Abstract: An inflator inflates inflatable webs. The inflator includes a web supply holding device that holds a supply of an inflatable web, a first gas moving device having a first inlet for receiving gas and a first outlet for expelling gas, a second gas moving device having a second inlet for receiving gas and a second outlet for expelling gas, and a nozzle. The first outlet is coupled to the second inlet such that gas expelled from the first outlet is received by the second inlet. The nozzle is coupled to the second outlet and inserts gas expelled from the second outlet into the inflatable web to inflate the inflatable web. Parameters of the first and second gas moving devices are selected based on a type of the inflatable web.

Abstract: A dunnage conversion system (100) includes a supply area (120), a dunnage conversion machine (110), and an arcuate slot (130). The supply area (120) is configured to hold a supply of a sheet material (122). The sheet material (122) is in a substantially flat configuration in the supply area (120). The dunnage conversion machine (110) is configured to pull the sheet material (122) from the supply area (120) and to convert the sheet material (122) into a non-flat configuration. The arcuate slot (130) is positioned between the supply area (120) and the dunnage conversion machine (110) such that the sheet material (122) is fed through the arcuate slot (130) as the sheet material (122) passes along a path from the supply area (120) to the dunnage conversion machine (110).

Abstract: A form-fill-seal system includes a tube feeding system, an end seal carriage, and a computing device. The tube feeding system feeds a tube of flexible material at a first velocity. The computing device controls the end seal carriage to cause an increase in a velocity of the end seal carriage to substantially the first velocity, a start of a dwell time of the end seal mechanism on the tube of flexible material while the velocity of the end seal carriage is at substantially the first velocity, and an increase in the velocity of the end seal carriage to a second velocity during the dwell time. The end seal mechanism cuts a package from the tube during the dwell time. The increase in the velocity of the end seal carriage to the second velocity results in an increased distance of the package from the tube.

Abstract: A tension-inducing shaft system includes a shaft, two shaft caps, and a biasing mechanism. A bore extends through the shaft between two ends of the shaft. The shaft caps are positioned on the two ends of the shaft. Each shaft cap includes a collar having a size that is larger than the bore, a keyed end, and an anchor. The biasing mechanism is arranged inside the bore and is coupled to the anchors of the shaft caps so that the biasing mechanism exerts inward forces on the shaft cap. The keyed ends of the shaft caps can be coupled to a housing so that the shaft caps do not rotate with respect to the housing. The shaft is configured to rotate with respect to the shaft caps such that, when the keyed ends are coupled to the housing, the shaft is capable of rotating with respect to the housing.

Abstract: A longitudinal sealer includes a housing, an arm, and a heating element. The housing is configured to be installed in a foam-in-bag system. The arm is movably coupled to the housing. The heating element has a leading edge exposed through an exterior surface of the arm. A position of the arm with respect to the housing is controllable so that the arm is movable between a first location where the leading edge of the heating element is not in contact with a film in a film path of the foam-in-bag system and a second location where the leading edge of the heating element is in contact with the film in the film path of the foam-in-bag system.

Abstract: A drive system is configured to feed a sheet material. The drive system includes a first roller and a second roller. A circumference of the first roller has a first curved profile. A circumference of the second roller has a second curved profile. The first and second rollers are arranged such that, when the sheet material is not located between the first and second rollers, the first curved profile of the first roller contacts the second curved profile of the second roller. The first and second rollers are further arranged such that, when the sheet material is located between the first and second rollers, rotation of at least one of the first and second rollers causes the sheet material to be fed through the drive system.

Abstract: An apparatus makes packages from a web of bags includes an indexing mechanism, an opening arrangement, engagement devices, and a sealing arrangement. The indexing mechanism moves the web. The opening arrangement opens a bag to form an opening so that a product can be placed into the bag. The engagement devices engage the bag and close the opening. Each engagement device includes a base, a first link, a second link, a sliding pivot, and a finger. The first link is pivotably connected to the base, and the second link is pivotably connected to the first link. The sliding pivot pivots with respect to the base and allows the second link to slide through the sliding pivot member. The finger is connected to the second link. The engagement devices pull a first and second sides of the bag in opposite directions. The sealing arrangement seals the opening of the bag.

Abstract: A system for opening and closing a mixing manifold includes a drive motor, a cam plate, and a valving rod connector. The drive motor imparts movement in first and second directions. Movement imparted in the first direction causes the cam plate to move linearly in a third direction and movement imparted in the second direction causes the cam plate to move linearly in a fourth direction. Movement of the cam plate in the third direction causes the valving rod connector to move linearly in a fifth direction and movement of the cam plate in the fourth direction causes the valving rod connector to move linearly in a sixth direction. Movement of the valving rod connector in the fifth direction causes retraction of a valving rod of the mixing manifold and movement of the valving rod connector in the sixth direction causes extension of the valving rod.

Abstract: An exemplary method of making packages includes advancing a web of connected bags to a position where an opening of the bag is below an engagement device and opening the engagement device. Additionally, the exemplary method includes blowing the opening of the bag to a partially opened configuration, and reverse indexing the web of connected bags so that a portion of the engagement device is disposed inside of the bag and a portion of the engagement device is disposed outside the bag. Subsequently, the exemplary method includes closing the engagement device so that the engagement device engages the bag and moving the engagement device to a position that causes the opening of the bag to have a rectangular shape.

Abstract: A system holds a roll of film that includes a core and film wound around the core. The system includes a rod having an outer diameter that is smaller than an inner diameter of the core, a proximal wing located on the rod and configured to rotate about the rod, and a distal wing located on the rod and configured to rotate about the rod. Each of the proximal and distal wings includes contact surfaces configured to contact diametrically-opposed locations on a side of an inner surface of the core and non-contact surfaces that span between the contact surfaces of the wing. The non-contact surfaces of the wings do not contact the core if the core has a cylindrical shape. The distal wing is capable of rotating around the rod independently of the proximal wing.

Abstract: Webs of inflatable mailer pouches and associated methods are disclosed. Pouches include a multilayer inner cushion structure with inflatable compartments and a fill channel disposed at a first longitudinal edge of the structure. An outer layer with a closure flap is secured to the inner structure. The inner cushion structure and outer layer are folded at a bottom edge of the pouch to form first and second panels of the pouches. The fill channel may be disposed at a top of the first panel and the closure flap disposed at a top of either the first or the second panel. The fill channel extends beyond a top of the second panel and the closure flap is extendable beyond the top of the fill channel. When wound, the closure flap is folded so that the fill channel of each pouch layer is exposed at a lateral face of the cylinder.

Abstract: A packaging machine includes an indexing mechanism (210), a base (220), and a clamping arrangement (250). The indexing mechanism moves a web (10) of preformed bags along a path of travel. The base (220) is downstream of the indexing mechanism (210) along the path of travel and supports an engagement member (240) that includes a finger (242) having a beveled end (244). The clamping arrangement (250) supports a gripper (271) that includes a beveled surface (274) and a gripping surface (272). The base (220) further includes an engagement recess (222). The engagement member (240) is positioned within the engagement recess (220) and the beveled end (274) of the gripper (271) is capable of being disposed within the engagement recess. The indexing mechanism is configured to reverse index the web when the beveled end (274) of the gripper (271) is disposed within the engagement recess (222) so that the finger (242) and the gripper (271) are inserted into the top of one of the bags.

Abstract: A system includes a source, a detector, and a controller. The source is configured to emit electromagnetic energy toward two plies of film. A portion of the emitted electromagnetic energy is within a range of wavelengths. The detector is arranged to detect electromagnetic energy propagating away from the two plies of film. The detector detects electromagnetic energy within the range of wavelengths and generates signals indicative of intensity of detected electromagnetic energy. The controller controls operation of the foam-in-bag system based the signals from the detector. The film is transmissive of electromagnetic energy in the range of wavelengths. When dispensed between the two plies of film, one or both of foaming chemical precursors or foam formed from a reaction thereof is opaque to electromagnetic energy in the range of wavelengths.

Abstract: An object can be heat-shrinkable packaged by placing an object inside of heat-shrinkable film, sealing the heat-shrinkable film around the object to form a heat-shrinkable package, coupling a first portion of a label to the heat-shrinkable package, and causing the heat-shrinkable film to shrink into heat-shrunk film and the heat-shrinkable package to form into a heat-shrunk package. The label includes an identifier on a second portion of the label. The label remains coupled to the heat-shrunk film after the heat-shrinkable film is caused to shrink into heat-shrunk film. The second portion of the label remains substantially undeformed after the heat-shrinkable film is caused to shrink into heat-shrunk film.

Abstract: An inflatable web includes two juxtaposed sheets, seals between the sheets that define chambers, and two longitudinal edges. The chambers extend in a transverse direction between the two longitudinal edges. The seals include side seals that extend between the two longitudinal edges. The side seals include a two intermittent side seals and a continuous side seal. Each of the intermittent side seals includes side seal portions and gaps between the side seal portions. The gaps permit gas to pass between chambers on either side of the intermittent side seals. The continuous side seal is located between the two intermittent side seals. The continuous side seal does not permit gas to pass between chambers on either side of the continuous side seal. The gaps in the two intermittent side seals are aligned a longitudinal direction to form a non-continuous longitudinal channel across the continuous side seal.

Abstract: A reclosable bag includes: first and second plies extending from a first side to a second side and from atop bottom to a top; a seal joining the first and second plies arranged near the bottom of the bag; a reclosing material disposed on an interior surface of one of the first and second plies; a release material disposed between the reclosing material and the other of the first and second plies; and a bag opening zone extending between the top and the bottom.

Abstract: An automated packaging station is capable of being used to package objects. The automated packaging station includes a supply of web material, a surface (202), an aperture (206) therein, and a closing system. The automated packaging station is configured to form the web material into a pouch. The aperture (206) is configured such that an object can be inserted therethrough. The automated packaging station is configured to bias open the pouch beneath the surface such that the object inserted through the aperture falls into the pouch. The closing system is configured to close the pouch to form a package around the object in response to the object being inserted through the aperture. The object is capable of being shipped to a recipient in the package.

Abstract: An inflatable packaging web (3201) includes a continuous web of preformed pouches (3200) and an outer skin (612). The continuous web of preformed pouches is defined by two panels (18) connected together along first and second side edges (14) and either connected together or folded along a bottom edge (20). At least one of the panels is inflatable. The outer skin is disposed over at least one of the inflatable panels. The outer skin is attached to the at least one of the inflatable panels along at least a portion of the height of the first and second side edges. The preformed pouch includes at least one fold such that a folded portion (3215) of the two panels is folded over a first portion of the two panels.

Abstract: A system for enhanced conveying of flexible packages includes a packaging system, an inflation system, and a conveying system. The packaging system is configured to place an object in a flexible package. The inflation system is configured to insert a gas into the flexible package. The packaging system is further configured to seal an edge of the flexible package in an inflated state with the object and the inserted gas inside the flexible package. The conveying system is configured to convey the flexible package while the flexible package is substantially in the inflated state. The flexible package is configured to permit gas to escape the flexible package at a controlled flow rate such that the flexible package remains substantially in the inflated state while being conveyed by the conveying system and the flexible package transitions to being substantially in a deflated state after being conveyed by the conveying system.

Abstract: A machine includes an inflation arrangement, a sealing arrangement, and a tensioning device. The inflation arrangement provides air at a first pressure to inflate a first web of a first type of inflatable material, provides air at a second pressure to inflate a second web of a second type of inflatable material, receives the first and second webs, and aligns the first and second webs on the machine. The first pressure is different from the second pressure. The sealing arrangement seals the first and second types of inflatable material. The tensioning device provides a first tensioning force to the first web as the first web moves between the inflation and sealing arrangements and provides a second tensioning force to the second web as the second web moves between the inflation and sealing arrangements. The first tensioning force is different from the second tensioning force.