EP3515698A1

EP3515698A1 - Method and device for producing packing chips, and packing chips produced thereby

Info

Publication number: EP3515698A1
Application number: EP17772690.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Karl Lindner
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-09-23
Filing date: 2017-09-22
Publication date: 2019-07-31
Also published as: DE202017006738U1; WO2018055084A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and to a device for producing packing chips (20, 20.1) from at least one material web (2), such as a paper web or film web, which packing chips form bulk material. The material web (2) is drawn through a guiding unit (6), which is tapered in a funnel shape, in a transport direction (R) by means of a transport roller unit (5) in order to produce a preformed material strand (2') and in the process is forced together only in a direction (Q) transverse to the transport direction (R) in such a way that a spatial pleat is produced, which is produced by the compacting of a plurality of strip-shaped folding surfaces (203), which extend adjacent to each other in the direction of the material web (2) and which are formed between folding lines (201, 202). The preformed material strand (2'), which has straight air chambers (206) extending in the strand direction and a peripherally convex-surfaced outer contour, is compressed by means of interacting transport rollers (5a, 5b) of the transport roller unit (5), while the total strand cross-section of the preformed material strand is sensed, in such a way that a plastically deformed material strand (2") is obtained, which is elastically compressible, free of torsion and flexurally stiff and which has a strand structure corresponding to the strand structure of the preformed material strand (2'). The plastically deformed material strand is cut in order produce a plurality of packing chips (20), which form cushioning filling amounts.

Description

Method and device for producing packaging chips and packaging chips produced therewith

Technical area

The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for the production of cushioning bulk material forming resilient packaging chips as well as packaging chips produced according to the method.

State of the art

Commonly known packaging chips, which are also referred to as filling material or as so-called "loose-fill material", are produced from different materials Such packaging chips form only a random amount of a filled filling quantity for filling cavities inside a container such as a packaging box od. Like. Between arranged in the container to be padded Good and the container wall are present, only the multiplicity of packaging chips forms a good elastic cushioning padding material.

A type of packaging chips which is mostly used are small-sized moldings which are made of plastic material, for example made of foamed polystyrene. More environmentally compatible variants of compostable packaging chips are produced, for example, from vegetable starch. The manufacturing cost of such packaging particles is relatively high.

Furthermore, filler particles are known from the prior art, which are made of pulp, in particular of paper. For example, DE 37 18 541 A1 specifies a method in which pulp, in particular shredded waste paper, is moistened. and finally formed into particles and dried. However, this method is expensive and less effective.

Another method for producing paper filler particles is DE 43 02 316 C1, in which the filler particles are made from a sheet or strip material. For this purpose, strips of laminated paper are glued together and from the glued laminated paper are produced by cutting and deforming the Füllmaterialteilchen. The disadvantage must be handled with this method with glue. Furthermore, the glued laminated paper must be heated to deformation, whereby the energy consumption during manufacture is adversely affected.

According to the prior art recently disclosed by WO 2016/198944 A1, environmentally sound paper packaging chips are cut from a helically twisted paper strand. A paper web is drawn through a hopper for forming and squeezed into a string in a curved tube which is rotationally passed through decreasing apertures and then driven to rotate through a rotating driven channel by means of knurled, strand-crushing rollers. The paper strand must be adequately strengthened and shaped by means of the torsion. Production and device are particularly expensive.

For the classification of packaging material, which is made of paper webs is to distinguish on the one hand the packaging of the present invention, which cushion only in the form of bulk amount, and on the other hand relatively bulky packaging cushion and extruded bodies that form as such cushion bodies. There are a variety of methods and devices are known with which paper webs are formed into a large piece pillow or strand material. In order to produce such packaging material, it is always important that paper webs formed into strands are creased irregularly by creases or crumples and structured in such a way that as far as possible pronounced bulges, dents, corrugations and transverse structures are formed on the surface and in the interior of the strand material be made of upholstery volume. For example, document US 3,650,877 discloses methods and apparatus for making snake-like cushioning pillow cords by pulling paper webs through a hopper for crumpling and crimping, and cutting them to length by means of a cutting unit so that the cut pile strand becomes tortuous Packaging cavities can be inserted. The crumpling and crumpling takes place in such a way that the upholstery strands are deformed along their length in a wave-like manner and irregularly with dents and bulges by relatively short-length, weakly shaped fold lines or only curved fold areas. Likewise, inside the strand, for example, a winding-like structure with curves between folded surfaces is produced. In particular, US 3,650,877 discloses the manufacture of a spirally or serpentine spiraling pad string having transverse embossments forming corrugations. Further upholstery strands resulting from US Pat. No. 3,650,877 have creased, irregularly wrinkled areas which are provided with a hose-like sheath formed from a second crumpled paper web which is fixed with one or two embossing seams. Tube-like shaped paper strands are also known from DE 695 05 513 T2. There, a paper web is so geknautschte or crumpled in a forming unit that arise in the strand airy lateral pillow areas, the upholstery strand is transported with embossing rollers that see between the pillow areas punching the structure, paper layers piercing connection. US Pat. No. 2,882,802 likewise discloses the production of a paper cushioning strand in such a way that a creased strand is produced at its edges with cushion-forming bulges by means of an embossing puncture therebetween. A strand filling crimped from paper webs with a sheath formed from further paper webs is known from DE 10 2008 030 916 A1. Although funnels and transport rollers are used for forming the paper webs used for forming the paper webs, the methods and devices are such that deformed cushion or strand material having dents, elevations, bulges and transverse folds is produced, which has irregularly formed padding sections. Such packaging material made of paper is not suitable for the production of bulk material forming bulk packaging chips.

Despite the known from the prior art solutions, there is still a need for packaging chips, which are particularly easy and inexpensive to produce. Presentation of the invention

Object of the present invention is therefore to provide a method for the production of packaging chips available, which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art and in a particularly simple manner allows the cost-effective production of packaging chips with little technical effort. This object is achieved by the method according to independent claim 1. A device for the production of packaging chips is the subject of the award-claim 31. Further advantageous aspects, details and embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims, the description and the drawings.

The present invention provides a process for the production of bulk-forming resilient packaging chips from at least one material web, the packaging chips forming a packaging padding only in the form of a poured filling quantity. Under material web is a web-shaped, very thin and sheet-like material understood. According to a design of the invention with particular characteristics, a paper web is used as a material web. Another particular design is the use of a sheet-like film of plastic material. In special applications, a film may consist of metallic material or of a mixture of plastic and metal. The material web may also have a coating.

The material web is provided with a dispenser, for example in the form of rolls wound on a roll. However, the web can also be deducted from a stationary web winding or taken from a folded web stack. The material web is drawn off and transported by the delivery device by means of a transport roller unit having transport wheels interacting with one another and is pulled by a guide unit which tapers in a funnel shape between the delivery device and the transport roller unit and tapers in the transport direction with the exit opening. The material web is compressed during the pulling through the guide unit to a leaving the outlet opening preformed strand of material. The formed strand of material is then permanently deformed by the cooperating rollers of the transport roller unit, and the permanently deformed strand of material is finally cut by means provided in the transport direction behind the transport roller unit cutting device for producing the packaging chips.

When the material web is pulled off the delivery device and pulled through the guide unit, the material web in the web longitudinal direction, which corresponds to a feed direction or running direction of the material web and is referred to as the transport direction, is tensioned and, if the material of the material web is stretchable, also stretched. Since the transport roller unit exerts the necessary tension for pulling and pulling through the material web, the tension and optionally the elongation acts on the material web and on the formed material strand. In the feed direction behind the transport roller unit, the tensioning or stretching effect can be canceled, for example.

According to the invention, during the passage through the guide unit for producing the preformed material strand, the material web is compressed in a direction transverse to the transport direction in such a way that a spatial pleating fold of the material web is produced, which is compressed by a compression of a multiplicity of strip-shaped sections extending in the direction of the material web Folding surfaces is formed, wherein the folding surfaces are folded by means extending in the longitudinal direction of the web fold lines with a resulting in the outlet opening of the guide unit density, a resilient, torsion-free, the preformed material strand bending stiffness imparting, wrapping-free strand structure with straight in straight line extending air chambers between the Forming folding surfaces, wherein the cross section of the outlet opening the strand cross-section of the preformed material strand circumferentially convex over its length ächiger outer contour determined. By spatially pleating folding occurs a transformation or transformation of the web or sheet-like planar shape of the web into a strand or rod-like shape of the preformed strand of material with the preformed strand cross-section. The deformed material strand is torsions- and wrapping-free, that is without any sheathing. For the inventive spatial Plissierfaltung it is essential that the compression and thus the upsetting of the web in the guide unit only in the transverse direction and thus only folds done so that the web material only or at least dominant with in the longitudinal direction of the web straight creases without folded in the transverse direction extending fold lines. A collapse of the web in the transport direction is selectively prevented. The result is a variety of side by side and in this way regularly extending strip-shaped, with fold lines rectilinearly delimited folding surfaces that are densely packed or packed by the funnel-shaped taper that a compaction and thus a space filling or density of the preformed strand of material is uniform. By this uniformity is meant that in the strand cross section, a substantially uniform air permeability or filling is formed. This property is not disturbed by dents, bulges, bulges or in the strand transverse folding. The fold lines and folding surfaces are dominantly wrinkle-free and crossing-free. Under strand cross-section is the cross-section to understand that is formed transversely to the strand direction at the outlet opening of the guide unit and then results in performing the method transverse to the strand direction. The uniformity is also determined in such a way that

Strangquerschnitt no dominant and / or sibling structural sections or areas of different embossing or fixation are formed. Instead, arise in the longitudinal direction of the strands produced with these straight running air chambers, which may be divided into straight air chamber sections, in the packaging produced straight air chambers on the chip front ends open and just exposed air chambers on the chip periphery. The straight or straight-lined air chambers line up in the spatial pleating fold, openly overlapping each other, in the strand cross-section, whereby they lie slit-like on the longitudinal outer side of the preformed material strand and lie partially against each other, touching each other. The continuous convex outer contour, which is to be understood as an imaginary convex cylindrical outer envelope surface, is formed continuously over the strand length. During the pleating fold, the material web is laid with irregular order in folds or creases formed by the straight fold lines and folded or folded irregularly to such an extent that the fold lines are generated not only intermittently but also alternately with multiple alternating left-folding and right-folding. Left folding is to be understood as a folding with which a folding field folds downwards or outwards by means of the left-fold fold line from flat web level or unfolded web surface, while the right fold is determined by a folding field being fed from the same web level by means of the right-folding line . surface turns up or inwards. This means that left folding and right folding do not necessarily alternate with each other, but that, for example, between two right folding lines several left folding lines or between two left folding lines fold right folding fold arise. This type of folding can also be understood as irregular pleating or as a type of constriction or shirring. Regardless of these irregularly folding fold lines, however, according to the invention an at least substantially regular or homogeneous, dominant fold line pattern, viewed in the development of a material strand section or a manufactured packaging chip, is produced. This surface pattern is thus characterized by in the running direction of the web or in the longitudinal direction of the strand of material with the same orientation, side by side spaced running and pronounced shaped fold lines, fold lines can run together at an acute angle, without intersecting intersecting. Mean distances between the fold lines can be largely of the same order of magnitude, but also different in a limited distance range. In width sections of the material web, in which the fold lines lie alternately left and right folding side by side, a concertina-like folding arises transversely to the longitudinal direction of the material strand. The result is that the pleat fold remains free of crushed or creased surfaces which otherwise result in an irregular fold pattern due to bulges, dents, transverse folds transverse to the material web or to the strand and pinched fold areas.

The compression and thus the density of the spatial pleating fold and the strand cross section of the preformed through the outlet opening of the guide unit Material strand are coordinated so that the preformed strand of material is produced rigidly, wherein he rebounding only against considerable resistance or buckle or bend the structure destructive and consequently in particular not snake or helical winds or can lay. The space filling or density and the proposed elastic structure are chosen so that the resilient property of the material strand or the packaging chips produced is lost in curvature, buckling or torsion of the material strand or the strand cross-section no longer allows spring elasticity to a sufficient extent.

After forming the envelope-free preformed material strand, it is transported by means of the transport rollers of the transport roller unit in such a way that the preformed material strand is compressed during transport by the transport roller unit by detecting the entire strand cross-section such that after compression a permanently deformed material strand has left the transport roller unit , is elastically compressible, torsion-free and rigid with a strand structure that corresponds to the strand structure of the preformed strand of material. That is, due to the corresponding structure, the properties of spring resilience, torsional freedom, uniform density and bending stiffness and outer shape are qualitatively maintained. Quantitative properties can be different, albeit similar, but also the same. Detecting the entire strand cross-section, the preformed material strand is compressed without crushing while maintaining regular fold lines, with a spring elasticity is fixed. In the strand cross-section, the permanently deformed material strand, like the preformed material strand, has a circumferentially convex outer contour over the strand length, without the strand being enveloped or enclosed by material.

Preferably, the preformed strand of material is compressed under pressure between two cooperating rollers of the transport roller unit. This compression can be considered as rolling, as squeezing or in the broadest sense as pressing. It is essential in any case that during compression, the entire strand cross-section is uniformly detected, wherein qualitative properties of the preformed material strand after compression are corresponding or intensified properties of the permanently deformed material strand. ever Depending on the material of the material web used may be due to the special material properties, such as the material's inherent rigidity or material stiffness, the strand shape of the permanently deformed material strand be different. For example, when using a material web with low stiffness, such as a film web, by compressing and the consequent permanent deformation of the formed material strand, even with diminution of the external pressure or without external pressure, a flattened, determined by the convex outer contour strand shape remain , In contrast, for example, when using a material web with a higher stiffness, such as a paper web, the permanently deformed material strand due to the material's inherent rigidity upon release of external pressure or without external pressure a substantially circular cylindrical shape, ie take convex outer contour.

Due to its rigidity and structural strength, the inventively produced and structured, permanently deformed material strand can be cut by means of the cutting device into a multiplicity of uniformly short-length, cleanly and formably detachable packaging chips.

In order to produce the spatial pleating fold according to the invention, it is advantageous that the transport speed of the material web entering the guide unit and the transport speed of the preformed material strand issuing from the guide unit coincide with respect to the avoidance of fluctuations which could impair the dominant cross-compression, ie always the same during production are and are kept the same in particular by regulating the delivery of the material web and the transport roller drive. For optimal avoidance of compression in the web running direction, an advantageous measure is also that the material web in friction resistance minimizing sliding contact with a funnel-shaped tapering inner wall of the guide unit is pulled by the latter. The sliding contact can be facilitated by an adapted to the nature of the material web and the transport, the funnel-like taper determining inclination of the inner wall. In order to prevent buckling in the web running direction, an expedient measure can also be that the funnel-shaped taper of the guide unit decreases towards the outlet opening of the guide unit, in particular in a lily shape. The material web may expediently be kept taut when pulled by the guide unit by means of a transport control, in order to ensure the quality of the strand production to a particular degree.

Preferably, the material web has a width in a range of 200 mm to 700 mm. In particular, when using webs having low basis weights, for example, significantly smaller than 40 g / m ² , a width in a range of 400 mm to 600 mm is preferred, particularly preferably in a range of 450 mm to 550 mm and in particular preferably of about 500 mm. For basis weights that are larger, smaller web widths are preferred, which are preferably in the range of 200 mm to 300 mm.

According to a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the material web is compressed during the advance by the guide unit such that an at least substantially uniform or average diameter of the formed strand of material at exit from the guide unit at an outlet opening in a range of 8 mm to 15 mm, preferably is in a range of 10 mm to 13 mm, and more preferably about 12 mm.

Preference is cut from the permanently deformed strand of material by means of the cutter packaging chips with an average length of about 50 mm. For example, the permanently deformed material strand can be guided, held and / or actively moved in the transport direction to improve the cutting accuracy or efficiency in the region of the cutting device.

Particularly advantageously, the size and structure of the packaging chips can be produced such that the density of the filling quantity is at least 50 × 10 ³ chips / m ³ , preferably at least 60 × 10 ³ chips / m ³ and particularly preferably at least 70 × 10 ³ chips / m ³ , preferably with a length in the range of 40 mm to 60 mm. The method according to the invention can be carried out with particular advantages for producing paper chips. As the material web, a paper web is used, wherein the paper web is compressed during transport through the guide unit to a preformed strand of material forming preformed paper strand and wherein from the preformed paper strand a permanently deformed strand of material forming deformed paper strand is formed, which is used to produce a variety of cushioning Filling forming paper packaging chips is cut. Environmentally friendly paper packaging chips can be produced in the simplest way. The paper web can be formed by any suitable paper for the particular use, in particular for the following procedural designs. It must always be ensured when selecting the paper that it has the necessary rigidity, such that the deformed paper strand and thus also the packaging chips produced therefrom have sufficient elasticity and shape retention. At the same time, the paper advantageously has the lowest possible weight as well as the smallest possible thickness. Preferably, the paper of the paper web has a basis weight in a range of 20 g / m ² to 100 g / m ² and particularly preferably in a range of 40 g / m ² to 60 g / m ² . For example, the paper web may also be formed by a packaging paper, in particular tempered paper. It is also within the scope of the invention that the pleating fold for producing paper packaging chips is produced from a plurality of paper webs, preferably from two paper webs of the same web widths, which are arranged and guided in such a way that they converge congruently in the guide unit. For example, it is possible to use two paper webs with different or the same low basis weights, for example with basis weights of 20 g / m ² or even less. Each paper web then forms a paper ply of a multilayer, preferably two-ply composite web which is pleated in the guide unit.

The paper packaging chips can be produced particularly advantageously in such a way that those of the folding surfaces of the paper web which come into contact with the guide unit during the production of the pleating fold in the transport roller unit and in the paper strands formed are in line and surface contact only without a firm connection touching, wherein at the outer periphery of the paper strands formed long-extending channel-like air chambers are open. In particular, the loose contact does not allow fabric connections and / or embossed-stamped connections, wherein, however, fold surfaces or walls of the air chambers advantageously engage with each other and can thereby catch each other.

In order to form a sliding contact with an inner wall of the guide unit forming the funnel-shaped taper, it is advantageously possible to use a paper web provided with sliding surfaces.

Preferably, a paper web with a paper structure is used as the material web, which causes the fold lines of the spatial pleating fold to be produced as a sharp-edged material elastic recovery force of the paper material forming paper fold edges, and that this pleat fold is intensified by the compression in the transport roll unit.

For producing the paper-packaging chips, the cross-section of the outlet opening of the guide unit with a preferably minimum size can advantageously be selected such that, together with a compression which also sets minimum spring elasticity, by means of the transport roller unit, the permanently deformed paper strand is formed with a strand cross-section , which is in shape and structure equal to the strand cross-section of the preformed paper strand.

Compression can be carried out particularly advantageously by means of the transport roller unit in such a way that the preformed paper strand is temporarily compressed by means of the transport roller unit to a densest, ie substantially air-free, gapless structure which sets and fixes the spring elasticity of the deformed paper strand.

A particularly preferred measure is that the paper web, with which the guide unit is fed, is such that it extends along the transversal path. port direction or the track course easier than transverse to the transport direction with fold lines.

The inventive method for producing the paper-packaging chips can be particularly advantageous in that the spatial pleating fold of the paper web is generated such that the fold lines of the emerged from the transport roller unit deformed paper strand mean transverse distances, viewed in flat settlement of a cut paper-packaging chips, in Range of 2 mm to 10 mm, preferably in the range of 2 mm to 7 mm.

Preferably, the paper packaging chips are manufactured with a specific chip weight in the range of 25 kg / m ³ to 40 kg / m ³ , preferably in the range of 20 kg / m ³ to 30 kg / m ³ .

Particularly advantageously, the pleating fold of the paper web can be produced with 15 to 50 fold lines per 100 mm web width.

According to the invention, the permanently deformed paper strand assumes over its length the circumferentially convex outer contour with the imaginary envelope surface on which outer fold lines or fold surfaces come to lie in the strand cross section, so that the outer circumference is openly bounded by the straight air chambers extending in the longitudinal direction of the line. The outlet opening of the guide unit essentially determines the convex-surface outer contour or strand shape, which are cylindrical and advantageously have a substantially circular cylindrical contour. With the straight air chambers, the deformed paper strand has a predetermined strand volume relative to the strand cross section or a defined length unit of the strand, of which a substantial proportion is air. The proportion of air depends in particular on the stiffness of the web paper used and thus on the fact that a fiber composite fraction after a preferably maximum compression by means of the transport roller unit in contrast to the essential part of the damaged fiber structure has the tendency to form back to the original position, said the spring elasticity is determined by the pronounced sharp-edged crease lines. That is, the compression by means of the transport roller unit is tuned and selected to the fiber composite property of the paper used and the degree of damage by the pleating process. Accordingly, the volume fraction of air in the deformation depends on the pressure exerted by the cooperating rollers of the transport roller unit. The proportion of air in the deformed paper strand, and thus in the packaging chips, has an effect on the weight per unit volume of a filling quantity of the packaging chips and also on the damping properties of the filling quantity formed by the multiplicity of packaging chips.

As described above, although the paper web is compressed or gathered at the time of collapsing into the paper strand, namely, during the spatial pleating fold, it is irregularly folded by causing the fold lines to be irregularly formed with left folds and right folds. However, it is essential that individual sections or fold sections, namely folding surfaces, regularly run next to one another due to the compression avoided in the strand running direction so that, although a paper web is formed to form packaging material, cuddling and crumpling with intersecting folds is deliberately counteracted , The wrapping-free packing of the plurality of Papierfaltflächen with their kink edges creates the packing structure in which the individual sections or fold sections of the paper web in spatial proximity to each other or in mutual adhesive or fixation-free, loose contact, so that between the aligned in the strand direction Folding surfaces and fold lines which form long extending straight-line air chambers, which thus form air-containing gaps between the sections or fold sections and make up the volume fraction air or the air portion of the paper strand. The air chambers go in the strand cross-section running zigzag, in

Series consecutive into each other. In this case, catchy or zigzag fold-like folding sections, which engage in one another, lock or hook together in a loosely arresting manner.

Particularly advantageously, the paper strand is deformed such that the deformed paper strand has a predetermined volume fraction of air, wherein the volume fraction is preferably at least 50%, more preferably at least 70% and most preferably at least 90%. Advantageously, a paper web can be used which, preferably with a basis weight in the range of 40 g / m ² , has a width in a range of 200 mm to 300 mm, preferably of approximately 250 mm.

An alternative implementation of the method according to the invention uses as a material web a film web, wherein the film web is compressed to form the preformed strand of material preformed film strand and wherein from the preformed film strand a permanently deformed material strand forming deformed film strand is formed. In this case, the permanent deformation can be achieved particularly advantageous solely due to the film properties. However, the permanent deformation can also be achieved or reinforced, for example, by a slight heating of the material during the compression or pressing.

For example, the permanent deformation of the film strand is due to the fact that the film web adheres to itself due to their adhesion properties when their surface comes into mutual contact. Upon compression and compression of the film strand, the surface of the film web gets in contact at numerous, irregularly distributed contact points and can therefore adhere to each other. The film web interacts with its surface virtually with itself and thus forms permanent contact, wherein the internal adhering or gluing does not occur over the entire surface over the entire surface and not evenly over the entire surface, but punctually and disorderly. Because of this punctiform and disorderly adhering or gluing air inclusions are included in the formed film strand. The air inclusions can also be understood as air chambers, which are sections of the air chambers formed with the spatial pleating fold, the latter, forming the sections, more or less interrupted by the point contact points. For example, the sticking can be enhanced by a stretching effect during the feed.

Particular advantages result from the fact that the formed film strand to form air pockets or while maintaining the air pockets or air bubbles. Chambers permanently deformed, since the packaging chips through the air chambers have a particular low and therefore favorable weight per unit volume. Furthermore, due to the air inclusions, it is particularly advantageous to obtain good elasticity properties as well as a large restoring force and a resilient action of the packaging chips. The formation or retention of the air pockets in the deformed film strand can be achieved, for example, by adjusting the pressure effect of the rolls accordingly and by not exerting too much pressure when deforming the rolls.

Preferably, a stretch film is used as the film web, which is referred to herein as stretch film. The stretch film particularly preferably consists of a polymer, in particular of a thermoplastic plastic, for example of a polyethylene. The stretch film is most preferably a so-called machine stretch film of low density polyethylene, namely a low density polyethylene (LDPE), preferably a linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE). The stretch film advantageously has a material thickness in a range of 12 μηη to 35 μηη and preferably in a range of 15 μηη to 25 μηη. Particularly preferably, the stretch film has a material thickness in a range of 17 μηη to 23 μηη and particularly preferably a material thickness of about 20 μηη. The stretch film may be transparent or colored.

A particular advantage of using a stretch film is that it is an elastic film that can be stretched extremely, without the risk of the film tearing. This has a particularly positive effect on the reliability of the method, since the unrolling or removal of the film web from the roll by means of the transport roller unit can also be carried out at high speeds, wherein the speed is preferably infinitely adjustable or adjustable. Particularly advantageously, a stretch film on an elastic restoring force, if it is stretched within its elastic range. Particularly advantageously, stretch films still adhere well to one another even after being subjected to high elongation, so that they are particularly suitable for use in the present process. The packaging chips produced from a stretch film can also be understood as stretch chips. The present invention also includes an apparatus for producing packaging chips according to the method of the invention. Accordingly, the device for the production of bulk-forming resilient packaging chips is set up, which form a packaging padding only in the form of a poured filling. The device comprises at least one dispensing device for dispensing a material web, at least one transport roller unit for removing the material web from the dispensing device and for transporting the material web in the transport direction, at least one guide unit provided between the dispensing device and the transport roller unit for compressing the material web to the material strand to be preformed an inner wall which tapers in a funnel shape in the direction of transport to an exit opening of the guide unit, and at least one cutting device arranged downstream of the transport roller unit in the transport direction.

According to the invention, the funnel-shaped tapered inner wall and the outlet opening are designed such that the formation of the pleating fold according to the method, thereby determining the shape, size and elastic property of the cross-sectional structure of the preformed material strand, the web in the guide unit only transversely to the transport direction simply folding and thus crumpled and crushable is crushable, wherein the transport unit is formed to form the permanently deformable Materalstrangs with at least two cooperating transport rollers, which receive the preformed strand of material between him and transport that he intensifying in its entire cross-sectional width, the pleating and the elastic property adjusting and fixing , crush-free, uniform and stampable is compressible. The transport roller unit fulfills several functions in carrying out the method. On the one hand, it takes over the removal of the material web from the delivery device, in particular of a roll or a web winding, and the pulling through of the material web by the guide unit and on the other hand the compression and deformation of the formed strand of material. The rollers of the transport roller unit thus serve, on the one hand, to advance and transport the material web or the material strand and, on the other hand, simultaneously to permanently deform the material strand. The transport roller unit is set up such that the sections or the fold sections which are the folding surfaces of the pleating fold form a free or loose contact at least in chamber sections of the rectilinearly long extending air chambers when compressing, wherein in the case of compression of a preformed film strand by film adhesion or -klebrigkeit a plurality of the chamber sections forming contact points are generated bar.

Preferably, the guide unit is designed as a funnel, which forms the funnel-shaped inner wall which tapers in a funnel shape towards the outlet opening and which is designed to be circumferentially closed, as a guide space elongated in the transport direction for producing the pleating fold.

Advantageously, the inner wall along its taper is provided with a sliding surface which forms a sliding guide for avoiding dragging through the material web which is to be compressed only in the direction transverse to the transport direction and which produces the pleating fold. In one embodiment, the pleating fold is particularly assisted by the fact that the inner wall tapers towards the outlet opening, in this opening, decreasing, in particular lily-shaped.

An advantageous embodiment is that the guide unit is formed as a funnel with the tapered inner wall, which tapers circumferentially, and with the outlet opening. Suitably, the outlet opening may be part of a funnel-mouth part, which is an exchangeable funnel component for selecting the shape and size of the outlet opening. An outlet opening of a funnel forming the guide unit advantageously has an opening width in a range of 8 mm to 15 mm, preferably in a range of 10 mm to 13 mm and particularly preferably of around 12 mm.

A preferred embodiment consists in that the device is set up with a controllable drive device forming a transport drive of the transport roller unit, which is adjustable in such a way that the transport speed of the preformed material strand and the transport speed of the guide unit running material track and be brought in accordance with deviation. This is done to optimize the pleating fold.

In order to give the preformed material strand a convex outer contour, the guide unit expediently has an outlet opening, which has a group of circular, circular and oval shape of the outlet openings is selected.

With regard to the only loosely brought into contact folding surfaces or fold lines in the strand cross-section, the cooperating rollers of the transport roller unit are formed with special surfaces that attack for transport and compression only on the outer surface of the preformed strand of material without penetrating the outer surface. Suitably, the cooperating rollers of the transport roller unit are formed as rubber rollers, which in particular have a rubberized mantle surface. Expediently, the transport rollers of a pair of drawing rollers, of which only one roller must be urgently driven, have at least substantially flat roller surfaces free of projecting elements. The roll surfaces of one or both draw rolls may advantageously also be of concave design in the running cross-section in order to give the circumferentially convex outer contour of the permanently deformed material strand a shaping which emphasizes the round shape. Flanks of concave drive rollers can interlock toothed to additionally support the convex outer contour.

For example, the device may have a foot switch for starting, as well as alternatively or additively an emergency stop switch. Preferably, the device can also be designed for continuous adjustment of the speed and / or have a soft start.

The invention also relates to packaging chips made by the described method. Particularly preferably, the packaging chips are characterized in that they are made of a stretch film or paper. Special advantages of the packaging chips produced from a stretch film, also referred to as stretch chips, lie in the fact that the stretch chips are particularly grippy and are easily dosed and resilient by the enclosed air chambers. In particular, packaged goods can be safely packaged with the stretch chips, since the stretch chips ensure good fixation due to their adhering or "adhesive" material properties. Packaging chips made from a paper web, namely paper chips, are also light can be metered and act as springy by their proportion of air in combination with the rigidity of the paper material, so that secure packaging of packaged goods is achieved even with paper chips.Particularly advantageous, such paper chips represent an environmentally friendly variant of packaging chips.

Preferably, the packaging chips have a length in a range of 30 mm to 70 mm, preferably in a range of 40 mm to 60 mm and more preferably of about 50 mm and a width in a range of 10 mm to 20 mm, preferably in a range of 12 mm to 18 mm and more preferably of about 15 mm.

Short description of the drawing

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to embodiments in conjunction with the drawings. Show it

Fig. 1 roughly schematically shows an embodiment of the device according to the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a section of the device of FIG. 1, FIG.

Fig. 3 in axonometric view of a paper web produced in a plurality of packaging chip and

Fig. 4 shows the settlement of a packaging chip made of paper.

FIG. 1 shows, roughly schematically illustrated, an embodiment of the device 1 according to the invention for producing packaging chips 20. Individual method steps of the present method for producing packaging chips 20 are denoted by Roman numerals and indicated accordingly in FIG.

The device 1, which extends along a main axis HA, comprises a delivery device 40 with a holding device 4 for rotatably supporting a roller 3 of a roll of material provided and wound on the roll 3 material web 2. The roller 3 is rotatably supported by the holding device 4 such in that an axis of rotation DA of the roller 3 is substantially perpendicular to the main axis HA of the device 1. The device 1 further comprises a transport roller unit 5, which in the present example has two cooperating rollers 5a, 5b in the form of rubber rollers. About the driven rollers 5a, 5b, which rotate in accordance with the arrows drawn in Figure 1, a rolling or pulling off the mate- rialbahn 2 of the roller 3 is effected. The withdrawal or unwinding of the material web 2 is denoted by I and is indicated in FIG. 1 for reasons of clarity in the region of the holding device 4, even if the "active pulling" of the material web 2 is mediated by the transport roller unit 5. A transport direction R of the material web 2 , which may also be referred to as advancing or running direction, runs in the direction of the main axis HA of the device 1. The material web 2 is thus moved in the transport direction R along its length.

Between the transport roller unit 5 and the holding device 4 and thus between the transport roller unit 5 and the roller 3, a funnel-shaped tapered guide unit 6 is arranged. The material web 2 is pulled by the rollers 5a, 5b of the transport roller unit 5 through the guide unit 6, wherein the material web 2 during the advance by the guide unit 6 in particular due to their funnel shape is compressed to a preformed material strand 2 '. The formation of the preformed material strand 2 'is denoted by II and indicated in FIG. 1 in the region of the guide unit 6 designed as a funnel. The preformed material strand 2 'is formed by the material web 2 is forced due to the funnel-shaped tapered guide unit 6 in a narrower, narrower shape with reduced width and thus folded irregularly during feeding or when moving through the hopper, placed in irregular folds or crimped or crunched or gathered. This results in the inventive spatial Plissierfaltung, which, as described above, by wrapping a pack of a plurality of along the web 2 regularly adjacent strip-shaped folding surfaces 203 is formed, the means of knautschfrei and without crossing educated, accordingly in the longitudinal direction of the ma- material web 2 rectilinear fold lines 201, 202 are folded. This structure achieved according to the invention will be described and described in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. The preformed material strand 2 'runs out of the guide unit 6 on an outlet 6.1 facing the rollers 5a, 5b. The outlet opening 6.1 of the guide unit 6 is arranged in the transport direction R in front of the rollers 5a, 5b and adjacent thereto. The preformed material strand 2 'is compressed by the two interacting rolls 5a, 5b and thereby permanently deformed, whereby a deformed material strand 2 ", in the broadest sense a compressed, deformed material strand 2" is formed. The compression and deformation of the material strand 2 'and thus the formation of the deformed material strand 2 "is denoted by III and indicated in the region of the rolls 5a, 5b in Figure 1. It is essential that both surfaces of the rolls 5a, 5b are the preformed material strand 2 The roller surfaces are formed only for surface pressing and slip-free entrainment of the preformed material strand 2 ', that is to say that the rollers 5a, 5b free the preformed material strand 2' from the surface of the preformed material strand 2 '. The surface pressure is set up in such a way that no singular compaction or bulging or otherwise differentially different cross-sectional areas arise on the circumference and within the compressed material strand 2 ', the material strand 2' b between 2 "also remains torsion-free and wrapping-free.

The transport roller unit 5, in particular the rollers 5a, 5b, in the present method for producing packaging chips 20 not only convey and pull off the material web 2 from the roll 3, but also the transport or advancement of the material web 2 as well as the compression and deformation of the preformed material strand 2 '. The material web 2 and the material strand 2 'are therefore under a certain tensile stress at least over the entire section between the roll 3 and the rolls 5a, 5b and are advantageously stretched in the event that a stretchable material web 2, such as a stretch film web, is used.

The apparatus 1 further comprises a cutting device 7 arranged downstream of or downstream of the transport roller unit 5 with a rotating cutting mechanism 7a, by means of which the deformed material strand 2 "is cut or cut off to cut off a multiplicity of packaging chips having a predetermined particle length. is lengthened and finally the packaging chips 20 are released. In the example shown, the rotating cutting mechanism 7a comprises two blades and rotates about an axis of rotation substantially perpendicular to the main axis HA and perpendicular to the transport direction R, as indicated by the arrow in FIG. The cutting or cutting to length of the deformed material strand 2 "and thus the formation of the packaging chips 20 is denoted by IV and indicated in the region of the cutting device 7 in FIG.

If due to low rigidity or stiffness of the deformed material strand 2 "during or free passage of a relatively long transport path sufficient, straightforward and effective feed behind the rollers 5a, 5b is not ensured, the deformed material strand 2", for example, additionally performed for cutting, be held or driven in the transport direction.

On the basis of the device 1 shown by way of example in FIG. 1, first of all a variant of the method according to the invention for producing packaging chips 20 from a film web forming the material web 2 is shown vividly. The process can be subdivided essentially into the steps I, II, III and IV, wherein the removal of the film web from the roll 3 can be defined as step I. Step II is the formation of a preformed film strand forming the preformed material strand 2 ', the formation of the preformed film strand being accomplished by pulling the film web through the guide unit 6 and compressing the film web to produce the spatial pleating fold. Step III represents the compression and permanent deformation of the film strand into a permanently deformed film strand forming the permanently deformed material strand 2 ". Finally, the cutting of the deformed film strand in packaging chips 20 forms step IV of the process.

FIG. 2 shows in more detail the formation of the preformed film strand (step II of the method) from the film web by means of a section of FIG. The wound on the roll 3 film web, which is used to produce the packaging chips 20, has a predetermined width b. Already when the film web enters the guide unit 6 at its inlet opening 6.2, the film web is already forced due to the opening width of the inlet opening 6.2 in a narrower, narrower shape with a reduced width b1. This reduction of the width or this constriction or narrowing takes place by irregular or unordered folding, folding or folding or by pleating, shirring or necking. Folds, indentations, impacts and the like that arise in this way and that can occur outside of the funnel 6 are shown by dashed lines and run essentially in the longitudinal direction LR of the film web. Subsequently, however, the fold lines 201, 202 of a regular fold line pattern 204, as illustrated with reference to FIG. 4, arise due to the irregular folding inside the funnel 6.

During the feed in the transport direction R, the film web is increasingly compressed in the guide unit 6 only in the direction Q transverse to the transport direction R and thus under targeted prevention of compression in the transport direction R. This results in the preformed film strand, which expires at the outlet opening 6.1 of the guide unit 6 from this. When the preformed film strand is formed by compressing the film web, the flat, sheet-like and flat shape of the film web is converted into a rod-like or strand-like form. When emerging from the outlet opening 6.1 of the guide unit 6, the preformed film strand has a

Diameter d, which is smaller by a multiple than the width b of the film web. 2

In the exemplary method for producing packaging chips made of plastic, the film web used is a machine stretch film which has a width b of approximately 500 mm and a material thickness of approximately 20 μm. The transparent machine stretch film consists of a low-density polyethylene, in particular of a so-called linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) and has a good adhesion, so that lying on each other layers of the film web still adhere well even after strong stretching. For example, this may be achieved by sticky polymers provided on one surface side of the machine stretch film or by mixing migrating tacky, highly viscous polyisobutylene into the film surface layer during manufacture. In the example described, the film strand at the exit from the guide unit 6 at the outlet opening 6.1 has a diameter d of about 12 mm. In conjunction with the web width of approximately 500 mm provided in the exemplary embodiment with a material thickness of approximately 20 μm, very fine pleating is achieved with predominantly uniform transverse distances, in particular in the range from 0.5 mm to 2 mm. The preformed film strand is finally compressed by the rollers 5a, 5b, not shown in FIG. 2, and thereby permanently deformed. The permanent deformation of the permanently deformed film strand is primarily due to the fact that the machine stretch film adheres to itself due to its adhesion properties when their surface comes into contact with each other. During compression of the film web and in particular during compression of the preformed film strand, the surface of the machine stretch film at numerous, irregularly distributed contact points in mutual contact and therefore can adhere to each other. The machine stretch film virtually interacts with itself on its surface, forming lasting contact.

However, the internal adhering or sticking together of the machine stretch film does not occur over the entire surface over the entire surface and not evenly over the entire surface but punctually and disorderly. As a result, air inclusions are advantageously formed in the permanently deformed film strand, which determine the structure and property of the packaging chips 20, which in turn are produced by cutting the permanently deformed film strand. On the one hand, due to these air inclusions, the packaging chips 20 receive a certain specific weight per unit volume with considerable reduction in comparison with, for example, a strand wound from a film web and, on the other hand, excellent elasticity properties are achieved in a simple manner. The finished packaging chips 20 have an average length of 50 mm and an average width of 15 mm.

In addition, packaging chips 20 made of machine stretch film also have the advantage that the finished packaging chips 20 also have certain adhesion properties on their surface so that they can be arranged on the surface of a packaged item to be packaged and thus protect this packaged item particularly effectively. As well Due to the adhesion properties, the packaging chips 20 deposit between the packaging wall and the packaged goods without sinking in accordance with gravity.

The method explained with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 for producing packaging chips 20 from a film web is carried out in an analogous manner to the production of packaging chips 20 from a paper web forming the material web 2. Even using a paper web, the method can be subdivided essentially into the steps I, II, III and IV, wherein, as step I, the removal of the paper web 2 from the roll 3 can be defined. Step II is the formation of a preformed paper strand forming the preformed material strand 2 ', the formation of the preformed paper strand being effected by pulling the paper web through the guide unit 6 and the concomitant compression of the paper web. Step III represents the compression and permanent deformation of the preformed paper strand into a permanently deformed paper strand. Finally, the cutting of the permanently deformed paper strand into packaging chips 20 forms step IV of the process.

The production of paper packaging chips, the manufacturing apparatus and the paper packaging chips themselves have particular characteristics.

A paper web is used which, when pulled through the funnel of the guide unit 6, forming the spatial pleat fold, produces the fold lines as a pronounced sharp-edged paper bending edge which forms against material-elastic restoring force of the paper material, this pleating fold being achieved by the compression in the transport roller unit 5 is intensified. Also, a paper web is preferably used for this Plissierfaltung whose paper can be easier to bend along the transport direction than transverse to the transport direction with fold lines. In addition, in the exemplary embodiment, the roll paper should have on both sides a sliding surface, wherein it has been steamed, for example, with lubricant such as silicone. In order to optimally obtain the pleating fold of the paper web, complementary measures are to be provided in the exemplary embodiment. The funnel should have a funnel-shaped inner wall 6.3 that tapers in a funnel-shaped manner towards the outlet opening 6.1, which rotates closed and forms an elongate guide space in the transporting direction R for producing the pleating fold. The outlet 6.1 should have a circular shape with a diameter d, which is selected in the range of 10 mm to 13 mm.

In particular, the pleating fold is to be carried out and set up so that the size of the outlet opening 6.1 is selected such that, together with a minimum spring elasticity-adjusting compression by means of the transport roller unit 5, a permanently deformed material strand 2 "forming permanently deformed paper strand 20" is effected. is formed with a strand cross-section which is at least substantially equal in shape and structure to the strand cross-section of a preformed paper strand forming the preformed material strand 2 '.

The paper web is guided and pulled by the guide unit 6 in such a way that the transport speed of the paper web entering the guide unit 6 and the transport speed of the preformed paper strand leaving the guide unit 6 coincide. The preformed paper strand is replaced by a continuous strand cylindrical, circumferentially convex outer contour, which is to be understood as an imaginary convex-cylindrical envelope surface. In this case, the paper web is drawn in friction resistance minimizing sliding contact with the funnel-shaped taper forming Innwandung 6.3 of the guide unit 6 by the latter. The inner wall 6.3 should be provided along its taper with a sliding surface, which forms a sliding guide for drag-avoiding pulling through the paper web to be pleated. For example, such a sliding surface may be formed by a mirror-polished surface or by a sliding coating. The inclination of the inner wall 6.3 should also be selected such that it has a tendency which supports the sliding of the paper web and determines the funnel-like taper. As not shown in more detail, an embodiment also consists in that the funnel-like taper to the outlet opening 6.1 preferably decreases in a lily shape in order to further optimize the longitudinal compression suppressing pleating fold. FIG. 3 shows a paper packaging chip 20.1 produced from the paper web, which for example has a length of I = 50 mm and an average cross-sectional diameter of 10 mm. The width of the paper web used is, for example, b = 250 mm.

The paper packaging chip 20.1 is cut off in multiplicity from the permanently deformed paper strand 20 "by means of the cutting device 7. The inner and outer structure of the paper packaging chip 20.1 shown in Fig. 3 therefore simultaneously represents the inner and outer structure of the permanently deformed paper strand 20". after the compression in the transport roller unit 5. The inner structure and the outer structure of the permanently deformed paper strand 20 "and the paper packaging chip 20.1, respectively, correspond to the internal structure and external structure of the preformed preformed paper strand emerging from the exit opening 6.1.

3 describes the structures of the permanently deformed paper strand 20 "which conform thereto." The permanently preformed paper strand 20 "has over its length a cylindrical, circumferentially convex outer contour 205, which is an imaginary convex-cylindrical enveloping surface is to be understood and represented in the strand cross-section or on an end face of the paper packaging chip 20.1 with an imaginary, substantially circular-cylindrical, dash-dotted contour line. Within the envelope surface, the pleating fold has been produced, which is produced by a compression and thus a packing of a multiplicity of strip-shaped folding surfaces 203 which run along the paper web in a regular manner next to one another. The formation of these folding surfaces 203 will be described with reference to the illustration in FIG. FIG. 4 shows the paper packaging chip 20.1 in flat-lying development.

The folding structure 203 of the folding surfaces 203 according to FIG. 3 results from the pleats in the guide unit 6 running exclusively or at least substantially regularly, ie predominantly in the longitudinal direction of the preformed paper strand or the permanently deformed paper strand 20 ". Chen 203 caused by the fold lines 201, 202 formed with sharp edges, which have been formed by the Plissierfaltung of the paper web in the hopper of the guide unit 6. As can be seen in particular from FIG. 4, the fold lines 201, 202 are designed in such a way that they extend in a straight line over the length of a paper packaging chip 20. 1 having small transverse distances q in relation to the width b of the paper web. Only a few fold lines meet at an acute angle to an adjacent fold line or go from this, without the fold lines intersecting cutting. This is accompanied by the fact that the straight-line air chambers 206, which in any case merge into one another in the string dimension, at least in the preferred lengths of the paper packaging chips 20.1, in any case, are predominantly continuous from front to end. As a result, the pleating fold forms the fold pattern 204 with the fold lines 202, 203, which are regular in the line direction, and whose different and also corresponding average transverse distances q are in the range from 2 mm to 7 mm. In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 4, about 30 fold lines per 100 mm web width belong to the pleating fold of the paper web. The web width b should be about 250 mm in the embodiment when using a recycled paper with a basis weight of about 40 g / cm ² .

As can be seen in Figure 3, the pleating fold located within the circular envelope surface is formed by a system of straight air chambers 206 which extend exclusively in the longitudinal direction of the permanently deformed paper strand 20 "or in the length of the paper packaging chip 20.1 Channel-like air chambers are, as previously mentioned, formed by the open juxtaposition of longitudinal spaces with co-extending longitudinal edges which are acute at fold lines 201, 202. A plurality of acute-angled folded surfaces more or less intermesh with the acute-angled surface transitions or sections This can be seen, for example, in cross-sectional areas 207 in FIG. 3. In these cross-sectional areas, an at least partial overlap results in a structure of the air chamber which is more or less hooked or has latching engagements, and thus is particularly firm and cohesive n 206. At the outer contour of the outer contour of the permanently deformed strand of material 20 "or of the paper packaging chip 20. 1, the air chambers 206 are open to the outside, wherein folding sections 203 also come to lie closely or flat against one another. The described inner and outer structure of the paper strands or of the paper packaging chip 20.1 is due to the fact that the fold lines 201, 202 are left-folding or right-folding. In sections, left-folding and right-folding lines 201, 202 alternate and form the pronounced acute-angled air chambers 206. In these sections, an accordion-like zig-zag fold develops. Incidentally, between pairs of right-folding lines 202, several left-folding lines 201 and between pairs of left-folding lines 201 several folding folds 202 folds on the right. Folded surfaces 203 together with adjacent folding surfaces engaging in them form sharp-edged air chambers extending channel-like in the strand. being open at the end faces of the paper packaging chip 20.1.

The paper packaging chips 20.1 produced, as shown by way of example in FIG. 3, have a considerable air volume fraction, which may even amount to at least ninety percent, the paper strands produced according to the invention without strand twist and without transverse folds being particularly stable, dimensionally stable and spring-elastic, even with the smallest diameters in particular in a range of preferably 8 mm to 15 mm.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 Device for the production of packaging chips

2 material web

2 'material strand

2 "permanently deformed strand of material

20 "permanently deformed paper strand

20 packaging chips

20.1 Paper packaging chips

200 Processing a paper packaging chip

201 left fold producing fold lines

202 folding lines producing folding lines

203 folding surfaces

204 fold line pattern

205 circumferential convex outer contour

206 air chambers

207 hooking cross-sectional areas

3 roll

holder

delivery device

Transport roller unit 5a, 5b rollers

6 guide unit

6.1 Outlet opening

6.2 inlet opening

6.3 Inner wall

7 cutting device

7a rotating cutting unit b width of the material web b1 reduced width of the material web d diameter of the material strand q transverse distances

I chip length

DA axis of rotation

HA main axis

LR longitudinal direction of the material web

R transport direction

Q transverse direction

Claims

claims

A process for the production of bulk-forming resilient packaging chips (20), which form a packaging padding only in the form of a poured filling quantity, from at least one material web (2), comprising the following process steps:

1.1 the material web (2) is provided with a dispenser (40);

the material web (2) is withdrawn and transported by the delivery device (40) by means of a transport roller unit (5, 5b) interacting with one another and being provided in the transport direction by a delivery device (40) and the transport roller unit (5) (R) the material web (2) funnel-shaped tapered, with an outlet opening (6.1) ending guide unit (6) pulled;

the material web (2) is compressed in the direction (Q) transversely to the transport direction (R) during the passage through the guide unit (6) to form a preformed material strand (2 ') emerging from the outlet opening (6.1) in such a way that a spatial pleating fold of the Material web (2) is produced, which is formed by a compression of a plurality of in the direction of the material web (2) side by side extending strip-shaped folding surfaces (203), wherein the folding surfaces (203) extending in the longitudinal direction of the web (2) fold lines (201, 202) are folded with a in the outlet opening (6.1) of the guide unit (6) resulting density, the one elastic, torsion-free, the preformed material strand (2 ') bending stiffness-imparting, strand-free strand structure with straight in straight line extending air chambers (206) between the folding surfaces (203) is formed, the cross-section of the outlet opening (6.1) the strand cross section of the preformed material strand (6.1 2 ') with over its length circumferentially convex outer contour (205) determined;

the preformed material strand (2 ') is transported by means of the transport rollers (5a, 5b) of the transport roller unit (5) in such a way that the preformed material strand (2') is compressed during transport by the transport roller unit (5) while detecting its entire strand cross section after compression, a permanently deformed strand of material (2 ") is obtained which is resiliently compressible, torsion-free and rigid with a strand structure corresponding to the strand structure of the preformed strand of material (2 ');

the permanently deformed material strand (2 ") is cut by means of a cutting device (7) provided behind the transport roller unit (5) in the transporting direction (R) for producing the plurality of packing chips (20) forming cushioning charges.

Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the material web (2) is guided and pulled by the guide unit (6) such that the transport speed of the material web (2) entering the guide unit (6) and the transport speed of the guide unit (6) outgoing preformed material strand (2 ') match. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the material web (2) is pulled through the latter for special support of the spatial pleating fold in frictional resistance minimizing sliding contact with a funnel-shaped tapering inner wall (6.3) of the guide unit (6).

Method according to claim 3, characterized in that the sliding contact is favored by an inclination of the inner wall (6.3) which is adapted to the condition of the material web (2) and the transport and which determines the funnel-like taper.

Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the funnel-shaped taper of the guide unit for generating the pleating fold to the outlet opening of the guide unit decreases towards.

Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the material web (2) when pulling through the Führungsein unit (6) is kept taut.

Method according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the material web (2) has a width (b) in a range of 200 mm to 700 mm, preferably a width (b) in a range of 400 mm to 600 mm, especially preferably in a range of 450 mm to 550 mm, and more preferably of about 500 mm. Method according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the material web (2) during transport through the guide unit (6) is compressed such that a diameter (d) of the preformed material strand (2 ') upon exiting the guide unit ( 6) at the outlet opening (6.1) in a range of 8 mm to 15 mm, preferably in a range of 10 mm to 13 mm, and more preferably is about 12 mm.

Method according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that of the permanently deformed strand of material (2 ") by means of the cutting device (7) packaging chips (20) are cut off with an average length of about 50 mm.

Method according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the packaging chips (20) are made with size and structure such that the density of the filling amount at least 50 x 10 ^third

Chips / m ³ , preferably at least 60 x 10 ³ chips / m ³ and more preferably at least 70 x 10 ³ chips / m ³ , preferably with a length in the range of 40 mm to 60 mm.

Method according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that a paper web is used as material web (2), wherein the paper web during transport through the guide unit (6) to a preformed material strand (2 ') forming preformed paper strand is compressed and wherein from the preformed paper strand a deformed paper strip forming the permanently deformed material strand (2 ") is formed. strand (20 ") is formed, which is cut to produce a variety of cushioning filling forming paper chips.

Method according to Claim 11, characterized in that those of the folding surfaces (203) of the paper web which come into line and area contact during the production of the pleating fold in the guide unit (6), during the compression in the transport roller unit (5) and in the paper strands formed , Loosely touching only without a firm connection, wherein on the outer circumference of the formed paper strands long extending rectilinear air chambers are open.

Method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that a paper web provided with sliding surfaces is used to form a sliding contact with an inner wall (6.3) of the guide unit (6) forming the funnel-shaped taper.

Method according to one of claims 11 to 13, dadu rch in that as a material web (2) a paper web is used with a paper structure, which causes the fold lines (201, 202) of the spatial pleating as a sharp-edged, against material elastic restoring force of the paper material forming paper folding edges, and that this pleating fold is intensified by the compression in the transport roller unit (5).

15. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 14, dadu rch characterized in that the pleating fold is formed at the fold lines (201, 202) acute-angled folding sections, which, viewed in the strand cross-section, lo- se in each other, wherein they lock each other at least partially overlapping.

Method according to one of claims 11 to 15, dadu rch in that the cross section of the outlet opening (6.1) of the guide unit (6) is selected with a minimum size such that together with a minimum elasticity adjusting compression by means of the transport roller unit (5) causing the permanently deformed paper strand (20 ") to be formed with a strand cross-section which is equal in shape and structure to the strand cross-section of the preformed paper strand.

Method according to one of claims 11 to 16, characterized in that the preformed paper strand by means of the transport roller unit (5) is compressed to a densest, largely free of air gapless, the spring elasticity of the deformed paper strand adjusting and defining Faltpa- ckungsstruktur.

Method according to one of claims 11 to 17, dadu rch in that the paper web, with which the guide unit (6) is charged, is such that it along the transport direction (R) lighter than transverse to the transport direction (R) with fold lines (201, 202).

Method according to one of claims 11 to 18, dadu rch in that the permanently deformed paper strand is prepared with a predetermined volume fraction of air, which is at least 50%, preferably 70% and particularly preferably at least 90%. Method according to one of Claims 11 to 19, characterized in that the spatial pleating fold of the paper web is produced in such a way that the fold lines (201, 202) of the deformed paper strand emerging from the transport roller unit (5) have average transverse distances (q), viewed in a flat position Unwinding (200) of a cut packaging chip (20), in the range of 2 mm to 10 mm, preferably in the range of 2 mm to 7 mm.

Method according to one of claims 11 to 20, dadu rch in that the packaging chips (20) having a specific bulk weight in the range of 25 kg / m ³ to 40 kg / m ³ , preferably in the range of 20 kg / m ³ to 30 kg / m ³ are produced.

Method according to one of claims 11 to 21, dadu rch in that the packaging chips (20) of paper with basis weight in the range of 20 g / m ² to 100 g / m ² , preferably in the range of 40 g / m ² to 60 g / m ² are produced.

23. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that the paper web has a width in a range of 200 mm to 300 mm, preferably of 250 mm. Method according to one of claims 11 to 22, dadu rch in that the pleating fold of the paper web with 15 to 50 fold lines (201, 202) per 100 mm of the web width is produced.

Method according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized Porsche Style nzeichnet that as a material web (2) a film web is used, wherein the film web to a preformed strand of material (2 ') forming preformed film strand is compressed and wherein from the preformed film strand a permanently deformed strand of material (2 ") forming deformed film strand is formed.

Method according to claim 25, characterized in that during the production of the pleating fold in the guide unit (6) or at least during the compression in the transport roller unit (5), air pockets are formed by the foil web having contact points which make themselves adhesive or adhesive joints come into contact.

27. The method according to claim 25 or 26, characterized Porsche Style nzeichnet that as a film web, a stretch film is used.

A method according to claim 27, characterized in that the stretch film has a material thickness between 15 μηη and 25 μηη, preferably a material thickness in a range of 17 μηη to 23 μηη and particularly preferably has a material thickness of about 20 μηη. A method according to claim 28, characterized in that the film web has a width in a range of 400 mm to 700 mm, preferably 500 mm.

Method according to one of claims 25 to 28, characterized in that the film web consists of self-adhesive film material.

Device (1), designed for the production of bulk-forming resilient packaging chips (20), which form a packaging padding only in the form of a poured filling, according to a method according to one of claims 1 to 30, comprising at least one dispenser (40) for dispensing a material web (2), at least one transport roller unit (5) for removing the material web (2) from the delivery device (40) and for transporting the material web (2) in the transport direction (R), at least one between the delivery device (40) and the transport roller unit (5 ) provided guide unit (6) for compressing the material web (2) to be preformed material strand (2 ') with an inner wall (6.3), the funnel-shaped tapered in the transport direction (R) to an outlet opening (6.1) of the guide unit (6), and at least one in the transport direction (R) behind the transport roller unit (5) arranged cutting device (7), wherein d he funnel-shaped tapered inner wall (6.3) and the outlet opening (6.1) are designed such that the formation of the pleating fold according to the method, thereby determining the shape, size and elastic property of the cross-sectional structure of the preformed material strand (2 '), the material web (2) in the Guide unit (6) only transversely to the transport direction (R) and can be crushed without crumpling and crushing, and wherein the transport unit (5) for forming the material strand to be deformed permanently (2 ") with at least two cooperating transport rollers (5a, 5b) is formed which thus receive and transport the preformed material strand (2 ') between them, that in its entire cross-sectional width (d), intensifying the pleating fold and setting the elastic property, it is compressible without a crush, uniformly and without punching.

Apparatus according to claim 31, characterized in that the guide unit (6) has a funnel, the (11) funnel-shaped tapered inner wall (6.3) to the outlet opening (6.1), which is arranged circumferentially closed, as in the transport direction (R) elongated guide space for Producing the pleating fold forms.

Apparatus according to claim 31 or 32, characterized in that the inner wall (6.3) is provided along its taper with a sliding surface which forms a sliding guide for drag-avoiding pulling through the material web (2) to be compressed.

34. Device according to one of claims 31 to 33, dadu rch marked, that the inner wall tapers to the outlet opening, opening into this, decreasing.

Device according to one of claims 31 to 34, characterized in that the guide unit is designed as a funnel with the tapered * inner wall having a funnel-mouth part having the outlet opening, which is an exchangeable funnel component for selecting the shape and size of the outlet opening. Device according to one of claims 31 to 35, dadu rch in that the device with a transport drive of the transport roller unit (5) forming controllable drive device is set, which is adjustable so that the transport speed of the preformed material strand (2 ') and the transport speed of monitored in the guide unit (5) incoming material web (2) and be brought in accordance with deviation.

Device according to one of claims 31 to 36, dadu rch in that the guide unit (6) is designed as a funnel, wherein the outlet opening (6.1) of the funnel has an opening width in a range of 8 mm to 15 mm, preferably in a range of 10 mm to 13 mm and more preferably of about 12 mm.

Device according to one of claims 31 to 37, dad urch in that the guide unit (6) has an outlet opening (6.1), which is selected from a group of circular, circular and oval shape having outlet openings.

Device according to one of claims 31 to 38, characterized in that the cooperating rollers (5a, 5b) of the transport roller unit (5) are formed with surfaces suitable for transporting and compressing only on the outer surface of the preformed strand of material (2 ') without Penetrate the outer surface attack. Device according to one of claims 31 to 39, dad urch in that the cooperating rollers (5a, 5b) of the transport roller unit (5) are formed as rubber rollers.

Device according to one of claims 31 to 40, characterized in that the cutting device (7) comprises a rotating cutter (7a) with at least two knives producing a separating cut in each case.

Device according to one of claims 31 to 41, characterized in that the dispensing device (40) is formed by a holding device (4) for the rotatable mounting of a roll (3) rolled up to provide the material web (2).

43. Packaging chips (20) produced by a method according to one of claims 1 to 30.

Packaging chips (20) produced by a method according to one of claims 11 to 24, characterized in that the packaging chips (20) are made of paper.

Packaging chips (20) according to claim 44, characterized in that the packaging chips (20) are made of a paper web with slidable web surfaces, which cause a smooth passage of the paper web through the guide unit (5). Packaging chips (20) according to claim 44 or 45, characterized in that the packaging chips (20) are produced from a paper web which folds or folds more easily along the web direction than in the direction transverse to the paper web.

47. Packaging chips (20) produced by a method according to any one of claims 25 to 30, characterized in that the packaging chips (20) are made of foil.