Dunnage conversion system and method with stock material splicing

A method comprising the steps of

• mechanically fastening a leading portion of a succeeding supply of stock material to a trailing portion of a preceding supply of stock material, and
• converting the stock material into a relatively less dense dunnage product.

A supply of stock material for use in a dunnage converter for conversion into relatively less dense dunnage product, comprising a length of stock material having opposite leading and trailing end portions, and mateable fastening elements respectively attached to the leading and trailing portions of the stock material, whereby the mateable fastening elements can be attached to respective fastening elements of a succeeding or preceding supply of stock material before passage through the conversion mechanism.

A dunnage conversion system comprising

• a device for activating a bonding agent on at least one of a leading portion of a succeeding supply of sheet stock material or a trailing portion of a preceding supply of sheet stock material to bond the leading and trailing portions together, and
• a conversion mechanism downstream of the activating device for converting the stock material into a relatively less dense dunnage product.

A method for preparing a stock material for conversion into a dunnage product, comprising the steps of

• applying an activatable bonding material to at least one of a leading portion and a trailing portion of a supply of sheet stock material;
• and
• either rolling the sheet stock material into a roll or fan-folding the sheet stock material to form a stack.

A method for producing a dunnage product, comprising the steps of:

• providing a stock material with a bonding agent on at least a leading portion of a succeeding supply of stock material,
• activating the bonding agent to bond the leading portion to a trailing portion of a preceding supply of stock material, and
• converting the stock material into a relatively less dense dunnage product.

A dunnage conversion system comprising

• a charging device for imparting opposing electrostatic charges to at least one of a leading portion of a succeeding supply of stock material or a trailing portion of a preceding supply of stock material to bond the leading and trailing portions together, and
• a conversion mechanism downstream of the charging device for converting the stock material into a relatively less dense dunnage product.

A method for producing a dunnage product, comprising the steps of:

• attaching a leading portion of a succeeding supply of stock material to a trailing portion of a preceding supply of stock material by means of an electromagnetic field or electrostatic charges, and
• converting the stock material into a relatively less dense dunnage product.

A method for producing a stock material for conversion into a dunnage product, comprising the step of providing a magnetic material at a leading or trailing portion of a length of sheet stock material.