Abstract: Stock material units that may be used in a dunnage conversion machine. For example, stock material units include sheet material that may be fed into the dunnage conversion machine and may be converted thereby into dunnage.

Abstract: A stock supply assembly for a dunnage conversion machine includes a stock material support having a support structure, such as a shelf for a stack of fan-folded sheet stock material. The stock supply assembly is rotatable between a relatively lower loading position and a relatively higher operating position vertically displaced relative to the loading position.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are protective packaging stock material units that are used in a dunnage system. A dunnage system includes a dunnage conversion machine and a supply station. The supply station is a cart that includes a biased support that is connected to a vertical side support. The biased support is movable from an open position to a closed position with respect to opposing vertical side supports. In the closed position, the biased support is configured to at least partially block the opening between the opposing vertical side supports. In the open position, the biased support leaves the opening between the opposing vertical side supports sufficiently open to load fanfold stock material therein. The biased support is biased towards the closed position and the open position. The supply station also includes an alignment device forming a funnel positioned under its base.

Abstract: A tugger train trailer including a support frame configured as a transport material cart entrained in a trailer train, which has a chassis with at least two wheels, and a lifting device configured to adjust the height of at least part of the support frame relative to the wheels. The lifting device may include at least one rotatable eccentric disc, which is supported on a cam roller. The eccentric disc may be installed on a shaft that is driven in rotation. The cam roller may be mounted on the support frame or a part of the support frame.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a dunnage conversion machine (30) for converting a stock material into a dunnage product, a stock material support (22) for a supply of stock material to be fed to the dunnage conversion machine, and a drop-and-slide mechanism (34) configured to allow the stock material support to be moved between an operating position and a loading position, which is spaced both horizontally and vertically from the operating position. The drop-and-slide mechanism includes a guide member (40) and a slide (42) to which the stock material support is mounted. The slide is supported by the guide member for horizontal movement relative to the guide member. A packer can pull the slide horizontally away from the operating position, causing the stock support to fall to the loading position, and the packer can push the slide away from the loading position, causing the stock support to rise to the operating position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a control for a machine for producing paper padding material. The machine comprises a drive motor which transports sheets of paper through a shaping device. In this shaping device, the sheets of paper are shaped to paper padding material which is then cut to the desired length in a cutting device. The inventive control allows for an automatic memorization of a manually selected storage length.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and systems for producing cushioning material from sheet material. In some embodiments, the apparatus comprises horizontally aligned forming members having fins for use in pulling and processing sheet material. The sheet material can be perforated sheet material. A holder can be provided for holding sheet material in stock roll form, the holder having a cross-bar for producing resistance against the stock roll to dissipate momentum of the stock roll when the motor of the apparatus is stopped.

Abstract: To produce a thatch roofing material from waste plastic bottles, an apparatus includes a device for cutting the bottles into one or more strips. The device may include a decontouring unit that removes contours from the bottles and a heated clamp that fuses the strips together lengthwise to create a plastic tape. A bottle may be formed into rectangular stock by removing the top and bottom and longitudinally cutting the middle part. The rectangular stock may be cut into the cut strips, such as with a wire cutter. The plastic tape may be used to create folded thatch components by cutting, from the plastic tape, one or more slats and one or more thatch roofing material strips, and folding and attaching the thatching roofing material strips to the slats. Serrated ties may be cut from the plastic tape and used to fasten the folded thatch components to a building structure.

Abstract: Absorbent article for men intended for single use and having longitudinal side edges, a rear end edge and a front end edge and comprising an inner liquid-permeable surface layer, an outer liquid-impermeable surface layer and an absorbent body arranged therebetween. The absorbent body tapers from a front end portion towards a rear end portion. During use, the article is intended to be arranged over the genitals of the wearer and to extend forwards with its wider end portion in the direction of the abdomen area of the wearer and to extend backwards with its narrower end portion a little way below the penis of the wearer. The article comprises an elastic element attached to the liquid-permeable surface layer along at least parts of the longitudinal side edges of the article. The elastic element is attached to the liquid-permeable surface layer along longitudinal edges lying opposite one another of the elastic element. A cut is arranged between the attachments in the form of a slit or cutout.

Abstract: A dunnage conversion machine (36) converts a sheet stock material into a dunnage product that is relatively thicker and less dense than the stock material, but is relatively thin and sufficiently flexible to function as a protective wrap. The conversion machine includes a feed mechanism (40) that advances a sheet stock material therethrough and a connecting mechanism (42) downstream of the feed mechanism. The connecting mechanism retards the passage of the sheet stock material therethrough by feeding the stock material therethrough at a slower rate than the feed mechanism feeds the stock material to the connecting mechanism. This causes the stock material to randomly crumple in a longitudinal space between the feed mechanism and the connecting mechanism. The connecting mechanism connects multiple overlapping layers of sheet stock material together as they pass therethrough, including connecting at least one crumpled sheet to one side of one other sheet.

Abstract: A contact-bonding film insertion device included in a contact-bonded paper manufacturing apparatus which produces releasable and expandable contact-bonded paper such as postcards (Q) by inserting a contact-bonding film (F) carried on a vertically movable support plate (51) between opposed paper pieces (Pa, Pb) of folded cut paper (P) by a paper pushing device (60), the cut paper (P) having been transferred by a paper transfer device (20) and folded by a paper folding device (30), and subsequently by extracting the support plate (51) from the paper piece (Pa, Pb) by a support plate extracting device (55) to supply the paper (P) into which only the contact-bonding film F is inserted to a paper contact-bonding device (70) and paper cutting device (80), a slope (51y) which is downward-inclined toward its tip to form substantially an acute angle at the tip is provided on a periphery (51x) of the support plate (51) included in the contact-bonding film insertion device, the periphery (51x) which includes the slope (

Abstract: A tabletop converter has a conversion assembly that inwardly gathers and crumples a stock material to form a strip of dunnage. The conversion assembly includes a feeding assembly that moves the stock material and a controller that controls the feeding assembly to operate in both a forward direction and a reverse direction. To automatically separate a discrete dunnage product from the strip, a holder grabs and holds the strip of dunnage at a holding location downstream of the feeding assembly. The feeding assembly then operates in a reverse direction and urges the strip away from the holding location. This causes the strip to separate at or between the holding location and the feeding assembly, leaving a discrete dunnage product ready for use. The converter is mounted to a stand that allows the converter to rotate relative to part of the stand about both a horizontal axis and a vertical axis.

Abstract: Dunnage making machine and method in which a web of paper is drawn across a forming bar with curved end sections to roll the edge portions of the paper, then drawn through a first throat section to urge the rolled edge portions toward each other and cause them to gather, and thereafter through a second throat section of lesser dimension than the first to gather the central portion of the paper and further gather the edge portions. The gathered paper is then pressed with a roller to crumple it, following which the crumpled paper is perforated along a serrated tear line.

Abstract: A system for creating and dispensing cushioning dunnage includes a plurality of material shaping members to convert a sheet stock material into a continuous strip of cushioning product. The shaping members include a constant-entry roller assembly having at least two tapered rollers supported end to end for rotation about respective ones of first and second axes arranged at an obtuse angle whose aspect faces a circumferential side of the rollers that first engages sheet stock material traveling over the rollers from a supply roll of the material. The tapered rollers present material engaging surfaces on an imaginary material conversion line transverse to the travel direction of the material where the material first engages the rollers for more precise and consistent control of alignment of the stock material. The roller assembly has free ends over which the sheet stock material can be folded to reduce the width of the material traveling over the rollers.

Abstract: A monitoring system for monitoring one or more packaging material conversion machines includes one or more sensors for monitoring one or more operating characteristics of the one or more conversion machines. The system also includes a controller in communication with the one or more sensors. The controller evaluates the one or more operating characteristics of the one or more conversion machines to thereby provide diagnostic, inventory and machine usage information. In addition, a method of monitoring one or more packaging material conversion machines includes sensing an operating characteristic of the one or more conversion machines and evaluating the operating characteristic of the one or more conversion machines. The sensed operating characteristics may be evaluated either local to the conversion machines or at a remote site, thereby providing a substantial amount of flexibility.

Abstract: A dunnage conversion system and method for converting multiple plies of sheet material into a relatively less dense, three-dimensional dunnage product, includes providing a sensor for each ply to detect an end thereof and ceasing operation of the system upon detection of the end of any one of the plies. Detecting the end of the shortest of the plies will cease operation of the system to permit splicing a new supply to the end of the spent supply.

Abstract: A dunnage converter with a novel actuating modality in the form of a knee or hip switch that operates the converter while keeping an operator's hands free for packing dunnage into a container. The switch has a pusher pad that can positioned such that a simple bending action of the operator's leg will move the operator's knee into engagement with the pusher pad for actuating the switch that operates the converter to produce a dunnage product. In an alternative arrangement, the pusher pad can be positioned such that a simple shifting of the operator's hip against the pusher pad will actuate the switch to operate the converter.

Abstract: A dunnage converter system (10), components and method are disclosed. A support device (14) supporting one or more stacks (61-65) of fan-folded sheet stock material is provided. Stock material is supplied from the support device (14) to a dunnage converter (12) when the support device (14) is positioned in proximity thereto. A supply of sheet stock material (18) for use with a dunnage converter includes at least one continuous ply of sheet stock material that is fan-folded, and includes a series of folds that together form a sequence of rectangular pages, the pages being piled accordion style one on top of the other to form the stack(s) (61-65) of sheet stock material.

Abstract: A system for providing dunnage to packages as the packages are formed is disclosed. The system includes a dunnage forming machine having a work station for inflating and sealing plastic pouches to form dunnage units. An accumulator is positioned below the station for receiving and collecting such units as they are formed. The accumulator includes an outlet opening laterally offset from the station. A pair of counter rotating brushes having axes journaled in spaced relationship are mounted at the outlet. Each of the brushes includes circumferentially spaced bristle sets defining unit receiving spaces between adjacent sets. A motor drive is operably connected to the brushes for causing counter rotation. A unit volume sensor is provided for emitting a machine start signal when the volume of units in the accumulator reaches a predetermined low volume. A process for providing dunnage in packages being formed is also disclosed.

Abstract: An easy load packaging system, and a stand and a dunnage conversion machine therefor are disclosed. The stand includes a base and a pair of upright guide members mounted to the base and supporting at the upper ends thereof a dunnage conversion machine. The guide members define there between a channel for guiding sheet stock material to the dunnage conversion machine. The dunnage conversion machine is pivotable relative to the stand between an operating position and a servicing/loading position whereat access to internal components of the machine is simplified. A stack of sheet stock material is jacketed and/or baled for simplified loading into a packaging system or stand. An adhesive layer on the bottom or top of the stack enables the stack to be easily spliced to another stack.

Abstract: A cushioning conversion machine (20) including a conversion assembly (30) which converts a continuous sheet of multi-ply stock material (22) into a three dimensional cushioning product (32) and a stock supply assembly (550) which supplies the multi-ply stock material (22) to the conversion assembly (30). The conversion assembly (30) includes a forming assembly (52) which inwardly turns lateral portions of the stock material (22) as the stock material (22) travels therethrough in a downstream direction. The stock supply assembly (550) includes a separating device (574) and/or constant-entry device (580) designed to minimize tearing due to excessive tension in the lateral regions of the stock material (22). Additionally or alternatively, the forming assembly (52) includes a shaping member (590) having protrusions in its turning perimeter and/or holding surface to modify the shape of the cushioning product.

Abstract: A cushioning conversion machine (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900) comprising a conversion assembly (101, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601, 701, 801, 901) which converts a sheet stock material into a three-dimensional strip of cushioning. The conversion assembly (101, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601, 701, 801, 901) includes a forming assembly (120, 220, 320, 420, 520, 620, 720, 820, 920) that forms the stock material into a strip of stock material. The forming assembly (120, 220, 320, 420, 520, 620, 720, 820, 920) comprises an external forming device (122, 222, 322, 422, 522, 622, 722, 822, 922) and an internal forming device (124, 224, 324, 424, 524, 624, 724, 824, 924). The internal forming device (124, 224, 324, 424, 525, 624, 724, 824, 924) includes interacting and/or mandrel portions (164, 264, 364, 464, 564, 664, 764, 864, 964) which internally interact with lateral portions of the strip of stock material to internally reshape the cross-sectional geometry of the strip.

Abstract: A packaging material comprising a plurality of thimble shaped cushioning members for cushioning an article in a container is provided. The cushioning members are formed into a predetermined shape having a closed lower end, a tubular sidewall, and an opened upper end. The cushioning members are formed of a flexible sheet of material having an upper surface and a lower surface with at least one of the upper surface and the lower surface being a bondable surface. The cushioning members are formed to have a plurality of overlapping folds formed between the opened upper end and the closed lower end such that the overlapping folds are fixed to retain the cushioning members in the predetermined shape.

Abstract: A partition making apparatus includes a first card material supply module, a first card forming module including a slot former, a singulator and a card transporter. The first card forming module also includes a feeder for advancing a band of first card forming material at least partially through the first module. The first module may include a transporter which shifts singulated first cards from a first location to a card delivery location with a card transferor shifting sets of first cards to be included in an assembled partition from the first card forming module to an assembly station. The sets of first cards may be advanced along a conveyor included in the assembly station to a second card insertion location. The second card material supply module provides a band of second card forming material to a second card forming module.

Abstract: A system for creating and dispensing cushioning dunnage is small and permits flexible installation configuration options for a single or for multiple packing stations. A compact apparatus of the system is capable of being pivotally mounted as a unit on a stand and includes a motor and a material feeding arrangement driven by the motor for pulling material from a supply roll of the material supported on a stand of the system, and feeding it through the apparatus. A plurality of material shaping members upstream of the feeding arrangement shape the material in the apparatus to convert it into a continuous strip of cushioning product. A perforator driven by the motor perforates the material at spaced locations along the length of the material to allow an operator to manually rip a desired length of cushioning product from the material being dispensed from the apparatus.

Abstract: A cushioning conversion machine for converting multi-ply stock material is characterized by a conversion assembly which comprises one or more assemblies and/or devices for converting multi-ply stock material into a three-dimensional cushioning product and a stock supply assembly for providing stock material to the conversion assembly. The stock supply assembly includes a stock roll holder assembly having one or more rotatable roll support members that extend transverse to the path of the stock material and engage an outer periphery of a stock roll for advancing the stock material therefrom. A connecting assembly includes a carrier pivotally mounted to a frame for urging a first rotating feed member toward and away from a second rotating feed member.

Abstract: A system that converts the stock material into a cushioning product has associated therewith a conversion assembly which converts the stock material into the cushioning product and a stock roll loading assembly. The stock roll loading assembly includes a frame, a stock roll transfer member, and a ramp. The stock roll transfer member is mounted to the frame for movement between a load position whereat a stock roll may be loaded thereon and a release position whereat the stock roll is released from the transfer member. The ramp receives the stock roll from the transfer member and conveys the stock roll to a position remote from the release position. In an embodiment, the stock roll transfer member is loaded from an end thereof. In another embodiment, the stock roll transfer member is loaded from the side thereof. A stock roll storage assembly stores one or more stock rolls and enables the stock rolls to be sequentially released from the ramp.

Abstract: A cushioning conversion system and method for transferring a dunnage pad are disclosed. The conversion system includes a cushioning conversion machine and a pad support. The conversion machine produces cushioning dunnage pads and discharges the pads in a predetermined discharge direction. A pad support is movable between a pad receiving position and a pad discharge position. In the pad receiving position, the pad support is oriented relative to the conversion machine to receive thereon dunnage pads discharged from the conversion machine in the discharge direction. In the pad discharge position, the pad support is tilted relative to horizontal for discharge of the dunnage pad from the pad support.

Abstract: A protective furniture shipment and storage bag is formed as an envelope comprised of inner and outer transparent film layers with protective cushioning foam elements sandwiched therebetween at opposite ends of the envelope to define a furniture viewing window longitudinally between the foam elements. Such bags are fabricated by sandwiching foam elements in spaced relation between two essentially coextensive transparent film layers, folding the sandwiched components along the longitudinal fold line, and heat sealing or otherwise attaching the folded film layers and foam elements at the opposite ends to form the aforedescribed envelope.

Abstract: A dunnage conversion machine for converting stock material into a dunnage product includes a forming assembly and a pulling assembly. The pulling assembly includes at least two grippers movable together through a transfer region in opposition to one another and cooperative to grip therebetween the dunnage strip for advancing the dunnage strip through the transfer region, and at least one of the grippers including an aperture operative to gather and laterally capture therein the dunnage strip as the grippers move through the transfer region. Also disclosed is a severing assembly including a movable blade and a reciprocating actuator connected to the blade by a motion transmitting assembly that moves the blade through a full severing cycle upon a stroke of the actuator in either direction.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a cushioning packaging material from a web-shaped material having at least two layers, the apparatus comprising a material supply shaft for deforming side edges of the web-shaped material into a substantially rolled shape with bead-shaped margins, and a device for receiving a deformed material and for joining layers of the deformed material and having a first wheel-shaped member and a second wheel-shaped member the axes of the rotation of which lie in a plane inclined to a running plane of the deformed material, which is determined by a longitudinal extent of the supply shaft, at an angle deviating from a right angle.

Abstract: A cushioning conversion system for converting a sheet-like stock material into a section of dunnage. The system has a feed motor operatively connected to advance the stock material under the control of a motor control signal, the motor control signal having a series of sequential values corresponding to either a motor power on state or a motor power off state; and a controller, the controller generating the motor control signal by executing a motor control logic routine.

Abstract: A method and a device for the production of folded products utilizes a row of folding jaws and a row of counter folding jaws. A signature to be cross-folded is inserted between the jaws by a folding blade. The folding jaws and counter folding jaws form a line of embossing on the folded signatures adjacent the transverse fold line. The resultant folded item has an increased moment of resistance in the direction of transport.

Abstract: A cushioning conversion machine and method for converting stock material into a cushioning product, characterized by a manual feed mechanism or assembly. The machine includes a shaping member over which the stock material is drawn to form the stock material into a three-dimensional shape and the manual feed mechanism draws the stock material over the shaping member. The manual feed mechanism may include a rotatable member for engaging and advancing the stock material, and an operator member mounted for reciprocating movement and operatively connected to the rotatable member.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for pinch perforating multi-ply web material to increase the perforation ply bond and/or perforation ply bond retention by pinching the multiple plies of web material together and then perforating the material using an anvil and perforator blade design provided on a perforating apparatus. Specifically, the apparatus comprises a roll mounted contoured perforator blade which cooperates with a beveled anvil to produce perforation ply bonds perpendicular to the length of the multiple plies of web material. The desired anvil/perforator blade interface angle between 0.degree. and 20.degree. is provided by beveling the anvil. A 15.degree. beveled anvil is preferred to provide a 5.degree. anvil/perforator blade interface angle. By pinching and bonding the leading edges and other predetermined points of the multi-ply tissue paper together before cutting, the likelihood of ply separation, missing plies and ply mismatch is greatly reduced.

Abstract: A cushioning conversion machine and method for converting sheet-like stock material, such as paper in multi-ply form, into cut sections of relatively low density pad-like cushioning product. The machine includes conversion assemblies which convert the stock material into a strip of dunnage, a stock supply assembly which supplies the stock material to the conversion assemblies, a cutting assembly which cuts the strip into cut sections of a desired length, and a post-cutting constraining assembly which circumferentially constrains the cut section.

Abstract: A cushioning conversion machine for converting sheet-like stock material, such as a paper in multi-ply form, into cut sections of cushioning product 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 base plate and a second end plate extending generally perpendicular from the downstream end of the base plate. The frame base plate and the two frame end plates together form a "C" shaped structure. The stock supply assembly is mounted on the first frame end plate, the forming assembly is mounted on an intermediate portion of the frame base plate, the pulling/connecting assembly is mounted on an upstream side of the second end plate, and the cutting assembly is mounted on the downstream side of the second end plate.

Abstract: In order to connect at least two layers of paper or the like, the layers are cut into strips in the connection area and forced out of the plane of the layers alternately and in pairs. To this effect punching and pressing tools with punching teeth may be provided.

Abstract: A disposable pallet assembly includes cylindrical reinforcing pieces which are engaged with the stringer members along bottom side portions thereof.

Abstract: A gear-like stitching assembly adapted for use in a converter mechanism of the type providing for the production of pad-like cushioning dunnage product from sheet-like stock material which is conventionally disposed in multi-ply, roll form for use with the converter mechanism. The stock material is pulled from the stock roll by the converter and the lateral edges of the stock material are rolled inwardly prior to being formed into the pad-like product. The stitching assembly comprises a pair of rotatable gear-like members adapted to be disposed in coacting, meshed condition, and to stitch confronting and generally abutting rolled edge portions of the sheet-like stock material together by coining, as the latter rolled edge portions pass between the members. The teeth of at least one of the members have projections extending outwardly thereform, for perforating the stock material along the central coined section of the pad-like product, to aid the coined section in maintaining the product in its pad-like form.

Abstract: Plastic tubular film structure for forming multiple bags. The tubular film structure has a first pair of rib elements, a second pair of diametrically opposed rib elements, a first pair of groove elements between said pairs of rib elements and a second pair of groove elements diametrically opposed to the first pair, with the elements in the pairs being closely spaced and being on the inner surface of the tube. Each of the pairs of rib elements are aligned with each adjacent pair of groove elements as the tubing is flattened to form first and second sets of the aligned pairs of rib and groove elements, so that by forming a continuous slit between the elements of one layer at one set and the elements of the other layer at the other set, and with the tube being subsequently folded so that an element adjacent the slit of the first set is folded onto the second set, and an element adjacent the slit of the second set is folded onto the first set, two continuous strips of double interlocking profile film are formed.

Abstract: An apparatus for connecting together a plurality of webs of flexible material. The apparatus comprises a base having an anvil with a sharp edged opening therein the opening comprising a shank region and an enlarged head region. A punching head movable towards and away from the base carries a punch having a sharp edge and also comprising a shank region and elongated head region which are capable of fitting closely within the corresponding regions of the anvil opening. Either or both of the punch and anvil opening are devoid of a sharp edge adjacent that end of the respective shank region which is remote from the respective enlarged head region. When two or more webs are placed between the punch head and the anvil and the punch is moved into the anvil opening the sharp edges of the punch and opening punch a portion of material having a shank and enlarged head from each web and said portion remains joined at the base of said shank to the associated web.

Abstract: The invention relates to a piecing machine suitable for end-wise joining of non-fabric ribbons by means of a jet of fluid (20) under pressure acting on the ends of the ribbons to be pieced together, at least one of the heads (16, 17) from which the fluid issues being displaceable relative to the other and there being provided means for pressing and compacting the joined ends after the piecing by the fluid jet is done.