BEVERAGE DISPENSER

Abstract

Provided is an apparatus for filling containers with a positioning surface on which a container to be filled can be arranged, with a filling device which is suitable and intended for filling the container via its container opening. According to embodiments of the invention, the apparatus has a contour detection device which is suitable and intended for determining a contour of the container to be filled, as well as a determination device which, taking into account the contour of the container, detects an internal volume of the container.

Claims

1. An apparatus for filling containers with a positioning surface on which a container to be filled can be arranged, with a filling device which is suitable and intended to fill the container via its container opening, wherein the apparatus has a contour detection device which is suitable and intended for determining a contour of the container to be filled, and a determination device which, taking into account the contour of the container, detects an internal volume of the container.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus has a position detection device which detects a position of the container relative to the positioning surface.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the filling device has a filling element which is movable in at least one direction which is perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the container.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the contour detection device is suitable and intended to produce a two-dimensional image of the container.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the contour detection device comprises a plurality of radiation sources whose radiation can be directed onto the container.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the radiation sources are arranged on a carrier which is movable in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the containers.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises at least a first distance detecting device which is suitable and intended to detect a distance of the container from the distance detecting means or distance detector.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus has a filling level detection device which detects a filling level of a liquid inside the container.

9. A method for filling containers, wherein a container arranged on a positioning surface is filled by a filling device via its container opening, wherein a contour of the container is detected by a contour detection device and an internal volume of the container is determined taking this contour into account.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein a filling level of a liquid located in the container is determined at least once and the filling process is controlled on the basis of this filling level.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

[0061] Some of the embodiments will be described in detail, with reference to the following FIGURES, wherein like designations denote like members, wherein:

[0062] FIG. 1 shows a filling device according to embodiments of the invention or a beverage dispenser.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0063] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of an apparatus 1 or beverage dispenser 1 according to embodiments of the invention. This has a housing 5 which surrounds an interior 20. This housing has several side walls, such as the side wall 24.

[0064] The reference sign 12 indicates a positioning surface which is flat and horizontal and on which a user can position an unsealed container 10 with its mouth 10a facing upwards. The reference sign L indicates the longitudinal direction of the container.

[0065] The reference sign 2 roughly schematically indicates a filling device for filling the container. This filling device has a filling element 22 which can fill a liquid into the container 10. This filling element 22 is arranged on a carrier 45. This carrier 45 can be moved in the directions x and y. In addition, this carrier is also movable in the direction z, which is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the container 10. In this way, the filling element can be positioned over the opening 10a in order to fill the container 10.

[0066] Reference 48 indicates a second sensor device used to detect a filling level within the container. Furthermore, the second sensor device 48 can be used to check whether the user has removed the closure of the container before placing it in the device before starting the filling process. The device further comprises drives (not shown) which enable movement of the carrier 45 in the directions x, y, z. These drives are in particular electric motor drives, but pneumatic, hydraulic or linear motor drives would also be conceivable. The reference sign 50 schematically indicates a control device for controlling a movement of the carrier or the filling element and/or the sensor device 48. The reference sign 6 indicates a processor device.

[0067] The reference sign 44 indicates a carrier which is movable in the direction y and on which a plurality of radiation sources 42 are arranged. By moving the carrier 44, the interior 20 can be scanned and by irradiating the container 10, its contour can be recorded. In addition, sensor devices (not shown) can be provided on the carrier for detecting the radiation emitted by the radiation sources 42 and reflected by the container 10.

[0068] However, it would also be possible for the radiation devices 42 to be located on a first portion 44a of the carrier 44 and sensor devices to be located on the opposite portion 44b of the carrier. In this case, contour detection is achieved by the use of a plurality of light barriers, each formed by the radiation devices on the section 44a of the carrier and cooperating sensor devices on the section 44b of the carrier. By moving the carrier 44 and activating the individual radiation sources accordingly, the outer contour of the container 10 can be measured.

[0069] A drive device can also be provided for moving the carrier 44. It would also be conceivable that the carrier 45 is also arranged on the carrier 44 and is arranged movably in the direction x on the carrier 44. In this way, a drive for the device could be saved.

[0070] The reference sign 8 indicates a distance measuring device which determines the distance of the container 10 from this distance measuring device. This is also arranged on the carrier 44 and thus movable in the direction v.

[0071] The reference sign 6 schematically indicates a determination device or processor device which determines the internal volume of the container on the basis of the determined contour of the container. The filling of the container can be controlled on the basis of the inner volume determined in this way. In addition, the determination device 6 can also determine the position of the container 10 and also its geometric shape on the basis of the data of the distance measuring device 8. Based on this information, the filling element can be moved to the correct filling position.

[0072] The applicant reserves the right to claim all features disclosed in the application documents as essential to embodiments of the invention, provided they are individually or in combination new compared to the conventional art. It is further pointed out that the individual FIGURES also describe features which may be advantageous in themselves. The skilled person immediately recognises that a certain feature described in a FIGURE can also be advantageous without adopting further features from this FIGURE. Furthermore, the skilled person recognises that advantages can also result from a combination of several features shown in individual FIGURES or in different FIGURES.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0073] 1 apparatus [0074] 2 filling device [0075] 4 contour detection device [0076] 5 housing [0077] 8 distance measuring device [0078] 10 container [0079] 10a container opening [0080] 12 positioning surface [0081] 20 inner space [0082] 22 filling element [0083] 24 side wall [0084] 42 radiation device [0085] 44 carrier [0086] 44a,b sections of carrier 42 [0087] 45 carrier [0088] 48 filling level measuring device [0089] L longitudinal direction