WO2018177653A1 - Device for providing cushioning material for packaging purposes - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a modular assembly-kit system for forming a device (10) for providing cushioning material (14) for packaging purposes, which system comprises at least one providing apparatus (12), which provides the cushioning material (14), and a set (34) consisting of a plurality of data input and/or data output apparatuses (16), by means of which data can be input and/or output, each member of the set (34) of data input and/or data output apparatuses (16) being preferably detachably connectable to the providing apparatus (12) by means of a standardized first interface apparatus (18).

Description

Title: Device for providing

 Padding material for packaging

description

The invention relates to a device for providing padding material for packaging purposes after

The preamble of claim 1. Devices of the type mentioned are

For example, from DE 10 2012 218 679 AI and US 2016/0257474 AI known. From the first-mentioned document, a device is known which a

Provision device comprises, can be made with the padding material from crumpled paper. From the The second mentioned document discloses a device which comprises a provision device with which padding material can be produced from air-filled bags. Other devices known from the market include providing devices which

Provide foam padding material,

for example in the form of chips or pellets ("Loose

Fill ") or in the form of with a self-foaming

Material filled bags. The

Provision devices of the known devices are parameterized and operated by the user via conventional operating units ("data entry and / or data output devices"), which include, for example, pushbuttons, keyboards, touchscreens, or the like External sensors and actuators can be connected via digital and / or analogue interfaces typically

these devices still contain an interface

(serial, parallel, USB, etc.) to connect a

Computers for service by the manufacturer,

for example for program updates.

The known data input and / or

 Data output devices are generally tightly integrated with the device and customized to the particular device and its delivery device

aligned. It is similar with holding sections, with which the devices can stand on a floor or can be attached to a wall or a scaffold. These holding portions are generally firmly integrated into the respective device, so that the composite Data input and / or data output device, providing device and holding section

proprietary system. A problem of such a proprietary system is that in further developments of individual components usually has to be intervened in the overall system, which the

Change effort makes relatively high. This can lead to further developments not being implemented promptly. Another problem of such a proprietary system is that custom or application specific

Operating interfaces and operating functions at the

Data input and / or data output device can not be implemented or at least only with great effort. Also, the application of the device to an existing customer at a network and there existing individual data transmission protocol is not or only with difficulty. After all, remote maintenance and data logging are only complicated

Additional components can be realized.

The present invention has the object, an apparatus for providing padding material for

 To provide packaging purposes in which the above-mentioned problems are reduced.

This object is achieved by a device for

Provision of cushioning material for packaging with the features of claim 1 solved. Advantageous developments of the invention are in subclaims specified. In addition, the invention features essential features in the following description and in the accompanying drawings. These features may be essential to the invention both alone and in different combinations.

The device according to the invention comprises a

Provision device that provides the padding material, a data input and / or

Data output device with which data can be entered and / or output, and at least one first

Interface device with a first

Coupling area on the side of the data input and / or data output device and with a second

Coupling area on the part of

 Providing device. It is further provided that the data input and / or data output device one of a plurality of data input and / or

Data output device, which can all be coupled to the first coupling region of the interface device or include this, and / or that the

Provisioning means is one of a plurality of provisioning means, all of which can be coupled to or comprise the second coupling portion of the interface means.

With the invention is a sentence consisting of a

Plurality of data entry and / or

Data output devices proposed, the

individual data input and / or data output devices are different from each other, so that different wishes of a user in terms of

 Operating interfaces and operating functions can be fulfilled very easily. Each data input and / or

Data output means of the set is formed as a discrete unit and can via the

Interface device easy with the

Provisioning device can be coupled. In this respect, a modular principle is realized in which very different data input and / or

 Data output devices on one and the same type of providing device, even on the same

Provisioning device can be realized. Likewise, the invention proposes a set consisting of a plurality of providing devices, the individual providing devices

are different from each other, so that also with regard to the provision device, in particular in

Regard to the cushioning material, different

 Requirements of the customer can be met. Again, in turn, each providing means of the set is formed as a discrete unit, which over the

Interface device can be coupled to the data input and / or data output device. Here, too, a modular principle is realized, in which very different provisioning facilities with one and the same type of data input and / or

Data output device, yes even with the same Data input and / or data output device can be realized.

The first coupling area and the second

Coupling range of the first interface device provide each for an electrical or signaling technology and / or a mechanical coupling. It is understood that the first interface device does not necessarily have to be a discrete, separate element, but rather that

For example, the first coupling area (eg. As

Pen) in the data entry and / or

 Data output device and the second coupling region (eg., As a socket) may be integrated into the provisioning device, so that when connecting the data input and / or data output device with the

Provisioning device, the two coupling areas interact with each other. By the first

Interface device is thus formed a standard interface through which any

Data input and / or output device of the plurality with any of

 Providers of the plurality can be interchangeably coupled. With the majority of data input and / or

 Data output devices and / or the plurality of

Provisioning facilities are given a modular

Modular system, with very different

Data input and / or data output devices and different provision facilities via a standardized first interface device can be combined with each other in a simple manner, so that a very many different and tailored to the individual requirements of the customer, for example, in terms of operation, communication and remote maintenance devices for providing cushioning material for packaging purposes can be realized. For the

individual modules can have shorter innovation cycles

be realized as for a complete device, so that the offered devices can easily represent the current state of the art.

In principle, it is conceivable that the control or regulation of the device is limited to the core function of the production of the cushioning material, and that the parameters and / or control commands required for such a control or regulation via the

 Interface device (for example, in tabular form) between the data input and / or data output device and the provision device to be communicated. The respective data input and / or data output devices translate said parameters and / or

Control commands in specific formats for the respective application and / or the respective customer.

The "specific format" may generally include analog and / or digital signals, such as those used in communication with a data input and / or output device, which may be used as a

Keyboard, Touchscreen, Keypad, Push Button, Pedal, Microphone, Camera, screen, LEDs, analog display or speakers is formed or something like this includes. The plurality of data input and / or output devices comprise at least two different ones of the types mentioned above. To the at least two different ones

 Data input and / or data output devices of

However, a plurality of users can also include a Bluetooth interface, for example for communication with mobile devices, an Ethernet interface (LAN, WLAN) for communication and networking with higher-level computer-based systems or as access option for remote maintenance, and a position determination device for location determination. Examples of Ethernet protocols include industrial Ethernet protocols such as Profinet (PNO / Siemens), EtherNet / IP (ODVA / Rockwell automation), EtherCAT

(ETG / Beckhoff), Powerlink (EPSG / B & R), Modbus-TCP (Modbus-IDA / Schneider), Sercos-III (Sercos / Rexroth), Foundation Fieldbus HSE (FF, Rosemount) and FLNet (JEMA / Mitsubishi), with which have a networking in industrial

Control technology networks is possible.

The mentioned different types of data input and / or output devices allow a highly individual configuration of the respective device, so that they optimally to the announcement and / or

application-specific requirements. Overall, one recognizes that the data input and / or

Data output devices serve the operation of the Device by a user or by a higher-level system to influence or control.

For example, via the data input and / or data output devices commands to the

Provisioning device are transmitted so that a certain amount of cushioning material and / or a certain type of cushioning material is provided. Further, via the data input and / or data output devices to the user or to a higher level system

Information from the provisioning facility

For example, such information may relate to an operating mode, an operating condition, a fault, or the like. It is further proposed that the plurality of

Provisioning facilities at least two

different of the following types

Provisioning equipment includes: apparatus for providing padded paper padding, apparatus for providing cushioning material from air bags, apparatus for providing

Padding material of a foam; or contains:

at least two different embodiments of the same type of providing device. Thus, the advantages of the invention are realized in very different provisioning facilities. For example, identical data entry and / or

Data output devices are used in a user in very different provisioning facilities, which the operation and use considerably facilitated. The padding material provided serves to protect a packaged article from impact, to stabilize it within a container, and / or to fill a void volume present within a container. A typical one

 Use case for such a cushioning material is the mail order. In this case, the provisioning device can produce and thus provide the cushioning material by forming or in some other way, or can provide a cushioning material already produced elsewhere.

A further embodiment of the invention provides that the device for providing cushioning material for packaging purposes comprises a second interface device, which has a first coupling area on the side of the data input and / or data output device or the provision device and a second

Coupling region is coupled on the side of the holding portion of a plurality of holding portions. Thus, the modular concept is extended to the aspect of mechanical support, so that very different mounting concepts with the same provision facilities and / or

Data input and / or data output devices can be used, or so that at the same

 Provisioning facilities and / or data entry and / or data output devices different

Mounting concepts can be easily used, which is a simple and application-oriented

Configuration of the device according to the invention allows. Here, in a very general and summary manner similar to the first interface device, a standard interface is formed by the second interface device, through which an arbitrary holding section of the plurality can be formed with an arbitrary one

 Provisioning device of the plurality can be interchangeably coupled.

In a further development, it is proposed that the plurality of holding sections comprise at least two of the following holding sections: stand; Wall mount;

Holding section with integrated power supply,

in particular electricity storage; Holding section with

Power connection to an external power supply. A stand allows the arrangement of the device directly on a

Ground or on a table. Eventually, the stand can also be equipped with rollers, so that the device is movable. A wall mount allows stable mounting without the need for floor space. A holding section, for example in the form of a mobile

Stand, with integrated power supply allows a very flexible use of the device according to the invention also in places where an external power supply is not available. An example of this is public markets or the like. A holding section with

 Power connection to an external power supply,

For example, a holding section in the form of a

Wall bracket, allows easy connection to an existing power grid. It is also possible that the provision facilities of the plurality of providing facilities with the

Data input and / or data output device can be releasably coupled. As a result, the configuration of the device according to the invention and thus its adaptation to the specific requirements is greatly facilitated and accelerated. Furthermore, replacement of a component is facilitated and accelerated in the event of maintenance or fault, since no complex assembly work is required, which reduces downtime of the device according to the invention. It is understood that the term "releasable" in the present case and hereinafter means a non-destructive solvability, as is possible for example in a connection by plugging, clipping, latching, possibly also by screwing or locking means of a movable bolt can via plug contacts, wireless, and / or by

For example, spring-loaded contact pins are made detachable in a simple manner.

In principle, it is also conceivable that the

Provisioning device is permanently connected to the data input and / or data output device. This increases the robustness of the device according to the invention. It is understood that the term "insoluble" in the present and following a compound is understood, which can be solved only by destruction of the compound, such as a cutting of a welded joint, or the like. It is further proposed that the holding section can be releasably coupled to the data input and / or output device and / or the provision device. Again, the above applies. In this way, individual adjustments to specific ones are very fast

Requirements possible, without difficult or

time-consuming assembly work is required.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the invention will be explained with reference to the drawings. In the drawing show:

Figure 1 is a schematic side view of a first

 Embodiment of an apparatus for

 Providing cushioning material for

 Packaging purposes and a plurality

 Data input and / or output devices, a plurality of providing means and a plurality of holding sections;

Figure 2 is a schematic side view of a second

 embodiment;

Figure 3 is a schematic side view of a third

 embodiment;

Figure 4 is a schematic side view of a fourth

embodiment; Figure 5 is a schematic representation of a first

 Embodiment of a providing device that provides padding material; Figure 6 is a perspective view of a first

 Embodiment of cushioning material;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a second

 Embodiment of cushioning material; and

Figure 8 is a plan view of a third embodiment of cushioning material.

Hereinafter, functionally equivalent elements and

Areas in different embodiments the

same reference numerals.

A device for the provision of cushioning material for packaging purposes carries in FIG. 1 in its entirety

Reference numeral 10. It comprises a

 Supply device 12, which can provide a cushioning material, as will be explained in more detail below. One of the

Provisioning device 12 provided

Padding material is shown symbolically in FIG. 1 by an arrow 14. The apparatus 10 further includes a data input and output device 16 for inputting and outputting data, as will be explained in greater detail below. Furthermore, the device 10 comprises a first Interface device 18 via which the

Provisioning device 12 and the data input and output device 16 are interconnected. The first interface device 18 has a first one

Coupling area 20 on the data input and

Data output device 16 on. Furthermore, the first interface device 18 has a second one

Coupling area 22 on the part of

Deployment device 12 on.

It is understood that the interface device 18 is a discrete part in the sense of an "adapter" between the

Data input and output device 16 and the

Provisioning device 12 may be. But it is also possible that the interface device 18 only one

(theoretical) range, which through the first coupling region 20 and the second

Coupling region 22 is formed. This would be

For example, if the first

Coupling area 20 a pin and the second

 Coupling region 22 would be a socket into which the pin engages. In that regard, the first coupling region 20 may be comprised by the data input and output device 16, and the second coupling region 22 may be included by the providing device 12.

To the device 10 also includes a holding portion 24 in the present case in the form of a stand. Not one

illustrated embodiment, the holding portion 24 is formed as a wall bracket. In the present case includes the Holding section 24 a power connector 26, with which it to an external power supply (not shown)

can be connected. As a result, both the providing device 12 and the data input and output device 16 with electrical energy

provided. In one embodiment, not shown, in the holding section is a power supply in the form of a power storage, for example in the form of a

rechargeable batteries, integrated.

For connection between holding section 24 and

Provisioning device 12 is a second one

Interface device 28 is provided, which comprises a first coupling region 30 which is arranged on sides of the supply device 12, and which comprises a second coupling region 32 which is arranged on the side of the holding portion 24. Again, it is true that the second interface device 28 may be formed both as a discrete part in the sense of an "adapter" between holding section 24 and providing device 12, as well as a only

"Theoretically" existing area, by the present on the part of the provisioning device 12 first

Coupling area 30 and by the on the part of

Holding portion 24 existing second coupling region 32 is formed. In this case, the first would be

Coupling portion 30 of the providing means 12 includes, whereas the second coupling portion 32 would be included by the holding portion 24. In the present case, the two interface devices 18 and 28 provide both a mechanical and an electrical connection between the data input and output device 16 and the supply device 12 and, on the other hand, between the holding section 24 and

 Supply device 12. In the present case, the connection is non-destructively solvable in both cases.

For example, the electrical connection is made by existing on the one hand plug and on the other side existing jacks, and the mechanical connection is made by existing on one side dowel pins and on the other side existing mating sockets, as well as by a manual and, for example, without tools detachable Lock in the form of, for example, a

spring-loaded bolt. It is conceivable, however, in an embodiment not shown also that the connection in one and / or in the other case is not destructive solvable, so the connection is insoluble. In Figure 1, a set 34 is further consisting of a

 A plurality of data input and output devices. By way of example, three different types of data input and output devices 16a, 16b and 16c are shown. However, the set or plurality 34 may also have significantly more types of data input and output

Data output devices included. The at the

Device 10 built data entry and

Data output device 16 is one of this set or of this plurality 34. The sentence or plurality 34 of data input and

Data output devices 16 may include the following different types of data input and output devices 16: keyboard, touch screen, keypad, button, pedal, microphone, camera, screen, LEDs, analog display,

Speaker, Bluetooth interface, Ethernet interface (LAN, WLAN), Positioning device. Also, a data input and output device may be any combination of the types mentioned above

include.

In Figure 1, a set 36 is further consisting of a

Plural representation of provisioning facilities.

By way of example, three types of

Providers 12a, 12b, and 12c are shown. However, the set or plurality 36 may also include significantly more types of providing devices. The device 12 installed in the device 10 is one of this set or of this plurality 36.

The sentence or the plurality 36 of

 Deployment facilities 12 may be as follows

different types of delivery devices 12 include: device for providing

Padded paper padding material, device for providing cushioning material from air filled

Sachets, apparatus for providing padding material from a foam; or contains: at least two different embodiments of the same type of delivery device. Finally, a set 38 consisting of a plurality of holding sections is shown in FIG. Again, three holding sections 24a, 24b and 24c are shown by way of example. However, the set or plurality 38 may also include significantly more types of holding sections. The built in the device 10 holding portion 24 is one of this set or from this plurality 38th

The set or plurality 38 of holding portions 24 may include the following different types of holding portions 24: uprights; Wall mount; Holding section with integrated power supply, in particular electricity storage; Holding section with power connection to an external

Power supply.

Basically, it is that through the

Interface device 18 allows each member of set 34 of data input and output

Data output devices 16 with each member of the set 36 of providing devices 12 in a simple manner and can be detachably connected. Analogously, the interface device 28 allows each member of the sentence 36 of FIG

 Provision means 12 with each member of the set 38 of holding portions 24 in a simple way and

Way and can be connected detachably. Overall, a modular system of modules 12, 16 and 24 which can be combined with one another in any way is thus created. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the

Provisioning device 12 and the data input and output device 16 laterally disposed from the holding portion 24. In contrast, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, a vertical stack is formed in which

above the holding section 24 the

 Provisioning device 12 and above which in turn the data input and data output device 16 are arranged. The provision of the padding material 14 is different than in Figure 1 is not down but to the side, according to the arrow 14. It would also be conceivable, moreover, that the data input and

Data output device in the shown in Figure 2

Embodiment is arranged laterally of the supply device 12.

In order to achieve a variability in the arrangement of the individual modules 12, 16 and 24 of the device 10, can

Coupling regions of the first interface device 18 and the second interface device 28 at a plurality

Locations of the respective modules 12, 16 and 24 may be arranged. Thus, it is possible that, for example, at the same providing device 12, the data input and

Data output device 16 can be mounted both top and side. Also, it is possible that

For example, the same supply device 12 can be mounted both above and laterally on the holding portion 24. Unused coupling areas of an interface device 18 or 28 would then with a Cap or other cover (not shown) covered and protected from contamination.

Yet another variant of a device 10 is shown in FIG. 3: there is the data entry and

Data output device 16 between the

 Provisioning device 12 and the holding portion 24 is arranged. Another embodiment of a device 10 is shown in Figure 4: this corresponds approximately to that

Embodiment of Figure 2. However, the

Data input and output device 16 concretely as

Bluetooth module formed which wirelessly (arrow 40) with a mobile data device 42, for example a

Mobile phone or a tablet PC, communicates.

FIG. 5 shows something more specific

 Provisioning device 12 for providing

Padding material 14 made of crumpled paper. This includes a supply 44 of web-like stock 46. The stock 44 may comprise one or more rolls of paper as shown, or may be folded in a zig-zag

Include paper stacks. In a shaping assembly 48, this web-shaped starting material 46 is turned over at the edges and fed to a crimping unit 50. This comprises two roller pairs 52 and 54, between which the web-shaped starting material 46 is conveyed in frictional engagement. The first pair of rollers 52 comes with a larger one

Speed driven as the second and downstream pair of rollers 54. The drive is shared by a motor 56th

Due to the different speeds of the two roller pairs 52 and 54, the web-shaped starting material 46 between the two roller pairs 52 and 54 is crumpled, whereby the cushioning material 14 is formed. The padding material 14 formed in this way is replaced by a

Cutting assembly 58 is separated into discrete and discrete portions 14a ("cushion pads") of dunnage material 14. An example of a butterfly pad cushion 60 is shown in Figure 6, whereas Figure 7 shows an example of a tubular cushion pad 62. Another unillustrated dispenser embodies dunnage material filled with air

Plastic bags ready. Again, that is

Starting material web-shaped in the form of a flat

Plastic tubing. Welding lines and air injection devices are used to form individual air-filled plastic bags or airbags, between which perforations are present, so that individual airbags can be separated from one another, or groups of

Air cushions can be separated from each other. An example of two interconnected airbags 64 is shown in FIG. 8.

Claims

 claims 1. Device (10) for providing  Padding material (14) for packaging, comprising: providing means (12) for providing said padding material (14)  Data input and / or output device (16), with the data can be entered and / or output, and at least a first  Interface device (18) with a first  Coupling area (20) on the side of the data input and / or output device (16) and with a second coupling area (22) on the side of  Provisioning device (12), by  characterized in that the data input and / or  Data output device (16) is one of a plurality of data input and / or output devices (16), all of which can be coupled to or comprise the first coupling region (20) of the interface device (18), and / or that the providing device (12) one from one  A plurality of providing means (12) are all of which may be coupled to or comprise the second coupling portion (22) of the interface means (18). Device (10) according to claim 1, characterized characterized in that the plurality of data input and / or output devices (16) at least two different of the following types of Data input and / or output means (16) includes: keyboard, touch screen, keypad, button, pedal, microphone, camera, screen, LEDs, analog display, speaker, Bluetooth interface, Ethernet interface (LAN, WLAN),  Positioning device; or contains: at least two different embodiments of the same type of data output and / or Data input device (16). Device (10) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the plurality of Providing means (12) at least two different ones of the following types of Supply means (12) comprises: apparatus for providing padded paper padding material (60; 62), apparatus for providing padding material from air bags (64), apparatus for providing padding material from a foam; or contains: at least two different embodiments of the same type of providing device (12). Device (10) according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that it comprises a second interface device (28) with a first coupling region (30) on the side of the data input and / or output device (16) or the delivery device (12) and with a second coupling region (32) on one side Holding portion (24) which is one of a plurality of holding portions (24). Device (10) according to claim 4, characterized characterized in that the plurality of holding portions (24) comprises at least two of the following holding portions (24): stands; Wall mount; Holding section with integrated power supply, in particular Power storage; Holding section with power connection to an external power supply; or contains: at least two different configurations of the same type of holding section (24). Device (10) according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the Provisioning device (12) with the data input and / or data output device (16) can be releasably coupled. Device (10) according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that the provision device (12) indissoluble with the data input and / or Data output device (16) is connected. Device (10) according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the Holding section (24) with the data input and / or output device (16) and / or the Provision device (12) can be releasably coupled. 9. Modular modular system for forming a device (10) for the provision of  A dunnage material (14) for packaging, comprising: at least one providing device (12) providing the dunnage material (14) and a set (34) consisting of a plurality of data input and / or output devices (16) with which data is input and / or may be issued, each member of the set (34) of  Data input and / or data output devices (16) via a standardized first  Interface device (18) with the  Provision device (12) is preferably detachably connectable.