Reliable and precise inspection of levels in filled and sealed containers is
one of the most important tasks of a quality management system in the
bottling industry. This requirement is supported not only by statutory regulations, but also by quality security and the efficiency of the bottling
process.
The use of our underfill inspection system avoids underfilled containers.
Our overfill inspection system ensures that overfilled containers are
identified before bursting. At the same time excessive quantities can be
detected preventing an expensive product waste.
The BBULL fill level inspection systems from BBULL TECHNOLOGY
guarantee accurate measurements using the whole variety of
technologies for various applications.
The compactly designed BBULL systems are characterized by high
functionality and accuracy combined with reliable engineering based
on the latest safety regulations.
To minimize installation and maintenance efforts the sensor bridges are
designed to enable the integration of the closure and the label inspection
systems directly into the bridges.

Radioactive isotopic solid sources (AM 241) are well tried means for checking
filling levels. The superior advantage of this technology is the capability to use it
for all types of containers and products. The basic principle (measurement of density, detection of different gamma absorption rates) permits maximum precision even in the most challenging applications known in the packaging industry.

By introducing the X-ray technology to the packaging industry BBULL set
new standards for fill level inspection systems.
Using X-ray sources means on the one hand to benefit from the radioactive
sources' advantages (compared to former methods) and on the other hand to
eliminate most of the radioactive sources' problems.
Use of conventional gamma fill level inspection requires compliance with strict
statutory regulations, particularly concerning disposal, use and storage of the
radioactive sources.
Although high frequence systems do not generate radioactive radiation these
systems entail considerable disadvantages respecting the measuring accuracy
for example, when used for products with a tendency to foam or at very high
production rates and with a lot of different containers.
BBULL´s BBULL X-ray fill level inspection system operates without
radioactivity and guarantees best reliability and accurate measurements even at
highest production speeds and when numerous bottles shapes and sizes are
inspected.
The outstanding advantage of this system is the fact that there is only radiation during operation.
So there are no problems with transport, disposal, licensing or necessary markings ( such as radiolabelling...).

X-RAY AND GAMMA Fill LEVEL INSPECTION APPLICATIONS
glass, PET, cans		max. capacity: 120.000 containers per hour
every kind of liquids and substances with low      moisture content		measuring accuracy: 1-3 mm depending on the      environmental conditions
underfill inspection		installation on the conveyor after the bottler, the      closure unit or the labeller
overfill inspection (with a separate sensor bridge)

Systems based on light technologies can be used for a considerable variety
of containers as another radiationless alternative. One of the most out-
standing features of the BBULL systems is the use of optical light
reflection by water molecules.
The sender's emitted light is only reflected by these water molecules. The
energy loss from sender to receiver is a reliable measure for the actual fill
level. As the chosen wavelength penetrates paper, plastic and glass, also
non-transparent containers can be inspected. Due to the restriction that
no metal is allowed inside the measurement range, cans and bottles with
metallic foils can't be inspected.
Consequently BBULL TECHNOLOGY systems based on laser technology
are qualified for applications that can´t be performed by camera systems. The measurable container variety and the fact of low sensitivity against surroundings are the most important advantages of the laser inspection over the HF technology. It is an excellent alternative especially for applications in the food industry as there is generally no radiation.

OPTICAL FILL LEVEL INSPECTION APPLICATION
glass, PET (transparent, non-transparent)		max. capacity: 72.000 bottles per hour
liquids with high water portion		measuring accuracy: 2-5 mm depending      on the environmental conditions
large variety of containers (with different bottle sizes)
underfill inspection		installation on the conveyor after the filler      (less foam), the closure unit or the labeller      (no metallic foil)
overfill inspection

A BBULL TECHNOLOGY image processing system can be used for final inspection of transparent filled bottles (fill level/closure). This optical
inspection system completes the existing range of products with an entire inspection station.
A CCD Camera sensor generates bottle pictures sidewise and its backlight provides a container picture via transmitted light. So the fill level is calculated analog by software.
As far as the quality of the closures (position, screw, colour, safety ring) is concerned further inspection options make an analysis of the taken pictures possible. Additionally the system can be expanded to a filler or closure monitoring system easily by a software upgrade.