Abstract: A system for supplying a liquid. A reservoir tank has a low level and a high level of the liquid. A pump is submerged in the liquid within the reservoir tank. The pump has an inlet to receive the liquid from a source outside of the reservoir tank and an outlet to deliver the liquid to a destination outside of the reservoir tank. A bleed path places the pump outlet in fluid communication with the reservoir tank. The bleed path has a bleed valve controlling the flow of liquid through the bleed path to maintain the liquid level in the reservoir tank above the low level. A recirculation path places the pump inlet in fluid communication with the reservoir tank. The recirculation path has a recirculation valve controlling the flow of liquid through the recirculation path to maintain the liquid level in the reservoir tank below the high level.

Abstract: A system for dispensing a liquid includes a source (24) of a liquid that crystallizes upon exposure to water moisture in air (e.g., an isocyanate). A dispenser (58) includes an inlet conduit (62) for receiving the liquid from the source, an outlet conduit (72) for dispensing the liquid out of an outlet opening exposed to air, and a valve (66) between the inlet (62) and outlet conduits (72). In the closed position of the valve (i) an upstream portion of the liquid is retained in the inlet conduit (62) on the upstream side of the valve (66) and (ii) a downstream portion of the liquid extending from the downstream side of the valve to the outlet opening is retained in the outlet conduit (72) on the downstream side of the valve (66). The size of the outlet opening of the outlet conduit (72) is sufficiently small to retain the downstream portion of the liquid in the outlet conduit when the valve (66) is in the closed position.

Abstract: A method of making a foam uses the following steps. A mixture is created having a polymerizable condensation polymer and a blowing agent. The polymerizable condensation polymer has hydroxy acid units and unsaturated di-functional units. The unsaturated di-functional units are unsaturated dicarboxylic acid units or unsaturated di-alcohol units. The mixture is expanded to create a froth. The polymerizable condensation polymer in the froth is reacted to create the foam.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming flexible containers from a film web, dispensing fluid into the containers, and enclosing the fluid within the containers. The film web comprises a pair of juxtaposed film plies, a closed longitudinal edge at which the plies are joined, and an open longitudinal edge at which the plies are not joined.

Abstract: A machine for inflating and sealing an inflatable web, the web including opposing longitudinal edges and a pair of sheets sealed together by transverse seals that form a series of inflatable containers. The machine generally includes a support structure, a spool for supporting a roll of the inflatable web, a web conveyance system, an inflation system to inflate the containers, and a sealing device for sealing closed the openings of the containers.

Abstract: Example embodiments provide methods, apparatus, systems, and computer program products for providing a packaging solution and a corresponding predetermined sequence of packing materials. In one embodiment, a method for controlling one or more packing material making machines is provided. The method comprises storing one or more predetermined packing recipes, wherein a packing recipe comprises (a) machine instructions for making a sequence of one or more packing materials and (b) a packaging solution for positioning the one or more packing materials in a container with an item. One of the one or more predetermined packing recipes is selected based on received input. The method further comprises causing at least one of the packing material making machines is to make the predetermined sequence of one or more packing materials in accordance with the machine instructions of the selected packing recipe and providing the packaging solution to a user through a user interface.

Abstract: An apparatus configured to dispense a plurality of connected inflatable structures is provided. The apparatus may include a motor which is configured to advance a dispensing device to thereby advance the connected inflatable structures. A sensor is configured to detect a pulling force applied to the dispensing device and configured to output a signal corresponding to the pulling force. A controller is configured to receive the signal and output a control signal to direct the motor to advance the dispensing device in response to the signal to thereby dispense the connected inflatable structures. A related system includes the apparatus in addition to an inflation device configured to inflate the connected inflatable structures and an accumulation bin configured to store the connected inflatable structures. A related method is also provided.

Abstract: An inflatable structure may be formed from a single piece of flexible film. The inflatable structure may include quilting seals which divide the inflatable chamber. The inflatable structure may include a one-way valve including an internal valve opening, a channel, and an external valve opening. A locator aperture positioned in the channel may be surrounded by a valve position-retention seal. A corresponding inflation device fills the inflatable structure with air and may do so without requiring heat sealing or insertion into the one-way valve. The inflation device may include a mechanical registration device configured to engage the locator aperture and position the one-way valve at a desired position with respect to an outlet of a source of pressurized air. The inflation device may detect when the inflatable structure is filled with a desired amount of air and automatically shut off the source of pressurized air.

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.

Abstract: A supply of inflatable pouches includes an inflatable web defining a series of inflatable chambers, a longitudinal fold in the web such that the web is configured in the form of two juxtaposed inflatable panels joined together at the longitudinal fold, and a series of transverse seals that bond the panels together to form a series of inflatable pouches between pairs of the transverse seals.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention generally relate to an automated inflation device configured for inflating an inflatable structure, which can then be used—for example—as a protective packaging material. As described in detail herein, various embodiments of the inflation device are configured to be mounted on a wall for convenient installation and use. According to certain embodiments, the inflation device is configured to automatically inflate multiple inflatable chambers in the inflatable structure using an efficient inflation-at-a-distance method. Moreover, various embodiments are provided with one or more user input controls and/or remote sensors to enable a user to conveniently request inflation of a particular number of inflatable chambers or a particular length of the inflatable structure.

Abstract: A frame (14) is useful in a packaging assembly including a box. The frame includes a panel (16) and a sheet (40). The panel has a panel length (L1) that is greater than the box length. The panel has a panel width (W1) that is greater than the box width. The panel defines a left slot (26) configured to receive the left closure flap of the box and a right slot (28) configured to receive the right closure flap of the box. The panel includes a left panel flap (30) extending from the left slot to the left edge (18) of the panel, a right panel flap (32) extending from the right slot to the right edge (20) of the panel, a front panel flap (34) extending from the left panel flap to the right panel flap; and a rear panel flap (36) extending from the left panel flap to the right panel flap. The left panel flap is foldably connected to the front panel flap and to the rear panel flap. The right panel flap is foldably connected to the front panel flap and the rear panel flap.

Abstract: A frame useful for retaining a product includes a frame and a sheet. The panel includes a central portion and right and left retention flaps extending from the central portion. The panel also includes right and left front pieces moveable to an engaged position coupled with the right and left retention flaps, respectively. The sheet includes a front retaining portion extending between the right and left front pieces and a front remainder portion at least partially overlaying the central portion of the panel. The right and left front pieces in the engaged position connect the front retaining portion of the sheet to the right and left retention flaps, respectively. When the right and left front pieces are both in their engaged positions, the front retaining portion of the sheet extends over the central portion of the panel.

Abstract: A method of making a foam comprising the following steps. A mixture is created comprising (i) a first reactant comprising triglyceride having acrylate functionality, (ii) a second reactant comprising diacrylate, and (iii) a blowing agent. The mixture is expanded to create a froth. The first and second reactants of the froth are reacted to create the foam.

Abstract: A frame useful in a suspension package includes a panel and a sheet attached to the panel. The panel has a central portion defining a panel opening. The sheet extends over the panel opening. First and second primary leg flaps extend from the central portion. The first and second primary leg flaps are foldable from an unfolded position to a folded position extending from the plane of the central portion. The panel also includes first and second auxiliary leg flaps foldably connected to the central portion.

Abstract: A sealing machine having a movable carriage assembly which utilizes a counterbalance and two servo motors is disclosed. The counterbalance allows high throughput operation without excessive mechanical vibration. The use of two servo motors allows independent control of the horizontal movement of the movable carriage assembly and the vertical movement of the jaws. The use of two servo motors also allows adaptation to articles or packages of various dimensions. In some embodiments, an optical sensor is used to detect the position of the package to be sealed, and the movement of the movable carriage assembly and the jaw is altered based on the detected position.