Device for inspecting package for flavor inhalation article

Abstract

To provide a device for inspecting a package for a flavor inhalation article, capable of measuring the profile of a weakened line formed on a sheet and continuously determining whether the weakened line is good or bad, to easily and reliably improve the quality of a package.SOLUTION: An inspection device 60 inspects a package 10 in which a flavor inhalation article 24 is wrapped with a sheet 1. The sheet 1 comprises: a measurement unit 62 that has a barrier layer 12 for ensuring the airtightness of the package 10, a paper layer 14 that is attached and laminated to the barrier layer 12, and a weakened line 16 that reduces a thickness t of the paper layer 14, and that continuously irradiates the sheet 1 being transported along a transport path 6 with laser light 1, receives generated laser reflective light L2, and measures the profile of the weakened line 16 based on the laser reflective light L2; a control unit 64 that determines whether the weakened line 16 is good or bad based on the profile measured by the measurement unit 62; and a rejection unit 68 that rejects from the transport path 6 the sheet 1 that is determined to be defective by the control unit 64.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an inspection device for a package for a flavor inhalation article, and more particularly to an inspection device for a sheet that encases a flavor inhalation article. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a package in which a bundle of cigarettes is wrapped in a sheet of packaging material. The package includes a separator strip formed on the sheet around the outer periphery of the package, and a tear tape attached to the separator strip. The separator strip has an area defined by a pair of weakened lines (separation lines) formed along the longitudinal direction of the tear tape, and to open the package, the leading edge of the tear tape is pinched and the separator strip and the tear tape are cut from the sheet at each weakened line. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2009 / 148037 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The sheet has a barrier layer for ensuring the hermeticity of the package and a paper layer attached to and laminated on the barrier layer. The weakened line is formed by reducing the thickness of the paper layer. Specifically, the weakened line is formed by thinning and weakening the paper layer by cutting the paper layer with a laser or by embossing the paper layer. However, if the weakened line is deep enough to exceed the paper layer, for example, the barrier layer will be damaged, and the hermeticity of the package will not be ensured. There is a demand for improving the quality of packages by automatically removing such defective sheets as they are being conveyed, i.e., in-line.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of these problems, and aims to provide an inspection device for packages for flavor inhalation products that can easily and reliably improve the quality of the packages by measuring the profile of the weakened line formed on the sheet as the packaging material is being transported, continuously determining whether the weakened line is good or bad, and automatically rejecting any defective sheets each time. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, one embodiment of an inspection device for a package for a flavor inhalation article inspects a package in which a flavor inhalation article is wrapped in a sheet, the sheet having a barrier layer that ensures the airtightness of the package, a paper layer that is attached and laminated to the barrier layer, and a weakened line that reduces the thickness of the paper layer, and is equipped with a measurement unit that continuously irradiates a laser beam onto the sheet being transported along a transport path, receives the generated reflected laser light, and measures the profile of the weakened line based on the reflected laser light, a control unit that determines whether the weakened line is good or bad based on the profile measured by the measurement unit, and an exclusion unit that removes from the transport path sheets that are determined to be defective by the control unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the above aspect, while the packaging sheet is being transported, the profile of the weakened line formed on the sheet is measured to continuously determine whether the weakened line is good or bad, and defective sheets are automatically removed each time, thereby easily and reliably improving the quality of the package. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a processing machine for sheets used in packages for flavor inhalation articles. [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the sheet when the package is unfolded. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a package before opening. [Figure 5]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the package after opening. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the measuring unit during measurement of the sheet. [Figure 7] 10 is an image of a weakened line displayed on a display setting unit. [Figure 8] 10 is a graph showing the depth and width of the weakened line displayed on the display setting unit. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart for determining whether a weakened line is good or bad. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] 1 is a schematic diagram of a processor 2 for a sheet 1 used in packaging for flavor inhalation articles. The processor 2 includes, in order from the upstream side in the conveying direction of the sheet 1, a sheet supply section 20, a sheet processing section 30, a sheet inspection section 40, and a sheet removal section 50. The sheet supply section 20 includes a roll 4 formed by winding the sheet 1, which is a packaging material, a conveying path 6 extending from the roll 4, and a plurality of rollers 8 appropriately arranged on the conveying path 6.

[0010] The sheet supply section 20 continuously pays out the sheet 1 from the roll 4 via the rollers 8 and supplies it to the conveying path 6. The rollers 8 guide the sheet 1 while conveying it along the conveying path 6, and pass it through the above-mentioned sections 20, 30, 40, and 50. At least one of the rollers 8 may be a dancing roller for applying tension to the sheet 1, or may be a feed roller including a drive roller for pulling and paying out the sheet 1.

[0011] Figure 2 shows a partial cross-sectional view of the sheet 1. The sheet 1 has a barrier layer 12 that ensures the hermeticity of the package 10 (see Figure 4), and a paper layer 14 that is attached and laminated to the barrier layer 12. The barrier layer 12 is positioned on the inner surface 10a of the package 10 and is made of a material that can suppress deterioration of the flavor inhalation article (hereinafter simply referred to as the article) due to exposure to the external environment. Specifically, the material for the barrier layer 12 is selected based on evaluation indices such as water vapor barrier properties and oxygen permeability, and is preferably made of a sustainable material that has a small environmental impact.

[0012] 1, the sheet processing section 30 is provided with a conveying unit 32 and a processing unit 34, and the processing unit 34 forms the weakened line 16 by reducing the thickness t of the paper layer 14 of the sheet 1 being conveyed in the conveying unit 32 to weaken it. Specifically, the processing unit 34 forms the weakened line 16 in the sheet 1 by irradiating the paper layer 14 with a laser to make an incision. In this case, the conveying unit 32 is composed of a suction plate that conveys the sheet 1 while adsorbing it.

[0013] This suction plate can form the weakened line 16 at a predetermined position on the sheet 1 by transporting the sheet 1 in a stable position while adsorbing the sheet 1. The processing unit 34 may also be configured to form the weakened line 16 on the sheet 1 by pressing an embossing roller against the paper layer 14 to perform embossing. In this case, the transport unit 32 forms the weakened line 16 at a predetermined position on the sheet 1 by transporting the sheet 1 while sandwiching it between the embossing roller and its receiving roller.

[0014] 2, the weakened line 16 has a width w in a width direction intersecting the extension direction of the weakened line 16, and a depth d in the thickness direction of the paper layer 14. The depth d of the weakened line 16 is set to be smaller than the thickness t of the paper layer 14. As a result, the weakened line 16 does not basically pass through the paper layer 14 to reach the barrier layer 12, so the barrier layer 12 is not damaged and the hermeticity of the package 10 is ensured.

[0015] FIG. 3 shows a plan view of the sheet 1 when the package 10 is unfolded. The sheet 1 has a rectangular shape in a plan view, and the package 10 is formed by wrapping and sealing a bundle of articles. In the present embodiment, as will be explained later in FIG. 5, the sheet 1 wraps and seals article units 28 each containing an article. The two-dot chain line in FIG. 3 indicates a fold line formed in the sheet 1 in the process of sealing the article units 28.

[0016] In the process of sealing the article unit 28, the sheet 1 is wrapped around the outer periphery of the article unit 28 and folded, and then the sheet 1 is overlapped and bonded and molded by heat sealing. This process is similar to that described in the aforementioned Patent Document 1, so a detailed description will be omitted. The package 10 also has a separator 18 formed on the sheet 1 around the outer periphery and a tear tape 22 bonded to the paper layer 14 at the separator 18.

[0017] The material of the tear tape 22 is not particularly limited, and can be appropriately selected from, for example, synthetic resin films such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET), paper, and the like. The weakened line 16 is formed in a position that defines at least a part of the separator 18 along the longitudinal direction of the tear tape 22. In the case of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, a pair of weakened lines 16 are formed on both sides of the separator 18 that sandwich the tear tape 22. Note that, as long as the package 10 can be opened, the weakened line 16 may be formed on only one of the two sides of the separator 18 that sandwich the tear tape 22.

[0018] Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of package 10 before opening, and Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of package 10 after opening. A user who has purchased package 10 first pinches tip 22a of tear tape 22 with their fingers and pulls tear tape 22 off from sheet 1. This separates separator 18 from sheet 1, and the portion of package 10 above separator 18 is removed, thereby opening package 10.

[0019] As shown in Figure 5, each rod-shaped article 24 is housed in an inner frame 26 to form an article unit 28, which is then wrapped and sealed in a sheet 1 to form a package 10. The package 10 thus constructed can be sold as a standalone product. It is also possible to sell a product in which the package 10 is housed in a rectangular parallelepiped hard case (not shown), which may be a known hinged-lid type package.

[0020] 5, and the package 10 may not include the inner frame 26. Furthermore, a rectangular parallelepiped hard case containing each item 24 may be wrapped and sealed with the sheet 1, and the sheet 1 may be used as a substitute for a conventional outer wrapping film.

[0021] 1, the sheet inspection section 40 is provided with an inspection device 60 for the package 10, and the inspection device 60 inspects the sheet 1, which is the packaging material for the package 10, while it is being conveyed along the conveying path 6 of the processing machine 2. In detail, the inspection device 60 includes a measurement unit 62, a control unit 64, a display setting unit 66, and a rejection unit 68, and the measurement unit 62, the display setting unit 66, and the rejection unit 68 are electrically connected to the control unit 64.

[0022] Fig. 6 shows a perspective view of the measurement unit 62 while measuring the sheet 1. Fig. 6 shows a state in which only one weakened line 16 is formed on the sheet 1, and although not shown, in Fig. 6 the tear tape 22 has already been adhered to the sheet 1. Note that the measurement unit 62 may measure the sheet 1 before the tear tape 22 is adhered, and in this case, the tear tape 22 is adhered appropriately downstream of the sheet inspection section 40.

[0023] The measurement unit 62 is attached and fixed to a bracket 70, and includes a light-projecting unit 62a and a light-receiving unit 62b. Laser light L1 (shown by a solid line) is continuously irradiated from the light-projecting unit 62a onto an area including the weakened line 16 of the sheet 1 being conveyed after passing through the sheet processing section 30. The light-receiving unit 62b receives reflected laser light L2 (shown by a dashed dotted line) generated by the irradiation of the laser light L1, and the measurement unit 62 measures the profile of the weakened line 16 based on the reflected laser light L2. The control unit 64 determines whether the weakened line 16 is good or bad based on the profile of the weakened line 16 measured by the measurement unit 62.

[0024] The rejection unit 68 is disposed downstream of the measurement unit 62 on the conveying path 6, and has a mechanism capable of partially removing the sheet 1 being conveyed from the conveying path 6, and removes the sheet 1 determined to be defective by the control unit 64 from the conveying path 6. The rejection unit 68 may partially cut the continuous sheet 1 and remove only the defective portion, or may remove the cut sheet 1 shown in FIG. 3. In either case, the processing machine 2 is provided with a cutting section (not shown) for cutting the sheet 1.

[0025] Fig. 7 shows an image of the weakened line 16 displayed on the display setting unit 66, and Fig. 8 shows a graph showing the depth d and width w of the weakened line 16 displayed on the display setting unit 66. The measurement unit 62 measures the profile of the weakened line 16, specifically the depth d and width w of the weakened line 16, based on the reflection angle and attenuation of the reflected laser light L2. More specifically, based on the attenuation of the reflected laser light L2 compared to the laser light L1, a 3D image of the weakened line 16 as shown in Fig. 7 can be generated and displayed on the display setting unit 66.

[0026] Furthermore, based on the reflection angle of the reflected laser light L2, a graph can be generated and displayed on the display setting unit 66, showing the depth d and width w of the weakened line 16, with the vertical axis representing the vertical dimension in the thickness direction of the sheet 1 and the horizontal axis representing the horizontal dimension in the width direction of the sheet 1, as shown in Fig. 8. The display setting unit 66 can record and store such image and graph data. More specifically, as shown in Fig. 8, a reference model line A shown in Fig. 8 is created in advance based on profile data of the sheet 1 on which the weakened line 16 is not formed.

[0027] The control unit 64 compares this reference model line A with a generated line B generated based on data on the weakened line 16 acquired during the determination. For example, as can be seen from FIG. 8, the distance between the reference model line A and the bottom peak point of the generated line B is calculated as the numerical value of the depth d of the weakened line 16. By comparing the reference model line A with the generated line B, the numerical value of the width w of the weakened line 16 can also be calculated. Furthermore, the display setting unit 66 can input and set first to fourth threshold values ​​T1 to T4, which will be described later and are used for the determination performed by the control unit 64.

[0028] 9 shows a flowchart of the process performed by the control unit 64 to determine whether the weakened line 16 is good or bad. When the process of determining whether the weakened line 16 is good or bad starts, the control unit 64 determines whether the depth d of the weakened line 16 is greater than a predetermined first threshold T1 (step S1). The first threshold T1 is set to the thickness t of the paper layer 14, for example. If the determination result in step S1 is Yes, and d > T1 is established, the depth d is too great, and the weakened line 16 will not remain in the paper layer 14 but will reach the barrier layer 12, damaging the barrier layer 12 and potentially preventing it from functioning properly.

[0029] Therefore, the display setting unit 66 displays on the screen that "defective products" have occurred in Sheet 1, and alerts the operator with an alarm (step S2). Next, the ejection unit 68 is activated to eject the target Sheet 1 from the conveyance path 6 (step S3). On the other hand, when the determination result in step S1 is No and d>T1 does not hold, the control unit 64 determines whether the depth d of the weak line 16 is smaller than a predetermined second threshold value T2 (step S4).

[0030] The second threshold value T2 is set, for example, to the minimum size that can surely separate the separation band 18 from Sheet 1 in the weak line 16. When the determination result in step S4 is Yes and d<T2 holds, the depth d is too small, and there is a possibility that the weak line 16 may not function. Specifically, there may be problems such as breakage of the opening tape 22, breakage of Sheet 1 in a direction deviating from the weak line 16, and the opening portion of Sheet 1 not being formed smoothly.

[0031] Therefore, the display setting unit 66 displays "defective products" on the screen of Sheet 1 and alerts with an alarm (step S2), activates the ejection unit 68, and ejects the target Sheet 1 from the conveyance path 6 (step S3). On the other hand, when the determination result in step S4 is No and d<T2 does not hold, the control unit 64 determines whether the width w of the weak line 16 is larger than a predetermined third threshold value T3 (step S5).

[0032] The third threshold value T3 is set, for example, to the maximum size that can surely separate the separation band 18 from Sheet 1 in the weak line 16. Specifically, if the width w of the weak line 16 is too large, the opening position of the package 10 cannot be determined, and it becomes difficult to separate the separation band 18 from Sheet 1 when the opening tape 22 is peeled off from Sheet 1.

[0033] Also, in the process of sealing the article unit 28, as described above, each step of folding the sheet 1, adhering by heat sealing, and molding is performed. Particularly, in the folding and molding steps, since the sheet 1 is pulled, if the width w of the weak line 16 is too large, the sheet 1 is likely to break and be damaged at the weak line 16. Therefore, the third threshold value T3 is set to a size such that such a problem does not occur.

[0034] When the determination result in step S5 is Yes and w>T3 holds, the width w is too large and the opening position of the package 10 cannot be determined, or the sheet 1 breaks at the weak line 16 in the folding and molding steps of the sheet 1. Therefore, a "defective product" display of the sheet 1 is performed on the screen of the display setting unit 66 and an alarm is given to draw attention (step S2), the exclusion unit 68 is activated, and the sheet 1 to be determined is excluded from the conveyance path 6 (step S3).

[0035] On the other hand, when the determination result in step S5 is No and w>T3 does not hold, the control unit 64 determines whether the width w of the weak line 16 is smaller than a predetermined fourth threshold value T4 (step S6). The fourth threshold value T4 is set, for example, to the minimum size that can reliably separate the separation band 18 from the sheet 1 at the weak line 16. When the determination result in step S6 is Yes and w<T4 holds, the width w is too small and the weak line 16 may not function.

[0036] Specifically, there is a possibility of problems such as the breakage of the opening tape 22, the breakage of the sheet 1 in a direction deviating from the weak line 16, and the unsealed portion of the sheet 1 not being formed smoothly. Therefore, a "defective product" display of the sheet 1 is performed on the screen of the display setting unit 66 and an alarm is given to draw attention (step S2), the exclusion unit 68 is activated, and the sheet 1 to be determined is excluded from the conveyance path 6 (step S3).

[0037] On the other hand, when the determination result in step S6 is No and w < T4 does not hold, the display setting unit 66 displays on the screen that Sheet 1 is "good product" (step S7), and the pass / fail determination of the fragile line 16 in the current cycle is completed. Such pass / fail determination of the fragile line 16 is continuously and repeatedly executed at a predetermined cycle for the continuously fed Sheet 1.

[0038] As described above, the inspection device 60 of the package 10 continuously irradiates the laser light L1 on the Sheet 1 being conveyed by the measurement unit 62 in the conveyance path 6, receives the generated laser reflected light L2, and measures the profile of the fragile line 16 based on the laser reflected light L2. Further, the control unit 64 determines the pass / fail of the fragile line 16 based on the profile measured by the measurement unit 62, and the exclusion unit 68 excludes the Sheet 1 determined as defective by the control unit 64 from the conveyance path 6. Thereby, during the conveyance of the Sheet 1 which is a packaging material, that is, in-line, the pass / fail of the fragile line 16 can be continuously determined, and further, the defective Sheet 1 can be automatically excluded each time, so that the quality of the package 10 can be easily and surely improved.

[0039] More specifically, the measurement unit 62 measures the depth d of the fragile line 16 in the thickness direction of the paper layer 14 based on the laser reflected light L2. The control unit 64 determines whether or not the depth d of the fragile line 16 is greater than the first threshold value T1. When it is determined in the control unit 64 that the depth d is greater than the first threshold value T1, the exclusion unit 68 excludes the Sheet 1 to be determined from the conveyance path 6. Thereby, it is possible to surely exclude the defective Sheet 1 in which the fragile line 16 does not stay in the paper layer 14 but reaches the barrier layer 12. Therefore, the quality of the package 10 can be further surely improved.

[0040] Furthermore, the control unit 64 determines whether the depth d of the weakened line 16 is smaller than the second threshold value T2, and when the control unit 64 determines that the depth d is smaller than the second threshold value T2, the rejection unit 68 rejects the sheet 1 being judged from the conveyance path 6. This makes it possible to reliably reject defective sheets 1 whose depth d is too small and whose weakened line 16 does not function. This makes it possible to further reliably improve the quality of the package 10.

[0041] Furthermore, the measurement unit 62 measures the width w of the weakened line 16 based on the reflected laser light L2, and the control unit 64 determines whether the width w of the weakened line 16 is greater than a third threshold value T3. When the control unit 64 determines that the width w is greater than the third threshold value T3, the exclusion unit 68 excludes the sheet 1 being evaluated from the conveyance path 6. This makes it possible to reliably exclude defective sheets 1 in which the width w of the weakened line 16 is too large, making it difficult to determine the opening position of the package 10 or causing tears in the sheet 1 at the weakened line 16. This makes it possible to further reliably improve the quality of the package 10.

[0042] Furthermore, the control unit 64 determines whether the width w of the weakened line 16 is smaller than a fourth threshold value T4, and when the control unit 64 determines that the width w is smaller than the fourth threshold value T4, the rejection unit 68 rejects the sheet 1 being judged from the conveyance path 6. This makes it possible to reliably reject defective sheets 1 whose width w is too small and whose weakened line 16 does not function. This makes it possible to further reliably improve the quality of the package 10.

[0043] The measurement unit 62 also measures the profile of the weakened line 16 based on the reflection angle and attenuation of the reflected laser light L2. As a result, based on the attenuation of the reflected laser light L2 compared to the laser light L1, a 3D image of the weakened line 16 as shown in Fig. 7 can be generated and displayed on the display setting unit 66. Also, based on the reflection angle of the reflected laser light L2, a graph showing the depth d and width w of the weakened line 16 as shown in Fig. 8 can be generated and displayed on the display setting unit 66.

[0044] This makes it possible to measure the weakened line 16 with high accuracy, and significantly improves the accuracy of determining whether the weakened line 16 is good or bad, compared to, for example, acquiring an image of the weakened line 16 with a camera and analyzing this image to measure the depth d and width w of the weakened line 16. More specifically, it is difficult to detect with high accuracy the weakened line 16 formed on a sheet 1 that is being transported at high speed using a camera.

[0045] Furthermore, although the presence or absence of weakened lines 16 and the width w of the weakened lines 16 can be detected by image analysis of the image captured by the camera, it is not possible to detect the depth d of the weakened lines 16. In measuring the weakened lines 16 in this embodiment, it is possible to overcome the drawbacks of using such a camera. Furthermore, since there is no need to install separate lighting as in the case of using a camera, it is possible to save space in the installation location of the inspection device 60 and to simplify the installation work of the inspection device 60.

[0046] Furthermore, the control unit 64 calculates the numerical value of the profile of the weakened line 16 by comparing a reference model line A created based on profile data of the sheet 1 on which the weakened line 16 is not formed with a generated line B created based on data of the weakened line 16 acquired during the determination. This clarifies the criteria for measuring the depth d and width w of the weakened line 16, thereby further improving the accuracy of measuring and determining the weakened line 16.

[0047] The inspection device 60 also measures the profile of the weakened line 16 formed to separate the separator 18 from the sheet 1 and open the package 10, determines whether the weakened line 16 is good or bad, and rejects defective sheets 1 as necessary. This improves the quality of the package 10, and in particular, by preventing the weakened line 16 from reaching the barrier layer 12, it is possible to prevent deterioration of the smoking taste of the article 24 due to damage to the barrier layer 12. Furthermore, by setting the width w of the weakened line 16 within an appropriate range, it is possible to provide a package 10 that can be opened smoothly.

[0048] This concludes the description of the embodiment, but the above embodiment is not limiting and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the inspection device 60 described in the above embodiment can also measure and determine the quality of the weakened lines 16 formed in the sheet 1 for purposes other than opening the package 10. Furthermore, the article 24 sealed in the package 10 is not limited to combustion-heating type articles 24 such as rod-shaped filter cigarettes or cigarettes, but may also be non-combustion-heating type articles 24 intended for flavor inhalation. Furthermore, the article 24 may or may not contain tobacco.

[0049] Furthermore, the flowchart for determining whether the weakened line 16 is good or bad is not strictly limited to that shown in Fig. 9. For example, step S2 may not be performed, and the determinations of steps S1 and S4 may be performed simultaneously, or the determinations of steps S5 and S6 may be performed simultaneously. Furthermore, only step S1 of steps S1 and S4 may be performed, or only step S5 of steps S5 and S6 may be performed.

[0050] Furthermore, some or all of the above embodiments can be expressed by the description of each aspect shown below. (Aspect 1) An inspection device for a package in which a flavor inhalation article is wrapped in a sheet, comprising: The sheet has a barrier layer that ensures the sealing of the package, a paper layer that is attached to and laminated on the barrier layer, and a weakened line that reduces the thickness of the paper layer, a measurement unit that continuously irradiates the sheet with a laser beam while the sheet is being conveyed along a conveyance path, receives the generated reflected laser beam, and measures a profile of the weakened line based on the reflected laser beam; a control unit that determines whether the weakened line is good or bad based on the profile measured by the measurement unit; a rejection unit that rejects the sheet determined to be defective by the control unit from the conveyance path; An inspection device for a package for a flavor inhalation article, comprising:

[0051] (Aspect 2) the measuring unit measures the depth of the weakened line in the thickness direction of the paper layer based on the reflected laser light; The control unit determines whether the depth of the line of weakness is greater than a predetermined first threshold; An inspection device for packages for flavor inhalation articles as described in aspect 1, wherein when the control unit determines that the depth is greater than the first threshold, the exclusion unit excludes the sheet to be determined from the conveying path.

[0052] (Aspect 3) the control unit determines whether the depth of the line of weakness is less than a predetermined second threshold; An inspection device for packages for flavor inhalation articles as described in aspect 2, wherein when the control unit determines that the depth is smaller than the second threshold, the exclusion unit excludes the sheet to be determined from the conveying path. (Aspect 4) the measuring unit measures a width in a width direction intersecting with an extension direction of the weakened line based on the reflected laser light; the control unit determines whether the width of the line of weakness is greater than a predetermined third threshold; An inspection device for packages for flavor inhalation articles as described in aspect 1, wherein when the control unit determines that the width is greater than the third threshold, the exclusion unit excludes the sheet to be determined from the conveying path.

[0053] (Aspect 5) The control unit determines whether the width of the line of weakness is less than a fourth predetermined threshold; An inspection device for packages for flavor inhalation articles as described in aspect 4, wherein when the control unit determines that the width is smaller than the fourth threshold, the exclusion unit excludes the sheet to be determined from the conveying path. (Aspect 6) An inspection device for a package for a flavor inhalation article described in any one of aspects 1 to 5, wherein the measurement unit measures the profile of the weakened line based on the reflection angle and attenuation of the reflected laser light. (Aspect 7) The control unit calculates the numerical value of the profile of the weakened line by comparing a reference model line created based on profile data of the sheet in which the weakened line is not formed with a generated line generated based on the data of the weakened line obtained during the judgment.

[0054] (Aspect 8) the package includes a separator strip formed in the sheet around its periphery and a tear tape adhered to the paper layer at the separator strip; the weakened line is formed at a position along the longitudinal direction of the tear tape that defines at least a portion of the separator strip, and the package can be opened by peeling the tear tape from the sheet, thereby separating the separator strip from the sheet; The inspection device for a package for a flavor inhalation article according to aspect 1, wherein the measurement unit measures the profile of the weakened line based on the reflected laser light. [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] 1 sheet 6. Transport Route 10 packages 12 Barrier Layer 14 paper layer 16 Weak Lines 18 Median Strip 22 Tear Tape 24 Flavor suction articles 60 Inspection equipment 62 Measuring Unit 64 Control Unit 68 Exclusion Unit L1 laser light L2 Laser reflection light d Depth of the weakened line w Width of the weakened line T1 First threshold T2 Second threshold T3 Third threshold T4 Fourth threshold A Reference Model Line B generation line

Claims

1. An inspection device for a package in which a flavor inhalation article is wrapped in a sheet, comprising: The sheet has a barrier layer that ensures the sealing of the package, a paper layer that is attached to and laminated on the barrier layer, and a weakened line that reduces the thickness of the paper layer, a measurement unit that continuously irradiates the sheet with a laser beam while the sheet is being conveyed along a conveyance path, receives the generated reflected laser beam, and measures a profile of the weakened line based on the reflected laser beam; a control unit that determines whether the weakened line is good or bad based on the profile measured by the measurement unit; a rejection unit that rejects the sheet determined to be defective by the control unit from the conveyance path; An inspection device for a package for a flavor inhalation article, comprising:

2. the measuring unit measures the depth of the weakened line in the thickness direction of the paper layer based on the reflected laser light; The control unit determines whether the depth of the line of weakness is greater than a predetermined first threshold; 2. The inspection device for a package for a flavor inhalation article according to claim 1, wherein when the control unit determines that the depth is greater than the first threshold value, the exclusion unit excludes the sheet to be evaluated from the conveying path.

3. the control unit determines whether the depth of the line of weakness is less than a predetermined second threshold; 3. The inspection device for a package for a flavor inhalation article according to claim 2, wherein when the control unit determines that the depth is smaller than the second threshold value, the exclusion unit excludes the sheet to be evaluated from the conveying path.

4. the measuring unit measures a width in a width direction intersecting with an extension direction of the weakened line based on the reflected laser light; The control unit determines whether the width of the line of weakness is greater than a predetermined third threshold; 2. The inspection device for a package for a flavor inhalation article according to claim 1, wherein when the control unit determines that the width is greater than the third threshold value, the exclusion unit excludes the sheet to be judged from the conveying path.

5. The control unit determines whether the width of the line of weakness is less than a fourth predetermined threshold; 5. The inspection device for a package for a flavor inhalation article according to claim 4, wherein when the control unit determines that the width is smaller than the fourth threshold value, the exclusion unit excludes the sheet to be judged from the conveying path.

6. The inspection device for a package for a flavor inhalation article according to claim 1 , wherein the measurement unit measures the profile of the weakened line based on the reflection angle and attenuation of the reflected laser light.

7. The control unit calculates the numerical value of the profile of the weakened line by comparing a reference model line created based on profile data of the sheet in which the weakened line is not formed with a generated line generated based on the data of the weakened line obtained during the judgment.

8. the package includes a separator strip formed in the sheet around its periphery and a tear tape adhered to the paper layer at the separator strip; the weakened line is formed at a position along the longitudinal direction of the tear tape that defines at least a portion of the separator strip, and the package can be opened by peeling the tear tape from the sheet, thereby separating the separator strip from the sheet; The inspection device for a package for a flavor inhalation article according to claim 1 , wherein the measurement unit measures a profile of the weakened line based on the reflected laser light.

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