Method for process control and documentation in a boxing machine

• US 20050166549A1
• Filed: 02/01/2005
• Published: 08/04/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/04/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Uhlmann Pac-Systeme GmbH & Company KG
• Original Assignee: Uhlmann Pac-Systeme GmbH & Company KG
• Inventors: Bongers, Hans-Werner, Gertitschke, Detlev, Riekenbrauck, Jorg, Fochler, Fritz
• Granted Patent: US 7,221,997 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 53/410
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 57/00 Automatic control, checking, warning, or safety devices registering wrapping or container-forming material fed from rolls B65B41/18
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 61/025 for applying, e.g. printing, code or date marks on material prior to packaging
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 61/26 for marking or coding completed packages

Abstract

A method for process control and documentation in a boxing machine for individual packages each having an individual package transponder and wherein the individual packages are stacked and the box is provided with a transponder as well. A writing unit writes information with respect to the individual packages to the respective individual package transponders and a reading unit for the transponders serves to control subsequent packaging operations. The operations are also documented on the box transponder.

Claims

1. A method for the process control and documentation of the packaging of individual packages in a packaging machine, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing each of said individual packages with a respective transponder individual to the respective package;

(b) with a first writing unit registering in each of said transponders individual to a respective package characterizing information and information capable of documenting the individual package;

c) subsequently subjecting the individual packages to further processing in said packaging machine including packing a plurality of said individual packages in a box;

(d) before said individual packages are packaged in a respective box, reading information from the transponders with at is least one reading unit; and

(e) controlling commencement of at least one operation of said subsequent processing in response to correct information for said operation as read by said reading unit.

2. The method defined in claim 1 wherein at least one piece of informational material is inserted in each box with the individual packages.

3. The method defined in claim 1 wherein the individual packages are fed in succession to a box transporter for stacking in a respective box, the stacking being controlled based upon information read from the transponders of the individual packages by said at least one reading unit.

4. The method defined in claim 3, further comprising another writing unit, generating information indicative of a defect from stacking of the individual packages for documenting same upon at least one transponder.

5. The method defined in claim 1, further comprising the steps of providing each box with a transponder, and writing with at least a writing unit to the respective box transponder information identifying the respective box.

6. The method defined in claim 5 wherein said box is advanced along a box transport chain through a package insertion station and past a write/read unit for copying on the box transponder information from at least one individual package transponder of a respective box.

7. The method defined in claim 6 wherein data copied from an individual package transponder to said box transponder links the contents of the box with the information contained on the box transponder and wherein the information contained in the box transponder represents documentation as to the presence, nature and number of individual packages in said box.

8. The method defined in claim 6 wherein said insertion station is provided with another writing unit for documenting correct insertion of a piece of informational material in said box on the respective box transponder.

9. The method defined in claim 8, further comprising another writing unit responsive to a recognition system for correct insertion of individual packages in said box and the piece of informational material in said box for documenting same in the respective box transponder.

10. The method defined in claim 9 wherein information is embossed or imprinted on said box, further comprising another recognition system for controlling the correct application of the information by printing or embossing onto said box.

11. The method defined in claim 10, further comprising another recognition system for controlling application of an adhesive to one flap of said box.

12. The method defined in claim 11, further comprising another writing unit for documenting on said box transponders correct application of a print or embossed image on the box and a writing for documenting on the box transponder the application of the adhesive and parameters with respect to adhesive application to said flap of the box.

13. The method de The method defined in claim 1 wherein fined in claim 12, further comprising another recognition system for controlling the application of adhesive to said other flap on the box transponder.

14. The method defined in claim 13, further comprising another recognition system for controlling closing of said flap and another writing unit for documenting correct closing of the flaps on said box transponder.

15. The method defined in claim 14, further comprising another write/read unit for reading contents of the box transponder, evaluating same and documenting the “

good packing”

status on said box transponder.