USER-EXPANDABLE PACKAGING.

Abstract

A supply of packaging material weft is provided. The supply of packaging material weft may include first and second covers overlapping and sealed together by a plurality of seals, including a plurality of transverse seals extending transversely through the covers, wherein a plurality of internal cavities are defined between the covers and the transverse seals. The first and second covers are arranged in a weft that includes a plurality of packaging units arranged longitudinally in series along the weft, wherein the first and second covers form the walls of the packaging units, and at least some of the packaging units include at least one of the internal cavities. An expansion material is disposed in the internal cavities in an unexpanded configuration.where the expansion material is arranged within the interior cavities in such a way that, when expanded to the expanded configuration, the expansion material is configured to provide cushioning in the walls.

Description

The present invention relates generally to packaging for shipping articles. More specifically, the invention relates to packaging materials configured to be produced and packaged in a high-density configuration for subsequent expansion to a low-density configuration. Cross-reference with related application This application claims priority over U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 046,828, filed July 1, 2020, entitled SERIES EXPANDABLE WALL BAGS; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 706,110, filed July 31, 2020, entitled SERIES EXPANDABLE WALL BAGS; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 069,571, filed August 24, 2020, entitled SERIES EXPANDABLE WALL BAGS; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 105,420, filed October 26, 2020, entitled POST-EXPANSION PACKAGING; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 107,333, filed on October 29, 2020, entitled POST-EXPANSION PACKAGING; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 107,312, filed on October 29, 2020, entitled STRIP SEAL PACKAGING MATERIAL WEAVE; each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Background Traditional low-density protective packaging is produced in standard bulky, low-density configurations. These bulky, low-density configurations may include, for example, preformed and inflated fluid chambers (e.g., bubble wrap), pre-expanded foam, filler inserts, etc. These bulky, low-density configurations provide support to the packaging during shipping. However, before they can be used in packaging, they must be shipped to the packaging and shipping facilities. Given that traditional protective packaging is already manufactured in bulky, low-density configurations, it must be transported as such.This increases the total volume of packaging material even before it is used for packaging, thus increasing shipping costs to packaging and shipping facilities and decreasing the amount of product that can be stored at these facilities until needed. For these reasons alone, systems and methods are needed to produce packaging material in a low-volume, high-density configuration that can be expanded later. Brief description of the invention According to various embodiments, a supply of packaging material is provided. The supply of packaging material may include first and second covers overlapping and sealed together by a plurality of seals, including a plurality of transverse seals extending transversely through the covers, wherein a plurality of other inner cavities are defined between the covers and the transverse seals, the first and second covers arranged in a weave that includes a plurality of packaging units arranged longitudinally in a series along the weave, wherein the first and second covers form the walls of the packaging units, and at least some of the packaging units include at least one of the inner cavities.The supply of packaging material may further include an expansion material disposed in the inner cavities in an unexpanded configuration, the expansion material having a composition to expand to an expanded configuration upon application of expansion conditions, wherein the expansion material is disposed within the inner cavities in such a way that when it expands to the expanded configuration the expansion material is configured to provide cushioning on the walls of an object to be shipped. According to various methods, the weft is consolidated into a high-density configuration. According to various methods, in the high-density configuration, the weft is wound onto a roll. According to various methods, in the high-density configuration, the weft is folded into a fan-shaped stack. According to various modalities, each of the packaging units includes at least one of the inner cavities. According to various modalities, each of the packaging units includes at least one of the inner cavities. According to various models, all packaging units are equal. According to various models, the packaging units are pads that each include only one of the walls. According to various embodiments, the walls of each packaging unit include a plurality of overlapping walls to define an inner cavity configured to accommodate the item to be shipped. According to various embodiments, the walls are unsealed on one side of the inner cavity to provide an opening configured to receive the item. According to various embodiments, the packaging material supply includes an opening-sealing material disposed on at least one of the walls to seal the walls together at the opening, thereby sealing the opening closed and retaining the item in the inner cavity for shipment. According to various modalities, the supply of packaging material includes a first sealing material, arranged in the transverse seals, configured to form a seal in the transverse seals after the first sealing material has been applied. The sealing material in the openings may be a different material from the first sealing material and may be configured to form a seal in the openings after the second sealing material has been applied. otr Lzn / cznz / q / uιλι According to various modalities, the overlapping covers include a hinge area arranged to fold the overlapping covers over one another at a hinge line that extends through the hinge area to divide the overlapping covers into first and second wall portions on opposite sides of the hinge line, such that the wall portions fold around the hinge line into a folded configuration, defining the inner cavity between them.According to various modalities, the expansion material includes an expandable material configured, when in an expanded configuration, to cushion the object, the expandable material being disposed between the first and second covers in a main cushioning area, wherein the hinge area between the covers has less expandable material than in the main cushioning area so that, in the folded configuration, the hinge area is thinner than the main cushioning area. According to various methods, the expansion conditions include an expansion temperature sufficient to cause the expansion material to decrease its density and expand to reach the expanded configuration. According to various modalities, the expansion material includes a plurality of materials separated by a barrier, in which contact between the plurality of materials causes the expansion material to expand. According to various embodiments, the expansion conditions include the application of a minimum force to the expanding material, where the minimum force is sufficient to cause the plurality of materials to come into contact with each other. According to various embodiments, the minimum force is sufficient to cause the plurality of materials to mix. According to various modalities, the supply of packaging material weft includes a region of weakness located between adjacent packaging units of the series of packaging units, in which the region of weakness is configured to facilitate the separation of adjacent packaging units. According to various embodiments of the present invention, a system is provided. The system may include a supply of weft material for packaging material, and an expansion device configured to apply expansion conditions to the expansion material when it is not consolidated from the high-density configuration. Brief description of the drawings The foregoing and other features of the present invention will become more evident from the following description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It being understood that these drawings only represent various examples according to the invention and should therefore not be considered limiting its scope, the invention will be described in greater specificity and detail by means of the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a top perspective view of one type of covering used to form a wall; Figure 2 is a top view of a wall grid formed, for example, with Figural roofs; otr Lzn / cznz / q / uili Figure 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a frame, for example, the frame in Figure 2, folded and joined to form a network of packaging containers connected according to a modality; Figure 4A is a top cross-sectional view of another type of network; Figure 4B is a bottom perspective view of a frame from Figure 4A, folded and joined to form a frame of connected packing containers; Figure 4C is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the grid in Figure 4B; Figure 5 is a top view of the packaging walls, for example, the walls of Figure 1, used to form a packaging container according to a modality; Figure 6 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a packaging container formed with the walls of Figure 5; Figure 7 is a perspective view of a finished, rolled supply frame of separable packaging containers, constructed, for example, as shown in Figure 6; Figure 8 is a perspective view of a complete supply lattice of separable packaging containers, constructed, for example, as shown in Figure 6, in a fan-shaped configuration; Figures 9A and 9B are side and top views, respectively, of a system for converting supply material into a supply chain of separable packaging containers constructed, for example, as shown in Figure 3; Figure 10 is a cross-sectional side view showing a region of weakness in a frame of separable packing containers constructed, for example, as shown in the figures above; Figure 11 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view along section plane AA of Figure 9A; Figures 12A and 12B are a perspective view and a side cross-sectional view of an expansion and bagging device according to one modality; Figures 12A and 12B are a perspective view and a cross-sectional side view of an expansion and bagging device according to a modality; FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional side view of an expansion and bagging device according to one modality; Figures 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F, 14G, 14H and 141 are perspective views of a bag opening and sealing assembly of an expansion and bagging device according to various examples of the present invention; Figures 15A and 15B are rear and front perspective views of an expansion and bagging device according to a modality; Figure 16 is a perspective cutaway view of an expansion and bagging device; and Figure 17 is a flow diagram of a method for generating one or more packaging elements, according to various modalities. Detailed description of the invention The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings, which form part of it. In the drawings, similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless the context dictates otherwise. The illustrative examples described in the detailed description, the drawings, and the claims are not intended to be limiting. Other examples may be used and other changes introduced without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented herein. It will be readily understood that aspects of the present invention, as generally described in this application and illustrated in the figures, may be arranged, substituted, combined, separated, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are implicitly contemplated herein. Some aspects of the present invention relate to packaging elements formed from the packaging material.Some packaging elements formed from the packaging material include cushions and sheets, which include a single wall. Some packaging elements formed from the packaging material include packaging units configured to cushion one or more objects during shipment. Packaging units may include, for example, cushioning pads and containers. Some packaging containers include bags and envelopes, such as mailing envelopes, which can be manufactured and filled later with an item to be shipped at a later time. Some embodiments of the present invention include expansion walls. Some expansion walls include expandable walls, which are in an unexpanded configuration and can be expanded at a later time.The expansion walls may include one or more expansion members configured to expand the expansion walls. The expansion members may include one or more expansion materials. Some expansion materials include expandable material configured to expand upon the application of one or more expansion conditions, such as heat, chemical reaction, or other suitable means. Some expansion materials include expanded materials that have expanded beyond their applied dimensions. The various seals described herein include at least one sealing material. In a preferred embodiment, a packing material weave includes a plurality of sealing materials. The bonding element includes an adhesive or cohesive material to provide an adhesive or cohesive surface, respectively.A combination of adhesive and cohesive surfaces may be used. The adhesive may be applied directly to the exposed surface of the material using known suitable methods, or it may be applied onto an adhesive tape, such as double-sided tape, or by other suitable methods. In some embodiments, the sealing material includes polyethylene. In some embodiments, the sealing material includes a heat-sealable material. In some embodiments, the sealing material includes a material that acts as a cold glue. It should be noted that other suitable sealing materials may be used in conjunction with, or alternatively to, the sealing materials exemplified here.As used here, an adhesive bonding element is made of a material that adheres to other types of surfaces, preferably those typically found in the vicinity of protective packaging, such as plastic, paper, or metals. Examples of suitable adhesives include liquid adhesives and pressure-sensitive adhesives. Pressure-sensitive adhesives can be selected that bond after applying slight initial external pressure to create the joint.Examples include water-based, pressure-sensitive acrylic adhesives, similar to those used in packing tape, which bond two surfaces together solely through surface contact, often after slight initial external pressure. Examples may include dry adhesives, which typically do not require activation with water, solvent, or heat, and adhere firmly to many dissimilar surfaces. Pressure-sensitive adhesives can be selected that are aggressive and / or permanently tacky at room temperature. The application and use of pressure-sensitive adhesives can be automated. When used in assembly, pressure-sensitive adhesives that require no preparation or long curing times can be used to save time compared to typical liquid adhesives.Adhesion is preferably immediate with pressure-sensitive adhesives, allowing manufacturing processes to continue uninterrupted, which can result in significant savings in time and labor. Examples of water-based, pressure-sensitive acrylic adhesives include RHOPLEX® N-1031 Emulsion, RHOPLEX® N-580 Emulsion, and RHOPLEX® N-619 Emulsion. Other emulsion polymers or blended acrylic polymer adhesives are also available, and other suitable types of adhesives and / or contact adhesives may be used. The cohesive material of an adhesive causes one surface to adhere to an opposing surface upon contact with the same or a complementary cohesive substance, forming a bond between the two surfaces. Cohesives, in which opposing surfaces bond to each other, do not adhere to other substances sufficiently to bond to those substances (for example, other surfaces of protective packaging material that lack a cohesive element, container surfaces, or surfaces of the product being shipped) or, in some cases, would adhere very weakly compared to the bond they form when bonded to each other. A cohesive can be pressure-sensitive, requiring pressure to activate the bond. Examples of suitable cohesive materials from which cohesive adhesives can be made include natural and synthetic latex-based cohesives.In some embodiments, the cohesive material is applied as a liquid to the appropriate portion of the protective packaging material, and in others it is applied in other known forms. Some types of cohesives, such as those made with latex, are mixed with water without additional adhesives to adhere to the respective, non-cohesive portion of the protective packaging material, and upon drying, they remain bonded to the exposed surface of the protective packaging material to which they have been applied. In some embodiments, the cohesive material can be mixed with an adhesive, often applied as a liquid, onto the protective packaging material. The adhesive can be selected so that after applying the cohesive and adhesive mixture to the protective packaging material (e.g., over a film layer), the adhesive evaporates, leaving the cohesive bonded to the non-cohesive protective packaging material (e.g., over a film or paper layer). One method of applying the liquid is spraying, although brushing or other suitable methods can be used. Alternatively, other suitable methods of applying the cohesive to the surface of the non-cohesive material can also be used. With reference to Figure 1, a frame (10) for supplying packaging material in a low-volume, high-density configuration is shown. The frame material (10) includes one or more covers or layers of a polymer, a cellulose-based material (e.g., paper), or other suitable material. In Figure 1, the frame (10) forms an expansion wall and includes a plurality of covers (12, 14). The wall is provided as a multi-cover structure. In alternative embodiments, one or more walls are multi-cover and / or single-cover structures. The frame (10) includes a first cover (12) and a second cover (14). The first cover (12) includes one or more seals (16, 18) formed or applied thereto, which may include a sealing material. The seal(s) (16, 18) include one or more transverse seals (16) affixed along one or more longitudinal edges (26) of the first cover (12). The seal(s) (16, 18) may additionally or alternatively include one or more transverse seal(s). The transverse seal(s) (18) extend to one or more of the longitudinal edges (26) of the first cover (12). In alternative embodiments, the transverse seal(s) extend along a portion of the first cover (12). The covers (12, 14) may include paper (e.g., cardboard, kraft paper, chipboard, cellulose-based paper, recycled paper, newsprint, and coated paper, such as wax-coated paper, plastic, water-resistant materials, and / or stain-resistant materials), plastic, cellulose, aluminum foil, polymeric or synthetic material, biodegradable materials, and / or other materials of suitable thickness, weight, and dimensions. The covers (12, 14) may include recyclable material (e.g., recycled paper). The covers (12, 14) may include one or more substrates. In some embodiments, the substrate(s) include a paper substrate. The paper substrate may include a layer of material applied thereto. The material layer may include one or more of the following: a waterproof layer, a watertight layer, an adhesive layer, a cohesive layer, a heat-sealable layer, other suitable material layers, and / or combinations thereof. The frame (10) includes an expandable element. The expandable element includes an expansion material (20). The expansion material (20) can be placed between the first cover (12) and the second cover (14). The expansion material (20) is applied to one of the covers (12, 14). The expansion material (20) is applied to the first cover (12). In other embodiments, the expansion material (20) is applied to the second cover (14) and / or to both the first cover (12) and the second cover (14). The expansion material (20) is applied in regular shapes (e.g., circles, ovals, squares, rectangles, triangles, etc.) or in irregular shapes. The expansion material can be applied to the frame as a continuous layer or in a pattern. The pattern can be configured so that when the covers are pressed together, the expansion material expands to form a continuous layer.In some embodiments, the frame (10) includes one or more vents or ventilation openings configured to allow the passage of gas (e.g., water vapor), produced by the application or expansion of the expansion material (20). An expansion device may be provided that causes the expanding material to expand. The expansion device is activated by an expansion initiator. In some embodiments, the expanding material comprises a plurality of materials, separated by a barrier, which, when mixed or in contact with each other, cause the expanding material to expand to an expanded configuration. In some embodiments, the expanding material comprises a matrix that can be expanded by an expansion device. Prior to expansion, when the expanding material is still in an expandable state (i.e., when the expanding material is an expandable material), the matrix may be fluid, such as a gel or a liquid. This allows for rapid application onto the cover(s). In other embodiments, the expandable material is provided as a solid and / or may pass through a gel or fluid phase.The expansion initiator may be thermal, mechanical, chemical, and / or include other initiating properties suitable for activating the expansion device. For example, the expansion initiator may be one or more of the following: heat, pressure, a chemical reaction, and / or other suitable expansion initiators. The expansion device may include reactive components, chemical catalysts, blowing agents, heating agents (which may apply heat to the expansion material and / or cause the expansion material to increase in temperature), and / or other suitable expansion devices. In some embodiments, the expansion device is kept separate from the matrix by a barrier and, for this purpose, may be contained within another structure, such as microsphere coatings.The expansion material (20), once expanded, provides cushioning configured to provide protection to one or more items / products / etc., placed against the first cover (12) or the second cover (14). In some embodiments, the matrix may include one or more polymers, including emulsion-based polymers. The polymer or polymers may include one or more of the following: ethyl vinyl acetate, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate copolymers, polyvinyl alcohol copolymers, dextrin-stabilized polyvinyl acetate, vinyl acetate copolymers, ethylene copolymers, vinyl acrylic, styrene acrylic, acrylic, styrene butyl rubber, polyurethane, polyolefins, biodegradable materials (e.g., cellulose and starch), and / or other suitable expansion materials. In some embodiments, the matrix may include a polyolefin-based adhesive or a polyolefin dispersion. The polyolefin dispersion may include polyethylene and / or polypropylene, thermoplastic polymers, polymeric stabilizing agents including at least one polar polymer, water, and / or other suitable polyolefin dispersions. A suitable polyolefin dispersion may include, for example, HYPOD® from Dow Chemical, or other suitable polyolefin dispersions. In some forms, the matrix is ​​a water-based adhesive. The water-based adhesive may include a water-based polymer. In some embodiments, the matrix is ​​based on starch in its natural or synthetic forms. In some embodiments, the starch is in the form of ground microstarch powder. The diameter of the ground starch particles ranges from 12 microns to approximately 20 microns. In some embodiments, the starch-based matrix comprises one or more of the following: water or another solvent, a surfactant, a polar binding agent, or other fillers. In some embodiments, for example, the matrix comprises up to 50% water. In some embodiments, for example, the matrix comprises 30 to 40% starch. Some configurations include a barrier that separates the expansion device from the matrix. One suitable barrier type is a microbead coating containing a blowing agent, a chemical catalyst, or a chemical reagent component, such as the expansion device. Other types of barriers may also be used. In some embodiments, the expansion device comprises a plurality of microspheres that are expandable and / or burstable, for example, upon the application of sufficient heat. The microspheres may include an outer coating and an inner core. Suitable outer coatings may include, for example, one or more thermoplastic polymers such as polyacrylonitrile or PVC, as well as glass, rubber, starch, cellulose, ceramics, or other suitable material. In some embodiments, the plurality of thermoexpandable microspheres includes a solid, liquid, or gaseous core made of one or more hydrocarbons, water, or other suitable chemical that can be activated to expand or burst the microsphere coating. In some embodiments, the microspheres may include biodegradable materials such as, for example, cellulose. The device, like the microspheres, can be mixed with the matrix before its application to the weave, or provided on the matrix after it has been applied to the weave, by mixing or forcing the microspheres into the matrix after its application to the weave, for example, when the covers are pressed together. In some formulations, microspheres have an expansion temperature (Texp), at which they begin to expand, and a maximum temperature (Tmax), above which they will burst. The Texp of the microspheres is not specifically limited, but it is generally between 60 °C and 250 °C. The Tmax of the microspheres is generally between 80 °C and 300 °C. In some formulations, the Tmax exceeds 300 °C. Microspheres are selected based on their maximum expansion temperature, depending on whether bursting is required. The Tmax depends on several properties, including the physical properties of the microspheres, the physical properties of the matrix, and the physical properties of the coatings onto which the matrix and microspheres are deposited.Heat can be generated by suitable means such as radiofrequency radiation or other appropriate methods. In some embodiments, radiofrequency radiation is applied to the expansion material (20) at frequencies of approximately 10 to 45 MHz, or as appropriate for the composition of the microspheres and the matrix material. In other embodiments, other frequencies may be used. The selected heating parameters depend on the expansion material(s) (20) used. Suitable microspheres are known in the art. In some embodiments, the expansion device includes a blowing agent, such as a gas or a mixture of gases. Examples of suitable gases include air, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, argon, helium, methane, ethane, propane, isobutane, n-butane, neopentane, and similar gases. In some embodiments, the gas or gas mixture is added to the expansion material by mechanical means. Examples of mechanical means include beating or foaming the expansion material to force the air or other gases into the material and increase its volume. In other embodiments, the gas or gas mixture may also be encapsulated within the microspheres. When the microspheres are activated, they expand and may rupture; the expansion of the microspheres causes the expansion of the expansion material. The rupture of the microspheres releases their contents, causing foaming and further expansion of the expansion material.In some embodiments, the frame (10) includes one or more vents, or ventilation openings, configured to allow the passage of gas (e.g., water vapor) produced by the application or expansion of the expansion material (20). In some embodiments, the expansion device includes one or more reactive components that drive chemical reactions to expand the matrix. The chemical reactions may involve mixing two reactive components, which react to generate a foam. In some embodiments, a catalyst is used to increase the rate of the chemical reaction. In some embodiments, the two reactive components are separated by a barrier before mixing and expansion. The barrier separating the reactive components may be the coating of a microsphere, where the core of the microsphere comprises one or more reactive components, and rupture of the microsphere releases its contents into one or more other reactive components, resulting in a foam-generating reaction. Other barriers, such as walls, capsules, or other barrier-forming containers, may also be used.Examples of reactive components that cause expansion include mixing a liquid form of isocyanate with a multi-component liquid mixture called polyurethane resin. When combined, these components release carbon dioxide and water vapor to generate polyurethane foam. Other reactive components that form foam upon mixing can also be used. In some embodiments, when the expanding material (20) expands, it solidifies, while in others, the expanding material (20) forms a gel or has another physical phase, depending on the article's construction. The expanded expanding material (20) is configured to form a protective cushioning and / or insulating region. The solidification method of the expanding material is selected based on its physical properties and can be achieved through methods such as thermosetting, drying (such as air drying), curing, or other suitable processes, such as those known for transitioning a material from a fluid to a solid. For example, a thermoset plastic can be irreversibly solidified by curing, while the solidification of a thermoplastic may be reversible. In some embodiments, the expansion material (20) is applied in a pattern. The pattern, distribution, and / or concentration of the expansion material (20) are selected to achieve the desired cushioning and / or insulation characteristics. In this embodiment, the expansion material (20) is applied in a dotted pattern. The dots may be points, squares, circles, large and / or small shapes, or polygons. Alternatively, other suitable patterns may be used, such as lines, arcs, circles, ellipses, squares, rectangles, polygons, or combinations thereof. The expansion material (20) is applied over a portion of the surface of one or more of the covers (12, 14) of the frame (10). Alternatively, the expansion material (20) may be applied over the entire surface of one or more of the covers (12, 14). In this modality, the expansion material is applied with a relatively uniform thickness.Other thicknesses, such as variable thicknesses, may be used as an alternative. In some embodiments, lines of the weave (10) may be left without expansion material (20) to form natural hinge lines or regions that bend more easily than other regions where the expansion material (20) is expanded. In some embodiments, pressure is applied to the expansion material (20) during or after expansion, forming hinge lines or regions that bend more easily than other regions. The second cover (14) includes one or more seals (22, 24) that incorporate a sealing material. The seal(s) (22, 24) may be configured to complement the seals (16, 18) of the first cover (12) and include one or more longitudinal seals (22) affixed along one or more longitudinal edges (28) of the second cover (14). The seal(s) (22, 24) of the second cover (14) include one or more transverse seal(s) (24). The transverse seal(s) (24) extend to one or more of the longitudinal edges (28) of the second cover (14). In other embodiments, the transverse seal(s) (24) extend along a portion of the second cover (14). The first cover (12) is joined to the second cover (14). Once the first cover (12) and the second cover (14) are joined, one or more external sealing materials are applied to the outside of the weave (10), forming one or more external seals (30, 32, 36) (as shown in Figure 2). One or more longitudinal seals (30) are applied to the outer longitudinal edges (34) of the weave (10), and one or more transverse seals (32) are applied between the longitudinal seal(s) (30). The weave (10) is then fed in direction (42) (as shown in Figure 5) through a folding device that folds the weave (10). In this embodiment, the weave (10) is folded along a fold edge (40). In other embodiments, the weave alternatively has a plurality of fold edges (40). The frame (10) may include one or more outer longitudinal seals (30) and one or more transverse seals (32, 36). The transverse seals (32) form the bottom seal of one or more packaging containers (44). In this embodiment, the transverse seals (36) are configured to close and seal an opening of the packaging container (44) after a product is inserted into an inner cavity of the packaging container (44). According to this embodiment, the transverse seals (32, 36) are of different types. In this embodiment, one or more of the transverse seals (32, 36) are a different type of seal than the longitudinal seals (30). In another embodiment, one or more of the transverse seals (32, 36) are alternatively of a similar type of seal to the longitudinal seals (30).According to some embodiments, the longitudinal seal(s) (30) can, in some embodiments, form a seal at a different temperature than the temperature required to form a seal using the transverse seal(s) (32, 36). This allows seals that are activated at one temperature to activate at a different time than one or more seals that are activated at other temperatures. In some embodiments, each of the seals (30, 32, and 36) can be a heat-activated seal. otr Lzn / cznz / q / uιλι The weave (10) may include one or more weave layers having a surface that includes first and second regions, wherein, when the corresponding first regions (corresponding, for example, in Figure 2, to the regions on which the seals (30, 32) are placed) overlap each other and the corresponding second regions (corresponding, for example, in Figure 2, to the regions on which the seals (36) are placed) overlap each other, the overlapping first and second regions cooperatively surround a defined surrounding cavity between at least one weave layer. The weave (10) may include a first sealing material disposed in the first region and configured to seal together the corresponding first regions of at least one weave layer, following the application of the first conditions to the first sealing material.The weave (10) may include a second sealing material disposed in the second region and configured to seal together the corresponding second regions of at least one weave layer after the application of the second conditions to the second sealing material. The second sealing material is configured such that the first conditions applied to the second sealing material are insufficient to cause the second sealing material to seal. In some embodiments, the first and second sealing materials are different materials. The corresponding first regions are sealed together by the first sealing material, and the second sealing material is in an unsealed condition, forming an opening to the inner cavity (46), as the opening is configured to receive the object in the inner cavity. In some embodiments, the second sealing material is configured to close and seal the opening.In some embodiments, the corresponding first regions are sealed together and the corresponding second regions are adjacent to each other. In some embodiments, at least one weft layer includes a longer weft layer and a shorter weft layer; the second region of the longer weft layer is situated above the longer weft layer in a direction oriented towards the inner cavity, and the second region of the shorter weft layer is situated above the shorter weft layer in a direction oriented towards the outside of the inner cavity. In some embodiments, the longitudinal seal(s) (30) and the transverse seal(s) (32, 36) include sealing material configured to establish a seal without the application of heat. For example, the longitudinal seal(s) (30) and the transverse seal(s) (32, 36) include a pressure-activated adhesive, a cold glue (e.g., a collagen-based glue, a polyvinyl acetate-based glue, or other suitable glues), and / or other suitable sealing materials. This prevents the expansion material (20) from being activated and expanding while one or more longitudinal seal(s) (30) and / or one or more transverse seal(s) (32, 36) are activated. In this embodiment, the transverse seal(s) (32, 36) are provided at longitudinally separated locations on the frame (10) and extend substantially and completely transversely across the frame (10), between the longitudinal edges (34) of the frame (10). In other embodiments, one or more of the transverse seals (32, 36) extend alternately across a portion of the transverse length of the frame (10). The transverse seals (32, 36) are separated by a space (38) separated by a distance (35). According to some embodiments, the space (38) is configured to function as a vent in order to vent one or more of the gases produced through the expansion process of the expanding element. As shown in Figure 3, a cross-section of a folded fabric (10) is illustratively represented, according to various embodiments of the present invention. The fabric (10) is folded at the fold edge (40), generating a bag formation having an internal cavity (46). One side of the folded fabric (10) is folded, while the other is sealed by a longitudinal seal (30), forming a seam. The longitudinal seal (30) includes heat-activated seals (e.g., a heat-activated adhesive or other suitable types of heat-activated seals), one or more strip seals, one or more pressure-activated seals such as a pressure-activated adhesive or other suitable types of pressure-activated seals, or other suitable types of seals. The sealing material can be applied around a perimeter. In some embodiments, the sealing material has an approximately uniform width.In some embodiments, the sealing material is applied with varying widths. The weave (10) may have a fold edge (40) or, alternatively, a plurality of fold edges (40). Once folded and flattened, the longitudinal seals (30) align. In some embodiments, the seals (30) align on a longitudinal edge (34) of the weft (10), as shown in Figure 3. In other embodiments, the seals (30) are aligned in a position between a plurality of fold edges (40), forming a seam (48) on a longitudinal edge (34) of the unfolded weft, as shown in Figure 4. The weft (10) includes one or more regions of weakness (50) extending transversely (for example, generally perpendicularly) to the longitudinal edges (34). The seam (48) includes one longitudinal edge (34) overlapping another longitudinal edge (34), where sealing material is applied to an upper region of one longitudinal edge and / or a lower region of the other longitudinal edge, enabling the formation of the seal (48).In some forms, the seal (48) may be a flap seal or other suitable seal configuration. In this embodiment, the transverse seal(s) (32) are provided at longitudinally spaced locations on the weave (10) and extend substantially and completely transversely across the weave (10) between the longitudinal edges (34) of the weave (10). In other embodiments, one or more of the transverse seal(s) (32) extend over a portion of the transverse length of the weave (10). As shown in Figures 4a to 4C, the packaging material weave includes overlapping first and second covers (12, 14) that include a hinge area (55) arranged to fold the overlapping covers over each other at a hinge line (57) extending through the hinge area (55) to divide the overlapping covers into first and second wall portions (61, 63) on opposite sides of the hinge line, such that the wall portions fold over the hinge line (57) into a folded configuration, defining an inner cavity (46) between them, the inner cavity being configured to receive and house an object. In some embodiments, the packaging material weave supply includes an expandable material configured, when in an expanded configuration, to cushion the object.The expandable material is arranged between the first and second covers in a main cushioning area (67), wherein the hinge area between the covers has less expandable material than the main cushioning area (67), so that, in the folded configuration, the hinge area is thinner than the main cushioning area. The frame further includes a sealing material arranged to secure the wall portions in the folded configuration, so that the first and second walls define a packaging unit. In some embodiments, the frame further includes a longitudinal sealing material. In some embodiments, one or both longitudinal edges are sealed. In some embodiments, the hinge area (55) is substantially free of expandable material, providing a space (59) between portions of the main padding area (67) in the first and second wall portions (61, 63). In some embodiments, the hinge area (55) contains less than 30% of the amount of expandable material as the main padding area (67). In some embodiments, the hinge area (55) contains less than 25% of the expandable material as the main padding area (67). In some embodiments, the hinge area (55) contains less than 10% of the expandable material as the main padding area (67). In some embodiments, the hinge area (55) contains no expandable material. In some embodiments, the hinge area (55) is a longitudinal strip of a certain width; however, the hinge area (55) may have one or more other suitable shapes. In some embodiments, the first and second overlapping covers include a third wall portion 65, and the hinge area includes a first hinge area disposed between the first and second wall portions, and a second hinge area disposed between the second and third wall portions, such that the first and third wall portions, folded respectively onto the hinges in the first and second hinge areas, each overlap the second wall portion, such that the second wall portion forms the first wall of the packaging container, and the first and third wall portions form a second wall of the packaging container overlapping the first wall and defining the interior cavity between the walls. Sealing material is arranged to seal the first wall to the third wall.In some embodiments, the first and third wall portions have longitudinal edges such that, in the folded configuration, the longitudinal edges are positioned above the second wall portion and are sealed together by the sealing material. In some embodiments, the second wall portion has a transverse width between the hinge lines, and the first and third wall portions cumulatively have a transverse width that is at least as wide as the transverse width of the second wall portion. As shown in Figures 4A to 4C, in some embodiments, the hinge areas extend longitudinally, the overlapping covers include edges that extend longitudinally, and the sealing material is arranged to seal the edges together in the folded position. In some embodiments, the first and second wall portions each form a wall. In some embodiments, the first and second wall portions each include a longitudinal edge, and the sealing material is arranged to fix the wall portions along the longitudinal edges of the first and second wall portions. otr Lzn / cznz / q / uιλι As shown in Figures 5 to 6, a plurality of longitudinal seals (30) are configured to jointly seal the plurality of frames (10). According to this arrangement, the packaging containers (44) are formed by jointly sealing a plurality of frames (10), instead of folding over an individual frame (10). Once the weft (10) of the packaging material is formed, the weft (10) is consolidated into a high-density, unexpanded supply configuration, forming a weft supply. According to some embodiments, the high-density, unexpanded supply configuration can be wound into a roll configuration (52) for supply, as illustrated in Figure 7. The roll configuration (52) can be a cored or uncoreled roll configuration. Another suitable high-density supply configuration is obtained by folding the weft (10) into a fan-stacked configuration having opposing covers (56), such as a fan-fold configuration (54) (e.g., an accordion) (as illustrated in Figure 8), and / or other suitable configurations. Another suitable high-density supply configuration is an array of two or more stacked packaging units.As shown in Figure 8, prior to consolidation, the weave (10) is folded into a series of preformed packaging containers (44). The weave (100) may be in a high-density supply configuration (58) (as shown in Figure 7), where an expandable wall formed by the weave (100) is compacted into an unexpanded configuration. According to other embodiments, the weave (10) may be in a high-density packaging container configuration (60) (as shown in Figure 8), where one or more expandable walls are configured into the series of preformed packaging containers (44) and condensed into a high-density, unexpanded configuration. With reference to Figures 9A to 9B, a system (70) for converting a supply material into a supply chain of packaging containers is shown. The frame (10) includes a first cover (12) and a second cover (14). The first cover (12) is fed in direction (72), and the second cover (14) is fed in direction (74), and the first cover (12) is joined to the second cover (14). An expansion material (20) is applied to the first cover (12) using an expansion material applicator (64), and one or more sealing materials (66) are applied to the first cover (12) using a sealing material applicator (68). After the expansion material (20) and the sealing material (66) have been applied, the first cover (12) and the second cover (14) are joined. The joining may include the application of pressure by means of a pressure applicator (76) configured to apply pressure to the first cover (12) and the second cover (14). Once the first cover (12) and the second cover (14) are joined, one or more external sealing materials are applied to the outside of the weft (10), forming one or more external seals (30, 32) (shown in more detail in Figure 2). One or more longitudinal seals (30) are applied to the outer longitudinal edges (34) of the weft (10) using a longitudinal seal applicator (78), and one or more transverse seals (32, 36) are applied between one or more longitudinal seals (30) using a transverse seal applicator (80). The weft (10) is then fed, in direction (42), through a folding device (82) which folds the weft (10). otr Lzn / cznz / q / uιλι The folding apparatus (82) includes a folding mechanism (84) (e.g., a folding bar (84)). A tensioning mechanism (86) (e.g., a wheel (87)) applies tension to the weft (10), causing the folding bar (84) to fold the weft (10) along the shape of the folding bar (84). The folding mechanism (84) may be a V-shaped folding bar or another suitable folding shape. For example, in some alternative embodiments, the folding mechanism (84) includes a plurality of folds. The weft (10) is folded along the fold edge (40). The folding device (82) includes a flattening mechanism (88) configured to flatten the weft (10) after it has been folded by the folding mechanism (84). The flattening mechanism (88) is a flattening bar configured to apply pressure to the weft (10) and flatten it. The weft (10) is then sealed along one or more longitudinal seals (30) using a sealing device. The flattening mechanism (88) may also function as a sealing device. Alternatively, the system (70) may incorporate a separate sealing device. The sealing device is configured to apply heat, pressure, and / or other suitable means to activate the longitudinal seal(s) (30). The system (70) includes a cutting device (90). The cutting device (90) is configured to form one or more regions of weakness (50) and an opening (62) in the weave (10). The region(s) of weakness (50) are configured to assist in separating the weave (10) into one or more separate packaging elements (e.g., one or more packaging containers). The opening (62) is configured to allow access to an inner cavity (46) of each of the packaging container(s) (44). The opening (62) may be a slit. In other embodiments, the opening (62) is not completely cut by the cutting device (90) and is configured to tear. It should be noted that the region(s) of weakness (50) and / or the opening (62) may be formed before or after the consolidation of the weave (10). The cutting device (90) includes an upper compression roller (92) and a lower compression roller (94).The upper compression roller (92) includes a series of teeth (96) configured to pierce the weft (10), forming a region of weakness (50) transverse to the longitudinal edges of the folded weft (10). The lower compression roller (94) may include a rigid surface, an elastomer, or other suitable material. In some embodiments, the cutting apparatus includes one or more blades, thermal cutters, and / or other suitable means for cutting one or more portions of the weft (10). The weave (10) includes one or more regions of weakness (50) extending transversely (for example, generally perpendicularly) to the longitudinal direction on one or more of the longitudinal edges. In other embodiments, the regions of weakness (50) are alternatively located elsewhere along the transverse direction of the weave (10). The regions of weakness (50) may be provided by drilling, slitting, or other suitable technique to weaken the material at the desired locations, thereby facilitating the separation of individual envelope sections. A region of weakness (50) may be provided between each pair of adjacent packaging container formations (44), thereby permitting the separation of the individual packaging container formations (44). Regions of weakness (50) may be provided within the perimeter of the transverse seals (32, 36).Regions of weakness (50) can occur through both covers (12, qtr Lzn / cznz / q / υιλι. 14), or, alternatively, through a cover. The frame (10) may include one or more slits configured to aid in the separation of adjacent packing container formations (44). To prevent the expansion material (20) from escaping from a packing container formation (44) (particularly when chemical reactions are used to expand the expansion material), the transverse seals (18) of the first cover (12) and the transverse seals (24) of the second cover (14) can be positioned to span a region before and after the regions of weakness (50). The frame (10) can include a slit configured to aid in the separation of adjacent packing container formations (44). The frame (10) can also include one or more slits along its longitudinal edges to facilitate separation. The system (70) includes a consolidation apparatus (98) configured to consolidate the weft (10) into a high-density, non-expanded configuration, such as a roll configuration (52), a fan-stacked configuration (54), and / or other suitable configurations. The consolidation apparatus (98) is configured to fold, roll, and / or otherwise alter the shape of the weft (10) into the consolidated, high-density, non-expanded configuration. It should be noted that the expansion material (20) and / or the sealing material (66) can be applied to the first cover (12) and / or the second cover (14). It is also noted that the frame (10) can include a suitable configuration of the expansion wall and the materials described herein. As shown in Figure 10, the frame (10) includes a first bag wall (100) and a second bag wall (102). The walls include wall cavities (47) that house the expansion material (20). The first bag wall (100) may include a cut (104) configured to allow access to an inner cavity (46) of the packaging container formation (44), while the second bag wall (102) includes a region of weakness (50) configured to allow separation of a top portion (106) of a packaging container formation (44) from a bottom portion (108) of a subsequent packaging container formation (44). The opening (46) is sealed along the seal (36). In some embodiments, the seal (36) includes a sealing material different from the sealing material of the seal (32).In some embodiments, when the seal (32) is formed, the seal (36) remains unformed until after the object is placed inside the inner cavity. As shown in Figure 11, the cutting mechanism (90) can be configured to cut the first wall (100) of the pouch while the teeth (96) of the cutting mechanism (90) pierce the second wall (102) of the pouch. Recesses (110) are present between the teeth (96) configured to allow the formation of perforations (50). The cutting mechanism (90) forms an opening (62) configured to allow access to the inner cavity (46) of the pouch. In some embodiments, the cutting mechanism (90) is configured to form the opening (62) above the region of weakness (50). In some embodiments, the cutting mechanism (90) is configured to form the opening (62) adjacent to the region of weakness (50).In some modalities, the cutting mechanism (90) is configured to form the opening (62) displaced at a distance (35) from the region of weakness (50), forming a space (38) between the opening (62) and the region of weakness (50) (as shown in Figure 2). Once the weave is consolidated (10), it is fed through a protective packaging machine, such as those shown in Figures 12 to 13 and 15A to 15B. One or more steps in forming the series of bags are performed using protective packaging machines, such as the packaging machines (200) shown in Figures 12 to 13 and the bagging machines (300) shown in Figures 15A to 15B. Similar to those shown in Figures 12 to 13, the bagging machine (200) is fed with a fabric (10) that has been previously folded and / or sealed to form pre-made bag formations. In other embodiments, such as those in Figures 15A to 15B, the bagging machine (300) is configured to receive an unfolded or unsealed fabric (10) and form the fabric (10) into one or more packaging container formations (44). If the frame (10) includes the expansion material (20), the bagging machine can, by applying heat or other suitable means, expand the expansion material before, during or after placing the seals. According to the modalities shown in Figures 12A to 12B, the bagging machine (200) can be configured to receive a frame (10) for preformed packaging container formations (44) and be configured to open the opening (62) of each bag formation, in order to access the inner cavity (46) of each bag formation (44). In the embodiment of Figure 12A, the bagging machine (200) includes a plurality of fingers (202) and / or telescopic projections (204) configured to open the opening (62) of the bag, allowing one or more products / objects / etc. to be introduced into the inner cavity (46). The weft (10) is fed into the bagging machine (200) in an unexpanded, high-density configuration. The weft (10), on the supply side of the bagging machine (200), may be in a fan-feed configuration (54) and / or another suitable configuration such as, for example, a roll configuration (52). The bagging machine (200) includes an expansion device (206). If the frame (10) includes an expansion material (20), the expansion device (206) may include a heating element, a thermal frame, a hot air applicator, a radio frequency radiation generator, an ultraviolet light applicator, a chemical reaction applicator, a pressure mechanism, or another device suitable for expanding the expansion material. The fluid may be air or other suitable fluids. In some embodiments, the expansion element of the frame (10) includes one-way valves for retaining the fluid in the chamber. In some embodiments, such as the one shown in Figures 12A to 12B, the expansion mechanism (206) is positioned and configured to expand the expansion element before introducing a product into the inner cavity (46).In other embodiments, the expansion mechanism (206) is positioned and configured to expand the expanding element after the insertion of a product into the inner cavity (1105). In still other embodiments, such as the one shown in Figure 13, the expansion mechanism (206) is positioned and configured to expand the expanding element during the insertion of a product into the inner cavity (46). otr Lzn / cznz / q / uιλι As shown in Figure 12A, the expansion device (206) is positioned upstream of a bagging mechanism (208) to supply the frame (10) to the bagging mechanism (208). The bagging mechanism (208) is configured to seal and separate bag formations from subsequent bag formations, forming individual bags. In other embodiments, the expansion device (206) is placed in the bagging mechanism (208) or along its downward path to cause the screen walls (10) to expand at other points during the bag-forming process. In some embodiments, such as the one shown in Figures 12B and 13, a printing assembly (210) can be used to print one or more images and / or one or more data / information onto the screen (10). As shown in Figure 12B, the expansion mechanism (206) is configured to expand the expansion element before opening the bag opening (62) for the insertion of one or more products. In other embodiments, as shown in Figure 13, the expansion mechanism (206) is configured to expand the expansion element at the same time as, or after, opening the bag opening (62) for the insertion of one or more products. The pattern (10) includes one or more regions of weakness (50) and one or more openings (62), applied before the sealing process. In other embodiments, one or more regions of weakness (50) and / or one or more openings (62) are applied during or after the sealing process. The regions of weakness (50) are configured to break in order to separate one packaging container from another subsequent packaging container. The openings (62) are configured and positioned to allow access to the inner cavity (46) of a packaging container formation (44) and can be opened by mechanical fingers (202) and / or suction cups (212). Compressed air can be used to assist in opening the openings (62) in the packaging container formations (44). The fingers (202) are configured to pinch a portion of the opening (62) of the packaging container, providing additional gripping means to open the packaging container at the opening (62) and hold it in place. The bagging machine (200) may include an air blower (214) configured to apply air pressure to the opening (62) to assist in opening the packaging container. The opening (62) may include a bag seal. The bag seal may include an adhesive to seal the opening (62) after the product has been inserted. Additional or alternative methods of sealing the opening (62), such as heat sealing, may be implemented. Once the opening (62) is closed and sealed, the weak areas (50) may be broken by suitable means, such as inverting the next packaging container, cutting, melting, or other suitable means. Each packaging container (44) of the weave (10) can be separated using a tensile force applied to each packaging container (44), tearing the region of weakness (50) located between each bag in the series of bags, or using one or more cutting edges configured to form a laceration along the seam connecting two packaging containers (44) in the series of packaging containers (44). In some embodiments, each bag in the series of bags is separated using focused heat configured to melt a portion of the seam connecting two packaging containers (44) of the series of packaging containers (44). An operating sequence can begin by advancing the web (10) until the opening (62) is positioned above the sealing area (216), as shown in Figure 14A, with the opening oriented vertically and longitudinally along a length of the packaging unit. The amount of web (10) advance required to properly position the opening (62) can be programmed within the controller sequence based on the bag length (i.e., the system can advance the same amount of web (10) each time), or alternatively, computer vision (e.g., an optical sensor) at the inlet (218) can be used to pause the web (10) advance when the weak region (50) is located at a suitable position at the bag inlet (218).The bagging machine (200) may include a control panel (220) (as shown in Figure 12A), configured to control one or more of the bagging machine's functions. As shown in Figure 14B, the sequence continues with the initial opening of the packaging container (44). The bagging machine (200) may use a vacuum assist device (e.g., suction cups (212)) (and / or an air knife or other suitable device) to slightly enlarge the opening (62) to allow the insertion of the fingers (e.g., the rear fingers (204) and the movable front fingers (202)) into the opening (62). At this stage and in the previous ones, the posterior elements of film control (e.g., the fingers (204)) may be in a detached position with respect to the plot (10) (which, in this case, for example, are placed towards the outside of a perimeter of the plot (10)).As shown in Figure 14C, once the initial opening (62) is provided, the front film control elements are deployed (e.g., the fingers (202) rotate downward into the opening (62) to grasp the front of the packaging container (44)). At that time, the rear film control elements are also deployed (fingers (204) and, as shown in Figure 14D, the rear fingers (204) are displaced toward the centerline of the inlet (218), as indicated by the arrows (222). In some embodiments, the rear fingers (204) are displaced inward to positions where they are substantially aligned with the front fingers (202) (or telescoping projections), at which point they can be extended transversely into the opening (62).In other embodiments, the fingers (204) can advance to different transverse positions (e.g., to a position where they are closer together than the front fingers (202)) before extending into the packaging container (44). In the case of telescopic fingers (204), for example, air pressure can be used to deploy the telescopic portion into the packaging container (44) (e.g., by releasing pressurized air against the telescopic portions (224) of the fingers (204)). As shown in Figure 14E, the extension of the fingers (204) into the opening (62) (along direction (226)) can be performed simultaneously with (or shortly before) the outward extension of the fingers (204) (along direction (226)) and also while the front fingers (202) advance away from the entrance (218) of the bag (along direction (240) of opening), causing the opening (62) to be tightly engaged between the rear and front fingers (204, 202), as shown in Figure 14F. The front fingers (202) can be mounted on a movable structure (203) (as shown in Figures 12A-12B and 13), configured to allow movement of the front fingers (202). In some embodiments, the suction cups (212) are mounted on the movable structure (203). As shown in Figure 14F, up to this point, a portion of the back perforation, near the longitudinal edges of the frame (10), may have torn or is already torn. However, at least a portion (e.g., up to 50% and typically more than 50%) of the back perforations remain intact to keep the packaging container (44) attached to the frame (10) until product loading is complete. At this point, the packaging container (44) is ready for product loading into the inner cavity (46), which can be performed by a human operator or a robotic operator controlled by the bagging machine (200). In the case of a human operator, the control system (220) can display instructions to the user (e.g., to load the packaging container (44)) and / or can await instructions from the operator, which the user can provide by placing their hands on the stations or manual contacts associated with a safety cover (228) to indicate that the product has been loaded into the packaging container (44) and that the operator's hands are free in the bagging area (230). In the case of a robotic operator, a signal indicating the completion of the product loading sequence can be generated in the background and transmitted to the controller to automatically initiate the bag closing and sealing stages of the process. As shown in Figure 14G, during bag closure, a pressure plate (232) advances in the bag-closing direction (234) while the front fingers (202) remain in the closed position, gripping the front side of the opening (62). The bagging machine (200) may further include a pad (236) (as shown in Figure 14A) (e.g., a foam pad) configured to apply pressure to the bag in order to remove air from the packaging container (44). Simultaneously, the rear fingers (204) move outward (in direction 222) to widen the bag opening (62) and thus flatten the top of the packaging container (44), preparing it for the sealing operation.During the sealing operation, the pressure plate (232) is pressed against the sealing area (216), allowing the pressure plate stop (232) to deform elastically, thereby applying an appropriate amount of pressure against the front and back sides of the bag to effect the sealing operation. As shown in Figure 14H, as the pressure plate (232) engages in the sealing area (216) and / or the sealing operation is completed, the front fingers (202) disengage from the opening (62) (e.g., pivot to the open position), while the rear fingers (204) remain engaged with the outer edges of the opening (62). This keeps the opening (62) flattened during the sealing operation. In some embodiments, the pressure plate (232) includes a sealing mechanism (233), such as a heating element (as shown in Figures 12B and 13). Once the sealing operation is completed, the rear weak region (50) is torn, for example, by inverting the weave (10) (along direction (238)) as shown in Figure 141, thus separating the filled and sealed packaging container (44) and releasing the sealed packaging container (44) towards the bag outlet. As shown in Figures 15A to 15B, a bagging machine (300) is configured to both convert and seal the weft (10) into one or more finished packaging containers (302). The weft (10) is fed into the bagging machine (300) in a high-density, unexpanded configuration. The weft (10) may be in a roll configuration (52). In other embodiments, the weft (10) may be in one or more high-density, unexpanded configurations, such as a fan-folded configuration. Once fed into the bagging machine (300), the weft (10) passes through an expansion device (206) configured to expand the expanding element of the weft (10). According to some embodiments, the weft (10) includes one or more fold lines (55) which include a section (304) of the weft (10) that is either unexpanded, or includes less of, or is missing, an expansion material, forming a natural fold to facilitate folding of the weft (10). In some embodiments, lines of the weft (10) may be left without expansion material (20) to form natural fold lines, or regions that fold more easily than other regions where the expansion material (20) is expanded. In some forms, pressure is applied to the expansion material (20), during or after expansion, forming lines or regions of ossag (55) in the section (304) that are more easily dolated than other regions. The expanded weft (10) is fed through a folding apparatus (306) configured to fold the weft (10) so that the longitudinal warps of the weft (10) come into contact with each other. The folding apparatus (306) may include one or more folding plates (308) configured to fold the weft (10) into a C-fold formation. The folding apparatus (306) may fold the weft (10) along the hinge area (55), or in one or more other sections. The folding apparatus (306) may further include a transverse plate (310) configured to align the weft (10) so that the folded weft (10) forms an internal cavity (312). Once folded, a series of retention mechanisms (e.g., fingers (314)) keep the frame (10) open, allowing one or more products to be placed in the inner cavity (312).In Figure 15B, the frame is positioned vertically, while the product is inserted horizontally into the inner cavity (312), and the opening is transverse to the longitudinal direction of the frame. In other embodiments, the frame may be positioned horizontally or at another suitable angle (for example, with the opening of the inner cavity (312) facing upwards). Once the product is placed in the inner cavity (312), the weft (10) is fed into a sealing mechanism (316) configured to seal the longitudinal and transverse seams of the weft (10). The sealing mechanism (316) may be configured to apply heat, pressure, and / or other suitable means to secure the seals. In some embodiments, the sealing mechanism (316) is configured to pull the weft through the bagging machine (300) for sealing. Once sealed, the weft (10) becomes a formed and sealed bag (302). According to some embodiments, the bagging machine (300) includes a separation mechanism (318) configured to separate a bag (44) from the weft (10). In some modalities, the separation mechanism (318) is configured to pull the completed bag (320), detaching the completed bag (320) from a subsequent bag along a region of weakness (50).In some embodiments, the separation mechanism (318) is configured to separate the bag (320) by cutting with a blade or by heat. In some embodiments, the separation mechanism (318) may incorporate other suitable separation means. According to some embodiments, the separation mechanism (318) is configured to hold the bag (302) in place and allow the sealing mechanism (316) to seal a subsequent bag. As shown in Figure 16, an opening in a packaging container (402) is expanded using an expander (408), allowing a product (400) to be inserted into the packaging container (402). Once the product (400) has been inserted into the packaging container (402), the expander (408) expands it. After the product (400) is inserted into the packaging container (402), the packaging container (402) is sealed and leaves the bagging mechanism (404) and is transported, by means of a conveying mechanism (406), for shipment. The bagging mechanism (404) can be a bagging mechanism such as the one described in the present invention, for example, the bagging mechanism (200). According to method (500) in Figure 17, in section (505), a packaging material weave is generated. The weave may include one or more layers. The weave may include one or more of a first layer, a second layer, and an expandable element attached to the first and / or second layer. One or more of the layers may include paper (e.g., cardboard, kraft paper, particleboard, pulp-based paper, recycled paper, newsprint, and coated paper, such as wax-coated paper, plastic, water-resistant materials, and / or stain-resistant materials), plastic, cellulose, aluminum foil, polymeric or synthetic material, biodegradable materials, and / or other materials of suitable thickness, weight, and dimensions. The layers may include recyclable material (e.g., recycled paper). The expandable element may be placed between the first and second layers.When applied, the expandable element is in an unexpanded configuration. With reference to the flow diagram, method (500) is described using suitable devices and systems described in the present invention. Suitable devices and systems include, for example, but are not limited to, the system (70) of Figures 9A to 9B, the bagging machine (200) of Figures 12A to 12B and 13, and the bagging machine (300) of Figures 15A to 15B. The expandable element may include one or more expansion materials in an unexpanded configuration. The expansion material(s) may include an emulsion-based polymer containing starch, ethyl vinyl acetate, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl alcohol, one or more polyvinyl acetate copolymers, one or more polyvinyl alcohol copolymers, dextrin-stabilized polyvinyl acetate, one or more polyvinyl acetate copolymers, one or more vinyl acetate copolymers, one or more ethylene copolymers, vinyl acrylic, styrene acrylic, acrylic, styrene butyl rubber, polyurethane, biodegradable materials (e.g., cellulose), and / or other suitable expansion materials. In some embodiments, the expansion material may include a polyolefin-based adhesive or a polyolefin dispersion. The polyolefin dispersion may include polyethylene and / or polypropylene, and / or other suitable polyolefin dispersions. A suitable polyolefin dispersion may include, for example, HYPOD® from Dow Chemical, or other suitable polyolefin dispersions. The expansion material may be applied to the weave as a continuous layer or in a pattern. The pattern may be configured so that, when the covers are pressed together, the expansion material spreads to form a continuous layer. In some configurations, the expansion material may include an adhesive and thermally expandable microspheres combined with the adhesive to create a thermally expandable adhesive. The microspheres may be mixed with the adhesive before application to the fabric, or layered on top of the adhesive after it has been applied to the fabric, allowing the microspheres to be forced into the adhesive when the covers are pressed together. For example, the expansion material may include an adhesive applied to a first cover with microspheres loosely applied to a surface of the adhesive. Microspheres that do not adhere to the adhesive can be collected and disposed of or reused, and the microspheres that do adhere to the adhesive are pressed against it when a second cover is applied over the first, sandwiching the adhesive and microspheres between the first and second covers. The weave generation may include the formation of one or more regions of weakness along the weave. The region(s) of weakness may be located along the first and / or second cover and configured to allow separation of one packaging element from another. The region(s) of weakness may include one or more incisions, slits, perforations, check marks on one or more longitudinal edges of the weave, one or more combinations thereof, and / or other suitable forms of regions of weakness. In (510), the fabric, before consolidation, is converted into a series of bag formations. The conversion may include applying one or more seals to an outer surface of the fabric and folding and sealing the fabric to create the bag formation. The bag formation includes an inner cavity configured to receive one or more goods, products, etc. The conversion may include forming an opening configured to allow access to the inner cavity. According to some embodiments, the expandable element is positioned against the opening. According to other embodiments, the expandable element is separate from the opening. According to some embodiments, the fabric is not formed into a bag formation before consolidation. Once the weft is formed, in (515), it consolidates into a high-density, unexpanded configuration, forming a weft supply of packaging material. The high-density, unexpanded configuration can be a rolled configuration, a fan-shaped configuration, and / or other suitable high-density configurations. It should be noted that, in some embodiments, the region or regions of weakness may form after the weft has consolidated into the high-density, unexpanded configuration. After consolidation in the high density and non-expanded configuration, in (520), the other Lzn / cznz / q / υιλι frame is introduced into a bagging mechanism. In (525), the expansion wall(s) expand, causing the expansion element to expand. The expansion is carried out by one or more expansion devices of the molding mechanism. The expansion occurs after the frame consolidates into the high-density, unexpanded configuration. The expansion element may include one or more expansion materials. The expansion of the expansion wall(s) involves the application of a catalyst to convert the expansion material(s) from a high-density configuration to a low-density configuration. The catalyst may be heat, a chemical catalyst, a physical catalyst, and / or other suitable catalysts. If the frame is preformed into a series of pouch formations, the pouching mechanism, in (530), positions the frame to access the inner cavity of each pouch formation to allow the loading of one or more products into the inner cavity. The positioning of the frame may include opening the pouch formation at the aperture using one or more of the techniques described in the present invention and / or other suitable means. The frame may include a strip of sealable material positioned along the aperture. The strip of sealable material is configured to seal the aperture after the loading of one or more products into the inner cavity. In (540), the aperture is sealed using the strip of sealable material.The sealable material strip can be any suitable sealable material described in the present invention, such as, for example, heat-sealable material, pressure-sealable material, adhesive material, cohesive material, and / or other suitable sealable materials. If the weave is not preformed into a series of fold formations, the folding mechanism is configured, in (540), to convert the weave into one or more fold formations using the techniques described in the present invention and / or other suitable means. The conversion may include folding the weave so that its longitudinal edges coincide and, in (545), forming one or more seals by sealing the longitudinal edges together. The conversion may further include forming one or more transverse seals on one or more of the longitudinal seals. In (550), after or simultaneously with the sealing of the opening or the sealing of the longitudinal edges together, the bagging mechanism separates a bag from a subsequent bag formation in the weave and, in (555), the package is sent for packaging. The methods and devices described herein can provide packaging elements with one or more adhesive pressure seals. The use of adhesive pressure seals can reduce or eliminate the number of heat seals used to form packages for mailing. Examples of molding machines, such as the molding machine (200) in Figures 12A through 12B and 13, may also operate in accordance with U.S. Patent Publication No. 2020 / 0115082, filed October 11, 2019, and incorporated herein by reference. Examples of suitable systems and methods for providing expandable material, such as that shown in Figures 1, 3 through 4, 6 through 7, 9A through 9B, and 10, are disclosed in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 706,111, filed July 31, 2020, entitled METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING AN EXPANDABLE FRAME, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Examples of other Lzn / cznz / q / uili expanding materials and expansion material compositions can be found in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2019 / 0062028, filed September 11, 2018. The present invention shall not be limiting in terms of the particular examples described in this application, which are intended to illustrate various aspects. Many modifications and examples may be made without departing from its spirit and scope, as will be evident to those skilled in the art. Functionally equivalent methods and apparatus within the scope of the invention, in addition to those enumerated herein, will be evident to those skilled in the art from the foregoing descriptions. Such modifications and examples are included within the scope of the appended claims. The present invention shall be limited only by the terms of the appended claims together with the full extent of their equivalences, to which those claims are entitled.It should also be understood that the terminology used in the present invention serves only to describe particular examples and is not intended to be limiting. With respect to the use of substantially any plural and / or singular term in the present invention, those skilled in the art may move from plural to singular and / or from singular to plural, as appropriate to the context and / or application. The various permutations between singular and plural may be expressly set forth herein for the sake of clarity. Although several aspects and examples have been described here, other aspects and examples will be obvious to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and examples disclosed here are for illustrative purposes and are not intended to be limiting, the true scope and spirit being set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A supply of packaging material weave, comprising: first and second covers overlapping and sealed together by a plurality of seals including a plurality of transverse seals extending transversely through the covers, wherein a plurality of inner cavities are defined between the covers and the transverse seals, the first and second covers being arranged in a weave including a plurality of packaging units arranged longitudinally in series along the weave, wherein the first and second covers form the walls of the packaging units, and at least some of the packaging units include at least one of the inner cavities;and an expansion material disposed in the interior cavities in an unexpanded configuration, the expansion material having a composition to expand to an expanded configuration upon application of expansion conditions, wherein the expansion material is disposed within the interior cavities in such a way that when expanded to the expanded configuration, the expansion material is configured to provide cushioning on the walls of an object to be shipped.

2. The supply of packaging material weave according to claim 1, wherein the weave is consolidated in a high-density configuration.

3. The supply of packaging material weft of claim 2, wherein, in the high-density configuration, the weft is wound onto a roll.

4. The supply of packaging material weft of claim 2, wherein, in the high-density configuration, the weft is folded into a fan-folded stack.

5. The packaging material according to claim 1, wherein each of the packaging units includes at least one of the inner cavities.

6. The supply of packaging material weave according to claim 1, wherein the packaging units are arranged in a repeating series.

7. The supply of packaging material weave according to claim 1, wherein all packaging units are equal.

8. The supply of packaging material weave according to claim 1, wherein the packaging units are pads, each of which includes a single wall.

9. The supply of packaging material according to claim 1, wherein the walls of each packaging unit include a plurality of said walls overlapping each other to define an inner cavity between them, configured to accommodate the object to be shipped.

10. The supply of packaging material weave of claim 9, wherein the walls are not sealed on one side of the inner cavity to provide an opening to the inner cavity, configured to receive the object in the inner cavity.

11. The supply of packaging material according to claim 10, further comprising an opening sealing material disposed on at least one of the walls to seal the walls together at the opening, in order to seal the opening closed to retain the object in the inner cavity for shipment.

12. The supply of packaging material weave according to claim 11, further comprising a first sealing material, disposed in the transverse seals, configured to form a seal in the transverse seals after the application of first conditions to the first sealing material, wherein the sealing material in the openings: is a material different from the first sealing material; and is configured to form a seal in the openings after the application of second conditions to the sealing material in the openings.

13. The supply of packaging material weave according to claim 9, wherein the overlapping covers include a hinge area arranged to fold the overlapping covers over one another at a hinge line extending through the hinge area to divide the overlapping covers into first and second wall portions on opposite sides of the hinge line, such that the wall portions fold over the hinge line into a folded configuration, defining the inner cavity between them.

14. The supply of packaging material according to claim 13, wherein the expansion material includes an expandable material configured, when in an expanded configuration, to cushion the object, the expandable material being disposed between the first and second covers in a main cushioning area, wherein the hinge area between the covers has less expandable material than in the main cushioning area so that, in the folded configuration, the hinge area is thinner than the main cushioning area.

15. The supply of packaging material weft according to claim 1, wherein the expansion conditions include an expansion temperature sufficient to cause the expansion material to decrease its density and expand to the expanded configuration.

16. The supply of packaging material weave according to claim 1, wherein the expansion material includes a plurality of materials separated by a barrier, wherein contact between the plurality of materials causes the expansion material to expand.

17. The supply of packaging material weave according to claim 16, wherein the expansion conditions include a minimum force to be applied to the expansion material, wherein the minimum force is sufficient to cause the plurality of materials to come into contact with each other.

18. The supply of packaging material weave according to claim 17, wherein the minimum force is sufficient to cause the plurality of materials to mix.

19. The packaging material according to claim 1, further comprising a region of weakness located between adjacent packaging units in the series of packaging units, wherein the region of weakness is configured to facilitate the separation of adjacent packaging units.

20. A system comprising: the supply of packaging material of claim 2; and an expansion device configured to apply expansion conditions to the expansion material when it is not consolidated from the high-density configuration.

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