Patent ID: 7022060
Filing Date: 2006-04-04
Classification: B31D,B65H,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A system for converting material into a cushioning product, comprising: a roll tensioner including a roll support arrangement for positioning a roll of material to permit the roll to be rotated about a longitudinal axis of the roll by pulling the material from the roll to unwind material from the roll and said roll support arrangement applying rolling frictional resistance to rotation of the roll to tension to the material as the material unwinds from the roll; a conversion assembly for shaping material unwound from a roll of material positioned by and tensioned by said roll support arrangement for converting the material into a cushioning product; wherein the roll support arrangement includes a plurality of roll support members longitudinally spaced along said axis presenting opposed roll support surfaces forming respective sides of a cradle configuration having a lower narrow end and a wider, open upper end through which a roll of material can be introduced so that the opposed roll support surfaces contact the periphery of the roll of material to support the roll and to apply rolling frictional resistance to the rotation of the roll of material in proportion to the weight of the roll to tension the material as the material unwinds from the roll.