Cushioning conversion machine having heavy duty characteristics

Abstract

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.