WO2019211018A1

WO2019211018A1 - Method and device for evaluating product properties in packaging

Info

Publication number: WO2019211018A1
Application number: PCT/EP2019/053655
Authority: WO
Inventors: Roger Alther
Original assignee: Sig Technology Ag
Priority date: 2018-04-30
Filing date: 2019-02-14
Publication date: 2019-11-07
Also published as: DE102018110341A1

Abstract

Method for providing data of a product packaged in packaging, comprising: receiving at least one measurement value measured at the packaging in a communication apparatus spatially separated from the packaging, receiving an identification of the packaging in the communication apparatus, and transferring the at least one measurement value together with the identification from the communication apparatus to a remote server via a wide area network.

Description

Method and device for evaluating product properties in

packagings

The subject matter relates to methods and apparatus for evaluating

Product properties in packaging.

Packaging can be done in different ways and in different ways

Materials are produced. A widespread possibility of their production consists of packaging from a packaging laminate with one, on one

Produce pulp, in particular cardboard, based carrier layer constructed laminate by means of folding and sealing operations. For this purpose, essentially two methods have been established.

In a first method is one, preferably from a roll

unwound packing laminate in the flow direction (longitudinal direction) formed a tube, while the resulting pack along its longitudinal seam usually through

Insertion of a sealing strip is closed. In this tube, the product to be protected by the resulting pack is filled and the filled tube at predetermined locations transversely to the direction sealed in portions and singulated.

The resulting semi-finished composite packages ("cushions") are used to produce finished composite packaging by means of folding and other sealing processes.

In a second method, individual blanks are produced from the packaging material also present initially as a package laminate by longitudinal and / or transverse cutting, from which by folding and further steps, such as sealing along sealing edges, first a packing jacket and finally a packaging. This production method has the advantage, among other things, that the blanks and packing shells are very flat and can thus be stacked to save space. In this way, the blanks or packing shells in another location are produced when the folding, sealing and filling of the packing shells takes place. Again, laminates (= composites) are used, which build on a carrier layer having a fibrous material, in particular cardboard.

Such packaging is widely used, especially in the food industry.

Depending on whether a composite package should provide protection for a few days to a few weeks for a so-called fresh-filled product, or whether it contains a "germ-free" and aseptic-filled food containing at least one liquid portion over a long period of time

To protect environmental conditions, sometimes arise very different requirements.

For a freshly filled product, even if it is a so-called "extended shelflife product", the period of time during which the contents of the composite packaging are to be protected is very clear and ranges from a few days to several weeks. However, the characteristics of the product tend to be quite strong in itself. For example, the bacterial load affecting the product fluctuates significantly from batch to batch of the same product, so that the initial conditions are difficult to grasp.

In a "germ-free" and filled under aseptic conditions product, however, are quite different problems. Although you will find here defined conditions to those usually to ten thousand or even tens of thousands, during an hour of production time on a single filling machine resulting

Composite packages vary. However, the individual composite packages are then exposed to different stresses in their continued existence, so that the costs arising for the product to be protected, for example by transport and storage conditions over the long period of up to one year or even longer in each case can hardly be predicted. In general, prolonged protection of a foodstuff is said to occur when the product is not chilled in its full quality for months in the market

Composite packaging can be protected. The product is then in the

Generally aseptically filled in the resulting composite packaging. For H-milk and juices can then be often assumed that the content of the

Composite packaging over a period of up to one year, sometimes even beyond durable.

In order to protect the consumer from consuming a food that is harmful to health, the legislature writes almost in spite of the just described

conflicting problems, a uniform approach, namely the labeling of composite packaging with a so-called

"Date of minimum durability" The manufacturer must use this concept to ensure that the product contained in the composite packaging remains in effect until the end of the life cycle

Date of minimum durability and, if indicated on the package, its quality at least corresponds to the nutritional This automatically means that the specified best-before date is estimated with great caution, so that the majority of the composite packaging also contains - in some cases significantly beyond the expiration date of the best-before date, a completely harmless product.

Nevertheless, the indication of the best before date means that the consumer usually no longer tests the product on his own, but generally disposes of the unopened composite packaging after expiry of the best before date.

Publication EP 2 071 496 A1 discloses a method for producing a packaging material in which information about a packaging and a product can be stored by means of a radio-readable memory, in particular an RFID chip. The memory is doing in a composite

incorporated and can also be arranged in different layers of the composite be. The information may contain, for example, information on a best-before date.

A disadvantage of the previous methods, however, is that the condition of the bottled product (goods) after delivery by the bottler is unknown.Thus, the bottler can not check whether certain process parameters during bottling lead to particularly good durability results or not the influence of environmental conditions on the durability of the goods can not be precisely quantified, since the bottler is not aware of the transport conditions, storage conditions and / or the germination behavior of the goods.

Therefore, the object of the present invention was to provide a method and a system that enables optimization of the filling process depending on actual shelf life of the filled goods.

This object is achieved by a method according to claim 1 or 8 and a communication device according to claim 15, a server according to claim 17 and a system according to claim 18.

It has been recognized that the shelf life of packaged products may also be dependent on process parameters during the filling process. For example, the sterilization of the empty package, the temperature of the product during the filling in the package, the duration and temperature of the welding of the sealed seam and the like are relevant to the durability of the product. However, the problem so far is that once a package has been delivered, the bottler can barely understand whether a product reaches the specified minimum shelf life or, if necessary, beyond that durable. Also, the bottler can not

Establish linkage between the process parameters of bottling and the actual shelf life of the product. Once a package has been placed on the market, there is almost no possibility for the bottler to obtain further information on this packaging, let alone the product packed in it. This is objectively changed by a communication device acting as a so-called "gateway" for the communication between the packaging and a central computer.

A communication device (also called a communication device or

Communication device called) can be mobile and for example

in particular a mobile phone, a smartphone, a laptop, a tablet computer, a smartwatch, Smartglasses or the like. On the one hand, a communication device has communication means for near-field communication. Such communication means enable the communication device to communicate with spatially proximate entities. Such can be, for example, representational packages which are equipped with corresponding transmitting devices. However, the communication device can also be stationary and arranged, for example, in the area of a goods lock of a warehouse or intermediate storage or in a cold store or in / on a refrigerator.

In addition, a communication device has radio devices with which a connection to a remote server can be recorded, in particular via a wide area network. A wide area network can be, for example, a telephone network, the Internet or another communications network with a distributed infrastructure. The communication device may be formed at least in part from an electrical element, which will be described below.

It is objectively proposed that measured values measured on the packaging are received in the communication device spatially separated from the packaging. Additionally and in particular linked to the measured values becomes a

Received identification of the packaging in the communication device. Thus, in the communication device at least information, based on the identification, to the packaging as such as well as, based on the at least one Measured value, to the product before. The communication device now acts as an exchange and transmits the received measured value together with the identification to a server remote from the communication device via a wide area network.

An identification of the packaging may be unique so that each package has a unique identifier. Also, the identification of the packaging can be a

Batch identifier with which a plurality of packages can be assigned to a batch. Also, an identification of the packaging via a time information can be done, for example, a timestamp uniquely identify the pack, especially if each package receives its own time stamp when filling. Also, an identification of the package may include information about a filling line of a multi-line filling line. In a multi-lane filling line, individual process parameters can be traced from one line to another even with the same batch

to be different. If, based on the identification of the packaging, it is also possible to determine the particular web on which the product was filled into the packaging, the exact process parameter of that web can be retrieved and checked for this packaging.

Thus, the server has information about the measured value together with information about the respective packaging, and the bottler can perform evaluations of products in packages that are in distribution. The bottler can determine, for example, via the identification of the packaging, the process parameters with which the packaging or the product were filled in the packaging and at the same time determine the measured value, such as the shelf life of the product in the field.

In addition to the measured value and the identification of the packaging, it is also possible to determine a time stamp in the communication device or the server, the time of measurement on the product, the time of transmission of the measured value together with the identification of the packaging to the Communication device and / or the time of transmission of the measured value identified together with the identification to the server. Thus, a statement can be made as to when a particular measured value was measured and / or when such a measured value was transmitted to the communication device and / or the server.

This time information (which in particular limits the time of the measurement) can be correlated with the predicted minimum shelf life of the product. Thus, in particular, those measurements can be evaluated that are close to

Best before date. For example, if the best before date has not been reached and the reading indicates that the product may be corrupted, it may do so, taking into account other factors such as the

Storage conditions, make reference to a possibly not optimal filling process. On the other hand, if the best before date is exceeded and the measured value indicates, for example, that the product is still stable and not spoiled, this may be an indication that the filling process has been particularly good, in particular germ-free.

According to one exemplary embodiment, a statement about the product quality can be made in particular if at least one measured value is detected at least in parts directly on the product within the packaging. By means of sensors described below (e.g., at least in part in one

Functional element), a product quality can be measured directly on the product. Such a sensor can be located inside the package and absorb physical and / or chemical values directly on the product. A sensor can also be described as a functional element. The following is also the speech of a functional element when a sensor is meant. A sensor can also be described as an electrical element. The following is also the speech of an electrical element, if a sensor is meant. It is also possible for the sensor to independently evaluate at least one measured value and to set a signal or a marker if the limit value is exceeded or fallen short of. This signal or the marker can be transmitted to the communication device. The communication device can also independently evaluate at least one measured value and set a signal or a marker if the limit value is exceeded or fallen short of. If the signal or the marker can be detected in the communication device, the application in the

Communication device, for example, give an indication on a display that the product may no longer be consumable.

In addition, as interesting as relevant, the storage conditions of

To know packaging. For this purpose, according to one exemplary embodiment, at least one measured value can be detected at least in part outside the packaging. For example, a total amount of radiation may indicate how many times the packaging has been exposed to sunlight. Also, for example, a temperature and / or a temperature profile can provide information about whether, for example, a cold chain has been maintained or the packaging exceptionally high

Temperatures was exposed. Further information, such as

For example, pressure information or acceleration information that can be collected through corresponding sensors can provide information about how the packaging was handled during transport. This too can influence the product quality.

The communication between the packaging or the sensors and the electronic units arranged there and the communication device preferably takes place via local radio. Under local radio can in particular near field

Communication (NFC), Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), Bluetooth or even Wi-Fi. Other communication protocols, in particular those which permit communication between two entities, in particular peer-to-peer, ie direct communication, are conceivable. In particular, such communication methods are to be understood as near-field radio, which is a direct Communication between two entities with a distance of a few millimeters to a few meters allows.

In general, there is a considerable period of time between the filling of the product into the package and the reading of the measured value described here, and the

Identification via the communication device. Such a period of time is justified, in particular, by the long shelf life data, which in particular have germ-free bottled products. A period of time can be between a few weeks to a few months or even years. Because of this great

It is almost impossible over time to energetically feed the electronic units that are used for measuring and transmitting the measured values and identification. Therefore, it is also proposed that first an activation field is emitted by the communication device and that stimulated by the

Activation field the measured value may first be recorded and / or the measured value and the identification sent and received. It is not absolutely necessary that the frequency of the activation field and the frequency of the transmission of measured value and identification is the same. By means of a corresponding antenna on the packaging, sufficient energy can be drawn from the activation field in order to operate a sensor which, if appropriate, subsequently carries out a measurement and / or transmits the measured value together with the identification.

However, sensors are also known which can record measured values independently of a power supply, for example by chemical or physical reactions. These can be, for example, temperature profiles, which can also be recorded without an electric supply, and subsequently, after the

Activation to be able to be sent out. The initially recorded measured values can be read out electronically after activation by the activation field and made available for sending.

According to one exemplary embodiment, it is proposed that the measured value indicates at least one consumable capacity of the product. A consumption of a product may be particularly dependent on its germ load, a rot of the product, a bacterial attack and / or a fungal attack. Also, for example, an acidity in the product can provide information about its consumption. Other sensory measured values can also provide information about the consumption of the product.

As already explained, not only a process parameter during filling can be relevant for the shelf life of the product, but also the transport and / or storage conditions of the packaging. In particular, a long-term effect is observed, which means that if certain environmental conditions persist over a longer period of time, the shelf life of the product is influenced relevant. For this reason, it is proposed that at least one time profile of a measured value is detected. A time profile of a measured value can be, for example, the course of a temperature, a humidity and / or an air pressure. There are known sensors which can detect by chemical and / or physical effects a time course of these or other parameters, without being electrically powered. In the moment in which the measured value is interrogated, there is an electrical activation, and the measured value can be read out electrically / electronically and transmitted to the communication device. Consequently, the subsequent transmission to the server in the server provides information on how the packaging was exposed to various environmental conditions during its life cycle.

As already explained, the measurement data together with the

Transfer identification from the packaging to a server. For this purpose, the communication device is used objectively as a gateway, which forwards the relevant information via a wide area network. The received information can then be utilized accordingly in the server. For this reason, a method for recycling data of a product filled in a package is proposed. In this case, in particular a measured value measured on the server side together with an identification of the packaging of one of the packaging spatially separated, in particular mobile

Communication device received. The measured value or possibly several measured values are read in by the packaging by the communication device and forwarded to the server via the wide area network. Together with the measured value / measured values, the identification of the packaging is communicated to the server. In this case, it is possible to write the measured value together with the identification of the packaging into a common data record and to calculate at least one hash value via this data record. This makes it possible to ensure that the measured values and the identification of the packaging are received unaltered in the server. As a result, manipulations can be prevented. Also, the

Hash value to be signed so that a further protection of the measured data including identification is possible.

After the measured value and identification have been received in the server, the identification and / or the measured value is assigned using the

Identification of a filling process of the product in the packaging. By identifying the packaging, it is possible to associate each individual packaging with the respective filling process of this packaging. This can be done on batch size 1 or with larger batch sizes per batch. Also, 2, 4, 6, 10, 12, 24, 100, 1000, or any other plurality of packages may be given the same identification and thus assigned to a lot having a lot size of that plurality.

When a bottling process is in progress, certain process parameters that affect the bottling process are set. Such process parameters are, for example, temperature and duration of the sterilization, number of sterilization steps, pressure of the

Sterilisationsmittels during application, temperature, flow rate of the product during the filling in the package, number of filling steps, temperature and duration of the sealing process on the sealed seam and / or the like. If the respective filling process is known, the process parameters assigned to this filling process can be detected. During the filling process, both setpoints and actual values of the process parameters can be recorded. About one Timestamps or the respective packaging identifications of the packagings that are currently being filled can later be assigned to the filling process of the respective packagings. The detected setpoint and / or actual parameters are transmitted to the server and stored there.

In each case cross-rail or individual train or individually in each meaningful

Combination with each other can include, among others, the following process parameters:

Type and degree of preconditioning of the packaging raw parts, in particular

Packing coats, floor and / or gable parts as well as spouts or opening aids. Under a preconditioning is in particular a treatment of the open edge areas (in particular edge sterilization, preferably with in the

Edge areas penetrated and there remaining sterilizing agent) and adjustment of the temperature and carton moisture by air conditioning;

Intensity of an ion exposure of the air, in particular in the region of the packing shells, if such a dedusting device is provided;

Temperature, flow rate and flow velocity of

Aktivierungsheißluft and contact pressure and contact pressure in hot air sealing operations, as they are often found in floor seals on mandrel wheel;

Temperature, flow rate and flow velocity of preheat air during packing conditioning before / or. during the sterilization process (if the packing sides are sterilized by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), they are often pre-heated to a certain temperature range, in which the effect of H202 is particularly efficient); Temperature, flow rate and flow velocity, as well as proportion of (pure) H2O2 in the sterilant (vapor or aerosol from air, H ₂ O ₂ and water) during packing sterilization;

Temperature, flow rate and flow velocity of the sterile air when rinsing out the sterilizing agent;

Temperature of the filling material;

Transport speed of the (resulting) packs in individual

Production sections or total;

Overpressure in the aseptic chamber;

Laminar flow in the aseptic chamber;

Temperature in the aseptic chamber;

Maximum production time between two intermediate cleaning processes (Cleaning in Place = CIP);

Maximum production time between two full cleaning operations;

Frequency and contact pressure, as well as holding time in ultrasonic sealing operations;

Activation temperature and activation time as well as contact pressure and contact time for external sealing operations (application of package supernatants, see "ears");

Tripping limits of different monitoring sensors; Interface design of the HMI (for example, it can be determined that certain forms of presentation of the information and options offered lead to very little operator error).

After delivery, it is now possible to determine if the product

stable for a sufficiently long time, in particular on the basis of the measured values. Also, a link with the process parameters can be established. For example, it is possible to determine from the measurements that a product was particularly durable. If the corresponding process parameters are known, this can be an indication that these parameters ensure a particularly good durability of the product. Since different products are filled with different process parameters and may react differently, this can be done with the help of the subject matter

Procedure also a product-specific adjustment of the process parameters taking into account the durability of the product done.

According to one embodiment, it is proposed that at least one

Process parameters of the filling process is adjusted depending on the evaluation. For example, it is possible, based on the received data, in particular the measured values and the identification of the packaging, to compare different filling processes with each other and also to compare the corresponding measured values with one another. If it turns out that for certain filling processes the measured values indicate a higher durability for packagings of approximately the same age, it can be concluded that one process parameter of one filling process is advantageous over one process parameter of the other filling process. Then, if appropriate, this process parameter can be adapted for future filling processes, so that the probability is increased that the shelf life of the product is increased in the future.

According to one embodiment, it is proposed that from the

Process parameters at least one filling date is determined. In addition to the process parameters mentioned above, another process parameter may also be one Be filling date. On the basis of the filling date and possibly one with the

Measured values and the timestamp transmitted or recorded together can be used to determine how old a packaging is. Then it can be determined from the measured values, how the consumption of the product in the packaging has changed over its lifetime. Thus, measured values of a wide variety of packs with a very wide variety of lifetimes can be received and their measured values evaluated with regard to the consumable capacity of the product. From this, it may be concluded which process parameters lead to an extended shelf life of the product.

A measured value can also be an environmental condition and, for example, a

Temperature course be. If it is found that during the lifetime of the packaging a frequently elevated temperature prevailed, this can of course lead to a decrease in the consumption or the shelf life of the product. In particular, it is possible to weight those measured values which indicate a low durability less if the time profiles of other measured values indicate that the environmental conditions for the packaging were not optimal. On the other hand, those measured values derived from packaging in which the time course of a measured value indicates that the environmental conditions were optimal can be weighted higher. Thus, it is possible to exempt possibly lower negative effects of products from the optimization of the process parameters due to negative external influences or at least to incorporate them into the optimization of the process parameters only with a lower weighting.

As already mentioned above, the packaging can be identified up to a lot size of one. On the other hand, it is also possible that with the help of the identification of the packaging, the packaging is assigned to a batch of a filling process. The measured values linked to this identification can also be assigned to this batch. Measured values from a plurality of packages, which are assigned to a same batch, can then be evaluated together. It is possible, for example, to average the measured values of a batch determine. In particular, it is possible to create mean values of the measured values for different periods since the filling date and to evaluate the batch with the aid of these mean values. It is also possible to form groups which depend on a further measured value.

For example, it is possible to form at least three groups, with a first group having such measured values recorded in packages, which conditions, e.g. Temperature conditions were better than the minimum standards. A second group can be formed by the measured values recorded on packages where the conditions are approximately equal to the

Minimum standards were met. Finally, a third group may be formed from the measurements obtained on packages where the conditions were worse than the minimum standards. The last group will be high

Probability included readings indicating that the products had a lower shelf life than the first and second groups. The best information will be obtained from the data collected in the second group, as it contains measurements of packaging that has been exposed to environmental conditions that meet the minimum standards.

Further aspects are a communication device according to claim 15, a server according to claim 17 as well as a system according to claim 18. In the system according to

Claim 18 additionally proposes a packaging which has at least one sensor for detecting a measured value on the product within the packaging. In addition, the packaging has a transmitting device, configured for transmitting at least the measured value as well as an identification of the packaging, in particular to the communication device.

In concrete terms, a continuous quality control can be carried out for every single batch up to the end customer. This quality control is available to the manufacturer of the packaging, so that he may make adjustments to the

Packaging device may change to respond to faulty batches. Also The manufacturer can determine the settings at which the product is optimally durable and thus select the appropriate settings for subsequent batches. This makes it possible for the manufacturer of the packaging, in particular the bottling plant, to optimize his process parameters, since he thus first acquires knowledge about the quality of products after their delivery.

An information of measured data from the inside of a package can be transmitted to the outside then electrically when the metallic barrier layer is broken. In order to be able to electrically control a functional element (which includes, for example, the measuring technology) inside the packaging and, if necessary, to be able to read out information, an at least two-wire connection to an electrical element on the outside is necessary. This is effected objectively through the barrier layer through at least two mutually electrically insulated conductors.

For example, a packing laminate (hereinafter also referred to as packaging material) is produced as a web product. This can be formed as a composite of a plurality of thin layers comprising at least one carrier, a barrier layer and a cover layer and an outer layer. The outer layer can also be referred to as a cover layer. The exact structure of the laminate (composite) usually depends essentially on the desired degree of protection. So have laminates

(Composites) used to make a package for long term protection of the at least partially pourable, pasty, and / or liquid product to be stored in it, forms an additional gas barrier barrier layer, particularly if the product or parts of the product sensitive to air, especially to oxygen.

First, it is proposed that the packaging material is formed from a multilayer laminate. In this case, at least one carrier layer can be connected to an electrically conductive barrier layer. Furthermore, at least one cover layer can be provided, which is connected at least to the barrier layer. For detecting states inside a package obtained after processing the packaging material, the barrier layer may be on a first side

Functional element is arranged. The functional element can at least the

Contain measuring technology in order to be able to make statements on the consumption of the product.

Furthermore, on the side facing away from the functional element of the second side

Barrier layer to be arranged an electrical element. This electrical element may include the radio technology with which the communication device communicates.

Also, a functional element may be arranged on the outer side in order, if necessary

Record environmental parameters.

The functional element may be an electrical, electronic, chemical and / or electrochemical element. The electrical element may include electrical as well as electronic components.

An electrical operative connection between the two elements is made possible by at least two electrical conductors. It is suggested that the

Functional element is connected to the electrical element via at least two mutually insulated electrical conductors. During operation, the electrical conductors can have two different electrical potentials and, in addition to an energy supply of the functional element in the interior of the package, also for

Signal transmission can be used.

An electrical connection is possible between the interior of a package and the exterior of a package when using a metallic barrier layer. By suitable arrangement of the conductors, as will be discussed below, such an operative connection is possible. In special cases, a single electrical conductor may be sufficient. This can be guided electrically insulated from the barrier layer by the barrier layer or be formed by the barrier layer itself.

Such a refinement can also be combined in an inventive manner and with all the features described here. In this context, let

expressly pointed out that the features described herein may be inventive and in combination with other features described herein, even bypassing any or all features of the independent claims.

According to one embodiment, the first functional element has a sensor. According to one embodiment, the electrical element has a transmitter and / or an antenna.

The antenna (antenna unit, electrical element) may comprise at least one conductor track, preferably in the form of a conductor spiral or conductor coil, and / or connections for connecting the antenna unit to a chip unit. Also, the antenna unit and the chip unit can be arranged on a common carrier. The antenna unit allows the reading of the stored information of the chip unit. In this case, preferably radio antennas are meant, as typically in RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) transponders or NFC (Near Field

Communication) tags are used. In particular, inductive coupling readable elements can be considered as an antenna unit in the present sense. Furthermore, it may be expedient if the antenna unit a

Includes support element for receiving the conductor track.

The transmitter and / or the antenna may be part of a transmitting and

Receiving unit to be suitable to transmit data, signals and / or energy contactless or wireless unidirectional, preferably bidirectional. If characteristics of the sensor are described below or the term sensor is used, this description also applies to another

Functional element which is arranged or connected in the region of the cover layer, in particular of the cover layer facing or facing away from the product.

The sensor is advantageously set up to detect at least one property of a pasty and / or liquid product packaged in the packaging, in particular at least partially pourable. The sensor can be arranged directly at least in part on the outer side of the cover layer or break through the cover layer in the direction of the product. Thus, the sensor may be suitable for directly detecting the at least one property of the product. The sensor may also be provided at least in part within the cover layer and in particular between the cover layer and the support layer. The sensor may then be suitable for indirectly detecting at least one property of the product.

The sensor may be adapted to measure pH, temperature, oxygen content, proportion of one or more vitamins / trace elements, electrical conductivity, metabolites or the like. It may be advantageous if the sensor is formed to determine at least one absolute value.

It is advantageous if two measured values are used to determine the instant quality of the food. This may be the same parameter, the sensor measuring the measured value, for example a pH, for the first time e.g. on contact with the product and then a change in the measured value, without knowing the actual quantitative value. The sensor is therefore preferably a sensor which detects a qualitative change of a measured value. Therefore, it may occasionally be advantageous if the sensor is formed to determine at least one relative value of the measured value relative to an initial measured value.

Also, more than one sensor can be used to determine different parameters. For example, as the temperature of the product being tested is on the Value determination of the sensor still has many effects today, it is important for the correctness of a quality determination derived therefrom that the value is assessed on the basis of the present temperature. It is therefore proposed that a measured value of a first sensor is weighted and / or normalized as a function of a measured value of a second sensor, in particular a temperature value of a temperature sensor.

Advantageously, the sensor comprises a first region and a second region, wherein the first region is formed open to its environment, in particular the cover layer in the direction of the product and the second region at least partially insulated from its surroundings, in particular by the cover layer relative to the product covered is formed.

Advantageously, at least part of the surface of the cover layer assigned to the product and / or of the sensor forms one for at least one to be detected

Subject preferred residence area.

In addition, embodiments of partially or completely printable sensors are conceivable which are based on the principle of an ion-sensitive field-effect transistor (ISFET) or electrolyte-insulator-semiconductor (EIS). Here are the

Standard materials of silicon technology replaced in whole or in part by functional inks based on polymers which have the same or similar electrical or electrochemical properties as the conventional materials.

The structures are produced using different printing methods, eg screen printing or ink-jet printing on a substrate, in particular the cover layer. In addition to its function as a carrier of the sensor structure, the substrate itself can serve as a functional part of the sensor structure, for example as an insulator, semiconductor or ion-sensitive layer. In this case, monolayer, multilayer, rigid or flexible carriers in the form of, for example, films, plates (platelets), sheets, strips or the like can be used as the substrate. serve. In particular, the combination of partially or completely printed sensor structures functional inks on flexible film substrates as a carrier allows one

cost-effective production, even for smaller quantities.

An inexpensive provision of a sensor is therefore particularly important in connection with the present invention, because the packaging material, or the web used to produce a composite packaging. For the purposes of the present invention, a composite packaging is intended in particular to protect a fresh or preferably aseptically filled foodstuff and accordingly, after consumption of the food i.d.R. disposed of. If low-cost sensors are available even for small quantities, corresponding embodiments of packaging material for less common forms of packaging and / or for packages for rarer foods can also be produced inexpensively.

With regard to the sensors which work with a potentiometric measuring method, however, the mandatory requirement of a reference electrode represents a general disadvantage. A reference electrode is required in this case in order to provide a constant potential against which the electrode potential of the measuring electrode can be tapped. The most common form of reference electrode is a silver-silver chloride (Ag / AgCl) electrode.

Reference electrodes have the disadvantage that the smaller they are built, the more unstable the equilibrium potentials they provide. In addition, most are

Material pairings, e.g. Ag / AgCl, undesirable when in contact with food, especially if chlorides could be introduced into the food (e.g., because the food is particularly receptive to chlorides or certain other parameters are met).

Therefore, preference is given to the fact that the sensor is equipped with a so-called pseudo-reference electrode as a substitute for a reference electrode. These are simple metal wires or metal surfaces on which a constant but unknown potential in an electrolyte solution also sets. The Measurement of the potential difference is thus inaccurate compared to eg Ag / AgCl reference electrode. This variant is particularly preferred in applications in which a transition of eg chlorides is to be avoided in the medium to be measured, especially in consumer goods.

A measuring structure that does not require a reference electrode is based on the principle of redox cycling and is therefore particularly preferred. In this case, a potential is applied to two electrodes in the analyte solution, for example the product to be analyzed, in particular foodstuffs or a component or a parameter of the food to be analyzed, by alternately applying a potential

generates measurable current generated by redox reactions of the analyte at the electrodes. The measurable current stands in indirect or direct

Correlation with the analyte concentration. In a particularly simple

Embodiment consists of a corresponding sensor of exactly two electrodes. But there are also Mehrelektrodenanordnungen, even with the inclusion of a

Reference electrode conceivable. The electrodes can be designed as simple metal wires or completely or partially structured, flat-applied electrode structures. To produce the electrode structures, it is possible, for example, to use the production methods and substrates (substrates) described analogously to the ion-sensitive field effect transistors (ISFET) and the EIS (Electrolyte Insulator Semiconductor) sensors. Again, in particular by the

Use of functional inks in combination with various

Printing techniques realize cost-effective sensor structures on film substrates, in particular the cover layer.

Advantageously, the sensor is designed as a temperature sensor. In some cases this can advantageously be an active temperature sensor. Active temperature sensors generate an electrical signal due to their measuring principle. This has the advantage that no electrical auxiliary energy is needed. An example of such an active temperature sensor is the thermocouple. In this case in particular, even an electrically insulated conductor with respect to the barrier layer may be sufficient. In other cases, it may be preferred that the temperature sensor is designed as a passive temperature sensor. In passive temperature sensors, in contrast to active sensors, an auxiliary power is needed to read the signal.

An example of a passive temperature sensor is the resistance thermometer. It is an electrical component, which the

Temperature dependence of the electrical resistance of an electrical conductor for measuring the temperature exploits. As a resistance material are preferably pure metals. They show stronger resistance changes than alloys. Furthermore, they have a nearly linear relationship of resistance to temperature. Often platinum is used.

However, it is also possible to use measuring resistors made of ceramic (sintered metal oxides) or semiconductors. This can be much higher

Temperature coefficients than with metals and thus also achieve much higher sensitivities, but partly at the expense of accuracy.

Both thermocouples and different versions of

Resistance thermometers can be produced cost-effectively today by printing technology.

Advantageously, at least one of the at least one sensor is a conductivity sensor.

With a conductivity sensor, the electrical conductivity can be determined in particular by liquids. The conductivity results as the sum parameter of all dissociated substances (ions) dissolved in the liquid. This is of particular advantage when a package is produced from the web material (packaging material), which serves for the preservation of a product having at least one liquid component, preferably a foodstuff. Here, the development makes use of the fact that the electrical resistance in most liquid or at least one Fluid component containing food changes with a transition from an unconscious edible condition to a corrupted condition.

The conductivity sensor consists for example of two mutually parallel or coaxially arranged electrodes. The electrodes are made of stainless steel, graphite or, rather rarely, of pure metals such as platinum or titanium. The electrodes have a defined area and are at a defined distance from each other. The liquid between the electrodes behaves like an ohmic resistance, e.g. can be read by a conductive measurement method. There are also

Measuring circuits according to the inductive method, which offer the advantage that they can be operated potential-free by the liquid.

Simple electrode structures for measuring conductivity can be detected

Produce cost-effective ways cost.

Advantageously, at least one of the at least one sensor is an oxygen sensor.

The provision of a sensor makes it possible to determine one or more properties of, for example, a product which comes into contact with the web material, in particular with its cover layer assigned to the product. Around

To be able to determine various properties, it is of course conceivable that the functional element comprises a plurality of, in particular different, sensors and / or that the functional element also comprises further parts, which then

for example, also include a sensor.

Advantageously, at least one of the at least one sensor is a pH sensor.

The pH value is a measure of the acidic or basic character of an aqueous solution. It is determined by the hydrogen ion activity of the aqueous solution. There are different methods to determine the pH. One possibility lies in the use of a potentiometric measuring chain (potentiometry). In this case, the potential which forms in direct dependence on the ion concentration on an ion-sensitive electrode is measured. The measurement takes place as

Potential difference measurement relative to a reference electrode, also called reference electrode, which provides a constant potential.

Today, the pH glass electrode as an embodiment of a pH electrode is particularly well available on the market. It is usually used as a combination electrode with integrated

Built reference electrode.

In addition to glass electrodes exist other embodiments of potentiometric pH sensors which are also preferred in the context of the present

Invention can find application. These are, for example, the ion-sensitive field-effect transistor (ISFET) and the EIS sensor. The ISFET is a special form of field effect transistor in which the gate contact is replaced by an ion- or pH-sensitive material (eg S1O2, AI2O3 or Ta ₂ 05). The EIS sensor is similar in principle to a metal-insulator-semiconductor structure, wherein the

Metal contact by the measuring electrolyte and the reference electrode and the insulator by an ion-sensitive layer (eg Si0 ₂ , AI2O3 or Ta ₂ 05) are replaced. One advantage of these embodiments is, inter alia, the possibility of miniaturization. ISFET structures can be fabricated using silicon technology. With high production quantities, cost advantages can thus be achieved in the manufacture of the sensors.

The first and / or the electrical element may be equipped with a memory. Memory is to be understood as a data memory. It is a storage medium which serves to store electronic data. Of the

Data memory can be designed either as a volatile memory or as a non-volatile memory or as a combination of the two types of memory mentioned. Non-volatile memory is still divided into permanent or semi-permanent memory. As volatile memory here are memory to understand their information is lost if they are not refreshed or if the power is turned off. Non-volatile memory is to be understood as memory in which the stored

Information for a long time (at least months) without concern of an operating voltage is maintained. With permanent saving, the once saved or hard-wired information remains and can not be changed. In semi-permanent storage, information can be stored permanently, but the information can also be changed.

The respective type of storage should be selected according to the application to which the packaging to be produced from the web is to serve once. Depending on the application, certain advantages result

The data memory may be part of the antenna or the transmitter. The data memory can be part of a so-called "tag", which can be read out by means of radio technology, in particular as an RFID tag

Production process of the packaging material are described in whole or in part. The data storage may be partially or completely described before being integrated into the laminate. The data store can be described with a unique ID. The data memory can be described in whole or in part with production data. The data memory can be described wholly or partly on the filling machine. The data store may be wholly or partially at one or more points of

Value chain. The data memory can be described in whole or in part at one or more points in time. The information stored on the data memory can be partially or completely replaced.

With particular advantage, the electrical element comprises at least in parts a transmitting and receiving unit with an antenna and / or a memory and / or a sensor. According to one exemplary embodiment, it is proposed that the barrier layer forms at least a part of at least one of the electrical conductors. In particular, the barrier layer can form one of the electrical conductors themselves. The barrier layer is preferably metallic to form a gas barrier. This circumstance can be used to allow electrical conduction from one side of the barrier layer to the other side of the barrier layer. As already explained, two electrical conductors are preferred, which are electrically insulated from one another and extend from one side of the barrier layer to the other side of the barrier layer. One of these conductors can be the barrier layer itself. In this case, a first conductor may be passed through the barrier layer in isolation. The barrier layer itself may form the second conductor. The functional element may on the one hand be connected to one of the conductors or form this and on the other hand be connected to the barrier layer. The electrical element may be connected to the barrier layer, so that an electrical path is formed over the barrier layer between the functional element and the electrical element. A second electrical path between the

Functional element and the electrical element may be formed by the opposite of the barrier layer insulated conductor.

It is understood that the functional element is connected to the electrical element via the two conductors only when the electrical conductors each with

Contacts of the elements are connected. Thus, it is preferred if in each case a contact of one of the elements is contacted with in each case at least one of the conductors. The contacts of the elements may at least partially form the conductors themselves.

According to one embodiment, it is proposed that the barrier layer has a recess and that at least one of the electrical conductors is guided through the recess. In the manufacture of the packaging material this is in

Transport direction laminated with the respective layers. It is possible that in the course of transport of the packaging material, for example, a recess is introduced into a defined region of the barrier layer, in particular punched. Also, the recess can be cut out of the barrier layer by means of a laser become. The region in which the recess is introduced into the barrier layer is preferably such that it lies in the region of an interface in the package, in particular in the region of an overlap of two edges of the blank.

In particular, the recess is in the region of a longitudinal edge or a transverse edge of the blank, from which the package is created. The recess is preferably circular, but may also have a different shape. The recess preferably has a diameter of less than 5 mm, preferably less than 1 mm. Since the conductors need only have a low current carrying capacity, they may have diameters of less than 5 mm, preferably less than 1 mm. Thus, the recess may be designed so that an annular space is formed between the barrier layer and the conductor guided in the recess. This annulus forms the insulation of the conductor against the barrier layer. Through the recess can be ensured that a conductor is guided isolated from the barrier layer through the barrier layer.

According to one embodiment, it is proposed that the functional element is connected to a layer on the first side of the barrier layer. It is also proposed that the electrical element is connected to a layer on the second side of the barrier layer.

It is possible that sensors and / or antennas will be printed as described above. In particular, it is possible to have one sensor or another

Functional element in or on the cover layer, which faces the product to connect. In particular, it is possible to connect an antenna or another electrical element in or on the cover layer facing away from the product. Also, electrical elements are known which are already available as a film-like component. Already pre-laminated electrical elements may also contain sensors or antennas. This sheet-like element can with / on one side of the

Barrier layer are connected. It is possible that this takes place directly on the barrier layer or on the cover layer or an intermediate layer. Connected to a layer in this disclosure may be on, in, or at one Mean layer arranged. Arranging can be done by lamination / laminating, printing, gluing, riveting, mating or the like.

In the production of the web, it may be possible to use laminated electrical

To unwind elements, which are present, for example, as film elements from a roll and to laminate them in the manufacturing process in a continuous application process on the moving in the manufacturing process packaging material. A plurality of functional elements and / or electrical elements can be unwound as web material from a roll. The arranged on the role or the web items may have a defined distance from each other, so that the elements are arranged in the blank in each case at a same position.

It has also been recognized that to provide the desired information to the user, at least one functional element can be integrated into the package laminate, specifically between the carrier layer and a cover layer and / or at least partially into the carrier layer or cover layer. This simplifies the

Production of the package laminate and the attachment of the element. Namely, the structuring and relatively rigid carrier layer can be used here. The carrier layer thus forms a suitable substrate for mounting and receiving the at least one element. Alternatively or additionally, the carrier layer provides a protective effect with respect to the element, so that this permanently

damage-free in the package laminate can be added. So can

For example, the package laminate are easily rolled up into a roll after its manufacture, to be then moved to another location. The

Carrier layer protects the at least one electronic functional element

Damage, especially due to kinking or excessive bending. However, the element can also be protected by the carrier layer during the formation of the package and in the package itself. When integrating the element at least partially into the cover layer, the bending stiffness of the support layer can also be used. In addition, the layer thickness of the package laminate can be kept low without having to take up the element at least partially in the carrier layer. Come in addition, that, if necessary, a contact of the element to the outside of the package laminate or to the inside of the subsequent package can be provided.

According to one embodiment, it is proposed that the first side of the

Barrier layer of the inner layer of a package and the second side of the barrier layer facing an outer layer of the package.

As already explained, the functional element can have at least one sensor and / or one memory. The electrical element may also have a memory. In addition, the electrical element may have a transmitting and / or receiving unit. In particular, this may have a transmitting and / or receiving unit for near-field radio, in particular for NFC technology or RFID technology. For this purpose, the electrical element can be energetically self-powered, for example by a battery or a capacitor. It is also possible and particularly preferred if the functional element and / or electrical element is energetically externally fed. This energetic external feeding can be done by a magnetic or electric field of the communication device. In particular, an electromagnetic coupling of a receiving coil formed in the electrical element with a transmitting coil can cause the energetic feed. By a transmitting coil, a current can be induced in the receiving coil, which is used to operate the first

can serve electronic unit and / or the second electronic unit. So it may be useful, for example, to activate the sensor by the exciter field and to detect at least one sensor measured value in the case of activation and

save. If the excitation field is switched off again, at least the stored measured value remains in the memory. Such a measured value can be read out directly or at a later time, in the case of renewed excitation, so that at least one historical and / or one current sensor measured value can be read out. Since the elements in the packaging material must be as simple as possible, it is preferred if these only for detecting the measurement results and storing at least one measurement result and for emitting such a measurement result are set up. A subsequent evaluation of the measurement results can be done in a read-out device.

The features of the methods, devices and systems are freely combinable. In particular, features and sub-features of the description and / or the dependent and independent claims, even in complete or partial circumvention of features or sub-features of the independent claims, alone or freely combined with each other independently be inventive.

The article will be explained in more detail with reference to drawings showing an exemplary embodiments. In the drawing show:

Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a first functional element in the

Packaging material;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a first functional element and an electrical element in a packaging material; FIG.

Fig. 3 is a schematic view of a system with a packaging, a

Communication device and a server and a packaging device;

4 is a view of an order of received measurement data.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of a layer structure of a Packstofflaminats (packaging material). The layer structure may comprise a carrier layer 2, an outer cover layer 4, an inner cover layer 6 and a barrier layer 8. The carrier layer 2 is preferably made of a carrier material, such as cardboard. The

Cover layers 4, 6 are in particular made of plastic, for example PE and the barrier layer 8 is in particular metallic, for example of aluminum. To Further details of the layers is made to the above statements. It is understood that this layer structure is purely exemplary.

It can be seen in FIG. 1 that the cover layer 6 has, for example, an integrated sensor 10. The sensor 10 has a region 10 a, which breaks through the cover layer 6 and thus lies on the surface of the cover layer. However, the sensor 10 may also include a portion 10b covered by the cover layer 6. It is also possible for only one area 10a or one area 10b of the sensor 10 to be provided. In the area 10a an immediate measurement on the product is possible and in the area 10b an indirect measurement on the product is possible.

As can be seen, the sensor 10 is applied to the barrier layer 8. For this purpose, the sensor 10 is insulated with an insulator relative to the barrier layer. Starting from the sensor 10, two lines 12a, b extend along the barrier layer 8. The lines 12a, b may in particular be foil conductors which are insulated and rest in isolation on the barrier layer 8.

For contacting the sensor 10 with an electrical element beyond the

Barrier layer 8, it is necessary to penetrate the barrier layer 8. At the same time, the two conductors 12a, b must remain electrically isolated from one another

Enable signal transmission. Such a contacting is shown by way of example in FIG. 2.

Also shown in FIG. 2 is a carrier layer 2, a barrier layer 8 and a cover layer 6. Furthermore, a sensor 10 is provided, which breaks through the cover layer 6 in a region 10a.

Unlike in FIG. 1, however, the conductors 12a, 12b are not formed as a foil conductor but, for example, as printed conductors on the cover layer 8. Furthermore, it can be seen in FIG. 2 that the barrier layer is separated at a separation point 14. The separation point 14 preferably runs parallel to a transverse or longitudinal seam and preferably extends over an entire blank from an upper edge to a lower edge or between two side edges. This ensures that the barrier layer 8 are divided into two areas that are electrically isolated from each other by the separation point 14. This makes it possible to contact the conductor 12a with a first part of the barrier layer 8 and the conductor 12b with a second area. This contacting can be done for example by means of pins that break through the cover layer 6.

On the other side of the barrier layer 8, in the region of the carrier layer 2, a contacting of the two regions of the barrier layer 8 can also be made and the conductor 12a is continued by the conductor 12a 'and the conductor 12b by the conductor 12b'. The conductor 12a 'is electrically shorted to the conductor 12a and the conductor 12b' is electrically shorted to the conductor 12b. Between the conductors 12a, b, an electrical insulation, for example, provided by the separation point 14 in the barrier layer 8.

The conductors 12a ', 12b' contact an electrical element, for example a transmitter 16, which may be equipped with a processor, a memory and an antenna.

The transmitter 16 can, for example, read out measured values of the sensor 10 via the conductors 12a, a ', 12b, b' and make them available wirelessly via an antenna.

Transmitter (transmitting device) 16 and sensor 10 can be arranged as a functional element 18 on the packaging 20 according to FIG. 3.

At a time after the packaging of the goods in the packaging 20, in which the packaging 20 is in distribution, a mobile communication device 22 can be used to trigger the functional element 18 via a near field 24.

The communication device is described below as mobile. The However, the same applies equally to a stationary one

Communication device.

For this purpose, the mobile communication device 22 is brought into the vicinity of the package 20 at a distance of preferably a few centimeters. A radiated activation field establishes communication via the near field 24 between the mobile communication device 22 and the functional element 18.

Here, the functional element 18 with its transmitter 16, for example, remove the activation field electrical energy and activate the sensor 10. At this moment, the functional element 18 is electrically powered by the activation field of the mobile communication device 22.

If the sensor 10 is activated, the sensor 10 inside the package 20, as described in detail above, can capture a reading directly on the product. This measured value may be, for example, a pH, an oxygen content, a microbacterial load or the like.

In addition, a memory may be present in the functional element 18, in which optionally a unique identifier of the packaging 20 is stored and this memory can be read out.

In addition, a passive sensor (not shown) can be read out via a sensor (for example a further sensor in addition to the sensor 10) via which, for example, a course of temperature conditions or other environmental conditions has been detected via chemical and / or physical processes. Such a course can be transmitted to the mobile communication unit 22 in addition to the measured value detected by the sensor 10 together with the unambiguous identification (identification) of the packaging via the transmitter 16 and the near field 24. In the mobile communication unit 22, a data set formed therefrom is transmitted to a server 28 via a long-distance connection 26. First, the received record is stored in the server 28.

This process can be performed on a variety of packages so that information about how products in packaging 20 behave in distribution can be accumulated in the server 28 over time.

In parallel, it is possible to permanently store production data of a filling device 30 in the server 28. In this case, it is possible, for example, to store the corresponding production parameters of the filling device 30 in relation to the batch or also to individual identifications of packaging 20. Such

Production parameters (process parameters) can, as described above,

Temperatures, speeds, flow rates, sterilization times and the like. Thus, in the server 28, for each package 20 or batch of a plurality of packages 20, a set of process parameters describing the bottling process in the filler 30 of the respective package 20 may be stored.

Once from a package 20 or a plurality of packages 20

Records with measured values and identifiers of packaging were received, these records can be evaluated so that to the corresponding

Measured values the previously stored production parameters are loaded.

Subsequently, it is possible to evaluate the measured values to make a statement about the consumption of the product in the respective packaging 20. This statement can be linked to information about it

Packaging valid best before date. If the best before date is exceeded and the measured value indicates that it can be eaten, it can be concluded that the corresponding production parameters were good and led to a good shelf life of the product. On the other hand, if a sell-by date has not been exceeded yet, you can view the metrics, the ability to consume the product is no longer concluded that, if appropriate, individual or several production parameters were negative or unsuitable or disadvantageous. This makes it possible for future

Filling processes the filling device 30 to operate with such production parameters that have led to a good shelf life of the product.

In the server 28, the incoming measurement data can be assigned to certain categories, as shown in FIG. 4. Thus, for example, it is possible that in addition to the measured values acquired by the sensor 10, for example, a

Temperature profile of the package 20 has been recorded over its lifetime. When receiving the data set comprising the measured value, the identification of the

Packaging and, for example, the temperature profile, it is possible the

Evaluate temperature course. It should be noted that others

Environmental conditions can be evaluated as the temperature profile and here only representative of environmental conditions, the temperature profile is described.

It is then possible to assign a data record to one of several groups 32a-c. It is possible, for example, to evaluate whether the

Environmental parameter permanently above a minimum standard, its mean value was above a minimum standard or, where appropriate, the environmental parameter has exceeded a limit in the short term. In the example shown, for example, the group 32a is such a group in which measured values are stored in which the

Temperature history has indicated that the temperature was always below a threshold.

Group 32b may, for example, be a group in which measured values are stored in which the packaging was exposed to temperatures which are partly above a limit value and partly below a limit value and the mean value lies within a tolerance band around the limit value. Finally, it is possible to store in a group 32c such a measured value which has been detected on a packaging 20 in which the temperature profile was permanent, that is to say above a limit value, in particular over a predetermined period of time.

In group 32a are thus measured values of packaging, the good ones

In group 32b, measurements of such packages exposed to standard environmental conditions and in group 32c may be those measurements necessary to maintain the consumptibility of the product

Product were exposed to adverse environmental conditions.

Most meaningful will then be the evaluation of the measured values in the groups 32a and 32b.

The measured values stored in the groups 32a, b can then be sorted according to the best before dates of the respective packages 20, for example.

In particular, it is possible to set a period between the measurement and the

Expiry date to be determined if during the measurement or the

Transmission of the measurement from the package 20 to the mobile

Communication device 22 or from the mobile communication device 22 to the server 28 a time stamp is detected. About this timestamp it is possible to determine if the best before date of the corresponding

Packaging was exceeded or undershot. Now it is possible to detect such measurements measured on packages 20 whose

Date of expiry, but has not exceeded a certain period of time. It is also possible to identify such measurements made on packages 20 where the

Date of minimum durability, but has fallen short of an upper limit. These two types of measurements have been made on packages 20 in which the

Best before date was just above or just below. If, on the basis of these measurements, it is determined that the consumption was still possible for some products but not for other products, a comparison of the production parameters for the respective packaging can be made. For example, in this comparison, it can be determined that a particular production parameter has provided a very good shelf life and has led to measurements that indicate a good consumptibility of the product.

On the other hand, it is possible, for example, if it has been established that a

Consumption was no longer given, although the best before date was in the range of the date of measurement that production parameters could be responsible.

Corresponding evaluations can be made for the measurements in group 32b

be performed.

For example, in group 32c it is also possible to make such measurements

identify the best before date at the time of the measurements and that the product can still be considered fit for human consumption. For example, although poor environmental conditions may make a product edible, it can still be consumable. In this case, a consideration of the

Production parameters allow a conclusion that a certain

Production parameters has led to the fact that the consumption of the product or its shelf life was particularly positively influenced.

By evaluating the measurements, as described above, it is possible

Optimize production parameters of the filling device 30 for future filling processes with regard to the minimum shelf life.

With regard to the liability issues of the bottler with a non-consumable

Product, it may be useful to establish a link between the environmental conditions of the packaging in the course of distribution, storage and sale, and the point in time of loss of its ability to eat. The server can be assigned to a bottling plant. Thus, the data can be stored specifically for a bottling operation. Also, the server can

be arranged above for a plurality of bottling plants. A central evaluation of the measured values together with the process parameters can be used to optimize the process parameters of various filling plants. By collecting the data from packaging of different bottling plants, the server can access a larger data set in a central instance and thus determine optimal process parameters. These server-side determined

Process parameters can be transmitted from the server to the bottling facilities in bottling plants.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

2 carrier layer

4 cover layer

6 topcoat

8 barrier layer

10 sensor

10a, b area

12a, b ladder

14 separation point

16 transmitters

18 functional element

20 packages

22 mobile communication device

24 near field

26 wide area network

28 servers

30 filling device

32a-c group

Claims

Patent claims

A method of providing data of a product packaged in a package comprising:

Receiving at least one measured value measured on the packaging in a communication device spatially separate from the packaging,

Receiving an identification of the packaging in the

Communication device,

Transmitting the at least one measured value together with the identification from the communication device to a remote server via a wide area network.

2. The method according to claim 1,

characterized,

that at least one of the measured values, at least in parts directly on

Product within the packaging, is detected and / or that at least one of the measured values is detected at least in part outside the packaging.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2,

characterized,

the at least one measured value and the identification are received via near-field radio, in particular via near field communication (NFC), radio frequency identification (RFID) or Bluetooth.

4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims,

characterized, the at least one measured value is measured on an unopened and / or opened packaging.

5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims,

characterized,

that an activation field is first emitted by the communication device, and

that excited by the activation field, the at least one measured value and the identification are received.

6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims,

characterized,

the at least one measured value indicates at least one of the consumption of the product, in particular contains information on a germ load, rot, bacterial and / or fungal infestation of the product.

7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims,

characterized,

the at least one measured value has at least one time profile, in particular a time profile of a temperature and / or a humidity and / or an air pressure.

8. A method of recycling data of a product packaged in a package comprising:

Receiving at least one measured value measured on the packaging together with an identification of the packaging of one of

Packaging spatially separated communication device in a server, assigning the identification to a filling process of the product in the packaging and detecting process parameters of the associated

Filling process, and Evaluating the at least one measured value together with the process parameters.

9. The method according to claim 8,

characterized,

that at least one process parameter of the filling process is adapted depending on the evaluation.

10. The method according to claim 8 or 9,

characterized,

that at least one filling date is determined from the process parameters.

11. The method according to any one of the preceding claims,

characterized,

that at least one time profile is determined from one of the measured values and that the time profile is used for weighting a further measured value.

12. The method according to any one of the preceding claims,

characterized,

the at least one received measured value is assigned to a batch of a filling process by the identification of the packaging and / or the at least one received measured value is assigned to a filling device by the identification of the packaging.

13. The method according to any one of the preceding claims,

characterized,

that the measured values of a batch and / or a web are evaluated together, in particular that an average of a measured value of a batch / web is determined, wherein in particular an average of a measured value of a Group is assigned and the group is determined depending on another measured value.

14. The method according to any one of the preceding claims,

characterized,

that first a packing jacket with at least one sensor for detecting a measured value of the product within the packaging and a

Transmitting device configured to transmit at least the measured value as well as an identification of the packaging is equipped, then the packing jacket is filled with the product and sealed and

Finally, the packaging is placed on the market.

15. A communication device configured to perform a method according to claim 1, comprising:

a receiving device configured to receive at least one measured value measured on the packaging, and an identification of the

Packaging,

a transmitting device configured to transmit the measured value together with the identification to a remote server via a wide area network.

16. Communication device according to claim 15,

characterized,

that the communication device is mobile, in particular a mobile telephone or a mobile computer.

17. Server set up to carry out a method according to claim 8

full:

a receiving device configured to receive at least one measured value measured on the packaging together with an identification of the packaging of one spatially separate from the packaging

Communication device, an allocation device configured to assign the identification to a filling process of the product into the packaging and to capture process parameters of the associated filling process, and

an evaluation device configured to evaluate the at least one measured value together with the process parameters.

18. System with a communication device according to claim 15 and a

Server according to claim 17 and a product-filled packaging, wherein the packaging at least one sensor for detecting a measured value of the product within the package and a transmitting device configured to transmit at least the measured value as well as a

Identification of the packaging has.