EP3501676B1 - Bottle cleaning device - Google Patents

Bottle cleaning device Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3501676B1
EP3501676B1 EP18176907.6A EP18176907A EP3501676B1 EP 3501676 B1 EP3501676 B1 EP 3501676B1 EP 18176907 A EP18176907 A EP 18176907A EP 3501676 B1 EP3501676 B1 EP 3501676B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
cleaning machine
bottles
bottle
bottle cleaning
collection container
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
EP18176907.6A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP3501676C0 (en
EP3501676A1 (en
Inventor
Maximilian Grzeskowiak
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Krones AG
Original Assignee
Krones AG
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Publication date
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Publication of EP3501676A1 publication Critical patent/EP3501676A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP3501676C0 publication Critical patent/EP3501676C0/en
Publication of EP3501676B1 publication Critical patent/EP3501676B1/en
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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B08—CLEANING
    • B08B—CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
    • B08B9/00—Cleaning hollow articles by methods or apparatus specially adapted thereto 
    • B08B9/08—Cleaning containers, e.g. tanks
    • B08B9/20—Cleaning containers, e.g. tanks by using apparatus into or on to which containers, e.g. bottles, jars, cans are brought
    • B08B9/42—Cleaning 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
    • B08B9/44—Cleaning 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
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B07—SEPARATING SOLIDS FROM SOLIDS; SORTING
    • B07C—POSTAL SORTING; SORTING INDIVIDUAL ARTICLES, OR BULK MATERIAL FIT TO BE SORTED PIECE-MEAL, e.g. BY PICKING
    • B07C5/00—Sorting according to a characteristic or feature of the articles or material being sorted, e.g. by control effected by devices which detect or measure such characteristic or feature; Sorting by manually actuated devices, e.g. switches
    • B07C5/34—Sorting according to other particular properties
    • B07C5/3404—Sorting according to other particular properties according to properties of containers or receptacles, e.g. rigidity, leaks, fill-level
    • B07C5/3408—Sorting according to other particular properties according to properties of containers or receptacles, e.g. rigidity, leaks, fill-level for bottles, jars or other glassware
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B08—CLEANING
    • B08B—CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
    • B08B9/00—Cleaning hollow articles by methods or apparatus specially adapted thereto 
    • B08B9/08—Cleaning containers, e.g. tanks
    • B08B9/20—Cleaning containers, e.g. tanks by using apparatus into or on to which containers, e.g. bottles, jars, cans are brought
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B08—CLEANING
    • B08B—CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
    • B08B9/00—Cleaning hollow articles by methods or apparatus specially adapted thereto 
    • B08B9/08—Cleaning containers, e.g. tanks
    • B08B9/20—Cleaning containers, e.g. tanks by using apparatus into or on to which containers, e.g. bottles, jars, cans are brought
    • B08B9/205—Conveying containers to or from the cleaning machines

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a bottle cleaning machine for cleaning bottles in the beverage processing industry according to independent claim 1 and independent claim 6.
  • Bottle cleaning machines which are used particularly in the beverage processing industry, are well known.
  • the technical problem to be solved is therefore to simplify the operation of bottle cleaning machines and to reduce the effort for operators in regular operation.
  • the bottle cleaning machine for cleaning bottles in the beverage processing industry comprises a transport device for the disorderly, standing transport of bottles in a mass flow to an input area of the bottle cleaning machine, with a detection device for detecting a defective and/or fallen bottle in or in front of the input area and in the input area a robotic arm are arranged with a gripping element, wherein a control unit of the bottle cleaning machine can receive information about a defective and/or fallen bottle from the detection device and control the robotic arm to erect the defective and/or fallen bottle or to remove it from the transport device.
  • the input area of the bottle washing machine is any area of the transport device in which the bottles are transported in a disorderly manner, but at least in the form of a mass flow, and from which they are ultimately transferred to a cleaning area of the bottle washing machine, in which they are cleaned.
  • a robotic arm in conjunction with a detection device and a suitable control unit allows the operator to perform the activities of sorting out defective or fallen bottles in an automated manner, which is otherwise done by the operator, with the operator at most monitoring, but only rarely having to intervene personally.
  • reliability can be increased, since the susceptibility to errors in a monotonous activity can be significantly reduced by computer-aided and automated processes.
  • the detection device includes a camera which is arranged above the transport device and whose optical axis runs perpendicular to a transport plane defined by the transport device, in which the bottles are transported. In this way, bottles that have fallen over or are damaged can be prevented from being covered by bottles standing next to them, which improves the detection accuracy of these bottles.
  • the robot arm comprises at least two joints and/or the range of motion of the robot arm extends over the entire width of the transport device. In this way, all bottles that have fallen over or are defective in the transport device can be handled with the robot arm.
  • control unit is designed to control the robotic arm to remove a defective bottle from the transport device and a fallen non-defective one Set up the bottle and keep it in the transport device.
  • the work steps can be reduced because a defective bottle, regardless of whether it has fallen over or is still should be removed from the conveyor and not fed into the cleaning area.
  • the erecting work step which could fail anyway due to the damage, can be omitted.
  • the further bottle cleaning machine according to the invention for cleaning bottles in the beverage processing industry comprises a transport device for the unordered, upright transport of bottles in a mass flow to an input area of the bottle cleaning machine, with the bottle cleaning machine being assigned a collection container for sorted bottles, which comprises a filling level sensor, the collection container is designed to output a signal indicative of the level when a predefined level is reached.
  • This bottle cleaning machine and in particular the collection container frees the operator from having to constantly monitor the filling level of the collection container. He can thus devote himself to more important and other activities.
  • This signal can also be used by other systems to initiate other automated processes.
  • the signal is an acoustic, visual, or electronic signal.
  • Acoustic or optical signals can be easily perceived by operators, so that an operator can be informed as effectively as possible when the predefined filling level is reached and, if necessary, can initiate further steps, such as manually emptying the collection container.
  • An electronic signal which is transmitted via a data line, for example, allows other components to be controlled based on this signal.
  • the filling level sensor is designed as a scale. Especially when stacking objects such as bottles with a highly irregular shape, a level sensor that measures the actual stack height of the bottles can be disadvantageous because it ignores gaps or irregularities in the stacking of the bottles.
  • the use of a scale is advantageous here, since it only measures the mass or weight of the bottles, regardless of their arrangement in the collection container.
  • the collection container is designed as an autonomous, mobile carriage which, depending on the signal, can drive to an emptying station, transfer the bottles to it and return to the bottle cleaning machine.
  • the operator can thus be completely freed from having to deal with emptying the collecting tank, which can lead to accidental overfilling of the collecting tank and the consequent Prevents bottles from falling out and improves the reliability of emptying the bin.
  • At least two collection containers are assigned to the bottle cleaning machine, with the collection containers being able to automatically control their movement in such a way that a collection container for receiving sorted bottles is positioned at all times.
  • the positioning of the container "for receiving sorted bottles" is to be understood in such a way that the collecting container is arranged in the area provided for this purpose near the bottle washing machine, so that the bottles can be brought into the collecting container, for example by an operator or a robot arm provided for this purpose .
  • the respective other collection container can either be in a "queue” in the usual direction of movement of the collection container after the collection container currently positioned to receive the bottles in a waiting position or, for example, be in motion back to the emptying station or to the bottle cleaning machine.
  • Other intermediate stations, such as a cleaning station for the collection container are also conceivable here.
  • the bottle cleaning machine includes a detection device and a robotic arm, as well as a control unit according to one of the preceding embodiments, and the robotic arm is designed to transfer defective bottles to the collection container.
  • An operator of the bottle washing machine, or generally of a container treatment machine that includes this bottle washing machine, can thus be completely freed from the work associated with sorting out broken or fallen bottles and emptying the collection container, thus saving labor costs while increasing the reliability of sorting and more processing defective or fallen bottles can be increased.
  • This embodiment can be combined with all embodiments relating to the collection container and is not exclusively tied to the autonomous movement of the collection container. In principle, with this embodiment, the collection container can be moved in a secured and therefore reliable manner, whether by an operator or in an autonomous way, which increases the reliability of the emptying of the collecting tank.
  • FIG. 12 schematically shows a plan view of a bottle cleaning machine 100 according to an embodiment.
  • the bottle washer 100 typically includes a cleaning area 101, not shown in detail here, in which bottles are cleaned for recycling or further use.
  • the bottles can be transported anywhere within this area, but they are usually transported in an orderly manner, so that targeted cleaning of the inner area of the bottles is also possible.
  • An entry area is arranged in front of the cleaning area, which is essentially formed by a transport device 111 and via which bottles can be fed to the cleaning area 101 .
  • the bottles are conveyed in a random mass flow in an upright position with the aid of a transport device.
  • they can be separated and then handed over, for example to special receptacles within the cleaning area, but this is not the subject of the present invention.
  • a detection device 121 that can detect the bottles is arranged in the entry area, in which the bottles are usually conveyed at only a low speed.
  • this detection device is designed to detect whether bottles have fallen over and/or been damaged.
  • the detection device is arranged above the transport level of the bottles, so that the detection device can detect the bottles from above. Since the detection device is designed as a camera, the optics are aligned in the direction of the transport device, so that the bottles conveyed in the transport device can be detected.
  • the identification device 121 can be mounted in a holder 120 which runs, for example, in the form of a bridge over the transport device, in particular the entrance area 110 .
  • the detection device 122 In order to ensure that all bottles in the transport device and in the entrance area 110 can be detected, it can also be provided that, depending on the size of the field of view that can be achieved with the detection device 121, several detection devices (shown schematically by the detection device 122) are arranged so that the overall field of view forms at least one strip transverse to the direction of transport (represented here by the fall) of the bottles in the entry area through the transport device.
  • This band is preferably completely continuous and optionally includes an overlap of some fields of view of the detection devices, at least in order not to leave any blind spots.
  • a robot arm 140 which has a gripping element with which it can either remove defective and/or fallen bottles from the transport device 111 (in particular in the case of defective bottles, such as bottles with broken glass) or which can move the bottles to a new position can, in particular, be able to right bottles that have fallen over.
  • a control unit 190 is connected both to the recognition device 121 (and optionally to the further recognition devices) and to the robot arm 140 in such a way that data can be exchanged.
  • the control unit can be designed as a computer, for example, and be connected to the robot arm and the detection device or devices via appropriate data lines, such as cables or wireless communication means, so that preferably a bidirectional data transfer can take place via this connection.
  • the control unit can move the robot arm 140 control the removal of defective bottles from the transport device and the uprighting of fallen bottles.
  • robot arm 140 can advantageously be arranged on a holder 143, which in turn can advantageously be moved along a rail 144 transverse to the transport direction of the bottles defined by transport device 111, so that robot arm 140 preferably covers all bottles in at least one strip transverse to the transport direction Can reach bottles in the transport device or in the entrance area.
  • this strip can have a width parallel to the transport direction of 15 cm, preferably 30 cm, particularly preferably 50 cm, so that the freedom of movement of the robot arm is large enough to be able to set up or remove several defective or fallen bottles that are in this strip at the same time.
  • a defective bottle 131 located in the entrance area 110 is recognized by the recognition device 121 .
  • This bottle can, for example, be an at least partially broken bottle. So that the recognition device and/or the control unit (see 1 ) can distinguish a defective bottle from an intact bottle, provision can be made for the detection device or the control unit to be assigned a memory in which images or at least reference data relating to undamaged bottles are stored. By using image recognition programs, a defective bottle can be recognized by comparing it with the characteristics of an intact bottle.
  • the entrance area 110 which is in the field of view of the detection device 121, is made transparent, and in this case an illumination device can be arranged on the side of the entrance area 110 opposite the detection device 121, which illuminates the bottles in the entrance area 110 illuminated "from below".
  • an illumination device can be arranged on the side of the entrance area 110 opposite the detection device 121, which illuminates the bottles in the entrance area 110 illuminated "from below". The recognition quality of the recognition device can thus be improved.
  • control unit will not control the robotic arm and the bottles will be fed to the bottle washer to be cleaned.
  • step in follows Figure 2b .
  • the robot arm 140 is controlled in order to grip the defective bottle with its gripping element 145 and to remove it from the input area 110 in accordance with the direction of the arrow shown, at least in a direction perpendicular to the plane of transport of the bottles.
  • the robot arm can be designed with a gripping element 145, for example in the form of tongs.
  • pliers can grasp a defective bottle, advantageously at least part of the area of the gripping element that comes into contact with the surface of the bottle being provided with a coating whose coefficient of friction with respect to the material of the bottle, for example glass or PET, is high , so that the bottle is prevented from slipping after the gripping element has been accessed, without the need for considerable forces to act on the bottle.
  • materials are preferred whose coefficient of static friction ⁇ H ⁇ 1, such as 0.9 or 0.95, particularly preferably greater than 1.
  • the robot arm 140 dispose of the defective bottle 131 in a collecting container 270 provided for this purpose.
  • This collection container is preferably located in an area that is within the range of movement of the robot arm.
  • the collection container is at least on one side of the in 1 described rail is arranged so that the robot is moved after removal of a defective bottle from the transport device along the rail to one end of the rail and there the bottle is transferred to the collecting container 270 .
  • corresponding collecting containers can also be provided at both ends of the rail.
  • bottles that have fallen over can be uprighted. This process is in the Figures 3a - 3c portrayed.
  • a bottle 131 that has fallen over is first detected in the entry area 110 by the detection device 121 .
  • the procedure here can be analogous to that in Figure 2a be described.
  • a bottle that has fallen over can be determined by comparing characteristics or images of bottles that have not fallen over that are stored in a memory.
  • the robotic arm 140 is controlled.
  • the robot arm is not controlled so that it completely removes the bottle 131 from the entry area 110 by gripping it with the gripping element.
  • the robot arm lifts the bottle 131 that has fallen over and aligns it correctly again by suitable rotation of the robot arm and, if necessary, of the gripping element, so that it can be introduced into the mass flow of bottles, standing again.
  • An embodiment in which the robot arm initially lifts the fallen bottle by a height h that is higher than the length l of the bottles 130 in the transport plane is particularly preferred here.
  • the robotic arm can rotate the bottle appropriately without possible contact with bottles in the entrance area 110, which could otherwise result in further fallen bottles. This post-lift rotation is indicated by arrows 290 .
  • the robot arm lowers the bottle 131 that has been erected in this way, so that it is introduced into the mass flow of the containers.
  • the relative movement of the other bottles can be taken into account and the bottle 131 to be re-introduced is not simply lowered perpendicularly to the transport plane, but this movement can be overlaid with a movement that corresponds to the movement of the bottles in the transport device, so that collisions with other bottles are prevented becomes.
  • a corresponding movement can also be superimposed when lifting the bottle from the transport device.
  • the erected bottle is not moved to the same position from which it was lifted in order to be erected. This can be necessary in particular when the bottles are being transported with such a high dynamic pressure in the entry area that the gap created by the lifting of the fallen bottle is closed by other bottles moving up. In such a case, the erected bottle 131 can also be repositioned at a different location in the entrance area.
  • an area separated by a delimitation is provided in the entry area, in which each erected bottle is positioned and from which it is fed to the cleaning area 101 of the bottle cleaning machine.
  • the conveyor belt in the 1 positioned scenery must be provided, which is, for example, on the right or left edge of the in 1 shown entrance area and which diverts the actual mass flow of the containers, so that there is a bottle-free area behind the scenes in the transport direction of the containers.
  • the robot arm can then be placed in these analogously to the in Figure 2c described Bring in the bottles, for example by being moved along the rail 144 and placing a previously caught, fallen bottle there in an upright position.
  • a collecting container 420 is assigned to a bottle cleaning machine 400 with an input area 410, in which bottles are transported in a mass flow, into which, for example, defective bottles or other waste such as straws or the like can be taken.
  • a level sensor is assigned to this collection container or it includes one.
  • This level sensor can be designed in the form of an optical sensor or the like.
  • an embodiment as a scale, in particular a weighing cell, which continuously monitors the weight of the material placed in the collecting container electronically, for example, is particularly preferred.
  • the collection container or a control unit integrated into it
  • a signal output device 422 can be arranged on the collecting container or at another point of the bottle cleaning machine.
  • This signal output device can either output a signal perceptible to humans and/or generate a signal indicative of the fill level, which can be transmitted to one or more container treatment machines or other components of the system.
  • this signal can be visual, audible or electronic, or multiple signals can be emitted, each of which is either visual, electronic or audible.
  • Optical or acoustic signals can be output, for example, with the aid of a signal output device 422 in the form of a loudspeaker or a lamp.
  • An electronic signal can be implemented, for example, using a suitable data transmission device, such as a data cable or a wireless transmission device (for example BlueTooth), and can be transmitted to other components, in particular to other machines.
  • Embodiments of the collection container 420 in the form of an autonomous, self-propelled unit are particularly preferred.
  • the collecting container can comprise a control unit or be connected to a control unit (for example the control unit of the bottle cleaning machine).
  • the movement of the collection container can then be controlled as a function of a signal emitted by the level sensor.
  • figure 5 shows a possible realization of this embodiment.
  • several collection containers 420 and 560 are optionally provided, which can be moved autonomously and independently of one another. Shown is an embodiment of the movement of the collection containers along a rail 570 in the form of a closed curve.
  • a collection container 420 is arranged in a position 561 in which material can be brought into the collection container.
  • these can be defective bottles or other materials such as straws removed by an operator from the entry area of the bottle cleaning machine 400 .
  • the control unit can move the collection container autonomously, i.e. without interaction with the operator, along the rail 570 shown as an example to a further position 562 , in which the collection container can transfer its contents to an emptying station 550.
  • a tilting device which can tilt at least the area of the collecting container in the direction of the emptying station, in which the introduced material is located.
  • the collecting container can then be transported further along the rail 570 . While it can easily be moved directly to the bottle cleaning machine 400 again, it can also be provided that it firstly passes through one or more further stations.
  • the collecting container can be moved into a position in which a new foil or a new plastic bag or the like is positioned in the collecting container by a cleaning station in order to receive material.
  • the cleaning station can also carry out a cleaning of the space of the collection container into which the material is brought, in order to prevent dirt from accumulating.
  • an optional, further collection container 560 is shown. This can, for example, be moved to position 561 in order to receive material from the bottle cleaning machine when the actual collection container 420 has already reached a specified level and has been moved out of position 561 .
  • the collecting containers 420 and 560 can work alternately, so that at any time during the operation of the bottle cleaning machine a collecting container is positioned in the position 561 and can receive material.
  • the embodiment of Figures 4 and 5 is particularly advantageous in combination with the embodiments according to Figures 1 to 3 .
  • the collection container 4 or the collection container figure 5 in connection with the embodiment of Figures 2a to 2c are used and function here as the collecting container 270 already described. In this way, both the sorting out of defective bottles from the input area 110 of the bottle cleaning machine and the further removal of the bottles or other materials removed in this way can take place fully automatically, which means considerable simplifications for the operator.
  • the embodiment described refers to a rail 570.
  • This rail can be implemented as a physical rail and, for example, in combination with the collecting containers 420 and 560 can form a linear drive, or the individual collecting containers can be moved along the rail by suitable drive devices, preferably electric motors.
  • suitable drive devices preferably electric motors.
  • a more flexible movement of the collecting containers can also be implemented by optical guidance systems or by fully autonomous driving systems, which in principle allow the collecting containers to be moved in any desired manner through a factory hall in which the bottle cleaning machine is installed.
  • the collection containers can not only be used with the bottle cleaning machine, but also collect material on other machines and then feed it closed to the emptying station.
  • devices that take material not only from the bottle cleaning machine (see the robot arm according to the Figures 1 to 3 ), but also from other machines, such as recycling systems or preform production systems or labeling machines, are in data exchange with the collection containers in such a way that these devices can contact the collection container(s) and this can then be moved to a corresponding machine as required.
  • a detection device 121 now detects a large number of defective bottles in a part of the entrance area 110, for example more than 10 broken bottles at the same time, this may indicate that there is a problem upstream of the entrance area 110, which the robot arm has to deal with due to its limited performance can no longer be remedied.
  • a problem can lie, for example, in the abandonment of a group of destroyed bottles (also scrap glass pallets) or in a malfunction of an unpacker upstream of the transport device 111.
  • control unit 190 can transport the bottles into the cleaning machine stops, for example by stopping the transport of further bottles by the transport device.
  • This procedure can be triggered, for example, if all or at least one of the detection devices provided simultaneously or in a short time interval (e.g. 20s, 30s or 1min) detects a number of defective bottles (here in particular bottles with broken glass) that exceed the maximum number of bottles detected by the robot arm exceeds the number of bottles that can be processed in this time interval or a predetermined limit (e.g. more than 5, 10 or 15 bottles per minute).
  • a warning signal triggered by activation of an acoustic (loudspeaker) or visual (alarm light) unit by means of the control unit, can be output, which can alert an operator to the problem and prompt him to take further steps. For example, after the transport of the bottles has been stopped, the operator can manually remove the defective bottles from the input area and rectify the fault (e.g. at the unpacker upstream of the transport device 111) before operation is resumed.

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  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Cleaning In General (AREA)

Description

Die vorliegende Erfindung betrifft eine Flaschenreinigungsmaschine zum Reinigen von Flaschen in der getränkeverarbeitenden Industrie gemäß unabhängigem Anspruch 1 und unabhängigem Anspruch 6.The present invention relates to a bottle cleaning machine for cleaning bottles in the beverage processing industry according to independent claim 1 and independent claim 6.

Stand der TechnikState of the art

Flaschenreinigungsmaschinen, die besonders im Bereich der getränkeverarbeitenden Industrie eingesetzt werden, sind allgemein bekannt.Bottle cleaning machines, which are used particularly in the beverage processing industry, are well known.

Bisher werden häufig Bediener eingesetzt, um Tätigkeiten an Flaschenreinigungsmaschinen, wie beispielsweise das Aussortieren von umgefallenen Flaschen, zu übernehmen. Ferner müssen die Bediener auch zusätzliche Tätigkeiten im Zusammenhang mit anfallendem Abfall übernehmen. Dies führt zu sehr monotonen Arbeiten, was auch die Anfälligkeit der Prozesse für Fehler erhöht. Außerdem muss eventuell gut ausgebildetes und daher teures Personal diese Aufgaben übernehmen.So far, operators have often been used to take over activities on bottle cleaning machines, such as sorting out bottles that have fallen over. Furthermore, the operators also have to take on additional activities in connection with the waste produced. This leads to very monotonous work, which also increases the susceptibility of the processes to errors. In addition, well-trained and therefore expensive personnel may have to perform these tasks.

Ein Beispiel einer solche Maschine ist aus der DE 2011 0686 U bekannt.An example of such a machine is from DE 2011 0686 U known.

AufgabeTask

Ausgehend vom bisherigen Stand der Technik besteht die zu lösende technische Aufgabe daher darin, die Bedienung von Flaschenreinigungsmaschinen zu vereinfachen und den Aufwand für Bediener beim regulären Betrieb zu reduzieren.Based on the prior art, the technical problem to be solved is therefore to simplify the operation of bottle cleaning machines and to reduce the effort for operators in regular operation.

LösungSolution

Diese Aufgabe wird durch die Flaschenreinigungsmaschine zum Reinigen von Flaschen gemäß unabhängigem Anspruch 1 und die Flaschenreinigungsmaschine zum Reinigen von Flaschen gemäß unabhängigem Anspruch 5 gelöst. Vorteilhafte Weiterbildungen der Erfindung sind in den Unteransprüchen erfasst.This object is solved by the bottle cleaning machine for cleaning bottles according to independent claim 1 and the bottle cleaning machine for cleaning bottles according to independent claim 5. Advantageous developments of the invention are included in the dependent claims.

Erfindungsgemäß umfasst die Flaschenreinigungsmaschine zum Reinigen von Flaschen in der getränkeverarbeitenden Industrie eine Transporteinrichtung zum ungeordneten, stehenden Transport von Flaschen in einem Massenstrom zu einem Eingangsbereich der Flaschenreinigungsmaschine, wobei in oder vor dem Eingangsbereich eine Erkennungseinrichtung zum Erkennen einer defekten und/oder umgefallenen Flasche und im Eingangsbereich ein Roboterarm mit einem Greifelement angeordnet sind, wobei eine Steuereinheit der Flaschenreinigungsmaschine Informationen über eine defekte und/oder umgefallene Flasche von der Erkennungseinrichtung empfangen und den Roboterarm steuern kann, die defekte und/oder umgefallene Flasche aufzurichten oder aus der Transporteinrichtung zu entfernen. Dabei ist unter dem Eingangsbereich der Flaschenreinigungsmaschine jeglicher Bereich der Transporteinrichtung zu verstehen, in dem die Flaschen ungeordnet, jedoch zumindest in Form eines Massenstroms transportiert werden und aus welchem sie letztlich einem Reinigungsbereich der Flaschenreinigungsmaschine übergeben werden, in dem sie gereinigt werden.According to the invention, the bottle cleaning machine for cleaning bottles in the beverage processing industry comprises a transport device for the disorderly, standing transport of bottles in a mass flow to an input area of the bottle cleaning machine, with a detection device for detecting a defective and/or fallen bottle in or in front of the input area and in the input area a robotic arm are arranged with a gripping element, wherein a control unit of the bottle cleaning machine can receive information about a defective and/or fallen bottle from the detection device and control the robotic arm to erect the defective and/or fallen bottle or to remove it from the transport device. The input area of the bottle washing machine is any area of the transport device in which the bottles are transported in a disorderly manner, but at least in the form of a mass flow, and from which they are ultimately transferred to a cleaning area of the bottle washing machine, in which they are cleaned.

Die Verwendung eines Roboterarms im Zusammenspiel mit einer Erkennungseinrichtung und einer geeigneten Steuereinheit erlaubt die Ausführung der sonst von dem Bediener übernommenen Tätigkeiten des Aussortierens defekter oder umgefallener Flaschen auf automatisierte Weise, womit der Bediener höchstens überwachend tätig werden, aber nur noch selten persönlich eingreifen muss. Gleichzeitig kann die Zuverlässigkeit erhöht werden, da die Fehleranfälligkeit bei einer monotonen Tätigkeit durch computergestützte und automatisierte Prozesse erheblich reduziert werden kann.The use of a robotic arm in conjunction with a detection device and a suitable control unit allows the operator to perform the activities of sorting out defective or fallen bottles in an automated manner, which is otherwise done by the operator, with the operator at most monitoring, but only rarely having to intervene personally. At the same time, reliability can be increased, since the susceptibility to errors in a monotonous activity can be significantly reduced by computer-aided and automated processes.

Die Erkennungseinrichtung umfasst eine Kamera, die oberhalb der Transporteinrichtung angeordnet ist und deren optische Achse senkrecht zu einer durch die Transporteinrichtung definierten Transportebene, in der die Flaschen transportiert werden, verläuft. Verdeckungen von umgefallenen oder beschädigten Flaschen durch nebenstehende Flaschen können so vermieden werden, was die Erkennungsgenauigkeit dieser Flaschen verbessert.The detection device includes a camera which is arranged above the transport device and whose optical axis runs perpendicular to a transport plane defined by the transport device, in which the bottles are transported. In this way, bottles that have fallen over or are damaged can be prevented from being covered by bottles standing next to them, which improves the detection accuracy of these bottles.

Es kann vorgesehen sein, dass der Roboterarm wenigstens zwei Gelenke umfass und/oder der Bewegungsbereich des Roboterarms sich über die gesamte Breite der Transporteinrichtung erstreckt. Die Handhabung sämtlicher, in der Transporteinrichtung umgefallener oder defekter Flaschen kann auf diese Weise mit dem Roboterarm realisiert werden.It can be provided that the robot arm comprises at least two joints and/or the range of motion of the robot arm extends over the entire width of the transport device. In this way, all bottles that have fallen over or are defective in the transport device can be handled with the robot arm.

Es kann ferner vorgesehen sein, dass der Roboterarm an einer Halterung befestigt ist, wobei die Halterung neben oder oberhalb der Transportstrecke angeordnet ist. Eine hohe Erreichbarkeit möglichst sämtlicher Flaschen in der Transporteinrichtung ist damit möglich.Provision can also be made for the robot arm to be attached to a holder, with the holder being arranged next to or above the transport path. A high accessibility of as many bottles as possible in the transport device is thus possible.

In einer Ausführungsform ist die Steuereinheit ausgebildet, den Roboterarm zu steuern, eine defekte Flasche aus der Transporteinrichtung zu entfernen, und eine umgefallene, nicht defekte Flasche aufzurichten und in der Transporteinrichtung zu behalten. So können die Arbeitsgänge reduziert werden, da eine defekte Flasche, unabhängig davon, ob sie umgefallen ist oder noch steht, aus der Transporteinrichtung entfernt und nicht dem Reinigungsbereich zugeführt werden sollte. Damit kann zumindest für solche Flaschen, die umgefallen und gleichzeitig defekt sind, der Arbeitsschritt des Aufrichtens entfallen, der ohnehin aufgrund der Beschädigung misslingen könnte.In one embodiment, the control unit is designed to control the robotic arm to remove a defective bottle from the transport device and a fallen non-defective one Set up the bottle and keep it in the transport device. In this way, the work steps can be reduced because a defective bottle, regardless of whether it has fallen over or is still should be removed from the conveyor and not fed into the cleaning area. In this way, at least for bottles that have fallen over and are defective at the same time, the erecting work step, which could fail anyway due to the damage, can be omitted.

Die weitere erfindungsgemäße Flaschenreinigungsmaschine zum Reinigen von Flaschen in der getränkeverarbeitenden Industrie umfasst eine Transporteinrichtung zum ungeordneten, stehenden Transport von Flaschen in einem Massenstrom zu einem Eingangsbereich der Flaschenreinigungsmaschine, wobei der Flaschenreinigungsmaschine ein Auffangbehälter für aussortierte Flaschen zugeordnet ist, der einen Füllstandsensor umfasst, wobei der Auffangbehälter ausgebildet ist, bei Erreichen eines vordefinierten Füllstands ein für den Füllstand indikatives Signal auszugeben. Durch diese Flaschenreinigungsmaschine und insbesondere den Auffangbehälter wird der Bediener davon befreit, den Füllstand des Auffangbehälters permanent überwachen zu müssen. Er kann sich somit wichtigeren und anderen Tätigkeiten widmen. Ferner kann dieses Signal durch andere Systeme genutzt werden, um weitere automatisierte Prozesse in Gang zu setzen.The further bottle cleaning machine according to the invention for cleaning bottles in the beverage processing industry comprises a transport device for the unordered, upright transport of bottles in a mass flow to an input area of the bottle cleaning machine, with the bottle cleaning machine being assigned a collection container for sorted bottles, which comprises a filling level sensor, the collection container is designed to output a signal indicative of the level when a predefined level is reached. This bottle cleaning machine and in particular the collection container frees the operator from having to constantly monitor the filling level of the collection container. He can thus devote himself to more important and other activities. This signal can also be used by other systems to initiate other automated processes.

In einer Ausführungsform ist das Signal ein akustisches, optisches oder elektronisches Signal. Akustische oder optische Signale können von Bedienern gut wahrgenommen werden, sodass ein Bediener bei Erreichen des vordefinierten Füllstands möglichst effektiv darüber in Kenntnis gesetzt werden kann und gegebenenfalls weitere Schritte in Gang setzen kann, wie beispielsweise das manuelle Leeren des Auffangbehälters. Ein elektronisches Signal, was beispielsweise über eine Datenleitung übertragen wird, erlaubt die Ansteuerung weiterer Komponenten, basierend auf diesem Signal.In one embodiment, the signal is an acoustic, visual, or electronic signal. Acoustic or optical signals can be easily perceived by operators, so that an operator can be informed as effectively as possible when the predefined filling level is reached and, if necessary, can initiate further steps, such as manually emptying the collection container. An electronic signal, which is transmitted via a data line, for example, allows other components to be controlled based on this signal.

Weiterhin kann vorgesehen sein, dass der Füllstandsensor als Waage ausgebildet ist. Insbesondere beim Stapeln von Objekten wie Flaschen mit stark unregelmäßiger Form kann ein Füllstandssensor, der die tatsächliche Stapelhöhe der Flaschen misst, nachteilig sein, da er Lücken oder Unregelmäßigkeiten bei der Stapelung der Flaschen außer Acht lässt. Die Verwendung einer Waage ist hier vorteilhaft, da diese lediglich die Masse bzw. das Gewicht der Flaschen misst, unabhängig von ihrer Anordnung in dem Auffangbehälter.Furthermore, it can be provided that the filling level sensor is designed as a scale. Especially when stacking objects such as bottles with a highly irregular shape, a level sensor that measures the actual stack height of the bottles can be disadvantageous because it ignores gaps or irregularities in the stacking of the bottles. The use of a scale is advantageous here, since it only measures the mass or weight of the bottles, regardless of their arrangement in the collection container.

In einer weiteren Ausführungsform ist der Auffangbehälter als autonomer, fahrbarer Wagen ausgebildet, der in Abhängigkeit des Signals zu einer Entleerstation fahren, die Flaschen an diese übergeben und zu der Flaschenreinigungsmaschine zurückkehren kann. Der Bediener kann so völlig davon befreit werden, sich mit der Entleerung des Auffangbehälters beschäftigen zu müssen, was ein versehentliches Überfüllen des Auffangbehälters und damit einhergehendes Herausfallen von Flaschen vermeidet und die Zuverlässigkeit des Ausleerens des Auffangbehälters verbessert.In a further embodiment, the collection container is designed as an autonomous, mobile carriage which, depending on the signal, can drive to an emptying station, transfer the bottles to it and return to the bottle cleaning machine. The operator can thus be completely freed from having to deal with emptying the collecting tank, which can lead to accidental overfilling of the collecting tank and the consequent Prevents bottles from falling out and improves the reliability of emptying the bin.

In einer Weiterbildung dieser Ausführungsform sind der Flaschenreinigungsmaschine wenigstens zwei Auffangbehälter zugeordnet, wobei die Auffangbehälter ihre Bewegung automatisch so steuern können, dass zu jeder Zeit ein Auffangbehälter zur Aufnahme von aussortierten Flaschen positioniert ist. Die Positionierung des Behälters "zur Aufnahme von aussortierten Flaschen" ist dabei so zu verstehen, dass der Auffangbehälter in dem dafür vorgesehenen Bereich in der Nähe der Flaschenreinigungsmaschine angeordnet ist, sodass beispielsweise von einem Bediener oder dafür vorgesehenen Roboterarm die Flaschen in den Auffangbehälter verbracht werden können. Der jeweils andere Auffangbehälter kann entweder in einer "Warteschlange" in üblicher Bewegungsrichtung der Auffangbehälter nach dem derzeit für die Aufnahme der Flaschen positionierten Auffangbehälter in einer Warteposition sein oder sich beispielsweise in Bewegung zu der Entleerstation oder zur Flaschenreinigungsmaschine zurück befinden. Auch andere Zwischenstationen, wie beispielsweise eine Reinigungsstation für den Auffangbehälter, sind hier denkbar.In a further development of this embodiment, at least two collection containers are assigned to the bottle cleaning machine, with the collection containers being able to automatically control their movement in such a way that a collection container for receiving sorted bottles is positioned at all times. The positioning of the container "for receiving sorted bottles" is to be understood in such a way that the collecting container is arranged in the area provided for this purpose near the bottle washing machine, so that the bottles can be brought into the collecting container, for example by an operator or a robot arm provided for this purpose . The respective other collection container can either be in a "queue" in the usual direction of movement of the collection container after the collection container currently positioned to receive the bottles in a waiting position or, for example, be in motion back to the emptying station or to the bottle cleaning machine. Other intermediate stations, such as a cleaning station for the collection container, are also conceivable here.

In einer weiteren Ausführungsform ist vorgesehen, dass die Flaschenreinigungsmaschine eine Erkennungseinrichtung und einen Roboterarm, sowie eine Steuereinheit nach einer der vorangegangenen Ausführungsformen umfasst und der Roboterarm ausgebildet ist, defekte Flaschen an den Auffangbehälter zu übergeben. Ein Bediener der Flaschenreinigungsmaschine oder allgemein einer Behälterbehandlungsmaschine, die diese Flaschenreinigungsmaschine umfasst, kann so vollständig von den Arbeiten, die mit dem Aussortieren defekter oder umgefallener Flaschen sowie dem Entleeren des Auffangbehälters einhergehen, befreit werden, womit Lohnkosten eingespart und gleichzeitig die Zuverlässigkeit des Aussortierens und weiteren Verarbeitens defekter oder umgefallener Flaschen erhöht werden kann.In a further embodiment, it is provided that the bottle cleaning machine includes a detection device and a robotic arm, as well as a control unit according to one of the preceding embodiments, and the robotic arm is designed to transfer defective bottles to the collection container. An operator of the bottle washing machine, or generally of a container treatment machine that includes this bottle washing machine, can thus be completely freed from the work associated with sorting out broken or fallen bottles and emptying the collection container, thus saving labor costs while increasing the reliability of sorting and more processing defective or fallen bottles can be increased.

Ferner kann vorgesehen sein, dass der oder die Auffangbehälter auf Schienen angeordnet sind, die zumindest die Flaschenreinigungsmaschine und die Entleerstation derart entlang eines geschlossenen Weges verbinden, dass der Auffangbehälter von der Flaschenreinigungsmaschine über die Entleerstation zur Flaschenreinigungsmaschine zurückfahren kann, wobei die Schienen eine geschlossene Kurve bilden. Diese Ausführungsform ist mit sämtlichen, den Auffangbehälter betreffenden Ausführungsformen kombinierbar und nicht ausschließlich an die autonome Bewegung des Auffangbehälters gebunden. Grundsätzlich kann mit dieser Ausführungsform ein gesichertes und damit zuverlässiges Bewegen des Auffangbehälters, sei es durch einen Bediener oder in autonomer Weise, realisiert werden, was die Zuverlässigkeit des Ausleerens des Auffangbehälters erhöht.Provision can also be made for the collection container(s) to be arranged on rails which connect at least the bottle cleaning machine and the emptying station along a closed path in such a way that the collection container can travel back from the bottle cleaning machine via the emptying station to the bottle cleaning machine, with the rails forming a closed curve . This embodiment can be combined with all embodiments relating to the collection container and is not exclusively tied to the autonomous movement of the collection container. In principle, with this embodiment, the collection container can be moved in a secured and therefore reliable manner, whether by an operator or in an autonomous way, which increases the reliability of the emptying of the collecting tank.

Kurze Beschreibung der FigurenShort description of the figures

Fig. 11
zeigt schematisch eine Draufsicht auf eine Flaschenreinigungsmaschine gemäß einer Ausführungsform.shows schematically a plan view of a bottle cleaning machine according to an embodiment.
Fig. 2a - cFig. 2a - c
zeigen schematisch den Ablauf der Entfernung einer defekten Flasche aus der Transportein richtung.show schematically the process of removing a defective bottle from the transport device.
Fig. 3a - cFig. 3a - c
zeigen schematisch den Ablauf des Aufrichtens einer umgefallenen Flasche in der Transporteinrichtung.show schematically the process of raising a bottle that has fallen over in the transport device.
Fig. 44
zeigt eine weitere Ausführungsform der Flaschenreinigungsmaschine.shows another embodiment of the bottle cleaning machine.
Fig. 5figure 5
zeigt eine Ausführungsform mit Schienen zwischen der Flaschenreinigungsmaschine und einer Entleerstation.shows an embodiment with rails between the bottle cleaning machine and an emptying station.
Ausführliche BeschreibungDetailed description

Fig. 1 zeigt schematisch eine Draufsicht auf eine Flaschenreinigungsmaschine 100 gemäß einer Ausführungsform. Die Flaschenreinigungsmaschine 100 umfasst üblicherweise einen Reinigungsbereich 101, der hier nicht im Detail dargestellt ist und in dem Flaschen für das Recycling oder die weitere Verwendung gereinigt werden. Innerhalb dieses Bereichs können die Flaschen im Prinzip beliebig transportiert werden, werden jedoch üblicherweise in geordneter Weise transportiert, sodass eine gezielte Reinigung auch des inneren Bereichs der Flaschen möglich ist. 1 FIG. 12 schematically shows a plan view of a bottle cleaning machine 100 according to an embodiment. The bottle washer 100 typically includes a cleaning area 101, not shown in detail here, in which bottles are cleaned for recycling or further use. In principle, the bottles can be transported anywhere within this area, but they are usually transported in an orderly manner, so that targeted cleaning of the inner area of the bottles is also possible.

Vor dem Reinigungsbereich ist ein Eingangsbereich angeordnet, der im Wesentlichen durch eine Transporteinrichtung 111 gebildet wird und über den Flaschen dem Reinigungsbereich 101 zugeführt werden können. In dem Eingangsbereich werden die Flaschen mit Hilfe einer Transporteinrichtung in einem ungeordneten Massenstrom stehend befördert. Bei der Übergabe an den Reinigungsbereich kann eine Vereinzelung und anschließende Übergabe beispielsweise an spezielle Aufnahmen innerhalb des Reinigungsbereichs erfolgen, was jedoch nicht Gegenstand der vorliegenden Erfindung ist.An entry area is arranged in front of the cleaning area, which is essentially formed by a transport device 111 and via which bottles can be fed to the cleaning area 101 . In the entry area, the bottles are conveyed in a random mass flow in an upright position with the aid of a transport device. When handing over to the cleaning area, they can be separated and then handed over, for example to special receptacles within the cleaning area, but this is not the subject of the present invention.

Erfindungsgemäß ist vorgesehen, dass in dem Eingangsbereich, in dem die Flaschen üblicherweise mit nur noch geringer Geschwindigkeit befördert werden, eine Erkennungseinrichtung 121 angeordnet ist, die die Flaschen detektieren kann. Diese Erkennungseinrichtung ist erfindungsgemäß ausgebildet, zu erkennen, ob Flaschen umgefallen und/oder beschädigt sind. Zu diesem Zweck ist die Erkennungseinrichtung oberhalb der Transportebene der Flaschen angeordnet, sodass die Erkennungseinrichtung von oben die Flaschen detektieren kann. Da die Erkennungseinrichtung als Kamera ausgebildet ist, so ist die Optik in Richtung der Transporteinrichtung ausgerichtet, sodass die in der Transporteinrichtung beförderten Flaschen erkannt werden können. Zu diesem Zweck kann die Erkennungseinrichtung 121 in einer Halterung 120 montiert sein, die beispielsweise in Form einer Brücke über die Transporteinrichtung, insbesondere den Eingangsbereich 110, verläuft.According to the invention, a detection device 121 that can detect the bottles is arranged in the entry area, in which the bottles are usually conveyed at only a low speed. According to the invention, this detection device is designed to detect whether bottles have fallen over and/or been damaged. For this purpose, the detection device is arranged above the transport level of the bottles, so that the detection device can detect the bottles from above. Since the detection device is designed as a camera, the optics are aligned in the direction of the transport device, so that the bottles conveyed in the transport device can be detected. For this purpose, the identification device 121 can be mounted in a holder 120 which runs, for example, in the form of a bridge over the transport device, in particular the entrance area 110 .

Um sicherzustellen, dass sämtliche Flaschen in der Transporteinrichtung und im Eingangsbereich 110 erkannt werden können, kann auch vorgesehen sein, dass abhängig von der Größe des mit der Erkennungseinrichtung 121 erzielbaren Sichtfeldes mehrere Erkennungseinrichtungen (schematisch durch die Erkennungseinrichtung 122 gezeigt) angeordnet sind, sodass das Gesamtsichtfeld zumindest einen Streifen quer zur Transportrichtung (hier dargestellt durch den Fall) der Flaschen in dem Eingangsbereich durch die Transporteinrichtung bildet. Dieser Streifen ist bevorzugt vollständig durchgängig und umfasst gegebenenfalls einen Überlapp einiger Sichtfelder der Erkennungseinrichtungen, um zumindest keine blinden Flecken zu hinterlassen. Ferner ist ein Roboterarm 140 vorgesehen, der über ein Greifelement verfügt, mit dem er defekte und/oder umgefallene Flaschen entweder aus der Transporteinrichtung 111 entfernen kann (insbesondere im Falle defekter Flaschen, wie Flaschen mit Glasbruch) oder der die Flaschen in eine neue Lage bringen kann, insbesondere umgefallene Flaschen wieder aufrichten kann.In order to ensure that all bottles in the transport device and in the entrance area 110 can be detected, it can also be provided that, depending on the size of the field of view that can be achieved with the detection device 121, several detection devices (shown schematically by the detection device 122) are arranged so that the overall field of view forms at least one strip transverse to the direction of transport (represented here by the fall) of the bottles in the entry area through the transport device. This band is preferably completely continuous and optionally includes an overlap of some fields of view of the detection devices, at least in order not to leave any blind spots. Furthermore, a robot arm 140 is provided, which has a gripping element with which it can either remove defective and/or fallen bottles from the transport device 111 (in particular in the case of defective bottles, such as bottles with broken glass) or which can move the bottles to a new position can, in particular, be able to right bottles that have fallen over.

Zu diesem Zweck ist vorgesehen, dass eine Steuereinheit 190 sowohl mit der Erkennungseinrichtung 121 (und gegebenenfalls den weiteren Erkennungseinrichtungen), als auch dem Roboterarm 140 derart verbunden ist, dass ein Datenaustausch stattfinden kann. Die Steuereinheit kann beispielsweise als Computer ausgebildet sein und über entsprechende Datenleitungen, wie Kabel oder auch über drahtlose Kommunikationsmittel, mit dem Roboterarm und der Erkennungseinrichtung bzw. den Erkennungseinrichtungen verbunden sein, sodass vorzugsweise ein bidirektionaler Datentransfer über diese Verbindung erfolgen kann.For this purpose, it is provided that a control unit 190 is connected both to the recognition device 121 (and optionally to the further recognition devices) and to the robot arm 140 in such a way that data can be exchanged. The control unit can be designed as a computer, for example, and be connected to the robot arm and the detection device or devices via appropriate data lines, such as cables or wireless communication means, so that preferably a bidirectional data transfer can take place via this connection.

Basierend auf den von der oder den Erkennungseinrichtung(en) erkannten Flaschen (insbesondere umgefallene Flaschen oder defekte Flaschen), kann die Steuereinheit den Roboterarm 140 steuern, defekte Flaschen aus der Transporteinrichtung zu entfernen und umgefallene Flaschen wieder aufzurichten.Based on the bottles detected by the detection device(s) (in particular bottles that have fallen over or defective bottles), the control unit can move the robot arm 140 control the removal of defective bottles from the transport device and the uprighting of fallen bottles.

Vorteilhaft kann der Roboterarm 140 zur Erhöhung seines Bewegungsspielraums an einer Halterung 143 angeordnet sein, die ihrerseits vorteilhaft entlang einer Schiene 144 quer zu der durch die Transporteinrichtung 111 definierten Transportrichtung der Flaschen beweglich ist, sodass der Roboterarm 140 bevorzugt zumindest in einem Streifen quer zur Transportrichtung sämtliche Flaschen in der Transporteinrichtung bzw. in dem Eingangsbereich erreichen kann. Mit Hinblick darauf, dass die Flaschen üblicherweise mit relativ geringer Geschwindigkeit (bis zu einigen Zentimetern pro Sekunde) im Eingangsbereich bewegt werden, kann dieser Streifen eine Breite parallel zur Transportrichtung von 15 cm, bevorzugt 30 cm, besonders bevorzugt 50 cm aufweisen, sodass der Bewegungsspielraum des Roboterarms ausreichend groß ist, um auch mehrere defekte oder umgefallene Flaschen, die sich gleichzeitig in diesem Streifen befinden, aufrichten oder entfernen zu können.In order to increase its freedom of movement, robot arm 140 can advantageously be arranged on a holder 143, which in turn can advantageously be moved along a rail 144 transverse to the transport direction of the bottles defined by transport device 111, so that robot arm 140 preferably covers all bottles in at least one strip transverse to the transport direction Can reach bottles in the transport device or in the entrance area. With regard to the fact that the bottles are usually moved at a relatively low speed (up to a few centimeters per second) in the entrance area, this strip can have a width parallel to the transport direction of 15 cm, preferably 30 cm, particularly preferably 50 cm, so that the freedom of movement of the robot arm is large enough to be able to set up or remove several defective or fallen bottles that are in this strip at the same time.

Das Verfahren zum Entfernen einer defekten, insbesondere zerbrochenen Flasche wird in den Fig. 2a bis 2c gezeigt.The procedure for removing a defective, especially broken bottle is described in the Figures 2a to 2c shown.

In einer ersten Phase in Fig. 2a wird durch die Erkennungseinrichtung 121 eine defekte Flasche 131 erkannt, die sich in dem Eingangsbereich 110 befindet. Bei dieser Flasche kann es sich beispielsweise um eine zumindest zum Teil zerbrochene Flasche handeln. Damit die Erkennungseinrichtung und/oder die Steuereinheit (s. Fig. 1) eine defekte Flasche von einer intakten Flasche unterscheiden kann, kann vorgesehen sein, dass der Erkennungseinrichtung oder der Steuereinheit ein Speicher zugeordnet ist, in dem Bilder oder zumindest Referenzdaten zu unbeschädigten Flaschen hinterlegt sind. Durch Anwendung von Bilderkennungsprogrammen kann so eine defekte Flasche durch Vergleich mit den Charakteristika einer intakten Flasche erkannt werden. Unterstützend kann vorgesehen sein, dass zumindest ein Teil des Eingangsbereichs 110, der im Sichtfeld der Erkennungseinrichtung 121 ist, transparent ausgebildet ist und auf der der Erkennungseinrichtung 121 gegenüberliegenden Seite des Eingangsbereichs 110 kann in diesem Fall eine Beleuchtungseinrichtung angeordnet sein, die die Flaschen in dem Eingangsbereich 110 "von unten" beleuchtet. Damit kann die Erkennungsqualität der Erkennungseinrichtung verbessert werden.In a first phase in Figure 2a a defective bottle 131 located in the entrance area 110 is recognized by the recognition device 121 . This bottle can, for example, be an at least partially broken bottle. So that the recognition device and/or the control unit (see 1 ) can distinguish a defective bottle from an intact bottle, provision can be made for the detection device or the control unit to be assigned a memory in which images or at least reference data relating to undamaged bottles are stored. By using image recognition programs, a defective bottle can be recognized by comparing it with the characteristics of an intact bottle. In support of this, it can be provided that at least part of the entrance area 110, which is in the field of view of the detection device 121, is made transparent, and in this case an illumination device can be arranged on the side of the entrance area 110 opposite the detection device 121, which illuminates the bottles in the entrance area 110 illuminated "from below". The recognition quality of the recognition device can thus be improved.

Für den Fall, dass keine defekte Flasche erkannt wird, wird die Steuereinheit den Roboterarm nicht ansteuern und die Flaschen werden der Flaschenreinigungsmaschine zugeführt, um darin gereinigt zu werden.In the event that no defective bottle is detected, the control unit will not control the robotic arm and the bottles will be fed to the bottle washer to be cleaned.

Für den Fall, dass die Erkennungseinrichtung 120 die defekte Flasche 131 erkennt, folgt der Schritt in Fig. 2b. In diesem Schritt wird der Roboterarm 140 angesteuert, um mit seinem Greifelement 145 die defekte Flasche zu greifen und entsprechend der dargestellten Pfeilrichtung aus dem Eingangsbereich 110 zumindest in einer Richtung senkrecht zur Transportebene der Flaschen zu entfernen. Dazu kann der Roboterarm mit einem Greifelement 145 beispielsweise in Form einer Zange ausgebildet sein. Diese Zange kann eine defekte Flasche umgreifen, wobei vorteilhaft zumindest ein Teil des Bereichs des Greifelements, der mit der Oberfläche der Flasche in Berührung kommt, mit einer Beschichtung versehen sein kann, deren Reibungskoeffizient bezüglich des Materials der Flasche, beispielsweise Glas oder PET, hoch ist, sodass ein Rutschen der Flasche nach Zugriff des Greifelements vermieden wird, ohne dass hierzu erhebliche Kräfte auf die Flasche einwirken müssten. Insbesondere sind Materialien bevorzugt, deren Haftreibungskoeffizient µH≈1, wie beispielsweise 0,9 oder 0,95, besonders bevorzugt größer als 1 ist.If the detection device 120 detects the defective bottle 131, step in follows Figure 2b . In this step, the robot arm 140 is controlled in order to grip the defective bottle with its gripping element 145 and to remove it from the input area 110 in accordance with the direction of the arrow shown, at least in a direction perpendicular to the plane of transport of the bottles. For this purpose, the robot arm can be designed with a gripping element 145, for example in the form of tongs. These pliers can grasp a defective bottle, advantageously at least part of the area of the gripping element that comes into contact with the surface of the bottle being provided with a coating whose coefficient of friction with respect to the material of the bottle, for example glass or PET, is high , so that the bottle is prevented from slipping after the gripping element has been accessed, without the need for considerable forces to act on the bottle. In particular, materials are preferred whose coefficient of static friction μ H ≈1, such as 0.9 or 0.95, particularly preferably greater than 1.

Anschließend kann, wie in Fig. 2c dargestellt, der Roboterarm 140 die defekte Flasche 131 in einen dafür vorgesehen Auffangbehälter 270 entsorgen. Dieser Auffangbehälter befindet sich vorzugsweise in einem Bereich, der im Bewegungsbereich des Roboterarms liegt. Besonders bevorzugt sind Ausführungsformen, bei denen der Auffangbehälter zumindest auf einer Seite der in Fig. 1 beschriebenen Schiene angeordnet ist, sodass der Roboter nach Entfernung einer defekten Flasche aus der Transporteinrichtung entlang der Schiene zu einem Ende der Schiene bewegt wird und dort die Flasche an den Auffangbehälter 270 übergibt. Um die Amplitude der dafür notwendigen Bewegung zu verringern, können auch an beiden Enden der Schiene entsprechende Auffangbehälter vorgesehen sein.Subsequently, as in Figure 2c shown, the robot arm 140 dispose of the defective bottle 131 in a collecting container 270 provided for this purpose. This collection container is preferably located in an area that is within the range of movement of the robot arm. Particularly preferred are embodiments in which the collection container is at least on one side of the in 1 described rail is arranged so that the robot is moved after removal of a defective bottle from the transport device along the rail to one end of the rail and there the bottle is transferred to the collecting container 270 . In order to reduce the amplitude of the movement required for this, corresponding collecting containers can also be provided at both ends of the rail.

Zusätzlich zu der Fähigkeit, defekte Flaschen aus der Transporteinrichtung zu entfernen, ist erfindungsgemäß vorgesehen, dass umgefallene Flaschen aufgerichtet werden können. Dieser Vorgang ist in den Fig. 3a - 3c geschildert.In addition to the ability to remove defective bottles from the transport device, it is provided according to the invention that bottles that have fallen over can be uprighted. This process is in the Figures 3a - 3c portrayed.

In Fig. 3a findet zunächst die Erkennung einer umgefallenen Flasche 131 in dem Eingangsbereich 110 durch die Erkennungseinrichtung 121 statt. Das Vorgehen hierbei kann analog zu der in Fig. 2a beschriebenen sein. Insbesondere kann eine umgefallene Flasche durch Vergleich mit in einem Speicher hinterlegten Charakteristika oder Bildern nicht umgefallener Flaschen erfolgen.In Figure 3a a bottle 131 that has fallen over is first detected in the entry area 110 by the detection device 121 . The procedure here can be analogous to that in Figure 2a be described. In particular, a bottle that has fallen over can be determined by comparing characteristics or images of bottles that have not fallen over that are stored in a memory.

Nachdem die umgefallene Flasche erkannt wurde, wird nun analog zu Fig. 2b der Roboterarm 140 gesteuert. In diesem Fall wird der Roboterarm jedoch nicht so gesteuert, dass er die Flasche 131 durch Greifen mit dem Greifelement vollständig aus dem Eingangsbereich 110 entfernt. In dieser Ausführungsform hebt der Roboterarm die umgefallene Flasche 131 an und richtet diese durch geeignete Drehung des Roboterarms und gegebenenfalls des Greifelements wieder korrekt aus, sodass sie, wieder stehend, in den Massenstrom der Flaschen eingebracht werden kann. Besonders bevorzugt ist hier eine Ausführungsform, bei der der Roboterarm die umgefallene Flasche zunächst um eine Höhe h anhebt, die höher ist als die Länge I der Flaschen 130 in der Transportebene. Sobald die Flasche auf diese Höhe angehoben wurde, kann der Roboterarm die Flasche geeignet drehen, ohne dass hierbei mögliche Berührungen mit Flaschen in dem Eingangsbereich 110 auftreten können, was anderenfalls zu weiteren umgefallenen Flaschen führen könnte. Diese Drehung nach dem Anheben ist durch die Pfeile 290 angedeutet.After the fallen bottle has been recognized, it now becomes analogous to Figure 2b the robotic arm 140 is controlled. In this case, however, the robot arm is not controlled so that it completely removes the bottle 131 from the entry area 110 by gripping it with the gripping element. In this embodiment, the robot arm lifts the bottle 131 that has fallen over and aligns it correctly again by suitable rotation of the robot arm and, if necessary, of the gripping element, so that it can be introduced into the mass flow of bottles, standing again. An embodiment in which the robot arm initially lifts the fallen bottle by a height h that is higher than the length l of the bottles 130 in the transport plane is particularly preferred here. Once the bottle has been raised to this height, the robotic arm can rotate the bottle appropriately without possible contact with bottles in the entrance area 110, which could otherwise result in further fallen bottles. This post-lift rotation is indicated by arrows 290 .

In Fig. 3c schließlich senkt der Roboterarm die so aufgerichtete Flasche 131 wieder ab, sodass sie in den Massenstrom der Behälter eingebracht wird. Dabei kann die Relativbewegung der übrigen Flaschen berücksichtigt werden und die erneut einzubringende Flasche 131 nicht einfach senkrecht zur Transportebene abgesenkt werden, sondern dieser Bewegung kann gleichzeitig eine Bewegung überlagert werden, die der Bewegung der Flaschen in der Transporteinrichtung entspricht, sodass eine Kollision mit weiteren Flaschen verhindert wird. Eine entsprechende Bewegung kann auch beim Anheben der Flasche aus der Transporteinrichtung überlagert werden.In 3c Finally, the robot arm lowers the bottle 131 that has been erected in this way, so that it is introduced into the mass flow of the containers. The relative movement of the other bottles can be taken into account and the bottle 131 to be re-introduced is not simply lowered perpendicularly to the transport plane, but this movement can be overlaid with a movement that corresponds to the movement of the bottles in the transport device, so that collisions with other bottles are prevented becomes. A corresponding movement can also be superimposed when lifting the bottle from the transport device.

Ferner kann vorgesehen sein, dass die aufgerichtete Flasche nicht an dieselbe Position verbracht wird, aus der sie angehoben wurde, um aufgerichtet zu werden. Dies kann insbesondere dann notwendig sein, wenn die Flaschen mit einem so großen Staudruck im Eingangsbereich transportiert werden, dass die durch das Anheben der umgefallenen Flasche entstehende Lücke durch andere, nachrückende Flaschen geschlossen wird. In einem solchen Fall kann die aufgerichtete Flasche 131 auch an einer anderen Stelle in dem Eingangsbereich neu positioniert werden.Furthermore, it can be provided that the erected bottle is not moved to the same position from which it was lifted in order to be erected. This can be necessary in particular when the bottles are being transported with such a high dynamic pressure in the entry area that the gap created by the lifting of the fallen bottle is closed by other bottles moving up. In such a case, the erected bottle 131 can also be repositioned at a different location in the entrance area.

Hierzu kann auch vorteilhaft vorgesehen sein, dass ein durch eine Abgrenzung abgetrennter Bereich in dem Eingangsbereich bereitgestellt wird, in dem jede aufgerichtete Flasche positioniert wird und von dem aus sie dem Reinigungsbereich 101 der Flaschenreinigungsmaschine zugeführt wird. Dazu kann beispielsweise eine über dem Transportband in der Fig. 1 positionierte Kulisse bereitgestellt sein, die sich beispielsweise am rechten oder linken Rand des in Fig. 1 dargestellten Eingangsbereichs erstreckt und die den eigentlichen Massenstrom der Behälter umleitet, sodass sich in Transportrichtung der Behälter hinter der Kulisse ein von Flaschen freier Bereich befindet. In diesen kann der Roboterarm dann analog zu dem in Fig. 2c beschriebenen Vorgehen die Flaschen einbringen, indem er beispielsweise entlang der Schiene 144 bewegt wird und eine zuvor aufgefangene, umgefallene Flasche dort aufgerichtet abstellt.For this purpose, it can also advantageously be provided that an area separated by a delimitation is provided in the entry area, in which each erected bottle is positioned and from which it is fed to the cleaning area 101 of the bottle cleaning machine. For this purpose, for example, one above the conveyor belt in the 1 positioned scenery must be provided, which is, for example, on the right or left edge of the in 1 shown entrance area and which diverts the actual mass flow of the containers, so that there is a bottle-free area behind the scenes in the transport direction of the containers. The robot arm can then be placed in these analogously to the in Figure 2c described Bring in the bottles, for example by being moved along the rail 144 and placing a previously caught, fallen bottle there in an upright position.

Fig. 4 zeigt eine weitere Ausführungsform der Erfindung, bei der einer Flaschenreinigungsmaschine 400 mit einem Eingangsbereich 410, in dem Flaschen in einem Massenstrom transportiert werden, ein Auffangbehälter 420 zugeordnet ist, in den beispielsweise defekte Flaschen oder andere Abfälle wie Strohhalme oder Ähnliches, verbracht werden können. Erfindungsgemäß ist vorgesehen, dass diesem Auffangbehälter ein Füllstandssensor zugeordnet ist, bzw. er einen solchen umfasst. Dieser Füllstandssensor kann in Form eines optischen Sensors oder dergleichen ausgebildet sein. Besonders bevorzugt ist jedoch eine Ausführungsform als Waage, insbesondere einer Wiegezelle, die beispielsweise elektronisch das Gewicht des in den Auffangbehälter verbrachten Materials kontinuierlich überwacht. Ferner ist vorgesehen, dass der Auffangbehälter (oder eine in ihn integrierte Steuereinheit) bei Erreichen eines vordefinierten Füllstands, beispielsweise 70 % oder 80 % oder 90 %, ein für diesen Füllstand indikatives Signal ausgeben kann. 4 shows a further embodiment of the invention, in which a collecting container 420 is assigned to a bottle cleaning machine 400 with an input area 410, in which bottles are transported in a mass flow, into which, for example, defective bottles or other waste such as straws or the like can be taken. According to the invention, a level sensor is assigned to this collection container or it includes one. This level sensor can be designed in the form of an optical sensor or the like. However, an embodiment as a scale, in particular a weighing cell, which continuously monitors the weight of the material placed in the collecting container electronically, for example, is particularly preferred. It is also provided that the collection container (or a control unit integrated into it) can emit a signal indicative of this level when a predefined filling level is reached, for example 70% or 80% or 90%.

Dazu kann eine Signalausgabeeinrichtung 422 am Auffangbehälter oder an einer anderen Stelle der Flaschenreinigungsmaschine angeordnet sein. Diese Signalausausgabeeinrichtung kann entweder ein für den Menschen wahrnehmbares Signal ausgeben und/oder ein für den Füllstand indikatives Signal erzeugen, das an eine oder mehrere Behälterbehandlungsmaschinen oder andere Komponenten der Anlage übermittelt werden kann. In diesem Sinne kann dieses Signal optisch, akustisch oder elektronisch sein oder es können auch mehrere Signale ausgegeben werden, wobei jedes davon entweder optisch, elektronisch oder akustisch ist. Optische oder akustische Signale können beispielsweise mit Hilfe einer Signalausgabeeinrichtung 422 in Form eines Lautsprechers, respektive einer Leuchte ausgegeben werden. Ein elektronisches Signal kann beispielsweise mit Hilfe einer geeigneten Datenübertragungseinrichtung, wie einem Datenkabel oder einer drahtlosen Übertragungseinrichtung (beispielsweise BlueTooth), realisiert und an andere Komponenten, insbesondere an andere Maschinen übertragen werden.For this purpose, a signal output device 422 can be arranged on the collecting container or at another point of the bottle cleaning machine. This signal output device can either output a signal perceptible to humans and/or generate a signal indicative of the fill level, which can be transmitted to one or more container treatment machines or other components of the system. In this sense, this signal can be visual, audible or electronic, or multiple signals can be emitted, each of which is either visual, electronic or audible. Optical or acoustic signals can be output, for example, with the aid of a signal output device 422 in the form of a loudspeaker or a lamp. An electronic signal can be implemented, for example, using a suitable data transmission device, such as a data cable or a wireless transmission device (for example BlueTooth), and can be transmitted to other components, in particular to other machines.

Besonders bevorzugt sind Ausführungsformen des Auffangbehälters 420 in Form einer autonomen, selbstfahrenden Einheit. Zu diesem Zweck kann der Auffangbehälter eine Steuereinheit umfassen oder mit einer Steuereinheit verbunden sein (beispielsweise die Steuereinheit der Flaschenreinigungsmaschine). Abhängig von einem durch den Füllstandssensor ausgegebenen Signal kann dann in einer Ausführungsform die Bewegung des Auffangbehälters gesteuert werden.Embodiments of the collection container 420 in the form of an autonomous, self-propelled unit are particularly preferred. For this purpose, the collecting container can comprise a control unit or be connected to a control unit (for example the control unit of the bottle cleaning machine). In one embodiment, the movement of the collection container can then be controlled as a function of a signal emitted by the level sensor.

Fig. 5 zeigt eine mögliche Realisierung dieser Ausführungsform. In dieser Realisierung sind optional mehrere Auffangbehälter 420 und 560 vorgesehen, die autonom und unabhängig voneinander bewegt werden können. Dargestellt ist eine Ausführung der Bewegung der Auffangbehälter entlang einer Schiene 570 in Form einer geschlossenen Kurve. figure 5 shows a possible realization of this embodiment. In this implementation, several collection containers 420 and 560 are optionally provided, which can be moved autonomously and independently of one another. Shown is an embodiment of the movement of the collection containers along a rail 570 in the form of a closed curve.

Zunächst ist ein Auffangbehälter 420 in einer Position 561 angeordnet, in der Material in den Auffangbehälter verbracht werden kann. Dabei kann es sich beispielsweise um von einem Bediener aus dem Eingangsbereich der Flaschenreinigungsmaschine 400 entfernte, defekte Flaschen oder andere Materialien wie Strohhalme handeln. Bei Erreichen eines gewissen Füllstands, was durch den Füllstandssensor detektiert wird (beispielsweise 70 % oder 80 % oder 90 %), kann die Steuereinheit den Auffangbehälter autonom, also ohne Interaktion mit dem Bediener, entlang der beispielhaft dargestellten Schiene 570 zu einer weiteren Position 562 bewegen, in der der Auffangbehälter seinen Inhalt an eine Entleerstation 550 übergeben kann. Dies kann bevorzugt auch vollautomatisch bzw. autonom durch eine Kippeinrichtung erfolgen, die zumindest den Bereich des Auffangbehälters in Richtung der Entleerstation verkippen kann, in dem sich das eingebrachte Material befindet. Anschließend kann der Auffangbehälter weiter entlang der Schiene 570 transportiert werden. Während er ohne Weiteres wieder direkt zur Flaschenreinigungsmaschine 400 bewegt werden kann, kann auch vorgesehen sein, dass er zunächst eine oder mehrere weitere Stationen passiert. Beispielsweise kann der Auffangbehälter in eine Position verfahren werden, in der durch eine Reinigungsstation eine neue Folie oder ein neuer Kunststoffsack oder Ähnliches in dem Auffangbehälter positioniert wird, um Material aufzunehmen. Auch kann die Reinigungsstation eine Reinigung des Raums des Auffangbehälters vornehmen, in den das Material verbracht wird, um ein Anwachsen der Verschmutzung zu vermeiden.First, a collection container 420 is arranged in a position 561 in which material can be brought into the collection container. For example, these can be defective bottles or other materials such as straws removed by an operator from the entry area of the bottle cleaning machine 400 . When a certain filling level is reached, which is detected by the filling level sensor (e.g. 70% or 80% or 90%), the control unit can move the collection container autonomously, i.e. without interaction with the operator, along the rail 570 shown as an example to a further position 562 , in which the collection container can transfer its contents to an emptying station 550. This can preferably also be done fully automatically or autonomously by a tilting device, which can tilt at least the area of the collecting container in the direction of the emptying station, in which the introduced material is located. The collecting container can then be transported further along the rail 570 . While it can easily be moved directly to the bottle cleaning machine 400 again, it can also be provided that it firstly passes through one or more further stations. For example, the collecting container can be moved into a position in which a new foil or a new plastic bag or the like is positioned in the collecting container by a cleaning station in order to receive material. The cleaning station can also carry out a cleaning of the space of the collection container into which the material is brought, in order to prevent dirt from accumulating.

Zusätzlich ist hier in Fig. 5 ein optionaler, weiterer Auffangbehälter 560 dargestellt. Dieser kann beispielsweise in die Position 561 verbracht werden, um Material aus der Flaschenreinigungsmaschine aufzunehmen, wenn der eigentliche Auffangbehälter 420 bereits einen vorgesehenen Füllstand erreicht hat und aus der Position 561 verfahren wurde. Die Auffangbehälter 420 und 560 können in diesem Sinne abwechselnd arbeiten, sodass zu jeder Zeit während des Betriebs der Flaschenreinigungsmaschine ein Auffangbehälter in der Position 561 positioniert ist und Material aufnehmen kann.Additionally, here in figure 5 an optional, further collection container 560 is shown. This can, for example, be moved to position 561 in order to receive material from the bottle cleaning machine when the actual collection container 420 has already reached a specified level and has been moved out of position 561 . In this sense, the collecting containers 420 and 560 can work alternately, so that at any time during the operation of the bottle cleaning machine a collecting container is positioned in the position 561 and can receive material.

Die Ausführungsform der Fig. 4 und 5 ist besonders vorteilhaft in Kombination mit den Ausführungsformen gemäß den Fig. 1 bis 3. Besonders bevorzugt kann der Auffangbehälter der Fig. 4 bzw. die Auffangbehälter der Fig. 5 in Verbindung mit der Ausführungsform der Fig. 2a bis 2c eingesetzt werden und hier als der bereits beschriebene Auffangbehälter 270 fungieren. So kann sowohl das Aussortieren defekter Flaschen aus dem Eingangsbereich 110 der Flaschenreinigungsmaschine als auch der weitere Abtransport der so entfernten Flaschen oder anderer Materialien vollautomatisch erfolgen, was erhebliche Erleichterungen für den Bediener bedeutet.The embodiment of Figures 4 and 5 is particularly advantageous in combination with the embodiments according to Figures 1 to 3 . Particularly preferably, the collection container 4 or the collection container figure 5 in connection with the embodiment of Figures 2a to 2c are used and function here as the collecting container 270 already described. In this way, both the sorting out of defective bottles from the input area 110 of the bottle cleaning machine and the further removal of the bottles or other materials removed in this way can take place fully automatically, which means considerable simplifications for the operator.

Die in Fig. 5 beschriebene Ausführungsform nimmt Bezug auf eine Schiene 570. Diese Schiene kann als physische Schiene realisiert sein und beispielsweise in Kombination mit den Auffangbehältern 420 und 560 einen Linearantrieb bilden, oder die einzelnen Auffangbehälter können entlang der Schiene durch geeignete Antriebseinrichtungen, bevorzugt Elektromotoren, bewegt werden. Alternativ kann jedoch auch eine flexiblere Bewegung der Auffangbehälter durch optische Leitsysteme oder durch vollständig autonome Fahrsysteme realisiert werden, die ein im Prinzip beliebiges Bewegen der Auffangbehälter durch eine Werkshalle, in der die Flaschenreinigungsmaschine aufgestellt ist, ermöglichen. So können die Auffangbehälter nicht nur mit der Flaschenreinigungsmaschine verwendet werden, sondern zusätzlich auch Material an anderen Maschinen auffangen und dieses dann geschlossen der Entleerstation zuführen. In einem solchen Fall kann vorgesehen sein, dass beispielsweise Einrichtungen, die Material nicht nur aus der Flaschenreinigungsmaschine (s. der Roboterarm gemäß den Fig. 1 bis 3), sondern auch aus anderen Maschinen, wie Recyclinganlagen oder Preformherstellungsanlagen oder Etikettiermaschinen entnehmen, mit den Auffangbehältern derart in Datenaustausch stehen, dass diese Einrichtungen die oder den Auffangbehälter kontaktieren können und dieser dann je nach Bedarf zu einer entsprechenden Maschine bewegt wird.In the figure 5 The embodiment described refers to a rail 570. This rail can be implemented as a physical rail and, for example, in combination with the collecting containers 420 and 560 can form a linear drive, or the individual collecting containers can be moved along the rail by suitable drive devices, preferably electric motors. Alternatively, however, a more flexible movement of the collecting containers can also be implemented by optical guidance systems or by fully autonomous driving systems, which in principle allow the collecting containers to be moved in any desired manner through a factory hall in which the bottle cleaning machine is installed. The collection containers can not only be used with the bottle cleaning machine, but also collect material on other machines and then feed it closed to the emptying station. In such a case, it can be provided that, for example, devices that take material not only from the bottle cleaning machine (see the robot arm according to the Figures 1 to 3 ), but also from other machines, such as recycling systems or preform production systems or labeling machines, are in data exchange with the collection containers in such a way that these devices can contact the collection container(s) and this can then be moved to a corresponding machine as required.

In den vorangegangenen Ausführungen wurde stets davon ausgegangen, dass der Roboterarm prinzipiell fähig ist, alle erkannten "defekten" Flaschen (Glasbruch oder auch umgefallene Flaschen) aus dem Eingangsbereich 110 zu entfernen. Der Roboterarm ist jedoch in seiner Leistung (Anzahl bearbeiteter Flaschen pro Zeiteinheit) begrenzt.In the preceding explanations, it was always assumed that the robot arm is in principle capable of removing all identified "defective" bottles (broken glass or bottles that have fallen over) from the entry area 110 . However, the performance of the robotic arm (number of bottles processed per time unit) is limited.

Wird von einer Erkennungseinrichtung 121 nun in einem Teil des Eingangsbereichs 110 eine große Zahl defekter Flaschen erkannt, beispielsweise mehr als 10 gebrochene Flaschen gleichzeitig, so kann dies darauf hindeuten, dass hier ein Problem stromauf des Eingangsbereichs 110 vorliegt, das vom Roboterarm aufgrund seiner begrenzten Leistung nicht mehr behoben werden kann. Ein solches Problem kann beispielsweise in der Aufgabe einer Gruppe zerstörter Flaschen (auch Glas-Schrottpalette) oder auch in einer Fehlfunktion eines Auspackers stromauf der Transporteinrichtung 111 liegen.If a detection device 121 now detects a large number of defective bottles in a part of the entrance area 110, for example more than 10 broken bottles at the same time, this may indicate that there is a problem upstream of the entrance area 110, which the robot arm has to deal with due to its limited performance can no longer be remedied. Such a problem can lie, for example, in the abandonment of a group of destroyed bottles (also scrap glass pallets) or in a malfunction of an unpacker upstream of the transport device 111.

Unabhängig davon, was die Ursache für die erhöhte Zahl von defekten Flaschen ist, kann vorgesehen sein, dass die Steuereinheit 190 den Transport der Flaschen in die Reinigungsmaschine stoppt, indem beispielsweise der Transport weiterer Flaschen durch die Transporteinrichtung angehalten wird. Dieses Vorgehen kann beispielsweise ausgelöst werden, wenn durch alle oder zumindest eine der vorgesehenen Erkennungseinrichtungen gleichzeitig oder in einem kurzen Zeitintervall (beispielsweise 20s, 30s oder 1min) eine Anzahl defekter Flaschen (hier insbesondere Flaschen mit Glasbruch) erkannt wird, die die maximal von dem Roboterarm bearbeitbare Anzahl Flaschen in diesem Zeitintervall oder einen zuvor festgelegten Grenzwert (beispielsweise mehr als 5, 10 oder 15 Flaschen pro Minute) übersteigt.Irrespective of the reason for the increased number of defective bottles, provision can be made for the control unit 190 to transport the bottles into the cleaning machine stops, for example by stopping the transport of further bottles by the transport device. This procedure can be triggered, for example, if all or at least one of the detection devices provided simultaneously or in a short time interval (e.g. 20s, 30s or 1min) detects a number of defective bottles (here in particular bottles with broken glass) that exceed the maximum number of bottles detected by the robot arm exceeds the number of bottles that can be processed in this time interval or a predetermined limit (e.g. more than 5, 10 or 15 bottles per minute).

Zusätzlich kann ein Warnsignal, ausgelöst durch Ansteuerung einer akustischen (Lautsprecher) oder optischen (Alarmleuchte) Einheit mittels der Steuereinheit, ausgegeben werden, das einen Bediener auf das Problem hinweisen und zu weiteren Schritten veranlassen kann. Beispielsweise kann der Bediener, nachdem der Transport der Flaschen gestoppt wurde, die defekten Flaschen manuell aus dem Eingangsbereich entfernen und die Störung (beispielsweise am Auspacker stromauf der Transporteinrichtung 111) beseitigen, bevor der Betrieb erneut aufgenommen wird.In addition, a warning signal, triggered by activation of an acoustic (loudspeaker) or visual (alarm light) unit by means of the control unit, can be output, which can alert an operator to the problem and prompt him to take further steps. For example, after the transport of the bottles has been stopped, the operator can manually remove the defective bottles from the input area and rectify the fault (e.g. at the unpacker upstream of the transport device 111) before operation is resumed.

Claims (11)

  1. Bottle cleaning machine (100) for cleaning bottles in the beverage processing industry, with a transport device (111) for disorderly, standing transport of bottles in a mass flow to an entry area (110) of the bottle cleaning machine, wherein in or before the entry area a detection device (121) for detecting a defect and/or fallen over bottle and in the entry area a robotic arm (140) with a gripping element (145) are arranged, wherein a control device (190) of the bottle cleaning machine can receive information about a defect and/or fallen over bottle from the detection device and control the robotic arm, to upright the defect and/or fallen over bottle (131) or to remove from the transport device, wherein the detection device (121) comprises a camera, which is arranged above the transport device (111) and whose optical axis runs perpendicular to a transport plane defined by the transport device, in which the bottles are transported.
  2. Bottle cleaning machine according to claim 1, wherein the robotic arm (140) comprises at least two joints and/or the range of motion of the robotic arm extends over the whole width of the transport device.
  3. Bottle cleaning machine according to one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the robotic arm (140) is mounted on a holder (143), wherein the holder is arranged next or above the transport route (111).
  4. Bottle cleaning machine according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control device (190) is configured to control the robotic arm (140), to remove a defect bottle (131) from the transport device (111) and to upright a fallen over, not defect bottle and to keep in the transport device.
  5. Bottle cleaning machine (400) for cleaning bottles in the beverage processing industry with a transport device for disorderly, standing transport of bottles in a mass flow to an entry area (410) of the bottle cleaning machine, wherein a collection container (420) for sorted out bottles, which comprises a filling level sensor, is associated with the bottle cleaning machine, wherein the collection container is configured to output a signal indicative of the filling level, when a predefined filling level is reached.
  6. Bottle cleaning machine (400) according to claim 5, wherein the signal is an acoustic, optical or electronic signal.
  7. Bottle cleaning machine (400) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the filling level sensor is configured as a scale.
  8. Bottle cleaning machine (400) according to one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the collection container (420) is configured as an autonomous, mobile wagon, which can depending on the signal drive to an emptying station (550), hand over the bottles to it and return to the bottle cleaning machine.
  9. Bottle cleaning machine (400) according to claim 8, wherein at least two collection containers (420, 560) are associated with the bottle cleaning machine, wherein the collection containers can control their movement automatically in a way that at any time, a collection container for storing sorted out bottles is positioned.
  10. Bottle cleaning machine (400) according to one of claims 5 to 9, wherein the bottle cleaning machine comprises a detection device (121) and a robotic arm (140) as well as a control device (190) according to one of claims 1 to 5 and the robotic arm is configured to handover defect bottles to the collection container (420).
  11. Bottle cleaning machine (400) according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the collection container or the collection containers are arranged on rails (570), which connect at least the bottle cleaning machine and the emptying device (550) to such an extend along a closed path that the collection container can drive back from the bottle cleaning machine via the emptying station to the bottle cleaning machine, wherein the rails form a closed curve.
EP18176907.6A 2017-12-22 2018-06-11 Bottle cleaning device Active EP3501676B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE202017107882.5U DE202017107882U1 (en) 2017-12-22 2017-12-22 Bottle cleaning machine for cleaning bottles

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EP3501676C0 EP3501676C0 (en) 2023-08-30
EP3501676B1 true EP3501676B1 (en) 2023-08-30

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CN110000175A (en) 2019-07-12
EP3501676C0 (en) 2023-08-30
EP3501676A1 (en) 2019-06-26
DE202017107882U1 (en) 2019-03-25
ES2962883T3 (en) 2024-03-21

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