Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to systems and methods for creating protective packaging. A device comprises a processor and a memory. The memory contains computer readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to receive, from an external sensor, data that is indicative of physical characteristics for an object to be packaged, determine a type of object to which the object to be packaged corresponds based on the physical characteristics, select one or more type of packaging elements for packaging the object based on the type of object, and cause a packaging machine to create packaging elements of the selected type.

Abstract: A control device comprising a processor and a memory. The memory contains computer readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to retrieve from a memory a queue containing a plurality of sets of instructions, each set of instructions corresponding to parameters for forming a unit of packaging material, cause a packaging machine to create a plurality of packaging units according to the parameters, receive user input corresponding to a rewind queue functionality, and rewind the queue to cause the packaging machine to rerun a portion of the queue and create some of the plurality of the packaging units during the rerun.

Abstract: Provided is an inflatable shoe insert for inserting in a shoe. The insert comprises first and second web plies that are sealed together at a plurality of seals that define an air chamber. The air chamber includes a front region having a toe expansion region uninterrupted by seals over an area so that when fully inflated, the front region expands to a height and medial-lateral width to support the shoe upper against collapsing. The air chamber further includes a retention portion having a region in which the seals are spaced closer together than in the toe expansion region so that when fully inflated, the retention portion expands to a medial-lateral width that is smaller than that in the toe expansion region, the retention portion having an anterior-posterior length that reaches the heel of the shoe to retain the front region in the toe box by pressure against the heel.

Abstract: A material dispenser having a dispensing member configured to dispense a line of the material along a path in a downstream direction, and a cutting member having a cutting edge extending generally downstream with respect to the path. The cutting member having a convex shape across the path, such that the cutting edge engages and sequentially initiates cuts through the line of material when the line of material is pulled against the cutting member, thereby minimize cutting forces.

Abstract: A dunnage crumpling apparatus is provided having first and second entry-side crumpling members and first and second exit-side crumpling members. The first and second entry-side crumpling members define an entry therebetween. The first and second exit-side crumpling members define an exit therebetween that is disposed along the longitudinal path downstream of the entry. A crumpling zone being defined between the entry and exit. The first entry-side crumpling member is configured for moving at an first rate and is associated with the second entry-side crumpling member for moving sheet material through the entry in a first direction along a longitudinal path at an entry rate. The first exit-side crumpling member is configured for moving at an second rate and is associated with the second exit-side crumpling member for moving the sheet material through the exit in the first direction along the path at a exit rate that is slower than the entry rate to crumple the sheet material for producing dunnage.

Abstract: A material dispenser having a dispensing member configured to dispense a line of the material along a path in a downstream direction, and a cutting member having a cutting edge extending generally downstream with respect to the path. The cutting member having a convex shape across the path, such that the cutting edge engages and sequentially initiates cuts through the line of material when the line of material is pulled against the cutting member, thereby minimize cutting forces.

Abstract: A packaging material handling device is disclosed. The device includes a first pair of traction members configured for cooperatively engaging a chain of pre-inflated pillows from opposite sides thereof and being operable for driving the chain in the flow direction. The device further includes a second pair of traction members configured for cooperatively engaging the chain from opposite sides thereof. The second pair of traction members are spaced apart from the first pair of traction members along a flow direction and are operable for driving the chain in the flow direction. The first and second pairs of traction members are operable for holding the first and second portions of the chain during a breaking operation. The device further includes a breaking member disposed between the first and second pairs of traction members and movable against the chain across the flow direction in the breaking operation to break the chain for detaching the first portion from the second portion.

Abstract: A dunnage crumpling apparatus is provided having first and second entry-side crumpling members and first and second exit-side crumpling members. The first and second entry-side crumpling members define an entry therebetween. The first and second exit-side crumpling members define an exit therebetween that is disposed along the longitudinal path downstream of the entry. A crumpling zone being defined between the entry and exit. The first entry-side rumpling member is configured for moving at an first rate and is associated with the second entry-side crumpling member for moving sheet material through the entry in a first direction along a longitudinal path at an entry rate. The first exit-side crumpling member is configured for moving at an second rate and is associated with the second exit-side crumpling member for moving the sheet material through the exit in the first direction along the path at a exit rate that is slower than the entry rate to crumple the sheet material for producing dunnage.

Abstract: A system for processing a line of material along a path and a tear-assist apparatus. The tear-assist comprising a driving portion that drives the line of material along the path, a sensing unit that detects pulling of the line of material in a first direction along the path away from the driving portion, and a cutting member for cutting the line of material. The sensing unit can be associated with the driving portion such that upon detecting movement of the line in the first direction, the sensing unit causes the driving portion to drive the line of material in a second direction along the path for drawing the line of material against the cutting member to cut the line of material. In another configuration, when the sensing unit detects the movement in the first direction, the sensing unit can cause the driving portion to drive the line of material in the second direction sufficiently for severing the portion of the line of material.

Abstract: An inflatable packaging element is disclosed herein. The inflatable packaging element includes a first film ply and second film ply overlayed on the first ply, and a seal pattern. The seal pattern has a plurality of seals sealing the first and second plies to each other to define an inflation chamber between the first and second plies. The inflation chamber is inflatable with and configured to contain a fluid. An aperture extends through at least one of the first or second ply, and the seal pattern separates opposite side of the aperture from the inflation chamber.

Abstract: An inflatable packaging element is provided herein. The inflatable packaging element comprises first and second film plies sealed to each other by a seal to cooperatively form a flexible structure. The seal defines an inflation chamber between the first and second plies that is inflatable with and configured to contain a fluid. The seal is formed using an adhesive.

Abstract: A packaged produce product is provided herein. The packaged produce product comprises first and second film plies sealed to each other by a seal to cooperatively form a flexible structure. The seal defines an inflation chamber between the first and second plies that is inflatable with and configured to contain a fluid. A plurality of apertures extends through both plies, thereby providing a vent across the flexible structure. An agricultural produce is located adjacent to the flexible structure, cushioned by the inflation chamber, and vented by the apertures.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a device for inflating and cutting a material web. The device can include a web advancement mechanism to advance a material web in a longitudinal path, an inflation mechanism for inserting a fluid into the material web to create one or more inflated pillows, a fluid inlet for providing the fluid to the inflation mechanism and one or more fluid outlets positioned to inflate the pillow or guide an inflation channel of the web over the nozzle.

Abstract: A system for processing a line of material along a path and a tear-assist apparatus. The tear-assist comprising a driving portion that drives the line of material along the path, a sensing unit that detects pulling of the line of material in a first direction along the path away from the driving portion, and a cutting member for cutting the line of material. The sensing unit can be associated with the driving portion such that upon detecting movement of the line in the first direction, the sensing unit causes the driving portion to drive the line of material in a second direction along the path for drawing the line of material against the cutting member to cut the line of material. In another configuration, when the sensing unit detects the movement in the first direction, the sensing unit can cause the driving portion to, drive the line of material in the second direction sufficiently for severing the portion of the line of material.

Abstract: In some embodiment, a machine for creating protective packaging is disclosed. The machine includes a plurality of electromechanical components configured to create protective packaging items, a housing enclosing at least a portion of the plurality of electromechanical components, and a controller communicatively coupled one or more of the electromechanical components and securely mounted to the housing, wherein the controller selectively modifies one or more output characteristics of the one or more electromechanical components to generate the protective packaging items.

Abstract: A control device, comprising a processor and a memory that contains computer readable instructions. When executed by the processor, the computer readable instructions cause the processor to receive a first user input corresponding to first parameters for forming a first unit of packaging material, add first instructions corresponding to the first unit to a queue for a packaging device, receive a second user input corresponding to second parameters for forming a second unit of packaging material, add second instructions corresponding to the second unit to the queue, and transmit the queue to the packaging device to cause the packaging device to create the first and second units of packaging material according to the first and second parameters.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to systems and methods for creating protective packaging. The device includes a processor and a memory, the memory containing computer readable instructions. When executed by the processor, the instructions may cause the processor to receive, from a scanner, item data for at least one item to be packaged, based on the item data, determine one or more types of packaging elements for packaging the at least one item, and based on the determination, cause one or more packaging machine to create the one or more types of packaging elements.

Abstract: The present disclosure is related to methods and machines for creating packaging materials and reordering supply materials. As one example, a machine of the present disclosure includes a supply material input for receiving raw supplies, one or more machine components configured to convert the raw supplies into completed packaging materials, a material output for outputting completed packaging materials created using the raw supplies, and a processing element configured to receive data corresponding to the one or more machine components. The processing element determines using at least one of an initial raw supply level, a completed packaging materials level, one or more current packaging material orders, and/or historical operating parameters of the one or more machine components to determine if additional raw supplies are required.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to a method and a machine for creating protective packaging. The machine includes a controller including a processing element and a display in electrical communication with the processing element. In response to a user input or a machine operation input, the processing element selects demonstrative content corresponding to the user input or the machine operation input and the display displays the demonstrative content. Examples of demonstrative content include tutorial videos or photographs illustrating how to operate the machine, how to replace consumables used by the machine, replace or repair machine components, and/or how to package certain items using packaging materials created by the machine.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a device for inflating and cutting a material web. The device can include a web advancement mechanism to advance a material web in a longitudinal path, an inflation mechanism for inserting a fluid into the material web to create one or more inflated pillows, a fluid inlet for providing the fluid to the inflation mechanism, and a cutting mechanism configured to cut the material web in the longitudinal path.