WO2019155680A1

WO2019155680A1 - Determination device, determination method, tablet printing device, and tablet printing method

Info

Publication number: WO2019155680A1
Application number: PCT/JP2018/037508
Authority: WO
Inventors: 世誠小島; 芳樹水野
Original assignee: 株式会社Ｓｃｒｅｅｎホールディングス
Priority date: 2018-02-09
Filing date: 2018-10-09
Publication date: 2019-08-15
Also published as: JP7023733B2; JP2019138763A

Abstract

Even if there is an imaging omission, the present invention effectively prevents an object that has not been imaged from passing an inspection. This determination device comprises a conveying part (10, 20, 30, 40) that conveys an object (2), an imaging unit (51, 52, 53, 71, 72) that creates image data for the object by imaging the object on a conveyance path and transfers the image data, and a determination unit (3) that determines whether the object has not been imaged on the basis of the image data. The image data is transferred to the determination unit together with time information. The determination unit determines that the object has not been imaged if a first imaging time for the object obtained from the time information and a second imaging time for the object calculated from the conveyance speed are different.

Description

Determination device, determination method, tablet printing device, and tablet printing method

This invention disclosed in this specification relates to, for example, tablet inspection and printing technology.

Conventionally, an appearance inspection of an object such as a tablet has been performed by performing predetermined image processing on image data obtained by imaging the object and determining the quality of the appearance (for example, Patent Document 1). See).

JP 2007-114180 A

Tablet imaging is sequentially performed in accordance with the tablet conveyance speed, but imaging may not be performed properly, resulting in imaging omission.

Conventionally, such imaging omissions have been grasped by confirming the number of image data used in the inspection after the appearance inspection of a plurality of tablets.

However, with such a method, there is a possibility that the inspection has already passed the inspection even though the tablet in which imaging omission has occurred is a defective product. In addition, in order to prevent the tablets in which such imaging omissions have occurred from passing through the inspection, it may be necessary to take measures such as discarding all the tablets in which imaging omissions may have occurred.

The present invention disclosed in the specification of the present application has been made in order to solve the problems described above, and inspects an object in which imaging leakage has occurred even when imaging leakage has occurred. The object is to provide a technique for effectively preventing passage.

According to a first aspect of the technology disclosed in the specification of the present application, the object is obtained by capturing an image of the object that is conveyed by the conveying unit in the conveyance path of the object, and a conveyance unit that conveys at least one object. An image capturing unit that creates image data of an object and further transfers the image data; and a determination unit that determines that an image capturing failure of the object has occurred based on the received image data. The data is transferred to the determination unit together with time information that is information related to the imaging time of the object, and the determination unit includes a first imaging time that is an imaging time of the object obtained from the time information, and When the second imaging time, which is the imaging time of the object, calculated from the conveyance speed, which is the speed at which the object is conveyed in the conveyance path, is different from the imaging failure of the object. The judges.

A second aspect of the technology disclosed in the specification of the present application is related to the first aspect, and the time information is a time at which the image data is transferred after the imaging unit images the object. Contains information indicating.

A third aspect of the technique disclosed in this specification is related to the first aspect or the second aspect, and the time information includes information indicating a time at which the determination unit receives the image data.

A fourth aspect of the technology disclosed in the specification of the present application relates to any one of the first aspect to the third aspect, and the imaging unit includes a plurality of the transported parts by the transport part. A plurality of the image data are sequentially generated by sequentially capturing an image of the object in the transport path, and the plurality of the image data are sequentially transferred. The determination unit includes a plurality of the objects obtained from the plurality of time information. A first imaging interval that is an imaging interval between objects and a second imaging interval that is an imaging interval between the plurality of objects calculated from the conveyance speed and the arrangement intervals of the plurality of objects are different. In this case, it is determined that an imaging failure of the corresponding object has occurred.

The fifth aspect of the technology disclosed in the specification of the present application is related to any one of the first to fourth aspects, and an imaging omission occurs based on a determination result of the determination unit. The apparatus further includes a sorting unit that sorts the object.

A sixth aspect of the technology disclosed in the specification of the present application is related to the fifth aspect, wherein the selection unit determines that the object determined to have imaged leakage is more than the image capturing unit in the transport path. Return to the upstream position.

A seventh aspect of the technology disclosed in the specification of the present application is related to any one of the first to sixth aspects, and whether or not there is an imaging omission by the determination apparatus and the determination apparatus. And a printing unit that performs printing on the determined tablet.

The eighth aspect of the technology disclosed in this specification relates to the seventh aspect, and the printing unit performs printing only on the tablet that is determined by the determination device that no imaging omission has occurred.

According to a ninth aspect of the technology disclosed in the specification of the present application, a step of conveying at least one object, and imaging the object to be conveyed in a conveyance path of the object to obtain image data of the object. Creating and further transferring the image data; and determining based on the received image data that the imaging omission of the object has occurred, wherein the image data includes the object The step of transferring together with time information that is information relating to the imaging time and determining that imaging omission of the object has occurred includes a first imaging time that is an imaging time of the object obtained from the time information, and When the second imaging time, which is the imaging time of the object, calculated from the conveyance speed, which is the speed at which the object is conveyed in the conveyance path, is different from the imaging failure of the object. It is a step of determining.

The tenth aspect of the technology disclosed in the specification of the present application relates to the ninth aspect, and includes a step of printing on a tablet for which the presence or absence of imaging omission has been determined by the above determination method.

The eleventh aspect of the technology disclosed in the specification of the present application is related to the tenth aspect, and printing is performed only on the tablets that are determined to have no imaging omission by the determination method.

According to the first and ninth aspects of the technology disclosed in the present specification, the first imaging time of the object obtained from the time information transferred together with the image data and the object calculated from the conveyance speed. By comparing the second imaging time with the imaging time, it is possible to identify the object in which imaging omission has occurred. Therefore, it is possible to effectively prevent the inspection object from passing through the inspection.

In particular, according to the second aspect, it is possible to determine whether or not an imaging omission has occurred based on the time when the image data is transferred to the determination unit.

Particularly, according to the third aspect, it is possible to determine whether or not an imaging failure has occurred based on the time when the determination unit receives the image data.

In particular, according to the fourth aspect, it is possible to determine whether or not an imaging omission has occurred based on the time interval at which a plurality of objects that are sequentially conveyed are imaged by the imaging unit.

Particularly, according to the fifth aspect, it is possible to separate an object in which imaging leakage has occurred from an object in which imaging leakage has not occurred. Therefore, for example, processing can be efficiently performed even when an object in which imaging omission has occurred is reintroduced into the transport path.

Particularly, according to the sixth aspect, it is possible to pick up an image of the object in which the imaging omission has occurred again with the imaging unit.

In particular, according to the seventh and tenth aspects, it is possible to select a tablet to be printed according to the presence or absence of imaging omission.

In particular, according to the eighth and eleventh aspects, it is possible to perform printing only on tablets that have no imaging omissions.

The objectives, features, aspects, and advantages of the technology disclosed in the present specification will become more apparent from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings shown below.

1 is a diagram schematically illustrating an overall configuration of a tablet printing apparatus according to an embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of a conveyance drum and a conveyance belt. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the processing operation in a tablet printer. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the processing operation in a tablet printer. It is a top view of a tablet. It is a figure which shows the example in case several time information contains the elapsed time from reference | standard time. It is a figure which shows an example of the printing process result by an inkjet head. It is a figure which shows an example of the printing process result by an inkjet head.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

It should be noted that the drawings are schematically shown, and the configuration is omitted or simplified as appropriate for the convenience of explanation. In addition, the mutual relationships between the sizes and positions of the configurations and the like shown in different drawings are not necessarily accurately described and can be changed as appropriate.

In the following description, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the names and functions thereof are also the same. Therefore, detailed descriptions thereof may be omitted to avoid duplication.

In addition, in the description described below, even if an ordinal number such as “first” or “second” is used, these terms mean that the contents of the embodiment are understood. It is used for the sake of convenience, and is not limited to the order that can be generated by these ordinal numbers.

<Embodiment>
<About the configuration of the tablet printing device>
FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating an overall configuration of a tablet printing apparatus according to the present embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the tablet printing apparatus 1 is an apparatus that performs a printing process on both the front and back surfaces of a tablet.

The tablet printing apparatus 1 includes at least a hopper 8, a conveyance drum 10, a conveyance belt 20, a conveyance belt 30, an appearance inspection camera 51, an appearance inspection camera 52, an appearance inspection camera 53, an inkjet head 61, An inkjet head 62 is provided. The tablet printing apparatus 1 also includes a control unit 3 that controls each drive unit provided in the apparatus to advance the inspection process and the printing process for the tablet.

The hopper 8 is provided on the upper side of the ceiling of the housing 5 of the tablet printing apparatus 1. The hopper 8 is an input unit for supplying a large number of tablets into the apparatus at once. The plurality of tablets input from the hopper 8 flows into the rectilinear feeder 122 along the inclined surface. The plurality of tablets supplied to the rectilinear feeder 122 are conveyed to the rotary feeder 123 side by the vibration of the vibration trough. And it gathers to the outer peripheral part vicinity of a turntable with the centrifugal force by rotation of a turntable in the rotation feeder 123. FIG. Then, the tablets gathered near the outer periphery of the turntable are supplied to the transport drum 10 by a supply feeder 124 extending vertically downward from the outer periphery of the turntable to the transport drum 10.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the transport drum 10 and the transport belt 20. The conveyance drum 10 has a substantially cylindrical shape, and is rotated clockwise around a central axis along the Y-axis direction by a rotation drive motor (not shown here). As illustrated in FIG. 2, a plurality of suction holes 11 are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the transport drum 10. In the present embodiment, the suction holes 11 are formed in five rows at equal intervals along the central axis of the transport drum 10. Further, a set of suction holes 11 in five rows is provided in a plurality of rows at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral surface of the transport drum 10.

The shape of the suction hole 11 is in accordance with the shape of the object to be inspected and printed. For example, in the present embodiment, since the disk-shaped tablet is processed, the shape of the suction hole 11 is also circular. The size of the suction hole 11 is slightly larger than the size of the tablet. For example, if the diameter of the disc-shaped tablet is about 10 mm, the diameter of the suction hole 11 is about 12 mm.

Small holes smaller than the suction holes 11 are provided at the bottoms of the plurality of suction holes 11, and each of the plurality of suction holes 11 is provided with a suction mechanism (here, provided inside the transport drum 10 through the small holes). (Not shown). By operating the suction mechanism, a negative pressure lower than the atmospheric pressure can be applied to each of the plurality of suction holes 11. As a result, each suction hole 11 of the transport drum 10 can suck and hold one tablet.

Further, a blow mechanism is provided in the vicinity of the portion facing the conveyor belt 20 inside the conveyor drum 10. The blow mechanism blows pressurized air toward the small hole provided at the bottom of the suction hole 11. When the blow mechanism blows air to the small holes, a pressure higher than the atmospheric pressure can be applied to the adsorption holes 11. Thereby, the adsorption state of the tablet by the adsorption hole 11 can be cancelled | released. As described above, the suction holes 11 provided on the transport drum 10 are all sucked by the suction mechanism, and the suction holes 11 in the fifth row and the first row facing the transport belt 20 are blown. Adsorption can be released by the mechanism.

The conveying belt 20 is configured by a plurality of holding plates 22 connected in a belt shape and stretched around a pair of pulleys. When the pair of pulleys are rotationally driven by a drive motor (not shown here), the belt-like body composed of the plurality of holding plates 22 moves in the direction of the arrow in FIG. The conveyor belt 20 is installed such that a part of a belt-like body composed of a plurality of holding plates 22 is opposed to the outer peripheral surface of the conveyor drum 10.

2, a plurality of suction holes 21 are formed in each of the plurality of holding plates 22 at equal intervals along the width direction of the belt (Y-axis direction). In the present embodiment, the suction holes 21 are formed in each holding plate 22 in five rows along the Y-axis direction. The shape and size of the suction holes 21 of the transport belt 20 are the same as the suction holes 11 of the transport drum 10. Further, the spacing between the suction holes 21 arranged in five rows on each holding plate 22 is also equal to the spacing between the suction holes 11 arranged in five rows along the central axis of the transport drum 10.

Similar to the suction holes 11, small holes smaller than the suction holes 21 are provided at the bottoms of the plurality of suction holes 21, and each of the plurality of suction holes 21 passes through the small holes and enters the inside of the conveying belt 20. It communicates with a provided suction mechanism. By operating the suction mechanism, a negative pressure lower than the atmospheric pressure can be applied to each of the plurality of suction holes 21. As a result, each suction hole 21 of the transport belt 20 can hold one tablet by suction.

In addition, a blow mechanism is provided in the vicinity of a portion facing the below-described conveyance belt 30 inside the conveyance belt 20. The blow mechanism blows pressurized air toward the small hole provided at the bottom of the suction hole 21. When the blow mechanism blows air into the small holes, a pressure higher than the atmospheric pressure can be applied to the adsorption holes 21. Thereby, the adsorption state of the tablet by the adsorption hole 21 can be canceled.

The configuration of the conveyor belt 30 is substantially the same as that of the conveyor belt 20. That is, the conveyance belt 30 is configured by a plurality of holding plates connected in a belt shape and stretched over a pair of pulleys. When the pair of pulleys are rotationally driven by the drive motor, the conveyor belt 30 moves in the direction of the arrow in FIG. The conveyor belt 30 is installed such that a part of a belt-like body composed of a plurality of holding plates faces the conveyor belt 20 in the vicinity.

The holding plate of the conveyance belt 30 is also formed with a plurality (five rows in this embodiment) of suction holes at equal intervals along the belt width direction (Y-axis direction).

Similarly to the above, a negative pressure lower than the atmospheric pressure can be applied to the suction holes of the conveyor belt 30 by the suction mechanism provided inside the conveyor belt 30. Thereby, each suction hole of the conveyance belt 30 can hold one tablet by suction. Moreover, the blow mechanism is provided in the inside of the conveyance belt 30, for example over four places. When the blow mechanism blows air, a pressure higher than the atmospheric pressure is applied to the suction hole of the transport belt 30 to release the tablet adsorption state by the suction hole.

Each of the four blow mechanisms of the transport belt 30 blows air downward or diagonally downward. Accordingly, among the four blow mechanisms, a blow mechanism provided at a portion facing the non-defective duct 48 blows air, thereby releasing the tablet adsorption state by the suction holes and discharging the tablets to the non-defective duct 48. be able to. The tablets released into the good product duct 48 are collected in the good product collection box 58.

Further, when a blow mechanism provided at a portion facing the imaging leak duct 49 blows air, the tablet can be released from the suction state by the suction hole and the tablet can be discharged to the imaging leak duct 49. The tablets released to the imaging leak duct 49 are collected in the imaging leak box 59.

Further, when a blow mechanism provided at a portion facing the defective appearance product duct 47 blows air, the tablet can be released from the suction holes and released to the defective appearance product duct 47. The tablets released to the defective appearance duct 47 are collected in the defective appearance box 57.

Furthermore, when a blow mechanism provided at a portion facing the defective print duct 46 blows air, the tablet adsorption state by the suction holes can be released and the tablet can be discharged to the defective print duct 46. The tablets released to the defective print duct 46 are collected in the defective print box 56.

Next, the appearance inspection camera 51, the appearance inspection camera 52, and the appearance inspection camera 53 are all imaging units for imaging a predetermined area, and are, for example, a CMOS camera or a CCD camera.

The appearance inspection camera 51 is installed facing the outer peripheral surface so that the imaging area becomes the outer peripheral surface of the transport drum 10.

The appearance inspection camera 51 images a plurality of tablets conveyed while being sucked and held in the suction holes 11 of the transport drum 10. The size of the imaging area of the appearance inspection camera 51 can be set as appropriate, but since the cylindrical peripheral surface of the transport drum 10 is imaged, focusing over a wide range of the cylindrical peripheral surface is not possible. Have difficulty. For this reason, the imaging area of the appearance inspection camera 51 only needs to be large enough to image at least 5 columns and 1 row of tablets facing the appearance inspection camera 51.

The appearance inspection camera 52 is installed to face the conveyance surface so that the imaging area becomes the conveyance surface of the conveyance belt 20. The appearance inspection camera 52 is provided on the downstream side of the position facing the transport drum 10 along the transport direction of the transport belt 20 and at a position where the upstream side of the inkjet head 61 can be imaged.

The appearance inspection camera 52 images a plurality of tablets that are sucked and held by the transport belt 20 and transported. The size of the imaging area of the appearance inspection camera 52 can be set as appropriate, and may be any size as long as it can capture at least 5 columns and 1 row of tablets facing the appearance inspection camera 52.

Note that, unlike the transport drum 10, the transport surface of the transport belt 20 is substantially flat, so that it is relatively easy to focus on the entire surface even if the imaging area of the appearance inspection camera 52 is wide.

The appearance inspection camera 53 is installed facing the conveyance surface so that the imaging area becomes the conveyance surface of the conveyance belt 30. The appearance inspection camera 53 is provided on the downstream side of the position facing the conveyance belt 20 along the conveyance direction of the conveyance belt 30 and at a position where the upstream side of the inkjet head 62 can be imaged.

The appearance inspection camera 53 images a plurality of tablets that are sucked and held by the transport belt 30 and transported. The size of the imaging area of the appearance inspection camera 53 can be set appropriately, and may be any size as long as it can capture at least 5 columns and 1 row of tablets facing the appearance inspection camera 53.

As with the appearance inspection camera 52, since the conveyance surface of the conveyance belt 30 is substantially flat, even if the imaging area of the appearance inspection camera 53 is wide, it is relatively easy to focus on the entire surface.

The inkjet head 61 and the inkjet head 62 are provided with a plurality of ejection nozzles, and eject ink droplets from these ejection nozzles by an inkjet method. The ink jet system may be a piezo system that discharges ink droplets by applying a voltage to a piezo element (piezoelectric element) and deforms it, or an ink liquid by energizing a heater to heat the ink. A thermal system that ejects droplets may be used.

In the present embodiment, in order to perform a printing process on a pharmaceutical tablet or the like, as the ink ejected from the inkjet head 61 and the inkjet head 62, an edible ink manufactured from a raw material approved by the Food Sanitation Law is used. It is desirable to do. The inkjet head 61 and the inkjet head 62 can eject four colors of ink of cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K), and color printing can be performed by mixing these inks. Is possible. However, the color of the ink ejected by the inkjet head 61 and the inkjet head 62 is not limited to this. Further, it is not necessary that the colors of the inks ejected by the heads are all different, and the colors of the inks ejected by some of the heads may be the same color.

The inkjet head 61 is provided downstream of the appearance inspection camera 52 along the conveyance direction of the conveyance belt 20. The inkjet head 61 performs a printing process on a plurality of tablets that are sucked and held by the transport belt 20 and transported.

Further, the inkjet head 62 is provided on the downstream side of the appearance inspection camera 53 along the conveyance direction of the conveyance belt 30. The inkjet head 62 performs a printing process on a plurality of tablets that are sucked and held by the transport belt 30 and transported.

The inkjet head 61 and the inkjet head 62 are preferably full line heads that cover the entire width direction of the conveyor belt 20 and the conveyor belt 30, respectively.

Further, the tablet printing apparatus 1 includes a product inspection camera 71 and a product inspection camera 72. As the product inspection camera 71 and the product inspection camera 72, for example, a CCD camera can be used. The product inspection camera 71 is installed facing the outer peripheral surface so that the imaging area is the outer peripheral surface of the pulley 10A. The product inspection camera 71 is provided at a position where the downstream side of the inkjet head 61 can be imaged along the conveyance direction of the conveyance belt 20. The product inspection camera 71 images a plurality of tablets that are sucked and held by the transport belt 20 and transported.

The product inspection camera 72 is installed facing the outer peripheral surface so that the imaging area is the outer peripheral surface of the pulley 10B. The product inspection camera 72 images a plurality of tablets that are sucked and held by the transport belt 30 and transported.

Further, the tablet printing apparatus 1 includes a heater 76 and a heater 77. As the heater 76 and the heater 77, for example, a hot-air drying heater that blows hot air to heat and dry the tablet can be used. The heater 76 is provided on the downstream side of the inkjet head 61 along the conveyance direction of the conveyance belt 20. The heater 76 blows hot air on the tablets that have been printed by the inkjet head 61 and dries them.

The heater 77 is provided on the downstream side of the inkjet head 62 along the conveyance direction of the conveyance belt 30. The heater 77 blows hot air on the tablet that has been printed by the inkjet head 62 and dries it.

Although the heater 76 and the heater 77 are provided below the conveyor belt 20 and the conveyor belt 30, respectively, the conveyor belt 20 and the conveyor belt 30 convey and hold tablets by adsorption, as described above. Even if the tablet faces downward, the tablet is transported without dropping.

Also, a heater is not necessarily used for the tablet drying process, and depending on the type of tablet, it may be desirable to dry it by natural drying. In that case, the heater 76 and the heater 77 may not be provided.

Furthermore, the tablet printing apparatus 1 includes a cleaning mechanism 83 and a cleaning mechanism 84. The powder generated from the tablet may adhere to the conveyor belt 20 and the conveyor belt 30. The cleaning mechanism 83 and the cleaning mechanism 84 clean the powder adhering to the transport belt 20 and the transport belt 30, respectively. As the cleaning mechanism 83 and the cleaning mechanism 84, for example, a mechanism that sucks and collects the ambient atmosphere by blowing air can be employed.

The control unit 3 controls the various operation mechanisms provided in the tablet printing apparatus 1. The configuration of the control unit 3 as hardware is the same as that of a general computer. That is, the control unit 3 stores a CPU that performs various arithmetic processes, a ROM that is a read-only memory that stores basic programs, a RAM that is a readable and writable memory that stores various information, control software, data, and the like. It is configured with a magnetic disk. When the CPU of the control unit 3 executes a predetermined processing program, processing for the tablet in the tablet printing apparatus 1 proceeds. The control unit 3 also has a function as a print control unit that controls the inkjet head 61 and the inkjet head 62 based on image data acquired by the appearance inspection camera 51, the appearance inspection camera 52, and the like.

Further, the control unit 3 takes an image of the tablet 2 transferred to the control unit 3 together with image data acquired by the appearance inspection camera 51, the appearance inspection camera 52, the appearance inspection camera 53, the product inspection camera 71, the product inspection camera 72, and the like. It also has a function of determining whether an imaging omission of the tablet 2 has occurred based on information about time (hereinafter, time information).

Here, the time information includes an imaging time when one of the cameras images the tablet 2, an elapsed time from the reference time, a time when the image data is transferred to the control unit 3, and the image data includes the control unit 3. Includes at least one of the received times.

The above imaging time may be an absolute time when the camera images the tablet 2 or may be a relative time corresponding to an elapsed time from the reference time. The reference time may be an absolute time corresponding to a specific time, or may be a conceptual time associated with an operation process or the like in the tablet printing apparatus 1.

The time information transferred to the control unit 3 together with the acquired image data may be information included in the header information of the image data, or may be data in a form displayed on the image, for example. Good.

<About operation of tablet printer>
Next, the processing operation in the tablet printing apparatus 1 having the above configuration will be described. 3 and 4 are flowcharts showing the procedure of the processing operation in the tablet printing apparatus 1.

First, a plurality of tablets are collectively put into the hopper 8 of the tablet printing apparatus 1 (step S1). The batch loading of tablets may be performed manually by an operator using a bucket or the like, or may be automatically performed by a transport mechanism separate from the tablet printing apparatus 1.

In this embodiment, a plurality of disc-shaped tablets 2 are put into the hopper 8. FIG. 5 is a plan view of the tablet 2. A split line 7 is formed on one side of the tablet 2 to divide it in half. The secant 7 is a groove carved along the radial direction of the disc-shaped tablet 2. The secant 7 is formed only on one side of the tablet 2.

In this embodiment, the surface on the side where the secant 7 is provided is the surface of the tablet 2. The secant 7 is not formed on the back surface of the tablet 2. In addition, there is no difference in the properties as a medicine between the front surface and the back surface of the tablet 2, and the surface on the side where the secant line 7 is provided is merely used as the front surface for convenience of distinction.

The plurality of tablets 2 put into the hopper 8 are guided to the transport drum 10 by the supply feeder 124, and the plurality of tablets 2 are sucked and held in the suction holes 11 of the transport drum 10 one by one.

The conveyance drum 10 has suction holes 11 formed in five rows along a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction (the circumferential direction of the conveyance drum 10), that is, along the central axis direction of the conveyance drum 10. Accordingly, the transport drum 10 transports the plurality of tablets 2 in five rows in which five tablets are aligned in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction.

In this specification, a unit in which five tablets are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the conveyance drum 10 is denoted as “row”. That is, the transport drum 10 sucks and holds the tablets 2 individually in the suction holes 11 and transports the plurality of tablets 2 in a state in which the tablets 2 are arranged in a plurality of rows and columns (step S2).

In addition, an alignment mechanism for aligning and supplying a plurality of tablets 2 to the hopper 8 may be attached so that the transport drum 10 can smoothly suck and hold the tablets 2 loaded from the hopper 8 by five. Good. As such an alignment mechanism, for example, a ball feeder type mechanism can be employed.

Next, the appearance inspection camera 51 images the plurality of tablets 2 being transported by the transport drum 10 (step S3). The plurality of tablets 2 are held in the suction holes 11 of the transport drum 10 and are transported clockwise along the circumferential direction of the transport drum 10 on the paper surface of FIG. Although the plurality of tablets 2 are conveyed in an array of 5 rows, it is completely random whether the surface of each tablet 2 faces the inside of the conveyance drum 10 (the center side of the conveyance drum 10) or the outside. . Further, since the circular tablet 2 is held by the circular suction hole 11, the directionality of the tablet 2 is arbitrary, and the direction of the dividing line 7 of each tablet 2 conveyed by the conveyance drum 10 is completely random.

The appearance inspection camera 51 images the tablet 2 from the outside of the transport drum 10. Therefore, the plurality of tablets 2 imaged by the appearance inspection camera 51 randomly include those having the front surface facing the appearance inspection camera 51 and those facing the back surface.

In other words, the appearance inspection camera 51 images one side of the plurality of tablets 2 transported by the transport drum 10. Here, the “one surface” is the surface opposite to the surface that is in contact with the transport belt of the tablet 2 being transported by the transport drum 10 regardless of whether it is the front surface or the back surface of the tablet 2. It is.

In addition, the appearance inspection camera 51 performs imaging for each row in which five tablets are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the conveyance drum 10. The reason for this is that it is difficult to focus the appearance inspection camera 51 over a plurality of rows because the outer peripheral surface of the transport drum 10 is cylindrical.

Usually, when manufacturing the tablet 2 which is a pharmaceutical product, thorough quality control is performed so that foreign matters are not mixed, but foreign materials may still be mixed. Examples of such a foreign material include human hair and metal powder.

The appearance inspection camera 51 detects a foreign matter or the like adhering to one side of the plurality of tablets 2 by imaging one side of the plurality of tablets 2 conveyed by the conveyance drum 10 (step S4).

Image data that is a result of imaging by the appearance inspection camera 51 is transferred to the control unit 3. The controller 3 applies predetermined image processing to the image data, so that the foreign matter 6 is attached to the direction of the dividing line 7 and one surface of the tablet 2 facing the one surface among the plurality of tablets 2. Recognize tablet 2.

Further, the time information of the imaging is also transferred to the control unit 3 as, for example, header information of the image data.

The control unit 3 grasps the imaging time (hereinafter, actual imaging time) of the tablet 2 in the image data based on the time information transferred together with the image data. Moreover, the control part 3 calculates the imaging time (henceforth an estimated imaging time) of the said tablet 2 based on the conveyance speed which is the speed at which the tablet 2 is conveyed in a conveyance path | route. And the control part 3 determines with the imaging omission of the tablet 2 having arisen, when real imaging time and estimated imaging time differ (step S5).

For the actual imaging time, for example, if the time information includes the time when any camera has imaged the tablet 2, the imaging time included in the time information is referred to as the actual imaging time. If the time information includes the time when the image data is transferred to the control unit 3, the time obtained by subtracting a predetermined time until the created image data is transferred to the control unit 3 is obtained. Calculated as actual imaging time. Further, if the time information includes the time when the image data is received by the control unit 3, a time obtained by subtracting a predetermined time until the created image data is received by the control unit 3 is obtained. Calculated as actual imaging time.

Note that the time until the image data is transferred and the time until the image data is received may vary depending on the creation amount or creation method of the image data. If it includes the time at which the tablet 2 is imaged, it is desirable to prioritize the imaging time and refer to it as the actual imaging time.

With respect to the expected imaging time, first, the tablets 2 that are transported at a predetermined transport speed in the transport path of the tablets 2 including the transport drum 10, the transport belt 20, and the transport belt 30 reach the imaging areas of the respective cameras. The elapsed time taken until is calculated. Then, the expected imaging time is calculated by adding the elapsed time to the time at the reference position of the transport path.

Here, for example, 250 mm / s can be assumed as the conveyance speed. In addition, as a reference position for calculating the expected imaging time, for example, a position where the tablet 2 guided by the supply feeder 124 reaches the transport drum 10 can be selected.

The control unit 3 recognizes an imaging interval (hereinafter referred to as an actual imaging interval), which is a time interval in which a plurality of tablets 2 that are sequentially conveyed are imaged by one camera, based on the time information. It is also possible to grasp the actual imaging time. Furthermore, based on the transport speed of the tablets 2 in the transport path, by calculating an imaging interval (hereinafter, an expected imaging interval) that is expected as a time interval at which the plurality of tablets 2 that are sequentially transported are imaged by one camera. The relative expected imaging time may be calculated.

In the above case, the control unit 3 can determine that an imaging omission of the tablet 2 has occurred when the actual imaging interval is different from the corresponding expected imaging interval.

For example, if the time information includes an elapsed time from the reference time, the actual imaging interval is grasped based on a plurality of time information sequentially transferred from one camera according to the tablets 2 that are sequentially conveyed. . Specifically, the imaging interval between the tablets 2 that are sequentially conveyed is grasped from the difference between the elapsed times in the plurality of time information. Note that the reference time for calculating the actual imaging interval may be a common time in a plurality of pieces of time information.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example in which a plurality of time information includes an elapsed time from the reference time. As shown in FIG. 6, a plurality of corresponding time information 100 is transferred to the control unit 3 as header information of the image data 101, for example, together with the plurality of image data 101 captured by one camera.

In the case where an example is shown in FIG. 6, imaging is performed every 100 msec from the reference time to the elapsed time of 300 msec, and the actual imaging interval until the elapsed time of 300 msec is 100 msec. On the other hand, imaging is performed at intervals of 200 msec from the elapsed time of 300 msec to the elapsed time of 500 msec, and the actual imaging interval in the period is 200 msec.

In the above example, when the expected imaging interval is 100 msec, for example, no imaging omission occurs until the elapsed time 300 msec, but it can be seen that an imaging omission occurs between the elapsed time 300 msec and the elapsed time 500 msec. Specifically, since the time information of the elapsed time of 500 msec indicates the actual imaging interval that is twice the expected imaging interval, the time information just before the tablet 2 displayed in the corresponding image data (one downstream). It can be seen that imaging leakage has occurred in the tablet 2 being conveyed.

Regarding the expected imaging interval, a plurality of tablets 2 arranged at predetermined intervals in the conveyance direction (X-axis direction) of the conveyance belt in the conveyance path of the tablets 2 including the conveyance drum 10, the conveyance belt 20 and the conveyance belt 30. However, the time interval crossing the imaging area of each camera is calculated based on the conveyance speed.

Here, for example, 250 mm / s can be assumed as the conveyance speed. Moreover, as an arrangement | positioning space | interval in the conveyance direction of the tablet 2, the equal space | interval of 20 mm can be assumed, for example.

In addition, the arrangement | positioning aspect of the tablet 2 in a conveyance direction is not restricted to the case of the above equal intervals, The case where it arrange | positions at a partially different space | interval may be sufficient.

Next, the tablets 2 in 5 columns and 1 row imaged by the appearance inspection camera 51 are further transported by the transport drum 10 and reach a position in close proximity to the transport belt 20. At this time, the blowing mechanism of the transport drum 10 blows air to the five suction holes 11 in which the tablets 2 in the five rows and one row are sucked and held, thereby changing the suction state to the tablets 2 in the five rows and one row. To release.

On the other hand, a negative pressure is acting on the suction hole 21 of the holding plate 22 of the conveyor belt 20 at a position close to and opposed to the conveyor drum 10. Accordingly, the tablets 2 in the 5 columns and 1 row released from the suction state by the transport drum 10 are transferred from the suction holes 11 of the transport drum 10 to the suction holes 21 of the transport belt 20 and sucked and held.

In order to reliably deliver such a tablet 2, the control unit 3 equalizes the conveyance speed of the conveyance drum 10 and the conveyance speed of the conveyance belt 20, and the suction hole 11 and the suction hole 21 accurately face each other. In this way, control is performed to synchronize the operations of both transport units.

When the tablet 2 is delivered from the transport drum 10 to the transport belt 20, the tablet 2 moves as it is without rotating. That is, each tablet 2 is transferred from the conveyance drum 10 to the conveyance belt 20 while maintaining the direction of the dividing line 7.

Further, when the tablets 2 are transferred from the transport drum 10 to the transport belt 20, the respective tablets 2 are turned upside down. That is, the tablet 2 that has been sucked and held with the front surface on which the dividing line 7 is formed on the transport drum 10 facing outward is sucked and held in the suction hole 21 of the transport belt 20 with the back surface facing outward. On the contrary, the tablet 2 that has been sucked and held on the transport drum 10 with the back surface facing outward is sucked and held on the transport belt 20 with the front surface facing outward.

Therefore, each tablet 2 that has been transported by the transport drum 10 is turned upside down while being maintained in its direction, delivered to the transport belt 20 and transported (step S6).

Subsequently, the appearance inspection camera 52 images the plurality of tablets 2 being transported by the transport belt 20 (step S7). The conveyance belt 20 conveys the plurality of tablets 2 received by being reversed from the conveyance drum 10 by aligning them in five rows in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction. The appearance inspection camera 52 images the tablet 2 from the outside of the conveyor belt 20. Therefore, the plurality of tablets 2 imaged by the appearance inspection camera 52 also randomly include those having the front side and the back side facing the appearance inspection camera 52.

However, since each tablet 2 is reversed when the tablets 2 are delivered from the transport drum 10 to the transport belt 20, the front and back of each tablet 2 imaged by the appearance inspection camera 51 and the front and back surfaces of the corresponding tablet 2 imaged by the appearance inspection camera 52 are displayed. Is completely the opposite.

In other words, the appearance inspection camera 52 images the other surface of the plurality of tablets 2 conveyed by the conveyance belt 20. Here, “the other surface” means a surface opposite to the one surface described above, and the tablet 2 being conveyed by the conveying belt 20 regardless of whether it is the front surface or the back surface of the tablet 2. It is the surface which faces the outside of.

Since the conveyance surface of the conveyance belt 20 is substantially flat, the appearance inspection camera 52 can image the tablet 2 over a plurality of rows. However, in this embodiment, the appearance inspection camera 52 matches the imaging range of the appearance inspection camera 51. The appearance inspection camera 52 also performs imaging for each row in which five tablets are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the conveyance belt 20.

Further, the foreign substance adhering to the other surface of the plurality of tablets 2 is detected by the appearance inspection camera 52 (step S8). The appearance inspection camera 52 detects foreign matter or the like adhering to the other surface of the plurality of tablets 2 by imaging the other surface of the plurality of tablets 2 conveyed by the conveying belt 20.

Image data that is a result of imaging by the appearance inspection camera 52 is transferred to the control unit 3. The controller 3 applies predetermined image processing to the image data, so that the foreign substance 6 is attached to the direction of the dividing line 7 and the other surface of the tablet 2 facing the other surface among the plurality of tablets 2. Recognize tablet 2.

The control unit 3 grasps the actual imaging time of the tablet 2 in the image data based on the time information transferred together with the image data. Further, the control unit 3 calculates the expected imaging time of the tablet 2 based on the transport speed that is the speed at which the tablet 2 is transported in the transport path. And the control part 3 determines with the imaging omission of the tablet 2 having arisen, when real imaging time and estimated imaging time differ (step S9).

Next, the tablet 2 imaged by the appearance inspection camera 52 is further transported by the transport belt 20 and reaches a position facing the inkjet head 61. Then, the inkjet head 61 performs a printing process on the tablet 2 (step S10). Here, the control unit 3 controls the printing process by the inkjet head 61 based on the image data acquired by the appearance inspection camera 51 and the appearance inspection camera 52. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print processing result by the inkjet head 61.

As described above, the appearance inspection camera 51 images one side of the plurality of tablets 2 conveyed by the conveyance drum 10. When the tablets 2 are transferred from the transport drum 10 to the transport belt 20, the front and back of all the tablets 2 are reversed. Then, the appearance inspection camera 52 images the other surface of the plurality of tablets 2 conveyed by the conveyance belt 20.

Therefore, the front and back surfaces of all tablets 2 are imaged by the appearance inspection camera 51 and the appearance inspection camera 52, and image data is acquired. Specifically, the back surface of the tablet 2 whose surface is imaged by the appearance inspection camera 51 is imaged by the appearance inspection camera 52. Conversely, the surface of the tablet 2 whose back surface is imaged by the appearance inspection camera 51 is imaged by the appearance inspection camera 52.

The inkjet head 61 performs a printing process on the other surface of the plurality of tablets 2 conveyed by the conveyance belt 20. However, in the inkjet head 61, no foreign matter or the like is detected in both the appearance inspection process (step S4) and the appearance inspection process (step S8) among the plurality of tablets 2, and the imaging omission determination process (step S5) and The printing process is performed only on the tablets 2 that are not determined to have an imaging failure in both of the imaging leakage determination step (step S9).

Specifically, based on the image data acquired by the appearance inspection camera 51 and the appearance inspection camera 52, no foreign matter or the like is detected by the appearance inspection camera 51 and the appearance inspection camera 52 among the plurality of tablets 2, and these images are displayed. Based on the time information transferred together with the data, the printing process is performed only for the tablet 2 in which the actual imaging time matches the expected imaging time (or the actual imaging interval matches the corresponding expected imaging interval). In addition, the control unit 3 controls the inkjet head 61.

Moreover, the control part 3 makes the inkjet head 61 perform the surface printing process based on the surface printing data for the tablet 2 whose other surface is the surface among the plurality of tablets 2 conveyed by the conveying belt 20. . Here, for example, character data of “ABCD” is used as the front surface print data.

Further, the control unit 3 causes the inkjet head 61 to perform a surface printing process on the surface of the tablet 2 along a predetermined direction with respect to the secant 7 formed on the surface of the tablet 2. In the present embodiment, the inkjet head 61 performs a printing process along a direction parallel to the secant 7 on the surface of the tablet 2. Regarding the direction of the dividing line 7 in the tablet 2 whose other side is the front surface among the plurality of tablets 2 transported by the transport belt 20, the control unit 3 performs image processing on the image data acquired by the appearance inspection camera 52. Can be recognized (the direction of the dividing line 7 shown by the solid line in FIG. 7).

On the other hand, the control unit 3 performs the back surface printing process on the inkjet head 61 based on the back surface print data for the tablet 2 whose other surface is the back surface among the plurality of tablets 2 transported by the transport belt 20. Make it. Here, for example, character data “1234” is used as the back side print data.

The control unit 3 causes the inkjet head 61 to perform the back surface printing process on the back surface of the tablet 2 along the same direction as the predetermined direction with respect to the secant 7 formed on the surface of the tablet 2. In the present embodiment, the printing process is performed on the surface of the tablet 2 along a direction parallel to the secant line 7, and also on the back surface of the tablet 2 along the direction parallel to the secant line 7 on the front surface side. Then, the inkjet head 61 performs a printing process.

About the direction of the secant 7 on the front surface side of the tablet 2 whose other side is the back surface among the plurality of tablets 2 transported by the transport belt 20, the image data acquired by the appearance inspection camera 51 is controlled by performing image processing. It can be recognized by the unit 3 (the direction of the dividing line 7 indicated by the dotted line in FIG. 7).

Further, the control unit 3 performs fine adjustment (correction) of the printing position with respect to each tablet 2 by the inkjet head 61 based on the image data acquired by the appearance inspection camera 52. Since the size of the suction holes 21 of the transport belt 20 is slightly larger than the size of the tablets 2, when the tablets 2 are delivered from the transport drum 10 to the transport belt 20, the orientation of each tablet 2 is maintained, but the suction holes 21 Within a range of 21, a slight variation in position occurs.

The control unit 3 detects the displacement of the position of each tablet 2 in the suction hole 21 from the image data acquired by the appearance inspection camera 52, and performs fine adjustment of the printing position based on the detection result. In this way, the printing process for the other side of the plurality of tablets 2 is executed.

In the present embodiment, the printing process is not performed on the tablet 2 in which a foreign object or the like is detected and the tablet 2 in which imaging omission has occurred. As a result, as shown in an example in FIG. 7, a foreign substance or the like is not detected among the plurality of tablets 2 transported by the transport belt 20, no imaging omission occurs, and the tablet 2 (the other surface is the surface) ( For the tablet 2) on the right side of FIG. 7, the character string “ABCD” is printed on the surface of the tablet 2 by the inkjet head 61 along a direction parallel to the secant 7 formed on the surface.

Further, regarding the tablet 2 (tablet 2 on the left side in FIG. 7) in which foreign matter or the like is not detected from among the plurality of tablets 2 conveyed by the conveyor belt 20, no imaging leakage occurs, and the other side is the back side, A character string “1234” is printed on the back surface of the tablet 2 by the inkjet head 61 along a direction parallel to the secant 7 formed on the front surface.

Next, the tablet 2 on which the printing process has been performed on the other side is further transported by the transport belt 20 and reaches a position facing the product inspection camera 71. The product inspection camera 71 images the other surface of the plurality of tablets 2 conveyed by the conveyor belt 20 and images the result of the printing process performed on the other surface of the plurality of tablets 2 by the inkjet head 61.

The product inspection camera 71 transfers the acquired image data to the control unit 3. Based on the image data acquired by the product inspection camera 71, the control unit 3 confirms the print processing result of the inkjet head 61 on the other surface of the plurality of tablets 2 (step S11). At this time, regarding the tablet 2 on which the foreign substance 6 adheres to the other surface among the plurality of tablets 2, the adhesion of the foreign substance 6 is also detected by imaging by the product inspection camera 71.

Next, the tablet 2 in which the print processing result on the other side is inspected is further transported by the transport belt 20 and reaches a position facing the heater 76. As shown in the example in FIG. 1, the heater 76 is installed below the transport belt 20, and when the tablet 2 reaches a position facing the heater 76, the tablet 2 is moved downward by the transport belt 20. It will be held. Since the transport belt 20 sucks and holds the tablet 2 by applying a negative pressure to the suction hole 21, it is also possible to hold the tablet 2 downward.

The heater 76 blows hot air against the other surface of the plurality of tablets 2 conveyed by the conveyance belt 20 to dry the plurality of tablets 2 (step S12). By performing such a drying process, the ink ejected from the inkjet head 61 to the plurality of tablets 2 can be quickly dried to prevent bleeding.

Next, the tablets 2 in 5 columns and 1 row dried by the heater 76 are further transported by the transport belt 20 and reach a position in close proximity to the transport belt 30. At this time, the blow mechanism of the conveyor belt 20 blows air to the five suction holes 21 in which the tablets 2 in the five rows and one row are held by suction, thereby releasing the suction state for the tablets 2 in the five rows and one row. To do. On the other hand, a negative pressure is applied to the suction hole of the conveyor belt 30 at a position close to and opposed to the conveyor belt 20. Accordingly, the tablets 2 in 5 columns and 1 row released from the suction state by the transport belt 20 are transferred from the suction holes 21 of the transport belt 20 to the suction holes of the transport belt 30 and sucked and held. In order to reliably deliver such a tablet 2, the control unit 3 equalizes the conveyance speed of the conveyance belt 20 and the conveyance speed of the conveyance belt 30 and makes the suction holes of both conveyance belts accurately face each other. The control of synchronizing the operations of both conveying belts is performed.

When the tablet 2 is delivered from the conveyor belt 20 to the conveyor belt 30, the tablet 2 moves as it is without rotating. That is, each tablet 2 is transferred from the conveyor belt 20 to the conveyor belt 30 while maintaining the direction of the dividing line 7.

In addition, when the tablets 2 are transferred from the transport belt 20 to the transport belt 30, each tablet 2 is reversed. In other words, the tablet 2 that has been sucked and held with the front surface on which the dividing line 7 is formed on the transport belt 20 facing the outside is sucked and held on the transport belt 30 with the back surface facing the outside. On the other hand, the tablet 2 that has been sucked and held on the transport belt 20 with the back surface facing outward is sucked and held on the transport belt 30 with the front surface facing outward. Therefore, each tablet 2 transported by the transport belt 20 is turned upside down while being maintained in its direction, transferred to the transport belt 30 and transported (step S13).

Subsequently, the appearance inspection camera 53 images the plurality of tablets 2 being transported by the transport belt 30 (step S14). The conveyance belt 30 conveys the plurality of tablets 2 received by being reversed from the conveyance belt 20 in five rows in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction. The appearance inspection camera 53 images the tablet 2 from the outside of the conveyance belt 30. Therefore, the front and back of each tablet 2 imaged by the appearance inspection camera 53 is completely opposite to the front and back of the corresponding tablet 2 imaged by the appearance inspection camera 52, while the corresponding tablet 2 imaged by the appearance inspection camera 51. It completely matches the front and back. That is, the appearance inspection camera 53 images one side of the plurality of tablets 2 conveyed by the conveyance belt 30, as with the appearance inspection camera 51.

Since the conveyance surface of the conveyance belt 30 is substantially flat, the appearance inspection camera 53 can image the tablets 2 over a plurality of rows. However, in this embodiment, the appearance inspection camera 53 matches the imaging range of the appearance inspection camera 51. The appearance inspection camera 53 also performs imaging for each row in which five tablets are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the conveyance belt 30.

Imaging by the appearance inspection camera 53 is performed in order to detect variations in the positions of the plurality of tablets 2 sucked and held by the transport belt 30. The control unit 3 detects a shift in the position of each tablet 2 in the suction hole of the transport belt 30 from the image data acquired by the appearance inspection camera 53.

Here, the control unit 3 uses the image data captured by the appearance inspection camera 53 and the time information transferred to the control unit 3 together with the image data, and the appearance inspection as in step S4 and step S8, You may perform imaging omission determination like in step S5 and step S9.

Next, the tablet 2 imaged by the appearance inspection camera 53 is further transported by the transport belt 30 and reaches a position facing the inkjet head 62. Then, the inkjet head 62 performs a printing process on the tablet 2 (step S15). Here, the control unit 3 controls the printing process by the inkjet head 62 mainly based on the image data acquired by the appearance inspection camera 51 and the appearance inspection camera 52. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print processing result by the inkjet head 62.

The inkjet head 62 performs a printing process on one surface of the plurality of tablets 2 conveyed by the conveyance belt 30. However, as with the inkjet head 61, the inkjet head 62 has no foreign matter detected in both the appearance inspection process (step S4) and the appearance inspection process (step S8) of the plurality of tablets 2, and the imaging omission Printing processing is performed only on the tablets 2 that are not determined to have an imaging omission in both the determination step (step S5) and the imaging omission determination step (step S9).

Specifically, based on image data acquired mainly by the appearance inspection camera 51 and the appearance inspection camera 52, no foreign matter or the like is detected by the appearance inspection camera 51 and the appearance inspection camera 52 among the plurality of tablets 2, and Based on all the time information transferred together with the image data from the appearance inspection camera 51, the appearance inspection camera 52, and the appearance inspection camera 53, the actual imaging time matches the expected imaging time (or corresponds to the actual imaging interval). The control unit 3 controls the inkjet head 62 so that the printing process is performed only on the tablet 2 (which matches the expected imaging interval).

In addition, the control unit 3 causes the inkjet head 62 to perform the surface printing process on the tablet 2 having one surface of the plurality of tablets 2 conveyed by the conveyance belt 30 based on the surface printing data. . Here, the front-side print data is “ABCD” character data similar to the above.

Furthermore, the control unit 3 causes the inkjet head 62 to perform a surface printing process on the surface along the predetermined direction with respect to the secant 7 formed on the surface of the tablet 2. In the present embodiment, the inkjet head 62 performs a printing process along a direction parallel to the secant 7 on the surface of the tablet 2. Regarding the direction of the dividing line 7 in the tablet 2 whose one surface is the front surface among the plurality of tablets 2 conveyed by the conveyance belt 30, the control unit 3 performs image processing on the image data acquired by the appearance inspection camera 51. Can be recognized (the direction of the dividing line 7 shown by the solid line in FIG. 8).

On the other hand, the control unit 3 performs the back surface printing process on the inkjet head 62 based on the back surface print data for the tablet 2 whose one surface is the back surface among the plurality of tablets 2 transported by the transport belt 30. Make it. Here, the back side print data is character data “1234” similar to the above.

The control unit 3 causes the inkjet head 62 to perform the back surface printing process on the back surface of the tablet 2 along the same direction as the predetermined direction with respect to the secant 7 formed on the surface of the tablet 2. In the present embodiment, the printing process is performed on the surface of the tablet 2 along a direction parallel to the secant line 7, and also on the back surface of the tablet 2 along the direction parallel to the secant line 7 on the front surface side. Then, the inkjet head 62 performs a printing process.

The direction of the secant 7 on the front surface side of the tablet 2 whose one surface is the back surface among the plurality of tablets 2 transported by the transport belt 30 is controlled by performing image processing on the image data acquired by the appearance inspection camera 52. It can be recognized by the unit 3 (the direction of the dividing line 7 indicated by the dotted line in FIG. 8).

Further, the control unit 3 performs fine adjustment (correction) of the printing position with respect to each tablet 2 by the ink jet head 62 based on the image data acquired by the appearance inspection camera 53. As described above, when the tablets 2 are transferred from the conveyor belt 20 to the conveyor belt 30, the directivity of each tablet 2 is maintained, but there is some variation in the position of the suction holes.

The control unit 3 detects the position shift of each tablet 2 in the suction hole of the conveyance belt 30 from the image data acquired by the appearance inspection camera 53, and performs fine adjustment of the printing position based on the detection result. In this way, the printing process for one surface of the plurality of tablets 2 is executed.

In the present embodiment, the printing process is not performed on the tablet 2 in which a foreign object or the like is detected and the tablet 2 in which imaging omission has occurred. As a result, as shown in FIG. 8, a foreign substance or the like is not detected among the plurality of tablets 2 transported by the transport belt 30, the imaging leakage does not occur, and the tablets 2 ( For the tablet 2) on the left side of FIG. 8, the character string “ABCD” is printed on the surface of the tablet 2 by the inkjet head 62 along a direction parallel to the secant 7 formed on the surface.

Further, regarding the tablet 2 (tablet 2 on the right side in FIG. 8) in which foreign matter or the like is not detected among the plurality of tablets 2 transported by the transport belt 30, imaging omission does not occur, and one surface is the back surface, A character string “1234” is printed on the back surface of the tablet 2 by the inkjet head 62 along a direction parallel to the secant 7 formed on the front surface.

Next, the tablet 2 subjected to the printing process on one side is further transported by the transport belt 30 and reaches a position facing the product inspection camera 72. The product inspection camera 72 images one side of the plurality of tablets 2 conveyed by the conveyance belt 30 and images the result of the printing process on one side of the plurality of tablets 2 by the inkjet head 62.

The product inspection camera 72 transfers the acquired image data to the control unit 3. Based on the image data acquired by the product inspection camera 72, the control unit 3 confirms the print processing result of the inkjet head 62 on one surface of the plurality of tablets 2 (step S16). At this time, with respect to the tablet 2 having a foreign substance attached to one surface among the plurality of tablets 2, the adhesion of the foreign substance is also detected by imaging by the product inspection camera 72.

The control unit 3 grasps the actual imaging time of the tablet 2 in the image data based on the time information transferred together with the image data. Further, the control unit 3 calculates the expected imaging time of the tablet 2 based on the transport speed that is the speed at which the tablet 2 is transported in the transport path. And the control part 3 determines with the imaging omission of the tablet 2 having arisen, when real imaging time and estimated imaging time differ (step S17).

Subsequently, the tablet 2 in which the print processing result on one side is inspected is further transported by the transport belt 30 and reaches a position facing the heater 77. The heater 77 blows hot air on one surface of the plurality of tablets 2 conveyed by the conveyance belt 30 to dry the plurality of tablets 2 (step S18). By performing such a drying process, the ink ejected from the inkjet head 62 to the plurality of tablets 2 can be quickly dried to prevent bleeding.

Finally, the sorting process is performed on the tablets 2 that have been inspected on both sides (step S19). Specifically, the following processing is performed by operating the blow mechanism under the control of the control unit 3.

The tablet 2 that has no problem in the results of the printing process on both the front and back surfaces in step S11 and step S16 and that does not cause imaging omission, that is, the non-defective tablet 2, is introduced into the non-defective duct 48 by air blowing from the blow mechanism. The The tablet 2 discharged into the non-defective duct 48 is collected in the non-defective product collection box 58.

On the other hand, the tablet 2 having a problem in the result of the printing process on either of the front and back sides, that is, the defective tablet 2 is put into the defective print duct 46 by air blowing from the blow mechanism. The tablet 2 discharged to the defective print duct 46 is collected in the defective print box 56.

Further, among the plurality of tablets 2, the tablets 2 in which foreign matter or the like is detected by the appearance inspection camera 51 or the appearance inspection camera 52, that is, the tablets 2 that have not been subjected to the printing process, are defective in appearance due to air blowing from the blow mechanism. It is thrown into the duct 47. The tablet 2 discharged to the defective appearance duct 47 is collected in the defective appearance box 57. As described above, the tablet 2 in which a defect or the like is detected can be collected in the defective appearance product box 57 separately from the tablet 2 in which the printing process is performed without detecting the defect or the like.

Further, among the plurality of tablets 2, the tablet 2 in which imaging leakage has occurred in the appearance inspection camera 51, the appearance inspection camera 52, the appearance inspection camera 53, the product inspection camera 71, or the product inspection camera 72 is caused by air blowing from the blow mechanism. It is thrown into the imaging leak duct 49. The tablet 2 discharged to the imaging leak duct 49 is collected in the imaging leak box 59. As described above, the tablet 2 in which the imaging omission has occurred can be collected in the imaging omission box 59 separately from the tablet 2 on which the printing process has been performed without detecting foreign matter or the like.

Note that the tablet 2 collected in the imaging leakage box 59 may be reintroduced to the upstream side in the transport path of the tablet 2. Specifically, it is desirable to input from a position upstream from the position of the camera where the imaging omission has occurred. For example, if there is an imaging omission in the product inspection camera 71, the tablet 2 in which the imaging omission has occurred is inserted not from the hopper 8 but from the inkjet head 62 and upstream from the product inspection camera 71. May be. The closing operation may be performed by operating a driving arm (not shown) under the control of the control unit 3.

In the tablet printing apparatus according to the present embodiment, the control unit 3 identifies the tablet 2 in which the imaging omission has occurred in real time by using the time information transferred together with the image data from each camera. For this reason, the subsequent processing is promptly and efficiently performed until the tablet 2 in which the imaging omission has occurred is subjected to the printing process in the subsequent transport path, the type of the box to be collected, and the re-injection of the tablet 2 into the transport path. Can be done.

And the subject 2 in which imaging omission has passed passes various inspections, or the tablet 2 with which imaging omission is suspected also including the tablet 2 which does not have a problem in various inspections with the imaging omission having occurred. It is possible to prevent a large amount from being discarded.

In the present embodiment, the tablet 2 in which the imaging omission has occurred is separately collected in the imaging omission box 59. However, the present invention is not limited to such a sorting method. It may be regarded as a defective product and collected in a defective print product box 56.

As described above, the printing process on the tablet 2 in the tablet printing apparatus 1 is completed.

<About the effects produced by the embodiment described above>
Next, effects produced by the embodiment described above will be exemplified. In the following description, the effect is described based on the specific configuration exemplified in the above-described embodiment, but is exemplified in the present specification within a range in which the same effect occurs. Other specific configurations may be substituted.

According to the embodiment described above, the determination device includes the transport unit, the imaging unit, and the determination unit. Here, the transport unit includes, for example, the transport drum 10, the transport belt 20, and the transport belt 30. The imaging unit corresponds to, for example, at least one of the appearance inspection camera 51, the appearance inspection camera 52, the appearance inspection camera 53, the product inspection camera 71, and the product inspection camera 72. The determination unit is included in the control unit 3, for example. The transport unit transports at least one object. Here, the object corresponds to the tablet 2, for example. The imaging unit images the tablet 2 conveyed by the conveyance unit in the conveyance path of the tablet 2. Then, the imaging unit creates image data of the tablet 2. Furthermore, the imaging unit transfers image data. The control unit 3 determines that an imaging omission of the tablet 2 has occurred based on the received image data. The image data is transferred to the control unit 3 together with time information that is information related to the imaging time of the tablet 2. The control unit 3 is the first imaging time that is calculated from the first imaging time that is the imaging time of the tablet 2 obtained from the time information and the transport speed that is the speed at which the tablet 2 is transported in the transport path. When the imaging time of 2 is different, it is determined that the imaging failure of the tablet 2 has occurred.

According to such a configuration, by comparing the actual imaging time of the tablet 2 obtained from the time information transferred together with the image data and the expected imaging time of the tablet 2 calculated in advance from the conveyance speed, an imaging omission is detected. The resulting tablet 2 can be identified in real time. Therefore, the subsequent processing is promptly and efficiently performed until the tablet 2 in which the imaging omission has occurred is subjected to the printing process in the subsequent transport path, the type of the box to be collected, and the re-injection of the tablet 2 into the transport path. Can be done. And the subject 2 in which imaging omission occurred passes various inspections, and the tablet 2 with which imaging omission is suspected including the tablet 2 which does not have a problem in various inspections with the imaging omission having occurred. It is possible to prevent a large amount from being discarded.

It should be noted that other configurations exemplified in the present specification other than these configurations can be omitted as appropriate. That is, if at least these configurations are provided, the effects described above can be produced.

However, when at least one of the other configurations exemplified in the present specification is appropriately added to the above-described configuration, that is, in the present specification that has not been referred to as the above-described configuration. Even when other exemplified configurations are appropriately added, similar effects can be produced.

Further, according to the embodiment described above, the time information includes information indicating the time when the image data is transferred after the imaging unit images the tablet 2. According to such a configuration, even when the imaging time itself of the tablet 2 is unknown, it is possible to determine whether an imaging failure has occurred based on the time when the image data is transferred to the control unit 3.

Further, according to the embodiment described above, the time information includes information indicating the time when the control unit 3 receives the image data. According to such a configuration, even when the imaging time itself of the tablet 2 is unknown, it can be determined whether or not an imaging failure has occurred based on the time when the control unit 3 received the image data.

Further, according to the embodiment described above, the imaging unit sequentially creates a plurality of image data by sequentially imaging the plurality of tablets 2 conveyed by the conveyance unit in the conveyance path, and further, the plurality of images. Transfer data sequentially. The control unit 3 then calculates the plurality of tablets 2 calculated from the first imaging interval that is the imaging interval between the plurality of tablets 2 obtained from the plurality of time information, the conveyance speed, and the arrangement interval of the plurality of tablets 2. When the second imaging interval, which is the imaging interval between, is different, it is determined that an imaging omission of the corresponding tablet 2 has occurred. According to such a configuration, even when the imaging time itself of the tablet 2 is unknown, whether or not an imaging failure has occurred based on the time interval at which the plurality of tablets 2 that are sequentially conveyed are imaged by one camera. Can be determined.

In addition, according to the embodiment described above, the sorting unit that sorts the tablet 2 in which the imaging omission occurs based on the determination result of the control unit 3 is provided. Here, the selection unit is included in the control unit 3, for example. According to such a configuration, the tablet 2 in which imaging omission has occurred can be collected separately from the non-defective tablet 2. Therefore, even when the tablet 2 in which imaging omission has occurred is reintroduced into the transport path, the processing can be performed efficiently.

In addition, according to the embodiment described above, the control unit 3 returns the tablet 2 determined to have an imaging omission to a position upstream of the imaging unit in the transport path. According to such a configuration, the appearance inspection or the product inspection can be appropriately performed by imaging again the tablet 2 in which the imaging omission has occurred with the corresponding camera.

In addition, according to the embodiment described above, the above-described determination device and the printing unit that performs printing on the tablet for which the presence or absence of imaging omission is determined by the determination device are provided. Here, the printing unit corresponds to at least one of the inkjet head 61 and the inkjet head 62, for example. According to such a configuration, since the tablet 2 to be printed is selected based on the presence or absence of imaging omission, the tablet 2 in which imaging omission has occurred is collected as a non-defective product by checking the print processing result together. This can be prevented.

In addition, according to the embodiment described above, printing is performed only on the tablets that are determined to have no imaging omission. According to such a configuration, since printing is performed only on the tablet 2 in which the imaging omission has not occurred, it is possible to improve the printing efficiency while preventing the tablet 2 in which the imaging omission has occurred from being collected as a non-defective product. it can.

<Modifications in Embodiments Described above>
Although the embodiments have been described above, the present invention can be modified in various ways other than those described above without departing from the gist thereof. For example, in the above embodiment, the printing process is performed on both the front and back surfaces of the tablet 2, but the printing process may be performed only on either the front surface or the back surface.

Also, when the secant 7 is not provided on the tablet 2, that is, when the printing process is performed on the tablet 2 with no distinction between the front and the back, the technology relating to the present embodiment can be applied. In this case, as long as printing is possible only on one side of the tablet 2, printing may be performed by only one of the inkjet head 61 and the inkjet head 62.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the printing process is performed by an ink jet method that discharges ink droplets, but the printing process method is not limited to this, and intaglio printing including letterpress printing and gravure printing, Alternatively, laser printing or the like may be used.

Further, the shape of the tablet 2 is not limited to the disk shape, and may be another shape such as a substantially elliptical shape or a rod shape. In this case, the suction hole of each transport unit is in accordance with the shape of the tablet 2.

Moreover, in the said embodiment, although it was made to convey the tablet 2 by the unit of 5 columns 1 line, it is not limited to this, You may make it convey the tablet 2 by 1 row, You may make it convey the tablet 2 by two or more rows.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Tablet printer 2 Tablet 3 Control part 5 Housing | casing 6 Foreign material 7 Split line 8 Hopper 10 Conveying

drum

10A,

10B Pulley

11,21

Adsorption hole

20,30 Conveying belt 22 Holding plate 46 Print defective product duct 47 Appearance defective product duct 48 Good product Duct 49

Imaging leak duct

51, 52, 53 Appearance inspection camera 56 Print defective product box 57 Appearance defective product box 58 Non-defective product collection box 59

Imaging leak box

61, 62

Inkjet head

71, 72

Product inspection camera

76, 77

Heater

83, 84 Cleaning Mechanism 100 Time information 101 Image data 122 Linear feeder 123 Rotary feeder 124 Supply feeder

Claims

A transport unit for transporting at least one object;
An imaging unit that images the object conveyed by the conveyance unit in the conveyance path of the object to create image data of the object, and further transfers the image data;
A determination unit that determines that an imaging omission of the object has occurred based on the received image data;
The image data is transferred to the determination unit together with time information that is information related to the imaging time of the object,
The determination unit includes: a first imaging time that is an imaging time of the object obtained from the time information; and a target of the target that is calculated from a transport speed that is a speed at which the target is transported in the transport path. When the second imaging time, which is the imaging time, is different, it is determined that imaging omission of the object has occurred,
Judgment device.
The time information includes information indicating a time at which the created image data is transferred after the imaging unit images the object.
The determination apparatus according to claim 1.
The time information includes information indicating a time when the determination unit receives the image data.
The determination apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.
The imaging unit sequentially creates a plurality of the image data by sequentially imaging the plurality of objects conveyed by the conveyance unit in the conveyance path, and further sequentially transfers the plurality of the image data,
The determination unit calculates a plurality of values calculated from a first imaging interval that is an imaging interval between the plurality of objects obtained from a plurality of the time information, the conveyance speed, and an arrangement interval of the plurality of objects. When a second imaging interval that is an imaging interval between the objects is different, it is determined that imaging omission of the corresponding object has occurred.
The determination apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
Based on the determination result of the determination unit, further comprising a selection unit for selecting the object in which imaging omission has occurred,
The determination apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
The sorting unit returns the object that has been determined that imaging leakage has occurred to a position upstream of the imaging unit in the transport path.
The determination apparatus according to claim 5.
The determination device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
A printing unit that performs printing on a tablet for which the presence or absence of imaging omission has been determined by the determination device,
Tablet printing device.
The printing unit performs printing only on the tablet determined by the determination device that no imaging omission occurs.
The tablet printing apparatus according to claim 7.
Conveying at least one object;
Imaging the object to be conveyed in the conveyance path of the object to create image data of the object, and further transferring the image data;
A step of determining that an imaging omission of the object has occurred based on the received image data,
The image data is transferred together with time information that is information related to the imaging time of the object,
The step of determining that the imaging omission of the object has occurred is based on a first imaging time that is an imaging time of the object obtained from the time information, and a speed at which the object is conveyed on the conveyance path. When the second imaging time that is the imaging time of the object calculated from a certain conveyance speed is different, it is a step of determining that an imaging omission of the object has occurred.
Judgment method.
Comprising the step of printing on a tablet for which the presence or absence of imaging omission has been determined by the determination method according to claim 9.
Tablet printing method.
Printing is performed only on the tablets that are determined to have no imaging omission by the determination method.
The tablet printing method according to claim 10.