Manufacturing method for packaging paper cushioning material, packaging paper cushioning material manufacturing system, and base material supply device for packaging paper cushioning material

Abstract

To provide a base material feeder for a packing paper-made cushioning material having a simple and compact structure as well as being rich in flexibility, and elevating a degree of freedom in the variety of paper to be used and the setting position of the paper.SOLUTION: A base material feeder 400 for a packing paper-made cushioning material which can be freely attached to / removed from a packing paper-made cushioning material manufacturing device 300 assembled with a converter 340 for converting a paper-made sheet base material 100 to a three-dimensional shape at a prescribed speed to give a paper-made cushioning material 200 and a discharger 360 for discharging the paper-made cushioning material 200 having been converted is characterized by assembled with a sheet base material installation part 420 where the sheet base material 100 is rolled up to a roll state, attached thereto detachably, and sent out in a manner to be oriented downwardly, and an accommodation part 440 which guides the sheet base material 100 having been sent out in a manner to be oriented downwardly, followed by guiding in a manner to be oriented upwardly, to accommodate a specified quantity of the sheet base material 100, and feeds the sheet base material 100 to the converter 340.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a cushioning material made from packing paper, a system for manufacturing a cushioning material made from packing paper, and a base material supply device for cushioning material made from packing paper, and in particular to a method for manufacturing a cushioning material made from packing paper, which uses a paper sheet base material wound into a roll, a system for manufacturing a cushioning material made from packing paper, and a base material supply device for cushioning material made from packing paper. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, various types of cushioning materials for packaging have been provided, such as vinyl bubble cushioning materials known as air cushions, foam sheets made from foamed polyethylene processed into sheets, rolled corrugated cardboard, air pillow-type cushioning materials made from air-filled vinyl bags that are rectangular in plan view, cocoon-shaped or round loose cushioning materials made from synthetic resin, and cushioning materials made from kraft paper or recycled paper processed into a three-dimensional shape. Among these, paper cushioning materials are attracting attention and being reconsidered from the perspective of environmental protection and ease of recycling and disposal. In particular, considering the trend towards SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals), paper cushioning is expected to attract even more attention in the future.

[0003] Furthermore, the major features of paper cushioning materials are that they are low cost, do not take up much space when stored, and can be freely shaped to fit the size of the product being packaged and easily fill gaps.

[0004] Patent Document 1 discloses a cushion manufacturing machine that produces dunnage products from sheet stock material supplied in roll form. This machine includes a sheet stock material located at the bottom of the machine, a converting and forming assembly located above the material, and an outlet opening located above the assembly for discharging the converted and formed material upward. The sheet stock material is configured to be fed upward without being deflected by tension.

[0005] Patent Document 2 discloses a cushioning material converting machine that produces dunnage products from sheet stock material supplied in a roll. This machine is configured so that the sheet stock material is positioned below the converting machine and fed horizontally or upward without bending.

[0006] Non-Patent Document 1 discloses a cushioning material manufacturing device that converts a continuous roll of specialized paper, perforated at predetermined intervals, into a three-dimensional cushioning material at high speed. This device uses so-called fanfold paper, which is a single layer of specialized paper that is rectangular in plan view and has perforations on the long sides, folded along the perforations to form a stack. The specialized paper is placed in a stocker that is integrally provided at the bottom of the device body and is configured to be fed upward.

[0007] Non-Patent Document 2 discloses a paper space filling system that sends out fan-folded special paper, which is folded into a bundle and has a rectangular shape in plan view, from a lower position toward the top, and produces paper space filling materials using a converter. This system is configured so that fan-folded special paper, which is rectangular in plan view and stored in a stocker that is integrally provided at the bottom of the system, is sent out from a lower position toward the top.

[0008] Non-Patent Document 3 discloses an automatic paper cushioning material manufacturing machine that sends out fan-folded special paper, which is folded into a bundle and has a rectangular shape in plan view, from a lower position toward the top, and converts it into paper cushioning material using a converter. This machine is also configured to send out fan-folded special paper, which is rectangular in plan view and stored in a stocker, from a lower position toward the top.

[0009] Non-Patent Document 4 discloses a kraft paper filling machine that sends fan-folded specialty paper, which is folded into a bundle and has a rectangular shape in plan view, from a lower position toward an upper position, and converts it into paper cushioning material in a converter. This machine is also configured to send fan-folded specialty paper, which is rectangular in plan view and stored in a stocker, from a lower position toward a converter located above.

[0010] Non-Patent Document 5 discloses a paper cushioning material manufacturing machine that sends out one- or two-ply dedicated kraft paper wound in a roll installed below a converter upward, which converts it into a three-dimensional cushioning material. This machine is configured so that the rolled kraft paper is placed in a predetermined position that is integrally provided on the manufacturing machine.

[0011] Non-Patent Document 6 discloses a cushioning material manufacturing device in which a roll of two- or three-ply specialized paper is placed at the bottom end and pulled upward, and then converted into a three-dimensional cushioning material by a converter. In this device, the finished cushioning material is discharged upward, and the roll of specialized paper is attached to a roller that is integrally provided at the bottom end of the manufacturing machine. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0012] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 10-501752 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 3947563 [Non-patent literature]

[0013] [Non-Patent Document 1] https: / / www.ranpak.com / jp / products / padpak-guardian / [Non-patent document 2] http: / / www.sealedair-japan.com / product_package / fasfil.html [Non-patent document 3] http: / / www.packwell.co.jp / product / product2.html#pro_6 [Non-patent document 4] https: / / www.lockedair.com / products / locked-paper-f1-kraft-paper-void-fill-machine.html [Non-Patent Document 5] http: / / www.toyotec-intl.co.jp / archives / 4084 [Non-patent document 6] https: / / www.ranpak.com / jp / products / padpak-sr / DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0014] As mentioned above, various paper cushioning manufacturing machines are available. However, in most cases, they are used only with paper specifically designed for that machine. In particular, one of the most commonly used types is the fan-fold type.

[0015] The devices disclosed in Non-Patent Documents 1 to 4 use fan-fold type special paper, which requires procurement of the special paper from a specific business, making it difficult to reduce costs. While it is possible to use other similar products, there is a risk that this may adversely affect the converter or cause it to malfunction.

[0016] In addition, in the devices disclosed in Non-Patent Documents 1 to 4, the special paper is configured to be sent from a lower position toward the converter, so the stocker in which the special paper is stored is inevitably located below the converter.

[0017] In the devices disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 and Non-Patent Documents 5 and 6, a sheet stock material is placed below a converter and sent out horizontally or upward without bending, but the mechanism is fixed and complicated.

[0018] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a method for manufacturing packing paper cushioning material, a packing paper cushioning material manufacturing system, and a base material supply device for packing paper cushioning material that have a simple and compact structure, are highly flexible, and allow for greater freedom in the paper used and where the paper is placed.

[0019] Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing packing paper cushioning material, a packing paper cushioning material manufacturing system, and a base material supply device for packing paper cushioning material that are easy to use, practically useful, and have excellent productivity and economy.

[0020] Furthermore, the present invention aims to provide a method for manufacturing a packaging paper cushioning material that is both durable and environmentally friendly, a packaging paper cushioning material manufacturing system, and a base material supply device for packaging paper cushioning material. [Means for solving the problem]

[0021] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is characterized by the following configuration.

[0022] (1) A method for manufacturing cushioning material made of packing paper, characterized by comprising a feeding step of feeding a rolled paper sheet base material so that it faces downward; a storage step of storing a predetermined amount of the sheet material by applying a predetermined pulling force to the sheet base material being fed to guide it to face downward and then guiding it to face upward; a monitoring step of monitoring the amount of the stored sheet base material; a conversion step of converting the stored sheet base material into a three-dimensional shape at a predetermined speed to turn it into paper cushioning material; and a discharge step of discharging the paper cushioning material.

[0023] (2) A method for manufacturing cushioning material made from packing paper, which has the configuration of (1) above and is characterized by including an adjustment process for adjusting the amount of sheet base material sent out in the sending process or the conversion speed in the converting process when the amount of sheet base material stored in the monitoring process falls below a predetermined amount, so that the amount of sheet base material stored exceeds the predetermined amount.

[0024] (3) A method for manufacturing cushioning material made from packing paper, which has the configuration of (1) or (2) above and is characterized by providing an alarm process for issuing an alarm when the amount of sheet base material stored in the monitoring process falls below a predetermined amount.

[0025] (4) The device is characterized by including a sheet substrate mounting section in which a rolled paper sheet substrate is detachably mounted and which sends out the sheet substrate in a downward direction; a storage section which stores a predetermined amount of the sheet substrate by guiding the sheet substrate sent out from the mounting section so that it is directed downward and then so that it is directed upward; a conversion section which converts the sheet substrate sent out from the storage section into a three-dimensional shape at a predetermined speed to make it into paper cushioning material; a discharge section which discharges the paper cushioning material converted by the conversion section; a monitoring section which monitors the amount of sheet substrate stored in the storage section; and an adjustment section which, when the monitoring section detects that the amount of sheet substrate stored in the storage section has fallen below the predetermined amount, adjusts the amount of sheet substrate sent out from the substrate mounting section or the conversion speed by the conversion section.

[0026] (5) A device that can be freely attached and detached to a packaging paper cushioning material manufacturing device that has a conversion unit that converts a paper sheet base material into a three-dimensional shape at a predetermined speed to make it into paper cushioning material, and a discharge unit that discharges the paper cushioning material converted by the conversion unit, characterized in that it is equipped with a sheet base material attachment unit that attaches the sheet base material in a roll shape and is detachably attached, and sends out the sheet base material so that it is directed downward, and a storage unit that guides the sheet base material sent out from the sheet base material attachment unit so that it is directed downward and then so that it is directed upward, thereby storing a predetermined amount of the sheet material and supplying it to the conversion unit.

[0027] The above configuration has a simple and compact structure, which allows for greater freedom in the paper used and where it is placed, making it highly flexible, easy to use, practically useful, and highly productive and economical.

[0028] Furthermore, the above-mentioned configuration has the useful effects of being excellent in durability and environmentally friendly. [Effects of the Invention]

[0029] The present invention has the useful effects of being simple and compact in structure, allowing for greater freedom in the type of paper used and the location where the paper is arranged, and being highly flexible. Furthermore, the present invention is easy to use, practically useful, and is expected to be highly effective in terms of productivity and economy. Furthermore, the present invention is highly durable, environmentally friendly, and can contribute to society. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0030] [Figure 1] 1 is a partially cutaway schematic view showing the overall configuration of a packaging paper cushioning material manufacturing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration for monitoring and controlling the entire system according to the first embodiment and the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a flow of manufacturing a cushioning material according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the flow of monitoring and adjustment processing in both of the embodiments. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a partially cutaway schematic view showing the overall configuration of a packaging paper cushioning material manufacturing system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the substrate supply device from the tension bar side in the embodiment. [Figure 7] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing the operating state of a packaging paper cushioning material manufacturing system according to a modified example of the same embodiment, in which (a) shows the state in which the capacity of the sheet base material reaches a predetermined amount, and (b) shows the state in which the capacity falls below the predetermined amount. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0031] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0032] (First embodiment) First, the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. The packing paper cushioning material manufacturing system 10 of this embodiment is composed of a packing paper cushioning material manufacturing apparatus (hereinafter referred to as the "manufacturing apparatus") 300, which has a converting section 340 that converts a rolled paper sheet base material 100 into a three-dimensional shape at a predetermined speed to form the paper cushioning material 200, and a discharging section 360 that discharges the paper cushioning material 200 converted by the converting section 340, and a sheet base material loading section 420 that can be attached to and detached from the manufacturing apparatus 300 and detachably loads the rolled sheet base material 100 and feeds the sheet base material 100 downward, and a base material supply apparatus 400 that has a storage section 440 that guides the sheet base material 100 fed from the sheet base material loading section 420 downward (in the direction of arrow D1 in Figure 1) and then guides it upward (in the direction of arrow U1), thereby storing a predetermined amount of sheet material 100, and feeding and supplying the sheet base material 100 to the converting machine 340.

[0033] The packaging paper cushioning material manufacturing system 10 is also provided with a monitoring and adjustment device 500 having a monitoring function for monitoring the amount of sheet substrate 100 stored in the storage section 440, and an adjustment function for adjusting the amount of sheet substrate 100 sent out from the sheet substrate mounting section 420 or the conversion speed by the conversion section 340 when this monitoring function detects that the amount of sheet substrate 100 stored in the storage section 440 has fallen below a predetermined amount.

[0034] The sheet substrate 100 is, for example, commonly available kraft paper or recycled paper wound into a roll. The sheet substrate 100 is flat before being processed and converted, and is converted into a three-dimensional shape by the manufacturing device 300 to become the paper cushioning material 200.

[0035] The manufacturing apparatus 300 is provided with a conversion unit 340 that has the function of converting a planar sheet substrate 100 into a three-dimensional shape so that the sheet substrate 100 can be rotated (in the direction of arrow A and in the direction opposite to arrow A) at the top of a stand 320, the bottom of which is provided with casters for free movement. The manufacturing apparatus 300 is functionally configured to receive the sheet substrate 100 being delivered from one end 340a of the conversion unit 340, convert the planar shape into a three-dimensional shape at a predetermined speed or at predetermined time intervals, and discharge the sheet substrate 100 from a discharge unit 360 at the other end 340b (in the direction of arrow E).

[0036] The substrate supply device 400 has a hollow rectangular shape with casters at the bottom end for easy movement, and a sheet substrate mounting section 420 is provided at the top, allowing the sheet substrate 100 to be attached and detached.

[0037] The substrate supply device 400 is also provided with a storage section 440 that guides the sheet substrate 100 delivered from the sheet substrate attachment section 420 downward (in the direction of arrow D1) and then guides it upward (in the direction of arrow U1) to store a predetermined amount of sheet material 100 within the substrate supply device 400. The storage section 440 is functionally configured to deliver the sheet substrate 100 that is directed upward toward the manufacturing device 300 (in the direction of arrow M).

[0038] Here, the sheet substrate mounting section 420 and the storage section 440 will be described in detail.

[0039] The sheet substrate mounting section 420 is composed of a holder 422 that holds the core portion of the sheet substrate 100 so that it can rotate freely, a drive roller 424 that rotates the sheet substrate 100 so that it is sent out into the storage section 440, and a rotating roller 426 that is attached to the drive roller 424. Note that the speed at which the sheet substrate 100 is sent out by the drive roller 424 is functionally configured to be approximately synchronized with the conversion speed by the conversion section 340 during normal operation, but this is not limited to this and can be changed as appropriate.

[0040] Next, storage section 440 has a direction-changing rotating roller 442 at the bottom end of stored sheet substrate 100, i.e., at a portion that guides sheet substrate 100 downward (in the direction of arrow D1) and then guides it upward (in the direction of arrow U1). This rotating roller 442 is provided so as to be movable up and down (vertically) within a predetermined range within storage section 440, and functions to apply a load as a pulling force to sheet substrate 100 by its own weight. Although the present embodiment uses the rotary roller 442, it is of course not limited to this, and other means such as a tension bar that can move up and down may also be used.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 2, the monitoring and adjusting device 500 includes a control processing unit 510, an input unit 520, an output unit 530, and a readable / writable memory 540, which are connected to each other via a signal line 550.

[0042] The control processing unit 510 has the function of referring to predetermined program information stored in the memory 540, referring to the capacity of the sheet substrate 100 stored in the storage unit 440, and adjusting the amount of sheet substrate 100 sent out or the conversion speed by the conversion unit 340, etc.

[0043] The input unit 520 has a function of receiving information sent from the outside and storing it in a predetermined storage area of ​​the memory 540 under the management of the control processing unit 510. For example, the input unit 520 is configured to receive information such as the capacity and delivery speed of the sheet substrate 100 sent from the sensor 600 and store it in a predetermined storage area of ​​the memory 540 (i.e., the monitoring information storage area 540c).

[0044] Furthermore, the input unit 520 has a function of storing input information entered by keys from a keypad or the like in a predetermined storage area of ​​the memory 540 under the control of the control processing unit 510 .

[0045] The output unit 530 has a function of outputting various information and sending it to the outside under the control of the control processing unit 510. For example, it has a function of outputting command information for adjusting the amount of sheet base material 100 sent out or the conversion speed by the conversion unit 340, or a function of notifying the user when the amount of sheet base material 100 stored in the storage unit 440 falls below a predetermined amount.

[0046] The memory 540 has a storage area including a work area 540a for performing various tasks and a program information storage area 540b for storing program information that the control processing unit 510 refers to for various control processing and management.

[0047] Furthermore, the memory 540 has storage areas such as a monitoring information storage area 540c that stores information on the amount of sheet substrate 100 sent via the input unit 520, information on the conversion speed by the conversion unit 340, and threshold information related to the preset amount of sheet substrate 100 sent and speed information, an adjustment information storage area 540d that stores program information for adjusting the amount of sheet substrate sent and the conversion speed when the threshold is not met, and an alarm information storage area 540e that stores alarm information that is referenced when the amount of sheet substrate stored falls below a predetermined amount.

[0048] The sensor 600 has a function of detecting at least the amount of sheet substrate 100 stored in the storage unit 440 and sending the detected information to the input unit 600. In addition to this, the sensor 600 also has a function of detecting the delivery speed of the sheet substrate 100 delivered from the substrate supply device 400 to the manufacturing device 300 and sending the detected information to the input unit 600.

[0049] The method for detecting the amount of sheet substrate 100 by sensor 600 is detection by an infrared sensor installed at a predetermined position on the inner wall of storage section 440. When rotating roller 442, which applies a downward pulling force to sheet substrate 100, moves from below to above and passes sensor 600, the amount of sheet substrate 100 stored in storage section 440 is detected as being below a predetermined amount. On the other hand, if sensor 600 does not detect the passage of rotating roller 442 from below to above, the amount of sheet substrate 100 stored in storage section 440 exceeds the predetermined amount.

[0050] With regard to the above configuration, the flow of processing in which the sheet base material 100 is processed and converted into the paper cushioning material 200 will be described.

[0051] The roll-shaped sheet substrate 100 is loaded into the sheet substrate loading section 420 and set to be sent to the manufacturing apparatus 300 via the storage section 440, and the packaging paper cushioning material manufacturing system 10 is operated. Then, the sheet substrate 100 is sent out from the sheet substrate loading section 420 into the storage section 440 by the drive roller 424 (see process P100 in FIG. 3).

[0052] The sheet substrate 100 delivered from the sheet substrate loading section 420 is guided downward (in the direction of arrow D1) within the storage section 440, and then guided upward (in the direction of arrow U1). At this time, a predetermined amount of sheet substrate 100 is stored in the storage section 440 (process P200, see step S200 in FIG. 4). Then, the predetermined amount of sheet substrate 100 stored in the storage section 440 is delivered toward the manufacturing apparatus 300 (in the direction of arrow M).

[0053] When storing the sheet substrate 100 in the storage section 440, the rotating roller 442 applies a predetermined pulling force to the sheet substrate 100 being sent out, guiding the sheet substrate 100 downward, and then guiding the sheet substrate 100 upward.

[0054] Furthermore, the amount of sheet materials 100 stored in the storage section 440 is constantly monitored by the sensor 600 (process P300, step S300).

[0055] Here, if the monitoring and adjusting device 500 determines that the capacity is below a predetermined amount (Y in step S300), that is, if it determines that the sensor 600 has detected the passage of the rotating roller 442 from the lower side to the upper side, it notifies the user of this and performs an adjustment process (processes P400 and S400). The adjustment process may involve, for example, temporarily suspending the conversion operation by the converting unit 340 or slowing down the conversion speed until the capacity is reached. Alternatively, the adjustment may be made by increasing the supply speed of the sheet substrate 100 from the sheet substrate loading unit 420. After this, when the capacity is reached, the process proceeds to the next step.

[0056] On the other hand, if it is determined that the amount exceeds the predetermined amount (N in step S300), that is, if it is determined that the sensor 600 does not detect the passage from the lower side to the upper side of the rotating roller 442, the process proceeds to the next step without going through the adjustment and notification process.

[0057] The sheet substrate 100 sent from the substrate supply device 400 to the manufacturing device 300 is converted from a flat shape to a three-dimensional shape at a predetermined speed or at a predetermined time interval in the conversion section 340, and converted into paper cushioning material 200 (processes P500, S500).

[0058] Then, the paper cushioning material 200 is discharged to the outside via the discharge section 360 (process P600).

[0059] According to the above embodiment, the base material supply device 400 is not integrated with the manufacturing device 300 as in the past, but can be freely attached and detached, thereby improving the flexibility of installation and storage of the packaging paper cushioning material manufacturing system 10. Furthermore, instead of relying solely on specific specialized paper that is difficult to tear as in the past, the range of paper options to be used is greatly improved, and the flexibility of where to place the paper is also improved, making it highly flexible, easy to use, practically useful, and excellent in productivity and economy.

[0060] Furthermore, according to the above embodiment, the structure is simple and compact, which has the effect of making maintenance easy and providing excellent durability.

[0061] Furthermore, according to the above embodiment, it is possible to use recycled paper, which is inferior in terms of tensile strength, as the sheet substrate 100, which is useful in that it is environmentally friendly and can contribute to the SDGs.

[0062] (Second embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 2 to 4 and Figures 5 to 7. The same parts and functions as those in the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description will be omitted.

[0063] The packing paper cushioning material manufacturing system 20 of this embodiment is composed of a packing paper cushioning material manufacturing apparatus (hereinafter referred to as the "manufacturing apparatus") 300, which has a converting section 340 that converts a rolled paper sheet base material 100 into a three-dimensional shape at a predetermined speed to form the paper cushioning material 200, and a discharging section 360 that discharges the paper cushioning material 200 converted by the converting section 340, and a sheet base material loading section 420 that can be freely attached to and detached from the manufacturing apparatus 300 and which detachably loads the rolled sheet base material 100 and feeds the sheet base material 100 downward, and a base material supply apparatus 400 that guides the sheet base material 100 fed from the sheet base material loading section 420 downward (in the direction of arrow D2 in Figure 5) and then guides it upward (in the direction of arrow U2), thereby storing a predetermined amount of sheet material 100, and which has a storage area 460 as a storage section that feeds and supplies the sheet base material 100 to the converting machine 340.

[0064] The packaging paper cushioning material manufacturing system 10 is also provided with a monitoring and adjustment device 500 having a monitoring function for monitoring the amount of sheet substrate 100 stored in the storage area 460, and an adjustment function for adjusting the amount of sheet substrate 100 sent out from the sheet substrate mounting section 420 or the conversion speed by the conversion section 340 when this monitoring function detects that the amount of sheet substrate 100 stored in the storage area 460 has fallen below a predetermined amount.

[0065] The base material supply device 400 is placed so that its bottom 400a can be freely attached and detached to the bottom 320a of the stand 320 of the manufacturing apparatus 300. The base material supply device 400 is also provided with a sheet base material attachment section 420 on its upper side, which allows the sheet base material 100 to be detachably attached.

[0066] Furthermore, the substrate supply device 400 guides the sheet substrate 100 delivered from the sheet substrate mounting section 420 downward (in the direction of arrow D2), and then guides it upward (in the direction of arrow U2), thereby providing a storage area 460 that stores a predetermined amount of sheet material 100 within the substrate supply device 400. This storage area 460 is functionally configured to deliver the sheet substrate 100 directed upward toward the manufacturing device 300 (in the direction of arrow M).

[0067] Here, the sheet substrate mounting section 420 and the storage area 460 will be described in detail. The sheet substrate loading section 420 is composed of a drive roller 424 that rotates to send out the sheet substrate 100 toward the storage area 460, and a rotating roller 426 that is attached to the drive roller 424. Note that the speed at which the sheet substrate 100 is sent out by the drive roller 424 is functionally configured to be approximately synchronized with the conversion speed by the conversion section 340 during normal operation, but is not limited to this and can be changed as appropriate.

[0068] Next, a direction-changing tension bar 444 is provided in the storage area 460 at the lowest end of the stored sheet substrate 100, i.e., at a location that guides the sheet substrate 100 downward (in the direction of arrow D2) and then upward (in the direction of arrow U2). This tension bar 444 is attached to a slide support 446 provided on the outer edge of the storage area 460 so as to be movable up and down (vertically) within a predetermined range. The tension bar 444 functions to apply a tensile load to the sheet substrate 100 by its own weight.

[0069] As in the first embodiment, the monitoring and adjustment device 500 includes a control processing unit 510, an input unit 520, an output unit 530, and a readable / writable memory 540, all of which are connected via a signal line 550 (see FIG. 2).

[0070] Here, the output unit 530 has a function of outputting various information and sending it to the outside under the management of the control processing unit 510. For example, it has a function of outputting command information for adjusting the amount of sheet base material 100 sent out or the conversion speed by the conversion unit 340, or a function of notifying the user when the amount of sheet base material 100 stored in the storage area 460 falls below a predetermined amount.

[0071] The sensor 600 also has a function of detecting at least the amount of sheet substrate 100 stored in the storage area 460 and sending the detected information to the input unit 600. In addition to this, the sensor 600 also has a function of detecting the delivery speed of the sheet substrate 100 delivered from the substrate supply device 400 to the manufacturing device 300 and sending the detected information to the input unit 600.

[0072] The sensor 600 detects the amount of sheet substrate 100 stored in the storage area 460 by using an infrared sensor installed facing a predetermined position in the storage area 460. When the tension bar 444, which applies a downward pulling force to the sheet substrate 100, moves from below to above and passes the sensor 600, the amount of sheet substrate 100 stored in the storage area 460 is detected as being below the predetermined amount. On the other hand, if the sensor 600 does not detect the tension bar 444 passing from below to above, the amount of sheet substrate 100 stored in the storage area 460 exceeds the predetermined amount.

[0073] With regard to the above configuration, the flow of processing in which the sheet base material 100 is processed and converted into the paper cushioning material 200 will be described.

[0074] The roll-shaped sheet substrate 100 is loaded into the sheet substrate loading section 420 and set to be sent to the manufacturing apparatus 300 via the storage area section 460, and the packaging paper cushioning material manufacturing system 20 is then operated. Then, the sheet substrate 100 is sent out from the sheet substrate loading section 420 toward the storage area 460 by the drive roller 424 (see process P100 in FIG. 3).

[0075] The sheet substrate 100 delivered from the sheet substrate loading section 420 is guided downward (in the direction of arrow D2) within the storage area 460, and then guided upward (in the direction of arrow U2). At this time, a predetermined amount of sheet substrate 100 is stored in the storage area 460 (process P200, see step S200 in FIG. 4). Then, the predetermined amount of sheet substrate 100 stored in the storage area 460 is delivered toward the manufacturing apparatus 300 (in the direction of arrow M).

[0076] When storing the sheet substrate 100 in the storage area 460, the tension bar 444 applies a predetermined pulling force to the sheet substrate 100 being sent out, guiding the sheet substrate 100 downward, and then guiding the sheet substrate 100 upward.

[0077] The amount of sheet materials 100 stored in the storage area 460 is constantly monitored by the sensor 600 (process P300, step S300).

[0078] Here, if the monitoring and adjusting device 500 determines that the capacity is below a predetermined amount (Y in step S300), that is, if it determines that the sensor 600 has detected the passage of the tension bar 444 from the lower side to the upper side, it notifies the user of this and performs an adjustment process (processes P400 and S400). The adjustment process may involve, for example, temporarily suspending the conversion operation by the converting unit 340 or slowing down the conversion speed until the capacity is reached. Alternatively, the adjustment may be made by increasing the supply speed of the sheet substrate 100 from the sheet substrate loading unit 420. After this, when the capacity is reached, the process proceeds to the next step.

[0079] On the other hand, if it is determined that the amount exceeds the predetermined amount (N in step S300), that is, if it is determined that the sensor 600 has not detected the tension bar 444 passing from the lower side to the upper side, the process proceeds to the next step without going through the adjustment and notification process.

[0080] The sheet substrate 100 sent from the substrate supply device 400 to the manufacturing device 300 is converted from a flat shape to a three-dimensional shape at a predetermined speed or at a predetermined time interval in the conversion section 340, and converted into paper cushioning material 200 (processes P500, S500).

[0081] Then, the paper cushioning material 200 is discharged to the outside via the discharge section 360 (process P600).

[0082] According to the above embodiment, the base material supply device 400 is not integrated into the manufacturing apparatus 300 as in the past, but is placed on the bottom 400a of the manufacturing apparatus 400, allowing for easy attachment and detachment, thereby improving the flexibility of installation and storage of the packaging paper cushioning material manufacturing system 20. Furthermore, instead of relying solely on specific specialized paper that is difficult to tear as in the past, the range of paper options available is greatly improved, and the freedom in where the paper can be placed is also improved, making the system highly flexible, easy to use, practically useful, and excellent in productivity and economy.

[0083] Furthermore, according to the above embodiment, the structure is simple and compact, which has the effect of making maintenance easy and providing excellent durability.

[0084] Furthermore, according to the above embodiment, it is possible to use recycled paper, which is inferior in terms of tensile strength, as the sheet substrate 100, which is useful in that it is environmentally friendly and can contribute to the SDGs.

[0085] FIG. 7 shows a modification of the above embodiment. The same parts and functions as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0086] In this modified example, casters are detachably provided at the lower end of the base material supply device 400 to allow it to move freely. In addition, the slide support 446, the tension bar 444 that can move up and down (vertically) within a predetermined range on this slide support 446, and the storage area 460 are provided on the manufacturing apparatus 300 side, which is opposite to the first embodiment.

[0087] Even with such a configuration, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be achieved.

[0088] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and modifications, and various modifications are possible without departing from the gist of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0089] 10, 20...Paper cushioning material manufacturing system 100...sheet substrate 200...Paper cushioning material 300...Paper cushioning material manufacturing equipment 340...Conversion section 360...Discharge section 400...Base material supply device 420 ... Sheet substrate mounting part 440 ... Storage area 460 ...containment area 500...Monitoring and adjustment device 600...sensor

Claims

1. a feeding step of feeding a rolled paper sheet substrate downward; a storing step in which a predetermined pulling force is applied to the sheet substrate being fed out by a direction changing section located below the rolled paper sheet substrate to guide the sheet substrate downward, and then the sheet substrate is guided upward by the direction changing section to store a predetermined amount of the sheet substrate; a monitoring step of monitoring the amount of the sheet substrates stored; a converting step of converting the stored sheet base material into a three-dimensional shape at a predetermined speed to form a paper cushioning material; A method for manufacturing a paper cushioning material for packaging, comprising a discharging step of discharging the paper cushioning material.

2. 2. The method for manufacturing cushioning material made from packing paper according to claim 1, further comprising an adjustment step of adjusting the amount of sheet substrate fed in the feeding step or the conversion speed in the converting step when the amount of sheet substrate stored in the monitoring step falls below a predetermined amount, so that the amount of sheet substrate stored exceeds the predetermined amount.

3. 3. The method for manufacturing a cushioning material made of packing paper according to claim 1, further comprising a step of notifying when the amount of sheet base material stored in said monitoring step falls below a predetermined amount.

4. a sheet substrate mounting section to which a rolled paper sheet substrate is detachably mounted and which feeds the sheet substrate downward; a storage section that guides the sheet base material delivered from the mounting section downward by a direction change section located below the rolled paper sheet base material, and then guides the sheet base material upward by the direction change section, thereby storing a predetermined amount of the sheet base material; a converting section that converts the sheet base material delivered from the storage section into a three-dimensional shape at a predetermined speed to create a paper cushioning material; a discharge section that discharges the paper cushioning material converted by the conversion section; a monitoring unit that monitors the amount of sheet substrates accommodated in the accommodation unit; This system is characterized by having an adjustment unit that, when the monitoring unit detects that the amount of sheet substrate stored in the storage unit has fallen below a predetermined amount, adjusts the amount of sheet substrate fed from the sheet substrate loading unit or the conversion speed by the conversion unit.

5. The device can be freely attached to and detached from a packaging paper cushioning material manufacturing device that includes a converting unit that converts a paper sheet base material into a three-dimensional shape at a predetermined speed to make the paper cushioning material, and a discharging unit that discharges the paper cushioning material converted by the converting unit, the sheet substrate is wound in a roll and detachably attached to a sheet substrate attachment section that feeds the sheet substrate downward; A base material supply device for cushioning material made from packing paper, characterized in that it comprises a storage section that guides the sheet base material sent out from the sheet base material mounting section so that it is directed downward by a direction change section located below the rolled sheet base material, and then guides it so that it is directed upward by the direction change section, thereby storing a predetermined amount of the sheet base material and supplying the sheet base material to the conversion section.

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