Device for manually or mechanically producing a tubular packaging material, and packaging station

Abstract

Device for manually or mechanically producing a tubular packaging material from a paper supply unit, such as a paper web wound into a roll, which defines a longitudinal roll axis and which forms an internal cavity, or a paper web folded into a leporello stack, which defines an upper side from which the paper web can be pulled off to form the packaging material, comprising a guide funnel with an opening for dispensing the packaging material from a paper supply unit arranged in a dispensing position, wherein the guide funnel has an inner contour tapering towards the opening in a dispensing direction;and a receiving arrangement, such as a tube magazine, for at least partially encompassing at least one paper supply unit, in particular at least 2 and / or at most 5, preferably exactly 3, paper supply units arranged one behind the other in the dispensing direction, wherein the device has a movable transport means, such as a carriage or the like, for displacing at least the at least one paper supply unit in the dispensing 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, which forms an internal cavity, or a paper web folded into a fan-fold stack, which defines a bottom side from which the paper web can be peeled off 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 holder into which a paper supply unit in the form of a paper web roll can be inserted. The axial holder is implemented as a conical output funnel with a tapered inner contour. The receptacle is formed by a half-shell. At the front end of the half-shell is the rotationally symmetrical output funnel with a conical inner and outer contour. In the packaging material dispenser, the starting material for the tubular packaging material is a paper web wound into a roll, which is inserted into the receptacle and surrounds the roll. The roll has an internal cavity from which the paper web can be pulled off to form spiral and tubular packaging material.The packaging material roll, the half-shell, the frustoconical discharge hopper and its discharge opening are all arranged coaxially to each other.

[0003] The packaging material dispenser known from DE 20 2012 009 025 U1 enjoys great popularity because it is maintenance-free, easy to operate, and particularly well-suited to small mail-order companies for producing packaging material to fill hollow spaces 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 form a packing station. The packaging material dispenser can be attached to the tabletop, for example, via a mounting plate, or to a table leg using a swivel mechanism. When so many packages have been filled with packaging material using the manual packaging material dispenser that the paper web roll is exhausted, the packing staff can simply add a new roll.Mail-order companies with high throughput volumes, in particular, want to ensure that shipping containers are filled with packaging material as continuously as possible. Filling breaks for reloading are particularly undesirable.

[0004] 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 tubular 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.

[0005] This problem is solved by the subject matter of independent claims 1 and 9.

[0006] Accordingly, 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, which forms an internal cavity, or from a paper web folded into a fanfold stack, which defines a top and a bottom, from which the paper web can be peeled off 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, flat, web-like starting material in the form of a paper supply unit, such as a fanfold stack or a paper web roll, into a three-dimensional structure having at least one crumple cavity to provide a dampening and cushioning function.Such a crumple cavity can extend in the longitudinal direction of the packaging material. In this respect, the packaging material can be described as a tubular packaging material. The packaging material tube can be stabilized, for example, by embossing, or simply torn off without stabilization.

[0007] 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, in particular greater than 1, and / or less than 1.75, in particular 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 new condition can be less than half the outer diameter. Preferably, the inner diameter in new condition of the roll is greater than 1 cm, preferably greater than 5 cm, more preferably greater than 10 cm, and / or less than 25 cm, preferably less than 20 cm, more preferably less than 17.5 cm. For example, an inner diameter of a new roll can be approximately 16 cm.

[0008] Alternatively, a preferably substantially cuboid-shaped fanfold stack can be provided as the paper supply unit. A particularly cuboid-shaped fanfold stack defines a top side and a bottom side, between which the stack height extends (vertically). An individual fanfold stack can have a stack height of 50 mm to 600 mm, in particular 100 mm to 300 mm, preferably 150 mm. A particularly cuboid-shaped fanfold stack defines a length (in the output direction) from a front end to a rear end of the stack. An individual fanfold stack can have a length of 100 mm to 400 mm, in particular 250 mm to 350 mm, preferably 280 mm. A particularly cuboid-shaped fanfold stack 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 surfaces of the fanfold stack.A single fanfold stack can have a stack width of 200 mm to 500 mm, in particular 300 mm to 400 mm, preferably 350 mm. The fanfold stack preferably comprises layers arranged vertically one above the other, whereby, in particular, one stack layer can correspond to a sheet of paper of the paper web. The end faces of the fanfold stack can be formed by the folded edges of adjacent layers of the paper web. The side surfaces can be formed by the lateral edges of the paper web that extend along the paper web.

[0009] The device comprises a guide funnel with an opening for dispensing the packaging material from a paper supply unit, for example a fanfold stack 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 fanfold stack, can be in contact, for example, over a wide area and / or around the circumference, with an inner side of the guide funnel. The guide funnel has an inner contour that tapers towards the opening in a dispensing direction. The opening can be circular, for example. 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 fanfold stack. The width of the opening can, for example, be less than 2 / 3, less than half, or less than 1 / 3 of the transverse dimension of the paper supply unit in the dispensing point.A center line of the wall of the guide funnel or its tapered inner contour can define the funnel axis. The funnel axis can run according to the axial output direction. The output opening can be coaxial to the output funnel. The inner contour of the guide funnel can define a funnel axis, wherein a funnel opening angle of at least 15° and / or at most 75° is spanned between the funnel axis and the inner contour. Preferably, the funnel opening angle can span 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 with respect to the inner contour as an axis of rotational symmetry and / or mirror symmetry, through the funnel-like tapered inner contour. According to an optional embodiment, the funnel axis runs relative to which the roller axis orThe tapered inner contour of the guide funnel can have various shapes. For example, it can be conical, truncated conical, pyramidal, elliptical, convex or concave, etc. The funnel-shaped tapered inner contour can preferably be rotationally symmetrical and / or mirror-symmetrical to simplify production or assembly.

[0010] The device comprises a receiving arrangement for at least partially encompassing at least one paper supply unit circumferentially. The receiving arrangement can be designed in particular for circumferentially encompassing at least two and / or at most five, preferably exactly three, paper supply units arranged one behind the other in the dispensing direction. The plurality of paper supply units to be received by the receiving arrangement can preferably be of the same type, in particular have the same dimensions and / or consist of the same material. The receiving arrangement can preferably have a constant, in particular cylindrical half-shell-shaped, cross-section along the roll axis. A cylindrical half-shell-shaped receiving arrangement preferably has an inner diameter that essentially corresponds (+0...10%) to the outer diameter of the inserted rolls.In particular, the receiving arrangement can have a constant wall diameter along its axial extension, for example, along the roll axis. Preferably, the receiving arrangement is formed free of any resistance in the axial direction in the dispensing direction, in particular free of any axial movement limitation additional to the guide funnel. According to one embodiment, the receiving arrangement comprises precisely one first paper supply unit, such as a roll or a fanfold stack.Alternatively or additionally, the receiving arrangement can have a shell body which is in particular substantially semi-cylindrical in shape and / or which defines a receiving longitudinal axis which is preferably aligned correspondingly, in particular aligned, to the dispensing direction and / or preferably correspondingly, to the longitudinal direction of the paper supply unit, in particular aligned with the roll axis of the roll or parallel, preferably plane-parallel, to the underside of the fanfold stack. The receiving arrangement can have a shell body, for example made of plastic, in particular with a wall thickness of less than 5 mm. The shell body of the receiving arrangement is preferably dimensioned with an inner diameter which is at least as large as the width of a fanfold stack or the outer diameter of a roll which is provided for loading the device.The inner diameter of the receiving arrangement preferably measures at least 20 cm, in particular at least 25 cm, particularly preferably at least 30 cm. It may be preferred that the inner diameter of the receiving arrangement is less than 100 cm, in particular less than 50 cm. A tray body can also have a shape other than semi-cylindrical, for example a V-shaped cross-section or a polygonal cross-section. Instead of the ratios to the receiving diameter described above, a corresponding ratio to the receiving transverse width can then be used. Alternatively, the receiving arrangement can be formed by at least two struts extending in the direction of output, on which paper supply units, such as rolls or fanfold stacks, can lie.A receiving arrangement can comprise a plurality of struts extending longitudinally in the dispensing direction and / or transversely to the dispensing direction in order to at least partially encompass a packaging material web roll. In this respect, a receiving longitudinal axis can also define a receiving arrangement formed by rails and / or struts.

[0011] The device comprises a movable transport means, such as a carriage or the like, for displacing the at least one paper supply unit, in particular the plurality of paper supply units, in the dispensing direction. The transport means can be provided 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 the inner cavity of the roll or the top side of the fanfold stack, to form packaging material.

[0012] According to a preferred embodiment of a device for manually or mechanically producing a tubular packaging material, the transport means is movable such that the receiving arrangement is movable between a gripping position offset rearwardly, counter to the dispensing direction, and a delivery position forwardly in the dispensing direction. Preferably, the transport means can be translationally movable relative to the receiving arrangement. In particular, the transport means can be purely translationally movable. According to a preferred embodiment of a device for producing a tubular packaging material, the transport means is movable such that the at least one paper supply unit can be displaced by means of the transport means from a gripping position offset rearwardly, counter to the dispensing direction, to the delivery position forwardly in the dispensing direction.In particular, the transport means can be movable in such a way that the transport means can be moved back and forth, in particular in a translational manner, between the gripping position offset to the rear and the delivery position arranged upstream in the delivery direction. For example, a receiving arrangement for receiving a plurality of paper supply units can be designed in such a way that a first paper supply unit is initially arranged in the delivery 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, as well as 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 actuate the transport means to move the second paper supply unit forward into the delivery position.Preferably, the transport means can grasp the second paper supply unit in a rearwardly offset position, which can be referred to as the gripping position, in order to move the second paper supply unit into the forward delivery position. By actuating the transport means, any additional paper supply units present can also be moved forward to a position behind the previously second paper supply unit, which is then in the delivery position.

[0013] According to a preferred embodiment of a device according to the invention for producing a tubular 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 at the front and / or the rear of the device for a user, such as packing personnel or reloading personnel. 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, for example,in response to a manual operation or a sensor status, to use a force generated by a motor to move the transport means and consequently to move at least one paper supply unit.

[0014] According to one embodiment of a device for producing a tubular packaging material, which can be implemented alternatively or in addition to what has been described above, the transport means can comprise a translationally movable linear conveyor, 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 at least partially accommodated in a guide arranged adjacent to the receiving arrangement. In particular, the transport means can be accommodated in a guide arranged directly adjacent to the receiving arrangement. For example, a translationally movable transport means implemented as a push and / or pull rod can be accommodated in a pull rod or other translationally movable linear conveyor arranged adjacent to the receiving arrangement.

[0015] According to a preferred embodiment of a device for producing a tubular packaging material, which can be combined with the above, the transport means comprises at least one driver, such as a wedge, for holding a radial outer peripheral 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 designate the axial end face of the paper supply unit to be conveyed, which faces in the direction away from the guide funnel or its opening, or opposite to the output direction. For example, at least one common driver can be provided for several paper supply units to be conveyed. Alternatively, at least one driver can be provided for each individual supply unit.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 a paper supply unit are provided.

[0016] According to a further development of the invention, the driver is movable between an active position and a passive position. In the active position, the driver can be used to move the at least one paper supply unit to be conveyed in the output direction and / or for a driver engagement with respect to the at least one paper supply unit to be conveyed, wherein the driver engages in the receiving arrangement in the transverse direction, in particular in the radial direction with respect to the roller axis, to hold the paper supply unit. In a passive position for moving the transport means counter to the output direction and / or without a driver effect with respect to the at least one paper supply unit, the at least one driver can preferably be arranged completely outside the receiving arrangement, for example within the transport means or within the guide.If several carriers are provided, it may be preferred that all carriers, preferably independently of one another, 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 opposite to the output direction or without a carrier effect with respect to the at least one paper supply unit.

[0017] According to a further development of the device, which can be combined with the previous ones, the driver can be pretensioned in the direction of the active position, in particular by means of a spring and / or can be designed as a body which is swept and / or tapered opposite to the dispensing direction, such as a wedge or the like.The shape of the driver can be designed such that, depending on the direction of movement of the transport means, the driver automatically moves into the active position or passive position when it hits the at least one paper supply unit, wherein in particular the shape of the driver is designed such that when the transport means moves from the gripping position in the dispensing direction to the delivery position, the at least one roll is entrained and / or that when the transport means moves opposite to the dispensing direction, the driver does not exert any entrainment effect, for example guides it underneath the at least one paper supply unit.

[0018] According to a further development of the device for producing a tubular packaging material, the carrier can be pivoted between the active position and the passive position about a pivot axis that is fixed relative to the transport means. In particular, the carrier can be folded in the passive position. Preferably, the carrier can be folded into the transport means, through the transport means, or alongside the transport means in the passive position. The carrier can be folded in, through, or alongside a conveying means of the transport means, such as a pull rod, a rack, a conveyor belt, a conveyor chain, or the like.

[0019] According to a preferred embodiment of the device, the inner contour of the guide funnel runs continuously in the output axial direction, starting at the front end of the guide funnel in the output axial direction to the receiving arrangement, preferably up to immediately adjacent 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. In particular, the inner contour can run in sections in a straight line and / or in sections with a curve. The curve extending in the axial direction has a radius of curvature that is at least 1 cm, preferably at least 2 cm, in particular at least 5 cm or at least 10 cm. With a smaller radius of curvature, in particular below 0.5 cm, a continuous course can no longer be assumed.Sections that are straight in the axial output direction and curved in the axial output direction preferably merge continuously into one another, in particular 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 for a curved section with a first radius of curvature in the output axial direction to preferably merge continuously 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 has a curvature transition that continuously adapts from one radius of curvature to the other.

[0020] The axial output direction 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 of the fanfold stack. In other words, the inner contour, and in particular its axially leading end, which defines the output opening, can be shaped such that the axial output direction, 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 relative to the roll axis or skewed to the roll axis. The roll axis can be designed to correspond to the center axis of a preferably bowl-shaped receiving arrangement for encompassing the paper web roll.The orientation of the axial output direction is therefore optionally transverse to the paper supply unit's paper supply longitudinal direction, for example the roll axis, which runs through the tubular inner cavity of the paper web roll, so that the user's intervention in the output funnel and, if applicable, the paper web roll's inner cavity or the fanfold stack top surface is simplified, particularly if the output device is arranged to the side of the user's packaging workstation. It is conceivable to orient the axial output direction at a predetermined output angle relative to the roll axis. For example, an output angle between 0° and 90° can be defined transversely to the longitudinal direction. Preferably, the output angle is between 5° and 45°. Particularly preferably, an output angle between 10° and 20° can be defined.With a predetermined fastening of the packaging material dispenser to a packaging workstation, one of the above-mentioned or another range can be particularly preferably defined for an output angle between the output axial direction and the longitudinal extension direction.

[0021] In a device with a hopper axis that runs transversely to the roll axis, unintentional sliding out of the inner windings of a paper web roll can be achieved down to a narrowest inner diameter, which is significantly narrower than the secured inner diameter of a paper web roll realized on a fully rotationally symmetrical hopper with coaxial alignment of the hopper. This allows more windings and thus a larger paper web supply to be provided. Optionally, the discharge opening can be arranged offset and / or angled relative to the hopper axis, preferably intersecting the central axial discharge direction. In such an embodiment, the hopper axis can preferably be arranged transversely to the longitudinal direction and the discharge in the axial direction can be arranged transversely both to the longitudinal direction of the paper supply unit, such as the roll axis or the top surface, and to the hopper axis.In this way, for example, predetermined angular positions for fanfold stacks or paper web rolls, the former axis, and / or output material can be configured with respect to a packaging workstation. This allows the paper supply unit to be optimally held in its receptacle against the axial support, to ensure good forming behavior of the paper supply unit into a tubular, spiral-shaped packaging material when the paper web is pulled off, for example, from the inside of the paper web roll, and / or to ensure a particularly favorable orientation of the output axial direction with regard to the packaging workstation. For example, the output axial direction can run parallel and axially offset relative to the former axis.

[0022] According to one embodiment of a device for manually or mechanically producing a tubular packaging material, which can be combined with the previous embodiments, the dispensing opening, which is preferably completely surrounded by the wall, can form a particularly circular and / or star-shaped passage surface perpendicular to the axial dispensing 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 extensions in the form of the front axial recesses.Such a design has proven particularly advantageous for good and easy removal of the packaging material from the paper supply unit and at the same time allows the use of flat or narrow fanfold stacks or rolls with a very narrow inner cavity without them accidentally slipping out of the packaging material dispenser.

[0023] According to one embodiment of a device for producing a tubular 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 region, for example a rear sleeve section. The shape of the funnel base cross-section can be configured to be substantially constant along the funnel axis with varying widths that decrease according to the funnel taper. The funnel cross-section can, for example, be rectangular, and the inner contour of the funnel section can form a pyramidal or truncated pyramid-shaped inner contour corresponding to the funnel base cross-section. Alternatively, the funnel base cross-section can be cylindrical or oval, and the funnel inner contour can be frustoconical or conical in shape corresponding to the circular and / or oval funnel base cross-section.It is conceivable for a funnel base cross-section to have two side edges, particularly those that abut one another at right angles, which are connected at their mutually distant corners by a quarter-circular section. Alternatively, short, straight edge sections can be provided between two side edges of a funnel base cross-section that are at right angles to one another and a quarter-circular curved section opposite the tip, extending from the ends of the two elongated base sides. Other configurations are conceivable.

[0024] According to a specific embodiment of a device for manually producing a spiral-tube-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, in particular, motor-driven, such as electric-driven, conveying means, such as conveyor rollers. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the device is free of, in particular, motor-driven, such as electric-driven, separating means, such as a cutting device, for example, scissors, a guillotine, or the like.

[0025] According to another specific preferred embodiment of a device for the mechanical production of a packaging material, the device comprises conveying means, such as conveying and / or forming rollers, for conveying the packaging material and / or the paper web, as well as a particularly electric drive for operating these conveying means. In this preferred embodiment, the device can optionally have an electrically operated separating means, such as a cutting device, for example a pair of 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.

[0026] According to the invention, a system can be provided that comprises a device for manually or mechanically producing a tubular packaging material as described above and at least one paper supply unit to be conveyed, which is arranged in the receiving arrangement, preferably a roll which defines an outer roll diameter and an axial roll length and / or a particularly substantially cuboid-shaped fanfold stack, wherein the paper supply unit can be moved by means of the transport means in the dispensing direction from a first position, such as a gripping position offset rearwardly relative to the guide funnel counter to the dispensing direction, by at least the axial unit length into a second position, in particular into the dispensing position upstream in the dispensing direction, which can be defined, for example, by a touch contact on the front end side of the paper supply unit with the inner contour of the guide funnel.

[0027] 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, such as a paper web wound into a roll, which defines a longitudinal roll axis and forms an internal cavity, or from a particularly substantially cuboid-shaped fanfold stack, 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 producing device of the packing station comprises a receiving arrangement for at least partially encompassing the circumference of at least one paper supply unit, in particular a plurality of paper supply units arranged one behind the other in the dispensing direction. Furthermore, the packing station comprises a frame to which this device is fastened.The device extends from a front side of the frame facing the packing staff, where the packaging material can be removed, to a rear side facing away from the packing staff, where the receiving arrangement can be occupied with at least one further paper supply unit. The frame of the packing station has an opening on its front side, in particular an opening of a guide funnel of the packaging material generating device, through which the packaging material can be removed. The packing station can have a refill opening on its rear side facing away from the packing staff, through which the packing station can be occupied with fresh paper supply units. Optionally, the packing station is equipped with a device as described above, which comprises a transport means for transporting the paper supply units loaded from the rear from the rear of the frame to the front thereof by means of the transport means.

[0028] According to a further development of a packing station according to the invention, the device for producing a tubular packaging material can be arranged below, preferably completely below, a frame top side of the frame. In particular, the device can be arranged in a shaft formed by the frame, which completely encloses at least the receiving arrangement, in particular at least half of its extension in the dispensing direction relative to the longitudinal extension direction of the paper supply unit, for example, the longitudinal axis of the roll, particularly in a tunnel-like manner.

[0029] 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 fanfold stack, can extend substantially horizontally, in particular with an inclination of less than + / - 10° or + / - 5°, from the paper supply unit which can be arranged or is arranged within the receiving arrangement and which can preferably be arranged in alignment with one another.

[0030] Further preferred embodiments of the invention can be found in the subclaims. 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, in which: Fig. 1a shows a device according to the invention for producing tubular packaging material loaded with three paper webs wound into rolls; Fig. 1b shows the device according to. Fig. 1a , wherein the paper web of a roll previously lying in a dispensing position has been completely removed, so that the dispensing position is empty; Fig. 1c the device according to. Fig. 1a , starting from the Fig. 1b . shown state, the two remaining rolls were moved forward with the help of a transport means, so that one roll is again in the dispensing position; Fig. 1d the device according to Fig. 1a , whereby the means of transport from the Fig. 1c shown pulled-out position is shifted back into a rearwardly displaced gripping 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 according to Fig. 2awith a sectional plane transversely through a device according to the invention for producing a tubular packaging material; Fig. 3 shows 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 shows 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 tubular packaging material loaded with three paper webs folded into fanfold stacks; Fig. 5b shows the device according to Fig. 5a in a plan view; Fig. 6 shows a perspective view of a packing station according to the invention according to an alternative embodiment; and Fig. 7 shows a further alternative embodiment of a receiving arrangement for a packaging material producing device according to the invention.

[0031] In the following, the same or similar reference symbols are used for the same or similar components of the different representations for easier readability and comprehensibility.

[0032] A packaging material dispenser according to the invention or a device according to the invention for manually or mechanically producing a tubular packaging material is generally designated by the reference symbol "1" below. 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 displacing 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 designed without a core, in particular 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 removed from the inner cavity 13 of the rolls.

[0033] In the output axial direction A, a forward orientation is defined by the output direction of the packaging material, to which reference is made below. With respect to the output axial direction A, the guide funnel 5 is arranged in front of the receiving arrangement 3. The respective rear end face 17 of the rollers 11 faces Figures 1a to 1d illustrated embodiment in the direction of a rear refill opening side of the device 1. At the refill rear side of the device 1, the receiving arrangement 3 can be substantially fully open.

[0034] As long as the layers of the roll 4 wound around each other are still in a state of static friction, as in the Figures 1b and 1c As shown schematically, the front end face 16 of the roller 11 forms a flat or slightly conical (ie 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.

[0035] In 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 that is essentially shaped to complement the outer circumference of the paper web roll 11. The half-shell surrounds the rolls 11 in the circumferential direction with an overlap of approximately 180°, preferably between 160° and 200°. To produce packaging material, the innermost paper layer is pulled off the inner cavity 13, pulled along the funnel-shaped inner contour 51 of the guide funnel 5, and provided through its dispensing opening 7 as spiral-tube-shaped packaging material.

[0036] The Figures 1a to 1d , 2a and 2bThe shell-shaped receiving arrangement 3 shown can be manufactured in one piece from a cylindrical shell-shaped, thin wall, for example made of plastic, with a wall thickness of up to 5 mm or less. It is conceivable for the receiving arrangement 3 to be made of a different material, for example sheet metal. It may be preferred for the rollers 11 and the receiving arrangement 3 to be dimensioned to match one another in such a way that they are essentially formed with a complementary shape to one another, for example circular, and / or are formed coaxially or almost coaxially to one another, wherein a deviation in the coaxiality of a few centimeters, for example 0.5 cm to 3 cm, can be tolerable.

[0037] At the front end of the receiving arrangement 3 in the axial direction A, the Figures 1a to 1d shown design of the guide funnel 5 preferably at the in the Figures 1a to 1cdirectly adjacent to the preferred embodiment shown. The inlet area of ​​the guide funnel has, for example, a cylindrical basic cross-section, from which a frustoconical guide inner contour 51 tapers around the funnel axis T in the direction of the dispensing opening 7. The guide inner contour 51 runs unobstructed from the receptacle 3 to the dispensing opening 7. 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 manufactured from several plastic components. The guide funnel 5 has a wall which can have an essentially constant wall thickness of 1 mm to 5 mm along the entire axial extent of the guide funnel 5.

[0038] The guide funnel 5 has on its inside a funnel-like tapered inner guide contour 57 from the receptacle 3 in the direction of the discharge opening 7. The funnel-like tapered inner guide contour 51 defines a funnel axis T. A funnel opening angle is spanned between the funnel axis T and the guide inner contour 51. In general, a variable funnel opening angle can be realized in the circumferential direction. It may be preferred that the roller axis R, the funnel axis T and the discharge axial direction A are aligned coaxially with each other, as for example in the Figures 2a and 2b shown version.

[0039] The Figures 1a to 1d 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.

[0040] In Fig. 1aThree rolls 11 are arranged one behind the other in the receiving arrangement 3 in the axial direction A. The foremost roll 11 in the dispensing direction A has a front end face 16 which is arranged in the immediate vicinity of the guide funnel 5. If the paper web is pulled off the inner side 13 of the front roll 11 and dispensed through the opening 7 of the guide funnel 5, contact with the end face 16 can occur. When spiral-shaped or tubular packaging material is dispensed through the opening 7 of the guide funnel 5, complete or at least partial contact can occur between the front end face 16 and the inner side 51 of the guide funnel (not shown in detail; for further explanation, reference is made to DE 20 2012 009 025 U1).

[0041] The frontmost roller 11 ( Figs. 1a, 1c and 1d) is located in a delivery position 50. When the foremost roll 11 is completely unwound by pulling the paper web from the inner cavity 13 of the roll 11 and is thus used up, the receiving arrangement 3 is empty at the delivery position 5, as shown in Fig. 1b The Fig. 1b The rollers 11 shown in the receiving arrangement 3 are not located in the delivery position 15. If the delivery position 15 is not occupied by a roller 11, as in Fig. 1b As shown, a user can no longer easily produce packaging material by pulling a paper web from a roll 11 in receiving arrangement 3 and pulling it through the opening 7 of the guide funnel 5 to cause the paper web to be transformed into a packaging material.

[0042] By, as in Fig. 1c shown, the means of transport 9 from the Fig.1b shown gripping position into the Fig. 1cshown delivery position, a roll 11 (or several rolls 11) carried by the transport means 9 can be moved into the delivery position 50. For this purpose, rear rolls 11 ( Fig. 1b ) must be shifted forward by at least one roll length 1 in the output direction A.

[0043] In order to move at least one roller 11 into a receiving arrangement 3 of a device for producing a tubular packaging material, transport means 9 of very different 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 actuating handle 91. Such a manually actuated transport means 9 can be preferred in order to realize the simplest possible construction, in particular free of electronic components, in particular for realizing a purely manual device for producing a tubular packaging material.Alternatively, a mechanical device for producing a tubular 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 actuation 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 can be provided for actuating the device from behind, for example, by reloading personnel (not shown in detail).

[0044] In contrast to the execution of Fig. 2a and 2b is in accordance with the execution Fig. 1a to 1d the output axial direction A is eccentrically offset relative to the roller axis R. The hopper axis T extends with an angular offset relative to the roller axis R.

[0045] When executed according to the Figures 2a and 2b The output axial direction A is offset by an angular offset relative to the roller axis R. The hopper axis T runs parallel to the output axis A and forms a hopper inner contour 5 relative to the roller axis R, essentially according to an oblique cone.

[0046] The following describes the function of the transport device 9 as shown 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 is arranged, which comprises two guide profiles 95. The pull rod 93 is slidably mounted in the guide 95. Fixed drivers are mounted on the pull rod 93, which are implemented here as pivotable wedges 8a, 8b. The transport means 9 is, as shown in Fig. 1bAs can be seen, it is designed such that an individually assigned driver in the form of a wedge 8a or 8b is provided for each roll 11 that remains in the receiving arrangement 3 after the front roll has been used up. It is conceivable that instead a single, common driver is provided for all remaining rolls 11, which could, for example, be implemented in accordance with the driver wedge 8b.

[0047] The transport means 9 is movable by at least one roller length 1 in the direction of the roller's longitudinal axis A. It may be preferred that at least one stopper is provided, which can be arranged, for example, on the guide 95, the receiving arrangement 3 and / or the transport means, in order to limit the linear mobility of the transport means 9 in the direction of the roller's longitudinal axis R to a predetermined maximum. One or more stoppers can 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 release position.

[0048] In the Fig. 1a, 1b and 1dThe transport means 9 is in a rear gripping position. In this gripping position, the rearmost driver, which is implemented here as the rearmost pivotable wedge 8b, is arranged behind the rearmost roller 11 with respect to the dispensing direction A in order to be able to be brought into contact with the rear end face 17 of the rear roller 11.

[0049] In Fig. 1c the transport means is moved, for example by pulling on the handle 91, into a forward-displaced delivery position in order to remove a roller 11 previously displaced to the rear (cf. Fig. 1b ) to the delivery position 50 (cf. Fig. 1c). When the pull rod 93 is pulled forward, the rear carrier comes into contact with the rear roller 11 and moves it along the roller longitudinal axis R towards the guide funnel 5. Further rollers 11 located in front of the rear roller 11 (here: one roller 11) are driven along with the movement of the rear roller 11. It is conceivable that the distance between the two in Fig. 1b and 1c illustrated rollers 11 are dimensioned larger than a roller length 1 (not shown in more detail), so that a front driver, similar to the illustrated pivotable wedge 8a, can also be in contact with the back of the front roller 11 in order to take a driving force from the transport means directly to the roller 11 (without force transmission by movement of the roller).

[0050] At the Fig. 1a to 1dIn the embodiments shown, the carriers are implemented as wedges 8a, 8b. The wedges 8a and 8b are swept against the dispensing direction A. The wedges 8a, 8b are pivotable about a respective pivot axis W and are mounted on the transport means, here, for example, the drawbar 93. The wedges 8a, 8b are spring-loaded in such a way that they can assume an active transport position (as in Fig. 1dshown), in which the respective driver projects into the receiving arrangement 3 in order to be able to make contact with a roller 11 in order to be able to carry it along. On a front side in the dispensing direction A, a wedge 8a or 8b can be flat. The receiving arrangement 3 can have at least one access opening for at least one driver, for example a guide slot. It is conceivable for the receiving arrangement 3 to have 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 dispensing direction A, wherein the front driver implemented as a wedge 8a does not exert a carrying effect with respect to the rollers 11, but is arranged below the rollers 11 and slides along the outside of the roller 11 or rollers 11.

[0051] A rear driver, such as the wedge 8b, can be pivoted between an active position and a passive position in order to allow a roll 11 to be refilled into the receiving arrangement 3 from the rear side 105 of the packing station 10 without the driver (here: wedge 8b) being in the way (cf. Fig. 2b ).

[0052] The Figures 2a and 2b show a packing station. Similar to the packing stations known from the prior art, the schematic packing station depicted 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.

[0053] 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 the frame 101 and carried by the frame 101, can be implemented as described above. The packing station 100 is provided with a receiving arrangement 3 for at least partially encompassing at least one roll 11, in particular several rolls 11 arranged one behind the other in the dispensing direction A (in Fig. 2b : three roles 11).

[0054] At the front side 103 of the frame 101, paper can be pulled from the inner side 13 of the front roll 11 to form packaging material. At the rear side 105 of the frame 101, the receiving arrangement 3 can be loaded with at least one additional roll 11, for example, by a person other than the packing personnel standing at the front side 103.

[0055] For those in Figures 2a and 2b In the illustrated embodiments of a packing station 100, the device is arranged completely below the frame top 107 of the frame 101. The frame 101 forms, as in Fig. 2aclearly visible, a tunnel-like shaft 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 a horizontal plane. An extension of the roller axis R that is as horizontal 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 relatively great control over the position and positioning of the rolls 11 in receiving position 3, so that the roll(s) 11 cannot slip due to gravity.

[0056] Receiving arrangements can also be formed differently than the receiving arrangement 3 with a half-shell-shaped body. For example, a receiving arrangement 3', as in Fig. 3 shown, be formed from 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 having a curved receiving portion which approximately corresponds to the curvature of the outer peripheral surface of the rollers 11 and can extend over a width of 60° to 120° along the outside of a roller 11.

[0057] Fig. 5ashows a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a device 1* according to the invention for producing a tubular packaging material from a paper supply unit in the form of a paper web folded and stacked into a leporello stack 11*.

[0058] Like the device 1 described above for producing a tubular packaging material from a paper supply unit in the form of a paper web wound into a roll 11, the device 1* comprises as main component a receiving arrangement 3* (or according to Fig. 7 : 3**) for at least partially encompassing at least one Leporello stack, 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 displacing the at least one Leporello stack 11* in the dispensing direction A.

[0059] A fanfold stack is usually essentially cuboid-shaped with a height h, a length l, and a width b. The top side 13* and the bottom side 14* of the fanfold stack 11*, which is usually parallel thereto, each define a flat surface (l*b). The fanfold stack 11* can preferably be essentially cuboid-shaped, as shown by way of example, wherein the front end face 15 and the rear end face 17 (b*h) are oriented in the output axial direction A, and wherein side surfaces (without reference numerals; l*h) extend in the longitudinal direction L of the fanfold stack or the paper web, or essentially in the output direction A. The device 1* according to Fig. 5a and 5b differs from device 1 according to Fig. 1a to 1d essentially only by the type of paper supply unit accommodated and the shape of the holding arrangement 3 or 3* adapted to this.

[0060] In Fig. and 5b, the transport device 9 is designed as a pull rod 93 laterally next to the receiving arrangement 3* (stable according to Fig. 1a to 1d below the receiving arrangement 3). It is conceivable that the transport means 9 is arranged below the receiving arrangement 3* in the embodiment shown in Fig. 5 and 5b.

[0061] For the function of the device 1*, refer to the description in Fig. 1a to 1d and 2a and 2b, since the device 1* implements practically the same operation as the embodiment described above.

[0062] In a fanfold stack (11*)-shaped storage unit, the packaging material is preferably pulled from the top side 13* of the stack 11*. It is conceivable that the paper web is pulled from the front end face 5 of the stack 11*, if, for example, the stack 11* were oriented vertically downwards with the side defined by the folding edges of the successive layers of the fanfold stack.

[0063] The Fig. 6 The packing station 100 shown in perspective essentially corresponds to 100, wherein instead of the device 1 described above for receiving roll-shaped paper supply units, a device 1* for receiving leporello stack-shaped supply units is provided.

[0064] Fig. 7 corresponds essentially Fig. 3 , wherein the receiving arrangement 3** formed by two struts is provided for receiving the leporello stack-shaped storage units. As in Fig. 7As shown, the struts can be designed with a square cross-section and form a strut top side, which can be oriented substantially flush with the bottom side 14* of the leporello stack 11*. It should be understood that the struts in the receiving arrangement 3** as shown in Fig. 7shown, 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 oblique struts, or even a receiving arrangement 3** formed by a corrugated sheet. It is also conceivable that a paper supply unit in the form of a roll 11 can be accommodated in a receiving arrangement with a substantially rectangular cross-section, such as the receiving arrangement 3** shown in Fig. 5 and 5b, or on the parallel, flat struts of the receiving arrangement 3** according to Fig. 7 .

[0065] The features disclosed in the above description, the figures and the claims may be important both individually and in any combination for the realization of the invention in the various embodiments. List of reference symbols

[0066] 1, 1*Packaging material dispenser 3, 3' or 3", 3*, 3**Holding arrangement 4Roll 5Guide hopper 7Discharge opening 8a, 8bCarrier 9Transport means 10Packing station 11Roll 11*Leporello stack 13Cylindrical inner cavity 13*Top 14*Bottom 15Discharge position 16Front end 17Rear end 33Wave-shaped plate 50Discharge position 51Inner guide contour 91Operating handle 93Pull rod 95Guide profiles 100Packing station 101Frame 103Front 104Support surface 105Rear 107Frame top ADischarge direction QCross direction RRoll axis TTusion axis WPivot axis hHeight bWidth lLength dDiameter

Claims

1. Device (1) for manually or mechanically producing a tubular packaging material from a paper supply unit, such as a paper web wound into a roll (11), which defines a longitudinal roll axis (R) and which forms an internal cavity (13), or a paper web folded into a leporello stack (11*), which defines an upper side (13*) from which the paper web can be pulled off to form the packaging material, comprising: a guide funnel (5) with an opening (7) for dispensing the packaging material from a paper supply unit arranged in a dispensing position (50), wherein the guide funnel (5) has an inner contour (51) tapering in a dispensing direction (A) towards the opening (7);and a receiving arrangement (3, 3', 3"), such as a tubular magazine, for at least partially encompassing at least one paper supply unit, in particular at least 2 and / or at most 5, preferably exactly 3, paper supply units arranged one behind the other in the output direction (A), wherein 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 output direction (A).

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 offset rearwardly opposite the dispensing direction (A) into a dispensing position upstream in the dispensing direction (A), in particular between a gripping position offset rearwardly opposite the dispensing direction (A) and a dispensing position upstream in the dispensing direction (A).

3. Device according to one 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 conveyor means, such as a push and / or pull rod (93), a rack, a conveyor belt, a conveyor chain or the like, and / or wherein the transport means (9) is at least partially accommodated in a guide (95) arranged adjacent to, 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 peripheral surface (15) and / or axial rear surface (17) of at least one paper supply unit to be conveyed, wherein in particular for several paper supply units to be conveyed at least one common driver or at least one supply unit-specific driver is provided.

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 output direction (A) and / or for a driver engagement with respect to the at least one paper supply unit to be conveyed, in which the driver engages in the receiving arrangement (A) in the transverse direction, in particular in the radial direction (Q) with respect to the roller axis (R), to hold the paper supply unit, and a passive position for moving the transport means opposite to the output direction (A) and / or without a driver effect with respect to the paper supply units, in which 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 designed as a body which is swept and / or tapered opposite to the dispensing direction (A), 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) fixed relative to the transport means (9) and / or wherein the driver is folded in, through or next to the transport means (9), in particular a linear conveyor means of the transport means (9), in the passive position.

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 defines an axial length (l), wherein the paper supply unit is movable by means of the transport means (9) in the output direction (A) from a first position by at least the axial length (l) into a second position.

9. A packing station (100) comprising a device (1) for manually or mechanically producing a tubular packaging material from a paper supply unit, such as a paper web wound into a roll (11), which defines a longitudinal roll axis (R) and forms an internal cavity (13), or a paper web folded into a leporello stack (11*), which defines a top side (13*) from which the paper web can be pulled off in a dispensing direction (A) to form the packaging material, in particular according to one of the preceding claims, which comprises a receiving arrangement (3, 3', 3") for at least partially encompassing at least one paper supply unit, in particular several paper supply units arranged one behind the other in the dispensing direction (A), and comprising a frame (101) to which the device (1) is fastened, wherein the device (1) extends from a front side (103) of the frame facing the packing personnel,where the packaging material is removable, extends to a rear side (105) facing 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 top side (107) of the frame (101) and / or wherein the device (1), in particular the receiving arrangement (3, 3', 3"), in particular the roller axes (R) or the underside (14*), of paper supply units which can preferably be arranged in alignment within the receiving arrangement (3, 3', 3"), extends substantially horizontally, in particular with an inclination of less than ±10° or ±5°.

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