Abstract: Devices are provided for dispensing pillows for use in packaging arranged in web and having relative a relatively thick portion bordered by relatively thin portions that adjoins the individual pillows within the web. The systems can include a transfer unit having a pushing member. The pushing member is configured to engage the web of pillows as the pushing member moves so that the pushing member draws the web into the transfer unit, and moves the web through the transfer unit and toward an exit opening of the transfer unit. The devices further can include a separation unit having a cutting device, and a movable cover that at least partially encloses the cutting device to prevent unintentional contact with the cutting device.

Abstract: Stations for sealing envelopes include a spacer, a positioning surface, and an envelope support surface configured to support the envelopes. A sealing mechanism is provided with sealing members configured to apply heat and pressure to a sealable member on the envelope to form a closure seal. The spacer and the positioning surface are configured to align the sealable member with the sealing members when the envelope is resting on the envelope support surface.

Abstract: A roll dispenser is arranged to support a roll of packaging material, and includes a chuck assembly with a first chuck unit that includes a first plug received in a first axial end of a core of the roll, a first shaft fixed to the first plug, a first mount brought into engagement with the first shaft, and a first brake connected to the first plug and the first mount to establish friction between the first plug and the first mount. A first handle assembly may adjust a first compressive force applied axially between the first mount and the first shaft to regulate the friction between the first plug and the first mount. The chuck assembly also may include a second chuck unit received in a second axial end of the core for additionally supporting the roll of packaging material.

Abstract: This invention relates to a protective article comprising first and second walls. Each of the walls includes superimposed plies enclosing an expansion space therebetween, and an expandable composite disposed in the expansion space. The expandable composite includes a biodegradable matrix, and a plurality of cellulose-based expandable microspheres. The expandable microspheres are configured to cause the biodegradable matrix to expand upon activation of the expandable microspheres. The invention further relates to an expandable web comprising a first ply, second ply and an expandable composite deposited between the first ply and the second ply. The invention further relates to a method for making an expandable protective article.

Abstract: A bagging machine may include a supply handling assembly, a bag loading assembly and a controlled, which may control certain operations of the bagging machine. The bag loading assembly may include a bag opening assembly that reciprocates back and forth and which supports movable film grippers. The bagging machine may be provided with one or more sensors operatively positioned to detect whether a film is present between the grippers, such as during an opening sequence, and the controller may be configured to modify the operation (e.g., interrupt or re-start an opening sequence, generate an alert signal, etc.) of the bagging machine based on the data received from the sensor.

Abstract: Systems and methods for packing a shipping container. The methods comprise: detecting, by a computing device, a presence of the shipping container; generating, by a computing device, a 3D point cloud comprising a 3D perspective representation of interior of the shipping container and surfaces of at least one item disposed in the shipping container; analyzing, by a computing device, the 3D point cloud to identify a void area inside the shipping container, the void area being absent of the at least one item; selecting, by the computing device, a percentage from a plurality of possible percentages based on a characteristic of the void area; and causing, by the computing device, protective packaging to be dispensed into the void area such that the selected percentage of the void area is filled with the protective packaging.

Abstract: An inflatable web is disclosed. The web includes a first film and second film ply sealed together via a plurality of generally transverse seals. The transverse seals define first and second inflatable chambers. The inflatable chambers are inflatable with, and contain, a fluid. 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 first and second inflatable chambers. The separation region includes a tear propagation line at least partially longitudinally offset from the tear initiation feature, and close enough to the tear initiation feature that force imparted to the web via the tear initiation feature will tear of the web through the tear propagation line.

Abstract: A dunnage conversion machine includes a drive mechanism configured to deform a stock material into dunnage. The drive mechanism may include a roller with an outer surface having a first shape, and another roller having an outer surface with a second shape different than the first shape. The dunnage conversion machine also may include a cutting mechanism that includes an anvil having a curvilinear surface, and a cutting portion, with the anvil and the cutting portion being configured to cut the dunnage. The dunnage conversion machine also may include an inlet chute configured to feed the stock material to the dunnage conversion machine. The inlet chute may include a protrusion located within an interior channel of the inlet chute and configured to restrict larger objects, such as the fingers and hands of an operator, from moving down the interior channel.

Abstract: A bagger device is provided. The bagger device can include a bag handler configured to handle packaging material configured to define a bag that has first and second walls enclosing an interior cavity configured to contain an object therein for shipping, the first wall including an expansion material that has an expandable configuration and that is expandable to an expanded configuration for providing padding to the first wall to protect the object contained within the interior cavity. The bagger device can further include an expansion device configured to apply expanding conditions to the packaging material, the expanding conditions configured to cause the expandable material to expand from the expandable configuration to the expanded configuration.

Abstract: A dunnage conversion machine includes a drive mechanism configured to deform a stock material into a continuous length of dunnage. The machine also includes a cutting device configured to sever a piece of the dunnage from the continuous length of dunnage. The cutting device includes a grip configured to move to a closed position at which the grip exerts a force on the piece of dunnage to retain the piece on the machine until the piece is pulled away from the machine, at which point the grip moves to an open position and the machine advances the continuous length of dunnage to commence another cutting cycle.

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.

Abstract: Disclosed is a web handling system that includes a spindle having a spindle magnetic coupling portion and a roll core configured for receiving the spindle for mounting thereon and having a roll magnetic coupling portion, wherein the spindle and roll magnetic coupling portions are configured for magnetically attracting each other to hold the roll on the spindle.

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.