Conveyor for transport of containers and method for monitoring such conveyor

Abstract

The invention relates in particular to a conveyor (18) for transporting containers, preferably cans, of a container processing installation (10). The conveyor (18) has a revolving transport element (20) and a plurality of carriers (32) attached to the revolving transport element (20) at a distance from each other along the revolving transport element (20) for carrying containers (12) along the revolving transport element. The conveyor (18) also includes a sensor device (36) configured to detect the plurality of carriers (32).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a conveyor for transporting containers in a container processing facility and a container processing facility comprising the conveyor. The present invention also relates to a method for monitoring a conveyor for transporting containers in a container processing facility. Background Art

[0002] It is known to use conveyors in container processing facilities to transport containers between different machines in the facility.

[0003] DE 10 2020 116 779 A1 relates to a container processing system, in particular a filling machine for filling cans or similar containers with liquid filling substances. In this case, the container processing system comprises a first conveyor, which is designed as a container feeder; a rotor, which is arranged downstream in the processing direction and rotates about a machine axis to have several processing positions for processing the containers; and a second conveyor, which is arranged downstream of the rotor in the processing direction and is designed as a container outlet. In this case, the second conveyor is designed as a chain conveyor having at least one guide finger on a continuously rotating conveyor element. The finger moves along with the conveyor element and has a first guide section and a second guide section, which receive containers that have been processed at several processing positions of the rotor but have not yet been closed.

[0004] A disadvantage of the known prior art may be that wear monitoring of conveyors is conventionally possible only during interruptions in operation and manually by visual inspection or measurement.

[0005] The present invention is based on the creation of an improved technique for wear monitoring of conveyors, preferably chain conveyors, in container processing plants. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This object is achieved by the features of the independent claim. Advantageous developments are indicated in the dependent claims and in the description.

[0007] One aspect relates to a (e.g., chain) conveyor for transporting containers, preferably cans, at a container processing facility. The conveyor comprises a rotary transport element, preferably a transport chain. The conveyor further comprises a plurality of (e.g., container) carriers attached to the rotary transport element at a distance from one another (e.g., on one side) for transporting the containers, preferably one at a time. The conveyor further comprises an (e.g., optical) sensor device configured to detect the plurality of carriers.

[0008] Advantageously, the conveyor enables automated wear monitoring of transport elements, and in particular carriers. By monitoring the carriers, it is possible to check, for example, whether there are positional deviations of one or more carriers, which can be used to determine, for example, undesired deformation of the carriers (e.g., due to collisions) or undesired elongation of the transport element. Wear monitoring can preferably be performed during production operation, so that interruptions to the operation are unnecessary for wear detection. In particular, deformation of individual carriers can be detected immediately before damaged containers are produced in larger product batches. Information about the state of wear can advantageously be used for maintenance notifications and / or even for automatically adjusting the conveyor's operation to improve container acceptance and / or container delivery if signs of wear have occurred.

[0009] In one exemplary embodiment, the sensor device is configured to detect multiple carriers one after another during operation of the conveyor at at least one pre-specified (fixed) position on the conveyor, preferably in the drive area and / or in the deflection area. This advantageously enables monitoring during operation. Furthermore, the defined detection positions enable very high-resolution and accurate wear monitoring. In this context, the positions in the drive area can be particularly advantageously used to detect any undesirable deformation of the carriers, since the connection of the carriers in the drive area is determined by their attachment to the transport element and their engagement with the drive pulleys or the like. Deformations in or against the direction of transport can thus be reliably detected. Furthermore, the positions in the deflection area can be particularly advantageously used to detect undesirable elongation of the transport element.

[0010] In a further exemplary embodiment, the sensor device is configured to detect a plurality of carriers each time at least one (e.g. vertically aligned) signal barrier, preferably a light barrier, of the sensor device is interrupted. This can advantageously enable reliable and long-lasting detection, even at high conveying speeds.

[0011] In one embodiment, the plurality of carriers are configured as cantilevers attached to the rotary transport element.

[0012] In a further embodiment, the sensor device is configured to detect the cantilevers at their free ends. This advantageously allows reliable detection of deformations of the cantilevers, in particular at their attachment to the transport element.

[0013] In one embodiment variant, the conveyor has a drive pulley, preferably a drive pulley, which is drivingly connected to the transport element. The sensor device has a drive zone sensor, preferably a (e.g., vertically oriented) signal barrier, particularly preferably a light barrier, which is arranged to detect the carriers as they pass the drive pulley, preferably in order to determine the deformation and wear state of the respective carriers. As already mentioned, this can advantageously be used to detect undesirable deformation of the carriers, since the connection of the carriers in the drive zone is determined by their attachment to the transport element and their engagement with the drive pulley.

[0014] In another embodiment variant, the conveyor has a deflection pulley, preferably a deflection castor, connected to the transport element for deflecting the transport element. The sensor device has a deflection area sensor, preferably a (e.g., vertically aligned) signal barrier, particularly preferably a light barrier, which is arranged to detect the carriers as they pass the deflection pulley, preferably in order to determine the elongation wear state of the rotary transport element. As already mentioned, this allows for reliable detection of undesired elongation of the transport element.

[0015] In an exemplary embodiment, the conveyor further comprises an evaluation device configured to:

[0016] - determining the wear state of the conveyor depending on the signal output of the sensor device; and optionally

[0017] - operating a (e.g., visual, auditory, and / or tactile) output device to output the determined wear state and / or transmitting the determined wear state to a server device and / or adapting the operation of the drive device of the conveyor to at least partially compensate for the determined wear state.

[0018] In further exemplary embodiments, the evaluation device is configured to:

[0019] - determining, depending on the signal output of the sensor device, a position deviation of the respectively detected carrier between an actual position of the respectively detected carrier, preferably relative to the rotary transport element, and a target position of the respectively detected carrier, preferably relative to the rotary transport element; and

[0020] - The wear state of the conveyor is determined depending on the detected position deviation.

[0021] In further exemplary embodiments, the evaluation device is configured to:

[0022] for each carrier of the plurality of carriers, individually and distinctly determining a wear state, preferably a deformation wear state, depending on the position deviation determined in each case; and / or

[0023] In the event of position deviations with the same sign occurring on several consecutive carriers, the wear state of the rotary transport element, preferably elongational wear, is determined.

[0024] In further embodiments, the evaluation device is configured to:

[0025] - determining the actual position of the respectively detected carrier depending on the signal output of the sensor device and by means of a drive control device, preferably a servo converter, of the drive device of the conveyor, in particular preferably the signal output of the sensor device is connected to a trigger input of the drive control device; or

[0026] - The actual position of the respectively detected carrier is determined depending on the signal output of the sensor device and the signal output of the rotary encoder of the conveyor.

[0027] Another aspect relates to a container processing facility, preferably a can processing facility. The container processing facility comprises a filling device, preferably a rotary filling device, for filling containers; a closing device, preferably a rotary closing device, for closing containers; and a conveyor as disclosed herein. The conveyor can be connected to the filling device for receiving containers from the filling device and / or to the closing device for transferring received containers to the closing device.

[0028] Preferably, the drive pulley of the conveyor can be arranged at the end of the conveyor associated with the closure device. Advantageously, the drive area sensor can then be used to monitor wear directly at the highly relevant container transfer point from the conveyor to the closure device, which also enables, for example, automatic adjustment of the conveyor operation to compensate for wear and improve container transfer.

[0029] Preferably, the container processing facility can be configured for temperature controlling, producing, cleaning, coating, testing, filling, closing, pasteurizing, labeling, printing, marking, laser marking and / or packaging containers for liquid or pasty media, preferably beverages, liquid foods or products from the pharmaceutical or healthcare industry.

[0030] For example, these containers may take the form of bottles, jars, cartridges, cartons, vials, tubes, and the like.

[0031] Another aspect relates to a method for monitoring a container processing facility (e.g., as disclosed herein) for container transport, preferably (e.g., beverage) can transport, and / or (e.g., chain) conveyors as disclosed herein. The method comprises operating a conveyor to move a rotary transport element, preferably a transport chain, of the conveyor together with a plurality of (e.g., container) carriers, which are attached (e.g., on one side) to the rotary transport element at a distance from one another along the rotary transport element for carrying containers, preferably one container at a time. The method further comprises detecting the plurality of carriers during operation of the conveyor by means of (e.g., optical) sensor equipment, preferably detecting the plurality of carriers one after another at at least one pre-specified (fixed) position of the conveyor, preferably in the transport element drive area and / or in the transport element deflection area. Advantageously, the method can achieve the same advantages already described with reference to the conveyor. The same applies to the preferred exemplary embodiment of the method.

[0032] In an exemplary embodiment, at least one of the following is satisfied:

[0033] - a plurality of carriers are each detected when at least one (e.g. vertically aligned) signal barrier, preferably a light barrier, of the sensor device is interrupted;

[0034] - a plurality of carriers are configured as booms attached to the rotary transport element and, optionally, the booms are detected by a sensor device at the free end of the respective boom;

[0035] - a plurality of carriers are detected by a drive zone sensor (eg a signal barrier, in particular preferably a light barrier) when passing the drive pulley of the conveyor, preferably in order to determine the deformation wear state of the respective carrier; and

[0036] The plurality of carriers are detected by a deflection area sensor (eg a signal barrier, in particular preferably a light barrier) when passing the deflection pulley of the conveyor, preferably in order to determine the extended wear state of the rotary transport element.

[0037] In a further exemplary embodiment, the method further comprises determining a wear state of the conveyor depending on detection of a plurality of carriers with the aid of an evaluation device, and optionally operating a (e.g. visual, auditory and / or tactile) output device to output the determined wear state, and / or transmitting the determined wear state to a server device, and / or adapting the operation of a drive device of the conveyor to at least partially compensate for the determined wear state.

[0038] Preferably, with the aid of an evaluation device, a position deviation of the respectively detected carrier between an actual position of the respectively detected carrier preferably relative to the rotary transport element and a prespecified target position of the respectively detected carrier preferably relative to the rotary transport element can be determined depending on the detection of a plurality of carriers, and the wear state of the conveyor can be determined depending on the determined position deviation.

[0039] Optionally, for each of the plurality of carriers, a wear state, preferably a deformation wear state, can be determined individually and distinctly depending on the position deviation determined in each case. Alternatively or additionally, in the event of position deviations with the same sign occurring on several consecutive carriers, a wear state, preferably an elongation wear state, can be determined for the rotary transport element. Alternatively or additionally, the actual position of the respectively detected carrier can be determined depending on the signal output of the sensor device and with the aid of a drive control device, preferably a servo converter, of the drive device of the conveyor (e.g., the signal output of the sensor device is connected to a trigger input of the drive control device), or depending on the signal output of the sensor device and the signal output of a rotary encoder of the conveyor.

[0040] Preferably, the terms "evaluation device" and / or "control device" may refer to an electronic system (e.g., configured as a driver circuit or having a microprocessor and a data memory) which, depending on the design, can perform control tasks and / or regulation tasks and / or processing tasks. Although the term "control" is used herein, this may also include or be understood as "closed-loop control" or "control with feedback" and / or appropriate "processing."

[0041] The preferred embodiments and features of the present invention described above can be combined with each other as needed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] Further details and advantages of the present invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

[0043] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a container processing facility according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0044] Figure 2 is a graph illustrating, by way of example, the actual position of a carrier at a desired position along a rotary transport element of a conveyor according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0045] Figure 3 is a graph illustrating, by way of example, the actual position of a carrier at a desired position along a rotary transport element of a conveyor according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0046] The embodiments shown in the figures correspond at least partially, so that similar or identical components have the same reference numerals and, to avoid repetitions, reference is also made to the description of other embodiments or figures for explanation thereof. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0047] Figure 1 A process for processing a container 12 (in Figure 1 1 and 2. Preferably, the containers 12 are in the form of tanks, or the container processing facility 10 is a tank processing facility.

[0048] The container processing facility 10 has a conveyor 18 for transporting the containers 12. The container processing facility 10 may also include a filling device 14 and / or a closing device 16, for example.

[0049] The filling device 14 can fill the containers 12, preferably with a liquid or pasty medium. The filling device 14 is preferably configured as a rotary filling device. The filling device 14 may include a plurality of filling valves for filling a plurality of containers 12 simultaneously or overlapping in time. For example, the filling valves may be arranged around the periphery of a filling carousel of the rotary filling device.

[0050] The closure device 16 can seal the container 12, for example, with a lid, cork, crown cap or screw cap. The closure device 16 can preferably be configured as a rotary closure device. The closure device 16 can have a plurality of closure stations for closing a plurality of containers 12 simultaneously or overlapping in time. For example, the closure stations can be arranged around the periphery of a closure turntable of the rotary closure device. The closure device can be arranged downstream of the filling device 14 with respect to the container flow.

[0051] A conveyor 18 can connect the filling device 14 and the closing device 16 to each other, preferably directly, for transporting the containers 12 from the filling device 14 to the closing device 16. The conveyor 18 can be connected, preferably directly, to the filling device 14 for receiving the containers 12 from the filling device 14. The conveyor 18 can be connected, preferably directly, to the closing device 16 for transferring the received containers 12 to the closing device 16.

[0052] It is also possible that the conveyor 18 does not take over the containers 12 directly from the filling device 14, but rather, for example, from an outlet star wheel directly connected to the filling device 14. It is also possible that the conveyor 18 does not transfer the containers 12 directly to the closing device 16, but rather, for example, to an infeed star wheel directly connected to the closing device 16.

[0053] The conveyor 18 may have lateral guides for guiding the transported containers 12 laterally.

[0054] The conveyor 18 has a rotary transport element 20, a plurality of (e.g. can) carriers 32 and a sensor device 36. The conveyor 18 can also have, for example, a drive pulley 22, a drive device 24, a drive control device 26, a deflection pulley 28, a rotary encoder 30, an evaluation device 42 and / or an output device 44.

[0055] The transport element 20 can be a closed transport element or a continuous transport element. The transport element 20 can rotate, for example, around a drive pulley 22 and a deflection pulley 28. Preferably, the transport element 20 is a transport chain. The transport element 20 can transport the container 12 by means of a carrier 32.

[0056] The drive pulley 22 is drivably connected to the rotary transport element 20. For example, the drive pulley 22 can be configured as a drive wheel that engages with the rotary transport element 20. Preferably, the drive pulley 22 can be a drive sprocket that engages with the transport element 20 configured as a transport chain.

[0057] Preferably, the drive pulley 22 is arranged at the end of the conveyor 18 associated with the closing device 16. Preferably, the containers 12 are transferred from the conveyor 18 to the closing device 16 in the region of the drive pulley 22 or in a region directly adjacent thereto.

[0058] The drive device 24 is drivably connected to the drive pulley 22. The drive device 24 may preferably be configured as an electric motor. The drive device 24 may be connected to the drive pulley 22, for example, directly or via a transmission, for driving the drive pulley 22.

[0059] The drive device 24 may include a drive control device 26 for controlling the operation of the drive device 24. The drive device 26 is preferably configured as a so-called servo converter. The drive control device 26 may preferably detect the (e.g., rotational angle) position of the drive shaft or rotor of the drive device 24 and / or the (e.g., rotational angle) position of the drive pulley 22 at any time during the operation of the drive device 24.

[0060] A deflection pulley 28 can be connected to the transport element 20 for deflecting the transport element 20. For example, the deflection pulley 28 can be a deflection wheel that engages with the reversing transport element 20. Preferably, the deflection pulley 28 can be a deflection sprocket (idler sprocket) that engages with the transport element 20 configured as a transport chain.

[0061] Preferably, a deflecting pulley 28 is arranged at the end of the conveyor 18 associated with the filling device 14. Preferably, the containers 12 are transferred from the filling device 14 to the conveyor 18 in the region of the deflecting pulley 28 or in a region directly adjacent thereto.

[0062] Preferably, the drive pulley 22 and the deflection pulley 28 may be arranged at opposite ends of the conveyor 18 .

[0063] The optional rotary encoder 30 can detect a rotation angle (rotational angle position) and output a corresponding rotation angle signal. The rotary encoder 30 can, for example, detect the rotation angle of the drive pulley 22, the drive shaft of the drive device 24, and / or the rotor of the drive device 24. The rotary encoder 30 can, for example, be an incremental encoder or an absolute encoder.

[0064] The carriers 32 are attached to the rotary transport element 20 at intervals along the rotary transport element 20 for transporting the containers 12 along the rotary transport element. For example, the carriers 32 can be fastened to the transport element 20 in a removable manner, such as by screwing. Preferably, the carriers 32 are attached to only one side of the transport element 20 in each case. Preferably, each carrier 32 can transport (only) one of the containers 12 in each case.

[0065] The carriers 32 can be positioned equidistant from one another along the transport element 20. The distance between adjacent carriers 32 can also be referred to as the so-called pitch or so-called pitch distance (for container transport). The pitch can, for example, be in the range between 70 mm and 110 mm.

[0066] The carrier 32 can support the container 12 at the rear for transportation.

[0067] For example, the carrier 32 may push the container 12 over a fixed support surface 34 (eg, a table) of the conveyor 18. The support surface 34 may preferably extend from the filling apparatus 14 to the closing apparatus 16.

[0068] Alternatively, the containers 12 may be supported on the bottom side of the conveyor 18, such as on a revolving support element (e.g., a belt or a cushion chain), with the containers 12 each being supported by a carrier 32 ( Figure 1 The swivel support element is connected to the transport element 20 for driving by means of the transport element 20.

[0069] Preferably, the carrier 32 is positionable in the region of the pulling section (working section) of the transport element 20 above and vertically spaced apart from the support surface 34 or the pivoting support element of the conveyor 18 .

[0070] Preferably, the carrier 32 can be configured as a cantilever. The cantilever can be attached at one end, preferably detachably, in particular preferably by means of a screw connection, to the transport element 20. The cantilever can span the support surface 34 transversely to the transport direction of the conveyor 18.

[0071] For example, the carriers 32 may each have a recess (depression) for the container 12. The recess may be in the shape of a cylindrical shell segment, for example. The recess may be arranged on the side of the respective carrier 32 facing the transport direction of the conveyor 18.

[0072] The sensor device 36 is configured to detect the plurality of carriers 32. Preferably, the sensor device 36 is an optical sensor device 36.

[0073] Preferably, the sensor device 36 can detect the carriers 32 one by one at at least one pre-designated fixed position during operation of the conveyor 18 .

[0074] The pre-designated position may be, for example, in the drive area of the conveyor 18, for example at the drive pulley 22 of the conveyor. Preferably, the sensor device 36 may have a drive area sensor 38. The drive area sensor 38 may be arranged at the drive pulley 22 in order to detect the carrier 32 passing the drive pulley 22.

[0075] For example, the longitudinal extension of the drive zone sensor 38 relative to the transport direction / longitudinal axis of the conveyor 18 may overlap with the longitudinal extension of the drive pulley 22 relative to the transport direction / longitudinal axis of the conveyor 18 or be at least adjacent to each other.

[0076] Additionally or alternatively, the pre-specified position may be, for example, in a deflection region of the conveyor 18, for example at a deflection pulley 28 of the conveyor. Preferably, the sensor device 36 may have a deflection region sensor 40. The deflection region sensor 40 may be arranged at the deflection pulley 28 in order to detect a carrier 32 passing the deflection pulley 28.

[0077] For example, the longitudinal extension of the deflection area sensor 40 relative to the transport direction / longitudinal axis of the conveyor 18 may overlap with the longitudinal extension of the deflection pulley 28 relative to the transport direction / longitudinal axis of the conveyor 18 or at least be adjacent to each other.

[0078] Preferably, the sensors 38 and / or 40 can be configured as signal barriers (signal barrier sensors), preferably light barriers (light barrier sensors). The respective signal barriers can preferably be oriented vertically. The respective signal barriers can be interrupted (broken) by the carrier 32 passing the respective sensor 38 and / or 40. However, it is also possible for the sensor device 36 or the sensors 38 and / or 40 to be based on a different, preferably optical and / or contactless, measuring principle.

[0079] In particular, the sensor device 36 can detect the carrier 32 configured as a cantilever at the free end of the corresponding cantilever. For example, the sensor 38 and / or 40 can be arranged so that its signal barrier is interrupted by the free end of the corresponding cantilever when the corresponding cantilever passes the sensor 38 and / or 40.

[0080] The evaluation device 42 can determine the wear state of the conveyor 18 based on the signal outputs of the sensor device 36 or the sensors 38 and / or 40. For this purpose, the evaluation device 42 can preferably determine, based on the signal outputs of the sensor device 36, a position deviation of the respectively detected carrier 32 between the respectively detected actual position of the respectively detected carrier 32, preferably relative to the rotary transport element 20, and the respectively detected target position of the respectively detected carrier 32, preferably relative to the rotary transport element 20.

[0081] Depending on the position deviation determined, for example, if a predefined position deviation tolerance range is exceeded, the wear state of the conveyor 18 can be determined. For example, if this position deviation is determined in the region of the drive pulley 22, then the wear state, preferably deformation wear, can be determined individually and distinctly for a plurality of carriers 32 depending on the position deviation determined in each case. For example, if this position deviation is determined in the region of the deflection pulley 28, then if position deviations of the same sign occur on several (e.g., three, four, five, or more) consecutive carriers 32, then the wear state, preferably elongation wear, can be determined for the rotary transport element 20.

[0082] The actual position of the carrier 32 detected accordingly can preferably be determined by means of the drive control device 26, preferably a servo converter, depending on the signal output of the sensor device 36. Preferably, the signal output of the sensor device 36 (sensor 38 and / or 40) configured as a signal barrier can be connected to a trigger input of the drive control device 26.

[0083] Specifically, for example, the carrier 32 can be detected as it passes over the drive pulley 22 by means of a sensor 38 configured as a signal barrier. This signal can be applied to the input of the drive control device 26 configured as a servo converter. Upon receiving the signal from the sensor 38, the servo converter can store and / or output the current drive position of the drive device 24, such as the position of the drive shaft or rotor. This position can then be converted to within-spacing (actual position). Preferably, this also enables determination of positional deviation from a specified spacing (specified target spacing distance for the carrier 32) or from the endpoints of this spacing.

[0084] Alternatively, it is also possible, for example, to determine the respectively detected actual position of the carrier 32 depending on the signal output of the sensor device 36 and the signal output of the rotary encoder 30 .

[0085] The output device 44 preferably has a visual display and / or a loudspeaker.The output device 44 can be operated by the evaluation device 42 to output the determined wear state.

[0086] The server device 46 is preferably a cloud server device. For example, the server device 46 may be associated with the manufacturer of the filling device 14, the closing device 16, and / or the conveyor 18. The evaluation device 42 may transmit the determined wear state of the conveyor 18 to the server device 46, for example, for further evaluation and / or for comparison evaluation with wear states received from other systems for comparable conveyors.

[0087] Figure 2 Purely by way of example, a graph A, recorded in practice with the aid of a sensor 38, is shown, which connects the determined relative actual positions (y-axis) of all carriers 32 of a conveyor 18 relative to adjacent carriers 32 in each case. Graph B shows the predefined relative target positions (y-axis) of the carriers 32, which are identical for all carriers. It can be clearly seen that the actual positions of carriers 32.1, 32.2, and 32.3 show relatively large deviations from the target positions. This indicates an undesired deformation of these carriers 32.1, 32.2, and 32.3.

[0088] Figure 3 Purely by way of example, a graph A, recorded in practice with the aid of a sensor 40, is shown, which connects the determined relative actual positions (y-axis) of all carriers 32 of a conveyor 18 relative to adjacent carriers 32 in each case. Graph B again shows a specified relative target position (y-axis) of a carrier 32, which is identical for all carriers. It can be clearly seen that the actual positions of a very large number of adjacent carriers 32.n show relatively large deviations from the target position, and these have the same sign. This indicates an undesired elongation of the transport element 20, for example, at several chain links.

[0089] The invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments described above. On the contrary, a variety of variants and modifications are possible, which likewise exploit the inventive concept and therefore fall within the scope of protection. In particular, the invention also claims protection for the subject matter and features of the dependent claims, regardless of the claims to which they refer. In particular, the individual features of independent claim 1 are each disclosed independently of one another. In addition, the features of the dependent claims are also disclosed independently of all features of the independent claim 1 and, for example, independently of features relating to the presence and / or configuration of the transport element, carrier and / or sensor device of independent claim 1. All ranges specified herein are to be understood as being disclosed in such a way that all values falling within the relevant range are disclosed individually, for example also as the relevant preferred narrower outer limit values of the relevant range.

[0090] List of Reference Numerals

[0091] 10 Container processing facilities

[0092] 12 containers

[0093] 14 Filling equipment

[0094] 16. Closed equipment

[0095] 18 Conveyor

[0096] 20 Transport elements

[0097] 22 drive pulley

[0098] 24 Drive equipment

[0099] 26 Drive control equipment

[0100] 28 Deflection pulley

[0101] 30 Rotary Encoder

[0102] 32 carriers

[0103] 34 Support surface

[0104] 36 sensor devices

[0105] 38 drive area sensor

[0106] 40 Deflection Area Sensor

[0107] 42 Evaluation Equipment

[0108] 44 Output Devices

[0109] 46 server devices.

Claims

1. A conveyor (18) for transporting containers, preferably cans, of a container processing facility (10), wherein the conveyor (18) comprises: a rotary transport element (20), preferably a transport chain; a plurality of carriers (32) attached to the carousel (20) at a distance from one another along the carousel (20) for carrying containers (12), preferably one container (12) at a time, along the carousel; and A sensor device (36) is configured to detect the plurality of carriers (32).

2. The conveyor (18) according to claim 1, wherein: The sensor device (36) is configured to detect the plurality of carriers (32) one after another at at least one predetermined position of the conveyor (18), preferably in a drive area and / or in a deflection area, during operation of the conveyor (18).

3. The conveyor (18) according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein: The sensor device (36) is configured to detect the plurality of carriers (32) in each case when at least one signal barrier, preferably a light barrier, of the sensor device (36) is interrupted.

4. The conveyor (18) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The plurality of carriers (32) are configured as cantilevers attached to the rotary transport element (20).

5. The conveyor (18) according to claim 4, wherein: The sensor device (36) is configured to detect the respective cantilever at its free end.

6. The conveyor (18) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The conveyor (18) has a drive pulley (22), preferably a drive castor, drivingly connected to the transport element (20); and The sensor device (36) has a drive area sensor (38), preferably a signal barrier, in particular preferably a light barrier, wherein the drive area sensor (38) is arranged to detect the carrier (32) when the carrier (32) passes the drive pulley (22), preferably to determine the deformation wear state of the respective carrier (32).

7. The conveyor (18) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The conveyor (18) has a deflection pulley (28), preferably a deflection castor, which is connected to the transport element (20) for deflecting the transport element (20); and The sensor device (36) has a deflection area sensor (40), preferably a signal barrier, in particular preferably a light barrier, which is arranged to detect the carrier (32) when it passes the deflection pulley (28), preferably to determine the elongation wear state of the rotary transport element (20).

8. The conveyor (18) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising: An evaluation device (42), the evaluation device being configured to: - determining the wear state of the conveyor (18) in dependence on the signal output of the sensor device (36); and optionally - operating an output device (44) to output the determined wear state and / or transmitting the determined wear state to a server device (46), and / or adapting the operation of a drive device (24) of the conveyor (18) to at least partially compensate for the determined wear state.

9. The conveyor (18) according to claim 8, wherein: The evaluation device (42) is configured to: - depending on the signal output of the sensor device (36), determining a position deviation of the respectively detected carrier (32) between an actual position of the respectively detected carrier (32), preferably relative to the rotary transport element (20), and a target position of the respectively detected carrier (32), preferably relative to the rotary transport element (20); and - determining the wear state of the conveyor (18) as a function of the determined position deviation.

10. The conveyor (18) according to claim 9, wherein: The evaluation device (42) is configured to: - for each carrier of the plurality of carriers (32), a wear state, preferably a deformation wear state, is determined individually and discernibly depending on the position deviation determined in each case; and / or - determining the wear state, preferably elongation wear, of the rotary transport element (20) in the event of position deviations with the same sign on several consecutive carriers (32).

11. A conveyor (18) according to claim 9 or claim 10, wherein: The evaluation device (42) is configured to: - determining the actual position of the respectively detected carrier (32) depending on the signal output of the sensor device (36) and by means of a drive control device (26), preferably a servo converter, of a drive device (24) of the conveyor (18), wherein in particular preferably the signal output of the sensor device (36) is connected to a trigger input of the drive control device; or - determining the actual position of the respectively detected carrier (32) as a function of the signal output of the sensor device (36) and the signal output of the rotary encoder (30) of the conveyor (18).

12. A container processing facility (10), preferably a can processing facility, wherein the container processing facility (10) comprises: a filling device (14), preferably a rotary filling device, for filling the container (12); a closing device (16), preferably a rotary closing device, for closing the container (12); and A conveyor (18) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the conveyor (18) is connected to the filling device (14) for receiving the containers (12) from the filling device (14) and to the closing device (16) for transferring the received containers (12) to the closing device (16).

13. A method for monitoring a container processing facility (10) for container transport, preferably tank transport and / or a conveyor (18) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the method comprises: operating the conveyor (18) so as to move a carousel (20), preferably a transport chain, of the conveyor (18) together with a plurality of carriers (32) attached to the carousel (20) at a distance from one another along the carousel (20) for carrying containers (12), preferably one container (12) at a time, along the carousel; as well as During operation of the conveyor (18), the plurality of carriers (32) are detected by means of a sensor device (36), preferably one after another at at least one predetermined position of the conveyor (18), preferably in the transport element drive area and / or in the transport element deflection area.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein at least one of the following conditions is satisfied: Each of the plurality of carriers (32) is detected when at least one signal barrier, preferably a light barrier, of the sensor device (36) is interrupted; The plurality of carriers (32) are configured as booms attached to the rotary transport element (20), and optionally, the booms are detected by the sensor device (36) at the free ends of the respective booms; The plurality of carriers (32) are detected by a drive zone sensor (38) as they pass over a drive pulley (22) of the conveyor (18), preferably for determining a deformation wear state of the corresponding carrier (32); and The plurality of carriers (32) are detected by a deflection area sensor (40) as they pass over a deflection pulley (28) of the conveyor (18), preferably for determining an extended wear state of the rotary transport element (20).

15. The method according to claim 13 or claim 14, further comprising: determining, by means of an evaluation device (42), a wear state of the conveyor (18) depending on the detection of the plurality of carriers (32), and optionally operating an output device (44) to output the determined wear state and / or transmit the determined wear state to a server device (46) and / or adapting the operation of a drive device (24) of the conveyor (18) to at least partially compensate for the determined wear state; and preferably: determining, by means of the evaluation device (42), a position deviation of the respectively detected carrier (32) between an actual position of the respectively detected carrier (32), preferably relative to the rotary transport element (20), and a prespecified target position of the respectively detected carrier (32), preferably relative to the rotary transport element (20), depending on the detection of the plurality of carriers (32), and determining the wear state of the conveyor (18) depending on the determined position deviation; and optionally at least one of the following: - for each carrier of the plurality of carriers (32), a wear state, preferably a deformation wear state, is determined individually and discernibly depending on the position deviation determined in each case; - determining the wear state, preferably the elongation wear state, of the rotary transport element (20) in the event of position deviations with the same sign on several consecutive carriers (32); as well as - determining the actual position of the respectively detected carrier (32) depending on the signal output of the sensor device (36) and with the aid of a drive control device (26) of the drive device (24) of the conveyor (18), preferably a servo converter, or depending on the signal output of the sensor device (36) and the signal output of a rotary encoder (30) of the conveyor (18).

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