Bag, method, and machine for producing a foam-in-bag dunnage material

Abstract

A bag (10) for producing a foam-in-bag dunnage material comprises a closed edge portion (16a-c) and, in a non- sealed state of the bag, an open edge portion (16d), the closed and open edge portions (16a-d) delimiting an inner bag volume (22). The invention proposes that a bag structure of the bag (10) comprises a mixing chamber (24) which is adapted to receive foam precursor substances, which is arranged within the inner bag volume (22), which is at least partially and initially delimited against the remainder (28) of the inner bag volume (22), and which in the non-sealed state of the bag (10) is connected to the open edge portion (16d).

Description

5 FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a bag, a method, and a machine for producing a foam-in-bag dunnage material. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 10 Foam-in-bag dunnage material is known as a technology where a plurality of liquid chemical foam precursor substances is injected into a plastic bag. The liquid chemical foam precursor substances react with each other by expanding and building a rather low density foam which, after expansion, 15 hardens. This hardened foam may fill a void volume in a container between the container walls and an article placed inside the container, thus blocking the articles inside the container from moving around and also providing a protecting function against shocks movements. 20 Patent EP 2 480 393 B1 discloses a machine for producing a foam-in-bag dunnage material. The machine has a complicated structure comprising a base and a shell which are movable relative each other. A plastic bag may be held and pressed 25 between the base and the shell by means of pressing surfaces which comprise opposing recesses forming a mixing chamber for the foam precursor substances. 2021281539   25 Jun 2026 It would be advantageous if one could provide one or more of a bag, a method, and a machine for producing a foam-in-bag dunnage material which are simply to apply and allow to save cost. 5 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a method for producing foam-in-bag dunnage material, comprising the following steps: 10        a. providing a bag according to at least one embodiment described below in a non-sealed state; b. providing at least two foam precursor substances (A, B) into a mixing chamber of the bag through a connection of the mixing chamber to the open edge portion; 15        c. transforming the bag from its non-sealed state into its sealed state wherein the open edge portion is closed such that the inner bag volume and the mixing chamber are sealed against an outside of the bag; d. providing a mixing action to the foam precursor 20 substances (A, B) enclosed within the mixing chamber in order to create a mixture of the foam precursor substances (A, B); and e. allowing the mixture to discharge from the mixing chamber into a remainder of an inner bag volume of the bag. 25 A major advantage of the invention is that the mixing chamber is formed by the bag structure of the bag itself used for producing the foam-in-bag dunnage material and not by an external structure, for example the machine using 2021281539   25 Jun 2026 such a bag. By consequence, the machine may be very simple and does not need to have the movable base and shell of the prior art. Forming the mixing chamber by the bag structure is easy to achieve, for example by regionally connecting 5 adjacent side walls of the bag with each other during production of the bags. More specifically, the bag for producing a foam-in-bag dunnage material may be produced from a plastic material, 10 preferably from a thin plastic film. The plastic film comprising prefabricated and preconfigured bags may be rolled up on a cylindrical roll forming a supply for a web type bag supply material in a machine for producing the foam-in-bag dunnage material. 15 The bag comprises a closed edge portion and, in a nonsealed state of the bag, an open edge portion. By way of example, initially the bag may, without any foam or foam precursor substances fed therein, have a generally 20 rectangular flat shape, wherein one closed edge portion is formed by a fold and two opposing closed edge portions are formed by welding opposed side walls together. Thus, the closed and open edge portions delimit an inner bag volume which, in a state of the bag where no foam or foam 25 precursor substances are inside the bag, normally is almost zero. The bag may be structured to define a discrete mixing chamber which is adapted to receive liquid chemical foam 2021281539   25 Jun 2026 precursor substances to be mixed with each other when being contained within the mixing chamber. The mixing chamber is arranged within the inner bag volume, is at least partially and initially delimited against the remainder of the inner 5 bag volume, and in the non-sealed state of the bag is connected to the open edge portion. This means that the mixing chamber defines a special volume within the inner bag volume which at least initially is more or less separate from the remainder of the inner bag volume. 10 Furthermore, in the non—sealed state of the bag the mixing chamber is connected with the open edge portion which allows to introduce the liquid chemical foam precursor substances through the open edge portion into the mixing 15 chamber. Thereafter the open edge portion is closed which transforms the bag from its non—sealed state into a sealed state wherein the inner bag volume and the mixing chamber are sealed against an outside of the bag, and the liquid chemical foam precursor substances may start to chemically 20 react with each other. This chemical reaction is enhanced by providing a mixing action to the liquid chemical foam precursor substances enclosed within the mixing chamber which mixing action may 25 thoroughly mix the liquid chemical foam precursor substances and create a mixture of these substances within the mixing chamber, while this mixture essentially is held in place within the mixing chamber since the mixing chamber 2021281539   25 Jun 2026 is at least partially and initially delimited against the remainder of the inner bag volume. In order to provide the mixing action, a machine for 5 producing a foam-in-bag dunnage material uses a bag as described above and comprises a mechanical mixing device which is adapted to provide a mixing action onto an exterior surface of the bag in the region of the mixing chamber. However, alternatively or additionally it is also 10 possible to provide the mixing action by manually acting onto an exterior surface of the bag, for example by means of the hands of a person. The chemical reaction of the liquid chemical foam precursor 15 substances makes the mixture to expand by building gas bubbles inside the still liquid substances. Since the mixing chamber is only at least partially and initially delimited against the remainder of the inner bag volume, the mixture is allowed to expand from the mixing chamber 20 into the remainder of the inner bag volume. By consequence, the expanding mixture flows from the mixing chamber into the remainder of the inner bag volume and begins more or less to fill out the remainder of the inner bag volume. 25 Preferably, the bag in its sealed state and with the still liquid mixture of foam precursor substances is inserted for example into a container immediately after termination of the mixing action and well before the foam precursor substances have fully expanded from the mixing chamber into 2021281539   25 Jun 2026 the remainder of the inner bag volume. By doing so, the expanding mixture may expand into and thus at least partially fill out the void volume inside the container which is formed between the container walls and one or more 5 articles placed inside the container. At the end of the expansion process, the expanded mixture will harden and form together with the bag (forming an enclosure for the expanding mixture and thus preventing the expanding mixture from contacting the article(s) inside the container) a 10 piece of low density foam dunnage material which snugly fits to the shape of the void volume. A preferred machine for producing the foam-in-bag dunnage material comprises a feed device for feeding a bag, as 15 described above, towards an injection device. The feed device may comprise an electrical drive and, for example, opposing and driven rotating wheels or rollers between which the bag is compressively held. The injection device is adapted to inject liquid chemical foam precursor 20 substances into the bag and may comprise, for example, a plurality of nozzles which may be introduced into the mixing chamber during injection and removed from the mixing chamber thereafter. 25 The mixing device of the inventive machine is adapted to provide a mixing action onto an exterior surface of the mixing chamber of a bag after injection. The injection device can be arranged during injection in an injection section of the machine, and the mixing device can be 2021281539   25 Jun 2026 arranged during the mixing action in a mixing section of the machine. The mixing section is arranged, seen in a feed direction of the bag film material, downstream from the injection section, and the feed device is adapted to move 5 the bag such that a mixing chamber of the bag, after injection, moves from the injection section to the mixing section. According to a further embodiment the bag’s mixing chamber 10 is at least partially and initially delimited against the inner bag volume by means of a weld seal connecting two opposed and adjacent side walls of the bag to each other. Such a weld seal can be easily realized during preproduction / pre-configuration of the inventive bag, in 15 particular if the bag is formed from a flat tubular plastic film material. According to a further embodiment of the bag, the weld seal has a first portion and a second portion, wherein a seal 20 strength of the second portion is lower than a seal strength of the first portion. By consequence, the mixing chamber is initially fully separate from the remainder of the inner bag volume such that the foam precursor substances are prevented from exiting the mixing chamber 25 prior to being fully mixed with each other. However, the mixture is allowed to expand from the mixing chamber by breaking the second portion of the weld seal, whereby a fluid connection is created between the mixing chamber and the remainder of the inner bag volume. 2021281539   25 Jun 2026 According to a further embodiment of the bag, the mixing chamber has, seen from the side, a conical, funnel shape, rectangular or rectangular with rounded bottom (pocket 5 shape) shape. These shapes have been found to be particularly well suited to assist in thoroughly mixing the liquid foam precursor substances present within the mixing chamber. 10 According to a further embodiment of the bag, the mixing chamber comprises mixing elements which preferably provide a labyrinth type path for a liquid mixture moving within the mixing chamber. These mixing elements further enhance the mixing effect. 15 According to a further embodiment of the bag, at least some mixing elements are formed by point shape or line shape connecting portions of opposing but adjacent side walls of the bag at which the side walls are connected to each 20 other, preferably by welding. Such mixing elements can be easily realized during production of the inventive bags, in particular if they are formed from a flat tubular plastic film material. 25 According to a further embodiment of the bag, in a sealed state of the bag, the open edge portion is closed by providing a weld seal such that the inner bag volume and the mixing chamber are sealed against an outside of the bag. Such a weld seal can easily be realized and provides 2021281539   25 Jun 2026 for a reliable seal of the inner volume, such that the expanding mixture is prevented from exiting the inner volume of the bag. 5 According to a further embodiment of the filling machine, the mixing device comprises at least one mixing roller having an outer peripheral surface area which comprises at least one protrusion, preferable a screw thread, wherein a contact region of the outer peripheral surface area of the 10 roller with the outer surface of the bag is essentially parallel to a plane of the bag in its flat initial condition. This type of mixing device is easy to manufacture and to integrate into existing types of machines. Furthermore, it comprises a good mixing action 15 and may be integrated into the normal "flow" of the bag material inside the machine. For example, during the mixing action the bag may be continuously fed through the machine such that a relatively high number of bags with foam may be produced within a certain amount of time. 20 According to a further embodiment of the machine, the mixing device comprises at least on rotational stirrer having a rotational axis which is orthogonal to a plane of the bag. This type of mixing device provides for a 25 particularly good mixing action. Further features and advantages of the invention will be evident from the following description, regarding 2021281539   25 Jun 2026 particular embodiments thereof, which is provided as a nonlimiting example with reference to the attached drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 5 Figure 1 is a schematic side view of a first embodiment of a web type bag material for producing a foam-in-bag dunnage material; 10 Figure 2 is a schematic side view of the web type bag material of figure 1 and of essential parts of a first embodiment of a machine for producing a foam-in-bag dunnage material; 15 Figure 3 is a sectional view along the lines III-III of figure 2; 20 Figures 4-8 are schematic side views similar to the one of figure 2 during the production of a foam-in-bag dunnage material; 25 Figure 9 is a schematic side view of a second embodiment of a web type bag material for producing a foam-in-bag dunnage material; Figure 10-14 are schematic side views of the web type bag material of figure 9 and of essential parts of a second embodiment of a machine for producing a foam-in-bag dunnage 2021281539   25 Jun 2026 material during production of a foam-in-bag dunnage material; 5 Figure 15 is a schematic side view of the second embodiment of a web type bag material and essential parts of a third embodiment of a machine for producing a foam-in-bag dunnage material; 10 Figure 16 is a sectional view of figure 15; and along the lines XVI-XVI 15 Figure 17 is a schematic side view of the second embodiment of a web type bag material and essential parts of a fourth embodiment of a machine for producing a foam-in-bag dunnage material. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 20 In the following detailed description, equivalent elements and regions of different embodiments are designated with identical reference signs. A bag for producing a foam-in-bag dunnage material is 25 generally designated with reference numeral 10. It is part of a web type film material 11 rolled to a cylindrical supply roll 12 having a rotational axis 14. In figure 1, the bag 10 is shown in an initial condition just after being unrolled from supply roll 12. In this initial 2021281539   25 Jun 2026 condition, the bag 10 has a rectangular flat and thin shape with four straight edges 16a-d and is formed by two parallel, adjacent, and flat side walls (without reference numeral). A perforation 18 is provided between adjacent 5 bags 10 such that a "finished" bag 10 can easily be separated from the remainder of the web type film material 11. The bottom edge 16b and the two side edges 16a and 16c form 10 a closed and sealed edge portion, whereas top edge 16d in the non—sealed state of the bag 10 of figure 1 forms an initially open and unsealed edge portion. The bottom edge 16b is formed by folding upon itself a thin plastic film material. The two side edges 16a and 16c are closed by weld 15 lines 20 which connect and seal the two parallel, adjacent and flat side walls which are arranged in a parallel and adjacent relationship by the above mentioned folding step when the web type supply material 11 is preconfigured prior to being rolled into the cylindrical supply roll 12. 20 The two parallel side walls and the edge portions 16a-d delimit an inner bag volume 22. As can be seen from figure 1, the bag 10 comprises a bag structure comprising a mixing chamber 24. The mixing chamber 24 is adapted to mix foam 25 precursor substances as will be shown in more detail further below. As can be seen from figure 1, the mixing chamber 24 is arranged within the inner bag volume 22. It comprises two lateral side limits 26a and 26b which are formed by weld seal lines. These weld seal lines 26a and 2021281539   25 Jun 2026 26b connect the two opposing and adjacent side walls of the bag 10 to each other and are provided also during preconfiguration of the web type supply material 11 prior to forming the cylindrical supply roll 12. 5 The weld seal lines 26a and 26b partially delimit and seal the mixing chamber 24 against a remainder 28 of the inner bag volume 22. "Partially" means that the mixing chamber 24 has a small orifice 30 formed between adjacent ends of the 10 weld seal lines 26a and 26b which orifice 30 opens into the remainder 28 of the inner bag volume 22. Furthermore, in the non-sealed state of the bag 10 shown in figure 1, the mixing chamber 24 is fluidly connected to the open edge portion 16d of the bag 10 by an opening 32 formed between 15 adjacent ends of the weld seal lines 26, these ends being opposite to the ends forming the orifice 30. As can be seen from figure 1, seen from the side the mixing chamber 24 generally has a funnel shape, the small 20 dimension of the funnel being at the orifice 30 opening into the remainder 28 of the inner bag volume 22. However, other shapes are possible, such as a conical shape, a rectangular shape, or a rectangular shape with a rounded bottom (pocket shape), as will be seen further below. 25 As also can be seen from figure 1, the mixing chamber 24 may comprise mixing elements 34 which are drawn in figure 1 as a plurality of black points. In the embodiment of figure 1, by way of example the mixing elements 34 are formed by 2021281539   25 Jun 2026 point shape connecting portions of the side walls of the bag 10 at which the side walls are connected to each other, for example by welding. As will be seen hereinbelow, the mixing elements 34 form an obstacle for the liquid chemical 5 foam precursor substances contained within the mixing chamber 24 in order to further enhance the mixing efficiency. Preferably, the mixing elements 34 are arranged within the mixing chamber 24 such that they provide a labyrinth type path for a fluid mixture and / or the liquid 10 foam precursor substances moving within the mixing chamber 24 during the mixing action, as will be described further below. Now, reference is made to figures 2 and 3, which 15 additionally show essential parts of a machine 36 for producing a foam-in-bag dunnage material using a bag 10 as described above in connection with figure 1. The machine 36 comprises a feed device 38 in the form of a pair of driven rotating traction rollers 40. As can be seen from figure 3 20 the web type film material 11 is clamped between the driven rotating traction rollers 40 such that it is pulled from the cylindrical supply roll 12 in the direction of arrow 42. 25 Furthermore, the machine 36 comprises an injection device 44 comprising two injection nozzles 46a and 46b and a first foam precursor supply 48a for a liquid chemical foam precursor substance A and a second foam precursor supply 48b for a liquid chemical foam precursor substance B. In a 2021281539   25 Jun 2026 preferred embodiment, the foam precursor supplies 48a and 48b may comprise plastic cylindrical cartridges containing the liquid chemical foam precursor substances A and B. The cartridges may act like a syringe and therefore each may 5 comprise a motorized pusher in order to dispense the liquid chemical foam precursor substance A and B, respectively. The cartridges may be unitary with injection nozzles 46a and 46b such that the whole group may be disposed when a cartridge is empty. Alternatively, each foam precursor 10 supply 48a-b may comprise a delivery pump (non-shown) and a foam precursor tank (non-shown). The injection nozzles 46a and 46b may be in a fixed and stationary position. Alternatively, they may be movable from an upper retracted position where they are outside of the travel path of the 15 web type film material 11 to a lower extended position which is shown in figure 2 where they are arranged in an injection section 50 of the machine 36. Downstream of the injection device 44 is arranged a sealing 20 device 52 presently in the form of a pair of sealing rollers 54 comprising a circumferential heated welding portion 56. As can be seen from figure 3 the web type film material 11 is clamped between the sealing rollers 54 such that, when the web type film material 11 is pulled through 25 the sealing device 52 by means of feed device 38, a weld seal 58 is formed which closes the initially open edge portion 16d such that the inner bag volume 22 as well as the mixing chamber 24 are sealed against an outside of the bag 10. 2021281539   25 Jun 2026 Downstream of the sealing device 52, that is between the sealing device 52 and the feed device 38, a mixing device 60 is arranged which comprises a pair of mixing rollers 62 5 each having an outer surface area (without reference sign). In the present exemplary embodiment this outer surface area may comprise a protrusion, which in the present exemplary embodiment may be in the form of a screw thread 64. Alternatively, a cylindrical mixing roller may be used 10 having a flat outer surface area without any protrusion. The main task of these cylindrical mixing rollers 62 is to push the liquid chemical foam precursor substances A and B through the labyrinth formed by the mixing elements 34 in the funnel-shape mixing chamber 24, which provides a mixing 15 action, like in a static mixer. As can be seen from figure 3 a contact region of the outer surface area of the mixing rollers 62 with the outer surfaces of the bag 10 is essentially parallel to a plane 76 of the bag 10 and the web type film material 11, respectively. 20 The mixing device 60 is arranged in a mixing section 66 of the machine 10, which is downstream from the injection section 50, when seen in the feed direction 42. As can be seen from figure 3 the web type film material 11 is clamped 25 between the mixing rollers 62 such that, when the web type film material 11 is pulled through the mixing device 60, a mixing action is exerted onto any foam precursor substance present within the mixing chamber 24 of the bag 10. 2021281539   25 Jun 2026 Now, operation of the machine 36 and a method for producing foam-in-bag dunnage material using a bag 10 is explained with respect specifically to figures 4-8. However, it is to be noted that for the sake of clarity not all reference 5 signs are drawn in figures 4-8. Initially, as can be seen from figure 4, a bag 10 having a mixing chamber 24 and close and open edge portions 16a-d is provided in a non-sealed state where the upper edge 16d is 10 open. In figure 4, the bag 10 has been moved by means of the feed device 38 such that the mixing chamber 24 with its opening 32 connected to open edge portion 16d is in the injection section 50 of the machine 36. When the mixing chamber 24 is in the injection section 50, movement of the 15 web type film material 11 by the feed device 38 is stopped, such that the bag 10 becomes stationary for the short period of time. It is to be noted that, until the web type film material 11 is stopped as shown in figure 4, the sealing device 52 already has started to create the weld 20 seal 58. Then, the injection nozzles 46a-b are lowered into the opening 32 of the mixing chamber 24, and each nozzle 46a and 46b delivers a respective liquid chemical foam 25 precursor substance A and B through the opening 32, which insofar is a connection of the mixing chamber 24 to the open edge 16d, into the mixing chamber 24, namely in that part of the mixing chamber 24 which is adjacent to the opening 32 and which is free from mixing elements 34. The 2021281539   25 Jun 2026 situation after the injection of the foam precursor substances A and B is shown in figure 5. Thereafter, the feed device 38 is activated again, such 5 that the web type film material 11 is pulled in the direction of arrow 42 in figure 3. By consequence, the sealing device 52 with its sealing rollers 54 continues to build the weld seal 58 which now extends over the opening 32 of the mixing chamber 24, as is shown in figure 6. By 10 consequence, the mixing chamber 24 now is fully closed against an outside of the bag 10 by means of the weld seal 58, the only remaining opening of the mixing chamber 24 being the orifice 30 opening into the remainder 28 of the inner bag volume 22. 15 In the course of the movement of the web type film material 11 and the bag 10 through the machine 36, the mixing chamber 24 is moved from the injection section 50 of the machine 36 in which the injection nozzles 46a-b can be 20 arranged to the mixing section 66 of the machine 36 where the mixing rollers 62 of the mixing device 60 are arranged. In the course of the further movement of the web type film material 11 and of the mixing chamber 24 through the mixing device 60 and, more specifically, through the gap between 25 the two mixing rollers 62, the foam precursor substances A and B are squeezed towards the orifice 30 of the mixing chamber 24 such that the foam precursor substances A and B are urged onto a labyrinth type path between the mixing elements 34. 2021281539   25 Jun 2026 Or, in other words: the mixing device 60 provides a mixing action onto the exterior surface of the bag 10 and by consequence to the foam precursor substances A and B 5 enclosed within the mixing chamber 24 such that a mixture 68 of the film precursor substances A and B is created which is discharged from the mixing chamber 24 into the remainder 28 of the inner bag volume 22, as is shown in figure 7. 10 In the further course of the movement of the web type film material 11 and of the mixing chamber 24 through the mixing device 60, the mixture 68 of the foam precursor substances A and B is fully squeezed out of the mixing chamber 24 15 through orifice 30 into the remainder 28 of the inner bag volume 22 of the bag 10, as is shown in figure 8. Also, in this further course of the movement of the web type film material 11 the initially open edge 16d is fully closed by means of the weld seal 58, which transforms the bag 10 from 20 its initially non-sealed state into a fully sealed state in which the open edge portion 16d is closed such that the entire inner bag volume 22 and the mixing chamber 24 are sealed against an outside of the bag 10. 25 As can be seen from a comparison of figures 7 and 8, the mixture 68 provides for chemical reaction between the film precursor substances A and B wherein gas bubbles are created making the volume of the mixture 68 to expand. As also can be seen from figure 8, the bag 10 now can be 2021281539   25 Jun 2026 separated by means of the perforation 18 from a remainder of the web type film material 11. The separated bag 10 with the expanding and still liquid 5 mixture 68 now can be inserted, for example, into a shipping container (not shown) having one or more articles therein. The expanding mixture 68 will more or less fill out the void volume existing initially between the articles and the inner walls of the container and then harden, 10 whereby the hardened expanded mixture 68 creates a rather low density foam dunnage material which is separated from the outside by means of the plastic material of the bag 10 which thereby functions as an enclosure for the hardened expanded mixture 68. 15 An alternative embodiment of a bag 10 and a web type film material 11 is shown in figure 9. The bag 10 of figure 9 distinguishes over the bag 10 of figures 1-8 in the shape and implementation of the mixing chamber 24. 20 As can be seen from figure 9, the mixing chamber 24 of the bag 10 has a rectangular shape with a rounded bottom, like a pocket in a trouser. Furthermore, the mixing chamber 24 is initially delimited against the remainder 28 of the 25 inner bag volume 22 by means of a weld seal line 26 having a first portion 70a and a second portion 70b. The first portion 70a delimits the upper part of the mixing chamber 24, whereas the second portion 70b delimits the lower rounded part of the mixing chamber 24. The second portion 2021281539   25 Jun 2026 70b has a seal strength which is lower than a seal strength of the first portion 70a. When the web type film material 11 of figure 9 is used for 5 producing a foam-in-bag dunnage material in the same machine 36 of figures 2-8, as is shown in figures 10-14, during the action of the mixing device 60 and the mixing rollers 62 onto the film precursor substances A and B enclosed within mixing chamber 24, the mixture 68 is 10 created without this mixture 68 being able to discharge into the remainder 28 of the inner bag volume 22. By consequence, at the end of the mixing step, as is shown in figure 13, the mixture 68 is still within the mixing chamber 24 which is entirely closed to the outside by the 15 weld seal 58 and which still remains entirely closed to the remainder 28 of the inner bag volume 22 by the weld seal lines 26. However, as the chemical reaction of the mixture 68 makes 20 the mixture 68 to expand, the expanding mixture 68 breaks the first portion 70a of the weld seal 26 such that the expanding mixture 68 may discharge into the remainder 28 of the inner bag volume 22, as is shown in figure 14. 25 The web type film material 11 of figures 9-14 is shown in figures 15-16 together with an alternative embodiment of a machine 36. The machine 36 of the figures 15-16 distinguishes over the machine 36 shown in figures 2-14 by the implementation of the mixing device 60. As can be seen 2021281539   25 Jun 2026 specifically from figure 15, the mixing device 60 of figures 15-16 comprises a rotational stirrer 72 having a rotational axis 74 (figure 16) which is orthogonal to a plane 76 of the bag 10 and the web type film material 11, 5 respectively, in the initial flat configuration, as shown in figure 16. The rotational stirrer 72 preferably has a plurality of arms 78 with rollers 80 at the end. A further alternative machine 36 is shown in figure 17, 10 again together first with the web type film material of figures 9-16. As can be seen from figure 17, this machine 36 does not comprise a mixing device and does not comprise a separate feed device. Instead, the sealing device 52 provides also the transport of the web type film material 15  11. The mixing action of the foam precursor substances A and B inside the mixing chamber 24 in this case must be provided manually, for example by means of the hands of a person. 20 While in all above embodiments all connections of the two walls of the bag 10 are realized by welding, it is to be understood that also other connection methods are possible, such as for example gluing.

Claims

1. A method for producing foam-in-bag dunnage material,5        comprising the following steps:a. providing a bag in a non-sealed state, wherein the bag comprises a closed edge portion and, in a non-sealed state of the bag, an open edge portion, the closed and open edge portions10             delimiting an inner bag volume, the bag beingstructured to define a mixing chamber which is adapted to receive two foam precursor substances within an inner bag volume which is at least partially and initially delimited against the15             remainder of the inner bag volume and which inthe non-sealed state of the bag is connected to the open edge portion;b. introducing at least two foam precursor substances into the mixing chamber of the bag20             through a connection of the mixing chamber to theopen edge portion;c. transforming the bag from its non-sealed state into a sealed state, wherein the open edge portion is closed such that the inner bag volume25             and the mixing chamber are sealed against anoutside of the bag;2021281539   25 Jun 2026d. effecting a mixing action to the foam precursor substances enclosed within the mixing chamber to create a mixture of the foam precursor substances; and5          e. allowing the mixture to discharge from the mixingchamber into the remainder of the inner bag volume of the bag.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein in step c. the transformation is carried out by providing a weld 10        seal along the open edge portion.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein in step e. the mixture is allowed to discharge from the mixing chamber through an outlet into the remainder of the inner bag volume.15   4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3,wherein the mixing chamber of the bag is at least partially and initially delimited against the remainder of the inner bag volume by means of a weld seal connecting two side walls of the bag to each20        other.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein in step e. the mixture is allowed to expand from the mixing chamber by breaking a second portion of the weld seal delimiting the mixing chamber against the inner bag25       volume, thereby creating a fluid connection betweenthe mixing chamber and the remainder of the inner bag2021281539   25 Jun 2026volume, and wherein a seal strength of the second portion is lower than a seal strength of an adjacent first portion of the weld seal.

6. The method according to any one of the preceding5        claims, wherein the mixing chamber of the bag has,seen from the side, a conical shape or a funnel shape.

7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mixing chamber of the bag comprises mixing elements which provide a labyrinth10        type path for a fluid mixture moving within the mixingchamber.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein at least some of the mixing elements are formed by point shape connecting portions of the side walls of the bag at15        which the side walls are connected to each other.

9. A machine for producing a foam-in-bag dunnage material, comprising:a feed device for feeding a bag to an injection device adapted to inject foam precursor substances20        into a mixing chamber defined within the bag; anda mixing device adapted to provide a mixing action onto an exterior surface of the bag after injection of the foam precursor substances;wherein the injection device is adapted to be25       arranged during injection in an injection section;wherein the mixing device is adapted to be arranged in a mixing section during the mixing action;2021281539   25 Jun 2026wherein the mixing section is arranged, seen in a feed direction, downstream from the injection section, wherein the feed device is adapted to move the bag such that the mixing chamber of the bag, after5        injection, moves from the injection section to themixing section;wherein the injection device is movable and is arranged to inject the foam precursor substances into the mixing chamber of the bag, the mixing chamber10        being delimited against a remainder of the bag; andwherein the mixing device is separate from the feed device and is adapted to only act on the foam precursor substances comprised within the mixing chamber of the bag.15  10. The machine according to claim 9, wherein the mixingdevice comprises at least one mixing roller having an outer surface area which comprises at least one protrusion, and wherein a contact region of the outer surface area of the roller with an outer surface of20        the bag is essentially parallel to a plane of the bag.

11. The machine according to claim 10, wherein the at least one protrusion is a screw thread on the outer surface area of the mixing roller.

12. The machine according to any one of claims 9 to 11, 25       wherein the mixing device comprises at least onrotational stirrer having a rotational axis which is orthogonal to a plane of the bag.

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