Inspection device and packaging body manufacturing device

Abstract

An inspection device and the like capable of making a more appropriate pass / fail judgment are provided. X-rays are irradiated to a PTP film, and an X-ray transmission image with different shades of brightness is obtained based on the X-rays that penetrate the PTP film. The PTP film is inspected based on the X-ray transmission image. For the inspection, a storage area 2b corresponding to the storage space of the tablet and a flange area 3b corresponding to the flange around the storage space are identified, and the presence or absence of foreign matter in each area is inspected. The structure is as follows: when tablet fragments or powder are located in the storage area 2b, the tablet fragments or powder are not detected as foreign matter, and when tablet fragments or powder are located in the flange area 3b, the tablet fragments or powder are detected as foreign matter. Depending on whether the inspection object is the storage area 2b or the flange area 3b, whether the tablet fragments or powder are detected as foreign matter can be appropriately changed, and a more appropriate pass / fail judgment can be made.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an inspection device and a packaging manufacturing device used for inspecting a packaging body containing tablets. Background Art

[0002] In various fields such as known pharmaceuticals and foods, PTP (Press Through Package) sheets are widely used as packaging sheets for packaging tablets.

[0003] The PTP sheet is a container film having a bag portion for accommodating tablets, and a cover film attached to the container film in a manner to seal the opening side of the bag portion, and is constructed so that the bag portion can be pressed from the outside and the tablet accommodated therein pierces the cover film as a lid, so that the tablet can be taken out.

[0004] Such a PTP sheet is manufactured through a bag forming step of forming a bag portion on a strip-shaped container film, a filling step of filling the bag portion with tablets, an installation step of installing a strip-shaped cover film on a flange portion formed around the bag portion of the container film in a manner to seal the opening side of the bag portion to manufacture a PTP film, and a cutting step of cutting the PTP film to obtain a PTP sheet as a final product.

[0005] Generally speaking, when manufacturing PTP sheets, the PTP film or PTP sheet (hereinafter collectively referred to as the package) is inspected. The inspection includes: whether there are foreign objects such as metal sheet or tablet fragments, powder, etc. in the storage space in the bag or the flange around the bag.

[0006] In recent years, from the viewpoint of improving light-shielding properties and moisture-proof properties, both container films and cover films are often made of an opaque material having aluminum or the like as a base material.

[0007] In such cases, the above-mentioned various inspections are performed using an X-ray inspection device or the like (for example, see Patent Document 1). Generally speaking, an X-ray inspection device includes an X-ray generator (X-ray source) for irradiating a package with X-rays, and an X-ray detector for detecting X-rays that have penetrated the package, and performs various inspections based on the amount of X-ray penetration. In addition, regarding the inspection method, there is a known method of detecting foreign matter by segmenting (segmenting) an X-ray image obtained by an X-ray detector according to light and dark classifications, and applying an optimal foreign matter detection algorithm to each segmented image (for example, see Patent Document 2).

[0008] [Prior art literature]

[0009] [Patent Document]

[0010] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2013-253832

[0011] [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2004-301748 Summary of the invention

[0012] [Problems to be solved by the invention]

[0013] Even when there are detectable foreign objects (tablet fragments or powder, metal pieces, etc.) in the package, there may be cases where the package is judged to be good even if the location or type of the object is such that there is no problem. For example, when tablet fragments or powder are located in the storage space (inside the bag), if the same effect as taking one tablet can be obtained by taking the tablet components containing the fragments or powder in the storage space, there are cases where the package is not judged to be defective due to the tablet fragments, etc. On the other hand, when tablet fragments or powder are located in the flange (that is, when the tablet fragments, etc. are sandwiched between two films), there is a risk of reducing the sealing performance, so it is necessary to judge the package as defective due to the tablet fragments, etc.

[0014] In this regard, in the above-mentioned known inspection method, for example, if the setting is such that tablet fragments or powder are always detected as foreign matter, there is a risk that the package body is judged as defective regardless of the location of the tablet fragments, etc., resulting in an increase in manufacturing costs. On the other hand, for example, if the setting is such that tablet fragments or powder are not always detected as foreign matter, the package body in which the tablet fragments or powder are located at the flange portion may be judged as a good product, resulting in a risk of lowering the quality of the package body.

[0015] The above problem may occur not only in PTP packaging but also in other packaging fields such as SP (Strip Package) packaging and tablet packaging. Also, not limited to X-rays, it may occur in other electromagnetic waves such as megahertz electromagnetic waves that penetrate the packaging body.

[0016] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an inspection device and a packaging body manufacturing device that can perform more appropriate pass / fail determination.

[0017] [Solution to solve the problem]

[0018] The following is a description of each solution that is suitable for solving the above-mentioned purpose. In addition, the corresponding solution is supplemented with specific effects as needed.

[0019] Solution 1. An inspection device for inspecting a package body, wherein the package body is provided with a first film made of an opaque material and a second film made of an opaque material, and a tablet is accommodated in a receiving space formed between the two films, characterized in that:

[0020] The inspection device has:

[0021] An electromagnetic wave irradiation mechanism irradiates the package body with electromagnetic waves that can penetrate the package body from the first film side;

[0022] a photographing mechanism disposed on the second film side so as to sandwich the packaging body and face the electromagnetic wave irradiation mechanism, and obtaining an electromagnetic wave transmission image with shades related to brightness based on the electromagnetic waves that penetrate the packaging body; and

[0023] The image processing means can perform inspection related to the aforementioned packaging body based on the electromagnetic wave penetration image obtained by the aforementioned photographing means, and

[0024] Furthermore, the image processing mechanism has:

[0025] An area specifying mechanism specifies, in a predetermined inspection area of ​​the electromagnetic wave penetration image, a receiving area corresponding to the receiving space and a flange area corresponding to the flange around the receiving space;

[0026] The foreign matter presence determination mechanism uses a predetermined first threshold value to determine whether there is a foreign matter in the aforementioned receiving area, and uses a predetermined second threshold value to determine whether there is a foreign matter in the aforementioned flange area.

[0027] The first threshold is set to a value lower than the brightness of the portion corresponding to the tablet in the electromagnetic wave transmission image.

[0028] The second threshold is set to a value higher than the first threshold and lower than the brightness of the portion corresponding to the flange portion in the electromagnetic wave transmission image.

[0029] In the following embodiments, the "package" includes a sheet-like package that becomes a product (e.g., a package sheet such as a "PTP sheet" or "SP sheet") or a strip-like package before the sheet-like package is cut (e.g., a package film such as a "PTP film" or "SP film"). Furthermore, as the electromagnetic wave, X-rays or megahertz electromagnetic waves can be cited.

[0030] Furthermore, the “brightness of the portion corresponding to the tablet in the electromagnetic wave transmission image” may be, for example, the brightness of the tablet portion in the electromagnetic wave transmission image obtained in advance after setting the irradiation conditions of the electromagnetic wave on the package body and the shooting conditions using the shooting mechanism to be the same, or the brightness of the portion corresponding to the tablet obtained during the inspection. Furthermore, the “brightness of the portion corresponding to the flange portion in the electromagnetic wave transmission image” may be, for example, the brightness of the flange portion in the electromagnetic wave transmission image obtained in advance after setting the irradiation conditions of the electromagnetic wave on the package body and the shooting conditions using the shooting mechanism to be the same, or the brightness of the portion corresponding to the flange portion obtained during the inspection.

[0031] According to the above-mentioned scheme 1, the storage area corresponding to the storage space and the flange area corresponding to the flange are identified. Then, in the storage area, the first threshold value set to a value lower (darker) than the brightness of the portion corresponding to the tablet in the electromagnetic wave penetration image is used to check for foreign matter. Therefore, with respect to the inspection of the storage area, even if the portion whose brightness in the electromagnetic wave penetration image is lower than the first threshold value is determined as a foreign matter, tablet fragments or powder are present in the storage area (storage space), and they may not be detected as foreign matter. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the package from being judged as defective due to the fragments or powder of the tablet located in the storage space.

[0032] On the other hand, in the flange area, a second threshold value set to a value higher than the first threshold value and lower than the brightness of the portion corresponding to the flange in the electromagnetic wave penetration image is used to check for foreign matter. Therefore, with respect to the inspection of the flange area, the portion whose brightness in the electromagnetic wave penetration image is lower than the second threshold value is determined to be a foreign matter, and when tablet fragments or powder exist in the flange area (flange), this can be detected as a foreign matter. That is, the package can be determined to be defective based on the tablet fragments or powder located in the flange. In addition, in order to more reliably detect tablet fragments and the like as foreign matter, the second threshold value is preferably set to a value higher than the brightness of the portion corresponding to the tablet in the electromagnetic wave penetration image.

[0033] Thus, according to the above-mentioned solution 1, whether to detect tablet fragments or powder as foreign matter can be appropriately changed according to the difference between the inspection object being the storage space (storage area) and the flange (flange area), and a more appropriate pass / fail judgment can be made. As a result, it is possible to suppress the increase in manufacturing costs and improve the quality of the packaging body.

[0034] Furthermore, by setting the first threshold value so that the metal piece can be detected, as a result, the metal piece existing in the storage space or the flange portion can be detected as a foreign matter. Therefore, when the metal piece exists in the package, the package can be judged as defective regardless of the location of the metal piece. Furthermore, since the metal piece is usually displayed darker than the fragments of the tablet, for example, by setting the first threshold value to a value higher than the brightness of the portion corresponding to the metal piece in the electromagnetic wave transmission image, the metal piece can be detected as a foreign matter.

[0035] Solution 2. An inspection device for inspecting a package body, wherein the package body is provided with a first film made of an opaque material and a second film made of an opaque material, and a tablet is accommodated in a receiving space formed between the two films, characterized in that:

[0036] The inspection device has:

[0037] An electromagnetic wave irradiation mechanism irradiates the package body with electromagnetic waves that can penetrate the package body from the first film side;

[0038] A photographing mechanism is arranged on the second film side so as to sandwich the packaging body and face the electromagnetic wave irradiation mechanism, and acquires an electromagnetic wave transmission image with shades related to brightness based on the electromagnetic wave that penetrates the packaging body;

[0039] The image processing means can perform inspection related to the aforementioned packaging body based on the electromagnetic wave penetration image obtained by the aforementioned photographing means.

[0040] And the aforementioned image processing mechanism has:

[0041] An area specifying mechanism specifies, in a predetermined inspection area in the electromagnetic wave penetration image, a receiving area corresponding to the receiving space and a flange area corresponding to the flange around the receiving space;

[0042] The foreign matter presence determination mechanism determines whether there are foreign matters in the aforementioned receiving area and the aforementioned flange area, respectively.

[0043] The first threshold value for determining whether or not there is a foreign object in the receiving area and the second threshold value for determining whether or not there is a foreign object in the flange area are set to different values.

[0044] According to the above scheme 2, after specifying the receiving area corresponding to the receiving space and the flange area corresponding to the flange, the first threshold is used to determine the presence of foreign matter in the receiving area, and the second threshold different from the first threshold is used to determine the presence of foreign matter in the flange area. Therefore, depending on whether the inspection object is the receiving space or the flange, the situation of whether to detect as a foreign matter can be appropriately changed, and a more appropriate pass / fail judgment can be made. As a result, it is possible to suppress the increase in manufacturing costs and improve the quality of the packaging body.

[0045] Solution 3. An inspection device for inspecting a package body, wherein the package body is provided with a first film made of an opaque material and a second film made of an opaque material, and a tablet is accommodated in a receiving space formed between the two films, characterized in that:

[0046] The inspection device has:

[0047] An electromagnetic wave irradiation mechanism irradiates the package body with electromagnetic waves that can penetrate the package body from the first film side;

[0048] A photographing mechanism is arranged on the second film side so as to sandwich the packaging body and face the electromagnetic wave irradiation mechanism, and obtains an electromagnetic wave transmission image with shades related to brightness based on the electromagnetic wave that penetrates the packaging body;

[0049] The image processing means can perform inspection related to the aforementioned packaging body based on the electromagnetic wave penetration image obtained by the aforementioned photographing means.

[0050] Furthermore, the image processing mechanism has:

[0051] An area specifying mechanism specifies, in a predetermined inspection area in the electromagnetic wave penetration image, a receiving area corresponding to the receiving space and a flange area corresponding to the flange around the receiving space;

[0052] The foreign matter presence determination mechanism determines whether there are foreign matters in the aforementioned receiving area and the aforementioned flange area, respectively.

[0053] The above-mentioned foreign matter presence determination mechanism is constructed as follows: when tablet fragments or powder are located in the above-mentioned receiving area, the tablet fragments or powder are not detected as foreign matter, but when tablet fragments or powder are located in the above-mentioned flange area, the tablet fragments or powder can be detected as foreign matter.

[0054] According to the above scheme 3, after the storage area corresponding to the storage space and the flange area corresponding to the flange are determined, when the tablet fragments or powder are located in the storage area, the tablet fragments or powder are not detected as foreign matter, and when the tablet fragments or powder are located in the flange area, the tablet fragments or powder are detected as foreign matter. Therefore, according to the difference between whether the inspection object is in the storage space (storage area) or in the flange (flange area), whether the tablet fragments or powder are detected as foreign matter can be appropriately changed, and a more appropriate pass / fail judgment can be made. As a result, it is possible to suppress the increase in manufacturing costs and improve the quality of the packaging body.

[0055] Solution 4. An inspection device as in any one of Solution 1 to Solution 3, wherein at least one of the first film and the second film has an inner space forming a bag portion of the receiving space, and is composed of a metal film or a film having a metal layer,

[0056] The aforementioned area specifying mechanism is constructed as follows: in a predetermined inspection area in the aforementioned electromagnetic wave penetration image, a portion corresponding to the tablet is specified, and an annular dark shadow located around the specified portion is specified as the outline of the aforementioned receiving space, and the inside of the outline is specified as the aforementioned receiving area.

[0057] When at least one of the first film and the second film has a bag portion and is formed of a metal film or a film having a metal layer, in the electromagnetic wave penetration image, an annular portion located around the tablet and corresponding to the outer edge of the bag portion (containing space) is represented as a darker shadow than the surrounding area.

[0058] Taking advantage of this, according to the fourth embodiment, the portion corresponding to the tablet is identified, and the annular dark shadow around the identified portion is identified as the outline of the storage space, and the inside of the outline is identified as the storage area. Therefore, the storage area can be identified more accurately and more easily.

[0059] Scheme 5. An inspection device as in any one of schemes 1 to 3, wherein the aforementioned area specifying mechanism is constructed as follows: a predetermined inspection area in the aforementioned electromagnetic wave penetration image is specified as a portion corresponding to the tablet, and an area formed by expansion of the specified portion is specified as the aforementioned receiving area.

[0060] According to the fifth aspect, the storage area can be identified (estimated) with a certain degree of accuracy by relatively simple processing, so that the processing load of the pass / fail determination can be reduced and sufficiently good inspection accuracy can be guaranteed.

[0061] In addition, the above-mentioned scheme 5 or the later-described schemes 6 and 7 are that the first film and the second film are formed of a synthetic resin material that does not allow, for example, visible light to penetrate, and are particularly effective in situations where the annular portion corresponding to the outer edge of the containment space is not represented as a dark shadow in the electromagnetic wave penetration image.

[0062] Scheme 6. An inspection device as in any one of Schemes 1 to 3, wherein the aforementioned area specifying mechanism is constructed as follows: a predetermined inspection area in the aforementioned electromagnetic wave penetration image specifies a portion corresponding to a tablet, and the center or center of gravity of the specified portion is obtained, and the aforementioned receiving area is specified based on the obtained center or center of gravity and design data related to the position of the aforementioned receiving space.

[0063] According to the sixth aspect, the storage area can be identified (estimated) with a certain degree of accuracy by relatively simple processing, thereby reducing the processing load of the pass / fail determination and ensuring sufficiently good inspection accuracy.

[0064] Solution 7. The inspection device according to any one of Solutions 1 to 3, wherein:

[0065] An appearance photographing mechanism for photographing the aforementioned packaging body to obtain an appearance image related to the appearance of the aforementioned packaging body;

[0066] a storage space specifying means for specifying the position of the storage space in the appearance image obtained by the appearance photographing means;

[0067] The region specifying means is configured to specify the housing region in a predetermined inspection region in the electromagnetic wave transmission image based on the position of the housing space specified by the housing space specifying means.

[0068] According to the seventh embodiment, the actual position of the storage space in the package is identified by the appearance photographing mechanism and the storage space identifying mechanism, and the storage area is identified based on the identified position. Therefore, the storage area can be identified very accurately, and excellent inspection accuracy can be achieved.

[0069] Solution 8. A packaging body manufacturing device, characterized by comprising an inspection device as described in any one of Solution 1 to Solution 7.

[0070] According to the above-mentioned solution 8, the same effects as those of the above-mentioned solution 1 and the like can be obtained.

[0071] Solution 9. A packaging body manufacturing method for obtaining a packaging body, wherein the packaging body is provided with a first strip-shaped film made of an opaque material and a second strip-shaped film made of an opaque material, and a tablet is accommodated in a accommodating space formed between the two films, characterized in that:

[0072] The packaging body manufacturing method comprises:

[0073] An installation step of installing the conveyed strip-shaped first film and the conveyed strip-shaped second film;

[0074] A filling step of filling a tablet into the aforementioned receiving space formed between the aforementioned first film and the aforementioned second film;

[0075] an inspection step of inspecting the packaged body obtained through the installation step and the filling step,

[0076] The aforementioned inspection process includes:

[0077] an irradiation step of irradiating the package body with electromagnetic waves that can penetrate the package body from the first film side by a predetermined electromagnetic wave irradiation mechanism;

[0078] A photographing step, using a photographing means disposed on the second film side so as to sandwich the packaging body and face the electromagnetic wave irradiation means, to obtain an electromagnetic wave transmission image having shades related to brightness based on the electromagnetic waves that penetrate the packaging body;

[0079] The pass / fail judging step is to judge the pass / fail status of the aforementioned packaging body based on the electromagnetic wave penetration image obtained by the aforementioned photographing step.

[0080] The above-mentioned qualification determination process includes:

[0081] an area specifying step of specifying, in a predetermined inspection area of ​​the electromagnetic wave penetration image, a receiving area corresponding to the receiving space and a flange area corresponding to the flange around the receiving space;

[0082] a foreign matter presence determination step, using a predetermined first threshold value to determine whether there is a foreign matter in the aforementioned receiving area, and using a predetermined second threshold value to determine whether there is a foreign matter in the aforementioned flange area,

[0083] The first threshold is set to a value lower than the brightness of the portion corresponding to the tablet in the electromagnetic wave transmission image.

[0084] The second threshold is set to a value higher than the first threshold and lower than the brightness of the portion corresponding to the flange portion in the electromagnetic wave transmission image.

[0085] According to the above-mentioned solution 9, the same effects as those of the above-mentioned solution 1 can be obtained. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0086] Figure 1 A three-dimensional image of a PTP sheet.

[0087] Figure 2 This is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the PTP sheet.

[0088] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram showing the PTP film and inspection area.

[0089] Figure 4 This is a general diagram of the PTP packaging machine.

[0090] Figure 5 A block diagram showing the electrical structure of an X-ray inspection device.

[0091] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram showing the general structure of an X-ray inspection device.

[0092] Figure 7 A flowchart showing the manufacturing process.

[0093] Figure 8 It is a flowchart showing the area specifying process of the first embodiment.

[0094] Fig. 9 This is a flow chart showing the process of determining the presence or absence of foreign matter.

[0095] Fig.10 A diagram schematically showing an X-ray transmission image or a thin-slice shading image.

[0096] Fig.11 A diagram schematically showing a dark and dark image for storage space inspection.

[0097] Fig.12 To indicate the first threshold and Fig.11 A graph showing the brightness change on the A-A′ line.

[0098] Fig.13 A diagram schematically showing a shaded image for flange inspection.

[0099] Fig.14 To indicate the second threshold and Fig.13 A graph showing the brightness change of the B-B′ line.

[0100] Fig.15 It is a flowchart showing the area specific process of the second embodiment.

[0101] Fig.16 It is a flowchart showing the area specific process of the third embodiment.

[0102] Fig.17 This is a diagram schematically showing the structure of an X-ray inspection apparatus according to a fourth embodiment.

[0103] Fig.18 It is a block diagram showing a part of the electrical structure of the X-ray inspection apparatus according to the fourth embodiment.

[0104] Fig.19 It is a flowchart showing the area specific process of the fourth embodiment.

[0105] Fig. 20 It is a top view showing an SP sheet according to another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0106] [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0107] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0108] [First embodiment]

[0109] First, the PTP sheet 1 as a packaging sheet (sheet-like packaging body) will be described.

[0110] like Figure 1 , 2 As shown, the PTP sheet 1 has a container film 3 having a plurality of pockets 2 and a cover film 4 attached to the container film 3 to plug the pockets 2. In this embodiment, the "container film 3" constitutes the "first film" and the "cover film 4" constitutes the "second film".

[0111] The container film 3 and the cover film 4 in this embodiment are formed of an opaque material with aluminum as the base material (main material). For example, the container film 3 is formed of an aluminum laminated film (a synthetic resin film laminated on an aluminum film). On the other hand, the cover film 4 is formed of an aluminum film.

[0112] The PTP sheet 1 is formed into a generally rectangular shape in a plan view, and its four corners are arc-shaped with rounded corners. In the PTP sheet 1, five rows of pockets are formed in the long side direction of the sheet, each of which is composed of two pockets 2 arranged in the short side direction of the sheet. That is, a total of 10 pockets 2 are formed. In the internal space of each pocket 2, that is, each receiving space 2a, one tablet 5 is received.

[0113] In addition, a plurality of pinhole lines 7 are formed on the PTP sheet 1 along the short side of the sheet to serve as a cutter so as to be able to cut off the small sheets 6 containing a predetermined number (two in this embodiment) of pockets 2 as units.

[0114] In addition, a label portion 8 having various information (the characters "ABC" in this embodiment) such as the tablet name and batch number is engraved on one end of the PTP sheet 1 in the long side direction. The label portion 8 is not provided with the bag portion 2 and is separated from the sheet body portion 1a composed of five small sheets 6 by a pinhole line 7.

[0115] The PTP sheet 1 of this embodiment (see Figure 1 ), through the strip-shaped PTP film 9 (reference Figure 3 ), the PTP sheet 1 which will become the final product is punched into a rectangular sheet, etc., and the "strip packaging body" is composed of a strip-shaped container film 3 and a strip-shaped cover film 4 installed.

[0116] like Figure 3 As shown, the PTP film 9 of this embodiment is arranged such that the punching range Ka (hereinafter referred to as "sheet punching range Ka") of two PTP sheets 1 are arranged side by side in the film width direction. In addition, in the PTP film 9, the portion corresponding to the label portion 8 is located in the central portion in the film width direction.

[0117] Next, with respect to the general structure of the PTP packaging machine 10 for manufacturing the above-mentioned PTP sheet 1, refer to Figure 4 In this embodiment, the "PTP packaging machine 10" constitutes a "package manufacturing device".

[0118] like Figure 4 As shown in FIG. 1 , a strip-shaped container film 3 is wound into a roll at the most upstream side of the PTP packaging machine 10. The lead-out end side of the container film 3 wound into a roll is guided by a guide roller 13. The container film 3 is hung on an intermittent feed roller 14 at the downstream side of the guide roller 13. The intermittent feed roller 14 is connected to a motor that rotates intermittently, and conveys the container film 3 intermittently.

[0119] A bag forming device 16 as a bag forming mechanism is disposed between the guide roller 13 and the intermittent feed roller 14 along the conveying path of the container film 3. The bag forming device 16 forms a plurality of bags 2 at a time at predetermined positions of the container film 3 by cold working. The bag 2 is formed in the interval during the action of conveying the container film 3 by the intermittent feed roller 14.

[0120] The PTP packaging machine 10 of the present embodiment is configured as a packaging machine (combined machine) in which the container film 3 is made not only of aluminum but also of a relatively hard thermoplastic resin material having a predetermined rigidity such as PP (polypropylene) and PVC (polyvinyl chloride). Therefore, a heating device 15 for heating the container film 3 to a soft state is provided on the upstream side of the bag forming device 16. Of course, the heating device 15 is not used when forming the container film 3 made of aluminum.

[0121] The container film 3 fed from the intermittent feed roller 14 is hung in the order of the tension roller 18, the guide roller 19 and the film receiving roller 20. Since the film receiving roller 20 is connected to a fixed rotating motor, the container film 3 is continuously conveyed at a constant speed. The tension roller 18 is set to pull the container film 3 to the tension side by elastic force, prevent the container film 3 from bending due to the difference in conveying action between the intermittent feed roller 14 and the film receiving roller 20, and keep the container film 3 in a normal tension state.

[0122] A tablet filling device 21 as a filling mechanism is disposed between the guide roller 19 and the film receiving roller 20 along the conveyance path of the container film 3 .

[0123] The tablet filling device 21 has a function of automatically filling the bag 2 with tablets 5. The tablet filling device 21 is synchronized with the action of conveying the container film 3 by the film receiving roller 20, opens the shutter at a predetermined interval to allow the tablets 5 to fall, and fills the tablets 5 into each bag 2 with the shutter opening action.

[0124] On the other hand, the strip-shaped cover film 4 is wound into a roll at the most upstream side. The lead-out end of the rolled cover film 4 is guided toward the heating roller 23 by the guide roller 22. The heating roller 23 is configured to be in pressure contact with the film receiving roller 20, so that the container film 3 and the cover film 4 are fed between the two rollers 20 and 23.

[0125] Then, the container film 3 and the cover film 4 are passed between the two rollers 20 and 23 in a heated and pressed state, and the flange portion 3a (see Figure 1 , 2 ) is adhered to the cover film 4 so that the bag 2 is plugged with the cover film 4. Thus, the PTP film 9 as a "package" in which the tablets 5 are filled in each bag 2 is manufactured. In addition, fine mesh-like convex strips for sealing are formed on the surface of the heating roller 23, and a strong seal is achieved by strong pressure bonding.

[0126] Furthermore, the film receiving roller 20 is provided with an encoder (not shown) which outputs a predetermined timing signal to the X-ray inspection device 45 described later every time the film receiving roller 20 rotates a predetermined amount, that is, every time the PTP film 9 is conveyed a predetermined amount.

[0127] The PTP film 9 fed from the film receiving roller 20 is hung on the tension roller 27 and the intermittent feed roller 28 in this order.

[0128] Since the intermittent feed roller 28 is connected to a motor that rotates intermittently, the PTP film 9 is intermittently conveyed. The tension roller 27 is set to pull the PTP film 9 to the tensioned side according to the elastic force, prevent the PTP film 9 from bending due to the difference in the conveying action of the film receiving roller 20 and the intermittent feed roller 28, and keep the PTP film 9 in a normal tensioned state.

[0129] An X-ray inspection device 45 is provided between the film receiving roller 20 and the tension roller 27 along the conveying path of the PTP film 9. The X-ray inspection device 45 is an X-ray inspection device whose main purpose is to detect abnormalities of the bag portion 2 (in this embodiment, whether there are foreign objects in the bag portion 2) and abnormalities of the flange portion 3a outside the bag portion 2 (in this embodiment, whether there are foreign objects on the flange portion 3a). Of course, the inspection items are not limited to these, and other inspection items can also be implemented. In this embodiment, the "X-ray inspection device 45" constitutes an "inspection device".

[0130] The PTP film 9 fed from the intermittent feed roller 28 is hung in the order of the tension roller 29 and the intermittent feed roller 30. Since the intermittent feed roller 30 is connected to a motor that rotates intermittently, the PTP film 9 is intermittently conveyed. The tension roller 29 is set to pull the PTP film 9 to the tension side by elastic force, so as to prevent the PTP film 9 from bending between the intermittent feed rollers 28 and 30.

[0131] Between the intermittent feed roller 28 and the tension roller 29, along the conveying path of the PTP film 9, a pinhole line forming device 33 and a marking device 34 are sequentially arranged.

[0132] The pinhole line forming device 33 has a function of forming the pinhole line 7 at a predetermined position of the PTP film 9. The marking device 34 has a function of adding the marking "ABC" at a predetermined position of the PTP film 9 (corresponding to the position of the label portion 8).

[0133] The PTP film 9 fed from the intermittent feed roller 30 is hung on the downstream side in the order of the tension roller 35 and the continuous feed roller 36. A sheet punching device 37 is arranged between the intermittent feed roller 30 and the tension roller 35 along the conveying path of the PTP film 9. The sheet punching device 37 has a function as a sheet punching mechanism (cutting mechanism) for punching the outer edge of the PTP film 9 in units of PTP sheets 1.

[0134] The PTP sheet 1 punched by the sheet punching device 37 is conveyed by the conveyor 39 and temporarily stored in the finished product hopper 40. In the case where the PTP sheet 1 is determined to be a defective product by the above-mentioned X-ray inspection device 45, the PTP sheet 1 determined to be a defective product is not conveyed to the finished product hopper 40, but is separately discharged by a defective sheet discharge mechanism as a discharge mechanism not shown in the figure and moved to the defective product hopper not shown in the figure.

[0135] A cutting device 41 is provided on the downstream side of the continuous feed roller 36. Then, the waste film portion 42 remaining in a strip shape after being punched by the sheet punching device 37 is guided by the tension roller 35 and the continuous feed roller 36 and then guided to the cutting device 41. Here, the continuous feed roller 36 is pressed by the driven roller and conveys the waste film portion 42 while holding it.

[0136] The cutting device 41 has a function of cutting the waste film portion 42 into a predetermined size. The cut waste film portion 42 (waste) is stored in a waste hopper 43 and then disposed of separately.

[0137] Furthermore, although the surfaces of the rollers 14, 19, 20, 28, 29, 30 and the like are opposed to the bag 2, the intermittent feed roller 14 and the like have recesses formed on their surfaces for receiving the bag 2, so there is no possibility of collapse of the bag 2. Furthermore, since the bag 2 is fed while being received in the recesses of the intermittent feed roller 14 and the like, the intermittent feeding operation or the continuous feeding operation can be reliably performed.

[0138] The PTP packaging machine 10 is roughly as described above, and the structure of the X-ray inspection device 45 is described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Figure 5 A block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the X-ray inspection device 45. Figure 6 A schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of the X-ray inspection device 45 .

[0139] like Figure 5 , 6 As shown, the X-ray inspection device 45 includes: an X-ray irradiation device 51 for irradiating the PTP film 9 with X-rays; an X-ray sensor camera 52 for taking an X-ray penetration image of the PTP film 9 irradiated with the X-rays; and a control processing device 53 for implementing various controls, image processing, calculation processing, etc. within the X-ray inspection device 45, such as drive control of the X-ray irradiation device 51 and the X-ray sensor camera 52.

[0140] The "X-ray" in this embodiment is equivalent to the "electromagnetic wave". Moreover, the "X-ray penetration image" constitutes the "electromagnetic wave penetration image", the "control processing device 53" constitutes the "image processing mechanism", the "X-ray irradiation device 51" constitutes the "electromagnetic wave irradiation mechanism", and the "X-ray sensor camera 52" constitutes the "photographing mechanism".

[0141] The X-ray irradiation device 51 and the X-ray sensor camera 52 are housed in a shielding box (not shown) made of a material capable of shielding X-rays. The shielding box has a slit-shaped opening for passing the PTP film 9 and is structured to minimize leakage of X-rays to the outside.

[0142] The X-ray irradiation device 51 is arranged on the container film 3 side of the PTP film 9 transported in the vertical downward direction. The X-ray irradiation device 51 has an irradiation source 51a for irradiating X-rays at a position opposite to the center of the width direction of the PTP film 9. The irradiation source 51a has an X-ray generation source and a collimator for concentrating X-rays (not shown in the figure), and is configured to irradiate the PTP film 9 from the container film 3 side with fan-beam X-rays having a predetermined spread (fan angle) in the width direction of the PTP film 9. The irradiation angle (fan angle) of the X-rays by the X-ray irradiation device 51 is set to an angle in a range corresponding to two pieces of PTP sheets 1 arranged side by side in the width direction of the PTP film 9. In addition, it is also possible to set a configuration that can irradiate cone-beam X-rays having a predetermined spread in the transport direction of the PTP film 9.

[0143] The X-ray sensor camera 52 is arranged on the opposite side of the X-ray irradiation device 51 (the cover film 4 side in this embodiment) with the PTP film 9 interposed therebetween, along a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the PTP film 9 and facing the X-ray irradiation device 51 .

[0144] The X-ray sensor camera 52 has an X-ray sensor 52a composed of a plurality of X-ray detection components arranged in a row along the film width direction and capable of detecting X-rays that penetrate the PTP film 9, and is configured to capture (expose) X-rays that penetrate the PTP film 9. Examples of the X-ray detection components include a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) having a scintillator light conversion layer.

[0145] Furthermore, the X-ray transmission image with shades related to brightness obtained by the X-ray sensor camera 52 is converted into a digital signal (image signal) inside the camera 52 every time the PTP film 9 is transported by a predetermined amount, and then output to the control processing device 53 (image data storage device 74) in the form of a digital signal. Then, the control processing device 53 performs image processing on the X-ray transmission image and implements various inspections described later.

[0146] Next, the control processing device 53 refers to Figure 5 The control processing device 53 includes: a microcomputer 71 for controlling the entire X-ray inspection device 45; an input device 72 composed of a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, etc.; a display device 73 having a display screen such as a CRT or a liquid crystal; an image data storage device 74 for storing various image data, etc.; a calculation result storage device 75 for storing various calculation results, etc.; a setting data storage device 76 for pre-storing various information; and an inspection program storage device 77 for storing software related to the inspection. In addition, each of these devices 72 to 77 is electrically connected to the microcomputer 71.

[0147] The microcomputer 71 includes a CPU 71a as a computing unit, a ROM 71b for storing various programs, and a RAM 71c for temporarily storing various data such as computing data or input / output data, and is in charge of various controls in the control processing device 53, and is connected to the PTP packaging machine 10 so as to be able to send and receive various signals.

[0148] Under such a configuration, the microcomputer 71, for example, drives and controls the X-ray irradiation device 51 and the X-ray sensor camera 52 to perform a photographing process of obtaining an X-ray penetration image of the PTP film 9, an inspection process of inspecting a predetermined portion of the PTP film 9 based on the X-ray penetration image, and an output process of outputting the inspection result of the inspection process to a defective sheet discharge mechanism of the PTP packaging machine 10, etc.

[0149] The image data storage device 74 stores various image data, including an X-ray transmission image acquired by the X-ray sensor camera 52 , a shielded image subjected to shielding processing, a binarized image subjected to binarization processing, and the like.

[0150] The calculation result storage device 75 is used to store the inspection result data or the statistical data after the inspection result data is subjected to probability and statistics processing, etc. These inspection result data and statistical data can be displayed on the display device 73 as appropriate.

[0151] The data storage device 76 is set to store various information used for inspection. As such various information, for example, the shapes and sizes of the PTP sheet 1, the bag 2, and the tablet 5, the shapes and sizes of the sheet frame for partitioning the inspection area Kb, the shapes and sizes of the bag frame, the brightness threshold used for binarization, and the reference values ​​used when performing various pass / fail judgments (for example, a predetermined value Lo for eliminating the influence of noise, etc.) are set to be stored.

[0152] The first threshold δ1, the second threshold δ2, and the third threshold δ3 as brightness thresholds are pre-stored in the setting data storage device 76. The first threshold δ1 is set to a value lower than the brightness of the portion corresponding to the tablet 5 in the X-ray transmission image (for example, the lowest brightness among the brightness of the portion corresponding to the tablet 5) and higher than the brightness of the portion corresponding to the foreign matter such as the metal piece in the X-ray transmission image.

[0153] The second threshold value δ2 is a value different from the first threshold value δ1, and is set to a value higher than the first threshold value δ1 and lower than the brightness of the portion corresponding to the flange portion 3a in the X-ray transmission image (for example, the lowest brightness among the brightness of the portion corresponding to the flange portion 3a). In addition, in the present embodiment, the second threshold value δ2 is set to a value higher than the brightness of the portion corresponding to the tablet 5 in the X-ray transmission image.

[0154] The third threshold value δ3 is used to specify the brightness threshold value of the tablet 5 and the outer edge of the bag 2, and is set to be higher than the brightness of the portion corresponding to the tablet 5 in the X-ray transmission image and the dark shadow 2c appearing around the tablet 5 in the X-ray transmission image (see Fig.10 ) with a low brightness value.

[0155] In addition, the "brightness of the portion corresponding to the tablet 5, foreign matter, and flange 3a in the X-ray transmission image" is the brightness of the tablet portion, foreign matter portion, and flange portion in the X-ray transmission image obtained in advance on the basis of setting the irradiation conditions of the X-rays to the PTP film 9 or the imaging conditions by the X-ray sensor camera 52 to be the same. In addition, the "brightness of the portion corresponding to the tablet 5, foreign matter, and flange 3a in the X-ray transmission image" may be obtained based on the X-ray transmission image during inspection and appropriately updated during inspection.

[0156] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as the inspection area Kb, the area corresponding to the sheet main body 1a composed of five small sheets 6 is set except the area corresponding to the label portion 8 in the area corresponding to the PTP film 9. Figure 3 ).

[0157] The inspection program storage device 77 stores software for executing the inspection process. The software stored in the inspection program storage device 77 includes area identification software 77a and pass / fail determination software 77b.

[0158] The area specifying software 77a includes: a program for specifying a predetermined inspection area (in the present embodiment, the inspection area Kb) in the X-ray transmission image based on the shape and size of the sheet frame stored in the setting data storage device 76; and a program for specifying the storage area 2b (refer to the example in FIG. 2 ) of the configuration storage space 2a in the specified inspection area Kb using the third threshold value δ3. Fig.10 ) and the flange area 3b corresponding to the flange 3a (refer to Fig.10 ) procedure.

[0159] Furthermore, the pass / fail judgment software 77b includes a program for judging the presence or absence of foreign matter in the storage area 2b using the first threshold value δ1 and a program for judging the presence or absence of foreign matter in the flange area 3b using the second threshold value δ2. In addition, as described above, since the first threshold value δ1 and the second threshold value δ2 are different values, the situations in which foreign matter is judged in the storage area 2b and the flange area 3b are different.

[0160] When an X-ray transmission image of at least one sheet of the PTP sheet 1 to be a product is obtained by the X-ray sensor camera 52, the area specifying software 77a and the pass / fail determination software 77b are executed by the microcomputer 71.

[0161] When the area specifying software 77a is executed, first, the inspection area Kb in the X-ray transmission image is delimited by setting the aforementioned thin-film frame for the X-ray transmission image. The X-ray transmission image corresponding to the inspection area Kb is regarded as the thin-film shading image Xa (refer to Fig.10 .in, Fig.10 Only a part of the sheet shaded image Xa is shown in the figure, and the sheet shaded image Xa is stored in the image data storage device 74.

[0162] In addition, if Fig.10 As shown, in the X-ray transmission image or the thin sheet shading image Xa, there is almost no difference in brightness between the flange area 3b and the area other than the tablet 5 in the storage area 2b. This is because the images of these areas are obtained based on the X-rays that only penetrate the container film 3 and the cover film 4. On the other hand, in the X-ray transmission image or the thin sheet shading image Xa, the tablet area 5b corresponding to the area of ​​the tablet 5 becomes darker than the flange area 3b and the like. This is because the X-rays are attenuated according to the thickness of the tablet 5. In addition, in the X-ray transmission image or the thin sheet shading image Xa, the first foreign matter area 100b corresponding to foreign matter such as a metal sheet becomes darker than the tablet area 5b. This is because foreign matter such as a metal sheet is more likely to block X-rays than the tablet 5. On the other hand, the second foreign matter area 100c corresponding to the fragments or powder of the tablet 5 becomes substantially the same brightness as the tablet area 5b or slightly brighter.

[0163] When the sheet shade image Xa is obtained, the third threshold value δ3 is used to perform a binarization process on the sheet shade image Xa. For example, the sheet shade image Xa is converted into a binary image by setting the value above the third threshold value δ3 as "1 (bright part)" and the value below the third threshold value δ3 as "0 (dark part)", and the binary image is stored in the image data storage device 74. In this embodiment, in the binary image, the portion corresponding to the tablet 5 and the shadow 2c is represented as "0 (dark part)".

[0164] Next, block processing is performed on the above-mentioned binary image. In terms of block processing, processing of specifying the link components for "0 (dark part)" and "1 (bright part)" of the binary image is performed, and labeling processing of assigning labels to each link component is performed. Here, the occupied area of ​​each specified link component is expressed by the number of points corresponding to the pixel of the X-ray sensor camera 52.

[0165] Then, from the connected components of "0 (dark part)" identified by the block processing, the connected components corresponding to the tablet 5, that is, the tablet area 5b are identified. The connected components corresponding to the tablet 5 can be identified by determining the connected components having predetermined coordinates, the connected components having a predetermined shape, or the connected components having a predetermined area.

[0166] Next, from the connection components of "0 (dark part)" identified by the block processing, the annular dark shadow 2c located around the connection components corresponding to the tablet 5 and corresponding to the outer edge of the bag 2 is identified. The annular dark shadow 2c can be identified, for example, by determining that the link component is in a predetermined positional relationship with the connection component corresponding to the tablet 5. The annular dark shadow 2c is identified as the outline of the storage space 2a.

[0167] Next, the inner side of the outline of the storage space 2a in the X-ray transmission image (thin sheet shading image Xa) corresponding to the inspection area Kb is specified as the storage area 2b. And, the thin sheet shading image Xa is subjected to a masking process for extracting only the specified storage area 2b. The image subjected to such a masking process is used as the shading image Xb for storage space inspection (refer to Fig.11 ) is stored in the image data storage device 74.

[0168] In addition, the area other than the receiving area 2b in the X-ray transmission image (thin slice shading image Xa) corresponding to the inspection area Kb is specified as the flange area 3b. In addition, the thin slice shading image Xa is subjected to a masking process for extracting only the specified flange area 3b. The image subjected to such a masking process is stored as a shading image Xc for flange inspection (see FIG. Fig.13 ).

[0169] Furthermore, the pass / fail determination software 77b is executed after the area identification software 77a. After the pass / fail determination software 77b is executed, the shading image Xb for the storage space inspection is subjected to a binarization process using the first threshold value δ1. More specifically, the shading image Xb for the storage space inspection is converted into a binary image by taking the values ​​above the first threshold value δ1 as "1 (bright part)" and the values ​​below the first threshold value δ1 as "0 (dark part)", and the binary image is stored in the image data storage device 74.

[0170] Here, the first threshold δ1 is lower (darker) than the brightness B1 of the receiving area 2b and the brightness B2 of the tablet area 5b in the shaded image Xb, and higher than the brightness B3 of the first foreign matter area 100b (the area of ​​the foreign matter such as the metal sheet) in the shaded image Xb (refer to Fig.12 ).also, Fig.12 To schematically represent the first threshold δ1 and Fig.11 Therefore, in this binary image, the storage space 2a, the tablet 5 and its fragments or powder are represented by "1 (bright part)", and foreign matter such as metal pieces are represented by "0 (dark part)".

[0171] Next, by applying block processing to the binary image for the storage space inspection, the block portion whose area value of the dark portion is greater than the predetermined value Lo is extracted (taking into account the influence of noise, blocks less than Lo are removed). And, in the case where a block portion exists, it is determined that a foreign object such as a metal piece exists. On the other hand, in the case where no block portion exists, it is determined that no foreign object exists. In addition, the determination of the presence or absence of a foreign object such as a metal piece is performed for each of the storage areas 2b.

[0172] Furthermore, the flange inspection shade image Xc is subjected to binarization processing using the second threshold value δ2. More specifically, the flange inspection shade image Xc is converted into a binary image for flange inspection by setting the second threshold value δ2 or more as "1 (bright part)" and the second threshold value δ2 or less as "0 (dark part)", and the binary image is stored in the image data storage device 74.

[0173] Here, the second threshold value δ2 is higher than the first threshold value δ1 and lower (darker) than the brightness B4 of the flange region 3b in the X-ray transmission image. (See Fig.14 ).also, Fig.14 To schematically represent the second threshold δ2 and Fig.13 Therefore, in this binary image, the flange 3a is represented by "1 (bright part)", and the fragments, powder, and metal pieces of the tablet 5 are represented by "0 (dark part)".

[0174] Next, by applying block processing to the binary image for flange inspection, block portions whose area value of the dark portion is greater than the predetermined value Lo are extracted (blocks less than Lo are excluded). If a block portion exists in the flange 3a, it is determined that a foreign object exists, and if a block portion does not exist, it is determined that a foreign object does not exist.

[0175] As a result, in this embodiment, when the fragments or powder of the tablet 5 are located in the receiving area 2b, the fragments or powder of the tablet 5 are not detected as foreign matter, and when the fragments or powder of the tablet 5 are located in the flange area 3b, the fragments or powder of the tablet 5 are detected as foreign matter.

[0176] In this embodiment, the "region specifying unit 78" as the "region specifying means" is constituted by the "microcomputer 71", the "setting data storage device 76" and the "inspection program storage device 77" storing the region specifying software 77a (see Figure 5 ). In addition, the "foreign matter presence / absence determination unit 79" as the "foreign matter presence / absence determination mechanism" is constituted by the "microcomputer 71", the "setting data storage device 76" and the "inspection program storage device 77" storing the pass / fail determination software 77b (refer to Figure 5).

[0177] Next, the manufacturing process of the PTP sheet 1 including the inspection process performed by the X-ray inspection device 45 is described.

[0178] like Figure 7 As shown, first, in the bag forming process of step S1, the bag forming device 16 forms the bag 2 on the container film 3 in sequence. Next, in the filling process of step S2, the tablet filling device 21 fills the tablet 5 into the accommodation space 2a of the bag 2.

[0179] After the filling process, the mounting process of step S3 is performed. In the mounting process, the container film 3 and the cover film 4 are fed between the two rollers 20 and 23 to mount the cover film 4 on the container film 3, thereby obtaining the PTP film 9.

[0180] Thereafter, an inspection process of step S4 is performed using the X-ray inspection device 45. The inspection process S4 includes an irradiation process of step S41, an imaging process of step S42, and a pass / fail determination process of step S43.

[0181] In the irradiation process of step S41, the X-rays are irradiated to the PTP film 9 by driving and controlling the X-ray irradiation device 51 and the X-ray sensor camera 52 by the microcomputer 71. In the photographing process of step S42, a one-dimensional X-ray transmission image of the X-rays penetrating the PTP film 9 is obtained by photographing the X-ray sensor camera 52 each time the PTP film 9 is conveyed by a predetermined amount.

[0182] Then, the X-ray transmission image acquired by the X-ray sensor camera 52 is converted into a digital signal inside the camera 52 and then output to the control processing device 53 (image data storage device 74) in the form of a digital signal.

[0183] In more detail, when the PTP film 9 is normally irradiated with X-rays from the X-ray irradiation device 51, when a timing signal is input from the encoder to the microcomputer 71, the microcomputer 71 starts the exposure process using the X-ray sensor camera 52.

[0184] Then, when the next timing signal is input, the charges accumulated in the light receiving part such as the light emitting diode are integrated and transferred to the shift register. Then, the charges transferred to the shift register are sequentially output as image signals (X-ray transmission images) along with the transfer clock signal until the next timing signal is input.

[0185] That is, the time from the point in time when a predetermined timing signal is input from the encoder to the point in time when the next timing signal is input becomes the exposure time of the X-ray sensor camera 52 .

[0186] In addition, in this embodiment, each time the PTP film 9 is conveyed, the X-ray sensor camera 52 obtains an X-ray transmission image of the width of the X-ray sensor 52a in the conveying direction of the PTP film 9, that is, a length equivalent to one CCD width. Of course, a different configuration may be adopted.

[0187] The X-ray transmission images output from the X-ray sensor camera 52 are sequentially stored in the image data storage device 74 in a time series.

[0188] Then, the above series of processes are repeated every time the PTP film 9 is conveyed by a predetermined amount, and finally the X-ray transmission images of the two PTP sheets 1 arranged side by side in the width direction of the PTP film 9 are stored in the image data storage device 74. In this way, when the X-ray transmission image of the PTP sheet 1 to be a product is obtained, the microcomputer 71 executes the pass / fail judgment process of step S43.

[0189] In the pass / fail judgment process (inspection procedure) of step S43, the region specific process of step S431 and the foreign matter presence / absence judgment process of step S433 are performed. In addition, the pass / fail judgment process is performed for each case of each PTP sheet 1 that becomes a product. Therefore, in this embodiment, the pass / fail judgment process is performed for each portion of the PTP film 9 equivalent to one PTP sheet 1, that is, for each portion of two PTP sheets 1 included in the X-ray transmission image, each PTP film 9 is transported.

[0190] At the beginning, refer to Figure 8 The flowchart of FIG. 4 will explain the region specifying process of step S431. In the region specifying process, first, the inspection image acquisition process of step S4311 is executed. Specifically, the image of the PTP sheet 1 to be inspected in the X-ray transmission image is read out from the image data storage device 74 as an inspection image.

[0191] Next, in step S4312 , the slice frame is set for the read inspection image, the inspection area Kb in the X-ray transmission image is delimited, and a slice shading image Xa is obtained. The obtained slice shading image Xa is stored in the image data storage device 74 .

[0192] In addition, in the present embodiment, the setting position of the sheet frame is predetermined based on the relative positional relationship with the PTP film 9. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the setting position of the sheet frame is not adjusted in accordance with the inspection image every time, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and a configuration may be made in which the setting position of the sheet frame is appropriately adjusted based on information obtained from the X-ray transmission image in consideration of the occurrence of misalignment.

[0193] Furthermore, in the tablet region identification process of the next step S4313, first, the obtained sheet shade image Xa is subjected to binarization processing using the third threshold value δ3, and the binarized image obtained by the processing is stored in the image data storage device 74. Thereafter, the binarized image is subjected to block processing, and the connected component corresponding to tablet 5 (the portion corresponding to tablet 5) is identified from the connected components of "0 (dark portion)" identified by the block processing.

[0194] Next, in step S4314, a ring-shaped dark shadow 2c located around a portion corresponding to the tablet 5 identified by the block processing is identified.

[0195] Thereafter, in step S4315, the inside of the dark shadow 2c in the X-ray transmission image (sheet shading image Xa) corresponding to the inspection area Kb is specified as the containment area 2b. Then, a masking process is applied to the sheet shading image Xa to extract only the specified containment area 2b, and the shading image Xb for containment space inspection obtained by the masking process is stored in the image data storage device 74.

[0196] Then, at the end of the region specifying process, the flange region specifying process of step S4316 is performed. In step S4316, a masking process is performed to extract the region other than the receiving region 2b in the X-ray transmission image (sheet shading image Xa) corresponding to the inspection region Kb, and the shading image Xc for flange inspection obtained by the masking process is stored in the image data storage device 74.

[0197] Next, refer to Fig. 9 The flowchart of step S433 is used to illustrate the process of determining whether there is foreign matter.

[0198] First, in step S4331, the grayscale image Xb for the storage space inspection obtained in the process of step S4315 is binarized using the first threshold value δ1, and the binarized image for the storage space inspection obtained by the binarization process is stored in the image data storage device 74. Next, in step S4332, block processing is performed on the binarized image for the storage space inspection to extract block portions whose area values ​​are greater than the predetermined value Lo.

[0199] Thereafter, in step S4333, the value of the foreign matter presence flag of all the bag portions 2 is set to "0". The "foreign matter presence flag" is used to indicate the determination result regarding the presence or absence of foreign matter in the bag portion 2 (accommodation space 2a), and is set in the calculation result storage device 75. When there is no foreign matter in the bag portion 2, the value of the foreign matter presence flag corresponding to the bag portion 2 is set to "1".

[0200] In the next step S4334, the value C of the bag number count set in the calculation result storage device 75 is set to "1" as an initial value. In addition, the "bag number" refers to the serial number set corresponding to each of the 10 bag portions 2 in the inspection area Kb of one PTP sheet 1, and the position of the bag portion 2 and the storage area 2b can be specified based on the value C of the bag number count (hereinafter, simply referred to as "bag number C").

[0201] Then, in step S4335, it is determined whether the bag number C is less than the number of bags N ("10" in this embodiment) per inspection area (per PTP sheet 1).

[0202] If the judgment result in step S4335 is yes, the process proceeds to step S4336, and the presence or absence of foreign matter in the storage area 2b (bag portion 2) corresponding to the current bag number C (e.g., C=1) is determined based on the binarized image for storage space inspection. Here, if there is a block portion in the storage area 2b, it is determined that there is a foreign matter such as a metal piece in the storage area 2b, and the process proceeds to step S4338 as it is. On the other hand, if there is no block portion in the storage area 2b, the process proceeds to step S4337.

[0203] In step S4337, it is determined that there is no foreign matter such as a metal piece in the storage area 2b (bag portion 2) corresponding to the current bag number C, and the foreign matter presence flag target value corresponding to the bag number C is set to "1". Thereafter, the process moves to step S4338.

[0204] In step S4338, "1" is added to the current bag number C to set a new bag number C. Thereafter, the process returns to step S4335.

[0205] Then, when the newly set bag number C is still less than the number of bags N ("10" in the present embodiment), the process moves to step S4336 again, and the above series of determination processes on the presence or absence of foreign matter are repeatedly executed.

[0206] On the other hand, when it is determined that the newly set bag number C exceeds the number of bags N, that is, when it is determined as no in step S4335, the determination of the presence or absence of foreign matter related to all bag parts 2 (containment area 2b) is deemed to be completed and transferred to step S4339.

[0207] In step S4339, the flange inspection grayscale image Xc obtained in the process of step S4316 is binarized using the second threshold value δ2, and the flange inspection binary image obtained by the binarization process is stored in the image data storage device 74. Next, in step S4340, the flange inspection binary image is subjected to block processing, and a block portion having an area value greater than the predetermined value Lo is extracted.

[0208] In the next step S4341, it is determined whether the flange portion 3a is a good product. Specifically, it is determined whether a block portion exists in the flange portion region 3b based on the binary image for flange portion inspection.

[0209] If it is determined to be negative here, the process proceeds to step S4342. On the other hand, if it is determined to be positive, that is, if it is determined that foreign matter such as pieces of tablet 5 is present on the flange portion 3a, the process proceeds to step S4344.

[0210] In step S4342, it is determined whether the value of the foreign matter presence flag of all the bags 2 in the inspection area Kb is "1". If it is determined to be yes here, that is, if there are no foreign matters in all the bags 2 in the inspection area Kb, in step S4343, the PTP sheet 1 corresponding to the inspection area Kb is determined to be a "good product", and the pass / fail determination process is completed.

[0211] On the other hand, when the determination result in step S4342 is negative, that is, when a foreign object exists in at least one of all the bag portions 2 in the inspection area Kb, the process proceeds to step S4344.

[0212] In step S4344, the PTP sheet 1 corresponding to the inspection area Kb is judged as a "defective product", and the pass / fail judgment process is completed.

[0213] In addition, in the good product judgment processing of step S4343 and the defective product judgment processing of step S4344, the inspection results related to the PTP sheet 1 corresponding to the inspection area Kb are stored in the calculation result storage device 75 and output to the PTP packaging machine 10 (including the defective sheet discharge mechanism).

[0214] return Figure 7 After the inspection process of step S4, in the pinhole line forming process of step S5, a pinhole line is formed at a predetermined position of the PTP film 9 by using the pinhole line forming device 33. In the subsequent engraving process of step S6, an engraving device 34 is used to set an engraving on the PTP film 9. Thereafter, by performing the cutting process of step S7, the manufacturing process of the PTP sheet 1 is completed. In the cutting process, the PTP film 9 is punched out by the sheet punching device 37 and the PTP sheet 1 is cut out from the PTP film 9 to manufacture the PTP sheet 1.

[0215] As described in detail above, according to the present embodiment, in the inspection of the storage area 2b, even if the portion whose brightness is lower than the first threshold value δ1 in the X-ray transmission image (sheet shading image Xa) is determined to be a foreign matter, it is possible to set it not to detect it as a foreign matter if there are fragments or powders of the tablet 5 in the storage area 2b (storage space 2a). Therefore, it is possible to prevent the PTP film 9 and the PTP sheet 1 from being determined to be defective due to the fragments or powders of the tablet 5 in the storage space 2a.

[0216] On the other hand, in the inspection of the flange area 3b, the portion whose brightness is lower than the second threshold value δ2 in the X-ray transmission image (sheet shading image Xa) is determined to be a foreign matter, and when the fragments or powder of the tablet 5 are present in the flange area 3b (flange 3a), this can be detected as a foreign matter. That is, the PTP film 9 and the PTP sheet 1 can be determined to be defective based on the fragments or powder of the tablet 5 located in the flange 3a.

[0217] Thus, according to this embodiment, whether to detect the fragments or powder of the tablet 5 as foreign matter can be appropriately changed according to the difference between the inspection object being the storage space 2a (storage area 2b) and the flange 3a (flange area 3b), and a more appropriate pass / fail judgment can be made. As a result, it is possible to suppress the increase in manufacturing cost and improve the quality of the package.

[0218] Furthermore, since the first threshold value δ1 is set so as to detect the metal piece, as a result, the metal piece existing in the storage space 2a or the flange portion 3a can be detected as a foreign matter. Therefore, when the metal piece exists in the PTP film 9, the PTP film 9 and the PTP sheet 1 can be determined as defective products regardless of the location of the metal piece.

[0219] Furthermore, as in the present embodiment, when the container film 3 has the bag portion 2 and the container film 3 is formed of a metal film or a film having a metal layer, in the X-ray transmission image, the annular portion located around the tablet 5 and corresponding to the outer edge of the bag portion 2 (accommodation space 2a) is expressed as a dark shadow darker than the surrounding area. Taking advantage of this, in the present embodiment, the portion corresponding to the tablet 5 is identified by the area identifying unit 78, and the annular dark shadow 2c around the identified portion is identified as the outline of the accommodation space 2a, and the inside of the outline is identified as the accommodation area 2b. Therefore, the accommodation area 2b can be identified more accurately and more easily.

[0220] [Second embodiment]

[0221] Next, the differences between the second embodiment and the first embodiment will be mainly described. In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the processing after the processing of specifying the portion corresponding to the tablet 5 (the tablet portion specifying processing of step S4313) in the region specifying step of step S431 (i.e., the processing using the region specifying software 77a) is different.

[0222] More specifically, in this second embodiment, Fig.15As shown, in step S4317 following step S4313, a process of expanding the portion (tablet region 5b) corresponding to the specified tablet 5 is performed. This process is, for example, a process of enlarging the portion (tablet region 5b) corresponding to the tablet 5 at a default magnification with the center or the center of gravity as the center after specifying the center or the center of gravity of the portion (tablet region 5b) corresponding to the tablet 5.

[0223] Then, in step S4318, the area corresponding to the portion of the tablet 5 (tablet area 5b) is expanded and specified as the storage area 2b. Then, a masking process is applied to the sheet shading image Xa to extract only the storage area 2b, and the image obtained by the masking process is stored in the image data storage device 74.

[0224] Furthermore, in step S4319, the area other than the containing area 2b specified in step S4318 in the X-ray transmission image (thin slice shading image Xa) corresponding to the inspection area Kb is specified as the flange area 3b. Next, the thin slice shading image Xa is subjected to a masking process for extracting only the flange area 3b, and the image obtained by the masking process is stored in the image data storage device 74. In addition, the foreign matter presence determination process is performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment described above.

[0225] As described above, according to the second embodiment, the storage area 2b can be identified (estimated) accurately to a certain extent by relatively simple processing. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the processing load of the pass / fail determination and ensure sufficiently good inspection accuracy.

[0226] [Third embodiment]

[0227] Next, the differences between the third embodiment and the first embodiment will be mainly described. In the first embodiment and the third embodiment, the processing after the processing of specifying the portion corresponding to the tablet 5 (the tablet portion specifying processing of step S4313) in the region specifying step of step S431 (i.e., the processing using the region specifying software 77a) is different.

[0228] More specifically, in the third embodiment, Fig.16 As shown, after the portion corresponding to the tablet 5 is identified by the process of step S4313, in step S4320, a process of identifying the center or centroid of the portion corresponding to the identified tablet 5 (tablet region 5b) is performed.

[0229] Thereafter, in step S4321, the receiving area 2b is identified based on the identified center or center of gravity and the data of the designed bag portion 2 stored in the setting data storage device 76. The data of the designed bag portion 2 is pre-stored in the setting data storage device 76. For example, when the center of the plane area occupied by the designed bag portion 2 is set to overlap with the identified center or center of gravity, the area overlapping with the plane area is identified as the receiving area 2b. Then, a masking process for extracting only the receiving area 2b is applied to the sheet shading image Xa, and the image obtained by the masking process is stored in the image data storage device 74.

[0230] Thereafter, in step S4322, the area other than the containing area 2b specified in step S4321 in the X-ray transmission image (thin slice shading image Xa) corresponding to the inspection area Kb is specified as the flange area 3b. Furthermore, a masking process is applied to the thin slice shading image Xa to extract only the flange area 3b, and the image obtained by the masking process is stored in the image data storage device 74. In addition, the foreign matter presence determination step is performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment described above.

[0231] As described above, according to the third embodiment, the storage area 2b can be identified (estimated) with a certain degree of accuracy by relatively simple processing, thereby reducing the processing load of pass / fail determination and ensuring sufficiently good inspection accuracy.

[0232] [Fourth embodiment]

[0233] Next, the differences between the fourth embodiment and the first embodiment will be mainly described. Fig.17 , 18 As shown in FIG. 1 , the X-ray inspection device 45 includes a camera 54 disposed upstream of the X-ray irradiation device 51 and the X-ray sensor camera 52. In the present embodiment, the “camera 54” constitutes an “appearance photographing mechanism”. In addition, a storage space specifying software 77c for specifying the position of the storage space 2a is stored in the inspection program storage device 77. Then, by executing the storage space specifying software 77c by the microcomputer 71, the position of the storage space 2a is specified based on the appearance image of the PTP film 9 obtained by the camera 54.

[0234] A CCD camera having sensitivity to predetermined visible light (e.g., infrared light) is used as the camera 54. When the PTP film 9 is irradiated with visible light (e.g., infrared light) irradiated from an unillustrated lighting device, the camera 54 captures light reflected from the PTP film 9. The appearance image (brightness image) captured by the camera 54 is converted into a digital signal (image signal) inside the camera 54 and then input to the microcomputer 71 in the form of a digital signal.

[0235] Furthermore, in the fourth embodiment, before the area specifying software 77a is executed, the storage space specifying software 77c is executed by the microcomputer 71. When the storage space specifying software 77c is executed, the position of the storage space 2a (bag 2) in the external image is specified by applying binarization processing or block processing to the external image obtained by the camera 54. In the present embodiment, the "microcomputer 71" and the "inspection program storage device 77" storing the storage space specifying software 77c constitute the "storage space specifying unit 80" as the "storage space specifying means".

[0236] Furthermore, the area specifying process (that is, the area specifying software 77a) of step S431 is different between the first embodiment and the fourth embodiment.

[0237] More specifically, in this fourth embodiment, Fig.19 As shown, first, in step S4322, every time a predetermined amount of PTP film 9 is conveyed, a two-dimensional appearance image caused by light reflected from the PTP film 9 is obtained by the camera 54. The appearance image includes two PTP sheets 1 arranged side by side in the width direction of the PTP film 9.

[0238] In the next step S4323, binarization or block processing is performed on the acquired appearance image to identify the storage space 2a. For example, after binarization and block processing are performed on the appearance image, a portion corresponding to the outer edge of the bag portion 2 is extracted using the shape or coordinates of the block portion, and the area surrounded by the extracted portion is identified as the storage space 2a.

[0239] Thereafter, in step S4324, in the X-ray transmission image (thin sheet shading image Xa) corresponding to the inspection area Kb, processing is performed to identify the storage area 2b according to the position of the identified storage space 2a (bag 2). For example, the position coordinates of the identified storage space 2a (bag 2) are corrected to the positional offset between the appearance image and the X-ray transmission image (thin sheet shading image Xa) corresponding to the inspection area Kb. In addition, the area in the thin sheet shading image Xa corresponding to the corrected position coordinates of the storage space 2a (bag 2) is identified as the storage area 2b. Next, the image obtained by applying a masking process to the thin sheet shading image Xa to extract only the storage area 2b is stored in the image data storage device 74.

[0240] Then, finally, in step S4325, the area other than the specified receiving area 2b is specified as the flange area 3b, and the image obtained by performing masking processing on the sheet shading image Xa to extract only the flange area 3b is stored in the image data storage device 74. In addition, the foreign matter presence or absence determination step is performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment described above.

[0241] As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, the actual position of the storage space 2a in the PTP film 9 is specified by the camera 54 and the storage space specifying unit 80, and the storage area 2b is specified based on the specified position. Therefore, the storage area 2b can be specified very accurately, and excellent inspection accuracy can be achieved.

[0242] In addition, the present invention is not limited to the contents of the above-mentioned embodiments, and may be implemented in the following manner, for example. Of course, other application examples and modification examples not shown below are also possible.

[0243] (a) The structure of the sheet-like package (packaging sheet) is not limited to the PTP sheet 1 of the above-mentioned embodiment. For example, an SP sheet may be used as the inspection object.

[0244] like Fig. 20 As shown, a general SP sheet 90 is formed by overlapping two strip-shaped films 91 and 92 made of an opaque material with an aluminum base material, and the tablet 5 is filled between the two films 91 and 92 while leaving a bag-shaped receiving space 93 around the tablet 5. The periphery of the receiving space 93 is joined ( Fig. 20 The two films 91 and 92 (the shading pattern part in the middle) are made into a strip-shaped packaging film, and then the packaging film is cut into rectangular sheets to form a film.

[0245] In addition, in the SP sheet 90, a vertical pinhole line 95 formed along the long side direction of the sheet and a horizontal pinhole line 96 formed along the short side direction of the sheet may be formed in a cutting machine for cutting the SP sheet 90 into small sheets 94 each having one accommodating space 93. In addition, a label portion 97 printed with various information (the text "ABC" in this embodiment) may be attached to one end portion of the SP sheet 90 in the long side direction of the sheet.

[0246] (b) The arrangement or number of the pockets 2 of the PTP sheet 1 unit is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment (2 rows, 10 pieces), and for example, a PTP sheet having 3 rows and 12 pockets 2 (accommodating spaces 2a) and a variety of arrangements and numbers of pieces may be used (the same applies to the above-mentioned SP sheet). Of course, the number of pockets 2 (accommodating spaces 2a) contained in one small sheet is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment.

[0247] (c) In the PTP sheet 1 of the above-mentioned embodiment, the cutter is provided with a pinhole line 7 formed by intermittently arranging cuts that penetrate the PTP sheet 1 in the thickness direction, but the cutter is not limited to this, and a different structure may be adopted according to the material of the container film 3 and the cover film 4. For example, a non-penetrating cutter structure may be formed to form a slit (half-cut line) with a substantially V-shaped cross section. In addition, a cutter structure without the pinhole line 7 or the like may be provided.

[0248] (d) The material and layer structure of the first and second films are not limited to the structure of the container film 3 or the cover film 4 in the above embodiment. For example, in the above embodiment, the container film 3 and the cover film 4 are formed of a metal material such as aluminum as a base material, but they are not limited to this and other materials may be used. For example, a synthetic resin material that does not allow visible light to pass through may be used.

[0249] (e) The structure of the strip-shaped package is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and other structures may be adopted.

[0250] In the above embodiment, the PTP film 9 is configured such that the number of pockets 2 corresponding to two sheets is arranged along the width direction thereof, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the number of pockets 2 corresponding to one sheet may be arranged along the width direction thereof. Of course, the PTP film 9 may also be configured such that the number of pockets 2 corresponding to three or more sheets is arranged along the width direction thereof.

[0251] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the portion corresponding to each label portion 8 of the two PTP sheets 1 is arranged in the central portion in the width direction of the PTP film 9. In contrast, the portion corresponding to each label portion 8 of the two PTP sheets 1 may be arranged at both ends in the width direction of the PTP film 9. Furthermore, the portion corresponding to the label portion 8 of one of the two PTP sheets 1 may be arranged in the central portion in the width direction of the PTP film 9, and the portion corresponding to the label portion 8 of the other PTP sheet 1 may be arranged at the ends in the width direction of the PTP film 9.

[0252] (f) The structure of the electromagnetic wave irradiation mechanism is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment. In the above-mentioned embodiment, the structure of irradiating X-rays as electromagnetic waves is not limited to this, and other electromagnetic waves that penetrate the PTP film 9, such as megahertz electromagnetic waves, may be used.

[0253] (g) The structure of the imaging mechanism is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment. For example, in the above-mentioned embodiment, a CCD camera (X-ray sensor camera 52) using a scintillator is used as the imaging mechanism, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and a camera that directly incident X-rays and takes images may be used.

[0254] In the above embodiment, although the X-ray sensor camera 52 having one row of CCDs is used as the imaging means, the present invention is not limited thereto, and an X-ray TDI (Time Delay Integration) camera having multiple rows of CCDs (detection element rows) in the film conveying direction of the PTP film 9 may be used. This can further improve the inspection accuracy and inspection efficiency.

[0255] (h) The structure and arrangement position of the X-ray inspection device 45 are not limited to those in the above-described embodiment.

[0256] For example, in the above-mentioned embodiment, although the X-ray inspection device 45 is configured at the position where the PTP film 9 is transported in the vertical direction, the present invention is not limited to this, and the X-ray inspection device 45 may be configured, for example, at the position where the PTP film 9 is transported in the horizontal direction or at a diagonal direction.

[0257] Furthermore, it can also be constructed with a position adjustment mechanism (position adjustment mechanism) so that the X-ray irradiation device 51 and the X-ray sensor camera 52 can be moved along the conveying direction of the PTP film 9, the width direction of the PTP film 9, and the contact / separation direction of the PTP film 9 in accordance with the size and configuration of the PTP film 9.

[0258] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the X-ray irradiation device 51 is arranged on the container film 3 side of the PTP film 9, and the X-ray sensor camera 52 is arranged on the cover film 4 side of the PTP film 9. However, the positional relationship between the two may be reversed, and the X-ray irradiation device 51 may be arranged on the cover film 4 side, and the X-ray sensor camera 52 may be arranged on the container film 3 side. In this case, the "container film 3" constitutes the "second film", and the "cover film 4" constitutes the "first film".

[0259] (i) In the above embodiment, although the X-ray inspection is performed by the X-ray inspection device 45 in a process before punching the PTP sheet 1 from the PTP film 9, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the PTP sheet may be inspected in a process after punching the PTP sheet 1 from the PTP film 9. For example, the PTP sheet 1 conveyed by the conveyor 39 may be inspected. In this case, the "PTP sheet 1" constitutes a "package".

[0260] In this case, the X-ray inspection device 45 may be provided in the PTP packaging machine 10 (on-line configuration), or the X-ray inspection device 45 may be provided separately from the PTP packaging machine 10 (off-line configuration). In the off-line configuration, since there is a risk that the position and orientation of the PTP sheet 1 to be inspected may be uncertain relative to the X-ray inspection device 45, it is necessary to adjust the position and orientation of the PTP sheet 1 in advance when inspecting. In addition, since the adjustment of the position and orientation of the PTP sheet 1 may lead to a decrease in the inspection speed and inspection accuracy, it is preferable to adopt an on-line configuration in consideration of this point.

[0261] (j) In the fourth embodiment, the camera 54 is disposed upstream of the X-ray irradiation device 51, etc., but may be disposed downstream of the X-ray irradiation device 51, etc. In this case, at the stage of obtaining the appearance image of the PTP film 9 by the camera 54, the pass / fail determination process is performed based on the X-ray transmission image obtained before obtaining the appearance image.

[0262] Explanation of symbols

[0263] 1:PTP flakes

[0264] 2: Bag

[0265] 2a: Containment Chamber

[0266] 2b: Containment Area

[0267] 2c: Shadow

[0268] 3: Container film (first film)

[0269] 3a: Flange

[0270] 3b: Flange area

[0271] 4: Cover film (second film)

[0272] 5. Tablets

[0273] 9: PTP film (packaging)

[0274] 10: PTP packaging machine (packaging body manufacturing device)

[0275] 45: X-ray inspection device (inspection device)

[0276] 51: X-ray irradiation device (electromagnetic wave irradiation mechanism)

[0277] 52: X-ray sensor camera (shooting mechanism)

[0278] 53: Control processing device (image processing device)

[0279] 54: Camera (exterior photography mechanism)

[0280] 78: Regional Specific Department (Regional Specific Agency)

[0281] 79: Foreign matter presence determination unit (foreign matter presence determination mechanism)

[0282] 80: Storage space specifying unit (storage space specifying mechanism).

Claims

1. An inspection device for inspecting a package body, wherein the package body is provided with a first film made of an opaque material and a second film made of an opaque material, and a tablet is accommodated in a receiving space formed between the two films, characterized in that: The inspection device has: An electromagnetic wave irradiation mechanism irradiates the package body with electromagnetic waves capable of penetrating the package body from the first film side; A photographing mechanism is arranged on the second film side so as to sandwich the packaging body and face the electromagnetic wave irradiation mechanism, and obtains an electromagnetic wave transmission image with shades related to brightness based on the electromagnetic wave that penetrates the packaging body; The image processing means can perform inspection related to the aforementioned packaging body based on the electromagnetic wave penetration image obtained by the aforementioned photographing means. Furthermore, the image processing mechanism has: An area specifying mechanism specifies, in a predetermined inspection area in the electromagnetic wave penetration image, a receiving area corresponding to the receiving space and a flange area corresponding to the flange around the receiving space; The foreign matter presence determination mechanism determines whether there are foreign matters in the aforementioned receiving area and the aforementioned flange area, respectively. The foreign matter presence determination mechanism uses a predetermined first threshold value to determine whether there is a foreign matter in the aforementioned receiving area, and uses a predetermined second threshold value to determine whether there is a foreign matter in the aforementioned flange area. The first threshold is set to a value lower than the brightness of the portion corresponding to the tablet in the electromagnetic wave transmission image. The second threshold is set to a value higher than the first threshold and lower than the brightness of the portion corresponding to the flange portion in the electromagnetic wave transmission image. The above-mentioned foreign matter presence determination mechanism is constructed as follows: when tablet fragments or powder are located in the above-mentioned receiving area, the tablet fragments or powder are not detected as foreign matter based on the above-mentioned first threshold value, and when tablet fragments or powder are located in the above-mentioned flange area, the tablet fragments or powder can be detected as foreign matter based on the above-mentioned second threshold value.

2. The inspection device according to claim 1, wherein: At least one of the first film and the second film has an inner space forming a bag portion of the receiving space, and is composed of a metal film or a film having a metal layer. The aforementioned area specifying mechanism is constructed as follows: in a predetermined inspection area in the aforementioned electromagnetic wave penetration image, a portion corresponding to the tablet is specified, and an annular dark shadow located around the specified portion is specified as the outline of the aforementioned receiving space, and the inside of the outline is specified as the aforementioned receiving area.

3. The inspection device according to claim 1, wherein: The region specifying means is configured to specify a portion corresponding to the tablet in a predetermined inspection region in the electromagnetic wave transmission image, and to specify a region formed by expanding the specified portion as the accommodation region.

4. The inspection device according to claim 1, wherein: The aforementioned area specifying mechanism is constructed as follows: a portion of the tablet is specified in a predetermined inspection area in the aforementioned electromagnetic wave penetration image, and the center or centroid of the specified portion is obtained, and the aforementioned receiving area is specified based on the obtained center or centroid and design data related to the position of the aforementioned receiving space.

5. The inspection device according to claim 1, wherein: have: An appearance photographing mechanism for photographing the aforementioned packaging body to obtain an appearance image related to the appearance of the aforementioned packaging body; a storage space specifying means for specifying the position of the storage space in the appearance image obtained by the appearance photographing means; The region specifying means is configured to specify the housing region in a predetermined inspection region in the electromagnetic wave transmission image based on the position of the housing space specified by the housing space specifying means.

6. A packaging body manufacturing device, characterized by comprising the inspection device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

Images