Device for providing consumable materials

Abstract

The invention relates to a device ( 20 ) for providing consumable material ( 24 ) for a packaging machine ( 30 ). The device ( 20 ) comprises a magazine ( 22 ) for the consumable material ( 24 ). The consumable material ( 24 ) for the ongoing operation is removed from the magazine ( 22 ) and fed via a feed device ( 26 ) to the packaging machine ( 30 ). The device ( 20 ) comprises a detection device ( 40 ) for determining an actual quantity (Va) of consumable material ( 24 ) in the magazine ( 22 ). The invention further relates to a method ( 20 ) for providing consumable material ( 24 ) for a packaging machine ( 30 ). The consumable material ( 24 ) is provided as bulk material in a magazine ( 22 ) and is removed from said magazine ( 22 ) by means of at least one conveyor device ( 26 ) and fed to the packaging machine ( 30 ). The magazine ( 22 ) can accommodate a defined maximum quantity (Vmax) of consumable material ( 24 ). According to the invention, an actual quantity (Va) of consumable material ( 24 ) in the magazine ( 22 ) is detected by a detection device ( 40 ) coupled to the magazine ( 22 ).

We claim: 
     
         1 . A device ( 20 ) for providing consumable material ( 24 ) for a packaging machine ( 30 ) wherein the device ( 20 ) comprises: a magazine ( 22 ) for the consumable material ( 24 ), from which magazine the consumable material ( 24 ) for the ongoing operation is removable and feedable to the packaging machine ( 30 ) via a feed device ( 26 ), characterized in that the device ( 20 ) comprises a detection device ( 40 ) for determining an actual quantity (Va) of consumable material ( 24 ) in the magazine ( 22 ). 
     
     
         2 . The device ( 20 ) as recited in  claim 1  wherein the detection device ( 40 ) is a unit ( 41 ) for determining an absolute mass or an actual mass (Va). 
     
     
         3 . The device ( 20 ) as recited in  claim 2  wherein the detection device ( 40 ) is coupled to a display unit or control unit ( 42 ). 
     
     
         4 . The device as recited in  claim 3  wherein the actual quantity (Va, Na) of consumable material ( 24 ) in the magazine ( 22 ) is displayable by means of the display unit or control unit ( 42 ). 
     
     
         5 . The device ( 20 ) as recited in  claim 4  wherein the display unit or control unit ( 42 ) comprises a warning function by means of which a first warning signal ( 51 ) can be produced on the actual quantity (Va) of consumable material ( 24 ) in the magazine ( 22 ) falls below a predefined minimum quantity (Vmin). 
     
     
         6 . The device ( 20 ) as recited in  claim 5  wherein by means of the display unit or control unit ( 42 ), a residual quantity (Vr) of consumable material ( 24 ) can be determined from a known target quantity (Vt) and a total amount of filling quantities (Vi). 
     
     
         7 . The device ( 20 ) as recited in  claim 6  wherein the magazine ( 22 ) is arranged on the unit ( 41 ) for determining a mass or wherein the unit ( 41 ) for determining a mass is integrated into the base section of the magazine ( 22 ) or wherein the unit ( 41 ) for determining a mass is arranged upstream of the magazine ( 22 ). 
     
     
         8 . The device as recited in  claim 7  wherein a display panel ( 43 ) of the display unit or control unit ( 42 ) is stationarily arranged at the device ( 20 ) or wherein the display unit or control unit ( 42 ) comprises at least one mobile display panel ( 43 ), which is wirelessly controllable by the display unit or control unit ( 42 ) and which displays the determined or calculated values. 
     
     
         9 . A method for providing consumable material ( 24 ) for a packaging machine ( 40 ) by a device according to  claim 1 , wherein the consumable material is provided as bulk material in a magazine ( 22 ) and is removed from the magazine ( 22 ) by means of at least one conveyor device ( 26 ) and fed to the packaging machine ( 30 ) wherein the magazine ( 22 ) can accommodate a defined maximum quantity (Vmax) of consumable material ( 24 ), the method comprising:
 detecting an actual quantity (Va) of consumable material ( 24 ) in the magazine ( 22 ) by a detection device ( 40 ) coupled to the magazine ( 22 ).   
     
     
         10 . The method as recited in  claim 9 , further comprising transmitting the actual quantity (Va), which is detected by the detection device ( 40 ), to a display unit or control unit ( 42 ) or wherein the display unit or control unit ( 42 ) calculates and displays a residual quantity (Vr) of consumable material ( 24 ) required for an ongoing production. 
     
     
         11 . The method as recited in  claim 10  wherein the display unit or control unit ( 42 ) produces a first warning signal ( 51 ) on the actual quantity (Va) of consumable material ( 24 ) in the magazine ( 22 ) reaching or falling below a defined minimum quantity (Vmin). 
     
     
         12 . The method as recited in  claim 10  wherein the display unit or control unit ( 42 ) calculates a filling quantity (Vi) of consumable material ( 24 ) from the calculated residual quantity (Vr), which corresponds to either the maximum quantity (Vmax) of consumable material ( 24 ) or to a partial quantity (Vp). 
     
     
         13 . The method as recited in  claim 12  wherein the display unit or control unit ( 42 ) displays the quantity of consumable material (Vp, Vmax) that has to be filled into the magazine ( 22 ). 
     
     
         14 . The method as recited in  claim 13  wherein the display unit or control unit ( 42 ) produces a second warning signal (S 2 ) when the magazine ( 22 ) contains the calculated quantity (Vp, Vmax) of consumable material ( 24 ). 
     
     
         15 . The method as recited in  claim 12  wherein the display unit or control unit ( 42 ) controls a filling device ( 44 ), which fills consumable material ( 24 ) into the magazine ( 22 ), and wherein the display unit or control unit ( 42 ) stops the filling process when the magazine ( 22 ) contains the calculated quantity (Vp, Vmax) of consumable material ( 24 ).