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.

The present disclosure is directed to a web inflation and sealing apparatus. The device may include a support member for holding a supply of web material and sealing apparatus may include an inflation and a sealing assembly operable to inflate the web material with a fluid by directing the fluid between superimposed plies of the web material and to seal the plies together to seal the fluid therein. The apparatus may include a guide member positioned between the support member and the inflation and sealing assembly such that when the web material is routed from the supply toward the inflation and sealing assembly via the guide member the web material follows a curved longitudinal path. The guide member may define a web-supporting surface extending transversely to the longitudinal path with an elevated profile portion defining at least a portion of the web-supporting surface.

A device for the production of padding products has a product guide, a product drive along a drive axis (Y), and a product crumpling device. The guide is attached to a part of the device mechanically at at least a part of its section and is held on another part of the device by magnetic repulsion forces.

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.

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.

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 device for producing dunnage includes a jam detector. The detector is mounted on an outlet chute that receives dunnage produced by a dunnage mechanism of the device. The detector is sensitive to detect a dunnage jam within the outlet chute, and is associated with the dunnage mechanism to cause the dunnage mechanism to stop driving the dunnage into the outlet chute when a jam is detected.

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.

The disclosure concerns a machine for converting spooled material into dunnage for use with packaging and shipping of goods. The machine is capable of adjustably changing a thickness and/or density of dunnage created therefrom. The machine includes adjustable posts for configuring a size and density of the dunnage produced. Additionally, a dunnage roller system reuses a belt to both drive the rollers and to carry the spooled material through the machine as it becomes dunnage.

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.