APPARATUS FOR THE HANDLING OF CONTAINERS WITH A MOBILE DISPLAY

• US 20140316559A1
• Filed: 06/30/2014
• Published: 10/23/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Krones AG (Krones)
• Original Assignee: Krones AG (Krones)
• Inventors: Hahn, Wolfgang, Zoelfl, Markus
• Granted Patent: US 8,996,158 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/230
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 43/10 Sequence control of conveyors operating in combination
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/409 characterised by using manual data input [MDI] or by using control panel, e.g. controlling functions with the panel; characterised by control panel details or by setting parameters G05B19/408, G05B19/4093 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23406 Programmer device, portable, handheld detachable programmer
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/36133 MMI, HMI: man machine interface, communication
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/36159 Detachable or portable programming unit, display, pc, pda
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/36163 Local as well as remote control panel
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/36169 Remote, host controlled, operated manual data input, keyboard

Abstract

An apparatus (1) for the handling of containers (10), with at least one handling device (2) which handles the containers (10) in a pre-set manner, a conveying device (4) which conveys the containers (10) along a pre-set conveying path, with a control device (12) for controlling the apparatus, with an input unit (14), by way of which information is capable of being entered in the apparatus by a user. According to the invention the apparatus (1) has an information output unit (20) for delivering information to the user, wherein this information unit (20) is made portable and is capable of being brought into at least indirect communication connection with the input unit (14).

Claims

1. -15. (canceled)

16. A method for controlling a container handling apparatus, wherein the apparatus comprises at least one handling device which handles the containers in a pre-set manner,

a conveying device which conveys the containers along a pre-set conveying path, and a control device for controlling the apparatus, said control device including an input unit, by way of which information is capable of being entered in the apparatus by a user, wherein the apparatus has at least one information output unit for delivering information to the user, wherein this information unit is portable and is capable of being brought into at least indirect communication connection with the input unit,

wherein the information output unit has a fastening device which has a detachable fastening of the information output unit to different areas of the apparatus, and

wherein the apparatus has a localization unit for determining a position of the information output unit with respect to the apparatus, and a beacon system, comprising a plurality of beacons provided at different positions within said apparatus, the steps of using the beacon system to determine an actual position of the information output unit, to an area of less than 10 cm, and delivering information for those parts of the apparatus in which the information unit is present, to the information output unit.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the information output unit has a display device, and including the step of displaying information in the display device.

18. The method according to claim 16, wherein the information output unit has a wireless transmission device, and including the step of wireless transmitting signals to the input unit.

19. The method according to claim 16, wherein the information output unit has a memory device, and including the step of storing data at least temporarily in the memory device.

20. The method according to claim 16, wherein the information output unit has an information input device, including the step of entering information in the information output unit.

21. The method according to claim 16, wherein the apparatus has at least one receptacle device, including the step of receiving information from the output unit.

22. The method according to claim 16, wherein the information output unit has a receiver device, including the step of receiving signals with the receiver device.

23. The method according to claim 16, including the step of bringing information output unit into communication connection with at least one further device of the apparatus.

24. The method according to claim 16, wherein the information input unit has a comparison device, including the step of comparing data stored in the memory device with data entered by way of the information input device.

25. The method according to claim 16, including the step of preventing operation of the apparatus by the information output unit.

26. The method according to claim 16, wherein the information output unit has information read-out, including the step of reading out information of devices of the apparatus.

27. The method according to claim 16, including the step of adjusting at least one device of the apparatus with respect to at least one parameter.

28. The method according to claim 27, wherein at least one signal, which is characteristic of a parameter (P), is communicated between the information output unit and the input unit.

29. The method according to claim 16, wherein the apparatus is a blow moulding apparatus, including the steps of forming the plastic preforms to plastics containers, filling the containers, and sterilizating or labeling the containers.

30. The method according to claim 16, wherein the fastening device is a magnetic fastening device.

31. The method according to claim 16, wherein the information output unit has an identification unit, including the step of associating a specified information output unit with a specified input device of the apparatus.

32. The method according to claim 22, wherein the receiving device is a receiving pocket which is present on a part of the housing of the apparatus.

33. The method according to claim 16, wherein the information unit has information read-out for reading out information of devices of the apparatus.

34. The method according to claim 16, wherein individual parts of the plant provide an emitter each to send a respective identification signal which clearly identifies the individual parts of the plant, so that the information output unit can clearly establish with which parts of the plant or with which input device it is currently communicating.