Appartus for cutting gas-filled filling bodies to size, and assembly for producing strings of gas-filled filling bodies

Abstract

An apparatus for cutting gas-filled filling bodies ( 12 ) to size, wherein the filling bodies are fed to the apparatus in the form of a string of successive gas-filled filling bodies that are connected by flat connecting sections ( 13 ); wherein a cutting device ( 11 ) having a cutting element ( 15 ) is provided for cutting the gas-filled filling bodies ( 12 ) in the connecting section ( 13 ) between two filling bodies; wherein at least one catch ( 21 ) is provided that is preferably arranged on a wheel ( 20 ) and has an engagement area ( 21 a ) for receiving a filling body ( 12 ); wherein the catch ( 21 ), together with the filling body ( 12 ) is movably arranged and configured such that the filling body ( 12 ) situated in the catch ( 21 ) is centered. A counter ( 23, 24 ) is provided for receiving a number of filling bodies ( 12 ) moved across a reference point. An evaluation and control unit is provided for receiving data of the counter ( 23, 24 ) and for triggering the cutting process. The apparatus can have an assembly for producing gas-filled strings of filling bodies ( 12 ) and can be used to produce filling body string sections having an individual number of filling body pads, wherein the necessary number of pads is calculated from the data of an inventory control system or determined by sensors.

1 .- 15 . (canceled) 
   
   
       16 . An apparatus for cutting a string of gas-filled filling bodies to size, comprising:
 a cutting device having a cutting element for cutting a flat connecting section between two filling bodies;   at least one movable catch having an engagement area to receive a gas-filled filling body and to center the filling body;   a counter constructed to count a number of filling bodies passing a reference point; and   an evaluation and control unit receiving the number counted by the counter and causing the cutting device to cut the connecting section, when the number exceeds a predefined count.   
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the cutting device includes a positioning device including a fixation element to keep the connecting section between the two filling bodies in place by applying a force on the connecting section as the cutting device cuts the connecting section. 
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , further comprising a central wheel having a center, said catch including two arms arranged on the central wheel in radial spaced-apart relationship from the center of the central wheel and directed axially outwards. 
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the two arms are arranged in relation to each other such that the filling body is centered between the two arms. 
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the two arms have outer end faces in the shape of a trapezoid. 
   
   
       21 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein a space between the two arms depends on a bulge of the filling body so as to center the filling body between the arms without damage to the filling body. 
   
   
       22 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the two arms are radially adjustable with respect to the center of the central wheel. 
   
   
       23 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the catch includes a conveying trough formed by a chain and a band. 
   
   
       24 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the counter includes an optical sensor. 
   
   
       25 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein the optical sensor is arranged at the reference point. 
   
   
       26 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein the optical sensor is structured to scan slots arranged at the central wheel. 
   
   
       27 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the cutting element has a jagged cutting area. 
   
   
       28 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein at least one of the catch and the central wheel is stopped when the cutting element cuts the connecting section. 
   
   
       29 . An assembly for producing a string of gas-filled filling bodies having a predefined number of pads, said assembly comprising:
 a storage roll receiving prefabricated plastic film material having transversal welding seams with respect to a transport direction of the plastic film material, thereby dividing the plastic film material into individual pockets and forming flat connecting sections between the pockets;   a filling device for inflating the pockets by introducing a gas through a fill opening of each of the pockets, with the fill opening being sealed after inflation of the pocket for producing a string of filling bodies;   a temporary storage facility arranged downstream of the filling device to temporarily store a predefined quantity of the string of filling bodies;   a cutting device withdrawing the string of filling bodies from the storage facility and cutting a respective one of the connecting sections after a predefined number of filling bodies has passed by to produce string sections of filling bodies; and   a delivery device to output the string sections of filling bodies.   
   
   
       30 . The assembly of  claim 29 , wherein the gas is air. 
   
   
       31 . The assembly of  claim 29 , further comprising a computer-aided inventory control system; and a control unit configured to
 to receive from the computer-aided inventory control system data about a volume to be packaged in a packaging container;   to calculate based on the data, a remaining empty volume in the packaging container,   to estimate based on the remaining empty volume, a required number of filling body pads; and   to initiate based on the estimated required number of filling body pads, the production of at least one string of filling bodies having the estimated total number of filling body pads.   
   
   
       32 . The assembly of  claim 31 , further comprising a sensor arrangement measuring the remaining empty volume in the packaging container and sending a signal representative of the remaining empty volume to the control unit, wherein the control unit estimates the required number of the filling body pads from the signal of the sensor arrangement and the volume of the packaging container; and initiates production of the at least one string of filling bodies having the estimated required number of the filling body pads. 
   
   
       33 . Apparatus for controlled advance of gas-filled filing bodies, comprising at least one catch having an engagement area to receive a filling body, wherein the catch, together with the filling body, is movably arranged and configured such that the catch engages a connecting section between neighboring filling bodies and conforms to a contour of the filling bodies such as to exert a thrust force onto a string of the filling bodies. 
   
   
       34 . The apparatus of  claim 33 , wherein the at least one carrier is configured as a brush.