EP2562110B1 - Device for tension-free storage of sheet-like material - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a device for tension-free storage of web-like material with a material inlet, with the material continuously feeding feeder, a material spout with the material continuously executing the expander and an endlessly rotating, at least two support members having conveyor for the material, wherein the material the support members is guided and forms a loop between adjacently arranged support members. Such memory devices are known from, for example, the DE 573 120 , which is considered to be the closest prior art, or from the US 2,534,026 , Other comparable devices are for. B. in the US 2,788,968 , of the US 1,952,261 or the US 1,919,747 described.

The aforementioned devices are also referred to as goods storage and processing facilities for textile material or film webs to achieve a steady flow of goods, d. H. a continuous supply of textile or sheet material used. By such goods storage a constant production speed can be achieved with a few machine stops, whereby the efficiency of a machine and its production quality can be increased.

In known devices, the material is drawn by the continuously moving support members in the goods storage. This proves to be particularly disadvantageous if elastic material, for example. Foam material or the like to be introduced into the goods storage. Due to the tension exerted by the support members on the material during filling, this leads to stresses in the material. If this is then laminated onto, for example, a carrier or cover material in a subsequent processing step, the stresses present in the material result in a non-uniform connection of cover material and lower material. This often leads to the finished product wrinkles or other irregularities in the surface and is discarded as rejects.

The object of the present invention is to provide a device which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art and allows tension-free storage and delivery of sheet material.

This object is achieved by a device according to claim 1 and a method according to claim 12. Advantageous developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

The device according to the invention serves for stress-free storage of sheet material. This material may be a textile or sheet material. In particular, the device is suitable for use with foam materials which are laminated on a carrier web or fabric web in a subsequent processing machine. These materials are particularly susceptible to tensions, which then adversely affect the final finished product in the lamination process, since surface irregularities occur. The device according to the invention comprises a material inlet. Herein, a feeding device continuously supplying the material is provided. In the material inlet, the material is not exposed to any stresses, but fed continuously. Opposite the material inlet, the device has a material outlet, which has an expander which feeds the material continuously to a downstream processing machine. The expander is also designed so that no stresses are entered into the material here. The actual storage of the material takes place in a conveying device for the material, which has at least two support members which are arranged endlessly circulating in the device. The material is guided for storage on these support members, so that in each case forms a loop between adjacent support members.

The provided in conventional devices continuously circulating conveyors or support members take over the supply of the material. In this case, tension is exerted on the material, which leads to stresses here. The device according to the invention overcomes this disadvantage by providing a feed of the support members or the conveying device which is independent of the feed device and the introduction of the material takes place exclusively via the feed device. This means that the material is introduced completely tension-free in the space between the support members via the feeder and only when reaching a defined, introduced into the device amount of material, a feed of the support members or the conveyor takes place.

This feed is controllable on the basis of the detected quantity or the length of the material forming the loop between the support members. As a result, it is possible to react to different types of materials and material thicknesses as well as a susceptibility of the material to stresses. If, for example, particularly heavy material is used in which stresses occur due to the material's own weight above a certain loop length, then the loop length can be shortened by controlling the feed of the support members in the feeder device. For lighter material, to increase the storable amount of material, the feed can be delayed by a longer loop length is set, from which the feed takes place.

The device has a first sensor for detecting a position of the support members relative to the feeding device. This has the advantage that measurement of the loop length or detection of the amount of material is only started when the conveyor device is in the most favorable position for receiving the material.

The device is further characterized in that a second sensor for detecting the amount and / or the length of the loop forming material is provided. Alternatively or additionally, the sensor can also detect the loop length. If a certain amount of material and / or a previously defined and optionally dependent on the material to be stored optimal loop length detected by the sensor, so there is an advance of the support members or the conveyor and it comes to filling the subsequent, formed between adjacent support members intermediate - or storage space with another material loop.

It proves to be advantageous if the aforementioned sensors are designed as opto-electronic or mechanical sensors. Alternatively or additionally, there is also the possibility that ultrasonic sensors are used. These are arranged such that a detection of the material or the loop length of the introduced into the device material is possible. The sensors can be designed, for example, as light barriers. Upon interruption of the light beam by the forming loop becomes a feed signal passed, which leads to the movement of the support members or the conveying device and initiates the filling of the next intermediate or storage space with a loop.

For a stress-free storage or transfer of the web-shaped material, it is essential that no train on the material is exercised by the support members or the conveyor itself. The support members are used in the device according to the invention only for supporting the material or as deflection points for the formation of the material loops. The feeding of the material is therefore realized in the device according to the invention via a feed device which has at least one roller-driven roller, roller or cylinder feeding the web material. By this feeding the filling process is supported or realized. By the feeder, the material is freely suspended in the space between two support members introduced and detected only after the completion of the loop formation of one of the support members.

In addition to the aforementioned sensors for the determination or detection of the amount and / or length of the loop forming material is of course also the possibility and it is provided in an advantageous embodiment of the invention that the amount and / or the length of the loop forming material and / or the loop length itself from control values of the feeding device can be derived. In this case, a signal for the conveyor or the feed of the support members is triggered based on a previously defined in dependence on a defined by the supplied material number of revolutions of the roller, roller or cylinder.

In a preferred embodiment of the apparatus, the roller, the roller, the cylinder has a friction-increasing coating. As a result, the feed of the material is further improved, since a sliding back of the material is prevented or made more difficult.

An embodiment of the device according to the invention which is regarded as favorable provides that the position of the supply device or of the sensor which detects the support element position is variable. This can be done on different Material types or strengths are reacted. Furthermore, an improved orientation of the feeding device and thus a more accurate feeding of the material to be stored can be carried out.

In a preferred embodiment, the device according to the invention has a holding or clamping device which prevents the material from moving in the opposite direction to the conveying device. This holding or clamping device is formed in particular pivotable or displaceable in the conveying direction. The holding or clamping device acts on the material which is guided via the delivery device immediately downstream positioned support member and prevents its return or slipping back and thus the uncoordinated change in the loop length. The holding or clamping device is in particular flat or punctiform on the material.

The holding or clamping device may in a favorable embodiment have a dual function, on the one hand, the holding or clamping device prevent the previously mentioned back slipping or uncoordinated feeding of the material by acting on the support member resting on the material and this jammed, for The holding or clamping device may otherwise be designed in such a way that, as a result, directional guidance or guidance for the material supplied via the feed device takes place. The material is guided by the holding or clamping device or a correspondingly formed or molded part thereof in the space between the two support members. The approach or rotation or pivot point of the holding or clamping device is in this case preferably above the feeder or the roller, roller or cylinder and directs the material supplied via this in the direction of the conveyor or the support members.

As low is considered in this context, if the holding or clamping device is designed as a one-piece or multi-part flap. Further embodiments provide that the holding or clamping device is designed as a pin, slide or runner.

A further development provides for at least two guide rollers having, preferably pivotable unit as a holding or clamping device. For pivoting the unit, this has an actuating element, for example a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder. The advantage of said unit is that on the one hand the adjustment of the function "filling of the goods store" on the other hand "direct feeding to the processing machine" can be carried out via the pivotable unit. If the unit is pivoted upwards, the material web is no longer diverted into the goods storage but runs directly into the downstream processing machine via the rollers or rollers provided in the unit. This is done at a much higher speed than the filling of the goods memory. If this is to be filled, for example in the event of an upcoming roll change, the unit is pivoted and the material web is deflected into the goods store. Here is then a filling as previously described.

A further alternative embodiment of the holding or clamping device provides that it is designed as a single, overlying and / or height-adjustable roller or the like. Also included is an embodiment in which the holding or clamping device is designed as held in a pivotable frame role. The holding or clamping device is pivotable or displaceable in all embodiments, in particular by the feed of the support member. The material or weight of the holding or clamping device is chosen so that this just causes sufficient clamping of the material without generating or promoting stresses in the material, while at the same time achieving a sufficient holding or clamping action. The holding or clamping device is preferably arranged pivotably in the feed device. As already stated above, a preferred embodiment of the device provides that the holding or clamping device is designed as a material guiding device. In addition or as an alternative to the material guide which is or can be realized via the holding or clamping device, an embodiment of the device according to the invention provides that a material guide takes place by the application of compressed air. For this purpose, corresponding nozzles are provided in the material supply device or above it.

In particular, when using materials with higher material thickness or relatively rigid materials, such as. Foam materials from a certain thickness of material, an optimal supply of the material, especially at the beginning of the feed alone by the material itself is not guaranteed. It may be the case here that in the area of the feeding device a material congestion occurs due to material not moving in the direction of the gap between the supporting members. In this case, an optimal material supply on the one hand via the holding or clamping device, which is arranged correspondingly above or in the region of the feeder, are performed. On the other hand, there is the possibility that an air nozzle is provided, due to a pressurized air of the material whose orientation is effected, and thus a supply in the desired direction takes place.

A preferred embodiment of the device provides that the holding or clamping device has a coating, a flocking, a pile and / or bristles. These have friction-reducing and / or antistatic properties and thus improve the supply and storage of the material.

The material to be stored is usually unrolled from an upstream spindle, reel or bearing roller and inserted into the storage device. For this purpose, the material is guided over the supply device and introduced from this into the goods storage or the storage device. In order to prevent stresses from developing in the material from this direct feed to the feeding device, which adversely affect the subsequent filling of the storage device, a further development of the invention provides that at least one feed roll upstream in the conveying direction of the feed roll feeds the material in the direction of the feed roll , Roller or the feed cylinder guiding deflection roller is provided. This reduces stresses in the material and ensures a more even supply.

It is considered favorable if a common control for the conveyor device, the feed device and / or the delivery device is provided in the storage device. It is here the possibility to integrate the controller in provided the control of a downstream processing machine of the device.

The device according to the invention has in the conveying device supporting members which serve to receive or guide the web-like material to be stored. As low is considered in this context, when the support members are designed as rollers, rollers, cylinders, rods or strips. In order to realize a stress-free supply of the web-like material in the provided between the support members intermediate or storage space, the support members, in particular in the conveying device on a freewheel. This allows the formation of the material loop, but at the same time prevents rolling back or - soft of the material in the direction opposite to the conveying direction, which would lead to a non-uniform loop formation. As an alternative to the embodiment as rotatable elements, of course, there is also the possibility that the support members are designed as fixed cylinders, rods or strips, over which the material can be pulled or slipped, without resulting in a resistance here. The support members preferably have a friction-reducing coating. In addition, the support members may of course also have a correspondingly polished surface or the like.

In the conveyor, the support members are moved in the conveying direction. For this purpose, the conveying device designed as a circulating chain, belt, belt or rope traction means, without being limited thereto. The support members are attached to the traction means and thereby have uniform distances. Alternatively, of course, there is also the possibility of variable spacing of the support members, for example. In order to respond to different material types or thicknesses. The support members are releasably fixedly arranged on the traction means.

The invention also comprises a web-shaped material processing machine provided with a front and / or downstream device as described above for storing the web-like material. Such a processing machine can be, for example, a laminating machine in which web-shaped materials are connected to one another. Thus, for example, a first web-shaped material, for example a foam material, in the processing machine be provided with a cover layer. In any case, a stress-free feeding of the web-shaped material or the web-like materials proves to be particularly advantageous in order to avoid irregularities in the ultimately formed material. Another device according to the invention can be arranged downstream of the processing machine and receive the material formed.

Equally of inventive significance is a method for filling a device for storing sheet material, as has been described in particular above. The method according to the invention comprises the steps explained below. First, a web-shaped material is introduced via a feeding device into a storage space. The storage space opens between two support members provided in the storage device. In the course of feeding, a material loop is formed between two adjacently arranged support members of a conveying device. Here, material is supplied until a defined loop length is reached. Alternatively, material is supplied until a defined amount of material is reached. The length of the feed can also be defined by the length of the material fed into the storage space or the feed time. If a defined loop length has been achieved or a defined amount or length of the delivered material has been reached, the conveyor is advanced until a subsequent support member has reached a defined position relative to the feed device, preferably substantially below it, and thus a new storage space between two adjacent arranged support members for filling with the sheet material is available. If the defined position is reached by the support member, there is a stop of the conveyor and it is due to the continuously supplied material another loop of material, then formed in the opening further storage space. The material does not touch the support members during delivery. The aforementioned steps, feeding the web-like material, forming a material loop, feeding the conveyor and stopping the conveyor are repeated until a previously defined filling or filling level of the device is reached.

It is considered advantageous if in the method the determination of the loop length or the determination of the amount and / or the length of the conveyed into the storage space material is carried out by means of sensors. Also detected by sensors is the position of the support member relative to the feeder. In addition to the sensor-based detection, it is of course additionally and / or alternatively possible to carry out a determination of the loop length or quantity or length of the material conveyed into the storage space via the control of the device. The control of the filling, the filling speed and / or the feed can be carried out on the basis of the detected sensor values or takes place by the control itself.

It is considered advantageous if during the formation of the material loop, the material is fixed to the front in the conveying device support member and secured against reverse. The fixation is carried out, for example, by resting a holding or clamping device on the funded through the support member material.

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische Darstellung der Vorrichtung zur Speicherung von bahnförmigem Material,

Fig. 2

die Vorrichtung der Fig. 1 in Seiten-Ansicht,

Fig. 3

einen Ausschnitt der in Fig. 2 dargestellten Vorrichtung in vergrößerter Darstellung, und

Fig. 4

eine bevorzugte Ausführungsform der Halte-oder Klemmvorrichtung in Seitenansicht.

Further advantages, features and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred, but not limiting embodiments of the invention with reference to the schematic, not to scale drawings. Show it:

Fig. 1

a perspective view of the device for storing sheet material,

Fig. 2

the device of Fig. 1 in side view,

Fig. 3

a section of in Fig. 2 illustrated device in an enlarged view, and

Fig. 4

a preferred embodiment the holding or clamping device in side view.

In Fig. 1 schematically a device 10 for storing web material 60 is shown. This has a mounted on two arms 41 upstream receptacles 42 for a web-like material carrying reel, spindle or roller (not shown). This is inserted into the holders 42 and is rotatably mounted there. From this raw material roll, the web-shaped material 60 is first guided to the feeding device 12, which is arranged on the upper side of the device 10. The feeding device 12 has a plurality of rollers or rollers, via which a deflection of the material 60 to the actual storage space 25 of the device 10 takes place. The feeding device 12 has a rotationally driven roller 17, which additionally carries a coating 18. The coating 18 is friction-increasing, so that a uniform supply of the material 60 into the storage space 25 can take place here. Downstream of the feeder 12 and below this, there is the conveying device 20. This is formed from a plurality of support members 21 which are arranged releasably fixed on a chain 23. The chain 23 is in the embodiment of Fig. 1 only partially shown. In the ready-to-use device 10, the chain 23 is circumferentially and also circumferentially equipped with support members 21. The support members 21 are mounted in attached to the links of the chain 23 recordings. The support members 21 can be removed individually from the chain 23 and varied in position. This results in a further adjustment for the filling amount of stored material 60.

The roller 17 of the feeder 12 is driven by an electric motor 27. To fill the storage space 25, the on the in Fig. 1 not shown roller held material 60 introduced via the feeder 12 into the storage space 25. For this purpose, material 60 is supplied between two support members 21 until a material loop with a defined quantity is formed. The material loop is formed because the material is guided over one of the two adjacently arranged support members 21. In the support 21 before the intermediate space, the material 60 runs freely until a defined loop length is reached. Upon detection of the corresponding loop length is a signal delivered to the conveyor 20 and the support member 21 and the chain 23 conveyed to the next position. The support member 21 takes on the hanging in the space material 60 and continues this. If the next support member 21 is detected, the conveyor 20 stops and, again, as long as material 60 in the between two support members Promotes 21 formed gap until a defined loop length sets here. This in turn leads to a signal to the conveying device 20, which further promotes the chain 23 a further position, so that a new space between the support members 21 is available for filling. The filling can be done until the entire storage space 25 is filled with material loops 61.

The device 10 is adjoined by an expander 14, via which the material 60 stored in the storage space 25 is executed in the downstream processing machine (not shown).

The position of the roller 17 in the feeder 12 is variable. This allows you to react to different material types and thicknesses. In addition to the roller 17, the feed device 12 has further roller rollers 17 upstream of the rollers 19. These have an arrangement in the manner of a roller conveyor and also favor the stress-free feeding of the material 60 in the device 10. The supplied material 60 is only by the role 17 zugbeaufhabagt. Moreover, the introduction into the storage space 25 takes place due to the weight-induced and gravitational sinking of the material 60 in the space 70 formed between the support members 21.

Fig. 2 shows the device 10 according to the invention in side view. Recognizable here is the left side of the feeder 12 and the opposite arranged the expander 14. Both devices have a commercially available electric motor 27 as a drive. The control of the two drives is coupled. In Fig. 2 shown schematically is the material 60, which is suspended in loops 61 in the storage space 25 of the device 10. The material 60 is in this case arranged by a left of the device 10, in Fig. 2 not shown, roll unrolled and the feeder 12 supplied. The feed device 12 has a first deflection roller 19, via which the material 60 is deflected in the direction of the driven roller 17. The roller 17 has a coating 18 which acts to increase the friction so that the material 60 can be guided over this roller 17 with virtually no tension. During filling, that is, during the formation of a material loop 61, the support members 21 of the conveyor 20 are in the in Fig. 2 position shown. The material 60 is conveyed via the roller 17 directly into the intermediate space 70 open between the support members 21 and at no time during the filling operation with the support members 21 in connection. The material 60 is supplied as long as the conveying device 20 is not moved until a defined length of the loop 61 is reached. In order to detect the amount or length of the conveyed material 60, the device 10 has a sensor 16. This is the second sensor of the device 10 and can be formed opto-electronically or as an ultrasonic sensor. However, the embodiment is not limited to these two embodiments. Conceivable and possible is the use of all considered as suitable sensors for the detection of a quantity of material or a delivery endpoint. Upon reaching a defined length of the loop 61, a signal is delivered to the drive of the conveyor 20, so that the support members 21 are moved in the conveying direction A in the next position. The position of the support members 21 is detected by a further sensor 15. The support members 21 are moved until the sensor 15 detects the positioning of a support member 21. The sensor 15 is adjusted such that a sufficient distance between two adjacent support members 21 is available, in turn, the material 60 is conveyed, so that a further loop 61 is formed. In the course of the continuation of the conveyor device 20, the support member 21 is applied to the hanging in the storage space 25 web and takes it in the further promotion. By this entrainment no stress is exerted on the material 60. To prevent rollback of the material, the support members 21, which are formed in the embodiment as a rotatable cylinder 22, in the conveying direction A to a freewheel. That is, the material can be unrolled in the conveyor A of the support members, opposite to the conveyor, the support members 21 are blocked.

In order to prevent during the filling process that the material 60 from the feed device 12 immediately downstream support member 21 rolls or slips off, a holding or clamping device 30 is provided. This rests on the material 60 and prevents it from slipping back against the conveying direction A. The holding or clamping device 30 is in the embodiment of Fig. 2 designed as a flap 31. This lies over the entire surface on the guided over the support member 21 material 60 and clamps this. The flap 31 is pivotally mounted. As a result of the advance of the support member 21 which is in direct contact with the flap 31, the flap 31 is pivoted and the support member 21 can thus be continued together with the material 60 guided over it in the conveying direction A. The following support member 21 is applied in the course of promoting the support members 21 to the hanging in the storage space 25 web and takes this with. In the course of this movement reaches the support member 21 with overlying material 60, the holding or clamping device 30, in which case the flap 31 is in turn applied to the material and this clamps during the subsequent further filling.

With the device 10 according to the invention, it is also possible to store more rigid materials or materials with a higher material thickness in the storage space 25. In order to be able to perform a proper filling here, the feed device 12 or the roller 17 arranged there is assigned a further guide roller 28. Between roller 17 and guide roller 28, the material 60 to be stored is introduced into the storage space 25 to form the material loop 61. The guide roller 28 is variable in position. Thus, it is possible to respond to different material strengths and types and. Also, the roller 17 is slidably disposed in the feeder 12. This results in another way to adjust to different thicknesses.

Shown in detail is the feeding device 12 in the in Fig. 3 enlarged section of the illustrated in Fig. 2 clearly visible here is the roller 17 with its coating 18 over which the material 60 is guided and from there enters the storage space 25. The guide roller 28, whose displaceability is indicated by the arrow 29, defines a gap between roller 17 and guide roller 28, through which the material 60 is guided. The guide roller 28 acts Thus, if this guide roller 28 does not exist, for example, in the storage of more rigid material, an irregular feeding of the material or an improper insertion of the material in the gap formed between the support members 21 70 and it could take place Here come to unwanted material accumulations or Materialverwerfungen. The support members 21 and the support members 21 supporting chain 23 is in the embodiment of Fig. 3 not shown. The feed of the chain 23 is realized by a pinion 65 which is equipped with a drive. It is clearly recognizable in Fig. 3 the sensor 15, which serves to detect the position of the support members 21 relative to the feeder 12 and to control the advancement of the chain 23. The chain 23 is moved until the sensor 15 detects a support member 21. After this detection, the chain 23 is stopped and thus the feed of the support members 21 is stopped. The conveyor 20 is stopped until sufficient material 60 has been introduced into the space 70 formed between the support members 21 to form a loop 61 of sufficient length , Is by another sensor 16 (see. Fig. 2 ) detects the achievement of a defined loop length, it comes to the feed of the conveying device 20. In the embodiment of the Fig. 3 The feed device 12 downstream support member 21 is then moved further, is finally on the material 60 and takes this with. The feed of the support member 21 takes place until the subsequent support member 21 is detected on the sensor 15, which in turn triggers a stop of the conveyor 20.

The support member 21, which in Fig. 3 is still shown downstream of the feeder, then rests with over-guided material 61 on the flap 31 of a holding or clamping device 30 at. This flap 31 prevents the material 60 from slipping back into the gap and changing the loop length. The flap 31 is also in the embodiment of Fig. 3 pivotally formed.

In addition to the use of sensors 15, 16, of course, it is also possible to detect the loop length over the length of the material 60 introduced into the storage space 25. For this purpose, a detection of the revolutions of the roller 17 can be performed. Is a certain length of supplied material 60th achieved here, in turn, a signal is output to the conveyor device 20 and there is the advance of the support members 21st

In Fig. 3 also recognizable is the drive of the roller 17. Here, the electric motor 27 is assigned directly to the roller 17. Of course, there is also the possibility that here is a single drive for feeder 12, 14 and delivery device conveyor 20 is provided and the individual movement processes are controlled by appropriate gear or circuits or couplings. The devices have a common control. It proves to be advantageous if this controller is coupled to or integrated in a controller of the downstream processing machine (not shown). Of the support members 21, upon reaching a defined storage amount, the material 60 to a Ausführvorrichtung 14 (see. Fig. 2 ) and fed from there to a downstream processing machine.

Fig. 4 shows a preferred embodiment of a holding or clamping device 30 in the pivoted state, in which the web-like material is guided over the device 10 away. The embodiment comprises a total of two combined in a pivotable unit 80 guide rollers 81a, b. These are arranged in lateral boundary surfaces 82. In addition to this, the unit 80 also includes a flap 31 as described above. For pivoting the unit 80, this has a hydraulic cylinder 83, which can be activated via the system controller. To adjust the device 10 for storing sheet material, the unit 80 is pivoted in the direction of arrow B on the device 10 and deflected the sheet material into the device 10 to be stored there to become. In order to carry out a direct feeding of the web-like material 60 to the processing machine, the unit 80, as shown, is pivoted counter to the arrow B direction. The web-shaped material 60 then no longer runs into the device 10 but runs over the provided in the unit 80 guide rollers 81a, b or rollers (which may also have its own drive) directly into a downstream processing machine (not shown). This can be done at a much higher speed than the filling of the device 10. If, for example in the event of an upcoming roll change, the device 10 is to be filled, will the unit 80 as in Fig. 4 shown in the direction of arrow B pivoted down and there is a filling of the device 10 as described above. The flap 31 rests on the web-like material and, together with at least one of the guide rollers 81a, b and in particular at the beginning of the filling of its running direction in the interior of the device 10 and between the support members 21 before.

Claims (14)

1. Device (10) for the tension-free storage of sheet-like material (60), comprising

   - a material inlet (11) with a feed device (12) continuously feeding the material (60),

   - a material outlet (13) with an outfeed device (14) continuously carrying out the material (10), and

   - an endlessly circulating conveying device (20) for the material (60) with at least two support members (21) movable by the conveying device, the material (60) being guided over the support members (21) and forming a loop (61) between adjacent support members (21),

   characterised in that
   the feeding device has at least one rotatably driven roller, a drum or a cylinder feeding the sheet-like material, and in that the material can be introduced by the feeding device in a freely suspended manner into an intermediate space between two supporting members, the supporting members are firmly connected to the conveying device and a controlled feed of the conveying device (20) is provided, and the feed can be controlled on the basis of the length of the loop (61) formed in the intermediate space between the support members (21), wherein at least one first sensor (15) is provided for detecting a position of the support members (21) relative to the feeding device (12) and at least one second sensor (16) is provided for detecting the loop length and engagement of the material by one of the support members is provided only after completion of loop formation.
2. A device according to claim 1,
   characterised in that
   the sensors (15, 16) are designed as optoelectronic or mechanical sensors and/or as ultrasonic sensors.
3. device in accordance with one of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that
   at least one rotatably driven roller (17), drum or cylinder for feeding the sheet-like material (60) is provided in the feeding device (12).
4. device according to claim 2 or 3,
   characterised in that
   the roller (17), the drum or the cylinder has a friction-enhancing coating (18).
5. A device according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that
   a holding or clamping device (30) is provided which prevents the material (60) from moving in the opposite direction to the conveying direction (20) and in particular can be pivoted or displaced in the conveying direction (20), the holding or clamping device (30) acting on the material (60) which is guided over the carrier member (21) preferably positioned downstream of the feeding device (12) and resting on the material (60) flatly or punctually.
6. A device according to claim 5,
   characterised in that
   the holding or clamping device (30) is designed as a one-piece or multi-part flap (31), as a pin, slide, runner, in particular a resting and/or height-adjustable roller or as a pivotable roller arrangement, in particular the holding or clamping device (30) being pivotable or displaceable mediated by the advance of the support member (21).
7. A device according to one of the claims 5 or 6,
   characterised in that
   the holding or clamping device (30) is designed as a material guiding device and has a coating, a flocking, a pile and/or bristles, the coating, the flocking of the pile and/or the bristles preferably having friction-reducing and/or antistatic properties.
8. A device according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that
   at least one deflection roller (14), which is arranged upstream of the feeding device (12) in the conveying direction and directs the material in the direction of the feeding device (12), is provided.
9. A device according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized by
   a common controller for the conveying device (20), the feed device (12) and/or the discharge device (14), in particular wherein an integration of the controller into the controller of a processing machine arranged downstream of the device is provided.
10. A device according to one of the preceding claims,
    characterised in that
    the support members (21) are constructed as rollers, drums, cylinders (22), rods or strips having a freewheel, in particular in the conveying direction, or as fixed cylinders, rods or strips, in particular wherein the supporting members (21) have a friction-reducing or a friction-increasing coating (24) and/or the conveying device (20) has a traction means constructed as a circulating chain (23), belt, strap or rope, and the support members (21) are detachably fixedly arranged on the traction means so as to be uniformly or variably spaced apart.
11. Processing machine for sheet-like material with an upstream and/or downstream device (10) according to one of the preceding claims.
12. A method of filling a device (10) for storing sheet-like material (60) according to any of claims 1-10 comprising the steps of:

    a) feeding the web-shaped material (60) into a storage space (25) via a feeding device (12),

    b) forming a material loop in a space between two support members (21) of the conveyor,

    c) advance of the conveying device (20) and entrainment of the loop (60) when a defined loop length of the material (60) fed into the storage space (25) is reached, until a defined position of the following support member (21) is reached,

    c) stopping the conveyor (20) and forming a further material loop,

    d) repeating steps a) to c) until the device (10) or the storage space (25) is filled in a defined manner,

    wherein at least one first sensor (15) for detecting a position of the supporting members (21) relative to the feed device (12) and at least one second sensor (16) for detecting the loop length is provided, and the material being detected by one of the support members only after the loop formation has been completed.
13. Method according to claim 12,
    characterised in that
    a control of the filling, a filling speed and/or the feed is provided on the basis of the detected sensor values.
14. Method according to claim 13, characterized in that, during the formation of the material loop, the material (60) is fixed to the front supporting member (21) in the conveying direction and secured against return.

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