U.S. patent application number 14/348764 was filed with the patent office on 2014-08-28 for method and device for operating a system for treating containers.
This patent application is currently assigned to KRONES AG. The applicant listed for this patent is Wolfgang Hahn. Invention is credited to Wolfgang Hahn.
Application Number | 20140237944 14/348764 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46604284 |
Filed Date | 2014-08-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140237944 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hahn; Wolfgang |
August 28, 2014 |
METHOD AND DEVICE FOR OPERATING A SYSTEM FOR TREATING
CONTAINERS
Abstract
A method for operating a system for treating containers, where
the containers are treated by at least one first treatment unit of
the system, and the containers are treated by at least one
additional treatment unit of the system, and where a measuring
device, determines, either after or during the treatment in the
first treatment unit, at least one parameter that is characteristic
of the geometric shape of the containers, where at least one of the
parameters determined by the measuring device that is
characteristic of the geometric shape of the containers is taken
into account for the control or adjustment of the at least one
additional treatment unit and/or sensors thereof disposed after the
measuring device.
Inventors: |
Hahn; Wolfgang;
(Neutraubling, DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Hahn; Wolfgang |
Neutraubling |
|
DE |
|
|
Assignee: |
KRONES AG
Neutraubling
DE
|
Family ID: |
46604284 |
Appl. No.: |
14/348764 |
Filed: |
July 20, 2012 |
PCT Filed: |
July 20, 2012 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2012/064315 |
371 Date: |
April 24, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
53/411 ;
53/131.2; 53/507; 53/64 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B67B 3/26 20130101; B67C
3/007 20130101; B65C 9/40 20130101; B65B 61/26 20130101; B65B
2210/04 20130101; B65B 3/04 20130101; B65B 59/003 20190501 |
Class at
Publication: |
53/411 ;
53/131.2; 53/507; 53/64 |
International
Class: |
B65B 59/02 20060101
B65B059/02; B65B 3/04 20060101 B65B003/04; B65B 61/26 20060101
B65B061/26 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 7, 2011 |
DE |
10 2011 084 135.0 |
Claims
1. A method for operating a system for treating containers,
comprising treating the containers by at least one first treatment
unit of the system, treating the containers by at least one
additional treatment unit of the system, and determining by a
measuring device, either after or during the treatment in the first
treatment unit, at least one parameter that is characteristic of
the geometric shape of the containers, and the at least one
parameter determined by the measuring device that is characteristic
of the geometric shape of the containers is taken into account for
the control or adjustment of the at least one additional treatment
unit and/or the sensors thereof disposed after the measuring
device.
2. The method according to claim 1, and determining by the
measuring device, either after or during the treatment in the first
treatment unit, at least one parameter that is characteristic of
the abrasive wear of at least one machine element, and taking into
account the determined at least one parameter that is
characteristic of the abrasive wear of at least one machine element
for the control or adjustment of the at least one additional
treatment unit and/or sensors thereof disposed after the measuring
device.
3. The method according to claim 2, and the at least one parameter
determined by the measuring device that is characteristic of the
geometric shape of the containers, and/or the at least one
parameter determined by the measuring device that is characteristic
of the abrasive wear of at least one machine element, and the
resultant control and adjustment commands, and setting values
derived therefrom, are transferred to at least one additional
treatment unit either directly or by means of a central system
control unit, and are used for setting up and control of the at
least one additional treatment unit.
4. The method according to claim 1, and the first treatment unit is
a filling and/or a sealing device.
5. The method according to claim 1, and the first additional
treatment unit after the measuring device is a labeling device or
an imprinting device.
6. The method according to claim 2, and at least one piece of
information with respect to at least one parameter of the
manufactured container that is characteristic of the geometric
shape of the containers, or a setting value derived therefrom,
and/or at least one piece of information with respect to at least
one parameter that is characteristic of the abrasive wear of at
least one machine element, is output by means of a display
device.
7. A system for treating containers, comprising a first treatment
unit, at least one additional treatment unit, and a measuring
device after or with the first treatment unit, configured in such a
way that the measuring device can determine at least one parameter
that is characteristic of the geometric shape of the containers
either during or after the treatment by the first treatment unit,
and the determined at least one parameter that is characteristic of
the shape of the containers can be used for the control or
adjustment of the at least one additional treatment unit and/or
sensors thereof disposed after the measuring device.
8. The system according to 7, and the system is configured in such
a way that the measuring device can determine at least one
parameter that is characteristic of the abrasive wear of a machine
element, and the determined at least one parameter concerning the
abrasive wear of at least one machine element that is
characteristic of the control or setting of the at least one
additional treatment unit and/or sensors thereof disposed after the
measuring device.
9. The system according to claim 8, and a central system control
unit, which may, at least temporarily, be in data communication
with the controls of the individual treatment units, configured in
such a way that the at least one parameter determined by the
measuring device that is characteristic of the geometric shape of
the containers, and/or the at least one parameter determined by the
measuring device that is characteristic of the abrasive wear of at
least one machine element, and control and adjustment commands, and
setting values derived therefrom, can be transmitted to at least
one additional treatment unit either directly or by means of the
central system control unit, and can be used to set and control of
the at least one additional treatment unit.
10. The system according to at claim 7, and the first treatment
unit is a filling and/or sealing device.
11. The system according to claim 7, and the first additional
treatment unit after the measuring device is a labeling device or
an imprinting device.
12. The system according to claim 8, and a display device
configured to output one or more of at least one piece of
information with respect to at least one parameter of the
manufactured container that is characteristic of the geometric
shape of the containers, a setting value or control command derived
therefrom, at least one piece of information with respect to at
least one parameter that is characteristic of the abrasive wear of
at least one machine element, and a setting value or control
command derived therefrom.
13. The method according to claim 1, and the at least one parameter
determined by the measuring device that is characteristic of the
geometric shape of the containers, and the resultant control and
adjustment commands, and setting values derived therefrom, are
transferred to at least one additional treatment unit either
directly or by means of a central system control unit, and are used
for setting up and control of the at least one additional treatment
unit.
14. The method according to claim 1, and at least one piece of
information with respect to at least one parameter of the
manufactured container that is characteristic of the geometric
shape of the containers, or a setting value derived therefrom, is
output by means of a display device.
15. The system according to claim 7, and a central system control
unit, which may, at least temporarily, be in data communication
with the controls of the individual treatment units, configured in
such a way that the at least one parameter determined by the
measuring device that is characteristic of the geometric shape of
the containers, and control and adjustment commands, and setting
values derived therefrom, can be transmitted to at least one
additional treatment unit either directly or by means of the
central system control unit, and can be used to set and control of
the at least one additional treatment unit.
16. The system according to claim 7, and a display device
configured to output at least one piece of information with respect
to at least one parameter of the manufactured container that is
characteristic of the geometric shape of the containers, or a
setting value or control command derived therefrom.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application claims the benefit of priority of
International Patent Application No. PCT/EP2012/064315, filed Jul.
20, 2012, which application claims priority of German Application
No. DE 10 2011 084 135.0, filed Oct. 7, 2011. The priority
application is hereby incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] The present disclosure relates to a method of operating a
system for treating containers, as well as a system for treating
containers.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Various systems and methods for treating containers are
known from the prior art. Thus filling systems, among others, are
known, which fill containers such as plastic or glass jars for
example, and label these. A typical filling system for filling a
container with a product is described in EP1959228A1, for example.
As a rule, such systems can process different products and
containers. When retooling filling systems from one type of product
or container to the other, often numerous adjustments and
alterations to the system are required. Since this change in the
type of product is complex, and cannot be done in the midst of
operation, a change of this kind costs valuable production
time.
[0004] Retooling for another product or container is done at the
respective individual machines or modules, for example through the
selection of a program that has already been stored, the
installation of the correct format parts or the setting of
adjustment devices to values usually displayed on a control panel,
for example for height settings, width settings, etc. These setting
values were determined during the commissioning of the system and
stored in the program. According to the prior art, these product or
container-specific setting values and parameters, as described in
DE102009040977A1, are partially determined by means of a detection
device for the detection of characteristics of a container that is
to be treated. The detection device is thereby connected upstream
from the treatment elements.
[0005] In practice, the default setting values are only suitable
for use as approximate values. Experience has shown that a fine
adjustment is still necessary.
[0006] The startup of the system proceeds such that the first
produced containers are transported from the filler to the labeling
machine, for example. A test run of the labeling is performed in
the labeling machine using these containers. Where necessary
settings have to be changed, which are time consuming and can lead
to a backlog at the filler, and the stop thereof The assessment of
the labeled containers may likewise lead to necessary corrections,
and this, in turn, may mean a loss of time and possibly a loss of
production at the filler.
[0007] This process of fine adjustment continues for all machines
until paletization, with the result that significant losses in
production arise. In practice, the time required until the point in
time at which a uniform production at the filler occurs may be 2 or
more hours, depending on the experience of the personnel.
[0008] The reasons for the necessary fine adjustment are
fluctuating parameters, which lead to changes in the geometry of
the containers, especially in the case of containers such as
plastic (PET) bottles. In particular, the internal pressure of the
container leads to changes in diameter, the height and contour of
the container.
[0009] The pressure in the container is determined by many factors
including, among others, a nitrogen injection into the product, or
the CO.sub.2 content in the product.
[0010] This effect may be enhanced by fluctuations in the wall
thickness of the PET bottle, for example when using preforms from
different suppliers, batches, etc.
[0011] Another significant reason for the necessary readjustments
is abrasive wear to machine elements, e.g. the abrasive wear to
conveyor chains and the sliding guides thereof
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0012] One aspect of the present disclosure is therefore to provide
a device and a method for operating a system for treating
containers, which simplify and expedite the retooling of the system
in the case of a change in the type of product, leading to an
improvement in the Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE).
[0013] The presently-disclosed measuring device thereby determines
at least one parameter that is characteristic of the geometric
shape of the containers, either after or during the treatment of
the containers. Changes in form that only occur after treatment can
thereby be detected and acted upon.
[0014] Thereby, the actual geometry of the container can be
determined by one or a plurality of measuring devices, for example
by suitable cameras, scanners or other sensors. The measuring
device may thereby be based on a visual, magnetic, mechanical or
other physical principle. The measured values determined by the
measuring devices, and the characteristic parameters that are
derived therefrom can then be transmitted to all, a plurality or at
least one additional treatment unit(s) of the system, and can be
taken into account for the control and adjustment thereof, as well
as for the determination and/or correction of the setting values to
treatment units.
[0015] A treatment unit is understood to be an element/module of
the system, which is used for the treatment of containers. The
system may comprise a plurality of container treatment units.
Stretching and/or blowing modules, filling and/or sealing modules,
labeling modules, imprinting modules, testing modules, packaging
modules, etc. are possible common treatment units.
[0016] In addition, the use of a plurality of measuring devices is
also conceivable, said devices being distributed among all or a
plurality of treatment units or stations respectively within the
container treatment system, measure characteristics of the
containers and/or characteristics of the machine elements. In this
way, the evolution of the setting values can be measured as a
function of the position within the system and other variables
(such as time, temperature, etc.).
[0017] The measurement and possible subsequent correction of the
setting values may be done only during a test run/test startup of
the system with a few initial containers of a specific type, for
example, or may be done during the ongoing operation in a
continuous measurement-correction loop of the treatment unit
settings for a specific type of container.
[0018] In addition to the geometric shape of the container, the
deterioration/abrasive wear of machine elements may be detected by
a measuring device, and the characteristic parameters that are
derived therefrom may be used for the correction of the setting
values and for the control of the treatment units.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] Further advantages and a better understanding of the present
disclosure will follow from the following accompanying
drawings.
[0020] FIG. 1: Height comparison between two containers
[0021] FIG. 2: Diameter comparison in the label region of two
containers
[0022] FIG. 3: Schematic overview of a possible logical
configuration of the container treatment system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0023] FIG. 1 shows two containers 1a, 1b having different
geometries. In this case, the geometry of the containers differs,
in that the containers have different container heights h1a and
h1b. Container 1a is located on machine element 3a, which is
situated above machine element 4a. Aforementioned machine elements
3a and 3b are new, or are not worn respectively, and have a height
of h3a or h4a respectively. Conveyor chains and sliding, which may
be used to transport containers, guides are an example of
appropriate machine elements. A measuring device detects the
geometry of the container (including the container height, diameter
of the container in the label region or in the imprinting region,
contour, etc.) both in part or in full, the three-dimensional
position of said container on a machine element, as well as the
geometry of the machine elements, either in part or in full, which
is associated with the position of the container. In the case of a
change in product type from container 1a to container 1b, the
values obtained by the measuring device, or the derived
characteristic parameters respectively may be used in order to
adapt machines of the system for treating containers to the new
type of product or container, or in order to correct and refine the
standard default settings for the new type of product/container
respectively. Thus for example, in the change from container 1a to
container 1b, the measuring device not only determines that the new
container height 1b is less than the container height 1a of the
preceding container 1a, said measuring device also determines that
in the mean time, for example, machine elements have deteriorated
and/or been modified (as a result of use and/or changes in the
operating environment such as temperature, humidity, etc.). In the
case shown in FIG. 1, the measuring device determines, for example,
that the height of the machine elements has changed from h3a to
h3b, and from h4a to h4b as a result of use/abrasive wear, and
therefore the top edge of the seal 2b is lower than the top edge of
the seal 2a by dh. This information can be transmitted along with
additional measured values (absolute position of the container with
reference to the system, geometry of the container etc) and/or
other derived characteristic parameters to the treatment units of
the system for treating containers, where that information can be
used for the correction of the setting values and/or for the
control thereof
[0024] The standard default settings of the setting values of the
system for treating containers are unable or insufficiently able to
account for changes, which may occur during or after the treatment
of the and/or which may result from abrasive wear/use or changes in
the environmental conditions.
[0025] FIG. 2 illustrates the detection of an additional geometric
parameter of the containers that are to be treated, namely the
diameter of the containers in the label region. As FIG. 2 shows,
the diameter OD1 of container 5a measured by the measuring device
is smaller than the diameter OD2 of container 5b.
[0026] Aside from the fact that different types of containers may
have different geometries, even in the case of the same type of
container, the difference in the diameter may be, among other
things, due to the fact, that the pressure in the containers is
different, if the containers were filled and sealed prior to the
measurement for example, or as a result of manufacturing
fluctuations in the wall thickness and the shape of the
containers.
[0027] The measured values detected by a measuring device and
derived parameters can be displayed in a control panel (on a
measuring device and/or on a treatment unit), to be read, checked
and processed by plant personnel. The transfer of information
between the measuring device and container treatment units may be
carried out via a cable connection or wireless.
[0028] The measuring device may be integrated into the first
treatment unit, or may be located after the first treatment unit,
before or in an additional treatment unit. It is also possible for
a plurality of measuring devices to be operated on a plurality of
treatment units. Additional or other measurements may be carried
out by other/one other measuring device(s) before the first
container treatment, if the other measuring device(s) is/are
located before or in the first treatment unit, or the measurements
may be carried out after the first container treatment. In the case
of a measuring device that is integrated in a treatment unit, the
measurements may be carried out during or after the treatment.
[0029] FIG. 3a, FIG. 3b show schematic examples of two systems A1
and A2 for treating containers. Both systems have at least two
treatment units B1 and B2, but also may have any additional number,
thus a total of, B1, B2, BN treatment units. In the illustrated
configuration for system A1 (FIG. 3a), a measuring device M1 is
provided at/in a first treatment unit B1, wherein the measuring
device M1 may also be integrated into treatment unit B1. The
measuring device M1 can perform measurements on the containers and
on machine elements, either during or after the treatment by B1.
Measured values thereby determined, and derived characteristic
parameters (for example regarding the container, deterioration and
abrasive wear of machine elements) may be analyzed and processed by
the measuring device, and the values resulting therefrom may be
taken into account for the setting, correction of the setting,
adjustment and control parameters or commands for the setting and
control for B1 and at least one additional treatment unit (z.B.
B2). In addition, M1 is at least temporarily in a communication
link with B1 itself and/or with at least one additional treatment
unit (e.g. B2) by means of a communication channel K2.
Alternatively, the data collected and determined by M1 may be
transmitted to a central system control unit ZS by means of a
further communication channel K1. The ZS is thereby at least
temporarily connected to M1 and at least one treatment unit. The
transport of containers within the system is carried out by
transport-machine elements, such as conveyor chains and sliding
guides, for example. Machine element T12, for example, is
responsible for transporting containers from B1 to B2, and Tij
transports containers from the i'th treatment unit to a further
j'th treatment unit, wherein i,j are whole numbers between 2 and
N.
[0030] In system 2 (FIG. 3b), which, like system 1, has a number N
of treatment units, the measuring device M1 is located after the
first treatment unit, i.e. in this case, M1 only carries out
measurements on the containers after a first treatment by B 1.
However, the data communication between M1, ZS and the treatment
units proceeds as described in system 1.The first treatment unit is
advantageously a filling and/or sealing device, thus a treatment
unit for the filling and/or sealing of containers. In the case of
the following machines and treatment units, it may be advantageous
that these are not blocked, i.e. uncoupled from the filling and/or
sealing device by transporters or buffer systems.
[0031] At least one additional treatment unit advantageously serves
to label or imprint the containers.
[0032] The use of measured values and of the characteristic
parameters derived therefrom, which are obtained from a measuring
device in order that they be used for the control, adjustment and
correction of the setting values for treatment units, may be done
automatically or manually. The manual use of the measured values by
plant personnel may be done by means of the control panels and the
corresponding treatment units for example, or by means of a central
control panel. Likewise the automatic use may occur by means of a
central computing/control unit, which is in at least intermittent
communication with the measuring device(s), and may collect and if
necessary, further process all measured values determined by the
measuring device(s) and derived characteristic parameters,
corrections, control commands etc., and use these for the control,
adjustment and correction of setting values for the treatment
units. An automatic use of the measuring device data (including
measured values, derived characteristic parameters, and control and
adjustment commands) is also possible, however, by means of a
direct communication link between the measuring device(s) and
treatment unit(s).
[0033] The following examples of the use of measured values
detected by the measuring device serve to illustrate advantageous
embodiments of the disclosure.
[0034] The detection of the height of the container may be used for
setting up the backup detecting sensors in the transport and in
machine infeeds, as well as the height setting of the sensor
systems.
[0035] The detection of the diameter of the container may be used
for setting up the container infeed to labeling machines and
packers.
[0036] The measurement of the diameter of the container in the
label region of a container may be used for setting up the labeling
machines.
[0037] The measurement of the contour of the container in the
pressure range for the expiration date may be used for setting up
the printer.
[0038] The number of measured values that can be detected according
to the disclosure, derived characteristic parameters (i.e.
parameters that describe characteristics of the containers, system,
or parts of the system respectively) and the control, setting,
adjustment commands for treatment units resulting therefrom (i.e.
parameters that describe the treatment of the containers) goes on
and one and is not limited to those values and parameters that are
listed here.
[0039] Appended here are 2 sheets including 3 figures, in which the
following reference characters are used.
[0040] 1a, 1b, 5a, 5b containers having different geometries
[0041] 2a, 2b top edge of the seal on the containers 1a, 1b
[0042] 3a, 4a machine elements that are new/not worn
[0043] h3a, h4a height of the machine elements 3a and 4a
[0044] 3b, 4b machine elements that are deteriorated/worn or
changed as a result of modifications in the operating
environment
[0045] h3b, h4b height of the machine elements 3b and 4b
[0046] h1a, h1b height of container 1a, or of 1b respectively
(wherein the height of the container=the distance between the
bottom of the container and the top edge of the seal of the
container)
[0047] dh difference between the sum of (h1a+h3a+h3a) and the sum
of (h1b+h3b+h3b)
[0048] OD1, OD2 diameter in the label region of the containers 5a
and 5b
[0049] 6a, 6b label region of the containers 5a and 5b
[0050] A1, A2 systems A1, A2 for the treatment of containers
[0051] B1, B2, BN First, second and n'th treatment unit for the
treatment of containers
[0052] K1 communication channel for the transmission of data,
commands and other information between the treatment units and the
central system control unit
[0053] K2 communication channel for the transmission of data,
commands and other information between a measuring device and
treatment units
[0054] T12 machine element for the transport of containers between
a first and second treatment unit
[0055] Tij machine element for the transport of containers between
an i'th and j'th
[0056] treatment unit, wherein i,j are whole numbers between 2 and
N.
[0057] ZS central system control unit
[0058] M1 measuring device
* * * * *