WO2021032678A1

WO2021032678A1 - Packaging machine having a log-on device

Info

Publication number: WO2021032678A1
Application number: PCT/EP2020/072997
Authority: WO
Inventors: Nelson DA COSTA MOREIRA; Florian Becker; Alexander Jäger
Original assignee: Gea Food Solutions Germany Gmbh
Priority date: 2019-08-20
Filing date: 2020-08-17
Publication date: 2021-02-25
Also published as: EP4018343A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a packaging machine for packaging a packaging item, comprising at least one sealing station and a separating station and a computer means and a control unit and optionally an identifying means reading device. The present invention also relates to a method for operating a packaging machine and/or a packaging line.

Description

Packaging machine with registration device

The present invention relates to a packaging machine for packaging goods to be packaged with at least one sealing station and one separating station and a computer means and an operating unit and, if necessary, an identification means reader. The present invention also relates to a method for operating a packaging machine or a packaging line.

Packaging machines with a registration device are known from the prior art, for example EP 2 110329 A2, and are based on the registration of a user by means of an RFID chip. If this RFID chip is lost, the packaging machine can be operated improperly.

It was therefore the object of the present invention to provide a packaging machine, a packaging line and a method for operating a packaging machine and packaging line which does not have the disadvantages of the prior art.

The object is achieved with a packaging machine for packing a packaged item with at least one sealing station and a separating station and a computer means and an operating unit and, if necessary, an identification means reader, whereby a user logs on to the computer means by: the user using the operating unit to provide a user ID inputs and / or the identification means reader reads out a user ID from an identification means and the user enters a password using the operating unit, the packaging machine having an electronic storage medium on which there is a user database in which user-specific data are stored that include the Include user authorization, which the computer automatically assigns to the user after successful login.

The statements made regarding this subject matter of the present invention apply equally to the other subjects and vice versa. Features disclosed in connection with this subject matter of the present application can be combined with other subjects of the present invention and vice versa.

The present invention relates to a packaging machine, in particular a food packaging machine. Such food packaging machines are used to pack food, in particular protein-containing food, such as sausage, cheese or ham, but also fresh meat and the like in packaging. Such packaging machines are usually part of a line, in particular a food packaging line, which in addition to a packaging machine, for example a form-fill-seal packaging machine (FFS packaging machine) or a so-called traysealer, also has at least one further component that is located upstream and / or downstream of the packaging machine. This can be, for example, a scale, a scanner with which the outer contour and / or the inner structure of a food bar, for example, is determined, a slicing device, a loading device, and / or a portioner that divides a minced meat mass into certain portions and, for example / or forms and / or a pack separating machine that lines up packaging streams arriving in multiple lanes in, for example, a single-lane packaging stream and / or a detector, with which, for example, metallic foreign inclusions in the packaging are detected. Another component of the food packaging line can also be a labeler and / or a printer for printing labels.

According to the invention, the packaging machine has at least one sealing station and one separating station. In the sealing station, two lengths of material are connected to one another by gluing or sealing. In the separation station, the packaging produced in each case is separated from the respective web of material.

Furthermore, the packaging machine or each component of the packaging line has a computer means with a CPU which at least controls, regulates and / or monitors the operation of the respective machine / component. The computer means of the individual machines / components can be connected to one another, for example in order to exchange signals and / or data. Each computer means can be part of a network, for example the Internet and / or a local or internal network, for example a machine and / or line network and / or company network / intranet. The computer means of the individual machines / components can be connected to a cloud in the Internet and / or intranet.

A user, for example the worker who operates the packaging machine or the packaging line, logs on to the computer means in order to gain access to it. This is done in two steps. First he either enters a user ID via an operating unit, for example a keyboard. Alternatively, the user ID can be assigned to the computer be made available via an identification means, for example an RFID chip. In this case the computer is connected to an identifier reader. The next step is for the user to provide the computer with a password. This can be done, for example, by means of a keyboard, but also via voice recognition, a fingerprint recognition device or gestures.

The registration with the computer means can preferably also take place externally, for example via a network. For example, a service technician can log into the computer from an external location and thus into the packaging machine or the component of the line.

In addition, the packaging machine or packaging line is provided and / or connected to an electronic storage medium on which a user database is located. The persons authorized for access to the packaging machine / packaging line and user-specific data are stored in this user database. User-specific data are, for example, the user ID, the valid password or, for example, cryptographic character strings derived therefrom, but preferably also the user authorization, the language of the user and / or his body size. The user authorization defines the scope of the data and / or changes that the respective user can view or change on the machine / line. The computer compares the user ID and password with the data stored in the user database; if they match, access to the computer is granted and the user is automatically assigned his user authorization. In the case of a line, this authorization can be different for the individual components or machines, for example depending on the user's level of experience and / or training with regard to the respective component / machine. The user's level of authorization with regard to the respective component / machine can also depend on the team in which he works. In the event that a colleague has, for example, more experience and / or better training, the user authorization for the other users can be reset or set to a lower authorization level and / or this colleague can determine the authorization levels of the users.

The level of user authorization can also depend on the state of the machine or line. For example, a service technician has reduced user rights as long as the packaging machine or line is in production. A user in the sense of the invention can be, for example, a worker, a service technician and / or shift or department manager. Service technicians from different companies can be authorized as users.

Another preferred or inventive subject matter of the present invention is a packaging machine which has an electronic storage medium on which there is a user database in which user-specific data are stored that include the user language that the computer uses after the user has successfully logged on automatically assigned to the control unit.

Body measurements are preferably also stored in the user database. The machine / component then automatically adjusts the machine / component, for example the position of the operating unit, to the needs of the respective user.

While the packaging machine or the components are in operation, the user makes settings that change the operation of the machine / component. These changes in the setting of the machine / component are preferably stored in the storage medium as a user-specific parameter input history. In addition to the time and the user, this data preferably also includes the change made. If necessary, the reaction of the machine / component to the change made is also saved. If the machine / component issues a warning after a change has been made, for example, which is then ignored or disabled, this is preferably also stored.

The computer means and / or the storage medium is preferably part of an electronic network, for example an internal company network and / or the Internet. Several components / machines can also share one computer means. The manufacturer of the respective machine / component can be part of the network in order to be able to access the user database.

Preferably, the computer means of the packaging machine or a component of a line has a timer that the respective user after a certain Period of time automatically logs off from the computer means. This also increases the security against misuse.

Another object of the present invention is a packaging line, in particular a food packaging line with a packaging machine, in particular a packaging machine according to the invention and at least one other component, the packaging line having a computer means and an operating unit and possibly an identification means reader, wherein a user logs on to the computer means by: the User enters a user ID using the control unit and / or the identification means reader reads out a user ID from an identification means and the user enters a password using the control unit, the packaging line having an electronic storage medium on which a user database is located the user-specific data are stored, which include the user authorization, which the computer automatically and machine-specifically assigns to the user after successful login.

Another object of the present invention is a method for operating a packaging machine, for packaging goods to be packaged with at least one sealing station and a separating station and a computer means and an operating unit and, if necessary, an identification means reader, wherein a user logs on to the computer means by: the user using the control unit enters a user ID and / or the identification means reader reads a user ID from an identification means and the user enters a password using the control unit, characterized in that the packaging machine has an electronic storage medium on which a user database is located, in which user-specific data are stored, which include the user authorization, which is automatically assigned to the user after successful login by the computer. The statements made regarding this subject matter of the present invention apply equally to the other subjects and vice versa. Features disclosed in connection with this subject matter of the present application can be combined with other subjects of the present invention and vice versa.

Another object of the present invention is a method for operating a packaging line, in particular a food packaging line with a packaging machine, in particular according to one of the preceding claims and at least one further component, the packaging line having a computer means and an operating unit and possibly an identification means reader, a user being at the Logs on to computer means by: the user entering a user ID using the control unit and / or the identification means reading device reads a user ID from an identification means and the user entering a password using the control unit, characterized in that the packaging line has an electronic storage medium which is a user database in which the user-specific data are stored, which include the user authorization that the computer automatically and machine-specifically to the user after successful login rdnet.

According to the invention, the authorization for the individual components or machines can be different, for example depending on the level of experience and / or training of the user with regard to the respective component / machine. The user's level of authorization with regard to the respective component / machine can also depend on the team in which he works. In the event that a colleague has, for example, more experience and / or better training, the user authorization for the other users can be reset or set to a lower authorization level and / or this colleague can determine the authorization levels of the users. A user-specific parameter input history is preferably stored in the storage medium. The respective user is preferably automatically logged off from the computer means after a certain period of time.

In the following, the inventions are explained with reference to FIGS. 1-4. These explanations are merely exemplary and do not restrict the general inventive concept. The explanations apply equally to all subjects of the present invention.

Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of the invention

Packing machine.

Figures 2 and 3 each show a further embodiment of the computer means.

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the packaging line according to the invention.

FIG. 1 shows the packaging machine 1 according to the invention, which here has a deep-drawing station 2, a filling station 7 and a sealing station 15. An under-product web 8, here a plastic product web 8, is drawn off from a supply roll 22 and transported cyclically along the packaging machine from right to left in its transport direction 40. In one cycle, the sub-material web 8 is transported further by one format length / feed length. For this purpose, the packaging machine has, for example, two transport means 24 (not shown in FIG. 1), in the present case two endless chains, two chain strands, which are arranged to the right and left of the sub-web 8. At least one gearwheel is provided for each chain both at the beginning and at the end of the packaging machine, around which the respective chain is deflected. At least one of these gears is driven. The gears in the entrance area and / or in the exit area can be connected to one another, preferably by a rigid shaft. Each transport means has a multiplicity of clamping means which grip the sub-web 8 in a clamping manner in the inlet area 19 and transfer the movement of the transport means to the sub-web 8. In the discharge area of the packaging machine, the jamming connection between the transport means and the sub-web 8 is released again. A heating means 13 can be provided downstream of the inlet area 19, which heats the web 8, in particular when it is stationary. In the deep-drawing station 2 which may be present and which has an upper tool 3 and a lower tool 4 which has the shape of the packaging tray to be produced, the packaging trays 6 are inserted into the possibly heated web 8 shaped. The lower tool 4 is arranged on a lifting table 5 which, as symbolized by the double arrow, is vertically adjustable. Before each web feed, the lower tool 4 is lowered and then raised again. In the further course of the packaging machine, the packaging trays or a flat web of sub-products are then filled / covered with the packaged goods 16 in the filling station 7. In the adjoining sealing station 15, which also consists of an upper tool 12 and a vertically adjustable lower tool 11, an upper web 14 is firmly attached to the lower web 8 by sealing. As a result, the movement of the lower web 8 is transferred to the upper web 14. In the sealing station, too, the upper tool and / or the lower tool are lowered or raised before and after each web transport. The upper film 14 can also be guided in transport means or transported by transport chains, these transport means then only extending in front of the sealing station and possibly downstream. Otherwise, the statements made about the means of transport for the lower film apply. The upper film can also be heated and deep-drawn with a heating medium. For the sealing, a heatable sealing frame is provided as the lower tool 11, for example, which has an opening for each packaging tray into which the packaging tray dips during sealing, ie when the lower sealing tool moves upward. For sealing, the upper and lower webs are pressed together between the upper and lower tools 12, 11 and connect under the influence of heat and pressure. After sealing, the tools 11, 12 are again moved vertically apart. A dancer 20, here a rotary dancer, can be provided between the supply roll 21 and the sealing tool, which keeps the web of material 14 at a constant tension as far as possible. The person skilled in the art understands that several upper webs / intermediate layers can be present, for example in the case of a multi-layer pack or a pack with several upper webs. A dancer is then preferably provided in the course of each upper film. The person skilled in the art also understands that a dancer can also preferably be provided in the area of the lower film, preferably downstream of the supply roll 22. The dancer is preferably a linear dancer. Before and / or during the sealing of the upper film to the lower film, a gas exchange preferably takes place in each packaging tray. To do this, some of the air in the packaging tray is first sucked out and then replaced by a replacement gas. For this purpose, in the area of each format in the lower film in the area of the transport chains, holes are made in the lower web, through which the air between the webs 8, 14 is sucked off and the exchange gas is then blown in. In the further course of the packaging machine, the finished packages are separated, which in the present case with the Cross cutter 18 and the longitudinal cutter 17 takes place. In the present case, the cross cutter 18 can also be raised or lowered with a lifting device 9.

At least one supply roll 21, 22 is preferably driven by a motor, in particular a torque motor, in such a way that the length of the required feed of the respective web of material is unrolled from the roll without the tensile force of the two transport means, the transport chains and / or the The tensile force of the lower web is significantly transferred to the upper web. As a result, the respective web of material is only subjected to a comparatively low tension and is thus at most slightly pre-stretched and produces fewer wrinkles.

The packaging machine according to the invention can also be a traysealer.

Figures 2 and 3 show schematically a part of the electronic equipment of the packaging machine. The packaging machine has a computer means with a CPU, an operating part 24, for example a keyboard, and a display part with which information can be entered into the computer means or displayed by it. In addition, an identification means reader 25, for example an RFID reader. The user database, for example, is stored in the electronic data memory 26. A user logs into the computer means by communicating his user ID with the input 24 or the identification means reader 25. In a next step, a password is transmitted to the computer means by means of the input 24. The computer means compares both with data from the user database and, if necessary, enables the computer means. After or during activation, the user is automatically assigned an authorization level stored in the user database and, if necessary, the language of input and / or output is specified. In the illustration according to FIG. 2, the components 23-27 described are part of the packaging machine. In the illustration according to FIG. 3, the components 23-27 are provided externally from the packaging machine, but are electronically connected to it.

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the food packaging line according to the invention. In the present case, this has three components 1, 29. In the present case, component 1 is a packaging machine, in particular a so-called form-fill-seal packaging machine (FFS packaging machine) and the left component 29 is, for example, a slicing device with which a food bar is cut into food slices, which, for example, are made into portions ten Food slices can be configured. The right component 2 is, for example, a loader with which the cut portions are inserted into the packaging trays of the packaging machine. One or more components 1, 29 can have a local operating unit 24 and / or an identification means reader 25. Each component 1, 29 is connected to the computer means 23, which can have an operating unit 24, an identification means reader 25, and / or a storage medium 26. The user database is located on the storage medium 26. After successful registration, the user is assigned a machine-specific user authorization for each component 1, 29, which authorization can be identical but also different. If, for example, the user is the service technician of the company that supplied the slicer and loader 29, he receives the highest authorization level for the components 2 when the line 28 comes to a standstill, ie he can change their programming. He does not receive any rights for the packaging machine 1. Once the line is in production, its rights may be reduced. For example, he then only has an observer stature. If the user is a worker who has a different level of training for the individual components, he can also receive a different authorization for each machine. After a certain period of time, in particular after the end of a shift, the registration made is preferably canceled.

List of reference symbols:

1 packaging machine, component of the line

2 forming station, deep-drawing station

3 Upper tool of the deep-drawing station

4 lower tool of the deep-drawing station

5 lifting table, carrier of a tool of the sealing, deep-drawing station and / or the

Cutting device

6 packaging tray

7 filling station

8 web, sub-web, web

9 lifting device

10 drive

11 Bottom tool of the sealing station

12 Upper tool of the sealing station

13 heating means

14 Upper web, cover film, web

15 sealing station

16 Packaged goods

17 Separation, length cutter

18 Separation, cross cutter

19 Entry area

20 dancers

21 Supply roll of the Oberwarenbahn

22 Supply roll of the underwear web

23 computer resources

24 Control unit, display, keyboard

25 ID reader, RFID reader

26 Storage medium

27 database

28 packaging line

29 component of the line

Claims

Patent claims:

1. Packaging machine for packaging goods with at least one sealing station (15) and a separating station (17, 18) and a computer means (23) and an operating unit (24) and optionally an identification means reader (25), characterized in that a user logs on to the computer means by: the user entering a user ID using the control unit (24) and / or the identification means reading device (25) reads a user ID from an identification means and the user entering a password using the control unit, the packaging machine being a having an electronic storage medium (26) on which a user database (27) is located, in which user-specific data are stored which include the user authorization which the computer automatically assigns to the user after successful login.

2. Packaging machine according to claim 1 or the preamble of claim 1, characterized in that the packaging machine has an electronic storage medium (26) on which a user database (27) is located, in which user-specific data are stored that the user Include language that the computer automatically assigns to the control unit after the user has successfully logged on.

3. Packaging machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a user-specific parameter input history is stored in the storage medium.

4. Packaging machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the computer means is part of a network.

5. Packaging machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has a timer which automatically logs the respective user off from the computer means after a certain period of time.

6. Packaging line, in particular food packaging line with a packaging machine (7), in particular according to one of the preceding Claims and at least one further component (29), wherein the packaging line has a computer means (23) and an operating unit (24) and possibly an identification means reader (25), characterized in that a user logs on to the computer means by: the user using the Control unit (24) enters a user ID and / or the identification means reader (25) reads a user ID from an identification means and the user enters a password using the control unit, the packaging line having an electronic storage medium (26) on which a User database (27) is located in which user-specific data are stored, which include the user authorization, which the computer automatically and machine-specifically assigns to the user after successful login.

7. Packaging line according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the computer means is part of a network.

8. A method for operating a packaging machine, for packaging an item to be packaged with at least one sealing station (15) and a separating station (17, 18) and a computer means (23) and an operating unit (24) and optionally an identification means reader (25), wherein a The user logs on to the computer means by: the user entering a user ID using the control unit (24) and / or the identification means reading device (25) reading out a user ID from an identification means and the user entering a password using the control unit, characterized in that, that the packaging machine has an electronic storage medium (26) on which there is a user database (27) in which user-specific data are stored, which include the user authorization which is automatically assigned to the user after successful login by the computer.

9. A method for operating a packaging line, in particular a food packaging line with a packaging machine (7), in particular according to one of the preceding claims and at least one further component (5, 6), the packaging line having a computer means (23) and a Operating unit (24) and possibly an identification means reader (25), a user logging on to the computer means by: the user entering a user ID using the operating unit (24) and / or the identification means reader (25) issuing a user ID reads out an identifier and the user enters a password by means of the operating unit, characterized in that the packaging line has an electronic storage medium (26) on which there is a user database (27) in which user-specific data are stored that the user Authorization that the computer automatically and machine-specifically assigns to the user after successful login.

10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that in the

A user-specific parameter entry history is stored on the storage medium.

11. The method according to any one of claims 8-10, characterized in that the computer means is provided as part of a network.

12. The method according to any one of claims 8-11, characterized in that it has a timer which automatically logs off the respective user from the computer means after a certain period of time.