Cushioning conversion machine
AssigneeRanpak Corp.
InventorsJames Harding, Richard O. Ratzel
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A cushioning conversion network includes a supervisory controller linked to a plurality of cushioning conversion machines which convert sheet-like stock material into a dunnage product, each machine including a controller for controlling the operation of the machine in accordance with instructions received from the supervisory controller.
Claims22
A cushioning conversion network comprising a supervisory controller and a plurality of cushioning conversion machines;
- each cushioning conversion machine including assemblies which convert sheet stock material into dunnage products;
- each machine including a controller for controlling operation of the assemblies;
- the supervisory controller being linked to each controller and providing instructions whereby each cushioning conversion machine is operated in accordance with instructions received from the supervisory controller and thus in a coordinated manner.
A cushioning conversion network, comprising a plurality of cushioning conversion machines;
- each of the machines including assemblies which convert sheet stock material into a dunnage product,
- each machine including a controller for controlling operation of its assemblies,
- the controller of each machine being in communication with the controller of at least one other machine for communication between the controllers and coordinated operation of each machine's assemblies.
A cushioning conversion network, comprising a supervisory controller and a plurality of cushioning conversion machines;
- each of the cushioning conversion machines including assemblies which convert sheet stock material into dunnage products,
- the supervisory controller being linked to and controlling operation of each machine's assemblies whereby the cushioning conversion machines are operated in accordance with instructions received from the supervisory controller in a coordinated manner.
A cushioning conversion network comprising a plurality of cushioning conversion machines and a control system;
- each of the cushioning conversion machines including a conversion assembly which converts sheet stock material into a three-dimensional strip of dunnage, and a stock supply assembly, positioned upstream of the conversion assembly, which supplies the sheet stock material to the conversion assembly;
- and
- the control system controlling in coordination activation/deactivation of the conversion assemblies of each of the machines.
A method of allocating production of cushioning product between a plurality of cushioning conversion machines in a cushioning conversion network, said method comprising the steps of:
- supplying each of the cushioning conversion machines with sheet stock material;
- inputting to a supervisory controller the amount of cushioning product production necessary;
- using the supervisory controller to allocate production between the machines by activating and deactivating feed assemblies of the cushioning conversion machines in accordance with the allocated production to produce the amount of cushioning product necessary.
A method allocating production between cushioning conversion machines in a cushioning conversion network to produce cushioning product, said method comprising the steps of:
- supplying each of the machines with a sheet stock material;
- and
- using a supervisory controller to activate one machine and to deactivate the other machines;
- and
- using the supervisory controller to deactivate the one machine and activate one of the other machines.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.