Ranpak Corporation

Edwin P Beierlorzer

James A Simmons, Jr

Michael J Lencoski

A cushioning product having plural layers of a sheet-like stock material folded upon themselves to form a pillow-like portion. The lateral edges of the outer layer of the stock material are overlapped and connected together to maintain the geometry of the pillow-like portion. The lateral edges of the outer layers are connected together (for example, they are mechanically interlocked) separate from the central portion of the outer layer. The overlapped edges of the outer layer may form a tab portion projecting from the pillow-like portion. Alternatively, the overlapped lateral edges of the outer layer may be generally coplanar with adjacent unoverlapped portions of the outer layer. Preferably, the stock material comprises layers of paper, more preferably biodegradable, recyclable and reusable paper, and even more preferably Kraft paper.

Cushioning product

A cushioning conversion machine, method and product characterized by a connecting assembly that provides a mechanical interlock between overlapped portions of sheet-like stock material to prevent 'unzippering' of a low density cushioning product produced by the cushioning conversion machine. The connecting assembly comprises a pair of rotatable stitching members, a first one having a plurality of radially outwardly extending projections, or teeth, around the circumference thereof, with the projections having at least two axially spaced apart segments defining a recess therebetween. The second stitching member includes at least one axial punch segment which includes a peripheral edge portion dimensioned to be received in the recess in the first stitching member during rotation of the stitching members. The peripheral edge portion is cooperative with the projections of the first stitching member to produce at each corner edge thereof a row of slits in the overlapped portions of the sheet-like stock material, thereby forming at least one row of tabs for interlocking the overlapped portions of the stock material. The second stitching member may include another axial segment relatively adjacent the punch segment, such other axial segment having a plurality of radially outwardly extending projections meshing with the projections of one of the axial segments of the first stitching member. The stitching members may be formed by a plurality of flat disc members stacked side-by-side with the several axial segments being formed by one or more of the flat disc members.

Cushioning conversion machine and method with stitching assemblies

The present invention relates of a method and apparatus for making an improved resilient packing material by forming, resiliently folding and crimping shredded strips of moistened paper material into an improved interlocking, bulk, packaging material. The method and apparatus includes a wetting or dampening system which can be selectively varied to regulate the moisture content of moistened paper material.

Method and apparatus for making an improved resilient packing product

A cushioning conversion machine and method for converting multiple layers of sheet-like stock material into a cushioning product are characterized by a forming assembly which shapes plural layers of the stock material into a continuous three dimensional strip of dunnage having central portions and overlapped edge portions, a connecting assembly downstream of the forming assembly for connecting the overlapped lateral edge portions of the layers separately from central portions of the layers, and a guide which directs the central portions of the layers away from connecting assembly to prevent the central portions from passing through the connecting assembly. The thereby produced dunnage product comprises layers of sheet-like material folded upon themselves with outer lateral edge portions thereof overlapped and stitched together separate from central portions of the layers, the overlapped lateral edge portions being generally coplanar with adjacent unoverlapped portions of the layers, and the layers of stock material comprising biodegradable, recyclable and reusable Kraft paper.

Cushioning conversion machine and method with independent edge connecting

A packaging system comprising a cushion-creating machine (10) and a slide (12) positioned adjacent to the machine (10). The cushion-creating machine (10) includes a frame (36) and cushion-creating assemblies (50, 52, 54, and 56) which are mounted to the frame (36) and which create cushioning products (32). The machine frame (36) includes an exit through which the cushioning products (32) are discharged in a predetermined discharge direction D. The slide (12) includes a smooth sloped surface (60) with a top portion positioned proximate to the machine's exit so that the discharged cushioning products (32) will be deposited thereon. The smooth sloped surface (60) has a pitch angle which is sufficient to insure that cushioning products placed on the top portion of the surface will slide in a predetermined slide direction S. The smooth sloped surface (60) is oriented relative to the machine (10) in such a manner that the slide direction S is substantially perpendicular to the discharge direction D.

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Bellevue, WA, United States of America

Edwin P Beierlorzer