EP3310664A1

EP3310664A1 - Installation and method for filling containers

Info

Publication number: EP3310664A1
Application number: EP16727210.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Wolfgang Hahn
Original assignee: Krones AG
Current assignee: Krones AG
Priority date: 2015-06-19
Filing date: 2016-06-07
Publication date: 2018-04-25
Anticipated expiration: 2036-06-07
Also published as: CN107750224A; CN107750224B; WO2016202629A1; EP3310664B1; DE102015211380A1

Abstract

The invention relates to an installation and to a method for filling containers, having an empty-container-delivery means, via which crates with empty containers can be fed to the installation, having an unpacker, which removes the containers from the crates, having at least one treatment station in particular for cleaning and filling the containers, having at least one treatment station, in particular a crate washer, for the crates, having a packer, which can be fed the treated containers and the empty crates and is intended for packing the containers into the crates, having a crate diverter, which can feed the crates to the packer, or can eject them from the installation, having a first counting device for determining the number of containers fed to the installation, having a second counting device for determining a number of crates which have been fed to the packer, and having a calculating device, which can calculate, on the basis of signals from the first and second counting devices, how many empty crates still have to be fed for the established number of containers fed.

Description

Plant and method for filling containers

The invention relates to a system and a method for filling containers.

Systems and methods for filling containers are already known. Thereby empty containers, e.g. Bottles, stacked in boxes on pallets and depalletized by a depalletizer. The boxes are then transported to an unpacker who unpacks the bottles. The unwrapped bottles are then fed to a plurality of treatment stations, for example, a pool cleaning machine, a filler and a labeling machine, before being returned to a packer. The boxes are washed in a box washer and also returned to the packer. The freshly packed boxes are then returned to a palletiser and finally leave the plant

The production time for the containers and for the boxes, however, differs significantly, since there are a variety of bottles compared to the number of boxes, which must also be passed through more stations than the boxes. In particular, a cleaning machine for containers (Reima) or a pasteurizer can accommodate several thousand containers. Thus, when a product change occurs, when second containers are fed into second boxes of the equipment and unpacked, there are still first containers and first boxes in the equipment. It is possible that there is an excess of first containers in the system, for the first empty boxes must be supplied. At the beginning of the production of the second containers, when they are introduced into the container stream, there is an excess of second boxes, which must be removed to avoid blockage in the process of production from the plant. Another possibility is that the system at product change! once completely empty. This means that so far the conversion from one product to another product is carried out empirically by observing the system with respect to filling the system with boxes and containers. The estimated amount of boxes to be added or removed, however, usually corresponds only inaccurate to the actual situation. This results in lost time due to incorrect assessments and decisions of the operating personnel. In addition, necessary adjustments must be made to individual treatment stations so that the subsequent container or box can be treated. This requires a co-ordination of the persons involved among themselves. The duration of the conversion is unnecessarily long and often fluctuates very much

On this basis, the present invention has the object to provide a system and a method for filling containers, which provides a simple and quick Um- allow from a first container in a first box to a second container in a second box.

According to the invention, this object is solved by the features of claims 1 and 11.

According to the present invention, an apparatus for filling containers comprises an emptying task, through which the system is supplied with boxes with empty containers to refill them, an unpacker, which removes the containers from the boxes, at least one treatment station, in particular for cleaning and Filling the containers, at least one treatment station, in particular crate washers for the boxes, a packer to which the finished treated containers and the empty boxes can be fed, for packing the containers into the boxes. A box diverter, which can feed the boxes to the packer or dump the boxes out of the plant, i. can pass the packer. The system further comprises a first counter for determining the number of containers supplied to the system, and a second counter for determining a number of boxes which are sent to the packer. Furthermore, the system has a calculating device which can calculate, on the basis of signals of the first and second counting means, how many boxes for the determined number of supplied containers still have to be fed in so that all containers can be packed.

The fact that it can be determined exactly how many containers were supplied to the system and how many boxes have already been supplied to the packer, so it is known for how many containers has already been fed a box and for how many containers has not been supplied box, ie how many more boxes are still necessary. This number of boxes is missing because the system, since at the beginning of production over the box divider excess boxes were discharged, for which no suitable containers have stood by to prevent blocking of the system. In addition, where appropriate, casks have been discharged which have been found to be defective by a box inspection facility and discharged. It is also possible that for the purpose of sorting boxes are discharged, be sorted manually or automatically and then be reintroduced, in such sorting stations can, for example. foreign containers are removed and replaced with correct containers, missing containers are used, etc. The discharged or reinserted boxes can also be counted.

Thus, the exact number of necessary boxes can be determined, which must be refilled at the end of production. This results in a shorter and reproducible Conversion, higher plant availability and higher efficiency, which in turn results in lower operator costs.

The second counter can have at least one counter for determining the number of boxes supplied, wherein the at least one counter is preferably arranged in the region of the empties receiving and / or in the region of the depalletizer and / or in the region of the unpacker. It is advantageous if at the very beginning of the system, a first counter is arranged, since then it is always known how many boxes are already in the system at a certain time. Additionally or alternatively, a counter can also be provided in an area of the box distributor divider up to the area of the packer. It can be determined directly how many boxes are fed to the packer. If a counter is provided in front of the diverter switch and after the diverter switch on the transport line to the packer, the number of boxes removed can be determined by subtracting the numbers determined after the diverter switch from the number determined before the diverter switch. The corresponding counter can also be integrated in the distribution diverter or in the packer.

The expression "in the range" here means that the corresponding counters can be integrated in the corresponding modules and / or are arranged on the transport path after that, however, before the subsequent module.

The first counting device may comprise at least one counter for counting the supplied containers, wherein the at least one counter is preferably arranged after the unpacker in the direction of transport. It is advantageous to count the containers after the unpacker, as it happens that in the boxes not all places are filled with containers. Thus, the number of the supplied containers can be detected more accurately. Viewed in the transport direction, the accuracy of the count improves with increasing distance from the empties task, since then counted or rejected containers are automatically included in the count, for example. However, it would also be possible to determine a corresponding number of containers already at the empties task or at the depalletizer, for example by counting the number of pallets (if the number of boxes per pallet and container per box is known). However, a corresponding count is less accurate than the one previously described.

It is possible for the first counter to have at least one second counter which can determine a number of dispensed containers. For example, if there is a bottle inspection device in front of the filler, which sort out defective containers, a corresponding number are counted and deducted from the number of detected supplied containers.

In order to allow a more accurate determination of the supplied containers, for example, the number of containers supplied detected by the at least one counter can be corrected by the, in particular empirically determined, correction value by the calculation device. Thus, if, for example, the counting of the containers takes place relatively at the beginning of the entire transport path, for example in the area of the unpacker or the cleaning machine, and by previous processes it is known how large the proportion of rejects is up to the packer, the counted number can be corrected accordingly become.

It is possible for the calculation device to send signals to a display, in particular to a mobile message system, which visually or acoustically indicates how many empty boxes and / or in particular pallets of the system are still to be supplied, for example via an empty frame task. The operator then knows exactly how many empty boxes or how many pallets with empty boxes on the empty frame task still have to be fed and can cause the corresponding. The display can also be a stationary display on the pallet feed from the depalletizer, so that the forklift driver knows which and how many pallets of which sort and where to place them.

However, it is also possible for the calculation device to send corresponding signals to a control unit which controls a transport device which automatically removes the empty boxes, in particular the corresponding pallets, which were previously removed from the system for avoiding excess or for other reasons Returns the system. The corresponding facilitates the handling of the system significantly.

To buffer the boxes can be provided on the transport route for the boxes accumulation sections. In this case, for example, corresponding box storage or box magazines can be provided. Corresponding buffers allow greater scope in the process control and in particular prevent blocking of individual transport sections and also enable continuous process management. For example, there may be stowage paths between the emptying task and a palletizer and / or between the depalletizer and the unpacker and / or between the box washer and the box diverter and / or between the box diverter and the packer and / or between the depalletizer and diverter and / or an empty frame task and a depalletizer and / or between the packer and the palletizer. Advantageously, the system is designed such that a depalletizer is provided between the emptying task and the unpacker and a bag palletizer is arranged after the packer. The emptied through the Kastenverteilweiche empty boxes can then be supplied to the palletizer via a corresponding transport route. This means that advantageously the palletizer provided for the finished filled containers in the boxes can also be used for the unloaded empty boxes, which are then available on pallets to be accepted again by an empty frame task at the end of the process nachzuspeisen.

Advantageously, there are several separation devices, in particular box stoppers, on a transport path from a depalletizer to a bag palletizer. The separator may also be a box conveyor, which is stopped to separate the box streams. Thus, the driving of successive boxes, especially boxes of different types, can be prevented. Thus, areas between different treatment stations can be kept free. The same also allows different products to be subsequently treated in one plant.

It is possible that at least one separating device is also provided for the containers on their transport path and the system preferably also comprises a new glass feed, wherein advantageously also the new glass container stream can be stowed away by a separating device. Thus, targeted new glass can be supplied. The separator may also be a container conveyor, which is stopped to separate the container streams.

Advantageously, the function signals from different treatment stations are used to count the containers or boxes. The corresponding can be realized easily and inexpensively. Thus, for example, the depalletizer can be connected to the second counting device, wherein during depalletizing signals can be generated on the basis of which the second counting device counts the boxes. This means, for example, that each time the depalletizer clears a pallet, a corresponding signal is forwarded to the counter, from which, for example, the number of boxes can be determined, or the number of containers if the number of boxes per pallet and number of containers per box is known.

In the method according to the invention, the production of a first container in a first box is switched to the production of a second container in a second box. In this case, first the first containers are filled in the first boxes and after the last first box of the system has been supplied, can immediately thereafter with the production of two- th container in the second boxes are started, which are then also fed to the plant and unpacked. The second containers and the second boxes are then treated separately in each case in at least one treatment station. The finished second containers are then packed by a packer into the finished empty second boxes.

At the beginning of the production of the second container second boxes are first discharged via the box distributor. At the beginning of production, in a period when there are still no filled containers ready for packing or more boxes being conveyed than needed for packing, and there is room on a jam line in front of the packer, i. ie e.g. that, for example, the second containers are not in the first treatment stations after the unpacker, for example after the unpacker in the area of the cleaning machine and the filler and not yet passed through the last treatment station (for example labeler). The boxes must be ejected especially if there are still first boxes in a range between box distributors and packers.

Thereafter, the second boxes can be supplied via the box divider to the packer, so that there the finished treated second container are packed. The diverter switch can be switched at the earliest, when the last first box is transported at the end of the production of the first container via the diverter switch in the direction of Einpacker.

At the end of the production of the second containers in the second boxes, the number of second containers supplied during the production of the equipment is determined. In addition, the number of second boxes supplied to the packer is also determined. From this it is calculated how many empty second boxes are still necessary for the determined number of supplied second containers. A corresponding number can then be added.

At the end of production, after the last filled box of a corresponding variety has been fed to the plant, preferably after the last box has been unpacked.

The number of boxes supplied to the packer can be determined in different ways. For example, the number of boxes of a variety can be counted, which were fed to the plant and from which a number of boxes of the same variety are subtracted, which were discharged from the plant before the packer, for example via the distribution diverter or eg via an inspection device etc. The number of boxes fed to the packer can also be determined, for example, by counting the number of boxes of a sort directed from the box divider to the packer, for example an esseinrichtung, for example, photocell on or after the Kastenverteilweiche. Preferably, the number is determined when the last box has passed through the counter.

At the same time, it would also be possible to count the number of second crates or the next sort which were supplied to the plant (for example in the starting area of the plant during emptying or when depalletizing). Then, by subtracting the number of containers forwarded to the packer from the number of boxes fed to the installation, the number of rejects from the installation can be determined, at the same time knowing at each time how many boxes are still in the installation. If a box sorting exists, the number of boxes returned can also be counted and taken into account accordingly.

In principle, it is possible that at the end of production, ie, after the last container or the last box of the system has been supplied, are calculated how many empty boxes or correspondingly many pallets of the system for the determined number of containers still supplied via an empty frame assumption must be so that all containers can be packed. Then, a corresponding number of pallets of empty frame assumption are supplied. This process is particularly accurate, since the exact number of pallets required can be supplied, with excess boxes can be discharged via the Verteilweiche. It can be started immediately afterwards with the production of the subsequent product.

It is also possible that at the end of production second empty boxes on pallets are fed via an empty frame task of the system and the packer the calculated number of second boxes is additionally supplied so that all containers can be packed.

Then, e.g. the calculation also takes into account the number of boxes that were fed into the system via the empty frame task. The adjustment or the calculation can be done relatively late, for example, when the filling machine idles or even if the last treatment station (usually a labeling machine) idles, which is a particularly accurate determination of the container! allows.

The system excessively supplied boxes can be discharged at a very high number, for example, via the distribution gate or manually removed by the operator or simply pass through the Einpacker without being packed. The operator then removes the empty boxes at the palletizer to avoid mixed pallets with full and empty boxes. The number of boxes supplied can be determined in the area of the emptying task and / or in the area of the depalletizer and / or in the area of the unpacker and / or in the area from the box divider to the area of the packer. According to a particular embodiment, the number of boxes fed in can also be counted in the area of the empty frame task in order to obtain an overview of how many empty boxes were fed via the empty frame task of the installation. As already explained, the containers are preferably counted in the transport direction after the unpacker.

According to the present invention, it is possible that the start of the supply of the second container in the second boxes already starts when there are still first containers and first boxes in the system. This is particularly efficient and allows a significant reduction of the changeover time.

The boxes discharged from the box diverter are fed to the palletizer. Thus, the unnecessary at the beginning of production boxes can be stacked on pallets and then fed again to the Leerrahmenaufgabe. In the method according to the invention, separating devices can be actuated which accumulate the second boxes in order to prevent the first and subsequent second boxes from being run up. Separators may also be provided to prevent mixing of first and second containers.

Advantageously, the transport distance between diverter and palletizer is at least as long or a corresponding jam section or box storage is provided so that the number of transportable on this route boxes at least the number of boxes (eg second boxes), which should have space on a pallet , corresponds. This ensures that a pallet can be fully loaded by the palletizer without delays and transported on.

Advantageously, the feeding of second Neuglasbehältern, in particular in the inlet to a cleaning machine before the second container from the unpacker of the cleaning machine are supplied, in particular starts the feed when the last first container in the cleaning machine and the inlet conveyor of the cleaning machine is / was stopped. This has the advantage that faster second container are ready at the Einpacker.

It can be determined how much scrap is generated and a corresponding number of new glass can be fed. The rejects can be determined, for example, by the number of containers supplied in an area before the first treatment station is counted to the unpacker or the unpacker and the number of containers after a last treatment station station, for example after labeling by the labeling machine.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the containers pass after a filler a labeling and the number of supplied second container after emptying of the labeling machine is counted on or after the labeling machine. It can then be calculated a corresponding number of second boxes, which is still needed to pack all containers. Missing second boxes are fed to the packer. Excess boxes in the system can be removed via the diverter switch. With pallet-wise feeding, this has the advantage that just as many or at least as many boxes are transported to the packer via the diverter switch, as is necessary for packaging the specific number.

It is also possible several times in a row in the production of a particular type of container and box, a calculation - how many boxes nachzuspeisen - perform, with different counters can be used.

By counting and calculating the ratio of the supplied containers and boxes according to the invention, there is also the possibility that just as much new glass is fed in and correspondingly many boxes are supplied, which can be completely loaded into a pallet with completely filled boxes.

The second containers or boxes are treated in the respective treatment stations only if, if necessary, the corresponding treatment station has been converted to the second containers or boxes. A changeover can occur if either an operator initiates a changeover at a certain point in time, or a changeover takes place automatically when the last containers or boxes of the first sort have passed the corresponding treatment station. By counting the containers and / or boxes in several places, it can also be determined by a calculation device when a changeover is required. When changing a corresponding enable signal can then be generated so that the containers or boxes of the second variety can then be treated in the treatment station. A corresponding release signal can also be generated by an operator, for example by pressing a button.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the following figures.

Fig. 1 shows a rough schematic of an embodiment of a plant for filling containers according to the present invention. FIGS. 2 to 13 roughly show a method for switching from a first product to a second product with a system according to FIG. 1.

FIG. 14 shows a rough block diagram of a block diagram for an exemplary embodiment according to the present invention.

Fig. 1 shows a plant for filling containers according to the present invention. The plant has an empties task 2, can be supplied via the boxes with empty containers of the system pallets. The pallets can be transported via the transport route A with corresponding transport means, e.g. Chain conveyor or roller conveyor, are transported to a depalletizer 10. The depalletizer 10 is connected to a next station via a transport path B, here e.g. the Kastenentkorker and the unpacker 3 connected. Here Kastenentkorker and unpackers are summarized, since they are arranged at a small distance from each other and operated or converted by the same operator. Kastenentkorker and unpackers can also be spatially far apart. The box decocker (for crown corks) can also be a box copier (for screw caps). In the unpacker 3, the containers are removed from the boxes and fed separately to different treatment stations. The empty boxes are conveyed via a transport path C to a subsequent treatment station, here e.g. a box washer 4, supplied. The empty boxes can then be fed via a further transport path D either further treatment stations and / or are passed directly to a box distributor 5. The box diverter 5 can either convey the empty boxes to a packer 9 on a transport line E, or via a transport line F to a palletizer 1. In a packer 9, the treated and filled containers are fed to the ready-prepared empty boxes. The crate washer may also be arranged after the diverter switch.

The empty containers can be fed after the unpacker via a transport path G of the first of several treatment stations. Here, the first treatment station is, for example, a cleaning machine 6, for example a bottle cleaning machine, which cleans the containers, wherein the containers can then be conveyed via the transport path H to a filler 7. Before the cleaning machine, for example, a Behäiterabschrauber be arranged. Before or / and in the filler, an inspection device 14 may be provided which inspects the containers and possibly ejects them. The filled containers can then be fed via a transport path I to the next treatment station, here for example a labeling machine 8. In the transport direction after the filler 7, for example, a pasteurizer 21 may still be arranged, which pasteurizes the filled containers. In this Embodiment of the pasteurizer 21 is not used. Here, the labeling machine, for example, the last treatment station and the finished containers are transported over the transport line J to the packer 9 and packed. The Einpacker may also have control devices. For example, before the packer a blank box control and after the packer a full box control can be arranged. These checks are mostly taken care of by the operator of the packer.

The filled containers packed in the boxes can then be sent via the transport line M to a bag palletizer 1. The finished loaded pallets are then either transported out of the system via the transport path K or can pass through further treatment stations, such as a binder 22 or a pallet labeling machine 23. Finally, the boxes with filled containers can be transported out of the system to a sink for full product pallets become.

But even the transport of the diverter switch 5 on the transport line F to Bepalettierer 11 empty boxes can be removed after complete loading of the corresponding pallets over a transport path K from the system to be optionally later fed back to a so-called Leerrahmenaufgabe 18, on the pallets empty boxes without containers can be supplied.

As is clear from Fig. 1, the containers on their transport route G, H, I, J go through more treatment stations than the unpacked boxes on their transport route C, D, E from the unpacker 3 to the packer 9. In addition, there are more bottles than Boxes that need to be treated accordingly. For this reason, the treatment of a container from the unpacker 3 to the packer 9 takes longer than the treatment of a box from the packer 3 to the packer 9. The same must be taken into account in particular when changing from a first product in a first box to a second product with a second box ,

In order to coordinate the material flows of containers, boxes or pallets, according to the present invention, a first counter 12a-12d, 13 is provided for determining the number of containers supplied to the system. A corresponding counting device comprises at least one counter for counting the containers on the transport route from the empties task to the packer 9. For simplicity, several counters 12a-d, 13 were shown in FIG. 1, with one counter actually being sufficient, but the provision of several counters Improves the coordination possibilities and measuring accuracies in the entire filling process. It is possible that the number of containers supplied is already recorded in the area of the empties task by the number is determined on the basis of the number of supplied pallets and the number of pallet locations. This results in the number of boxes loaded on a pallet and the number of containers. A count of the pallet layers can be done in the field of empties task, for example, by sensors such as light barriers or camera systems, etc.

It is also possible to count the number of containers in the area of the depalletizer, wherein, for example, the depalletizer is connected to a first counter, wherein signals can be generated during depalletizing, for example during pallet lifting or when the pallet is empty in layers, on the basis of which the counter The number of containers per box and how many boxes per pallet can be counted.

Preferably, however, the number of containers is counted additionally or alternatively in or after the unpacker 3 via a counter 12a. The count is more accurate here because it happens that not every box is completely filled. For example, the meter may be connected to a photocell, however, when the box is unpacked, the unpacker may also generate a corresponding signal which will be passed to the counter 12a to fill the consecutive containers. Next, the system may have a Neuglaszuspeisung 20, which feeds new glass into the system. Here, a counter 12b is preferably provided, which counts the number of containers fed. Preferably, the containers are lifted at the Neuglaszuspeisung in layers of a Neuglaspalette and deported or placed on a container conveyor. The number of containers of such a layer is known and can thus be counted on the basis of the number of layers. But also in the area of the cleaning machine 6, i. In or after the cleaning machine, a counter, not shown, may be provided. Also in the area to or in the filling machine 7 corresponding counter 12c may be provided, as well as in the area of the labeling machine, i. in or after the labeling machine. The counters may either be connected to the respective treatment stations which, in operation, generate signals on the basis of which the first counter can count the containers. However, the counters may also incorporate other measuring devices, e.g. Photoelectric sensors have.

The farther a counter is arranged on the transport path in the direction of the packer 9, the more accurate is the measurement, since losses (eg breakage) are automatically taken into account at the end of the entire transport path, ie, for example in the transport direction behind the labeling machine. If, for example, the number of containers supplied is relatively close to the beginning of the transport determined, for example in the range of transport distances G, H or I, the detected number of containers can be corrected with a particular empirically determined correction value. This means that a comparison of the number of containers recorded with a counter is compared with the number of containers determined, for example, after the labeling machine or after emptying the filler, and from the difference a loss can be determined which can be taken into account in subsequent processes, in particular evaluated statistically and then can be used to correct the counted container numbers with the empirical loss values (manual or automated).

Further, the equipment has second counting means for determining a number of boxes fed to the packer. For this purpose, a corresponding counter has at least one counter. For the sake of simplicity, several counters are shown in the example shown in FIG. For example, a counter 15a in the area of the empties task, i. be provided in or after the empties task, wherein on the number of abandoned pallets and the number of provided on a pallet boxes, the number of boxes can be counted by a counter 15a.

Likewise, in the context of the containers, the depalletizer can also have a counter 15b or a corresponding counter can be arranged downstream of the depalletizer which counts the incoming pallets and calculates the number of boxes if it is known with how many boxes a pallet is loaded is.

It is also possible that in the area of the unpacker 3, a counter 15c is arranged, i. in or after the unpacker or in the area of the subsequent treatment stations, here for example in or after the crate washer (not shown). It can also be provided in the area of Kastenverteilweiche 5 a counter 15 e, which counts how many containers are forwarded to the packer 9. A corresponding counter could also be provided on the Einpacker. The second counter can also have a counter 15e in or after the box divider 5, which counts how many containers have been discharged from the diverter switch 5 on the transport path F on 9 Einpacker over.

The counters may, for example, as previously described have measuring devices, such as photocells, for counting the continuous container. As also described in connection with the containers, the counters may also be connected to the treatment stations or to the unpacker, depalletizer or emptying task whereby function signals are provided by the respective modules which serve as the basis for the counting. Although not shown, can be on the transport route for the empty Boxes may also be provided a box inspection device, which ejects defective boxes, and here also the number of discharged boxes can be counted and used by the calculation device.

The plant may have accumulation sections for better coordination of the material flows. In particular, the transport routes for the box transport to be at least as long, or be constructed as a corresponding jam track that the number of transportable on this route boxes at least equal to the number of boxes that have space on a pallet.

On the transport route B, C, D, E, M or B, C, D, F from the depalletizer to the palletizer 11, a plurality of separating devices 19, for example in the form of mechanical separating devices, are provided, in particular box stoppers, which prevent the loading of different boxes , Corresponding separating devices are also provided for the containers on the transport path G-J.

When changing products, i. When changing over the production of first container in a first box to second container in a second box, since on the transport route G, H, I, J first container of the first type are, the empty boxes first on the Verteilweiche 5 and Transport route F be discharged. As will be explained below, the empty boxes of the second type are then forwarded to the packer only after the distribution diverter 5 has forwarded the last first box to the packer. At the end of the production of the second container in the second boxes, however, lack the discharged at the beginning of production boxes and must then be fed as empty second boxes on the Leerrahmenaufgabe 18 of the system. Since it is known by the first and second counters with the respective counters how many bins have been fed to the plant and how many bins have been supplied to the packer, a calculation means 7 based on the first and second counters can be used many empty boxes for the determined number of supplied containers still need to be supplied, so that in fact any container can be packed.

The calculation device 17 can be connected to a control device or to a display, eg a mobile display or a display, in which case the display for example indicates to an operator how many empty boxes need to be added via the empty frame tasks at the end of the process. However, the calculation device 17 can also forward signals directly to a controller, which then controls a transport device that automatically empties empty boxes on pallets for empty frame task 18 and further on the Diverter to the packer passes, the depalletizer 10, the diverter 5 and the packer 9 are driven accordingly.

The apparatus also optionally includes box sorting 40, preferably here between depalletizer 10 and unpacker 3. Sorting means that boxes are inspected and boxes are loaded with e.g. incorrect bottles or missing bottles, or unpackable boxes are detected and introduced into the sorting. In sorting, the boxes are then handled automatically or manually, e.g. Removing foreign bottles, inserting correct bottles, removing lying bottles, etc. The finished boxes are then automatically or manually! introduced. Again, the discharged and inserted boxes can be counted on counter, not shown, and the counts are considered as described.

The method according to the invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 2-13.

In Fig. 2, the thick arrows represent the product stream first container or first container in first boxes. The thin arrows represent the product stream second container or second container in second boxes. The thick broken arrows represent the product flow of first empty boxes the thin dashed arrows represent the product flow of empty second boxes. Empty transport lines are shown in dotted lines.

Fig. 2 shows the plant in a state in which first containers are being produced in first boxes. Here, the depalletizer 10 still remaining first filled with empty containers boxes are supplied on pallets for depalletizing. There are still empty containers filled boxes on the transport line B are unpacked by the unpacker 3 and optionally uncorked and treated in the treatment stations 6, 7 and 8, wherein the finished treated containers are fed to the packer 9. The filled with ready filled first containers boxes are then fed via the transport line M the Bepalettierer 11 over the route K, for example, via a binder and a pallet and leading out of the plant to a Vollgutpalettensenke. The empty first boxes washed by the box washer 5 are directed via the distributor 5 to the packer 9. Now we want to switch to a second product, ie to second containers in a second box. The empties task are already corresponding empty second container supplied in second boxes on pallets and conveyed on the transport line A to the depalletizer. A pallet tracking (eg shift register) knows where pallets with first or second boxes are located. As can also be seen in particular from FIG. 3, therefore, the second containers are fed in pallets to the second containers via the emptying task and travel to the depalletizer 10. In the meantime, the last first boxes have left the depalletizer 10. In the meantime, therefore, for example, already empty first boxes can be promoted from a Leerrahmenaufgabe 18 to depalletizer 10, in Fig. 3, for example, a pallet with empty first boxes is transported to Verteilunteriche 5, but stopped at the Verteilweiche 5, there are still first empty boxes be promoted from the crate washer 4 via the distribution switch 5 to the packer 9.

As is apparent from Fig. 4, the last first box was unpacked by the unpacker 3. The unpacker sends a signal to the depalletizer 0 to indicate that the last box has been unpacked. Now the depalletizer 10 can start depalletizing the second boxes filled with the second containers, which are transported further on the transport path B. Here, for example, two empties pallets were depalletted with first boxes and moved to the unpacker 3. This means that the remainder of the first containers in the first boxes still passes through the treatment stations 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 22, 23, while second containers are already being fed into second boxes of the system. The manifold 5 still stops empty boxes from the empty frame task 18 and the depalletizer 10 and leaves only first empty boxes from the box washer 4 towards the packer 9.

In Fig. 5 now reach the second boxes with the empty second containers already the unpacker 3. The last first box from the unpacker has now left the diverter 5 direction Einpacker 9. Now the box divider 5 gives a signal to the depalletizer 10, which depalletizes further empty empty first boxes from the empty frame task 18. The diverter 5 is switched to empty boxes, which were delivered by the Leerrahmenaufgabe 18 via the depalletizer 10.

As can be seen from FIG. 6, the empty first boxes transported via the empty frame task 18 are now fed via the diverter switch 5 to the packer 9.

The calculation device 17 has already calculated for the first containers in the first boxes, how many empty boxes must be additionally supplied at the end of production on the Leerrahmenaufgabe the system to compensate for the number of discharged boxes at the beginning of production. For this purpose, the first counter has determined the number of containers supplied to the system via a counter, for example via a counter 12a after the last first container has been unpacked, and / or with one or more of the other counters 12b, 12c, 12d, if in each case here the last container has passed through the counter. there For example, the discharged containers (for example, from a pool inspection device 14) which have been counted can be withdrawn. The determined value can also be corrected by a particularly empirically determined or a statistically determined correction value.

Further, the second counter, for example counter 15d, may determine how many boxes have been fed toward packer 9, e.g. when the last first box has passed the counter. From this, it can be determined how many additional boxes need to be additionally routed via the empty frame task 18 to the packer via the distributor 5 so that all containers can be packed. The determined number of containers, as shown in Fig. 6-8, then fed to the packer 9. It can also be determined and displayed how many pallets still have to be fed to the empty frame task 18 at a particular time (FIG. 6). This can be displayed or, as previously described, done automatically.

The prerequisite for the treatment and subsequent onward transport of the new type of pallets / boxes / containers is, in each case, that a required changeover of the treatment station to the new variety has taken place, if required. This information can be provided by the operator by e.g. the actuation of a key can be confirmed or automatically recorded.

In Fig. 7, new glass containers of the second kind are supplied to the cleaning machine. It is also possible that the new glass containers are fed to a container rinser (not shown), which is located immediately in front of the filler.

Likewise in FIG. 7, the depalletized second containers equipped with empty second containers have already been moved to the unpacker 3. As is apparent from Fig. 8, these are then also unpacked and the second boxes led to the crate washer 4 and the container in the direction of treatment stations 6,7,8 here cleaning machine, passed, wherein in the cleaning machine, a separating element is provided for stopping the container to to prevent mixing of first and second containers. The empty second boxes from the crate washer 5, however, are dammed in front of the distribution diverter 5 via a separating element.

As can be seen from FIG. 9, the last empty first box has now passed through the diverter 5 and was transported in the direction of the packer. As can be seen from Fig. 9, if the jam line B is free of the unpacker 3 for at least one pallet, the depalletizer can depalletise 0 more pallets from the empties task 2, which are then driven towards the unpacker. The empty second boxes from the box washer 5 are not fed to the packer 9, since here still the empty first boxes are transported on the route E and in addition still no finished second container for the Einpacker 9 are available. However, the second boxes bypassing the packer on the route F at the packer 9 are dammed up by a separating device in front of the palletizer since the first filled boxes are still being palletized. In the meantime, the second containers can already be successively supplied to the treatment stations.

From Fig. 10 shows that the last first box is driven over the diverter diverter 5 to the packer 9 and then to the palletizer and palletized. It is possible that, if the last container was unpacked from the unpacker, additional new glass is supplied via the new glass feed 20.

As is apparent from Fig. 11, the last filled with full containers first boxes go from the packer 9 to the palletizer 11, with an incomplete residual pallet can extend out of the system. Excess first boxes can, for example, empty to the palletizer 11 or be discharged from the transport route, e.g. by operator intervention or automatically. Now, as shown in FIG. 12, the second empty boxes accumulated on the route F and D by dividing elements are fed to the palletizer 11 and deposited on pallets and removed from the system without being bound or labeled, however. after which these empty second pallets can be returned to the empty frame task 18 at the end of the process in a further product change. It is possible and advantageous that a counter 15d has determined the number of boxes which have been discharged via the diverter.

Fig. 13 shows that after the second containers have been filled by the labeling machine, the transfer manifold 5 is now switched and the empty second boxes are passed from the box washer 5 to the packer 9 so that the second containers can be packed into the second boxes. A changeover of the diverter 5 for transporting the empty second boxes from the crate washer can be carried out at the earliest when no first empty boxes are more in the transport section E and only so many boxes may be supplied to the packer 9, that there is no blockage before you can start packing. As shown in Fig. 13, the second filled containers are now packed and the process is repeated when a third product is to be filled, at the end of production of the second containers in the second boxes, as previously in connection with the first boxes is determined with the calculation means 17, how many empty boxes at the end of production in addition to the already delivered to the Einpacker empty second boxes must be supplied to the packer, and the like is prompted.

Fig. 14 shows the inventive method according to an embodiment again simplified. For example, certain counters, e.g. the counters 12a and 12b, respectively, determine how many containers have been fed to the plant in the production of a particular product. The counts are advantageously carried out when each of the last container has passed through the measuring device or the counter. In addition, it is determined how many containers were discharged from the system, for example via the counter 13. The counter can then determine how many containers of the system were supplied in total.

In addition, it can be determined via the second counter how many boxes are fed to the packer. It can either be determined, for example, how many boxes are fed to the system, for example via the counter 15a on the Leerrahmenaufgabe 2, and how many boxes are discharged, in particular at the start of product, for example, via the counter 15d or optionally additionally discharged. Signals corresponding to the number of containers supplied to the plant and the number of boxes supplied to the packer are then fed to the calculating means 17, which then calculates how many boxes are still left so that all the containers supplied can be packed. As the boxes are fed by pallet, the number of pallets can be determined. A corresponding number of boxes or pallets can then be fed via an empty frame task 8 for receiving empty boxes. An indicator may indicate to the operator how many pallets need to be fed to the empty frame task. If pallets have already been conveyed in advance via the empty frame feed 18 to the depalletizer 10 on line Q or to the transport line P between depalletizer 10 and distributor 5 (automatically via a conveyor controlled by a controller or manually) before the calculation has been made, this number may also be exceeded counting a counter 24 and or 16 on the depalletizer and / or on the empty frame task 18 and taking it into account in the calculation or display, as indicated by the dotted line 14.

Instead of counting the supplied and discharged boxes at the second counter, it is also only possible to count over a counter 15e after the diverter how many boxes were fed to the packer. The count should then be done after the last box has passed counter 15e.

Claims

claims

1. system (1) for filling containers with: an empties task (2), via which the system (1) preferably palletwise boxes with empty containers can be supplied to refill them,

an unpacker (3), which removes the containers from the boxes,

at least one treatment station (6, 7, 8) for the containers, in particular for cleaning and filling the containers, at least one treatment station, in particular box washer (4) for the boxes,

a packer (9) to which the finished treated containers and the empty boxes can be fed for packing the containers in the boxes;

a box diverter (5) which can supply the boxes to the packer (9) or remove them from the system (1),

a first counter (12a-d, 13) for determining the number of containers supplied to the system,

second counting means (5a-e) for determining a number of boxes directed to the packer (9),

a calculating means (17) which can calculate, based on signals of the first and second counting means (12a-d, 13, 15a-e), how many boxes for the determined number of supplied containers still have to be supplied.

2. Plant according to claim 1, characterized in that the second counter (15a-e) has at least one counter for determining the number of boxes supplied, wherein the at least one counter (15a-e) preferably in the empties receiving (2) and or in the region of the depalletizer (10) and / or in the area of the unpacker and / or in the area of box dividers (5) up to the area of the packer (9), and preferably at least one second counter (15d, e) for determining the number of empty boxes, which are discharged through the box manifold (5).

3. Plant according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first counting means (12a-d, 13) comprises at least one counter (12a-d) for counting the supplied containers, wherein the at least one counter preferably viewed in the transport direction, according to the unpacker (3) is arranged and the first counter (12a-d, 13) preferably at least one second counter (13), which can determine a number of discharged containers.

Installation according to at least one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the number of supplied containers, which is detected by the at least one first counter, by a, in particular empirically determined correction value by the calculation means (17) is correctable.

Installation according to at least one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the calculation device (17) can send signals to a display, in particular to a mobile message system, which indicates how many empty boxes or pallets of the system are still to be supplied and / or sends signals to a control unit that controls a transport device over which the empty boxes can be automatically fed to the plant.

Installation according to at least one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that for buffering the boxes on the transport route for the bins are provided, in particular between empties task (2) and a depalletizer (10) and / or between the depalletizer (10) and the unpacker (3) and / or between the box washer (4) and the box diverter (5) and / or between box diverter (5) and packer and / or between depalletizer (10) and diverter and / or a Leerrahmenaufgabe (18) and a Depalletizer (10) and / or between packer and depalletizer (1).

Installation according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a depalletizer (10) is provided between the emptying task (2) and the unpacker (3) and after the packer (9) a depalletizer (11) is arranged and by the box divider (5 ) discharged empty boxes the Bepalettierer (11) via a transport path (F) can be fed.

Installation according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that there are a plurality of separating devices (19) on a transport path from a depalletizer to a bag palletizer (11), in particular box stoppers.

Installation according to at least one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that there are on the transport routes for the containers separating devices for damming the container and preferably the system comprises a Neuglaszuführung (20), wherein the Neuglasbehälterstrom is stowable by a separating device. Installation according to at least one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that function signals are passed from at least one of the treatment stations to the corresponding counter for counting the containers or boxes, wherein in particular the depalletizer (10) connected to the second counting means (15b, 16) in which, during depalletizing, signals can be generated on the basis of which the second counter counts the boxes.

11. A method for filling containers, in particular with a system (1) according to at least one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the production of a first container in a first box on the production of a second container in a second box is changed with the following steps :

after the last first box has been added to the system

Feeding and unpacking second boxes with second containers,

separately treating the second containers and the second boxes in at least one treatment station (6, 7, 8, 4),

Pack the finished second container into empty second boxes in a packer (9)

in which

at the beginning of production of the second container, second boxes are first discharged via a box divider (5) and then the box diverter (5) switches and subsequent second boxes via the box divider (5) the packer (9) are fed in the finished treated second container to be packed,

At the end of production, the number of second containers that were fed during production of the plant, and determined

the number of second boxes supplied to the packer (9) is determined, and it is calculated how many empty second boxes still have to be supplied for the determined number of supplied second containers.

A method according to claim 11, characterized in that the number of boxes fed to the packer (9) is determined by counting either the number of second boxes which have been fed to the plant and from which a number of second boxes are removed from the plant before the packer (9) were discharged or a number of second boxes which are passed from the box divider (5) to the packer and in particular at the same time counting a number of the second boxes which have been fed to the system.

13. The method according to claim 1 or 12, characterized in that at the end of production second empty boxes on a Leerrahmenannahme (18) of the system in particular palette, fed and the Einpacker (9) the calculated number of second boxes is additionally supplied, so that all containers can be packaged and optionally surplus supplied second boxes are discharged from the plant or pass through the Einpacker, and is calculated in particular at the end of production as many empty second boxes of the system for the determined number of containers still on a Leerrahmenannahme (18) must be supplied with it All containers can be packed and a corresponding number of pallets determined and fed through the empty frame receiving (18).

14. The method according to at least one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the number of supplied boxes in the area of empties task (2) and / or in the range of a depalletizer (0) and / or in the region of the unpacker (3) is determined , and / or in the field of empty frame task (18),

and preferably the number of containers fed in the transport direction after the unpacker is counted (3).

15. The method according to at least one of claims 1 1 to 14, characterized in that the beginning of the supply of the second container in the second boxes already starts when there are still first container and first boxes in the system.

16. The method according to at least one of claims 11 to 15, characterized in that the of the Kastenverteilweiche (5) discharged boxes are supplied to the Bepaiettierer.

17. The method according to at least one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that separating means (19) are actuated and damming the second boxes to prevent driving up of first and subsequent second boxes and / or separating means, the mixing of first and second Prevent containers.

18. The method according to at least one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the transport distance between Verteilweiche (5) and Bepalettierer (11) is at least as long that the number of transportable on this route boxes at least the number of second boxes, the on a pallet.

19. The method according to at least one of claims 11 to 18, characterized in that a feed of second Neuglasbehältern, in particular in the inlet to a cleaning machine, takes place before the second container are supplied by the unpacker of the cleaning machine.

20. The method according to at least one of claims 1 1 to 19, characterized in that the second container after a filler (7) pass a labeling machine (8) and the number of supplied second container after emptying of the labeling machine is counted on or after the labeling machine and calculating the corresponding number of second boxes needed to package all the containers, in particular missing second boxes being fed to the packer and excess boxes removed via the diverter.

21. The method according to at least one of claims 11 to 20, characterized in that the treatment of second containers or boxes takes place in a treatment station only if previously, if necessary, the corresponding treatment station was switched to the second container or boxes.