Cutterless dunnage converter and method

A dunnage converter that converts sheet stock material into discrete dunnage products, comprising:

• a conversion assembly for converting sheet stock material into a crumpled strip of dunnage, the conversion assembly including a feeding assembly for engaging the strip at a feeding location and moving the stock material through the converter;
• a restraining device that allows the stock material to pass in a forward direction and restricts significant movement of the stock material in a reverse direction at a holding location spaced downstream of the feeding assembly;
• and
• a controller that controls the feeding assembly to move the stock material therethrough in a forward direction for conversion into the strip of dunnage and in a reverse direction to separate a dunnage product from the strip at a location at or between the holding location and the feeding assembly, wherein the downstream restraining device includes at least one restraining member moveable between a closed position in the path of the stock material to engage the stock material at the holding location and hold it against any significant reverse movement at the holding location and an open position that allows the stock material to move forward in a downstream direction.

A dunnage converter converts sheet stock material into discrete dunnage products, comprising:

• a conversion assembly for converting sheet stock material into a crumpled strip of dunnage, the conversion assembly including a feeding assembly for engaging the strip at a feeding location and moving the stock material through the converter;
• a restraining device that allows the stock material to pass in a forward direction and restricts significant movement of the stock material in a reverse direction at a holding location spaced downstream of the feeding assembly;
• and
• a controller that controls the feeding assembly to move the stock material therethrough in a forward direction for conversion into the strip of dunnage and in a reverse direction to separate a dunnage product from the strip at a location at or between the holding location and the feeding assembly;
• wherein the restraining device includes an upstream restraining device that allows the stock material to pass in a forward direction and inhibits significant reverse movement of the stock material at a location upstream of the feeding location such that the feeding assembly will engage the stock material upon feeding in the forward direction once again, the upstream restraining device including a stop member movable between a first position permitting passage of the dunnage strip in a forward direction and a second position inhibits significant reverse movement of the stock material at a location upstream of the feeding location such that the feeding assembly will engage the stock material upon feeding in the forward direction once again, the stop member is moved to its first position by the stock material passing thereby during forward feeding of the stock material by the feeding assembly, and the stop member is moved to its second position by a binding engagement with the stock material when the stock material is moved in a reverse direction by the feeding assembly;
• and wherein the downstream restraining device includes at least one restraining member moveable between a closed position in the path of the stock material to engage the stock material at the holding location and hold it against any significant reverse movement at the holding location, and an open position that allows the stock material to move forward in a downstream direction.