Container processing device and method for operating container processing device

Abstract

The invention mainly relates to a container treatment plant and to a method for operating a container treatment plant, comprising: a treatment device (12) having a plurality of treatment stations (24), each of which has a filling valve (28); a detection device (22) formed to detect the filling height of the container filled by the filling valve (28); and a control device (52). The control device (52) is configured to determine a common average value of the plurality of filling valves (28) based on the detected filling heights of the plurality of containers filled by the filling valves (28). The control device (52) is further configured to determine, for at least one of the plurality of filling valves (28), a filling valve individual average value based on the detected filling heights of the plurality of containers filled by the respective filling valve (28), and adjusting the individual filling valve opening duration (D) for the future container filling process as a function of the respective individual filling valve average value and the common average value.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a container treatment plant and a method for operating a container treatment plant. Background Art

[0002] When filling products such as beer or carbonated drinks in containers such as glass bottles, a constant fill height is often required as a quality criterion. In different filling systems, the fill height of the filled container is influenced by various effects or parameters. In the case of a gas return filler, the fill level is generated by covering the connection between the container and the boiler with liquid when the fill level rises to the correct height, so that gas can no longer escape. In a probe filler, an electrical short circuit is generated at the probe due to the rising fill level in the container, which closes the filling valve.

[0003] In contrast to return pipe fillers and probe fillers, there are also filling systems in which the filling height is actively controlled via the filling pressure. In addition, various other influencing factors, such as product temperature, can be compensated. In such filling systems, the filling valve can be opened as soon as the fill flows into the container until pressure balance is achieved to the boiler, where the fill in the boiler can have an absolute pressure that is higher than the ambient pressure. These filling systems can also be referred to as filling systems with active filling pressure control.

[0004] In this regard, EP 2 937 310 A2 discloses a method for filling a container with a filling product in a beverage filling device, comprising providing the filling product under overpressure and evacuating the container to be filled to achieve underpressure. The filling product under overpressure is introduced into the container under underpressure. Summary of the invention

[0005] The object of the present invention is to create an improved technique for achieving a constant filling height. The technique is preferably applicable to filling systems with active filling pressure control.

[0006] This object is achieved by the following features. Advantageous further developments are given in the following embodiments.

[0007] One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a container processing device. The container processing device has a processing device (e.g., a rotary wheel) with multiple processing stations, each of which has a filling valve (e.g., an active filling pressure controlled filling system) for filling a container positioned in the corresponding processing station during the individual opening duration of the filling valve. The container processing device has a detection device, which is formed to detect the filling height of the container filled by the filling valve. The container processing device has a control device, which is configured to determine (e.g., calculate) a common average value of the multiple filling valves based on the detected filling heights of the multiple containers filled by the filling valve. The control device is also configured to determine (e.g., calculate) the individual filling valve average value for at least one of the multiple filling valves based on the detected filling heights of the multiple containers filled by the corresponding filling valve, and adjust (e.g., extend or shorten) the individual opening duration of the filling valve for future container filling processes according to the corresponding filling valve individual average value and the common average value.

[0008] Advantageously, the container handling device allows automatic adjustment of the opening duration of the filling valve, so that the standard deviation of the filling height as a quality criterion can be significantly improved. Therefore, the technician does not have to laboriously make adjustments manually. Instead, the filling height of the container can be automatically and accurately detected for each filling container at each station. Due to the statistical dispersion of the filling height, not every smallest overfilling or underfilling is directly caused by an incorrect valve opening duration. Therefore, a common mean value and a corresponding individual mean value of the filling valve can be determined and compared, so that a station-related, reproducible difference in the filling height of the processing station can be determined. For example, if in a plurality of containers, all of which are filled by the same filling valve, an underfill of a few millimeters or less is detected on average compared to the average value of all filling valves, the control device can take this information into account to automatically adjust the individual opening duration of the filling valve of the filling valve. For example, this can automatically respond to the situation that due to various factors, such as manufacturing differences or external contamination, the opening of the valve member of one of the filling valves may be slowed down, so that the speed of the filling flow into the container is significantly slowed down at the beginning, and the container with too low a filling height cannot be filled correctly. In addition, fluctuations that may occur in the required individual opening duration of the filling valve over a longer period of time can also be solved.

[0009] Preferably, the processing station may be free of a filling probe and / or a return line.

[0010] Preferably, the detection device can be arranged downstream of the processing device. Alternatively, for example, the detection device can be integrated in the processing device.

[0011] For example, the common mean value may be a common arithmetic mean value or a common median mean value. Alternatively or additionally, the filling valve individual mean values ​​may be filling valve individual arithmetic means or filling valve individual median mean values.

[0012] In one embodiment, the control device is configured to adjust, for at least one of the plurality of filling valves, an individual filling valve opening duration for a future container filling process as a function of the respective filling valve individual average value and the common average value:

[0013] - when the deviation (eg the difference) between the respective filling valve individual mean value and the common mean value is greater than a deviation limit value (eg predeterminable via a user interface of the container handling device); and / or

[0014] wherein the degree of adjustment (eg the size or height of the correction value for adjusting the individual opening durations of the filling valves for future container filling processes) depends on the deviation value (size or height) between the respective individual filling valve average values ​​and the common average value.

[0015] This advantageously ensures that even in the case of minimal differences between the individual filling valve mean values ​​and the common mean value, no unnecessary adjustments are made to the individual filling valve mean values. Advantageously, a function can also be provided by which the correction value required for filling to the setpoint filling height can be calculated or derived from the deviation value, so that the setpoint filling height can be achieved by a single adjustment of the individual filling valve opening durations.

[0016] In another embodiment, the control device is configured to adjust the individual opening duration of the filling valve for a future container filling process for at least one of the plurality of filling valves as a function of the respective individual filling valve average value and the common average value up to a predeterminable maximum opening duration (e.g. via a user interface of the container handling device). Advantageously, this can automatically take into account the fact that the individual opening duration of the filling valve should not be extended indefinitely, even if the individual opening duration of the filling valve directly affects the possible performance of the handling device.

[0017] In one embodiment, the container treatment apparatus further has an output device (e.g. acoustic, visual and / or tactile) for outputting information to a user. Preferably, the control device is configured to operate the output device for outputting an indication (e.g. an error message, a warning or a maintenance indication) if, for at least one of the plurality of filling valves, the individual opening duration of the filling valve for a future container filling process approaches (e.g. continuously or continuously approaches) a maximum opening duration (e.g. a distance predeterminable via a user interface of the container treatment apparatus) and / or reaches or exceeds the maximum opening duration, the output device is operated to output an indication (e.g. an error message, a warning or a maintenance indication). Thus, advantageously, an error message or the like can be automatically issued to inform the operator of the container treatment apparatus that the affected treatment station or at least the affected filling valve needs to be replaced or maintained in order to prevent shortages and / or power reductions that occur when the maximum opening duration is exceeded. Furthermore, by continuously monitoring and, where appropriate, adjusting the individual opening durations of the filling valves, the evolution of the adjustment or correction value can be monitored, for example, a warning can be issued when the treatment station continuously requires more individual opening durations or correction times of the filling valves and, for example, exceeds the maximum opening duration in the foreseeable future. This may advantageously allow the affected processing station or at least the affected filling valve to be repaired or replaced during a planned downtime, thereby preventing unplanned downtime in the production process.

[0018] In one embodiment, the control device is configured to determine (e.g. calculate) the filling valve individual average value as - a filling valve individual filling height average value of the detected filling heights of a plurality of containers filled by the respective filling valve or an average value associated with the filling valve individual filling height average value; or

[0019] a filling valve-individual deviation mean value of or associated with the filling valve-individual deviation mean value of deviations of the detected filling heights of a plurality of containers filled by the respective filling valves from a setpoint filling height (predeterminable, for example, via a user interface of the container handling device).

[0020] In one embodiment, the control device is configured to determine (eg calculate) the common average value as:

[0021] a common filling height mean value of or a mean value associated with the common filling height mean value of the detected filling heights of a plurality of containers filled by the filling valve; or

[0022] a common deviation mean value or a mean value associated with the common deviation mean value of deviations of the detected filling levels of a plurality of containers filled by the filling valve from a setpoint filling level (predeterminable, for example, via a user interface of the container handling system).

[0023] In one embodiment, the control device is further configured to adjust the operation of the processing device depending on a comparison between the common mean value and a (e.g. predetermined or predeterminable) nominal filling height, wherein preferably:

[0024] - make an operational adjustment when the deviation between the common mean value and the nominal filling height is greater than or equal to the deviation limit; and / or

[0025] The operational adjustment is performed such that an operational parameter between the filling valves (eg a relevant operational parameter of a plurality or all of the filling valves) is adjusted for a future container filling process.

[0026] Advantageously, in the event of an operational anomaly in multiple or all of the filling valves, a relatively quick response may be achieved.

[0027] Preferably, the degree of adjustment (eg of an operating parameter between the filling valves) may depend on the value of the deviation between the common mean value and the nominal filling height.

[0028] Preferably, the operating parameter between the filling valves may be, for example, an operating pressure, such as a filling pressure and / or a back pressure, a power or a speed.

[0029] In one embodiment, the processing device has a filler pressure reservoir (e.g., with one or more filler boilers) connected to the filling valve for supplying the filler under overpressure to the filling valve. Preferably, the processing device can be formed to evacuate the container to negative pressure before filling (e.g., by the filling device of the corresponding processing station), and fill the container evacuated to negative pressure through the filling valve during the individual opening duration of the filling valve to achieve pressure balance between the corresponding evacuated container and the filler pressure reservoir. Advantageously, the container filling can be carried out relatively quickly. Due to gravity, the filler is not accelerated into the container by its mass as usual. Instead, the filler in an overpressure state is applied with a pressure difference between the evacuated container and the filler pressure reservoir to flow into the container. The technology disclosed here for filling height monitoring is particularly preferably suitable for this type of filling technology.

[0030] In another embodiment, the plurality of processing stations further comprise a closing device for closing a container positioned in the respective processing station. Preferably, the control device can be configured to additionally adjust the individual opening duration of the filling valve for a future container filling process for at least one of the plurality of filling valves according to an operation plan (e.g. predeterminable via a user interface of the container handling device) of the closing device of the respective processing station, particularly preferably such that the individual opening duration of the filling valve for a future container filling process must end before the closing device of the respective processing station begins to approach the filling container in the respective processing station. Advantageously, in this way, the complex and mutually coordinated operation of the filling valves and closing devices of the same processing station can be automatically taken into account when adjusting the individual opening duration of the filling valves.

[0031] Additional or alternative adjustments can also be made depending on the operating plan of the closure device, so that the individual opening durations of the filling valves for future container filling processes are adjustable within the time window in which the closure head of the closure device of the corresponding processing station moves from the basic position to the sealing position.

[0032] In one embodiment, a plurality of processing stations each have a processing chamber in which at least one upper part of a container with a container opening can be accommodated for filling via a filling valve of the respective processing station and for closing via a closing device of the respective processing station. Optionally, the container can enter the processing chamber of the respective processing station and can be removed from the processing chamber of the respective processing station via a lifting device of the respective processing station.

[0033] In a further embodiment, the control device is configured to additionally adjust the individual opening duration of the filling valve for a future container filling process for at least one of the plurality of filling valves according to a process plan (predeterminable, for example, via a user interface of the container handling device) of a process chamber of the respective process station, preferably such that:

[0034] - the individual opening duration of the filling valve for the future container filling process must have ended before pre-pressurizing the process chamber of the respective process station to achieve pressure equalization between the respective filling container and the process chamber of the respective process station; and / or

[0035] Within the time window in which the process chamber of the respective process station is evacuated and / or flushed, the individual opening durations of the filling valves for future container filling processes are adjustable.

[0036] Advantageously, in this way the complex and mutually coordinated operation of filling valves, closing devices and treatment chambers of one and the same treatment station can be automatically taken into account when adjusting the individual opening durations of the filling valves.

[0037] In one embodiment, the processing chamber can be sealed by the upper part of the container positioned therein, preferably by the closing head of the closing device of the corresponding processing station at the top and / or by the corresponding (e.g., inflatable) seal of the container at the bottom, preferably by the container neck.

[0038] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method for operating a container processing device, preferably as disclosed herein. The method includes filling a plurality of containers in a plurality of processing stations of the processing device by means of a filling valve (e.g., included in a filling system with active filling pressure control) at each processing station during the individual opening duration of the filling valve (e.g., by a filler in an overpressure state). The method also includes detecting the filling height of the container filled by the filling valve by means of a detection device. The method also includes determining (e.g., calculating) a common average value of a plurality of filling valves by means of a control device based on the detected filling height of the plurality of containers filled by the filling valve. The method also includes determining (e.g., calculating) a filling valve individual average value of at least one of the plurality of filling valves by means of a control device based on the detected filling height of the plurality of containers filled by the corresponding filling valve. The method also includes adjusting (e.g., shortening or lengthening) a filling valve individual opening duration of at least one of the plurality of filling valves for a future container filling process by means of a control device based on the corresponding filling valve individual average value and the common average value, preferably when the deviation (e.g., difference) between the corresponding filling valve individual average value and the common average value is greater than a deviation limit value, and / or wherein the degree of adjustment depends on the deviation value between the corresponding filling valve individual average value and the common average value. Advantageously, the method can achieve the same advantages as already explained with reference to the processing device. The same applies to the following preferred examples of the method.

[0039] In one embodiment, the individual opening duration of the filling valves is (only) maximally adjustable to a predeterminable maximum opening duration (e.g., via a user interface of the container handling device) when adjusting. Optionally, the method may further comprise outputting an indication (e.g., acoustic, visual and / or tactile) to a user via an output device when at least one of the plurality of filling valves approaches (e.g., continuously or continuously approaches) a maximum opening duration for a future container filling process (e.g., a distance predeterminable via a user interface of the container handling device) and / or reaches or exceeds the maximum opening duration.

[0040] In another embodiment, the method further comprises evacuating the plurality of containers to negative pressure before filling.Preferably, the plurality of containers evacuated to negative pressure may be filled to achieve pressure balance between the corresponding evacuated containers and the filler pressure reservoir.

[0041] In a further embodiment, the individual opening durations of the filling valves are additionally adjusted (e.g. shortened or prolonged) as a function of an operating plan (e.g. predeterminable via a user interface of the container handling system) of the closing device of the respective processing station and / or a processing plan (e.g. predeterminable via a user interface of the container handling system) of a processing chamber of the respective processing station (wherein, for example, at least one upper part of a container having a container mouth can be accommodated for filling via the respective filling valve and for closing via the closing device of the respective processing station), preferably such that:

[0042] - the individual opening duration of the filling valve for a future container filling process must have ended before the closing device of the respective processing station starts to approach the filling container in the respective processing station; and / or

[0043] - the individual opening duration of the filling valve for the future container filling process must have ended before pre-pressurizing the process chamber of the respective process station to achieve pressure equalization between the respective filling container and the process chamber of the respective process station; and / or

[0044] Within the time window in which the process chamber of the respective process station is evacuated and / or flushed, the individual opening durations of the filling valves for future container filling processes are adjustable.

[0045] The method may further comprise adjusting the operation of the processing device in dependence on a comparison of the common average value and a (e.g. predetermined or predeterminable) nominal filling height, wherein preferably:

[0046] - making an operational adjustment when the deviation between the common mean value and the nominal filling height is greater than or equal to a deviation limit; and / or

[0047] The operational adjustment is performed such that an operational parameter between the filling valves (eg a relevant operational parameter of a plurality or all of the filling valves) is adjusted for a future container filling process.

[0048] For example, the container may be embodied as a bottle, a jar, a bucket, a carton, a vial, or the like.

[0049] Preferably, the term "control device" may refer to an electronic device (e.g. designed as a drive circuit or having a microprocessor and a data memory), and optionally additional mechanical, pneumatic and / or hydraulic controllers, which can take over control tasks and / or regulation tasks and / or processing tasks depending on the construction scheme. Although the term "control" is used here, it may also appropriately include or mean "regulation" or "feedback control" and / or "processing".

[0050] The preferred embodiments and features of the present invention described above may be combined with each other as needed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0051] Other details and advantages of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings:

[0052] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a container processing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0053] Figure 2 A schematic diagram showing a processing station of a container processing device of an exemplary container processing plant; and

[0054] Figure 3 A time-pressure diagram is shown, containing an exemplary pressure profile in a container and an exemplary pressure profile in a processing chamber during processing of the container.

[0055] The embodiments shown in the figures correspond at least in part, so similar or identical parts are given the same reference numerals, and in order to avoid repetition, reference is also made to the description of other embodiments or figures for explanation. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0056] Figure 1 A container treatment system 10 is shown having a treatment device 12 with a plurality of treatment stations 24 , a detection device 22 and a control device 52 . Figure 2 One of the processing stations 24 is shown having a container positioned therein.

[0057] Preferably, the processing device 12 is configured as a rotary wheel device or a processing rotating disk. For example, the processing stations 24 can be arranged distributed on the periphery of the processing device 12. For a better overview, Figure 1 In the drawings, only some of the processing stations 24 have their own reference numerals.

[0058] The processing device 12 fills the container with a preferably liquid or pasty filling material. The filling material may be carbonated. Preferably, the container can also be closed using the processing device 12 after filling. Particularly preferably, the containers can be filled and closed in succession in the corresponding processing station 24 without leaving the corresponding processing station 24.

[0059] The processing device 12 may be arranged downstream of the container conveyor 14. For example, the container conveyor 14 may have an entry star 16 that delivers the containers to the processing device 12. More specifically, the entry star 16 may deliver the containers to the processing stations 24 individually.

[0060] The processing device 12 can be arranged upstream (of the container) of the container conveyor 18. The container conveyor 18 can, for example, have an outlet star 20 for receiving the processed containers from the processing device 12. More specifically, the outlet star 20 can receive the containers individually from the processing station 24. Preferably, the container conveyor 18 can transport the containers, for example, in a monorail and / or individually transported manner.

[0061] The detection device 22 can be arranged (container) downstream of the processing device 12. For example, the detection device 22 can be arranged on the container conveyor 18.

[0062] Alternatively, for example, the detection device 22 may be included in the processing device 12. For example, the detection device 22 may be provided at or upstream of the container outlet portion of the processing device 12. Alternatively, for example, the detection device 22 distributed in each processing station 24 may be included.

[0063] The detection device 22 is formed to detect the respective filling height of the container. The detection device 22 can have any sensor technology suitable for detecting the filling height of the container. For example, the detection device 22 can have at least one camera device, a laser sensor, an LED sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, an X-ray sensor and / or a distance sensor, etc.

[0064] The detection device 22 can be communicatively connected with the control device 52 to send the detected filling height to the control device 52. The control device 52 and / or the detection device 22 can, for example, by a known relationship between the processing time point in the corresponding processing station 24 of the detection device 22 and the detection time point, assign the detected filling height of the container to the corresponding processing station 24 and / or the corresponding filling valve 28 that has filled the container with the detected filling height.

[0065] like Figure 2 As shown, the treatment stations 24 each have a filling device 26 with a filling valve 28. Optionally, the treatment station 24 can also include a closing device 36, a treatment chamber 42 and / or a lifting device 46, for example.

[0066] The filling device 26 is configured to fill a container positioned in the processing station 24. The filling device 26 can fill the container with a liquid or pasty filler. For example, the filling device 26 can have a filling valve 28 for selectively releasing or blocking a filler passage of the filling device 26. For example, the filling valve 28 can be actuated electrically, electromagnetically, pneumatically, hydraulically or mechanically.

[0067] The filling device 26 can be connected to a filling pressure reservoir 32 via a filling conduit 30 (only in Figure 1 ). The filler pressure storage 32 can have at least a filler pressure tank or a filler pressure boiler. For example, the filler can be stored in the filler pressure storage 32 at an (absolute) overpressure of up to 9 bar, preferably between 2.5 bar and 6 bar, particularly preferably between 2.8 bar and 3.3 bar.

[0068] Preferably, the filling device 26 can also evacuate, pre-pressurize and / or rinse the container. Accordingly, the filling device 26 can have an evacuation channel, a pre-pressurization channel and / or a rinse channel. The evacuation channel can be connected or connectable to a vacuum source. For example, the vacuum source can be a vacuum pump.

[0069] The filling device 26 may be part of a filling system with active filling pressure control.

[0070] Particularly preferably, the container can be evacuated from the filling device 26 before filling to negative pressure. After evacuation, the container evacuated to negative pressure can be filled with filler by opening the filling valve 28. The filling valve 28 can remain open during the individual opening duration of the filling valve. The filler flows from the filler pressure reservoir 32 into the container through the opened filling valve 28 to achieve pressure balance between the container and the filler pressure reservoir 32. The individual opening duration of the filling valve is adjustable.

[0071] Preferably, the filling device 26 can be pressed against the container mouth of the container to process the container. Preferably, the filling device 26 can be assigned a (filling device) adjustment device 34. The adjustment device 34 can move the filling device 26 to press against the container mouth and release the container mouth. The adjustment device 34 can preferably move the filling device 26 along an axis that is inclined relative to the high axis of the processing station 24 or the container.

[0072] The adjustment device 34 may be operated, for example, electrically, electromagnetically, pneumatically, hydraulically or mechanically, for example, by the control device 52. The adjustment device 34 may be extended and retracted, for example, under the control of the control device 52.

[0073] Preferably, the regulating device 34 can move the outlet of the filling device 26 in the processing chamber 42. The regulating device 34 can move the outlet of the filling device 26 in the processing chamber 42 so as to press it against the container mouth when, for example, a treatment such as evacuation, flushing, pre-pressurization and / or filling is required by the filling device 26. The regulating device 34 can move the outlet of the filling device 26 in the processing chamber 42 away from the container mouth so as to allow, for example, the container to be treated through the closing device 36.

[0074] The closing device 36 can have a closing head 38 and a (closing device) adjustment device 40 .

[0075] The closing device 36 can be configured to close the container positioned in the processing station 24. More specifically, the container can be closed, for example using a crown plug, by means of a closing head 38. For closing, the closing head 38 can be lowered to the container mouth of the container by means of an adjustment device 40 and raised again after closing.

[0076] The adjustment device 40 can be operated, for example, electrically, electromagnetically, pneumatically, hydraulically or mechanically, for example, by the control device 52 (see Figure 1 ). The adjustment device 40 can be extended and retracted, for example, under the control of the control device 52.

[0077] Preferably, the closing head 38 can be moved to, from and / or within the treatment chamber 42 by means of the adjustment device 40. For example, the closing head 38 can be moved to a basic position (e.g. Figure 2 ), a sealed position (not shown in the figures) and / or a closed position (not shown in the figures).

[0078] In the basic position, the closing head 38 can be positioned outside the treatment chamber 42, preferably above it. The basic position can be assumed at the beginning of the treatment of the containers in the treatment station 24, for example, when the containers are introduced into the treatment chamber 42 from the lifting device 46.

[0079] In the sealing position, the closing head 38 can be lowered from the adjustment device 40 to seal the top of the processing chamber 42. Preferably, the container can be processed by the filling device 26, for example, evacuated, rinsed, pre-pressurized and / or filled while the closing head 38 is moved to the sealing position. Before or during the movement, the closing head 38 can still adopt a container cover, such as a crown plug. At the end of processing the container by the filling device 26, the closing head 38 can be in the sealing position. Preferably, the processing chamber 42 can also be sealed by a seal 44 or sealed to the container on the underside. When the closing head 38 is in the sealing position, for example, the processing chamber 42 can be evacuated, rinsed and / or pre-pressurized.

[0080] In the closed position, the closing head 38 can be lowered from the adjustment device 40 to close the container mouth of the container in the processing chamber 42. For example, a container closure can be pressed onto the container mouth of the container in this way. During the movement of the closing head 38 from the sealing position to the closed position, the processing chamber 42 can continue to be sealed by the closing head 38.

[0081] In the treatment chamber 42, at least one upper part of a container having a container mouth for treatment by the filling device 26 and / or the closing device 36 can be accommodated. For example, the container can be moved to the treatment chamber 42 by a lifting device 46 for positioning on the upper part of the container.

[0082] For processing, the part of the container accommodated in the processing chamber 42 can be accommodated in the processing chamber 42 in a sealed manner.

[0083] For example, when the closure head 38 is lowered into or positioned in the processing chamber 42 (not shown in the figures), the processing chamber 42 may be sealed from the top of the closure head 38 .

[0084] For example, the processing chamber 42 may be sealed at the bottom to the container, preferably to the container neck of the container, by a seal 44. The seal 44 may, for example, be formed as an inflatable ring that can be placed around the container jacket or container neck of the container.

[0085] For example, the treatment chamber 42 can be evacuated, flushed and / or pre-pressurized, preferably while the container is pressed against the filling device 26. Particularly preferably, for example, the container can be treated (e.g. evacuated, flushed, pre-pressurized and / or filled) simultaneously with the filling device 26, before or after the treatment chamber 42 has been evacuated, flushed and / or pre-pressurized. Subsequently, preferably at a point in time when the conditions in the treatment chamber 42 and the container are substantially the same, the filling device 26 can be removed from the container mouth of the container that has been filled with the filling product. For example, at this stage, the treatment chamber 42, which is in an overpressure state, can be communicated with the container interior of the container filled with the filling product.

[0086] In the next process step, the container closure can then be applied to the container in the still overpressured process chamber 42 by means of the closing head 38 of the closing device 36. Subsequently, the overpressure existing in the process chamber 42 can be reduced substantially to ambient pressure and the filled and closed container can then be removed from the process chamber 42 by means of the lifting device 46.

[0087] The lifting device 46 can lift and lower the container. For example, the lifting device 46 can have a vertically movable support plate 48 for supporting the bottom of the container. The lifting device 46 can introduce the container into the processing chamber 42 and move it out of the processing chamber.

[0088] The lifting device 46 can be operated, for example, electrically, electromagnetically, pneumatically, hydraulically or mechanically, for example, by the control device 52. The lifting device 46 can be extended and retracted, for example, under the control of the control device 52.

[0089] For a preferred embodiment, Figure 3 A pressure curve A (solid curve) in the container and a pressure curve B (dashed curve) in the process chamber are shown in the time period from just before filling to just after release.

[0090] For example, before filling, the container has been evacuated to negative pressure p0. At time t1, the filling valve 28 can be opened. The filling valve 28 can remain open during the opening duration D until time t2. At the same time, the container can be filled with filler to achieve pressure balance with the pressure p1 in the filler pressure reservoir 32. During this filling process, as long as the filler flows into the container through the open filling valve 28, until the pressure balance between the container and the filler pressure reservoir 32 is reached.

[0091] Starting from the time point t3, the treatment chamber 42 can be pre-pressurized to the pressure in the filling container. After closing the filling valve 28 (after t2) and after pre-pressurizing the treatment chamber 42 to the pressure level in the container, the filling valve 28 can be removed from the filling container by the adjusting device 34. Now, the closing device 36 with its closing head 38 around t4 can be moved to the container mouth of the filling container. Between t4 and t5, the container can be closed, and after closing, the treatment chamber 42 is released to the ambient pressure. Then, the closed, filled container can be removed from the treatment chamber 42 by the lifting device 46.

[0092] like Figure 1 As shown, the container processing device 10 can also include an output device 50. The output device 50 can be, for example, an acoustic, visual and / or tactile output device. Information can be output to a user via the output device 50. The output device 50 can be part of a user interface. The output interface can, for example, have a (e.g. touch-sensitive) display, a speaker and / or at least one signal light.

[0093] The control device 52 can operate or control the operation of the processing device 12. More specifically, the control device 52 can control, for example, the operation of the processing station 24, the operation of the filling device 26, the operation of the filling valve 28, the operation of the regulating device 34, the operation of the closing device 36, the operation of the regulating device 40, the operation of the processing chamber 42, the operation of the seal 44, the operation of the lifting device 46 and / or the operation of the output device 50.

[0094] As mentioned above, when filling the container, as long as the filler flows into the container through the open filling valve 28 during the opening duration D, until the pressure balance is reached between the container and the filler pressure reservoir. Therefore, in this embodiment, to a certain extent, the opening duration D does not affect the filling height of the container. However, it is found that due to various factors such as manufacturing differences or external contamination, the opening of the valve member (such as the product cone) of the filling valve 28 may be slowed down, so that the speed of the filling flow into the container is significantly slowed down at the beginning, and the container with a filling height that is too low cannot be filled correctly. In this case, the valve opening duration must be extended. On the other hand, if the selected opening duration is too long, it may happen that another filler exceeding the required amount flows into the container through the open filling valve 28, resulting in overfilling.

[0095] Taking into account the above-mentioned reasons for underfilling and overfilling of containers, it has been recognized that, through the resulting filling height of the container, conclusions can be drawn about the correctness of the opening duration D of the corresponding filling valve 28. Figures 1 to 3 A method is described by which the opening duration D can be automatically adjusted to achieve the correct filling height.

[0096] The control device 52 determines a common mean value for the filling valves 28 of the processing device 12. The mean value is determined as a function of the filling height of the container filled by the filling valve 28 detected by the detection device 22.

[0097] To determine the common mean value, each filling valve 28 can take into account a plurality of filling containers or their filling levels. Preferably, filling levels detected during an operating duration of at least 8 hours, at least 16 hours or at least 24 hours of the container treatment plant 10 can be taken into account to determine the common mean value.

[0098] The common mean value can particularly preferably be determined as a common filling height mean value of the detected filling heights of a plurality of containers filled by the filling valve 28, or as a mean value associated with the common filling height mean value. For example, 1,000,000 filling containers may have a common filling height mean value of 200.5 mm.

[0099] Alternatively, for example, a common mean value can be determined as a common deviation mean value of deviations of the detected filling heights from a predeterminable filling height of a plurality of containers filled by the filling valve 28, or as a mean value associated with the common deviation mean value. For example, 1,000,000 filling containers at a nominal filling height of, for example, 200 mm can have a common deviation mean value of 0.5 mm.

[0100] The control device 52 determines a filling valve individual mean value for at least one, preferably a plurality or all of the filling valves 28 of the processing device 12. The filling valve individual mean value is determined as a function of the filling heights of a plurality of containers filled by the respective filling valve 28 detected by the detection device 22. For example, each filling valve 28 may take into account at least 10, at least 100, at least 1000 or at least 10000 filling containers or their filling heights to determine the filling valve individual mean value.

[0101] The filling valve individual average value may preferably be determined as a filling valve individual filling height average value of the detected filling heights of a plurality of containers filled by the corresponding filling valve 28, or as an average value associated with the filling valve individual filling height average value. For example, 1000 containers filled by one of the filling valves 28 may have a filling valve individual filling height average value of 198 mm.

[0102] Alternatively, the filling valve individual mean value can be determined, for example, as a filling valve individual deviation mean value of deviations of the detected filling heights of a plurality of containers filled by the respective filling valve 28 from a predeterminable nominal filling height, or as a mean value associated with the filling valve individual deviation mean value. For example, 1000 containers filled by one of the filling valves 28 can have a filling valve individual deviation mean value of 2 mm at a nominal filling height of, for example, 200 mm.

[0103] For each considered filling valve 28, if necessary or desired, the control device 52 automatically adjusts the individual opening duration D of the filling valve for future container filling processes. The (possible) adjustment depends on the corresponding individual filling valve mean value and the common mean value. The individual opening duration D of the filling valve for future container filling processes can also be referred to as adjusted individual opening duration D of the filling valve.

[0104] like Figure 3 As shown, during adjustment, the individual opening duration D of the filling valves can be adjusted or corrected by the correction value K. For example, when the average value of the individual filling heights of the filling valves is (significantly) greater than the average value of the common filling heights, the adjustment can be a shortening of the individual opening duration D of the filling valves. For example, when the average value of the individual filling heights of the filling valves is (significantly) less than the average value of the common filling heights, the adjustment can be a prolonging of the individual opening duration D of the filling valves.

[0105] The corresponding correction value K can be, for example, a constant (eg 100 ms) or depend on a deviation or difference between the individual mean values ​​of the filling valves and a common mean value determined by the control device 52. This allows the degree of adjustment to be determined depending on the deviation value.

[0106] Preferably, when the deviation between the corresponding filling valve individual average value and the common average value is greater than a deviation limit, the filling valve individual opening duration D for the future container filling process can be adjusted. For example, the deviation limit can be 0.5 mm, 1 mm, 2 mm or 3 mm.

[0107] The individual opening duration D of the filling valve for future container filling processes cannot be extended indefinitely. Instead, the control device 52 allows the individual opening duration of the filling valve to be adjusted to a maximum predetermined maximum opening duration M (see Figure 3 ).

[0108] For example, the individual opening duration D of the filling valve for a future container filling process can be additionally or alternatively adjusted depending on the operating plan of the closing device 36 of the respective processing station 24. Particularly preferably, this can be done in such a way that the individual opening duration D of the filling valve for a future container filling process or the adjusted opening duration D must be ended before the closing device 36 begins to approach the filling container in the respective processing station 24. For example, this can be done in such a way that the maximum opening duration must be ended before the closing device 36 starts to move from the sealing position into the closed position.

[0109] For example, the individual opening duration D of the filling valve for a future container filling process can be adjusted in addition or alternatively depending on the processing plan of the processing chamber 42 of the corresponding processing station 24. Particularly preferably, this can be such that the individual opening duration D of the filling valve for a future container filling process or the adjusted opening duration D must be ended before the processing chamber 42 of the corresponding processing station 24 is pre-pressurized to achieve a pressure balance between the corresponding filling container and the processing chamber 42 of the corresponding processing station 24. For example, when starting to pre-pressurize the processing chamber 42, the maximum opening duration M can end at t3 or in the area around t3 (see Figure 3 ).

[0110] Depending on the treatment plan of the treatment chamber 42 of the corresponding treatment station 24, within the time window in which the treatment chamber 42 of the corresponding treatment station 24 is evacuated and / or flushed, for example within the time period between t1 and t3, the individual opening duration D of the filling valve for the future container filling process can be adjusted (see Figure 3 ).

[0111] Particularly preferably, the control device 52 can operate the output device 50 to output an indication when, for one or more filling valves 28, for example, when the individual opening duration D of the filling valve for a future container filling process approaches, reaches or even exceeds a predetermined distance of the maximum opening duration M.

[0112] The operation of the processing device 12 can also be adjusted based on the comparison of the common average value and the nominal filling height. For example, when the deviation between the common average value and the nominal filling height is greater than or equal to the deviation limit, an operational adjustment can be made. Preferably, the operational adjustment is made so that the operating parameters between the filling valves are adjusted for future container filling processes.

[0113] It should be understood that even though the preferred embodiments relate to a filling system with active filling pressure control, the application of the technology disclosed herein is not limited thereto.

[0114] The present invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments described above. On the contrary, a large number of modifications and variations are possible, which also utilize the concept of the present invention and therefore fall within the scope of protection. All range descriptions provided herein should be understood as disclosed, i.e., all values ​​falling within the corresponding ranges appear to be disclosed individually, for example, preferably, also as the narrower outer boundaries of the corresponding ranges.

[0115] List of Reference Numerals

[0116] 10 Container handling equipment

[0117] 12 Processing device

[0118] 14 Container conveyor

[0119] 16 Entrance Star

[0120] 18 Container conveyor

[0121] 20 Export Star

[0122] 22 Detection device

[0123] 24 Processing Stations

[0124] 26 Filling device

[0125] 28 Filling valve

[0126] 30 Filler pipe

[0127] 32 Filling pressure reservoir

[0128] 34 Adjustment device

[0129] 36 Closure device

[0130] 38 Closed Head

[0131] 40 Adjustment device

[0132] 42 Processing Room

[0133] 44 Seals

[0134] 46 Lifting device

[0135] 48 Support plate

[0136] 50 Output device

[0137] 52 Control device

[0138] A Pressure curve in container

[0139] B. Pressure curve in the process chamber

[0140] D Opening duration

[0141] K correction value

[0142] M Maximum opening duration.

Claims

1. A container processing device (10), comprising: a processing device (12) having a plurality of processing stations (24), each having a filling valve (28) for filling a container located in the respective processing station (24) during an individual opening duration (D) of the filling valve; a detection device (22) formed to detect the filling level of the container filled by the filling valve (28); and A control device (52) configured to: - determining a common average value of the plurality of filling valves (28) based on the detected filling levels of a plurality of containers filled by the filling valves (28); and - for at least one of the plurality of filling valves (28): - determining a filling valve individual average value based on the detected filling heights of a plurality of containers filled by the corresponding filling valve (28); and - adjusting the individual filling valve opening durations (D) for future container filling processes as a function of the respective filling valve individual mean values ​​and the common mean value.

2. The container processing plant (10) according to claim 1, wherein: The control device (52) is configured to adjust the individual filling valve opening duration (D) for a future container filling process for at least one of the plurality of filling valves (28) based on the corresponding filling valve individual average value and the common average value: - when the deviation between said respective filling valve individual mean value and said common mean value is greater than a deviation limit value; and / or - wherein the degree of adjustment depends on the value of the deviation between the respective filling valve individual mean value and the common mean value.

3. The container processing plant (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The control device (52) is configured to adjust the individual filling valve opening duration (D) for a future container filling process for at least one of the plurality of filling valves (28) up to a predeterminable maximum opening duration (M) as a function of the corresponding filling valve individual average value and the common average value.

4. The container processing device (10) according to claim 3, further comprising: an output device (50) for outputting information to a user, in, The control device (52) is configured to operate the output device (50) to output an indication if, for at least one of the plurality of filling valves (28), the individual opening duration (D) of the filling valve for a future container filling process approaches the maximum opening duration (M) and / or reaches or exceeds the maximum opening duration (M).

5. The container treatment plant (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The control device (52) is configured to determine the filling valve individual average value as - a filling valve individual filling height average value of the detected filling heights of a plurality of containers filled by the corresponding filling valve (28) or an average value associated with the filling valve individual filling height average value; or a filling valve-individual deviation mean value of deviations of the detected filling heights of a plurality of containers filled by the respective filling valve (28) from the nominal filling height or a mean value associated with the filling valve-individual deviation mean value; and / or The control device (52) is configured to determine the common average value as: a common filling height mean value of the detected filling heights of a plurality of containers filled by the filling valve (28) or a mean value associated with the common filling height mean value; or a common deviation mean value of deviations of detected filling levels of a plurality of containers filled by the filling valve (28) from a setpoint filling level or a mean value associated with the common deviation mean value.

6. The container treatment plant (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The control device (52) is further configured to adjust the operation of the processing device (12) based on the comparison between the common average value and the nominal filling height, wherein preferably: - making an operational adjustment when the deviation between the common mean value and the nominal filling height is greater than or equal to a deviation limit; and / or - Performing operational adjustments so that the operating parameters between the filling valves are adjusted for future container filling processes.

7. The container treatment plant (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The processing device (12) has a filling material pressure reservoir (32) connected to the filling valve (28) for supplying the filling material under overpressure to the filling valve (28); and The processing device (12) is formed to evacuate the container to negative pressure before filling, and to fill the container evacuated to negative pressure through the filling valve (28) during the individual opening duration (D) of the filling valve to achieve pressure balance between the corresponding evacuated container and the filler pressure reservoir (32).

8. The container treatment plant (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The plurality of processing stations (24) further comprise closing means (36) for closing the container positioned in the respective processing station (24), Among them, preferably: The control device (52) is configured to additionally adjust the individual opening duration (D) of the filling valve for a future container filling process for at least one of the multiple filling valves (28) based on the operation plan of the closing device (36) of the corresponding processing station (24), particularly preferably so that the individual opening duration (D) of the filling valve for a future container filling process must end before the closing device (36) of the corresponding processing station (24) starts to approach the filling container in the corresponding processing station (24).

9. The container handling device (10) according to claim 8, wherein: The plurality of processing stations (24) each have a processing chamber (42) in which at least one upper part of the container with a container mouth can be accommodated for filling via the filling valve (28) of the corresponding processing station (24) and for closing via the closing device (36) of the corresponding processing station (24); optionally: The container can enter the processing chamber (42) of the corresponding processing station (24) through the lifting device (46) of the corresponding processing station (24) and can be moved out of the processing chamber (42) of the corresponding processing station (24).

10. The container processing plant (10) according to claim 9, wherein: The control device (52) is configured to additionally adjust the individual opening duration (D) of the filling valve for a future container filling process for at least one of the plurality of filling valves (28) according to the process plan of the process chamber (42) of the corresponding process station (24), preferably such that: - the individual opening duration (D) of the filling valve for a future container filling process must end before pre-pressurizing the process chamber (42) of the respective process station (24) to achieve a pressure balance between the respective filling container and the process chamber (42) of the respective process station (24); and / or - within the time window in which the process chamber (42) of the corresponding process station (24) is evacuated and / or flushed, the individual opening durations (D) of the filling valves for a future container filling process are adjustable.

11. The container processing plant (10) according to claim 9 or 10, wherein: The processing chamber (42) can be opened by the upper part of the container positioned therein, preferably by the closing head (38) of the closing device (36) of the corresponding processing station (24) at the top and / or by the corresponding seal (44) of the container at the bottom, preferably by the container neck.

12. A method for operating a container treatment plant (10), preferably according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The method comprises: filling a plurality of containers in a plurality of processing stations (24) of a processing device (12) through one filling valve (28) of each processing station (24) during an individual opening duration (D) of the filling valves; detecting the filling height of the container filled by the filling valve (28) by means of a detection device (22); determining, by means of a control device (52), a common average value of the plurality of filling valves (28) based on the detected filling levels of the plurality of containers filled by the filling valves (28); determining, by the control device (52), a filling valve individual average value of at least one of the plurality of filling valves (28) based on detected filling heights of a plurality of containers filled by the corresponding filling valve (28); and The individual filling valve opening duration (D) of at least one of the plurality of filling valves (28) for a future container filling process is adjusted by the control device (52) based on the corresponding individual filling valve average value and the common average value, preferably: - when the deviation between said respective filling valve individual mean value and said common mean value is greater than a deviation limit value; and / or - wherein the degree of adjustment depends on the value of the deviation between the respective filling valve individual mean value and the common mean value.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein: When adjusting, the individual opening duration (D) of the filling valve can be adjusted to a maximum predeterminable maximum opening duration (M), Wherein, the method optionally includes: When the individual opening duration (D) of the filling valve for at least one of the plurality of filling valves (28) approaches the maximum opening duration (M) for a future container filling process and / or reaches or exceeds the maximum opening duration (M), an indication is output to a user via an output device (50).

14. The method according to claim 12 or claim 13, further comprising: evacuating the plurality of containers to negative pressure prior to filling, in: Filling a plurality of containers evacuated to negative pressure to achieve pressure balance between the respective evacuated containers and the filler pressure reservoir (32).

15. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein: The individual opening durations (D) of the filling valves are additionally adjusted according to the operating plan of the closing device (36) of the respective processing station (24) and / or the processing plan of the processing chamber (42) of the respective processing station (24), preferably such that: - before the closing device (36) of the respective processing station (24) starts to approach the filling container in the respective processing station (24), the individual opening duration (D) of the filling valve for the future container filling process must end; and / or - the individual opening duration (D) of the filling valve for a future container filling process must end before pre-pressurizing the process chamber (42) of the respective process station (24) to achieve a pressure balance between the respective filling container and the process chamber (42) of the respective process station (24); and / or - within the time window in which the process chamber (42) of the corresponding process station (24) is evacuated and / or flushed, the individual opening durations (D) of the filling valves for a future container filling process are adjustable.

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