Filling system for liquid product and method for filling bottle with liquid product

Abstract

The invention relates to a filling system for a liquid product and to a method for filling a bottle with a liquid product. The filling system comprises: a block having blow molding machines for manufacturing bottles and providing the bottles as a bottle stream; a downstream labeler for labelling the bottle stream; at least one first conveying section and a second conveying section, each comprising a filling device for filling bottles; and a distribution unit for distributing the labeled bottles to the conveying section when the conveying is fully loaded in such a way that the bottles can be labeled at all circulating labeling positions of the labeling device and can be simultaneously filled at all circulating filling positions of the filling device. Furthermore, the filling system comprises a plurality of outflow conveyors connected downstream of the filling devices, with merging means for merging the conveying sections to form a common outflow of the bottle stream. In this way, problems due to spillover during closure of product in the bottle and subsequent bottle run-out may be reduced.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the invention patent application with application number 202111399943.2, application date November 19, 2021, and invention name "Filling system for liquid products and method for filling liquid products into bottles". Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to a filling system for liquid products, in particular beverages, and a method for filling liquid products into bottles. Background Art

[0003] Liquid products, such as beverages, are increasingly being filled in filling systems where individual production, processing, and inspection units are connected to circulating conveyor bags and / or racks solely via transfer star wheels or similar conveying devices. Machine combinations integrated in this manner are often referred to as machine blocks in terms of conveying technology. Such machine blocks are known, for example, from DE 202009 019 170.

[0004] To enable simultaneous processing of different containers and / or different products, DE 10 2016 110 016 and FR 3 070 970 also disclose splitting the container flow into two conveyor sections immediately downstream of the blow molding machine and supplying the two conveyor sections to two downstream fillers. According to FR 3 070 970, containers can be alternately supplied to the first and second fillers at a switching star wheel so that the containers can be selectively filled with the same product at both fillers. In DE 10 2016 110 016, the containers are transported to the respective fillers in the conveyor section via a conveyor belt. Labelers can also be incorporated into the conveyor section.

[0005] In addition to more flexible filling processes, there is also an increasing demand for improved system performance (i.e., the number of containers that can be filled per unit time). It turns out that not only is the filling process, which cannot be shortened arbitrarily for physical reasons, limited, but so is the subsequent handling of the filled containers. It has been found that when changing direction, the filled product overflows as the conveying speed increases. Furthermore, the high peripheral speed of the system deteriorates the reliability of the sealing process. Even with a correspondingly fast sealing process, the supply of closure caps is a problem.

[0006] It is also desirable to make the run-out of the closed containers on the downstream outflow belt shorter, since the downstream outflow belt must comprise a long straight section on the inlet side in order to slow down the bottles, for example for the possibly necessary discharge of faulty manufactured bottles.

[0007] Therefore, there is a need for a filling system and method for filling liquid products, in which bottles can be manufactured and filled in a single machine block and which at least alleviates or completely eliminates at least one of the aforementioned problems. Furthermore, it is desirable to minimize product losses due to malfunctions in such a filling process and to be able to operate and control the filling system and method as simply and flexibly as possible. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The stated object is achieved by a filling system according to the following. The filling system is used for filling liquid products, in particular beverages, into bottles or similar containers. For this purpose, the filling system comprises a machine block in which the individual production units, processing units, and / or inspection units are integrated in terms of conveying technology via a star-shaped conveyor system, such as a transfer star wheel.

[0009] The machine block comprises a blow moulding machine for manufacturing bottles and providing the bottles as a single-lane bottle stream; a downstream labeller for labelling the bottle stream; at least a first conveying section and a second conveying section, each of which has a filler for filling the bottles; and a distribution unit for dividing the labeled bottle stream into the conveying sections when the conveying is fully populated in such a way that bottles can be labeled at all cyclic labelling positions of the labellers and can be filled at all cyclic filling positions of the filler simultaneously.

[0010] The term "all labeling positions of the labeler cycle" refers to fully loaded labeling positions during normal operation. This means that individual containers, particularly those with defects, such as those encountered during the blow molding process, can also be removed. This term also encompasses the more or less regular removal of individual preforms or containers from the bottle flow, which has been divided into at least one first and second conveyor sections, in order to create gaps corresponding to downstream fault handling locations (e.g., in the filler or sealer). Such containers can be removed, in particular, upstream of the labeler, so that the corresponding gaps pass through the labeler. These gaps then continue with the further conveyor flow. However, it is also conceivable (particularly if there are only a few gaps in the conveyor flow) that gaps already present in the conveyor flow upstream of the two fillers can be bridged in a dispensing device upstream of the filler, thereby eliminating the gaps. Of course, this only applies if the gaps are not intentionally created to correspond to faulty handling locations in the filler or sealer. If, for example, a gap is created by a defective container which is identified downstream of the blow-molding machine and directed out, closing the gap will be of considerable importance.

[0011] Furthermore, the filling system comprises an outflow conveyor, which is connected downstream of the filler to a merging device for merging the conveying sections to form a common outflow of the filled bottle stream. The outflow conveyor and / or the merging device can be part of the machine block or designed as a unit connected to the machine block with essentially independent functionality.

[0012] The machine block may also include a blow molding machine for producing bottles and providing the bottles in a single-lane stream; and a distribution unit for dividing the single-lane stream of bottles into a first conveying section and a second conveying section, each of the first conveying section and the second conveying section having a filler for filling the bottles. After the bottles have left the machine block and are supplied to one or more labelers via a conveyor, they are subsequently labeled.

[0013] Due to the fact that the bottle flow is only divided into the conveying section after it has been labeled, the equipment complexity of the single-lane production and labeling of bottles upstream of the distribution unit can be minimized. At the same time, the conveying speed in the conveying section can be reduced compared to a single-lane bottle flow, so that the filling process can be carried out using relatively small fillers that require correspondingly little space, and spillage of the filled product can be prevented. In addition, the sealing caps can be supplied more reliably for the subsequent sealing process, and the sealing process itself is more stable. The outflow speed on the outflow conveyor can also be reduced overall compared to the conveying speed of a single-lane bottle flow. This facilitates the discharge of incorrectly filled and / or sealed containers or, in general, for maintenance purposes. Overall, this principle has a positive effect not only on the operation of the customer's system, but also on the commissioning and setting of the machine at the job site.

[0014] Fully loaded conveying is understood to mean that bottles can be conveyed from the blow molding machine up to and including the filler without omitting any conveying and handling positions. However, if, for example, a malfunction occurs at a filler, individual conveying and handling positions can be left free in a selective manner. For example, conveying and handling positions can be selectively omitted when bottles from a single-lane bottle stream or from a branched conveying section formed from a single-lane bottle stream are being discharged, or when, for example, only every other circulating blow molding position / blow mold of a blow molding machine is loaded with preforms.

[0015] When filling the same product in two fillers, the merging device can increase the capacity by connecting the fillers in parallel. Bottles filled in the same way can then leave as a consistent bottle flow. The space required for the fillers and the bottle outflow can be kept relatively small.

[0016] The filling system preferably also includes a bypass device for selectively bypassing or suppressing the merging device to provide separate outflows for the conveying section. Thus, when different products are filled in the individual fillers, bottles can be provided in a sorted manner at the outflows. The filling system can thus be flexibly used to fill a consistent product in all fillers, as well as to simultaneously fill different products.

[0017] The distribution device preferably comprises a separating star wheel for alternately conveying every other bottle of the bottle stream to the first conveying section and to the second conveying section.

[0018] The separating star wheel preferably includes a clamp that can be actively opened by an actuating element circulating on the separating star wheel and an associated fixed actuating element. The actuating elements associated with the first transport segment are then arranged on a first common actuating plane, and the actuating elements associated with the second transport segment are arranged on a second common actuating plane located above or below the first actuating plane. The actuating elements are then arranged so that they can be actuated independently of one another relative to the actuating planes.

[0019] In other words, the fixed actuating elements of the first actuating plane interact only with the cyclic actuating elements of the first actuating plane, while the fixed actuating elements of the second actuating plane interact only with the cyclic actuating elements of the second actuating plane. This enables space-saving and easy-to-build diversion at the first transfer point to the first conveyor section or at the second transfer point to the second conveyor section by selectively opening the clamp.

[0020] For example, the circulating actuating element is a rotary lock that can rotate about a vertical axis. The fixed actuating element is designed, for example, as an actuating cam, which, when it strikes the rotary lock, rotates the rotary lock about the vertical axis to actuate the clamp. In principle, this is known from transmission star wheels that actuate in a single actuating plane.

[0021] In principle, also different configurations of split star wheels are conceivable, for example a switching star wheel with switchable control curves, an impeller star wheel with radially displaceable grippers, a transfer star wheel with circumferentially extending linear motor systems for the individual grippers, etc.

[0022] The conveying sections preferably each comprise at least one separation delay star wheel, which serves to reduce a first conveying interval during or immediately before the separation of the bottle stream to a second, smaller conveying interval when the bottles are filled.

[0023] The separation delay star wheel is then preferably arranged immediately after the separating star wheel, ie receives the bottles from the separating star wheel and then changes the first conveying interval and in particular forms the second conveying interval by a further rotation about itself.

[0024] In principle, the separation delay star wheel can be constructed as a switching star wheel with switchable control curves, as an impeller star wheel with radially displaceable grippers, as a transfer star wheel with circumferentially extending linear motor systems for the individual grippers.

[0025] This allows for a relatively tight separation of the bottle stream while adjusting the transport intervals and simultaneously achieving a relatively high transport speed. The transport intervals are adjusted while maintaining the spacing of the containers (i.e., keeping the containers at a certain distance from one another).

[0026] Preferably, the machine block also includes: a bottle buffer for a single-lane bottle flow, which, as a result of the machine control, can optionally branch off between the blow moulding machine and the labeller; and / or a discharge device for the conveying section, which, as a result of the machine control, can optionally branch off between the dispensing device and the filler.

[0027] In the event of a filler failure, the bottles associated with the failed filler can be temporarily stored (buffered) before labeling and / or discharged after labeling. This makes it possible to maintain filling operations in at least one properly operating filler. Furthermore, when filling operations resume, the bottles buffered in this manner can be directed into a single-lane bottle flow. This makes it possible to reduce overall product losses due to failures at individual fillers.

[0028] The machine block preferably also includes at least one discharge device, which is arranged at the distribution device or between the distribution device and one of the fillers and is designed and controlled so that bottles associated with one or the other filler can be selectively discharged. The discharge device is arranged at at least one transfer point from the distribution star wheel to the subsequent separation delay star wheel, for example, at the distribution star wheel, at the separation delay star wheel, and / or downstream thereof. This can reduce / minimize the number of bottles that arrive downstream of the discharge device and therefore can no longer be discharged, allowing the filler to be shut down relatively quickly in the event of a malfunction.

[0029] The filling system preferably further comprises at least one collecting container which is designed to receive the bottles discharged by the discharge device and to empty the bottles from outside the protected area of ​​the machine comprising the dispensing device and / or the at least one filler, in particular without operator intervention therein. This facilitates uninterrupted operation of one filler when another filler fails at the same time.

[0030] Preferably, the filling system further comprises a central product dispenser for supplying the product to be filled from a common product storage, in particular a storage tank, to the fillers, and / or a central closure cap dispenser for supplying closure caps from a common closure cap storage, in particular a storage container, to the cappers associated with the fillers.

[0031] The product dispenser is, for example, a so-called valve node via which the product is directed to the individual filling valves of the fillers.

[0032] The closure cap dispenser is, for example, a cascade configuration from the storage container to the inlets of the capping machine.

[0033] This dispensing of product and / or closure caps reduces the space required for the product storage and the closure cap storage and simplifies the supply and replenishment of the respective storage.

[0034] The filling system preferably further comprises a common control for the fillers and / or a control synchronization for the control units present at the fillers. The control synchronization comprises, for example, a specific type of parameter transfer, in particular of parameters relating to the product to be filled uniformly. This simplifies the control and operation of the fillers.

[0035] For example, type parameters can be transferred from one filler to another, so that only one (common) input or similar operating step is required. The fillers can nevertheless each comprise an independent operating unit and / or display unit. An input made at the operating unit or display unit can then be copied / mirrored to the respective other filler.

[0036] In the operating concept of the machine block, this common control makes it possible for the replicated fillers (structurally identical but possibly adapted to their configuration in the machine block, for example, with respect to the configuration of the downstream transfer starwheel) to be represented and / or addressed as a single processing unit (filler). The association of the labeling positions (bottle holders) of the labelers and the filling positions (filling elements) of the fillers in terms of control technology is implemented, for example, by assigning corresponding shift registers to the respective control devices.

[0037] The common control device and / or the individual control units of the fillers can be configured, for example, in a common switch cabinet.

[0038] The common control of the fillers makes it possible to use the unique association of the blow-molding positions (blow-molding molds), the labeling positions (bottle holders), and the filling positions (filling elements) for individual bottles in order to be able to track the filled bottles through the value creation chain of the filling system. Specific labeling units can also be associated with the labeling positions, for example, a first labeling unit to the odd labeling positions and a second labeling unit to the even labeling positions.

[0039] The filling system (in particular, a common control device) preferably includes a central base device for controlling the inspection technology used for the outflow of the two conveyor sections. Such a control system can have the following functions, which are known in principle: for example, complete product control of the filler and sealer, including fill level control (using high-frequency, infrared, camera, gamma or X-ray technology); closed and locked ring detection (using sensor and camera technology); filler management; production management; quality management; safety management; and / or adjustment of guide rails and / or inspection levels.

[0040] The filling system preferably also includes a machine protection device with a common protection circuit, which serves to protect the rotating components of the fillers and, in particular, the dispensing devices from operator intervention. The common protection circuit comprises a plurality of partitions that separate the protection circuits, so that in the event of a malfunction and / or an attempted operator intervention, the rotating components of all fillers and, if applicable, the dispensing devices, are stopped together. This makes it relatively easy to set up and control the machine protection device.

[0041] However, it is also conceivable to provide separate machine protection devices and / or separate protection circuits for the fillers and / or dispensers. In this case, a separating device would have to be provided to separate the individual protection circuits, for example, a separating partition located on the inlet side of each filler and a separating partition located on the inlet side of the dispenser unit. In this case, in the event of a malfunction, it would be possible to perform an intervention at one filler, for example, while the other filler continues production and is loaded accordingly by the dispenser unit. In other words, in this case, protection against intervention would be fully maintained for the fillers and dispensers that remain in operation.

[0042] The filling system preferably also includes a furnace for preforms, which is connected upstream of the blow molding machine and has a locking star wheel on the inlet side for controlled release and blocking of the supply of preforms, wherein the locking star wheel is driven in rotation by a stepper motor. For example, if only every other blowing station of the blow molding machine or no blowing station is to be loaded with preforms, the stepper motor can, on the one hand, release and supply on a true-to-cycle basis, and, on the other hand, block and retain individual preforms.

[0043] For example, in contrast to known pneumatic locking units, thanks to the precise control and movement of the stepper motors, their control signals can be fed directly into the corresponding machine shift registers, making it possible to control the supply of preforms without the need for additional sensors to verify the presence of preforms or bottles. Furthermore, there is no need to set up and check individual sensors, which previously required precise settings and frequent checks due to the relatively high conveying speeds.

[0044] The stated object is further achieved by the following method. It is intended for filling liquid products, particularly beverages, into bottles or similar containers. The bottles are manufactured in a blow molding machine and fed as a single-lane stream to a labeler, where they are labeled at all circulating labeling positions. The flow is then divided into at least one first and second conveyor sections, and the bottles are filled in fillers integrated into the conveyor sections. Furthermore, the bottles are transported from manufacturing to filling in a single machine block, and when the conveyor is fully loaded, such that bottles have been filled at all circulating filling positions in the filler, the labeled bottle stream is divided into the conveyor sections.

[0045] The above-mentioned advantages can thereby be achieved.

[0046] After identical filling (ie with the same product) in the filler, the bottles can be combined again to form a joint outgoing bottle stream.

[0047] If the filling processes in the filler differ from one another with regard to the product, the bottles can also leave as a separate bottle stream.

[0048] The first conveying interval in the conveying section created by the separation of the single-lane bottle stream is preferably reduced by a separation delay to a second conveying interval for filling the bottles.

[0049] Preferably, the fillers are controlled jointly by the operators by inputting consistent type parameters and using them in the fillers by automatic transfer of the type parameters from a common control device, in particular from one filler to another.

[0050] In the event of a malfunction of a filler, the preforms associated with the malfunctioning filler are preferably delayed or subsequently directed out before heating, and / or the bottles associated with the malfunctioning filler are temporarily stored before labeling and / or discharged from the associated conveying section after labeling and before filling, wherein at least the already manufactured and / or labeled bottles are filled in a correctly operating filler.

[0051] In the event of a malfunction of a filler, the bottles associated with the malfunctioning filler are preferably discharged from a corresponding partial flow upstream of this filler and / or in the region of a distribution star wheel for dividing the bottle flow into partial flows. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0052] The preferred embodiment is illustrated by way of the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0053] Figure 1 shows a schematic top view of a filling system according to a first embodiment;

[0054] Figure 2 shows a schematic top view of a dispensing device;

[0055] Figure 3 A partial side view of the separated star wheel is shown;

[0056] Figure 4 shows a schematic top view of a filling system according to a second embodiment;

[0057] Figure 5 shows a schematic top view of a detail of a filling system according to a third embodiment;

[0058] Figure 6 shows a schematic top view of a detail of a filling system according to a fourth embodiment;

[0059] Figure 7 shows a schematic top view of a detail of a filling system according to a fifth embodiment;

[0060] Figure 8 a schematic top view showing the inflow area of ​​a heating module of a filling system; and

[0061] Figure 9 A schematic top view of a detail of a filling system according to a sixth embodiment is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0062] like Figure 1 As shown, the filling system 1 according to a first advantageous embodiment comprises: a machine block 2, which has a blow molding machine 3; a labeler 4, which is connected downstream of the blow molding machine 3; two fillers 5, 6; and a distribution device 7, which is used to divide the single-lane bottle flow 8 into a first partial flow 9 along a first conveying section 9a to the first filler 5 and a second partial flow 10 along a second conveying section 10a to the second filler 6.

[0063] A single-lane bottle stream 8 includes bottles 8a (only one of which is shown) produced in the blow molding machine 3 at a continuously circulating blow molding station 3a and bottles 8a that circulate continuously in a manner known in principle at labeling stations 4a (only one of which is shown) in the labeler 4 and are labeled by either a first labeling unit 4b or a second labeling unit 4c. For example, odd-numbered bottles 8a in the bottle stream 8 are labeled by one labeling unit 4b, while even-numbered bottles 8a in the bottle stream 8 are labeled by the other labeling unit 4c. The dispensing device 7 accordingly includes a continuously circulating delivery station 7a (only one of which is shown).

[0064] The characteristic feature of the machine block 2 is that a single-lane bottle stream 8 and the substreams 9 and 10 formed from the single-lane bottle stream 8 are conveyed individually (i.e., at a defined distance from one another) throughout the entire process by a star-shaped conveying device 11, such as a transfer star wheel. This results in an integrated design of the blow molding machine 3, labeler 4, fillers 5 and 6, and dispensing device 7.

[0065] The distribution device 7 preferably comprises a separating star wheel 12 and, preferably directly adjacent to the separating star wheel 12 , separation delay star wheels 13 , 14 .

[0066] In this regard, Figure 2 As shown, the separation star wheel 12 preferably includes a plurality of first grippers 15 and second grippers 16. The first grippers 15 are evenly distributed around the circumference and convey every other bottle 8a (e.g., bottles with odd numbers) in the single-lane bottle stream 8 to the first conveying section 9a to form the first split stream 9. The second grippers 16 convey bottles 8a (e.g., bottles with even numbers) positioned between two odd-numbered bottles in the bottle stream 8 to the second conveying section 10a to form the second split stream 10. The total number of grippers 15 and 16 corresponds to the conveying positions 7a for bottles 8a of the dispensing device 7. The separation delay star wheels 13 and 14 include grippers 13a and 14a corresponding to every other conveying position 7a.

[0067] In this regard, Figure 2 As shown, the separation delay star wheels 13, 14 comprise first conveying intervals 13b, 14b when the bottles 8a are conveyed, the first conveying intervals 13b, 14b corresponding to twice the conveying intervals of the separation star wheel 12, in the sense that the grippers 13a of the first separation delay star wheel 13 are associated with the first grippers 15 of the separation star wheel 12 and the grippers 14a of the second separation delay star wheel 14 are associated with the second grippers 16 of the separation star wheel 12 (and vice versa). Compared to the first conveying intervals 13b, 14b, the separation delay star wheels 13, 14 are designed to reduce the conveying intervals of the first and second partial flows 9, 10 to a second conveying interval (not shown), which preferably corresponds to the conveying intervals (not shown) of the filling positions 5a, 6a of the fillers 5, 6.

[0068] Preferably, as described below, the first gripper 15 of the separating star wheel 12 is opened in a controlled manner at a first transfer point 17 with the separating delay star wheel 13, the second gripper 16 of the separating star wheel 12 is opened correspondingly at a second transfer point 18 with the second separating delay star wheel 14, and the bottles 8a are transferred here to the conveying sections 9a, 10a respectively.

[0069] Furthermore, an optional first discharge device 19 for the first partial flow 9 and an optional second discharge device 20 for the second partial flow 10 for selectively discharging the bottles 8a from the conveying sections 9a, 10a in the event of a malfunction of the respectively associated filler 5, 6 are indicated schematically. It is also conceivable to arrange a discharge device ( Figure 2 not shown).

[0070] Figure 3The preferred actuating mechanism for the first clamp 15 and the second clamp 16 is shown. Accordingly, the separating star wheel 12 comprises a first cyclic actuating element 21 associated with each first clamp 15 and a second cyclic actuating element 22 associated with each second clamp 16. The actuating elements 21, 22 are preferably configured as rotary locks rotatable about vertical axes 21a, 22a, the rotation of which (depending on the direction of rotation) opens (or closes) the respectively associated clamp 15, 16.

[0071] The rotary lock (cyclic actuating element 21) associated with the first clamp 15 is arranged in a first common actuating plane 23, while the rotary lock (cyclic actuating element 22) associated with the second clamp 16 is arranged in a second actuating plane 24, which is not coupled (decoupled) with the first common actuating plane 23 upward (or downward) in terms of control technology.

[0072] This means that the distance 25 between the actuation planes 23, 24 is so great that at least one fixed (non-circulating) actuation element 26 actuates only the rotary lock of the first actuation plane 23 and thus the first clamp 15, and that at least one fixed actuation element 27 actuates only the rotary lock 22 of the second actuation plane 23 and thus the second clamp 16, wherein the fixed actuation element 26 is arranged in the first actuation plane 23 and is configured, for example, as a control cam, and the fixed actuation element 27 is arranged in the second actuation plane 24 (for example, as a control cam). Figure 2 control cam hidden in the cam).

[0073] Fixed actuating elements 26 , 27 (control cams) for opening the grippers 15 , 16 are arranged on the separating star wheel 12 in the region of the transfer points 17 , 18 .

[0074] This actuating mechanism with circulating actuating elements 21, 22 and fixed actuating elements 26, 27 enables a relatively simple construction and a space-saving division of the bottle flow 8. Thus, reliable switching of the grippers 15, 16 in the area of ​​the respective transfer points 17, 18 is achieved at high conveying speeds.

[0075] Figure 1 Shown are sealing machines 29, 30 respectively associated with the fillers 5, 6 for sealing the bottles 8a in the corresponding partial streams 9, 10, as well as partial outflow conveyors 31, 32, which are connected downstream of the sealing machines 29, 30 via a transfer star wheel 11 and essentially form the end of the conveying sections 9a, 10a on the outflow side.

[0076] The conveying sections 9a, 10a or partial outflow conveyors 31, 32 respectively merge at a merging device 33 (also only indicated schematically) such as a track switch or similar conveying junction to form a common outflow 8' of bottles 8a on a common outflow conveyor 34, also only indicated schematically.

[0077] The outflow 8' typically comprises an initial single-pass bottle 8a of the bottle stream 8, but the outflow 8' is preferably multi-pass and relatively slow in comparison.

[0078] In the region of the common outflow conveyor 34, for example, a discharge station 35 can be provided, which serves, for example, to discharge bottles 8a from the outflow 8'. Alternatively, separate discharge stations 35 can also be provided on each of the partial outflow conveyors 31, 32. For example, a corresponding collecting container (not shown) for the discharged bottles 8a is then present at each discharge station 35.

[0079] For example, the inspection unit 36 ​​currently shown by way of example at the common outflow conveyor 34 can be associated with each discharge station 35. Alternatively, separate inspection units 36 for the first conveying section 9a and the second conveying section 10a can also be arranged downstream of the sealing machines 29, 30. However, the discharge station 35 and the inspection unit 36 ​​for the common outflow 8' allow the complexity of the equipment to be minimized.

[0080] Also like Figure 1 As shown, the filling system 1 further comprises a heating module 37 for the preforms 8 b associated with the blow molding machine 3 on the inlet side and optionally a buffer station 38 associated with the blow molding machine 3 on the outlet side for temporarily storing the bottles 8 a of the single-lane bottle flow 8 .

[0081] For example, in the event of a malfunction of one of the fillers 5 , 6 , the buffer station 38 can be used to divert the bottle 8 a associated therewith from the bottle flow 8 before labeling and to temporarily store it for subsequent labeling and filling.

[0082] This makes it possible, for example, to run the blow molding machine 3 and the upstream heating module 37 dry, while the bottles 8 a associated with the normally operating fillers 5 , 6 can still be labeled and filled and sealed in the corresponding partial flows 9 , 10 .

[0083] Bottles 8a that cannot be filled due to a malfunction of one of the fillers 5, 6 are therefore still correctly manufactured from preforms 8b already present in the heating module 37 and the blow molding machine 3 and are directed to the buffer table 38 for subsequent further processing in order to minimize production waste.

[0084] In principle, the production operation can also be continued without regard to the out-of-service filler 5 or 6 after the preforms 8 b associated therewith have been completely processed and the bottles 8 a produced from the preforms 8 b have been temporarily stored.

[0085] In this case, only every other blowing position 3a of the blow molding machine 3 is temporarily loaded with a preform 8b, and the bottles 8a blown from the preforms 8b are guided through the labeler 4 and the dispensing device 7 only at every other labeling position 4a or conveying position 7a, respectively. Therefore, the bottles 8a are labeled by only one of the labeling units 4b, 4c.

[0086] This operating mode differs from the normal production operation normally carried out in the filling system 1 when the delivery is full. Delivery full means that all circulating labelling positions 4a, delivery positions 7a of the dispensing device 7 and filling positions 5a, 6a are loaded with bottles 8a.

[0087] Figure 4 An alternative configuration of the filling system 1 is shown, wherein similar components and machines are denoted by corresponding reference numerals and are therefore not described again.

[0088] exist Figure 4 In the diagram, the distribution device 7 is schematically indicated by a separating star wheel 12 in the form of a pusher star wheel, a separating delay star wheel, etc. This is intended to mean that the base circle diameter and / or the conveying interval of the distributing star wheel 12 can be changed as the bottles 8a circulate, in order to divide the labeled bottle stream 8 into a first partial stream 9 and a second partial stream 10, for example, to prevent the grippers 15, 16 of the separating star wheel 12 from colliding with the adjacent separating delay star wheels 13, 14 or the corresponding unassigned grippers 13a, 14a of the transfer star wheel 11 and / or to ensure that a separating delay has already been effected at the separating star wheel 12.

[0089] For this purpose, the grippers 15, 16 of the separating star wheel 12 can be pivoted, displaced and / or moved circumferentially relative to the separating star wheel 12 in a suitable manner (i.e. in its direction of circulation or opposite to its direction of circulation) in order to transfer the bottles 8a to the transfer points 17, 18 and in the process avoid collisions between components that are not related to each other (components that transfer the bottles 8a at the respective other transfer points 17, 18).

[0090] exist Figure 4 It is also indicated in FIG. 1 that a discharge station 35 and an inspection unit 36 ​​can also be formed on the outflow side of the conveying sections 9 a , 10 a .

[0091] It is also indicated that there can be a bypass device 39, for example in the form of a track switch, for the merging device 33, with which the merging device 33 can be bypassed and / or disabled, in order to selectively divert the bottles 8a from the conveying sections 9a, 10a as separate partial flows 9, 10, for example when different products are filled in the conveying sections 9a, 10a. However, in the case of a merging device 33, the filled bottles 8a form a common outflow 8', which is useful when all bottles 8a are filled uniformly.

[0092] Figure 5 A variant of the filling system 1 is shown, which is based on Figure 4 The filling system 1 shown is based on a variant, in which there is a product dispenser 41 for supplying the fillers 5, 6 with product, which is connected on the inlet side to a product tank 42 with a common product storage 43 and on the outlet side via supply lines 44, 45 to the fillers 5, 6. The liquid product is conveyed to the individual filling elements at the filling locations 5a, 6a, for example via a ring duct.

[0093] The product dispenser 41 can be regarded as a valve node, for example for the filling elements. It is also possible for the product storage 43 to be obtained from other central containers or lines via the product dispenser 41.

[0094] Figure 5 Also shown in the middle is a capper 29, 30 associated with the fillers 5, 6 and a closure cap dispenser 51, which is connected on the inlet side to a storage container 52 with a closure cap storage 53. On the outlet side, the closure cap dispenser 51 is connected to the capper 29, 30 by means of supply channels 54, 55.

[0095] The closure cap dispenser 51 can be integrated into a cascade-like arrangement of the supply channels 54, 55, which are thus configured with a suitable downward inclination for conveying the closure caps to the capper 29, 30.

[0096] With the product dispenser 41 and / or the closure cap dispenser 51 for the fillers 5, 6, the complexity of the equipment and the complexity of the operation for continuously providing the product supply 43 and the closure cap supply 53 can be reduced compared to separate storage for each filler 5, 6.

[0097] Figure 6 A variant of the filling system 1 is shown, which is based on Figure 4The illustrated embodiment shows an example of a variant of the filling system 1 , in which the fillers 5 and 6 are combined in terms of transport to form a jointly controlled production unit. A common control device 61 with an input and output unit 62 , such as a touchscreen, and control units 65 and 66 , present at the blow molding machines 5 and 6 or at other locations associated therewith, are schematically shown by way of example. The control units 65 and 6 can also control, for example, the sealing machines 29 and 30 associated with the fillers 5 and 6 in a manner known in principle.

[0098] The common control device 61 and its subordinate control units 65 , 66 form a control module 67 which is integrated into a higher-level control system 68 of the filling system 1 and can be operated as a single production unit.

[0099] In this way, from a control technology perspective, in particular for filling the same product, the fillers 5, 6 can be treated like a single machine and can be operated in a simple manner at just one input and output device 62. This not only simplifies the operation of the fillers 5, 6, but also enables the common storage of type parameters in the common control device 61 and a simple transfer of these type parameters to the fillers 5, 6. This means that operating errors due to possibly different entries of the fillers 5, 6 can be prevented, and the type parameters can be automatically assigned to the fillers 5, 6.

[0100] In principle, it is also conceivable to implement the common control device 61 in one of the control units 65 , 66 and / or to automatically assign the common control device 61 to the control device 65 , 66 at which the input (in particular the type parameter) is being made.

[0101] The type parameters can be automatically transferred between the control units 65, 66 of the fillers 5, 6. Which of the above operator concepts is advantageous in each case depends, for example, on the spatial arrangement of the fillers 5, 6 in the machine block 2 and / or on the arrangement of the input / output units 62 of the individual fillers 5, 6.

[0102] Still Figure 6 In the diagram, a machine protection zone 81 is schematically indicated with control circuits for the fillers 5 and 6, which are shared in terms of control technology and which prevent unauthorized operator intervention when the fillers 5 and 6 are in operation. If a switching contact in the protection circuit, for example, integrated in an intervention protection element such as a safety barrier, is interrupted, all machines included in the machine protection zone 81 are stopped. Figure 6 In the example of , these machines would be the fillers 5 , 6 , the sealers 29 , 30 and the dispensing device 7 .

[0103] The machine protection area 81 with a common protection circuit for the fillers 5 , 6 is particularly advantageous when the same product is filled into both fillers 5 , 6 and when partial loading operations with only one of the conveying sections 9 a , 10 a are not intended during a malfunction or maintenance measure of one of the fillers 5 , 6 .

[0104] In the case of a common machine protection area 81, it is also conceivable to integrate corresponding mechanical protection devices, such as protective doors, into a common housing for the fillers 5, 6, the sealing machines 29, 30 and possibly the dispensing unit 7. These machines and components would thus be arranged in a common clean room environment, etc. Nevertheless, the fillers 5, 6 could also be mechanically or spatially separated from one another by corresponding partitions in order to create separate clean room environments, possibly with different clean room classes, for the fillers.

[0105] Figure 7 By way of example, Figure 4 A variant of the construction shown in , in which an additional transfer star wheel 11 is present in the conveying sections 9a, 10a and forms separate machine protection areas 82, 83, 84 by way of example. For simplicity, Figure 7 The blow molding machine 3 is omitted.

[0106] Accordingly, a first machine protection zone 82 having a separate protective circuit is associated with the dispensing device 7, a second machine protection zone 83 having a separate protective circuit is associated with the first filler 5, and a third machine protection zone 84 having a separate protective circuit is associated with the second filler 6. The first machine protection zone 82 is delimited on the inlet side by a first dividing partition 85, the second machine protection zone 83 is delimited on the inlet side by a second dividing partition 86, and the third machine protection zone 84 is delimited on the inlet side by a third dividing partition 87. The dividing partitions 85, 86, 87 serve as mechanical protection against tampering and each includes at least one switching contact (not shown) which, when the respective dividing partition 85, 86, 87 is opened, interrupts the associated protective circuit and stops the associated rotating assembly.

[0107] With the machine protection zones 82, 83, 84 separated from one another in this manner, the fillers 5, 6 can be operated independently of one another, for example, for a partial load operation of the filling system 1, in which one of the fillers 5, 6 is temporarily unavailable due to a fault or maintenance measure. This means that the filling system 1 can continue production in the area of ​​the uninterrupted protection circuit, for example at a reduced output of half.

[0108] The separation barriers 85, 86, 87 in principle represent any mechanical element for intervention in protection, such as a protective door on the casing, the respective switching contact provided for which can be used to monitor the closed state of the respective separation means (separation barrier, protective door).

[0109] Figure 8 A preferred variant is shown in which a locking star wheel 91 is present at the heating module 37 on the inlet side and is driven by a stepper motor 92 (not shown in Figure 8 The locking star wheel 91 serves to release and block the supply of the preforms 8b to the heating module 37 in a mechanically controlled manner. Likewise, the supply of the preforms 8b can be timed by the stepper motor 92 in such a way that only every second cycle of the heating device 37 the heating devices 37a (only one of which is shown) are loaded with a preform 8b, and subsequently, also only every second cycle of the blow moulding machine 3 the blow moulding positions 3a are loaded with a preform 8b.

[0110] The locking star wheel 91 is then preferably configured upstream of a sawtooth star wheel 93, with which the transport intervals of the preforms 8b are created to match the cycle heating positions 37a.

[0111] The stepper motor 92 here enables a precise supply of the preforms 8b in terms of control technology and ease of use. On the one hand, the supply can be carried out at a higher speed and precision compared to the use of known pneumatic locking devices. On the other hand, the supply of the preforms 8b by the stepper motor 92 in terms of control technology in a precise and reliable manner makes it unnecessary to check the individual cycle heating positions 37a to determine whether the individual cycle heating positions 37a are loaded with a preform 8b. This means that the stepper motor 92 can supply the preforms 8b in a precise and reliable manner, without additional sensors being necessary for the aforementioned verification of the heating positions 37a and the associated complexity, both in terms of equipment and when setting up the heating module 37.

[0112] The filling system 1 can for example be operated in the following manner:

[0113] During normal production operation, the type parameters are preferably input at the common control device 61 for filling a specific product in both filling machines 5, 6 and are transmitted from the common control device 61 to the control units 65, 66 of the filling machines 5, 6 and are used there for the subsequent production operation when the transport is full.

[0114] The type parameters can be transferred between the filling machines 5, 6 in a manner that requires only one common input.

[0115] For this purpose, the common control device 61 and / or the individual control units 65, 66 of the filling machines 5, 6 can be used if the control system 68 of the filling system 1 as a whole has a common display or separate displays.

[0116] The shift register can be divided between the fillers 5, 6 copied in this way, and the production data of the bottles 8a can be associated with the fillers 5, 6 used respectively.

[0117] Therefore, in the sense of tracing the bottles 8a, the blow moulds, the labelling units and the filling elements can form a unique association along the production chain of the filling system 1.

[0118] The preforms 8b are supplied continuously to all the heating positions 37a of the heating module 37 and create a single lane of bottles 8 by blowing the bottles 8a at all the blow moulding positions 3a in the blow moulding machine 3.

[0119] The flow of bottles 8 is continuously labelled at all the labelling positions 4a of the labeller 4 and is supplied to the distribution device 7. The distribution device 7 distributes the bottles 8a alternately from every other conveying position 7a to the first conveying section 9a and to the second conveying section 10a.

[0120] In the event of a failure or a long-term production interruption at the conveying sections 9a, 10a, the bottles 8a can also be distributed at the switching star in such a way that all the bottles 8a of the flow of bottles 8 are diverted to the respective fault-free conveying section 9a, 10a by switching the control curve. Therefore, the blow moulding machine 3 and the labeller 4 are able to operate at half speed when the respective conveyance is fully loaded.

[0121] When the conveyance is fully loaded, the initial conveying intervals 13b, 14b in the conveying sections 9a, 10a are reduced to the conveying intervals of the fillers 5, 6.

[0122] Therefore, the rotational speed and the conveying speed of the downstream units can be reduced in order to minimize the problem of spillage of the filled product.

[0123] The partial flows 9, 10 are filled in all the filling positions 5a, 6a in the fillers 5, 6 and are sealed in the downstream sealers 29, 30.

[0124] The filled partial flows 9, 10 are merged at a merging device to form a common outflow 8', which is inspected and from which the bottles 8a that are out of sequence are ejected.

[0125] In the event of a failure, it is possible to selectively introduce every other preform into the furnace so that one filler can continue production while the other filler is failing, or it is possible to push every other preform downstream of the furnace so that one filler can continue production while the other filler is failing.

[0126] In the event of a malfunction in one of the two fillers 5, 6, the heating module 37 can be run empty and the bottles 8a produced in the process are temporarily directed to the buffer table 38 and stored there. After the malfunction is rectified, the buffer table 38 is preferably first run empty again so that the normal supply of bottles 8a can then be seamlessly added to the bottle flow 8. The buffer table 38 can also be used for discharge for quality control during normal production.

[0127] If a filler 5, 6 and / or a sealer 29, 30 fails, the locking star wheel 91 at the inflow of the heating module 37 can be stopped / blocked. The bottles 8a and preforms 8b associated with the filler 5, 6 can then be guided out while the other filler 5, 6 continues production.

[0128] The bottles 8a associated with the defective fillers 5, 6 are preferably discharged downstream of the separating star wheel 12. To prevent collisions between the separating star wheel 12 and the downstream separating delay star wheels 13, 14, the separating delay star wheels 13, 14 preferably rotate continuously and synchronously. The bottles 8a can then be discharged at the separating delay star wheels 13, 14 or, if additionally present, at the transfer star wheel 11.

[0129] The filling system 1 and the filling method have been described with the preferred method of dividing a single-lane bottle stream 8 into two partial streams 9, 10 or conveying sections 9a, 10a. However, in principle, it is also conceivable to divide a plurality of bottle streams 8 and / or a large number of partial streams 9, 10 or conveying sections 9a, 10a, for example by connecting a dividing star wheel 12 for receiving the bottles 8a and a corresponding number of separating and delaying star wheels 13, 14 in parallel or in series.

[0130] The bottle stream 8 comprises bottles 8a made of plastic, in particular PET, produced in the blow molding machine 3. In principle, however, it is also conceivable to separate further or additional bottles 8a from the bottle stream 8 from at least one single lane into the partial streams 9, 10 in the manner described.

[0131] The basis for this is always to split the bottle stream 8 when the delivery is full immediately before the bottles 8a are filled, in order to meet the stated purpose of improving the filling / sealing of the bottles 8a and / or the subsequent handling of the bottles 8a.

[0132] Figure 9 By way of example, a partial area of ​​a filling system 1 is shown in an advantageous variant, which can be based on, for example, Figures 1 to 4 For example, for the sake of clarity, various associated elements such as bottle 8a may not be shown, represented and / or described again. In these cases, reference is made to the above description and / or associated figures.

[0133] according to Figure 9The embodiments of the application accordingly comprise first and / or second discharge devices 19, 20, which are preferably arranged in the region of the distribution device 7, for selectively discharging the bottles 8a in the event of a malfunction of the filler 5, 6 associated with the respective bottle 8a.

[0134] In principle, it is also conceivable to arrange the first and / or second discharge devices 19, 20 between the distribution device 7 and one of the fillers 5, 6, in order to selectively discharge the bottles 8a of the respective partial flow 9, 10 to, for example, a respective intermediate transfer star wheel 11 (cf., for example, the system configuration according to Figure 7 ).

[0135] In other words, the first and / or second discharge devices 19, 20 are arranged in the region of the distribution device 7 or downstream of the distribution device 7.

[0136] In addition to the first and / or second discharge devices 19, 20, a plurality of discharge devices 94, 95, 96 for bottles 8a and a discharge device 97 for preforms 8b are also shown schematically as block arrows upstream of the distribution device 7.

[0137] The arrangement (shown in solid lines) in the region of at least one transfer point 17, 18 of the distribution device 7 Figure 2 ) facilitates the first and / or second discharge devices 19, 20, i.e. the first and / or second discharge devices 19, 20 in the region of the transfer of the respective bottle from the separating star wheel 12 to the immediately adjacent first or second separating delay star wheel 13, 14 or to a transfer star wheel 11 which is otherwise actively gripped.

[0138] For example, as shown in Figure 2 , the bottles 8a can be discharged in a simple manner here by opening the grippers 15, 16 of the separating star wheel 12 in a regular manner, but the grippers 13a, 14a of the subsequent first or second separating delay star wheel 13, 14 are not closed as a result of the respective control actuation. Since this prevents the discharged bottles 8a from being received, the bottles 8a are instead pushed out substantially tangentially from the respective transfer point 17, 18 and can fall down and / or be introduced into the associated collection container 19a, 20a of the respective discharge device 19, 20.

[0139] In principle, according to Figure 2, for the first discharge device 19 and / or the second discharge device 20, an arrangement (shown in dashed lines) in the conveying area of ​​the respective separation delay starwheel 13, 14 is conceivable. In this case, the grippers 13a, 14a (or another gripper of the active gripping transfer starwheel 11) must be opened in a controlled manner at the appropriate point in order to push out the bottles 8a that have been regularly received at the transfer points 17, 18 and supply them to the associated collecting containers 19a, 20a.

[0140] In principle, a controlled actuation mechanism for such opening of the clamps 13a, 14a and / or for preventing the clamps 13a, 14a from closing at the transfer points 17, 18 is also possible at the separation delay star wheels 13, 14, as described with reference to the circulating actuation elements 21, 22 and the fixed (non-circulating) actuation elements 26, 27, which are selectively moved to a position in which the clamps 13a, 14a are opened or kept open for discharge. For this purpose, an actuator of known design can be present and controlled accordingly by the machine.

[0141] For the first discharge device 19 and / or the second discharge device 20, an arrangement (not shown) at a passive gripping conveyor star wheel 11 arranged in the respective directly adjacent conveying sections 9a, 10a is also conceivable. The discharged bottles 8a can be pushed away from the passive gripping conveyor star wheel 11 by suitable machine-controlled pushers.

[0142] The first collecting container 19a is shown by way of example in the machine protection zone 81 around the fillers 5, 6 and the dispensing device 7. This configuration is possible in principle, but requires intervention in the machine protection zone 81 in order to empty the collecting container 19a and thereby stop all machines protected by the machine protection zone 81. In addition, access by an operator may be difficult for reasons of space.

[0143] However, at least one second collecting container 20a is advantageous as an alternative or in addition which can receive the discharged bottles 8a within the machine protection area 81 and can be emptied from outside the machine protection area 81 (schematically indicated by block arrows).

[0144] For example, the second discharge device 20 may also advantageously be configured such that it can selectively discharge bottles 8a associated with the first filler 5 and the second filler 6 depending on which of the fillers 5, 6 has failed and must therefore be stopped.

[0145] Firstly, for this purpose, it is possible to regularly convey, for example, bottles 8a associated with the second partial flow 10 to the second separation delay star wheel 14 in the manner described above or alternatively to discharge such bottles 8a in connection with a fault at the second conveying point 18 .

[0146] On the other hand, if the bottle 8a associated with the first branch stream 9 is discharged at the second transfer point 18 due to a fault, the bottle 8a is first prevented from being transferred to the first separation delay star wheel 13 at the first transfer point 17. For this purpose, the distribution device 7 is controlled so that all the clamps 15, 16 of the distribution star wheel 12 are closed and the clamp 13a of the first separation delay star wheel 13 is open.

[0147] As an exception / due to a malfunction, there is no corresponding second gripper 14a on the second separation delay star wheel 14 for the bottles 8a that were thus conveyed forward at the distribution star wheel 12. If all grippers 15, 16 of the distribution star wheel 12 are open at the second transfer point 18, bottles 8a that were originally associated with the first branch stream 9 and that were conveyed forward beyond the first transfer point 17 due to the malfunction are also ejected there. Due to the lack of a corresponding gripper 14a, no dedicated control action is required for the second separation delay star wheel 14.

[0148] Depending on the configuration of the fillers 5 , 6 , a corresponding discharge of the bottles 8 a initially associated with the first partial stream 9 and / or the second partial stream 10 primarily at the first transfer point 17 , i.e. by opening all corresponding grippers 15 , 16 , is also conceivable.

[0149] Fixed (non-circulating) actuating elements 26 , 27 , for example in the form of control cams, for opening the first and second grippers 15 , 16 of the separating star wheel 12 are arranged at the transfer points 17 , 18 , respectively, provided for such discharge.

[0150] The bottles 8 a discharged in this way are preferably collected in a second collecting container 20 a which can be emptied from outside the machine protection area 81 .

[0151] It is also conceivable to construct separate machine protection zones 82, 83, 84 for the dispensing device 7 and / or the fillers 5, 6, in principle as follows Figure 7 A collecting container 19a that can be emptied within the dedicated machine protection area 82, 83, 84 as well as a collecting container 20a that can be emptied from outside the machine protection area 82, 83, 84 can be arranged there.

[0152] In principle, at least one of the machine protection zones 81 to 84 can also create a hermetic seal for separating different atmospheres, for example, a production area that is sterile compared to an outer area with lower atmospheric requirements within the machine protection zones 81 to 84. Given that typical aseptic production cycles often exceed 100 hours and the associated cleaning cycles last for several hours, it would be particularly advantageous to minimize production interruptions if the second collecting container 20a could be optionally emptied from the outside via a lock.

[0153] like Figure 9Additionally shown, preferably at least a third ejection device 94 for bottles 8a is present at the outflow of the blow molding machine 3, a fourth ejection device 95 for bottles 8a is present at the inflow of the labeler 4, a fifth ejection device 96 for bottles 8a is present at the outflow of the labeler 4 and / or an ejection device 97 for preforms 8b is present at the inflow of the blow molding machine 3. The ejection devices 94 to 97 are then each associated with a collection container 94a, 95a, 96a and 97a (indicated schematically) for the ejection of bottles 8a or preforms.

[0154] The ejection devices 94 to 97, which are distributed upstream of the distribution device 7 on the conveying path of the preforms 8b and bottles 8a, shorten the conveying path and the time until the respective ejection. In addition, the bottles 8a can then be distributed to a plurality of collection containers 19a, 20a and 94a to 96a. This is advantageous in the case of restricted space and access and in the case of large bottle formats in order to be able to dispose of larger amounts of bottles 8a ejected in the event of a fault and to minimize production waste.

[0155] In addition, depending on the configuration of the collection containers 19a, 20a, it can be desirable to allow only as few bottles 8a as possible to run into the machine protection zones 81 to 84, since the disposal of bottles 8a ejected there can be more complex and access to the bottles can be restricted.

[0156] It is correspondingly advantageous that the common ejection device 20 for the fillers 5, 6 with a collection container 20a accessible from outside the machine protection zones 81 to 83 makes it unnecessary to intervene in the machine protection zones 81 to 83 and the fault-free fillers 5, 6 can continue to operate.

[0157] It is advantageous for the bottles 8a to be ejected within the machine protection zones 81 to 84 as close to the fillers 5, 6 as possible in principle, since the number of (non-ejectable) bottles 8a that still have to be conveyed downstream to the filler 5, 6 that has failed, respectively, is thus minimized and the relevant filler 5, 6 can be stopped as quickly as possible.

[0158] The ejection devices 19, 20, 94 to 97, which are configured at the actively grabbing star wheels, for example at the distribution star wheel 12 and / or the separation delay star wheels 13, 14, comprise, for example, the cyclically actuated elements 21, 22 and the non-cyclically (fixed) actuated elements 26, 27, which can then be moved back and forth in a machine-controlled manner between an active position, in which they interact with the cyclically actuated elements 21, 22, and a corresponding inactive position.

[0159] The ejection devices 19, 20, 94 to 97, which are arranged at a passive gripper star wheel, such as a simple transfer star wheel 11, preferably comprise pushers for ejecting individual bottles 8a or preforms 8b from the grippers carrying them. Due to the large number of relatively fast and repetitive switching operations for ejecting every other bottle 8a (in the area of ​​the labeler 4, for example, more than 100 bottles 8a per interruption), electric servo direct drives or, alternatively, crankshaft drives with linear oscillating pushers are particularly suitable for these pushers. Depending on the switching cycles required for ejecting the bottles 8a and / or preforms 8b, pneumatic drives are also generally possible.

[0160] The required synchronization of the discharge devices 19 , 20 , 94 to 97 is possible, for example, within the scope of the control system 68 and / or other control components with the common control device 61 of the fillers 5 , 6 and / or the individual control units 65 , 66 by programming known in principle.

Claims

1. A filling system (1) for a liquid product, comprising: A machine block (2) comprising: a blow molding machine (3) for producing bottles and providing the bottles as a bottle stream (8); a downstream labeler (4) for labeling the bottle stream; at least one first conveying section (9a) and a second conveying section (10a), each of the first conveying section (9a) and the second conveying section (10a) comprising a filler (5, 6) for filling the bottles; and a distribution unit (7) for dividing the labeled bottle stream into the conveying sections when the conveying section is full in such a way that the bottles can be labeled at all cyclic labeling positions (4a) of the labeler and can be filled at all cyclic filling positions (5a, 6a) of the filler simultaneously; and partial outflow conveyors (31, 32), each connected downstream of the filler, having a merging device (33) for merging the conveying sections to form a common outflow conveyor (34), The conveying sections (9a, 10a) each comprise at least one separation delay star wheel (13, 14) for reducing a first conveying interval (13b, 14b) during the separation of the bottle stream (8) to a relatively smaller second conveying interval when the bottles (8a) are filled.

2. The filling system according to claim 1, characterized in that The filling system further comprises a bypass device (39) for selectively bypassing or inhibiting the merging device (33) in order to provide separate outflows for the conveying sections (9a, 10a).

3. The filling system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The distribution device (7) preferably comprises a separating star wheel (12) for conveying every other bottle (8a) of the bottle stream (8) alternately to the first conveying section (9a) and the second conveying section (10a).

4. The filling system according to claim 3, characterized in that The separating star wheel (12) comprises clamps (15, 16) which can be actively opened by means of actuating elements (22, 21) circulating on the clamps (15, 16) and associated fixed actuating elements (26, 27), and the actuating elements (21, 26) associated with the first conveying section (9a) are arranged on a first common actuating plane (23), and the actuating elements (22, 27) associated with the second conveying section (10a) are arranged on a second common actuating plane (24) above or below the first actuating plane, for actuating the clamps independently of each other relative to the actuating planes.

5. Filling system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The machine block (2) for the bottle flow (8) also comprises a buffer station (38) which, due to the machine control, can optionally branch off between the blow moulding machine (3) and the labeller (4).

6. Filling system according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The machine block (2) further comprises at least one discharge device (19, 20), which is arranged at the dispensing device (7) and / or between the dispensing device (7) and one of the fillers (5, 6), and which is constructed and machine-controlled so that the bottles (8a) associated with one or the other of the fillers (5, 6) can be selectively discharged, respectively.

7. The filling system according to claim 6, characterized in that The filling system further comprises at least one collecting container (20a) which is configured to receive the bottles (8a) discharged by the discharge device (20) and to empty the bottles (8a) from outside a machine protection area (81-83) comprising the dispensing device (7) and / or at least one of the fillers (5, 6), in particular without operator intervention in the machine protection area (81-83).

8. Filling system according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The filling system further comprises a central product dispenser (41) for supplying the fillers (5, 6) with the product to be filled from a common product storage (43) and / or a central closure cap dispenser (51) for supplying the sealing machines (29, 30) associated with the fillers with closure caps from a common closure cap storage (52).

9. Filling system according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The filling system also has a control device (61) for the common control of the fillers (5, 6) and / or for synchronization / parameter transmission between control units (65, 66) for the individual control of the fillers.

10. Filling system according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The filling system also has a machine protection device having a machine protection area (81) for protecting the rotating components of the fillers (5, 6) from operator intervention, in particular for protecting the rotating components of the dispensing device from operator intervention.

11. Filling system according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The filling system also includes a heating module (37) for the preforms (8b), which is connected upstream of the blow molding machine and has a locking star wheel (91) on the inlet side for controlled release and blocking of the supply of the preforms, wherein the locking star wheel is driven by a stepper motor (92).

12. A method for filling a liquid product into bottles (8a), wherein the bottles are manufactured in a blow molding machine (3) and supplied as a single-lane bottle stream (8) to a labeler (4) and are labeled at all cyclic labeling positions (4a) of the labeler (4), wherein the bottle stream is then divided into at least one first conveying section (9) and a second conveying section (10), and each partial stream is filled in a separately associated filler (5, 6), wherein the bottles are conveyed in a machine block (2) from the manufacturing to the filling process, and when the conveyor is full so that the bottles are filled at all cyclic filling positions (5a, 6a) of the filler, the labeled bottle stream is divided into the conveying sections, wherein during the cyclic conveying of the bottles (8a), the conveying intervals (13b, 14b) of the partial streams (9, 10) are reduced before filling by a separation delay.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that When the bottles are uniformly filled with the same product, the partial flows (9, 10) are combined to form a common outflow (8') and, in particular, when the filling processes in the fillers (5, 5, 6) differ from one another with regard to the product, the partial flows are conveyed away separately.

14. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 13, characterized in that The fillers (5, 6) are controlled in common by an operator by inputting consistent type parameters and use the type parameters by automatically transferring them from a common control device (61) to the fillers, in particular from one filler to another.

15. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that In the event of a malfunction of one of the fillers (5, 6), the preforms (8b) associated with the malfunctioning filler are stopped or guided out of the machine, the bottles (8a) associated with the malfunctioning filler are temporarily stored before labeling and / or discharged from the corresponding branch stream (9, 10) upstream of the malfunctioning filler, and the bottles that have already been produced / labeled are filled in the filler that is operating normally.

16. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 15, characterized in that In the event of a malfunction of one of the fillers (5, 6), the bottles (8a) associated with the malfunctioning filler are discharged from the respective partial flow (9, 10) upstream and / or in the region of a distribution star wheel (12) for dividing the bottle flow into the partial flows (9, 10).

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