AIR CUSHION INFLATION MACHINE AND METHOD

• Main Authors: Chuba, Larry, Romo, David, Valenti, Lawrence, Riccardi, Michael
• Format: Patent
• Language: English; French; German
• Published: 08.03.2017
• Subjects: AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING; MAKING ARTICLES OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNERANALOGOUS TO PAPER; MAKING ARTICLES OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN AMANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER, NOT PROVIDED FOR IN SUBCLASSESB31B OR B31C; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; PRODUCING PARTICULAR ARTICLES FROM PLASTICS OR FROM SUBSTANCESIN A PLASTIC STATE; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDEDFOR; SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; TRANSPORTING; WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE, IN GENERAL; WORKING PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUSTO PAPER

A machine (50) for converting a web (10) of preformed pouches into inflated dunnage units. The pouches are defined by transverse seals (22) extending from a remote edge to within a predetermined distance from an inflation edge (20). The machine includes a tensioning device (875) for frictional engagement with the web, an inflation arrangement (160, 960) for inflation of the preformed pouches, a sealing arrangement (162, 962) including sealing belts (70, 870) and sealing elements (64, 864), and a clamping arrangement (110, 910). The sealing arrangement may be positioned to provide a longitudinal seal (42) that intersects the transverse seals to close the preformed pouches and form a dunnage unit. The tensioning device holds the web taught during downstream travel. A speed of the sealing belts is controlled by a temperature of the sealing elements (64, 864).