Apparatus and process for dispensing dunnage

A dunnage system for supplying dunnage units to fill spaces in packages comprising:

• a) a dunnage supply for dispensing dunnage units;
• b) a hopper for receiving and collecting such dunnage units;
• c) the hopper having an outlet;
• d) at least one rotatable dispenser mounted at the outlet, the dispenser defining a plurality of circumferentially spaced unit receiving spaces;
• e) a dispenser drive for selectively causing the dispenser to rotate and thereby dispense dunnage units from the hopper;
• and,
• f) the hopper including at least one conductive element for removing static electricity from such units.

A process of supplying dunnage units to a package being formed comprising:

• a) placing a supply of dunnage units in an accumulator having a dispensing opening;
• b) dispensing units through the opening by rotating a brush positioned at the opening, the brush having circumferentially spaced voids;
• c) the dispensing step including sequentially positioning the units in the voids;
• and,
• d) the brush rotation step being accomplished by actuating a foot switch.

A dunnage system for supplying dunnage units to fill spaces in packages comprising:

• a) a dunnage supply for dispensing dunnage units;
• b) a hopper for receiving and collecting dunnage units;
• c) the hopper having an outlet;
• d) at least two rotatable dispenser brushes mounted at the outlet, the brushes defining a plurality of circumferentially spaced unit receiving spaces;
• e) a dispenser drive for selectively causing the brushes to counter rotate and thereby dispense dunnage units from the hopper;
• and,
• f) at least one brush having a plurality of circumferentially spaced bristle sets defining said spaces.

A process of supplying dunnage units to a package being formed comprising:

• a) placing a supply of dunnage units in an accumulator having a dispensing opening;
• b) dispensing units through the opening by rotating a brush positioned at the opening, the brush having circumferentially spaced voids;
• c) the dispensing step including sequentially positioned units in the voids;
• and,
• d) the brush rotation step being accomplished by causing the brush rotation for a predetermined time interval.

A dunnage system for supplying dunnage units to fill spaces in packages comprising:

• a) a dunnage supply for dispensing dunnage units;
• b) a hopper for receiving and collecting such dunnage units;
• c) the hopper having an outlet;
• d) at least one rotatable dispenser mounted at the outlet, the dispenser defining a plurality of circumferentially spaced unit receiving spaces;
• e) a dispenser drive for selectively causing the dispenser to rotate and thereby dispense dunnage units from the hopper;
• f) the supply being a machine which inflates plastic pouches with air and seals the inflated pouches;
• and,
• g) a deionizer for deionizing pouch inflating air mounted along an air supply path.

A dunnage system for supplying dunnage units to fill spaces in packages comprising:

• a) a dunnage supply for dispensing dunnage units;
• b) a hopper for receiving and collecting such dunnage units;
• c) the hopper having an outlet;
• d) at least one rotatable dispenser mounted at the outlet, the dispenser defining a plurality of circumferentially spaced unit receiving spaces;
• e) a dispenser drive for selectively causing the dispenser to rotate and thereby dispense dunnage units from the hopper;
• f) the hopper outlet being laterally offset from the dunnage supply;
• and,
• g) the hopper including at least one compressed air supply oriented to blow such dunnage units toward said outlet.