Abstract: A protective packaging formation device is disclosed herein. The device includes an inflation assembly that directs fluid between first and second overlapping plies of a web material. The device also includes a sealing mechanism that includes an arcuate web-support surface. The web-support surface includes a heater that defines a heating zone that is operable to heat the plies to create a longitudinal heat seal that seals the first and second plies together as the web is driven over the heating zone in a downstream direction. The web-support surface also includes a cooling zone disposed downstream of the heating zone operable to allow the heated plies to cool at the longitudinal heat seal as the web is driven over the heating zone in a downstream direction, such that the cooled longitudinal heat seal retains the fluid between the plies.

Abstract: The present disclosure is related to an inflation and sealing device that can include low or non-stick surfaces and bump-off elements to prevent sticking to a holding region proximal to the exit from the inflation and sealing device.

Abstract: Provided is a protective packaging formation device for sealing a flexible web. The device includes a housing having multiple housing supports disposed to collectively define different support plane areas for contact with an underlying surface. The housing is positionable in a multiple different dispensing orientations by placing the housing in different housing supports. The device also includes a web support depending from the housing. The web support includes a one end positioned distally from the housing and a second end positioned proximal to the housing. The web support supports a supply of a flexible web in a position extending from the housing beyond the housing support. The device also includes an adjustable stand connected to one end of the web support and extending down to the underlying surface such that the stand limits the tilting of the housing in the direction in which the web support extends from the housing.

Abstract: The present disclosure is related to an inflation and sealing device that can include a material support at an angle to a guide for an inflation and sealing mechanism. The device can have a material support with a discontinuous surface. The device may also have low- or non-stick surfaces and bump-off elements to prevent sticking to a cooling region or exit from the device.

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: 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.

Abstract: Provided is an inflatable shoe insert for inserting in a shoe. The insert comprises first and second web plies that are sealed together at a plurality of seals that define an air chamber. The air chamber includes a front region having a toe expansion region uninterrupted by seals over an area so that when fully inflated, the front region expands to a height and medial-lateral width to support the shoe upper against collapsing. The air chamber further includes a retention portion having a region in which the seals are spaced closer together than in the toe expansion region so that when fully inflated, the retention portion expands to a medial-lateral width that is smaller than that in the toe expansion region, the retention portion having an anterior-posterior length that reaches the heel of the shoe to retain the front region in the toe box by pressure against the heel.

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 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.

Abstract: An inflatable packaging element is provided herein. The inflatable packaging element comprises first and second film plies sealed to each other by a seal to cooperatively form a flexible structure. The seal defines an inflation chamber between the first and second plies that is inflatable with and configured to contain a fluid. The seal is formed using an adhesive.

Abstract: An inflatable packaging element is disclosed herein. The inflatable packaging element includes a first film ply and second film ply overlayed on the first ply, and a seal pattern. The seal pattern has a plurality of seals sealing the first and second plies to each other to define an inflation chamber between the first and second plies. The inflation chamber is inflatable with and configured to contain a fluid. An aperture extends through at least one of the first or second ply, and the seal pattern separates opposite side of the aperture from the inflation chamber.

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 dunnage crumpling apparatus is provided having first and second entry-side crumpling members and first and second exit-side crumpling members. The first and second entry-side crumpling members define an entry therebetween. The first and second exit-side crumpling members define an exit therebetween that is disposed along the longitudinal path downstream of the entry. A crumpling zone being defined between the entry and exit. The first entry-side crumpling member is configured for moving at an first rate and is associated with the second entry-side crumpling member for moving sheet material through the entry in a first direction along a longitudinal path at an entry rate. The first exit-side crumpling member is configured for moving at an second rate and is associated with the second exit-side crumpling member for moving the sheet material through the exit in the first direction along the path at a exit rate that is slower than the entry rate to crumple the sheet material for producing dunnage.

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: A flexible structure inflation and sealing assembly that can comprise 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. At least a portion of the nozzle is flexible and is operable to adjust to the direction and angle that the flexible structure approaches from. The flexible portion may align with a tip of the nozzle in one axis and the opposite end of the nozzle in a second axis thereby allowing for misalignment of the flexible structure as it engages the nozzle and is directed to a pinch area.

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.

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 unseated along the entire transverse width between the first and second sealed portions near the lateral edges of the foam material.

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: 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 dunnage crumpling apparatus is provided having first and second entry-side crumpling members and first and second exit-side crumpling members. The first and second entry-side crumpling members define an entry therebetween. The first and second exit-side crumpling members define an exit therebetween that is disposed along the longitudinal path downstream of the entry. A crumpling zone being defined between the entry and exit. The first entry-side rumpling member is configured for moving at an first rate and is associated with the second entry-side crumpling member for moving sheet material through the entry in a first direction along a longitudinal path at an entry rate. The first exit-side crumpling member is configured for moving at an second rate and is associated with the second exit-side crumpling member for moving the sheet material through the exit in the first direction along the path at a exit rate that is slower than the entry rate to crumple the sheet material for producing dunnage.