Machine for machining packaging equipped with a monitoring device and, system comprising said machine and device and method for operating the system

Abstract

System (S) for machining packaging comprising a machine (M), to which at least one operator is assigned, wherein the machine is capable of working at a given working rate, said system (S) being characterized in that it comprises at least one monitoring device (D), configured to be placed in contact with said operator, which is capable of detecting predetermined vital parameters of said operator, and of sending them; in that it comprises at least one logic control unit (C; U), in which preset ranges of vital parameters associated with each operator assigned to the machine (M) and operating parameters of said machine (M), which is operatively connected to said monitoring device (D), are stored, and configured to receive said parameters sent by said monitoring device (D), to process them and to compare them with said preset ranges of vital parameters and to induce a variation of said working rate or a block of the operation of said machine (M), based on said comparison.

Description

[0001] Title: Machine for machining packaging equipped with a monitoring device and, system comprising said machine and device and method for operating the system

[0002] DESCRIPTION

[0003] Field of application

[0004] The present invention relates to a machine for machining packaging equipped with a monitoring device, in particular which is wearable by an operator assigned to the control of the machine itself.

[0005] The present invention also relates to a system comprising the machine and the device operatively connected to each other.

[0006] The present invention also relates to a method for operating the system.

[0007] In more detail, the invention refers to a machine for machining packaging, for example food or pharmaceutical packaging, of the above type, designed and manufactured in particular to detect the operator’s physiological parameters by means of the monitoring device, such as a smartwatch for example, so as to customize and adjust some technical and / or performance features of the machine, such as its working rate and / or its production capacity, in order to adapt to the psycho-physical conditions of the operator who uses the machine itself.

[0008] Hereinafter, the description will concern a machine for machining food packaging, but it is quite evident that the same should not be considered as limited to this specific use.

[0009] Prior art

[0010] At present, automated processing machines in the packaging sector, as well as in other industrial sectors, are based on production cycles set to obtain a predetermined productivity, increasingly aiming at the maximum production efficiency. One of the main machining parameters of automated machines is often machining to their full potential, which allows to make companies more competitive on national and international markets.

[0011] However, the maximum production efficiency also requires the presence of operators who control the perfect operation of machines, the availability of consumables as well as of input material and output material from machines.

[0012] This often involves adapting the operator’s working rate to the working rates imposed by the automated machine, often inducing stress and physical fatigue in the operator which cause a reduction of the attention span, compromising the quality of the processed product, the management and operation of machines, unfortunately up to potentially degenerating into undesirable injuries.

[0013] In view of the disadvantages and unsolved problems of the state of the art, the object of the present invention is to manufacture a system in which the operator’s psycho-physical condition prevails over the rates imposed by automated machines on the operator.

[0014] A further object of the present invention is to provide a machine which is equipped with a monitoring device of the operator’s psycho-physical condition.

[0015] A further illustration of the objects of the present invention follows.

[0016] It is known that the fourth industrial revolution with a highly technological nature, which has brought out disruptive technologies with a very high automation potential, has soon given way to industry 5.0, which does not differ from the previous one in technological terms, but in the way technology is used, i.e. taking into account three additional aspects, and not only productivity and process optimization. These three aspects are environment conservation through a reduced environmental impact of companies, the fact that they are humancentric, i.e. they adapt to people’s needs and requirements and not vice versa, and that industries are resilient, i.e. easily adaptable to uncontrollable but increasingly frequent phenomena such as epidemics, disastrous weather events, wars, and the like.

[0017] As regards the human-centric character, it consists in promoting the worker’s wellbeing by using new technologies, giving workers the possibility to control, enhancing skills and training, attracting new talents.

[0018] This particular historic moment has determined a breaking point with the past in terms of how work is perceived by workers themselves.

[0019] This requires to completely review the organization and work management modes by companies, valuing the social responsibility, the environmental commitment, the sustainability of a company and the positive impact that it can have on society through its actions.

[0020] Therefore, it is assumed that it is necessary to follow a human-based approach which places its fundamental needs and interests at the center of the production process, using technology to guide and train the worker, moreover ensuring that the use of the new technology does not infringe the right to privacy, autonomy and human dignity.

[0021] One way to achieve this aim is to start considering the all-round workers’ wellbeing, taking into consideration the three aspects thereof: physical, psychological and social wellbeing. This requires to include in business security assessments, also in relation to new rules such as the new regulation on machines already approved and practically in force since 2027, the psycho-social risks existing in all workplaces. These risks may involve negative effects both for the worker, for example pejorative health conditions, burnout and the like, and for the company, for example absenteeism, high turnover and the like. The challenge of managing them can thus positively affect the working life improving satisfaction, involvement, productivity and also business innovation.

[0022] Therefore, the technical problem underlying the present invention is to provide a machine in connection with a monitoring device of the operator’s psycho-physical parameters during his activity of controlling the automated machine in operation.

[0023] Summary of the invention

[0024] The idea underlying the present invention is to provide a machine, a system and a method for operating the system, which are capable of adjusting the working rate based on the operator’s psycho-physical condition.

[0025] The object of the present invention is a system for machining packaging comprising a machine, to which at least one operator is assigned, wherein the machine is capable of working at a given working rate, comprising at least one monitoring device, configured to be placed in contact with said operator, which is capable of detecting predetermined vital parameters of said operator, and of sending them; at least one logic control unit in which preset ranges of vital parameters associated with each operator assigned to the machine and operating parameters of said machine, which is operatively connected to said monitoring device, are stored, and configured to receive said vital parameters sent by said monitoring device, to process them and to compare them with said preset ranges of vital parameters and to induce a variation of said working rate or a block of the operation of said machine, based on said comparison.

[0026] Furthermore according to the invention, said logic control unit is a cloud remote unit and said machine comprises an additional logic control unit, operatively connected to said remote unit.

[0027] Preferably according to the invention, said logic control unit is comprised in said machine.

[0028] Still according to the invention, said predetermined vital parameters of said operator, which are detectable by said monitoring device, are skin conductance response and heart rate. Yet according to the invention, said monitoring device is capable of detecting the respiratory rate, blood oxygenation level and body temperature of said at least one operator.

[0029] Furthermore according to the invention, said monitoring device is a smartwatch or an abdominal ring or band or an arm band.

[0030] A further object of the present invention is a method for operating a system for machining packaging comprising a machine, to which at least one operator is assigned, wherein the machine is capable of working at a given working rate, at least one monitoring device configured to be placed in contact with said operator, which is capable of detecting predetermined vital parameters of said operator, and of sending said data and at least one logic control unit, in which preset ranges of vital parameters associated with each operator assigned to the machine and operating parameters of said machine, which is operatively connected to said monitoring device, are stored, comprising the following steps:

[0031] 110. associating a unique identifier with said monitoring device and with said preset ranges of vital parameters associated with the operator assigned to the machine and operating parameters of said machine, corresponding to said associated unique identifier, in said at least one logic control unit;

[0032] 120. acquiring the operator’s vital parameters by means of said monitoring device and sending them to said at least one control unit;

[0033] 130. processing said vital parameters by means of said at least one logic control unit;

[0034] 140. comparing said processed vital parameters with said preset ranges of vital parameters by means of said at least one logic control unit;

[0035] 150. inducing a variation of said working rate or a block of said machine based on said comparison by means of said at least one logic control unit.

[0036] Furthermore according to the invention, said vital parameters detected in said step 120. are skin conductance response, heart rate, respiratory rate, blood oxygenation level and body temperature of said at least one operator.

[0037] Preferably according to the invention, the vital parameters processed in said step 130. are skin conductance response and heart rate.

[0038] A further object of the present invention is a machine for machining packaging, which is capable of working at a given working rate, comprising a monitoring device configured to be placed in contact with said operator assigned to said machine, operatively connected to said machine, which is capable of detecting predetermined vital parameters of said operator, and of sending them, said machine being configured to receive said vital parameters, to process them and to compare them with stored reference ranges associated with each operator; and being capable of varying its working rate or stopping its operation, based on the result of said comparison.

[0039] Furthermore according to the invention, said machine can comprise a logic control unit which is capable of receiving said vital parameters detected by said monitoring device, of processing said received vital parameters, of comparing said processed vital parameters with stored reference ranges associated with each operator and of inducing the variation of the operating rate or the stop of said machine (M), based on the result of said comparison.

[0040] Brief description of the drawings

[0041] In the drawings: figure 1 shows a schematic view of a system comprising a machine for machining food packaging which is associated with a monitoring device, being the object of the present invention; figure 2 shows a schematic view of a system comprising a machine for machining pharmaceutical packaging which is associated with a monitoring device, being the object of the present invention; figure 3 shows a top view of a plant in which the pharmaceutical packaging machine, shown in figure 2, is inserted; figure 4 shows a schematic block diagram of the method for operating the system.

[0042] Detailed description

[0043] Referring to figure 1, a system S is noted, comprising an automated machine M, such as a machine for machining food packaging, and a monitoring device D, for example a smartwatch, which is capable of monitoring some physiological parameters and indicators of an operator’s psycho-physical wellbeing, which is operatively connected to the automated machine M.

[0044] Referring to figure 2, a system S is noted, comprising an automated machine M, such as a machine for machining pharmaceutical packaging, such as a labelling machine, into which the operator inserts the drug cases to be labelled and the machine applies a label thereon, and a monitoring device D, which is capable of monitoring some physiological parameters and indicators of an operator’s psychophysical wellbeing, which is operatively connected to the automated machine M.

[0045] The machine M and the monitoring device D are operatively connected to each other, for example by means of proximity sensors, and by means of wireless communication modules, for example of the Bluetooth™ type.

[0046] The system S also comprises a remote unit or digital service or cloud C which stores and processes parameters and data. Said machine M and said monitoring device D comprise connection modules to communicate with said cloud C which puts them in communication so that the machine M and the monitoring device D exchange such information as to be able to customize and adjust some technical and / or performance features of the machine M, such as its working rate and / or production capacity, in order to adapt to the psycho-physical conditions of the operator who uses the machine M itself.

[0047] The machine M comprises a logic control unit U, or is connected to a logic control unit U.

[0048] The machine M can be a stand-alone automated machine or a station of a production line, as shown in figure 3, which has different process steps, serviced by an operator, who is directly interfaced therewith. The machine M is thus capable of communicating its production rate to other machines and / or stations of the production lines concerned by the same flow of materials, in order to re-balance the production capacity of the involved stations.

[0049] The machine M comprises a loading area 1, into which the machining materials are inserted, a machining area 2, in which certain machining components perform some machining operations on input materials and an output station 3 which the machined material exits from.

[0050] The operator assigned to the control of the machine M is usually engaged in supplying the machining material in the loading area 1, controlling the material machining by means of the components in the machining area 2 and unloading the machined material in the unloading area 3.

[0051] The monitoring device D is substantially placed in contact with the operator. In the present invention reference is made in particular to a wearable monitoring device D of the smartwatch type which is worn by the operator when he starts the working shift at the machine M. Without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention, the monitoring device D may be of a different kind, such as an abdominal or arm ring or band.

[0052] The monitoring device D may be also of the implantable under the skin or ingestible type.

[0053] The monitoring device D is capable of detecting and acquiring a series of operator’s physiological parameters such as: skin conductance response, heart rate, respiratory rate, blood oxygenation level and body temperature.

[0054] In particular, the most significant parameters, considered as primary, to determine for example work-related stress and physical fatigue, are skin conductance and heart rate, in the form of skin conductance response - SCR and heart rate variation - HRV for work-related stress, and in the form of kcals used for physical fatigue.

[0055] Each monitoring device D is associated with a unique identifier - ID, not necessarily associated with the operator’s name or other personal data. Each ID is associated with baseline values for each acquired parameter, which mainly depend on the operator’s age, sex and health condition. Moreover, the ID is also associated with a nominal rate value of the machine M, for example 100% in cycles / min, which varies depending on the operator’s build, age, health condition and on other environmental factors such as time, external environmental temperature and / or humidity.

[0056] The monitoring device D is capable of providing the operator with notifications such as, for example, the indication to take a break of a given number of minutes, which can vary with the kind of detected alarm, it can indicate to do breathing exercises, or to take particular nutrients.

[0057] Both the logic control unit U of the machine M, and the cloud C and the monitoring device D are equipped with communication modules with the outside, so as to send out parameters and data, for example to a competent medical service, or to management systems of the MES and ERP type, or to machine learning algorithms which perform a fine tuning of the alarm and management values of the machine M by selflearning.

[0058] In operation, the system S follows an operating method 100.

[0059] In a first step 110, the operator assigned to the operation of the machine M, wears the monitoring device D which communicates to the page of the digital service C, the identifier ID which allows tables to be updated with the baseline and threshold values, and all the raw data of vital parameters, acquired by the monitoring device D, according to preset sampling criteria, for example one sampling per second.

[0060] In a second step 120., the monitoring device D acquires the operator’s vital parameters and sends them to said machine M or to said cloud C.

[0061] In a third step 130., an algorithm for processing the vital parameters is implemented on the digital service C, or directly in the logic control unit U of the machine M. In particular, its phasic part is extracted from skin conductance raw data and its response is analysed, in terms of peaks per minute or amplitude measured in gS. For heart rate variation, the RMSSD value, i.e. the Root Mean Square of the Successive Differences is instead calculated, which is a standard statistical measure of the heart rate variability representing a mean variation. Mean values representing a given time interval, for example 5 minutes, are extrapolated from these elaborations.

[0062] In a fourth step 140., on the digital service C, or directly in the logic control unit U of the machine M, the processed physiological parameters related to the operator’s wellbeing, in particular parameters SCR and HRV, are compared with some tables containing threshold values.

[0063] For secondary parameters, thresholds are not defined, but trend is monitored. In this case the sampling time can be 1 minute and the derivative thereof is monitored by comparing if the parameter has increased or decreased in the 5 minutes observed.

[0064] In a fifth step 150., if the given threshold values are exceeded, there are corresponding alarms which a certain rate profile of the machine M is associated with, such as the production capacity measured in pieces per minute or pcs / min, which decreases as the operator’s wellbeing level decreases, up to be null (machine stopped).

[0065] The threshold values are defined for primary parameters, i.e. skin conductance response - SCR, which increases as the wellbeing decreases and heart rate variation - HRV, which decreases as the wellbeing condition decreases. The thresholds of the two primary parameters are shown in the following Table 1 , in relation to the specific baseline of each operator.

[0066] Table 1

[0067] For “secondary” parameters, trend is controlled, in response to a variation of primary parameters and to exceeding certain values considered as alarm values.

[0068] Table 2

[0069] The three thresholds of primary parameters are matched with given rate values, measured in cycles / min of the machine M, which can be communicated upon query by the machine M itself.

[0070] Through different ID recognition modes, proximity sensors for example, the machine M is associated with a given ID, and it starts querying the digital service C, in particular the section dedicated to the specific ID, in a constant and continuous manner, for example once every 5 minutes, drawing the rate value to which it must adapt.

[0071] The machine M thus adapts its rate depending on the value read during the queries, in order to give the operator time to slow down, until his wellbeing conditions are restored.

[0072] If the wellbeing level considerably decreases, the machine M receives the instruction to stop, from the digital service C, or it stops on its own. Once the machine M is stopped, the digital service C sends a notification to the monitoring device D, inviting the operator to take a break.

[0073] If the wellbeing level considered as unsuitable continues to recur even after repeating the suggested “actions”, the digital service C sends a signal to the machine M to lead it to enter an energy saving condition for the operator, i.e. to work at a minimum rate. Moreover, the digital service C could send an alarm signal to an appointed person or to a medical service, marked with an ID as well, who is informed to check the operator who works on the given machine M, so that the operator’s conditions are checked.

[0074] Finally, the machine M provides a series of data such as the number of scraps, productivity, energy consumption, which can be used later by a central unit, for example by a MES system, to find the causes and correlations and thus to optimize the operation of the machine M and the working shifts, to find and improve the error causes, to decrease the discomfort factors related to the working environment, machine / production process and / or staff relationships.

[0075] Moreover, the digital service C can be queried by competent and authorized external persons, such as the competent doctor, for a deeper analysis of the operators’ health condition.

[0076] Method step 140. comprises additional sub-steps. In a first sub-step 141., if the exceeding of the SCR value also corresponds to the relevant exceeding of the heart rate variation, the average RMSSD in 5 minutes, i.e. the other primary parameter, the operating rate of the machine M is immediately reduced by 20%, regardless of the trend of other parameters.

[0077] In a second sub-step 142., if instead the heart rate variation is contrasting, it increases or it does not vary or it does not decrease enough to trigger the threshold, the other parameters are controlled as well: if at least another parameter varies consistently with skin conductance response, the operating rate of the machine M is then reduced by 20%.

[0078] In a third sub-step 143., if no other vital parameter shows variations, it means that the parameter change is due to other causes not related to wellbeing, and thus the rate of the machine M remains unchanged. The same occurs regarding the second primary parameter HRV.

[0079] According to this logic, when at least both primary parameters, or only one of them associated with a consistent variation of at least one secondary parameter, reach the considered alarm value, the machine M is stopped. When the machine M is stopped, the cloud C sends a notification to the monitoring device D, inviting the operator to take a break of 5 minutes. The machine M enters the stand-by mode for the preset minutes, i.e. all its components stop.

[0080] After 5 minutes, if the machine M detects the proximity of the operator, it resumes the operation, otherwise, it does not start, registering the event with alarms and notifications to the operator.

[0081] If only the secondary parameters change, the machine M does not reduce the rate, but in case it falls below at least one alarm value according to Table 2 - mean value of 5 minutes, the machine M immediately stops sending an alarm signal to the operator.

[0082] When the operator comes back, the machine M restarts at the minimum rate value, i.e. at 50% of the nominal rate and, as soon as it is capable of determining the values of the physiological parameters, after 5 minutes, it resumes the most suitable rate.

[0083] When the measured values are restored, the rate of the machine M increases again to the corresponding value.

[0084] If, when back from the break, the vital parameters did not return to suitable values, or if, in the same shift, the machine M has already stopped three times, and borderline cases continue to recur, the machine M enters an energy saving mode for the operator, i.e. it constantly runs at the minimum rate, i.e. at 50% and the machine M sends a signal to an additional device connected to a contact person, which may be also the monitoring device of the operator of the second line if any or of another machine nearby, so that the contact person can actually check if the operator needs help. From the acquired vital parameters further significant parameters of the operator’s health condition can be obtained, which, by using the machine M, system S and method for operating the system 100, which are the object of the present invention, allow innovative work organization models to be implemented. For example, from the heart rate the value of consumed kcals can be extrapolated as well, for example as an incremental value which updates every 5 minutes. By associating the ID also with a threshold value corresponding to the maximum value of kcals which can be consumed during the working time, an operating mode can be set according to which, when this maximum value is exceeded, the machine M stops and sends a notification to the monitoring device D indicating the end-of-shift, even if temporally before the end of the working time.

[0085] Reference is now made to a preferred embodiment, in which the automated machine M is an automated food packaging machine which applies paper towel or bubble wrap inside trays.

[0086] The same operating method also occurs for the automated pharmaceutical packaging machine.

[0087] The machine M can provide two machining lines, which can operate both independently and concurrently, machining the same tray size or different sizes.

[0088] Each machining line is serviced by a different operator. The operator’s working area, i.e. the machining station 2, has a size of about 1.5 x 13 m, which it mainly travels along the length of 13 m to reach the machine ends, i.e. the loading area 1 and the unloading area 3.

[0089] In the normal operation of the machine M, the operator who works on this type of machine M has different tasks.

[0090] Preliminarily he loads the trays to be machined in the loading area 1, picking them up from a container placed at the front-of-line, and all the required consumable, such as paper towel / bubble wrap, glue, which can be placed at the front-of-line or end-of-line, depending on the configuration of the machine M.

[0091] Then, the operator takes care of unloading the machined trays, picking up some stacks thereof and inserting them into a bag or box, or both, at the end-of-line, in the output area 3.

[0092] The operator then manages the scraps, removing them from the dedicated area.

[0093] Moreover, he takes care of managing alarms, which determine the block of the machine M, for example due to defects of the inserted trays, defects of the paper towel roll, which determine a stop of the machine M. In these cases, the operator identifies the problem through the kind of alarm indicated on the operator panel, cleans the involved area of any entangled material, restores the part which generated the problem and restarts the machine M.

[0094] In the present invention, according to method step 110, when the operator reaches the machining area 2 upon clock-in, he wears a monitoring device D, i.e. a smartwatch, which does not determine dangerous situations for the operator himself.

[0095] The smartwatch D is placed near the operator panel 11 , on which the operator enters his own personal and unshared ID.

[0096] This activity allows the machine M to connect with the monitoring device D and with the section dedicated to that ID within the digital service C, with respect to which it will make the queries. In particular, the ID affects the selection of the baselines of parameters SCR and HRV, and of the machine nominal rate, which vary depending on some operator’s physical conditions, such as sex, age, health condition, genetics.

[0097] According to method step 120., the smartwatch D is capable of acquiring raw data representing all five vital parameters considered as representative of the operator’s wellbeing condition.

[0098] The smartwatch D communicates every second the vital parameters acquired by its sensors. These parameters are sent and processed by the algorithm implemented on the cloud C, or directly by the logic control unit U.

[0099] In particular, the algorithm performs the following operations according to method steps 130., 140., and 150.

[0100] In particular, according to step 130., as regards skin conductance response SCR, in view of the skin conductance response parameter acquired every second, the algorithm extracts the phasic part thereof and calculates its means amplitude of the peaks (pS), both detected every minute. After calculating five values, in a time period of 5 minutes, it makes an average thereof.

[0101] The skin conductance response can be also measured in peaks per minute.

[0102] As regards the heart rate HRV, in view of the heart rate parameter acquired every second, the algorithm extracts the variability (ms) thereof and calculates the RMSSD value thereof on a time interval of one minute. After calculating five values, in a time period of 5 minutes, it makes an average thereof.

[0103] From the heart rate parameter further significant parameters of the operator’s health condition can be obtained, such as for example the consumed kcals.

[0104] According to method step 140., the calculated mean values are compared with the preset thresholds customized for each operator.

[0105] According to method step 150., if the thresholds of the mean values in 5 minutes are exceeded, relative rate values of the machine M are returned. Mean values, which are independent of sex and age and health conditions, corresponding to the baselines of SCR and HRV are: 0.4 gS of SCR amplitude; 42 ms of RMSSD, processing of parameter HRV.

[0106] According to the operator’s conditions, it is plausible to think that the machine can run at 80 pcs / min (nominal V). Moreover, since the external environmental conditions are not pejorative, such as the absence of “heat bubbles”, the nominal rate does not need to be decreased in view of adverse environmental conditions.

[0107] In view of these baseline values, the table containing the threshold values and the respective rates has the values in Table 3.

[0108] * it may depend on the kind of machined trays

[0109] Table 3

[0110] For secondary parameters, thresholds are not defined, but trend is monitored. In this case the sampling time can be 1 minute and the derivative thereof is monitored by comparing if the parameter has increased or decreased in the 5 minutes observed.

[0111] The proximity of the operator to the machine M and the entry of the ID in the operator panel 11 determine the connection between the machine M and the monitoring device D and unblock the operation of the machine M. Therefore, the operator starts its processing.

[0112] Due to a number of causes, the operator’s psycho-physical wellbeing can be altered. For example, an increase in skin conductance response SCR can be noted, which reaches on average the value of 1 gS (mean value in 5 minutes), exceeding the first threshold value. At this point a control of the other parameters starts, to evaluate the operation of the machine M.

[0113] The method sub-steps 141., 142 and 143 of the above-described method follow.

[0114] In particular, the machine M described in this embodiment, varies the rate of 4 axes related to the rate for picking up the trays to be machined and depositing the machined trays, and of 2 axes for unwinding and positioning the consumable, i.e. paper towel or bubble wrap. This makes the operations required to the operator to be adapted in rate.

[0115] It is possible to set a further threshold value related to the ID which is the maximum value of kcals which can be consumed during the working time, which might have on average a value of 2,000 kcals / day. A further mode for operating the machine M and the system S might provide that, upon exceeding this value, they send an end-of-shift notification to the operator, even before the end of the working time, giving the operator the possibility to choose whether to stop the machine M or to continue machining as overtime.

[0116] By means of a gateway card, which creates a common area in which the machine M sends data which are entered in a searchable database, the machine M is capable of writing on a prefilled table a series of data acquired every 5 minutes in terms of: rate, scraps, worked hours / downtime hours, energy consumptions.

[0117] The machine M can be interconnected to other machines or stations of the production line, downstream and upstream of the machine M itself. The possible machines upstream and downstream can thus communicate with each other in case of problems and adapt to the rate of the other machines. Thus, for example, in case a machine slows down because the wellbeing of the operator servicing it decreases, the machine communicates to the connected machines that the rate of a station has decreased. Depending on the operations, without compromising the wellbeing of the other operators working on the line, the connected machines can decide to adapt the rate, or resort to suitably designed and programmed intermediate buffers.

[0118] As it is evident from the above-stated description, the advantages of the machine and system being the object of the present invention are multiple and of a social, economic-environmental, business and resilience nature.

[0119] From the social point of view, the invention helps to improve the operators’ wellbeing in the workplace and health, with repercussions also outside the working environment; there is the opportunity to define individualized training courses for operators depending on the way they use the machine, to improve their skills; it is possible to identify criticalities at the social level inside the company; it is possible to manufacture a machine which determines an equitable working mode for each operator.

[0120] From the economic-environmental point of view, there is a reduction of scraps and machine downtimes, which would lead to potential breakdowns caused by wrong uses, due to human errors, thus optimizing maintenance; there is also an optimization of energy consumptions on the basis of the operator’s actual production capacity, avoiding using the machine in sub-optimal conditions.

[0121] From the business point of view, there is an improvement of workers’ wellbeing which could also determine an increase in overall productivity, a lower turnover and attraction of new figures. From the resilience point of view, it is possible to modulate machine productivity.

[0122] Obviously, in order to meet contingent and specific requirements, a person skilled in the art will be allowed to bring several modifications and alternatives to the above-described support, all however falling within the scope of protection of the invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A system (S) for machining packaging comprising a machine (M), to which at least one operator is assigned, wherein the machine is capable of working at a given working rate, said system (S) being characterized in that it comprises at least one monitoring device (D), configured to be placed in contact with said operator, which is capable of detecting predetermined vital parameters of said operator, and of sending them; in that it comprises at least one logic control unit (C; U), in which preset ranges of vital parameters associated with each operator assigned to the machine (M) and operating parameters of said machine (M), which is operatively connected to said monitoring device (D), are stored, and configured to receive said vital parameters sent by said monitoring device (D), to process them and to compare them with said preset ranges of vital parameters and to induce a variation of said working rate or a block of the operation of said machine (M), based on said comparison.

2. The system (S) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said logic control unit (C) is a cloud remote unit; and in that said machine (M) comprises an additional logic control unit (U), operatively connected to said remote unit (C) .

3. The system (S) according to claim 1, characterized in that said logic control unit (U) is comprised in said machine (M).

4. The system (S) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said predetermined vital parameters of said operator, which are detectable by said monitoring device (D), are skin conductance response (SCR) and heart rate (HR).

5. The system (S) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said monitoring device (D) is capable of detectingthe respiratory rate, blood oxygenation level and body temperature of said at least one operator.

6. The system (S) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said monitoring device (D) is a smartwatch or an abdominal ring or band or an arm band.

7. A method (100) for operating a system (S) for machining packaging comprising a machine (M), to which at least one operator is assigned, wherein the machine is capable of working at a given working rate, at least one monitoring device (D) configured to be placed in contact with said operator, which is capable of detecting predetermined vital parameters of said operator, and of sending said data and at least one logic control unit (C; U), in which preset ranges of vital parameters associated with each operator assigned to the machine (M) and operating parameters of said machine (M), which is operatively connected to said monitoring device (D), are stored, according to any one of claims 1-6, comprising the following steps:

110. associating a unique identifier (ID) with said monitoring device (D) and with said preset ranges of vital parameters associated with the operator assigned to the machine (M) and operating parameters of said machine (M), corresponding to said associated unique identifier (ID), in said at least one logic control unit (C; U);120. acquiring the operator’s vital parameters by means of said monitoring device (D) and sending them to said at least one logic control unit (C; U);130. processing said vital parameters, by means of said at least one logic control unit (C; U);140. comparing said processed vital parameters with said preset ranges of vital parameters, by means of said at least one logic control unit (C; u);150. inducing a variation of said working rate or a block of said machine (M) based on said comparison, by means of said at least one logic control unit (C; U).

8. The method (100) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said vital parameters detected in said step 120. are skin conductance response (SCR), heart rate (HR), respiratory rate, blood oxygenation level and body temperature of said at least one operator.

9. The method (100) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the vital parameters processed in said step 130. are skin conductance response (SCR) and heart rate (HR).

10. A machine (M) for machining packaging, which is capable of working at a given working rate, said machine (M) being characterized: in that it comprises a monitoring device (D) configured to be placed in contact with said operator assigned to said machine (M), operatively connected to said machine (M), which is capable of detecting predetermined vital parameters of said operator, and of sending them; in that said machine (M) is configured to receive said vital parameters, to process them and to compare them with stored reference ranges associated with each operator; in that said machine (M) is capable of varying its working rate or stopping its operation, based on the result of said comparison.

11. The machine (M) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises a logic control unit (U) which is capable of receiving said vital parameters detected by said monitoring device (D); processing said received vital parameters; comparing said processed vital parameters with stored reference ranges associated with each operator; andinducing the variation of the operating rate or the stop of said machine (M), based on the result of said comparison.

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