Filling device with central control device

Abstract

The invention relates to a filling plant having a central control device, comprising a plurality of machines, each machine being configured to perform an operating function on the basis of a respective instruction set, and a central control device configured to control the operating functions of the plurality of machines. Further, the filling apparatus includes a graphical interface device configured to communicate with the central control device and provide a user with a graphical-assisted programming of the central control device.

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of filling equipment, and in particular to the central control / regulation of the machine operation of filling equipment. Background Art

[0002] Filling equipment for beverages and the like includes a plurality of production units connected in series, such as filling machines, labeling machines, and packaging machines. These can be at least partially configured as rotary machines coupled to each other by a rotary conveyor. Optionally, the production units can also be configured as linear runners and / or connected to each other by linear conveying devices, dispensing devices, and product buffers. The individual machines of the filling equipment communicate only with the direct upstream or downstream machine (in the production line) through signal exchange, and do not have information about the operating states of other machines included in the production line.

[0003] The individual functions of the individual machines must be manually selected by the operator, or can only be selected by the machine directly upstream or downstream in the production line. Customer-specific control and observation functions must be recreated for each customer on their respective machines for each order. These functions cannot be reused for other machines and can only be created by domain experts with detailed programming knowledge. In addition, the functions also require dynamic maintenance / adjustment and maintenance, which increases the complexity and cost of implementing updates and new functions.

[0004] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a filling equipment with an improved programmable control device, which enables the control of the operation sequences of the individual machines of the filling equipment to be simply and quickly adapted dynamically. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The above object is achieved by a filling equipment having a plurality of machines and a central control device, each machine being configured to perform an operation function based on a corresponding instruction set, and the central control device being configured to control the operation functions of the plurality of machines. In addition, the filling equipment includes a graphical interface device configured to communicate with the central control device and provide graphical assisted programming of the central control device to the user.

[0006] The term control device is understood here as a control and / or regulation device, and the term "control" similarly includes control and / or regulation. The control device can include artificial intelligence. Such artificial intelligence can be configured in the form of an artificial neural network. Therefore, a self-learning system can be suitably used to control / regulate the manufacturing and processing processes performed by the working machines of the equipment.

[0007] Generally, the instruction set of each machine can be stored in the corresponding machine (i.e., stored in a memory or storage medium), or stored in a storage medium located outside the corresponding machine, such as the cloud.

[0008] According to the present invention, a central control device interacting with a graphical interface device (GUI device) allows for relatively simple high-level control of all operating functions / production line sequences of a machine of a device. In this case, all information regarding all operating sequences can be considered at a control level higher than the individual operating functions / production line sequences of the machine. In this case, individual instructions of an instruction set, in particular individual instructions of the instruction set of one of the plurality of machines and individual instructions of the instruction set of another of the plurality of machines can be appropriately combined with each other to optimize the technological process of the production / processing line of the device.

[0009] The central control device can also operate distributively on multiple physical systems.

[0010] All information regarding the production line can be provided at / for the central control device. In particular, different production line applications can be flexibly implemented without customer-specific programming in the machine. Thus, special line applications can be configured in customer projects. Compared with the prior art, this solution is not error-prone and can reduce the commissioning time of new production lines. In addition, line operation via the central controller allows for better unified documentation.

[0011] According to a further improvement, each machine includes a single machine controller that controls the operating functions of the corresponding machine based on the corresponding instruction set, and in this case, the central control device is configured to control each single machine controller so as to control the operating functions of the plurality of machines in this way. In particular, in this case, the central control device can be configured to control the operating functions of the plurality of machines via the single machine controller, and the graphical interface device can be configured to provide the user with programmable access to the corresponding instruction sets of the plurality of machines. Individual instructions of the instruction set can be graphically displayed on the graphical interface device, thus allowing for simple and quick intuitive linking of individual instructions into the processing flow.

[0012] In particular, the graphical interface device of a filling device can be configured to provide the user with low-code or no-code programming of the central control device. Thus, intuitive programming is possible without specific programming knowledge or knowledge of a specific programming language. In this case, the graphical interface device can be configured to graphically provide the selection of individual instructions of the plurality of machines and / or the central control device and / or the creation of links of the selected individual instructions of the corresponding instruction sets.

[0013] Furthermore, in a low-code or no-code environment, the operation sequence can be configured specifically for the customer without having to be programmed by domain experts with detailed programming knowledge as before. By configuring the operation sequence in an overall low-code or no-code environment, the implemented solution can flexibly adapt to different installation types of the production line. In addition, the types of containers and packages processed in the production line are independent of the functional links created in the low-code or no-code environment. The customer's Manufacturing Execution System (MES) can be connected through flexible configuration options of low-code or no-code programming of existing machine standard interfaces.

[0014] According to another improvement, the graphical interface device is configured to display information about the operating functions of the respective machine. Thus, the user can obtain all relevant operating parameters through the same graphical interface device used for programming the central control device and advantageously take these parameters into account, for example, during programming or generally during the operation of the system.

[0015] According to a further improvement, the system includes a chatbot, which includes a graphical interface device. The chatbot is a computer-implemented dialogue system that can communicate with it through text input or voice, so it supports the operator in operating the machines of the filling equipment, especially in programming the central control device in an intelligent way. The chatbot can include a voice output or be connected to a voice output. Through this voice output, a dialogue can be carried out with the operator. The chatbot can receive voice input recorded by a microphone or text input from the operator as input.

[0016] Furthermore, the chatbot can be configured to present diagnostic information about the operation sequence of the machine.

[0017] The chatbot can include a speaker recognition module, which is especially used for speaker recognition. It can also be used for speaker verification, that is, verifying the identity of the speaker predetermined by the operator. Through the speaker recognition module, the chatbot can identify the operator, so it can adapt the dialogue with the identified operator to that operator. For example, the dialogue with an operator identified as an experienced operator will be different in terms of complexity and detail from the dialogue with another operator identified as less experienced. Thus, the dialogue can be appropriately adapted to the operator's training or experience. In addition, the dialogue can be adapted to the capabilities of the identified operator, so that the operator can be prevented from attempting to initiate an operation that he / she is not authorized to perform.

[0018] In particular, the chatbot can be equipped with or connected to an artificial intelligence (AI) module through which it can learn. Thus, for example, after identifying the operator by means of the above-mentioned speaker recognition module, it can infer the operator's experience / training status based on the operator's evolving conversation behavior over time and adjust its own conversation behavior according to the learning results. Thus, the operator's operator profile can be dynamically managed, stored, and used for learning. The operator profile can contain data about the operator's qualifications and capabilities, which determine to what extent the operator can influence the operation of which machines and machine components. The operator profile can also be used for the speech recognition of the operator's voice input. The AI module can also be used for learning / training the above-mentioned speech recognition and speaker recognition. In particular, the AI module can support the operator in an intelligent manner when programming the central control device using the graphical interface device. The AI module can be oriented towards machine learning and can be or include an artificial neural network.

[0019] The filling device according to one of the above embodiments can be a device for manufacturing and processing plastic bottles or glass bottles or aluminum cans or general containers made of plastic or glass or aluminum, or the filling device according to one of the above embodiments can include a device for manufacturing and processing containers made of or including at least one natural organic material (such as paper).

[0020] Thus, according to a further improvement, the plurality of machines includes a manufacturing machine for forming plastic containers, in particular a blow molding machine, or a manufacturing machine for forming glass containers or for forming aluminum containers, a filling machine for filling the formed containers, and a labeling machine for labeling the formed or filled containers.

[0021] According to a further improvement, the plurality of machines includes a manufacturing machine for forming containers made of or including at least one natural organic material, a filling machine for filling the formed containers, and a decorating machine for decorating the formed or filled containers.

[0022] Embodiments of the method according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The described embodiments are to be considered illustrative in every respect and not restrictive, and various combinations of the features are included in the present invention. Description of the Drawings

[0023] Figure 1 A device for manufacturing and processing plastic containers according to an example of the present invention is schematically shown.

[0024] Figure 2 A GUI is shown, which can be used, for example, for programming the control of a device for manufacturing and processing containers.

[0025] Figure 3 Details of an exemplary filling device are shown.

[0026] Figure 4 Schematically shown is a device for manufacturing and processing containers made of or comprising at least one natural organic material according to an example of the present invention. Detailed description

[0027] The present invention relates to a filling device or a device for manufacturing and processing containers with multiple machines, particularly for controlling the operation sequence of the machines. The central control device of the device is programmed intuitively and simply through a graphical interface device (GUI) that provides low-code or no-code programming.

[0028] Figure 1 Exemplary device 10 is schematically shown. System 10 includes multiple machines, each machine being configured to perform its operating function based on a corresponding instruction set. The multiple machines of device 10 include a blow molding machine 11 for manufacturing plastic containers, a mixer 12 for manufacturing the product to be filled, a filling machine 13 for filling the product into the plastic containers manufactured in blow molding machine 11, a transport device 14 having multiple transport edges and an optional transport star for transporting containers between the individual machines, and a labeling machine 15 for labeling the manufactured or filled containers.

[0029] The device 10 further includes a central control / regulation device 16, which is configured to control the operating functions of the individual machines. Each of the multiple machines can have its own software, which is stored, for example, in the memory of the corresponding machine or in the cloud, and maps the events / processes of the corresponding machine. The control of the central control / regulation device 16 is achieved through appropriate programming that allows access to the machine software. With the appropriately programmed central control / regulation device 16, the instructions of the machine software are appropriately combined to control and optimize the operation sequence of the production line.

[0030] The control / regulation device 16 can include artificial intelligence. Such artificial intelligence can be configured in the form of an artificial neural network. Thus, a self-learning system can be suitably used to control / regulate the manufacturing and processing processes performed by the working machines of the device.

[0031] The programming of the central control / regulation device 16 is achieved by means of a graphical interface device (GUI), which is configured to communicate with the central control device and provide graphical assisted programming of the central control device to the user, particularly low-code or no-code programming.

[0032] Figure 2 An example of such a GUI that can be implemented in device 10 is shown. Figure 2The GUI 20 shown graphically provides a plurality of different instructions in the instruction window 21. These instructions provided in the instruction window 21 can be selected by the user, for example, by means of a computer mouse, and after being appropriately inserted / moved in the main window 22, for example, by dragging with a computer mouse, can be provided for use. In the main window 22, the user links the selected instructions to each other, as Figure 2 shown by the arrows in

[0033] Thus, the GUI 20 provides low-code or no-code programming that is easy to operate intuitively, which allows the operation sequence of a device to be configured without special programming knowledge, such as Figure 1 , Figure 3 or Figure 4 the device shown.

[0034] In particular, the GUI 20 can include a chatbot Cb, which further simplifies the use of the GUI 20 by the user. The chatbot Cb can be a self-learning chatbot, and the learning process can be performed using a training unit that collects and evaluates data and stores the received voice data and detected semantic content in a memory. In addition, the operator profile of the operator can be stored and updated in the memory. For example, the chatbot Cb can learn how the knowledge state of the operator identified by speaker recognition changes over time, and the conversation with this operator can change over time to adapt to the change in the operator's knowledge state.

[0035] In addition, a virtual reality or augmented reality output can be presented to the operator through the GUI 20, which can be used to support the conversation with the operator and for displaying diagnostic and other operation data. The virtual reality or augmented reality output can include a particularly simulated animated representation of information, such as the operation sequence of a machine of a filling device.

[0036] Figure 3 is shown and can include Figure 1Exemplary filling device 300 of the device 10 shown. The filling device 300 for filling containers 302, 303 (such as plastic bottles) with a liquid product (such as a beverage, etc.) includes a filling machine 305 for filling and sealing the containers 302, 303 and a dispensing device 306 provided downstream of the filling machine 305 for dispensing the containers 302, 303 onto two separately controllable transport paths 307, 308. In each case, at least one container buffer 309, 310 is provided with adjustable container guides 309, 310. Downstream of the container buffers 309, 310 are labelers 311, 312 and packaging machines 313, 314 for manufacturing container bundles 315. These are fed to a collection and distribution device 316 such that the container bundles 315 are distributed onto a sorting track 317 provided downstream of the collection and distribution device 316 and can be fed to a commissioning device 318.

[0037] The transport paths 307, 308 each include a first inlet-side portion 307a, 308a which is configured as a single track and is for the pressureless transport of the containers 302, 303. In addition, the transport paths 307, 308 include a second outlet-side portion 307b, 308b which is configured as a multi-track and is for the pressureless transport of the containers 302, 303. Diversion devices 307c, 308c or corresponding dispensing devices are provided for dispensing the containers 302, 303 from the first single-track portion 307a, 308a onto the respective tracks of the second portion 307b, 308b, which second portion 307b, 308b is, for example, configured in the form of separate channels 307b1 to 307b3, 308b1 to 308b3.

[0038] In addition, the filling device 300 includes two devices for manufacturing containers 319, 320 in the form of blow molding machines 319, 320. In the example shown, separate blow molding machines 319, 320 are provided for manufacturing different containers 302, 303, such as containers of different geometries. At least one of the blow molding machines 319, 320 can be connected to the filling machine 3055 via an inlet-side transport path 321. Different incoming container streams can be fed for further processing via an inlet-side diverter 305a. Additional production units 323, 324 can be provided, for example, in the form of a shrink tunnel.

[0039] To control the filling device 300 according to the present invention, a central control / regulation device 322 is provided which communicates, in particular, with the dispensing device 306, the container buffers 309, 310, the labelers 311, 312 and the production units upstream of the dispensing device 306, such as the filling machine 305 and the blow molding machines 319, 320. The central control / regulation device 322 can correspond to or include Figure 1The control / regulation device 16 shown. In particular, the programming of the central control / regulation device 322 can be implemented by means of low-code or no-code programming provided by a GUI (such as Figure 2 the GUI 20 shown).

[0040] In the example shown, the labeling machines 311, 312 are connected to their own communication and control devices K1, K2, the filling machine 305 is connected to its own communication and control device K3, and the blow molding machines 319, 320 are connected to their own communication and control devices K4, K5. Each of the communication and control devices K1, K2, K3, K4 allows the user to operate the corresponding machine through a suitable interface. The communication and control devices K1, K2, K3, K4, K5 are logically assigned to the corresponding machines of the filling device 300. Of course, all the machines of the filling device 300 can be equipped with their own communication and control devices, and the communication and control devices can be networked with each other so that they can exchange the operating states of the machines and the requirements of the operator. Generally, for safety reasons, the networking of the communication and control devices with other machines, mobile collaborative robots (CR), and the operator's smart phones, etc. can be restricted to a defined internal area (such as in the form of a company's proprietary network), while exchanges can be made on the Internet for the autonomous learning of the communication and control devices, such as for speech recognition or speaker recognition.

[0041] The central control / regulation device 322 is connected to the communication and control devices K1, K2, K3, K4, K5 and can at least partially take over the coordination of the machines and transport technology, for example, during the organization of equipment production and the conversion of product types. Each machine can be logically and / or physically assigned to the communication and control devices K1, K2, K3, K4, K5. The operator can operate the corresponding machine via the communication and control devices K1, K2, K3, K4, K5, for example, by means of voice input and voice dialogue. At least some of the communication and control devices K1, K2, K3, K4, K5 can each include a chatbot. The communication and control devices K1, K2, K3, K4, K5 can use the display devices located on the machines to display information. It is possible to implement a central and distributed data processing and database that the central control / regulation device 322 and the communication and control devices K1, K2, K3, K4, K5 can access.

[0042] Figure 4 An exemplary filling device 40 is shown, which may include Figure 1The device 10 shown is configured for manufacturing and processing containers made of or comprising at least one natural organic material. The device 40 includes a manufacturing machine 41 for forming containers made of or comprising at least one natural organic material. For example, the manufacturing machine 1 for forming containers can be configured to form paper containers, such as paper bottles, for example with a predetermined proportion of grass fibers. The containers manufactured in the manufacturing machine 41 can be provided with an inner coating and / or an outer coating in the same working machine or subsequently. The inner coating and / or the outer coating can be used for the mechanical stability and tightness of the containers. The device 40 can include a plurality of manufacturing machines 41 operating in parallel, and the containers manufactured by the plurality of manufacturing machines 41 operating in parallel can be combined together for further processing. Thus, a relatively high throughput can be achieved even at a relatively low manufacturing cycle.

[0043] The device 40 further includes a decorating machine 42, and the containers for decoration formed in the manufacturing machine 41 are supplied to the decorating machine 42. Decoration is carried out by labeling and / or printing on the containers. The decorating machine 42 can be configured to label the containers by roll coating or spraying (GlueJet) or APS labeling with cold glue or hot glue. The decorating machine 42 can be configured to print the containers with ink, for example upright.

[0044] In Figure 4 the embodiment shown, the decorated containers are post-processed in a post-processing machine 43, and the post-processing machine 43 is used for drying or curing the printing medium and / or the label.

[0045] The inspection of the labeling and / or printing of the containers can be carried out in an inspection machine 44 of the device 40. Containers that are below the minimum quality standard in terms of printing or labeling can be removed, for example recycled.

[0046] In addition, Figure 4 the device 40 shown includes a filling machine 45 for filling the containers manufactured in the manufacturing machine 41. Filling can be carried out after or before decorating the containers in the decorating machine 43.

[0047] The containers filled by the filling machine 45 are sealed in a sealing machine 46 of the device 40. The sealing machine 46 can be configured to seal the filled containers, for example, with a screw seal of metal or plastic or with a heat seal of the opening with aluminum foil, plastic or paper fiber.

[0048] Before (upstream) or after (downstream) filling in the filling machine 45, the containers can also be supplied to a coating machine 47, in which the containers are sealed by painting, for example, to protect the applied ink.

[0049] Finally, the sealed and filled containers can be packaged in a packaging machine 48 of the device 40.

[0050] The operation of each of the working machines 41 to 48 of the device 40 and the device for transporting containers between these working machines are controlled / regulated by the central control / regulation device 49 of the device 40. The control / regulation device 49 may include artificial intelligence, which may be implemented in the form of an artificial neural network.

[0051] In particular, the central control / regulation device 49 of the device 40 may correspond to Figure 1 the central control / regulation device 16 of the illustrated device 10. As described above, the programming of the central control / regulation device 49 may be implemented by means of low-code or no-code programming provided by a GUI (such as Figure 2 the illustrated GUI 20).

Claims

1. A filling device (10, 40, 300), the filling device comprising a plurality of machines, each machine being configured to perform an operation function based on a corresponding instruction set; A central control device (16, 49, 322), the central control device being configured to control the operation functions of the plurality of machines; and A graphical interface device (20), the graphical interface device being configured to communicate with the central control device (16, 49, 322) and provide graphical assisted programming of the central control device (16, 49, 322) to a user.

2. The filling device (10, 40, 300) according to claim 1, wherein each of the machines includes a single machine controller, the single machine controller being configured to control the operation function of the corresponding machine based on the corresponding instruction set; and, Among them, The central control device (16, 49, 322) is configured to control each of the single machine controllers.

3. The filling device (10, 40, 300) according to claim 2, wherein the central control device (16, 49, 322) is configured to control each of the single machine controllers based on the corresponding instruction set; and The graphical interface device (20) is configured to provide programmable access to the corresponding instruction sets of the plurality of machines to a user.

4. The filling device (10, 40, 300) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the instruction set of each machine is stored in the corresponding machine or in a storage medium located outside the corresponding machine, such as the cloud.

5. The filling device (10, 40, 300) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the graphical interface device (20) is configured to provide low-code or no-code programming of the central control device to a user.

6. The filling device (10, 40, 300) according to claim 5, wherein the graphical interface device (20) is configured to graphically provide selection of individual instructions of the plurality of machines and / or the central control device (16, 49, 322) and / or creation of links to selected individual instructions of the corresponding instruction sets.

7. The filling device (10, 40, 300) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the graphical interface device (20) is configured to display information about the operation functions of the corresponding machines.

8. The filling device (10, 40, 300) according to any one of the preceding claims, the filling device further comprising a chatbot, which includes the graphical interface device (20).

9. The filling device (10, 300) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of machines includes A manufacturing machine (11, 319, 320) for forming plastic containers, in particular blow molding machines, or for forming glass or aluminum containers; A filling machine (13, 305) for filling the formed containers; and A labeling machine (15, 311, 312) for labeling the formed or filled containers.

10. The filling device (40) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the plurality of machines includes A manufacturing machine (41) for forming a container made of or comprising at least one natural organic material; A filling machine (45) for filling the formed container; and A decorating machine (42) for decorating the formed or filled container.

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