U.S. patent application number 11/624483 was filed with the patent office on 2007-07-19 for beverage bottling plant for filling beverage bottles with a liquid beverage material and a method of operation thereof.
Invention is credited to Volker Till.
Application Number | 20070163213 11/624483 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37909679 |
Filed Date | 2007-07-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070163213 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Till; Volker |
July 19, 2007 |
BEVERAGE BOTTLING PLANT FOR FILLING BEVERAGE BOTTLES WITH A LIQUID
BEVERAGE MATERIAL AND A METHOD OF OPERATION THEREOF
Abstract
A beverage bottling plant for filling beverage bottles with a
liquid beverage material and a method of operation thereof. The
abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37
C.F.R. .sctn.1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. .sctn.1.72(b): A brief
abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must
commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims,
under the heading "Abstract of the Disclosure." The purpose of the
abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the
public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the
nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not
be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any
statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit
the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting
the claims in any manner.
Inventors: |
Till; Volker;
(HOFHEIM/TAUNUS, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
NILS H. LJUNGMAN & ASSOCIATES
P. O. BOX 130
GREENSBURG
PA
15601-0130
US
|
Family ID: |
37909679 |
Appl. No.: |
11/624483 |
Filed: |
January 18, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
53/471 ;
53/281 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B29C 49/20 20130101;
B29C 49/2408 20130101; B29C 49/06 20130101; B29C 49/36 20130101;
B29C 2049/2017 20130101; B29C 2049/2065 20130101; B29C 2049/2047
20130101; B65D 23/0864 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
053/471 ;
053/281 |
International
Class: |
B65B 3/04 20060101
B65B003/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 19, 2006 |
DE |
10 2006 002 632.2 |
Claims
1. A method of operating a beverage bottling plant for filling
beverage bottles with liquid beverage material, said beverage
bottling plant comprising: a beverage bottle filling machine being
configured and disposed to fill beverage bottles with liquid
beverage material; a first conveyor arrangement being configured
and disposed to convey beverage bottles to said beverage bottle
filling machine; a beverage bottle closing machine being configured
and disposed to close tops of filled beverage bottles; a second
conveyor arrangement being configured and disposed to convey filled
beverage bottles to said beverage bottle closing machine; a
beverage bottle packing machine being configured and disposed to
pack closed, filled beverage bottles; a third conveyor arrangement
being configured and disposed to convey closed, filled beverage
bottles to said beverage bottle packing machine; a beverage bottle
forming machine being configured and disposed to form beverage
bottles; a central control system being operatively connected to
each of said machines to monitor and control the operation thereof;
said beverage bottle filling machine comprising: a rotor; a
rotatable vertical machine column; said rotor being connected to
said vertical machine column to permit rotation of said rotor about
said vertical machine column; a plurality of beverage bottle
filling elements for filling beverage bottles with liquid beverage
material being disposed on the periphery of said rotor; each of
said plurality of beverage bottle filling elements comprising a
container carrier being configured and disposed to receive and hold
beverage bottles to be filled; each of said plurality of beverage
bottle filling elements being configured and disposed to dispense
liquid beverage material into beverage bottles to be filled; at
least one liquid reservoir being configured to hold a supply of
liquid beverage material; at least one supply line being configured
and disposed to connect said at least one liquid reservoir to said
beverage bottle filling machine to supply liquid beverage material
to said beverage bottle filling machine; a first star wheel
structure being configured and disposed to move beverage bottles
into said beverage bottle filling machine; and a second star wheel
structure being configured and disposed to move beverage bottles
out of said beverage bottle filling machine; said beverage bottle
forming machine comprising: a rotor; a rotatable vertical machine
column; said rotor being connected to said vertical machine column
to permit rotation of said rotor about said vertical machine
column; a plurality of beverage bottle forming arrangements for
forming beverage bottles being disposed on the periphery of said
rotor; each of said plurality of beverage bottle forming
arrangements comprising: a mold being configured to mold blown,
plastic material into a beverage bottle; said mold comprising two
movable side portions disposed opposite one another and a movable
bottom portion; said movable bottom portion being configured and
disposed to insert a beverage bottle sleeve in between said two
movable side portions; said two movable side portions being
configured and disposed to hold a beverage bottle sleeve there
between; a movable blower head being configured and disposed to
insert a beverage bottle blank into said mold; and said movable
blower head being configured and disposed to blow air into a
beverage bottle blank to expand the blank against the interior of
said mold to form a beverage bottle, and to press a portion of the
outer surface of the beverage bottle against the inner surface of a
beverage bottle sleeve in said mold to connect the beverage bottle
sleeve to the beverage bottle; and a star wheel structure being
configured and disposed to move beverage bottles out of said
beverage bottle forming machine; said beverage bottle closing
machine comprising: a rotor; a rotatable vertical machine column;
said rotor being connected to said vertical machine column to
permit rotation of said rotor about said vertical machine column; a
plurality of closing devices being disposed on the periphery of
said rotor; each of said plurality of closing devices being
configured and disposed to place closures on filled beverage
bottles; each of said plurality of closing devices comprising a
container carrier being configured and disposed to receive and hold
filled beverage bottles; a first star wheel structure being
configured and disposed to move filled beverage bottles into said
beverage bottle closing machine; and a second star wheel structure
being configured and disposed to move filled, closed beverage
bottles out of said beverage bottle closing machine; said beverage
bottle packing machine comprising: a sorting arrangement being
configured and disposed to sort and group beverage bottles into
groups; and a packaging arrangement being configured and disposed
to package the groups of beverage bottles; said method comprising
the steps of: moving beverage bottles to said filling machine;
moving beverage bottles into said filling machine; filling beverage
bottles with a liquid beverage material in said filling machine;
moving filled beverage bottles out of said filling machine; moving
filled beverage bottles to said closing machine; moving filled
beverage bottles into said machine; closing filled beverage bottles
with a closure in said closing machine; prior to filling beverage
bottles in said filling machine, moving beverage bottle blanks into
said beverage bottle forming machine; inserting with said blower
heads beverage bottle blanks into said molds; inserting with said
movable bottom portions beverage bottle sleeves into said molds;
blowing air into beverage bottle blanks in said molds and expanding
the blanks against the interiors of said molds to form beverage
bottles and to press a portion of the outer surface of the beverage
bottles against the inner surfaces of the beverage bottle sleeves
in said molds to connect the beverage bottle sleeves to the
beverage bottles; moving beverage bottles out of said beverage
bottle forming machine and to said beverage bottle filling machine;
moving filled, closed beverage bottles out of said beverage bottle
closing machine; moving filled, closed beverage bottles to said
packing machine; sorting filled, closed beverage bottles; grouping
filled, closed, sorted beverage bottles; and packaging filled,
closed, sorted, grouped beverage bottles in packages.
2. The method of operating a beverage bottling plant according to
claim 1, wherein for the blowing of the beverage bottle, the blank
prepared on a blow head or a blow nozzle is introduced into the
mold cavity of the blow mold from a first side, for example from
the top, and the at least one reinforcement or stabilizing element
is introduced into the mold cavity from a second side, for example
from the bottom of the blow mold.
3. The method of operating a beverage bottling plant according to
claim 2, wherein the introduction of the at least one reinforcement
or stabilizing element into the mold cavity of the blow mold takes
place simultaneously or approximately simultaneously with the
introduction of the blank into the mold cavity and/or the closing
of the blow mold.
4. The method of operating a beverage bottling plant according to
claim 3, wherein the at least one reinforcement or stabilizing
element is at least partly fixed and/or expanded in the blow mold,
for example by vacuum or suction and/or mechanical fixing means;
and the reinforcement or stabilizing element is a sleeve-like
element that surrounds the beverage bottle in the beverage bottle
area to be stabilized, for example a sleeve that is made of a flat
material, e.g. plastic, cardboard or multiple-layer paper.
5. The method of operating a beverage bottling plant according to
claim 4, wherein the at least one reinforcement or stabilizing
element is a grid-shaped, cage-like and/or hook-like element that
at least partly surrounds the beverage bottle in the area to be
stabilized; and the at least one reinforcement or stabilizing
element is elastically deformable; and the at least one
reinforcement or stabilizing element has raised mold elements on
its inner jacket surface.
6. The method of operating a beverage bottling plant according to
claim 5, wherein the at least one reinforcement or stabilizing
element has depressions on its inner jacket surface; and/or the at
least one reinforcing or stabilizing element has at least one hole
that penetrates its jacket surface; and the at least one
reinforcing or stabilizing element has flexible elements on its
inner jacket surface; and the at least one reinforcement or
stabilizing element, at least on its surface facing away from the
beverage bottle outside, is at least partly printed and/or contains
a graphic and/or color design; and the method further comprises the
manufacture of the beverage bottles on a blowing machine that
employs a rotary construction with a plurality of blow molds
provided on a rotor that is driven in rotation around a vertical
machine axis.
7. A container made by inserting with blower heads beverage bottle
blanks into molds; inserting with movable bottom portions of said
molds beverage bottle sleeves into said molds; blowing air into
beverage bottle blanks in said molds and expanding the blanks
against the interiors of said molds to form beverage bottles and to
press a portion of the outer surface of the beverage bottles
against the inner surfaces of the beverage bottle sleeves in said
molds to connect the beverage bottle sleeves to the beverage
bottles; said container comprising plastic, in particular a PET
bottle, wherein the container is provided on the outer surface of a
container area to be stabilized with at least one reinforcement or
stabilizing element which during the molding or blowing is
connected with the container positively or non-positively.
8. The container according to claim 7, wherein the reinforcement or
stabilizing element is a sleeve-like element that surrounds the
container in the container area to be stabilized, for example a
sleeve manufactured from a flat material, e.g. from plastic,
cardboard or multiple-layer paper.
9. The container according to claim 8, wherein the at least one
reinforcement or stabilizing element is an element that at least
partly surrounds the container in the area to be stabilized, for
example a grid, cage or hook-like element.
10. The container according to claim 9, wherein the at least one
reinforcement or stabilizing element is at least partly printed
and/or has a graphic and/or color design on its surface facing away
from the outside of the container; and the at least one
reinforcement or stabilizing element is at least partly printed
and/or has a graphic and/or color design on its surface facing the
inside of the container.
11. The container according to claim 10, wherein the at least one
reinforcement or stabilizing element has at least one hole which is
located opposite the printing applied to the inside of the
reinforcement or stabilizing element; and the container has a
larger diameter, at least below the specified position of the lower
end of the reinforcement or stabilizing element.
12. A method of operating a container filling plant, said method
comprising the steps of: moving containers to a filling machine;
moving containers into said filling machine; filling containers
with a liquid beverage material in said filling machine; moving
filled containers out of said filling machine; moving filled
containers to a closing machine; moving filled containers into said
machine; closing filled containers with a closure in said closing
machine; prior to filling containers in said filling machine,
moving container blanks into a container forming machine; inserting
container blanks into a mold in forming arrangements of said
container forming machine; inserting container sleeves into said
molds; blowing air into container blanks in said molds and
expanding the blanks against the interiors of said molds to form
containers and to press a portion of the outer surface of the
containers against the inner surfaces of the container sleeves in
said molds to connect the container sleeves to the containers;
moving containers out of said container forming machine and to said
container filling machine; moving filled, closed containers out of
said container closing machine; moving filled, closed containers to
a packing machine; sorting filled, closed containers; grouping
filled, closed, sorted containers; and packaging filled, closed,
sorted, grouped containers in packages.
13. The method of operating a container filling plant according to
claim 12, wherein for the blowing of the container, the blank
prepared on a blow head or a blow nozzle is introduced into the
mold cavity of the blow mold from a first side, for example from
the top, and the at least one reinforcement or stabilizing element
is introduced into the mold cavity from a second side, for example
from the bottom of the blow mold.
14. The method of operating a container filling plant according to
claim 13, wherein the introduction of the at least one
reinforcement or stabilizing element into the mold cavity of the
blow mold takes place simultaneously or approximately
simultaneously with the introduction of the blank into the mold
cavity and/or the closing of the blow mold.
15. The method of operating a container filling plant according to
claim 14, wherein the at least one reinforcement or stabilizing
element is at least partly fixed and/or expanded in the blow mold,
for example by vacuum or suction and/or mechanical fixing
means.
16. The method of operating a container filling plant according to
claim 15, wherein the reinforcement or stabilizing element is a
sleeve-like element that surrounds the container in the container
area to be stabilized, for example a sleeve that is made of a flat
material, e.g. plastic, cardboard or multiple-layer paper.
17. The method of operating a container filling plant according to
claim 16, wherein the at least one reinforcement or stabilizing
element is a grid-shaped, cage-like and/or hook-like element that
at least partly surrounds the container in the area to be
stabilized.
18. The method of operating a container filling plant according to
claim 17, wherein the at least one reinforcement or stabilizing
element is elastically deformable; and the at least one
reinforcement or stabilizing element has raised mold elements on
its inner jacket surface.
19. The method of operating a container filling plant according to
claim 18, wherein the at least one reinforcement or stabilizing
element has depressions on its inner jacket surface; and/or the at
least one reinforcing or stabilizing element has at least one hole
that penetrates its jacket surface.
20. The method of operating a container filling plant according to
claim 19, wherein the at least one reinforcing or stabilizing
element has flexible elements on its inner jacket surface; and the
at least one reinforcement or stabilizing element, at least on its
surface facing away from the container outside, is at least partly
printed and/or contains a graphic and/or color design; and the
method further comprises the manufacture of the containers on a
blowing machine that employs a rotary construction with a plurality
of blow molds provided on a rotor that is driven in rotation around
a vertical machine axis.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] 1. Technical Field
[0002] This application relates to a beverage bottling plant for
filling beverage bottles with a liquid beverage material and a
method of operation thereof.
[0003] 2. Background Information
[0004] A beverage bottling plant for filling bottles with a liquid
beverage filling material can possibly comprise a beverage filling
machine, which is often a rotary filling machine, with a plurality
of beverage filling positions, each beverage filling position
having a beverage filling device for filling bottles with liquid
beverage filling material. The filling devices may have an
apparatus designed to introduce a predetermined volume of liquid
beverage filling material into the interior of bottles to a
substantially predetermined level of liquid beverage filling
material.
[0005] Some beverage bottling plants may possibly comprise filling
arrangements that receive a liquid beverage material from a
toroidal or annular vessel, in which a supply of liquid beverage
material is stored under pressure by a gas. The toroidal vessel may
also be connected to at least one external reservoir or supply of
liquid beverage material by a conduit or supply line. In some
circumstances it may even be possible that a beverage bottling
plant has two external supply reservoirs, each of which may be
configured to store either the same liquid beverage product or
different products. These reservoirs could possibly be connected to
the toroidal or annular vessel by corresponding supply lines,
conduits, or other arrangements. It is also possible that the
external supply reservoirs could be in the form of simple storage
tanks, or in the form of liquid beverage product mixers.
[0006] A wide variety of types of filling elements are used in
filling machines in beverage bottling or container filling plants
for dispensing a liquid product into bottles, cans or similar
containers, including but not limited to filling processes that are
carried out under counterpressure for the bottling of carbonated
beverages. The apparatus designed to introduce a predetermined flow
of liquid beverage filling material further comprises an apparatus
that is designed to terminate the filling of the beverage bottles
upon the liquid beverage filling material reaching the
predetermined level in bottles. There may also be provided a
conveyer arrangement that is designed to move bottles, for example,
from an inspecting machine to the filling machine.
[0007] After a filling process has been completed, the filled
beverage bottles are transported or conveyed to a closing machine,
which is often a rotary closing machine. A revolving or rotary
machine comprises a rotor, which revolves around a central,
vertical machine axis. There may further be provided a conveyer
arrangement configured to transfer filled bottles from the filling
machine to the closing station. A transporting or conveying
arrangement can utilize transport star wheels as well as linear
conveyors. A closing machine closes bottles by applying a closure,
such as a screw-top cap or a bottle cork, to a corresponding bottle
mouth. Closed bottles are then usually conveyed to an information
adding arrangement, wherein information, such as a product name or
a manufacturer's information or logo, is applied to a bottle. A
closing station and information adding arrangement may be connected
by a corresponding conveyer arrangement. Bottles are then sorted
and packaged for shipment out of the plant.
[0008] Many beverage bottling plants may also possibly comprise a
rinsing arrangement or rinsing station to which new, non-return
and/or even return bottles are fed, prior to being filled, by a
conveyer arrangement, which can be a linear conveyor or a
combination of a linear conveyor and a starwheel. Downstream of the
rinsing arrangement or rinsing station, in the direction of travel,
rinsed bottles are then transported to the beverage filling machine
by a second conveyer arrangement that is formed, for example, by
one or more starwheels that introduce bottles into the beverage
filling machine.
[0009] It is a further possibility that a beverage bottling plant
for filling bottles with a liquid beverage filling material can be
controlled by a central control arrangement, which could be, for
example, a computerized control system that monitors and controls
the operation of the various stations and mechanisms of the
beverage bottling plant.
[0010] At least one existing process for the manufacture of plastic
bottles, including PET bottles, uses a blowing method from
preforms, or blanks, which are heated and formed into respective
bottles by blowing in a blow mold. At least one process relates to
plastic or PET bottles that are realized in the form of very
thin-walled lightweight bottles that therefore have low mechanical
stability on their bottle bodies and especially on their bottle
body, which is generally cylindrical or approximately cylindrical,
i.e. they are relatively soft. Thin-walled lightweight PET bottles
of this type, which are generally used only once and the material
or materials of which bottles, after use, are recycled to
manufacture new bottles, have the advantage, among other things,
that they are lightweight and require little material. As a result
of their thin-walled construction, however, there is a risk that
lightweight bottles of this type can be deformed when they are
grasped by the hand in the middle of the bottle and/or that they
will buckle in the middle of the bottle on account of the weight of
the contents.
OBJECT OR OBJECTS
[0011] An object of at least one possible embodiment is to indicate
a method of operating a beverage bottling plant for filling
beverage bottles with a liquid beverage material. An additional
object of at least one possible embodiment of the present
application is to indicate a method for the manufacture of plastic
bottles or similar containers which, while retaining the capability
of employing an efficient and economical fabrication process,
creates improved mechanical stability even for thin-walled
containers.
SUMMARY
[0012] At least one possible embodiment of the present application
teaches a method for manufacturing bottles or similar containers
made of plastic, such as for manufacturing PET bottles, by possibly
blowing a preform using a blow mold, wherein prior to a blowing
process, a reinforcement or stabilizing element is introduced into
a blow mold, and an element may be located between an inner or mold
surface of a blow mold and an outer surface of a container that can
be formed during blowing of a preform, and can be connected with a
container by a fabrication process positively and/or
non-positively.
[0013] A mechanical stabilization or reinforcement element can be a
single-layer or multiple-layer flat material, for example, e.g.
plastic and/or cardboard and/or multiple-layer paper. Other
realizations of a reinforcement or stabilizing element are also
conceivable.
[0014] In at least one possible embodiment, at least one
reinforcement or stabilization element can be essentially held to a
container by a positive and/or non-detachable and/or adhesive
manner, and possibly by encircling the container in an area of the
container to be stabilized with a ring or sleeve, so that the
container may be in substantially firm contact by means of its
outside surface against an inside surface of the reinforcement or
stabilizing element and/or for example so that in the area where
the reinforcement or stabilization element is provided, the
container essentially has a waist area with a somewhat smaller
diameter and/or has segments with a somewhat larger outside
diameter above and/or below the reinforcement or stabilizing
element, so that the reinforcement or stabilizing element is
thereby secured to possibly prevent its axial displacement on the
container. Other types of a positive and/or non-detachable and/or
adhesive connection of the reinforcement or stabilizing element to
the containers are also possible, including but not limited to
those that are adapted to the type and shape of the reinforcement
or stabilizing elements.
[0015] At least one possible embodiment of the present application
also teaches that at least one reinforcement or stabilizing element
can essentially be connected to the container by means of
non-positive and/or even possibly detachable connection.
[0016] One advantage of at least one embodiment is that for the
fabrication of the containers provided with the reinforcement or
stabilizing elements, the blowing machines that are already being
used by a manufacturer, for example by a beverage producer or a
bottling plant, can essentially be used without modifications or at
least without significant modifications, and essentially including
also the control system for the blow molds.
[0017] Developments of at least one embodiment of the present
application are described herein.
[0018] The above-discussed embodiments of the present invention
will be described further hereinbelow. When the word "invention" or
"embodiment of the invention" is used in this specification, the
word "invention" or "embodiment of the invention" includes
"inventions" or "embodiments of the invention", that is the plural
of "invention" or "embodiment of the invention". By stating
"invention" or "embodiment of the invention", the Applicant does
not in any way admit that the present application does not include
more than one patentably and non-obviously distinct invention, and
maintains that this application may include more than one
patentably and non-obviously distinct invention. The Applicant
hereby asserts that the disclosure of this application may include
more than one invention, and, in the event that there is more than
one invention, that these inventions may be patentable and
non-obvious one with respect to the other.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] At least one possible embodiment of the present application
is explained in greater detail below on the basis of one exemplary
embodiment that is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in
which:
[0020] FIG. 1A shows schematically the main components of one
possible embodiment example of what may be a typical system for
filling containers;
[0021] FIG. 1B is a block diagram which shows an additional
possible variation of the arrangement of components shown in FIG.
1A;
[0022] FIG. 1 is a simplified schematic drawing of a plastic bottle
manufactured using the blowing method as describe herein;
[0023] FIGS. 2A-2C illustrate various steps in the method for the
manufacture of the bottle illustrated in FIG. 1;
[0024] FIG. 2D shows an additional embodiment example of a method
for the manufacture of a bottle;
[0025] FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate additional variants for the
positive and/or non-detachable and/or adhesive connection and
fastening of a stabilizing or reinforcement element to the
bottle.
[0026] FIG. 3C shows a symbolically illustrated variant for the
non-positive and/or possibly detachable fastening of a stabilizing
or reinforcement element to the bottle.
[0027] FIGS. 3D-3F are additional illustrations of the possible
embodiments of stabilizing or reinforcement elements shown in FIGS.
3A-3C.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT OR EMBODIMENTS
[0028] FIG. 1A shows schematically the main components of one
possible embodiment example of what may be a typical system for
filling containers, specifically, a beverage bottling plant for
filling bottles B with at least one liquid beverage, in accordance
with at least one possible embodiment, in which system or plant
could possibly be utilized at least one aspect, or several aspects,
of the embodiments disclosed herein.
[0029] FIG. 1A shows a rinsing arrangement or rinsing station 101,
to which the containers, namely bottles B, are fed in the direction
of travel as indicated by the arrow A1, by a first conveyer
arrangement 103, which can be a linear conveyor or a combination of
a linear conveyor and a starwheel. Downstream of the rinsing
arrangement or rinsing station 101, in the direction of travel as
indicated by the arrow A1, the rinsed bottles B are transported to
a beverage filling machine 105 by a second conveyer arrangement 104
that is formed, for example, by one or more starwheels that
introduce bottles B into the beverage filling machine 105.
[0030] The beverage filling machine 105 shown is of a revolving or
rotary design, with a rotor 105', which revolves around a central,
vertical machine axis. The rotor 105' is designed to receive and
hold the bottles B for filling at a plurality of filling positions
113 located about the periphery of the rotor 105'. At each of the
filling positions 103 is located a filling arrangement 114 having
at least one filling device, element, apparatus, or valve. The
filling arrangements 114 are designed to introduce a predetermined
volume or amount of liquid beverage into the interior of the
bottles B to a predetermined or desired level.
[0031] The filling arrangements 114 receive the liquid beverage
material from a toroidal or annular vessel 117, in which a supply
of liquid beverage material is stored under pressure by a gas. The
toroidal vessel 117 is a component, for example, of the revolving
rotor 105'. The toroidal vessel 117 can be connected by means of a
rotary coupling or a coupling that permits rotation. The toroidal
vessel 117 is also connected to at least one external reservoir or
supply of liquid beverage material by a conduit or supply line. In
the embodiment shown in FIG. 1A, there are two external supply
reservoirs 123 and 124, each of which is configured to store either
the same liquid beverage product or different products. These
reservoirs 123, 124 are connected to the toroidal or annular vessel
117 by corresponding supply lines, conduits, or arrangements 121
and 122. The external supply reservoirs 123, 124 could be in the
form of simple storage tanks, or in the form of liquid beverage
product mixers, in at least one possible embodiment.
[0032] As well as the more typical filling machines having one
toroidal vessel, it is possible that in at least one possible
embodiment there could be a second toroidal or annular vessel which
contains a second product. In this case, each filling arrangement
114 could be connected by separate connections to each of the two
toroidal vessels and have two individually-controllable fluid or
control valves, so that in each bottle B, the first product or the
second product can be filled by means of an appropriate control of
the filling product or fluid valves.
[0033] Downstream of the beverage filling machine 105, in the
direction of travel of the bottles B, there can be a beverage
bottle closing arrangement or closing station 106 which closes or
caps the bottles B. The beverage bottle closing arrangement or
closing station 106 can be connected by a third conveyer
arrangement 107 to a beverage bottle labeling arrangement or
labeling station 108. The third conveyor arrangement may be formed,
for example, by a plurality of starwheels, or may also include a
linear conveyor device.
[0034] In the illustrated embodiment, the beverage bottle labeling
arrangement or labeling station 108 has at least one labeling unit,
device, or module, for applying labels to bottles B. In the
embodiment shown, the labeling arrangement 108 is connected by a
starwheel conveyer structure to three output conveyer arrangements:
a first output conveyer arrangement 109, a second output conveyer
arrangement 110, and a third output conveyer arrangement 111, all
of which convey filled, closed, and labeled bottles B to different
locations.
[0035] The first output conveyer arrangement 109, in the embodiment
shown, is designed to convey bottles B that are filled with a first
type of liquid beverage supplied by, for example, the supply
reservoir 123. The second output conveyer arrangement 110, in the
embodiment shown, is designed to convey bottles B that are filled
with a second type of liquid beverage supplied by, for example, the
supply reservoir 124. The third output conveyer arrangement 111, in
the embodiment shown, is designed to convey incorrectly labeled
bottles B. To further explain, the labeling arrangement 108 can
comprise at least one beverage bottle inspection or monitoring
device that inspects or monitors the location of labels on the
bottles B to determine if the labels have been correctly placed or
aligned on the bottles B. The third output conveyer arrangement 111
removes any bottles B which have been incorrectly labeled as
determined by the inspecting device.
[0036] The beverage bottling plant can be controlled by a central
control arrangement 112, which could be, for example, computerized
control system that monitors and controls the operation of the
various stations and mechanisms of the beverage bottling plant.
[0037] FIG. 1B shows a possible variation of the arrangement of
essentially main components of one possible embodiment example of
what may be a typical system for filling containers as shown in
FIG. 1A. Additionally, FIG. 1B shows a bottle forming arrangement
228 preceding the filling station 105. In at least one possible
embodiment, the beverage bottling plant is shown to also have a
packaging station 303 located downstream from the labeling
arrangement 108 in the beverage bottling plant.
[0038] In other possible embodiments, an inspection station can be
located in the beverage bottling plant downstream from the bottle
forming arrangement 228, in which the newly-formed bottles can be
inspected prior to being filled at the beverage filling machine
105. In at least one possible embodiment example, a conveyor
arrangement designed to convey bottles B from the bottle forming
arrangement 228 to the beverage filling machine 105, can pass an
inspection station, comprising an output conveyor arrangement. The
output conveyer arrangement can convey incorrectly formed or
damaged bottles B. The inspection arrangement can comprise at least
one beverage bottle inspection or monitoring device that inspects
or monitors the appearance of the bottles B to determine if the
bottles have been correctly formed. The output conveyer arrangement
removes any bottles B which have been incorrectly formed as
determined by the inspecting device.
[0039] In the figures, reference numeral 1 indicates a thin-walled,
or lightweight, PET bottle manufactured from plastic using a
blowing method, with a mouth area 1.1 that has a bottle mouth, with
an adjacent shoulder area 1.2 that has a substantially widening
cross section, with a bottle body or body area 1.3 which, in the
illustrated embodiment, is essentially cylindrical, and with a
generally structured bottle bottom 1.4.
[0040] In the body area 1.3, the bottle 1 is essentially encircled
by a sleeve 2, which is in substantially close contact with its
inner surface against the outer surface of the body area 1.3 and
essentially acts as a reinforcement or stabilizing element to
substantially mechanically stabilize the bottle 1 in the body area
1.3. The sleeve 2, which in the illustrated embodiment essentially
extends over almost the entire axial length of the body area 1.3,
is possibly fabricated from an relatively flat material that is
appropriate for the desired stabilization, such as cardboard or
paperboard, possibly in the form of a paperboard tube, or possibly
even from a single-layer or multiple-layer paper, and essentially
using the technology of existing methods for the manufacture of
sleeves or tubes made of paperboard or cardboard, such as by
possibly winding.
[0041] The sleeve 2 is essentially secured to the bottle 1 on one
hand substantially as a result of the fact that the body area 1.3
is in relatively firm contact against the inside of the sleeve 2,
and on the other hand in the illustrated embodiment substantially
as a result of the fact that the body area 1.3 has a somewhat
slightly narrower waist in the vicinity of the sleeve 2, so that
the sleeve 2 is consequently additionally substantially secured to
the bottle 1 to essentially prevent it from possibly
unintentionally slipping downward.
[0042] As illustrated in FIG. 3, in at least one possible
embodiment, the sleeve can be held to the bottle 1 positively
and/or in a substantially non-detachable and/or adhesive manner
because the sleeve 2, on its inside, has elements that essentially
mesh evenly with the blown bottle, and thus possibly prevent a
relative displacement between the sleeve 2 and the bottle 1 in the
axial direction. These elements can essentially be, for example,
elevations that have a substantially triangular or semi-circular
cross section, as in FIG. 3A, which essentially at least partly
fill up or run through the inner jacket of the sleeve 2. FIG. 3D
shows the exterior surface of bottle 1 with recessed channels 1c
essentially mating and fitting together with substantially angular
ridge projections 1r of the interior surface of sleeve 2. These
elements can also possibly be substantially cone-shaped elements,
for example, as illustrated in FIG. 3B, which extend in a
substantially punctiform manner from the inner jacket of the sleeve
2. FIG. 3E shows the exterior surface of bottle 1 having
essentially cone-shaped recesses 1s mating and fitting together
with essentially cone-shaped projections 1p on the interior surface
of the sleeve 2.
[0043] However, these elements holding the sleeve 2 to the bottle 1
can also possibly be holes or depressions located on the inside of
the sleeve 2. With these elements, too, the meshing described above
between the sleeve 2 and the bottle 1 essentially occurs during the
blowing process.
[0044] As a result of the method described above, the external
shape of the bottle 1 can be essentially designed without
significant restrictions, and there is essentially no need for the
bottle diameter to be enlarged substantially above or below the
sleeve 2.
[0045] The sleeve 2 is possibly also used essentially as a label,
and for this purpose can possibly have printing on its outside
surface and/or possibly a graphic and/or possibly even a color
design.
[0046] At least one possible embodiment of the present application
also teaches that there can also possibly be printing on the inside
of the sleeve 2, or that the inside of the sleeve can essentially
be designed in almost any desired fashion. This method makes it
possible, for example, to essentially observe the information or
illustrations possibly presented on the inside of the sleeve 2
through a hole in the sleeve 2 that can be located substantially
diametrically opposite the information or illustrations, as a
result of which the consumer is generally encouraged to spend more
time with the product, which according to the prevailing theory has
a generally positive effect on the sale of the product.
[0047] The sleeve 2 is essentially applied to the bottle 1 during
its manufacture. FIGS. 2A-2C show schematically one of the blow
molds 3 of a blowing machine, for example a blowing machine that
essentially employs a rotary construction, which possibly has a
plurality of such blow molds 3 on a rotor that is driven in
rotation around a vertical machine axis.
[0048] In the illustrated embodiment, the blow mold is essentially
realized in three parts, and comprises two mold parts 3.1 and 3.2,
which during the manufacture substantially mold with their interior
mold surfaces the mouth area 1.1, the shoulder area 1.2 and the
body area 1.3 of the respective bottle 1, as well as a blow mold
bottom 3.3 which, during the manufacture of the respective bottle
1, essentially molds the bottle bottom 1.4. The mouth area 1.1
could be prefabricated or formed in the blow mold 3 during the
manufacture of the bottle 1. When the blow mold 3 is closed, the
two mold parts 3.1 and 3.2 as well as the bottom 3.3 essentially
form a mold cavity which, during the manufacture of the bottle 1,
is substantially closed by the blow head 4 that essentially forms
the blow nozzle with the prepared, heated preform 5 which extends
into the mold cavity. The mold parts 3.1 and 3.2 are shown to be
moved by actuators 3.1a and 3.2a respectively in FIG. 2D. In at
least one possible embodiment, these actuators 3.1a and 3.2a are
controlled by the central control arrangement 112. The blow mold
bottom 3.3 and the blow head 4 can be moved by guide and control
means (not shown) in a substantially vertical direction, as
indicated by the double arrow A and B in FIG. 2. FIG. 2D shows that
in at least one possible embodiment of the present application the
blow mold bottom 3.3 can be moved by an actuator 3.3a. This
actuator 3.3a is also shown to be controlled by the central control
arrangement 112 in at least one possible embodiment of the present
application.
[0049] In detail, the manufacture of the individual bottle is
basically performed as described below. At a sleeve delivery point
on the blow mold bottom 3.3, which has been lowered and moved at
some distance away from the blow mold 3, a prepared sleeve 2 is
stood substantially upright, i.e. is essentially set up with its
sleeve axis oriented in a substantially vertical direction. FIG. 2D
shows in at least one possible embodiment a sleeve positioning
device 2a places the sleeve 2 on the blow mold bottom 3.3. In at
least one possible embodiment, the sleeve positioning device 2a is
controlled by the central control arrangement 112. Then the sleeve
2 located on the blow mold bottom 3.3 is introduced from below into
the mold cavity when the blow mold 3 is substantially closed, and
is lifted approximately to the level of the body area 1.3 to be
molded of the bottle 1 to be manufactured. By means of appropriate
retaining or fixing means, for example possibly by suction or
vacuum nozzles 6 on the inside surface of at least one mold part
3.1 and/or 3.2, the sleeve 2 positioned in this manner is
substantially fixed in position in the mold cavity. In at least one
possible embodiment, these suction or vacuum nozzles 6 receive
suction from a vacuum or suction pump 6a, as shown in FIG. 2D. The
blow mold bottom 3.3 is moved back downward to approximately the
level of the bottle bottom 1.4 to be molded.
[0050] The blow mold is finally closed with the lowering of the
blow head 4 provided with the preform 5. FIG. 2D shows that in at
least one possible embodiment of the present application, the blow
head 4 can be moved by means of an actuator 4a, which is controlled
by the central control arrangement 112. By feeding in the blowing
air via the blow head 4, and with the application of heat or
warming, the bottle 1 provided with the sleeve 2 on its body area
1.3 is molded from the PET preform 5. An air supply 4b feeds the
blow head 4 with the necessary air for the formation of the bottles
1 in FIG. 2D. This air supply 4b is also controlled by the central
control arrangement 112 in at least on possible embodiment of the
present application. For the unmolding of the bottle 1, the blow
mold 3 is opened, i.e. the two mold parts 3.1 and 3.2 are
essentially moved or pivoted apart, the blow mold bottom 3 is
lowered, and the molded bottle is removed from its neck ring, for
example, so that the bottle can then be removed without any
substantial interfering contours or possibly even any other
interference from the blow mold 3. A sleeve 2 for the next bottle 1
is then approximately positioned on the lowered blow mold bottom 3
at the sleeve delivery point.
[0051] In at least one possible embodiment example, instead of or
in addition to the vacuum or suction nozzles 6, other possible
means, e.g. mechanical means, can also be provided to hold the
sleeve 2 or another reinforcement or stabilizing element in the
mold cavity of the closed blow mold 3 at approximately the level of
the bottle area to be reinforced or stabilized.
[0052] At least one possible embodiment of the present application
was explained above on the basis of at least one exemplary
embodiment. It goes without saying that modifications and variants
can be incorporated without thereby going beyond the teaching of
the invention. Developments of at least one possible embodiment of
the present application are described herein.
[0053] For example, it is possible, instead of the cardboard or
paperboard sleeves 2, to also provide other possible reinforcement
or stabilizing elements, which are then either substantially
positively or non-positively connected with the bottle 1 during the
molding or even blowing process. In at least one such embodiment,
possible reinforcement or stabilizing elements that essentially
completely surround the bottles 1 in the area to be reinforced
and/or--with an appropriate realization and/or selection of
material and/or of the reinforcement or stabilizing
elements--surround the bottles 1 only partly, e.g. in a hook-like
fashion.
[0054] At least one possible embodiment of the present application
also teaches that a reinforcement or stabilizing element can also
be non-positively attached to the bottle, whereby the connection
can be either exclusively non-positive or a combination of
non-positive and positive.
[0055] Because during the manufacturing process of bottles and
containers manufactured using stretch blowing, there is an
essentially unavoidable shrinking process of the bottles 1,
including a shrinkage in terms of the diameter of the bottles, this
method is advantageous, because in this manner a substantially
solid seating of the sleeve 2 is achieved in spite of the possible
shrinkage.
[0056] For this purpose, a reinforcement or stabilizing element may
be elastically expanded before it is connected with the bottle so
that subsequently, on account of its return to its essentially
original shape, it is substantially in solid contact with the
bottle, exerts a compression stress on the bottle and thus provides
additional possible stabilization for the bottle, which possibly
has a circular cross section.
[0057] To produce the elastic expansion, at least one possible
embodiment teaches, for example, that elements can possibly be
located inside the blow mold that pick up the reinforcement or
stabilizing element in a first position and then move into a second
position essentially farther apart from one another, whereby the
elastic expansion is created.
[0058] To produce the non-positive connection, at least one
possible embodiment of the present application also teaches that
the reinforcement or stabilizing elements can be manufactured from
a material that possibly reacts in a suitable fashion to the
temperatures that essentially prevail during the blowing process,
so that the desired annular compression stress is essentially
generated. For example, stabilization elements can be used that
shrink when heat is applied, or stabilization elements that
contract and expand reversibly when exposed to heat. Likewise, as
illustrated in FIG. 3C, the inside of the sleeve 2 can be equipped
with flexible or elastic elements that possibly compensate for the
diameter reduction of the bottle 1 caused by the shrinkage and
ensure a firm connection between the sleeve 2 and the bottle 1.
These elements can be flat elements, for example, that may be made
of an elastic foam, or they can particularly advantageously be made
of folded paper. FIG. 3F shows shrinkage compensator disks 22
located on the interior of the sleeve 2 filling resulting shrinkage
spaces 22a effecting a secure connection between the sleeve 2 and
the bottle 1.
[0059] It is also possible to introduce individual reinforcement or
stabilizing elements from above into the opened or partly opened
blow mold 3, although the introduction of sleeves 2 or other
reinforcement or stabilizing elements described above offers the
advantage that this introduction can take place simultaneously or
partly simultaneously with the lowering of the blow head 4, and
there are already means on the blow mold 3, namely the blow mold
bottom 3.3 and its control means, that can be used for this
purpose. On a blowing machine with a rotary construction, both the
feed and positioning movements (the introduction of the
reinforcement or stabilization element into the mold cavity and the
lowering of the blow head 4 for the introduction of the preform 5
into the mold cavity) can take place in the same or at least
substantially same angular range of the rotational movement of the
rotor, so that a large angular area of the rotational movement of
the rotor remains available or essentially available for the
blowing process, and thereby eliminates a restriction on the
capacity of a blowing machine that could be caused by the
introduction of the sleeves 2 or other reinforcement or
stabilization elements.
[0060] In at least one possible embodiment of the present
application, a plastic bottle or similar container manufactured
from a preform in a blow mold by blowing is provided on the outside
surface of a container area to be stabilized with at least one
reinforcement or stabilizing element, which during the molding or
blowing was connected with the container positively or
non-positively.
[0061] At least one possible embodiment of the present application
relates to a beverage bottling plant for filling beverage bottles
with a liquid beverage, with a method for the manufacture of
bottles or similar containers made of plastic, for the manufacture
of PET bottles, by blowing a preform using a blow mold. This
application also relates to a container, such as a bottle or
similar container made of plastic, such as a PET bottle.
[0062] Developments, advantages and potential applications of at
least one possible embodiment will become apparent on the basis of
the description herein of the exemplary embodiments and of the
accompanying drawing. All the characteristics described herein
and/or illustrated are the object or objects of at least one
possible embodiment of the present application, individually or in
any possible combination, regardless of their placement in the
present application.
[0063] One feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the
time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside
broadly in a method for the manufacture of bottles or similar
containers 1 made of plastic, such as for the manufacture of PET
bottles, by blowing a preform 5 using a blow mold 3, characterized
in that prior to the blowing process, a reinforcement or
stabilizing element 2 is introduced into the blow mold, and that
this element is located between an inner or mold surface of the
blow mold 3 and the outer surface of the container 1 that is formed
during the blowing of the preform 5, and is connected with the
container 1 by the fabrication process positively and/or
non-positively.
[0064] Another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at
the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly
reside broadly in the method for the manufacture of bottles or
similar containers, characterized in that for the blowing of the
container 1, the preform 5 prepared on a blow head 4 or a blow
nozzle is introduced into the mold cavity of the blow mold 3 from a
first side, for example from the top, and the at least one
reinforcement or stabilizing element 2 is introduced into the mold
cavity from a second side, for example from the bottom of the blow
mold 3.
[0065] Yet another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed
at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly
reside broadly in the method for the manufacture of bottles or
similar containers, characterized in that the introduction of the
at least one reinforcement or stabilizing element 2 into the mold
cavity of the blow mold 3 takes place simultaneously or
approximately simultaneously with the introduction of the preform 5
into the mold cavity and/or the closing of the blow mold 3.
[0066] Still another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed
at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly
reside broadly in the method for the manufacture of bottles or
similar containers, characterized in that the at least one
reinforcement or stabilizing element 2 is at least partly fixed
and/or expanded in the blow mold, for example by vacuum or suction
and/or mechanical fixing means.
[0067] A further feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at
the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly
reside broadly in the method for the manufacture of bottles or
similar containers, characterized in that the reinforcement or
stabilizing element is a sleeve-like element that surrounds the
container 1 in the container area 1.3 to be stabilized, for example
a sleeve 2 that is made of a flat material, e.g. plastic, cardboard
or multiple-layer paper.
[0068] Another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at
the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly
reside broadly in the method for the manufacture of bottles or
similar containers, characterized in that the at least one
reinforcement or stabilizing element is a grid-shaped, cage-like
and/or hook-like element that at least partly surrounds the
container 1 in the area 1.3 to be stabilized.
[0069] Yet another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed
at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly
reside broadly in the method for the manufacture of bottles or
similar containers, characterized in that the at least one
reinforcement or stabilizing element is elastically deformable.
[0070] Still another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed
at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly
reside broadly in the method for the manufacture of bottles or
similar containers, characterized in that the at least one
reinforcement or stabilizing element has raised mold elements on
its inner jacket surface.
[0071] A further feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at
the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly
reside broadly in the method for the manufacture of bottles or
similar containers, characterized in that the at least one
reinforcement or stabilizing element has depressions on its inner
jacket surface.
[0072] Another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at
the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly
reside broadly in the method for the manufacture of bottles or
similar containers, characterized in that the at least one
reinforcing or stabilizing element has at least one hole that
penetrates its jacket surface.
[0073] Yet another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed
at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly
reside broadly in the method for the manufacture of bottles or
similar containers, characterized in that the at least one
reinforcing or stabilizing element has flexible elements on its
inner jacket surface.
[0074] Still another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed
at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly
reside broadly in the method for the manufacture of bottles or
similar containers, characterized in that the at least one
reinforcement or stabilizing element 2, at least on its surface
facing away from the container outside, is at least partly printed
and/or contains a graphic and/or color design.
[0075] A further feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at
the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly
reside broadly in the method for the manufacture of bottles or
similar containers, characterized by the manufacture of the
containers 1 on a blowing machine that employs a rotary
construction with a plurality of blow molds 3 provided on a rotor
that is driven in rotation around a vertical machine axis.
[0076] Another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at
the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly
reside broadly in a bottle or similar container 1 made of plastic,
such as a PET bottle, manufactured in a blow mold by blowing from a
preform 5, characterized in that the container 1 is provided on the
outer surface of a container area 1.3 to be stabilized with at
least one reinforcement or stabilizing element 2 which during the
molding or blowing is connected with the container positively or
non-positively.
[0077] Yet another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed
at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly
reside broadly in the container, characterized in that the
reinforcement or stabilizing element is a sleeve-like element that
surrounds the container 1 in the container area 1.3 to be
stabilized, for example a sleeve 2 manufactured from a flat
material, e.g. from plastic, cardboard or multiple-layer paper.
[0078] Still another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed
at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly
reside broadly in the container, characterized in that the at least
one reinforcement or stabilizing element is an element that at
least partly surrounds the container 1 in the area 1.3 to be
stabilized, for example a grid, cage or hook-like element.
[0079] A further feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at
the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly
reside broadly in the container, characterized in that the at least
one reinforcement or stabilizing element 2 is at least partly
printed and/or has a graphic and/or color design on its surface
facing away from the outside of the container.
[0080] Another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at
the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly
reside broadly in the container, characterized in that the at least
one reinforcement or stabilizing element is at least partly printed
and/or has a graphic and/or color design on its surface facing the
inside of the container.
[0081] Yet another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed
at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly
reside broadly in the container, characterized in that the at least
one reinforcement or stabilizing element 2 has at least one hole
which is located opposite the printing applied to the inside of the
reinforcement or stabilizing element 2.
[0082] Still another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed
at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly
reside broadly in the container, characterized in that the
container has a larger diameter, at least below the specified
position of the lower end of the reinforcement or stabilizing
element 2.
[0083] Yet another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed
at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly
reside broadly in a method of operating a beverage bottling plant
for filling beverage bottles with liquid beverage material, said
beverage bottling plant comprising: a beverage bottle filling
machine being configured and disposed to fill beverage bottles with
liquid beverage material; a first conveyor arrangement being
configured and disposed to convey beverage bottles to said beverage
bottle filling machine; a beverage bottle closing machine being
configured and disposed to close tops of filled beverage bottles; a
second conveyor arrangement being configured and disposed to convey
filled beverage bottles to said beverage bottle closing machine; a
beverage bottle packing machine being configured and disposed to
pack closed, filled beverage bottles; a third conveyor arrangement
being configured and disposed to convey closed, filled beverage
bottles to said beverage bottle packing machine; a beverage bottle
forming machine being configured and disposed to form beverage
bottles; a central control system being operatively connected to
each of said machines to monitor and control the operation thereof;
said beverage bottle filling machine comprising: a rotor; a
rotatable vertical machine column; said rotor being connected to
said vertical machine column to permit rotation of said rotor about
said vertical machine column; a plurality of beverage bottle
filling elements for filling beverage bottles with liquid beverage
material being disposed on the periphery of said rotor; each of
said plurality of beverage bottle filling elements comprising a
container carrier being configured and disposed to receive and hold
beverage bottles to be filled; each of said plurality of beverage
bottle filling elements being configured and disposed to dispense
liquid beverage material into beverage bottles to be filled; at
least one liquid reservoir being configured to hold a supply of
liquid beverage material; at least one supply line being configured
and disposed to connect said at least one liquid reservoir to said
beverage bottle filling machine to supply liquid beverage material
to said beverage bottle filling machine; a first star wheel
structure being configured and disposed to move beverage bottles
into said beverage bottle filling machine; and a second star wheel
structure being configured and disposed to move beverage bottles
out of said beverage bottle filling machine; said beverage bottle
forming machine comprising: a rotor; a rotatable vertical machine
column; said rotor being connected to said vertical machine column
to permit rotation of said rotor about said vertical machine
column; a plurality of beverage bottle forming arrangements for
forming beverage bottles being disposed on the periphery of said
rotor; each of said plurality of beverage bottle forming
arrangements comprising: a mold being configured to mold blown,
plastic material into a beverage bottle; said mold comprising two
movable side portions disposed opposite one another and a movable
bottom portion; said movable bottom portion being configured and
disposed to insert a beverage bottle sleeve in between said two
movable side portions; said two movable side portions being
configured and disposed to hold a beverage bottle sleeve there
between; a movable blower head being configured and disposed to
insert a beverage bottle blank into said mold; and said movable
blower head being configured and disposed to blow air into a
beverage bottle blank to expand the blank against the interior of
said mold to form a beverage bottle, and to press a portion of the
outer surface of the beverage bottle against the inner surface of a
beverage bottle sleeve in said mold to connect the beverage bottle
sleeve to the beverage bottle; and a star wheel structure being
configured and disposed to move beverage bottles out of said
beverage bottle forming machine; said beverage bottle closing
machine comprising: a rotor; a rotatable vertical machine column;
said rotor being connected to said vertical machine column to
permit rotation of said rotor about said vertical machine column; a
plurality of closing devices being disposed on the periphery of
said rotor; each of said plurality of closing devices being
configured and disposed to place closures on filled beverage
bottles; each of said plurality of closing devices comprising a
container carrier being configured and disposed to receive and hold
filled beverage bottles; a first star wheel structure being
configured and disposed to move filled beverage bottles into said
beverage bottle closing machine; and a second star wheel structure
being configured and disposed to move filled, closed beverage
bottles out of said beverage bottle closing machine; said beverage
bottle packing machine comprising: a sorting arrangement being
configured and disposed to sort and group beverage bottles into
groups; and a packaging arrangement being configured and disposed
to package the groups of beverage bottles; said method comprising
the steps of: moving beverage bottles to said filling machine;
moving beverage bottles into said filling machine; filling beverage
bottles with a liquid beverage material in said filling machine;
moving filled beverage bottles out of said filling machine; moving
filled beverage bottles to said closing machine; moving filled
beverage bottles into said machine; closing filled beverage bottles
with a closure in said closing machine; prior to filling beverage
bottles in said filling machine, moving beverage bottle blanks into
said beverage bottle forming machine; inserting with said blower
heads beverage bottle blanks into said molds; inserting with said
movable bottom portions beverage bottle sleeves into said molds;
blowing air into beverage bottle blanks in said molds and expanding
the blanks against the interiors of said molds to form beverage
bottles and to press a portion of the outer surface of the beverage
bottles against the inner surfaces of the beverage bottle sleeves
in said molds to connect the beverage bottle sleeves to the
beverage bottles; moving beverage bottles out of said beverage
bottle forming machine and to said beverage bottle filling machine;
moving filled, closed beverage bottles out of said beverage bottle
closing machine; moving filled, closed beverage bottles to said
packing machine; sorting filled, closed beverage bottles; grouping
filled, closed, sorted beverage bottles; and packaging filled,
closed, sorted, grouped beverage bottles in packages.
[0084] A further feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at
the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly
reside broadly in a container made by inserting with blower heads
beverage bottle blanks into molds; inserting with movable bottom
portions of said molds beverage bottle sleeves into said molds;
blowing air into beverage bottle blanks in said molds and expanding
the blanks against the interiors of said molds to form beverage
bottles and to press a portion of the outer surface of the beverage
bottles against the inner surfaces of the beverage bottle sleeves
in said molds to connect the beverage bottle sleeves to the
beverage bottles; said container comprising plastic, in particular
a PET bottle, wherein the container is provided on the outer
surface of a container area to be stabilized with at least one
reinforcement or stabilizing element which during the molding or
blowing is connected with the container positively or
non-positively.
[0085] Another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at
the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly
reside broadly in a method of operating a container filling plant,
said method comprising the steps of: moving containers to a filling
machine; moving containers into said filling machine; filling
containers with a liquid beverage material in said filling machine;
moving filled containers out of said filling machine; moving filled
containers to a closing machine; moving filled containers into said
machine; closing filled containers with a closure in said closing
machine; prior to filling containers in said filling machine,
moving container blanks into a container forming machine; inserting
container blanks into a mold in forming arrangements of said
container forming machine; inserting container sleeves into said
molds; blowing air into container blanks in said molds and
expanding the blanks against the interiors of said molds to form
containers and to press a portion of the outer surface of the
containers against the inner surfaces of the container sleeves in
said molds to connect the container sleeves to the containers;
moving containers out of said container forming machine and to said
container filling machine; moving filled, closed containers out of
said container closing machine; moving filled, closed containers to
a packing machine; sorting filled, closed containers; grouping
filled, closed, sorted containers; and packaging filled, closed,
sorted, grouped containers in packages.
[0086] Some examples of bottling and container handling systems and
components thereof which may possibly be utilized or adapted for
use in at least one possible embodiment, may possibly be found in
the following U.S. Patents: U.S. Pat. No. 6,484,477, entitled
"Capping Machine for Capping and Closing Containers, and a Method
for Closing Containers;" U.S. Pat. No. 6,474,368, entitled
"Beverage Container Filling Machine, and Method for Filling
Containers with a Liquid Filling Material in a Beverage Container
Filling Machine;" U.S. Pat. No. 6,494,238, entitled "A Plant for
Filling Beverage into Beverage Bottles Other Beverage Containers
Having Apparatus for Replacing Remaining Air Volume in Filled
Beverage Bottles or Other Beverage Containers;" U.S. Pat. No.
6,470,922, entitled "Apparatus for the Recovery of an Inert Gas;"
U.S. Pat. No. 6,463,964, entitled "Method of Operating a Plant for
Filling Bottles, Cans or the like Beverage Containers with a
Beverage, and a Beverage Container Filling Machine;" U.S. Pat. No.
6,834,473, entitled "Bottling Plant and Method of Operating a
Bottling Plant and a Bottling Plant with Sections for Stabilizing
the Bottled Product;" U.S. Pat. No. 6,484,762, entitled "A Filling
System with Post-dripping Prevention;" U.S. Pat. No. 6,668,877,
entitled "Filling System for Still Beverages;" U.S. Pat. No.
7,024,841, entitled "Labeling Machine with a Sleeve Mechanism for
Preparing and Applying Cylindrical Labels onto Beverage Bottles and
Other Beverage Containers in a Beverage Container Filling Plant;"
U.S. Pat. No. 6,971,219 entitled "Beverage bottling plant for
filling bottles with a liquid beverage filling material and a
labelling station for labelling filled bottles and other
containers;" U.S. Pat. No. 6,973,767, entitled "Beverage bottling
plant and a conveyor arrangement for transporting packages;" U.S.
Pat. No. 7,013,624, entitled "Beverage bottling plant for filling
bottles with a liquid beverage filling material, a container
filling plant container information adding station, such as, a
labeling station, configured to add information to containers, such
as, bottles and cans, and modules for labeling stations;" U.S. Pat.
No. 7,108,025, entitled "Beverage Bottling Plant for Filling
Bottles with a Liquid Beverage Filling Material, and a Container
Filling Lifting Device for Pressing Containers to Container Filling
Machines;" U.S. Pat. No. 7,062,894, entitled "Beverage Bottling
Plant for Filling Bottles with a Liquid Beverage Filling Material,
and a Container Filling Plant Container Information Adding Station,
Such As, a Labeling Station Having a Sleeve Label Cutting
Arrangement, Configured to Add Information to Containers, Such As,
Bottles and Cans;" U.S. Pat. No. 7,010,900, entitled "Beverage
Bottling Plant for Filling Bottles with a Liquid Beverage Filling
Material, and a Cleaning Device for Cleaning Bottles in a Beverage
Bottling Plant;" U.S. Pat. No. 6,918,417, entitled "A Beverage
Bottling Plant for Filling Bottles with a Liquid Beverage Filling
Material, and an Easily Cleaned Lifting Device in a Beverage
Bottling Plant;" U.S. Pat. No. 7,065,938, entitled "A Beverage
Bottling Plant for Filling Bottles with a Liquid Beverage Filling
Material, and a Container Filling Plant Container Information
Adding Station, Such As, a Labeling Station Having a Gripper
Arrangement, Configured to Add Information to Containers, Such As,
Bottles and Cans;" U.S. Pat. No. 6,901,720, entitled "A Beverage
Bottling Plant for Filling Bottles with a Liquid Beverage Filling
Material, and Apparatus for Attaching Carrying Grips to Containers
with Filled Bottles;" and U.S. Pat. No. 7,121,062 "Beverage
bottling plant for filling bottles with a liquid beverage filling
material, having a container handling machine with interchangeable
receptacles for the container mouth."
[0087] The components disclosed in the various publications,
disclosed or incorporated by reference herein, may possibly be used
in possible embodiments of the present application, as well as
equivalents thereof.
[0088] The purpose of the statements about the technical field is
generally to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public
to determine quickly, from a cursory inspection, the nature of this
patent application. The description of the technical field is
believed, at the time of the filing of this patent application, to
adequately describe the technical field of this patent application.
However, the description of the technical field may not be
completely applicable to the claims as originally filed in this
patent application, as amended during prosecution of this patent
application, and as ultimately allowed in any patent issuing from
this patent application. Therefore, any statements made relating to
the technical field are not intended to limit the claims in any
manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any
manner.
[0089] Some examples of filling machines that utilize electronic
control devices to control various portions of a filling or
bottling process and that may possibly be utilized or possibly
adapted for use in at least one possible embodiment of the present
application may possibly be found in the following U.S. patents:
U.S. Pat. No. 4,821,921 issued to Cartwright et al. on Apr. 18,
1989; U.S. Pat. No. 5,056,511 issued to Ronge on Oct. 15, 1991;
U.S. Pat. No. 5,273,082 issued to Paasche et al. on Dec. 28, 1993;
and U.S. Pat. No. 5,301,488 issued to Ruhl et al. on Apr. 12,
1994.
[0090] The appended drawings in their entirety, including all
dimensions, proportions and/or shapes in at least one embodiment of
the application, are accurate and are hereby included by reference
into this specification.
[0091] U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, filed on Jan. 18,
2007, having inventor Gyula VARHANIOVSKY, corresponding Federal
Republic of Germany Patent Application No. 10 2006 002 633.0,
Attorney Docket No. NHL-HOL-151, and title "BEVERAGE BOTTLING PLANT
FOR FILLING BEVERAGE BOTTLES HAVING A BOTTLE HANDLING STATION AND A
METHOD OF OPERATION THEREOF" is hereby incorporated by reference as
if set forth in its entirety herein.
[0092] The background information is believed, at the time of the
filing of this patent application, to adequately provide background
information for this patent application. However, the background
information may not be completely applicable to the claims as
originally filed in this patent application, as amended during
prosecution of this patent application, and as ultimately allowed
in any patent issuing from this patent application. Therefore, any
statements made relating to the background information are not
intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be
interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.
[0093] All, or substantially all, of the components and methods of
the various embodiments may be used with at least one embodiment or
all of the embodiments, if more than one embodiment is described
herein.
[0094] The purpose of the statements about the object or objects is
generally to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public
to determine quickly, from a cursory inspection, the nature of this
patent application. The description of the object or objects is
believed, at the time of the filing of this patent application, to
adequately describe the object or objects of this patent
application. However, the description of the object or objects may
not be completely applicable to the claims as originally filed in
this patent application, as amended during prosecution of this
patent application, and as ultimately allowed in any patent issuing
from this patent application. Therefore, any statements made
relating to the object or objects are not intended to limit the
claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the
claims in any manner.
[0095] Some examples of lifting devices that may possibly be
utilized or possibly adapted for use in at least one possible
embodiment of the present application may possibly be found in the
following patent publications: U.S. Pat. No. 2,535,272 issued to
Detrez on Dec. 26, 1950; U.S. Pat. No. 2,642,214 issued to Lippold
on Jun. 16, 1953; German Utility Model No. DE-GM 1,923,261 issued
on Sep. 9, 1965; German Laid Open Patent Application No. DE-OS
1,532,586 published on Oct. 2, 1969; British Patent No. 1,188,888
issued Apr. 22, 1970; German Laid Open Patent Application No. DE-OS
26 52 910 published on May 24, 1978; German Patent No. DE-PS 26 52
918 issued on Oct. 26, 1978; German Utility Model No. DE-GM 83 04
995 issued on Dec. 22, 1983; German Patent No. DE-PS 26 30 100
issued on Dec. 3, 1981; and German Laid Open Patent Application No.
DE-OS 195 45 080 published on Jun. 5, 1997.
[0096] All of the patents, patent applications and publications
recited herein, and in the Declaration attached hereto, are hereby
incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entirety
herein.
[0097] The summary is believed, at the time of the filing of this
patent application, to adequately summarize this patent
application. However, portions or all of the information contained
in the summary may not be completely applicable to the claims as
originally filed in this patent application, as amended during
prosecution of this patent application, and as ultimately allowed
in any patent issuing from this patent application. Therefore, any
statements made relating to the summary are not intended to limit
the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting
the claims in any manner.
[0098] It will be understood that the examples of patents,
published patent applications, and other documents which are
included in this application and which are referred to in
paragraphs which state "Some examples of . . . which may possibly
be used in at least one possible embodiment of the present
application . . . " may possibly not be used or useable in any one
or more embodiments of the application.
[0099] The sentence immediately above relates to patents, published
patent applications and other documents either incorporated by
reference or not incorporated by reference.
[0100] The corresponding foreign and international patent
publication applications, namely, Federal Republic of Germany
Patent Application No. 10 2006 002 632.2, filed on Jan. 19, 2006,
having inventor Volker TILL, and DE-OS 10 2006 002 632.2 and DE-PS
10 2006 002 632.2 are hereby incorporated by reference as if set
forth in their entirety herein for the purpose of correcting and
explaining any possible misinterpretations of the English
translation thereof. In addition, the published equivalents of the
above corresponding foreign and international patent publication
applications, and other equivalents or corresponding applications,
if any, in corresponding cases in the Federal Republic of Germany
and elsewhere, and the references and documents cited in any of the
documents cited herein, such as the patents, patent applications
and publications, are hereby incorporated by reference as if set
forth in their entirety herein.
[0101] Some examples of computer systems that may possibly be
utilized or possibly adapted for use in at least one possible
embodiment of the present application may possibly be found in the
following U.S. Patents: U.S. Pat. No. 5,416,480 issued to Roach et
al. on May 16, 1995; U.S. Pat. No. 5,479,355 issued to Hyduke on
Dec. 26, 1995; U.S. Pat. No. 5,481,730 issued to Brown et al. on
Jan. 2, 1996; U.S. Pat. No. 5,805,094 issued to Roach et al. on
Sep. 8, 1998; U.S. Pat. No. 5,881,227 issued to Atkinson et al. on
Mar. 9, 1999; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,072,462 issued to Moshovich on
Jun. 6, 2000.
[0102] All of the references and documents, cited in any of the
documents cited herein, are hereby incorporated by reference as if
set forth in their entirety herein. All of the documents cited
herein, referred to in the immediately preceding sentence, include
all of the patents, patent applications and publications cited
anywhere in the present application.
[0103] Some examples of inspection devices and/or spectral
analyzers, and components thereof, that may possibly be utilized or
possibly adapted for use in at least one possible embodiment of the
present application may possibly be found in the following U.S.
patents: U.S. Pat. No. 6,424,416 issued to Gross et al. on Jul. 23,
2002; U.S. Pat. No. 6,040,906issued to Harhay on Mar. 21, 2000;
U.S. Pat. No. 6,281,499 issued to Kobayashi, et al. on Aug. 28,
2001; U.S. Pat. No. 5,319,437 issued to Van Aken, et al. on Jun. 7,
1994; U.S. Pat. No. 6,120,166 issued to Price on Sep. 19, 2000;
U.S. Pat. No. 5,428,222 issued to Alexay on Jun. 27, 1995; and U.S.
Pat. No. 6,937,339 issued to Yamazaki on Aug. 30, 2005.
[0104] The description of the embodiment or embodiments is
believed, at the time of the filing of this patent application, to
adequately describe the embodiment or embodiments of this patent
application. However, portions of the description of the embodiment
or embodiments may not be completely applicable to the claims as
originally filed in this patent application, as amended during
prosecution of this patent application, and as ultimately allowed
in any patent issuing from this patent application. Therefore, any
statements made relating to the embodiment or embodiments are not
intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be
interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.
[0105] Some examples of bottling systems, which may be used or
adapted for use in at least one possible embodiment of the present
may be found in the following U.S. patents assigned to the Assignee
herein, namely: U.S. Pat. No. 4,911,285; No. 4,944,830; No.
4,950,350; No. 4,976,803; No. 4,981,547; No. 5,004,518; No.
5,017,261; No. 5,062,917; No. 5,062,918; No. 5,075,123; No.
5,078,826; No. 5,087,317; No. 5,110,402; No. 5,129,984; No.
5,167,755; No. 5,174,851; No. 5,185,053; No. 5,217,538; No.
5,227,005; No. 5,413,153; No. 5,558,138; No. 5,634,500; No.
5,713,403; No. 6,276,113; No. 6,213,169; No. 6,189,578; No.
6,192,946; No. 6,374,575; No. 6,365,054; No. 6,619,016; No.
6,474,368; No. 6,494,238; No. 6,470,922; and No. 6,463,964.
[0106] The details in the patents, patent applications and
publications may be considered to be incorporable, at applicant's
option, into the claims during prosecution as further limitations
in the claims to patentably distinguish any amended claims from any
applied prior art.
[0107] Some examples of cameras or the like optical monitoring
apparatus that may possibly be utilized or possibly adapted for use
in at least one possible embodiment of the present application may
possibly be found in the following U.S. patents: U.S. Pat. No.
5,233,186 issued to Ringlien on Aug. 3, 1993; U.S. Pat. No.
5,243,400 issued to Ringlien on Sep. 7, 1993; U.S. Pat. No.
5,369,713 issued to Schwartz et al. on Nov. 29, 1994; U.S. Pat. No.
5,442,446 issued to Gerber et al. on Aug. 15, 1995; U.S. Pat. No.
5,661,295 issued to Buchmann et al. on Aug. 26, 1997; and U.S. Pat.
No. 5,898,169 issued to Nodbryhn on Apr. 27, 1999.
[0108] The purpose of the title of this patent application is
generally to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public
to determine quickly, from a cursory inspection, the nature of this
patent application. The title is believed, at the time of the
filing of this patent application, to adequately reflect the
general nature of this patent application. However, the title may
not be completely applicable to the technical field, the object or
objects, the summary, the description of the embodiment or
embodiments, and the claims as originally filed in this patent
application, as amended during prosecution of this patent
application, and as ultimately allowed in any patent issuing from
this patent application. Therefore, the title is not intended to
limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as
limiting the claims in any manner.
[0109] The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as
required by 37 C.F.R. .sctn.1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R.
.sctn.1.72(b): [0110] A brief abstract of the technical disclosure
in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably
following the claims, under the heading "Abstract of the
Disclosure." The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent
and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly
from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical
disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the
scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the
abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and
should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.
[0111] The embodiments of the invention described herein above in
the context of the preferred embodiments are not to be taken as
limiting the embodiments of the invention to all of the provided
details thereof, since modifications and variations thereof may be
made without departing from the spirit and scope of the embodiments
of the invention.
At Least Partial Nomenclature
[0112] 1 Bottle [0113] 1.1 Mouth area of the bottle 1 [0114] 1.2
Shoulder area of the bottle 1 [0115] 1.3 Bottle body of the bottle
1 [0116] 1.4 Bottle bottom [0117] 2 Sleeve or reinforcement or
stabilizing element [0118] 3 Blow mold [0119] 3.1, 3.2 Mold part
[0120] 3.3 Blow mold bottom [0121] 4 Blow head with blow nozzle
[0122] 5 Preform made of plastic or PET [0123] 6 Vacuum nozzle
[0124] A Reciprocating movement of the mold bottom 3.3 [0125] B
Vertical movement of the blow head 4
* * * * *