Patent Publication Number: US-2022227091-A1

Title: Dunnage cut-assist biasing member

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/282,885, filed Sep. 30, 2016, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/236,717, filed Oct. 2, 2015, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     An apparatus for processing dunnage material is disclosed herein. More particularly, an apparatus for assisting a user in cutting the dunnage material at a desired point is disclosed. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In the context of paper-based protective packaging, paper sheet is crumpled to produce the 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. Examples of cushioning product machines that feed a paper sheet from an innermost location of a roll are described in U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2013/0092716, U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2008/0076653, and U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2008/0261794. Another example of a cushioning product machine is described in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2009/0026306. Each of these applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     At a selected point along the process, a user may wish to sever the dunnage material so as to separate the material into two or more portions. Existing processing systems require excessive user interaction in the cutting process in order to sever the dunnage material. It would therefore be desirable to employ a dunnage conversion apparatus with a cutting apparatus. In particular, it would be desirable to employ an apparatus that reduces user interaction with the cutting process to sever a dunnage material at a desired point. 
     SUMMARY 
     In accordance with various embodiments, a conversion apparatus is provided herein. The conversion apparatus includes a cutting member having an edge configured for cutting the dunnage material. The conversion apparatus also includes a biasing member located adjacent to the cutting member and having a cutting position in which the dunnage material passes between the biasing member and the cutting member with the biasing member bending the dunnage material along a path around the end of the cutting member so that in response to the dunnage material being retracted back into the conversion apparatus the cutting member begins to sever the dunnage material. 
     In accordance with various embodiments, the path includes an elbow defined where the dunnage material is bent around the cutting member, wherein in the dispensing direction, the elbow biases the dunnage away from the cutting member but in the reverse direction the elbow biases the dunnage toward the cutting member. In various embodiments, the biasing member is movable between a cutting position and a dispensing position. In some embodiments, the cutting member includes teeth having adjacent points with a trough there between. The biasing member can include a plurality of fingers. The plurality of figures can be positioned relative to one another such that, in response to moving toward the cutting member and into the cutting position, each finger fits into the trough between the adjacent points of the cutting member teeth. In some embodiments, the conversion apparatus also includes a drum that is rotated by the drive mechanism and contacts the dunnage material to advance the dunnage material in the first direction and retract the dunnage material in the second direction within the apparatus. In some embodiments, the drum drives a biasing linkage that actuates the biasing member. The biasing linkage can include an actuator wheel that is positioned adjacent the drum such that the dunnage material is guided between the actuator wheel and the drum. The actuator wheel can be in mechanical connection with the biasing member such that rotation of the actuator wheel drives the biasing linkage. The biasing linkage can include an actuator arm associated with the actuator wheel. The actuator arm rotates with actuation of the biasing member. The angular rotation of the actuator arm rotates less than a full rotation while the actuator wheel is operable to continually rotate. The actuator arm is connected to the biasing member through a link member having a pivot connection at the actuator arm and a pivot connection at the biasing member causing angular rotation of the actuator arm to correspond to angular rotation of the biasing member. The biasing linkage can include the biasing linkage includes opposing actuator arms, opposing links, and opposing biasing members that each operate on opposing sides of the path of the dunnage material. In some embodiments, the actuator arm includes a slot with the ends of the slot defining a first position and a second position forming limits to the angular rotation of the actuator arm. 
     In accordance with various embodiments, the actuator arm can be connected to an actuator wheel through a clutch mechanism. The clutch mechanism can include a belt attached at each end to the actuator arm. The belt can wrap more than 90 degrees around the actuator wheel. The clutch mechanism allows the actuator wheel to rotate relative to the actuator arm once the arm extends to the first position. This allows the actuator wheel to rotate with the actuator arm between the first position and the second position. The clutch mechanism then allows the actuator wheel to rotate relative to the actuator arm once the arm extends to the second position. In some embodiments, the actuator wheel and the drum are connected such that they rotate together. The drum can be rotated by the drive mechanism, which in turn advances the dunnage material and rotates the actuator wheel. The conversion apparatus can also include a converting station that is configured to form dunnage out of the dunnage material prior to feeding the dunnage material through the apparatus. 
     In accordance with various embodiments, the biasing member deflects the material path when the biasing member is in the cutting position such that the material path forms a bend of between 15° and 90°. For example, the biasing member deflects the material path when the biasing member is in the cutting position such that the material path forms a bend of about 45°. In some embodiments, the biasing member directly forces the dunnage material against the cutting member where the dunnage material contacts the cutting member when the biasing member is in the cutting position. Alternatively, there is no contact between the biasing member and the dunnage material where the dunnage material contacts the cutting member but there is contact between the biasing member and the dunnage material downstream of the cutting member when the biasing member is in the cutting position. 
     In accordance with various embodiments, a conversion apparatus is provided herein. For example, the conversion apparatus for processing a dunnage material along a path can include a cutting member with an edge suitable for cutting or tearing the dunnage material. The conversion apparatus can also include a biasing member positioned adjacent to the cutting member such that the dunnage material passes between the biasing member and the cutting member. The biasing member is movable between a dispensing position and a cutting position relative to the cutting mechanism such that the biasing member is operable to bend the dunnage material around the edge of the cutting member in the cutting position. A cutting member can include an edge suitable for cutting or tearing the dunnage material. A biasing member can be positioned adjacent to the cutting member such that the dunnage material passes between the biasing member and the cutting member. The biasing member is movable relative to the cutting mechanism between a dispensing position configured to allow the dunnage material to exit from the apparatus and a cutting position that bends the dunnage material around the edge of the cutting member in the cutting position to cause the cutting member to sever the dunnage material. 
     As in other embodiments, the conversion apparatus can also include a driving mechanism that drives the dunnage material in a dispensing direction causing the dunnage material to be dispensed and in a reverse direction opposite the dispensing direction along the path. In response to the driving mechanism driving the dunnage material in the reverse direction, the biasing member is moved into the cutting position and biases the dunnage material around the edge and in response to the driving mechanism driving the stock in a dispensing direction the biasing member is moved into the dispensing position away from the cutting member such that the dunnage material is not biased around the edge of the cutting member. 
     The conversion apparatus can also include a drum that is rotated by the drive mechanism and contacts the dunnage material to advance the dunnage material in the first direction and retract the dunnage material in the second direction within the apparatus, wherein the drum drives a biasing linkage that actuates the biasing member by rotating an actuator arm that is connected through a friction connection with an actuator wheel that is driven by at least one of the drum or a pinch wheel opposing the drum. 
     The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description. 
    
    
     
       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 station in a first position; 
         FIG. 1B  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a conversion apparatus and supply station in a second position; 
         FIG. 2  is a partial exploded view of an embodiment of a cutting apparatus utilized in the conversion apparatus of  FIG. 1A ; 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of a biasing member illustrated in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a front view of a cutting member illustrated in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a side view of an actuator arm illustrated in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of an actuator wheel illustrated in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional side view of a conversion apparatus with the cutting mechanism in a second position; 
         FIG. 8A  is a side view of a conversion apparatus with the cutting mechanism in a first position; 
         FIG. 8B  is a side view of a conversion apparatus with the cutting mechanism in a second position; and 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a conversion apparatus showing the drive and control mechanism. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     An apparatus for converting a stock material into dunnage is disclosed. More particularly, the conversion apparatus including a mechanism for cutting or assisting the cutting of the dunnage material at desired lengths 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 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. 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, 7, 8A and 8B , a dunnage conversion system  10  is disclosed for processing a stock material  21 . Covers, guards, external elements, etc., may be removed from the various views shown to provide clarity to the structure discussed herein. For example,  FIG. 1  illustrates drum guide  233 , which is omitted from the other figures for clarity. 
     In accordance with various embodiments, the dunnage conversion system  10  includes the conversion station  70  and a cutting mechanism  100 . The cutting mechanism  100  includes a biasing apparatus  120  operable to bias the dunnage material  21  against a cutting member  110 . The cutting mechanism  100  assists a user in cutting or severing material at a desired point. The dunnage material  19  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 to the cutting mechanism. In one example, as shown in  FIG. 1A , the bulk material supply is 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  is fed from the supply side  61  of the converting station  70 . The stock material  19  is converted by the converting station  70  and then dispensed in a dispensing direction A on the out-feed side  62  of the converting station  70 . The stock material  19  includes continuous or semi-continuous lengths of sheet material that are converted into dunnage material  21 . Multiple lengths can be daisy-chained together. 
     In various embodiments, dunnage conversion system  10  is configured to pull a stream of stock material  19  from a supply station  13  and into a converting station  70 , where the converting station  70  converts the high-density configuration of stock material  19  into a low-density configuration of dunnage material  21 . The material can be converted by crumpling, folding, flattening, or other similar methods that convert high-density configuration to a low-density configuration. Further, it is appreciated that various structures of the converting station  70  can be used, such as those converting stations  70  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. 
     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 for guiding the sheet material into the dunnage conversion system  10 . The support portion  12  and the inlet guide are shown combined into a single rolled or bent elongated element forming a support pole or post. In this particular embodiment, the elongated element is a tube having a round pipe-like cross-section. Other cross-sections may be provided. In the embodiment shown, the elongated element has an outer diameter of approximately 1½″. In other embodiments, the diameter ranges from approximately ¾″ to approximately 3″ or from approximately 1″ to approximately 2″. Other diameters outside the range provided may also be used. The elongated element extends from a floor base configured to provide lateral stability to the converting station. In one configuration, the inlet guide  12  is a tubular member that also functions as a support member for the system. In embodiments where a tube is provided, it can be bent around that central axis such that the longitudinal axis is bent from about 250° to about 300° to form a loop through which the stock material is fed. Other inlet guide designs such as spindles may be used as well. 
     The dunnage conversion system  10  includes an advancement mechanism for driving the stock/dunnage material. 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. (See, e.g., controls  15  in  FIG. 9 ) 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 is 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  FIGS. 1A, 1B, 7, 8A and 8B , 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. 1A, 1B, 7, 8A and 8B , 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 converting station  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 stock material  19  as it passes through the pinch portion. 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. 
     The cutting mechanism 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  is 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 cutting mechanism  100  to cut the dunnage material more easily by pulling the dunnage material  19  directly against an edge  112  of cutting member  110 . As the stock material  19  is fed through the system along the material path “B”, the drum  17  rotates in a converting, direction (depicted as direction “C”) and dunnage material  21  passes over or near a cutting member  110  without being cut. 
     Various embodiments of the cutting mechanism  100 , as illustrated  FIGS. 1A, 1B, 7, 8A , and  8 B, include a biasing apparatus  120  that includes a biasing member  122  that is located adjacent to the cutting member  110 . The biasing member  122  and the cutting member  110  are positioned adjacent to one another downstream of, and preferable at a position proximal to, the portion of the dunnage conversion system  10  from which the dunnage material is dispensed. 
     The biasing member  122  and the cutting member  110  are typically positioned on opposite sides of the formed dunnage  19  in the path. The dunnage material can thus pass between the biasing member  122  and the cutting member  110 . The biasing member  122  shown can contact the dunnage material  21 , thereby biasing the dunnage material  21  towards and preferably against the cutting member  110 . The position of the biasing member  122  relative to the cutting member  110  is preferably such that the cutting member begins to sever or fully severs the dunnage material  21  in response to the dunnage material  21  being retracted back into the conversion apparatus  10 . In various embodiments, the dunnage material  21  is not positioned against the cutting member  110  in the dispensing direction “A”, but in the reverse direction, the dunnage material  21  is forced against the cutting member  110  due to either one of or both the relative positions of the cutting member  110  or the biasing member  122 . In other embodiments, the dunnage material  21  is generally positioned against or proximal to the cutting member  110 . In one example, an end  24   
     of the biasing member  122  extends downstream of the edge  112  of the cutting member  110 . The backward retraction of the dunnage material  19  is preferably performed by operating the drum  17  in reverse (i.e., the oppose direction of “C”), but it can also or alternatively be accomplished alternatively by another member. The end  228  contacting the dunnage material  21  causes the dunnage material  21  to bend or wrap around the end of the edge  112 . In this manner, as the dunnage material  21  is retracted back into the conversion apparatus  10 , the dunnage material  21  is pulled directly against the edge  112 . 
     The position of the biasing member  122  relative to the cutting member  110  is preferably such that the cutting member  110  starts to sever the dunnage material in response to the dunnage material  21  traveling in the dispensing direction. In one example, the biasing member  122  is positioned relative to the edge such that, in the dispensing direction, there is insufficient interaction between the dunnage material  21  and the edge  112  to cause any severing of the dunnage material. In some embodiments, when the dunnage material is dispensed in the dispensing direction, the biasing member moves away from the blade and from the material. 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1B and 8B , the biasing member  122  is in a cutting position and or moves with respect to the cutting member  110  such that, in the reverse direction there is sufficient interaction between the dunnage material  21  and the edge  112  to cause puncturing, cutting, severing, tearing or the like to the dunnage material. The biasing member  122  contacts the dunnage material  21  downstream of the cutting member  110 . This contact point can be any portion of the biasing member including for example, the distal end  228  or intermediate portions. In various embodiments, the position of the biasing member  122  downstream of the cutting member  110  causes the path A-B to have an elbow proximate to the cutting member. As the material flows in the dispensing direction the material naturally pushes itself away from the cutting member at the elbow. More specifically, a concave side of the elbow is proximate to the cutting member  110  and when the material is dispensed in the dispensing direction the concave side of the elbow is moved away from the cutting member  110 . In the reverse direction, however, the material pulls itself back into the cutting member at the elbow. More specifically, the concave side of the elbow is pulled into contact with the cutting member  110 . In various examples the elbow is where the dunnage material bends around the edge  112  of the cutting member  110 . The bend caused by the relationship of the biasing member  122  and the cutting member  110  includes any deflection of the material that allows the material to be cut when the material is driven in the reverse direction. While it is understood that some bend might be formed in the material due to the weight of the material around the cutting member, the angles discussed herein are with regard to the change in angle or the path change caused by the biasing member  122 . For example, a straight path or an uninterrupted path of dunnage material would have a 0° angle Y (See  FIG. 8A ) at the cutting member contact. A slight deflection would cause the angle Y to be greater than 0° (See  FIG. 8B ). Measuring in this way, in one embodiment, the bend of the dunnage material  21  around the cutting member  110  is at least about 15°; preferably, the bend is at least about 45°; or more preferably the bend is at least about 90°. 
     In some embodiments, the biasing member  122  directly forces the dunnage material against the cutting member  110  where the dunnage material and the cutting member contact one another when the biasing member is in the cutting position. Alternatively, there is no contact between the biasing member  122  and the dunnage material where the dunnage material contacts the cutting member  110  but there is contact between the biasing member  122  and the dunnage material downstream of the cutting member  110  when the biasing member is in the cutting position. 
     In accordance with one embodiment, the positions of the biasing member  122  and the cutting member  110  are configured such that the contact is not sufficient to sever the dunnage material  21  but merely begin to tear it or perforate it. In other embodiments, the positions are configured such that the contact is sufficient to cause the edge  112  to catch and begin cutting or tearing the material. In other embodiments, the positions are configured such that the contact is sufficient to cause the edge  112  to fully sever the dunnage material. Additionally or alternatively, the biasing member  122  is selectively movable between different positions so that the biasing member is positionable to avoid causing any bend (i.e., a dispensing position as shown for example in  FIGS. 1A and 8A ) or avoid causing a bend that is sufficient to cut or perforate the material. The biasing member is also repositionable so that it causes a bend (i.e., a cutting position as shown for example in  FIGS. 1B and 8B ) sufficient to at least cut or perforate the material and possibly sever the material. This cutting position may be one in which the engagement between the biasing member  122  and the dunnage material  21  is sufficient to puncture, cut, or sever. 
     In accordance with various embodiments, the biasing member  122  allows the dunnage material to move freely at least in the longitudinal direction. While, in some embodiments the biasing member  122  places a direct force on the material  19  against the cutting member  110 . The direct force is sufficient to puncture the dunnage material on the cutting member  110  but not pinch the material between the biasing member  122  and the cutting member  110 . In other embodiments, the biasing member  122  contacts the dunnage material downstream of the cutting member such that there is no direct force by the biasing member  122  against the cutting member  110  but instead the material  19  is biased against the cutting member  110  because of the bend formed therein by the contact between the biasing member  122  and the material  19  downstream of the cutting member  110 . As such, in various embodiments, the biasing member  122  does not pinch the material  19  against the cutting member  110 , but instead merely biases the path of the material  19  such that it flows around and engages the cutting member  110 . 
     In various examples, the biasing member  122  is movable between various positions relative to the cutting member  110  in such a way as to modify the interaction between the cutting member  110 , the dunnage material  21 , and the biasing member  122 . For example, the biasing member  122  can be placed in a cutting position (See  FIG. 1B and 8B ) or a dispensing position (See  FIG. 1A and 8A ). The relative motion may occur in any manner. For example, the biasing member  122  rotates relative to the cutting member  110  such that the space and relative orientation between the two members changes. In another example, the entire biasing member  122  translates relative to the cutting member  110 . In another example, the movable portion is the cutting member  110  with the biasing member being more or less stationary. In another example, a combination of any of these motions forms the interaction between the biasing member  122  and the cutting member  110 . In the example shown in  FIGS. 1A-3 and 7, 8A and 8B , the biasing member  122  includes a first end  226  which is disposed about a pivot axis. This pivot axis allows the biasing member  122  to rotate about the pivot axis at the first end. This rotation allows a second end  228  of the biasing member  122  to move relative to the cutting member  110 . The second end of the biasing member  122  extends proximal to or beyond the edge  112  of the cutting member  110 . 
     In accordance with various embodiments, the biasing member  122  may take any form. In one example, the biasing member  122  includes one or more structural members that in some embodiments are fingers. In some embodiments, the fingers have a narrow width relative to their length. The width is sufficiently small to fit between consecutive points of teeth or serrations on the cutting member  110 . In various embodiments, the fingers  122  form the structure of the biasing member  122  having the first end  226  and the second end  228 . The first end  226  is operable to connect to the conversion device  10  in a fixed position or a movable position. For example, the first end  226  has a pivot axis  123  which rotates about the same axis through a locating feature  131  on the housing  130 . The pivot axis  123  defines the center of an aperture that receives the locating feature  131 , which, for example, is a protrusion extending from a wall of the housing  130 . The biasing member  122  may have additional locating features operable to connect the biasing member  122  with one or more other elements of the biasing apparatus  120 . For example, the biasing member  122  includes a plurality of apertures  121  positioned along its length that are operable to connect with an actuator arm  124  or link arm  126 . The plurality of apertures allow for the mechanical advantage extended to the biasing member to be adjusted by connecting the biasing member at different lengths from the pivot axis  123 . 
     In various embodiments, the biasing member  122  is a support structure to support an area configured to contact the material  19 . The contact area is located on the distal end of the biasing member  122 . In one example, the contact area is a roller  119  that contacts the material  19  and rolls allowing for the material  19  to easily glide past the biasing member  122 . In various embodiments, other parts of the biasing member  122  may also contact the material  19 . 
     In one embodiment, each finger making up the biasing member  122  is a curved plate defined by converging curved sidewalls  222 ,  224 . In this way, a first end of the biasing member is wider than the second end. The biasing member  122  is sufficiently long to extend to or past the cutting member  110  such that the biasing member  122  would contact the biasing member  122  along its length as opposed to its second end. In some embodiments, the second end  228  also includes the roller  119 , which can connect adjacent fingers together. The roller allows the dunnage material  21  to flow past the end of the fingers  122  with lower friction, reducing the likelihood of the dunnage material  21  jamming between the fingers  122 . The fingers may contact material proximal to the cutting member  110  and or the roller  119  may contact material downstream of cutting member  110 . Adjustable pivots  223  for roller  119  are provided along the length of the biasing member  122 . 
     Preferably, the cutting member  110  can be curved or directed downward so as to provide a guide that deflects the material in the out-feed segment  26  of the path as it exits the system over the cutting member  110  and potentially around the edge  112 . Preferably, the cutting member  110  is 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 . 
     Preferably, the tearing mechanism comprises a single cutting member  110  that engages the dunnage material  21 . The cutting member  110  can be disposed on a single lateral side of the material path. In the preferred embodiment, it is disposed below the drum  17  and substantially along the material path. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the transverse width of the cutting member  110  is preferably about at most the width of the drum  17 . In other embodiments, the cutting member  110  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 member  110  is fixed; however, it is appreciated that in other embodiments, the cutting member  110  could be moveable or pivotable. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the edge  112  is positioned at the leading end of the cutting member  110 , which 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, as described below. 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 is defined by having points separated by troughs positioned there between. 
     In various embodiments, the edge  112  has a shape defining its cutting edge profile that is formed such that contact with the dunnage material  21  does not occur uniformly across the edge of the cutting member  110  but instead occurs first at a leading portion  212  of the edge  112  and then at trailing portions  214  of the edge  112  as the leading portion cuts through the dunnage material. In one example the edges are straight with a leading point that tapers back toward the conversion machine to the lateral edges of the cutting member. In another example, the edge  112  could form a curvilinear path at the end of the cutting member that contacts the dunnage material. In one embodiment, the curved shape is convex in shape having a central portion as the leading portion. Alternatively, the curved shape is concave in shape having lateral portions as the leading portions. In various embodiments, the curved shape of the edge  112  includes the teeth discussed above as well. The separation of each of the teeth is such that it is a multiple of the distance between respective portions (e.g., fingers) of the biasing apparatus  120 . Such a relationship allows the biasing fingers  122  of the biasing apparatus  120  to engage the cutting member  110  within the troughs between the separate teeth. In this way, the biasing fingers  122  force the dunnage material  21  into the teeth and past the teeth, such that the teeth are forced to cut through the dunnage material  21 . Other embodiments of the biasing member  122 , in which the member is not a finger, may likewise force the dunnage material  21  past the profile edge  112  of the cutting member  110 . For example, the biasing member  122  includes a groove that receives the cutting member  110 . Alternatively, the biasing member  122  is formed of a soft material that engages the cutting member  110 , thereby forcing the dunnage material around and past the edge  112 . 
     In other embodiments of the cutting member  110 , the member can be a bar having no typical characteristics of a cutting device. The bar may sufficiently engage the dunnage material  21  with the biasing member such that both the force of the user pulling in one direction and the force of the biasing member pinching the dunnage material with the bar partially or fully tears the dunnage material  21 . Thus, a cutting member does not need to be present. For example, where the dunnage material is perforated or where the biasing member provides a sufficient force to pinch the dunnage material with a stationary member (e.g., the bar), the cutting mechanism can function as a tearing mechanism that is operable to sever the dunnage material at the perforation or the pinched location. 
     The biasing member  122  may be positioned and or actuated in accordance with any of a variety of methods. In one example, the biasing member  122  is supported by a housing  130 . In various embodiments, the housing movably supports the biasing member  122  such as by pivot  132 . In other embodiments, the housing  130  fixedly supports the biasing member  122  such that it maintains a consistent position relative to the cutting member  110 . In various examples, the biasing apparatus  120  is actuated by the drive mechanism as the drive mechanism advances the dunnage material  21  through the system. In another example, the biasing apparatus  120  is actuated by its own dedicated actuator, such as a biasing motor, linear drive, or other mechanical or electromechanical actuator that is separate from the drive motor  11 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a partial exploded view of the conversion mechanism  10  showing an embodiment and relationship of some elements but excluding some of the counterpart elements that would be present in such an embodiment on their opposite side. As shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 2 , the biasing member  122  is connected to the drive mechanism  11  via the biasing apparatus  120 . The drive mechanism  11  transmits torque from the motor through the drum  17  and into the actuator arm  124 . This may also be transmitted through the pinch wheel  14 . The actuator arm  124  is connected to the drum  17  and or the pinch wheel  14  via an actuator wheel  150 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 5 , the actuator arm  124  includes a plurality of pivot axes such as axes  128  and  129 . Each of these pivot axes (e.g.,  128 ,  129 ) are associated with a connection feature such as an aperture or stud that is operable to connect to other elements of the biasing apparatus  120 . For example, the actuator arm includes an aperture  125  located at the pivot axes  129 . This aperture  125  aligns along axis  129  which passes through the actuator wheel  150 , various support bearings  170 , and or pinch wheel  14 . The actuator arm  124  includes another aperture  123  operable to define the range of rotational motion of the actuator arm. The aperture  123  receives a locating feature  133  from the housing  130  such that as the actuator arm  124  rotates, the locating feature  133  contacts ends of the aperture  123 , preventing or limiting further rotation of the actuator arm. For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the aperture  123  is an arcuate slot. The slot  123  may be defined by two radial ends having an axis. The radial ends can then be connected by straight or curved walls  223 A,  223 B. In some embodiments, the path of the slot  123  can be concentric with axes  129 . The ends of the slot define the extent to which the actuator arm  124  can rotate. In various embodiments, the actuator arm  124  connects directly to the biasing member  122 ; in other embodiments, it connects indirectly through a link arm  126 . For example, the pivot axis  128  defines the center of each mounting location  127  for mounting fixture  185  which aligns with aperture  142  of the link arm  126 . 
     In accordance with other embodiments, the biasing member  122  is actuated in a simpler manner by single pivot. Alternatively, the biasing member  122  is also be actuated a multiple pivots in complex linkage system. In another alternative, the biasing member  122  does not rotate at all but is a part of a linear actuator with the biasing member  122  following a linear or varied path. While the example shown herein is one in which the biasing member  122  is actuated by the motor  11 , it is appreciated that any actuator located in any position may similarly actuate the biasing member  122 . For example, the biasing member  122  is attached from below the cutting member with an actuator that extends below or with a different system than the one that advances the dunnage material  21 . As indicated above, in some embodiments, the biasing member does not move at all but is instead stationary providing a constant pressure in such a way that the material  19  is not cut, perforated or severed when being dispensed, but is only severed when reversed back into the device. 
     In accordance with various embodiments, the actuator arm  124  moves semi independently of the drum  17 . While the drum  17  provides a force to move the actuator arm  124  this force is controlled such that there is not a direct proportional relationship between movement of the actuator arm  124  and the drum  17  and or the pinch wheel  14 . For example, as the drum  17  and or the pinch wheel  14  continuously rotates in either direction, the actuator arm  124  rotates in the same direction as the pinch wheel  14  and or the drum  17  until it reaches the end of its range of travel at which point the actuator arm  124  slips relative to the drum  17  and or the pinch wheel  14 . As shown by way of example in  FIG. 2 , the actuator arm is connected to the pinch wheel  14  via the actuator wheel  150 . This connection is operable to slip once the actuator arm  124  reaches its end of travel. For example, the connection includes an interface that is operable to engage the actuator arm  124  and the pinch wheel  14  throughout the range of travel but allow the connection to disengage or slip once the end of travel is reached. For example, as shown in  FIG. 2 , this interface is accomplished by providing a clutch  180  between the actuator arm  124  and the actuator wheel  150 . As such, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the actuator arm  124  also includes mounting features  185 ,  187  for the clutch. In this embodiment, one mounting feature  185  is adjustable between a plurality of mounting locations  127 . The mounting locations can be apertures that receive a standoff  185 . The other mounting feature  187  can be fixed. The features connect to the clutch in other suitable manners. For example, one or both are apertures designed to receive a fastener from the clutch  180  or one or both are protrusions designed to receive the clutch  180  directly. The features  185 ,  187  also include both protrusions and apertures to contact the clutch  180  directly and then receive fastening hardware through the respective apertures as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     As illustrated in the embodiment of  FIG. 6 , the actuator wheel  160  is cylindrical having a friction surface  162  extending around its perimeter  164 . The friction surface  162  contacts a clutch  180 . The clutch  180  is, as an example, a belt-type clutch as shown in  FIG. 2 . The friction surface  182  of the belt contacts the friction surface  162  of actuator wheel  160 . The belt wraps around the actuator wheel  160  more than 180 degrees. In one example, the belt wraps around the actuator wheel about 270 degrees. The clutch  180 , in this example, is anchored on each end by attaching to the actuator arm  124 . One end of the clutch  180  is anchored with a spring mechanism  190 . The springs are positioned such that as the pinch wheel rotates to advance the dunnage material  21  out of the device, the spring mechanism  190  has a tendency to lengthen, which in turn reduces the force of the clutch  180  against the friction surface  162  allowing for greater slip between the clutch  180  and the actuator wheel  160 . With the clutch attached to the actuator arm  124 , this greater slip translates to a reduced force on the actuator arm  124  allowing it to stop at the end of its range of motion while the actuator wheel and or the pinch wheel  14  continues to rotate. In the opposite direction, i.e. rotating the pinch wheel  14  such that the dunnage material  21  is retracted back into the device, the spring mechanism  190  shortens, thereby shortening the clutch belt  180  and increasing the frictional force between the belt and the friction surface  162 . This increase in force drives the actuator arm  124  to engage the biasing member  122  against the cutting member  110  with less slippage (and greater force from the actuator arm) than the opposite direction. This action may puncture, cut, or sever the dunnage material  21 . Hub portions  166  extend from the sides of the actuator wheel. The hub portions  166  are operable to engage bearings  170 , the pinch wheel  14 , the actuator arm  124 , and or portions of the housing  130 . 
     In accordance with various embodiments and shown in  FIGS. 7, 8A and 8B , in operation, the user feeds a desired length of the dunnage material  21  at the supply side  60  of the converting station  70 , which is then moved in a dispensing direction by the operation of the motor  11  and dispensed at the out-feed side  62 . The drum  17  turns in coordination therewith, and the dunnage material  21  is fed out of the machine. Running the motor in this dispensing direction biases the actuator arm  124  in a dispensing position causing the biasing member  122  to be disengaged from the cutting member  110 . This state is maintained until a desired length has been reached. At this point, the motor  11  is reversed and dispensing movement of the dunnage material  21  stops and retracting of the dunnage material  21  begins. Running the motor in the reverse direction causes actuator arm  124  to rotate to a cutting position causing the biasing member  122  to engage the dunnage material  21 . At the same time, the dunnage material  21  is being retracted into the device it is bent around the cutting member  110  via the relative positions of the cutting member  110  and the biasing member  122 . This may puncture, cut or sever the dunnage material  21 , allowing the user to remove the dunnage material  21  more easily. 
     Generally, the dunnage material  21  follows a material path A-B as shown in  FIGS. 1B, 8A and 8B . As discussed above, the material path A-B has a direction in which the material  19  is moved through the system. The material path A-B has various segments such as the feed segment from the supply side  61 , out-feed segment  26 , 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 B can be bent over the edge  112 . The dunnage material  21  on the out-feed side of the converting station  70  can be broken into two portions at the point in which the material path B is bent at the edge  112 : an out-feed segment  26  that is disposed between the drum  17  and cutting member  110  and a severable segment  24  that is disposed beyond the cutting member  110 . 
     As indicated above, the motor is run in a first direction, dispensing the dunnage, until a desired length is reached. At such a point the motor is reversed. In some embodiments, the biasing apparatus  120  is actuated mechanically in direct response to the change of direction of the motor as discussed above. In other embodiments, the biasing apparatus  120  is actuated via a separate signal to a dedicated drive mechanism for the biasing apparatus. In either embodiment, the user actuates the biasing apparatus (e.g., reverse drive motor  11  or send, a signal to a dedicated motor) in a variety of manners. 
     In accordance with various embodiments, the material  19  is cut, perforated, or severed by reversal of the motor. In embodiments with a movable biasing apparatus  120  this causes the apparatus  120  to move as well. The reversal of the motor is actuated in a variety of manners. For example, the motor is programed to operate for a fixed length of time or for a fixed number of revolutions that corresponds to a set length of dunnage material. After the fixed period, the motor reverses actuating the biasing apparatus  120 . Other measurement devices and/or sensors may also be used to determine the length of dunnage and cause the motor to reverse. A sensor may detect portions of the dunnage material  21  such as certain perforations or attachment points. In other embodiments, a sensor detects the length of dunnage material  21  through the system and the system calculates the desired point at which to sever the dunnage material  21  based on predetermined input. In various embodiments, a plurality or all of these sensing techniques are alternatively selected on a single device. The motor is actuated by a trigger (e.g., a foot pedal) that, while engaged, causes the device to dispense dunnage. In response to the trigger being released, the motor reverses causing the dunnage to be cut, perforated, or severed. In some embodiments, the cutting mechanism is actuated simply be pressing a switch which causes the motor to reverse. Upon receipt of an appropriate trigger force from a switch (such as a foot pedal, button, hand trigger, etc.), the sensing unit sends a signal to the driving portion to initiate a short rotational movement in the direction opposite the dispensing direction, thereby causing the dunnage material  21  to be pulled in a reverse direction. As indicated above, in instance incorporating a movable biasing mechanism, this causes the biasing member to engage the material  19 . This reverse action partially or fully tears or severs the dunnage material  21 . Release of a switch such as a foot pedal may also send the signal to the driving portion to initiate the short rotational movement. 
     In some embodiments, the reverse rotational pulse initiated by the motor  11  is less than a millisecond in duration, or less than 10 milliseconds in duration, or less than 100 seconds in duration. As indicated above, a variety of mechanisms may cause a reverse rotation in the motor  11 , including a preprogrammed interval, a button actuation, a release of a feed trigger, or some manipulation of the dunnage material  21  such as a pull. Any duration of any of these or other actuation methods are operable to actuate the reverse system. Examples of actuation methods are discussed above, examples of actuating by pulling the material are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2013/0092716. 
     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. 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 includes an attachment mechanism such as an adhesive portion that is operable as a connecting member between adjacent portions of stock material. 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 . 
     The preceding systems and apparatus are utilized in accordance with any of a variety of methods and control systems. For example, controllers may also include a computer-accessible medium (e.g., as described herein above, a storage device such as a hard disk, floppy disk, memory stick, CD-ROM, RAM, ROM, etc., or a collection thereof) can be provided (e.g., in communication with a processing arrangement). The computer-accessible medium can contain executable instructions thereon. In addition or alternatively, a storage arrangement can be provided separately from the computer-accessible medium, which can provide the instructions to the processing arrangement so as to configure the processing arrangement to execute certain exemplary procedures, processes and methods, as described herein above, for example. Such control systems and methods may include those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2013/0092716. However, other systems may be used as well. 
     The term “about,” as used herein, should generally be understood to refer to both the corresponding number and a range of numbers. Moreover, all numerical ranges herein should be understood to include each whole integer within the range. If a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to examples containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, such recitation should be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). 
     Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). Virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.” 
     While illustrative embodiments of the invention are disclosed herein, it will be appreciated that numerous modifications and other embodiments may be devised by those skilled in the art. For example, the features for the various embodiments can be used in other embodiments. Therefore, it will be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and embodiments that come within the spirit and scope of the present invention.