Method and apparatus for inspecting a rotating medicine vial with cameras
AssigneeEisai Co., Ltd.
InventorsKoji Shimizu, Kazumi Maruoka
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method is for inspecting a vial in the course of conveying the vial by a rotary table, comprising the steps of inspecting the vial's lower half at a station of the vial's lower portion while the vial is rotated from above with its head being chucked, inspecting the vial's upper half at a station of the vial's upper portion while the vial is supported and rotated from below by a rotary belt adapted to be brought into contact with the vial, and combining these inspections of lower and upper halves to inspect the whole vial from its head to its bottom.
Claims28
A method for inspecting a vial comprising a body and a head and having a content therein, and wherein the inspection is completed and continuously achieved without being obstructed by a vial supporting mechanism, and wherein the inspection includes inspection of a lower portion of the vial and inspection of an upper portion of the vial, comprising:
- 1) applying a chuck to the head of the vial so as to grasp the head and suspend the vial;
- 2) rotating the chuck so as to rotate the suspended vial;
- 3) illuminating the vial with at least one light while the vial is rotated by the chuck;
- 4) imaging the illuminated vial with at least one camera and displaying the image;
- 5) inspecting the lower portion of the vial from the displayed image for abnormal contents, foreign substances on faces on the content and defects in the vial body;
- 6) releasing the chuck and placing the vial on a support which contacts the bottom of the vial;
- 7) rotating the vial while on the support;
- 8) illuminating the vial with at least one light while the vial is rotated on the support;
- 9) imaging the illuminated vial with at least one camera and displaying the image;
- and
- 10) inspecting the upper portion of the vial from the displayed image for defects in the vial head.
An apparatus for inspecting a vial comprising a body and a head and having a content therein, and wherein the inspection is completely and continuously achieved without being obstructed by a vial supporting mechanism, and wherein the inspection includes inspection of a lower portion of the vial and inspection of an upper portion of the vial, comprising:
- 1) a chuck configured to releasably grasp the head of the vial and suspend the vial;
- 2) chuck rotation means for rotating the chuck so as to rotate the vial while being suspended;
- 3) at least one first light for illuminating the vial while the vial is being rotated by the chuck;
- 4) at least one first camera for imaging the illuminated vial and display means for displaying the image such that the display will show in the lower portion of the vial any abnormal contents, foreign substances on the face of the content, and defects in the vial body;
- 5) releasing means for releasing the chuck and releasing the vial;
- 6) a support for supporting the bottom of the released vial;
- 7) vial rotation means for rotating the vial while supported by the support;
- 8) at least one second light for illuminating the vial while the vial is being rotated;
- 9) at least one second camera for imaging the illuminated vial and display means for displaying the image such that the display will show in the upper portion of the vial defects in the vial head;
- and
- 10) a rotatable table for moving the vial to and from successive inspection stations.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.