JP2000118515A - Method and device for inspecting cap body fitting - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To detect the acceptance/rejection of a cap or cap cover fitting condition based on the result of detection by picking up an image of a reference part of a container body or the cap and a measurement part of the cap cover by a camera to detect the positional relationship between the reference part and the measurement part. SOLUTION: The image of a fitting part of a cap 13 fitted to a cap socket 12a of a container body 12 or a cap cover 14 fitted to its cover socket is picked up by cameras 2, 3, and its image information is stored. The positional relationship between a reference part of the container body 12 or the cap 13 and a measurement part of the cap 13 or the cap cover 14 is detected based on the image information, and the acceptance/rejection of the fitting condition of the cap 13 or the cap cover 14 is judged based on the positional relationship between the reference part and the measurement part.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a cap attached to a bottle, can, or other container body having a cap receiving port for taking in or out a beverage or food, or a cap body such as a cap cover attached to the cap. The present invention relates to a cap body attachment inspection method for inspecting the quality of a state and a cap body attachment inspection apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, juice, green tea, black tea,
Beverage in a container in which beverages such as coffee are packed in containers,
In a beverage production factory, the same product is mass-produced by a line work system using various automatic machines such as a washing device and a filling device and a conveyor. The production process of the beverage in a container is roughly as follows.

The first is a beverage manufacturing process for manufacturing beverages such as juice, green tea, black tea and the like. The second is a container cleaning step of cleaning the container body filled with the beverage. Third, a beverage filling step of filling a beverage into the washed container body. Fourth, a beverage sterilization step of sterilizing the beverage filled in the container body. Fifth, a cap fastening step of sealing the container body filled with the beverage with a cap. The sixth is a product packaging step of packaging the capped beverage in a container.

In this case, in the first beverage production process, for example, a beverage is produced by squeezing fruit juice from fruits or extracting tea from tea leaves. In the second container washing step, for example, the container body made of a plastic bottle such as a PET bottle is washed by washing with water or the like. The washed container body is put on a conveyor device such as a belt conveyor and transported to the following steps. In the third beverage filling step, the beverage is filled by inserting the nozzle of the beverage filling machine into the cap receptacle of the conveyed container body.

[0005] In the fourth beverage sterilization step, the beverage filled in the container body is sterilized by heating or irradiating ultraviolet rays. In the fifth cap tightening step, the inner cap is attached as necessary using a cap tightening machine, and then a cap is attached to the cap receptacle of the container body, and the cap is strongly tightened to seal the inside of the container. Thereby, a beverage in a container in which a predetermined beverage is filled in the container body is manufactured. In the next sixth product packaging step, a predetermined number of capped beverages in a container are stored in a packaging box such as a cardboard box, and the box is closed to complete the packaging operation.

[0006] In the production of such a beverage in a container, in the above-described cap tightening step, for example, a problem such as a poor engagement between the screw of the cap and the screw of the cap receiving port occurs. Poor tightening results in poor sealing in the container and unsanitary beverages in the container. In addition, in the case of a container that is double sealed using an inner plug inside the cap, for example, if the cap is insufficiently tightened due to improper mounting of the inner plug, and if the cap tightening failure occurs due to the malfunction, Also, the sealing in the container becomes poor, and the beverage in the container becomes unsanitary. For this reason, after the cap is attached to the cap receiving port, the attachment state of the cap or the cap cover is measured for each beverage in a container, and whether or not the attachment state of the cap or the like is appropriate is inspected.

[0007] As a conventional cap attachment inspection method, for example, the following method is known. This cap attachment inspection method detects the upper end of the cap attached to the container body, measures the height of the container, and when the cap height is within a predetermined range, the cap is tightened. It is determined that the beverage in the container is at a predetermined height because it is well served. On the other hand, when the measured value of the cap height exceeds the predetermined value, it is determined that the beverage in the container has exceeded the predetermined height due to a problem such as an incomplete installation of the inner plug or a defective tightening of the cap. In this way, the quality of the cap tightening is inspected.

[0008] This cap attachment inspection method will be specifically described as follows. First, after the cap fastening step, the height of the upper end face of the cap of the container being transported by the conveyor is detected by a detector such as an optical sensor. This makes it possible to detect the height of the container up to the cap upper surface with the upper surface of the conveyor as the reference surface. On the other hand, measure the height from the bottom surface of the container where the cap is well tightened to the upper end surface of the cap in advance (this is also the case when using the inner stopper). Add tolerance to set tolerance. Then, the reference value is compared with the measured value measured as described above.

As a result, in the case of a container that does not use an inner stopper,
When the measured value of the cap height is within the allowable range of the reference value, the cap is properly attached to the cap receptacle,
Judge that it is tightened correctly. Further, in the case of a container using an inner plug, it is determined that the inner plug is normally attached to the opening hole of the cap receptacle, and the cap attached to the cap receptacle so as to cover this is also properly tightened. . Thereby, the beverage in a container for which the tightening of the cap is determined to be normal is transported to the next product packaging step.

On the other hand, when the measured value exceeds the allowable range of the reference value, that is, when the measured value is larger than the value within the allowable range, it may be caused by, for example, a poor installation of the inner plug. It is determined that the cap has not been tightened to the predetermined position. If the measured value is smaller than a value within the allowable range, for example, it is determined that only the cap is attached and the inner plug is not attached. The beverage in a container which is determined to have the cap attachment failure by the determination of the cap fastening failure is removed on the spot and disposed of as a defective product.

[0011]

However, in such a conventional cap mounting inspection method, the container with the cap mounted thereon is transported by a conveyor, and the height of the upper end face of the cap is detected at the time of the transport, and the height of the container is detected. The quality of the cap tightening is determined based on only the detection result. Therefore, if the conveyor moves up and down, the top surface of the cap, which is the measurement surface, fluctuates in the vertical direction.
There is a case where it is determined that the cap is not properly attached even to a good container to which the cap or the like is normally attached, and there is a problem that an erroneous determination may occur when judging whether or not the cap is attached properly.

Further, if the feed speed of the conveyor is increased in order to increase the production speed, fine vertical vibrations often occur on the conveyor, so that the allowable range of the reference value needs to be set large. Then, for example, in a container using the inner plug, since the thickness of the collar portion of the inner plug is not so large, it is difficult to detect the difference between the case where the inner plug is mounted and the case where the inner plug is not mounted. In other words, there has been a problem that a defective container having no inner plug is determined as a non-defective product, and is conveyed to the next process as it is.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, and takes a photograph of a reference portion of a container body or a cap and a measuring portion of a cap or a cap cover by using a camera, and positions the reference portion and the measuring portion. It is an object of the present invention to solve the above-described problem by detecting a relationship and determining whether or not a cap body is in a good mounting state based on the detection result.

[0014]

Means for Solving the Problems In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and the like, and to achieve the above-mentioned object, a first aspect of the present invention is described.
The cap body attachment inspection method according to the above, the camera attached to the cap attached to the cap receptacle of the container body or the cap cover attached to the cover receiving part provided in this cap, the camera attached to the cap, the camera mounting part The image information is stored, and the positional relationship between the reference portion of the container body or the cap and the measuring portion of the cap body is detected based on the image information, and the mounting state of the cap body is determined based on the positional relationship between the reference portion and the measuring portion. Is determined.

In the cap body mounting inspection method according to a second aspect of the present invention, the reference portion is a flange portion provided at a root portion of the cap receiving port of the container body, and the measuring portion is an end surface portion on the opening side of the cap. Then, the distance between the flange portion and the end face portion is measured, and when the distance is not within a predetermined range, it is determined that the mounting state of the cap is defective.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for inspecting the attachment of a cap body, wherein the reference portion is a cover receiving portion of the cap, and the measuring portion is an end surface of the cap cover on the opening side. Is measured, and when the distance is not within a predetermined range, it is determined that the mounting state of the cap cover is defective.

In the cap body mounting inspection method according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the positional relationship is such that two cameras photograph the front and rear of the cap or the cap cover mounting portion in the transport direction and individually store the video information. Then, the distance between the reference part and the measuring part is measured based on the video information, and when the distances are not within a predetermined range, it is determined that the mounting state of the cap body is defective.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for inspecting the attachment of a cap body, wherein video information obtained by photographing with a camera is displayed on a monitor so that the attached state of the cap body can be visually checked by the monitor. Features.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cap body mounting inspection apparatus comprising: a container body; a cap attached to a cap receiving port of the container body; and a cap cover attached to a cover receiving portion provided on the cap. A camera to be photographed, and a positional relationship between a reference portion of the container body or the cap and a measuring portion of the cap or the cap cover is detected based on image information supplied from the camera, and a state of attachment of the cap to the container body or a cap cover for the cap. And an attachment determining means for determining whether the attachment state is good or not.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided the cap body mounting inspection apparatus, wherein the camera is arranged on the side of the container body and separately photographs before and after the cap or cap cover mounting portion in the transport direction. It is characterized by comprising a camera.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cap body mounting inspection apparatus provided with a monitor for displaying video information on the mounting state of the cap on the container body or the mounting state of the cap cover on the cap obtained by photographing with a camera. It is characterized by that.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cap body attachment inspection apparatus for outputting a control signal when a distance between a reference part and a measurement part is not within a predetermined range based on a determination result of the attachment determination means. A defective product take-out device that operates based on a control signal output from the control device and takes out a container body to which a cap or a cap cover in which a cap state is determined to be defective is mounted as a defective product. It is characterized by having.

With the above-described structure, in the method for inspecting the attachment of the cap body according to the first aspect of the present invention, the reference portion of the container body or the cap photographed by the camera and the measuring portion of the cap or the cap cover are image information. Remember as
By detecting the positional relationship between the reference part and the measuring part based on the video information, it is possible to accurately and quickly determine the quality of the mounting state of the cap body without being affected by vibration of the conveyor or the like.

In the cap body mounting inspection method according to the second aspect of the present invention, the reference portion is a flange portion of the container body, and the measuring portion is an end surface portion on the opening side of the cap. By measuring the intervals of the caps, it is possible to accurately determine whether or not the cap attached to the container body is attached properly.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the reference portion is a cover receiving portion of the cap,
The measuring section is an end face on the opening side of the cap cover, and by measuring a distance between the cover receiving section and the end face, it is possible to accurately judge the quality of the mounting state of the cap cover attached to the cap. it can.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for inspecting the attachment of a cap body, comprising the steps of: By measuring the distance from the measurement unit, when the distance is not within the predetermined range, it is possible to accurately determine that the mounting state of the cap or the cap cover is defective.

[0027] In the cap body mounting inspection method according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, video information obtained by photographing with a camera is displayed on a monitor, so that the mounting state of the cap or the cap cover can be monitored through the monitor. To determine the quality.

[0028] In the cap body mounting inspection apparatus according to claim 6 of the present invention, the reference part of the container body or the cap and the measuring part of the cap or the cap cover are photographed by the camera, and the mounting judgment means based on the video information. By detecting the positional relationship between the unit and the measuring unit to determine the quality of the mounting state of the cap on the container body or the mounting state of the cap cover on the cap, the cap or cap cover can be mounted without being affected by vibration of the conveyor. The quality of the attached state can be accurately and quickly detected.

In the cap body mounting inspection apparatus according to claim 7 of the present invention, two cameras photograph the front and rear of the container body and the cap or the cap and the cap cover mounting part in the transport direction, and based on the video information, the reference part is used. By measuring the distance between the cap and the cap, it is possible to accurately detect whether the mounting state of the cap or the cap cover, such as the mounting posture and the tightening depth, is good or bad.

In the cap body mounting inspection apparatus according to the eighth aspect of the present invention, image information obtained by photographing with a camera is displayed on a monitor, so that the mounting state of the cap or the cap cover can be visually checked to see if it is good or bad. Can be detected.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the above, the control device for outputting a control signal based on the result of the determination by the mounting determining means, and the removal of a defective product operated based on the control signal With the configuration in which the container is provided, when it is determined that the cap is not properly mounted, the controller can operate the defective product removal device to remove the container determined to be defective.

[0032]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIGS. 1 to 6 show an embodiment of the present invention, in which a cap with a cap cover is attached to a cap receptacle and a container-equipped beverage is inspected, and the cap or the cap cover is attached. Applied to inspection. That is, FIG. 1 is a front view showing an embodiment of a cap body attachment inspection apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG.
3 is a plan view, FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the present invention, FIGS. 4 and 5 are explanatory diagrams showing a first detection example using the cap body attachment inspection apparatus of the present invention, and FIG. It is explanatory drawing which similarly shows the 2nd detection example.

As shown in FIG. 3, the cap body attachment inspection apparatus 1 shown in this embodiment includes first and second cameras 2 and 3
And an illuminator 4 for irradiating light to two cameras 2 and 3
And first and second inspection controllers 5 and 5 as attachment determining means for taking in image information of the container photographed by each of the cameras 2 and 3 and outputting a video signal VS corresponding to an image suitable for inspection. And first and second monitors 7, 8 for displaying on the screen an image of the container taken by receiving the image signal VS output from each of the inspection controllers 5, 6.
A control controller 9 serving as a control device for outputting a control signal CS based on output signals PS output from the inspection controllers 5 and 6; and a controller activated by the control signal CS from the control controller 9. Non-defective unit 1
0 and so on.

First, a description will be given of a container 11 for a beverage in a container which is to be inspected by the cap body mounting inspection apparatus 1. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the container 11 includes a container body 12, a cap 13, and a cap cover 14.
And The container body 12 has a thin cylindrical cap receptacle 12 to which the cap 13 is detachably attached.
a and a cylindrical body 12b continuous with the lower end of the cap receiving port 12a. This cap receptacle 1
By injecting the beverage through the opening hole 25 of 2a, the beverage is filled into the body 12b in a predetermined amount.

The cap receptacle 12a of the container body 12
As shown in FIG. 4, a threaded portion 12c to which the cap 13 is screwed is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the body, and a ring-shaped protruding radially outward is formed between the threaded portion 12c and the body portion 12b. A flange portion 15 is provided. The flange portion 15 constitutes a reference portion that serves as a reference for detecting whether the cap is attached or not.

The inner plug 16 is fitted into the opening 25 of the cap receiving port 12a. The inner plug 16 is used to maintain a higher degree of hermeticity from the time of manufacture until opened by a consumer, and is generally discarded after being opened. The inner plug 16 is fitted with the bottomed fitting portion 1 fitted into the opening hole 25 of the cap receiving port 12a.
6a, an outer flange-shaped flange portion 16b continuous with the end of the fitting portion 16a on the opening side, a support column 16c erected in the concave portion of the fitting portion 16a, and an upper end of the support column 16c. And a ring-shaped drawing ring 16d provided continuously.

The collar 16b of the inner plug 16 is mounted so as to overlap the end face of the cap receptacle 12a. After the cap 13 is attached, the entire periphery of the collar 16b is pressed by the cap 13 to the cap receptacle 12a. A higher degree of sealing can be obtained. In a state where the inner plug 16 is mounted, the cap 13 is screwed and attached to the cap receiving port 12a.

The cap 13 is a so-called sports cap that allows the user to drink the beverage inside while being attached to the container body 12.
A cap body 17 detachably screwed to the cap receiving port 12a, and an opening / closing body 19 slidably attached to the cap body 17 to open and close the nozzle hole 18
It is composed of The cap body 17 of the cap 13 includes a cylindrical skirt portion 17a that covers the cap receiving port 12a, a cover receiving portion 17b that covers the upper end of the skirt portion 17a, and a nozzle portion 17c provided at the center of the cover receiving portion 17b. And a middle cylinder portion 17d.

On the inner surface of the skirt portion 17a of the cap body 17, a screw portion 17e to be screwed with the screw portion 12c of the cap receiving port 12a is provided. This skirt part 1
The end surface portion 20a on the opening side of 7a constitutes a measuring section according to the first embodiment, which is a measuring side for detecting whether the cap is attached or not. The cover receiving portion 17b of the cap main body 17 has a structure like a circular pedestal bulging upward, and a cap ridge 21a continuous in the circumferential direction is formed at an upper end edge thereof. And the cover receiving part 1
On the lower surface of 7b, a circumferentially continuous pressing ridge 21b is formed so as to face the flange 16b of the inner plug 16.

The cover receiving portion 17 of the cap body 17
b, a cylindrical nozzle portion 17 having a closed upper end
c is provided so as to protrude upward. Furthermore, on the radial outer side of the nozzle portion 17c of the cover receiving portion 17b,
A cylindrical middle cylinder portion 17d having substantially the same center line is provided with a predetermined gap, and this gap is formed by the nozzle portion 17c.
And a communication port 22 set between the inner cylinder part 17d. The communication port 22 is composed of a plurality of arc-shaped grooves extending in the circumferential direction, and the nozzle portion 17c is formed by the plurality of bridge pieces 22a set between the adjacent arc-shaped grooves so that the nozzle portion 17c covers the cover receiving portion 1.
7b. An opening / closing body 19 is slidably fitted to the nozzle portion 17c and the middle cylinder portion 17d of the cap body 17.

The opening / closing body 19 includes an inner cylindrical portion 19a and an outer cylindrical portion 19b which are arranged concentrically with each other, and both cylindrical portions 19a, 19b.
And an upper surface portion 19c provided so as to close the upper end thereof, and a grip portion 19d formed of a circumferentially continuous ridge is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the upper surface portion 19c. A circular nozzle hole 18 is opened at the center of the upper surface 19c of the opening / closing body 19. A nozzle portion 17c of the cap body 17 is detachably fitted into the nozzle hole 18, and an inner cylindrical portion 19a
Between the outer cylinder 19b and the middle cylinder 1 of the cap body 17
7d is inserted.

Further, an inner ridge 23a which is continuous in the circumferential direction is formed on the outer peripheral surface on the distal end side of the inner cylindrical portion 19a of the opening / closing body 19, and is formed on the inner peripheral surface on the distal end side of the outer cylindrical portion 19b in the circumferential direction. A continuous outer ridge 23b is formed, and a middle ridge 23c that is also continuous in the circumferential direction is formed on the outer peripheral surface on the distal end side of the middle cylindrical portion 17d. The inner ridge 23a of the inner cylinder portion 19a is
The outer ridge 23b of the outer cylindrical portion 19b contacts the outer circumferential surface of the middle cylindrical portion 17d, and the middle ridge 23 of the middle cylindrical portion 17d.
c is in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylindrical portion 19b. The sliding of the opening / closing body 19 with respect to the cap body 17 is enabled by the contact of these ridges 23a to 23c,
The opening of the opening / closing body 19 is prevented by the engagement between the b and the middle ridge 23c.

Thus, as shown in FIG.
By pushing down the opening / closing body 19 by pressing c, the nozzle portion 17c is fitted into the nozzle hole 18 and the cap 13 is closed. On the other hand, by gripping the holding portion 19d and pulling up the opening / closing body 19, the opening / closing body 19 slides in the axial direction, and the fitting of the nozzle hole 18 by the nozzle portion 17c is released, and the cap 13 is opened.

The cover receiving portion 1 of the cap body 17
The cap cover 14 attached to 7b has a cup shape having a depth capable of accommodating the nozzle portion 17c and the opening / closing body 19. On the inner peripheral surface on the opening side of the cap cover 14, a cover ridge 14a that is continuous in the circumferential direction is formed. By engaging the cover ridge 14a with the cap ridge 21a of the cover receiving portion 17b,
The cap cover 14 is detachably mounted and fixed to the cap 13. The end face portion 24 on the opening side of the cap cover 14 constitutes a measuring section according to the second embodiment, which serves as a measuring side for detecting whether the cap is attached or not.

The container 11 having such a configuration is placed on a conveyor 30 which is a specific example of a transport means, and is transported to the cap body attachment inspection apparatus 1. As the conveyor 30, a slat conveyor, an apron conveyor, a belt conveyor, or the like can be used. In the course of being conveyed by the conveyor 30, the cap body mounting inspection device 1 causes the cap 13 attached to the cap receiving port 12a of the container body 12 or the cap such as the cap cover 14 attached to the cover receiving portion 17b of the cap 13 to be closed. The quality of the mounted state of the body is detected.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the first and second cameras 2 and 3 of the cap body attachment inspection apparatus 1 continuously connect a predetermined portion (a reference portion and a measurement portion) of the container 11 as a subject. And outputs a video signal corresponding to the video. For example, an imaging camera such as a television camera or a video camera can be used. The first camera 2 is a container 1
The second camera 3 captures a front portion of the flange portion 15 as the reference portion and the end portion 20 of the cap 13 as the measurement portion by the conveyor 30 in the transport direction. The second camera 3 also has the flange portion 15 and the end portion 20. Is for photographing the rear part of the conveyor 30 in the transport direction.

Therefore, the two cameras 2 and 3 are arranged side by side on one side of the conveyor 30 so as to be parallel to the conveying direction of the conveyor 30. And the conveyor 30
With the support bracket 31 installed at the same height as the flange portion 15 of the container 11 placed and transported on the container 11, the two cameras 2 and 3 are connected with the respective objective lenses facing the container 11 side. Fixedly supported. The illuminator 4 is connected to the conveyor 3 with respect to the first and second cameras 2 and 3.
It is installed at the same height on the opposite side across 0, and 2
Light is emitted toward the cameras 2 and 3. As such an illuminator 4, for example, an ultraviolet fluorescent lamp formed in a ring shape is preferable, but a linear fluorescent lamp may be used, or any other device having an appropriate brightness may be used. Illumination of the form can also be used.

The two cameras 2 and 3 and the illuminator 4
Are individually connected to two inspection controllers 5 and 6, respectively, which show a specific example of an attachment determining means for measuring the positional relationship between the reference portion and the measuring portion to determine whether or not the attachment state of the cap body is good. I have. The first and second inspection controllers 5 and 6 capture video signals of a predetermined portion of the container 11 photographed by the two cameras 2 and 3 and generate video signals VS corresponding to images suitable for inspection, respectively. Output. That is, each of the inspection controllers 5 and 6 has its own camera 2 and 3
When a suitable image is obtained by taking the photographing timing of the illuminator 4 and the photographing timing of
And to the second monitors 7 and 8, respectively.

The functions of the first and second inspection controllers 5 and 6 are based on the fact that the shooting speed of the cameras 2 and 3 and the light emission speed of the illuminator 4 are different. That is,
While the frequency of the illuminator 4 is 50 (or 60) Hertz [Hz], the shooting speed of the cameras 2 and 3 is 1 second.
For example, in the case of 30 frames, the subject cannot be recognized if the timings of both frames do not match. Therefore, the light emission timing of the illuminator 4 is set in each of the inspection controllers 5 and 6 so that the illuminator 4
Captures clear images obtained by the cameras 2 and 3 when the camera emits light, and outputs a video signal V corresponding to the video information.
Each of the inspection controllers 5 and 6 outputs only S to the monitors 7 and 8.

When these video signals VS are input to the monitors 7 and 8, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, in the first monitor 7, the flange portion 15 and its vicinity in the transport direction of the cap mounting portion in the vicinity thereof are connected. The portion is displayed on the screen, and on the second monitor 8, the rear portion of the flange portion 15 and the vicinity of the cap mounting portion in the transport direction is displayed on the screen. In such a screen display, when the monitors 7 and 8 are black and white CRTs, the portion of the container 11 is displayed in black by the irradiation of the illuminator 4 and the other portions are displayed in white.

Further, the first and second monitors 7 and 8 include:
Two mutually orthogonal X and Y axes for measuring the distance T between the reference unit 15 and the measurement unit 20 displayed on the screen,
A pointer Z, which starts from the X-axis extending in the horizontal direction and extends in parallel with the Y-axis extending in the vertical direction and indicates a distance T to the reference portion 15, can be displayed. This X axis and Y
The axis is movable in the up / down / left / right directions and the rotation direction, so that any position can be set as a reference part and a measurement part. Further, the X-axis is configured to be tracked so as to always coincide with a preset measurement unit,
The distance from the measuring unit to the reference unit is displayed by the pointer Z, and the distance T displayed by the pointer Z is calculated by each of the inspection controllers 5 and 6, and the calculated value is used as a measurement value for each inspection. It is temporarily stored in the controllers 5 and 6.

The first and second inspection controllers 5 and 6 include, for example, a central processing unit (CPU) for performing predetermined arithmetic processing based on the supplied information signal and a program for controlling the entire system in advance. A storage device (ROM) for storing, a storage device (RAM) for storing calculation results of the central processing unit (CPU) and the like, and an input / output device (I / O) for inputting and outputting information signals and control signals. A two-axis setting circuit for setting the X-axis and the Y-axis to the initial positions;
And a detecting circuit for detecting a distance from the measuring unit to the measuring unit.

The measured values detected by the detection circuits of the inspection controllers 5 and 6 are compared with a reference value stored in a storage device (RAM) in a central processing unit (CPU), and the measured value is compared with the reference value. When it is within the range, it is determined that the cap body is attached in a normal state. On the other hand, when the measured value is not within the range of the reference value, it is determined that the cap is not attached in a normal state and the cap is not properly attached. As a result, when it is determined that the cap is not properly mounted, each of the inspection controllers 5 and 6 outputs an output signal PS indicating that the cap is not properly mounted to the control controller 9 as a control device. I do.

When at least one of the inspection controllers 5 and 6 determines that the cap is improperly mounted, the control controller 9 outputs a control signal CS to operate the defective product take-out device 10. . Therefore, when the output signal PS is not input from any of the first and second inspection controllers 5 and 6 to the control controller 9, the control controller 9 outputs the control signal CS.
Is not output. The inspection controllers 5, 6
Is output even when the cap body is normally attached, the control controller 9 determines the content of the output signal, and receives the output signal PS indicating that the attachment state is defective. The control signal CS can be output only when the control signal CS is output.

The defective product take-out device 10 to which the control signal CS is inputted can be constituted, for example, as follows.
The defective product take-out device 10 has a spool having an appropriate length and an electromagnet loosely fitted to the spool, and is configured such that when the electromagnet is energized, the spool protrudes. The side surface of the product is pressed by the protrusion of the spool, and the beverage in a container determined to have the cap body attached incorrectly is discharged as a defective product.

Reference numeral 33 shown in FIG. 3 denotes a power supply for supplying power to the first and second monitors 7 and 8. In addition, two cameras 2 and 3, an illuminator 4, first and second inspection controllers 5 and 6, a control controller 9, and a defective product ejector 1
To 0, a power supply (not shown) is connected to supply necessary power.

The inspection of the state of attachment of the cap body by the cap body attachment inspection apparatus 1 having such a configuration is performed, for example, as follows. In the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, a cap 13 is applied as a cap body, and the quality of an attached state of the cap 13 attached to the cap receiving port 12a of the container body 12 filled with beverage is inspected. is there.

Here, the state where the cap 13 is normally attached means that the inner plug 16 is correctly fitted into the opening hole 25 of the cap receiving port 12a of the container body 12 as shown in FIG. 13 is a cap receptacle 12
It means a state of being correctly attached to a. At this time, the screw portion 17e of the cap body 17 is screwed tightly to the screw portion 12c of the cap receiving port 12a, and the pressing ridge 21b presses the flange 16b of the inner plug 16 against the end face of the cap receiving port 12a. It is in. In contrast, Cap 1
For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the state in which the inner plug 16 is forgotten and the inner plug 16 is not attached to the opening hole 25 of the cap receiving port 12a,
Only the state in which only the cap receiving port 12a is attached can be cited.

First, the case of the container 11 to which the cap 13 is normally attached will be described. This container 11
Is mounted on a conveyor 30 and conveyed, and passes in front of the two cameras 2 and 3, the first camera 2
The front part of the second flange 15 and the cap mounting part in the transport direction is photographed, and a video signal corresponding to the video is sent to the first inspection controller 5. Similarly, the second camera 3 captures an image of the rear portion of the container body 12 in the transport direction of the flange portion 15 and the cap mounting portion, and sends an image signal corresponding to the image to the second inspection controller 6.

As a result, each of the inspection controllers 5, 6
Temporarily stores the video information in which the shadow of the container 11 clearly appears due to the relationship with the light emission timing of the illuminator 4 and transmits the video signal VS corresponding to the video information to the first and second monitors 7 and 8. Send out. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 4, the images obtained by the cameras 2 and 3 corresponding to the respective monitors 7 and 8 are displayed. Therefore, of the two reference axes appearing on the screens of the monitors 7 and 8, the X axis is made to coincide with the end surface 20 of the cap 13 which is the measurement unit. The X axis is controlled to follow the end surface 20 at all times, whereby the container 1 due to the unevenness of the conveyor 30 is controlled.
The vertical fluctuation of 1 is absorbed.

The distances T from the end surface 20 as the measuring portion and the upper surface of the flange portion 15 as the reference portion, which coincide with the X axis, are calculated by the respective inspection controllers 5 and 6. Since this calculated value is a value within a predetermined range set in advance, the output signal PS is not output from each of the inspection controllers 5 and 6 to the control controller 9 (or the measured value is a value within the predetermined range). Is output.) Therefore, the control signal CS is not output from the control controller 9.

By the way, in the case of the inner plug 16 used for a container having a capacity of 500 ml, the thickness of the collar 16b is 0.7
mm, and the thickness of the collar portion 16b is about 0.5 mm in consideration of the depression of the pressing ridge 21b due to the tightening of the cap 13. Therefore, an allowable value of about 0.3 mm can be expected as a value within the predetermined range. Therefore, when the set value is T and the measured value is T1, it can be determined that the mounting state is normal within the range of T1 = T ± 0.3 mm. That is, T-
0.3 mm <T1 <T + 0.3 mm.

Next, the case of the container 11 in which the cap 13 is abnormally attached will be described. This container 11
Is mounted on the conveyor 30 and conveyed, and passes in front of the two cameras 2 and 3, the front and rear portions in the conveying direction of the flange portion 15 and the cap attaching portion of the container body 12 by the cameras 2 and 3. The part is photographed in the same manner, and a video signal corresponding to the video is transmitted to the first and second inspection controllers 5 and 6. As a result, each of the inspection controllers 5 and 6 temporarily stores the video information corresponding to the video in which the shadow of the container 11 clearly appears, and also transmits the video signal VS to the first and second monitors 7 and 8. Send out.

As a result, as shown in FIG. 5, the images obtained by the cameras 2 and 3 corresponding to the respective monitors 7 and 8 are displayed. Then, based on the X axis appearing on the screens of the monitors 7 and 8, the end face 20 of the cap 13 is referred to.
Is calculated by each of the inspection controllers 5 and 6. This calculated value is
Since the value is not within the predetermined range (T−0.3 mm <T1 <T + 0.3 mm) of the reference value T set in advance based on the lack of the inner plug 16, the controller 5 from each of the inspection controllers 5 and 6 sends the value to the control controller 9. In response, an output signal PS is output.

As described above, when the output signal PS is output from the inspection controllers 5 and 6 to the control controller 9,
The control signal CS is output from the control controller 9 at a predetermined timing. As a result, the defective product removal device 1
0 operates to discharge the container 11 determined to have the cap 13 improperly attached to the outside of the conveyor 30. As a result, only defective products are removed from the transport path during the transport of the conveyor 30, and only non-defective products are subsequently removed from the conveyor 30.
And sent to the next product packaging process.

In this embodiment, an example in which the upper surface of the flange portion 15 is flat has been described for easy understanding, but the upper surface of the flange portion 15 is inclined at an appropriate angle. Of course, the same effect can be obtained even with respect to the surface. Further, contrary to this embodiment, an X-axis may be set on the upper surface of the flange portion 15 and the distance from the upper surface to the end surface portion 20 of the cap 13 may be measured. Further, in this embodiment, even when the cap 13 is not attached, it is determined that the cap is not properly attached, and the container 11 is removed from the transport path by the conveyor 30 through the operation of the defective product take-out unit 10. .

Further, the monitors 7 and 8 according to this embodiment are
When the worker considers that visual observation is not necessary, the video taken by the cameras 2 and 3 can be erased without displaying it, and can be displayed on the monitors 7 and 8 only when the worker wants to view as an image. It is. Also in this case, since the video information supplied from the cameras 2 and 3 is stored by the inspection controllers 5 and 6, the inspection of the cap body mounting state is performed in the same manner.

In the second embodiment shown in FIG. 6, a cap cover 14 is applied as a cap body, and a cap attached to a cover receiving portion 17b of a cap 13 attached to a cap receiving port 12a of a container body 12 filled with beverage. This is to check whether the cover 14 is properly mounted.

Here, the state in which the cap cover 14 is normally attached means that the cap cover 1 is provided in the cover receiving portion 17b of the cap body 17 as shown in FIGS.
4 is a state in which it is correctly fitted. At this time, the cover protrusion 14a of the cap cover 14 is securely fitted to the cap protrusion 21a of the cover receiving portion 17b over the entire circumference. On the other hand, the state where the cap cover 14 is not properly attached means that, for example, as shown in FIG.
1a.

In the case of the container 11 to which the cap cover 14 is normally attached, the above-described cap 13 is used.
Since this is the same as the case described above, the description thereof is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 6, when the cap cover 14 is attached in an abnormal state, video signals corresponding to the video are transmitted from the first and second cameras 2 and 3 to the first and second cameras. Are sent to the inspection controllers 5 and 6, respectively. As a result, each of the inspection controllers 5 and 6 temporarily stores video information corresponding to a video in which the shadow of the container 11 clearly appears, and also transmits the video signal VS to the first and second monitors 7 and 8 As a result, the images obtained by the cameras 2 and 3 corresponding to the respective monitors 7 and 8 are displayed.

Then, based on the X-axis appearing on the screens of the monitors 7 and 8, from the end face 24 which is the second measuring part of the cap cover 14 to the surface of the cover receiving part 17 b which is the second reference part. Distance T of each inspection controller 5, 6
It is calculated by If the normal distance at this time is T3, the measured value of the second monitor 8 is T3, which is a normal value, but the measured value of the first monitor 7 is T4, which is abnormally large. . As a result, no abnormality is detected by the second inspection controller 6, but an abnormality is detected by the first inspection controller 5.

Thus, the first inspection controller 5
Only the second controller 6 outputs the output signal PS and the second inspection controller 6 does not output the output signal PS. However, when one of the output signals PS is input to the controller 9, the controller 9 The signal CS is output. As a result, the defective product take-out device 10 is operated, and the container 11 determined to have the cap cover 14 improperly mounted is discharged out of the conveyor 30. As a result, only defective products are conveyed to the conveyor 30.
In the course of the transportation, only the non-defective products are transported by the conveyor 30 and sent to the next packaging step.

As described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, in the above embodiment, an example in which a plastic container is used as the material of the container has been described. The present invention is also applicable to other containers made of ceramics and ceramics. Further, in the above embodiment, the screw type cap using the screw as the fastening means of the cap 13 has been described, but various fastening methods such as a crown type and a cork type can be applied. In the case of a cap using an inner plug, the shape of the inner plug is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and a sheet member such as paper, a plastic sheet, or an aluminum sheet can be used as the inner plug. Thus, the present invention can be variously modified without departing from the spirit thereof.

[0075]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention,
According to the cap body mounting inspection method according to the above, the reference portion of the container body or the cap and the measurement portion of the cap or the cap cover, which are photographed by the camera, are stored as video information, and the reference portion and the measurement portion are compared based on the video information. Since the positional relationship is detected, it is possible to obtain an effect that the quality of the mounting state of the cap body can be accurately and quickly determined without being affected by vibration of the conveyor or the like.

According to the cap body mounting inspection method according to the second aspect of the present invention, since the reference portion is the flange portion of the container body and the measuring portion is the end surface portion on the opening side of the cap, the flange portion and the end surface portion Is measured, it is possible to obtain an effect that the quality of the attached state of the cap attached to the container body can be accurately determined.

According to the cap body mounting inspection method according to the third aspect of the present invention, since the reference portion is the cover receiving portion of the cap and the measuring portion is the end surface on the opening side of the cap cover, these cover receiving portion and the end surface are provided. Since the distance between the cap and the cap is measured, it is possible to obtain an effect that the quality of the mounting state of the cap cover mounted on the cap can be accurately determined.

According to the cap body mounting inspection method according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the reference is based on the video information of the two cameras that photograph the front and rear directions of the container body and the cap or the cap and the cap cover mounting part in the transport direction. Since the interval between the unit and the measuring unit is measured, when the interval is not within the predetermined range, it is possible to accurately determine that the mounting state of the cap or the cap cover is defective.

According to the cap body mounting inspection method according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the video information obtained by photographing with the camera is displayed on the monitor, the mounting of the cap or the cap cover via the monitor is performed. It is possible to obtain an effect that the quality can be determined by visually checking the state.

According to the cap body mounting inspection apparatus according to claim 6 of the present invention, the reference part of the container body or the cap and the measuring part of the cap or the cap cover are photographed by the camera,
Based on the image information, the attachment determination means detects the positional relationship between the reference portion and the measurement portion to determine whether the cap is attached to the container body or the cap cover is attached to the cap. The effect that the quality of the attached state of the cap or the cap cover can be accurately and promptly detected without being affected by the above.

According to the cap body mounting inspection apparatus according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, two cameras photograph the front and rear of the container main body and the cap or the mounting portion of the cap and the cap cover in the transport direction, and based on the video information, Since the distance between the reference part and the measuring part is measured, it is possible to accurately detect whether the mounting state of the cap or the cap cover, such as the mounting posture or the tightening depth, is good.

According to the cap body mounting inspection apparatus according to the eighth aspect of the present invention, since the video information obtained by photographing with the camera is displayed on the monitor, the cap or the cap cover is mounted via the monitor. It is possible to obtain an effect that the quality can be determined by visually checking the state.

According to the cap body mounting inspection apparatus according to the ninth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the above, a control apparatus for outputting a control signal based on the result of the determination by the mounting determining means, and a controller which operates based on the control signal. Since the configuration is such that the non-defective product removal device is provided, it is possible to obtain an effect that, when it is determined that the cap installation is defective, the control device activates the non-defective product removal device to remove the container determined to be defective.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing an embodiment of a cap body attachment inspection apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an embodiment of a cap body attachment inspection apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an embodiment of a cap body attachment inspection apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a first example using the cap body attachment inspection apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of detection of a cap, and is an explanatory diagram of a normal mounting state of a cap.

FIG. 5 shows a first example using the cap body attachment inspection apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of detection of a cap, and is an explanatory diagram of an abnormal mounting state of a cap.

FIG. 6 shows a second example using the cap body attachment inspection apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of detection of a cap, and is an explanatory diagram of an abnormal mounting state of a cap.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Cap body installation inspection device, 2, 3 camera, 4
Illuminator, 5,6 inspection controller (attachment judgment means), 7,8 monitor, 9 control controller,
DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 10 defective product removal device, 11 container, 12 container body, 12a cap receiving port, 13 cap (cap body), 14 cap cover (cap body),
15 Flange part (reference part), 16 Inner plug, 16a
Collar part, 17 cap body, 17b Cover receiving part (reference part), 20, 24 end face part (measuring part)

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing from the front page (72) Inventor Hiroyuki Saito 1 Abara-cho, Shimizu-shi, Shizuoka F-term in Shimizu-shi agricultural cooperative (reference) 3E080 AA07 BB02 CE01 EE04 EE05

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A camera according to claim 1, further comprising: a camera mounted on a cap attached to a cap receiving opening of the container body or a cap cover attached to a cover receiving portion provided on the cap, and storing image information thereof. Then, based on the video information, the positional relationship between the reference portion of the container body or the cap and the measuring portion of the cap body is detected, and based on the positional relationship between the reference portion and the measuring portion, whether the mounting state of the cap body is good or not is determined. A cap body attachment inspection method characterized in that a judgment is made. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the reference portion is a flange portion provided at a root portion of a cap receiving port of the container body, and the measuring portion is an end face of the cap on an opening side. And measuring an interval between the flange portion and the end surface portion, and determining that the attachment state of the cap is defective when the interval is not within a predetermined range. . 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the reference portion is a cover receiving portion of the cap, and the measuring portion is an end surface of the cap cover on an opening side, and wherein the cover receiving portion is a cover receiving portion. A cap body mounting inspection method comprising: measuring a space between a part and an end face part; and determining that the mounting state of the cap cover is defective when the space is not within a predetermined range. 4. The method for inspecting the attachment of a cap according to claim 1, wherein the positional relationship is determined by photographing the front and rear of the cap or the mounting portion of the cap cover in the transport direction with two cameras and individually capturing the video information. The distance between the reference part and the measuring part is measured based on the image information, and when both the distances are not within a predetermined range, it is determined that the mounting state of the cap body is defective. Cap body installation inspection method. 5. The method for inspecting the attachment of a cap according to claim 1, wherein video information obtained by photographing with the camera is displayed on a monitor so that the monitor can visually check the attachment state of the cap. A cap body attachment inspection method, characterized in that: 6. A camera for photographing a container main body and a cap attached to a cap receptacle of the container main body or a cap cover attached to the cap and a cover receiving portion provided on the cap, and an image supplied from the camera. Attachment determination for detecting the positional relationship between the reference portion of the container body or the cap and the measuring portion of the cap or the cap cover based on the information to determine whether or not the attachment state of the cap to the container body or the attachment state of the cap cover to the cap is good. Means for inspecting the attachment of a cap body, comprising: 7. The cap body mounting inspection device according to claim 6, wherein the camera is arranged on a side of the container body and individually photographs before and after the mounting direction of the cap or the cap cover mounting part. A cap body attachment inspection apparatus comprising two cameras. 8. The monitor according to claim 6, wherein the monitor displays image information of the state of attachment of the cap to the container body or the state of attachment of the cap cover to the cap obtained by photographing with the camera. A cap body attachment inspection device, comprising: 9. The control device according to claim 6, wherein a control signal is output when an interval between the reference portion and the measuring portion is not within a predetermined range based on a result of the determination by the mounting determining portion. And a defective product take-out device that operates based on a control signal output from the control device and takes out, as a defective product, the container body to which the cap or cap cover in which the mounting state of the cap body is determined to be defective is mounted. And a cap body attachment inspection device, characterized in that: