Method for monitoring the production of containers filled with an aqueous system in a production facility, use of the monitoring method and the production facility

Abstract

The invention relates to a computer-implemented method for monitoring conformity to specifications along a production sequence for the manufacture of a plurality of container base bodies filled with an aqueous system in an aggregate-based production facility.Furthermore, the invention relates to a computer program having computer program elements which, when run on a data processing device, implements the method according to the invention.Furthermore, the invention relates to a computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon computer-executable commands which, when executed by a computing device, cause the computing device to carry out the method according to the invention.Finally, the invention relates to semi-continuous monitoring of conformity to specifications along a production sequence for the manufacture of a plurality of containers filled with an aqueous system, in particular a beverage, in an aggregate-based production facility, in particular a high-speed production facility, using the method according to the invention or the computer program according to the invention or the computer-readable medium.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] statement The present invention relates to a method for monitoring the production of containers filled with an aqueous system with respect to conformity with specifications in an aggregate-based production facility. In this respect, the present invention particularly relates to the semi-continuous monitoring of conformity with specifications of the production of containers filled with an aqueous system in a high-speed filling facility. Furthermore, the present invention relates to the use of the method for monitoring and the production facility. [Background technology]

[0002] Due to the inability of laboratory capacities to be expanded as required, as well as the multitude of parameters to be considered, the immense production speed of equipment and machines, and the increasingly complex tests required for product quality assurance, current quality assurance systems are finding it increasingly difficult to provide data on the composition of a product from any point in the product manufacturing process, its corresponding primary and secondary packaging, and any product-related labeling, and to demonstrate said data to third parties using traditional sampling schedules. Even dynamic sampling schedules have limitations. Complete control is usually not possible with the help of such sampling. This can sometimes lead to product suitability constraints and unnecessary waste of materials in quality control.

[0003] At the same time, consumer behavior and the individual consumer desire for product information demand improved communication between manufacturers and consumers. Also, the wide availability of various social media channels means that reliable, unambiguous, consistent and especially fast communication with consumers is becoming increasingly important. Real-time availability of underlying data is therefore desirable to operate successfully in a global marketplace. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a better method of quality assurance for manufacturing facilities for filling containers with aqueous systems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] This object is achieved by a computer-implemented method for monitoring, in particular semi-continuously, conformity to specifications along a production sequence of the production of a plurality of container base bodies, in particular beverage containers, to be filled with an aqueous system, in particular a beverage, in an aggregate-based production facility, in particular a high-speed production facility, the method comprising the steps of receiving, at a bridge, status information from one or more status acquisition units, in particular a plurality of status acquisition units, all arranged along the production sequence, each status acquisition unit being in particular associated with an aggregate, an aqueous system, in particular an aqueous beverage mixture, and / or a mixing device forming the aqueous system, in particular an aqueous beverage mixture. the bridge being configured and arranged to acquire, in particular at intervals, and in particular online, status information relating to the components being monitored; normalizing, on the bridge, the received status information, in particular into a homogenous format; comparing, in particular constantly comparing, on the bridge, the status information, in particular with a compliance-with-specification target range value and / or target set point stored on the bridge; and providing, in particular transmitting, a warning message, in particular a spike message via a spike router, to the receiver unit if one or more of the status information is outside the target range value and / or target set point.

[0006] The object underlying the present invention is very well achieved by a computer-implemented method for monitoring, in particular semi-continuously, specification compliance along a production sequence of the production of a plurality of beverage containers filled with an aqueous system in the form of a beverage in an aggregate-based high speed production facility, the method comprising the steps of receiving, at a bridge, status information from a plurality of status acquisition units, all arranged along the production sequence, each status acquisition unit being configured and arranged to acquire, online at intervals, status information relating to the aggregates, the aqueous system, the aqueous beverage mixture and / or the ingredients forming the aqueous beverage mixture in the mixing device with the aid of a network protocol, preferably an MQTT network protocol; normalizing, on the bridge, the received status information into a homogenous format; comparing, in particular constantly comparing, on the bridge, the status information with target range values ​​and / or target set points for specification compliance stored on the bridge; and sending a warning message, in particular a spike message via a spike router, to a receiver unit if one or more status information are outside the target range values ​​and / or target set points.

[0007] The computer-implemented method according to the invention allows for a complete, semi-complete or substantially complete end-to-end and demonstrable and verifiable quality control in real time of a high-speed manufacturing facility. Facilities for the high-speed production of filled beverage containers, in particular filled beverage cans, also known as high-speed manufacturing facilities, typically have a production capacity of more than 80,000 containers per hour, preferably more than 100,000 containers per hour. 0 It is understood to mean an installation capable of filling more than 100,000 containers with liquid food, e.g. beverages, e.g. 120,000 containers.

[0008] If deviations from target values ​​are identified, immediate action can be taken, for example automatically or by an operator. In this way, product conformity can be significantly improved and scrap rates during production can be reduced. Furthermore, data regarding the containers and the aqueous systems contained therein can be specifically and individually collected and further processed to enable a closer analysis of qualitative production characteristics or to share the corresponding data and make them available to a wider public. For example, manufacturers and customers can retrieve and / or further process status information regarding specific batches and / or containers and the aqueous systems contained therein.

[0009] Furthermore, qualitative characteristics of filled or unfilled containers can be measured at a frequency that is very close to or even corresponds to a continuous or semi-continuous real-time monitoring of production, and far exceeds the checks possible in traditional quality assurance and quality control with the equipment available so far. Risks can therefore be significantly minimized. Non-compliant products can be identified more quickly and comprehensively during production and prevented from being shipped. More thorough analysis is also possible. Products of poor quality can be rejected before the shipment of products that meet specifications. These monitoring actions are possible by assigning them to individual filled or unfilled container base bodies or to multiple filled or unfilled container base bodies in batches. In this way, it is even possible to check different products that are being produced simultaneously and consecutively in the equipment against set values ​​that specify the required quality level.

[0010] According to the present invention, a bridge should be understood to mean a network bridge. In other words, according to an embodiment, the term "bridge" is fully replaceable by the term "network bridge" in this specification and claims. Such a bridge or network bridge connects networks to each other, each of the connected network segments forming a separate collision domain. Thus, a bridge or network bridge can also generally couple network segments to each other via extension sections and different transmission media. Thus, a bridge or network bridge can both constitute separate components and can therefore be advantageously used in a decentralized manner and can also be implemented in a higher-level unit, for example a server.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the MQTT protocol or MQTT network protocol used in the method according to the invention is, in a particularly advantageous configuration, a protocol for layers 5 to 7 according to the OSI reference model (Open Systems Interconnection model), which is a recognized reference model for network protocols as a layered architecture, i.e. for layer 5 (session layer), layer 6 (presentation layer) and / or, in particular, layer 7 (application layer). The MQTT protocol used according to the invention is therefore preferably located at the top of the layers below layer 5.

[0012] According to a preferred variant embodiment, the production facility comprises a mixing device, at least one supply line to the mixing device, a filling device, a transfer line for transferring an aqueous system, in particular an aqueous beverage mixture, from the mixing device to the filling device, a closing device, a device configured and arranged to deliver an unfilled container base body, in particular an unfilled beverage container base body, in particular an unfilled beverage can base body, a device configured and arranged to deliver a container closure, in particular a beverage can lid, an optional pasteurization unit and / or a packaging unit, and one or more status acquisition units, in particular a plurality of status acquisition units.

[0013] Particularly satisfactory and reliable results are obtained with such a production installation further comprising a mixing device, at least one supply line to the mixing device, a filling device, a transfer line for the transfer of the aqueous beverage mixture from the mixing device to the filling device, a closing device, a device configured and arranged to deliver unfilled beverage can base bodies, a device configured and arranged to deliver beverage can lids, a pasteurization unit and a packaging unit, and a plurality of status acquisition units.

[0014] According to a preferred embodiment, the computer-implemented method further comprises assigning a warning message, in particular using the time of generation of the warning message, to a container base body filled with an aqueous system, in particular an aqueous beverage mixture, and optionally closed, or to a sequence of container base bodies, in particular beverage can base bodies, optionally closed.

[0015] The advantage of this embodiment is that in particular individual container base bodies or multiple container base bodies that do not correspond to the set values ​​can also be identified individually or in a batch / lot. Thus, it can be identified whether a warning message is associated with one or more specific container base bodies and whether the quality assurance set values ​​are not respected. This allows the defective individual container base body or multiple defective container base bodies to be removed from production, thus reducing the number of containers that are rejected even though they do not need to be removed from production or allowing targeted responses, such as for example maintenance of production facilities. The allocation can be made in particular using the time of generation of the warning message and / or using the time of generation or transmission of the status information. The time of generation of the warning message or the time of generation and transmission of the status information is used to indicate at what point in production the warning message was generated and thus the warning message can be assigned to a specific container base body, or at least to a manageable number of containers, or to a batch / lot.

[0016] According to a further preferred embodiment, the computer-implemented method is characterized in that the monitored high speed production facility fills in the range of 1-60, preferably 10-50, particularly preferably 20-40 container base bodies, preferably beverage can base bodies, per second with an aqueous system, in particular an aqueous beverage mix.

[0017] Such high-speed manufacturing facilities can provide sufficient production volumes, amounting to several container base bodies per second. This requires a (semi-)continuous real-time monitoring of the container base bodies and imposes stricter requirements regarding the allocation of warning messages to individual containers.

[0018] According to a further preferred embodiment, the computer-implemented method is characterized in that the status information acquired by the status acquisition unit is made available to the assigned bridge, in particular transmitted to the assigned bridge, at intervals extending over a period between 1 second and 120 seconds, in particular between 5 seconds and 30 seconds.

[0019] The transmission of status information to the bridge at the above-mentioned intervals of 1-120 seconds, in particular at intervals of 5-30 seconds, results in a (semi-)continuous acquisition of status information and construction of warning messages based thereon. An advantage of this embodiment is therefore that it allows a (semi-)continuous monitoring of container and / or batch / lot status information. In this way, production risks are reduced and the number of rejects is further significantly reduced.

[0020] According to a further preferred embodiment, the computer-implemented method is characterized in that a maintenance instruction is generated as soon as a warning message is generated due to non-compliance with the target range values ​​and / or target set points.

[0021] The advantage of this embodiment is that, as a result of the maintenance instruction, a warning message is present, which can inform, for example, personnel or an automatic device, that the target range values ​​and / or target set points are not being observed for one or more container base bodies or batches. This container or a series of containers in the corresponding time interval can then be removed from production, either by maintenance personnel or by an automatic device. Furthermore, the maintenance instruction can indicate that an apparatus, such as, for example, a mixing apparatus, is broken and that a corresponding check or maintenance of the corresponding apparatus is required. For this purpose, the maintenance instruction can be sent from the bridge to a supervisor, a plant manager or a laboratory, or to another receiving device. In this way, the cause of the error can be remedied very quickly.

[0022] According to a further preferred embodiment, the computer-implemented method is characterized in that an authorization mode is assigned to a container base body, or a sequence of optionally closed container base bodies, in particular beverage can base bodies, filled with an aqueous system, in particular an aqueous beverage mixture, before or after the packaging unit and optionally closed, if no warning message is assigned to them.

[0023] This embodiment provides the advantage of achieving improved quality control: if no warning messages are generated and one or more container base bodies are explicitly allowed, it is ensured that the one or more container base bodies and the aqueous system that may be contained therein are within the target setpoints (target range values ​​and / or target setpoints).

[0024] According to a further preferred embodiment, the computer-implemented method according to the invention is characterized in that as soon as a warning message is generated due to non-compliance with the target range values ​​and / or target set points, the aqueous system, in particular the aqueous beverage mix, is filled and one or more optionally closed container base bodies, in particular beverage container base bodies, assigned to this warning message are removed from the production process during or after production.

[0025] This embodiment provides the advantage that by removing one or more container base bodies that do not correspond to the set point value, sufficient quality control is ensured that defective containers are not released and reach the end consumer. Furthermore, the removed container base bodies can be analyzed and investigated for possible sources of error.

[0026] According to a further preferred embodiment, the computer-implemented method according to the invention is characterized in that the normalization on the bridge of the received status information comprises assigning a timestamp to the one or more status information and assigning the one or more status information to one or more status acquisition units which respectively generated the one or more status information.

[0027] This embodiment provides the advantage that the status information itself is linked with a time component and with the status acquisition unit that acquired the status information. In this way, the time information can be linked, for example, to the location information and the associated status acquisition information assigned to one or more filled or unfilled container base bodies. The time stamp can indicate, for example, when the status information was generated and / or when the status information was sent to the bridge and / or when the status information was received at the bridge. Thus, the status information can be linked individually to one or more container base bodies.

[0028] According to a further preferred embodiment, the computer-implemented method is characterized in that a timestamp reproduces the moment at which each piece of status information was sent to the bridge.

[0029] This embodiment has the advantage that the one or more status information can be assigned to a point in time during production and can be assigned to the status information units that recorded the corresponding status information, respectively. Thus, the one or more status information can be assigned to the one or more container base bodies. This can be done under the premise that the time of transmission of the one or more status information substantially corresponds to the time of generation or measurement of the one or more status information.

[0030] According to a further preferred embodiment, the computer-implemented method according to the invention is characterized in that the status information provided, in particular transmitted, by the status acquisition unit, in particular in the bridge, is assigned not only a time stamp but also information regarding the aqueous system, in particular the aqueous beverage mix, the container base body used, in particular the beverage container base body, and / or the coding and / or packaging of the container. Preferably, information regarding the aqueous system, in particular the aqueous beverage mix, the container base body used, in particular the beverage container base body, the coding and packaging of the container is assigned.

[0031] This embodiment provides the advantage that the container base body and any aqueous system located therein, even within a batch, package, and / or lot of container base bodies, are uniquely identifiable with associated status information, allowing for targeted removal of defective container base bodies and / or for identifying sources of errors and deviations.

[0032] According to a further preferred embodiment, the computer-implemented method is characterized in that the time at which the warning message is generated is compared with the mode of the manufacturing facility.

[0033] The mode may indicate, for example, whether the manufacturing equipment is stopped, or whether there is an error in a section, or whether the manufacturing equipment is undergoing maintenance. One advantage of this embodiment is that the warning message may be assigned to the mode of the manufacturing equipment. Thus, it may be identified whether the warning message is due to a failure to comply with a target set point or target range value, or whether the mode of the manufacturing equipment is responsible for the generation of the warning message.

[0034] According to a further preferred embodiment, the computer-implemented method according to the invention is characterized in that a message regarding a check of the functionality of the status acquisition unit is sent to the receiver unit if several consecutive status information transmitted by this status acquisition unit are identical, if this status acquisition unit does not provide, in particular does not transmit, any status information for a predetermined time, if a further information acquisition unit configured and arranged to perform the same function in parallel to the first-mentioned status acquisition unit provides status information that deviates from the first-mentioned status acquisition unit, in particular for a predetermined period of time, or if the status information obtained online by this status acquisition unit deviates from the status information obtained offline.

[0035] This embodiment has the advantage that the functioning of individual status acquisition units or multiple status acquisition units can be checked, which allows defective status acquisition units to be detected and corrected, thus further improving the quality control.

[0036] According to a further preferred embodiment, the computer-implemented method according to the invention is characterized in that the status information received in the bridge and enriched with further information on said bridge is forwarded to a memory unit.

[0037] One advantage of this preferred embodiment lies in the fact that the data can be transferred to memory. This allows for increased security of the stored data. For example, general security monitoring can be applied. Furthermore, external users can have independent access to the data, for example in the cloud. Furthermore, the collected data can be further processed, for example for statistical purposes or for predictions.

[0038] According to a further preferred embodiment, the computer-implemented method according to the invention is characterized in that the state information, in particular normalized and transferred to the memory unit and stored on the memory unit, is deleted on the bridge.

[0039] One advantage of this variant is that the amount of data on the bridge does not rise above a certain value. In this way, a decrease in the computing power of the system is avoided. Moreover, less storage capacity is consumed, so cheaper memory components can be installed, reducing the overall cost of the system.

[0040] According to a further preferred embodiment, in the computer-implemented method according to the invention, the status acquisition unit is selected from the group consisting of a CO2 sensor, a temperature sensor, a conductivity sensor, a pH sensor, a pressure sensor, a Brix sensor, a refractometer, a device for determining the flow rate, a metering unit, a filling level determination device, in particular a filling level determination device based on the use of gamma or X-rays, a video monitoring device, in particular equipped with image recognition and analysis software, a filter device, an IR spectrometer, in particular a NIR spectrometer, for example an FT-NIR spectrometer, and a mass spectrometer, in particular a time-of-flight (qTOF) mass spectrometer, for example an ESI-qTOF mass spectrometer.

[0041] According to a further preferred embodiment, the computer-implemented method according to the invention is characterized in that the weighing unit comprises a first weighing unit configured and arranged to determine the weight of one or more filled and unclosed container base bodies without a container closure, in particular beverage container base bodies, in particular filled beverage can base bodies, downstream of the filling device, and / or a second weighing unit configured and arranged to determine the weight of one or more filled container base bodies, preferably beverage container base bodies, in particular preferably filled beverage can base bodies, closed with a container closure in the closing device, preferably after leaving the pasteurization device, and / or a third weighing unit configured and arranged to determine the weight of a plurality of closed filled container base bodies, in particular beverage container base bodies, downstream of the packaging unit.

[0042] This embodiment has the advantage that the filled container base body can be weighed before and after pasteurization so that leaks in the container base body can be quickly detected.

[0043] According to a further preferred embodiment, the computer-implemented method according to the invention is characterized in that a conductivity sensor, in particular a temperature sensor and a conductivity sensor, is present in the mixing device and / or downstream of the mixing device and at least one supply line to the mixing device is present in the filling device and / or upstream of the filling device and / or in a transfer line for the transfer of an aqueous system, in particular an aqueous beverage mixture, from the mixing device to the filling device.

[0044] This variant embodiment has the advantage, among others, that the quality of the aqueous system can be checked for compliance with specifications using conductivity and temperature sensors before the aqueous system is filled.

[0045] The method according to the invention has further proved to be very advantageous from the point of view of a very high level of quality assurance and quality control, in particular in the embodiment in which at least one status acquisition unit in the form of a video monitoring device records the internal status of the unfilled container base body, in particular the unfilled beverage can base body, when it is delivered to the filling device, in particular before filling, and transfers it to a bridge assigned to this status acquisition unit and compares it with a specification stored in the bridge for the appearance of the interior of the unfilled container base body, in particular the unfilled beverage can base body. If deviations from the set points are identified in the bridge, a device, such as for example a blowing device, can be automatically activated in order to remove the unfilled container base body, in particular the unfilled beverage can base body, that does not comply with the specifications prior to filling.

[0046] Furthermore, the method according to the invention has also proven to be extremely advantageous in terms of a very high level of quality assurance and quality control, especially in the case of embodiments in which a status acquisition unit in the form of a pressure sensor or in the form of a device for determining the flow rate is used. Pressure sensors or devices for determining the flow rate present in the respective supply lines to the mixing devices, in the transfer lines for the transfer of the aqueous system and / or in the lines for the transfer of the aqueous system, in particular for rinsing unfilled container base bodies, in particular unfilled beverage can base bodies, make an extremely significant contribution to high-speed production installations that can be operated continuously for very long periods of time. The detected pressure and / or flow rate are thereby compared with specifications stored in a bridge assigned to the respective status acquisition unit.

[0047] In particular, by using pressure sensors or devices for determining flow rates in lines for the transport of aqueous systems for rinsing unfilled container base bodies, in particular unfilled beverage can base bodies, it can be very reliably ensured that only containers that comply with the specifications are filled in the filling device.

[0048] Furthermore, the method according to the invention also proves to be very advantageous in terms of a very high level of quality assurance and quality control in the case of an embodiment in which at least one status acquisition unit in the form of a temperature sensor, preferably a plurality of such temperature sensors, is used in the pasteurization unit. A constant, in particular continuous or semi-continuous, monitoring of the temperature along the pasteurization unit can ensure a very high quality level in the production of aqueous food products, in particular beverages, that comply with the specifications. If the comparison in the bridge identifies that the target temperature value cannot be respected, the corresponding container batch, limited to the containers that are actually affected, is removed from the production process and prevented from sale. In this way, the amount of rejection is kept as low as possible.

[0049] According to a further preferred embodiment, the computer-implemented method is characterized in that status data acquired on a production line for a container base body, in particular a beverage container base body, or a sequence of container base bodies, in particular beverage container base bodies, and / or for an aqueous system, in particular an aqueous beverage mixture, of a container base body, in particular a beverage container base body, or a sequence of container base bodies, in particular beverage container base bodies, is assigned to a coding which is applied by a coding unit to the container base body, in particular the beverage container base body, and / or to an associated container closure.

[0050] One advantage of this embodiment lies in the fact that the status information obtained for each batch, package, lot, aqueous system, and / or each container base body can be assigned retrievably by a third party. In this way, this information can be retrievably attached to the packaging of one or more container base bodies or to one container base body itself, for example in a QR code or similar readout mechanism. In this way, the purchaser can check the status information and thus a measure of the quality of the aqueous system in the container base body.

[0051] According to a further preferred embodiment, the computer-implemented method is characterized in that status information acquired via units other than a plurality of status acquisition units respectively arranged along the production sequence and in particular relating to the components forming the aqueous system, in particular the aqueous beverage mixture, in the assembly and / or the mixing device, in particular on the bridge, is assigned to status information acquired and detected by the plurality of status acquisition units relating to the aqueous system, in particular the aqueous beverage mixture, and / or to a container base body filled with the aqueous system, in particular the aqueous beverage mixture, in particular a beverage container base body.

[0052] One advantage of this embodiment is that the state information can be stored in one or more containers. base It can be assigned to an aqueous system filled into the body, and therefore the container base The advantage lies in the fact that the quality of the aqueous system in the body can be clearly indicated, thus allowing corresponding steps to be introduced in response to a quality check, such as for example a recall of the container.

[0053] According to a further preferred embodiment, the computer-implemented method according to the invention is further characterized in that at least one, in particular a plurality of status acquisition units, each arranged along the production sequence, are configured and arranged to make available to, in particular transmit to, the associated bridge up to 200 status information items per second.

[0054] One advantage of this embodiment lies in the fact that it has been shown to provide up to 200 status information per second, allowing (semi-)continuous monitoring and therefore improving high speed manufacturing equipment.

[0055] According to a further preferred embodiment, the computer-implemented method according to the invention is characterized in that the bridge is arranged and configured to compare the obtained status information with target range values ​​and / or target set points at successive intervals of 5 to 60 seconds and optionally provide an alert message to the receiver unit or make available an alert message.

[0056] One advantage of this preferred embodiment lies in the fact that comparisons at successive 5-60 second intervals allow for (semi-)continuous monitoring. In this way, defective container base bodies and the aqueous systems contained therein can be determined in high speed manufacturing facilities in such a way that the number of waste products when defective containers not meeting the corresponding set point values ​​are removed is reduced to a manageable level.

[0057] According to a further preferred embodiment, the computer-implemented method is characterized in that the bridge is arranged and configured to supplement the generated warning messages, in particular those generated regarding deviations of the status information from the target range values ​​and / or the target set points, with operating instructions for the receiver unit.

[0058] The operational instructions may include instructions that provide an authorized person with instructions to respond to the warning message. For example, these instructions may include instructions to respond by re-establishing a setpoint value or instructions to maintain the equipment in question. Thus, this preferred embodiment provides the advantage that an authorized person may respond appropriately to a warning notice.

[0059] The object of the invention is also solved by a computer program having computer program elements which, when running on a data processing apparatus, implements the method according to the invention, in particular the method according to one of the above-mentioned embodiments.

[0060] The object of the present invention is also solved by a computer-readable storage medium storing computer-executable commands which, when executed by a computing device, cause the computing device to carry out a method according to the invention, in particular a method according to one of the above-described embodiments.

[0061] According to further preferred embodiments, the object of the present invention is also solved by the use of a method according to the invention, in particular a method according to one of the above mentioned embodiments, or a computer program, or a computer readable storage medium, for semi-continuously monitoring conformity to specifications along a production line for the production of a plurality of containers, in particular beverage containers, to be filled with an aqueous system, in particular a beverage, in a unit-based production facility, in particular a high-speed production facility.

[0062] According to a further preferred embodiment, the use of the computer-implemented method according to the invention is further characterized in that at least two, in particular at least three different aqueous systems, in particular aqueous beverage mixtures, are processed simultaneously in separate sections of a production installation, in particular a high-speed production installation. Thus, by means of an installation according to the invention operating with the computer-implemented method according to the invention, different products can be produced simultaneously, i.e. over the same period in a spatial sequence, i.e. on separate sections or sequences of the installation, and thus simultaneously and consecutively.

[0063] According to a further preferred embodiment , Made To allow and / or block, in particular automatically, a beverage can base body filled with an aqueous system, in particular an aqueous beverage mixture, and closed, or a sequence of such beverage can base bodies in a manufacturing facility, in particular a high-speed manufacturing facility The present invention provides a computer-implemented method, a computer program product, or a computer-readable medium for use in .

[0064] According to a further preferred embodiment, the use of the computer-implemented method, or the computer program, or the computer-readable storage medium according to the invention for monitoring the functionality of the status acquisition unit. is provided .

[0065] The object of the present invention is also solved by a manufacturing facility comprising one or more processors configured and arranged to perform the above-mentioned methods and related embodiments, one or more status acquisition units, a bridge communicatively connected to the one or more status acquisition units, and a receiver unit communicatively connected to the bridge.

[0066] The object of the present invention is also solved by a bridge, in particular a network bridge, comprising one or more processors configured and arranged to individually or collectively execute the above mentioned methods and related embodiments, whereby the bridge according to the invention preferably comprises the MQTT network protocol.

[0067] Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0068] [Figure 1] 1 is an illustration of a manufacturing facility in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic and exemplary diagram of the connections of network components of a manufacturing facility. [Diagram 3] 1 illustrates a computer-implemented method according to one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0069] In the figures, identical elements or elements having identical or similar functionality are provided with the same reference numbers.

[0070] 1 shows the schematic structure of a manufacturing installation, in particular a filling installation or a rapid filling installation. The manufacturing installation has a production sequence 2, e.g. a conveyor belt, which transports unfilled container base bodies 1 along various sections of the manufacturing installation 100. The manufacturing installation 100 is arranged to carry out different manufacturing processes in different sections, such that at one end of the production unit, the container base body 1 is output unpackaged, output individually packed or output packed together with several other container base bodies 1.

[0071] The production facility 100 may comprise a mixer 3 having at least one supply line 4. One or more liquid or solid ingredients may be fed to the mixer 3 via the at least one supply line 4. In the mixer 3, the one or more liquid or solid ingredients are mixed to obtain an aqueous system, in particular a beverage.

[0072] The mixing device 3 is fluidly connected to a filling device 6 via a transfer line 5 for carrying the aqueous system from the mixing device 3 to the filling device 6. The filling device 6 is constructed and arranged to output a predetermined amount of the aqueous system into the unfilled container base body 1 so as to fill the unfilled container base body 1 with the aqueous system to a specified level.

[0073] Furthermore, the manufacturing facility 100 may comprise a closing device 7 configured and arranged to close the container base body 1 filled with the aqueous system by means of a closure. To this end, the closing device 7 may further comprise a device 8 for delivering a closure connected to the closing device 7.

[0074] The manufacturing facility 100 may further comprise a pasteurizer 9. The pasteurizer 9 is constructed and arranged to heat the container filled with the aqueous system, for example to 60° C. or higher.

[0075] Furthermore, the manufacturing facility may have a packaging device 10 configured and arranged to package an individual container base body or a plurality of container base bodies 1 filled with the aqueous system. The packaging of one or more filled container base bodies 1 or the container base body itself may in this case be equipped with a readable, in particular machine-readable, code in which information (e.g. status information, etc.) relating to the container base body 1, the aqueous system contained therein, and / or the manufacturing process is encoded. An example of such a code may be a QR code or an NCF readable chip, etc.

[0076] The manufacturing facility can be subdivided into different sections performing different manufacturing steps, for example, the manufacturing process or steps, such as the filling or mixing of the aqueous system described above, can be performed in one section.

[0077] The production facility may have one or more status acquisition units 11. The status acquisition units 11 may be arranged along the production sequence 2. Furthermore, individual status acquisition units 11 may be assigned to different sections or different production processes. For example, one or more status acquisition units 11 may be assigned to the filling device 6 or to the production step of filling. The status acquisition units 11 may be sensors arranged and configured to acquire characteristics of the filled or unfilled container base body 1 and the aqueous system itself or in the container base body 1, and / or external factors of the surrounding environment, such as for example pressure, temperature, atmospheric humidity and / or time point.

[0078] The status acquisition unit 11 may be constructed and arranged to provide one or more pieces of status information, particularly for transmission to a bridge.

[0079] The status acquisition unit 11 may be configured with a CO2 sensor (e.g., determining the CO2 content), a temperature sensor (e.g., determining the ambient temperature, e.g., determining the temperature of the aqueous system in the mixing device 3, in or during filling, or in the container base body 1), a conductivity sensor (e.g., determining the conductivity of the aqueous system), a pH sensor (e.g., determining the pH of the aqueous system), a pressure sensor (e.g., determining the ambient pressure, or the pressure in a line or device of the production facility, or the filling pressure), a Brix sensor, a refractometer (e.g., determining the refractive index of the aqueous system in or outside the container base body), a device for determining a flow rate (e.g., determining the flow rate of the aqueous system, in particular through a line of the production facility). a weighing unit, such as a balance for measuring and comparing the weight of one or more base bodies in a filled or unfilled state, a fill level determination device, in particular a fill level determination device based on the use of gamma or X-rays (for example to reveal the fill level of the aqueous system in the container base body 1 by using, for example, gamma or X-rays to "transilluminate" the container base body 1), a video monitoring device, in particular equipped with image recognition and analysis software, a filter device, an IR spectrometer, in particular an NIR spectrometer such as an FT-NIR spectrometer, and a mass spectrometer, in particular a time-of-flight (qTOF) mass spectrometer, and / or an FT-NIR spectrometer, preferably an FT-NIR spectrometer.

[0080] One or more status acquisition units 11 may be constructed and arranged to measure the status or status information, for example every 10 seconds, and transmit the status information to the bridge 12 .

[0081] FIG. 2 shows a schematic and exemplary diagram of the connections of network components of a manufacturing facility.

[0082] One or more status acquisition units 11 may be communicatively connected to the bridge 12 for transmitting data, such as information acquired by the status acquisition units 11, to the bridge 12.

[0083] The transmission of status information from the status acquisition unit 11 to the bridge 12 can be done in various ways, for example using the Message Queuing Telemetry Transport (MQTT) network protocol, also known as the MQTT network protocol. In this case, the bridge 12 can be, for example, an MQTT broker, which receives information from one or more external clients. A further type of transmission can be done via an API (Application Programming Interface) (Rest Calls), whereby sensor values ​​can be transmitted to the bridge 12 via https post call interfaces and integrations provided for other systems. The transmission of status information can proceed, for example, in real time or at relatively short time intervals, for example at intervals of 10 seconds.

[0084] One or more status information can be enriched in the bridge 12. For example, a timestamp of one or more transmitting status acquisition units can be associated with status information from one or more further status acquisition units 11. Based on this, one or more status information can be associated with a filled or unfilled container base body 1 or with a batch or package comprising one or more filled or unfilled container base bodies 1. For example, a measurement value from a sensor or from multiple sensors can be provided with a measuring sensor timestamp, which indicates for example the time when the information was measured or transmitted or received at the bridge and is associated with the batch.

[0085] The bridge 12 may further be arranged and configured to compare the status information from the one or more status acquisition units 11 with predetermined specifications, target range values, and / or target set points. The target range values ​​and target set points may, for example, indicate certain qualitative requirements (e.g., fill levels, etc.). The target range values ​​and target set points may, for example, be stored in an internal memory on the bridge 12. Furthermore, the target range values ​​and target set points may be received from an external entity. The bridge 12 may have one or more processors configured to execute the monitoring method, singly or collectively. Furthermore, the bridge 12 may also have a memory for storing the target range values ​​or target set points or for storing the status information.

[0086] Furthermore, the bridge 12 may be arranged and configured to generate a warning message, particularly if the status information relating to the filled or unfilled receptacle base body 1 or the aqueous system does not fall within the target range values ​​and / or if the target set points are not met. Further, the bridge 12 may be arranged and configured to generate a confirmation message, particularly if the status information relating to the filled or unfilled receptacle base body 1 or the aqueous system itself falls within the target range values ​​and / or if the target set points are met.

[0087] Furthermore, the bridge 12 can be arranged and configured to assign warning or confirmation messages to one or more filled or unfilled container base bodies, for example by enriched, in particular by associated status information. Furthermore, confirmation and / or warning messages can be assigned to a batch / lot of filled or unfilled base bodies. One or more pieces of status information can be assigned to one or more container base bodies 1, for example by the time at which the one or more pieces of status information were acquired (or transmitted). In this way, one or more pieces of status information generated or transmitted by one or more given status acquisition units 11 at a given time can be assigned to one or more filled or unfilled container base bodies 1.

[0088] The bridge 12 can communicate with a receiver unit 14. In one possible variation, the bridge 12 can communicate with the receiver unit 14 via a spike router 13.

[0089] The bridge 12 may be configured and arranged to transmit the status information itself, the enriched (normalized) status information, and / or a warning message or an optional confirmation message to the receiver unit 14. The bridge 12 may, for example, transmit a spike message to the receiver unit 14 via the spike router 13. The normalized status information corresponds to the enriched status information or the associated status information.

[0090] An example of a receiver unit 14 may be, for example, a terminal 18 that informs an authorized individual of a warning or confirmation message in the form of a signal, for example via a screen, a light, and / or a speaker. Personnel can then optionally take necessary steps in response to the warning or confirmation message. A defective base body or a defective batch can, for example, be rejected or equipment can be repaired in the defective area. Furthermore, corresponding status information can be displayed simultaneously with the warning or confirmation message.

[0091] A further example of the receiver unit 14 may be a device (removal device 16) arranged and configured to automatically remove filled or unfilled container base bodies from production. In this way, containers or aqueous solution systems that do not correspond to the target range values ​​and / or target set values ​​can be removed from production in an automated manner.

[0092] Further, an example of a receiver unit 14 may be a database 16. Such status information or enriched status information may be transmitted from the bridge to the database, for example, alone and / or in combination with warning or confirmation messages. In the process, corresponding information from the sensor may be deleted on the bridge when the corresponding data is stored in the database.

[0093] Further examples of receiver unit 14 may be packaging apparatus 10 or a separate encoding device 17. Packaging apparatus 10 or encoding device 17 may be configured and arranged to apply, for example, status information itself, enriched status information, and / or warning / confirmation messages, for example in the form of encoding, such as a QR code, onto the packaging of one or more container base bodies or to the container base bodies themselves.

[0094] FIG. 3 illustrates, by way of example, a computer-implemented method according to one embodiment. In step S1, status information regarding filled or unfilled containers may be acquired by one or more status acquisition units. The status information may be acquired in real time or at relatively short intervals, for example every 10 seconds. The status information may also comprise time information.

[0095] In step S2, the status information can be transferred from the one or more status acquisition units 11 to the bridge 12, for example with the help of the MQTT network protocol. In a further variant, the status information can be transferred directly to the external receiver unit 14 via the bridge 12.

[0096] In step S3, the transmitted status information may be normalized, i.e. enriched, on the bridge 12. For example, the status information may be provided with a timestamp and may be associated with further context information.

[0097] In step S4, the transmitted status information may be compared at given time intervals or constantly compared by the bridge to identify whether the status information is within a predetermined target range value or meets a predetermined target set point.

[0098] In a further step S5, a warning message can be generated based on the comparison according to step S4 indicating that the given target range value and / or the given target set point is not being adhered to, and further, a confirmation can be generated thereafter based on the comparison according to step S4 indicating that the given target range value and / or the given target set point is being adhered to.

[0099] In step S6, if the status information or multiple status information are outside or within the target range value and / or target set value, a warning message and / or a confirmation message may be forwarded to the receiver unit 14 via the spike router 13, for example using a spike message.

[0100] The features of the invention disclosed in the above description and in the claims may be essential either individually or in any desired combination for implementing various embodiments of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0101] 1 Container base body 2. Production Line 3 Mixing device 4. Supply line to the mixing device 5 Transfer Line 6. Filling Equipment 7 Closing device 8 Apparatus for delivering closures 9 Pasteurization equipment 10 Packaging Equipment 11 Status Acquisition Unit 12 Network Bridge 13. Spike Router 14 Receiver unit 15 Database 16 Removal device 17 Encoding device 18 Terminals 100 Manufacturing equipment 200 Network Component Associations

Claims

1. 1. A computer-implemented method for semi-continuously monitoring specification conformance along a production sequence (2) of the manufacture of a plurality of container base bodies (1) filled with an aqueous system in an assembly-based rapid manufacturing facility (100), comprising the steps of: receiving status information at a network bridge (12) from a number of status acquisition units (11), all arranged along the production sequence (2), each status acquisition unit being configured and arranged to acquire the status information online at intervals; - a step of normalizing the received status information on the network bridge (12), wherein normalizing the received status information on the network bridge (12) comprises assigning a timestamp to one or more items of status information and assigning the one or more items of status information to one or more status acquisition units (11) which in each case generated the one or more items of status information; - comparing, on the network bridge (12), the status information with compliance target range values ​​and / or target set points stored on the network bridge (12); providing a warning message to the receiver unit if one or more status information are outside of a target range value and / or a target set point; Including, The monitored mass-based rapid manufacturing facility (100) fills between 10 and 50 container base bodies (1) per second with an aqueous system; The method of claim 1, wherein in a network bridge (12) a time stamp as well as information regarding the aqueous system, the container base body (1) used, the container code and / or packaging are assigned to the status information provided by the status acquisition unit (11).

2. The assembly-based rapid manufacturing facility (100) comprises: A mixing device (3), At least one inlet line to the mixing device (3); A filling device (6), a transfer line for transferring the aqueous system from the mixing device (3) to the filling device (6); A closing device (7), a device constructed and arranged to deliver an unfilled container base body (1); A device (8) constructed and arranged to deliver a closure for the container; One or more status acquisition units (11); The method of claim 1 , comprising:

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising assigning a warning message to a receptacle base body (1) filled with an aqueous system and optionally closed, or to a sequence of receptacle base bodies (1) optionally closed.

4. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the monitored aggregate-based high speed manufacturing equipment fills an aqueous system into a range of 20 to 40 container base bodies (1) per second.

5. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the status information acquired by the status acquisition unit (11) is made available to the assigned network bridge (12) at intervals extending over a period of between 1 second and 120 seconds.

6. 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein a maintenance instruction is generated as soon as a warning message is generated because the target range values ​​and / or the target set points are not respected.

7. 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein an authorization mode is assigned to a container base body (1) filled with an aqueous system and optionally closed before or after a packaging unit, or to a sequence of container base bodies (1) optionally closed, if no warning message is assigned to them.

8. 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein as soon as a warning message is generated due to non-compliance with the target range values ​​and / or target set points, the aqueous solution system is filled and one or more optionally closed container base bodies (1) assigned to this warning message are removed from the production process during or after production.

9. 9. The method according to claim 1, wherein normalization on the network bridge (12) of the received status information comprises assigning a timestamp to the one or more status information and assigning the one or more status information to one or more status acquisition units (11) which respectively generated the one or more status information.

10. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the time stamp reproduces the moment at which the respective state information was sent to the network bridge (12).

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the time at which a warning message is generated is compared with the mode of the mass-based rapid manufacturing facility.

12. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that a message regarding a check of the functionality of a first status acquisition unit (11) is sent to the receiver unit if several consecutive status information transmitted by this status acquisition unit are identical, if this status acquisition unit (11) does not provide any status information for a predetermined time, if a further status acquisition unit (11) configured and arranged to perform the same function in parallel with the first status acquisition unit (11) supplies status information that deviates from the first status acquisition unit, or if status information acquired online by the further status acquisition unit (11) deviates from status information acquired offline.

13. 13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the status information entered into the network bridge (12) and supplemented by further information on the network bridge (12) is transferred to a memory unit.

14. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the state information transferred to and stored on the memory unit is deleted on the network bridge (12).

15. The status acquisition unit (11) ２ 15. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the sensor is selected from the group consisting of a temperature sensor, a conductivity sensor, a pH sensor, a pressure sensor, a Brix sensor, a refractometer, a device for determining the flow rate, a metering unit, a filling level determination device, a video monitoring device, a filtering device, an IR spectrometer, and a mass spectrometer.

16. a first weighing unit configured and arranged to determine the weight of one or more filled and unclosed container base bodies (1) downstream of the filling device, the filled and unclosed container base bodies (1) not having a container closure; and / or a second weighing unit closed in a closing device (7) and configured and arranged to determine the weight of the filled container base body or bodies (1), and / or 16. The method according to claim 15, further comprising a third weighing unit constructed and arranged to determine the weight of a plurality of closed filled container base bodies (1) downstream of the packaging unit.

17. A conductivity sensor is present in the mixer (3) and / or downstream of said mixer (3), 3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that at least one feed line to the mixing device (3) is present in the filling device (6) and / or upstream of the filling device (6) and / or in a transfer line (5) which transfers the aqueous system from the mixing device (3) to the filling device (6).

18. 18. The method according to claim 1, wherein status data acquired on the production line for a container base body (1), or a sequence of container base bodies (1), and / or an aqueous system of a container base body (1), or a sequence of container base bodies (1), are assigned to a coding applied by a coding unit to the container base body (1) and / or the associated container closure.

19. 19. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that status information acquired via units other than a plurality of status acquisition units (11) respectively arranged along the production sequence (2) is assigned on a network bridge (12) to status information acquired and detected by a plurality of status acquisition units (11) relating to the aqueous system and / or the container base body (1) filled with the aqueous system.

20. 20. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that a plurality of status acquisition units (11), each arranged along the production sequence, are constructed and arranged to make up to 200 pieces of status information per second available to an associated network bridge (12).

21. 21. The method of any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein the network bridge (12) is arranged and configured to compare retrieved status information with target range values ​​and / or target set points at successive intervals of 5 to 60 seconds and optionally provide an alert message to a receiver unit or make available a warning message.

22. 22. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 21, characterized in that the network bridge (12) is arranged and configured to supplement the generated warning messages with operational instructions for the receiver unit regarding deviations of the status information from target range values ​​and / or target set points.

23. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the status information at the network bridge (12) from a plurality of status acquisition units (11) is received with the aid of a network protocol.

24. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 23, wherein the container base body (1) is a beverage can base body.

25. - a network bridge having one or more processors configured and arranged to individually or collectively carry out a method according to any one of claims 1 to 24; one or more status acquisition units (11); a network bridge (12) in communication with one or more status acquisition units (11); a receiver unit (14) in communication with the network bridge (12); 1. An assembly-based rapid manufacturing facility comprising:

26. A computer program having computer program elements which, when operating in the network bridge (24) of the cluster-based rapid manufacturing facility of claim 25, performs the method according to any one of claims 1 to 24.

27. 27. A computer readable storage medium having stored thereon computer executable instructions for the computer program of claim 26.

28. Use of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 24, or the computer program according to claim 26, or the computer readable storage medium according to claim 27, for semi-continuous monitoring of specification conformity along a production line for the production of a plurality of containers filled with an aqueous system in an aggregate-based rapid manufacturing facility (100).

29. 30. The use of claim 28, wherein at least two different aqueous systems are processed simultaneously in separate sections of the aggregate-based rapid manufacturing facility (100).

30. Use of a method according to any one of claims 1 to 24, or a computer program according to claim 26, or a computer-readable storage medium according to claim 27, for allowing and / or preventing a beverage can base body (1) filled with an aqueous system and closed, or a sequence of such beverage can base bodies (1), in an aggregate-based rapid manufacturing facility (100).

31. Use of the method according to any one of claims 27 to 29, the computer program according to claim 26 when dependent on the method according to any one of claims 1 to 24, or the computer readable storage medium according to claim 27 when dependent on the method according to any one of claims 1 to 24, for monitoring the functioning of a status acquisition unit (11).

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