Glass bottle inspection device

Abstract

To provide an inspection device 100 which is for a glass bottle 10 and has the ability to detect defects at a level comparable to visual inspection.SOLUTION: An inspection device 100 for a glass bottle 10 according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: a light-emitting part 20 having a light-emitting surface 20a for irradiating a glass bottle 10 with light from sideways; a light restriction part 30 that is disposed on the light-emitting surface 20a side and suppresses the diffusion angle of light emitted from the light-emitting part 20; an imaging part for capturing an image of the glass bottle as viewed from a position facing the light-emitting part 20 with the glass bottle 10 held therebetween; and a determination part 64 for determining the presence / absence of defects 19a, 19b on the basis of the captured image of the glass bottle 10. The optical axis of the imaging part is positioned so that a region where a trunk part 14 of the glass bottle 10 shines brightest is spaced apart from optical axes Pa, Pb at the time of imaging.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an inspection apparatus for glass bottles.

Background Art

[0002] The applicant has proposed an inspection apparatus that uses a light control film to detect defects such as wrinkles in glass bottles (Patent Document 1). In addition, as a method for detecting extremely rare thin bubbles generated on the inner surface of glass bottles, there is an inspection method previously proposed by the applicant (Patent Document 2).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, defects such as surface bubbles, wrinkles, and streaks, which have small irregularities on the bottle surface, are difficult to detect with conventional inspection machines, and currently rely on visual inspection by human eyes.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention provides an inspection apparatus for glass bottles having a defect detection ability comparable to visual inspection.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve at least a part of the above problems and can be realized as the following aspects or application examples.

[0007] [1] One aspect of the inspection apparatus for glass bottles according to the present invention is a light emitting unit having a light emitting surface that irradiates light from the side to the glass bottle, A light limiting unit is positioned on the light-emitting surface side to suppress the diffusion angle of the light emitted from the light-emitting unit, An imaging unit captures an image of the glass bottle as seen from a position opposite the light-emitting unit with the glass bottle in between, A determination unit that determines whether or not there are defects based on the image of the glass bottle captured by the imaging unit, Equipped with, The optical axis of the imaging unit is positioned away from the region where the body of the glass bottle shines brightest, excluding defects, during imaging. The brightest-shining region is the region where the surface of the glass bottle body, which is imaged by the imaging unit by light emitted from the light-emitting surface and whose directivity is increased in a direction perpendicular to the light-emitting surface by the light-limiting unit, shines brightest. The light-emitting surface is characterized in that it is set at an angle of 1 to 10 degrees in a plan view with respect to a virtual plane perpendicular to the optical axis.

[0008] According to one embodiment of the glass bottle inspection apparatus described above, by positioning the brightest illuminated area on the body away from the optical axis of the imaging unit, the area of ​​the glass bottle near where the optical axis strikes is not too bright, thus reducing the likelihood of detection failures. Furthermore, according to one embodiment of the glass bottle inspection apparatus described above, the region on the glass bottle surface that shines brightest can be easily adjusted to a position away from the optical axis simply by adjusting the light-emitting surface to a predetermined angle.

[0009] [2] In one embodiment of the glass bottle inspection apparatus described above, The imaging unit includes a mirror that reflects light from the light-emitting unit and a camera that receives the light reflected by the mirror. The optical axis is the optical axis of the camera, The mirror can be positioned opposite the light-emitting unit, with the glass bottle in between.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the glass bottle inspection apparatus described above, the degree of freedom in the position where the camera is installed can be improved by arranging a mirror.

[0011] [3] In one embodiment of the glass bottle inspection apparatus described above, The imaging unit comprises a first imaging unit and a second imaging unit arranged vertically. During imaging, the optical axes of the first imaging unit and the second imaging unit are positioned within the upper and lower regions of the glass bottle, respectively.

[0012] According to one aspect of the inspection apparatus for the glass bottle, by arranging the positions of the optical axes of each imaging unit vertically offset, defects near the optical axis that are difficult to detect can also be easily detected by one of the imaging units.

[0015] 4 In one aspect of the inspection apparatus for the glass bottle, the light restricting unit can be provided by laminating a first blind unit having a plurality of slits extending in the vertical direction and a second blind unit having a plurality of slits extending in the horizontal direction on the light emitting surface.

[0016] According to one aspect of the inspection apparatus for the glass bottle, defects extending in the longitudinal direction of the glass bottle can be easily detected by the first blind unit, and defects extending in the lateral direction of the glass bottle can be easily detected by the second blind unit.

[0017] 5 In one aspect of the inspection apparatus for the glass bottle, it further includes a conveyance path for continuously conveying the glass bottle, four imaging sets with the light emitting unit, the light restricting unit, the first imaging unit, and the second imaging unit as a set are arranged along the conveyance path, the four imaging sets can be arranged to image the glass bottle from four directions offset by 90 degrees around the central axis of the glass bottle.

[0018] According to one aspect of the inspection apparatus for the glass bottle, even if it is a device for continuously conveying the glass bottle, the glass bottle can be inspected without leakage from four directions.

Advantages of the Invention

[0019] According to one aspect of the inspection apparatus for the glass bottle according to the present invention, it can have a defect detection ability comparable to visual inspection by human eyes.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0020] [Figure 1] It is a plan view schematically showing the inspection apparatus according to the present embodiment.​​ [Figure 2] This is a schematic side view showing the first imaging set. [Figure 3] This is a schematic plan view of the first imaging set. [Figure 4] This is a diagram illustrating the first and second images. [Figure 5] This is a schematic plan view showing an inspection device related to a modified example. [Figure 6] This is a schematic side view showing the inspection device related to the modified example. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0021] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described below are not intended to unduly limit the scope of the present invention as described in the claims. Furthermore, not all of the configurations described below are necessarily essential components of the present invention.

[0022] The glass bottle inspection apparatus according to this embodiment comprises: a light-emitting unit having a light-emitting surface that irradiates light onto the glass bottle from the side; a light-limiting unit positioned on the side of the light-emitting surface and suppressing the diffusion angle of the light emitted from the light-emitting unit; an imaging unit that captures an image of the glass bottle as seen from a position opposite the light-emitting unit across the glass bottle; and a determination unit that determines the presence or absence of defects based on the image of the glass bottle captured by the imaging unit, wherein the optical axis of the imaging unit is located away from the region where the body of the glass bottle shines brightest during imaging.

[0023] 1. Inspection apparatus according to the embodiment The inspection device 100 for glass bottles 10 (hereinafter simply referred to as the inspection device 100) will be described in detail using Figures 1 to 4. Figure 1 is a schematic plan view showing the inspection device 100 according to this embodiment, Figure 2 is a schematic side view showing the first imaging set 21, Figure 3 is a schematic plan view showing the first imaging set 21, and Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating the first image 110 and the second image 112. Note that in Figures 1 to 3, the support that holds the light-emitting unit 20 and the first imaging unit 51a in place is omitted. Also, in Figures 1 and 3, the second imaging units 51b to 54b are directly below the first imaging units 51a to 54a, so the second imaging units 51b to 54b are not visible in the plan view, but for explanatory purposes, the second imaging units 51b to 54b are shown slightly shifted.

[0024] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the inspection device 100 includes a transport path 40 for continuously transporting glass bottles 10, four sets of first to fourth imaging sets 21 to 24, and a determination unit 64 for determining the presence or absence of defects 19a and 19b. The inspection device 100 may also include a control device 60 that includes the determination unit 64.

[0025] The glass bottles 10 are continuously transported along the transport path 40 in the transport direction Tb while maintaining a constant distance between them without stopping. The transport path 40 is, for example, a continuously operating top chain conveyor or belt conveyor. Therefore, the glass bottles 10 on the transport path 40 move in the same orientation throughout the transport. The glass bottles 10 are placed one after another on the transport path 40 at predetermined intervals by a known spacing adjuster (not shown). The transport path 40 may also be a known intermittently operating transport path, in which case the glass bottles 10 may be rotated around the central axis 11 at the stopping position while imaging the entire circumference. In that case, a mounting platform that rotates with an electric motor may be provided instead of the transport path 40.

[0026] The glass bottle 10 is, for example, transparent or translucent. Translucency means that the glass bottle 10 has a transparency such that defects 19a, 19b, such as surface bubbles, in the body 14 of the glass bottle 10 can be determined by light from the light-emitting part 20 that has passed through the glass bottle 10. The glass bottle 10 has a mouth 12, a body 14, and a bottom 16. The glass bottle 10 may have a neck portion extending downward from the mouth 12 and a shoulder portion that gradually widens downward from the neck portion, like a narrow-mouthed bottle used for beverages, or it may be a wide-mouthed bottle used for jam jars, etc. The cross-sectional shape of the body 14 may be polygonal, such as round or square, or it may be partly round and partly polygonal. The glass bottle 10 may have uneven surfaces derived from the mold shape. Uneven surfaces include, for example, seam lines 18 formed at the joints of the mold, recesses that define the position for attaching the label, and engravings such as patterns or letters carved into the mold.

[0027] As shown in Figure 1, the four sets of first to fourth imaging sets 21 to 24 each have a light-emitting unit 20, The light limiting unit 30, the first imaging units 51a to 54a, and the second imaging units 51b to 54b are arranged as a set along the transport path 40. In this embodiment, an example is described in which each imaging set has two imaging units, but each imaging set may also be configured to have only one of them, for example, the second imaging units 51b to 54b. The four sets of first to fourth imaging sets 21 to 24 are arranged to image the glass bottle 10 from four different directions in a plan view. The four sets of first to fourth imaging sets 21 to 24 are arranged, for example, to image the glass bottle 10 from four directions that are shifted by 90 degrees around the central axis 11 of the glass bottle 10. Even in a device that continuously transports glass bottles 10, the glass bottle 10 can be imaged all around from four directions without any omissions. In this embodiment, an example of arranging four sets of imaging sets in four directions that are shifted by 90 degrees has been described, but the configuration is not limited to this, and there may be five or more sets of imaging sets arranged in five or more directions.

[0028] The arrangement of each imaging set will be described in more detail. The first imaging set 21 and the second imaging set 22 image the glass bottle 10 at the first imaging position B1, and the third imaging set 23 and the fourth imaging set 24 image the glass bottle 10 at the second imaging position B2. The position of the glass bottle 10 to be imaged is not limited to these; for example, there may be four imaging positions spaced apart in the transport direction Tb. At the first imaging position B1, the optical axis Pa of the first imaging unit 51a is perpendicular to the optical axis Pa of the adjacent first imaging unit 52a, and the optical axis Pb of the second imaging unit 51b is perpendicular to the optical axis Pb of the adjacent second imaging unit 52b. At the second imaging position B2, the optical axis Pa of the first imaging unit 53a is perpendicular to the optical axis Pa of the adjacent first imaging unit 54a, and the optical axis Pb of the second imaging unit 53b is perpendicular to the optical axis Pb of the adjacent second imaging unit 54b. Furthermore, the optical axis Pa of the first imaging unit 51a is parallel to the optical axis Pa of the first imaging unit 54a, the optical axis Pb of the second imaging unit 51b is parallel to the optical axis Pb of the second imaging unit 54b, the optical axis Pa of the first imaging unit 52a is parallel to the optical axis Pa of the first imaging unit 53a, and the optical axis Pb of the second imaging unit 52b is parallel to the optical axis Pb of the second imaging unit 53b. In this embodiment, an example is described in which the first imaging units 51a to 54a and the second imaging units 51b to 54b are cameras, but as shown in the modified example described later, the first imaging units 51a to 54a and the second imaging units 51b to 54b may also include a camera 510 and a mirror 512 that reflects light from the light-emitting unit 20 towards the camera 510.

[0029] Preferably, the timing for the first imaging units 51a to 54a and the second imaging units 51b to 54b to image the glass bottle 10 is when the glass bottle 10 is transported to a position where the optical axes Pa and Pb intersect with the central axis 11. The first to fourth imaging sets 21 to 24 may each image at different timings. By using different timings, it is possible to prevent ambient light from other light-emitting units 20. For example, the light-emitting units 20 of the first imaging set 21 and the second imaging set 22, which are adjacent along the transport direction Tb, are emitted at slightly different timings, and the light-emitting units 20 of the third imaging set 23 and the fourth imaging set 24 are emitted at slightly different timings. Therefore, strictly speaking, the first imaging position B1 of the first imaging set 21 and the first imaging position B1 of the second imaging set 22 will be slightly shifted in the transport direction Tb (the same applies to the second imaging position B2). The first imaging units 51a to 54a and the second imaging units 51b to 54b transmit the captured image data to the control device 60.

[0030] Since the configuration of each imaging set is basically the same, the first imaging set 21 will be explained below using Figures 1 to 4. Here, as shown in Figure 2, the glass bottle 10 is transported and inspected in an upright position, that is, with its central axis 11 aligned with the vertical direction. The vertical direction is the direction of gravity, and the horizontal direction is perpendicular to the vertical direction.

[0031] In each imaging set, the optical axes Pa and Pb of the first imaging units 51a to 54a and the second imaging units 51b to 54b are located away from the region where the body 14 of the glass bottle 10 shines brightest during imaging. The first imaging units 51a to 54a and the second imaging units 51b to 54b are, for example, area sensor cameras. As will be described later, the light from the light-emitting unit 20 has high directivity in the direction perpendicular to the light-emitting surface 20a because the light diffusion angle of the light is suppressed by the light-limiting unit 30. By irradiating the glass bottle 10, the first imaging units 51a-54a and the second imaging units 51b-54b, located opposite each other on either side of the glass bottle 10, can enhance and image the fine irregularities on the outer surface of the glass bottle 10. However, with such highly directional light, the closer the light is to parallel the optical axes Pa and Pb, the brighter the surface of the glass bottle 10 will appear when imaged. In areas of the glass bottle 10 that are brightly illuminated, the irregularities of defects are less likely to be emphasized, making it difficult to detect defects in those areas. Therefore, if the optical axes Pa and Pb are located away from the brightest illuminated area, the area of ​​the glass bottle 10 near where the optical axes Pa and Pb hit will not be too bright, thus reducing the chance of missing defects.

[0032] As shown in Figure 2, the first imaging unit 51a and the second imaging unit 51b capture images of the glass bottle 10 (for example, the first image 110 and the second image 112) as viewed from a position opposite the light-emitting unit 20 with the glass bottle 10 in between. The first imaging unit 51a and the second imaging unit 51b are arranged vertically. It is preferable that the first imaging unit 51a is positioned at a distance from the second imaging unit 51b. The arrangement of the first imaging unit 51a and the second imaging unit 51b ensures that, during imaging, the optical axes Pa and Pb of the first imaging unit 51a and the second imaging unit 51b are located within the upper and lower regions of the glass bottle 10, respectively. Here, the upper and lower regions of the glass bottle 10 simply refer to the vertical positional relationship on the glass bottle 10 and do not limit the range to a specific area. For example, the first image 110 on the left side of Figure 4 is a glass bottle 10 imaged by the first imaging unit 51a, and the second image 112 on the right side of Figure 4 is a glass bottle 10 imaged by the second imaging unit 51b. The positions of the optical axes Pa and Pb in the glass bottle 10 in each image are indicated by black dots. The optical axis Pa is at the center of the first image 110 and is located at least in the upper region of the glass bottle 10, and the optical axis Pb is at the center of the second image 112 and is located at least in the lower region of the glass bottle 10.

[0033] As shown in Figure 2, when viewed from the side, at the height of the body portion 14 where the optical axis Pa strikes, the light perpendicular to the highly directional light-emitting surface 20a and the optical axis Pa become nearly parallel. Therefore, as shown in Figure 4, in the first image 110 captured by the first imaging unit 51a, the fourth region A4 (area enclosed by a dashed line) near the height of the optical axis Pa shines brighter in the height direction than other areas of the body portion 14, making it difficult to detect defects 19a. Thus, defects 19a in the fourth region A4 can be detected in the fifth region A5 (area enclosed by a dashed line) of the second image 112 captured by the second imaging unit 51b, where the optical axis Pb is located away from the fourth region A4. On the other hand, defects 19b in the third region A3 (area enclosed by a dashed line) can be detected in the sixth region A6 (area enclosed by a dashed line) of the first image 110 captured by the first imaging unit 51a, where the optical axis Pa is located away from the third region A3. In this way, by arranging the first imaging unit 51a and the second imaging unit 51b vertically, they complement each other's areas where defects 19a and 19b are difficult to detect, thereby reducing the chance of defects 19a and 19b being missed and enabling highly accurate inspection.

[0034] In this embodiment, the first imaging unit 51a and the second imaging unit 51b are arranged vertically, but for glass bottles with a low height, such as wide-mouth bottles, imaging can be performed using only the second imaging unit 51b by pre-setting. The imaging unit may be selected depending on the total height of the glass bottle 10 and the position of the inspection area pre-set on the glass bottle 10.

[0035] Furthermore, it is preferable that the depth of field of the first imaging unit 51a and the second imaging unit 51b be set to be shallow so that the alignment line 18 on the light-emitting unit 20 side is not captured.

[0036] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the light-emitting unit 20 is a light source that illuminates the glass bottle 10. The light-emitting unit 20 has a light-emitting surface 20a that irradiates light onto the glass bottle 10 from the side. The light-emitting unit 20 is a surface light source that can illuminate the glass bottle 10 from the opposite side of the first imaging unit 51a and the second imaging unit 51b. The light-emitting surface 20a is, for example, rectangular in shape, and almost its entire surface emits light. The light-emitting surface 20a is almost directly facing the glass bottle 10, the first imaging unit 51a and the second imaging unit 51b, and the light that has passed through the glass bottle 10 is directed towards the first imaging unit 51a and the second imaging unit 51b. It is positioned so that it reaches the target. As the light source of the light-emitting unit 20, known light sources such as LEDs and organic ELs can be used. The light-emitting unit 20 provides diffuse illumination.

[0037] As shown in Figure 3, the light-emitting surface 20a is set at a predetermined angle θ in a plan view with respect to a virtual plane Pc that is perpendicular to the optical axes Pa and Pb. The virtual plane Pc is a virtual plane perpendicular to the optical axes Pa and Pb, and in Figure 3, the plane passing through the point where the light-emitting surface 20a intersects with the optical axes Pa and Pb is shown by a dashed line. The dotted arrows extending from the light-emitting surface 20a in Figure 3 clearly represent the light whose directivity has been increased in the direction perpendicular to the light-emitting surface 20a. The more parallel the highly directive light from the light-emitting surface 20a and the light incident on the lenses of the first imaging unit 51a and the second imaging unit 51b become, the brighter the surface of the body 14 shines. Therefore, in the glass bottle 10 of this embodiment, the brightly shining first region A1 and second region A2 shown in Figure 4 appear near the right end of the body 14 in Figure 3. When the right end (or left end) of the body portion 14 becomes brighter, defects and irregularities are more easily emphasized compared to when the central area becomes brighter. Furthermore, the areas near both ends can be inspected using other imaging sets. The predetermined angle θ can be adjusted considering the diameter of the glass bottle 10. The predetermined angle θ can be between 1 and 10 degrees, preferably between 1 and 5 degrees, and more preferably between 2 and 4 degrees. By simply adjusting the light-emitting surface 20a to the predetermined angle θ with respect to the virtual plane Pc, the region where the glass bottle 10 surface shines brightest horizontally, as viewed from the first imaging unit 51a and the second imaging unit 51b, can be easily adjusted to a position away from the optical axis Pa.

[0038] As shown in Figure 4, the arrangement of the first imaging unit 51a and the second imaging unit 51b is set so that, during imaging, the area where the body 14 of the glass bottle 10 shines brightest (the body 14 within the first region A1 and the second region A2) is located away from the optical axes Pa and Pb. In the first image 110, the area where the first region A1 (shaded area) enclosed by the dashed line and the fourth region A4 overlap is the area where the surface of the glass bottle 10 shines brightest as seen from the first imaging unit 51a. Similarly, in the second image 112, the area where the second region A2 (shaded area) enclosed by the dashed line and the third region A3 overlap is the area where the surface of the glass bottle 10 shines brightest as seen from the second imaging unit 51b. The black dots indicating the optical axes Pa and Pb are located outside the first region A1 and the second region A2. By positioning the light-emitting surface 20a at a predetermined angle θ with respect to the virtual plane Pc, the region of the glass bottle 10 that shines brightest in the horizontal direction appears to be shifted to the right (or left) of the central axis 11. By positioning the brightest region of the body 14 away from the optical axes Pa and Pb, the area near the optical axes Pa and Pb is not too bright, thus reducing the chance of defects 19a and 19b being missed.

[0039] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the light limiting unit 30 is positioned on the light-emitting surface 20a side to suppress the diffusion angle of light emitted from the light-emitting unit 20. Preferably, the light limiting unit 30 is provided over the entire surface of the light-emitting surface 20a. By providing the light limiting unit 30, highly directional light can be irradiated onto the glass bottle 10 from the entire light-emitting surface 20a. The light limiting unit 30 can be a known type that suppresses the diffusion angle of light from a light source such as an LED and emits directional light to the outside. The light limiting unit 30 suppresses the diffusion angle of light, making it possible to image, for example, shadows of wrinkles or streaks with step depths.

[0040] The light limiting section 30 can be provided by stacking a first blind section 31 having a plurality of slats extending vertically and a second blind section 32 having a plurality of slats extending horizontally on the light-emitting surface 20a. The slats are also called louvers or pillars, and are preferably elements having a portion formed in the shape of a thin plate. The plurality of slats extending vertically may have a shape that can suppress the light diffusion angle in the horizontal direction. The plurality of slats extending horizontally may have a shape that can suppress the light diffusion angle in the vertical direction. By stacking slats in orthogonal directions in this way, the diffusion angle can be efficiently suppressed. The first blind section 31 makes it easier to detect defects 19a extending vertically in the glass bottle 10, and the second blind section 32 makes it easier to detect defects 19b extending horizontally in the glass bottle 10. In addition to the first blind section 31 and the second blind section 32, a plurality of blinds may be provided. The blind sections may be stacked. In this embodiment, a third blind section 33 is provided between the first blind section 31 and the second blind section 32, having a plurality of slats extending vertically. It is preferable that the first blind section 31 and the third blind section 33, which have slats extending in the same direction, have different diffusion angles set by the slats. For example, if the diffusion angle of the first blind section 31 is set to 60 degrees, the diffusion angle of the third blind section 33 on the glass bottle 10 side is set to a narrower angle, for example, 30 degrees. The diffusion angle can be changed by selecting blind sections with slats of different spacings. Since interference fringes are likely to occur when blind sections with closely spaced slats are stacked, the occurrence of interference fringes can be suppressed by selecting and stacking slats with different spacings.

[0041] The light limiting section 30 is formed, for example, by stacking multiple light control films. Commercially available light control films can be used.

[0042] The control device 60 includes a line setting unit 61, a focus image extraction unit 62, an image creation unit 63, a determination unit 64, and an output unit 65. The control device 60 may further include a storage device (not shown). The control device 60 is composed of, for example, a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), a storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid State Drive), ROM (Read-Only Memory), or RAM (Random Access Memory), an input device such as a keyboard, mouse, or touchpad, and a digital input / output board such as an I / O board. The control device 60 may also include a programmable logic controller (PLC), various network devices (e.g., switches, hubs, routers, etc.), and an image input board for transmitting captured image data. The inspection device 100 may further include a display unit 80 such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display for displaying the output from the control device 60. The control device 60 acquires image data from the first imaging unit 51a and the second imaging unit 51b and performs a process to inspect the glass bottle 10. The process of transporting the glass bottle 10 at a predetermined speed on the transport path 40 may be performed by a control unit separate from the control device 60, or it may be configured to be performed by the control device 60. The control device 60 can execute the timing of imaging based on signals from, for example, a transparent object detection sensor, a rotary encoder on the transport path 40, a solid-state relay, etc.

[0043] The line setting unit 61 can position identification lines on the glass bottle 10 in the first image 110 and the second image 112 in accordance with the uneven parts, such as the seam line 18, which originate from the mold shape. For example, if a part of the seam line 18 can be detected on the straight part of the body 14, the entire seam line 18 can be predicted based on the shape information of the glass bottle 10, such as the body diameter information. Since the seam line 18 appears as a straight line when viewed from above, it is easy to predict the whole. The identification lines are generated along the coordinates of the predicted seam line 18. The seam line 18 can be detected, for example, by performing edge detection processing on the first image 110 and the second image 112, setting a rectangular edge detection area in the center of the straight part of the body 14 and finding a vertical line. The body diameter information of the glass bottle 10 can be detected, for example, by performing edge detection processing on the first image 110 and the second image 112 from both the left and right sides. Other uneven areas resulting from the mold shape besides the seam line 18 may be processed in the same way, or the coordinate information of the uneven areas on the glass bottle 10 may be estimated or acquired and identification lines that have been artificially created in advance may be placed according to said coordinate information. Furthermore, by image processing the first image 110 and the second image 112, the seam line 18 can be blurred to make the uneven areas resulting from the mold shape less noticeable.

[0044] The focus image extraction unit 62 sets the area to be inspected in the glass bottle 10 of the first image 110 and the second image 112, divides the area into multiple minute sections, and then performs image processing on each minute section to extract the focus image. By executing the process in parallel, the processing time can be reduced. Image processing can be performed by a combination of multiple image processing algorithms that can detect the target defects 19a and 19b as points of focus, and the parameters used in each algorithm. Points of focus are singularities detected by image processing, and defects 19a and 19b are contained within the minute area that contains the points of focus. Examples of image processing algorithms include various filtering processes for noise reduction, correction processes such as brightness correction, binarization, edge detection, frequency filtering, arithmetic operations such as basic arithmetic operations, morphology processing, detection target determination processing, branching, etc.

[0045] Image processing for each minute section can be optimized, for example, using evolutionary computation of the GNP (Genetic Network Programming) method. For the GNP method, for example, the method disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-89430, which obtains a detector optimized by a discrete optimization algorithm for points of interest in the image, can be applied. As the discrete optimization algorithm, it is preferable to use evolutionary computation that optimizes using genetic manipulation, which is an optimization method that mathematically simulates biological evolution, but other algorithms that can obtain a similar effect may also be used.

[0046] The image creation unit 63 creates an inspection image by setting the coordinates of the point of interest on the image in which the identification lines are placed. The identification lines can be white lines. The image creation unit 63 may also set information such as the coordinates, shape, size, and brightness of the point of interest on the inspection image.

[0047] The determination unit 64 inputs the inspection image into the trained model to determine the presence or absence of defects 19a and 19b. Since the inspection image has, for example, the coordinates of multiple images of interest set, the trained model is used to perform the determination process on the images at those coordinates. The determination process may be performed in parallel on the coordinates of multiple images of interest. The trained model is trained using training images without defects, training images with defects, and training images with identification lines. The training images with identification lines include images with defects and images without defects, and training images without defects but with identification lines can be trained as good products. By using training images with identification lines, the trained model is less likely to misclassify the identification lines as defects. The trained model can perform machine learning using a neural network. Preferably, a convolutional neural network (CNN) with convolutional layers is used as the neural network. Alternatively, artificial images may be generated using a generative adversarial network (GAN) as disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2021-89219, and these generated images may be used as training images. Examples of defects in training images include streaks, wrinkles, transparent stones, cat scratches, bubbles, and surface bubbles, but other types of defects may be added depending on the requirements of the inspection.

[0048] According to the inspection device 100, the presence or absence of defects 19a and 19b can be determined using a trained model based on training images with identification lines. Therefore, even in areas with uneven surfaces such as the joint line 18, the presence or absence of defects 19a and 19b can be automatically determined with high inspection accuracy. According to the inspection device 100, even defects 19a and 19b with small irregularities appearing on the bottle surface, such as surface bubbles, wrinkles, and streaks, can be detected to the same extent as visual inspection.

[0049] The control device 60 outputs the determination result of the determination unit 64 to the outside, and can display the inspection result along with an image of the glass bottle 10 on the display unit 80 shown in Figure 1, for example. The inspection device 100 may also remove glass bottles 10 that have been determined to have defects in the line after the discharge unit (not shown), for example.

[0050] 2. Inspection device related to modified form Using Figures 5 and 6, the inspection device 102 for the glass bottle 10 according to the modified example (hereinafter simply referred to as the inspection device 102) will be described in detail. Figure 5 is a schematic plan view showing the inspection device 102 according to the modified example, and Figure 6 is a schematic side view showing the inspection device 102. Since the inspection device 102 has the same basic configuration as the inspection device 100 according to the above embodiment, the same reference numerals are used for the same components and redundant explanations are omitted.

[0051] As shown in Figure 5, the inspection device 102 includes a first imaging unit 51a to 54a and a second imaging unit 51b to 54b, which include a mirror 512 that reflects light from the light-emitting unit 20, and a camera 510 that receives the light reflected by the mirror 512. The camera 510 is, for example, an area sensor camera. The optical axes Pa and Pb shown by the dashed lines are the optical axes Pa and Pb of each camera 510. The mirror 512 is positioned opposite the light-emitting unit 20 and the glass bottle 10, with the glass bottle 10 in between. The mirror 512 is, for example, a plate with a flat reflective surface. The mirror 512 is positioned so that the light reflective surface is struck by light that has passed through the glass bottle 10. Preferably, the total height of the mirror 512 is at least greater than the total height of the glass bottle 10. An example is shown in which one mirror 512 is provided for each imaging unit, but multiple mirrors may be provided for each imaging unit. For example, one mirror 512 may be placed for one camera 510, or multiple mirrors 512 may be placed for one camera 510. For example, the light from the light-emitting unit 20 may be reflected two or more times by multiple mirrors 512 before entering the camera 510.

[0052] The four sets of first to fourth imaging sets 21 to 24 are arranged in the same manner as in the above embodiment, with cameras 510 and mirrors 512 positioned to image the glass bottle 10 from four directions offset by 90 degrees around the central axis 11 of the glass bottle 10. In Figure 5, the first and second imaging sets 21 and 22 reflect light from the light-emitting unit 20 in the horizontal direction, but the third and fourth imaging sets 23 and 24 may reflect light in the vertical direction, or the third and fourth imaging sets 23 and 24 may reflect light in the horizontal direction. Alternatively, a combination of horizontal and vertical reflection may be used within a single imaging set.

[0053] The placement of the camera 510 is not limited as long as a predetermined range of the glass bottle 10 can be imaged by the light reflected by the mirror 512. The use of the mirror 512 improves the degree of freedom in the placement of the camera 510 in the inspection device 102. There are generally various devices and wiring around the transport path 40 of the glass bottle 10. If the degree of freedom in the placement of the camera 510 is increased, the camera 510 can be placed in a position that avoids interference with these devices, etc. In the first imaging units 51a, 52a and the second imaging units 51b, 52b, the placement of the two cameras 510, one above the other, and the height of the cameras 510 are the same as in the above embodiment. In the modified example, the cameras 510 of the first imaging units 51a, 52a and the second imaging units 51b, 52b are arranged so that the optical axes Pa and Pb between the camera 510 and the mirror 512 are opposite to each other along the transport direction Tb. Furthermore, in the first imaging units 53a, 54a and the second imaging units 54b, 54b, the camera 510 is positioned above the mirror 512.

[0054] As shown in Figure 6, the cameras 510 of the first imaging unit 53a and the second imaging unit 53b are positioned above the mirror 512. Light traveling horizontally from the light-emitting unit 20 passes through the glass bottle 10, is reflected by the reflective surface of the mirror 512, and travels vertically, where it is received by the camera 510. The camera 510 of the first imaging unit 53a, which images the upper part of the glass bottle 10, receives the light reflected from the upper part of the mirror 512, while the camera 510 of the second imaging unit 53b, which images the lower part of the glass bottle 10, receives the light reflected from the lower part of the mirror 512. Although Figure 6 shows the third imaging set 23, the fourth imaging set 24 can basically adopt a similar configuration.

[0055] The first to fourth imaging sets 21 to 24 can capture images of the glass bottle 10 in the same manner as in the above embodiment. The control device 60 acquires image data from the camera 510 and captures images of the glass The process of inspecting bottle 10 can be executed.

[0056] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various further modifications are possible, including configurations that are substantially identical to those described in the embodiments. Here, "identical configuration" means a configuration that has the same function, method, and result, or a configuration that has the same purpose and effect. The present invention also includes configurations in which non-essential parts of the configuration described in the embodiments are replaced. Furthermore, the present invention includes configurations that produce the same effects or achieve the same purpose as the configuration described in the embodiments. Furthermore, the present invention includes configurations that add known technology to the configuration described in the embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 10...Glass bottle, 11...Central axis, 11...Mouth, 14...Body, 16...Bottom, 18...Seam line, 19a,19b...Defects, 20...Light-emitting part, 20a...Light-emitting surface, 21...First imaging set, 22...Second imaging set, 23...Third imaging set, 24...Fourth imaging set, 30...Light limiting part, 31...First blind part, 32...Second blind part, 33...Third blind part, 40...Transport path, 51a,52a,53a,54a...First imaging part, 51b,52b,53b,54b...Second imaging 510...Camera, 512...Mirror, 60...Control device, 61...Line setting unit, 62...Focus image extraction unit, 63...Image creation unit, 64...Determination unit, 65...Output unit, 100, 102...Inspection device, 110...First image, 112...Second image, A1...First region, A2...Second region, A3...Third region, A4...Fourth region, A5...Fifth region, A6...Sixth region, B1...First imaging position, B2...Second imaging position, La...Light, Pa...Optical axis, Pb...Optical axis, Pc...Virtual plane, Tb...Transport direction, θ...Angle

Claims

1. A light-emitting unit having a light-emitting surface that irradiates light onto a glass bottle from the side, A light limiting unit is positioned on the light-emitting surface side to suppress the diffusion angle of the light emitted from the light-emitting unit, An imaging unit captures an image of the glass bottle as seen from a position opposite the light-emitting unit with the glass bottle in between, A determination unit that determines whether or not there are defects based on the image of the glass bottle captured by the imaging unit, Equipped with, The optical axis of the imaging unit is positioned away from the region where the body of the glass bottle shines brightest, excluding defects, during imaging. The brightest-shining region is the region where the surface of the glass bottle body, which is imaged by the imaging unit by light emitted from the light-emitting surface and whose directivity is increased in a direction perpendicular to the light-emitting surface by the light-limiting unit, shines brightest. A glass bottle inspection apparatus characterized in that the light-emitting surface is set at an angle of 1 to 10 degrees in a plan view with respect to a virtual plane perpendicular to the optical axis.

2. In the glass bottle inspection apparatus according to claim 1, The imaging unit includes a mirror that reflects light from the light-emitting unit and a camera that receives the light reflected by the mirror. The optical axis is the optical axis of the camera, A glass bottle inspection device characterized in that the mirror is positioned opposite the light-emitting unit, with the glass bottle in between.

3. In the glass bottle inspection apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, The imaging unit comprises a first imaging unit and a second imaging unit arranged vertically. A glass bottle inspection apparatus characterized in that, during imaging, the optical axes of the first imaging unit and the second imaging unit are located within the upper and lower regions of the glass bottle, respectively.

4. In the glass bottle inspection apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, The glass bottle inspection apparatus is characterized in that the light limiting section is provided on the light-emitting surface in a stacked manner, comprising a first blind section having a plurality of slats extending in the vertical direction and a second blind section having a plurality of slats extending in the horizontal direction.

5. In the glass bottle inspection apparatus according to claim 3, It is further equipped with a transport path for continuously transporting glass bottles, Four imaging sets, each consisting of the light-emitting unit, the light-limiting unit, the first imaging unit, and the second imaging unit, are arranged along the transport path. A glass bottle inspection apparatus characterized in that the four sets of imaging sets are arranged to image the glass bottle from four directions offset by 90 degrees around the central axis of the glass bottle.

Images