SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CARRYING OUT A CHANGEOVER PROCESS IN A BEVERAGE PRODUCTION PLANT

Abstract

A method for carrying out a changeover process in a system for producing beverage containers is provided. This system in operation produces plastic containers from plastic parisons by a transforming device and these produced containers are transported to a filling device and the containers are filled with a liquid and in particular a beverage, wherein the liquid is introduced into the container at a temperature of over 50° C., wherein at least the transforming device and the filling device are at least intermittently in data communication with one another and for carrying out the changeover process of at least the transforming device or the filling device a value is output and/or used which is characteristic for a changeover status of this transforming device or this filling device.

Claims

1. A method for carrying out a changeover process in a system for producing beverage containers, wherein this system in operation produces plastic containers from plastic parisons by a transforming device and these produced containers are transported to a filling device and the containers are filled with a liquid and in particular a beverage, wherein the liquid is introduced into the container at a temperature of over 50° C., wherein at least the transforming device and the filling device are at least intermittently in data communication and for carrying out of the changeover process of at least the transforming device or the filling device a value is output and/or used which is characteristic for a changeover status of this transforming device or this filling device.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein in the context of the changeover process a conversion process is also carried out at least on the transforming device and/or the filling device, wherein at least one element of this transforming device and/or the filling device is changed.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein on the transforming device a conversion process from a first set of blow moulds to a second set of blow moulds is carried out and at least one value which is characteristic for this conversion process value is used for the changeover process.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein for the changeover process at least one element of the transforming device and/or at least one element of the filling device is heated.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein flash heating of the liquid is carried out.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the value which is characteristic for the changeover status of the transforming device is a time value and/or a value which is characteristic for a temperature of at least one element of the transforming device or of the filling device.

7. The method according claim 1, wherein in the context of the changeover process at least one element of the transforming device and at least one element of the filling device is heated, wherein the heating of the element of the transforming device is started at a different time and in particular at an earlier time.

8. The method according to claim 5, wherein the time for the start of the heating of the element of the filling device is determined as a function of a time for the start of heating of the element of the transforming device.

9. A system for producing beverage containers, with a transforming device which transforms plastic parisons into plastic containers, with a filling device which fills the plastic containers produced by the transforming device with a liquid and in particular with a beverage, wherein the filling device is configured in such a way that it introduces the liquid into the container at a temperature above 50° C., and with a flash heater which is suitable and intended for heating the liquid to be introduced into the containers, wherein the system has a time management system and/or temperature management system which controls the start of production of the system taking into account heating times of the transforming device and/or the filling device.

10. The system according to claim 9, wherein a value which is characteristic for a conversion process can be supplied to the time management system.

11. The system according to claim 9, wherein the time management system is suitable and intended for automatically initiating a heating operation of at least one element of the system.

12. The system according to claim 9, wherein the system has a display device which is suitable and intended for output of data which are characteristic for heating of at least one element of the system.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

[0048] Some of the embodiments will be described in detail, with reference to the following figures, wherein like designations denote like members, wherein:

[0049] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a system according to embodiments of the invention for processing containers and/or beverages;

[0050] FIG. 2 shows a flow chart for a change of type in a system according to embodiments of the invention;

[0051] FIG. 3 shows a possible display in sequence for a product changeover; and

[0052] FIG. 4 shows an example of a chronological sequence for a product changeover.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0053] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a system according to embodiments of the invention of producing beverage containers 10. This system includes a transforming device 2, for example a stretch blow moulding machine, which transforms plastic parisons into plastic containers. The reference numeral 8 relates to a heating device which serves for heating the plastic parisons delivered to the transforming device 2. The reference numeral 22 relates to a stock of plastic parisons which is delivered to the heating device 8 and to the transforming device 2. However, it would also be possible that already produced plastic containers or also glass containers are delivered directly to the filling device. The reference numeral 24 relates to a stock of already produced containers (possibly also glass containers). If finished containers are delivered, it is also possible to dispense with a transforming device 2. The applicant reserves the right also to claim protection for such an embodiment.

[0054] The reference numeral 4 designates quite schematically a filling device which fills the containers produced by the transforming device. In this case the reference numeral 6 designates a flash heater (KZE) which briefly heats the liquid to be introduced. In this case it is possible that this flash heater to be arranged between a collecting reservoir for the liquid and the filling device 4 and for example heats the liquid or the beverage in the manner of a continuous flow heater.

[0055] The reference numeral 12 designates quite schematically a closer which closes the filled containers. These containers thus filled are guided by means of a transport device 32 and a further transport line 34 to a cooling device 36, such as a recooler.

[0056] The reference numeral 20 designates a time management system which serves for control, in particular for temporal control of the transforming device 2, the filling device 4 and the flash heater 6, as well as also of the preform oven 8. In this case the time management system 20 has, in particular, an image output device 42 by means of which timings can be displayed. The touch screen of the filler can also serve, for example, as image output device. In addition, input elements 44, 46 can also be provided, by means of which the user can input operating steps, such as for instance a confirmation that the blow moulds have been changed. The touch screen, of the blow moulding machine could also serve, for example, as input element. The time management system 20 can control the heating of individual components of the transforming device 2, the filling device 4 and the flash heater 6. In this case the time management system can also, in particular, take account of heating times already carried out or heating times completed.

[0057] FIG. 2 shows a schematic sequence for a method of operation according to embodiments of the invention. In this case first of all a system change is initiated. Then the blow moulds to be replaced are cooled, which can take place both actively by means of a cooling liquid and also passively by leaving the respective blow moulds in the machine. In a further process step the transforming device or blow moulding machine is set up and a self-test is preferably performed. In the context of this set-up process the previous blow moulds are replaced by new blow moulds. In the next method step the heating of the blow moulds is started. At this time a starting time is output via an indicator device or a display (in particular a touch screen). This may be an absolute time indication, such as for instance 3.30 p.m., but it would also be possible for a decremental time to be inserted such as here, for example, 34 minutes and the time runs backwards from with this time. These said 34 minutes are a conventional heating time for the blow moulds. The reference numeral W1 designates the output value or the value used or to be used, which is characteristic for the changeover process of the transforming device. In this case the length of time necessary for the heating of the blow moulds and/or the time period over which heating has already taken place is output or used as the value W1. Thus the value W1 may be an output value for a countdown or a running value. In addition, however, values which are characteristic for a heating power can also be taken into consideration.

[0058] After a specific time, in this case for example after 3 minutes, the heating of the flash heater 6 is started automatically. This is because, for example, 31 minutes are required for heating the flash heater and therefore in the first 3 minutes after the start of heating the blow moulds it would be unnecessary or inefficient to start the heating of the short-time heater. This is preferably also shown on the display, for example by an indication that the heating of the flash heater has now been started. The reference numeral W3 designates the output value or the value used or to be used, which is characteristic for the changeover process of the flash heater. In this case the value W3 is also a time value.

[0059] After a further time period, for example a time of 28 minutes, heating of the filling device is started (again preferably likewise automatically). Here too, the fact that for heating of the filler less time is necessary than for heating of the flash heater and the blow moulds can in turn be taken into consideration. Finally, for instance at a time of 5 minutes, the heating of the oven which is to heat the plastic parisons is started. Accordingly the reference numeral W2 relates to a value which is characteristic for heating of the filling device. Here too, this is a time value.

[0060] As a rule this heating lasts for a substantially shorter time, in this case 5 minutes, so that heating time can also be saved here. Optionally it would also be possible, at a further time, for introduction of the product into the machine to be started automatically, i.e. on the one hand to deliver the plastic parisons and possibly also on the other hand to deliver the liquid.

[0061] In a further method step a confirmation in particular can be awaited from a user, in which it is confirmed that the conversion process is (mechanically) completely self-contained. If this is the case, a test run can be initiated. This results in the time window illustrated in FIG. 2, within which the user can also carry out the conversion on other machine parts, such as for instance the filler or the oven. Within this time window the conversion process should be concluded, so that at the latest at the expiration of the time a corresponding confirmation can be input. Optionally it would also be possible to introduce a further escalation stage, for example when the starting time has been exceeded. In this case, for a predetermined time both the blow moulds and also the filling device and the flash heating device could be kept hot for a specific time. If after the expiration of this time period it is not confirmed that the set-up is completely accomplished, an interruption of the operation can occur. In addition, however, an interruption of the operation by the user is possible.

[0062] A request or alert can also be issued to the user that it now has to confirm the ending of the conversion.

[0063] The start of the test run can generally take place when all automatic processes have been concluded and the completion of the rest of the conversion tasks has been confirmed by the operator. This is preferably done by interrogation.

[0064] In the absence of the confirmation by the user, a waiting time starts—as mentioned above—i.e. the clock runs until a maximum possible time is reached. This may be limited to 10 minutes for example by the flash heater and the quality requirements. Within for example 5 minutes the confirmation by the user can still take place and then the test run can still begin. After this time the entire process is terminated and must be started again. However, the product is then lost. Alternatively, a rework tank can also be provided into which the product is diverted. In this way further use of the product would be possible.

[0065] FIG. 3 shows a possible visual representation of the elapsing times. For example, the expiration time or the heating time for the blow moulds, the flash heater and the filler device can be illustrated by means of bars 52, 54 and 56. The element 58 shows the times in which the said devices are kept warm.

[0066] The reference numeral 62 designates a progress bar in which a clock time can be indicated. In addition, individual specified times can also be indicated, such as for instance the start of the heating at 25 minutes, the time at which all heating processes are concluded (at 0 minutes here) and also a time until which the user can still confirm the carrying out of the set-up operations (10 minutes here). Furthermore—as mentioned above—input elements 44 and 46 can be provided, by means of which the user can for instance confirm a conversion process confirm or can also manually terminate the heating. However, these input elements may also be areas to be touched, for instance on a touch screen. In this way a reproducible changeover time can be achieved in particular on block machines by a more highly automated sequence. In addition an energy saving can also be achieved, since no component has to wait unnecessarily or to be heated unnecessarily.

[0067] FIG. 4 shows a detailed sequence program or a sequence of a product changeover, which can preferably also be carried out by an operator.

[0068] It will be seen here that several sequences or operations are carried out simultaneously, such as for allowing cooling of the blow moulds which are to be replaced and discharging of the short-time heater. During the cooling of the blow moulds the user can already perform a conversion of the filling device and possibly a subsequent foam cleaning of the filler.

[0069] Furthermore, during the cooling of the blow moulds a setting-up of the inspection machine (designated in the drawing as the checkmat) can be carried out. After the cooling of the blow mould the stretch blow moulding machine can be converted, which in the example illustrated here takes 23 minutes. This conversion can be followed by a self-test of the stretch blow moulding machine, which takes 1 minute. Further activities can likewise be carried out following this setting-up, for instance emptying of the plastic parison transport means, changeover of a tipper for the plastic parisons and refilling with plastic parisons.

[0070] In addition a change of type can also be predetermined on the touch screen, and also new setting-up of the sorter for the plastic parisons and also setting-up for the container transport at the outlet. Lastly a setting-up the encoding can be carried out. For these respective operations corresponding times between 2 and 5 minutes have been estimated here. After the setting-up of the stretch blow moulding machine has been carried out, a heating of the blow moulds can take place. This takes 34 minutes. Already during this heating operation or during the end of this heating operation the oven for the blow moulding machine can also be heated up (this takes 5 minutes) and also the heating as well as cooling of the flash heater can take place in this time sequence. In addition a water circulation can also be put into operation for the flash heater. Furthermore, during the heating of the blow moulds a heating of the filling device can also be carried out, which takes 20 minutes.

[0071] Following this, blowing out of the filling device can be carried out and then introduction of the product can be started. After the product has also been introduced into the filler the changeover is ended and a test run can be started (in this case after 78 minutes). After a total of 81 minutes the entire block is ready for the start of production. In this case the entire changeover time of 81 minutes in this case is determined mainly by the length of time required for the cooling of the blow moulds, for setting-up of the stretch blow moulding machine (24 minutes), for heating of the blow moulds (24 minutes) and the test run of 3 minutes. The other operations can be—as illustrated in FIG. 4—carried out in the meantime, without involving an additional loss of time.

[0072] The applicant reserves the right to claim all the features disclosed in the application documents as essential to embodiments of the invention in so far as they are individually or in combination novel over the prior art. Furthermore it is pointed out that features which may be advantageous per se have also been described in the individual drawings. The person skilled in the art recognises immediately that a specific feature described in a drawing may also be advantageous without the incorporation of further features from this drawing. Furthermore the person skilled in the art recognises that advantages may also result from a combination of several features shown in individual drawings or in different drawings.

[0073] Although the present invention has been disclosed in the form of preferred embodiments and variations thereon, it will be understood that numerous additional modifications and variations could be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0074] For the sake of clarity, it is to be understood that the use of “a” or “an” throughout this application does not exclude a plurality, and “comprising” does not exclude other steps or elements. The mention of a “unit” or a “module” does not preclude the use of more than one unit or module.

LIST OF REFERENCES

[0075] W1, W2, W3 characteristic values [0076] 1 system [0077] 2 transforming device [0078] 4 filling device [0079] 6 flash heater (KZE) [0080] 8 heating device/preform oven [0081] 10 beverage containers/plastic containers [0082] 12 closer [0083] 20 time management system [0084] 22 stock of plastic parisons [0085] 32 transport device [0086] 36 transport line/cooling device [0087] 42 image output device [0088] 44, 46 input element [0089] 52, 54, 56 bars [0090] 38 element [0091] 62 progress bar