Device and method for controlled filling

Abstract

In the case of nested containers to be filled by a filling station, a gripping device picks up a row of empty containers and transfers it to a weighing station. Following weighing, the row of containers is simultaneously filled and subsequently re-weighed. The row of containers is then reinserted into the nest and sealed, without being refilled, which allows checking the operation of the filling station without wasting any of the product involved.

1 . A device for the controlled filling of nested containers ( 13 ) arranged in parallel rows in a nest ( 12 ), where the device has a filling station ( 6 ) for simultaneously filling a row of containers ( 13 ), a sealing station ( 10 ) for sealing the containers ( 13 ), a weighing station ( 11 ) for weighing at least one container ( 13 ), and a gripping device for picking up a row of containers ( 13 ) to be filled, transferring it to the weighing station ( 11 ), transferring the row of weighed containers ( 13 ) from the weighing station ( 11 ) to the filling station ( 6 ), transferring the row of filled containers ( 13 ) to the weighing station ( 11 ), and transferring the row of reweighed containers ( 13 ) to the nest before the latter enters the sealing station ( 10 ).  
   
   
       2 . A device according to  claim 1  having a drive controlled by a controller for cyclically conveying nests ( 12 ) transverse to the axes of the rows.  
   
   
       3 . A device according to  claim 2 , wherein the controller is configured such that it records the row of weighed containers ( 13 ).  
   
   
       4 . A device according to  claim 2  or  claim 3 , wherein the controller is configured such that it triggers the motions involved cyclically and/or at random.  
   
   
       5 . A device according to any of the foregoing claims, wherein the gripping device is configured such that it reinserts the row of containers ( 13 ) between the filling station ( 6 ) and the sealing station ( 10 ).  
   
   
       6 . A device according to any of claims  1 - 4 , wherein the gripping device is configured such that it reinserts the row of containers ( 13 ) into the nest ( 12 ) before the latter enters the filling station ( 6 ).  
   
   
       7 . A device according to  claim 6 , wherein the operation of the filling station ( 6 ) is interrupted by the row of filled containers ( 13 ), controlled by the latter's recording by the controller.  
   
   
       8 . A device according to any of the foregoing claims, wherein the sealing station ( 10 ) is arranged immediately following the filling station ( 6 ) and simultaneously seals the row of containers ( 13 ) that has just been filled.  
   
   
       9 . A device according to any of the foregoing claims, wherein the weighing station ( 11 ) has at least one weighing cell ( 14 ) and the containers ( 13 ) are weighed one after the other, if necessary.  
   
   
       10 . A device according to any of the foregoing claims, wherein the weighing station ( 11 ) has a row of weighing cells ( 14 ) and rows of containers ( 13 ) are simultaneously weighed.  
   
   
       11 . A device according to any of the foregoing claims, wherein the gripping device has a multi-axis robot arm.  
   
   
       12 . A device according to any of the foregoing claims, wherein the gripping device is configured such that it is capable of picking up a row of containers ( 13 ) from any of several positions, in particular, from any position, on the nest ( 12 ) and reinserting it at that position.  
   
   
       13 . A method for the controlling the filling of nested containers ( 13 ) arranged in parallel rows in nests ( 12 ) comprising the following stages: 
 simultaneously filling the containers ( 13 ) of a row of a nest,    subsequently sealing the filled containers ( 13 ),    periodically picking up a row of containers ( 13 ) from the nest ( 12 ) and weighing the empty containers ( 13 ),    simultaneously filling the weighed containers ( 13 ) of that row,    reweighing the weighed and filled containers ( 13 ) of that row, and    reinserting the row of reweighed containers ( 13 ) into the nest ( 12 ).    
   
   
       14 . A method according to  claim 13 , wherein an entire row of containers ( 13 ) is simultaneously sealed.  
   
   
       15 . A method according to  claim 13  or  claim 14 , wherein an entire row of containers ( 13 ) is simultaneously weighed.  
   
   
       16 . A method according to any of claims  13 - 15 , wherein nests ( 12 ) having several rows of containers ( 13 ) are cyclically advanced transverse to the axes of the rows.  
   
   
       17 . A method according to any of claims  13 - 16 , wherein the row of weighed containers ( 13 ) is reinserted at the position situated at the entrance to a filling station ( 6 ).  
   
   
       18 . A method according to any of claims  13 - 17 , wherein the positions of the weighed containers ( 13 ) are recorded.