Cushioning conversion machine

Abstract

A cushioning conversion machine (10) for converting a flat web-shaped starting material (16) into a three-dimensional cushioning product (20) comprises a housing (12), an inlet region (14) for the web-shaped starting material (16), an outlet region (18) for the three-dimensional cushioning product (20), and a conversion region (22) functionally arranged between the inlet region (14) and the outlet region (18), wherein at least one guide element (24) for the web-shaped starting material (16) can be arranged in the inlet region (14). According to the invention, the guide element (24) is arranged on a holding device (26) which is pivotably connected to the housing (12), wherein, in a first pivoting position, the guide element (24) assumes a guide position, in which it can guide the web-shaped starting material (16), and, in a second pivoting position, the guide element assumes a transport position, in which it can be gripped by an operator in order to support the cushioning conversion machine (10).

Description

[0001] Applicant:

[0002] Storopack Hans Reichenecker GmbH

[0003] Untere Rietstraße 30

[0004] 72555 Metzingen

[0005] General Power of Attorney: 514560 . 2

[0006] 35020911WO 16.09.2025

[0007] KNA / MAY

[0008] Title: Upholstery Conversion Machine

[0009] Description

[0010] The invention relates to a cushion conversion machine according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0011] The DE 102 42 998 Al of fenbart a

[0012] A cushion conversion machine that transforms a flat, web-shaped input material into a tubular, three-dimensional cushioning product. The flat, web-shaped input material is pre-configured and consists, for example, of a flattened paper tube.

[0013] The starting material can be, for example, wound on a roll or a zigzag-folded stack.

[0014] A conveyor system draws the web-like starting material through an inlet area into a conversion area containing a floating core. The starting material is drawn over this core, expanding it into a tube with a more or less circular cross-section. The tube is then compressed lengthwise, causing it to crumple. A cutting device then snips off the desired length of the crumpled tube. The resulting three-dimensional, tubular cushioning product is dispensed at the outlet, where it can be removed by an operator and used, for example, to fill empty space in a shipping carton.

[0015] Other types of upholstery conversion machines are also known on the market, which do not produce a tubular three-dimensional upholstery product, but rather a different type of three-dimensional upholstery product. For example, the upholstery product can be a flat sheet of paper with folded-over edges and which has also been crumpled lengthwise.

[0016] The object of the present invention is to further develop a cushion conversion machine of the type mentioned above in such a way that it can be handled flexibly and conveniently.

[0017] This problem is solved by a cushion conversion machine with the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are specified in the dependent claims.

[0018] The invention provides a cushion conversion machine that can be easily and conveniently carried by an operator from one work location to another. For this purpose, the cushion conversion machine includes a carrying handle, which, however, is not provided by a special separate molding, for example, on the housing, but rather by a guide element that is typically already present. This guide element directs the web-shaped input material over the inlet area towards the conversion area. A separate molding of a carrying handle is therefore unnecessary, thus reducing manufacturing costs. Furthermore, the guide element can be designed to be very robust, thereby increasing the safety and stability during transport of the cushion conversion machine.

[0019] Specifically, this is achieved by a cushion conversion machine that transforms a flat, web-like input material into a three-dimensional cushioning product. Typically, the flat, web-like input material is a flat paper web, and the corresponding three-dimensional cushioning product is created from this flat paper web, for example, by expanding and / or crumpling it lengthwise. However, it is also possible that the flat, web-like input material is a flat plastic tube comprising individual chambers, typically separated by welded seams, and that the corresponding three-dimensional cushioning product is created by inflating the chambers with air.

[0020] The upholstery conversion machine according to the invention comprises a housing. For example, the housing can comprise an inner support structure made of metal and an outer shell made of plastic. The inner support structure made of metal serves to actually hold the various functional components of the upholstery conversion machine and provides the necessary stability, whereas the outer shell also serves, at least in part, as a visual covering.

[0021] The upholstery conversion machine comprises an inlet area for the web-shaped input material and an outlet area for the three-dimensional upholstery product, and a conversion area functionally arranged between the inlet and outlet areas. The web-shaped input material is fed into the upholstery conversion machine at the inlet area, while the three-dimensional upholstery product is discharged at the outlet area. The conversion area, functionally located between these two areas, includes the technical equipment that produces the three-dimensional upholstery product from the flat, web-shaped input material.

[0022] At least one guide element for the web-shaped feed material can be arranged in the inlet area. This guide element ensures that the flat, web-shaped feed material is not twisted upstream of the guide element, but remains available as a flat, web-shaped feed material. Only downstream of the guide element is the flat, web-shaped feed material, for example, turned over or similarly. The inlet area includes not only the actual structural elements of the inlet, but also the external space adjacent to these structural elements.

[0023] The guide element is arranged on a holding device that is pivotally connected to the housing. The holding device thus connects the guide element to the housing and is therefore also a connecting device. The holding device typically keeps the guide element at a certain distance from the housing. In a first pivot position, the guide element assumes a guiding position in which it can guide the web-shaped feed material. As mentioned above, guiding the web-shaped feed material ensures, for example, that it is only processed into the three-dimensional cushion product downstream of the guide element, and that the web-shaped feed material remains flat and does not twist upstream of the guide element.

[0024] In a second pivoted position, the guide element assumes a transport position in which it can be gripped by an operator to carry the upholstery conversion machine. In this second pivoted position, the guide element thus forms a handle for the operator. In the upholstery conversion machine according to the invention, the guide element therefore fulfills a dual function.

[0025] In a further development, it is provided that in the guide position, the guide element is arranged essentially to the side of, and thus approximately at the same height as, the conversion area in a normal and typical operating position of the upholstery conversion machine, and that in the transport position, the guide element is arranged essentially above the conversion area, again with reference to a normal and typical operating position of the upholstery conversion machine. Thus, the guide element can fulfill both of its functions particularly well.

[0026] In a further development, it is planned that the guide element includes a rotatable roller. This improves both the guiding function of the guide element, as the friction between the web-shaped starting material and the guide element is reduced, and the gripping function of the guide element, as the operator can grasp the rotatable roller by hand and the upholstery conversion machine can then automatically align itself according to gravity relative to the guide element in its second pivot position.

[0027] In a further development, it is provided that the holding device has at least one bracket arranged laterally on the housing, one end of which is pivotably connected to the housing, and the other end of which holds the guide element. This is a simple design.

[0028] In a further development, the bracket is provided to have a section adjacent to the housing and a section adjacent to the guide element, wherein a longitudinal axis of the section adjacent to the housing is aligned at an angle of approximately 70°–100°, in particular approximately 85°, to a longitudinal axis of the section adjacent to the guide element. This improves both functions of the guide element.

[0029] In a further development of this design, it is stipulated that a connection point, where the bracket is pivotally connected to the housing, is located closer to the inlet area than to the outlet area. Such a cushion conversion machine is relatively small and stable.

[0030] In a further development of this design, it is provided that a connection point, where the bracket is pivotally connected to the housing, is arranged approximately at the level of an imaginary connecting line between the inlet area and the outlet area. This is particularly helpful for stability while the upholstery conversion machine is being worn by an operator.

[0031] During further training, it is stipulated that the control position and / or the transport position are defined by a respective stop. This creates reproducible conditions, which is helpful for both functions of the control element.

[0032] Further training includes the option to lock the guide element in the guide position and / or the transport position. This also improves operational reliability in both positions and for both functions of the guide element.

[0033] In a further development, the housing is provided with a gripping area located near the guide element when the latter is in the guide position. This gripping area is designed so that an operator can simultaneously grasp both the guide element and the gripping area. The gripping area can, for example, be formed by a recess in the upper surface of the housing. This further simplifies the transport of the upholstery conversion machine according to the invention.

[0034] In a further training course, the conversion area is designed to have a floating core for expanding the web-shaped starting material into a tubular, three-dimensional cushioning product. Such a tubular, three-dimensional cushioning product usually exhibits particularly good cushioning properties.

[0035] One embodiment of the invention is explained below with reference to the drawing. The drawing shows:

[0036] Figure 1 shows a perspective view from the side, obliquely front and above of a cushion conversion machine with a guide element in a first pivot position;

[0037] Figure 2 is a perspective view from the side, obliquely from behind and above of the upholstery conversion machine of Figure 1;

[0038] Figure 3 shows a side view of the upholstery conversion machine from Figure 1; and

[0039] Figure 4 shows a side view similar to Figure 3, with the guide element in a second pivot position. A cushion conversion machine is designated by reference numeral 10 in all figures. It comprises a housing 12 and an inlet area 14 for a flat, web-shaped input material 16. For example, the housing 12 can include an inner support structure made of metal (not shown here) and an outer shell made of plastic. It should be noted that the inlet area 14 includes not only the actual structural elements of the inlet to the interior of the cushion conversion machine 10, but also the adjacent outer space. The flat, web-shaped input material 16 is indicated here only by a dashed line in Figure 3. For example, it is a tubular, flat, web-shaped input material 16.However, other starting materials are also conceivable in principle.

[0040] The upholstery conversion machine 10 also includes an outlet area 18 for a three-dimensional upholstery product 20. The three-dimensional upholstery product 20 is produced from the flat, web-shaped starting material 16 in a conversion area 22, which is functionally located between the inlet area 14 and the outlet area 18. The three-dimensional upholstery product 20 is also only shown in Figure 3 and is indicated here only by dashed lines.

[0041] In the inlet area 14, a guide element 24 for the three-dimensional upholstery product 20 is arranged in Figures 1-3. In this example, the guide element 24 is designed as a rotatable roller, which is arranged on a holding device 26. The holding device 26 comprises, in this example, two identical brackets 28, one of which is arranged on one side of the guide element 24 and the housing 12, and the other bracket 28 on the other side of the guide element 24 and the housing 12. One end region 30 of the two brackets 28 is pivotably connected to the housing 12, whereas another end region 32 of the two brackets 28 is connected to and holds the guide element 24. The two brackets 28 are arranged laterally on the housing 12 of the upholstery conversion machine 10.

[0042] A pivot axis 34, about which the holding device 26 can be pivoted relative to the housing 12, is indicated in Figures 1 and 2 by a dashed line. The connection points 36, at which the two brackets 28 are pivotably connected to the housing 12, are, as can be seen particularly in Figure 3, arranged closer to the inlet area 14 than to the outlet area 18 and are located approximately at the level of an imaginary connecting line 38 (shown as a dashed line in Figure 3) between the inlet area 14 and the outlet area 18.

[0043] The figures show that the holding device 26, as an example, carries a further guide element 40, also in the form of a rotatable roller, which also serves to guide the flat, web-shaped starting material 16. This further guide element 40 is, however, not strictly necessary. It can also be gripped by an operator to carry the upholstery conversion machine 10 in the transport position.

[0044] Each of the two brackets 28 has an elongated section 42 adjacent to the housing 12 and an elongated section 44 adjacent to the guide element 24. The end region 30 is arranged at the end of section 42, and the end region 32 is arranged in section 44. A longitudinal axis 46 of the section 42 adjacent to the housing 12 is, by way of example, oriented at an angle of approximately 70°–100°, in particular approximately 85°, to a longitudinal axis 48 of the section 44 adjacent to the guide element 24. In principle, however, largely straight brackets are also conceivable.

[0045] In Figures 1-3, the holding device 26 with the guide element 24 is in a first pivot position. In this position, the guide element 24 assumes a guiding position in which it can guide the web-shaped starting material, as shown in Figure 3. In this guiding position, the guide element 24 is arranged essentially laterally (to the left in the figures) from the conversion area 22 in the typical and normal operating position of the upholstery conversion machine 10 shown in the figures.

[0046] In Figure 4, the holding device 26 with the guide element 24 is in a second pivot position. In this position, the guide element 24 assumes a transport position in which it can be gripped by an operator to carry the upholstery conversion machine 10. In this transport position, the guide element 24 is arranged essentially above the conversion area 22 in the typical and normal operating position of the upholstery conversion machine 10 as shown in the figures.

[0047] The upholstery conversion machine 10 can be designed such that the guide position and / or the transport position are defined by a respective stop (not visible). Likewise, the upholstery conversion machine 10 can be designed such that the guide element 24 or its holding device 26 can be releasably locked in the guide position and / or in the transport position.

[0048] As can be seen from Figure 2, on a top side of the housing 12 there is a projection 49 in the housing 12 which forms a gripping area on which an operator's hand can grasp to carry the upholstery conversion machine 10.

[0049] The upholstery conversion machine 10 is used and operated as follows: to move the upholstery machine 10 from one location to another, the guide element 24 with the holding device 26 is pivoted about the pivot axis 34 into the transport position shown in Figure 4. If a locking mechanism is present, the guide element 24 and the holding device 26 are releasably locked in this transport position.

[0050] An operator can now grasp either the guide element 24 or the additional guide element 40 by hand, lift the upholstery conversion machine 10 and carry it from one place to another. The housing 12 with inlet area 14, conversion area 22 and outlet area 18 "hangs" below the guide element 24 or the additional guide element 40.

[0051] Figure 4 shows that the guide element 24 is located very close to the forming 49 in the transport position, such that the operator can grip the upholstery conversion machine 10 not only on the guide element 24 but also on the forming 49 with his hand at the same time.

[0052] Once the upholstery conversion machine 10 is positioned at the desired location, any existing locking mechanism of the guide element 24 and holding device 26 is released by an operator. The operator then pivots the guide element 24 and holding device 26 from the transport position shown in Figure 4 to the guide position shown in Figures 1-3. If a locking mechanism is present, the guide element 24 and holding device 26 are releasably locked in this guide position.

[0053] The flat, web-like starting material 16 can now be "threaded" over the guide element 24 and the further guide element 40. The flat, web-like starting material 16, which in this example is tube-like, can be provided as a (not shown) roll or as a (not shown) zigzag-folded stack. The flat, web-like starting material 16 is first guided around the further guide element 40 and then around the guide element 24. Downstream of the guide element 24, the tube-like starting material 16 is drawn onto a conically widening core 50 in the inlet area 14 and thereby widened.

[0054] The conically expanding core 50 is then followed by the conversion area 22, which is not visible in detail in the figures because it is obscured by the visible part of the housing 12. In this example, the conversion area 22 has a floating core with which the tubular, sheet-like starting material 16 can be further expanded into a final tubular, three-dimensional cushion product. A crumpling device may also be present in the area of ​​the floating core, by which the expanded tubular material is compressed or crumpled longitudinally.

[0055] The settings for operating the upholstery conversion machine

[0056] 10 are performed by the operator at a touchscreen 52 above the outlet area 18, which is connected to a control unit of the upholstery conversion machine 10 (not shown).

[0057] These control, among other things, various motors (not shown) that convey the feedstock 16 through the conversion area 22 from the inlet area 14 to the outlet area 18. A sensor (not shown) may be present in the area of ​​the holding device 26, which is connected to the

[0058] The control of the upholstery conversion machine 10 is connected and allows the motors to operate only when the guide element 24 and holding device 26 are in the guide position shown in Figures 1-3.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Cushion conversion machine (10) for converting a flat, web-shaped starting material (16) into a three-dimensional cushion product (20), comprising a housing (12), an inlet area (14) for the web-shaped starting material (16), an outlet area (18) for the three-dimensional cushion product (20), and a conversion area (22) functionally arranged between the inlet area (14) and the outlet area (18), wherein at least one guide element (24) for the web-shaped starting material (16) can be arranged in the inlet area (14), characterized in that the guide element (24) is arranged on a holding device (26) which is pivotably connected to the housing (12), wherein the guide element (24) assumes a guiding position in a first pivot position in which it can guide the web-shaped starting material (16), and assumes a transport position in a second pivot position.in which it can be grasped by an operator to carry the upholstery conversion machine (10).

2. Upholstery conversion machine (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that in the guide position the guide element (24) is arranged substantially laterally to the side of the conversion area (22), and that in the transport position the guide element (24) is arranged substantially above the conversion area (22).

3. Upholstery conversion machine (10) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guide element (24) comprises a rotatable roller.

4. Upholstery conversion machine (10) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding device (26) has at least one bracket (28) arranged laterally on the housing (12), one end region (30) of which is pivotably connected to the housing (12), and the other end region (32) of which holds the guide element (24).

5. Upholstery conversion machine (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that the bracket (28) has a section (42) adjacent to the housing (12) and a section (44) adjacent to the guide element (24), wherein a longitudinal axis (46) of the section (42) adjacent to the housing (12) is aligned at an angle of approximately 70°-100°, in particular approximately 85°, to a longitudinal axis (48) of the section (44) adjacent to the guide element (24).

6. Upholstery conversion machine (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that a connection point (36) at which the bracket (28) is pivotably connected to the housing (12) is arranged closer to the inlet area (14) than to the outlet area (18).

7. Upholstery conversion machine (10) according to at least one of claims 4-6, characterized in that a connection point (36) at which the bracket (28) is pivotably connected to the housing (12) is located approximately at the level of an imaginary connecting line (38) between The inlet area (14) and outlet area (18) are arranged.

8. Upholstery conversion machine according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guide position and / or the transport position are defined by a respective stop.

9. Upholstery conversion machine according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guide element can be locked in the guide position and / or in the transport position.

10. Upholstery conversion machine (10) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing (12) has a grip area (49) which is located near the guide element (24) when the latter is in the guide position, and which is designed such that an operator can simultaneously grip the guide element (24) and the grip area (49).

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