Patent ID: 7299103
Filing Date: 2007-11-20
Classification: B29C,B65B

Abstract:
1. A system for monitoring a use of a plurality of consumable materials in a plurality of packaging machines, the system comprising: one or more packaging machines, each machine being configured to receive a supply of consumable materials and selectively operate in at least first and second modes, such that the machine in the first mode performs a first packaging operation using the consumable at a first consumable usage rate and in the second mode performs a second packaging operation using the consumable material at a second consumable usage rate, and each machine having a controller for controlling the operation of the machine and a communication port for communication with the controller, the controller of each machine being configured to communicate consumable usage data via the port, the consumable usage data being indicative of a usage of the machine in the first mode and a usage of the machine in the second mode; a portable module adapted to be electronically connected to each machine via the communication port during a connection session and thereby communicate with the controller during the session such that the portable module is configured to receive the consumable usage data from the controller; and a user interface configured to receive the consumable usage data from the portable module and provide an indication to a user of the usage of the one or more machines in the first and second modes.