Apparatus for the handling of containers with a mobile display

• US 9,002,505 B2
• Filed: 08/17/2010
• Issued: 04/07/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Krones AG (Krones)
• Original Assignee: Krones AG (Krones)
• Inventors: Hahn, Wolfgang, Zoelfl, Markus
• Primary Examiner(s): MACKEY, PATRICK HEWEY
• Application Number:
  US12/858,330
• Publication Number:
  US 20110082582A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,694 Days
• Field of Search: 700/213, 700/214, 700/225, 700/228, 700/230
• US Class Current: 700/214
• 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 for handling containers, with 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, with a control device for controlling the apparatus, with an input unit, by way of which information is capable of being entered in the apparatus by a user. The apparatus has an information output unit for delivering information to the user, wherein this information unit is made portable and is capable of being brought into at least indirect communication connection with the input unit.

Claims

1. An apparatus for the handling of containers,

said apparatus having at least one wall and comprising 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 in order to determine a position of the information output unit with respect to the apparatus, wherein information for those parts of the apparatus in which the information unit is present can be delivered to the information output unit, and wherein the apparatus has a beacon system, comprising a plurality of beacons provided at different positions inside said wall within said apparatus, which plurality of beacons together are capable of determining an actual position of the information output unit, to an area of less than 10 cm.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information output unit has a display device.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information output unit has a transmission device for the wireless transmission of signals to the input unit.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information output unit has a memory device for storing data at least temporarily.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information output unit has an information input device, by way of which information can be entered in the information output unit.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus has at least one receptacle device for receiving the information output unit.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information output unit has a receiver device for receiving signals.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the receiving device is a receiving pocket which is present on a part of the housing of the apparatus.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information output unit is capable of being brought into communication connection with at least one further device of the apparatus.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information input unit has a comparison device which compares data stored in the memory device with data entered by way of the information input device.

11. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein provision is made to prevent operation of the apparatus by the information output unit.

12. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information output unit has information read-out for reading out information of devices of the apparatus.

13. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one device of the apparatus is adjustable with respect to at least one parameter.

14. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein at least one signal, which is characteristic of the parameter (P), is capable of being communicated between the information output unit and the input unit.

15. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the handling of the containers is a blow moulding of plastic preforms to form plastics containers, filling of said containers, and sterilization or labeling of said containers.

16. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fastening device is a magnetic fastening device.

17. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information output unit has an identification unit, which associates a specified information output unit with a specified input device of the apparatus.

18. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information unit has information read-out for reading out information of devices of the apparatus.

19. The apparatus according to claim 1, 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.

20. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the beacons include transmitting or receiving units which localize the localization unit on the information output unit.