Stock supply assembly and method for loading a dunnage conversion machine
AssigneeRanpak Corp.
InventorRon Hendrix
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A stock supply assembly for a dunnage conversion machine includes a stock material support having a support structure, such as a shelf for a stack of fan-folded sheet stock material. The stock supply assembly is rotatable between a relatively lower loading position and a relatively higher operating position vertically displaced relative to the loading position.
Claims19
A stock supply assembly for a dunnage conversion machine, comprising:
- a stock material support having a support structure that is movable between a relatively lower loading position and a relatively higher operating position vertically displaced relative to the loading position, where the support structure maintains a consistent orientation as the support structure moves between the loading position and the operating position;
- where the stock material support includes a linkage mechanism for moving the support structure between the loading position and the operating position;
- where the linkage mechanism includes a latching mechanism that engages and holds the support structure in the operating position, and the latching mechanism includes a gravity latch.
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A stock supply assembly as set forth in claim 14, where the linkage mechanism includes a handle member that facilitates moving the stock support between the loading position and the operating position.
A method of loading a sheet stock material into a relatively lower density dunnage product, comprising the following steps:
- disengaging a gravity latch and lowering a stock material support structure from an elevated operating position to a relatively lower loading position;
- loading a supply of sheet stock material onto the support structure at the loading position;
- raising the support structure from the loading position to the operating position to engage a gravity latch to hold the support structure in the operating position;
- and
- feeding sheet stock material from the supply into a dunnage conversion machine and operating the dunnage conversion machine to produce one or more dunnage products from the supply of sheet stock material.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.