CUSHIONING CONVERSION METHOD AND MACHINE

Description

[0001] This invention relates generally to a cushioning conversion system and, more particularly, to a transfer device and method for transferring a pad from a cushioning conversion machine along a path for ease of retrieval by an operator.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] In the process of shipping an item from one location to another, a protective packaging material is typically placed in the shipping case, or box, to fill any voids and/or to cushion the item during the shipping process. Some conventional protective packaging materials are plastic foam peanuts and plastic bubble pack. While these conventional plastic materials seem to perform adequately as cushioning products, they are not without disadvantages. Perhaps the most serious drawback of plastic bubble wrap and/or plastic foam peanuts is their effect on our environment. Quite simply, these plastic packaging materials are not biodegradable and thus they cannot avoid further multiplying our planet's already critical waste disposal problems. The non-biodegradability of these packaging materials has become increasingly important in light of many industries adopting more progressive policies in terms of environmental responsibility.

[0003] The foregoing and other disadvantages of conventional plastic packaging materials have made paper protective packaging material a very popular alternative. Paper is biodegradable, recyclable and renewable, making it an environmentally responsible choice for conscientious industries. Furthermore, paper protective dunnage material is particularly advantageous for use with particle-sensitive merchandise, as its clean, dust-free surface is resistant to electrostatic buildup.

[0004] While paper in sheet form could possibly be used as a protective packaging material, it is usually preferable to convert the sheets of paper into a pad-like or other relatively low density dunnage product. This conversion may be accomplished by a cushioning conversion machine, such as those disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Patent Nos. 4,968,291 and 5,123,889. The therein disclosed cushioning conversion machines convert sheet-like stock material, such as paper in multi-ply form, into a pad-like dunnage product having longitudinally extending pillow-like portions that are connected together along a stitched central portion of the product. The stock material preferably consists of two or three superimposed webs or layers of biodegradable, recyclable and reusable thirty-pound Kraft paper or the like rolled onto a hollow cylindrical tube. A thirty-inch wide roll of this paper, which is approximately 450 feet long, will weigh about 35 pounds and will provide cushioning equal to approximately four fifteen cubic foot bags of plastic foam peanuts while at the same time requiring less than one-thirtieth the storage space.

[0005] Specifically, these machines convert the stock material into a continuous strip having lateral pillow-like portions separated by a thin central band. This strip is connected or coined along the central band to form a coined strip which is severed or cut into sections of a desired length. The cut sections each include lateral pillow-like portions separated by a thin central band and provide an excellent relatively low density pad-like product which may be used in place of conventional plastic protective packaging material.

[0006] As shown in U.S. Patent Application Nos. 08/109,124 and 08/155,931, a cushioning conversion machine may be situated below the work platform of a dispensing table. In such an arrangement, the cushioning product, or pad, travels from the generally horizontal machine through an output chute where the pad is directed upwardly to emerge through an opening in the work platform. In this manner, the pad is deposited on the work platform during operation of the machine. Consequently, an operator can conveniently grab the pad and place it in a shipping box to fill any voids and/or to cushion an item in the shipping box.

[0007] While such a device works well for a number of pads or where sufficiently long pads are being produced, if only a small number of short pads are desired, these short pads may not fully emerge from the output chute and thus cannot be conveniently retrieved by the operator.

[0008] WO-A-97/03817 (prior art in sense of Article 54/3 EPC) describes a cushioning conversion system, comprising a cushioning conversion machine for converting stock material into a cushioning pad which emerges through a machine exit including
   a drive element adapted to convey the cushioning product along a path from the machine exit to a user accessible location.

[0009] WO-A-95/13914 also describes a cushioning conversion system for converting stock material into a cushioning pad which includes a pad-transferring assembly for transferring pads to a transitional zone.

[0010] It would be desirable to provide a cushioning conversion device where pads are automatically produced upon a pad being retrieved in a convenient manner.

Summary of the Invention

[0011] The invention is defined in the appended claims.

[0012] In accordance with one aspect of the invention a method of transferring a cushioning product from a cushioning conversion machine includes the steps of engaging a portion of the cushioning product at the machine exit and transferring the cushioning product along a path to an exit location, sensing the cushioning product reaching an exit location and in dependance on such sensing ceasing the movement of the cushioning product, and providing a signal to the cushioning conversion machine to produce a further cushioning product after the cushioning product at the exit location has been removed.

[0013] Embodiments of the present invention provide a powered output drive system which drives a pad from a machine exit portion to a user accessible location and then stops the movement of the pad to retain the pad in the user accessible location until it is removed by an operator. The presence or absence of a pad at the user accessible location is sensed and upon removal of a pad from the user accessible location, another pad is formed and transported to the user accessible location.

[0014] The foregoing and other features of the invention are hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the following description and the annexed drawings setting forth in detail a certain illustrative embodiment of the invention, this being indicative, however, of but one of the various ways in which the principles of the invention may be employed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] 

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a cushioning conversion machine and a curved output drive system for transferring a pad from the machine to a work platform in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a front elevational view of the cushioning conversion machine and output drive system of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged side view of the output drive system;

Figure 4 is an enlarged front view of the output drive system;

Figure 5 is an illustration of the output drive system depicting the direction of rotation of the drive rollers;

Figures 6A and 6B are illustrations of a pad being transferred through the output drive system;

Figure 7 is a top view of an alternate embodiment of a cushioning conversion machine including a linear output drive system;

Figure 8 is a side view of the cushioning conversion system of Figure 7; and

Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of the linear output drive system viewed generally along the line 9-9 in Figure 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] Referring now to the drawings in detail and initially to Figures 1 and 2, there is shown a cushioning conversion machine 10 for producing low density cushioning product with a curved output drive system 12 for transferring pads upwardly from the exit 14 of the machine to a work platform 16 of a dispensing table 18.

[0017] The machine 10 includes a frame 20 to which are mounted a supply assembly 22 at the upstream end 24 of the frame for supplying stock material to be converted into a cushioning product, a conversion assembly 26 for converting the stock material into a continuous strip of cushioning product and a severing or cutting assembly 28 located generally between the conversion assembly and output drive system 12 at the downstream end 30 of the machine 10 for severing the strip into cushioning pads of the desired length. (The terms "upstream" and "downstream" in this context are characteristic of the direction of flow of the stock material through the machine 10.)

[0018] The stock supply assembly 22 preferably includes a shaft 32 for supporting a roll of sheet-like stock material (not shown) and a number of rollers 34 for providing the stock material to the conversion assembly 26. The stock material may consist of three superimposed webs of biodegradable, recyclable and reusable thirty-pound Kraft paper or the like rolled onto a hollow cylindrical tube. The conversion assembly 26 includes a forming assembly 36, such as a cooperating three dimensional wire former 38 and converging chute 40 as is shown in Figure 1, and a feed assembly 42 including a pair of gears 44 for pulling the stock material through the forming assembly and feeding it through an outlet to the cutting assembly 28 and the curved output drive system 12. The severing or cutting assembly 28 may include one or more blades or other means acting to sever the continuous strip of padding at the appropriate times.

[0019] The machine frame 20 is supported on a cart 46 including a plurality of vertical support members or legs 48, each ending in a caster 50 to permit the machine 10 to be moved with relative ease. Preferably, the support members 48 include a fixed upper portion 52 and a telescoping lower portion 54 which moves in and out of the interior of the fixed portion to permit vertical adjustment of the machine 10 and output drive system 12 under the dispensing table 18 and accurate alignment between the exit 56 of the output drive system and the passage 58 through the work platform 16 of the dispensing table 18. Preferably the legs 60 of the dispensing table 18 are also adjustable to facilitate alignment with and more preferably a connection between the curved output drive system 12 and the dispensing table.

[0020] The output drive system 12, as discussed more fully below, forms the connection between the cushioning conversion machine 10 and the dispensing table 18 and includes a series of upper and lower rotating drive rollers 66, 67, respectively, spaced in an arc along a curved guide path 68 for engaging and transferring a pad from the machine exit 14 along the guide path and upwardly and through the passage 58 in the work platform 16 to present the formed and cut pad at or on the work platform. The upper and lower series of drive rollers 66, 67 are powered through a connection to a motor 70 and an assembly of gears 72.

[0021] During operation of the machine 10 and output drive system 12, the stock supply assembly 22 supplies the stock material to the forming assembly 36. The wire former 38 and converging conical chute 40 of the forming assembly 36 cause inward rolling of the lateral edges of the sheet-like stock material to form a continuous strip having lateral pillow-like portions. The gears 44 of the feed assembly 42 pull the stock material downstream through the machine and also coin the central band of the continuous strip to form the coined strip. As the coined strip travels downstream from the feed assembly 42 it passes through the cutting assembly 28 to the output drive system 12 where it is frictionally engaged on its opposed upper and lower surfaces by the rotating upper and lower series of drive rollers 66, 67 which transfer the pad along the guide in the direction of the work platform 16. Once a pad of the desired length has been cut by the cutting assembly 28, the series of drive rollers 66, 67 will continue to transfer the cut pad upwardly through the passage 58 in the work platform to deposit the formed and cut pad on the work platform for use as needed by the operator.

[0022] As shown in greater detail in Figures 3 through 5, the curved output drive system 12 includes a frame 80 having parallel side walls 82, 84 and a bottom wall 86. Extending perpendicular to and between the side walls 82 and 84 are a pair of curved guide walls 88, 90 defining the arcuate guide path 68 therebetween. Each guide wall 88 and 90 includes a number of openings 92 through which a circumferential portion of a drive roller protrudes into the guide path 68 to engage the surface of the pad. Each drive roller of the upper and lower series of drive rollers 66, 67 extends laterally for substantially the entire distance between the side walls 82 and 84 on a shaft 94 extending through each side wall and further includes a number of axially separated circumferential channels or grooves each serving to retain an elastomeric O-ring 93 for improving the ability of a drive roller to frictionally engage a pad. The shafts 94 are positioned and the rollers are sized so that an appropriate section of each drive roller protrudes through a corresponding opening 92 in the guide walls 88 and 90 to effectively engage and transfer a pad through the guide path 68. It should be understood that the distances between the outer peripheries of the opposed upper and lower series of drive roller 66, 67 are less than the thickness of the pad passing therebetween, thereby sufficiently compressing the pad to permit the transfer thereof. The shaft 94 of the first drive roller 96 in the lower series of drive rollers 67 extends through the side wall 82 to a clutch mechanism 98 for selectively coupling the first drive roller 96 with the motor 70. Rotational motion is transferred from the motor 70 mounted to the bottom wall 86 to the first drive roller 96 through a drive pulley 102 connected to the motor shaft 104 and a belt 106 extending between the drive pulley and a pulley 100 connected to the clutch mechanism 98. Consequently, when engaged the clutch mechanism 98 transfers rotational movement from the motor 70 to the first drive roller 96 through the shaft 94. When disengaged, the clutch mechanism conversely prevents the transfer of rotational movement from the motor 70 to the first drive roller 96.

[0023] Opposite the pulley 100, a pair of gears 108 and 110 are connected to the distal end of the shaft 94 of the first drive roller 96 extending through side wall 84. The shaft 94 of the second drive roller 114 of the lower series of drive rollers 67 extends through side wall 84 for connection to a gear 116 in communication with the gear 110 of the first drive roller 96 through a transfer gear 118 rotatably mounted on a shaft 120 extending from the side wall 84. Consequently, rotation of the first drive roller 96 causes rotation of the second drive roller 114 in the same direction through common connection with the transfer gear 118. Similarly, rotational motion is transferred from drive roller 114 to the next drive roller, drive roller 122, and so on for all of the drive rollers of the lower series 67.

[0024] Rotational motion is transferred to the upper series of drive rollers 66 by an enmeshed connection between the gear 108 associated with the first drive roller 96 of the lower series of drive rollers 67 and a gear 124 adapted to drive the first drive roller 132 of the upper series of rollers 66 through the shaft 94. Rotational motion is transferred to the second drive roller 138 though a transfer gear 126 rotatably mounted on a shaft 128 extending from the side wall 84 and enmeshed with the gear 125 of the drive roller 132 and gear 134 connected to drive roller 138 through an associated shaft 94. The drive roller 138 causes rotation of the drive roller 140 through the transfer gear 142 in the same manner. Since the gear 108 transfers rotation from the first drive roller 96 of the lower series of drive rollers 67 to the drive roller 136 of the upper series of drive rollers 66 directly through the gear 124 connected to the drive roller 136, the direction of rotation of the upper series of drive rollers 66 is opposite that of the lower series of drive rollers 67 (see directional arrows in Figure 5). Therefore, the upper and lower series of drive rollers 66, 67 will act cooperatively in urging a pad compressed therebetween in the same direction through the guide path 68, namely a direction away from the cushioning conversion machine to the dispensing table 18.

[0025] Operation of the curved output drive system 12 and assisted operation of the cushioning conversion machine 10 is accomplished through one or more sensors 146 and 148. Each of the sensors 146 and 148 may be conventional sensors for detecting the presence or absence of a pad adjacent the sensor. An example of a suitable sensor would be an optical sensor with a corresponding retro-reflector positioned at an opposite side of the path 68 from the optical sensor.

[0026] The sensor 146 is positioned near the exit portion 56 of the system 12 and senses the presence or absence of a pad at the exit portion 56. The output of the sensor 146 controls the clutch mechanism 98, preferably in combination with a timer or delay circuit (hereinafter the timer and sensor 146 are collectively referenced by the reference numeral 146), so that once a pad is sensed at the exit portion 56 by the sensor 146, transfer of the pad will continue for a short period of time, as controlled by the timer, sufficient to permit an adequate amount of pad to emerge from the passage 58 in the work platform 16 that an operator can easily access and remove the pad. Once such time has elapsed, the clutch mechanism 98 is disengaged, thereby discontinuing movement of the upper and lower series of drive rollers 66 and 67 and ceasing movement of the pad. The clutch mechanism 98 will remain disengaged until an operator removes the pad from the output drive system 12, and such removal is detected by the sensor 146. The output of the sensor 146 may also be provided to the machine 10 which can use the information to control production of pads such that when a pad is removed from the output drive system 12, as detected by the sensor 146, the machine will automatically produce another pad. The automatically produced pad will be conveyed by the output drive system 12 (as the clutch mechanism 98 is engaged since the sensor 146 is not blocked by a pad) to begin to emerge from the work platform 16 whereupon the sensor will detect the pad and the clutch mechanism 98 will be disengaged (after a short time period) and the machine will again wait for the partially emerged pad to be removed by an operator before producing another pad.

[0027] When the output of the sensor 146 is used by the machine 10 in controlling the automatic production of a pad as a pad is used by an operator, and especially when the pad length may be short, in relation to the length of the guide path 68, it is preferable to locate the sensor 148 midway between the machine exit 14 and the exit portion 56 of the output drive system 12 and to provide the output of the sensor 146 to the machine 10. As a pad progresses past the sensor 148, the sensor 148 detects the presence of the pad and reports the fact to the machine 10. The machine 10 examines the output of the sensor 148, when the sensor 146 has reported that a pad has been removed, to ensure that another pad is not already in the output drive system 12 before producing a further pad. The sensor 148 is also provided with a timer or delay circuit so that the timer 148 will continue to indicate the presence of another pad in the output drive system, even after the pad has progressed past the sensor 148 to give the pad adequate time to reach the sensor 146 located at the output. This ensures that the machine will not produce a pad when a short pad is in the output drive system, but located wholly within the "blindspot" between the sensors 146 and 148.

[0028] In some instances the motor 70 or clutch mechanism 98 may be controlled by a process controller or similar circuity in the cushioning conversion machine 10 to cause the upper and lower drive rollers 66 and 67 to operate either continuously or only while a pad is being produced and a short period thereafter adequate to transfer the pad to the dispensing table 18. The motor 70 or clutch mechanism 98 may also be controlled to pause movement of the drive rollers during a cutting operation by the cutting assembly 28. In an instance where pads are to be produced which may be of the same length or longer than the guide path 68, it is desirable that the process controller of the cushioning conversion machine cause the clutch mechanism 98 to remain engaged whenever the feed assembly 42 is operating.

[0029] As an example of the operation of the curved output drive system 12, attention is directed to the pad 150 shown in Figures 6A and 6B. Once the pad 150 leaves the machine exit 14 it enters the curved output drive system 12 at entry portion 152 and is compressed and engaged by opposed drive rollers 96 and 136 (see Figure 6A). The rotation of the drive rollers 96 and 136 causes the pad 150 to move through the guide path 68 in the direction of arrow 154 (see Figure 6B). Continued rotation of the drive rollers in the upper and lower series of drive rollers 66, 67 moves the pad 150 further along the curved guide path 68, past the sensor 148, and causing pad 150 to pass the sensor 146. For a short period of time after the sensor 146 has detected the pad 150, as determined by the timer associated with the sensor 146, the clutch mechanism 98 will remain engaged to further drive the pad 150 to emerge from the exit port 156 for a distance sufficient to allow an operator to grasp the pad and remove it, when needed, from the output drive system 12. After that short duration, the clutch is disengaged and the pad 150 remains partially emerged from the output drive system 12 and the work platform 16 of the dispensing table 18 to present the pad to the operator at the work platform (Figure 1).

[0030] Although the invention has been described with respect to a machine positioned beneath a work table and a curved output conveyor, the invention may be embodied in machines positioned in other manners with other output drive conveyors, for example as is embodied in the cushioning conversion machine 170 shown in Figures 7 through 9. The cushioning conversion machine 170 is configured with similar components to affect the production of a pad as described above relative to the cushioning conversion machine 10, for example, a conversion assembly and a severing assembly (not shown).

[0031] Attached to the cushioning conversion machine 170 at the downstream or exit end 172 of the cushioning conversion machine is a linear output drive system 174 for conveying pads 175 away from the machine exit and the severing assembly. The linear output drive system 174 transfers a pad 175 from the machine exit 172 to a user accessible location convenient for retrieval by an operator and preferably presents the pad in a manner where retrieval is facilitated, such as with an adequate portion of the pad protruding from the exit 176 of the output drive system that the operator can readily grasp the pad and pull it from the output drive system (Figure 9). The linear output drive system 174 is mounted near the machine exit 172 to accept a pad and may be supported through a support bar 177 mounted to the output drive system and a stand 179 positioning the cushioning conversion machine 170 in the desired orientation.

[0032] The linear output drive system 174 is preferably at least as long as the pad 175 to be produced or longer, but may be of any length wherein the pad can be pulled from the machine exit, severed and remain in the output drive system for retrieval by an operator. The linear output drive system 174 preferably includes a bottom tray portion 178 and an opposed top portion 180 housing a conveyor 182, such as a continuous belt, although a series of drive rollers may also be employed. The conveyor 182 is spaced from the bottom tray 178 creating a channel 184 through which the pad 175 can be conveyed. The distance between the conveyor 182 and the bottom tray 178 is preferably slightly less than the thickness of the pad 175 so that the pad is gently compressed between the bottom plate and the conveyor and the conveyor frictionally engages the pad to urge it away from the machine exit 172 and toward the exit 176 of the output drive system. A conveyor belt is employed having a coefficient of friction compatible with the application to permit the conveyor belt to frictionally engage the pad 175 while allowing for slippage between the pad and the conveyor without damage to the pad during the pad formation process prior to the pad being severed.

[0033] The conveyor 182 may be upturned confronting the cushioning conversion machine exit 172 to create a divergent portion to facilitate entry of the pad 175 into the channel 184 or the channel and output drive system can be sized and oriented to accept the pad through other means. The conveyor 182 is driven by a motor 186 and a series of rollers 188. The motor 186 may operate on demand as controlled by the controller 192 with a direct connection to the conveyor 182, or a clutch assembly may be employed wherein the motor would operate continuously with the movement of the conveyor controlled through selective activation of the clutch assembly.

[0034] The linear output drive system 174 additionally includes a sensor 190 positioned adjacent the exit 176 of the output drive system to detect the presence or absence of a pad 175 at the exit 176. The sensor 190 is preferably an optical sensor with a corresponding retro-reflector positioned on the opposite transverse side of the channel 184 from the optical sensor 190. The sensor 190 provides a signal to the cushioning conversion machine 170 to affect control of the cushioning conversion operation and operation of the output drive system 174. Preferably, such control is accomplished through a controller, schematically illustrated in Figure 7 at 192, which coordinates inputs from various sensors, such as the pad detection sensor 190, as well as other machine status inputs and controls operation of the machine 170 and the output drive system 174 in accordance therewith.

[0035] In operation, when there is no pad 175 at the user accessible exit 176, the controller 192 will be informed of the absence of the pad by a signal received from the pad sensor 190. Based on other predefined or operator selected inputs, the controller 192 will operate the cushioning conversion assemblies therein to produce a pad 175 of the desired length and will simultaneously instruct the motor 186 of the output drive system 174 to begin movement of the conveyor 182. As a pad 175 is formed and emerges from the cushioning conversion machine 170 at the machine exit 172 it enters the channel 184 formed between the bottom tray 178 and the conveyor 182 of the output drive system 174 and is engaged by the conveyor 182 to be urged towards the exit 176 of the output drive system.

[0036] Once the pad 175 is severed and further progresses through the channel 184 by its frictional engagement with the conveyor 182, the presence of the pad 175 will be detected by the pad sensor 190 and an indication of the presence of the pad at the user accessible exit 176 will be communicated to the controller 192. After a delay sufficient for an adequate portion of the pad 175 to progress pass the exit 176 of the output drive system 174, the controller 192 will cause the conveyor 182 to stop, such as by stopping the motor 186 or by disengaging a clutch mechanism between the motor and the conveyor. The delay may be incorporated in the controller 192 or alternatively the sensor 190 may be provided with a delay timer so that there is a slight delay between sensing the presence of the pad 175 at the output 176 and instructing the controller 192 of the detection of the pad.

[0037] Preferably, the controller 192 controls the cushioning conversion assemblies of the cushioning conversion machine 170 to produce a single pad and then stops the cushioning conversion assembly after the pad 175 has been severed by the cutting assembly. Once the operator removes a pad 175 from the exit 176 of the output drive system 174 the sensor 190 will indicate the removal and thus absence of the pad from the channel 184 and communicate the absence of the pad to the controller 192 which can than automatically cause the conveyor 182 to begin moving and the cushioning conversion assemblies of the cushioning conversion machine 172 to produce another pad and to present that pad at the exit 176 of the output drive system 174 to await removal by the operator.

[0038] In this manner, single pads may be automatically produced and presented at the user accessible exit 176 of the output drive system 174 each time an operator removes a pad 175 from the exit 176, thereby presenting a continuous supply of pads on demand by the operator.

[0039] While the description of the operation of the cushioning conversion machine 170 is provided above with control accomplished through a controller 192, which can be a controller such as disclosed in copending Ranpak Application Serial Nos. 08/279,149 and 08/482,015, the functioning of the controller 192 may be accomplished through dedicated circuits and logic arrays in a similar manner.

[0040] Although the invention has been shown and described with respect to certain preferred embodiments, it is obvious that equivalent alterations and modifications will occur to others skilled in the art upon the reading and understanding of this specification. The present invention includes all such equivalent alterations and modifications, and is limited only by the scope of the following claims. Furthermore, the corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or acts for performing the functions in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed.

Claims

1. A method of transferring a cushioning product (150;175) from a cushioning conversion machine (10;170), characterised by the steps of:

engaging a portion of the cushioning product (150;175) at a machine exit (14;172) and transferring the cushioning product (150;175) along a path (68;184) to an exit location (56;176);

sensing the cushioning product (150,175) reaching the exit location (56;176) and in dependance on such sensing ceasing the movement of the cushioning product (150;175); and

providing a signal to the cushioning conversion machine (10;170) to produce another cushioning product (150;175) after the cushioning product at the exit location (56;176) has been removed.

2. A method as set forth in the preceding claim wherein the movement of the cushioning product (150;175) is ceased after a delay adequate for the cushioning product to continue its progress past the exit location (56;176) to partially emerge from the path (68;184) adequately to be grasped for removal by an operator.

3. A method as set forth in the preceding two claims further comprising the step of sensing the intermediate progress of the cushioning product (150) through the path (68) and providing a signal to the cushioning conversion machine (10) indicative of whether a cushioning product (150) is in an intermediate location in the path (68) and wherein the step of providing the signal to the cushioning conversion machine (10) to produce another cushioning product (150) occurs only when it has been sensed that a cushioning product (150) has been removed from the exit location (56) and that there is no further cushioning product (150) in the intermediate location along the path (68).

4. A cushioning conversion system, comprising a cushioning conversion machine (10;170) for converting stock material into a cushioning pad (150;175) which emerges through a machine exit (14;172),
   including a drive element (12;174) adapted to convey the cushioning product (150;175) along a path (68;184) from the machine exit (14;172) to a user accessible location (56;176);
   characterised by
   a pad sensor (146;190) for sensing the presence of the cushioning pad (150;175) at the user accessible location (56;176);
   a controller (99;192) for controlling the cushioning conversion machine (10;170) to produce another cushioning pad (150;175) when the sensor (146;190) senses the absence of the previously produced cushioning pad (150;175) at the user accessible location and for controlling the movement of the drive element (66,67;182) to convey the just produced cushioning pad (150;175) from the machine exit (14;172) to the user accessible location and then to cease movement of the drive element (66,67;182).

5. A cushioning conversion system as set forth in the preceding claim wherein the path (68;184) is either linear or curved.

6. A cushioning conversion system as set forth in either of the two preceding claims, wherein the user accessible location includes an exit portion (56;176) and wherein the controller (99;192) is operable to cause the drive element (12;174) to convey at least part of the cushioning pad (150;175) past the exit portion so as to partially emerge from the exit portion whereby the cushioning pad may be grasped for removal by an operator.

7. A cushioning conversion system as set forth in the preceding claim wherein the exit portion (56) is aligned with a passage (58) in a table (18) for the dispensing of pads (150) from the cushioning conversion machine (10) through the exit portion for presentation to an operator at a top surface (16) of the table (18).

8. A cushioning conversion system as set forth in any of the four preceding claims wherein the drive element (12) includes a series of drive elements (66;67) arranged along the path (68) to transfer the cushioning pad (150) from the machine exit (14) to the user accessible location.

Ansprüche

1. Ein Verfahren zum Weiterleiten eines Polsterproduktes (150, 175) von einer Polsterumformungsmaschine (10, 170), gekennzeichnet durch die Schritte:

Ergreifen eines Teils des Polsterproduktes (150, 175) an einem Maschinenaustritt (14, 172) und Weiterleiten des Polsterproduktes (150, 175) entlang eines Pfades (68, 184) zu einer Austrittsposition (56, 176);

Detektieren des Polsterproduktes (150, 175) das die Austrittsposition (56, 176) erreicht hat und Anhalten der Bewegung des Polsterproduktes (150, 175) in Abhängigkeit solch eines Detektierens; und

Bereitstellen eines Signals an die Polsterumformungsmaschine (10, 170) um ein anderes Polsterprodukt (150, 175) zu produzieren, nachdem das Polsterprodukt bei der Austrittsposition (56, 176) entfernt wurde.

2. Ein Verfahren nach dem vorherigen Anspruch, wobei die Bewegung des Polsterproduktes (150, 175) nach einer Verzögerung angehalten wird, die für das Polsterprodukt ausreichend ist, seinen Fortschritt bis nach der Austrittsposition (56, 176) fortzusetzen, um teilweise aus dem Pfad (68, 184) auszutreten, ausreichend, um von einem Bediener zur Entnahme gegriffen zu werden.

3. Ein Verfahren nach einem der vorherigen zwei Ansprüche, weiterhin aufweisend den Schritt einen Zwischenfortschritt des Polsterproduktes (150) durch den Pfad (68) zu detektieren und ein Signal für die Polsterumformungsmaschine (10) bereitzustellen, welches anzeigt, ob ein Polsterprodukt (150) sich in einer Zwischenposition in dem Pfad (68) befindet, und wobei der Schritt ein Signal für die Polsterumformungsmaschine (10) bereitzustellen, um ein anderes Polsterprodukt (150) zu produzieren, nur dann auftritt, wenn detektiert wurde, dass ein Polsterprodukt (150) aus der Austrittsposition (56) entnommen wurde und dass sich kein weiteres Polsterprodukt (150) in der Zwischenposition entlang des Pfades (68) befindet.

4. Ein Polsterumformungssystem umfassend eine Polsterumformungsmaschine (10, 170) zur Umformung von Ausgangsmaterial in ein Polsterkissen (150, 175), das durch einen Maschinenaustritt (14, 172) austritt,
   umfassend ein Antriebselement (12, 174), das geeignet ist, das Polsterprodukt (150, 175) entlang eines Pfades (68, 184) von dem Maschinenaustritt (14, 172) zu cincr vom Benutzer erreichbaren Position (56, 176) zu befördern; gekennzeichnet durch
   einen Kissensensor (146, 190) zum Detektieren des Vorhandenseins eines Polsterkissens (150, 175) an der vom Benutzer erreichbaren Position (56, 176);
   eine Steuerung (99, 192) zur Steuerung der Polsterumformungsmaschine (10, 170) um ein weiteres Polsterkissen (150, 175) zu produzieren, wenn der Sensor (146, 190) die Abwesenheit des vorher produzierten Polsterkissens (150, 175) an der vom Benutzer erreichbaren Position detektiert, und zur Steuerung der Bewegung des Antriebselements (66, 67, 182), um das gerade produzierte Polsterkissen (150, 175) vom Maschinenaustritt (14, 172) an die vom Benutzer erreichbare Position zu befördern und dann die Bewegung des Antriebselements (66, 67, 182) einzustellen.

5. Ein Polsterumformungssystem nach dem vorherigen Anspruch, wobei der Pfad (68, 184) entweder linear oder gebogen ist.

6. Ein Polsterumformungssystem nach einem der beiden vorherigen Ansprüche, wobei die vom Benutzer erreichbare Position einen Austrittsbereich (56, 176) umfasst, und wobei die Steuerung (99, 192) betriebsbereit ist, das Antriebselement (12, 174) zu veranlassen, zumindest ein Teil des Polsterkissens (150, 175) über den Austrittsbereich hinaus zu befördern, um dann tcilweise aus dem Austrittsbereich heraus zu ragen, wodurch das Polsterkissen von einem Bediener zur Entnahme gegriffen werden kann.

7. Ein Polsterumformungssystem nach dem vorherigen Anspruch, wobei der Austrittsbereich (56) mit einem Durchgang (58) in einem Tisch (18) ausgerichtet ist, zur Ausgabe der Kissen (150) von der Polsterumformungsmaschine (10) durch den Austrittsbereich, um es einem Bediener an der Oberfläche (16) des Tisches (18) bereitzustellen.

8. Ein Polsterumformungssystem nach einem der vorherigen vier Ansprüche, wobei das Antriebselement (12) eine Reihe von Antriebselementen (66, 67) umfasst, die entlang eines Pfades (68) angeordnet sind, um das Polsterkissen (150) vom Maschinenaustritt (14) zu der vom Benutzer erreichbaren Position weiterzuleiten.

Revendications

1. Procédé de transfert d'un produit de rembourrage (150 ; 175) depuis une machine (10 ; 170) de conversion pour rembourrage, caractérisé par les étapes dans lesquelles :

on engage une partie du produit de rembourrage (150 ; 175) à une sortie de machine (14 ; 172) et on transfère le produit de rembourrage (150 ; 175) suivant un chemin (68 ; 184) jusqu'à un emplacement de sortie (56 ; 176) ;

on détecte l'arrivée du produit de rembourrage (150 ; 175) à l'emplacement de sortie (56 ; 176) et, en fonction de cette détection, on arrête le mouvement du produit de rembourrage (150 ; 175) ; et

on fournit un signal à la machine (10 ; 170) de conversion pour rembourrage afin de produire un autre produit de rembourrage (150 ; 175) après que le produit de rembourrage situé à l'emplacement de sortie (56 ; 176) a été enlevé.

2. Procédé selon la revendication précédente, dans lequel le mouvement du produit de rembourrage (150 ; 175) est arrêté après une temporisation appropriée pour que le produit de rembourrage continue sa progression au-delà de l'emplacement de sortie (56 ; 176) afin qu'il émerge partiellement du chemin (68 ; 184) de façon appropriée pour être saisi par un opérateur pour être enlevé.

3. Procédé selon les deux revendications précédentes, comprenant en outre l'étape consistant à détecter la progression intermédiaire du produit de rembourrage (150) le long du chemin (68) et à fournir un signal à la machine (10) de conversion pour rembourrage indiquant si un produit de rembourrage (150) est dans un emplacement intermédiaire dans le chemin (68), et dans lequel l'étape de fourniture du signal à la machine (10) de conversion pour rembourrage pour produire un autre produit de rembourrage (150) n'a lieu que lorsqu'il a été détecté qu'un produit de rembourrage (150) a été enlevé de l'emplacement de sortie (56) et qu'il n'y a pas d'autre produit de rembourrage (150) dans l'emplacement intermédiaire le long du chemin (68).

4. Système de conversion pour rembourrage, comportant une machine (10 ; 170) de conversion pour rembourrage destinée à convertir une matière de stock en un matelas de rembourrage (150 ; 175) qui émerge à travers une sortie (14 ; 172) de la machine,
   comprenant un élément d'entraînement (12 ; 174) conçu pour transporter le produit de rembourrage (150 ; 175) le long d'un chemin (68 ; 184) depuis la sortie de la machine (14 ; 172) jusqu'à un emplacement (56 ; 176) accessible à un utilisateur ;
   caractérisé par
   un détecteur (146 ; 190) de matelas destiné à détecter la présence du matelas de rembourrage (150 ; 175) à l'emplacement (56 ; 176) accessible à l'utilisateur ;
   un dispositif de commande (99 ; 192) destiné à commander la machine (10 ; 170) de conversion pour rembourrage afin de produire un autre matelas de rembourrage (150 ; 175) lorsque le détecteur (146 ; 190) détecte l'absence du matelas de rembourrage (150 ; 175) produit précédemment à l'emplacement accessible à l'utilisateur, et à commander le mouvement de l'élément d'entraînement (66, 67 ; 182) pour transporter le matelas de rembourrage (150 ; 175), venant d'être produit, depuis la sortie (14 ; 172) de la machine jusqu'à l'emplacement accessible à l'utilisateur, puis arrêter le mouvement de l'élément d'entraînement (66, 67 ; 182).

5. Système de conversion pour rembourrage selon la revendication précédente, dans lequel le chemin (68 ; 184) est linéaire ou incurvé.

6. Système de conversion pour rembourrage selon l'une des deux revendications précédentes, dans lequel l'emplacement accessible à l'utilisateur comprend une partie de sortie (56 ; 176) et dans lequel le dispositif de commande (99 ; 192) peut fonctionner de façon à amener l'élément d'entraînement (12 ; 174) à transporter au moins une partie du matelas de rembourrage (150 ; 175) au-delà de la partie de sortie afin qu'elle émerge partiellement de la partie de sortie, grâce à quoi le matelas de rembourrage peut être saisi pour être enlevé par un opérateur.

7. Système de conversion pour rembourrage selon la revendication précédente, dans lequel la partie de sortie (56) est alignée avec un passage (58) dans une table (18) pour la distribution de matelas (150) depuis la machine (10) de conversion pour rembourrage à travers la partie de sortie pour une présentation à un opérateur sur une surface supérieure (16) de la table (18).

8. Système de conversion pour rembourrage selon l'une quelconque des quatre revendications précédentes, dans lequel l'élément d'entraînement (12) comprend une série d'éléments d'entraînement (66 ; 67) agencés le long du chemin (68) pour transférer le matelas de rembourrage (150) depuis la sortie (14) de la machine vers l'emplacement accessible à l'utilisateur.

Drawing