Machine and methods for the manufacture of air-filled cushions
AssigneePregis LLC
InventorsJohn Stuart Greenwood, Neil Glynn Price
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A device and method are disclosed for forming air filled cushions. The device includes a drive mechanism to move inflatable tubing through the apparatus, and an injector, optionally including an outlet, located continuously within, or within a portion of, the tubing. This arrangement can permit the formation of air filled cushions in a continuous stream. Also disclosed is a roll of plastic tubing that is sealed transversely at a succession of intervals, with each pair of seals stopping just short of a longitudinal center line of the tubing. Such tubing might be used in conjunction with the apparatus, the central gap between the seals allowing passage of the injector.
Claims19
A machine for the production of air filled cushions comprising:
- a) a drive mechanism which is operative to move layers of plastic through the machine along a predefined path;
- b) an injector located in the path and which, in use, is located within the plastic tubing as the tubing is moved through the machine, wherein the injector has an inlet and an outlet and the drive mechanism is operative to move the plastic tubing over the outlet of the injector, whereby air can be injected through the injector into the plastic tubing;
- and
- c) a sealing mechanism comprising first and second sealing portions having an operating position in which the sealing portions are disposed on opposite sides of the layers in the path and in association therewith for sealing the layers together to seal off the injected air, the first and second sealing portions being connected with respect to each other for moving between the operating position and a standby position, in which the sealing portions are separated from each other;
- and
- wherein the drive mechanism is associated with the sealing mechanism to move together between the operating and standby positions.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.