DE102022107094A1 - Process for producing packaging padding and associated production line - Google Patents

Abstract

The present application relates to a method for producing packaging cushions (2) from a cardboard web (3), wherein the cardboard web (3), which initially extends flat in a cardboard plane (12), moves in a feed direction (5) along a cardboard plane (12) by means of a feed device (4). Production line (1) and is successively processed using process steps in such a way that packaging cushions (2) are created. In order to provide a method by means of which a packaging cushion made of cardboard with cavities can be produced, it is proposed according to the invention that an outer section (9) of the cardboard web ( 3) is folded around a fold line (7) in a first folding direction relative to a main section (13) of the cardboard web (3) remaining in the cardboard plane (12); the outer section (9) is folded along a fold line (7) impressed on the outer section (9) and is thereby divided into an inner edge region (15) and an outer edge region (16), the outer edge region (16) being relative to the first folding direction as a result of the folding is twisted to the inner edge region (15); the folded, outer section (9) of the cardboard web (3) is folded in such a way that, together with a connection area (17) of the main section (13) of the cardboard web (3), which directly adjoins the outer section (9), it forms a z-shaped cross-sectional profile ( 18) trains.

Description

The present application relates to a method for producing packaging cushions from a cardboard web according to claim 1. Furthermore, the present application relates to a production line for producing a large number of packaging cushions according to claim 11.

The cardboard web describes a material web made from cardboard whose length is significantly greater than its width. The cardboard web is typically formed by several layers of paper of different thicknesses, so that the cardboard essentially describes a paper with a comparatively large thickness. In particular, the thickness of the cardboard can be at least 2 mm, preferably at least 3 mm. The width of a typical cardboard web suitable for producing packaging cushions is typically in a range between 30 cm and 50 cm, while the length of the cardboard web is generally at least 30 m, preferably at least 50 m. In any case, the length of the cardboard web significantly exceeds its width, preferably at least by a factor of 20, preferably at least by a factor of 30, more preferably at least a factor of 50.

Packaging pads are used to cushion the packaging goods to be packed and in this way to protect them from damage, especially due to impact loads. This applies, for example, to the packaging of plate-shaped packaging goods, which can be made, for example, from wood-based panels from the furniture industry. Such packaging goods are particularly susceptible to suffering damage during delivery as a result of being knocked or bumped into, which at least has a lasting effect on the overall visual impression of the respective packaging goods. Therefore, it is typically provided to protect such packaging goods with packaging cushions which, for example, enclose the respective packaging goods all around the edge and, in the event of a cornering or bumping of the finished packaging together with the packaging goods contained therein, reduce the impact energy via deformation. The packaged goods as such are therefore protected from the respective impact energy.

In order to produce such a packaging cushion, it is known to guide a cardboard web along a production line by means of a feed device and to process it successively in several process steps, so that packaging cushions are ultimately produced. The feed device can in particular be formed by a conveyor belt, by means of which the cardboard web is guided in a feed direction along the production line, the feed direction preferably not changing during the process.

In one process step, a creasing step, the cardboard web - initially in an unfolded state in which the cardboard web extends flat in a cardboard plane - is fed to a creasing device by means of the feed device and processed by means of this. The creasing device is suitable for providing the cardboard web with a plurality of grooves which extend parallel to the feed direction. The grooves are arranged parallel to one another and serve to locally weaken the cardboard web and in this way to impress fold lines on the cardboard web. These have the effect that the cardboard web can be folded more easily at the fold lines than at areas that were not previously scored using the creasing device. In this way, the fold lines form “designated fold points”; where the cardboard web preferably kinks as soon as a force acting perpendicular to a cardboard plane is applied to a specific section of the cardboard web. The grooves typically have an inverted cone-shaped cross section directed towards the center of the cardboard, which causes a local weakening of the cardboard web. In particular, as a result of the creasing, a thickness of the cardboard web is significantly reduced locally, in particular by at least 30%, preferably at least 40%, more preferably 50%.

Following the creasing step, the cardboard web is guided in a folding step along a folding device, by means of which the cardboard web is folded several times using folding elements, so that a cross section of a packaging cushion results.

The folded cardboard web is finally fed in a cutting step to a cutting device, by means of which it is cut to length - for example transversely to its feed direction. In this way, individual packaging pads are successively cut off from the folded cardboard sheet. While the cardboard web is in the form of an endless strip, so to speak, which is processed using the production line, the final transfer into individual packaging cushions takes place by means of the described cutting of the folded cardboard web. The individual length of a respective packaging pad can be adjusted particularly easily by making the cut, guided by the cutting device, at a desired location on the cardboard web.

State of the art

In particular, packaging cushions are known in the prior art which are made of plastic and which can be produced industrially particularly easily. Due to the wide range of possibilities for adjusting such packaging pads in terms of their rigidity and correspondingly their damping properties, such packaging pads made of plastic are widely used.

However, these packaging pads have the disadvantage that their environmental compatibility is significantly worse than packaging pads made from cardboard. The use of plastic packaging pads should be reduced accordingly and, if possible, completely avoided. The same applies to the use of at least one plastic component in a packaging cushion otherwise made of cardboard.

Accordingly, packaging pads that are made entirely of cardboard are already known. Such a packaging cushion is, for example, from the German utility model DE 20 2020 102 049 U1 known. However, such packaging cushions are disadvantageous in that their production is more complex compared to typical plastic cushions, since the cardboard box usually has to be folded several times to produce the respective packaging cushion, so that a packaging cushion is produced that has the technical suitability to withstand impact energy absorb and break down through deformation.

In order to provide efficient upholstery production, it is already known to resort to continuous production. In this regard, reference is made in particular to the German disclosure document DE 10 2020 115 413 A1 referred to, which describes the continuous production of a solid upholstery strip. However, such a padding strip is not suitable for every application because, depending on the goods to be packaged, it is only partially suitable for absorbing an impact by means of deformation. The procedure with which the cushioning strip is manufactured is aimed at ensuring that the finished cushioning strip does not include any cavities. However, depending on the application, such cavities are desirable so that the respective packaging cushion can deform particularly easily and thereby reduce impact energy. This reduces the transfer of impact energy to a packaged item. Such a packaging cushion is from the aforementioned DE 20 2020 102 049 U1 basically known; However, its production is complex because the packaging cushion must be folded in such a way that cavities are created.

Task

The present application is therefore based on the object of providing a method by means of which a packaging pad made of cardboard with cavities can be produced.

Solution

The underlying object is achieved according to the invention using the method of claim 1. Advantageous refinements result from the associated subclaims.

The method according to the invention is characterized in that the following substeps are carried out in the folding step:

In a substep, an outer section of the cardboard web, which extends from a side edge of the cardboard web, is folded around a fold line in a first folding direction relative to a main section of the cardboard web. The main section of the cardboard web is located in the cardboard plane, in which the main section remains as the outer section is folded. The folding of the outer section relative to the main section can take place in particular in the form of folding up, wherein the cardboard plane can be oriented in particular horizontally, while a plane of the outer section is moved in the direction of a vertical orientation. The fold line indicates where the cardboard sheet “bends” so that the folding can be carried out particularly cleanly.

As a further sub-step, the outer section as such is folded along a fold line impressed on the outer section and thereby divided into an inner edge area and an outer edge area. The fold line located on the outer section can in particular be arranged centrally on the outer section. The outer edge area is the area of the outer section that adjoins the side edge of the cardboard web, while the inner edge area adjoins the main section of the cardboard web on the other side of the fold line. The outer section is folded along the fold line mentioned in such a way that the outer edge region is twisted relative to the inner region as a result of the folding against the first folding direction. In other words, the folding of the outer section relative to the cardboard web on the one hand and the folding of the outer section into itself on the other hand, which causes the logical division of the outer section into the outer edge area and the inner edge area, are carried out in opposite folding directions. Thus, for example, the folding of the outer section as a whole in a cross section of the cardboard web can be viewed counterclockwise and the folding of the The outer section itself - viewed in the cross section of the cardboard web - can be done clockwise.

As a further sub-step, which can basically be preceded by the aforementioned sub-steps in any order, the folded outer section is folded in such a way that it forms a z-shaped cross-sectional profile together with a connection area of the main section of the cardboard web that immediately adjoins the outer section. Depending on how you look at a cross-section of the cardboard web, this “z-shaped” cross-sectional profile can be a normally oriented Z or a mirror-inverted Z. Both shapes represent a z-shaped cross-sectional profile in the sense of the present application.

The method according to the invention has many advantages. In particular, it enables the production of a large number of packaging pads by means of assembly line production, in which a respective cardboard web is processed continuously or semi-continuously, preferably at a constant feed rate. In other words, it is possible that the cardboard web does not have to stand still at any time for the purpose of its folding, so that the cardboard web is not fed to individual processing devices in a clocked manner, but is guided continuously or semi-continuously along processing devices that process the cardboard web into packaging cushions during its movement . This type of approach is particularly advantageous in terms of the overall output of the production line. In other words, the method according to the invention allows the production of a particularly large number of individual packaging pads in a certain period of time.

In the sense of the present application, the difference between continuous and semi-continuous processing is that, depending on the specific design of the cutting device on the production line, it may be useful or necessary to stop the cardboard web for a short time so that the cutting device can work. This is the case, for example, if the cutting device is designed in the manner of a cross-cut saw. However, the actual processing of the cardboard web, which consists in particular in the creasing and folding, takes place regardless of such cyclical stopping during a continuous feed of the cardboard web, so that no clocked processing of the cardboard web can be seen in the stopping of the cardboard web caused by the cutting device, in which - as in the prior art - any change in the shape of the cardboard web towards a folded profile takes place at appropriate stations. The processing in which the cardboard web is briefly stopped in order to cut the cardboard web to length and the associated production of individual cushions is therefore referred to as “semi-continuous”. It is also conceivable that the cardboard web is not stopped in order to cut it to length. This can be omitted, for example, if the cutting device includes a knife that shoots into the cross section of the cardboard web, by means of which the cutting process takes place so quickly that a brief interruption in the advance of the cardboard web is not necessary.

This particularly efficient type of production of packaging cushions is carried out according to the invention in such a way that a z-shaped cross-sectional profile is created. This has the advantage that it can be further processed into a packaging cushion that is not solid, but is formed with the formation of at least one cavity, in particular two cavities extending in the longitudinal direction of the later packaging cushion and spatially separated from one another by a cardboard strip. Such a packaging cushion has the advantage over a solid packaging cushion that it can absorb larger deformations and can therefore better dissipate impact energy acting on the packaging cushion. To create the z-shaped cross-sectional profile, it is essential to fold the cardboard web in the area of the outer section in two ways, in which folding occurs in opposite folding directions.

Another significant advantage of the method according to the invention is that the packaging cushions can be produced fully automatically. This means that no direct involvement of at least one machine operator is required to produce the packaging cushions. In particular, no manual intervention is required on the packaging pad as such or the underlying cardboard web. The participation of employees in the production of the packaging padding is limited to the operation of technical equipment, maintenance work and any repairs that may arise.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the fold line along which the outer section is folded is impressed centrally on the outer section. This ensures that the outer edge area and the inner edge area, into which the outer section is logically separated by means of the fold line, are at least essentially the same size. This is particularly advantageous for creating the Z-shaped cross-sectional profile, since an isosceles Z can be formed in this way. In a particularly preferred manner, the fold line that is present on the outer section is on a cardboard box that is opposite all the other fold lines embossed on the side of the cardboard web. This approach is particularly useful for folding the cardboard sheet at the fold line in the opposite fold direction to the fold line along which the outer section is folded as a whole relative to the main section.

Furthermore, the method is particularly advantageous if the outer section is only folded after it has been folded as a whole, in particular folded up. Preferably, the folding of the outer section is only carried out when, immediately before folding, the outer section is in an upright position folded up at 90° relative to the plane of the box. This superposition is particularly favorable in order to achieve the desired z-shaped cross-sectional profile when the outer section is folded.

Further developing the method according to the invention, the z-shaped cross-sectional profile formed is repeatedly folded over as a whole in the direction of the first folding direction. As a result, the cross-sectional profile is successively surrounded by cardboard material of the cardboard web, so that it is completely enclosed by wall sections each formed from cardboard material. Accordingly, it is particularly advantageous if the z-shaped cross-sectional profile is turned over by a full revolution. The repeated folding of the z-shaped cross-sectional profile is advantageously carried out in such a way that the cardboard web is folded once per embossed fold line until the end of the folding step. The repeated folding of the z-shaped cross-sectional profile results in the cross-sectional profile being surrounded by the cardboard material of the cardboard web in the manner described. With each additional wall element that surrounds the cross-sectional profile, its stability increases, which promotes the protective effect of the later packaging padding.

In order to preserve the folded structure of the cardboard web, it can also be particularly advantageous if the cardboard web is fed to an adhesive device before the final folding movement of the folding step is completed. This is suitable for introducing an adhesive between mutually facing contact surfaces, which are brought into direct contact with one another in the course of a final sub-step of the folding step. After the adhesive has been introduced, the contact surfaces are pressed together so that the adhesive can act and connect the contact surfaces to one another in a force-transmitting manner. The adhesive device can in particular comprise at least one, preferably two, nozzles, by means of which a preferably flowable and/or sprayable adhesive, for example in the form of a paper glue, is applied. After the gluing step, the cardboard web is so solidified that it cannot unfold again on its own in the absence of external forces.

As already indicated above, the method according to the invention is of particular advantage when the cardboard web is guided continuously or semi-continuously along the production line by means of the feed device. In particular, the cardboard web should not be stopped as planned during the process, and preferably should not be braked or accelerated.

Advantageously, the feed device is operated at a constant feed speed. This can in particular be in a range between 15 m/min and 35 m/min, preferably between 20 m/min and 30 m/min. This feed speed offers sufficient output of packaging pads while at the same time allowing the cardboard web to be easily processed along the production line. In particular, the feed speed allows the cardboard web to be cut to length using the cutting device without the feed device having to be stopped.

For this purpose, it is particularly advantageous if the cutting device comprises a cutting knife which can be inserted into a cross section of the folded cardboard web and retracted again perpendicular to the feed direction of the cardboard web. The cutting knife can in particular be driven pneumatically. When using such a cutting device, the cardboard web is, so to speak, “chopped off,” with the cutting process taking place so quickly that the cardboard web preferably does not have to be slowed down or stopped. A “run-up effect” of the cardboard web against the cutting knife of the cutting device can then be neglected due to the high cutting speed.

Alternatively, it is also conceivable that the cutting device stops and cuts the cardboard web to length while it is at a standstill. The cutting device can in particular be designed in the manner of a cross-cut saw. The short-term interruption in the advance of the cardboard web is harmless, in particular for the folding of the cardboard web, which occurs in a continuous manner along a section of the folding device. In this variant, the packaging cushions are produced semi-continuously in accordance with the present application.

The method according to the invention is also of particular advantage when a total of six grooves are introduced into the cardboard web by means of the creasing device, so that the cardboard web Can be folded a total of six times. According to the above explanation, it is particularly advantageous if at least one groove is applied to a cardboard side that is opposite to a cardboard side in which at least one other groove, preferably all other grooves, are made. The one groove, which is formed opposite the other grooves, is particularly suitable for folding the outer section and the resulting division of it into the outer edge area and the inner edge area, since folding the outer section is particularly easy in this way in a direction opposite to the first folding direction second folding sense can be made.

The method according to the invention can also be of particular advantage if the cardboard web, which is processed using the method steps described, is first produced from an original, higher-level cardboard web. For this purpose, it is advantageous if the production line involved includes a separating device by means of which the original cardboard web is divided into two parts, which are preferably of the same size, at the latest before the folding step, if necessary before or simultaneously with the creasing step. These parts then each form their own cardboard web, which in the sense of the above description are processed separately from one another at least by means of the folding step and the cutting step. In order to achieve parallel production of several packaging pads, it is particularly advantageous if the production line has two similar production lines, along which the described method steps are each carried out separately for a cardboard web after the original cardboard web has been separated into two cardboard webs by means of a separating device. In a preferred embodiment, the production line is therefore designed to be mirrored and double along a central, vertical parting plane in which the original cardboard web was cut, so that the production lines of the production line created in this way are designed in the same way. Since these are arranged next to each other and are simultaneously fed with the two cardboard webs, which were previously formed from a higher-level cardboard web by means of the separating device, the production of packaging cushions can be carried out synchronously using such a production line.

The separating device can be designed in a particularly preferred manner as a component of the creasing device, so that in the course of creasing the cardboard web, a separating element is activated at the same time, in particular in the middle, which separates the cardboard web. In such a configuration, the creasing device is in particular provided with a double number of groove elements, so that the original cardboard web is prepared for two separately formed cardboard webs, each of which is then fed to the following folding step.

The underlying task is solved in terms of device technology by means of a production line with the features of claim 11. Advantageous refinements result from the associated subclaims.

The production line according to the invention is suitable for producing a large number of packaging pads starting from a continuous cardboard web continuously or semi-continuously and preferably fully automatically, that is to say without the direct involvement of at least one machine operator. For this purpose, the production line includes a feed device by means of which the cardboard web can be moved in a feed direction along the production line. The feed device can in particular be formed by a conveyor belt onto which the cardboard web can be placed. In particular, the feed device extends along a straight line, so that the cardboard web is continuously guided straight and therefore not deflected. Furthermore, the production line includes a creasing device, by means of which a plurality of fold lines, which are oriented parallel to the feed direction, can be impressed on the cardboard web in a creasing step. Furthermore, the production line includes at least one folding device, by means of which the cardboard web can be folded in one folding step. The folding device can in particular comprise several folding stages, in the course of which a respective packaging cushion is successively folded in individual sub-steps of the folding step. Furthermore, the production line includes a cutting device, by means of which individual packaging pads can be successively separated from the cardboard web in a cutting step.

The production line is characterized in that the folding device is set up to use a folding element to fold, in particular fold up, an outer section of the cardboard web adjacent to a side edge of the cardboard web relative to a main section of the cardboard web in a first folding direction. Furthermore, the folding device is set up to fold the outer section by means of a further folding element and thereby divide it into an outer edge region adjoining the side edge of the cardboard web and an inner edge region adjoining the main section of the cardboard web, so that the outer edge region is relatively opposite to the first folding direction as a result of the folding is twisted to the inner edge area. The further folding element is designed to rotate the outer edge region relative to the inner edge region counter to the first folding direction.

The method according to the invention described above can be carried out particularly easily using the production line according to the invention. The resulting advantages have already been explained above. In particular, the possibility is created to produce packaging cushions made entirely of cardboard, with production in large numbers being possible within a short period of time. The finished packaging pads are preferably completely free of plastics and therefore have an advantage in terms of their environmental compatibility compared to the plastic packaging pads used in the prior art. Furthermore, by means of the folding device it is possible to create a cross-sectional profile, in particular a Z-shaped one, which has at least one cavity and is therefore more deformable than a solid padding strip.

In an advantageous embodiment of the production line according to the invention, the creasing device is set up to imprint at least one fold line on a first cardboard side and at least one further fold line on a second cardboard side of the cardboard web opposite the first cardboard side. Imprinting the fold lines or introducing the grooves has the advantage that the cardboard web can be folded particularly easily in opposite folding directions. This is due to the fact that the cardboard web is “weakened” by means of the fold lines on opposite cardboard sides and thereby not only specifies a line along which the cardboard web should be folded, but also specifies the direction of folding. The sections of the cardboard web that run along a fold line are therefore advantageously folded relative to one another in such a way that the groove from which the fold line is formed is “pressed shut”.

Regarding the imprinting of the fold lines, it can also be particularly advantageous if the creasing device is set up to emboss the fold lines in different forms. For the purposes of the present application, this is to be understood as meaning a thickness of the respective fold line, the shape of which facilitates folding of the adjacent sections of the cardboard web relative to one another at different folding angles. Therefore, a fold line that is comparatively wide when viewed in cross section is particularly suitable for the cardboard web to be folded toward one another by a comparatively large fold angle when folded around this fold line. This is particularly advantageous for the formation of a z-shaped cross-sectional profile, in which adjacent areas of the cardboard web, namely the outer edge section, the inner edge section and the connection area adjoining the outer section are each at a fold angle of preferably at least 120°, more preferably at least 135° , folded towards each other. Accordingly, it is advantageous if the fold lines provided for this have a larger shape than other fold lines that are only intended for folding the adjacent areas of the cardboard web at a fold angle of, for example, 90 °.

Further developing the production line according to the invention, it comprises an adhesive device by means of which an adhesive can be applied to at least one contact surface of the cardboard web. Such an adhesive device can be used particularly well to glue the contact surfaces mentioned together as part of a sub-step of the folding step and in this way to prevent unintentional unfolding of the packaging padding.

Furthermore, such a production line can be of particular advantage, which - in particular upstream of the creasing device or as part of the creasing device - comprises a separating device, by means of which an original cardboard web can be separated in its longitudinal direction in a separating step and can thereby be separated into at least two separate cardboard webs. The use of such a separating device enables packaging cushions to be produced simultaneously along two production lines of the production line, with the separate cardboard webs each being processed individually by means of a production line. The processing can differ from one another, in particular with regard to a configuration of the packaging cushions to be produced, so that, for example, packaging cushions with different lengths are produced, for example for use with a rectangular plate component whose length exceeds its width. The “long packaging pads” can then be used particularly well to protect the longitudinal edges of the panel component and the “short packaging pads” can be used to protect the transverse edges of the panel component. The production lines of the production line can be designed to be mirrored to one another, in particular along a vertical separation plane, so that the cardboard webs that were previously produced from a higher-level cardboard web by means of the separating device can be processed synchronously.

Finally, such a production line can be particularly advantageous, the cutting device of which includes a cutting knife, which can be inserted into a cross section of the cardboard web and retracted again perpendicular to the feed direction of the cardboard web. Such a cutting knife can, for example, be formed by a metallic blade, which can preferably be driven by means of a pneumatic drive. With such a drive, the cutting unit can do better can simply be shot suddenly into the cross-section of the cardboard web, so that a respective packaging cushion can be “chopped off”, so to speak.

Example embodiment

• 1: Eine seitliche Ansicht einer erfindungsgemäßen Fertigungsstraße,
• 2: Eine perspektivische Ansicht der Fertigungsstraße gemäß 1,
• 3: Ein Detail einer Rilleinrichtung der Fertigungsstraße gemäß 1,
• 4: Eine schematische Darstellung einer Abfolge von Faltungen einer Kartonbahn, wie sie mittels der Fertigungsstraße gemäß 1 vorgenommen werden,
• 5: Eine schematische Darstellung einer weiteren Abfolge von Faltungen, wie sie mittels der Fertigungsstraße gemäß 1 vorgenommen werden,
• 6: Ein Querschnitt durch ein Verpackungspolster,
• 7: Ein Querschnitt durch die Fertigungsstraße gemäß 1 im Bereich einer Falteinrichtung,
• 8: Wie 7, jedoch an einer anderen Stelle der Falteinrichtung,
• 9: Wie 8, jedoch an einer anderen Stelle der Falteinrichtung,
• 10: Ein Detail einer mittels der Falteinrichtung teilweise gefalteten Kartonbahn,
• 11: Wie 9, jedoch an einer anderen Stelle der Falteinrichtung,
• 12: Wie 11, jedoch an einer anderen Stelle der Falteinrichtung und
• 13: Wie 12, jedoch an einer anderen Stelle der Falteinrichtung.

The invention is explained in more detail below using an exemplary embodiment which is shown in the figures. It shows:

• 1 : A side view of a production line according to the invention,
• 2 : A perspective view of the production line according to 1 ,
• 3 : A detail of a creasing device according to the production line 1 ,
• 4 : A schematic representation of a sequence of folds of a cardboard sheet as produced by the production line according to 1 be made,
• 5 : A schematic representation of another sequence of folds as made using the production line 1 be made,
• 6 : A cross section through a packaging pad,
• 7 : A cross section through the production line according to 1 in the area of a folding device,
• 8th : How 7 , but at a different point on the folding device,
• 9 : How 8th , but at a different point on the folding device,
• 10 : A detail of a cardboard sheet partially folded using the folding device,
• 11 : How 9 , but at a different point on the folding device,
• 12 : How 11 , but at a different location on the folding device and
• 13 : How 12 , but at a different location on the folding device.

An embodiment that is in the 1 until 13 is illustrated, comprises a production line 1 according to the invention, by means of which a large number of packaging pads 2 can be produced semi-continuously using the method according to the invention. The production line 1 includes a feed device 4, by means of which a cardboard web 3 can be moved in a feed direction 5 along the production line 1. In the example shown, the feed device 4 comprises a plurality of rollers 27, by means of which the cardboard web 3 can be guided. In particular, at least some of the rollers 27 can be actively driven in order to actively move the respective cardboard web 3 along the production line 1. The feed device 4 can also have a drivable conveyor belt on which the respective cardboard web 3 rests.

The production line 1 further comprises a creasing device 6, by means of which the cardboard web 3 can be creased in one creasing step, fold lines 7 being impressed on the cardboard web 3 by means of the creasing. The creasing device 6, which is particularly based on 3 results, includes a plurality of grooved disks 29, which are arranged next to each other on a rotatable roller. In addition, the creasing device 6 includes a cutting disk 28 in the middle, by means of which an original cardboard web 3' can be separated into two separate cardboard webs 3. In this way, two cardboard webs 3 can be processed simultaneously using the production line 1, which is designed to be double-mirrored along a central, vertical separating plane that contains the cutting disk 28. In this way, the production line 1 is equipped with two separate production lines, whereby an output of packaging pads 2 can be doubled. The fold lines 7 introduced into the cardboard web 3 by means of the creasing device 6 represent constructive weakening of the cardboard web 3, along which the cardboard web 3 is intended or prepared for folding. In this way, the respective cardboard web 3 can be folded particularly easily using a folding device 8 on the production line 1.

Said folding device 8 adjoins the creasing device 6 when viewed in the feed direction 5 of the cardboard web 3, with the cardboard web 3 being foldable by means of the folding device 8 in a process step referred to as a folding step using the folding lines. The folding step can in particular comprise a plurality of sub-steps, as explained below using the present exemplary embodiment. After the folding has been completed, the folded cardboard web 3 is fed to a cutting device 14, which is exemplary 1 results. The cutting device 14 is formed at one end of the production line 1 and has a saw blade, not shown in the figures, by means of which individual packaging pads 2 can be successively separated from the folded cardboard web 3. The cutting device 14 is designed in the manner of a cross-cut saw, which cyclically moves into the cross section of the cardboard web 3 and thereby separates a packaging pad 2 from the cardboard web 3. In the example shown, the feed of the cardboard web 3 is briefly interrupted, so that semi-continuous processing occurs.

The production line 1 is suitable for processing a respective cardboard web 3 in such a way that at the end a large number of packaging pads 2 are created from it. The introduction of the fold lines 7 into the cardboard web 3 has already been described above. In order to produce the packaging cushions 2, it is necessary to fold the cardboard web 3 several times after the folding lines 7 have been introduced. The folding device 8 mentioned above is responsible for this. The folding of the cardboard web 3 is based on the 4 and 5 illustrated in individual steps. Originally, the cardboard web 3 lies flat on a respective surface of the production line 1, with the cardboard web 3 in this state extending completely in a cardboard plane 12. In this state, the cardboard web 3 is first fed to the creasing device 6, which imprints the fold lines 7. The cardboard web 3 then continues to extend in the cardboard plane 12. As a result of the processing by the folding device 8, a first fold is then finally carried out, with an outer section 9 of the cardboard web 3 being folded up around a fold line 7. Based on the representation according to the 4 and 5 This first folding takes place counterclockwise. It is nevertheless understood that the folding sense in which a respective folding takes place depends on the direction from which the respective cardboard web 3 is viewed. The outer section 9 extends from a side edge 10 of the cardboard web 3 to a second fold line 7, which is formed adjacent to a first fold line 7, which in turn is arranged adjacent to the side edge 10. In other words, the outer section 9 includes a fold line 7 and is folded upwards around the second fold line 7 in the first sub-step of the folding step. A main section 13 of the cardboard web 3 remains in the cardboard plane 12 and is not folded for the time being. In the example shown, the outer section 9 is folded in such a way that it is ultimately folded upwards by 90° relative to the main section 13.

Subsequently, the outer section 9 is folded as such, using the first fold line 7, which is arranged adjacent to the side edge 10. This first fold line 7 is special in comparison to all other fold lines 7 in that it is introduced into the cardboard web 3 from a lower cardboard side 26. The remaining fold lines 7, on the other hand, are all introduced into the cardboard web 3 from an upper cardboard side 19. Furthermore, the first fold line 7 and the second fold line 7 formed adjacent to it are different from the other fold lines 7 in that they are more pronounced than the latter. This is particularly clear from the 4 and 5 . The stronger expression is characterized by the fact that a cardboard material of the cardboard web 3 is displaced at a wider angle in the area of the more pronounced fold lines 7 than in the remaining fold lines 7. This means that the respective embossing of the more pronounced fold lines 7 is relative to a respective cardboard side 19, 26 flatter than the other fold lines 7. This in turn creates the technical effect that the cardboard web 3 can be folded along the more pronounced fold lines 7 at a larger folding angle, without the cardboard material of the cardboard web 3 itself forming the respective fold blocked.

Taking advantage of this effect, after the outer section 9 has been folded up, it is folded in on itself, whereby the outer section 9 is divided into an inner edge region 15 and an outer edge region 16. Here, the inner edge region 15 extends between the first fold line 7 and the second fold line 7, while the outer edge region 16 extends between the side edge 10 and the first fold line 7. In the example shown, the first fold line 7 is designed in relation to the outer section 9 in such a way that it divides the outer section 9 at least essentially in the middle into two equal halves.

It is now essential for the invention that the outer section 9 is folded in such a way that the outer edge region 16 is folded relative to the inner edge region 15 in a folding direction that is opposite to the folding direction in which the outer section 9 as a whole is folded relative to the Main section 13 was previously folded. Based on the representations in the 4 and 5 The outer edge region 16 is folded clockwise relative to the inner edge region 15. In addition, the inner edge region 15 is again folded clockwise relative to an adjoining connection region 17, so that a z-shaped cross-sectional profile 18 ultimately results. This particularly well based on 4 recognizable.

The folding of the cardboard web 3 now provides in further partial steps of the folding step that this z-shaped cross-sectional profile 18 is successively folded over repeatedly in the direction of the folding direction in which the outer section 9 was previously folded up relative to the main section 13. As a result, the cross-sectional profile 18 is “rolled up” to a certain extent, whereby it is successively surrounded by wall sections 30. This is particularly clear from the representations of 5 . The fold lines 7, which were embossed into the cardboard web 3 in preparation for these folds, are each designed to facilitate folding of the cardboard web 3 at a 90° angle. Accordingly, their expression is smaller than the first fold line 7 and the second fold line 7, since the latter here is a fold of the cardboard web 3 at a folding angle of approx. 135° each.

Before a final sub-step of the folding step, which takes place with a final folding of the z-shaped cross-sectional profile 18 relative to a remaining section 22 of the cardboard web 3, in the exemplary embodiment shown, an adhesive is applied between mutually facing contact surfaces 20, 21 by means of an adhesive device (not shown in the figures). 23 introduced. Only after this adhesive 23 has been introduced is the folding step completed, with the contact surfaces 20, 21 coming into direct contact with one another and being glued to one another using the adhesive 23. This means that the cardboard web 3 can no longer “unfold” in an unintentional manner.

After the folding step has been completed, the cross section of the cardboard web 3 is completed, so that all that is required to produce a respective packaging cushion 2 is to cut it to length using the cutting device 14. This is done successively by inserting a respective cutting knife into the cross section of the cardboard web 3, with an interval being set such that packaging cushions 2 are produced in a desired length.

The folding step continues in the 7 until 13 showing at least some of the folding elements 24, 25, 31, 32, 33 used for this purpose. Thus, in the first sub-step, in which the outer section 9 is folded up relative to the main section 13 of the cardboard web 3, the cardboard web 3 is guided by means of the feed device 4 along a first folding element 24, which is designed to rise in the form of a ramp. In addition, the folding element 24 includes an edge which extends laterally towards a center of the cardboard web 3 and which protrudes further towards a cardboard center 11 as the folding element 24 increases. This ensures that the outer section 9 is successively folded up in the first folding direction (equivalent to a counterclockwise fold in the figures) (cf 7 ).

As soon as the outer section 9 is folded up by 90 ° relative to the main section 13, the side edge 10 of the cardboard web 3 abuts against an obliquely oriented second folding element 31. At approximately the same time as the outer section 9 comes into contact with the second folding element 31, the outer section 9 comes into contact a third folding element 25, which is arranged at a height level of the first fold line 7, ie at approximately half the height of the outer section 9. The second folding element 31 has the effect of blocking the outer section 9 from folding further in the direction of the first folding sense, while the third folding element 25 forces the outer section 9 further in the direction of the first folding sense at a contact point (cf 8th ).

This leaves the cardboard web 3 with no other option than to fold on the first fold line 7 in the opposite direction to the first folding direction (the first folding direction in the figures is equivalent to a clockwise fold), as is particularly clear from 9 is recognizable. The third folding element 25 is designed with an oblique edge, so that the cardboard web 3 is increasingly pressed in the direction of the cardboard center 11 of the cardboard web 3 by means of the third folding element 25 as it is further guided in the feed direction 5. The second folding element 31 further prevents the outer section 9 as a whole from being further folded in the first folding direction, so that the outer section 9 is forced into the z-shaped cross-sectional profile 18 in the desired manner. This is particularly clear from the illustrations in the 9 and 10 .

If the outer section 9 is folded far enough, the already existing z-shaped cross-sectional profile 18 is simply compressed further vertically by means of a further folding element 32 until a desired shape is achieved. This is based on 11 recognizable. In order to fold the cross-sectional profile 18 repeatedly as explained above, a further folding element 33 is used, which has a channel corresponding to the dimensions of the cross-sectional profile 18, which winds in the desired manner and in this way forces the cardboard web 3 to move in the in 5 “roll up” in the manner illustrated. This is particularly clear from the 12 and 13 .

Reference symbol list

1

Production line

2

Packaging padding

3

Cardboard web

4

feed device

5

feed direction

6

Creasing device

7

fold line

8th

Folding device

9

Exterior section

10

Page margin

11

Cardboard center

12

Cardboard level

13

Main section

14

Cutting device

15

Inner edge area

16

Outer edge area

17

Connection area

18

Cross-sectional profile

19

Cardboard side

20

Contact surface

21

Contact surface

22

Remaining section

23

adhesive

24

folding element

25

folding element

26

Cardboard side

27

Roller

28

cutting disc

29

Grooved disc

30

Wall section

31

folding element

32

folding element

33

folding element

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The 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 202020102049 U1 [0010, 0011]
• DE 102020115413 A1 [0011]

Claims (15)

Method for producing packaging cushions (2) from a cardboard web (3), wherein the cardboard web (3), which initially extends flat in a cardboard plane (12), is guided in a feed direction (5) along a production line (1) by means of a feed device (4). and is processed successively by means of the following process steps in such a way that packaging cushions (2) are created: a) The cardboard web (3) is fed to a creasing device (6) in a creasing step and grooved parallel to the feed direction (5) by means of the creasing device (6), whereby fold lines (7) are impressed on the cardboard web (3); b) The grooved cardboard web (3) is guided in a folding step along a folding device (8), whereby the cardboard web (3) is folded several times by means of folding elements (24, 25) using the folding lines (7); c) The folded cardboard web (3) is fed in a cutting step to a cutting device (14), by means of which it is cut to length and in this way individual packaging pads (2) are successively separated; characterized in that in the folding step: - an outer section (9) of the cardboard web (3), which extends from a side edge (10) of the cardboard web (3), in a first folding direction relative to one remaining in the cardboard plane (12). Main section (13) of the cardboard web (3) is folded along a fold line (7); - the outer section (9) is folded along a fold line (7) impressed on the outer section (9) and is thereby divided into an inner edge area (15) and an outer edge area (16), the outer edge area (16) being attached to the side edge (10). Connect the cardboard web (3) and the inner edge region (15) to the main section (13) of the cardboard web (3) and the outer edge region (16) is rotated relative to the inner edge region (15) as a result of the folding against the first folding direction; - the folded outer section (9) of the cardboard web (3) is folded in such a way that, together with a connection area (17) of the main section (13) of the cardboard web (3), which immediately adjoins the outer section (9), it forms a z-shaped cross-sectional profile ( 18) trains. Procedure according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the fold line (7), along which the outer section (9) is folded, is stamped centrally on the outer section (9), the fold line (7) preferably being on a cardboard side (26) opposite all the other fold lines (7). ) is embossed on the cardboard web (3). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outer section (9) is only folded after it has been folded up, the outer section (9) preferably being folded up at 90° relative to the cardboard plane (12) immediately before folding located. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the z-shaped cross-sectional profile (18) formed as a whole is repeatedly folded over in the direction of the first folding direction, preferably by a full revolution in total, whereby the cross-sectional profile (18) is successively surrounded by cardboard material, The cardboard web (3) is preferably folded once per embossed fold line (7) until the end of the folding step. Procedure according to Claim 4 , characterized in that before completion of a last sub-step of the folding step, the cardboard web (3) is fed to an adhesive device by means of the mutually facing contact surfaces (20, 21) of a remaining section (22) of the cardboard web (3) remaining in the cardboard plane (12). and an adhesive (23) is introduced into the cross-sectional profile (18), the contact surfaces (20, 21) being pressed together after the adhesive (23) has been introduced. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cardboard web (3) is processed in a continuous or semi-continuous process by means of the production line (1), preferably the cardboard web (3) being moved along the production line without interruption by means of the feed device (4). (1) is performed. Procedure according to Claim 6 , characterized in that the feed device (4) is operated with an at least substantially, preferably completely, constant feed speed, preferably with a feed speed in the range between 15 m/min and 35 m/min, preferably between 20 m/min and 30 m /min. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the creasing device (6) introduces a total of six grooves into the cardboard web (3) and thereby imprints six fold lines (7) on the cardboard web (3). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an original cardboard web (3`) is separated into two equal parts by means of a separating device before the folding step, preferably simultaneously with the creasing step, each of which henceforth forms its own cardboard web (3). Procedure according to Claim 9 , characterized in that the production line (1) is mirrored and doubled along a separation plane in which the original cardboard web (3`) was cut, so that the two cardboard webs (3) created as a result of the separation are processed in the same way into packaging cushions (2). . Production line (1) for producing a plurality of packaging pads (2) from a cardboard web (3), comprising - a feed device (4), by means of which the cardboard web (3) can be moved in a feed direction (5) along the production line (1), - a creasing device (6), by means of which a plurality of folding lines (7) oriented parallel to the feed direction (5) can be impressed on the cardboard web (3) in one creasing step, - at least one folding device (8), by means of which the cardboard web (3) can be folded in a folding step using the folding lines (7), and - a cutting device (14), by means of which individual packaging pads (2) can be successively separated from the folded cardboard web (3) in a cutting step, characterized in that the folding device (8 ) is designed to fold an outer section (9) of the cardboard web (3) adjacent to a side edge (10) of the cardboard web (3) relative to a main section (13) of the cardboard web (3) in a first folding direction by means of a folding element (24). , wherein the folding device (8) is further set up to fold the outer section (9) in such a way by means of a further folding element (25) and thereby into an outer edge region (16) adjoining the side edge (10) of the cardboard web (3) and an to divide the inner edge region (15) adjoining the main section (13) of the cardboard web (3) so that the outer edge region (16) is rotated relative to the inner edge region (15) as a result of the folding against the first folding direction, the further folding element (25) being set up for this purpose is to rotate the outer edge region (16) relative to the inner edge region (15) against the first folding direction. Production line (1) after Claim 11 , characterized in that the creasing device (6) is set up to create at least one fold line (7) on a first cardboard side (19) and at least one further fold line (7) on a second cardboard side (26) opposite the first cardboard side (19). Emboss cardboard sheet (3). Production line (1) after Claim 12 , characterized in that the creasing device (6) is set up to emboss the fold lines (7) in different forms. Production line (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by an adhesive device by means of which an adhesive (23) can be applied to at least one contact surface (20, 21) of the cardboard web (3). Production line (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a separating device by means of which an original cardboard web (3`) can be separated into two equal parts, each of which henceforth forms its own cardboard web (3).

Images