WO2017050604A1

WO2017050604A1 - Method and device for carrying out repositioning processes for devices for producing beverage containers

Info

Publication number: WO2017050604A1
Application number: PCT/EP2016/071467
Authority: WO
Inventors: Wolfgang Hahn; Florian Geltinger
Original assignee: Krones Ag
Priority date: 2015-09-23
Filing date: 2016-09-12
Publication date: 2017-03-30
Also published as: DE102015116073A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for carrying out a repositioning process for a device (1) for producing beverage containers (20). Plastic preforms (10) are heated by means of a heating device (12) during a working operation of the device, and plastic containers (20) are subsequently produced from the heated plastic preforms (10) by means of a shaping device (2). As part of the repositioning process, the heating device (12) is heated and a retrofitting process is also carried out at least on the shaping device (2), wherein at least one element of the shaping device (2) is changed. According to the invention, the retrofitting process is carried out on the shaping device (2) at the same time as the heating process of the heating device (12) is being carried out at least temporarily.

Description

Method and device for carrying out switching operations in devices for

Production of beverage containers

description

The present invention relates to an apparatus for forming plastic preforms into plastic containers. Such devices and methods have been known for a long time from the prior art. For this purpose, plastic preforms are usually heated and these heated plastic preforms are shaped by means of a forming device into plastic containers, in particular plastic bottles.

In the context of the work operation, it is often necessary that the forming devices are converted to a different container size and in particular converted and the blow molds must be replaced. This process is relatively time consuming. After changing the blow molding (manual or semi-automatic / fully automatic), a test run is carried out. It is sensed (acoustically / optically / haptically by the operator) whether the change of blow molding was carried out correctly. Also possible is a vibration measurement via sensors. The test run is initiated and stopped manually by the operator. Subsequently, the heating of the furnace to operating temperature. Once this has been achieved, production is started manually by the operator.

In the prior art, these (preparatory) processes for the start of production after a change of sets take place one after the other and take a correspondingly long time. In addition, the time also depends on the reaction time of the operator. The long service life considerably reduces the availability of the system. The present invention is therefore based on the object to make such conversion operations more efficient, especially time-saving. This is achieved according to the invention by the subject matters of the independent patent claims. Advantageous embodiments and further developments are the subject of the dependent claims.

In a method according to the invention for carrying out a changeover process (which is in particular also a changeover process in which at least one element is replaced) in a device for producing beverage containers, a plastic working preforms are heated by means of a heating device and then by means of a forming device produces plastic containers from these heated plastic preforms. In this context, the heating device is warmed up during the changeover process or, in general, during a startup process, and as part of the changeover process, a changeover process is also carried out at least on the conversion device, in which preferably at least one element of this conversion device is exchanged. According to the invention, the changeover process at the forming device and the heating process at the heating device are carried out at least at times simultaneously.

It is therefore proposed in the context of the invention that a specific time window is provided for heating or heating of the heating device and also a specific time window is provided for the changeover process. In particular, these time slots overlap at least partially. In this way, the waiting times for Umstellvorgänge (which are preferably to Umrüstvorgänge) can be reduced. Preferably, an automatic sequence without waiting times for operator input is possible lent. In this way delays can be reduced by a reaction time of the operator. In addition, the production interruption by a parallel change of the blow molds and a heating of the furnace is shorter. In addition, higher plant availability can be achieved with higher OEE (overall equipment efficiency) and lower TCO (total cost of ownership) costs. Preferably, a value is output and / or used by at least the conversion device for carrying out the changeover process and in particular the changeover process, which value is characteristic of a changeover state or changeover state of this conversion device. In particular, it may be a value that is characteristic of a progress of the conversion process, such as a value indicating how many transformation stations have already been exchanged elements such as the blow molding. In addition, it may be a value that is characteristic of an already made heating of elements of the blow molds.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the plastic preforms are transported in the working mode. In particular, the plastic preforms are transported during operation during their heating. The heating device is preferably an infrared oven.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the forming device has a plurality of forming stations and in particular blowing stations, within which the plastic preforms are formed into the plastic containers. In a further advantageous embodiment, the conversion stations also have stretching bars, which can be inserted into the plastic preforms in order to stretch them. In a further advantageous embodiment, the conversion stations also have blowing nozzles, which can be applied to the plastic preforms in order to expand them with a gaseous medium and in particular with compressed air. In a further advantageous method, these plastic containers thus produced are transported to a filling device and the containers are filled with a liquid and in particular with a beverage.

In a further preferred method, the containers are equipped and in particular labeled. However, it would also be conceivable that the containers are equipped in other ways, for example, be provided with printing or shrink labels. Preferably, the containers are first labeled and then filled (in an empty state). In a further advantageous method, the individual machines of the plant, ie in particular the heating device, the forming device and the labeling device are synchronized or operated as a block. This means that the working speeds of these machines are matched. Preferably, there is the possibility of an ejection and / or buffering of plastic preforms or plastic containers. It would thus be possible, for example, for ejecting blown containers after the forming device and, if necessary, temporarily buffering them if the subsequent labeling machine has to be switched off for a short time, for example due to an error.

The forming device and the heating device are preferably in data communication at least at times, and a value is output and / or used by at least the forming device or the start of the heating device which characterizes a conversion status of this forming device and / or heating device is.

It is possible that the forming device and the heating device and / or their control devices are directly in data communication with each other. However, it would also be conceivable for the forming device and the heating device to be in data communication with each other via a higher-level control device or machine control. Other devices of a corresponding system, such as a labeling device or a filling device may be in a corresponding data communication with the forming device. A data communication means a communication connection via which data, such as data that is characteristic of times or temperatures, can be exchanged.

It is therefore advantageously proposed that the said system parts, such as a heating device or the forming device, communicate with each other, wherein it is also possible that said system parts communicate with a (higher) control device. The conversion device preferably has a control device for controlling it. The filling device preferably also has a control device for controlling it. Preferably, these control devices communicate with each other. In a further preferred method, a conversion process from a first set of blow molds to a second set of blow molds is carried out on the forming device and at least one characteristic value for the changeover process or changeover process is output and / or used. This value is preferably used for an automatic activation of the heating process of the heating device. Thus, it would be possible to start heating the heating device as soon as a certain number of blow molds have been changed.

In a further advantageous method, the characteristic value for the changeover process is a value that is characteristic of a number of conversion processes already carried out at individual conversion stations of the conversion device.

Preferably, at least one conversion process is carried out automatically or semi-automatically on the forming device. So it would be particularly possible that the blow molds are changed by robotic devices. In general, at least one changeover process is preferably carried out at least partially by a robot device. In this case, it is possible for this robot device, for example, to remove a blow mold or parts of a blow mold (such as the side parts or the bottom part) from a carrier and / or to mount new blow molds on the carrier. This robotic device can accommodate blow molds or parts thereof in a warehouse.

In the following, a changeover process is understood in particular as meaning a change of a beverage type, a change of containers and / or container sizes or the like. In particular, the changeover process is a changeover process, ie a process which requires a change of at least one element, for example an exchange of blow molds, filling elements or the like. If, for example, blow molds have to be replaced, it is possible to reheat the newly converted or mounted blow molds to an operating temperature. However, it would also be conceivable that only or at least parameters are changed as part of the changeover process. those which influence, for example, the blowing process, such as a blowing pressure or its course.

In a further advantageous method, the changeover process at the conversion device is concluded essentially simultaneously with the warming up of the heating device. In this way it can be achieved that the time which is used for the warming up of the heating device is also used, for example, to carry out set-up operations. In a further preferred method, at least one blow mold of at least one forming station is at least partially replaced by another blow mold during the changeover process. Thus, the entire blow molding of the individual transformation stations could be changed, but it would also be conceivable to change only parts of these blow molds, such as the side parts or bottom parts.

In a further advantageous method, heating or heating of the heating device takes place at least partially simultaneously with a change of blow molding. In a further preferred method, a test run of the device is carried out after the conversion process, wherein preferably this test run is initiated automatically. Thus, such a test run can be initiated as soon as it was determined that all blow molds were loaded correctly.

The value characteristic of the conversion status or conversion status of the conversion device is preferably a time value and / or a characteristic value for a temperature of at least one element of the conversion device or an element of the heating device.

In a further advantageous method, a predetermined number of test containers are produced and subsequently equipped. As part of this equipment, these containers are labeled and / or printed. In addition, however, it would also be possible for films, for example so-called shrink films, to be attached to the containers as part of this equipment process.

Overall, therefore, a method and a device are proposed with which this process (in particular during a changeover process) can be carried out in a shorter time and preferably fully automatically. The heating of the heating mungseinrichtung advantageous automatically via the controller so started that it assumes operating temperature while the completion of the blow mold change takes place at the same time (until ready to start the blowing wheel). This can be controlled by a time specification or, for example, by the start of the last / penultimate / third last etc. blow mold change.

Subsequently, an automatic test run is preferably triggered, which is advantageously monitored by a sensor device, such as a vibration sensor or other suitable sensors. If there is no fault during the test run, the production (for immediate filling or filling of sample bottles for quality inspection) can be started automatically - without operator intervention. If several machines are blocked, it is also possible to start the production of the whole block when it is ready.

In a further preferred method, a parallel or simultaneous heating of the furnace on the one hand and a blow mold change or a changeover process on the other hand prevented or excluded when the conversion process, such as the change of shape happens manually. In this way, the reliability can be increased, since injuries to the user are prevented by the heating process. Thus, it is possible, for example, that access devices to the forming device, for example protective doors, are kept closed when the heating device is in operation or when heating takes place.

The present invention is further directed to an apparatus for producing filled containers and in particular beverage containers. This device has a heating device which heats plastic preforms. In addition, the device has a forming device which converts plastic preforms heated by the heating device into plastic containers. In addition, the device has a fitting device which equips the containers produced by the forming device.

According to the invention, the device has a control device for controlling a conversion process of the device, and this control device controls heating of the heating device in such a way that at least at times the changeover process at the forming means and the heating operation of the heating means are performed simultaneously.

Advantageously, the heating device, the forming device and the labeling device can be operated synchronized with each other. In other words, these devices are preferably operated as a so-called block or in a block mode. This means that, for example, a change in the operating speed of one of these machines also entails a corresponding change in the operating speed of another machine. The forming device is preferably a blow molding machine and in particular a stretch blow molding machine.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the device has a filling device which fills the containers produced with a liquid and in particular a drink. In this case, this filling device is advantageously arranged in a transport direction of the containers after the labeling device. This means that the containers are first labeled (in an empty state) and then filled.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the device has a time management system which controls a production start of the device taking into account heating times of the heating device and / or a changeover process of the forming device. In particular, the heating times of the heating device can be taken into account. In addition, this time management system is preferably capable of and intended to control the heating device, taking into account a forming operation.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the time management system can be supplied with at least one characteristic value for a changeover process.

By way of example, this characteristic value can be a value which indicates that many transformation stations have already been retrofitted. So it would be conceivable, for example, that the warming of the heating device is started as soon as a certain number of the entire blow molds have been changed, about 17 out of 20 blow molds. In a further advantageous embodiment, the device has a display device which is suitable and intended for the output of data, wherein these data are characteristic of a heating of at least one element of the device. In addition, this display device can output data which are characteristic of a conversion process on the forming device. For example, it can be displayed how long a warm-up process of the heating device is already going on. It can also be displayed how many conversion stations have already undergone a conversion process.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the display device also has a time display and in particular a backward running time or a so-called countdown.

Further advantages and embodiments will be apparent from the attached drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a device according to the invention;

Fig. 2 is a timing chart according to the prior art;

Fig. 3 is a timing diagram of a method according to the invention.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a device according to the invention. This device has a forming device 2. At this forming device 2, a plurality of forming stations 22 on a rotatable support 24 is arranged. These forming stations 22 each serve to expand the plastic preforms into plastic containers. In this case, the individual forming stations each have blow molds (not shown) which are exchangeable.

The reference numeral 12 roughly indicates a heating device which serves to heat the plastic preforms. This heating device 12 can have a transport device (not shown), such as a transport chain, which transports the plastic preforms 10 in isolated fashion. Next to it, the heating device 12 a plurality of heating elements 14, which are preferably arranged stationary. In the context of a conversion operation and generally a start-up operation, these heating elements 14 must be warmed up. The heated by this heating device 12 plastic preforms 10 are passed over a transport device 32 such as in particular a transport star 32 to the forming device 2.

The containers formed by the forming device 2 are transferred via a further transfer star 34, now as plastic containers 20 to a labeling device 4. This labeling device 4 labels the individual containers 20 by means of at least one labeling unit 48. The labeled containers 20 are transferred via a further transport device 36, preferably again a transport star, to a filling device 6. The filling device fills the containers with a liquid and in particular a drink

The reference numeral 30 refers to a changer such as a robot for automatically changing the individual blow molds. This changing device can, for example, have a robot arm, which serves for gripping the individual blow molds and for replacing them. In this case, it is possible for the rotatable support 24 to continue to move in stations, and in each position the changing device takes out a blow mold and uses a new blow mold. It would also be possible that several such change devices 30 are provided. In addition, the changing device is preferably also able to perform this change fully automatically, as well as to separate liquid lines and Temperiermittelversorgungen with the change and restore. It is possible that the changing device, the blow molds in their entirety, ie as a mold package, changes. This automatic replacement of the blow molds is particularly advantageous in connection with the present invention, because then the entire process can be further automated and also the response times of a user can be omitted.

The reference numeral 40 indicates a control device for controlling the individual system parts, in particular also the heating device 12. It may be stipulated that heating or revaluation of the heating device 12 is only started. NEN, when a predetermined number of forming stations 22 and their blow molds has been changed. The reference numeral 46 denotes a display device by means of which relevant information for the changeover process can be output, for example information about how many blow molds have already been changed. In addition, a period can be output, as long as the heating device 12 has already been heated.

The reference numeral 42 denotes an input device by means of which the user can input data into the control device, for example the confirmation that a specific blow mold has been loaded. This input device may be, for example, a keyboard or a touchscreen. The reference numeral 44 denotes a (data) storage device which serves to store data which is characteristic of the change operation. Thus, for example, for different types of container in the storage device data may be stored, which are characteristic for the heating process of the heating device (such as an end temperature to be reached of the heating elements.)

2 shows an exemplary Gantt diagram with the time sequences of the individual processes. It can be seen here that the blow-mold change can take, for example, 20 minutes. After a reaction time of half a minute, a test run is carried out, which takes 2 minutes to complete. After completion of this test run and a further reaction time of half a minute, a heating of the heating device takes place, which takes 4 minutes to complete. After another half-minute reaction time, production can begin here after a total of 28 minutes.

3 shows a Gantt diagram for a procedure according to the invention. Here, the entire conversion process is automated. Furthermore, the processes take place partly simultaneously. Thus, the heating device is heated, even while the blow mold change is performed. In this way, a time saving of 4 minutes can be achieved here. Automation also eliminates the above reaction times. Also can be abbreviated according to the test run. As shown in Fig. 3, a production start after 21 minutes is possible in this embodiment. It would also be possible that during the Umstellvorgangs the forming device still Further conversion work can be carried out, such as a loading of the labeling device with labels.

The Applicant reserves the right to claim all features disclosed in the application documents as essential to the invention, provided that they are novel individually or in combination with respect to the prior art. It is further pointed out that features have also been described in the individual figures, which in themselves can be advantageous. The person skilled in the art immediately recognizes that a specific feature described in one figure can also be advantageous without the assumption of further features from this figure. Furthermore, the person skilled in the art recognizes that advantages can also result from a combination of several features shown in individual or in different figures.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 device

2 forming device

4 labeling device

6 filling device

10 plastic preforms

12 heating device

14 heating element

22 transformation station

24 carriers

30 changing device

32, 34, 36 transport device

40 control device

42 input device

44 (data) storage device

46 display device

48 labeling unit

Claims

claims

Method for carrying out a changeover process in a device (1) for producing beverage containers (20), wherein in a working operation of the device plastic preforms (10) are heated by means of a heating device (12) and then by means of a forming device (2) from these heated plastic preforms ( 10) plastic containers (20) are generated and wherein the heating device (12) is heated in the context of Umstellvorgangs and at least at the forming device (2) a Umrüstvorgang is performed in which at least one element of this forming device (2) becomes,

characterized in that

at least temporarily, the changeover process to the forming device (2) and the heating process of the heating device (12) are performed simultaneously and / or that after the conversion process, a test run of the device is performed, preferably this test run is initiated automatically.

Method according to claim 1,

characterized in that

in order to carry out the changeover process, at least one of the conversion devices (2) outputs and / or uses a value that is characteristic of a conversion status of this conversion device (2).

Method according to claim 1,

characterized in that

in which a blow mold change is carried out as part of the changeover process on the forming device (2) and at least one characteristic value for the changeover process is used for this changeover process.

4. The method according to claim 3,

characterized in that

the value characteristic of the changeover process is a value which is characteristic of a number of conversions already carried out on individual transformation stations (22) of the conversion device (2).

5. The method according to at least one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that

the conversion process of the forming device (2) is carried out at least partially automated.

6. The method according to at least one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that

the conversion process on the forming device (2) is completed substantially simultaneously with the heating of the heating device (12).

7. The method according to at least one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that

a predetermined number of test containers are manufactured and then equipped.

8. The method according to at least one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that

at least one conversion operation is performed at least partially by a robot device.

9. Device (1) for producing beverage containers (10), with a heating device (12) which heats plastic preforms (10), with a forming device (2), which of the heating device (12) heated plastic preforms (10) to plastic containers ( 20) and with an equipment (4), which equips the plastic containers (20) produced by the forming device (2),

characterized in that

the device (1) has a control device (40) for controlling a changeover Operation of the device (1) and this control device (40) controls a warming of the heating device (12) such that at least temporarily the Umrüstvorgang to the forming device (2) and the heating process of the heating device (12) are performed simultaneously and / or the control device (40) for - preferably automatic - initiation of a test run after the conversion process is suitable and intended.

10. Device (1) according to claim 9,

characterized in that

the heating device (12), the forming device (2) and the equipment are synchronized with each other operable.