Patent Publication Number: US-2022234324-A1

Title: Stock material with daisy chain connectors

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/510,521, filed Jul. 12, 2019, which claims the benefit of priority pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/783,779, filed Dec. 21, 2018, and of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/697,148, filed Jul. 12, 2018, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This disclosure is in the field of packaging systems and materials. More specifically, this disclosure relates to stock material units for forming 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., daisy chaining the two supply units together). 
     SUMMARY 
     A stock material unit for a dunnage conversion machine is provided herein. The stock material unit includes a supply unit including a first strip of sheet material arranged in a high-density configuration and including a first end and a second end opposite the first end. A splicing member is releasably stuck to the supply unit. The splicing member includes a connector that includes a bonding member releasably stuck to the supply unit in a first position. The splicing member is releasable from the first position on the supply unit and repositionable to a second position on the supply unit by the bonding member. In the second position the bonding member is positioned for sticking to a second end of a second strip of sheet of the material to daisy chain the first and second strips of sheet material. 
     In accordance with various embodiments, a method for daisy chaining separate stock material units for a dunnage conversion machine is provided. The method includes providing a stock material unit for a dunnage conversion machine. The stock material unit includes a supply unit with a first strip of sheet material arranged in a high-density configuration and including a first end and a second end opposite the first end. A splicing member is releasably stuck to the supply unit, the splicing member includes a connector that includes a bonding member releasably stuck to the supply unit in a first position. The method includes removing the splicing member from the first position on the supply unit; and applying the splicing member to a second position on the supply unit in which the connector is stuck to the first end by the bonding member. In the second position, the bonding member is positioned for sticking to a second end of a second continuous sheet of the material to daisy chain the first and second strips of sheet material. 
     A stock material unit for a dunnage conversion machine is provided herein. The stock material unit includes a first strip of sheet material at least partially defining a three-dimensional configuration and including a first end and a second end opposite the first end; and a splicing member. The first splicing member includes a first cohesive layer affixed to a first end of the sheet material, and a second cohesive layer affixed to a second end of the sheet material. The cohesive layers are of a cohesive material that bonds strongly to corresponding cohesive layers, and has a weak bond to the strip of sheet material. The first and second cohesive layers are positioned for cohesively adhering to a cohesive at an end of a second strip of sheet material of a second stock material unit of the same construction as the stock material unit to daisy chain the first and second strips of sheet material together. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         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-3E  are perspective views 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. 3F  is a perspective view of an embodiment of two folded stock material units of  FIG. 3A  stacked and bound with a stack retainer; 
         FIG. 4A  is a top view of an embodiment of a stack retainer in an unwrapped configuration; 
         FIG. 4B  is an exploded, perspective view of an embodiment of the stack retainer of  FIG. 4A ; 
         FIG. 4C  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the stack retainer of  FIG. 4A  in a wrapped configuration; 
         FIG. 5A  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a stock material unit; 
         FIG. 5B  is a cross-sectional view of a connector of the stock material unit of  FIG. 5A ; 
         FIG. 5C  is a perspective view of a connector of the stock material unit of  FIG. 5A  transitioning from a connector closed position to a connector open position; 
         FIG. 5D  is a top view of the connector of  FIG. 5C  positioned in the open position; 
         FIG. 5E  is a side view of the connector of the stock material unit of  FIG. 5A  transitioning from a closed position to an open position; 
         FIG. 5F  is a perspective view of the stock material unit of  FIG. 5A  with the connector positioned in a second position; 
         FIG. 5G  is a side view of an embodiment of a connector of the stock material unit of  FIG. 5A  transitioning from a closed position to an open position; 
         FIG. 6A  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a stock material unit; 
         FIG. 6B  is a perspective view of the stock material unit of  FIG. 6A  with a connector transitioning from a first position to a second position; 
         FIG. 6C  is a perspective view of the stock material unit of  FIG. 6A  with the connector positioned in a second position; 
         FIG. 7A  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a stock material unit; 
         FIG. 7B  is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the stock material unit of  FIG. 7A ; 
         FIG. 7C  is a perspective view of the embodiment of the stock material unit of  FIG. 7A  with the connector being transitioned to a second position; 
         FIG. 7D  is a perspective view of the embodiment of the stock material unit of  FIG. 7A  with the cover being removed; 
         FIG. 7E  is a perspective view of the embodiment of the stock material unit of  FIG. 7A  with the cover removed; 
         FIG. 8A  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a stock material unit. 
         FIG. 8B  is a perspective view of the embodiment of the stock material unit of  FIG. 8A  in the process of being assembled with another stock material unit; 
         FIG. 9A  is a perspective exploded view of an embodiment of a stock material unit; 
         FIG. 9B  is a perspective view of the embodiment of the stock material unit of  FIG. 9A ; 
         FIG. 9C  is an alternate perspective view of the embodiment of the stock material unit of  FIG. 9A ; 
         FIG. 10A  is a perspective exploded view of an embodiment of a stock material unit; 
         FIG. 10B  is an alternate perspective view of the embodiment of the stock material unit of  FIG. 10A  with the stack retainer removed; 
         FIG. 11A  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a stock material unit with a connector in a first position; 
         FIG. 11B  is a perspective view of the stock material unit of  FIG. 11A  with the connector in a second position; 
         FIG. 11C  a cross-sectional view of a portion of the stock material unit of  FIG. 11A ; and 
         FIG. 11D  is a perspective view of the stacking of stock material units of  FIG. 11A  with the connector in the second position to connect the two units. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A system and apparatus for converting a stock material, such as that in a stock material unit, into dunnage is disclosed. The present disclosure is generally applicable to systems and apparatus where stock material, such as a stock material unit including a strip of sheet material, is processed. In some embodiments, the stock material is processed by a conversion apparatus, such as a dunnage conversion machine(s) including longitudinal crumple machine(s) that form creases longitudinally in the stock material to form dunnage or by cross crumple machine(s) that forms creases transversely across the stock material. In some embodiments, other types of machines may be used to process the stock material. For example, an apparatus such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,771,338 B2 or U.S. Patent Pub. Nos. US 2016/0151991 A1, US 2017/0021585 A1, or U.S. 2017/0095991 A1, and the contents thereof are fully incorporated herein. The stock material may be continuous. The stock material can have perforations that extend through all or portion of the thickness of the stock material. Perforations can extend in a transverse or longitudinal directions, or a combination thereof, across all or a portion of the stock material. The conversion apparatus is operable to drive the stock material in a first direction, which may be a dispensing direction. In some embodiments, the conversion apparatus is fed the stock material from a repository in a dispensing direction. The stock material may include a variety of types of protective packaging material including paper or fiber-based materials in sheet form, other dunnage and void fill materials, inflatable packaging pillows, etc. Some embodiments may use supplies of thermoplastic materials, such as a web of plastic material usable to form pillow packaging material. 
     In some embodiments, the conversion apparatus is used with a cutting mechanism operable to sever the dunnage material. The conversion apparatus may include a mechanism for cutting or assisting the cutting of the dunnage material at desired lengths. In some embodiments, 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 may be used in connection with or separately from other cutting features such as reversing the direction of travel of the dunnage material through the conversion apparatus. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, and 2  an example of a dunnage conversion system  100  is disclosed. The dunnage conversion system  100  may include one or more of a supply of stock material  119  and a dunnage apparatus  150 . The dunnage apparatus  150  may include one or more of a supply station  113  and a dunnage conversion machine  102 . The dunnage conversion machine  102  may include one or more of a converting station  160 , a drive mechanism  125 , and a support portion  114 . Generally the dunnage conversion system  100  is operable for processing the stock material  119  into dunnage material  121 . In accordance with various embodiments, the converting station  160  includes an intake or inlet guide  170  that receives the stock material  119  from the supply station  113 . The drive mechanism  125  is able to pull or assist in pulling the stock material  119  into and through the intake  170 . In some embodiments, the stock material  119  engages a forming member  120  prior to the intake or inlet guide  170 . 
     The stock material  119  may be delivered from a bulk material supply to the converting station  160  for converting to dunnage material  121  and then through the drive mechanism  125  and the cutting edge  112 . 
     In accordance with various examples, as shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , the stock material  119  may be allocated from a bulk material supply. The stock material  119  in this embodiment is stored as stacked bales of fan-fold material. Other embodiments can have another type or configuration of supply or stock material. The stock material  119  may be contained in the supply station  113 , such as a cart, or may be positioned freely on a table or support surface. For example, the supply station  113  may be a single magazine, basket, or other container mounted to or near the dunnage conversion system  100 . 
     The stock material  119  is fed from the supply side  161  through the intake or inlet guide  170 . The stock material  119  begins being converted from dense stock material  119  to less dense dunnage material  121  by the intake or inlet guide  170  and then pulled through the drive mechanism  125  and dispensed in a dispensing direction A on the out-feed side  162  of converting station  160 . The material can be further converted by the drive mechanism  125  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  170  into a more permanent shape creating the low-density configuration of dunnage material. The stock material  119  can include continuous (e.g. continuously connected stacks, rolls, or sheets of stock material), or non-continuous (e.g. single discrete or short lengths of stock material) stock material  119  allowing for continuous, semi-continuous or non-continuous feeds into the dunnage conversion system  100 . Multiple lengths can be daisy-chained together. 
     A motor  111  or other suitable advancement mechanism can be used to drive the dunnage conversion system  100 . The motor  111  can be controlled by a user of the system, for example, by a foot pedal, a switch, a button, an automated controller, or other suitable system. The motor  111  is part of a drive portion of the dunnage conversion system  100 , and the drive portion includes a transmission for transferring power from the motor  111 . Alternatively, a direct drive can be used. The motor  111  is arranged in a housing and is secured to a first side of a central housing, and a transmission is contained within the central housing and operably connected to a drive shaft of the motor  111  and a drive portion, thereby transferring motor  111  power. Other suitable powering arrangements can be used. 
     The motor  111  of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , drives a drum  117 , which causes the drum  117  to rotate with the motor  111  in a dispensing direction, which causes drum  117  to dispense the dunnage material  121  by driving it in the dispensing direction, depicted as arrows “A” in  FIG. 1C . The drum  117  can also be driven, such as by the motor  111  or other driving element, in a reverse direction (i.e., opposite of the dispensing direction) to withdraw the dunnage material  121  back into the conversion machine in the direction opposite of A, such as to assist in cutting the material or to cut the material against a blade, as disclosed, for example in US. Patent Pub. Nos. U.S. 2016/0151991 A1, U.S. 2017/0021585 A1, and U.S. 2017/0095991 A1. The stock material  119  is fed from the supply side  161  of the converting station  161  and over the drum  117 , forming the dunnage material  121  that is driven in the dispensing direction “A” when the motor  111  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. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , some embodiments of the dunnage conversion system  100  may include a pinch portion operable to press on the material as it passes through the drive mechanism  125  ( FIGS. 1A-1C ). 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  114 . The pinch wheel can be powered and driven. The pinch wheel  114  is positioned adjacent to the drum such that, during operation, the material passes between the pinch wheel  114  and the drum  117 . The pinch wheel  114  may have a variety of sizes, shapes, or configurations. In the example of  FIG. 2 , the pinch wheel  114  is engaged in a position biased against the drum  117  for engaging and crushing the stock material  119  passing between the pinch wheel  114  and the drum  117  to convert the stock material  119  into dunnage material  121 . 
     In operation, the stock material  119  may be pulled into and through the intake or inlet guide  170 . The drive mechanism  125  may control the incoming stock material  119  in a suitable manner to advance it through the converting station  160  to form the dunnage material  121  and advance the dunnage material  121  to the cutting edge  112 . Material path A, shown in  FIG. 1C , illustrates the path of the stock material  119  through the apparatus and is converted into the dunnage material  121 . 
     As discussed above, a variety of stock material may be used. For example, the stock material  119  is typically a paper sheet material, such as kraft paper or other suitable paper, typically having a basis weight of about at least 20 lbs., typically to about at most 100 lbs. In some embodiments, the stock material  119  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. In some embodiments, the stock material  119  is a ribbon of sheet material that is stored in a fan-fold structure, as shown in  FIG. 1A , or in coreless rolls. The stock material  119  may be 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 some embodiments, the stock material  119  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  102  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 each include a strip of sheet material with fanfold configurations. For example, a foldable or rollable material, such as paper, may be folded repeatedly to form a stack or a three-dimensional body or fan folded bale. In some embodiments, the stock material units can each include a strip of sheet material in a rolled configuration. 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 strip of sheet material may be folded at multiple fold lines that extend transversely to a longitudinal direction of the sheet or transversely to the feed direction of the sheet. In some examples, the strip of sheet material may include a sheet of paper, plastic, foil, or a hybrid material made from a combination thereof. For example, folding a continuous sheet that has a substantially uniform width along transverse fold lines (for example, 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 strip of sheet material may be folded sequentially in opposite or alternating directions to produce an accordion-shaped strip of sheet material. For example, folds may form or define sections along the strip of sheet material, which may be substantially rectangular. 
     In some examples, sequentially folding the strip of sheet material may produce an accordion-shaped strip of sheet material with sheet sections that have approximately the same size and/or shape as one another. In some embodiments, multiple adjacent sections that are defined by the fold lines may be generally rectangular and may have the same first dimension, for example corresponding to the width of the continuous sheet, and the same second dimension that is generally along a 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. In some embodiments, 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 transverse folds that are parallel one to another, for example compressing together the sections that are formed by the fold lines may form a three-dimensional body that is rectangular prismoid. In some embodiments, the stock material unit may also have one or more folds that are non-parallel relative to the transverse folds. 
     In various embodiments, one or more of units of stock material  119  may include a splice member that may be used to connect or couple multiple units of stock material to produce a continuous material feed so that a continuous stream of material may be fed into the converting station  160 . In some embodiments, the splice member is used to daisy chain a first strip of sheet material to a second strip of sheet material. 
     Pressure sensitive adhesives may be selected that bond non-adhesive members together after applying a slight, initial, external pressure to create the bond. Examples of these include water-based, acrylic, pressure sensitive adhesives, similar to what is applied to packaging tape in that the material holds two surfaces together solely by surface contact, often upon a slight initial external pressure. Pressure sensitive adhesives can be selected that are aggressive and permanently tacky at room temperature. Examples of water based, acrylic, pressure sensitive adhesives include those known as RHOPLEX N-1031 Emulsion, RHOPLEX N-580 Emulsion, and RHOPLEX N-619 Emulsion. 
     In some embodiments, dry adhesives may also be used, as they may typically not require activation with water, solvent or heat, and firmly adhere to many dissimilar surfaces. Other emulsion polymers or acrylic polymer blend adhesives are also contemplated and other suitable types of adhesives and of contact adhesives can be used. 
     In some examples, the adhesive layer is pressure sensitive such that the adhesive layer forms an adhesive bond with a non-adhesive member when pressure is applied to the adhesive layer and the non-adhesive member. In some examples, the adhesive layer is not pressure sensitive such that the adhesive layer forms an adhesive bond with a non-adhesive member when little to no pressure is applied to the adhesive layer and the non-adhesive member, and instead, the adhesive layer contacts the non-adhesive member and a bond is formed. In an example, the adhesive layer may be in the form of a double sided tape that may be used to secure the first non-adhesive member to the second non-adhesive member. 
     In some embodiments, the adhesive layer includes an adhesive layer capable or configured to hold or couple two non-adhesive members together by surface attachment or interlocking action. In some examples, the adhesive layer includes a substrate with a layer of adhesive applied or bonded to at least one surface. In some examples, the adhesive layer includes a substrate with a layer of adhesive on a first surface and a layer of adhesive on a second surface, where the second surface is opposite the first surface. 
     In use, in an example, the adhesive layer may be secured to a first non-adhesive member through a surface attraction or interfacial force. In some examples, the first non-adhesive member may be coupled with, attached to, or form part of a stack retainer or a strip of sheet material. The adhesive layer secured to the first non-adhesive member may then be secured to a second non-adhesive member, thereby securing together the first non-adhesive member and the second non-adhesive member. In some examples, the second non-adhesive member may be an alternate or second strip of sheet material. 
     In some embodiments, the securement or adhesion of the first non-adhesive member and the second non-adhesive member is generally permanent, such that the first non-adhesive member and the second non-adhesive member may not be easily separated. In some embodiments, the securement or adhesion of the first non-adhesive member and the second non-adhesive member may be non-permanent, such that the first non-adhesive member and the second non-adhesive member may be easily separated. 
     In some examples, the connector may include an adhesive layer and a release layer. In some examples, the connector can include an adhesive layer and a substrate with a release property such that the adhesive layer may be releasably stuck to the substrate. The adhesive layer may be initially positioned adjacent the release layer to allow for the easy separation of the adhesive layer with respect to the release layer. In some examples, a connector having an adhesive layer may be positioned in a first position adjacent a release layer. In some examples, the first position may include a shipping and handling position, which is remote from the position used for splicing the sequential strips of supply material. In such examples, a user repositions the connector to a second position so that the connector may be used to splice or connect the components of two stock material units together. 
     In some embodiments, the bonding member includes a cohesive layer, or a combination of an adhesive layer and a cohesive layer. A cohesive, as defined herein, differs from an adhesive in that an adhesive bonds strongly, of sufficiently strongly to other materials such as the stock material to enable splicing and maintaining the splicing during feeding to and through, and conversion by, the conversion machine  102 , while a cohesive bonds strongly, or sufficiently strongly for such splicing, to another cohesive of similar composition, cohesives bond weakly to other materials, including the stock material. Comparatively, cohesives bond or adhere to similar cohesives far more strongly than to other surfaces, in some embodiments including paper. Consequently, in embodiments, cohesives do not require a release layer. In some embodiments, the connector includes a cohesive instead of, or alternatively in addition to, an adhesive. While a release layer is not required with a cohesive connector embodiment, a cover, such as a cover not coated with a release layer, may still be used to protect the cohesive from contamination or damage during the shipping and handling process. A cohesive material of the connector causes one cohesive surface to stick to an opposing cohesive surface by coming into contact with the same or a complimentary cohesive substance to form the bond between the two cohesive surfaces. 
     Cohesives or a cohesive including a cohesive layer, as defined herein, in which opposing cohesives stick to one another, may not stick to other, non-cohesive substances sufficiently to adhere to those other substances. In some embodiments, the cohesive, which may also include a cohesive layer, does not exhibit a strong adhesion, securement, or bonding force to non-cohesive surfaces, members, or items. The cohesive does exhibit a strong adhesion, securement, or bonding force to other cohesive surfaces, members, or items. 
     A cohesive can be a pressure sensitive cohesive, in which pressure is required to activate the bond. Examples of a suitable cohesive material from which the cohesive layer can be made include natural and synthetic latex-based cohesives. The cohesive material in some embodiments is applied as a liquid to the appropriate portion of the connector, and in others is applied in other known forms. Some types of cohesives, such as ones made with latex, are mixed with water without additional adhesives to bond to the respective, non-cohesive, portion of the connector, such as a substrate, and upon drying remain stuck to the exposed surface of the substrate to which it has been applied. 
     In some embodiments, the cohesive material can be mixed with an adhesive material, for example as applied as a liquid, onto a portion of the connector. The adhesive can be selected so that after applying the cohesive and adhesive mixture onto a portion of the connector, the adhesive evaporates, leaving the cohesive bonded to the non-cohesive portion of the splice member, such as a substrate or a portion of the strip of sheet material. One method of liquid application is spraying, although brushing or other suitable methods can be used. Also, other suitable methods of applying the cohesive to the non-cohesive material surface can alternatively be used. 
     In some examples, surfaces of the connector that do not have a cohesive surface or other, non-cohesive surfaces of the strip of sheet material would weakly bond or stick to the cohesive layer. 
     In use, a cohesive layer may be secured to a non-cohesive member using a semi-permanent or permanent attachment method, such as those described above. In some embodiments, a first cohesive layer may be attached to a first non-cohesive member, such as a strip of sheet material, and a second cohesive layer may be attached to a second non-cohesive member, such as an alternate strip of sheet material. In some embodiments, a user may then couple or secure the first non-cohesive member, such as a strip of sheet material, to the second non-cohesive member, such as an alternate strip of sheet material, via contacting or joining the first cohesive layer with the second cohesive layer. 
     In example connectors using a cohesive layer, a non-cohesive member, such as a section or portion of a strip of sheet material, may form a protective layer over the cohesive layer when the connector is in a first position. The protective layer may help prevent the cohesive layer from contacting debris or accidental contact with other components when the connector is positioned in the first position. The protective layer may also act as a release layer so that the cohesive layer does not form a strong bond with the protective layer and may easily be separated from the protective layer when the connector is ready to be positioned in a second position. When a user or operator is ready to position the connector in the second position, for example to daisy chain material together, the protective layer or cover may be easily removed or separated from the cohesive layer so that the cohesive layer is exposed and ready to be joined with another cohesive layer. 
     A first example of a stock material unit will now be described. In some embodiments, a stock material unit includes a strip of sheet material, a splice member including a connector, and a stack retainer. In some embodiments, a stock material unit includes a strip of sheet material and a splice member including a connector. The stock material unit can include a supply unit that has a strip of sheet material in a high-density configuration. Some embodiments of the stock material unit include a stack retainer that retains the stock material in the high-density configuration. The stock material unit can include a splice member releasably stuck to the supply unit. The splice member having a connector with a bonding material that can stick to the end of another supply unit to daisy chain the stock material. In some embodiments, multiple strips of sheet material may be daisy chained to form a continuous stream of material to feed into and through the converting machine. 
       FIGS. 3A-3E  illustrate various folds of a stock material unit  300 , including showing steps or 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 include a fan folded strip of sheet material  301  that defines a three-dimensional body that has longitudinal, transverse, and vertical dimensions  304 ,  302 ,  303  that correspond to the longitudinal, transverse, and vertical directions of the strip of sheet material  301  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 strip of sheet material  301  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 strip of sheet material (e.g., feed direction) and to the longitudinal dimension  304  of the strip of sheet material  301  of the stock material unit  300 ; Y-axis corresponds to the transverse direction of the strip of sheet material  301  and to the transverse dimension  302  of the strip of sheet material  301  of the stock material unit  300 . 
     Moreover, the vertical dimension  303  defines the height of the strip of sheet material  301  of 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 strip of sheet material  301  at the transverse 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 strip of sheet material in alternating directions) to form the three-dimensional body that has longitudinal, transverse, and vertical dimensions  304 ,  302 ,  303 . Moreover, at least a portion of the strip of sheet material  301  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). 
     For example, a portion  310  may be larger (e.g., wider) than the width or longitudinal dimension of the three-dimensional body of the strip of sheet material  301 . In some examples, the portion  310  may be similar to the width or longitudinal dimension of the three-dimensional body of the strip of sheet material  301 . In some examples, a connector may be connected or attached to the section  310  to daisy chain the strip of sheet material  301  to an alternate strip of sheet material. 
     In some examples, the strip of sheet material  301  may be further folded. As shown in  FIG. 3B , part of the portion  310  may be folded along a slanted fold line  311  to form a section  312 . Specifically, for example, the slanted fold line  311  has a non-parallel orientation relative to the transverse and longitudinal directions of the strip of sheet material  301  of the stock material unit  300 . Moreover, folding part of the portion  310  to form the section  312  may expose the underlying section  320  of the strip of sheet material  301 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3C , part of the portion  310  may be folded along another slanted fold line  313  to form section  314 . Collectively, sections  312  and  314  form a triangular section or portion of the stock material unit  300 . The section  314  can be larger than the section  312 . Moreover, the peak of the triangular section formed or defined by sections  312  and  314  may be approximately at the center of the transverse dimension of the strip of sheet material  301 . For example, folding part of the portion  310  along the fold line  313  may also include folding a portion of the section  312  onto another portion of the section  312 . Hence, for example, near the tip, the triangular section formed by sections  312  and  314  may include more folds than at the base thereof (e.g., near the tip, where sections  312  and  314  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  and  314  about a transverse fold line  315  to form a smaller triangular section  316 . For example, the triangular section  316  may be folded over the sections  312  and  314 . Moreover, at least a portion of the triangular section  316  may be attached to a portion of a sheet of another stock material unit. Hence, for example, additional layers of the strip of sheet material  301  at the portion of the triangular section  316  may reinforce the portion of the triangular section  316  that may attach to a portion of an alternate strip of sheet material of another stock material unit. Thus, a first end of the strip of sheet material can have a narrowed portion that is narrower than a main portion of the strip of material. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3F , a second stock material unit  300 ′ may be placed on top of the stock material unit  300 , such that the bottom section and/or portion of the strip of sheet material  301 ′ of the second stock material unit  300 ′ contacts a splicing feature of stock material unit  300  to daisy chain or secure the strip of sheet material  301  of the stock material unit  300  to the strip of sheet material  301 ′ of the second stock material unit  300 ′. In this manner, multiple strips of sheet material of multiple stock material units may be daisy chained or secured together using splicing features so that a continuous stream of material may be supplied to the dunnage converting machine. 
     For example, each stock material unit may include at least one splice member including a connector. In some examples, in a first position, the connector is connected or attached to the strip of sheet material. In some examples, in a first position, the connector is connected or attached to the stack retainer. In some examples, regardless of the position of the connector in the first position, in a second position, the connector daisy chains a first end of the strip of sheet material  301  of the stock material unit  300  to a second end of an alternate or second strip of sheet material  301 ′ of a second stock material unit  300 ′. 
     Various examples and features of a stack retainer will now be described. In some embodiments, a stack retainer, such as strap or wrapping member or sheet, may be used to help position or secure the folded strip of sheet material (e.g., to prevent unfolding or expansion and/or to maintain the three-dimensional shape thereof). For example, the stack retainer may wrap around the three-dimensional body of the strip of sheet material, thereby securing together the multiple layers or sections (e.g., formed by accordion-like folds). The stack retainer may facilitate storage and/or transfer of the strip of sheet material of the stock material unit (e.g., by maintaining the strip in the folded and/or compressed configuration). 
     For example, when the stock material unit is stored and/or transported, the stack retainer may wrap or surround at least a portion of the three-dimensional body of the strip of sheet material and/or compress together the layers or sections of the strip of sheet material that defines the three-dimensional body and reduce the size thereof. Moreover, compressing together the sections of the strip of sheet material may increase rigidity and/or stiffness of the three-dimensional body and/or may reduce or eliminate damaging the strip of sheet material during storage and/or transportation of the stock material unit. 
     In some embodiments, the stack retainer may surround at least a portion of the strip of sheet material, thereby forming a strap, such as strap  400  of  FIGS. 4A-4C . In some embodiments, at least two stack retainers may be used with a single strip of sheet material to form an individual stock material unit. While most of the fanfolded material remains exposed from the straps in the embodiments shown, in some examples, the stack retainer may generally surround the entire strip of sheet material, to form an enclosed package. In the examples, the stack retainers may be formed using thin strips so that most of the folded strip of material is exposed. Prior to use, the stack retainer may be removed or separated from the strip of sheet material. 
     Examples of an embodiment of a stack retainer, such as a strap assembly  400 , are shown in  FIGS. 4A-4C . The strap assemblies  400  may facilitate the handling of the stock material unit, such as a stock material unit  300 . For example, the strap assemblies  400  may include a wider portion  402  and a narrower portion  403 . The narrower portion  403  may be suitably sized and/or shaped to facilitate gripping thereof by a user or operator. The wider portion  402  may facilitate securing and/or supporting the weight of the stock material unit. For example, the weight of the stock material unit may be distributed over one or more wider sections of the corresponding strap assemblies  400 , which may reduce or avoid damaging and/or ripping the strip of sheet material of the stock material unit  300 . In some examples, the strap assemblies may have a generally constant width or size. 
     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. 4A-4B  illustrate the strap assembly  400  in an unwrapped configuration. Specifically,  FIG. 4A  is the top view of the strap assembly  400 , and  FIG. 4B  is a perspective, exploded view of the strap assembly  400 . 
     The strap assembly  400  includes a base sheet  410 , a reinforcement member  420 , and an adhesive  430 . As described below in more detail, the adhesive  430  or other connecting element may secure opposing ends of the strap assembly  400  to reconfigure the strap assembly  400  from the unwrapped into wrapped configuration. The strap assembly  400  includes a laminate layer  540 . The strap assembly can include only one or a different numbers of layers. For example, the strap assembly have only a base sheet or a base sheet and a bonding element such as an adhesive or cohesive. 
     The strap assembly  400  is relatively thin or sheet-like. The strap assembly  400  has an elongated shape. For example, longitudinal dimension  401  of the strap assembly  400  may be greater than a transverse direction thereof (e.g., measured along a direction that is perpendicular to the longitudinal dimension). The longitudinal dimension  401  is suitable to facilitate wrapping the strap assembly  400  about a fanfold stack (such as a strip of sheet material as described above) or about any other material stack or roll and to secured the portion of the strap assembly  400  that includes the adhesive  430  to an opposing portion of the strap assembly  400 . 
     The adhesive  430  may be generally located at or near a first end of the strap assembly  400 . The strap assembly  400  may be wrapped or looped, such that the first end of the strap assembly  400 , which has the adhesive  430 , is positioned over at least a portion of the second end of the strap assembly  400 . Moreover, the adhesive  430  may secure together the first and second ends of the strap assembly  400 , to suitably secure the material about which the strap assembly  400  is wrapped. For example, wrapping the strap assembly  400  may include adjusting the strap assembly  400  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 of the strip of sheet material). 
     The transverse dimension of the strap assembly  400  may vary along the longitudinal direction of the strap assembly  400 . For example, as shown in  FIGS. 4A-4B , the strap assembly  400  has a first portion  402  that extends longitudinally from and defines the first end of the strap assembly  400 ; a second portion  403  that extends longitudinally from the first portion  402 , and a third portion  404  that extends from the second portion  403  and defines the end of the strap assembly  400 . Hence, for example, the second portion  402  is located between the first and third portions  402 ,  404 . 
     The second portion  403  is narrower than the first and third portions  402 ,  404  such that the transverse dimension of the second portion  403  is smaller than transverse dimensions of the first and third portions  402 ,  404 . It should be appreciated that the ratio of the width or transverse direction of the second portion  403  to the width or transverse dimension of the first and/or third portions  402 ,  404  may be greater than 1:1.1 or less than 1:10. 
     The second or narrower section  403  is sized to facilitate gripping or grasping by an operator. For example, as described below in more detail, when the strap assembly  400  is reconfigured into a wrapped configuration, the second section  403  may be suitably exposed or available to the operator or user, such that the operator or user may grasp the strap assembly  400  at the second section  403  (e.g., the second section may form or define a handle, when the strap assembly  400  is in the wrapped configuration). 
     The periphery or perimeter of the strap assembly  400  may be defined by the edges that define the first section or wide portion  402 , second section or narrow portion  403 , and third section or wide portion  404 . The strap assembly  400  includes fillets  405  that may define at least a portion of the transition between the first section  402  and the second section  403  and/or between the third section  404  and the second section  403 . Hence, for example, the periphery of the strap assembly  400  may be also defined by the fillets  405 . 
     Generally, the base sheet  410 , reinforcement member  420 , and laminate layer  540  of the strap assembly  400  may include any number of suitable materials. For example, the base sheet  410  may include a suitable sheet material, such as paper, plastic sheet, cardboard, etc. (e.g., the base sheet  410  may include Kraft paper). The reinforcement member  420  may include any number of suitable materials that may suitably reinforce the base sheet  410  to facilitate handling or carrying of the material secured or wrapped by the strap assembly  400  (e.g., by grasping the second section  403  when the strap assembly  400  is in the wrapped configuration). For example, the reinforcement member  420  may include a fiber reinforced tape or sheet that may be secured to the base sheet  410 . 
     The reinforcement member  420  may be directly secured to the base sheet  410  (e.g., by adhering or bonding or mechanically securing the reinforcement member  420  directly to the base sheet  410 ). Alternatively, the reinforcement member  420  may be indirectly secured to the base sheet  410 . For example, one or more intervening members may be secured between the reinforcement member  420  and the base sheet  410 . Furthermore, the reinforcement member  420  may be substantially and continuously secured to the base sheet  410 . For example, the suitable portion of the surface area of the reinforcement member  420  may be secured to the base sheet  410 . Moreover, a suitable length of the reinforcement member  420  may be secured to the base sheet  410 . In the illustrated embodiment, the laminate layer  540  is located between the base sheet  410  and the reinforcement member  420 . 
     The laminate layer  540  may include any number of suitable materials that may be attached to the base sheet  410  (e.g., bonded or mechanically secured). The adhesive  430  may be any suitable adhesive, including a pressure sensitive adhesive. 
       FIG. 4C  illustrates an example of the strap assembly  400  in the wrapped configuration. For example, as shown in  FIG. 4C , the third portion  404  of the strap assembly  400  is secured to the first section or portion  402  of the strap assembly  400  (e.g., opposing ends of the strap assembly  400  are secured together). Moreover, the second section or portion  403  is positioned at the top, such as to form a handle for the strip of sheet material of the stack material unit wrapped by the strap assembly  400 . The base sheet  410  may have a first face oriented to face outward (e.g., such that the reinforcement member  420  is concealed by the base sheet  410 , when the strap assembly  400  is wrapped about the three-dimensional body of the strip of sheet material). For example, the reinforcement member  420  may be concealed between the three-dimensional body and the base sheet  410 . Alternatively, the strap assembly  400  may be wrapped in the manner that the reinforcement member  420  faces outward or defines at least a portion of an outward facing side or face of the strap assembly  400 . 
     The strap assembly  400  may be wrapped about a material stack of a strip of sheet material that defines a three-dimensional body with a generally rectangular cross-section (e.g., the strap assembly  400  may at least partially conform to the outer shape of the material stack). For example, as shown in  FIG. 3F , a stock material unit  300  or a stock material unit  300 ′ may include a fanfold material stack of a strip of sheet material that defines the three-dimensional body thereof and two strap assemblies  400  that secure 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. 3F  and explained in detail below, the strap assemblies  400  may wrap about the three-dimensional body of the strip of sheet material such that one, some, or each of the strap assemblies  400  contact four peripheral surfaces of the three-dimensional body (e.g., the strap assemblies  400  may secure the strip of sheet material that defines the three-dimensional body without additional devices or elements). 
     After the strap assemblies  400  are wrapped about the three-dimensional body of the strip of sheet material of the stock material unit, the second portion  403  of each of the strap assemblies  400  (which is narrower than the remaining portions of the strap assemblies  400 ) may be accessible to a user or operator for grasping. For example, as shown in  FIG. 3F , the second portion  403  of each of the strap assemblies  400  may span across a peripheral face of the three-dimensional body of the strip of sheet material of the stock material unit  300  or  300 ′. For example, the second portion  403  may span across the top face of the three-dimensional body of the strip of sheet material in the longitudinal direction. In an example, the second portion  403  of each of the strap assemblies  400  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 . 
     The strap assemblies  400  may be spaced from each other along a transverse direction of the three-dimensional body of the strip of sheet material of the stock material unit  300 . For example, the strap assemblies may be spaced from each other such that the center of gravity of the three-dimensional body of the strip of sheet material is located between two strap assemblies  400 . Optionally, the strap assemblies  400  may be equidistantly spaced from the center of gravity of the three-dimensional body of the strip of sheet material. 
     As described above, the stock material unit  300  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 ) may be stacked on top of one another in the dunnage conversion machine. The stock material unit may include one or more strap assemblies  400  and a strip of sheet material. For example, the strap assemblies  400  may remain wrapped about the strip of sheet material after placement and may be removed thereafter (e.g., the strap assemblies  400  may be cut at one or more suitable locations and pulled out). The strap assembly  400  can be sufficiently strong to carry the strip of sheet material in a high density configuration and also be sufficiently weak to be torn, for example by hand, and removed from the strip of sheet material after loading the strip of sheet material in a conversion machine. 
     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. 3F , for example, strap assemblies  400  may secure the strip of sheet material of the stock material unit  300 . As shown in the example of  FIG. 3F , the narrower portion  403  of the strap assembly  400  may extend over two or more surfaces or faces of the three-dimensional body of the strip of sheet material. For example, the strap assembly  400  may include a portion  402  that extends along a portion of a face of the three-dimensional body, and the narrower portion  403  may extend along another portion 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  403 , which may facilitate removal of the strap assembly  400 . In some examples, the narrow portion  403  may be severed. 
     The portion  403  may extend along the front face of the three-dimensional body of the strip of sheet material by any suitable distance. Generally, the strap assemblies  400  may be positioned at any number of suitable locations along the transverse dimension of the strip of sheet material to help form the stock material unit  300 . It should be appreciated, however, that the stock material unit may include any number of strap assemblies  400  that may be located or positioned at any number of suitable locations, in the manner that secures together the folds or sections of the strip of sheet material. Moreover, in some examples, the stock material unit  300  may not include straps. 
     Furthermore, it should be appreciated that, generally, the three-dimensional body of the strip of sheet material of any of the stock material units described herein may be, stored, transported, used in a dunnage conversion machine, or combinations thereof without any stack retainer such as wrapping or strapping, or with a different stack retainer than the strap assembly  400  ( FIGS. 4A-4C ). For example, other straps such as a twine, rope, or other suitable strapping material can be used as a stack retainer to secure the three-dimensional body of a strip of sheet material in a supply unit or stock material unit. Paper, shrink-wrap, and other suitable wrapping material may be used as a stack retainer to secure together one or more sheets that define the three-dimensional body of any of the strip of sheet material of the stock material unit described herein. Similarly, the above-described method and structure of supporting the three-dimensional body of the strip of sheet material of the stock material unit may facilitate wrapping the three-dimensional body with any number of suitable wrapping or strapping materials and/or devices. 
     Various embodiments of splice members to combine, connect, couple, or daisy chain multiple continuous sheets of material of stock material units together will now be described. 
     A splice member may include a base and a connector. In some embodiments, the base may secure the connector to one or more portions of the strip of sheet material of the stock material unit, for example stock material unit, and the connector may connect together or daisy-chain two stock material units, for example stock material unit  300  and stock material unit  300 ′, so that the strip of sheet material therefrom may form a continuous sheet of material that is continuously fed into to the dunnage conversion machine. In an embodiment, the base is larger or has a larger area than the connector. For example, providing the base with a larger surface area than the connector may facilitate removal of the base from the connector. The base can be permanently stuck to the supply unit, such as to the strap. 
     In some embodiments, the base may include multiple layers. For example, the base may include a base substrate, a base adhesive layer extending over at least a portion of a first side or face of the base substrate, and a release layer extending over at least a portion of a second, opposite side or face of the base substrate. The connector may include a connector substrate and a connector adhesive layer extending over at least a portion of a first side or face of the connector substrate, such as a second, opposite side of the connector substrate and may form or define an outer surface or cover the connector. 
     In some examples, the connector adhesive layer may include pressure-sensitive adhesive (for example, the connector may be pressed against the strip of sheet material of a stock material unit in the manner that activates and/or attaches the adhesive layer to the strip of sheet material). 
     As mentioned above, the base  410  may be larger than the connector. In some examples, the connector or splice member may define a generally butterfly-shaped, heart shaped, square, rectangle, circular, oval, oblong, or other suitable shape. In some examples, the connector or splice member may have an asymmetrical shape. For example, the connector or splice member may have a shape that is asymmetric about a longitudinal and/or transverse axis thereof. For example, the connector or splice member may have an asymmetrical shape about a first axis and a symmetrical shape about another, perpendicular axis. Moreover, opposing portions of the splice member may be asymmetrical about an axis that is perpendicular to another axis (for example, where the perpendicular axis extends through the center of the splice member). 
     An embodiment of a stock material unit  500  is shown in  FIGS. 5A-5F , which may include features similar or different than previously described stock material units. For example, with reference to  FIGS. 5A-5F , various features of the stock material unit, such as the stock material unit  300  described in  FIG. 3E , may be used in combination with the splice member to help secure or daisy chain a strip of sheet material of a first stock material unit to the strip of sheet material of another stock material unit to help form a continuous stream of material for use in a dunnage conversion machine. 
     With reference to the strip of sheet material  501  of stock material unit  500 , the triangular section  516  may be secured to the sections  512  and  514  (e.g., to facilitate storage and/or transportation of the stock material unit  500 ). For example, portions of a splice member may secure the triangular section  516  to the sections  512  and  514 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 5A , stack retainers such as strap assemblies  550  may be positioned relative to the section  516  in a manner that allows folding of the section  516 , as described above. 
     The embodiment of  FIGS. 5A-5F  includes the stock material unit  500  and splice member, such as splice member  540 . The splice member includes a connector with a bonding member for bonding sequential ends of the stock material strips together to couple them and feed them into the converting station as a continuous stream of material. The splice member includes a connector including a substrate with a bonding member disposed on one or more surfaces of the substrate. For example, a substrate can have one bonding member on a first surface, and another bonding member on an opposing surface. A bonding member can enclose or encapsulate a substrate. The splice member can include a connector with a bonding member without a substrate. The bonding member can be provided as a layer or in other suitable configurations on the substrate. The bonding member can include an adhesive, a cohesive, or a combination of adhesives and cohesives. An adhesive may include an adhesive layer. An adhesive as defined herein, may be used to secure two non-adhesive members together. The adhesive may adhere to other types of surface or materials. Examples of adhesives include liquid adhesives, tapes, and pressure sensitive adhesives. 
     The splice member  540  includes a base, such as base  510  and a connector, such as connector  520 . In use, the connector may be used to connect or splice the strip of sheet material of stock material unit to other strips of sheet material of other stock material units to form a continuous stream of material that may be fed into the dunnage converter machine. The connector includes a bonding member that is used to help splice strips of sheet material together. In the example of  FIG. 5A-5F , the bonding member of the connector  520  is an adhesive. However, in other examples, other species of bonding members, such as a cohesive, may be used. In use, the base  510  may be used to position and protect the connector  520  during transportation of the stock material unit  500 . In some examples, the splice member does not include the base. 
     In the example of  FIG. 5A , the base  510  may include a base substrate layer  511  positioned between bonding elements such as base adhesive layer  512  and a base release layer  513 . The connector  520  may include a connector substrate  521 , a connecting portion  531 , a cover  528 , and a cover release layer  526  configure to allow the cover  528  to be releasably stuck to the bonding element. The connecting portion  531  can include one or more connecting surfaces, such as a connector adhesive layer  522 , and/or a second connector adhesive layer  529 . 
     In a first position, such as  FIG. 5A  when the stock material unit  500  is being handled and prior to being loaded into the dunnage conversion machine and coupled with an alternate second stock material unit, the splice member  540  is secured to the stack retainer, such as a strap assembly  550 . 
       FIG. 5B  is a cross-sectional view of a splice member of the stock material unit of  FIG. 5A . In this first position, the surface of the strap assembly  550  is adjacent the base adhesive layer  512  of the base  510  of the splice member  540 . In some examples, the splice member  540  does not include a base  510  and the surface of the strap assembly  550  may include a release coating or layer to help the connector  520  be more readily separated from the strap assembly  550  when a user is ready to remove the splice member  540  from the strap assembly  550  and reposition the splice member  540  in a second position, such as that shown in  FIG. 5F . 
     As shown in  FIG. 5B , a connecting portion  531  of connector  520  may include the connector substrate  521  positioned adjacent to a bonding element. For example, a connector substrate  521  can be positioned between the connector adhesive layer  522  and a second connector adhesive layer  529 . In some examples, the connecting portion  531  may be used to permanently position the connector  520  at a desired location on the strip of sheet material  501 . The connecting portion  531  can be used to connect one stock material unit to another stock material unit, for example by first connector adhesive layer  522 , and/or a second connector adhesive layer  529 . 
     In a first position, as shown in  FIG. 5B , a portion of the connector substrate  521  forms an outer surface of a cover  528 , thereby forming an outer surface of the splice member  540 , and the base adhesive layer  512  forms an inner surface of the splice member  540  that is positioned adjacent the strap  550 . The cover  528  may define a portion of the connector substrate  521  opposite the connecting portion  531 , and a split or separation line  523  extends across the cover  528  to form two flaps  528   a    528   b . The split or separation line  523  is centrally located on the connector substrate  521 . 
     The cover flaps  528   a ,  528   b  may be connected to the connecting portion  531  by a hinge  527 , formed at opposite ends of the connecting portion  531  of the connector  520 . In some examples, the hinges may be made from folding or score lines. In some examples, the cover flaps  528   a ,  528   b  are made from a material that is stiff enough so that when it is pinched, the cover flaps “pop” open. Examples of such stiff materials can include paper or appropriate thickness, cardboard, plastic, or other suitable materials. A cover release layer  526  forms an underside of the cover flaps  528   a ,  528   b , as shown in  FIG. 5B . In some examples, the separation line  523  extends down the general middle of the cover  528  of the connector  520  so that the cover flaps  528   a ,  528   b  are generally the same size. In other examples, the separation line may be offset and the cover flaps are not generally the same size. In other examples, the cover  528  is not split and the connector  520  uses a single hinge to connect the cover  528  to the connecting portion  531 ; in such examples, the cover  528  forms a flap that may be lifted off or separated from the second connector adhesive layer  529 . In the example of  FIG. 5A-5F , the cover  528  may be somewhat circular. In other examples, the cover may be a variety of shapes, such as a butterfly, heart, rectangle, triangle, oval, rounded, polygonal, oblong or other suitable shape. 
     When a user or operator is ready to connect a first end of the strip of sheet material  501  of the stock material unit  500  to a second end of an alternate of strip of sheet material of an alternate stock material unit, the user may place the stock material unit  500  in the stack carrier or other holding mechanism to feed into the converting machine. The user may detach the connector  520  from the base  510  by separating the connector adhesive layer  522  from the base release layer  513 . In some examples, the connector  520  includes an overhang  533  to help facilitate separating or lifting the connector  520  from the base  510 . The overhang  533  may include a non-adhesive section to help protect a user or operator from accidentally adhering the connector  520  to their fingers or from contaminating the connector adhesive layer  522  when it is separated from the base  510 . 
     Once separated from the base  510 , the connector adhesive layer  522  is then exposed. The user may then bend or deform the connector  520  by gently squeezing it with his or her fingers in the direction of arrows  598  in  FIG. 5C , so that the connector  520  becomes concave on its bottom side formed by the connector adhesive layer  522 , opposite the cover flaps  528   a ,  528   b  and convex on the second connector adhesive layer  529 , the side that was facing the flaps  528   a ,  528   b , to bring the hinges  527  of the connector  520  towards each other. This bending movement causes the separation of the flaps  528   a ,  528   b  from the connector adhesive layer  529 , via the cover release layer  526 , in the direction of arrows  597 ,  599  shown in  FIGS. 5C, 5D, and 5E . The flaps  528   a ,  528   b  may “pop” or open outward about hinges  527 , thereby exposing the second connector adhesive layer  529 . 
     When the cover flaps  528   a ,  528   b  are transitioning into or are in the open position, as shown in  FIGS. 5C-5F , the connector adhesive layer  522  of the connector  520  may be positioned adjacent a surface of the strip of sheet material  501 , such as sections  512 ,  514 ,  516  or combinations thereof, as shown in  FIG. 5F , to permanently secure the connector  520  to the strip of sheet material  501 . In some examples, the strip of sheet material  501  includes an optional printed target  595  (shown for example in  FIG. 5A ) to help the user align the connector  520  in a correct position. Once positioned, the exposed second connector adhesive layer  529  may then be used to connect a second end of an alternate strip of sheet material of an alternate stock material unit to the first end of the strip of sheet material  501  of the stock material unit  500 . 
     In other examples, a connector similar to  520  with flaps  528   a ,  528   b  can be used, in which the bonding member is a cohesive, unlike the connector adhesive layer  529  used in  FIGS. 5A-5F . The flaps  528   a ,  528   b  can be provided without a release layer as they would still be easily separable from the cohesive. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5G , a connector similar to  520  with flaps  528   a ,  528   b  can be used, where the bonding element  529  is disposed on one or both flaps  528   a ,  528   b , and a release layer or a layer with a release property is disposed on all or a portion of a central portion of a connector substrate  521 . The connection portion  531  extends across the substrate  521 . 
     Another embodiment of a stock material unit  600  is shown in  FIGS. 6A-6C , which may include features similar or different than previously described stock material units. This embodiment  600  has a splice member  630  with a connector  620  that includes an adhesive bonding member. In other examples, a cohesive bonding member may be used. 
     Similar to the embodiment of  FIGS. 5A-5F , in a first position, which can be a shipping and handling position, the splice member  630  may be positioned on a stack retainer, such as a strap assembly  610  that is positioned at least partially about a strip of sheet material  601 . The strap assembly  610  may include a release layer so that the connector  620  may be easily removed from the strap  610  when moving the connector from the first position, shown in  FIG. 6A  to the second position, shown in  FIG. 6C . The release layer may be provided in other locations. The connector  620  may include only a single connector adhesive layer  622 , which may be exposed when the connector  620  is separated from the strap assembly  610 . In the second position, the connector  620  may be positioned on the underside of section  618 , so that a portion of the connector adhesive layer  622  positioned adjacent the connector substrate  621  is exposed. 
     In some examples, the connector  620  may be shaped in a suitable shape, such as circular, rectangular, butterfly, oblong, or other shape. 
     Another embodiment of a stock material unit is shown in  FIGS. 7A-7E  which may include features similar or different than previously described stock material units.  FIG. 7A  is a perspective view of a stock material unit.  FIG. 7B  is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the stock material unit of  FIG. 7A .  FIG. 7C  is a perspective view of the embodiment of the stock material unit of  FIG. 7A  with the connector being transitioned to a second position.  FIG. 7D  is a perspective view of the embodiment of the stock material unit of  FIG. 7A  with the cover being removed.  FIG. 7E  is a perspective view of the embodiment of the stock material unit of  FIG. 7A  with the cover removed. 
     The stock material unit  730  of  FIGS. 7A-7E  may include features similar or different than previously described stock material units. This embodiment  730  has a splice member  740  with a connector  720  that includes an adhesive bonding member. In other examples, a cohesive bonding member may be used. 
     Similar to stock material units  500  and  600 , in a first position, the splice member  740  may be positioned adjacent a surface of the strap assembly  750 . In some examples, the splice member  740  may include a base and a connector  720  having a cover  728 . In other examples, the splice member may not include a base and the strap assembly  750  may include a release layer to help a user separate the connector  720  from the strap assembly  750 . In the example of  FIG. 7A-7E , the overall shape of the connector  720  and the cover  728  may be similar, but the cover  728  may have a larger size. This may enable a user to more easily peel away the connector  720  from the strap assembly  750  without contaminating the connector adhesive layer  722 . In other examples, the edges of the cover  728  that protrude past the connector  720  are held down or secured onto a release surface on the strap, such as by an adhesive, and are then peeled up similar to the embodiment where the cover  728  is larger than the connector  720 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 7B , the connector  720  includes a connector substrate  721  and two connector adhesive layers  722  and  729 , positioned on opposite sides of the connector substrate  721 . The cover  728  may include protective layer  731 , and a cover release layer  726 . The cover release layer  726  is positioned adjacent the connector adhesive layer  729  when the splice member  740  is positioned in a first position. 
     As shown in  FIG. 7A , when the splice member  740  is positioned in a first position, the connector adhesive layer  722  is positioned adjacent a surface of the strap assembly  750 . In some examples, the corresponding surface of the strap assembly is coated with a release layer to aid in the removal or separation of the splice member  740  from the strap assembly  750 . In some examples, when the user or operator is ready to daisy chain the strip of sheet material  701  of stock material unit  730  with a strip of sheet material of another stock material unit, the user or operator may peel the splice member  740  away from the strap assembly  750  and expose the connector adhesive layer  722 , as shown in  FIG. 7C . The connector adhesive layer  722  may then be positioned adjacent a first end of the strip of sheet material  701 , as shown in  FIG. 7D . The cover  728  may then be removed to expose the second connector adhesive layer  729 , as shown in  FIG. 7E , in preparation to couple or attach the first end of the sheet of strip material  701  to a second end of an alternate strip of sheet material. 
     Another embodiment of a portion of a stock material unit is shown in  FIGS. 8A-8B , which may include features similar or different than previously described stock material units. This embodiment  830  has a splice member  840  with a connector  820  that includes a cohesive bonding member. In other examples, an adhesive bonding member may be used. 
       FIG. 8A  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a stock material unit. The strip of sheet material  801  of the stock material unit  830  includes a splice member  840  that includes a connector  820  and a sealing sticker  894 . The connector  820  is formed by a layer of cohesive. In the first position, as shown in  FIG. 8A , the connector  820  is positioned on the underside of section  816  of the strip of sheet material  801 , and the top of section  816  is temporarily positioned adjacent to sections  814 ,  812  or combinations thereof using the seal  894  such as a sticker  894 . In some examples, the sealing sticker  894  includes a bonding member, typically an adhesive, to help temporarily secure the section  816  to sections  814 ,  812  for shipping and handling, to keep the cohesive of the connector  820  covered, and prevent exposure thereof. The bonding material on the sticker  894  can have light adhesion to the lower layer of the stack so that it is releasably secured, such as peelable, or it can have strong adhesion so that the sticker of part of the strip of material needs to be broken to fold the portion of section  816  back to expose the cohesive of the connector  820 . 
       FIG. 8B  is a perspective view of the embodiment of the stock material unit of  FIG. 8A  in the process of being assembled with another stock material unit. As shown in  FIG. 8B , the section  816  has been folded back over to expose section  818  and the connector  820 . This would enable a user to secure the strip of sheet material  801  to an alternate strip of sheet material,  801 ′, via the connecter  820  and another connector  820 ′ positioned on the bottom of the alternate strip of sheet material,  801 ′. Similar to the connector  820 , the connector  820 ′ uses a cohesive bonding member that may be used to bond connector  820  and  820 ′ to help form spliced strips of sheet material to supply to a dunnage converter machine. 
     Another embodiment of a portion of a stock material unit is shown in  FIGS. 9A-9C  which may include features similar or different than previously described stock material units. The embodiment  930  has a splice member  940  with a connector  920  that includes a cohesive bonding member. In other examples, an adhesive bonding member may be used. 
       FIG. 9A  is a perspective exploded view of an embodiment of a stock material unit.  FIG. 9B  is a perspective view of the embodiment of the stock material unit of  FIG. 9A .  FIG. 9C  is an alternate perspective view of the embodiment of the stock material unit of  FIG. 9A . 
     In some examples a first end of the strip of sheet material  901  may be tapered, similar to that of  500 . In other examples, the first end of the strip of sheet material  901  may be generally rectangular shaped and not tapered. 
     In some examples, the stack retainer  950  may be similar to the strap assembly  550  of  FIG. 5A . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 9A and 9B , in some examples, the splice member  940  may include a connector  920  positioned on or near a first end of a beginning or the top of the strip of sheet material  901  and a second connector  920  positioned on or near a second end of the beginning of the strip of sheet material  901 . As shown in  FIG. 9C , the connector  920  may also include a connectors  920  positioned on or near the end of the strip of sheet material  901 , such as the bottom of the strip of the sheet material  901 . Each connector  920  includes a cohesive applied directly to the strip of sheet material  901  to form a cohesive bonding member. In the first position, a cover  928  can be provided over the cohesive  920 , which can easily be released therefrom by a user, as the cohesive  920  is weakly bonded to the cover. In the embodiment shown, the cover  928  is provided by the strap  550  that holds the strip of sheet material  901  in a transporting and handling position, so that the strap is positioned over the cohesive  920 , thereby covering and protecting the cohesive  920  until the stock material unit  930  is ready to be spliced. 
     In use, the stack retainer  950  is removed by a user, and another strip of sheet material, such as with the same configuration, may be positioned so that the cohesive bonding members of the two units align, forming a strong bond to each other, and the ends of the units are spliced together. 
     Another embodiment of a stock material unit is shown in  FIGS. 10A-10B , which may include features similar or different than previously described stock material units. This embodiment  1030  has a splice member  1040  with a connector  1020  that includes a cohesive bonding member. In other examples, an adhesive bonding member may be used.  FIG. 10A  is a perspective exploded view of an embodiment of a stock material unit  1030 .  FIG. 10B  is an alternate perspective view of the embodiment of the stock material unit of  FIG. 10A  with the stack retainer removed. The embodiment shown in  FIGS. 10A-10B  can include one or more stack retainers such as strap assemblies  1050  which can be similar to stack retainers  400 ,  550 , and/or  950 , previously described, and which can generally surround the strip of sheet material, to form an enclosed package. 
     The splice member  1040  is used to daisy chain the first end of the strip of sheet material  1001  to an alternate strip of sheet material. The first end of the strip of sheet material  1001  may include a folded section  1005  positioned adjacent a section  1010 . When the connector  1020  is positioned in a first position, such as a shipping and handling position, the folded section  1005  may be positioned adjacent the section  1010 , and a cohesive surface formed as connector  1020  may be positioned between the sections  1005 ,  1010 . In this example, the connector  1020  is a layer of cohesive applied to the section  1005 . When the connector  1020  is positioned in the second position, the section  1005  is flipped or rotated away from the section  1010 , and the connector  1020  is exposed. In the second position, the connector  1020  is ready to be used to daisy chain the first end of the strip of sheet material  1001  with a second end of an alternate strip of sheet material. 
     The splice member  1040  is used to daisy chain the second end of the strip of sheet material  1001  to an additional alternate strip of sheet material. The splice member  1040  includes another connector  1020  positioned on section  1015  on the bottom of the strip of sheet material  1001 . In this example, the connector  1020  is a layer of cohesive applied to the section  1015 . As shown in  FIG. 10B , in some examples, the connector  1020  extends along a transverse dimension of the strip of sheet material  1001 . In some examples, a cover may also be positioned adjacent the connector  1020  applied to section  1015  to help prevent damage or contamination to the connector  1020  prior to daisy-chaining. 
     As shown in  FIG. 10B , in some examples, the connector  1020  applied to section  1015  may include multiple instances of the connector  1020 . In some examples, connectors  1020  are arranged along the transverse dimension of the strip of sheet material  1001 , but positioned in a longitudinal direction. The connectors  1020  may include multiple instances in a variety of shapes that extend in a variety of directions positioned adjacent the second end of the strip of sheet material  1001 . 
     An embodiment of a stock material unit  1100  is shown in  FIGS. 11A-D , which may include features similar or different than previously described stock material units. For example, various features of the stock material unit, such as the stock material unit  300 , stock material unit  500 ; stock material unit  600 ; stock material unit  730 ; stock material unit  830  or stock material unit  930  are usable in combination with the splice member to help secure or daisy chain a strip of sheet material of a first stock material unit to the strip of sheet material of another stock material unit to help form a continuous stream of material for use in a dunnage conversion machine. The embodiment of  FIGS. 11A-11D  includes the stock material unit  1100  and splice member, such as splice member  1140 . 
     With reference to the strip of sheet material  1101  of stock material unit  1100 , the triangular section  1116  is secured to the sections  1112  and  1114  (e.g., to facilitate storage and/or transportation of the stock material unit  1100 ). In some examples, a strap assembly  1150  secures the triangular section  1116 . In other examples, a connecting member secures the triangular section  1116 . 
     In some examples, the splice member  1140  includes a base, such as base  1110  and a connector, such as connector  1120 . In use, the connector may be used to connect or splice the strip of sheet material of stock material unit to other strips of sheet material of other stock material units to form a continuous stream of material that may be fed into the dunnage converter machine. The connector includes a bonding member that is suitable to splice strips of sheet material together. In the example of  FIG. 11A-11D , the bonding member  1122  of the connector  1120  is an adhesive. However, in other examples, other species of bonding members, such as a cohesive, may be used. In use, the base  1110  may be used to position and protect the connector  1120  during transportation of the stock material unit  1100 . In some examples, the splice member does not include the base. 
     In the example of  FIG. 11A , the base  1110  may include a base substrate having a base adhesive layer  1112  and a base release layer  1113 . The connector  1120  may include a connector substrate having a connector adhesive layer  1122  and a cover  1128 . 
     In a first position, such as  FIG. 11A  when the stock material unit  1100  is being handled and prior to being loaded into the dunnage conversion machine and coupled with an alternate second stock material unit, the splice member  1140  is secured to the stack retainer, such as a strap assembly  1150 . 
     Portions of a splice member  1140  secures stock material unit  1100  (e.g.  1130   a ) to another adjacent stock material unit  1100  (e.g.  1130   b ) stacked below, as shown for example in  FIG. 11D . In one example, the triangular section  1116  of one stock material unit  1100  (e.g.  1130   b ) has a splicing connector  1120  attached thereto, which in turn is also attachable to the bottom of an adjacent stock material unit  1100  (e.g.  1130   a ) stacked above. Once spliced the stock material unites  1130   a  and  1130   b  form the supply  2300   c  as shown in  FIG. 11D . 
     Similar to other embodiments, in this embodiment, the connector  1120  is movable between a first location and a second location. In this first position, the surface of the strap assembly  1150  is adjacent the base adhesive layer  1112  of the base  1110  of the splice member  1140 . In some examples, the splice member  1140  does not include a base  1110  and the surface of the strap assembly  1150  may include a release coating or layer to help the connector  1120  be more readily separated from the strap assembly  1150  when a user is ready to remove the splice member  1140  from the strap assembly  1150  and reposition the splice member  1140  in a second position, such as that shown in  FIG. 11D . 
     When a user or operator is ready to connect a first end of the strip of sheet material  1101  of the stock material unit  1100  to a second end of an alternate of strip of sheet material of an alternate stock material unit, the user may place the stock material unit  1100  in the stack carrier or other holding mechanism to feed into the converting machine. The user may detach the connector  1120  from the base  1110  by separating the connector adhesive layer  1122  from the base release layer  1113 . In some examples, the connector  1120  includes an overhang to help facilitate separating or lifting the connector  1120  from the base  1110 . The overhang may include a non-adhesive section to help protect a user or operator from accidentally adhering the connector  1120  to their fingers or from contaminating the connector adhesive layer  1122  when it is separated from the base  1110 . 
     In general, the embodiments illustrated in  FIGS. 11A-11D  are similar to those illustrated in  FIGS. 6A-6C , with the exception that the section  1116  is not folded back as the section  618  is in  FIGS. 6A-6C . Instead the section  1116  remains extended and the connector  1120  is attached on the underside of section  1116  as shown in  FIG. 11B  with the sides of the connector  1120  and the bonding member  1122  thereof exposed upwards in order to contact the next unit of stock material (e.g.  1130   a  as shown in  FIG. 111  D) stacked thereon. In some examples, the strip of sheet material  1101  includes an optional printed target  1195  to help the user align the connector  1120  in a correct position. Once positioned, the exposed connector adhesive layer  1122  may then be used to connect a second end of an alternate strip of sheet material of an alternate stock material unit to the first end of the strip of sheet material  1101  of the stock material unit  1100 . 
     In other examples, a connector similar to  1120 , in which the bonding member is a cohesive, unlike the connector adhesive layer  1122  used in  FIGS. 11A-11D . 
     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.