In-line bottling plant for containers with liquids and bottling process

Abstract

 Bottling plant for containers with liquids, which comprises a filling machine (3), a capping machine (4) and a labeling machine (5). Transportation means (7) adapted to move the containers through the machines of the plant without changing their order are provided. A centralized logic control unit (32) controls the machines to carry out the relative operations in sequence on the single containers. The plant is provided with a detection sensor (33) arranged in the vicinity of the inlet section (8) of the transportation means to intercept the containers that move forward; such sensor is in communication with the logic control unit in order to assign a sequential identification code to each container. Diagnostic means are associated with one or more of the operative machines of the plant in order to detect data identifying the operations that the single containers undergo, such that the control unit can associate the code of each container with a corresponding measurement value received by the diagnostic means. The labeling machine then prints on the label of each container the relative identification code and the corresponding measurement value.

Description

Field of application

[0001] The present invention regards an in-line bottling plant for containers with liquids and a bottling process, in particular by means of said plant, according to the preamble of the respective independent claims.

[0002] The present plant and the process are advantageously intended to be employed in the beverage industry in industrial bottling lines where it is necessary to automatically carry out the filling and the capping of a considerable number of bottles per hour.

[0003] The plant and the process, object of the present invention, are preferably employable for packaging alimentary drinks, in particular of considerable added value, in which it is important to optimize the productive process or to control afterward, even after a period of time, the conditions under which the packaging process was carried out.

[0004] The present invention is therefore falls within the technical field of attaining industrial plants for bottling drinks such as wine, spirits, mineral waters, fruit juices, alimentary drinks or other liquids.

State of the art

[0005] The industrial bottling plants conventionally available on the market provide to move the bottles to be bottled (by means of, for example, hollow wheels, augers or conveyor belts) through multiple operating machines arranged in series, usually comprising at least one rinsing machine, a filling machine and a capping machine.

[0006] The latter can be of the type provided with capping heads with slidable blocks, in order to insert and compress cork caps inside the neck of the bottles, or of capper type for mounting capsules on the neck of the bottles through a screwing or forming operation of the capsule on the external thread of the bottle neck.

[0007] Currently, the single machines of the production chain can be provided with dedicated mechanisms and diagnostic means adapted to prevent the bottle from being subjected to the treatment provided by the machine, if the operating conditions thereof are not met. For example, the isobaric filling machines for filling bottles with carbonated liquids provide for the possibility to prevent the opening of the relative valve group, if the desired filling pressure in the bottle is not reached.

[0008] Furthermore, the bottles leaving a machine can be stowed in storage spaces before being transported to the next machine for the further operation of the packaging process.

[0009] This makes it currently impossible to check and trace the single operations of the bottling process that are carried out on the single bottle.

[0010] Also known are applications of traceability for the flows of packaged bottles, which allow tracing and retrieving the specific batches through computer systems capable of supporting the acquisition and organization of the data connected to the management of the steps of identification and storage of the products, the operations of reception of the merchandise (bottles, caps, capsules, alimentary liquids, labels), the composition and execution of the orders. This involves recording the batches of the merchandise, in particular in contact with the liquid, by means of labeling the aforesaid merchandise that contributes to forming the packaged product.

[0011] Nevertheless, at present only data collection instruments are known that are upstream and downstream of the production lines, for example through the optical reading in radio frequency of the SSCC code associated with the merchandise of the suppliers in the warehouse loading and unloading operations, in order to detect the Batch and Data information of the supplier merchandise, the optical reading of the merchandise inserted in the plant line as well as of the finished products downstream of the production line in connection with the labeling of the pallets exiting from the production department relative to the finished product loading and unloading operations of the warehouses.

[0012] In an analogous manner, also the distribution and sales processes, can be recorded with analogous data collection instruments in radio frequency, of the SSCC code.

[0013] The monitoring of the production process, intended as control of the supplier merchandise and finished product (packaged bottles) as well as the distribution process has the limit of identifying only uniform batches with reference to the conformity requirements, and does not allow identifying the single bottles and hence evaluating the conditions of the rinsing process to which they were subjected. The bottling processes and plants up to now do not allow evaluating, in a differentiated manner, the single bottles in accordance to how they were handled in the productive process in relation to the different machines and steps of rinsing, filling, capping and labeling. An important limit of the current bottling processes lies in allowing the recognition and traceability of the productive process only with reference to what occurs upstream and downstream of the abovementioned bottling steps.

[0014] Production processes are known that provide for the use of rotary labeling machines, capable of indicating the origin of the viticulture production on the final bottled product, through the indication (for example) of a number relative to the pertinent consortium. This allows relating the wine bottle, wherever this was sold, to the territory where the grapes were produced and the wine made, but it does not allow the producer, in case of product defect, to trace back to the cause of such defect.

[0015] The response of the final user represents important feedback for the optimization of the bottling process. Yet the bottling processes present on the market today do not consider such feedback.

[0016] For example, a defect in the capping of a bottle may be due to problems related to the bottle, the cap or the capping steps.

[0017] The computer control and supervision of the current systems regarding the bottling process are mainly aimed at automatically managing the launching of the orders in production, for such purpose setting the machines as a function of the bottle format, the wine, the caps, as well as, for example, the exact number of bottles to be provided for the execution of that specific order; the computer control and supervision are also aimed at managing the labeling, by sending the product batch reference information to the inkjet printers for printing the labels of the bottles and the boxes.

Presentation of the invention

[0018] In this situation, the problem underlying the present invention is therefore that of overcoming the drawbacks manifested by the plants and by the capping processes of known type, by providing a plant and a process that allow controlling the steps of the packaging process on the single bottle.

[0019] Another object of the present invention is to obtain a plant and a process that allow minimizing raw material waste, preventing the production of finished products that do not meet at least one of the expected requirements.

[0020] Another object of the present invention is to obtain a plant and a process that allow the traceability on the single bottle in all the bottling process steps.

[0021] Another object of the present invention is to obtain a plant and a process that allow, over a period of time, to determine the cause of a defect in the finished product, and then to correct the productive process or plant.

[0022] Another object of the present invention is to obtain a plant and a process that are inexpensive to achieve.

[0023] A further object of the present invention is to obtain a plant that is structurally simple and entirely reliable from an operations standpoint.

[0024] These and other objects are all achieved by the plant and by the process for capping bottles with caps made of deformable material, object of the present invention, according to the claims indicated below.

Brief description of the drawings

[0025] The technical characteristics of the invention, according to the aforesaid objects, can be clearly seen in the contents of the claims indicated below, and the advantages of the same will be more evident in the following detailed description, made with reference to the enclosed drawings, which represent a merely exemplifying and non-limiting embodiment thereof, in which:

• figure 1 schematically shows the bottling plant, object of the present invention;
• figure 2 shows a rinsing group of a relative rinsing machine that forms part of the plant of figure 1;
• figure 3 schematically shows, with many parts removed for better illustrating others, a rotary filling machine that forms part of the plant of figure 1;
• figure 4 shows a valve group of the low vacuum type of a rotary filling machine which forms part of the plant of figure 1;
• figure 5 shows a valve group of isobaric type of a rotary filling machine that forms part of the plant of figure 1;
• figure 6 schematically shows, with many parts removed in order to better illustrate others, a capping machine which forms part of the plant of figure 1;
• figure 7 shows an operative capping head for compressible caps of a rotary capping machine which forms part of the plant of figure 1;
• figure 8 shows an operative capping head for rolling capsules of a rotary capping machine that forms part of the plant of figure 1.

Detailed description of a preferred embodiment

[0026] With reference to the attached drawings, a plant for bottling containers with liquids according to the present invention was indicated in its entirety with 1.

[0027] The plant is intended to be employed in the industrial bottling processes in order to package containers with liquids, in particular of alimentary type such as wine and water.

[0028] Such plant consists, in a per se conventional manner, of at least one filling machine 3, at least one capping machine 4, and at least one labeling machine 5, preferably all with rotary turntable, i.e. each provided with a plurality of operative heads mounted peripherally on its own turntable, respectively for rinsing, filling, capping and labeling the containers moving through the plant 1. Advantageously, upstream of the filling machine 3, a rinsing machine 2 is also preferably provided. Also preferably, especially in the case of wine bottles, the plant 1 also comprises a capper machine 6 for covering the head of the bottle with a capsule made of aluminum or another deformable material.

[0029] For such purpose, the plant 1 comprises transportation means 7 adapted to move the containers from an inlet section 8 of the plant 1 to an outlet section 9 of the plant 1, maintaining the same sequence over the entire travel, i.e. without the containers changing their order.

[0030] More in detail, the rotary rinsing machine 2 is arranged to intercept the transportation means 7 and it is provided with a plurality of operative rinsing groups 10 mounted peripherally on a first turntable and adapted to carry out a first rinsing operation separately on the single containers.

[0031] Each rinsing group 10 comprises, in a manner per se known to the man skilled in the art and hence not discussed in detail below: - a gripper 11, hinged to the first turntable, and able to be actuated to grip a container to be rinsed, and to rotate by 180° in order to move it between an upright position and an inverted position; - an injection nozzle 12, which is mounted on the turntable aligned with the mouth of the container in inverted position, and it is connected by means of a feeding duct 13 to a distribution valve 14 of a washing fluid with which it rinses the container.

[0032] The rinsing machine 2 is fed in particular by means of an auger 7' of the transportation means 7; such auger is arranged at the inlet section 8 of the plant 1. The auger 7' transfers the containers to an inlet starwheel 49 of the rinsing machine 2 and takes them again, once they have been rinsed, at an outlet starwheel 69 of the same rinsing machine 2.

[0033] Downstream of the inlet section 8 of the plant 1, and in particular downstream of the rinsing machine 2, to intercept the transportation means 7 there is a rotary filling machine 3; the latter is provided with a plurality of valve groups 15, adapted to carry out a second filling operation, with a liquid to be bottled, separately on the single containers.

[0034] As is known, as a function of the modes with which the filling operations are carried out, the filling machines are commonly classified as low vacuum machines, isobaric machines, low pressure machines, gravity machines, etc.

[0035] More in detail, the filling machine 3 of the plant, object of the present invention, whether it is of gravity or low vacuum type as in figure 4 or of isobaric type as in figure 5, comprises, in a per se conventional manner: a second rotary turntable carrying a mounted tank 16 for containing a liquid to be bottled and a plurality of valve groups 15 mounted peripherally on said rotary turntable and each comprising a supply duct 18 hydraulically connected to the tank 16 for the flow of the liquid to the containers to be filled, an air return tube 19 and a shutter 20 movable between an open position and a closed position of the supply duct 18 in order to adjust the flow of said liquid in said containers.

[0036] The auger transfers the containers to a further inlet starwheel 51 of the filling machine 3, taking them again once filled at an outlet starwheel 53 of the same filling machine 3. Downstream of the filling machine 3, to intercept the transportation means 7 a rotary capping machine 4 is provided, which in turn is provided with a plurality of capping heads 21 adapted to carry out a third capping operation separately on the single containers.

[0037] More in detail, the capping machine 4 can be of the type provided with operative capping heads 21 with slidable blocks, in order to insert and compress cork caps inside the neck of the bottles, or of capping type in order to mount capsules on the neck of the containers through a screwing operation or a forming operation of the capsules on the external thread of the neck of the container.

[0038] In the case of operative capping heads 21 for compressible caps, these are mounted peripherally on a third rotary turntable and each comprises clamping means 22 for compressing a cap 24 from a widened shape to a compressed shape susceptible to being inserted in the mouth of a bottle; thrusting means 23 mounted above the clamping means 22, able to be actuated to push the cap 24 retained in compressed form by the clamping means 22, along a vertical capping axis, inside the neck of the container.

[0039] Each head 21 also arranges a conveying group 25 provided with a sealing surface intended to receive the mouth of the container in abutment and a centering device 26 mounted on the lower part of the clamping means 22, equipped with a passage hole aligned vertically with respect to the capping axis and to the mouth of the container and intended to convey the cap 24 thrust by the thrusting means 23 in the mouth of the container arranged resting on the sealing surface.

[0040] The conveyor group 25 is provided with at least one air passage channel 27, which is susceptible to place in communication the internal volume of the bottle delimited by the cap 24 sealingly positioned in the passage hole, with means for suctioning and/or injecting inert gas.

[0041] In the case of operative capping heads of capping type 21', the caps consisting of screw capsules, generally of metallic or plastic material, are screwed on the threaded top of containers.

[0042] For such purpose, each head of this type is usually provided with grippers for first gripping the capsules and then screwing them on the containers by rotating around the axis of the head.

[0043] Also known is a second type of capper capping heads 21', illustrated in the enclosed figure 8, which is employed for applying caps on the threaded top of the containers by means of rolling. In this case, the capping head 21' achieves threads via deformation against a finish of the mouth of the containers, or only notches on a usually metallic flange of the caps

[0044] For such purpose, each head of this type is usually provided with forming rollers 28, moved in rotary motion by the head itself against the caps in order to form threads in their flanges. Such rollers 28 are mounted on rods 31 hinged on the rotary body of the head and compress the capsule, deforming it and making on the top thereof by crimping a thread that is counter-shaped with respect to that projecting on the neck of the container. In any case, the operative capping heads 21' of capper type by screwing or crimping are rotatably supported on the relative third rotary turntable of the capping machine 4 through mandrels capable of rotating them, and central sleeves 29 are provided that elastically compress the capsule on the mouth of the container by means of a spring 30. Each capping head 21, 21' is controlled in the capping operations through its controlled descent on the container.

[0045] The operative capping heads of capper type 21' are therefore able to be actuated to move between a first raised position, in which it is arranged above the capsule arranged on the head the containers, and a first lowered position, in which it is lowered on the head of the containers and compresses, by means of the central sleeve 29, the capsule adhering on the mouth of the container.

[0046] A labeling machine 5 is then provided, arranged to intercept the transportation means 7 downstream of the capping machine 4 and upstream of the outlet section 9, adapted to carry out a fourth labeling operation separately on the single containers.

[0047] According to the idea underlying the present invention, the plant further comprises a detection sensor 33 arranged in the vicinity of the inlet section 8, to intercept the containers that move forward through the transportation means 7, in communication with an electronic unit 32 in order to assign a sequential identification code to each container. According to the invention, diagnostic means are also provided that are associated with at least one of the aforesaid machines 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 and adapted to detect at least one measurement value of at least one of the operations of such machines. The electronic unit 32 then associates the corresponding measurement value received from the diagnostic means with the code of each container (e.g. by recording the data in respective identification record) and communicates the data to the labeling machine 5 in order to print on the label of each container the relative identification code and the corresponding measurement value.

[0048] The electronic unit 32 advantageously is a recording unit, which associates the identification code of each container received from the detection sensor 33 with the corresponding identification data detected by the diagnostic means on the different machines on such containers, and then communicates the recorded data to the labeling machine 5 such that it prints it together with the identification code (e.g. consisting of a progressive number) on the respective containers.

[0049] Advantageously, the unit 32 can be a centralized logic control unit connected to the machines (the connections are indicated in figure 1 with a dash-dot line) in order to control them with predetermined operative modes to carry out the aforesaid operations in sequence on the single containers.

[0050] Advantageously, the detection sensor 33 consists of a photocell, which intercepts the passage of the containers, communicating the presence thereof to the electronic unit 32 for the attribution of the identification code. By advancing the containers without ever mixing them together, and with the FIFO logic in possible storage areas, the electronic unit 32 is always able to recognize such container and associate it with the data that comes from the diagnostic means placed along the transportation means 7 from the inlet section 8 to the outlet section 9, in particular, but not exclusively, at the different operating machines illustrated above; this in order to attribute to the single container data relative to the modes with which it underwent the different operations of the bottling process of the plant 1.

[0051] The electronic unit 32, if equipped with logic control, can in particular be adapted to prevent the enabling of the different operations of the operative machines 2, 3, 4 and 5 should the container - at one of the machine inlets - be deemed unsuitable to be subjected to such operation, for diagnostic data previously detected with regard to such container. This allows not conducting operations and sparing material on containers that must be discarded.

[0052] Initially, if the detection sensor 33 detects the presence of a container in the inlet auger 7', it enables, through the logic control unit 32, the sending of the washing fluid by the distribution valve 14 of the rinsing group 10 associated with the head of the rinsing machine 2, at the container identified by the corresponding code.

[0053] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the diagnostic means comprise at least one first pressure sensor 34 arranged to intercept the feeding duct 13 of the washing fluid, interposed between the injection nozzle 12 and the distribution valve 14. Such first sensor 34, schematized in figure 2, detects a first measurement value of the pressure of the washing fluid at each container.

[0054] Preferably, the diagnostic means also comprise at least one second pressure sensor 35 arranged to intercept a channel 90 of the filling machine 3 in communication with the container in order to make various operating fluids flow into or out of its interior. Such sensor detects at least one second measurement value of the pressure in such channel 90 indicative of the passage condition of the aforesaid operating fluid into or from the container associated with the corresponding valve group of the rotary filling machine 3, as schematized in the enclosed figures 4 and 5.

[0055] Advantageously, the second pressure sensor 35 is a pressure transducer susceptible to detect second data identifying the pressure in the channel 90.

[0056] Each valve group 15 of the isobaric filling machine 3 illustrated in figure 5 preferably comprises an interception valve 40 of a vacuum circuit intended to suction all the air from the container as soon as this is carried by the support plate with the centering cone sealingly on the lip of the supply duct 18. Once the filling step has terminated, a self-leveling step takes place, during which a flow of inert gas, controlled by a valve 41 of a self-leveling circuit, is insufflated into the container in order to determine the ascent in the air return tube (or compensation tube) 19 of the liquid (and foam) portion arranged above the desired level or at the lower mouth of the same air return tube 19.

[0057] The valve 41 of the auto-leveling circuit is connected to the inert gas source and to the container through holes made in the lip around the supply duct 18. The aforesaid holes place the container interior in communication with an intermediate poppet valve which, in turn, is in communication with the valve 41 of the self-leveling circuit. More in detail, the poppet valve 7 is in communication with the three valves 40, 41 and 42 of the vacuum, the self-level and the isobaric circuit by means of a common channel 90 indicated in figure 5 in two orthogonal sections that run parallel to the walls of the tank 16.

[0058] The second pressure sensor 35 is for example arranged to intercept the channel 90 in communication with the container in order to detect the pressure at the different operating steps of the isobaric filling machine 3.

[0059] In the case of machine with slight vacuum, illustrated in figure 4, the container rested on the lifting cylinder ascends and brings its mouth sealingly against the gasket arranged below the valve group 15. A filling valve 43 is then opened, which is connected to a vacuum circuit through a duct 44, and determines the suctioning of the air from the container.

[0060] Afterwards, there is the closure of the valve 43 of the vacuum duct 44, and the subsequent opening of a valve 45 connected to a feeding duct of pressurized inert gas 46 allows the injection of inert gas inside the container 3.

[0061] The second pressure sensor 35 is for example arranged to intercept the vacuum duct 44 or the inert gas duct 46 or two second pressure sensors 35 can be provided, each arranged at one of the aforesaid ducts and of course in communication with the logic control unit 32.

[0062] Preferably, the diagnostic means also comprise at least one third pressure sensor 47 arranged to intercept of the air passage channel 27 of the capping head 21 (as schematized in figure 7). In this case, the third sensor 47 detects a third measurement value of the pressure of the air passage channel at each container.

[0063] Preferably, the diagnostic means also comprise first inspection means 48 for checking the suitable cleanness of each container; such means are advantageously mounted on the outlet starwheel 69 of the rinsing machine 2, and consist of metallic sensors associated with the bottom of the containers and/or refraction sensors for checking particles in suspension and/or photographic inspection sensors, which were schematically indicated with a small circle in the enclosed figure 1. Such first inspection means 48 detect a fourth measurement value of the cleanness of each container.

[0064] Preferably, the diagnostic means also comprise at least second inspection means 50 mounted on the inlet starwheel 51 of the filling machine 3, in particular consisting of cameras; such second means were schematically indicated with a small square in the enclosed figure 1. Such second inspection means 50 detect a fifth measurement value of the shape of the neck of the container for ascertaining the suitability of the container to create a closed chamber in the next rotary filling machine 3.

[0065] Preferably, the diagnostic means comprise third inspection means 52 mounted on the outlet starwheel 53 of the filling machine; such third inspection means 52 detect a fifth measurement value of the liquid level in the neck of the container, in particular by means of an optical sensor schematically indicated with a star in the enclosed figure 1 that is susceptible to read the diffraction of water.

[0066] In the case of operative capping heads of capper type 21', in particular by screwing, the diagnostic means comprise advantageously a first dynamometric sensor 54 adapted to detect the pressure exerted by the sleeve 29 on the mouth of the container and create a sixth measurement value of the force with which the capsule is screwed or pressed against the mouth of the container. In accordance with a possible embodiment illustrated in figure 8, such first dynamometric sensor 54 will be arranged at an abutment ring of the spring 30 coaxial with the sleeve 29.

[0067] In the case of operative capping heads of capper type 21' with rollers of forming rollers 28, the diagnostic means can comprise a second dynamometric sensor 55 adapted to detect the pressure exerted by the rollers 28 on the neck of the containers moved in rotary motion by the head itself against the capsules for shaping the threads on their flanges by crimping. The second dynamometric sensor 55 creates a seventh measurement value of the force with which the capsule is threaded or pressed against the neck of the container. In accordance with a possible embodiment illustrated in figure 8, such second dynamometric sensor 55 can be arranged at adjustment screws for the pressure of the rollers.

[0068] The plant also advantageously comprises the second capping machine 6 mentioned above, of rotary turntable type carrying a plurality of peripherally-mounted rolling heads, adapted to equip the neck of the containers, in particular of bottles, with capsules adapted to conceal the cap and to constitute a safety seal of the bottle contents.

[0069] The capsules which are fit on the neck of the bottles in the bottling lines can be made of thermo-retractable polymer material, or ductile and deformable materials such as polylaminate, tin or aluminum.

[0070] Each rolling head comprises a rotary body rotatably mounted on the support structure of the head and carrying, pivoted, a plurality of equalizers with respective pressure rollers. A plurality of springs are interposed between the equalizers and the annular body in order to elastically force the pressure rollers against the capsules.

[0071] Also in this case, the diagnostic means comprise a third dynamometric sensor analogous to the second and adapted to detect the pressure exerted by the rollers on the neck of the containers and create an eighth measurement value of the force with which the capsule is rolled or pressed against the neck of the container.

[0072] The diagnostic means can also comprise numerous other sensors associated with the devices mounted along the in-line transportation means of the plant 1. For example, sensors can be provided able to detect the correct insertion of liquid nitrogen drops following the filling operation of the container with the liquid to be bottled of the relative filling machine 3 and before the capping operation of the relative capping machine 4.

[0073] Also forming the object of the present invention is a process for bottling containers with liquids; such process in particular employs the above-described plant 1, whose reference numbers will be maintained below for the sake of simplicity.

[0074] The process comprises the following operative steps: a rinsing step in which the single containers are separately internally washed in succession by means of a washing fluid; a filling step, after the rinsing step in which the single containers are separately filled in succession by means of a liquid to be bottled; a capping step, after the filling step in which the single containers are capped in succession by means of a cap compressible in the neck of the container or by means of a capsule externally fixable on the neck of said container; a labeling step, after the capping step, in which the single containers are labeled in succession by means of a label.

[0075] The aforesaid succession of rinsing, filling, capping and labeling steps is advantageously controlled by the electronic unit 32 equipped with centralized logic control in order to separately carry out the relative operations on the single containers that move forward in ordered sequence from the inlet section 8 of the plant 1 to the outlet section 9 of the plant 1 through the transportation means 7.

[0076] According to the invention, an indexing step is therefore provided in which a detection sensor 33 arranged in the vicinity of the inlet section 8 to intercept the containers that move forward through the transportation means 7, communicates to the electronic unit 32 the passage the containers. The electronic unit 32 consequently assigns each of the containers a sequential identification code. At least one data detection step is provided in which the diagnostic means associated with at least one of the machines 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 detect at least one measurement value of at least one of the operations which such machines perform on the single container. The control unit 32 then associates the corresponding measurement value received from the diagnostic means with the code of each container, such that in the next labeling step, there occurs the printing - on the label of each container - of the relative identification code and the corresponding measurement value of the diagnostic means on the label of each container.

[0077] The plant and the process, object of the present invention, allow attaining numerous advantages. The data logging of that which occurred in the process of bottling on the single container allows, at any time, to check the causes of possible defects on the finished product and consequently to arrange the plant or the process in an improved manner.

[0078] The indexing of the single bottle allows avoiding uselessly subjecting the same to steps and machines if it does not meet the conditions to correctly completing its packaging. The end client has greater assurance not only regarding the purchased batch, but also the single bottle; this is particularly important where the liquid represents a considerable added value, as is the case with some very expensive wines.

[0079] The finding thus conceived therefore attains the predetermined objects.

Claims

1. Bottling plant for containers with liquids, which comprises:

- transportation means (7) adapted to move the containers from an inlet section (8) of the plant to an outlet section (9) of the plant in the same succession for the whole travel;

- a rotary filling machine (3) arranged to intercept the transportation means (7) downstream of said inlet section (8) and provided with a plurality of valve groups (15) adapted to carry out a filling operation, with a liquid to be bottled, separately on the single containers;

- a rotary capping machine (4) arranged to intercept the transportation means (7) downstream of said filling machine (3) and provided with a plurality of capping heads (21) adapted to carry out a capping operation separately on the single containers;

- a labeling machine (5) arranged to intercept the transportation means (7) downstream of said capping machine (4) and upstream of said outlet section (9), adapted to carry out a labeling operation separately on the single containers;
characterized in that it comprises:

- a detection sensor (33) arranged in the vicinity of said inlet section (8) to intercept the containers that move forward through said transportation means (7), in communication with an electronic unit (32), which assigns a sequential identification code to each said container;

- diagnostic means associated with at least one of said machines (3, 4, 5) adapted to detect at least one measurement value of at least one of said operations and in communication with said electronic unit (32); said electronic unit (32) associating said corresponding measurement value received from said diagnostic means with the identification code of each said container ;

- said labeling machine (5) being in communication with said electronic unit (32) and printing, on the label of each said container, the relative identification code and the corresponding measurement value.

2. Plant according to claim 1, which also comprises a rotary rinsing machine (2) arranged to intercept the transportation means (7) provided with a plurality of rinsing heads adapted to carry out a rinsing operation separately on the single containers; said rinsing machine (2) having a plurality of operative rinsing groups (10), mounted peripherally on a first turntable, and each comprising: a gripper (11), hinged to the turntable, able to be actuated to grip a container to be rinsed, and to rotate by 180° in order to move it between an upright position and an inverted position; an injection nozzle (12), which is mounted on the turntable aligned with the mouth of the container in inverted position, and it is connected by means of a feeding duct (13) to a distribution valve (14) of a washing fluid with which said container is rinsed; characterized in that said diagnostic means comprise at least one first pressure sensor (34) arranged to intercept said feeding duct (13) of the washing fluid and interposed between said injection nozzle (12) and said distribution valve (14), said first sensor (34) detecting a first measurement value of the pressure of said washing fluid at each said container.

3. Plant according to claim 1, wherein said filling machine (3) comprises a second rotary turntable carrying a mounted tank (16) for containing a liquid to be bottled and a plurality of valve groups (15) mounted peripherally on said rotary turntable and each comprising a supply duct (18) hydraulically connected to said tank (16) for the flow of said liquid from said tank (16) to said containers to be filled, an air return tube (19), at least one shutter (20) movable between an open position and a closed position of said supply duct (18) in order to adjust the flow of said liquid in said containers; characterized in that said diagnostic means comprise at least one second pressure sensor (35) arranged to intercept at least one channel (90) of said filling machine (3) in communication with said container; said second sensor (35) detects at least one second measurement value of the pressure in said channel (90) associated with the corresponding valve group (15) of said rotary filling machine (3).

4. Plant according to claim 3, wherein said second pressure sensor (35) is a pressure transducer susceptible to detect second data identifying the pressure in said container, said container being connected to said supply duct (18), or to air evacuation means, or furthermore to means for injecting inert gas.

5. Plant according to claim 1, wherein said capping machine (4) comprises a plurality of capping heads (21) mounted peripherally on a third rotary turntable and each comprising:

- clamping means (22) for compressing a cap (24) from a widened shape to a compressed shape susceptible to being inserted in the mouth of a container;

- thrusting means (23) mounted above said clamping means (22), able to be actuated to push said cap (24), retained in compressed form by said clamping means (22), along a vertical capping axis, at least partially inside said container;

- a conveying group (25) provided with:

- a sealing surface intended to receive the mouth of said container in abutment;

- a centering device (26) mounted on the lower part of said clamping means (22), equipped with a passage hole aligned vertically with respect to the capping axis and to the mouth of said container and intended to convey said cap thrusted by said thrusting means (23) in the mouth of said container arranged resting on said sealing surface;

- at least one air passage channel (27), which is susceptible to place the internal volume of said container, delimited by said cap (24) sealingly positioned in said passage hole, in communication with means for suctioning and/or injecting inert gas;

characterized in that said diagnostic means comprise at least one third pressure sensor (47) arranged to intercept of said air passage channel (27) of said capping head (21); said third sensor (47) detects a third measurement value of the pressure of said air passage channel (27) at each said container.

6. Plant according to claim 2, characterized in that said transportation means (7) comprise an auger (7') arranged at said inlet section (8), which feeds said rinsing machine (2) with said containers and carries said detection sensor (33) mounted, in particular consisting of a photocell, which intercepts the passage of said containers communicating the presence thereof to said electronic unit (32) for the attribution of said identification code; said electronic unit (32) being a centralized logic control unit connected to said machines (2, 3, 4, 5) in order to control them with predetermined operative modes to carry out the aforesaid operations in sequence on the single containers and enabling the sending of the washing fluid by the distribution valve (14) of said rinsing machine (2) at the container identified by the corresponding code.

7. Plant according to claim 2, characterized in that said diagnostic means comprise first inspection means (48) for checking the suitable cleanness of each said container, advantageously mounted on an outlet starwheel (69) of said rinsing machine (2), in particular consisting of metallic sensors associated with the bottom of said containers and/or refraction sensors for checking particles in suspension and/or photographic inspection sensors; said first inspection means (48) detecting a fourth measurement value of the cleanness of each said container.

8. Plant according to claim 1, characterized in that said diagnostic means comprise second inspection means (50) mounted on an inlet starwheel (51) of said filling machine (3), in particular consisting of cameras, said second inspection means (50) detecting a fifth measurement value of the shape of the neck of the bottle in order to ascertain the suitability for the creation of a closed chamber in the next rotary filling machine (3).

9. Plant according to claim 1, characterized in that said diagnostic means comprise third inspection means (52) mounted on an outlet starwheel (53) of said filling machine (3), said third inspection means (52) detecting, in particular by means of an optical sensor susceptible to read the diffraction of the water, a fifth measurement value of the liquid level in the neck of said container.

10. Plant according to claim 1, wherein said capping machine (4) comprises a third rotary turntable carrying two or more peripherally-mounted operative heads (21') able to be actuated to move between a first raised position, in which it is arranged above the capsule arranged on the head of said containers, and a first lowered position, in which it is lowered on the head of said containers and compresses, by means of a central sleeve (29), said capsule adhering on the mouth of said container;
characterized in that said diagnostic means comprise at least one first dynamometric sensor (54) adapted to detect the pressure exerted by said sleeve (29) on the mouth of said container.

11. Plant according to claim 10, wherein said capping machine (4) also comprises a rotary body rotatably mounted around a vertical axis; a plurality of rods (31) articulated on said rotary body and carrying respective mounted rollers (28) adapted to exert a pressure on said capsule mounted on the neck of said container; said diagnostic means comprising a second dynamometric sensor (55) adapted to detect the pressure exerted by said rollers (28) on the neck of said container.

12. Process for bottling containers with liquids, which comprises the following operative steps:

- a filling step in which the single containers, separately, are filled in succession by means of a liquid to be bottled;

- a capping step, after said filling step in which the single containers are capped in succession by means of a cap compressible in the neck of said container or by means of a capsule externally fixable on the neck of said container;

- a labeling step, after said capping step, in which the single containers are labeled in succession by means of a label;
said succession of filling, capping and labeling being carried out in succession on the single containers that move forward in ordered sequence from an inlet section (8) of the plant to an outlet section (9) of the plant by means of transportation means (7); characterized in that it comprises:

- an indexing step in which a detection sensor arranged in the vicinity of said inlet section (8) to intercept the containers that move forward through said transportation means (7), communicates the passage of said containers to an electronic unit (32) and said electronic unit (32) consequently assigns each of them a sequential identification code;

- a data detection step in which diagnostic means associated with at least one of said machines (3, 4, 5) detect at least one measurement value of at least one of said operations; said electronic unit (32) associating said corresponding measurement value received from said diagnostic means with the identification code of each said container ; said labeling step printing on the label of each container the relative identification code and the corresponding measurement value associated with each other by said electronic unit.

Drawing