Abstract: An automated packaging station is capable of being used to package objects. The automated packaging station includes a supply of web material, a surface (202), an aperture (206) therein, and a closing system. The automated packaging station is configured to form the web material into a pouch. The aperture (206) is configured such that an object can be inserted therethrough. The automated packaging station is configured to bias open the pouch beneath the surface such that the object inserted through the aperture falls into the pouch. The closing system is configured to close the pouch to form a package around the object in response to the object being inserted through the aperture. The object is capable of being shipped to a recipient in the package.

Abstract: A fluid dispenser (10) includes a housing (12) and a valving rod (14). The housing includes an inlet (28) that receives a fluid product, an internal chamber (26) in fluid communication with the inlet, a discharge port (20) in fluid communication with the internal chamber that dispenses fluid from the internal chamber, a dispensing fluid inlet (38) that receives a dispensing fluid, and a dispensing fluid passage system that carries the dispensing fluid to the discharge port. The valving rod is disposed in the housing and moves within the internal chamber between an open position and a closed position. The dispensing fluid passage system includes a first passageway (44) that carries the dispensing fluid in a first direction and a second passageway (48) that carries the dispensing fluid in a second direction. The second passageway has a distal end that dispenses the dispensing fluid proximate the discharge port.

Abstract: A guide can be used to improve inflatability of web material. The guide can be in a system that also includes a supply of a web material and an inflation and sealing system. The web material includes chambers that are in fluid communication with a common channel. The web material in the supply is folded about a longitudinal fold such that lengths of the chambers are folded. The inflation and sealing system is configured to inflate and seal the chambers as the web material is fed from the supply. The guide has a guide mechanism configured to be located between portions of the web material as the web material is being fed from the supply. The guide mechanism is configured to at least partially unfold the longitudinal fold in the web material at a point in the system where the inflation and sealing system is configured to inflate the chambers.

Abstract: An automated packaging station is configured to inflate and seal a web material. The automated packaging station includes a rail, a nozzle, and a sealing system. The web material includes a channel that is closed so that the channel can be slid over the rail. The nozzle inserts gas into the channel of the web material, which is in fluid communication with chambers to inflate the chambers. The sealing system seals closed ends the chambers proximate the channel after inflation of the chambers. A shape of the rail causes the channel and an opposite longitudinal side of the web material to diverge either before or during inflation of the chambers by the nozzle.

Abstract: A system includes a manifold block, a nozzle, and a blade carrier. The manifold block includes a gas inlet and a gas outlet. The gas outlet is in fluid communication with the gas inlet. The nozzle is configured to be coupled to the gas outlet of the manifold block, the nozzle including a conduit and a slot in the conduit. The blade carrier includes a body, a guard coupled to the body, and a blade coupled to the guard. The blade carrier is couplable to the manifold block so that so that a gap exists between the conduit and the guard. The wherein the blade is coupled to the blade carrier such that, when the blade carrier is couple to the manifold block, the blade is located in the gap between the conduit and the guard and a portion of the blade is located in the slot.

Abstract: An automated packaging station is capable of being used to package objects. The automated packaging station includes a supply of web material, a surface (202), an aperture (206) therein, and a closing system. The automated packaging station is configured to form the web material into a pouch. The aperture (206) is configured such that an object can be inserted therethrough. The automated packaging station is configured to bias open the pouch beneath the surface such that the object inserted through the aperture falls into the pouch. The closing system is configured to close the pouch to form a package around the object in response to the object being inserted through the aperture. The object is capable of being shipped to a recipient in the package.