Patent Description:
Pourable food products are known to be packaged into receptacles such as bottles within automatic article treatment machines, the receptacles being closed by means of respective closures after the packaging of the pourable food product within the receptacle.

Such article treatment machines comprise at least an isolation chamber separating an inner environment from an outer environment and one or more treatment apparatuses needed to package the pourable within the inner environment while the inner environment is kept under a controlled condition.

Typical known treatment apparatuses are e.g. filling apparatuses for filling the receptacles with the pourable food product, capping apparatuses for applying closures onto the filled receptacles, conveying apparatuses for conveying the receptacles or closures to be applied onto the receptacles, sterilization apparatuses for the sterilization of the receptacles or closures, blow molding apparatuses for the molding of receptacles from preforms and others.

Often it is necessary to monitor by visual inspection and/or by means of sensors associated to the varying treatment apparatuses the packaging process. This may include the inspection of the function of the treatment apparatuses and/or the receptacles and/or the closures. Visual inspection may e.g. occur by an operator inspecting the inner environment and the packaging process through an inspection window. Sensors may e.g. be adapted to detect defects of the receptacles or other possible problems associated to the filling process and may be associated to components of the treatment apparatuses and may be present in a significant number.

An inconvenience is seen in that the visual inspection is not possible for all areas within the inner environment.

Another inconvenience is considered in that the use of sensors results in an increase in the complexity of the operation of the article treatment apparatus, which becomes more and more significant the more sensors are required.

Thus, a desire is felt in the sector to provide means, which may allow to improve the known article treatment apparatuses.

<CIT> discloses an apparatus to inspect a bottle filling solution comprising: a carrying unit to continuously supply a bottle; a turret assembly to revolve the bottle received from the carrying unit; a rotation unit providing centrifugal force to a filling solution contained in the bottle being revolved by the turret assembly; an inspection module to inspect foreign matter mixed in the filling solution in the bottle; and a carry-out unit to transfer the bottle inspected by the inspection module to the outside.

<CIT> discloses a beverage bottling plant for filling bottles with a liquid beverage material having an inspection device for inspecting bottles. The inspection device is configured for inspecting closed containers such as bottles, jars or similar containers, with at least one camera, at least one illumination device and at least one system for image processing, with a housing which encloses at least a portion of the container conveyor line, at least one illumination device and at least one camera.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide means to overcome, in a straightforward and low-cost manner, at least one of the aforementioned drawbacks.

In particular, it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide means so as to inspect areas of article treatment machines for the packaging of pourable food products, which are difficult to inspect.

Advantageously, it is also an object of the present invention to provide an article treatment machine for the packaging of pourable food products to overcome, in a straightforward and low-cost manner, at least one of the aforementioned drawbacks.

According to the present invention, there is provided an article treatment machine as claimed in claim <NUM>.

Preferred non-limiting embodiments are claimed in the claims being directly or indirectly dependent on claim <NUM>.

Number <NUM> in <FIG> indicates as a whole an article treatment machine, in particular an automatic article treatment machine, for the packaging of pourable food products, such as carbonated liquids (e.g. sparkling water, soft drinks and beer), non-carbonated liquids (including still water, juices, teas, sport drinks, wine, milk, etc.), emulsions and beverages containing pulps.

In particular, article treatment machine <NUM> may be configured to treat articles such as:.

In more detail, article treatment machine <NUM> may comprise:.

Advantageously, article treatment machine <NUM> also comprises one or more inspection systems <NUM> configured to inspect areas within inner environment <NUM> (e.g. portions of the treatment apparatuses and/or the articles (receptacles <NUM> and/or closures <NUM> and/or precursors <NUM>)).

In particular, each inspection system <NUM> may be designed to inspect critical and/or difficult to reach areas within inner environment <NUM>.

According to some possible non-limiting embodiments, inspection systems <NUM> could be configured to monitor one or more of the following: advancement of the articles, a filling process (i.e. the filling of receptacles <NUM> with the pourable product), a capping process (i.e. the application of closures <NUM> onto receptacles <NUM>), a transfer process of the articles from a first portion of one treatment apparatus to a second portion of the treatment apparatus, a transfer process of the articles from one treatment apparatus to another treatment apparatus, transfer and/or advancement of filled receptacles <NUM> and the possible occurrence of a splashing of the pourable product from receptacles <NUM> and others.

In more detail and with particular reference to <FIG>, article treatment machine <NUM> may comprise one or more of the following treatment apparatuses:.

Furthermore, article treatment machine <NUM> may comprise a conditioning unit configured to control an ambient condition, such as temperature and/or humidity and/or sterility and/or cleanliness and/or an airflow (direction), within inner environment <NUM>.

According to some possible non-limiting embodiments, article treatment machine <NUM> may also comprise one or more of additional treatment apparatuses such as:.

Alternatively or in addition, article treatment apparatus <NUM> could also comprise a sterilization apparatus configured to sterilize receptacles <NUM>, and could be in particular arranged upstream of filling apparatus <NUM> along advancement path P.

In more detail, isolation chamber <NUM> may comprise an inlet <NUM> and an outlet <NUM> designed to allow for respectively feeding and discharging of the articles to and from inner environment <NUM>.

In the specific case shown, inlet <NUM> is designed to allow for the feeding of precursors <NUM> into inner environment <NUM> and outlet <NUM> is designed to allow for the discharging of filled and capped receptacles <NUM>.

According to a possible embodiment not shown, inlet <NUM> could be designed to allow for the feeding of (empty) receptacles <NUM> into inner environment <NUM> and outlet <NUM> could be designed to allow for the discharging of filled and capped receptacles <NUM>.

Furthermore, isolation chamber <NUM> may comprise a plurality of walls <NUM> delimiting inner environment <NUM>, in particular delimiting inner environment <NUM> from six faces, and carrying inlet <NUM> and outlet <NUM>.

In particular, some walls <NUM> could have (substantially) a horizontal orientation and some walls <NUM> could have a (substantially) vertical orientation.

In more detail, conveying apparatus <NUM> may be configured to advance precursors <NUM> from inlet <NUM> to an intermediate station and receptacles <NUM> from the intermediate station to outlet <NUM>.

According to some possible alternative embodiments, conveying apparatus <NUM> could be designed to advance receptacles <NUM> from inlet <NUM> to outlet <NUM>, in particular conveying apparatus <NUM> could be configured to receive receptacles <NUM> at inlet <NUM> and to discharge receptacles <NUM> at outlet <NUM>. According to such an alternative embodiment, conveying apparatus <NUM> could be configured to advance receptacles <NUM> from inlet <NUM> to filling apparatus <NUM>, from filling apparatus <NUM> to capping apparatus <NUM> and from capping apparatus <NUM> to outlet <NUM>.

In further detail, conveying apparatus <NUM> may comprise one or more star wheels <NUM>, in the example shown three, and/or one or more conveying carousels <NUM>, each star wheel <NUM> and each conveying carousel <NUM> being rotatable around a respective rotation axis A, in particular having a vertical orientation, and each one being configured to advance receptacles <NUM> along a respective (arc-shaped) portion of advancement path P.

According to some possible non-limiting embodiments, one conveying carousel <NUM> is associated to filling apparatus <NUM> and defines (at least partially) filling portion P1 and/or one conveying carousel <NUM> is associated to capping apparatus <NUM> and defines (at least partially) capping portion P2 and/or one conveying carousel <NUM> is associated to molding apparatus <NUM> and is configured to advance precursors <NUM> along a respective molding portion P3 of advancement path P and receptacles <NUM> along a transfer portion P4 of advancement path P.

Moreover, conveying apparatus <NUM> could also comprise a conveyor <NUM> for advancing precursors <NUM> along a pre-heating portion P5 of advancement path P.

According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, at least one star wheel <NUM> is arranged upstream of each conveying carousel <NUM> and at least one star wheel <NUM> is arranged downstream of each conveying carousel <NUM> along advancement path P.

In more detail, filling apparatus <NUM> may comprise a plurality of filling units (not shown and known as such) arranged within inner environment <NUM> and configured to fill receptacles <NUM> with the pourable product during advancement of receptacles <NUM> along filling portion P1.

In particular, the filling units are arranged on the respective conveying carousel <NUM>, in particular the filling units being equally spaced about the respective rotation axis A.

Preferentially, each filling unit comprises a retaining element, such as a gripping element or a pedestal, designed to retain one respective receptacle <NUM> during advancement along the filling portion P1 and a filling valve designed to selectively direct the pourable product into the respective receptacle <NUM> during its advancement along filling portion P1.

In further detail, each capping apparatus <NUM> may comprise a plurality of capping units (known as such) configured to retain receptacles <NUM> and to apply (and fasten) the closures on receptacles <NUM> during their advancement along capping portion P2.

Preferentially, the capping units are arranged on the respective conveying carousel <NUM>, and in particular are equally spaced about the respective rotation axis A.

In even further detail, each capping unit may comprise a respective retaining element, such as a gripping element or a pedestal, configured to retain one respective receptacle <NUM> during advancement along the capping portion P2 and a respective capping head configured to apply and to fasten one respective closure on the respective receptacle <NUM>.

Moreover, each capping apparatus <NUM> may comprise a feed unit configured to feed closures <NUM> to the capping units. Additionally, capping apparatus <NUM> may also comprise a sterilization unit for sterilizing closures <NUM> and designed to direct sterilized closures <NUM> to the feed unit.

In more detail, the feed unit may comprise a feed channel <NUM> (delimiting a portion of inner environment <NUM>) through which closures <NUM> are fed to the capping units.

Furthermore, molding apparatus <NUM> may comprise a plurality of molding units <NUM> arranged within inner environment <NUM> and configured to mold receptacles <NUM> from precursors <NUM> during advancement of precursors <NUM> along molding portion P3.

In particular, molding units <NUM> may be arranged on the respective conveying carousel <NUM>, in particular being equally spaced about the respective rotation axis A.

With particular reference to <FIG>, each inspection system <NUM> comprises at least a separation housing <NUM> designed to be mounted and/or mounted to isolation chamber <NUM>, in particular a respective wall portion <NUM> of walls <NUM>, and a camera <NUM>, in particular a digital camera, even more particular a digital video camera.

In particular, each separation housing <NUM> is designed to protrude and/or protrudes into inner environment <NUM> and comprises a cavity <NUM>, which is designed to be and/or is fluidically separated from inner environment <NUM>. Even more particular, cavity <NUM> may be designed to be and/or is in fluidic connection with outer environment <NUM>.

Advantageously and with particular reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, each camera <NUM> is at least partially arranged within the respective cavity <NUM>.

In this way the inspection system <NUM> can be positioned also to inspect narrow spaces or tight spots of the inner environment <NUM>, while having a good field of view of the camera <NUM> with respect to the area to be inspected or monitored.

In more detail, each camera <NUM> comprises a lens portion <NUM> having an optical system, in particular the optical system having at least one lens.

Additionally, each camera <NUM> may comprise a main portion <NUM> carrying the respective lens portion <NUM> and having at least an (electronic) image pick-up device for acquiring images. In particular, the image pick-up device is designed to receive light propagating through the optical system.

Furthermore, each camera <NUM> may comprise one or more connection interfaces <NUM> so as to connect camera <NUM> to external sources such as electrical supplies, computing devices, image editing devices, other electronic devices, etc..

According to some possible non-limiting embodiments, each camera <NUM> may comprise an image analyzing unit for analyzing the images acquired, in use, by camera <NUM>, in particular the respective image pick up device.

Alternatively or in addition, each camera <NUM> may be connectable to an external image analyzing unit.

In more detail, at least each lens portion <NUM> may be partially positioned within the respective cavity <NUM>.

In this way the separating housing <NUM> can be optimally exploited to improve the field of view of the camera <NUM> with respect to the area to be monitored or inspected.

In more detail and with particular reference to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, each separation housing <NUM> may be designed to be mounted and/or may be mounted to an inner surface <NUM> of isolation chamber <NUM>, in particular inner surface <NUM> facing and/or delimiting inner environment <NUM>.

In even more detail, each separation housing <NUM> may comprise a frame <NUM>, in particular an annular frame <NUM>, having an opening <NUM> and a transparent wall <NUM>, in particular a transparent glass wall, covering opening <NUM>. In particular, transparent wall <NUM> may have a circular shape.

In particular, each frame <NUM> and the respective transparent wall <NUM> delimit the respective cavity <NUM> and are designed to fluidically separate and/or fluidically separate cavity <NUM> from inner environment <NUM>.

Moreover, each camera <NUM>, in particular the respective lens portion <NUM>, even more particular the respective optical system, may be designed to inspect a respective area within inner environment <NUM> through transparent wall <NUM>.

In more detail, each frame <NUM> may be designed to protrude and/or may protrude from the respective wall portion <NUM> and/or inner surface <NUM> into inner environment <NUM>.

Preferentially, each frame <NUM> may at least partially delimit, in particular at least laterally delimit, the respective cavity <NUM>.

In further detail, each frame <NUM> may extend along a (central and/or longitudinal) axis B. Preferentially, each frame <NUM> has an annular, in particular circular, cross-section with respect to a cross-section plane being perpendicular to axis B.

Preferentially, each frame <NUM> may comprise a further opening <NUM> opposed to the respective opening <NUM> and allowing to at least partially place the respective camera <NUM> into the respective cavity <NUM>.

Moreover, each frame <NUM> may carry the respective opening <NUM> and the respective opening <NUM> at respectively a first end and a second end of frame <NUM>, the first end and the second end being opposed to one another with respect to axis B.

In more detail, each frame <NUM> may comprise a rim <NUM>, in particular arranged at the respective first end, delimiting the respective opening <NUM>. In particular, the respective transparent wall <NUM> abuts against rim <NUM>.

In even more detail, each rim <NUM> may comprise an abutment surface <NUM> and the respective transparent wall <NUM> may engage abutment surface <NUM>.

According to some possible non-limiting embodiments, each rim <NUM> may comprise an annular groove and an annular gasket <NUM> arranged within the annular groove. Preferentially, each transparent wall <NUM> is pressed against the respective gasket <NUM>, in particular for guaranteeing the sealing of the respective cavity <NUM> from inner environment <NUM>. Preferentially, each gasket <NUM> comprises and/or defines at least a portion of the respective abutment surface <NUM>.

In this way it is improved the operative compactness of the mechanical configuration of the components required for mounting the camera <NUM> to the isolation chamber <NUM>, while avoiding the risk of occurring of a contamination of the inner environment <NUM> due to this mechanical configuration and/or the risk of damaging the camera <NUM> by some material present within the inner environment <NUM>.

Preferentially, each separation housing <NUM> comprises a spacer <NUM> designed to be arranged and/or being arranged between the respective transparent wall <NUM> and the respective wall portion <NUM>. In particular, each spacer <NUM> is designed to exert and/or exerts a pressing force onto the respective transparent wall <NUM>, in particular so as to press the respective transparent wall <NUM> against the respective rim <NUM>, in particular against at least the respective gasket <NUM>.

In particular, each spacer <NUM> may have an arc-shaped profile.

In more detail, each spacer <NUM> may contact the transparent wall <NUM> from a first terminal end and the respective wall portion from a second terminal end opposed to the first terminal end.

The use of the spacer <NUM> interposed between the transparent wall <NUM> and the wall portion allows to minimize the number of mechanical component for mounting the camera <NUM> to the isolation chamber <NUM>.

With particular reference to <FIG>, each frame <NUM> may comprise a side wall <NUM> carrying the respective rim <NUM> (at a first end of side wall <NUM>), in particular the respective rim <NUM> may radially protrude inwards from the respective side wall <NUM>.

Moreover, side wall <NUM> delimits the respective opening <NUM> at a second end of side wall <NUM> opposed to the respective first end.

According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, each frame <NUM>, in particular the respective side wall <NUM>, may comprise an annular groove <NUM> and an annular gasket <NUM> designed to contact and/or contacting the respective wall portion <NUM>. In particular, each gasket <NUM> seals the respective cavity <NUM> from inner environment <NUM> (in particular at the interface between the respective frame <NUM> and the respective wall portion <NUM>).

According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, each inspection system <NUM> also comprises a first fixing device <NUM> designed to fix the respective separation housing <NUM> to isolation chamber <NUM>, in particular to the respective wall portion <NUM>.

With particular reference to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, each inspection system <NUM> may comprise a control device <NUM> coupled to the respective camera <NUM> and configured to control the position and/or orientation of the respective camera <NUM>. In particular, by means of control device <NUM> it is possible to define and/or modify the area within inner environment <NUM>, which, in use, may be inspected by camera <NUM>.

Preferentially, each control device <NUM> is configured to control the position and/or orientation of the respective camera <NUM> in three dimensions.

According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, each control device <NUM> is also configured to support the respective camera <NUM>.

Moreover, control device <NUM> may be connected and/or coupled to the respective wall portion <NUM>, in particular by means of a coupling plate <NUM> of the respective inspection system <NUM>.

In more detail, each control device <NUM> comprises a first support portion <NUM> connected to the respective camera <NUM>, in particular the respective main portion <NUM>, and a second support portion <NUM> directly or indirectly (by means of the respective coupling plate <NUM>) coupled to the respective wall portion <NUM>.

Preferentially, each first support portion <NUM> is moveably, in particular angularly moveable around a rotation axis C, coupled to the respective second support portion <NUM>.

Moreover, each control device <NUM> may comprise a respective coupling group <NUM> partially associated to the respective first support portion <NUM> and partially associated to the respective second support portion <NUM> and moveably coupling the respective first support portion <NUM> and the respective second support portion <NUM> to one another. In particular, coupling group <NUM> defines the respective rotation axis C.

Even more preferentially, each control device <NUM> comprises a locking unit <NUM> designed to lock and unlock the respective first support portion <NUM> for respectively impeding and allowing movement of the respective first support portion <NUM> with respect to the respective second support portion <NUM>.

In more detail, each control device <NUM>, in particular each second support portion <NUM>, may comprise a position control group <NUM> designed to control a relative position of second support portion <NUM> with respect to the respective wall portion <NUM> (and the respective coupling plate <NUM>).

In even more detail, each position control group <NUM> may be operatively connected to a main plate <NUM> of the respective second support portion <NUM>, and in particular being designed to modify the position of main plate <NUM> with respect to the respective wall portion <NUM> (and the respective coupling plate <NUM>). It should be noted that any modification of the position of main plate <NUM> results in a modification of the position of the respective first support portion <NUM>.

According to some possible non-limiting embodiments, each position control group <NUM> may comprise a first bar <NUM> and a second bar <NUM> spaced apparat from one another and each one being connected to one respective portion of the respective main plate <NUM>, in particular each one penetrating through a respective hole of the respective main plate <NUM>.

Moreover, each first bar <NUM> and each second bar <NUM> is designed to contact and/or contacts a respective section of the respective wall portion <NUM> and/or the respective coupling plate <NUM>.

Preferentially, each of the first bar <NUM> and second bar <NUM> is designed to allow for modification of the position of the respective portion of the main plate <NUM>, in particular with respect to the respective wall portion <NUM> and/or the respective coupling plate <NUM>. In particular, each of the first bar <NUM> and second bar <NUM> may allow for movement of the respective portion of the main plate <NUM> along the relative first bar <NUM> or the relative second bar <NUM>.

Even more preferentially, each position control group <NUM> may also comprise a plurality of locking elements <NUM> for locking the position of the respective portion of the main plate <NUM>.

This position control group <NUM> allows a very accurate adjustment of the position of the camera <NUM> with respect to the wall portion <NUM>.

In use, article treatment apparatus <NUM> treats articles within inner environment <NUM> and inspection systems <NUM> inspect respective areas within inner environment <NUM>.

According to the specific embodiment disclosed, article treatment apparatus <NUM> fills at least receptacles <NUM> with the pourable product by means of filling apparatus <NUM> and applies and fastens closures <NUM> onto receptacles <NUM> by means of capping apparatus <NUM> during advancement of receptacles <NUM> along respectively the filling portion P1 and the capping portion P2.

Additionally, article treatment apparatus <NUM> may also pre-heat precursors <NUM> by means of pre-heating apparatus <NUM> and/or to mold receptacles <NUM> from precursors <NUM> by means of molding apparatus <NUM>.

Preferentially, the orientation and/or position of each camera <NUM> may be controlled by means of control device <NUM> prior and/or during operation of article treatment machine <NUM>.

The configuration of the control device <NUM> offers a wide range of adjustment for adjusting the orientation and/or position of the camera <NUM> while optimizing the compactness.

The advantages of inspection system <NUM> and/or article treatment machine <NUM> according to the present invention will be clear from the foregoing description.

In particular, by having separation housing <NUM> protruding into inner environment <NUM> and by at least partially placing camera <NUM> within cavity <NUM>, it is possible to visually inspect also difficult to access areas within inner environment <NUM>.

Another advantage resides in the possibility to remove sensors, which e.g. may be associated to the filling unit, as e.g. the filling process becomes observable by means of camera <NUM>, which previously required the use of specific sensors.

An even other advantage is seen in that the visual inspection can be done during operation of article treatment machine <NUM>.

A further advantage resides in the possibility to move and orient camera <NUM> within cavity <NUM> so as to control the area to be observed within inner environment <NUM>.

Claim 1:
Article treatment machine for the packaging of pourable food products (<NUM>) comprising at least:
- an isolation chamber (<NUM>) separating an inner environment (<NUM>), in particular an inner sterile and/or aseptic and/or clean environment (<NUM>), from an outer environment (<NUM>);
- one or more treatment apparatuses (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) configured to treat the articles within the inner environment (<NUM>); and
- at least one inspection system (<NUM>) arranged outside the inner environment (<NUM>) which is mounted to the isolation chamber (<NUM>), wherein:
the inspection system (<NUM>) comprises at least a separation housing (<NUM>) mounted to the isolation chamber (<NUM>) and protruding into the inner environment (<NUM>);
wherein the separation housing (<NUM>) comprises a cavity (<NUM>) fluidically separated from the inner environment (<NUM>);
wherein the inspection system (<NUM>) further comprises a camera (<NUM>) at least partially arranged within the cavity (<NUM>) to inspect an area within the inner environment (<NUM>) through a transparent wall (<NUM>) in the protruding portion of the separation housing (<NUM>)