Sheet information checking system

Abstract

To provide a sheet information checking system that can appropriately check information on a blister sheet even after the blister sheet is put into market circulation.SOLUTION: A sheet information checking system 60 acquires sheet individual identification information on the basis of images obtained by cameras 45, 46, and stores inspection information and the like related to a PTP sheet 1 in an information registration unit 61b in advance in association with sheet basic information and the sheet individual identification information. In checking information, the sheet information checking system acquires sheet individual identification information related to a sheet 1a to be checked that is to be checked in terms of the inspection information and the like on the basis of a picked-up image of the sheet 1a to be checked, and acquires the inspection information and the like related to the sheet 1a to be checked from the information registration unit 61b on the basis of the sheet basic information and the sheet individual identification information related to the sheet 1a to be checked. The sheet information checking system can more accurately perform individual identification of the PTP sheet 1 by using the sheet basic information and the sheet individual identification information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a sheet information checking system for checking inspection information and manufacturing information on a blister sheet containing contents. [Background technology]

[0002] A press-through pack (PTP) sheet is a type of blister sheet commonly used in the pharmaceutical industry. A PTP sheet comprises a container film having a pocket for storing contents (e.g., tablets), and a cover film attached to the container film so as to seal the opening of the pocket.

[0003] The blister sheets described above can be manufactured by a blister packaging machine. The blister packaging machine includes a means for forming pockets in a belt-shaped container film being conveyed, a means for storing contents in the pockets, a means for attaching a belt-shaped cover film to the container film so as to seal the opening side of the pockets, and a means for punching the belt-shaped blister film consisting of the container film and cover film into sheets to obtain blister sheets. The blister packaging machine may also include an inspection device for determining the quality of the contents and the sheet portion.

[0004] However, when a defect is found in a blister sheet, it may be necessary to check various information related to the production of the blister sheet (for example, inspection information and production information). To do this, it is necessary to associate and manage the blister sheet with the various information, and to do this, it is necessary to make it possible to individually identify each of the multiple blister sheets produced.

[0005] A known technology for making it possible to individually identify multiple blister sheets is one that utilizes the state of contents (tablets) contained in the pockets (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This technology utilizes the fact that there are two states in which the contents are contained in one pocket: a state in which the front side of the contents is visible, and a state in which the back side of the contents is visible, and makes it possible to individually identify multiple blister sheets by using the difference in the state of contents contained in each of the multiple pockets.

[0006] Also, a method has been proposed in which an image of a blister sheet is taken to obtain in advance an image for individual identification that includes a seal pattern (grid pattern) formed when a cover film is attached to a container film and a printed portion on which predetermined information is printed, and multiple blister sheets are individually identified by utilizing the similarity with this image (see, for example, Patent Document 2, etc.).Furthermore, a method has also been proposed in which a feature amount that depends on the local positional relationship between the seal pattern (grid pattern) and the printed portion is extracted and used to individually identify multiple blister sheets (see, for example, Patent Document 3, etc.). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-130863 [Patent Document 2] International Publication No. 2023 / 276118 [Patent Document 3] Patent No. 7388564 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] However, after blister sheets are distributed on the market, it is conceivable that there will be a demand to check various information related to those blister sheets. Considering the number of blister sheets produced, assuming a blister packaging machine capable of 600 sheets per minute is used, 288,000 sheets will be produced when the blister packaging machine is operated for eight hours, 5.76 million sheets will be produced when the blister packaging machine is operated for eight hours a day for 20 days, and 69.12 million sheets will be produced when the blister packaging machine is operated for 20 days a month for one year. Furthermore, if a large number of similar devices are used to produce blister sheets at the above production speeds for one year, the number of blister sheets produced could be extremely large (for example, more than one trillion).

[0009] In this regard, in the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, if a blister sheet has 10 pockets, there are 1024 (=2 to the power of 10) possible storage configurations, making it possible to identify a maximum of 1024 different types of blister sheets. Here, when various pieces of information related to the manufacture of a blister sheet are checked on the day of manufacture, that is, when checking information about a blister sheet before it is distributed to the market, 1024 possible storage configurations may pose little problem in identifying the blister sheet. However, because an extremely large number of blister sheets can be manufactured as described above, it is extremely difficult to individually identify the extremely large number of blister sheets distributed to the market when the maximum number of identifiable blister sheets is around 1024.

[0010] Furthermore, when an extremely large number of blister sheets are manufactured, it is possible that multiple blister sheets will be manufactured that are very similar, with almost no difference in the positions of the seals and printed areas, etc. Therefore, with the techniques disclosed in Patent Documents 2 and 3, it is difficult to distinguish between such blister sheets, and there is a risk that the blister sheets will not be able to be properly identified.

[0011] Furthermore, in order to make it possible to individually identify each of the numerous blister sheets, it is conceivable to assign a unique identification code to each blister sheet, but assigning an identification code to each blister sheet could result in reduced productivity and increased costs in the manufacture of blister sheets.

[0012] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a sheet information confirmation system that can more accurately identify individual blister sheets, can properly confirm information related to blister sheets even after the blister sheets have been distributed on the market, that is, even at a stage when a large number of blister sheets of the same type have already been manufactured, and can more reliably prevent a decrease in productivity and an increase in costs related to the manufacture of blister sheets. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] The following describes each of the means suitable for achieving the above object, itemized below. Note that, where necessary, the specific effects of the corresponding means will be added.

[0014] Means 1. A storage means for storing contents in a pocket formed in a strip-shaped container film; an attachment means for attaching a strip-shaped cover film to the container film so as to close the pocket portion in which the contents are accommodated; a separating means for separating a strip-shaped blister film formed by attaching the cover film to the container film to obtain a blister sheet; A sheet information confirmation system that enables confirmation of at least one of inspection information and production information related to the blister sheets sequentially produced by a blister packaging machine, based on information related to the appearance of the blister sheets, even after the blister sheets have been distributed in the market, The blister sheet is provided with basic sheet information including a product code or product name, and a manufacturing number or expiration date, a registration imaging means for imaging the appearance of the blister sheet; a registration sheet information acquisition means for acquiring, for each blister sheet, sheet individual identification information, which is information corresponding to the appearance state that differs for each blister sheet to be manufactured, based on the image acquired by the registration imaging means; and an information registration means for storing at least one of the inspection information and the manufacturing information related to the blister sheet from which the sheet individual identification information was obtained, and the sheet basic information being associated with the sheet individual identification information acquired by the registration sheet information acquisition means; a verification imaging means for imaging the appearance of the confirmation target sheet, which is the blister sheet that is the target of confirmation of at least one of the inspection information and the manufacturing information; a verification target sheet information acquisition means for reading and acquiring the sheet individual identification information related to the verification target sheet based on the image obtained by the verification imaging means; A sheet information confirmation system characterized by comprising an information reference means for acquiring at least one of the inspection information and the manufacturing information relating to the sheet to be confirmed from the information registration means based on the sheet basic information relating to the sheet to be confirmed and the sheet individual identification information acquired by the sheet information acquisition means to be confirmed.

[0015] "Inspection information" may include inspection data and inspection conditions. Inspection data includes, for example, inspection results (e.g., pass / fail judgment results), measurement values ​​(e.g., area), and images (e.g., images before and after predetermined processing). Inspection conditions include, for example, setting information used in the inspection (e.g., thresholds), inspection equipment information (e.g., information related to equipment specifications, program information, AI model information), and so on.

[0016] Furthermore, examples of "manufacturing information" include manufacturing conditions and material information. Manufacturing conditions include various set values ​​(for example, set values ​​related to the heating temperature and applied pressure when forming a pocket portion in the container film, set values ​​related to the heating temperature and applied pressure when attaching a cover film to the container film, and set values ​​such as the heating temperature and applied pressure when forming a separation slit or marking) and actual measured values ​​for the heating temperature, applied pressure, etc. Furthermore, material information includes the lot number of the container film raw roll, the lot number of the cover film raw roll, the lot number of the tablet barrel, etc.

[0017] Furthermore, "sheet individual identification information" refers to, for example, a fingerprint of a thing or information listed in Means 2 described below. Although the appearance of multiple blister sheets will not be exactly the same, it is possible, although extremely rare, for the sheet individual identification information to be the same for multiple blister sheets due to limitations in the discrimination performance of the device and other reasons.

[0018] According to the above-mentioned means 1, the information for identifying a blister sheet (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "sheet identification information") includes basic sheet information, which is information attached to the blister sheet and includes a product code or product name and a serial number or expiration date, and individual sheet identification information, which is information corresponding to the appearance state that differs for each manufactured blister sheet. In other words, the sheet identification information is composed of a combination of a wide variety of information. Therefore, by using the sheet identification information, it becomes possible to more reliably identify an extremely large number of blister sheets individually.

[0019] Therefore, as in the above-mentioned means 1, by configuring the information reference means to use the sheet identification information to obtain the inspection information and / or manufacturing information of the blister sheet (confirmation target sheet) whose information is to be confirmed from the information registration means, it becomes possible to more reliably obtain accurately the information related to one confirmation target sheet from among information related to an extremely large number of blister sheets. This makes it possible to appropriately confirm the information related to the blister sheet even after the blister sheet has been distributed on the market, that is, even at a stage where an extremely large number of blister sheets of the same type have already been manufactured.

[0020] Furthermore, according to the above-mentioned means 1, the sheet-specific information is information that can be grasped from the appearance of the blister sheet, so that information relating to the confirmation target sheet can be confirmed based on the confirmation target sheet alone.

[0021] Furthermore, according to the above-mentioned means 1, there is no need to attach a unique identification code to the blister sheet for identification purposes, which makes it possible to more reliably prevent a decrease in productivity and an increase in costs involved in the manufacture of the blister sheet.

[0022] Means 2. The contents are stored in at least two different states when viewed from the front side of the blister sheet depending on the orientation when stored, and the stored states are maintained while the contents are stored in the blister sheet, The sheet individual identification information includes: In addition to the information based on the plurality of storage states relating to the plurality of contents, The sheet information confirmation system described in means 1 is characterized in that it includes at least one of information regarding the relative position of the pocket portion, the printed portion printed on the blister sheet, or the outline of the blister sheet relative to the seal formed on the cover film when the cover film is attached to the container film by the attachment means, and information regarding the relative position of the pocket portion or the outline of the blister sheet relative to the printed portion.

[0023] According to the above-mentioned means 2, the sheet individual identification information includes information based on the multiple storage states of the multiple contents (for example, information based on the difference between the front and back sides of the tablets stored in the pocket portion) and information related to the relative position of the pocket portion with respect to the seal or printed portion. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably prevent the sheet individual identification information from being the same for multiple blister sheets. As a result, it becomes possible to more reliably identify each blister sheet individually.

[0024] Means 3. The sheet information confirmation system described in Means 1, characterized in that the registration sheet information acquisition means is configured to read and acquire the sheet basic information of the blister sheet being manufactured for each blister sheet based on the image obtained by the registration imaging means.

[0025] According to the above-mentioned means 3, the registration sheet information acquisition means acquires both the basic sheet information and the individual sheet identification information of the blister sheet to be manufactured based on the image acquired by the registration imaging means, thereby making it possible to acquire both pieces of information of the blister sheet to be manufactured more easily and accurately.

[0026] Means 4. The sheet information confirmation system described in Means 1, characterized in that the confirmation target sheet information acquisition means is configured to read and acquire the sheet basic information on the confirmation target sheet based on the image obtained by the comparison imaging means.

[0027] According to the above-mentioned means 4, the confirmation target sheet information acquisition means acquires both the basic sheet information and the individual sheet identification information of the confirmation target sheet based on the image acquired by the collation imaging means. Therefore, this information can be acquired more easily and accurately, and ultimately the ease and accuracy of confirming the information of the confirmation target sheet can be improved.

[0028] Means 5. The blister packaging machine a sheet imaging means for imaging the blister sheet; and a sheet appearance inspection means for inspecting the blister sheet based on the image obtained by the sheet imaging means, The sheet information confirmation system according to means 1, wherein the registration imaging means also functions as the sheet imaging means.

[0029] According to the above-mentioned means 5, the registration imaging means also serves as the sheet imaging means used to inspect the blister sheet, which simplifies the system and ultimately helps to prevent increases in costs related to the manufacturing and maintenance of the system.

[0030] Means 6. The sheet information verification system described in Means 1, characterized in that the verification imaging means is configured to be able to image the sheet to be verified using the same imaging conditions as those used when the registration imaging means imaged the sheet to be verified.

[0031] According to the above-mentioned means 6, since the imaging conditions for the registration imaging means and the verification imaging means can be made the same, it is possible to more reliably prevent differences due to imaging conditions between the sheet individual identification information based on the image acquired by the registration imaging means and the sheet individual identification information based on the image acquired by the verification imaging means, thereby enabling more accurate identification of blister sheets.

[0032] The technical features relating to the above-mentioned means may be combined as appropriate. For example, the technical feature relating to the above-mentioned means 2 may be combined with at least one of the technical features relating to the above-mentioned means 3 to 6. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0033] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a PTP sheet. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of a PTP sheet. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a PTP film. [Figure 4]FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the bottom surface of a PTP sheet for explaining a printed portion and the like. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the surface of a tablet. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the back side of the tablet. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of a PTP sheet for explaining the state in which tablets are contained. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a PTP sheet manufacturing confirmation system. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a PTP packaging machine. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a perspective schematic view of a heating roll. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view showing the front side of a PTP film. [Figure 12] This is a schematic bottom view showing the back side of the PTP film. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a data structure in an information registration unit. [Figure 14] 10 is a schematic plan view of a PTP sheet for explaining sheet individual identification information in another embodiment. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0034] An embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, the structure of a PTP sheet as a "blister sheet" will be described in detail.

[0035] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the PTP sheet 1 has a container film 3 with a plurality of pocket portions 2, and a cover film 4 attached to the container film 3 so as to cover the pocket portions 2.

[0036] The container film 3 is made of transparent or translucent polypropylene (PP) or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and is light-transmitting. On the other hand, the cover film 4 is made of thin aluminum (aluminum foil) (e.g., about 15 to 20 μm). In this embodiment, the cover film 4 is made of aluminum foil or the like with a sealant made of a predetermined resin or the like applied to its surface. The materials of the container film 3 and the cover film 4 may be changed as appropriate.

[0037] Furthermore, parallelogram-shaped mesh seals 4a are formed in the area of ​​the cover film 4 where it is attached to the container film 3. On the other hand, no seals 4a are formed in the area of ​​the cover film 4 corresponding to the opening of the pocket portion 2.

[0038] Furthermore, a printed portion 8 for indicating sheet basic information 7 is provided on the surface of the cover film 4 opposite to the surface attached to the container film 3 (see FIG. 4). In this embodiment, the sheet basic information 7 is provided by being printed in advance on the cover film 4, and includes a product name 7a, a product code 7b, a serial number 7c, and an expiration date 7d.

[0039] The product name 7a is information indicating the name (product name) of the PTP sheet 1, and is made up of letters such as "ABC." The product code 7b is information indicating the product name, manufacturer, etc., and is made up of numbers such as "04998765432104" or code information (e.g., GS1 code or two-dimensional code). The serial number 7c is information indicating the manufacturing location and manufacturing date of the PTP sheet 1, and is made up of letters, numbers, and code information such as "DE12345." The expiration date 7d is information indicating the expiration date of the PTP sheet 1 (particularly the tablets 5), and is made up of numbers and code information such as "281010." In this embodiment, the product code 7b, serial number 7c, and expiration date 7d are displayed as numbers and code information, respectively.

[0040] The sheet basic information 7 only needs to include at least the product name 7a or product code 7b, and the serial number 7c or expiration date 7d. Therefore, the sheet basic information 7 may include, for example, only the product name 7a and the serial number 7c. The serial number 7c, expiration date 7d, etc. may also be provided by marking the PTP sheet 1 with a marking device 34, which will be described later.

[0041] The PTP sheet 1 is formed in a rectangular shape in plan view with four arc-shaped corners. The PTP sheet 1 has two rows of pockets formed in the short side direction, each row consisting of five pockets 2 arranged along the long side direction. In other words, a total of ten pockets 2 are formed. Each pocket 2 contains one tablet 5 as the "contents."

[0042] The outer surface of the tablet 5 is composed of a side surface 5a and a front surface 5b and a back surface 5c sandwiching the side surface 5a. A tablet printed portion 5j is formed on the front surface 5b, on which letters, symbols, numbers, figures, etc. indicating product information about the tablet 5 are printed (see FIG. 5). Examples of product information about the tablet 5 include "product name," "content," "dosage form," "manufacturer," and "lot number." On the other hand, the tablet printed portion 5j is not formed on the back surface 5c (see FIG. 6). Therefore, the front surface 5b and the back surface 5c have different configurations, and both surfaces 5b and 5c are distinguishable from each other in terms of appearance.

[0043] In this embodiment, the tablet 5 can be stored in two different states when viewed from the front side of the PTP sheet 1 (the protruding side of the pocket 2) depending on the orientation of the tablet 5 when stored in the pocket 2 (see FIG. 7). That is, in this embodiment, the storage state is a "front state" in which the front surface 5b (tablet printed portion 5j) is visible, or a "rear state" in which the back surface 5c is visible.

[0044] In addition, the shape of the tablet 5 relative to the pocket portion 2 is set so that it does not turn over when stored in the pocket portion 2. As a result, the tablet 5 is maintained in the "front state" or "back state" when stored in the PTP sheet 1. Therefore, in this embodiment, one PTP sheet 1 has 10 pocket portions 2 and two types of storage states, so there are 1024 (=2 to the power of 10) types of storage state information, which is information based on the multiple storage states related to multiple tablets 5. The storage state information constitutes part of the sheet individual identification information, which will be described later.

[0045] The PTP sheet 1 is produced by punching out a strip-shaped PTP film 6 (see FIG. 3) formed from a strip-shaped container film 3 and a strip-shaped cover film 4 into a sheet. In this embodiment, the PTP film 6 corresponds to a "blister film." The PTP film 6 has a configuration in which pockets 2, the number of which corresponds to one sheet, are arranged along its width direction.

[0046] Next, with reference to Fig. 8, a PTP sheet production confirmation system 10 for confirming information relating to the production of PTP sheets 1 and the produced PTP sheets 1 will be described. The PTP sheet production confirmation system 10 is installed in a specified factory and includes a PTP packaging machine 11 and a sheet information confirmation system 60. In this embodiment, the PTP packaging machine 11 constitutes a "blister packaging machine." First, the general configuration of the PTP packaging machine 11 will be described.

[0047] As shown in Figure 9, a raw web of strip-shaped container film 3 is wound into a roll on the most upstream side of a PTP packaging machine 11. The pull-out end of the rolled container film 3 is guided by a guide roll 13. The container film 3 is wrapped around an intermittent feed roll 14 downstream of the guide roll 13. The intermittent feed roll 14 is connected to an intermittently rotating motor and intermittently transports the container film 3. Note that material information such as a lot number is set on the raw web of container film 3.

[0048] Between the guide roll 13 and the intermittent feed roll 14, a heating device 15 and a pocket forming device 16 are arranged in this order along the transport path of the container film 3. Then, after the container film 3 has been heated by the heating device 15 and has become relatively flexible, the pocket forming device 16 forms multiple pockets 2 at predetermined positions in the container film 3. The pockets 2 are formed during the intervals between the transport operations of the container film 3 by the intermittent feed roll 14.

[0049] The heating temperature of the container film 3 by the heating device 15 and the pressure applied to the container film 3 by the pocket forming device 16 when forming the pocket 2 are controlled by a control device 50 (described later) based on predetermined set values. The heating device 15 and the pocket forming device 16 are also equipped with a function for measuring the actual heating temperature and pressure, and send the measured values ​​of the heating temperature and pressure to the control device 50. These set values ​​and measured values ​​constitute part of the manufacturing information of the PTP sheet 1.

[0050] The container film 3 fed from the intermittent feed roll 14 is wrapped around a tension roll 18, a guide roll 19, and a film receiving roll 20, in that order. The film receiving roll 20 is connected to a motor that rotates at a constant speed, so it transports the container film 3 continuously at a constant speed. The tension roll 18 pulls the container film 3 toward the tension side by its elastic force, preventing slack in the container film 3 due to differences in the transport operations of the intermittent feed roll 14 and the film receiving roll 20, and keeping the container film 3 in a constantly tensed state.

[0051] A filling device 21 is disposed between the guide roll 19 and the film receiving roll 20 along the transport path of the container film 3. In this embodiment, the filling device 21 constitutes the "storage means." Tablets stored in a predetermined tablet barrel are supplied to the filling device 21. Material information such as a lot number is set in the tablet barrel.

[0052] The filling device 21 is equipped with a cylindrical chute that stores the tablets 5 lined up in a row, and a shutter (both not shown) that can open and close the outlet of the chute, and fills the tablets 5 into the pockets 2 by opening the shutter at a predetermined timing. The tablets 5 stored in the pockets 2 by the filling device 21 may have their front surfaces 5b facing upward or their back surfaces 5c facing upward (see Figure 11). In other words, the front and back sides of the tablets 5 stored in the pockets 2 are not consistent.

[0053] Meanwhile, the original web of cover film 4 formed in a strip shape is wound into a roll on the most upstream side. The leading end of the rolled cover film 4 is guided by a guide roll 24 toward a heating roll 25. Note that, like the original web of container film 3, the original web of cover film 4 has material information such as a lot number set thereon.

[0054] The heating roll 25 can be pressed against the film receiving roll 20, and the container film 3 and the cover film 4 are fed between the two rolls 20, 25. Then, as the container film 3 and the cover film 4 pass between the two rolls 20, 25 in a heated and pressed state, the cover film 4 is attached to the container film 3, and the pocket portions 2 are closed with the cover film 4. In this way, a strip-shaped PTP film 6 is produced in which tablets 5 are housed in each pocket portion 2. In this embodiment, the film receiving roll 20 and the heating roll 25 constitute an "attaching means."

[0055] Furthermore, a plurality of protrusions 25a (see FIG. 10) having a triangular cross section are provided on at least the portion of the outer periphery of the heating roll 25 that faces the cover film 4 passing between the rolls 20, 25. In this embodiment, the protrusions 25a are arranged to form a parallelogram (square in this embodiment) mesh. The protrusions 25a bite into the cover film 4 and the container film 3, forming the seals 4a in the PTP film 6, and as a result, the cover film 4 is firmly attached to the container film 3.

[0056] The heating temperature of the films 3 and 4 by the heating roll 25, the clamping pressure of the films 3 and 4, and other factors are controlled by a control device 50 (described later) based on predetermined set values. The heating roll 25 also has a function for measuring the actual heating temperature and clamping pressure, and sends the measured values ​​of the heating temperature and clamping pressure to the control device 50. These set values ​​and measured values, like the set values ​​of the heating temperature and pressure related to the formation of the pocket portion 2, constitute part of the manufacturing information of the PTP sheet 1.

[0057] The PTP film 6 sent out from the film receiving roll 20 is wrapped around a tension roll 27 and an intermittent feed roll 28 in that order. The intermittent feed roll 28 is connected to an intermittently rotating motor, and therefore intermittently transports the PTP film 6. The tension roll 27 pulls the PTP film 6 toward the tension side by its elastic force, preventing slack in the PTP film 6 due to differences in the transport operations of the film receiving roll 20 and the intermittent feed roll 28, and maintaining the PTP film 6 in a constantly tensed state.

[0058] A first camera 45 and a second camera 46 are disposed between the film receiving roll 20 and the tension roll 27 along the transport path of the PTP film 6. In this embodiment, the first camera 45 and the second camera 46 each constitute a "registration imaging means," and the first camera 45 constitutes a "sheet imaging means." Therefore, the first camera 45 as a "registration imaging means" also serves as a "sheet imaging means." Both cameras 45 and 46 are also components of a sheet information confirmation system 60.

[0059] The operation of both cameras 45, 46 is controlled by a control device 50 based on imaging conditions pre-stored in the control device 50. The imaging conditions include, for example, settings related to the cameras 45, 46, such as shutter speed, and settings related to the first illumination device 47 and the second illumination device 48 for irradiating the PTP film 6 with predetermined light (for example, infrared light or white light).

[0060] The first camera 45 captures an image of the area that will become the PTP sheet 1 (the area surrounded by the two-dot chain line in Figures 11 and 12) on the front side of the PTP film 6 (the protruding side of the pocket portion 2) illuminated with a predetermined light from the first lighting device 47. The second camera 46 captures an image of the area that will become the PTP sheet 1 on the back side of the PTP film 6 illuminated with a predetermined light from the second lighting device 48. Therefore, the appearance of the front side of the PTP sheet 1 is captured by the first camera 45, and the appearance of the back side of the PTP sheet 1 is captured by the second camera 46. The images (image data) of the appearance of the PTP sheet 1 obtained by both cameras 45, 46 are associated with the sheet number and sent to the information management device 61.

[0061] The sheet number is a number such as n-1, n, or n+1 (n is a natural number), and is set for each portion of the PTP film 6 that will eventually become the PTP sheet 1. In this embodiment, the sheet number increases by one in the order in which the PTP sheets 1 are manufactured. In Figures 11 and 12, an example of a sheet number corresponding to the portion that will eventually become the PTP sheet 1 is written above the portion.

[0062] Furthermore, the image obtained by the first camera 45 is sent to an appearance inspection device 49. The appearance inspection device 49 inspects the PTP sheet 1 based on the image obtained by the first camera 45. In this embodiment, the appearance inspection device 49 constitutes a "sheet appearance inspection means."

[0063] The appearance inspection device 49 is a reflected light type inspection device for inspecting the protruding portion side of the pocket portion 2 in the PTP film 6 after sealing, and performs inspection for, for example, "non-seal wrinkles." "Non-seal wrinkles" is an inspection item related to whether the cover film 4 is properly attached to the container film 3, i.e., whether the seal is good or bad. The appearance inspection device 49 performs the inspection using measurement values ​​(e.g., area, etc.) based on the image obtained by the first camera 45 and inspection conditions (e.g., setting information such as threshold values, inspection device information such as an inspection program, etc.) pre-stored in the control device 50 described below.

[0064] The appearance inspection device 49 may also inspect other inspection items (for example, the presence or absence of tablets 5 in the pocket portion 2). Inspection data including the images used in the inspection, measurement values, and inspection results are associated with the sheet number and sent to an information management device 61, which will be described later. The images used in the inspection include not only images before processing, but also images after processing.

[0065] In addition to the appearance inspection device 49, an inspection device for inspecting the appearance of the PTP sheet 1 may be provided. For example, an inspection device may be provided that inspects the presence or absence of tablets 5 or foreign matter in the pocket portion 2, and the quality of the shapes of the tablets 5 and the pocket portion 2, before the cover film 4 is attached to the container film 3. Furthermore, for example, an inspection device may be provided that inspects the quality of punching after the PTP film 6 is punched to obtain the PTP sheet 1. Inspection data (images, measurement values, inspection results) related to such an inspection device is also sent to the information management device 61 in association with the sheet number.

[0066] The PTP film 6 fed from the intermittent feed roll 28 is wrapped around a tension roll 31 and an intermittent feed roll 32 in that order. The intermittent feed roll 32 is connected to an intermittently rotating motor, and therefore intermittently transports the PTP film 6. The tension roll 31 is in a state where it pulls the PTP film 6 toward the tension side by its elastic force, preventing slack in the PTP film 6 between the intermittent feed rolls 28 and 32.

[0067] Between the intermittent feed roll 28 and the tension roll 31, a slit forming device 33 and a marking device 34 are disposed in this order along the transport path of the PTP film 6. The slit forming device 33 has the function of forming a separation slit at a predetermined position in the PTP film 6. The marking device 34 has the function of marking a predetermined position on the PTP film 6. Note that the separation slit and marking are not shown in Figure 1 and other figures. As described above, the marking device 34 may mark the PTP sheet 1 with a manufacturing number 7c, expiration date 7d, etc.

[0068] The heating temperature of the PTP film 6 by the slit forming device 33 and the marking device 34 when forming the separation slits and markings, and the pressure applied to the PTP film 6, are controlled by a control device 50 (described later) based on predetermined set values. The slit forming device 33 and the marking device 34 also have the function of measuring the actual heating temperature and applied pressure, and send the measured values ​​of the heating temperature and applied pressure to the control device 50. These set values ​​and measured values ​​constitute part of the manufacturing information of the PTP sheet 1.

[0069] The PTP film 6 fed from the intermittent feed roll 32 is wrapped around a tension roll 35 and a continuous feed roll 36 in that order downstream. A sheet punching device 37 is disposed between the intermittent feed roll 32 and the tension roll 35 along the transport path of the PTP film 6. The sheet punching device 37 has the function of punching out the outer edge of the PTP film 6 into individual PTP sheets, that is, the function of separating the PTP sheets 1 from the PTP film 6. In this embodiment, the sheet punching device 37 constitutes the "separating means."

[0070] The PTP sheets 1 obtained by the sheet punching device 37 are transported by a conveyor 39 and temporarily stored in a finished product hopper 40. The PTP sheets 1 stored in the finished product hopper 40 are packaged, boxed, and shipped to the market. However, if the appearance inspection device 49 determines that a PTP sheet 1 is defective, the PTP sheet 1 determined to be defective is not sent to the finished product hopper 40 but is separately discharged by a defective sheet discharge mechanism (not shown).

[0071] A cutting device 42 is disposed downstream of the continuous feed roll 36. An unnecessary film portion 43, which constitutes a strip-shaped residual material portion (scrap portion) remaining after punching by the sheet punching device 37, is guided by the tension roll 35 and the continuous feed roll 36, and then led to the cutting device 42. The cutting device 42 cuts the unnecessary film portion 43 to a predetermined size. The cut unnecessary film portion 43 (scrap) is stored in a scrap hopper 44 and then disposed of separately.

[0072] Furthermore, the PTP packaging machine 11 is equipped with a control device 50. The control device 50 is responsible for controlling the operation of each device in the PTP packaging machine 11. The control device 50 is configured by a computer system including a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that executes predetermined arithmetic processing, a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores various programs and fixed value data, etc., a RAM (Random Access Memory) that temporarily stores various data when various arithmetic processing is executed, and peripheral circuits for these.

[0073] Based on predetermined settings, the control device 50 controls the heating temperature of the container film 3 by the heating device 15, the pressure applied to the container film 3 when forming the pocket portion 2, the heating temperature of the films 3 and 4 by the heating roll 25, the clamping pressure of the films 3 and 4 by the rolls 20 and 25, and the pressure applied to the PTP film 6 by the slit forming device 33 and the stamping device 34. The control device 50 associates the setting values ​​used in manufacturing the PTP sheet 1 with a sheet number for identifying the PTP sheet 1 and sends them to the information management device 61. Therefore, the setting values ​​for each of the manufactured PTP sheets 1 are sent from the control device 50 to the information management device 61. As a result, the information management device 61 knows the setting values ​​for each PTP sheet 1. Note that if the information management device 61 has information regarding the setting values ​​and the control device 50 controls the device based on this information, the information management device 61 already knows the setting values ​​for each PTP sheet 1, so there is no need for the control device 50 to send the setting values ​​to the information management device 61.

[0074] As described above, the control device 50 receives measurement values ​​relating to the actual heating temperature and pressure from the heating device 15, pocket forming device 16, heating roll 25, slit forming device 33, etc., and the control device 50 associates the measurement values ​​relating to the manufactured PTP sheet 1 with a sheet number for identifying the PTP sheet 1 and sends them to the information management device 61. Therefore, the measurement values ​​for each of the manufactured multiple PTP sheets 1 are sent from the control device 50 to the information management device 61. As a result, the information management device 61 knows the measurement values ​​for each PTP sheet 1.

[0075] In addition, the control device 50 stores in advance material information (such as lot numbers) relating to the original rolls of both films 3 and 4 and the tablet barrels, and the control device 50 sends the material information relating to the manufactured PTP sheet 1 to the information management device 61 in association with a sheet number for identifying the PTP sheet 1. As a result, the information management device 61 is able to grasp "manufacturing information" for each PTP sheet 1, including set values, measured values, and material information.

[0076] Furthermore, the control device 50 pre-stores inspection conditions related to the inspection by the visual inspection device 49 [for example, setting information (thresholds, etc.), inspection device information (information related to the device specifications and model number, information related to the inspection program, information related to the inspection AI model, etc.)]. The control device 50 then transmits the inspection conditions used in the inspection of the manufactured PTP sheet 1 to the information management device 61 in association with a sheet number for identifying the PTP sheet 1. As described above, the visual inspection device 49 transmits inspection data including images used in the inspection and inspection results to the control device 50. The control device 50 then transmits the inspection data related to the manufactured PTP sheet 1 to the information management device 61 in association with the sheet number for identifying the PTP sheet 1. This allows the information management device 61 to grasp the "inspection information" including the inspection conditions and inspection data for each PTP sheet 1.

[0077] The control device 50 also stores the imaging conditions for the PTP sheet 1, and uses these imaging conditions to control the operation of the cameras 45, 46 and the lighting devices 47, 48. The imaging conditions used when the cameras 45, 46 capture an image of the PTP sheet 1 are sent to the information management device 61 in association with a sheet number for identifying the PTP sheet 1.

[0078] Next, a sheet information confirmation system 60 will be described with reference to Fig. 8. The sheet information confirmation system 60 is a system that enables the "inspection information" and "manufacturing information" related to a manufactured PTP sheet 1 to be confirmed based on information related to the appearance of the PTP sheet 1, even after the PTP sheet 1 has been distributed on the market. The sheet information confirmation system 60 includes an information management device 61, a verification imaging device 62, a verification imaging control device 63, a verification target sheet information acquisition device 64, an information reference device 65, and a display device 66. In this embodiment, the verification imaging device 62 constitutes the "verification imaging means," and similarly, the verification target sheet information acquisition device 64 constitutes the "verification target sheet information acquisition means," and the information reference device 65 constitutes the "information reference means."

[0079] The information management device 61 stores and manages the sheet basic information 7, individual sheet identification information, "manufacturing information" (setting values, measurement values, and material information), and "inspection information" (inspection conditions and inspection data) for each manufactured PTP sheet 1. The individual sheet identification information corresponds to the different appearance state of each manufactured PTP sheet 1. The individual sheet identification information and the sheet basic information 7 constitute information for identifying a PTP sheet 1 from the standpoint of appearance (sometimes referred to as "sheet identification information"). Note that, in rare cases, the appearance states of multiple PTP sheets 1 may be very similar, and in such cases, due to limitations in the device's discrimination capabilities or other reasons, the individual sheet identification information for these PTP sheets 1 may be the same.

[0080] In this embodiment, the sheet individual identification information includes, in addition to information based on the multiple storage states of the multiple tablets 5 described above (storage state information), information regarding the relative position of the pocket portion 2 with respect to the seal line 4a (sometimes referred to as "first relative position information"), information regarding the relative position of the printed portion 8 with respect to the seal line 4a (sometimes referred to as "second relative position information"), and information regarding the relative position of the pocket portion 2 with respect to the printed portion 8 (sometimes referred to as "third relative position information").

[0081] Examples of information relating to the relative position of the pocket portion 2 with respect to the seal stitch 4a (first relative position information) include the number of intersections XP (see Figure 12) between the seal stitch 4a and the outer edge of the opening of the pocket portion 2, the area of ​​the region AR (see Figure 12) surrounded by the seal stitch 4a and the outer edge of the opening of the pocket portion 2, the number and total length of the seal stitches 4a located within a certain distance range from the pocket portion 2, and the distance from a specific position on the seal stitch 4a to the pocket portion 2.

[0082] Furthermore, examples of information relating to the relative position of the printed section 8 with respect to the seal stitch 4a (second relative position information) include the number and length of the portion KB (see FIG. 12) of the seal stitch 4a that overlaps with the printed section 8, the total length of the portion of the seal stitch 4a that does not overlap with the printed section 8, the area of ​​the region BR (see FIG. 12) surrounded by the seal stitch 4a and the outer edge of the printed section 8, the number and total length of the seal stitches 4a located within a certain distance range from the printed section 8, and the distance from a specific position on the seal stitch 4a to the printed section 8. In FIG. 12, a scattered dot pattern is applied to only one region AR and one region BR.

[0083] Furthermore, examples of information relating to the relative position of the pocket portion 2 with respect to the printed portion 8 (third relative position information) include the distance from the printed portion 8 to the pocket portion 2, the area and outer edge length of the printed portion 8 located within a certain distance range from the pocket portion 2, and the number of intersections between the seal stitches 4a and imaginary lines connecting predetermined positions (for example, centers or centers of gravity) in the pocket portion 2. Note that when obtaining the relative position information, information may be obtained for each of the multiple pocket portions 2, or information may be obtained for each of the multiple elements (letters, numbers, symbols, etc.) that make up the printed portion 8. Of course, information other than the information listed above (for example, fingerprints of things, etc.) may also be obtained as sheet individual identification information.

[0084] In this embodiment, the sheet individual identification information is a combination of storage status information (for example, a 10-digit number in which "front side" is represented by 0 and "back side" is represented by 1), first relative position information, second relative position information, and third relative position information. Each piece of relative position information is expressed by a plurality of letters or numbers indicating a number, area, number, etc., and the sheet individual identification information is expressed by, for example, 15 or more letters or numbers. Therefore, there are an extremely large number of types of sheet individual identification information.

[0085] The information management device 61 is configured by a so-called computer system, and includes a registration sheet information acquisition unit 61a and an information registration unit 61b. In this embodiment, the registration sheet information acquisition unit 61a configures "registration sheet information acquisition means," and the information registration unit 61b configures "information registration means."

[0086] The registration sheet information acquisition unit 61a acquires individual sheet identification information for each PTP sheet 1 based on images acquired by both cameras 45, 46 and sent from the control device 50. In this embodiment, the registration sheet information acquisition unit 61a utilizes a preset program, AI model, etc. to acquire storage status information and relative position information for the PTP sheet 1 corresponding to the sheet number associated with the image based on the image acquired by both cameras 45, 46, and uses the acquired information to create and acquire individual sheet identification information. In this way, individual sheet identification information is acquired for each PTP sheet 1.

[0087] Furthermore, the registration sheet information acquisition unit 61a reads and acquires the sheet basic information 7 for each PTP sheet 1 to be manufactured based on the images acquired by both cameras 45, 46 and sent from the control device 50. In this embodiment, the registration sheet information acquisition unit 61a uses a preset program, AI model, or the like to acquire the sheet basic information 7 of the PTP sheet 1 corresponding to the sheet number associated with the image based on the image acquired by both cameras 45, 46.

[0088] The information registration unit 61b associates the sheet basic information 7 and individual sheet identification information acquired by the sheet information acquisition unit for registration 61a with the sheet basic information 7 and stores the inspection information and production information related to the PTP sheet 1 from which the individual sheet identification information was acquired. More specifically, the information registration unit 61b uses the sheet basic information 7 and individual sheet identification information acquired by the sheet information acquisition unit for registration 61a and the inspection information and production information sent from the control device 50 to associate and store the sheet basic information 7, individual sheet identification information, inspection information, and production information related to the same sheet number.

[0089] In this embodiment, the data structure in the information registration unit 61b has a plurality of upper folders whose folder names are the product code and product name, and a plurality of lower folders located below the upper folders whose folder names are the serial number and expiration date, as shown in Fig. 13. In other words, in the data structure in the information registration unit 61b, there are a plurality of different folders for each piece of sheet basic information 7 (product name, product code, serial number, and expiration date).

[0090] Each subfolder stores multiple files with individual sheet identification information as file names. These files contain "inspection information" and "manufacturing information" data related to the PTP sheet 1 identified by the upper folder name, lower folder name, and file name. Therefore, the data structure in the information registration unit 61b is a tree structure in which the sheet basic information 7 and individual sheet identification information (i.e., sheet identification information) are associated with the "inspection information" and "manufacturing information."

[0091] Furthermore, the information registration unit 61b stores the image capturing conditions of the PTP sheet 1 by both cameras 45, 46 sent from the control device 50 in association with the sheet basic information 7 of the PTP sheet 1.

[0092] The verification imaging device 62 captures an image of the appearance of the PTP sheet 1 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "confirmation target sheet 1a") that is the target for confirmation of the "inspection information" and "manufacturing information." In this embodiment, the confirmation target sheet 1a is returned to the installation location (e.g., a factory) of the PTP sheet production confirmation system 10 in the event that a problem is found after distribution to the market, in order to determine the cause of the problem.

[0093] The verification imaging device 62 in this embodiment has specifications equal to or better than those of the cameras 45, 46, and captures images of both the front side (the protruding side of the pocket portion 2) and the back side of the sheet 1a to be confirmed. The imaging operation by the verification imaging device 62 is controlled by a verification imaging control device 63.

[0094] As described above, the collation imaging control device 63 controls the imaging of the verification target sheet 1a by the collation imaging device 62. In this embodiment, when the sheet basic information 7 related to the verification target sheet 1a is input manually or by a code reading device, the collation imaging control device 63 acquires the imaging conditions associated with the sheet basic information 7 from the information registration unit 61b. That is, the collation imaging control device 63 acquires the imaging conditions used when the cameras 45 and 46 captured the image of the verification target sheet 1a. The collation imaging control device 63 then captures the image of the verification target sheet 1a using the acquired imaging conditions. Note that the collation imaging control device 63 uses the imaging conditions related to the first camera 45 when capturing the image of the front side of the verification target sheet 1a, and the imaging conditions related to the second camera 46 when capturing the image of the back side of the verification target sheet 1a. Therefore, the collation imaging device 62 can capture the image of the verification target sheet 1a using the same imaging conditions used when the cameras 45 and 46 captured the image of the verification target sheet 1a. The image obtained by the verification imaging device 62 is sent to a verification target sheet information acquisition device 64 .

[0095] The verification target sheet information acquisition device 64 reads and acquires the sheet individual identification information relating to the verification target sheet 1a based on the image obtained by the verification imaging device 62.

[0096] In this embodiment, the verification target sheet information acquisition device 64 reads and acquires the sheet basic information 7 related to the verification target sheet 1a based on the image acquired by the verification imaging device 62. The sheet individual identification information and the sheet basic information 7 can be acquired by a method similar to the method used by the registration sheet information acquisition unit 61a to acquire this information. The acquired sheet individual identification information and sheet basic information 7 are sent to the information reference device 65.

[0097] The information reference device 65 acquires the "manufacturing information" and "inspection information" related to the confirmation target sheet 1a from the information registration unit 61b. More specifically, the information reference device 65 acquires data of "inspection information" and "manufacturing information" associated with the sheet individual identification information and sheet basic information 7 from the information registration unit 61b, based on the sheet individual identification information and sheet basic information 7 related to the confirmation target sheet 1a acquired by the confirmation target sheet information acquisition device 64. The acquired data of "inspection information" and "manufacturing information" are sent to the display device 66.

[0098] The display device 66 is configured, for example, by a liquid crystal display having a predetermined display section, and displays the data acquired by the information reference device 65, i.e., the "inspection information" and "manufacturing information" related to the confirmation target sheet 1a. By checking the displayed content, it becomes possible to more easily track down the cause of a problem that has occurred on the confirmation target sheet 1a. Note that in addition to or instead of the display device 66, a predetermined external device (for example, a terminal device outside the factory) may be provided, and data such as inspection information may be output from the information reference device 65 to the external device.

[0099] As described above in detail, according to this embodiment, the information for identifying a PTP sheet 1 (sheet identification information) includes the sheet basic information 7 and the individual sheet identification information. In other words, the sheet identification information is composed of a combination of a wide variety of information. Therefore, by using the sheet identification information, it becomes possible to more reliably identify an extremely large number of PTP sheets 1 individually.

[0100] Therefore, by configuring the information reference device 65 to use the sheet identification information to obtain the "inspection information" and "manufacturing information" of the confirmation target sheet 1a from the information registration unit 61b, it becomes possible to more reliably obtain accurate information related to one confirmation target sheet 1a from among information related to an extremely large number of PTP sheets 1. This makes it possible to appropriately check the information related to the PTP sheet 1 even after the PTP sheet 1 has been distributed on the market, that is, even at a stage where an extremely large number of PTP sheets of the same type have already been manufactured.

[0101] Furthermore, since the sheet-specific information is information that can be grasped from the appearance of the PTP sheet 1, it is possible to check the information relating to the confirmation target sheet 1a based only on the confirmation target sheet 1a.

[0102] Furthermore, since there is no need to attach a unique identification code to the PTP sheet 1 for identification purposes, a decrease in productivity and an increase in costs involved in the manufacture of the PTP sheet 1 can be more reliably prevented.

[0103] In addition, the sheet individual identification information includes information based on the multiple storage states of the multiple tablets 5 (storage state information) and information related to the relative positions of the seal stitches 4a, the printed portion 8, etc. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably prevent the sheet individual identification information from being the same for multiple PTP sheets 1. As a result, it becomes possible to more reliably identify the PTP sheets 1 individually.

[0104] Additionally, the registration sheet information acquisition unit 61a acquires both the sheet basic information 7 and the sheet individual identification information (i.e., sheet specific information) of the PTP sheet 1 to be manufactured based on the images acquired by the cameras 45, 46. Therefore, both pieces of information of the PTP sheet 1 to be manufactured can be acquired more easily and accurately.

[0105] Furthermore, the confirmation target sheet information acquisition device 64 acquires both the sheet basic information 7 and the sheet individual identification information (i.e., sheet specific information) of the confirmation target sheet 1a based on the image acquired by the verification imaging device 62. Therefore, this information can be acquired more easily and accurately, and ultimately the ease and accuracy of confirming the information on the confirmation target sheet 1a can be improved.

[0106] Furthermore, the first camera 45 is used not only to obtain sheet individual identification information but also to inspect the PTP sheet 1. Therefore, the sheet information confirmation system 60 can be simplified, and as a result, increases in costs related to the manufacturing and maintenance of the sheet information confirmation system 60 can be suppressed.

[0107] In addition, in this embodiment, the imaging conditions for the cameras 45, 46 and the verification imaging device 62 can be made the same, so it is possible to more reliably prevent differences due to imaging conditions from occurring between the sheet individual identification information based on the images acquired by the cameras 45, 46 and the sheet individual identification information based on the images acquired by the verification imaging device 62. This enables more accurate identification of the PTP sheet 1.

[0108] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and may be implemented as follows: Of course, other applications and modifications not exemplified below are also possible.

[0109] (a) In the above embodiment, the cameras 45 and 46 as the "registration imaging means" image the PTP sheet 1, i.e., the part of the PTP film 6 that will become the PTP sheet 1, in other words, the PTP sheet 1 before punching, but they may also image the PTP sheet 1 after punching.

[0110] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the cameras 45 and 46 capture images of both the front and back sides of the PTP sheet 1, but it is also possible to capture images of only one of the front and back sides of the PTP sheet 1.

[0111] (b) In the above embodiment, the sheet individual identification information includes information on the relative position of the pocket portion 2 with respect to the seal stitch 4a, but as shown in Fig. 14, it may also include information on the relative position of the outline GK of the PTP sheet 1 with respect to the seal stitch 4a, or information on the relative position of the outline GK of the PTP sheet 1 with respect to the print portion 8. In this case, in order to determine the outline GK of the PTP sheet 1 (i.e., the actual punching position by the sheet punching device 37), an image of the appearance of the PTP sheet 1 after punching is captured by a camera serving as a "registration imaging means," and the sheet individual identification information is obtained based on the image captured by the camera.

[0112] (c) In the above embodiment, the registration sheet information acquisition unit 61a acquires the sheet basic information 7 based on the images acquired by both cameras 45, 46, and the information registration unit 61b is configured to store "manufacturing information" and the like in association with the acquired sheet basic information 7. Alternatively, the sheet basic information 7 may be input to the information registration unit 61b by an operator or by reading code information attached to the PTP sheet 1 using a predetermined code reading device. Then, the information registration unit 61b may store the "manufacturing information" and the like in association with the input sheet basic information 7.

[0113] The information reference device 65 may also be configured in a similar manner. That is, the information reference device 65 may acquire "manufacturing information" related to the confirmation target sheet 1a based on the sheet basic information 7 obtained by input by a worker or by reading code information using a code reading device.

[0114] (d) In the above embodiment, the verification imaging device 62 is installed in the factory where the PTP packaging machine 11 is installed, but it may also be installed outside the factory. Furthermore, a portable digital camera or a smartphone with a camera function may also be used as the verification imaging device 62. In this case, an image captured by the verification imaging device 62 outside the factory may be transmitted to the verification target sheet information acquisition device 64, and the verification target sheet information acquisition device 64 may acquire the sheet individual identification information of the verification target sheet 1a based on the transmitted image. This configuration makes it possible to verify the "manufacturing information" related to the verification target sheet 1a without sending the actual verification target sheet 1a to the location where the verification imaging device 62 is installed.

[0115] (e) In the above embodiment, both the "inspection information" and the "manufacturing information" related to the confirmation target sheet 1a can be confirmed, but it is also possible to confirm only one of the "inspection information" and the "manufacturing information."

[0116] (f) In the above embodiment, the first camera 45 serves as both the "registration imaging means" and the "sheet imaging means." However, the "registration imaging means" and the "sheet imaging means" may be configured as separate cameras.

[0117] (g) In the above embodiment, three types of relative position information are given as sheet individual identification information, but one or two of these types of information may be used as sheet individual identification information.

[0118] (h) In the above embodiment, the storage state of the tablets 5 is not particularly controlled but is determined randomly. In contrast, the storage state of each tablet 5 may be controlled by configuring the filling device 21 so that the orientation of the tablets 5 filled in the pocket portion 2 can be adjusted as desired.

[0119] (i) In the above embodiment, the tablet 5 is configured to be distinguishable between its front and back sides by utilizing the presence or absence of the tablet printing portion 5j. However, the tablet 5 may be configured to be distinguishable between its front and back sides by providing an engraving or a score line on only one of the two surfaces 5b, 5c. Of course, the tablet 5 may be configured to be distinguishable between its front and back sides by providing different printing or engraving on the front surface 5b and the back surface 5c, respectively.

[0120] (j) In the above embodiment, the PTP sheet 1 is configured to contain 10 tablets 5, but the number of contents contained in one PTP sheet 1 may be changed as appropriate. However, in order to provide a sufficiently large number of types of containment status information, it is preferable that the number of contents contained in one PTP sheet 1 be 6 or more.

[0121] (k) In the above embodiment, the container is configured to have two different storage states, but it may be configured to have three or more storage states. For example, if the contents are cubic in shape and have different content printed on each side, it is possible to have at least six different storage states depending on the orientation of the contents when they are stored.

[0122] (l) In the above embodiment, the “contents” are described as disk-shaped tablets 5 that are circular in plan view. However, the shape of the tablets may be, for example, not only circular in plan view, but also polygonal in plan view, elliptical in plan view, oval in plan view, or oval in plan view.

[0123] Furthermore, for example, tablets include not only pharmaceuticals but also tablets used for eating and drinking. Furthermore, tablets include not only plain tablets but also sugar-coated tablets, film-coated tablets, orally disintegrating tablets, enteric-coated tablets, gelatin-coated tablets, etc.

[0124] Additionally, the contents may be a capsule tablet having a cylindrical body with one end closed and a cap fitted to the body so as to close the opening at the other end of the body. Capsule tablets are preferably those in which the body and cap can be distinguished by differences in printed content, shape, color, etc. In this case, depending on the orientation of the capsule tablet when stored in the pocket, it will be in a "right-facing state" in which the body is located at one edge of the width direction of the PTP sheet 1, or in a "left-facing state" in which the cap is located at the same edge. Therefore, the capsule tablet will have two different storage states when viewed from the front side of the PTP sheet 1.

[0125] Of course, the contents may be other than tablets and capsules. [Explanation of symbols]

[0126] 1... PTP sheet (blister sheet), 2... pocket portion, 3... container film, 4... cover film, 4a... seal line, 5... tablet (contents), 6... PTP film (blister film), 7... sheet basic information, 8... printing portion, 11... PTP packaging machine (blister packaging machine), 20... film receiving roll (attaching means), 21... filling device (storage means), 25... heating roll (attaching means), 37... sheet punching device (separation means), 45... first camera ( Registration imaging means, sheet imaging means), 46...second camera (registration imaging means), 49...appearance inspection device (sheet appearance inspection means), 60...sheet information confirmation system, 61a...registration sheet information acquisition unit (registration sheet information acquisition means), 61b...information registration unit (information registration means), 62...verification imaging device (verification imaging means), 64...confirmation target sheet information acquisition device (confirmation target sheet information acquisition means), 65...information reference device (information reference means), GK...outline.

Claims

1. a storage means for storing contents in a pocket formed in the strip-shaped container film; an attachment means for attaching a strip-shaped cover film to the container film so as to close the pocket portion in which the contents are accommodated; a separating means for separating a strip-shaped blister film formed by attaching the cover film to the container film to obtain a blister sheet; A sheet information confirmation system that enables confirmation of at least one of inspection information and production information related to the blister sheets sequentially produced by a blister packaging machine, based on information related to the appearance of the blister sheets, even after the blister sheets have been distributed in the market, The blister sheet is provided with basic sheet information including a product code or product name, and a serial number or expiration date, a registration imaging means for imaging the appearance of the blister sheet; a registration sheet information acquisition means for acquiring, for each blister sheet, sheet individual identification information, which is information corresponding to the appearance state that differs for each blister sheet to be manufactured, based on the image acquired by the registration imaging means; and an information registration means for storing at least one of the inspection information and the manufacturing information related to the blister sheet from which the sheet individual identification information was obtained, and the sheet basic information being associated with the sheet individual identification information acquired by the registration sheet information acquisition means; a verification imaging means for imaging the appearance of the confirmation target sheet, which is the blister sheet that is the target of confirmation of at least one of the inspection information and the manufacturing information; a verification target sheet information acquisition means for reading and acquiring the sheet individual identification information related to the verification target sheet based on the image obtained by the verification imaging means; A sheet information confirmation system characterized by comprising an information reference means for acquiring at least one of the inspection information and the manufacturing information relating to the sheet to be confirmed from the information registration means based on the sheet basic information relating to the sheet to be confirmed and the sheet individual identification information acquired by the sheet information acquisition means to be confirmed.

2. The contents can be stored in at least two different states when viewed from the front side of the blister sheet depending on the orientation of the contents when stored, and the stored states are maintained while the contents are stored in the blister sheet, The sheet individual identification information includes: In addition to the information based on the plurality of storage states relating to the plurality of contents, The sheet information confirmation system described in claim 1, characterized in that it includes at least one of information regarding the relative position of the pocket portion, the printed portion printed on the blister sheet, or the outline of the blister sheet relative to the seal formed on the cover film when the cover film is attached to the container film by the attachment means, and information regarding the relative position of the pocket portion or the outline of the blister sheet relative to the printed portion.

3. The sheet information confirmation system described in claim 1, characterized in that the registration sheet information acquisition means is configured to read and acquire the sheet basic information of the blister sheet to be manufactured for each blister sheet based on the image obtained by the registration imaging means.

4. The sheet information confirmation system according to claim 1, characterized in that the confirmation target sheet information acquisition means is configured to read and acquire the sheet basic information on the confirmation target sheet based on the image obtained by the comparison imaging means.

5. The blister packaging machine comprises: a sheet imaging means for imaging the blister sheet; and a sheet appearance inspection means for inspecting the blister sheet based on the image obtained by the sheet imaging means, 2. The sheet information confirmation system according to claim 1, wherein the registration imaging means also functions as the sheet imaging means.

6. The sheet information verification system according to claim 1, characterized in that the verification imaging means is configured to be able to image the sheet to be verified using the same imaging conditions as those used when the registration imaging means imaged the sheet to be verified.

Images