Abstract: A machine for inflating and sealing an inflatable web comprising a series of pre-formed flexible containers, each of the pre-formed containers being capable of holding therein a quantity of gas and having an opening for receiving such gas.

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 conveyance system comprises a production machine for manufacturing a web of packaging cushions, a duct downstream from the production machine, a blower to provide an air flow through the duct to apply a conveyance force for conveying the web of packaging cushions, and a friction contact area downstream from the production machine and upstream from the duct entrance. The web of packaging cushions passes beneath and contacts the friction contact area to create a friction force opposing the conveyance force so that the conveyance force is not transmitted along the web of packaging cushions to the production machine.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter relates generally to an apparatus for forming and/or sealing an inflatable mailer. Particularly, the disclosed apparatus comprises an inflation assembly that comprises upper and lower support arms and at least one inflation nozzle. In addition, the disclosed apparatus comprises a sealing assembly comprising upper and lower support arms, upper and lower heat seal jaws, two solenoids, and at least one heat seal element.

Abstract: A packaging method and apparatus wherein each product is packaged by enveloping the product in flexible packaging material. A programmed microprocessor calculates the length of flexible packaging material needed to package the product based on the physical dimensions of the product, calculates the weight of the flexible packaging material needed, and calculates a total package weight as the sum of the weight of the product and the calculated weight of the flexible packaging material. A printer prints information specific to the product that is being packaged onto a label that is then affixed to the flexible packaging material prior to the product being packaged. The information can be a function of the package weight, and the calculated total package weight can be communicated from the microprocessor to the printer. Finally, the product is packaged in the flexible packaging material having the label already affixed thereto.

Abstract: A packaging assembly in which discrete cushioning or blocking and bracing members are strategically positioned so as to provide improved protection of an article such as during shipment and storage. The assembly includes a substrate and a predetermined 2- or 3-dimensional pattern of cushioning members such as inflated (e.g., gas-filled) bags selectively and optionally independently affixed to the substrate. The pattern of cushioning members is predetermined in the x, y and z directions such that, when the substrate is positioned about the article, e.g., by folding the substrate, point contact between the cushioning members and the article is created. A method of fabricating a shock protective assembly for packaging an article is also disclosed.

Abstract: A packaging assembly in which discrete cushioning or blocking and bracing members are strategically positioned so as to provide improved protection of an article such as during shipment and storage. The assembly includes a substrate and a predetermined 2- or 3-dimensional pattern of cushioning members such as inflated (e.g., gas-filled) bags selectively and optionally independently affixed to the substrate. The pattern of cushioning members is predetermined in the x, y and z directions such that, when the substrate is positioned about the article, e.g., by folding the substrate, point contact between the cushioning members and the article is created. A method of fabricating a shock protective assembly for packaging an article is also disclosed.

Abstract: An optimized tray for case-ready meat products is disclosed. The tray comprises a base, a plurality of sidewalls connected at a plurality of corners, a flange extending from an upper edge of each sidewall, and a plurality of substantially vertical ribs extending from said sidewalls and spaced apart therealong. At least one of the sidewalls is bowed inwardly, and the flange along at least a partial length of the at least one bowed sidewall is varied in width. The ribs can also vary in thickness along at least a partial length of at least one of the sidewalls. The interaction of the at least one bowed sidewall, the varying flange width, and the varying rib thickness allows for optimization of tray resistance to vertical and horizontal stress without increasing the overall outer dimensions of the tray and without substantially decreasing the internal volume of the tray.

Abstract: An inflatable container generally includes a flexible housing having an interior cavity and a flexible valve in operative association with the housing, wherein, when a first force is exerted on the housing and a second force is exerted on the valve, or the valve is attached to an external object such as another container, the housing and the valve each undergo a change in shape to draw fluid from the ambient environment, through the valve, and into the interior cavity.

Abstract: A machine for inflating and sealing an inflatable structure having a longitudinal edge generally comprises a drive, an inflation nozzle, a sealing device, and a sheet engagement device. The machine may define an engaging assembly and an opposing assembly. The drive may be rotationally coupled to the sheet engagement device such that when the drive rotates, the engagement device also rotates. The engagement device may include a first belt and an opposing second belt which may each have a plurality of teeth thereon. The teeth may intermesh between a drive roller and a backing roller on the longitudinal edge of the inflatable structure. Thereby, the sheets of the inflatable structure may be engaged together and the length of the longitudinal edge may contract to facilitate inflation. The resulting inflated inflatable structure may comprise an embossed longitudinal edge.

Abstract: An inflatable article has a first film bonded to a second film so as to provide between the first film and the second film a plurality of inflatable chambers, each of the inflatable chambers containing a plurality of cells. Each of the cells is connected to at least one adjacent cell by an inflatable connecting channel. The first film is bonded to the second film between adjacent inflatable chambers. The first film and the second film each have at least one formed region corresponding with a location of a cell, with the at least one formed region of the second film being nested into the at least one formed region of the first film. Also disclosed are processes of making the inflatable article.

Abstract: A compacted tube structure for forming bags. The structure includes a plurality of alternating inner and outer longitudinally extending folds that define a plurality of outwardly extending projections. The outwardly extending projections are stacked one upon another on a first side and a second side of the structure on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis. The structure may further include at least one S-fold extending across a width for shortening the length of the structure. Top and bottom projections on each side may include an edge tab. The top and bottom edge tabs may be sealed together to form an edge margin on each side for retaining the compacted configuration of the structure. The structure may also include a plurality of separation lines and sealed ends for defining one or more bags.

Abstract: An inflatable web, and method and apparatus for inflating the web, which generally includes two sheets having inner surfaces sealed to each other in a pattern defining a series of inflatable chambers of predetermined length, each of the chambers having at least one change in width over their length; an inflation port located at a proximal end of each chamber, the inflation ports being formed by intermittent seals between the sheets; and longitudinal flanges formed by a portion of each of the sheets that extend beyond the inflation ports and intermittent seals.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a floor underlayment material comprising a film sheet having an inner surface attached to a foam sheet and an outer surface including a plurality of recesses formed therein. The plurality of recesses define one or more fluid pathways through which a fluid may migrate across the outer surface of the film layer. The underlayment material may be used in a flooring system to help prevent or limit the accumulation of a fluid between the floor and the subfloor. In one embodiment, the underlayment material may be disposed between a subfloor and floor with the outer surface of the film layer being disposed adjacent to the underside of the floor. The one or more fluid pathways provide channels through which a fluid such as moisture vapor may escape from within a flooring system and thereby reduce the accumulation of moisture in the flooring system.

Abstract: A molding system for foam-in-bag cushions comprises a mold defining a mold cavity, an air plenum separate from the mold cavity, a plurality of air passages that connect the mold cavity to the air plenum, and at least one port connected to the air plenum. The mold cavity has an open side and the mold includes a door that is movable between a closed position closing the open side of the mold cavity and an open position allowing a cushion to enter and exit through the open side. The system further comprises a pneumatic vacuum/blowout system connected with the at least one port. The vacuum/blowout system comprises a vacuum source, an air tank containing pressurized air, and a vacuum/blowout valve structured and arranged to alternately couple the at least one port either to the vacuum source or to the air tank.

Abstract: An inflatable mailer having a liner that can be inflated at the point of use. The liner includes a series of inflatable chambers that are in fluid communication with a common channel. A controlled volume of gas is disposed in the liner. The gas is sufficient to inflate the common channel but is not sufficient to appreciably inflate the inflatable chambers. As a result, the inflatable mailer is in a relatively compact state. An apparatus for inflating the mailer. The apparatus includes a nip for moving the controlled volume of gas into the common channel; an inflation nozzle comprising a pointed needle configured to pierce the inflated common channel and introduce a second portion of gas into the liner until the liner is inflated to a desired level; and a sealing device to seal the inflated liner.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making a foam-in-place cushion in which a foam-forming composition is dispensed between two plastic film portions in a predetermined fashion to selectively control the distribution of the foam in the cushion. A foam dispenser can be moved in a transverse direction as foam is dispensed. A dispersion device can be employed to apply pressure on predetermined areas of the film portions towards each other so as to cause the composition to be redistributed in position in a predetermined manner while the composition is in a less than fully expanded state. The plastic film can then be sealed closed to form an expanding foam cushion that can be placed into a shipping carton where the cushion expands to fill void space, or into a mold where the cushion expands and is molded into a desired shape.

Abstract: A packaging method and apparatus wherein each product is packaged by capturing the product in flexible packaging material. The packing apparatus includes a product detector for detecting the presence or absence of a product to be packaged. The detection of the product may cause the advancement of packaging material and the product through a nipping station to form a package. The failure to detect a product may cause the advancement of the packaging material to stop and conserve packaging material until a product is detected. The product detector may be a color sensor trained to detect a color of the first web, a luminescence sensor trained to detect a luminance of the first web, or a light-sensitive sensor trained to detect a difference in light passing through the first web. Also, a luminescence additive may be joined with the lower web to provide a distinct luminance.

Abstract: A mold assembly for making a molded foam article generally includes a housing having an internal cavity and an opening into the cavity, a movable support member movable between an inner position and an outer position, an object supported by the support member and having a three-dimensional shape, and a closure. A method for making a molded foam article generally includes moving the support member to the outer position, positioning a film web over the object to form a substantially convex envelopment, moving the support member to the inner position while maintaining the film web in contact with the object to reconfigure the substantially convex film envelopment into a partially concave film envelopment, and dispensing a predetermined amount of a foamable composition into the hollow space provided by the concave envelopment.

Abstract: An inflatable dunnage bag for filling empty space within a container is provided. The inflatable dunnage bag includes a bag portion and a valve assembly. The valve assembly is connected to the bag portion and defines a passageway through which a fluid is introduced into the bag portion during an inflation process. The valve assembly may include a backing plate, a flap, a projection, or combination thereof. The backing plate may be positioned between front and back walls of the valve assembly and be configured to protect the back wall from an inflation nozzle inserted through the front wall during the inflation process. The backing plate may include a flap adapted to further protect the back wall and help direct the fluid flow toward the bag portion. The projection, such as a hook, is configured to position the valve assembly to a predetermined area of the container.