Inflator for inflatable webs with tandem gas movement mechanism

Abstract

An inflator inflates an inflatable web. The inflator includes a web supply holding device that holds a supply of inflatable web, a first gas moving device having a first inlet for receiving gas and a first outlet for discharging gas, a second gas moving device having a second inlet for receiving gas and a second outlet for discharging gas, and a nozzle. The first outlet is coupled to the second inlet so that gas discharged from the first outlet is received by the second inlet. The nozzle is coupled to the second outlet and causes gas discharged from the second outlet to be inserted into the inflatable web to inflate the inflatable web. Parameters of the first gas moving device and the second gas moving device are selected based on the type of inflatable web.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure is in the technical field of inflators for inflatable webs. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to inflators that include a plurality of gas moving devices connected in series with each other. Background Art

[0002] Inflatable materials or structures, such as pads or sheets, can be used to package items by wrapping the items in the material and placing the wrapped items in a shipping box or simply placing the inflatable material along with the items to be shipped inside the shipping box. The inflatable material protects the packaged items by absorbing shocks that may be transmitted to the packaged items during transportation, and can also limit the movement of the packaged items within the box to further reduce the possibility of damaging the items.

[0003] Systems and machines for making inflatable materials from inflatable webs at relatively high speeds would benefit from better alignment, tracking, and tension control of the inflatable web as it moves through the machine. This can help reduce one or more noises associated with the inflation of the web, improve efficient use of inflation gas, increase inflation pressure efficiency, reduce wear on machine parts, reduce downtime, and avoid under-inflated, under-inflated, and / or poorly sealed inflatable materials that can lead to web waste and / or premature deflation or other failures in the protectively packaged product. Therefore, there remains a need in the art for improved systems for inflatable webs in the protective packaging field. Summary of the invention

[0004] This summary is provided to introduce some concepts in a simplified form, which are further described in the detailed description below. This summary is not intended to identify key features of the proposed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the proposed subject matter.

[0005] In a first embodiment, an inflator for inflating an inflatable web includes a web supply holding device configured to hold a supply of the inflatable web, a first gas moving device, a second gas moving device, and a nozzle. The first gas moving device has a first inlet and a first outlet, and the second gas moving device has a second inlet and a second outlet. The first gas moving device is configured to receive gas via the first inlet and discharge gas via the first outlet, and the second gas moving device is configured to receive gas via the second inlet and discharge gas via the second outlet. The first outlet is coupled to the second inlet so that gas discharged from the first outlet is received by the second inlet. The nozzle is coupled to the second outlet. The nozzle is configured to insert gas discharged from the second outlet into a chamber of the inflatable web to inflate the inflatable web. Parameters of the first gas moving device and the second gas moving device are selected based on the type of inflatable web.

[0006] In a second embodiment, the parameters of the first gas moving device and the second gas moving device of the first embodiment include a pressure setting of the first gas moving device.

[0007] In a third embodiment, the parameter of the second gas moving device of the second embodiment further includes one or both of a flow rate setting of the second gas moving device or a pressure of the second gas moving device.

[0008] In a fourth embodiment, the inflator of any of the preceding embodiments further includes a computing device configured to control parameters of the first gas moving device and the second gas moving device.

[0009] In a fifth embodiment, the computing device of the fourth embodiment is configured to identify a type of inflatable web prior to controlling parameters of the first gas moving device and the second gas moving device.

[0010] In a sixth embodiment, the computing device of the fifth embodiment is configured to independently adjust parameters of the first gas moving device and the second gas moving device between a set of parameters for the inflatable cushioning material and a set of parameters for the inflatable void filling material.

[0011] In a seventh embodiment, the inflator of any of the fifth or sixth embodiments further includes a device communicatively coupled to the computing device and configured to receive information about the type of inflatable web and transmit information about the type of inflatable web to the computing device.

[0012] In an eighth embodiment, the apparatus of the seventh embodiment includes a radio frequency identification (RFID) receiver configured to receive information about the type of the inflatable web from an RFID tag coupled to the supply of the inflatable web.

[0013] In a ninth embodiment, the apparatus of any of the seventh and eighth embodiments comprises a user interface configured to receive input from a user indicating information about the type of the inflatable web.

[0014] In a tenth embodiment, the apparatus of any of the seventh to ninth embodiments comprises a scanner configured to scan a code on the supply of inflatable web, wherein information about the type of inflatable web is encoded in the code.

[0015] In an eleventh embodiment, the inflator of any of the fifth to tenth embodiments further comprises a sealing system configured to form a seal in the inflatable web to close the chamber, and an actuator configured to drive the sealing system. The sealing system is configured to supply the inflatable web when driven by the actuator.

[0016] In a twelfth embodiment, the computing device of the eleventh embodiment is configured to control the actuator based on a feed rate with respect to the type of inflatable web.

[0017] In a thirteenth embodiment, the inflator of any of the fifth to twelfth embodiments further comprises a pressure sensor positioned between the second outlet and the nozzle. The pressure sensor is configured to detect pressure in gas exhausted through the second outlet.

[0018] In a fourteenth embodiment, the parameters of the first gas moving device and the second gas moving device of the thirteenth embodiment include pressure related to inflation of the inflatable web. The computing device is configured to control one of the first gas moving device and the second gas moving device based on the pressure detected by the pressure sensor and the pressure related to inflation of the inflatable web.

[0019] In a fifteenth embodiment, the inflator of any of the fifth to fourteenth embodiments further comprises a flow rate sensor positioned between the second outlet and the nozzle. The flow rate sensor is configured to detect a flow rate in the gas discharged through the second outlet.

[0020] In a sixteenth embodiment, the parameters of the first gas moving device and the second gas moving device of the fifteenth embodiment include a flow rate of inflation of the inflatable web. The computing device is configured to control one of the first gas moving device and the second gas moving device based on the flow rate detected by the flow rate sensor and the flow rate of inflation of the inflatable web.

[0021] In a seventeenth embodiment, the inflator of any of the fifth to sixteenth embodiments further comprises a first pressure sensor positioned between the first outlet and the second inlet, a first flow rate sensor positioned between the first outlet and the second inlet, a second pressure sensor positioned between the second outlet and the nozzle, and a second flow rate sensor positioned between the second outlet and the nozzle. The first pressure sensor is configured to detect a pressure in a gas exhausted via the first outlet. The first flow rate sensor is configured to detect a flow rate in a gas exhausted via the first outlet. The second pressure sensor is configured to detect a pressure in a gas exhausted via the second outlet. The second flow rate sensor is configured to detect a flow rate in a gas exhausted via the second outlet.

[0022] In an eighteenth embodiment, the inflator of the seventeenth embodiment further comprises a computing device configured to independently calibrate the first gas moving device and the second gas moving device. The calibration of the first gas moving device is based on the pressure measured by the first pressure sensor and the flow rate measured by the first flow rate sensor. The calibration of the second gas moving device is based on the pressure measured by the second pressure sensor and the flow rate measured by the second flow rate sensor.

[0023] In a nineteenth embodiment, each of the first gas moving device and the second gas moving device in any of the previous embodiments is one of a fan, a blower, or a compressor.

[0024] In a twentieth embodiment, each of the first gas moving device and the second gas moving device of any of the previous embodiments is a blower. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Many of the foregoing aspects and attendant advantages of the disclosed subject matter will become more readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood when reference is made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0026] Figure 1A depicts a front view of an embodiment of an inflatable web according to embodiments described herein;

[0027] Figure 1B depicts a front view of another embodiment of an inflatable web according to embodiments described herein;

[0028] Figure 2 A schematic diagram depicting an embodiment of an inflator configured to inflate an inflatable web according to embodiments described herein;

[0029] Figure 3A and 3B depicts an exploded view and an assembled view, respectively, of an embodiment of a system including a plurality of gas moving devices positioned in series with one another according to embodiments described herein;

[0030] Figure 4A and 4B A schematic diagram depicting an embodiment of an inflator configured to inflate an inflatable web and having a plurality of gas moving devices connected in series with each other according to embodiments described herein;

[0031] Figure 4C Drawing Calibration Figure 4B Embodiments of the method of a pressure sensor and a flow rate sensor in an inflator are shown;

[0032] Figure 5 Describes the embodiments described herein. Figure 4A The embodiment of the inflator shown in FIG. Figure 1A The inflatable web shown in is inflated;

[0033] Figure 6 Describes the embodiments described herein. Figure 4A The embodiment of the inflator shown in FIG. Figure 1B The inflatable web shown in is inflated;

[0034] Figure 7 Describes an exemplary embodiment of a system that can be used to implement some or all of the embodiments described herein; and

[0035] Figure 8A block diagram depicts an embodiment of a computing device in accordance with embodiments described herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] As used herein, the term "bubble material" includes an air filler container that can be used as a cushioning and / or void filling material. For example, as used herein, bubble material may refer to an inflatable cushioning material, such as BUBBLE WRAP® air cushioning material sold by Sealed Air Corporation, in which a first film or laminate is formed (e.g., thermoformed, embossed, calendered or otherwise processed) to define a plurality of cavities, and a second film or laminate is adhered to the first film or laminate to close the cavities. For example, as used herein, bubble material may refer to an inflatable cushioning material, such as BUBBLE WRAP® IB air cushioning material sold by Sealed Air Corporation, or an inflatable void filling material, such as FILL-AIR® air pillow sold by Sealed Air Corporation. In any of these examples, the inflatable web may be inflated and sealed to form the bubble material. The numbers are 3,142,599, 3,208,898, 3,285,793, 3,508,992, 3,586,565, 3,616,155, 3,660,189, 4,181,548, 4,184,904, 4,415,398, 4,576,669, 4,579,516, 6,800,162, 6,9 Examples of bubble materials are shown in U.S. Patents 82,113, 7,018,495, 7,165,375, 7,220,476, 7,223,461, 7,429,304, 7,721,781, 7,950,433, 9,969,136, and 10,286,617, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.

[0037] Figure 1AA front view of an embodiment of an inflatable web 100 is depicted. The inflatable web 100 includes two juxtaposed sheets arranged such that the inflatable web 100 includes a longitudinal edge 102 and a longitudinal edge 104. The inner surfaces of the two sheets are sealed to each other in a pattern defining a series of chambers 116. In some embodiments, the seal between the two sheets includes a seal 118 defining the chambers 116. In the depicted embodiment, the chambers 116 are shaped to have a series of cells 120 and passages 122. In some embodiments, the cells 120 have a greater width than the passages 122. In the depicted embodiment, the cells 120 have a generally circular shape such that after the cells 120 are inflated, the cells 120 will have a three-dimensional "bubble" shape. In other embodiments, the cells 120 may have other shapes, such as a rectangular shape, a hexagonal shape, etc. In the depicted embodiment, adjacent chambers 116 are offset from each other such that the cells 120 of one chamber are aligned with the passages 122 of an adjacent chamber so that the chambers 116 can be arranged in close proximity to each other.

[0038] In general, any of the sheets described herein may include any flexible material that can be manipulated to enclose a gas in an inflatable chamber as described herein, including various thermoplastic materials, such as polyethylene homopolymers or copolymers, polypropylene homopolymers or copolymers, 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, for example, ionomers, EVA, EMA, heterogeneous (Zeigler-Natta catalyzed) ethylene / alpha-olefin copolymers, and homogeneous (metallocene, single-cite catalyzed) ethylene / alpha-olefin copolymers). Ethylene / alpha-olefin copolymers are copolymers of ethylene with one or more comonomers selected from C3 to C20 alpha-olefins, such as 1-butene, 1-pentene, 1-hexene, 1-octene, methylpentene, etc., wherein the polymer molecules include long chains with fewer side chain branches, including linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), linear medium density polyethylene (LMDPE), very low density polyethylene (VLDPE) and ultra low density polyethylene (ULDPE). Various other materials are also suitable, such as, for example, polypropylene homopolymer or polypropylene copolymer (e.g., propylene / ethylene copolymer), polyester, polystyrene, polyamide, polycarbonate, etc. The film can be monolayer or multilayer and can be prepared by any known coextrusion process by melting the component polymers and extruding or coextruding them through one or more flat or annular dies.

[0039] In some embodiments, the seal 118 further defines ports 124. Each port 124 allows a fluid, such as a gas (e.g., air), to enter one of the chambers 116 from the inflation channel 112. The ports 124 pass through the seal 118 to allow gas to enter the chamber 116 from the inflation channel 112. In some embodiments, the inflation channel 112 is "open" in that the two sheets are not connected at the longitudinal edge 102. When the inflation channel 112 is open, the inflation channel 112 can be positioned so that when the inflatable web 100 is fed, the nozzle passes through the inflation channel 112 between the two sheets. In some embodiments, the inflation channel 112 is "closed" in that the two sheets are connected at the longitudinal edge 102. When the inflation channel 112 is closed, the inflation channel 112 can be positioned so that when the inflatable web 100 is fed, the nozzle is inserted into the inflation channel 112 between the two sheets, and then the inflation channel 112 opens a gap to allow the two sheets to pass through the other side of the nozzle. Whether the inflation channel 112 is open or closed, the nozzle may inflate the chamber 116 , thereby inserting air into the inflation channel 112 , through the port 124 , and into the chamber 116 .

[0040] In some embodiments, chamber 116 extends in a transverse direction between the two longitudinal edges 102 and 104. In the depiction shown herein, the transverse direction of the inflatable web and the inflatable web is generally indicated by arrows tr, and the longitudinal direction of the inflatable web and the inflatable web is generally indicated by arrows lo. Generally, the longitudinal direction of the inflatable web is substantially parallel to the longitudinal edges 102 and 104, and the transverse direction of the inflatable web is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. In the depicted embodiment, chamber 116 has a proximal end 126 and a distal end 128. Proximal end 126 is the end of chamber 116 closest to longitudinal edge 102 and / or closest to inflation channel 112. Distal end 128 is the end of chamber 116 closest to longitudinal edge 104. In the depicted embodiment, distal end 128 of chamber 116 is closed. In other embodiments, distal end 128 may be in fluid communication with another inflation chamber located along longitudinal edge 104.

[0041] Figure 1BA front view of another embodiment of an inflatable web 150 is depicted. The inflatable web 150 includes two juxtaposed sheets arranged such that the inflatable web 150 includes a longitudinal edge 152 and a longitudinal edge 154. The inner surfaces of the two sheets are sealed to each other in a pattern defining a series of chambers 166. In some embodiments, the seal between the two sheets includes a seal 168 that defines the chambers 166. In the depicted embodiment, the chambers 166 are generally rectangular in shape. In other embodiments, the chambers 166 may have other shapes, such as a hexagonal shape, a circular shape, an irregular shape, etc. In the depicted embodiment, the inflatable web 150 includes weakened lines 176 between the chambers 166. The weakened lines 176 are configured to allow a user to more easily separate the chambers 166 from each other after the chambers 166 are inflated. In some embodiments, each weakened line 176 includes a perforation, a notch, a slit, a cut, a series of rests, any other feature that improves the user's ability to separate the chambers 166 from each other, or any combination thereof.

[0042] In some embodiments, the seal 168 further defines ports 174. Each port 174 allows a fluid, such as a gas (e.g., air), to enter one of the chambers 166 from the inflation channel 162. The ports 174 pass between the seals 168 to allow gas to enter the chambers 166 from the inflation channel 162. In the depicted embodiment, the ports 174 are significantly longer than the ports 124 of the inflatable web 100. In the depicted embodiment, the inflation channel 162 is an open inflation channel. In other embodiments, the inflation channel 162 can be a closed inflation channel.

[0043] Figure 2 , is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of an inflator 200 configured to inflate an inflatable web. The inflator 200 includes a housing 202. The housing may be formed of a rigid or semi-rigid material, such as one or more of a metallic material, a rigid plastic material, any other rigid or semi-rigid material, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the housing 202 is part of a support structure configured to hold components of the inflator 200. In some embodiments, the housing 202 is configured to house some components of the inflator 200 and / or provide protection for a user of the inflator 200 (e.g., a physical barrier to moving parts, electrical insulation of powered components, etc.).

[0044] The inflator 200 includes a web supply holder 204 configured to hold a supply of inflatable web. In the depicted embodiment, the web supply holder 204 is a mandrel configured to hold a roll of inflatable web (e.g., a roll of inflatable web 100 or a roll of inflatable web 150). In other embodiments, the web supply holder 204 can accommodate other types of inflatable web supplies, such as a dispenser configured to hold an inflatable web supply in the form of a fan-folded stack of inflatable webs. In the depicted embodiment, the web supply holder 204 extends from the housing 202 of the inflator 200. In some embodiments, the web supply holder 204 is a mandrel fixedly coupled to the housing 202, and the roll of inflatable web is configured to rotate relative to the mandrel. In other embodiments, the mandrel is rotatably coupled to the housing 202 such that the web supply holding device 204 is a mandrel that is configured to rotate relative to the housing 202 such that the mandrel and the roll of inflatable web rotate together.

[0045] The inflator 200 also includes a nozzle 206 configured to inflate the inflatable web. In the depicted embodiment, the nozzle 206 extends from the housing 202. The nozzle 206 is configured to inflate the chamber of the inflatable web. In some embodiments, the nozzle 206 is configured to insert gas into an inflation channel of the inflatable web, the inflation channel being in fluid communication with the chamber so that the gas inserted into the inflation channel enters the chamber.

[0046] The inflator 200 also includes a joining system 208 configured to keep the inflation channel of the inflatable web closed downstream of the nozzle 206 until the chamber is sealed. Keeping the inflation channel closed prevents gas from escaping the inflation channel and prevents gas from escaping the chamber to keep the chamber inflated until they are sealed. In some embodiments, the joining system 208 includes a plurality of joining rollers that keep the ends of the inflation channel closed. In other embodiments, the joining system 208 may include sprockets, belts, bearings, and / or any other device capable of keeping the ends of the inflation channel closed.

[0047] The inflator 200 also includes a sealing system 210 configured to form a seal across the port of the chamber of the inflatable web. In some embodiments, the sealing system 210 is configured to form a heat seal in the inflatable web. In some embodiments, the sealing system 210 includes rollers forming a roller gap through which the inflatable web passes. One of the rollers may include a heating element passing around the circumference of the roller. The heating element is configured to heat the inflatable web when the inflatable web passes through the roller gap between the rollers. The other rollers serve as a backing for the heating element. In other embodiments, the sealing system 210 may include a heating wire, a heating block, a drag sealer, or any other mechanism configured to form a seal in the inflatable web.

[0048] The inflator 200 also includes an actuator 220 located inside the housing 202. The actuator 220 is configured to drive one or both of the engagement system 208 or the sealing system 210. When driven, the engagement system 208 and / or the sealing system 210 are configured to pull the inflatable web from the supply on the web supply holding device 204, through the nozzle 206, and through the engagement system 208 and the sealing system 210. In some embodiments, the actuator 220 includes at least one of an electrical actuator (e.g., an electric motor), a hydraulic actuator, a pneumatic actuator, a mechanical actuator, or any other type of actuator.

[0049] The inflator 200 also includes a gas moving device 230. The gas moving device 230 includes an inlet 232 and an outlet 234. The gas moving device 230 is configured to receive a gas (e.g., air) via the inlet 232 and to discharge the gas via the outlet 234. In the depicted embodiment, the inlet 232 is positioned to receive gas from the ambient environment outside the housing 202. The gas moving device 230 is further configured to increase the pressure and / or flow rate of the gas between the inlet 232 and the outlet 234. The gas moving device 230 can be defined by its pressure ratio, which is the outlet pressure (P 出口 ) and inlet pressure (P 入口 ). In some embodiments, the gas moving device 230 is a fan (e.g., having a pressure ratio less than or equal to 1.11), a blower (e.g., having a pressure ratio between 1.11 and 1.2), or a compressor (e.g., having a pressure ratio greater than 1.2). The inflator 200 also includes a gas line 240 between an outlet 234 of the gas moving device 230 and the nozzle 206, such that the gas exhausted from the gas moving device 230 is conveyed to the nozzle 206 for inflation of the inflatable web.

[0050] The inflator 200 also includes a power supply 250. The power supply is configured to receive a source current and provide appropriate current to components within the inflator 200. In the depicted embodiment, the power supply 250 is configured to receive the source current via a power line 252 (such as a line that can be electrically connected to a wall electrical outlet in a building). The power supply 250 is electrically connected to each of the actuator 220 and the gas moving device 230, and is configured to provide current to each of the actuator 220 and the gas moving device 230. In some embodiments, the operation of the inflator 200 is controlled by controlling the operation of the power supply 250. For example, when the inflator 200 is "on", the power supply 250 is controlled to provide power to the actuator 220 and the gas moving device 230 so that the inflatable web is advanced and inflated. Similarly, when the inflator 200 is "off", the power supply 250 is configured to not provide power to the actuator 220 and the gas moving device 230. In other embodiments, the power supply 250 may be electrically coupled to any other component of the inflator 200 that is powered (eg, a heating element of the sealing system 210).

[0051] Existing inflators for inflatable webs have similar Figure 2 The design of the inflator 200 shown in . The inflator 200 can successfully inflate and seal the inflatable web. However, most existing inflators are designed to inflate a specific type of inflatable web. Different types of inflatable webs have different inflation parameters. For example, an inflatable cushioning material (e.g., inflatable web 100) is typically inflated with a gas having a higher pressure and a lower flow rate than the gas used to inflate the inflatable void filling material (e.g., inflatable web 150). Most gas moving devices (e.g., gas moving device 230) can be calibrated to control either the output pressure or the gas flow rate at the outlet, but not both at the same time. Therefore, in the case of the inflator 200, the gas moving device 230 can be selected to provide an appropriate pressure and flow rate for inflating the inflatable cushioning material or to provide an appropriate pressure and flow rate for inflating the inflatable void filling material, but not both at the same time. Some gas moving devices allow for independent calibration of pressure and flow rate; however, these pressure and flow rate controllable gas moving devices are generally too expensive to make the inflator commercially successful. It would be advantageous to have an inflator that inflates many types of inflatable webs without the significant cost of a pressure and flow rate controllable gas moving device.

[0052] In the embodiments described herein, an inflator includes a plurality of gas moving devices positioned in series with one another. Figure 3A and 3BAn exploded view and an assembled view, respectively, of an embodiment of a system 300 are depicted, the system comprising a plurality of gas moving devices positioned in series with one another. The system 300 comprises a gas moving device 310 and a gas moving device 320. In the depicted embodiment, the gas moving devices 310 and 320 are blowers. In other embodiments, the gas moving devices 310 and 320 may comprise fans, blowers, compressors, or any combination thereof.

[0053] In the system 300, the gas moving device 310 includes an inlet 312 and an outlet 314. The gas moving device 320 includes an inlet 322 and an outlet 324. The outlet 314 of the gas moving device 310 is coupled to the inlet 322 of the gas moving device 320 so that the gas exhausted from the gas moving device 310 enters the gas moving device 320. In the depicted embodiment, the outlet 314 of the gas moving device 310 is directly coupled to the inlet 322 of the gas moving device 320. In other embodiments, the outlet 314 of the gas moving device 310 may be indirectly (e.g., via a gas pipeline) coupled to the inlet 322 of the gas moving device 320. The system 300 also includes a gas pipeline 330 coupled to the outlet 324 of the gas moving device 320. The gas pipeline 330 is configured to convey the gas exhausted from the gas moving device 320. For example, the gas pipeline 330 may convey the gas exhausted from the gas moving device 320 to the nozzle of the inflator.

[0054] In system 300, one of gas moving devices 310 and 320 may be configured to control the pressure of the gas, and the other of gas moving devices 310 and 320 may be configured to control the flow rate of the gas. For example, gas moving device 310 may be configured to increase the pressure of the gas to a specific level, and gas moving device 320 may be configured to increase the flow rate of the gas to a specific level. In this way, system 300 may provide control over both the pressure and flow rate of the gas discharged from gas moving device 320 into gas pipeline 330. The cost of having two gas moving devices is twice the cost of having only one gas moving device, but the cost of having two gas moving devices is significantly lower than the cost of a single pressure and flow rate controllable gas moving device.

[0055] Figure 4A4 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of an inflator 400 configured to inflate an inflatable web and having a plurality of gas moving devices connected in series with each other. The inflator 400 includes a housing 402. The housing may be formed of a rigid or semi-rigid material, such as one or more of a metallic material, a rigid plastic material, any other rigid or semi-rigid material, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the housing 402 is part of a support structure configured to hold components of the inflator 400. In some embodiments, the housing 402 is configured to house some components of the inflator 400 and / or provide protection for a user of the inflator 400 (e.g., a physical barrier to moving parts, electrical insulation of powered components, etc.).

[0056] The inflator 400 includes a web supply holder 404 configured to hold a supply of inflatable web. In the depicted embodiment, the web supply holder 404 is a mandrel configured to hold a roll of inflatable web (e.g., a roll of inflatable web 100 or a roll of inflatable web 150). In other embodiments, the web supply holder 404 can accommodate other types of inflatable web supplies, such as a dispenser configured to hold an inflatable web supply in the form of a fan-folded stack of inflatable webs. In the depicted embodiment, the web supply holder 404 extends from the housing 402 of the inflator 400. In some embodiments, the web supply holder 404 is a mandrel fixedly coupled to the housing 402, and the roll of inflatable web is configured to rotate relative to the mandrel. In other embodiments, the mandrel is rotatably coupled to the housing 402 such that the web supply holding device 404 is a mandrel that is configured to rotate relative to the housing 402 such that the mandrel and the roll of inflatable web rotate together.

[0057] The inflator 400 also includes a nozzle 406 configured to inflate the inflatable web. In the depicted embodiment, the nozzle 406 extends from the housing 402. The nozzle 406 is configured to inflate the chamber of the inflatable web. In some embodiments, the nozzle 406 is configured to insert gas into an inflation channel of the inflatable web, the inflation channel being in fluid communication with the chamber so that the gas inserted into the inflation channel enters the chamber.

[0058] The inflator 400 also includes a joining system 408 configured to keep the inflation channel of the inflatable web closed downstream of the nozzle 406 until the chamber is sealed. Keeping the inflation channel closed prevents gas from escaping the inflation channel and prevents gas from escaping the chamber to keep the chambers inflated until they are sealed. In some embodiments, the joining system 408 includes a plurality of joining rollers that keep the ends of the inflation channel closed. In other embodiments, the joining system 408 may include sprockets, belts, bearings, and / or any other device capable of keeping the ends of the inflation channel closed.

[0059] The inflator 400 also includes a sealing system 410 configured to form a seal across the port of the chamber of the inflatable web. In some embodiments, the sealing system 410 is configured to form a heat seal in the inflatable web. In some embodiments, the sealing system 410 includes rollers forming a roller gap through which the inflatable web passes. One of the rollers may include a heating element passing around the circumference of the roller. The heating element is configured to heat the inflatable web when the inflatable web passes through the roller gap between the rollers. The other rollers serve as a backing for the heating element. In other embodiments, the sealing system 410 may include a heating wire, a heating block, a drag sealer, or any other mechanism configured to form a seal in the inflatable web.

[0060] The inflator 400 also includes an actuator 420 located inside the housing 402. The actuator 420 is configured to drive one or both of the engagement system 408 or the sealing system 410. When driven, the engagement system 408 and / or the sealing system 410 are configured to pull the inflatable web from the supply on the web supply holding device 404, through the nozzle 406, and through the engagement system 408 and the sealing system 410. In some embodiments, the actuator 420 includes at least one of an electrical actuator (e.g., an electric motor), a hydraulic actuator, a pneumatic actuator, a mechanical actuator, or any other type of actuator.

[0061] Inflator 400 also includes a gas moving device 4301 and a gas moving device 4302. Gas moving device 4301 includes an inlet 4321 and an outlet 4341, and gas moving device 4302 includes an inlet 4322 and an outlet 4342. Gas moving device 4301 is configured to receive gas (e.g., air) via inlet 4321 and exhaust gas via outlet 4341, and gas moving device 4302 is configured to receive gas (e.g., air) via inlet 4322 and exhaust gas via outlet 4342. In the depicted embodiment, inlet 4321 of gas moving device 4301 is positioned to receive gas from the ambient environment outside housing 402. Outlet 4341 of gas moving device 4301 is coupled to inlet 4322 of gas moving device 4302 such that inlet 4322 of gas moving device 4302 is positioned to receive gas exhausted from outlet 4341 of gas moving device 4301. The inflator 400 also includes a gas line 440 between an outlet 4342 of the gas moving device 4302 and the nozzle 406 such that gas exhausted from the gas moving device 4302 is communicated to the nozzle 406 for inflation of the inflatable web.

[0062] Gas moving devices 4301 and 4302 are further configured to increase the pressure and flow rate of gas between inlet 4321 of gas moving device 4301 and outlet 4342 of gas moving device 4302. Gas moving devices 4301 and 4302 may be configured to increase the pressure and flow rate of gas between inlet 4321 of gas moving device 4301 and outlet 4342 of gas moving device 4302.出口 / P 入口 ). In some embodiments, each of gas moving devices 4301 and 4302 is a fan (e.g., having a pressure ratio less than or equal to 1.11), a blower (e.g., having a pressure ratio between 1.11 and 1.2), or a compressor (e.g., having a pressure ratio greater than 1.2). In some embodiments, one of gas moving devices 4301 and 4302 is configured to increase the gas pressure between its inlet 4321 or 4322 and its outlet 4341 or 4342, and the other of gas moving devices 4301 and 4302 is configured to control the gas flow rate between its inlet 4321 or 4322 and its outlet 4341 or 4342.

[0063] The inflator 400 also includes a power supply 450. The power supply is configured to receive a source current and provide appropriate current to components within the inflator 400. In the depicted embodiment, the power supply 450 is configured to receive the source current via a power line 452 (such as a line that can be electrically connected to a wall electrical outlet in a building). The power supply 450 is electrically connected to each of the actuator 420, the gas moving device 4301, the gas moving device 4302, and the computing device 460. The power supply 450 is configured to provide current to each of the actuator 420, the gas moving device 4301, the gas moving device 4302, and the computing device 460. In some embodiments, the operation of the inflator 400 is controlled by controlling the operation of the power supply 450. For example, when the inflator 400 is "on", the power supply 450 is controlled to provide power to the actuator 420, the gas moving device 4301, and the gas moving device 4302 so that the inflatable web is advanced and inflated. Similarly, when inflator 400 is "off," power supply 450 is configured to not provide power to actuator 420, gas moving device 4301, and gas moving device 4302. In other embodiments, power supply 450 may be electrically coupled to any other component of inflator 400 that is powered (e.g., a heating element of sealing system 410).

[0064] In the depicted embodiment, the inflator also includes a computing device 460. In some embodiments, the computing device 460 is a controller, a programmable computer, a field programmable gate array, or any other type of computing device. The computing device 460 is electrically coupled to the power supply 450 and the power supply 250 is configured to provide power to the computing device 460. In some embodiments, the computing device 460 is communicatively coupled to the gas moving devices 4301 and 4302. The computing device 460 is configured to control the operation of the gas moving devices 4301 and 4302 (e.g., directing the outlet pressure and / or outlet flow rate from the gas moving devices 4301 and 4302). In some embodiments, the computing device 460 is configured to control the operation of the gas moving devices 4301 and 4302 by controlling one or more of a target outlet pressure of one of the gas moving devices 4301 and 4302, a target outlet flow rate of one of the gas moving devices 4301 and 4302, an amount of power provided from the power supply 450 to one of the gas moving devices 4301 and 4302, or in any other manner. In the depicted embodiment, computing device 460 is communicatively coupled to actuator 420. In some embodiments, computing device 460 is configured to control the operation of actuator 420 (e.g., whether and at what speed actuator 420 drives engagement system 408 and / or sealing system 410). In some embodiments, computing device 460 is configured to control the operation of actuator 420 by controlling one or more of a target speed for actuator 420, a target torque for actuator 420, an amount of power provided to actuator 420 from power supply 450, or in any other manner.

[0065] In some embodiments, inflator 400 includes pressure sensor 462 and flow rate sensor 464. In the depicted embodiment, pressure sensor 462 and flow rate sensor 464 are located on the gas line and are configured to detect the pressure and flow rate of the gas in gas line 440, respectively (e.g., downstream of gas moving devices 4301 and 4302). In the depicted embodiment, computing device 460 is communicatively coupled to each of pressure sensor 462 and flow rate sensor 464. Computing device 460 may be configured to receive indications of the pressure and flow rate of the gas in gas line 440 from pressure sensor 462 and flow rate sensor 464, respectively. In some embodiments, computing device 460 may be configured to control one or both of gas moving devices 4301 and 4302 based on one or both of the indications of the pressure and flow rate.

[0066] In some embodiments, it may be advantageous for computing device 460 to automatically adjust the operation of inflator 200 based on the type of inflatable web loaded on web supply holding device 404. For example, computing device 460 may adjust the pressure and / or flow rate of one or both of gas moving devices 4301 and 4302, the speed of actuator 420, the temperature of a heating element of sealing system 410, or any other aspect of inflator 400 when a particular type of inflatable web is loaded on web supply holding device 404. In some embodiments where the type of inflatable web is an inflatable cushioning material, computing device 460 may increase the pressure of gas moving device 4301, decrease the flow rate of gas moving device 4302, and decrease the speed of actuator 420. In some embodiments where the type of inflatable web is a void filling material, computing device 460 may decrease the pressure of gas moving device 4301, increase the flow rate of gas moving device 4302, and increase the speed of actuator 420. The computing device 460 may identify the type of inflatable web loaded on the web supply holding device 404 in a variety of ways.

[0067] In the depicted embodiment, the inflator 400 includes a wireless receiver 466 that is communicatively coupled to the computing device 460. In some embodiments, the wireless receiver 466 includes one or more of a near field communication (NFC) receiver, a radio frequency identification (RFID) receiver, a Bluetooth receiver, a Wi-Fi receiver, or any other type of wireless receiver. In some embodiments, the wireless receiver 466 may be a wireless transceiver. The wireless receiver 466 is configured to receive a wireless signal from a wireless transmitter or tag located on the supply of inflatable web loaded on the web supply holding device 404. For example, the wireless receiver 466 may include an RFID transceiver, and the supply of inflatable web loaded on the web supply holding device 404 may include an RFID tag that includes an indication of the type of inflatable web that is transmitted from the RFID tag to the wireless receiver 466 in response to the supply of inflatable web being loaded on the web supply holding device 404. The information received by the wireless receiver 466 may include an identifier of the inflatable web type, an indication of inflation parameters of the inflatable web, a unique identifier of a particular roll of inflatable web (e.g., a serial number), or any other information that can be used by the computing device 460 to determine appropriate inflation parameters.

[0068] In the depicted embodiment, the inflator 400 also includes a user interface 468 that is communicatively coupled to the computing device 460. The user interface 468 may include one or more input or output devices capable of receiving input from a user and / or outputting output to a user. For example, the user interface 468 may include buttons, a display, a touch screen display, or any other user input and / or output device. When the inflatable web supply is loaded on the web supply holding device 404, the user may manually enter information into the user interface 468, and the computing device 460 may use the information to appropriately adjust the inflator 400. For example, the information entered by the user into the user interface 468 may include an identifier of the type of inflatable web, an indication of the inflation parameters of the inflatable web, a unique identifier of a particular roll of inflatable web (e.g., a serial number), or any other information that may be used by the computing device 460 to determine appropriate inflation parameters.

[0069] The inflator 400 may include any other device that can be used to receive information about the type of inflatable web and transmit the type of inflatable web to the computing device 460. In some embodiments, the inflator includes a scanner (e.g., a barcode scanner, a camera, etc.) configured to scan a code (e.g., a barcode, a QR code, etc.) on the supply of inflatable web, wherein information about the type of inflatable web is encoded. In some embodiments, the web supply holding device 404 may include electrical contacts that, when properly loaded on the web supply holding device 404, engage electrical contacts on the inflatable web supply for transmitting information about the type of inflatable web. In some embodiments, the web supply holding device 404 may include mechanical buttons that are selectively depressed by a keying member on the inflatable web supply, wherein a particular combination of buttons depressed indicates the type of inflatable web. It will be apparent that the inflator 400 may use any number of other devices to receive information about the type of inflatable web to the computing device 460.

[0070] Figure 4B Depicted in FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of an inflator 400′, which is Figure 4A4301 and 4302. Inflator 400' is a variation of inflator 400 shown in . In inflator 400', outlet 4341 is coupled to inlet 4322 via gas line 442. Inflator 400' includes pressure sensor 4621 and flow rate sensor 4641 on gas line 442. Inflator 400' also includes pressure sensor 4622 and flow rate sensor 4642 on gas line 440 between outlet 4342 and nozzle 406. Having one set of pressure sensor 4621 and flow rate sensor 4641 on gas line 442 between gas moving device 4301 and gas moving device 4302 enables independent testing, calibration and / or feedback of gas moving device 4301. Similarly, having another set of pressure sensor 4622 and flow rate sensor 4642 on gas line 440 between gas moving device 4302 and nozzle 406 enables independent testing, calibration and / or feedback of gas moving device 4302.

[0071] Figure 4C An embodiment of a method 470 for calibrating a pressure sensor and a flow rate sensor in an inflator is depicted. For illustrative purposes, the method 470 is described below using the example of the method 470 being performed on the inflator 400'; however, it will be apparent that the method 470 may be performed on the inflator 400 or any other such inflator. At block 472, the method 470 for calibrating a pressure sensor and a flow rate sensor in an inflator begins. The method 470 then proceeds to block 474, where a counter i is set to 1. In the depicted embodiment, the counter i counts to the number n of calibration tests to be run on each set of pressure sensors and flow rate sensors in the inflator. ct For example, the number of calibration tests n that will be run on each set of pressure sensors and flow rate sensors in the inflator ct Then, the method 470 proceeds to block 476, where the counter j is set to 1. In the depicted embodiment, the counter j counts the number n of groups of pressure sensors and flow rate sensors in the inflator. pqs In inflator 400', the number of sets of pressure sensors and flow rate sensors is two: (1) pressure sensor 4621 and flow rate sensor 4641, and (2) pressure sensor 4622 and flow rate sensor 4642. Method 470 then proceeds to block 478, where a counter k is set to 1. In the depicted embodiment, counter k counts to the number of voltage points n at which one or more gas moving devices in the inflator will be set during each calibration test. vp For example, if one or more gas moving devices are to be tested at 5 volts, 10 volts, and 24 volts during each calibration test, then for each of the three voltage points, n vpFor illustrative purposes, an example of three voltage points (5, 10, and 24 volts) will be used below; however, it will be apparent that any number of voltage points may be used and that the values ​​of these voltage points may differ from those used in this one example.

[0072] Method 470 then proceeds to frame 480 where the pressure P j,k is measured by the jth pressure sensor at the kth voltage point. In the illustrative example of j=1 and k=1, the pressure P j,k Measured by pressure sensor 4621 while gas moving device 4301 is powered at 5 volts. Method 470 then proceeds to block 482 where the flow rate Q j,k Measured by the jth flow rate sensor at the kth voltage point. In the illustrative example of j=1 and k=1, the flow rate Q j,k Measured by flow rate sensor 4641 while gas moving device 4301 is powered at 5 volts. Method 470 then proceeds to block 484 where it is determined whether counter k is equal to voltage point number n. vp In the illustrative embodiment, the counter k is 1, and the voltage point number n vp is 3. If at block 484 the counter k is equal to the voltage point number n vp , then the method proceeds to block 486, where counter k is advanced by 1 and method 470 loops back to block 480. In the illustrative embodiment, measurements are again made at blocks 480 and 482, where k=2 (e.g., when gas moving device 4301 is powered at 10 volts), and then at block 484 it is determined that counter k (k is 2) is not equal to voltage point number n. vp (n vp At this point, counter k is advanced by 1 at box 486, so that k is 3, and then measurements are made again at boxes 480 and 482, where k=3 (e.g., when gas moving device 4301 is powered at 24 volts), and then at box 484 it is determined that counter k (k is 3) is equal to voltage point number n. vp (n vp is 3).

[0073] When it is determined at block 484 that counter k is equal to voltage point number n vp, method 470 proceeds to block 488. At block 488, the inflator is calibrated for the jth gas moving device based on the pressure and flow rate measured at blocks 480 and 482. In some embodiments, the calibration includes creating a calibration curve for the pressure and flow rate of the jth gas moving device based on the pressure and flow rate measured for each voltage point at blocks 480 and 482. In some embodiments, the calibration includes adjusting a power setting of the jth gas moving device based on the calculated calibration curve. For example, a pulse width modulation (PWM) percentage of the jth gas moving device may be adjusted to reflect a baseline stored in a lookup table. From there, method 470 proceeds to block 490.

[0074] At block 490, a determination is made as to whether the counter j is equal to the number n of pressure sensor and flow rate sensor groups in the inflator. pqs In the illustrative example, when the counter j is 1 and the number of groups of pressure sensors and flow rate sensors in the inflator is n pqs When the counter j is 2, the method 470 proceeds to block 492, where the counter j is incremented from 1 to 2. The method 470 then returns to block 478 and the portion of the method between blocks 478 and 488 is repeated for a second set of pressure sensors and flow rate sensors in the inflator. In the illustrative embodiment, this means that the gas moving device 4302 is powered and the pressure and flow rate are measured using the pressure sensor 4622 and the flow rate sensor 4642. When the method 470 returns to block 490 again, it is determined that the counter j (which is 2) is equal to the number of sets of pressure sensors and flow rate sensors n. pqs (n pqs 2). From there, method 470 proceeds to box 494.

[0075] At block 494, a determination is made as to whether counter i is equal to the number n of calibration tests to be run on the inflator. ct Running multiple consecutive calibration tests can significantly improve the accuracy of the operation of the gas moving device in the inflator, allowing the inflator to inflate the inflatable web at an accurate pressure and / or flow rate. In the illustrative embodiment, when the counter i is 1 and the calibration test number n is ct When the counter k is 2, the method 470 proceeds to block 496, where the counter i is incremented from 1 to 2. The method 470 then returns to block 476 and repeats the portion of the method between block 476 and block 494 for a second time. In some embodiments, the second calibration may start with the results of the first calibration and further calibrate the inflator. When the method 470 returns to block 494, it is determined that the counter k (k is 2) is equal to the calibration test number n. ct (n ct 2). From there, the method 470 proceeds to box 498, where the calibration method 470 ends.

[0076] In the depicted embodiment, method 470 is an independent calibration of gas moving devices 4301 and 4302 in inflator 400'. This independent calibration can allow for greater accuracy of each of gas moving devices 4301 and 4302 (individually) and thus gas moving devices 4301 and 4302 (collectively) when placed in series with each other.

[0077] Figure 5 An embodiment of an inflator 400 is depicted for inflating an inflatable web 100. In the depicted embodiment, the inflatable web 100 has been wound into a roll on a core 106. The web supply holding device 404 includes a mandrel and the core 106 has been slid onto the mandrel. In some embodiments, the core 106 may have a wireless tag (e.g., an RFID tag) attached to it for reading by a wireless receiver 466 so that the computing device 460 can determine the type of inflatable web 100.

[0078] exist Figure 5 4, the inflatable web 100 is fed from a web supply holding device 404, past a nozzle 406, and through a joining system 408 and a sealing system 410. In some embodiments, one or both of the joining system 408 or the sealing system 410 are driven by an actuator 420 to feed the inflatable web 100 along the path. In some embodiments, the feeding speed of the inflatable web 100 is based on the type of inflatable web 100 determined by the computing device 460. The chamber 116 of the inflatable web 100 is inflated by gas from the nozzle 406, the inflation channel 112 is held closed by the joining system 408, and the sealing system 410 forms a seal 132 across the port 124 of the chamber 116. In some embodiments, the pressure and / or flow rate of the gas exiting the nozzle 406 is based on the type of inflatable web 100 determined by the computing device 460.

[0079] The computing device 460 may control one or both of the supply of the inflatable web 100 or the inflation of the chamber 116 by controlling the operation of one or more of the engagement system 408, the sealing system 410, the actuator 420, or the gas moving devices 4301 and 4302. In some embodiments, the computing device 460 adjusts the settings of the components of the inflator 400 for inflating the inflatable web 100 in response to the loading of the inflatable web 100 on the web supply holding device 404. For example, if the inflator was previously "off" before the inflatable web 100 was loaded onto the web supply holding device 404, the computing device 460 may adjust the settings of the inflator 400 from the initial or default settings to the settings for inflation of the inflatable web 100 in response to the loading of the inflatable web 100 on the web supply holding device 404.

[0080] Figure 6An embodiment of an inflator 400 is depicted for inflating an inflatable web 150. In the depicted embodiment, the inflatable web 150 has been wound into a roll on a core 156. The web supply holding device 404 includes a mandrel and the core 156 has been slid onto the mandrel. In some embodiments, the core 156 may have a wireless tag (e.g., an RFID tag) attached to it for reading by a wireless receiver 466 so that the computing device 460 can determine the type of inflatable web 150.

[0081] exist Figure 6 4, the inflatable web 150 is fed from a web supply holding device 404, through a nozzle 406, and through a joining system 408 and a sealing system 410. In some embodiments, one or both of the joining system 408 or the sealing system 410 are driven by an actuator 420 to feed the inflatable web 150 along the path. In some embodiments, the feeding speed of the inflatable web 150 is based on the type of inflatable web 150 determined by the computing device 460. The chamber 166 of the inflatable web 150 is inflated by gas from the nozzle 406, the inflation channel 162 is held closed by the joining system 408, and the sealing system 410 forms a seal 182 across the port 164 of the chamber 166. In some embodiments, the pressure and / or flow rate of the gas exiting the nozzle 406 is based on the type of inflatable web 150 determined by the computing device 460.

[0082] The computing device 460 may control one or both of the supply of the inflatable web 150 or the inflation of the chamber 166 by controlling the operation of one or more of the engagement system 408, the sealing system 410, the actuator 420, or the gas moving devices 4301 and 4302. In some embodiments, the computing device 460 adjusts the settings of the components of the inflator 400 for inflating the inflatable web 150 in response to the loading of the inflatable web 150 on the web supply holding device 404. For example, if the inflator was previously set to inflate the inflatable web 100 before the inflatable web 150 was loaded onto the web supply holding device 404, the computing device 460 may adjust the settings of the inflator 400 from the settings for inflation of the inflatable web 100 to the settings for inflation of the inflatable web 150 in response to the loading of the inflatable web 150 on the web supply holding device 404.

[0083] Figure 7An exemplary embodiment of a system 510 is depicted that can be used to implement some or all of the embodiments described herein. In the depicted embodiment, system 510 includes computing devices 5201, 5202, 5203, and 5204 (collectively, computing devices 520). In the depicted embodiment, computing device 5201 is a tablet computer, computing device 5202 is a mobile phone, computing device 5203 is a desktop computer, and computing device 5204 is a laptop computer. In other embodiments, the computing device 520 includes one or more of: a desktop computer, a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a tablet phone, a laptop computer, a laptop computer, a distributed system, a game console (e.g., Xbox, PlayStation, Switch), a watch, glasses, a keychain, a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, a headset, a scanner, a television, a dongle, a camera, a wristband, a wearable device, a kiosk, an input terminal, a server, a server network, a blade server, a gateway, a switch, a processing device, a processing entity, a set-top box, a repeater, a router, a network access point, a base station, any other device configured to perform the functions, operations, and / or processes described herein, or any combination thereof.

[0084] Computing devices 520 are communicatively coupled to each other via one or more networks 530 and 532. Each of networks 530 and 532 may include one or more wired or wireless networks (e.g., 3G network, the Internet, an intranet, a private network, a secure network). Computing devices 520 are capable of communicating with each other and / or any other computing devices via one or more wired or wireless networks. Figure 7 The particular embodiment of system 510 depicts computing devices 520 communicatively coupled via network 530 as including four computing devices, but any number of computing devices may be communicatively coupled via network 530 .

[0085] In the depicted embodiment, computing device 5203 is communicatively coupled to peripheral device 540 via network 532. In the depicted embodiment, peripheral device 540 is a scanner, such as a barcode scanner, an optical scanner, a computer vision device, etc. In some embodiments, network 532 is a wired network (e.g., a direct wired connection between peripheral device 540 and computing device 5203), a wireless network (e.g., a Bluetooth connection or a WiFi connection), or a combination of wired and wireless networks (e.g., a Bluetooth connection between peripheral device 540 and a base of peripheral device 540 and a wired connection between peripheral device 540 and computing device 5203). In some embodiments, peripheral device 540 itself is a computing device (sometimes referred to as a "smart" device). In other embodiments, peripheral device 540 is not a computing device (sometimes referred to as a "dumb" device).

[0086] Figure 8 Depicted in FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an embodiment of computing device 600. Any of computing device 520 and / or any other computing device described herein may include some or all of the components and features of computing device 600. In some embodiments, computing device 600 is one or more of: a desktop computer, a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a tablet phone, a notebook computer, a laptop computer, a distributed system, a game console (e.g., Xbox, PlayStation, Wii), a watch, glasses, a keychain, a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, a headset, a scanner, a television, a dongle, a camera, a wristband, a wearable device, a kiosk, an input terminal, a server, a server network, a blade server, a gateway, a switch, a processing device, a processing entity, a set-top box, a repeater, a router, a network access point, a base station, any other device configured to perform the functions, operations, and / or processes described herein, or any combination thereof. Such functions, operations, and / or processes may include, for example, transmitting, receiving, operating, processing, displaying, storing, determining, creating / generating, monitoring, evaluating, comparing, and / or similar terms as used herein. In one embodiment, these functions, operations and / or processes may be performed on data, content, information and / or similar terms as used herein.

[0087] In the depicted embodiment, computing device 600 includes processing element 605, memory 610, user interface 615, and communication interface 620. Processing element 605, memory 610, user interface 615, and communication interface 620 can communicate via communication bus 625 by reading data from and / or writing data to communication bus 625. Computing device 600 may include other components capable of communicating via communication bus 625. In other embodiments, the computing device does not include communication bus 625, and the components of computing device 600 can communicate with each other in some other manner.

[0088] Processing element 605 (also referred to as one or more processors, processing circuits and / or similar terms used herein) is capable of performing operations on some external data sources. For example, the processing element may perform operations on data in memory 610, data received via user interface 615 and / or data received via communication interface 620. As will be understood, processing element 605 can be implemented in a variety of different ways. In some embodiments, processing element 605 includes one or more complex programmable logic devices (CPLDs), microprocessors, multi-core processors, co-processing entities, application specific instruction set processors (ASIPs), microcontrollers, controllers, integrated circuits, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic arrays (PLAs), hardware accelerators, any other circuits, or any combination thereof. The term circuit may refer to a complete hardware embodiment or a combination of hardware and computer program products. In some embodiments, processing element 605 is configured for a specific purpose or configured to execute instructions stored in a volatile or non-volatile medium or otherwise accessible to processing element 605. Thus, whether configured by hardware or a computer program product, or configured by a combination thereof, processing element 605 is capable of performing steps or operations when configured accordingly.

[0089] The memory 610 in the computing device 600 is configured to store data, computer executable instructions, and / or any other information. In some embodiments, the memory 610 includes volatile memory (also referred to as volatile storage, volatile media, volatile memory circuits, etc.), non-volatile memory (also referred to as non-volatile storage, non-volatile media, non-volatile memory circuits, etc.), or some combination thereof.

[0090] In some embodiments, the volatile memory includes one or more of the following: random access memory (RAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), static random access memory (SRAM), fast page mode dynamic random access memory (FPM DRAM), extended data output dynamic random access memory (EDO DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), double data rate type two synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR2 SDRAM), double data rate type three synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR3 SDRAM), Rambus dynamic random access memory (RDRAM), two-transistor RAM (TTRAM), thyristor RAM (T-RAM), zero capacitor (Z-RAM), Rambus inline memory module (RIMM), dual inline memory module (DIMM), single inline memory module (SIMM), video random access memory (VRAM), cache (including various levels), flash memory, any other memory requiring the power to store information, or any combination thereof.

[0091] In some embodiments, the non-volatile memory includes one or more of the following: a hard disk, a floppy disk, a floppy disk, a solid-state storage (SSS) (e.g., a solid-state drive (SSD)), a solid-state card (SSC), a solid-state module (SSM), an enterprise-class flash drive, a magnetic tape, any other non-transitory magnetic medium, a compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), a rewritable compact disk (CD-RW), a digital versatile disk (DVD), a Blu-ray disc (BD), any other non-transitory optical medium, a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a flash memory (e.g., Such as, serial, NAND, NOR, etc.), multimedia memory card (MMC), secure digital (SD) memory card, memory stick, conductive bridging random access memory (CBRAM), phase change random access memory (PRAM), ferroelectric random access memory (FeRAM), non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM), magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM), resistive random access memory (RRAM), silicon oxide-nitride-oxide-silicon memory (SONOS), floating junction gate random access memory (FJGRAM), Millipede memory, racetrack memory, any other memory that does not require power to store information, or any combination thereof.

[0092] In some embodiments, memory 610 can store one or more of the following: a database, a database instance, a database management system, data, an application, a program, a program module, a script, source code, object code, bytecode, compiled code, interpreted code, machine code, executable instructions, or any other information. As used herein, the terms database, database instance, database management system, and / or similar terms may refer to a collection of records or data stored in a computer-readable storage medium using one or more database models (such as a hierarchical database model, a network model, a relational model, an entity-relationship model, an object model, a document model, a semantic model, a graph model, or any other model).

[0093] The user interface 615 of the computing device 600 communicates with one or more input or output devices that can receive input to the computing device 600 and / or output any output from the computing device. Examples of input devices include a keyboard, a mouse, a touch screen display, a touch sensitive pad, a motion input device, a mobile input device, an audio input, a pointing device input, a joystick input, a keypad input, a peripheral device 540, a foot switch, etc. Examples of output devices include an audio output device, a video output, a display device, a motion output device, a mobile output device, a printing device, etc. In some embodiments, the user interface 615 includes hardware configured to communicate with one or more input devices and / or output devices via a wired and / or wireless connection.

[0094] The communication interface 620 can communicate with various computing devices and / or networks. In some embodiments, the communication interface 620 can communicate data, content, and / or any other information that can be sent, received, manipulated, processed, displayed, stored, etc. Communications via the communication interface 620 can be performed using a wired data transmission protocol such as Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI), Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), Ethernet, Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), Frame Relay, Cable Data Service Interface Specification (DOCSIS), or any other wired transmission protocol. Similarly, communications via the communication interface 620 may be performed using a wireless data transfer protocol such as General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Code Division Multiple Access 2000 (CDMA2000), CDMA2000 1X (1xRTT), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE), Time Division Synchronous Code Division Multiple Access (TD-SCDMA), Long Term Evolution (LTE), Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN), Evolution Data Optimized (EVDO), High Speed ​​Packet Access (HSPA), High Speed ​​Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), IEEE 802.11 (WiFi), WiFi Direct, 802.16 (WiMAX), Ultra Wideband (UWB), Infrared (IR) protocol, Near Field Communication (NFC) protocol, Wibree, Bluetooth protocol, wireless Universal Serial Bus (USB) protocol, or any other wireless protocol.

[0095] As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, one or more components of the computing device 600 may be located remotely from other components of the computing device 600, such as in a distributed system. Furthermore, one or more components may be combined, and additional components that perform the functions described herein may be included in the computing device 600. Thus, the computing device 600 may be adapted to accommodate a variety of needs and environments. The depicted and described architecture and description are provided for exemplary purposes only and are not limited to the various embodiments described herein.

[0096] The embodiments described herein may be implemented in various ways, including as a computer program product comprising a manufactured article. A computer program product may include a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing an application, a program, a program module, a script, a source code, a program code, an object code, a bytecode, a compiled code, an interpreted code, a machine code, an executable instruction, and / or the like (also referred to herein as an executable instruction, an instruction for execution, a computer program product, a program code, and / or similar terms used interchangeably herein). Such non-transitory computer-readable storage media include all computer-readable media (including volatile and non-volatile media).

[0097] As should be appreciated, various embodiments of the embodiments described herein may also be implemented as methods, apparatuses, systems, computing devices, etc. Thus, the embodiments described herein may take the form of an apparatus, system, computing device, etc. that executes instructions stored on a computer-readable storage medium to perform certain steps or operations. Therefore, the embodiments described herein may be implemented entirely in hardware, entirely in a computer program product, or in a combination of embodiments including a computer program product and hardware that performs certain steps or operations.

[0098] The embodiments described herein may be referred to the block diagrams and flow charts. Therefore, it should be understood that the blocks in the block diagrams and flow charts may be implemented in the form of a computer program product, in a complete hardware embodiment, in a combination of hardware and computer program products, or in an apparatus, system, computing device, etc. that executes instructions, operations, or steps. Such instructions, operations, or steps may be stored on a computer-readable storage medium for execution by a processing element in a computing device. For example, the retrieval, loading, and execution of a code may be performed sequentially, thereby retrieving, loading, and executing an instruction at a time. In some exemplary embodiments, retrieval, loading, and / or execution may be performed in parallel, so that multiple instructions are retrieved, loaded, and / or executed together. Therefore, such an embodiment may produce a machine of a specific configuration to perform the steps or operations specified in the block diagrams and flow charts. Therefore, the block diagrams and flow charts illustrate various combinations of embodiments that support the execution of specified instructions, operations, or steps.

[0099] For purposes of this disclosure, terms such as "upper," "lower," "vertical," "horizontal," "inwardly," "outwardly," "inner," "outer," "front," "rear," and the like are to be construed as descriptive and not limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter. Additionally, the use of "including," "comprising," or "having," and variations thereof herein, is meant to encompass the items listed subsequently and their equivalents as well as additional items. Unless otherwise limited, the terms "connected," "coupled," and "mounted," and variations thereof herein, are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect connections, couplings, and mountings. Unless otherwise specified, the terms "substantially," "approximately," and the like are used to mean within 5% of a target value.

[0100] The principles, representative embodiments, and modes of operation of the present disclosure have been described in the foregoing description. However, it is intended that the aspects of the present disclosure to be protected are not to be construed as being limited to the specific embodiments disclosed. In addition, the embodiments described herein are considered to be illustrative rather than restrictive. It will be appreciated that, without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure, others may make variations and changes, and adopt equivalents. Therefore, it is expressly intended that all such variations, changes, and equivalents fall within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as claimed.

Claims

1. An inflator for inflating an inflatable web, the inflator comprising: a web supply holding device configured to hold a supply of inflatable web material; a first gas moving device having a first inlet and a first outlet, wherein the first gas moving device is configured to receive gas via the first inlet and to exhaust gas via the first outlet; a second gas moving device having a second inlet and a second outlet, wherein the second gas moving device is configured to receive gas via the second inlet and exhaust gas via the second outlet, wherein the first outlet is coupled to the second inlet such that gas exhausted from the first outlet is received by the second inlet; and a nozzle coupled to the second outlet, wherein the nozzle is configured to insert gas exhausted from the second outlet into the chamber of the inflatable web to inflate the inflatable web; Wherein the computing device is configured to control parameters of the first gas moving device and the second gas moving device based on the type of the inflatable web.

2. The inflator according to claim 1, wherein: The parameters of the first gas moving device and the second gas moving device include a pressure setting of the first gas moving device.

3. The inflator according to claim 2, wherein: The parameters of the second gas moving device also include one or both of a flow rate setting of the second gas moving device or a pressure setting of the second gas moving device.

4. The inflator according to claim 1, wherein: The computing device is configured to identify a type of the inflatable web prior to controlling parameters of the first gas moving device and the second gas moving device.

5. The inflator according to claim 4, wherein: The computing device is configured to independently adjust parameters of the first gas moving device and the second gas moving device between a set of parameters related to an inflatable cushioning material and a set of parameters related to an inflatable void filling material.

6. The inflator of claim 4, further comprising: A device communicatively coupled to the computing device and configured to receive information regarding the type of the inflatable web and to transmit information regarding the type of the inflatable web to the computing device.

7. The inflator according to claim 6, wherein: The device communicatively coupled to the computing device and configured to receive information about the type of the inflatable web and transmit information about the type of the inflatable web to the computing device includes a radio frequency identification (RFID) receiver configured to receive information about the type of the inflatable web from an RFID tag coupled to a supply of the inflatable web.

8. The inflator according to claim 6, wherein: The device communicatively coupled to the computing device and configured to receive and transmit information about the type of the inflatable web to the computing device includes a user interface configured to receive input from a user indicating information about the type of the inflatable web.

9. The inflator according to claim 6, wherein: The device communicatively coupled to the computing device and configured to receive information about the type of the inflatable web and transmit information about the type of the inflatable web to the computing device includes a scanner configured to scan a code on a supply of the inflatable web, wherein the information about the type of the inflatable web is encoded in the code.

10. The inflator of claim 4, further comprising: a sealing system configured to form a seal in the inflatable web to close the chamber, and An actuator is configured to drive the sealing system, wherein the sealing system is configured to feed the inflatable web when driven by the actuator.

11. The inflator of claim 10, wherein: The computing device is configured to control the actuator based on a feed rate with respect to a type of the inflatable web.

12. The inflator of claim 4, further comprising: A pressure sensor is positioned between the second outlet and the nozzle, wherein the pressure sensor is configured to detect pressure in gas exhausted through the second outlet.

13. The inflator of claim 12, wherein: The parameters of the first gas moving device and the second gas moving device include pressure related to inflation of the inflatable web, and wherein the computing device is configured to control one of the first gas moving device and the second gas moving device based on the pressure detected by the pressure sensor and the pressure related to inflation of the inflatable web.

14. The inflator of claim 4, further comprising: A flow rate sensor is positioned between the second outlet and the nozzle, wherein the flow rate sensor is configured to detect a flow rate in the gas exhausted through the second outlet.

15. The inflator of claim 14, wherein: The parameters of the first gas moving device and the second gas moving device include a flow rate with respect to inflation of the inflatable web, and wherein the computing device is configured to control one of the first gas moving device and the second gas moving device based on the flow rate detected by the flow rate sensor and the flow rate with respect to inflation of the inflatable web.

16. The inflator of claim 4, further comprising: a first pressure sensor positioned between the first outlet and the second inlet, wherein the first pressure sensor is configured to detect pressure in gas exhausted through the first outlet; a first flow rate sensor positioned between the first outlet and the second inlet, wherein the first flow rate sensor is configured to detect a flow rate in gas exhausted through the first outlet; a second pressure sensor positioned between the second outlet and the nozzle, wherein the second pressure sensor is configured to detect pressure in gas exhausted through the second outlet; and A second flow rate sensor is positioned between the second outlet and the nozzle, wherein the second flow rate sensor is configured to detect a flow rate in the gas exhausted through the second outlet.

17. The inflator of claim 16, further comprising: a computing device configured to independently calibrate the first gas moving device and the second gas moving device; wherein calibration of the first gas moving device is based on a pressure measured by the first pressure sensor and a flow rate measured by the first flow rate sensor; and Wherein calibration of the second gas moving device is based on a pressure measured by the second pressure sensor and a flow rate measured by the second flow rate sensor.

18. The inflator of claim 1, wherein: Each of the first gas moving device and the second gas moving device is one of a fan or a compressor.

19. The inflator of claim 1, wherein: Each of the first gas moving device and the second gas moving device is a blower.

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