Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
  • B67C—CLEANING, FILLING WITH LIQUIDS OR SEMILIQUIDS, OR EMPTYING, OF BOTTLES, JARS, CANS, CASKS, BARRELS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; FUNNELS
  • B67C3/00—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus; Filling casks or barrels with liquids or semiliquids
  • B67C3/02—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus
  • B67C3/22—Details
  • B67C3/222—Head-space air removing devices, e.g. by inducing foam
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
  • B67C—CLEANING, FILLING WITH LIQUIDS OR SEMILIQUIDS, OR EMPTYING, OF BOTTLES, JARS, CANS, CASKS, BARRELS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; FUNNELS
  • B67C3/00—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus; Filling casks or barrels with liquids or semiliquids
  • B67C3/007—Applications of control, warning or safety devices in filling machinery
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
  • B67C—CLEANING, FILLING WITH LIQUIDS OR SEMILIQUIDS, OR EMPTYING, OF BOTTLES, JARS, CANS, CASKS, BARRELS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; FUNNELS
  • B67C7/00—Concurrent cleaning, filling, and closing of bottles; Processes or devices for at least two of these operations
  • B67C7/0006—Conveying; Synchronising
  • B67C7/004—Conveying; Synchronising the containers travelling along a circular path

Definitions

• the invention relates to a device for treating filled with foamable liquid filling containers. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for the treatment of containers filled with foamable liquid product.
• At least one injection nozzle is provided to which the liquid treatment medium is supplied under pressure and the containers filled with the contents are passed on a transport path between a filling machine and a closing machine following this filling machine in the production line.
• the introduction or injection of the liquid treatment medium should also taking into account product-specific parameters as well as in dependence on the performance of the production line, d. H.
• the containers are made so that, on the one hand, a sufficiently strong foaming is achieved, but on the other hand, excessive foaming is avoided.
• Such a device is shown, for example, in DE 40 30 081 A1, in which the foaming behavior is detected optoelectrically after filling at the unsealed bottles and used to control the liquid foaming medium, the bottles then being closed.
• a disadvantage of the well-functioning method is that a relatively long period of time between the foaming and the optical control, in which an actually sufficient foam can already be disintegrated, so that an excessive number of bottles is discharged.
• the time between the injection and the subsequent optical control is not sufficient so that the foam crown can develop in all cases so far that this in the field of optical Control is safely visible above the mouth of the container.
• filling machines for beer or other beverages today usually independent monitoring systems are followed with which quality characteristics of the filled and sealed bottles are checked on the Abtransporteur.
• the filling level of each filled and already closed container is controlled, which (filling level) represents an important quality criterion.
• the beer foam mixture produced by the high-pressure injection is also controlled before the containers are closed.
• particular care is taken to ensure that the foam extends high enough beyond the mouth of the bottle so that the liquid contents in the container have been foamed up sufficiently.
• a method based on the applicant according to DE 10 2008 006 770 A1 has established itself well on the market.
• Containers which do not have the required minimum fill level and / or those containers in which the beer-foam mixture has not expanded beyond the container mouth to the required extent after foaming are discarded and separated from the container stream.
• Object of the present invention is therefore to show a comparison with the cited prior art further improved apparatus and method for the treatment of filled with foamable liquid filling containers, which does not have the disadvantages of the prior art and in particular allows a more reliable discharge of containers.
• the invention relates to a device for the treatment of containers filled with foamable liquid product, such as bottles, cans or the like.
• the device comprises at least one foaming unit arranged along a transport path, a closing unit following in the direction of transport along the transport path, and a discharge unit which subsequently follows the transport path.
• the at least one provided on the transport path of the filled, but not yet sealed container foaming unit for introducing a frothing causing AufMummediums is formed in the container.
• foaming units can be used which bring the contents by shaking and / or moving the container and / or by the action of a laser beam for foaming, as is well known in the art. Ultimately causes caused by the foaming energy input into the medium foaming the contents.
• the device further comprises at least one first in the transport direction of the transport path to the foaming following opto-electric sensor unit of a monitoring unit, with the at least one first sensor unit of the monitoring unit, the foaming of the container and / or the level of liquid contents in the container during and / / or can be monitored after closing on the basis of at least one first monitoring criterion.
• the at least one first optoelectronic sensor unit and the monitoring unit are designed for monitoring foam formation on a container outer wall and / or the filling level of liquid contents in the container during and / or after closing the containers.
• the discharge station is designed to discharge those containers which, with regard to foaming, are outside a desired range of the at least one first monitoring criterion, caused by a signal supplied by the monitoring unit.
• the at least one first opto-electrical sensor unit for detecting and monitoring the foaming of the container and / or the level of liquid contents in the respective container immediately before placing and / or pressing a container closure in the capping and / or shortly after the actual closing of the Container closure is formed based on the at least one first monitoring criterion.
• the at least one first optoelectronic sensor unit is designed as a first monitoring criterion for detecting and monitoring the size of the foam emerging over the mouth edge of a container mouth of a container, settling on a container outer wall in the form of a foam nose.
• the image processing and control device is designed to compare the at least one first monitoring criterion detected via the at least one first optoelectronic sensor unit as an actual value with nominal values stored in the image processing and control device and then to deliver a signal to the discharge station if the determined actual value falls below or exceeds the stored setpoint.
• the at least one first monitoring criterion is formed by the size of the foam formation exiting over the mouth edge of a container mouth of a container and settling on a container outer wall in the form of a foam nose, incorporating its thickness.
• the device further comprises at least one arranged in the transport direction of the transport path between the foaming and the first opto-electrical sensor unit second opto-electrical sensor unit of the image processing and control device, wherein the at least one second opto-electrical Sensor unit of the image processing and control device for detecting and controlling the foaming of the containers before closing are formed on the basis of at least one second monitoring criterion, wherein the at least one second opto-electrical sensor unit and the image processing and control device for monitoring and controlling the foaming above the container opening are formed at not yet closed containers, and wherein by means of the frothing unit due to a signal generated by the image processing and control means a e change in the energy input of a jet of the frothing unit can be generated.
• the at least one second opto-electrical sensor unit and the image processing and control device for detecting and monitoring the foam formation are formed above the opening edge of the respective container mouth as a second monitoring cri
• the energy input of the foaming medium in particular the pressure of the jet and / or the amount of AufMummediums introduced into each container and / or the intensity of the vibration or movement of the container and / or the intensity of a laser beam in Depending on the image data supplied by the at least one second optoelectronic sensor unit is controlled such that whenever an insufficient foaming of a container is determined, controlled by the image processing and control device increases the energy input of AufMumummiums in the subsequent container and / or conversely, this energy input to the subsequent containers is reduced if excessive foaming of a container is detected.
• a block or a device of a device is also to be understood as a corresponding method step or as a feature of a method step
• aspects described in connection with or as a method step also provide a description of a corresponding one Blocks or details or feature of a corresponding device.
• FIG. 1 in a schematic side view of an exemplary
• FIG. 3 shows a simplified block diagram of a further embodiment variant of the device according to the invention.
• FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a device according to the invention for treating containers 2 filled with foamable liquid filling material, such as bottles, cans or the like.
• the device according to the invention may in particular be part or component of a system for filling containers 2, or be connected downstream of such a system for filling containers in the transport direction A of the containers 2.
• the device according to the invention has at least one foaming unit 10 arranged along a transport path 6, a closing station 7 following the transport path 6 in a transport direction A and a discharge unit 15 following along the transport path 6.
• the system for filling the container 2 which is not shown in greater detail in the figures, can in particular comprise a filling machine of a rotating design with a rotatably rotatable rotor corresponding to a vertical machine axis, on the circumference of which filling positions for receiving a respective container 2 are formed in the manner known to those skilled in the art ,
• the containers to be filled 2 are fed, for example, in a known manner via an outer conveyor of the filling machine, also not shown in the figures, and forwarded to the filling stations of the rotor via a transport star rotating continuously around a vertical axis via a bottle or container inlet , Subsequently, the container 2, which is then filled with foamable liquid filling material, are removed from the rotor or the filling positions there and conveyed in the transporting direction A by means of a conveyor 5 along the transport path 6.
• the transport gate 5 can be designed, for example, as a chain conveyor or belt conveyor on which the filled containers 2 can be conveyed upright.
• the transported in the transport direction A along the transport path 6 container 2 are thereby supplied to a closing station 7, in which the container 2 are provided at their respective container mouth 2.1 with a suitable closure, such as a crown cap, and then on the conveyor 5 in the transport direction A along the transport section 6 further.
• a suitable closure such as a crown cap
• the containers 2 filled and sealed in this way can be fed in a transport direction A to a further treatment, for example a labeling machine.
• At least one foaming unit 10 in the form of at least one nozzle or nozzle arrangement provided with its container axis oriented in the vertical direction container 2 and thus also above the movement path of the still open Be bachelorermünditch 2.1 through which the thin stream 10.1 of the AufMummediums is introduced into each moving past container 2, so that released by the energy input of the jet 10.1 carbon dioxide from the contents and thus a targeted foaming of the filling material or a foam formation is achieved above the Gregutspiegels.
• the AufMum aim depends on various parameters, u. a. the type, viscosity and temperature of the filling material, the carbon dioxide content in the filling material, the temperature of the foaming medium, the energy input generated by the foaming medium, d. H. in particular, the volume flow and the pressure of the AufMummediums when hitting the Gregutapt in the respective container 2, etc.
• the aim is foaming in such a way that during and / or after closing the container 2 by means of the closing station 7 by the foam produced, the entire air contained in the headspace of the container 2 is displaced from this headspace, ie for this as compact as possible, No or possibly no contrast differences exhibiting foam forms, with a slightly over the mouth edge of the container mouth 2.1 each container 2 emerging, on the container outer wall in the form of a foam nose settling foam 1 1, as indicated in Figure 2b for the foaming 1 1 is.
• Figure 2a shows an insufficient, and thus incorrect, foaming 1 1, in which formed in particular on the container outer wall no foam nose, or over the mouth edge of the Container mouth 2.1 has discontinued.
• Figure 2c shows an excessive, and thus also incorrect foaming 1 1, in which a too large foam nose has settled over the mouth edge of the container mouth 2.1 on the container outer wall.
• the device according to the invention further comprises at least one first in the transporting direction A of the transport section 6 on the foaming 10 following opto-electric sensor unit 12.1 an image processing and control device 14, with the foaming 1 1 of the container 2 and / or the filling level of liquid product can be monitored in the respective container 2 during and / or after closing on the basis of at least one first monitoring criterion ÜW1.
• At least one first optoelectronic sensor unit 12.1 for detecting and monitoring the foaming 1 1 of the container 2 and / or the level of liquid contents in the respective container 2 immediately before placing and / or pressing the container closure, in particular the crown cap , formed by the punch of the closing station 7 and / or shortly after the actual closing operation, namely during the flanging of the container closure, in particular the crown cork, by the drawing ring on the basis of at least one first monitoring criterion ÜW1.
• the at least one first optoelectronic sensor unit 12.1 and the image processing and control device 14 are designed for monitoring the foam formation 11 at the container outer wall and / or the liquid level in the container 2 during and / or after closing the container 2 , and the discharge station 15 designed to eject such containers 2, which are outside a desired range of the at least one first monitoring criterion ÜW1 with regard to foaming 1 1, caused by a signal supplied by the image processing and control device 14.
• the at least one first opto-electric sensor unit 12.1 which may be designed in particular as a camera, provided and aligned so that this at least one first opto-electrical sensor unit 12.1 respectively the container 2 moving along the transport path 6 in the region of its neck, there in particular the container outer wall, and the container mouth 2.1 can be detected imagewise.
• the at least one first optoelectronic sensor unit 12.1 is part of a monitoring system with an image processing and control unit 14, in which the images or image data supplied by the first optoelectronic sensor unit 12.1 are evaluated, with respect to the size of the over the mouth edge of the container mouth 2.1 each container 2 exiting, settling on the container outer wall in the form of a foam nose foaming 1 1 and / or the level of liquid contents in the corresponding container 2, but also in terms of brightness and / or color as well as in terms of contrast or contrast differences in the respective container 2 on the level of the product generated foam.
• the term "size" of the foam formation on the container outer wall is understood to mean, in particular, the area wetted by the foam on the outer wall of the container in the sense of a surface measure determinable by its length and width of the foam nose. Also, in the "size", the thickness of the foam nose of foam 1 1 flow with.
• the processing of the images or image data supplied by the first optoelectric sensor unit 12.1 as actual data takes place, for example, by comparison with setpoint data stored in the image processing and control unit 14 of at least the first monitoring criterion ÜW1.
• the image processing and control unit 14 is, for example, a computer or a computer-aided unit with corresponding inputs for analog or digital image data supplied by the first optoelectronic sensor unit 12.1.
• the foaming 1 1 outside a defined example of one or more target criteria or parameters range of a first monitoring criterion ÜW1, as is the case with the foaming 1 1 of Figures 2a and 2c, it is due to one of thessengnacs- and Control unit 14 signal generated at a discharge station 15 a removal of such containers 2, in which only an insufficient, the target criteria not appropriate foaming 1 1 is done. Insufficient can mean in this context both overfilling and underfilling of the container 2, so too small or nonexistent foaming 1 1 in the form of a foam nose or too large trained Foam nose.
• the discharge of the container 2 takes place on the conveyor 5 of the transport path 6 after closing the container. 2
• the first monitoring criterion UW1 monitored by the image processing and control unit 14 is in the simplest case the size, in particular the area u.U. with the involvement of the thickness, over the mouth edge of the container mouth 2.1 each container 2 emerging, on the container outer wall in the form of a foam nose settling foam 1 1.
• the first opto-electric sensor unit 12.1 with correct overshoot below the closure of a corresponding container 2, it must be possible to detect a foam nose as foam formation 1 1 having a minimum size as the first monitoring criterion ÜW1. Only when the foam nose reaches a predefined size as setpoint value of the first monitoring criterion ÜW1, in particular covers a minimum area on the container outer wall of a filled container 2, is it ensured that the residual air or the residual oxygen content in the container 2 is within the permissible limits Limits.
• the first opto-electrical sensor unit 12.1 thus recognizes, in cooperation with the image processing and control unit 14, a foaming 1 1 in the region of the mouth edge of the container mouth 2.1 of each container 2, namely on its container outer wall, and determines its size. If the determined variable lies below a predefined minimum size as the desired value of a first monitoring criterion ÜW1, then the corresponding container 2 is reported for discharge to a discharge station 15 and discharged here (FIG. 2a). However, if the size of the foam formation 1 1 exceeds an upper limit as the setpoint value of the first monitoring criterion ÜW1, then it is inferred that the overflowed amount of beer has led to an underfilling of the container 2, so that such a container 2 is subsequently discharged.
• Another first monitoring criteria ÜW1 can form the filling level of liquid contents in the corresponding container 2.
• the filling level can be determined as a further first monitoring criterion ÜW1 by means of the first optoelectronic sensor unit 12.1. More in detail, a minimum filling level can be stored as the setpoint value for the first monitoring criterion UW1 stored in the image processing and control unit 14.
• the color and / or brightness of the foam formation 11 and / or the contrast of the foam formation 11 and / or the coverage area of the mouth edge and / or the opening cross-sectional area of the container mouth 2.1 and / or the color Pattern of the edge surface of the bottle mouth and / or the opening cross-sectional area is monitored by means of the first first opto-electric sensor unit 12.1.
• An optimal foam formation 1 1 with small pore size and thus a foam 1 1 with low inclusion especially of air is achieved when the foam 1 1 has a particularly bright color and the foam formation 1 1 also because of a uniform pore size, d. H. due to the absence of larger air bubbles or CO2 bubbles has no or possible no contrast differences.
• the image processing and control unit 14 the discharged container 2 separated by cause, so whether overcrowding or underfilling the container 2 was detected with liquid contents counts and visualized. Excessive discharge rates on containers 2 can lead to a stop of the device.
• the device further comprises at least one arranged in the transport direction A of the transport path 6 between the foaming 10 and the first opto-electric sensor unit 12.1 second opto-electrical sensor unit 12.2, which also as a part or Component of the image processing and control device 14 may be formed. It can therefore be provided that, according to one embodiment, the device has at least one first optoelectronic sensor unit 12.1 and at least one second optoelectronic sensor unit 12.2.
• the foaming 1 1 of the container 2 before closing can be monitored and controlled based on at least one second monitoring criterion ÜW2 and the at least one second optoelectronic sensor unit 12.2 and the image processing and control device 14 formed for monitoring and controlling the foam formation 1 1 above the container opening at not yet closed containers 2.
• a change in the energy input of a jet 10.1 of the frothing unit 10 can be generated on the basis of a signal generated by the monitoring unit 14 and thus affects the foaming 1 1 in the containers 2, in particular regulated.
• a second opto-electrical sensor unit 12.2 for example, as a camera may be formed, provided and aligned so that with this each along the transport path 6 on the conveyor 5 over moving container 2 in the region of its neck and the container mouth 2.1 are image-wise detected.
• the at least one second optoelectronic sensor unit 12.2 is part of a monitoring system with an image processing and control unit 14, in which the images or image data supplied by the at least one second optoelectronic sensor unit 12.2 are evaluated, namely with regard to the amount of foam formation 11 over the mouth edge of the container opening, but also in terms of brightness and / or color as well as in terms of the contrast or the contrast differences of the generated in the respective container 2 on the Gregutapt foam.
• the processing of the images or image data supplied by the at least one second optoelectronic sensor unit 12. 2 takes place, for example, by comparison with setpoint data stored in the image processing and control unit 14. If the foaming 1 1 lies outside a region of a second monitoring criterion ÜW2 defined, for example, by one or more target criteria or parameters, as is the case with the foaming 1 1 of FIG. 4 a, the image processing and control unit 14 is used signal generated a change in the energy input of the jet 10 generated by the AufWebumstation 10.
• the energy input of the AufMummediums d. H. in particular, to control the pressure of the jet 10.1 and / or the amount of foaming medium introduced into each container 2 as a function of the image data delivered by the at least one second optoelectronic sensor unit 12.2 such that whenever insufficient foaming 1 1 occurs on a Container 2 is detected, controlled by the image processing and control device 14, the energy input of Aufschumummiums increased in the subsequent container 2 or vice versa this energy input for the subsequent container 2 is reduced, if excessive foaming is detected on a container 2.
• the monitored by the image processing and control unit 14 second monitoring criterion ÜW2 is in the simplest case, the fleas of foam formation 1 1 in the respective container 2, d. H. a proper foaming is present when the foaming 1 1 reaches at least to the edge of the container mouth 2.1, but preferably with a foam crown slightly above the edge of the container mouth 2.1 protrudes without foam on the outer surface of the container 2 flows down. Further monitoring criteria are z. B.
• the image processing and control device 14 for example, designed so that during operation of the device 1 according to the invention at the at least one first opto-electrical sensor unit 12.1 and at the discharge station Moved past 15 container 2 are constantly counted, so then taking into account the known distance between the at least one first opto-electrical Sensor unit 12.1 and the discharge station 15 or taking into account the known number of existing between the at least first opto-electric sensor unit 12.1 and the discharge station 15 container 2, the respective container 2 with the insufficient foam formation 1 1 can be discharged after closing.
• the foam formation detecting opto-electrical devices can be provided, in particular, such devices, the amount of foaming 1 1 in the headspace of the container 2 or over the edge of the container mouths 2.1 detect protruding foam height.
• a lighting device may be provided, and preferably for the emission of a light spectrum, which for opto-electric detection of the foam height with the at least one first and / or second opto-electrical sensor units 12.1, 12.2 is particularly suitable.

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• Filling Of Jars Or Cans And Processes For Cleaning And Sealing Jars (AREA)
• Basic Packing Technique (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

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Family Applications (1)

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Family Cites Families (9)

• 2018
  • 2018-06-06 DE DE102018113435.5A patent/DE102018113435B4/de active Active
• 2019
  • 2019-05-15 CN CN201980037743.7A patent/CN112236385B/zh active Active
  • 2019-05-15 US US17/050,993 patent/US11623854B2/en active Active
  • 2019-05-15 WO PCT/EP2019/062468 patent/WO2019233717A1/de unknown
  • 2019-05-15 EP EP19724473.4A patent/EP3802401A1/de active Pending

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