Container handling device comprising a transport device and a buffer device

Abstract

A container handling device comprising a transport device for containers, a buffer device for buffering the containers in the container handling device and a control unit, wherein the containers can be conveyed by means of the transport device at a first conveying speed along a transport direction and by means of the buffer device at a second conveying speed along the transport direction, wherein the buffer device is located downstream of the transport device along the transport direction and containers can be transferred from the transport device to the buffer device, wherein the second conveying speed can be controlled by means of the control unit on the basis of a desired output of at least one container handling machine located downstream of the buffer device.

Description

[0001] Container handling device comprising a transport device and a buffer device

[0002] The present invention relates to a container treatment device comprising a transport device and a buffer device according to independent claim 1 and a method for operating a container treatment device comprising a transport device and a transport device according to independent claim 9.

[0003] State of the art

[0004] Container handling devices with a transport and buffer device are sufficiently known from the prior art.

[0005] Container handling equipment typically comprises a variety of container handling machines by which various handling steps can be performed on the containers. These machines may include, for example, a blow molding machine, a filler, a capper, a labeling machine, a pasteurizer, and / or any other machine suitable for handling a container.

[0006] The various container handling machines are typically connected to each other via transport devices, allowing containers to be transferred from one machine to another. Since the container handling machines can have different throughput capacities, it is also known from the prior art to design transport devices as buffer devices, thus enabling buffering of the containers between two machines. Buffer devices can also be provided, for example, to ensure at least partial continued operation of the container handling system in the event of a malfunction on one machine.

[0007] Task

[0008] Starting from the known state of the art, the object of the present invention is to provide a container treatment device and a method for operating a container treatment device, with which the most efficient possible at least partial continued operation of the container treatment device can be ensured even in the event of malfunctions.

[0009] Solution

[0010] This problem is solved by the container treatment device comprising a transport device and a buffer device according to independent claim 1 and the method for operating a container treatment device comprising a transport device and a buffer device according to independent claim 9. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are covered in the dependent claims.

[0011] The container treatment device according to the invention comprises a transport device for containers, a buffer device for buffering the containers in the container treatment device, and a control unit, wherein the containers can be conveyed by means of the transport device at a first conveying speed along a transport direction and by means of the buffer device at a second conveying speed along the transport direction, wherein the buffer device is arranged downstream of the transport device along the transport direction, and containers can be transferred from the transport device to the buffer device, wherein the second conveying speed can be controlled by means of the control unit based on a target power of at least one container treatment machine arranged downstream of the buffer device.

[0012] The containers can be bottles, such as those used in the beverage industry. They can be made of plastic, for example. Alternatively, they can be made of a sustainable material, such as fiber-based materials. Furthermore, the containers can be cans, syringes, or any other shape suitable for holding a liquid and / or paste-like substance. These containers can also be used in the food, medical, or cosmetics industries.

[0013] The transport device can be a linear transport device. For example, a linear transport device can be designed as a conveyor belt, by means of which the containers can be conveyed in an ordered or unordered manner. Alternatively, the transport device can also be designed as a rotary transport device, for example as a rotary machine or star wheel. In principle, however, there are no restrictions on the design of the transport device.

[0014] The buffer device can be a linearly operating buffer device, such as a buffer conveyor belt. If the transport device is configured as a conveyor belt, the buffer conveyor belt can have the same width as the conveyor belt. Alternatively, the buffer conveyor belt and the conveyor belt can have different widths. The buffer device is not limited in its specific design, and the above embodiment is merely an example. The container treatment machine arranged downstream of the buffer device can be any machine suitable for treating a container. For example, the container treatment machine could be an inspection machine.However, it can also be any other type of container handling machine, such as a blow molding machine, a filler, a capper, a labeling machine or a printing machine.

[0015] The transport device and / or the buffer device can be associated with or located within a container treatment component. The container treatment component can be, for example, a pasteurizer or another device suitable for the thermal treatment of containers. For instance, it can be provided that both the transport device and the buffer device are located within, or at least partially within, the pasteurizer or the other device suitable for the thermal treatment of containers. Alternatively, it can be provided that only the transport device is located within, or at least partially within, the pasteurizer or the device suitable for the thermal treatment, or that only the buffer device is located within, or at least partially within, the pasteurizer or the device suitable for the thermal treatment.

[0016] The target output can, for example, be a target value for the throughput of the container treatment machine located downstream of the buffer device. If the container treatment machine malfunctions and can therefore only process a limited number of containers, the target output can be reduced accordingly compared to normal operation. For instance, if the container treatment machine is inoperable due to the malfunction and therefore cannot process any containers, the target output of the container treatment machine may be zero.

[0017] The first and second conveying speeds can assume any value, including zero. If the second conveying speed is zero, the buffer device remains stationary, and no containers are conveyed along the conveying direction. This is useful, for example, in the event of a malfunction in the downstream container handling machine. If the conveying device continues operating at the first conveying speed in this case, the containers are pushed from the conveying device onto the stationary buffer device. Thus, buffering of the containers is achieved even in this scenario.If the transport device is designed as described above, for example as a conveyor belt and the buffer device as a buffer conveyor belt, then the first conveying speed can be, for example, a conveying speed of the conveyor belt and the second conveying speed can be, for example, a conveying speed of the buffer conveyor belt.

[0018] The container treatment device according to the invention ensures that, by buffering the containers in the buffer device, the operation of the container treatment device can be at least partially maintained even in the event of a malfunction of the at least one container treatment machine arranged downstream of the buffer device. By controlling the second conveying speed based on a target output of the container treatment machine arranged downstream of the buffer device, a flexible response to the type of malfunction of the container treatment machine is possible. In the event of a malfunction, the most efficient possible partial operation of the container treatment device is ensured, and after the malfunction is rectified, the most efficient possible continued operation of the container treatment device is guaranteed.

[0019] In one embodiment, the container handling device may include a logic device configured to determine the container filling level of the buffer device. The container filling level is a particularly suitable parameter for adjusting the second conveying speed of the buffer device to the target output of the container handling machine. Furthermore, determining the container filling level prevents an excessive number of containers from being fed into the buffer device and thus avoids malfunctions of the container handling device.

[0020] In a further development, the logic device may include a counting device arranged upstream of the buffer device in the transport direction to determine the number of containers supplied to the buffer device by the transport device. By arranging the counting device upstream of the buffer device, the container fill level can be determined easily without the need for a counting device located inside the buffer device.

[0021] The counting device may include a light barrier or a camera. Using a light barrier or camera, the number of containers fed into the buffer device can be reliably determined with conventionally available measuring technology.

[0022] Furthermore, the logic device may be configured to determine the transfer behavior of the containers and / or their distribution within the buffer device. Transfer behavior can be understood as the number of containers that can be transferred from the transport device to the buffer device per unit of time. By considering the transfer behavior and / or the distribution of the containers within the buffer device, the container fill level of the buffer device can be determined with particular precision.

[0023] Furthermore, the control unit can be configured to regulate the second conveying speed based on the fill level of the buffer tank. By regulating the second conveying speed based on the fill level, it can be ensured, for example, that a constant number of tanks per unit of time, corresponding to the target output, is delivered to the downstream tank handling machine, even if the fill level changes. This can also prevent, for example, overfilling of the buffer tank.

[0024] In one embodiment, the control unit can be configured to operate the container handling device in a fault mode when at least one container handling machine malfunctions. In this fault mode, the buffer device can be stopped and the transport device can be operated at the first conveying speed, allowing the containers to be transferred from the transport device to the stationary buffer device. The container handling device can include a transfer device for transferring the containers from the transport device to the buffer device. Thus, in the event of a malfunction of the at least one container handling machine, the containers coming from the transport device can be buffered on the buffer device, preventing a fault-related shutdown of the entire container handling device.

[0025] In a further development, the control unit can be configured to operate the container handling device in a start-up mode after the fault has been rectified. This start-up mode involves gradually increasing the second conveying speed of the buffer device up to the target conveying speed. This allows the containers buffered by the buffer device to be fed to the downstream machine in stages, preventing an oversupply of containers to the downstream container handling machine.

[0026] The inventive method for operating a container treatment device comprises a transport device, a buffer device for buffering the containers in the container treatment device, and a control unit, wherein the containers are conveyed by means of the transport device at a first conveying speed along a transport direction and by means of the buffer device at a second conveying speed along the transport direction, wherein the buffer device is arranged downstream of the transport device along the transport direction, and containers are transferred from the transport device to the buffer device, wherein the second conveying speed is controlled based on a target power of at least one container treatment machine arranged downstream of the buffer device.

[0027] The method according to the invention ensures that the operation of the container treatment device can be at least partially maintained even in the event of a malfunction of the at least one container treatment machine located downstream of the buffer device. Furthermore, by controlling the second conveying speed based on a target output of the container treatment machine located downstream of the buffer device, it is possible to react flexibly to the type of malfunction of the container treatment machine and, in the event of a malfunction, to ensure the most efficient possible partial operation of the container treatment device, as well as the most efficient possible continued operation of the container treatment device after the malfunction has been rectified.

[0028] In one embodiment, the container handling device can include a logic device, wherein the logic device determines the container filling level of the buffer device. The container filling level of the buffer device represents a particularly suitable parameter for adjusting the second conveying speed to a target output of the container handling machine. Furthermore, determining the container filling level prevents an excessive number of containers from being fed into the buffer device and thus avoids malfunctions of the container handling device.

[0029] In a further development, the logic device can include a counting device arranged upstream of the buffer device in the transport direction, wherein the counting device determines the number of containers supplied to the buffer device by the transport device. By arranging the counting device upstream of the buffer device, the container fill level can be determined in a simple manner without the need for a counting device located inside the buffer device.

[0030] Furthermore, the logic device can be used to determine the overflow behavior of the containers and / or their distribution within the buffer device. By considering this overflow behavior and / or distribution, the fill level of the buffer device can be determined with particular precision.

[0031] Furthermore, the second conveying speed can be controlled based on the fill level of the buffer tank. By controlling the second conveying speed based on the fill level, it can be ensured, for example, that even with a changing fill level, a constant number of tanks per unit of time, matched to the target output of the downstream tank processing machine, is delivered. This can also prevent, for example, overfilling of the buffer tank.

[0032] In one embodiment, the container handling device can be operated in a fault mode if at least one container handling machine malfunctions. In this fault mode, the buffer device is stopped and the transport device is operated at its first conveying speed, so that the containers are transferred from the transport device to the stationary buffer device. The container handling device includes a transfer device by means of which the containers are transferred from the transport device to the buffer device. Thus, in the event of a malfunction of at least one container handling machine, the containers coming from the transport device can be buffered on the buffer device, preventing a fault-related shutdown of the entire container handling device.

[0033] In a further development process, it may be stipulated that the container handling device is operated in a start-up mode after the malfunction has been rectified. This start-up mode involves gradually increasing the second conveying speed of the buffer device until a target conveying speed is reached. This allows the containers buffered by the buffer device to be fed to the downstream container handling machine in stages, thus preventing an oversupply of containers to the downstream container handling machine.

[0034] Brief description of the characters

[0035] Fig. 1: Container treatment device according to one embodiment

[0036] Fig. 2a -c Transfer device of the container treatment device according to various embodiments

[0037] Detailed description of the characters

[0038] Figure 1 shows a container treatment device 100 according to one embodiment.

[0039] According to the invention, the container handling device 100 comprises a transport device 101 for containers 104, a buffer device 102 for buffering the containers 104 in the container handling device 100, and a control unit 105. According to the invention, the buffer device 102 is arranged downstream of the transport device 101 with respect to a transport direction 103 of the containers 104. In the embodiment described here, the transport device 101 is a linear transport device 101 by means of which the containers can be conveyed in a random mass transport. The transport device 101 can, for example, be a conveyor belt.

[0040] This type of design of the transport device 101 is to be understood as an exemplary design. The transport device 101 can, for example, also be designed as a linear transport device 101, which is designed for orderly transport in at least one row. Thus, for example, a transport device 101 can be provided by means of which the containers are conveyed in one, two, three rows or in any other number of rows.

[0041] Furthermore, it can also be provided that the containers are initially transported in a disordered mass flow on the transport device 101 and that singulation of the containers by means of at least one lane is only provided before the containers are transferred to the buffer device 102 located downstream. For this purpose, for example, at least one lane can be arranged in an end region of the transport device 101 facing the buffer device 102.

[0042] The buffer device 102 can also be configured to convey the containers 104 in a random bulk transport. Like the transport device 101, the buffer device 102 can be configured as a conveyor belt. However, it can also be provided that the buffer device 101 is configured for the orderly conveying of the containers and that the containers can be conveyed in at least one row by means of the buffer device 102. In this case, the buffer device 102 can comprise at least one aisle, as already described above in connection with the transport device 101.

[0043] In the representation shown in Figure 1, the width of the transport device 101 is equal to the width of the buffer device 102. This configuration of the transport device 101 and the buffer device 102 is to be understood as exemplary. The width of the transport device 101 can alternatively differ from the width of the buffer device. For example, it can be provided that the width of the transport device 101 may not deviate from the width of the buffer device 102 by more than a maximum of 5% or 10%. However, it can also be provided that the width of the buffer device 102 may deviate from the width of the transport device 101 by up to 25% or up to 50%. Any other choice of width for the transport device 101 and the buffer device 102 is also possible.The transport device 101 and the buffer device 102 can optionally be arranged, for example, in a pasteurizer or in any other device suitable for the thermal treatment of containers. It is also possible for the transport device 101 and the buffer device 102 to be arranged only partially in the pasteurizer or the device suitable for thermal treatment. Furthermore, it is possible for only the transport device 101, or only a part of the transport device 101, or only the buffer device 102, or only a part of the buffer device 102 to be arranged in the pasteurizer or the device suitable for the thermal treatment of containers.

[0044] According to the invention, the containers 104 can be transferred from the transport device 101 to the buffer device 102. Optionally, a transfer device 111 can be arranged between the transport device 101 and the buffer device 102 for this purpose.

[0045] The transfer device 111 can, for example, be a transfer plate. Furthermore, the transfer device can include an active transfer aid by means of which the transfer of the containers can be actively supported.

[0046] Specific embodiments of the transfer device 111 will be discussed at a later time in connection with Figures 2a - c.

[0047] According to the invention, the containers 104 can be conveyed by means of the transport device 101 at a first conveying speed along the conveying direction 103 and by means of the buffer device 102 at a second conveying speed along the conveying direction 103. The first and second conveying speeds of the transport device 101 and the buffer device 102 can be controlled by means of the control unit 105.

[0048] The first and second conveying speeds can be chosen arbitrarily. For example, both the first and second conveying speeds can also have a value of 0. If the second conveying speed has a value of 0, the buffer device is stationary and no conveying of containers takes place on the buffer device 102. This can be intended, for example, in the event of a malfunction of the downstream container handling machine 107.

[0049] The control unit 105 can be configured as a computer or server and include a processor and a storage device. Operating parameters for controlling the operation of the transport device 101 and the buffer device 102 can be stored on the storage device. The control unit 105 can be connected to the transport device 101 and the buffer device 102 via a wireless or wired connection 110. Furthermore, the control unit 105 can be connected 110 to other components of the container handling device 100, whose operation can be controlled by operating parameters, and corresponding operating parameters for controlling these components can be stored in the control unit 105.

[0050] According to the invention, the second conveying speed of the buffer device 102 can be controlled by means of the control unit 105 based on a target power of at least one container treatment machine 107 arranged downstream of the buffer device 102.

[0051] The target output can, for example, be a setpoint for the throughput of the container treatment machine 107, which specifies the number of containers processed per unit of time by the container treatment machine 107. If the container treatment machine 107 experiences a malfunction and can therefore only process a limited number of containers 104, the target output can be reduced accordingly compared to the normal output during trouble-free operation. In this case, the second conveying speed of the buffer device 102 can be adjusted by the control unit 105 so that the number of containers discharged by the buffer device 102 to the container treatment machine 107 per unit of time corresponds to the reduced target output of the container treatment machine 107.

[0052] If, for example, the container handling machine 107 is inoperative due to a malfunction and therefore cannot process any containers, the target output of the container handling machine 107 can also be reduced to zero. In this case, the second conveying speed of the buffer device 102 can also be reduced to zero by the control unit 105, thus stopping the buffer device 102 so that no more containers are conveyed from the buffer device 102 to the container handling machine 107.In this case, it may also be possible to continue operating the transport device 101 with a first conveying speed other than zero, so that containers continue to be pushed from the transport device 101 onto the buffer device 102 and buffering of the containers can continue to be achieved by means of the buffer device 102, but no containers are transferred from the buffer device 102 to the container handling machine 107. This can be done, for example, until the container filling level of the buffer device 102 reaches a maximum value, or the buffer device has received a maximum number of containers.Once the container filling level of the buffer device 102 has reached its maximum value, the initial conveying speed of the transport device 101 may also be reduced to zero to prevent the containers buffered on the buffer device 102 from being pushed into the downstream container handling machine 107 by the containers being pushed onto the buffer device by the transport device 101. The container handling machine 107, located downstream of the buffer device 102, may, for example, be an inspection machine. The inspection machine can be used, for example, to examine the containers for damage.However, it can also be any other container handling machine, such as a blow molding machine, a filler, a capper, a labeling machine, a printing machine or any other machine suitable for handling containers.

[0053] Optionally, an outfeed conveyor belt can be arranged between the buffer device 102 and the container handling machine 107 located downstream of the buffer device 102. The outfeed conveyor belt can include at least one lower outfeed conveyor belt. The conveying direction of the containers on the at least one lower outfeed conveyor belt can be selected to be perpendicular to the transport direction 103 along which the containers can be conveyed by means of the buffer device 102. However, it can also be provided that the conveying direction is substantially perpendicular to the transport direction 103, whereby "substantially perpendicular" can be understood to mean that the conveying direction and the transport direction 103 enclose an angle of 75° < β < 105° with each other.

[0054] If the optional discharge conveyor includes more than one lower discharge conveyor, the containers can be conveyed on at least two lower discharge conveyors in antiparallel directions to each other. For example, the containers can be transferred from the buffer device 102 to a first lower conveyor and transported on the first lower conveyor along a first conveying direction that is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the conveying direction 103. The containers can then be transferred to a second lower conveyor, by means of which the containers can be conveyed along a second conveying direction that runs antiparallel to the first conveying direction.The containers can then be transferred, for example, to a third lower discharge conveyor, which conveys them along a third conveying direction, such as parallel to the second. From the third lower discharge conveyor, the containers can be transferred to at least one further lower discharge conveyor and then fed to the container handling machine 107. The containers can be transferred to the container handling machine 107 in a single row, for example, via the discharge conveyor. The arrangement and design of the lower conveyors described above is to be understood as exemplary. Any other number of lower discharge conveyors can also be provided. The conveying directions of the lower discharge conveyors can also be chosen to be parallel or antiparallel to each other in any other combination.Optionally, a conveying device 108 can be provided downstream of the container treatment machine 107, by means of which the containers can be conveyed away from the container treatment machine 107. The containers can then, for example, be fed to another container treatment machine or alternatively discharged from the container treatment device 100.

[0055] The container handling device 100 can include a logic device 109 configured to determine the container fill level of the buffer device 102. The container fill level can be described, for example, by a parameter B, which can take values ​​from 0 to 1. The container fill level can, for example, take a value of 0 if there is no container in the buffer device and a value of 1 if the buffer device is fully filled with containers and no further containers can be buffered. If the buffer device is, for example, half full of its maximum capacity, the container fill level can take a value of 0.5.

[0056] The logic device 109 can, for example, be configured as a computer or server and include a processor and a storage device. Mathematical models for determining the transfer behavior of the containers or their distribution on the buffer device 102 can be stored in the storage device. Transfer behavior can be understood as the number of containers that can be transferred to the buffer device 102 from the transport device 101 per unit of time.

[0057] The logic device 109 can communicate with the control unit 105 and the various components of the container handling device 100, such as the transport device 101, the buffer device 102, the at least one container handling machine 107, the transfer device 111, the conveying device 108, and any other component of the container handling device 100. In this way, the logic device 109 can access operating parameters of the components, such as the first and second conveying speeds of the transport device 101 and the buffer device 102, as well as the target output of the container handling machine 107.

[0058] In one embodiment, for example, the logic device 109 may determine the container filling level of the buffer device 102 based on the mathematical models for determining the transfer behavior of the containers and their distribution within the buffer device 102. Furthermore, the logic device 109 may also take into account, in addition to the models described above, the first and second conveying speeds of the transport device 101 and the buffer device 102 when determining the container filling level of the buffer device 102. This method of determining the container filling level of the buffer device 102 described above is to be understood as exemplary.It may also be provided that the logic device 109 uses mathematical models and / or operating parameters of the container treatment device 100 other than those described above to determine the container filling level of the buffer device 102.

[0059] The logic device 109 can include a counting device 106 for determining the number of containers 104 supplied to the buffer device 102 by the transport device 101. The counting device 106 can be arranged upstream of the buffer device 102 with respect to the transport direction 103 of the containers in an area associated with the transport device 101.

[0060] As shown in Figure 1, the counting device 106 can be arranged at a position next to the transport device 101. This arrangement of the counting device 106 is to be understood as exemplary. The counting device 106 can, for example, also be arranged vertically above the transport direction 101. Furthermore, the counting device does not necessarily have to be associated with the transport device 101, but can alternatively also be arranged at the level of the buffer device 102, be part of the buffer device, or be arranged at any other point of the container handling device 100 where the number of containers fed to the buffer device 102 can be determined by means of the counting device 106.

[0061] It may be provided that the number of containers 104 supplied to the buffer device 102 by the transport device 101, determined by means of the counting device 106, serves as an input value for the mathematical models for determining the transfer behavior and / or the distribution of the containers in the buffer device 102.

[0062] The counting device 106 can, for example, be designed as a camera. As described above in connection with the counting device 106, the camera can be arranged vertically above the transport device 101, and an optical axis of the camera can form a substantially right angle with a transport plane of the transport device 101. A substantially right angle can be understood as an angle in the range of 85° < a < 95°. The images captured by the camera can then be analyzed by the logic device 106, for example by means of image recognition, and the number of containers 104 that are fed to the buffer device 102 from the transport device 101 can be determined.

[0063] Alternatively, the counting device 106 can also be designed as a light barrier. In this case, for example, it can be provided that the containers 104 conveyed on the transport device 101 are grouped into a row by means of an aisle before being transferred to the buffer device 102. The light barrier can be assigned to the aisle so that the number of containers transferred from the transport device 101 to the buffer device 102 can be counted by means of the light barrier.

[0064] Furthermore, it can also be provided that the containers 104 on the transport device 101 can be separated into several rows by means of several lanes before being transferred to the buffer device 102, and that each lane is assigned a light barrier. By providing several lanes, a higher number of containers can be transferred to the buffer device in a specific time interval than in the previously discussed case where the containers are separated into a single lane.

[0065] The control unit 105 can be configured to regulate the second conveying speed based on the fill level of the buffer device 102. This ensures that a specific number of containers per unit of time can be transferred from the buffer device 102 to the downstream container handling machine 107, even at varying fill levels. The second conveying speed can be regulated so that the number of containers transferred per unit of time from the buffer device 102 to the downstream container handling machine 107 is adapted to the target output of the container handling machine 107.

[0066] In the event of a malfunction in the container handling machine 107 located downstream of the buffer device 102, it may be the case, for example, that the container handling machine 107 can process a lower number of containers per unit of time than during normal operation. In this case, the target output of the container handling machine 107 may be reduced compared to its normal output. To prevent a build-up of containers before they enter the container handling machine 107, the control unit may adjust or reduce the second conveying speed of the buffer device to the reduced target output of the container handling machine 107, taking into account the degree of container filling.

[0067] If the malfunction of the container handling machine 107, located downstream of the buffer device 102, is a serious malfunction, such that, for example, no more containers 104 can be processed by the container handling machine 107, the target output of the container handling machine 107 is 0. In this case, the second conveying speed of the buffer device 102 can be reduced to 0, thus stopping the buffer device 107. The transport device 101 can then continue to operate at the first conveying speed, so that the containers coming from the transport device 101 can be transferred via the optional transfer device 111 to the stationary buffer device 102 and buffered there until the malfunction in the container handling machine is resolved.

[0068] If the malfunction of the container handling machine 107, located downstream of the buffer device 102, is such that the target output of the container handling machine 107 is reduced compared to normal operation, but a finite number of containers can still be processed by the container handling machine 107 per unit of time, then it may also be provided that the second conveying speed is reduced to a non-zero value, so that the containers can be conveyed along the transport direction 103 with the buffer device 102 at a reduced second conveying speed. The second conveying speed can be selected based on the target output of the container handling machine 107.For example, the second conveying speed can be selected such that the number of containers discharged by the buffer device 102 per unit of time to the container treatment machine 107 corresponds to the Sol capacity, i.e., the number of containers treated by the container treatment machine 107 per unit of time.

[0069] After the fault has been rectified, the second conveying speed can be gradually increased to feed the containers 104 buffered in the buffer device 102 back to the container handling machine 107. This gradual increase of the second conveying speed can be based on the target capacity of the container handling machine 107. For example, after the fault in the container handling machine 107 has been rectified, the second conveying speed can be gradually increased to a value greater than the first conveying speed of the conveying device 101. This ensures that more containers per unit of time are discharged from the buffer device 102 towards the container handling machine 107 than are fed into the buffer device 102 by the conveying device 101 per unit of time, thus effectively reducing the container fill level of the buffer device.After reducing the fill level of the buffer device 102 to a specific value, it may be possible to reduce the second conveying speed of the buffer device 102 again. For example, it may be possible to reduce the value of the second conveying speed based on the target output of the container handling machine 107.

[0070] In one embodiment, for example, it may be provided that during a malfunction of the treatment machine 107, during which no containers can be treated by the container treatment machine, the second conveying speed is reduced to a value of 0 and the transport device continues to operate with a first conveying speed of 1 m / min, so that the containers coming from the transport device are pushed onto the stationary buffer device 102 at a speed of 1 m / min and can be buffered by it.

[0071] After the malfunction of the container handling machine 107 has been rectified, the second conveying speed can be gradually increased to a value of 3 to 8 m / min, so that the containers buffered in the buffer device 102 are conveyed away from the buffer device 102 in the transport direction 103 towards the container handling machine 107. In this case, the transport device 101 can continue to operate at a first conveying speed of 1 m / min, so that the container filling level of the buffer device 102 decreases over time.Once the containers buffered on the buffer device 102 during the malfunction of the container handling machine 107 have been transferred from the buffer device 102 to the container handling machine 107, or once a specific container filling level of the buffer device has been reached, for example 0.25 or 0.35, or any other container filling level, the second conveying speed may be reduced again, for example to a value of 1 m / min. The value of the second conveying speed may be selected based on the target output of the container handling machine. Furthermore, the container transfer and / or the distribution of the containers in the buffer device 102 may be taken into account when selecting the second conveying speed.

[0072] As described above, an outfeed conveyor belt can be provided between buffer device 102 and container handling machine 107, by means of which the containers coming from buffer device 102 can be transferred to the container handling machine 107. A third conveying speed, at which the containers are transported by the outfeed conveyor belt towards the container handling machine 107, can be selected to be higher than the first and second conveying speeds. For example, the third conveying speed can be set to 90 m / min. However, the outfeed conveyor belt can also have any other value. The third conveying speed can also be selected based on the target output of the container handling machine.

[0073] The numerical values ​​described above for the first and second conveying speeds are to be understood as examples. The first conveying speed can also be any other value of 1 m / min. This also applies to the second and third conveying speeds. For example, the second conveying speed can also be gradually increased to any other value between 3 and 8 m / min after the fault has been rectified and subsequently reduced to any other value other than 1 m / min.

[0074] Figures 2-c show various embodiments of the transfer device 111 described in connection with Figure 1. The configuration of the transport device 101 and the buffer device 102 shown in Figures 2a-c, as well as their relative dimensions, is to be understood as exemplary. The transport device 101 and the buffer device 102 can also be configured in any other suitable way and with any other relative dimensions.

[0075] Figure 2a shows a schematic side view of a first embodiment of a transfer device 111a with an optional slide 113. The transfer device 111a can comprise a transfer surface 112, for example a transfer plate, by means of which the containers can be transferred from the transport device 101 discussed in connection with the embodiment of Figure 1 to the buffer device 102. The transfer can be effected, for example, by surging containers or by the optional slide 113. The slide 113 can be designed to fold downwards from above the transport device 101 or the buffer device 102 and can engage a container that is at least partially located on the transfer surface 112 and push the container across the transfer surface 112 until the container is at least partially transferred onto the buffer device 102, so that it can be transported away from it.

[0076] By means of a holding structure 114, which may be encompassed by the transfer device 111a, the transfer device can, for example, be attached to the container handling device 100 of Fig. 1. The holding structure 114 can, for example, be attached to a frame structure of the transport device 101 and / or the buffer device 102.

[0077] Figure 2b shows a schematic side view of another embodiment of a transfer device 111b. This embodiment essentially corresponds to the embodiment described in connection with Figure 2a; however, unlike the transfer device 111a of the embodiment in Figure 2a, the transfer device 111b is tiltable, so that a slide 113 is not required. The transfer device 111b can comprise a transfer surface 115 and a holding structure 117, by means of which the transfer device 111b can be attached to the container handling device 100, for example, to a frame structure of the transport device 101 and / or the buffer device 102.

[0078] Since the transfer device 111b is designed to be tiltable in this embodiment, the transfer surface 115 can, for example, be raised in a vertical direction 116 on a side adjacent to the transport device 101 compared to a side adjacent to the buffer device 102, so that containers can slide along the inclined transfer surface 115 from the transport device 101 to the buffer device 102 by the action of gravity.

[0079] Figure 2c shows a schematic side view of another embodiment of a transfer device 111c.

[0080] The transfer device 111c shown in Fig. 2c can comprise a body 123 bounded by two concave side surfaces 120 and a flat surface 118. The body 123 can be manufactured by 3D printing or milled from plastic. The concave side surfaces 120 can each comprise at least one mounted, rotatable roller 122. The transfer device 111c can be arranged between the transport device 101 and the buffer device 102 such that the at least one mounted, rotatable roller 122 is in contact with the transport device 101 or the buffer device 102 and can be rotated accordingly by the transport device 101 or the buffer device 102.

[0081] Each of the at least one supported, rotatable roller 122 can be mounted on a spring 121, the preload of which can be adjusted. Since the supported, rotatable rollers 122 can rest at least partially on the transport device 101 and the buffer device 102, they can be set in rotation by the transport device 101 and the buffer device 102, respectively. If the transport device 101 and the buffer device 102 are driven in parallel, the two rollers 122 can also be driven in parallel, and the containers can be conveyed from the transport device 101 to the buffer device 102.

[0082] Several driveable rollers 119 can be provided on the flat surface 118, by means of which the containers can be transferred from the transport device 101 via the transfer device 111c to the buffer device 102. Thus, for example, the slide described in connection with Fig. 2a for actively sliding the containers is not required.

[0083] Furthermore, it is generally not necessary for the transfer device 111c to be attached to structures of the container handling device 100 away from the transport device 101 and the buffer device 102. The transfer device 111c can be arranged between the buffer device 102 and the transport device 101 and supported on the buffer device 102 and the transport device 101 by means of the mounted, rotatable rollers 122.

Claims

Claims 1. Container handling device comprising a transport device for containers, a buffer device for buffering the containers in the container handling device and a control unit, wherein the containers can be conveyed by means of the transport device at a first conveying speed along a transport direction and by means of the buffer device at a second conveying speed along the transport direction, wherein the buffer device is arranged downstream of the transport device along the transport direction and containers can be transferred from the transport device to the buffer device, wherein the second conveying speed can be controlled by means of the control unit based on a target power of at least one container handling machine arranged downstream of the buffer device.

2. Container treatment device according to claim 1, wherein the container treatment device comprises a logic device, wherein the logic device is configured to determine a container filling level of the buffer device.

3. Container handling device according to claim 2, wherein the logic device comprises a counting device arranged upstream of the buffer device in the transport direction for determining the number of containers supplied to the buffer device by the transport device.

4. Container treatment device according to claim 3, wherein the counting device comprises a light barrier or a camera.

5. Container handling device according to one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the logic device is configured to determine an overrun behavior of the containers and / or a distribution of the containers in the buffer device.

6. Container treatment device according to one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the control unit is configured to further regulate the second conveying speed based on the container filling level of the buffer device.

7. Container handling device according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the control unit is configured to operate the container handling device in a fault mode in the event of a fault of at least one container handling machine, wherein in the fault mode the buffer device can be stopped and the transport device can be operated at the first conveying speed, so that the containers are removed from the transport device- The container handling device can be transferred to the stationary buffer device, wherein the container handling device comprises a transfer device for transferring the containers from the transport device to the buffer device.

8. Container treatment device according to claim 7, wherein the control unit is configured to operate the container treatment device in a start-up mode after the fault has been rectified, wherein the operation in the start-up mode comprises a gradual increase of the second conveying speed of the buffer device up to a target conveying speed.

9. Method for operating a container handling device comprising a transport device, a buffer device for buffering the containers in the container handling device and a control unit, wherein the containers are conveyed by means of the transport device at a first conveying speed along a transport direction and by means of the buffer device at a second conveying speed along the transport direction, wherein the buffer device is arranged downstream of the transport device along the transport direction and containers are transferred from the transport device to the buffer device, wherein the second conveying speed is controlled based on a target power of at least one container handling machine arranged downstream of the buffer device.

10. Method according to claim 9, wherein the container treatment device comprises a logic device, wherein a container filling level of the buffer device is determined by means of the logic device.

11. Method according to claim 10, wherein the logic device comprises a counting device arranged upstream of the buffer device in the transport direction, wherein the counting device determines the number of containers supplied to the buffer device by the transport device.

12. Method according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the logic device determines the overrun behavior of the containers and / or the distribution of the containers in the buffer device.

13. Method according to one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the second conveying speed is further controlled based on the degree of filling of the buffer device.

14. Method according to any one of claims 9 to 13, wherein the container treatment device is operated in a fault mode in the event of a fault of at least one container treatment machine, wherein in the fault mode the buffer device is stopped and the The transport device is operated at the first conveying speed, so that the containers are transferred from the transport device to the stationary buffer device, wherein the container handling device includes a transfer device by means of which the containers are transferred from the transport device to the buffer device.

15. Method according to claim 14, wherein the container treatment device is operated in a start-up mode after the fault has been rectified, wherein the operation in the start-up mode comprises a gradual increase of the second conveying speed of the buffer device up to a target conveying speed.

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