Cushioning product manufacturing machine

Abstract

The invention relates to a cushioning product manufacturing machine (10) comprising an outlet region (18) at which a three-dimensional tubular cushioning product (20) having a discrete length (L) can be provided. According to the invention, an elongate holding element (48) is arranged at least temporarily in the outlet region (18) in such a way that at least one three-dimensional tubular cushioning product (20) having a discrete length (L) can be slid onto the holding element and can be held so as to be removable by an operator.

Description

[0001] Applicant:

[0002] Storopack Hans Reichenecker GmbH

[0003] Untere Rietstraße 30

[0004] 72555 Metzingen

[0005] General Power of Attorney: 514560 . 2

[0006] 35020913WO 16.09.2025

[0007] KNA / MAY

[0008] Title: Cushion Preparation Machine

[0009] Description

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

[0011] German patent DE 102 42 998 discloses a cushioning machine for the production and provision of elastic, tubular cushioning products. These can be used to fill empty spaces in shipping containers and thus protect the items contained within. The cushioning machine has a forming device for this purpose. This device draws a tubular, web-shaped, and flat starting material onto a floating, elongated core, thereby expanding it into the tubular cushioning product. After expansion, the forming device crumples the tubular cushioning product lengthwise and also cuts it, thus providing a discrete cushioning product at a discharge point.

[0012] The present invention aims to create a cushion supply machine that is particularly user-friendly.

[0013] This problem is solved by a cushion supply machine with the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are specified in the dependent claims.

[0014] In the cushioning machine according to the invention, the discrete cushioning product provided does not fall downwards at the discharge area, but is held in the discharge area in such a way that it can be removed by an operator. The removed cushioning product can then be used, for example, to at least partially fill an empty space in a shipping container in order to protect the items contained therein. The operator thus does not have to bend down or provide a tray for catching and collecting the cushioning products.

[0015] Specifically, this is achieved using a cushioning machine. This machine can provide elastic cushioning material, which can be used, for example, to at least partially fill empty space in a shipping carton. This prevents items inside the carton from being damaged during transport. The cushioning product is a three-dimensional, tubular cushioning material, for example, with a substantially circular hollow cross-section. It is typically produced from a flat, sheet-like, tubular raw material by expanding it and, if necessary, by crumpling it lengthwise.

[0016] The cushion dispensing machine can be a mobile unit, for example, one that can be placed on a table for operation. It includes a dispensing area where a three-dimensional, tubular cushion product of a discrete length can be made accessible to an operator. In this context, a "discrete" length means that the cushion product is already separated from, for example, a long strand of raw material and thus has a length that allows it to be used immediately without further cutting.

[0017] According to the invention, an elongated holding element is arranged at least temporarily in the outlet area such that at least one three-dimensional, tubular cushioning product of a discrete length, for example, coming from inside the cushioning dispensing machine, can be threaded onto it and held in place by an operator. The holding element thus serves to provide a finished, discrete, tubular cushioning product at the outlet in such a way that an operator can easily remove and insert it from the holding element. The holding element can, for example, be a straight rod or tube that typically extends substantially horizontally. However, it is also conceivable that the holding element extends obliquely upwards or is even arranged vertically.For a holding element that extends, for example, slightly diagonally downwards, it is advantageous if it has a stop at its projecting end that prevents the cushioning product from slipping off the holding element on its own due to gravity.

[0018] The retaining element can, for example, have a circular cross-section. However, an oval or polygonal cross-section is also conceivable. The retaining element can also consist of or comprise several parallel individual elements. The size of the cross-section can be constant along the length of the retaining element, or it can be variable.

[0019] In a further development, it is stipulated that the holding element is slidable in its longitudinal direction. This allows the length of the holding element to be adjusted to the specific space requirements when using the upholstery supply machine and to the length of the upholstery products being produced.

[0020] In a further development, the retaining element is designed to be movable between a transport position that is at least approximately fully retracted and an operating position that is at least approximately fully extended. This simplifies the transport of the cushion supply machine. In a further development, the transport position and / or the operating position are defined by a respective stop. This facilitates and speeds up the handling of the cushion supply machine and the changeover from the transport position to the operating position and back.

[0021] In a further development, the holding element comprises an elongated, preferably tubular rod that is held at least temporarily on a floating core of a forming device. This configuration ensures a reliable transfer of the produced cushioning product from the core to the holding element.

[0022] In a further development process, it is stipulated that the retaining element be arranged at least approximately coaxially with the core. This configuration further improves the transition of the produced cushioning product from the core to the retaining element.

[0023] In a further development, it is stipulated that the holding element must have a low-friction coating on at least some areas of its outer surface. This further development prevents upholstery products from accumulating on the holding element and makes it easier for an operator to remove a provided upholstery product.

[0024] Further training stipulates that the holding element must be made primarily of plastic or metal. A plastic holding element is inexpensive and lightweight, thus keeping the weight of the upholstery supply machine low and making it easy to transport. Metal is very strong and durable.

[0025] In one aspect of the invention, the following is proposed: A cushion dispensing machine with an outlet area at which a three-dimensional tubular cushion product having a discrete length can be dispensed, characterized in that an elongated holding element is arranged at least temporarily in the outlet area such that at least one three-dimensional tubular cushion product having a discrete length can be threaded onto it and held in a way that allows it to be pulled off by an operator.

[0026] The following explains one possible implementation method with reference to the attached drawing. The drawing shows:

[0027] Figure 1 shows a perspective cutaway view from an oblique front / top angle of a cushion supply machine with a holding element in an operating position;

[0028] Figure 2 shows a side view of the cushion supply machine from Figure 1;

[0029] Figure 3 is a perspective view from an oblique front / top angle of the upholstery supply machine of Figure 1;

[0030] Figure 4 is a side view of the cushion supply machine of Figure 1 with the holding element in a transport position; and Figure 5 is a perspective view from an oblique front / top view of the cushion supply machine of Figure 4.

[0031] For the sake of simplicity, not all elements in all figures are provided with their corresponding reference symbols.

[0032] A cushion supply machine is represented in the figures by the reference symbol 10. It comprises a housing 12 and an inlet area 14 for a flat, web-shaped, and tube-like feed material 16. For example, the housing 12 can include an inner support structure made of metal (not visible here) and an outer shell made of plastic. The flat, web-shaped, and tube-like feed material 16 is indicated only by an arrow.

[0033] The cushion supply machine 10 also includes an outlet area 18 for a three-dimensional tubular cushion product 20. The three-dimensional tubular cushion product 20 is produced from the flat, web-shaped, and tubular starting material 16 in a forming unit 22, which is functionally arranged between the inlet area 14 and the outlet area 18. The three-dimensional tubular cushion product 20 is also only indicated by dashed lines here. The cushion supply machine 10, in the embodiment shown in the figures, is therefore a cushion forming machine.

[0034] The forming device 22 comprises a floating elongated core 24 (Figure 1) with a longitudinal axis 26. As can be seen in Figure 1, the core 24 of the forming device 22 cooperates with three drive stages 28, 30, and 32 arranged sequentially in the direction of movement of the starting material 16 or the cushioning product 20. Each drive stage 28, 30, and 32 in turn comprises four driven rollers 34, 36, and 38. The four rollers 34, 36, and 38 of a drive stage 28, 30, and 32 are arranged evenly distributed around the circumference of the core 24. Figure 4 shows the respective upper and lower rollers 34, 36, and 38.

[0035] Core 24 also has four rollers 40 and four rollers 42, which, however, are not driven. The rollers 40 are located in the area of ​​the rollers 34 and just upstream of them, whereas the rollers 42 are located in the area of ​​the rollers 36 and just downstream of them. The driven rollers 38 have a plurality of radially outward projecting conveying sections 44.

[0036] As mentioned at the outset, the core 24 is mounted in a "floating" manner. This means that the core 24 is not connected to a support structure of the cushion supply machine 10 via a rigid or flexible connecting element, but rather that a continuous gap exists between the core 24 and the elements of the forming device 22 surrounding it radially outwards, both circumferentially and longitudinally, through which the tubular cushion product 20 or a corresponding pre-product can pass. In the axial direction, the position of the core 24 is approximately determined by the fact that an outer diameter of the core 24 in the area of ​​the rollers 40 and 42 is larger than an inner width between opposing rollers 34 and 36. The rollers 40 are elastically actuated against the rollers 34, and the rollers 42 are elastically actuated against the rollers 36.

[0037] As can be seen in Figure 1, the core 24 has a central through-opening 46 coaxial with the longitudinal axis 26, in which a tubular retaining element 48 is received in a fixed sliding fit. Thus, the retaining element 48 is held slidably in its longitudinal direction within the through-opening 46 of the core 24. The retaining element 48 is slidably held between an at least approximately fully extended operating position, shown in Figures 1-3, and an at least approximately fully retracted transport position, shown in Figures 4 and 5 (double arrow 50 in Figure 1).

[0038] The transport position and / or the operating position can be defined by respective stops, which are not visible in the figures. The retaining element 48 can have a low-friction coating on its outer surface, at least in some areas. For example, the retaining element 48 can be made of plastic or metal.

[0039] The cushion supply machine 10 operates as follows: the flat, web-shaped, and tubular starting material 16 is fed to the inlet area 14 via inlet-side guide rollers 52, where it is drawn onto the conical, upstream longitudinal section 26 of the core 24 and thereby expanded into a tubular shape. The starting material 16 is conveyed by means of the driven rollers 34 and 36. The rollers 38 rotate at a lower speed than the rollers 34 and 36. This causes the starting material 16, which is drawn onto the core 24 with radial clearance and is now tubular, to be compressed in its longitudinal direction and thus crumpled. The crumpled, tubular cushion product 20 is guided downstream from the drive stage 32 over the core 24 to the outlet area 18, where it reaches the holding element 48. this is “threaded” when it is in its operating position as shown in Figures 1-3.

[0040] To produce a discrete cushioning product 20 with a desired discrete length L (Figure 1), the starting material 16 has perforation lines at regular intervals (viewed along its length). If a desired length of cushioning product 20 is to be separated from the rest, the rollers 34 of the drive stage 28 are briefly stopped, while the rollers 36 of the drive stage 30 continue to operate when a perforation line is located between the two drive stages 28 and 30. This separates the length of cushioning product 20 conveyed by the rollers 36 of the drive stage 30 along the perforation line from the remaining material held by the stationary rollers 34 of the drive stage 28.

[0041] The tubular cushioning product 20, having a discrete length L, can be easily removed from the rod-shaped holding element 48 by an operator and, for example, placed in a shipping carton. If the cushioning dispensing machine 10 is to be transported, the elongated rod-shaped holding element 48 can be manually inserted by the operator into the transport position shown in Figures 4 and 5. From this position, it can be pulled back into the operating position by the operator, for example, by inserting a finger into the protruding opening of the tubular holding element 48 and then pulling the holding element 48 from the transport position into the operating position.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Cushion supply machine (10) with an outlet area (18) at which a three-dimensional tubular cushion product (20) having a discrete length (L) can be supplied, characterized in that an elongated holding element (48) is arranged at least temporarily in the outlet area (18) such that at least one three-dimensional tubular cushion product (20) having a discrete length (L) can be threaded onto it and held in a way that allows it to be removed by an operator, characterized in that the holding element (48) is slidably held in its longitudinal direction (26), and that the holding element (48) is slidable between a transport position that is at least approximately fully retracted and an operating position that is at least approximately fully extended.

2. Upholstery supply machine according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transport position and / or the operating position is defined by a respective stop.

3. Cushion supply machine (10) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding element (48) comprises an elongated, preferably tubular rod which is held at least temporarily on a floating core (24) of a forming device (22).

4. Cushion supply machine (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that the holding element (48) is arranged at least approximately coaxially to the core (24).

5. Cushion supply machine according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding element has a low-friction coating on its outside at least in certain areas.

6. Cushion supply machine (10) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding element (48) is at least in the is made primarily of plastic or metal.

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