EP3984942B1 - Device and method for treating a container with functional testing - Google Patents

Description

technical field

The present invention relates to a device and a method for treating a container with a treatment fluid, in particular for filling a container with a filling product in a beverage bottling plant.

State of the art

Filling elements of different designs are known for bottling filling products, for example beverages in a beverage bottling plant. The flow of the filling product through the filling element and thus introduction into a container is usually controlled by a filling valve which comprises a valve cone which sits in a valve receptacle shaped to complement the valve cone. The filling process is started by lifting the valve cone out of the valve receptacle or out of the valve seat, and the filling process is ended again by subsequently lowering the valve cone onto the valve seat.

The document DE102005035264B4 discloses such an apparatus and a corresponding method.

It is known to actuate the filling valve of a filling element by pneumatics, which in turn are electronically controlled. Delays can occur between the electronic control and the switching of the valve, which depend, for example, on the state of use of the valve and are difficult to predict. Furthermore, malfunctions can occur. This also applies to actuators of other functional types, for example electromotive or magnetic actuation of the valve, as well as valves that are used in other areas of container treatment or the packaging industry, such as blow molding machines for expanding a preform into a container to be filled.

Measuring and monitoring the switching and any switching delay of a valve in a filling element or another container treatment element is complex in terms of mechanical engineering, since a large number of functions have to be monitored on the way from the electronic control to the mechanical implementation on the valve. In addition, since a large number of container treatment elements are normally installed in a system, for example up to 200 filling elements in a filler, complete sensory monitoring would be extremely complex, maintenance-prone and error-prone. There is currently hardly any possibility, for example in the course of predictive maintenance, to check and monitor the valve function such as the pneumatic function in detail.

Presentation of the invention

An object of the present invention is to specify an improved device and an improved method for treating a container with a treatment fluid, in particular to improve reliability.

The object is achieved by a device with the features of claim 1 and a method with the features of the independent method claim. Advantageous developments follow from the dependent claims, the following description of the invention and the description of preferred exemplary embodiments.

The device according to the invention serves to treat a container with a treatment fluid. The device is particularly preferably used in a beverage bottling plant, for example for bottling water, beer, juice, soft drinks, smoothies, milk products and the like. However, the principle according to the invention can also be used in other devices or plant parts, in particular in a beverage bottling plant, for example in a blow molding device for expanding a preform into a container.

The device has at least one treatment element with a switchable treatment valve, the treatment element being set up to treat the container with the treatment fluid by opening the treatment valve and to end the treatment by closing the treatment valve. The term "treating" can include filling the container, rinsing, cleaning, expanding or the like.

The device according to the invention has at least one movement sensor which is set up to detect a movement of the treatment element or of a component mechanically coupled to the treatment element when the treatment valve is switched. The device also has an electronic evaluation unit which is communicatively coupled to the movement sensor. The coupling can be implemented wirelessly or wired and is used for data exchange, preferably in both directions, but at least from the movement sensor to the evaluation unit. The evaluation unit is set up to from a Processing the data detected by the motion sensor to draw conclusions about the switching behavior of the treatment valve.

The movement sensor can certainly directly detect the movement of a movable valve part of the treatment valve, such as a valve cone; however, this particularly preferably involves an indirect movement of the treatment element and/or components connected thereto, which result from the actuation of the treatment valve. For example, characteristic vibrations result when the treatment valve is closed, which can be used and evaluated to evaluate the response behavior of the treatment valve, for example to determine a dead time between a switching signal for actuating the treatment valve and the function of the same.

The response behavior of the treatment valve can be monitored in a simple manner in terms of mechanical engineering, as a result of which existing devices can be correspondingly retrofitted in a simple manner. With low resources and costs, the proper treatment process can be checked and reliability increased. Algorithmic evaluation of the data from the motion sensor means that even complex movements can be checked and monitored with minimal sensory effort.

Preferably, the device further comprises: an actuator configured to actuate the treatment valve; and an electronic control device, preferably communicatively coupled to the evaluation unit, which is set up to control the actuator based on signals. The control device includes electronic components, such as a circuit board with a processor, memory, communication device, etc., to control the function of the treatment organ.

The movement sensor is preferably integrated in the control device or attached thereto, for example directly in the electronics, on the printed circuit board or the like. The treatment element can thus be equipped with the monitoring function of the response behavior in a structurally simple manner, without the treatment element itself having to be significantly modified in terms of construction.

The actuator preferably works pneumatically, ie it preferably comprises a pneumatic cylinder with a piston which is mechanically connected to a movable part of the treatment valve, for example a valve cone, in order to actuate the treatment valve. Alternatively, the actuator However, it can also be constructed in a different way, for example working hydraulically, magnetically or with an electric motor.

The processing of the data detected by the movement sensor by the evaluation unit preferably includes the determination of a dead time between a switching signal to the actuator and the actuation of the treatment valve. The designations "actuating" and "switching" include in particular the opening and/or closing of the treatment valve. However, actuation or switching can also be implemented by moving the treatment valve to an intermediate position. All these forms of actuation lead to minimal, nonetheless characteristic movements of the treatment organ or components mechanically coupled to it, which can be detected by the movement sensor and used for the evaluation. In this case, the dead time is a parameter that is comparatively easy to determine, which can be derived from it and provides information about any deviations in the response behavior from a normal behavior.

The evaluation unit is preferably set up to process the data detected by the movement sensor using algorithms, in particular by means of one or more self-learning algorithms, in order to detect deviations in the switching behavior of the treatment valve from the normal behavior. With the help of the data collected by the evaluation unit, anomalies in the actuation of the treatment valve can be recognized algorithmically. In the simplest case, determined dead times can be compared with one another in order to detect malfunctions or changes in the response behavior of the treatment valve at an early stage and, if necessary, to take measures such as maintenance, replacement or the like. By means of a more complex processing of the data, for example by using so-called artificial intelligence or self-learning algorithms, deviations of the treatment valve from the normal behavior can be detected at an early stage, whereby a possible imminent malfunction, a defect or the like can be predicted ("predictive maintenance").

The principle according to the invention is particularly preferably used in a device for filling a container with a filling product, in particular a beverage. In this case, the treatment element is a filling element with a product outlet that is set up to deliver the filling product into a container located underneath. In this case, the treatment valve is a filling valve.

The filling element preferably has a product channel which is in fluid connection with the product outlet, and the filling valve has a valve cone arranged in the product channel, at least one Complementary valve seat in sections and an actuator, which is set up to move the valve cone along an axial direction of the product outlet or product channel, so that the valve cone can be moved into the valve seat to block the product outlet and out of it to open the product outlet.

The filling valve can be designed as a check valve so that it can be switched between a closed and an open state in a binary manner. Alternatively, the filling valve can be equipped with a flow control so that, in addition to the closed state, several open states with different volume flow rates can be set. In this case, the filling valve can be regulated discretely or continuously.

The aforementioned flow control can be implemented, for example, by the valve cone having a cylindrical shape that tapers toward the product outlet. The product channel, which has the shape of an annular channel in the area of the valve cone, is formed on the inside at least in sections by the outer peripheral surface of the valve cone. On the outside, the annular gap is delimited or formed by a valve housing. According to this embodiment, the valve cone is designed to be displaceable in the axial direction, i.e. up and down. In this way, the annular gap at the product outlet can be enlarged and reduced. The height adjustment of the valve cone is preferably stepless within a working range, i.e. between a fully open position and a closed position or a position of minimum flow.

At least one of the movement sensors is preferably integrated in or attached to the valve cone and/or actuator. Alternatively or additionally, at least one of the movement sensors can be integrated in or attached to the valve housing. The positions mentioned here for mounting a motion sensor allow the filling element to be equipped with one or more motion sensors in a simple manner in terms of mechanical engineering. If a flow meter that can be used to dose the filling product on the basis of the measured volume or mass throughput is provided, then a movement sensor can also be integrated into or attached to it.

The device preferably has at least one container holder for receiving, holding and/or stabilizing the container to be filled. In this case, the movement sensor or at least one movement sensor is integrated in or attached to the container holder. In this case, a mechanical modification of the filling element can essentially be dispensed with, and the motion sensor is mounted at a location that, if necessary easier to access and maintain. For example, the movement sensor can be attached to a lifting cylinder of the container holder.

However, the principle according to the invention can also be usefully applied in other devices, for example in a device for producing a container from a preform. In this case, the treatment element is an expansion element, for example, which is set up to produce the container from a preform by subjecting it to an expansion gas.

In this case, the movement sensor or at least one movement sensor is particularly preferably integrated in or attached to a container holder for holding the preform and the container produced therefrom.

Precisely one movement sensor is preferably provided for each treatment organ. The monitoring functions can be achieved with very little sensor effort. This is an important technical contribution of indirect motion detection and electronic evaluation of the same.

The movement sensor is preferably an acceleration sensor. An acceleration sensor can detect the movements of the treatment organ or the corresponding mechanically coupled components independently, i.e. in particular without a position comparison relative to a stationary component, and is therefore particularly easy to implement in terms of mechanical engineering.

The movement sensor determines a movement/acceleration at least along a spatial axis. However, the movement sensor can also be set up to detect movements/accelerations along two or three independent spatial axes. Several movement sensors can also be provided for this purpose.

The object mentioned above is also achieved by a method for treating a container with a treatment fluid, preferably in a beverage bottling plant. The method comprises: switching, preferably opening or closing, a treatment valve of a treatment organ in order to treat the container with the treatment fluid or to end the treatment; Detecting a movement of the treatment organ or a component mechanically coupled to the treatment organ, which is caused by the switching of the treatment valve, by means of a movement sensor, which is preferably a accelerometer is; and processing the data detected by the movement sensor using an electronic evaluation unit which is communicatively coupled to the movement sensor in order to draw conclusions about the switching behavior of the treatment valve.

The features, technical effects, advantages and exemplary embodiments that have been described in relation to the device apply analogously to the method.

For the reasons mentioned above, the treatment valve is preferably actuated via an actuator, in particular pneumatically, hydraulically, magnetically or electromotively, the actuator in this case being signal-based via an electronic control device, preferably communicatively coupled to the evaluation unit. The processing of the data detected by the movement sensor by the evaluation unit preferably includes the determination of a dead time between a switching signal to the actuator and the actuation of the treatment valve.

The method is preferably used when bottling a filling product, preferably a beverage. In this case, the treatment element is a filling element with a product outlet which discharges the filling product into a container located below for treatment, and the treatment valve is a filling valve.

The filling element preferably has a product channel that is in fluid communication with the product outlet, the filling valve having a valve cone arranged in the product channel, a valve seat that is shaped in a complementary manner, at least in sections, and an actuator that is set up to move the valve cone along an axial direction of the product outlet or product channel. so that the valve cone can be moved into the valve seat to block the product outlet and out of it to open the product outlet.

For the reasons mentioned above, the movement of the valve cone and/or actuator and/or a valve housing of the filling element and/or a container holder for receiving, holding and/or stabilizing the container to be filled is preferably detected by one or more movement sensors.

Further advantages and features of the present invention are evident from the following description of preferred exemplary embodiments. The features described there can be used alone or in combination with one or more of the features set out above be implemented, insofar as the characteristics do not contradict each other. The following description of preferred exemplary embodiments is made with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief description of the figures

• Figur 1 eine schematische Ansicht eines Füllorgans zum Abfüllen eines Füllprodukts in einen Behälter mit einem am Füllorgan angebrachten Bewegungssensor;
• Figur 2 eine schematische Ansicht eines Füllorgans zum Abfüllen eines Füllprodukts in einen Behälter mit einem an alternativen Positionen vorgesehenen Bewegungssensor; und
• Figur 3 eine schematische Ansicht eines Ausschnitts einer Blasvorrichtung zum Expandieren eines Vorformlings zu einem Behälter.

Preferred further embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail by the following description of the figures. show:

• figure 1 a schematic view of a filling element for filling a filling product into a container with a motion sensor attached to the filling element;
• figure 2 a schematic view of a filling element for filling a filling product into a container with a movement sensor provided at alternative positions; and
• figure 3 a schematic view of a section of a blow molding device for expanding a preform into a container.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments

Preferred exemplary embodiments are described below with reference to the figures. Elements that are the same, similar or have the same effect are provided with identical reference symbols in the different figures, and a repeated description of these elements is sometimes dispensed with in order to avoid redundancy.

The figure 1 is a schematic view of a device 1 for treating a container 2, here specifically for filling the container 2 with a filling product. The device 1 is preferably used in a beverage bottling plant, for example for bottling water (still or carbonated), soft drinks, beer, milk products, juices, smoothies or the like.

The device 1 has at least one treatment element 10, which is a filling element in the present exemplary embodiment. The filling element 10 is set up to fill a container 2 located underneath with the filling product.

A plurality of filling elements 10 are preferably provided, which are arranged approximately on the circumference of a rotary carousel (not shown in the figures) in order to be able to produce a continuous stream of filled containers on the rotary carousel. The device 1 is therefore preferably designed in a rotary design.

The filling element 10 is set up, for example, for free-jet filling, in which the filling product flows into the container 2 to be filled, mostly at atmospheric pressure, in free fall, ie unaffected by any guide devices. The filling product can be caused to swirl by means of swirl bodies and/or a corresponding shaping of a product outlet 11, so that it flows downwards in a spiral movement along the container wall under the action of the centrifugal force. Any gas in the container that is displaced by the filling product during filling can escape centrally through the container mouth. In this way, a uniform, quiet and trouble-free filling with short filling times can be achieved.

Alternatively, the filling element 10 can be set up for a pressure-tight connection to the container 2 during the filling process, in particular for sudden filling. In the case of sudden filling, the filling product is made available under an overpressure, the container 2 to be filled is evacuated and the filling product under overpressure is introduced into the container 2 under negative pressure. Due to the pressure difference created in this way, the filling product is introduced suddenly.

However, the filling element 10 can also have a different structure, insofar as it includes a filling valve 14, the switching behavior of which is to be monitored, as is explained in detail further below.

The filling element 10 according to the present exemplary embodiment has a product channel 12 which is in fluid connection with the product outlet 11 . The product channel 12 is supplied with filling product, for example, from a filling product reservoir (not shown in the figures) located upstream of the filling element 10 . In the embodiment of figure 1 there is a flow meter 13 in the product channel 12, which can be used to dose the filling product on the basis of the measured volume or mass throughput.

The treatment element 10 also has a treatment valve 14, in the present exemplary embodiment a filling valve, which comprises a valve cone 14a and a valve seat 14b that is shaped in a complementary manner, at least in sections. The filling valve 14 also has an actuator 14c or is mechanically coupled to one that can move the valve cone 14a along an axial direction, so that the valve cone 14a blocks the product channel 12 or product outlet 11 and thus interrupts the flow into the valve seat 14b and can be moved out of the product channel 12 or product outlet 11 to open it.

The actuator 14c can include means for electromotive, magnetic, hydraulic and/or pneumatic actuation of the valve cone 14a. The actuator 14c preferably actuates the valve cone 14c pneumatically. Further, the actuator may include a spring or the like to bias the poppet 14c to an operative position, such as the closed or fully open position.

The filling valve 14 can be designed as a check valve so that it can be switched between a closed and an open state in a binary manner. Alternatively, the filling valve 14 can be equipped with a flow control so that, in addition to the closed state, several open states with different volume flow rates can be set. In this case, the filling valve 14 can be regulated discretely or continuously.

The flow regulation mentioned above can be implemented, for example, in that the valve cone 14a has a cylindrical shape that tapers toward the product outlet 11 . The product channel 12, which has the shape of an annular channel in the region of the valve cone 14a, is formed on the inside at least in sections by the outer peripheral surface of the valve cone 14a. On the outside, the annular gap is delimited or formed by a valve housing 15 . According to the present embodiment, the poppet 14a is arranged to be displaceable in the axial direction, i.e. up and down. In this way, the annular gap at the product outlet 11 can be enlarged and reduced. The height adjustment of the valve plug 14a takes place within a working range, i.e. between a fully open position and a closed position or a position of minimum flow, preferably steplessly.

The filling element 10 is according to the embodiment of figure 1 also equipped with a pressure and / or gas channel 16 and a CIP channel 17.

The pressure and/or gas channel 16 can be set up in order to put the interior of the container 2 in an overpressure or negative pressure and/or to flush the container with a gas, for example for prestressing the container, and/or any gas that is displaced during filling to derive.

The CIP channel 17 is part of a CIP facility. The designation "CIP" stands for "Cleaning-In-Place", a cleaning process in which the filling element 10 does not have to be removed for cleaning, but can be flushed or steamed with a cleaning medium in the installed state. For the sake of linguistic simplicity, the term "CIP" also includes the so-called "Sterilizing-In-Place" (SIP), a sterilization process in which the Filling element 10 does not have to be removed in an analogous manner for sterilization, but can be flushed or steamed with a sterilizing medium when installed.

The device 1 also includes one or more container holders 20 for receiving, holding and/or stabilizing the container 2 to be filled. In the embodiment of figure 1 the container holder 20 is attached to the filling element 10 and can in this respect be regarded as part of the same.

The container holder 20 can be appropriately designed depending on the container shape, treatment process, and so on. In the embodiment of figure 1 the container holder 20 is set up for bottles and has a receptacle 21 for this purpose, which is set up for gripping or embracing the bottle neck or mouth section of the container 2 in the manner of a clamp. The receptacle 21 can be attached to a lifting cylinder 22 in order to raise the container 2 for the filling operation in the direction of the product outlet 11, if necessary to press it against the filling member 10 and to lower it at the end of filling to remove the container 2.

The device 1 also includes a control device 30 which is set up to electronically control the function of the filling element 10 or of a plurality of filling elements 10 . The control device 30 can be provided independently of the filling element 10, assigned to it or be part of the filling element 10 accordingly. The control device 30 includes electronic components, such as a circuit board with a processor, memory, communication device, etc., to control the function of the filling element 10 . In particular, the control device 30 is used to control the actuator 14c, i.e. to set the time and duration of the actuation, the stroke of the valve cone 14a and the like. The control device 30 can work autonomously or be integrated into a network. For example, the control device 30 can communicate with a higher-level process controller (not shown in the figures).

The device 1 has at least one motion sensor 40, which in the embodiment of figure 1 attached to the filling element 10 or integrated therein.

When the filling valve 14 is actuated, for example when it is preloaded, opened, closed, relieved, etc., the filling element 10 and components mechanically coupled to it perform small relative movements which can be detected by the sensor. The movement sensor 40 is set up to detect such movements. In this way, for example, the Dead time between a switching signal for actuating the filling valve 14 and the function of the actuator 14c, such as pneumatic function, are determined.

Although the movement sensor 40 can definitely detect the movement of the valve cone 14a directly, this is particularly preferably about indirect movements of the filling element 10 and/or components connected thereto, which result from the actuation of the filling valve 14 . For example, characteristic vibrations result when the filling valve 14 is closed, which can be used and evaluated to evaluate the response behavior of the filling valve 14 .

For this purpose, the motion sensor 40 is preferably an acceleration sensor. An acceleration sensor can detect the movements without comparing the position relative to a stationary component and is therefore particularly easy to implement in terms of mechanical engineering. The movement sensor 40 determines a movement/acceleration at least along a spatial axis. However, the movement sensor 40 can also be set up to detect movements/accelerations along two or three independent spatial axes. Several movement sensors 40 can also be provided for this purpose.

In the embodiment of figure 1 the motion sensor 40 is integrated in the valve housing 15 or attached to it.

The figure 2 shows the device according to FIG figure 1 , but with alternative or additional positions for mounting one or more motion sensors 40.

A movement sensor 40 can be integrated in the control device 30, for example directly in the electronics, on the circuit board or the like. The filling element 10 can thus be equipped in a structurally simple manner, for example with the function of dead time detection, without the filling element 10 itself having to be significantly modified in terms of construction.

Alternatively or additionally, a movement sensor 40 can be attached in or on the flow meter 13 and/or the valve cone 14a and/or the actuator 14c and/or the container holder 20, for example on the lifting cylinder 22.

The motion sensor 40 is communicatively coupled, wirelessly or by wire, to an evaluation unit 41 which is set up to process the data from the one or more motion sensors 40 . The evaluation unit 41 can be part of the control device 30 or can be provided separately from it. Those are particularly preferred Evaluation unit 41 and the control device 30 are communicatively coupled, for example to determine the dead times mentioned.

With the help of the data collected by the evaluation unit 41, anomalies in the actuation of the filling valve 14 can be recognized algorithmically. In the simplest case, determined dead times can be compared with one another in order to detect malfunctions or changes in the response behavior of the filling valve 14 and, if necessary, to take measures such as maintenance, replacement or the like. The data obtained by the motion sensor 40 can be evaluated using algorithms, for example by means of so-called artificial intelligence or self-learning algorithms. In this way, deviations of the filling valve 14 from the normal behavior can be detected at an early stage, as a result of which a possible imminent malfunction, a defect or the like can be predicted ("predictive maintenance").

The monitoring of the response behavior of the filling valve 14 can be implemented in a simple manner in terms of mechanical engineering, as a result of which existing devices 1 can be correspondingly retrofitted in a simple manner. The proper filling process can be checked with little resources and costs. By means of an algorithmic evaluation of the data from the movement sensor 40, even complex movements can be checked and monitored with minimal sensor effort.

The functionality presented here can also be implemented in an analogous manner in other devices, in particular devices or system parts of a beverage bottling system.

This is how it shows figure 3 example a section of a device 1, which is provided as a blow molding device for expanding a preform. For this purpose, the preform to be expanded is connected to a treatment element 10 which has a product outlet 11 in the form of a blowing nozzle. The preform can have a thread and a support ring at its upper end. The preform is placed on the blow nozzle and connected to it in a pressure-tight manner. The blowing nozzle can have a stretching rod 18 which is used in the blowing process. The parison is then expanded into a container 2 which is, for example, a PET bottle.

The figure 3 Fig. 12 shows a state in which the container 2 has already been blow-molded from a parison. The multi-part blow mold itself, which surrounds the container 2 and determines its final shape, is in the figure 3 Not shown. It should be noted that the designations "Preform" and "container" are interchangeable as they merely represent different stages of manufacture. The preform or container 2 is held by a container holder 20 during the expansion.

An expansion medium, which is preferably a gas with a temperature in the range between 80°C and 140°C, is used to expand the preform. From one in the figure 3 pressure source not shown, such as a compressor, a product channel 12 leads to the blast nozzle. The product channel 12 can be shut off by a treatment valve 14 .

The blowing nozzle is also connected to a pressure medium discharge path which can be shut off with a discharge valve 14'.

According to the embodiment of figure 3 For example, the container holder 20 is equipped with a motion sensor 40, whereby the response of the treatment valve 14 and/or the shut-off valve 14' can be monitored.

As far as applicable, all individual features that are presented in the exemplary embodiments can be combined with one another and/or exchanged without departing from the scope of the invention.

So comprises the blowing device according to figure 3 for example an evaluation unit, analogous to the exemplary embodiments of FIG figures 1 and 2 , even if these in the figure 3 is not shown explicitly. Likewise, not only the features but also advantages, technical contributions and the like, which are related to the figures 1 and 2 were described, analogous to the embodiment of figure 3 .

As far as applicable, all individual features that are presented in the exemplary embodiments can be combined with one another and/or exchanged without departing from the scope of the invention.

Reference List

1

Device for treating a container

2

container

10

treatment organ

11

product phase-out

12

product channel

13

flow meter

14

treatment valve

14a

poppet

14b

valve seat

14c

actuator

14'

drain valve

15

valve body

16

pressure and gas channel

17

CIP channel

18

horizontal bar

20

container holder

21

Recording

22

lifting cylinder

30

control device

40

motion sensor

41

evaluation unit

Claims (15)

1. Device (1) for treating a container (2) with a treatment fluid, preferably in a beverage filling plant, wherein the device (1) has:

   at least one treatment member (10) with a switchable treatment valve (14), wherein the at least one treatment member (10) is configured to treat the container (2) with the treatment fluid by opening the treatment valve (14) and to end the treatment by closing the treatment valve (14);

   at least one motion sensor (40) configured to detect a movement of the treatment member (10) or of a component that is mechanically coupled to the treatment member (10) during switching of the treatment valve (14); and

   an electronic evaluation unit (41) coupled in a communicating manner to the at least one motion sensor (40), and configured to draw conclusions about the switching behaviour of the treatment valve (14) by processing the data that are detected by the motion sensor (40).
2. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that it further has:

   an actuator (14c) configured to operate the treatment valve (14), preferably pneumatically, hydraulically, magnetically or electromotively; and

   an electronic control apparatus (30) preferably coupled in a communicating manner to the evaluation unit (41), and configured to control the actuator (14c) in a signal-based manner, wherein the motion sensor (40) is preferably integrated into or fitted to the control apparatus (30).
3. Device (1) according to claim 2, characterised in that the processing, by the evaluation unit (41), of the data detected by the motion sensor (40) comprises ascertaining a dead time between a switching signal from the control apparatus (30) to the actuator (14c) and the operation of the treatment valve (14).
4. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the evaluation unit (41) is configured to algorithmically process the data detected by the at least one motion sensor (40), preferably by means of one or more self-learning algorithms, in order to identify deviations in the switching behavior of the treatment valve (14) from a standard behaviour.
5. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the treatment fluid is a filling product, preferably a beverage, the treatment member (10) is a filling member having a product outlet (11) configured to dispense the filling product into a container located therebeneath, and the treatment valve (14) is a filling valve.
6. Device (1) according to claim 5, characterised in that the filling member (10) has a product duct (10) which is fluidically connected to the product outlet (11), and the filling valve (14) has a valve cone (21) arranged in the product duct (10), a valve seat (22) which is of complementary shape to said valve cone at least in sections, and an actuator (14c) which is configured to shift the valve cone (21) along an axial direction of the product outlet (11), so that the valve cone (21) can be moved into the valve seat (22) to block the product outlet (11) and moved out of said valve seat to open the product outlet (11), wherein preferably at least one of the motion sensors (40) is integrated into or fitted to the valve cone (14a) and/or actuator (14c).
7. Device (1) according to claim 5 or 6, characterised in that the filling member (10) has a valve housing (15) and at least one of the motion sensors (40) is integrated into or fitted to the valve housing (15).
8. Device (1) according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterised in that at least one container holder (20) is provided for receiving, holding and/or stabilising the container (2) to be filled and at least one of the motion sensors (40) is integrated into or fitted to the container holder (20).
9. Device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the treatment fluid is an expansion gas and the treatment member (10) is an expansion member configured to produce the container (2) from a preform upon being acted upon by the expansion gas, wherein the motion sensor (40) is preferably integrated into or fitted to a container holder (20) for holding the preform as well as the container (2) produced therefrom.
10. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that exactly one motion sensor (40) is provided per treatment member (10).
11. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the motion sensor (40) is an acceleration sensor.
12. Method for treating a container (2) with a treatment fluid, preferably in a beverage filling plant, wherein the method has the steps of:

    switching, preferably opening or closing, a treatment valve (14) of a treatment member (10) to treat the container (2) with the treatment fluid or to end the treatment;

    detecting a movement of the treatment member (10) or of a component that is mechanically coupled to the treatment member (10), which movement is caused by switching the treatment valve (14), by means of a motion sensor (40) which is preferably an acceleration sensor; and

    processing the data detected by the motion sensor (40) by means of an electronic evaluation unit (41) that is coupled in a communicating manner to the motion sensor (40) in order to draw conclusions about the switching behaviour of the treatment valve (14).
13. Method according to claim 12, characterised in that

    the treatment valve (14) is operated by an actuator (14c), preferably pneumatically, hydraulically, magnetically or electromotively, and the actuator (14c) is controlled in a signal-based manner by an electronic control apparatus (30), preferably so as to be coupled in a communicating manner to the evaluation unit (41); and

    the processing, by the evaluation unit (41), of the data detected by the motion sensor (40) comprises ascertaining a dead time between a switching signal from the control apparatus (30) to the actuator (14c) and the operation of the treatment valve (14).
14. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that

    the treatment fluid is a filling product, preferably a beverage, the treatment member (10) is a filling member having a product outlet (11) configured to dispense the filling product for treatment into a container located therebeneath, and the treatment valve (14) is a filling valve; and

    the filling member (10) has a product duct (10) which is fluidically connected to the product outlet (11), and the filling valve (14) has a valve cone (21) arranged in the product duct (10), a valve seat (22) which is of complementary shape to said valve cone at least in sections, and an actuator (14c) which is configured to shift the valve cone (21) along an axial direction of the product outlet (11), so that the valve cone (21) can be moved into the valve seat (22) to block the product outlet (11) and moved out of said valve seat to open the product outlet (11).
15. Method according to claim 14, characterised in that the movement of the valve cone (14a) and/or actuator (14c) and/or a valve housing (15) of the filling member (10) and/or a container holder (20) for receiving, holding and/or stabilising the container (2) to be filled is detected by one or more motion sensors (40).

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