Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090075800 | Sheet-Fed Dunnage Apparatus - The preferred embodiment of a dunnage apparatus includes a crumpling device configured for crumpling sheets of paper to produce low-density packaging dunnage. A paper feeder is provided to feed feeding sheets of paper into the crumpling device for crumpling. | 03-19-2009 |
20090094939 | INFLATION AND SEALING DEVICE WITH DISENGAGEMENT MECHANISM - A device for inflating and sealing an inflatable structure, such as inflatable cushions is disclosed. The device includes an inflation assembly configured for inflating a cushion cavity of a film material with a fluid such as air and a sealing assembly comprising first and second assembly portions configured for receiving and sealing overlapping portions of the film. A disengagement mechanism is associated with the first and second assembly portions for moving the first assembly portion relative to the second assembly portion for reversibly disengaging the portions for releasing the pressure therebetween. | 04-16-2009 |
20090302085 | AUTOMATED AIR PILLOW DISPENSER - A packaging material handling device is disclosed. The device includes a first pair of traction members configured for cooperatively engaging a chain of pre-inflated pillows from opposite sides thereof and being operable for driving the chain in the flow direction. The device further includes a second pair of traction members configured for cooperatively engaging the chain from opposite sides thereof. The second pair of traction members are spaced apart from the first pair of traction members along a flow direction and are operable for driving the chain in the flow direction. The first and second pairs of traction members are operable for holding the first and second portions of the chain during a breaking operation. The device further includes a breaking member disposed between the first and second pairs of traction members and movable against the chain across the flow direction in the breaking operation to break the chain for detaching the first portion from the second portion. | 12-10-2009 |
20100024961 | INFLATION AND SEALING DEVICE WITH ROTARY CUTTER - An inflatable-cushion inflation and sealing device is disclosed. The device includes an inflation assembly configured for inflating with a fluid a cushion cavity disposed between first and second layers of film. The inflation assembly includes a fluid conduit configured for longitudinal reception between first and second overlapping portions of an inflation channel adjacent to and in fluid communication with the cushion cavity. The device further includes a cutting element disposed proximate the fluid conduit and configured and | 02-04-2010 |
20110052875 | CRUMPLING MECHANISM FOR CREATING DUNNAGE - A dunnage crumpling apparatus is provided having first and second entry-side crumpling members and first and second exit-side crumpling members. The first and second entry-side crumpling members define an entry therebetween. The first and second exit-side crumpling members define an exit therebetween that is disposed along the longitudinal path downstream of the entry. A crumpling zone being defined between the entry and exit. The first entry-side crumpling member is configured for moving at an first rate and is associated with the second entry-side crumpling member for moving sheet material through the entry in a first direction along a longitudinal path at an entry rate. The first exit-side crumpling member is configured for moving at an second rate and is associated with the second exit-side crumpling member for moving the sheet material through the exit in the first direction along the path at a exit rate that is slower than the entry rate to crumple the sheet material for producing dunnage. The entry and exit-side crumpling members are displaced laterally along the path with respect to each other to cause shearing of the sheet within the crumpling zone. | 03-03-2011 |
20110053742 | VARIABLE DUNNAGE ACCUMULATOR - A dunnage handler for controlling the outfeed of dunnage from a dunnage machine is disclosed and can include a dunnage accumulator with first and second holding portions configured and associated with each other to define a dunnage accumulation space therebetween and for receiving and removably retaining the dunnage in the accumulation space from a dunnage machine and an articulation associating the first and second holding portions such that the holding portions are movable with respect to each other to vary the accumulation space to accommodate a varying amount of dunnage held therein, where a sensor and controller can be included to stop dunnage production when the accumulator is full. | 03-03-2011 |
20110053743 | CRUMPLING MECHANISM FOR CREATING DUNNAGE - A dunnage crumpling apparatus is provided having first and second entry-side crumpling members and first and second exit-side crumpling members. The first and second entry-side crumpling members define an entry therebetween. The first and second exit-side crumpling members define an exit therebetween that is disposed along the longitudinal path downstream of the entry. A crumpling zone being defined between the entry and exit. The first entry-side crumpling member is configured for moving at an first rate and is associated with the second entry-side crumpling member for moving sheet material through the entry in a first direction along a longitudinal path at an entry rate. The first exit-side crumpling member is configured for moving at an second rate and is associated with the second exit-side crumpling member for moving the sheet material through the exit in the first direction along the path at a exit rate that is slower than the entry rate to crumple the sheet material for producing dunnage. The entry and exit-side crumpling members are displaced laterally along the path with respect to each other to cause shearing of the sheet within the crumpling zone. | 03-03-2011 |
20110053744 | DUNNAGE DEVICE AND HANDLER DISENGAGEMENT - A dunnage device is disclosed and can include a dunnage mechanism comprising first and second dunnage converting portions that have an engaged condition, in which the converting portions are associated and configured for converting stock material into dunnage and a disengaged condition in which the converting portions are disabled from converting the stock into dunnage and a dunnage handler configured for receiving the dunnage from the dunnage mechanism and including a first handler portion that has a handling position in which the dunnage handler is configured for controlling the dunnage and a release position, wherein the first handler portion is associated with the dunnage mechanism such that movement of the first handler portion from the handling position to the release position causes the dunnage mechanism to change from the engaged condition to the disengaged position. | 03-03-2011 |
20110053748 | RECONFIGURABLE DUNNAGE HANDLER - A dunnage handler is disclosed for controlling the outfeed of dunnage from a dunnage mechanism including a first handler portion configured for association with the dunnage mechanism for receiving dunnage therefrom, the first handler portion being reversibly reconfigurable between an accumulator configuration, in which the first handler portion is configured to accumulate the dunnage received from the dunnage mechanism and a discharger configuration, in which the first handler portion is configured to discharge the dunnage received from the dunnage mechanism. | 03-03-2011 |
20110053749 | DUNNAGE APPARATUS WITH PIVOTING SHEET SUPPLY - A dunnage apparatus is provided for converting sheet stock into dunnage, that includes a sheet stock supply member configured for holding the sheet stock, a dunnage machine configured for converting the sheet stock into dunnage, and an infeed mechanism disposed between the supply member and dunnage machine and associated therewith for feeding the sheet stock from the supply member to the crumpling mechanism, wherein the supply member is configured for pivoting to retain the sheet stock associated with the infeed mechanism. | 03-03-2011 |
20110053750 | VERTICALLY ARRANGED DUNNAGE APPARATUS - A dunnage apparatus for converting sheet stock into dunnage includes a sheet stock supply member configured for holding the sheet stock, a sheet crumpling mechanism configured for crumpling the sheet stock to produce the dunnage, and an infeed mechanism disposed between the supply member and crumpling mechanism and associated therewith for feeding the sheet stock from the supply member to the crumpling mechanism, the infeed mechanism having an engagement portion at an entry of the infeed mechanism and configured for engaging and feeding the sheet stock in the supply member into the infeed mechanism, wherein the engagement mechanism is located above the supply member. | 03-03-2011 |
20110168770 | TEAR-PROPAGATION RESISTANT ENVELOPE - An envelope can include a first wall with a first edge, a second wall with a second edge connected to the first edge along a connected portion configured for providing a side of the envelope, the first and second edges respectively including first and second separate portions that are separate from each other, the separate portions extending from the connected portions at a transition location and a reinforcing member associated with the connected portion adjacent the transition location for reinforcing the connected portion adjacent the transition location. An apparatus for making an envelope is also disclosed. | 07-14-2011 |
20110172072 | PACKAGING PILLOW DEVICE WITH UPSTREAM COMPONENTS - The disclosure describes a device for inflating and cutting a material web. The device can include a web advancement mechanism to advance a material web in a longitudinal path, an inflation mechanism for inserting a fluid into the material web to create one or more inflated pillows, a fluid inlet for providing the fluid to the inflation mechanism, and a cutting mechanism configured to cut the material web in the longitudinal path. | 07-14-2011 |
20120165172 | CENTER-FED DUNNAGE SYSTEM FEED AND CUTTER - A dunnage system may include a converting station including a converter configured for pulling in a stream of sheet material and converting the material into dunnage, and an inlet guide having an inlet surface that is coiled such that first and second ends of the inlet surface are discontinuous with each other to define a gap therebetween, the inlet surface configured to channel the sheet material into the converter. A cutter for a dunnage system may include a blade with first and second phases of serrations that are coextensive over at least a portion of the blade, the first phase providing cutting serrations for cutting the dunnage, and the second phase comprising ledges for focusing the cutting and preventing or reducing bunching of the dunnage towards a side of the blade. A method of converting dunnage may also be provided. | 06-28-2012 |
20120227892 | INFLATION AND SEALING DEVICE FOR INFLATABLE AIR CUSHIONS - The invention is directed to a device for inflating and sealing an inflatable structure, such as inflatable cushions. The device includes an assembly configured for inflating a cushion cavity disposed between first and second layers of a film, and a sealing mechanism that preferably includes a rotary sealing drum, which can include a heat source. | 09-13-2012 |
20120329629 | FLEXIBLE DUNNAGE HANDLER - A dunnage accumulator includes a first holding portion ( | 12-27-2012 |
20130178351 | CRUMPLING MECHANISM FOR CREATING DUNNAGE - A dunnage crumpling apparatus is provided having first and second entry-side crumpling members and first and second exit-side crumpling members. The first and second entry-side crumpling members define an entry therebetween. The first and second exit-side crumpling members define an exit therebetween that is disposed along the longitudinal path downstream of the entry. A crumpling zone being defined between the entry and exit. The first entry-side rumpling member is configured for moving at an first rate and is associated with the second entry-side crumpling member for moving sheet material through the entry in a first direction along a longitudinal path at an entry rate. The first exit-side crumpling member is configured for moving at an second rate and is associated with the second exit-side crumpling member for moving the sheet material through the exit in the first direction along the path at a exit rate that is slower than the entry rate to crumple the sheet material for producing dunnage. The entry and exit-side crumpling members are displaced laterally along the path with respect to each other to cause shearing of the sheet within the crumpling zone. | 07-11-2013 |
20130255857 | INFLATION AND SEALING DEVICE FOR INFLATABLE AIR CUSHIONS - The invention is directed to a device for inflating and sealing an inflatable structure, such as inflatable cushions. The device includes an assembly configured for inflating a cushion cavity disposed between first and second layers of a film, and a sealing mechanism that preferably includes a rotary sealing drum, which can include a heat source. | 10-03-2013 |
20140038805 | DUNNAGE SUPPLY DAISY CHAIN CONNECTOR - A chainable dunnage supply material, such as a roll of paper, for creating an extended or continuous supply of material, by chaining multiple units together. The dunnage supply arrangement comprises a first supply unit of an elongated web of material in a high-density arrangement, where the material may be converted into a low-density dunnage. The material has first and second longitudinal ends, and a connecting member is disposed adjacent to the first longitudinal end. The connecting member may include an adhesive surface for adhering to a longitudinal second end of a second supply unit of material with sufficient adhesion for pulling the material of the second supply unit into the dunnage mechanism (e.g. daisy chaining the two supply units together). The arrangement may include a release layer on the adhesive surface of the connecting member and releasable therefrom for allowing the connecting member to adhere to a second supply unit. | 02-06-2014 |
20140048577 | AUTOMATED AIR PILLOW DISPENSER - A packaging material handling device is disclosed. The device includes a first pair of traction members configured for cooperatively engaging a chain of pre-inflated pillows from opposite sides thereof and being operable for driving the chain in the flow direction. The device further includes a second pair of traction members configured for cooperatively engaging the chain from opposite sides thereof. The second pair of traction members are spaced apart from the first pair of traction members along a flow direction and are operable for driving the chain in the flow direction. The first and second pairs of traction members are operable for holding the first and second portions of the chain during a breaking operation. The device further includes a breaking member disposed between the first and second pairs of traction members and movable against the chain across the flow direction in the breaking operation to break the chain for detaching the first portion from the second portion. | 02-20-2014 |
20140051562 | CENTER-FED DUNNAGE SYSTEM - A dunnage system for processing material into dunnage is herein described. A converting station of the system can include a drum having a drum surface first and second axial sides and guides protruding adjacent the drum surface on the first and second axial sides associated with the drum to rotate with the drum surface. A supply gripping member can be provided to grip a supply roll, and can include a rotatable base. A pivotal blade can be used to cut the dunnage. | 02-20-2014 |
20140261752 | REPLACEABLE BLADE - A flexible structure inflation device, comprising an inflation assembly configured for insertion between first and second overlapping film layers of a web of material, the inflation assembly having a fluid conduit configured directing a fluid in between the layers to inflate the web; and a cutting member held magnetically in an operative position adjacent the inflation assembly to cut the film passing over the inflation assembly. | 09-18-2014 |
20140261871 | Nozzle With Side and Tip Outlet - An flexible structure inflation and sealing assembly that can comprises a driver configured for engaging the flexible structure to drive the structure in a downstream direction longitudinally along a material path and a nozzle configured for reception in an inflation channel that extends through the flexible structure. The nozzle can define a nozzle channel extending therethrough and can have a longitudinal outlet aimed from the body upstream along the path and a lateral outlet disposed downstream of the longitudinal outlet and aimed from the nozzle laterally with respect to the path. The nozzle can have a connection portion configured to connect to a fluid source to deliver the fluid through the channel and expel the fluid from the outlets. | 09-18-2014 |
20140274645 | TEAR-ASSIST BLADE - A material dispenser having a dispensing member configured to dispense a line of the material along a path in a downstream direction, and a cutting member having a cutting edge extending generally downstream with respect to the path. The cutting member having a convex shape across the path, such that the cutting edge engages and sequentially initiates cuts through the line of material when the line of material is pulled against the cutting member, thereby minimize cutting forces. | 09-18-2014 |
20140274647 | DUNNAGE SUPPLY DAISY CHAIN STABILIZER - A rolled sheet-material supply handling-system that comprises a drawing device that can be configured to draw sheet material from a supply station and a stabilizer at the supply station. The stabilizer can define a generally tubular roll-receiving space in which a roll of the sheet material can be received and can have a support surface that can define an axial opening leading from the roll-receiving space to receive the sheet material drawn therefrom by the drawing device. The support surface can be sufficiently extensive to stabilize the outer layer of a roll against collapsing when the remainder of the roll has been extracted from the axial opening. | 09-18-2014 |
20150033669 | MULTILAYER FILM WITH ENHANCED INTERLAYER ADHESION - Described herein are multilayer polymeric films with enhanced interlayer adhesion, having a gas barrier layer and a seal layer bonded directly to the gas barrier layer, wherein the seal layer is made of a blended polymer material that may aid in increasing adhesion to the gas barrier layer. Also disclosed are converted multilayer films for use in creating inflatable chambers in fluid communication with other chambers, methods of making the multilayer films, and a method of producing inflatable and sealable films for protective packaging having enhanced performance. | 02-05-2015 |
20150060510 | AUTOMATED AIR-PILLOW DISPENSER - A transfer and dispensing apparatus is disclosed for the conveying and separation of packaging material, cushions or pillows when needed by the operator. When a packer working over a conveyor receives a box that requires void fill, an operating switch such as a foot pedal is depressed to dispense pillows from the apparatus and into the box in a connected strip. When the operating switch is released, the apparatus stops dispensing pillows, separates the continuous strip of pillows along a transverse perforation in the strip, and ejects the end of the separated segment. The packer can then complete packing the box by placing the severed end of the pillows into the box, advance to the next box, and repeat the process. The transfer and dispensing apparatus may be positioned in any convenient location including adjacent to, above or attached to the inflation device. | 03-05-2015 |