Air cushion inflation machine

A machine for converting two different types of webs of inflatable material to two different types of inflated cushioning material, the machine comprising:

• an inflation arrangement configured to provide air at a lower pressure to a first web of a first type of inflatable material to inflate the first type of inflatable material, and configured to provide air at a higher pressure to a second web of a second type of the inflatable material to inflate the second type of the inflatable material, wherein the inflation arrangement comprises a guide pin configured to receive the first and second webs and align the first and second webs on the machine;
• a sealing arrangement configured to seal the first type of inflatable material and the second type of inflatable material to create the two different types of inflated cushioning material;
• and
• a tensioning device switchable between a first position and a second position, wherein the tensioning device provides a lower tensioning force to the first web as the first web moves between the inflation arrangement and the sealing arrangement when the tensioning device is in the first position, and wherein the tensioning device provides a higher tensioning force to the second web as the second web moves between the inflation arrangement and the sealing arrangement when the tensioning device is in the second position.

A method of converting two different types of webs of inflatable material to two different types of inflated cushioning material, the method comprising:

• moving a first web of a first type of inflatable material along a path of travel;
• providing a lower air pressure to the first type of inflatable material;
• sealing the first web to form a first type of inflated cushioning material of the two different types of inflated cushioning material;
• applying a first tensioning force to the first web with a tensioning device;
• moving a second web of a second type of inflatable material along the path of travel;
• providing a higher air pressure to the second type of inflatable material;
• applying a second tensioning force to the second web with the tensioning device, wherein the second tensioning force is greater than the first tensioning force;
• and
• sealing the second web to form a second type of inflated cushioning material of the two different types of inflated cushioning material.