the pixels of the unit semi-product 1b corresponding to the region having high light transmittance are brightened, the brightness of the pixel is high, but on the other hand, the region having low light transmittance is required. Each pixel is darkened, so the brightness of its pixels becomes lower.

Here, when the concave portion 1d of the sealing portion 1s is normally formed without the through hole, the light projection property of the concave portion 1d is lower than that of the opening, and therefore, on the planar image of FIG. Focusing on the pixel whose brightness is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, the pixel of the area Ah (Fig. 5A) of the through-hole portion h can be specifically imaged. Further, the concave portion unformed portion 1n as the portion 1n between the concave portion 1d and the concave portion 1d shown in Fig. 2 is thicker than the concave portion 1d, so that the light projecting property is lower than that of the concave portion 1d, and as a result, corresponding The brightness of the pixel of the concave portion unformed portion 1n becomes lower than the brightness of the pixel corresponding to the concave portion 1d. Further, the portion 1r in which the surface sheet 2a of Fig. 2 overlaps the absorber 3 and the back sheet 4a is a portion thicker than the thickness of the sealing portion 1s, so that the light-emitting property is lower than that of the sealing portion 1s, and as a result, the corresponding portion The brightness of the 1r pixel is lower than the brightness of the pixel corresponding to the sealing portion 1s. In addition, in the following, data in which the plane image data is gray scale will be described.

In the first binarization processing, in order to reduce the calculation load of the video processing unit 76, the target range of the binarization processing in the plane image is limited. In other words, in the first binarization processing, the inspection window W1 (corresponding to the first inspection window) is set as shown in FIG. 4, whereby only the area surrounded by the inspection window W1 in the plane image is binarized. Object. In addition, the details of the inspection window W1 will be described later.

In addition, the first binarization threshold (corresponding to the first threshold) determined in advance is used in the first binarization processing. The first binarization threshold value is set to a value between the brightness of the pixel corresponding to the normal concave portion 1d and the brightness of the pixel corresponding to the aperture portion h, and is stored in advance in the memory.

Further, among the pixels in the inspection window W1 of FIG. 5A, the pixels of the brightness equal to or greater than the threshold value for the first binarization are used as the binary values (for example, 0 and 1) of the binarized image of FIG. 5B. The "1" of the value of one of the values is assigned to the specific white image. On the other hand, the pixel having the brightness smaller than the threshold for the first binarization is assigned to the specified black by the "0" which is the other value. image. This allocation is made for all the pixels in the inspection window W1 of Fig. 5A. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 5A, the regions Ah, Ah, which are imaged to the aperture portion h in the pixels in the inspection window W1, are processed into white images contained in the binarized image as shown in FIG. 5B, and this The other parts are processed to be included in the black image. That is, the binarized image of FIG. 5B is generated by binarizing the planar image data using the inspection window W1 shown in FIG. 5A. Further, in FIG. 5B, the portion A1s corresponding to the sealing portion 1s in the binarized image is represented by a virtual two-dot chain line, but of course such a line does not exist in the binarized image.

In this way, the image processing unit 76 moves to the first abnormality determination process. Then, in the first abnormality determination processing, first, the area of the white image on the binarized image of FIG. 5B is obtained. Here, the plane size of the pixels is known in advance based on the resolutions in the XY direction and the like. Therefore, the area of the white image is calculated by multiplying the plane size of the pixel by the number of pixels that are the number of pixels assigned to the white image. In addition, the area of the white image corresponds to the "value indicating the size of the image specified by the one of the binarized images generated by the first binarization processing unit" of the request item.

Next, the image processing unit 76 compares the area of the calculated white image with the first abnormality determination threshold value stored in advance in the memory. When the area of the white image is equal to or less than the first abnormality determination threshold, the image processing unit 76 determines that the hole abnormality has not occurred because the size of the hole portion h is sufficiently small. On the other hand, when the threshold value for the first abnormality determination is larger than the threshold value, it is determined that "the opening portion h is large and the opening abnormality occurs". Then, the determination result of the "opening abnormality" is transmitted to the control unit 64 of the circular seal processing device 60. Then, the control unit 64 that has received this causes the roll gap between the roller 60a and the roller 60b to be opened so that only the predetermined value is larger than the current value, and the pressing load is changed toward the decreasing direction. Thereby, after this, the opening portion h of the unit semi-finished product 1b of the circular seal processing device 60 is reduced, and the abnormality of the opening can be suppressed.

Further, the first abnormality determination threshold value described above is a fixed value stored in advance in the memory. Further, the first abnormality determination threshold value is obtained, for example, by an experiment method of the following manufacturing line. First, the unit half of the concave portion 1d, 1d, which is formed by the plurality of seal portions 1s, is prepared normally. Sample of article 1b. Next, the samples are imaged by the CCD camera 72 of the inspection device 70, and the first binarization processing is performed for each sample, and the area of the white image in the inspection window W1 is obtained for each sample. Then, the average value and the standard deviation σ of the area of the white image of the entire sample are calculated, and a value that is only 2 σ larger than the average value is used as the first abnormality determination threshold. Further, when the inspection device 70 often determines that "there is an abnormality", the first abnormality determination threshold value may be changed to a larger value. In addition, the memory of the image processing unit 76 is set to have a value larger than the first abnormality determination threshold value (for example, only a value larger than the above-described average value by 3 σ) as the upper limit value. Then, when only the area of the above-described white image is larger than the upper limit value, the image processing unit 76 may associate the defective product with the opening defective information or the like for the unit half product 1b corresponding to the planar image, and Identification of good products and defective products.

Here, the inspection window W1 will be described with reference to FIG. 4 . As described above, the inspection window W1 is a tool for referencing the area in the plane image at the time of the binarization processing, that is, when the binarization processing is performed, only the pixels belonging to the inspection window W1 can be referred to, and the inspection window is The pixels outside W1 can be omitted.

The inspection window W1 is an imaging portion that is set in the imaging portion A1s of the sealing portion 1s of the planar image, and is particularly likely to generate a planar position of the opening. Such a planar position means a plane position at which the pressing pressure (the average pressing load per unit area (N/m ² )) at the time of pressure bonding is likely to become high. Specifically, as an example of the former, the end seal portion 1sed on the downstream side of the downstream end portion 1sed in the transport direction of the seal portion 1s, that is, the end seal portion 1sed, is directed to the circular seal processing device 60. When the roll gap is bitten, the load is easily applied to increase the pressing pressure. Therefore, in the example of FIG. 4, the inspection window W1 is set to the imaging portion A1sed of the end seal portion 1sed, but it is not limited thereto, and may be set at a plane position other than this.

Further, the reference of the pixels defined in such an inspection window W1 can be realized, for example, in the following manner. First, XY coordinates are assigned to each pixel of the planar image, and the XY coordinates are recorded in the memory. Further, the video processing unit 76 is configured to access the color information of the pixels belonging to the inspection window W1 by specifying the XY coordinates. Therefore, as long as the data of the XY coordinates of the pixels that must be positioned in the inspection window W1 are recorded in advance in the memory, it is possible to achieve a reference to the pixels in the inspection window W1 described above.

<<<Second Binarization Processing and Second Abnormality Determination Processing for Joint Abnormality Inspection>>>

The video processing unit 76 is a second binarization process and a second abnormality determination process that perform the joint abnormality check in parallel with the first binarization process and the first abnormality determination process described above. Further, the plane image data used for the second binarization processing is the same as that of the user in the first binarization processing.

In the recessed portion 1d of the sealing portion 1s, when the surface sheet 2a and the absorber 3 are not joined, the recessed portion 1dn in the unjoined state is thicker than the thickness of the normal recessed portion 1d, and the light projection property is higher than that. normal The recess 1d is in a low state. Therefore, focusing on the pixel whose brightness is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, the pixel of the area A1d of the normal concave portion 1d can be specifically captured on the plane image of FIG.

Even in the second binarization processing, the calculation load of the video processing unit 76 is intended to limit the target range of the binarization processing of the plane image. That is, even in the second binarization processing, the inspection windows W2 and W2 (corresponding to the second inspection window) are set as shown in FIG. 6, whereby only the area surrounded by the inspection windows W2 and W2 in the plane image is used. As the object of binarization processing. The inspection window W2 is set corresponding to a plane position in which a major abnormal state occurs when the joint abnormality occurs particularly in the sealing portion 1s. As an example of this planar position, the wing parts 1w and 1w of the sanitary napkin 1 are mentioned. In other words, since the wing portions 1w and 1w are used for the user of the sanitary napkin 1, the wing portions 1w and 1w are difficult to use when the side sheet 6 and the back sheet 4 are peeled off to form an open state. . Therefore, in the present embodiment, the inspection window W2 is set for each of the wing portions 1w in the imaging portion A1s of the sealing portion 1s formed in the wing portions 1w and 1w. That is, since there are two wings 1w and 1w, two inspection windows W2 and W2 are also provided. However, the number of settings and the setting position of the inspection window W2 are not limited thereto, and the number of settings may be one, or the setting position may be set to a plane position other than the wing portion 1w.

Further, even in the second binarization processing, a predetermined second binarization threshold (corresponding to the second threshold) can be used. The second binarization threshold is a value set between the brightness of the pixel corresponding to the normal concave portion 1d and the brightness of the pixel corresponding to the recess 1dn in the unjoined state, and is stored in advance in the memory. Moreover, the threshold value for the second binarization is as above The definition of the above description is set to a value smaller than the threshold value for the first binarization described above. In other words, it is set to a value different from the above-described first binarization threshold value for the inspection that is specialized in the inspection of the hole abnormality.

Further, among the pixels in the inspection window W2 of FIG. 7A, the pixels of the brightness equal to or greater than the second binarization threshold are used as the binary values (for example, 0 and 1) of the binarized image of FIG. 7B. The "1" of the value of one of the values is assigned to the specific white image. On the other hand, the pixel having the brightness smaller than the threshold for the second binarization is assigned to the specified value by "0" which is the other value. Black image. This allocation is made for all the pixels in the inspection window W2 of Fig. 7A. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 7A, the regions A1d, A1d, which are captured in the pixels in the inspection window W2, and the normal concave portions 1d, 1d, ... which are not in the unjoined state are processed into a white image contained in the binarized image, The areas A1dn, A1dn, . . . which are captured in the unjoined concave portions 1dn, 1dn, . . . (corresponding to the joint abnormal portion) are processed into black images contained in the binarized image. That is, the binarized image of FIG. 7B is generated by binarizing the planar image data using the inspection window W2 shown in FIG. 7A. Further, such binarization processing is performed for each of the inspection windows W2 and W2 of Fig. 6, whereby two binarized images are generated as shown in Fig. 7B in the present embodiment. Further, in FIG. 7B, the portion A1s corresponding to the sealing portion 1s in the binarized image is indicated by a two-dot chain line, but of course such a line does not exist in the binarized image.

In this way, the image processing unit 76 moves to the second abnormality determination process. Then, in the second abnormality determination processing, first, the area of the white image on the binarized image is obtained for each binarized image of FIG. 7B. to Therefore, the plane size of the pixels is known in advance based on the resolutions in the XY direction and the like. Therefore, the plane size of the pixel is multiplied by the number of pixels that are the number of pixels assigned to the white image, thereby calculating the area of the white image for each binarized image. In addition, the area of the white image corresponds to the value of the size of the video specified by the value of one of the binary images generated by the second binarization processing unit that is not the one of the values.

Next, the image processing unit 76 compares the area of the white image of each of the digitized images with the second abnormality determination threshold value stored in advance in the memory. In addition, when the area of any white image is equal to or greater than the second abnormality determination threshold, the image processing unit 76 "determines that the normal concave portion 1d is sufficiently large, so that the joint abnormality does not occur". On the other hand, when one of the two binarized images has an area smaller than the second abnormality determination threshold, it is determined that "the normal concave portion 1d is small and a joint abnormality occurs". Then, the determination result of "joining abnormality" is transmitted to the control unit 64 of the circular seal processing apparatus 60. Then, the control unit 64 that has received this adjusts the gap between the roller 60a and the roller 60b to be smaller than the current value by a predetermined value, and changes the pressing load in the increasing direction. Thereby, after that, the unjoined portion 1dn of the unit semi-finished product 1b of the circular seal processing device 60 is reduced, and the joint abnormality can be suppressed.

Further, the second abnormality determination threshold described above is a fixed value stored in advance in the memory. Further, the second abnormality determination threshold value is obtained, for example, by an experiment method of the following manufacturing line. First, a sample of the unit semi-finished product 1b which is normally formed by the recesses 1d, 1d of the plurality of seal portions 1s is prepared. Next, the above CCD phase of the inspection device 70 is utilized. The machine 72 images the samples, performs a second binarization process for each sample, and obtains the area of the white image in the inspection window W2 for each sample. Then, the average value and the standard deviation σ of the area of the white image of the entire sample are calculated, and a value smaller than the average value by 2 σ is used as the second abnormality determination threshold. In addition, when the inspection device 70 often determines that "there is an abnormality", the second abnormality determination threshold value may be changed to a smaller value. In addition, the memory of the video processing unit 76 is set to have a value smaller than the second abnormality determination threshold value (for example, a value smaller than the above-described average value by 3 σ) as the lower limit value. Then, even if the area of the white image of one of the two binarized images is smaller than the lower limit value, the image processing unit 76 can provide the bonding defect information and the like to the unit half product 1b corresponding to the planar image. It is related to the identification of good products and defective products in the next work.

Further, in the present embodiment, the first abnormality determination process and the second abnormality determination process independently determine whether or not the abnormality is present, and depending on the case, the same unit half product 1b may be subjected to the opening abnormality and the joint. The case of the abnormal two-party judgment result. Further, at this time, the direction in which the pressing load of the circular seal processing device 60 is changed may be different in the opposite direction from the decreasing direction and the increasing direction, but in this case, the priority may be set in advance. The result of the determination of one of the first is preferentially controlled by the pressing load of the circular seal processing device 60. For example, when the determination result of both is output, the pressing load can be changed in the decreasing direction as long as the determination result of the opening abnormality is set to be higher than the joining abnormality.

However, in the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, although the end is dense The imaging portion A1sed of the capsule 1sed is provided with one inspection window W1, but it is desirable to subdivide the imaging portion A1sed and set a plurality of inspection windows W1, W2. 8 to 9B are explanatory views thereof. In addition, FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a plurality of inspection windows W1, W2, and W2 are set in a plane image. 9A is a schematic plan view of the semi-finished product 1a before passing through the circular sealing processing apparatus 60, and FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B of FIG. 9A.

In the example of FIG. 8, the imaging portion A1sed of the end seal portion 1sed is divided into three regions A1sed2, A1sed1, and A1sed1 in the X direction (CD direction, wide direction). Further, in the central region A1sed2 located at the center in the X direction among the three regions, the inspection window W2 for the joint abnormality inspection is set, and on the other hand, the pair of end regions A1sed1 located on both sides of the central region A1sed2. A1sed1 sets the inspection windows W1 and W1 for each hole abnormality inspection. The reason for this is that the number of laminations of the end seal portions 1sed sheets 2a, 4a, and 6a differs depending on the position in the CD direction. For this reason, the end seal portion 1sed has a portion 1sed2 in which the opening abnormality is likely to occur, and The part 1sed1 which is easily generated by the joint abnormality.

In the detailed description, first, as shown in FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B, in the center of the CD direction, a portion 1a2 of a two-layer structure in which the surface sheet 2a and the back sheet 4a are laminated is present on the transport line of the manufacturing line (corresponding to the second In part, on both sides of the portion 1a2 of the two-layer structure, in addition to the surface sheet 2a and the back sheet 4a, there are portions 3a1 and 1a1 of the three-layer structure in which the side sheets 6a are laminated (equivalent to the 1 part). Further, it is necessary to process the roller of the circular seal processing device 60 that forms the sealing portion 1s. The size of the gap is set to be substantially constant throughout the CD direction. That is, the interval between the above-described convex portion on the outer circumferential surface of the upper roller 60a of the device 60 and the outer circumferential surface of the lower roller 60b is substantially constant in the entire CD direction. Therefore, in the portions 1a1 and 1a1 of the three-layer structure, the load is concentrated by the convex portion of the upper roller 60a and the lower roller 60b, and the load is increased. However, the pressing load of the portion 1a2 of the two-layer structure is changed. small. As a result, in the end portions 1sed1 and 1sed1 (corresponding to the first sealing portion) in the CD direction of the end seal portion 1sed, the opening abnormality easily occurs, and the center portion 1sed2 of the end seal portion 1sed (corresponding to the second Sealing portion), the joint abnormality easily occurs.

In addition, in the center area A1sed2 of the image pickup portion A1sed of the end seal portion 1sed, the inspection window W2 for which the joint abnormality must be checked is set, and the second area A1sed2 is used as the object for the second time in order to surely detect the occurrence of the abnormality. In the end portion area A1sed1 and A1sed1 of the image pickup portion A1sed of the end seal portion 1sed, the inspection window W1 for checking the hole abnormality is set to each end portion region. A1sed1 and A1sed1 perform the first binarization processing and the first abnormality determination processing as the target.

Further, in the above, the central region A1sed2 of the imaging portion A1sed of the end seal portion 1sed and the respective end regions A1sed1 and A1sed1 are exemplified as the regions in which the individual inspection windows W1 and W2 must be set, but are not limited thereto. That is, as long as the number of laminations of the sheets 2a, 4a, 6a is different from each other among the portions in which the semi-finished product 1a must be formed with the sealing portion 1s, each of the portions 1a1, 1a2 can be set for each of the portions 1a1, 1a2 Separate Check windows W1, W2. More correctly, it becomes as follows. When the sealing portion 1s is formed in both the first portion 1a1 and the second portion 1a2 of the semi-finished product 1a, when the first portion 1a1 is further formed by laminating the other sheets 6a with respect to the second portion 1a2, the first portion 1a1 is formed. The inspection window W1 for the inspection of the abnormality of the opening is set, and the inspection window W2 for the joint abnormality inspection is set in the second portion 1a2.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1A to FIG. 1C, the sanitary napkin 1 of the present embodiment does not have a pair of three-dimensional wrinkles for preventing side leakage on both sides in the width direction of the absorbent body 3 (also referred to as a leak-proof side). Therefore, in the end seal portion 1sed, although the end portion in the longitudinal direction of the three-dimensional wrinkles is not present, in the case of the sanitary napkin 1 having the three-dimensional wrinkles, generally, the end portions in the width direction of the end seal portion 1sed are It is fixed in a state in which the longitudinal end portion of the three-dimensional corrugated sheet constituting the three-dimensional gather is folded. Therefore, each end portion in the wide direction of the end seal portion 1sed is a portion having a number of layers of three or more layers, and is a portion thicker than a portion of the two-layer structure of the central portion 1sed2 of the end seal portion 1sed. Therefore, even in this case, the imaging portion A1sed of the end seal portion 1sed is divided into a plurality of regions A1sed2, A1sed1, and A1sed1, and the inspection windows W2, W1, and W1 are set corresponding to the respective regions A1sed2, A1sed1, and A1sed1.

<<<Checking the relative position of the absorber 3 and the sealing portion 1s in the conveying direction>>>

In the above, the inspection device 70 performs the inspection of the opening abnormality and the joint abnormality of the sealing portion 1s, but in some cases, In addition to the abnormality inspection, the presence or absence of an abnormality in the relative position of the absorber 3 and the sealing portion 1s in the transport direction can be further checked.

The reason why such an inspection is necessary will be described. As described above, each of the devices 10, 20, ..., 80 of the manufacturing line of Fig. 3 also includes a transport mechanism 124 that operates in conjunction with each other in accordance with the synchronization signals. Then, the synchronization signal is generated by a rotary encoder provided in the die cutter device 80 as a device that serves as a reference for the manufacturing line. That is, in the present embodiment, the synchronization signal is generated in accordance with the rotation operation of the cutting roller 80a which is formed by punching the sanitary napkin 1.

However, even if the respective devices 10, 20, ..., 80 are interlocked in accordance with such a synchronizing signal, the unit weight of the composite absorbent body 3, the moisture content, and the like, the fluctuation of the batch unit; and the surface sheet roll from the state of being wound into a roll shape. The fluctuation of the winding diameter of the various sheets such as the surface sheet 2a which is continuously released and the like, whereby the position at which the absorbent body 3 of the semi-product 1a is conveyed in the conveyance direction fluctuates with a large cycle. That is, the actual formation position of the absorbent body 3 occurs in a very large cycle corresponding to several hundred to several thousand pieces of the unit semi-finished product 1b, and is on the order of several millimeters on the upper and lower sides in the conveyance direction than the target position. Shake the side of the phenomenon.

Further, when such a phenomenon occurs, even if the circular sealing processing device 60 correctly forms the sealing portion 1s in accordance with the synchronization signal, since the absorbent body 3 is displaced from the target position toward the conveying direction, the relative position ratio of the absorbent body 3 to the sealing portion 1s is higher. As a result, the relative position of the target is more deviated. As a result, even if it is not immediately defective, the sanitary napkin 1 may have an appearance that is unattractive with respect to the position of the absorbent body 3, resulting in a product impression. It’s a bad worry.

Therefore, there is a need to check for the presence or absence of an abnormality in the relative position of the absorber 3 and the sealing portion 1s, and the inspection apparatus 70 of the present embodiment also includes the inspection function. Further, in the present embodiment, the relative position is corrected based on the inspection result, and the relative position is the target relative position. Here, the correction of the relative position is performed not by changing the position at which the sealing portion 1s is formed but by changing the position at which the absorber 3 is formed. This reason is as follows. The circular seal device 60 forming the seal portion 1s is disposed close to the die cutter device 80 as the reference device for synchronization, and therefore, the die cutting position of the die cutter device 80 on the semi-product 1a is cut. There is almost no deviation in the position at which the sealing portion 1s as the processing position of the circular sealing device 60 is located. Therefore, when the relative position of the sealing portion 1s and the absorber 3 is deviated from the relative position of the target, it is conceivable that only the absorber 3 is mainly present. The case where the formation position deviates from the reference processing position. Hereinafter, the inspection function of the presence or absence of the abnormality of the relative position and the correction of the relative position of the sealing portion and the absorber 3 will be described.

First, it is explained by the check function. This inspection is also performed using the same plane image data as used in the first binarization processing. That is, as shown in the image view of the planar image of FIG. 10, the image capturing portion A1sed which is the end seal portion 1sed of the downstream end portion 1sed of the sealing portion 1s and the downstream end portion 3d of the absorber 3 are obtained from the plane image. The value of the interval Ded in the transport direction between the portions A3d is then determined whether or not the value of the interval Ded enters within a predetermined target range, and the presence or absence of an abnormality in the relative position is determined. The details will be described below.

Initially, the image processing unit 76 calculates the value of the interval Ded. The calculation of the value of the interval Ded is performed by performing the third and fourth binarization processing on the planar image data. Further, an inspection window W3 is also set in the third and fourth binarization processes. However, as shown in FIG. 10, the inside of the inspection window W3 includes the imaging portion A3d of the downstream end portion 3d of the absorption direction of the absorbent body 3, and the downstream end portion 1sed as the conveying direction of the sealing portion 1s. The imaging portion A1sed of the end seal portion 1sed is formed.

Then, in the third binarization processing, the third binarization threshold (corresponding to the third threshold) stored in the memory in advance is used in the inspection window W3 using the white image of the imaging portion A1sed of the end seal portion 1sed. The area inside is binarized. Specifically, the third binarization threshold is a value between the brightness of the pixel set in the concave portion 1d corresponding to the sealing portion 1s and the brightness of the pixel corresponding to the concave portion unformed portion 1n in which the concave portion 1d is not formed. . Further, among the pixels in the inspection window W3 of FIG. 11A, the pixels of the brightness equal to or greater than the third binarization threshold are used as the binary values (for example, 0 and 1) of the binarized image of FIG. 11B. The "1" of the value of one of the values is assigned to the specific white image. On the other hand, the pixel whose brightness is smaller than the threshold for the third binarization threshold is assigned to be specified by the "0" which is the other value. Black image. This assignment is made for all pixels in the inspection window W3. Thereby, in the pixel in the inspection window W3 of FIG. 11A, the imaging portion A1sed of the end seal portion 1sed is processed as a white image included in the binarized image as shown in FIG. 11B, and the other portions are processed to be almost included. In black image.

On the other hand, in the fourth binarization process, it is necessary to obtain an absorber. The fourth binarization threshold (corresponding to the fourth threshold) stored in the memory in advance in the white image of the imaging portion A3d of the downstream end portion 3d (corresponding to the "end portion in the transport direction of the absorber") The area in the inspection window W3 is binarized. Specifically, the fourth binarization threshold is set to the brightness of the pixel corresponding to the portion 1g in which only the front sheet 2a and the back sheet 4a overlap, and the corresponding surface sheet 2a and the absorber 3 and the back sheet 4a. The value between the brightness of the pixels of the overlapping portion 1r. Further, among the pixels in the inspection window W3 of FIG. 11A, the pixels of the brightness below the fourth binarization threshold are used as the binary values (for example, 0 and 1) of the binarized image of FIG. 11C. "1" of one value is assigned to a specific white image, and on the other hand, a pixel having a brightness larger than the fourth binarization threshold is assigned to be specified by "0" which is the other value. Black image. This assignment is made for all pixels in the inspection window W3. In the pixel in the inspection window W3 of FIG. 11A, the imaging portion A3d (corresponding to "the imaging portion of the end portion of the absorber in the transport direction" of the downstream end portion 3d of the absorber 3 is as shown in FIG. 11C. The white image included in the binarized image is included in the black image, and the other portions (that is, the image capturing portion A1g of the portion 1g in which only the surface sheet 2a and the inner sheet overlap) are included.

In this manner, the video processing unit 76 is based on the white image of the binarized video of FIG. 11B generated by the third binarization processing and the binarization of FIG. 11C generated by the fourth binarization processing. The white image of the image is calculated as the value of the interval Ded. FIG. 11D is an explanatory diagram of the calculation.

Here, the value of the interval Ded is, for example, FIG. 11B to FIG. 11D. As shown in the figure, for example, among the plurality of pixels constituting the white image (FIG. 11C) of the downstream end portion 3d of the absorber 3, the pixel is located in the center of the X direction, and is represented by the Y coordinate of the pixel located at the most downstream in the transport direction. Y3de is a subtraction value of a plurality of pixels of the white image (FIG. 11B) constituting the end seal portion 1sed, which is located at the center of the X direction and is located at the Y coordinate Y1sede of the most upstream pixel in the transport direction (= Y3de-Y1sede). Therefore, the video processing unit 76 performs such subtraction, thereby obtaining the value of the above-described interval Ded.

Next, the image processing unit 76 moves to the third abnormality determination process. In the third abnormality determination process, the value of the interval Ded is compared with the third abnormality determination threshold to determine the presence or absence of an abnormality in the relative position of the absorber 3 and the sealing portion 1s. Here, the third abnormality determination threshold is stored in advance in the memory as a numerical range. Further, the numerical range of the third abnormality determination threshold value can be obtained, for example, from the design drawing of the sanitary napkin 1. In other words, in the design drawing, the target range of the interval between the end seal portion 1sed on the center line in the width direction of the napkin 1 and the downstream end portion 3d of the absorber 3 is defined, and therefore, the target range of the interval is converted. The size of the third coordinate determination threshold can be obtained by the size of the Y coordinate system of the planar image.

In this way, when the value of the interval Ded enters the numerical range, it is determined that "the relative position of the absorber 3 and the sealing portion 1s has entered the target range". On the other hand, when it is deviated from the numerical range, it is determined that "the relative position of the absorber 3 and the sealing portion 1s does not enter the target range". At this time, the image processing unit 76 transmits the determination result to the control unit 18 of the rotary drum device 10. (image 3).

In the result of the determination, the offset amount ΔDed obtained by subtracting the value of the interval Ded from the central value of the numerical range of the third abnormality determination threshold value is accompanied by the data of the actual value ΔDedr. Further, the control unit 18 that has received this is converted into the phase of the rotational motion of the rotary drum 12 by dividing the shift amount ΔDedr after the actual size by the total length of the unit half product 1b and then multiplying by 360°. The offset Δθ. Then, the amplifier of the servo motor (not shown) that is the drive source of the rotational operation of the rotary drum 12 transmits a correction instruction signal of the phase of the rotation operation. The correction instruction signal is accompanied by the above-described data of the phase shift amount Δθ which indicates how much the phase of the rotation angle value of the synchronization signal must be advanced or how slow it must be. Therefore, the amplifier that receives the correction instruction signal changes the rotation angle value θ of the synchronization signal received by itself to only the amount of the offset Δθ of the phase incident with the correction instruction signal. As a result, in the unit semi-finished product 1b including the absorber 3 produced by the rotary drum device 10, the relative position of the absorber 3 and the sealing portion 1s enters the target range.

Further, the video processing unit 76 corresponds to the "third binarization processing unit, the fourth binarization processing unit, and the third abnormality determination processing unit" of the request item. In other words, the third binarization processing program for generating the binarized image by performing the third binarization processing described above is stored in the memory of the image processing unit 76, and the fourth binarization processing is performed. The fourth binarization processing program for binarized video; and the third abnormality determination processing program for performing the third abnormality determination processing described above, the processor of the video processing unit 76 appropriately reads and executes the programs. The image processing unit 76 is the third The value processing unit, the fourth binarization processing unit, and the third abnormality determination processing unit function.

However, the same value can be used for both the third binarization threshold and the second binarization threshold. In this case, the binarized video generated by the third binarization processing and the binarized video generated by the second binarization processing are identical to each other as long as the same inspection window is used. Therefore, if the second abnormality determination processing is performed using the binarized image generated by the third binarization processing, the joint abnormality of the end seal portion 1sed in the inspection window W3 can be inspected. In other words, when the inspection of the abnormality of the joint of the end seal portion 1sed is further performed together with the inspection of the relative position of the absorber 3 and the end seal portion 1sed, the image processing unit 76 can perform the second binarization process without using the second binary value. The binarized image generated by the processing performs inspection of the joint abnormality of the end seal portion 1sed, whereby only the omitted image processing unit 76 of the second binarization processing can reduce the calculation load. In other words, the second binarization processing program and the third binarization processing program can be configured as a common program. Therefore, the concept of the invention described in the above-mentioned claims also includes the third binarization processing unit for checking the relative position of the end seal portion 1sed and the absorber 3, and also for the inspection of the joint abnormality of the terminal seal portion 1sed. The aspect of the second binarization processing unit required.

===Other implementations ===

The embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the above-described embodiments are intended to facilitate understanding of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention. The invention was used for the interpreter. It is to be understood that the invention may be modified or modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, there may be variations such as those shown below.

In the above-described embodiment, the color information of each pixel has only the grayscale data of the brightness as an example of the planar image data, but is not limited thereto. For example, the color information of each pixel may also be color image data having brightness, hue, and chroma. In this case, color binarization processing may be performed as the above-described binarization processing.

Further, the color binarization processing refers to a process of extracting pixels having specific color information from color image data of a planar image. Here, the color information is each numerical value having three elements of brightness, hue, and chroma as described above. Therefore, as long as the value range of the color information of the pixels that must be extracted is set in advance in the memory of the image processing unit 76 as the first (or second) binarization threshold for each of the brightness, the hue, and the chroma, The image processing unit 76 can extract the pixels of the color information set from the plane image.

In other words, the first (or second) binarization is set as long as the region Ah of the opening portion h (or the region A1d of the normal concave portion 1d in which the image is not unjoined) imaged in advance in the plane image by the intrinsic color. When the three numerical ranges of the threshold value are used, the image processing unit 76 refers to the color information of each pixel of the planar image recorded in the planar image data, and then satisfies all of the first (or second) binarization thresholds described above. The pixels of the three numerical ranges are, for example, assigned to white pixels, and the insufficient pixels are, for example, assigned to black pixels. Further, the allocation operation is performed on all the pixels of the planar image data, thereby extracting the region of the aperture portion h captured in the planar image. Ah (or an area A1d of a normal concave portion 1d that is not in an unjoined state is captured) as a region of white pixels. According to this method, the region Ah (or the region A1d) is extracted from the plane image in accordance with the intrinsic color in the region Ah (the region A1d of the normal concave portion 1d that is not imaged) that is imaged to the opening portion h. ), so it can improve its extraction accuracy. In addition, since the content other than the above is exemplified by the gray scale as the content described above, the description thereof will be omitted.

In the above-described embodiment, the image processing unit 76 determines the presence or absence of an abnormality based on the area of the white image in each binarized image, but is not limited thereto. That is, as long as the value indicating the size of the white image is used, an appropriate indication value other than the area may be used. For example, the presence or absence of an abnormality may be determined by the number of pixels of the white image. In this case, the memory value of each of the image processing units 76 is set in advance as a first and second abnormality determination threshold value.

In the above-described embodiment, the second abnormality determination processing of the joint abnormality inspection is performed based on the area of the white image including the normal concave portions 1d and 1d, and the presence or absence of the joint abnormality is not limited thereto. For example, the presence or absence of the joint abnormality may be determined based on the area of the black image including the concave portions 1dn, 1dn, ... in the unjoined state. In addition, it is needless to say that the second abnormality determination threshold corresponding to the area of the black image is prepared in advance by the same experimental method as described above.

In the above-described embodiment, as shown in Fig. 10, absorption is performed in accordance with the interval Ded in the transport direction between the downstream end portion 1sed (the downstream end seal portion 1sed) of the seal portion 1s and the downstream end portion 3d of the absorber 3. Body 3 The inspection of the relative position with respect to the conveyance direction of the sealing portion 1s is not limited thereto. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the interval (Deu) in the transport direction between the upstream end portion 1seu (the upstream end seal portion 1seu) of the seal portion 1s and the upstream end portion 3u of the absorber 3 may be performed. Further, at this time, the inspection window W3u is indicated by a three-dot chain line as shown in FIG. 10, and the imaging portion A3u including the upstream end portion 3u of the absorber 3 and the imaging portion A1seu of the upstream end portion 1seu of the sealing portion 1s are set.

In the above-described embodiment, the CCD camera 72 is disposed facing the surface sheet 2a side of the semi-finished product 1a, and the illumination member 74 is disposed on the opposite side, but the arrangement relationship may be reversed. In other words, the camera 72 may be disposed to face the inner sheet 4a side of the semi-finished product 1a, and the illumination member 74 may be disposed to face the surface sheet 2a side of the semi-product 1a on the opposite side. In other words, the imaging of the camera 72 is not limited to receiving only the transmitted light from any of the semi-finished products 1a, that is, the light from the reflected light from the semi-finished product 1a can be received and imaged. At this time, the illumination member 74 is disposed on the same side as the camera 72 with respect to the semi-finished product 1a, and it is needless to say that the first to fourth binarization thresholds of the memory of the image processing unit 76 and the first to the first are not included. The second abnormality determination threshold value is set to a value corresponding to the reflected light.

1‧‧‧Sanitary cotton (absorbent articles, products)

1a‧‧‧Semi-products

Part 1a1‧‧‧Three-layer structure (Part 1)

Part 1a2‧‧‧Two-layer structure (Part 2)

1b‧‧‧Unit semi-products (equivalent to units of products for absorbent articles)

1d‧‧‧ recess

1db‧‧‧ bottom

1dn‧‧‧ Unjoined recess (joining abnormal part, unjoined part)

1e‧‧‧Outside

1eb‧‧‧Border section

1ec‧‧‧Central Department

1ee‧‧‧ end

1g‧‧‧section

1n‧‧‧ recessed part

1r‧‧‧section

1s‧‧‧ Sealing Department

1sed‧‧‧ downstream end (end seal)

1sed1‧‧‧End (1st seal)

1sed2‧‧‧Central Department (2nd Sealing Department)

1seu‧‧‧upstream end (end seal)

1w‧‧‧wing

2‧‧‧Surface

2a‧‧‧Continuous sheets of surface sheets

2e‧‧‧End

2t‧‧‧ embossed ditch

3‧‧‧ absorber

3d‧‧‧ downstream end

3u‧‧‧ upstream end

4‧‧‧ inside sheet

4a‧‧‧Continuous sheets of sheets

4g‧‧‧ highlight

4w‧‧‧Extended part

6‧‧‧Side sheet

6a‧‧‧Continuous sheets of side sheets

Part of 6w‧‧

10‧‧‧Fibering device

12‧‧‧Rotating drum

14‧‧‧Adsorption area

16‧‧‧ catheter

18‧‧‧Control Department

20‧‧‧Feed rolls for surface sheets

30‧‧‧embossing processing device

40‧‧‧Feed rolls for side sheets

50‧‧‧feeding roller for inner sheet

60‧‧‧Circular seal processing device

60a‧‧‧Upper roll

60b‧‧‧ lower roll

64‧‧‧Control Department

70‧‧‧ Sealing inspection device (inspection device for sealing part)

72‧‧‧CCD camera (camera processing unit)

74‧‧‧Lighting components

76‧‧1. Video processing unit (first binarization processing unit, second binarization processing unit, third binarization processing unit, fourth binarization processing unit, first abnormality determination processing unit, second abnormality) Determination processing unit and third abnormality determination processing unit)

80‧‧‧Mold cutter device

80a‧‧‧ cutting roller

80b‧‧‧Anvil Roll

124‧‧‧Conveyor belt (transport mechanism)

H‧‧‧ opening section

A1d‧‧‧Imaged to the normal recessed area

A1dn‧‧‧Photographing the area of the recess in the unjoined state

A1g‧‧‧ only the image portion of the portion 1g where the surface sheet 2a overlaps the inner sheet

A1s‧‧‧ Camera section of the seal

The imaging part of the A1sed‧‧‧ end seal

A1sed1‧‧‧ end area

A1sed2‧‧‧Central Area

The imaging part of the A1seu‧‧‧ end seal

A3d‧‧‧ imaging part of the downstream end of the absorber

The imaging part of the upstream end of the A3u‧‧ ‧ absorber

Ah‧‧·Photographed to the area of the opening

PS‧‧‧Photography location

W1‧‧‧ inspection window (1st inspection window)

W2‧‧‧ inspection window (second inspection window)

W3‧‧‧ inspection window (3rd inspection window)

W3u‧‧‧ inspection window (3rd inspection window)

C60‧‧‧Rotary axis

C80‧‧‧Rotary axis

S10‧‧‧Firm Fiber Project

S20‧‧‧Surface sheet supply engineering

S30‧‧‧ embossed groove processing project

S40‧‧‧Side sheet supply engineering

S50‧‧‧Inside sheet supply engineering

S60‧‧‧Circular seal processing engineering

S70‧‧‧ Sealing Department Inspection Project

S80‧‧‧ split project

1A is a plan view of a sanitary napkin 1, and FIGS. 1B and 1C are a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B and a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C of FIG. 1A, respectively.

2] Fig. 2A is an enlarged view of a portion II in Fig. 1A, and Fig. 2B is a view in Fig. 2A A cross-sectional view of B-B.

Fig. 3 is a schematic side view of a manufacturing line of the sanitary napkin 1.

[Fig. 4] An image view of the plane image and the inspection window W1.

5A is a plan image in the inspection window W1 before the first binarization processing, and FIG. 5B is a binarized image generated by performing the first binarization processing on the plane image.

[Fig. 6] An image view of the plane image and the inspection window W2.

7A is a plan image in the inspection window W2 before the second binarization processing, and FIG. 7B is a binarized image generated by performing the second binarization processing on the plane image.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a plurality of inspection windows W1, W2, and W2 are set in a plane image.

9] Fig. 9A is a schematic plan view of a semi-finished product 1a before passing through a circular sealing processing apparatus 60, and Fig. 9B is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B of Fig. 9A.

[Fig. 10] An image view of the plane image and the inspection window W3.

11A is a plan image in the inspection window W3 before the binarization processing, FIG. 11B is a binarized image generated by performing the third binarization processing on the plane image, and FIG. 11C is the plane image. The binarized image generated by the fourth binarization process is performed, and FIG. 11D is an explanatory diagram for calculating the value of the interval Dd obtained by using the binarized image of FIG. 11B and the binarized image of FIG. 11C.

S10‧‧‧Firm Fiber Project

18‧‧‧Control Department

S70‧‧‧ Sealing Department Inspection Project

70‧‧‧ Sealing inspection device (inspection device for sealing part)

76‧‧1. Video processing unit (first binarization processing unit, second binarization processing unit, third binarization processing unit, fourth binarization processing unit, first abnormality determination processing unit, second abnormality) Determination processing unit and third abnormality determination processing unit)

16‧‧‧ catheter

14‧‧‧Adsorption area

10‧‧‧Fibering device

S20‧‧‧Surface sheet supply engineering

S30‧‧‧ embossed groove processing project

S40‧‧‧Side sheet supply engineering

S50‧‧‧Inside sheet supply engineering

S60‧‧‧Circular seal processing engineering

2a‧‧‧Continuous sheets of surface sheets

1a‧‧‧Semi-products

20‧‧‧Feed rolls for surface sheets

6a‧‧‧Continuous sheets of side sheets

30‧‧‧embossing processing device

124‧‧‧Transportation agency

40‧‧‧Feed rolls for side sheets

4a‧‧‧Continuous sheets of sheets

60‧‧‧Circular seal processing device

60a‧‧‧Upper roll

60b‧‧‧ lower roll

72‧‧‧CCD camera (camera processing unit)

1s‧‧‧ Sealing Department

1e‧‧‧Outside

1b‧‧‧Unit semi-products (equivalent to units of products for absorbent articles)

74‧‧‧Lighting components

PS‧‧‧Photography location

S80‧‧‧ split project

C80‧‧‧Rotary axis

80‧‧‧Mold cutter device

80b‧‧‧Anvil Roll

1‧‧‧Sanitary cotton (absorbent articles, products)

C60‧‧‧Rotary axis

80a‧‧‧ cutting roller

3‧‧‧ absorber

12‧‧‧Rotating drum

64‧‧‧Control Department

50‧‧‧feeding roller for inner sheet

Claims (7)

An inspection device for a sealing portion of an absorbent article is an inspection device for a sealing portion that is laminated on a plurality of sheets constituting an absorbent article in a thickness direction in an outer edge portion of the absorbent article, and is characterized in that: The sealing portion is formed by pressure-bonding the plurality of sheets stacked in the thickness direction in the thickness direction, and has an imaging processing unit that is disposed on one side of the plurality of sheets The area in which the sealing portion is formed is imaged, and data of a planar image of the area is generated as planar image data. The first binarization processing unit performs binarization processing to make a basis. When the threshold image is binarized to generate a binarized image, the image specified by one of the binary values in the binarized image includes the planar image. In the imaging portion of the sealing portion, an area of the opening portion penetrating in the thickness direction is captured, and the second binarization processing unit is configured by the second binarization processing unit. Performing a binarization process to binarize the planar image data based on a second threshold different from the first threshold to generate a binarized image, and in the binarized image by a binary value The image specified by one of the values includes an area in which the abnormal portion of the plurality of sheets is not joined in the image pickup portion of the sealed portion of the planar image, and a first abnormality determination processing unit that is the first abnormality The determination processing unit performs the opening based on the binarized image generated by the first binarization processing unit. The second abnormality determination processing unit determines the presence or absence of the joint abnormality based on the binarized image generated by the second binarization processing unit. In the inspection apparatus of the sealing portion of the absorbent article according to the first aspect of the invention, the plurality of sheets are conveyed in the conveyance direction in a state in which the continuous sheet is continuous in the conveyance direction, and the sealing portion is The product corresponding to the absorbent article is formed in a predetermined pattern in the transport direction, and the plurality of sheets are divided into units corresponding to the product, and the image processing unit is formed in the foregoing The aforementioned area of the sealing portion is imaged. The inspection device for a sealing portion of an absorbent article according to the first or second aspect of the invention, wherein the absorbent article comprises: a second portion in which a predetermined number of the plurality of sheets are stacked; a first portion in which a plurality of sheets are laminated on the predetermined number of sheets of the second portion, wherein the sealing portion has a first sealing portion formed in the first portion and a second portion formed in the second portion In the second sealing portion, the first binarization processing unit is configured to set a first inspection window defined by a target region of the binarization processing of the planar image in the imaging portion corresponding to the first sealing portion, and the second inspection window. The value processing unit is an image corresponding to the second sealing unit The second inspection window defined by the target region of the binarization processing of the planar image is partially set. The inspection device for a sealing portion of an absorbent article according to the first or second aspect of the invention, wherein the absorbent article has a longitudinal direction, a width direction, and a thickness direction, and the absorbent article has a width toward the width a pair of wing portions extending in a direction in which the plurality of the plurality of sheets are joined together by the sealing portion, and the second binarization processing portion is formed correspondingly The second inspection window defined by the target region of the binarization processing of the planar image is set in the imaging portion of the sealing portion of the wing portion. The inspection apparatus of the sealing portion of the absorbent article according to any one of the first to fourth aspect, wherein the absorbent article has a pair of sheets of the plurality of sheets interposed between the sheets The absorbent member is an absorbent body of the material, and the plurality of sheets are conveyed in the conveyance direction in a state in which the continuous sheet is continuous in the conveyance direction, and the absorbent body is intermittently arranged in the conveyance direction, and the sealing portion is disposed. a portion having an end portion located further in the transport direction than the absorber as an end seal portion, and a third binarization processing unit that performs binarization processing to make a basis 3 threshold value into the aforementioned plane image data When the binarization image is generated to generate a binarized image, the image of the binarized image is encoded by the value of one of the binary values, and the image capturing portion of the end seal portion in the planar image is included. In the fourth binarization processing unit, the fourth binarization processing unit performs binarization processing to binarize the plane image data in accordance with the fourth threshold to generate a binarized image. The image specified by the value of one of the binary values in the binarized video includes an imaging portion of the end portion of the absorption body in the transport direction in the planar image; and a third abnormality determination processing unit The abnormality determination processing unit performs the absorption body in the transport direction based on the binarized video generated by the third binarization processing unit and the binarized video generated by the fourth binarization processing unit. A determination as to whether or not the relative position of the seal portion is within the target range. In the inspection apparatus for the sealing portion of the absorbent article according to any one of the first to fifth aspects of the invention, the first abnormality determination processing unit determines the presence or absence of the opening abnormality based on the first binarization When the binarized video generated by the processing unit indicates the value of the size of the video specified by the one of the values, and the value indicating the size of the video is larger than the predetermined first abnormality determination threshold, the first The abnormality determination processing unit determines that there is an abnormality in the opening, and the determination of the presence or absence of the joint abnormality in the second abnormality determination processing unit is based on the representation of the binarized image generated by the second binarization processing unit. The value of the size of the image specified by the value of one of the values is In the line, the value of the size of the image is smaller than a predetermined second abnormality determination threshold, and the second abnormality determination processing unit determines that the connection is abnormal. An inspection method of a sealing portion in which a plurality of sheets constituting a thickness direction of an absorbent article are joined to an outer edge portion of the absorbent article, wherein the sealing portion is The outer edge portion is formed by pressure-bonding the plurality of laminated sheets in the thickness direction, and has an image in which a region in which the sealing portion is formed on one surface of the plurality of sheets is imaged to generate a planar image of the region. The data is used as the planar image data; and the first binarization processing is performed to generate a binarized image by binarizing the planar image data according to the first threshold, and the binary image is binarized. The image specified by the value of one of the planar images includes an area in which the opening portion of the sealed portion is imaged in the thickness direction, and the second binarization processing is performed to make the basis and the (1) The second threshold having a different threshold value is binarized to generate the binarized image, and the second binarized image is used in the binarized image. The image specified by the value of one of the plurality of sheets is imaged in the image forming portion of the sealed portion of the planar image, and is captured in the unbonded state of the plurality of sheets; and the first binarization processing is performed. The generated binarized image The determination of the presence or absence of the opening abnormality is performed; and the presence or absence of the joint abnormality is determined based on the binarized image generated by the second binarization processing.