Packaging machine

Abstract

A packaging machine has a housing defining a plurality of stations, respective units in the stations for processing and packing objects, respective windows at the stations each having a glass pane, respective flat-panel displays behind each of the panes, and a controller, wiring connecting the controller to all of the displays, and a service console for displaying at each of the displays information relevant to the respective station.

1 . A packaging machine comprising: 
 a housing defining a plurality of stations;    respective means in the stations for processing and packing objects;    respective windows at the stations each having a glass pane;    respective flat-panel displays behind each of the panes; and    means including a controller, wiring connecting the controller to all of the displays, and a service console for displaying at each of the displays information relevant to the respective station.    
     
     
         2 . The packaging machine defined in  claim 1  wherein each window has two such panes sandwiching the respective display.  
     
     
         3 . The packaging machine defined in  claim 2  wherein each display is an OLED display.  
     
     
         4 . The packaging machine defined in  claim 1  wherein there are a plurality of the service consoles each within sight of a respective one of the displays.  
     
     
         5 . The packaging machine defined in  claim 1  wherein each display is a keyboard, computer mouse, track ball, joystick, or microphone/voice-recognition unit.  
     
     
         6 . The packaging machine defined in  claim 1  wherein there are a plurality of the service consoles each constituted as a touch-screen at the respective window.  
     
     
         7 . The packaging machine defined in  claim 1  wherein the service console is a wireless remote control.  
     
     
         8 . The packaging machine defined in  claim 1  wherein each station is provided with sensor means for monitoring the respective process and the controller displays information from the sensors on the respective displays.  
     
     
         9 . The packaging machine defined in  claim 8  wherein the controller displays at each display a graphic showing operation of the respective means of the respective station.  
     
     
         10 . The packaging machine defined in  claim 1  wherein the housing has at each station a respective openable access door provided with the respective window.  
     
     
         11 . The packaging machine defined in  claim 1  wherein each door is provided with a sensor connected to the controller for activating a back face or a front face of the respective display according to whether the door is open or closed.  
     
     
         12 . The packaging machine defined in  claim 1  wherein the housing has walls formed by safety glass incorporating the displays.  
     
     
         13 . The packaging machine defined in  claim 1  wherein at least one of the displays serves for displaying safety-related information for the respective station.