Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a reusable valve in which a seal portion is co-molded with and overmolded to the valve stem to provide a secure mechanical bond therebetween. In one embodiment, the valve includes a snap fit between the valve stem and a retaining cap to provide easy assembly of the valve as well as an efficient and compact retention mechanism for a biasing spring and the valve stem in relation to the valve housing. In one embodiment, the valve includes an easy-to-use opening and closing mechanism that provides tactile feedback to the user when moving the valve stem to an open position and to a closed position to inflate, deflate, or maintain air or gas pressure in the inflatable article. The present disclosure also provides a dunnage bag with such valve.

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.

Disclosed is a web handling system that includes a spindle having a spindle magnetic coupling portion and a roll core configured for receiving the spindle for mounting thereon and having a roll magnetic coupling portion, wherein the spindle and roll magnetic coupling portions are configured for magnetically attracting each other to hold the roll on the spindle.

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.

A splicing unit is included with a dunnage conversion machine that converts a supply of stock material into a dunnage product, where the splicing unit includes: a support surface configured to provide backing for a first strip of stock material, and a sensor operatively connected to the dunnage conversion machine, the sensor being associated with the support surface for detecting a presence of the first strip of sheet material and upon determining that the first strip of stock material has passed the sensor, stopping operation of the dunnage conversion machine. A brake may be arranged adjacent to the support surface in order to contact the first strip of stock material arranged on the support surface upon stopping operation of the dunnage conversion machine.

The present invention provides void fill dispenser systems and methods that highly effectively enable the easy and usable creation of void fill with expanded slit sheet paper in a manner unattainable in the existing art. According to some illustrative embodiments, a void fill dispenser is provided that advantageously dispenses unique void fill in a manner not previously possible. In some embodiments, the void fill dispenser is made with a recyclable material, such as, e.g., a corrugated box made from paper. In some embodiments, the void fill dispenser is made with metal and/or other rigid and/or non-recyclable materials. In some embodiments, the void fill dispenser can comprise an automated metal dispensing system that dispenses expanded slit sheet paper particularly for void fill in an automated manner.

A dispensing system includes a container, a roll of slit paper, and a passive tension mechanism. The container includes panels and one of the panels includes a dispensing aperture. The slit paper on the roll is in an unexpanded state. The slit paper can be transformed from the unexpanded state to an expanded state by exerting a longitudinal pulling force on the slit paper. The passive tension mechanism is in the container and arranged such that a path of the slit paper from the roll to the dispensing aperture passes through the passive tension mechanism. The passive tension mechanism is configured to induce tension in the slit paper along the path between the roll of the slit paper and the dispensing aperture such that the slit paper transforms from the unexpanded state to the expanded state along the path between the roll of the slit paper and the dispensing aperture.

A dunnage conversion assembly includes a supply of expandable sheet material and a dunnage conversion apparatus configured to expand the expandable sheet material. The apparatus includes a frame, a supply support mounted to the frame to support a supply of sheet material, and first and second expansion members rotatably mounted to the frame downstream of the supply support to receive the sheet material therebetween. At least one of the first expansion member or the second expansion member is rotatably driven. A drive assembly of the apparatus includes a drive member and a motive device that drives rotation of the drive member to dispense the sheet material from the supply. The drive member is movable between an operating position adjacent the supply support and a disengaged position spaced from the supply support. The drive member in the operating position is biased toward the supply support.

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.