EP3621792B1 - Device for producing a cushioning product - Google Patents

Description

The invention generally relates to an apparatus for manufacturing a cushioning product, for example an endless cushioning tube or a cushioning pad, from a single or multi-ply continuous paper web. Generic filling material production devices are set up, for example, in logistics centers as a portable, mobile unit in order to provide length-made or endless cushioning material when packaging an object. The padding material or padding product is obtained from a stock of paper web that is space-saving in comparison to the padding product, such as a paper web roll or a paper web leporello stack. The paper web preferably consists of recycled paper. In order to manufacture the cushioning material, the paper web is drawn off a stack or roll and deformed in order to form air pockets which cause cushioning between the goods to be packaged and a shipping container.

In order to be able to pack a large selection of items to be packaged quickly and safely for transport, the items are stowed using standardized packaging processes and in packaging of standardized sizes. It is important to provide the required upholstery material in consistent quality and predefined three-dimensional dimensions to enable an efficient workflow.

Generic devices for manufacturing a cushioning product from a single or multi-ply continuous paper web are, for example DE 10 2013 015 875 A1 and DE 10 2014 016 874 A1 known. There is a desire to provide large amounts of cushioning material as quickly as possible and without the occurrence of paper jams, with a high cushioning quality, ie a good damping capacity of the cushioning material, being provided.

US 6,190,299 B1 relates to an upholstery manufacturing machine.

It is an object of the invention to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art and in particular to provide a device for manufacturing a cushioning product from a single-ply or multi-ply continuous paper web with a view to the highest possible cushioning quality at high processing speeds. This object is solved by the subject matter of claim 1.

Accordingly, a device according to the invention for manufacturing a cushioning product from a single or multi-ply continuous paper web is provided. The paper web can be provided as a supply, for example as a rolled-up roll or a leporello stack. The paper web preferably has a width of at least 30 cm and/or at most 200 cm, preferably between 50 cm and 100 cm, in particular a width of about 70 cm. The length of the paper web is preferably substantially, i.e. at least 10, 50 or 100 times greater than the width of the paper web. The thickness of the paper web corresponds to the thickness of the single- or multi-ply paper web material and is preferably less than 1 mm. The use of recycled paper is preferable due to its special environmental friendliness.

The cushioning product manufacturing apparatus according to the invention comprises a hopper-like preforming station for compressing the paper web in the transverse direction. The preforming station is preferably designed to tuck or roll up the paper web in the transverse direction. In particular, the preforming station can have funnel inner walls on the sides, which form a preform contour that tapers in a funnel-like manner in the conveying direction of the paper web.

The cushioning product manufacturing device according to the invention has a deformation station which is preferably immediately adjacent to the preforming station in the conveying direction of the paper web. The deformation station includes two embossing rolls which intermesh in a deformation region to form the paper web into a cushioning product, such as a tubular paper cushion, having at least one longitudinally extending crush cavity. The transverse direction of the paper web is preferably defined transversely to the conveying direction of the paper web and can correspond to the transverse direction or width of the supply, in particular of the leporello stack or the roll. The transverse direction at the entrance to the preforming station is preferably defined, for example, by a guide device arranged there, such as a deflection roller. In the upholstery product manufacturing device according to the invention, the preforming station a lifting device, which is preferably arranged directly in front of the embossing rollers in the conveying direction, for lifting a central area of the paper web. The lifting device can be arranged in a rear region of the preforming station in the conveying direction. The lifting device is preferably arranged near the exit of the preforming station or near the entrance of the deformation station. The lifting device preferably lifts a paper web that has already been preformed by parts of the preforming station, for example inner walls of the hopper lying opposite one another in the transverse direction. A lifting device can be realized, for example, pneumatically by means of compressed air or mechanically, for example by a particularly freely rotating roller, a ramp or the like. The lifting device is preferably designed to lift the paper web perpendicular to the conveying direction of the paper web and perpendicular to the transverse direction of the paper web. It is clear that the longitudinal direction of the paper web corresponds to the conveying direction for continuous conveying. The central area of the paper web that is to be lifted is preferably arranged centrally in the transverse direction of the paper web, which is in particular preformed. In particular, the central area of the paper web is arranged centrally in the transverse direction of the production device, preferably the deformation device and/or the preforming station.

By providing a lifting device upstream against the conveying direction in front of the deformation station of a device for manufacturing an upholstery product, it can be achieved that the transverse width section of the paper web, which is introduced into a deformation station for a deformation process, is increased compared to a conventional manufacturing device, so that the central area of the paper web to be deformed provides more paper material for the deformation process. A more dimensionally stable, soft cushioning product can thereby be provided. Surprisingly, it has been found that when using a roll-shaped paper web supply, for example, an increase in the tension in the middle area of the paper web acts, which counteracts sagging of a paper web in its middle area, so that the tendency of the paper web to tear off as a result of sagging is reduced.

According to a preferred embodiment of a device according to the invention for manufacturing an upholstery product, the preforming station has a lower guide surface in the vertical direction, from which the lifting device causes the paper web to be lifted particularly harmoniously and/or continuously upwards by at least 100 mm, at least 25 mm and/or at most 100 mm, at most 45 mm, preferably about 25 mm.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the lifting device is designed to lift the central area of the paper web to the vertical height of the deformation area of the deformation station. In particular, the embossing rollers have pitch circle diameters, with the contact point of the pitch circle diameters, in particular a tangent or secant contact point, defining a deformation plane which is oriented, for example, in accordance with the pitch circle tangent or secant. In particular, the lifting device can lift the central area of the paper web up to the level of this deformation plane ±20 mm or ±10 mm. The lifting device can lift the central area of the paper web up to at least the level of this deformation plane. Preferably, the width of the lifting device is less than or equal to the effective width of the embossing rollers (in their axial direction). In relation to the usual feeding of a paper web with a central area which is almost flat in the vertical direction, by such lifting by means of a lifting device a central area bent convexly upwards can be fed to the embossing rollers of the deformation station. It is preferred that the lifting takes place above the deformation area in which the deformation of the paper web takes place by the embossing rollers, so that the largest possible central paper web area is provided for the deformation by the embossing rollers.

According to the invention, the lifting device comprises a wedge. In particular, the lifting device can consist of a wedge. In the conveying device, the wedge is formed so that it rises, at least in sections. Preferably, the wedge has a transverse and vertical cross-sectional area that tapers vertically upwardly from a lower base of the wedge, which preferably may be formed on the lower guide surface of the preforming station. The wedge can have a saddle area of constant height, in particular in its highest section, which is at the rear in the conveying direction. For example, the wedge may be formed from a plastic material such as POM or PLA, or from a metal material such as steel or aluminum. The edges of the wedge are preferably rounded, so that the paper web can slide along the wedge without an increased risk of tearing.

According to a further development of a device for manufacturing upholstery products according to the invention, the wedge has a base in the conveying direction with a transverse width which, at least in sections, measures at least 10 mm, at least 25 mm and/or at most 100 mm, at most 45 mm, preferably around 35 mm. Preferably, the width of the base of the wedge is less than the width of the embossing rolls. In particular, the base of the wedge has a transverse width that increases at least in sections in the conveying direction. Alternatively or additionally, the base of the wedge can have a constant transverse width at least in sections in the conveying direction. At least one section of the wedge that is at the front in the conveying direction is preferably designed with an increasing transverse width. Preferably, at least one section of the wedge that is at the rear in the conveying direction is configured with a constant transverse width. The width, height and/or shape of the wedge preferably only changes continuously or without jumps in the conveying direction.

According to a preferred embodiment of the device for manufacturing an upholstery product, the preforming station comprises, in particular, two guide rods for promoting the wrapping and/or rolling of the paper web in the preforming station. The guide rods are arranged in particular between lateral hopper inner walls of the preforming station, preferably with a transverse spacing that decreases in the conveying direction. Preferably, one guide rod each can run parallel or substantially parallel to each inner wall of the funnel. Preferably, one guide rod and an adjacent inner hopper wall are oriented parallel to one another, i.e. the inner wall of the hopper on the right in the conveying direction is parallel to the guide rod on the right in the conveying direction and the inner wall of the hopper on the left in the conveying direction is parallel to the guide rod on the left in the conveying direction. The use of funnel inner walls in combination with guide rods optimizes a beating and/or rolling effect of the preforming station, since the longitudinal edges of the paper web, when the paper web is guided in its longitudinal direction or conveying direction through the preforming station, strike the inner walls of the funnel and push upwards from the inner walls of the funnel and be moved towards each other. By means of the guide rods arranged parallel to the inside walls of the funnel, a kind of abutment is provided for the wrapping process of the paper web side edges, which realizes a controlled wrapping and thus a constant padding quality. It has proven to be advantageous to let one guide rod end before the other guide rod in the conveying direction. For example, the left guide rod may be shorter than the right guide rod, or vice versa. Preferably has at least one Guide rod, in particular both guide rods, a cone end, which widens starting from an initially constant guide rod cross-section (diameter) to a larger guide rod end diameter. It is clear that the rear ends of the guide rods in the conveying direction are arranged at a distance from one another and from the deformation station. The lifting device, in particular the wedge, can be arranged in the transverse distance between the longitudinal ends of the guide rods.

The guide rods are preferably arranged at a preferably constant vertical distance from a lower guide surface of the preforming station. In particular, a hold-down device, such as a hold-down plate, can be arranged on the guide rods to hold down the central region of the paper web, which extends at least in sections transversely between the guide rods in the conveying direction. For example, an input section that is at the front in the conveying direction, for example a front quarter, front third or a front half of the guide rods, can be realized with a hold-down plate that extends flat between the guide rods. The particular average height of the guide rods relative to the guide surface can preferably be between 25 mm and 45 mm. A guide rod diameter can initially preferably be between 10 mm and 30 mm. On the exit side or end side in a cone section, the guide rod diameter can preferably be between 20 mm and 60 mm, for example around 45 mm.

According to a preferred development of the invention, the lifting device is designed to lift the central area of the paper web to above a lower edge of the guide rods and/or possibly the hold-down device. In particular, the lifting device is designed to lift the central area of the paper web at most to below the upper edge of the guide rods.

According to a preferred embodiment of a device according to the invention, a distance from an axis of rotation of one of the embossing rollers to the lifting device in the conveying direction is at least as large as an embossing roller radius. Preferably, the distance from the axis of rotation of the embossing rollers to the lifting device, in particular a rear end of the lifting device in the conveying direction, for example a rear wedge end in the conveying direction, is at least 20 mm and at most 200 mm, preferably between 30 mm and 170 mm. In particular is the Distance from the axis of rotation of one of the embossing rollers to the lifting device in the conveying direction smaller, preferably up to 600 mm smaller, equal to or larger than, preferably up to 60 mm larger than, a distance from the axis of rotation of one of the embossing rollers to the rear end of a guide rod in the conveying direction , preferably the longer guide rod. The embossing rollers preferably have the same outer radius. For example, the radius of an embossing roller can be between 3 cm and 8 cm, preferably between 4 cm and 6 cm.

According to a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, the deformation station has an inner channel for guiding the preformed paper web, which channel walls have recesses through which an embossing roller protrudes. The channel walls serve as screens, which allow the paper web to be conveyed only in an area which is necessary for deforming the paper web with the embossing rollers. The paper web is preferably guided through the inner channel in such a way that a paper jam is avoided. In particular, the lower guide surface of the deformation station transitions into the inner channel without kinks and/or with a transition edge. A transition edge can preferably be rounded. The transition from the lower guide surface of the preforming station into the inner channel of the deformation station preferably takes place harmoniously in the vertical direction and/or conveying direction. The height of the inner channel at the entrance to the deformation station is preferably between 50 mm and 150 mm, preferably between 70 mm and 105 mm. Preferably, a lower channel wall is flush with the lower guide wall or guide surface of the preforming station. The upper channel wall can taper in the conveying direction and extend towards a lower channel wall.

A preferred embodiment of a device according to the invention for manufacturing an upholstery product also includes a guide device upstream of the preforming station in the paper conveying direction, such as a sliding edge or a deflection roller, preferably a pair of deflection rollers or a pairing of a deflection roller with a sliding edge, for aligning the paper web for the preforming station. The guide device preferably allows the paper web to be drawn flat into the cushioning product manufacturing device without being deformed in the transverse direction of the paper web.

Figur 1

eine Querschnitts-Seitenansicht einer erfindungsgemäßen Polsterprodukts-Fertigungsvorrichtung;

Figur 2

eine Seitenansicht der erfindungsgemäßen Polsterprodukt-Fertigungsvorrichtung gemäß Figur 1;

Figur 3

eine perspektivische Schnittansicht der erfindungsgemäßen Fertigungsvorrichtung entsprechend Figur 2;

Figur 4

eine Ansicht der erfindungsgemäßen Polsterprodukt-Fertigungsvorrichtung gemäß Figur 1 von hinten;

Figur 5

eine perspektivische Ansicht einer erfindungsgemäßen Polsterprodukts-Fertigungsvorrichtung gemäß Figur 1 von schräg hinten;

Figur 6a

eine Seitenansicht eines Keils;

Figur 6b

eine Vorderansicht des Keils gemäß Figur 6a;

Figur 6c

eine Draufsicht auf den Keil gemäß Figur 6a; und

Figur 6d

eine perspektivische Ansicht des Keils gemäß der Figuren 6a bis 6c für eine erfindungsgemäße Polsterprodukt-Fertigungsvorrichtung.

Further preferred embodiments are described in the dependent claims. Further advantages, features and properties of the invention are explained by the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the enclosed Drawings clearly showing:

figure 1

a cross-sectional side view of a cushioning product manufacturing apparatus according to the invention;

figure 2

a side view of the upholstery product manufacturing device according to the invention figure 1 ;

figure 3

a perspective sectional view of the manufacturing device according to the invention figure 2 ;

figure 4

a view of the upholstery product manufacturing device according to the invention according to FIG figure 1 from behind;

figure 5

12 is a perspective view of a cushioning product manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention figure 1 from behind;

Figure 6a

a side view of a wedge;

Figure 6b

a front view of the wedge according to FIG Figure 6a ;

Figure 6c

a plan view of the wedge according to FIG Figure 6a ; and

Figure 6d

a perspective view of the wedge according to FIG Figures 6a to 6c for a cushioning product manufacturing device according to the invention.

The apparatus for manufacturing a cushioning product according to the invention is generally designated by the reference numeral 1 in the following figures. The main components of the upholstery product manufacturing device 1 are a preforming station and a deformation station 13, as well as a lifting device 4 arranged in front of the deformation station 13 in the conveying direction F. The lifting device 4 can be pneumatic, for example, by means of an air jet, mechanically, for example by means of a ramp, a preferably freely rotating wheel or, as shown by way of example, a wedge 41.

The upholstery product manufacturing device 1 shown in the figures also includes a rotary cutter 15 in order to separate individual upholstery cushions (not shown in detail) from the tubular upholstery product 3, which has two crumple cavities 7, 9 extending in the longitudinal direction L. Instead of a rotary cutter 15, another mechanism, for example a toothed blade at the exit, can also be used of the upholstery product manufacturing device 1 for tearing off a long upholstery strand (not shown in detail).

The paper web 5 is conveyed along a conveying direction F through the device 1 by the conveying and embossing rollers 31, 33 drawing the paper web 5 from a paper web supply, not shown in detail, preferably a leporello stack or a roll. The embossing rollers 31 and 33 can therefore serve in a functional union for conveying the paper web 5 in the conveying direction F and for forming the paper web 5 into a cushioning product 3 . At least one of the conveyor rollers 31, 33 is driven by an electric motor, not shown in detail, which can also drive the rotary cutter 15. The rotary cutter 15 can have its own electric motor.

During the production of upholstery products 3, a paper web 5 runs through the device 1 in that the paper web 5 is first drawn into the upholstery product production device 1 at the guide device 17, which is realized by two deflection rollers 18, 19 extending in the transverse direction Q. In the conveying direction F behind the guide station 17, the paper web 5 reaches the preforming station 11, which tapers in a funnel-like manner in the conveying direction F until it opens into the deformation station 13 at its rear end in the conveying direction F. In the preforming station 11, the paper web 5 is preformed by being compressed at least in the transverse direction Q, for example by the longitudinal edges of the paper web 5 being folded in and possibly rolled up by lateral inner funnel walls 23, 25, optionally with the aid of guide rods 27, 29. The preformed paper web 5 is then conveyed further into an inner channel 37 of the deformation station, into which the embossing wheels 31, 33 penetrate.

The embossing wheels 31, 33 grip the paper web 5 with their teeth meshing in a deformation area 35, shaping it to form a cushioning product 3 that has two crumple cavities 7, 9 extending in the longitudinal direction L and one between the crumple cavities 7 and 9 the embossing wheels 31, 33 formed, wave-like embossing profile 8. The cushioning product 3 is discharged from the device 1 in the further conveying process, as schematically shown in FIG figure 3 shown. Before it is discharged from the device 1, the cushioning product 3 can be conveyed in the conveying direction F along or through a separating station such as the rotary cutter 15 shown here as an example, which cuts in with a (rotary) cut individual conveyor cushion can separate from the cord-shaped cushioning product 3.

The deformation station 13 is in the figures 1 and 2 shown in section. As in figure 3 As can be seen, the upper conveyor roller 31 consists of an embossing gear wheel 31a, which is provided with a co-rotating side disk 31b on the right and left transversely to the conveying direction F. The side disks 31b have approximately the same or a slightly smaller outer diameter than the embossing wheel 31. The lower embossing roller 33 consists of only one embossing gear wheel, which is as wide in the transverse direction Q as the gear wheel 31a of the upper embossing roller 31. The teeth of the embossing rollers 31 and 33 engage in one another in a deformation area 35 for conveying and deforming the paper web 5 . In the embodiment shown here as an example, the pitch circle diameter D ₃₁ of the upper embossing wheel 31 is the same as the pitch circle diameter D ₃₃ of our embossing wheel 33. The center distance of the embossing rollers 30, 33 corresponds approximately to the sum of the pitch circle radii. In the contact area of the embossing rollers 31, 33, a deformation plane D is preferably defined by a common pitch circle tangent. The deformation plane D lies in the vertical direction V approximately in the middle of the conveying height of the paper web 5 in the conveying direction F.

As explained above, the deformation station 13 has an inner channel 37 which is delimited in the vertical direction by a lower channel wall 38 and an upper channel wall 39 which each have a recess 32, 34 for the lower and upper embossing roller 31, 33, respectively. The inner channel 37 ensures that the areas of the embossing rollers 31, 33 that can come into physical contact with the paper web 5 during operation always have a speed component in the horizontal direction H that is oriented in the same direction as the conveying direction F. This prevents the paper web 5 from running onto the embossing rollers, a journey 33 with the possible result of paper jams. The pitch circle diameter D ₃₁ or D ₃₃ of the embossing rollers 31 or 33 is preferably between 8 and 12 cm and particularly preferably about 10 cm. The width of the embossing rollers 31, 33 in the transverse direction Q is usually less than 30 cm, preferably less than 20 cm, in particular less than 10 cm. The transverse width of the embossing rollers 31, 33 can be, for example, about 30 mm to about 70 mm, preferably between 30 and 50 mm.

figures 1 and 2 show the rear area of the preforming station 11 in the conveying direction F Figures 4 and 5 show a rear view or a Perspective view of the exemplary embodiment of an upholstery product manufacturing device 1 according to the invention with a view of the preforming station 11, with a cover of the preforming station 11 not being shown so that the inner components can be seen. It is clear that during operation a cover extends over the entire area in the transverse direction Q and horizontal direction H over the preforming station 11 opposite the guide surface 21 of the preforming station 11 .

The lower guide surface 21 of the preforming station 11 forms the bottom of the preforming station 11 in the vertical direction V. The lower guide surface 21 extends in the transverse direction between a left side wall 23 and a right side wall 25. The side walls 23 and 25 lead like a funnel towards the entrance of the deformation station 13 . As described above, as the paper web 5 is transported through the cushioning product manufacturing apparatus 1, the longitudinal side edges of the paper web 5 are guided against the hopper inner walls 23-25 of the preforming station 11 to tuck the longitudinal edges of the paper web 5 in.

Folding in and possibly rolling up the longitudinal ends of the paper web is supported by the guide rods 27 and 29, respectively, which extend parallel to one of the inner walls 23 or 25 of the funnel. The guide rod 27 on the left in the conveying direction F ends in front of the right guide rod 29 in the conveying direction F. The distance between the right guide rod 29 and the deformation station 13 is therefore less than the distance between the left guide rod 27 and the deformation station 13. The longitudinal ends of the guide rods preferably widen conically .

A hold-down plate 28 is fastened to the underside of the two guide rods 27 and 29 along the front half of the guide rods 27, 29 in the conveying direction F. The hold-down plate extends over the full area between the guide rods 27 and 29 above and opposite the guide surface 21.

In the preforming station, the paper web 5 is guided below the hold-down plate 28 and above the guide surface 21 after it has entered the device 1 between the deflection rollers 18 and 19 of the control station 17 . The holding-down plate 28 has the central region of the preforming station 11 in a convexly projecting section in the conveying direction F, which ends several centimeters before the guide rods 27 and 29, in particular before their widened end section.

The lifting device 4 embodied as a wedge 41 , for example, is arranged between the rear end of the hold-down plate 28 in the conveying direction F and the deformation station 13 . The central area of the paper web 5 guided between the guide surface 21 and the hold-down plate 28 (cf figure 2 ) is guided during the production of the upholstery product in the conveying direction F against the lifting device 4, which then lifts the central area of the paper web. In order to avoid damage or even tearing and possible conveying jams, the wedge 41 leads continuously upwards from the guide surface 21 .

The lower base 43 of the wedge 41 is preferably in full-surface contact with the guide plate 21 . A guide wedge 41 is in detail in the Figures 6a, 6b, 6c and 6d pictured. As per the perspective view Figure 6d As can be seen, the wedge 41 has a variable cross-sectional area in the conveying direction F, the cross-sectional areas discussed here extending in a plane in the transverse direction Q and vertical direction V vertically on the guide surface 21 and/or the deformation plane D.

The wedge has an inclined ramp surface 42 which, with the flat guide surface 21, forms an angle α between preferably 130° and 160°, in particular 155°. As illustrated, the ramped surface 42 can be formed as a continuous, in particular straight, rising surface between the guide surface 21 and an upper end of the wedge 41 in the vertical direction V.

The highest point of the wedge 41 can preferably run as a saddle region 45 with a longitudinal extent in the horizontal direction, that is to say transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to the vertical direction V and also to the transverse direction Q. The length Ls of the saddle area 45 is preferably between 5 mm and 35 mm, in particular approximately 10 mm. The vertical height h _K of the wedge 41 is preferably between 25 mm and 45 mm, preferably about 35 mm. The wedge length L _K can preferably be between 80 mm and 120 mm and is particularly preferably about 100 mm.

The preferably largest transverse width b _K of the wedge 41 can preferably be between 10 mm and 60 mm, in particular between 25 mm and 45 mm, preferably about 35 mm. The wedge 41 can, for example, in its rear in the conveying direction F Section 47 have a maximum transverse width b _K of about 35 mm. In a front area in the conveying direction F, the wedge 41 can widen in the transverse direction Q like a wedge. The wedge 41 can have a front sweep section 46 with a sweep angle γ, the sweep angle γ preferably being at most 25°, in particular at most 15°. The angle of sweep γ can approach 0° and thus disappear.

The front view according to Figure 6b gives an idea of the cross-sectional area of the wedge 41 . Starting from the base 43, the cross-sectional area of the wedge 41 can taper upwards in the vertical direction V, for example with a taper angle β, which is preferably at most 45°, in particular approximately 35°. The taper angle β can also be implemented as vanishing, practically equal to 0°.

The distance a in the conveying direction F between the rear end in the conveying direction F or the rear side R of the wedge 41 and the axes A of the embossing rollers 31, 33 is preferably less than 200 mm. The distance a is preferably in the range between 30 mm and 170 mm.

The distance b in the conveying direction F between the end of the longer conveying rod 29 and the rear end of the wedge 41 in the conveying direction F is preferably less than 100 mm, in particular approximately 60 mm or less. It is preferred that, as shown, the rear end of the wedge in the conveying direction F lies behind the end of the guide rods 27 and 29, respectively. However, it is also conceivable that the rear side R of the wedge already ends in the conveying direction F in front of the guide rods 27, 29 (not shown in detail).

The conveyor rods 27, 29 are preferably arranged with their respective rod axis at a distance f of 25 mm to 45 mm, preferably parallel above the guide surface 21. In particular, the upper edge of the wedge 41 is arranged up to 10 mm above or up to 10 mm below the deformation plane D. The upper edge of the wedge 41 is preferably about 10 mm ± 5 mm above the deformation plane D.

The features disclosed in the above description, the figures and the claims can be important both individually and in any combination for the implementation of the invention in the various configurations

Reference List

1

Upholstery Product Manufacturing Apparatus

3

upholstery product

4

lifting device

5

paper web

7, 9

crumple cavities

8th

embossing profile

11

preform station

13

deformation station

15

rotary cutter

17

guide device

18, 19

pulleys

21

guide surface

23, 25

hopper inner wall

27, 29

guide rod

28

hold down plate

31, 33

embossing roller

31a

embossing gear

31b

side window

32, 34

recess

35

deformation area

37

inner canal

38, 39

canal wall

41

wedge

42

ramp area

43

Base

45

saddle area

46

arrow section

47

Section

A

axis

D

deformation plane

f

conveying direction

H

horizontal direction

L

longitudinal direction

Q

transverse direction

R

back

V

vertical direction

Claims (14)

1. Apparatus (1) for the production of a cushion product (3) from a single or multilayer continuous paper strip (5), comprising:

   a chute-like preforming station (11) for the compression, preferably folding or rolling, of the paper strip (5) in transverse direction (Q); and

   a deformation station (13) following up the preforming station (11) in the feed direction (F) of the paper strip (5) having two embossing rollers (31, 33) engaging into each other in a deformation area (35) in order to form the paper strip (5) to a cushion product (3) with at least one crumple hollow space (7, 9) extending in longitudinal direction (L), wherein the preforming station (13) has a lifting unit (4) and is positioned upstream in the feed direction (F) of the embossing rollers (31, 33) for lifting a central area of the paper strip (5), characterized in that the lifting unit (4) comprises a wedge (41) being formed in the feed direction (F) at least in sections sloping upwards.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the preforming station has a lower guiding surface (21) from which the lifting unit (4) causes a particularly harmonic and/or continuous upward sloping lifting of the paper strip (5) by at least 10 mm, at least 25 mm and/or 100 mm at the most, 45 mm at the most, preferably about 35 mm.
3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the lifting unit (4) is designed to lift the central area of the paper strip (5) at vertical height of the deformation area, wherein the embossing rollers (31, 33) have a pitch circle diameter (D₃₁, D₃₃) whose contact point defines a deformation plane (D).
4. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the lifting unit (4) lifts the central area of the paper strip up to at least the height of the deformation plane (D).
5. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the wedge (4) has a cross-sectional area in the transverse direction (Q) narrowing upwardly from a lower base (43) of the wedge in the vertical direction (V), wherein the wedge (41) has a saddle area (45) of constant height (h_S) at its rear, particularly highest, section in the feed direction.
6. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the wedge (41) has in the feed direction (F) a base (43) of a transverse width (b_K) measuring at least section-wise at least 10 mm, at least 25 mm and/or 100 mm at the most, 45 mm at the most, preferably about 35 mm, wherein particularly the base has at least in sections an increasing transverse width in the feed direction (F) and/or the base (43) has at least in sections a constant transverse width (b_K) in the feed direction (F).
7. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the preforming station comprises guiding members (27, 29) for supporting the folding and/or rolling of the paper strip (5) in the preforming station (11), particularly between lateral chute inner walls (23, 25) of the preforming station (11), wherein each guiding member (27, 29) runs parallel to each of one chute inner walls (23, 25),
   wherein particularly the guiding members (27, 29) are aligned in a preferably constant vertical distance to a lower guiding surface (21) of the preforming station.
8. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein a down-holder unit, like down-holding plate (28), for down-holding particularly the central area of the paper strip is arranged at the guiding members (27, 29) that are extending in the feed direction (F) at least in sections transversely between the guiding members (27, 29).
9. Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the lifting unit (4) lifts the central area of the paper strip (5) up to above the lower edge of the guiding members (27, 29) and/or of the down-holder unit (28), if applicable, wherein particularly the lifting unit (4) lifts the central area of the paper strip (5) at the most up to below the upper edge of the guiding members (27, 29).
10. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the distance (a) from the rotation axis (A) of one of the embossing rollers (31, 33) to the lifting unit (4) in the feed direction is at least as great as an embossing roller radius (D₃₁, D₃₃).
11. Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the distance (a) from the rotation axis (A) of one of the embossing rollers (31, 33) to the lifting unit (4) in the feed direction (F) is smaller or greater than a distance from the rotation axis (A) of one of the embossing rollers (31, 33) to the rear end of the guiding member (27, 29) in the feed direction.
12. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the deformation station (13) has an inner channel (37) for guiding the preformed paper strip (5), having channel walls (38, 39) with recesses (32, 34), each being protruded by an embossing roller (31, 33).
13. Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the lower guiding surface (21) of the deformation station (11) merges kink-free or with a transition edge in the inner channel (37).
14. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a guiding unit (17), like a sliding edge or a deflection roller (18, 19) being positioned upstream of the preforming station (11) in the paper feed direction (F) for the adjustment of the paper strip (5) for the preforming station (11).

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