Patent ID: 6460313
Filing Date: 2002-10-08
Classification: B29L,B31D

Abstract:
Apparatus for producing an inflated packaging filler material comprising:a base; a tubular supply of plastic material having a compartment defined between a top fold and a bottom fold integrally formed with a pair of sheets with opposing surfaces establishing a pouch between pairs of spaced-apart strips extending normal to said top fold and said bottom fold; a plurality of work stations disposed on said base in spaced-apart relationship and arranged in series for sequentially processing said tubular supply; a storage reel rotatably mounted on said base for holding a quantity of said tubular supply; a first work station of said plurality having a blade cutter adapted to slice said top fold to provide a slit separating said pair of sheets; a second work station of said plurality having an inflation means insertable into said pouch via said slit to introduce a pressurized fluid into said compartment; a third work station having a sealing means operable to engage said pair of sheets to seal said slit to retain said pressurized fluid in said compartment; advancement means carried on said base and engageable with said tubular supply to move said tubular supply between said plurality of work stations; said advancement means includes a rotary drive drum having a peripheral surface; an endless pressure belt cooperating with said rotary drum to engage said tubular supply in a gripping relationship with said peripheral surface to move said tubular supply from one station of said plurality to another in a continuous and uninterrupted sequence; said advancement means further includes a plurality of idler rollers mounted on said base and said endless belt being trained about said idler rollers so as to engage said tubular supply adjacent said top fold in said gripping relationship; and selected ones of said idler rollers offset from one another to effect a separation of said belt from said tubular supply immediately adjacent to said cutter station and said inflation stations so as to permit insertion of said inflation means through said slit between said pair of sheets.