Arrangement and method for filling cavities in transporting containers with padding units made of paper

Abstract

The present invention relates to an arrangement (1) which is intended for filling cavities (205) in transporting containers (201) with padding units (101) made of paper and comprises a transfer device (3) which is movable between a first position, corresponding to a supply region (51) for padding material, and a second position, in which padding material or a padding unit (101) made of the padding material is placed in a cavity (205) in a transporting container (201), wherein the transfer device (3) has a needle gripper.

Description

[0001] Arrangement and method for filling cavities in transport containers with paper cushioning units

[0002] The invention relates to an arrangement and a method for filling cavities in transport containers with cushioning units made of paper.

[0003] A packaging system for providing cushioning filler material based on void volume determination is described in EP 1 556 278 B1. A conveyor belt for transport containers includes a scanner that includes sensors for detecting the height and width of a transport container and a contour sensor for detecting shipping goods positioned in the transport container. Control logic processes the information detected by the sensors and uses this information to determine the amount of cushioning filler material needed to fill the void remaining in the transport container. The quantity of cushioning filler material to be provided is determined based on a desired void fill density, which can be increased or decreased by user input based on an arbitrary standard value. EP 1 556 278 B1 proposes kraft paper or plastic peanuts as cushioning filler material.The cushioning filler should flow from a cushioning dispensing device in the calculated amount, either directly into the transport container, be introduced by a person, or be placed inside. Specifying an idealized void fill density has proven particularly problematic for untrained packing personnel, as the input is unintuitive and packing personnel often reduce the introduced quantity or further compress it, resulting in the calculated fill level frequently not being achieved. The use of cushioning materials made of plastic should be avoided for environmental reasons.

[0004] An automatic packing device for filling transport cartons with cushioning elements is described in US 11 053 041 B2. In this device, a plurality of tubular, elongated cushioning elements are provided in a magazine and transport cartons are moved on a conveyor belt. A plurality of grippers are held on a frame that is movable transversely and vertically in relation to the conveyor belt. The grippers comprise jaws for gripping the longitudinal ends of the cushioning elements. Dispensing means are provided for pushing the cushioning elements out of the grippers and downwards into a transport container. Another system for dispensing cushioning elements is disclosed in EP 1 015 240 B1, in which prepared cushioning elements are dispensed from a supply container with two downwardly pivoting gate members, with or without a stamp, into a transport container. A plurality of suitable supply containers is to be provided for different transport containers and shipping goods.The packing device and cushioning system are very large, slow, and require precise matching of the available cushioning elements to the individual transport cartons and the goods they contain. Hollow spaces whose shape and position do not coincidentally correspond to the specified position of the available cushioning element cannot be reliably padded.

[0005] WO 2019 / 174800 A1 describes a device for moving a large number of cushioning materials into a transport container as quickly as possible. For this purpose, the device is equipped with an ejection device that ejects cushioning materials along a ballistic trajectory toward the provided transport container. Experience has shown that this method is unreliable and thus leads to high waste and potentially inadequately padded transport containers.

[0006] WO 1998 021 101 A1 describes an automatic cushioning production and filling system with which cushioning cushions can be prepared for filling transport containers. The cushioning cushions are to be produced with a predetermined length, taking into account the packing requirements of a transport container. A receiving / depositing unit for the cushioning cushions has a hand movably supported by a pair of pneumatic cylinders. The hand can have multiple vacuum connections to grasp a cushion and hold it during movement from a supply location to a filling point. The hand can be moved and rotated horizontally and vertically.It is an object of the invention to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art, in particular to provide an arrangement and a corresponding method which ensures rapid and / or reliable filling adapted to the requirements of individual transport containers, preferably partially filled with shipping goods.

[0007] This problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims.

[0008] According to this, an arrangement for filling cavities in transport containers with paper cushioning units is provided. A paper cushioning unit, simply expressed as a paper cushion or generally a three-dimensional packaging product, such as a cushioning product, is made from a web-shaped starting material, such as a single- or multi-layer paper web. The creation or manufacture of a three-dimensional packaging product is to be understood in particular as the conversion of a web-shaped starting material into a state with a greater extension in the direction of the starting material thickness than the starting material. For ecological reasons in particular, recycled paper is being used more and more frequently as the paper material. However, due to its inhomogeneity, this paper is difficult to convert, especially if the three-dimensional packaging product must always be uniform and as simple and economical to manufacture as possible.The starting material web can be made from paper, such as recycled paper, in particular waste paper and / or 100% recyclable paper, which can be produced without chemical ingredients. Recycled paper is, in particular, paper materials with a low proportion (less than 50%) of paper material containing virgin fibers. For example, paper materials containing 70% to 100% waste paper are used. The recycled paper within the meaning of this invention can be paper material that can have a tensile strength index along the machine direction of at most 90 Nm / g, preferably a tensile strength of 15 Nm / g to 60 Nm / g, and a tensile strength index transverse to the machine direction of at most 60 Nm / g, preferably a tensile strength of 5 Nm / g to 40 Nm / g. A standard such as DIN EN ISO 1924-2 or DIN EN ISO 1924-3 can be used to determine the tensile strength or the tensile strength index.Additionally, or alternatively, a recycled paper or waste paper property can be characterized by its so-called burst resistance. A material in this sense is recycled paper with a burst index of 3.0 kPa*m or less. A 2 / g, preferably with a burst index of 0.8 kPa*m A 2 / g to 2.5 kPa*m A2 / g. The DIN EN ISO 2758 standard is used to determine the bursting index. Furthermore, the packaging material has a mass per unit area of, in particular, 40 g / m2 to a maximum of 140 g / m2. The starting material can be in the form of a roll of material or a zigzag-folded stack of packaging material, also known as a fanfold stack. For example, the paper cushion is a strand-like cushioning material with two crumple cavities extending in the longitudinal direction of the strand and a central deformation band connecting the crumple cavities. This deformation band can be deformed and, for example, embossed, punched, perforated, or similar.

[0009] The arrangement according to the invention can be designed as a packaging material processing station, also called a paper cushion processing station, and be capable of forming an already formed paper cushion or a paper cushion from a strip-shaped starting material and transferring, in particular inserting, the paper cushion into a transport container. This allows packaging material to be processed, in particular in an automated manner; paper cushions can be produced; produced paper cushions can be inserted into cavities of transport containers, which are, for example, filled with a shipping item; and transport containers can be lined with paper cushions for receiving and bedding shipping items.

[0010] The arrangement according to the invention comprises a transfer device that is movable between a first position corresponding to a provision area for cushioning material and a second position for placing cushioning material or a cushioning unit made of the cushioning material in a cavity of a transport container. The transfer device can, for example, be designed as a robot or have a robot. A robot can be understood as an autonomous machine or a handling device that is intended to perform tasks or functions that mimic or replace human actions. The robot can have the ability to interact with its environment, process information, and perform actions without direct human control or direct human intervention.The robot can be programmable, specifically programmed to perform specific tasks or functions independently or under the control of a human operator. Different types of robots can be used, ranging from physical machines with mechanical bodies and actuators to virtual agents that exist only in software. The robot can have sensors to collect data about its environment, such as cameras, microphones, or other specialized sensors that can serve as the basis for decision-making. Furthermore, the robot can be equipped with algorithms, particularly artificial intelligence, that enable it to analyze complex data, learn from experience, and adapt its behavior accordingly.

[0011] According to a first aspect of the present invention, the transfer device comprises a needle gripper. The needle gripper has proven particularly advantageous for paper cushions, which are generally made of a thin-layered material and are designed to be flexible. Furthermore, the paper cushions can be flexible due to their low inherent rigidity, which makes gripping the paper cushions difficult. The needle gripper can be designed to pierce the paper cushions, in particular to hook onto them, so that secure gripping and, above all, subsequent movement and / or handling of the paper cushions is possible. Because the paper material of the paper cushions is generally very thin-layered, the needles of the needle gripper can be very short. In this respect, the paper cushion can be securely gripped and further handled using the needle gripper.For example, the needle gripper initially exerts a certain amount of pressure on the paper cushion to compress it to a certain extent, allowing the paper cushion to only give way slightly when the needles are driven in. This in turn increases the reliability of gripping the paper cushion. Since the paper inherently gives way at least somewhat when the needles are driven in, they are driven into already pre-consolidated sections of the cushioning strand, such as a central area where several layers of paper are pressed together relatively tightly. This allows the needles to be driven through several layers of paper, which only give way slightly due to the consolidation. This ensures a very secure grip of the cushion by the needle gripper.

[0012] In an exemplary development of the arrangement according to the invention, the needle gripper has at least two, preferably a plurality of, needles and a gripping state in which the needles are extended, as well as a rest state in which the needles are retracted. By retracting the needles in the rest state, the needle gripper can perform a stripping function that supports the release or discharge of the paper pad gripped by the needle gripper. Furthermore, the risk of injury to any operators is reduced if the needles are not extended, in particular do not protrude, in the rest state.

[0013] In a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a direction of movement of a needle during retraction and extension is oriented, particularly with respect to a housing of the needle gripper, transverse to a direction of movement of another needle during retraction and extension. In an exemplary development, the needles, preferably their directions of movement, are arranged and / or aligned relative to one another in such a way that the needles shear past one another. If a plurality of needles are present, at least two of them shear past one another directly. For example, the needles shearing past one another can cross one another. As a result, the crossing needles hook into the paper material of the paper cushion, whereby the latter can be gripped and held even more reliably. Alternatively, the needles can also move away from one another, in particular in order to cover the largest possible area.

[0014] According to a further exemplary embodiment of the packaging material processing station according to the invention, when the needles enter the rest state, they retract, in particular, into a housing or a receptacle of the needle gripper that carries and / or stores the needles, such that a paper pad gripped by the needles is stripped off to release the paper pad. For example, the housing or receptacle can have a stripping surface, in particular a flat one, facing the paper pad, relative to which the needles are set back in the rest state and / or protrude in the gripping state.In a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the arrangement comprises a cushioning material forming device, which can also be referred to as a paper cushioning production device or paper cushioning supply device, and which is designed and configured to form a strand-shaped cushioning material with two crumple cavities extending in the longitudinal direction of the strand and a central deformation band connecting the crumple cavities. In other words, the cushioning material forming device is a device for producing a three-dimensional paper cushion or, in general, a packaging product, such as a cushioning product, from a web-shaped starting material, such as a single- or multi-layer paper web.The production of a three-dimensional packaging product is understood, in particular, to mean the transfer of a web-shaped starting material into a state with a greater extension in the direction of the starting material's thickness than the starting material. According to an exemplary development, the shape of a gripping side of the needle gripper facing the cushioning material is adapted to the cushioning material being formed. The needle gripper can have a central gripping section for engaging the deformation band and two lateral contact sections, offset from the gripping section, for the crumple cavities.

[0015] In another embodiment, the paper cushioning device can adjust the length of the paper cushioning. The length is based on the corresponding dimensions of the transport container. The length of the paper cushioning can be set slightly shorter if the paper cushioning is intended to fall easily into the transport container. The length of the paper cushioning can be set slightly longer if the paper cushioning is intended to be firmly inserted into the transport container. Furthermore, such lengths of a paper cushioning can be designed incrementally or continuously.

[0016] It can further be provided that the packaging processing station transmits the required length of paper cushioning in the form of an electrical and / or data signal to the paper cushioning generation device. For this purpose, the packaging processing station has sensors that detect the characteristic dimensions of the transport container, such as the length and / or width. Detection occurs either by measuring using a suitable sensor or by sensor detection of predetermined transport container sizes. Detection occurs in a simplified manner using light barriers or reflective light sensors. The latter are provided and configured to detect the respective type of transport container, such as small transport container, medium-sized transport container, or large transport container, and to transmit the information to the control system.The controller then transmits the length of the paper cushion corresponding to the transport container to the paper cushion generating device.

[0017] Alternatively, the transport container can have an optically readable identifier such as a machine-readable label, a code, a barcode, a QR code, or the like. The control system of the packaging processing station further includes an executable program configured and intended to determine the required length of the paper cushion and to have it generated by the paper cushion generation device.

[0018] According to a further aspect of the present invention, which can be combined with the preceding aspects and exemplary embodiments, an arrangement for filling cavities in transport containers with cushioning units made of paper is provided.

[0019] A paper cushioning unit, simply expressed as a paper cushion or generally a three-dimensional packaging product, such as a cushioning product, is made from a web-like starting material, such as a single- or multi-layer paper web. The creation or manufacture of a three-dimensional packaging product is understood in particular to mean the conversion of a web-like starting material into a state with a greater extension in the direction of the starting material's thickness than the starting material. Recycled paper is increasingly being used as the paper material, primarily for ecological reasons. However, due to its inhomogeneity, this paper is difficult to convert, especially if the three-dimensional packaging product must always be uniform and manufactured as simply and economically as possible.The starting material web can be made from paper, such as recycled paper, in particular waste paper and / or 100% recyclable paper, which can be produced without chemical ingredients. Recycled paper is, in particular, paper materials with a low proportion (less than 50%) of paper material containing virgin fibers. For example, paper materials containing 70% to 100% waste paper are used. The recycled paper within the meaning of this invention can be paper material that can have a tensile strength index along the machine direction of at most 90 Nm / g, preferably a tensile strength of 15 Nm / g to 60 Nm / g, and a tensile strength index transverse to the machine direction of at most 60 Nm / g, preferably a tensile strength of 5 Nm / g to 40 Nm / g. A standard such as DIN EN ISO 1924-2 or DIN EN ISO 1924-3 can be used to determine the tensile strength or the tensile strength index.Additionally, or alternatively, a recycled paper or waste paper property can be characterized by its so-called burst resistance. A material in this sense is recycled paper with a burst index of 3.0 kPa*m or less. A 2 / g, preferably with a burst index of 0.8 kPa*m A 2 / g to 2.5 kPa*m A2 / g. The DIN EN ISO 2758 standard is used to determine the bursting index. Furthermore, the packaging material has a mass per unit area of, in particular, 40 g / m2 to a maximum of 140 g / m2. The starting material can be in the form of a roll of material or a zigzag-folded stack of packaging material, also known as a fanfold stack. For example, the paper cushion is a strand-like cushioning material with two crumple cavities extending in the longitudinal direction of the strand and a central deformation band connecting the crumple cavities. This deformation band can be deformed and, for example, embossed, punched, perforated, or similar.

[0020] The arrangement according to the invention can be designed as a packaging material processing station, also called a paper cushion processing station, and be capable of forming an already formed paper cushion or a paper cushion from a web-like starting material and transferring, in particular inserting, the paper cushion into a transport container. This allows packaging material to be processed, in particular in an automated manner; paper cushions can be produced; produced paper cushions can be inserted into cavities of transport containers, which are, for example, filled with a shipping item; and transport containers can be lined with paper cushions for receiving and bedding shipping items.

[0021] The arrangement according to the invention comprises a transfer device that is movable between a first position corresponding to a provision area for cushioning material and a second position for placing cushioning material or a cushioning unit made of the cushioning material in a cavity of a transport container. The transfer device can, for example, be designed as a robot or have a robot. A robot can be understood as an autonomous machine or a handling device that is intended to perform tasks or functions that mimic or replace human actions. The robot can have the ability to interact with its environment, process information, and perform actions without direct human control or direct human intervention.The robot can be programmable, specifically programmed to perform specific tasks or functions independently or under the control of a human operator. Different types of robots can be used, ranging from physical machines with mechanical bodies and actuators to virtual agents that exist only in software. The robot can have sensors to collect data about its environment, such as cameras, microphones, or other specialized sensors that can serve as the basis for decision-making. Furthermore, the robot can be equipped with algorithms, particularly artificial intelligence, that enable it to analyze complex data, learn from experience, and adapt its behavior accordingly.

[0022] According to a further aspect of the present invention, the transfer device comprises a gripper with at least two prongs for gripping the cushioning material or the cushioning unit, wherein the gripper has a passive state with the prongs spaced apart from one another and an active state with the prongs brought closer together. In other words, the prongs can be movable between an active position defining the active state and a passive position defining the passive state. For example, the prongs for gripping the cushioning material or the cushioning unit can clamp or hook the cushioning material or the cushioning unit between them.

[0023] In a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the transfer device, in particular with the gripper, is translationally movable, in a guided manner, in at least two, preferably three, directions. Thus, the transfer device, and in particular the gripper, can be used particularly flexibly and can perform complex movements for gripping, transferring, and ultimately filling the transport container. According to an exemplary development, the arrangement has a guide for the guided movement of the gripper with the transfer device in at least one direction, preferably in two or three directions. This enables a precise and rectilinear movement of the gripper.

[0024] In a further exemplary embodiment of the arrangement according to the invention, the prongs are at least partially needle-shaped in order to penetrate into the cushioning material in the active state to grip the cushioning material. The gripper can be designed, for example, as a needle gripper. In an exemplary development, the prongs comprise at least two prongs that can be moved relative to one another along the direction of their needle extension from the passive state to the active state. For example, the gripper is designed and configured to cooperate with a plastically deformed, in particular punch-perforated and / or roll-embossed, deformation region of the cushioning material. It has been found that the paper cushioning products to be processed are, on the one hand, flexible and, on the other hand, have different degrees of flexibility at different sections of the paper cushion.The gripper can be tailored to these different characteristics of the paper cushion. For example, the paper cushions have a central deformation band, which is stiffer, and lateral, voluminous crumple cavities, which are more flexible or yielding.

[0025] According to a further exemplary development of the arrangement according to the invention, the at least two prongs are designed with clamping jaws for force-fitting gripping, in particular clamping, the cushioning material between opposing clamping surfaces of the clamping jaws in the active state. For example, the gripper can be designed as a finger gripper. For example, the prongs clamp the cushioning material transversely to the longitudinal extension of the cushion on the lateral sides, in particular in crumple cavities.

[0026] In a further exemplary embodiment, the gripper or needle gripper for winding the cushioning material or the cushioning unit into a cushioning screw is rotatable about a spindle axis, which preferably forms an axis of symmetry with respect to the prongs. For example, the prongs of the gripper or needle gripper as a whole can be mounted so as to be rotatable, particularly with respect to their axis of symmetry, so that upon rotation of the gripper or needle gripper, the paper cushioning unit or the paper cushioning strand rotates around itself to form a so-called cushioning screw. After winding, the cushioning screw can represent an independent, final cushioning product, which, in particular by gluing the winding end to the outer winding layer, forms a fixed, rigid unit that can thus be used for cushioning products or filling transport containers.According to an exemplary development, the arrangement further comprises a guide device for supporting the formation of the cushioning worm. It has been found that during winding, the paper cushioning material to be wound can deflect, in particular in the direction of the spindle axis and / or in the direction of gravity. This impairs the formation of the paper cushioning worm, or in particular its shape. According to a further exemplary development, the guide device is assigned to the gripper or the needle gripper in such a way that the guide device guides the forming cushioning worm transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to the spindle axis. For example, the guide device can be designed as a type of flat disc or support in the direction of gravity below the forming cushioning worm.This makes it possible to reliably form the cushion screw even if the gripper or needle gripper is aligned so that the spindle axis is oriented transversely to the direction of gravity.

[0027] In an exemplary development of the arrangement according to the invention, the transfer device is designed and configured to insert the gripper into the cavity of the transport container and to initiate the winding of the cushioning material into a cushioning spiral within the cavity. In other words, the cushioning spiral is only formed at the final location of use. This can provide the advantage that the cushioning spiral automatically adapts its shape to the available space, i.e., during the winding process. Thus, a cushioning spiral can be formed that deviates significantly from a circular cross-sectional shape and is, for example, significantly more oval.

[0028] In a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the assembly comprises a separating device for separating a cushioning unit from the cushioning material, in particular one held in the active state by the gripper or needle gripper. The separating device can, for example, be arranged rigidly with respect to the assembly or also movable. The separating device and the gripper or needle gripper can be coordinated with one another or arranged relative to one another in such a way that the separating device can reliably access the cushioning material to separate a paper cushioning unit from the cushioning material.

[0029] According to a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the transfer device is designed to grip the cushioning material or the cushioning unit at a longitudinal end and / or to grip the cushioning unit centrally. Depending on the available cushioning volume or space to be filled, it may be advantageous to grip the cushioning unit either at a longitudinal end or approximately centrally. This gripping also affects the potential formation of a cushion snail.

[0030] According to an exemplary development of the arrangement according to the invention, the transfer device, in particular the gripper or the needle gripper, comprises at least one sensor, such as a position, force, and / or torque sensor. For example, the transfer device can be designed to initiate a holding and / or safety state of the gripper or the needle gripper upon the occurrence of a predetermined measurement signal from the sensor, such as a maximum torque threshold. For example, the transfer device can be equipped with software or a controller.For example, upon detection or upon occurrence of the maximum torque threshold, particularly during cushion worm formation, the control signal for cushion winding can be overridden and a control signal can be issued to enter a holding and / or safety state, whereby the cushion winding process is aborted, particularly to prevent damage. For example, it can be detected if the gripper or needle gripper experiences excessive resistance during cushion winding and is therefore in an improper position or condition.

[0031] In a further exemplary embodiment of the arrangement according to the invention, the arrangement has at least one folding unit with at least one folding counter-bearing, in particular two or three folding counter-bearings arranged in particular at a uniform or arbitrarily selected distance from one another. The folding unit can be used to deform a paper cushioning strand or even a paper cushioning unit, in particular to compress it, to ball it up or to use it to form a cushioning spiral. The transfer device can be designed and configured to move the cushioning material by means of the gripper or the needle gripper relative to the at least one folding counter-bearing. The folding counter-bearing can also serve as a stop or support, for example to limit lateral spreading of the cushioning spiral, in particular expansion.For example, the transfer device can be designed or configured to move the gripper or the needle gripper against at least one of the folding counterbearings or to move it between two folding counterbearings in order to apply at least one fold to the cushioning material. A distance or free space between two folding counterbearings may be smaller than a longitudinal extension or a dimension according to which the cushioning material is guided through the two folding counterbearings.

[0032] In a further exemplary embodiment of the arrangement according to the invention, the arrangement comprises at least one holding device for stationary holding of the transport container and / or the shipping goods. In this way, the filling process can be facilitated or preprogrammed or adjusted. Programming is further simplified because the holding device can always hold the transport container and / or the shipping goods in the same place. In particular, the holding device is designed to hold the transport container and / or the shipping goods stationary when the transfer device is in the second position. It has been found that when filling the transport container with the transfer device, the transport container can slip if it is not held stationary. This complicates the automated filling process using the arrangement according to the invention.

[0033] In an exemplary development of the present invention, the arrangement comprises a provision device for providing cushioning material or at least one individual cushioning unit as cushioning material in the provision area, which can be configured to form and / or provide any desired cushioning products or cushioning units. For example, the provision device comprises a cushioning material forming device, which can be designed according to one of the previously described aspects or exemplary embodiments. For example, the cushioning material forming device is designed and configured to form a strand-shaped cushioning material with at least one crumple cavity from an at least single-layer web-shaped starting material, in particular a paper web.

[0034] In a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a discharge, in particular a discharge opening, of the cushioning material forming device, from which a produced cushioning material, in particular a cushioning unit, can be removed, forms at least partially the provision area. For example, the transfer device can be assigned to the provision device in such a way that the transfer device can remove, in particular pull off, the produced paper cushion or provided paper cushion from the provision device via or from the discharge, in particular discharge opening.

[0035] An advantage of the exemplary embodiment of the arrangement according to the invention is that the transfer device and the provision device are assigned to one another in such a way that the transfer device is able to remove the paper cushion directly from the provision device, in particular directly from the discharge, in particular discharge opening, of the provision device. Particularly for automated packaging material processing or production, it is advantageous if the gripping of the paper cushion is as simple and / or as repetitive as possible for the transfer device. This can be facilitated by ensuring that the discharge or gripping position, at which the transfer device grips and withdraws the paper cushion, is always the same or reproducible, if possible.It has also been discovered that a further advantage is that the orientation of the produced paper cushion, while still held by the supply device, is always consistent with minimal deviation. This also facilitates reliable gripping of the paper cushion by the transfer device. Another advantage of the station is that the handling and placement of packaging material into a transport container is carried out with high positioning and quantity accuracy.

[0036] In an exemplary development of the arrangement according to the invention, the provisioning device is designed and configured to provide cushioning material or at least one cushioning unit of a predetermined size in the provisioning area. For example, the provisioning device can be designed and configured to provide the cushioning material or the at least one cushioning unit in a manner tailored to an individual cavity, which can be determined or is predetermined, for example, by means of the provisioning device, in particular its sensor system, of a specific transport container detected by at least one sensor in the provisioning area.For example, a number of predetermined sizes for cushioning units can be predefined, and the supply device can be configured to select the corresponding cushioning material unit from predefined sizes, for example, depending on a user input or specification. The detection and subsequent provision of a desired cushioning material size can also be carried out depending on the sensors on the supply device, so that the individually determined cavity volume can be padded and filled as precisely as possible.

[0037] In a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the provisioning device is designed to provide different upholstery materials and / or upholstery units. For example, the provisioning area can have multiple sections for the different upholstery materials and / or different upholstery units. The provisioning device can then be designed to move to or serve the corresponding section in the provisioning area depending on the size of the upholstery material or other characteristics of the upholstery material or upholstery unit.

[0038] According to a further exemplary embodiment of the arrangement according to the invention, the arrangement comprises a conveyor device, such as a conveyor belt, for transporting the cushioning material or the at least one cushioning unit to the provision area and / or a cushioning magazine for accommodating a plurality of cushioning units. For example, the conveyor device can be part of the provisioning device. The operation of the conveyor device and the operation of the provisioning device can be coordinated with one another. For example, the two components are coordinated such that the provisioning device is activated when the conveyor device emits a specific signal or has covered a specific conveying section.

[0039] In a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the arrangement comprises a transport device, such as a conveyor belt, for the particularly automated transport of the transport container, in particular with at least one item of shipping material inside, preferably in a container filling area accessible from the transfer device. Transport and conveyor belts have proven advantageous for automating the filling process. The operation of the transport device can be coordinated with that of the other components, so that the conveyor belt operates, for example, continuously, in a timed manner, or depending on control signals from other upstream and / or downstream components.

[0040] According to a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the arrangement comprises at least one sensor system for detecting at least one hollow space within an individual transport container with at least one shipping item inside and / or at least one sensor system for detecting an identifier of an individual transport container with at least one shipping item inside and / or electronics designed and configured to determine the size of the hollow space, in particular based on measured values ​​from the sensor system and / or an item assigned to the identifier. For example, the identification can be contactless, in particular by means of a barcode, RFID identifier, or the like.The data can be stored in an external system, for example, and can include predetermined transport container volumes to be filled, requirements for the paper cushions, such as stiffness or a number of paper cushions, as well as desired paper cushion sizes and shapes. Depending on this database, the provision device can then provide an individual paper cushioning product, which is transferred into the transport container by means of the transfer device. Alternatively or additionally, artificial intelligence can be used, especially if no data, for example on the weight of the shipping item, is available. In this case, the artificial intelligence can be used to generate or query corresponding parameters or data. Furthermore, the artificial intelligence can be capable of, and can be used to, depending on the above-mentionedTo generate additional data and / or parameters based on the database and / or sensor data. For example, artificial intelligence can determine an anticipated density and quantity of the desired cushioning product based on the weight of the shipping item.

[0041] In a further exemplary embodiment of the arrangement according to the invention, the arrangement comprises a controller assigned to the transfer device for controlling the operation of the transfer device. The controller for signal transmission can be connected to a drive of the transport device. In particular, the controller is coupled to a drive of the transport device for signal transmission, so that the operation of the transport device and the transfer device can be coordinated with one another. According to an exemplary development, the controller is configured to coordinate the operation of the transfer device and that of the transport device.

[0042] According to a further exemplary embodiment, the device according to the invention comprises a paper cushion production device with a storage unit having a storage surface defining a predefined storage position for a produced paper cushion. According to an exemplary embodiment of a U-shaped storage surface, this is formed by a one-piece U-profile, the lateral U-legs of which enable the received paper cushion to be laterally secured and guided. In a further embodiment of the U-profile, the middle leg is provided in sections with openings which are arranged opposite the gripping device or opposite the respective needle gripper and its needles. This makes it possible for the needles to move into the respective opening when gripping the paper cushion, provided they pierce the paper cushion to grip it.Contact with the U-shaped support surface and resulting damage to the needles is thus eliminated. Furthermore, the width of the openings in the middle U-profile leg, measured in width, is smaller than the length of the middle leg itself, leaving at least a portion of the middle leg available for storage and support of the paper cushion.

[0043] According to another advantageous embodiment of the U-shaped support surface, it is formed by two angle profiles arranged at a distance from one another, wherein the aforementioned opening extends at least along a section of both angle profiles and is also always arranged opposite the needles of a needle gripper or gripping device, provided that this grips and / or pierces and / or encompasses the paper cushion. According to the application, both angle profiles form a single unit and thus form the support surface. Even if the opening thus created extends as a slot between the angle profiles, both angle profiles as a whole nevertheless form the U-shaped support surface.

[0044] The packaging material processing station can further comprise a sensor arrangement connected to the output area of ​​the paper cushioning device and / or to the discharge opening and / or to the storage area. This sensor arrangement consists of at least one cushioning sensor for detecting whether the paper cushioning device has actually provided a paper cushion to the transport device for further transport. The at least one sensor of the sensor arrangement is designed to detect the produced paper cushion at a distal distance. Capacitive proximity sensors can be provided for shorter distances. However, reflective light sensors are advantageously provided, which offer the possibility of being arranged at a distance from the provided paper cushion.

[0045] According to a further aspect of the present invention, which can be combined with the preceding aspects and exemplary embodiments, a method for filling a cavity and a transport container loaded with at least one shipping item and having at least one paper cushioning unit are provided. According to the method, cushioning material is provided in a cushioning provision area, and the cushioning material is moved from the provision area into the cavity.

[0046] According to the method according to the invention, an arrangement according to one of the previously described aspects or exemplary embodiments is used. The advantages and embodiments described with regard to the arrangement are therefore transferable to the method according to the invention.

[0047] Preferred embodiments are specified in the subclaims.

[0048] In the following, further properties, features and advantages of the invention will become clear by describing preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying exemplary drawings, in which:

[0049] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of an arrangement according to the invention;

[0050] Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of two exemplary

[0051] Operating positions of a gripper of an arrangement according to the invention;

[0052] Figure 3 shows a further schematic diagram of a gripper of an arrangement according to the invention with a cushioning unit; Figures 4-6 show schematic diagrams of an exemplary embodiment of an arrangement according to the invention that inserts a cushioning unit into a transport container;

[0053] Figure 7-10 further schematic principle sketch for an exemplary embodiment of an arrangement according to the invention;

[0054] Figure 11 shows a detailed view of a gripper designed as a needle gripper of an exemplary embodiment of an arrangement according to the invention; and

[0055] Figure 12 the needle gripper from Figure 12 engaged with a cushion unit.

[0056] In the following description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention, an arrangement according to the invention is generally provided with the reference numeral 1. The arrangement 1, which can also be referred to as a paper cushioning processing station, is designed according to the exemplary embodiments as a self-sufficient or automated station, in particular a robot cell, which, starting from a material supply or a starting material to be processed into a cushioning unit 101, places the three-dimensional, cushioning and dampening cushioning unit 101 into a transport container 201 that is empty or already filled with a shipping item to be shipped and packaged.

[0057] The arrangement 1 according to the invention essentially comprises the following main components, which can be seen in the schematic diagram in Figure 1: A padding material forming device 11, which can be capable of producing a strand-shaped padding material or a padding unit 101, in particular with at least one lateral crumple cavity and a central deformation band; a provision device 5 for providing padding material or at least one individual padding unit 101; a transfer device 3 with a gripper 7 for gripping and / or handling padding material or at least one individual padding unit 101; and a transport container 201, in which a shipping item 203 can be arranged, as well as a cavity 205, which can be used for filling with padding material or the padding unit 101.From Figure 1 it can be seen that the transfer device 3 is movable between a first position (shown in Figure 1) corresponding to a provision area 51 for cushioning material or a cushioning unit 101 and a second position for placing cushioning material or a cushioning unit 101 in the cavity 205 of the transport container 201.

[0058] Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a gripper 7, which is designed as a finger gripper, of the transfer device 3 in two different operating positions, namely: In Figure 2, on the left, the gripper 7, which is equipped with at least two prongs 71, which can be designed as elongated, rod-shaped components with a round cross-section, for example, is shown in a passive position in which the prongs 71 are spaced apart from one another. In Figure 2, on the right, the active position of the gripper 7 is shown, in which the prongs 71 are brought closer together in order to grasp, for example, a cushion unit 101 (Figure 3) and clamp it between the prongs 71.

[0059] Figure 3 shows the active or gripping state of the gripper 7, whose prongs 71 clamp the cushioning unit 101 in a free space 73 existing between the two prongs. In the embodiment according to Figure 3, the gripper 7 grips or encompasses the strand-shaped cushioning unit 101 with its two prongs 71 centrally (reference numeral 105) between the two longitudinal ends 103 of the cushioning unit pointing in the strand longitudinal direction. By means of the transfer device 3, the cushioning unit 101 gripped by the prongs 71 can be inserted into the cavity 205 of the transport container 201 (Figure 4). Figure 4 shows a transport container 201, which is occupied by a shipping item 203, in a side view and a top view. By means of the transfer device 3, the paper cushioning unit 101 is inserted into the cavity 205.To form a well-cushioned, space-saving cushioning screw 107, the tines 71 can be rotated about a spindle axis indicated by the reference symbol S, which is indicated by the arrow with the reference symbol W, in order to wind the paper cushioning strand 101 according to Figure 3 into the cushioning screw 107 shown at the bottom of Figure 4. In this way, the cushioning strand 101 then adapts to the available cavity 205 in the form of the cushioning screw 107 and is thus particularly effective in cushioning and padding the shipping item 203.

[0060] Figure 5 shows a further schematic diagram analogous to Figure 4, in which two cushioning screws 107 are inserted into the cavity 205 of the transport container 201 by means of the transfer device 3. Likewise, in the embodiment according to Figure 5, the cushioning screws 107 are only created within the cavity 205, i.e., only directly at the desired location of the cushioning or padding, by the transfer device 3 winding up a cushioning screw 107 by means of the gripper 7.

[0061] Figure 6 schematically shows the progress in forming the cushioning screw 107 starting from the strand-shaped cushioning unit 101 in three consecutive images. In Figure 6, at the top, the cushioning strand 101, held by the transfer device 3 and in particular its prongs 71, is inserted into a free space 205 on an upper side of the shipping item 203 in the transport container 201. In Figure 6, at the middle, the cushioning strand 101 has already been partially wound up, so that an intermediate cushioning product 109 is formed, which has already formed a winding in sections. In Figure 6, at the bottom, the cushioning screw 107 is fully formed and optimally cushions the shipping item 203 in the cavity 205 of the transport container 201.

[0062] The arrows in Figure 5 indicate the movement possibilities of the transfer device 3. The arrow with the reference symbol W represents the winding movement by means of which the cushion screw 107 is formed. The reference symbol R defines a rotational or pivoting movement, according to which the transfer device 3 or the gripper 7 can assume an orientation deviating from the vertical. The arrow with the reference symbol T denotes a translational axis, according to which the transfer device 3 can move the gripper 7 translationally, in particular for inserting and removing the gripper into or from the cavity 205 of the transport container 201.

[0063] Referring to Figures 7-10, a further exemplary embodiment of an arrangement 1 according to the invention is shown in terms of how a paper cushioning strand 101 can be folded in order to reshape the strand-shaped paper cushioning unit 101 to form a desired paper cushioning product shape. For this purpose, the arrangement 1 comprises, for example, three folding counterbearings 41, 42, and 43, which are elongated and / or pin-shaped and serve as a stop for the paper cushioning strand 101, so that the paper cushioning product 101 can be folded by feeding, passing through, or against the paper cushioning 101 by means of the transfer device 3.According to the exemplary embodiment, the folding counter bearings 41, 42, 43 are each arranged at a distance from one another so that, as shown schematically in Figure 8, the transfer device 3, by means of the prongs 71 clamping or holding the cushioning product 101, can be guided along the direction of movement B between the folding counter bearings 41, 42, 43, which serve as a rigid stop for the paper cushioning strand 101 and cause the formation of a fold 104, so that the strand sections 111 extending away from the center 105 of the paper cushioning strand 101 face one another and can rest at least partially on one another.

[0064] In Figure 9, a paper cushioning intermediate product 109 is formed and located between the folding counterbearings 41, 42. The transfer device 3 can further change the shape of the intermediate product 109 or grip the intermediate product 109 using the prongs 71. For example, the transfer device 3 can move the prongs 71, which are brought closer together, into a free space formed between the strand sections 111 in order to lift the cushioning intermediate product 109 not by clamping, but rather in the manner of a stacker or lifting device. Figure 10 shows that the cushioning intermediate product 109, formed, for example, according to arrangement 1 in Figure 9, is gripped in a clamping manner by the prongs 71, whereby the strand sections 111 are pressed against one another.

[0065] Figures 11 and 12 show a schematic diagram of a gripper designed as a needle gripper 9, which is provided with needles 15 that can penetrate into the paper material to securely hold and fix the cushioning material or cushioning unit 109 or cushioning products 101, 109, 115.

[0066] In this context, the cushioning unit 101 may not be supported in the staging area 51, so that the needles 15, if they pierce the cushioning unit 101, pierce into nothing. Individual needles 15 or other gripping elements cannot thus collide with a structure of the staging area 51 that holds and / or fixes the cushioning unit 101. For example, the staging area 51 may form a storage chute, which may be formed, for example, from two angle profiles spaced apart from one another. The cushioning unit 101 may be guided within the angle legs and extend into a free space between the angle profiles.

[0067] The needle gripper 9 comprises a plurality of needles 15 extending transversely to one another or oriented transversely to one another and movable in this direction, which can shear past one another to hook onto the paper pad 101 to be gripped. This is illustrated schematically in Figure 12.

[0068] The needle gripper 9 can have a gripper bar, which can be designed as a rigid element. In one embodiment of the gripper bar, a fastening section is provided for fastening the needle gripper or for fastening the gripping device. This fastening section, in turn, is mounted on the rigid gripper bar in an articulated and / or spring-loaded manner. If the paper cushion 101 has pronounced unevenness, at least in the gripping area, a spring-loaded and / or mechanical flexibility is thus created, which ensures and prevents only a predetermined force from acting on the paper cushion 101 when gripped by the needle gripper.According to another embodiment, the gripper bar itself is designed as a spring-flexible element or has spring-flexible sections, wherein the respective needle grippers or the respective gripping device is fastened in a region on the gripper bar with a high spring deflection.

[0069] The gripper bar can further be provided with a cushion sensor 45 for detecting the paper cushion 101. The cushion sensor 45 can be connected to a controller of the packaging material processing station and can detect the paper cushion 9 at least during gripping by the needle gripper or by the gripping device and at least during transfer and transport of the paper cushion 101 from the storage area to the transport container 201. The cushion sensor 45 is arranged between, preferably centrally between, the needle grippers or between the gripping devices. Alternatively, a cushion sensor 45 is arranged next to a nail gripper or next to a gripping device.

[0070] A diffuse reflection sensor can be used as the cushion sensor 45, which is connected to the controller and provides it with a logical switching signal. Furthermore, at least one spacer 43 can be provided alongside the cushion sensor 45. This spacer extends from the sensor's detecting optics toward the paper cushion and is constructed in such a way that any unevenness in the paper cushion is always kept at a distance from the detecting optics of the cushion sensor, with this distance being greater than the minimum switching distance of the cushion sensor 45. This ensures that a paper cushion to be detected is located within the detection range of the cushion sensor 45.

[0071] 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.

[0072] List of reference symbols

[0073] 1 arrangement

[0074] 3 Transfer device

[0075] 4 folding unit

[0076] 5 Provisioning device

[0077] 7 grippers

[0078] 9 needle grippers

[0079] 11 Upholstery material forming device

[0080] 15 needle

[0081] 41 , 42 Folding counter bearing

[0082] 43 spacers

[0083] 45 Upholstery sensor

[0084] 51 staging area 71 tines

[0085] 101 Upholstery unit

[0086] 103 Longitudinal end

[0087] 104 Folding

[0088] 105 Mitte

[0089] 107 Cushion snail

[0090] 109,115 Upholstery intermediate product

[0091] 111 strand section

[0092] 113 free space 201 transport containers

[0093] 203 Shipping goods 205 Cavity

[0094] X Longitudinal direction

[0095] Y transverse direction

[0096] Z Vertical direction s Spindle axis

[0097] R Rotation direction

[0098] TT translation direction

[0099] B Direction of movement w Winding direction

Claims

Claims 1. Arrangement (1) for filling cavities (205) in transport containers (201) with cushioning units (101) made of paper, comprising a transfer device (3) which is movable between a first position corresponding to a provision area (51) for cushioning material and a second position for placing cushioning material or a cushioning unit (101) made of the cushioning material in a cavity (205) of a transport container (201), characterized in that the transfer device (3) has a needle gripper.

2. Arrangement (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the needle gripper has at least two, preferably a plurality of, needles and has a gripping state in which the needles are extended, and a rest state in which the needles are retracted.

3. Arrangement (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that a direction of movement of a needle during retraction and extension, in particular with respect to a housing of the needle gripper, is aligned transversely to a direction of movement of another needle during retraction and extension, wherein in particular the needles, preferably their directions of movement, are arranged relative to one another in such a way that the needles shear past one another.

4. Arrangement (1) according to one of claims 2 to 3, characterized in that the needles, when assuming the rest state, retract in particular into a housing of the needle gripper in such a way that a cushioning material gripped by the needles is stripped off in order to release the cushioning material.

5. Arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a cushioning material forming device (11) which is designed and configured to form a strand-shaped cushioning material with two crumple cavities extending in the strand longitudinal direction and a central deformation band connecting the crumple cavities, wherein in particular the shape of a gripping side of the needle gripper facing the cushioning material is adapted to the cushioning material formed, wherein in particular the needle gripper has a central gripping section for Engaging in the deformation band and two lateral contact sections for the crumple cavities, which are offset back with respect to the gripping section.

6. Arrangement (1), in particular according to one of the preceding claims, for filling cavities (205) in transport containers (201) with cushioning units (101) made of paper, comprising a transfer device (3) which is movable between a first position corresponding to a provision area (51) for cushioning material and a second position for placing cushioning material or a cushioning unit (101) made of the cushioning material in a cavity (205) of a transport container (201), characterized in that the transfer device (3) comprises a gripper (7) with at least two prongs (71) for gripping the cushioning material or the cushioning unit (101), wherein the gripper (7) has a passive state with prongs (71) spaced apart from one another and an active state with prongs (71) brought closer together.

7. Arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transfer device (3), in particular with the gripper (7), is movable in a guided translational manner in at least two, preferably three, directions (X, Y, Z), in particular in a guided manner, wherein in particular the arrangement (1) has a guide for the guided movement of the gripper (7) with the transfer device (3) in at least one direction, preferably two or three directions (X, Y, Z).

8. Arrangement (1) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the prongs (71) are at least partially needle-shaped in order to penetrate into the cushioning material in the active state for gripping the cushioning material, wherein in particular the prongs (71) comprise at least two prongs (71) which are movable relative to one another from the passive state into the active state along their needle extension direction, wherein in particular the gripper (7) is designed and configured to cooperate with a plastically deformed, in particular punch-perforated and / or roller-embossed, deformation region of the cushioning material.

9. Arrangement (1) according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the at least two prongs (71) are designed with clamping jaws for non-positively gripping, in particular clamping, the cushioning material between opposite clamping surfaces of the clamping jaws in the active state.

10. Arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gripper (7) or the needle gripper for winding up the cushioning material or the cushioning unit (101) into a cushioning screw is rotatable about a spindle axis (S), which preferably forms an axis of symmetry with respect to the tines (71), wherein in particular the arrangement further comprises a guide device for supporting the formation of the cushioning screw, wherein in particular the guide device is assigned to the gripper (7) or the needle gripper in such a way that the guide device guides the cushioning screw being formed transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to the spindle axis (S).

11. Arrangement (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the transfer device (3) is designed and arranged to introduce the gripper (7) into the cavity (205) of the transport container (201) and to cause the cushioning material to be wound up into a cushioning screw within the cavity (205).

12. Arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a separating device for separating a cushioning unit (101) from the cushioning material, in particular held in the active state by the gripper (7).

13. Arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transfer device (3) is designed to grip the cushioning material or the cushioning unit (101) at a longitudinal end (103) and / or to grip the cushioning unit (101) centrally (105) relative to its longitudinal extent.

14. Arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transfer device (3), in particular the gripper (7), comprises at least one sensor, such as a position, force and / or torque sensor, wherein in particular the transfer device (3) is designed to initiate a holding and / or safety state of the gripper (7) or the needle gripper upon the occurrence of a predetermined measurement signal from the sensor, such as a maximum torque threshold value.

15. Arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least one folding unit (4) with at least one folding counter bearing (41, 42, 43), in particular two or three folding counter bearings (41, 42, 43), wherein the Transfer device (3) is designed and configured to move the cushioning material by means of the gripper (7) or the needle gripper relative to the at least one folding counter-bearing (41, 42, 43), in particular against at least one folding counter-bearing (41, 42, 43) or between two folding counter-bearings (41, 42, 43) in order to apply at least one fold (104) to the cushioning material.

16. Arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least one holding device for stationary holding of the transport container (201) and / or the shipping goods, wherein in particular the holding device is designed to hold the transport container and / or the shipping goods stationary when the transfer device (3) is in the second position.

17. Arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a supply device (5) for supplying cushioning material or at least one individual cushioning unit (101) made of cushioning material in the supply area (51), in particular comprising a cushioning material forming device (11) which is preferably designed and configured to form a strand-like cushioning material with at least one crumple cavity from an at least single-layer web-like starting material, preferably a paper web, wherein in particular a discharge opening of the cushioning material forming device (11), from which a produced cushioning material, in particular a cushioning unit (101), can be removed, forms at least sectionally the supply area (51).

18. Arrangement (1) according to claim 17, characterized in that the provision device (5) is designed and set up to provide cushioning material or at least one cushioning unit (101) of a predetermined size in the provision area (51), wherein in particular the provision device (5) is designed and set up to provide the cushioning material or the at least one cushioning unit (101) in a manner adapted to an individual cavity (205) of a specific transport container (201) detected by means of at least one sensor in the provision area (51).

19. Arrangement (1) according to one of claims 17 or 18, characterized in that the provision device (5) is designed to provide different cushioning materials and / or different cushioning units (101), wherein in particular the provision area (51) has several sections for the different upholstery materials and / or different upholstery units (101).

20. Arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a conveying device, such as a conveyor belt, for transporting the cushioning material or the at least one cushioning unit (101) to the provision area (51) and / or a cushioning magazine for receiving a plurality of cushioning units (101), wherein in particular the conveying device is part of the provision device (5).

21. Arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least one transport device, such as a conveyor belt, for the particularly automated transport of the transport container (201), in particular with at least one item of shipping material inside, preferably into a container filling area accessible by the transfer device.

22. Arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least one sensor system for detecting at least one hollow space (205) within an individual transport container (201) with at least one item of shipping material inside and / or at least one sensor system for detecting an identifier of an individual transport container (201) with at least one item of shipping material inside and / or electronics which are designed and set up to determine the size of the hollow space, in particular on the basis of measured values ​​from the sensor system and / or an item of information associated with the identifier.

23. Arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by an alignment station by means of which the transport container (201) can be arranged in a predefined position, wherein in particular the alignment station has two alignment edges against which the transport container (201) can be placed to assume the predefined position, and / or is part of the holding device.

24. Arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a control associated with the transfer device for controlling the operation of the transfer device, wherein the control is designed for signal transmission with a drive of the transport device, wherein in particular the control is designed to coordinate the operation of the transfer device and the transport device with one another.

5. A method for filling a cavity (205) in a transport container occupied with at least one shipping item with at least one cushioning unit (101) made of paper, wherein cushioning material is provided in a provision area (51) and the cushioning material is moved from the provision area (51) into the cavity (205), characterized in that at least one arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims is used.

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