WO2021083662A1

WO2021083662A1 - Filling device and method for filling containers

Info

Publication number: WO2021083662A1
Application number: PCT/EP2020/078822
Authority: WO
Inventors: Koushik SREEDHAR; Caroline ZIA; Bernhard Felten; Marta SUSLOW; Danny KIKOLOFF
Original assignee: Beiersdorf Ag
Priority date: 2019-11-01
Filing date: 2020-10-14
Publication date: 2021-05-06
Also published as: DE102019216903A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for filling containers according to the preamble of claim 1 and to a method for filling containers according to claim 12.

Description

Beiersdorf AG

Device for filling and method for filling containers

The invention relates to a device for filling containers according to the preamble of protection claim 1 and a method for filling containers according to protection claim 12.

Waste avoidance, recycling and reuse are the big issues of today and are subsumed under the term sustainability.

Depending on which technical area you are in, the sustainability requirements are different. For example, there are requirements for products that require certain unsustainable production processes or materials. In the area of products that come into contact with people, especially those that are ingested or applied by people, e.g. food and cosmetics, the focus is on toxins that must not get into / on the body. In particular, the natural toxins that are produced by microorganisms when the goods spoil are a major challenge. It is necessary to sterilize processed foods before they are placed on the market in order not to harm the consumer. The focus is on chemical disinfection using preservatives or thermal disinfection by heating. The natural contamination with microorganisms therefore partially runs counter to the efforts to achieve sustainability, because in the interests of consumer protection it is not always possible to use containers and packaging several times without thorough cleaning.

So-called packaging-free supermarkets, so-called unpackaged shops, have established themselves among strongly ecologically oriented sections of the population, especially the zero waste movement. Here the consumer is responsible for providing suitable packaging.

In these shops, however, they mainly sell products for self-filling that are not susceptible to germs, for example pasta, fruits, legumes, rice or detergents and cleaning agents. As a rule, these are "anhydrous" products in which microorganisms do not see a suitable habitat.

In the case of products that are susceptible to contamination, such as milk and dairy products, the cleaning of the container is usually in the hands of the consumer, for example at the milk filling station, which fills the consumer's own milk bottles. In the meantime, circulation systems such as Loop from Terracycle are also on the market, which ensure multiple filling in one container. However, with regard to sustainability, this has the disadvantage that the empty containers have to be transported to a central processing and filling location. The transport of empty containers, especially if they are characterized by low value or use of materials, runs counter to the idea of sustainability. Packaging used in such a process must also meet higher requirements in order to withstand machine cleaning and refilling several times. In contrast, with mass products such as beverages, multiple use should be aimed for in a more sustainable manner. A good example here is the beer market and / or mineral water market with its standard bottles.

It is therefore advantageous to establish a system that enables multiple filling with the containers currently used for end-user products if the number of items is only small and there are no standard containers.

The object of the invention is therefore to provide a device for filling containers which enables multiple but safe use of containers without the containers having to be fed to special collection and / or circulation systems for multiple filling.

The device according to the invention can be set up directly at the point of sale (POS) so that the consumer can refill containers that have already been used for the corresponding filling material.

The device according to the invention is therefore a device for filling containers, having an individual, container-specific identification feature comprising at least one storage reservoir for filling material of the container to be filled, at least one transport device for transporting the filling material from the reservoir into the

Container, at least one measuring device for determining the transported quantity, at least one control device for controlling the transported quantity of filling material on the basis of the quantity determined by the measuring device and a target value, at least one device for registering the container to be filled, at least one safety device that enables the container to be filled , in particular positioning of the container, monitored.

With such a device according to the invention, containers that have already been used by the consumer can be safely refilled because it is possible to refill them to prevent a container, since the containers are recognized and evaluated via the registration device.

According to the invention, the device can be used to fill all containers. It is even possible to fill cans and bags in addition to bottles, as long as the container fits under the dispensing opening of the product. The material of the container is irrelevant as long as it is resistant to the contents. However, bottle-like containers made of plastic materials such as PE, PP, PET or the like are preferred.

In the simplest case, the consumer must register the container himself, for example enter an individual, container-specific code attached to the container in an input field.

However, it is advantageous if the registration device comprises a means for recognizing a container feature and a data processing device and data storage unit. By recognizing which container it is, it can be determined, for example, which filling material was contained and with which filling material must be refilled.

In order not to enable an already refilled container to be recognized, it is advantageous if the device for registering the container to be filled stores the individual, container-specific identification feature.

It is within the meaning of the invention when the storage of the individual, container-specific identification feature takes place in a database in the data storage unit.

It is particularly advantageous if the storage of the individual, container-specific identification feature takes place in a central database outside the data storage unit and device, because this makes it possible for all devices according to the invention to access the same database. This means that the filling process is independent of the filling location and the consumer is not only bound to a POS, but can also use all stores in which a device according to the invention is installed and offers the filling with the corresponding filling material.

This central database should then be integrated into a network, via which the device according to the invention can access the central database.

By storing the identifier in a database, it is possible to store further features in addition to the individual, container-specific identifier, so that the individual, container-specific identifier and further features form a data record. The other features in the data record can be, for example, the filling material, the container volume and / or data at the time of filling. The previous period of use, the number of previous fillings and / or the amount to be filled can then be found out from the additional data in the course of a refilling.

It is particularly advantageous that the registration device also includes means for outputting information. In the simplest case, such a means can be a warning / signal light. It is advantageous, however, if the means for outputting information can convey information to the consumer in text or symbol / image form. Messages on small colored displays can now be implemented very easily using microcontroller control.

If a filling is desired, the first step is to identify and register the container. For this purpose, an individual, container-specific feature is read out / read out from the container by means of the device for registration.

The feature can be, for example, a text, barcode, QR code, which is attached to the outer surface of the container and is recorded by means of a camera belonging to the device for registration and is evaluated in the device for registration.

It is also within the meaning of the invention that the feature is read out from a means that can be read out by near field communication (NFC). This can be, for example, an RFID chip or a Bluetooth module.

The individual, container-specific feature recognized by the registration device can be used to create a new data record in the database.

The device according to the invention, in comparison to the filling devices already available on the market, is primarily intended to enable multiple filling of containers with filling goods that are sensitive to contamination. In order to ensure this, it is either necessary to preserve the filling goods strongly or, and this is the inventive approach, to prevent the too frequent filling of veders. In most cases, it is easily possible to fill a shampoo or body milk four to five times into the same container without the germs introduced by the air (mainly during emptying) causing spoilage.

It is therefore in the context of the invention if the device for registration uses data records available in the database to determine the number of previous fillings for a container and if a maximum number of fillings is exceeded, it no longer allows refilling.

The maximum number of fillings depends on the product and the type of container. According to the invention, the maximum number of times the container and / or the filling material can be filled is stored in the data memory or the database.

If the maximum number of fillings has been reached, it is advantageous to output information to the consumer via the means for outputting information. This information can, for example, also contain information on recycling or exchanging / replacing the container that can no longer be safely filled.

If the maximum number of fillings is not reached, the container can be refilled and the filling process is entered in the database.

The filling takes place in such a way that the filling material is removed from the reservoir using a transport device and passed into the container.

Depending on which filling material is involved, the transport device can be designed, for example, as a pump for fluid filling materials or as a screw conveyor or shovel chain for bulk materials.

The formation of the corresponding transport route, for example as a pipe / hose line, is known to the person skilled in the art and is in the prior art.

The filling is controlled by a control device. Such control devices are mapped via programmable logic controllers (PLC). They are able to record measured values, process them and control actuators (in particular the transport device).

According to the invention, the control device detects the amount of the transported filling material. If the maximum amount of filling material intended for the container has been filled into the container, the transport device is switched off. The amount of filling material already conveyed into the container can be determined, for example, via mass flow sensors or flow sensors in the transport path or by determining the container mass during the filling process. For the "mass-dependent" control it is necessary that the device for filling includes a scale on which the container stands during filling or on which the container hangs during filling. In the simplest case, the balance can be a force limit switch that generates a signal (change of state, response) when a limit value is reached.

In the context of the invention, the fill level in the container is also to be monitored using fill level sensors and / or fill level limit switches. This would also exclude overfilling of containers that are not completely emptied.

Devices according to the invention have means with which the positioning of the container can be monitored. Means based on a camera, photosensors, are advantageous and / or based on light barriers. Such means can also be represented in a combination of pressure sensors and / or special holders that are congruent to the shape of the bottle.

It is particularly advantageous if the device according to the invention for filling containers also comprises a means which enables the creation of an individual, container-specific feature, so that previously unused containers can also be filled for the first time. Such a means can include, for example, a possibility for product selection and a label printer, with a label which is individually designed for the selected product and which has the individual, container-specific feature. The container marked in this way can then be filled in the device according to the invention.

If a product selection is offered, it is possible for the person skilled in the art without great effort to provide the consumer with individual products with the device according to the invention for filling. The prior art knows various examples in which different partial preparations are removed from reservoirs and mixed / processed into a filling material within a filling device. However, all of these filling devices have the disadvantage that there is no control over the number of veder fillings that have already been carried out on a container.

The invention is explained in more detail with the aid of the schematic drawings. However, the invention is not intended to be restricted to what is shown schematically, which only serves to visually support the description.

Figure 1 shows a particular embodiment of a device according to the invention for filling.

FIG. 2 shows schematically the steps of the method according to the invention.

The following reference symbols are used:

1 device for filling containers

1.1 Reservoir for filling material

1.2 Transport device for transporting the filling goods

1.3 Measuring device to determine the amount transported

1.4 Device for registering the container to be filled

1.4.1 Means for recognizing a feature

1.4.2 Data processing device with data storage device

1.4.3 Means of outputting information

1.5 Control device for controlling the amount transported 1.6 Safety device

2 container

2.1 individual, container-specific identifier

Figure 1 shows schematically the structure of a device 1 according to the invention for filling containers. The device 1 has a storage reservoir 1.1 for the filling material. The filling material can be transported into the container 2 via corresponding connecting paths by means of the transport device for transporting the filling material 1.2. The transport device 1.2 is controlled via a control device for controlling the transported quantity 1.5 in connection with a measuring device for determining the transported quantity 1.3, so that a previously determined quantity is filled into the container. A safety device 1.6 ensures that the filling process does not start until the container has been correctly placed in the device. As an example, the safety device was designed as a simple light barrier. In addition, the device 1 has a device for registering the container 1.4 to be filled, which device comprises a means for recognizing a feature 1.4.1 and a data processing device with a data storage device 1.4.2. In the example shown, the means for recognizing a feature 1.4.1 is a camera which can recognize / read out the individual, container-specific recognition feature 2.1 on the container 2. In addition, the device for registering the container 1.4 to be filled has a means for outputting information 1.4.3 on which information can be provided to customers. This information can, for example, be the reason for not filling. Not shown in the figure is the connection between the control device for controlling the transported quantity 1.5 and the device for registering the container 1.4 to be filled, via which the control device receives the release signal for the filling. This connection can be wired or wireless (radio). If two or more control devices have to communicate with one another, the connection is usually implemented as bus systems.

FIG. 2 schematically shows the sequence of a method according to the invention for filling using a device according to the invention for filling.

In a first step A, recognition and registration of the container to be filled takes place on the basis of its individual, container-specific feature.

In the subsequent step B, the number of filling processes of the container x that has taken place to date is determined using the data records in the database. Then, in step C, the number of filling processes of the container that has taken place so far is compared with a maximum number of filling processes x _{max stored in the data memory.}

Depending on the result of this comparison, either the filling is released (step D) or the container is rejected (rejection) in step E.

Claims

1. Device for filling containers, having an individual, container-specific identification feature comprising at least one storage reservoir for filling material of the container to be filled, at least one transport device for transporting the filling material from the reservoir into the

Container, at least one measuring device for determining the transported quantity, at least one control device for controlling the transported quantity of filling material on the basis of the quantity determined by the measuring device and a target value, at least one device for registering the container to be filled, at least one safety device which is capable of being filled of the container, in particular the positioning of the container, is monitored.

2. Device for filling containers according to claim 1, characterized in that the device for registration comprises a means for recognizing a feature, in particular an individual, container-specific recognition feature and a data storage unit,

3. Device for filling containers according to claim 2, characterized in that the device for registering the container to be filled stores the individual, container-specific identification feature.

4. Device for filling containers according to claim 3, characterized in that the storage of the individual, container-specific identification feature takes place in a database in the data storage unit.

5. The device for filling containers according to claim 3, characterized in that the storage of the individual, container-specific identification features takes place in a central database outside the data storage unit.

6. The device for filling containers according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the database stores further features in addition to the individual, container-specific identifier and the individual, container-specific identifier and further features form a data record.

7. The device for filling containers according to claim 6, characterized in that the further features in the data record are data on the filling material, the filling material, container volume and / or data at the time of filling.

8. Device for filling containers according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the device for registration comprises means for outputting information.

9. Device for filling containers according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the device for registration can determine the number of fillings on the basis of existing data records for a container and does not allow refilling if a maximum number of fillings is exceeded.

10. The device for filling containers according to claim 9, characterized in that the maximum number of fillings depends on the container and / or the filling material and is stored in the data memory.

11. Device for filling containers according to one of claims 9 to 10, characterized in that the device for registration outputs information about the means for outputting information when the maximum number of fillings is reached.

12. A method for filling a container using a device for filling according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the following steps are carried out:

Recognition and registration of the container to be filled based on its individual, container-specific feature,

Determination of the number of filling processes of the container that have taken place so far on the basis of the data records in the database,

Comparison of the number of filling processes of the container that have taken place so far with a maximum number of filling processes stored in the data memory,

Decision as to whether the maximum number of filling processes has already been reached, whereby the filling process is initiated when the maximum number of filling processes has not yet been reached or output of information about the no longer possible refilling if the number of fillings that have taken place so far is greater than or equal to the maximum number of fillings .

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that the filling of the container comprises the following steps:

Checking the fillability and / or positioning of the container in the device,

- If the container can be filled and positioned, then the container is filled, with the amount of product being conveyed being measured and the filling being terminated when a maximum value is reached,

- If it cannot be filled, a warning message is output via the means for outputting information.

14. A method for refilling a container, characterized in that the following steps are carried out: Acquisition of a product, comprising a product in a container by a consumer,

Consumption of the product by the consumer,

Refilling of the empty container by a method according to claims 12 to 13, as long as the maximum number of refills has not yet been reached,

Disposal or exchange of the container when the maximum number of refills has been reached.