Abstract: A system for enhanced conveying of flexible packages includes a packaging system (12, 212), an inflation system (280), and a conveying system (250). 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 system (300) for closing mailers includes a forming funnel (320) and a fusing device (310). The forming funnel includes funneling surfaces that receive an opening of a mailer in an insertion direction (302) and constrain the opening of the mailer after the opening of the mailer is inserted. The funneling surfaces are arranged to continue constraining the opening of the mailer as the mailer moves in a sliding direction (304). The fusing device includes a slot that receives the constrained opening of the mailer from the forming funnel. The fusing device applies pressure and heat to the opening of the mailer as the opening of the mailer moves through the slot. The pressure and the heat applied by the fusing device cause portions of the opening to fuse together to close the mailer.

Abstract: A sheet panel (140) is capable of being used with a base panel (110) to form a retention packaging system. The sheet panel (140) includes a first overwrap panel (142), a second overwrap panel (144), a sheet (152) connected to the first overwrap panel (142) and to the second overwrap panel (144), and a detachable portion (148, 150) between the first and second overwrap panels and configured to be detached from the sheet panel. After the detachable portion (148, 150) is detached from the sheet panel (140), the first overwrap panel (142) is configured to be selectively attached to a first tension flap (112) of the base panel at one of a plurality of locations on the first tension flap and the second overwrap panel (144) is configured to be selectively attached to a second tension flap (114) of the base panel at one of a plurality of locations on the second tension flap such that the sheet (152) spans between the first and second tension flaps (112, 114).

Abstract: A retention packaging assembly (100, 200, 300, 400) includes a frame (100) and sheet assemblies (200, 300). The frame includes a central panel (102), end panels (104), and two sets of wing panels (108, 110). Each set of wing panels includes wing panels foldably coupled to the central panel and to one of the two end panels. The sheet assemblies include a sheet (208) that is attached at its ends to slot panels (204, 206, 304, 306). The slot panels of each of the sheet assemblies are selectively couplable to one of the set of wing panels. After an object is placed on a front of the central panel, the sheets of the sheet assemblies are located over the sides of the object. The sets of wing panels can then be folded to a back of the frame to cause the sheets to retain the sides of the object to the central panel.

Abstract: A machine produces foam-in-bag from foam precursors mixed within the bag. The machine comprises a base and a shell. The base and shell are moveable relative each other between a base/shell disengaged position and a base/shell engaged position. In the base/shell engaged position, the base and shell divide the bag so that a mixing chamber is isolated from the remainder portion of the bag. First and second nozzles inject foam precursors into the mixing chamber. A mixer engages the mixing chamber to provide mixing energy to facilitate the foam reaction.

Abstract: An inflatable web includes an inflation zone, a first inflatable panel in fluid communication with the inflation zone, and a second inflatable panel in fluid communication with the inflation zone. The first inflatable panel includes a first sheet juxtaposed on a second sheet. The first and second sheets are sealed together to form inflatable chambers. The second inflatable panel include a third sheet juxtaposed on a fourth sheet. The third and fourth sheets are sealed together to form inflatable chambers. The inflatable film is configured to be inflated by an inflation and sealing machine configured to direct gas into the inflatable chambers of the first and second inflatable panels via the inflation zone and to individually seal the inflatable chambers of the first and second inflatable panels.

Abstract: A mandrel includes a shaft that can hold a supply roll of film. A primary button and one or more secondary buttons are located on the shaft. The primary button and the one or more secondary buttons are biased toward an extended position and are capable of moving to a retracted position. The primary button and the one or more secondary buttons retract to the retracted position during at least a portion of loading the supply roll of film onto the shaft. The retraction of the primary button to the retracted position causes retraction of the one or more secondary buttons to the retracted position. When the supply roll of film is in an aligned position on the shaft, the supply roll of film is maintained in the aligned position in part by one of the primary button and the one or more secondary buttons in the extended position.

Abstract: A dispenser (200) includes a supply structure (202) and a biasing structure (206). The supply structure holds mailers (204). A mailer from the mailers includes a first wall and a second wall. The first and second walls are closed at a first side of the mailer, closed at a second side of the mailer, and closed at a closed end of the mailer. The first and second walls are not closed at an open end of the mailer. The mailer is arranged to be dispensed from the supply structure (202). The biasing structure (206) is arranged to engage the mailer as the mailer is dispensed from the supply structure (202). The biasing structure (206) has narrowing surfaces configured to contact the sides of the mailer as the mailer is dispensed. The narrowing surfaces of the biasing structure (206) are arranged to narrow the open end of the mailer thereby causing the open end to be biased open.

Abstract: A method of positioning and sealing a bag in a vacuum chamber, includes detecting a trailing edge of a product in the bag, detecting a trailing edge of a patch adhered to the bag, controlling advancement of the bag, and closing the bag. A bag positioning apparatus includes an infrared sensing apparatus, a fluorescence sensing apparatus, and a controller. A method of manufacturing a patch bag includes adhering a first patch to film stock, detecting a position of the first patch, aligning a second patch with the first patch, and adhering the second patch to the film stock. A method of manufacturing a patch bag includes detecting an edge of a patch adhered to film stock, forming a seal across the film stock adjacent to the edge of the patch, and severing the film stock adjacent to the edge of the patch.

Abstract: An inflatable pouch includes a bladder formed from an inflatable web and an outer skin formed from a film. The bladder includes a bladder pouch that includes a bottom portion at a folded edge of the inflatable web, front and back portions on either side of the folded edge, and sides where the front and back portions are sealed to each other. The outer skin includes an outer skin pouch that includes a bottom portion at a folded edge of the film, front and back portions on either side of the folded edge, and sides where the front and back portions are attached to each other. The bladder is attached to the outer skin at a tack area such that the sides of the bladder pouch and the outer skin pouch are not directly attached to the sides of the outer skin pouch.

Abstract: A retention packaging assembly (100, 200, 300) includes an end retention frame (200) that retains one lateral side of an object (150) and another retention frame (300) that retains another lateral side of the object. Each of the retention frames includes a retention panel, an end panel (104, 106) foldably coupled to the retention panel, a set of wing panels configured to be folded into a folded configuration, and a sheet (208, 308) fixedly coupled to each of the wing panels. Each end retention frame retains a lateral side of the object between the sheet and the retention panel when the wing panels are in the folded configuration. In some cases, the end retention frames are laterally spaced away from each other such that they do not contact each other when they retain the lateral sides of the object.

Abstract: A system includes a forming funnel, a cutting element, and a fusing device. The forming funnel has divergent surfaces arranged to receive a mailer in an insertion direction between the divergent surfaces. The forming funnel includes a slot that constrains the mailer after the mailer is inserted between the divergent surfaces. The cutting element cuts off a portion of the mailer and to forms a cut end of the mailer as the mailer is moved through the slot in a sliding direction. The fusing device applies pressure to an exterior of the cut end of the mailer and applies heat to the cut end of the mailer as the mailer is moved through the slot. The pressure and the heat applied by the fusing device cause portions of the cut end to fuse together to close the mailer.

Abstract: A packaging system includes an object, a heat-shrinkable package, and a protective film. The heat-shrinkable package is formed from heat-shrinkable film around the object and the heat-shrinkable film includes a weakened portion. The protective film is coupled to the heat-shrinkable film and positioned to cover the weakened portion in the heat-shrinkable film. The heat-shrinkable package is configured to shrink and form a package of heat-shrunk film around the object in response to being exposed to a heat-shrink environment. The protective film is positioned to cover the weakened portion in the heat-shrunk film after exposing to package of heat-shrinkable film and the protective film to the heat-shrink environment.

Abstract: A cushion package can be formed around an object. The object can be removed from and reinserted into the cushion package. The cushion package includes a cushion material (104) having a longitudinal length and two longitudinal edges (110). The two longitudinal edges (110) of the cushion material are folded into an overlapping position to form a tube of the cushion material. The cushion package includes first and second transverse seals (148,150) in the tube of the cushion material. The first and second transverse seals (148,150) respectively form first and second ends of the cushion package. Each of the first transverse seal and the second transverse seal (148,150) seals the cushion material with the two longitudinal edges (110) in the overlapping position. The two longitudinal edges (110) of the cushion material are uncoupled between the first transverse seal and the second transverse seal (148,150).

Abstract: A cushioned envelope is formed from a laminated material that includes a cushioning web and a shell web. The outer side of the cushioning web is laminated to the inner side of the shell web. A crimping adhesive is applied to first and second transverse seams of the inner side of the cushioning web. The laminated web material is crimped so that each of the first and second transverse seams on the inner side of the cushioning web is folded in on itself. The folded laminated web material is crimped at the first transverse seam and at the second transverse seam. The crimped laminated web material is cut at a location in the first transverse seam and at a location in the second transverse seam.

Abstract: A machine for providing cushioning products of varying lengths from a supply of a web material having sequential transverse rows of inflated protrusions. A pair of opposing feed members form a feed nip for moving the web along a path of travel. At least one sensor detects location information for the sequential rows of inflated protrusions as the web travels along the path of travel. A severing device is moveable between (i) an engaged position to separate the web transversely or perforate the web transversely and (ii) a disengaged position. A controller is programmed (i) to receive the location information and (ii) to operatively control the severing device to move it to the engaged position when a selected row is in a determined position relative the severing device.

Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to sensor apparatuses configured to detect the presence of foam forming composition in various regions within a foam dispensing apparatus. In various embodiments, the foam dispensing apparatus comprises a dispensing nozzle positioned between at least two container-forming layers and configured to dispense foam forming composition into a container interior formed by the container-forming layers. The sensing apparatus may be positioned external to the container interior, on an opposite side of a container-forming layer relative to the nozzle, and the sensing apparatus may be configured to detect whether foam forming composition is present within a field of view of the sensing apparatus, which encompasses a portion of the container interior. The sensing apparatus may comprise a contactless temperature sensor configured to detect the presence of foam forming composition based on the detected temperature of a surface within the field of view of the sensor apparatus.

Abstract: A retention packaging assembly includes a frame and two sheet assemblies. The frame includes a central panel, end panels, and two sets of wing panels. Each set of wing panels includes wing panels that are foldably coupled to the central panel and to one of the two end panels. The sheet assemblies include a sheet that is attached at its ends to slot panels. The slot panels of each of the sheet assemblies are selectively couplable to one of the set of wing panels. After an object is placed on a front of the central panel, the sheets of the sheet assemblies are located over the sides of the object. The sets of wing panels can then be folded to a back of the frame to cause the sheets to retain the sides of the object to the central panel.

Abstract: A shaft decoupling system (200) includes an inner shaft (202) couplable to an actuator (102), an outer shaft (204) aligned coaxially with the inner shaft, and a bearing release collar (206). The bearing release collar is biased toward a first position by a biasing mechanism and configured to be moved to a second position against a biasing force of the biasing mechanism (222, 322) in response to the bearing release collar contacting a collar strike plate (118) as the actuator moves the shaft decoupling system. When the bearing release collar is in the first position, a bearing (220, 320) is held by the bearing release collar to prevent respective movement of the inner shaft and the outer shaft. When the bearing release collar is in the second position, the bearing release collar permits the bearing to retract such that the inner shaft is permitted to move coaxially with respect to the outer shaft.

Abstract: A sealing device generally includes a rotatable support cylinder having an outer, circumferential surface and a heating element disposed about such surface and secured thereto such that the heating element rotates therewith. The heating element is coiled about the outer surface of the cylinder in the form of an overlapping helical pattern. Juxtaposed film plies may be sealed together by bringing the sealing device into rotational contact with the juxtaposed film plies and heating the heating element to a temperature sufficient to cause the film plies to seal together.