Capsule marking device and method

A capsule marking device comprising:

• a conveying unit that conveys a capsule along a conveyance path;
• a first imaging unit that captures an image of the capsule being conveyed, to obtain first imaging data;
• a marking unit that performs marking on the capsule being conveyed;
• and
• a control unit that sets a marking region on the capsule on a basis of the first imaging data, and forms a marking pattern in the marking region by controlling an operation of the marking unit,
• the capsule marking device further comprising a separating unit that selectively separates the capsule being conveyed from the conveyance path, wherein
• the control unit controls an operation of the separating unit, to separate a capsule having a seam with a size equal to or larger than a predetermined reference size in the marking region in the first imaging data without forming a marking pattern,
• the conveyance path is formed in a linear shape,
• the first imaging unit includes:
• a camera that is disposed so that an imaging direction is orthogonal to the conveyance path;
• a reflective illuminating unit that is disposed on a same side of the conveyance path as the camera;
• and a transmissive illuminating unit that is disposed on an opposite side of the conveyance path from the camera, and
• the reflective illuminating unit includes:
• a ring light;
• a first polarizing plate that is disposed between the ring light and the conveyance path;
• and a second polarizing plate that is disposed between the camera and the conveyance path, and has a polarizing axis orthogonal to a polarizing axis of the first polarizing plate.

A capsule marking method comprising:

• a first imaging step of capturing an image of a capsule being conveyed on a conveyance path with a first imaging unit to acquire first imaging data, and setting a marking region on the capsule on a basis of the first imaging data;
• a separating step of separating a capsule having a seam with a size equal to or larger than a predetermined reference size from the conveyance path, the seam being present in the marking region;
• and
• a marking step of forming a marking pattern in the marking region of the capsule that has been subjected to the separating step and is conveyed.