초록 ▼

In the case of nested containers to be filled by a filling station, a gripping device grasps an entire row of empty containers and conveys it to a weighing station, where the containers are weighed. Following weighing, all containers of the row are simultaneously filled and then reweighed. The cont

In the case of nested containers to be filled by a filling station, a gripping device grasps an entire row of empty containers and conveys it to a weighing station, where the containers are weighed. Following weighing, all containers of the row are simultaneously filled and then reweighed. The containers are then reinserted into the nest and sealed, without being refilled, which allows checking the operation of the filling station without wasting product.

대표청구항 ▼

The invention claimed is: 1. A device for the controlled filling of a plurality of containers, wherein the containers are arranged in a plurality of parallel rows in a holder (1), wherein the device comprises: a drive for advancing the rows of containers (13) in a direction of travel that is transv

The invention claimed is: 1. A device for the controlled filling of a plurality of containers, wherein the containers are arranged in a plurality of parallel rows in a holder (1), wherein the device comprises: a drive for advancing the rows of containers (13) in a direction of travel that is transverse to the rows of containers, wherein the rows are spaced apart in the direction of travel; a filling station (6) for simultaneously filling containers in one of the parallel rows of containers (13) in the holder (1), and wherein the rows of containers (13) are advanced incrementally one row at a time, the rows being transverse to the direction of travel to be filled by the filling station; a sealing station (10) for sealing the containers (13) after the containers (13) have been filled at the filling station; a weighing station (11) for weighing the containers (13), at least one container (13) at a time, the weighing station being disposed to one side of a path of travel for advancing rows of containers; a gripping device for picking up a row of containers (13) to be filled and transferring the row of containers (13) to the weighing station (11) for weighing before filling; the gripping device then transferring the row of weighed containers (13) from the weighing station (11) to the filling station (6), and after filling, the gripping device then transferring the row of filled containers (13) to the weighing station (11) for weighing after filling; and after weighing, the gripping device then transferring the weighed and filled row of containers (13) to a row in the holder following a row from which the containers (13) were removed, with such transferring occurring, ahead of the sealing station (10). 2. A device according to claim 1, having a controller that is configured to maintain a log of the row of weighed containers (13). 3. A device according to claim 1, having a controller that is controlled by at least one of a timed sequence and a random sequence. 4. A device according to claim 1, 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). 5. A device according to claim 1, wherein the gripping device is configured such that it reinserts the row of containers (13) into the holder (1) ahead of the filling station (6). 6. A device according to claim 1, wherein the operation of the filling station (6) is interrupted by the row of filled containers (13) being weighed and then the filled containers being logged by a controller. 7. A device according to claim 1, wherein the sealing station (10) is arranged immediately following the filling station (6) and simultaneously seals all containers (13) of that row that has just been filled. 8. A device according to claim 1, wherein the weighing station (11) has at least one weighing cell (14) and containers (13) are individually weighed, one after the other, if desired. 9. A device according to claim 1, wherein the weighing station (11) has a row of weighing cells (14) and all containers (13) of a row are simultaneously weighed. 10. A device according to claim 1, wherein the gripping device has a multi-axis robot arm. 11. A method for the controlled filling of nested containers (13) that are arranged in parallel rows in nests (12) comprising the following processing stages: advancing the nests (12) having several rows of containers (13) cyclically along a direction transverse to the axes of the rows; intermittently picking up a row of containers (13) from the nest (12) and weighing the containers (13) in an empty state, simultaneously filling the weighed containers (13) of that row as the containers are advanced along the direction transverse to the rows, subsequently sealing the filled containers (13) as the containers are advanced along the direction transverse to the rows, weighing the weighed and filled containers (13) a second time, and reinserting the reweighed row of containers (13) into a nest (12) that follows the nest (12) from which the containers were first picked up. 12. A method according to claim 11, wherein all containers (13) of a row are simultaneously sealed. 13. A method according to claim 11, wherein all containers (13) of a row are simultaneously weighed. 14. A method according to claim 11, wherein the row of weighed containers (13) is reinserted ahead of a filling station (6). 15. A method according to claim 11, wherein the locations of weighed containers (13) are logged. 16. A method according to claim 11, wherein after containers (13) to be checked have been picked up, those containers (13) that were checked before they are inserted into those locations left vacant by the former. 17. A method according to claim 11, wherein the containers (13) to be checked are filled while switching from one nest to another.