TREATMENT SYSTEM FOR KEGS

Abstract

A system for treating kegs with data carriers. One or more treatment modules, each of which has a keg receiving area, a treatment head, and an one interface for a discharge line and for a cleaning medium line and/or at least one filling product line. A signaling device configured for signaling operations to be carried out with the treatment modules and/or a loading device for supplying and discharging the kegs to and from the treatment modules. A controller configured for controlling the treatment modules, the signaling device, and/or the feed device. A reading device connected to the controller for reading information from the data carriers. The controller being configured to control and/or regulate the treatment of the kegs, in particular a cleaning process and/or a filling process, in the treatment modules based on the information on the data carriers. The information being read by the reading device.

Claims

1-22. (canceled)

23. A system for treating kegs having data carriers, the system comprising: at least one treatment module having, a keg receiver configured for receiving at least one keg, a treatment head configured for treating the keg, and at least one interface for a discharge line, and for at least one cleaning medium line and/or at least one filling product line, at least one signaling device for signaling activities which are to be carried out in conjunction with the treatment modules, and/or at least one loading device for delivering and discharging the kegs to and from the individual treatment modules; a controller for controlling the at least one treatment module, and for controlling the signaling device and/or the loading device; a reading device connected to the controller for reading the information deposited on the data carrier, and said controller being configured to carry out a treatment of the kegs, based on the information deposited on the data carrier read by the reading device.

24. The system according to claim 23, wherein the controller is configured to control a duration and/or an intensity of the treatment by each of the at least one treatment module based on the information deposited on the data carrier read by the reading device.

25. The system according to claim 23, wherein the system has a loading device, and the reading device has a first reading unit at the loading device, and the reading device is configured to read the information deposited on the data carriers while the kegs are transported by the loading device to the at least one treatment module.

26. The system according to claim 25, wherein a further reading unit of the reading device is arranged at or in the at least one treatment module.

27. The system according to claim 23, wherein: the at least one treatment module is a plurality of treatment modules; the reading device has a plurality of reading units corresponding to the plurality of treatment modules, and each reading unit is arranged at or in the respective treatment modules; and the plurality of reading units are configured for reading the information deposited on the data carriers;

28. The system according to claim 23, wherein the reading device is configured to read the information deposited on the data carriers while the kegs are in the at least one treatment module.

29. The system according to claim 23, wherein the reading device is configured to read the information deposited on the data carriers using radio waves.

30. The system according to claim 23, wherein the reading device is formed as a combined writing and reading device, and the reading device is configured to write information onto the data carriers and/or into a databank.

31. The system according to claim 30, wherein the reading device is configured to write information provided by the controller onto the data carrier and/or into the databank after the treatment in the at least one treatment module.

32. The system according to claim 23, wherein the reading device is configured as an RFID reading device, and the data carriers are configured as RFID transponders.

33. The system according to claim 23, wherein the at least one treatment module is a plurality of treatment modules, and the treatment head of at least one of the plurality of treatment modules is configured for both filling the keg with a filling product and for cleaning the interior cleaning of the keg.

34. The system according to claim 23, wherein the at least one treatment module is a plurality of treatment modules, and at least one of the plurality of treatment modules has a device configured for the external cleaning of the keg.

35. The system according to claim 23, further comprising at least one external cleaning module for the external cleaning of the kegs, wherein the system has a loading device, and the loading device is configured for the delivery and removal of the kegs to and from the external cleaning module.

36. The system according to claim 23, wherein the keg receiver of the at least one treatment module is configured for the static receiving of one or more kegs.

37. The system according to claim 23, wherein the at least one treatment module is a plurality of treatment modules, and the keg receiver of at least one of the plurality of treatment modules is configured to receive one single keg.

38. The system according to claim 24, wherein the controller has at least one data memory for individual data of the keg, and the controller is configured to control the duration of the treatment, in the at least one treatment module based on the individual data.

39. The system according to claim 23, wherein the system has a loading device, and the controller is configured to calculate a delivery and discharge path of each keg and to carry out the movement of the loading device based on an optimization criterion.

40. The system according to claim 39, wherein the optimization criterion has a criterion for the optimization of at least one of the path, time, and energy.

41. The system according to claim 23, wherein the at least one treatment module is a plurality of treatment modules, the interface of at least two of the plurality of treatment modules has connections to at least two filling product lines, and the controller is configured to operate at least one of the at least two of the plurality of treatment modules with a first filling product, and at least one other of the at least two of the plurality of treatment modules with a second filling product.

42. The system according to claim 23, wherein the controller has a work plan memory for filling and/or cleaning orders to be carried out, and the controller has a computer module configured to control the at least one treatment module based on the cleaning and/or filling orders.

43. The system according to claim 42, wherein the computer module of the controller is configured to control the at least one treatment module, and the signaling device and/or the loading device, so that the processing of the cleaning and/or filling orders is based on at least one of the following optimization criteria: time optimization, optimization of the filling and/or cleaning capacity, energy optimization, optimization of the actuation paths of the feed device, and minimization of the cleaning effort and/or cleaning media consumption.

44. The system according to claim 23, wherein: the at least one treatment module is a plurality of treatment modules, and the plurality of treatment modules are configured for the treatment of different kegs; and at least one of the plurality of treatment modules is configured for the treatment of kegs of a first type, and at least one other of the plurality of treatment modules is configured for the treatment of kegs of a second type.

Description

[0057] FIG. 1 A view from above onto a container treatment system for kegs, with five treatment modules,

[0058] FIG. 2 a view II-II from FIG. 1, leaving out the treatment modules arranged at an angle,

[0059] FIG. 3 a treatment module with additional external cleaning device for the keg, and

[0060] FIG. 4 a rough schematic representation of an exemplary treatment head of an exemplary embodiment variant, with a keg partially represented.

[0061] FIGS. 1 and 2 show a keg treatment system 10 for cleaning and filling kegs 12, which comprises a data carrier on which individual data of the keg is stored. The treatment system 10 comprises seven container treatment modules 14a-14g, which are arranged in a circle around a loading robot 16. which in this case forms a feed device. It is of course also possible for a linear feed device and/or a linear arrangement of container treatment modules. A multi-storey arrangement of the container treatment modules is also possible.

[0062] The loading robot 16 comprises a basic body 22 which can be rotated about a vertical axis z, which carries a gripper arm 18 which moves through several degrees of freedom. The gripper arm 18 comprises a first arm section 20a for securing to the basic body 22 of the robot 16, a second arm section 20b, which is arranged on the first arm section 20a in a jointed arrangement, at the free end of which there is arranged in turn, in a jointed manner, a gripper 24, which is capable of gripping a keg 12 from a delivery belt 26 and conveying it to each of the container treatment modules 14a-14g, as well as taking it from there and conveying it to a discharge belt 28, from which the kegs 12 which have been treated, in particular cleaned and filled, are again transported away.

[0063] Also arranged in the vicinity of the gripper is a first reading unit 46a of a reading device 46, which is capable of reading the data on the data carriers 11 of the kegs 12, and writing it if appropriate.

[0064] As an alternative or in addition, arranged at the loading robot 16 is a signalling device in the form of a display 17, on which display is shown which treatment procedure is to be carried out or is being carried out at the individual treatment modules 14a-g. If a loading robot is not provided for, the display serves to guide the operator person in order to ensure optimised cleaning and filling at the treatment modules 14a-g. In addition, arranged in the travel path of the gripper arm 18 of the loading robot 16 is a function device 13, such as, for example, a printer, a capper, a cap remover, a label applier, or the like. In this way it is possible, without making any major changes to the travel path of the gripper arm 18, for a label to be applied, printing carried out, and fitting and removing a cap onto and from the fitting of the keg 12, all integrated into the treatment sequence.

[0065] FIG. 2 also shows a common controller 30, which is connected both to the display 17, to the loading robot 16, and also to each treatment module 14a-g. As an alternative, it is possible to use decentralised control modules which are networked to one another. The controller 30 is capable, in a manner described in greater detail hereinafter, by means of the reading units 46a,b of the reading device 46, to read out the individual data carriers 11 at the kegs, and to control the treatment sequence of the kegs 12 in the system 10 as a dependency of the information which is read in.

[0066] The controller 30 also contains a work plan memory 32 for cleaning and filling orders of the treatment system 10 which are to be carried out, and a computer module 34, which is configured, on the basis of the filling orders present in the work plan memory 32, to control in an optimum manner, both the display 17 and the loading robot 16, as well as each of the treatment modules 14a-14g.

[0067] All the treatment modules 14a-14g have in common that they are preferably provided with a combined cleaning/filling head 36, which is capable of both filling the keg 12 as well as cleaning it from the interior. In addition to this combined cleaning and filling option of each treatment module 14a-g, the first two treatment modules 14a and 14b also have an exterior cleaning function (FIG. 3), which allows for the kegs to be cleaned on the outside, i.e. for the outer wall of the keg 12 to be cleaned. As an alternative, provision can be made for the first two treatment modules 14a and 14b to have only the external cleaning function, while all the other treatment modules 14c-14g perform the cleaning and filling function on the basis of the combined cleaning/filling head 36.

[0068] The loading robot 16 can be rotated about a central axis z, which is located in particular in the centre of the treatment modules 14a-14g, arranged in a circle. This is advantageous, since as a result the distance interval of each treatment module 14a-14g from the loading robot 16 is identical, which simplifies the calculation and optimisation of the feeding and discharge paths.

[0069] Each treatment module 14a-g has a receiver 35 and a holding device 38 for the keg, arranged at which is a temperature sensor 40 for the degree of filling.

[0070] The reading device 46 further contains, in addition to or as an alternative to the first reading unit 46a, at the gripper 24 of the loading robot 16 at each treatment module 14a-g, in each case a further reading unit 46b for the data carrier 11 arranged at the keg 12. Each reading unit 46a,b of the reading device can be, for example, a reading unit for an RFID transponder, which preferably is also capable of partially overwriting the data carrier 11 of the keg 12. In this way, current filling data can be written onto the data carrier 11. In this situation, preferably, ID data of the keg 12 cannot be overwritten.

[0071] The controller 30 is configured such as to control and/or regulate a treatment of the kegs 12, in particular cleaning and/or filling, in the respective treatment module as a dependency of the information read out by means of the reading device.

[0072] The system 10 therefore allows the duration and/or the intensity or the steps of a treatment to be controlled as a dependency of information which is present from a data carrier 11 arranged in connection with the keg 12. Such information can comprise the filling date and the type of the last filling product, the final recipient, the address data, etc., and therefore allows the controller to assess what treatment the keg 12 requires in order to ensure optimised cleaning and filling.

[0073] In particular, in this situation the controller 30 is configured such as to control the duration and/or intensity of the treatment, in particular the cleaning and/or filling, by the respective treatment module, as a dependency of the information on the data carriers read out by the reading device, in order to ensure a rapid and effective treatment sequence of the kegs 12 in the system 10.

[0074] The holding device 38a of the keg 12 in the treatment module 14a-g can, as an alternative, also engage the base of the keg 12 from above, which is shown, for example in FIG. 3 by way of the treatment modules 14a, 14b. The keg 12 is held in its identical cleaning and filling position in an upside down position in the receiver 35 of the treatment module 14a-g, such that the fitting of the keg 12 can be connected from below to the combined cleaning/filling head 36.

[0075] Each treatment module 14a-14g can be connected via a supply interface 41, which comprises several filling product connections 42a,b, to several product lines, which then makes it possible for different filling products to be filled simultaneously in the treatment system. Moreover, the filling product of a treatment module can be changed after each keg 12. In addition, each treatment module 14a-14g is connected via the supply interface 41 to media lines, in the present case a water connection 44a, a water vapour/steam connection 44b, and a cleaning media connection 44c of the supply interface 41. It is of course possible for other lines, such as a tension gas line, a CO.sub.2 line, etc. to be connected to the supply interface 41. Not represented in the drawing is a waste water discharge line of the treatment module. By means of this supply interface 41 of each treatment module 14a-14g, it is possible for different treatment steps to be carried out simultaneously in the container treatment system 10, such as cleaning and filling, as well as the filling of different filling products. Even with a relatively small system, with only two container treatment modules, this still allows for a high degree of flexibility, since both the control of the different treatment processes, such as filling and interior cleaning, as well as the filling of different filling products, in accordance with the filling orders present in the work plan memory 32, is possible even for very small batches, down to one single keg. This system is therefore very well-suited for the dynamic treatment of kegs in smaller and medium sized filling operations.

[0076] Optionally, the first two container treatment modules 14a and 14b have an external cleaning system for the keg 12, as is shown in FIG. 3. Accordingly, the keg receivers 35 of the first two container treatment modules 14a,b are enclosed, for example by a Plexiglas housing, a metal housing, or a glass cover, in order to allow for the spraying of the outer wall with a high-pressure jet and/or steam pressure jet, without putting the surrounding area at risk. For this purpose, the keg receiver 35 is surrounded in particular by a cladding, for example of stainless steel or a Plexiglas housing 50. High-pressure spray nozzles 52 are arranged at the frame 15 of the first two treatment modules 14a,b. In addition to this, the keg is held from above in a rotatable manner by a base holding device 38a, such that all the sides of the outer wall of the keg 12 can be cleaned effectively. The Plexiglas housing 50 can be moved by means of the controller 30 between a release position and a working position, and the spray nozzles 52 can likewise be actuated by means of the controller 30. The first two container treatment modules 14a,b can exhibit this outer wall cleaning option either together with the already present filling and internal cleaning option of conventional cleaning/filling heads 36, or only the first two treatment modules 14a and b are configured for external cleaning, and the internal cleaning and filling then takes place after the external cleaning in the five further treatment modules 14c-14g.

[0077] The reading units 46a,b of the reading device 46 can be arranged not only at the gripper 24 or at the treatment module 14a-g, but at any other part of the treatment system 10 which comes into proximity with the data carriers 11 of the kegs 12. The individual data of the keg 12 which is read in via the reading device 46, such as the filling location and filling product, can be used, for example, directly or indirectly, for determining its degree of dirt contamination.

[0078] This data of the keg 12 can also be stored in a memory of the controller 30 and used, for example, for reference purposes, such as at which customer the keg was last located, the empty weight value, what product was last filled, how long the keg was with the customer, how long it has been transported or stored, etc. By means of this data, it is also possible to derive conclusions in the future with regard to the degree of dirt contamination, and use this, by means of the controller, to adjust and set an individual cleaning time for each keg 12.

[0079] As well as this, i.e. as an alternative or in addition, the dirt contamination can also be determined by measuring the weight of the keg. These features allow the controller 30 to adjust the duration of the cleaning process individually for each single keg 12. As an alternative, the dirt contamination can further be detected by means of a vibration sensor applied to the outer wall of the keg, since the degree of dirt contamination is reflected by the vibration behaviour of the keg.

[0080] The controller 30 can also take account accordingly, in its implementation of cleaning and filling orders, of the individual cleaning times of different treatment modules 14a-14g, such as have been detected, for example, by the reading device 46. In this way, a highly effective and rapid container treatment can be provided for small and medium-sized filling operations, including external cleaning, internal cleaning, and filling.

[0081] The controller 30 is preferably formed by a microprocessor controller.

[0082] With reference to FIG. 4, solely by way of example on the basis of a possible embodiment shown only as an example, a treatment head 36 is described, such as can be used, for example, in at least one of the treatment modules 14a-g. The preferred treatment head 36, shown by way of example, is a special multifunctional treatment head 36 for the internal cleaning and filling of kegs 12.

[0083] The treatment head 36, comprising a treatment head housing 104, has a plunger 105, which is accommodated at least in part in a cavity space of the treatment head housing 104, and is held in the treatment head housing 104 in such a way that it can be moved in the axial direction of a treatment head axis BA, and, on its being moved, can open the keg fitting of the keg 12 which is to be treated and is arranged in a sealing position at the treatment head 36. The cavity space in the treatment head housing 104 further forms, at least in part or at least in sections, a fluid space 106, as well as flow paths or channels SK1, SK2 which communicate in a controllable manner with the fluid space 106, and which, with the keg fitting open of a keg 12 arranged in a sealing position at the treatment head 36, can be connected in a controlled manner with the interior 12.1 of the keg 3. For example, the interior 2.1 of the keg 3 can be filled with the filling product by way of the first flow path or channel SK1. The second flow path or channel SK2 serves to discharge in a controlled manner at least one treatment medium out of the interior 12.1 of the keg 12 and/or for the controllable delivery of at least one treatment medium into the interior 12.1 of the keg 12. The second flow path or channel SK2 can extend at least in part through the plunger 105.

[0084] Also provided at the treatment head 36 are media valves 107, 112, assigned to the fluid space 106, and specifically one first controllable media valve 107, serving to provide controlled delivery of the filling product, which can be connected to a filling product delivery line 108, and a second controllable media valve 112, serving as a return valve. Each of the media valves 107, 112 extends along a respective valve axis, and, specifically, the product valve 107 along a product valve axis PVA and the return valve 112 along a return valve axis RVA. The media valves 107, 112 connect to a respective valve housing section 104a at a transition section or valve transition section of the treatment head housing 104. The valve housing section 104a can be, for example, an integral part of the treatment head housing 104, and configured as being of one piece with it.

[0085] At least with the first controllable media valve 107, serving as the product valve, a valve body 107.1 is provided, which is at least partially accommodated in the valve housing section 104a or is at least partially projecting into the valve housing section 104a, and which can be moved in the direction of the product valve axis PVA. An actuator drive is provided for the movement of the valve body 107.1 along the product valve axis PVA. Formed in the interior in the valve housing section 104a is a valve seat 107.2, against which the valve body 107.1 is in sealing contact, in the region of a front valve body end, at least in one of its extreme positions, namely in a closed position or a first closed valve setting.

[0086] In its other extreme position, namely the open position, shown in FIG. 4, the valve body 107.1 is located at a distance from the valve seat 107.2, as a result of which a flow path for the filling product is cleared, inasmuch as, in this valve setting, the filling product delivery line 108 is in fluidic connection with the fluid space 106 and, connected to this, the first flow path or channel SK1. The controlling and/or monitoring of the media valves 107, 112, is carried out by means of the control unit and/or monitoring unit, which, among other functions, also controls and monitors the valve settings and positions and the switching of the valves.

[0087] With the multifunctional treatment head 36 shown, the product valve 107 comprises a multiple sealing arrangement 109 for the multiple sealing of the filling product delivery line 108 against the fluid space 106, in order to ensure a secure separation between filling product and cleaning media or cleaning means. By means of the multiple sealing arrangement 109, which in the example represented is formed by a double-seat valve or double-seal leakage valve, and comprises a first sealing element 111.1 and a second sealing element 111.2, a security or leakage space 110 is formed, which can be flushed, and which, in the first closed valve setting of the product valve 107 forms a separated intermediate space between the fluid space 106 and the filling product delivery line 108, and, as a result, separates and seals the filling product delivery line 108 and the fluid space 106 against one another reliably and preferably completely, as well as advantageously sealing them against one another.

[0088] Hereinafter the cleaning and filling process are described, in basic details and on the basis of an exemplary sequence, as to how it can be carried out in an exemplary treatment module 14a-g, which is equipped with the exemplary treatment head 36 described.

[0089] An empty keg 12, which is to be treated, is introduced into the treatment module 14a-g, and positioned there in such a way that the keg 12 moves with its keg fitting into a sealing position with the treatment head 36 and is pressed against it. In order to set the interior cleaning process in motion, the keg fitting 2 is opened by means of the plunger 105, such that the individual internal cleaning steps can be carried. During the internal cleaning, in each of the individual sequential cleaning steps, in each case a cleaning medium is delivered by way of the treatment head 36, and discharged again by way of the second controllable media valve 112 of the treatment head 36, serving as a return valve. During the entire internal cleaning, the product valve 107, connected to the filling product delivery line 108, is held in its closed valve position, in which the fluid space 106 and the filling product delivery line 108 are separated securely and double-sealed against one another by means of the security or leakage space 110 formed by the multiple seal arrangement 109.

[0090] After the internal cleaning steps for the cleaning of the interior 12.1, the first media valve 107 is brought in a controlled manner into a middle valve setting, which takes effect as an intermediate or flushing position, in order to carry out a flushing of the head and dead space, with flushing of the security or leakage space 110. By means of a flushing device, preferably provided at the security or leakage space 110 (but not represented in the Figures), in particular by means of a flushing valve, also designated as a satellite valve, and/or by means of a controlled discharge to the outside, the flushing and secure emptying of the security or leakage space 110 can take place in a controlled manner, in order to hold it open or closed as required. After this flushing of the head or dead space, for the actual filling of the keg 13, the first media valve 107 is brought into the filling position and filling product is delivered, until, upon the reaching of the desired filling level, the filling step is stopped by the closing of the first media valve 107.

[0091] It is clear to the person skilled in the art that the exemplary embodiment represented is not to be understood as restrictive, but rather that the invention can be put into effect within the entire scope of protection of the appended claims.

REFERENCE NUMBER LIST

[0092] 10 Keg treatment system [0093] 11 Data carrier at the keg, in particular a passive RFID transponder [0094] 12 Keg [0095] 12.1 Interior of the keg [0096] 13 Function device (e.g. printer, capper, cap remover, label applier, etc.) [0097] 14a-g Treatment module with combined cleaning and filling function [0098] 14a,b Treatment module with additional exterior cleaning function [0099] 15 Frame of the cleaning module [0100] 16 Loading robot [0101] 17 Signalling device-display/LED/buzzer [0102] 18 Gripper arm of the loading robot [0103] 20a First arm section [0104] 20b Second arm section [0105] 22 Basic body of the loading robot, rotatable about a vertical axis of rotation z [0106] 24 Gripper of the loading robot [0107] 26 Delivery belt [0108] 28 Discharge belt [0109] 30 Controller [0110] 32 Work plan memory [0111] 34 Computer module [0112] 35 Receiverkeg receiver of the treatment module [0113] 36 Treatment head or combined cleaning/filling head [0114] 38 Holding device engaging around the keg [0115] 38a Base holding device for the keg [0116] 40 Temperature sensor [0117] 41 Supply interface [0118] 42a,b Filling product connections [0119] 44a Water connection [0120] 44b Water vapour/steam connection [0121] 44c Cleaning media connection [0122] 46 Reading device [0123] 46a First reading unit of the reading device [0124] 46b Further reading unit of the reading device [0125] 50 Plexiglas housing [0126] 52 Spray nozzles for external cleaning [0127] 104 Treatment head housing [0128] 104a Valve housing section [0129] 105 Plunger [0130] 106 Fluid space [0131] 107 First controllable media valve [0132] 107.1 Valve body [0133] 107.2 Valve seat [0134] 108 Filling product delivery line [0135] 109 Multiple seal arrangement [0136] 110 Security or leakage space [0137] 111.1 First sealing element [0138] 111.2 Second sealing element [0139] 112 Second controllable media valve [0140] BA Treatment head axis [0141] PVA Product valve axis [0142] RVA Return valve axis [0143] SK1, 2 First and second flow path or channel [0144] Z Vertical axis of rotation of the loading robot