Beverage container filling machine, and method for filling containers with a liquid filling material in a beverage container filling machine

• US 20010045242A1
• Filed: 02/22/2001
• Published: 11/29/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 02/23/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: KHS GmbH (Salzgitter AG)
• Original Assignee: KHS Maschinen- Und Anlagenbau AG
• Inventors: Hartel, Manfred, Clusserath, Ludwig
• Granted Patent: US 6,474,368 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 141/144
• CPC Class Codes: B67C 3/007 Applications of control, warning or safety devices in filling machinery flow-control B67C3/28
• CPC Class Codes: B67C 3/12 Pressure-control devices
• CPC Class Codes: B67C 3/286 related to flow rate control, i.e. controlling slow and fast filling phases
• CPC Class Codes: B67C 3/287 related to flow control using predetermined or real-time calculated parameters

Abstract

In a beverage container filling machine or plant, an arrangement and a method for filling of bottles, cans, or the like containers, with a liquid filling material, for example, a beverage, using a plurality of filling elements, during the filling process there is monitored, on an individual basis at each filling element, the pressure in the interior space of the container that is connected with this filling element and this actual pressure behavior or value is utilized for monitoring and control purposes.

Claims

1. A filling machine for filling beverage containers, such as bottles, cans, or the like, with a liquid in a container filling process, said filling machine comprising:

a plurality of filling positions;

each filling position having a filling element to fill a corresponding container with liquid;

apparatus to move empty containers to a filling element;

each filling element being configured and disposed to receive a corresponding container to be filled from said apparatus to move empty containers;

apparatus to remove a filled container from a filling element;

apparatus to hold a container to be filled in sealing attitude at a filling element;

each filling element having a portion to introduce at least one process pressure into the interior space of a corresponding container;

at least one pressure sensor for each filling element;

each sensor being disposed and configured to sense a pressure related to the interior of a corresponding container that is connected with the corresponding filling element;

each sensor being configured to produce at least one indication representative of a sensed pressure related to the interior of a corresponding container;

a controller;

said controller being configured to receive from a corresponding sensor said at least one indication representative of a sensed pressure related to the interior of a corresponding container; and

apparatus configured to control at least one process parameter related to filling a container in the filling machine;

said controller being further configured to control said control apparatus for said at least one process parameter of said filling machine.

2. The filling machine in accordance with

claim 1

wherein said controller is common to all filling elements.

3. The filling machine according to

claim 2

wherein said at least one pressure sensor is configured to sense, on an individual basis, a pressure behavior of each filling element in conformity with time during filling of a corresponding container and wherein said controller is configured to compare an actual pressure behavior with a set point pressure behavior.

4. The filling machine according to

claim 3

wherein said controller includes a storage arrangement, said storage arrangement being configured to store a representation of a set point pressure specific to filling material and wherein said controller is configured to compare a prevailing actual pressure with an associated set point pressure which is resulting from a corresponding set point pressure behavior.

5. A filling machine for filling beverage containers, such as bottles, cans, or the like, with a liquid in a container filling process, said filling machine comprising:

apparatus to fill said containers with liquid;

apparatus to move empty containers to said filling apparatus;

apparatus to remove filled containers from said filling apparatus;

each filling apparatus comprising at least one pressure sensor;

said at least one pressure sensor being configured and disposed to sense at least one pressure condition related to the interior space of a corresponding container that is connected with said filling apparatus and said sensor being configured to pass at least one indication representative of an at least one sensed pressure condition;

a controller;

said controller being configured to receive said at least one indication representative of an at least one sensed pressure condition; and

apparatus to control at least one process parameter related to filling a container in the filling machine;

said apparatus to control at least one process parameter being configured to receive process control functions under instructions from said controller based on said at least one indication representative of an at least one sensed pressure condition related to the interior space of a corresponding container.

6. The filling machine according to

claim 5

and further comprising:

apparatus to provide a set point value; and

apparatus to provide a first tolerance limit;

wherein said controller is configured to provide, in an event of a difference, between an actual pressure sensed by said at least one sensor and a set point value provided by said apparatus to provide a set point value, that exceeds a first tolerance limit provided by said apparatus to provide a first tolerance limit, at least one error signal which comprises at least one identification of the corresponding filling apparatus.

7. The filling machine according to

claim 6

and further comprising.

apparatus to provide a second tolerance limit;

wherein said controller is configured to initiate, in an event of a difference, between an actual value sensed by said at least one sensor and a set point value provided by said apparatus to provide a set point value, which exceeds a pre-set second tolerance limit provided by said apparatus to provide a second tolerance limit, at least one error signal which includes an identification of the corresponding filling apparatus and which causes a shutting-off of the filling machine and/or a removal of a corresponding container at the corresponding filling apparatus.

8. The filling machine according to

claim 7

wherein said controller is configured to initiate, in an event of a difference, between a set point value and an actual value that is being determined at a filling apparatus, a difference signal for correcting the corresponding process step, particularly for correcting the duration of the process step.

9. The filling machine according to

claim 8

wherein said controller includes a storage arrangement configured to store a corresponding set point value, as well as said first and second tolerance limits, in a manner specific to varying filling materials, for the at least one corresponding process step.

10. The filling machine according to

claim 9

wherein said storage arrangement is configured to store, for filling processes with a plurality of process steps, the entire desired pressure behavior as steady state characteristic, and together with associated tolerance limits.

11. The filling machine according to

claim 10

which comprises a revolving structure having a rotor that rotates about a vertical machine axis and wherein said filling apparatus comprises at least one filling element disposed at the circumference of said rotor that rotates about said vertical machine axis.

12. The filling machine according to

claim 11

wherein said controller is configured to initiate a corresponding set point value, or, respectively, a corresponding set point pressure behavior for each filling portion and said controller is configured to initially produce, from signals produced by said at least one pressure sensor, a steady state characteristic, by averaging of the pressure signals which the various pressure sensors deliver from said filling elements in conformity with their corresponding process steps.

13. The filling machine according to

claim 12

wherein said controller is configured to determine, under consideration of data specific to filling material and/or container, as well as under consideration of parameters stored in said storage arrangement, in beverage and container dependent manner, a set point pressure behavior and said controller is configured to initiate, based on a corresponding comparison, between a set point pressure behavior and an actual pressure behavior, a signal for correcting the filling process, or to generate an error message.

14. The filling machine according to

claim 13

wherein said at least one pressure sensor of each filling element is disposed at a gas channel formed in said filling element, said gas channel being in communication with the interior space of a corresponding container positioned at a corresponding filling element.

15. The filling machine according to

claim 14

wherein said gas channel in which a corresponding pressure sensor is disposed, comprises that return gas channel that is connected with a corresponding return gas conduit of a corresponding filling element.

16. The filling machine according to

claim 5

wherein said controller comprises computing apparatus operating under instructions of digital data processing.

17. The filling machine according to

claim 16

wherein each pressure sensor produces an electrical signal representative of a sensed pressure, and said controller comprises an electronic control system which is common to all filling elements;

and further comprising;

apparatus to pass a corresponding electrical signal representative of a sensed pressure to said common electronic control system.

18. The filling machine according to

claim 16

wherein said computing apparatus comprises a computer-assisted electronic control system.

19. The filling machine according to

claim 5

which comprises at least one of (A) through (P):

(A) said controller is common to all filling elements;

(B) said at least one pressure sensor is configured to sense, on in individual basis, a pressure behavior of each filling element in conformity with time during filling of a corresponding container and wherein said controller is configured to compare an actual pressure behavior with a set point pressure behavior;

(C) said controller includes a storage arrangement;

said storage arrangement being configured to store a presentation of a set point pressure specific to filling material and wherein said controller is configured to compare a prevailing actual pressure with an associated set point pressure which is resulting from a corresponding set point pressure behavior;

(D) apparatus to provide a set point value;

(E) apparatus to provide a first tolerance limit;

wherein said controller is configured to provide, in an event of a difference, between an actual pressure sensed by said at least one sensor and a set point value provided by said apparatus to provide a set point value, that exceeds a first tolerance limit provided by said apparatus to provide a first tolerance limit, at least one error signal which comprises at least one identification of the corresponding filling apparatus;

(F) apparatus to provide a second tolerance limit;

wherein said controller is configured to initiate, in an event of a difference, between an actual value sensed by said at least one sensor and a set point value provided by said apparatus to provide a set point value, which exceeds a pre-set second tolerance limit provided by said apparatus to provide a second tolerance limit, at least one error signal which includes the identification of the corresponding filling apparatus and which causes a shutting-off of the filling machine and/or a removal of a corresponding container at the corresponding filling apparatus;

(G) said controller is configured to initiate, in an event of a difference, between a set point value and an actual value that is being determined at a filling apparatus, a difference signal for correcting the corresponding process step, for correcting the duration of the process step;

(H) said controller includes a storage arrangement configured to store a corresponding set point value, as well as said first and second tolerance limits, in a manner specific to varying filling materials, for the at least one corresponding process step;

(I) said storage arrangement is configured to store, for filling processes with a plurality of process steps, the entire desired pressure behavior as steady state characteristic, together with the associated tolerance limits;

(J) a revolving structure having a rotor that rotates about a vertical machine axis and wherein said apparatus comprises at least one filling element disposed at the circumference of said rotor that rotates about said vertical machine axis;

(K) said controller is configured to initiate a corresponding set point value, or, respectively, a corresponding set point pressure behavior for each filling portion and said controller is configured to initially produce, from signals produced by said at least one pressure sensor, a steady state characteristic, by averaging of the pressure signals which the various pressure sensors deliver from said filling elements in conformity with their corresponding process steps;

(L) said controller is configured to determine, under consideration of data specific to filling material and/or container, as well as under consideration of parameters stored in said storage arrangement, in beverage and container dependent manner, a set point pressure behavior and said controller is configured to initiate, based on a corresponding comparison, between a set point pressure behavior and an actual pressure behavior, a signal for correcting the filling process, or to generate an error message;

(M) said at least one pressure sensor of each filling element is disposed at a gas channel formed in said filling element, said gas channel being in communication with the interior space of a corresponding container positioned at a corresponding filling element;

(N) said gas channel in which a corresponding pressure sensor is disposed, comprises that return gas channel that is connected with a corresponding return gas conduit of a corresponding filling element;

(O) said controller comprises computing apparatus operating under instructions of digital data processing; and

(P) each pressure sensor produces an electrical signal representative of a sensed pressure, and said controller comprises an electronic control system which is common to all filling elements.

20. The filling machine according to

claim 5

which comprises in combination (A) through (P):

(A) said controller is common to all filling elements;

(B) said at least one pressure sensor is configured to sense, on an individual basis, a pressure behavior of each filing element in conformity with time during filling of a corresponding container and wherein said controller is configured to compare an actual pressure behavior with a set point pressure behavior;

(C) said controller includes a storage arrangement;

said storage arrangement being configured to store a representation of a set point pressure specific to a filling material and wherein said controller is configured to compare a prevailing actual pressure with an associated set point pressure which is resulting from a corresponding set point pressure behavior;

(D) apparatus to provide a set point value;

(E) apparatus to provide a first tolerance limit;

wherein said controller is configured to provide, in an event of a difference, between an actual pressure sensed by said at least one sensor and a set point value provided by said apparatus to provide a set point value, that exceeds a first tolerance limit provided by said apparatus to provide a first tolerance limit, at least one error signal which comprises at least one identification of the corresponding filling apparatus;

(F) apparatus to provide a second tolerance limit;

wherein said controller is configured to initiate, in an event of a difference, between an actual value sensed by said at least one sensor and a set point value provided by said apparatus to provide a set point value, which exceeds a pre-set second tolerance limit provided by said apparatus to provide a second tolerance limit, at least one error signal which includes the identification of the corresponding filling apparatus and which causes a shutting-off of the filling machine and/or a removal of a corresponding container at the corresponding filling apparatus;

(G) said controller is configured to initiate, in an event of a difference, between a set point value and an actual value that is being determined at a filling apparatus, a difference signal for correcting the corresponding process step;

particularly for correcting the duration of the process step;

(H) said controller includes a storage arrangement configured to store a corresponding set point value, as well as said first and second tolerance limits, in a manner specific to varying filling materials, for the at least one corresponding process step;

(I) said storage arrangement is configured to store, for filling processes with a plurality of process steps, the entire desired pressure behavior as steady state characteristic, together with the associated tolerance limits;

(J) a revolving structure having a rotor that rotates about a vertical machine axis and wherein said filling apparatus comprises at least one filling element disposed at the circumference of said rotor that rotates about said vertical machine axis;

(K) said controller is configured to initiate a corresponding set point value, or, respectively, a corresponding set point pressure behavior for each filling portion and said controller is configured to initially produce, from signals produced by said at least one pressure sensor, a steady state characteristic, by averaging of the pressure signals which the various pressure sensors deliver from said filling elements in conformity with their corresponding process steps;

(L) said controller is configured to determine, under consideration of data specific to filling material and/or container, as well as under consideration of parameters stored in said storage arrangement, in beverage and container dependent manner, a set point pressure behavior and said controller is configured to initiate, based on the corresponding comparison, between a set point pressure behavior and an actual pressure behavior, a signal for correcting the filling process, or to generate an error message;

(M) said at least one pressure sensor of each filling element is disposed at a gas channel formed in said filling element, said gas channel being in communication with the interior space of a corresponding container positioned at a corresponding filling element;

(N) said gas channel in which a corresponding pressure sensor is disposed, comprises that return gas channel that is connected with a corresponding return gas conduit of a corresponding filling element;

(O) said controller comprises computing apparatus operating under instructions of digital data processing; and

(P) each pressure sensor produces an electrical signal representative of a sensed pressure, and said controller comprises an electronic control system which is common to all filling elements.

21. A method of filling containers, such as bottles, cans, or the like containers, with a liquid filling material, in a beverage container filling machine including a plurality of filling positions, each filling position comprising a filling element, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) positioning a container for filling with its mouth in sealing attitude at said filling element;

(b) introducing at least one process pressure into said container at each filling element;

(c) sensing at least one pressure indication representative of an at least one process pressure condition related to the interior space of a corresponding container with a sensor at each filling element;

(d) passing said at least one pressure indication representative of an at least one process pressure condition related to the interior space of a corresponding container to a controller; and

(e) controlling said at least one process pressure condition a least under adjustment of time with said controller.

22. The method according to

claim 21

wherein a pressure behavior with respect to time during the filling process is individually sensed and passed from said sensor at each filling element to said controller, and further comprising the step of:

(f) comparing, with said controller, a corresponding actual pressure behavior with a pre-set pressure behavior or, respectively, a prevailing actual pressure with that associated set point pressure that results from a set point pressure behavior, and which is deposited in a storage arrangement of said controller in a manner which is specific to the filling material;

(g) initiating, with said controller, in an event of a difference, between an actual pressure and a set point pressure which exceeds a first tolerance limit, at least one error signal which comprises at least one identification of the corresponding filling element; and

(h) initiating, with said controller, in an event of a difference, between an actual value and a set point value, which exceeds a pre-set second tolerance limit, at least one error message that comprises the identification of the corresponding filling element and that causes shutting-off of the filling machine and/or removal of the corresponding container that is present at the corresponding filling element.

23. The method according to

claim 22

and further comprising the step of:

(i) producing, with said controller, in the presence of a difference, between a set point value and an actual value that is measured at the corresponding filling element, at least one signal in conformity with the difference, for correcting the corresponding process step, including for correcting the time of duration of the process step.

24. The method according to

claim 23

and further comprising the step of:

(j) storing a pre-set value, as well as the associated tolerance limits in a storage arrangement of said controller, respectively specific for varying filling material types and specific for at least one process step.

25. The method according to

claim 24

wherein in step (j), for filling methods with a plurality of method steps, the entire desired pressure behavior as to time is stored as actual value in said storage arrangement of said controller and including together with associated tolerance limits.

26. The method according to

claim 25

and further comprising the step of:

(k) formulating, with said controller, a corresponding pre-set value or, respectively, a corresponding set point pressure behavior, during each new filling portion, thereby that said controller computes, from the signals delivered by said pressure sensors, a pressure behavior characteristic curve (steady state characteristic), through averaging of those pressure signals that are initiated by the various filling elements in corresponding filling method steps.

27. The method according to

claim 26

and further comprising the step of:

(l) determining, with said controller, under consideration of preselected or input data representative of filling material and/or container, as well as under consideration of in said storage arrangement of said controller deposited liquid and container dependent parameters, a set point pressure behavior; and

/or with said controller compute and produce, from the comparison, between set point pressure behavior and an actual pressure behavior, at least one signal to correct the filling process or an error signal.

28. The method according to

claim 27

which comprises the step of:

(m) measuring a correspondingly prevailing pressure in a gas channel that is formed in a corresponding filling element which gas channel is in communication with the interior space of the corresponding container that is positioned at a corresponding filling element.

29. The method according to

claim 21

which comprises at least one of (a) through (m):

(a) positioning a container for filling with its mouth in sealing attitude at said filling element;

(b) introducing at least one process pressure into said container at each filling element;

(c) sensing at least one pressure indication representative of an at least one process pressure condition related to the interior space of a corresponding container with a sensor at each filling element;

(d) passing said at least one pressure indication representative of an at least one process pressure condition related to the interior space of a corresponding container to a controller;

(e) controlling said at least one process pressure condition at least under adjustment of time with said controller;

(f) comparing, with said controller, a corresponding actual pressure behavior with a pre-set pressure behavior or, respectively, a prevailing actual pressure with that associated set point pressure that results from a set point pressure behavior, and which is deposited in a storage arrangement of said controller in a manner which is specific to the filling material;

(g) initiating, with said controller, in an event of a difference, between an actual pressure and a set point pressure, which exceeds a first tolerance limit, at least one error signal which comprises at least one identification of the corresponding filling element;

(h) initiating, with said controller, in an event of a difference, between an actual value and a set point value, which exceeds a pre-set second tolerance limit, at least one error message that comprises the identification of the corresponding filling element and that causes shutting-off of the filling machine and/or removal of the corresponding container that is present at the corresponding filling element;

(i) producing, with said controller, in a presence of a difference, between a set point value and an actual value that is measured at the corresponding filling element, au least one signal in conformity with the difference, for correcting the corresponding process step, including for correcting the time of duration of the process step;

(j) storing a pre-set value, as well as the associated tolerance limits in a storage arrangement of said controller, respectively specific for varying filling material types and specific for at least one process step;

wherein in step (j), for filling methods with a plurality of method steps, the entire desired pressure behavior as to time is stored as actual value in said storage arrangement of said controller and including together with associated tolerance limits;

(k) formulating, with said controller, a corresponding pre-set value or, respectively, a corresponding set point pressure behavior, during each new filling portion, thereby that said controller computes, from the signals delivered by said pressure sensors, a pressure behavior characteristic curve (steady state characteristic), through averaging of those pressure signals that are initiated by the various filling elements in corresponding filling method steps;

(l) determining, with said controller, under consideration of preselected or input data representative of filling material and/or container, as well as under consideration in said storage arrangement of said controller deposited liquid and container dependent parameters, a set point pressure behavior; and

/or with said controller compute and produce, from the comparison, between set point pressure behavior and an actual pressure behavior, at least one signal to correct the filling process or an error signal; and

(m) measuring a correspondingly prevailing pressure in a gas channel that is formed in a corresponding filling element which gas channel is in communication with the interior space of the corresponding container that is positioned at a corresponding filling element.

30. The method according to

claim 21

with comprises in combination (a) through (m):

(a) positioning a container for filling with its mouth in sealing attitude at said filling element;

(b) introducing at least one process pressure into said container at each filling element;

(c) sensing at least one pressure indication representative of an at least one process pressure condition related to the interior space of a corresponding container with a sensor at each filling element;

(d) passing said at least one pressure indication representative of an at least one process pressure condition related to the interior space of a corresponding container to a controller;

(e) controlling said at least one process pressure condition at least under adjustment of time with said controller;

(f) comparing, with said controller, a corresponding actual pressure behavior with a pre-set pressure behavior or, respectively, a prevailing actual pressure with that associated set point pressure that results from a set point pressure behavior, and which is deposited in a storage arrangement of said controller in a manner which is specific to the filling material;

(g) initiating, with said controller, in an event of a difference, between an actual pressure and a set point pressure, which exceeds a first tolerance limit, at least one error signal which comprises at least one identification of the corresponding filling element;

(h) initiating, with said controller, in an event of a difference, between an actual value and a set point value, which exceeds a pre-set second tolerance limit, at least one error message that comprises the identification of the corresponding filling element and that causes shutting-off of the filling machine and/or removal of the corresponding container that is present at the corresponding filling element;

(i) producing, with said controller, in a presence of a difference, between a set point value and an actual value that is measured at the corresponding filling element, at least one signal in conformity with a difference, for correcting the corresponding process step, including for correcting the time of duration of the process step;

(j) storing a pre-set value, as well as the associated tolerance limits in a storage arrangement of said controller, respectively specific for varying filling material types and specific for at least one process step;

wherein in step (j), for filling methods with a plurality of method steps, the entire desired pressure behavior as to time is stored as actual value in said storage arrangement of said controller and including together with associated tolerance limits;

(k) formulating, with said controller, a corresponding pre-set value or, respectively, a corresponding set point pressure behavior, during each new filling portion, thereby that said controller computes, from the signals delivered by said pressure sensors, a pressure behavior characteristic curve (steady state characteristic), through averaging of those pressure signals that are initiated by the various filling elements in corresponding filling method steps;

(l) determining, with said controller, under consideration of preselected or input data representative of filling material and/or container, as well as under consideration of in said storage arrangement of said controller deposited liquid and container dependent parameters, a set point pressure behavior; and

/or with said controller compute and produce, from the comparison, between set point pressure behavior and an actual pressure behavior, at least one signal to correct the filling process or an error signal; and

(m) measuring a correspondingly prevailing pressure in a gas channel that is formed in a corresponding filling element which gas channel is in communication with the interior space of the corresponding container that is positioned at a corresponding filling element.