Dunnage converter output chute safety mechanism
AssigneeIntertape Polymer Corp.
InventorRaimond Demers
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An output chute safety mechanism includes an output chute, an output chute valve door, and an upstream valve door. The output chute includes a proximal end and a distal end. The output chute valve door includes a first configuration that obstructs the output chute and a second configuration that does not obstruct the output chute. The upstream valve door includes a first configuration that prevents the output chute valve door from being disposed in its second configuration and a second configuration that permits the output chute valve door to be disposed in its second configuration.
Claims20
An output chute safety mechanism comprising:
- an output chute including a proximal end and a distal end;
- an output chute valve door having a door stopper, wherein the output chute valve door is configured to move between a first configuration that obstructs the output chute and a second configuration that does not obstruct the output chute;
- and
- an upstream valve door having a blocking mechanism, wherein the upstream valve door is configured to move between a first configuration that prevents the output chute valve door from being disposed in its second configuration, and the upstream valve door having a second configuration that permits the output chute valve door to be disposed in its second configuration;
- wherein when the upstream valve door is in at least the first configuration, the blocking mechanism of the upstream valve door blocks the door stopper of the output chute valve door and prevents the output chute valve door from moving to the second configuration.
An output chute safety mechanism comprising:
- an output chute;
- an upstream valve door having a blocking mechanism, wherein the upstream valve door remains in a closed configuration unless dunnage material is being dispensed through the output chute;
- and
- an output chute valve door that remains in a closed configuration unless the upstream valve door is in an open configuration;
- wherein the blocking mechanism of the upstream valve door engages with a portion of the output chute valve door when the upstream valve door is in at least its closed configuration.
A method for safely dispensing dunnage comprising:
- receiving dunnage material at a proximal end of an output chute;
- pivoting open an upstream valve door;
- disengaging a blocking mechanism on the upstream valve door that was engaged with a portion of an output chute valve door when opening the upstream valve door;
- pivoting open the output chute valve door when the blocking mechanism is disengaged;
- and
- dispensing the dunnage material from a distal end of the output chute.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.