EP3597549A1 - Machine for treating containers comprising a carousel and linear motor - Google Patents

Abstract

Container treatment machine, comprising a carousel (1) with container treatment stations (3) and a linear motor (2) for conveying movers (4), the linear motor being arranged in such a way that movers running on it in part of the circumference of the carousel are also on the carousel transported or transportable containers (5) can run. Method for using a container handling machine using aids (6, 7, 8) for container handling, the container handling aids being carried by movers (4) running along a linear motor for conveying movers which is comprised by a container handling machine described above ,

Description

The invention relates to a container treatment machine with a carousel with container treatment stations. Such machines for treating containers, for example beverage containers made of glass or PET, are known from the prior art. In the operating state, the containers are conveyed on the carousel and simultaneously treated, for example labeled, filled and / or closed, at the container treatment stations running along.

In known container handling machines, each container treatment station often includes e.g. each filling valve or closure unit, the aids necessary for performing the steps, e.g. Sensor technology, actuator technology and / or equipment. In particular, for steps that do not require a lot of time compared to the time in which a container is in the station or for rarely used equipment, the utilization of the aids is poor and therefore the need to have a large number of these aids ready , Examples of such aids with poor utilization are e.g. Sensors for checking the filling success that are only required at the end of the filling process or actuators for closing the container at container treatment stations that carry out several container treatment steps, e.g. first fill the container and then close it. Another example may be the presence of clean-in-place caps (CIP caps) on each fill valve, although most of the time they are not needed. In these and other known container handling machines, when changing the container formats to be treated, there may be a need for container treatment aids, e.g. To change equipment for the container treatment stations and / or to bring in equipment for cleaning the container treatment stations, for example of filling valves.

The object of the invention is to solve one or more of the problems mentioned above.

The invention comprises a container handling machine according to claim 1 and a method according to claim 11. Advantageous embodiments are described in the dependent claims.

A container treatment machine according to the invention comprises a carousel with (moving) container treatment stations. It can optionally include fixed predetermined locations for containers, for example on turntables or plates or other receiving or fastening devices, with one location for one container typically being provided per container treatment station. In other embodiments, the containers can be opened the carousel is transported on a belt conveyor or other conveyor, for example a linear conveyor.

A container handling machine further comprises a linear motor (e.g. long stator linear motor) for conveying movers (often also referred to as a runner). Such movers are known and are typically individually controllable on the linear motor, and in particular can be moved individually (and independently of one another), e.g. be accelerated and braked.

Near the beginning of the area in which the movers can run on the linear motor with the containers, sensors, e.g. a camera can be installed which records the movement of the containers on the carousel. A control device can then - according to the detected movement - control the movers so that they move with the containers. In other embodiments, the movement of the containers on the carousel can be detected differently, e.g. by transferring information from the carousel or the like.

This linear motor for conveying movers is arranged in such a way that movers running on it can run in a partial region of the circumference of the carousel with (potentially) containers which are or can be conveyed on the carousel. In the following, the term "container" is used (only) for the (potentially) containers that are transported on the carousel or (potentially) can be transported on the carousel. The containers are not encompassed by the claimed machine, but by reference to containers only the property of the linear motor is described that movers running along it in a partial area of the circumference of the carousel along the container positions (i.e. positions at which containers can be transported, whereby the positions can optionally also move at the same speed as the container). Given places for containers on the carousel, this can mean, in particular, that these movers can run with the places for containers (or container treatment stations) in each case in the partial area of the circumference of the carousel. While containers are not normally included in the container handling machine, they may be included in other embodiments.

In this context, "running with the containers" can mean in particular that they can run at the same speed in the partial area as containers can run on the carousel during operation. Typically, they then run parallel to the running direction at least in the partial area of the circumference of the carousel the container on the carousel. In other embodiments they can (for example in the partial area where they are parallel to the direction of travel the container is running on the carousel) at a slightly different speed than the container is running with it, for example in order to be able to examine it in a larger circumferential area.

The movers can in particular run next to, above or below the containers and / or at an angle from the containers (or the container positions) (that is, they run so that they run next to, above or below the containers and / or at an angle from the containers if containers were transported on the carousel). For example, the linear motor for conveying movers can be or comprise a long stator linear motor (LLM). The stator of the linear motor for conveying movers can comprise a closed curve or be designed as such on which the movers can move. For example, the curve can be designed as a kidney-shaped curve outside the circumference of the carousel or in another way so that in a part of this curve the movers can run along the circumference of the carousel. In other embodiments, the linear motor for conveying movers can, for example, be arranged within the carousel (optionally not rotating with the carousel) in such a way that the movers can run along with the containers in a partial region of the circumference within the circumference.

The container handling machine can in particular comprise a plurality of movers which are designed to run along the linear motor for conveying movers. The movers typically carry or are designed to be able to carry a container treatment aid. The term “to carry” can in particular include the fact that a mover comprises such an aid or that such (fixed or detachable) is attached to the mover. Aids for container treatment can in particular include sensors, actuators and / or equipment.

In particular, the container handling machine can comprise fewer movers than there are spaces for containers (or container handling stations) on the carousel. This can be advantageous since the movers can use this to supply aids for container treatment, although a separate aid does not have to be available for each parking space on the carousel. Rather, the aids can be guided in the required area of the circumference of the carousel, and thus fewer such aids can be used.

In particular, the linear motor for conveying movers can be arranged in such a way that movers can only run with the containers on a partial area of the circumference of the carousel (and not along the entire circumference of the carousel). For example, the center point angle of the carousel, along which movers can run along the circumference of the carousel on a linear motor for conveying movers, can be less than 180 °, for example less than 90 °. This can be advantageous since the movers only run with the containers in a certain area and thus fewer movers are required overall.

In other embodiments, the linear motor for conveying movers can be arranged such that the movers can run along the entire circumference or almost the entire circumference (for example along a center angle of the carousel of more than 300 °).

Container conveying devices can be provided on the carousel, which are separate from the linear motor described above for conveying movers. For example, the containers can be conveyed on rotating plates, plates, a conveyor or another linear motor which is separate from the linear motor for conveying movers.

In other embodiments, the movers can be transported on the same linear motor on which movers for transporting containers on the carousel can also be transported.

The container handling machine can comprise movers that carry sensors. This can be, for example, sensors for detecting the fill level, for example a probe rod or a camera. Alternatively or additionally, movers that include sensors can also include load cells or flow meters.

In addition to or as an alternative to movers that carry sensors, the container treatment machine can also include movers that carry actuators as aids for container treatment.

In particular, such movers can include actuators, for example a closing cone with a server motor, electronics for driving a further component, for example a part of a container treatment station. For example, a mover can include electronics for driving a closing cone (which is optionally installed on a container treatment station) or for driving filling valves or solenoid valves and / or for controlling motors. Such movers can, as actuators, for example also electronics for load cells (separate from the load cells) and / or electronics for controlling flow meters (without Flow meter). A supply of actuators, for example electronics for controlling parts of the container treatment machine, has the advantage that such electronics do not have to be provided at every station of the container treatment machine, but can only be supplied in a targeted manner in the area of the container treatment machine in which the respective parts of the Container handling machine can be used. The movers can, for example, as actuators, in addition to or as an alternative to electronics, also comprise a servo motor, for example for driving a closing cone.

For example, in the area where the containers are to be closed, a server motor for driving a closing cone can be fed to a mover and coupled to the closing cone, for example electronically or mechanically or magnetically, the container can be closed, the servo motor can then be decoupled and be led away from the sealing cone. Correspondingly, electronics or a servo motor for other components of the container handling machine can also be added, coupled to the respective part and, after use and decoupling, removed again.

As an alternative or in addition, the container treatment machine can comprise movers who carry armaments. Such tools can include, for example, clean-in-place caps (CIP caps) or a capper when the closure format is changed. Armaments can alternatively or additionally also include centering bells, plates or other interchangeable parts. Set-up parts can thus be introduced into the container treatment machine, in particular the carousel with the container treatment stations, for example for cleaning the filling valves or for exchanging sealing cones.

As an alternative or in addition, movers can also be included in the container treatment machine, which carry a combination of the aids described above or are designed to be able to carry them, e.g. Actuators and setup parts or sensors and actuators.

In some embodiments it is provided that the set-up parts are introduced into the container handling machine by the movers, but are attached manually. In this case, the use of movers makes it easier to bring the respective setup parts. In other embodiments, the set-up parts, for example CIP caps or (differently shaped) cappers (components), can be inserted through the movers and then (fully) installed automatically. An installation check can optionally be carried out after the installation, for example by a mover that carries a sensor and runs along the linear motor for conveying movers.

For example, if a CIP cap has been inserted into the carousel via a mover, by lowering the filling valve, it can be applied to the valve and then used to clean the filling valve. After cleaning the filling valve, the CIP cap can be transferred to the same or a different mover by lifting the filling valve and can be removed.

The container treatment machine can in particular be designed such that the movers carrying sensors are designed to transmit the information from the sensors to the container treatment machine, e.g. to transfer the corresponding container treatment station in order to control it based on the sensors. Such control can take place in particular in real time. For example, the sensor system can include a sensor, for example a probe rod, for detecting the fill level and can be designed to transmit a signal to the container treatment machine, in particular the fill valve, when a certain fill level is reached, so that it stops filling the container. In other embodiments, the sensor system can be designed, for example, to check the closure and, if an error is noticed, report it to the container treatment machine so that it stops or the corresponding container can be discharged. The information can be transmitted, for example, via WLAN, other contactless information transmission options or via sliding contacts.

The actuators and / or sensors carried by a mover can be powered, for example, actively via the linear motor for conveying movers, for example via sliding contacts, slip rings or inductively. In other embodiments, the actuators or sensors carried by a mover can be supplied with power via slip ring transmission on the carousel. In this case the linear motor is passive with regard to the power supply of the movers. This can be advantageous since it then does not have to include any further means for energy transmission and because such a power supply for the actuators or sensors carried on the mover only has to be provided for the area in which they can run with the containers.

Optionally, in one embodiment, two or more separate linear motors for conveying movers can be included, each of which is designed like a linear motor described above for conveying movers.

The invention further includes a method of using a container handling machine using container handling aids, the aids for container treatment are carried by movers which run along a linear motor which is comprised by a container treatment machine according to claim 1. All of the method steps described in connection with the container treatment machine can be included in a method according to the invention. The method can in particular carry out steps with one, several or all of the previously described parts of the container treatment machine, in particular filling or closing containers, checking the containers by means of sensors, adding, using and leading away actuators and / or equipment. In particular, the method can also include transmitting information from the sensor system to the container treatment machine, for example a container treatment station, and controlling the same with this information.

• Figur 1 schematisch einige Teile einer erfindungsgemäßen Behälterbehandlungsmaschine;
• Figur 2 schematisch eine alternative Behälterbehandlungsmaschine;
• Figur 3a und 3b schematisch Querschnitte durch Mover.

Further embodiments are explained using the following figures. Here shows

• Figure 1 schematically some parts of a container treatment machine according to the invention;
• Figure 2 schematically an alternative container handling machine;
• Figure 3a and 3b schematic cross sections through movers.

Figure 1 shows schematically parts of a container treatment machine according to the invention. For better visibility, only the floor of the carousel 1 and, for example, a container treatment station 3 are shown. In an actual embodiment, a separate container treatment station 3, for example a filling valve, would be located above each container 5, which are also shown by way of example (in order to mark (optionally) fixed locations for containers). The direction of rotation of the carousel is indicated by R1, the indication R1 also being shown next to the container treatment station 3 shown by way of example in order to indicate that the container treatment station is connected to the carousel and moves with the carousel 1.

As in Figure 1 shown, containers 5 can be introduced into the carousel 1 via a feed device Z, here for example a feed carousel or a feed star. A discharge device A for (treated) containers, for example a discharge carousel or a discharge star, is also shown as an example.

The container handling machine comprises a linear motor 2 for conveying movers 4, which is arranged in such a way that movers 4 running on it can run with containers 5 to be conveyed on the carousel in a partial region of the circumference with a central angle B. Although the containers are in Figure 1 are shown by way of example to show how the To clarify the container treatment machine, these are not included in the claimed container treatment machine. Rather, the linear motor 2 for conveying movers has only the corresponding arrangement that movers 4, which are guided along the linear motor 2 for conveying movers 4, could run along containers to be conveyed if containers were present. The movers 4 optionally included in the container treatment machine can carry aids for container treatment or can be designed to be able to carry them. In the example shown, the movers 4 comprise sensors for checking the container treatment by the container treatment station 3. For example, this can be a filler. The sensor system 6 can be, for example, sensor system for checking the container treatment success of the container treatment station 4. For example, it can be a level meter, for example for a non-contact level measurement such as an ultrasonic sensor or a camera, if the container treatment station 3 is a filler.

As shown, in the example shown, the movers run with the containers 5 only on part of the circumference of the carousel 1. The part of the extent to which the movers 4 can run with the containers 5, here parallel to the containers 5, is characterized by the central angle B. Typically, this is precisely the part of the circumference along which a check by the responsive sensor system 6 is necessary, or comprises it completely. For example, the example in a filling carousel can be the area of the circumference in which the filling process is almost completely completed. The sensor system can check the success of the filling process and optionally, when the filling process is complete, send a signal in real time to the container handling machine, in particular the respective filling valve or the filling station, so that the filling process ends.

Due to the fact that the movers 4 only run along a partial area in the example shown, it is not necessary to reserve separate sensors for each container treatment station, but one can have the same result with fewer movers 4 than places for containers on the carousel. This can be advantageous since the dead times of the corresponding sensor system are lower and fewer sensors are required.

The running direction of the movers 4 along the linear motor 2 for conveying movers 4 is shown as R2. It can thus be seen that the movers 4 can run with the containers in the peripheral region of the center angle B.

In the case of individually controllable movers, they can in particular be guided at the same speed as the respective container in the area B. The movers 4 can be controlled or can be controlled such that they move along the linear motor 2 for conveying movers at least in the area around the circumferential angle B of the carousel run parallel to the containers and at the same speed. Alternatively, the movers can be controlled or controllable so that the speed of the movers differs from the speed of the containers, e.g. when there is an inspection unit on the movers that looks at the treatment success from different angles. This can be used, for example, in a labeling machine in which the correct fit of a label is to be checked that the bottle body wraps around 120 °, for example. Under certain circumstances, a relative movement of the mover to the container may be necessary to be able to view the entire label.

In other embodiments, movers 4 can carry other aids for container treatment as described above and / or, in addition to sensors 6, can carry one or more other aids for container treatment as described above. In other embodiments, movers with various aids for container treatment, for example movers with sensors and movers with actuators and / or movers with armor, for example the above-described examples for sensors, actuators and / or armor, can comprise (not shown) of the container treatment machine.

In yet other embodiments, the linear motor 2 for conveying movers can also be arranged in a manner other than outside the circumference of the carousel 1. For example, the linear motor 2 for conveying movers 4 can be arranged inside the carousel, and it can optionally be arranged stationary with respect to the carousel, so that the movers 4 can run along the inner circumference. In further embodiments, the linear motor 2 for conveying movers 4 can be designed such that the movers do not run alongside, but above, below or obliquely above or below the containers 6.

Figure 2 also shows schematically parts of a container treatment machine according to the invention. Components of the same type as in Figure 1 are labeled with the same numbers and letters. Unless necessary, they are not explicitly explained again.

In the example shown, the container treatment machine comprises movers which carry actuators 7, for example a sealing cone. As in Figure 1 A container treatment station 3, for example a filler, is shown as an example, which also moves with the carousel 1 in the direction of rotation thereof. After completing the filling process, you can use the example shown the containers 5 are closed on the movers 4 by actuators designed as a closing cone in the example.

Running the movers only along the circumference of the carousel 1 with a central angle B takes into account the fact that the closing process only requires a short time compared to a complete revolution of the carousel 1. As a result, the containers 5 on the carousel 1 can be closed by fewer closing cones than would be necessary if a separate closing cone were necessary for each place on the carousel 1.

In the example shown, the container treatment station 3, which runs with the carousel 1, is shown as being arranged above the actuator 7, for example. In other embodiments, another arrangement may be present. The machine and its parts only have to be designed in such a way that both the actuators 7 and the container treatment stations 3 can each carry out their task. In alternative embodiments, instead of a closing cone, the actuator system 7 can comprise, for example, other actuator systems as described above or be designed as such. For example, if a sealing cone is arranged at the container treatment station 3, the actuator 7 can add a corresponding control or power supply or a (servo) motor for such a sealing cone (not shown). Furthermore, a container handling machine, as in Figure 2 shown also comprise further movers 4, which carry sensors, other actuators, and or armor or are designed to be able to carry them.

Figure 3a shows an example of a mover 4. The in Figure 3a Mover 4 shown is designed in particular to transport a container 5. Such a mover 4 is particularly advantageous in embodiments in which the containers are transported on the carousel 1 along a linear motor which is at the same time designed to convey movers 4 with aids for container treatment. In such a case, the linear motor is typically arranged along the entire circumference of the carousel. In particular shows Figure 3b a corresponding mover 4, which carries equipment, in the example shown a CIP cap 8. Such a CIP cap can alternatively also be attached to movers 4, which are a linear motor 2 for conveying movers 4, which is separate from the conveying device of the carousel, eg as in Figures 1 and 2 are shown. It can also enable the corresponding functions described below.

In particular, a supply of such a CIP cap can be a fully automatic attachment of the CIP cap to the filling valves, for example by lowering a filling valve, and allow a corresponding fully automatic removal of the same, for example by lifting the filling valve, and thus enable more hygienic cleaning than if the CIP cap were attached manually.

In embodiments, the movers 4, as in Figure 3a and Figure 3b described, use, the movers 4 can alternatively or additionally also include sensors and / or actuators and / or other equipment as described above.

Optionally, all of the container treatment machines described above can include one or more storage areas for storing sensors, tools and / or actuators that are not needed at the moment. In such embodiments, the movers are typically designed such that they can pick up the stored sensors, equipment and / or actuators from the storage area (s) and then transport them along the linear motor.

Claims (11)

Container treatment machine, comprising a carousel (1) with container treatment stations (3) and a linear motor (2) for conveying movers (4), the linear motor (2) being arranged in such a way that movers (4) running on it in a partial area (B ) of the circumference of the carousel (1) with containers (5) transported or transportable on the carousel. Container treatment machine according to the preceding claim, wherein the container treatment machine comprises movers (4) which carry tools (6, 7, 8) for container treatment or are designed to carry aids (6, 7, 8) for container treatment. Container handling machine according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the linear motor (2) for conveying movers (4) is arranged in such a way that movers (4) only run with the containers (4) on a partial region (B) of the circumference of the carousel (1) can. Container handling machine according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the carousel (1) is designed to convey the containers (5) on the carousel (1) by a conveying device separate from the linear motor (2) for conveying movers (4). Container treatment machine according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the container treatment machine comprises movers (4) which carry sensors (6). Container treatment machine according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the container treatment machine comprises movers (4) which carry actuators (7). Container treatment machine according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the container treatment machine comprises movers (4) which carry set-up parts (8). Container treatment machine according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the movers (4) carry sensors (6) and are designed to transmit the information from the sensors to the container treatment machine in order to control them on the basis of the sensors. Container treatment machine according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the power supply to the actuators or sensors carried by a mover (4) is active via the linear motor (2) for moving movers, for example via sliding contacts, slip ring transmitters or inductively. Container treatment machine according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the power supply to the actuators or sensors carried by a mover (4) takes place via slip ring transmitters on the carousel. Method for using a container handling machine using aids (6, 7, 8) for container handling, the aids (6, 7, 8) for container handling being carried by movers (4) attached to a linear motor (2) for conveying movers (4) run along, which is comprised by a container handling machine according to claim 1.

Images