Measuring apparatus and measuring method for rod-shaped articles, and manufacturing apparatus and manufacturing method for rod-shaped articles

Abstract

This measurement device (6) for measuring the outer circumferential length (L) of a rod-shaped article (2) in a transportation section (4) for the rod-shaped article (2) comprises a camera (20) for imaging an end surface (2c) of the rod-shaped article (2), and an image processing unit (26) for processing a captured image imaged by the camera (20) to calculate the outer circumferential length (L). The image processing unit (26) identifies the outer circumferential edge (30) of the end surface (2c) in the captured image, creates an imaginary circle (36) on the basis of the outer circumferential edge (30), creates n straight lines (38) passing through the center point (Pc) of the imaginary circle (36), identifies two intersections (40) at which each respective straight line (40) and the outer circumferential edge (30) intersect, measures the inter-intersection distances (C) between intersections (40) that are mutually adjacent on the outer circumferential edge (30), and adds up the inter-intersection distances (C) measured along the entire circumference of the outer circumferential edge (30) to calculate the outer circumferential length (L).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a measuring device and method for rod-shaped articles, and a manufacturing device and method for rod-shaped articles. More specifically, the present invention relates to a measuring device and method capable of measuring the outer peripheral length of a rod-shaped article in real time during conveyance, and a manufacturing device and method for rod-shaped articles.

Background Art

[0002] Rod-shaped articles such as cigarettes need to be continuously monitored to ensure quality. They are randomly sampled during conveyance, and various physical property tests are performed to meet predetermined quality standards. In Patent Document 1, changes in the characteristics of articles during manufacturing are monitored substantially in real time, and the above physical properties include the average outer circumference of the article obtained by measuring the diameter of the article (see paragraph 0169 of the publication).

[0003] However, in Patent Document 1, it is not clear how to specifically calculate and measure the outer peripheral length of a rod-shaped article in real time during conveyance. Therefore, as a specific measuring means, it is conceivable to irradiate laser light from a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the article while continuously conveying the article along its longitudinal direction. In this case, the light shielding width of the laser light is detected as the diameter of the article, and the outer peripheral length is obtained from this diameter. At this time, the irradiation unit and the light receiving unit of the laser in the laser device perform a repetitive reciprocating motion of 360° right rotation and left rotation around the axis of the article, and measure the diameter of the article at 480 locations, for example, during one reciprocation in about 2.4 seconds, and calculate the average outer peripheral length of the article from the average diameter of the article.

[0004] On the other hand, as another specific measuring means, it is conceivable to install a chamber having a through hole with an inner diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the article in the conveyance path for continuously conveying the article along its longitudinal direction. In this case, the outer peripheral length of the article is calculated based on the ventilation resistance and pressure loss generated by the gap between the article and the through hole when the article passes through the through hole of the chamber.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Document

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] When the above-described laser device and chamber are newly installed in an existing conveyance path, a large-scale modification of the existing equipment is required to secure an installation location, which incurs costs. Further, for example, when there are uneven portions on the surface of an article, if a laser device is used, the concave portions are not projected onto the light-receiving portion, and if a chamber is used, the ventilation resistance and pressure loss in the uneven portions fluctuate. Therefore, due to these causes, there is a possibility that a measurement error will occur in the measured diameter of the article.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object thereof is to provide a measuring device and a measuring method for a rod-shaped article, and a manufacturing device and a manufacturing method for a rod-shaped article, which can easily, highly accurately, and in real time measure the outer peripheral length of the rod-shaped article.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, a measuring device for a rod-shaped article according to the present invention is a measuring device that measures the outer peripheral length of a rod-shaped article in a conveyance section of the rod-shaped article, and includes a camera that images an end face of the rod-shaped article, and an image processing unit that calculates the outer peripheral length by processing an imaged image captured by the camera. The image processing unit identifies an outer peripheral edge of the end face in the imaged image, creates a virtual circle based on the outer peripheral edge, creates n straight lines passing through a center point of the virtual circle, respectively identifies two intersection points where each straight line intersects the outer peripheral edge, measures an intersection distance between adjacent intersection points on the outer peripheral edge, and adds up the measured intersection distances measured over the entire circumference of the outer peripheral edge to calculate the outer peripheral length.

[0009] The measuring method of the rod-shaped article of the present invention is a measuring method for measuring the outer peripheral length of the rod-shaped article in the conveying section of the rod-shaped article, and includes an imaging step of imaging the end face of the rod-shaped article and an image processing step of calculating the outer peripheral length by processing the imaging image captured in the imaging step. The image processing step includes an edge identification process of identifying the outer peripheral edge of the end face in the imaging image, creating a virtual circle based on the outer peripheral edge, creating n straight lines passing through the center point of the virtual circle, and identifying two intersection points where each straight line intersects the outer peripheral edge respectively. The intersection point identification process, measuring the distance between adjacent intersection points on the outer peripheral edge, and an addition process of adding the distances between intersection points measured over the entire circumference of the outer peripheral edge to calculate the outer peripheral length.

[0010] The manufacturing apparatus of the rod-shaped article of the present invention includes the aforementioned measuring apparatus and a subsequent section through which the rod-shaped article that has passed through the aforementioned conveying section is conveyed. The subsequent section is electrically connected to the measuring apparatus and includes an exclusion section for excluding the rod-shaped article that has received an abnormal output.

[0011] The manufacturing method of the rod-shaped article of the present invention performs the aforementioned measuring method, and further includes an exclusion step of excluding the rod-shaped article that has received an abnormal output in a subsequent section through which the rod-shaped article that has passed through the aforementioned conveying section is conveyed.

Effects of the Invention

[0012] The aforementioned measuring apparatus and measuring method, as well as the manufacturing apparatus and manufacturing method of the rod-shaped article, can easily, highly accurately, and in real time measure the outer peripheral length of the rod-shaped article.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Embodiment for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a manufacturing apparatus and a measuring apparatus for a rod-shaped article. The manufacturing apparatus 1 is provided with a conveyance section 4 for a rod-shaped article (hereinafter, also simply referred to as an article) 2. In the conveyance section 4, a measuring device 6 for the article 2 is arranged, and the measuring device 6 measures the outer peripheral length L of the article 2 in the conveyance section 4. The conveyance section 4 is composed of a drum row, and the article 2 is transferred between a plurality of conveyance drums. In FIG. 1, one conveyance drum 8 among each conveyance drum is shown.

[0015] The article 2 is, for example, a cigarette having a tobacco part 2a and a filter part 2b. Further, the manufacturing apparatus 1 is provided with a winding-up section 10 at a stage before the conveyance section 4. In the winding-up section 10, the tobacco part 2a and the filter part 2b, which are components of the article 2 manufactured separately, are wound up with a wrapping paper to form the article 2. The manufactured article 2 is conveyed along the circumferential direction of the conveyance drum 8 and then supplied to the rear section 12, and is shipped through processes such as boxing. Note that the rear section 12 includes a section for forming into a cigarette or the like by cutting the article 2 into a predetermined length and then connecting it to a filter part or the like in a filter attachment mechanism (not shown).

[0016] FIG. 2 shows a schematic perspective view of the conveyance drum 8. The conveyance drum 8 has a cylindrical core 16 in which a suction source 14 is arranged inside, and a drum shell 18 covering the cylindrical core 16. The drum shell 18 is rotatably arranged around the rotation axis Ra with respect to the cylindrical core 16. On the outer peripheral surface 18a of the drum shell 18, a large number of holding grooves 18b for holding the article 2 are formed over the circumferential direction Z. A suction pressure from the suction source 14 is applied to each holding groove 18b.

[0017] The drum shell 18 holds the article 2 in the holding groove 18b on the outer peripheral surface 18a of the drum shell 18 in a posture where the axial direction of the article 2 is parallel to the rotation axis Ra by the suction pressure of the suction source 14, and conveys the article 2 along the circumferential direction Z. At this time, the article 2 is held in the holding groove 18b of the drum shell 18 with the end face 2c of its tobacco portion 2a protruding outward from the drum shell 18 in the direction of the rotation axis Ra. That is, the length of the article 2 in the axial direction is larger than the length in the direction of the rotation axis Ra of the drum shell 18.

[0018] Here, as shown in FIG. 1, the measuring device 6 includes a camera 20, a control unit 22, and a sensor 24. The camera 20 and the sensor 24 are electrically connected to the control unit 22. The camera 20 is disposed outside on the rotation axis Ra of the conveying drum 8 and images the end face 2c of the tobacco portion 2a of the article 2. The sensor 24 detects the loading of the article 2 into the conveying section 4 and outputs an imaging start signal to the control unit 22.

[0019] Upon receiving the imaging start signal, the camera 20 images the end face 2c at the timing when the article 2 to be measured, which has been loaded into the conveying section 4, is conveyed to the imaging position P. The control unit 22 is provided with an image processing unit 26 and a determination unit 28. The image processing unit 26 calculates the outer peripheral length L of the article 2 by processing the captured image captured by the camera 20. The determination unit 28 determines whether or not the outer peripheral length L calculated by the image processing unit 26 is within a predetermined threshold range. Although not shown, the measuring device 6 may be provided with illumination for illuminating the end face 2c in an illumination direction that is the same as the imaging direction of the camera 20, or a display screen for displaying the captured image captured by the camera 20.

[0020] FIG. 3 shows an actual captured image captured by the camera 20. The image processing unit 26 processes the captured image to identify the outer peripheral edge 30 of the end face 2c in the tobacco part 2a of the article 2, in other words, the cross section of the wrapping paper. Further, the post-section 12 through which the article 2 conveyed from the winding section 10 via the conveying section 4 is conveyed is electrically connected to the measuring device 6 and includes an exclusion unit 32. The exclusion unit 32 excludes the article 2 that has received an abnormal output. The winding section 10 is also electrically connected to the measuring device 6 and includes a winding control unit 34. When receiving an abnormal output of the article 2, the winding control unit 34 controls the winding mode of the article 2 so as to keep the outer peripheral length L calculated by the image processing unit 26 within the range of the above-described threshold value.

[0021] FIG. 4 shows a conceptual diagram for explaining the measurement process of the article 2, and FIG. 5 shows the measurement flow of the article 2 by the measuring device 6. When the measurement of the article 2 is started, the sensor 24 detects the loading of the article 2 into the conveying section 4 and outputs an imaging start signal to the control unit 22 (article detection step S1). Next, upon receiving the imaging start signal from the sensor 24, the camera 20 captures the end face 2c at the timing when the article 2 to be measured loaded into the conveying drum 8 is conveyed to the imaging position P, and transmits the data of the captured image to the image processing unit 26 (imaging step S2).

[0022] Next, the image processing unit 26 calculates the outer peripheral length L of the end face 2c by processing the captured image transmitted from the camera 20 (image processing step S3). Specifically, first, the image processing unit 26 identifies the outer peripheral edge 30 of the end face 2c in the captured image (edge identification process P1). Next, the image processing unit creates a virtual circle 36 based on the outer peripheral edge 30, creates n straight lines 38 passing through the center point Pc of the virtual circle 36, and respectively identifies two intersection points 40 where each straight line 38 intersects the outer peripheral edge 30 (intersection point identification process P2).

[0023] Next, the intersection distances C1, C2, C3 ···, C k 、C k+1 、···、C 2n-1 、C 2nMeasure it. Then, as shown in the following formula, add the distances between each intersection measured over the entire circumference of the outer peripheral edge 30 (hereinafter also generally referred to as C), and calculate this added value as the outer peripheral length L (addition process P3). Outer peripheral length L = C1 + C2 + C3 + ··· + C k + C k+1 + ··· + C 2n-1 + C 2n

[0024] Next, the determination unit 28 determines whether or not the outer peripheral length L calculated in the image processing step S3 is within a range of a predetermined threshold value (equal to or greater than the lower limit value L1 and equal to or less than the predetermined upper limit value L2) (determination step S4). If the determination result in the determination step S4 is true (Yes) and L1 ≤ L ≤ L2 holds, the process proceeds to step S5. In step S5, the measuring device 6 outputs that the outer peripheral length L of the article 2 is normal, and ends the measurement of the article 2 to be measured.

[0025] On the other hand, if the determination result in the determination step S4 is false (No) and L1 ≤ L ≤ L2 does not hold, the process proceeds to step S6. In step S6, the measuring device 6 outputs an alarm or the like indicating that the outer peripheral length L of the article 2 is abnormal. Next, in the post-section 12, the exclusion unit 32 excludes the article 2 including the component parts (the tobacco part 2a and / or the filter part 2b) of the article 2 that has received the abnormal output (exclusion step S7).

[0026] Furthermore, when the winding-up section 10 receives an abnormal output of the article 2, the winding-up control unit 34 in the winding-up control section 34 controls the winding-up mode of the article 2 so as to keep the outer peripheral length L calculated in the image processing step S3 within the range of the above-described threshold value (winding-up control step S8). Specifically, in the winding-up control step S8, the winding-up control unit 34 adjusts the diameter reduction ratio when winding up the component parts of the article 2 with the winding paper by changing the width dimension of the groove for forming the article 2 or the inner diameter of the cylinder, or adjusts the width of the lap portion of the winding paper joined by pasting to each other, and performs control to keep the outer peripheral length L within the range of the threshold value. In this way, each time the sensor 24 detects the article 2, the measurement of the outer peripheral length L of the article 2 being conveyed is sequentially performed according to the measurement flow.

[0027] As described above, the measuring device 6 of the embodiment measures the outer peripheral length L of the article 2 in real time during the conveyance process in the conveyance section 4. Specifically, the outer peripheral length L is calculated by adding the distances C between the above-described respective intersections. By making the number n of straight lines 38 created at this time as large as possible, the value of the distance C between the intersections can be made as small as possible. As a result, in the image processing step S3, the value obtained by adding the lengths of the tangents that are minimal with respect to the outer peripheral edge 30 can be treated as the outer peripheral length L. Therefore, the outer peripheral length L of the article 2 can be measured easily, with high accuracy, and in real time.

[0028] More specifically, the camera 20 receives the imaging start signal output from the sensor 24 in the article detection step S1, and images the end face 2c at the timing when the article 2 to be measured carried into the conveyance section 4 is conveyed to the imaging position P. Thereby, the articles 2 sequentially carried into the conveyance section 4 can be surely measured without omission.

[0029] Further, the article 2 is held on the outer peripheral surface 18a of the drum shell 18 in a state where the end face 2c protrudes outside the drum shell 18 in the direction of the rotation axis Ra. As a result, in the conveyance drum 8 disposed in the conveyance section 4, no dead angle is generated on the end face 2c of the article 2 during conveyance, so that the article 2 can be surely measured.

[0030] Further, in the determination step S4, when the outer peripheral length L of the end face 2c is outside the range of a predetermined threshold value, the determination unit 28 determines that the article 2 is abnormal. Thereby, cases where proper measurement cannot be performed due to inclination of the posture of the article 2 during measurement or deviation in the imaging timing are excluded in advance. Therefore, the measurement accuracy and measurement efficiency of the article 2 can be further improved.

[0031] Further, the exclusion unit 32 of the rear section 12 excludes the article 2 that has received an abnormal output in the exclusion step S7. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the shipment of the article 2 that does not meet the quality standard. Also, when receiving an abnormal output, the winding control unit 34 of the winding section 10 controls the winding mode of the article 2 in the winding control step S8 so as to keep the outer peripheral length L calculated by the image processing unit 26 within the threshold range. Thereby, it is possible to manufacture the article 2 that meets the quality standard of the outer peripheral length L.

[0032] With the above, the description of the embodiment ends. However, the above embodiment is not restrictive, and various changes can be made without departing from the gist. For example, in the embodiment, as shown in the measurement flow of FIG. 5, the measurement of the article 2 can be performed by making each determination step by step. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the exclusion step S7 and the winding control step S8 do not necessarily need to be performed in the order of the embodiment.

[0033] Also, since each step has the above-described operation and effect, it is not always necessary to perform all the steps. Further, the described measuring device 6 and measuring method are not limited to the article 2 having the configuration of the embodiment, and rod-shaped articles 2 having various configurations can be measured. For example, it is also possible to measure the outer peripheral length L of the heated segment used in a non-combustion heating type smoking article. Further, instead of the tobacco portion 2a of the article 2, the outer peripheral length L of the article 2 may be measured by imaging the end face of the filter portion 2b.

[0034] Also, in the above embodiment, the article 2 is held in the holding groove 18b of the drum shell 18 in a state where the end face 2c of the tobacco portion 2a protrudes outside the drum shell 18 in the direction of the rotation axis Ra. Thereby, the length of the article 2 in the axial direction becomes larger than the length in the direction of the rotation axis Ra of the drum shell 18, and it is easy to image the end face of the article 2. However, as long as the end face of the article 2 can be imaged without trouble, there may be a holding mode of the article 2 in which the article 2 does not protrude outside the drum shell 18.

[0035] In addition, the image of the article 2 captured by the camera 20 and the data of the outer perimeter length L obtained based on this image can be not only used for the measurement device 6 and the measurement method described above, but also stored and accumulated in a separate server and used for various analyses. Further, the measurement device 6 described above measures the article 2 by the measurement method described above in the transport drum 8 arranged in the transport section 4. However, not limited to this, when a belt conveyor or the like that linearly transports the article 2 is arranged in the transport section 4, it is also possible to measure the article 2 being transported by the belt conveyor with the measurement device 6.

[0036] In addition, in the transport section 4, in addition to transporting the article 2, alignment and connection of a plurality of segments such as the cigarette part 2a and the filter part 2b constituting the article 2 may be performed. Further, in the transport section 4, addition of external additives such as flavors and physical processing on each segment may be performed.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0037] 1 Manufacturing apparatus 2 Rod-shaped article 2a Cigarette part (constituent part) 2b Filter part (constituent part) 2c End face 4 Transport section 6 Measurement device 8 Transport drum 10 Hoisting section 12 Rear section 14 Suction source 16 Cylindrical core 18 Drum shell 18a Outer peripheral surface 20 Camera 24 Sensor 26 Image processing unit 28 Determination unit 30 Outer periphery 32 Exclusion unit 34 Hoisting control unit 36 Virtual circle 38 Straight line 40 Intersection point C Distance between intersection points L Outer perimeter P Imaging position Pc Center point Ra Axis of rotation S1 Article detection step S2 Imaging step S3 Image processing step S4 Judgment step S7 Exclusion step S8 Rewind control step P1 Edge identification process P2 Intersection point identification process P3 Addition process

Claims

1. A measuring device for measuring the outer peripheral length of a rod-shaped article in a conveyance section of the rod-shaped article, comprising: a camera for imaging an end face of the rod-shaped article; an image processing unit for calculating the outer peripheral length by processing an imaging image captured by the camera; The image processing unit identifies the outer peripheral edge of the end face in the imaging image, creates a virtual circle based on the outer peripheral edge, creates n straight lines passing through the center point of the virtual circle, respectively identifies two intersection points where each straight line intersects the outer peripheral edge, measures the intersection distance between the adjacent intersection points on the outer peripheral edge, and adds up the intersection distances measured over the entire circumference of the outer peripheral edge to calculate the outer peripheral length. A measuring device for rod-shaped articles.

2. A sensor for detecting the loading of the rod-shaped article into the conveyance section and outputting an imaging start signal is provided. The camera according to claim 1, wherein the camera captures the end face at a timing when the rod-shaped article to be measured loaded into the conveyance section is conveyed to an imaging position in response to the imaging start signal.

3. The conveyance section includes a conveyance drum for conveying the rod-shaped article. The conveyance drum includes: a cylindrical core in which a suction source is disposed; a drum shell that covers the cylindrical core and is rotatably disposed about a rotation axis with respect to the cylindrical core, and holds the rod-shaped article on the outer peripheral surface in a posture where the axial direction of the rod-shaped article is parallel to the rotation axis by the suction pressure of the suction source; The rod-shaped article is held on the outer peripheral surface of the drum shell in a state where the end face protrudes outside the drum shell in the direction of the rotation axis. The measuring device for rod-shaped articles according to claim 2.

4. A determination unit for determining whether or not the outer peripheral length calculated by the image processing unit is within a range of a predetermined threshold value is provided. The determination unit according to claim 3, wherein when the outer peripheral length is outside the range of the threshold value, the rod-shaped article is output as abnormal.

5. A manufacturing device for rod-shaped articles, comprising the measuring device according to claim 4, a post-section through which the rod-shaped article passing through the conveyance section is conveyed; The post-section is electrically connected to the measuring device and includes an exclusion unit for excluding the rod-shaped article that has received the abnormal output. A manufacturing device for rod-shaped articles.

6. ​ ​ It is provided with a winding-up section that winds up the components of the rod-shaped article with a roll of paper and forms them into the rod-shaped article. The winding-up section is electrically connected to the measuring device, and when receiving the output of the abnormality, it is provided with a winding-up control section that controls the winding-up mode of the rod-shaped article so as to keep the outer peripheral length calculated by the image processing section within the range of the threshold value. The manufacturing apparatus for a rod-shaped article according to claim 5.

7. A measuring method for measuring the outer peripheral length of a rod-shaped article in the conveying section of the rod-shaped article, An imaging step of imaging the end face of the rod-shaped article, An image processing step of calculating the outer peripheral length by processing the captured image captured in the imaging step and includes The image processing step includes An edge identification process of identifying the outer peripheral edge of the end face in the captured image, A virtual circle is created based on the outer peripheral edge, n straight lines passing through the center point of the virtual circle are created, and an intersection identification process of identifying two intersections where each straight line intersects the outer peripheral edge respectively, A summing process of measuring the distance between intersections between adjacent intersections on the outer peripheral edge and summing up the distances between intersections measured over the entire circumference of the outer peripheral edge to calculate it as the outer peripheral length and includes. The measuring method for a rod-shaped article.

8. It includes an article detection step of detecting the loading of the rod-shaped article into the conveying section and outputting an imaging start signal, In the imaging step, in response to the imaging start signal, the end face is imaged at the timing when the rod-shaped article to be measured loaded into the conveying section is conveyed to the imaging position. The measuring method for a rod-shaped article according to claim 7.

9. It includes a determination step of determining whether or not the outer peripheral length calculated in the image processing step is within a predetermined threshold range, In the determination step, when the outer peripheral length is outside the threshold range, the rod-shaped article is output as an abnormality. The measuring method for a rod-shaped article according to claim 8.

10. A manufacturing method for a rod-shaped article that performs the measuring method according to claim 9, In a subsequent section where the rod-shaped article passing through the conveying section is conveyed, it includes an exclusion step of excluding the rod-shaped article that has received the output of the abnormality. The manufacturing method for a rod-shaped article.

11. In the winding-up section that winds up the components of the rod-shaped article into a rod shape to form the rod-shaped article, when receiving the output of the abnormality, a winding-up control step of controlling the winding-up mode of the rod-shaped article is included to keep the outer peripheral length calculated in the image processing step within the range of the threshold value. The method for manufacturing a rod-shaped article according to claim 10.

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