Ultrasonic inspection equipment

Abstract

To provide an ultrasonic inspection apparatus capable of accurately inspecting peeling of a container member at a joint portion even if the joint portion of a packaging container where the edge of the container member is overlapped and joined protrudes from a surface of a predetermined object in the direction perpendicular to the surface.SOLUTION: An ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1 includes a transmitter 10 that transmits ultrasonic waves W toward at least a base end portion 103A located on a predetermined object 105 side in a joint portion 103 protruding from the predetermined object 105 in a state with the joint portion 103 of a packaging container 100 protruding from a surface 105a of the predetermined object 105 in the direction orthogonal to the surface 105a.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an ultrasonic inspection device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there are packaging containers in which a storage space is formed inside by overlapping and joining the edges of container members such as sheet members or cup-shaped members. In such packaging containers, the joined portions of the container members extend outside the storage space relative to the non-jointed portions of the container members that are not joined and form the storage space. Patent Document 1 discloses an ultrasonic inspection device for inspecting for delamination at the joint of container components. This type of ultrasonic inspection device has a transmitter that transmits ultrasonic waves, and receives and analyzes the ultrasonic waves that are transmitted from the transmitter and pass through the joint to determine whether delamination has occurred at the joint. Conventional ultrasonic inspection devices transmit ultrasonic waves from the transmitter toward the joint in the direction where the edges of the container components overlap at the joint. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-027012 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Ultrasonic inspection of a joint between container members may be performed when the joint between the container members protrudes from the surface of a predetermined object in a direction perpendicular to the surface. The predetermined object may be, for example, a non-jointed portion of the container members that constitutes the storage space of the packaging container, a packaging container manufacturing device (e.g., a pillow packaging machine), or a platform that supports the packaging container in a packaging container conveying device. However, when a transmitter is disposed on the surface of the predetermined object so as to transmit ultrasonic waves in a direction in which the edges of the container members overlap at the joint (i.e., a direction along the surface of the predetermined object), as in the conventional method, it is difficult for the ultrasonic waves transmitted from the transmitter to reach the base end of the joint protruding from the object, which is located on the object side. For this reason, it is difficult for conventional ultrasonic inspection devices to accurately inspect for peeling of the container members at the joint between the packaging container and the container members.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and aims to provide an ultrasonic inspection device that can accurately inspect for peeling of container components at a joint, even when the joint protrudes from the surface of a specified object in a direction perpendicular to the surface. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A first aspect of the present invention is an ultrasonic inspection device for inspecting a packaging container having a joint formed by overlapping and joining edges of container members, the ultrasonic inspection device including a transmitter that transmits ultrasonic waves toward at least a base end of the joint protruding from the predetermined object in a state where the joint protruding from the predetermined object in a direction perpendicular to the surface is located on the predetermined object side. and a plurality of receiving units each having a receiving surface that receives the ultrasonic waves that have passed through the joint portion, wherein the transmitting unit includes a transmitting unit main body that transmits ultrasonic waves and a mirror that reflects the ultrasonic waves transmitted from the transmitting unit main body, the transmitting unit main body having a transmitting surface that transmits ultrasonic waves, and the mirror is arranged to reflect ultrasonic waves transmitted from an inner region of the transmitting surface excluding a peripheral region, and the reflected ultrasonic waves propagate at least toward the base end portion. It is an ultrasound testing device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, even when the joint portion of the container member protrudes from the surface of a specified object in a direction perpendicular to the surface, peeling of the container member at the joint portion can be inspected with high accuracy. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an ultrasonic inspection device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a main part of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IV-IV in FIG. 2. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a perspective view schematically showing a modified example of the ultrasonic inspection device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing another example of use of the ultrasonic inspection device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view schematically showing a main part of an ultrasonic inspection device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view schematically showing a main part of an ultrasonic inspection device according to a third embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view schematically showing a main part of an ultrasonic inspection device according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 10] 10 is a cross-sectional view showing another example of a packaging container to be inspected by the ultrasonic inspection device according to the present invention. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] First Embodiment A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 1 , an ultrasonic inspection device 1 of this embodiment inspects a packaging container 100 using ultrasonic waves W. The packaging container 100 of this embodiment is a container in which a storage space 102 is formed inside by overlapping and joining the edges of sheet-like container members 101. The packaging container 100 in the illustrated example is made of one container member 101, but it may also be made of, for example, two container members 101. The ultrasonic inspection device 1 inspects peeling of the container members 101 in a joint portion 103 where the container members 101 are overlapped and joined in the packaging container 100. In the following description, a portion of the container members 101 of the packaging container 100 that is not joined and forms the storage space 102 is referred to as a non-joint portion 105.

[0010] When inspecting the packaging container 100 with the ultrasonic inspection device 1, the bonded portion 103 is caused to protrude from the outer surface 105a (surface of a predetermined object) of the non-bonded portion 105 in a direction perpendicular to the outer surface 105a. Note that the protruding direction of the bonded portion 103 relative to the outer surface 105a of the non-bonded portion 105 does not have to be strictly perpendicular, and may be slightly inclined.

[0011] In the drawings, the direction in which the container members 101 overlap at the joint portion 103 is indicated as the Y-axis direction. The direction in which the joint portion 103 protrudes from the outer surface 105a of the non-joined portion 105 is indicated as the width direction of the joint portion 103, which is indicated as the Z-axis direction. The direction perpendicular to the Z-axis direction and the Y-axis direction is indicated as the longitudinal direction of the joint portion 103, which is indicated as the X-axis direction.

[0012] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the ultrasonic inspection device 1 includes a transmitting section 10 and a receiving unit 20. The transmitting unit 10 transmits ultrasonic waves W toward the bonded portion 103 of the packaging container 100 in a state in which the bonded portion 103 protrudes in a direction perpendicular to the outer surface 105a of the non-bonded portion 105. The transmitting unit 10 is configured to actively transmit ultrasonic waves W particularly toward the base end 103A of the bonded portion 103 located on the non-bonded portion 105 side.

[0013] The transmitter 10 of this embodiment includes a transmitter body 11 and a mirror 12. The transmitting unit main body 11 is a part that transmits ultrasonic waves W. The transmitting unit main body 11 of this embodiment has a transmitting element 13 and a holding case 14. The transmitting element 13 has a transmitting surface 13a that transmits ultrasonic waves W. The holding case 14 holds the transmitting element 13 so that the transmitting surface 13a of the transmitting element 13 is exposed to the outside. The holding case 14 of this embodiment holds the transmitting element 13 so as to cover the entire periphery of the transmitting surface 13a. In other words, the transmitting surface 13a of the transmitting element 13 is surrounded by a predetermined portion of the holding case 14.

[0014] The mirror 12 reflects the ultrasonic waves W transmitted from the transmitter body 11. The mirror 12 is positioned so that the ultrasonic waves W reflected by the mirror 12 propagate at least toward the base end 103A of the joint 103. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2, the mirror 12 of this embodiment reflects the beam-shaped ultrasonic waves W transmitted from the inner region 13a1 of the transmitting surface 13a of the transmitter body 11, excluding the peripheral region 13a2. That is, the mirror 12 does not reflect the ultrasonic waves W2 transmitted from the peripheral region 13a2 of the transmitting surface 13a, but reflects only the ultrasonic waves W1 transmitted from the inner region 13a1 of the transmitting surface 13a, and transmits them toward the joint 103. The inner region 13a1 of the transmitting surface 13a is, for example, a region where the intensity of the transmitted ultrasonic waves W1 is uniform. The peripheral region 13a2 of the transmitting surface 13a is, for example, a region where the intensity of the transmitted ultrasonic waves W2 is lower than the intensity of the ultrasonic waves W1 transmitted from the inner region 13a1. The transmitter body 11 and mirror 12 of this embodiment will be described in more detail below.

[0015] In this embodiment, the transmitter body 11 is disposed on one side of the joint portion 103 in the Y-axis direction (the left side of the joint portion 103 in FIGS. 1 and 2). The transmitter body 11 is also disposed so that, when viewed from the X-axis direction, ultrasonic waves W are transmitted from the transmission surface 13a of the transmitter body 11 in a direction opposite (negative direction of the Z-axis) to the protruding direction of the joint portion 103 relative to the non-joint portion 105 (positive direction of the Z-axis).

[0016] When viewed from the X-axis direction, the mirror 12 is disposed between the transmitter body 11 and the non-bonded portion 105 in the Z-axis direction. The reflecting surface 12a of the mirror 12 that reflects the ultrasonic wave W is formed flat. The reflecting surface 12a of the mirror 12 faces the transmitting surface 13a of the transmitter body 11 in the Z-axis direction and faces the bonded portion 103 in the Y-axis direction. The reflecting surface 12a of the mirror 12 is inclined with respect to the transmission direction (negative direction of the Z-axis) of the ultrasonic wave W transmitted from the transmitting surface 13a of the transmitter body 11 and the outer surface 105a of the non-bonded portion 105. The inclination angle of the reflecting surface 12a is 45 degrees. The mirror 12 can be disposed with respect to the packaging container 100 so that the reflecting surface 12a is located immediately adjacent to the outer surface 105a of the non-bonded portion 105 in the Z-axis direction.

[0017] As a result, the ultrasonic waves W transmitted from the transmitting surface 13a of the transmitter main body 11 toward the mirror 12 are reflected by the reflecting surface 12a of the mirror 12, propagate in the positive direction of the Y axis toward the bonded portion 103, and pass through the bonded portion 103. In addition, since the reflecting surface 12a of the mirror 12 is located in close proximity to the outer surface 105a of the non-bonded portion 105, the ultrasonic waves W reflected by the reflecting surface 12a can reach the base end 103A of the bonded portion 103.

[0018] In this embodiment, the transmitting surface 13a of the transmitter main body 11 is formed in an arc shape recessed toward the positive Z-axis direction when viewed from the Y-axis direction, as shown in Fig. 3. Furthermore, the transmitting surface 13a extends linearly in the Y-axis direction, as shown in Fig. 2. Therefore, the shape of the transmitting surface 13a when viewed from the Y-axis direction does not change regardless of the position in the Y-axis direction. In other words, the shape of the transmitting surface 13a in this embodiment is similar to a part of the circumferential direction of the inner circumferential surface of a cylinder.

[0019] Since the transmitting surface 13a is formed as described above, the ultrasonic waves W transmitted from the transmitting surface 13a of the transmitting body 11 converge (focus) in the X-axis direction as they move in the negative direction of the Z-axis, but do not converge in the Y-axis direction, as shown in Fig. 3. For this reason, without the mirror 12, the ultrasonic waves W transmitted from the transmitting surface 13a of the transmitting body 11 become linear at the converged position, with a small length in the X-axis direction and a large length in the Y-axis direction. In this embodiment, the reflecting surface 12a of the mirror 12 is located before the position where the ultrasonic waves W transmitted from the transmitter main body 11 converge. Therefore, the ultrasonic waves W reflected by the reflecting surface 12a of the mirror 12 and propagating in the positive Y-axis direction converge in the X-axis direction as they travel in the positive Y-axis direction, but do not converge in the Z-axis direction, as shown in Fig. 4. As a result, the ultrasonic waves W reflected by the reflecting surface 12a of the mirror 12 become linear at the convergence position, with a small length in the X-axis direction and a large length in the Z-axis direction.

[0020] As shown in Fig. 2, the receiving unit 20 is arranged so that the joint portion 103 of the packaging container 100 is located between the receiving unit 20 and the transmitting unit 10 described above. The receiving unit 20 receives ultrasonic waves W that have passed through the joint portion 103 of the packaging container 100. The receiving unit 20 has a plurality of receiving units 21. Each receiving unit 21 has a receiving surface 21a that receives the ultrasonic waves W that have passed through the joint portion 103 of the packaging container 100. It is preferable that the area of ​​the receiving surface 21a is small.

[0021] 2 and 4, the multiple receiving units 21 are arranged in an array in a direction intersecting the direction (positive Y-axis direction) in which the ultrasonic waves W travel from the mirror 12 (transmitting unit 10) toward the joint portion 103 of the packaging container 100. Specifically, the multiple receiving units 21 are arranged in an array corresponding to the converged linear ultrasonic waves W as described above. That is, the multiple receiving units 21 are lined up in a row in the Z-axis direction. The multiple receiving units 21 do not necessarily need to be placed exactly at the position where the ultrasonic waves W converge, and may be placed, for example, at a position shifted in a direction away from the transmitting unit 10 (positive direction of the Y axis) from the position where the ultrasonic waves W converge. However, it is more preferable that the multiple receiving units 21 be placed as close as possible to the position where the ultrasonic waves W converge. As exemplified in Fig. 4, when the ultrasonic waves W converge at or near the joint 103 of the packaging container 100, it is preferable that the multiple receiving units 21 be placed close to the joint 103 in the Y axis direction.

[0022] 1 and 2, the transmitting section 10 is arranged so that the ultrasonic wave W passes only through the base end portion of the joint 103 in the protruding direction, but this is not limiting. The transmitting section 10 may be arranged, for example, so that the ultrasonic wave W passes through the entire joint 103 from the base end to the tip in the protruding direction. In this case, the receiving unit 20 (plurality of receiving sections 21) may be arranged from the base end to the tip in the protruding direction of the joint 103.

[0023] In the ultrasonic inspection device 1 of this embodiment, ultrasonic waves W transmitted from the transmitting unit 10 and transmitted through the joint 103 of the packaging container 100 are received and analyzed by the receiving unit 21, thereby making it possible to determine whether or not peeling of the container member 101 has occurred at the joint 103. The presence or absence of delamination at the bonded portion 103 is determined, for example, by comparing the waveform of ultrasonic wave W (waveform to be inspected) that has passed through the bonded portion 103 to be inspected and received by the receiving unit 21 with the waveform of ultrasonic wave W (reference waveform) that has passed through the bonded portion 103 where no delamination has occurred and received by the receiving unit 21. For example, a correlation value between the phase of the reference waveform and the phase of the waveform to be inspected is calculated, and if the correlation value is high, it is determined that no delamination has occurred at the bonded portion 103, and if the correlation value is low, it is determined that delamination has occurred at the bonded portion 103.

[0024] As described above, in the ultrasonic inspection device 1 of the first embodiment, the transmitter 10 is configured to transmit ultrasonic waves W toward at least the base end 103A of the joint portion 103 of the packaging container 100. This allows the ultrasonic waves W to reach the base end 103A of the joint portion 103, making it possible to accurately inspect for peeling of the container members 101 at the base end 103A of the joint portion 103. Therefore, even if the joint portion 103 protrudes from the outer surface 105a (the surface of a predetermined object) of the non-joined portion 105 in a direction perpendicular to the outer surface 105a, it is possible to accurately inspect for peeling of the container members 101 at the joint portion 103.

[0025] Furthermore, in the ultrasonic inspection device 1 of this embodiment, the transmission unit 10 includes a transmission unit main body 11 that transmits ultrasonic waves W, and a mirror 12 that reflects the ultrasonic waves W transmitted from the transmission unit main body 11. By reflecting the ultrasonic waves W transmitted from the transmission unit main body 11 at the mirror 12, the ultrasonic waves W can be easily made to reach the base end 103A of the joint portion 103.

[0026] Furthermore, in the ultrasonic inspection device 1 of this embodiment, the mirror 12 reflects the beam-like ultrasonic waves W transmitted from the inner region 13a1 of the transmitting surface 13a of the transmitting unit main body 11, excluding the peripheral region 13a2. This makes it possible to more accurately determine whether or not peeling has occurred at the bonded portion 103. This point will be described below. The intensity of the ultrasonic waves W2 transmitted from the peripheral region 13a2 of the transmitting surface 13a may be lower than the intensity of the ultrasonic waves W1 transmitted from the inner region 13a1 of the transmitting surface 13a. In this case, if the ultrasonic waves W are transmitted directly from the transmitting surface 13a of the transmitting unit main body 11 in the direction in which the container members 101 overlap, as in the conventional case, the intensity of the ultrasonic waves W reaching the base end 103A of the bonded portion 103 is low, making it impossible to accurately determine whether or not delamination has occurred in the bonded portion 103. In contrast, in the ultrasonic inspection device 1 of this embodiment, the mirror 12 reflects the beam-shaped ultrasonic waves W transmitted from the inner region 13a1 of the transmitting surface 13a. Therefore, the intensity of the beam-shaped ultrasonic waves W reflected by the mirror 12 is uniform. As a result, by propagating the uniform-intensity ultrasonic waves W reflected by the mirror 12 in the direction in which the container members 101 overlap, it is possible to accurately determine whether or not delamination has occurred in the bonded portion 103.

[0027] Furthermore, in the ultrasonic inspection device 1 of this embodiment, a plurality of receiving units 21, each having a receiving surface 21a that receives ultrasonic waves W, are arranged in an array in a direction intersecting the direction (positive direction of the Y-axis) in which the ultrasonic waves W travel toward the joint 103. Therefore, by reducing the area of ​​the receiving surface 21a of each receiving unit 21, it is possible to inspect the container member 101 at the joint 103 (particularly the base end 103A) with high accuracy. Furthermore, by arranging the receiving units 21 in an array, it is possible to increase the total area of ​​the receiving surfaces 21a. This allows the entire joint 103, including the base end 103A, to be inspected with high accuracy in a short time.

[0028] In the first embodiment, the transmitter body 11 only needs to be arranged so that the ultrasonic waves W transmitted from at least the transmission surface 13a of the transmitter body 11 are reflected by the mirror 12 and directed toward the joint portion 103 of the packaging container 100. Therefore, the transmitter body 11 is not limited to transmitting the ultrasonic waves W from the transmission surface 13a of the transmitter body 11 toward the outer surface 105a of the non-joint portion 105 in a direction perpendicular to the outer surface 105a (negative direction of the Z axis) when viewed from the X axis direction, but may also be arranged so that the ultrasonic waves W are transmitted from the transmission surface 13a of the transmitter body 11 in a direction inclined with respect to the Z axis direction, for example.

[0029] Furthermore, the ultrasonic waves W reflected by the mirror 12 and directed toward the joint 103 do not necessarily have to propagate strictly in the Y-axis direction as viewed from the X-axis direction, but may propagate, for example, in a direction inclined with respect to the Y-axis direction. The ultrasonic waves W reflected by the mirror 12 may propagate, as viewed from the X-axis direction, at an angle such that they move in the negative Z-axis direction (i.e., toward the base end 103A of the joint 103) as they move in the Y-axis direction toward the joint 103. Even in such a case, the ultrasonic waves W transmitted from the transmitting unit 10 can easily reach the base end 103A of the joint 103.

[0030] In the first embodiment, the transmission surface 13a of the transmitter body 11 may be a flat surface, for example, as shown in Fig. 5. In this case, the ultrasonic waves W transmitted from the transmission surface 13a of the transmitter body 11 are reflected by the mirror 12 and propagate toward the joint 103 of the packaging container 100 without converging. Therefore, the shape of the ultrasonic waves W perpendicular to the propagation direction (positive direction of the Y axis) of the ultrasonic waves W from the mirror 12 toward the joint 103 is planar regardless of the position in the Y axis direction.

[0031] In this case, the multiple receiving sections 21 constituting the receiving unit 20 are arranged in a matrix corresponding to the planar ultrasonic waves W. That is, the multiple receiving sections 21 are aligned in two directions (X-axis direction and Z-axis direction) perpendicular to the Y-axis direction. The multiple receiving sections 21 may be positioned away from the joint 103 in the Y-axis direction, but it is more preferable to position them as close to the joint 103 as possible in the Y-axis direction. A configuration in which a plurality of receiving units 21 are arranged in a matrix provides the same effect as when a plurality of receiving units 21 are arranged in an array.

[0032] In the first embodiment, the joint portion 103 of the packaging container 100 inspected by the ultrasonic inspection device 1 is not limited to a portion protruding from the non-joint portion 105 of the packaging container 100, and may be a portion protruding from a support table 305 that supports the packaging container 100, as shown in Fig. 6, for example. In this case, the joint portion 103 (particularly the base end portion 103A) of the packaging container 100 inspected by the ultrasonic inspection device 1 is a portion protruding downward from the lower surface 305a (surface of a predetermined object) of the support table 305. The support table 305 is a table that supports the packaging container 100 in, for example, an apparatus that manufactures the packaging container 100 (for example, a pillow packaging machine) or an apparatus that conveys the packaging container 100.

[0033] Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 7. In this embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0034] 7, like the ultrasonic inspection device 1 of the first embodiment, the ultrasonic inspection device 1D of this embodiment includes a transmitting section 10D that transmits ultrasonic waves W, and a receiving unit 20. The configuration of the receiving unit 20 is the same as in the first embodiment.

[0035] A transmitter 10D of this embodiment includes a transmitter body 11 similar to that of the first embodiment, but does not include a mirror 12 (see FIG. 2, etc.). The transmission direction of the ultrasonic waves W transmitted from the transmission surface 13a of the transmitter 10D is inclined in the Y-axis direction (the direction in which the container members 101 overlap) from the transmitter 10D toward the bonded portion 103 so as to move toward the negative Z-axis direction (the direction opposite to the protruding direction of the bonded portion 103 relative to the non-bonded portion 105). Specifically, the transmitter main body 11 of the transmitter 10D is disposed in an inclined state so that its transmission surface 13a faces toward the positive Y-axis direction (the bonded portion 103 side) and the negative Z-axis direction (the outer surface 105a side of the non-bonded portion 105). As a result, the transmission direction of the ultrasonic waves W from the transmitter 10D is inclined as described above.

[0036] It is not necessary for the ultrasonic waves W transmitted from the transmitting unit 10D to reach the non-bonded portion 105. For this reason, the transmitting unit 10D is positioned at a distance in the positive Z-axis direction from the outer surface 105a of the non-bonded portion 105 within a range that allows the ultrasonic waves W to reach the base end 103A of the bonded portion 103. Furthermore, the distance in the Z-axis direction between the transmitting unit 10D and the outer surface 105a of the non-bonded portion 105 is preferably set so that, for example, the ultrasonic waves W transmitted from an inner region 13a1 (see FIG. 2) of the transmitting surface 13a of the transmitting unit 10D reach the base end 103A of the bonded portion 103, and so that the ultrasonic waves W transmitted from a peripheral region 13a2 (see FIG. 2) of the transmitting surface 13a do not reach the base end 103A of the bonded portion 103.

[0037] According to the ultrasonic inspection device 1D of the second embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment are achieved. Furthermore, in the ultrasonic inspection device 1D of the second embodiment, the transmission direction of the ultrasonic waves W transmitted from the transmitter 10D is inclined in the Y-axis direction (the direction in which the container members 101 overlap) toward the negative Z-axis direction (the direction opposite to the protruding direction of the bonded portion 103 relative to the non-bonded portion 105) from the transmitter 10D toward the bonded portion 103. This allows the ultrasonic waves W transmitted from the transmitter main body 11 to easily reach the base end 103A of the bonded portion 103. In particular, the ultrasonic waves W transmitted from the inner region 13a1 of the transmitting surface 13a of the transmitter 10D (i.e., the ultrasonic waves W with uniform intensity) can easily reach the base end 103A of the bonded portion 103.

[0038] Third Embodiment Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 8. In this embodiment, the same components as those in the first and second embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0039] 8, like the ultrasonic inspection devices 1 and 1D of the first and second embodiments, the ultrasonic inspection device 1E of this embodiment includes a transmitting section 10E that transmits ultrasonic waves W, and a receiving unit 20. The configuration of the receiving unit 20 is the same as in the first embodiment.

[0040] The transmitter 10E of this embodiment includes a transmitter main body 11E including a transmitting element 13 and a holding case 14E, similar to the second embodiment. However, the holding case 14E of this embodiment holds the transmitting element 13 so as to cover part of the periphery of the transmitting surface 13a of the transmitting element 13. In other words, the transmitting element 13 has a part of the periphery of the transmitting surface 13a that is not covered by the holding case 14E. Note that the holding case 14E may hold the transmitting element 13 so as not to cover the entire periphery of the transmitting surface 13a, for example.

[0041] In this embodiment, the transmitter 10E is disposed so that the transmission direction of the ultrasonic waves W transmitted from the transmission surface 13a of the transmitter 10E is the Y-axis direction (the direction in which the container members 101 overlap). Furthermore, the transmitter 10E is disposed so that the portion of the periphery of the transmission surface 13a that is not covered by the holding case 14E is located on the outer surface 105a of the non-jointed portion 105 (on the surface of the predetermined object). This allows the ultrasonic waves W transmitted from the transmitter 10E to easily reach the base end 103A of the joint portion 103 of the packaging container 100. This point will be described below.

[0042] When the holding case 14 holds the transmitting element 13 so as to cover the entire periphery of the transmitting surface 13a, as in the transmitting unit main body 11 of the transmitting units 10 and 10D shown in the first and second embodiments, in a state in which the transmitting unit main body 11 is placed on the outer surface 105a of the non-bonded portion 105 (the surface of a predetermined object) so that the transmission direction of the ultrasonic wave W is along the outer surface 105a of the non-bonded portion 105, the transmitting surface 13a is located away from the outer surface 105a of the non-bonded portion 105 by the amount of the holding case 14 covering the periphery of the transmitting surface 13a. For this reason, even if the ultrasonic wave W is transmitted toward the bonded portion 103 along the outer surface 105a of the non-bonded portion 105, it is difficult for the ultrasonic wave W to easily reach the base end 103A of the bonded portion 103.

[0043] In contrast, in the third embodiment, the transmitter main body 11E of the transmitter 10E is disposed so that the portion of the periphery of the transmitting surface 13a that is not covered by the holding case 14E is located on the outer surface 105a of the non-bonded portion 105. Therefore, the periphery of the transmitting surface 13a can be disposed closer to the outer surface 105a of the non-bonded portion 105. Therefore, by transmitting ultrasonic waves W toward the bonded portion 103 along the outer surface 105a of the non-bonded portion 105, the ultrasonic waves W can easily reach the base end 103A of the bonded portion 103.

[0044] In the second and third embodiments described above, the transmitting units 10D and 10E may be configured to converge the ultrasonic waves W into a line extending in the Z-axis direction, as illustrated in Figures 3 and 4 of the first embodiment. In this case, the multiple receiving units 21 may be arranged in an array so as to line up in a row in the Z-axis direction. Alternatively, the transmitting units 10D and 10E may be configured not to converge the ultrasonic waves W, as illustrated in Figure 5 of the first embodiment. In this case, the multiple receiving units 21 may be arranged in a matrix so as to line up in two directions (Z-axis direction and X-axis direction) orthogonal to the Y-axis direction.

[0045] Furthermore, in the second and third embodiments, the joint portion 103 of the packaging container 100 inspected by the ultrasonic inspection devices 1D and 1E is not limited to a portion protruding from the non-joint portion 105 of the packaging container 100, but may also be a portion protruding from the support base 305 that supports the packaging container 100, as illustrated in Figure 6 of the first embodiment.

[0046] Fourth Embodiment Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 9. In this embodiment, the same components as those in the third embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 9, the ultrasonic inspection device 1F of this embodiment includes a transmitting section 10F that transmits ultrasonic waves W and a receiving unit 20, similar to the ultrasonic inspection device 1E of the third embodiment.

[0048] The transmitter 10F of this embodiment includes a transmitter main body 11E including a transmitting element 13 and a holding case 14E similar to those of the third embodiment. The transmitter 10F of this embodiment further includes a protrusion 15F. When viewed from a direction perpendicular to the transmitting surface 13a (the Y-axis direction), the protrusion 15F protrudes outward from the transmitting surface 13a from a portion of the periphery of the transmitting surface 13a that is not covered by the holding case 14E. The protrusion 15F is located rearward (toward the negative Y-axis direction) of the transmitting element 13 (particularly the transmitting surface 13a). In FIG. 9, the protrusion 15F protrudes from a surface of the holding case 14E that corresponds to a region of the periphery of the transmitting surface 13a that is not covered by the holding case 14E. Although the protrusion 15F illustrated in FIG. 9 has a circular cross section, the shape of the protrusion 15F may be any shape.

[0049] In this embodiment, similarly to the third embodiment, the transmitter 10F is disposed so that the transmission direction of the ultrasonic waves W transmitted from the transmission surface 13a of the transmitter 10F is the Y-axis direction (the direction in which the container members 101 overlap). In addition, the transmitter 10F is disposed so that the portion of the periphery of the transmission surface 13a that is not covered by the holding case 14E is located on the outer surface 105a of the non-bonded portion 105 (on the surface of the predetermined object). In this state, the protrusion 15F of the transmitter 10F is pressed against the outer surface 105a of the non-bonded portion 105.

[0050] According to the ultrasonic inspection device 1F of the fourth embodiment, the same effects as those of the third embodiment are achieved. Furthermore, in the ultrasonic inspection device 1F of the fourth embodiment, the transmitting unit 10F has a protrusion 15F that protrudes from a portion of the periphery of the transmitting surface 13a that is not covered by the holding case 14E to the outside of the transmitting surface 13a when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the transmitting surface 13a (Y-axis direction). This makes it possible to more accurately determine whether or not peeling has occurred at the base end 103A of the joint portion 103 of the packaging container 100. This point will be described below.

[0051] As described in the first embodiment, the intensity of the ultrasonic waves W transmitted from the peripheral region 13a2 of the transmitting surface 13a may be lower than the intensity of the ultrasonic waves W transmitted from the inner region 13a1 of the transmitting surface 13a located inside the peripheral region 13a2. In this case, simply positioning the transmitting unit 10F so that the portion of the periphery of the transmitting surface 13a that is not covered by the holding case 14E is located on the outer surface 105a of the non-bonded portion 105 will result in weak ultrasonic waves W transmitted from the peripheral region 13a2 of the transmitting surface 13a reaching the base end 103A of the bonded portion 103. As a result, it may not be possible to accurately determine whether or not peeling has occurred in the bonded portion 103.

[0052] In contrast, in the configuration of the fourth embodiment described above, when the transmitting unit 10F is positioned so that the portion of the periphery of the transmitting surface 13a that is not covered by the holding case 14E is positioned on the outer surface 105a of the non-bonded portion 105, the protrusion 15F can push the non-bonded portion 105 toward the inside of the packaging container 100 (toward the storage space 102). This allows the ultrasonic waves W, which have a uniform intensity and are transmitted from the inner region 13a1 of the transmitting surface 13a, to reach the base end 103A of the bonded portion 103. This makes it possible to more accurately determine whether or not peeling has occurred in the bonded portion 103.

[0053] In the fourth embodiment, the protrusion 15F of the transmitting unit 10F may protrude from a portion of the periphery of the transmitting surface 13a that is covered by the holding case 14E to the outside of the transmitting surface 13a, as viewed from a direction perpendicular to the transmitting surface 13a. The protrusion 15F of the fourth embodiment may also be applied to the transmitting units 10 and 10D of the first and second embodiments in which the holding case 14 holds the transmitting element 13 so as to cover the entire periphery of the transmitting surface 13a. Even with a transmitting unit configured in this manner, it is possible to more accurately determine whether or not peeling has occurred at the joint 103.

[0054] Although the present invention has been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0055] In the present invention, the multiple receiving units 21 are not limited to being arranged in a matrix in which they are lined up vertically and horizontally without gaps, or in an array in which they are lined up linearly without gaps, as long as they are arranged according to at least a predetermined pattern. The multiple receiving units 21 may be arranged in a pattern (e.g., a lattice pattern or a checkered pattern) in which receiving units 21 are removed from a matrix arrangement according to a predetermined rule. The multiple receiving units 21 may also be arranged in a line along a curved line (e.g., a spiral). The multiple receiving units 21 may also be arranged in a pattern (e.g., a pattern in which units each consisting of two receiving units 21 are arranged in a line with a gap between them) in which receiving units 21 are removed from a line without gaps according to a predetermined rule.

[0056] In the present invention, the transmitting unit may transmit ultrasonic waves so that the waves spread in a fan-like or spherical shape as the distance from the transmitting surface of the transmitting unit increases.

[0057] The packaging container to be inspected by the ultrasonic inspection device according to the present invention is not limited to the packaging container 100 (see FIG. 1, etc.) consisting of only a sheet-like container member 101, but may also be, for example, a cup-shaped container 200 shown in FIG. 10. The cup-shaped container 200 shown in FIG. 10 is a container in which a second container member, a sheet-shaped member 201B, is overlapped and joined to the open end of a cup-shaped member 201A, which is a first container member, to form an internal storage space 202. In this cup-shaped container 200, a joint 203 between the open end of the cup-shaped member 201A and the sheet-shaped member 201B protrudes from an outer surface 205a (the surface of a predetermined object) of a side wall portion 205 of the cup-shaped member 201A in a direction perpendicular to the outer surface 205a. The ultrasonic inspection device according to the present invention can inspect the cup-shaped container 200 for peeling between the cup-shaped member 201A and the sheet-shaped member 201B at the joint portion 203 where the open end of the cup-shaped member 201A and the sheet-shaped member 201B are overlapped and joined. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 1, 1D, 1E, 1F...ultrasonic inspection device, 10, 10D, 10E, 10F...transmitting unit, 11, 11E...transmitting unit main body, 12...mirror, 13...transmitting element, 13a...transmitting surface, 13a1...inner region, 13a2...peripheral region, 14, 14E...holding case, 15F...protrusion, 21...receiving unit, 21a...receiving surface, 100...packaging container, 101...container member, 103...joint portion, 105...non-joined portion (predetermined object), 105a...outer surface (surface), 200...cup-shaped container (packaging container), 201A...cup-shaped member (container member), 201B...sheet-shaped member (container member), 203...joint portion, 205...side wall portion (predetermined object), 205a...outer surface (surface), W...ultrasonic wave

Claims

1. An ultrasonic inspection device for inspecting a packaging container having a joint portion in which edges of container members are overlapped and joined, a transmitter that transmits ultrasonic waves toward at least a base end of the joint protruding from the surface of the predetermined object, the base end being located on the side of the predetermined object, while the joint protruding from the surface of the predetermined object in a direction perpendicular to the surface; a plurality of receiving units each having a receiving surface that receives the ultrasonic waves transmitted through the joint portion; The transmitting unit includes a transmitting unit main body that transmits ultrasonic waves; a mirror that reflects the ultrasonic waves transmitted from the transmitter body, the transmitter body has a transmitting surface that transmits ultrasonic waves, The mirror is arranged in an ultrasonic inspection device so as to reflect ultrasonic waves transmitted from an inner region of the transmitting surface excluding a peripheral region, and so that the reflected ultrasonic waves propagate at least toward the base end.

2. An ultrasonic inspection device as described in Claim 1, wherein the multiple receiving units are arranged in a matrix or array in a direction intersecting the direction in which the ultrasonic waves travel toward the joint portion.

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