Abstract: Cushioning device and method for packaging an article in a container using fill material contained within a sealed flexible enclosure. In one disclosed embodiment, the pressure within the enclosure is first reduced to decrease the internal volume of the enclosure and compress the fill material and thereafter increased to allow the fill material to reexpand into cushioning engagement with the article. In another disclosed embodiment, fill material within a flexible enclosure is molded to form a cushion of predetermined shape with the assistance of vacuum pressure and mechanical force. The fill materials include conventional loose fill packing materials, granules, fibers, particles, and the like, such that a body of the fill material has a resiliency and an ability to spring back to near the original volume after being compressed.

Abstract: Packing material and method in which a sheet of paper stock is folded in opposite directions along alternate parallel lines to form a series of ridges and valleys, cuts are made in the stock at intervals spaced along the ridges, and sections of the stock adjacent to the cuts are folded in a reverse direction along the fold lines at the ridges to form downwardly extending pleats beneath the ridges. The material can be crumpled for use as a dunnage material or wrapped about an item to be protected. In one disclosed embodiment, the material can be compressed for shipping and storage and expanded for use. In another, which is particularly suitable for use as a protective wrap, the folded stock is affixed to a backing sheet.

Abstract: A resilient, low density, biodegradable, packaging material which is formed by the extrusion through a twin-screw extruder of a base mixture of vegetable oil, polyvinyl alcohol, glycerine, a proteinaceous grain meal, glycerol monostearate, a non-modified starch and water.

Abstract: A shaped particle for use as a loose fill material to surround and cushion an article packaged within a container includes a strip of stiff yet flexible material having a several convoluted regions for absorbing impact energy. The convoluted regions are adapted to compress together to absorb mechanical energy in response to a mechanical force such as would be encountered during an impact and act as resilient springs or bumpers to protect the article. The shaped particle has characteristics that prevents nesting and facilitates interlocking to prevent migration. The invention also provides a method for making embodiments of shaped particles according to the invention.

Abstract: System and method for densifying expanded thermoplastic foam materials such as loose fill packing materials, larger blocks of such materials, and food and beverage service items to reduce the volume of such materials for recycling or disposal. The material is heated to soften the material and expel gas from cells within the material and thereby shrink the material to a reduced volume. In some embodiments, and the material is further densified by compacting the heat softened material to further reduce the volume.

Abstract: A transport system for conveying and dispensing non-fluid fluent material such as free-flowing packaging material includes a recycling system for automatically retrieving spilled material and a reservoir which automatically controls the input of material from a main supply based upon the height of material in the reservoir. Various air transport systems are incorporated.

Abstract: Bubble-type flexible cushioning and packaging sheets are formed using films which are composites of single extrusion or multiple extrusion polyethylene films having density, molecular weight and, optionally, additives selected to provide a desired combination of qualities including heat sealability and low gas/vapor transmission. A preferred film material has a cross-sectional profile consisting of an inner region of linear low density polyethylene material surrounded by outer regions of high molecular weight medium density polyethylene material. The material permits the formation of preferred, square bubble configurations using a process which involves sealing two such films along generally parallel longitudinal lines; inflating the films between the longitudinal sealing lines; then sealing the films along transverse lines to form inflated rectangular pockets or bubbles therebetween.

Abstract: A dispensing device for materials such as loose fill packaging material, is disclosed. The endwalls of the device housing are formed by corrugated sheets which are slit laterally from side to side and folded over into the inside of the housing to define hinged closure flaps. The housing sidewalls are attached to the endwalls by bolts or screws which extend through or are threaded into lateral flutes defined in the corrugated sheets. Also, cam follower rods are inserted into the flutes of the flaps. The flaps are biased together by a spring attached to the rods and are opened by a handle and attached cam plate.

Abstract: A transport system for conveying and dispensing non-fluid fluent material such as free-flowing packaging material includes a recycling system for automatically retrieving spilled material and a reservoir which automatically controls the input of material from a main supply based upon the height of material in the reservoir. Various air transport systems are incorporated.

Abstract: A system (method and apparatus) for combined vehicular transport and pneumatic conveyance of lightweight subdivided materials. The system generally operates to convey a supply of subdivided material (e.g., cushioning and packaging material) from a source of supply of such material to a point in a particular customer operation (e.g., packaging of products). The system is particularly adapted to truck transport wherein a flexible air blanket on the bottom of the truck functions to pneumatically convey subdivided material from within to the rear of the truck, from which point it is pneumatically conveyed to an in-plant conveyance system. The system additionally employs cooperating pneumatic conveying means within the plant to receive the subdivided materials from the truck and to rapidly deliver the same to bulk storage containers, from which it can be selectively and rapidly conveyed to preselected individual distribution outlets.

Abstract: An improved method for the manufacture of free-flow packing material particularly characterized by its ability to isolate packed items and to absorb the energy of potentially destructive shocks and impacts. The method produces individual units of the packing material which are structurally in the form of elongate flat "bows," wherein two self-adhered layers of foamed expanded plastic material form a central portion of the "bow" and curved outward extensions of these layers form two oppositely extending flat loops. The flat bow-shaped units are individually of a size and shape to provide a desired free-flowing characteristic, and are formed of a foamed expanded crushable plastic material which inherently possesses a shock absorbing characteristic.