Transport device and method for transporting containers and / or container packages

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for transporting containers and / or container packages, wherein the method comprises the following steps: transporting at least a first container and / or container package using at least a first transport assembly; recording, by means of an optical sensor unit, optical data relating to the first container and / or container package on the first transport assembly and at least one further object which is located at a distance from the first container and / or container package; calculating, by means of a calculation unit, control data from the optical data in order to control the first transport assembly, such that the first container and / or container package is prevented from colliding with the object or the relative speed between the first container and / or container package and the object is reduced at the time of collision; and controlling, by means of a control unit, the first transport assembly in accordance with the control data. The invention further relates to a device for carrying out the method.

Description

[0001] Transport device and method for transporting containers and / or container packages

[0002] The present invention relates to a transport device and a method for transporting containers and / or container bundles.

[0003] During container production, filling, labeling, and packaging, the containers and / or container packs are transported between and within the individual systems. To increase machine throughput, the transport speed of the containers and / or container packs is continually increased, so that in modern systems a large number of containers are often transported at high speeds. At the same time, the transport speeds can differ between the individual systems or work steps, so that slower containers and / or container packs can be overtaken by faster ones, which can result in collisions. In addition, the containers and / or container packs can come into contact with the systems themselves, for example the railing of a conveyor belt or a singulation robot.

[0004] Contact or collision between containers and / or container packs or with system components can damage the containers and / or container packs. If the containers are not pressurized, dents will form, particularly in cans or PET containers. Scratches may also appear on the surface of the containers or the label. Glass containers, in particular, can be worn or broken upon collision. Furthermore, collision, especially with glass containers, increases the system's noise emissions.

[0005] Based on this, the present invention is based on the object of proposing a method and a device which reduce the damage during the transport of containers and / or container packages and thus the reject rate and the noise emission of such systems.

[0006] According to the invention, the object is achieved by a method for transporting containers and / or container packages according to claim 1.

[0007] With the features of claim 1, it is proposed to monitor the containers and / or container bundles and an object with which the containers and / or container bundles could potentially collide with an optical sensor unit and to adjust the transport of the containers and / or container bundles accordingly with the data generated therefrom using a calculation and control unit, so that a collision between the containers and / or container bundles and the object can be prevented or mitigated.

[0008] Therefore, the method according to the invention can reduce the damage and noise emissions due to the collision of the containers and / or container packages and the object.

[0009] In a further exemplary embodiment, the calculation unit can derive, in particular continuously, a position and / or speed of the first container and / or container bundle and of the object from the optical data and calculate the control data based on the position and / or speed of the first container and / or container bundle and of the object. The derivation of the speed can be carried out in particular using special data processing software, for example supported by artificial intelligence. At the same time, the time and / or position of a potential collision of the containers and / or container bundles can be calculated and the first transport unit can be controlled before a calculated time or position of the collision is reached such that the relative speed between the containers and / or container bundles and the object is reduced or the collision can be prevented.

[0010] This can prevent or at least mitigate potential collisions between the container and / or container unit and the object.

[0011] In a further embodiment, the object can be a second container and / or container bundle. This can prevent or at least mitigate potential collisions between containers and / or container bundles.

[0012] In a further embodiment, the second container and / or container bundle can be transported by a second transport unit, the calculation unit can additionally calculate control data for the second transport unit, and the control unit can also control the second transport unit. Thus, the second container and / or container bundle (the object) can also be controlled to adjust the relative speeds so that a mitigated collision or no collision occurs between the first and second containers and / or container bundles.It is also conceivable that the object is a second transport unit and with the method according to the invention the transport speeds of the first and second transport units are synchronized during the transfer of the first container and / or container bundle, so that the container and / or the container bundle is not accelerated during the transfer between the first and the second transport unit in such a way that the container and / or the container bundle tips over and is thereby damaged.

[0013] In a further embodiment, a plurality of first containers and / or container bundles can be transported using a plurality of first transport units. The optical sensor unit can capture optical data relating to the plurality of first containers and / or container bundles. The calculation unit can calculate control data for controlling the plurality of first transport units, and the control unit can control the plurality of first transport units according to the control data. Using such a method, systems with a high throughput of containers and / or container bundles can also be monitored and controlled in such a way that damage to the containers and / or container bundles is reduced, thereby also reducing the reject rate of the containers / container bundles.

[0014] In a further embodiment, a plurality of second containers and / or container bundles can be transported using a plurality of second transport units. The optical sensor unit can capture optical data relating to the plurality of second containers and / or container bundles. The calculation unit can calculate control data for controlling the plurality of second transport units, and the control unit can control the plurality of second transport units according to the control data. Using such a method, even systems with a high throughput of containers and / or container bundles can be monitored and controlled in such a way that damage to the containers and / or container bundles is reduced, thereby likewise reducing the reject rate.

[0015] In a further embodiment, electrical image data can be captured, in particular continuously, using the optical sensor unit. Thus, optical data can be collected both about the first container and / or the first container bundle and about the object. If the capture is also continuous, changes in the position and / or speed of the first container and / or container bundle and / or object can also be detected. This object is also achieved by a transport device according to claim 8.According to claim 8, the container transport device comprises an optical sensor unit which monitors containers and / or container bundles and an object with which the containers and / or container bundles could potentially collide, and a calculation and control unit which, using the optical data, adjusts the transport of the containers and / or container bundles accordingly, so that a collision between the containers and / or container bundles and the object can be prevented or mitigated.

[0016] Therefore, the device according to the invention can reduce damage and noise emissions due to collisions between the containers and / or container packages and the object.

[0017] In a further embodiment, the calculation unit can be designed to derive, in particular continuously, the position and speed of the first container and / or container bundle and the object from the optical data and to calculate the control data based on the position and speed of the first container and / or container bundle and the object. The derivation of the speed can be carried out in particular using special data processing software, for example supported by artificial intelligence. At the same time, the time and / or position of a potential collision between the containers and / or container bundles can be calculated and the first transport unit can be controlled before a calculated time or position of the collision is reached such that the relative speed between the containers and / or container bundles and the object is reduced or the collision can be prevented.

[0018] This can prevent or at least mitigate potential collisions between the container and / or container unit and the object.

[0019] In an additional embodiment, the object can be a second container and / or container bundle, the transport device can comprise a second transport unit for transporting the second container and / or container bundle, and the calculation unit can also be configured to calculate control data for the second transport unit, and the control unit can also be configured to control the second transport unit. Thus, the second container and / or the container bundle (the object) can also be controlled to adjust the relative speeds so that a mitigated collision or no collision at all occurs between the first and second container and / or container bundle.In a further embodiment, the transport device can comprise a plurality of first transport units for transporting a plurality of first containers and / or container bundles, the optical sensor unit can be designed to detect optical data relating to the plurality of first containers and / or container bundles, the calculation unit can be designed to calculate control data for controlling the plurality of first transport units, and the control unit can be designed to control the plurality of first transport units in accordance with the control data. With such a device, systems with a high throughput of containers and / or container bundles can also be monitored and controlled in such a way that damage to the containers and / or container bundles is reduced, thereby reducing the reject rate of the containers and / or container bundles.

[0020] In a further embodiment, the transport device can comprise a plurality of second transport units for transporting a plurality of second containers and / or container bundles, the optical sensor unit can be designed to detect optical data relating to the plurality of second containers and / or container bundles, the calculation unit can be designed to calculate control data for controlling the plurality of second transport units, and the control unit can be designed to control the plurality of second transport units in accordance with the control data. With such a device, systems with a high throughput of containers and / or container bundles can also be monitored and controlled in such a way that damage to the containers and / or container bundles is reduced, thereby likewise reducing the reject rate.

[0021] In a further embodiment, the first transport unit can be a revolving conveyor belt. Revolving conveyor belts enable efficient and easily controllable transport of the containers and / or container bundles.

[0022] It is also conceivable that the first and / or second transport unit is designed as a circulating conveyor belt, robot arm, slide rail, etc.

[0023] In a further embodiment, the optical sensor unit can be an electrical image sensor, in particular a video camera for continuous image capture. Thus, optical data can be collected as a basis for the subsequent calculation of the control data, both about the first container and / or container bundle and the object. If the capture is also continuous, changes in the position and / or speed of the first container and / or container bundle and / or object can also be detected. Figure 1 shows a transport device according to a first embodiment.

[0024] Figure 2 shows a transport device according to a second embodiment.

[0025] Figure 1 shows a transport device 1 comprising a first transport unit 3 for transporting first containers 2a and a second transport unit 6 for transporting second containers 2b. However, embodiments are also conceivable in which several first transport units transport the first container 2a and / or several second transport units transport the second containers 2b. Furthermore, instead of the second containers 2b and the second transport unit 6, another movable or immovable object at a distance from a first container 2a can also be used.

[0026] In addition, the transport device 1 comprises an optical sensor unit 10, a calculation unit 4, and a control unit 5. The control data can be transported from the calculation unit 4 to the control unit 5 via a first line 7. In the present embodiment, the optical sensor unit 10 is integrated directly into the calculation unit 4; alternatively, the optical sensor unit 10 and the calculation unit 4 can also exchange data via another line (not shown) or wirelessly.

[0027] The control signals can be transmitted from the control device 5 to the first and second transport units 3 and 6 via a second line 8. Instead of lines 7 and 8, a wireless exchange of data between the calculation unit 4, the control unit 5, and the transport units 2 and 6 is also conceivable.

[0028] An optical sensor unit 10 detects optical data relating to at least one first container 2a and one second container 2b, which are located at a distance a from each other. The optical data is then transmitted to the calculation unit 4. In the calculation unit 4, control data is calculated from the optical data and forwarded to the control device 5 via the first line 7. The control device 5 then transmits control signals via the second line 8 to the first transport unit 3 and, optionally, also to the second transport unit 6.

[0029] The control data are calculated in such a way that a collision between the first container 2a and the second container 2b is prevented or the relative speed between the first container 2a and the second container 2b at the time of the collision is reduced. The optical sensor unit 10 can capture continuous images of the first and second containers 2a, 2b. The calculation unit 4 can calculate the position and speed of the first and second containers 2a and 2b from the continuous images of the optical sensor unit 10, in particular taking into account the respective image recording time. From the speeds and positions of the first and second containers 2a and 2b, the calculation unit 4 can calculate whether a collision between the first and second containers 2a, 2b will occur.If a collision between the two containers is detected, the calculation unit can also calculate the position and relative speed of the first and second containers 2a and 2b at the time of the collision. To prevent or mitigate a collision, the calculation unit 5 can provide control data that, for example, decelerates the first transport unit 3 in the transport direction X. Additionally or alternatively, it is also possible for the control data to accelerate the second transport unit 6. The acceleration or deceleration can occur a maximum of 0.5 m, in particular a maximum of 0.1 m, before the calculated position of the collision and / or a maximum of 1 s, in particular a maximum of 0.5 s, before the calculated time of the collision between the two containers 2a and 2b.

[0030] This can reduce or prevent damage to containers 2a and 2b.

[0031] The control unit 5 now controls the first transport unit 3 according to the control data calculated by the calculation unit 4. For this purpose, the control unit 5 converts the control data into control signals for controlling the transport units 3 and 6. In particular, the control unit can apply an appropriate voltage to the transport units 3 and 6, which are designed as conveyor belts, depending on the speed required for movement.

[0032] The acquisition of optical data and the subsequent calculation of the control data and control of the transport units 3 and 6 can, in particular, be repeated continuously, so that the control data is repeatedly provided based on the current positions and speeds of the first and second containers 2a and 2b. In particular, the continuous acquisition of the optical data and calculation of the control data can also be used to react to objects that move into the path of movement of the first containers 2a and / or container bundles in order to prevent or mitigate a collision.

[0033] However, the transport units 3 and 6 can also be designed as a robot arm or a slide rail. Figure 2 shows a second embodiment in which five first conveyor belts 103a-103e transport a plurality of first containers 102a grouped into first container bundles 102 in the transport direction x toward an object designed as a railing 102b. However, embodiments with a different number of transport units are also conceivable. Furthermore, instead of the railing 102b or in addition to it, at least one second transport unit with at least one second container and / or container bundle can be designed.

[0034] The second embodiment can in particular be combined with all features defined with reference to Figure 1.

[0035] Furthermore, an additional transport device 109 can remove the containers 102 individually, for example with a robot arm, from the first transport units 103a-103e.

[0036] The position and speed of the container units 102 and the railing 102b can be detected and calculated, in particular continuously, using the optical sensor unit 110 and the calculation unit 104. If, for example, the additional transport device 109 has not removed the container units 102 from the first transport units 103a-103e before they collide with the railing 102b, the respective first transport unit 103a-103e can be slowed down and / or stopped. This can prevent or mitigate a collision between the first container units 102 and the object 102b, and damage to the first container units 102 can be prevented.

[0037] In addition, the calculation device 104 can also provide control data for the additional transport device 109 and, in particular, remove the first container packages 102, which are located near the railing 102b, next from the first conveyor units 103a-103e.

Claims

Claims 1. A method for transporting containers (2a, 2b, 102a) and / or container packages (102), the method comprising the following steps: Transporting at least one first container (2a, 102a) and / or container bundle (102) with at least one first transport unit (3, 103a-103e); Capturing optical data relating to the first container (2a, 102a) and / or container bundle (102) on the first transport unit (3, 103a-103e) and at least one further object (2b, 102b) which is located at a distance (a) from the first container (2a, 102a) and / or container bundle (102), with an optical sensor unit (10, 110); Calculating control data from the optical data for controlling the first transport unit (3, 103a-103e) with a calculation unit (4, 104) so ​​that a collision of the first container (2a, 102a) and / or container unit (102) with the object (2b, 102b) is prevented or the relative speed between the first container (2a, 102a) and / or container unit (102) and the object (2b, 102b) at the time of the collision is reduced; and Controlling the first transport unit (3, 103a-103e) according to the control data with a control unit (5, 105).

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein with the calculation unit (4, 104), in particular continuously, a position and / or speed of the first container (2a, 102a) and / or container bundle (102) and of the object (2b, 102b) is derived from the optical data and the control data is calculated based on the position and / or speed of the first container (2a, 102a) and / or container bundle (102) and of the object (2b, 102b).

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the object (2b) is a second container (2b) and / or container package.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the second container (2b) and / or container bundle is transported by a second transport unit (6); the calculation unit (4) additionally calculates control data for the second transport unit (6); and the control unit (5) also controls the second transport unit (6).

5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a plurality of first containers (102a) and / or container sets (102) are transported by a plurality of first transport units (103a-103e); the optical sensor unit (110) detects optical data relating to the plurality of first containers (102a) and / or container sets (102); the calculation unit (104) calculates control data for controlling the plurality of first transport units (103a-103e); and the control unit (105) controls the plurality of first transport units (103a-103e) in accordance with the control data.

6. The method according to claim 4 or 5, wherein a plurality of second containers and / or container bundles are transported with a plurality of second transport units; the optical sensor unit detects optical data relating to the plurality of second containers and / or container bundles; the calculation unit calculates control data for controlling the plurality of second transport units; and the control unit controls the plurality of second transport units in accordance with the control data.

7. Method according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein electrical image data are acquired with the optical sensor unit (10, 110), in particular continuously.

8. A transport device for transporting containers (2a, 2b, 102a) and / or container bundles (102), the transport device (1, 100) comprising: at least one first transport unit (3, 103a-103e) for transporting at least one first container (2a, 102a) and / or container bundle (102); an optical sensor unit (10, 110) for detecting optical data of the first container (2a, 102a) and / or container bundle (102) on the first transport unit (3, 103a-103e) and at least one object (2b, 102b) located at a distance (a) from the first container (2a, 102a) and / or container bundle (102); Calculation unit (4, 104) for calculating control data from the optical data for controlling the first transport unit (3, 103a-103e) so that a collision of the first containers (2a, 102a) and / or container bundles (102) with the object (2b, 102b) is prevented or the relative speed between the first container (2a, 102a) and / or container bundles (102) and the object (2b, 102b) at the time of the collision is reduced; Control unit (5, 105) for controlling the first transport unit (3, 103a-103e) according to the control data.

9. Transport device according to claim 8, wherein the calculation unit (4, 104) is designed, in particular continuously, to derive a position and speed of the first container (2a, 102a) and / or container unit (102) and of the object (2b, 102b) from the optical data and to calculate the control data based on the position and speed of the first container (2a, 102a) and / or container unit (102) and of the object (2b, 102b).

10. Transport device according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the object (2b) is a second container (2b) and / or container bundle; the transport device (1) comprises a second transport unit (6) for transporting the second containers (2b) and / or container bundles; and the calculation unit (4) is additionally designed to calculate control data for the second transport unit (6) and the control unit (5) is also designed to control the second transport unit (6).

11. Transport device according to one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the transport device (100) comprises a plurality of first transport units (103a-103e) for transporting a plurality of first containers (102a) and / or container bundles (102); the optical sensor unit (110) is designed to detect optical data relating to the plurality of first containers (102a) and / or container bundles (102); the calculation unit (104) is designed to calculate control data for controlling the plurality of first transport units (103a-103e); and the control unit (105) is designed to control the plurality of first transport units (103a-103e) in accordance with the control data.

12. Transport device according to claim 10, wherein the transport device comprises a plurality of second transport units for transporting a plurality of second containers and / or container bundles; the optical sensor unit is designed to detect optical data relating to the plurality of second containers and / or container bundles; the calculation unit is designed to calculate control data for controlling the plurality of second transport units; and the control unit is designed to control the plurality of second transport units according to the control data.

13. Transport device according to one of claims 8 to 12, wherein the first transport unit (3, 103a-103e) is a circulating conveyor belt.

14. Transport device according to one of claims 8 to 13, wherein the optical sensor unit (10, 110) is an electrical image sensor, in particular a video camera for continuous image capture.

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