Inspection device

Abstract

The present invention provides an inspection device that can shorten the transport distance of the packaging paper, suppress the occurrence of transport jams, and reduce the risk of the packaging paper being cut. [Solution] The inspection device 1 comprises a main body 2, an electrical unit 3 equipped with operating means 7, and an inspection unit 4 for inspecting the medicine sealed inside individual packets of a plurality of individual packets of packaging paper 5, each having perforations formed between the packets. The main body 2 is connectable to the discharge port 44d of an external device 44 that discharges the packaging paper 5 and has an inlet 2a for loading the packaging paper 5 and an outlet 2b for discharging the packaging paper 5 that has been inspected by the inspection unit 4. The inspection unit 4 has inspection means 11, 12, 41 for inspecting the medicine inside the packaging paper 5 and a transport unit 13 for transporting the packaging paper 5. The electrical unit 3 is located at the top of the main body 2 and the inspection unit 4 is located at the bottom of the main body 2, and the inlet 2a is located at the same height as the discharge port 44d.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an inspection device for inspecting drugs, and more particularly to an inspection device for inspecting drugs enclosed in wrapping paper discharged from a drug packaging machine.

Background Art

[0002] A drug packaging machine that packages and discharges drugs is known. The drug packaging machine outputs wrapping paper in which a plurality of packages, which are individual packages containing drugs, are arranged in a row as a product. The drug packaging machine includes a plurality of drug cassettes each containing drugs above the device, and discharges a corresponding number of drugs from each drug cassette according to prescription information. The discharged drugs fall freely by gravity, and after the drugs for one package are collected at one location, they are enclosed in the individual package by a packaging device provided at the bottom of the device, and wrapping paper is created and discharged outside the machine.

[0003] Generally, for the drugs enclosed in the wrapping paper by the drug packaging machine, an inspection process is carried out to confirm whether accurate packaging has been performed in accordance with the prescription information. The inspection process is performed by a pharmacist, but in recent years, it is carried out by an inspection device. The inspection device can take an image of the drug while the drug is enclosed in the wrapping paper, and based on the taken image, it is also possible to identify whether the enclosed drug matches the prescription information. In the inspection process, the inspection device reads the shape and printing or engraving of the taken drug, and collates it with the stored database to identify the drug.

[0004] As described above, since the drug packaging machine packages the drugs that fall freely by gravity without opposing the gravity, the packaging device responsible for the final process of packaging is arranged at the bottom of the drug packaging machine, and the wrapping paper is discharged outside the machine from the lower part of the drug packaging machine. On the other hand, the inspection device for performing the inspection process is often arranged at a high position such as an operation unit, a display unit, and an inspection unit for performing the inspection process in a state where the operator stands to improve work efficiency. Therefore, in order to automatically introduce the wrapping paper discharged from the drug packaging machine into the inspection device, it is necessary to raise the wrapping paper discharged to a low position to a high position.

[0005] In view of the above-mentioned technologies, a drug inspection support system has been disclosed in which the packaging paper discharged downward in the height direction from the drug packaging machine is sent to a conveyor, displaced from downward in the height direction when sent from the conveyor to an inspection device, and then conveyed from upward to downward in the inspection device and discharged downward in the height direction (see, for example, "Patent Document 1"). In addition, a technology is known in which light is irradiated onto the drug from different directions to capture multiple images, a process is performed to enhance the markings on one image, a process is performed to enhance the printing on another image, each process is integrated to generate an integrated image, and the generated integrated image is compared with a master image to perform inspection (see, for example, "Patent Document 2"). [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6911160 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 6823727 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] In the technology disclosed in "Patent Document 1," the packaging paper discharged from the drug packaging machine is transported while being displaced vertically via a conveyor. As a result, the transport distance over which the packaging paper is transported becomes long, raising concerns about the occurrence of transport jams. Furthermore, due to the long transport distance, there is a risk that stress will be placed on the perforations of the packaging paper during transport, causing the packaging paper to break midway. The present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned problems and provide an inspection device that can shorten the transport distance of the packaging paper, suppress the occurrence of transport jams, and reduce the risk of the packaging paper being cut. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The invention described in claim 1 comprises a device body, an electrical unit equipped with operating means for operating the device, and an inspection unit for inspecting a drug sealed inside individual packages of a plurality of individual packages of dispensing paper having perforations formed between each package, wherein the device body has an inlet for transporting the dispensing paper, which is connectable to the outlet of an external device having an outlet for discharging the dispensing paper containing the drug, and an outlet for discharging the dispensing paper that has been inspected by the inspection unit, wherein the inspection unit has an inspection means for inspecting the drug inside the dispensing paper, and a transport unit for transporting the dispensing paper from the inlet through the inspection means to the outlet, wherein the electrical unit is located at the top of the device body, the inspection unit is located at the bottom of the device body, and the inlet is located at the same height as the outlet. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, the packaging paper discharged from the external device is transported without being displaced in the vertical direction, the transport distance over which the packaging paper is transported can be shortened, the occurrence of transport jams can be suppressed, and the risk of the packaging paper being cut can be reduced, providing an inspection device that can achieve this. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a schematic perspective view of an inspection device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a schematic perspective view showing the front cover of an inspection device according to one embodiment of the present invention in an open state. [Figure 3] This is a schematic perspective view showing the interior of an inspection device according to one embodiment of the present invention, with the front cover opened. [Figure 4] This is a schematic perspective view showing the state in which both the upper camera and the ring-shaped illumination in an inspection device according to one embodiment of the present invention occupy the imaging position. [Figure 5] This is a schematic perspective view showing the state in which the upper camera of an inspection device according to one embodiment of the present invention occupies the retracted position and the ring-shaped illumination occupies the imaging position. [Figure 6]This is a schematic perspective view showing the state in which both the upper camera and the ring-shaped illumination in an inspection device according to one embodiment of the present invention are in the retracted position. [Figure 7] This is a schematic perspective view showing the transport unit in an inspection device according to one embodiment of the present invention pulled out from the main body of the device, with both the upper camera and the ring-shaped illumination occupying the imaging position. [Figure 8] This is a schematic perspective view showing the transport unit in an inspection device according to one embodiment of the present invention pulled out from the main body of the device, with both the upper camera and the ring-shaped illumination in a retracted position. [Figure 9] This is a schematic diagram illustrating the transport unit of an inspection device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] This is a schematic diagram illustrating the drive means used in the transport unit of an inspection device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] This is a schematic diagram showing the state in which each roller of the transport unit of the inspection device according to one embodiment of the present invention is in a retracted position. [Figure 12] This is a schematic diagram showing the state in which each roller of the transport unit of the inspection device according to one embodiment of the present invention occupies a transport position. [Figure 13] This is a schematic perspective view showing the state in which the movable guide member of the transport guide member of the inspection device according to one embodiment of the present invention occupies the guide position. [Figure 14] This is a schematic plan view showing the state in which the movable guide member of the transport guide member of the inspection device according to one embodiment of the present invention occupies the guide position. [Figure 15] This is a schematic perspective view showing the state in which the movable guide member of the transport guide member of the inspection device according to one embodiment of the present invention is in the retracted position. [Figure 16] This is a schematic plan view showing the state in which the movable guide member of the transport guide member of the inspection device according to one embodiment of the present invention is in a retracted position. [Figure 17] This is a schematic diagram illustrating the receiving and dispensing sections of a transport guide member used in an inspection device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18]It is a schematic diagram for explaining a lower camera used in an inspection device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 19] It is a schematic diagram for explaining a subcontract inspection unit using an inspection device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 20] It is a schematic diagram of (a) a normal state and (b) a state when subcontract paper is passing near the subcontract paper insertion port in an inspection device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 21] It is a schematic diagram of subcontract paper used in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 22] It is a schematic diagram showing an example of a perforation formed on subcontract paper used in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 23] It is a schematic diagram for explaining a defective condition formed on subcontract paper used in an embodiment of the present invention.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an inspection device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the front cover of the inspection device according to an embodiment of the present invention in an open state, and FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of FIG. 2 seen from the front. As shown in each figure, the inspection device 1 includes a device main body 2, an electrical component part 3 is arranged above the device main body 2, and an inspection part 4 is arranged below the device main body 2. As shown in FIG. 2, an inlet part 2a for carrying in subcontract paper 5 is provided at the lower part of the left side surface of the device main body 2, and an outlet part 2b for discharging subcontract paper 5 is provided at the lower part of the right side surface of the device main body 2 as shown in FIG. 1.

[0012] The electrical component part 3 has a front cover 6 that is supported on the device main body 2 so as to be openable and closable. The front cover 6 is configured to be able to take an arbitrary position between the closed position shown in FIG. 1 and the open position shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The front cover 6 is locked by two lock members 6a shown in FIG. 2 when the closed position is closed. An operation panel 7 as an operation means provided with a touch panel is provided on the front surface of the front cover 6. As shown in Figure 3, the electrical unit 3 contains an image processing device 8 and a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as PC) 9 that functions as a control means. The image processing device 8 performs image processing operations when the inspection unit 4 performs inspection, and the PC 9 controls the operation of the inspection device 1.

[0013] The inspection unit 4 has a front cover 10 that is supported by the main body 2 so as to be openable and closable, and the front cover 10 is configured to be able to take any position between the closed position shown in Figure 1 and the open positions shown in Figures 2 and 3. When the front cover 10 is closed in the closed position, it is locked by the two locking members 10a shown in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 3, the inspection unit 4 is equipped with an upper camera 11 which is an inspection means, a ring-shaped light 12 which is both an inspection means and an illumination means, and a transport unit 13 which is a transport unit. As shown in Figure 4, the upper camera 11 is integrally configured with a bracket 11a to which the upper camera 11 is attached and two shafts 11b that support the bracket 11a so as to be vertically movable. The upper camera 11 is moved up and down manually or by a driving means such as a motor, and is selectively positioned at the lower limit position shown in Figure 4, which is the imaging position for taking images, and at the upper limit position shown in Figure 5, which is the retracted position. The upper camera 11 is held in the imaging position by its own weight and a stopper (not shown), and is also held in the retracted position by a magnetic attachment means (not shown).

[0014] As shown in Figure 4, the ring-shaped light 12 has a bracket 12a attached to the half-circumference located at the rear of the device, and two torque hinges 12b are attached to one side of the bracket 12a at the rear of the device. With this configuration, the ring-shaped light 12 can be displaced between the imaging position shown in Figure 4 and the retracted position shown in Figure 6 when the upper camera 11 occupies the retracted position. The ring-shaped light 12 is held in the imaging position by its own weight and a stopper (not shown), and is also held in the retracted position by a holding means (not shown). When the ring-shaped light 12 is held in the retracted position, a space 14 is formed between the ring-shaped light 12 and the transport unit 13 located below it, as shown in Figure 6. This creates a space 14 into which an operator can reach to perform recovery in the event of a transport jam of the packaging paper 5 in the transport unit 13, or to perform maintenance such as cleaning the ring-shaped light 12, thereby improving work efficiency.

[0015] As shown in Figure 2, the transport unit 13 is mounted and fixed on a slide table 15 that can be retracted from the main body 2 of the device. It is provided to be displaceable between a storage position where it is housed inside the main body 2, as shown in Figure 2, and a retracted position where it is pulled out from the main body 2 towards the front of the device, as shown in Figure 7. The transport unit 13 is configured to allow cleaning by airflow or the like when it is in the retracted position. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 8, both the upper camera 11 and the ring-shaped light 12 can be moved to the retracted position while the transport unit 13 is in the extended position. In this state, an operator can reach their hand to the rear side of the transport unit 13 through the space 14, further improving the efficiency of cleaning and maintenance. Furthermore, the slide table 15 on which the transport unit 13 is mounted and fixed is supported so as to be retractable on a lifting platform 16 that is provided to be vertically movable relative to the main body of the device 2. The lifting platform 16 is raised and lowered by a driving means such as a motor (not shown). The amount of height adjustment of the lifting platform 16 will be described later.

[0016] As shown in Figure 9, the transport unit 13 includes a unit body 17, an entrance auxiliary roller 18, an entrance drive roller 19, a transport belt 20, a first roller 21 as a first transport member, a second roller 22 as a second transport member, a transport auxiliary roller 23, a photoelectric sensor 24, transmission sensors 25, 26, an ultrasonic sensor 27, a transport stage 28, a transport guide member 29, and the like. In Figure 9, the part indicated by reference numeral 34 indicates an inspection area where the packaging paper 5 is inspected by the upper camera 11, the illumination means 12, and the lower camera 41, which will be described later. The unit body 17, which forms the framework of the transport unit 13, is mounted and fixed on the slide table 15 while holding multiple components. In Figure 9, the unit body 17 is positioned with the left side corresponding to the entrance 2a and the right side corresponding to the exit 2b.

[0017] In Figure 9 of the unit body 17, an entrance auxiliary roller 18 is positioned at the left end, and below it, an entrance drive roller 19, which is rotationally driven by a drive means described later, is positioned. The rollers 18 and 19 are positioned opposite each other at a predetermined distance, and the entrance auxiliary roller 18 is provided to swing freely in the direction of conveying the packaged paper. The inlet drive roller 19 is made of a soft elastic material, such as soft rubber, and transports the sachet paper 5 placed on its upper surface downstream by friction due to gravity. The inlet auxiliary roller 18, positioned at a predetermined distance from the inlet drive roller 19, has the function of leveling the medicine inside the sachet paper 5 by oscillating while contacting the medicine when the medicines enclosed inside the sachet paper 5 overlap each other. The inlet auxiliary roller 18 is positioned on the opposite side of the upper end seal of the sachet paper 5, where medicines tend to accumulate, and its length is made shorter than the inlet drive roller 19 in order to relatively move and level the accumulated and overlapping medicines. A conveyor belt 20 is positioned on the rear side of the device, coaxially with the inlet drive roller 19, and stretched across a pulley integrally formed with the inlet drive roller 19. The conveyor belt 20 is stretched between the inlet drive roller 20 and a pulley located near the outlet 2b, and is rotated in sync with the inlet drive roller 19.

[0018] A first roller 21 is positioned above a pulley integrally formed with the inlet drive roller 19 over which the conveyor belt 20 is stretched, and a second roller 22 is positioned above a pulley located near the outlet 2b. In addition, a conveying auxiliary roller 23 is positioned between the rollers 21 and 22, near the downstream side of the first roller 21 in the direction of conveying the packaged paper. Each of the rollers 21, 22, and 23 is rotatably supported by a roller holding member 30. The conveyor belt 20 and the rollers 21, 22, and 23 in contact with the conveyor belt 20 grip the upper end seal portion of the packaged paper 5, thereby conveying the packaged paper 5 from the upstream side to the downstream side of the conveying unit 13. As shown in Figure 10, the roller holding member 30 is positioned approximately in the center of the upper surface of the mounting member 31, and is pressed against the mounting member 31 by the other ends of two tension springs 32, one end of which is attached to the unit body 17. The mounting member 31 is attached to the output shaft of the vertical movement motor 33, which is fixed to the unit body 17, and moves up and down as the output shaft moves up and down in conjunction with the operation of the vertical movement motor 33. Due to the vertical movement of the mounting member 31, each roller 21, 22, and 23 selectively occupies a retracted position spaced apart above the conveyor belt 20, as shown in Figure 11, and a conveying position in contact with the conveyor belt 20, as shown in Figure 12. In Figure 10, reference numeral 35 indicates a drive motor, which is a driving means for driving the inlet drive roller 19.

[0019] Downstream of the inlet drive roller 19 in the direction of packaged paper transport, a transmission sensor 25, a photoelectric sensor 24, and a transmission sensor 26 are arranged in this order. Each transmission sensor 25 and 26, consisting of a light-emitting part and a light-receiving part, is fixed to the lower surface of the corresponding brackets 25a and 26a, respectively, at a location corresponding to the upper end seal portion of the transported packaged paper 5, and shines an optical axis above the packaged paper 5 being transported on the transport belt 20 below them. This optical axis is set to pass above the position corresponding to the upper end seal portion so as not to detect the packaged paper 5 due to bulging caused by the medicine sealed inside. When the optical axis is not blocked, it is determined that the packaged paper 5 is being transported normally and that no packaged paper transport jam has occurred. When the optical axis is blocked, it is determined that a packaged paper transport jam has occurred because the packaged paper 5 is curling upwards, and a signal is output to the PC9. The photoelectric sensor 24 detects whether or not the packaging paper 5 is being transported normally. When the packaging paper 5 is not detected, it determines that the packaging paper 5 is not being fed and outputs a signal to the PC 9. In the direction of conveying the individual packaging paper, an ultrasonic sensor 27 positioned downstream of the first roller 21 emits ultrasonic waves to the individual packaging paper 5 to detect the perforations formed on the paper. Between each of the sensors 25 and 26, a conveying stage 28 is positioned on which the conveyed individual packaging paper 5 is placed. The conveying stage 28 is made of a transparent material, such as glass or resin, so that the individual packaging paper 5 can be photographed by a lower camera 41, which will be described later.

[0020] As shown in Figure 9, a transport guide member 29 is positioned between each roller 21, 22 and towards the rear of the device to cover the upper end seal portion of the packaged paper 5 as it is transported on the transport stage 28, thereby guiding its transport. As shown in Figures 9 and 13, the transport guide member 29 has a guide member body 36 and a movable guide member 37. The guide member body 36 is fixed to the unit body 17, and as shown in Figure 9, it has a notch 36a in the central part in the direction of paper packaging transport, located towards the back of the device, which exposes the inspection area 34.

[0021] A movable guide member 37 is positioned in the notch 36a in a manner that covers the notch 36a. As shown in Figures 13 and 14, the movable guide member 37 selectively occupies a guide position that covers the inspection area 34 and guides the transport of the packaging paper 5, and a retracted position that moves away from the inspection area 34 so as not to interfere with the inspection of the packaging paper 5 by inspection means such as the upper camera 11 and ring-shaped lighting 12, as shown in Figures 15 and 16. The movable guide plate 37 is supported by the guide member body 36 so as to be slidable, and as shown in Figure 15, a projection 37a is integrally formed on the rear end of the device opposite to the end that moves on the transport stage 28. An eccentric cam 38 is positioned at the location corresponding to the projection 37a, and the movable guide plate 37 is biased by a biasing means (not shown) so that the projection 37a contacts the eccentric cam 38. The eccentric cam 38 is mounted eccentrically to one end of a camshaft 38a that is rotatably supported on the unit body 17, and a bevel gear 38b is attached to the other end of the camshaft 38a. A drive motor 39 is arranged on the unit body 17, which is located near the eccentric cam 38, and has a bevel gear 39a on its output shaft that meshes with the bevel gear 38b, to rotate the eccentric cam 38. As the drive motor 39 rotates, the eccentric cam 38 rotates, and the movable guide plate 37 is positioned in the guide position or the retracted position accordingly.

[0022] As shown in Figure 17, the lower surfaces of the notch 36a of the guide member body 36, located at the front and rear in the direction of conveying the paper packaging, are provided with paper packaging guide members 40 for guiding the conveyed paper packaging 5. The bottom surfaces of the paper packaging guide members 40 are positioned close to the paper packaging conveying surface of the conveying belt 20, and the upstream end in the direction of conveying the paper packaging is formed to be inclined so as it moves away from the conveying belt 20 towards the end. As a result, the paper packaging guide member 40 has a receiving section 40a at the upstream end in the direction of conveying the paper packaging to receive the paper packaging 5, and a dispensing section 40b at the downstream end in the direction of conveying the paper packaging to receive the paper packaging 5.

[0023] Furthermore, the bottom surface of the movable guide member 37 is also positioned close to the conveying surface of the conveyor belt 20, and the upstream end in the direction of conveying the paper packaging is formed to be inclined so as it moves away from the conveyor belt 20 towards the end. As a result, the movable guide member 37 has a receiving section 37b at the upstream end in the direction of conveying the paper packaging to receive the paper packaging 5, and a dispensing section 37c at the downstream end in the direction of conveying the paper packaging to hand over the paper packaging 5. Based on the above configuration, the transport guide member 29 has a receiving section 40a that receives the packaged paper 5 transported from the first roller 21, and a dispensing section 40b that hands over the packaged paper 5 to the second roller 22. Each receiving section 37b and 40a can properly receive packaged paper 5 even if it is curved upwards, and each dispensing section 37c and 40b can properly transport the packaged paper 5 downstream along the transport belt 20.

[0024] Figure 18 shows a perspective view of the transport unit 13 as seen from below on the upstream side in the direction of transporting the paper packaging. In this figure, a lower camera 41, which functions as an inspection means, is positioned below the rollers 18, 19, and 21 on the downstream side in the direction of transporting the paper packaging, i.e., below the transport stage 28. The lower camera 41 is fixed to a bracket 42 fixed to the unit body 17, and when the paper packaging 5 that has been transported on the transport stage 28 reaches the inspection area 34, it photographs the paper packaging 5 from below to recognize the characters, figures, etc. printed on the paper packaging 5. The aforementioned inspection devices, namely the upper camera 11, the ring-shaped illuminator 12, and the lower camera 41, are controlled by the PC 9 and, together with the image processing device 8, perform the inspection process of the drug sealed inside the packaging paper 5.

[0025] Figure 19 shows a dispensing and inspection unit 43 that can perform the dispensing process, packaging process, inspection process, and storage process in a continuous manner using the inspection device 1 of the present invention. In addition to the inspection device 1, the dispensing and inspection unit 43 is equipped with an external drug dispensing machine 44 and a storage unit 45. The drug packaging machine 44 is equipped with a drug shelf 44b capable of accommodating a large number of drugs at the top of the main body 44a, and a packaging device 44c at the bottom of the main body 44a that collects the drugs that have fallen from the drug shelf 44a, seals them in predetermined quantities into packaging paper 5, and discharges them. In a typical drug packaging machine 44, drugs are collected by falling due to their own weight, so the drug shelf 44b is provided at the top of the main body 44a and the packaging device 44c is provided at the bottom of the main body 44a, and the discharge port 44d of the packaging device 44c that discharges the packaging paper 5 to the outside is located below the main body 44a.

[0026] The inlet 2a of the inspection device 1 is positioned at the same height as the outlet 44d, as shown in Figure 19. Here, since the height of the outlet 44d differs for each drug packaging machine 44, the inlet 2a connected to the outlet 44d is configured to be height-adjustable. Figure 20 shows a partially enlarged view of the inlet 2a, with Figure 20(a) showing the state where the packaging paper 5 has not been fed through, and Figure 20(b) showing the state where the packaging paper 5 has been fed through. Prior to the step of aligning the height of the inlet 2a with the height of the outlet 44d, a step is performed to align the height of the conveying unit 13, which is the height of the clamping portion between the conveying belt 20 and the first roller 21 that constitutes the effective height of the inlet 2a, with the height of the outlet 44d. This is done by raising and lowering the lifting platform 16, and the height of the conveying unit 13 is adjusted to the height of the outlet 44d by raising and lowering the lifting platform 16. If the amount of raising and lowering of the lifting platform 16 is insufficient to adjust the height of the conveying unit 13 to the height of the outlet 44d, the height of the conveying unit 13 can be roughly adjusted to the height of the outlet 44d by operating an adjuster (not shown) provided between the device body 2 and the wheels, and then raising and lowering the lifting platform 16 to adjust the height of the conveying unit 13 to the height of the outlet 44d.

[0027] As shown in Figure 20, the entrance portion 2a is formed by a hole in a plate member 2c attached to the device body 2. The plate member 2c is configured to be positionable vertically along a pair of elongated holes 2d formed in the device body 2, and is fixed in place by two set screws 2e. As described above, if the height of the conveying unit 13 is adjusted to match the height of the discharge port 44d, the relative position of the conveying unit 13 with respect to the device body 2 changes, causing the height of the clamping portion between the conveying belt 20 and the first roller 21 to no longer match the height of the inlet 2a. Therefore, the set screw 2e is loosened and the plate member 2c is moved vertically to adjust the height of the inlet 2a to match the height of the clamping portion between the conveying belt 20 and the first roller 21. At this time, the size of each elongated hole 2d matches the amount of lifting of the lifting platform 16, ensuring that the height of the inlet 2a and the height of the clamping portion of the conveying belt 20 and the first roller 21 are reliably matched.

[0028] Next, we will explain the operation of the inspection device 1 when the packaging inspection unit 43 is activated. After the prescribed prescription data is entered, a start key (not shown) is pressed, at which point the drug packaging machine 44 is activated, and the drug matching the prescription data is dropped from the drug shelf 44b and collected in the packaging device 44c. The drug collected in the packaging device 44c is sealed inside the packaging paper 5 and discharged from the discharge port 44d to the outside of the device body 44a. At this time, the packaging paper 5 is discharged in a horizontal position, not in a vertical position, where it is standing upright. At this time, the first packaging paper 5 discharged from the drug packaging machine 44 will have an empty packaging without any drug sealed inside.

[0029] In the inspection device 1, an initialization operation is performed, and the vertical movement motor 33 is activated, causing the mounting member 31 and the roller holding member 30, which is in contact with the mounting member 31, to descend, and the rollers 21, 22, and 23, which were in the retracted position, descend and are positioned in the transport position. During the inspection process, the rollers 21, 22, and 23 are always in the transport position, and only when a jam occurs in the transport of the packaging paper does the vertical movement motor 33 activate, causing the mounting member 31 and the roller holding member 30 to rise, and the rollers 21, 22, and 23 to be positioned in the retracted position. During the initialization operation of the inspection device 1, the drive motor 39 operates, causing the eccentric cam 38 to rotate via the bevel gears 39a and 38b and the camshaft 38a, and the movable guide plate 37, which was in the guide position, to be retracted. The upper camera 11 and the ring-shaped illumination 12 are also positioned in their respective imaging positions.

[0030] When a start key (not shown) is pressed, the drive motor 35 in the inspection device 1 is activated, driving the inlet drive roller 19 and the conveyor belt 20. Then, when the packaging paper 5 is sent from the drug packaging machine 44, the packaging paper 5 is held between the conveyor belt 20 and the first roller 21 and conveyed. After the photoelectric sensor 24 detects that the packaging paper 5 has been conveyed into the conveyor unit 13, the first perforation formed between the first and second packets of packaging paper 5 is detected by the ultrasonic sensor 27. When the ultrasonic sensor 27 detects the first perforation of the packaging paper 5, the PC 9 determines that the packaging paper 5 has reached a predetermined position and activates the drive motor 39 to displace the movable guide plate 37 to the guide position. The conveyance of the packaging paper 5 continues thereafter, and the packaging paper 5 is conveyed downstream while its upper end seal is guided by the movable guide plate 37. At this time, the leading edge of the packaging paper 5 in the conveyance direction is conveyed well by the receiving sections 40a and 37b, preventing the occurrence of conveyance jams of the packaging paper 5.

[0031] Subsequently, the packaging paper 5 is transported further, and when the second perforation formed between the second and third packaging is detected by the ultrasonic sensor 27, the drive motor 35 stops operating, and the inlet drive roller 19 and transport belt 20 stop operating. As a result, the packaging paper 5 stops at a predetermined position where the first packaging is located on the inspection area 34. Then the upper camera 11, ring-shaped illumination 12, and lower camera 41 activate and photograph the first packaging paper 5. Since this first packaging is an empty package with a QR code (registered trademark) printed on it and no medication sealed inside, the movable guide plate 37 does not move to the retracted position and occupies the guide position. Here, an example is shown in which a QR code (registered trademark) is printed on the leading part of the packaging paper 5 as an identification means, but the identification means is not limited to a QR code (registered trademark) and may be other identification codes.

[0032] Once the first package is scanned, the drive motor 35 activates to drive the entrance drive roller 19 and the conveyor belt 20. When the third perforation formed between the third and fourth packages is detected by the ultrasonic sensor 27, the drive motor 35 stops. As a result, the packaging paper 5 stops at a predetermined position where the second package is located on the inspection area 34, and the leading edge of the packaging paper 5 in the conveying direction is held between the second roller 22 and the conveyor belt 20. Since the second packet of the packaging paper 5 contains the drug, the movable guide plate 37, which is located in the guide position, interferes with the inspection area 34. Therefore, the PC9 operates the drive motor 39 to move the movable guide plate 37 to the retracted position. Once it is confirmed that the movable guide plate 37 has moved to the retracted position, the PC9 operates the upper camera 11, the ring-shaped illumination 12, and the lower camera 41 to photograph the second packet of packaging paper 5. The captured image data is sent to the image processing device 8, and the inspection process for the drug contained in the packaging paper 5 is performed using the same technology as in the past (for example, the technology disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 7424628). The results of the inspection process for the second packet are sent to the PC9 and stored. In this example, the drug is shown to be contained in the second and subsequent packets of packaging paper 5, but the configuration may also include the drug being contained in the third and subsequent packets, or the fourth and subsequent packets of packaging paper 5.

[0033] Once the second package is photographed and inspected, the drive motor 35 activates to drive the entrance drive roller 19 and the transport belt 20. When the fourth perforation formed between the fourth and fifth packages is detected by the ultrasonic sensor 27, the drive motor 35 stops. This causes the third package of the paper to stop at a predetermined position on the inspection area 34. During the transport of the paper, the transported paper is held between the rollers 21, 22, and 23, so the movable guide plate 37 does not need to guide the transport of the paper. The movable guide plate 37 remains in a retracted position until the inspection process is completed. Once it is confirmed that the third package of the paper has reached the predetermined position, the PC 9 activates the upper camera 11, the ring-shaped light 12, and the lower camera 41 to photograph the third package of the paper. The inspection process for the third package is performed in the same way as for the second package, and the results of the inspection process are sent to the PC 9 for storage. The inspection process for all individual packages formed on the packaging paper 5 is carried out in the same manner as described above, and the inspection results for all drugs enclosed in the packaging paper 5 are sent to the PC9 and stored. Once the inspection process is complete, the packaging paper 5 is discharged from the outlet 2b to the outside of the main body 2 and sequentially stored in the storage unit 45.

[0034] As described above, according to the packaging inspection unit 43 equipped with the inspection device 1 of the present invention, the inspection device 1 has an electrical unit 3 at the top of the device body 2 and an inspection unit 4 at the bottom, and the inlet 2a provided on the device body 2 is at the same height as the discharge port 44d of the drug packaging machine 44. With this configuration, the packaging paper 5 discharged from the drug packaging machine 44, which is an external device, is transported without being displaced in the vertical direction, the transport distance over which the packaging paper 5 is transported can be shortened, the occurrence of transport jams can be suppressed and the risk of the packaging paper 5 being cut can be reduced, and an inspection device 1 can be provided that provides such a device. Furthermore, since the transport unit 13 can be freely pulled out from the main body 2, cleaning is improved, and since the ring-shaped lighting 12 can be displaced relative to the main body 2, cleaning and maintenance workability can be further improved.

[0035] In the above configuration, the transport unit 13 has a first roller 21 provided near the entrance 2a, a second roller 22 provided near the exit 2b, and a transport guide member 29 provided between each roller 21, 22. Therefore, the packaged paper 5 transported on the transport unit 13 can be transported smoothly while suppressing deviations in the transport direction and the occurrence of transport defects. Furthermore, the transport guide member 29 guides the transport of the packaged paper 5 even within the inspection area 34, thereby improving the transportability of the packaged paper 5. In addition, the movable guide member 37, which is located within the inspection area, occupies both a guide position that interferes with the inspection area 34 and a retracted position that moves away from the inspection area 34, so the inspection process can be carried out smoothly. Furthermore, since the transport guide member 29 has receiving sections 37b, 40a and dispensing sections 37c, 40b, it can receive even packaged paper 5 that is curved upwards, and the dispensing sections 37c, 40b can transport the packaged paper 5 smoothly downstream along the transport belt 20.

[0036] In addition to the inspection process described above, the inspection device 1 also checks for distortion of the perforations formed on the packaging paper 5. Figure 21 shows the packaging paper 5 used in this embodiment. In this figure, the packaging paper 5 has multiple individual packages 5a, and each individual package 5a is sealed with a drug inside. A vertical seal portion 5b is formed in the vertical direction of each individual package 5a to separate them, and a perforation 5c is formed in the center of the vertical seal portion 5b for cutting each individual package 5a. In Figure 21, a horizontal seal portion 5d is formed at the upper end of each individual package 5a to seal each individual package 5a after the drug has been placed inside. The horizontal seal portion 5d corresponds to the upper end seal portion in the embodiment described above. The vertical seal portion 5b, perforation 5c, and horizontal seal portion 5d are each formed by the drug packaging machine 44, and the packaging paper 5 is created and transported in the vertical direction shown in each figure within the drug packaging machine 44.

[0037] Specifically, the inspection of perforation distortion involves using the upper camera 11 and / or lower camera 41 to photograph the packaging paper 5 in the inspection area 34. Two adjacent perforations 5c, for example, the first perforation and the second perforation, are binarized to detect the hole area of ​​each perforation 5c, and the detected areas are connected vertically. Then, the area height is filtered to separate the left and right areas, and the presence or absence of perforation distortion is inspected by measuring the distance between each approximated line using linear approximation. Figure 22 shows an example of perforations formed on the packaging paper 5. The perforation surface indicated by 5c1 is an example where the distortion is within the acceptable range compared to the perforation surface 5c shown in Figure 21, while the perforation indicated by 5c2 is an example where the distortion exceeds the acceptable range. This allows for determination of whether the perforations are accurately formed on the packaging paper 5, and if distortion occurs, the cause is mainly attributable to the packaging device 44c (such as chipped cutter blades or deterioration of the sealing device), thus prompting repair of the drug packaging machine 44.

[0038] Furthermore, the inspection device 1 checks for wrinkles in each individual package formed on the packaging paper 5. Specifically, the upper camera 11 and / or lower camera 41 are used to photograph the packaging paper 5 in the inspection area 34 in units of individual packages 5a, and the captured images are aligned with a reference image to align the horizontal seal portion 5d. Then, as shown in Figure 23(a), the area where wrinkles 46 occur on the horizontal seal portion 5d is detected, the wrinkle rate is calculated, and a judgment is made based on the calculated wrinkle rate. Note that wrinkles 46 schematically represent the areas where many wrinkles occur, and wrinkles 46 include all wrinkles that occur on the horizontal seal portion 5d. Wrinkles 46 occur when debris is trapped, when the thickness of the packaging paper 5 increases due to a large number of enclosed drugs and the packaging paper 5 becomes distorted, or when the heat from the heater used for sealing is weak and an unsealed area occurs. The wrinkle rate is calculated by the following formula. By using this wrinkle rate, it becomes possible to change the inspection criteria for wrinkles 46 according to the number of drugs contained in the dispensing paper 5. Wrinkle rate (%) = Area of ​​wrinkled region within upper seal / Area of ​​upper seal

[0039] Furthermore, in parallel with the wrinkle inspection, an inspection is performed to determine whether the perforations are formed to the correct length. As shown in Figure 23(b), if a perforation 5c3 that is shorter than the perforation 5c of the correct length is detected, the inspection device 1 determines that the item is defective. Furthermore, in parallel with the wrinkle inspection and perforation length inspection, an inspection is performed to determine whether or not there are any unsealed areas in the lateral seal portion. As shown in Figure 23(c), if an unsealed area 47 is detected in the lateral seal portion 5d, the inspection device 1 makes a defect determination. This configuration allows for the same effect as inspecting for distortion in the perforations 5c. Furthermore, since these inspection results gradually change depending on the production time of the packaging paper 5, a reference point can be defined for the distortion and wrinkle rate of the perforations 5c, and the condition of the drug packaging machine 44 can be managed by determining whether or not the reference point is exceeded, i.e., whether or not it is within an acceptable range for quality control.

[0040] Examples of the present invention are as follows: [1] An inspection device comprising a main body, an electrical unit equipped with operating means for operating the device, and an inspection unit for inspecting drugs sealed inside individual packages of a plurality of individual packages of dispensing paper having perforations formed between each package, wherein the main body of the device has an inlet for transporting the dispensing paper into an outlet of an external device having an outlet for dispensing the dispensing paper containing the drugs, and an outlet for dispensing the dispensing paper that has been inspected by the inspection unit, wherein the inspection unit comprises an inspection means for inspecting the drugs inside the dispensing paper and a transport unit for transporting the dispensing paper from the inlet through the inspection means to the outlet, the electrical unit is located at the top of the main body of the device, the inspection unit is located at the bottom of the main body of the device, and the inlet is located at the same height as the outlet. [2] The inspection device according to [1], characterized in that the transport section is provided so as to be retractable from the main body of the device. [3] The inspection device according to [1] or [2], characterized in that the inspection means has an illumination means for irradiating the packaging paper with light, and the illumination means is displaceable relative to the main body of the device. [4] The inspection means is an inspection device according to any one of [1] to [3], characterized in that it inspects for distortion of the perforations. [5] The inspection means is an inspection device according to any one of [1] to [4], characterized in that it inspects each individual package for the presence or absence of wrinkles. [6] The transport unit comprises a first transport member provided near the entrance, a second transport member provided near the exit, and a transport guide member provided between each of the transport members to guide the transport of the packaging paper, wherein the transport guide member selectively occupies a guide position that guides the transport of the packaging paper and interferes with the inspection area of ​​the inspection means, and a retracted position that moves away from the inspection area, as described in any one of [1] to [5]. [7] The inspection device according to [6] is characterized in that the transport guide member has a receiving section for receiving the packaged paper transported from the first transport member and a dispensing section for handing over the packaged paper to the second transport member.

[0041] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the spirit of the present invention as described in the claims, unless otherwise specifically limited in the above description. The effects described in the embodiments of the present invention are merely examples of the most preferred effects that can result from the present invention, and the effects of the present invention are not limited to those described in the embodiments of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0042] 1. Inspection device 2. Main unit of the device 2a Entrance 2b Exit section 3. Electrical System 4. Inspection Department 5 pack paper 7. Operating means (operation panel) 11. Inspection method (top camera) 12. Inspection means, illumination means (ring-type illumination) 13. Conveying section (conveying unit) 21. First conveying member (first roller) 22. Second conveying member (second roller) 29 Conveyor guide member 34 Inspection area 37b,40a Reception section 37c, 40b Dispensing section 41. Inspection method (lower camera) 44. External equipment (drug packaging machine) 44d outlet

Claims

1. The main body of the device, An electrical unit equipped with operating means for operating the device, The device comprises a packaging paper in which perforations are formed between multiple individual packages, and an inspection unit for inspecting the drugs sealed inside the individual packages, The main body of the device has an outlet that can be connected to the outlet of an external device that has an outlet for discharging the packaging paper containing the drug, and has an inlet for loading the packaging paper, and an outlet for discharging the packaging paper that has been inspected by the inspection unit, The inspection unit comprises an inspection means for inspecting the drug inside the packaging paper, and a transport unit for transporting the packaging paper from the inlet through the inspection means to the outlet. An inspection device in which the electrical equipment unit is located at the top of the main body of the device, the inspection unit is located at the bottom of the main body of the device, and the inlet is provided at the same height as the outlet.

2. In the inspection device according to claim 1, The inspection device is characterized in that the transport unit is provided so as to be retractable from the main body of the device.

3. In the inspection device according to claim 1, The inspection device is characterized in that the inspection means has an illumination means for irradiating the packaging paper with light, and the illumination means is displaceable relative to the main body of the device.

4. In the inspection device according to claim 1, The inspection means is characterized by inspecting whether or not there is distortion in the perforations.

5. In the inspection device according to claim 1, The inspection means is characterized by inspecting each individual package for wrinkles.

6. In the inspection device according to claim 1, The conveying unit comprises a first conveying member provided near the entrance, a second conveying member provided near the exit, and a conveying guide member provided between each of the conveying members to guide the conveying of the packaging paper, wherein the conveying guide member selectively occupies a guide position that guides the conveying of the packaging paper and interferes with the inspection area of ​​the inspection means, and a retracted position that moves away from the inspection area.

7. In the inspection device according to claim 6, The inspection device is characterized in that the transport guide member has a receiving section for receiving the packaged paper transported from the first transport member, and a dispensing section for handing over the packaged paper to the second transport member.

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