Syringe rubber stopper inspection device
The syringe rubber stopper inspection device uses a screw conveyor and high-voltage application electrode to accurately detect pinholes in continuously transported syringes, accommodating varying stopper positions and preventing wire fatigue, ensuring efficient and precise pinhole detection.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- NITSUKA DENSOKU
- Filing Date
- 2022-10-20
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-07
AI Technical Summary
Existing syringe pinhole inspection devices struggle to accurately detect pinholes in the rubber stopper of continuously transported syringes and cannot accommodate syringes with varying rubber stopper positions due to intermittent operation and external electrode application, which blocks the flange side opening.
A syringe rubber stopper inspection device with a screw conveyor for continuous transport, an inspection unit with a high-voltage application electrode that moves along the transport direction, a reciprocating adjustment unit, and a tilting mechanism to inspect syringes in a lying position, allowing the electrode to be brought close to the rubber stopper without contact, and a high-voltage relay electrode to prevent wire fatigue.
Enables highly accurate pinhole inspection of continuously transported syringes, accommodating varying rubber stopper positions and preventing wire fatigue, while maintaining inspection accuracy and efficiency.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a rubber stopper inspection device for a prefilled syringe in which a drug is prefilled in a syringe.
Background Art
[0002] There is a prefilled syringe in which a drug is prefilled in a syringe. Prefilled syringes have advantages such as improving the efficiency of medical operations, preventing medical accidents such as drug mix-ups, and reducing the risk of foreign matter contamination and bacterial contamination, and their use is increasing. Since it is used immediately after opening, it is necessary to ensure the preservability and safety of the drug filled in the syringe, and high-precision pinhole inspection is required for the syringe barrel, rubber stopper, etc. where filling defects may occur.
[0003] As a conventional syringe pinhole inspection device, the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a container holding means for gripping a package in a standing cone shape and continuously conveying it, a die unit for gripping the package at an inspection station and burying a first electrode, and a second electrode provided close to the inspection part of the package at the inspection station. By intermittently operating the continuous conveyance, the package is intermittently supplied and made to wait at the inspection station, and a high voltage is applied between the electrodes of the first and second electrodes to detect pinholes.
[0004] In another syringe pinhole inspection device, the syringe is gripped and conveyed vertically in a standing state, and the syringe is rotated vertically during conveyance to bring the barrel close to a fixed electrode and rotated one or more times to perform a full circumference inspection of the barrel.
[0005] However, in the technique of Patent Document 1, since it operates intermittently at the inspection station, it must stop at one end during gripping and cannot be applied to continuously conveyed syringes. Also, since the electrode is applied from the outside of the cylinder, it is not possible to accurately detect pinholes in the rubber stopper inside the cylinder. Furthermore, in devices that grasp and transport syringes in an upright position, the opening on the flange side of the syringe is blocked, making it impossible to insert the test electrode into the cylinder, and similarly, accurate detection is not possible. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]
[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2004-264190 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]
[0007] The problem that this invention aims to solve is, in view of the problems of the prior art described above, to provide a syringe rubber stopper inspection device that can accurately detect pinholes in the rubber stopper inside a continuously transported syringe barrel. Another objective is to provide a syringe rubber stopper inspection device that can accommodate syringes with different rubber stopper positions inside the cylinder. [Means for solving the problem]
[0008] As a first means to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a syringe rubber stopper inspection device for detecting pinholes in a syringe filled with liquid and sealed with a rubber stopper, The conveying means includes a screw conveyor that has grooves on its circumferential surface for supporting the syringe and for continuously transporting the syringe, The objective is to provide a syringe rubber stopper inspection device characterized in that the transport means includes an inspection unit having a high-voltage application electrode that moves in a circular motion along the transport direction and applies a high voltage to the rubber stopper by following the flange-side opening of the syringe without contact. According to the first method described above, a high-voltage electrode can be brought close to the inside of the syringe barrel during continuous transport, enabling highly accurate pinhole inspection.
[0009] As a second means to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a syringe rubber stopper inspection device, characterized in that the inspection unit is equipped with a reciprocating adjustment unit that moves the high-voltage application electrode in and out of the cylinder from the flange-side opening of the continuously transported syringe. According to the second method described above, since an electrode can be brought close to the rubber stopper inside the cylinder and a high voltage can be applied, accurate pinhole inspection of the rubber stopper can be achieved.
[0010] As a third means to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a syringe rubber stopper inspection device, characterized in that the high-voltage application electrode is supported so as to be able to move back and forth along the longitudinal direction of the slide block, and a plurality of the slide blocks are arranged in a transfer section that moves circumferentially by being wound around a drive pulley and a driven pulley of a follower means synchronized with the transport speed of the transport means. According to the third method described above, pinhole inspection can be performed by applying a high voltage while continuously transporting the syringe without stopping it.
[0011] As a fourth means to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a syringe rubber stopper inspection device, characterized in that the forward / backward adjustment unit can adjust the tip position of the high-voltage application electrode that is close to the rubber stopper. According to the fourth method described above, even if the mounting position of the rubber stopper differs due to differences in the amount of liquid filled inside the cylinder, the electrode can be brought close to the rubber stopper, enabling highly accurate pinhole inspection.
[0012] The present invention provides a syringe rubber stopper inspection device, which is a fifth means for solving the above problems, wherein the inspection unit is provided with a high-voltage relay electrode at a predetermined interval on the lower surface of the high-voltage application electrode that moves back and forth, and the high-voltage relay electrode supplies a high voltage from a high-voltage power supply to the high-voltage application electrode. According to the fifth method described above, fatigue-induced disconnection of the wires can be avoided by connecting the high-voltage power supply to the relay electrode with a conductor and providing an air gap between the relay electrode and the high-voltage application electrode.
[0013] The present invention provides a syringe rubber stopper inspection device, which is a sixth means for solving the above problems, wherein the inspection unit is provided with a high-voltage relay electrode on the lower surface of the high-voltage application electrode that moves back and forth, and the high-voltage relay electrode contacts the high-voltage application electrode that moves circulating above to supply a high voltage from a high-voltage power supply to the high-voltage application electrode. According to the sixth method described above, fatigue-induced disconnection of wires can be avoided by connecting the high-voltage power supply to the relay electrode with a conductor and supplying high voltage between the relay electrode and the high-voltage application electrode via a sliding electrode.
[0014] As a seventh means to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a syringe rubber stopper inspection device, which is a first means characterized in that the groove of the screw conveyor is into which the body of the syringe fits. According to the seventh method described above, continuous transport is possible without blocking the opening on the flange side of the syringe. Therefore, electrodes can be inserted into the cylinder.
[0015] As an eighth means to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a syringe rubber stopper inspection device, which is a first means characterized in that the transport means is equipped with a tilting section that continuously transports the syringe in an inclined or lying position in the inspection section. According to the eighth method described above, the surface area of liquid in contact with the current-sensing electrode within the syringe can be increased compared to an upright syringe, enabling highly accurate pinhole inspection. [Effects of the Invention]
[0016] According to the present invention, the electrode can be brought close to the inside of the syringe barrel during continuous transport, enabling highly accurate pinhole inspection. Furthermore, even if the mounting position of the rubber stopper differs due to differences in the amount of liquid filled inside the barrel, the electrode can be brought close to the rubber stopper, enabling highly accurate pinhole inspection. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0017] [Figure 1] It is a plan view of the rubber stopper inspection device for the syringe of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a sectional view taken along line B-B of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] It is a partial front view of the rubber stopper inspection device for the syringe of the present invention. [Figure 4] It is a front view of the syringe with the flange facing upward. [Figure 5] It is a schematic plan view of the following means. [Figure 6] It is a plan view of the electrode unit. [Figure 7] It is a side view of the electrode unit. [Figure 8] It is a plan view of the electrode unit with the high-voltage application electrode pushed out. [Figure 9] It is an explanatory view of the base block. [Figure 10] It is an explanatory view of the high-voltage relay electrode of the modified example.
Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention
[0018] Embodiments of the rubber stopper inspection device for the syringe of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.
[0019] (Syringe rubber stopper inspection device 10) FIG. 1 is a plan view of the rubber stopper inspection device for the syringe of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line B-B of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a partial front view of the rubber stopper inspection device for the syringe of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the rubber stopper inspection device 10 for the syringe of the present invention includes a central inspection unit 14 along the conveyance direction of the conveyance means 20, and tilting units 12 and upright units 16 before and after it. The syringe 1 supplied in an upright state with the opening on the flange side facing upward through the supply port 11 from a previous process such as a liquid filling process is tilted at the tilting unit 12, and is inspected for pinholes at the inspection unit 14 in a posture where the syringe 1 is not upright but is inclined obliquely or laid down (lying horizontally) (in this embodiment, the laid-down posture), is uprighted again at the upright unit 16, and is delivered to the subsequent process from the discharge port 17.
[0020] (Syringe 1) Figure 4 is a front view of a syringe with the flange facing upward. The object of inspection in this invention is a syringe 1 of a syringe consisting of a syringe barrel (also called the outer barrel or syringe) and an injection rod (also called the plunger), which is filled with liquid 5 (also called a drug or drug solution) and sealed with a rubber stopper 2 (also called a gasket). The syringe 1 may contain air bubbles 4 in the liquid inside. The syringe 1 consists of a nozzle, a body, and a flange 3. In this embodiment, since the plunger is not fitted into the syringe 1, the opening on the flange 3 side (hereinafter referred to as the flange-side opening) is not blocked, and the rubber stopper 2 is visible from the flange-side opening. The material of the syringe 1 can be any material, in addition to plastic and glass. This inspection device is a device for detecting pinholes or leaks in the rubber stopper 2 and the contact point between the rubber stopper 2 and the inside of the syringe 1 barrel.
[0021] (Conveying means 20) The conveying means 20 is equipped with a screw conveyor 22. The cylindrical screw conveyor 22 has its axis aligned with the conveying direction, and a spiral groove 23 for accommodating syringes 1 is formed on its outer circumference. In the tilted section 12 and the upright section 16, the groove spacing (pitch) of the grooves 23 is narrowed to allow continuously supplied syringes 1 to be accommodated in each groove 23 without interruption. In the inspection section 14, the groove spacing (pitch) is wider to isolate syringes 1 from other syringes 1, thereby ensuring a longer inspection time per syringe. The screw conveyor 22 is configured to be rotatable by a rotating means such as a motor (not shown), and the conveying speed of the syringes 1 can be arbitrarily adjusted by changing the spiral pitch or the conveyor's rotation speed.
[0022] The lower surface of the transport unit 14 is provided with a lower support member 24 and a flange groove 25. The lower support member 24 is positioned on the underside of the screw conveyor 22 between the tilting section 12 and the upright section 16, and supports the syringe by sandwiching it between the upper screw conveyor 22 and the lower support member 24. The flange groove 25 is a groove into which the flange 3 of the syringe 1 fits, and is formed in a straight line along the conveying direction. With the flange 3 fitted into the flange groove 25, the syringe 1 can be conveyed with its body supported on the conveying surface, either rotating freely or resting on the conveying surface without rotating freely. With this configuration of the lower support member 24 and the flange groove 25, the inspection unit 14 can convey the syringe 1 in a lying position by sandwiching it between the upper surface of the lower support member 24 and the lower surface of the screw conveyor 22. Furthermore, the screw conveyor 22 and the lower support member 24 are made of non-metallic materials such as plastic to prevent discharge from occurring in the inspection section 14.
[0023] (Tilt part 12) The tilting section 12 includes a side plate 12a that prevents the syringe 1 from falling out of the groove 23 of the screw conveyor 22 at the supply port 11 and supports the side, a bottom plate that similarly supports the bottom, and a tilting guide 12b that is formed to cover the side and bottom surface of the screw conveyor 22. Syringe 1, which is placed in the groove 23 of the screw conveyor 22 at the supply port 11 of syringe 1, is supported by the side plate 12a and the bottom plate and is conveyed in the direction of arrow A to be supplied to the tilting guide 12b. The tilting guide 12b is formed to correspond to the behavior of syringe 1 when it tilts, so syringe 1 tilts along the guide surface and goes under the screw conveyor 22 along the groove 23 of the screw conveyor 22. Then syringe 1, in a lying position, is conveyed to the inspection section 14.
[0024] (Inspection Department 14) The inspection unit 14 includes an electrode unit 40 having a high-voltage application electrode 46 that applies a high voltage to the rubber stopper 2 of the syringe 1, a tracking means 30 that moves the electrode unit 40 in a circular motion along the transport direction to follow the continuously transported syringe 1, a high-voltage relay electrode 14a connected to a high-voltage power supply, and a current detection electrode 14b that detects spark current caused by a pinhole.
[0025] (Following means 30) Figure 5 is a schematic plan view of the tracking means. The tracking means 30 includes a casing 31 positioned on the side of the inspection section 14 of the conveying means 20, a drive motor 32 inside the casing 31, a shaft 33 connected to the drive motor 32 with its tip protruding from the front of the casing 31 (the surface facing the conveying means 20), a drive pulley 34 connected to the drive motor 32 via the shaft 33 on the front of the casing 31, a driven pulley 35 positioned at a predetermined distance from the drive pulley 34 on the front of the casing 31 and rotating freely, and a transport part such as a belt 36 or chain wound around the drive pulley 34 and the driven pulley 35. With this configuration, when the drive motor 32 is driven, the drive pulley 34 rotates via the shaft 33. The driven pulley 35 also rotates in a driven motion via the belt 36 wound around the drive pulley 34 and the driven pulley 35. The drive motor 32 synchronizes with the drive motor (not shown) of the screw conveyor 22 to control the upper side of the belt 36 to move in the same direction as the conveying direction of the screw conveyor 22, while the lower side moves in the opposite direction. The upper side of the circulating belt 36 moves in the same direction on the side of the inspection section 14 of the screw conveyor 22, and can follow the flange-side opening of the opposing syringe 1.
[0026] (Electrode unit 40) Figure 6 is a plan view of the electrode unit. Figure 7 is a side view of the electrode unit. Figure 8 is a plan view of the electrode unit with the high-voltage application electrode pushed out. The electrode unit 40 includes a substantially rectangular slide block 42 attached to the transport section of the follow-up means 30 (the surface of the belt 36 in this embodiment), a push shaft 44 positioned through a through hole 42a formed along the longitudinal direction of the slide block 42, an electrode needle which serves as a high-voltage application electrode 46 formed at one end of the push shaft 44 (the transport means 20 side), and a bearing 48 rotatably supported at the other end of the push shaft 44 (the casing 31 side).
[0027] The high-voltage application electrode 46 is formed to be thinner than the push shaft 44. Therefore, the opening of the through hole 42a on the side from which the high-voltage application electrode 46 protrudes is formed to be smaller than the opening on the side from which the push shaft 44 and bearing 48 protrude. A coil spring 43 is provided at the base of the high-voltage application electrode 46 formed on the push shaft 44 and is positioned inside the through hole 42a. A fixing pin 44a is attached to the side of the push shaft 44. The fixing pin 44a is a pin that protrudes in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the shaft. The slide block 42 has an elongated hole 42b on its side through which the fixing pin 44a passes. The elongated hole 42b is formed along the longitudinal direction of the slide block 42, that is, in the direction in which the push shaft 44 moves back and forth. With this configuration, the push shaft 44 is biased towards the bearing 48 by the coil spring 43 inside the through hole 42a. The bearing 48 is a roller that rotates in contact with the forward / backward adjustment part 52 and the bearing support part 51.
[0028] Furthermore, the tracking means 30 has a base block 50 positioned between the drive motor 32 and the drive pulley 34. Figure 9 is an explanatory diagram of the base block. The base block 50 is a member that provides a predetermined space between the drive motor 32 and the drive pulley 34, and also supports the transfer unit from below in the space between the drive pulley 34 and the driven pulley 35. Specifically, the base block 50 is a member in which a bearing support portion 51 that contacts the circulating bearing 48 and a transfer support portion 53 that protrudes from the bearing support portion 51 toward the front side of the transport means 20 and is attached between the drive pulley 34 and the driven pulley 35 to support the upper and lower belts 36 (transfer unit) from the inside are integrally formed.
[0029] A reciprocating adjustment unit 52 is positioned on the base block 50 to adjust the amount of protrusion of the push shaft 44 from the slide block 42 as the push shaft 44 moves back and forth. The reciprocating adjustment unit 52 has a convex portion that protrudes in a V-shape from the casing 51 side toward the screw conveyor 22 side when viewed from the front. The apex of the convex portion is formed to be at its maximum when the syringe 1 is on the current sensing electrode 14b, and the high-voltage application electrode 46 is configured to enter the cylinder from the flange-side opening of the syringe 1 and approach the rubber stopper 2. Multiple reciprocating adjustment units 52 with different protrusion amounts (apex) of the convex portion are prepared in advance, and the reciprocating adjustment unit 52 is configured to have a convex portion that protrudes to an amount that allows the high-voltage application electrode 46 to approach the rubber stopper 2 when the amount of liquid filling in the syringe 1 is different. As the bearing 48 travels along the protrusion of the reciprocating adjustment section 52, passing through the V-shaped curve pushes the push shaft 44 and the high-voltage application electrode 46 connected to the bearing 48 toward the screw conveyor 22, allowing the high-voltage application electrode 46 to move forward and backward from the flange-side opening of the syringe 1 toward the rubber stopper 2 and approach it.
[0030] The current sensing electrode 14b is installed on the underside of the screw conveyor 22 of the inspection section 14 of the transport means 20, and is positioned so that the tip of the syringe 1 and the tip side of the body pass above the electrode. The high-voltage relay electrode 14a is located between the screw conveyor 22 and the slide block 42, and is positioned on a straight line perpendicular to the conveying direction, with the current sensing electrode 14b at its center. The high-voltage relay electrode 14a is positioned with a gap between it and the high-voltage application electrode 46, which moves back and forth above it. The high-voltage relay electrode 14a is connected to a high-voltage power supply and supplies a test current (also called high voltage) to the high-voltage application electrode 46. Therefore, when the high-voltage application electrode 46 is far from the high-voltage relay electrode 14a, the test current is not supplied, enabling individual inspection of syringe 1. Furthermore, the connection from the high-voltage power supply to the high-voltage relay electrode 14a is made with a conductor, and by providing an air gap between the high-voltage relay electrode 14a and the high-voltage application electrode 46, fatigue breakage that would occur if wires were connected can be avoided.
[0031] Figure 10 is an explanatory diagram of a modified high-voltage relay electrode. The modified high-voltage relay electrode 14c is placed in the same location as 14a and is a brush-shaped metal electrode extending toward the high-voltage application electrode 46 above. The brush shape is formed in a strip-like or linear shape and is flexible, so when it comes into contact with the circulating high-voltage application electrode 46 it bends and does not obstruct the circulating movement of the high-voltage application electrode 46. High voltage can be supplied while in contact, and it returns to a linear shape after contact. The high-voltage relay electrode can also be constructed using a bearing. Furthermore, the slide block 42 and base block 50 are made of non-metallic materials such as plastic to prevent discharge from occurring in the inspection section 14. Alternatively, the high-voltage relay electrode 14a may be provided on the side of the current sensing electrode 14b.
[0032] (Standing part 16) The upright section 16 includes an upright guide 16b formed to cover the sides of the screw conveyor 22 from the bottom surface after it has passed through the inspection section 14, a side plate 16a that prevents the syringe 1 from falling out of the groove 23 of the screw conveyor 22 and supports the sides, and a bottom plate that similarly supports the bottom. Each element of the upright section 16 is formed symmetrically with respect to the tilted section 12, with the inspection section 14 in between. The syringe 1 that has passed through the inspection section 14 is supplied to the upright guide 16b. The upright guide 16b forms its guide surface in accordance with the movement of the syringe 1 when it moves from a horizontal position to an upright position with the flange 3 facing upwards. The syringe 1 stands up along the guide surface and is positioned along the groove 23 of the screw conveyor 22 on the side of the screw conveyor 22. The syringe 1 housed in the groove 23 of the screw conveyor 22 is supported by the side plate 16a and the bottom plate and is conveyed in the direction of arrow A and discharged from the discharge port 17.
[0033] (action) The operation of the syringe rubber stopper inspection device of the present invention, based on the above configuration, will be explained below. Syringe 1, which is placed in the groove 23 of the screw conveyor 22 at the supply port 11 of syringe 1, is supported by the side plate 12a and the bottom plate and is conveyed in the direction of arrow A to be supplied to the tilting guide 12b. Syringe 1 tilts along the guide surface and slides under the screw conveyor 22 along the groove 23 of the screw conveyor 22. Then, in its lying position, syringe 1 is conveyed to the inspection section 14.
[0034] In the inspection section 14, the electrode unit 40 moves in a circular motion by a tracking means 30 positioned to the side of the screw conveyor 22, following the syringe 1 being transported. When the syringe 1 passes the current sensing electrode 14b, the high-voltage application electrode 46 is pushed out toward the screw conveyor 22 by the advance / return adjustment unit 52, entering through the flange-side opening of the syringe 1 and approaching the rubber stopper 2 inside the cylinder. At this time, an inspection current is transmitted from the high-voltage relay electrode 14a to the high-voltage application electrode 46, and a high voltage is applied from the high-voltage application electrode 46 to the rubber stopper 2 inside the cylinder. If a pinhole exists, a spark discharge occurs in the liquid 5 through the pinhole. At that time, the presence or absence of a pinhole can be determined by detecting the discharge flowing through the current sensing electrode 14b. In this invention, the syringe 1 is inspected in a lying position, not in an upright position. Therefore, the surface area of the liquid inside the syringe 1 that faces the current sensing electrode 14b relative to the tip end of the syringe 1 is increased, allowing detection performance to be maintained and enabling accurate pinhole detection.
[0035] Syringe 1, having passed through inspection section 14, is supplied to the upright guide 16b. Syringe 1 stands upright along the guide surface and is positioned along the groove 23 of the screw conveyor 22 on the side of the screw conveyor 22. Syringe 1, contained in the groove 23 of the screw conveyor 22, is supported by the side plate 16a and the bottom plate and transported in the direction of arrow A, and discharged from the discharge port 17.
[0036] The syringe 1 in the inspection unit 14 is transported either while rotating between the screw conveyor 22 and the lower support member 24, or while rotating is stopped. In this device, the configuration is changed depending on the size of the diameter of the syringe 1. When the diameter of syringe 1 is small (for example, 10 mm or less in diameter), the distance between the high-voltage electrode 46 and the rubber stopper 2 that move in and out of the cylinder and the area requiring inspection is short and close, so pinhole inspection can be performed regardless of whether syringe 1 is rotating or stopped rotating.
[0037] If the diameter of syringe 1 is large (for example, larger than 10 mm in diameter), the rubber stopper 2 will also be larger, and if the diameter of the high-voltage application electrode 46 is small, there is a possibility that areas to which high voltage cannot be applied may occur. For this reason, it is advisable to increase the diameter of the high-voltage application electrode 46, or to widen the area to which high voltage can be applied (inspectable area) by making the tip of the high-voltage application electrode 46 a multi-needle structure. In this case, syringe 1 can be either rotating or stopped. In addition, if the diameter of the high-voltage application electrode 46 is small, it is advisable to rotate syringe 1 at least once while the syringe 1 is rotating, with the high-voltage application electrode 46 inside the cylinder offset from the center. In this case, the inspection accuracy can be improved by increasing the rotation speed of the syringe, which is rotated by the screw conveyor, in order to rotate it multiple times in the inspection unit 14.
[0038] According to this invention, a high-voltage electrode can be brought close to the inside of a continuously transporting syringe, enabling highly accurate pinhole inspection. Furthermore, the retractable mechanism allows the high-voltage electrode to be inserted into the syringe barrel of the inspection unit, bringing the electrode close to the rubber stopper inside the barrel and applying high voltage, thus enabling highly accurate pinhole inspection of the rubber stopper. Furthermore, because the flange-side opening of the syringe, which is continuously transported by the tracking mechanism, is positioned opposite the voltage application electrode, pinhole inspection can be performed by applying a high voltage while the syringe is continuously transported without stopping.
[0039] Furthermore, the forward and backward adjustment mechanism, which allows adjustment of the tip position of the high-voltage electrode that moves in and out of the syringe barrel, enables the electrode to be brought close to the rubber stopper even if the mounting position of the rubber stopper differs due to differences in the amount of liquid filled in the barrel, thereby achieving highly accurate pinhole inspection. Furthermore, since the syringe body is fitted into the groove of the screw conveyor for transport and support, continuous transport is possible without blocking the opening on the flange side of the syringe. Therefore, unlike conventional configurations, the opening on the flange side is not blocked, and an electrode can be inserted into the cylinder.
[0040] Furthermore, the inspection unit is equipped with a tilting mechanism that allows syringes to be continuously transported in an inclined or lying position. This increases the surface area of the liquid within the syringe that is in contact with the current-sensing electrode compared to an upright syringe. In particular, if there are air bubbles in the syringe, gravity causes the bubbles to move upwards within the cylinder of the lying syringe, allowing the liquid to stably face the current-sensing electrode, thus enabling highly accurate pinhole inspection. Furthermore, since an intermediate electrode is provided at a predetermined interval on the underside of the high-voltage application electrode inserted into the syringe barrel, the connection from the high-voltage power supply to the intermediate electrode is made with a conductor, and a gap is provided between the intermediate electrode and the high-voltage application electrode, thus avoiding fatigue-induced disconnection of the wires when they are connected. In this invention, we have described a configuration in which syringes containing air bubbles are continuously transported in a horizontal position. However, in the case of syringes that do not contain air bubbles, the syringes or other objects to be inspected can also be inspected in an upright position. In this case, the tilting and uprighting sections are not provided, and the tracking means is positioned above the screw conveyor to follow the syringe. In this configuration, the high-voltage application electrode moves up and down toward the syringe below.
[0041] Preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, the present invention is not limited in any way to the above embodiments, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the combinations shown in the embodiments, but can be implemented using various combinations. [Industrial applicability]
[0042] It can also be applied to pinhole inspection of objects with openings. [Explanation of Symbols]
[0043] 1 syringe 2. Rubber stopper 3 flanges 4 bubbles 5 liquid 10 Syringe rubber stopper inspection device 11 supply ports 12 Tilt part 12a side plate 12b Leaning Guide 14. Inspection Department 14a, 14c High-voltage relay electrodes 14b Current sensing electrode 16 Standing part 16a side plate 16b Standing Guide 17 Outlet 20 Conveying means 22 Screw conveyor 23 Groove 24 Bottom support member 25 Flange groove 30 Following means 31 Casing 32 Drive motor 33 shafts 34 Drive pulley 35 Driven pulley 36 belts 40 electrode units 42 Slide Blocks 42a through hole 42b long hole 43 Coil spring 44 Push shaft 44a Fixing pin 46 High-voltage application electrodes 48 bearings 50 base blocks 51 Bearing support section 52 Advance / retreat adjustment section 53 Transfer support part
Claims
1. A syringe stopper inspection device for detecting pinholes in a syringe that is filled with liquid and sealed with a rubber stopper, The conveying means includes a screw conveyor that has grooves on its circumferential surface for supporting the syringe and for continuously transporting the syringe, A syringe rubber stopper inspection device characterized in that the transport means includes an inspection unit having a high-voltage application electrode that moves in a circular motion along the transport direction and applies a high voltage to the rubber stopper by following the flange-side opening of the syringe without contact.
2. A syringe rubber stopper inspection device according to claim 1, The syringe rubber stopper inspection device is characterized in that the inspection unit is equipped with a reciprocating adjustment unit that moves the high-voltage application electrode in and out of the cylinder from the flange-side opening of the continuously transported syringe.
3. A syringe rubber stopper inspection device according to claim 2, A syringe rubber stopper inspection device characterized in that the high-voltage application electrode is supported so as to be able to move back and forth along the longitudinal direction of the slide block, and a plurality of the slide blocks are arranged in a transfer section that moves circumferentially by being wound around a drive pulley and a driven pulley of a follower means synchronized with the transport speed of the transport means.
4. A syringe rubber stopper inspection device according to claim 3, The syringe rubber stopper inspection device is characterized in that the forward / backward adjustment unit can adjust the tip position of the high-voltage application electrode that is close to the rubber stopper.
5. A syringe rubber stopper inspection device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The inspection unit is equipped with a high-voltage relay electrode at a predetermined interval on the lower surface of the high-voltage application electrode that moves back and forth, and the high-voltage relay electrode supplies a high voltage from a high-voltage power supply to the high-voltage application electrode, characterized in that it is a syringe rubber stopper inspection device.
6. A syringe rubber stopper inspection device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The syringe rubber stopper inspection device is characterized in that the inspection unit is provided with a high-voltage relay electrode on the lower surface of the high-voltage application electrode which moves back and forth, and the high-voltage relay electrode contacts the high-voltage application electrode which moves in a circular manner above, and supplies high voltage from a high-voltage power supply to the high-voltage application electrode.
7. A syringe rubber stopper inspection device according to claim 1, A syringe rubber stopper inspection device characterized in that the groove of the screw conveyor is into which the body of the syringe fits.
8. A syringe rubber stopper inspection device according to claim 1, The syringe rubber stopper inspection device is characterized in that the transport means includes a tilting section that continuously transports the syringe in an inclined or lying position within the inspection section.