DE102024107526A1 - Circulating conveyor and packaging cushioning conveyor system - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a circulating conveyor for a packaging cushioning conveyor system for conveying a packaging cushion from a cushioning source, such as a cushioning production device, to a cushioning sink, wherein the packaging cushion is formed from paper, in particular recycled paper, or plastic and has at least one central, longitudinally extending stiffening and/or deformation zone in its longitudinal direction and at least two crumple cavities laterally delimiting the at least one deformation zone, comprising two opposing endless conveyor means for clampingly receiving at least one packaging cushion between them, wherein the endless conveyor means each provide at least one clamping engagement with the packaging cushion and are aligned with one another such that the respective at least one clamping engagement is assigned to the deformation zone.

Description

The present invention relates to a circulating conveyor for a packaging cushioning conveyor system for conveying a packaging cushion from a cushioning source, such as a packaging cushioning production device, to a cushioning sink, in particular at least 2 m away, such as a packing station or a packaging cushioning storage warehouse. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a packaging cushioning conveyor system and a system comprising a packaging cushioning conveyor system, a cushioning source, and/or a cushioning sink.

From the DE 10 2017 002 325 A1 discloses a cushioning supply system for a logistics center in which several packing stations are supplied with packaging cushions using a belt conveyor cushioning transport system. The belt conveyor connects to an output of a paper cushioning machine to receive and transport the produced packaging cushions. The packing stations to be supplied with the packaging cushions are distributed along the belt conveyor. Each packing station is assigned an ejector to eject a single packaging cushion from the belt conveyor and redirect it to the packing station.

The upholstery supply system of the DE 10 2017 002 325 has proven itself fundamentally successful and enjoys great popularity. Based on this proven technology, the inventors of the present invention considered how such a cushioning supply system could be improved and, if necessary, based on a minimalist principle, with a simple structure, and as few parts as possible.

For example, it has proven disadvantageous that the conveyor belt used requires a guide on its underside, which is implemented by a complex roller construction. Alternatively, a slideway could be considered, but this requires a lot of energy due to the high friction. Furthermore, it has proven that the assembly and material costs are not negligible. When it comes to bridging large distances between the padding source and the padding sink, it has also proven disadvantageous that the space requirement of the padding supply system according to the DE 10 2027 002 325 A1 is high.

From the EP 0 903 219 A2 A cushioning conversion system is known, at the output of which a deflection device is arranged to transport a produced cushioning product from the cushioning conversion machine to, for example, a collection container located on top of the cushioning conversion machine. The deflection device has a pair of opposing circulating conveyors, each comprising different sections of individual circulating conveyor elements in order to be able to adapt the deflection device in terms of direction and orientation. The circulating conveyors are driven by cylindrical rollers, with the drive belts forming the conveying means of two circulating conveyor elements arranged one behind the other in the conveying direction being guided around a common drive roller. For each circulating conveyor element, several drive belts are provided, arranged parallel to one another and at a certain distance from one another, thus creating a wide support surface for the produced cushions. The distance between two adjacent drive belts is selected so that the packaging cushions cannot fall through.

The deflection device of the EP 0 903 219 A2 However, it is not suitable for bridging long distances. The deflection device serves exclusively to transport a produced packaging cushion over a short distance to a desired destination, within the dimensions of the cushioning conversion machine. Furthermore, the deflection device requires a large number of components, thus requiring a very high material and, above all, assembly effort.

An object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art, in particular to provide a packaging cushioning conveyor system with low component and assembly costs.

The problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims.

A circulating conveyor is then provided for a packaging cushioning conveyor system. The circulating conveyor should have direct contact with the packaging cushioning material being conveyed. The entire packaging cushioning conveyor system can also include an infeed station and an outfeed station. in which the packaging cushion is introduced into the circulating conveyor or deposited into a cushion sink.

According to a separate aspect of the invention, the circulating conveyor operates on the basis of a clamping engagement of the packaging cushion, which is formed exclusively by two opposing endless conveyors. The circulating conveyor, i.e., the endless conveyor, utilizes a clamping force that is created by adjusting the dimensions of the conveyor channel or conveyor gap between the endless conveyors. As soon as the packaging cushion enters the gap between the endless conveyors, a frictional contact occurs, which causes the packaging cushion to be dragged along. The frictional force between the endless conveyor and the packaging cushion is adjusted such that the inertial forces of the packaging cushion being fed in are smaller than the dragging force of the endless conveyors. The entraining clamping force based on frictional forces is set by the distance between the endless conveyors, which will be described later, the surface quality of the endless conveyors, which will be described later, and the mutual assignment of the endless conveyors, which will be described later, as well as a fixed location reference to the particular packaging cushion to be fed in and/or by material-specific properties of the endless conveyors.

The circulating conveyor is designed to convey not just one packaging cushion, but multiple packaging cushions, possibly in larger quantities. The packaging cushion conveyor system connects to a cushion source, such as a cushioning production device. Such a cushioning production device is known in the art and produces individual packaging cushions from a continuous stock material, such as recycled paper webs, waste paper webs, plastic webs, etc., which have essentially the same, repeating cushioning structure.

The circulating conveyor is particularly suitable for conveying a specific packaging cushion. The packaging cushion is in the DE 10 2012 018 941 A1 and has a central embossed zone, deformation zone, or compression zone located in the longitudinal direction of the packaging cushion. Adjacent to this compression zone on both sides are more airy packaging cushions, particularly rolled-up packaging material. This creates a bone-shaped, dumbbell-shaped cushioning product with a narrow area (embossed zone) and widened end areas (cushion zones) that extend in the longitudinal direction without substantially changing the cross-section.

In some aspects of the invention, the circulating conveyor has two opposing endless conveyors, which are in particular operated by a single drive and preferably operated at the same rotating speed. The endless conveyors are arranged opposite one another in such a way that they can accommodate a packaging material between them. This is intended to create a clamping engagement that is adjusted such that the endless conveyors exert clamping forces on the packaging cushions. The clamping forces are adjusted such that, on the one hand, the packaging cushion is not damaged, and on the other hand, the packaging cushion is entrained in the conveying direction of the endless conveyors. As described above, the entrainment force can be achieved by creating a friction clamp between the endless conveyor and the packaging cushion.

In a standalone and combinable aspect of the invention, the three opposing endless conveyor means, which provide at least one clamping engagement with the packaging cushion, are aligned with one another such that the respective at least one clamping engagement is assigned, in particular, exclusively to the deformation zone. It is particularly advantageous to grip and pack packaging cushions with an embossing zone/deformation zone in order to pull and/or carry them along precisely there, because that is where the packaging cushion is most stable. The sensitive cushioning pads are not contacted, let alone gripped, during conveyance by the circulating conveyor. The exclusive clamping engagement at the deformation zone, which is more rigid than other cushioning zones, ensures stable transport to the cushioning sink.

In a further development of the circulating conveyor according to the invention, one endless conveyor has at least one, in particular exactly one, more clamping engagement than the other endless conveyor. In addition, one endless conveyor can have exactly as many clamping engagements as the packaging cushion has deformation zones. The other endless conveyor can have exactly as many clamping engagements or at least one more clamping engagement than the number of deformation zones, wherein in particular one endless conveyor has exactly 1 or 2 clamping engagements and the other endless conveyor has exactly 2 or 3 clamping engagements. It has been shown that sufficiently stable conveying with corresponding settings The clamping action is achieved without affecting the packaging cushion, so that it does not lose any of its cushioning properties due to transport.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention of the circulating conveyor, the clamping engagement of at least one endless conveyor, preferably the majority of the clamping engagements, in particular all clamping engagements, is bulbous or convex. The convex structure can be formed by an endless conveyor whose cross-section does not change over the course of its longitudinal extent. It is the convex section of the endless conveyor that comes into clamping engagement with the packaging cushion. The clamping engagement is preferably cylindrical or oval. A center-to-center distance of at least 2 mm to 20 mm, preferably 3 mm to 10 mm, can be selected. It should be understood that the diameter size or the center-to-center distance is selected such that the convex engagement, which is also intended to form a linear contact, matches the dimensions of the packaging cushion to be transported. For smaller packaging cushions, smaller endless conveyors should be selected, and for larger packaging cushions, larger ones should be selected.

In a further development of the invention, the clamping engagement of at least one of the two, preferably both, endless conveyor means is formed by one or more round belts. Preferably, one or two round belts are provided for each of the endless conveyor means. In this case, one endless conveyor means can have one more round belt than the other endless conveyor means. It should be understood that the number of round belts per endless conveyor means should be the same. It should also be understood that the number of round belts per endless conveyor means should be less than three, preferably less than two. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, one endless conveyor means has one round belt and the other endless conveyor means has two round belts, which are arranged in a triangular arrangement, in particular an isosceles or equilateral triangle. In this case, the distance, in particular essentially constant, between the round belts of one endless conveyor means and the round belts of the other endless conveyor means can be less than 10 cm and greater than 2 cm. This distance is preferably between 3 cm and 8 cm.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the round belt is made of polyurethane. Care must be taken to adjust the friction coefficient so that the packaging material selected for the packaging cushion provides sufficient driving force to pull the packaging cushion along.

Particularly for paper-like or fibrous packaging cushions, friction values of 0.40 µ to 0.7 µ are required. The friction values can be measured according to the "V2A ground steel" standard. When determining the friction value according to the "Murtfeld S green superfinish" standard, the friction value can be between 0.2 µ and 0.5 µ.

One of the essential aspects of the invention is that the selected material, preferably polyurethane, for the endless conveyor, namely the round belt, is sufficiently stable. It must be stable enough to maintain the constant distance required to form the clamping engagement between the endless conveyors, but not be excessively elastic, so that transport over long distances of at least 2 m, in particular at least 3 m, 5 m, 10 m, 15 m, 20 m, 25 m, 30 m, 35 m, or 40 m, does not result in the endless conveyors sagging without support and thus in an excessive change in the distance between the endless conveyors. The breaking elongation, in particular of the polyurethane round belt, can be selected between 500% and 900%. Preferably, the selected material has a tear strength of at most 100 N for a diameter of 3 mm, at least 180 N for a diameter of 4 mm, at least 300 N for a diameter of 5 mm, at least 400 N for a diameter of 6 mm, at least 600 N for a diameter of 8 mm, and at least 1000 N for a diameter of 10 mm. Tear strength and elongation at break of the selected polyurethane Diameter Diameter Diameter Diameter Diameter Diameter Type 802 3 mm 4 mm 5 mm 6 mm 8 mm 10 mm Tear resistance 134 N 238 N 373 N 537 N 955 N 1490 N Elongation at break 700% 700% 700% 700% 700% 700N Friction coefficient of the selected polyurethane Diameter Diameter Diameter Diameter Diameter Diameter Type 802 3 mm 4 mm 5 mm 6 mm 8 mm 10 mm Friction coefficient against ² V2A steel ground 0.55 µ 0.55 µ 0.55 µ 0.55 µ 0.55 µ 0.55 µ Murtfeld S green Superfinish 0.35 µ 0.35 µ 0.35 µ 0.35 µ 0.35 µ 0.35 µ

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the round belt is clamped between two circulating pulleys in such a way that a constant conveyor channel spacing is formed, particularly along the circulating pulleys, which will be described in more detail later. The round belt can, for example, have a pretension of 3 to 15%, preferably 4 to 12%, preferably 6 to 10%, and/or a pretension of at least 9 N for a diameter of 3 mm, 15 N for a diameter of 4 mm, at least 25 N for a diameter of 5 mm, at least 40 N for a diameter of 6 mm, at least 60 N for a diameter of 8 mm, or at least 100 N for a diameter of 10 mm.

The invention relates to a packaging cushioning conveyor system with the aforementioned circulating conveyor. The packaging cushioning conveyor system can have an infeed station and an outfeed station. Infeed and outfeed are achieved by the packaging cushion being pulled along by the endless conveyor means engaging the packaging cushion. Outfeed is achieved in particular by the packaging cushion being ejected from the endless conveyor means by abruptly ending the engagement of the endless conveyor means with the packaging cushion and releasing the packaging cushion at the cushioning recess. Alternatively, a manual removal station is provided for manually removing the respective cushioning product, which forms the cushioning recess and represents an outfeed.

In an independent aspect of the invention, which is intended to be combinable with other aspects of the invention, a circulating conveyor for a packaging cushioning conveyor system is provided for conveying a packaging cushion from a cushioning source, such as a cushioning production device, to a cushioning sink. The cushioning sink is at least 2 m, in particular at least 3 m, 5 m, 10 m, 15 m, 20 m, 25 m, 30 m, 35 m, or 40 m, from the cushioning source. It is therefore clear that the circulating conveyor, which is arranged between an infeed station and an outfeed station of the packaging cushioning conveyor system, is intended to cover long distances to transport the packaging cushioning to a specific location.

According to the invention, the circulating conveyor has two opposing endless conveyors for clamping at least one packaging cushion between them, wherein at least one of the two endless conveyors, preferably both endless conveyors, has/have a round belt. The round belt can be designed as described above. Only the round belt, in particular a total of two, three, four, or five round belts, and in any case fewer than six, grips the packaging cushion at predefined positions on the packaging cushion. Preferably, there are three round belts that clamp onto the packaging cushion exclusively at the embossing zone.

In an independent inventive concept, which is intended to be combinable with other inventive aspects, a packaging cushioning conveyor system is provided for conveying a packaging cushion from a cushioning source, such as a cushioning production device, to a cushioning sink. The cushioning is made of paper, in particular recycled paper or plastic. The packaging cushioning conveyor system can have an infeed station or an outfeed station and in particular one of the above-mentioned circulating conveyors. In this aspect of the invention, the packaging cushioning conveyor system has two opposing endless conveyors, which can be designed as above. The endless conveyors serve to clamp at least one packaging cushion between them. The endless conveyors can each provide at least one clamping engagement with the packaging cushion and are in particular aligned with one another in such a way that a continuous conveyor channel is formed that is free of any restrictions except for the endless conveyors. The conveyor channel is preferably airy and is defined exclusively by the round belt of the respective endless conveyor, for example, as shown above. When using a packaging cushion with a deformation zone, the latter lies within the otherwise unobstructed conveyor channel, whereby the cushioning cushions can extend freely outwards laterally, especially past the endless conveyors. In a three-round-belt arrangement, the conveyor channel is formed by the three aforementioned round belts, for example, in a triangular arrangement. Only the three corners of the Arrangement are limitations of the clamping channel which, as described above, can form the clamping engagements with the packaging cushion.

In a particular aspect of the invention, which should be considered independently, the circulating conveyor with the two endless conveyors is designed such that the packaging cushion is held exclusively by the endless conveyors, in particular the round belts, during its conveyance from the cushioning source to the cushioning sink. A particular advantage has been shown to be that the packaging cushioning does not experience any sliding or tearing marks, since the endless conveyors hold the packaging cushioning due to static friction, and no other boundary surfaces or edges can damage the packaging cushioning.

In an independent inventive concept, which is intended to be combinable with one of the inventive aspects, a packaging cushioning conveyor system is provided for conveying a packaging cushion from a cushioning source, such as a cushioning production device, to a cushioning sink. The packaging cushioning conveyor system can be made of paper, in particular recycled paper or plastic. The packaging cushioning conveyor system can comprise one of the aforementioned circulating conveyors. In this inventive aspect, the packaging cushioning conveyor system has an infeed station or an outfeed station or exclusively two opposing endless conveyors for clamping at least one packaging cushion between them. It is clear that the endless conveyors can be designed as just described, in particular can be formed by at least one round belt.

The endless conveyor means are particularly designed according to the invention such that they each provide at least one clamping engagement with the packaging cushion. Preferably, there are two, three, four, or five clamping engagements in total. In a special embodiment, there are three clamping engagements. The endless conveyor means should be aligned with one another such that a conveying channel is formed which, apart from the endless conveyor means, is in particular unrestricted and uninterrupted. In a special embodiment, the clamping distance between the endless conveyor means is specifically adjusted so that the packaging cushion can be transported safely and gently. The clamping distance between the endless conveyor means should be essentially constant along the conveying path from the cushioning source to the cushioning sink. It should be understood that the constancy of the clamping distance is crucial in order to provide a constant clamping force between the endless conveyor means, in particular between the infeed station and the outfeed station. It should also be understood that a constant clamping distance is also achieved by placing a large number of packaging cushions one behind the other to prevent sagging of the endless conveyor belts, for example when they are formed by a round belt made of polyurethane. However, due to the inherent stability of the endless conveyor belt, a constant clamping distance should not change over the course of the conveyor path. The clamping distance can vary with a distance amplitude of a maximum of 2 cm, 1.5 cm, 1 cm or 0.5 cm. The clamping distance between the endless conveyor belts should be less than 10 cm, preferably 8 cm, preferably 7 cm, 6 cm, 5 cm or 4 cm. It should be understood that the clamping distance can be adapted to the dimensions of the deformation zone/embossed zone of the packaging cushion so that sufficient clamping forces can be generated in the deformation zone.

In an independent inventive concept that can be combined with the inventive aspects presented above, a packaging cushioning conveyor system is provided for conveying a packaging cushion from a cushioning source, such as a cushioning production device, to a cushioning sink. The packaging cushioning can be made of paper, in particular recycled paper or plastic. It should be understood that the packaging cushioning conveyor system can have an infeed station and an outfeed station, but also a circulating conveyor as mentioned above. For this embodiment, the packaging cushioning conveyor system has two opposing endless conveyors, which can be configured like the endless conveyors described above. The endless conveyors are designed to clamp at least one packaging cushion between them.

According to the invention, the endless conveyor means are designed in such a way that they provide at least one clamping engagement with the packaging cushion and form at least one line contact with the packaging cushion, which extends along the packaging cushion. Such a line clamping contact can be formed, for example, by a round belt forming the endless conveyor means clampingly adhering along the packaging cushion, in particular its deformation zone. In particular, with a cylindrical or oval round belt, a line contact with the packaging cushion is provided. It should be understood that the line contact can be interrupted due to the profile of the packaging cushion. In a cross-sectional view, one would speak of a point contact, because in a three-round belt arrangement (triangular round belt constellation), a three-line contact engagement is formed. Because the Since the stiffening and/or deformation area of the packaging cushion can be designed like a rack and pinion, the endless conveyor essentially contacts the packaging cushion in sections and/or in a line. Depending on the design of the packaging cushion, the clamping engagement along the packaging cushion can be either continuous in a line or with interruptions and thus in sections in a line.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, which can be combined with the preceding aspects and exemplary embodiments, a packaging cushioning conveyor system is provided for conveying a packaging cushion from a cushioning source, such as a cushioning production device, to a cushioning sink, such as a packing station or a cushioning storage area or a manual removal point. Such a packaging cushioning conveyor system can be used, for example, in a logistics center, such as a warehouse or a shipping hall. The packaging cushioning conveyor system is fundamentally capable of processing various types of packaging cushions, for example, cushioning products made of foamed plastic (Styrofoam), air-filled cushioning film cushions, or paper cushioning cushions, which can be made, in particular, from recycled paper. For example, the packaging cushions are made of paper, in particular recycled paper or plastic, and have, in the longitudinal direction thereof, at least one central, longitudinally extending stiffening and/or deformation zone and at least two lateral crumple cavities that laterally delimit the at least one deformation zone. The packaging cushioning can be embossed and/or perforated in the area of the stiffening and/or deformation zone. Furthermore, the packaging cushioning can have a width measured transversely to the longitudinal direction in the range of 5 cm to 50 cm and/or a length viewed longitudinally of 15 cm to 300 cm. In principle, other types of packaging cushioning are also conceivable for being conveyed using the packaging cushioning conveyor system, as is known in the art. This also includes packaging cushioning that is free of a stiffening and/or deformation zone and is designed like a joined, multi-layered material strand, such as filler material.

The packaging material can be made from paper, such as recycled paper, in particular waste paper and/or 100% recyclable paper, which can be produced without chemical ingredients. Recycled paper is, in particular, paper materials with a low proportion (less than 50%) of paper material containing virgin fibers. For example, paper materials containing 70% to 100% waste paper are used. The recycled paper within the meaning of this invention can be paper material that can have a tensile strength index along the machine direction of at most 90 Nm/g, preferably a tensile strength of 15 Nm/g to 60 Nm/g, and a tensile strength index across the machine direction of at most 60 Nm/g, preferably a tensile strength of 5 Nm/g to 40 Nm/g. A standard such as DIN EN ISO 1924-2 or DIN EN ISO 1924-3 can be used to determine the tensile strength or the tensile strength index. Additionally or alternatively, a recycled paper or waste paper property can be characterized by its so-called burst resistance. A material in this sense is recycled paper with a burst index of no more than 3.0 kPa*m^2/g, preferably with a burst index of 0.8 kPa*m^2/g to 2.5 kPa*m^2/g. The DIN EN ISO 2758 standard is used to determine the burst index. Furthermore, the packaging material has a mass per unit area of, in particular, 40 g/m^2 to a maximum of 140 g/m^2. The starting packaging material can be in the form of a roll of material or a zigzag-folded stack of packaging material, also known as a fanfold stack.

The packaging cushioning conveyor system comprises two circulating conveyors that are associated with one another in such a way that they clamp the packaging cushioning between them during conveyance. In other words, the circulating conveyors are associated with one another in such a way that they are configured to pick up and/or hold the packaging cushioning by clamping it between them. The circulating conveyors can, for example, have an endless conveyor such as a belt or a cable that rotates around at least two deflection rollers. The conveying length can be defined by the distance between the rotation axes of the deflection rollers. To receive the packaging cushioning to be transported from the cushioning source, in particular from a discharge device of a cushioning production apparatus, for conveying it along the conveyor line, and for finally discharging the packaging cushioning to the cushioning sink, the cooperation of the two associated circulating conveyors, which clamp and convey the cushioning, is sufficient. This creates a packaging cushioning conveyor system that can be implemented with minimal component and assembly effort and by means of which even large distances can be bridged in a particularly simple manner. Furthermore, the use of circulating conveyors enables particularly reliable and safe conveying of the packaging cushions, as the system can be designed so that there are no obstacles along the conveyor line. A further advantage of the invention is that the conveyor length can be extended as desired and/or expanded in a modular manner by using circulating conveyors with The appropriate conveyor lengths can be selected and/or several circulating conveyors can be connected in series in the conveying direction to achieve longer conveying lengths. Even when several circulating conveyors are connected in series, it can be ensured that an uninterrupted conveying path is maintained and that the packaging cushion is always clamped and conveyed on both sides between a pair of circulating conveyors.

According to a further aspect of the packaging cushioning conveyor system according to the invention, the circulating conveyors each have at least one endless conveyor, such as a belt or a cable, which are associated with one another in such a way that they clamp the packaging cushions during conveyance between the endless conveyors by the endless conveyors each providing at least one clamping engagement with the packaging cushion, with one circulating conveyor forming at least one more clamping engagement than the other endless conveyor. The clamping engagement can be formed by a line contact along the longitudinal extent of the conveyor between the conveyor and the packaging cushion. Furthermore, the endless conveyor can apply a substantially constant clamping force to the packaging cushion along its longitudinal extent and thus along the line clamping engagement contact. For example, the circulating conveyor with the fewer clamping engagements can be arranged relative to the clamping engagements of the other circulating conveyor such that the endless conveyors of the opposing circulating conveyors are not directly opposite each other, but rather at the same height as the clearance between two adjacent endless conveyors of the same circulating conveyor. This allows for the best possible clamping of the packaging cushion and/or with the lowest risk of the packaging cushion becoming dislodged from the clamping engagement.

In an exemplary development of the packaging cushioning conveyor system according to the invention, one circulating conveyor has exactly one or two clamping engagements and the other circulating conveyor has exactly two or three clamping engagements. In this way, reliable clamping of the packaging cushioning is possible with as few clamping engagements as possible, each of which is implemented via an endless conveyor. It has been found that even a single clamping engagement on one side of the packaging cushioning is sufficient to provide sufficient counterforce if two or three clamping engagements are implemented on the other side. The precisely one clamping engagement, in particular the endless conveyor forming the clamping engagement, can be arranged, as described above, at the clear distance between two clamping engagements, which are each formed by an endless conveyor of the other circulating conveyor, or alternatively centrally.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, which can be combined with the preceding aspects and exemplary embodiments, a packaging cushioning conveyor system is provided for conveying a packaging cushion from a cushioning source, such as a cushioning generating device, to a cushioning sink, such as a packing station or a cushioning storage area or a manual removal point.

According to a further aspect of the packaging cushioning conveyor system, it comprises a pair of opposing chains or sequences of circulating conveyors, in particular designed according to the invention, which define a conveying path between them along which the packaging cushions are conveyed in a clamped manner. The formation of chains of circulating conveyors makes it possible to flexibly adapt the necessary or desired conveying length or transport path length of the packaging cushioning conveyor system in a simple manner. The simple design using circulating conveyors results in a particularly advantageous modular construction. In this case, two circulating conveyors arranged one behind the other in the conveying direction can have a common deflection roller per chain. In other words, the endless conveyor means of two circulating conveyors of a chain of circulating conveyors arranged one behind the other in the conveying direction rotate around the same deflection roller.

According to this design, two circulating conveyors arranged one behind the other in the conveying direction, which share a common deflection pulley, each have a different number of conveyors, such as belts or ropes. For example, the endless conveyors of two circulating conveyors arranged one behind the other in the conveying direction are arranged relative to one another in the conveying direction such that the endless conveyors are each at the same clear distance as two adjacent, opposite endless conveyors of the other circulating conveyor. In this way, it is particularly advantageous and efficient for two circulating conveyors arranged one behind the other to share the same deflection pulley. A further advantage arises with regard to the formation of an uninterrupted and continuous, in particular straight, conveying path. By nesting or arranging the opposing endless conveyors at the respective clear distance, the packaging cushion is transferred in the best possible way from one deflection conveyor to the adjacent circulating conveyor without having to accept an offset of the conveying path. Due to the different number of endless conveyors of the circulating conveyors arranged one behind the other, the continuous conveying path and the safe and reliable conveying of the packaging cushions can be realized particularly efficiently.

According to an exemplary development of the present invention, at least one of the circulating conveyors has an upstream endless conveyor, such as a belt or a rope, which runs around at least one upstream initial deflection pulley and one downstream final deflection pulley, and a circulating conveyor connected to it in the conveying direction has a downstream endless conveyor, such as a belt or a rope, which also runs around the downstream final deflection pulley of the other circulating conveyor. Thus, in a simple manner and with few components, a flexibly expandable, modular packaging cushioning conveyor system is created, the conveyor length or transport path length of which can be adjusted by forming chains of circulating conveyors, with each two adjacent circulating conveyors following one another in the conveying direction sharing a common deflection pulley.

In a further exemplary embodiment of the packaging cushioning conveyor system according to the invention, the upstream circulating conveyor has N endless conveyors and the downstream circulating conveyor has N+1 or N-1 endless conveyors. Thus, the nested arrangement of the opposing endless conveyors, which can each be arranged at the clear distance of two adjacent endless conveyors of the opposite circulating conveyor, is particularly effective. According to an exemplary development, this condition applies to each two adjacent circulating conveyors arranged consecutively in the conveying direction along a chain of circulating conveyors. In other words, a change in the number of circulating conveyors occurs at each split deflection roller, which is circulated by the endless conveyor of two circulating conveyors arranged consecutively in the conveying direction. In this way, the entire conveying path can be advantageously designed in a particularly simple manner.

In a further exemplary embodiment of the packaging cushioning conveyor system according to the invention, the conveyor path is designed free of any obstacles protruding into the conveyor path and/or is designed such that the packaging cushions can be transferred seamlessly and/or without obstructions at the deflection roller between the circulating conveyors arranged one behind the other. In other words, there is no impairment or obstruction of the conveying path of the packaging cushioning in the area of the deflection rollers, thus preventing paper jams and/or unwanted loss of the packaging cushioning.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, which can be combined with the preceding aspects and exemplary embodiments, a packaging cushioning conveyor system is provided for conveying a packaging cushion from a cushioning source, such as a cushioning generating device, to a cushioning sink, such as a packing station or a cushioning storage area or a manual removal point.

According to a further aspect of the packaging cushioning conveyor system according to the invention, it is designed to convey a packaging cushion made of paper, in particular recycled paper, or plastic, and having two lateral crumple cavities or cushioning pads extending in a longitudinal direction and a stiffening and/or deformation section connecting the crumple cavities, wherein the stiffening and/or deformation section can in particular be embossed and/or perforated. According to the exemplary development, an arrangement of the endless conveyor means is adapted to a cushion shape such that the endless conveyor means grip the packaging cushions in the stiffening and/or deformation section, and/or that two adjacent endless conveyor means of the same circulating conveyor are arranged at a distance of at least one width of the endless conveyor means and/or of up to 65 mm from one another. For the described cushions with the preferred cushion shape consisting of two lateral, voluminous crumple cavities and a central, compressed deformation and/or stiffening section, it has proven advantageous for the endless conveyors to perform the clamping operations in the area of the stiffening and/or deformation sections. Firstly, this prevents the cushioning ability of the cushioning pads or crumple cavities from being impaired if they become damaged. Secondly, the central stiffening and/or deformation section is less flexible when a clamping force is applied via the endless conveyors, thus promoting and facilitating the holding and thus conveying of the packaging cushion.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, which can be combined with the preceding aspects and exemplary embodiments, a packaging cushioning conveyor system for conveying a packaging cushion from a cushioning source, such as a cushioning generating device, to a cushioning sink, such as a packing station or a cushion storage warehouse or a manual collection point.

According to a further aspect of the packaging cushioning conveyor system according to the invention, it comprises two circulating conveyors, in particular according to the invention, which are assigned to one another in such a way that they clamp the packaging cushions between them during conveyance, and which each have at least one upstream initial deflection roller and one downstream final deflection roller. The initial deflection roller and/or the final deflection roller have a profiled guide surface, in particular adapted to an endless conveyor of the circulating conveyor. This allows for advantageous guidance and reception of the endless conveyor via the deflection rollers. Furthermore, assembly is simplified, and incorrect assembly can be avoided.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the circulating conveyors each have at least one endless conveyor, such as a belt or a cable, that circulates the respective initial and final deflection rollers and protrudes beyond the profiling. In other words, the profiling depth is less than a dimension of the endless conveyor. This ensures that the endless conveyors are always, and in particular exclusively, in contact with the packaging cushion to be conveyed, even in the area of the deflection rollers. Any interference with the conveying via the deflection rollers can thus be eliminated.

In a further exemplary embodiment of the packaging cushioning conveyor system according to the invention, the profiling has at least one circumferential groove, in particular at least two or three circumferential grooves arranged at a particularly uniform distance from one another. This makes it possible to reliably assemble and guide a plurality of endless conveyors without the endless conveyors touching or interfering with one another, which in turn could impair the packaging cushioning conveyor.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, which can be combined with the preceding aspects and exemplary embodiments, a packaging cushioning conveyor system is provided for conveying a packaging cushion from a cushioning source, such as a cushioning generating device, to a cushioning sink, such as a packing station or a cushioning storage area or a manual removal point.

According to the further aspect, the packaging cushion conveying system comprises two circulating conveyors designed according to the invention, each having at least one endless conveying means, such as a belt or a rope, which are associated with one another in such a way that they clamp the packaging cushions between the endless conveying means during conveying.

According to a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the cushioning source is a cushioning production device having a dispensing device to which a produced packaging cushion can be dispensed. The packaging cushioning conveyor system is associated with the dispensing device in such a way that, upon dispensing a produced packaging cushion by means of the dispensing device, the packaging cushioning is transferred to the packaging cushioning conveyor system, in particular, is grasped and/or drawn in by the circulating conveyors. In this way, automatic cushioning conveyance can be realized without the need for manual intervention.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the two circulating conveyors are arranged at a distance from one another such that a conveying path formed between them has a lower height than the height of the packaging cushion to be conveyed and/or a height in the range of 10 mm to 30 mm. This ensures that the packaging cushion is clamped between the opposing circulating conveyors and can thus be conveyed reliably.

In an exemplary development of the present invention, the circulating conveyors each have at least one upstream initial deflection roller and one downstream final deflection roller, which are fitted into a housing or a rod assembly. The housing can be designed, for example, as a frame. Furthermore, the housing can be designed such that it is open in the conveying direction, thus providing a reliable packaging cushion transport or path. The housing or the rod assembly can serve to stabilize the system. It has been found that the essential forces during operation of the packaging cushion conveyor system occur in the area of the deflection rollers. so that the housing or the rod assembly essentially performs a stabilizing function. According to an exemplary embodiment, the housing or rod assembly is connected to a supporting structure, which is arranged, in particular, fixed to the floor and/or ceiling, and/or wherein two adjacent housings or rod assembly in the conveying direction, each associated with a deflection pulley, are connected by means of stiffening struts.

In a further exemplary embodiment of the packaging cushioning conveyor system according to the invention, the packaging cushioning conveyor system further comprises a pair of opposing chains of circulating conveyors, each with at least one conveyor means, such as a belt or a rope, which define a conveyor path between them, along which the packaging cushions are conveyed in a clamped manner between the conveyor means. Two circulating conveyors arranged one behind the other in the conveying direction each have a common deflection pulley. In other words, two circulating conveyors arranged one behind the other in the conveyor system share a deflection pulley. This means that the respective endless conveyor means circulate around the common deflection pulley. Furthermore, the endless conveyor means are pretensioned such that the pretensioning forces at the common deflection pulley essentially cancel each other out. This makes it easy to insert or add supporting deflection pulleys between the initial and final deflection pulleys, which is particularly advantageous over long transport distances. It has been found that despite the pre-tensioning and rigidity of the endless conveyors, they tend to sag under the weight of the packaging cushions being conveyed, particularly the weight of the packaging cushions. This can lead to the gap between the endless conveyors defining the conveyor path of the opposing circulating conveyors becoming too large, and the packaging cushions can no longer be conveyed reliably. By eliminating the pre-tensioning forces, only a few forces act directly on the system components, thus minimizing wear and tear and minimizing the need for stiffening measures.

According to a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the packaging cushioning conveyor system according to the invention further comprises a particularly controllable ejector for, in particular, actively ejecting a packaging cushion from the packaging cushioning conveyor system, in particular its conveying path, and/or a particularly controllable switch for, in particular, passively discharging a packaging cushion from the packaging cushioning conveyor system, in particular its conveying path. The ejector can be configured to release the clamping of the packaging cushion, in particular the clamping engagement, with at least one of the endless conveyor means. Furthermore, the ejector can be formed by moving the opposing endless conveyor means, which clamp the packaging cushion between them, away from each other in order to increase the distance between them, so that the packaging cushion is released from the clamping engagement. Furthermore, the endless conveyor means can also be moved away from each other transversely to the conveying direction and in the plane of the packaging cushion, so that the conveyed packaging cushion is released. Furthermore, a switch can be provided which projects into or engages the conveying path of the packaging cushion in order to redirect the packaging cushion and thus eject it from the conveying path.

In principle, for all embodiments and aspects as well as exemplary versions of the present invention, the cushioning recess can also be formed by a manual removal point or station, at which the packaging cushions can be removed by hand by a manual operator. In a further exemplary embodiment, the packaging cushioning conveyor system further comprises a deflector arranged upstream in the conveying direction in front of the deflection roller for guiding the cushion away from a guide surface of the deflection roller. It has been shown that this can prevent individual pieces of material, such as paper, from getting pulled in between the endless conveyor and the deflection roller, in particular into the profiling of the guide surface of the deflection roller. The deflector provides a remedy by keeping the material of the conveyed packaging cushions away from the circulating surface and thus the guide surface of the deflection roller.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the deflector has a deflection flank that tapers counter to the conveying direction and/or is essentially fin-shaped. In other words, a flank facing the incoming packaging cushion is tapered and/or tapered to reliably guide the packaging cushion.

According to a further exemplary embodiment, the deflector, in particular in the region of the deflection flank, preferably on a side facing the endless conveyor means, has a guide, at least one roller and/or a sliding coating for the endless conveyor means. For example, the guide has one roller and/or one sliding coating per endless conveyor means. For example, the guide is arranged at a distance to the respective endless conveyors when there is no packaging cushion in the area of the deflector. This can reduce or prevent wear on the endless conveyor.

In a further exemplary embodiment, the packaging cushioning conveyor system is capable of conveying a packaging cushion from a cushioning source, such as a cushioning production device, to a cushioning sink, such as a packing station or a cushioning storage warehouse or a manual removal point, which is at least 2 m, in particular at least 3 m, 5 m, 10 m, 15 m, 20 m, 25 m, 30 m, 35 m or 40 m away.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, which can be combined with the preceding aspects and exemplary embodiments, a system is provided comprising a circulating conveyor according to the invention and/or a packaging cushioning conveyor system according to the invention and a cushioning source such as a cushioning production device, and a cushioning sink, such as a packing station or a cushioning storage warehouse, which is in particular at least 2 m, at least 3 m, 5 m or 10 m away from the cushioning source.

In all embodiments, the cushion source may be a cushion generating device according to the DE 10 2012 018 867 A1 the relevant content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Preferred embodiments are specified in the subclaims.

• 1 eine schematische Ansicht einer beispielhaften Ausführung eines erfindungsgemäßen Verpackungspolsterfördersystems in seitlicher Ansicht;
• 2 eine beispielhafte Ausführung gegenüberliegender Ketten von beispielhaften Ausführungen erfindungsgemäßer Umlaufförderer eines erfindungsgemäßen Verpackungspolsterfördersystems;
• 3 eine schematische Darstellung von 2 in Seitenansicht;
• 4 eine Detailansicht einer beispielhaften Ausführung eines Endlosfördermittels eines erfindungsgemäßen Umlaufförderers mit einem geförderten Verpackungspolster;
• 5 eine Detailansicht einer weiteren beispielhaften Ausführung eines Endlosfördermittels eines erfindungsgemäßen Umlaufförderers mit einem geförderten Verpackungspolster;
• 6 eine perspektivische schematische Ansicht einer beispielhaften Ausführung eines erfindungsgemäßen Umlaufförderers;
• 7 eine Detailansicht einer weiteren beispielhaften Ausführung eines Endlosfördermittels eines erfindungsgemäßen Umlaufförderers mit einem geförderten Verpackungspolster;
• 8 eine Detailansicht einer weiteren beispielhaften Ausführung eines Endlosfördermittels eines erfindungsgemäßen Umlaufförderers mit einem geförderten Verpackungspolster;
• 9 eine perspektivische Detailansicht einer beispielhaften Ausführung eines erfindungsgemäßen Endlosfördermittels auf einer Umlenkrolle eines erfindungsgemäßen Umlaufförderers;
• 10 eine perspektivische Detailansicht einer weiteren beispielhaften Ausführung eines erfindungsgemäßen Endlosfördermittels auf einer Umlenkrolle eines erfindungsgemäßen Umlaufförderers; und
• 11 eine Draufsicht zur Darstellung gemäß 10.

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

• 1 a schematic view of an exemplary embodiment of a packaging cushioning conveyor system according to the invention in a side view;
• 2 an exemplary embodiment of opposing chains of exemplary embodiments of circulating conveyors according to the invention of a packaging cushioning conveyor system according to the invention;
• 3 a schematic representation of 2 in side view;
• 4 a detailed view of an exemplary embodiment of an endless conveyor of a circulating conveyor according to the invention with a conveyed packaging cushion;
• 5 a detailed view of a further exemplary embodiment of an endless conveyor of a circulating conveyor according to the invention with a conveyed packaging cushion;
• 6 a perspective schematic view of an exemplary embodiment of a circulating conveyor according to the invention;
• 7 a detailed view of a further exemplary embodiment of an endless conveyor of a circulating conveyor according to the invention with a conveyed packaging cushion;
• 8 a detailed view of a further exemplary embodiment of an endless conveyor of a circulating conveyor according to the invention with a conveyed packaging cushion;
• 9 a perspective detailed view of an exemplary embodiment of an endless conveyor according to the invention on a deflection roller of a circulating conveyor according to the invention;
• 10 a perspective detailed view of a further exemplary embodiment of an endless conveyor according to the invention on a deflection roller of a circulating conveyor according to the invention; and
• 11 a plan view for display according to 10 .

In the following description of exemplary embodiments of packaging cushioning conveyor systems according to the invention, a packaging cushioning conveyor system according to the invention is generally provided with the reference number 1. The same or similar reference numerals are used for the same or similar components.

The packaging cushioning conveyor system 1 according to the invention comprises at least one circulating conveyor 7 for conveying a packaging cushion 9 from a cushioning source 3 to a cushioning sink 5.

In 1 A side view of an exemplary embodiment of a packaging cushioning conveyor system 1 according to the invention is shown. The packaging cushioning conveyor system 1 forms a "bridge" between a cushioning source 3 and a cushioning sink 5.

In the conveying direction F, a cushioning source 3 is arranged at the upstream end of the packaging cushioning conveyor system 1. This can be, for example, a cushioning production device 11, which is implemented as a device for producing packaging cushions 9, in particular from paper. The cushioning source 3 can, for example, be fed from a paper web fanfold stack 13 or a paper web roll with a flat paper web, which is formed into individual packaging cushions 9 by the cushioning source 3. The cushioning source 3 is provided at the upstream end of the packaging cushioning conveyor system 1 in order to eject packaging cushions 9 and make them available to the packaging cushioning conveyor system 1 for transport. The packaging cushion 9 is transferred via a discharge device 17 to at least one circulating conveyor 7 of the packaging cushioning conveyor system 1 and is picked up by the latter.

A pair of opposing chains 19, 21 of circulating conveyors 7 forms the packaging conveyor system 1 and defines a conveyor path 23 along which the packaging cushion 9 is transported in the conveying direction F from the cushion source 3 to the cushion sink 5. A chain 19, 21 comprises several circulating conveyors 7 arranged one behind the other. The circulating conveyors 7 of the respective chains 19, 21 are driven by a drive (not shown). Since the packaging cushion 9 is clamped between the two chains 19, 21 of circulating conveyors 7, it is transported by the frictional force generated by the circulating conveyors 7. The packaging cushion 9 is picked up by the first circulating conveyor 7 at the upstream end and then conveyed further to the adjacent downstream circulating conveyor 7'. Due to the chain-like arrangement and the fact that two adjacent circulating conveyors 7, 7' each share a deflection roller, a continuous conveying path 23 is created along the entire packaging conveyor system 1. By using the circulating conveyors 7 according to the invention (see 2 ) also results in a structurally simple design of the packaging conveyor system 1. Only relatively few components are required to overcome even larger distances of several meters.

The arrangement of the circulating conveyors 7 is in 2 shown in more detail. A cushioning sink 5 is arranged at the downstream end of the packaging conveyor system 1. This can be designed, for example, as a packing station or cushioning storage area 15. In an exemplary embodiment, an ejector 25 for delivering the conveyed packaging cushion 9 to the cushioning sink 5 can also be arranged at the downstream end of the conveyor path 23. This can, in particular, be a controllable ejector 25 for actively ejecting or a controllable switch for passively removing a packaging cushion 9 from the packaging conveyor system 1.

The cushioning source 3 is at least 2 m, 3 m, 5 m or 10 m, or up to 40 m away from the cushioning recess 5. Between the cushioning source 3 and the cushioning recess 5 there is a support column structure 27 with a support column 29. The support column is connected to the packaging conveyor system 1 and supports it. The support column structure 27 is at least 2 m away from the cushioning source 5 and the cushioning recess 5. Between the cushioning source 3 and the support column 27 and between the support column 27 and the cushioning recess 5, the packaging conveyor system 1 is designed to be freely suspended over a length L. Furthermore, the support column structure 27 carries the chains 19, 21 of circulating conveyors 7 at a support height H of at least 1.5 m, in particular of at least 1.8 m or at least 2.5 m. As a result, the transport path of the packaging cushions 9 is shifted out of the working area of, for example, industrial trucks. This makes the packaging conveyor system 1 very space-saving. The support column is in 1 designed as a support. Alternatively, support column structures 27 are also conceivable, which support the packaging conveyor system 1 on a ceiling or wall of a room.

2 and 3 each show an enlarged view of the opposing chains 19 and 21 of circulating conveyors 7, 7', 7" and circulating conveyors 8, 8', 8". These form the conveyor path 23 between each other.

Each circulating conveyor comprises the following main components: an upstream deflection pulley 33, a downstream deflection pulley 35 and an endless conveyor 37 that circulates the two deflection pulleys.

More precisely, the conveying path 23 is formed by two opposing endless conveying means 37 of two circulating conveyors 7, 8.

For a chain 19, 21 of circulating conveyors 7, 7', 7" and circulating conveyors 8, 8', 8" as in 2 and 3 As shown, two circulating conveyors 7, 7' arranged one behind the other in the conveying direction F have a common deflection roller. 2 It can be seen that in the upper chain 21, the first circulating conveyor 7 has one endless conveyor 37 and the subsequent circulating conveyor 7' has two endless conveyors 37', while the subsequent circulating conveyor 7" in turn has only one endless conveyor 37". The number of endless conveyors 37 varies in the conveying direction F such that an upstream circulating conveyor 7 has N endless conveyors 37 and the adjacent, downstream circulating conveyor 7' has (N+1) or (N-1) endless conveyors 37'. This pairing is then repeated. On the opposite side in the lower chain 19, the first circulating conveyor 8 has two endless conveyors 38 and the subsequent circulating conveyor 8' has one endless conveyor 38', while the subsequent circulating conveyor 8" in turn has two endless conveyors 38". Of course, the invention is not limited to this pattern of alternating numbers of endless conveyor means 37, 38.

In the 4 , 5 , 7 and 8 further versions are shown.

The alternating number of endless conveyors 37 and the common deflection rollers of adjacent circulating conveyors 7, 7' result in an obstacle-free conveyor path 23 and the packaging cushions 9 can be transferred seamlessly and/or without obstacles between the circulating conveyors 7, 7', 7", 8, 8', 8" arranged one behind the other.

The deflection rollers 33, 35 are each arranged in a housing 39. In each housing 39, two deflection rollers are arranged one above the other, with the upper deflection roller belonging to a circulating conveyor 7, 7', 7" of the upper chain 21 and the lower deflection roller belonging to a circulating conveyor 8, 8', 8" of the lower chain 19. The two deflection rollers are each fastened to the vertical rectangular profiles 392 and 394 of the housing 39 by means of an axial bearing 36. The bearings 36 are arranged parallel to one another and spaced such that the distance between the two deflection rollers is coordinated with a thickness D of the packaging cushion 9 to be transported. The housing consists of four rectangular profiles 391, 392, 393, 394, which are joined together to form a rectangular, flat frame 40. The frame 40 is arranged such that it is open in the conveying direction F.

Two frames 40 adjacent in the conveying direction F are each connected to each other by means of two stiffening struts 41. The stiffening struts 41 are arranged parallel to the conveying direction F and connect the vertical rectangular profiles 392 and 394 of two frames to each other. This results in a high stability of the packaging conveyor system 1 and an obstacle-free conveying path 23. The housing 39 also serves as a connection to the support structure 27 made of 1 .

In 2 and 3 A curved conveyor path 23 is realized. The individual circulating conveyors 7, 7', 7", 8, 8', 8" always have a straight conveyor path. By connecting them to chains 19, 21 of circulating conveyors, all possible different curvatures of conveyor paths 23 can be realized by arranging the housings 39 rotated relative to each other transversely to the conveying direction F.

In order to prevent parts of the packaging cushion 9 from "eating" between the deflection rollers 33, 35 and the endless conveyor 37, a fin-like deflector 43 tapering against the conveying direction can be arranged upstream of the deflection roller 33, 35. The deflector 43 is attached to the two vertical struts 392 and 392 of the frame of a circulating conveyor 7. It extends over the entire height of the deflection roller to prevent a packaging cushion 9 that is clamped diagonally in the conveying direction F, for example, from coming into contact with the deflection roller 33, 35. If a packaging cushion 9 that is clamped diagonally in the conveying path 23 in the conveying direction F is conveyed towards the deflection roller 33, 35, the packaging cushion bounces against the deflector 43 with one of the crumple cavities and is thereby straightened. This prevents parts of the packaging cushion from getting caught and jammed between the deflection roller 33, 35 and the endless conveyor 37.

4 shows, by way of example, the clamping engagement of a preferred embodiment of a packaging cushion 9, which is made, for example, of paper, such as recycled paper, of two opposing endless conveyor means 37 and 38.

The packaging cushion 9 has a central, longitudinally extending stiffening and/or deformation zone 45 with width B and thickness D, as well as two crumple cavities 47 delimiting the deformation zone 45 with a thickness L that is greater than the thickness D.

The two endless conveyors 37, 38 of two opposite circulating conveyors 7 and 8 each provide a clamping engagement with the packaging cushion 9, which is assigned to the deformation zone 45.

Alternatively, as in 7 As shown, the endless conveyor means 37, 38 also provide a plurality of clamping engagements on the packaging cushion 9. Here, two clamping engagements are provided by each of the two endless conveyor means 37, 38. 7 shows a view in the conveying direction F. The clamping engagements are convex, in particular cylindrical. The center distance between two clamping engagements of an endless conveyor 37 or 38 is at least 2 mm to 20 mm, preferably 3 mm to 10 mm. In other words, the clamping engagements of an endless conveyor 37 or 38 are arranged at a distance of at least one width of the endless conveyor 37, 38 and/or of up to 65 mm from each other. A disadvantage of the design in 7 is the offset C of the upper and lower endless conveyors 37 and 38.

Referring to 5 The opposing endless conveyors 37, 38 can provide a different number of clamping engagements. It is particularly preferred that the endless conveyor 37 provides one clamping engagement, and the endless conveyor 38 provides two clamping engagements spaced apart by a distance A. In the plane of the conveying direction, this results in a three-point clamping of the packaging cushion 9. This clamping is particularly preferred because it offers the greatest possible stability and security of the packaging cushion 9 against twisting and slipping within the circulating conveyors 7, 8 with minimal use of material.

For example, as in 8 shown, the opposite endless conveyor means 37 and 38 each provide two or three clamping engagements in the deformation zone 45 of the packaging cushion 9. This embodiment offers even more stability than the three-point clamping in 5 , however, the material usage is significantly greater.

6 shows a schematic arrangement of two circulating conveyors 7 and 8 with two oppositely arranged endless conveyors 37 and 38. The endless conveyors 37 and 38 are arranged such that they clamp the packaging cushion 9 between them and form the conveyor path 23. The conveyor path 23 has a smaller height than a height of the packaging cushion 9 to be conveyed and/or a height in the range of 10 mm to 30 mm. Due to the previously described clamping engagements on the packaging cushion 9 that are thus created, the packaging cushion 9 is conveyed via the generated frictional force. The clamping engagements extend over the entire length of the packaging cushion and are therefore also referred to as a linear clamping engagement 48. The linear clamping engagement 48 is to be understood such that it extends linearly in the conveying direction F over a length of the packaging cushion 9. Of course, the packaging cushion 9 can have an embossing or perforation in the deformation zone 45, so that the contact between the endless conveyor 37 and the packaging cushion 9 can be interrupted in sections and the line clamping engagement 48 only exists at specific points, for example at any tooth tips of an embossing in the deformation zone 45 of the packaging cushion 9. Conveying takes place by driving the upstream deflection rollers (not shown) of the opposite circulating conveyors 7 and 8 in opposite directions. As a result, the clamping engagements of the endless conveyor 37 and 38 move in the same conveying direction F. The contact of the line clamping engagement 48 results in the largest possible friction surface between the endless conveyor 37 and 38 and the packaging cushion 9. This leads to particularly efficient transport of the packaging cushion 9 by the circulating conveyors.

A pair of opposite circulating conveyors 7, 8 can pick up several packaging cushions 9 simultaneously and convey them in the conveying direction F.

In 9 An exemplary embodiment of the endless conveyor 37 is shown as a belt. A deflection roller 35 accommodates both a first endless conveyor 37 of an upstream circulating conveyor 7, as well as the endless conveyor 37' of a downstream circulating conveyor 7'. In order to accommodate both endless conveyors 37, 37' on a common deflection roller 35, the two endless conveyors 37, 37' have a lateral offset transverse to the conveying direction F. Furthermore, the deflection roller 35 has a profiling 49 on the guide surface 51, which is adapted to the endless conveyor 37, 37'. The profiling 49 can be formed, for example, by circumferential grooves that accommodate and guide the endless conveyor 37, 37'. The profiling 49 is designed such that the endless conveyor 37, 37' protrude beyond it. This ensures that a clamping engagement of the endless guide means 37, 37' with the packaging cushion 9 is also guaranteed in the area of the deflection roller 35.

In 10 An exemplary embodiment of the endless conveyor 37 is shown as a round belt. The round belt is made in particular from a polyurethane, preferably from a solid polyurethane material, which in particular has a coefficient of friction of 0.40 to 0.7 (V2A steel ground) or 0.2 to 0.5 (Murtfeld S green superfinish) and/or an elongation at break of between 500% and 900% and/or a tear strength of at least 100N for a diameter of 3mm, at least 180N for a diameter of 4mm, at least 300N for a diameter of 5mm, at least 400N for a diameter of 6mm, at least 600N for a diameter of 8mm, and at least 1000N for a diameter of 10mm. Furthermore, the round belt has a pre-tension of 3 to 15%, preferably 4 to 12%, preferably 6 to 10% and/or a pre-tension of at least 9N for a diameter of 3mm, at least 15N for a diameter of 4mm, at least 25N for a diameter of 5mm, at least 40N for a diameter of 6mm, at least 60N for a diameter of 8mm, at least 100N for a diameter of 10mm.

The pre-tensioning of the round belts ensures that sagging is avoided or significantly reduced, particularly over long distances, and that there is constant contact between the endless conveyor means 37, 38 and the packaging cushion 9.

In the exemplary embodiment, a first endless conveyor 37 of a first upstream circulating conveyor 7 has two round belts, and a second endless conveyor 37' of a second, downstream circulating conveyor 7' has one round belt. This embodiment of the circulating conveyor or the chains 19, 21 of circulating conveyors 7, 7', 7", 8, 8', 8" is particularly preferred. The symmetrical arrangement of the endless conveyors 37 and 37', consisting of two or one round belt, respectively, is particularly advantageous because no offset transverse to the conveying direction F is necessary. As a result, the packaging cushion 9 is conveyed continuously.

An exemplary design of the profiling 49 on the guide surface 51 of a deflection roller 35 is shown in sectional view in 11 shown. It is preferred that the depth of the circumferential groove 49 is less than the diameter of the endless conveyor 37, so that the endless conveyor 37 protrudes beyond the deflection roller 35.

The features disclosed in the above description, the figures and the claims may be important both individually and in any combination for the realization of the invention in the various embodiments.

List of reference symbols

1

Packaging cushioning conveyor system

3

Upholstery source

5

cushion depression

7, 8

Circulating conveyor

9

Packaging cushioning

11

Cushion generation device

13

Paper web leporello stack

15

Upholstery warehouse

17

Dispensing facility

19, 21

Chain of circulating conveyors

23

Funding path

25

ejector

27

Support column construction

29

Support column

33

upstream pulley

35

downstream pulley

36

storage

37, 38

Continuous conveyor

39

Housing

40

Frame

41

Stiffening strut

43

Deflector

45

Deformation zone

47

Crumple cavity

48

Line clamping intervention

49

Profiling

51

Guide surface

391, 392, 393, 394

Rectangular profile

A

Distance between endless conveyors

B

Wide deformation zone

C

Offset endless conveyor

D

Thick deformation zone

E

Thick crumple cavity

F

Conveying direction

H

Height of support structure

L

Length of circulating conveyor

QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 10 2017 002 325 [0002, 0003]
• DE 10 2027 002 325 A1 [0004]
• EP 0 903 219 A2 [0005, 0006]
• DE 10 2012 018 941 A1 [0012]
• DE 10 2012 018 867 A1 [0060]

Claims (37)

Circulating conveyor for a particularly according to one of the Claims 8 until 36 A packaging cushioning conveyor system designed for conveying a packaging cushion from a cushioning source, such as a cushioning production device, to a cushioning sink, wherein the packaging cushion is made of paper, in particular recycled paper, or plastic and has at least one central, longitudinally extending stiffening and/or deformation zone in its longitudinal direction and at least two crumple cavities laterally delimiting the at least one deformation zone, comprising: - two opposing endless conveyor means for clampingly receiving at least one packaging cushion between them; wherein the endless conveyor means each provide at least one clamping engagement with the packaging cushion and are aligned with one another such that the respective at least one clamping engagement is assigned to the deformation zone. Circulating conveyor according to Claim 1 , in which the one endless conveyor means has at least one, in particular exactly one, clamping engagement more than the other endless conveyor means and/or the one endless conveyor means has as many clamping engagements as the packaging cushion deformation zones and the other endless conveyor means has as many clamping engagements or at least one clamping engagement more than the number of deformation zones, wherein in particular the one endless conveyor means has exactly 1 or 2 clamping engagements and the other endless conveyor means has exactly 2 or 3 clamping engagements. Circulating conveyor according to Claim 1 or 2 , in which the clamping engagement of at least one endless conveyor means, preferably all clamping handles, is convex, in particular cylindrical, with a center-to-center distance of at least 2 mm to 20 mm, preferably 3 mm to 10 mm. Circulating conveyor according to one of the Claims 1 until 3 , in which the clamping engagement of at least one of the two, preferably both, endless conveyor means is formed by a round belt, which is made in particular from a polyurethane, which in particular has a coefficient of friction of 0.40 to 0.7 (V2A steel ground) or 0.2 to 0.5 (Murtfeld S green superfinish) and/or an elongation at break of between 500% and 900% and/or a tear strength of at least 100N for a diameter of 3mm, at least 180N for a diameter of 4mm, at least 300N for a diameter of 5mm, at least 400N for a diameter of 6mm, at least 600N for a diameter of 8mm, at least 1000N for a diameter of 10mm. Circulating conveyor according to one of the Claims 1 until 4 , wherein the round belt has a pre-tension of 3 to 15%, preferably 4 to 12%, preferably 6 to 10% and/or the round belt has a pre-tension of at least 9N for a diameter of 3mm, at least 15N for a diameter of 4mm, at least 25N for a diameter of 5mm, at least 40N for a diameter of 6mm, at least 60N for a diameter of 8mm, at least 100N for a diameter of 10mm. Circulating conveyor, in particular according to one of the Claims 1 until 5 , for a packaging cushioning conveyor system for conveying a packaging cushion from a cushioning source, such as a cushioning production device, to a cushioning sink at least 2 m, in particular at least 3 m, 5 m, 10 m, 15 m, 20 m, 25 m, 30 m, 35 m or 40 m away, comprising: - two opposing endless conveyor means for clamping between them at least one packaging cushion, wherein at least one of the two endless conveyor means, preferably both endless conveyor means, has/have a round belt. Circulating conveyor according to Claim 6 , in which the round belt is made of a solid polyurethane material which in particular has a coefficient of friction of 0.40 to 0.7 (V2A steel ground) or 0.2 to 0.5 (Murtfeld S green superfinish) and/or an elongation at break of between 500% and 900% and/or a tear strength of at least 100N for a diameter of 3mm, at least 180N for a diameter of 4mm, at least 300N for a diameter of 5mm, at least 400N for a diameter of 6mm, at least 600N for a diameter of 8mm, at least 1000N for a diameter of 10mm. Packaging cushioning conveyor system for conveying a packaging cushion from a cushioning source, such as a cushioning production device, to a cushioning sink, wherein in particular the packaging cushion is made of paper, in particular recycled paper, or plastic, comprising - two opposing endless conveyor means for clamping between them at least a packaging cushion, wherein the endless conveyor means each provide at least one clamping engagement with the packaging cushion and are aligned with one another in such a way that an uninterrupted conveying channel is formed which is free of restrictions except for the endless conveyor means and the packaging cushion is held exclusively by the endless conveyor means during conveyance from the cushion source to the cushion sink. Packaging cushioning conveyor system, especially after Claim 8 , for conveying a packaging cushion from a cushion source, such as a cushion production device, to a cushion sink, wherein in particular the packaging cushion is formed from paper, in particular recycled paper or plastic, comprising - two opposing endless conveyor means for clamping between them at least one packaging cushion, wherein the endless conveyor means each provide at least one clamping engagement with the packaging cushion and are aligned with one another in such a way that an uninterrupted conveying channel is formed which is in particular free of restrictions except for the endless conveyor means and provides an essentially constant clamping distance between the endless conveyor means over the course of the conveying path from the cushion source to the cushion sink, which is less than 10 cm. Packaging cushioning conveyor system, especially after Claim 8 or 9 , for conveying a packaging cushion from a cushion source, such as a cushion producing device, to a cushion sink, wherein in particular the packaging cushion is formed from paper, in particular recycled paper or plastic, comprising - two opposing endless conveyor means for clamping therebetween at least one packaging cushion, wherein the endless conveyor means are designed such that they provide at least one clamping engagement with the packaging cushion and each form at least one line contact with the packaging cushion, which extends along the packaging cushion. Packaging cushioning conveyor system, in particular according to one of the Claims 8 until 10 , for conveying a packaging cushion from a cushion source, such as a cushion production device, to a cushion sink, such as a packing station or a cushion storage warehouse or a manual removal point, comprising: - two, in particular according to one of the Claims 1 until 7 designed, circulating conveyors each having at least one endless conveyor means, such as a belt or a rope, which are associated with one another in such a way that they clamp the packaging cushions during conveyance between the endless conveyor means in that the endless conveyor means each provide at least one clamping engagement with the packaging cushion; characterized in that one circulating conveyor forms at least one more clamping engagement than the other circulating conveyor. Packaging cushioning conveyor system according to Claim 11 , whereby one circulating conveyor has exactly 1 or 2 clamping engagements and the other circulating conveyor has exactly 2 or 3 clamping engagements. Packaging cushioning conveyor system, in particular according to one of the preceding claims, for conveying a packaging cushion from a cushioning source, such as a cushioning production device, to a cushioning sink, such as a packing station or a cushioning storage warehouse, comprising: - a pair of opposite chains of, in particular according to one of the Claims 1 until 7 designed circulating conveyors which define a conveying path between them along which the packaging cushion is conveyed in a clamped manner, wherein two circulating conveyors arranged one behind the other in the conveying direction each have a common deflection roller; characterized in that two circulating conveyors arranged one behind the other in the conveying direction each have a different number of endless conveying means, such as belts or ropes. Packaging cushioning conveyor system according to Claim 13 , characterized in that at least one of the circulating conveyors has an upstream endless conveyor means in the conveying direction, such as a belt or a rope, which rotates around at least one upstream initial deflection roller and one downstream final deflection roller, and a circulating conveyor following therefrom in the conveying direction has a downstream endless conveyor means, such as a belt or a rope, which also rotates around the downstream final deflection roller. Packaging cushioning conveyor system according to Claim 13 or 14 , characterized in that the upstream circulating conveyor has N endless conveyor means and the downstream circulating conveyor has (N+1) or (N-1) endless conveyor means. Packaging cushioning conveyor system according to one of the Claims 13 until 15 , characterized in that the conveying path is designed to be free of obstacles protruding into the conveying path and/or is designed in such a way that the packaging cushions can be transferred seamlessly and/or without obstacles at the deflection roller between the circulating conveyors arranged one behind the other. Packaging cushioning conveyor system, in particular according to one of the preceding claims, for conveying a packaging cushion which is formed from paper, in particular recycled paper, or plastic and has two lateral crumple cavities extending in a longitudinal direction and a stiffening and/or deformation section connecting the crumple cavities, wherein in particular the stiffening and/or deformation section is embossed and/or perforated, from a cushioning source, such as a cushioning production device, to a cushioning sink, such as a packing station or a cushioning storage warehouse or a removal point, comprising: - two, in particular according to one of the Claims 1 until 7 designed, circulating conveyors each having at least one endless conveyor means, such as a belt or a rope, which are assigned to one another in such a way that they clamp the packaging cushions between the endless conveyor means during conveyance; characterized in that an arrangement of the endless conveyor means is adapted to a cushion shape in such a way that the endless conveyor means grip the packaging cushions in the stiffening and/or deformation section, and/or that two adjacent endless conveyor means of the same circulating conveyor are arranged at a distance of at least one width of the endless conveyor means and/or of up to 65 mm from one another. Packaging cushioning conveyor system, in particular according to one of the preceding claims, for conveying a packaging cushion from a cushioning source, such as a cushioning production device, to a cushioning sink, such as a packing station or a cushioning storage or a removal point, comprising: - two, in particular according to one of the Claims 1 until 7 designed, circulating conveyors, which are associated with one another in such a way that they clamp the packaging cushions between them during conveyance, and each have at least one upstream initial deflection roller and one downstream final deflection roller; characterized in that the initial deflection roller and/or the final deflection roller has a profiled guide surface, in particular adapted to an endless conveying means of the circulating conveyor. Packaging cushioning conveyor system according to Claim 18 , wherein the circulating conveyors each have at least one endless conveyor means, such as a belt or rope, which circulates the respective start and end deflection rollers and protrudes beyond the profiling. Packaging cushioning conveyor system according to Claim 18 or 19 , wherein the profiling has at least one circumferential groove, in particular at least two or three circumferential grooves arranged at a particularly uniform distance from one another. Packaging cushioning conveyor system, in particular according to one of the preceding claims, for conveying a packaging cushion from a cushioning source, such as a cushioning production device, to a cushioning sink, such as a packing station or a cushioning storage warehouse, comprising: - two according to one of the Claims 1 until 7 designed circulating conveyors each having at least one endless conveyor means, such as a belt or a rope, which are associated with each other in such a way that they clamp the packaging cushions between the endless conveyor means during conveyance. Packaging cushioning conveyor system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cushioning source is a cushioning production device and has a delivery device to which the packaging cushioning conveyor system is assigned such that when a produced cushion is delivered by means of the delivery device, the packaging cushioning is transferred into the packaging cushioning conveyor system, in particular is picked up by the circulating conveyors. Packaging cushioning conveyor system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the two circulating conveyors are arranged at a distance from one another such that a conveyor path formed between them has a lower height dimension than a height ab of the cushion to be conveyed and/or has a height ab in the range of 10 mm to 30 mm. Packaging cushioning conveyor system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the circulating conveyors each have at least one upstream initial deflection roller and one downstream final deflection roller which are enclosed in a housing or a rod assembly, wherein in particular the housing or rod assembly is connected to the supporting structure and/or wherein two housings or rod assembly adjacent in the conveying direction are connected by means of stiffening struts. Packaging cushioning conveyor system according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a pair of opposing chains of circulating conveyors, each having at least one conveying means, such as a belt or a rope, which define a conveying path between them, along which the packaging cushions are conveyed in a clamped manner between the conveying means, wherein each chain of 2 circulating conveyors arranged one behind the other in the conveying direction has a common deflection roller and the endless conveying means are pretensioned such that the pretensioning forces substantially cancel each other out at the common deflection roller. Packaging cushioning conveyor system according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a particularly controllable ejector for particularly actively ejecting a packaging cushion from the packaging cushioning conveyor system and/or a particularly controllable switch for particularly passively discharging a packaging cushion from the packaging cushioning conveyor system and/or in particular a manual removal point for manually removing a packaging cushion from the packaging cushioning conveyor system. Packaging cushioning conveyor system according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a deflector arranged upstream in the conveying direction in front of the deflection roller for guiding the cushioning away from a guide surface of the deflection roller. Packaging cushioning conveyor system according to Claim 27 , wherein the deflector has a deflection flank tapering counter to the conveying direction and/or is substantially fin-shaped. Packaging cushioning conveyor system according to Claim 27 or 28 , wherein the deflector, in particular in the region of the deflection flank, has a guide, such as a roller or a sliding coating, for the endless conveyor means, wherein in particular the guide is arranged at a distance from the endless conveyor means when there is no packaging cushion in the region of the deflector. Packaging cushioning conveyor system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the two circulating conveyors each have a conveyor length of at least 2 m. Packaging cushioning conveyor system according to Claim 30 , wherein the conveying of the packaging cushion is realized exclusively by means of the clamping engagement by the circulating conveyors, in particular those located opposite one another. Packaging cushioning conveyor system according to Claim 30 or 31 , wherein the circulating conveyors each have at least one endless conveyor means, such as a rope or a belt, which are arranged opposite one another in such a way that they define a conveyor path between them and convey and/or carry the packaging cushion with the endless conveyor means via a friction force generated by the clamping of the packaging cushion between the endless conveyor means. Packaging cushioning conveyor system according to Claim 32 , wherein the conveyor path is otherwise free of guides and/or limitations that delimit the path and/or is essentially open to the environment. Packaging cushioning conveyor system according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a support column construction which supports the circulating conveyors at a support height of at least 1.5 m, in particular of at least 1.8 m, 2 m or at least 2.5 m. Packaging cushioning conveyor system according to Claim 34 , wherein the circulating conveyors each have at least one upstream initial deflection roller and one downstream final deflection roller and the support column construction has at least one support column arranged at the level of the initial deflection roller and/or the final deflection roller, which forms a floor support or is suspended from a ceiling. Packaging cushioning conveyor system according to Claim 34 or 35 , whereby the circulating conveyors are designed to be freely suspended along the remaining conveyor line. System comprising a circulating conveyor designed according to one of the preceding claims and/or a packaging cushioning conveyor system designed according to one of the preceding claims and a cushioning source, such as a cushioning generating device, and/or a, in particular at least 2 m, at least 3 m, 5 m, 10 m, 15 m, 20 m, 25 m, 30 m, 35 m or 40 m away from the upholstery source, upholstery sink, such as a packing station or upholstery storage depot or a removal point.