Device for producing a tubular packaging material manually or by machine, and packing station

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for producing a tubular packaging material manually or by machine from a paper supply unit, such as a paper web wound to form a roll, which defines a roll longitudinal axis and forms an inner cavity, or a paper web folded to form a Leporello stack, which defines a top side from which the paper web can be drawn in order to form the packaging material, the device comprising: a guide funnel having an opening for outputting the packaging material from a paper supply unit arranged in a dispensing position, the guide funnel having an inner contour that is tapered toward the opening in an output direction; and a holding assembly, such as tube magazine, for at least partially peripherally extending around at least one paper supply unit, in particular at least two and / or at most five, preferably exactly three, paper supply units arranged one after the other in the output direction, the device having a movable transport means, such as a slide or the like, for moving at least the at least one paper supply unit in the output direction.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for manually or mechanically producing a tubular packaging material from a paper supply unit, such as a paper web wound into a roll forming an inner cavity, or a paper web folded into a leporello stack, which defines a bottom side from which the paper web can be peeled to form the packaging material. The invention also relates to a packing station with a device for manually or mechanically producing a tubular packaging material from a paper supply unit.

[0002] A packaging material dispenser and a packing station with such a dispenser are known from DE 20 2012 009 025 U1. The packaging material dispenser comprises a receptacle with an attached axial support into which a paper supply unit in the form of a paper web roll can be inserted. The axial support is designed as a conical dispensing funnel with a tapered inner contour. The receptacle is formed by a half-shell. At the front end of the half-shell, the rotationally symmetrical dispensing funnel with conical inner and outer contours is arranged. In the packaging material dispenser, the starting material for the tubular packaging material is a paper web wound onto a roll, which is inserted into the receptacle and surrounds the roll. The roll has an inner cavity from which the paper web can be unwound to form spiral and tubular packaging material.The packaging material roll, the half-shell, the frustoconical dispensing funnel and its dispensing opening are all arranged coaxially to each other.

[0003] The packaging material dispenser known from DE 20 2012 009 025 U1 is very popular because it is maintenance-free, easy to use, and particularly well-suited for small mail-order companies to produce packing material for filling voids in shipping containers in a cost-effective, uncomplicated, space-saving, and environmentally friendly way. The packaging material dispenser can be mounted on a table to create a packing station. It can be attached to the tabletop, for example, using a mounting plate, or to a table leg using a swivel mechanism. When enough packages have been filled with packing material using the manual dispenser and the paper roll is exhausted, the packing staff can simply insert a new roll.Mail-order companies with high throughput, in particular, desire a continuous supply of packaging material to their shipping containers. Pauses for refilling are especially undesirable.

[0004] DE102008039618A1 relates to a housing carrier for a device for supplying packaging material. WO02 / 34506 relates to a packaging material conversion machine with a transfer device for supply rolls.

[0005] It is therefore an object of the invention to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art, in particular to provide a device for manually or mechanically producing a tube-like packaging material from a paper supply unit and a packing station with such a device, in which a pause in the filling of shipping containers with packaging material for the purpose of retrofitting a packaging material production device with a new paper supply unit is shortened or even avoided.

[0006] This problem is solved by the subject matter of independent claims 1 and 9.

[0007] According to the invention, a device is provided for manually or mechanically producing a tubular packaging material from a paper supply unit, such as a paper web wound into a roll that forms an inner cavity, or a paper web folded into a concertina stack, which defines a top and a bottom from which the paper web can be peeled to form the packaging material. A tubular packaging material can also be referred to as a three-dimensional packaging material. A three-dimensional packaging material can be formed from a two-dimensional, planar, web-shaped starting material in the form of a paper supply unit, such as a concertina stack or a paper web roll, into a three-dimensional structure that has at least one compressible cavity to provide a damping and cushioning function.Such a crumpled cavity can extend lengthwise through the packaging material. In this respect, it can be described as a tube-like packaging material. The packaging material tube can be stabilized, for example by embossing, or simply torn without stabilization.

[0008] For example, a roll can be provided as the paper supply unit, the axial length of which is at least half its outer diameter and / or the axial length of which is at most twice its outer diameter. Preferably, the ratio of axial length to outer diameter of the roll can be greater than 0.75, particularly greater than 1, and / or less than 1.75, particularly 1.5. For example, the ratio of axial length to outer diameter of the roll can be approximately 1.25. Preferably, the inner diameter of the roll in its new condition can be less than half the outer diameter. Preferably, the inner diameter of the roll in its new condition is greater than 1 cm, preferably greater than 5 cm, particularly preferably greater than 10 cm, and / or less than 25 cm, preferably less than 20 cm, particularly preferably less than 17.5 cm. For example, the inner diameter of a new roll can be approximately 16 cm.

[0009] Alternatively, a preferably substantially cuboid accordion-folded stack can be provided as the paper supply unit. A cuboid accordion-folded stack, in particular, defines a top and a bottom surface, between which the stack height (vertically) extends. A single accordion-folded stack can have a stack height of 50 mm to 600 mm, in particular 100 mm to 300 mm, preferably 150 mm. A cuboid accordion-folded stack, in particular, defines a length (in the output direction) from a front end face to a rear end face of the stack. A single accordion-folded stack can have a length of 100 mm to 400 mm, in particular 250 mm to 350 mm, preferably 280 mm. A cuboid accordion-folded stack, in particular, can have a stack width (transverse to the length or output direction and transverse to the height or vertical direction) that extends between two opposite side faces of the accordion-folded stack.A single stack of accordion-folded books can have a stack width of 200 mm to 500 mm, in particular 300 mm to 400 mm, preferably 350 mm. Preferably, the stack comprises layers arranged vertically one above the other, with each layer corresponding to a sheet of paper from the web. The end faces of the stack can be formed by the folded edges of adjacent layers of the web. The side faces can be formed by the lateral edges of the web that extend along its length.

[0010] The device comprises a guide funnel with an opening for dispensing packaging material from a paper supply unit, such as a stack of accordion-folded folders or a roll, which is arranged in a dispensing position. In the dispensing position, the paper supply unit, in particular the end face of the roll or accordion-folded folder, can be in contact with an inner surface of the guide funnel, for example, a flat and / or circumferential contact. The guide funnel has an inner contour that tapers towards the opening in the dispensing direction. The opening can, for example, be circular. The cross-sectional width of the opening is smaller than the transverse dimension of the paper supply unit, for example, the outer diameter of the roll or the width of the accordion-folded folder. The width of the opening can, for example, be less than two-thirds, less than half, or less than one-third of the transverse dimension of the paper supply unit in the dispensing position.The funnel axis can be defined by the center line of the guide funnel wall or its tapered inner contour. The funnel axis can run parallel to the output axis. The output opening can be coaxial with the output funnel. The inner contour of the guide funnel can define a funnel axis, with a funnel opening angle of at least 15° and / or at most 75° between the funnel axis and the inner contour. Preferably, the funnel opening angle can be at least 30° and / or at most 60°. Particularly preferably, a funnel opening angle in the range between 40° and 50°, preferably 45°, can be provided. The funnel axis runs centrally, preferably as a rotationally symmetrical axis and / or a mirror-symmetrical axis with respect to the inner contour, through the funnel-shaped tapered inner contour. According to an optional embodiment, the funnel axis runs parallel to the roller axis or...The guide funnel is angled towards the bottom of the accordion-folded stack. The tapered inner contour can have various shapes. For example, it can be conical, frustoconical, pyramidal, elliptical, convex, or concave, etc. The funnel-shaped inner contour is preferably rotationally symmetrical and / or mirror-symmetrical to simplify manufacturing or assembly.

[0011] The device comprises a receiving arrangement for at least partially gripping at least one paper supply unit. The receiving arrangement can be configured, in particular, to grip at least two and / or at most five, preferably exactly three, paper supply units arranged one behind the other in the output direction. Preferably, the multiple paper supply units to be received by the receiving arrangement can be of the same type, in particular of the same dimensions and / or made of the same material.

[0012] Preferably, the receiving arrangement can have a constant, in particular cylindrical half-shell, cross-section along the roll axis. A cylindrical half-shell receiving arrangement preferably has an inner diameter that corresponds substantially (+0...10%) to the outer diameter of the inserted rolls. In particular, the receiving arrangement can have a constant wall diameter in its axial direction, for example, along the roll axis. Preferably, the receiving arrangement is formed in the axial direction free of any resistance in the dispensing direction, in particular free of any axial movement limitation in addition to the guide funnel. According to one embodiment, the receiving arrangement comprises exactly one first paper supply unit, such as a roll or a stack of accordion-folded paper.Alternatively or additionally, the receiving arrangement can have a tray body, which is in particular substantially semi-cylindrical in shape and / or which defines a receiving longitudinal axis that is preferably aligned with, in particular in line with, the output direction and / or preferably aligned with, the longitudinal extension direction of the paper supply unit, in particular in line with, the roll axis of the roll or parallel, preferably plane-parallel, to the underside of the accordion-folded stack. The receiving arrangement can have a tray body made, for example, of plastic, in particular with a wall thickness of less than 5 mm. The tray body of the receiving arrangement is preferably dimensioned with an inner diameter that is at least as large as the width of an accordion-folded stack or the outer diameter of a roll that is provided for loading the device.Preferably, the inner diameter of the receiving arrangement measures at least 20 cm, particularly at least 25 cm, and most preferably at least 30 cm. It may be preferred that the inner diameter of the receiving arrangement is less than 100 cm, particularly less than 50 cm. A tray body can also have a shape other than a semi-cylindrical one, for example, a V-shaped or polygonal cross-section. Instead of the ratios to the receiving diameter described above, a corresponding ratio to the receiving width can then be used. Alternatively, the receiving arrangement can be formed by at least two struts extending in the direction of the output, on which paper supply units, such as rolls or accordion-folded stacks, can rest.A receiving arrangement can comprise several struts extending longitudinally in the output direction and / or transversely to the output direction in order to encompass a packaging material web roll, at least partially. In this respect, a receiving longitudinal axis can also define a receiving arrangement formed by rails and / or struts.

[0013] The device includes a movable transport means, such as a carriage or the like, for moving the at least one paper supply unit, in particular the multiple paper supply units, in the output direction. The transport means can be designed to transport at least one paper supply unit in the receiving arrangement. The transport means can bring at least one paper supply unit into the dispensing position, from which the paper web can be pulled from the paper supply unit, in particular from the inner cavity of the roll or the top of the accordion stack, to form packaging material.

[0014] According to a preferred embodiment of a device for manually or mechanically producing a tube-like packaging material, the transport means is movable such that the receiving arrangement is movable between a gripping position offset rearward opposite to the output direction and a dispensing position located forward in the output direction. Preferably, the transport means can be movable translationally relative to the receiving arrangement. In particular, the transport means can be moved purely translationally. According to a preferred embodiment of a device for producing a tube-like packaging material, the transport means is movable such that the at least one paper supply unit can be moved by means of the transport means from a gripping position offset rearward opposite to the output direction to the dispensing position located forward in the output direction.In particular, the transport device can be movable in such a way that it can move back and forth, especially translationally, between the rearward-positioned gripping position and the forward-positioned dispensing position. For example, a receiving arrangement for several paper supply units can be designed such that a first paper supply unit is initially positioned in the dispensing position, from which the paper web can be discharged from the paper supply unit through the guide funnel and its opening. A second paper supply unit, and possibly further paper supply units, are located in the receiving arrangement behind the first paper supply unit, i.e., further away from the guide funnel and its opening. After the first paper supply unit has been used up, packing personnel can operate the transport device to move the second paper supply unit forward into the dispensing position.Preferably, the transport device can engage the second paper supply unit in a rearward-positioned position, which can be described as the gripping position, in order to move the second paper supply unit to the forward-positioned dispensing position. By actuating the transport device, any further paper supply units that may be present can also be moved forward, up to a position behind the second paper supply unit, which is then in the dispensing position.

[0015] According to a preferred embodiment of a device according to the invention for producing a tube-like packaging material, the transport means comprises an actuating device. The actuating device can be a manual actuating device, such as a lever and / or a handle for manually actuating the transport device. The actuating device can be accessible to a user, such as packing or reloading personnel, at the front and / or rear of the device. The actuating device can convert the manually applied force into a transport force for moving the at least one paper supply unit from a gripping position to the upstream dispensing position. The actuating device can be a motorized actuating device, such as an electronic button with an electric motor for motorized actuation of the transport device. The actuating device can be motorized and, in response to, for example,to use a force generated by a motor to move the means of transport and consequently to move at least one paper supply unit, based on manual operation or a sensor status.

[0016] According to one embodiment of a device for producing a tube-like packaging material, which can be implemented as an alternative or additional to the above description, the transport means can comprise a translationally movable linear conveying element, such as a push and / or pull rod, a rack, a conveyor belt, a conveyor chain, or the like, and / or the transport means can be housed at least partially in a guide arranged adjacent to the receiving arrangement. In particular, the transport means can be housed in a guide arranged immediately adjacent to the receiving arrangement. For example, a translationally movable transport means implemented as a push and / or pull rod can be housed in a pull rod or other translationally movable linear conveying element arranged adjacent to the receiving arrangement.

[0017] According to a preferred embodiment of a device for producing a tube-like packaging material, which can be combined with the preceding embodiments, the conveying means comprises at least one carrier, such as a wedge, for holding a radial outer circumferential surface and / or axial rear surface of at least one paper supply unit to be conveyed. An axial rear surface of a paper supply unit to be conveyed can be the axial end face of the paper supply unit to be conveyed, which points in the direction away from the guide hopper or its opening, or opposite to the dispensing direction. For example, at least one common carrier can be provided for several paper supply units to be conveyed. Alternatively, at least one carrier specific to each supply unit can be provided.In a receiving arrangement for receiving a predetermined number of paper supply units, it is conceivable that a corresponding number of carriers, each assigned to one paper supply unit, are provided.

[0018] According to a further development of the invention, the drive element is movable between an active and a passive position. In the active position, the drive element can be used to move the at least one paper supply unit to be conveyed in the output direction and / or to engage with respect to the at least one paper supply unit to be conveyed, wherein the drive element engages in the transverse direction, particularly radially with respect to the roller axis, to hold the paper supply unit in the receiving arrangement. In a passive position for moving the transport means against the output direction and / or without engaging with respect to the at least one paper supply unit, the at least one drive element in the passive position can preferably be arranged completely outside the receiving arrangement, for example, inside the transport means or inside the guide.If several carriers are provided, it may be preferred that all carriers, preferably independently of each other, are movable between an active position for moving the at least one paper supply unit to be conveyed in the output direction and a passive position for moving the transport means against the output direction or without carrying effect with respect to the at least one paper supply unit.

[0019] According to a further development of the device, which can be combined with the previous ones, the driver can be pre-tensioned in the direction of the active position, in particular by means of a spring, and / or be designed as a body that is swept and / or tapered in the opposite direction to the output direction, such as a wedge or the like.The shape of the carrier can be designed such that, depending on the direction of movement of the transport means, the carrier automatically moves into the active or passive position upon contact with the at least one paper supply unit, wherein in particular the shape of the carrier is designed such that, when the transport means moves from the grasping position in the output direction to the delivery position, the at least one roll is taken along and / or that, when the transport means moves against the output direction, the carrier does not have a taking effect, for example, by guiding it below the at least one paper supply unit.

[0020] According to a further development of the device for producing a tube-like packaging material, the driver can be pivoted between the active and passive positions about a pivot axis that is fixed relative to the transport means. In the passive position, the driver can be folded in. Preferably, in the passive position, the driver can be folded into, through, or next to the transport means. The driver can be folded into, through, or next to a conveying element of the transport means, such as a drawbar, a rack, a conveyor belt, a conveyor chain, or the like.

[0021] According to a preferred embodiment of the device, the inner contour of the guide funnel extends continuously in the output axial direction from its front end towards the receiving arrangement, preferably extending directly to the receiving arrangement. The continuous course of the inner contour in the output axial direction is, in particular, free of jumps, kinks, and / or edges. Specifically, the inner contour can be straight in sections and / or curved in sections in the output axial direction. The axially extending curvature has a radius of curvature of at least 1 cm, preferably at least 2 cm, and in particular at least 5 cm or at least 10 cm. With a smaller radius of curvature, particularly below 0.5 cm, a continuous course can no longer be assumed.Straight and curved sections in the axial output direction preferably transition seamlessly into one another, particularly without steps, kinks, and / or jumps. At a transition between a curved and a straight section, the orientation of the straight section preferably corresponds to a tangent at the end of the curved section. It is also conceivable that a curved section with a first radius of curvature in the output axial direction preferably transitions seamlessly into a curved section with a second, different radius of curvature. For example, the radius of curvature in the first curved section can be larger than in the second curved section. The transition region between two curved sections preferably features a curvature transition that adapts continuously from one radius of curvature to the other.

[0022] The output axis can be oriented at an angle relative to the longitudinal direction of the paper supply unit, for example, to the roll axis or the underside surface of the accordion-fold stack. In other words, the inner contour, and in particular its axially forward end, which defines the output opening, can be shaped such that the output axis, preferably running through the center of the output opening and, in particular, perpendicular to the surface spanned by the output opening, runs at an angle to the roll axis or is skew to the roll axis. The roll axis can be designed according to the central axis of a preferably bowl-shaped receiving arrangement for gripping the paper web roll.The output axis can optionally be oriented transversely to the paper supply unit's longitudinal axis, for example, the roll axis, which runs through the tubular inner cavity of the paper roll. This simplifies user access to the output hopper and, if applicable, the inner cavity of the paper roll or the top surface of the accordion-folded stack, particularly when the output device is located to the side of the user's packaging workstation. It is also conceivable to orient the output axis at a predetermined output angle relative to the roll axis. For example, an output angle between 0° and 90° transverse to the longitudinal axis can be defined. Preferably, the output angle is between 5° and 45°. A more preferred output angle is between 10° and 20°.When the packaging material dispenser is fixed to a packaging workstation in a predetermined position, one of the above-mentioned or another area may be particularly preferably defined for a dispensing angle between the dispensing axial direction and the longitudinal extension direction.

[0023] In a device with a funnel axis that runs transversely to the roller axis, the inner windings of a paper web roll can unintentionally slip out to a minimum inner diameter that is significantly smaller than the guaranteed inner diameter of a paper web roll mounted on a fully rotationally symmetrical funnel with coaxial orientation. This allows for more windings and thus a larger paper web supply. Optionally, the discharge opening can be arranged with its discharge axis preferably cut centrally and offset and / or angled relative to the funnel axis. In such an embodiment, the funnel axis can preferably be arranged transversely to the longitudinal direction, and the discharge can be arranged axially transversely to both the longitudinal direction of the paper supply unit (e.g., the roller axis or the top surface) and the funnel axis.In this way, predetermined angular positions for accordion-folded stacks or paper rolls, the hopper axis, and / or the output material can be configured for a packaging workstation. This ensures optimal positioning of the paper supply unit against the axial support, optimal forming behavior from the paper supply unit into a tubular, spiral packaging material when the paper web is pulled off, for example, from the inside of the paper roll, and / or optimal alignment of the output axis with respect to the packaging workstation. For example, the output axis can run parallel to the hopper axis but axially offset.

[0024] According to one embodiment of a device for manually or mechanically producing a tube-like packaging material, which can be combined with the previous ones, the dispensing opening, preferably completely surrounded by the wall, can form a particularly circular and / or star-shaped passage surface, perpendicular to the dispensing axial direction, which is arranged eccentrically relative to the roller axis. In particular, the dispensing opening can be arranged eccentrically such that the roller axis does not intersect the passage surface. For example, the passage surface at the dispensing opening can be circular, elliptical, star-shaped, or polygonal, preferably with nose-like projections in the form of the front axial recesses.Such a design has proven particularly advantageous for the easy and efficient removal of packaging material from the paper supply unit and simultaneously allows the use of flat or narrow accordion-folded sheets or rolls with a very narrow inner cavity without them unintentionally slipping out of the packaging material dispenser.

[0025] According to one embodiment of a device for producing a tube-like packaging material, the guide funnel can define a substantially rectangular and / or at least partially rounded funnel base cross-section in its receiving-side inlet area, for example, a rear sleeve section. The shape of the funnel base cross-section can be configured to be essentially constant along the funnel axis with varying widths that decrease according to the funnel's taper. For example, the funnel cross-section can be rectangular, and the inner contour of the funnel section can form a pyramidal or frustopyran-shaped inner contour corresponding to the funnel base cross-section. Alternatively, the funnel base cross-section can be cylindrical or oval, and the inner contour of the funnel can be frustoconical or conical, corresponding to the circular and / or oval funnel base cross-section.It is conceivable that a funnel base cross-section has two lateral edges, particularly those meeting at right angles, which are connected at their far corners by a quarter-circle section. Alternatively, short straight edge sections can be provided between two lateral edges of a funnel base cross-section meeting at right angles to each other and a quarter-circle curved section opposite the apex, extending from the ends of the two elongated base sides. Other configurations are conceivable.

[0026] According to a specific embodiment of a device for manually producing a spiral-shaped packaging material, the device is free of a drive, such as an electric drive, for conveying the packaging material and / or the paper web. According to this embodiment, the device is free of conveying means, particularly those driven by motors, such as electric motors, like conveying rollers. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the device is free of cutting means, particularly those driven by motors, such as electric motors, like a cutting device, for example, scissors, a guillotine, or the like.

[0027] According to another particularly preferred embodiment of a device for the automated production of packaging material, the device comprises conveying means, such as conveying and / or forming rollers, for conveying the packaging material and / or the paper web, and, in particular, an electric drive for operating these conveying means. In this preferred embodiment, the device may optionally include an electrically operated separating means, such as a cutting device, for example, scissors, a guillotine, a rotary cutter, or the like, for separating a cushioning material unit, such as a cushioning pad, from the tubular packaging material.

[0028] According to the invention, a system can be provided that includes a device for manually or mechanically producing a tube-like packaging material as described above, and at least one paper supply unit to be conveyed arranged in the receiving arrangement, preferably a roll that defines a roll outer diameter and an axial roll length, and / or a particularly substantially cuboid-shaped leporello stack, wherein the paper supply unit can be moved by means of the transport means in the output direction from a first position, such as a gripping position offset to the rear relative to the guide funnel against the output direction, by at least the axial unit length to a second position, in particular to the dispensing position upstream in the output direction, which can be defined, for example, by a contact contact on the front end face of the paper supply unit with the inner contour of the guide funnel.

[0029] The invention also relates to a packing station with a device for manually or mechanically producing a tube-like packaging material from a paper supply unit, such as a paper web wound into a roll which defines a longitudinal axis and forms an inner cavity, or, in particular, a substantially cuboid-shaped stack of accordion-style folders, from which the paper web can be pulled off in a dispensing direction to form the packaging material. The device can be designed as described above. The packaging material production device of the packing station comprises a receiving arrangement for at least partially gripping at least one paper supply unit, in particular several paper supply units arranged one behind the other in the dispensing direction. Furthermore, the packing station comprises a frame to which this device is attached.The device extends from a front of the rack facing the packing personnel, where the packaging material can be removed, to a rear facing away from the packing personnel, where the receiving arrangement can be loaded with at least one additional paper supply unit. The rack of the packing station has an opening at its front, in particular an opening for a guide hopper of the packaging material generation device, through which the packaging material can be removed. The packing station may have a refill opening at its rear facing the packing personnel, through which the packing station can be loaded with fresh paper supply units. Optionally, the packing station is equipped with a device as described above, which includes a transport means for moving the paper supply units loaded from the rear of the rack to its front.

[0030] According to a further development of a packing station according to the invention, the device for producing a tube-like packaging material can be arranged below, preferably completely below, the top surface of the frame. In particular, the device can be arranged in a shaft formed by the frame, which completely encloses, particularly in a tunnel-like manner, at least half of the receiving arrangement along its extension in the output direction, relative to the longitudinal extension direction of the paper supply unit, for example the roll longitudinal axis.

[0031] According to a preferred embodiment of the packing station, which can be combined with the previous one, the device of the packing station, in particular the receiving arrangement and / or the longitudinal extension direction of the paper supply unit, for example the roll axis or the underside of the accordion stack, can extend essentially horizontally, in particular with an inclination of less than + / -10° or + / - 5°, from paper supply units that can be arranged or arranged within the receiving arrangement, which can preferably be aligned with each other.

[0032] Further preferred embodiments of the invention can be found in the dependent claims. Further properties, advantages, and features of the invention will become clear from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show: Fig. 1a a device according to the invention for producing tubular packaging material loaded with three paper webs wound into rolls; Fig. 1b the device according to the invention. Fig 1a , wherein the paper web of a roll previously located in a delivery position has been completely unwound, so that the delivery position is empty; Fig. 1c the device according to Fig. 1a , starting from the in Fig. 1b In the illustrated state, the two remaining rollers were moved forward by means of a transport device, so that one roller is again in the discharge position; Fig. 1d the device according to Fig. 1a , wherein the means of transport originates from the in Fig. 1c The extended position shown is moved back into a rearward-shifted grasping position; Fig. 2a a perspective view of a packing station according to the invention; Fig. 2b a sectional view of the packing station according to the invention. Fig. 2awith a cross-sectional plane through a device according to the invention for producing a tube-like packaging material; Fig. 3 a possible embodiment of a receiving arrangement for a packaging material producing device according to the invention with two struts parallel to the longitudinal axis of the roll; Fig. 4 another alternative embodiment of a receiving arrangement for a packaging material producing device according to the invention in which paper webs wound into rolls lie on a corrugated plate; Fig. 5a shows a device according to the invention for producing tube-like packaging material loaded with three paper webs folded into accordion stacks; Fig. 5b the device according to Fig. 5a in a top view; Fig. 6 a perspective view of a packing station according to the invention in an alternative embodiment; and Fig. 7 a further alternative embodiment of a receiving arrangement for a packaging material production device according to the invention.

[0033] In the following, the same or similar reference symbols are used for the same or similar components of the different representations for the sake of easier readability and understanding.

[0034] A packaging material dispenser or a device according to the invention for manually or mechanically producing a tubular packaging material is generally referred to below by the reference numeral "1". The device 1 for producing a tubular packaging material from a paper supply unit in the form of a paper web wound into a roll 11 comprises as its main component a receiving arrangement 3 (or 3' or 3") for at least partially encompassing at least one roll, a guide funnel 5 with an opening 7 for dispensing the packaging material from a roll 11 arranged in a dispensing position 50, and a movable transport means 9 for moving the at least one roll 11 in the dispensing direction A. The paper web wound into a roll 11 defines a roll axis R.The paper web rolls 11 are coreless, specifically without a cardboard core, and have a cylindrical inner cavity 13 formed by the innermost layer of the paper web. To produce packaging material, the innermost paper layer is peeled off from the inner cavity 13 of the rolls.

[0035] In the output axial direction A, a forward orientation is defined by the output direction of the packaging material, which is referred to below. With respect to the output axial direction A, the receiving arrangement 3 of the guide funnel 5 is located in front of it. The respective rear end face 17 of the rollers 11 faces into the Figures 1a to 1d The illustrated embodiment is directed towards a rear refill opening side of the device 1. The receiving arrangement 3 can be essentially fully open on the refill rear side of the device 1.

[0036] Provided that the layers of roll 4 wound around each other are still in a state of static friction, as is the case in the Figures 1b and 1c As shown schematically, the front end face 16 of the roller 11 forms a flat or slightly conical (i.e. with an opening angle of almost 180°) front surface 16, which can initially come into contact with the inner contour 51 of the guide funnel 5 along its outer circumference when the rollers 11 are inserted into the device 1.

[0037] During the Figures 1a to 1dIn the preferred embodiment of a packaging material dispenser 1 shown, the paper web rolls 11 are held in a cylindrical, half-shell-shaped receiving arrangement 3, the shape of which is substantially complementary to the outer circumference of the paper web roll 11. The half-shell surrounds the rolls 11 circumferentially with an overlap of approximately 180°, preferably between 160° and 200°. To produce packaging material, the innermost paper layer is peeled from the inner cavity 13, drawn along the funnel-shaped inner contour 51 of the guide funnel 5, and provided through its dispensing opening 7 as a spiral-shaped packaging material.

[0038] The in the Figures 1a to 1d , 2a and 2bThe cup-shaped receiving arrangement 3 shown can be manufactured in one piece from a thin-walled, cylindrical cup, for example made of plastic, with a wall thickness of up to 5 mm or less. It is also conceivable that the receiving arrangement 3 is made of a different material, for example sheet metal. It may be preferred that the rollers 11 and the receiving arrangement 3 are dimensioned to be substantially complementary to each other, for example circular, and / or coaxial or nearly coaxial, whereby a deviation in coaxiality of a few centimeters, for example 0.5 cm to 3 cm, may be tolerable.

[0039] At the axially forward end A of the recording arrangement 3, the connection is made in the Figures 1a to 1d The illustrated design of the guide funnel 5 is preferably located at the point in the Figures 1a to 1cThe preferred embodiment shown is immediately adjacent to the guide funnel. The inlet area of ​​the guide funnel has, for example, a cylindrical cross-section, from which a frustoconical inner guide contour 51 tapers around the funnel axis T towards the discharge opening 7. The inner guide contour 51 extends from the receiving 3 to the discharge opening 7 without obstruction. The guide funnel 5 can preferably be made in one piece from a single part, for example, an injection-molded plastic part or a part made of several plastic components. The guide funnel 5 has a wall thickness that can be substantially constant from 1 mm to 5 mm along the entire axial extent of the guide funnel 5.

[0040] The guide funnel 5 has an inner guide contour 57 that tapers in a funnel-like manner from the receiving area 3 towards the output opening 7. The funnel-shaped inner guide contour 51 defines a funnel axis T. A funnel opening angle is defined between the funnel axis T and the guide contour 51. In general, a funnel opening angle that varies along the circumference can be implemented. It may be preferred that the roller axis R, the funnel axis T, and the output axial direction A are aligned coaxially with each other, as, for example, in the Figures 2a and 2b depicted version.

[0041] The Figures 1a to 1d They each show the same device and differ in the number of rollers 11 present in the receiving arrangement 3, as well as in their position within the receiving arrangement 3 and the position of the transport means 9.

[0042] In Fig. 1aThree rollers 11 are arranged one behind the other in the receiving arrangement 3 in the axial direction A. The roller 11 foremost in the output direction A has a front end face 16, which is located in the immediate vicinity of the guide funnel 5. When the paper web is pulled from the inner side 13 of the front roller 11 and dispensed through the opening 7 of the guide funnel 5, contact with the end face 16 can occur. When spiral or tube-like packaging material is dispensed through the opening 7 of the guide funnel 5, complete or at least partial contact between the front end face 16 and the inner side 51 of the guide funnel can occur (not shown in detail; for further explanation, see DE 20 2012 009 025 U1).

[0043] The foremost roller in output direction A 11 ( Figs. 1a, 1c and 1d) is in a delivery position 50. When the foremost roll 11 is completely unwound and thus consumed by pulling the paper web from the inner cavity 13 of the roll 11, the receiving arrangement 3 at the delivery position 5 is empty, as shown in Fig. 1b depicted. The in Fig. 1b The rolls 11 shown in the recording arrangement 3 are not located at the delivery point 15. If the delivery point 15 is not occupied by a roll 11, as shown in Fig. 1b As shown, a user can no longer simply produce packaging material by pulling a paper web from a roll 11 into receiving arrangement 3 and pulling it through the opening 7 of the guide funnel 5 to cause the paper web to be transformed into packaging material.

[0044] By, as in Fig. 1c shown, the means of transport 9 from the in Fig. 1b shown arrest in the Fig. 1cIf the depicted delivery position is being transported, a roll 11 (or several rolls 11) carried by the transport means 9 can be moved to the delivery position 50. For this purpose, rear rolls 11 ( Fig. 1b ) be shifted forward by at least one roll length 1 in output direction A.

[0045] To move at least one roller 11 into a receiving arrangement 3 of a device for producing a tube-like packaging material, transport means 9 of various designs can be used. The transport means can preferably be implemented as a translationally movable linear conveyor, for example as a rack, conveyor belt, conveyor chain, or the like. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the transport means 9 is implemented by a pull rod 93 with wedge-shaped drivers 8a, 8b and an operating handle 91. Such a manually operated transport means 9 can be preferred to achieve the simplest possible design, particularly free of electronic components, especially for realizing a purely manual device for producing a tube-like packaging material.Alternatively, a mechanical device for producing a tube-like packaging material, which may in particular have a machine-assisted or motor-driven forming device, could be provided with a motorized transport means, for example comprising an electronic operating button for activating an electric drive motor, for example for a conveyor belt, a conveyor chain or the like (not shown in detail). For example, a push rod or the like could be provided for actuating the device from the rear, for example by reloading personnel (not shown in detail).

[0046] In contrast to the execution of Fig. 2a and 2b is in the execution according to Figs. 1a to 1d The output axis A is offset eccentrically relative to the roller axis R. The hopper axis T extends at an angular offset relative to the roller axis R.

[0047] When executing according to the Figures 2a and 2b The output axis A is offset by an angular displacement relative to the roller axis R. The funnel axis T runs parallel to the output axis A and forms an inner funnel contour 5 relative to the roller axis R, essentially according to an oblique cone.

[0048] The following describes the function of the transport device 9 as it is used in the Fig. 1a - 1d (as well as Figs. 2a and 2b ) is shown. In the transverse direction Q, vertically below the receiving arrangement 3 or its shell body, a guide comprising two guide profiles 95 is arranged. The drawbar 93 is slidably mounted in the guide 95. Fixed drivers are mounted on the drawbar 93, which are implemented here by way of example as pivotable wedges 8a, 8b. The transport means 9 is, as in Fig. 1bThe assembly is designed such that for each roller 11 remaining in the receiving arrangement 3 after the front roller has been used up, an individually assigned driver in the form of a wedge 8a or 8b is provided. It is conceivable that, instead, a single, common driver is provided for all remaining rollers 11, which could, for example, be implemented in the form of the driver wedge 8b.

[0049] The transport means 9 is movable by at least one roller length 1 in the direction of the roller longitudinal axis A. It is preferred that at least one stopper is provided, which may be arranged, for example, on the guide 95, the receiving arrangement 3, and / or the transport means, in order to limit the linear movement of the transport means 9 in the direction of the roller longitudinal axis R to a predetermined maximum. One or more stoppers may be provided, for example, to prevent the transport means 9 from falling out of the guide 95 and / or to define at least one position of the transport means, for example, the gripping position and / or the dispensing position.

[0050] In the Fig. 1a, 1b and 1dThe transport means 9 is in a rear gripping position. In this gripping position, the rearmost driver, which here is implemented as the rearmost pivotable wedge 8b, is arranged behind the rearmost roller 11 with respect to the output direction A, in order to be able to come into contact with the rear end face 17 of the rear roller 11.

[0051] In Fig. 1c The means of transport is moved, for example by pulling on the handle 91, into a forward-shifted delivery position in order to engage a roller 11 that was previously moved to the rear (cf. Fig. 1b ) to transfer to delivery position 50 (see Fig. 1cWhen the drawbar 93 is pulled forward, the rear drive comes into contact with the rear roller 11 and moves it along the roller's longitudinal axis R towards the guide funnel 5. Additional rollers 11 located in front of the rear roller 11 (here: one roller 11) are carried along by the movement of the rear roller 11. It is conceivable that the distance between the two of the in Figs. 1b and 1c The rollers 11 shown are dimensioned larger than a roller length 1 (not shown in detail), so that a front carrier, similar to the pivotable wedge 8a shown, can also be in contact with the back of the front roller 11 in order to transfer a driving force from the transport means directly to the roller 11 (without force transmission through movement of the roller).

[0052] At the in Figs. 1a to 1dIn the illustrated embodiments, the carriers are implemented as wedges 8a and 8b. Wedges 8a and 8b are arrow-shaped in the opposite direction to the output direction A. Wedges 8a and 8b are pivotable about a respective pivot axis W and are mounted on the transport element, in this example the drawbar 93. Wedges 8a and 8b are spring-loaded so that they can assume an active transport position (as shown in...). Fig. 1d(as shown), in which the respective driver projects into the receiving arrangement 3 to make contact with a roller 11 in order to pick it up. A wedge 8a or 8b can be flat on a front side facing the output direction A. The receiving arrangement 3 can have at least one access opening for at least one driver, for example, a guide slot. It is conceivable that the receiving arrangement 3 has an individual access opening for each driver of the transport means 9. The spring preload of a driver, for example, the front wedge 8a, can preferably be dimensioned such that it is possible to move the transport means against the output direction A, wherein the front driver, implemented as a wedge 8a, does not exert a driving effect with respect to the rollers 11, but is arranged under the rollers 11 and slides along the outside of the roller(s) 11.

[0053] A rear carrier, such as the wedge 8b, can be pivoted between an active position and a passive position to allow a roll 11 to be refilled into the receiving arrangement 3 from the rear 105 of the packing station 10 without the carrier (here: wedge 8b) being in the way (cf. Fig. 2b ).

[0054] The Figures 2a and 2b Figure 1 shows a packing station. Similar to packing stations known from the prior art, the schematic packing station shown here includes a table-like support surface 104 on which shipping containers can rest to be filled with packaging material by the personnel standing at the front 103 of the packing station 100. The support surface 104 can be supported by a frame 101.

[0055] The frame 101 carries at least one device for manually or mechanically producing a tubular packaging material from a paper web wound into a roll 11. The device, which is integrated into and supported by the frame 101, can be implemented as described above. The packing station 100 is equipped with a receiving arrangement 3 for at least partially gripping at least one roll 11, in particular several rolls 11 arranged one behind the other in the output direction A (in Fig. 2b : three roles 11) designed.

[0056] Paper for forming packaging material can be pulled from the inside 13 of the front roll 11 at the front 103 of the rack 101. At the rear 105 of the rack 101, the receiving arrangement 3 can be used, for example, by a person other than the packing personnel standing at the front 103, with at least one further roll 11.

[0057] Those in Figures 2a and 2b In the illustrated embodiments of a packing station 100, the device is arranged entirely below the top surface 107 of the rack 101. The rack 101 forms, as shown in Fig. 2aA tunnel-like shaft is clearly visible, through which the receiving arrangement 3 of the device extends. The receiving arrangement 3, or the roller axis R, can extend essentially horizontally through the frame 101. In particular, the inclination of the receiving arrangement or the roller axis is less than ± 10° or less than ± 5° with respect to the horizontal. Extending the roller axis R as horizontally as possible allows the weight of a roll 11 to be transferred evenly and / or over a large area from the underside of the roll(s) 11 to the receiving arrangement 3, which is gentle on the paper material. At the same time, a horizontal arrangement of the receiving arrangement 3 and / or the roller axes R allows for relatively precise control over the position and positioning of the rolls 11 in receiving position 3, preventing the roll(s) 11 from slipping due to gravity.

[0058] Recording arrangements can also be formed differently than recording arrangement 3 with a hemispherical body. For example, a recording arrangement 3', as in Fig. 3 The arrangement shown consists of struts or ribs aligned parallel to the roller axis R, for example at least 2, at least 3, at least 4 or more struts, on which at least one roller 11 rests. In the alternative embodiment of a receiving arrangement 3" according to Fig. 4 The receiving arrangement 3" is formed as a wave-like curved plate 33, which has a curved receiving section which corresponds approximately to the curvature of the outer circumferential surface of the rollers 11 and can extend over a width of 60° to 120° along the outside of a roller 11.

[0059] Fig. 5aFigure 1 shows a perspective view of an alternative embodiment according to the invention of a device 1* for producing a tube-like packaging material from a paper supply unit in the form of a paper web folded and stacked into a leporello stack 11*.

[0060] Like the device 1 described above for producing a tube-like packaging material from a paper supply unit in the form of a paper web wound into a roll 11, the device 1* comprises as a main component a receiving arrangement 3* (or according to Fig. 7 : 3 **) for at least partially encompassing at least one stack of leporellos, a guide funnel 5 with an opening 7 for dispensing the packaging material from a stacking unit 11* arranged in a dispensing position 50, and a movable transport means 9 for moving the at least one stack of leporellos 11* in the dispensing direction A.

[0061] A stack of accordion-folded books is typically essentially cuboid in shape with a height h, a length 1, and a width b. The top surface 13* and the typically parallel bottom surface 14* of the stack of accordion-folded books 11* each define a flat surface (l*b). The stack of accordion-folded books 11* can preferably be essentially cuboid, as illustrated by way of example, with the front end face 15 and the rear end face 17 (b*h) oriented in the output axial direction A, and with side surfaces (without reference numerals; l*h) extending in the longitudinal direction L of the stack of accordion-folded books or of the paper web, or essentially in the output direction A. The device 1* according to Figs. 5a and 5b differs from device 1 according to Figs. 1a to 1d essentially only by the type of paper storage unit recorded and the adapted form of the recording arrangement 3 or 3*.

[0062] In Figs. 5a and 5bThe transport device 9 is a pull rod 93 located laterally next to the receiving arrangement 3* (stable according to Figs. 1a to 1d below the recording arrangement 3). It is conceivable that the means of transport 9 is located in the Figs. 5a and 5b The illustrated version is arranged below the receiving arrangement 3*. For the function of the device 1*, refer to the description in Figs. 1a to 1d as well as 2a and 2b, since in device 1* practically the same actuation is realized as in the version described above.

[0063] The packaging material is preferably pulled from the top 13* of a leporello stack (11*)-shaped storage unit. It is conceivable that the paper web is pulled from the front end 5 of the stack 11* if, for example, the stack 11* were oriented vertically downwards with the folded edges of the successive layers of the leporello stack defined.

[0064] The in Fig. 6 The perspective representation of packing station 100 corresponds essentially to 100, wherein instead of the device 1 described above for receiving roll-shaped paper storage units, a device 1* for receiving accordion-stacked storage units is provided.

[0065] Fig. 7 essentially corresponds Fig. 3 , wherein the receiving arrangement 3** formed by two struts is provided for receiving the leporello-stacked storage units. As in Fig. 7 As shown, the struts can have a square cross-section and form a strut top that can be oriented essentially flush with the bottom 14* of the leporello stack 11*. It should be clear that in the recording arrangement 3**, the struts are as shown in Fig. 7shown, it can also have a different cross-sectional shape, for example a round cross-sectional shape, or that a leporello stack 11* as starting material can also be provided with a different type of receiving arrangement, for example the semi-cylindrical receiving arrangement 3, the receiving arrangement 3** formed by two inclined struts, or even a receiving arrangement 3** formed by a corrugated sheet. Likewise, it is conceivable that a paper supply unit in the form of a roll 11 in a receiving arrangement with a substantially rectangular cross-section, such as the one shown in Figs. 5a and 5b shown receiving arrangement 3**, can be accommodated or on the parallel, flat struts of the receiving arrangement 3** according to Fig. 7 . Reference symbol list

[0066] 1, 1*Packaging material dispenser 3, 3' or 3", 3*, 3**Receiving arrangement 4Roller 5Guide funnel 7Dispensing opening 8a, 8bCarrier 9Transport means 10Packing station 11Roller 11*Accordion stack 13Cylindrical inner cavity 13*Top 14*Bottom 15Dispensing position 16Front end 17Rear end 33Wavy curved plate 50Dispensing position 51Guide inner contour 91Operating handle 93Pull rod 95Guide profiles 100Packing station 101Frame 103Front 104Support surface 105Back 107Frame top ADispensing direction QTransverse direction RRoller axis TFunnel axis WSwivel axis hHeight bWidth lLength dDiameter

Claims

1. Device (1) for manually or mechanically producing a tube-like packaging material from a paper supply unit, such as a paper web which is wound up to form a roll (11) and which defines a roll longitudinal axis (R) and which forms an inner cavity (13), or a paper web which is folded to form a fanfold stack (11*) and which defines an upper side (13*) from which the paper web can be drawn off in order to form the packaging material, comprising: a guide funnel (5) with an opening (7) for dispensing the packaging material from a paper supply unit which is arranged in a dispensing position (50), wherein the guide funnel (5) has an inner contour (51) which tapers in a dispensing direction (A) towards the opening (7); and a receiving arrangement (3, 3', 3"), such as a tube magazine, for at least partially circumferentially encompassing at least one paper supply unit, in particular at least 2 and / or at most 5, preferably exactly 3, paper supply units which are arranged one behind the other in the dispensing direction (A), characterized in that the device has a movable transport means (9), such as a carriage or the like, for displacing at least the at least one paper supply unit in the dispensing direction (A), wherein the transport means (9) is provided to transport at least one paper supply unit in the receiving arrangement (3, 3', 3") and to bring it into the dispensing position.

2. Device according to Claim 1, wherein the transport means (9) is preferably movable, in particular translationally, relative to the receiving arrangement (3, 3', 3") in such a way that the transport means (9) is movable from a gripping position which is offset rearwards counter to the dispensing direction (A) into a dispensing position which is arranged upstream in the dispensing direction (A), in particular between a gripping position which is offset rearwards counter to the dispensing direction (A) and a dispensing position which is arranged upstream in the dispensing direction (A).

3. Device according to either of the preceding claims, wherein the transport means (9) comprises an actuating device, in particular a manual actuating device, such as a lever and / or handle (91), for manually actuating the transport device, or a motorized actuating device, such as an electronic button with an electric motor for motorized actuation of the transport device, and / or wherein the transport means (9) comprises a translationally movable linear conveying means, such as a push and / or pull rod (93), a toothed rack, a conveyor belt, a conveyor chain or the like, and / or wherein the transport means (9) is accommodated at least partially in a guide (95) which is arranged adjacent, preferably directly adjacent, to the receiving arrangement (3, 3', 3").

4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the transport means (9) comprises at least one driver, such as a wedge (8a, 8b), for holding a radial outer circumferential face (15) and / or axial rear face (17) of at least one paper supply unit to be conveyed, wherein in particular at least one common driver or in each case at least one supply-unit-specific driver is provided for a plurality of paper supply units to be conveyed.

5. Device according to Claim 4, wherein the at least one driver is movable between an active position for moving the at least one paper supply unit to be conveyed in the dispensing direction (A) and / or for driver engagement with respect to the at least one paper supply unit to be conveyed, in which active position the driver engages in the receiving arrangement (A) in the transverse direction, in particular in the radial direction (Q) with respect to the roll axis (R), in order to hold the paper supply unit, and a passive position for moving the transport means counter to the dispensing direction (A) and / or without driver action with respect to the paper supply units, in which passive position the driver is preferably arranged completely outside the receiving arrangement (3, 3', 3").

6. Device according to Claim 4 or 5, wherein the driver is pretensioned in the direction of the active position, in particular by means of a spring, and / or wherein the driver is configured as a body which is deflected counter to the dispensing direction (A) and / or tapers, such as a wedge (8a, 8b) or the like.

7. Device according to Claim 5 or 6, wherein the driver is pivotable between the active position and the passive position about a pivot axis (W) which is stationary relative to the transport means (9), and / or wherein, in the passive position, the driver is folded into, through or next to the transport means (9), in particular a linear conveying means of the transport means (9).

8. System comprising a device (1) according to one of the preceding claims and at least one paper supply unit to be conveyed which is arranged in the receiving arrangement (3, 3', 3") and which defines an axial length (l), wherein the paper supply unit is movable by means of the transport means (9) in the dispensing direction (A) from a first position by at least the axial length (l) into a second position.

9. Packing station (100) with a device (1) according to one of the preceding claims for manually or mechanically producing a tube-like packaging material from a paper supply unit, such as a paper web which is wound up to form a roll (11) and which defines a roll longitudinal axis (R) and which forms an inner cavity (13), or a paper web which is folded to form a fanfold stack (11*) and which defines an upper side (13*) from which the paper web can be drawn off in order to form the packaging material in a dispensing direction (A), which comprises a receiving arrangement (3, 3', 3") for at least partially circumferentially encompassing at least one paper supply unit, in particular a plurality of paper supply units which are arranged one behind the other in the dispensing direction (A), characterized by a frame (101) to which the device (1) is fastened, wherein the device (1) extends from a front side (103) of the frame, which front side is to be turned towards the packing personnel, where the packaging material can be drawn off, to a rear side (105), which rear side is to be turned away from the packing personnel, where the receiving arrangement (3, 3', 3") can be occupied with at least one further paper supply unit.

10. Packing station (100) according to Claim 9, wherein the device is preferably arranged completely below a frame upper side (107) of the frame (101), and / or wherein the device (1), in particular the receiving arrangement (3, 3', 3"), in particular the roll axes (R) or the underside (14*), extends substantially horizontally, in particular with an inclination of less than ±10° or ±5°, from paper supply units which can preferably be arranged in alignment within the receiving arrangement (3, 3', 3").

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