Container treatment machine and method for treating containers

Abstract

The invention relates to a container treatment machine (100) for treating containers (10), in particular for filling and closing containers, in particular cans, wherein the container treatment machine (100) has the following: a filling machine (110) for filling containers (10), in particular cans, with liquid contents; a closing machine (150) for closing the filled containers (10); and a transport device (120) for transporting the filled containers (10) one behind the other in a transport stream from the filling machine (110) to the closing machine (150). The container treatment machine (100) has an inspection device (130) for inspecting the upper faces, in particular flanges (11), of the filled containers (10), and the inspection device (130) is arranged between the filling machine (110) and the closing machine (150). The invention additionally relates to a corresponding method for treating containers (10), in particular for filling and closing containers.

Description

[0001] Container treatment machine and method for treating containers

[0002] Technical area

[0003] The invention relates to a container processing machine for processing, in particular for filling and closing, containers, in particular cans. Furthermore, the invention relates to a corresponding method for processing, in particular for filling and closing, containers, in particular cans.

[0004] State of the art

[0005] Container processing machines for filling containers with a liquid product and subsequently sealing the containers are generally known. Filling is performed by a filling machine, and the filled containers are sealed by a sealing machine. A transport device for transferring the containers is typically provided between the filling machine and the sealing machine. Such a container processing machine is known, for example, from WO 2021 / 259693 A1.

[0006] It is also known to use cans as containers for the contents, particularly for beverages such as soft drinks, beer, etc. The cans filled with the contents are closed by placing a corresponding lid on the top, particularly the opening rim or flange of the can in question. The lid or the lid rim is then positively connected to the can by pressing and / or rolling and / or folding and / or crimping in the closing machine. The closing machine is equipped with appropriate closing tools.

[0007] To ensure a tight connection, it is crucial that the lid is pressed precisely against the opening edge or the flange of the can, and then the overlapping edges of the lid and can, for example, are permanently and positively connected by folding and / or crimping. The cans and lids must fit together precisely, otherwise leaks will occur at the transition between the can and lid. Leaks can also occur when using damaged containers or lids.

[0008] Therefore, the containers and lids are manufactured individually and subjected to a quality inspection after production to ensure that they are manufactured within a tolerance of the standard condition and are free of defects. This quality inspection allows unsuitable containers and lids to be identified and removed before the containers are filled or the lids are used.

[0009] However, despite the well-known quality checks on cans, small micro-leaks still occur from time to time. Such micro-leaks are barely detectable by the leak tests used because the leaks are too small. Nevertheless, micro-leaks are extremely problematic, as they can lead to contamination of the inventory that is typically only noticed very late.

[0010] It would therefore be desirable to further develop the known solutions so that leaky cans, especially those with micro-leaks, can be prevented more easily.

[0011] Description of the invention

[0012] The invention is therefore based on the object of providing a container treatment machine for treating, in particular for filling and closing, containers, which eliminates the above-mentioned problems and disadvantages of the prior art. Furthermore, it is the object of the present invention to provide a corresponding method for treating containers. These objects are achieved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Further possible embodiments of the invention are specified in particular in the dependent claims.

[0013] The solution according to the invention consists in particular in specifying a container treatment machine for treating, in particular for filling and closing, containers, in particular cans. The container treatment machine has a filling machine for filling containers, in particular cans, with a liquid filling material. The filling machine is thus designed to fill the containers with the liquid filling material. Furthermore, the container treatment machine has a closing machine for closing the filled containers. The closing machine is thus designed to close the filled containers. Furthermore, the container treatment machine has a transport device for transporting the filled containers one after the other in a transport stream from the filling machine to the closing machine.

[0014] According to the invention, the container processing machine comprises an inspection device for inspecting the top surfaces or opening edges, in particular the flanges, of the filled containers. The inspection device is arranged between the filling machine and the closing machine, as seen in the transport flow. The inspection device is thus designed to inspect filled and not yet closed containers.

[0015] Treating the containers preferably involves at least filling the containers and subsequently closing them. Consequently, the container treatment machine is designed at least to fill and close containers. The container treatment machine preferably has an output of more than 80,000 containers per hour, more preferably more than 100,000 containers per hour, particularly preferably approximately 130,000 containers per hour. In the context of the present invention, the term "container" refers to bodies that are one-piece or formed from several parts that are firmly connected to one another. Each container preferably has a hollow space inside and is designed to separate this hollow space from the environment. The containers are, in particular, containers for storing liquid contents. The term "liquid contents" also includes viscous or pasty substances.The container is particularly preferably a thin-walled container, in particular a can, preferably a beverage can made of metal, in particular aluminum or tinplate.

[0016] The filling machine can be a filling machine with several filling elements arranged around a machine axis, each designed to fill a container. The filling elements can be designed as mechanical or electrical filling valves.

[0017] The closing machine is designed specifically for the form-fitting closure of filled containers with a lid. During the form-fitting closure of the filled containers, a preferably flanged edge of the container or can and the lid is folded over, forming a connection consisting of several metal layers that form a form-fitting connection.

[0018] The transport device is preferably a linear transport device, for example a linear conveyor belt, on which the containers are transported essentially in a straight line or, alternatively, in a curved path and preferably essentially without changing their position. In particular, the transport device can be a conveyor belt on which the filled containers are transported one behind the other.

[0019] The applicant has surprisingly discovered that, with the use of increasingly thinner, i.e., thinner-walled cans, existing container processing machines pose a problem in that the flanges of the cans can suffer slight deformation, i.e., damage, during filling, rinsing, or transport. These minor damages cause the can in question to exhibit micro-leaks after sealing in the sealing machine. These leaks are difficult to detect but pose a problem in terms of contamination of the stocks.

[0020] According to the invention, the container treatment machine is therefore provided with an inspection device for inspecting the top surfaces, in particular the flanges, of the containers. The inspection device is arranged downstream of the filling machine and upstream of the closing machine.

[0021] The inspection device generally allows for inspection of the container at an area of ​​the container or can that is relevant for tight sealing. The inspection takes place at a time after filling and before, particularly immediately before, the closing of the respective container. This allows for the detection of containers that have passed the thorough quality control but have sustained damage to relevant areas, particularly the flange, during further processing. Such damage can occur particularly within the filling machine.

[0022] Overall, the present invention enables accurate detection of damaged containers, leading to significantly improved container quality control. This effectively prevents contamination of larger stocks. The inspection system also helps prevent downtimes in subsequent processes caused by leaking containers.

[0023] According to an advantageous development of the invention, the inspection device is arranged above the transport device and, in particular, above the containers transported on the transport device. In other words, the inspection device is arranged in an overhead arrangement directly opposite the top side, in particular the flange, of the containers.

[0024] The container processing machine is preferably designed to process approximately 130,000 containers, particularly cans, per hour. This means that the inspection device must inspect the containers at a frequency of approximately 35 containers per second. For this purpose, it is important that the inspection device is positioned relative to the containers so that the containers or the relevant areas can be detected particularly quickly and easily.

[0025] The overhead arrangement of the inspection device offers a particularly good view of the top side, especially flanges, so that the inspection is precise and reliable even at high frequencies.

[0026] In particular, the inspection device is designed to be retrofitted to the transport system. This makes it possible to retrofit the inspection device to existing container handling machines.

[0027] In an advantageous development of the invention, the inspection device is designed to inspect the fill level of the contents in the filled containers. Thus, in addition to inspecting the top surface, the inspection device is also designed to inspect the fill level of the containers.

[0028] The inspection device thus fulfills a dual function. This dual function is particularly relevant for filling machines with mechanical filling valves, where, unlike electric and / or pneumatic filling valves, the amount of liquid filled per container and thus the fill level during filling are difficult to determine.

[0029] The inspection device can thus also ensure that the containers are filled properly, i.e., to the correct fill level, in particular the minimum fill level. According to an advantageous development of the invention, the inspection device has an optical detection unit, in particular a camera. The optical detection unit is preferably designed to optically detect the top side, in particular the flange, of the containers, in particular as image data.

[0030] Particularly preferably, the optical detection unit is designed to optically detect the flange and the fill level in joint image data or images. Alternatively, the fill level of the containers can be detected using a distance meter arranged next to the optical detection unit. This distance meter is preferably part of the inspection device.

[0031] The optical detection device is generally designed as an image recording device and is suitable for recording an image or image data of the top side of the container. As an alternative to the camera, the optical detection device can also be a CCD sensor, for example. The optical detection unit is particularly designed to record images at a frequency of at least 30 images per second, preferably at least 35 images per second.

[0032] The optical detection unit thus offers precise and fast detection of the container flanges and can simultaneously be used to detect the filling levels of the containers.

[0033] In an advantageous development of the invention, the inspection device has an evaluation unit. The evaluation unit is connected to the optical detection unit, in particular formed as part of the optical detection unit, or designed to be connectable. Furthermore, the detection unit is designed to evaluate the image data acquired by the optical detection unit, in particular the images of the flanges. During the evaluation, it is determined in particular whether the upper side, in particular the flange, has any damage. Thus, the evaluation unit is suitable for determining whether the flange has damage that could lead to a container with micro-leakage.

[0034] Preferably, the evaluation unit is also designed to evaluate image data captured by the optical detection unit in order to determine whether the fill level of a container captured in the image data is correct, i.e. within a target range.

[0035] In general, the evaluation unit can have a comparison unit that compares the image captured by the optical detection unit with at least one reference image and / or a reference value. For example, this comparison can be used to check whether the flange is completely circular and / or whether the fill level is high enough.

[0036] The evaluation unit is particularly designed to analyze the image data or images acquired by the acquisition unit in real time and to make a decision concerning the container regarding the condition of the flange and / or the fill level.

[0037] According to an advantageous development of the invention, the container processing machine has an ejection device for separating individual, particularly filled, containers from the transport stream. The ejection device is arranged on the transport device, in particular downstream of the inspection device.

[0038] The ejection device is therefore designed to specifically separate individual containers from the transport stream.

[0039] For example, the ejection device can be used to sort out containers with a damaged flange and / or an incorrect, particularly insufficient, fill level. For this purpose, the ejection device intervenes in the transport stream. For example, the ejection device can be arranged in a pass-through position and an ejection position. In the pass-through position, the ejection device allows containers to pass into the transport stream and, in the ejection position, removes a container intended for sorting from the transport stream.

[0040] Since the ejection device is arranged downstream of the inspection device, an evaluation of the acquired image data, i.e. an evaluation result of the inspection device, in particular a decision made by the evaluation unit regarding the condition of the flange and / or the fill level, can be taken into account when separating the containers.

[0041] In an advantageous further development of this embodiment, the evaluation unit is therefore connected to the ejection device or is designed to be connectable. The evaluation unit is designed to generate an ejection command based on the evaluation of the captured image data in order to separate a container from the transport stream.

[0042] A container with a corresponding ejection command is also called an ejectable container.

[0043] By connecting the ejection device to the evaluation unit, the ejection device is able to separate out faulty containers, i.e. containers with a damaged flange and / or an incorrect, particularly too low, fill level in real time before the containers are closed.

[0044] In an advantageous development of the invention, the ejection device has a linear actuator for generating a linear ejection movement, wherein containers to be ejected are separated from the container stream by means of the linear ejection movement.

[0045] The linear ejection movement is a movement from the throughput position to the ejection position. In the ejection position, a butt edge of the ejection device comes into contact with the container to be ejected, separating it from the container stream—i.e., pushing it away from the transport device.

[0046] The linear actuator enables a particularly precise and controlled ejection movement. This allows the ejection path along which the container is ejected to be specified particularly well, i.e., precisely. This is particularly advantageous for reducing contamination during container ejection.

[0047] In an advantageous further development of this embodiment, the ejection device has a splash guard. The splash guard is designed to spatially separate ejected containers and / or contents splashing from the ejected containers from the other containers in the container flow.

[0048] The splash guard can prevent excessive contamination of the transport system. It can also prevent the contents from transferring from one container to the other.

[0049] The splash guard is particularly advantageous in conjunction with the linear actuator, as its precise ejection movement allows for easy design of the splash guard. For example, the splash guard is essentially tunnel-shaped, with the ejected container being moved into the tunnel by the linear actuator during ejection.

[0050] Preferably, the ejection device further comprises a cleaning unit. The cleaning unit preferably comprises a plurality of cleaning nozzles and is designed to clean the ejection device and / or the transport device in the region of the ejection device.

[0051] Furthermore, the object is achieved by means of a method for treating, in particular for filling and closing, containers, in particular cans. The method can be carried out in particular by means of one of the container treatment machines described above.

[0052] The method comprises a step for filling containers, in particular cans, with a liquid filling material in a filling machine. The filling machine can be one of the filling machines described above. The method further comprises a step for transporting the filled containers from the filling machine to a closing machine. The transport can be carried out using one of the transport devices described above. The method further comprises a step for closing the filled container with the closing machine. The closing machine can be one of the closing machines described above.

[0053] According to the invention, during transport of the containers from the filling machine to the closing machine, a check is carried out to determine whether the filled containers exhibit any damage to the flange. This check can be carried out using one of the previously described inspection devices. Accordingly, the check is preferably carried out from above and particularly preferably using an optical detection unit, in particular a camera.

[0054] Since the container treatment machine or the filling machine, the closing machine, the transport device and the inspection device can each be the devices described above, all aspects and advantages described in this regard can also be transferred to the process.

[0055] In an advantageous further development, when checking whether the filled container has any damage to the flange, it is also checked whether the filling level of the container is correct, in particular sufficiently high.

[0056] This method is particularly preferred for filling machines with mechanical filling valves that do not have integrated fill control. Here, too, the method achieves a dual function by allowing both the container flange and the container fill level to be checked during a single inspection step.

[0057] According to an advantageous development of the invention, the method comprises a step for ejecting filled containers which have damage to the flange and / or which have an incorrect, in particular too low, filling level.

[0058] Ejecting filled containers prevents them from reaching the sealing machine. This eliminates defective containers from the transport stream.

[0059] Short description of the drawings

[0060] The various and exemplary features described above can be combined with one another according to the invention, provided this is technically reasonable and suitable. Further features, advantages, and embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments and from the figures.

[0061] The figures used to explain the embodiments show:

[0062] Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a functional sequence of a container treatment machine according to the invention; and

[0063] Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of an inspection device that can be used in the container treatment machine shown in Fig. 1.

[0064] Ways to implement the invention

[0065] Fig. 1 shows a container treatment machine 100. The

[0066] Container treatment machine 100 has a container inlet 111 which, as indicated in Fig. 1, can be of a rotating design, in particular as a transport star.

[0067] Containers 10 are transported via the container inlet 111 into a filling machine 110. As indicated in Fig. 1, the filling machine 110 can also be a rotating filling machine. Here, the containers 10 are rotated about a machine axis during filling. For filling, the filling machine 110 has a plurality of rotating filling elements.

[0068] After filling in the filling machine 110, the containers 10 are transferred to a transport device 120. In particular, the containers 10 are transferred individually to the transport device 120 and transported one after the other in a transport stream to a closing machine 150. As indicated in Fig. 1, the closing machine 150 is also a rotating closing machine in which several closing elements rotate around a machine axis. At the end of the closing machine 150 is a container outlet 151 for removing the containers 10 from the container treatment machine 100. The container outlet 151 can again be designed, in particular, as a transport star.

[0069] The container processing machine 100 shown in Fig. 1 further comprises an inspection device 130 and an ejection device 140. As can be seen in Fig. 1, both the inspection device 130 and the ejection device 140 are arranged on the transport device 120. Thus, both the inspection of containers 10 carried out by means of the inspection device 130 and the ejection of containers 10 carried out by means of the ejection device 140 take place while the containers 10 are transported on the transport device 120.

[0070] As can be seen in Fig. 2, the inspection device 130 is arranged above the transport device 120. Thus, the containers 10 are inspected from above. As can also be seen, the containers 10 are cans. In particular, the flange 11 and optionally the fill level 12 of the inspected can are checked during the inspection. For this purpose, the inspection device 130 has an optical detection unit 131, in particular a camera. The camera is arranged accordingly above the transport device 120 and above the containers 10 transported on the transport device 120.

[0071] The inspection device 130 or the camera is particularly designed to inspect whether the flange 11 is damaged. If the flange 11 is damaged, this may result in the can 10 no longer being able to be properly closed in the closing machine 150. Therefore, such containers 10 should be removed from the transport stream, with the ejection device 140 being arranged for this purpose.

[0072] To determine whether or not the flange 11 is damaged, the flange 11 must be inspected accordingly. For this purpose, the inspection device 130 has an evaluation unit 160. The evaluation unit 160 is connected to the optical detection unit 131, which is designed as a camera, and the ejection device 140. Thus, an image of the flange 11 captured by the camera can be evaluated by the evaluation unit 160 to determine whether the respective flange 11 is damaged. If the flange 11 is damaged, an ejection command is generated for the corresponding container 10 in the evaluation unit 160. When the ejection device 140 receives the ejection command, it ejects the corresponding container 10. To generate the ejection movement required for this, the ejection device 140 has a linear actuator 141.The linear actuator 141 generates a linear ejection movement by which the container 10 to be ejected is thrown from the transport device 120.

[0073] To protect the other containers 10 from contents splashing out of the ejected container 10, the ejection device 140 has a splash guard 142. The splash guard 142 spatially separates the ejected container 10 from the remaining containers 10.

[0074] It is understood that in the present invention there is a connection between, on the one hand, features that were described in connection with method steps and, on the other hand, features that were described in connection with corresponding devices. Thus, described method features are also to be regarded as device features belonging to the invention - and vice versa - even if this has not been explicitly mentioned. It should be noted that the features of the invention described with reference to individual embodiments or variants, such as the type and design of the individual components as well as their precise dimensions and spatial arrangement, can also be present in other embodiments, unless stated otherwise or unless technically prohibited.Furthermore, such features of individual embodiments described in combination do not necessarily have to be implemented in a particular embodiment.

[0075] Reference symbol

[0076] 10 containers, can

[0077] 11 Flange

[0078] 12 Filling height 100 Container treatment machine

[0079] 110 filling machine

[0080] 111 Container inlet

[0081] 120 transport device

[0082] 130 Inspection device 131 Optical detection unit

[0083] 140 Ejection device

[0084] 141 Linear actuator

[0085] 142 Splash guard

[0086] 150 Closing machine 160 Evaluation unit

Claims

Patent claims 1. A container treatment machine (100) for treating, in particular for filling and closing, containers (10), in particular cans, wherein the container treatment machine (100) comprises: a filling machine (110) for filling containers (10), in particular cans, with a liquid filling material; a closing machine (150) for closing the filled containers (10); and a transport device (120) for transporting the filled containers (10) one behind the other in a transport stream from the filling machine (110) to the closing machine (150), characterized in that the container treatment machine (100) comprises an inspection device (130) for inspecting top sides, in particular flanges (11), of the filled containers (10), wherein the inspection device (130) is arranged between the filling machine (110) and the closing machine (150).

2. Container treatment machine (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the inspection device (130) is arranged above the transport device (120) and above the containers (10) transported on the transport device (120).

3. Container treatment machine (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the inspection device (130) is designed to inspect a filling level (12) of the filling material in the filled containers (10).

4. Container treatment machine (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inspection device (130) has an optical detection unit (131), in particular a camera, which is designed to inspect the upper side, in particular the flange (11), of the container (10) to be optically captured as image data.

5. Container treatment machine (100) according to claim 4, characterized in that the inspection device (130) has an evaluation unit (160) which is connected or connectable to the optical detection unit (131), wherein the evaluation unit (160) is designed to evaluate image data acquired by the optical detection unit (131) in order to determine in particular whether the upper side, in particular the flange (11 ), of a container (10) captured in the image data has damage.

6. Container treatment machine (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container treatment machine (100) has an ejection device (140) for separating individual containers (10) from the transport stream, wherein the ejection device (140) is arranged downstream of the inspection device (130) on the transport device (120).

7. Container treatment machine (100) according to claim 5 and 6, characterized in that the evaluation unit (160) is connected or connectable to the ejection device (140) and is designed to generate an ejection command based on the evaluation of the acquired image data in order to separate a container (10) from the transport stream.

8. Container treatment machine (100) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the ejection device (140) has a linear actuator (141) for generating a linear ejection movement in order to separate containers (10) to be ejected from the container stream.

9. Container treatment machine (100) according to claim 8, characterized in that the ejection device (140) has a splash guard (142) which is designed to spatially separate ejected containers (10) and / or filling material splashing from the ejected containers (10) from the other containers (10) in the container flow.

10. A method for treating, in particular for filling and closing, containers (10), in particular cans, in particular by means of one of the container treatment machines (100) according to one of the preceding claims, the method comprising the following steps: Filling containers (10), in particular cans, with a liquid filling material in a filling machine (110); Transporting the filled containers (10) from the filling machine (110) to a closing machine (150); and Closing the filled containers (10) in the closing machine (150), characterized in that during transport of the containers (10) from the filling machine (110) to the closing machine (150), it is checked whether the filled containers (10) have any damage to the flange (11).

11. Method according to claim 10, characterized in that during Checking whether the filled container (10) has any damage to the flange (11) and also checking whether the fill level (12) of the filled container (10) is correct, in particular sufficiently high.

12. The method according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the method comprises the following step: ejecting filled containers (10) that have damage to the flange (11) and / or that have an incorrect, in particular too low, fill level (12).

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