Apparatus for inflating and sealing packing cushions employing film recognition controller
AssigneeFree-Flow Packaging International, Inc.
InventorsRob Van Uijen, Michael G. Kaminski, Charles Daigle, Vladimir Yampolsky
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Abstract
An apparatus for inflating and sealing packing cushions utilizes a controller adapted for acquiring information from preconfigured film material and automatically setting one or more operation parameters suitable for inflating and sealing the film. The controller can avoid or limit the need for user input, thus simplifying use of the apparatus.
Claims12
An apparatus for inflating and sealing packing cushions from prefabricated film material having a plurality of chambers, the apparatus comprising a feed mechanism for feeding the film material along a path, an inflation mechanism for injecting inflation gas into the chambers, a sealing mechanism for sealing the chambers, wherein the sealing mechanism comprises a sealing element and a backing surface;
- wherein the apparatus further comprises:
- a controller in communication with a reader for determining at least one property of the film material from a data source associated with the film material when the film material is positioned in proximity to the apparatus;
- and
- a linear actuator in communication with the controller for controlling sealing pressure by adjusting the force between the sealing element and the backing surface based on the film property data received from the controller.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.