Patents Assigned to PREGIS INNOVATIVE PACKAGING LLC
  • Patent number: 11926119
    Abstract: Disclosed is a dunnage apparatus, including a converting station and a deflector. The converting station converts a line of high-density supply material into low-density dunnage and ejects the dunnage at an exit in an exit trajectory along a path. The deflector is repositionable with respect to the exit between a first position, in which the deflector is interposed in the path to deflect the path of the dunnage from the exit trajectory to a first deflected trajectory, and a second position. The deflector is retained in each position during the ejection of the dunnage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Pregis Innovative Packaging LLC
    Inventors: Thomas D. Wetsch, Eric C. Wright
  • Patent number: 11926462
    Abstract: A protective packaging web is disclosed. The web includes a first film web having a plurality of extended portions including a base perimeter enclosing an open base region and an extended surface protruding in one direction from a plane defined by the first film web. The extended surface has a larger surface area than the open base region. The web also includes a second film web sealed to the first film web around a portion of the open base region to form sub-chambers on a side of the first film web opposite the protruding direction. The first film web and the second film web remain unsealed across the open base region defining regions within the sub-chambers suitable to contain a fluid volume. The plurality of sub-chambers are interconnected via one or more intra-chamber channels, allowing each of the sub-chambers to receive and release fluid in response to external pressures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Pregis Innovative Packaging LLC
    Inventor: Thomas D. Wetsch
  • Patent number: 11897227
    Abstract: A conversion apparatus is provided herein. The conversion apparatus includes a cutting member having an edge configured for cutting the dunnage material. The conversion apparatus also includes a biasing member that is located adjacent to the cutting member such that the dunnage material passes between the biasing member and the cutting member. The biasing member operably contacts the dunnage material thereby biasing the dunnage material against the cutting member. The position of the biasing member relative to the cutting member is such that in response to the dunnage material being retracted back into the conversion apparatus the cutting member begins to sever the dunnage material, but in response to the dunnage material traveling in the dispensing direction the cutting member does not begin to sever the dunnage material due to the relative position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Pregis Innovative Packaging LLC
    Inventors: Thomas D. Wetsch, Robert Tegel
  • Patent number: 11890830
    Abstract: Stock material units that may be used in a dunnage conversion machine. For example, stock material units include sheet material that may be fed into the dunnage conversion machine and may be converted thereby into dunnage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Pregis Innovative Packaging LLC
    Inventors: Thomas D. Wetsch, Eric C. Wright
  • Patent number: 11858712
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to inflatable flexible structures. An inflation region may run longitudinally through the inflatable flexible structure allowing the inflation of chambers. The inflatable chambers may be separable at transverse lines of weakness formed by perforations. The inflation conduit may be free of the perforation. Additionally or alternatively, the perforations may be chevron shaped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Pregis Innovative Packaging LLC
    Inventor: Thomas D. Wetsch
  • Patent number: 11851260
    Abstract: An inflatable protective packaging unit and associated inflation systems are disclosed. The unit can include an inflatable component that includes overlaid flexible plies connected to each other to define a fluid chamber therebetween. The inflatable component can define an inflation region in fluid communication with the fluid chamber to allow fluid from the inflation region into the fluid chamber. The unit can further include a receiver separably attached to the inflatable component at the inflation region and configured to direct fluid into the inflation region. The inflation system can be configured to discretely engage the inflatable protective packaging unit and provide fluid for inflation. Once inflated, the system may eject the unit, and cause the inflatable component to separate from the receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Pregis Innovative Packaging LLC
    Inventor: Thomas D. Wetsch
  • Patent number: 11840043
    Abstract: A stock material unit for a dunnage conversion machine is provided herein. The stock material includes a first strip of sheet material at least partially defining a three-dimensional configuration. The strip of sheet material includes a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The stock material includes a splice member mounted with respect to the sheet material in a first position. The splice member includes a connector that has a bonding member configured to stick to the first end. The connector is releasable from the first position and repositionable to a second position in which it is affixed to the first end by a connecting portion. In the second position, the connecting portion has an exposed area for affixing to a second end of a second continuous sheet of the material to daisy chain the first and second strips of sheet material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Pregis Innovative Packaging LLC
    Inventor: Thomas D. Wetsch
  • Patent number: 11801981
    Abstract: Packaging material is provided. The packaging material can include at least one web layer having a surface that includes first and second regions. When corresponding first regions are overlaid with each other and corresponding second regions are overlaid with each other, the overlaid first and second regions can cooperatively surround a cavity. The packaging material further can include a first sealing material disposed in the first region and configured to seal together the corresponding first regions upon application of first conditions to the first sealing material, and a second sealing material disposed in the second region and configured to seal together the corresponding second regions upon application of second conditions to the second sealing material. The second sealing material can be configured such that the first conditions applied to the second sealing material are insufficient to cause the second sealing material to seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Pregis Innovative Packaging LLC
    Inventor: Thomas D. Wetsch
  • Patent number: 11780696
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Pregis Innovative Packaging LLC
    Inventor: Thomas D. Wetsch
  • Patent number: 11772353
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to an inflation and sealing machine and in particular to a method for modifying one or more parameters of the machine. The method includes identifying a configuration of a supply material to be used with the inflation and sealing machine, such as by receiving a user input, automatically detecting characteristics of the material, and/or receiving data such as from a sensor regarding the characteristics of the material. Once the configuration of the supply material is identified, the method includes receiving a selection of a prestored recipe according to a configuration of the supply material, where the recipe determines or sets the value for one or more operating parameters of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Pregis Innovative Packaging LLC
    Inventors: Thomas D. Wetsch, Keith Maranto
  • Patent number: 11738533
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Pregis Innovative Packaging LLC
    Inventors: Thomas D. Wetsch, Robert Tegel
  • Patent number: 11691774
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an inflatable-cushion inflation and sealing device. The device includes an inflation assembly configured for insertion between first and second overlapping film plies. The inflation assembly includes a fluid conduit configured to direct a fluid in between the plies to form one or more cushions. The fluid conduit includes a nozzle. The inflation assembly includes a cutting member. The cutting member includes a blade holder with a blade and a blade guard mounted thereon. The blade guard has a safety position in which the blade is covered and a retracted position in which the blade is exposed. Installation of the blade holder onto the inflation assembly automatically positions the blade in the working position with the blade guard retracted. Removing the tray from the inflation assembly automatically positions the blade in the safety position by covering the blade with the blade guard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Pregis Innovative Packaging LLC
    Inventors: Thomas D. Wetsch, Paul F. Ostwald, William J. Watts
  • Patent number: 11634261
    Abstract: A protective packaging web is disclosed. The web includes a flexible inflatable web that includes inflatable chambers having inlets and configured for receiving a fluid from the inlets and sealing the fluid therein, the inflatable chambers being configured such that, when inflated, the inflatable web structure has a first contoured exterior surface including a plurality of peaks and valleys, and a flexible first outer ply affixed to the peaks and detached from the valleys of the first contoured surface, such that when the inflatable chambers are inflated, the first outer ply extends along a phantom first tangential surface, bridging the valleys of the first contoured surface, such that when the chambers are inflated the affixed first outer ply and the inflatable web cooperatively form a framed structure having significantly elevated bending stiffness compared to a bending stiffness resulting from the inflatable web structure absent the attached first outer ply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Pregis Innovative Packaging LLC
    Inventor: Thomas D. Wetsch
  • Patent number: 11623423
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Pregis Innovative Packaging LLC
    Inventors: Thomas D. Wetsch, Robert Tegel
  • Patent number: 11577484
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a web control guide for an inflation and sealing assembly of a protective packaging formation device for inflating a web material into a chain of inflated cushions. The web control guide is positioned along a material path at a transverse spacing from a first compression element and constrains a first thickness of the material path measured normal to the longitudinal and transverse directions of the material path. The transverse spacing and constrained thickness dimension are sufficiently small to prevent transverse movement of the flexible material towards the first compression element to avoid excessive heating of the web material outside a sealing zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Pregis Innovative Packaging LLC
    Inventors: William James Watts, Julian Michael Moore, Charles Anthony Daigle, Joseph Vincent Prisco
  • Patent number: 11571872
    Abstract: Stock material units that may be used in a dunnage conversion machine. For example, stock material units include sheet material that may be fed into the dunnage conversion machine and may be converted thereby into dunnage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Pregis Innovative Packaging LLC
    Inventors: Thomas D. Wetsch, Eric C. Wright, Michael E. Ferringer
  • Patent number: 11541612
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to devices and methods for furniture protection. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to foam-film sheets configured to protect furniture from damage. An exemplary foam-film sheet as disclosed herein includes a sheet of foam material having a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge; a sheet of film material having a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge; a first seal between a portion of the foam material proximate its first lateral edge and a portion of the film material proximate its first lateral edge; and a second seal between a portion of the foam material proximate its second lateral edge and a portion of the film material proximate its second lateral edge, wherein the film and foam are substantially unsealed along the entire transverse width between the first and second sealed portions near the lateral edges of the foam material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Pregis Innovative Packaging LLC
    Inventors: Thomas D. Wetsch, Darren Keith Green
  • Patent number: 11542082
    Abstract: An inflatable web is disclosed. The web includes a first and second film ply sealed together. The transverse seals define first and second inflatable chambers. The web defines a separation region extending at least partially between the first and second inflatable chambers in a substantially transverse direction across the web and configured to facilitate separation of the first and second inflatable chambers. The separation region includes a tear initiation feature that facilitates tearing of the web to separate the inflatable chambers. The separation region includes a tear propagation line including a first plurality of perforations perforation is separated from an adjacent perforation by a land having a first transverse length. A tear initiation feature includes a second plurality of perforations, each perforation separated from an adjacent perforation by a land having a second transverse length, where the first transverse length is longer than the second transverse length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Pregis Innovative Packaging LLC
    Inventor: Thomas D. Wetsch
  • Patent number: 11524475
    Abstract: A protective packaging formation device is provided herein. The device includes an inflation assembly having a fluid conduit that directs fluid between overlapping plies of a polymeric web. The device also includes a driving mechanism that drives the film in a downstream direction. The device also includes a sealing mechanism that includes a thin film heater that heats the plies to create a longitudinal seal that seals the plies of film together. The driving mechanism drives the web such that the web slides across the heating assembly in a downstream direction to trap fluid between the plies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: Pregis Innovative Packaging LLC
    Inventors: Thomas D. Wetsch, Paul F. Ostwald, William J. Watts
  • Patent number: 11511509
    Abstract: A connective protective packaging element is provided. The connective protective packaging element may include a protective body in a high-density supply configuration. The protective body may be configurable into a low-density configuration for cushioning packaged products. The body may include an exposed surface in the low-density configuration. The connective protective packaging element may also include a bonding element attached to the exposed surface that operably bonds the exposed surface to an abutting surface by contact with the bonding element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Pregis Innovative Packaging LLC
    Inventor: Thomas D. Wetsch