EP1987283B1 - A filling system for filling substance into containers - Google Patents

A filling system for filling substance into containers Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP1987283B1
EP1987283B1 EP07702475.0A EP07702475A EP1987283B1 EP 1987283 B1 EP1987283 B1 EP 1987283B1 EP 07702475 A EP07702475 A EP 07702475A EP 1987283 B1 EP1987283 B1 EP 1987283B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
filling
container
transport unit
substance
weighing
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
EP07702475.0A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1987283A1 (en
Inventor
Erik Jensen
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Kosan Crisplant AS
Original Assignee
Kosan Crisplant AS
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Kosan Crisplant AS filed Critical Kosan Crisplant AS
Priority to PL07702475T priority Critical patent/PL1987283T3/pl
Publication of EP1987283A1 publication Critical patent/EP1987283A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1987283B1 publication Critical patent/EP1987283B1/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C5/00—Methods or apparatus for filling containers with liquefied, solidified, or compressed gases under pressures
    • F17C5/002—Automated filling apparatus
    • F17C5/005—Automated filling apparatus for gas bottles, such as on a continuous belt or on a merry-go-round
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C13/00—Details of vessels or of the filling or discharging of vessels
    • F17C13/02—Special adaptations of indicating, measuring, or monitoring equipment
    • F17C13/023—Special adaptations of indicating, measuring, or monitoring equipment having the mass as the parameter
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C5/00—Methods or apparatus for filling containers with liquefied, solidified, or compressed gases under pressures
    • F17C5/02—Methods or apparatus for filling containers with liquefied, solidified, or compressed gases under pressures for filling with liquefied gases
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2221/00—Handled fluid, in particular type of fluid
    • F17C2221/03—Mixtures
    • F17C2221/032—Hydrocarbons
    • F17C2221/035—Propane butane, e.g. LPG, GPL
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2223/00—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel
    • F17C2223/01—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel characterised by the phase
    • F17C2223/0146—Two-phase
    • F17C2223/0153—Liquefied gas, e.g. LPG, GPL
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2223/00—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel
    • F17C2223/03—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel characterised by the pressure level
    • F17C2223/033—Small pressure, e.g. for liquefied gas
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2225/00—Handled fluid after transfer, i.e. state of fluid after transfer from the vessel
    • F17C2225/01—Handled fluid after transfer, i.e. state of fluid after transfer from the vessel characterised by the phase
    • F17C2225/0146—Two-phase
    • F17C2225/0153—Liquefied gas, e.g. LPG, GPL
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2225/00—Handled fluid after transfer, i.e. state of fluid after transfer from the vessel
    • F17C2225/03—Handled fluid after transfer, i.e. state of fluid after transfer from the vessel characterised by the pressure level
    • F17C2225/033—Small pressure, e.g. for liquefied gas
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2250/00—Accessories; Control means; Indicating, measuring or monitoring of parameters
    • F17C2250/04—Indicating or measuring of parameters as input values
    • F17C2250/0404—Parameters indicated or measured
    • F17C2250/0421—Mass or weight of the content of the vessel
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2250/00—Accessories; Control means; Indicating, measuring or monitoring of parameters
    • F17C2250/04—Indicating or measuring of parameters as input values
    • F17C2250/0404—Parameters indicated or measured
    • F17C2250/0473—Time or time periods
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2260/00—Purposes of gas storage and gas handling
    • F17C2260/02—Improving properties related to fluid or fluid transfer
    • F17C2260/024—Improving metering
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2270/00—Applications
    • F17C2270/05—Applications for industrial use
    • F17C2270/059—Mass bottling, e.g. merry belts
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2270/00—Applications
    • F17C2270/07—Applications for household use
    • F17C2270/0745—Gas bottles

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a filling system for filling substance into containers.
  • the invention further relates to a method of operating such filling system.
  • Filling of containers with one or more substances is a common task of packaging substance e.g. for transportation or storage purposes.
  • gas such as liquid petroleum gas - also known as LPG
  • filling turntables and carrousels are often used.
  • Containers are conveyed and transferred to the turntable or carrousel, where they are received by filling units and each continuously weighed on an electronic scale.
  • the scales are connected to a control system, which controls filling of the containers in response to signals from the scales, the signals being proportional to the amount of substance filled into the containers.
  • This type of filling is used for filling several hundreds or even thousands of containers per hour with LPG.
  • the turntables or carrousels are equipped with multiple, normally at least a dozen, filling units, each having a scale included, for filling many containers at a time and it is performed in a cycle where containers are received in a first position, filled during rotation of the turntables or carrousels to bring the filled containers to a second position where they are unloaded.
  • this known method of filling containers functions very well, it does, however, require a large number of scales and corresponding control equipment.
  • a system of this type is e.g. known from WO 9939130 A2 .
  • EP 0661493 discloses an LP gas charging equipment having an electro balance 3 disposed in a carrying-in line 1 to a turntable A to weigh containers, a control panel B to which the electro balance is connected and which has a central processing unit, gas charging valves adapted to open while the containers are moved by the turntable to supply gas from a gas distributor 5 to the containers, and flow meters 9 for measuring the flow rate of gas at the time of gas charging, the amount of gas to be charged being calculated by the central processing unit B on the basis of the measured value provided from the electro balance to control the gas charging work, an air distributor 6 and an electric distributor 7 are disposed centrally on the turntable, solenoid valves 15 and controllers 33 are arranged around those distributors.
  • EP 0534876 discloses a method and an installation for filling liquefied-gas bottles 3 and checking the weight of the said bottles after filling, comprising a weighing unit 13, bottles 3 located upstream of a carrousel 2 and a programmable automatic machine 15 connected to the said weighing unit 13 and to the said carrousel 2 and making it possible to determine the weight of gas in order to fill each weighed bottle 3 according to the reference values stored in the memory of the said programmable automatic machine 15 to control through the said automatic machine the valve for filling this bottle 3 which has reached one of the filling stations 2a of the carrousel 2; after filling, the filled bottle 31 is weighed and the weight of gas delivered during the filling of the bottle 3 is corrected through the said programmable automatic machine 15.
  • FR 2670864 discloses a plurality of supports 1 capable of receiving a cartridge C, said supports 1 being mounted on a transfer member 2 so as to be moved and positioned in succession facing the various stations, namely: - a station for weighing the empty cartridge 3, - a station for positioning the shutoff means 4, - at least one station T for filling the cartridge C with gas in the liquid state, - a station 17 for weighing and checking the full cartridge, the whole of the installation being slaved by a programmable automaton.
  • One object of the invention is to provide a filling system with a reduced number of scales included as well as a corresponding method of operating such system. Another object is to provide a filling system having at least a capacity which is equal to the known type of filling systems as well as a method of operating the system to obtain such capacity.
  • a first aspect of the invention involves a filling system as defined by claim 1.
  • the filling system may include only two scales, i.e. one for each of the at least two weighing sections, although there may be any number of transport units. This is significantly less than the known systems, which include a scale for each transport unit and thereby normally at least twelve scales for a system having twelve transport units.
  • the filling system may include any number of transport units, such as from 6 to 36, such as 6, 12, 24, or 36, or any other number in between the mentioned numbers or a higher number, and be operated using two scales only. Additional scales may be used for increasing precision, performing further operations, checking weighing etc.
  • the scales are incorporated in separate weighing sections of the track, said sections being placed with a distance in the direction of the track.
  • the weighing sections are arranged to weigh the transport units individually, including any present containers and substance, while the transport units are passing the weighing sections.
  • Information with regard to the amount of filled substance in at least two instances in the filling sequence, may hereby be obtained.
  • This weighing information forms a basis for operating the filling system, such as enabling calculation of a total filling time, which is necessary for appropriately filling the containers, as well as operating the filling means accordingly.
  • the features of the filling system may be implemented in a carrousel or turntable system whereby the filling capacity, i.e. the number of containers which may be filled per time unit, may correspond to the capacities of the known systems.
  • the track may be circular and the filling system implemented as a carrousel, or it may be oval or having a polygon-like shape, where the transport units are transported in a loop, and where filling may take place during most of the loop. Or the part of the track where filling takes place may have any shape.
  • This may include a linear part where the containers are transported in one linear direction only.
  • the track may be elevated e.g. to an overhead position where the transport units are hanging downwards from the track.
  • the transport units and the filling means may be integrated. This may include an embodiment where the containers are engaged only at their filling opening, e.g. a bottleneck, by the transport units/fillings means and are transported also in that way at least during the filling operation.
  • a preferred embodiment of the filling system involves placing at least two weighing sections in positions downstream of a position of the track where filling is to be started and upstream of a position where filling is to be completed.
  • the term "downstream” indicates a position positioned in the direction in which the transport units are moved and the term “upstream” indicates a position positioned in a direction which is opposite to the direction in which the transport units are moved.
  • a first weighing section placed after a position of the track where filling is to be started may provide a first indication of an amount filled into the container, which amount may be used to calculate a filling rate, i.e. the amount of substance filled per time unit. The filling rate may then be used to calculate the filling time for reaching a first predetermined filling level.
  • a second weighing section placed before a position where filling is to be completed may provide a second indication of an amount filled into the container, e.g. to check whether the first predetermined level has been obtained, and/or to calculate the filling rate again based on a longer time period than the first calculated filling rate.
  • the second indication of filled amount may also be used to calculate a remaining amount still to be filled into the container as well as a remaining filling time for a top-up filling operation.
  • Another preferred embodiment of the system includes that at least one weighing section is placed in a position downstream of a position of the track where filled containers are unloaded from the transport units and a position upstream of a position where containers to be filled are received by the transport units.
  • a weighing section may be used to obtain a tare weight of the transport unit. Any spilled substance or other generally undesired matter randomly present on the transport unit would otherwise compromise the precision of the filling operation, e.g. lead to filling less substance into the container than intended.
  • a further preferred embodiment of the system includes that at least one weighing section is placed in a position downstream of a position of the track where containers to be filled are received by the transport units and upstream of a position where filling is to be started. Such weighing section may be used to obtain a tare weight of the transport unit including a container.
  • a yet further preferred embodiment of the filling system includes that at least one weighing section is placed in a position downstream of a position of the track where filling is to be completed and upstream of a position where filled containers are unloaded from the transport units.
  • Such weighing section may be used to check the weight of the transport unit, the container and the substance filled into the container. When the tare weight of the transport unit and the container is known, this may provide information regarding the amount of substance which has actually been filled into the container, such that e.g. the filled amount may be checked against a desired amount, an acceptance interval, a maximum amount, a minimum amount, etc.
  • Another preferred embodiment of the filling system includes that at least one wheel or roller is arranged between each transport unit and the track to provide movable support for the transport unit.
  • at least one sliding shoe may be arranged in a similar manner. This provides a suitable direct contact between the transport unit via the wheel, roller or sliding shoe to the track, and hence also to the weighing sections incorporated in the track.
  • One wheel is preferred, because it provides opportunity to weigh the transport unit etc. over the entire length of the weighing section and hence provide maximum time for performing the weighing operation. This is advantageous since the length of the weighing section must be less than the width of a transport unit, here the centre to centre distance between the wheels of two adjacent transport units, since only one transport unit may be present on the weighing section at a time to perform an individual weighing. This highly increases the capacity of the filling system, since the transport units may be moved fast and the weighing operations still be made with sufficient precision.
  • a further preferred embodiment of the filling system includes that the track is made in sections made from rails or rail-like metal profiles. Rails and metal profiles provide a solid, durable structure at a reasonable cost.
  • An additional preferred embodiment of the filling system includes each transport unit having at least two supporting arms, said supporting arms being hinged to the transport units in one end and hinged to a central section of the driving means in an opposite end, where each transport unit, a set of two arms and said central section are arranged to structurally form a parallelogram which supports said transport unit.
  • the two supporting arms hinged to the transport unit and arranged to form a parallelogram in combination with the other components provide the function that when the container carrying part of the transport unit is horizontal when the transport unit is installed, then it is kept horizontal at all times despite any minor variations in the track, such as a small deviation from a common horizontal plane of the track. If the container carrying part of the transport unit is not horizontal, load from the container will be introduced in the supporting arms, whereby the full load is not transferred to the weighing sections. This is avoided by the parallelogram and the precision in the weighing is maintained.
  • the filling system according to the invention may be used for any substance, e.g. a powder, a gas, a fluid or a liquid, or a combination of such substances, or it could be granules, or a plurality of pieces of different size, even larger pieces e.g. vegetables such as carrots, potatoes, etc.
  • a preferred use of the system is for filling containers with a liquefied gas, in particular a liquid petroleum gas (LPG).
  • LPG liquid petroleum gas
  • Another aspect of the invention relates to a method of operating a filling system for filling substance into containers, where operation of the filling system for filling a container includes steps of: providing a filling system according to any of claims 1-9 and
  • the filling system may be operated on the basis of input from only two scales.
  • the risk that too much or too little substance is filled into the container is reduced, i.e. a high degree of precision is obtained in the filling although only two scales are used.
  • Filling may be continued or discontinued while weighing is performed, i.e. there may be or may not be a delay between the time periods t2 and t1 as well as t3 and t2.
  • a further operation of the filling system includes that steps a) - m) are followed by steps of:
  • the filling process may be divided into multiple sequences, each used for successively reaching a higher and higher filled amount. In this way the filling may be performed gradually in order to reach the final amount with a very high degree of precision.
  • a preferred operation of the filling system includes that steps a) - k) or steps n) - s) are followed by steps of:
  • the total amount filled is found and may then be compared with a predetermined minimum amount, maximum amount, etc.
  • Another preferred operation of the filling system includes that a ratio of the predetermined amounts A2 and A3 defined as (A3-A2)/A3 is less than 0.25, preferably less than 0.1 and more preferred between 0.001 and 0.1.
  • the first predetermined amount A2 is quite close to the second predetermined amount A3, whereby filling until the amount A2 is reached is a top-up filling.
  • Reaching A2 may bring the filling close to a desired end amount, and a small top-up amount is calculated and filled which provides a precise method of reaching said desired end amount.
  • a further preferred operation of the filling system includes, while the transport unit is passing a weighing section of the track, a prior step of weighing the transport unit to obtain a tare mass of the transport unit. Any spilled substance or other generally undesired matter randomly present on the transport unit may hereby be compensated for in the filling operation.
  • a yet further preferred operation of the filling system includes, between steps a) and b), intermediate steps of:
  • the filling may hereby be compensated according to the calculated residual substance, which is often present when refilling containers for LPG and other gasses, wherein the residual substance may be of an acceptable quality.
  • Fig. 1 shows elements of a filling system for filling substance into containers 1.
  • Containers 1 are forwarded by a conveyor 14 to a position 9, where containers 1 to be filled are received by a plurality of transport units 2, each being arranged to receive and transport at least one container. Filling of the substance is performed while the transport units 2 are moved in the direction R indicated by an arrow towards a position 8 where the filled containers 1 are unloaded to the conveyor 14.
  • a substance distribution system comprising filling means 3 is arranged relative to the transport units 2 for filling substance into the containers 1, while being transported by the transport units 2, cf. Fig. 2 and 3 . Referring again to Fig.
  • driving means 4 are arranged to provide movement, here rotation, of the transport units 2, here shown as a central section 12 arranged at the rotation centre.
  • the driving means 4, 12 are connected to the transport units by supporting arms 11.
  • fig. 1 shows the system from above, a substantially horizontal and circular track 5 along which the transport units 2 are moved while being driven by the driving means 4 is only visible on fig. 1 between the transport units.
  • the track 5 is provided to support said transport units. Further details of the track 5 are shown in the other figures.
  • a control system for controlling operation of the filling system is not shown. Specific details regarding the substance distribution system, the filling means, the control system and the drive means for e.g. filling LPG gas are well known to the skilled person. The invention may, however, also be employed in other applications.
  • Figs. 2 and 3 display a container 1 supported by a container carrying part of a transport unit 1 and filling means 3 provided for filling a substance into the container 1.
  • a wheel is arranged between the transport unit 2 and the track 5 to provide a movable support 10 for the transport unit such that the weight of the transport unit 2, the container 1, the filling means 3 and any present substance is supported largely by the support 10 and transmitted directly to the track 5 and from there to an electronic scale 6 ( figs. 4 and 5 ) comprising a weighing cell 16.
  • an electronic scale 6 figs. 4 and 5
  • Two or more wheels or a sliding shoe or rollers or any other similar means may be used as movable support 10.
  • FIG. 2 shows that two supporting arms 11 are hinged with hinges 15 to the transport unit 2 in one end and hinged to a central section 12 of the driving means in an opposite end, whereby the transport unit 2, a set of two arms 11 and the central section 12 structurally form a parallelogram which supports the transport unit 2.
  • Fig. 4 and 5 display the filling system without transport units 2 and filling means 3 for showing information regarding the electronic scales 6 and weighing sections 7 of the track 5.
  • Containers 1 are transported to the filling site by a conveyor 14 and enter at a position 9 and exit at a position 8.
  • the electronic scales 6 are in Fig. 4 incorporated in two separate sections of the track to provide individual weighing sections 7a and 7b, which are distributed along the track 5.
  • Each electronic scale 6 preferably comprises one or more electronic weighing cells 16, depending on the size and dimensions of the weighing section.
  • the weighing sections 7a and 7b are arranged to weigh the transport units 2 individually, including any present containers and substance, while the transport units 2 are passing the weighing sections 7a and 7b while being moved by the driving means 4, 12.
  • the operation of the filling system includes operations in relation to weighing information obtained from the weighing sections 7a and 7b.
  • a transport unit will first pass a first weighing section 7a where the weight of a transport unit is determined individually, including any present containers and substance, while the transport unit 2 is passing said first section 7a.
  • a while later the transport unit will pass the second weighing section 7b, where another weight determination is performed. From the two individual weighings it may e.g. be calculated how much the total weight has increased between the two weighings, whereby an indication is obtained with respect to an amount of substance filled between the two weighings.
  • Fig. 5 the system involves five scales 6 and five individual weighing sections 7a-7e, which are incorporated in separate sections of the track 5 to provide individual weighing sections distributed along the track 5.
  • This displayed system in fig. 5 is preferably adapted for filling LPG gas in recycled gas bottles.
  • Each electronic scale 6 preferably comprises one or more electronic weighing cells 16, depending on the size and dimensions of the weighing section.
  • the weighing sections 7a - 7e are arranged to weigh the transport units 2 individually, including any present containers and substance, while the transport units 2 are passing the weighing sections, while being moved by the driving means 4, 12.
  • the operation of the filling system includes operations in relation to weighing information obtained from the weighing sections 7a - 7e.
  • a transport unit 2 at a position 9 receives a container 1 to be filled.
  • the tare weight of the empty transport unit 2 is determined at a weighing section 7e. This is done after a filled container has been unloaded at an exit position 8.
  • the transport unit 2 will then pass a weighing section 7a, where the weight of the transport unit 2 and the container 1 is determined, including any residual substance present in the container, while the transport unit 2 is passing said section 7a.
  • the individual tare weights of the containers have been determined and the information is stored in the control system controlling the filling operation.
  • the weight obtained at section 7a is compared with the stored information regarding the tare weight of the container 1 and the tare weight of the transport unit 2 determined at section 7e in order to calculate the presence and amount of any residual substance in the container 1.
  • This information is used to determine how much substance is needed to fill the container to a predetermined level. Filling is now started and the starting time is registered. A while later the transport unit 2 passes weighing section 7b, where a weight determination is performed and the time passed since filling began is registered. A flow rate of the filling is determined from the filling time and the amount filled. This is used to extrapolate necessary filling time to obtain a first filling level to be reached before a further weighing is performed at section 7c. Filling is started again and the starting time is noted. When the extrapolated filling time runs out, the filling is stopped. The total weight is determined at section 7c, where a flow rate is determined for the filling performed between section 7b and 7c.
  • the amount of substance filled up to this point is compared to a predetermined second filling level and a second calculation in the form of an extrapolation is made to determine a necessary filling time for reaching the second filling level based on the flow rate. Filling is started again and the starting time is noted. When the second extrapolated filling time runs out, the filling is stopped. The total weight is checked at section 7d to verify that the amount of substance present in the container is within a predetermined tolerance interval. If not, a further preferably short filling may additionally be performed before unloading, or the container 1 may be given an extra filling cycle by passing sections 7e and 7a-7d again to obtain a correct amount of substance. In the latter event, no tare weight is obtained in section 7e, since this was already obtained previously. The filled container 1 is unloaded at position 9, and the transport unit 2 is ready to receive a new container after its tare weight has been obtained at section 7e.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Basic Packing Technique (AREA)
  • Filling Or Discharging Of Gas Storage Vessels (AREA)
  • Filling Of Jars Or Cans And Processes For Cleaning And Sealing Jars (AREA)
  • Weight Measurement For Supplying Or Discharging Of Specified Amounts Of Material (AREA)
EP07702475.0A 2006-02-10 2007-02-06 A filling system for filling substance into containers Active EP1987283B1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PL07702475T PL1987283T3 (pl) 2006-02-10 2007-02-06 System napełniania do wypełniania substancją pojemników

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DKPA200600197 2006-02-10
PCT/DK2007/000057 WO2007090398A1 (en) 2006-02-10 2007-02-06 A filling system for filling substance into containers

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1987283A1 EP1987283A1 (en) 2008-11-05
EP1987283B1 true EP1987283B1 (en) 2019-04-10

Family

ID=37890198

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP07702475.0A Active EP1987283B1 (en) 2006-02-10 2007-02-06 A filling system for filling substance into containers

Country Status (11)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1987283B1 (ru)
JP (1) JP4886795B2 (ru)
CN (1) CN101379340B (ru)
BR (1) BRPI0707624B8 (ru)
EA (1) EA014677B1 (ru)
ES (1) ES2733019T3 (ru)
MY (1) MY149213A (ru)
PL (1) PL1987283T3 (ru)
SA (1) SA07280033B1 (ru)
TR (1) TR201910234T4 (ru)
WO (1) WO2007090398A1 (ru)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2024099912A1 (en) * 2022-11-09 2024-05-16 Makeen Energy A/S A carrousel for filling gas cylinders with liquid gas

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2009065413A1 (en) * 2007-11-22 2009-05-28 Kosan Crisplant A/S Tare weight identification with voice recognition system
JP5887208B2 (ja) * 2012-05-18 2016-03-16 澁谷工業株式会社 回転式重量充填装置
SG11202111577SA (en) * 2019-05-13 2021-11-29 Praxair Technology Inc Method and system for filling thermally insulated containers with liquid carbon dioxide
IT201900007266A1 (it) * 2019-05-27 2020-11-27 Ima Spa Apparecchiatura e procedimento di pesatura, preferibilmente per pesare uno o piu’ contenitori configurati per contenere prodotti fluidi, solidi o in polvere, in una macchina di riempimento automatico dei suddetti contenitori.

Family Cites Families (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
IT1176915B (it) * 1984-10-10 1987-08-18 Logic Srl Impianto di controllo e procedimento per il riempimento ponderale di bottiglie, flaconi e simili
IT1213641B (it) * 1987-07-08 1989-12-29 Tommaso Mori Checcucci Base a controlli ponderati procedimento ed apparecchiatura per il dosaggio a peso netto mediante erogazioni correttive successive in
JPS6440798A (en) * 1987-07-31 1989-02-13 Meikho Ind Method of charging lpg
FR2670864B1 (fr) 1990-12-20 1996-04-05 Sodec Ste Nouvelle Procede de remplissage d'une cartouche par un gaz a l'etat liquide et l'installation de mise en óoeuvre du procede.
FR2681934B1 (fr) * 1991-09-27 1993-12-31 Automation Mecanique Provencale Procede et installation de remplissage de bouteilles de gaz liquide et de controle desdites bouteilles apres remplissage.
JP2648563B2 (ja) 1993-12-28 1997-09-03 明光産業株式会社 ガス充填装置
KR100637407B1 (ko) 1998-01-30 2006-10-23 코산 크리스플랜트 에이/에스 컨테이너 내부에 액화 가스를 충전하기 위한 장치

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
None *

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2024099912A1 (en) * 2022-11-09 2024-05-16 Makeen Energy A/S A carrousel for filling gas cylinders with liquid gas

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ES2733019T3 (es) 2019-11-27
PL1987283T3 (pl) 2019-12-31
JP4886795B2 (ja) 2012-02-29
EA200801803A1 (ru) 2009-02-27
CN101379340B (zh) 2012-06-27
CN101379340A (zh) 2009-03-04
BRPI0707624A2 (pt) 2011-05-10
TR201910234T4 (tr) 2019-07-22
EA014677B1 (ru) 2010-12-30
BRPI0707624B1 (pt) 2019-04-24
BRPI0707624B8 (pt) 2019-12-03
WO2007090398A1 (en) 2007-08-16
SA07280033B1 (ar) 2011-06-22
MY149213A (en) 2013-07-31
JP2009525926A (ja) 2009-07-16
EP1987283A1 (en) 2008-11-05

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP1987283B1 (en) A filling system for filling substance into containers
US9302894B2 (en) Apparatus and method for bottling multi-component beverages
US4230195A (en) Automatic control method and device for a container filling apparatus
US10131526B2 (en) System and method for filling containers
EP0477233B1 (en) Filling containers
US8661774B2 (en) Device for packaging products
US20220214208A1 (en) Method to weigh containers
US7503353B2 (en) Method for statistic weighing of a product introduced into containers in a filling machine
US20150175286A2 (en) Device for providing consumable materials
JP2009525926A5 (ru)
CA1237106A (en) Method and apparatus for monitoring and controlling the filling of receptacles with a determined weight of material
JP4461571B2 (ja) 充填方法および充填装置
JP2011162224A (ja) 充填装置
CN104781183B (zh) 用于生产饮料容器的方法和系统
JPH0715399B2 (ja) 計量方法
JP4267719B2 (ja) 計量充填システム
CN207713392U (zh) 一种双通道灌装加塞机
US11247889B2 (en) Auto-calibrating beverage fill station
JPH0481625A (ja) 重量選別装置
EP0200969A1 (en) Bottle filling device
JPH0416060Y2 (ru)
WO2021234747A3 (en) Method of weighing containers
JPH0796904A (ja) 高速充填機

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20080909

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: AL BA HR MK RS

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20081114

EL Fr: translation of claims filed
STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: EXAMINATION IS IN PROGRESS

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: GRANT OF PATENT IS INTENDED

INTG Intention to grant announced

Effective date: 20181029

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE PATENT HAS BEEN GRANTED

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: AL BA HR MK RS

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: REF

Ref document number: 1119151

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20190415

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R096

Ref document number: 602007058064

Country of ref document: DE

RAP2 Party data changed (patent owner data changed or rights of a patent transferred)

Owner name: KOSAN CRISPLANT A/S

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: NL

Ref legal event code: MP

Effective date: 20190410

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: LT

Ref legal event code: MG4D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: MK05

Ref document number: 1119151

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20190410

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190410

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190410

Ref country code: PT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190910

Ref country code: LT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190410

Ref country code: SE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190410

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FG2A

Ref document number: 2733019

Country of ref document: ES

Kind code of ref document: T3

Effective date: 20191127

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190711

Ref country code: BG

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190710

Ref country code: LV

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190410

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190810

Ref country code: AT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190410

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R097

Ref document number: 602007058064

Country of ref document: DE

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190410

Ref country code: DK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190410

Ref country code: CZ

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190410

Ref country code: EE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190410

Ref country code: RO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190410

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20200113

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190410

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: BE

Ref legal event code: MM

Effective date: 20200229

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MC

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190410

Ref country code: LU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20200206

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CH

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20200229

Ref country code: LI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20200229

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20200206

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20200229

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CY

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190410

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Payment date: 20240325

Year of fee payment: 18

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20240219

Year of fee payment: 18

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20240219

Year of fee payment: 18

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: TR

Payment date: 20240205

Year of fee payment: 18

Ref country code: PL

Payment date: 20240129

Year of fee payment: 18

Ref country code: IT

Payment date: 20240228

Year of fee payment: 18

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20240220

Year of fee payment: 18