EP2649440A1

EP2649440A1 - Inspection device for inspecting foreign matter

Info

Publication number: EP2649440A1
Application number: EP11781446.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jürgen Herrmann; Claas Fritsche; Marius Michael Herrmann; Alfred Drenguis
Original assignee: KHS GmbH
Current assignee: KHS GmbH
Priority date: 2010-12-08
Filing date: 2011-11-08
Publication date: 2013-10-16
Also published as: WO2012076089A1; RU2529667C1; US20130233437A1; DE102010053772A1; US9266711B2; CN103261882A; CN103261882B

Abstract

The invention relates to a container handling installation (1), in particular a filling machine, in which containers (1), such as bottles or similar and also cans are transported in a transport direction by means of retaining and transport elements (2) and in which respective containers (1) are filled with a product at filling stations. The container handling installation has at least one inspection device (6) for checking bottles or similar containers (1) for unwanted foreign matter, said inspection device (6) being connected to an evaluation unit. The invention is characterised in that the inspection device (6) is designed as an integral component of the retaining and transport element (2) and as a piezo sensor (6). The inspection device (6) can be connected to the container (1) in such a way that the latter can be moved together with the inspection device (6) in the respective direction of movement and in the transport direction.

Description

Inspection device for foreign matter inspection

The invention relates to a container treatment plant, in particular filling machine, in which containers, such as bottles or the like, cans along a transport direction with holding and transport elements transported and filled at the respective container at filling stations with a product, wherein the container treatment plant at least one Inspection device for controlling bottles or the like container on unwanted foreign matter, which inspection device is in communication with an evaluation unit.

Such bottles or similar containers can be used for liquids, for example for drinks. The containers may be made of a transparent or translucent material, for example of glass or of a translucent plastic, e.g. Consist of PET.

It is known to examine such containers by means of an inspection device for unwanted foreign matter in the filled product, which not only for health reasons of the consumer happens, but can ruin the reputation of the respective product manufacturer in the presence of such foreign matter. Therefore, such foreign matter inspection is carried out at great expense, e.g. to prevent possible product liability claims.

Such foreign material inspections can be performed with optical inspection equipment such as e.g. DE 102 57 238 A1 or those based on X-radiation are carried out (for example DE 202 17 559 U1, DE 10 2006 048 327 A1, DE 202 18 138 U1).

However, these in principle well-functioning systems reach their limits when the containers to be inspected are very dark or even opaque, such as metal cans, or even if the product is very cloudy and / or solid or fibrous. Also known is an inspection method in which a piezoelectric sensor is used under laboratory conditions, as the AiF-Kurzbericht 264 ZBG discloses (Novel multi-contact detection as the basis of an innovative hybrid system for the automatic detection of particulate, solid foreign bodies in abge- filled, flowable, non-lumpy foods on the example of products of selected theological constitution; Delgado, Antonio; Benning, Rainer; Forstner, Judith; Erlangen; FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg

(AIF264ZBG)). The procedure disclosed in the AIF264ZBG, should be suitable that foreign bodies in liquids can be detected by means of a signal recording by the piezo sensor and vibration analysis after excitation of the liquid. As containers, the tests carried out used 0.5-liter bottles, as used for beer or soft drinks. For example, for the numerical simulations using the finite element method (ANSYS CFX simulation software), a bottle filled with water was chosen to investigate whether a translatory or a rotatory acceleration proves to be more suitable for positioning. Essentially spherical glass particles with diameters of 0.5 mm, 1.0 mm and 1.5 mm were considered as foreign bodies. In addition, first theoretical investigations were carried out with PET particles, but also with olive oil. Due to the adjustability of the upper bottle centering and the resilient mounting of the bottom part, the clamping force can be set in a defined manner. At the same time, the latter effects a comparatively simple realization of the necessary decoupling with respect to vibrations acting externally. The signal is picked up by the piezoelectric sensor exclusively via the bottom of the bottle, in which the piezoelectric sensor is probably glued directly to the bottom of the bottle.

[0008] In principle, therefore, foreign substances could also be detected in containers and / or products that are difficult to inspect. However, the findings of the short report are based only on laboratory measurements. The invention has for its object to improve a container treatment plant, in particular a filling machine of the type mentioned or their inspection device with simple means so that foreign substances are more reliably recognizable.

According to the invention the object is achieved by a container treatment plant, in particular filling machine with the features of claim 1, wherein the inspection device is an integral part of the holding and transport element and designed as a piezoelectric sensor, wherein the inspection device is connectable to the container, that this is movable along the transport direction together with the inspection device.

[001 1] The invention is based on a container treatment plant, which can be designed in a rotating circulation or with a linear transporter, wherein the holding and transport element for holding the container may have a gripping portion. Usually, the container treatment plant has a plurality of holding and transport elements, that is to say a corresponding number of holding and transport elements corresponding to the number of processing stations. For example, the container treatment plant is designed as a filling machine, so that a number corresponding to the number of filling stations number of holding and transport elements is provided.

The transport direction in the context of the invention is the direction in which the container is supplied to the individual, successive processing stations and / or possible inspection stations, wherein a movement direction, which will be discussed, is generated independently of the transport direction. Thus, the direction of movement about the vertical axis of the container but also along this, or at an angle to each be generated superimposed. It is favorable if the at least one inspection device is always in communication with the container, ie both in the transport direction and also in the optional direction of movement. When filling the product into the container, the product to the container itself has a relative speed. This is where the invention starts. Thus, for example, a foreign substance in the container before filling and previously not detected can be rinsed by the incoming product, and thus encounter the inner wall of the container due to the movement of the product. It is also conceivable that an undesirable foreign substance is contained in the product to be filled, which can also abut on the inner wall thereof due to the movement of the product within the container. This shock pulse of abutting against the inner wall, undesirable foreign substances is received by the inspection device, or by the piezoelectric sensor, and the evaluation unit supplied, which thus generates a decision signal for the whereabouts of the container in the production line or for sorting. Of course, the evaluation unit is designed so that these signals can distinguish undesired foreign substances from signals of desired solids.

With the invention, a container treatment plant or an inspection device is provided, which can reliably detect foreign substances inside the container, or in the respectively filled product. In an advantageous embodiment can be provided that the at least one piezoelectric sensor is arranged in the gripping portion of the holding and transport element.

[0016] It is possible that the gripping section has a configuration which is adapted to the holding section of the container, wherein the piezo sensor is integrated in a particularly expedient embodiment just in this gripping section which is adapted to the holding section, preferably on its inner area.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the inspection device or the piezo sensor is always in contact with the container to be inspected, so that the shock pulses over the wall of the container and the respective measuring rich of the holding and transport element can be picked up by the arranged there piezoelectric sensor.

It is conceivable that in the material of the holding and transport element, a recess, so to speak a window according to the configuration of the piezoelectric sensor is arranged so that the piezoelectric sensor with its measuring range can have direct contact with the container to be inspected. It is also possible to integrate the piezoelectric sensor or its measuring range under a protective layer in the holding and transport element, so that an indirect, but nevertheless adequate, measuring contact with the container to be inspected can be achieved.

With the piezoelectric sensor unwanted foreign substances in the product can be so reliably detected, with an external excitation of the container to a liquid relative speed is not necessarily required. Furthermore, the inspection device can simultaneously provide a dual function. It may be conceivable that the inspection device can control the amount of filling at the same time as the foreign matter inspection, ie that the inspection device can still determine a weight at the same time. Advantageously, a further piezo sensor for weight measurement can be arranged on the holding and transport element or integrated therein. In a favorable embodiment of this piezoelectric sensor is integrated on a radially oriented to the container arm portion of the holding and transport element. Of course, the evaluation unit is also adapted to this weight function. Targeting in the invention is to perform the piezoelectric sensor as an integral part of the holding and transport element, so that the inspection device is disposed on the container treatment plant itself, and a connection of the container to be inspected with the inspection device in the short term but also intentionally releasably produced is, without the inspection device cohesively, so must be glued to the container to perform a foreign matter inspection. At the holding and transport element may be provided at the connection to the container treatment plant for wired transmission of power and data to and from the piezoelectric sensor, a corresponding connection. For energy supply but also an internal energy source can be used, which can be arranged on the holding and transport element. For data transmission, a transmitter can also be provided, which enables wireless transmission to a receiver, which in turn can be wireless or wired to the evaluation unit in connection. As already said, can be dispensed with an excitation of the container actually. However, it is of course conceivable to stimulate the container to a movement which is independent of the transport movement along the transport direction. In this case, the holding and transport element, for example, have a movement point on which an excitation element acts. For example, the excitation element could cause the container to reciprocate along or transverse to its vertical axis such that the product in the container is caused to move, and undesired foreign matter or solids can also abut the inner wall. It is also possible to stimulate a rotation of the product in the container, for example by a superposition of the two aforementioned movements. By means of an excitation element, the container can thus be stimulated to move, which can be abruptly canceled, or can be reversed. Due to the inertia of the filled product this moves or can this rotate, with possible unwanted foreign matter abut the inner wall of the container, this signal is received by the piezo sensor, which of course also receives signals of desired solids and the evaluation forwards.

It is useful if one or more piezoelectric sensors are arranged on the holding and transport element, or are an integral part of the same, wherein at least one piezoelectric sensor integral part of at least one each Holding and transport element is to perform simultaneously with a filling an inspection for unwanted foreign matter.

It is also possible that the container stands up on a plate, and is held on the head side by means of the holding and transport element. It is also possible to clamp the container by means of the head-side holding and transport element and the plate along the vertical axis of the container. The holding and transport element can thus have the function of holding, wherein the plate takes over together with the holding and transporting the transport in the transport direction. Expediently, the at least one inspection device can thus also be an integral part of the plate. In the simplest embodiment, the plate provided with the integrated piezoelectric sensor can be easily applied to a bottom side of the container, so that the necessary contact is made. It is possible to arrange carrier elements on the plate, in which the at least one inspection device is integrated in the embodiment as a piezoelectric sensor.

There may be provided support elements, which wegerstrecken from the base of the plate, and the main webs which carry the piezoelectric sensors, abut spring-like manner on the container outer wall. Of course, in particular the areas of the main webs should rest against the container which the piezo sensors have. Of course, the support elements may have different or equal longitudinal extents.

In a further embodiment, the support elements may not only be arranged rigidly on the plate, but also be moved from a rest position to an inspection position and back. For this purpose, suitable drives, for example electromotive or pneumatic drives, can be provided, which move the carrier elements along the vertical axis of the container to be inspected. In this case, the carrier element with its measuring range, ie with the area in which the piezoelectric sensor is arranged to be moved from below against the bottom of the container, or proceed to the ground over at a belly area of the container to be created, which of course also for movable Carrier elements on the head-side holding and transport element applies. The plate may also have a rotary drive to stimulate the container, for example, to rotate. The power supply for the drive of the rotary drive, the support element and / or for the piezoelectric sensor can be integrated in the plate or holding and transport element, or carried out externally. The external energy supply not only of the support elements but also of the piezo sensors can, as in the case of known turntables, take place, for example, via a slip ring, an inductive transformer (RFID) and / or by means of a dynamo supply. A wired or wireless signal transmission of the at least one piezo sensor to the evaluation unit is also possible.

It is also conceivable that the at least one piezoelectric sensor is integrated in the plate itself. For this purpose, it can be provided that the plate has at least one base layer and one sensor layer, that is, it can be built up in at least two layers. Thus, it is possible to arrange the bottle carrier layer radially on the outside, and to provide the sensor layer centrally, ie centrally in the middle. Support materials may be metals, glass, ceramics, gels, gel pads, liquids of suitable type and / or technical fabrics. Of course, a multi-layered structure is possible. It is also conceivable to pour the piezoelectric sensor or sensors into the plate or into its metallic base plate. However, it is also important here that the piezo sensor or sensors have contact with the container surface in order to be able to absorb the triggering signals.

The evaluation unit can combine amplifier, computer, converter and / or filter elements and, as it were, also be designed as a control unit.

Advantageously, the invention also provides a method for inspecting containers with an inspection device in one of the previously described embodiments, wherein the method comprises at least the following steps: Holding the container in the transport direction by means of the holding and transport element,

Filling the container with a product,

Contacting at least one piezoelectric sensor with the container, the piezoelectric sensor being an integral part of at least the holding and transporting element, receiving signals from particles abutting the inner wall of the container by means of the at least one piezoelectric sensor when the container is filled with the product and / or is, and

Forwarding the signals recorded by means of the at least one inspection device to an evaluation unit which detects a decision with respect to substances containing foreign substances or not containing foreign substances.

It is possible to carry out at the same time for foreign matter inspection nor a weight control with respect to the required amount filled. This function can be carried out by the at least one inspection device, it being understood that a further piezo sensor can also be designed for weight measurement. In principle, however, it is possible within the meaning of the invention to carry out a weight measurement at the same time as the foreign matter detection. In particular, it may still be provided an excitation of the container to a movement after filling, which is repeatable, so as to be able to achieve a liquid movement within the container, so that undesirable foreign matter can abut the inner wall of the container. Thus, a quasi-checking foreign material inspection can be carried out.

Of course, multiple sets of multiple piezoelectric sensors can be recorded and evaluated simultaneously. The stimulus to the movement may be the same, that is, continuous, whereby a pulse-like excitation is also conceivable. It is also possible, as already stated, a superposition of the vertical and horizontal direction of movement, so quasi a vibration excitation of the container to be inspected.

Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the subclaims and the following description of the figures. Show it

1 a holding and transport element of a container treatment plant as a detail,

A container clamped between a head-side holding and transport element and a foot-side plate, Figure 3 shows a plate as a detail in a possible embodiment with support elements.

In the different figures, the same parts are always provided with the same reference numerals, which is why these are usually described only once.

FIG. 1 shows a container 1 which can be inspected in a container treatment system (not further shown). The container treatment plant is preferably a filling machine which fill containers 1 with a product. For this purpose, a multiplicity of filling stations are provided along a rotationally circulating or along a linear transport direction. According to the number of container treatment stations, the container treatment plant has a corresponding or the same number of holding and transporting elements 2. As shown in FIG. 1, these engage at an opening region of the container 1, as shown on a neck ring 3. The holding and transport element 2 has a connection point 4 for container treatment plant, with a gripping section 5 is arranged opposite. With the gripping portion 5, the holding and transport element 2 can grip the container 1. For this purpose, the gripping portion 5 is preferably adapted to the configuration of the associated portion of the container 1.

In Figure 1 filling elements are not shown. Through the filling elements, the product to be filled enters the container. 1 At least one inspection device 6 is provided for the inspection of foreign matter at the container treatment plant. According to the invention, the at least one inspection device 6 is an integral part of the holding and transport element 2, and designed as a piezoelectric sensor 6. Conveniently, at least one piezo sensor 6 is an integral part of each holding and transport element. 2

According to the preferred embodiment of Figure 1, the at least one piezoelectric sensor 6 is an integral part of the gripping portion 5 of the holding and transport element. 2

During the filling of the product, by means of the at least one piezoelectric sensor 6 such impact contacts of undesired foreign substances can be picked up on the inner wall of the container 1 and forwarded to an evaluation unit (not shown). Of course, also shock contacts of desired solids are added to the inner wall, and passed to the evaluation. The evaluation unit is advantageously designed such that it can distinguish the impact contacts of undesired foreign substances from those of desired solids, and can generate a decision signal for the whereabouts or sorting out of the inspected container 1. Since the product to be filled in principle has a relative speed to the container interior, the undesired foreign substances and / or the desired solids are sufficiently excited, so that impact contacts to the container inner wall are possible. In this respect, an external suggestion can be dispensed with, which is nevertheless possible.

For external excitation of the container 1 excitation elements may be provided, which may be located for example at the connection point 4, which is indicated by the movement arrow 7.

Thus, the container 1 can be excited after or during the filling to a movement which can cause impact contacts of said substances with the inner wall. At the same time for the foreign matter inspection, it is possible to carry out an inspection with regard to the amount of product charged, which signals are also passed to the evaluation unit. In this respect, it is possible with the at least one piezoelectric sensor 6 to carry out not only a foreign substance inspection but also a weight measurement. It is conceivable, of course, to carry out the two inspections with different piezoelectric sensors, which nevertheless are arranged on one and the same holding and transport element 2, which makes sense. The additional piezoelectric sensor for weight measurement can be arranged on a radial arm section of the holding and transporting element 2 facing the container 1. Of course, this inspection device for weight measurement need not necessarily be designed as a piezo sensor, but may have any other configuration.

In a further possible embodiment, the container 1 can stand up on a plate 8 foot, and be guided on the head side of the holding and transport element 2 (Figure 2). The plate 8 is movable in the vertical direction (double arrow 9), so that the container 1 is quasi clamped when the holding and transport element 2 and the plate 8 come to rest accordingly. As in FIG. 2, the inspection device 6 or the piezo sensor 6 can be an integral part of the plate 8. The plate 8 can be moved with the integrated piezo sensor 6 against the bottom of the container 1, so as to be able to absorb the shock signals.

It is possible to perform the plate in two layers with a base layer and a sensor layer or even multi-layered. However, it is also conceivable to arrange at least one carrier element 10 on the plate 8, in which the piezoelectric sensor 6 is integrated, as FIG. 3 shows. In Figure 3, the footprint of the plate 8 is oriented to the lower edge of the sheet, wherein a plurality of support elements 10 are provided, which are distributed circumferentially the same. The respective support member 10 extends with its main web 1 1 away from the base of the plate 8 in the direction of the holding and transport element 2. at a free end of the main web 1 1, a footbridge 12 is arranged. In this respect, it can also be said that the carrier element 10 is quasi L-shaped.

The piezoelectric sensor 6 is preferably arranged in the respective main web 1 1. Conveniently, the main web 1 1 is designed so that it can create at least with its measuring range quasi spring force due to the upstanding on the plate 8 container 1. The measuring range is defined by the position of the piezo sensor 6.

It is possible to carry out the individual carrier elements 10 in their longitudinal extent differently, so that different contact area can be reached on the container 1.

It is also conceivable that the support elements 10 are not rigidly arranged on the plate 8, but movable. Thus, the carrier elements 10 or the integrated therein rationed piezoelectric sensors 6 freely selectable reach each measuring range of the container 1.

As indicated in FIG. 3, a wired or wireless connection of the individual piezoelectric sensors 6 to the evaluation unit may exist. There may also be provided a transmitter on the plate 8, which communicates with a receiver.

Analogously to the embodiment of the carrier elements 10 on the plate 8, it is of course conceivable to provide such carrier elements 10 also on the holding and transport element 2 or even on the filling element.

In the context of the invention, the aim of the invention is to provide at least one inspection device 6 in the design as a piezoelectric sensor 6 as an inspection device for internal inspection of the container 1 for unwanted foreign substances, which is preferably an integral component of the holding and transporting element 2 and / or the plate 3 is executed.

By means of the plate 8, the container 1 can also be excited in a direction of movement which is additional to the transport direction. The transport direction in the sense of the invention is the direction in which the container is fed to the individual, successive filling stations, wherein the direction of movement is generated independently of the transport direction. Thus, the direction of movement about the vertical axis of the container 1, as shown in Figure 2, but also along this, or at an angle to each also be generated superimposed, as indicated in Figure 1.

Preferably, by means of a rotary drive, a rotary movement of the container 1 is generated around its vertical axis, to which the plate 8 is ideally suited with its rotary drive, since this can also produce revolutions of more than 1000U / min. In this respect, the plate 8 is not just uprising and directing element, but still has the function as an excitation element for the movement excitation of the container. 1

The inspection device 6 in the advantageous embodiment as a piezo sensor 6, is able to detect unwanted foreign matter in products in which, for example, optical methods reach their limits.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, all support elements 10 each have the same longitudinal extent. It is also possible to carry out the respective carrier elements 10 with different longitudinal extensions. Thus, at least one piezoelectric sensor 6 may e.g. abut on an abdominal region of the container 1, wherein at least one other can be arranged in its mouth region. It is conceivable to make each carrier element 10 movable in its longitudinal extent, so that virtually any desired area of the container 1 can be dimensioned individually with the piezo sensor 6. The carrier elements 0 can be moved from a rest position to a freely selectable measuring or inspection position.

Of course, the at least one piezo sensor can be arranged not only on the exemplary filling machine but also on labeling machines, capping machines and the same container treatment plants. This container treatment plants can be designed as a rotating transport direction or as a linear conveyor. In linear transporters at least one piezo sensor 6 can be integrated in the holding and transport element in the embodiment as a conveyor belt.

Also possible is an embodiment in which the piezo sensor measures contactlessly.

Claims

Patent claims

1 . Container treatment system, in particular filling machine in which containers (1), such as bottles, containers, cans and the like, are transported along a transport direction with holding and transport elements (2) and at which the respective container (1) is filled with a product at filling stations, the container treatment system has at least one inspection device (6) for checking bottles or similar containers (1) for undesirable foreign substances, which inspection device (6) is connected to an evaluation unit, characterized in that the inspection device (6) is an integral part of the holding and transport element ( 2) and is designed as a piezo sensor (6), the inspection device (6) being connectable to the container (1) in such a way that it can be moved in the respective direction of movement and along the transport direction together with the inspection device (6).

2. Container treatment system according to claim 1, characterized in that the inspection device (6) is an integral part of each holding and transport element (2) of the container treatment system (1).

3. Container treatment system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the inspection device (6) is connected to a side wall area of the container (7).

4. Container treatment system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inspection device (6) is an integral part of a gripping section (5) of the holding and transport element (2).

Container treatment system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one inspection device (6) is an integral part of a base-side plate (8).

Container treatment system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one inspection device (6) is an integral part of at least one carrier element (10).

Container treatment system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by carrier elements (10) which can be moved from a rest position to an inspection position on the holding and transport element (2) and/or on a foot-side plate

(8) are arranged, the at least one inspection device (6) being an integral part of the respective carrier element (10).

Method for the internal inspection of containers (1) in a container treatment system, in particular in a filling machine according to one of the preceding claims, which container treatment system has at least one inspection device (6) which is connected to an evaluation unit, comprising at least the steps

- Holding the container in the transport direction by means of the holding and transport element;

- Filling the container with a product

- Contacting at least one piezo sensor (6) with the container while the container (1) is being filled, the piezo sensor (6) being an integral part of the holding and transport element (2),

- Recording signals, in particular sound or pressure waves, from particles hitting the inner wall of the container by means of the at least one piezo sensor (6) when the container (1) is filled with the product and/or directly afterwards, and - Forwarding the recorded signal to an evaluation unit, which detects a decision regarding whether the container (1) contains or does not contain foreign substances.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that the container

(1) is stimulated to move, which can be repeated several times.

10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that a weight check can be carried out at the same time as the foreign matter inspection.

1 1. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that the weight control is also carried out with the at least one piezo sensor (6) for foreign matter inspection.

12. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that several data sets from several inspection devices (6) are recorded and evaluated at the same time.