Combination of equipment and mechanical support for supplying cushioning packaging material

Abstract

The present invention relates to a combination of a device (12) for supplying cushioning packaging material and a mechanical support (10), comprising a stand (14) for positioning the mechanical support (10) on a floor surface (16) and a receiving portion (18) for receiving the device (12) and attaching it to the mechanical support (10). According to the present invention, an adapter portion (20) is provided, one side of which can be detachably connected to the device (12), or which is detachably connected to the device (12) and the other side can be detachably connected to the receiving portion (18), and it is proposed that the detachable connection between the adapter portion (20) and the receiving portion (18) includes a notched connection portion (62).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a combination of an apparatus for supplying a cushioning packaging material and a mechanical support.

Background Art

[0002] The apparatus described at the beginning is known to be arranged on a mechanical support for supplying a cushioning packaging material in order to supply the cushioning packaging material from a high position with respect to the floor surface.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] In view of such prior art, an object of the present invention is to provide a combination of an apparatus for supplying a cushioning packaging material of the aforementioned type and a mechanical support, which is excellent in operability and usability.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0004] According to the present invention, the above object is achieved by a combination of an apparatus for supplying a cushioning packaging material and a mechanical support, which has the features of claim 1. This combination includes the mechanical support having a stand portion for positioning the mechanical support on the floor surface and a receiving portion for receiving the apparatus and attaching it to the mechanical support. According to the present invention, an adapter portion is provided, one side of which can be removably connected to the apparatus or is removably connected to the apparatus, and the other side of which can be removably connected to the receiving portion. The removable connection between the adapter portion and the receiving portion includes a notch connection portion.

[0005] According to the present invention, the device is detachably connected to a machine support via an adapter portion, thereby obtaining the combination according to the present invention. The detachable connection between the adapter portion and the machine support is achieved via the aforementioned notched connection portion. Therefore, it is possible to attach the device to the machine support in a manner that is easy for the user to use, preferably without the use of special tools or other fastening means, and to detach the device from the machine support by releasing the notched connection portion. In connection with this, it is also conceivable that the device is held to the machine support by one or more notched connection portions.

[0006] The apparatus can be designed, for example, for on-demand production of cushioning packaging material. An apparatus for supplying cushioning packaging material could be, for example, a cushioning converter in which a flat, web-like starting material made from paper is converted into a three-dimensional cushioning packaging material by crumpling, compressing, and / or embossing. However, the apparatus could also be a cushioning converter in which a flat, web-like, tubular starting material made of plastic is converted into a three-dimensional packaging cushioning material in the form of an air cushion by inflation. The starting material can be supplied, for example, wound on a roll. However, it is particularly preferable that the starting material be in a stack of zigzag-folded starting material. The apparatus may also further include a cutting device that can produce portions of cushioning packaging material of desired individual lengths. This separating device can be a cutting device or a tearing device. The latter preferably works with a starting material having perforation lines.

[0007] Advantageously, the mechanical support can be widely used in a wide variety of devices. The adapter section forms a versatile interface between the device and the mechanical support. Any device equipped with mounting means for the adapter section, or equipped with such an adapter section, can be removably connected to the mechanical support via a notched connection. In this case, the adapter section can be connected to the device in any conceivable manner.

[0008] In an advantageous further development, the notched connection is formed by the interaction of a rear-engageable region and a biased rear-engagement region, with one of the rear-engageable region and the biased rear-engagement region positioned in the adapter portion and the other in the receiving portion of the mechanical support. This is technically easy to implement. The rear-engageable region can be formed by an opening, recess or projection, and the rear-engagement region can be formed by a spring-loaded locking element or snap element. This is technically easy to implement and robust in operation.

[0009] The rear-engagement region can be disengaged from the rear-engagement region against preload by a manually operated control element, preferably a push button, rotary knob, or slider, thereby releasing the notch connection and freeing the adapter portion from the receiving portion for removal. In this way, the operation is simplified. The adapter portion can be easily removed from the receiving portion without the use of special tools. The device mounted on the machine support can be removed from the machine support, for example, for maintenance purposes, for replacement of the device, or for repair.

[0010] In an advantageous further development, an engagement region is formed on the adapter portion in addition to the notched connection portion and spaced apart from the notched connection portion, for fitting the adapter portion into the receiving portion and thereby positioning the adapter portion in the receiving portion. The engagement region allows the adapter portion to be positioned in a predetermined position relative to the receiving portion, and then the adapter portion to be locked into the receiving portion.

[0011] The engagement region of the adapter portion may include a bent piece, tab, or projection for shape-fitting and positioning the adapter portion into the receiving portion. The engagement region may be formed integrally with the adapter portion or as a component attached to the adapter portion. Furthermore, the engagement region may include one or more regions that can be hooked into the receiving portion. All of these are readily achievable.

[0012] Preferably, the receiving portion has a recess for shape-fitting the engagement area of ​​the adapter portion. The recess can be designed as a through hole in the receiving portion or in the form of an eyelet or the like.

[0013] In an advantageous further development, the adapter section is gate-shaped and comprises two horizontally opposing side walls and an upper wall connecting the side walls. By designing it in a gate shape, the adapter section can be manufactured in a simple manner, preferably as a molded part, and especially as a curved and / or stamped sheet metal part. This allows for a reduction in material and weight compared to a block structure or an assembled structure.

[0014] Preferably, the notched connection portion is formed on one side wall of the gate-shaped adapter portion, and the engagement region for fitting the adapter portion into the receiving portion and thereby positioning the adapter portion in the receiving portion is formed on the other side wall. This configuration has proven advantageous in terms of handling.

[0015] The engagement region of the adapter is formed on the side wall of the adapter, particularly in the gate shape, and preferably functions as a pivot bearing with some play. This allows the adapter to be pre-positioned in the receiving portion, and the adapter can be locked into the receiving portion by pivoting it toward the receiving portion.

[0016] An opening or recess can be easily formed in the side wall of the gate-shaped adapter portion as a post-engagement area for forming a notched connection. Therefore, the adapter portion can be designed simply and manufactured with minimal effort.

[0017] In an advantageous further development, at least one projection is formed on the free end of the adapter portion in the region of the notch connection portion, particularly on the side wall of the adapter portion, and the at least one projection can engage with a positioning recess in the receiving portion. This makes it possible to lock the adapter portion into the receiving portion at a predetermined operating position. The adapter portion may have one or more projections, preferably two, three, or four projections. To receive the projections, the positioning recess can be designed in the form of a recess or through-opening in the receiving portion.

[0018] In an advantageous further development, the receiving section is arranged to pivot about a horizontal pivot axis of the stand section and can be locked in any pivot position, particularly by a locking element. Devices positioned in the receiving section can be pivoted to different operating positions as needed and locked to the stand section. The pivoting capability of the receiving section has proven advantageous, for example, when filling containers of different sizes with cushioning material. A handle can also be attached to the receiving section for pivoting.

[0019] In an advantageous further development, the receiving portion is movably held in the stand portion via at least one slotted link. The advantage of this is that the slotted link can be constructed without using complex components and provides a robust, low-maintenance means for guiding the movement of the receiving portion on the stand portion. In particular, the slotted link comprises one or more linear or arcuate slots, which are formed in particular on the side of the receiving portion facing the stand portion, or alternatively, on the stand portion.

[0020] In particular, in this case, the receiving section can be installed in two orientations, with the bottom wall positioned above the wall in the first orientation and below it in the second orientation. The distance from the floor to the device may be affected depending on the orientation in which the receiving section is attached to the stand. Furthermore, the pivot position of the receiving section on the stand can be adjusted to provide a user-friendly or necessary operation.

[0021] In an advantageous further development, the receiving section has two parallel and spaced apart, particularly vertical, walls for attaching the receiving section to the stand section, and a bottom wall connecting these two walls for receiving the adapter section. The receiving section can be manufactured as a molded part. Alternatively, the walls may be removable from the bottom wall or permanently attached to the bottom wall.

[0022] At least one of the aforementioned slotted links can be formed on each of two parallel and spaced-apart walls. This provides one degree of freedom regarding the placement of the receiving portion on the stand. The receiving portion can also be pivotable relative to the stand and guided along the slotted link.

[0023] In an advantageous further development, the receiving portion is designed to be height-adjustable relative to the floor surface of the stand portion, and the receiving portion can preferably be attached to the stand portion at different distances from the floor surface. This provides an adjustment means for defining the distance from the floor surface to the device, and preferably allows adjustment of the pivot position of the receiving portion.

[0024] Furthermore, the stand section may be length-adjustable, particularly through a telescopic hollow profile. This allows for adjustment of the height of the receiving section relative to the floor surface.

[0025] By positioning the connecting part between the stand and the receiving part, the horizontal distance can be bridged, and in particular, the receiving part can be adapted to different structural widths of the stand. By providing the connecting part, the receiving part can always be manufactured with the same design, and can be connected to stand parts of different dimensions, for example.

[0026] In an advantageous further development, the machine support has a material receiving device for the starting material to be processed, in particular for a laminated flat material made of paper, cardboard or plastic, the material receiving device being designed to receive the starting material, in particular within or on a conveying means, in particular inside or on a pallet, roll or container. The starting material is preferably in the form of a continuous material. The material receiving device can be arranged on the stand part. Preferably, the material receiving device is arranged on the side of the stand part opposite to the discharge direction of the packaging material from the device.

[0027] The material receiving device of the machine support can have a concave region for inserting a transport means or a support surface for the starting material. The support surface can be inclined towards the stand part, whereby a stack of starting material or a transport means is received in an inclined state towards the stand part, reducing the risk of the starting material falling from the material receiving device.

[0028] Furthermore, the material receiving device can have two restraining struts spaced horizontally along the stand part for restraining the starting material from the side, the horizontal distance between the restraining struts being adaptable to the width of the starting material or its transport means. In particular, by making the restraining struts attachable at different horizontal positions of the stand part, it can be adapted to the width of the starting material or its transport means. In this case, the horizontal distance between the restraining struts can be adjusted, for example, to 200 mm, 300 mm, 400 mm, and 600 mm. The laminated starting material can be guided and held by the restraining struts. In one embodiment, each of the restraining struts can have a slot along its length direction. A round bar can be inserted into two slots facing each other. When the starting material is present, the round bar is placed on the starting material and presses the starting material by its own weight. The weight of the round bar is set such that the starting material can be removed from the material receiving device by the device, but does not accidentally fly up due to an air current. The air current can be generated, for example, by a fan in the production hall.

[0029] Advantageously, the stand part is designed to be movable and has casters for this purpose. Thanks to the casters, the machine support can be freely moved on the floor surface and can be used, for example, in various production processes at different locations. Preferably, the casters should be lockable so that the machine support does not roll during operation. The stand part of the machine support can be designed as a metal support column and / or a pipe structure.

[0030] One aspect of the present invention is a machine support for a device for supplying cushioning packaging materials, a stand part for positioning the machine support on the floor surface, and a receiving part for receiving the device and attaching it to the machine support. The machine support includes an adapter part, one side of which can be removably connected to the device or is removably connected to the device, and the other side of which can be removably connected to the receiving part of the machine support. The removable connection between the adapter part and the receiving part includes a notch connection part.

[0031] A further developed aspect of the machine support is that the notch connection part is formed by the interaction between a rear-engaging region and a biased rear-engaging region, and one of the rear-engaging region and the biased rear-engaging region is arranged on the adapter part, and the other is arranged on the receiving part of the machine support.

[0032] A further developed aspect of the machine support is that, in addition to and spaced apart from the notch connection part, an engaging region is formed on the adapter part for snap-fitting the adapter part to the receiving part, and thus for positioning the adapter part on the receiving part.

[0033] A further developed aspect of the machine support is that the adapter part has a door shape and includes two side walls facing each other in the horizontal direction and an upper wall connecting the side walls.

[0034] A further developed embodiment of the mechanical support is characterized in that at least one projection is formed on the free end of the adapter portion in the region of the notch connection portion, particularly on the side wall of the adapter portion, and the at least one projection can engage with the positioning recess of the receiving portion.

[0035] A further developed embodiment of the mechanical support is characterized in that the receiving portion is arranged to pivot about the horizontal pivot axis of the stand portion, and can be locked in any pivot position by a locking element.

[0036] A further developed embodiment of the mechanical support is characterized in that the receiving portion is movably held in the stand portion via at least one slotted link.

[0037] A further developed embodiment of the machine support is characterized in that the receiving portion has two parallel and spaced apart walls, particularly vertical, for attaching the receiving portion to the stand portion, and a bottom wall connecting these two walls for receiving the adapter portion.

[0038] A further developed embodiment of the machine support is characterized in that the receiving portion is designed to be height-adjustable relative to the floor surface of the stand portion, and the receiving portion can preferably be attached to the stand portion at positions at different distances from the floor surface.

[0039] A further developed embodiment of the machine support is characterized in that the machine support has a material receiving device for a starting material to be processed, in particular a laminated flat material made from paper, cardboard or plastic, wherein the material receiving device is designed to receive the starting material in particular within or on a conveying means, in particular inside or on a pallet, roll or container.

[0040] Another aspect of the present invention is an apparatus for supplying cushioning packaging material, comprising a mechanical support according to one or more of the above aspects.

[0041] Further features, details, and advantages of the present invention are evident from the appended claims, the illustrations of preferred embodiments of the mechanical support and apparatus according to the present invention, and the following description. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0042] [Figure 1] This is an isometric view of a first embodiment of the combination according to the present invention, comprising a mechanical support and a device held thereon for processing and / or supplying starting materials in the process of supplying cushioning packaging material. [Figure 2] Figure 1 shows a magnified view of a portion of the mechanical support structure. [Figure 3] A schematic diagram of the adapter section for attaching the device to the mechanical support is shown. [Figure 4] Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of the mechanical support structure. The adapter section has been positioned in advance, but it has not yet reached the designated locking position. [Figure 5] Figure 4 shows a partial cross-sectional view of the mechanical support. [Figure 5a] An enlarged, detailed view of the post-engagement region is shown. [Figure 6] Figure 1 shows a side view of the mechanical support. [Figure 7] Figure 1 shows a rear view of the mechanical support. [Figure 8] A partial schematic diagram of a second embodiment of the combined mechanical support according to the present invention is shown. [Figure 9] This shows an isometric view of a third embodiment of the mechanical support of the combination according to the present invention. [Figure 10] A side view of a fourth embodiment of the mechanical support of the combination according to the present invention is shown. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0043] Hereafter, functionally equivalent elements and regions in different figures and embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals. Therefore, they are usually described in detail only when first mentioned, and in the case of subsequent embodiments, generally only the differences from the previous embodiment are described. Furthermore, for clarity, not all reference numerals are included in every drawing.

[0044] Figure 1 shows a mechanical support 10 according to the present invention for a device 12 for processing and / or supplying starting materials over the process of supplying cushioning packaging material in a first embodiment. The mechanical support 10 comprises a stand portion 14 for positioning the mechanical support 10 on a floor surface 16 and a receiving portion 18 for receiving and attaching the device 12 to the mechanical support 10. The device 12 is removably held in the receiving portion 18 by an adapter portion 20, which will be described in more detail later. Thus, the mechanical support 10 and the device 12 form a common arrangement or combination of the mechanical support 10 and the device 12.

[0045] The apparatus 12 for supplying cushioning packaging material may be, for example, a cushioning conversion machine in which a flat, web-like starting material made from paper is converted into a three-dimensional cushioning packaging material by crumpling, compressing, and / or embossing. However, the apparatus 12 may be a cushioning conversion machine in which a flat, web-like, tubular starting material made of plastic is converted into a three-dimensional packaging cushioning material in the form of an air cushion by inflation. The starting material may be supplied, for example, wound on a roll. However, it is particularly preferable that the starting material be in the form of a stack of zigzag-folded starting material. The apparatus 12 may also include a cutting device that can separate the cushioning packaging material into separate pieces of a desired length. This separating device may be a cutting device or a tearing device. The latter (tearing device) preferably works with starting material that has perforation lines.

[0046] In the first embodiment, the stand section 14 is designed, for example, as a metal column and tube structure. The tube has a square hollow profile. As shown in Figure 1, the stand section 14 comprises two stand sides 22 that are horizontally separated from each other. The two stand sides 22 of the stand section 14 are symmetrical to each other and are connected to each other via a lateral column 24.

[0047] In this case, each of the stand side sections 22 includes a horizontal pipe section 26, two curved pipe sections 28 having a bending angle of 90° to 100° in particular, and an insertion section 30.

[0048] In this case, the stand section 14 is designed to be movable by attaching two casters 32 to the horizontal pipe section 26. At least two of the four casters 32 are lockable.

[0049] The horizontal pipe section 26 preferably has four spaced-apart through holes 34 for attaching one end of the curved pipe section 28 to the horizontal pipe section 26. Since the horizontal pipe section 26 is provided with multiple through holes 34, the curved pipe section 28 can be attached to the horizontal pipe section 26 at different positions. For example, two threaded bolts 36 (see, for example, Figure 6) are provided to secure the curved pipe section 28 to the horizontal pipe section 26.

[0050] One end 38 of the curved pipe section 28 attached to the horizontal pipe section 26 is oriented away from the floor surface 16. One end of the insertion section 30 is inserted into this end 38 and secured, for example, by two additional threaded bolts 36 such that at least a portion, preferably at least half, of the insertion section 30 protrudes from the curved pipe section 28. The curved pipe section 28 is inserted into the end 38 of the second curved pipe section 28 and connected to the second curved pipe section 28 by two additional threaded bolts 36, for example. The curved pipe sections 28 of the stand side section 22 may be oriented relative to each other such that they have essentially S-shaped (see Figure 1) or C-shaped (see Figure 10, fourth embodiment of the machine support) profiles in side view.

[0051] In the illustrated embodiment, the length of the stand portion 14 is adjustable. The curved tube portion 28 works in cooperation with the insertion element 30 to act as a telescopic hollow profile (see Figure 1). For this purpose, the insertion element 30 has a plurality of through holes 34 (not shown) so that the curved tube portion 28 can be attached to the insertion element 30 at different distances from each other.

[0052] The receiving section 18 is pivotably positioned on a horizontal pivot axis 42 at the free end piece 40 of the second curved pipe section 28, which is facing away from the floor surface 16. The horizontal pivot axis 42 passes between the two stand sides 22. Figure 2 shows a partially enlarged view of the receiving section 18 of Figure 1.

[0053] The receiving section 18 has two parallel and spaced-apart walls 44 for attaching the receiving section 18 to the stand section 14, the two walls 44 being positioned vertically as an example. The two vertical walls 44, shown here as an example, are connected to each other at one end by a bottom wall 46 to receive the adapter section 20. The vertical walls 44 and the bottom wall 46 are shown screwed to each other as an example. However, the receiving section may be manufactured as a single unit, or the vertical walls and the bottom wall may be connected to each other by a welded joint (not shown here).

[0054] The receiving section 18 is connected to the stand section 14 by two threaded bolts 36. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, an angle connector 48 is positioned on the free end piece 40 of the second curved pipe section 28 to connect to the receiving section 18 on both sides, one side facing the floor surface 16 and the other side away from the floor surface 16. The angle connector 48, together with the side surface 50 of the second curved pipe section 28, forms a surface perpendicular to the floor surface 16. Each of the threaded bolts 36 extends through one through-hole 34 in the wall 44, pivotally connecting the receiving section 18 to the angle connector 48. In this embodiment, the receiving section 18 and the stand section 14 are designed such that the free end piece 40 of the second curved pipe section 28 is positioned between the walls 44 of the receiving section 18, as shown in Figure 2. The horizontal pivot axis 42 of the receiving section 18 is formed by threaded bolts 36 extending through the walls 44.

[0055] Furthermore, the receiving portion 18 is movably held by the stand portion 14 via a slotted link 52. The slotted link 52 can guide the pivoting of the receiving portion 18. Furthermore, pivoting motion 54 around the pivot axis 42 can be guided and restricted by the slotted link 52. The slotted link 52 is formed in two walls 44 that are parallel to each other. Each slotted link 52 has at least one arcuate slot 56. In this case, the vertex 58 of the arcuate slot 56 is located above the pivot axis 42. The locking element 60 extends through the arcuate slot 56 into the angle connector 48 to which the receiving portion 18 is not connected via a threaded bolt 36. The locking element 60 and the arcuate slot 56 form the slotted link 52. In this case, the locking element 60 is a clamping lever. The locking element 60 allows the receiving portion 18 to be locked in any pivot position.

[0056] The receiving section 18 is height-adjustable relative to the floor surface 16 of the stand section 14. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the receiving section 18 can be attached to the stand section 14 at different distances from the floor surface 16. For this purpose, the angle connector 48 has, for example, two through holes 34. Furthermore, several arc-shaped slots 56 and through holes 34 are provided in the wall 44, which is positioned perpendicular to the bottom wall 46 and spaced apart from one another.

[0057] The receiving section 18 can be attached to the stand section 14 in two orientations (compare Figure 2 and Figure 9). The bottom wall 46 is located above the wall 44 in the first orientation (see Figure 9) and below it in the second orientation (see Figure 2). Therefore, the receiving section 18 is open at the bottom in the first orientation (Figure 9) and open at the top in the second orientation (Figure 2).

[0058] Therefore, the machine support 10 includes several adjustment means for adjusting the height position of the receiving portion 18, more precisely the bottom wall 46 of the receiving portion 18, relative to the floor surface 16. The height position may be affected by mounting the receiving portion 18 at different positions on the stand portion 14 at different distances from the floor surface 16 via the length-adjustable stand portion 14, and / or by two orientations of the receiving portion 18 on the stand portion 14.

[0059] As shown in Figure 8, the receiving portion 18 can be attached to the stand portion 14 via the coupling portion 61. For this purpose, the coupling portion 61 is positioned between the stand portion 14 and the receiving portion 18 at each fixing point to bridge the horizontal distance. Thus, the receiving portion 18 can be adapted to different structural widths of the stand portion 14. Accordingly, the angle connector 48 is positioned on the coupling portion 61 to connect to the receiving portion 18. In contrast to the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the receiving portion 18 is inserted between the stand portions 14 and then pivotably connected to the angle connector 48.

[0060] Figure 2 shows that the adapter unit 20 is removably connected to one side of the bottom wall 46 so that it is positioned between the walls 44. The adapter unit 20 may also be connected to the other side of the bottom wall 46 (see, for example, Figure 9).

[0061] The removable connection between the adapter section 20 and the receiving section 18 includes a notched connection section 62.

[0062] Figure 3 shows an enlarged view of the adapter section 20. The adapter section 20 is portal-shaped and comprises two horizontally opposing side walls 64 and an upper wall 66 connecting the side walls 64.

[0063] The notched connection portion 62 is formed on one side wall 64. On the other side wall 64, an engagement region 68 is formed for fitting the adapter portion 20 into the receiving portion 18, and thereby positioning the adapter portion 20 on the receiving portion 18. As shown below with reference to an exemplary embodiment, the interaction between the engagement region 68 and the notched connection portion 62 allows the adapter portion 20, and by extension the device 12, to be detachably attached to the receiving portion 18.

[0064] The engagement region 68 of the adapter portion 20 according to the present invention comprises an angled piece 70 (Figure 3) integrally formed with the side wall 64 of the adapter portion 20, the angled piece 70 of which can be manufactured, for example, by molding. The angled piece 70 protrudes from one side wall 64 toward the other side wall 64. The receiving portion 18 has a recess 72 in its bottom wall 46 to engage the engagement region 68 (see Figure 5) of the adapter portion 20 in a shape-fitting manner. By engaging the engagement region 68, the adapter portion 20 is pre-positioned in the receiving portion 18. In this case, the engagement region 68 of the adapter portion 20 functions as a pivot bearing 74 with play. Once the adapter portion 20 is engaged with the bottom wall 46 of the receiving portion 18, the adapter portion 20 can be pivoted toward the bottom wall 46 in direction 76. The adapter portion 20 can be locked in the receiving portion 18 by pivoting in direction 76.

[0065] The notched connection portion 62 is formed by the interaction of a rear-engageable region 78 and a pretensioned rear-engagement region 80. In the illustrated embodiment, the rear-engageable region 78 of the side wall 64 of the adapter portion 20 is formed as two openings 82 (see Figure 3). The rear-engagement region 80, which can engage with the openings 82 of the adapter portion 20 for the notched connection portion 62, is formed by a spring-loaded locking element 84. The locking element 84 is positioned to engage with the openings 82 of the adapter portion 20 when the adapter portion 20 swings downward in direction 76. Figure 5a shows the spring-loaded locking element 84 in detail. The spring-loaded locking element 84 is shown here as being designed to be movable parallel to the bottom wall 46 of the receiving portion 18.

[0066] Furthermore, the adapter portion 20 has four projections 86 on the free end 85 extending from the side wall 64 of the adapter portion 20 in the region of the notch connection portion 62, and these projections 86 can engage with the positioning recess 88 of the receiving portion 18 (see Figure 3 or Figure 4). The projections 86 also enable the adapter portion 20 to be correctly positioned relative to the spring-loaded locking element 84.

[0067] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the adapter portion 20, after being hooked, can be pivoted in direction 76 onto the spring-loaded locking element 84. The projection 86 engages with the positioning recess 88. Subsequently, or simultaneously, the locking element 84 is displaced by the adapter portion 20 against the spring load until the locking element 84 is aligned with the opening 82 and snapped into them, thus establishing a notched connection 62 between the adapter portion 20 and the receiving portion 18.

[0068] The spring-loaded locking element 84 can be moved against the preload by a manually operated operating element 89 (see Figure 5a) located in the receiving section 18. The operating element 89 is designed as a push button 90. For this purpose, the push button 90 is thought to act on the locking element 84 by a wedge-shaped inner surface (not shown). This allows the locking element 84 to be manually disengaged from the opening 82 so that the adapter section 20, and thus the device 12, can be removed from the receiving section 18 after the adapter section 20 has been locked in the receiving section 18.

[0069] The machine support 10 also includes a material receiving device 92 for receiving starting material (not shown) to be processed, for example, a flat material made from paper, cardboard, or plastic. The starting material is designed as a continuous material. The material receiving device 92 is designed to receive the starting material directly into or on the transport means of the material receiving device 92.

[0070] In the embodiment shown in Figure 6, the material receiving device 92 includes a support surface 94. The contact surface 94 is located in the connection area between the curved pipe section 28 and the horizontal pipe section 26 of the machine support 10 and extends between the stand side sections 22. The contact surface 94 is inclined in the direction of the curved pipe section 28.

[0071] Furthermore, the material receiving device 92 shown in Figures 6 and 7 is equipped with two horizontally spaced confining struts 96, which extend from the contact surface 94 along the stand portion 14 toward the receiving portion 18. The confining struts 96 serve to restrain the starting material from the side. In this case, the confining struts 96 are formed from two restraining surfaces 98 that form an angle with each other, particularly identical restraining surfaces 98. The restraining surfaces 98 are preferably perpendicular to each other. Each restraining surface 98 is provided with a slot 100 that extends along the longitudinal range of the restraining surface 98 and opens in an arc shape at a concave end 102 on the side facing the receiving portion 18. A round rod (not shown here) can be guided through two opposing slots 100 and placed on the starting material to fix the starting material within the material receiving device 92. To replenish the starting material, a round bar can be placed in the concave end 102 of the slot 100. Both restraining supports 96 are identical parts here.

[0072] The horizontal distance between the restraint posts 96 can be adjusted to match the width of the starting material or its transport means. For this purpose, the restraint posts 96 can be attached to the lateral posts 24 of the stand section 14 at different horizontal positions (see Figure 7). For attaching the restraint posts 96, the lateral posts 24 are provided with through holes 34 that are spaced at different intervals from each other. Furthermore, the ends of the restraint posts 96 facing away from the receiving section 18 are provided with engaging projections 104 that can engage with engaging holes 106 formed in the contact surface 94. The contact surface 94 has engaging holes 106 that are spaced at different intervals. The engaging holes 106 of the contact surface 94 and the through holes 34 of the lateral posts 22 are configured so that the distance between the restraint posts 96 can be adjusted to 200 mm, 300 mm, 400 mm, and 600 mm.

[0073] As an alternative to the material receiving device 92 shown in Figures 6 and 7, the machine support 10 may have a concave region 108 for inserting a transport means between two stand sides 22, as shown in Figure 10, or the machine support 10 may be easily pushed onto a transport means (e.g., a pallet). To accommodate larger pallets, the structural width of the stand 14 can be easily adjusted horizontally by using lateral supports 24 of the required length. To connect the receiving section 18 to the stand 14 in a more widely pivotable horizontal manner, the receiving section 18 can be adapted to the structural width of the stand 14 by the aforementioned coupling 61.

Claims

1. A device (12) for supplying cushioning packaging material, in particular a combination of a cushioning converter and a mechanical support (10), The machine support (10) comprises a stand portion (14) for positioning the machine support (10) on the floor surface (16), and a receiving portion (18) for receiving the device (12) and attaching it to the machine support (10). The combination is characterized in that the mechanical support (10) comprises an adapter portion (20) on one side which can be detachably connected to the device (12), or which is detachably connected to the device (12) and the other side which can be detachably connected to the receiving portion (18), and the detachable connection between the adapter portion (20) and the receiving portion (18) includes a notched connection portion (62).

2. The combination according to claim 1, wherein the notch connection portion (62) is formed by the interaction of a post-engagement region (78) and a biased post-engagement region (80), and one of the post-engagement region (78) and the biased post-engagement region (80) is arranged in the adapter portion (20) and the other is arranged in the receiving portion (18) of the mechanical support (10).

3. The combination according to at least one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that, in addition to the notched connecting portion (62) and spaced apart from the notched connecting portion (62), an engagement region (68) is formed on the adapter portion (20) for fitting the adapter portion (20) to the receiving portion (18) and thereby positioning the adapter portion (20) on the receiving portion (18).

4. The adapter portion (20) is gate-shaped and comprises two horizontally opposing side walls (64) and an upper wall (66) connecting the side walls (64), as described in at least one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The combination according to at least one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that at least one projection (86) is formed on the free end (85) of the adapter portion (20) in the region of the notch connection portion (62), particularly on the side wall (64) of the adapter portion (20), and the at least one projection (86) can engage with the positioning recess (88) of the receiving portion (18).

6. The combination according to at least one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the receiving portion (18) is arranged to pivot about the horizontal pivot axis (42) of the stand portion (14), and can be locked in any pivot position by a locking element (60).

7. The combination according to at least one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the receiving portion (18) is movably held by the stand portion (14) via at least one slotted link (52).

8. The combination according to at least one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the receiving portion (18) has two parallel and spaced apart walls (44) in particular that are vertical, and for attaching the receiving portion (18) to the stand portion (14), and a bottom wall (46) connecting these two walls (44) for receiving the adapter portion (20).

9. The combination according to at least one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the receiving portion (18) is designed to be height-adjustable with respect to the floor surface (16) of the stand portion (14), and preferably the receiving portion (18) can be attached to the stand portion (14) at a position at a different distance from the floor surface (14).

10. The combination according to at least one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the machine support (10) has a material receiving device (92) for a starting material to be processed, in particular a laminated flat material made from paper, cardboard or plastic, and the material receiving device (92) is designed to receive the starting material in particular in or on a conveying means, in particular inside or on a pallet, roll or container.

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