Abstract: A method of inflating a dunnage bag in a box including the steps of inflating the dunnage bag; with one or more sensors, monitoring deflection of at least two surfaces of the box while inflating the dunnage bag; upon detecting through monitoring that deflection of either of at least two surfaces reaches a corresponding preseleted threshold, automatically terminating inflating of the box.

Abstract: A dunnage bag includes a sealed, flexible bag, and a rigid valve assembly connected in fluid communication to the flexible bag. The valve assembly has a rigid collar which mounts in an opening in a wall of a container to receive an exit end of a fill nozzle of an inflating system which supplies pressurized gas for inflating the flexible bag.

Abstract: A dunnage bag includes a sealed, flexible bag, and a rigid valve assembly connected in fluid communication to the flexible bag. The valve assembly has a rigid collar which mounts in an opening in a wall of a container to receive an exit end of a fill nozzle of an inflating system which supplies pressurized gas for inflating the flexible bag.

Abstract: A process additive for polyolefin films and foams produces products having reduced aging time and reduced greasiness and reduced grease-like transfer as compared to glycerol monostearate (GMS). Carbon dioxide based blowing agents are suitable. The process additive comprises a fatty acid N-aliphatic alcohol amide of the general formula R—CON(R′)R″. R is a fatty hydrocarbon radical having from about 8 to 30 carbons. R′ typically is hydrogen. R′ can also be an alkyl radical of from about 1 to 6 carbons or an alkyl alcohol radical of from about 1 to 6 carbons. R″ is an alkyl alcohol fragment of from about 1 to 6 carbons. The alkyl alcohol fragments can be monohydric or polyhydric. Secondary fatty monoalkanolamides in which R′ is hydrogen are particularly useful, especially stearamide monoethanolamine (MEA).

Abstract: A method for accelerating the release of a flammable blowing agent from an expanded foam is disclosed. According to the method, an expanded foam structure is perforated to form a first series of channels extending partially through its thickness from a first surface and a second series of channels extending partially through its thickness from a second surface opposite the first surface. The channels provide paths enabling the blowing agent to escape more rapidly from the interior of the expanded foam structure.

Abstract: A composite material and method of forming such composite material is provided in which first and second layers of plastic film are laminated together and define a multiplicity of spaced apart, gas filled cavities therebetween, and a third layer of a fibrous or other suitable material is mechanically bonded to one of the first and second layers of plastic film.

Abstract: A process additive for polyolefin films and foams produces products having reduced aging time and reduced greasiness and reduced grease-like transfer as compared to glycerol monostearate (GMS). Carbon dioxide based blowing agents are suitable. The process additive comprises a fatty acid N-aliphatic alcohol amide of the general formula R-CON(R')R". R is a fatty hydrocarbon radical having from about 8 to 30 carbons. R' typically is hydrogen. R' can also be an alkyl radical of from about 1 to 6 carbons or an alkyl alcohol radical of from about 1 to 6 carbons. R" is an alkyl alcohol fragment of from about 1 to 6 carbons. The alkyl alcohol fragments can be monohydric or polyhydric. Secondary fatty monoalkanolamides in which R' is hydrogen are particularly useful, especially stearamide monoethanolamine (MEA). The benefits of the invention can be achieved and enhanced in some examples by mixing the fatty acid N-aliphatic alcohol amide with an ester of a long chain fatty acid with a polyhydric alcohol, including GMS.

Abstract: A packaging structure for holding an object securely against a rigid backing. The structure includes a substantially rigid panel having a pair of generally parallel fold lines which define respective folding side portions and a center portion. A flexible film material is superimposed on one surface of the center portion and extends onto the folding side portions. At least one edge of the film is secured to one folding side portion. According to one embodiment, the free edge of the film carries a securing member for adjustably mating with one or more mating members on a respective folding side portion. Glue strips, or other securing members, extending along the side portions, are provided for securing one edge of the film material to the rigid panel and for securing the other edge of the film to the securing member. When the securing member is mated with the mating member, the objects will be held tight between the film and the center portion when the side portions are folded in a direction away from the film.

Abstract: A packaging structure for holding an object securely against a rigid backing. The structure includes a substantially rigid panel having a pair of generally parallel fold lines which define respective folding side portions and a center portion. A flexible film material is superimposed on one surface of the center panel portion and extends onto the folding side portions. Means, such as opposed glue strips extending along the side portions, are provided for securing the film material to the rigid panel and for cooperating with the folding side portions to tighten the film against objects between the film and the center panel portion when the side portions are folded in a direction away from the film. The panel may include a fold line extending through the center panel portion for allowing the object to be inserted and secured beneath the film. The panel may also include openings into which projection on the folding side portions may be inserted to tighten the film. An associated method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A protective foam cushion-making apparatus dispenses reactive foam components into an interior space between two panels of plastic film to form protective foam cushions. The apparatus includes a supply of plastic film and a film a driving assembly, such as two pliable rollers. A foam component dispensing assembly is interposed between the film panels and injects reactive foam components into the interior space where they are mixed together to form a mass of expandable foam. The plastic film forms a flexible mixing chamber in the area between the two pliable rollers in which the reactive foam components are mixed together after they are dispensed from the foam dispensing assembly.

Abstract: A foam comprising a blend of a low density polyethylene and an ethylene/alpha-olefin copolymer is disclosed. The ethylene/alpha-olefin copolymer is preferably LLDPE and has a density ranging from about 0.86 to about 0.94 grams/cubic centimeter and a melt flow index of greater than 10 g/10 minutes. A method for producing such foam is also disclosed.

Abstract: A masking material for protecting the surface, or finish thereon, of a product, such as an automobile, during assembly, storage, shipment or transport including a bottom layer of plastic film adapted to have the lower surface thereof adhered to the surface to be protected, a cushioning layer disposed in superposed relation to the bottom layer and having lengthwise and widthwise dimensions smaller than the corresponding dimensions of the bottom layer such that the bottom layer protrudes for a predetermined distance beyond the periphery of the cushioning layer, and a top layer disposed in superposed relation to the cushioning layer and the bottom layer and having lengthwise and widthwise dimensions greater than the corresponding dimensions of the cushioning layer, the top layer being adhered to the cushioning layer and the bottom layer.

Abstract: There is provided a packaging system which includes a shipping container, such as a corrugated box, and an inflatable packaging cushion of flexible material adapted to be at least partially charged with filler medium and adapted to the shape and dimension of said packaging container. The inflatable cushion has corners and an internal opening capable of receiving the article to be protected such that the sides and ends of the article are completely encircled within protecting portions of the cushion. The top and bottom of the article are protected by a first pair of inflatable arms extending inwardly into the area of the internal opening and adapted to be positioned above and in contact with said article and a second pair of inflatable arms adapted to be positioned underneath and in contact with said article.

Abstract: A convective warmer for flexible plastic bags containing foam precursor chemicals includes an outer housing and an inner enclosure supported within the housing, the inner enclosure having foraminous floor and ceiling plates and foraminous dividers which divide the inner enclosure into vertical compartments for containing vertical stacks of bags. An air space exists between the housing and the inner enclosure, and a forced-air heater is arranged to heat air within the air space and circulate the heated air from the air space, through the foraminous floor plate into the compartments, and out the foraminous ceiling plate back into the air space. A loading door provides access to upper portions of the compartments for loading bags into the warmer, and a dispensing door provides access to lower portions of the compartments for removing a bottommost bag from a stack of bags in the warmer.

Abstract: Ionomer present in a polyethylene resin from about 1 to 40% by weight of the resin produces superior extruded foam sheet products that approach the pore size and resiliency of foams prepared from chemical blowing agents. The results can be achieved at normal extrusion rates and on standard extrusion foaming equipment.

Abstract: A dynamic displacement sensor for detecting an out-of-fluid condition in a liquid delivery system detects an increased amplitude of pump motion of a reciprocating air pump and provides an output signal upon detecting the increased amplitude motion. The detector includes a spring-mass combination supported within a housing such that the mass is movable along a defined axis of the housing, with the spring applying a restoring force to the mass when the mass moves away from its static position. The detector is attached to the pump with its defined axis aligned parallel with the pump axis. A sensor within the housing is triggered to change state when the mass is displaced by pump motion of a predetermined amplitude and frequency, thereby providing is an output signal indicating an out-of-fluid condition.

Abstract: A polyol blend is disclosed for making polyurethane foams. The blend includes a first polyol having a functionality of about 2, a hydroxyl number ranging from about 20 to about 90, and an equivalent weight ranging from about 600 to about 2800; a second polyol having a functionality ranging from about 4 to about 8, a hydroxyl number ranging from about 200 to about 600, and an equivalent weight ranging from about 90 to about 280; and a third polyol having a functionality ranging from about 2.5 to about 4, a hydroxyl number ranging from about 15 to about 500, and an equivalent weight ranging from about 180 to about 4000. The polyol blend is capable of reacting with an isocyanate compound in the presence of water to produce a foam having a density ranging from about 0.5 to about 5 pounds/ft.sup.3, a compressive strength ranging from about 3 to about 20 psi, and an airflow ranging from about 10 to about 1000 cc/minute.

Abstract: An extruded polyolefin foam in thicknesses of at least about 12 mm and greater of improved compressive strength, extensional viscosity, and reduced aging time and a process for making the foam are disclosed. The foam is prepared using a propane blowing agent. The beneficial properties imparted to thicker grade and plank foams by a propane blowing agent can be achieved with up to as much as 75% by volume of either normal butane or isobutane or both in the blowing agent, depending on the polyolefin selected.

Abstract: A packaging structure for holding an object securely against a rigid backing. The structure includes a substantially rigid panel having a pair of generally parallel fold lines which define respective folding side portions and a center portion. A flexible film material is superimposed on one surface of the center panel portion and extends onto the folding side portions. Means, such as opposed glue strips extending along the side portions, are provided for securing the film material to the rigid panel and for cooperating with the folding side portions to tighten the film against objects between the film and the center panel portion when the side portions are folded in a direction away from the film. The panel may include a fold line extending through the center panel portion for allowing the object to be inserted and secured beneath the film. The panel may also include openings into which projection on the folding side portions may be inserted to tighten the film. An associated method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A packaging device is disclosed for forming packaging cushions of the type that include a plastic bag filled with a solid foam, and wherein the cushions are initially formed of a plastic bag filled with a foamable material that reacts and then hardens to form solid foam. The device comprises means for advancing a sheet of plastic film material that has been center-folded to form a doubled web with one closed edge defined by the center fold and one open edge defined by the adjacent edges of the sheet. Means are included for injecting a foamable composition into the center-folded web between the two folded portions of the sheet, as are means for forming a substantially linear seal along the open edge and substantially parallel to the open edge to thereby longitudinally seal the open edge of the web.