EP2803626A1 - Unité de remplissage d'une machine de remplissage de récipients, dotée d'une capacité de communication améliorée - Google Patents

Unité de remplissage d'une machine de remplissage de récipients, dotée d'une capacité de communication améliorée Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2803626A1
EP2803626A1 EP14001724.5A EP14001724A EP2803626A1 EP 2803626 A1 EP2803626 A1 EP 2803626A1 EP 14001724 A EP14001724 A EP 14001724A EP 2803626 A1 EP2803626 A1 EP 2803626A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
filling
unit
communication bus
central control
control unit
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.)
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Application number
EP14001724.5A
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German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Enrico Cocchi
Andrea Cortesi
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Sidel SpA
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Sidel SpA
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Publication date
Application filed by Sidel SpA filed Critical Sidel SpA
Priority to EP14001724.5A priority Critical patent/EP2803626A1/fr
Publication of EP2803626A1 publication Critical patent/EP2803626A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67C—CLEANING, FILLING WITH LIQUIDS OR SEMILIQUIDS, OR EMPTYING, OF BOTTLES, JARS, CANS, CASKS, BARRELS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; FUNNELS
    • B67C3/00—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus; Filling casks or barrels with liquids or semiliquids
    • B67C3/02—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus
    • B67C3/22—Details
    • B67C3/28—Flow-control devices, e.g. using valves
    • B67C3/287—Flow-control devices, e.g. using valves related to flow control using predetermined or real-time calculated parameters
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67C—CLEANING, FILLING WITH LIQUIDS OR SEMILIQUIDS, OR EMPTYING, OF BOTTLES, JARS, CANS, CASKS, BARRELS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; FUNNELS
    • B67C3/00—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus; Filling casks or barrels with liquids or semiliquids
    • B67C3/007—Applications of control, warning or safety devices in filling machinery

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a filling unit of a filling machine, designed for filling containers with a product, for example a carbonated liquid.
  • the present invention relates to a filling unit having improved communication capability.
  • a system comprising a feed line for feeding a succession of empty bottles to a filling machine, in turn comprising a filling rotating wheel (so called “carousel”) carrying a number of filling units.
  • the filling units are mounted to rotate continuously about a longitudinal axis, receive the empty bottles, feed pressurized gas into the bottles, fill the bottles with the product, decompress the filled bottles, and then feed the bottles to a capping machine, which is connected to the filling machine by at least one transfer wheel and closes the bottles with respective caps.
  • a failure event that may occur during filling operations is the burst of the container being filled, e.g. due to pre-existing defects; this event may occur, for example, during filling of glass or PET bottles with a carbonated fluid product, such as beer (and it may even be more likely in case of returnable glass bottles or bottles having reduced wall thickness).
  • a solution that has been proposed to detect a burst event envisages the use of a flow-meter, arranged to measure the flow rate of the filling fluid flowing into the container to be filled; in case of bursting of the container, a sudden variation of the measured flow occurs, which may be used as an indication of the failure condition.
  • a flow-meter is not possible in some operating conditions, such as in the case where glass bottles are to be filled.
  • Another solution envisages the use of suitable sensors coupled to the rotating wheel of the filling machine, which are designed to monitor the movement of, and/or the weight carried by, a supporting plate, configured to support the containers during filling by a respective filling unit; the output from the sensors undergoes a steep variation in case of bursting of the container, which once again may indicate the occurrence of a failure.
  • standard means of data communications between the filling units and the central control unit are based on infrared technology, according to which a filling unit is able to transmit or receive data only at predetermined communication points during rotation of the carousel.
  • the filling units are queried by the central control unit at predetermined times, and are then able to answers to the queries.
  • the aim of the present invention is to solve, at least in part, the problems previously highlighted and to provide a more reliable solution able to cope with faults and failures occurring during the filling operations.
  • Figure 1 schematically shows a filling machine 1, for filling containers 2, for example glass bottles or aluminum cans, with a carbonated product.
  • Filling machine 1 comprises a conveying device, including a carousel 4, which is mounted to rotate continuously (anticlockwise in Figure 1 ) about a substantially vertical longitudinal axis A.
  • the carousel 4 receives a succession of empty containers 2 from an input wheel 5, which is coupled to carousel 4 at a first transfer station 6 and is mounted to rotate continuously about a respective vertical longitudinal axis B, parallel to axis A.
  • the carousel 4 releases a succession of filled containers 2 to an output wheel 8, which is coupled to carousel 4 at a second transfer station 9 and is mounted to rotate continuously about a respective vertical longitudinal axis C, parallel to axes A and B.
  • Filling machine 1 comprises a number of filling units 10, which are equally spaced about axis A, are mounted along a peripheral edge of carousel 4, and are moved by the same carousel 4 along a path P extending about axis A and through transfer stations 6 and 9.
  • Each filling unit 10 is designed to receive at least one container 2 to be filled, and to perform, during its rotation along path P, a number of filling operations according to a filling "recipe", to fill the container 2 with a fluid (e.g. a carbonated liquid).
  • a fluid e.g. a carbonated liquid
  • the filling unit 10 is configured to engage the container 2, at an opening of a neck 2' thereof, and includes one or more fluidic conduits, which are designed to selectively couple the container 2 to one or more feed devices (here not shown), e.g. a first feed device, designed to supply the liquid that is to fill the container 2, from a first feed tank; a second feed device, designed to supply a gas, such as carbon dioxide, from a second feed tank (not shown); and an air-suction device (e.g. including a vacuum pump), providing a suction action to extract gases from the bottle during a vacuum phase.
  • feed devices here not shown
  • a first feed device designed to supply the liquid that is to fill the container 2 from a first feed tank
  • a second feed device designed to supply a gas, such as carbon dioxide, from a second feed tank (not shown)
  • an air-suction device e.g. including a vacuum pump
  • Each filling unit 10 comprises at least one flow regulator device 14, designed to define one or more filling passages 15 (only one of which is schematically shown in Figure 2 ) communicating with the opening at the neck 2' of the container 2, and including a valve group 16, operable to selectively couple one or more of the first feed device, second feed device and/or air-suction device with the one or more filling passages 15, during filling of the container 2.
  • Each filling unit 10 may be integrally provided with a sensor element 17, which is arranged so as to be fluidically coupled to the filling passage 15, during filling of the container 2, thereby being able to monitor parameters and quantities associated to the environment within the same container 2; for example, sensor element 17 may be arranged within the filling passage 15, or so as to be in fluidic communication with the same filling passage 15.
  • the filling unit 10 is provided with electronic intelligence, including suitable electronic circuitry in an electronic board of a related control module 20. It is to be noted that some (at least one), or all, of the filling units 10 of the filling machine 1 may be made as it will now be discussed.
  • control module 20 includes:
  • Computing unit 22 may also be configured (e.g. via suitable software and program instructions) to process in real time the operating data, in order e.g. to detect a fault of the flow regulator device 14, or a serious failure event, such as bursting of the container 2 being filled.
  • the intelligence on-board the filling unit 10 allows to more reliably and promptly identify and react to any problem or anomaly occurring in the filling machine 1.
  • control modules 20 of a number of filling units 10 communicate with a master (or central) control unit 30 of the filling machine 1 over a communication bus 32.
  • the filling units 10 may act as slave units with respect to the master (or central) control unit 30.
  • central control unit 30 includes an industrial programmable controller (PLC), and communication bus 32 is a digital communication bus, transferring digital information, signals and commands; for example, communication bus 32 is a CAN bus.
  • PLC industrial programmable controller
  • the control modules 20 communicate with the communication bus 32, and thereby with the central control unit 30, via the respective communication interface modules 28 coupled to the respective computing unit 22.
  • the central control unit 30 is coupled to the communication bus 32 and may also be coupled with a supervisor unit 35, e.g. located remotely with respect to the filling machine 1, via a remote wireless link 36.
  • the central control unit 30 is able to receive operating data from the various filling units 10, in real time during execution of the filling recipe, and/or after the same filling recipe has been completed.
  • the communication bus 32 also allows the master control unit 30 to transmit to the various control modules 20 data relating to the operating condition of the filling machine 1 and data regarding the operations to be performed, in order to assist execution of the filling recipe; for example, these data may include pressure values in the feed tanks, relating to the pressure of the filling fluid and/or gas within the same feed tanks (these data may be used by the slave units to control the filling operations and even diagnose possible faults and anomalies).
  • the central control unit 30 is also provided with suitable software and program instructions in order to process the received operating data, either in real time or as post-processing operations.
  • the filling units 10 are able to autonomously, independently and asynchronously initiate communication with the central control unit 30 over the communication bus 32, without having been previously queried by the same central control unit 30, or without predetermined external events being required.
  • communication over the communication bus 32 by the various control modules 20 and the central control unit 30 is executed based on interrupts, issued by the filling units 10 and received by the central control unit 30.
  • the respective control module 20 issues an asynchronous interrupt INT on the communication bus 32, and then sends data packets on the same communication bus 32.
  • Communication priorities on the communication bus 32 may be based e.g. on the time interrupts INT have been generated and received, and the nature of the same interrupts INT.
  • a priority level may be assigned to the various interrupts INT, e.g. based on the control module 20 that has generated it, or the content and actions due upon receipt of the same interrupts INT (a highest priority may be e.g. assigned to an interrupt associated to detection of the burst of a container 2 by a respective control module 20).
  • interrupt-based communication allows the various filling units 10 to promptly and asynchronously communicate with the central control unit 30, e.g. as soon as a failure or an anomaly is detected, such as burst of a container 2.
  • Interrupts may be autonomously generated by each of the filling units 10, which may communicate with the central control unit 30, as soon as the need arises.
  • suitable actions may be promptly performed in the filling machine 1, following interrupt generation; for example, cleaning operations may be timely started, or operation of the filling machine 1 stopped.
  • sensor element 17 of filling unit 10 includes a pressure sensor, which is configured to monitor the pressure (or vacuum condition) within the container 2 during each step of the filling recipe; the presence of the sensor element 17 allows to collect relevant diagnostic information for the control and monitoring of the filling operations, and also to perform control actions and adjustments in real time during the same filling operations.
  • sensor element 17 allows to perform a number of control actions, among which:
  • sensor element 17 proves useful also in different operating conditions of the filling machine 1, e.g. during a cleaning/sterilization operation, when dummy containers (e.g. dummy bottles) are placed in the filling machine 1 and a cleaning fluid is introduced. Monitoring pressure values allows in this case to check the correct passage of the cleaning fluid through the flow regulator devices 14 into the dummy bottles (and this is particularly useful in case no flow-meters are present at the openings of the containers 2).
  • the sensor element 17 may further include a temperature sensor, which may for example be integrated with the pressure sensor, in order to detect the temperature of the filling fluid during filling operations, and/or of the cleaning fluid during cleaning operations.
  • a temperature sensor which may for example be integrated with the pressure sensor, in order to detect the temperature of the filling fluid during filling operations, and/or of the cleaning fluid during cleaning operations.
  • monitoring of the temperature values within the containers 2 allows to perform controls and adjustments in real time during execution of the operations of the filling machine 1, e.g. during filling or recirculation of the filling fluid, or during cleaning/sanitizing of the flow regulator devices 14, in general providing important diagnostic information to be used in real time or at a later stage (during a post-processing stage) to control the filling machine 1.
  • the provision of intelligence and improved communication capability in the filling units 10 allows to more reliably and promptly react to any failure or anomalous event occurring during the filling operations, to diagnose faults in the filling machine 1, in particular based on data sensed at the same filling units, and to improve transmission of data that may be collected during the filling operations.
  • Interrupt-based communication on digital communication bus 32 allows to improve communication between the various filling units 10 and the central control unit 30, and to promptly manage alarms and execute proper control and safety actions.
  • this kind of communication is clearly advantageous over standard means of data communications, such as those based on infrared technology, or those envisaging replies by the filling units in response to queries issued by the central control unit.
  • the improved communication solution may be used to achieve timely intervention for solving any kind of problem or failure occurring during the filling operations (in addition to the burst of the containers being filled).
  • the filling units may include any kind of sensing element, or other input units, in order to allow detection of the occurrence of the problem or failure.
  • the digital communication bus may differ from the CAN bus previously discussed, e.g. being a Ethernet-based field bus.
  • each intelligent filling unit 10 may be configured to control filling of more than one container (e.g. having a corresponding number of flow regulator devices 14 and filling means).

Landscapes

  • Filling Of Jars Or Cans And Processes For Cleaning And Sealing Jars (AREA)
EP14001724.5A 2013-05-15 2014-05-15 Unité de remplissage d'une machine de remplissage de récipients, dotée d'une capacité de communication améliorée Withdrawn EP2803626A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP14001724.5A EP2803626A1 (fr) 2013-05-15 2014-05-15 Unité de remplissage d'une machine de remplissage de récipients, dotée d'une capacité de communication améliorée

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP13167940.9A EP2803622A1 (fr) 2013-05-15 2013-05-15 Unité de remplissage d'une machine de remplissage de récipients, dotée d'une capacité de communication améliorée
EP14001724.5A EP2803626A1 (fr) 2013-05-15 2014-05-15 Unité de remplissage d'une machine de remplissage de récipients, dotée d'une capacité de communication améliorée

Related Parent Applications (1)

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EP13167940.9A Previously-Filed-Application EP2803622A1 (fr) 2013-05-15 2013-05-15 Unité de remplissage d'une machine de remplissage de récipients, dotée d'une capacité de communication améliorée

Publications (1)

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EP2803626A1 true EP2803626A1 (fr) 2014-11-19

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EP13167940.9A Withdrawn EP2803622A1 (fr) 2013-05-15 2013-05-15 Unité de remplissage d'une machine de remplissage de récipients, dotée d'une capacité de communication améliorée
EP14001724.5A Withdrawn EP2803626A1 (fr) 2013-05-15 2014-05-15 Unité de remplissage d'une machine de remplissage de récipients, dotée d'une capacité de communication améliorée

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EP13167940.9A Withdrawn EP2803622A1 (fr) 2013-05-15 2013-05-15 Unité de remplissage d'une machine de remplissage de récipients, dotée d'une capacité de communication améliorée

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Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN111717872A (zh) * 2020-05-24 2020-09-29 民和丰德生态食品有限公司 一种香辣酱灌装生产线及远程数据采集与实时分析系统

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN105540519A (zh) * 2016-01-25 2016-05-04 夏继英 一种定时的流量控制设备

Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2072380A (en) * 1980-03-12 1981-09-30 Seitz Werke Gmbh Method of and control means for controlling electrically controllable filling elements of a filling machine
EP0266784A2 (fr) * 1986-11-07 1988-05-11 Allen-Bradley Company Machine utilisant une base de données pour une usine automatique
EP0311705A1 (fr) * 1987-10-14 1989-04-19 Bull HN Information Systems Inc. Système de traitement de données muni d'une interruption rapide
EP1127835A1 (fr) * 2000-02-23 2001-08-29 KHS Maschinen- und Anlagenbau Aktiengesellschaft Dispositif et procédé de remplissage de récipients avec un produit liquide
WO2002068266A1 (fr) * 2001-02-28 2002-09-06 Azionaria Costruzioni Macchine Automatiche A.C.M.A. S.P.A. Machine de remplissage de recipients
US6633942B1 (en) * 1999-08-12 2003-10-14 Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc. Distributed real-time operating system providing integrated interrupt management
WO2006013746A1 (fr) * 2004-08-04 2006-02-09 Nihon Yamamura Glass Co., Ltd. Capteur de détection de niveau de liquide, dispositif de versement de liquide utilisant le capteur, appareil de mesure de capacité automatique pour conteneur, et procédé de détection de niveau de liquide
WO2011091956A1 (fr) * 2010-01-27 2011-08-04 Khs Gmbh Procédé et système de remplissage sous pression de récipients

Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2072380A (en) * 1980-03-12 1981-09-30 Seitz Werke Gmbh Method of and control means for controlling electrically controllable filling elements of a filling machine
EP0266784A2 (fr) * 1986-11-07 1988-05-11 Allen-Bradley Company Machine utilisant une base de données pour une usine automatique
EP0311705A1 (fr) * 1987-10-14 1989-04-19 Bull HN Information Systems Inc. Système de traitement de données muni d'une interruption rapide
US6633942B1 (en) * 1999-08-12 2003-10-14 Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc. Distributed real-time operating system providing integrated interrupt management
EP1127835A1 (fr) * 2000-02-23 2001-08-29 KHS Maschinen- und Anlagenbau Aktiengesellschaft Dispositif et procédé de remplissage de récipients avec un produit liquide
WO2002068266A1 (fr) * 2001-02-28 2002-09-06 Azionaria Costruzioni Macchine Automatiche A.C.M.A. S.P.A. Machine de remplissage de recipients
WO2006013746A1 (fr) * 2004-08-04 2006-02-09 Nihon Yamamura Glass Co., Ltd. Capteur de détection de niveau de liquide, dispositif de versement de liquide utilisant le capteur, appareil de mesure de capacité automatique pour conteneur, et procédé de détection de niveau de liquide
WO2011091956A1 (fr) * 2010-01-27 2011-08-04 Khs Gmbh Procédé et système de remplissage sous pression de récipients

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN111717872A (zh) * 2020-05-24 2020-09-29 民和丰德生态食品有限公司 一种香辣酱灌装生产线及远程数据采集与实时分析系统

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