Abstract: A compact system (10) for dispensing a dunnage product (14) includes the combination of a container (16) for a supply of fan-folded sheet stock material (12) and a feed assembly (20) for drawing the stock material (12) from the container (16). The container (16) has an opening (26) with a dimension that is smaller than a corresponding dimension, particularly a width dimension, of the container (16). A leading end (30) of the sheet material (12) is pulled from the container (16), through the opening (26). Then the container (16) is inverted and supported above the feed assembly (20) with the opening (26) facing and aligned with a linear path (24) through the feed assembly (20). The container (16) is supported such that rotating members (22) in the feed assembly (20) can engage the leading end (30) of the stock material (12) and draw the stock material (12) from the container (16) and along the linear path (24) through the feed assembly (20), which dispenses the dunnage product (14).

Abstract: A dunnage conversion machine (10) and corresponding method for converting a supply of sheet stock material into a relatively less dense dunnage product includes a conversion assembly (20) that converts sheet stock material into a dunnage product, and a tension-adjusting assembly (26) having a sequence of transversely extending members (28) disposed upstream of the conversion assembly (20). The transversely extending members (28) engage the stock material and help to prevent or to minimize excessive edge tension and/or the tearing associated therewith, while maintaining sufficient tension for proper tracking, especially for the conversion of single ply, lesser quality and/or short fiber paper, and/or otherwise improves or enhances the conversion process. The transversely extending members (28) are generally aligned end-to-end, and define a path for the stock material from a supply thereof, via a stock supply assembly (15) to the conversion assembly (20).

Abstract: A method of determining a total amount of stock material passing through a cushioning conversion machine over a period of time during which a plurality of three-dimensional cushioning products are made. The method includes the acts of providing a sheet stock material; converting the sheet stock material into a plurality of the three-dimensional cushioning products with the cushioning conversion machine during the period of time; monitoring the passage of stock material through the cushioning conversion machine during the period of time; storing in a computer memory information regarding the total amount of stock material that passed through the cushioning conversion machine during the period of time; and retrieving the stored information, the retrieved stored information providing an indication of the total amount of stock material that passed through the cushioning conversion machine during the period of time.

Abstract: A cushioning conversion machine and method for converting sheet stock material into a cushioning dunnage product and wherein the tension in the stock material is controlled to avoid problems associated with improper tension. A conversion assembly draws the stock material from a stock supply and converts the stock material into a strip of cushioning, and a controller controls the operation of the conversion assembly. The conversion assembly is powered by a motor and the controller controls the operation of the motor in response to a sensed parameter related to the tension in the paper. In another embodiment, a torque control is interposed between the feed motor and feed components that engage the stock material.

Abstract: A cushioning conversion machine, method and product characterized by a connecting assembly that provides a mechanical interlock between overlapped portions of sheet-like stock material to prevent “unzippering” of a low density cushioning product produced by the cushioning conversion machine. The connecting assembly comprises a pair of rotatable stitching members, a first one having a plurality of radially outwardly extending projections, or teeth, around the circumference thereof, with the projections having at least two axially spaced apart segments defining a recess therebetween. The second stitching member includes at least one axial punch segment which includes a peripheral edge portion dimensioned to be received in the recess in the first stitching member during rotation of the stitching members.

Abstract: A cushion producing machine includes a frame, a forming assembly mounted to the frame for creating a cushioning product from sheet-like stock material, the forming assembly including a triangular plate coacting with a pair of curved surfaces to inwardly roll the lateral edges of the stock material to form a continuous strip having lateral pillow-like portions and a thin central band, and a coining assembly for coining the central band of the continuous strip.

Abstract: Pre-folded stock material for use in a cushioning conversion machine which converts the pre-folded stock material into a three-dimensional cushioning product. The stock material includes at least one ply having a plurality of layers at two of which are joined at a longitudinally extending fold. The stock material is preferably biodegradable, recyclable, and reusable paper and may be supplied in a roll or in a fan-folded stack.

Abstract: A safety output chute for a cushioning conversion machine includes a chute having an input end and an output end, the input end including an opening for receiving a flexible cushioning product from an outlet of the cushioning conversion machine; and a plurality of rollers situated inside the chute, the rollers being oriented such that the flexible cushioning product must follow a non-linear path from the input end of the chute to the output end of the chute. Other embodiments of a safety output chute are also disclosed.

Abstract: An automated cushioning producing and filling system includes a cushioning conversion machine which converts stock paper into cut pads of a selected length and transports the pads to a staging location, a pad sensor for sensing the presence of a pad in the staging location, a box transporting system for transporting a box from a remote location to a filling location, a box sensor for sensing the presence of a box in the filling location, a bar code reader for reading a bar code from the box indicative of the packaging requirements of the box when the box sensor has sensed the presence of a box in the filling location, a pad transferring apparatus for transferring a pad from the staging location to the box when the pad sensor has sensed the presence of a pad in the staging area, and a system controller for determining the box packaging requirements from the code read by the bar code reader and instructing the cushioning conversion machine to produce pads in accordance with the packaging requirements for the bo

Abstract: A method for making a collagen strengthened cellulosic sheet by providing a cellulosic pulp slurry; adding solubilized collagen to the pulp slurry, and mixing for a time effective for interaction of the cellulosic pulp slurry and solubilized collagen; forming the interacted cellulosic pulp slurry and solubilized collagen into a sheet; and drying the sheet; also, a method for using solubilized collagen for strengthening paper by mixing the solubilized collagen with a cellulosic pulp slurry; and making a cellulosic pulp product from the mixture and drying.

Abstract: A method for making a collagen strengthened cellulosic sheet by providing a cellulosic pulp slurry; adding solubilized collagen to the pulp slurry, and mixing for a time effective for interaction of the cellulosic pulp slurry and solubilized collagen; forming the interacted cellulosic pulp slurry and solubilized collagen into a sheet; and drying the sheet; also, a method for using solubilized collagen for strengthening paper by mixing the solubilized collagen with a cellulosic pulp slurry; and making a cellulosic pulp product from the mixture and drying.

Abstract: A method for making a collagen strengthened cellulosic sheet by providing a cellulosic pulp slurry; adding solubilized collagen to the pulp slurry, and mixing for a time effective for interaction of the cellulosic pulp slurry and solubilized collagen; forming the interacted cellulosic pulp slurry and solubilized collagen into a sheet; and drying the sheet; also, a method for using solubilized collagen for strengthening paper by mixing the solubilized collagen with a cellulosic pulp slurry; and making a cellulosic pulp product from the mixture and drying.

Abstract: A method for making a collagen strengthened cellulosic sheet by providing a cellulosic pulp slurry; adding solubilized collagen to the pulp slurry, and mixing for a time effective for interaction of the cellulosic pulp slurry and solubilized collagen; forming the interacted cellulosic pulp slurry and solubilized collagen into a sheet; and drying the sheet; also, a method for using solubilized collagen for strengthening paper by mixing the solubilized collagen with a cellulosic pulp slurry; and making a cellulosic pulp product from the mixture and drying.

Abstract: A method for making a collagen strengthened cellulosic sheet by providing a cellulosic pulp slurry; adding solubilized collagen to the pulp slurry, and mixing for a time effective for interaction of the cellulosic pulp slurry and solubilized collagen; forming the interacted cellulosic pulp slurry and solubilized collagen into a sheet; and drying the sheet; also, a method for using solubilized collagen for strengthening paper by mixing the solubilized collagen with a cellulosic pulp slurry; and making a cellulosic pulp product from the mixture and drying.

Abstract: The invention includes a method that provides a low cost aqueous solution of solubilized collagen by the steps of: (a) providing an aqueous ground slurry of insoluble collagen and adjusting the pH of said slurry to obtain activity for a proteolytic enzyme added in Step b; (b) adding said proteolytic enzyme to said pH adjusted slurry; (c) reacting the slurry and enzyme of Step b and/or recycled insoluble collagen and enzyme from Step e at a temperature, T, and for a time, t, effective for forming a solution increased in solubilized collagen; (d) adding additional water and insoluble collagen to said solution of Step c and mixing; (e) separating at least some of the solution of Step d containing solubilized collagen from insoluble collagen, whereby at least a portion of said insoluble collagen and proteolytic enzyme is recycled to Step c, and the separated solution containing solubilized collagen is withdrawn as product; an alternative embodiment provides for the direct production of solubilized collagen withou

Abstract: The invention includes an improved method for producing an aqueous solution of soluble collagen. The method comprises the steps of:(A) providing an aqueous ground slurry of insoluble collagen containing insoluble collagen at a first concentration and at a pH effective to obtain activity for a proteolytic enzyme added in step (B);(B) adding a proteolytic enzyme to said slurry;(C) reacting said slurry and enzyme at a temperature, T.sub.1, and for a time t.sub.1 effective for forming a slurry containing at least some soluble collagen;(D) diluting at least a portion of the slurry formed in step (C) with water to form a diluted slurry containing insoluble collagen at a second concentration; and(E) reacting said diluted slurry obtained in step (D) at a temperature, T.sub.2 and for a time t.sub.2, effective to produce a solution containing an increased amount of soluble collagen.

Abstract: A method for making a collagen strengthened cellulosic sheet by providing a cellulosic pulp slurry; adding solubilized collagen to the pulp slurry, and mixing for a time effective for interaction of the cellulosic pulp slurry and solubilized collagen; forming the interacted cellulosic pulp slurry and solubilized collagen into a sheet; and drying the sheet; also, a method for using solubilized collagen for strengthening paper by mixing the solubilized collagen with a cellulosic pulp slurry; and making a cellulosic pulp product from the mixture and drying.

Abstract: A method of producing a packing product includes the steps of feeding at least one sheet of material in a first direction; cutting the at least one sheet of material into a plurality of strips; the cutting being performed by rotating two sets of alternating, overlapping cutting discs; the feeding of the at least one sheet of material being between the two sets of cutting discs; advancing each of the strips by the rotating of at least an outer surface of a corresponding one of the cutting discs as the outer surface moves in the first direction; restricting each strip from continued advancing in the first direction; and sequentially folding each of the strip means by the restricting in opposition to the advancing. There is included apparatus and means for producing the packing product.

Abstract: A cushioning dunnage conversion machine for converting sheet-like stock material, such as paper in multi-ply form, into cut sections of relatively low density pad-like cushioning product, and cutting assembly therefor, is provided. The machine includes a stock supply assembly, a forming assembly, a pulling/connecting assembly and a cutting assembly, all of which are mounted on a machine frame. The machine frame includes a base plate having an upstream end and a downstream end, a first end plate extending generally perpendicular from the upstream end of the end plate and a second end plate extending generally perpendicular from the downstream end of the base plate.

Abstract: A cushioning dunnage producing mechanism and method wherein the mechanism utilizes one or more webs of sheet-like stock material, with the stock material being adapted to be disposed by the mechanism in generally superimposed relation and then fed into a crumpler section of tubular-like construction, to radially compress the sheet-like material into a pad-like dunnage product. The lateral edges of the stock material are caused to be rolled inwardly into generally spiral-like form, prior to passage of the stock material into the crumpler section, by a forming frame of generally triangular-like shape both in plan and in side elevation, with the nose of the forming frame being disposed closely adjacent the entranceway to the crumpler section. Meshed spur gears coacting with the crumpler section, coin or stitch the confronting portions of the rolled edges of stock material together, to hold the produced dunnage product in a pad-like configuration.