Filling device, installation and method for filling, closing and packaging containers

Abstract

Filling device (10) for filling a container (100) with a multi-component filling product, preferably in a beverage filling plant, wherein the filling device (10) comprises: a main filler (12) which is configured to introduce a main component of the filling product into the container (100), wherein the main filler (12) is preferably designed as a rotary type, in which the containers (100) to be filled are fed to a filler carousel and, during transport along a partial circle, are filled with the main component of the filling product via filling elements mounted on the outer circumference of the filler carousel; a secondary filler (14) which is configured to introduce different secondary components into the container (100);and a product determination device (17), preferably comprising a camera, which is configured to determine at least one property of the container (100) before the container (100) is filled by the secondary filler (14), wherein the secondary filler (14) is configured to select one or more secondary components and introduce them into the container (100) depending on the container property thus determined.

Description

Technical area

[0001] The present invention relates to a filling device for filling a container with a multi-component filling product, preferably in a beverage filling plant, as well as a plant and a method for filling, closing and packaging containers. State of the art

[0002] It is common practice to group beverage containers such as bottles or cans into packaging units called packs after they have been filled with a product and sealed. For example, the containers can be bundled and packaged using shrink film to form a pack of four, six, or more containers, making them easier to handle as a transport and / or sales unit in retail and logistics. The packs can be combined again for transport and stacked in layers or palletized.

[0003] In addition to grouping identical products, mixed containers containing beverage containers of different types can be produced. To produce mixed containers, large batches of containers of the same product are typically produced and temporarily stored in a high-bay warehouse. The containers are then depalletized, unpacked, and repackaged into mixed containers in a picking system.

[0004] DE 10 2005 039 842 A1 describes a method for forming mixed containers from single-variety containers. EP 3 235 739 A1 describes a robot-supported order-picking system for producing mixed containers.

[0005] Re-ordering products requires large storage and picking areas, as well as expensive order-picking systems. It also generates additional packaging waste.

[0006] Information about the contents of the container, especially in the case of beverage cans or cartons, is often printed on the outside of the container before filling. This means that the order of the containers upon delivery to the filler must match the loading of the filling devices. This can lead to problems if the containers are not fed to the filler correctly, for example, if inspection reveals that a container is missing or its labeling / design does not match the assigned filling device for a particular product. Description of the invention

[0007] An object of the invention is to provide an improved filling device for filling a container with a multi-component filling product as well as an improved system and an improved method for filling, closing and packaging containers.

[0008] The object is achieved by a filling device having the features of claim 1, a system having the features of claim 7, and a method having the features of the independent method claim. Advantageous further developments follow from the subclaims, the following description of the invention, and the description of preferred embodiments.

[0009] The filling device and the system are particularly preferably used in beverage bottling, for example for bottling water (still or carbonated), beer, juice, soft drinks, smoothies, dairy products, mixed drinks and the like.

[0010] The containers can be glass, PET bottles, cans, cartons, or other suitable containers that can be filled with a liquid product, in particular a beverage. Particularly preferably, the filling device and the system are designed for handling cans, for example, with a metallic component such as aluminum or tinplate.

[0011] The filling device is used to fill containers with a filling product. The filling product comprises at least two components, referred to herein as the "main component" and "secondary component(s)," whereby the designation does not imply any priority, quantitative ratio, or the like. The main component is preferably water, still or carbonated. A secondary component can include, for example, syrup, pulp, fruit pieces, flavorings, additives, or another suitable component that, when added to the container together with the main component, determines the final product.

[0012] The filling device comprises a main filler configured to introduce the main component of the filling product into the container. The main filler is preferably designed as a rotary conveyor, in which the containers to be filled are fed to a filling carousel and, during transport along a partial circle, are filled with the main component of the filling product via filling devices mounted on the outer circumference of the filling carousel.

[0013] The filling device further comprises a secondary filler, which is designed to introduce different secondary components into the container. "Different secondary components" refers specifically to different types. For example, the secondary filler can select from different flavorings, syrup types, additives, etc., to determine the final product. However, the phrase "different secondary components" also encompasses, for example, different quantities of the same type, so that the final product can contain different concentrations of the secondary component(s).

[0014] The filling device further comprises a product determination device which is configured to determine at least one property of the container to be filled before the container is filled by the auxiliary filler, wherein the auxiliary filler is configured to select one or more auxiliary components depending on the property thus determined and to introduce them into the container accordingly.

[0015] In other words, the product-determining device detects which container type is to be served by the auxiliary filler. This allows the design of the container to be generally detected, for example, the imprint (label, code, graphic design, brand, etc.) and / or the shape and / or material of the container, and the like. Depending on the determination of the container type by the product-determining device, the product matching the container type is produced in the auxiliary filler by introducing the corresponding auxiliary component(s) into the container in the desired quantity. For this purpose, the product-determining device preferably comprises an optical reader, in particular a camera.

[0016] By determining the final product for each individual container by the auxiliary filler outside the main filler, the containers can be filled with different products within a batch. The decision regarding the final product is made by the product determination device. Overall equipment effectiveness can be increased in this way.

[0017] Furthermore, time-consuming sorting of containers prior to the filling device is eliminated, as the final product is not determined based on a filler preset; instead, the filling device can react to the incoming container flow, even if containers of different types are distributed more or less randomly within it. The order of the containers upon delivery to the filler can and may vary without leading to incorrect fillings and thus waste.

[0018] Preferably, the secondary filler has a dosing device with several dosing elements, each configured to introduce a secondary component, in particular a grade, into the container. The final product to be produced in the container can be determined in the dosing device. The dosing device determines the final grade separately, i.e., not in the actual filler (main filler).

[0019] The secondary filler is preferably located downstream of the main filler, as seen in the conveying direction of the containers. However, the order in which the main component and the secondary component(s) are introduced into the containers is variable. In other words, the main filler can be located downstream of the secondary filler. However, the former order is preferred in order to determine the final product as late as possible.

[0020] The secondary filler preferably has a transport device configured to transport the container to the main filler or from the main filler to a closing device for closing the containers with a container closure. The transport device is preferably configured to transport the container along a rectilinear trajectory. For this purpose, the transport device preferably comprises a conveyor belt and / or a conveyor chain.

[0021] Particularly preferably, the dosing device is installed on the transport device, so that the dosing device introduces the secondary component(s) into the container during its transport through the transport device. The secondary filler, comprising the transport device and the dosing device, is thus used to transport the containers to the main filler or from the main filler to the closing device, as well as synergistically for the final production of the product in the container.

[0022] Preferably, the transport device and the dosing device comprise or form a plurality of parallel transfer / dosing lanes, wherein a stream of several containers is

[0023] The dosing system is divided among the multiple transfer / dosing lanes, allowing multiple containers to be filled with a secondary component in parallel. Following dosing, the containers can be reconvened onto a single transport path.

[0024] The above-mentioned object is further achieved by a system for filling, closing, and packaging containers, preferably in a beverage bottling plant. The system comprises: a filling device for filling the containers with a multi-component filling product according to one of the embodiments described above; a closing device configured to close the containers filled with the filling product with a container closure, wherein the closing device is preferably designed as a rotary conveyor, in which the containers to be closed are fed to a closing carousel and, during transport along a partial circle, are each closed with a container closure via closing elements mounted on the outer circumference of the closing carousel; and a packaging device configured to combine the filled and closed containers into bundles.

[0025] The features, technical effects, advantages and embodiments described with regard to the filling device apply analogously to the system.

[0026] In particular, the packaging device is designed to combine the filled and sealed containers into mixed packages.

[0027] A container stream containing containers of different types can thus be fed directly to the closing and packaging device, where they can be immediately packaged into mixed containers. Complex order-picking systems for producing mixed containers are no longer required, as are large storage areas.

[0028] The containers thus pass through the various stations – filling, closing, and packaging – and are transported along a conveying direction. Transport can be achieved by treatment carousels and / or transport stars along a circular path and / or by belts, chains, etc. along a linear trajectory and / or along another suitable trajectory. The conveying direction is therefore not necessarily a straight path, but generally refers to the directional trajectory along which the containers move during treatment. Terms that define a process sequence, such as "before," "after," "downstream," or "upstream," refer to the conveying direction of the containers.

[0029] The packaging device preferably comprises a packing device configured to combine and package the containers into bundles, a plurality of parallel transfer lanes configured to feed the containers along parallel paths to the packaging device, and a distribution system configured to distribute the containers among the transfer lanes. In this way, the packaging device can pick different mixed bundles during the ongoing process. The transfer lanes are preferably served by the distribution system according to type, i.e., one type per transfer lane.

[0030] The above-mentioned object is further achieved by a method for filling, closing, and packaging containers, preferably in a beverage filling plant. The method comprises: introducing a main component and at least one secondary component of the filling product into the containers, wherein, prior to introducing the secondary component, at least one container property of the container to be filled is determined, and, depending on the container property thus determined, one or more secondary components are selected and introduced into the corresponding container; closing the containers filled with the filling product with a container closure each; and combining and packaging the filled and closed containers in containers, preferably mixed containers.

[0031] The features, technical effects, advantages and embodiments described with regard to the filling device and the system apply analogously to the method.

[0032] Further advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments. The features described therein can be implemented alone or in combination with one or more of the features presented above, provided the features do not contradict each other. The following description of preferred embodiments is provided with reference to the accompanying drawings. Short description of the figure

[0033] Preferred further embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail in the following description of the figures. In the figures: Figure 1 schematically shows a system for filling, closing, and packaging containers; and Figure 2 schematically shows a system for filling, closing, and packaging containers according to a further embodiment. Detailed description of preferred embodiments

[0034] Preferred embodiments are described below with reference to the figures. Identical, similar, or equivalent elements are provided with identical reference numerals in the figures, and a repeated description of these elements is partially omitted to avoid redundancy.

[0035] The Figure 1 shows schematically a system 1 for filling, closing and packaging containers 100.

[0036] The containers 100 pass through various stations—in particular, filling, closing, and packaging—and are transported along a conveying direction F. Transport can be effected by treatment carousels and / or transport stars along a circular path and / or by belts, chains, etc. along a linear trajectory and / or along another suitable trajectory. The conveying direction F is therefore not necessarily to be understood as a straight path, but generally refers to the directed trajectory along which the containers 100 move during treatment.

[0037] The system 1 comprises a filling device 10 for filling the containers 100 with a multi-component filling product. The system 1 is particularly preferably used for beverage filling, with the filling device 10 in this case being configured for filling beverages, for example, water (still or carbonated), beer, juice, soft drinks, smoothies, dairy products, mixed drinks, and the like.

[0038] The containers 100 can be glass bottles, PET bottles, cans, cartons, or suitable containers 100 of other types that can be filled with a liquid product, in particular a beverage. System 1 is particularly preferably configured for handling cans, for example, with a metallic component such as aluminum or tinplate.

[0039] The system 1 further comprises a closing device 20 configured to close the containers 100 filled with the filling product with a container closure. The container closure may be a crown cap, screw cap, cork, can lid, or other suitable closure to seal the filled container 100 in a leak-proof manner.

[0040] The system 1 further comprises a packaging device 30 which is designed to combine the filled and sealed containers 100 into bundles, preferably mixed bundles, ie bundles with containers 100 of different product types.

[0041] The filling device 10 comprises a main filler 12 configured to introduce a main component of the filling product, preferably still or carbonated water, into the containers 100. The main filler 12 is preferably designed as a rotary conveyor, in which the containers 100 to be filled are fed to a filling carousel and, during transport along a partial circle, are filled with the filling product via filling elements mounted on the outer circumference of the filling carousel.

[0042] In addition to the main component, the filling product comprises at least one further component, referred to herein as a secondary component. The secondary component may include syrup, pulp, fruit pieces, flavorings, additives, or one or more other suitable components that, when added to the container 100 together with the main component, determine the final product. The final product is determined as late as possible in the process.

[0043] For this purpose, the filling device 10 comprises a secondary filler 14, which according to the present embodiment is located behind the main filler 12 in the conveying direction F. However, the order in which the main component and the secondary component(s) are introduced into the containers 100 can be changed. In other words, the main filler 12 can be located behind the secondary filler 14. However, the Figure 1 shown order is preferred in order to determine the final product as late as possible.

[0044] The filling device 10 is suitable for a quick, flexible change of types, especially when the various filling products are based on a common carrier medium - the main component - and various secondary components.

[0045] According to the present embodiment, the secondary filler 14 comprises a transport device 15 configured to transport the containers 100 from the main filler 12 to the closing device 20. The transport device 15 is preferably configured to transport the containers 100 along a rectilinear trajectory, preferably by means of a conveyor belt or a conveyor chain.

[0046] A dosing device 16 is installed between the main filler 12 and the closing device 20, which preferably has a plurality of dosing elements 16a for dosing the secondary component(s) into the containers 100. In the dosing device 16, it can be finally determined which product is produced and subsequently fed to the closing device 20 and the packaging device 30.

[0047] In the case of containers 100, in particular cans or beverage cartons, the contents are linked to the external appearance of the container 100, for example, decoration (graphic design, color, code, etc.), shape, material, and the like. Containers 100 of different types, for example, 200 cans for product A, 200 cans for product B, etc., are fed to the filling device 10. Containers 100 of different types can mix at the boundaries, for example, when the empty containers 100 are depalletized, separated, cleaned, inspected if necessary, and labeled with a best-before date before the filling device 10.

[0048] A product-determining device 17, such as a camera, is used to identify which container type is entering the dosing device 16. This allows the general design of the container 100 to be identified, for example, the imprint, the shape, the material of the container 100, and the like. Depending on the determination of the container type by the product-determining device 17, the product matching the container type is produced in the secondary filler 14 by the corresponding dosing element 16a or elements 16a introducing the secondary component(s) into the container 100.

[0049] The secondary filler 14, comprising the transport device 15 and the dosing device 16, is thus used to transport the containers 100 from the main filler 12 to the closing device 20 and synergistically for the final production of the product in the container 100.

[0050] According to the design of the Figure 1The dosage of the secondary component(s), i.e., various flavorings, pulps, syrup, fruit pieces, etc., takes place between the main filler 12 and the closing device 20. Alternatively, the secondary filler 14 can be arranged upstream of the main filler 12. In this case, the transport device 15 is configured to transport the containers 100 to the main filler 12.

[0051] It is possible for two or more secondary components to be dosed into each container 100 after the product determination device 17 has recognized the contents based on the container properties, such as the design, a code on the container 100, etc.

[0052] The closing device 20 is preferably designed in a rotary design, in which the containers 100 to be closed are fed to a closing carousel and, during transport along a partial circle, are each closed with a container closure via closing elements mounted on the outer circumference of the closing carousel.

[0053] The filled and sealed containers 100 are then fed to the packaging device 30. This is done, for example, by means of a further transport device 31. The transport device 31 is preferably configured to transport the containers 100 along a rectilinear trajectory, preferably by means of a conveyor belt or a conveyor chain.

[0054] A buffer may be installed between the closing device 20 and the packaging device 30 to compensate for different processing speeds.

[0055] The containers 100 are then brought by a distribution system 32 of the packaging device 30, preferably sorted by type, to transfer lanes 33 to a packing device 34, which combines the containers 100 into bundles.

[0056] The packaging device 30 does not have to be directly connected to the closing device 20. For example, inspection, labeling, cleaning, buffering, etc. of the containers 100 can take place between the closing and packaging of the containers 100.

[0057] The Figure 2 shows schematically a system 1 for filling, closing and packaging containers 100 according to a further embodiment.

[0058] In the case of Figure 2The container flow is divided into several transfer / dosage lanes 18 upstream of the closing device 20, particularly in the dosing device 16, allowing containers 100 to be dosed in parallel. Following dosing, the containers 100 can be reunited on a transport path. Alternatively, one closing device 20 can be provided for each transfer / dosage lane 18.

[0059] By determining the final product for each container individually by the secondary filler 14 outside the main filler 12, the containers 100 can be filled with different products within a batch. The decision regarding the final product is made by the product determination device 17. Overall equipment effectiveness can be increased in this way.

[0060] Furthermore, complex sorting of containers 100 prior to the filling device 10 can be eliminated, as the final product is not determined based on a preset filler setting. Instead, the filling device 10 can react to the incoming container flow, particularly via the external auxiliary filler 14, even if containers 100 of different types / qualities are distributed more or less randomly within it. The order of the containers 100 upon delivery to the filler can and may vary without leading to incorrect fillings and thus rejects.

[0061] Containers of 100 different types arrive one after the other at packaging facility 30, where they can be immediately packaged into mixed containers. Complex picking systems for producing mixed containers are eliminated, as are large storage areas.

[0062] Where applicable, all individual features presented in the embodiments may be combined and / or exchanged without departing from the scope of the invention. List of reference symbols

[0063] 1System for filling, closing, and packaging containers 10 Filling device 12 Main filler 14 Secondary filler 15 Transport device 16 Dosing device 16a Dosing device 17 Product determination device 18 Transfer / dosing lane 20 Closing device 30 Packaging device 31 Transport device 32 Distribution system 33 Transfer lane 34 Packing device 100 Containers FConveyor direction

Claims

1. A filling device (10) for filling a container (100) with a multi-component filling product, preferably in a beverage bottling plant, the filling device (10) comprising: a main filler (12) configured to introduce a main component of the filling product into the container (100), the main filler (12) preferably being of a rotary design, in which the containers (100) to be filled are fed to a filler carousel and, during transport along a partial circle, are filled with the main component of the filling product via filling elements mounted on the outer circumference of the filler carousel; a secondary filler (14) configured to introduce various secondary components into the container (100);and a product determination device (17), preferably comprising a camera, which is configured to determine at least one property of the container (100) before the container (100) is filled by the secondary filler (14), wherein the secondary filler (14) is configured to select one or more secondary components and introduce them into the container (100) depending on the container property thus determined.

2. Filling device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the product determination device (17) is configured to determine an imprint on the container (100) and / or an external shape of the container (100) and / or a material property of the container (100).

3. Filling device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the secondary filler (14) has a dosing device (16) with a plurality of dosing elements (16a) which are each designed to introduce a secondary component into the container (100).

4. Filling device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the secondary filler (14) has a transport device (15) which is designed to transport the container (100) to the main filler (12) or from the main filler (12) to a closing device (20) for closing the containers with a container closure each, wherein the transport device (15) is preferably designed to transport the container (100) along a rectilinear trajectory.

5. Filling device (10) according to claim 3 and 4, characterized in that the dosing device (16) is installed on the transport device (15) so that the dosing device (16) introduces the secondary component into the container (100) during the transport of the container (100) by the transport device (15).

6. Filling device (10) according to claim 3 and 4 or claim 5, characterized in thatthe transport device (15) and the dosing device (16) comprise a plurality of parallel transfer / dosing lanes (18), wherein a flow from a plurality of containers (100) is divided between the plurality of transfer / dosing lanes (18) upstream of the dosing device (16), whereby a plurality of containers (100) can be filled with secondary components in parallel.

7. A system (1) for filling, closing, and packaging containers (100), preferably in a beverage bottling system, comprising: a filling device (10) for filling the containers (100) with a multi-component filling product according to one of the preceding claims; a closing device (20) configured to close the containers (100) filled with the filling product with a container closure, wherein the closing device (20) is preferably designed as a rotary conveyor, in which the containers (100) to be closed are fed to a closing carousel and, during transport along a partial circle, are each closed with a container closure via closing members mounted on the outer circumference of the closing carousel; and a packaging device (30) configured to combine the filled and closed containers (100) into bundles.

8. Plant (1) according to claim 7, characterized in thatthe packaging device (30) is arranged to combine the filled and sealed containers (100) into mixed packages.

9. Plant (1) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the packaging device (30) comprises a packing device (34) which is designed to combine the containers (100) into bundles, a plurality of parallel transfer lanes (33) which are designed to feed the containers (100) along parallel paths to the packing device (34), and a distribution system (32) which is designed to distribute the containers (100) to the transfer lanes (33), preferably according to type.

10. A method for filling, closing, and packaging containers (100), preferably in a beverage filling plant, comprising: introducing a main component and at least one secondary component of the filling product into the containers (100), wherein before introducing the secondary component, at least one container property of the container (100) to be filled is determined, and depending on the container property thus determined, one or more secondary components are selected and introduced into the corresponding container (100); closing the containers (100) filled with the filling product with a container closure each; and combining and packaging the filled and closed containers (100) in containers, preferably mixed containers.

11. Method according to claim 10, characterized in that the process is carried out with a plant according to one of claims 7 to 9.

12. Method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in thatthe main component of the filling product is water and the secondary components include syrup and / or pulp and / or fruit pieces and / or flavorings and / or additives.

13. Method according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the containers (100) are beverage cans.

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