Abstract: A cushioning conversion machine for converting sheet-like stock material into a cushioning product. The machine comprises a frame; a forming assembly which forms the sheet-like stock material into a three-dimensional strip of dunnage; a stock supply assembly which supplies the sheet-like stock material to the forming assembly; and a feed assembly which feeds the stock material through the forming assembly. The feed assembly includes a pair of shafts transversely movable relative to each other, a pair of rotating members mounted on respective shafts through which the strip of dunnage passes, a biasing member which urges one shaft towards the other shaft and thus one rotating member towards the other rotating member, and an adjustment member which adjusts the tension between the rotating members.

Abstract: A thermoplastic bag structure and method for making and packaging thermoplastic bags such that their tops are easily identified and the bags are easily opened. The method for producing these bags begins with cutting a flattened thermoplastic tube into two portions. At least one of the two portions is then collapsed to form a sheet of material having a pair of thermoplastic layers, a straight folded bottom edge and a pair of top edges, at least one of which has a skewed-cut. Bag side structures are formed in the sheet of material at about bag-width distances apart. The bags are then folded a predetermined number of times, in a direction transverse to the bag side structures, so that the skewed-cut top edge(s) of each of the bags remains exposed.

Abstract: A folding device includes one folding station in which a sheet can be folded zig-zag consecutively along a first dimension and in a second direction at right angles to said first dimensions. A control device automatically sets the folding device to a first folding program intended for folding an unfolded sheet, or a second folding program intended for folding a sheet already folded in one direction.

Abstract: A kit for making boxes from paper card stock. The kit has a flat plate with a guide rail with a vertical edge projecting above the surface of the plate parallel to one edge of the plate. A scoring groove traverses the plate parallel to the vertical edge of the guide rail. One or more spacing strips, each having a vertical edge, may be placed between the vertical edge of the guide rail and the scoring groove to vary the depth of the box. The overall size or "footprint" of a box made in accordance with the invention is determined by the distance of the scoring groove from the nearest vertical edge and the size of the blank card stock employed. Two identical sized card stocks are used for each box. A slightly wider spacing strip is used to form the top than the spacing strip used to form the bottom of the box. This also makes the depth of the box bottom slightly greater than the box top.

Abstract: In order to set the sheet guidance devices of a folder simply and quickly for the production of once or twice cross-folded products and to guide the products reliably and carefully, a tongue and a tongue bar are arranged in the runout gap of the folding blade cylinder and gripper/folding knife cylinder. To produce twice cross-folded products, the tongue can be moved out of the runout gap, after which a guidance device with a somewhat arc-shaped contour is directed to the runout gap.

Abstract: A method for folding and glueing a sheet of paper that contains informations and serves both as a letter and an envelope, wherein the sheet (40) is folded transverse to its parallel lateral edges (41). The lateral edges (41), the end edge (45) of the last folded sheet portion (40a) and the transverse edge (46) are closed by glue joints, and the folded and glued lateral edges (41) and the transverse edge (46) are perforated. The travel direction of the sheet is changed by about 90.degree. after treatment of the lateral edges (41). To make the transverse glue joints tight, transverse glueing of the end edge (45) of the last folded sheet portion (40a) and the transverse edge (46) is performed just before perforation of these parts by opening slightly the sheet portions (40a, 40b, 40c) that are to be glued together and by spraying glue on the slots.

Abstract: An inserter comprising feeding a sheet in a path of travel, a first module for suspending feeding of the sheet, a folder module located downstream from the first module, a second module located downstream from the folder module, a conveyor module located downstream from the folder module and upstream from the second module and a microcontroller. The second module for detecting a jam. The conveyor module for conveying the sheet and for sensing the presence of the sheet. The microcontroller in operative communication with the first module, the folder module, the conveyor module and the second module.

Abstract: There is provided a thermoplastic film bag having at least two integral members that facilitate opening the bag. The bag is manufactured from a flattened tube of thermoplastic material which may be distinctively severed along independent phase shifted sinusoidal oscillating paths down the center of the collapsed tube. The bag may have two opposed tie members which are offset from the vertical center axis of the bag and from each other. The tie members may be grasped and pulled apart to facilitate the easy opening of the bag. The tie members may then be tied together to form a strong member by which the bag may be picked up and carried. In alternate embodiments the shape of the integral tie members can be modified to create a bag having only the easy open feature with no tie members. A method for making the bag is also described.

Abstract: A cushioning conversion machine for converting sheet-like material into a cushioning dunnage product. The machine includes a forming assembly which forms the sheet-like stock material into a three-dimensional strip of dunnage, a feed assembly which feeds the stock material to the forming assembly, and a cutting assembly which cuts the strip of dunnage into sections of a desired length. An operating assembly includes a handle member which when moved to a first position activates the feed assembly and which when moved to a second position activates the cutting assembly.

Abstract: A spout for a container is provided with depending wings extending down from a bottom edge of the spout. The depending wings terminate in a point for piercing a container. The depending wings permit the spout to pivot ninety degrees from the container to extend from a container at a ninety degree angle therefrom. The spout has side walls with upper edges having arcs of ninety degrees. The spout is inserted into a container with a ram which drives the spout against a ramp to rock the depending wings upward with respect to the bottom edge of the spout. Thereafter, the ram drives the points into the container and the upper edges of the side walls of the spout contact the container and cam the spout back to a horizontal position to insert the ninety degree spout with the depending wings into a container.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing an improved bag for the cultivation of mushroom spawn is provided. The bags have continuous gas permeable sealing strips sealed to the inside walls of the bags which cover openings in the bag, so as to allow the bag to be vented without loss of moisture. The openings and sealing strips are positioned close to the top and bottom of the bag so as to maximize air flow through the mushroom spawn without creating dry spots, thereby improving spawn yield. The apparatus includes rollers for dispensing plastic film and at least one continuous hydrophobic strip of material. A series of apertures are punched by cutting dies in the film, and a vacuum system removes the cut out portions. The strip of material is positioned over the apertures and sealed by sealing dies over them, so as to enclose the apertures. A cutting dies cuts off the film and strips. A conventional bag making machine then forms the bags.

Abstract: A cushioning dunnage conversion machine for converting sheet-like stock material, such as paper in multiply form, into cut sections of relatively low density pad-like cushioning product, and cutting assembly therefor, is provided. The machine includes a stock supply assembly, a forming assembly, a pulling/connecting assembly and a cutting assembly, all of which are mounted on a machine frame. The machine frame includes a base plate having an upstream end and a downstream end, a first end plate extending generally perpendicular from the upstream end of the end plate and a second end plate extending generally perpendicular from the downstream end of the base plate.

Abstract: For producing a protective layer made of a sheet, a device exhibits an oblong guide element (1) with an upper edge (2), by way of which a sheet (7) can be folded in its longitudinal direction. Clamping elements (15, 16), designed as sliders, are arranged on the side of the guide element (1); and the sheet (7), folded in its longitudinal direction, can be grasped on both sides of the guide element (1) with said clamping elements. To form folds in the sheet (7), the clamping elements (15, 16) can be slid in the longitudinal direction of the guide element (1).

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for constructing block-shaped units of corrugated sheet material that are easily banded because of the absence of any irregularities in the units, and the units are as close to being cube-shaped as is possible for a given set of parameters. The automated stacking system comprises a computer programmed to determine a set of solutions to optimize a unit by determining an optimal number of corrugated sheets per bundle, and an optimal number of bundles per tier, and an optimal number of tiers per unit based upon customer order parameters. The system is initially set up with machine parameters defining machine constraints and a set of algorithm parameters which comprise desirability weighting factors. The desirability weighting factors allow a customer to customize the system according to preferred operating criteria.

Abstract: A method for forming a work object including the steps of moving the work object, initially disposed in a first configuration, along a path of travel to a forming position; defining an outer boundary for the work object, disposed in a second configuration, substantially about said forming position; and expanding the work object, during moving of the work object along the path of travel, to dispose the work object in the second configuration in the forming position. An apparatus for forming a work object including a mechanism for delivering the work object, disposed in a first configuration, to a deliver position; a forming assembly adjacent to the delivery position defining a forming chamber dimensioned to receive the work object therewithin disposed in a second configuration; and a manipulating assembly operable to engage the work object in the delivery position and to transport the work object into the forming chamber to manipulate the work object from the first configuration to the second configuration.

Abstract: A conveyor apparatus for use in a sheet handling apparatus including an upstream module having an output end and a downstream module having an input end where the upstream module output end is capable of discharging the sheet from a plurality of output positions. The conveyor apparatus feeds the sheet in a path of travel from the upstream module output end to the downstream module input end. The conveyor module comprising: a frame, a carriage having an input end adjacent the upstream module output end and an output end adjacent the downstream module input end, the carriage output end pivotally mounted to the frame so that the carriage input end is selectively rotatable to receive the sheet from a predetermined output position of the upstream module, and the carriage including conveyor means for feeding the sheet from the upstream module output end to the downstream module input end.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a liner having baffles therein for use inside of a flexible bulk container, having a frame supporting a first feed means mounted adjacent to a feed path for feeding a sheet of liner material over the feed path at a first speed. A second feed means is mounted adjacent the feed path between the first feed means and a finishing end of the feed path for feeding a length of ribbon material over the feed path adjacent the sheet of liner material at a second speed. An attachment means is mounted adjacent the feed path for attaching the fed ribbon material to the fed sheet of liner material at spaced apart intervals. A cutter is mounted adjacent the feed path and between the attachment means and the finishing end for cutting a predetermined length of liner material having first and second ends. A folder folds the cut length of liner material in half along a fold line perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of an attached length of ribbon, such that the ribbon is inside of the fold.

Abstract: A tube making machine in which flat sheets of material are bent to conform with the outside surface of a cylindrical mandrel defining the interior of the tube, with bending taking place in a loop of a belt which contains the mandrel so that the material to be bend is radially compressed by the belt over a major surface of the mandrel beginning at a first line of contact where the belt first comes in contact with the mandrel and extending circumferentially to a second line of contact where the belt leaves the mandrel as the material reaches the second line of contact it is guided and maintained in contact with the mandrel until it reaches the first line of contact and reenters the space between the belt and the mandrel. The belt loop and the guide surface forms a continuous path over the entire circumference of the mandrel.

Abstract: A method for forming a tamper-resistant envelope formed of a thermoplastic resin comprises two opposing panels having respective bottom and side wall edges bonded together to form a pocket therebetween. The top of the pocket is open for inserting an item into the pocket. Each panel has an edge portion adjacent the opening. A bead of pressure-sensitive adhesive is applied adjacent the edge portions, and the bead is heat-seal bonded to the thermoplastic edge portion. The edge portions can be brought together to bring the adhesive beads into contact to close the opening. By heat-seal bonding the adhesive beads to the thermoplastic edge portions, the pressure-sensitive adhesive is less susceptible to being opened by supercooling.

Abstract: This invention relates to a curl correcting device comprising a sheet transport path, an opening member openable from a main body of the device, for opening the sheet transport path, transport means for transporting a sheet along the sheet transport path, a first guide member for guiding the sheet transported by the sheet transport means, a second guide member for guiding the sheet transported by the sheet transport means and correcting the curl of the sheet in cooperation with the first guide member, and moving means for moving at least one of the first and second guide members to a position not correcting the curl tendency, in a state in which the opening member is closed.