Leak detection method and leak detection device

Abstract

To provide a leak detection method and a leak detection device which are advantageous for accurately detecting anxiety of leakage of fluid from a package.SOLUTION: A leak detection method comprises the steps of: conveying a package B by moving a conveyor belt 17 on which the package B in which a fluid is enclosed is placed; making pressing force act on the package B placed on the conveyor belt 17 by a pressure unit 23; relatively moving the package B with respect to the conveyor belt 17 after the pressing force acts on the package B; acquiring an image by imaging a range including a region that is newly exposed with the relative movement of the conveyor belt 17; and acquiring information on leakage of the fluid from the package B on the basis of the image.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a leak detection method and a leak detection apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] Packaging bodies such as packaging bags enclosing liquid contents may be in a state where the contents are prone to leakage due to poor sealing or the like. Even if the contents do not leak out during manufacturing where no large pressing force is applied, such packaging bodies may have the contents leak out due to an unintended large pressing force applied in subsequent processes such as shipping.

[0003] As a method for detecting in advance a packaging body that has a risk of such content leakage (leak), a method is known in which electricity is passed through a transport unit that conveys the packaging body, and the energization state in the packaging body transport unit is measured. However, in the case of contents that are inherently non-conductive (such as oil), it is difficult to appropriately detect the leakage of the contents from the packaging body based on the energization state in the packaging body transport unit.

[0004] Patent Document 1 discloses a method for inspecting fluid leakage from a packaging body without relying on the energization state of the packaging body. According to the inspection method of Patent Document 1, after the packaging body on the intermittently transferred transfer table is taken out by the take-out device and transferred to the discharge conveyor, the transfer table is inverted. A minute amount of fluid leaked from the packaging body due to the inversion flows over the surface of the transfer table, and the range of the fluid adhesion surface on the surface is widened. Thereafter, the surface of the transfer table is inspected by a monitoring device to detect the fluid adhering to the surface.

[0005] Further, according to the leak inspection apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 2, a pressurizing unit increases the pressure in the internal space of the bag placed on the placement surface of the conveyor belt, and a receiving unit receives and discharges the liquid material that has fallen from the placement surface. A detection unit detects the liquid material discharged from the receiving unit, and a control unit confirms the presence or absence of liquid material leakage based on the detection result of the detection unit.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-197388 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-63929 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] In the inspection method described in Patent Document 1, leakage of fluid from the package is detected by detecting the fluid adhering to the surface of the transfer table after the transfer table has been inverted. Therefore, if all the fluid that has leaked from the package onto the surface of the transfer table falls off the surface of the transfer table when the transfer table is inverted, the inspection method described in Patent Document 1 cannot properly detect the leakage of fluid from the package.

[0008] In the leak inspection device described in Patent Document 2, if the amount of liquid leaking from the bag is small and adheres to the surface on the conveyor belt, but does not fall off the surface, the leaked liquid will not be received by the receiving section and will not be discharged. In such cases, the leak inspection device described in Patent Document 2 cannot properly detect the liquid leaking from the bag.

[0009] This disclosure is made in view of the circumstances described above and provides a technology that is advantageous for accurately detecting concerns about leakage of fluids from packaging. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a leak detection method comprising the steps of: transporting a package containing a fluid by moving a conveyor belt on which the package is placed; applying a pressing force to the package placed on the conveyor belt using a pressing unit; performing a relative movement of the package with respect to the conveyor belt after the pressing force has been applied to the package; capturing an image of the area of ​​the conveyor belt including the area newly exposed by the relative movement; and obtaining information on the leakage of the fluid from the package based on the image.

[0011] The pressing force may be detected by a force detection device, and the pressing force detected by the force detection device may be recorded.

[0012] The package may have a sealed portion that has been sealed, and may be placed on the conveyor belt with the sealed portion facing in a direction other than the direction in which the package B shifts relative to the conveyor belt due to relative movement.

[0013] Other aspects of the present disclosure relate to a leak detection device comprising: a conveying unit having a conveying belt on which a package containing a fluid is placed, and conveying the package by moving the conveying belt; a pressing unit having a pressing member and a pressing lifting device for raising and lowering the pressing member, wherein the pressing unit raises and lowers the pressing member so that the pressing member is positioned at a pressing position in which the pressing member presses the package against the conveying belt and applies a pressing force to the package, and a separation position in which the pressing member is separated from the package; a moving unit having a shifting member and a shifting moving device for moving the shifting member, wherein after applying a pressing force to the package, the moving unit applies a force to the package from the shifting member to cause relative movement of the package with respect to the conveying belt; an imaging device that images a range of the conveying belt including a region newly exposed by the relative movement and acquires an image; and an image processing device that acquires information on leakage of fluid from the package based on the image.

[0014] The shifting movement device may move the shifting member so that the shifting member exhibits a box motion.

[0015] The leak detection device may include a force detection sensor that detects the force acting on the pressing member, and a recording device that records the pressing force based on the detection result of the force detection sensor. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to this disclosure, it is advantageous for accurately detecting concerns about fluid leakage from packaging. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0017] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a plan view showing an example of the leak detection device of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a side view showing an operation example of the leak detection device shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a side view showing an operation example of the leak detection device shown in Figure 1. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a side view showing an operation example of the leak detection device shown in Figure 1. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a side view showing an operation example of the leak detection device shown in Figure 1. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a side view showing an operation example of the leak detection device shown in Figure 1. [Mode for Carrying Out the Invention]

[0018] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the terms "upstream" and "downstream" are based on the transport direction of the package.

[0019] Figure 1 is a plan view showing an example of the leak detection device 10 of the present disclosure. Figures 2 to 6 are side views showing operation examples of the leak detection device 10 shown in Figure 1.

[0020] The leak detection device 10 includes a transport unit 15, a pressing unit 23, a moving unit 33, an imaging device 45, and a control unit 50 (refer to Figures 2 to 6). The control unit 50 is not illustrated in Figure 1, and is conceptually shown in Figures 2 to 6. The installation position and installation form of the control unit 50 are not limited, and the control unit 50 may be provided at a position far away from the transport unit 15, the pressing unit 23, the moving unit 33, and the imaging device 45.

[0021] The transport unit 15 has an introduction belt 16, a transport belt 17, and an output belt 18 arranged in series from upstream to downstream (from right to left in Figures 1 to 6), and transports the packaged body B horizontally. Each of the introduction belt 16, transport belt 17, and output belt 18 is made of an endless belt, and the packaged body B containing the fluid is placed on the exposed surface of each of these belts 16, 17, and 18 facing upward (hereinafter also referred to as the "upper exposed surface"). Each of the belts 16, 17, and 18 is supported at its upstream and downstream ends by two guide rollers 20 and is kept under tension. Each guide roller 20 is rotatably supported by a transport frame 19 (see Figure 1), and each of the belts 16, 17, and 18 is moved by rotating at least one of the guide rollers 20 at both ends by a drive device such as a motor.

[0022] The packaging B shown in Figures 1 to 6 has a sealed portion B1 that forms the periphery and an unsealed portion B2 surrounded by the sealed portion B1. The portion of the packaging B in which the contents are contained is formed by the unsealed portion B2, and this contained portion is surrounded by the sealed portion B1. The sealed portion B1 has an opening and a bottom that are located on opposite sides of each other via the unsealed portion B2, and two side portions that extend between the opening and the bottom and are located on opposite sides of each other via the unsealed portion B2. The opening is a sealed portion that has been sealed after the sealing of the bottom and the two side portions. The seal strength of the opening may be less than the seal strength of the bottom and the two side portions.

[0023] The package body B is placed on each belt 16, 17, and 18 in a reclining position, with the sealed portion B1 positioned horizontally outward relative to the unsealed portion B2 on each belt 16, 17, and 18. In particular, the package body B is placed on the conveyor belt 17 with its opening facing in a direction other than the direction in which the package body B would shift relative to the conveyor belt 17 due to the "relative movement between the package body B and the conveyor belt 17 (see Figures 4 and 5)" described later (specifically, in the direction opposite to the direction in which it would shift (to the right in Figures 1 to 6)). (That is, the opening is positioned horizontally outward relative to the unsealed portion B2 in a direction other than the direction in which the package body B would shift.)

[0024] The fluid enclosed in package B may include any fluid substance, and is typically a liquid. Contents that are solid but not fluid on their own, but become fluid overall when mixed with other fluid substances, can be classified as fluids in this context.

[0025] By moving the upper exposed surface of the introduction belt 16 downstream, the packaged items B placed on that surface are transported downstream and finally passed to the upper exposed surface of the conveyor belt 17. Similarly, by moving the upper exposed surface of the conveyor belt 17 downstream, the packaged items B placed on that surface are transported downstream and finally passed to the upper exposed surface of the discharge belt 18. Furthermore, by moving the upper exposed surface of the discharge belt 18 downstream, the packaged items B placed on that surface are transported further downstream.

[0026] The pressing unit 23 comprises a pressing lifting device 25 having a lifting and retracting rod 25a that protrudes downward, an intermediate member 26 attached to the tip of the lifting and retracting rod 25a, a load cell 27 attached to the lower part of the intermediate member 26, a pressing mounting plate 28 attached to the lower part of the load cell 27, and a pressing member 24 attached to the lower part of the pressing mounting plate 28.

[0027] The pressing lifting device 25 is a device for raising and lowering the pressing member 24 in the height direction, and can be configured with any device (for example, an air cylinder or a servo motor). Under the control of the control unit 50, the pressing lifting device 25 raises and lowers the pressing member 24 to position it at the separated position P1 and the pressing position P2 by changing the amount of downward protrusion of the lifting extension rod 25a from the main body. The pressing member 24 positioned at the separated position P1 (see Figures 2, 3 and 6) is separated upward from the packaged body B placed on the conveyor belt 17. The pressing member 24 positioned at the pressing position P2 (see Figures 4 and 5) presses the packaged body B (especially the packaged body B positioned at the pressing processing position Pb1) placed on the conveyor belt 17 from above, applying a pressing force to the packaged body B.

[0028] As the lifting and retracting rod 25a extends and retracts downward, not only the pressing member 24 but also other members (intermediate member 26, load cell 27, and pressing mounting plate 28) that are directly or indirectly attached to the lower end of the lifting and retracting rod 25a move up and down together.

[0029] The pressure inside the packaging body B increases when pressure is applied from the pressing member 24. As a result, if the packaging body B has defects such as a faulty seal, leakage of the contents from inside the packaging body B is promoted. For example, if the seal portion B1 has unintended unsealed areas or includes parts with a seal strength significantly lower than the desired strength, the contents will leak out of the packaging body B when pressure is applied from the pressing member 24. On the other hand, if the seal portion B1 forming the periphery of the packaging body B is properly sealed and has an appropriate seal strength, the contents will not leak out of the packaging body B even when pressure is applied from the pressing member 24.

[0030] When the pressing member 24 is pressed against the package B on the conveyor belt 17, a pressing force is applied to the package B, and a reaction force correlated with this pressing force is also applied to the pressing member 24. As a result, the load cell 27 receives this reaction force from the pressing member 24 via the pressing mounting plate 28 and outputs an electrical signal corresponding to this reaction force to the control unit 50 (particularly the recording device 52). In this way, the load cell 27 functions as a force detection sensor that indirectly detects the pressing force acting on the package B by detecting the force acting on the pressing member 24 (i.e., the reaction force related to the pressing force).

[0031] The recording device 52 stores the detection result of the load cell 27 in a storage medium (not shown) and records it as the pressing force applied by the pressing member 24 to the package B. This record may be used as evidence of the pressing force applied by the pressing member 24 to the package B. The detection result of the load cell 27 may also be used for any other purpose. For example, the control unit 50 may detect a malfunction of the pressing unit 23 from the detection result of the load cell 27 and prompt the administrator (user) to inspect the pressing unit 23 by issuing an alarm as needed. The control unit 50 may also adjust the pressing force applied from the pressing unit 23 to the package B by controlling the extension and retraction amount of the lifting and retracting rod 25a based on the detection result of the load cell 27. This enables feedback control of the pressing lifting device 25 and makes it possible to apply the desired pressing force from the pressing unit 23 to the package B with high accuracy.

[0032] The moving unit 33 includes a shifting member 34 and a shifting moving device 35 for moving the shifting member 34. After the pressing unit 23 applies a pressing force to the package body B, the shifting member 34 applies force to the package body B to move the package body B relative to the conveyor belt 17.

[0033] The sliding movement device 35 includes a support plate 36, a guide rail 37, a mounting block 38, a sliding horizontal movement device 39, a sliding member 40, a mounting plate 41, and a sliding lifting device 42.

[0034] A support plate 36, having a U-shaped planar shape (see Figure 1), is fixedly supported by a support frame (not shown), and fixedly supports a mounting block 38 and a guide rail 37 attached to the lower part of the support plate 36. A sliding horizontal movement device 39 is fixed to the lower part of the mounting block 38. The sliding horizontal movement device 39 can be configured by any device (e.g., an air cylinder or a servo motor) having a horizontal telescopic rod 39a whose amount of protrusion from the main body in the horizontal direction (particularly in the direction opposite to the conveying direction of the package B by the conveying unit 15 (to the right in Figures 1 to 6)) is variable. A sliding member 40 and a sliding lifting device 42 are attached to the tip of the horizontal telescopic rod 39a via a mounting plate 41.

[0035] The extension direction of the guide rail 37 is horizontal, along the direction in which the packaged body B is transported by the transport unit 15, and guides the slide member 40 in this extension direction. The slide member 40 is slidably engaged with the guide rail 37 and can move freely in the extension direction of the guide rail 37, while movement in a horizontal direction different from the extension direction of the guide rail 37 is restricted by the guide rail 37. The guide rail 37 may or may not restrict the movement of the slide member 40 in the height direction (for example, downward).

[0036] The shifting lifting device 42 can be constructed using any device (e.g., an air cylinder or a servo motor) having a vertical telescopic rod 42a whose downward protrusion from the main body is variable. A shifting member 34 is attached to the tip of the vertical telescopic rod 42a. The shifting member 34 has an L-shaped cross-section and includes a horizontal portion extending horizontally and a downward portion extending downward from one end of the horizontal portion (particularly the upstream end).

[0037] In the above-described shifting movement device 35, the slide member 40, mounting plate 41, shifting lifting device 42, and shifting member 34 are moved integrally in the horizontal direction (particularly in the direction along the transport direction of the package B) in accordance with the extension and contraction of the horizontal telescopic rod 39a of the shifting horizontal movement device 39. In addition, the shifting member 34 is moved in the height direction in accordance with the extension and contraction of the vertical telescopic rod 42a of the shifting lifting device 42. In this way, the movement of the shifting member 34 is controlled by the extension and contraction of the horizontal telescopic rod 39a and the vertical telescopic rod 42a, respectively, and the shifting member 34 can be moved relative to the package B on the transport belt 17. In particular, the shifting movement device 35 of this embodiment (particularly the shifting horizontal movement device 39 and the shifting lifting device 42) moves the shifting member 34 under the control of the control unit 50 so that the shifting member 34 exhibits a box motion as described later. In this context, box motion refers to a movement that repeatedly moves in a single direction along a circular trajectory. While the circular trajectory is typically rectangular, its specific shape is not limited; it may also be circular, elliptical, or other shapes.

[0038] The imaging device 45 is fixedly supported by a support frame (not shown) and captures images of portions of the conveyor belt 17 (particularly the upper exposed surface) located within a specific imaging range, and sends these images to the control unit 50 (particularly the image processing device 51). The specific imaging range here includes the area of ​​the upper exposed surface of the conveyor belt 17 that is newly exposed by the relative movement between the package B and the conveyor belt 17 by the moving unit 33. In other words, the imaging device 45 captures the area of ​​the conveyor belt 17 that includes the portion on which the package B was placed before the relative movement between the package B and the conveyor belt 17 by the moving unit 33 occurred, and the image data is transmitted from the imaging device 45 to the control unit 50 (particularly the image processing device 51).

[0039] The image processing device 51 acquires information about the leakage of fluid from the package B based on the image acquired by the imaging device 45. Specifically, the image processing device 51 processes the image of the area of ​​the conveyor belt 17 that includes the area where the package B was placed before the "relative movement between the package B and the conveyor belt 17 by the moving unit 33" occurred (a specific imaging area), and determines whether or not there is fluid in that area. If the image processing determines that there is no fluid in that area of ​​the conveyor belt 17, it is determined that there is no leakage of fluid from the package B. However, if it is determined that there is fluid in that area, it is determined that there is leakage of fluid from the package B. The image processing device 51 may transmit the results of the image processing to another device (not shown) or save them in any format in a storage unit (not shown).

[0040] The control unit 50 controls various devices of the leak detection device 10. In this example, the control unit 50 has an image processing device 51 and a recording device 52 as described above, but the configuration of the control unit 50 is not limited, and the image processing device 51 and / or the recording device 52 may be provided separately from the control unit 50. For example, the control unit 50 may include a user interface (e.g., a display unit and an operation unit). The control unit 50 may provide information to the administrator via the user interface (e.g., a display unit), or receive information input from the administrator via the user interface (e.g., an operation unit), and may perform various processes based on the information input from the administrator.

[0041] The leak detection device 10 further includes a first bag detection sensor 61 to a third bag detection sensor 63.

[0042] The first bag detection sensor 61 detects whether or not the packaged body B has reached a first detection position upstream of the conveyor belt 17, and sends the detection result to the control unit 50. In this example, the first bag detection sensor 61 detects whether or not the packaged body B being conveyed by the introduction belt 16 has passed the first detection position, which is set to correspond to the downstream end of the introduction belt 16.

[0043] The second bag detection sensor 62 detects whether the packaged body B has reached a second detection position upstream of the pressing unit 23 (particularly the pressing member 24), and sends the detection result to the control unit 50. In this example, the second bag detection sensor 62 detects whether the packaged body B being transported by the conveyor belt 17 has passed a second detection position, which is set to correspond to the upstream end of the conveyor belt 17.

[0044] The third bag detection sensor 63 detects whether the packaged body B being transported by the conveyor belt 17 has reached a third detection position for relative movement processing by the moving unit 33, and sends the detection result to the control unit 50. In this example, the third bag detection sensor 63 detects whether the packaged body B is present at the third detection position set at the intermittent stopping position of the packaged body B by the conveyor belt 17 (particularly the shifting processing position Pb2 (see Figures 3 and 4)).

[0045] Next, an example of a leak detection method performed by the leak detection device 10 described above will be explained.

[0046] Each package B, with its contents sealed inside, is transported by the transport unit 15. The transport method of the package B by the transport unit 15 is not limited. In this example, the introduction belt 16 and the discharge belt 18 transport the package B continuously without intermittently stopping the package B. On the other hand, the transport belt 17 intermittently transports and stops the package B repeatedly, intermittently stopping the package B at a plurality of intermittent stopping positions, including the pressing position Pb1 directly below the pressing member 24 and the shifting position Pb2.

[0047] The control unit 50 starts driving the conveyor belt 17 when the first bag detection sensor 61 detects a package B being transported by the introduction belt 16. Specifically, the control unit 50 starts driving a drive device (not shown) such as a motor to move the conveyor belt 17 according to the detection result of the first bag detection sensor 61. This allows the package B to be moved smoothly from the introduction belt 16 to the conveyor belt 17 without stagnation.

[0048] The control unit 50 drives the conveyor belt 17 and the pressing unit 23 according to the detection result of the second bag detection sensor 62. Specifically, after the control unit 50 receives a detection signal from the second bag detection sensor 62 indicating that the package B has passed the second detection position, it intermittently stops the conveyor belt 17 after a certain period of time has elapsed, thereby positioning the package B at the pressing processing position Pb1 (see Figure 3).

[0049] Then, with the conveyor belt 17 intermittently stopped in this manner, the control unit 50 drives the pressing lifting device 25 to increase the protrusion amount of the lifting extension rod 25a, causing the pressing member 24 to descend from the separated position P1 and be positioned at the pressing position P2 (see Figures 3 and 4). As a result, the packaged body B positioned at the pressing processing position Pb1 is pressed by the pressing member 24 positioned at the pressing position P2. Subsequently, the control unit 50 drives the pressing lifting device 25 to reduce the protrusion amount of the lifting extension rod 25a, causing the pressing member 24 to rise from the pressing position P2 and be positioned at the separated position P1 (see Figure 6). As a result, the pressing member 24 separates from the packaged body B positioned at the pressing processing position Pb1, and the packaged body B is placed in a state where it can be intermittently conveyed by the conveyor belt 17.

[0050] Furthermore, while the packaged body B detected by the second bag detection sensor 62 is intermittently stopped at the pressing position Pb1 directly below the pressing member 24, the driving of the pressing lifting device 25 (particularly the extension and retraction of the lifting extension rod 25a) is controlled so that both the descent of the pressing member 24 from the separation position P1 to the pressing position P2 (see Figures 3 and 4) and the rising of the pressing member 24 from the pressing position P2 to the separation position P1 (see Figures 5 and 6) occur.

[0051] The packaged body B, having received pressure from the pressing member 24, is then intermittently transported by the conveyor belt 17 and intermittently stopped at the shifting processing position Pb2 (see Figure 3). The shifting member 34 is positioned at a basic position P11 that does not interfere with the transport of the packaged body B. The shifting member 34 positioned at this basic position P11 is located above the packaged body B being transported by the conveyor belt 17, and in particular, the downward portion of the shifting member 34 is located upstream of the packaged body B located at the shifting processing position Pb2. In this example, under the control of the control unit 50, the horizontal telescopic rod 39a is placed in the extended state and the vertical telescopic rod 42a is placed in the shortened state, thereby positioning the shifting member 34 at the basic position P11.

[0052] In this example, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the intermittent stopping and positioning of the package B at the pressing position Pb1 directly below the pressing member 24, and the intermittent stopping and positioning of the package B at the shifting position Pb2 are performed simultaneously.

[0053] Subsequently, while the conveyor belt 17 intermittently stops conveying the package B, the control unit 50 controls the shifting movement device 35 according to the detection result of the third bag detection sensor 63, and performs the following movements of the shifting member 34: "movement from the basic position P11 to the preparation lowering position P12 (see Figures 3 and 4)", "movement from the preparation lowering position P12 to the shifting execution position P13 (see Figures 4 and 5)", and "movement from the shifting execution position P13 to the retracted position P14 (see Figures 5 and 6)".

[0054] In other words, if the detection result of the third bag detection sensor 63 indicates that the packaged body B is located at the shifting processing position Pb2, the control unit 50 controls the shifting movement device 35 so that the horizontal telescopic rod 39a maintains its extended state while the vertical telescopic rod 42a moves from its shortened state to its extended state. As a result, the shifting member 34 moves from the basic position P11 (see Figure 3) to the preparation lowering position P12 (see Figure 4). Subsequently, under the control of the control unit 50, the horizontal telescopic rod 39a moves from its extended state to its shortened state while the vertical telescopic rod 42a maintains its extended state, causing the shifting member 34 to move from the preparation lowering position P12 (see Figure 4) to the shifting execution position P13 (see Figure 5). Subsequently, under the control of the control unit 50, the horizontal telescopic rod 39a maintains its shortened state while the vertical telescopic rod 42a is moved from its extended state to its shortened state, causing the shifting member 34 to move from the shifting execution position P13 (see Figure 5) to the retracted position P14 (see Figure 6).

[0055] As described above, the basic position P11 is the upper end position and upstream end position of the shifting member 34. The preparation descent position P12 is the lower end position and upstream end position of the shifting member 34. The shift execution position P13 is the lower end position and downstream end position of the shifting member 34. The retraction position P14 is the upper end position and downstream end position of the shifting member 34.

[0056] As shown in Figure 4, when the shifting member 34 is positioned at the preparation lowering position P12, the downward portion of the shifting member 34 is positioned upstream of the packaging B located at the shifting processing position Pb2, at a height such that it horizontally overlaps with the packaging B. The horizontal portion of the shifting member 34 located at the preparation lowering position P12 covers the packaging B at the shifting processing position Pb2 from above, but it may or may not be in contact with the packaging B, and it may or may not be pressing on the packaging B (i.e., it may or may not increase the internal pressure of the packaging B).

[0057] As the shifting member 34 moves from the preparation lowering position P12 to the shifting execution position P13, the packaged body B, which is positioned at the shifting processing position Pb2, is pushed downstream by the downward portion of the shifting member 34 and is finally positioned at the shifting movement position Pb3 (see Figure 5). Then, as the shifting member 34 moves from the shifting execution position P13 to the retracted position P14, the entire shifting member 34 is positioned above the packaged body B on the conveyor belt 17.

[0058] In this way, after the packaged body B on the conveyor belt 17 is moved from the shifting position Pb2 to the shifting position Pb3, the conveyor belt 17 intermittently conveys the packaged body B. The conveyor belt 17 then intermittently stops the packaged body B so that a new packaged body B is positioned at the pressing position Pb1 directly below the pressing unit 23, and the packaged body B that has received pressure from the pressing unit 23 is positioned at the shifting position Pb2.

[0059] When the package B is positioned at the shifting position Pb3, the area of ​​the upper exposed surface of the conveyor belt 17 that was covered by the package B when the package B was positioned at the shifting position Pb2 is exposed. The imaging device 45 then captures an image of the area including the newly exposed region of the conveyor belt 17 due to the relative movement between the conveyor belt 17 and the package B, and sends the image to the image processing device 51.

[0060] The distance between the shifting position Pb2 and the shifting movement position Pb3 is not limited. In this example, the package B is shifted by the moving unit 33 by a distance greater than the sealing range of the opening, where the sealing strength may be relatively low (for example, about 100 mm), and at least the area of ​​the upper exposed surface of the conveyor belt 17 that was located directly below the opening is newly exposed. As an example, with respect to the direction in which the moving unit 33 moves the package B, the package B may be moved by the moving unit 33 by a distance greater than the length of the package B.

[0061] The imaging range of the imaging device 45 includes part or all of the area where contents leaking from the package B, which is subjected to the pressing force of the pressing unit 23, may be scattered. This imaging range includes the area of ​​the conveyor belt 17 that is newly exposed due to the relative movement between the conveyor belt 17 and the package B. In this example, the imaging range includes not only the area of ​​the conveyor belt 17 that is newly exposed due to the relative movement between the conveyor belt 17 and the package B, but also the surrounding area of ​​that area. Therefore, if contents leak from the package B due to the pressing force of the pressing member 24 and adhere to the conveyor belt 17, such leaked contents can be reliably captured in the image.

[0062] The image processing device 51 processes the image sent from the imaging device 45 to detect whether or not contents are adhering to the conveyor belt 17 in the image, thereby detecting whether or not contents are leaking from the package B being inspected. The specific method of image processing is not limited, and the image processing device 51 can perform image processing according to any algorithm.

[0063] The detection results from the image processing device 51 can be used for any purpose. For example, the image processing device 51 may store the identification number (ID) of each package B and the detection result of whether or not the contents have leaked in a storage unit (not shown), linking them together. Also, if a device is provided that changes the destination of the package B depending on whether or not the contents have leaked, the image processing device 51 may send the detection results to the device, and the device may change the destination of each package B based on the detection results sent from the image processing device 51. For example, a package B that has leaked its contents (a defective package) may be removed from the regular transport line by a discharge device (not shown). Such a discharge device can have any configuration, for example, it may include a distribution arm that swings horizontally above the transport belt 17 or the discharge belt 18, or it may include a tilting device that tilts the discharge belt 18 downward when removing the package B.

[0064] Furthermore, if a package B that has leaked its contents is detected by the image processing device 51, an alarm (e.g., an alarm display and / or an alarm sound) may be issued by an alarm device under the control of the control unit 50 to notify the administrator. In addition, the contents that have leaked from the package B and adhered to the conveyor belt 17 may be cleaned by a cleaning device (not shown). Such a cleaning device can be installed at any location and may be provided, for example, on the return section of the conveyor belt 17. Such a cleaning device can have any configuration and may include, for example, a cleaning water spray nozzle and a drying air spray nozzle. Even if a cleaning device is not provided, for example, the administrator may stop the operation of the leak detection device 10 and manually clean the leak detection device 10 (conveyor belt 17, etc.).

[0065] Subsequently, the control unit 50 controls the shifting movement device 35 to move the shifting member 34 from the retracted position P14 to the basic position P11 by keeping the vertical telescopic rod 42a in the shortened state and moving the horizontal telescopic rod 39a from the shortened state to the extended state. The movement of the shifting member 34 from the retracted position P14 to the basic position P11 may be performed when the packaged body B on the conveyor belt 17 is intermittently stopped, or while the packaged body B is intermittently conveyed by the conveyor belt 17.

[0066] As described above, according to this embodiment, the following steps are performed: transporting the package B on which the package B containing the fluid is placed by moving the conveyor belt 17 on which the package B is placed; applying a pressing force to the package B placed on the conveyor belt 17 using the pressing unit 23; moving the package B relative to the conveyor belt 17 after the pressing force has been applied to the package B; capturing an image of the area of ​​the conveyor belt 17 that includes the area newly exposed by the relative movement; and obtaining information on the leakage of the fluid from the package B based on the image.

[0067] This allows for accurate detection of potential leakage of fluid from each package B due to defects in the package B. In particular, by performing such detection based on images of the conveyor belt 17 taken immediately after applying pressure to the package B, it is possible to accurately detect leakage of contents even if the amount of leakage from the package B is small.

[0068] [Differentiation] The moving unit 33 shown in Figures 1 to 6 shifts the package B relative to the conveyor belt 17 in the direction in which the package B is conveyed by the conveyor belt 17, but the moving unit 33 may also shift the package B relative to other directions. For example, the moving unit 33 may shift the package B relative to the conveyor belt 17 in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the package B is conveyed by the conveyor belt 17 (i.e., the width direction of the conveyor belt 17; the direction upward or downward in the plane of the paper in Figure 1; the direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper in Figures 2 to 6). In this case, the package B after being shifted by the moving unit 33 may remain on the conveyor belt 17, or it may be placed on another device other than the conveyor belt 17 (for example, another belt capable of transporting the package B).

[0069] Furthermore, the moving unit 33 shown in Figures 1 to 6 performs "relative movement of the packaged body B with respect to the conveyor belt 17" by applying a pressing force to the packaged body B on the conveyor belt 17 and sliding the packaged body B on the conveyor belt 17, but other means may be used. For example, the moving unit 33 may be equipped with a mechanism that can move the packaged body B in three dimensions while holding it (e.g., a robot hand or a parallel link mechanism).

[0070] Furthermore, although the conveyor belt 17 shown in Figures 1 to 6 intermittently conveys the packaged body B, the conveyor belt 17 may also continuously convey the packaged body B without intermittent stops.

[0071] Furthermore, while the shifting member 34 shown in Figures 1 to 6 performs box motion in a vertical plane, the shifting member 34 may also perform box motion or reciprocating motion in a plane oriented in other directions (for example, in a horizontal plane).

[0072] Furthermore, a spout may be attached to the packaging body B. In this case, the spout seal portion of the packaging body B, where the spout is attached, may constitute a sealed portion that has been sealed later than other sealed portions of the packaging body B. The seal strength of this spout seal portion may be less than that of other sealed portions. Therefore, the packaging body B may be placed on the conveyor belt 17 with the spout seal portion and spout facing in a direction other than the direction in which the packaging body B is shifted relative to the conveyor belt 17 by the "relative movement between the packaging body B and the conveyor belt 17 (see Figures 4 and 5)" (i.e., with respect to a direction other than the direction in which the packaging body B is shifted, the spout seal portion and spout are located horizontally outward from the non-sealed portion B2). Also, when the packaging body B is moved from the shifting processing position Pb2 to the shifting movement position Pb3 by the moving unit 33, an area of ​​the upper exposed surface of the conveyor belt 17 that was located at least directly below the spout seal portion and spout may be newly exposed.

[0073] It should be noted that the embodiments and modifications disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and should not be construed restrictively. The embodiments and modifications described above may be omitted, substituted, and modified in various ways without departing from the scope and spirit of the appended claims. For example, the embodiments and modifications described above may be combined in whole or in part, and other embodiments may be combined with the embodiments or modifications described above. Furthermore, the effects described herein are illustrative, and other effects may result.

[0074] The technical categories that embody the above-described technical concept are not limited. For example, the above-described technical concept may be embodied by a computer program that causes a computer to execute one or more steps included in a method for manufacturing or using the above-described device. Alternatively, the above-described technical concept may be embodied by a computer-readable, non-transitory recording medium on which such a computer program is recorded.

[0075] [Note] This disclosure may also take the following form:

[0076] [Item 1] A process of transporting a package containing a liquid by moving a conveyor belt on which the package is placed, A step of applying a pressing force to the package placed on the conveyor belt using a pressing unit, After the pressing force is applied to the packaging, the packaging is moved relative to the conveyor belt, A step of capturing an image of the area of ​​the conveyor belt that includes the region newly exposed by the relative movement, A step of obtaining information on leakage of the fluid from the packaging based on the aforementioned image, A leak detection method that includes [this].

[0077] [Item 2] The pressing force is detected by the force detection device, The pressing force detected by the force detection device is recorded. The leak detection method described in item 1.

[0078] [Item 3] The package has a sealed portion that has been sealed, and is placed on the conveyor belt in a state where the sealed portion is oriented in a direction other than the direction in which the package B shifts relative to the conveyor belt due to the relative movement. A leak detection method as described in item 1 or 2.

[0079] [Item 4] A conveying unit having a conveying belt on which a package containing a liquid is placed, and which conveys the package by moving the conveying belt, A pressing unit comprising a pressing member and a pressing lifting device for raising and lowering the pressing member, wherein the pressing unit raises and lowers the pressing member so that it is positioned at a pressing position where the pressing member presses the package against the conveyor belt and applies a pressing force to the package, and at a separated position where the pressing member is separated from the package, A moving unit having a shifting member and a shifting moving device for moving the shifting member, wherein after applying the pressing force to the package, the moving unit applies force from the shifting member to the package to move the package relative to the conveyor belt, An imaging device that captures an image of the area of ​​the conveyor belt that includes the region newly exposed by the relative movement, An image processing device that acquires information on leakage of the fluid from the packaging based on the aforementioned image, A leak detection device equipped with [a specific feature].

[0080] [Item 5] The shifting movement device moves the shifting member so that the shifting member exhibits a box motion. The leak detection device described in item 4.

[0081] [Item 6] A force detection sensor for detecting the force acting on the pressing member, A recording device that records the pressing force based on the detection result of the force detection sensor, A leak detection device according to item 4 or 5, comprising the following: [Explanation of Symbols]

[0082] 10 Leak detection device, 15 Conveying unit, 16 Inlet belt, 17 Conveying belt, 18 Outlet belt, 19 Conveying frame, 20 Guide roller, 23 Pressing unit, 24 Pressing member, 25 Pressing lifting device, 25a Lifting telescopic rod, 26 Intermediate member, 27 Load cell, 28 Pressing mounting plate, 33 Moving unit, 34 Shifting member, 35 Shifting moving device, 36 Support plate, 37 Guide rail, 38 Mounting block, 39 Shifting horizontal moving device, 39a Horizontal telescopic rod, 40 Slide member, 41 Mounting plate, 42 Shifting lifting device, 42a Vertical telescopic rod, 45 Imaging device, 50 Control unit, 51 Image processing device, 52 Recording device, 61 First bag detection sensor, 62 Second bag detection sensor, 63 Third bag detection sensor, B Packaging, B1 Seal section, B2 Non-sealed section, P1 Separation position, P2 Pressing position, P11 Base position, P12 Preparation descent position, P13 Shift execution position, P14 Retraction position, Pb1 Pressing processing position, Pb2 Shift processing position, Pb3 Shift movement position

Claims

1. A process of transporting a package containing a liquid by moving a conveyor belt on which the package is placed, A step of applying a pressing force to the package placed on the conveyor belt using a pressing unit, After the pressing force is applied to the packaging body, the process involves moving the packaging body with a moving unit to perform relative movement of the packaging body with respect to the conveyor belt, A step of capturing an image of the area of ​​the conveyor belt that includes the region newly exposed by the relative movement, A step of obtaining information on leakage of the fluid from the packaging based on the aforementioned image, Includes, The pressing unit comprises a pressing member and a pressing lifting device for raising and lowering the pressing member, and the pressing member is raised and lowered so that it is positioned at a pressing position in which the pressing member presses the package against the conveyor belt and applies a pressing force to the package, and at a separation position in which the pressing member is separated from the package. The moving unit comprises a shifting member and a shifting moving device for moving the shifting member, and applies force from the shifting member to the package to move the package relative to the conveyor belt. Leak detection methods.

2. The pressing force is detected by the force detection device, The pressing force detected by the force detection device is recorded. The leak detection method according to claim 1.

3. The package has a sealed portion that has been sealed, and is placed on the conveyor belt in a state where the sealed portion is oriented in a direction other than the direction in which the package shifts relative to the conveyor belt due to the relative movement. The leak detection method according to claim 1 or 2.

4. A conveying unit having a conveying belt on which a package containing a liquid is placed, and which conveys the package by moving the conveying belt, A pressing unit comprising a pressing member and a pressing lifting device for raising and lowering the pressing member, wherein the pressing unit raises and lowers the pressing member so that it is positioned at a pressing position where the pressing member presses the package against the conveyor belt and applies a pressing force to the package, and at a separated position where the pressing member is separated from the package, A moving unit having a shifting member and a shifting moving device for moving the shifting member, wherein after applying the pressing force to the package, the moving unit applies force from the shifting member to the package to move the package relative to the conveyor belt, An imaging device that captures an image of the area of ​​the conveyor belt that includes the region newly exposed by the relative movement, An image processing device that acquires information on leakage of the fluid from the packaging based on the aforementioned image, A leak detection device equipped with [a specific feature].

5. The shifting movement device moves the shifting member so that the shifting member exhibits a box motion. The leak detection device according to claim 4.

6. A force detection sensor for detecting the force acting on the pressing member, A recording device that records the pressing force based on the detection result of the force detection sensor, A leak detection device according to claim 4 or 5, comprising:

Images