Beverage container inspection device and beverage container inspection method

Abstract

To provide a device and method for inspecting beverage containers, which enable simplification of the device configuration and can detect defects in beverage containers with enhanced accuracy.SOLUTION: A beverage container inspection device according to an embodiment comprises a conveyor unit 5 for conveying beverage containers, an odor detection unit 20 configured to detect odors from beverage containers conveyed by the conveyor unit 5, and an anomaly determination unit 30 configured to determine the presence or absence of anomalies in the beverage containers from odors detected by the odor detection unit 20.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a beverage container inspection device and a beverage container inspection method for inspecting beverage containers. [Background technology]

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2016-14589 describes a container inspection method and a container inspection device. The container inspection device inspects the presence or absence of defects in the bottom of a bottle serving as a container. The container inspection device includes an illumination device that illuminates the bottle and a camera that photographs the side of the bottle. The illumination device irradiates the bottom of the bottle with light from diagonally below, and the camera is installed diagonally above the bottom of the bottle. When the illumination device irradiates the bottom of the bottle with light from diagonally below, the image of the bottle photographed by the camera is captured as dark-field illumination. However, if there is a defect in the bottle, the light from the illumination device is scattered by the defect, making it possible to photograph the defect with the camera.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 61-88146 describes a method and apparatus for inspecting glass bottles. In this method and apparatus, acoustic energy is irradiated onto a glass bottle to inspect the presence or absence of defects in the glass bottle. The acoustic energy irradiated onto the glass bottle travels from the sound source to the receiver via the liquid inside the glass bottle. However, if the glass bottle has a defect, some of the acoustic energy is reflected from the defect. In this method and apparatus, the presence of the defect is detected by detecting the acoustic energy reflected from the defect. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-14589 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 61-88146 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The container inspection device described above uses light to detect defects in beverage containers, while the method and device described above uses acoustic energy to detect defects in beverage containers. However, when inspecting beverage containers using light, a lighting device and a camera are required, and when inspecting using acoustic energy, a sound source and a receiver are required.

[0006] As described above, when inspecting beverage containers using light or acoustic energy, a source for transmitting light or acoustic energy to the beverage container and a source for receiving the light or acoustic energy are required, which can result in a complex and large-scale device configuration. Furthermore, the cost of the device can be high. Furthermore, when detecting defects in beverage containers by transmitting light or acoustic energy to the beverage container, a problem can arise in that the defects cannot be detected unless the transmitted light or acoustic energy is directed at the defects. Therefore, there is room for improvement in the accuracy of detecting defects in beverage containers.

[0007] The present disclosure aims to provide a beverage container inspection device and a beverage container inspection method that can simplify the device configuration and increase the accuracy of detecting defects in beverage containers. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] As a result of extensive research conducted by the present inventors to solve the above-mentioned problems, they discovered that odor can be utilized instead of the above-mentioned light or acoustic energy. One aspect of the present invention is based on this finding. A beverage container inspection device according to the present disclosure includes a conveying unit that conveys beverage containers, an odor detection unit that detects odors from the beverage containers conveyed by the conveying unit, and an abnormality determination unit that determines whether or not there is an abnormality in the beverage container based on the odor detected by the odor detection unit.

[0009] In this beverage container inspection device, a conveying unit conveys beverage containers. An odor detection unit detects the odor of the beverage container conveyed by the conveying unit, and an abnormality determination unit determines whether or not there is an abnormality in the beverage container based on the odor detected by the odor detection unit. If a beverage container has a defect, the defect may emit an odor from the beverage, etc., and this odor propagates through the air. In this beverage container inspection device, the odor detection unit detects the odor emitted from the defect in the beverage container, and the abnormality determination unit determines whether or not there is an abnormality in the beverage container based on the detected odor. Therefore, by determining the beverage container based on the odor, the aforementioned arrangement of a transmitter and receiver is unnecessary, simplifying the device configuration and reducing the cost of the device. This beverage container inspection device does not emit light or acoustic energy to the beverage container, but rather determines whether or not there is an abnormality in the beverage container based on the odor from the transported beverage container, thereby enabling high-accuracy detection of beverage container defects. That is, by determining whether or not there is an abnormality based on the odor from a defect in the beverage container, the defect can be reliably detected and the presence or absence of an abnormality in the beverage container can be determined with high accuracy.

[0010] The abnormality determination unit may determine that a beverage container is abnormal when the amount of change in odor per unit time is equal to or greater than a certain value. Incidentally, the odor detection value detected by the odor detection unit may fluctuate depending on the ambient temperature or humidity of the conveying unit. Therefore, even if the odor detection value is equal to or greater than a certain value, there may be no abnormality in the beverage container, and even if the odor detection value is not equal to or greater than a certain value, there may be an abnormality in the beverage container. As described above, when determining that an abnormality has occurred when the amount of change in odor per unit time is large, the influence of the temperature, humidity, etc. can be eliminated. In other words, by determining that an abnormality has occurred when the amount of change in odor per unit time is large, it is possible to more accurately determine an abnormality in the beverage container.

[0011] The odor detection unit may be located downstream of the beverage container conveying path in the conveying unit. In this case, by locating the odor detection unit downstream of the beverage container conveying path, abnormal beverage containers can be detected downstream of the conveying path, and defective beverage containers can be more reliably prevented from being discharged. In other words, if the odor detection unit is located midway along the conveying path, it may not be possible to detect an abnormality downstream of where the odor detection unit is located. However, if the odor detection unit is located downstream of the conveying path, it can reliably detect the abnormality.

[0012] The beverage container may be a bottle containing a beverage. In this case, the odor detection unit detects odors from defects such as cracks in the bottle, and the abnormality determination unit determines whether or not there is an abnormality in the bottle. Bottles can become more prone to breakage over time, and therefore may be more prone to defects than other beverage containers. Even when transporting such bottles, the odor detection unit detects odors from defects and the abnormality determination unit determines whether or not there is an abnormality, thereby making it possible to determine with high accuracy whether or not there is a defect in the bottle.

[0013] The odor detection unit may include a suction unit that sucks air from the beverage container being transported by the transport unit, and an odor sensor that detects the odor of the air sucked by the suction unit. In this case, the suction unit sucks air from the beverage container, and the odor sensor detects the odor from the sucked air. This makes it easier to detect odors, and therefore, it is possible to more accurately determine abnormalities in the beverage container.

[0014] The beverage container inspection method of the present disclosure includes a step of transporting a beverage container, a step of detecting an odor from the beverage container transported in the beverage container transporting step, and a step of determining whether or not there is an abnormality in the beverage container from the odor detected in the odor detection step.

[0015] In this beverage container inspection method, an odor from a transported beverage container is detected. Then, the presence or absence of an abnormality in the beverage container is determined based on the detected odor. That is, if a beverage container has a defect, the odor resulting from the defect is detected, and the presence or absence of an abnormality in the beverage container is determined based on the detected odor. Therefore, by determining the presence or absence of an abnormality in the beverage container based on the odor, the above-mentioned arrangement of a transmitter and receiver is unnecessary. This simplifies the configuration of the device and reduces the cost of the device. In this beverage container inspection method, the presence or absence of an abnormality in the beverage container is determined based on the odor from the transported beverage container without emitting light or acoustic energy to the beverage container. Therefore, defects in the beverage container can be detected with high accuracy. That is, since the presence or absence of an abnormality is determined based on the odor from the defect in the beverage container, the defect can be reliably detected and the presence or absence of an abnormality in the beverage container can be determined with high accuracy. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the present disclosure, the configuration of the device can be simplified and the accuracy of detecting defects in beverage containers can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is a plan view schematically showing a beverage container inspection device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 3 is a diagram schematically showing a beverage container being transported in a transport unit of the beverage container inspection device; FIG. [Figure 3] 3 is a perspective view of an exemplary pallet for carrying the beverage containers of FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an example of an odor detection unit according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a part of the odor detection unit of FIG. 4. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically illustrating an odor sensor and a suction unit of the odor detection unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of the odor sensor of FIG. 6. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] Below, embodiments of a beverage container inspection device and a beverage container inspection method according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the beverage container inspection device and the beverage container inspection method according to the present disclosure are not limited to the contents of the embodiments described below. In the description of the drawings, identical or corresponding elements are given the same reference numerals, and duplicate explanations will be omitted as appropriate. Furthermore, the drawings may be partially simplified or exaggerated to facilitate understanding, and dimensional proportions and the like are not limited to those shown in the drawings.

[0019] In the present disclosure, "beverage" refers to a drinkable liquid or semi-solid. Examples of beverages include alcoholic beverages such as beer, chuhai, happoshu, and wine. However, beverages may also be non-alcoholic carbonated drinks or soft drinks. "Beverage container" refers to a container that contains a beverage. Beverage containers include various containers, such as bottles, cans, barrels, or plastic bottles that contain beverages. The beverage container inspection device according to the present disclosure includes an odor detection unit. "Odor" refers to an odor, for example, the odor of a beverage. As an example, the odor detection unit may detect the odor of an alcoholic beverage.

[0020] Fig. 1 is a plan view schematically showing an exemplary beverage container inspection device 1. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of a beverage container C to be transported. The beverage container inspection device 1, as an example, inspects beverage containers C that are bottles. The beverage container inspection device 1 includes, for example, a weight checker W located upstream of a palletizer 2 on the transport path of the beverage containers C.

[0021] The weight checker W inspects the beverage container C for abnormalities by measuring the weight of the beverage container C being transported. Specifically, the weight checker W determines that the beverage container C is abnormal if its weight is less than a certain value. In other words, if the beverage container C breaks or becomes defective, the beverage will leak from the beverage container C and the weight of the beverage container C will become lighter. The weight checker W detects this lighter beverage container C and determines that the beverage container C is abnormal.

[0022] The beverage container inspection device 1 includes a palletizer 2, a bundling machine 3, a conveying unit 5, and an abnormality detection unit 10, located downstream of a weight checker W on the conveying path of beverage containers C. In the beverage container inspection device 1, for example, the palletizer 2 loads P boxes B containing beverage containers C onto a pallet P, and the pallet P on which the P boxes B are loaded is conveyed. As an example, a P box B contains multiple beverage containers C, and multiple P boxes B are loaded on the pallet P. For example, five layers of P boxes B are loaded on the pallet P.

[0023] For example, the bundling machine 3 bundles multiple P boxes B loaded on the palletizer 2. As an example, the bundling machine 3 bundles multiple P boxes B by tying the multiple P boxes B together with string. This prevents the multiple P boxes B loaded on the pallet P from tipping over. The transport unit 5 is, for example, a conveyor that transports the pallet P on which the multiple P boxes B are loaded.

[0024] As described above, the palletizer 2, bundling machine 3, and conveying section 5 are provided downstream of the weight checker W on the conveying path of the beverage containers C, and there is a possibility that defects will occur in the beverage containers C at any of the palletizer 2, bundling machine 3, and conveying section 5. In other words, there is a possibility that cracks or the like will occur in the beverage containers C when the palletizer 2 loads the P boxes B onto the pallet P, when the bundling machine 3 bundles the P boxes B, or when the pallet P is conveyed by the conveying section 5.

[0025] In order to detect the above cracks and the like, the beverage container inspection device 1 according to this embodiment is equipped with an abnormality detection unit 10. The abnormality detection unit 10 is arranged, for example, at a downstream portion of the conveying path of the beverage containers C in the conveying unit 5. The "downstream portion of the conveying path" refers, for example, to an area on the downstream side of the conveying path. The "downstream portion of the conveying path" may be an area including the downstream end of the conveying path, or may be an area upstream of the downstream end of the conveying path. As an example, the abnormality detection unit 10 may be arranged at the most downstream portion of the conveying path of the beverage containers C.

[0026] By arranging the abnormality detection unit 10 in this manner, even if a defect occurs in a beverage container C downstream of the weight checker W (for example, in any of the palletizer 2, the binding machine 3, and the conveying unit 5), the abnormal beverage container C can be reliably detected. As a result, the shipment of defective beverage containers C can be reliably prevented.

[0027] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an exemplary pallet P. As shown in FIG. 3, the exemplary pallet P has a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The pallet P has, for example, a pair of openings P1 on one of its multiple side surfaces. The pair of openings P1 are, for example, holes into which the claws of a forklift are inserted. With the claws of the forklift inserted into the pair of openings P1, the pallet P loaded with multiple P boxes B can be moved by a forklift. For example, the forklift lifts and moves the pallet P carrying beverage containers C determined to be normal at the most downstream portion of the conveying section 5 from the conveying section 5, and stores the moved pallet P in a warehouse.

[0028] 1, the abnormality detection unit 10 detects, for example, whether or not there is an abnormality in the beverage containers C contained in each of a plurality of P boxes B loaded on a pallet P being transported along a transport unit 5. As an example, the abnormality detection unit 10 includes an odor detection unit 20 that detects the odor of the beverage containers C being transported, and an abnormality determination unit 30 that determines whether or not there is an abnormality in the beverage containers C from the odor detected by the odor detection unit 20.

[0029] Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing an exemplary odor detection unit 20. As shown in Fig. 4, the odor detection unit 20 is disposed to extend in a direction D2 that intersects with a conveying direction D1 of the beverage containers C in the conveying unit 5. For example, the conveying unit 5 has a plurality of chains 5b, 5c that extend along the conveying direction D1 and are aligned along the direction D2. Note that Fig. 4 simplifies the illustration of the chains 5b, 5c.

[0030] As an example, two chains 5c are arranged between a pair of chains 5b located at one end and the other end of the direction D2, and the two chains 5c are aligned along the conveying direction D1. The odor detection unit 20 is arranged, for example, between the two chains 5c aligned along the conveying direction D1.

[0031] The exemplary odor detection unit 20 has a first pipe line 21 and a second pipe line 22 connected to the first pipe line 21. For example, the odor detection unit 20 has a pair of first pipe lines 21 aligned along direction D2 and a second pipe line 22 connecting the pair of first pipe lines 21 to each other. The first pipe line 21 and the second pipe line 22 are made of resin. As an example, the first pipe line 21 and the second pipe line 22 are made of polyvinyl chloride. However, the materials of the first pipe line 21 and the second pipe line 22 are not particularly limited.

[0032] The first pipe line 21 is a portion into which odors (air) from the beverage containers C being transported to the transport unit 5 enter. The first pipe line 21 extends in a direction D2 intersecting the transport direction D1 of the transport unit 5. This allows odors to be sucked through the first pipe line 21 from a wide area of ​​the transport unit 5. The first pipe line 21 has holes 21b that take in air into the first pipe line 21. As an example, the first pipe line 21 has a plurality of holes 21b, and the plurality of holes 21b are aligned along the longitudinal direction of the first pipe line 21 (for example, direction D2).

[0033] For example, the length of the first conduit 21 (length in direction D2) is 100 mm or more and 2000 mm or less. The length of the first conduit 21 may be 200 mm or more, 300 mm or more, or 400 mm or more. The length of the first conduit 21 may also be 1800 mm or less, 1600 mm or less, 1400 mm or less, 1300 mm or less, or 1200 mm or less. The size of the holes 21b (the width of the holes 21b, or the inner diameter of the holes 21b if the holes 21b are circular) is, for example, 5 mm or more and 10 mm or less. The size of the holes 21b may be 6 mm or more or 7 mm or more. The size of the holes 21b may also be 9 mm or less or 8 mm or less. The spacing between the holes 21b is, for example, 10 mm or more and 100 mm or less. The spacing between the holes 21b may also be 15 mm or more, 20 mm or more, 30 mm or more, or 40 mm or more. The interval between holes 21b may be 90 mm or less, 80 mm or less, 70 mm or less, 60 mm or less, or 50 mm or less. However, the length of first pipe line 21, the size of hole 21b, and the interval between holes 21b may be values ​​other than those described above and are not particularly limited.

[0034] Fig. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the second pipeline 22 connecting the pair of first pipelines 21. As shown in Fig. 5, for example, the second pipeline 22 is a T-pipe. As an example, the second pipeline 22 has a pair of connecting portions 22b to which the pair of first pipelines 21 are respectively connected, and an extending portion 22c extending downward from between the pair of connecting portions 22b.

[0035] For example, the inner diameter of connecting portion 22b is larger than the outer diameter of first conduit 21, and first conduit 21 is connected to connecting portion 22b by being inserted into connecting portion 22b. However, the connection manner of first conduit 21 at connecting portion 22b is not limited to the above example. Extension portion 22c extends downward from connecting portion 22b. Due to connecting portion 22b and extension portion 22c of second conduit 22, air entering from first conduit 21 passes through connecting portion 22b and extension portion 22c.

[0036] 6, odor detection unit 20 includes connecting pipe 23 connected to extension portion 22c, suction portion 24 that draws air from first pipe 21 and second pipe 22 into connecting pipe 23, and odor sensor 25 that detects odor in the air passing through connecting pipe 23. The end of connecting pipe 23 opposite suction portion 24 (upper right in FIG. 6) is connected to extension portion 22c.

[0037] Suction unit 24 is, for example, a fan unit that sucks air through connecting pipe 23. As an example, suction unit 24 has housing 24b, fan 24c housed in housing 24b, and power cable 24d that supplies power to fan 24c. Housing 24b is, for example, box-shaped.

[0038] Housing 24b has a connection part 24f connected to connecting pipe 23, and air is taken into housing 24b from connecting pipe 23 via connection part 24f. Fan 24c, for example, rotates inside housing 24b, and as fan 24c rotates, air is taken in from connecting pipe 23. The air taken in by fan 24c is discharged to the outside of housing 24b from the side of housing 24b opposite connecting pipe 23.

[0039] Power cable 24d passes through housing 24b and is connected to fan 24c, and power is supplied to fan 24c via power cable 24d. Fan 24c receives power from power cable 24d and rotates, generating an airflow from connecting pipe 23 toward suction unit 24. Air is sucked into suction unit 24 by this airflow.

[0040] Odor sensor 25 is connected, for example, to an intermediate portion of connecting pipe line 23. For example, connecting pipe line 23 includes T-pipe 23b, and odor sensor 25 is connected to T-pipe 23b. Odor sensor 25 is attached to a portion of connecting pipe line 23 (for example, T-pipe 23b) branching off from connecting pipe line 23 toward suction unit 24. Odor sensor 25 detects odors from the airflow in connecting pipe line 23 toward suction unit 24.

[0041] 7 is a perspective view showing a schematic diagram of odor sensor 25. As an example, odor sensor 25 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape. Odor sensor 25 quantifies, for example, the odor intensity in the air passing through connecting pipe 23. As an example, odor sensor 25 displays the odor intensity as a three-digit detection value X. In this case, detection value X is displayed as a numerical value between 0 and 100.

[0042] Odor sensor 25 includes, for example, a memory that stores the numerical value of the detected odor intensity (detection value X). Exemplary odor sensor 25 includes display unit 25b that displays odor intensity detection value X, intake unit 25c that takes in air from connecting pipe 23, exhaust unit that exhausts the taken-in air, and operation button 25f. In addition to odor detection value X, display unit 25b may also display the battery level or remaining memory.

[0043] Intake portion 25c is a portion that takes in air from connection pipe 23, and odor sensor 25 digitizes the odor of the air taken in from intake portion 25c as detection value X. Operation button 25f is made up of, for example, multiple buttons. As an example, operation button 25f includes a power button and a detection start / stop button.

[0044] The detection value X of the odor detected by odor sensor 25 is judged by abnormality judgment unit 30. In the above example, the odor of the air that enters first pipe 21 through hole 21b of first pipe 21 and passes through second pipe 22 to connecting pipe 23 is detected by odor sensor 25, and abnormality judgment unit 30 judges the detection value X of odor sensor 25.

[0045] 1 and 7, the abnormality determination unit 30 determines whether or not there is an abnormality in the beverage container C passing through the conveying unit 5, for example, based on the odor detection value X detected by the odor sensor 25. If the beverage container C has a defect such as a crack or chip, for example, the beverage (or the odor of the beverage) will leak from the beverage container C, and the odor of the leaked beverage will spread. The odor sensor 25 detects this spread odor as the detection value X, and the abnormality determination unit 30 determines whether or not there is an abnormality (defect) in the beverage container C based on the detection value X.

[0046] As an example, the abnormality determination unit 30 determines whether or not there is an abnormality in the beverage container C based on the detection value X of the odor sensor 25. As a specific example, the abnormality determination unit 30 determines that the beverage container C is defective and abnormal when the amount of change in the detection value X of the odor sensor 25 per certain time period (for example, 15 seconds) is equal to or greater than a certain value. As an example, the certain value (for example, the certain value when the detection value X is expressed as a numerical value from 0 to 100) is 3. In this case, the beverage container C is determined to be abnormal when the amount of change in the detection value X of the odor sensor 25 per certain time period is equal to or greater than 3. However, the certain value may be a value other than 3, such as 1, 2, 5, or 10, and can be changed as appropriate. For example, the abnormality determination unit 30 determines that the beverage container C is normal and not defective when the amount of change in the detection value X of the odor sensor 25 per certain time period is not equal to or greater than the certain value.

[0047] Next, an example of the steps of the beverage container inspection method according to this embodiment will be described. Note that the steps of the beverage container inspection method according to the present disclosure are not limited to the following example. First, a weight checker W measures the weight of the beverage container C being transported, and detects whether the beverage container C has any abnormalities such as cracks or chips (a step of measuring the weight of the beverage container and detecting abnormalities in the beverage container).

[0048] Next, the beverage containers C are transported to the palletizer 2, where P boxes B containing multiple beverage containers C are loaded onto a pallet P (a process of loading P boxes containing beverage containers onto a pallet). After that, a bundling machine 3 bundles the multiple P boxes B loaded onto the pallet P with string (a process of bundling P boxes).

[0049] The pallet P carrying the P boxes B with the strings tied by the binding machine 3 is transported by the transport unit 5 (a process of transporting beverage containers). The pallet P then reaches a location where the odor detection unit 20 is located, and the odor detection unit 20 detects the odor of the beverage containers C being transported by the transport unit 5 (a process of detecting odors).

[0050] In the step of detecting odor, for example, air is introduced into first pipe line 21 through hole 21b of first pipe line 21, and the air inside first pipe line 21 is supplied to connecting pipe line 23 via second pipe line 22. Then, odor sensor 25 detects the odor of the air supplied to connecting pipe line 23. At this time, fan 24c of suction unit 24 may be activated to suck the air from hole 21b of first pipe line 21 into connecting pipe line 23 via second pipe line 22 (step of sucking air).

[0051] As described above, for example, odor sensor 25 digitizes the detected odor. Abnormality determination unit 30 determines whether or not there is an abnormality in beverage container C based on the detected odor (a process of determining whether or not there is an abnormality in the beverage container). For example, abnormality determination unit 30 determines that beverage container C is abnormal when the amount of change in the detection value (digitized odor) of odor sensor 25 per certain period of time is equal to or greater than a certain value.

[0052] When the abnormality determination unit 30 determines that a beverage container C is abnormal, it may, for example, stop the conveyance of the beverage container C by the conveying unit 5. Furthermore, the abnormality determination unit 30 may be provided with a rejection device downstream of the conveyance path of the beverage container C in the conveying unit 5, and may reject the beverage container C determined to be abnormal by the rejection device when it determines that a beverage container C is abnormal. On the other hand, when the abnormality determination unit 30 determines that there is no abnormality in the beverage container C based on the detected odor, the beverage container inspection device 1 continues conveying the beverage container C. Then, the pallet P is lifted at the most downstream part of the conveying unit 5, and the beverage container C is stored in a warehouse (a process of lifting the beverage container from the conveying unit and storing the beverage container in a warehouse). Through the above steps, a series of steps in the beverage container inspection method is completed.

[0053] Next, the effects obtained from the beverage container inspection device 1 and beverage container inspection method according to this embodiment will be described. In the beverage container inspection device 1 and beverage container inspection method according to this embodiment, the conveying unit 5 conveys the beverage container C. The odor detection unit 20 then detects the odor of the beverage container C conveyed by the conveying unit 5, and the abnormality determination unit 30 determines whether or not there is an abnormality in the beverage container C from the odor detected by the odor detection unit 20. If a defect occurs in the beverage container C, the defect may cause an odor from the beverage, etc., and this odor propagates through the air.

[0054] In the beverage container inspection device 1 and beverage container inspection method according to this embodiment, odor detection unit 20 detects odors caused by defects in beverage containers C, and abnormality determination unit 30 determines whether or not there is an abnormality in the beverage container C from the detected odor. Therefore, by determining the beverage container C from the odor, it is not necessary to provide a source of light or acoustic energy transmission and reception used as a sensor, which simplifies the configuration of the device and reduces the cost of the device.

[0055] The beverage container inspection device 1 and beverage container inspection method according to this embodiment do not emit light or acoustic energy to the beverage container C, but rather determine whether or not there is an abnormality in the beverage container C based on the odor from the transported beverage container C, thereby enabling highly accurate detection of defects in the beverage container C. In other words, by determining whether or not there is an abnormality based on the odor from the defect in the beverage container C, the defect can be reliably detected and the presence or absence of an abnormality in the beverage container C can be determined with high accuracy.

[0056] The abnormality determination unit 30 may determine that the beverage container C is abnormal when the amount of change in odor per unit time is equal to or greater than a certain value. Incidentally, the odor detection value X detected by the odor detection unit 20 may fluctuate depending on the ambient temperature, humidity, etc. of the conveying unit 5. Therefore, even if the odor detection value X is equal to or greater than a certain value, there may be no abnormality in the beverage container C. Alternatively, there may be an abnormality in the beverage container C even if the odor detection value X is less than the certain value. When determining that an abnormality has occurred when the amount of change in odor per unit time is large, as in this embodiment, the influence of the temperature, humidity, etc., can be eliminated. In other words, by determining that an abnormality has occurred when the amount of change in odor per unit time is large, the abnormality determination for the beverage container C can be performed with higher accuracy.

[0057] The odor detection unit 20 may be disposed downstream of the conveying path of the beverage containers C in the conveying unit 5. In this case, by disposing the odor detection unit 20 downstream of the conveying path of the beverage containers C, it is possible to detect abnormal beverage containers C downstream of the conveying path and more reliably prevent defective beverage containers C from being discharged. In other words, if the odor detection unit 20 is disposed midway along the conveying path, there is a possibility that an abnormality occurring downstream of the location where the odor detection unit 20 is disposed may not be detected. However, if the odor detection unit 20 is disposed downstream of the conveying path, it is possible to reliably detect the abnormality.

[0058] The beverage container C may be a bottle containing a beverage. In this case, the odor detection unit 20 detects odors from defects such as cracks in the bottle, and the abnormality determination unit 30 determines whether or not there is an abnormality in the bottle. Bottles can become more prone to breaking over time, and so may be more prone to defects than other beverage containers C. Even when such bottles are transported, the odor detection unit 20 detects odors from defects and the abnormality determination unit 30 determines whether or not there is an abnormality, thereby making it possible to determine with high accuracy whether or not there is a defect in the bottle.

[0059] Odor detection unit 20 may include suction unit 24 that sucks air from beverage containers C being transported in transport unit 5, and odor sensor 25 that detects odors in the air sucked by suction unit 24. In this case, suction unit 24 sucks air from beverage containers C, and odor sensor 25 detects odors from the sucked air. This makes it easier to detect odors, and therefore, makes it possible to more accurately determine abnormalities in beverage containers C.

[0060] The above describes embodiments of the beverage container inspection device and beverage container inspection method according to the present disclosure. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and may be modified or applied to other applications without departing from the spirit of the claims. In other words, the shape, size, material, number, and arrangement of each part of the beverage container inspection device, as well as the content and order of the steps of the beverage container inspection method, may be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure.

[0061] For example, in the above-described embodiment, odor sensor 25 has display section 25b, intake section 25c, exhaust section, and operation button 25f. However, the odor sensor according to the present disclosure is not limited to odor sensor 25 and can be modified as appropriate. In other words, various odor sensors can be used.

[0062] In the above-described embodiment, the odor detection unit 20 has been described as having the first pipe line 21, the second pipe line 22, and the connecting pipe line 23. However, the configuration of the piping extending to the odor sensor 25 is not limited to the first pipe line 21, the second pipe line 22, and the connecting pipe line 23, and can be changed as appropriate. Furthermore, the shape, size, number, and arrangement of the holes in the first pipe line 21 are not limited to the above-described hole 21b, and can be changed as appropriate.

[0063] For example, in the above-described embodiment, a beverage container inspection device 1 is described that includes an abnormality detection unit 10 having an odor detection unit 20 and an abnormality determination unit 30, located downstream of the conveying path of the conveying unit 5. However, the number and locations of the odor detection units 20 and the number and locations of the abnormality determination units 30 are not limited to those in the above-described embodiment and can be changed as appropriate. For example, the beverage container inspection device may include multiple odor detection units 20. In this case, odors can be detected at multiple locations, further improving the accuracy of abnormality detection.

[0064] In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the odor detection unit 20 and the abnormality determination unit 30 are disposed downstream of the conveying path of the conveying unit 5. However, the locations of the odor detection unit 20 and the abnormality determination unit 30 are not limited to downstream of the conveying path of the conveying unit 5. For example, the odor detection unit 20 and the abnormality determination unit 30 may be disposed in the palletizer 2. Furthermore, the odor detection unit 20 may be detachable from the conveying unit 5. In this case, the odor detection unit 20 can be disposed in any location.

[0065] In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which suction unit 24 is a fan unit and is provided at the end of connecting pipe line 23. However, the location of suction unit 24 is not limited to the end of connecting pipe line 23 and can be changed as appropriate. Furthermore, suction unit 24 can be omitted. In other words, the beverage container inspection device according to the present disclosure may not have suction unit 24.

[0066] In the above-described embodiment, a beverage container inspection device 1 has been exemplified, which includes a palletizer 2, a bundling machine 3, and a weight checker W. However, the beverage container inspection device may not include any of the palletizer 2, the bundling machine 3, and the weight checker W, and the configuration of the beverage container inspection device can be changed as appropriate.

[0067] In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the odor detection unit 20 detects the odor of beverage containers C contained in P boxes B loaded on a pallet P. However, the odor detection unit 20 may also detect the odor of beverage containers C other than beverage containers C contained in P boxes B loaded on a pallet P (for example, beverage containers C contained in P boxes B and transported by the conveying unit 5, or beverage containers C transported directly by the conveying unit 5). Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the beverage containers C are bottles. However, the beverage containers according to the present disclosure are not limited to bottles and may be, for example, beverage cans, barrels, or PET bottles, and are not particularly limited. [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 1...beverage container inspection device, 2...palletizer, 3...binding machine, 5...conveying section, 5b, 5c...chain, 10...abnormality detection section, 20...odor detection section, 21...first pipe, 21b...hole, 22...second pipe, 22b...connecting section, 22c...extending section, 23...connecting pipe, 23b...T-pipe, 24...suction section, 24b...casing, 24c...fan, 24d...power cable, 24f...connecting section, 25...odor sensor, 25b...display section, 25c...intake section, 25f...operation button, 30...abnormality determination section, B...P box, C...beverage container, D1...conveying direction, D2...direction, P...pallet, P1...opening, W...weight checker.

Claims

1. a conveying unit that conveys beverage containers; an odor detection unit that detects odors from the beverage containers transported by the transport unit; an abnormality determination unit that determines whether or not there is an abnormality in the beverage container based on the odor detected by the odor detection unit; Equipped with the odor detection unit includes a first pipeline into which air from the beverage container transported by the transport unit enters, a suction unit that sucks the air through the first pipeline, and an odor sensor that detects odor in the air sucked by the suction unit, the first pipeline extends in a longitudinal direction of the first pipeline, which is a direction intersecting a conveying direction of the conveying unit, the first pipe has a plurality of holes aligned along the longitudinal direction, The odor detection unit is disposed downstream of a weight checker in a conveyance path of the beverage container. Beverage container inspection equipment.

2. The abnormality determination unit determines that the beverage container is abnormal when a change in the odor per a certain period of time is equal to or greater than a certain value. The beverage container inspection device according to claim 1.

3. The beverage container is a bottle containing a beverage.

3. The beverage container inspection device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. conveying the beverage container; detecting an odor from the beverage container conveyed in the beverage container conveying step; a step of determining whether or not there is an abnormality in the beverage container based on the odor detected in the step of detecting the odor; Equipped with the odor detecting step is performed by an odor detecting unit including a first pipe into which air from the transported beverage container enters, a suction unit that sucks the air through the first pipe, and an odor sensor that detects the odor of the air sucked by the suction unit; The first pipe line extends in a longitudinal direction of the first pipe line, which is a direction intersecting a conveying direction in which the beverage container is conveyed, the first pipe has a plurality of holes aligned along the longitudinal direction, The odor detection unit is disposed downstream of a weight checker in a conveyance path of the beverage container. Beverage container inspection methods.

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