Abstract: System and method for conveying air-filled cushions in which a continuous string of the cushions is fed into an elongated duct with the string extending longitudinally of the duct, and an air flow is established in the duct to convey the string of cushions through the duct to a bin. In some embodiments, the bin is mounted on wheels to facilitate movement between different locations, and in others, it is suspended from a trolley which runs on an overhead track.

Abstract: An inflatable, conformable, cushioning, packaging product comprises a plurality of individual inflatable strips of multiple bubble cushioning structures. Each individual inflatable strip has a plurality of bubble chambers with each bubble chamber interconnected to an adjacent bubble chamber by an interconnecting passageway which is smaller in size and internal volume than the bubble chambers, but which is sufficiently large to enable air volume and pressure in one inflated bubble chamber to be transmitted to adjacent bubble chambers for distributing a shock load on one bubble chamber along the entire length of the individual inflatable strip of interconnected bubble chambers. Each individual inflatable strip is defined between two laterally extending spaced apart peripheral seal lines which have an undulating configuration free of corner shapes which could concentrate stresses.

Abstract: A machine which inflates and seals pillows in packaging is compact in overall size, can be conveniently operated to produce varied lengths of strips of inflated pillow-type packaging as needed, can begin production of inflated pillow-type strip packaging immediately after being held out of a production cycle for some period of time, and applies a heated sealing element directly to and in sliding contact with a web of film to securely seal the inlet port of an inflated pillow while the pillow is under pressure and as the web of film is continuously and uninterruptedly advanced through the machine.

Abstract: A machine which inflates and seals pillows in packaging is compact in overall size, can be conveniently operated to produce varied lengths of strips of inflated pillow-type packaging as needed, can begin production of inflated pillow-type strip packaging immediately after being held out of a production cycle for some period of time, and applies a heated sealing element directly to and in sliding contact with a web of film to securely seal the inlet port of an inflated pillow while the pillow is under pressure and as the web of film is continuously and uninterruptedly advanced through the machine.

Abstract: An inflatable, conformable, cushioning, packaging product comprises a plurality of individual inflatable strips of multiple bubble cushioning structures. Each individual inflatable strip has a plurality of bubble chambers with each bubble chamber interconnected to an adjacent bubble chamber by an interconnecting passageway which is smaller in size and internal volume than the bubble chambers, but which is sufficiently large to enable air volume and pressure in one inflated bubble chamber to be transmitted to adjacent bubble chambers for distributing a shock load on one bubble chamber along the entire length of the individual inflatable strip of interconnected bubble chambers. Each individual inflatable strip is defined between two laterally extending spaced apart peripheral seal line which have an undulating configuration free of corner shapes which could concentration stresses.

Abstract: Device for manufacturing cushions filled with a gaseous medium from synthetic tubular foil. The device comprises supply means for supplying flexible tubular foil in a supply direction, perforation means situated at a first station for making a row of perforations in the tubular foil, introduction means situated at the first station for introducing a gaseous medium, and sealing means situated at the first station for making a transverse seal on either side of the row of perforations for closing off the tubular foil and sealing off the row of perforations.

Abstract: Method and composition for making an expanded polyethylene material by forming a foamable melt of polyethylene, a nucleating agent, a material which retards migration of alkanes, and a blowing agent which comprises 10 to 100 mole percent ethane. In one disclosed embodiment, the melt is passed through an annular extrusion die to form an elongated tube of extruded material which is then expanded, slit lengthwise and laid flat to form a sheet of the expanded material.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus for converting sheets of paper into cushioning dunnage. The apparatus includes a supply assembly, a conversion mechanism, a cutting assembly and a cutting assembly interlock device. The supply assembly supports the paper which is to be converted. The conversion assembly crumples single ply paper into cushioning dunnage and the cutting assembly cuts the newly formed dunnage into desired lengths, where the dunnage is allowed to fall into a container to cushion an item within the container. The cutting assembly interlock device permits activation of the cutting assembly only when the cutting assembly has fully moved into the proper, cutting position.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus for converting sheets of paper into cushioning dunnage. The apparatus includes a supply assembly, a conversion mechanism, a cutting assembly and a cutting assembly interlock device. The supply assembly supports the paper which is to be converted. The conversion assembly crumples single ply paper into cushioning dunnage and the cutting assembly cuts the newly formed dunnage into desired lengths, where the dunnage is allowed to fall into a container to cushion an item within the container. The cutting assembly interlock device permits activation of the cutting assembly only when the cutting assembly has fully moved into the proper, cutting position.

Abstract: Method and composition for making an expanded polyethylene material by forming a foamable melt of polyethylene, a nucleating agent, a material which retards migration of alkanes, and a blowing agent which comprises 10 to 100 mole percent ethane. In one disclosed embodiment, the melt is passed through an annular extrusion die to form an elongated tube of extruded material which is then expanded, slit lengthwise and laid flat to form a sheet of the expanded material.

Abstract: Method of packing an article in a container in which a quantity of loose fill material is introduced into flexible pouches to form cushions, and the pressure within the pouches is reduced to create a pressure differential which compresses the cushions and molds them to a shape corresponding to the interior of the container. The compressed cushions and the article to be packed are placed in the container, with the article between the cushions, and the pressure differential is then eliminated so that the cushions reexpand and fill container. In one disclosed embodiment, the cushions are molded to the shape of the container by placing the uncompressed cushions in a frame having a side wall with a contour similar to that of the container and a lateral dimension greater than the container, allowing the loose fill material within the pouches to flow to the side wall so that the cushions have a shape similar to the interior of the container, and thereafter reducing the pressure to compress the cushions.

Abstract: System and method for packing loose fill materials in bags to form cushions for use in protecting articles in shipping cartons. The bags are produced from a length of flexible plastic tubing which is gathered or bunched to form a coil which is disposed about the outlet of a loose fill dispenser. A section of the tubing is pulled from the coil, and its lower end is closed to form a bag which is then filled with loose fill material dispensed through the outlet. Another section of tubing is then pulled from the coil, and the tubing is drawn together to close the upper end of the first section and the lower end of the second section. The closed ends are secured with tape, and the tubing is severed to separate the first section from the second. The cushions thus formed are placed in the shipping cartons with the articles, and in some embodiments are compressed and reexpanded in conformance with the contour of the articles.

Abstract: Machine and method for manufacturing pneumatically filled packing cushions. A length of flattened flexible tubing is fed through a machine and perforated to form a row of openings across the tubing. Gas is injected into the tubing through the openings, and the tubing is then sealed together across the openings form a chamber in which the gas is confined.

Abstract: System and method for packing loose fill materials in bags to form cushions for use in protecting articles in shipping cartons. The bags are produced from a length of flexible plastic tubing which is gathered or bunched to form a coil which is disposed about the outlet of a loose fill dispenser. A section of the tubing is pulled from the coil, and its lower end is closed to form a bag which is then filled with loose fill material dispensed through the outlet. Another section of tubing is then pulled from the coil, and the tubing is drawn together to close the upper end of the first section and the lower end of the second section. The closed ends are secured with tape, and the tubing is severed to separate the first section from the second. The cushions thus formed are placed in the shipping cartons with the articles, and in some embodiments are compressed and reexpanded in conformance with the contour of the articles.

Abstract: Bag sealer and cutter having a guide for directing a portion of flexible tubing which has been gathered together along a predetermined path in a direction which is generally perpendicular to the axis of the tubing, a pair of tape applicators positioned side-by-side for simultaneously applying bands to the gathered together portion of the tubing as the tubing travels along the path, and a knife disposed in the path of the tubing after the applicators for cutting the tubing apart between the bands of tape.

Abstract: System and method for packing loose fill materials in bags to form cushions for use in protecting articles in shipping cartons. The bags are produced from a length of flexible plastic tubing which is gathered or bunched to form a coil which is disposed about the outlet of a loose fill dispenser. A section of the tubing is pulled from the coil, and its lower end is closed to form a bag which is then filled with loose fill material dispensed through the outlet. Another section of tubing is then pulled from the coil, and the tubing is drawn together to close the upper end of the first section and the lower end of the second section. The closed ends are secured with tape, and the tubing is severed to separate the first section from the second. The cushions thus formed are placed in the shipping cartons with the articles, and in some embodiments are compressed and reexpanded in conformance with the contour of the articles.

Abstract: Shipping carton and flap holder which prevent the spillage of loose fill materials as an article is removed from the carton. The flap holder includes a strip having first and second end portions with an adhesive on one side thereof for attachment to adjacent flaps of the carton to hold the flaps in an open position as the article is removed. It also has separately removable backings which cover the adhesive on the two end portions of the strip whereby the strip can be affixed to one flap and folded back upon itself for shipment, and thereafter the second backing can be removed and the second end portion can be folded over and affixed to the adjacent flap.