Crushing Or Crumpling Patents (Class 493/464)
  • Patent number: 11958265
    Abstract: A dunnage system may include a converting station including a converter configured for pulling in a stream of sheet material and converting the material into dunnage, and an inlet guide having an inlet surface that is coiled such that first and second ends of the inlet surface are discontinuous with each other to define a gap therebetween, the inlet surface configured to channel the sheet material into the converter. A cutter for a dunnage system may include a blade with first and second phases of serrations that are coextensive over at least a portion of the blade, the first phase providing cutting serrations for cutting the dunnage, and the second phase comprising ledges for focusing the cutting and preventing or reducing bunching of the dunnage towards a side of the blade. A method of converting dunnage may also be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Pregis Innovative Packaging LLC
    Inventors: Thomas D. Wetsch, Robert Tegel
  • Patent number: 11951706
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for dispensing a cushion means for packaging purposes, comprising a dispensing means which provides the cushion means, and a withdrawal region from which a user can take the dispensed cushion means. At least one sensor means is present, which detects an engaging of the dispensed cushion means by the user and/or the presence or absence of at least one region of a hand of the user in the withdrawal region or in a detection region adjacent to the withdrawal region. The providing device dispenses a cushion means depending on the detected engaging of the dispensed cushion means by the user and/or depending on the presence and/or absence of a hand of the user in the withdrawal region or in the detection region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Storopack Hans Reichenecker GmbH
    Inventor: Lukas Hagestedt
  • Patent number: 11926119
    Abstract: Disclosed is a dunnage apparatus, including a converting station and a deflector. The converting station converts a line of high-density supply material into low-density dunnage and ejects the dunnage at an exit in an exit trajectory along a path. The deflector is repositionable with respect to the exit between a first position, in which the deflector is interposed in the path to deflect the path of the dunnage from the exit trajectory to a first deflected trajectory, and a second position. The deflector is retained in each position during the ejection of the dunnage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Pregis Innovative Packaging LLC
    Inventors: Thomas D. Wetsch, Eric C. Wright
  • Patent number: 11738533
    Abstract: A dunnage handler for controlling the outfeed of dunnage from a dunnage machine is disclosed and can include a dunnage accumulator with first and second holding portions configured and associated with each other to define a dunnage accumulation space therebetween and for receiving and removably retaining the dunnage in the accumulation space from a dunnage machine and an articulation associating the first and second holding portions such that the holding portions are movable with respect to each other to vary the accumulation space to accommodate a varying amount of dunnage held therein, where a sensor and controller can be included to stop dunnage production when the accumulator is full.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Pregis Innovative Packaging LLC
    Inventors: Thomas D. Wetsch, Robert Tegel
  • Patent number: 11679574
    Abstract: Method for producing a padding product, comprising the following steps: providing a flat, elongate paper strip, which has a central region extending in the longitudinal direction and two-layered or multi-layered adjacent edge regions, which are not joined to one another, opening up adjacent edge regions, and crumpling the paper strip along the central region, characterized in that before the crumpling along the central region the edge regions are turned over towards the center region, and a device for producing a padding product, and a padding product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Storopack Hans Reichenecker GmbH
    Inventor: Jean-Marc Slovencik
  • Patent number: 11661297
    Abstract: A supply of stock material for a dunnage conversion machine includes two plies of sheet stock material wound into a roll or fan-folded into a stack. Each ply has disposed on a corresponding leading or trailing end thereof an adhesive layer and a removable release liner covering the adhesive layer. When applied to a leading end of the supply, the adhesive layer is applied to opposing, outwardly-facing surfaces of the respective plies. When a supply of stock material is almost spent, the operator removes the release liners from both plies to expose respective adhesive layers, and then interposes the leading end of a new supply between the plies of the trailing end of the almost-spent supply and presses the layers together to attach the plies of the new supply to respective plies of the almost-spent supply, for conversion into dunnage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Ranpak Corp.
    Inventors: Stephen Louis Dominak, Alexandra Snijders
  • Patent number: 11498304
    Abstract: Methods and structures are provided for a dunnage system to facilitate efficient coupling together of supply units of pre-configured sheet stock material, such as, for example, separate units of fanfold stacks of pre-configured sheet stock material, in a manner of continuous supply with a continuous pocket extending longitudinally between the separate supply units, so that they can interact with an expander of the dunnage system without disruption as one supply unit is depleted and a next supply unit is fed through the dunnage system. Also, various methods, apparatus, and systems are provided to facilitate smooth operation of a dunnage machine of the dunnage system to reduce a tendency of the pre-configured sheet stock material to jam and to increase the tendency of dunnage product generated to reflect a desired shape and stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: INTERTAPE POLYMER CORP.
    Inventors: Simon C.S. Chan, Wen Yong Jiang
  • Patent number: 11491756
    Abstract: A machine for converting sheet stock material into void fill material comprises an improved, angled inlet chute, an outlet chute, and an internal drive assembly comprising a motor and power transmission system for rotating a plurality of opposed crush wheels that pull the sheet stock from the inlet chute and push the void fill material to the outlet chute in a downstream direction. The internal drive assembly comprises a frame securing a motor and a first power transmission set to rotate a drive axle and a first set of crush wheels. The assembly comprises a subframe securing a driven axle and a second set of crush wheels that are rotated by a second power transmission set. The subframe is pivotably attached to the frame at a pivot point that allows the driven axle to pivot away from the drive axle at least partly in upstream and downstream directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Sealed Air Corporation (US)
    Inventors: Russell Christman, Thomas Orsini, Gary Wood, Stoyanka Kostadinova, Kostadin Ivanov Kostadinov
  • Patent number: 11364701
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Pregis Innovative Packaging LLC
    Inventors: Thomas D. Wetsch, Robert Tegel
  • Patent number: 11235548
    Abstract: A conversion apparatus is provided herein. The conversion apparatus includes a cutting member having an edge configured for cutting the dunnage material. The conversion apparatus also includes a biasing member that is located adjacent to the cutting member such that the dunnage material passes between the biasing member and the cutting member. The biasing member operably contacts the dunnage material thereby biasing the dunnage material against the cutting member. The position of the biasing member relative to the cutting member is such that in response to the dunnage material being retracted back into the conversion apparatus the cutting member begins to sever the dunnage material, but in response to the dunnage material traveling in the dispensing direction the cutting member does not begin to sever the dunnage material due to the relative position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Pregis Innovative Packaging LLC
    Inventors: Thomas D. Wetsch, Robert Tegel
  • Patent number: 10946606
    Abstract: A machine for providing cushioning products of varying lengths from a supply of a web material having sequential transverse rows of inflated protrusions. A pair of opposing feed members form a feed nip for moving the web along a path of travel. At least one sensor detects location information for the sequential rows of inflated protrusions as the web travels along the path of travel. A severing device is moveable between (i) an engaged position to separate the web transversely or perforate the web transversely and (ii) a disengaged position. A controller is programmed (i) to receive the location information and (ii) to operatively control the severing device to move it to the engaged position when a selected row is in a determined position relative the severing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Sealed Air Corporation (US)
    Inventors: Jay D. Lepine, Brian A. Murch, Laurence B. Sperry
  • Patent number: 10661523
    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 driving portion can also be configured to drive the line of material in the first direction along the path to dispense the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: PREGIS INNOVATIVE PACKAGING LLC
    Inventors: Thomas D Wetsch, Christopher M Rains, Robert Tegel
  • Patent number: 9694555
    Abstract: A dunnage accumulator includes a first holding portion (502) and a second holding portion (504) configured and associated with the first holding portion to define a dunnage accumulation space therebetween and for receiving and removably retaining dunnage from a dunnage machine (17) in the accumulation space, wherein at least a portion of the second holding portion is flexible such that flexing thereof varies the accumulation space to accommodate a varying amount of dunnage held therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: PREGIS INNOVATIVE PACKAGING, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas D. Wetsch, Robert Tegel
  • Patent number: 9427928
    Abstract: A method for producing packaging cushioning includes successively feeding sheets of a substrate at a first speed to a crumpling mechanism, crumpling the sheets at a second speed to convert the sheets into packaging cushion units, and controlling at least one of the first and second speeds to produce a desired degree of overlap between successive sheets, thereby generating a connected series of the packaging cushion units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Sealed Air Corporation (US)
    Inventors: Atul Arora, Mitchell W. Smith, Sr., Kenneth Chrisman, Kenneth J. Mierzejewski, David Seebauer, John Wysmuller, Glen Vincent
  • Patent number: 9370914
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Ranpak Corp.
    Inventors: Raimond Demers, Erwin Riga, Dan Coppus, Patrick Klemke, Kristien Varrewaere
  • Publication number: 20150119224
    Abstract: A supply structure for a supply of fan-folded sheet stock material, which is positionable relative to a cushion conversion machine to provide thereto the fan-folded sheet stock material for conversion thereof into packaging cushioning. The supply structure includes two or more supports, each of the supports including a base and a riser extending upwardly from the base. The base and the riser are structured and arranged to cooperatively accommodate a stack of the fan-folded sheet stock material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: Sealed Air Corporation (US)
    Inventors: Thomas P. Orsini, Kostadin I. Kostadinov, Atul Arora
  • Patent number: 8997440
    Abstract: A packaging system (100) includes a controller (102), an input device (104) in communication with the controller (102) that identifies one or more characteristics of the container, an illustration with indicia representing different degrees of fill for a container; and a manual input device (106) in communication with the controller (102) for inputting an estimated degree of fullness of the packing container having one or more articles to be packed correlated with the indicia in the illustration. The controller (102) provides an output signal indicating a quantity of dunnage to dispense to the container based on the input estimated degree of fullness and the one or more identified characteristics of the container. Then the controller can determine the amount of dunnage that needs to be provided to fill the remaining void in the container, and the controller can signal a dunnage dispenser (110) to dispense the determined amount of dunnage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Ranpak Corp.
    Inventors: Daniel L. Carlson, Timothy A. Frederick, Joseph J. Harding, Kevin W. Park
  • Patent number: 8999490
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Ranpak Corp.
    Inventors: Kurt Kung, Dieter Schwarz, Dan Coppus
  • Patent number: 8944982
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Ranpak Corp.
    Inventor: Jordy van der Kaap
  • Patent number: 8920299
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for the production of paper cushioning from a paper web (8) rolled up into a supply roll (12), wherein the device has a machine comprising a support device for the pivoted support of the supply roll, a reshaping device (22, 22?, 22?) for reshaping the paper web, and a device for the production of the paper cushioning. A bracket (30) that can be pivoted between a contact position and a releasing position is provided in a region in front of the paper web infeed into the reshaping device, wherein the bracket rests on the paper web in the contact position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Pack-Tiger GmbH
    Inventor: Reinhard Keller
  • Patent number: 8911340
    Abstract: An air packaging device includes two layers of thermoplastic films, which form a sealable space where air is filled after first and second steps of heat-sealing process. The sealable space includes a number of independent sealed air chambers and a main air passage channel. The main channel has an air inlet. Each sealed air chamber is connected with the main channel by at least one one-way valve each including at least two layers of plastic films. At least two one-way valves are installed inside of the air chambers. This air packaging device increases the cushioning protection where the protection is most needed, but can reduce air chamber dimension at less important locations in order to reduce the volumetric size and, hence, reduce the shipping cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Inventors: Jiaying Zhang, Yaopeng Zhang
  • Patent number: 8900111
    Abstract: The preferred embodiment of a dunnage apparatus includes a crumpling device configured for crumpling sheets of paper to produce low-density packaging dunnage. A paper feeder is provided to feed feeding sheets of paper into the crumpling device for crumpling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Pregis Innovative Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas D. Wetsch, Robert Tegel
  • Publication number: 20140315703
    Abstract: A dunnage machine and system, and a method of producing dunnage. The dunnage machine can have rotatable forming members with recesses formed thereon. Stationary protruding members can extend into the recesses. A cutting system is provided for cutting dunnage produced by the dunnage machine or system, and a lock mechanism is also provided for locking the cutting system when a cover is removed from the dunnage machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: Nuevopak Technology Company Limited
    Inventors: Simon C.S. Chan, Jiang Wen Yong
  • Patent number: 8845504
    Abstract: A dunnage handler is disclosed for controlling the outfeed of dunnage from a dunnage mechanism including a first handler portion configured for association with the dunnage mechanism for receiving dunnage therefrom, the first handler portion being reversibly reconfigurable between an accumulator configuration, in which the first handler portion is configured to accumulate the dunnage received from the dunnage mechanism and a discharger configuration, in which the first handler portion is configured to discharge the dunnage received from the dunnage mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Pregis Innovative Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas D. Wetsch, Robert Tegel
  • Publication number: 20140274647
    Abstract: A rolled sheet-material supply handling-system that comprises a drawing device that can be configured to draw sheet material from a supply station and a stabilizer at the supply station. The stabilizer can define a generally tubular roll-receiving space in which a roll of the sheet material can be received and can have a support surface that can define an axial opening leading from the roll-receiving space to receive the sheet material drawn therefrom by the drawing device. The support surface can be sufficiently extensive to stabilize the outer layer of a roll against collapsing when the remainder of the roll has been extracted from the axial opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: PREGIS INNOVATIVE PACKAGING INC.
    Inventors: Thomas D. Wetsch, Christopher M. Rains, Christine S. Laub
  • Publication number: 20140194269
    Abstract: An apparatus, a system and method to crumple paper from a dispenser that stores the paper on a paper roll wound around an airshaft. The paper roll sits within a dispenser, and the paper roll contacts a shelf section inside the dispenser. The paper is dispensed from the paper roll through a crumpler on the shelf section. Crumpling paper occurs by contacting a protrusion on the crumpler against the paper to crumple the paper as the paper passes through the crumpler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2013
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Inventors: Daniel J. Mulvey, Daniel E. Mulvey
  • Publication number: 20140162012
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention comprise an off-set gear assembly for use in producing cushioning material and methods for using the same. Each gear of the off-set gear assembly has at least two sections. Each section includes a set of gear teeth. The gear teeth of the two sections can be rotationally off-set and this can result in the production of cushioning material with staggered ridges. Some embodiments of the present invention also comprising cushioning material with staggered ridges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: Nuevopak International Limited
    Inventors: Simon C.S. Chan, Shek Wah Hau
  • Publication number: 20140162024
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a cushioning product (88), comprising the following steps: providing a flat, longitudinal, two- or multilayered paper strip (10), wherein the individual layers (12, 14) of the paper strip (10) are connected to one another in at least some sections in a middle area (18) extending in the longitudinal direction, and wherein the individual layers (12, 14) of the paper strip (10) comprise marginal areas (20, 21, 22, 23) which are not connected to one another, opening adjacent marginal areas (20, 21, 22, 23) to form a paper strip (10) having a star-shaped cross section, and crumpling the paper strip (10) along the middle area (18).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: STOROPACK HANS REICHENECKER GMBH
    Inventors: Paul Deis, Jean-Marc Slovencik
  • Publication number: 20140148324
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: Nuevopak Technology Company Limited
    Inventors: Simon C.S. CHAN, Shek Wah Hau
  • Patent number: 8708882
    Abstract: A dunnage machine and system, and a method of producing dunnage. The dunnage machine can have rotatable forming members with recesses formed thereon. Stationary protruding members can extend into the recesses. A cutting system is provided for cutting dunnage produced by the dunnage machine or system, and a lock mechanism is also provided for locking the cutting system when a cover is removed from the dunnage machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Nuevopak Technology Company Limited
    Inventors: Simon C. S. Chan, Jiang Wen Yong
  • Publication number: 20140113794
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device (10) for manufacturing a cushioning product made of paper. The device comprises a crumpling machine (16), which compresses and/or crumples a paper web (34), a cutting machine (18) which is arranged thereafter viewed in the conveyance direction (38), and which detaches a section of the crumpled paper, and a discharge shaft (20) with a delivery channel (124), which leads the detached paper section to a delivery opening (123) of the delivery channel (124). A cross section height (W) and a curvature (K) of the delivery channel (124) are adapted to each other in such a manner that a typical user cannot reach the cutting machine (18) from the opening (123) through the delivery channel (124).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: Storopack Hans Reichenecker GmbH
    Inventors: Paul Deis, Jean-Marc Slovencik
  • Publication number: 20140106954
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device (10) for manufacturing a cushioning product made of paper. The device comprises a crumpling machine (16), which compresses and/or crumples a paper web (34), a cutting machine (18) which is arranged thereafter viewed in the conveyance direction (38), and which detaches a section of the crumpled paper, and a discharge shaft (20) with a delivery channel (124), which leads the detached paper section to a delivery opening (123) of the delivery channel (124). A cross section height (W) and a curvature (K) of the delivery channel (124) are adapted to each other in such a manner that a typical user cannot reach the cutting machine (18) from the opening (123) through the delivery channel (124).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: Storopack Hans Reichenecker GmbH
    Inventors: Paul Deis, Jean-Marc Slovencik
  • Publication number: 20140106953
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device (10) for manufacturing a cushioning product made of paper. The device 10 comprises a driven conveyor roller (40) and a counter roller (44) opposite said conveyor roller, for conveying a paper web (34), and a driven crumpling roller (42) and a counter roller (46) opposite said crumpling roller for crumpling the paper web (34), wherein the conveyor roller (40) is operated at a higher speed of rotation than the crumpling roller (42), and the crumpling roller (42) is arranged in the conveyance direction (38) after the conveyor roller (40). The conveyor roller (40) and the crumpling roller (42) are identical.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: Storopack Hans Reichenecker GmbH
    Inventors: Paul Deis, Jean-Marc Slovencik
  • Patent number: 8696345
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for providing packaging material, comprising a shaping device (25) that has a couple of motor-driven molding wheels or rolls, a housing support (15) with an interior, an inlet via which packaging material can be fed into the interior, and an outlet via which packaging material can be discharged from the interior in which the molding wheels are arranged. The molding wheels are rotatably mounted on the housing support and each define an axis of rotation. A continuous penetration shaft (23), the longitudinal direction of which extends substantially parallel to the two axes of rotation of the molding wheels, from the interior to the exterior of the housing support, is formed withing the housing support, said penetration shaft (23) being open towards the interior and towards an exterior of the housing support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Sprick GmbH Bielefelder Papier- und Wellpappenwerke & Co.
    Inventors: Stefan Sprick-Schütte, Oliver Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20140051562
    Abstract: A dunnage system for processing material into dunnage is herein described. A converting station of the system can include a drum having a drum surface first and second axial sides and guides protruding adjacent the drum surface on the first and second axial sides associated with the drum to rotate with the drum surface. A supply gripping member can be provided to grip a supply roll, and can include a rotatable base. A pivotal blade can be used to cut the dunnage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: PREGIS INNOVATIVE PACKAGING, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas D. Wetsch, Robert Tegel
  • Publication number: 20140038805
    Abstract: A chainable dunnage supply material, such as a roll of paper, for creating an extended or continuous supply of material, by chaining multiple units together. The dunnage supply arrangement comprises a first supply unit of an elongated web of material in a high-density arrangement, where the material may be converted into a low-density dunnage. The material has first and second longitudinal ends, and a connecting member is disposed adjacent to the first longitudinal end. The connecting member may include an adhesive surface for adhering to a longitudinal second end of a second supply unit of material with sufficient adhesion for pulling the material of the second supply unit into the dunnage mechanism (e.g. daisy chaining the two supply units together). The arrangement may include a release layer on the adhesive surface of the connecting member and releasable therefrom for allowing the connecting member to adhere to a second supply unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: Pregis Innovative Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas D. Wetsch, Christopher Rains
  • Patent number: 8641591
    Abstract: A dunnage system for processing material into dunnage is herein described. A converting station of the system can include a drum having a drum surface first and second axial sides and guides protruding adjacent the drum surface on the first and second axial sides associated with the drum to rotate with the drum surface. A supply gripping member can be provided to grip a supply roll, and can include a rotatable base. A pivotal blade can be used to cut the dunnage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Pregis Innovative Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas D. Wetsch, Robert Tegel
  • Publication number: 20130316151
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: RANPAK CORP.
    Inventors: Robert C. Cheich, David V. Murphy, Steven M. Toneff, Maurice Jozef Paulus Anthonius Savelberg, Raymond Paulus Hubertus Nollé, Pedro Erik Willem Winkens
  • Publication number: 20130310240
    Abstract: A driven crimping gear (10) cooperates with the first idler crimping gear (12) and the second idler crimping gear (14). The gears pull paper of a roll (12) which paper has had the edges curled over. The paper is guided through the gears by plates (28) and (30).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: EASYPACK LIMITED
    Inventor: Jonathan Townsend
  • Publication number: 20130296154
    Abstract: A dunnage conversion machine provides an improved electronic monitoring and control system for detecting and resolving many jamming conditions before they require significant operator intervention. The machine includes a conversion assembly with a feeding device that feeds the sheet stock material through the machine, and a sensing device downstream of the feeding device to monitor movement of the stock material downstream of the feeding device and to output a corresponding signal. A controller controls operation of the feeding device in response to the signal from the sensing device. The controller uses the signal to detect a potential jam condition and controls the feeding device to prevent or minimize the occurrence or severity of the jam condition, thereby minimizing the amount and degree of required operator intervention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: RANPAK CORP.
    Inventor: Jiri G. Sip
  • Patent number: 8568128
    Abstract: An apparatus for shaping packaging material, comprising a housing support including hopper, a packaging material reservoir, a discharge orifice, and a bearing structure therebetween defining a continuous feeding path for the packaging material. The feeding path includes an interior wall continuously extending around an axis of the material's feeding direction. The housing support further includes at least one concavity in the bearing structure extending laterally away from the feeding path, the concavity having a portion within the feeding path at a slit formed within the interior wall, the concavity holding a shaping device that is rotatably mounted on the bearing structure and partially projects from the slit into the feeding path, the shape of the slit being complementary to the shape of a section of the shaping device adjoining the slit such that a tolerance gap is formed allowing the shaping device to rotate relative to the bearing structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Sprick GmbH Bielefelder Papier-und Wellpappenwerke & Co.
    Inventors: Stefan Sprick-Schütte, Oliver Schmidt
  • Patent number: 8550971
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Nuevopak Technology Company Limited
    Inventors: Simon C. S. Chan, Shek Wah Hau
  • Publication number: 20130237398
    Abstract: A dunnage-producing system includes a dunnage conversion machine for converting a stock material into a relatively less dense dunnage product, a supply of stock material, and a guide element. The conversion machine is rotatable about a substantially vertical axis. The supply of stock material includes a support for the stock material that is movable relative to the conversion machine, such as for replenishing the stock material. The guide element is rotatable with the conversion machine to maintain a consistent position relative to the conversion machine, thereby consistently positioning the support relative to the conversion machine to avoid tearing or jamming problems associated with an improperly aligned supply of sheet stock material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: RANPAK CORP.
    Inventors: Edward W. Lintala, Carrie Schlegel
  • Publication number: 20130196839
    Abstract: A compact dunnage conversion machine includes a converging chute with a restricted inlet, a powered feed assembly with a sealed gearbox, a plurality of interchangeable power supplies, and a restricted outlet chute. The converter can convert a sheet stock material into dunnage for use in packaging one or more objects in a container. The restricted inlet and outlet make it more difficult for foreign objects to enter the converter and disrupt the conversion process. The sealed gearbox interposed between the driving elements of the feed assembly and an electric motor facilitates maintenance and repair of the feed assembly, while also protecting the gears therein. Finally, the power supplies provide electrical power to the motor and can include an electrical storage device, such as a battery, or an alternating-current-to-direct-current converter which is connectable to a source of electricity for supplying that electricity to the motor in an acceptable form.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: RANPAK CORP.
    Inventor: Ranpak Corp.
  • Patent number: 8491453
    Abstract: The invention relates to a crumpled paper tube for use as a cushion in packing items, and to a method and apparatus for producing the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Storopack Hans Reichenecker GmbH
    Inventors: Jean-Marc Slovencik, Paul Deis
  • Publication number: 20130178351
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: Pregis Innovative Packaging, Inc.
    Inventor: Pregis Innovative Packaging, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130130882
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2013
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: RANPAK CORP.
    Inventor: Ranpak Corp.
  • Patent number: 8430802
    Abstract: This invention concerns a press and a method in particular for the forming of finished articles, such as containers or trays of paper and starting from a moisturized sheet. The press comprises a bedplate (18) having a fixed die holder plane (19) holding a head (20) with a moving die-holder plane (21) movable with regards to the fixed plane between an opening and a closing position. A lower die (22) is attached to the fixed die holder plane, whereas an upper die (23) is attached to the moving die-holder plane. The moving die-holder plane is powered by an electric actuator (29) for the opening and closing movements and the half-dies are provided with heating means for the drying and hardening of the paper in a set closed position. The moving die-holder plane can be slowed down or stopped during its stroke to allow for the drying of the paper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Quality Tools S.r.l.
    Inventors: Giuseppe Treccani, Mauro Leali
  • Patent number: 8425393
    Abstract: A motor-free dunnage conversion system for converting a sheet stock material into a relatively less dense dunnage includes a container having a wall with an opening therethrough, a supply of sheet stock material within the container, and a forming member. The forming member has converging sidewalls that define a passage alignable with the opening in the wall. The forming member is a converging chute having a relatively larger inlet spaced from the outlet, which is relatively smaller than the inlet. The forming member functions to crumple the sheet stock material as a packer draws the sheet stock material through the forming member to form a crumpled strip of dunnage. The forming member has a dimension that is larger than a corresponding dimension of the opening to keep the forming member from escaping the container as the packer pulls the stock material through the forming member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Ranpak Corp.
    Inventor: Robert C. Cheich
  • Patent number: 8419605
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an arrangement for producing paper cushions from a paper web which has been rolled up into a supply roll, the arrangement having a machine with a bearing arrangement for bearing the supply roll in a rotatable manner, and also having a device for forming the paper web and an arrangement for producing the paper cushions. The machine has coupling elements via which a transporting carriage provided with mating coupling elements can be coupled in a releasable manner to the machine, it being possible for a supply roll to be mounted on the transporting carriage such that, when the transporting carriage is coupled to the machine, the supply roll can be inserted into the bearing arrangement of the machine by way of a rolling and/or sliding movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Pack-Tiger GmbH
    Inventor: Sandro Keller