Automated air pillow dispenser

A packaging material handling device, comprising:

• a first traction mechanism, including:
• first rotational traction portions arranged laterally with respect to each other on a first side of a chain region, and including
• a first opposed traction portion and a first staggered traction portion, each having a surface extending towards the chain region and each comprising a roller to engage the chain of preinflated pillows disposed in the chain region, each of the first rotational traction portions being spaced laterally from each other and defining a first radially recessed area between the surfaces thereof;
• second rotational traction portions disposed laterally with respect to each other on a second side of the chain region, opposite from the first side, and including:
• a second opposed traction portion having a surface extending towards the chain region opposed to the first opposed traction portion surface across the chain region and in abutment therewith to cooperatively pinch the chain between the first and second opposed traction portions, wherein the second opposed traction portion comprises a roller, and
• a second staggered traction portion having a surface extending towards the chain region directly opposed to the first radially recessed area across the chain region and being spaced laterally from the second opposed traction portion and defining a second radially recessed area between the surfaces thereof, such that the first and second staggered portions cooperatively deform the chain in the chain region to tension the chain without breaking the inflated pillows, wherein the second staggered traction portion comprises a roller;
• and
• a second traction mechanism spaced longitudinally from the first traction mechanism and having traction portions disposed on opposite sides of the chain region, wherein the first and second traction mechanisms are operable for driving the chain longitudinally and holding the chain in the chain region during a breaking operation;
• a breaking mechanism configured to break the chain held by the first and second traction mechanisms in the breaking operation between the first and second traction mechanisms and being operable.