Patent Publication Number: US-2021187892-A1

Title: Strap assembly on stock material units for a dunnage conversion machine

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/592,723, filed May 11, 2017, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This invention is in the field of packaging systems and materials. More specifically, this invention is in the field of protective packaging. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In the context of paper-based protective packaging, paper sheet is crumpled to produce dunnage. Most commonly, this type of dunnage is created by running a generally continuous strip of paper into a dunnage conversion machine that converts a compact supply of stock material, such as a roll of paper or a fanfold stack of paper, into a lower density dunnage material. The supply of stock material, such as in the case of fanfold paper, is pulled into the conversion machine from a stack that is either continuously formed or formed with discrete section connected together. The continuous strip of crumpled sheet material may be cut into desired lengths to effectively fill void space within a container holding a product. The dunnage material may be produced on an as-needed basis for a packer. 
     Dunnage supply material may be chainable. For example, the dunnage supply arrangement comprises a first supply unit of an elongated web of material in a high-density arrangement, where the material may be converted into a low-density dunnage, and the connecting member may include an adhesive surface for adhering to a longitudinal second end of a second supply unit of material with sufficient adhesion for pulling the material of the second supply unit into the dunnage mechanism (e.g., Publication Classification daisy chaining the two supply units together), as described in more detail in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0038805, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by this reference. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Embodiments include a stock material unit for dunnage conversion machine. The stock material unit includes one or more material sheets that form a three-dimensional body and a strap assembly wrapped about the three-dimensional body. The strap assembly includes a base sheet that defines a first face of the strap assembly, a reinforcement member substantially continuously secured to the base sheet and extending along at least a portion of a length thereof, and an adhesive securing a first end of the strap assembly to an opposite, second end of the strap assembly to retain the dunnage in the stock material unit configuration. 
     The stock material unit described above may have the one or more material sheets define a fanfold stack. 
     The stock material unit described above may have at least one fanfold stack that is formed from a continuous sheet that includes a plurality of folds that define opposing faces that are folded along the continuous sheet. 
     The stock material unit described above may have the strap assembly that includes a laminate sheet bonded to the base sheet, the reinforcement member being positioned adjacent to the base sheet or the laminate sheet. 
     The stock material unit described above may have strap assembly that includes a first portion defining the first end and having a first width, a second portion defining the second end and having a second width, and a third portion located therebetween and having a third width that is smaller than the first width and the second width. 
     The stock material unit described above may have the third width that is at least 50% smaller than the first width or the second width. 
     The stock material unit described above may have the third portion span across a peripheral face of the three-dimensional body. 
     The stock material unit described above may have the one or more sheets define peripheral faces of the three-dimensional body, and the strap assembly is in contact with four of the peripheral faces of the fanfold stack. 
     The stock material unit described above may have the reinforcement member that is concealed between the three-dimensional body and the base sheet. 
     The stock material unit described above may include another strap assembly that includes another base sheet that defines a first face of the another strap assembly, another reinforcement member substantially continuously secured to the base sheet and extending along at least a portion of a length thereof, and another adhesive securing a first end of the another strap assembly to an opposite, second end of the another strap assembly to retain the dunnage in the stock material unit configuration. 
     Embodiments also may include a stock material unit for dunnage conversion machine. The stock material unit includes a continuous sheet of material defining a three-dimensional body and a plurality of strap assemblies wrapped about the three-dimensional body. Each of the plurality of strap assemblies includes a base sheet that defines a first face of the strap assembly, a reinforcement member substantially continuously secured to the base sheet and extending along at least a portion of a length thereof, and an adhesive securing a first end of the strap assembly to an opposite, second end of the strap assembly to retain the dunnage in the unit configuration. 
     The stock material unit described above may have the continuous sheet material that includes a tapered sheet section defined by a plurality of slanted folds and positioned adjacent to at least one face of the three-dimensional body. 
     The stock material unit described above may have the plurality of strap assemblies each of which includes at least a first strap assembly at a first location and a second strap assembly at a second location, and the tapered sheet section is located between the first strap assembly and the second strap assembly. 
     The stock material unit described above may have the continuous sheet material that is at least partially folded to define a fanfold. 
     Embodiments also may include a method of assembling a stock material unit for a dunnage conversion machine. The method includes providing one or more sheets for assembly into the unit for the dunnage conversion machine and wrapping a strap assembly about the one or more sheets. The strap assembly includes a base sheet that defines a first face of the strap assembly, a reinforcement member substantially continuously secured to the base sheet and extending along at least a portion of a length thereof, and an adhesive securing a first end of the strap assembly to an opposite, second end of the strap assembly to retain the dunnage in the stock material unit configuration. 
     The method described above may include includes folding a continuous sheet to form a plurality of folds that define opposing faces. 
     The method described above may include adhesively securing a first end of the strap assembly to a second end of the strap assembly. 
     The method described above may involves the strap assembly that includes a first portion defining the first end and having a first width, a second portion defining the second end and having a second width, and a third portion located therebetween and having a third width that is smaller than the first width and the second width. The method also may include positioning the third portion of the strap assembly to span across a peripheral face of the three-dimensional body. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The drawing figures depict one or more implementations in accordance with the present concepts, by way of example only, not by way of limitations. In the figures, like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements. 
         FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a conversion apparatus and supply cart holding stock material; 
         FIG. 1B  is a rear view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1A  of the conversion apparatus and supply cart holding stock material; 
         FIG. 1C  is a side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1A  of the conversion apparatus and supply cart holding stock material; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the dunnage conversion system of  FIG. 1A ; 
         FIGS. 3A-3H  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a folded stock material unit for a dunnage conversion machine, illustrating different steps involved in folding a sheet of the stock material unit; 
         FIG. 4A  is a top view of an embodiment of a splice member; 
         FIG. 4B  is a cross-sectional view of the splice member of  FIG. 4A ; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an embodiment of two stock material units daisy-chained together; 
         FIG. 6A  is a top view of an embodiment of a splice member; 
         FIG. 6B  is a cross-sectional view of the splice member of  FIG. 4A ; 
         FIGS. 7A-7G  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a folded stock material unit for a dunnage conversion machine, illustrating different steps involved in folding a sheet of the stock material unit; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an embodiment of two stock material units daisy-chained together; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a stock material unit for a dunnage conversion machine; 
         FIG. 10  is a front view of an embodiment of two stock material units daisy-chained together; 
         FIG. 11A  is a top view of an embodiment of a strap assembly in an unwrapped configuration; 
         FIG. 11B  is an exploded, perspective view of an embodiment of the strap assembly of  FIG. 11A ; 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the strap assembly of  FIG. 11A  in a wrapped configuration; 
         FIG. 13A  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a stock material unit that includes strap assemblies of  FIG. 11A ; 
         FIG. 13B  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a stock material unit that includes strap assemblies; 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of an embodiment of supporting a three-dimensional body of a stock material unit. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A system and apparatus for converting a stock material into dunnage is disclosed. The present disclosure is generally applicable to systems and apparatus where supply material, such as a stock material, is processed. The stock material is processed by longitudinal crumple machines that form creases longitudinally in the stock material to form dunnage or by cross crimple machines that forms creases transversely across the stock material. The stock material may be stored in a roll (whether drawn from inside or outside the roll), a wind, a fan-folded source, or any other form. The stock material may be continuous or perforated. The conversion apparatus is operable to drive the stock material in a first direction, which can be a dispensing direction. The conversion apparatus is fed the stock material from the repository through a drum in a dispensing direction. The stock material can be any type of protective packaging material including other dunnage and void fill materials, inflatable packaging pillows, etc. Some embodiments use supplies of other paper or fiber-based materials in sheet form, and some embodiments use supplies of wound fiber material such as ropes or thread, and thermoplastic materials such as a web of plastic material usable to form pillow packaging material. 
     The conversion apparatus is used with a cutting mechanism operable to sever the dunnage material. More particularly, the conversion apparatus including a mechanism for cutting or assisting the cutting of the dunnage material at desired lengths is disclosed. In some embodiments, the cutting mechanism is used with no or limited user interaction. For example, the cutting mechanism punctures, cuts, or severs the dunnage material without the user touching the dunnage material or with only minor contact of the dunnage material by the user. Specifically, a biasing member is used to bias the dunnage material against or around a cutting member to improve the ability of the system to sever the dunnage material. The biased position of the dunnage material is used in connection with or separately from other cutting features such as reversing the direction of travel of the dunnage material. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, and 2  a dunnage conversion system  10  is disclosed. The dunnage conversion system  10  may include one or more of a supply of stock material  19  and a dunnage apparatus  50 . The dunnage apparatus may include one or more of a supply station  13  and a dunnage conversion machine  100 . The dunnage conversion machine  100  may include one or more of a converting station  60 , a drive mechanism  250 , and a support  12 . Generally the dunnage conversion system is operable for processing the a stock material  19 . In accordance with various embodiments, the converting station  60  includes an intake  70  that receives the stock material  19  from a supply station  13 . The drive mechanism  250  is able to pull or assist in pulling the stock material  19  into the intake  70 . In some embodiments, the stock material  19  engages an shaping member  200  prior to the intake  70 . The drive mechanism  250 , in conjunction with edge  112 , assists a user in cutting or severing dunnage material  21  at a desired point. The dunnage material  21  is converted from stock material  19 , which is itself delivered from a bulk material supply  61  and delivered to the conversion station for converting to dunnage material  21  and then through the drive mechanism  250  and the cutting edge  112 . 
     In accordance with various examples, as shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , the stock material  19  is allocated from a bulk supply. The stock material  19  can be stored as stacked bales of fan-fold material. However, as indicated above, any other type of supply or stock material may be used. The stock material  19  can be contained in the supply station  13 . In one example, the supply station  13  is a cart movable relative to the dunnage conversion system  10 . The cart supports a magazine  130  suitable to contain the stock material  19 . In other examples, the supply station  13  is not moveable relative to the dunnage conversion system  10 . For example, the supply station  13  may be a single magazine, basket, or other container mounted to or near the dunnage conversion system  10 . 
     The stock material  19  is fed from the supply side  61  through the intake  70 . The stock material  19  begins being converted from dense stock material  19  to less dense dunnage material  21  by the intake  70  and then pulled through the drive mechanism  250  and dispensed in a dispensing direction A on the out-feed side  62  of the intake  70 . The material can be further converted by the drive mechanism  250  by allowing rollers or similar internal members to crumple, fold, flatten, or perform other similar methods that further tighten the folds, creases, crumples, or other three dimension structure created by intake  70  into a more permanent shape creating the low-density configuration of dunnage material. The stock material  19  can include continuous (e.g. continuously connected stacks, rolls, or sheets of stock material), semi-continuous (e.g. separated stacks or rolls of stock material), or non-continuous (e.g. single discrete or short lengths of stock material) stock material  19  allowing for continuous, semi-continuous or non continuous feeds into the dunnage conversion system  10 . Multiple lengths can be daisy-chained together. Further, it is appreciated that various structures of the intake  70  on longitudinal crumpling machines can be used, such as those intakes forming a part of the converting stations disclosed in U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2013/0092716, U.S. Publication 2012/0165172, U.S. Publication No 2011/0052875, and U.S. Pat. No. 8,016,735. Examples of cross crumpling machines include U.S. Pat. No. 8,900,111. 
     In one configuration, the dunnage conversion system  10  can include a support portion  12  for supporting the station. In one example, the support portion  12  includes an inlet guide  70  for guiding the sheet material into the dunnage conversion system  10 . The support portion  12  and the inlet guide  70  are shown with the inlet guide  70  extending from the post. In other embodiments, the inlet guide may be combined into a single rolled or bent elongated element forming a part of the support pole or post. The elongated element extends from a floor base configured to provide lateral stability to the converting station. In one configuration, the inlet guide  70  is a tubular member that also functions as a support member for supporting, crumpling and guiding the stock material  19  toward the drive mechanism  250 . Other inlet guide designs such as spindles may be used as well. 
     In accordance with various embodiments, the advancement mechanism is an electromechanical drive such as an electric motor  11  or similar motive device. The motor  11  is connected to a power source, such as an outlet via a power cord, and is arranged and configured for driving the dunnage conversion system  10 . The motor  11  is an electric motor in which the operation is controlled by a user of the system, for example, by a foot pedal, a switch, a button, or the like. In various embodiments, the motor  11  is part of a drive portion, and the drive portion includes a transmission for transferring power from the motor  11 . Alternatively, a direct drive can be used. The motor  11  is arranged in a housing and is secured to a first side of the central housing, and a transmission is contained within the central housing and operably connected to a drive shaft of the motor  11  and a drive portion, thereby transferring motor  11  power. Other suitable powering arrangements can be used. 
     The motor  11  is mechanically connected either directly or via a transmission to a drum  17 , shown in  FIG. 2 , which causes the drum  17  to rotate with the motor  11 . During operation, the motor  11  drives the drum  17  in either a dispensing direction or a reverse direction (i.e., opposite of the dispensing direction), which causes drum  17  to dispense the dunnage material  21  by driving it in the dispensing direction, depicted as arrows “A” in  FIGS. 1C and 2 , or withdraw the dunnage material  21  back into the conversion machine in the direction opposite of A. The stock material  19  is fed from the supply side  61  of the intake  70  and over the drum  17 , forming the dunnage material  21  that is driven in the dispensing direction “A” when the motor  11  is in operation. While described herein as a drum, this element of the driving mechanism may also be wheels, conveyors, belts or any other device operable to advance stock material or dunnage material through the system. 
     In accordance with various embodiments, the dunnage conversion system  10  includes a pinch portion operable to press on the material as it passes through the drive mechanism  250 . As an example, the pinch portion includes a pinch member such as a wheel, roller, sled, belt, multiple elements, or other similar member. In one example, the pinch portion includes a pinch wheel  14 . The pinch wheel  14  is supported via a bearing or other low friction device positioned on an axis shaft arranged along the axis of the pinch wheel  14 . In some embodiments, the pinch wheel can be powered and driven. The pinch wheel  14  is positioned adjacent to the drum such that the material passes between the pinch wheel  14  and the drum  17 . In various examples, the pinch wheel  14  has a circumferential pressing surface arranged adjacent to or in tangential contact with the surface of the drum  17 . The pinch wheel  14  may have any size, shape, or configuration. Examples of size, shape, and configuration of the pinch wheel may include those described in U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2013/0092716 for the press wheels. In the examples shown, the pinch wheel  14  is engaged in a position biased against the drum  17  for engaging and crushing the stock material  19  passing between the pinch wheel  14  and the drum  17  to convert the stock material  19  into dunnage material  21 . The drum  17  or the pinch wheel  14  is connected to the motor  11  via a transmission (e.g., a belt drive or the like). The motor  11  causes the drum or the pinch wheel to rotate. 
     In accordance with various embodiments, the drive mechanism  250  may include a guide operable to direct the material as it is passes through the pinch portion. In one example, the guide may be a flange  33  mounted to the drum  17 . The flange  33  may have a diameter larger than the drum  17  such that the material is kept on the drum  17  as it passes through the pinch portion. 
     The drive mechanism  250  controls the incoming dunnage material  19  in any suitable manner to advance it from a conversion device to the cutting member. For example, the pinch wheel  14  is configured to control the incoming stock material. When the high-speed incoming stock material diverges from the longitudinal direction, portions of the stock material contacts an exposed surface of the pinch wheels, which pulls the diverging portion down onto the drum and help crush and crease the resulting bunching material. The dunnage may be formed in accordance with any techniques including ones referenced to herein or ones known such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2013/0092716. 
     In accordance with various embodiments, the conversion apparatus  10  can be operable to change the direction of the stock material  19  as it moves within the conversion apparatus  10 . For example, the stock material is moved by a combination of the motor  11  and drum  17  in a forward direction (i.e., from the inlet side to the dispensing side) or a reverse direction (i.e., from the dispensing side to the supply side  61  or direction opposite the dispensing direction). This ability to change direction allows the drive mechanism  250  to cut the dunnage material more easily by pulling the dunnage material  19  directly against an edge  112 . As, the stock material  19  is fed through the system and dunnage material  21  it passes over or near a cutting edge  112  without being cut. 
     Preferably, the cutting edge  112  can be curved or directed downward so as to provide a guide that deflects the material in the out-feed segment of the path as it exits the system near the cutting edge  112  and potentially around the edge  112 . The cutting member  110  can be curved at an angle similar to the curve of the drum  17 , but other curvature angles could be used. It should be noted that the cutting member  110  is not limited to cutting the material using a sharp blade, but it can include a member that causes breaking, tearing, slicing, or other methods of severing the dunnage material  21 . The cutting member  110  can also be configured to fully or partially sever the dunnage material  21 . 
     In various embodiments, the transverse width of the cutting edge  112  is preferably about at most the width of the drum  17 . In other embodiments, the cutting edge  112  can have a width that is less than the width of the drum  17  or greater than the width of the drum  17 . In one embodiment, the cutting edge  112  is fixed; however, it is appreciated that in other embodiments, the cutting edge  112  could be moveable or pivotable. The edge  112  is oriented away from the driving portion. The edge  112  is preferably configured sufficient to engage the dunnage material  21  when the dunnage material  21  is drawn in reverse. The edge  112  can comprise a sharp or blunted edge having a toothed or smooth configuration, and in other embodiments, the edge  112  can have a serrated edge with many teeth, an edge with shallow teeth, or other useful configuration. A plurality of teeth are defined by having points separated by troughs positioned there between. 
     Generally, the dunnage material  21  follows a material path A as shown in  FIG. 1C . As discussed above, the material path A has a direction in which the material  19  is moved through the system. The material path A has various segments such as the feed segment from the supply side  61  and severable segment  24 . The dunnage material  21  on the out-feed side  62  substantially follows the path A until it reaches the edge  112 . The edge  112  provides a cutting location at which the dunnage material  21  is severed. The material path can be bent over the edge  112 . 
     As discussed above, any stock material may be used. For example, the stock material may have a basis weight of about at least 20 lbs., to about at most 100 lbs. Examples of paper used include 30 pound kraft paper. The stock material  19  comprises paper stock stored in a high-density configuration having a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end that is later converted into a low-density configuration. The stock material  19  is a ribbon of sheet material that is stored in a fan-fold structure, as shown in  FIG. 1A , or in coreless rolls as disclosed in Pat. Pub. No. 123456. The stock material is formed or stored as single-ply or multiple plies of material. Where multi-ply material is used, a layer can include multiple plies. It is also appreciated that other types of material can be used, such as pulp-based virgin and recycled papers, newsprint, cellulose and starch compositions, and poly or synthetic material, of suitable thickness, weight, and dimensions. 
     In various embodiments, the stock material units may include an attachment mechanism that may connect multiple units of stock material (e.g., to produce a continuous material feed from multiple discrete stock material units). Preferably, the adhesive portion facilitates daisy-chaining the rolls together to form a continuous stream of sheet material that can be fed into the converting station  70 . 
     Generally, the stock material  19  may be provided as any suitable number of discrete stock material units. In some embodiments, two or more stock material units may be connected together to provide a continuous feed of material into the dunnage conversion machine that feeds through the connected units, sequentially or concurrently (i.e., in series or in parallel). Moreover, as described above, the stock material units may have any number of suitable sizes and configurations and may include any number of suitable sheet materials. Generally, the term “sheet material” refers to a material that is generally sheet-like and two-dimensional (e.g., where two dimensions of the material are substantially greater than the third dimension, such that the third dimension is negligible or de minimus in comparison to the other two dimensions). Moreover, the sheet material is generally flexible and foldable, such as the example materials described herein. 
     In some embodiments, the stock material units may have fanfold configurations. For example, a foldable material, such as paper, may be folded repeatedly to form a stack or a three-dimensional body. The term “three-dimensional body,” in contrast to the “two-dimensional” material, has three dimensions all of which are non-negligible. In an embodiment, a continuous sheet (e.g., sheet of paper, plastic, foil) may be folded at multiple fold lines that extend transversely to a longitudinal direction of the continuous sheet or transversely to the feed direction of the sheet. For example, folding a continuous sheet that has a substantially uniform width along transverse fold lines (e.g., fold lines oriented perpendicularly relative to the longitudinal direction) may form or define sheet sections that have approximately the same width. In an embodiment, the continuous sheet may be folded sequentially in opposite or alternating directions two produce an accordion-shaped continuous sheet. For example, folds may form or define sections along the continuous sheet, which may be substantially rectangular. 
     For example, sequentially folding the continuous sheet may produce an accordion-shaped continuous sheet with sheet sections that have approximately the same size and/or shape as one another. In some embodiments, multiple adjacent section that are defined by the fold lines may be generally rectangular and may have the same first dimension (e.g., corresponding to the width of the continuous sheet) and the same second dimension that is generally along longitudinal direction of the continuous sheet. For example, when the adjacent sections are contacting one another, the continuous sheet may be configured as a three-dimensional body or a stack (e.g., the accordion shape that is formed by the folds may be compressed, such that the continuous sheet forms a three-dimensional body or stack). 
     It should be appreciated that the fold lines may have any suitable orientation relative to one another as well as relative to the longitudinal and transverse directions of the continuous sheet. Moreover, the stock material unit may have transvers folds that are parallel one to another (e.g., compressing together the sections that are formed by the fold lines may form a three-dimensional body that is rectangular prismoid) and may also have one or more folds that are non-parallel relative to the transvers folds.  FIGS. 3A-3H  illustrate various folds of a stock material unit  300  may ((showing steps or a method acts for how at least a portion of the continuous sheet material may be folded, according to an embodiment). 
     As shown in  FIG. 3A , the stock material unit  300  may define a three-dimensional body that has longitudinal, transverse, and vertical dimensions  301 ,  302 ,  303  that correspond to the longitudinal, transverse, and vertical directions of the stock material unit  300 . For ease of description, axes X, Y, and Z are identified on  FIG. 3A  and correspond to the orientation of a continuous sheet from which the stock material unit  300  may be formed as well as to the longitudinal, transverse, and vertical directions. Specifically, X-axis corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the continuous sheet (e.g., feed direction) and to the longitudinal dimension  301  of the stock material unit  300 ; Y-axis corresponds to the transverse direction of the continuous sheet and to the transverse dimension  302  of the stock material unit  300 . Moreover, the vertical dimension  303  defines the height of the stock material unit  300 , which is formed when the continuous sheet is folded repeatedly in alternating directions to form multiple adjacent sections that stack together; the Z-axis is parallel to the vertical dimension  303 . 
     Folding the continuous sheet at the transvers fold lines forms or defines generally rectangular sheet sections, such as sheet section  310 . The rectangular sheet sections may stack together (e.g., by folding the continuous sheet in alternating directions) to form the three-dimensional body that has longitudinal, transverse, and vertical dimensions  301 ,  302 ,  303 . Moreover, at least a portion of the continuous sheet may be folded about fold lines that are slanted relative to the transverse and/or longitudinal dimensions of the continuous sheet (e.g., non-parallel relative to the X-axis and Y-axis). 
     In the illustrated embodiment, a portion  320  of the continuous sheet and a portion  330  of the continuous sheet include one or more slanted folds. Moreover, in some embodiments, the portions  320  and/or  330  are larger than the sheet section  310  (e.g., perimeter of the sheet section  310  may be defined by the longitudinal and transverse dimensions  301 ,  302 , and the perimeter of the portions  320  and/or  330  may be defined by the transverse dimension and by another dimension that is greater than the longitudinal dimension  301 ). Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the portions  320  and  330  may be positioned on opposite sides of the three-dimensional body or may be separated from each other by a distance that is approximate the same as the vertical dimension  303  stock material unit  300  (e.g., the portions  320  and  330  may be at the opposing ends of the continuous sheet). 
     As shown in  FIG. 3B , the portion  320  may be folded along a slanted fold line  321  to form a section  322 . For example, the slanted fold line  321  may be non-parallel relative to the longitudinal and/or transverse directions of the continuous sheet (e.g., non-parallel relative to the X and Y axes). In the illustrated embodiment, the section  322  is generally triangular. In other embodiments, the section  322  may have other suitable shapes (e.g., the shape of the section  322  may be at least in part defined by the shape of the portion  320 ). 
     As described above, the stock material from the stock material units may be fed through the intake  70  ( FIGS. 1A-2 ). In some embodiments, the transverse direction of the continuous sheet (e.g., direction corresponding to the transverse dimension  302  ( FIG. 3A )) is greater than one or more dimensions of the intake. For example, the transverse dimension of the continuous sheet may be greater than the diameter of a generally round intake. For example, reducing the width of the continuous sheet at the start thereof may facilitate passage thereof into the intake. In some embodiments, the decreased width of the leading portion of the continuous sheet may facilitate smoother entry and/or transition or entry of a daisy-chained continuous sheet and/or may reduce or eliminate catching or tearing of the continuous sheet. Moreover, reducing the width of the continuous sheet at the start thereof may facilitate connecting together or daisy-chaining two or more stock material units. For example, connecting or daisy-chaining material with a tapered section may require smaller connectors or splice elements than for connecting a comparable sheet of full width. Moreover, tapered sections may be easier to manually align and/or connect together than full-width sheet sections. 
     In an embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 3C , the stock material unit  300  has a fold line  323  and a folded tapered section  324 . Moreover, the sections  321  and  323  collectively define or form a triangular section  328  of the stock material unit  300 . For example, the triangular section  328  may have multiple layers, such as caused by folding the sheet over itself, or may include multiple portions of the continuous sheet, which may define opposing faces of the tapered section. 
     As mentioned above, forming the triangular section  328  may facilitate connecting together or daisy-chaining multiple stock material units. Moreover, the tapered end of the triangular section  328  may facilitate initiating entry of the stock material from the stock material unit  300  into the intake of the dunnage conversion machine. In the illustrated embodiment, the stock material unit  300  is formed from a single continuous sheet of material (e.g., as described above, by folding the continuous sheet at transvers fold lines in alternating directions). Hence, for example, the triangular section  328  formed from the sections  321  and  323  generally has two layers. It should be appreciated that the triangular section  328  may have any number of layers. For example, multiple continuous sheets (e.g., overlaying one another) may be folded together at transverse fold lines (e.g., in alternating directions), and each of the sections  321  and  323  may have multiple layers that, when folded over the opposing section of the portion  320  may form a triangular section  328  with more than two layers. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the section  324  is smaller than the section  321 . For example, a portion of the section  324  may overlay or overlap onto the section  321 . Moreover, folding the section  324  at the fold line  323  may also fold a portion of the section  321  onto itself. 
     The tip of the triangular section  328  may include four layers (e.g., as compared to the portion of the triangular section  328  away from the tip and closer to the base of the triangular section  328  that has two layers). For example, additional layers at the tip of the triangular section  328  may reinforce the tip (e.g., to reduce the potential of breakage at the tip, when the tip of the triangular section  328  is attached to another stock material unit). Additionally or alternatively, the peak defined by the triangular section  328  may be generally aligned with a center of the transverse dimension of the stock material unit  300 . 
     In some embodiments, the stock material unit  300  includes a splice member or one or more portions thereof, which may be used to connect the stock material unit  300  to another stock material unit. Moreover, the triangular section  328  of the stock material unit  300  may be further folded (e.g., to accommodate storage of the stock material unit  300  and/or attachment of the stock material unit  300  to another stock material unit). 
     For example, as shown in  FIGS. 3D-3H , the triangular section  328  (that is formed by the sections  321  and  323  ( FIGS. 3A-3C )) may be first folded about fold line  325  and over sheet section  310 . Moreover, as shown in  FIG. 3E , a portion of the triangular section  328  may be further folded in an opposite direction about fold line  326 . For example, folding a portion of the triangular section  328  about fold line  326  may form a triangular section  328 ′ and another section that is shaped as a truncated triangle. 
     In some embodiments, stock material unit  300  may include a splice member  400 . For example, the splice member  400  may include a base  410  and an adhesive layer  420  positioned on the base  410 . The adhesive layer  420  may attach the splice member  400  to the triangular section  328 . Moreover, after attaching the splice member  400  to the triangular section  328 , at least a portion of the adhesive layer may be exposed. 
     Furthermore, as shown in  FIG. 3F , the triangular section  328 ′ may be further folded over fold line  327 . For example, after folding the triangular section  328 ′ over fold line  327 , a smaller triangular section  329  may be formed and may be oriented approximately perpendicular relative to the section  310  and generally parallel relative to a vertical side  340  of the stock material unit  300 . Hence, for example, the section that is defined by fold lines  321 ,  323 ,  327 , and  326  has a different orientation than the triangular section  329 . 
     As discussed below in more detail, the triangular section  329  may connect to another stock material unit, to daisy-chain the stock material unit  300  and another stock material unit (e.g., to form a continuous sheet from multiple sheets of two or more stock material units). A splice member or a portion thereof (e.g., a connector) may be secured to one or more portions of the stock material unit  300 . 
     After the above-described folding, the splice member  400  may be adhesively attached to the triangular section  329 . The splice member  400  may secure the triangular section  329  to another stock material unit. For example, the adhesive layer  420  may adhere to a sheet of another stock material unit. Including the splice member  400  together with the stock material unit  300  may facilitate attachment of the stock material unit  300  to another stock material unit (e.g., the splice member  400  may be readily available for attaching the triangular section  329  to another sheet material). 
     In an embodiment, the splice member  400  may include a removable cover  430  that may be removably attached to the adhesive layer  420  (e.g., as indicated with an arrow in  FIG. 3F ). For example, attaching the removable cover  430  to the adhesive layer  420  may protect and cover the adhesive layer  420 , such as to prevent unintentional attachment or adherence of the adhesive layer  420  (e.g., to one or more portions of the continuous sheet of the stock material unit  300 ). Moreover, as described below in more detail, the removable cover  430  may be removed from the splice member  400  to expose the adhesive layer  420  for attachment to a sheet of another stock material unit, without materially affecting the adhesive properties of the adhesive layer  420 . 
     In some embodiments, the portion  330  that is near or defines the end of the continuous sheet (e.g., opposite to the triangular section  329  ( FIG. 3F )). As shown in  FIG. 3G , the portion  330  may be folded about fold line  331  to form section  332 . Moreover, the sheet section  332  may be folded over fold line  333  and then over fold line  334 , as shown in  FIG. 3H . For example, the portion  330  may cover the triangular section  329  and over the splice member  400  (e.g., to cover and/or protect the triangular section  329 ). 
     For example, folding the portion  330  in the manner illustrated in  FIG. 3H  may form a section  335 . In some embodiments, the section  335  may be generally triangular. Alternatively, the section  335  may be formed to have any number of suitable shapes (e.g., square, rectangular, etc.). Moreover, the section  335  may define or may be located at the end of the continuous sheet that forms the stock material unit  300 . 
     As described above, the splice member  400  may be secured to a section of the stock material unit  300   a .  FIGS. 4A-4B  illustrate the splice member  400  according to an embodiment.  FIG. 4A  is a top view of the splice member  400 , and  FIG. 4B  is a cross-sectional view of the splice member  400 , at the cross-section line indicated in  FIG. 4A . In the illustrated embodiment, as described above, the splice member  400  includes the base  410 , adhesive layer  420  on the base  410 , and removable cover  430  that may cover the adhesive layer  420  and may be removed therefrom (e.g., without materially affecting the adhesive properties of the adhesive layer  420 ). For example, the removable cover  430  may include a siliconized coating. 
     Generally, the adhesive layer  420  may include any number of suitable adhesives that may secure the splice member  400  to the sheet of the stock material unit, as described above. For example, the adhesive layer  420  may include pressure-sensitive adhesive. The removable cover  430  may be removed from the splice member  400 , thereby exposing the adhesive layer  420  under the removable cover  430 . After removing the removable cover  430 , the splice member  400  may be secured to the sheet of the stock material unit. Subsequently, the removable cover  430  may be replaced back onto the adhesive layer  420 . Alternatively, a protective coating may be sprayed or otherwise coated onto the adhesive layer  420  to prevent unintentional adherence thereof (e.g., silicone may be sprayed onto the adhesive layer  420 ). 
     Moreover, while the splice member  400  is attached to the continuous sheet of a first stock material unit, the removable cover  430  may be again removed from the splice member  400  to expose the unattached portion of the adhesive layer  420  thereunder. For example, after removing the removable cover  430 , the splice member  400  may be secured to a portion of a continuous sheet of a second stock material unit, thereby connecting together or daisy-chaining the first and second stock material units, as described below in more detail. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates first and second stock material units stock material units  300   a ,  300   a ′ connected together or daisy-chained by the splice member  400 , such that the dunnage conversion machine may continuously pull the sheet material, from the first and second stock material units  300   a ,  300   a ′. Specifically, for example, section  335   a  of the stock material unit  300   a , which defines the bottom or end portion of the continuous sheet of the first stock material unit  300   a , may be connected to section  329   a ′ of the stock material unit  300   a ′, which may define the start or may be located at the beginning of the sheet of the second stock material unit  300   a′.    
     As mentioned above, the sections  335   a  of the stock material unit  300   a  and  329   a ′ of the stock material unit  300   a ′ may have generally triangular shapes. Moreover, because sections  335   a  and  329   a ′ may have multiple folds and may include multiple layers, these multiple folds can provide reinforcement to sections  335   a  and  329   a ′ to prevent or minimize tearing or failure of the connected sections (e.g., as the second stock material unit  300   a ′ is pulled into the intake  70  ( FIGS. 1A-2 )). In the illustrated embodiment, the splice member  400  may have a first portion of the adhesive layer connected to the section  335   a  and a second, different portion of the adhesive layer connected to the section  329   a ′, thereby connecting together or daisy-chaining the stock material unit  300   a  and the stock material unit  300   a′.    
     As described above, the dunnage conversion machine may include a supply station (e.g., supply station  13  ( FIGS. 1A-2 )). For example, each of the stock material units  300   a  and  300   a ′ may be placed into the supply station individually and subsequently may be connected together after placement. Hence, for example, each of the stock material units  300   a  and  300   a ′ may be suitable sized to facilitate lifting and placement thereof by an operator. Moreover, any number of stock material units may be connected or daisy-chained together. For example, connecting together or daisy-chaining multiple stock material units may produce a continuous supply of material. 
     Generally, the splice member may have any number of suitable configurations (e.g., configuration of the splice member may dependent on the configuration of the stock material units and/or folds thereof). In at least one embodiment, the splice member may include multiple adhesive surfaces that may facilitate securing the splice member to the stock material unit as well as securing together two stock material units.  FIGS. 6A-6B  illustrate a splice member  400   a  according to an embodiment. Specifically,  FIG. 6A  is the top view of the splice member  400   a , and  FIG. 6B  is the cross-sectional view of the splice member  400   a , along the cross-section indicated in  FIG. 6A . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 6A-6B , the splice member  400   a  may include a base  410   a  and a connector  420   a . As described below in more detail, the base  410   a  may secure the splice member  400   a  to one or more portions of the stock material unit, and the connector  420   a  may connect together or daisy-chain two stock material units, such that the sheets therefrom may be continuously fed into to the dunnage conversion machine. In the illustrated embodiment, the base  410   a  is larger or has a larger area than the connector  420   a . For example, providing the base  410   a  with a larger surface area than the connector  420   a  may facilitate removal of the base  410   a  from the connector  420   a.    
     Moreover, the base  410   a  may include multiple layers. For example, the base  410   a  may include a base substrate  411   a , a base adhesive layer  412   a  extending over at least a portion of a first side or face of the base substrate  411   a , and a release layer  413   a  extending over at least a portion of a second, opposite side or face of the base substrate  411   a . The connector  420   a  may include a connector substrate  421   a  and a connector adhesive layer  422   a  extending over at least a portion of a first side or face of the connector substrate  421   a  (e.g., second, opposite side of the connector substrate  421   a  may form or define an outer surface of the connector  420   a ). 
     As shown in  FIG. 6B , according to at least one embodiment, when the base  410   a  and the connector  420   a  of the splice member  400   a  are assembled in an initial configuration, the connector adhesive layer  422   a  of the connector  420   a  may be positioned adjacent to and/or in contact with the release layer  413   a  of the base  410   a . The connector  420   a  may be removed from base  410   a  (or vice versa) in a manner that maintains functional integrity of the connector adhesive layer  422   a . For example, after removing the connector  420   a  from the base  410   a , the connector  420   a  may be attached to a portion of the sheet of at least one stock material unit (e.g., at least a portion of the connector adhesive layer  422   a  may be placed into contact with the sheet, thereby securing the splice member  400   a  to the sheet). The connector adhesive layer  422   a  may include pressure-sensitive adhesive (e.g., the connector  420   a  may be pressed against the sheet of a stock material unit in the manner that activates and/or attaches the adhesive layer  422   a  to the sheet). 
     The base  410   a  may be secured to the sheet of the stock material unit. For example, the base adhesive  412   a  may be placed into contact with the sheet of the stock material unit, thereby securing the base  410   a  to the sheet. In some embodiments, the splice member  400   a  may be included with or attached to the stock material unit. For example, the base  410   a  may be attached to the sheet of the stock material unit, and the connector  420   a  or at least a portion thereof may be removed from the base  410   a  and/or from the sheet of the stock material unit, and may be used to connect the sheet of the stock material unit to the sheet of another stock material unit (e.g., as described below in more detail). 
     As mentioned above, the base  410   a  may be larger than the connector  420   a . Moreover, the splice member  400   a  may have an asymmetrical shape. For example, the splice member  400   a  may have a shape that is asymmetric about a longitudinal and/or transverse axis thereof. Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 6A , the splice member  400   a  may have an asymmetrical shape about a first axis and a symmetrical shape about another, perpendicular axis. For example, the splice member  400   a  may be generally symmetrical about axis  10 . Moreover, opposing portions of the splice member  400   a  may be asymmetrical about an axis that is perpendicular to the axis  10  (e.g., where the perpendicular axis extends through the center of the splice member  400   a.    
     The splice member  400   a  may be at least partially defined by two opposing sides  401   a ,  402   a . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 6A-6B , the sides  401   a  and  402   a  are generally linear and parallel to each other. The side  401   a  is than the side  402   a . Hence, for example, at one side the splice member  400   a  may be wider than at the opposite side. It should be appreciated, however, that the sides  401   a  and  402   a  may have any number of suitable shapes and sizes. 
     The splice member  400   a  also has nonlinear (e.g., generally curved) sides  403   a ,  404   a  that are generally opposite to each other and extend between the sides  401   a  and  402   a . Collectively, the sides  401   a - 404   a  define the perimeter of the splice member  400   a . For example, the sides  401   a - 404   a  may define a generally butterfly-shaped splice member  400   a.    
     In the illustrated embodiment, the sides  403   a  and  404   a  curve in the manner that define corresponding depressions or indentations toward the center of the splice member  400   a . For example, each of the sides  403   a  and  404   a  include an inwardly curving section (curing toward the center of the splice member  400   a ), a first slanted section extending outward from the inwardly curving section toward the side  401   a , and a second slanted section extending outward from the inwardly curving section toward the side  402   a . Moreover, first slanted sections that extend from each of the sides  403   a  and  404   a  and toward the side  401   a  may be oriented at acute angles relative thereto. Similarly, the second slanted sections that extend from each of the sides  403   a  and  404   a  and toward the side  402   a  may be oriented at acute angles relative thereto. 
     Each of the sides  403   a  and  404   a  may include a transverse, linear section that extends from the side  401   a  to the respective first slanted section. For example, the transverse, linear sections may be generally perpendicular to the side  401   a  and may extend therefrom to the end points of the first slanted sections that define portions of the sides  403   a ,  404   a . In some embodiments, the splice member  400   a  may include fillets connecting respective second slanted sections of the sides  403   a  and  404   a  to the side  402   a.    
     The base  410   a  and connector  420   a  may share and/or may be aligned along the side  402   a . For examples, the base  410   a  and connector  420   a  may terminate at the side  402   a . Moreover, as mentioned above, the base  410   a  may be larger than the connector  420   a . For example, the periphery of the base  410   a  may be defined by the sides  401   a - 404   a  (e.g., the periphery of the base  410   a  may coincide with the periphery of the splice member  400   a ). In some embodiments, at least a portion of the periphery of the base  410   a  and a portion of the periphery of the connector  420   a  may coincide with the corresponding portions of the sides  403   a  and  404   a . Moreover, for example, the periphery of the connector  420   a  may be defined by the side  402   a , portions of the sides  403   a ,  404   a , by a connector side  423   a , and linear sections  424   a ,  425   a  extending from the connector side  423   a  and terminating at the sides  403   a  and  404   a  respectively. 
     For example, the connector side  423   a  may be offset from the side  401   a  of the splice member  400   a , which defines the corresponding side of the base  410   a . The connector side  423   a  may be generally parallel to the side  401   a  of the splice member  400   a . For example, the offset between the connector side  423   a  and the side  401   a  may form a portion of the base  410   a  that is not in contact with the connector  420   a  and/or that forms the excess area of the base  410   a  (i.e., the portion by which the base  410   a  is larger than the connector  420   a ). 
     As described above, the stock material unit may include a continuous sheet that may be repeatedly folded to form or define a three-dimensional body or stack of the stock material unit.  FIGS. 7A-7G  illustrate folding of a partially folded continuous sheet to produce a stock material unit  300   b  according to an embodiment (showing steps or a method acts for how at least a portion of the continuous sheet material may be folded, according to an embodiment). Except as described herein, the stock material unit  300   b  may be similar to the stock material unit  300  ( FIGS. 3A-3H ). For example, a continuous sheet may be repeatedly folded in opposing directions, along transverse fold lines, to form sections or faces along the longitudinal direction of the continuous sheet, such that adjacent section may fold together (e.g., accordion-like) to form the three-dimensional body of the stock material unit  300   b . As shown in  FIG. 7A , after folding the continuous sheet to form the three-dimensional body or stack of the stock material unit  300   b , a portion  310   b  may remain at the top of the stack. For example, the portion  310   b  may be larger (e.g., wider) than the width or longitudinal dimension of the three-dimensional body of the stock material unit  300   b . As shown in  FIG. 7B , part of the portion  310   b  may be folded along a slanted fold line  311   b  to form a section  312   b . Specifically, for example, the slanted fold line  311   b  has a non-parallel orientation relative to the transverse and longitudinal directions of the continuous sheet of the stock material unit  300   b . Moreover, folding part of the portion  310   b  to form the section  312   b  may expose the underlying section  320   b  of the stock material unit  300   b.    
     As shown in  FIG. 7C , part of the portion  310   b  may be folded along another slanted fold line  313   b  to form section  314   b . Collectively, sections  312   b  and  314   b  form a triangular section or portion of the stock material unit  300   b . In some embodiments, the section  312   b  may be larger than the section  314   b . Moreover, the peak of the triangular section formed or defined by sections  312   b  and  314   b  may be approximately at the center of the transverse dimension of the stock material unit  300   b . For example, folding part of the portion  310   b  along the fold line  313   b  may also include folding a portion of the section  312   b  onto another portion of the section  312   b . Hence, for example, as described above, near the tip, the triangular section formed by sections  312   b  and  314   b  may include more folds than at the base thereof (e.g., near the tip, where sections  312   b  and  314   b  overlap, there may be four layers, and near the base of the triangular section there may be two layers). 
     Moreover, a portion of the triangular section that is formed by the sections  312   b  and  314   b  about a transverse fold line  315   b  to form a smaller triangular section  316   b . For example, the triangular section  316   b  may be folded over the sections  312   b  and  314   b . Moreover, least a portion of the triangular section  316   b  may be attached to a portion of a sheet of another stock material unit. Hence, for example, additional layers of the continuous sheet at the portion of the triangular section  316   b  may reinforce the portion of the triangular section  316   b  that may attach to a portion of a sheet of another stock material unit. 
     Moreover, the triangular section  316   b  may be secured to the sections  312   b  and  314   b  (e.g., to facilitate storage and/or transportation of the stock material unit  300   b ). For example, the splice member  400   a  may secure the triangular section  316   b  to the sections  312   b  and  314   b . As described above, the splice member  400   a  may have side  401   a  and side  402   a  that is shorted than the side  401   a.    
     As shown in  FIGS. 7E-7F , a portion of the triangular section  316   b  may be folded over a fold line  317   b  to form a section  318   b . For example, the folding line  317   b  may be located at a distance from an edge  321   b  of the section  320   b , such that the peak of the section  318   b  is located near or approximately at the edge  321   b  after folding. 
     Moreover, as shown in  FIG. 7E , the base  410   a  of the splice member  400   a  may be attached to the sections  312   b  and  314   b . For example, as described above, the base  410   a  may include an adhesive layer that may be adhered to the sections  312   b  and  314   b . The connector of the splice member  400   a  may be detached from the base  410   a  (e.g., the base  410   a  may be positioned such that the release layer thereof faces outward or away from the sections  312   b  and  314   b ). 
     The side  402   a  of the splice member  400   a  may be positioned near or adjacent to the fold line  317   b  of the stock material unit  300   b . Additionally or alternatively, a center of the side  402   a  may coincide with a center line of the transverse dimension of the stock material unit  300   b . For example, as shown in  FIG. 7F , section  318   b  may be folded over the base  410   a  (e.g., back over the crease or fold line  317   b ). In the illustrated embodiment, a portion of the section  318   b  may extend past the base  410   a . For example, the tip or peak of the section  318   b  may extend past the  310   a . It should be appreciated, however, that the section  318   b  may have any suitable position relative to the base  410   a . For example, a user or operator may grasp the tip of the section  318   b  to lift the section  318   b  and the connector  420   a  away from the base  410   a  of the splice member  400   a.    
     The connector  420   a  of the splice member  400   a  may be attached to the section  318   b  of the stock material unit  300   b  (e.g., the adhesive layer of the connector  420   a  may be attached to the section  318   b ). For example, connector  420   a  may be spaced away from the fold line  317   b.    
     In the illustrated embodiment, the connector  420   a  attaches the section  318  to the base  410   a . Specifically, a portion of the connector  420   a  is attached to the section  318   b  (e.g., non-removably attached) and a portion of the connector  420   a  is attached to the base  410   a . As mentioned above, the connector  420   a  may be removable attached to the base  410   a . Hence, attaching the section  318   a  to the base  410   a  with the connector  420   a  may allow detachment of the connector  420   a  together with the section  318   a  from the base  410   a  (e.g., without damaging or deactivating the adhesive of the adhesive layer of the connector  420   a ). For example, the connector  420   a  may be positioned and oriented relative to the base  410   a  in a manner that the adhesive portions of the connector  420   a  are located within the base  410   a  and do not contact any portion of the continuous sheet of the stock material unit  300   b . Hence, generally, the base  410   a  may be suitably sized to facilitate attachment of the connector  420   a . For example, after attachment to the base  410   a , edges of the connector  420   a  may be suitably spaced from the edges of the base  410   a  (e.g., to allow for ease of placing or attaching the connector  420   a  to the base  410   a  without unintentionally adhering the connector  420   a  to one or more portions of the base sheet). 
     The stock material unit  300   b  may include one or more straps that may secure the folded continuous sheet (e.g., to prevent unfolding or expansion and/or to maintain the three-dimensional shape thereof). For example, strap assemblies  500  may wrap around the three-dimensional body of the stock material unit  300   b , thereby securing together the multiple layers or sections (e.g., formed by accordion-like folds). The strap assemblies  500  may facilitate storage and/or transfer of the stock material unit  300   b  (e.g., by maintaining the continuous sheet in the folded and/or compressed configuration). 
     For example, when the stock material unit  300   b  is stored and/or transported, wrapping the three-dimensional body of the stock material unit  300   b  and/or compressing together the layers or sections of the continuous sheet that defines the three-dimensional body may reduce the size thereof. Moreover, compressing together the sections of the continuous sheet may increase rigidity and/or stiffness of the three-dimensional body and/or may reduce or eliminate damaging the continuous sheet during storage and/or transportation of the stock material unit  300   b.    
     Moreover, the strap assemblies  500  may facilitate the handling of the stock material unit  300   b . For example, the strap assemblies  500  may include a wider portion  502  and a narrower portion  503 . The narrower portion  503  may be suitably sized and/or shaped to facilitate gripping thereof by a user or operator. The wider portion  502  may facilitate securing and/or supporting the weight of the stock material unit  300   b . For example, the weight of the stock material unit  300   b  may be distributed over one or more wider sections of the corresponding strap assemblies  500 , which may reduce or avoid damaging and/or ripping the continuous sheet of the stock material unit  300   b.    
     Generally, the strap assemblies  500  may be positioned at any number of suitable locations along the transverse dimension of the stock material unit  300   b . In the illustrated embodiment, the strap assemblies  500  are positioned on opposite sides of the section  318   b  (i.e., the section  318   b  is positioned between two strap assemblies  500 ). For example, as shown in  FIG. 7G , connector  420   a  together with the section  318   b  may be detached from the base  410   a . Furthermore, the section  318   b  may be folded over the fold line  317   b  (e.g., such that the tip of the section  318   b  is positioned near the edge  321   b  of the section  320   b ). After folding the section  318   b , one or more portions of the connector adhesive layer  422   a  of the connector  420   a  may be exposed and/or may face outward relative to the three-dimensional body of the stock material unit  300   b  (e.g., one or more portions of the connector adhesive layer  422   a  of the connector  420   a  may define one or more portions of at least one outer face of the stock material unit  300   b ). 
     In the illustrated embodiment, when the stock material unit  300   b  may be connected to another stock material unit (e.g., when the adhesive layer of the connector is exposed), the connecter may be connected to a downward-facing portion of the stock material unit. For example, as described above, connector  420   a  may be attached to the section  318   b  and may be exposed for connection when the non-adhesive side or portion of the connector  420   a  faces downward. 
     As shown in  FIG. 7G , the strap assemblies  500  may be positioned relative to the section  318   b  in a manner that allows folding of the section  318   b , as described above. For example, when the stock material unit  300   b  is added to the supply station of the dunnage conversion machine, the section  318   b  may be folded in the manner described above, before removing the strap assemblies  500  from the stock material unit  300   b . It should be appreciated, however, that the stock material unit  300   b  may include any number of strap assemblies  500  that may be located or positioned at any number of suitable locations, in the manner that secures together the folds or sections of the continuous sheet of the stock material unit  300   b . Moreover, the stock material unit  300   b  may include no straps. 
     In some embodiments, another stock material unit may be placed on top of the stock material unit  300   b , such that the bottom section and/or portion of the continuous sheet thereof contacts the exposed portion(s) of the connector adhesive layer, thereby securing the continuous sheet of the stock material unit  300   b  to the continuous sheet of another stock material unit.  FIG. 8  illustrates stacking and connecting together multiple stock material units. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, portions  426   a  of the connector  420   a  protrude past the section  318   b . For example, the portions  426   a  of the connector  420   a  may protrude outward on opposing sides of the section  318   b . Moreover, in some embodiments, the protruding portions  426   a  may have generally triangular shapes. 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , stock material unit  300   b ′ may be stacked on top of stock material unit  300   b . Generally, stock material unit  300   b ′ may be similar to or the same as the stock material unit  300   b  ( FIGS. 7A-7G ). Moreover, as described above, the connector of the splice member that is included with the stock material unit  300   b  may be attached to the stock material unit  300   b ′ (e.g., as described above). For example, the connector adhesive layer of the connector that is attached to the stock material unit  300   b  may face outward or upward (e.g., as described above in connection with  FIG. 7G ). 
     Under some operating conditions, the stock material unit  300   b ′ may be placed on top of the stock material unit  300   b  after folding a portion of the continuous sheet of the stock material unit  300   b  in the manner that exposes the connector adhesive layer of the connector that is attached to the stock material unit  300   b . Hence, for example, placing the stock material unit  300   b ′ on top of the stock material unit  300   b  may contact the adhesive of the connector on the stock material unit  300   b  with a portion of the continuous sheet of the stock material unit  300   b ′, and thereby connect together the continuous sheets of the stock material unit  300   b  and stock material unit  300   b ′ (e.g., to facilitate continuous feed into the dunnage conversion machine). For example, the adhesive of the connector may be pressure sensitive-adhesive, and the pressure applied onto the connector by the portion of the continuous sheet of the stock material unit  300   b ′ (e.g., by the weight of the stock material unit  300   b ′). 
     Moreover, as mentioned above, the stock material unit  300   b ′ may be the same as the stock material unit  300   b . For example, the stock material unit  300   b ′ may include a connector that may be oriented to have the adhesive thereof face upward or outward. Hence, an additional stock material unit may be placed on top of the stock material unit  300   b ′, such as to connect together the continuous sheet of the stock material unit  300   b ′ with the continuous sheet of another stock material unit. In such manner, any suitable number of stock material units may be connected together and/or daisy-chained to provide a continuous feed of stock material into the dunnage conversion machine. 
     In some embodiments, the stock material unit may be bent.  FIG. 9  illustrates a stock material unit  300   c  according to an embodiment. Specifically, for example, the stock material unit  300   c  may be bent. In the illustrated embodiment, the stock material unit  300   c  includes a splice member  400   a  (e.g., except as otherwise described herein, the stock material unit  300   c  may be similar to the stock material unit  300  and/or stock material unit  300   b  ( FIGS. 3A-3H, 7A-7G ). The stock material unit  300   c  may be bent in the manner that protrudes the connector  420   a  of the splice member  400   a  outward relative to other portions of the stock material unit  300   c.    
     In some examples, the stock material unit  300   c  may be bent after placement into the supply station (e.g., the supply station may include a hump or a similar feature that may push a center of the stock material unit  300   c  outward or upward). Stacking or placing another, additional stock material unit on top of the bent stock material unit  300   c  may facilitate contacting the adhesive layer of the connector  420   a  with the continuous sheet of the additional stock material unit. 
     For example, the additional stock material unit may have a generally planar configuration or a generally planar bottom face (e.g., similar to or the same as the stock material unit  300   b  ( FIGS. 7A-7G )). Hence, the planar face of the additional stock material unit may first contact the adhesive layer of the connector. For example, the weight of the additional stock material unit may be initially applied on and/or near the portion that contacts the adhesive layer of the connector, thereby applying more pressure onto the adhesive layer. After the additional stock material is placed on top of the stock material unit  300   c , the additional stock material unit may conform to the shape of the stock material unit  300   c . For example, as shown in  FIG. 10 , stock material unit stock material unit  300   c ′ that is placed on top of the stock material unit  300   c  conforms to the bent shape of the stock material unit  300   c.    
     Referring back to  FIG. 9 , the stock material unit  300   c  may include a support  600  that may shape or bend the three-dimensional body defined by the folded continuous sheet of the stock material unit  300   c . For example, the support  600  may be plastic or cardboard. Moreover, the support  600  may be a rib, a plate, etc., and may be secured to the three-dimensional body of the stock material unit  300   c  (e.g., with one or more straps, such as strap assemblies  500  ( FIG. 7F )). The stock material unit  300   c  may be placed into the supply station together with the support. For example, the bottom of the supply station may be generally flat or planar, and the support that is attached to the three-dimensional body of the stock material unit  300   c  may shape the stock material unit  300   c  in the manner that protrudes the connector  420   a  outward relative to other portions of the top face of the stock material unit  300   c.    
     While the splice assemblies described herein may be used with stock material units that have a folded continuous sheet (e.g., fanfold material), it should be appreciated that the splice assemblies may be use with and/or included in stock material units that include one or more sheets of any number of suitable configurations or combinations. For example, as described above, stock material units may include a continuous sheet that is configured into a roll, may include multiple sheets that are stacked together and/or positioned near one another, etc. 
     As described above, the stack of fanfold material may be wrapped or bundled by one or more straps that may compress and/or secure together sections of the fanfold material (e.g., to securely form a three-dimensional body).  FIGS. 11A-11B  illustrate the strap assembly  500  in an unwrapped configuration according to an embodiment. Specifically,  FIG. 11A  is the top view of the strap assembly  500 , and  FIG. 11B  is a perspective, exploded view of the strap assembly  500 . 
     In some embodiments, the strap assembly  500  includes a base sheet  510 , a reinforcement member  520 , and an adhesive  530 . As described below in more detail, the adhesive  530  may secure opposing ends of the strap assembly  500  to reconfigure the strap assembly  500  from the unwrapped into wrapped configuration. Furthermore, in at least one embodiment, the strap assembly  500  includes a laminate layer  540 . 
     Generally the strap assembly  500  is relatively thin or sheet-like. For example, overall thickness of the strap assembly  500  may be from 0.001 inch to 0.050 inch. It should be appreciated, however, that the strap assembly  500  may be thinner than 0.001 inch or thicker than 0.050 inch. 
     Moreover, in the illustrated embodiment the strap assembly  500  has an elongated shape. For example, longitudinal dimension  501  of the strap assembly  500  may be greater than a transverse direction thereof (e.g., measured along a direction that is perpendicular to the longitudinal dimension). The longitudinal dimension  501  is suitable to facilitate wrapping the strap assembly  500  about a fanfold stack (e.g., as described above) or about any other material stack or roll and to secured the portion of the strap assembly  500  that includes the adhesive  530  to an opposing portion of the strap assembly  500 . 
     The adhesive  530  is generally located at or near a first end of the strap assembly  500 . The strap assembly  500  may be wrapped or looped, such that the first end of the strap assembly  500 , which has the adhesive  530 , is positioned over at least a portion of the second end of the strap assembly  500 . Moreover, the adhesive  530  may secure together the first and second ends of the strap assembly  500 , to suitably secure the material about which the strap assembly  500  is wrapped. For example, wrapping the strap assembly  500  may include adjusting the strap assembly  500  to a suitable size and/or to have a suitable tension against the three-dimensional body wrapped thereby (e.g., to suitably compress the three-dimensional body). 
     The transverse dimension of the strap assembly  500  may vary along the longitudinal direction of the strap assembly  500 . For example, as shown in  FIGS. 11A-11B , the strap assembly  500  has a first portion  502  that extends longitudinally from and defines the first end of the strap assembly  500 ; a second portion  503  that extends longitudinally from the first portion  502 , and a third portion  504  that extends from the section portion  503  and defines the end of the strap assembly  500 . Hence, for example, the second portion  502  is located between the first and third portions  502 ,  504 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the second portion  503  is narrower than the first and third portions  502 ,  504  (e.g., the transverse dimension of the second portion  503  is smaller than transverse dimensions of the first and third portions  502 ,  504 ). For example, as a ratio of the width or transverse dimension of the first and/or third portions  502 ,  504 , the width or transverse dimension of the second portion  503  may be in one or more of the following ranges (described as the ratio of the width of the second portion  503  to first/third portion  502 / 504 ): from 1:1.1 to 1:4, from 1:3 to 1:6, from 1:5 to 1:10. It should be appreciated that in other embodiments the ratio of the width or transverse direction of the second portion  503  to the width or transverse dimension of the first and/or third portions  502 ,  504  may be greater than 1:1.1 or less than 1:10 (i.e., the width of the second section may be wider than 91% of the width of the first or third portion  502 ,  504  or narrower than 10% of the width of the first or third portion  502 ,  504 ). For example, the width of the second portion  503  may be at least 50% smaller than the width of the first and/or third portions  502 ,  504 . As shown in the drawings, in this embodiment, the length of the reinforcement member  520  is substantially the same as the base sheet  510 . In this embodiment, the width, or transverse dimension, of the reinforcement member  520  is less than the width, or transverse dimensions, of the first and third portions  502 ,  504 . The width, or transverse dimension, of the reinforcement member  520  is close to or slightly less than the width, or transverse dimension, of the second portion  503 . Therefore the ratio of the width, or transverse dimension, of the reinforcement member  520  to the width, or transverse dimensions, of the first/third portions  502 ,  504  can be less than one or more of the above ratios or percentages. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the second section  503  is sized to facilitate gripping or grasping by an operator. For example, as described below in more detail, when the strap assembly  500  is reconfigured into a wrapped configuration, the second section  503  may be suitably exposed or available to the operator, such that the operator may grasp the strap assembly  500  at the second section  503  (e.g., the second section may form or define a handle, when the strap assembly  500  is in the wrapped configuration). 
     The periphery or perimeter of the strap assembly  500  may be defined by the edges that define the first, second, and third portions  502 ,  503 , and  504 . In some embodiments, the strap assembly  500  includes fillets  505  that may define at least a portion of the transition between the first section  502  and the second section  503  and/or between the third section  504  and the second section  503 . Hence, for example, the periphery of the strap assembly  500  may be also defined by the fillets  505 . 
     Generally, the base sheet  510 , reinforcement member  520 , and laminate layer  540  of the strap assembly  500  may include any number of suitable materials. For example, the base sheet  510  may include a suitable sheet material, such as paper, plastic sheet, cardboard, etc. (e.g., the base sheet  510  may include Kraft paper). The reinforcement member  520  may include any number of suitable materials that may suitably reinforce the base sheet  510  to facilitate handling of the material secured or wrapped by the strap assembly  500  (e.g., by grasping the second section  503  when the strap assembly  500  is in the wrapped configuration). For example, the reinforcement member  520  may include a fiber reinforced tape or sheet (e.g., intertape polymer group fiber) that may be secured to the base sheet  510 . 
     The reinforcement member  520  may be directly secured to the base sheet  510  (e.g., by adhering or bonding or mechanically securing the reinforcement member  520  directly to the base sheet  510 ). Alternatively, the reinforcement member  520  may be indirectly secured to the base sheet  510 . For example, one or more intervening members may be secured between the reinforcement member  520  and the base sheet  510 . Furthermore, the reinforcement member  520  may be substantially continuously and secured to the base sheet  510 . For example, the suitable portion of the surface area of the reinforcement member  520  may be secured to the base sheet  510 . Moreover, a suitable length of the reinforcement member  520  may be secured to the base sheet  510 . In the illustrated embodiment, the laminate layer  540  is located between the base sheet  510  and the reinforcement member  520 . 
     The laminate layer  540  may include any number of suitable materials that may be attached to the base sheet  510  (e.g., bonded or mechanically secured). For example, the laminate layer  540  may include a plastic sheet, such as a polyethylene laminate, and may have any suitable thickness (e.g., 1 mil, 1.7 mil, 2 mil). In some embodiments, the laminate layer  540  may be coated onto the base sheet  510  (e.g., sprayed, rolled). 
     The adhesive  530  may be any suitable adhesive (e.g., pressure sensitive adhesive). In some embodiments, adhesive  530  may be the coated onto the laminate layer  540  or base sheet  510 . Alternatively, the laminate layer  540  may be included on a sheet that may be attached to the laminate layer  540  or base sheet  510 . For example, the adhesive  530  may be included on a double-sided adhesive tape (e.g.,  3 M X-series general purpose double coated tape). In any event, for example, the adhesive  530  may secure the third portion  504  (a second end) to the first portion  502  (a first end), thereby reconfiguring the strap assembly  500  from the unwrapped configuration into the wrapped configuration. 
       FIG. 12  illustrates an example of the strap assembly  500  in the wrapped configuration according to an embodiment. For example, as shown in  FIG. 12 , the third portion  504  of the strap assembly  500  is secured to the first portion  502  of the strap assembly  500  (e.g., opposing ends of the strap assembly  500  are secured together). Moreover, the second portion  503  is positioned at the top, such as to form a handle for the stack material unit wrapped by the strap assembly  500 . In the illustrated embodiment, the base sheet  510  may have a first face oriented to face outward (e.g., such that the reinforcement member  520  is concealed by the base sheet  510 , when the strap assembly  500  is wrapped about the three-dimensional body of the sock material unit). For example, the reinforcement member  520  may be concealed between the three-dimensional body and the base sheet  510 . Alternatively, the strap assembly  500  may be wrapped in the manner that the reinforcement member  520  faces outward or defines at least a portion of an outward facing side or face of the strap assembly  500 . 
     The strap assembly  500  may be wrapped about a material stack that defines a three-dimensional body with a generally rectangular cross-section (e.g., the strap assembly  500  may at least partially conform to the outer shape of the material stack). For example, as shown in  FIG. 13A , a stock material unit  300   b  may include a fanfold material stack that defines the three-dimensional body thereof and two strap assemblies  500  that secured together multiple sections of the fanfold. It should be appreciated, however, that the strap may conform to any number of suitable shapes (e.g., round, polygonal, irregular). Furthermore, as shown in  FIG. 13A , the strap assemblies  500  may wrap about the three-dimensional body such that one, some, or each of the strap assemblies  500  contact four peripheral surfaces of the three-dimensional body (e.g., the strap assemblies  500  may secure the sheet material that defines the three-dimensional body without additional devices or elements). 
     In some embodiments, after the strap assemblies  500  are wrapped about the three-dimensional body of the stock material unit, the second portion  503  of each of the strap assemblies  500  (which is narrower than the remaining portions of the strap assemblies  500 ) may be accessible to a user or operator for grasping. For example, as shown in  FIG. 13A , the second portion  503  of each of the strap assemblies  500  may span across a peripheral face of the three-dimensional body of the stock material assembly  300   b  (e.g., the second portion  503  may span across the top face of the three-dimensional body, in the longitudinal direction). Hence, for example, the second portion  503  of each of the strap assemblies  500  may form or define corresponding handles that may be grasped by a user or operator for lifting and/or carrying the stock material unit  300   b.    
     The strap assemblies  500  may be spaced from each other along a traverse direction of the three-dimensional body of the stock material unit  300   b . For example, the strap assemblies may be spaced from each other such that the center of gravity of the three-dimensional body is located between two strap assemblies  500 . Optionally, the strap assemblies  500  may be equidistantly spaced from the center of gravity. 
     As described above, the stock material unit  300   b  may be placed into a dunnage conversion machine. Additionally or alternatively, multiple stock material units (e g, similar to or the same as the stock material unit  300   b ) may be stacked on top of another in the dunnage conversion machine. The stock material unit may include one or more strap assemblies  500 . For example, the strap assemblies  500  may remain wrapped about the three-dimensional bodies of the stock material units after placement and may be removed thereafter (e.g., the strap assemblies  500  may be cut at one or more suitable locations and pulled out). 
     Wrapping the three-dimensional body of the stock material unit  300   b  may involve positioning the three-dimensional body on one or more supports. As shown in  FIG. 14 , the three-dimensional body of the stock material unit  300   b  may be placed on supports  700   a ,  700   b ,  700   c , according to an embodiment. For example, the supports  700   a ,  700   b ,  700   c  may be positioned such as to support the three-dimensional body, so that the strap assemblies  500  may be wrapped about the three-dimensional body (e.g., without interfering with the supports  700   a ,  700   b ,  700   c ). Moreover, the supports  700   a ,  700   b ,  700   c  and the three-dimensional body of the stock material unit  300   b  may align relative to each other, such as to facilitate aligning or locating strap assemblies  500  at suitable location (e.g., as described above) relative to the three-dimensional body. 
     The narrower portion of the strap assembly may have any suitable length and/or may wrap about any portion of the stock material. As shown in  FIG. 13B , for example, strap assemblies  500   c  may secure the stock material of the stock material unit  300   c . In the illustrated embodiment, narrower portion  503   c  of the strap assembly  500   c  may extend over two or more surfaces or faces of the three-dimensional body defined by the stock material. For example, the strap assembly  500   c  may include a portion  502   c  that extends along a portion of a face of the three-dimensional body, and the narrower portion  503   c  may extend along another portion  503   c ′ of the same face as well as along a portion or an entire width (or length) of another face of the three-dimensional body. For example, a user or operator may have access to the narrower portion  503   c , which may facilitate removal of the strap assembly  500   c  (e.g., the narrow portion  503   c  may be severed). 
     The portion  503   c ′ may extend along the front face of the three-dimensional body by any suitable distance. For example, the portion  503   c ′ may have a length in one or more of the following ranges: from 0.5 inch to 1.5 inch, from 1 inch to 2 inch, from 0.7 inch to 3 inches. The length of  503   c ′ portion may be outside for the above-described range. Moreover, the portion  503   c ′ may span a selected portion or percentage of the height of the front face of the three-dimensional body, which may be in one or more of the following ranges: from 5% to 15%, from 10% to 30%, from 25% to 50%. It should be appreciated that the length of the portion  503   c ′ may be outside of the above-described percentage ranges. 
     As shown in  FIG. 14 , supporting the three-dimensional body of the stock material unit  300   b  on the supports  700   a ,  700   b ,  700   c  may form or define passageways  701   b  and  701   b . For example, the passageways  701   a ,  701   b  may be suitably sized and shaped to facilitate the passage of the strap assemblies  500  therethrough. Moreover, the passageways  701   a ,  701   b  may be suitably positioned relative to periphery and/or center of gravity of the three-dimensional body of the stock material unit  300   b . For example, the passageways  701   a ,  701   b  may facilitate positioning and/or aligning of the strap assemblies  500  relative to the three-dimensional body of the stock material unit  300   b  (e.g., as described above). 
     While, as described above, in some embodiments three supports may be used to wrap the three-dimensional body with the strap assemblies  500 , additional or alternative embodiments may include fewer or more supports. For example, the three-dimensional body may be supported by a single support (e.g., by the support  700   a ). In other embodiments, the three-dimensional body may be supported by two support (e.g., by support  700   b  and  700   c ). 
     Furthermore, it should be appreciated that, generally, the three-dimensional body of any of the stack material units described herein may be, stored, transported, used in a dunnage conversion machine, or combinations thereof without any wrapping (or strapping) or with a different strap or wrapping than the strap assembly  500  ( FIGS. 11A-11B ). For example, a twine, paper, shrink-wrap, and other suitable wrapping or strapping material may secure together one or more sheets that define the three-dimensional body of any of the stock material unit described herein. Similarly, the above-described method and structure of supporting the three-dimensional body of the stock material unit may facilitate wrapping or three-dimensional body with any number of suitable wrapping or strapping materials and/or devices.