Abstract: A dunnage conversion machine includes a forming assembly configured to form a sheet stock material into a strip of dunnage, and a feeding assembly downstream of the forming assembly that is configured to pull the sheet stock material through the forming assembly. The machine also includes a tear assist assembly downstream of the feeding assembly that includes a pinch arm on one side of the path and a stop opposing the pinch arm on an opposite side of the path. The pinch arm is movable between a resting position in which the pinch arm is located on the one side of the path, and a pinching position in which the pinch arm is located in the path to capture the strip of dunnage between the pinch arm and the stop. Reversing the feed assembly while the pinch arm is in the pinching position causes the strip of dunnage to tear.

Abstract: A bag forming apparatus for forming a flat bottom of a bag includes a base, opposing sidewalls that extend upright relative to the base, and a top that is operably coupled to an upper portion of each of the sidewalls. The top has an intermediate pivot axis between the sidewalls that enables the top to pivot about the pivot axis between a collapsed state and an expanded state. In the collapsed state, the upper portions of the respective sidewalls are closer together and the top extends upright relative to the base to form a tip for insertion into an opening of the bag. In the expanded state, the upper portions of the respective sidewalls are spaced further apart and the top extends horizontally relative to the base to form a platform for forming the flat bottom of the bag.

Abstract: A dunnage conversion machine includes (i) a pair of gripping rollers configured to rotate at a first rotational speed to advance a slit-sheet material in a downstream direction; (ii) a pair of expansion rollers configured to rotate at a second rotational speed, faster than the first rotational speed, creating a stretching force on the slit-sheet material and further advancing the slit-sheet material, causing expansion of the slit-sheet material to a fully expanded state; and (iii) a pair of relaxation rollers configured to rotate at a third rotational speed, slower than the second rotational speed, reducing the stretching force and further advancing the slit-sheet material, allowing the slit-sheet material to relax to a partially expanded state. The pair of relaxation rollers (iii) also are configured to capture the slit-sheet material in the partially expanded state between a top cover sheet and a bottom cover sheet to form a dunnage pad.