Product inspection device

Abstract

To provide an article inspection device capable of correcting the posture and position of an article on a conveyor unit before sending the article to an inspection unit and thus providing more reliable inspection results.SOLUTION: An article inspection device 1 is provided, comprising a conveyor unit 2 configured to suction-hold and convey tablets W to be inspected, an inspection unit 3 configured to inspect the tablets W by irradiating the tablets W with light 15, and a guide unit 4 provided along the conveyor unit 2 and configured to be in sliding contact with the tablets W being conveyed by the conveyor unit 2 so as to correct positions of the tablets W and adjust posture of the tablets W with respect to the inspection unit 3.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an article inspection device.

Background Art

[0002] There is known a tablet measuring device that can continuously measure the exact physical properties of individual tablets using an optical sensor (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This tablet measuring device is a tablet measuring device that measures the physical properties of tablets taken out from a tablet coating device, and includes a tablet receiving portion into which tablets are introduced, a measuring portion that measures the physical properties of the tablets while transporting the tablets, a tablet supply portion that supplies the tablets introduced into the tablet receiving portion to the measuring portion, and a recovery portion that returns the tablets whose physical properties have been measured to the tablet coating device. The measuring portion is characterized by having an optical sensor capable of measuring the physical properties of tablets in a non-contact state.

[0003] This type of inspection device can perform inspection by irradiating a molded product such as a tablet with light and measuring the reflected light. Since the inspection device performs inspection by irradiating light at high speed, the molded product is adsorbed on a transport disk having a suction mechanism, and transport and inspection are performed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in the process of inspecting each tablet as they are transported at high speed, the transport disc must always hold the tablets in the same orientation. Conventional inspection devices only used the transport disc to hold molded products by suction, so the position of the tablets in the measurement unit was not always held in a constant orientation, and deviations could occur. For example, in component inspection using transmitted light, the light transmission length will differ depending on whether the tablet is held at an angle or horizontally. Also, when inspecting the center of a tablet, whether the light from the inspection unit shines on the center of the tablet can vary depending on the tablet's suction position. These errors in the orientation and position of the objects being inspected in the transport unit can impair the reliability of the inspection results, and in some cases, there was a risk of misjudging good products as defective.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide an article inspection device that can correct the posture and position of an article in the conveying section and send it to the inspection section, thereby improving the reliability of the inspection results. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] Next, means for solving the above-mentioned problems will be described with reference to drawings corresponding to the embodiments. The article inspection apparatus 1 according to claim 1 of the present invention is It is formed in a disc shape with a vertical axis as the center of rotation, and the outer edge 9 The item W to be inspected is held in place by suction and transported. This is the transport disk 8. Conveying unit 2, An inspection unit 3 that irradiates the article W with light 15 to inspect the article W, The transport unit 2 the outer peripheral edge along Curved in an arc shape It is provided as such, and the transport section 2 It is held, Transported approaching The device comprises a guide section 4 that corrects the position of the article W by sliding against the article W, thereby adjusting the orientation of the article W relative to the inspection section 3. The guide section 4 is arranged in pairs facing each other with the article W positioned between them, and the distance between the opposing guide sections gradually narrows from upstream in the conveying direction of the article W towards the downstream inspection section 3. And immediately before the inspection unit 3 the article W At intervals that are the height from the bottom surface to the top surface The inclined surface on which the article W is placed slides against the surface of the article W other than the surface to be adsorbed, thereby adjusting the orientation of the article W.

[0008] In this article inspection device 1, a guide section 4 is provided along the transport section 2. The guide section 4 comes into contact with the article W that is being held by the transport section 2 and approaching. The guide section 4 is supported and fixed by, for example, the base of the device. Therefore, the article W comes into contact with the stationary guide section 4 by sliding against it as the transport section 2, which is holding the article W, moves. As the article W slides against the guide section 4, it receives a reaction force from the guide section 4, causing a phenomenon in which a part of the surface to be held separates from the suction surface of the transport section 2, for example, the outer edge 9 of the transport disc 8, but the suction continues. As a result, the suction hold of the article W by the transport section 2 becomes unstable. In other words, the tablet can be moved. While maintaining this unstable state of the article W, the guide section 4 uses the displacement of its relative position with the article W being moved by the transport to gradually correct the shifted position and control the article W to a constant or correct position. This allows the item inspection device 1 to correct the orientation and position of the items W in the transport unit 2 before sending them to the inspection unit 3. In other words, the item inspection device 1 can ensure that all of the transported items W are in the same position and orientation immediately before measurement in the inspection unit 3. Therefore, the inspection unit 3 always inspects items W in the same position and orientation, improving the reliability of the inspection results. In this article inspection device 1, a pair of opposing guide sections 4 are positioned with an article W sandwiched between them. As the transport section 2 moves, the article W, held by suction, enters the space between the stationary pair of guide sections 4. At this time, the article W is transported while sliding against the stationary pair of guide sections 4 at two points on both sides. By sliding against the guide sections 4, the article W receives a reaction force from the guide sections 4, maintaining an unstable state, and its posture is controlled from both sides by utilizing the displacement of the relative position due to movement. Specifically, for example, when the outer circumference of a cylindrical article W is held by suction, both end faces in the axial direction of the cylindrical shape parallel to the transport direction are sandwiched between the pair of guide sections 4. This increases the probability of the article being corrected by sliding against the guide section 4 compared to correcting the position by sliding against one point with a single guide section 4. Therefore, the correction of posture and position becomes easier and can be done in a short time. In this article inspection device 1, a pair of guide sections 4 are positioned opposite each other with the article W in between. The pair of guide sections 4 are positioned so that the distance between them gradually narrows from upstream in the conveying direction of the article W towards the downstream inspection section 3. Gradually narrowing includes cases where a pair of straight inclined surfaces approach each other, where one of the straight inclined surfaces approaches a straight horizontal surface, where a pair of curved inclined surfaces approach each other, or where one of the curved inclined surfaces approaches a straight horizontal surface. In other words, the pair of guide sections 4 have a wide entrance for the article W to enter and a narrow exit for sending the article W to the inspection section 3. The exit is approximately the size of the article W. Here, the size of the article W is, for example, the outer diameter of the article W if the article W is cylindrical, or the axial height (thickness) of the article W. When the pair of guide sections 4 sandwich the article W with both end faces in the axial direction, it is preferable that the exit is approximately the axial size of the article W. As a result, the pair of guide sections 4 can ultimately control the rotation of the article W until it is in a position where it is sandwiched between both axial ends. In this item inspection device 1, the side surface of the item W is held by suction on the outer edge 9 of a disc-shaped transport disk 8. The item W is transported as the transport disk 8 rotates, with a portion of the circumferential direction forming a transport path.

[0009] The article inspection device 1 according to claim 2 of the present invention is the article inspection device 1 according to claim 1, The inclined surface of the guide portion 4 is In cross-sectional viewCurved It has the part characterized in that it can

[0013] The article inspection device 1 according to the claims of the present invention 3 is the article inspection device 1 described in any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the guide portion 4 includes a first guide portion 17 and a second guide portion 18 which are arranged in a plurality of pairs in the upstream to downstream conveyance direction of the article W toward the inspection portion 3.

Advantages of the Invention

[0017] According to the article inspection device described in claim 1 of the present invention, the posture and position of the article in the conveyance portion can be corrected and sent to the inspection portion, thereby improving the reliability of the inspection result. In addition, by slidingly contacting and sliding two locations such as both sides of the article between a pair of opposed guide portions, it is possible to easily control the posture by sandwiching the misaligned article W, and it is possible to easily correct the article W to a certain posture. In addition, by increasing the separation width between a pair of inlet-side guide portions arranged opposite each other, even when the state of the conveyed article is greatly inclined, a large correction amount can be ensured, and the posture of the article can be corrected with a large correction width along the guide. Furthermore, since an object can be held by adsorbing it by contacting a portion of the outer edge of the disc-shaped transport disc, a large number of objects can be easily adsorbed with posture control in a small installation space, and an object inspection device with a posture control function by the guide part can be made compact.

[0018] According to the article inspection device described in claim 2 of the present invention ,versus the lateral interval can be gradually narrowed.

[0020] The article inspection device according to the claims of the present invention 3 is such that each guide portion is arranged in series with a slight separation, and the guide width at the outlet of each guide portion can be configured to decrease in this arrangement order.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0022] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view of an article inspection device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] It is an enlarged view of the main part that magnifies the vicinity of the inspection part of the conveyance part shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 3] It is a side view of FIG. 2. [Figure 4] It is a plan view of FIG. 3. [Figure 5] It is a side cross-sectional view of the conveyance part and the inspection part of FIG. 4. [Figure 6] It is an enlarged view of the main part that explains the operation of the first embodiment in the vicinity of the inspection part of the conveyance part. [Figure 7] (a) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A - A of FIG. 6, and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B - B of FIG. 6. [Figure 8] It is a side view of the guide part according to the first modification of the first embodiment. [Figure 9] It is a side view of the guide part according to the second modification of the first embodiment. [Figure 10] It is a side cross-sectional view of the guide part according to the third modification of the first embodiment. [Figure 11] It is a side cross-sectional view of the guide part according to the fourth modification of the first embodiment. [Figure 12] It is a perspective view of the article inspection device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 13] It is an enlarged view of the main part that magnifies the vicinity of the inspection part of the conveyance part shown in FIG. 12. [Figure 14] It is a side view of FIG. 13. [Figure 15] It is a side cross-sectional view of the conveyance part and the inspection part of FIG. 14. [Figure 16] It is a side cross-sectional view of the guide part according to the first modification of the second embodiment. [Figure 17] It is a perspective view of the article inspection device according to the third embodiment. [Figure 18] It is a side view of the conveyance part composed of a transfer disk and a conveyance disk. [Figure 19] It is a perspective view of the guide part according to the first modification of the third embodiment. [Figure 20] It is a side view of FIG. 19. [Figure 21] It is a cross-sectional view taken along the line C - C of FIG. 20.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0023] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. [First Embodiment] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the article inspection device 1 according to the first embodiment. The article inspection apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment aligns the articles W to be inspected and transports them individually while irradiating them with light at a predetermined inspection position, and inspects the quality of the articles W based on the spectral characteristics of the light transmitted through the articles W as a result of this irradiation.

[0024] The articles W to be inspected are small-diameter articles whose light irradiation area is relatively close to the diameter of the irradiation port that irradiates the article W to be inspected. These include articles with an outer diameter of several millimeters to several tens of millimeters that can be transported individually without packaging, bite-sized articles, articles and molded products of a predetermined shape manufactured in existing manufacturing facilities or manufacturing facilities without inspection functions, and articles in particular that do not change shape during the transport process. Examples of articles W that fall under this category include formulations such as tablets, capsules, lozenges, and drops, as well as candies and chocolates. Below, we will explain using a tablet as an example of an article W to be inspected, which is circular in plan view, has a height (thickness) that is small compared to its diameter, and is roughly cylindrical or roughly elliptical in side view.

[0025] The article inspection device 1 according to the first embodiment mainly comprises a conveying unit 2, an inspection unit 3, and a guide unit 4. In addition, the article inspection device 1 may be provided with a supply unit 5 on the upstream side of the conveying direction of the conveying unit 2.

[0026] When a tablet W, which is a molded product manufactured using existing manufacturing equipment or manufacturing equipment without inspection functions, is fed into the supply unit 5, the supply unit 5 stores the fed tablet W and then discharges the stored tablet W one by one from the discharge port and supplies it to the transport unit 2.

[0027] A rotary feeder 6 is located in the supply unit 5. Tablets W, taken from a coating device (not shown), etc., are supplied to the rotary feeder 6 via a tablet input port 7. The tablets W supplied to the rotary feeder 6 are then supplied to the transport disk 8 of the transport unit 2. The transport disk 8 uses its outer edge 9 to attract and transport the tablets W.

[0028] In the article inspection apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment, the transport disk 8 is arranged horizontally and its vertical axis is the center of rotation, but it is not limited to this. That is, in the article inspection apparatus according to the present invention, as will be described later, the center of rotation of the transport disk 8 may be horizontal, or it may be inclined at a predetermined angle.

[0029] During transport, the tablets W are inspected by the inspection unit 3 to measure physical properties such as the thickness of the coating film and the content of the active ingredient. The measured data is sent to a computer (not shown). Of the measured tablets W, those that do not meet the inspection standards are discharged from the NG product discharge port (not shown) of the transport unit 2, which is located downstream of the inspection unit 3. Those that meet the inspection standards are discharged from the OK product discharge port (not shown) of the transport unit 2, which is located downstream of the NG product discharge port.

[0030] The rotary feeder 6 is a vibration-free rotary parts feeder. It has a cylindrical housing with a rotating disc 10 and an annular rotating disc 11. The rotating disc 10 is slightly off-center, and its outer edge is positioned via a crescent-shaped inclined surface so that it is obliquely in contact with the inside of the annular rotating disc 11. Tablets W are supplied from the tablet input port 7 to the rotating disc 10, move circumferentially as the disc 10 rotates, and move to the annular rotating disc 11 near the top of the inclined surface of the disc 10. The tablets W on the annular rotating disc 11 move while aligning circumferentially as the annular rotating disc 11 rotates, and are sent to the tablet acquisition unit 12. The tablet acquisition unit 12 is the part that transfers the tablets W from the supply unit 5 to the transport unit 2. The tablets W sent to this tablet acquisition unit 12 are attracted to the transport disk 8 that rotates in the transport unit 2.

[0031] The outer edge 9 of the transport disc 8 has suction holes 13 formed at predetermined intervals, which are connected to a suction device (not shown) such as a vacuum pump. The tablet W is held on the outer edge 9 of the transport disc 8 by negative pressure on its side surface in the suction holes 13. The tablet W is held on the transport disc 8 in a horizontal position, with its cylindrical axis aligned with the vertical, that is, with its top and bottom surfaces aligned with the horizontal plane, and is transported in the circumferential direction as the transport disc 8 rotates while maintaining that position.

[0032] The guide section 4 is provided along the transport section 2. Specifically, the guide section 4 is provided along the outer edge 9 of the transport disc 8 between the tablet acquisition section 12 and the inspection section 3. The guide section 4 is supported and fixed by, for example, the base of the device (not shown), without contacting the transport disc 8. The guide section 4 corrects the position of the tablet W by sliding against the tablet W being transported on the transport disc 8, thereby adjusting the orientation of the tablet W relative to the inspection section 3. This guide section 4 can be called a position correction guide, and its fixed position can be finely adjusted according to the tablet size, etc.

[0033] Figure 2 is an enlarged view of the main part of the transport unit 2 shown in Figure 1, near the inspection unit 3. In the first embodiment, the guide section 4 is positioned with the tablet W in between, and a pair of guide sections 4 are arranged facing each other. Between the rotary feeder 6 and the inspection section 3, the pair of guide sections 4 are curved in an arc shape along the outer peripheral edge 9 of the transport disk 8, and their sides are attracted to the suction holes 13, and are positioned facing the upper and lower surfaces of the tablet W that is attracted to the outer peripheral edge 9 of the transport disk 8.

[0034] Figure 3 is a side view of Figure 2. The pair of guide sections 4 are arranged such that the distance between them gradually narrows as the tablet W is transported from upstream towards the inspection section 3 downstream. Here, "gradually narrowing" includes cases where a pair of straight inclined surfaces approach each other, and cases where one of the straight inclined surfaces approaches a straight horizontal surface. As the pair of guide sections 4 gradually narrow towards the downstream in the transport direction, just before the inspection section 3, the distance between them is approximately the same as the distance between the axial ends of the tablet W (height from the bottom surface to the top surface), and the distance between them allows the tablet W to pass through easily. As a result, the pair of guide sections 4 slide against the surfaces of the tablet W, excluding the surface to be adsorbed, and adjust the orientation of the tablet W. That is, the orientation and position are corrected so that the top and bottom surfaces are aligned with the horizontal surface.

[0035] Figure 4 is a plan view of Figure 3. The pair of guide units 4 have an inlet where the tablets W transported by the transport disc 8 enter, which serves as the start position for attitude control. The outlet where the tablets W are sent to the inspection unit 3 serves as the end position for attitude control. As a result, the tablets W, which are picked up and transported away from the guide units 4, are delivered to the inspection unit 3 in a fixed or correct attitude.

[0036] Figure 5 is a side cross-sectional view of the transport section 2 and inspection section 3 in Figure 4. In the inspection unit 3, the light 15 emitted from the light irradiation unit 14 passes through the tablet W and then enters the light detection unit 16. At the position of the inspection unit 3, the tablet W has completed its orientation correction by the guide unit 4 and is in a horizontal position.

[0037] The inspection unit 3 detects the measurement timing for measuring spectral characteristics when the tablet W reaches the inspection position on the transport disk 8. The transport unit 2 outputs a pulse signal each time the transport disk 8 rotates by an angle of rotation corresponding to the number of notches, etc., using, for example, a rotary encoder. The inspection unit 3 detects the rising or falling edge of this pulse signal to determine the measurement timing.

[0038] The inspection unit 3 inspects the tablet W by irradiating it with light 15. The inspection unit 3 comprises a light irradiation unit 14 and a light detection unit 16. The light irradiation unit 14, although not shown, is composed of a light source, a light guide, a focusing lens, etc. The light source is composed of a broadband light source, such as a halogen lamp, in order to irradiate the tablet W with broadband light 15. The light guide is composed of many bundled glass optical fibers and guides the light 15 from the light source to a focusing lens that focuses the light. The focusing lens focuses the light 15 from the light guide onto the upper surface of the tablet W at the inspection position.

[0039] The light irradiation unit 14 emits broadband light 15 from the light source to the focusing lens via a light guide, adjusts the magnification of the focusing lens so that it covers the entire upper surface of the tablet W at the inspection position, and efficiently irradiates the tablet W at the inspection position with light 15 from the light source.

[0040] The photodetector 16, although not shown in the diagram, is assembled as an integral unit and includes an optical fiber and a spectrometer. In the photodetector 16, light 15 that has passed through the tablet W at the inspection position enters through the incident aperture of the optical fiber, which acts as a light-receiving part, and reaches the spectrometer. The spectrometer performs spectral analysis using a grating (diffraction grating) that utilizes the difference in diffraction angle depending on the wavelength of the light 15. Specifically, the light 15 that enters the spectrometer is irradiated onto the grating and spectrally separated into each wavelength component. Then, the spectrally separated light 15 is detected for each wavelength component by photodetectors arranged in a row. After that, the light intensity for each wavelength component is measured to obtain spectral characteristics. The inspection unit 3 processes the spectral characteristics obtained by the photodetector 16 as a signal and makes a pass / fail (OK / NG) judgment on the quality of the tablet W, such as whether it is within the specification range or not, based on the result of the signal processing.

[0041] Next, the operation of the article inspection device 1 according to the first embodiment will be explained.

[0042] In the article inspection device 1 according to the first embodiment, a guide section 4 is provided along the transport section 2. The guide section 4 comes into contact with the tablet W that is being held by the transport section 2 and approaching. The guide section 4 is supported and fixed by, for example, the base of the device. Therefore, the tablet W comes into contact with the stationary guide section 4 by sliding against it as the transport section 2 holding the tablet W moves.

[0043] The tablet W is held in place by its side surface by the outer edge 9 of the transport disc 8, and a small gap actually exists between the outer edge 9 and the tablet W. This is because the curved surfaces of the outer edge 9 and the side surface are in contact with each other. In order to properly maintain this gap between the transport disc 8 and the tablet W, it is necessary to use the guide unit 4 to accurately align the position of the tablet W relative to the transport disc 8, that is, the position of the surface to be adsorbed. The product inspection device 1 corrects the position (adsorption position) of the adsorbed tablet W relative to the adsorption hole 13 and adjusts the orientation of the adsorbed state.

[0044] When the tablet W slides against the guide section 4, it receives a reaction force from the guide section 4, causing a phenomenon in which a portion of the surface to be adsorbed separates from the suction surface of the transport section 2, for example, the outer edge 9 of the transport disk 8. Here, "partially separate" means that it does not completely separate, but rather the suction state continues, and the suction surface of the transport section 2 and the surface to be adsorbed of the tablet W remain in approximate contact. As a result, the suction holding of the tablet W by the transport section 2 becomes unstable. In other words, the tablet W can be moved relative to the suction hole 13. The guide section 4 maintains this unstable state of the tablet W and uses the displacement of its relative position with respect to the tablet W as it is moved by transport to gradually correct the misaligned position and control the tablet W to its correct orientation.

[0045] In the transport unit 2, it is difficult to correct the position of the tablet W without first removing a portion of it. In other words, the guide unit 4 configures a position correction transport path that gradually corrects the misaligned position of the tablet W so that it eventually settles into the correct orientation. The guide unit 4 controls the orientation of the tablet W when it slightly deviates from the suction surface of the transport unit 2, causing unstable suction.

[0046] This allows the product inspection device 1 to correct the orientation and position of the tablets W in the transport unit 2 before sending them to the inspection unit 3. In other words, the product inspection device 1 can align all of the tablets W being transported one after another to the same position and orientation just before measurement in the inspection unit 3. Therefore, in the inspection unit 3, each tablet W being transported is always inspected in the same position and orientation, improving the reliability of the inspection results.

[0047] Figure 6 is an enlarged view of the main part near the inspection section of the transport unit 2, illustrating the operation of the first embodiment. Furthermore, in the item inspection device 1, a pair of opposing guide sections 4 are positioned with the tablet W sandwiched between them. The tablet W, held by the transport section 2, enters between the stationary pair of guide sections 4 as the transport section 2 moves. At this time, the tablet W is transported while sliding against the stationary pair of guide sections 4 at two points on both sides. In the first embodiment, these two points are the bottom surface and the top surface of the tablet W.

[0048] Figure 7(a) is a cross-sectional view of AA in Figure 6, and (b) is a cross-sectional view of BB in Figure 6. The pair of guide sections 4 have a guide width d2 at the attitude control end position shown in Figure 7(b) that is smaller than the guide width d1 at the attitude control start position shown in Figure 7(a). The guide width d2 is approximately the same distance as the height difference between the axial ends of the tablet W, i.e., from the bottom surface to the top surface.

[0049] The tablet W receives a reaction force from the upper and lower guide parts 4 by sliding against them, and while maintaining an unstable state, its posture is controlled from two directions on both sides by utilizing the relative positional displacement caused by movement. Specifically, for example, when the outer circumference of a cylindrical tablet W is held by suction, the lower and upper surfaces of the tablet W, which are parallel to the transport direction, are sandwiched between the pair of upper and lower guide parts 4.

[0050] This increases the probability that the tablet W will be corrected by sliding against a pair of guide sections 4, compared to correcting the position by sliding against one side (either the top or bottom) using only one guide section. As a result, the posture and position can be corrected more easily and quickly, or in other words, correcting during high-speed transport becomes possible. It can also be said that correction is possible even over short distances. Consequently, with a pair of opposing guide sections 4, the two points on both sides of the tablet W can be slid against each guide section 4, making it easier to control the posture of the misaligned tablet W by sandwiching it between them, and thus making it easier to correct the tablet W to its correct posture.

[0051] Furthermore, in the product inspection device 1, the side surface of the tablet W is held by suction on the outer peripheral edge 9 of the disc-shaped transport section 2. As the transport section 2 rotates, the tablet W is transported through a portion of the circumferential direction of the transport section 2, which serves as the transport path. As a result, the product inspection device 1 can hold the tablet W by suction on the outer peripheral edge 9 of the disc-shaped transport section 2, allowing for easy posture control and suction of a large number of tablets W in a small installation space, and enabling a compact product inspection device 1 with posture control function by the guide section 4.

[0052] Next, a modified example 1 of the first embodiment of the guide section 4 will be described. Figure 8 is a side view of the guide section 4 according to Modification 1 of the first embodiment. In the modified version 1 of the first embodiment, the guide section 4 has a wider entrance for the tablet W to enter and a narrower exit for sending the tablet W to the inspection section 3. The exit is approximately the size of the tablet W. Here, the size of the tablet W is, for example, the outer diameter of the tablet W if the tablet W is cylindrical, or the axial height (thickness) of the tablet W.

[0053] When the tablet W is cylindrical, for example, the pair of guide portions 4 may have an opening larger than the diameter when gripping the tablet W in the diametrical direction. Similarly, when the tablet W is cylindrical, as shown in Figure 8, the pair of guide portions 4 may also have an opening larger than the diameter of the tablet W when gripping the tablet W with both axial end faces.

[0054] According to the guide section 4 of Modification 1 of the First Embodiment, for example, when gripping a tablet W with both axial end faces, it is possible to control the rotation of the tablet W until it is finally gripped with both axial end faces by gradually narrowing the distance between the opposing surfaces. In this Modification 1 of the First Embodiment, gradually narrowing includes cases where a pair of curved inclined surfaces approach each other, as shown in Figure 8, and also cases where one of the curved inclined surfaces approaches a straight horizontal surface. As a result, by increasing the distance between the pair of opposing entrance-side guide sections, a large amount of correction can be secured even if the tablet W being transported is significantly tilted, and the posture of the tablet W can be corrected along the guide with a large correction range.

[0055] Next, a modified example 2 of the first embodiment of the guide section 4 will be described. Figure 9 is a side view of the guide section 4 according to modification 2 of the first embodiment. In the modified version 2 of the first embodiment, the guide section 4 has multiple pairs of guide sections 4 that sandwich the lower and upper surfaces of the tablet W, arranged in a multi-stage manner toward the downstream direction of transport. That is, the first guide section 17, the second guide section 18, and the third guide section 19 are arranged in a series with slight spacing between them, and the guide width at the exit of each guide section decreases in this order of arrangement. In other words, in such a multi-stage guide section 4, it is preferable that the guide width at the entrance and exit of the first guide section 17 is larger than that of the second guide section 18. Also, it is preferable that the guide width at the entrance and exit of the second guide section 18 is larger than that of the third guide section 19. In short, it is preferable that the entrance gradually decreases toward the first guide section 17, the second guide section 18, and the third guide section 19, and that the exit also gradually decreases toward the first guide section 17, the second guide section 18, and the third guide section 19.

[0056] According to the guide section 4 of the modified example 2 of the first embodiment, the posture can be corrected in stages using the first guide section 17, the second guide section 18, and the third guide section 19, allowing for multiple corrections with a gradually narrowing guide width. As a result, the tablet W is not continuously slid against the opposing surface of the guide section 4, reducing friction and increasing the success rate of correcting to the correct posture.

[0057] Next, the guide section 4 according to modification 3 of the first embodiment will be described. Figure 10 is a side cross-sectional view of the guide portion 4 according to modification 3 of the first embodiment. The guide portion 4 according to Modification 3 of the First Embodiment extends in the transport direction, in contact with the lower or upper surface of the tablet W. The cross-section of the guide portion 4 perpendicular to the extension direction is not limited to a substantially rectangular shape (see Figure 7) as in the above-described embodiment and modification, but may have a U-shaped or V-shaped sliding contact surface as shown in Figures 10(a) and (b). The guide portion 4 may also be configured as a narrow rail-shaped member 4a. The rail-shaped member 4a slides against the opposite surface of the tablet W, facing these U-shaped or V-shaped sliding contact surfaces, to correct the tilt. The narrow rail-shaped member 4a slides against, for example, a position eccentric from the center of the tablet W. Note that the same cross-sectional shape of each of these guide portions 4 does not have to be continuous in the extension direction.

[0058] According to this modified example 3, the guide section 4 is particularly effective for controlling the posture of a tablet W when its lower or upper surface is not flat, for example, when the tablet W is formed on a curved surface with a small curvature. The U-shaped or V-shaped sliding contact surface allows for a small contact area (sliding contact area) with the lower or upper surface of the tablet W, suppressing the generation of frictional resistance. Furthermore, by positioning the narrow rail-shaped member 4a on the right or left, the tablet W can be shifted to one side, allowing it to be aligned with the center of the inspection section 3.

[0059] Next, a modified example 4 of the first embodiment will be described. Figure 11 is a side cross-sectional view of the guide portion 4 according to a modified example 4 of the first embodiment. The guide portion 4 according to the modified example 4 of the first embodiment extends in the transport direction, in contact with the lower or upper surface of the tablet W. The guide portion 4 may have a cross-section perpendicular to the extending direction, such as a narrow rail shape that slides against, for example, the center of the lower or upper surface of the tablet W to correct its tilt, as shown in Figure 11(a), or a parallel rail shape that has a concave cross-sectional sliding contact surface as shown in Figure 11(b) and slides against the tablet W at two points.

[0060] According to this modified example 4, the guide section 4 is particularly effective for controlling the posture of the tablet W when its bottom or top surface is not flat, for example, when it is elliptical in a side view.

[0061] Thus, in the article inspection device 1, as in the modified examples 3 and 4 of the first embodiment, the location where the tablet W is contacted and the position of sliding contact can be devised to support it in a V-shape, a U-shape, a V-shape from above, a V-shape from below, or support from above on only one side. By combining these various cross-sectional shapes, the posture of the tablet W can be controlled, and the transport to the inspection unit 3 can always be kept constant.

[0062] [Second Embodiment] Next, a second embodiment will be described. Figure 12 is a perspective view of the article inspection device 20 according to the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, the same reference numerals are used for members and parts equivalent to those shown in Figures 1 to 11, and redundant explanations are omitted.

[0063] The article inspection apparatus 20 according to the second embodiment has a transport section 2 with a plate member 21 that protrudes so as to face the guide section 4. The plate member 21 is formed in an annular shape that protrudes radially outward from the outer peripheral edge 9 of the transport disk 8. At the position of the inspection section 3, the plate member 21 has holes 22 through which light 15 from the inspection section 3 passes. The holes 22 penetrate the plate member 21 in the thickness direction and are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction corresponding to the suction holes 13.

[0064] Figure 13 is an enlarged view of the main part of the transport unit 2 shown in Figure 12, specifically the area near the inspection unit. The plate member 21 adjusts the orientation of the tablet W, which slides against the guide section 4, by placing it at the position of the hole 22. In the product inspection device 20, the plate member 21 is provided around the entire circumference of the transport disc 8, while the guide section 4 is provided between the rotating feeder 6 and the inspection section 3.

[0065] Figure 14 is a side view of Figure 13. The guide section 4 is positioned at an angle such that the distance between it and the plate member 21 gradually decreases from the upstream in the transport direction of the tablet W toward the downstream inspection section 3. Here, "gradually decreasing" includes cases where a straight inclined surface gradually approaches the plate member 21. Immediately before the inspection section 3, the distance between the guide section 4 and the plate member 21 is approximately the same as the distance between the axial ends of the tablet W (height from the bottom surface to the top surface), and the distance between them allows the tablet W to easily pass through. As a result, on two surfaces of the tablet W excluding the surface to be adsorbed, one surface can contact the plate member 21, and the other surface slides against the guide section 4, thereby adjusting the posture of the tablet W. That is, the posture and position are corrected so that the top and bottom surfaces are in a horizontal position along the horizontal plane, and the top surface is aligned with the plate member 21.

[0066] Figure 15 is a side cross-sectional view of the transport section 2 and inspection section 3 shown in Figure 14. In the article inspection device 20 according to the second embodiment, the plate member 21 is provided in a flange shape along the upper edge of the outer peripheral edge 9 of the transport disc 8, which is located between the light irradiation unit 14 of the inspection unit 3 and the tablet W. The guide unit 4 is positioned on the opposite side of the tablet W from the plate member 21. The plate member 21 may also be positioned between the light detection unit 16 and the tablet W, in which case it is provided in a flange shape along the lower edge of the outer peripheral edge 9 of the transport disc 8, and the guide unit 4 is located between the irradiation unit 14 and the tablet W.

[0067] The hole 22 in the plate member 21 is drilled with a diameter slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the tablet W. The hole 22 is positioned coaxially with the tablet W at a location where the plate member 21 and the guide portion 4 sandwich the tablet W. The hole 22 blocks the light 15 that leaks from the outer circumference of the tablet W and enters the light detection portion 16 between the light irradiation portion 14 and the tablet W.

[0068] Next, the operation of the article inspection device 20 according to the second embodiment will be explained.

[0069] In the article inspection apparatus 20 according to the second embodiment, the transport unit 2 has a plate member 21 that protrudes so as to face the guide unit 4. When the transport unit 2 is a transport disc 8, the outer peripheral edge 9 of the transport disc 8 becomes the suction surface. The suction surface has a plurality of suction holes 13 opening at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. The tablet W is held on the outer peripheral edge 9 of the transport disc 8 by negative pressure adsorption on the surface to be adsorbed, for example, the side surface, into the suction holes 13.

[0070] The plate member 21 extends radially outward from the transport disc 8, so that it faces either of the axial end faces of the tablet W whose side surface is adsorbed to the outer peripheral edge 9 of the transport disc 8, for example, the top surface of the tablet W in the example of Figure 15. Because the plate member 21 is attached to the adsorption hole 13 in a predetermined relative position, when the tablet W is adsorbed to the adsorption hole 13 in the correct orientation, the hole 22 of the plate member 21 coincides with a predetermined position of the tablet W, for example, the axis of a cylinder.

[0071] The guide section 4 is supported and fixed, for example, to the base of the device. Therefore, the tablet W comes into contact with the plate member 21 while sliding against the stationary guide section 4 due to the movement of the transport section 2 that holds the tablet W. In other words, the posture of the tablet W is controlled from both sides by the plate member 21 and the guide section 4. Specifically, when the outer circumference of a cylindrical tablet W is held by suction, the tablet W is sandwiched between the plate member 21, which contacts both axial ends of the cylindrical tablet without sliding contact, and the guide section 4, which slides against it.

[0072] As a result, compared to cases where the position is corrected by sliding contact at one point (one side) using only one guide part, such as either the top or bottom, the probability of correction is increased by sliding contact with the guide part 4 while making contact with the plate member 21, making correction easier and enabling highly accurate correction in a short time.

[0073] In addition, the tablet W, which has been attracted to the adsorption hole 13 and corrected to the correct orientation, is positioned in the hole 22 of the plate member 21 with its axis aligned. When the tablet W is positioned in the hole 22 of the plate member 21, light 15 is shone through the hole 22 in the inspection unit 3. In other words, the inspection unit 3 can receive transmitted light that has passed only through the desired position of the tablet W.

[0074] This prevents light 15 from leaking radially outward from the tablet W and entering the light detection unit 16, which is the light receiving unit, as stray light, in the absence of the plate member 21. As a result, light 15 can be passed through the hole 22 and irradiated onto the tablet W, preventing light 15 from leaking to areas other than the hole, i.e., stray light, and allowing the inspection unit 3 to receive transmitted light that has passed only through the desired position on the tablet W. Furthermore, since all tablets W being transported are always transported to the inspection unit 3 in the same state, position, and orientation, the reliability of the inspection results can be improved.

[0075] Next, the guide section 4 according to Modification 1 of the second embodiment will be described. Figure 16 is a side cross-sectional view of the guide portion 4 according to Modification 1 of the second embodiment. The guide portion 4 according to Modification 1 of the second embodiment is in contact with the lower surface of the tablet W and extends in the transport direction. The guide portion 4 may have a cross section perpendicular to the extension direction, such as a narrow rail shape that slides against the center of the tablet W to correct tilt, as shown in Figure 16(a), or a parallel rail shape that has a concave cross-sectional sliding contact surface as shown in Figure 16(b) and slides against the tablet W at two points.

[0076] According to this modified example 1, the guide section 4 is particularly effective for controlling the posture of the tablet W when the bottom and top surfaces are not flat, for example, when they are elliptical in side view. Specifically, as shown in Figure 16, the top surface of the tablet W abuts against the plate member 21 and the bulging surface fits into and is supported at the position of the hole 22, while on the bottom side of the tablet W, the top surface (lower end surface) of the bulge slides against the rail-shaped guide section 4, or both sides near the top surface (lower end surface) of the bulge slides against the parallel rail-shaped guide section 4, making it possible to correct the posture of the tablet W by reducing the sliding contact area.

[0077] [Third Embodiment] Next, a third embodiment will be described. Figure 17 is a perspective view of the article inspection device 23 according to the third embodiment. In the third embodiment, the same reference numerals are used for members and parts equivalent to those shown in Figures 1 to 11, and redundant explanations are omitted. In the third embodiment of the article inspection device 23, a transfer disk 25 is provided between the rotary feeder 6 and the transport disk 24. In other words, in the article inspection device 23, the tablets W from the rotary feeder 6 are first passed to the transfer disk 25 and transported thereafter, and then passed to the transport disk 24. Accordingly, a first tablet acquisition unit 26 is provided between the rotary feeder 6 and the transfer disk 25, and a second tablet acquisition unit 27 is provided between the transfer disk 25 and the transport disk 24.

[0078] Furthermore, the transfer disc 25 rotates around a center of rotation in the direction along the vertical axis. The transport disc 24 rotates around a center of rotation in the horizontal direction. In other words, the second tablet acquisition unit 27 is the part where the tangent to the outer edge 9 of the transfer disc 25 and the tangent to the outer edge 9 of the transport disc 24 are parallel and close to each other.

[0079] Figure 18 is a side view of the transport unit 2, which consists of a transfer disk 25 and a transport disk 24. The transfer disc 25 attracts the sides of the tablets W with suction holes 13 provided at equal intervals on its outer edge 9. The tablets W are transported in a position where their bottom and top surfaces are horizontal. Meanwhile, the transport disc 24 is rotated by a belt 29 (see Figure 21) of the drive mechanism, through a rotating pulley 28 provided coaxially with the horizontal rotation center. The transport disc 24 has a double structure with a chamber formed inside, and all of the suction holes 13 are connected to the suction port 31 through the chamber 30 (see Figure 21).

[0080] The transport disc 24 has a cylindrical side surface on its outer edge 9 with the horizontal axis as its axis, and a plurality of suction holes 13 are drilled in this cylindrical side surface at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. Therefore, in the second tablet acquisition unit 27, where the tangent to the transfer disc 25 and the tangent to the transport disc 24 are parallel and close to each other, the lower or upper surface of the tablet W is adsorbed and held by the suction holes 13 of the transport disc 24 during transfer. In other words, the tablet W is transferred with its adsorbed surface rotated by 90°.

[0081] A pair of guide sections 4 are provided between the second tablet acquisition section 27 and the inspection section 3. As described above, the guide sections 4 are supported and fixed, for example, on the base of the device. Therefore, the tablet W slides against the stationary guide sections 4 as the transport section 2 holding the tablet W moves. The pair of guide sections 4 are arranged so that the distance between them gradually narrows from upstream in the transport direction of the tablet W towards the inspection section 3 downstream. Immediately before the inspection section 3, the distance between the pair of guide sections 4 is approximately the same as the diameter of the tablet W. As a result, the pair of guide sections 4 slide against the side surface of the tablet W, adjusting the orientation of the tablet W. That is, the orientation and position of the tablet W are corrected so that its center coincides with the adsorption hole 13.

[0082] Figure 19 is a perspective view of the guide section 4 according to Modification 1 of the third embodiment. In the third embodiment, the guide section 4 may extend into the interior of the inspection section 3. That is, even in the inspection section 3, the tablets W are transported while their position is restricted from the diametrical direction by the pair of guide sections 4.

[0083] Figure 20 is a side view of Figure 19. In the inspection unit 3, one of the tablet W's lower or upper surface is held in place by the suction holes 13 on the cylindrical side surface. The pair of guide units 4 guide the tablet W by gripping it from the diametrical direction. As a result, the tablet W can be illuminated by light 15 from the light irradiation unit 14 on the other of its lower or upper surface. In contrast, one of its lower or upper surface is held in place by the suction holes 13, making it difficult for it to receive the light 15 that has passed through the tablet W.

[0084] Therefore, the item inspection device 23 is designed so that the transport disk 24 can receive light 15 that has passed through the tablet W while simultaneously holding the tablet W by suction.

[0085] Figure 21 is a cross-sectional view of CC in Figure 20. In other words, the transport disc 24 has a disc body 32 with a cylindrical side surface having suction holes 13. One axial end face of the cylindrical side surface is closed by a bottom wall 33. The disc body 32 is cup-shaped with a peripheral wall 34 having a cylindrical side surface rising from the circular bottom wall 33. Inside this disc body 32, a chamber 30 is formed extending from the peripheral wall 34 to the bottom wall 33. The chamber 30 connects the suction holes 13 drilled in the cylindrical side surface of the peripheral wall 34 to a suction port 31 that is airtightly connected to the shaft 35 of the disc body 32.

[0086] A light introduction opening 36 is drilled in the peripheral wall portion 34 on the opposite side of the suction hole 13, penetrating the inner surface of the peripheral wall portion 34. This light introduction opening 36 is closed by a light-transmitting member 37. The relative positions of the light introduction opening 36 and the suction hole 13 with respect to the inspection unit 3 are determined so that the light beam irradiated from the light irradiation unit 14 to the light detection unit 16 passes through periodically as the transport disk 24 rotates.

[0087] Next, the operation of the article inspection device 23 according to the third embodiment will be explained.

[0088] In the article inspection apparatus 23 according to the third embodiment, the light introduction aperture 36 and the adsorption holes 13 are arranged on the light beam emitted from the light irradiation unit 14, so that light can be irradiated from the adsorption holes 13 onto the tablet W that is adsorbed and held in the adsorption holes 13. In this case, since the tablet W is adsorbed on either its flat bottom or top surface to the cylindrical side surface where the adsorption holes 13 are provided, it is easier to control it to a horizontal position compared to when the curved side surface is adsorbed.

[0089] Furthermore, in the item inspection device 23, the inspection unit 3 can transport the tablet W while adjusting its orientation by holding it between a pair of guide units 4. That is, in the inspection unit 3, the guide units 4 control the position so that the center of the tablet W coincides with the light introduction aperture 36, i.e., corrects it to the correct orientation. In the inspection unit 3, light 15 is shone onto the tablet W, which is in a state where its displacement is restricted, and the transmitted light can be detected by the light detection unit 16.

[0090] As with the item inspection device 23, if the guide position does not obstruct the light 15, the tablet W can be held by the guide part 4 even at the measurement point, suppressing unnecessary movement of the tablet W due to disturbances and improving inspection accuracy.

[0091] Therefore, according to the article inspection device 1, article inspection device 20, and article inspection device 23 of this embodiment, the posture and position of the tablet W in the transport unit 2 can be corrected and sent to the inspection unit 3, thereby improving the reliability of the inspection results.

[0092] It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be modified in various ways without departing from its essence. For example, in the embodiment described above, an example was shown in which a rotary feeder 6 was used to configure the supply unit 5, but this supply unit 5 may have other configurations, and any structure that can supply tablets W to the transport unit 2 may be a vibrating feeder or other structure, preferably one that can transfer tablets W in an aligned state.

[0093] Furthermore, the transport unit 2 does not necessarily have to be a mechanism that transports the tablets W using a circular transport disc 8; it may also be a mechanism that transports them linearly. In either case, as long as the guide unit 4 can control the tablets W to the correct posture and position, the above-mentioned effects can be obtained. [Explanation of symbols]

[0094] 1, 20, 23… Item inspection device 2…Conveyor unit 3…Inspection Department 4… Guide section 9…Outer edge 15...light 21...Plate member 22...hole W... Item (tablet)

Claims

1. A transport unit (2) which is a transport disc (8) formed in the shape of a disc, with its vertical axis as the center of rotation, and which uses its outer peripheral edge (9) to attract, hold, and transport an article (W) to be inspected. An inspection unit (3) that irradiates the article with light (15) to inspect the article, The transport unit comprises a guide unit (4) which is curved in an arc along the outer edge of the transport unit, is held by the transport unit, and slides against the article as it is being transported and approaches, thereby correcting the position of the article and adjusting its orientation relative to the inspection unit. The article inspection apparatus is characterized in that the guide section is arranged in pairs facing each other with the article between them, and the distance between the guide sections gradually narrows from upstream in the article's transport direction toward the inspection section downstream, with the inclined surfaces positioned at a distance equal to the height from the bottom surface to the top surface of the article just before the inspection section sliding in contact with the surfaces of the article excluding the surface to be adsorbed, thereby adjusting the orientation of the article.

2. The article inspection apparatus according to claim 1, The article inspection device is characterized in that the inclined surface of the guide portion has a curved portion in cross-sectional view.

3. An article inspection apparatus according to either claim 1 or 2, The article inspection apparatus is characterized in that the guide section includes a plurality of pairs of first guide sections (17) and second guide sections (18) arranged in a series from upstream toward the inspection section downstream in the direction of transport of the article.

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