Patent ID: 6179762
Filing Date: 2001-01-30
Classification: B31D,B65B,Y10S,Y10T

Abstract:
A method of making cushioning product, said method comprising the steps of:providing a sheet-like stock material;using a cushioning conversion machine to convert the sheet-like stock material into a three-dimensional cushioning product;monitoring the operational status of the machine;generating signals in accordance with such status;storing the generated signals; andretrieving the stored signals for diagnostic purposes;wherein the machine includes a conversion assembly which converts the sheet-like stock material into a three-dimensional strip of dunnage, a stock supply assembly which supplies the stock material to the conversion assembly, and a cutting assembly which cuts the strip of dunnage into sections of a desired length;wherein the conversion assembly includes a forming assembly which forms the sheet-like stock material into a strip of dunnage and a feed assembly which feeds the sheet-like stock material to the forming assembly; andwherein said monitoring step includes tracking the number of cuts made by the cutting assembly.