System for delivering air-filled packing cushions to a point of use in which a continuous string of the cushions is fed into an elongated duct with the string extending longitudinally of the duct, and an air flow is established in the duct to convey the string of cushions through the duct. In one disclosed embodiment, the air flow is created by a blower mounted externally of the duct, with a baffle plate inside the duct directing the air flow in a longitudinal direction. In a self-contained system in which the cushions are made at the point of use, the duct extends vertically, and the cushions are fed directly into the lower end of the duct by a machine which makes them. The string of cushions is discharged from the upper end of the duct into a bin from which they can be withdrawn as needed for use in cartons supported by a stand positioned beneath the bin.
There is provided a system that automatically delivers, monitors and replenishes a string of packaging cushions to hoppers located at multiple packing stations through an elongated cushion delivery duct having a series of intermediate outlets to permit the string of cushions to drop into the hopper located below the delivery duct and above the packing station. A blower is positioned near the inlet of the elongated duct to provide air flow in the duct to carry the string of cushions through the duct to one of the outlets. When the hopper is full of cushions sensors signal the controller to close the diverter and the string of cushions is delivered to another packaging station. The system may include a knife assembly to cut the string of cushions holding pins and the tension-relief diverter it is located at the inlet of the duct to hold tension on the string of cushions while the string is being separated. The tension release gate also has the purpose of relieving tension on the machine producing cushions during the machines feed/fill cycle.
In a plastic tube (1) for the production of gas filled bodies, with two superimposed sheets, connected in a gas tight manner to each other along a first longitudinal edge thereof, the upper sheet (2) and the lower sheet (3) are welded together in the transverse direction along gas tight welded seams (5a,5b), arranged in pairs at a separation from each other, in order to form inflatable pockets (7), which seams extend from the first longitudinal edge (4) to a point at a predetermined separation from the opposing second longitudinal edge (6). The pockets each present, between the upper sheet and the lower sheet, a gas filling opening (8) which is accessible from the second longitudinal edge. Also proposed are a method for the production of gas filled bodies using such plastic tubes and a device for carrying out said method.
A system for conveying a string of packaging cushions includes a machine capable of manufacturing the string and a conveyor adapted to transport the string. The conveyor has an inlet end to receive the string and an outlet end to deliver the string of packaging cushions. The inlet end of the conveyor is higher than the cushion outlet elevation of the machine. At least one pair of rolls are adapted to lift the string of packaging cushions from the machine through the nip of the rolls to the conveyor inlet elevation.
Apparatus for producing and separating a string of interconnected packing cushions comprises a packing cushion production machine which produces a string of interconnected packing cushions, the string of interconnected packing cushions exiting an output end of the machine at a first velocity, and a separation device associated with the output end of the machine, the separation device adapted to selectively engage the string of interconnected packing cushions and to drive the string at a second velocity, greater than the first velocity, and in doing so to cause the string of interconnected packing cushions to separate. The method comprises producing a string of interconnected packing cushions, or supplying a pre-produced string of interconnected packing cushions, the string of interconnected packing cushions traveling at a first velocity, and selectively engaging the string of interconnected packing cushions at a second velocity, greater than the first velocity, and in doing so causing the string of interconnected packing cushions to separate.
The invention is an under-filled cushion detector that is capable of conveying a string of packaging cushions and detecting whether the string of packaging cushions may be under-filled. The detector includes an upper driven belt that is movably suspended above a lower belt. The belts cooperate together to define a longitudinal cushion pathway between the belts. The distance between the upper and lower belts may vary depending upon the thickness of the string of packaging cushions. If a string of under-filled cushions travels between the upper and lower belts, the upper belt can move downwardly in the direction of the lower belt. A switch stops the upper and lower belts if the height of the cushion pathway decreases below a predetermined threshold. The detector can be used in a system for manufacturing and transporting packaging cushions to a desired location.
