Apparatus for forming inflated packaging cushions

a technology for packaging cushions and inflated cushions, which is applied in the field of conventional apparatuses for forming inflated packaging cushions, can solve the problems of large and complex machines, difficult installation of such apparatuses at manufacturing sites and other locations where packaging takes place, and gross inefficiency and cos

Inactive Publication Date: 2006-10-05
SEALED AIR U S
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0015] In preferred embodiments of both the apparatus and the method, the film web may be conveyed past the inflation mechanism in the direction of travel and may be conveyed past the sealing mechanism in a direction transverse to the direction of travel. The film web may be conveyed past the inflation mechanism at a fir

Problems solved by technology

Conventional apparatus for forming inflated packaging cushions tend to be rather large and complex machines which are expensive and cumbersome to maintain.
Because of their large size and complexity, it is difficult to install such apparatus at the manufacturing sites and other locations where packaging takes place.
Bec

Method used

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  • Apparatus for forming inflated packaging cushions
  • Apparatus for forming inflated packaging cushions
  • Apparatus for forming inflated packaging cushions

Examples

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Embodiment Construction

[0025] An apparatus 100 for forming inflated packaging cushions in accordance with the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 1. Generally speaking, apparatus 100 receives a film web 10 preformed with a plurality of open pockets, conveys the web past an inflation zone where the pockets are inflated with a gas, and then seals the pockets closed to entrap the gas therein. Each inflated pocket acts as a cushion for protecting an article packaged in an outer container.

[0026] Film web 10 may be formed from any flexible material that can be manipulated by apparatus 100 and retain a gas as described herein, including various thermoplastic materials, such as polyethylene homopolymer or copolymer, polypropylene homopolymer or copolymer, etc. Non-limiting examples of suitable thermoplastic polymers include polyethylene homopolymers, such as low density polyethylene (LDPE) and high density polyethylene (HDPE), and polyethylene copolymers such as ionomers, EVA, EMA, heterogeneous (Ziegler-Na...

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Abstract

An inflation apparatus automatically inflates and seals a plurality of pockets preformed in a film web to form packaging cushions. As the film web is advanced, a stream of inflation gas is directed from an inflation port into each of the pockets. The steam of inflation gas is directed in a flow direction having a component in the direction of travel. A sealing mechanism is positioned as close as possible to the inflation port so that the opening of each pocket is almost entirely closed and sealed while the stream of inflation gas is directed into the pocket. As a result, it is possible to achieve more fully inflated packaging cushions on a consistent basis.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to packaging materials and, more particularly, to an improved apparatus for producing inflated cushions for packaging. [0002] Various apparatus and methods for forming inflated packaging cushions are known. Such inflated cushions are used to package items by wrapping the items in the cushions and placing the wrapped items in a shipping carton, or by simply placing one or more inflated cushions inside of a shipping carton along with an item to be shipped. The cushions protect the packaged item by absorbing impacts that may otherwise be fully transmitted to the packaged item during transit, and also restrict movement of the packaged item within the carton to further reduce the likelihood of damage to the item. [0003] Conventional apparatus for forming inflated packaging cushions tend to be rather large and complex machines which are expensive and cumbersome to maintain. Because of their large size and complexity, it is d...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): B65B31/00
CPCB31D5/0073B31D2205/0052B31D2205/0023
Inventor GARCEAU, MARK R.LOERSCH, JOHANNES F.
Owner SEALED AIR U S
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