Air Pillow Conveyance Encoder and Sliding Conveyor

The patent replaces manual mechanical conveyance control with an automated system that uses an encoder to detect belt position and a controller to calculate and control the conveyance of air pillows. The encoder converts mechanical position into electrical signals, which are processed by the controller to achieve precise measurement and control, substituting the mechanical manual operation with an electromechanical automated system.

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the encoder continuously monitors the belt position and provides real-time data to the controller. The controller uses this feedback information to calculate the conveyance distance and control the dispensing process, ensuring that air pillows are conveyed only to the required extent, thus preventing over-conveyance and waste.

The patent introduces a sliding conveyor that can be dynamically adjusted relative to the fixed conveyor, allowing the system to adapt to different air pillow sizes. The sliding conveyor's position can be changed to accommodate varying geometries, transforming a static fixed conveyor system into a dynamic adjustable system that maintains versatility while managing complexity through controlled mobility.

The patent creates a universal conveyor system that can handle multiple air pillow sizes and configurations through the combination of fixed and sliding conveyors. The system is designed to be multi-functional, capable of accommodating different packaging requirements without requiring separate dedicated systems for each air pillow size, thus achieving versatility while controlling overall device complexity.

The patent implements an automated separator assembly that operates autonomously to separate air pillows from the conveyed strand. The separator uses the movement of the sliding conveyor relative to the fixed conveyor to automatically tear or separate the air pillows at predetermined intervals, eliminating the need for manual intervention and improving productivity while the self-acting mechanism keeps the additional complexity manageable.

The patent incorporates a perforation zone in the air pillow design that enables preliminary preparation for separation. The perforations are pre-formed during air pillow manufacturing, allowing the separator assembly to easily and cleanly separate individual air pillows or strands without requiring complex cutting or cutting tools, thus improving productivity while minimizing the complexity of the separation mechanism.