Inspection device, inspection method, and inspection program

Abstract

To provide an inspection device, an inspection method and an inspection program with which it is possible to accurately inspect a sealed container for airtightness even when there is a variation for each sealed container in the concentration of a gas in an internal space of the sealed container.SOLUTION: The inspection device comprises: a conveyance unit for conveying a vial which is sealed up, with its headspace replaced with a gas; a laser generation unit for emitting a laser beam in a prescribed wavelength to the headspace of the vial being conveyed; a laser reception unit for receiving the laser beam; a gas concentration measurement unit for measuring an oxygen concentration in the headspace on the basis of the absorbed amount of prescribed wavelength of the laser beam having passed through the headspace and received by the laser reception unit; an identification unit for identifying each individual vial; a storage unit for storing the measured oxygen concentration for each vial; and an assessment unit which, with oxygen concentrations measured twice for the same vial, assesses the airtightness of the vial based on the comparison of the oxygen concentration measured for the first time with the oxygen concentration measured for the second time.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an inspection device, an inspection method, and an inspection program. [Background technology]

[0002] A headspace gas laser analysis method is known as a method for inspecting the integrity of the seal of a sealed container, which inspects the gas components in the sealed container with high sensitivity and high speed. Conventionally, an inspection device using this headspace gas laser analysis method is known, as described in Patent Document 1.

[0003] The automated headspace analysis system described in Patent Document 1 is configured to move a sample vial and a reference vial along a path through an inspection area together with at least one reference vial so that as the sample and reference vials pass through the inspection area, the same laser beam passes through both the sample and reference vials and reaches a beam detector. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2007-508567 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In order to use the headspace gas laser analysis method described above, a gas such as nitrogen gas is sealed in a sealed container as a headspace material.

[0006] Here, the gas concentration in the head space inside the sealed container after the gas is sealed may vary from one sealed container to another. If an inexpensive gas replacement device is used as the gas replacement device for filling the sealed container with gas, the variation in the gas concentration in the head space between the sealed containers becomes more pronounced.

[0007] The automated headspace analysis system described in Patent Document 1 only detects headspace gas by irradiating a sample vial with a laser beam once, and therefore cannot accurately inspect the integrity of the seal in the sealed container if there are variations in the gas concentration in the headspace between sealed containers, as described above.

[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and aims to provide an inspection device, an inspection method, and an inspection program that can accurately inspect the airtightness of sealed containers even when there is variation in the gas concentration in the space within each sealed container. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The inspection device according to the present invention is configured such that the space inside the container is gas-substituted and sealed. , identification information is attached to each a conveying unit that conveys the sealed container; a laser generating unit that emits laser light of a predetermined wavelength into the space of the sealed container being conveyed; a laser receiving unit that receives the laser light; and a gas concentration measuring unit that measures the gas concentration in the space of the sealed container based on the absorption amount of the predetermined wavelength of the laser light that is transmitted through the space of the sealed container and received by the laser receiving unit. Read the identification information an identification unit that identifies each of the sealed containers; and a recording unit that records the gas concentration measured by the gas concentration measuring unit for each of the sealed containers; a determination unit that determines the airtightness of the sealed container based on the gas concentration, The gas concentration is measured multiple times for the same sealed container, and the hermeticity of the sealed container is determined based on a comparison of at least two of the gas concentrations recorded by the recording unit. R .

[0010] With this configuration, the inspection device according to the present invention measures the gas concentration of the same sealed container multiple times and determines the hermeticity of the sealed container based on a comparison of at least two of the gas concentrations. Therefore, the hermeticity of the sealed container can be determined by comparing the results of the multiple measurements and checking any changes. Therefore, even if the gas concentration in the space within each sealed container varies from container to container, the hermeticity of the sealed container can be accurately inspected.

[0011] In the inspection device according to the present invention, the gas concentration is measured twice for the same sealed container, and when the difference between the first gas concentration and the second gas concentration recorded by the recording unit is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, the determination unit determines that the sealed container is insufficiently sealed. The sealed container is discharged into a sealed NG discharge path among the plurality of discharge paths. It has a configuration as follows.

[0012] With this configuration, the inspection device of the present invention determines the airtightness of a sealed container based on the difference between the gas concentration measured the first time and the gas concentration measured the second time. Therefore, even if the gas concentration measured the first time varies from sealed container to sealed container, the airtightness can be accurately inspected for each sealed container without being affected by the variation in the gas concentration measured the first time.

[0013] In the inspection device according to the present invention, the gas filled into the sealed container by the gas substitution is nitrogen gas, and the gas concentration measuring unit is configured to measure the oxygen gas concentration in the space portion of the sealed container.

[0014] With this configuration, the inspection device of the present invention can inspect the airtightness of a sealed container by measuring the concentration of oxygen gas that flows into the sealed container from the atmosphere over time if the sealed container is not airtight enough.

[0015] In the inspection device according to the present invention, the recording unit has a configuration including a storage unit that stores the identification information of the sealed container and the gas concentration measured the first time in association with each other.

[0016] With this configuration, the inspection device according to the present invention can compare the gas concentration measured the second time and thereafter with the gas concentration measured the first time.

[0017] In the inspection device according to the present invention, the recording unit is configured to print at least one of information indicating the gas concentration measured the first time and identification information of the sealed container on the sealed container.

[0018] With this configuration, the testing device according to the present invention can compare the gas concentration measured the second time or later with the gas concentration measured the first time. Furthermore, since there is no need to label the vial with identification information before testing, the burden of testing can be reduced.

[0019] In the inspection device of the present invention, the recording unit is configured to create a sticker on which at least one of information indicating the gas concentration measured the first time and identification information of the sealed container is recorded, and to attach the sticker to the sealed container.

[0020] With this configuration, the testing device according to the present invention can compare the gas concentration measured the second time or later with the gas concentration measured the first time. Furthermore, since there is no need to label the vial with identification information before testing, the burden of testing can be reduced.

[0021] The inspection method according to the present invention is a method for inspecting a container in which a space inside the container is replaced with a gas and sealed. , identification information is attached to each a conveying unit that conveys the sealed container; a laser generating unit that emits laser light of a predetermined wavelength into the space of the sealed container being conveyed; a laser receiving unit that receives the laser light; and a gas concentration measuring unit that measures the gas concentration in the space of the sealed container based on the absorption amount of the predetermined wavelength of the laser light that is transmitted through the space of the sealed container and received by the laser receiving unit. Read the identification information an identification unit that identifies each of the sealed containers; and a recording unit that records the gas concentration measured by the gas concentration measuring unit for each of the sealed containers; Based on the gas concentration an inspection device comprising: a determination unit that determines the airtightness of the airtight container; Using hand, The determination unit The gas concentration is measured multiple times for the same sealed container, and the gas concentrations measured at least two times are compared, and the sealed container is checked for airtightness based on the comparison results. judgement do.

[0022] According to the inspection method of the present invention, the gas concentration of the same sealed container is measured multiple times, and the hermeticity of the sealed container is determined based on a comparison of at least two of the gas concentrations. Therefore, the hermeticity of the sealed container can be inspected by comparing the results of the multiple measurements and checking any changes. Therefore, even if the gas concentration in the space within each sealed container varies from one sealed container to another, the hermeticity of the sealed container can be inspected accurately.

[0023] In the inspection method of the present invention, when the gas concentration is measured twice for the same sealed container, the second gas concentration measurement is performed after a time has elapsed since the first gas concentration measurement, allowing for confirmation of changes in gas concentration in the space that occur when the sealed container is not sufficiently sealed.

[0024] According to the inspection method of the present invention, the interval between the first and second gas concentration measurements is long enough to detect any change in gas concentration in the space that occurs when the airtightness of the sealed container is insufficient, so that insufficient airtightness of the sealed container can be reliably detected.

[0025] The inspection program according to the present invention is a program for causing a computer to execute a program for executing a program for causing a gas replacement in a space inside a container and sealing the space. , identification information is attacheda step of transporting the sealed container by a transport unit; a step of emitting laser light of a predetermined wavelength by a laser generating unit to the space portion of the sealed container during transport; a step of receiving the laser light by a laser receiving unit; and a step of measuring a gas concentration in the space portion of the sealed container based on an absorption amount of the predetermined wavelength of the laser light that is transmitted through the space portion of the sealed container and received by the laser receiving unit. Read the identification information a step of identifying each of the sealed containers; and a step of recording the measured gas concentration for each of the sealed containers by a recording unit. a determination step of determining the airtightness of the airtight container based on the gas concentration by a determination unit, the determination step comprising: The gas concentration is measured multiple times for the same sealed container, and the hermeticity of the sealed container is determined based on a comparison of the gas concentrations measured at least twice. R .

[0026] According to the inspection program of the present invention, a computer is caused to execute a step of measuring the gas concentration of the same sealed container multiple times and determining the hermeticity of the sealed container based on a comparison of at least two of the gas concentrations. Therefore, the hermeticity of the sealed container can be inspected by comparing the results of the multiple measurements and checking any changes. Therefore, even if the gas concentration in the space within each sealed container varies from one sealed container to another, the hermeticity of the sealed container can be inspected accurately. [Effects of the Invention]

[0027] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an inspection device, an inspection method, and an inspection program that can accurately inspect the airtightness of a sealed container even when there is variation in the gas concentration in the space within each sealed container. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0028] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an inspection device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the inspection device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3]FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the steps of inspecting the hermeticity of a vial using the inspection device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a graph illustrating the problems that arise when inspecting the hermeticity of a vial bottle by measuring the oxygen concentration once. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of an inspection device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the steps of inspecting the hermeticity of a vial using an inspection device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of an inspection device according to the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the steps of inspecting the hermeticity of a vial using an inspection device according to the third embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0030] (First embodiment) An inspection device according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0031] 1 and 2, the inspection device 1 of this embodiment is an inspection device that inspects a vial 10, which is a sealed container, for its sealability. The inspection object is not limited to a vial, but may be any container that requires high sealability.

[0032] The inspection device 1 of this embodiment uses a headspace gas laser analysis method to inspect the hermeticity of the vial 10, in which laser light of a predetermined wavelength is transmitted through the headspace 10a, which is the space in the vial 10, i.e., the space other than the substance (liquid, solid, powder, etc.) enclosed in the vial 10, and the gas concentration in the headspace 10a is measured based on the transmitted laser light that is absorbed by the gas whose concentration is to be detected, and the hermeticity of the vial 10 is inspected based on the measured gas concentration. In this embodiment, the gas whose concentration is to be measured in the headspace 10a is oxygen.

[0033] The inspection device 1 is configured to include a conveying unit 2 that continuously conveys multiple vials 10, a laser generating unit 3 that emits laser light, a laser receiving unit 4 that receives the laser light, a control unit 5 connected to the laser generating unit 3 and the laser receiving unit 4, and an identification unit 6 that identifies each individual vial.

[0034] [Transport section] The transport unit 2 includes a transport table 21 and a disk-shaped transport disk 22 that rotates on the transport table 21. The transport disk 22 is configured to rotate clockwise in Fig. 1, and has a plurality of holding portions 22a formed at predetermined intervals on its outer periphery, each of which is semicircularly cut out radially inward. The holding portions 22a are configured to hold vials 10.

[0035] A supply unit 25 is connected to the transport unit 2, which sequentially supplies vials 10 from the previous process to the transport unit 2. The transport unit 2 receives the vials 10 supplied from the supply unit 25 into the holder 22a, and transports the received vials 10 to the gas concentration detection region 26 by rotating the vials 10 while they are held in the holder 22a.

[0036] The gas concentration detection region 26 is irradiated with a laser beam for detecting the gas concentration in the headspace 10a of the vial 10. Furthermore, a plurality of calibration specimens (hereinafter referred to as "calibration specimens") 11 are periodically supplied to and transported by the transport unit 2. Each calibration specimen 11 is filled with a calibration standard material for oxygen or water.

[0037] The transport unit 2 transports the vial 10 that has passed through the gas concentration detection area 26 to the moisture testing area 27, and transports the vial 10 that has passed through the moisture testing area 27 to the discharge area 28. The moisture testing area 27 is provided with a moisture testing unit 15 that has a laser generator and laser receiver for moisture testing. In the moisture testing area 27, a laser beam is irradiated to detect moisture in the vial 10.

[0038] A discharge section 60 for discharging the vial 10 is connected to the discharge area 28 of the transport section 2. The discharge section 60 has a water NG discharge path 61, a sealable NG discharge path 62, and an OK discharge path 63.

[0039] The moisture NG discharge path 61 is a discharge path through which vials 10 with an inappropriate moisture content are discharged based on the moisture test results. The sealability NG discharge path 62 is a discharge path through which vials 10 with insufficient sealability are discharged based on the sealability results. The OK discharge path 63 is a discharge path through which vials 10 with an appropriate moisture content and secured sealability are discharged.

[0040] In this embodiment, as will be described later, gas concentration is detected twice, and the sealability is inspected based on the results of these two gas concentration detections. Therefore, after the first gas concentration detection, the sealability inspection for the vials 10 has not yet been completed, and all of the vials 10 are discharged through the OK discharge path 63, except for vials 10 with an inappropriate moisture content, for example.

[0041] In this embodiment, the vial 10 supplied from the supply unit 25 to the transport unit 2 is in a sealed state with the head space 10a replaced with a gas. That is, the vial 10 supplied to the transport unit 2 is sealed with the gas in the head space 10a replaced with an inert gas. In this embodiment, nitrogen gas is used as the inert gas for gas replacement.

[0042] As a gas replacement method, for example, a gas replacement method using an inexpensive gas replacement device is used, in which an inert gas is filled into vial 10 from a nozzle different from the nozzle used to fill the substance when sealing the substance into vial 10. The gas replacement method using an inexpensive gas replacement device is not limited to the above-mentioned method, and various other methods can be used, such as a method of performing gas replacement by spraying an inert gas directly into the opening of vial 10 after filling the substance.

[0043] [Laser generating unit] The laser generating unit 3 includes a semiconductor laser (LD: Laser Diode) 31 that emits laser light of a predetermined wavelength, and an LD controller 32 that sets the wavelength of the laser light emitted from the semiconductor laser 31 to the predetermined wavelength and adjusts it to a predetermined light intensity.

[0044] The semiconductor laser 31 is held by an LD head 36 provided outside the transport path along which the vials 10 transported by the transport unit 2 travel, i.e., on the radially outer side of the transport disk 22. The semiconductor laser 31 is configured to emit laser light of a predetermined wavelength toward the headspace 10a of the vial 10 transported by the transport unit 2. The laser light emitted from the semiconductor laser 31 passes through the headspace 10a of the vial 10 via the collimator lens 30 and is received by the laser receiving unit 4 via the condenser lens 40.

[0045] In this embodiment, when using the headspace gas laser analysis method, the gas whose concentration in the headspace 10a is measured is oxygen, as described above. The absorption wavelength band specific to oxygen is 760 nm. Therefore, in this embodiment, the LD controller 32 sets the predetermined wavelength of the laser light emitted from the semiconductor laser 31 to a wavelength in the vicinity of the absorption wavelength band of 760 nm.

[0046] A drive current, a ramp wave generated by a ramp wave generator 34, and a modulation signal generated by a modulation signal generator 35 are applied to the LD controller 32 via an adder 33. That is, in this embodiment, for highly sensitive and stable measurement, an FMS (Frequency Modulation Spectroscopy) method is used in which a frequency-modulated signal is superimposed on the drive current of the semiconductor laser 31 and detected.

[0047] [Laser receiving section] The laser light receiving section 4 is configured by a photodiode (PD) that receives the laser light emitted from the semiconductor laser 31 and outputs a measurement signal according to the intensity of the received laser light.

[0048] The laser receiving unit 4 is held by a PD head 41 that is arranged on the opposite side of the LD head 36 across the transport path along which the vial 10 circulates.

[0049] When the laser light received by the laser light receiving section 4 passes through the head space 10a, if there is oxygen in the head space 10a, the laser light is affected by absorption by components contained in the oxygen.

[0050] The measurement signal output from the laser light receiving unit 4 is amplified by a PD amplifier 42, and then passed through a band-pass filter 43, through which only signals in a certain frequency band are passed, and then input to a lock-in amplifier 44.

[0051] The modulated signal generated by the modulated signal generator 35 is input as a reference signal to the lock-in amplifier 44. As a result, the lock-in amplifier 44 extracts a measurement signal that is synchronized with the modulated signal generated by the modulated signal generator 35.

[0052] The measurement signal that has passed through the lock-in amplifier 44 is converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 50 and input to the control unit 5.

[0053] [Control Unit] The control unit 5 is configured by a computer unit that includes at least a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), an input port, and an output port.

[0054] The control unit 5 functions as a gas concentration measuring unit 51 that measures the oxygen concentration as a gas concentration in the headspace 10a based on the absorption amount of a predetermined wavelength of laser light that passes through the headspace 10a of the vial bottle 10 and is received by the laser receiving unit 4.

[0055] Specifically, the control unit 5 is configured to quickly inspect the oxygen concentration and pressure of the headspace 10a by observing the absorption waveform obtained by sweeping a predetermined wavelength by changing the drive current of the semiconductor laser 31. Here, the amplitude, which is the difference between the maximum and minimum values ​​of the absorption waveform, is proportional to the oxygen concentration, and the time width of the wavelength sweep time between the maximum and minimum values ​​of the absorption waveform is proportional to the pressure.

[0056] The control unit 5 also has a memory unit 52, which is made up of, for example, a RAM, that stores the measured oxygen concentration and serves as a recording unit that records the oxygen concentration measured by the gas concentration measurement unit 51 for each vial 10. The memory unit 52 stores the identification information of the vial 10 identified by the identification unit 6, which will be described later, in association with the oxygen concentration measured the first time.

[0057] In this embodiment, the oxygen concentration in the headspace 10a is measured twice for the same vial 10. The number of times to measure the oxygen concentration in the headspace 10a is not limited to two, and may be three or more times.

[0058] The first and second oxygen concentration measurements are spaced apart by a predetermined time (e.g., 24 to 48 hours). That is, when two oxygen concentration measurements are performed on the same vial 10, the second oxygen concentration measurement is performed after a predetermined time has passed since the first oxygen concentration measurement, allowing for confirmation of any change in the oxygen concentration in the headspace 10a that occurs when the vial 10 is not sealed properly.

[0059] The predetermined time can be set arbitrarily, depending on the required level of hermeticity of the vial 10, i.e., how small a leak hole in the vial 10 needs to be detected. The larger the leak hole in the vial 10, the shorter the oxygen concentration will be to about 20%, the same as that in the atmosphere. Therefore, the more stringent the required hermeticity of the vial 10, the longer the predetermined time should be set.

[0060] The control unit 5 functions as a determination unit 53 that determines the sealability of the vial 10 based on a comparison between the first oxygen concentration stored in the memory unit 52 and the second measured oxygen concentration for each vial 10. If the oxygen concentration is measured three or more times, it is desirable to compare the oxygen concentrations of at least two of the multiple measurements. In this case, the comparison is not necessarily limited to the example of comparing consecutively measured oxygen concentrations.

[0061] Specifically, if the difference between the first oxygen concentration stored in the memory unit 52 and the second measured oxygen concentration is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, the control unit 5 determines that the sealing of the vial bottle 10 is insufficient, i.e., that there is a leak in the vial bottle 10.

[0062] The predetermined threshold is the lower limit of the amount of change in oxygen concentration that can be considered to occur when the sealing of the vial 10 is insufficient, and is experimentally determined in advance and stored in the ROM of the control unit 5. Furthermore, the predetermined threshold is preferably set to a value that allows for the effect of oxygen that may be mixed into the vial 10 due to permeation, even if the vial 10 does not have any defects that would cause leakage.

[0063] [Identification section] The recognition unit 6 is configured to recognize each individual vial 10, and is disposed, for example, upstream in the transport direction from the gas concentration detection area 26. Note that the recognition unit 6 is not shown in FIG.

[0064] Here, each vial 10 is provided with identification information before being inserted into the inspection device 1. For example, a sticker bearing identification information such as a barcode, a two-dimensional code, or a serial number that allows the vial 10 to be distinguished from other vials 10 is affixed to the side or top surface of the cap of the vial 10. Alternatively, the identification information is printed directly on the side or top surface of the cap of the vial 10.

[0065] The identification unit 6 is configured with, for example, an imaging device or a barcode reader, and reads the identification information attached to each vial 10 to identify each vial 10. The identification information read by the identification unit 6 is output to the control unit 5. Note that the configuration may also be such that each vial is identified by recognizing minute differences in the shapes of the vials and caps through camera imaging.

[0066] [Sealing inspection process] Next, the process of inspecting the hermeticity performed by the inspection device 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0067] 3, the inspection device 1 reads the identification information attached to the vial 10 by the recognition unit 6 for the vial 10 transported by the transport unit 2 (step S1). The identification information read by the recognition unit 6 is output to the control unit 5 and stored in the memory unit 52.

[0068] The inspection device 1 performs a first measurement of the oxygen concentration of the headspace 10a of the vial 10 from which the identification information has been read (step S2). Next, the inspection device 1 stores the first measured oxygen concentration in the memory unit 52 in association with the identification information of the vial 10 for which the measurement was performed (step S3).

[0069] The inspection device 1 sequentially performs the processes from step S1 to step S3 on all of the vials 10 inserted into the inspection device 1. As a result, when the process of step S3 is completed for all of the inserted vials 10, the identification information and the first oxygen concentration of all of those vials 10 will be stored in the memory unit 52.

[0070] After that, when a predetermined time has elapsed (step S4), the vial 10 for which the first oxygen concentration measurement has been completed is put back into the inspection device 1.

[0071] The inspection device 1 reads the identification information attached to the vial 10 that has been reinserted by the identification unit 6 (step S5).

[0072] The inspection device 1 performs a second measurement of the oxygen concentration of the headspace 10a of the vial 10 from which the identification information has been read (step S6). The second oxygen concentration may be stored in the storage unit 52 in association with the identification information.

[0073] Next, the inspection device 1 determines whether the difference between the first oxygen concentration and the second oxygen concentration stored in the memory unit 52 for the vial 10 with matching identification information is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold value (step S7).

[0074] If the inspection device 1 determines in step S7 that the difference between the oxygen concentration measured the first time and the oxygen concentration measured the second time is not equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold, it determines that the airtightness of the vial 10 is ensured. On the other hand, if the inspection device 1 determines in step S7 that the difference between the oxygen concentration measured the first time and the oxygen concentration measured the second time is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold, it determines that the airtightness of the vial 10 is insufficient.

[0075] [Issues with airtightness testing using a single oxygen concentration measurement] Next, with reference to FIG. 4, the problem of the hermetic seal inspection based on a single oxygen concentration measurement will be described.

[0076] FIG. 4 illustrates an example in which a seal inspection is performed on vials A and B, which have different oxygen concentrations in the headspace due to gas replacement, by measuring the oxygen concentration once.

[0077] In Fig. 4, A(NG) is a graph showing the change in oxygen concentration over time when there is a leak in vial A. Also, B(OK) is a graph showing the change in oxygen concentration over time when vial B is sealed. B(NG) is a graph showing the change in oxygen concentration over time when there is a leak in vial B.

[0078] In vial A, the nitrogen gas filling rate in the headspace due to gas replacement is nearly 100%, while in vial B, air is mixed in during gas replacement, and the nitrogen gas filling rate in the headspace is lower than in vial A. For this reason, as shown in Figure 4, at time t0 immediately after sealing after gas replacement, the oxygen concentration in the headspace of vial A is nearly 0%, while the oxygen concentration in the headspace of vial B is higher than that of vial A.

[0079] In this way, if the oxygen concentration immediately after sealing is different between vial A and vial B, for example, by setting the threshold for determining sealability to a large threshold TH1, it is possible to perform a sealability inspection that is somewhat effective even if there is variation in the oxygen concentration between vial A and vial B.

[0080] However, if the threshold for determining sealability is increased, it takes a considerable amount of time before a sealability determination can be made. Also, if the oxygen concentration of vial B immediately after sealing varies to a percentage close to 20%, an accurate sealability determination cannot be made even if the threshold for determining sealability is increased. This is because an oxygen concentration of 20% is close to the oxygen concentration in the atmosphere (20.9%), so if the oxygen concentration of vial B immediately after sealing is close to 20%, there is a risk that the oxygen concentration of vial B will not change significantly even if there is a leak in vial B.

[0081] On the other hand, if the threshold for the sealability determination is set small, such as threshold TH2, in order to perform the sealability determination in a short time, it will be possible to determine that the sealability of vial A is insufficient if the sealability determination is performed after time t2, but because B(OK) is larger than threshold TH2, it will be erroneously determined that the sealability of vial B, which is sealed, is insufficient. In this way, if the threshold for the sealability determination is small, an accurate sealability determination cannot be performed.

[0082] In the inspection device 1 of this embodiment, the oxygen concentration is measured twice and the airtightness is inspected based on the difference between the first and second oxygen concentrations. Therefore, even if the oxygen concentrations immediately after sealing are different between vial A and vial B as described above, an accurate airtightness judgment can be made.

[0083] [Action and effect] As described above, the inspection device according to this embodiment measures the oxygen concentration twice for the same vial 10, and determines the hermetic seal of the vial 10 based on a comparison between the oxygen concentration measured the first time and the oxygen concentration measured the second time. Therefore, the hermetic seal of the vial 10 can be determined by comparing the two measurement results and checking any changes. Therefore, even if there is variation in the concentration of gas (e.g., nitrogen gas or oxygen) in the headspace 10a within each vial 10, the hermetic seal of the vial 10 can be accurately inspected.

[0084] Furthermore, the inspection device according to this embodiment determines the airtightness of the vial bottle 10 based on the difference between the oxygen concentration measured the first time and the oxygen concentration measured the second time. Therefore, even if the oxygen concentration measured the first time varies for each vial bottle 10, the airtightness can be accurately inspected for each vial bottle 10 without being affected by the variation in the oxygen concentration measured the first time.

[0085] In addition, the inspection device according to this embodiment can inspect the airtightness of the vial bottle 10 by measuring the oxygen concentration of oxygen that flows into the vial bottle 10 from the atmosphere over time if the airtightness of the vial bottle 10 is insufficient.

[0086] Furthermore, the inspection device according to this embodiment stores the identification information of the vial bottle 10 and the oxygen concentration measured the first time in correspondence with each other in the memory unit 52, so that the oxygen concentration measured the second time can be compared with the oxygen concentration measured the first time.

[0087] Furthermore, the inspection device according to this embodiment leaves a predetermined time between the first and second oxygen concentration measurements to allow confirmation of changes in oxygen concentration in the headspace 10a that occur when the sealing of the vial 10 is insufficient, so that insufficient sealing of the vial 10 can be reliably detected.

[0088] (Second embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0089] The inspection device according to this embodiment differs from the inspection device 1 according to the first embodiment in that a printing unit 7 is added, but other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment. Therefore, in the following, the same components as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0090] 5, the control unit 5 of this embodiment is connected to a printing unit 7. The printing unit 7 is configured by, for example, an inkjet printer, and is disposed, for example, downstream of the gas concentration detection area 26 in the transport direction.

[0091] The printing unit 7 prints information such as a barcode or two-dimensional code directly onto the side or top surface of the cap of the vial 10, or onto a blank sticker that has been previously attached. The printed information contains coded records of information indicating the oxygen concentration measured the first time and identification information for the vial 10. Note that the printed information may contain coded records of either the information indicating the oxygen concentration measured the first time or the identification information for the vial 10.

[0092] In the identification unit 6 of this embodiment, when a vial 10 for which the first oxygen concentration measurement has been completed is re-inserted into the testing device 1, the information displayed on the vial 10 is read before the second oxygen concentration measurement. The read information displayed is stored in the memory unit 52 in association with the identification information of the vial 10 and the first oxygen concentration.

[0093] [Sealing inspection process] Next, with reference to FIG. 6, the process of inspecting the hermetic seal performed by the inspection device 1 of this embodiment will be described.

[0094] 6, the inspection device 1 performs a first measurement of the oxygen concentration of the headspace 10a of the vial 10 transported by the transport unit 2 (step S11). Next, the inspection device 1 causes the printing unit 7 to code and print on the vial 10 the identification information of the vial 10 and information indicating the oxygen concentration measured the first time (step S12).

[0095] The inspection device 1 sequentially performs the processes of steps S11 and S12 on all of the vials 10 inserted into the inspection device 1. As a result, when the process of step S12 is completed for all of the inserted vials 10, the identification information and the first oxygen concentration will be coded and printed on all of the vials 10.

[0096] After that, when a predetermined time has elapsed (step S13), the vial 10 for which the first oxygen concentration measurement has been completed is put back into the inspection device 1.

[0097] The inspection device 1 reads the information label attached to the re-inserted vial 10 by the recognition unit 6 (step S14).

[0098] The testing device 1 stores the first oxygen concentration read from the information display in the storage unit 52 in association with the identification information of the vial 10 (step S15).

[0099] The inspection device 1 performs a second measurement of the oxygen concentration of the headspace 10a of the vial 10 from which the information display was read (step S16). The second oxygen concentration may be stored in the storage unit 52 in association with the identification information.

[0100] Next, the inspection device 1 determines whether the difference between the first oxygen concentration and the second oxygen concentration stored in the memory unit 52 for the vial 10 with matching identification information is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold value (step S17).

[0101] If the inspection device 1 determines in step S17 that the difference between the oxygen concentration measured the first time and the oxygen concentration measured the second time is not equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold, it determines that the airtightness of the vial 10 is ensured. On the other hand, if the inspection device 1 determines in step S17 that the difference between the oxygen concentration measured the first time and the oxygen concentration measured the second time is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold, it determines that the airtightness of the vial 10 is insufficient.

[0102] [Action and effect] As described above, the inspection device according to this embodiment has the following advantages in addition to the advantages of the first embodiment described above.

[0103] That is, the inspection device according to this embodiment does not require the vial 10 to be labeled with identification information before inspecting the hermeticity, thereby reducing the burden of the inspection work.

[0104] In this embodiment, the printing unit 7 may be configured to print information indicating the oxygen concentrations measured the first and second times. In this case, unlike the first embodiment, the recognition unit 6 is disposed downstream in the conveyance direction from the printing unit 7. As a result, after the second oxygen concentration measurement, the recognition unit 6 reads the first oxygen concentration and the second oxygen concentration, and the control unit 5 determines the sealability based on this read information.

[0105] (Third embodiment) Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0106] The inspection device according to this embodiment differs from the inspection device 1 according to the first embodiment in that a sticker creation unit 81 and a sticker attachment unit 82 are added, but other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment. Therefore, in the following, the same components as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0107] As shown in FIG. 7, a sticker creating unit 81 and a sticker pasting unit 82 are connected to the control unit 5 of this embodiment.

[0108] The label creation unit 81 has a built-in printing means such as an inkjet printer and is configured to be able to print information on a pre-set label. The label creation unit 81 prints information indications, such as barcodes or two-dimensional codes, on the label. The printed information indication records, in coded form, information indicating the oxygen concentration measured the first time and identification information of the vial 10. Note that, the printed information indication may record, in coded form, either the information indicating the oxygen concentration measured the first time or the identification information of the vial 10.

[0109] The sticker attachment unit 82 is configured to attach a sticker on which information display is printed by the sticker creation unit 81 to the side or top surface of the cap of the vial bottle 10, and is located, for example, downstream in the conveying direction from the gas concentration detection area 26.

[0110] In the identification unit 6 of this embodiment, when a vial 10 for which the first oxygen concentration measurement has been completed is re-inserted into the testing device 1, the information displayed on the sticker attached to the vial 10 is read before the second oxygen concentration measurement. The read information displayed is stored in the memory unit 52 in association with the identification information of the vial 10 and the first oxygen concentration.

[0111] [Sealing inspection process] Next, with reference to FIG. 8, the process of inspecting the hermetic seal performed by the inspection device 1 of this embodiment will be described.

[0112] 8, the inspection device 1 performs a first measurement of the oxygen concentration of the headspace 10a of the vial 10 transported by the transport unit 2 (step S21). Next, the inspection device 1 causes the label creation unit 81 to create a label on which is printed an information display recording the identification information of the vial 10 and information indicating the oxygen concentration measured the first time (step S22).

[0113] Next, the inspection device 1 attaches the sticker on which the information display is printed to the vial 10 identified by the identification information recorded on the information display (step S23).

[0114] The inspection device 1 sequentially performs the processes from step S21 to step S23 on all of the vials 10 inserted into the inspection device 1. As a result, when the process of step S23 is completed for all of the inserted vials 10, all of the vials 10 will have stickers with information printed on them attached.

[0115] After that, when a predetermined time has elapsed (step S24), the vial 10 for which the first oxygen concentration measurement has been completed is put back into the inspection device 1.

[0116] The inspection device 1 reads the information displayed on the sticker attached to the vial 10 that has been reinserted by the recognition unit 6 (step S25).

[0117] The testing device 1 stores the first oxygen concentration read from the information display in the storage unit 52 in association with the identification information of the vial 10 (step S26).

[0118] The inspection device 1 performs a second measurement of the oxygen concentration of the headspace 10a of the vial 10 from which the information display was read (step S27). The second oxygen concentration may be stored in the storage unit 52 in association with the identification information.

[0119] Next, the inspection device 1 determines whether the difference between the first oxygen concentration and the second oxygen concentration stored in the memory unit 52 for the vial 10 with matching identification information is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold value (step S28).

[0120] If the inspection device 1 determines in step S28 that the difference between the oxygen concentration measured the first time and the oxygen concentration measured the second time is not equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold, it determines that the airtightness of the vial 10 is ensured. On the other hand, if the inspection device 1 determines in step S28 that the difference between the oxygen concentration measured the first time and the oxygen concentration measured the second time is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold, it determines that the airtightness of the vial 10 is insufficient.

[0121] [Action and effect] As described above, the inspection device according to this embodiment has the following advantages in addition to the advantages of the first embodiment described above.

[0122] That is, the inspection device according to this embodiment does not require the vial 10 to be labeled with identification information before inspecting the hermeticity, thereby reducing the burden of the inspection work.

[0123] In each of the above-described embodiments, an example has been described in which the oxygen concentration in the headspace 10a of the vial 10 is measured twice when inspecting the airtightness of the vial 10, but this is not limitative and the oxygen concentration may be measured three or more times.

[0124] For example, when three measurements are performed, if the difference between the oxygen concentration measured in the first measurement and the oxygen concentration measured in the second measurement is less than a first threshold, it is determined that the sealability of the vial 10 is ensured, and if the difference between the oxygen concentration measured in the first measurement and the oxygen concentration measured in the second measurement is equal to or greater than the first threshold, the determination is reserved to perform a third measurement of the oxygen concentration. If the second measurement of the oxygen concentration determines that the sealability is ensured, the vial 10 is discharged without performing a third measurement of the oxygen concentration.

[0125] The vial 10 whose judgment has been suspended undergoes a third measurement of oxygen concentration, and it is determined whether the difference between the first oxygen concentration and the third oxygen concentration is equal to or greater than a second threshold. If the difference between the first oxygen concentration and the third oxygen concentration is less than the second threshold, it is determined that the vial 10 has a sealed seal. On the other hand, if the difference between the first oxygen concentration and the third oxygen concentration is equal to or greater than the second threshold, it is determined that the vial 10 does not have sufficient sealed seal. The second threshold is set to a value greater than the first threshold.

[0126] In this way, when inspecting the airtightness of the vial 10, the oxygen concentration is measured three or more times and the airtightness is assessed in stages, thereby enabling the airtightness of the vial 10 to be inspected more efficiently and accurately.

[0127] Furthermore, in each of the above-described embodiments, the predetermined time between the first and second oxygen concentration measurements is set to a fixed time, but this is not limited to this. For example, the predetermined time may be changed depending on the highest oxygen concentration among the oxygen concentrations measured the first time for all vials 10.

[0128] While an embodiment of the present invention has been disclosed, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention, and it is intended that all such modifications and equivalents be included in the following claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0129] 1. Inspection equipment 2. Conveyor section 3 Laser generating unit 4 Laser receiver 5. Control section 6 Identification section 7 Printing unit (recording unit) 10 vials (sealed containers) 10a Headspace (space) 26 Gas concentration detection area 31 Semiconductor laser 36 LD head 41 PD head 51 Gas concentration measurement unit 52 Memory unit (recording unit) 53 Judgment section 81 Sticker Creation Department (Recording Department) 82 Sticker pasting section (recording section)

Claims

1. a transport unit (2) for transporting sealed containers (10) each having a space (10a) therein that has been gas-substituted and sealed, and each having identification information individually attached thereto; a laser generating unit (3) that emits a laser beam of a predetermined wavelength into the space of the sealed container during transportation; a laser receiving unit (4) that receives the laser light; a gas concentration measuring unit (51) that measures the gas concentration in the space of the sealed container based on the absorption amount of the laser light of the predetermined wavelength that is transmitted through the space of the sealed container and received by the laser receiving unit; an identification unit (6) that reads the identification information and identifies each of the sealed containers; a recording unit (52, 7, 81, 82) that records the gas concentration measured by the gas concentration measuring unit for each sealed container; a determination unit (53) that determines the airtightness of the sealed container based on the gas concentration, The inspection device is characterized in that the judgment unit measures the gas concentration multiple times for the same sealed container and judges the airtightness of the sealed container based on a comparison of the gas concentrations for at least two times recorded by the recording unit.

2. The inspection device described in claim 1, characterized in that when the gas concentration is measured twice for the same sealed container and the difference between the first gas concentration and the second gas concentration recorded by the recording unit is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, the judgment unit judges that the sealed container has insufficient airtightness and discharges the sealed container into an airtightness NG discharge path (62) among multiple discharge paths (62, 63).

3. the gas filled into the sealed container by the gas replacement is nitrogen gas, 3. The inspection device according to claim 1, wherein the gas concentration measuring unit measures the oxygen gas concentration in the space of the sealed container.

4. 4. The inspection device according to claim 1, wherein the recording unit comprises a memory unit (52) that stores the identification information of the sealed container and the gas concentration measured the first time in association with each other.

5. The inspection device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the recording unit prints at least one of information indicating the gas concentration measured the first time and identification information of the sealed container on the sealed container.

6. The inspection device described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the recording unit creates a sticker on which at least one of information indicating the gas concentration measured the first time and identification information of the sealed container is recorded, and affixes the sticker to the sealed container.

7. a transport unit (2) for transporting sealed containers (10) each having a space (10a) therein that has been gas-substituted and sealed, and each having identification information individually attached thereto; a laser generating unit (3) that emits a laser beam of a predetermined wavelength into the space of the sealed container during transportation; a laser receiving unit (4) that receives the laser light; a gas concentration measuring unit (51) that measures the gas concentration in the space of the sealed container based on the absorption amount of the laser light of the predetermined wavelength that is transmitted through the space of the sealed container and received by the laser receiving unit; an identification unit (6) that reads the identification information and identifies each of the sealed containers; a recording unit (52, 7, 81, 82) that records the gas concentration measured by the gas concentration measuring unit for each sealed container; and a determination unit (53) that determines the hermeticity of the sealed container based on the gas concentration, The inspection method is characterized in that the judgment unit measures the gas concentration multiple times for the same sealed container, compares the gas concentrations for at least two measurements, and judges the airtightness of the sealed container based on the comparison results.

8. The inspection method according to claim 7, characterized in that, when the gas concentration is measured twice for the same sealed container, the second gas concentration measurement is performed after a time period that allows confirmation of a change in gas concentration in the space that occurs when the sealed container is not sufficiently sealed after the first gas concentration measurement.

9. On the computer, a step of transporting the sealed container (10) with the identification information attached thereto, the space (10a) of which has been gas-substituted and sealed, by a transport unit (2); a step of emitting laser light of a predetermined wavelength from a laser generating unit (3) into the space of the sealed container during transportation; receiving the laser light by a laser light receiving unit (4); measuring a gas concentration in the space portion of the sealed container based on an absorption amount of the laser light of the predetermined wavelength that is transmitted through the space portion of the sealed container and received by the laser light receiving unit; reading the identification information to identify each of the sealed containers; a step of recording the measured gas concentration for each of the sealed containers by a recording unit (52, 7, 81, 82); a determination step of determining the hermeticity of the sealed container based on the gas concentration by a determination unit, The inspection program is characterized in that the judgment step measures the gas concentration multiple times for the same sealed container and judges the airtightness of the sealed container based on a comparison of the gas concentrations measured at least two times.

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