Ranpak Corporation

Roger P M Rinkens

Richard O Ratzel

Joseph J Harding

Thomas E Manley

Pieter Fennema

Theo Corthout

Michael J Lencoski

Dirk Johannes Siekmann

Pierre H G Kobben

Herman R L Van Heumen

A cushioning conversion machine for converting multi-ply stock material is characterized by a conversion assembly which comprises one or more assemblies and/or devices for converting multi-ply stock material into a three-dimensional cushioning product and a stock supply assembly for providing stock material to the conversion assembly. The stock supply assembly includes a stock roll holder assembly having one or more rotatable roll support members that extend transverse to the path of the stock material and engage an outer periphery of a stock roll for advancing the stock material therefrom. A connecting assembly includes a carrier pivotally mounted to a frame for urging a first rotating feed member toward and away from a second rotating feed member. A severing assembly includes a movable blade having a first end pivotally coupled to a motion crank for providing circular motion of the first end, and a second end including a sliding mechanism for providing slidable movement of the second end, the blade being movable between an open position and a closed position. A shutter device includes a pair of eccentric rollers disposed substantially parallel to one another thereby forming a gap between the rollers that, upon rotation of the eccentric rollers, varies between an open position for permitting passage therethrough of the dunnage material in one direction and a closed position that inhibits foreign objects from entering the severing zone of the machine in the other direction.

Cushioning conversion machine having heavy duty characteristics

A cushioning conversion machine ( ) including a conversion assembly ( ) which converts a continuous sheet of multi-ply stock material ( ) into a three dimensional cushioning product ( ) and a stock supply assembly ( ) which supplies the multi-ply stock material ( ) to the conversion assembly ( ). The conversion assembly ( ) includes a forming assembly ( ) which inwardly turns lateral portions of the stock material ( ) as the stock material ( ) travels therethrough in a downstream direction. The stock supply assembly ( ) includes a separating device ( ) and/or constant-entry device ( ) designed to minimize tearing due to excessive tension in the lateral regions of the stock material ( ). Additionally or alternatively, the forming assembly ( ) includes a shaping member ( ) having protrusions in its turning perimeter and/or holding surface to modify the shape of the cushioning product. Another embodiment of stock supply assembly ( ) includes a stock-dispensing device ( ) which dispenses the multi-ply stock material ( ) from a continuous sheet thereof and a transversely extending member which is positioned to engage at least one of the plies of the dispensed multi-ply stock material ( ). The transversely extending member has end portions which are inwardly tapered relative to the central portions of the member and towards the adjacent ends of the member. The inwardly tapered lateral end portions being positioned to engage the ends of the lateral portions of the at least one ply of the stock material ( ).

Cushioning conversion machine and method

A cushioning conversion machine ( ) for converting sheet-like stock material ( ) into a three-dimensional cushioning product (P) including a device ( ) which controls the width of the strip and which may be selectively adjusted to change the width of the strip. By selectively setting the device ( ), a cushioning product of a desired width may be produced. For more sophisticated packaging needs, the stock material may be converted into a first portion of a certain width, the device adjusted, and then the stock material may be converted into a second portion of a different width whereby the cushioning product will have continuous portions of different widths. The converting and adjusting steps may be performed sequentially and in such a manner that the cushioning product has discrete sections of different widths, or alternatively, the converting and adjusting steps may be performed substantially simultaneously and in such a manner that the cushioning product has a gradually tapering shape.

A cushioning conversion machine (,) including a conversion assembly (,) which converts a continuous sheet of multi-ply stock material (,) into a three dimensional cushioning product (,) and a stock supply assembly (,) which supplies the multi-ply stock material (,) to the conversion assembly (,). The conversion assembly (,) includes a forming assembly (,) which inwardly turns lateral portions of the stock material (,) as the stock material (,) travels therethrough in a downstream direction. The stock supply assembly (,) includes a separating device (,) and/or constant-entry device (,) designed to minimize tearing due to excessive tension in the lateral regions of the stock material (,). Additionally or alternatively, the forming assembly (,) includes a shaping member (,) having protrusions in its turning perimeter and/or holding surface to modify the shape of the cushioning product. Another embodiment of stock supply assembly (,) includes a stock-dispensing device (,) which dispenses the multi-ply stock material (,) from a continuous sheet thereof and a transversely extending member which is positioned to engage at least one of the plies of the dispensed multi-ply stock material (,). The transversely extending member has end portions which are inwardly tapered relative to the central portions of the member and towards the adjacent ends of the member. The inwardly tapered lateral end portions being positioned to engage the ends of the lateral portions of the at least one ply of the stock material (,).

Growing community of inventors

Brunssum, Netherlands

Roger P M Rinkens