Foreign body inspection device and foreign body inspection method

Abstract

To provide a foreign matter inspection device and a foreign matter inspection method capable of simultaneously and accurately detecting foreign matter rolling on the bottom of a container filled with liquid and foreign matter floating near the liquid surface. [Solution] The device comprises a base 102 for rotating the container 101 to be inspected, a camera 103 positioned so that it can capture an image of the contents through the side of the container 101 to be inspected, a mirror 104 positioned so that the camera 103 can obtain an image looking down at the bottom 101a of the container 101 to be inspected, and a light 105a for illuminating the container 101 to be inspected.After the container 101 to be inspected is rotated, the light 105a is illuminated and multiple images are taken by the camera 103, and the multiple images are compared to inspect for the presence or absence of foreign matter.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a foreign matter inspection device and a foreign matter inspection method. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, when inspecting for foreign objects in a liquid filled in a transparent container, a foreign object inspection device such as that shown in Patent Document 1 is used to rotate the transparent container, then stop it, and then use a camera, sensor, etc. to detect foreign objects floating in the inertially rotating liquid inside the transparent container. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-210315 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the foreign body inspection device of Patent Document 1 has a problem in that even when the elevation angle of the camera is changed, either the liquid surface or the bottom of the container is a blind spot, making it impossible to simultaneously detect foreign bodies rolling on the bottom of the container in the liquid and foreign bodies floating near the liquid surface.

[0005] The present invention is intended to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and aims to provide a foreign matter inspection device and foreign matter inspection method that can simultaneously and accurately detect foreign matter rolling around the bottom of a container filled with liquid and foreign matter floating near the liquid surface. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention is a foreign matter inspection device for inspecting foreign matter in a container to be inspected, comprising a base for rotating the container to be inspected, an imaging unit arranged so that it can image the contents through the side of the container to be inspected, a mirror arranged so that the imaging unit can obtain an image looking down at the bottom of the container to be inspected, and an illumination unit for irradiating light onto the container to be inspected, and after the container to be inspected is rotated, the illumination unit emits light and the imaging unit An image captured through the mirror and an image not captured through the mirror are simultaneously acquired, and a foreign object rolling at the bottom of the liquid is detected from the image captured through the mirror, and a foreign object floating near the liquid surface is detected from the image not captured through the mirror. A plurality of images are acquired, and the plurality of images are compared to inspect for the presence or absence of the foreign matter. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a foreign matter inspection device and a foreign matter inspection method that can simultaneously and accurately detect foreign matter rolling on the bottom of a container filled with liquid and foreign matter floating near the liquid surface. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a foreign matter inspection device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of an inspection rotor of the foreign matter inspection device of the first embodiment. [Figure 3] 5A to 5C are diagrams showing the results of photographing by the foreign matter inspection device of the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of operation timing of the foreign matter inspection device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] 3A to 3C are diagrams illustrating image processing performed by the foreign matter inspection device of the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram of a foreign matter inspection device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 7] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing the results of photographing by the foreign matter inspection device of the second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram of a foreign matter inspection device according to a third embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of an inspection rotor of a foreign matter inspection device according to a third embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram of a foreign matter inspection device according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 11]FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a computer used in the foreign matter inspection device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiment, and various modifications and application examples within the technical concept of the present invention are also included within its scope. The fourth embodiment is a reference embodiment. (First embodiment) FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a foreign matter inspection device according to the first embodiment. As shown in Figure 1, the foreign matter inspection device 100A of the first embodiment is an device for inspecting foreign matters in a container 101 to be inspected, and is equipped with a base 102 for rotating the container 101 to be inspected, a camera 103 (imaging unit) positioned so as to look up at the container 101 to be inspected from the side, a mirror 104 installed in the upward direction of the camera 103, an image processing unit 800 for processing the video signal of the camera 103, a light 105 for irradiating light onto the container 101 to be inspected, and a height variable mechanism 106a for changing the height of the mirror 104.

[0010] The container 101 to be inspected is, for example, a transparent bottle such as a vial or an ampoule filled with a liquid medicine (liquid, contents). The main target of inspection is foreign matter mixed in this liquid medicine.

[0011] The camera 103 is positioned so as to look up at the container 101 to be inspected from the side (horizontal direction) of the container 101 to be inspected. In other words, the camera 103 is positioned so that its optical axis is at an elevation angle. Looking up does not mean looking straight up, but rather looking diagonally forward. Image (still image) data is acquired by the camera 103 and sent to the image processing unit 800. In FIG. 1, an image that directly captures the container 101 to be inspected can be acquired by the optical path 107a shown by the dashed line, and an image captured via the mirror 104 can be acquired by the optical path 107b shown by the dotted line.

[0012] The mirror 104 is disposed between the container 101 to be inspected and the camera 103 with the mirror surface 104a facing downward. The orientation of the mirror surface 104a is adjusted so that the bottom 101a of the container 101 to be inspected is reflected on the mirror 104. The angle of the camera 103 is basically fixed, and the mirror 104 is adjusted so that the bottom of the liquid is visible.

[0013] The lighting 105a is disposed on the opposite side of the inspection target container 101 from the camera 103. It is preferable to use a high-intensity lighting for the lighting 105a in order to accurately inspect heavy foreign matter that has settled at the bottom 101a of the inspection target container 101. By using a high-intensity lighting 105a, foreign matter can be photographed brightly and the light emission time of the lighting 105a can be shortened, thereby obtaining an image with reduced blur of the foreign matter.

[0014] The lighting 105a is, for example, vertically elongated (bar-shaped) and is capable of illuminating from the bottom 101a to the top of the inspection target container 101. The lighting 105a may be any lighting that can illuminate at least the area from the bottom 101a where the liquid is present to the liquid surface.

[0015] The mirror 104 is provided with a height variable mechanism 106a that can change the height of the mirror 104. This makes it possible to accommodate a variety of types of containers 101 to be inspected that have different liquid surface heights.

[0016] FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the inspection rotor of the foreign matter inspection device of the first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 2, the foreign matter inspection device 100A includes an inspection rotor 601 having a plurality of pedestals 102 arranged in a ring shape. A container 101 to be inspected (see the black circles in Fig. 2) is placed on the pedestal 102. The container 101 to be inspected rotates as the pedestal 102 rotates. The inspection rotor 601 rotates in the W1 direction at a predetermined speed.

[0017] Furthermore, camera 103 is disposed radially inside base 102, and the imaging direction of camera 103 faces radially outward. Light 105a is disposed radially outside base 102, and emits light radially inward. Note that the arrangement of camera 103 and light 105a shown here is an example and is not limited to this embodiment.

[0018] The foreign substance inspection device 100A also includes a transport mechanism 602 for transporting the container 101 to and from the inspection rotor 601. This transport mechanism 602 is configured by combining multiple star wheels 602a. The container 101 to be inspected, introduced into the supply port 601a by the star wheels 602a, is transported to the inspection position by the rotation of the inspection rotor 601. The container 101 to be inspected moves at a constant speed. In this state, the camera 103 and the light 105a move so as to repeatedly track the container 101 to be inspected (in the W2 direction). More specifically, the camera 103 and the light 105 move back and forth between a section in which they photograph one container 101 to be inspected and a section in which they return at high speed to move on to the next container 101 to be inspected. During the section in which they are tracking the container 101 to be inspected, they are relatively stationary. After the container 101 to be inspected has been inspected for foreign substances, it is discharged from the discharge port 601b. If a foreign object is detected, the container is transported to a foreign object detection lane, and if no foreign object is detected, the container is transported to a non-detection lane, where the container 101 to be inspected is sorted.

[0019] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the results of imaging by the foreign matter inspection device of the first embodiment. The lower half of Fig. 3 (lower diagram) is an image captured by optical path 107a (see Fig. 1) indicated by a dashed line. The upper half of Fig. 3 (upper diagram) is an image captured by optical path 107b (see Fig. 1) indicated by a broken line. In other words, the lower diagram of Fig. 3 is an image captured without passing through mirror 104, and the upper diagram of Fig. 3 is an image captured through mirror 104. The photographic results shown in Figure 3 consist of an image 201 of the liquid in the container 101 to be inspected captured directly by the camera 103 (an image of the liquid in the container captured directly by the camera), an image 202 of the mirror 104 (an image of the mirror captured directly by the camera), an image 203 of the liquid in the container 101 to be inspected captured by the camera 103 via the mirror 104 (an image of the liquid in the container captured by the camera via the mirror) and an image 204 of the bottom of the liquid, and an image 205 of the base 102 captured by the camera 103 via the mirror 104 and the container 101 to be inspected (an image of the base captured by the camera via the mirror and the container).

[0020] 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the operation timing of the foreign substance inspection device of the first embodiment. In FIG. 4, the vertical axis represents the spin rotation speed of the base 102, and the horizontal axis represents time. As shown in FIG. 4, when foreign substance inspection is performed, the time (acceleration time) for the base 102 to increase from a stopped state to the target rotation speed is set. The time (rotation time) for maintaining the target rotation speed is also set. The time (deceleration time) for the base 102 to stop from the target rotation speed is also set. The shooting standby time (stop timing) from when the base 102 stops until the camera 103 starts shooting is also set. Note that FIG. 4 illustrates an example in which shooting is performed three times to obtain three (multiple) images. Note that when shooting with the camera 103, the light 105 is illuminated at the same time.

[0021] In this way, the acceleration time, rotation time, deceleration time, and stop timing are set, and the container 101 to be inspected is rotated and then stopped. When the container 101 to be inspected stops, the liquid and foreign matter inside the container 101 to be inspected continue to rotate due to inertial force. Since the liquid maintains the same shape, only the foreign matter appears to be moving. After that, the light 105 is illuminated and an image is taken by the camera 103. This is repeated multiple times (three times in this embodiment) in succession.

[0022] FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining image processing in the foreign matter inspection device of the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the image processing unit 800 performs a process of superimposing the first, second, and third captured images 801, 802, and 803. Contaminants 207a, 207b, and 207c appear in all three of the images 801, 802, and 803. Note that the contaminants 207a, 207b, and 207c are the same contaminant. This is because the container 101 to be inspected is rotated and then stopped, allowing the contaminants and liquid to be detected within the stationary container 101, and only the contaminants appear to be moving. The image processing unit 800 also performs differential processing on the three images 801, 802, and 803 to extract a differential image 850. The presence or absence of a contaminant is determined based on this differential image 850. The presence or absence of a contaminant can be determined from the differential image 850 using known methods such as filtering and binarization.

[0023] As described above, the foreign matter inspection device 100A of the first embodiment includes a base 102 that rotates the container 101 to be inspected, a camera 103 positioned so that it can capture an image of the contents through the side of the container 101 to be inspected, a mirror 104 positioned so that the camera 103 can obtain an image looking down at the bottom 101a of the container 101 to be inspected, and an illumination device 105a that irradiates the container 101 to be inspected. After the container 101 to be inspected is rotated, the illumination device 105a is illuminated and the camera 103 acquires images 801, 802, and 803. The multiple images 801, 802, and 803 are compared to inspect for the presence or absence of foreign matter. This makes it possible to simultaneously and accurately detect foreign matter rolling on the bottom of the container 101 to be inspected and foreign matter floating near the liquid surface. Furthermore, since the optical system unit can be configured as a single unit, only one mounting space is required.

[0024] The first embodiment also includes an image processing unit 800 that processes the image signal from the camera 103, and the image processing unit 800 generates a difference image 850 from multiple images 801, 802, and 803 to perform foreign object detection. This allows for more accurate detection of the presence or absence of foreign objects than when the image processing unit 800 is not used. Furthermore, because only one image processing unit (image processing unit) is required, hardware costs can be reduced compared to when two cameras are used to simultaneously detect foreign objects rolling on the bottom of a container in liquid and foreign objects floating near the liquid surface.

[0025] Furthermore, the first embodiment includes an inspection rotor 601 capable of mounting a plurality of pedestals 102, and sets an acceleration time (the time required to reach the target rotation speed from a stop), a rotation time (the time required to maintain the target rotation speed), a deceleration time (the time required to reach the target rotation speed from a stop), and a stop timing (the waiting time from the stop to the start of photography) for the rotation of the container 101 to be inspected. This allows the timing of photography by the camera 103 to be controlled, making it possible to inspect foreign matter with high precision.

[0026] (Second embodiment) Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram of the foreign matter inspection device of the second embodiment, and Fig. 7 is a diagram showing the results of imaging by the foreign matter inspection device of the second embodiment. Fig. 6 shows the foreign matter inspection device 100B as viewed from above. Furthermore, the same reference numerals are used for the same components as in the first embodiment, and redundant explanations will be omitted. 6, the foreign matter inspection device 100B of the second embodiment has a configuration in which an inspection target container 101 and a base 102 are arranged in a direction intersecting the optical axis of the camera 103 (a direction transverse to the imaging direction of the camera 103). In addition, the illumination 105b is configured by an illumination that emits light in a planar form.

[0027] As shown in Figure 7, the photographing results taken by camera 103 consist of two images arranged horizontally (left and right in Figure 7): image 201 of the liquid in container 101 to be inspected captured directly by camera 103; image 203 of the liquid in container 101 to be inspected captured by camera 103 through mirror 104 and image 204 of the bottom of the liquid; and image 205 of base 102 captured by camera 103 through mirror 104 and container 101 to be inspected; and image 202 of mirror 104.

[0028] In this foreign matter inspection device 100B, as shown in the upper diagram of Fig. 7, a foreign matter 206 floating near the liquid surface in the liquid cannot be captured by the camera 103 through the mirror 104. Also, as shown in the lower diagram of Fig. 7, a foreign matter 207 rolling on the bottom of the liquid cannot be captured by the camera 103 through the direct capture of the image.

[0029] In the foreign matter inspection device 100B of the second embodiment configured as described above, as in the first embodiment, it is possible to simultaneously and accurately detect foreign matter rolling on the bottom of the container 101 to be inspected and foreign matter floating near the liquid surface.

[0030] Furthermore, in the second embodiment, a plurality of containers 101 to be inspected are arranged relative to one camera 103. This allows for accurate foreign matter inspection of a plurality of containers 101 to be inspected simultaneously by photographing with one camera 103.

[0031] (Third embodiment) FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a foreign matter inspection device according to the third embodiment, and FIG. 9 is a diagram of an inspection rotor of the foreign matter inspection device according to the third embodiment. As shown in Fig. 8, the foreign matter inspection device 100C of the third embodiment is configured such that four inspection target containers 101, bases 102, and illuminators 105c are arranged in a direction intersecting the optical axis direction of the camera 103 (horizontal to the imaging direction of the camera 103). The third embodiment also shows a configuration in which one bar-shaped illuminator 105c is arranged for one inspection target container 101. The size of the mirror 104 can be changed as appropriate depending on the number of inspection target containers 101.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 9, in the foreign substance inspection device 100C, the space 109 occupied by the components of the camera 103, mirror 104 (see FIG. 8), lighting 105c, support member 603a (structure) that supports the camera 103 facing slightly upward, support member 603b (structure) that supports the lighting 105c, and optical paths 107a and 107b (see FIG. 1) is within a width of no more than three times the number of containers 101 (subjects) to be inspected, relative to the movement direction W1 of the container 101 to be inspected. This allows for the placement of adjacent cameras 108. Furthermore, by combining with cameras 110 for other inspections, a greater variety of inspections can be performed with the entire inspection device.

[0033] In the foreign matter inspection device 100C, the inspection target container 101 introduced into the supply port 601a of the inspection rotor 601, which has a plurality of pedestals 102 installed thereon, is transported in the W1 direction by the rotation of the inspection rotor 601. Then, the camera 103, the adjacent camera 108, and the lighting 105c move in the W2 direction so as to repeatedly follow the inspection target container 101.

[0034] As described above, the foreign matter inspection device 100C of the third embodiment, like the first and second embodiments, is capable of simultaneously and accurately detecting foreign matter rolling on the bottom of the container 101 to be inspected and foreign matter floating near the liquid surface.

[0035] (Fourth embodiment) FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a foreign matter inspection device according to the fourth embodiment. 10, in the case of an object (container 101 to be inspected) with a very high liquid level, it may be impossible to obtain an image of foreign matter near the liquid level when attempting to obtain a field of view through mirror 104. In such a case where the liquid level is high, an inspection method that does not use mirror 104 as in the past can be provided, while for objects with a normal liquid level, foreign matter rolling on the bottom of the container in the liquid filled in the object and foreign matter floating near the liquid level can be detected with high accuracy.

[0036] The foreign substance inspection apparatus 100D of the fourth embodiment is equipped with a mirror removal mechanism 106b that enables removal of the mirror 104. This mirror removal mechanism 106b is configured to include an arm portion 106b1 extending from the mirror 104 and a screw 106b3 that secures the arm portion 106b1 to a fixing member 106b2. The mirror 104 can be removed by removing the screw 106b3. Note that the fixing method is not limited to screw fixing, and may also be knurling, clamping with a spring, insertion as a plate, or the like.

[0037] FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a computer used in the foreign matter inspection device. The image processing unit 800 in the foreign substance inspection apparatus is implemented by one or more computers 900, each having a CPU 901, a RAM 902, a ROM 903, a HDD 904, a communication I / F 905, an input / output I / F 906, and a media I / F 907. The communication I / F 905 is connected to an external communication device 915. The input / output I / F 906 is connected to an input / output device 916. The media I / F 907 reads and writes data from a recording medium 917. Furthermore, the CPU 901 configures the image processing unit 800 by executing a program (application) loaded into the RAM 902. This program can be distributed via a communication line or recorded on a recording medium 917 such as a CD-ROM and distributed.

[0038] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but includes various modifications, for example, as described below. (1) The height variable mechanism 106a may also include a mechanism for adjusting the angle of the mirror 104. This allows adjustment of the angle at which the bottom 101a of the container 101 to be inspected is viewed downward. Also, the height variable mechanism 106a does not necessarily have to be provided. (2) The height variable mechanism 106a can be realized by adjustment using a dial, adjustment using a scale, adjustment by clamping a block, etc. Note that adjustment by clamping a block can easily perform the angle adjustment shown in modification (1). (3) Although examples have been shown in which one (see FIG. 1), two (see FIG. 6), and four (see FIG. 8) inspection target containers 101 are arranged, the number of arrangements is not limited thereto. (4) Although an example in which three images are taken has been shown, the number of images used for taking or processing images is not limited thereto. (4) Although an example of the configuration of the inspection rotor 601 is shown in FIG. 2, the shape of the inspection rotor 601, the number of bases, and the shape of the transport mechanism 602 are not limited to those in the above-described embodiment. (5) It may be configured using a plurality of mirrors 104. It is also possible to combine a mirror 104 with a prism. By using a mirror 104 and a prism, the degree of freedom in the placement of the camera 103 can be increased. (6) The foreign matter inspection devices 100A, 100B, and 100C may be configured to output image data to a monitor or the like (not shown) to support manual visual judgment, instead of the image processing unit 800. This enables manual visual judgment. The optical system of the present invention can also be used for visual inspection purposes. For example, the presence or absence of foreign matter may be determined by manual visual inspection instead of by image processing of an image. (7) Various types of illuminations 105a, 105b, and 105c can be used to realize the inspection. Typical examples are an LED light source, a xenon light source, and a laser light source. The light may also be transmitted by means such as an optical fiber or a mirror. (8) The illumination devices 105a, 105b, and 105c can be configured in various shapes to achieve the desired inspection. Typical examples include planar illumination, line illumination, bar illumination, and spot illumination. (9) The camera 103 and the lighting 105a, 105b, and 105c generally have characteristics for visible light, but they may also have characteristics for other than visible light, such as infrared light. This is because there are chemical solutions that do not transmit visible light, and in such cases, foreign matter can be inspected by using lighting with characteristics other than visible light. (10) In image processing, the image captured through a mirror may be corrected to an upright position before generating the differential image. Correcting the image to an upright position means obtaining an image obtained by flipping the upper image in Figure 3 upside down. (11) A lighting height moving mechanism may be provided that can move the lighting 105a, 105b, and 105c in the vertical direction. (12) A lighting angle moving mechanism that can rotate the lighting 105a, 105b, and 105c in the pitch direction may be provided. (13) The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be appropriately modified and implemented without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the above-described embodiments have been described in detail to clearly explain the present invention, and the present invention is not necessarily limited to those including all of the described configurations. Furthermore, it is possible to replace part of the configuration of one embodiment with the configuration of another embodiment, or to add the configuration of another embodiment to the configuration of one embodiment. Furthermore, it is possible to add, delete, or replace part of the configuration of each embodiment with other configurations. [Explanation of symbols]

[0039] 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D Foreign body inspection equipment 101 Containers subject to inspection 101a bottom 102 Pedestal 103 Camera (imaging unit) 104 Mirror 105a,105b,105c Lighting 106a Height variable mechanism 107a,107b Optical path 108 adjacent cameras 109 Space occupied by components 110 Other Inspection Cameras 201 Images of liquid in a container captured directly by a camera 202 Mirror image captured directly by the camera 203 Image of the liquid in the container captured by the camera through the mirror 204 Images of the bottom in liquid 205 Image of the pedestal captured by the camera through the mirror and container 206 Foreign matter floating near the liquid surface 207 Foreign objects rolling on the bottom of a liquid 601 Inspection rotor 601a Supply port 601b Outlet 602 Transport mechanism 602a Star Wheel 603a, 603b Support member (structure) 800 Image Processing Unit 801 1st image 802 2nd image 803 3rd image 850 difference images

Claims

1. A foreign matter inspection device that inspects foreign matters in an inspection target container, a base for rotating the container to be inspected; an imaging unit arranged so as to be able to image the contents through the side surface of the container to be inspected; a mirror arranged so that the imaging unit can obtain an image looking down on the bottom of the container to be inspected; an illumination device for irradiating the container to be inspected with light; After the container to be inspected is rotated, the light is emitted and the imaging unit simultaneously acquires an image taken through the mirror and an image not taken through the mirror, detects foreign matter rolling at the bottom of the liquid from the image taken through the mirror, detects foreign matter floating near the liquid surface from the image not taken through the mirror, acquires multiple images acquired simultaneously, and compares the multiple images to inspect for the presence or absence of the foreign matter.

2. 2. The foreign matter inspection device according to claim 1, an image processing unit that processes an image signal from the imaging unit; The image processing unit generates a difference image from the plurality of images and performs a foreign matter detection.

3. 2. The foreign matter inspection device according to claim 1, A foreign matter inspection device characterized in that the imaging unit, the mirror, the lighting, a structure supporting the imaging unit and the lighting, and components of the optical path of the imaging unit are contained within a width that is within three times the width of the container to be inspected in the direction of movement of the container to be inspected.

4. 2. The foreign matter inspection device according to claim 1, A foreign substance inspection device comprising a mechanism for removing the mirror.

5. 2. The foreign matter inspection device according to claim 1, an inspection rotor on which a plurality of the pedestals can be placed, A foreign matter inspection device characterized in that, for the rotation of the container to be inspected, the time required to reach the target rotation speed from stopping, the time to maintain the target rotation speed, the time from the target rotation speed to stopping, and the photography waiting time from stopping until photography begins are set.

6. 2. The foreign matter inspection device according to claim 1, A foreign matter inspection device characterized in that a plurality of the containers to be inspected are arranged with respect to one of the imaging units.

7. A foreign matter inspection method for inspecting a foreign matter in an inspection target container, comprising: A foreign matter inspection method characterized by: after rotating the container to be inspected, while illuminating the container, simultaneously acquiring an image taken from a position looking up at the container to be inspected without using a mirror, and an image taken from a position looking down at the bottom of the container to be inspected through a mirror; detecting foreign matter rolling at the bottom of the liquid from the image taken through the mirror; detecting foreign matter floating near the liquid surface from the image not taken through the mirror; acquiring multiple of the simultaneously acquired images using a single imaging unit; and comparing the multiple images to inspect for the presence or absence of the foreign matter.

Images