Container treatment system and operating method for container treatment system

Abstract

The invention relates, inter alia, to a container treatment system (10) comprising a treatment device (12) with several treatment stations (24), each having a filling valve (28), a detection device (22) configured to detect the fill levels of the containers filled by the filling valves (28), and a control device (52). The control device (52) is configured to determine a common average value for the multiple filling valves (28) based on the detected fill levels of several of the containers filled by the filling valves (28).The control device (52) is further configured to determine a filling valve-specific mean value for at least one of the several filling valves (28) based on the recorded fill levels of several of the containers filled by the respective filling valve (28) and to adjust the filling valve-specific opening time duration (D) for future container filling operations depending on the respective filling valve-specific mean value and the common mean value.

Description

Technical area

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

[0002] When filling products such as beer or carbonated beverages into containers such as glass bottles, a constant fill level is often required as a quality criterion. The fill levels of filled containers are influenced by various effects or parameters in different filling systems. While in a return air tube filler, the fill level is created by the connection between the container and the boiler being covered by the liquid as the fill level rises at the correct height, thus preventing any more gas from escaping, in a probe filler, the rising fill level in the container creates an electrical short circuit at the probe, thereby closing the filling valve.

[0003] Unlike return air tube fillers and probe fillers, there are also filling systems in which the fill level can be actively controlled via the filling pressure. This allows various other influencing factors, such as product temperature, to be compensated for. With this filling system, the filling valve can be opened, allowing product to flow into the container until pressure equalization with the vessel is achieved, whereby the product in the vessel can have an absolute pressure above ambient pressure. These filling systems can also be referred to as actively pressure-controlled filling systems.

[0004] In this context, EP 2 937 310 A2 discloses a method for filling a container with a filling product in a beverage filling plant, comprising providing the filling product under positive pressure and evacuating the container to be filled to achieve a negative pressure. The pressurized filling product is introduced into the negative pressure container.

[0005] The invention is based on the object of creating an improved technology for achieving a constant fill level. This technology should preferably be applicable to an actively pressure-controlled filling system. Summary of the invention

[0006] The problem is solved by the features of the independent claims. Advantageous further developments are specified in the dependent claims and the description.

[0007] One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a container treatment system. The container treatment system comprises a (e.g., rotary) treatment device with a plurality of treatment stations, each of which has a filling valve (e.g., of an actively pressure-controlled filling system) for filling a container positioned in the respective treatment station during a filling valve-specific opening period. The container treatment system comprises a detection device configured to detect fill levels of the containers filled by the filling valves. The container treatment system comprises a control device configured to determine (e.g., calculate) a common average value for the plurality of filling valves based on the detected fill levels of a plurality of containers filled by the filling valves.The control device is further configured to determine (e.g., calculate) a filling-valve-specific mean value for at least one of the plurality of filling valves based on the detected fill levels of several of the containers filled by the respective filling valve and to adapt (e.g., extend or shorten) the filling-valve-specific opening time duration for future container filling processes depending on the respective filling-valve-specific mean value and the common mean value.

[0008] The container treatment system advantageously enables automatic adjustment of the opening time of the filling valves, so that the standard deviation of the fill level as a quality criterion can be significantly improved. This means that the adjustments do not have to be carried out manually by technicians. Instead, the fill levels of the containers can be automatically recorded for each filled container at each station. Since there is statistical variation in the fill levels, not every smallest overfill or underfill can be directly attributed to an incorrect valve opening time. This means that the common mean and the respective filling valve-individual mean can be calculated and compared, so that station-dependent, repeatable variances in the fill level of the treatment stations can be determined. For example, if several containers were all filled by the same filling valve and the average underfill is a few millimeters or several centimeters,millimeters compared to the average value of all filling valves, this information can be used by the control unit to automatically adjust the opening time for each filling valve. This allows, for example, automatic response to situations in which, due to various factors such as manufacturing variations or external contamination, a valve element of one of the filling valves may open more slowly, so that the flow of the filling material into the container is initially significantly slower and the container is not filled correctly if the fill level is too low. Furthermore, possible fluctuations in the required opening time for each filling valve over a longer period of time can also be addressed.

[0009] Preferably, the treatment stations can be free of filling probes and / or return pipes.

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

[0011] For example, the common mean can be a common arithmetic mean or a common median mean. Alternatively or additionally, the filling valve-specific mean can be a filling valve-specific arithmetic mean or a filling valve-specific median mean.

[0012] In one embodiment, the control device is configured to adapt the filling valve-individual opening time duration for the future container filling processes for at least one of the plurality of filling valves depending on the respective filling valve-individual mean value and the common mean value: if a deviation (e.g., difference) between the respective filling-valve-individual mean value and the common mean value is greater than a deviation limit value (e.g., one that can be specified via a user interface of the container treatment system); and / or wherein an extent of the adjustment (e.g., a size or amount of a correction value for adjusting the filling-valve-individual opening time for future container filling processes) is dependent on a value (size or amount) of a deviation between the respective filling-valve-individual mean value and the common mean value.

[0013] This advantageously prevents unnecessary adjustment of the individual filling valve mean value even for the smallest differences between the individual filling valve mean value and the common mean value. It is also advantageous to define a function with which the necessary correction value for filling up to the target fill level can be calculated or derived from the deviation value, so that the target fill level can be achieved with a single adjustment of the individual filling valve opening time.

[0014] In a further embodiment, the control device is configured to adjust the individual opening duration for at least one of the multiple filling valves for future container filling processes depending on the respective individual filling valve mean value and the common mean value up to a maximum opening duration that can be specified (e.g., via a user interface of the container treatment system). Advantageously, this automatically takes into account that the individual opening duration for each filling valve should not be extended indefinitely, also because the individual opening duration for each filling valve directly impacts the potential performance of the treatment device.

[0015] In one embodiment, the container treatment system further comprises an output device (e.g., acoustic, visual, and / or haptic) for outputting information to a user. Preferably, the control device can be configured to operate the output device to output a notification (e.g., error message, warning, or maintenance notification) when, for at least one of the plurality of filling valves, the opening time for the future container filling processes approaches (e.g., successively or continuously approaches) the maximum opening time (e.g., to a distance predeterminable by means of a user interface of the container treatment system) and / or reaches or exceeds the maximum opening time. Advantageously, an error message, etc., can thus be automatically generated.be issued to inform the operator of the container treatment device that the affected treatment station or at least the affected filling valve must be replaced or serviced in order to prevent underfilling and / or performance reductions, which would occur if the maximum opening time is exceeded. By constantly monitoring and, if necessary, adjusting the opening times for each filling valve, the development of the adjustments or correction values ​​can also be monitored, so that, for example, a warning can be issued as soon as a treatment station consistently requires more opening time or correction time for each filling valve and, for example, would soon exceed the maximum opening time.This can advantageously make it possible to overhaul or replace the affected treatment station or at least the affected filling valve during planned downtimes in order to prevent unplanned downtimes during production.

[0016] In one embodiment, the control device is configured to determine (e.g., calculate) the filling valve-individual mean value as: a filling-valve-specific mean fill level of the recorded fill levels of the plurality of containers filled by the respective filling valve or a mean value dependent on the filling-valve-specific mean fill level; or a filling-valve-specific mean deviation of deviations of the recorded fill levels of the plurality of containers filled by the respective filling valve from a target fill level (e.g., presettable via a user interface of the container treatment system) or a mean value dependent on the filling-valve-specific mean deviation.

[0017] In a further embodiment, the controller is configured to determine (e.g., calculate) the common mean value as: a common mean fill level of the recorded fill levels of the plurality of containers filled by the filling valves or a mean value dependent on the common mean fill level; or a common mean deviation of deviations of the recorded fill levels of the plurality of containers filled by the filling valves from a target fill level (e.g., one that can be specified via a user interface of the container treatment system) or a mean value dependent on the common mean deviation.

[0018] In one embodiment, the control device is further configured to adapt an operation of the treatment device depending on a comparison between the common mean value and a (e.g. predetermined or predeterminable) target filling level, wherein preferably: the adjustment of operation occurs when a deviation between the common mean value and the target fill level is greater than or equal to a deviation limit; and / or the adjustment of operation occurs in such a way that an operating parameter that applies to all filling valves (e.g., operating parameters affecting several or all filling valves) is adjusted for future container filling processes.

[0019] This allows for comparatively rapid reaction in cases where several or all filling valves exhibit an operating anomaly.

[0020] Preferably, an extent of the adjustment (e.g. of the operating parameter across filling valves) may be dependent on a value of the deviation between the common mean value and the target filling level.

[0021] Preferably, the operating parameter across filling valves can be, for example, an operating pressure, e.g., a filling pressure and / or a back pressure, a power or a speed.

[0022] In one embodiment, the treatment device has a filling material pressure accumulator (e.g. with one or more filling material vessels) which is connected to the filling valves for supplying a filling material subjected to excess pressure to the filling valves. The treatment device can preferably be designed to evacuate the containers to a negative pressure before filling (e.g. by means of a filling device of the respective treatment station) and to fill the containers evacuated to the negative pressure by means of the filling valves during the opening time of the filling valves in order to achieve pressure equalization between the respectively evacuated container and the filling material pressure accumulator. Advantageously, this allows the container to be filled comparatively quickly. The filling material is not accelerated towards the container by its mass due to gravitational force, as is usually the case.Instead, the pressurized filling material is forced into the container by the pressure difference between the evacuated container and the filling material pressure reservoir. The fill level monitoring techniques disclosed herein are particularly suitable for use with this type of filling technology.

[0023] In a further embodiment, the plurality of treatment stations further each have a closing element for closing the container positioned in the respective treatment station. Preferably, the control device can be configured to additionally adapt the opening time period specific to the filling valve for future container filling processes for at least one of the plurality of filling valves depending on an operating plan of the closing element of the respective treatment station (e.g., one that can be specified using a user interface of the container treatment system), particularly preferably such that the opening time period specific to the filling valve for future container filling processes must end before the closing element of the respective treatment station begins to approach the filled container in the respective treatment station.In this way, the complex and coordinated operation of the filling valve and the closing device of the same treatment station can be automatically taken into account when adjusting the opening time of the individual filling valve.

[0024] It is also possible that the adjustment, depending on the operating plan of the closing device, is additionally or alternatively carried out in such a way that the filling valve-individual opening time duration for the future container filling processes can be adjusted in a time window in which a closing head of the closing device of the respective treatment station is moved from a basic position to a sealing position.

[0025] In one embodiment, the plurality of treatment stations each have a treatment chamber in which at least an upper portion of the container with a container mouth can be accommodated for filling by means of the filling valve of the respective treatment station and for closing by means of the closing member of the respective treatment station. Optionally, the container can be inserted into the treatment chamber of the respective treatment station and moved out of the treatment chamber of the respective treatment station by means of a lifting device of the respective treatment station.

[0026] In a further embodiment, the control device is configured to adapt the filling valve-specific opening time duration for the future container filling processes for at least one of the plurality of filling valves additionally depending on a treatment plan (e.g., which can be specified by means of a user interface of the container treatment system) of the treatment chamber of the respective treatment station, preferably in such a way that: the filling valve-specific opening time period for future container filling processes must end before the treatment chamber of the respective treatment station is pre-tensioned to achieve pressure equalization between the currently filled container and the treatment chamber of the respective treatment station; and / or the filling valve-specific opening time period for future container filling processes is adjustable within a time window in which the treatment chamber of the respective treatment station is evacuated and / or purged.

[0027] In this way, the complex and coordinated operation of the filling valve, the closing device and the treatment chamber of the same treatment station can be automatically taken into account when adjusting the opening time of the individual filling valve.

[0028] In one embodiment, the treatment chambers can each be sealed with the upper portion of the container positioned therein, preferably on the upper side by means of a closing head of the closing member of the respective treatment station and / or on the lower side by means of a respective (e.g. inflatable) seal to the container, preferably the container neck.

[0029] A further aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method for operating a container treatment system, preferably as disclosed herein. The method comprises filling a plurality of containers in a plurality of treatment stations of a treatment device by means of a filling valve (e.g., included in an actively pressure-controlled filling system) per treatment station during an opening time period specific to each filling valve (e.g., with a pressurized filling material). The method further comprises detecting fill levels of the containers filled by the filling valves by means of a detection device. The method further comprises determining (e.g., calculating) a common mean value for the plurality of filling valves based on the detected fill levels of a plurality of containers filled by the filling valves by means of a control device.

[0030] The method further comprises determining (e.g., calculating) a filling-valve-specific mean value for at least one of the plurality of filling valves based on the detected fill levels of several of the containers filled by the respective filling valve by means of the control device. The method further comprises adapting (e.g., shortening or lengthening) the filling-valve-specific opening time of the at least one of the plurality of filling valves for future container filling processes as a function of the respective filling-valve-specific mean value and the common mean value by means of the control device, preferably if a deviation (e.g., difference) between the respective filling-valve-specific mean value and the common mean value is greater than a (e.g.,(specifiable via a user interface of the container treatment plant) is a deviation limit value and / or wherein the extent of the adjustment depends on a value of a deviation between the respective filling valve-individual mean value and the common mean value. Advantageously, the method can achieve the same advantages as those already explained with reference to the treatment plant. The same applies to the following preferred examples of the method.

[0031] In one embodiment, during adjustment, the filling valve-specific opening duration is (only) adjustable up to a maximum opening duration that can be specified (e.g., by means of a user interface of the container treatment system). Optionally, the method can further comprise outputting a (e.g., acoustic, visual, and / or haptic) indication to a user by means of an output device when the filling valve-specific opening duration for the future container filling processes for at least one of the plurality of filling valves approaches (e.g., successively or continuously approaches) the maximum opening duration (e.g., to a distance that can be specified by means of a user interface of the container treatment system) and / or reaches or exceeds the maximum opening duration.

[0032] In a further embodiment, the method further comprises evacuating the plurality of containers to a negative pressure prior to filling. Preferably, filling can be carried out into the plurality of containers evacuated to the negative pressure to achieve pressure equalization between the respective evacuated container and a filling material pressure reservoir.

[0033] In a further embodiment, the adjustment (e.g., shortening or lengthening) of the filling valve-individual opening time is additionally carried out as a function of an operating plan (e.g., which can be specified by means of a user interface of the container treatment system) of a closing element of the respective treatment station and / or of a treatment plan (e.g., which can be specified by means of a user interface of the container treatment system) of a treatment chamber of the respective treatment station (in which, for example, at least an upper section of the container with a container mouth can be accommodated for filling by means of the respective filling valve and for closing by means of a closing element of the respective treatment station), preferably in such a way that: the filling valve-specific opening time period for future container filling processes must end before the closing element of the respective treatment station begins to approach the filled container in the respective treatment station; and / or the filling valve-specific opening time period for future container filling processes must end before the treatment chamber of the respective treatment station is pre-tensioned to achieve pressure equalization between the respectively filled container and the treatment chamber of the respective treatment station; and / or the filling valve-specific opening time period for future container filling processes is adaptable within a time window in which the treatment chamber of the respective treatment station is evacuated and / or rinsed.

[0034] It is also possible for the method to further comprise adapting an operation of the treatment device depending on a comparison of the common mean value and a (e.g. predetermined or predeterminable) target filling level, wherein preferably: the adjustment of operation occurs when a deviation between the common mean value and the target fill level is greater than or equal to a deviation limit; and / or the adjustment of operation occurs in such a way that an operating parameter that applies to all filling valves (e.g., operating parameters affecting several or all filling valves) is adjusted for future container filling processes.

[0035] For example, the containers can be designed as bottles, cans, canisters, cartons, flasks, etc.

[0036] Preferably, the term "control device" can refer to electronics (e.g., implemented as a driver circuit or with microprocessor(s) and data memory) and optionally also to a mechanical, pneumatic, and / or hydraulic control system, which, depending on its design, can perform control tasks and / or regulation tasks and / or processing tasks. Even if the term "control" is used herein, it can also appropriately include or mean "regulation" or "control with feedback" and / or "processing."

[0037] The previously described preferred embodiments and features of the invention can be combined with one another as desired. Short description of the characters

[0038] Further details and advantages of the invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. They show: Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a container treatment system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of a treatment station of a container treatment device of the exemplary container treatment system; and Figure 3 shows a time-pressure diagram with an exemplary pressure curve in a container during a container treatment and an exemplary pressure curve in a treatment chamber.

[0039] The embodiments shown in the figures correspond at least partially, so that similar or identical parts are provided with the same reference numerals and for their explanation reference is also made to the description of the other embodiments or figures in order to avoid repetition. Detailed description of exemplary embodiments

[0040] The Figure 1shows a container treatment plant 10 comprising a treatment device 12 with several treatment stations 24, a detection device 22 and a control device 52. The Figure 2 shows one of the treatment stations 24 with a container positioned therein.

[0041] Preferably, the treatment device 12 is designed as a rotary device or as a treatment carousel. For example, the treatment stations 24 can be arranged distributed around a circumference of the treatment device 12. For the sake of clarity, Figure 1 only some of the treatment stations 24 are provided with their own reference symbol.

[0042] The treatment device 12 fills the containers with a preferably liquid or pasty filling material. The filling material can contain carbon dioxide. Preferably, the containers can also be sealed by means of the treatment device 12 after filling. Particularly preferably, the containers can be filled and sealed one after the other in a respective treatment station 24 without leaving the respective treatment station 24.

[0043] The treatment device 12 can be arranged downstream (in terms of containers) of a container conveyor 14. The container conveyor 14 can, for example, have an infeed starwheel 16 that transfers containers to the treatment device 12. Specifically, the infeed starwheel 16 can transfer the containers individually to the treatment stations 24.

[0044] The treatment device 12 can be arranged (container-wise) upstream of a container conveyor 18. The container conveyor 18 can, for example, have an outlet starwheel 20 that receives treated containers from the treatment device 12. Specifically, the outlet starwheel 20 can receive the containers individually from the treatment stations 24. Preferably, the container conveyor 18 can transport the containers, for example, in a single lane and / or individually.

[0045] The detection device 22 can be arranged downstream (of the container) from the treatment device 12. For example, the detection device 22 can be arranged on the container conveyor 18.

[0046] Alternatively, the detection device 22 can be included, for example, in the treatment device 12. For example, the detection device 22 can be arranged at a container outlet section of the treatment device 12 or upstream thereof. Alternatively, the detection device 22 can be distributed, for example, in each of the treatment stations 24.

[0047] The detection device 22 is designed to detect a respective fill level of the containers. The detection device 22 can comprise any sensor technology suitable for detecting the fill levels of the containers. For example, the detection device 22 can comprise at least one camera device, a laser sensor, an LED sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, an X-ray sensor, and / or a distance sensor, etc.

[0048] The detection device 22 can be in communication with the control device 52 for sending the detected fill levels to the control device 52. The control device 52 and / or the detection device 22 can assign the detected fill level of a container to a respective treatment station 24 and / or a respective filling valve 28 that filled the container for which the fill level was detected, e.g., through a known relationship between a treatment time in the respective treatment station 24 and a detection time by the detection device 22.

[0049] As in Figure 2 As shown by way of example, the treatment stations 24 each have a filling element 26 with a filling valve 28. Optionally, the treatment stations 24 can each further have, for example, a closing element 36, a treatment chamber 42 and / or a lifting device 46.

[0050] The filling device 26 is designed to fill the container positioned in the treatment station 24. The filling device 26 can fill the container with a liquid or pasty filling material. For example, the filling device 26 can have a filling valve 28 for selectively opening or blocking a filling material channel of the filling device 26. The filling valve 28 can be actuated, for example, electrically, electromagnetically, pneumatically, hydraulically, or mechanically.

[0051] The filling device 26 can be equipped with a filling material pressure accumulator 32 (only in Figure 1 shown) via a filling material line 30. The filling material pressure accumulator 32 can have at least one filling material pressure tank or filling material pressure vessel. The filling material can be stored in the filling material pressure accumulator 32, for example, at an (absolute) overpressure of up to 9 bar, preferably between 2.5 bar and 6 bar, particularly preferably between 2.8 bar and 3.3 bar.

[0052] Preferably, the filling device 26 can also evacuate, pre-pressurize, and / or purge the container. Accordingly, the filling device 26 can have an evacuation channel, a pre-pressurization channel, and / or a purge channel. The evacuation channel can be connected or connectable to a vacuum source. The vacuum source can be, for example, a vacuum pump.

[0053] The filling elements 26 can be part of an actively pressure-controlled filling system.

[0054] Particularly preferably, the container can be evacuated to a negative pressure by the filling device 26 before filling. After evacuation, the container evacuated to the negative pressure can be filled with a filling material by opening the filling valve 28. The filling valve 28 can remain open for a filling-valve-specific opening period. The filling material flows from the filling material pressure accumulator 32 through the open filling valve 28 into the container to achieve pressure equalization between the container and the filling material pressure accumulator 32. The filling-valve-specific opening period is adjustable.

[0055] Preferably, the filling element 26 can be pressed against a container mouth for treating the container. Preferably, a (filling element) adjustment device 34 can be assigned to the filling element 26. The adjustment device 34 can move the filling element 26 to press it against the container mouth and to release the container mouth. The adjustment device 34 can preferably move the filling element 26 along an axis that is angled to a vertical axis of the treatment station 24 or the container.

[0056] The adjustment device 34 can be operated, for example, electrically, electromagnetically, pneumatically, hydraulically, or mechanically, e.g., by the control device 52. The adjustment device 34 can, for example, extend and retract under the control of the control device 52.

[0057] Preferably, the adjusting device 34 can move an outlet of the filling element 26 within the treatment chamber 42. The adjusting device 34 can move the outlet of the filling element 26 within the treatment chamber 42 to press it against the container mouth, e.g., when a treatment, such as evacuation, rinsing, pre-pressurization, and / or filling, is desired by the filling element 26. The adjusting device 34 can move the outlet of the filling element 26 within the treatment chamber 42 away from the container mouth, e.g., to enable treatment of the container by the closing element 36.

[0058] The closing member 36 may have a closing head 38 and a (closing member) adjustment device 40.

[0059] The closing member 36 can be designed to close the container positioned in the treatment station 24. Specifically, the container can be closed using the closing head 38, e.g., with a crown cap. For closing, the closing head 38 can be lowered onto the container mouth using the adjustment device 40 and raised again after closing.

[0060] The adjustment device 40 can be operated, for example, electrically, electromagnetically, pneumatically, hydraulically or mechanically, e.g. by the control device 52 (see Figure 1 ). The adjustment device 40 can, for example, extend and retract under the control of the control device 52.

[0061] Preferably, the closing head 38 can be moved by means of the adjusting device 40 to the treatment chamber 42, out of the treatment chamber 42 and / or within the treatment chamber 42. For example, the closing head 38 can be moved by means of the adjusting device 40 into a home position (in Figure 2 shown), into a sealing position (not shown in the figures) and / or into a closing position (not shown in the figures).

[0062] In the home position, the closing head 38 can be positioned outside, preferably above, the treatment chamber 42. The home position can be assumed, for example, at the beginning of a container treatment in the treatment station 24 when the container is introduced into the treatment chamber 42 by a lifting device 46.

[0063] In the sealing position, the closing head 38 can be lowered by the adjustment device 40 to seal the top of the treatment chamber 42. Preferably, the container can be treated by the filling element 26, e.g., evacuated, rinsed, pre-tensioned, and / or filled, while the closing head 38 is moved into the sealing position. Before or during the movement, the closing head 38 can also accept a container closure, e.g., a crown cork. At the end of the treatment of the container by the filling element 26, the closing head 38 can be in the sealing position. Preferably, the treatment chamber 42 can then also be sealed from the bottom by means of a seal 44 to the container. While the closing head 38 is in the sealing position, the treatment chamber 42 can, for example, be evacuated, rinsed, and / or pre-tensioned.

[0064] In the closing position, the closing head 38 can be lowered by the adjustment device 40 to close the container mouth of the container in the treatment chamber 42. For example, the container closure can be pressed onto a container mouth of the container in this way. During a movement of the closing head 38 from the sealing position to the closing position, the treatment chamber 42 can continue to be sealed by the closing head 38.

[0065] At least an upper portion of the container, including its container mouth, can be accommodated in the treatment chamber 42 for treatment by means of the filling member 26 and / or the closing member 36. For example, the container can be moved into the treatment chamber 42 by means of the lifting device 46 to position the upper portion of the container.

[0066] For the treatment, the portion of the container accommodated in the treatment chamber 42 can be sealed in the treatment chamber 42.

[0067] For example, the treatment chamber 42 may be sealed on top of the capping head 38 when the capping head 38 is lowered onto the treatment chamber 42 or positioned within the treatment chamber 42 (not shown in the figures).

[0068] For example, the treatment chamber 42 can be sealed on the underside to the container, preferably to a container neck, by means of a seal 44. The seal 44 can, for example, be designed as an inflatable annular body that can be wrapped around a container shell or a container neck.

[0069] The treatment chamber 42 can, for example, be evacuated, rinsed, and / or pre-stressed, preferably while the container is pressed against the filling element 26. Particularly preferably, the treatment chamber 42 can, for example, be evacuated, rinsed, and / or pre-stressed simultaneously with the treatment (e.g., evacuation, rinsing, pre-stressing, and / or filling) of the container by means of the filling element 26, or even before or after. The filling element 26 can subsequently be removed from the container mouth of the container already filled with the filling product, preferably at a time when essentially the same conditions prevail in the treatment chamber 42 and in the container. During this phase, the treatment chamber 42, which is, for example, under overpressure, can communicate accordingly with the interior of the container filled with the filling product.

[0070] In a subsequent treatment step, a container closure can then be applied to the container in the treatment chamber 42, which is still under overpressure, using the closing head 38 of the closing device 36. Subsequently, the overpressure present in the treatment chamber 42 can be reduced substantially to ambient pressure, and the filled and sealed container can then be removed from the treatment chamber 42 by means of the lifting device 46.

[0071] The lifting device 46 can raise and lower the container. For example, the lifting device 46 can have a vertically movable support plate 48 for supporting the container at the bottom. The lifting device 46 can insert the container into the treatment chamber 42 and move it out of the treatment chamber.

[0072] The lifting device 46 can be operated, for example, electrically, electromagnetically, pneumatically, hydraulically, or mechanically, e.g., by the control device 52. The lifting device 46 can, for example, extend and retract under the control of the control device 52.

[0073] The Figure 3 shows, for a preferred embodiment, a pressure curve A (solid curve) in the container and a pressure curve B (dashed curve) in the treatment chamber for a time period from shortly before filling to shortly after unloading.

[0074] By way of example, it is shown that the container has already been evacuated to a negative pressure p0 prior to filling. At a time t1, the filling valve 28 can be opened. The filling valve 28 can remain open for an opening period D until a time t2. During this time, the container can fill with the filling material to achieve pressure equalization at a pressure p1 in the filling material pressure accumulator 32. During this filling process, filling material can flow into the container through the open filling valve 28 until pressure equalization between the container and the filling material pressure accumulator 32 is achieved.

[0075] From a time t3, the treatment chamber 42 can be pre-pressurized to a pressure in the filled container. After the filling valve 28 has been closed (after t2) and after the treatment chamber 42 has been pre-pressurized to a pressure level in the container, the filling valve 28 can be removed from the filled container by means of the adjusting device 34. Around t4, the closing element 36 with its closing head 38 can now be moved to the container mouth of the filled container. Between t4 and t5, the container can be closed and, after closing, the treatment chamber 42 can be relieved to ambient pressure. The closed, filled container can then be removed from the treatment chamber 42 by means of the lifting device 46.

[0076] As in Figure 1As shown, the container treatment system 10 can further comprise the output device 50. The output device 50 can, for example, be an acoustic, visual, and / or haptic output device. Information can be output to a user via the output device 50. The output device 50 can be part of a user interface. The output interface can, for example, comprise a (e.g., touch-sensitive) display, a loudspeaker, and / or at least one signal light.

[0077] The control device 52 can operate the treatment device 12 or control its operation. Specifically, the control device 52 can, for example, control the operation of the treatment stations 24, the operation of the filling elements 26, the operation of the filling valves 28, the operation of the adjusting device 34, the operation of the closing elements 36, the operation of the adjusting device 40, the operation of the treatment chamber 42, the operation of the sealing device 44, the operation of the lifting device 46, and / or the operation of the dispensing device 50.

[0078] As already mentioned, when filling the container, filling material can flow into the container through the filling valve 28, which is open during the opening time D, until pressure equalization between the container and the filling material pressure accumulator is achieved. Within certain limits, the opening time D does not influence the fill level of the container in this exemplary embodiment. However, it has been found that various factors, e.g., manufacturing variations or external contamination, can lead to a valve element (e.g., product cone) of the filling valve 28 opening more slowly, so that the flow of filling material into the container is initially significantly slower and the container is not filled correctly if the fill level is too low. In this case, the valve opening time would have to be extended.On the other hand, if the opening time is chosen to be much too long, it may happen that additional filling material flows through the open filling valve 28 into the container in excess of the desired quantity, thus causing overfilling.

[0079] In view of the above-explained causes of underfilling and overfilling of containers, it was recognized that the generated filling level of a container can be used to draw conclusions about the correctness of the opening time D of the respective filling valve 28. A method is described below with reference to Figures 1 to 3 which allows the opening time D to be automatically adjusted to achieve the correct filling level.

[0080] The control device 52 determines a common average value for the filling valves 28 of the treatment device 12. The average value is determined based on the fill levels of the containers filled by the filling valves 28, as detected by the detection device 22.

[0081] To determine the common mean value, several filled containers or their fill levels can be considered for each filling valve 28. Preferably, the fill levels recorded during an operating period of the container treatment system 10 of at least 8 hours, at least 16 hours, or at least 24 hours can be taken into account to determine the common mean value.

[0082] The common mean value can particularly preferably be determined as a common mean fill level of the detected fill levels of the plurality of containers filled by the filling valves 28 or as a mean value dependent on the common mean fill level. For example, 1,000,000 filled containers can have a common mean fill level of 200.5 mm.

[0083] Alternatively, the common mean value can be determined, for example, as a common mean deviation of deviations of the detected fill levels of the plurality of containers filled by the filling valves 28 from a predeterminable target fill level, or as a mean value dependent on the common mean deviation. For example, 1,000,000 filled containers can have a common mean deviation of 0.5 mm from a target fill level of, for example, 200 mm.

[0084] The control device 52 determines a filling-valve-specific mean value for at least one, preferably several or all, of the filling valves 28 of the treatment device 12. The filling-valve-specific mean value is determined based on the fill levels of several containers filled by the respective filling valve 28, as detected by the detection device 22. For example, at least 10, at least 100, at least 1,000, or at least 10,000 filled containers or their fill levels can be considered for each filling valve 28 to determine the filling-valve-specific mean value.

[0085] The filling valve-specific mean value can preferably be determined as a filling valve-specific mean fill level of the detected fill levels of the plurality of containers filled by the respective filling valve 28 or as a mean value dependent on the filling valve-specific mean fill level. For example, 1,000 containers filled by one of the filling valves 28 can have a filling valve-specific mean fill level of 198 mm.

[0086] Alternatively, the filling valve-specific mean value can be determined, for example, as a filling valve-specific mean deviation of deviations of the detected fill levels of the plurality of containers filled by the respective filling valve 28 from a predeterminable target fill level, or as a mean value dependent on the filling valve-specific mean deviation. For example, 1,000 containers filled by one of the filling valves 28 can have a filling valve-specific mean deviation of 2 mm from a target fill level of, for example, 200 mm.

[0087] For each filling valve 28 considered, the control device 52 automatically adjusts the filling valve-specific opening time D for future container filling processes, if necessary or desired. The (possible) adjustment depends on the respective filling valve-specific mean value and the common mean value. The filling valve-specific opening time D for future container filling processes can also be referred to as the adjusted filling valve-specific opening time D.

[0088] As in Figure 3As illustrated, the filling valve-specific opening time D can be adjusted or corrected by a correction value K during adjustment. The adjustment can, for example, be a shortening of the filling valve-specific opening time D if the filling valve-specific mean fill level is (significantly) greater than the common mean fill level. The adjustment can, for example, be an extension of the filling valve-specific opening time D if the filling valve-specific mean fill level is (significantly) smaller than the common mean fill level.

[0089] The respective correction value K can, for example, be a constant (e.g., 100 ms) or can be determined by the control device 52 depending on a deviation or difference between the individual filling valve mean value and the common mean value. This allows the extent of the adjustment to be determined depending on the value of the deviation.

[0090] The adjustment of the individual filling valve opening time D for future container fillings can preferably be performed when a deviation between the respective individual filling valve mean and the common mean is greater than a deviation limit. The deviation limit can be, for example, 0.5 mm, 1 mm, 2 mm, or 3 mm.

[0091] It is possible that the filling valve-specific opening time D cannot be extended indefinitely for future container fillings. Instead, the control device 52 may only permit an adjustment of the filling valve-specific opening time D up to a maximum of a predeterminable maximum opening time M (see Figure 3 ).

[0092] The filling valve-specific opening time D for future container filling processes can, for example, be additionally or alternatively adjusted depending on an operating schedule of the closing member 36 of the respective treatment station 24. Particularly preferably, this can be done in such a way that the filling valve-specific opening time D for the future container filling processes or the adjusted opening time D must end before the closing member 36 begins to approach the filled container in the respective treatment station 24. For example, this can be implemented in such a way that the maximum opening time M must end before a movement of the closing member 36 from the sealing position to the closing position begins.

[0093] The filling valve-specific opening time period D for future container filling processes can, for example, be additionally or alternatively adjusted depending on a treatment plan of the treatment chamber 42 of the respective treatment station 24. This can particularly preferably be done in such a way that the filling valve-specific opening time period D for future container filling processes or the adjusted opening time period D must end before the treatment chamber 42 of the respective treatment station 24 is pre-tensioned to achieve pressure equalization between the respectively filled container and the treatment chamber 42 of the respective treatment station 24. For example, the maximum opening time period M can end at t3 or in a range around t3 (see Figure 3 ) when the treatment chamber 42 begins to be preloaded.

[0094] Depending on a treatment plan of the treatment chamber 42 of the respective treatment station 24, the filling valve-individual opening time D can be adjusted for future container fillings within a time window in which the treatment chamber 42 of the respective treatment station 24 is evacuated and / or rinsed, e.g. in a period between t1 and t3 (see Figure 3 ).

[0095] Particularly preferably, the control device 52 can operate the output device 50 to output an indication when, for one or more of the filling valves 28, the filling valve-specific opening time period D for the future container filling processes approaches, reaches or even exceeds the maximum opening time period M, for example, by a predeterminable distance.

[0096] It is also possible for the operation of the treatment device 12 to be adjusted based on a comparison of the common mean value and a target fill level. For example, the adjustment of the operation can occur if a deviation between the common mean value and the target fill level is greater than or equal to a deviation limit. Preferably, the adjustment of the operation can be performed in such a way that an operating parameter across all filling valves is adjusted for future container filling processes.

[0097] It should be understood that although the preferred embodiment relates to an actively controlled inflation system, the application of the techniques disclosed herein is not limited thereto.

[0098] The invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments described above. Rather, a multitude of variants and modifications are possible which also make use of 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 subclaims, independently of the claims referred to. In particular, the individual features of independent claim 1 are each disclosed independently of one another. In addition, the features of the subclaims are also disclosed independently of all features of independent claim 1 and, for example, independently of the features relating to the presence and / or configuration of the treatment device, the detection device and / or the control device of independent claim 1.All ranges stated herein are to be understood as being disclosed in such a way that all values ​​falling within the respective range are disclosed individually, e.g., also as preferred narrower outer limits of the respective range. List of reference symbols

[0099] 10Container treatment system 12Treatment device 14Container conveyor 16Inlet starwheel 18Container conveyor 20Outlet starwheel 22Detection device 24Treatment station 26Filling device 28Filling valve 30Filling material line 32Filling material pressure accumulator 34Adjustment device 36Capping device 38Capping head 40Adjustment device 42Treatment chamber 44Seal 46Lifting device 48Support plate 50Discharge device 52Control device APressure curve in the container BPressure curve in the treatment chamber DOpening time KCorrection value MMaximum opening time

Claims

1. A container treatment system (10) comprising: a treatment device (12) with a plurality of treatment stations (24), each having a filling valve (28) for filling a container positioned in the respective treatment station (24) during a filling-valve-specific opening period (D); a detection device (22) designed to detect fill levels of the containers filled by the filling valves (28); and a control device (52) configured to: - determine a common mean value for the plurality of filling valves (28) based on the detected fill levels of a plurality of containers filled by the filling valves (28); and - for at least one of the plurality of filling valves (28): - determine a filling-valve-specific mean value based on the detected fill levels of a plurality of containers filled by the respective filling valve (28);and - to adapt the filling valve-individual opening time (D) for future container filling processes depending on the respective filling valve-individual mean value and the common mean value; 2. Container treatment system (10) according to claim 1, wherein: the control device (52) is configured to adapt the filling-valve-specific opening time duration (D) for the future container filling processes for the at least one of the plurality of filling valves (28) as a function of the respective filling-valve-specific mean value and the common mean value: - if a deviation between the respective filling-valve-specific mean value and the common mean value is greater than a deviation limit value; and / or - wherein an extent of the adaptation is dependent on a value of a deviation between the respective filling-valve-specific mean value and the common mean value.

3. Container treatment system (10) according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein: the control device (52) is configured to adapt the filling valve-individual opening time duration (D) for the future container filling processes for the at least one of the plurality of filling valves (28) as a function of the respective filling valve-individual mean value and the common mean value up to a maximum of a predeterminable maximum opening time duration (M).

4. Container treatment system (10) according to claim 3, further comprising: an output device (50) for outputting information to a user, wherein the control device (52) is configured to operate the output device (50) to output an indication when, for the at least one of the plurality of filling valves (28), the filling valve-specific opening time period (D) for the future container filling processes approaches the maximum opening time period (M) and / or reaches or exceeds the maximum opening time period (M).

5. Container treatment system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein: the control device (52) is configured to determine the filling-valve-specific mean value as: - a filling-valve-specific mean fill level of the detected fill levels of the plurality of containers filled by the respective filling valve (28) or a mean value dependent on the filling-valve-specific mean fill level; or - a filling-valve-specific deviation mean value of deviations of the detected fill levels of the plurality of containers filled by the respective filling valve (28) from a target fill level or a mean value dependent on the filling-valve-specific deviation mean value; and / or the control device (52) is configured to determine the common mean value as: - a common fill level mean value of the detected fill levels of the plurality of containers filled by the filling valves (28) or a mean value dependent on the common fill level mean value;or - a common mean deviation value of deviations of the detected filling levels of the plurality of containers filled by the filling valves (28) from a desired filling level or a mean value dependent on the common mean deviation value; 6. Container treatment system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein: the control device (52) is further configured to adapt an operation of the treatment device (12) depending on a comparison between the common mean value and a target fill level, wherein preferably: - the operation is adapted when a deviation between the common mean value and the target fill level is greater than or equal to a deviation limit value; and / or - the operation is adapted such that an operating parameter across all filling valves is adapted for future container filling processes.

7. Container treatment system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein: the treatment device (12) has a filling material pressure accumulator (32) which is connected to the filling valves (28) for supplying a filling material subjected to an overpressure to the filling valves (28); and the treatment device (12) is designed to evacuate the containers to a negative pressure before filling and to fill the containers evacuated to the negative pressure by means of the filling valves (28) during the filling valve-individual opening period (D) in order to achieve pressure equalization between the respectively evacuated container and the filling material pressure accumulator (32).

8. Container treatment system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein: the plurality of treatment stations (24) further each have a closing member (36) for closing the container positioned in the respective treatment station (24), wherein preferably: the control device (52) is configured to adapt the filling valve-specific opening time period (D) for the future container filling processes for at least one of the plurality of filling valves (28) additionally as a function of an operating plan of the closing member (36) of the respective treatment station (24), particularly preferably in such a way that the filling valve-specific opening time period (D) for the future container filling processes must end before the closing member (36) of the respective treatment station (24) begins to approach the filled container in the respective treatment station (24).

9. Container treatment system (10) according to claim 8, wherein: the plurality of treatment stations (24) each have a treatment chamber (42) in which at least an upper section of the container with a container mouth can be received for filling by means of the filling valve (28) of the respective treatment station (24) and for closing by means of the closing member (36) of the respective treatment station (24); and optionally: the container can be inserted into the treatment chamber (42) of the respective treatment station (24) and moved out of the treatment chamber (42) of the respective treatment station (24) by means of a lifting device (46) of the respective treatment station (24).

10. Container treatment system (10) according to claim 9, wherein: the control device (52) is configured to adapt the filling-valve-specific opening time period (D) for the future container filling processes for at least one of the plurality of filling valves (28) additionally as a function of a treatment plan of the treatment chamber (42) of the respective treatment station (24), preferably such that: - the filling-valve-specific opening time period (D) for the future container filling processes must end before the treatment chamber (42) of the respective treatment station (24) is pre-tensioned to achieve pressure equalization between the respectively filled container and the treatment chamber (42) of the respective treatment station (24); and / or - the filling-valve-specific opening time period (D) for the future container filling processes is adaptable within a time window in which the treatment chamber (42) of the respective treatment station (24) is evacuated and / or purged.

11. Container treatment plant (10) according to claim 9 or claim 10, wherein: the treatment chambers (42) are each sealable with the upper portion of the container positioned therein, preferably on the upper side by means of a closing head (38) of the closing member (36) of the respective treatment station (24) and / or on the lower side by means of a respective seal (44) to the container, preferably the container neck.

12. A method for operating a container treatment system (10), preferably according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the method comprises: filling a plurality of containers in a plurality of treatment stations (24) of a treatment device (12) by means of a filling valve (28) per treatment station (24) during an opening time period (D) specific to each filling valve; detecting fill levels of the containers filled by the filling valves (28) by means of a detection device (22); determining a common mean value for the plurality of filling valves (28) based on the detected fill levels of a plurality of the containers filled by the filling valves (28) by means of a control device (52); determining a filling-valve-specific mean value for at least one of the plurality of filling valves (28) based on the detected fill levels of a plurality of the containers filled by the respective filling valve (28) by means of the control device (52);and adjusting the opening time (D) of the at least one of the plurality of filling valves (28) for future container filling processes as a function of the respective mean value for the individual filling valve and the common mean value by means of the control device (52), preferably: - if a deviation between the respective mean value for the individual filling valve and the common mean value is greater than a deviation limit value; and / or - wherein an extent of the adjustment is dependent on a value of a deviation between the respective mean value for the individual filling valve and the common mean value.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein: during the adjustment, the filling valve-specific opening time period (D) is adjustable up to a maximum of a predeterminable maximum opening time period (M), wherein the method optionally comprises: outputting a notification to a user by means of an output device (50) when the filling valve-specific opening time period (D) for the future container filling processes for the at least one of the plurality of filling valves (28) approaches the maximum opening time period (M) and / or reaches or exceeds the maximum opening time period (D).

14. The method according to claim 12 or claim 13, further comprising: evacuating the plurality of containers to a negative pressure before filling, wherein: filling into the plurality of containers evacuated to the negative pressure is carried out to achieve pressure equalization between the respective evacuated container and a filling material pressure accumulator (32).

15. The method according to one of claims 12 to 14, wherein: the adjustment of the filling valve-specific opening time period (D) is additionally carried out as a function of an operating plan of a closing member (36) of the respective treatment station (24) and / or a treatment plan of a treatment chamber (42) of the respective treatment station (24), preferably such that: - the filling valve-specific opening time period (D) for the future container filling processes must end before the closing member (36) of the respective treatment station (24) begins to approach the filled container in the respective treatment station (24); and / or - the filling valve-specific opening time period (D) for the future container filling processes must end before the treatment chamber (42) of the respective treatment station (24) is prestressed to achieve pressure equalization between the respectively filled container and the treatment chamber (42) of the respective treatment station (24);and / or - the filling valve-individual opening time (D) for future container filling processes is adaptable within a time window in which the treatment chamber (42) of the respective treatment station (24) is evacuated and / or rinsed;

Images