The invention relates to a packaging apparatus (1) and to a method for producing packaging units (25). The packaging units (25) comprise an article combination (21) consisting of at least two articles (20) with a packaging blank (30) arranged thereon. The packaging blank (30) holds the articles (20) together in a neck or head region (22) and fixes the articles (20) in their relative positions with respect to one another within the packaging unit (25). The packaging blank (30) comprises at least two through-openings (32) for the at least two articles (20), wherein a handle region (33) is formed between the at least two through-openings (32). The packaging device (1) comprises an application module (5) for applying the at least one packaging blank (30) to the article combination (21) and a tool (7) for at least partially bringing the handle region (33) into a lower storage position.
B65B 17/02 - Joining articles, e.g. cans, directly to each other for convenience of storage, transport, or handling
B65B 61/14 - Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for incorporating, or forming and incorporating, handles or suspension means in packages
The invention relates to a recycling apparatus for recycling plastics material, in particular containers, in particular made of PET material, comprising: an electronic control device for controlling the recycling apparatus; a sensor device designed to control the feed of material to be recycled in accordance with predefined quality parameters of the material to be recycled; wherein the sensor device is also designed to acquire measurement data relating to at least one consumable parameter of the recycling apparatus in the form of an inflow, consumption, supply and/or property of a consumable and at least one machine parameter or machine state of the recycling apparatus; a data output device designed to transmit the acquired measurement data to a receiver outside the recycling apparatus; a data input device connected to the electronic control device and designed to receive control data for control of the recycling apparatus; and wherein the electronic control device is designed to control the operation of the recycling apparatus on the basis of the received control data and acquired measurement data.
The invention relates, inter alia, to a portable label roll holder (10, 10', 10'') for fitting to a container labelling apparatus (90) for dispensing a label strip (14) to the container labelling apparatus (90). The label roll holder (10, 10', 10'') has a receiving device (12) which is designed to receive a label roll (14) and from which the received label roll (14) can be unrolled. The label roll holder (10, 10', 10'') also has a strip delivery device (26) for delivering a label strip (14A) unrolled from the received label roll (14) to the container labelling apparatus (90).
A plant for producing and treating containers includes a clean room, a production machine for producing preforms, a blow-molding machine arranged downstream of the production machine for shaping the preforms into containers and a container treatment machine arranged downstream of the blow-molding machine for treating the containers. The production machine, the blow-molding machine and the container treatment machine are arranged in the clean room, and each component of the production machine, the blow-molding machine and the container treatment machine that comes into physical contact with a preform or a container consists of or comprises sterilization-proof material.
The invention relates to a vacuum cylinder unit for transferring labels to containers in a vacuum-supported manner, and a labeling apparatus equipped with said unit. The vacuum cylinder unit comprises a stationary lower part, a drive shaft surrounded thereby, and a vacuum cylinder drive which is coupled thereto in a centered and entrained manner by a zero-point clamping system. Since the zero-point clamping system comprises a clamping pin integrated into the vacuum cylinder and a clamping chuck rigidly connected to the drive shaft and having a pneumatically openable locking mechanism for securely clamping the clamping pin, and since sealing rings, arranged in the lower part, can be inflated for sealing off an annular gap between the drive shaft and the lower part, in order to form between the sealing rings a ring duct for supplying compressed air to the locking mechanism, the vacuum cylinder can be raised.
The invention relates to, among other things, a method for operating an apparatus for closing containers. An electric drive device of the apparatus is operated in order to move a closing element of the apparatus to a container received in a container receptacle of the apparatus in order to apply a closure to the container. A following error of the electric drive device during operation of the electric drive device for moving the closing element to the container is monitored via a processing device of the apparatus. If the monitored following error reaches or exceeds a prespecified limit value, the electric drive device is operated to abort the movement of the closing element to the container and to move the closing element away from the container.
The disclosure relates to a machine line and to a machine in the machine line, in particular in a machine line for filling and packaging food and/or beverages. The machine comprises an industrial PC that implements a software-defined edge apparatus for the machine and comprises a hypervisor. The hypervisor provides a virtual operating platform for hosting and/or operating corresponding services for the machine line operation. According to embodiments, the IPC or hypervisor implements a demilitarized zone with its own network segments in which the virtual operating platform is implemented. Furthermore, the IPC can establish a connection to a machine line network that connects a plurality of machines to one another, each of which comprises an IPC. The IPC is further configured to distribute workloads among the machine and at least one second machine in the machine line network.
G05B 19/418 - Total factory control, i.e. centrally controlling a plurality of machines, e.g. direct or distributed numerical control [DNC], flexible manufacturing systems [FMS], integrated manufacturing systems [IMS] or computer integrated manufacturing [CIM]
G06F 9/455 - EmulationInterpretationSoftware simulation, e.g. virtualisation or emulation of application or operating system execution engines
8.
MACHINE AND METHOD FOR OPERATOR-GUIDED COMMISSIONING OF THE MACHINE
The disclosure relates to a machine and a method for operator-guided commissioning of the machine, in particular a machine in a machine line for filling and packaging food and/or beverages. The disclosure reads out a commissioning status for blocks in a programmable logic controller of the machine. The commissioning status of a block is stored in the PLC and indicates whether or not the block has already been put into operation. The commissioning status for the block is transferred to a server and, if the commissioning status indicates that the block has not yet been put into operation, one or more action instructions are received from the server. The received action instruction can be output to a user. The commissioning status for the block is changed in the PLC based on a user action.
The present invention relates to a device for checking a container-producing mould for residues. The device comprises a container-producing mould, for example a blow mould, and an inspection device comprising: a light source designed to emit light towards the container-producing mould; a light detector designed to detect light reflected or scattered by the container-producing mould; and a control unit designed to determine, on the basis of the light detected by the light detector, whether there is a residue on the container-producing mould. The present invention further relates to a method for checking container-producing moulds, for example blow moulds, for residues.
The invention relates to a spacing device (4), to a method for separating and spacing apart at least one piece good (20), and to a handling system (1). At least one piece good (20) is fed in a substantially closed piece-good flow (21) by a transport device (2) along a transport plane (3) in a transport direction (TR) of the spacing device (4). The spacing device (4) comprises at least one spacer finger (5) arranged on a spacer strip (6), which spacer finger (5) is designed to engage in the piece-good flow (21) from below, substantially perpendicularly to the transport plane (3), in order to separate and space apart the at least one piece good (20) longitudinally with respect to the transport direction (TR). The spacing device (4) additionally comprises a handling device (7) for changing the format of the spacer strip (6). The spacing device (4) can also be assigned a handling device (7) for changing the format of the spacer strip (6). The handling device (7) is designed to carry out the format change within the spacing device (4).
B65G 47/08 - Devices for feeding articles or materials to conveyors for feeding articles from a single group of articles arranged in orderly pattern, e.g. workpieces in magazines spacing or grouping the articles during feeding
A packaging apparatus and a method for applying packaging (20) to an article combination (30) comprising at least two articles in each instance. The packaging apparatus comprises at least one preparation die for preparing the packaging (20). The preparation die (40) comprises a folding device for folding over opposite edge regions (23) of a packaging blank (21) that forms the packaging (20). The packaging apparatus further comprises an application die for receiving the prepared packaging blank (21v) and for applying said blank to the article combination (30), so that the packaging (20) applied to the articles is disposed at least in part between the articles, wherein the packaging (20) applied to the articles at least partially surrounds outer lateral surfaces (36) of the article combination (30).
The invention relates to a packaging apparatus (1) and to a method for producing packaging units (25). The packaging apparatus (1) comprises a feed device (4) for the articles (20), a pretreatment module (6) for preparing the packaging blanks (30) for application to the articles (20), and a packaging module (5) for applying the packaging blanks (30) to the articles (20). In order to prepare the packaging blanks (30), a device (9) is provided which is designed to reduce a resistance force of the respective packaging blanks (30) during the subsequent application to the articles (20).
The invention relates, inter alia, to a closure head having a magnetic coupling and an adjusting device having a holding component, an adjusting component, a connecting component and a locking component. The adjusting component carries a first magnetic ring of the magnetic coupling. The connecting component holds the adjusting component adjustably on the holding component for adjusting the first magnetic ring relative to a second magnetic ring of the magnetic coupling for adapting a maximum closing torque. The connecting component is elastically pretensioned for assuming a holding position, in which the connecting component connects the adjusting component to the holding component in a rotationally fixed manner. The locking component is elastically pretensioned for assuming a locked position, in which the locking component blocks the connecting component in the holding position.
The invention relates to a mold for molding a container containing fibers, in particular pulp, the mold comprising at least two mold parts, and at least one of the mold parts comprising at least two segments which are releasably connected to one another. The invention further relates to a range of segments for a mold for molding a container containing fibers, in particular pulp, the mold comprising at least two mold parts, and at least one of the mold parts comprising at least two segments which can be releasably connected to one another to form a mold part.
A method is provided for controlling a container treatment line comprising at least one machine for container treatment, at least one transport unit for transporting the containers and a central control unit. The method comprises: receiving, in the central control unit, first control data from the at least one machine and second control data from the at least one transport unit; calculating, by a model-based control system based on the first and second control data, a first control instruction for the at least one machine and/or a second control instruction for the at least one transport unit; sending the first control instruction to the at least one machine and/or sending the second control instruction to the at least one transport unit; controlling the at least one machine according to the first control instruction and/or controlling the at least one transport unit according to the second control instruction.
The invention comprises a method for controlling a container treatment system (1) having a plurality of machines (2, 4, 6, 10, 12) which are each connected by means of transporters (3, 5, 9, 11) and/or buffer devices and/or buffer tables and are electronically coupled. In the method, the container treatment system is operated and, for each time step during operation, first processed data (14, 16, 18, 20) are provided by the individual transporters, buffer devices and/or buffer tables, said data comprising a first current performance and first boundary conditions within which the individual transporters, buffer devices and/or buffer tables are operable at each time step; second processed data (13, 15, 17, 19, 21) are provided by the individual machines, said data comprising a second current performance and second boundary conditions within which the individual machines are controllable at each time step; the first and second processed data are retrieved by a control device; and the individual machines are controlled at each time step by means of the control device on the basis of the first and/or second processed data accordingly.
G05B 19/418 - Total factory control, i.e. centrally controlling a plurality of machines, e.g. direct or distributed numerical control [DNC], flexible manufacturing systems [FMS], integrated manufacturing systems [IMS] or computer integrated manufacturing [CIM]
17.
TRANSPORT DEVICE AND METHOD FOR TRANSPORTING CONTAINERS AND/OR CONTAINER PACKAGES
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.
B65G 43/08 - Control devices operated by article or material being fed, conveyed, or discharged
B65G 47/26 - Devices influencing the relative position or the attitude of articles during transit by conveyors arranging the articles, e.g. varying spacing between individual articles
18.
ALTERNATIVE PRODUCTION OF A CONTAINER FROM A SUSTAINABLE MATERIAL
The invention relates to a method (100) for producing a container from a sustainable material, having the steps of: applying (101) a sustainable material, in particular a fiber-containing material, onto the inner surface of a mold, said inner surface of the mold defining the outer shape of the container to be produced, said applying step (101) taking place over the base of the mold, said base of the mold defining the outer shape of the base of the container to be produced; compressing (102) and/or dewatering the sustainable material applied onto the inner surface of the mold in order to mold the container; and removing the molded container from the mold.
The invention relates to a method (100) for producing a container from a sustainable material, having the steps of: applying (101) a flowable sustainable material, in particular a fiber-containing material, onto the inner surface of a mold, said inner surface of the mold defining the outer shape of the container to be produced; compressing (102) the sustainable material applied onto the inner surface of the mold by subjecting the sustainable material applied onto the inner surface of the mold to a flow of a pressurized liquid in order to mold the container; blowing (103) excess liquid out of the formed container by means of a pressurized gaseous medium; and removing (105) the molded container from the mold.
A container treatment system for treating containers, comprising a first treatment block with a first single-line container exit point, further comprising a downstream second treatment block having a wet region and/or temperature control region with a mass conveyor for containers, a first single-line container feed point upstream of the mass conveyor and a second single-line container exit point downstream of the mass conveyor, and comprising a third treatment block that is located downstream of the second treatment block and has a second single-line container feed point, wherein the first single-line container exit point of the first treatment block is connected to the first single-line container feed point of the second treatment block via a first single-line conveying device, and the second single-line container exit point of the second treatment block is connected to the second single-line container feed point of the third treatment block via a second single-line conveying device.
The invention relates to a labelling machine (100) for labelling containers (161), the labelling machine comprising a label strip supply (102) for receiving a label strip (130) with labels (132) arranged thereon, a dispensing edge (103) downstream of the label strip supply, in a transport direction of a label strip, for detaching a label from the label strip, and a handover device (101), wherein the handover device comprises a movable transfer element (111) having at least two handover elements (112), which are movable relative to the transfer element, for receiving a label from the dispensing edge and for transferring a label to a container, wherein the handover elements can be moved relative to the transfer element at a first speed during receipt of a label and at a second speed, different from the first speed, during the transfer of the label.
A protective device for a machine, for example a container treatment machine, includes a protective element movable in the vertical direction and a pneumatic unit connected to the protective element. The pneumatic unit comprises a pressurizable pneumatic element, which is configured to substantially compensate for the weight force of the protective element during a movement along the vertical direction.
The invention relates to a magazine unit (1) for consumable material (20), comprising at least two receiving units (2) for consumable material (20), at least one removal position (AP) and at least one filling position (BP), wherein the receiving units (2) are configured to be movable between the removal position (AP) and the filling position (BP). The invention also relates to a packaging apparatus (15) and to a method for combining article groupings (33) with a packaging means (21).
The invention relates, inter alia, to a conveyor for container transport, preferably for can transport, for a container processing facility. The conveyor has a revolving transport element and a plurality of carriers which are attached to the revolving transport element at a distance from one another along the rotating transport element for carrying containers along. The conveyor further comprises a sensor device which is configured to detect the plurality of carriers.
The invention relates to a packaging apparatus (1) and a method used to produce packaging units (35). The packaging units (35) comprise at least one article (30), such as a beverage can (31), held in a packaging blank (20) having at least in some portions or areas that are flat. The packaging blank (20) has at least one passage opening (23) in the flat portion or area for article(s) (30). The packaging apparatus (1) comprises a feeder device (2); a pre-treatment module (9) to prepare the packaging blank (20) for the application to the article(s) (30); and a first packaging module (7) to apply and locate the packaging blank (20) to the article(s) (30). The pre-treatment module (9) comprises a device to reduce a resistance force in an edge area (24) of the passage openings (23) during the application of the packaging blank (20) to the article(s) (30).
B65B 61/02 - Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for perforating, scoring, or applying code or date marks on material prior to packaging
B65D 71/42 - Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans or pop bottlesBales of material comprising a plurality of articles held together only partially by packaging elements formed by folding a blank formed by folding a single blank into a single layer element
Disclosed is a container treatment system for treating containers comprising a first treatment block with a first single-line container exit point, further comprising a downstream second treatment block having a wet region and/or temperature control region with a mass conveyor for containers, a first single-line container feed point upstream of the mass conveyor and a second single-line container exit point downstream of the mass conveyor, and comprising a third treatment block that is located downstream of the second treatment block and has a second single-line container feed point, wherein the first single-line container exit point of the first treatment block is connected to the first single-line container feed point of the second treatment block via a first single-line conveying device, and the second single-line container exit point of the second treatment block is connected to the second single-line container feed point of the third treatment block.
B67C 3/00 - Bottling liquids or semiliquidsFilling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatusFilling casks or barrels with liquids or semiliquids
The invention relates to a shrink device (1) and a method for shrinking a shrinking material (30) onto articles (21) at least partly wrapped with the shrinking material (30). The shrink device (1) comprises an interior (8) having at least one conveyor line (7) for transporting articles (21) wrapped with shrinking material (30) in a transport direction (TR) between an inlet (5) and an outlet (6). The shrink device (1) comprises, at least in some regions, an outflow area (10) which is designed to introduce shrink medium (9) into the interior (8) of the shrink device (1) from above towards the conveyor line (7). The outflow area (10) is located above the at least one conveyor line (7) and can be set or adjusted in height (40).
B65B 53/06 - Shrinking wrappers, containers, container covers or container cover securing members during or after packaging by heat supplied by gases, e.g. hot-air jets
28.
APPARATUS FOR APPLYING A CONTAINER CLOSURE TO A CONTAINER, AND CLOSER
An apparatus for applying a container closure to a container, for example for applying a can lid to a can, for example in a beverage filling plant, includes an application unit having a closure receptacle for receiving a container closure, and an ejector unit movable relative to the application unit for ejecting a container closure received in the closure receptacle, wherein an ejector part, for example in the form of an ejector screen, which comes into physical contact with the container closure, for ejecting the container closure is arranged on the ejector unit on its side facing the closure receptacle, wherein the ejector part is detachably attached to the ejector unit via a quick-coupling mechanism. A closer including the apparatus is also described.
A packaging system (1) for articles such as beverage containers or the like is disclosed. The packaging system (1) comprises a shrink tunnel (10) which is designed to produce packages by shrinking thermoplastic packaging material onto sets of articles. The packaging system (1) further comprises at least one buffer (4, 5) into which packages produced by the shrink tunnel (10) can be fed. According to the invention, the at least one buffer (4, 5) is formed by at least one spiral conveyor (6, 7).
The invention relates, inter alia, to a method for filling a liquid into a container. The method comprises carbonating the liquid using a carbonator. The method comprises continuously reducing a pressure of the carbonated liquid to below a saturation pressure of carbon dioxide in the carbonated liquid and to above or substantially equal to an ambient pressure using a filling valve. The method further comprises filling the container with the pressure-reduced liquid using the filling valve.
B67C 3/06 - Bottling liquids or semiliquidsFilling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus using counterpressure, i.e. filling while the container is under pressure
The invention relates to a packaging system (10) and to a method for controlling same. The packaging system (10) comprises a packaging machine (12) and a grouping station (14) which is coupled thereto in a conveying manner and which forms palletisable layer arrangements (20). The packaging system (10) additionally comprises a palletising station (22) arranged downstream of the grouping station (14) for stacking at least two layer arrangements (20) of packaging units (16) one above the other. Located between the grouping station (14) and the palletising station (22) is a store (28) which has at least two storage levels (30, 32) which are arranged at a vertical distance one above the other and can be raised or lowered. The storage levels (30, 32) can each have or establish a conveying connection to the palletising station (22). In addition, the storage levels (30, 32) can each be brought to a height level corresponding to the conveying level of the grouping station (14) in order to receive layer arrangements (20) from the grouping station (14).
B65B 61/28 - Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for discharging completed packages from machines
32.
Apparatus and method for producing plastics material containers with inspection of plastics material preforms
An apparatus for producing plastics material containers has a production device for producing plastics material preforms, a forming device that forms the plastics material preforms into the plastics material containers and a cooling device for cooling the plastics material preforms produced by the production device. The apparatus has a first inspection device that is configured for inspecting at least one region of the plastics material preforms produced by the production device, wherein this first inspection device is arranged between the production device and the cooling device. The first inspection device has an image recording device that is configured for recording a spatially resolved image of a plurality of plastics material preforms.
An apparatus for producing plastics material containers has a production device having a plurality of production units, a forming device having a plurality of forming stations, a transport apparatus that is configured for transporting the plastics material preforms produced by the production device to the forming device, and a cooling device for cooling the plastics material preforms produced by the production device. An inspection device that is configured for inspecting at least one region of the plastics material preforms produced by the production device, is arranged between the production device and the cooling device, and has an image recording device that is configured for recording a spatially resolved image of a plurality of plastics material preforms.
An apparatus for producing plastics material containers has a production device having a plurality of production units for producing plastics material preforms, a forming device having a plurality of forming stations for forming the plastics material preforms into the plastics material containers and a transport device for transporting the plastics material preforms produced by the production device to the forming device. The apparatus has a spectral analysis device for inspecting and/or analyzing at least one area of the plastics material preforms produced by the production device, arranged between the production device and the forming device. The spectral analysis device is configured for spectral analysis of the radiation impinging thereon.
An apparatus for producing plastics material preforms, has a production device having a plurality of production units for producing plastics material preforms, a transport device which is configured for transporting the plastics material preforms produced by the production device, a control device for controlling the production device, and a first inspection device which is configured for inspecting at least one area of the plastics material preforms produced by the production device. The inspection device is configured for outputting at least one value which is characteristic of a physical property of the plastics material preforms. The apparatus has an assignment device which is configured for assigning to each inspected plastics material preform the production unit which has produced this plastics material preform and wherein the control device is configured for controlling the production device and in particular the production units as a function of this value.
METHOD AND MEASURING UNIT FOR DETERMINING A DYNAMIC PRESSURE PREVAILING IN A CONTAINER FLOW AND CONTROL DEVICE AND METHOD FOR INFLUENCING A DYNAMIC PRESSURE IN A CONTAINER FLOW
Disclosed are a measuring method (10) and a measuring device (44), each of which is suitable for determining a dynamic pressure prevailing in a container flow (12). The container flow (12) is formed by a plurality of containers (14), each with deformable container walls, which contact one another at their lateral surfaces (16) and are conveyed within a conveying area (18) under dynamic pressure conditions. In the measuring method (10) carried out by the measuring device (44), optical detection of top sides (22) of individual or a plurality of containers (14) is provided by means of an optical detection unit (24) with downstream image evaluation (28). The image evaluation (28) is used to determine distances (30) between defined points (32; 34) on or between areas of the top sides (22) of individual or neighbouring containers (14). The data obtained can be used to operate a dynamic pressure control device.
The invention relates to a handling system (1) and to a method for handling articles (20). The handling system (1) comprises a distribution system (2), at least one supply device for supplying at least one row of moving articles (20), without a gap, to the distribution system (2) in a closed formation (F), a manipulator (4) for handling groups of articles (23), a control device (5) for controlling the manipulator (4), and at least two handling modules (16). In a first working mode (100), groups of articles (23) are created and are prepared and positioned evenly for supplying to the at least two handling modules (16). In a second working mode, no articles (20) are handled within the distribution system (2). In a third working mode, groups of articles (23) are created and are prepared and positioned unevenly for supplying to the at least two handling modules (16). In a fourth working mode, groups of articles (23) are created and the groups of articles (23) are prepared and positioned solely for supplying to one of the at least two handling modules (16).
B65G 47/08 - Devices for feeding articles or materials to conveyors for feeding articles from a single group of articles arranged in orderly pattern, e.g. workpieces in magazines spacing or grouping the articles during feeding
A method for printing a container, such as a bottle, with a printing image using one inkjet print head per ink, the method comprising determining an ink quantity to be applied to the container in a manner which is dependent on the printing image to be applied for each ink, and applying the ink quantity to be applied by each inkjet print head, wherein at least one of the inkjet print heads applies the ink quantity to be applied to the container in two printing operations, wherein a partial ink quantity is applied to the container in each printing operation in a manner which is dependent on the ink quantity to be applied, wherein the partial ink quantity in each printing operation corresponds to up to the maximum ink quantity which can be ejected by the inkjet print head.
B41J 3/407 - Typewriters or selective printing or marking mechanisms characterised by the purpose for which they are constructed for marking on special material
B41J 11/00 - Devices or arrangements for supporting or handling copy material in sheet or web form
39.
Apparatus and method for treating plastics preforms
A production device for producing plastics preforms has a transport device configured for transporting the produced plastics preforms along a predetermined transport path, and a first inspection device configured for inspecting a first portion of the plastics preforms. The inspection device has at least one image recording device configured for recording a spatially resolved image of at least said first portion of the plastics preforms and a second inspection device configured for inspecting a second portion of the plastics preforms. The second inspection device has a second image recording device which is configured for recording a spatially resolved image of at least the second portion of the plastics preforms.
An apparatus for producing plastics material containers has a production device having a plurality of production units, each of which is configured for producing plastics material preforms from a plastics material mass, a forming device having a plurality of forming stations, and at least one transport device for transporting the plastics material preforms separately from the production device to the forming device, at least in portions. The apparatus further has a first temperature detection device for detecting a temperature of individual plastics material preforms produced by the production device, and at least one assignment device for assigning, to a plastics material preform whose temperature has been detected, the production unit that produced the plastics material preform and/or the forming station that will form the plastics material preform into a plastics material container.
An apparatus for producing plastic preforms has a production device having production units configured for producing a plastic preform, wherein these plastic preforms are each formed in one piece and have at least one main body and a threaded portion arranged on the main body, and a removal device that is configured for jointly removing the plastic preforms manufactured from this production device. The removal device has a carrier and transport device configured for holding the removed plastic preforms, and for transporting the carrier jointly with the plastic preforms, removed by the removal device, and an inspection device having at least one infrared image recording device that is configured for recording a spatially resolved image of at least one region of a plurality of the plastic preforms produced and for outputting at least one measured value that is characteristic of a physical property of the plastic preforms.
An apparatus for treating plastics material preforms has a transport device which transports the plastics material preforms along a predetermined transport path, at least one heating unit to heat the transported plastics material preforms, and a forming device arranged downstream of the heating device for forming the heated plastics material preforms into plastics material containers. The apparatus has at least one temperature detection device for detecting to detect a temperature of the plastics material preforms heated by the heating device, in a spatially resolved manner at least in a longitudinal direction of the plastics material preforms, and an image recording device to record a spatially resolved image of the plastics material preforms, wherein the image recording device is configurable taking into account at least one parameter characteristic of the plastics material preforms to be inspected.
One embodiment of the invention relates to a method and a system for adapted output of data of a machine line, in particular in a machine line for bottling/boxing and packaging food and/or beverages. The machine line comprises a plurality of machines. A large language model, LLM, is implemented on an analysis module. A specific context for the LLM is defined that can define a restriction for an output from the LLM. A database for the LLM is defined that comprises state data and data of the machine line. In some embodiments, the database can also comprise data from similar machine lines and/or data of an external ecosystem. Following setup of the LLM, a user interface can be used to receive user queries for querying requested information relating to the machine line. The user query is input into the LLM and processed by the LLM on the basis of the defined specific context and on the basis of the database in order to determine the requested information.
G05B 19/418 - Total factory control, i.e. centrally controlling a plurality of machines, e.g. direct or distributed numerical control [DNC], flexible manufacturing systems [FMS], integrated manufacturing systems [IMS] or computer integrated manufacturing [CIM]
44.
METHOD AND DEVICE FOR MONITORING AND/OR CONTROLLING A MACHINE BY MEANS OF A DIGITAL TWIN
The invention relates to a method and a device for monitoring and/or controlling a machine, in particular a machine in a machine line for handling foods and/or beverages. On an edge device, a code-based model is implemented for simulating physical processes of the machine or a plurality of machines or the machine line. The code-based model is part of a digital twin of the machine. State data of the machine are input into the digital twin of the machine on the edge device and by means of the code-based model of the digital twin a production process of the machine is simulated in real time. The input state data are input parameters for the simulation, and results from the simulation are assigned to the input parameters of the simulation at data level. A temporally static or dynamic state description for the machine is provided based on the input parameters for the simulation and the results from the simulation, and is optionally transferred from the edge device to a server.
G05B 19/418 - Total factory control, i.e. centrally controlling a plurality of machines, e.g. direct or distributed numerical control [DNC], flexible manufacturing systems [FMS], integrated manufacturing systems [IMS] or computer integrated manufacturing [CIM]
45.
PRESSING ELEMENT FOR PRESSING LABELS ONTO BOTTLES, AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING SAID PRESSING ELEMENT
A pressing element for pressing labels onto bottles and a method for producing the pressing element are described. The pressing element comprises a front-face pressing pad with a pressing contour for pressing the labels against the surface of wall sections and a rear-face securing section for fastening the pressing element to an associated actuation arm. The region of the pressing contour is designed to be elastically deformable with respect to the securing section.
A transport device for a bottle filling plant includes at least two transport elements, each having a transport element magnetic force unit and at least one functional element for transporting components. The transport device further includes a bearing unit configured to support the at least two transport elements one after the other and independently of one another along a transport path. The transport device further includes a transport path magnetic force unit arranged along the transport path and configured to drive the transport elements along the transport path by interacting with the transport element magnetic force units of the at least two transport elements. The transport path magnetic force unit includes individual bar magnets mounted on separately controllable motors or actuators or driven by the separately controllable motors or actuators and which, through movement, generate a moving magnetic field to individually drive each of the at least two transport elements along the transport path.
The disclosure relates to a method and system for detecting and resolving malfunctions of a machine, in particular a machine in a machine line for filling and packaging food and/or beverages. The method starts with receiving a sensor signal from the machine. The sensor signal can indicate a malfunction of the machine and comprise a context of the malfunction. Instructions for resolving the malfunction are then identified, which are selected from an instructions database based on the context of the malfunction. An operator of the machine is notified and receives information about the malfunction of the machine and at the same time the identified instructions for resolving the detected malfunction. The operator has the option to create modified instructions for resolving the machine malfunction and send it back to the database. The modified instructions are then stored in the instructions database and linked to the sensor signal, making them identifiable via the context of the malfunction.
The present disclosure relates to a filling plant having a plurality of machines, each of which is configured to perform operating functions on the basis of a respective set of commands, and a central control device that is configured to control the operating functions of the plurality of machines. Furthermore, the filling plant comprises a graphical user interface, which is configured to communicate with the central control device and to provide a user with graphically supported programming of the central control device.
Disclosed is a horizontal conveying device for transporting containers. The horizontal conveying device comprises a plurality of transport units (3) which provide planar contact surfaces (16) for containers. According to the invention, a respective transport unit (3) comprises a supporting element (7) and a bearing element (9). The supporting element (7) is circulatingly driven; the bearing element (9) sits on the respective supporting element (7) and provides the planar contact surface (16) for the container. Furthermore, according to the invention, the respective supporting element (7) and the respective bearing element (9) are interconnected such that in the region of a transport plane of the horizontal conveying device, the respective bearing element (9) substantially retains the horizontal orientation of its planar contact surface (16) when the respective supporting element (7) is tilted.
B65G 17/00 - Conveyors having an endless traction element, e.g. a chain, transmitting movement to a continuous or substantially-continuous load-carrying surface or to a series of individual load-carriersEndless-chain conveyors in which the chains form the load-carrying surface
B65G 17/18 - Conveyors having an endless traction element, e.g. a chain, transmitting movement to a continuous or substantially-continuous load-carrying surface or to a series of individual load-carriersEndless-chain conveyors in which the chains form the load-carrying surface comprising individual load-carriers which are pivotally mounted, e.g. for free-swinging movement and move in contact with a guiding surface
B65G 17/48 - Controlling attitudes of load-carriers during movement
50.
OPERATION ASSISTANCE SYSTEM FOR A USER OF A CONTAINER TREATMENT PLANT
The present invention comprises an operation assistance system for a user of a container treatment plant, in particular a bottle filling plant. The operation assistance system comprises a position detecting apparatus that detects a position and orientation of the user in the container treatment plant, wherein the position detecting apparatus, on the basis of the position and orientation of the user, recognizes a treatment apparatus in the container treatment plant that is operated by the user, an operation detecting apparatus that detects the operating state of the recognized treatment apparatus, and a mobile operation assistance apparatus that assists the user when operating the treatment apparatus by operating recommendations on the basis of the operating state of the recognized treatment apparatus.
G06Q 10/0631 - Resource planning, allocation, distributing or scheduling for enterprises or organisations
B67C 3/00 - Bottling liquids or semiliquidsFilling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatusFilling casks or barrels with liquids or semiliquids
The disclosure relates to a plant for producing containers, the plant comprising a production machine for producing preforms, a blow molding machine for producing containers from the preforms and a transport device for transporting the preforms from the production machine to the blow molding machine, wherein the plant comprises a retooling apparatus for retooling at least one component of the production machine and/or the blow molding machine.
The invention relates, inter alia, to a damping element for a container receiving pocket of a container transport starwheel. The damping element has an elastically deformable damping section which has a contact face for contacting a container. The damping element has a preferably elastically deformable mounting section for mounting the damping element in the container receiving pocket of the container transport starwheel. The damping section and the mounting section are formed from a plurality of adjacent, preferably additively manufactured, material layers.
B65G 47/84 - Star-shaped wheels or devices having endless travelling belts or chains, the wheels or devices being equipped with article-engaging elements
B33Y 80/00 - Products made by additive manufacturing
53.
METHOD AND DEVICE FOR BUFFERING CONTAINERS IN A CONTAINER TREATMENT PLANT
The invention relates to a method and a device for buffering containers in a container treatment plant. According thereto, containers are put into storage in a grouped manner in single file on at least one input conveyor belt, are moved in single file on a transversely adjoining buffering surface of shuttles, guided and driven individually on rails, having row pushers, in a buffering direction extending transversely to the input direction, and are taken out of storage on at least one output conveyor belt. Since, furthermore, containers are taken out of storage from the buffering surface by means of branching conveyor belts integrated in the buffering surface, transversely to the buffering direction and independently of the input conveyor belt and output conveyor belt, and/or are put into storage on the buffering surface, it is possible for container flows to be distributed flexibly and combined on the buffering surface.
B65G 47/51 - Devices for discharging articles or materials from conveyors with distribution, e.g. automatically, to desired points according to unprogrammed signals, e.g. influenced by supply situation at destination
54.
IDENTIFICATION OF MOVEMENT DEVICES OF A LINEAR ELECTRIC DRIVE CONVEYOR
The invention relates, inter alia, to a method for operating, preferably initializing, a linear electric drive conveyor having a plurality of movement devices. The method comprises lining up the plurality of movement devices such that the plurality of movement devices that have been lined up touch one another. Positions of the plurality of movement devices that have been lined up are determined. At least one first movement device and/or at least one second movement device is/are identified in the plurality of movement devices that have been lined up on the basis of the determined positions. The method advantageously makes it possible to dispense with external sensors for the purpose of identification. The method can also be used particularly flexibly in each section of the linear electric drive conveyor.
Disclosed are an application apparatus and a method for producing packaging units which are in each case formed by at least two articles which are grouped and held together by at least one strap. A strap is provided and is fixed in an application head (34) which is positioned, together with the strap, over an available article grouping. The strap is applied to the article grouping, wherein simultaneously or beforehand, the article grouping is stabilised by means of support elements (52) arranged in the application head (34). Then, the application head (34) is distanced from the article grouping, wherein simultaneously the stabilising and/or if necessary contacting of the strapped article grouping is maintained by means of the support elements (52). The support elements (52) hold the strapped article grouping at its location and stabilise it in the defined position relative to the application head (34).
Plastic preformed having a main body, a mouth, and a support ring, are transported along a predetermined transport path and heated using at least one heating device, and, subsequently, the heated plastic preforms are transported to a forming device for forming plastic preforms into plastic containers and are formed into the plastic containers by applying a flowable medium, wherein at least one value is determined using an inspection device, which value is characteristic of at least one physical and in particular geometric property of a support ring of a plastic preform and/or of a plastic container, and at least one treatment parameter of the heating device and/or of the forming device is controlled taking this value into account.
The invention relates to an apparatus (10) and a method for handling articles (11). The apparatus (10) comprises a gripping device (14) with a suction surface (16) that can be subjected to negative pressure for grasping the articles (11) by suction. The suction surface (16) is covered with a layer (24) that is elastically deformable and air-permeable, at least in certain regions.
The invention relates to an apparatus (10) and a method for handling articles (11). The apparatus (10) comprises a gripping device (14) with a suction surface (16) that can be subjected to negative pressure for grasping the articles (11) by suction. The suction surface (16) is covered with a layer (24) that is elastically deformable and air-permeable, at least in certain regions.
The apparatus (10) is also equipped with a drying device (32), which drying device can interact with the layer (24) that is attached to the suction surface (16) or forms the suction surface (16), in order to remove moisture that is bound or adhering therein.
B25J 19/00 - Accessories fitted to manipulators, e.g. for monitoring, for viewingSafety devices combined with or specially adapted for use in connection with manipulators
B25J 15/06 - Gripping heads with vacuum or magnetic holding means
F26B 3/06 - Drying solid materials or objects by processes involving the application of heat by convection, i.e. heat being conveyed from a heat source to the materials or objects to be dried by a gas or vapour, e.g. air the gas or vapour flowing through the materials or objects to be dried
The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for producing containers which comprises: a control device which is designed to set at least one working parameter for the production of at least one first container, a measuring device that is designed to measure at least one container parameter of the at least one produced first container in order to obtain a measured value of the at least one container parameter, a measurement correction device designed to correct the measured value of the at least one container parameter based on at least one model parameter of a numerical model, and a performance parameter determination device that is designed to determine at least one performance parameter value on the basis of the corrected at least one measured value. The control device is designed to control the production of at least one second container based on the at least one working parameter.
Embodiments of the invention relate to a method and a system for optimizing product sequencing in a machine line, in particular in a machine line for filling and packaging food and/or beverages. According to the invention: a formal system model is generated for the machine line, said formal system model describing cause-effect relationships between data, energy, and/or material streams; the formal system model is input together with backlog data and boundary conditions into an artificial intelligence (AI) system; the AI system defines a solution space with a plurality of product sequencing possibilities for processing orders contained in the backlog data; the solution space is then searched for an optimized product sequencing on the basis of the boundary conditions and/or on the basis of an optimization preference; and at least one product sequencing plan or the cause of the failure of the plan calculation is output together with possible corresponding actions for a corrective process.
G06Q 10/04 - Forecasting or optimisation specially adapted for administrative or management purposes, e.g. linear programming or "cutting stock problem"
G06Q 10/0631 - Resource planning, allocation, distributing or scheduling for enterprises or organisations
60.
PACKAGING APPARATUS, AND METHOD FOR PACKAGING ARTICLES
The invention relates to a packaging apparatus (1). The packaging apparatus (1) comprises at least one horizontal conveying device (10, 20) for providing packaging (3), and a feed (60) for articles (2). The packaging apparatus (1) also comprises a handling device (15) which is designed to receive articles (2) from the feed (60) and to bring them together with a relevant item of packaging (3) on the at least one horizontal conveying device (10, 20) so that a plurality of articles (2) form, together with a relevant item of packaging (3), a packaging unit (8) on the at least one horizontal conveying device (10, 20). The packaging apparatus (1) also comprises at least one manipulator (16) and a transport device (70). The manipulator is designed to receive packaging units (8) from the at least one horizontal conveying device (10, 20) and to transfer the received packaging units (8) into predefined positions on the transport device (70), in which predefined positions successive packaging units (8) on the transport device (70) have a defined relative mutual spacing.
B65B 21/18 - Introducing or removing groups of bottles, for filling or emptying containers in one operation using grippers engaging bottles, e.g. bottle necks
B65B 61/28 - Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for discharging completed packages from machines
B65G 47/52 - Devices for transferring articles or materials between conveyors, i.e. discharging or feeding devices
B65G 47/82 - Rotary or reciprocating members for direct action on articles or materials, e.g. pushers, rakes, shovels
B65G 47/84 - Star-shaped wheels or devices having endless travelling belts or chains, the wheels or devices being equipped with article-engaging elements
61.
METHOD FOR AT LEAST PARTIALLY AUTOMATICALLY CONTROLLING A CONTAINER HANDLING DEVICE FOR HANDLING CONTAINERS, AND CONTAINER HANDLING DEVICE
The invention relates to a method for the at least partially automatic, preferably fully automatic, controlling of a container handling device (1) for handling containers (10), which has a transport apparatus (2) for guiding containers (10) along a predefined transport path, depending on an occupancy degree of at least one transport region (20) along the transport path, wherein by means of at least one image capture apparatus (4), image data (E1, E2) are generated which image containers (10) located in the transport region (20) and on the basis of which an image evaluation apparatus (6) performs an evaluation, in particular a real-time evaluation, for determining an occupancy degree variable which characterises the occupancy degree of the transport region (20). According to the invention, the image evaluation apparatus (6) performs a segmentation of the image data (E1, E2), at least in some sections, for determining the occupancy degree variable.
B65G 43/08 - Control devices operated by article or material being fed, conveyed, or discharged
B67B 3/26 - Applications of control, warning, or safety devices in capping machinery
B67C 3/00 - Bottling liquids or semiliquidsFilling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatusFilling casks or barrels with liquids or semiliquids
G06V 20/52 - Surveillance or monitoring of activities, e.g. for recognising suspicious objects
62.
APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DIVIDING A CONTAINER MASS FLOW
An apparatus for dividing a container mass flow may include a container mass flow conveyor having a first container mass flow outlet and a second container mass flow outlet. The apparatus has a distribution device having a movable guide element for dividing the container mass flow to the first container mass flow outlet and the second container mass flow outlet and having a drive which is drivingly connected to the movable guide element in order to move the movable guide element. A detection device is configured to detect an occupancy level of the container mass flow conveyor upstream of the distribution device. A control device is configured to operate the drive in order to move the movable guide element to a desired position depending on the detected occupancy level.
B65G 47/46 - Devices for discharging articles or materials from conveyors with distribution, e.g. automatically, to desired points
63.
METHOD AND DEVICE FOR AUTOMATICALLY GENERATING A TRAINING DATA SET FOR TRAINING A CONTAINER DETECTION MODEL OF MACHINE LEARNING OF A REAL-TIME IMAGE ANALYSIS UNIT OF A CONTAINER HANDLING DEVICE
The invention relates to a method for automatically generating a training data set for training, in particular for retraining, a container detection model of machine learning (5) of a container handling device (3) in which containers (10) can be guided along a predefined transport path, wherein by means of an image capture unit (2) image data can be generated which characterise a transport region (E1, E2) along the transport path and which can be supplied, as input variables, to the container detection model (5) for carrying out an analysis, in particular a real-time analysis, in relation to the containers (10) located in the transport region (E1, E2), wherein for generating the training data set, image data (16) are analysed based on a predefined and/or predefinable detection region on the containers (10) to be detected, characterised in that the image data (16) are processed, based on the detection region, in such a manner that edge data points (F2) are ascertained in the image data (16) and that, by way of an analysis of ascertained edge data points (F2), a detection result of a container to be detected in the image data (16) is derived based on a boundary line of the detection region.
A closure apparatus has at least two closure units, which each attach container closures to containers. An inspection device arranged downstream from the closure apparatus in a transport direction for inspecting the containers provided with the closures has at least two image recording devices, which each record at least one spatially resolved image of each container and an evaluation device which evaluates the recorded images and determines at least one measured value from the images, wherein this measured value is characteristic of the container closures arranged on the containers.
B65B 57/02 - Automatic control, checking, warning or safety devices responsive to absence, presence, abnormal feed, or misplacement of binding or wrapping material, containers, or packages
B65B 61/26 - Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for marking or coding completed packages
Described are a method and an apparatus for container tracking in a plant for producing and/or packaging containers and/or for filling the containers, in particular with beverages. The containers are transported through a stationary imaging region of at least one area-imaging sensor, which jointly images several containers in time-staggered images. The images are evaluated electronically and tracking data are extracted that are individually assigned to the containers, which include: identification information for identifying the respective container; and location information about a sequence of locations and associated stay times of the respective container. This makes it possible for the containers to be located and traced independently of relative movements with respect to the transport means used.
The invention relates, inter alia, to a method for identifying a material of a component. The method comprises providing the component, which is manufactured via an additive manufacturing device. The method comprises irradiating the component with electromagnetic radiation via a radiation source. The method comprises recording a spectrum of the irradiated component via a recording device. The method comprises evaluating the recorded spectrum for a match with at least one predetermined spectrum which is associated with a predetermined material having at least one nanoparticle marker for identifying the predetermined material, via an evaluation device. The method comprises outputting a result of the evaluation via an output device.
G01N 21/31 - Investigating relative effect of material at wavelengths characteristic of specific elements or molecules, e.g. atomic absorption spectrometry
B29C 64/118 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material using filamentary material being melted, e.g. fused deposition modelling [FDM]
B29C 64/386 - Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing
A method is described for monitoring a production sequence having at least two serially connected production processes for the manufacture and/or processing of containers in a production line which comprises a filling of liquid products, is upstream therefrom or downstream therefrom, as well as a corresponding production line. Accordingly, data records are individually assigned to the containers throughout the production process. The data records are enriched with process- and/or container-specific production data while passing through the production processes. This allows the production line to be comprehensively optimized by tracking individual process steps and process results.
B65G 43/08 - Control devices operated by article or material being fed, conveyed, or discharged
B67C 3/00 - Bottling liquids or semiliquidsFilling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatusFilling casks or barrels with liquids or semiliquids
A container treatment system (1), in particular for glass bottles, comprising a first container treatment machine (2) which conveys containers in base-handling mode, a second container treatment machine (4) which conveys containers in base-handling mode, and a star-like conveying device (3), comprising a multiplicity of conveying elements (5) which each have at least one clamp element (5a, 5b), wherein the conveying device (3) is configured to take successive containers (6) at a first distance (d1) from one another from the first container treatment machine (2) and to transfer them at a second distance (d2) from one another to the second container treatment machine (4), and wherein the conveying device (3) is configured to, when conveying the containers (6), change the distance between two successive containers by individually moving the respective conveying elements (5) from the first distance (d1) to the second distance (d2).
B65G 47/86 - Star-shaped wheels or devices having endless travelling belts or chains, the wheels or devices being equipped with article-engaging elements the article-engaging elements being grippers
B65C 9/06 - Devices for presenting articles in predetermined attitude or position at labelling station
B67C 7/00 - Concurrent cleaning, filling, and closing of bottlesProcesses or devices for at least two of these operations
69.
LABELLING APPARATUS FOR TRANSFERRING A LABEL IMAGE AND AN ADHESIVE LAYER ONTO CONTAINERS
The present invention relates to a labelling apparatus (10, 20) for labelling containers (18) by applying a label image (E) and an adhesive layer (K) to the containers (18), wherein the labelling apparatus comprises: a transport device (T) with a movable carrier belt for transporting labels (12), each comprising a label image (E) and an adhesive layer (K); a positioning device (13) for positioning the labels (12) transported by the transport device (T) to the positioning device (13); a pallet carousel (15) with a plurality of vacuum pallets (14) or electroadhesion pallets (14) for receiving the labels (12) at the positioning device (13); and a control device (S) which is designed to control the transport device (T) and the pallet carousel (15) in such a way that when the labels (12) are received at the positioning device (13) by the vacuum pallets (14) or electroadhesion pallets (14), the relative speed between the labels (12) and the receiving vacuum pallets (14) or electroadhesion pallets (14) is essentially zero.
The invention relates to an apparatus (10) for fermenting a biological suspension, comprising a tank (4) with a feed device (5) for feeding and discharging the biological suspension, the feed device comprising: a first central opening (1) in the tank (4) for feeding or discharging the biological suspension, a first pipe (2) which extends through the central opening (1) into the tank (4) in order to feed or discharge the biological suspension, a second pipe (3) which extends through the first pipe (2) and beyond the first pipe (2) into the tank (4) in order to feed or discharge the biological suspension, a first housing (GU), the interior (31) of which is tightly fastened, by means of an upper opening, to the tank (4), in particular to an outlet flange of the tank (4), around the central opening (1) and through which, with sealing with respect to the outside, the first pipe (2) extends, the first housing (GU) having an inlet opening (6) and an outlet opening (9) for the biological suspension, a second housing (GM), the interior (32) of which is tightly connected, by means of an upper opening, to the first pipe (2) and through which, with sealing with respect to the outside, the second pipe (3) extends, the second housing (GM) additionally having an inlet opening (7) and an outlet opening (11) for the biological suspension, and a third housing (GO), the interior (33) of which is tightly connected, by means of an opening, to the second pipe (3), the third housing (GO) additionally having an inlet opening (8) and an outlet opening (12) for the biological suspension.
C12M 1/00 - Apparatus for enzymology or microbiology
B01F 25/21 - Jet mixers, i.e. mixers using high-speed fluid streams with submerged injectors, e.g. nozzles, for injecting high-pressure jets into a large volume or into mixing chambers
71.
PACKAGING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FEEDING FLAT PACKAGING MATERIALS TO A PACKAGING SYSTEM
The invention relates to a packaging system (1) and to a method for feeding flat packaging materials (20) to a packaging system (1). The packaging system (1) comprises a packaging module (2), a first transport device (3) for feeding articles to the packaging module (2) in a first transport direction (TR1), and a second transport device (4) for feeding flat packaging materials (20) arranged in a first upright orientation (22sv1) in a second transport direction (TR2), which second transport direction (TR2) differs from the first transport direction (TR1). Furthermore, the packaging system (1) comprises a handling device (5) for arranging the flat packaging materials (20) on the second transport device (4), wherein the packaging system (1) comprises at least one displacement unit (8), which displacement unit (8) is configured to displace a plurality of upright packaging materials (20) relative to one another, which displacement unit (8) has vertically oriented side walls (9) and a support surface (10), wherein an angle differing from 90 degrees is formed between each of the side walls (9) and the support surface (10).
A can processing installation and associated method for processing cans in a can processing installation. The method comprises supplying a sterilization medium into a can via a sterilization apparatus and internally sterilizing the can by the supplied sterilization medium, while the can is transported to a filling station. The method further comprises flushing the can in the filling station with a flushing gas, as a result of which the sterilization medium is flushed out of the can, and filling the flushed can in the filling station with a filling material.
The disclosure relates to a method for molding and coating a container comprising fibers, in particular pulp, wherein the method comprises: molding a container comprising fibers, in particular pulp, which container comprises an opening, wherein the container is provided in a mold and in particular is molded around a coating bladder, or molding container elements comprising fibers, in particular pulp, which container elements comprise an opening, wherein the container elements are provided in a mold and in particular are molded around a coating bladder; molding the coating bladder, which is arranged at least temporarily and/or partially in the container or the container elements; applying a pressure medium from a pressure source to the coating bladder to expand it, so that the coating bladder is at least partially applied to an inner wall of the container or the container elements.
A closing apparatus for closing a container with a container closure, for example for closing a container with a screw cap in a beverage filling plant, includes a gripping mechanism for gripping the container closure with at least one gripping arm pivotable about a bearing, an actuating unit for actuating the gripping mechanism, and a detection unit for detecting a stroke of a stroke element of the actuating unit acting on the gripping mechanism. A corresponding method is also described.
The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for producing container bundles, comprising a container inlet for transporting containers that contain product, an inspection apparatus for individually detecting the containers, wherein the inspection apparatus is configured, based upon the detected containers, to output a detection signal, a packer inlet with one or more inlet lanes, a robot that is configured to move the containers, entering via the container inlet, to the one or more inlet lanes of the packer inlet on the basis of the detection signal and a control signal, and a packer that is configured to produce, on the basis of a predetermined pattern, a container bundle, comprising a plurality of containers, from the containers guided on the packer inlet.
B65B 39/00 - Nozzles, funnels or guides for introducing articles or materials into containers or wrappers
B65B 57/14 - Automatic control, checking, warning or safety devices responsive to absence, presence, abnormal feed, or misplacement of articles or materials to be packaged and operating to control, or stop, the feed of articles or material to be packaged
76.
METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A CONTAINER TREATMENT SYSTEM, AND DEVICE COMPRISING A CONTAINER TREATMENT SYSTEM AND A CONTROL DEVICE FOR CARRYING OUT THE METHOD
The disclosure relates to a method for controlling a container treatment system, for example a blow molding machine, for producing containers from preforms, wherein the method comprises: providing a main agent comprising a plurality of sub-agents, each sub-agent being assigned to a container type or a preform, a target parameter set for controlling the container treatment system and a group of target values for a controlled variable being provided for each sub-agent; carrying out a determination of a characteristic of a preform; evaluating a result of the determination and automatically selecting a corresponding sub-agent from the plurality of sub-agents based on the evaluation; and using the corresponding sub-agent for controlling the container treatment system. The disclosure further relates to a device comprising a container treatment system and a control device for carrying out the method.
A gripper head (10) for manipulating packaging blanks is disclosed.
A gripper head (10) for manipulating packaging blanks is disclosed.
The gripper head (10) comprises an upper gripping unit (17) and a lower gripping unit (19) which are configured for the joint tight gripping of a plurality of packaging blanks from a stack (50) having a large number of packaging blanks. Furthermore, the gripper head (10) comprises a separating unit which is configured to lift outer edges of given packaging blanks intended for being tightly gripped.
The separating unit comprises a linear actuator (16) for lifting the outer edges, which actuator is arranged in such a way that its rectilinear lifting axis is inclined relative to a contact surface of the lower gripping unit (19) when the separating unit (18) lifts the outer edges of the given packaging blanks via the linear actuator (16).
A system for producing containers from preforms, the system comprising a production machine for producing preforms, a blow molding machine for producing containers from preforms, a transport device for feeding preforms from the production machine to the blow molding machine and a storage device to which preforms can be fed from the transport device at a removal point and transferred to the transport device at a transfer point, wherein the storage device comprises a temperature-control device for temperature-control of the preforms.
The disclosure relates to a plant for producing and treating containers, comprising: a preform production machine for producing preforms, in particular an injection-molding machine; at least one container production unit for producing containers from the preforms; at least one container treatment unit, arranged downstream of the container production unit, for treating the containers produced in the container production unit; a cooling unit for cooling the containers produced in the container production unit, wherein the cooling unit is arranged downstream of the container production unit, and wherein the cooling unit is configured to cool the produced containers, in particular the bottoms of the produced containers, with a cooling medium as a function of control parameters of the preform production machine and/or as a function of control parameters of the container production unit and/or as a function of the container treatment unit.
The invention relates to a system (10) and a method for packaging piece goods (12). The system (10) comprises a packaging machine (16) which is provided for applying secondary packaging means (18) to at least one piece good (12) in order to form packaging units (14) in such a manner, an open- and/or closed-loop control device (42) which can control the packaging machine (16) in an open- or closed-loop manner using a packaging program controller, and at least one sensor device (46) which is provided and correspondingly equipped to sensor-detect at least one quality parameter (48) of the secondary packaging means processed in the packaging machine (16) and/or the packaging units (14) formed by the packaging machine (16). The packaging control program used by the packaging machine (16) can be controlled in an open- and/or closed-loop manner taking into consideration the at least one sensor-detected quality parameter (48).
G05B 19/418 - Total factory control, i.e. centrally controlling a plurality of machines, e.g. direct or distributed numerical control [DNC], flexible manufacturing systems [FMS], integrated manufacturing systems [IMS] or computer integrated manufacturing [CIM]
B65B 57/04 - Automatic control, checking, warning or safety devices responsive to absence, presence, abnormal feed, or misplacement of binding or wrapping material, containers, or packages and operating to control, or to stop, the feed of such material, containers, or packages
B65B 57/10 - Automatic control, checking, warning or safety devices responsive to absence, presence, abnormal feed, or misplacement of articles or materials to be packaged
The invention relates to a transport device (2) for a container handling facility (1), in particular a bottle filling facility, wherein the transport device (2) has a transport track (4) which transports containers (10) with a variable separation distance, and a receiving device (5) which receives the containers (10) from the transport track (4) and delivers them to a downstream handling device (6) with a constant separation distance, wherein the transport track (4) transports the containers (10) without slippage on the transport track (4) to the receiving device (5), preferably such that the containers (10) touch each other without pressure or not at all.
B65G 47/28 - Devices influencing the relative position or the attitude of articles during transit by conveyors arranging the articles, e.g. varying spacing between individual articles during transit by a single conveyor
B65G 47/84 - Star-shaped wheels or devices having endless travelling belts or chains, the wheels or devices being equipped with article-engaging elements
B65G 47/82 - Rotary or reciprocating members for direct action on articles or materials, e.g. pushers, rakes, shovels
B65G 54/02 - Non-mechanical conveyors not otherwise provided for electrostatic, electric, or magnetic
B65G 47/86 - Star-shaped wheels or devices having endless travelling belts or chains, the wheels or devices being equipped with article-engaging elements the article-engaging elements being grippers
82.
METHOD FOR PROVIDING OPERATING DATA OF A TRANSPORT SYSTEM IN A MACHINE LINE
A method for providing operating data of a transport system in a machine line, e.g. for filling and packaging foods and/or beverages. The machine line includes a multiple machines and at least one transport system. A material flow of the machine line includes the transport system and at least one of the machines. The transport system includes one or more devices. The method starts with creation of one or more functional modules. Each of the functional modules fulfills a specific standardized function within the machine line. Each of the functional modules functionally represents one or more of the devices along a material flow within the machine line. For each of the functional modules, a standardized PLC interface is provided for outputting standardized information as operating data of the functional module. The operating data include a status, an operating parameter, or an error message of the functional module.
G05B 19/418 - Total factory control, i.e. centrally controlling a plurality of machines, e.g. direct or distributed numerical control [DNC], flexible manufacturing systems [FMS], integrated manufacturing systems [IMS] or computer integrated manufacturing [CIM]
83.
SWITCHOVER PROCESS FOR MACHINES, AND DYNAMIC GENERATION OF INSTRUCTIONS
The invention relates to a method and to a system for dynamically generating instructions for the operator-guided switchover of a machine line, in particular in a machine line for filling and packaging foodstuffs and/or beverages. The invention also relates to a machine line. The method and the system according to the invention enable a more efficient conversion from a first plant configuration into a second plant configuration, this conversion being individually adapted to the number of workers involved in the conversion.
The invention relates to a packaging device (1) and to a method for producing packaging units (27) comprising at least two articles (20). The articles (20) are combined by means of a secondary packaging means (30). The packaging device (1) comprises a supply device (2) for groups (21) of articles, said groups (21) being made of at least two articles (20). The packaging device (1) additionally comprises a packaging module (17) for applying the secondary packaging means (30) onto the at least two articles (20) and an aligning module (6) which comprises at least one transport device (7) for the group (21) of articles. The aligning module additionally comprises at least one detection means (9), said detection means (9) being designed to detect configuration characteristics (25) of the articles (20) and transmit corresponding data to a control device (10) of the packaging device (1), and the aligning module additionally comprises at least one aligning unit (12) which can be controlled by the control device (10) and which engages on at least some regions of one of the articles (20) of the group (21) of articles in order to align same. The at least one aligning unit (12) is driven by an electromagnetic direct drive (14).
B65B 53/06 - Shrinking wrappers, containers, container covers or container cover securing members during or after packaging by heat supplied by gases, e.g. hot-air jets
B65G 54/02 - Non-mechanical conveyors not otherwise provided for electrostatic, electric, or magnetic
B65B 57/14 - Automatic control, checking, warning or safety devices responsive to absence, presence, abnormal feed, or misplacement of articles or materials to be packaged and operating to control, or stop, the feed of articles or material to be packaged
85.
PACKAGING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING PACKAGING UNITS
The invention relates to a packaging device (1) and to a method for producing packaging units (27), each packaging unit (27) comprising at least two articles which are combined by means of a secondary packaging means (30). The packaging device (1) comprises a supply device (2) for assembling at least two articles, a packaging module (17) for applying the secondary packaging means (30) onto the at least two articles (2) in order to form a packaging unit (27), and an aligning module (6) which comprises at least one transport device (7) for the at least two articles (20) combined by means of the secondary packaging means (30). The aligning module (6) additionally comprises at least one detection means (9), said detection means (9) being designed to detect configuration characteristics (25) of the at least two articles (20) combined by means of the secondary packaging means (30) and transmit corresponding data to a control device (10) of the packaging device (1), and the aligning module (6) additionally comprises at least one aligning unit (12) which can be controlled by the control device (10) and which engages on at least some regions on the lower face (24) of at least one of the at least two articles (20) combined by means of the secondary packaging means (30) in order to align same.
B65B 57/14 - Automatic control, checking, warning or safety devices responsive to absence, presence, abnormal feed, or misplacement of articles or materials to be packaged and operating to control, or stop, the feed of articles or material to be packaged
B65G 54/02 - Non-mechanical conveyors not otherwise provided for electrostatic, electric, or magnetic
B65B 53/06 - Shrinking wrappers, containers, container covers or container cover securing members during or after packaging by heat supplied by gases, e.g. hot-air jets
The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for optically inspecting a pulp bottle. The apparatus comprises a lighting device having an opening, wherein a mouth of the pulp bottle can be arranged below the opening of the lighting device; and a camera which is configured to take an image of at least a part of an inner wall of the pulp bottle through the opening of the lighting device or from the opening of the lighting device, wherein the pulp bottle can be arranged such that the part of the inner wall of the pulp bottle is illuminated by the lighting device. The present disclosure further provides a method for optically inspecting a pulp container, in particular a pulp bottle.
The invention relates to an apparatus (1, 40) for handling reusable containers which can be transported along a transport path in a transport direction through the apparatus. The apparatus comprises: a mass conveyor (2, 41) for transporting containers in a first direction (3, 42) and for supplying said containers to a container cleaning machine (4, 43) which is downstream of the mass conveyor and is designed to transport containers in a second direction (21, 44), to clean the inside and outside of said containers and then to output same on a single track, an output device (5, 49), which is downstream of the container cleaning machine, for removing and separating containers from the container cleaning machine in the first or in a third direction (39, 50). The second direction runs transversely to and the third direction is opposite to the first direction. Following the container cleaning machine, the output device comprises a first group of a plurality of parallel first conveyors which are designed to separate containers and to convey same in the first/third direction. Following the first group in parallel is a second group of a plurality of parallel second conveyors which are designed to convey the separated containers in the third/first direction and one or more third conveyors, which are fewer in number than the number of second conveyors, for transporting away the separated containers in the third/first direction.
B08B 9/44 - Cleaning of containers, e.g. tanks by using apparatus into or on to which containers, e.g. bottles, jars, cans, are brought the apparatus being characterised by means for conveying or carrying containers therethrough the means being for loading or unloading the apparatus
B08B 9/20 - Cleaning of containers, e.g. tanks by using apparatus into or on to which containers, e.g. bottles, jars, cans, are brought
88.
Apparatus and a method for processing beverage containers
An apparatus for processing containers having a transport device which transports the containers to be processed along a predefined transport path has at least one processing device which is configured to process a container in a predefined manner, wherein the apparatus has a movement device, having at least one first guide cam and at least one guide roller which is configured to roll relative to the guide cam. The apparatus also has a detection device which is configured to detect at least one measurement value which is characteristic of a running property of the guide roller relative to the guide cam, and an evaluation device which is configured to evaluate this detected measurement value taking into account at least one further operating value characteristic of the operation of the apparatus.
An apparatus for labeling containers. The apparatus has a labeling device with a labeling unit for labeling the containers and a supply device which is connected to the labeling unit for feeding a label tape to the labeling unit. The supply device has a robot cell which is arranged at a distance from the labeling unit. The robot cell has a roll storage unit, a roll receiving device, and a robot that is configured to automatically load the roll receiving device with label rolls from the roll storage unit.
A gripping system for gripping a label roll with a ring-shaped roll core. The gripping system has an inner gripper which has a plurality of inner clamping jaws which are arranged distributed in a circumferential direction around a central axis of the gripping system and can be moved radially with respect to the central axis to grip the inside of the label roll on an inner circumferential face of the annular roll core. The gripping system further has at least one distance sensor, which is arranged for detecting a distance between the gripping system and the label roll.
An apparatus for guiding containers conveyed by a star wheel in a star wheel conveyor, for example for guiding beverage containers in a star wheel conveyor in a beverage filling plant, includes at least two adjustment parts arranged spaced apart from one another in a circumferential direction relative to a central axis, each displaceable in the radial direction relative to the central axis, and a control segment displaceable in the circumferential direction, which is coupled to the adjustment parts such that displacement of the control segment in the circumferential direction causes a displacement of the adjustment parts in the radial direction, wherein a guide rail segment is arranged at the radially inner end of each adjustment part, and wherein the guide rail segments together form a segmented guide rail for providing an outer guide track for the containers to be conveyed.
B65G 47/84 - Star-shaped wheels or devices having endless travelling belts or chains, the wheels or devices being equipped with article-engaging elements
B65G 21/20 - Means incorporated in, or attached to, framework or housings for guiding load-carriers, traction elements or loads supported on moving surfaces
An exemplary device may support or guide containers during transport of the containers in a container handling system. The device has at least one main body for supporting or guiding the containers during the transport. The at least one main body can have a surface for making contact with the containers, which surface is textured in order to reduce the contact area between the surface and the containers when transporting the containers. In examples, the at least one main body can be made of a base material and of at least one additive material, which has a surface energy with a polar fraction which differs, preferably substantially, from a polar fraction of a surface energy of the base material and/or of the containers, and preferably made of at least one solid lubricant mate/rial. The device can reduce friction between the containers and the at least one main body.
B65G 21/22 - Rails or the like engaging sliding elements or rollers attached to load-carriers or traction elements
93.
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCTION MONITORING AND IN PARTICULAR REAL-TIME CONTROL IN A SYSTEM FOR PRODUCING, FILLING AND/OR PACKAGING CONTAINERS FOR BEVERAGES OR SIMILAR PRODUCTS
The invention describes a method and an apparatus for production monitoring and in particular real-time control in a system for producing and/or filling and/or packaging containers for beverages or similar products. For this purpose, the containers are continuously transported through a stationary imaging region of at least one sensor that provides two-dimensional imaging, wherein position data relating to the containers are determined from recordings of the containers, which are generated by the sensor, by means of electronic evaluation. Furthermore, times for subsequent location-based machine manipulation and/or inspection of individual containers or all containers are predicted on the basis of the position data. This provides a simplified and more reliable sensor system for triggering container manipulations and inspections.
G05B 19/418 - Total factory control, i.e. centrally controlling a plurality of machines, e.g. direct or distributed numerical control [DNC], flexible manufacturing systems [FMS], integrated manufacturing systems [IMS] or computer integrated manufacturing [CIM]
B67C 3/00 - Bottling liquids or semiliquidsFilling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatusFilling casks or barrels with liquids or semiliquids
94.
DETERMINATION OF THE FUNCTIONALITY OF A CLOSED LOOP CONTROL VALVE OF AN APPARATUS FOR FILLING CONTAINERS
The invention relates, inter alia, to an apparatus for filling containers with a filling material. The apparatus comprises a closed loop control valve for the filling material and a diagnostic device. The diagnostic device is configured to monitor a control value of a control variable of the closed loop control valve during closed loop control and to determine a state of functionality of the closed loop control valve as a function of the monitored control value. Advantageously, the apparatus can allow for a functionality and thus wear of the closed loop control valve to be monitored and detected during operation.
F16K 37/00 - Special means in or on valves or other cut-off apparatus for indicating or recording operation thereof, or for enabling an alarm to be given
95.
CONTAINER TREATMENT SYSTEM WITH IMPROVED PERSONAL PROTECTION
A container treatment system comprising a container treatment device with a treatment region for treating containers and a protective enclosure which at least partially encloses the treatment region. The container treatment system further comprises a sensor device which is configured to detect an intrusion into a predefined protective region in an environment of the container treatment device. The container treatment system further comprises a processing device that is configured to adapt an operation of the container treatment device and/or the container treatment system depending on a signal output of the sensor device.
The invention relates, inter alia, to an apparatus for connecting a gripper to a handling device. The apparatus has at least one compensating element for the purpose of compensating for position inaccuracies, with a toolholder for holding the gripper, a frame for connecting the compensating element to the handling device, and a plurality of elastically deformable connectors which connect the toolholder inside the frame to the frame in an elastically movable manner. The toolholder, the frame and the plurality of connectors are integrally connected as a single piece to one another.
B25J 19/00 - Accessories fitted to manipulators, e.g. for monitoring, for viewingSafety devices combined with or specially adapted for use in connection with manipulators
B29C 64/153 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only solid materials using layers of powder being selectively joined, e.g. by selective laser sintering or melting
B29K 75/00 - Use of polyureas or polyurethanes as moulding material
B29K 77/00 - Use of polyamides, e.g. polyesteramides, as moulding material
A method for determining container properties, wherein a container to be examined is transported along a predetermined transport path, and this container has a bottom region, a main body which serves to receive a filling material, and an mouth region, and wherein this container is formed at least in part of a material containing paper or cardboard. At least one wall of the container is arranged between two electrodes, and an electrical voltage or an alternating electrical field is applied to the electrodes, and at least one electrical parameter is determined which is characteristic of an electrical field which is built up between electrodes, and from this electrical parameter, at least one parameter characteristic of the container is determined.
G01N 27/22 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating impedance by investigating capacitance
G01B 7/06 - Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of electric or magnetic techniques for measuring length, width, or thickness for measuring thickness
An apparatus for connecting label tapes, the apparatus comprising a feed-through area through which the label tapes can be passed along a transport direction, a clamping element for clamping an area of a first label tape, a cutting device upstream of the clamping element for cutting a first label end of the first label tape, an adhesive application device for applying adhesive material to an adhesive area of the first label end upstream of the clamping element, a connecting device for bringing a second label end of a second label tape to the first label end of the first label tape and for connecting the second label end to the first label end in the adhesive area.
The invention relates to an individualizing device, which is connected between different numbers of conveyor belts with different speeds for transporting containers and/or container packages in a transport direction, in order to receive and deposit the containers and/or container packages. The individualizing device compensates for speed differences of the containers and/or container packages in the transport direction between the conveyor belts, which are arranged upstream and downstream of the individualizing device, and the individualizing device has a variable receiving and depositing position for receiving or transferring containers and/or container packages at least in the transport direction. The invention additionally relates to a system comprising such an individualizing device and a plurality of conveyor belts, the conveyor belts which are arranged downstream of the individualizing device having at least the same transport capacity as the conveyor belts which are arranged upstream of the individualizing device. The invention additionally relates to a method for individualizing containers and/or container packages provided on conveyor belts which differ, in terms of number and conveyor speed, from the conveyor belts that transport the containers and/or container packages away, said method having the steps of: receiving the containers and/or container packages from supplying conveyor belts in variable positions in the transport direction, depositing the containers and/or container packages onto conveyor belts which transport the containers and/or container packages away in variable positions in the transport direction, and compensating for speed differences between the supplying conveyor belts and the conveyor belts which transport the containers and/or container packages away.
B65G 47/08 - Devices for feeding articles or materials to conveyors for feeding articles from a single group of articles arranged in orderly pattern, e.g. workpieces in magazines spacing or grouping the articles during feeding
B65G 47/51 - Devices for discharging articles or materials from conveyors with distribution, e.g. automatically, to desired points according to unprogrammed signals, e.g. influenced by supply situation at destination
B65G 47/71 - Devices for transferring articles or materials between conveyors, i.e. discharging or feeding devices adapted to receive articles arriving in one layer from one conveyor and to transfer them in individual layers to more than one conveyor, or vice versa, e.g. combining the flows of articles conveyed by more than one conveyor the articles being discharged to several conveyors
100.
FILM STORE AND METHOD FOR STORING A STRIP-LIKE CONTINUOUS FILM
The invention relates to a film store and method for dynamically storing a strip-like label film, wherein the film store comprises at least one storage region with an upper carriage and a lower carriage as well as deflection rollers fastened thereto for the label film. The label film is guided along a transport path extending in a meandering manner between the upper carriage and the lower carriage, and the size of the film store is adjusted by the upper and lower carriage moving in opposite directions while mutually compensating for weight. Because the upper carriage and the lower carriage are moved toward one another or away from one another by a torque-controlled or force-controlled servo motor and/or the servo motor tensions the label film between the deflection rollers, the storage dynamics and the storage capacity can be optimized while maintaining a maximum permissible strip tension in the label film.
