Abstract: A machine and method for converting a web of material into dunnage, the machine comprising a mechanism for conveying the web through the machine, a first web-shaping device for crumpling the web, a second web-shaping device for further crumpling the web, and a severing mechanism to sever the web into discrete lengths.

Abstract: A method of controlling brightness of a user-selected area on a monitor screen is disclosed. First, a starting point of a topmost line of a displayed image is determined as a new reference point. Then a line pattern being included in one of image lines of the displayed image is detected. The pattern includes an indicator whose ends are horizontally aligned with vertical edges of the user-selected area. Next, horizontal distances of the vertical edges with respect to the reference point, and a highlight area is identified using the measured horizontal distances. Finally, a brightness gain of the identified highlight area is amplified.

Abstract: A method of controlling brightness of a user-selected area on a monitor screen is disclosed. First, a starting point of a topmost line of a displayed image is determined as a new reference point. Then a line pattern being included in one of image lines of the displayed image is detected. The pattern includes an indicator whose ends are horizontally aligned with vertical edges of the user-selected area. Next, horizontal distances of the vertical edges with respect to the reference point, and a highlight area is identified using the measured horizontal distances. Finally, a brightness gain of the identified highlight area is amplified.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method are disclosed for making a polymer foam cushioning element. The method comprises advancing a pair of sheets of plastic film material in parallel face-to-face relationship; injecting foam precursors between the advancing plastic sheets; sealing the sheets together to form a plastic bag containing the foam precursors; forming the bag into the shape of a panel; and thereafter maintaining the bag in the panel shape until the foam precursors have substantially finished expanding into foam to thereby form a foam cushion panel.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for automatically molding defined three-dimensional foam cushions. The apparatus comprises means for preparing a bag from plastic film material and for enclosing a foamable composition in the plastic bag, means for concurrently aligning a mold with the plastic bag and the bag preparing means, means for placing the bag containing the foamable composition into the aligned mold as the foamable composition begins to form foam, and means for maintaining the bag in the mold until the foamable composition has substantially finished forming foam in a shape conforming to the mold.

Abstract: Apparatus for fabricating discrete segments of cushioned web material for use as dunnage. The apparatus includes a mobile supply cart having at least one substantially horizontal support arm for receiving the hollow core of rolled web material. The apparatus also includes a separate driven rugation device with feed rollers for directing multiple plies of the web material in overlying, contacting relationship along a single path of travel. The separate cart and rugation device may be removably interconnected for lateral alignment. Driven interdigitized texturing rolls downstream of the feed rollers emboss a raised pattern on the web material, and a plurality of separating rollers downstream from the texturing rolls separate the plies of web material and direct them in divergent paths of travel. Combining rolls recombine the plies of textured web material such that the embossed areas of each ply do not directly overlie each other but are offset, creating void areas between the adjacent plies.

Abstract: Apparatus for fabricating discrete segments of cushioned web material for use as dunnage. The apparatus includes a mobile supply cart having at least one substantially horizontal support arm for receiving the hollow core of rolled web material. The apparatus also includes a separate driven rugation device with feed rollers for directing multiple plies of the web material in overlying, contacting relationship along a single path of travel. The separate cart and rugation device may be removably interconnected for lateral alignment. Driven interdigitized texturing rolls downstream of the feed rollers emboss a raised pattern on the web material, and a plurality of separating rollers downstream from the texturing rolls separate the plies of web material and direct them in divergent paths of travel. Combining rolls recombine the plies of textured web material such that the embossed areas of each ply do not directly overlie each other but are offset, creating void areas between the adjacent plies.

Abstract: Apparatus for fabricating discrete segments of cushioned web material for use as dunnage. The apparatus includes a mobile supply cart having at least one substantially horizontal support arm for receiving the hollow core of rolled web material. The apparatus also includes a separate driven rugation device with feed rollers for directing multiple plies of the web material in overlying, contacting relationship along a single path of travel. The separate cart and rugation device may be removably interconnected for lateral alignment. Driven interdigitized texturing rolls downstream of the feed rollers emboss a raised pattern on the web material, and a plurality of separating rollers downstream from the texturing rolls separate the plies of web material and direct them in divergent paths of travel. Combining rolls recombine the plies of textured web material such that the embossed areas of each ply do not directly overlie each other but are offset, creating void areas between the adjacent plies.