Abstract: A dunnage accumulator includes a first holding portion (502) and a second holding portion (504) configured and associated with the first holding portion to define a dunnage accumulation space therebetween and for receiving and removably retaining dunnage from a dunnage machine (17) in the accumulation space, wherein at least a portion of the second holding portion is flexible such that flexing thereof varies the accumulation space to accommodate a varying amount of dunnage held therein.

Abstract: 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 10 oriented to cut open inflation channel by a cutting motion that includes rotation thereof. Also, the device includes a sealing assembly configured to seal the overlapping portions to each other and to form a longitudinal seal configured to seal the fluid in the cushion cavity.

Abstract: A device and method are disclosed for forming air filled cushions. The device includes a drive mechanism to move inflatable tubing through the apparatus, and an injector, optionally including an outlet, located continuously within, or within a portion of, the tubing. This arrangement can permit the formation of air filled cushions in a continuous stream. Also disclosed is a roll of plastic tubing that is sealed transversely at a succession of intervals, with each pair of seals stopping just short of a longitudinal center line of the tubing. Such tubing might be used in conjunction with the apparatus, the central gap between the seals allowing passage of the injector.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Films for inflatable cushions are disclosed. Generally, each of the disclosed films includes a pair of web layers that are aligned to be generally coextensive and that are sealed together by longitudinal and/or transverse seals that cooperatively define the boundaries of inflatable chambers.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Films for inflatable cushions are disclosed. Generally, each of the disclosed films includes a pair of web layers that are aligned to be generally coextensive and that are sealed together by longitudinal and/or transverse seals that cooperatively define the boundaries of inflatable chambers.

Abstract: A device and method are disclosed for forming air filled cushions. The device includes a drive mechanism to move inflatable tubing through the apparatus, and an injector, optionally including an outlet, located continuously within, or within a portion of, the tubing. This arrangement can permit the formation of air filled cushions in a continuous stream. Also disclosed is a roll of plastic tubing that is sealed transversely at a succession of intervals, with each pair of seals stopping just short of a longitudinal center line of the tubing. Such tubing might be used in conjunction with the apparatus, the central gap between the seals allowing passage of the injector.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.