JP5358073B2 - Package inspection system and inspection method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an inspection system and method for a single-dose package sheet capable of accurately detecting the positional displacement of the contents. <P>SOLUTION: This inspection system for the single-dose package sheet comprises a light source capable of irradiating the outer surface of the single-dose package sheet with irradiation light, an imaging means 4 for receiving the reflected light obtained by reflection of the irradiation light radiated from the light source by the outer surface of the single-dose package sheet and generating a video signal, a seal length measurement device 6 for emphasizing a sealing section by applying edge emphasis processing to the video signal output from the imaging means 4 and measuring the seal length of the distance from the outer end of the single-dose package sheet to the boundary between a pocket section and the sealing section in the emphasized sealing section, an X-ray source 7 capable of radiating X-rays to be radiated to the single-dose package sheet, an X-ray detector 8 for detecting the X-ray transmission amount accompanying the X-ray radiation, and a determining means 9 for inputting information on the seal length, setting an inspection region appropriate to the position of the pocket section, and inspecting the contents in the inspection region based on the X-ray transmission amount detected by the X-ray detector 8. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an inspection system and an inspection method for a wrapping sheet in which contents such as tablets and capsules used in medicines, foods, etc. are accommodated in a pocket portion, and more specifically, misalignment of contents in a pocket. The present invention relates to a packaging sheet inspection system and an inspection method that can detect and detect defective products such as sheet breakage due to positional deviation.

In recent years, there are various forms of contents such as tablets, capsules, gummies, and chips, mainly in the pharmaceutical and food fields, so that dosage forms can be selected according to the chewing form and taste of users such as the elderly and children. . At the same time, packaging sheet packaging that is excellent in portability, individually sealed contents, and can be used in the necessary amount when necessary is widely used as a packaging form that is safe and excellent in the stability of the contents.
As the wrapping sheet, an aluminum sheet, an opaque film-like resin sheet or the like is generally used, and as shown in FIG. 11A, these are overlapped to form a plurality of pocket portions P for containing the contents R, ... and a seal part Q formed by adhering the periphery of each of the pocket parts P, ... is formed. And the perforation M, ... which divides each pocket part P, ... is put, and the packaging sheet S is freely divided and separated while the contents R are packaged in each pocket part P, ... be able to.

For the production of the packing sheet, a packing sheet manufacturing apparatus (filling machine) 100 as shown in FIG. 11B is used. The packaging sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 includes an inserter 101 for inserting the contents R, adhesive rollers 102 and 102 that are dually disposed below the inserter 101, and a plurality of guide rollers 103 that are arranged outside the adhesive rollers 102 and 102. , Tension detectors 104, 104 positioned between the guide rollers 103,... And sheet rolls 105, 105 that are dual below the guide rollers 103,.
The front sheet E is wound on one side of the dual sheet rolls 105 and 105, and the back sheet F is wound on the other side. The sheets E and F are pulled out through the guide rollers 103,. While controlling the tensions of E and F, the sheets E and F are overlapped at the center of the dual adhesive rollers 102 and 102, and proceed downward.
At this time, the lower portion and both side portions of the two overlapped sheets E and F are bonded by heat and / or pressure using the bonding rollers 102 and 102 to form the pocket portion P for storing the contents R. Two sheets D are formed. Then, a predetermined amount of the content R is dropped from the insertion device 101 into the pocket portion P, the content R is accommodated in a predetermined position of the pocket portion P, and the upper portion of the pocket portion P is heated and heated using the adhesive rollers 102 and 102. Or it adheres by pressure. By repeating such an operation, the contents R can be accommodated while forming a pocket portion P continuous with the sheet D. Further, by inserting perforations M,... For dividing each pocket portion P,... In this continuous sheet D and dividing the sheet D by a predetermined length so as to have a predetermined number of pocket portions, FIG. The packaging sheet S as shown in FIG.

  However, the wrapping sheet manufactured in this way has not only sheet defects such as scratches and wrinkles on the sheet, but also cracks and chips in the contents, mixing of chips, positional misalignment in the pocket, and sheet tearing due to misalignment. In some cases, a defect due to the contents may occur, and it is necessary to detect such a defect by an apparatus capable of inspecting the contents in the pocket and remove the defective product.

When inspecting a packaging sheet, generally, the packaging sheet is sequentially imaged while being conveyed by a conveyor or the like, and the quality of the packaging sheet is inspected from the captured image.
For example, Patent Document 1 describes a tablet inspection apparatus that irradiates a tablet package with transmission rays (X-rays) to determine the number of tablets packaged in the tablet package and collates with prescription data.
Patent Document 2 describes an inspection method for determining the presence or absence of a sealing error of a package based on video information obtained by irradiating the soft seal with a super soft X-ray.
Patent Document 3 discloses an X-ray inspection apparatus for inspecting the presence or absence of a content shortage by superimposing a substantially leading end position of the content and a shortage detection mask area on the basis of an X-ray transmission image of the content. Is described.
Further, in Patent Document 4, the position of the pocket portion is detected by determining, from the image of the packaging sheet imaged by the CCD camera, the region where the intensity changes at a predetermined cycle based on the unevenness of the seal portion as the seal portion. A wrapping sheet inspection method and apparatus is described.
JP 2000-135268 A JP-A-8-85522 Japanese Patent No. 3860144 JP 2003-291929 A

However, in the apparatuses described in Patent Documents 1 to 3, even if the content can be imaged by irradiating the wrapping sheet with X-rays or the like, the boundary between the pocket portion and the seal portion is not reflected. The position of is not known. On the other hand, in the apparatus described in Patent Document 4, even if the appearance of the packaging sheet can be imaged and the seal portion can be recognized, the contents cannot be imaged because the contents cannot be imaged.
However, during the production of the wrapping sheet, the force of pulling the sheet by the roller slightly fluctuates, and the sealing length L of the wrapping sheet also fluctuates due to fluctuations in the sheet cutting timing. In the apparatus, various inspections of the contents have been performed without accurately matching the positions of the inspection area and the pocket portion.

As a result, misjudgment that determines a non-defective product as a defective product occurs, many defective discharges occur due to false detection of non-defective products, and it is necessary to manually re-inspect the packaging sheet determined to be defective. There wasn't.
In particular, with regard to defects caused by misalignment of the contents that occur when the contents are inserted by natural fall, the pockets are round and the pockets are large. However, in recent years there has been a tendency to make the pocket shape square and the pocket size smaller due to improved production technology and cost reduction. Defects such as tearing, biting and crushing are becoming serious.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and by accurately inspecting the contents by matching the pocket portion and the inspection area, the positional deviation in the pocket of the contents is detected with high accuracy, Detects defective products such as sheet breaks due to misalignment, and does not cause misjudgment that determines non-defective products as defective products. It is an object to provide an inspection system and an inspection method.

  As a result of intensive studies to achieve the above object, the present inventors have found that the seal length can be detected by applying an edge enhancement process to an image obtained by imaging the packaging sheet. Furthermore, we developed an inspection system that integrates the seal length inspection device and the X-ray inspection device over a network, and based on the seal length detected by the seal length inspection device, the position of the pocket part and the inspection area in the X-ray inspection device are adapted. By inspecting the contents, it is possible to detect the misalignment of the contents in the pocket with high accuracy, detect defective products such as sheet breaks that accompany the misalignment, and greatly improve non-defective product misdetection. The present invention was completed. That is, the present invention adopts the following configuration.

(1) In the packaging sheet inspection system of the present invention, two aluminum sheets are overlapped to open a pocket part that partially contains contents in the overlapped part, and a seal part surrounding the pocket part is formed. A system for inspecting a packaging sheet obtained by dividing an aluminum sheet by a predetermined length so as to have a predetermined number of pockets and forming outer ends by the division at both ends of the aluminum sheet, A light source capable of irradiating illumination light that illuminates the outer surface of the packaging sheet conveyed with one outer end on the front side and the other outer end on the rear side, and the illumination light emitted from the light source Imaging means for generating a video signal by receiving reflected light reflected from the outer surface of the seal portion and the pocket portion of the packaging sheet, and performing edge enhancement processing on the video signal output from the imaging means The sea As well as emphasizing the Le part, measures in the pocket portion and the highlighted the sealing portion is contrasted thereto, the distance from the outer end of the packing sheet to a boundary between the sealing portion and the pocket portion as the seal length A seal length measuring device; an X-ray source capable of irradiating X-rays to be applied to the packaging sheet on the conveyor; an X-ray detector for detecting an X-ray transmission amount associated with the X-ray irradiation; and the seal length And determining means for inspecting the contents in the inspection region based on the amount of X-ray transmission detected by the X-ray detector. Provided, the seal length measuring device performs a projection process of illumination light by setting a seal length inspection area including an area from the inside to the outside of the pocket portion on an outer edge portion including an outer end of the packaging sheet, Contents And having a function of measuring the rise of the projection data with a brightness of the reflected light which is produced by aluminum sheets of the pocket portion that volumes of width to the fall as the seal length.
(2) In the packaging sheet inspection system of the present invention, the determination unit measures the distance between the center of gravity of the content in the X-ray transmission image and the center of the inspection region, and the position of the content in the pocket portion A deviation is detected, and a non-defective product or a defective product is determined according to the degree of positional deviation.
(3) In the packaging sheet inspection system according to the present invention, the determination unit provides measurement target dots in a horizontal stripe shape in the inspection region, totals the number of dots having brightness equal to or higher than a threshold value, and compares the result with an upper limit value. It is characterized by detecting cracks and chips in the contents.
(4) The method for inspecting a wrapping sheet according to the present invention forms a seal portion that surrounds the pocket portion by opening two pockets containing two aluminum sheets and partially containing the contents in the overlapped portion. A method for inspecting a packaging sheet obtained by dividing an aluminum sheet by a predetermined length so as to have a predetermined number of pockets and forming outer ends by the separation at both ends of the aluminum sheet, Illumination light is irradiated on the outer surface of the sheet, the reflected light reflected by the outer surface of the packaging sheet is received by the imaging means to generate a video signal, and edge enhancement processing is performed on the obtained video signal wherein with emphasizing the sealing portion, in the pocket portion and the highlighted the seal portion is contrasted thereto, the seal length distance to a boundary between the sealing portion and the pocket portion from the outer end of said packing sheet by Measure and irradiate the packaging sheet with X-rays, detect the amount of X-ray transmission associated with this X-ray irradiation, and set the inspection area that matches the position of the pocket based on the information on the seal length Then, based on the detected X-ray transmission amount, the contents in the inspection area are inspected, and a seal length inspection comprising an area including the outside from the inside of the pocket portion on the outer edge of the packaging sheet The projection processing of illumination light is performed by setting an area, and the width from the rise to the fall of projection data accompanied by the brightness of reflected light generated by the aluminum sheet in the pocket portion containing the contents is measured as the seal length. Features.
(5) In the packaging sheet inspection method of the present invention, the distance between the center of gravity of the content in the X-ray transmission image and the center of the content inspection region is measured, and the positional deviation of the content in the pocket portion is detected. In addition, the non-defective product or the defective product is determined according to the degree of positional deviation.
(6) In the packaging sheet inspection method of the present invention, the measurement target dots are provided in a horizontal stripe shape in the inspection region, the number of dots having brightness greater than or equal to the threshold value is totalized, and compared with the upper limit value. It is characterized by detecting cracks and chips.

According to the packaging sheet inspection system of the present invention, illumination capable of irradiating irradiation light that irradiates the outer surface of the packaging sheet, and illumination light irradiated from the illumination is reflected by the outer surface of the packaging sheet. An imaging unit that receives a reflected light to generate a video signal, and edge enhancement processing is performed on the video signal output from the imaging unit to emphasize the seal portion. A seal length measuring device that measures the distance from the outer edge of the packaging sheet to the boundary between the pocket portion and the seal portion as a seal length, and an X-ray source capable of irradiating the packaging sheet with X-rays, An X-ray detector that detects the amount of X-ray transmission associated with the X-ray irradiation, and an inspection area that matches the position of the pocket portion by inputting the seal length, and is detected by the X-ray detector. X-ray transmission Based on the above, the determination means for inspecting the contents in the inspection area can be performed in conjunction with the detection of the seal length by optical inspection and the inspection of the contents by X-ray inspection. The inspection area can be set according to the seal length of the package sheet, and the inspection can be determined. Therefore, it is not necessary to consider the seal length error when setting the inspection area, and the inspection area can be set wider than before, and various inspections of the contents can be performed with high accuracy.
In particular, when inspecting a packaging sheet obtained by storing the contents in a pocket portion surrounded by a portion that is formed by stacking two aluminum sheets and forming an outer end by dividing the aluminum sheet, seal The length measuring device sets the seal length inspection area consisting of the area from the inside to the outside of the pocket portion and performs the projection process of the illumination light, accompanied by the brightness of the reflected light generated by the aluminum sheet of the pocket portion containing the contents Since the width from the rising edge to the falling edge of the projection data is measured as the seal length, the boundary between the pocket portion and the seal portion can be easily emphasized, and the seal length can be accurately detected.

  Further, according to the packaging sheet inspection system of the present invention, the determination unit measures the distance between the center of gravity of the content in the X-ray transmission image and the center of the inspection region, and the content of the content in the pocket portion is measured. By detecting the positional deviation, it is possible to detect a defect caused by the degree of the positional deviation, and it is possible to detect a defective product in which a crack in the sheet or a relief of the contents may occur.

Further, Oite the packing sheet inspection system of the present invention, the determining means, the target object dot in the inspection area in the horizontal stripes, aggregates the number of dots having more brightness threshold, the upper limit value comparison By doing so, it is possible to detect cracks and chips in the contents.

According to the packing sheet testing method of the present invention, illumination light is irradiated on the outer surface of the packing sheet, the video signal of the illumination light is reflected light reflected by the outer surface of the packing sheet is received by the image pickup means And generating an edge enhancement process on the obtained video signal to emphasize the seal portion, and in the emphasized seal portion, between the pocket portion and the seal portion from the outer end of the packaging sheet. The distance to the boundary is measured as the seal length, the packaging sheet is irradiated with X-rays, the amount of X-ray transmission associated with the X-ray irradiation is detected, and the position of the pocket portion is determined based on the information on the seal length. A suitable inspection area is set, and the contents in the inspection area are inspected based on the detected X-ray transmission amount, thereby detecting the seal length by optical inspection and inspecting the contents by X-ray inspection. In conjunction with Ukoto can, by setting the inspection area to fit the sealing length of each separate package sheet, it is possible to determine the test. Therefore, it is not necessary to consider the seal length error when setting the inspection area, and the inspection area can be set wider than before, and various inspections of the contents can be performed with high accuracy.
In particular, when inspecting a packaging sheet obtained by storing the contents in a pocket portion surrounded by a portion that is made by stacking two aluminum sheets to form a seal portion, and dividing the aluminum sheet to form an outer end, the pocket Set the seal length inspection area consisting of the area from the inside to the outside of the part and perform the projection process of the illumination light, rising from the rise of the projection data accompanied by the brightness of the reflected light generated by the aluminum sheet of the pocket part containing the contents Since the width to the down is measured as the seal length, the boundary between the pocket portion and the seal portion can be easily emphasized, and the seal length can be accurately detected.

  Further, according to the packaging sheet inspection method of the present invention, the distance between the center of gravity of the content in the X-ray transmission image and the center of the content inspection region is measured, and the positional deviation of the content in the pocket portion is measured. By detecting, it is possible to detect a defect caused by the degree of positional deviation, and it is possible to detect a defective product in which a crack of the sheet or a relief of the contents may occur.

Moreover, according to the packaging sheet inspection method of the present invention , the contents are accommodated in a pocket portion surrounded by a portion where two aluminum sheets are overlapped to form a seal portion, and the outer end is formed by dividing the aluminum sheet. When inspecting the obtained wrapping sheet, a seal length inspection area consisting of an area including from the inside to the outside of the pocket portion is set and projection processing of illumination light is performed, which is generated by the aluminum sheet in the pocket portion containing the contents. Since the width from the rise to the fall of the projection data with the brightness of the reflected light is measured as the seal length, the boundary between the pocket part and the seal part can be easily emphasized, and the seal length can be detected accurately. it can.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
The present invention is an inspection system and inspection method for a packaging sheet, and each of a plurality of pocket portions P,... And a pocket portion P,. For the packaging sheet S having the seal part Q formed by adhering the periphery, it is schematically composed of an optical inspection for detecting the seal lengths L ₁ and L ₂ and an X-ray inspection for inspecting the contents R. Yes.
In addition, although the numerical value shown to Fig.11 (a) has shown the dimension of the general packaging sheet, this invention is not limited to these numerical values.

First, an embodiment of a packaging sheet inspection system according to the present invention will be described.
FIG. 1 shows a configuration diagram of a packaging sheet inspection system according to the present invention. A packaging sheet inspection system 1 according to this embodiment emits light from a light source device 3 that emits irradiation light and a light source device 3. The illumination device 2 that irradiates the outer surface of the packaging sheet S with irradiation light (the illumination device 2 and the light source device 3 are combined as a light source), and the irradiation light emitted from the illumination device 2 is on the outer surface of the packaging sheet S. A CCD camera (imaging means) 4 that receives the reflected light to generate a video signal, and a seal that performs edge enhancement processing on the video signal output from the CCD camera 4 to measure the seal lengths L ₁ and L ₂ A long inspection PC (seal length measuring device) 6, an X-ray source 7 capable of irradiating the packaging sheet S with X-rays, and an X-ray detector 8 for detecting an X-ray transmission amount accompanying the X-ray irradiation; , enter the information of the sealing length _L 1, _{L 2} pocket An X-ray inspection PC (determination means) 9 that sets an inspection area that matches the position of P,... And inspects the contents in the inspection area based on the X-ray transmission amount detected by the X-ray detector 8; It is composed mainly of a PLC (programmable logical controller) 10 that controls a series of operations of the inspection system, and these are connected via a trigger signal cable 11 and a LAN cable 12 that communicate triggers, and are monitored by a monitoring PC 61. ing.
With such a configuration, the detection of the seal lengths L ₁ and L ₂ by optical inspection and the inspection of the contents R by X-ray inspection can be performed in conjunction with each other, and the seal lengths L ₁ , L ₁ , set the inspection area in accordance with the L _2, it is possible to determine the test. For this reason, it is not necessary to consider the errors of the seal lengths L ₁ and L ₂ when setting the inspection area, and it is possible to match the pocket portion and the inspection area, and the inspection of misalignment of the contents R and the like can be improved. It can be done with accuracy.

  In the packaging sheet inspection system 1, for example, as shown in FIG. 2, an X imaging unit 1 </ b> D having a lighting device 2 and a CCD camera 4 on a frame 1 </ b> F, an X-ray source 7, and an X-ray detector 8. The inspection apparatus 1A can be integrated with the line inspection unit 1C. The inspection apparatus 1A includes a conveyance conveyor 13 that conveys the packaging sheet S in the direction from the imaging unit 1D to the X-ray inspection unit 1C in the base 1E on which the imaging unit 1D and the X-ray inspection unit 1C are mounted. A defective sheet discharge damper 5 for discharging a defective sheet determined as a defective sheet is provided at the end in the conveying direction. The conveyor 13 includes rollers 13a,... Attached to the upper, lower, and central portions of the conveyor 13, and an annular conveyor belt 13b wound around the rollers 13a, and the imaging unit 1D and the X-ray detector. 8 is disposed between the conveying pins 14 and 14 in series in the conveying direction on the upper surface of the conveying belt 13a, and as shown in FIG. It is conveyed along the conveyance guide 15 arrange | positioned in this.

As an optical inspection apparatus, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, a CCD camera 4 is installed at a height h ₁ on a conveyor 13 for conveying a package sheet (inspection object) S. The illumination device 2 is installed at a height h ₂ between the CCD camera 4 and the conveyor 13.
The CCD camera 4 may be installed so that the whole packaging sheet S can be imaged.
The illumination device 2 only needs to be able to irradiate the entire upper surface of the packaging sheet S. For example, a straight tube light source may be used and the illumination device 2 may be installed directly below the CCD camera 4. The intensity of the irradiation light can be adjusted to some extent by the height h ₂ of the illumination device 2.

When the timing when the packaging sheet S comes directly under the CCD camera 4 is input as a trigger, the CCD camera 4 receives the reflected light reflected from the outer surface of the packaging sheet S and generates a video signal, which is shown in FIG. Thus, the video signal is transmitted to the seal length inspection PC 6.
As shown in FIG. 4B, the seal length inspection PC 6 emphasizes the seal portion Q by performing edge emphasis processing on the received video signal, and the outside of the packaging sheet S in the emphasized seal portion Q. The distances from the ends A ₁ and A ₂ to the boundaries B ₁ and B ₂ between the pocket portion P and the seal portion Q are measured as seal lengths L ₁ and L ₂ .

Preferably Sobel filtering and Laplacian process as edge enhancement processing, the outer edge of the packing sheet S, the projection processing by setting the seal length inspection area W ₁ consisting of a region including an outwardly from the inside of the pocket portion P respectively It is only necessary to average the width from the rising edge to the falling edge of the projection data to obtain the seal lengths L ₁ and L ₂ .
By doing so, the seal portion Q can be easily emphasized, and the seal lengths L ₁ and L ₂ can be accurately detected.
When the optical inspection is completed, the optical fiber is conveyed by the conveyance guide 15 to the X-ray inspection apparatus by the conveyance conveyor 13.

Subsequently, as an X-ray inspection apparatus, the X-ray source 7 irradiates the packaging sheet S with X-rays, and the X-ray detector 8 detects the X-ray transmission amount associated with the X-ray irradiation. When image processing is performed based on the detected X-ray transmission amount, it can be recognized as an X-ray transmission image as shown in FIG. 5 and the contents R can be inspected.
At this time, as shown in FIG. 5A, the pocket portions P,... Captured in the visible light image are not captured in the X-ray transmission image as shown in FIG. Information on the detected seal lengths L ₁ and L ₂ needs to be input to the X-ray inspection PC 9 to set an inspection region that matches the position of the pocket portions P,.

In the present embodiment, a PLC (programmable logical controller) 10 performs information transmission of the seal lengths L ₁ and L ₂ . This is for easily shifting data (timing adjustment), and is not an essential means, and the information transmitting means for the seal lengths L ₁ and L ₂ is not particularly limited.
The X-ray inspection PC 9 is based on the information of the seal lengths L ₁ and L ₂ and is slightly larger than the inspection area W ₂ (which is slightly larger than the pocket portion P) as shown in FIG. set square area), examining the contents of R in the inspection area W _2. In FIG. 6 (a), (A) has a long sealing length _{L 1,} (B) is a normal sealing length _{L 1,} (C) is a case sealing length _{L 1} is short, in any case can also pocket portion P of the packing sheet S by the information of the seal length L ₁ is input, ... position understand the sets pocket portion P, ... and position matching inspection area W ₂ of. As the inspection of the content R, in addition to the positional deviation of the content R as described above, it is possible to inspect the content R for cracks, chipping, chipping, and the like.

In the conventional apparatus, since the seal lengths L ₁ and L ₂ cannot be obtained in the X-ray inspection apparatus, as shown in FIG. 6B, (A) has a long seal length L ₁ and (B) has a seal length. the length L ₁ is normal, the (C) is even if the seal length L ₁ is short, since the position of the inspection area W ₃ being set to the same, the pocket portion P, ... position and the inspection area W ₃ of In (A) and (C), it was not suitable, and a misjudgment that judged a non-defective product as a defective product occurred. There were many defective discharges due to false detection of non-defective products, and it was not efficient because it was necessary to manually re-inspect packaging sheets determined to be defective.
As described above, due to the large number of defective discharges due to false detection of non-defective products, there has been a situation where it is difficult to study to improve the accuracy of the misalignment inspection for the contents R.

As described above, according to the packing sheet inspection system 1 of the present embodiment, by an inspection area W ₂ and the pocket portion P by correctly adapted for inspecting the contents of R, the contents of R pockets Detects misalignment within the part P with high accuracy, detects defective products such as sheet breaks that accompany the misalignment, and does not cause misjudgment that determines a non-defective product as a defective product. It is possible to provide a high-accuracy packaging sheet inspection system that can significantly reduce the above-described problem.

Next, an embodiment of the method for inspecting a packaging sheet according to the present invention will be described.
The packaging sheet inspection method 1 in this embodiment uses a packaging sheet inspection system 1 as shown in FIG.
As the wrapping sheet S, an aluminum sheet, a transparent or opaque film-like resin sheet, or the like is generally used. As shown in FIG. .. And a seal portion Q formed by adhering the periphery of each of the pocket portions P,. And the perforation M, ... which divides each pocket part P, ... is put, and the packaging sheet S is freely divided and separated while the contents R are packaged in each pocket part P, ... be able to.

First, the seal lengths L ₁ and L ₂ are detected by optical inspection. The illumination device 2 irradiates the outer surface of the packaging sheet S with irradiation light, and the reflected light reflected by the outer surface of the packaging sheet S is added to the video signal obtained from the CCD camera (imaging means) 4 as a seal length. Edge inspection is performed using the inspection PC 6 to emphasize the boundary between the pocket portion P and the seal portion Q, and the distance from the outer edge of the packaging sheet S to the boundary between the pocket portion P and the seal portion Q is the seal length. Measured as L ₁ and L ₂ .

The timing when the packaging sheet S comes directly under the CCD camera 4 is input as a trigger, and the reflected light reflected from the outer surface of the packaging sheet S is received by the CCD camera 4 and a video signal as shown in FIG. And the video signal is transmitted to the seal length inspection PC 6.
As shown in FIG. 4B, the obtained video signal is subjected to edge emphasis processing using the seal length inspection PC 6 to emphasize the seal portion Q, and at the emphasized seal portion Q, packaging is performed. The distances from the outer ends A ₁ and A _{2 of the} sheet S to the boundaries B ₁ and B ₂ between the pocket portion P and the seal portion Q are measured as seal lengths L ₁ and L ₂ .

Preferably Sobel filtering and Laplacian process as edge enhancement processing, the outer edge of the packing sheet S, the projection processing by setting the seal length inspection area W ₁ consisting of a region including an outwardly from the inside of the pocket portion P respectively It is only necessary to average the width from the rising edge to the falling edge of the projection data to obtain the seal lengths L ₁ and L ₂ .
By doing so, the seal portion Q can be easily emphasized, and the seal lengths L ₁ and L ₂ can be accurately detected.
When the optical inspection is completed, the packaging sheet S is transported by the transport conveyor 13 to an apparatus for performing X-ray inspection.

Next, the contents R are inspected by X-ray inspection. First, the packaging sheet S is irradiated with X-rays using the X-ray source 7, the X-ray transmission amount accompanying this X-ray irradiation is detected by the X-ray detector 8, and based on the detected X-ray transmission amount Then, image processing is performed on the X-ray transmission image as shown in FIG. Then, using the X-ray inspection PC 9, an inspection area W ₂ that matches the position of the pocket portion P is set based on the information of the seal lengths L ₁ and L ₂ , and the contents R in the inspection area W ₂ are inspected.
At this time, as shown in FIG. 5A, the pocket portions P,... Captured in the visible light image are not captured in the X-ray transmission image as shown in FIG. Information on the detected seal lengths L ₁ and L ₂ needs to be input to the X-ray inspection PC 9 to set an inspection region that matches the position of the pocket portions P,.

In this embodiment, information transmission of the seal lengths L ₁ and L ₂ is performed via a PLC (programmable logical controller) 10, which is for easily shifting data (timing adjustment) and is essential. Not the means, but the information transmission means of the seal lengths L ₁ and L ₂ is not particularly limited.
Based on the information of the seal lengths L ₁ and L ₂ , the X-ray inspection PC 9 sets an inspection area W ₂ that matches the position of the pocket portions P,... As shown in FIG. to examine the contents of R in W _2. (A) has a long sealing length L _1, (B) is a normal sealing length L _1, (C) is a case sealing length L ₁ is short, the information of the seal length L ₁ in each case pocket portion P of the packing sheet S by inputting, ... the position of the understanding of the can set the pocket portion P, ... position compatible inspection area W ₂ of. As the inspection of the content R, in addition to the positional deviation of the content R as described above, it is possible to inspect the content R for cracks, chipping, chipping, and the like.

In the conventional inspection method, since the information of the seal lengths L ₁ and L ₂ could not be obtained during the X-ray inspection, as shown in FIG. 6B, (A) has a long seal length L ₁ ( B) shows that the seal length L ₁ is normal, and (C) shows that the position of the inspection area W ₃ is set to be the same even when the seal length L ₁ is short. incompatible in the region W ₃ is (a) or (C), misjudgment has occurred which would determine the good and defective products. There were many defective discharges due to false detection of non-defective products, and it was not efficient because it was necessary to manually re-inspect packaging sheets determined to be defective.
Further, in order to prevent errors in the seal lengths L ₁ and L ₂ , there is a restriction that the inspection region W ₃ must be set narrower than the size of the pocket portions P,... As shown in FIG. Even if the content R is accommodated in the pocket portion P, it is determined only that the center of gravity in the X-ray transmission image of the content R matches the center O of the pocket portion P (B). , it is determined that deviates from the examination region W _3, a good and defective products are down in the center of gravity in a little pocket P in the X-ray transmission image of the contents of R as (a) and (C) There was a misjudgment.
As described above, due to the large number of defective discharges due to false detection of non-defective products, it has been difficult to study to improve the accuracy of various other inspection items for the contents R.

Method of inspecting misalignment of contents R, as shown in FIG. 7 (a), by measuring the distance d between the center O of the center of gravity G and the inspection area W ₂ in the X-ray transmission image of the contents R, The positional deviation of the contents R in the pocket portion P can be detected. Calculation of distance d, the center O and the difference between the X-axis direction between the center of gravity G test area W ₂ in the X-ray transmission image of the contents of R △ and x, when the difference between the Y-axis direction and △ y, and △ x It is obtained by calculating the square root of the sum of Δy squared.
Further, as shown in FIG. 7B, the positional deviation may be determined based on the difference Δx in the X-axis direction and / or the difference Δy in the Y-axis direction.
By detecting the positional deviation in this way, it is possible to detect a defect caused by the degree of the positional deviation, and it is possible to detect a defective product in which a crack in the sheet or a relief of the contents may have occurred.

As the inspection of the content R, in addition to the positional deviation of the content R as described above, it is possible to inspect the content R for cracks, chipping, chipping, and the like.
For example, as shown in FIG. 8 (a), by the measurement target dot K into the examination region W ₂ provided in horizontal stripes, it aggregates the number of dots having more brightness threshold is compared with the upper limit value, the contents It is possible to detect cracks and chips in the object R. When the content R is cracked, as shown in FIG. 8B, the measurement target dot K ′ in the cracked portion has a brightness that is greater than or equal to a threshold value, and the number of dots having brightness that is greater than or equal to the threshold value is normal. More than.

As described above, according to the packaging sheet inspection method in the present embodiment, the detection of the seal lengths L ₁ and L ₂ by the optical inspection and the inspection of the contents R by the X-ray inspection can be performed in conjunction with each other. The inspection area W ₂ can be set according to the seal lengths L ₁ and L ₂ of the individual wrapping sheets S, and the inspection can be determined. Therefore, it is not necessary to consider the errors of the seal lengths L ₁ and L ₂ when setting the inspection area W ₂ , the pocket portion and the inspection area can be matched, and various inspections of the contents R can be performed with high accuracy. Can be done.

Using a packaging sheet inspection system as shown in FIG. 1, an SP (strip package) sheet made of aluminum was inspected as a packaging sheet.
The dimensions of each SP sheet are 48 mm in the X-axis direction and 118 mm in the Y-axis direction (conveying direction). The dimensions of each pocket are 16 mm squares both vertically and horizontally. In each pocket, one tablet having a diameter of 8 mm is stored as a content.
For such an SP sheet, the seal lengths L ₁ and L ₂ are detected by optical inspection for the sheet to be inspected shown in Table 1, and then the displacement of the contents R is inspected by X-ray inspection. It was. In addition, in the table | surface, the cutting edge is cut into a cutting edge using a pinking basket because the manufactured sheet to be inspected has a too long seal length.

"Seal length detection"
As shown in FIG. 3, a CCD camera 4 of 1280 × 960 pixels and f16 mm was installed at a height h ₁ = 500 mm on a transport conveyor 13 that transports an SP sheet (inspection object). As the illuminating device 2, a straight tube type light source that can irradiate the entire upper surface of the packaging sheet S was used, and was installed between the CCD camera 4 and the transport conveyor 13 at a height h ₂ immediately below the CCD camera 4.
Imaging was performed twice with each SP sheet upside down. By applying Laplacian processing to the video signal obtained by imaging, (edge) enhancement of the seal portion was performed. Measurement, as shown in FIG. 4 (a), the outer edge of the SP sheets, set the sealing length inspection area W ₁ consisting of a region including the outer from the inner pocket, respectively, it performs projection processing for the Y axis, The width from the rising edge to the falling edge of the projection data was averaged to obtain seal lengths L ₁ and L ₂ . The results are shown in Table 2.

Since the intensity of irradiation light can be adjusted by the height h ₂ of the illumination device 2, the measurement is performed by changing the height h ₂ of the illumination device 2 to 30, 100, and 190 mm, and the obtained measurement values are subjected to regression analysis. Was done.
Regression analysis was performed using only normal data except for the case where all data were targeted without dividing the cut shape, and data where the cut shape was a mountain cut. The results are shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, respectively.

9 and 10, when these measured values are analyzed by linear regression, the correlation coefficient R ² increases in the order of the height h ₂ of the illumination device 2 of 30, 100, and 190 mm, and the accuracy increases. There is a tendency to improve, but it remains at R ² = 0.9743. However, when only normal data is used except for data in which the cut shape is a mountain cut, the height h ₂ of the illumination device 2 is 190 mm and R ^{2 is} 0.9919, and a high correlation is obtained.
Subsequently, seal lengths L ₁ and L ₂ were estimated based on this regression analysis. The results are shown in Table 3.

"Inspection of misalignment"
Next, X-ray inspection was performed on these SP sheets to inspect the positional deviation.
The X-ray inspection machine is an in-line type including an SP sheet filling machine, stacking and conveying.
The setting of the inspection area W _2, of the detected seal length L _1, L _2, was used sealing length L ₁ in the transport direction rear side _(conveying pin side). With respect to the conveying pin 14 upper end, and sets the position of the inspection area W ₂ as the lower edge of the inspection area W ₂ away ₁ minute seal length L comes.
As inspection of tablets (contents), inspection was performed on each item of chipping, cracking, chipping, positional deviation, and cutout of the tablet. The results are shown in Table 3.

<Judgment criteria for defective products>
As shown in FIG. 7B, the positional deviation is as follows according to the Y component of the distance d between the center of gravity G and the center O of the pocket in the X-ray transmission image of the tablet (contents R), that is, the value of Δy. Judged as follows.
(1) When the absolute value of Δy is 3.1 mm or more, the aluminum sheet is cracked.
(2) When the absolute value of Δy is 2.5 mm or more, the edge portion of the tablet is embossed on the aluminum sheet.
(3) From the above, the inspection apparatus determines that the product is defective when the absolute value of Δy is 2.5 mm or more.
Since the current X-ray inspection machine relatively determines the displacement of the tablet, it cannot be determined by the absolute value (2.5 mm or more), but it can be combined with the seal length inspection (CCD camera). Can be measured as an absolute value, and therefore, it can be determined as a defective product when the deviation is 2.5 mm or more.

  From the results shown in Table 4, in the example, defects due to misalignment greatly decreased, defects due to other inspection items also decreased, and the detection amount of defective products overall decreased. As a result, it has been shown that defective discharge due to false detection of non-defective products is improved.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be widely used for inspection of wrapping sheet packaging made of aluminum sheets and opaque film-like resin sheets containing tablets, capsules, gummi, chips, etc., mainly in the pharmaceutical and food fields.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a packaging sheet inspection apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the packaging sheet inspection apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 shows the positional relationship between the lighting device and the packaging sheet when the packaging sheet is inspected by the packaging sheet inspection system of the embodiment. FIG. 3 (a) is a side view and FIG. 3 (b). Is a plan view. 4A and 4B are diagrams for explaining the optical inspection, in which FIG. 4A shows a video signal of the packaging sheet, and FIG. 4B shows a state in which Laplacian processing is performed in FIG. 4A. 5A and 5B are diagrams for explaining the X-ray inspection. FIG. 5A is a visible light image of the packaging sheet, and FIG. 5B is an X-ray transmission image of the packaging sheet of FIG. It is. 6A and 6B are diagrams for explaining the inspection area of the contents. FIG. 6A shows the setting of the inspection area in the present invention, and FIG. 6B shows the setting of the inspection area in the conventional example. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the distance between the center of gravity and the center of the inspection region in the X-ray transmission image of the contents, and FIG. 7A is calculated based on the difference between both the X-axis and Y-axis components. FIG. 7B shows a method of performing calculation for each of the X-axis component and the Y-axis component. FIGS. 8A and 8B are diagrams for explaining the inspection of cracks in the contents. FIG. 8A shows a state in which the contents are normal, and FIG. 8B shows a state in which the contents are cracked. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the results of regression analysis of all data in the example. FIG. 9A shows the illumination height of 30 mm, FIG. 9B shows the illumination height of 100 mm, and FIG. ) Has a lighting height of 190 mm. 10A and 10B are diagrams showing the results of regression analysis excluding the mountain cut data in the example. FIG. 10A shows the illumination height of 30 mm, and FIG. 10B shows the illumination height of 100 mm. 10 (c) has a lighting height of 190 mm. Fig.11 (a) is a top view of a packaging sheet (SP sheet), FIG.11 (b) is a manufacturing apparatus of a packaging sheet.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Packaging sheet inspection system, 2 ... Illuminating device, 3 ... Light source device, 4 ... CCD camera (imaging means), 5 ... Defective product discharge damper, 6 ... Seal length inspection PC (seal length measuring device), 61 ... Monitoring PC ... 7 ... X-ray source, 8 ... X-ray detector, 9 ... X-ray inspection PC (determination means), 10 ... PLC, 11 ... Trigger signal cable, 12 ... LAN cable, 13 ... Conveyor, 14 ... Conveyance pins, 15 ... conveyance guide, P ... pocket portion, Q ... sealing portion, R ... contents, S ... packaging sheet.

Claims (6)

Open a pocket that partially contains the contents in the overlapping part of the two aluminum sheets to form a seal part that surrounds the pocket part, and the aluminum sheet has a predetermined length so as to have a predetermined number of pockets. Is a system for inspecting a wrapping sheet obtained by forming an outer end by the severing at both ends of an aluminum sheet,
A light source capable of irradiating illumination light that irradiates the outer surface of the packaging sheet that is transported along the transport conveyor with one outer end on the front side and the other outer end on the rear side;
Imaging means for generating an image signal by receiving reflected light reflected from the outer surface of the sealing portion and the pocket portion of the wrapping sheet when illumination light emitted from the light source is received;
The image signal output from the imaging means is edge-enhanced to emphasize the seal portion, and the emphasized seal portion and the pocket portion contrasted with the emphasized seal portion from the outer end of the packaging sheet A seal length measuring device that measures the distance to the boundary between the pocket portion and the seal portion as a seal length;
An X-ray source capable of irradiating X-rays applied to the packaging sheet on the conveyor;
An X-ray detector for detecting the amount of X-ray transmission accompanying this X-ray irradiation;
Determination to inspect the contents in the inspection area based on the X-ray transmission amount detected by the X-ray detector by setting the inspection area that matches the position of the pocket portion by inputting the seal length Means and
The seal length measuring device performs a projection process of illumination light by setting a seal length inspection area including an area from the inside to the outside of the pocket portion at an outer edge including the outer end of the packaging sheet, A packaging sheet inspection system having a function of measuring, as the seal length, the width from the rising edge to the falling edge of projection data accompanied by the brightness of the reflected light generated by the aluminum sheet in the pocket portion in which the container is accommodated.   The determination means measures the distance between the center of gravity of the contents in the X-ray transmission image and the center of the inspection region, detects the positional deviation of the contents in the pocket portion, and determines whether the contents are non-defective or defective depending on the degree of positional deviation. The packaging sheet inspection system according to claim 1, wherein the non-defective product is determined.   The determination means includes measuring dots in a horizontal stripe shape in the inspection area, totals the number of dots having brightness greater than or equal to a threshold value, and detects cracks or chippings in the content by comparing with an upper limit value. The packaging sheet inspection system according to claim 2, wherein Two aluminum sheets are overlapped to open a pocket part containing the contents partially in the overlapped part to form a seal part surrounding the pocket part, and to have a predetermined length so as to have a predetermined number of pocket parts. A method for inspecting a wrapping sheet obtained by dividing an aluminum sheet and forming outer ends by the severing at both ends of the aluminum sheet,
Illuminating the outer surface of the packaging sheet with illumination light, the reflected light reflected by the outer surface of the packaging sheet is received by an imaging means to generate a video signal, and edge enhancement is performed on the obtained video signal The seal portion is emphasized by performing processing, and the distance from the outer end of the packaging sheet to the boundary between the pocket portion and the seal portion in the emphasized seal portion and the pocket portion compared thereto Is measured as the seal length,
Irradiating the wrapping sheet with X-rays, detecting the amount of X-ray transmission associated with the X-ray irradiation;
Set an inspection area that matches the position of the pocket portion based on the information on the seal length, and inspect the contents in the inspection area based on the detected X-ray transmission amount,
Aluminum for the pocket portion containing the contents is formed by setting a seal length inspection region consisting of a region including the inside to the outside of the pocket portion on the outer edge portion including the outer end of the packaging sheet, and performing projection processing of illumination light. A packaging sheet inspection method, characterized in that a width from the rising edge to the falling edge of projection data accompanied by the brightness of reflected light generated by a sheet is measured as the seal length.   Measure the distance between the center of gravity of the contents in the X-ray transmission image and the center of the contents inspection area, detect the position shift of the contents in the pocket portion, and determine whether the product is good or defective according to the degree of position shift The packaging sheet inspection method according to claim 4, wherein:   The measurement target dots are provided in a horizontal stripe shape in the inspection region, the number of dots having brightness greater than or equal to a threshold value is totaled, and a crack or a chip of the contents is detected by comparing with an upper limit value. 5. A method for inspecting a packaging sheet according to 5.

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