EP2815216A1

EP2815216A1 - Device for providing consumable material

Info

Publication number: EP2815216A1
Application number: EP13704569.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Johannes Boehm
Original assignee: Krones AG
Current assignee: Krones AG
Priority date: 2012-02-14
Filing date: 2013-02-04
Publication date: 2014-12-24
Also published as: DE102012101114A1; US20150175286A2; CN104114983A; WO2013120718A1; US20150030417A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (20) for providing consumable material (24) for a packaging machine (30). The device (20) comprises a magazine (22) for the consumable material (24). The consumable material (24) for the running process is removed from the magazine (22) and fed via a feed device (26) to the packaging machine (30). The device (20) comprises a detection device (40) for determining an actual quantity (Va) of consumable material (24) in the magazine (22). The invention further relates to a method for preparing consumable material (24) for a packaging machine (40). The consumable material (24) is provided as bulk material in a magazine (22) and is removed from said magazine by means of at least one conveyor device (26) and fed to the packaging machine (30). The magazine (22) can accommodate a defined maximum quantity (Vmax) of consumable material (24). According to the invention an actual quantity (Va) of consumable material (24) in the magazine (22) is detected by a detection device (40) coupled to the magazine (22).

Description

DEVICE FOR PROVIDING

SUPPLIES

The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for

Providing consumables for a packaging machine according to the

Features of the preambles of claims 1 and 9.

In the packaging industry are frequently products in continuous

Working method produced and / or packed. There are often several

Packaging modules to a total work unit put together. For example, a bottling plant in the beverage industry comprises a module for producing the

Beverage container, in particular a blow molding machine, a module for filling of

Drinks in the container, a module for closing the filled containers and possibly other modules with which the filled containers to

Packaging units are assembled and packaged. Ongoing operation in such a bottling plant is monitored by an operator. This must ensure that there is always enough consumables available, if necessary make retooling, fix faults on the system, etc.

Plastic containers, especially bottles, are often used in

Blow molding machines made of so-called preforms. The preforms represent the consumable material and are provided in silos and supplied to the blow molding machine via a feeder, for example. The preforms are

preferably as bulk material in packaging units, such as boxes or

Containers, delivered and poured into the silo. The operator operating and monitoring the machine monitors in the

In general, the level of preforms in the silo to ensure that there is always enough consumables available, so that the operation of the blow molding machine can run continuously. The monitoring is carried out by a visual inspection. For example, a narrow recess or window is provided in the silo. The operator then has to estimate how much time he has before he has to refill. In order to prevent too few preforms from being in the silo, level monitoring via a light barrier is currently taking place in the silo. Are there only a small amount of consumables in the silo, so is this is communicated to the operator via a message on a display so that he can fill the silo in time.

Changing the product may require different preforms. For this reason, the silo must first be completely emptied before the new preforms can be filled. This is done conventionally by the preforms are discharged through the feederhouse. Depending on how many

Preforms are still in the silo, this can mean a huge loss of time in which can not be produced.

For example, DE 203 08 513 U1 shows a device for feeding preforms to a blow molding machine, wherein the preforms are provided in a silo and fed via a feeder, a roller sorter and a vertical conveyor a heating section, where the preforms heated and then in the subsequent blow molding machine be transformed.

Accordingly, for example, closures are provided in silos to seal the bottles after being filled with beverages. In this case, too, the silo must be completely emptied during a product change before new closures can be filled.

The object of the invention is to monitor the amount of consumable in a magazine to easily make an adjustment of the level in the magazine can.

The above object is achieved by an apparatus comprising the features in claim 1. The above object is further achieved by a method comprising the features in claim 9. Further advantageous

Embodiments are described by the respective subclaims.

The invention relates to a device for providing consumables for a packaging machine. The device comprises a magazine for the

Consumables from which during the ongoing process over a

Supply device consumables removed and the packaging machine is supplied.

Such a device is in particular in filling plants with a

Stretch blow molding machine and / or a filler used. By packaging machine is meant for example a blowing device for the production of containers, in particular bottles, of so-called preforms. The preforms constitute the consumable material which is provided in a silo and fed, for example, via a feeder, a roller sorter and a height conveyor first to a heating section and subsequently to a blow molding machine.

A packaging machine is also understood to mean a capper which supplies bottles filled with crown corks or other closures from a filler and filled with a liquid, for example a drink or the like. In this case, the closures represent the consumables provided

Packaging machine can also be a so-called Unscrambler, sorted as a piece goods delivered finished bottles and / or sets up so that they can be filled.

According to the invention, the device comprises a detection device for

Determining an actual amount of consumables in the magazine. According to a preferred embodiment, this is a unit for determining the absolute mass of the magazine or the mass of consumable material in the magazine.

Preferably, the detection device with a display and / or

Control unit coupled. This shows in particular the actual amount

Consumables in the magazine. It can be provided that the

Detection device determines the mass of the consumable in the magazine and due to the known mass per unit of consumables - for example, due to the known mass of a preform - the number of consumable units located in the magazine calculated and displays. Furthermore, it can be provided that the display and / or control unit based on known and determined data still needed for current production

Calculates and displays consumable units. Furthermore, it can be provided that, based on the respective actual weight of consumable material and the known throughput, the time until the next refill of the magazine is calculated and displayed.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the display and / or control unit comprises a warning function and generates a warning signal when the actual amount of consumable material in the magazine falls below a defined minimum amount. This may be an acoustic and / or an optical signal. This prevents the magazine from being completely emptied during operation. So that can So a production stop or idling of the following packaging machine can be prevented.

In the display and / or control unit, for example, certain working parameters can be entered at the beginning of a new production. Which includes:

* Number of packaging units to be manufactured and / or

^* Time per production of a packaging unit by the packaging machine = throughput etc.

The number of packaging units to be produced determines the desired quantity of consumables required. For example, the display and / or

Control unit to accumulate and display the quantities of each newly filled consumables. In particular, in each case directly after the filling of new preforms the respective actual value can be stored in a separate data memory of the display and / or control unit. From the sum of all Einfüllmengen and the known set amount determines the display and / or control unit by subtracting the sum of filled consumable material from the target amount until the end of production still missing residual amount of consumable material. This residual amount corresponds to the amount of consumables still needed until the conclusion of the packaging process, for example until a product change, etc. Furthermore, the display and / or control unit can display an advantageous denomination of the calculated residual quantity in filling units. That the display and / or control unit indicates, for example, how often the magazine should be filled to the maximum, as well as a subset of a last charge or the like to be added.

Care should be taken to ensure that the weight of a consumable unit is always an average value that is production-related in a certain amount

Tolerance range varies. This tolerance must also be taken into account and taken into account so that in the end not too few consumable units are provided in the magazine. To prevent this, an additional sensor can be arranged after the packaging machine, for example, the finished

Packaging units counts. This count is in turn transmitted to the display and / or control unit and then serves as a correction value to the remaining amount

To be able to determine consumables as accurately as possible.

The detection device may be located below the magazine, i. this stands, for example, on a unit for determining an actual mass. The

Detection device can also be integrated in the bottom area of the magazine, For example, the bottom plate of the magazine is designed as a weighing plate. From the number of packaging units to be produced and the known weight of a consumable unit, the desired amount of consumable material can be determined. That is, from the desired number of bottles to be produced, the known weight of a single preform and the known number or the known weight of a packaging unit, such as a box, on preforms, it can be calculated how many packaging units are required on preforms for the rest of production. For example, it is thus indicated whether an entire or several packaging unit (s) with preforms or only a part of a packaging unit with preforms is to be filled into the magazine or silo next.

Alternatively, the detection device can also be arranged in front of the magazine. In each case, it is determined how much consumable material is filled into the magazine. The sum of the fill quantities shows how much consumable material is still needed and it can be displayed again whether the magazine has to be completely or partially filled up. A scale mounted in front of the magazine can be made substantially smaller and more accurate and allows a more precise dosage of the required number of consumption units, in particular of preforms or closures. It can be provided that the display and / or control unit displays the last filled amount and / or the total amount already filled. The display and / or control unit is, for example, stationarily integrated into the device, wherein, for example, a display panel is mounted so that the values displayed thereon are clearly visible from outside the device. Alternatively it can be provided that the display and / or control unit comprises at least one mobile display panel. The determined or calculated data are transmitted wirelessly, for example via a radio link from the display and / or control unit to the mobile display and can thus be kept in mind by an operator who is not directly on the machine.

The invention further relates to a method for providing

Consumables for a packaging machine, wherein the consumable material is provided as bulk material in a magazine and from this by means of at least one

Removed conveyor and supplied to the packaging machine. The magazine can hold a defined maximum amount of packaging material. A detection device coupled to the magazine detects an actual quantity

Packaging material in the magazine. This actual amount of packaging material can be transmitted to a display and / or control unit, which calculates therefrom, as already described, a required residual amount of packaging material for the current production.

According to a preferred embodiment it can be provided that the display and / or control unit indicates to an operator with what amount of packaging material the magazine has to be filled. For example, it is therefore indicated that the magazine can be filled to the maximum or that the magazine should only be filled to a certain extent in order to produce the last desired packaging units. In order to further minimize errors in manual filling or partial filling, the display and / or control unit may generate a second warning signal when the magazine has been filled with the maximum amount or with the calculated partial amount of consumable material. This in turn may be an audible and / or visual warning signal.

According to an alternative embodiment it can be provided that the display and / or control unit controls an automatic filling device.

This fills consumables from a supply in the magazine. The display and / or control unit stops the filling process by the filling device when the magazine contains the required amount of consumables.

In the following, embodiments of the invention and their advantages with reference to the accompanying figures will be explained in more detail. The proportions of the individual elements to one another in the figures do not always correspond to the actual size ratios, since some shapes are simplified and other shapes are shown enlarged in relation to other elements for better illustration.

FIG. 1 shows a device for feeding preforms according to the prior art from DE 203008513.

FIG. 2 shows a first embodiment of a device according to the invention for providing preforms.

FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of a device according to the invention for providing preforms. FIG. 4 shows a third embodiment of a device according to the invention for providing preforms. For identical or equivalent elements of the invention, identical reference numerals are used. Furthermore, for the sake of clarity, only reference symbols are shown in the individual figures, which are required for the description of the respective figure. The illustrated embodiments are merely examples of how the device or method of the invention may be configured and are not an exhaustive limitation.

1 shows a device 1 for feeding preforms 2 according to the prior art from DE 203008513. The preforms 2 are provided as bulk material in boxes 3. Preforms 2 are transferred at periodic intervals by pouring into a silo 4, and form the supply of preforms 2 for the blow molding machine 1 1st The preforms 2 pass via an inclined conveyor 5 to a roller sorter 6, where they are aligned accordingly. Via a height conveyor 7 and a slide 8, the preforms 2 reach an inlet star 9 of a heating section 10. The chute 8 additionally causes a buffer function, which allows a gapless loading of the heating section 10 and the subsequent blowing device 1 1. In the blowing device 1 1, the preforms 2 are converted according to the blow molds used in bottles 12, the like via a conveyor 13 further processing devices (not shown), such as a pen or the like. be supplied. The arrows represent the transport direction TR of the preforms 2 or bottles 12. FIG. 2 shows a first embodiment of a device according to the invention

20 for the provision of preforms 24. The preforms 24 are removed via a discharge conveyor 26 from a silo 22 and fed to a blow molding machine 30.

Below a silo 22 is a balance 41, with which the actual mass Va of the preforms 24 located in the silo 22 is determined and displayed on a display and / or control unit 42. For example, from the known mass Vs of a preform 24, the actual number Na of preforms 24 in the silo 22 can be calculated. Furthermore, due to the measured actual mass Va and the known throughput D, the time t can be calculated until the silo 22 again with

Preforms 24 must be filled. The display and / or control unit 42 preferably comprises a mobile

Display 43, in particular a touchpad, that the operator can carry around and gets the calculated and calculated data of the display and / or control unit 42 transmitted by radio. This allows the operator to better allocate his time. He can thus better structure and organize his work. 3 shows a second embodiment of a device 20 according to the invention for providing preforms 24. The preforms 24 are located in a silo 22, from where they are removed and fed via a discharge conveyor 26 to a blow molding machine 30 (see also FIG. The silo 22 is associated with a detection device 40. In particular, the silo 22 is arranged on a balance 41, which in each case determines and displays the mass Va of the preforms 24 located in the silo 22. The display takes place via a display field 43 of a display and / or control unit 42. The display field 43 can be located, for example, directly on the balance 41. Alternatively, it can be a mobile display, which preferably receives the determined values wirelessly, in particular by radio, so that an operator can read the values, even if he is not directly at the device 20.

In the display and / or control unit 42 can certain

Production parameters are stored at the beginning of each new production. These include, for example: the known mass of a single preform 24;

A maximum storage amount Vmax of preforms 24 in the silo 22;

• a minimum storage amount Vmin of preforms 24 in the silo 22, which should not fall below in order to avoid unwanted interruptions during operation; »The desired production quantity of bottles to be produced, from which the setpoint number and thus the setpoint mass Vt are required

Preforms 24 results;

• Etc.

The display and / or control unit 42 stores, for example, the data on the already filled into the silo 22 amounts Vi on preforms 24. From the

Sum of the filled amounts Vi and the known target amount Vt calculates the display and / or control unit 42 a quantity Vr of preforms 24, which are still necessary for the planned production.

The display and / or control unit 42 can determine from this residual quantity Vr a filling scheme that, for example, pretends that the silo is filled three times with in each case a maximum amount Vmax of preforms 24 and then only For example, four packing units (3, see FIG. 1) are poured three times into preforms 24 into the silo 22 and subsequently only a partial quantity Vp of approximately 2.5 packing units. This partial quantity Vp is calculated in such a way that with completion of the production no or only a small number of preforms 24 are in the silo 22. In particular, the partial quantity Vp takes into account that the mass of the individual preforms 24 is subject to fluctuations within a certain tolerance range. This ensures that the

End of production silo 22 is largely empty and thus the loss of time

complete emptying of the silo 22 is kept as low as possible. Furthermore, it can be provided that a first warning signal S1 is generated when the balance 41 determines that the amount of preforms 24 in the silo 22 is below a defined minimum Vmin. This is intended to prevent the ongoing operation of the blow molding machine 30 must stop because the supply of preforms 24 is not sufficient. Furthermore, it can be provided that a second warning signal S2 is generated if the maximum filling quantity Vmax or the calculated partial quantity Vp

For example, preforms 24 were filled into the silo 22 manually, partially or fully automatically. Both the first and the second warning signal S1, S2 can be both acoustic and optical signals. FIG. 4 shows a third embodiment of a device according to the invention

20 for providing preforms 24. The detection device 40, or the balance 41 determines the mass of the preforms 24 in the silo 22, whereby the display and / or control unit 42 calculates the actual amount Va of preforms 24.

Furthermore, the display and / or control unit 42 determines and stores the quantity Vi of preforms 24 filled in. For example, the respective actual value Va is written into a separate data memory of the display and / or control unit 42 directly after the filling of new preforms 24 , The display and / or control unit 42 determines a residual quantity Vr (not shown, compare FIG. 3) from the sum of all filling quantities Vi and the known setpoint quantity Vt. From this residual quantity Vr, the display and / or control unit 42 calculates the respective filling quantity Vr, in particular whether a maximum quantity Vmax or a partial quantity Vp is to be filled. These data are transmitted to a filler 44, which receives the silo 22 with the corresponding maximum quantity Vmax or the calculated partial value. Quantity Vp filled on preforms 24. If the predetermined amount of filling Vmax, Vp reached, the filling process is automatically stopped by the filler 44.

The invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications or changes may be made to the invention without departing from the scope of the following claims.

Bezuaszeichenliste

1 Device for feeding preforms

2 preform

3 packing unit / box with preforms

4 silo

5 inclined conveyors

6 roller sorters

7 elevators

8 slide

9 inlet star

10 heating route

1 1 blowing machine

12 bottle

13 sponsors

20 Device for providing preforms

22 silo

24 preform

26 discharge conveyor

30 blowing machine

40 detection device

41 Libra

42 Display and / or control unit

43 Display field

44 filler

D throughput

Na current number

51 first warning signal

52 first warning signal

t Time to refill

TR transport direction

Vi filling quantity / filling mass

Va actual quantity / actual mass

Vmin Minimum Quantity / Minimum - Mass

Vmax Maximum Quantity / Maximum - Mass

Vr Remaining Quantity / Remainder - Mass

Vt target quantity / nominal mass

Vp part quantity / part - mass

Claims

claims

Device (20) for providing consumables (24) for a

Packaging machine (30), wherein the device (20) comprises a magazine (22) for the consumable material (24), from which the consumable material (24) can be removed for the current process and via a feed device (26)

Packaging machine (30) can be fed, characterized in that the device (20) comprises a detection device (40) for determining an actual amount (Va) of consumable material (24) in the magazine (22).

Device (20) according to claim 1, wherein the detection device (40) is a unit (41) for determining an absolute mass or an actual mass (Va).

Device (20) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the detection device (40) is coupled to a display and / or control unit (42).

Device (20) according to claim 3, wherein the display and / or

Control unit (42) the actual amount (Va, Na) of consumable material (24) in the magazine (22) can be displayed.

Device (20) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein by the display and / or control unit (42) comprises a warning function by means of which a first warning signal (S1) can be generated when the actual amount (Va) of consumable material (24) in the magazine (22) falls below a predefined minimum amount (Vmin).

Apparatus (20) according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein by the display and / or control unit (42) from a known set amount (Vt) and a sum of already filled filling quantities (Vi) a residual amount ( Vr)

Consumables (24) can be determined.

Device (20) according to one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the magazine (22) is arranged on the unit (41) for determining a mass or wherein the unit (41) for detecting a mass in the bottom region of the magazine (22) integrated or wherein the unit (41) for determining a mass in front of the magazine (22) is arranged.

Device (20) according to one of claims 3 to 7, wherein a display panel (43) of the display and / or control unit (42) is fixedly mounted on the device (20) or wherein the display and / or control unit (42) at least a mobile display panel (43), which is wirelessly controllable by the display and / or control unit (42) and displays the determined or calculated values.

9. A method for providing consumables (24) for a

Packaging machine (40), wherein the consumable material (24) is provided as bulk material in a magazine (22) and removed therefrom by means of at least one conveying device (26) and the packaging machine (30) is fed, wherein the magazine (22) has a defined maximum - Quantity (Vmax)

Consumable material (24), characterized in that an actual amount (Va) of consumable material (24) in the magazine (22) by one with the

Magazine (22) coupled detection device (40) is detected.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the by the detection device (40)

determined actual quantity (Va) is transmitted to a display and / or control unit (42) and / or wherein the display and / or control unit (42) a required residual amount (Vr) of consumables (24) for a current Production calculated and displayed.

1 1. The method of claim 9 or 10, wherein the display and / or

Control unit (42) generates a first warning signal (S1) when the actual amount (Va) of consumable material (24) in the magazine (22) has reached or falls below a defined minimum amount (Vmin).

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the display and / or control unit (42) from the calculated residual amount (Vr) a filling amount (Vi)

Consumables (24) corresponding to either the maximum amount (Vmax) of consumables (24) or a partial amount (Vp).

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the display and / or control unit (42) indicates to an operator, with what amount of consumable material (Vp, Vmax) the magazine (22) must be filled.

The method of claim 13, wherein the display and / or control unit (42) generates a second warning signal (S2) when the magazine (22) contains the calculated amount (Vp, Vmax) of consumable (24).

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the display and / or control unit (42) controls a filling device (44), the consumable material (24) in the magazine (22) and wherein the display and / or control unit (42) stops the filling operation by the filling device (44) when the magazine (22) contains the calculated quantity (Vp, Vmax) of consumable material (24).