Method and device for determining packet defects

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and a device for determining machine components, in particular active or passive machine components, of a packaging machine (10) for producing packets (14) for products, in particular in the tobacco industry, which machine components cause packet defects, wherein the entirely or partially completed packets (14) are examined for defects, preferably in a random manner, wherein, after a packet defect has been detected, data relating to the defective packet (14) - packet data - are transmitted to a computing device, in particular packet data representing the type of packet defect and / or the position of the packet defect on the packet (14), wherein a machine component identifier identifying the particular machine component is stored in a data memory associated with a computing device for each machine component in a set of machine components of the packaging machine (10), and wherein the computing device selects the machine component identifier of the or each machine component, which could be responsible for the packet defect, from the machine component identifiers of the set of machine components on the basis of the transmitted packet data.

Description

[0001] Method and device for detecting packaging defects

[0002] Description

[0003] The present invention relates to a method for detecting packaging defects, particularly active or passive machine components, of a packaging machine for producing packages for products, particularly in the tobacco industry. Furthermore, the invention relates to a device for carrying out such a method.

[0004] Packaging machines typically employ a variety of stationary, moving, and / or driven machine components or parts, all of which are involved in the packaging manufacturing process. These components affect the individual packaging components or the package itself. The packaging components, such as blanks made of thin packaging material, pass through various areas of the packaging machine where they come into contact with a variety of these machine components. During this packaging production process, unintentional damage to the packages repeatedly occurs (e.g., scratches on the film, dented corners on the blank, etc.). This damage can be caused by various (moving or rigid) machine components if they are worn, incorrectly adjusted, or have become misaligned.

[0005] Various devices and methods are known from the state of the art for detecting defective components. These devices use sensors and / or cameras to locate errors in the machine components, which may then lead to a machine stoppage. Due to the large number of machine components, these solutions have their limitations, simply for cost reasons. In practice, errors in machine components are therefore often only detected when they are reflected in the produced packages. As soon as an operator discovers such a defective package, it is then up to them to locate the machine parts that could be responsible for the packaging defect. This often requires in-depth knowledge on the part of the operator, which newly trained operators in particular do not usually have.

[0006] Based on this, it is the object of the present invention to further develop the method and device mentioned at the outset.

[0007] This object is achieved by a method having the features of claim 1 and a device having the features of claim 17.

[0008] Accordingly, according to the invention, the fully or partially completed packages are examined for defects, preferably on a random basis, wherein, after a packaging defect is detected, data relating to the defective package - packaging data - is transmitted to a computing device. This can in particular be packaging data representing the type of packaging defect and / or the position of the packaging defect on the package. In a data memory assigned to the computing device, a machine component identifier identifying the respective machine component is stored for each machine component of a set of machine components of the packaging machine. The computing device then selects, on the basis of the transmitted packaging data, the respective machine component identifier of the or each machine component that could be responsible for the packaging defect from the machine component identifiers of the set of machine components.

[0009] It can be provided that, as part of the selection of the or each potentially faulty machine component, the respective machine component identifier of the or each machine component with which the faulty packaging in the machine has come into contact or could have come into contact during the production process is determined.

[0010] In this way, the invention makes it possible, among other things, to display to an operator, based on the transmitted packaging data, those machine components or their identifiers that are likely to have caused a specific packaging defect discovered by the operator, for example. The operator can then use these displayed machine component identifiers as an opportunity to examine the corresponding machine components more closely and, if necessary, adjust, repair, and / or replace one or more of these machine components.

[0011] In a comparatively simple implementation of the invention, for example, the machine component identifiers belonging to the machine components that act on the respective package in the packaging machine, for example by being handled by the respective machine component and / or being guided along it, could be stored or assigned to each package or each package identifier in the data memory assigned to the computing device.

[0012] More complex assignments are naturally conceivable. For example, specific packaging defects or types of packaging defects, as well as machine component identifiers, could be stored for packaging identifiers by means of an assignment, so that during the production of a specific packaging type and when a specific packaging defect occurs, the corresponding machine component identifiers or machine components can be determined or selected. It is understood that a multitude of possible assignments and combinations of parameters are conceivable, to which one or more of the machine component identifiers that are suspected of causing the defect are then assigned.

[0013] As for the transmission of packaging data to the computing device, this can be done, for example, via a human-machine interface (HMI), through which an operator can enter inputs. This can, in particular, be an HMI that also has a visual and / or acoustic display so that the operator can see and / or hear their inputs. Input via a touchscreen is preferred. However, various other types of input devices are also conceivable, such as keyboards, computer mice, etc.

[0014] Alternatively or additionally, it is also conceivable that the packaging data relating to the defective package are generated by an error detection device comprising at least one sensor for detecting packaging errors, in particular of the packaging machine, after a packaging error has been detected and then automatically transmitted to the computing device. A particularly three-dimensional digital image of a package that can be produced by the machine can preferably also be displayed on the above-mentioned display device of the HMI. The transmission of the packaging data to the computing device can then take place using this image.

[0015] It can be provided that an operator, for example by means of an input via the HMI, selects at least one of the displayed packaging sides of the digital image of the packaging on which the packaging error occurred, wherein, triggered by such a selection, packaging data which characterise this packaging side are then transmitted to the computing device.

[0016] Advantageously, it can further be provided that the respective machine component for the or each machine component identifier selected by the computing device is displayed textually, alphanumerically and / or pictorially on a or the display device.

[0017] In this case, the set of machine components of the packaging machine can preferably be displayed on the display device in text, alphanumeric and / or graphic form, wherein the machine components corresponding to the machine component identifiers selected by the computing device are then visually highlighted compared to the remaining displayed machine components of the set of machine components.

[0018] According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the selection of the machine component identifiers by the computing device based on the transmitted packaging data can also be carried out using a digital, particularly three-dimensional, twin of the packaging machine that completely or partially depicts the machine. The digital twin or an image thereof can also be displayed on the display device.

[0019] Furthermore, it can be provided that, as part of the selection of the machine component identifiers using the digital twin, the respective machine component identifier of the or each machine component with which the defective package has come into contact or could have come into contact in the machine is determined on the basis of the transmitted packaging data of the defective package - in particular on the basis of the packaging data representing the packaging side that has the defect.

[0020] Advantageously, the respective machine component for the or each selected machine component identifier in this displayed digital twin can be visually highlighted compared to the remaining machine components in the set of machine components.

[0021] The visual highlighting of the respective machine component for the or each selected machine component identifier can be done textually, alphanumerically, by color and / or symbolically.

[0022] It is also conceivable that in the digital twin shown on the display device, non-relevant areas of the machine, in particular the remaining, non-selected machine components of the set of machine components, can be hidden and / or displayed transparently by means of inputs from an operator, in particular via the HMI.

[0023] In a further embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that at least one target value of at least one setting parameter of the associated machine component, in particular at least one target value of a setting dimension, required for correct adjustment of one, several or each machine component is stored in the data memory for one, several or each machine component identifier, and that in particular a target value of such a setting parameter is selected from the data memory by the computing device from the database for one, several or each machine component, preferably after prior selection of the respective machine component by an operator via HMI. This is particularly the case for one, several or each visually highlighted machine components and / or for one, several or each machine component that could be responsible for the packaging error.

[0024] This target value can preferably be displayed on the display device, in particular after an operator has selected the respective visually highlighted machine component, in particular via the HMI. However, it is also conceivable that the respective machine component, several of the respective machine components, or each associated machine component is automatically set to the respective target value of the respective setting parameter, in particular by a control device of the packaging machine.

[0025] Furthermore, at least one image, text, and / or video can be stored in the data storage for one, several, or each machine component identifier, in particular with work aids and / or work instructions for correct adjustment of the associated machine component. At least one image, text, and / or video can then be selected from the data storage for one, several, or each visually highlighted machine component, in particular after a user has selected the respective visually highlighted associated machine component, in particular via the HMI, with this image, text, and / or video being shown on the display device. The selection from the data storage can again preferably be made by the computing device.

[0026] Further features of the invention emerge from the appended patent claims, the following description of preferred embodiments and the appended drawings.

[0027] It shows:

[0028] Fig. 1 shows a part of a packaging machine in which the method according to the invention can be applied for determining machine components producing packaging defects, in an oblique view,

[0029] Fig. 2 shows a display device of an HMI on which the operator is shown a digital twin of the packaging machine part as well as an image of a pack that can be produced with the machine with selectable pack sides, in a schematic plan view,

[0030] Fig. 3 shows a partial section of the digital display shown on the display device

[0031] Twin, in which machine components are highlighted which come into contact with a pack side selected by an operator during the production of the packs, in an oblique view,

[0032] Fig. 4 shows a cross section along the section line IV - IV in Fig. 3 of a selected machine component of the digital twin shown on the display device, for which target values ​​of setting parameters are shown, in this case distance values.

[0033] Figure 1 shows, by way of example, part of a packaging machine 10 for packaging products of the tobacco industry, in this case cigarettes. Such a packaging machine 10 produces packs 14 into which the products are packaged during the production of the packs 14. In addition to the components shown, such a packaging machine, as those skilled in the art will know, typically also comprises various other sections and assemblies.

[0034] The packaging machine section shown includes, among other things, a folding turret 11, to which pack blanks 12 are fed in a known manner. These blanks are then held in pockets 13 for receiving product or cigarette blocks wrapped in an inner blank. During the rotation of the folding turret 11, the respective pack blank 12 is folded around the pack contents by folding elements or means not explicitly shown.

[0035] The already largely folded packs 14 are conveyed by a conveyor 19 having a carrier belt along a conveyor path 15 into the area of ​​a transfer turret 16, where they are pushed radially into pockets 17 of the transfer turret 16 by a pusher 18.

[0036] Along the conveyor line 15, inner and outer side flaps 20a, 20b of the packs 14 are glued together by first applying adhesive portions 23 using cold adhesive valves 21 and hot adhesive valves 22, and then the outer side flaps 20b are placed against the inner side flaps 20a in a switch 26 or through the switch 26. From the pockets 17 of the transfer turret 16, the packs 14 are conveyed by means of a carrier belt 24 to a discharge conveyor 25, which also has a carrier belt, which conveys the packs to a region of the packaging machine 10 (not shown), in which the packs 14 are further handled, for example provided with an outer wrapping, such as film.

[0037] It is understood that all of the aforementioned components or organs as components of the packaging machine 10 are "machine components" within the meaning of the present invention.

[0038] Some of the machine components are active, i.e., in particular, movable and / or driven or controlled, such as the folding turret 11, the transfer turret 16, the conveyors 19, 25, the adhesive valves 21, 22, etc. Other machine components are passive or rigid, for example, the switch 26 or the pockets 13, 17 of the folding turret 11 or the transfer turret 16, etc.

[0039] As can be seen, the respective packaging material, such as the respective packaging blank 12, and / or the (partially or completely finished) respective packaging 14 come into contact with various of these machine components during the manufacturing process, or generally speaking, the machine components act on them.

[0040] If these machine components are defective, they can cause damage such as grooves, scratches, or dented corners on the package blank 12 and / or the package 14. Such machine component defects can be incorrectly adjusted or misaligned machine components, which can manifest as incorrect spacing, incorrect end stops, etc. Machine component defects such as scoring, burrs, or the like can also be caused by wear.

[0041] It is particularly important that, according to one aspect of the invention, the operator can be assisted, for example, in determining the machine component or components responsible for a specific defect in a specific package. For this purpose, the operator is informed about the machine component or components of the packaging machine 10 that could fundamentally be responsible for the defect. For the sake of simplicity, several potentially fault-causing machine components are assumed below, although it is understood that only one machine component could be considered.

[0042] To enable this, the packaging machine 10 includes a computing device with an HMI (Human Machine Interface), through which an operator can enter inputs. The HMI includes a display device 27, in this case a screen, on which information can be displayed.

[0043] The computing device is assigned an (electronic) data memory in which data can be stored. The computing device could, for example, be part of a control device of the packaging machine 10.

[0044] In the data storage, in particular in a database stored in the data storage, packaging data are stored for the or all machine components of a set or group of the machine components shown in Fig. 1, namely for the machine component identifiers that uniquely identify the machine components, or packaging data are assigned to these.

[0045] The packaging data may, for example, be data that identifies the type of packaging 14 currently being produced by the packaging machine 10. Furthermore, they may include specific types of defects and / or positions where packaging defects may occur.

[0046] The above-mentioned allocation can be implemented step by step in tabular form.

[0047] Based on such an assignment, the computing device can then, for example, determine, in the event that a specific defect, such as a groove or the like, occurs on a specific side of a specific package type 14, which machine components from the set of machine components are likely to produce such a defect on the identified side of the package for the corresponding package type 14. It is understood that this represents only one example of a multitude of possible assignments between the machine component identifiers and such package data.

[0048] The specified set of machine components can be all of the machine components shown or just a subset of them. In practice, a subset is often sufficient, since it can often be ruled out from the outset that certain machine components are responsible for packaging defects.

[0049] As shown in Fig. 3, the machine component identifiers of the pocket walls 17a of the pockets 17 of the transfer turret 16 shown in Fig. 3 can be assigned in the data memory the longitudinal side 14a shown in Fig. 2 or a corresponding longitudinal side identifier of the pack 14, since the corresponding machine components each come into contact with this longitudinal side 14a. This also applies to the machine component identifiers of the driver sides 28a of the drivers 28 of the discharge conveyor 25 shown in Fig. 3, as well as to the machine component identifier of the left switch component 26a of the switch 26 shown in Fig. 3.

[0050] In a case in which the long side 14 a of a package 14 is affected by a defect, the computing device can determine on the basis of the above-mentioned assignment in the data memory that only the above-mentioned machine components are considered to have produced the defect, i.e. the pocket walls 17 a, the driver sides 28 a, and the switch component 26 a.

[0051] Using this information, an operator could now inspect or examine each of the aforementioned machine components in detail and identify the component that is actually defective and / or incorrectly adjusted. Therefore, unlike in the prior art, the operator would not have to examine all of the machine components in the set, or they would already have an indication of which components might be responsible for the fault.

[0052] It is also conceivable, of course, that the information stored in the data storage is customized to such an extent that not only the aforementioned subgroup of conceivable machine components is identified, but also the actual, specific machine component responsible. In this case, the information required for this would have to be stored accordingly.

[0053] In the specific process, an operator will typically first enter packaging data for the defective package via the HMI or transmit it to the computer. For example, if necessary, they could transmit the specific type of package produced and also—in this case—identify side 14a of the package as defective.

[0054] Alternatively or additionally, it is also conceivable that the packaging data relating to the faulty package are automatically generated by an error detection device (not shown) of the packaging machine 10 comprising at least one sensor for detecting such packaging errors after a packaging error has been detected and are automatically transmitted to the computing device.

[0055] It is particularly helpful if a particularly three-dimensional, digital image of the producible package 14 is displayed on a graphical surface on the display device 27, compare Figure 2, so that the operator can immediately select the defective package side 14a as defective.

[0056] This could be done, for example, via a separate input device, such as a mouse.

[0057] Alternatively, the display device 27 can of course also be designed as a touchscreen so that the operator can select the side of the package directly on the touchscreen.

[0058] As indicated by the arrows in Figure 2, it can also be provided that the digital image of the package 14 on the display device 27 can be rotated and / or enlarged / reduced (zoomed). Various variants are conceivable here.

[0059] It is also helpful if the computing device or data storage device includes a digital twin 30 of the packaging machine 10 and if this or an image of the digital twin 30 is displayed on the display device 27. This digital twin is a digital image of the packaging machine 10 or a part of the packaging machine 10 (including all or part of its machine components).

[0060] With the help of the digital twin, the machine components or the contact or impact points mentioned above, with which the packing surface 14a comes into contact during the production process or which impact the packing surface 14a, could also be calculated "inline." This allows for automatic determination of which machine components impacted the damaged surface 14a.

[0061] In addition, the corresponding machine components can be identified directly, for example by visually and / or otherwise highlighting them compared to the other machine components in the set of machine components, see Fig. 3.

[0062] Furthermore, it is conceivable that by means of an integrated measuring / dimensioning function, which is in particular, but not necessarily, based on the digital twin, target values ​​of setting parameters, such as distances between two relevant parts, are displayed, cf. Fig. 4, for the distances between the two switch components 26 a and 26 b.

[0063] It can be provided that at least one target value of the associated machine component is stored in the data memory for each machine component identifier and that the computing device selects the target value from the data memory for a machine component that the operator selects via HMI, for example, and then displays it.

[0064] Alternatively or additionally, it is conceivable that the target values ​​for the visually highlighted machine components selected by the computer system that could potentially be responsible for the packaging errors are displayed automatically or without prior triggering by the operator.

[0065] Using these target values, the operator can then check the actual settings of the machine components, for example using tools for determining distances, such as feeler gauges, etc. The operator can then carry out the necessary adjustment work based on the target values ​​or replace defective machine components.

[0066] In this context, it is also conceivable, additionally or alternatively, for the respective machine component to be automatically adjusted to the respective target value of the respective setting parameter. This could, for example, be performed by a control unit or the control unit of the packaging machine, which may also include the computing unit and HMI.

[0067] For these testing and, if necessary, adjustment work, the operator can also be supported by providing him with pre-made animations, such as descriptions, image series or video animations, for the settings to be carried out on the display device 27 of the HMI.

[0068] These animations could, for example, show the exact measuring points of the parts to be adjusted and the work steps required for the adjustment work or the replacement of wearing parts.

[0069] These animations can also be derived from the digital twin or have already been created and stored in advance. For this purpose, at least one image, text, and / or video can be stored in the data storage for one, several, or each machine component identifier.

[0070] It can also be provided that the above-mentioned measuring / dimensioning function uses the current machine status when determining the target values:

[0071] Should changes / updates occur to the packaging machine 10, it can be planned to automatically update the digital twin of this packaging machine 10. Accordingly, the target values ​​determined from the digital twin are then automatically updated.

[0072] ***** List of reference symbols

[0073] 10 packaging machines

[0074] 11 folding revolvers

[0075] 12 Pack cutting

[0076] 13 pocket folding revolver

[0077] 14 packs

[0078] 14 a Long side of the package

[0079] 15 conveyor line

[0080] 16 transfer revolvers

[0081] 17 pocket transfer revolver

[0082] 17 a Pocket walls

[0083] 18 inserts

[0084] 19 sponsors

[0085] 20 a inner side flaps

[0086] 20 b outer side flaps

[0087] 21 Cold glue valve

[0088] 22 Hot melt valve

[0089] 23 adhesive portions

[0090] 24 drive belts

[0091] 25 conveyors

[0092] 26 Switch

[0093] 26 a switch component

[0094] 26 b Switch component

[0095] 27 Display device

[0096] 28 drivers

[0097] 28 a driver side

[0098] 30 Digital Twin

Claims

Patent claims 1. A method for determining packaging defects, in particular active or passive machine components, of a packaging machine (10) for producing packages (14) for products, in particular for the tobacco industry, wherein the fully or partially completed packages (14) are examined for defects, preferably randomly, wherein, after a packaging defect has been detected, data relating to the defective package (14) - package data - are transmitted to a computing device, in particular package data representing the type of packaging defect and / or the position of the packaging defect on the package (14), wherein, in a data memory assigned to a computing device, a machine component identifier identifying the respective machine component is stored for each machine component of a set of machine components of the packaging machine (10),and wherein the computing device selects, on the basis of the transmitted packaging data, the machine component identifier of the or each machine component that could be responsible for the packaging defect from the machine component identifiers of the set of machine components.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the transmission of the packaging data to the computing device takes place via a human-machine interface (HMI) via which an operator can make inputs, in particular an HMI which has a display device (27).

3. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that a particularly three-dimensional, digital image of a package (14) that can be produced with the machine is displayed on the display device (27) of the HMI, and that the transmission of the package data to the computing device takes place using this image.

4. Method according to claim 3, characterized in that by means of an input via the HMI an operator can select at least one of the displayed packaging sides of the digital image of the packaging (14) that can be produced with the packaging machine (10) on which the packaging error has occurred, whereby By making such a selection, data identifying this side of the package are transmitted to the computer.

5. Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the respective machine component for the or each machine component identifier selected by the computing device is displayed textually, alphanumerically and / or pictorially on one or the display device (27).

6. Method according to claim 5, characterized in that the set of machine components of the packaging machine (10) is displayed textually, alphanumerically and / or pictorially on the display device (27), and in that the machine components corresponding to the machine component identifiers selected by the computing device are visually highlighted compared to the remaining displayed machine components of the set of machine components.

7. Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the selection of the machine component identifiers of the computing device is carried out on the basis of the transmitted packaging data with the aid of a digital, in particular three-dimensional, twin of the machine which completely or partially depicts the packaging machine (10).

8. Method according to claim 7, characterized in that, in the context of the selection of the machine component identifiers with the aid of the digital twin, the respective machine component identifier of the or each machine component with which the defective package (14) has come into contact or could have come into contact in the machine is determined on the basis of the transmitted packaging data of the defective package (14) - in particular on the basis of the data representing the packaging side which has the defect.

9. Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that a digital, in particular three-dimensional, twin of the machine, which depicts the machine in whole or in part, is shown on the display device (27), and in that the respective machine component belongs to the or each selected machine component identifier is visually highlighted in this displayed digital twin compared to the remaining machine components in the set of machine components.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that in the digital twin shown on the display device (27) by means of inputs from an operator, in particular via the HMI, non-relevant areas of the machine, in particular the non-selected, remaining machine components of the set of machine components, can be hidden and / or displayed transparently.

11. Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the visual highlighting of the respective machine component for the or each selected machine component identifier is carried out textually, alphanumerically, by color and / or symbolically.

12. Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one target value of at least one setting parameter of the associated machine component, in particular at least one target value of a setting dimension, required for correct setting of one, several or each machine component identifier is stored in the data memory for one, several or each machine component identifier, and in particular that a target value of such a setting parameter is selected from the data memory by the computing device for one, several or each machine component, preferably after prior selection of the respective machine component by an operator via HMI, in particular for one, several or each visually highlighted machine components and / or for one, several or each machine component that could be responsible for the packaging error.

13. Method according to claim 12, characterized in that this target value is displayed on the display device (27), in particular after selection of the respective visually highlighted machine component by an operator, in particular via the HMI.

14. Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one image, one text and / or one video is stored in the data memory for one, several or each machine component identifiers, in particular with work aids and / or work instructions for correct adjustment of the associated machine component, and in that preferably by the computing device, preferably after selection of the respective visually highlighted associated machine component by a user, in particular via the HMI, at least one image, one text and / or one video is selected from the database for one, several or each visually highlighted machine component from the data memory, and in that this image, this text and / or this video is displayed on the display device (27).

15. Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, at least according to claim 12, characterized in that the one, the several or each associated machine component is automatically set to the respective target value of the respective setting parameter, in particular by a control device of the packaging machine (10).

16. Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the packaging data relating to the faulty package (14) are generated by an error detection device comprising at least one sensor for detecting packaging errors after detection of a packaging error and are automatically transmitted to the computing device.

17. Device for carrying out a method for determining packaging defects causing, in particular active or passive, machine components of a packaging machine (10) for producing packages (14) for products, in particular according to one or more of the preceding claims, in which the completely or partially completed packages (14) are examined for defects, in particular randomly, wherein the device has a computing device to which, after detection of a packaging defect, data on the defective package (14) - packaging data - can be transmitted, in particular packaging data which represent the type of packaging defect and / or the position of the packaging defect on the package (14), and wherein the device has a data memory assigned to the computing device, in which each machine component of a set of machine components of the machine is stored with a machine component identifier identifying the respective machine component, wherein the computing device is set up and designed such that, on the basis of the transmitted packaging data, it can select from the machine component identifiers of the set of machine components the machine component identifier of the or each machine component that could be responsible for the packaging defect.

18. Device according to claim 17, characterized in that the computing device is assigned an HMI, preferably having a display device (27), via which the packaging data can be transmitted to the computing device.

19. Device according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that the device has an error detection device with at least one sensor for detecting packaging errors, which, after detection of a packaging error, generates the packaging data for the defective package (14) and automatically forwards it to the computing device.

20. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims 17 - 19, characterized in that the device has a control device with which one, several or each machine component, in particular one, several or each machine component which could be responsible for the packaging defect, can be set to a target value of a setting parameter stored for the respective machine component in a data memory.

21. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims 17 - 20, characterized by one or more features of claims 1 - 16. *****

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