DE102020103583A1 - Device for treating containers - Google Patents

Abstract

A device (1) for treating containers (10, 10a) with a transport device (2) which transports the containers along a predetermined transport path (P), an inspection device (4) which inspects the containers and with one in the transport direction of the Containers (10) after the inspection device (4) arranged diverting device (6), which is suitable and intended to divert containers (10) inspected by the inspection device (4) from the transport path, the device also having a diverting device in the transport direction after the diverting device arranged diverting control device (12) which checks whether faulty containers (10) have been diverted by the diverting device (4) and a further diverting device (14) is provided which allows containers (10b) to be diverted in response to a signal from the diverting control device ( 12) allows the further diversion device (14) along the T ransportpfads (P) is arranged immediately after the diversion control device (12).

Description

The present invention relates to a device for treating containers. A large number of such devices for treating containers are known from the prior art. It is also known that, in particular, reusable or refillable bottles are inspected as part of an empty container inspection and, for example, defective containers can be diverted as a function of this inspection result.

In the outlet of an empty container inspector, rejected or faulty containers can be rejected. To check whether this rejection was successful, a rejection control by means of a light barrier in a good production stream after the last rejection is used in the internal state of the art.

If a rejection was not successful, this rejection control can work and the machine stops in a controlled manner. An employee is then informed of the number of containers the faulty bottle is after the rejection check. This is usually removed by hand with one to three bottles before and after. The error is then acknowledged on site using a button and the machine continues production.

In the state of the art, an employee must remove the faulty bottle. The rejection control can strike both during production (faulty rejection) and when the containers on a transport device are too far away from their target position. This can be done, for example, by comparing the target position in the shift register, which is controlled by the rotary encoder, to the actual position by means of a counter-check with a light barrier that determines the position of the bottle on the belt.

This so-called jitter, i.e. the deviation from the actual to the target position, is permissible up to half a container division and is re-synchronized at each light barrier.

In the event of an emergency stop, however, it can happen that the containers slip and thus potentially faulty bottles can slip through the reject control without them being recognized by the system, since the rotary encoder does not work in this phase. This means that you simply acknowledge and continue driving. If defective containers then appear, this is considered to be human error, but this has recently become less and less accepted.

In order to avoid this, the state of the art sometimes goes over to using a large flap well after the inspection in order to prophylactically divert around 6m of bottle material and assign it to the bad container flow. The flap also opens and closes in a relatively uncontrolled manner. If there are containers in front of the flap, they are thrown away by the violent movement and can shatter. As a result, glass splinters can get into the flow of goods without being checked again. Containers can also stand half-diverted on the flap when it is closed, which then get stuck when restarting and cause the next crash.

Remedial measures are currently being taken to the extent that all containers are diverted or thrown away. However, this can be up to 10m of bottle material, which means that with a diameter of approx. 65mm (example for a beer bottle) 150 bottles can be affected.

The present invention is therefore based on the object of carrying out a reliable inspection or rejection control, but also, if possible, of reducing the number of bottles to be rejected.

According to the invention, this is achieved by the subjects of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments and developments are the subject of the subclaims.

A device according to the invention for treating containers has a transport device which transports the containers along a predetermined transport path. Furthermore, the device has an inspection device which inspects the containers and a diversion device which is arranged in the transport direction of the containers after the inspection device and which is suitable and intended to divert containers inspected by the inspection device out of the transport path.

Furthermore, the device has a diverting control device arranged in the transport direction after the diverting device, which checks whether faulty containers have been diverted by the diverting device and a further diverting device is provided (in particular in the transport direction after this diverting control device) which reacts to diverting containers on a signal from the rejection control device.

This signal can in particular be a signal which is characteristic of the fact that a certain defective container was not diverted. Likewise, the signal can mean that it can be assumed that the containers deviate from the target position. This typically occurred when an emergency stop was triggered or the opening of a protective door during production led to a rapid stop.

Furthermore, this diversion device is arranged along the transport path immediately after the inspection device or directly after the diversion control device. In this way it is achieved that this diverting device can react directly to a signal from the diverting control device and in this way containers which have not accidentally been diverted can be ejected immediately or can also be reacted directly to a corresponding signal from the diverting control device in another way. This (second) diverting device can preferably be activated immediately after the diverting control device has been hit.

An arrangement immediately after the diversion control device is understood in particular to mean that no further units are present between the diversion control device and this diversion device. Furthermore, the arrangement immediately after the diversion control device is understood to mean that only a limited number of transported containers are present or transportable between the diversion control device and the diversion device, preferably less than 100 containers, preferably less than 50 containers, preferably fewer than 40 containers, preferably less than 20 containers. An arrangement immediately after the diversion control device can also be understood to mean that the diversion device takes place on the same transport device as the diversion control device

The diverting device can preferably connect directly to an outlet of the diverting control device.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the diverting device has a plurality of movable diverting segments which can be moved in the transport path of the containers in order to divert them.

The diversion devices and in particular the further diversion device on the one hand and the inspection device and / or diversion control device and in particular the diversion control device on the other hand are preferably arranged in such a way that between these less than 50 bottles, preferably less than 40, preferably less than 30 bottles and preferably less than 20 Bottles are transported.

The diversion devices and in particular the further diversion device on the one hand and the inspection device and / or diversion control device and in particular the diversion control device on the other hand are preferably arranged in such a way that between them there is less than 5 m of transport path of the transport device, preferably less than 4 m, preferably less than 3 m, preferably less than 2 m and particularly preferably less than 1 m of the transport path of the transport device.

In this way, errors in particular in the event of an emergency stop can also be reduced.

In a preferred embodiment, the use of a multi-segment rejection is therefore proposed directly after a rejection control. If, for example, an emergency stop occurs with containers possibly slipping through the diversion control, the further diversion device is actuated or extended at the earliest possible point in time and, in particular, gradually extended. The next possible point in time is, in particular, the next gap between two containers. This gap can also be Omm (for example in the case of containers touching one another), since the line is not diverted to 100%.

As mentioned in more detail below, the rejection can take place in an extra channel with return to a bottle washing machine or, for example, to a rejection station or into a container for container disposal.

The device for diverting the containers preferably has a diverting surface such as, in particular, a diverting table. Furthermore, a further transport device can also be provided which is suitable and intended for the further transport of the diverted containers.

When the machine starts up again, the rejection can either remain active until the actual container position is synchronized with the container tracking again, for example by means of software, or it is rejected for as long as was parameterized in the tracking system, usually the route from the rejection control back to the last one controlled mechanical guidance.

The further diverting device described here has the advantage that a clean curve is built up for standing or lying containers and everything is diverted and, compared to a flap, this further diverting device can be extended and retracted again without endangering.

In addition, it is also possible for the curve or the further diversion device to be retracted in a controlled manner when restarting so that production can start up again cleanly. The diversion length is preferably specified automatically by a guide system.

In particular, the invention makes it possible that no human intervention is necessary. Production is also restarted with a minimal loss rate.

This is a safety advantage, especially in the event of a crash due to poor container material, which can sometimes occur 10 times in 30 minutes and thus extremely strain the employee's patience.

In a preferred embodiment, the device has a control device which enables the transport device to be stopped in response to a signal output by the inspection device. In this case, this signal is preferably characteristic of a state of the containers and, in particular, an error state of the containers.

In a further preferred embodiment, the device has a control device which enables the transport device to be stopped in response to a signal output by the rejection control device. This signal is particularly characteristic of a faulty discharge or a failure to discharge a faulty container.

In a further preferred embodiment, the containers are glass bottles or plastic bottles. In a broader sense, however, the containers could also be compilations such as beverage crates or also bundles made up of several containers.

The above-mentioned further diversion device can have one or more light barriers. This further diverting device is particularly preferably arranged after the first-mentioned diverting device.

This or these light barrier devices can in particular serve to trigger and / or synchronize the transport device. In particular, these light barrier devices allow the position of the transported containers to be determined.

In a further preferred embodiment, the diverting control device is in particular a contactless and, in particular, optical diverting control device. The rejection control device can expect a container gap at the location of the faulty container in the tracking, since this was rejected. If there is no gap, i.e. the container is there because it was not properly discharged, it is recognized and a fault signal is preferably generated, which typically results in a stop of the system or another reaction.

As mentioned, this further diversion device can in particular bring about an emergency stop of the system. It can preferably be identified whether at least one faulty bottle has also been rejected.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the transport device has a movable transport carrier on which the containers can be transported in an upright position. In particular, the containers can be transported in a row. This transport device is preferably suitable for transporting the containers along the inspection device and also along the rejection control device.

This transport carrier can in particular be a transport belt or a transport chain.

The containers are particularly preferably conveyed at variable distances from one another. Several transport devices, in particular several conveyor belts and / or several transport chains, can also be provided.

In a further preferred embodiment, the diverting control device and the diverting device following it are arranged or installed on the same transport device.

For example, the diverting control device and the further diverting device can be installed on the same or separate conveyor belts and / or conveyor chains.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the further diverting device has a plurality of diverting segments which are arranged one behind the other along the transport path and which can be moved into the transport path of the containers by an infeed movement. This infeed movement can preferably be a linear movement, in particular a linear movement in a direction that runs transversely or perpendicularly to the transport path of the containers and / or is parallel to a transport plane of the transport direction.

In a further preferred embodiment, the further diversion device is designed in such a way that elements thereof can be retracted further diversion device is specifically enabled in the still moving container flow.

For example, the diverting segments mentioned can be designed in such a way that they can be retracted or generally introduced into the still moving container flow. This can be achieved, for example, in that the diverting segments can be introduced one after the other into this container flow, for example they can be pivoted.

In addition, however, this feed movement can also be a pivoting movement of the diverting segments.

In a further preferred embodiment, the device has an outfeed area or diverting area, in which containers diverted by the diverting device can be diverted. In connection with the present invention, diverting the containers is understood to mean, in particular, diverting and / or removing from a stream of intact or fault-free containers.

This receiving area can be suitable and intended for receiving a large number of diverted containers. It is possible that the actually faulty containers are again identified in this receiving area.

In a further preferred embodiment, the device has a return device, which enables discharged containers to be returned into the container flow. It is possible here for these diverted containers to be conveyed to a container washing system, for example. In addition, it is also possible for these diverted containers to be transported back into an area of the transport path in front of the divert control and / or the inspection device.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the device has a cleaning device for cleaning the containers. This cleaning device is particularly preferably arranged along the transport path in front of the first inspection device.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the device has at least one light barrier device which is arranged between the inspection device and the further diversion device. A plurality of light barrier devices is preferably arranged, in particular between the first diversion device and the further diversion device. This multitude of light barriers can be part of the diversion control device.

In a preferred embodiment, the rejection control device therefore has a multiplicity of light barriers which are suitable and intended for determining whether defective containers have been rejected.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the device has a control device which controls the diverting device and / or the further diverting device in response to individual inspection devices and / or a signal output by a light barrier device. In particular, the first diversion device and the further diversion device can be controlled by this control device.

Furthermore, the device can alternatively be implemented by two control devices. On the one hand, a tracking system or container tracking system can be provided which determines that the real container positions do not match the target positions and transmits a signal to a further control system, which takes over the control of the rejection system (i.e. the further rejection device).

The present invention is further directed to a method for treating and in particular transporting containers, a transport device transporting the containers along a predetermined transport path and an inspection device inspecting the containers and a diverting device arranged in the transport direction of the containers after the inspection device inspecting containers from the inspection device diverted and / or removed from the transport path of the containers, wherein a diverting control device arranged in the transport direction after the diverting device further checks whether faulty containers have been diverted by the diverting device and a further diverting device enables containers to be diverted in response to a signal from the diverting control device and / or performs.

In a preferred method, further diversion device is arranged along the transport path immediately after the diversion control device and / or certain containers and in particular containers not recognized as faulty are diverted by this further diversion device immediately after the diversion control and / or after passing the diversion control.

In a further preferred method, the further diversion device has a plurality of movable diversion segments which are inserted into the transport path of the containers ( 10 ) are moved in order to divert them.

Containers are preferably pushed out of the transport path of the containers by the further diverting device.

• 1a eine schematische Darstellung einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung in einem ersten Arbeitszustand;
• 1b die Vorrichtung aus 1a in einem weiteren Arbeitszustand;
• 1c die Vorrichtung aus 1a in einem weiteren Arbeitszustand; und
• 1d die Vorrichtung aus 1a in einem weiteren Arbeitszustand.

Further advantages and embodiments emerge from the accompanying drawings. Show in it:

• 1a a schematic representation of a device according to the invention in a first working state;
• 1b the device off 1a in another working state;
• 1c the device off 1a in another working state; and
• 1d the device off 1a in another working state.

1 shows a schematic representation of a device according to the invention 1 . This device has a transport device 2 , like here a conveyor belt that holds the containers 10 along a specified transport path P. and transported here in particular on a straight transport path.

The reference number 4th identifies an inspection device which is suitable and intended to inspect the containers. This inspection device 4th in particular detect certain defects in the containers, such as foreign bodies in the containers, faulty labels, faulty closures, incorrect filling levels or the like. This inspection device is in particular an optical inspection device which enables the containers to be inspected at least also in their circumferential direction. The inspection facility is not limited to optical systems. X-ray, gamma, sound or inductive-based sensors can also serve as detection units.

The reference number 6th identifies a first diverting device which is used to divert containers 10a and in particular of isolated containers or (small) series of containers from the transport stream of the containers 10 serves.

This diversion device can 6th guide the containers out of the transport path, in particular in a direction perpendicular to the transport path. The reference number 10a accordingly identifies a container that has been correctly identified as defective and rejected

In detail, the inspection facility 4th determine that a particular container is faulty. The diverting device is preferably synchronized with the transport device and a light barrier can be used to ensure that the faulty container is separated out.

The reference number 12th denotes a along the transport path or in the transport direction of the containers after the diverting device 6th arranged diverting control device, which checks whether a container recognized as defective has been diverted or diverted. This can be done for example by means of one or more light barrier devices 22nd , 24 which are used to check whether the containers are in the "correct" position in the transport flow 10 a gap was created, ie whether the “correct” container, ie the container recognized by the inspection device as defective, was ejected.

The first light barrier device 22nd can serve as a first trigger or for outputting a first trigger signal and the second diverting device 24 as a second trigger or to initiate a second trigger signal.

The reference number 10b identifies a container that has inadvertently not been ejected and recognized as being defective.

The reference number 20th identifies a diverting surface onto which the containers to be diverted 10a , 10b are diverted.

The device also has a control device 18th to control the transport device. This can in particular also control the transport device in response to a signal from the rejection control device and, for example, bring it to a standstill.

1a thus still shows a state of normal production or a working operation of the device

1b shows a representation of the device 1a in a further working state. At the in 1b The situation shown is currently the further diversion device 14th activated by a container 10b which, although from the inspection facility 4th was recognized as faulty, but not faulty by the diversion device 6th was diverted to divert. This means that the in 1b The situation shown is a controlled extension of the further diversion device 14th . Rejection at the rejection device 14th can with the faulty container 10b but also with an earlier container. The point in time of the error signal of the light barrier (s) 12 is decisive. Rejection is then preferably started with the next possible container.

1c shows a state in which the further diversion device is in a fully extended state. It can be seen that the further diversion device 14th a variety of diversion segments 62 , 64 ... which can be driven into the transport path of the containers in order to divert containers.

At the in 1c It is conceivable that the transport device has just been stopped. In or shortly before this situation, a large number of containers are diverted by the diverting device, including container noses that may slip due to the machine stop 10 .

Besides that, can 1c also indicate a situation in which the machine or the transport device is started up again, but still a certain number of containers for safety 10 is diverted.

At the in 1d The situation shown is the further diversion device 14th retracted again (in a controlled manner) to return to normal operation.

The applicant reserves the right to claim all features disclosed in the application documents as essential to the invention, provided that they are new to the state of the art, individually or in combination. It is further pointed out that features have also been described in the individual figures, which can be advantageous in themselves. The person skilled in the art immediately recognizes that a certain feature described in a figure can also be advantageous without the adoption of further features from this figure. Furthermore, the person skilled in the art recognizes that advantages can also result from a combination of several features shown in individual or in different figures.

List of reference symbols

1

contraption

2

Transport device

4th

Inspection facility

6th

(first) diversion device

10

container

10a

diverted container

10b

incorrectly not diverted container

12th

Rejection control device

14th

(further) diversion device

18th

Control device

20th

Diversion area

22nd

first light barrier detection device

24

second light barrier device

62, 64

Reject segments

P.

Transport path

Claims (12)

Device (1) for treating containers (10, 10a) with a transport device (2) which transports the containers along a predetermined transport path (P), an inspection device (4) which inspects the containers and with one in the transport direction of the containers (10) after the inspection device (4) arranged diverting device (6), which is suitable and intended to divert containers (10) inspected by the inspection device (4) out of the transport path, the device also having a diverting device arranged in the transport direction after the diverting device Rejection control device (12) which checks whether faulty containers (10) have been diverted by the diverting device (4) and a further diverting device (14) is provided which allows containers (10b) to be diverted in response to a signal from the diverting control device (12) ) made possible, the further diversion device (14) along the transp ortpfads (P) is arranged immediately after the diversion control device (12). Device according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the further diversion device (14) is located on the same transport device as the diversion control device (12) Device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the further diverting device (14) has a plurality of movable diverting segments (62, 64) which can be moved into the transport path of the containers (10) in order to divert them. Device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the further diverting device (14) is designed in such a way that elements of this further diverting device can be moved in a targeted manner into the still moving container flow. Device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device (1) has a control device (18) which stops the transport device (2) in response to a signal from the inspection device (4) and / or the rejection control device ( 12) enables the output signal. Device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transport device (2) has a movable transport carrier on which the containers (10) can be transported in an upright position. Device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the diverting device (4) has a plurality of diverting segments arranged one behind the other along the transport path, which can be moved into the transport path of the containers by an infeed movement. Device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device (1) has a diverting area (20) in which containers (10a, 10b) diverted by the diverting device (4) can be diverted. Device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device (1) has a return device, which enables outgoing containers to be returned into the container flow. Device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device (1) has at least one light barrier device (22, 24) which is arranged between the inspection device (4) and the further diversion device (14). Device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device (1) has a control device (18) which the diverting device (6) and / or the further diverting device in response to a signal from the inspection device (4) and / or a light barrier device (16) controls the output signal. Method and (1) for treating and in particular transporting containers (10, 10a), wherein a transport device (2) that transports the containers along a predetermined transport path (P) and an inspection device (4) that inspects the containers and one in the transport direction of the containers (10) arranged downstream of the inspection device (4) to divert containers (10) inspected by the inspection device (4) out of the transport path, wherein a diverting control device (12) arranged in the transport direction downstream of the diverting device also checks whether defective containers (10) have been diverted by the diverting device (4) and a further diverting device (14) enables and / or carries out a diverting of containers (14) in response to a signal from the diverting control device (12).

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