A dunnage producing system is disclosed. The system comprises a material feed section configured to feed a sheet stock material into the system to convert it into a dunnage product. The system further comprises a drive belt having a plurality of lugs fixed on the drive belt configured to engage one or more die-cut openings in the sheet stock or roll stock material. The system further comprises one or more folding mandrels and a glue feed section. The folding mandrels capture the engaged sheet stock or roll stock material between the drive belt and folding mandrels. the glue feed section comprises a tank loaded with pre-melted adhesive material, a hose to transfer the post melted adhesive materials, and a dispensing nozzle to pump the melted adhesive material to the sheet stock material. A controller then receives measurement information and control the functions of the system to produce dunnage product.

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. The entry and exit-side crumpling members are displaced laterally along the path with respect to each other to cause shearing of the sheet within the crumpling zone.

A base has an end plate adapted to rotate about an axis substantially orthogonal to the base. A first jaw extends from the end plate and is pivotably engaged with the end plate. As the end plate rotates about the axis, the first jaw defines a first separation angle when the end plate is at a first position and the first jaw defines a second separation angle when the end plate is at a second position.

An inflatable protective packaging unit and associated inflation systems are disclosed. The unit can include an inflatable component that includes overlaid flexible plies connected to each other to define a fluid chamber therebetween. The inflatable component can define an inflation region in fluid communication with the fluid chamber to allow fluid from the inflation region into the fluid chamber. The unit can further include a receiver separably attached to the inflatable component at the inflation region and configured to direct fluid into the inflation region. The inflation system can be configured to discretely engage the inflatable protective packaging unit and provide fluid for inflation. Once inflated, the system may eject the unit, and cause the inflatable component to separate from the receiver.

A dunnage producing system is disclosed. The system comprises a material feed section configured to feed a sheet stock material into the system to convert it into a dunnage product. The system further comprises a drive belt having a plurality of lugs fixed on the drive belt configured to engage one or more die-cut openings in the sheet stock or roll stock material. The system further comprises one or more folding mandrels and a glue feed section. The folding mandrels capture the engaged sheet stock or roll stock material between the drive belt and folding mandrels. The glue feed section comprises a tank loaded with pre-melted adhesive material, a hose to transfer the pre-melted adhesive material, and a dispensing nozzle to pump the melted adhesive material to the sheet stock material. A controller then receives measurement information and controls the functions of the system to produce dunnage product.

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. The entry and exit-side crumpling members are displaced laterally along the path with respect to each other to cause shearing of the sheet within the crumpling zone.

A dunnage producing system is disclosed. The system comprises a material feed section configured to feed a sheet stock material into the system to convert it into a dunnage product. The system further comprises a drive belt having a plurality of lugs fixed on the drive belt configured to engage one or more die-cut openings in the sheet stock or roll stock material. The system further comprises one or more folding mandrels and a glue feed section. The folding mandrels capture the engaged sheet stock or roll stock material between the drive belt and folding mandrels. the glue feed section comprises a tank loaded with pre-melted adhesive material, a hose to transfer the post melted adhesive materials, and a dispensing nozzle to pump the melted adhesive material to the sheet stock material. A controller then receives measurement information and control the functions of the system to produce dunnage product.

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. The entry and exit-side crumpling members are displaced laterally along the path with respect to each other to cause shearing of the sheet within the crumpling zone.

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. The entry and exit-side crumpling members are displaced laterally along the path with respect to each other to cause shearing of the sheet within the crumpling zone.