Abstract: The present invention concerns a machine and a method for converting a web of preformed pouches to dunnage units. In one exemplary embodiment the machine includes a drive, a blower, and a sealing mechanism. The drive is arranged to move the web of preformed pouches along a path of travel through the machine. The blower is positioned with respect to the path of travel, to inflate the preformed pouches. The sealing mechanism includes a heating element support and a heating element. The heating element support includes a sealing side and a belt preheating side. The heating element is disposed around at least a portion of the heating side and at least a portion of the belt preheating side. The drive includes a belt that is disposed around the heating element. The sealing mechanism is positioned with respect to the path of travel, to provide seals to the pouches to form inflated dunnage units.

Abstract: A web for the manufacture of fluid filled units with a novel machine and process is disclosed. The web includes an elongate heat sealable, flattened plastic tube comprised of face and back imperforate layers. The layers are imperforately joined together along spaced side edges. The layers include superposed longitudinal lines of weakness disposed generally transversely midway between the side edges. The web has longitudinally spaced, pairs of transverse seals. Each transverse seal extends from a respective side edge to an end near but spaced from the longitudinal lines of weakness. The transverse seal pairs include transverse lines of weakness extending from one side edge to the other generally centrally of each seal in a longitudinal direction. The side edges, transverse seals and lines of weakness together delineating two oppositely oriented strings of pouches with each pouch having three imperforate sides and a centrally located fill opening at its fourth side.

Abstract: A preformed web and a method of producing dunnage units from the preformed web. The web is an elongate flattened thermoplastic tube having an inflation edge and an opposite edge. The tube includes spaced transverse seals that define sides of pouches. In one embodiment, the web is configured such that a gap forms between each pair of adjacent pouches when the pouches are inflated. In one embodiment, an inflation edge of the web comprises a frangible connection that allows the inflation edge to be broken by an unsharpened object.

Abstract: Methods for forming packages from a web of preformed bags. In one exemplary method of forming packages from a web of preformed bags, a first bag is held open with air. A product is loaded into the first bag that is held open with air. An opening of the first bag is sealed. A next bag is indexed such that an opening of the next bag is proximate to an engagement member. The web is engaged with the engagement member. The web may be reverse indexed to pre-open the next bag. The web is disengaged by the engagement member. The next bag is opened with air for loading.

Abstract: A process for forming fluid filled units is disclosed. In the process, a web having a series of side connected pouches are fed to an inflation station. The pouches are connected by a line of perforations. First perforations of the line of perforations that extend from an inflation opening of each pouch are shorter than second perforations of the line of perforations that extend from the first perforations toward a side edge of each pouch. The pouches filled with fluid and sealed to form fluid filled units.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a machine and a method for converting a web of preformed pouches to dunnage units. In one exemplary embodiment the machine includes a drive, a blower, and a sealing mechanism. The drive is arranged to move the web of preformed pouches along a path of travel through the machine. The blower is positioned with respect to the path of travel, to inflate the preformed pouches. The sealing mechanism includes a heating element support and a heating element. The heating element support includes a sealing side and a belt preheating side. The heating element is disposed around at least a portion of the heating side and at least a portion of the belt preheating side. The drive includes a belt that is disposed around the heating element. The sealing mechanism is positioned with respect to the path of travel, to provide seals to the pouches to form inflated dunnage units.

Abstract: Methods for forming packages from a web of preformed bags. In one exemplary method of forming packages from a web of preformed bags, a first bag is held open with air. A product is loaded into the first bag that is held open with air. An opening of the first bag is sealed. A next bag is indexed such that an opening of the next bag is proximate to an engagement member. The web is engaged with the engagement member. The web may be reverse indexed to pre-open the next bag. The web is disengaged by the engagement member. The next bag is opened with air for loading.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a machine for converting a web of preformed pouches to dunnage units. The pouches are defined by transverse seals that extend from a remote edge to within a predetermined distance of an inflation edge. In a first embodiment, the machine includes a guide pin, a drive, a blower, and a sealing element. The guide pin is insertable between the transverse seals and the inflation edge. The guide pin defines a path of travel of the web. The drive moves the web along the path of travel. The blower is positioned with respect to the path of travel for inflating the preformed pouches. The sealing element is positioned to provide a longitudinal seal that intersects the transverse seals to close the preformed pouches and form inflated dunnage units. The disclosed examples of machines for converting a web of preformed pouches to dunnage units including various improvements to existing machines.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a machine for converting a web of preformed pouches to dunnage units. The pouches are defined by transverse seals that extend from a remote edge to within a predetermined distance of an inflation edge. In a first embodiment, the machine includes a guide pin, a drive, a blower, and a sealing element. The guide pin is insertable between the transverse seals and the inflation edge. The guide pin defines a path of travel of the web. The drive moves the web along the path of travel. The blower is positioned with respect to the path of travel for inflating the preformed pouches. The sealing element is positioned to provide a longitudinal seal that intersects the transverse seals to close the preformed pouches and form inflated dunnage units. The disclosed examples of machines for converting a web of preformed pouches to dunnage units including various improvements to existing machines.

Abstract: A web for the manufacture of fluid filled units with a novel machine and process is disclosed. The web includes an elongate heat sealable, flattened plastic tube comprised of face and back imperforate layers. The layers are imperforately joined together along spaced side edges. The layers include superposed longitudinal lines of weakness disposed generally transversely midway between the side edges. The web has longitudinally spaced, pairs of transverse seals. Each transverse seal extends from a respective side edge to an end near but spaced from the longitudinal lines of weakness. The transverse seal pairs include transverse lines of weakness extending from one side edge to the other generally centrally of each seal in a longitudinal direction. The side edges, transverse seals and lines of weakness together delineating two oppositely oriented strings of pouches with each pouch having three imperforate sides and a centrally located fill opening at its fourth side.

Abstract: A packaging machine utilizing side connected chains of open bags is disclosed. The machine has loading and closure sections which are moveable between operating and cleaning/service positions. A resistance heater subassembly is removeable to enable washdown.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a machine and a method for converting a web of preformed pouches to dunnage units. In one exemplary embodiment the machine includes a drive, a blower, and a sealing mechanism. The drive is arranged to move the web of preformed pouches along a path of travel through the machine. The blower is positioned with respect to the path of travel, to inflate the preformed pouches. The sealing mechanism includes a heating element support and a heating element. The heating element support includes a sealing side and a belt preheating side. The heating element is disposed around at least a portion of the heating side and at least a portion of the belt preheating side. The drive includes a belt that is disposed around the heating element. The sealing mechanism is positioned with respect to the path of travel, to provide seals to the pouches to form inflated dunnage units.

Abstract: A web for the manufacture of fluid filled units with a novel machine and process is disclosed. The web includes an elongate heat sealable, flattened plastic tube comprised of face and back imperforate layers. The layers are imperforately joined together along spaced side edges. The layers include superposed longitudinal lines of weakness disposed generally transversely midway between the side edges. The web has longitudinally spaced, pairs of transverse seals. Each transverse seal extends from a respective side edge to an end near but spaced from the longitudinal lines of weakness. The transverse seal pairs include transverse lines of weakness extending from one side edge to the other generally centrally of each seal in a longitudinal direction. The side edges, transverse seals and lines of weakness together delineating two oppositely oriented strings of pouches with each pouch having three imperforate sides and a centrally located fill opening at its fourth side.

Abstract: An elongate flattened thermoplastic tube has an inflation edge and an opposite edge. The tube includes spaced transverse seals that define sides of pouches. The tube includes lines of weakness that allow adjacent dunnage units to be separated. A frangible line of connection is disposed in one two superposed layers of the tube proximate to the inflation edge. This frangible connection may be broken to permit inflation of the inflatable pouches.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a machine and a method for converting a web of preformed pouches to dunnage units. In one exemplary embodiment the machine includes a drive, a blower, and a sealing mechanism. The drive is arranged to move the web of preformed pouches along a path of travel through the machine. The blower is positioned with respect to the path of travel, to inflate the preformed pouches. The sealing mechanism includes a heating element support and a heating element. The heating element support includes a sealing side and a belt preheating side. The heating element is disposed around at least a portion of the heating side and at least a portion of the belt preheating side. The drive includes a belt that is disposed around the heating element. The sealing mechanism is positioned with respect to the path of travel, to provide seals to the pouches to form inflated dunnage units.

Abstract: Methods for forming packages from a web of preformed bags. In one exemplary method of forming packages from a web of preformed bags, a first bag is held open with air. A product is loaded into the first bag that is held open with air. An opening of the first bag is sealed. A next bag is indexed such that an opening of the next bag is proximate to an engagement member. The web is engaged with the engagement member. The web may be reverse indexed to pre-open the next bag. The web is disengaged by the engagement member. The next bag is opened with air for loading.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making packages with internal headers from an elongated web of preformed interconnected bags. The packages with internal headers are made by inserting a product or a header into a bag. The bag is sealed to form a first compartment that contains the inserted bag or header. The other of the product and the header is inserted into the bag. The bag is sealed to form a second compartment that contains other of the product or header. The package is separated from the elongated web of interconnected bags.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making packages with internal headers from an elongated web of preformed interconnected bags. The packages with internal headers are made by inserting a product or a header into a bag. The bag is sealed to form a first compartment that contains the inserted bag or header. The other of the product and the header is inserted into the bag. The bag is sealed to form a second compartment that contains other of the product or header. The package is separated from the elongated web of interconnected bags.