A dunnage conversion system includes a machine for converting a stock material into a strip of relatively lower-density dunnage, a coiling mechanism for winding the strip into a coil, a taping mechanism for automatically securing a trailing end of the strip to the coil, and a coil ejecting mechanism for automatically removing the coil from the coiling mechanism. The taping mechanism includes a guide surface between an outlet of the machine and the coiling mechanism to guide the strip to the coiling mechanism and to guide tape for engagement with a trailing end of the strip and to secure the trailing end of the strip to the coil. The coil ejecting mechanism includes a lever arm that pivots to push the completed coil off the coiling mechanism.

A dunnage conversion system includes a machine for converting a stock material into a strip of relatively lower-density dunnage, a coiling mechanism for winding the strip into a coil, a taping mechanism for automatically securing a trailing end of the strip to the coil, and a coil ejecting mechanism for automatically removing the coil from the coiling mechanism. The taping mechanism includes a guide surface between an outlet of the machine and the coiling mechanism to guide the strip to the coiling mechanism and to guide tape for engagement with a trailing end of the strip and to secure the trailing end of the strip to the coil. The coil ejecting mechanism includes a lever arm that pivots to push the completed coil off the coiling mechanism.

The device incorporates a mobile station with: a first shaft to support a movable reel and to actuate rotation of the movable reel around the first shaft; a grip for gripping and releasing the movable reel from a first side of the movable reel closest to the first shaft; and a transporter to move the movable reel in the direction of the first shaft between the mobile station and a loading position. The process handles one single reel in each change, reducing labor and simplifying logistical management of reels. Likewise, the reels are handled from one single side, the side closest to the first shaft. Therefore, space is freed up on the other side, providing more available space.

The device incorporates a mobile station with: a first shaft to support a movable reel and to actuate rotation of the movable reel around the first shaft; a grip for gripping and releasing the movable reel from a first side of the movable reel closest to the first shaft; and a transporter to move the movable reel in the direction of the first shaft between the mobile station and a loading position. The process handles one single reel in each change, reducing labor and simplifying logistical management of reels. Likewise, the reels are handled from one single side, the side closest to the first shaft. Therefore, space is freed up on the other side, providing more available space.

Disclosed herein is an extraction assembly for producing coreless logs. The extraction assembly includes a rectilinear transporter (20) of a log (11) wound about a disintegrable core (12), and a gripping device (30) for a portion of the core (12) projecting from the log (11), wherein the rectilinear transporter (20) has a transverse transport direction with respect to a log advancement direction of the log (11) along the converting line (100), and has an alternating transport direction back and forth in opposite directions, and the rectilinear transporter (20) contains a first portion for being received within the converting line (100), and a second portion for being placed outside the converting line (100), in which the second portion is aligned with respect to the first portion along the transverse transport direction. Also disclosed herein are a converting line containing the extraction assembly, and methods for producing coreless logs.

Disclosed herein is an extraction assembly for producing coreless logs. The extraction assembly includes a rectilinear transporter (20) of a log (11) wound about a disintegrable core (12), and a gripping device (30) for a portion of the core (12) projecting from the log (11), wherein the rectilinear transporter (20) has a transverse transport direction with respect to a log advancement direction of the log (11) along the converting line (100), and has an alternating transport direction back and forth in opposite directions, and the rectilinear transporter (20) contains a first portion for being received within the converting line (100), and a second portion for being placed outside the converting line (100), in which the second portion is aligned with respect to the first portion along the transverse transport direction. Also disclosed herein are a converting line containing the extraction assembly, and methods for producing coreless logs.

Disclosed herein are protective packaging stock material units that are used in a dunnage system. A dunnage system includes a dunnage conversion machine and a supply station. The supply station is a cart that includes a biased support that is connected to a vertical side support. The biased support is movable from an open position to a closed position with respect to opposing vertical side supports. In the closed position, the biased support is configured to at least partially block the opening between the opposing vertical side supports. In the open position, the biased support leaves the opening between the opposing vertical side supports sufficiently open to load fanfold stock material therein. The biased support is biased towards the closed position and the open position. The supply station also includes an alignment device forming a funnel positioned under its base. The alignment device receives a dunnage machine stand base causing the supply cart to consistently align with the stand base in response to the stand base being slid into engagement with the alignment device.

A winding apparatus (200) and a method of winding a product strip onto (202) a reel (204) are provided, the winding apparatus (200) comprises, a feeder module (216) for supplying the product strip to the reel; a first winding module part (218) that is configured to engage the reel, the first winding module part (218) being further configured to move along a first alignment path to align the reel in relation to the feeder module (216) at an operative position for receiving the product strip; wherein first winding module part (218) is configured to align the reel (204) in a horizontal position that is normal to a vertical axis (Y) of the winding apparatus and the reel (204) is rotatable at the operative position about a longitudinal axis passing through the reel; and wherein the feeder module (216) is arranged to convey the product strip (202) for winding onto the reel (204), the product strip (202) being within a vertical plane normal to the ground.

A winding apparatus (200) and a method of winding a product strip onto (202) a reel (204) are provided, the winding apparatus (200) comprises, a feeder module (216) for supplying the product strip to the reel; a first winding module part (218) that is configured to engage the reel, the first winding module part (218) being further configured to move along a first alignment path to align the reel in relation to the feeder module (216) at an operative position for receiving the product strip; wherein first winding module part (218) is configured to align the reel (204) in a horizontal position that is normal to a vertical axis (Y) of the winding apparatus and the reel (204) is rotatable at the operative position about a longitudinal axis passing through the reel; and wherein the feeder module (216) is arranged to convey the product strip (202) for winding onto the reel (204), the product strip (202) being within a vertical plane normal to the ground.

An assembly for handling reel spools, comprising linear support rails, having a first end and a second end, arranged parallel to each other, and a reel spool cart arranged on the support rails, the support rails being arranged at a first distance from each other, the first distance being greater than axial length of the reel spool, and the cart being provided with a hoisting device configured to hoist the reel spool vertically from beneath of at least one of the support rails to at least partly above at least one of the support rails.