Patent ID: 6635145
Filing Date: 2003-10-21
Classification: B31D,B32B,B65D,Y10T

Abstract:
A machine for producing inflated pouches or cells in situ to be used as packaging fillers comprising:a stand having a base plate supporting an upper plate in fixed spaced-apart relationship therewith; a length of folded or tubular sheet material adapted to move between said base plate and said upper plate from a supply station to a cutter station; said tubular sheet material being divided into a plurality of open end pouches separated by a seam; inflation means carried on said upper plate for inflating each of said pouches via said open end; sealing means carried on said upper plate adjacent to said inflation means for sealing each of said pouch open ends to capture and retain said pouches in an inflated condition; a cutting element carried on said upper plate adjacent to said sealing means at said cutting station for trimming an edge marginal region of said sheet material adjacent said sealed pouch open ends; and means carried on said upper plate between said inflation means and said supply station for releasably gripping said edge marginal region to advance said sheet material past said inflation means, said sealing means and said cutting means.