A protective packaging formation device is disclosed herein. The device includes an inflation assembly that directs fluid between first and second overlapping plies of a web material. The device also includes a sealing mechanism. The sealing mechanism includes a heating zone and a cooling zone. The sealing mechanism also includes a heating element that extends along both the heating zone and the cooling zone, with the heating element having a first profile in the heating zone and a second profile in the cooling zone.

A packing material including a plurality of discrete cushioning elements and methods for making the same. The discrete cushioning elements may be cellulosic cushioning elements. A flexible linkage may connect the plurality of discrete cushioning elements in the packing material. The packing material may also include a bottom cellulosic sheet connected to a top cellulosic sheet with the plurality of cellulosic cushioning elements positioned between the top cellulosic sheet and the bottom cellulosic sheet. The packing material may also be a molded packing material that includes bonds comprising adhesive and cellulosic fibers. The adhesive and cellulosic fibers of the bonds may be dispersed between the folds of each of the cellulosic cushioning elements.

A connective protective packaging element is provided. The connective protective packaging element may include a protective body in a high-density supply configuration. The protective body may be configurable into a low-density configuration for cushioning packaged products. The body may include an exposed surface in the low-density configuration. The connective protective packaging element may also include a bonding element attached to the exposed surface that operably bonds the exposed surface to an abutting surface by contact with the bonding element.

An inflatable web is disclosed. The web includes first and second film plies sealed together via a plurality of generally transverse seals to define a first and second inflatable chambers and an inflation region. The chambers are inflatable with a fluid and operable to contain the fluid. The sealed plies have a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge. The web defines a separation region extending at least partially transversely across the web between the first and second inflatable chambers and is configured to facilitate separation thereof. The separation region includes a tear propagation line extending transversely across at least a portion of the web with an end of the tear propagation line terminating proximal to the first longitudinal edge of the web. The separation region includes a tear initiation feature including edges spaced apart from one another longitudinally to form a permanent opening in the web.

An inflatable web includes an inflation zone, a first inflatable panel in fluid communication with the inflation zone, and a second inflatable panel in fluid communication with the inflation zone. The first inflatable panel includes a first sheet juxtaposed on a second sheet. The first and second sheets are sealed together to form inflatable chambers. The second inflatable panel include a third sheet juxtaposed on a fourth sheet. The third and fourth sheets are sealed together to form inflatable chambers. The inflatable film is configured to be inflated by an inflation and sealing machine configured to direct gas into the inflatable chambers of the first and second inflatable panels via the inflation zone and to individually seal the inflatable chambers of the first and second inflatable panels.

A system and method for inflating airbags includes a series of pulleys arranged in two parallel rows. Each pulley has its periphery defined as a semicircular concave groove that extends between two edges, wherein the semicircular concave grooves form a tunnel. Each pulley in the first row can rotate clockwise, while each pulley in the second row rotates anticlockwise. A cylindrical air tube can be positioned in the tunnel wherein the air tube is connected to a compressed air source at an end. The air tube has spaced apertures along its length and an airbag with two flaps can be mounted on the inflation system, wherein the two flaps are pressed over the air tube by the pair of pulleys and each pair of pulleys can drag the flaps on the air tube.

Disclosed is a method for inflating packaging airbags. The method for inflating the airbags include the steps of coupling an inflation port of the airbag to a nozzle of the inflation system, wherein a collar of the airbag adjacent to the inflation port lies between the cushions of the inflation system, the cushions are a part of pair of clamps. Thereafter the inflation system can be turned on resulting in clasping of the collar by the pair of clamps. The air compressor of the system operates to supply air under pressure to the airbag through the air pressure regulator. Once the airbag is inflated, the inflation system can be turned off, resulting in releasing of the pair of clamps, thus releasing the airbag.

A transfer and dispensing apparatus is disclosed for the conveying and separation of packaging material, cushions or pillows when needed by the operator. When a packer working over a conveyor receives a box that requires void fill, an operating switch such as a foot pedal is depressed to dispense pillows from the apparatus and into the box in a connected strip. When the operating switch is released, the apparatus stops dispensing pillows, separates the continuous strip of pillows along a transverse perforation in the strip, and ejects the end of the separated segment. The packer can then complete packing the box by placing the severed end of the pillows into the box, advance to the next box, and repeat the process. The transfer and dispensing apparatus may be positioned in any convenient location including adjacent to, above or attached to the inflation device.

A system and method for inflating airbags include a series of pulleys arranged in two parallel rows. Each pulley has its periphery defined as a semicircular concave groove that extends between two edges, wherein the semicircular concave grooves form a tunnel. Each pulley in the first row can rotate clockwise, while each pulley in the second row rotates anticlockwise. A cylindrical air tube can be positioned in the tunnel wherein the air tube is connected to a compressed air source at an end. The air tube has spaced apertures along its length and an airbag with two flaps can be mounted on the inflation system, wherein the two flaps are pressed over the air tube by the pair of pulleys and each pair of pulleys can drag the flaps on the air tube.

A packing material including a plurality of discrete cushioning elements and methods for making the same. The discrete cushioning elements may be cellulosic cushioning elements. A flexible linkage may connect the plurality of discrete cushioning elements in the packing material. The packing material may also include a bottom cellulosic sheet connected to a top cellulosic sheet with the plurality of cellulosic cushioning elements positioned between the top cellulosic sheet and the bottom cellulosic sheet. The packing material may also be a molded packing material that includes bonds comprising adhesive and cellulosic fibers. The adhesive and cellulosic fibers of the bonds may be dispersed between the folds of each of the cellulosic cushioning elements.