A cushioning conversion machine and related methodology characterized by one or more features including, inter alia, a feeding/connecting assembly which enables an operator to easily vary a characteristic, for example the density, of the cushioning product; a feeding/connecting assembly wherein input and/or output wheels or rollers thereof are made at least in part of an elastomeric or other friction enhancing material, which reduces the cost and complexity of the input and output rollers; a manual reversing mechanism that is useful, for example, for clearing paper jams; a modular arrangement of a forming assembly and feeding/connecting assembly in separate units that may be positioned remotely from one another, as may be desired for more efficient utilization of floor space; a turner bar which enables alternative positioning a stock supply roll; and a volume expanding arrangement cooperative with the feeding/connecting assembly for reducing the density of the cushioning product and increasing product yield.
RELATED APPLICATION DATA
This is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/921,701 filed on Aug. 19, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,974,407 issued on Dec. 13, 2005, which is a Division of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/387,399 filed on Sep. 2, 1999 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,783,489 issued on Aug. 31, 2004, which is continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/983,593 filed on Apr. 13, 1998 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,019,715 issued on Feb. 1, 2000, which is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/US96/10899, filed Jun. 26, 1996, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/000,496 filed Jun. 26, 1995, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
