A gas filling method includes the steps of: intermittently transferring a bag to arrange the bag at a gas blowing processing position; inserting a blowing nozzle into a gas guide path of the bag in the gas blowing processing position; pinching the blowing nozzle arranged in the gas guide path from outside of the bag with a pair of pinching members in the gas blowing processing position; causing the blowing nozzle to eject the gas in such a manner that the gas is sent to the gas accommodation portion in the gas blowing processing position in a state where the blowing nozzle is pinched via the bag by the pair of pinching members; and closing the gas accommodation portion in an airtight manner in the gas blowing processing position in a state where the blowing nozzle is arranged in the gas guide path.

A system and process of printing a package of expanded material (e.g., expanded starch, foam or other expanded material). The expanded material can be heated and extruded, poured, sprayed, or otherwise applied in malleable form that sets up to become a porous protective covering for an item to be packaged. In an example, a layer of expanded material is laid down, and the item in a protective covering (e.g., a plastic bag, sleeve, coating, etc.) is positioned on the layer of expanded material. Additional layers or expanded material may be applied, thereby encasing the item. The top surface of the expanded material may be flattened, such as by operation of a roller, press, or cutter. The top surface may be sprayed with a shellac sealant, paint, or other coating, to allow printing of a label on the top surface.

The present disclosure relates generally to tension-activated, expanding articles that include single slit patterns. In some embodiments, these articles are used as cushioning films and/or packaging materials. The present disclosure also relates to methods of making and using these tension-activated, expanding articles.

A packaging cushion is provided which has a bottom cushion piece, first and second side cushion pieces, a front cushion piece, a rear cushion piece, and a translated top cushion piece. The bottom cushion piece defines a void cavity and front entry portion. The first side cushion piece may be substantially perpendicular to the bottom cushion piece, and the second side cushion piece may be substantially perpendicular to the bottom cushion piece and opposite the first side cushion piece. The front cushion piece may be substantially perpendicular to the bottom cushion piece and may define an entry space adjacent to the front entry portion. The rear cushion piece may be substantially perpendicular to the bottom cushion piece and opposite the front cushion piece. The translated top cushion piece extends from the rear cushion piece and is displaced from the void cavity. The packaging cushion at least partially covers six sides of a product housed therein. Methods of packaging products and methods of manufacturing a one-piece encapsulating packaging cushion using a male mold and a female mold are also provided.

A packaging cushion is provided which has a bottom cushion piece, first and second side cushion pieces, a front cushion piece, a rear cushion piece, and a translated top cushion piece. The bottom cushion piece defines a void cavity and front entry portion. The first side cushion piece may be substantially perpendicular to the bottom cushion piece, and the second side cushion piece may be substantially perpendicular to the bottom cushion piece and opposite the first side cushion piece. The front cushion piece may be substantially perpendicular to the bottom cushion piece and may define an entry space adjacent to the front entry portion. The rear cushion piece may be substantially perpendicular to the bottom cushion piece and opposite the front cushion piece. The translated top cushion piece extends from the rear cushion piece and is displaced from the void cavity. The packaging cushion at least partially covers six sides of a product housed therein. Methods of packaging products and methods of manufacturing a one-piece encapsulating packaging cushion using a male mold and a female mold are also provided.

In the preferred embodiments, the present invention provides substantially improved slit sheet cushioning products by advantageously combining novel paper properties with novel slit patterns for improved features and characteristics. In some illustrative and non-limiting example embodiments, cushioning products of the present invention can include, e.g., a novel slit sheet material in combination with extensible paper employed as, e.g., a cushioning pad or as cushioning within an envelope product, wherein the cushioning product can be substantially more resilient, but, yet, e.g., thinner for better utilization of space.

In the preferred embodiments, the present invention provides substantially improved slit sheet cushioning products by advantageously combining novel paper properties with novel slit patterns for improved features and characteristics. In some illustrative and non-limiting example embodiments, cushioning products of the present invention can include, e.g., a novel slit sheet material in combination with extensible paper employed as, e.g., a cushioning pad or as cushioning within an envelope product, wherein the cushioning product can be substantially more resilient, but, yet, e.g., thinner for better utilization of space.

The present disclosure relates generally to tension-activated, expanding articles that include compound slit patterns. In some embodiments, these articles are used as cushioning films and/or packaging materials. The present disclosure also relates to methods of making and using these tension-activated, expanding articles.

The present disclosure relates generally to tension-activated, expanding articles, films, and sheets including a multi-slit pattern. In some embodiments, these articles, films, and/or sheets are used as cushioning films and/or packaging materials. The present disclosure also relates to methods of making and using these tension-activated, expanding articles, films, and sheets.

In the preferred embodiments, the present invention provides substantially improved slit sheet cushioning products by advantageously combining novel paper properties with novel slit patterns for improved features and characteristics. In some illustrative and non-limiting example embodiments, cushioning products of the present invention can include, e.g., a novel slit sheet material in combination with extensible paper employed as, e.g., a cushioning pad or as cushioning within an envelope product, wherein the cushioning product can be substantially more resilient, but, yet, e.g., thinner for better utilization of space.