Patent Publication Number: US-2022219851-A1

Title: Inflatable web materials and rails for guiding the same

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure is in the technical field of automated formation of inflated packages. More particularly, the present disclosure is directed to web materials that have multiple channels and rails for guiding the web materials during inflation and sealing of inflatable chambers in the web materials. 
     Consumers frequently purchase goods from mail-order or internet retailers, which package and ship the goods to the purchasing consumer via a postal service or other carrier. Millions of such packages are shipped each day. These items are normally packaged in small containers, such as boxes or envelopes. To protect the items during shipment, they are typically packaged with some form of protective dunnage that may be wrapped around the item or stuffed into the container to prevent movement of the item and to protect it from shock. 
     Common types of mailing envelope are sometimes referred to as “mailers.” In some cases, these mailers have cushioning to provide some level of protection for the objects transported therein. The outer walls of cushioned mailers are typically formed from protective materials, such as Kraft paper, cardstock, polyethylene-coated paper, other paper-based materials, polyethylene film, or other resilient materials. The inner walls of cushioned mailers are lined with cushioning materials, such as air cellular material (e.g., BUBBLE WRAP™ air cellular material sold by Sealed Air Corporation), foam sheets, or any other cushioning material. The outer walls are typically adhered (e.g., laminated) to the cushioning material when forming the mailers. 
     When goods are shipped in rigid containers, such as corrugated cardboard boxes, dunnage material is typically added to the containers to take up some of the void space within the containers. Inflated cushions, pillows, or other inflated containers are common void fill materials that are either placed loose in a container with an object or wrapped around an object that is then placed in a container. The cushions protect the packaged item by absorbing impacts that may otherwise be fully transmitted to the packaged item during transit, and also restrict movement of the packaged item within the carton to further reduce the likelihood of damage to the item. Another common form of void fill material is paper, such as Kraft paper, that has been folded or crumped into a low-density, three-dimensional pad or wad that is capable of filling void space without adding significant weight to the container. 
     It would be advantageous to automate the packaging process to minimize the amount of time required to package objects properly. However, given the wide variety of ways which objects can be packaged for shipping, automation of the packaging process can be challenging. 
     SUMMARY 
     This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify key features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     In a first embodiment, an automated packaging station is configured to inflate and seal a web material. The automated packaging station includes a first rail, a first nozzle, and a first sealing system. The web material includes a first channel and the first channel is closed so that the first channel can be slid over the first rail. The first nozzle is configured to insert gas into the first channel of the web material. The first channel is in fluid communication with chambers of the web material so that the gas inserted into the first channel can pass into the chambers to inflate the chambers. The first sealing system is configured to seal closed ends the chambers proximate the first channel after inflation of the chambers. A shape of the first rail is configured to cause the first channel and an opposite longitudinal side of the web material to diverge either before or during inflation of the chambers by the first nozzle. 
     In a second embodiment, the first nozzle of the first embodiment includes one or more first outlets. The first rail is a hollow tube through which the gas passes before the gas passes through the one or more first outlets and into the first channel. 
     In a third embodiment, a leading end of the first rail of the second embodiment is closed and a trailing end of the first rail is couplable to a source of pressurized gas. 
     In a fourth embodiment, the automated packaging station of the third embodiment further includes a second rail and a second nozzle. The web material includes a second channel and the second channel is closed so that the second channel can be slid over the second rail. The second nozzle is configured to insert gas into the second channel of the web material. The second nozzle includes one or more second outlets. The second rail is a hollow tube through which the gas passes before the gas passes through the one or more second outlets and into the second channel. A leading end of the second rail is closed and a trailing end of the second rail is couplable to the source of pressurized gas. 
     In a fifth embodiment, the automated packaging station of any of the previous embodiments further includes a first roller configured to move the first channel along the first rail. 
     In a sixth embodiment, the automated packaging station of the fifth embodiment is configured such that the first roller includes a first pair of rollers configured to be placed around the first rail. 
     In a seventh embodiment, each roller in the first pair of rollers of the sixth embodiment has a concave profile around the first rail. 
     In an eighth embodiment, the opposite longitudinal side of the web material of any of the previous embodiments includes a longitudinal seal that closes the chambers. 
     In a ninth embodiment, the automated packaging station of any of the previous embodiments further includes a second rail, where the opposite longitudinal side of the web material includes a second channel. The second channel is closed so that the second channel can be slid over the second rail. 
     In a tenth embodiment, the automated packaging station of the ninth embodiment further includes a second sealing system configured to seal closed ends of the chambers proximate the second channel after inflation of the chambers. Before the second sealing system seals closed the ends of the chambers proximate the second channel, the chambers are in fluid communication with the second channel. 
     In an eleventh embodiment, the automated packaging station of any of the ninth to tenth embodiments further includes a guide located below the first and second rails. The guide is configured to contact portions of the web material below the first channel and the second channel and to have a biasing effect on the web material that encourages unfolding of a longitudinal fold in the web material. 
     In a twelfth embodiment, the guide of the eleventh embodiment has longitudinal sides that have a shape similar to the shape of the first and second rails. 
     In a thirteenth embodiment, the automated packaging station of any of the ninth to twelfth embodiments further includes a first cutting mechanism and a second cutting mechanism. The first cutting mechanism is configured to cut the first channel downstream of a location where the first sealing system is configured to seal closed the ends of the chambers proximate the first channel. The second cutting mechanism is configured to cut the second channel downstream of the location where the second sealing system is configured to seal closed the ends of the chambers proximate the second channel. 
     In a fourteenth embodiment, the automated packaging station of any of the ninth to thirteenth embodiments further includes a support structure. Leading ends of the first and second rails are cantilevered from the support structure so that the first channel can be slid over a leading end of the first rail and the second channel can be slid over a leading end of the second rail. 
     In a fifteenth embodiment, the automated packaging station of any of the previous embodiments further includes a cutting mechanism configured to cut the first channel downstream of a location where the first sealing system is configured to seal closed the ends of the chambers proximate the first channel. 
     In a sixteenth embodiment, a web material includes two juxtaposed sheets sealed together to form, a first channel proximate a first longitudinal edge of the web material, a second channel proximate a second longitudinal edge of the web material, and chambers that extend substantially transversely across the web material between the first and second channels. The first channel is in fluid communication with the chambers. The first and second channels are closed so that the first channel is configured to be slid onto a first rail of an automated packaging machine and the second channel is configured to be slid onto a second rail of the automated packaging machine. 
     In a seventeenth embodiment, the two juxtaposed sheets of the sixteenth embodiment are also sealed together to form ports between the chambers and the first channel. 
     In a eighteenth embodiment, each of the chambers of any of the sixteenth or seventeenth embodiments has cells that are substantially circular and are interconnected by interconnecting channels that are narrower than the widest point of the cells. 
     In a nineteenth embodiment, a pair of adjacent chambers of the eighteenth embodiment are offset so that the cells of one of the chambers are aligned with the interconnecting channels of a subsequent one of the chambers. 
     In a twentieth embodiment, the second channel of any of the sixteenth to nineteenth embodiments is not in fluid communication with the chambers. 
     In a twenty first embodiment, the two juxtaposed sheets of any of the sixteenth to twentieth embodiments are also sealed together to form a longitudinal seal between the chambers and the second channel. 
     In a twenty second embodiment, the second channel of any of the sixteenth to nineteenth embodiments or the nineteenth embodiment is in fluid communication with the chambers. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
       The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of the disclosed subject matter will become more readily appreciated as the same become better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1A  depicts an example of a web material that can be formed into a pouch for packaging an object, in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein; 
         FIGS. 1B and 1C  depict front and side cross-sectional views, respectively, of an embodiment of the web material shown in  FIG. 1A  in a folded state before inflation of the chambers, in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein; 
         FIGS. 2A and 2B  depict examples of cross-sections of the web material shown in  FIGS. 1B and 1C  when the first and second longitudinal edges are held apart from each other, in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein; 
         FIGS. 2C and 2D  depict an example of difficulty in conveying the web material shown in  FIGS. 1B and 1C , 
         FIGS. 3A and 3B  depict front and cross-sectional side views, respectively, of a web material in an unfolded state, in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein; 
         FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C  depict front, cross-sectional side, and back views, respectively, of the web material shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B  in a folded state before inflation of the chambers, in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein; 
         FIGS. 5A and 5B  depict bottom and side views, respectively, of an embodiment of an automated packaging station that uses the web material shown in  FIGS. 4A to 4C , in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein; 
         FIG. 5C  depicts a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of rollers around a rail in an automated packaging station, in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein; 
         FIGS. 6A and 6B  depict front and top views, respectively, of an example of loading the web material shown in  FIGS. 4A to 4C  on the first and second rails of the automated packaging station shown in  FIGS. 5A and 5B , in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein; 
         FIGS. 7A and 7B  depict front and cross-sectional side views, respectively, of another embodiment of a web material in an unfolded state, in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein; 
         FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C  depict cross-sectional side, and back views, respectively, of the web material shown in  FIGS. 7A and 7B  in a folded state before inflation of the chambers, in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein; 
         FIG. 9  depicts a bottom view of another embodiment of an automated packaging station that uses the web material shown in  FIGS. 8A to 8C , in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein; and 
         FIG. 10  depicts a bottom view of an embodiment of automated packaging station that includes a single guide rail, in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present disclosure describes embodiments of web materials that have multiple channels and rails for guiding the web materials during inflation and sealing of inflatable chambers in the web materials. In some embodiments, a web material is formed from two juxtaposed sheets sealed together. The seals in the sheets form a first channel proximate a first longitudinal edge of the web material, a second channel proximate a second longitudinal edge of the web material, and chambers that extends substantially transversely across the web material between the first and second channels. The first channel is in fluid communication with the chambers. The first and second channels are closed so that the first channel is configured to be slid onto a first rail of an automated packaging machine and the second channel is configured to be slid onto a second rail of the automated packaging machine. 
     In some embodiments an automated packaging station is configured to inflate and seal a web material. The automated packaging station has two rails. The web material includes two channels that are closed so that each of the channels can be slid over one of the rails. The automated packaging station has a nozzle that inserts gas into one of the channels of the web material, which is in fluid communication with chambers of the web material so that the gas inserted into the channel can pass into the chambers to inflate the chambers. The automated packaging station also includes a sealing system that seals closed ends the chambers proximate the channel after inflation of the chambers. A shape of the first and second rails is configured to cause the first and second channels of the web material to diverge either before or during inflation of the chambers by the first nozzle. 
     Depicted in  FIG. 1A  is an example of a web material  100  that can be formed into a pouch for packaging an object. In the depicted embodiment, the web material  100  is an inflatable air cellular material. As used herein, the term “air cellular material” herein refers to bubble cushioning material, such as BUBBLE WRAP® air cushioning material sold by Sealed Air Corporation, where a first film or laminate is formed (e.g., thermoformed, embossed, calendared, or otherwise processed) to define a plurality of cavities and a second film or laminate is adhered to the first film or laminate in order to close the cavities. Examples of air cellular materials are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,142,599, 3,208,898, 3,285,793, 3,508,992, 3,586,565, 3,616,155, 3,660,189, 4,181,548, 4,184,904, 4,415,398, 4,576,669, 4,579,516, 6,800,162, 6,982,113, 7,018,495, 7,165,375, 7,220,476, 7,223,461, 7,429,304, 7,721,781, and 7,950,433, and U.S. Published Patent Application Nos. 2014/0314978 and 2015/0075114, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     As used herein, an “object” may comprise a single item for packaging or grouping of several distinct items where the grouping is to be in a single package. Further, an object may include an accompanying informational item, such as a packing slip, tracking code, a manifest, an invoice, or printed sheet comprising machine-readable information (e.g., a bar code) for sensing by an object reader (e.g., a bar code scanner). In some embodiments, each of the objects includes an object identifier. In some examples, the object identifier includes one or more of a barcode, a quick response (QR) code, a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, any other form a machine-readable information, human-readable information, or any combination thereof. 
     The web material  100  includes a first longitudinal edge  102  and a second longitudinal edge  104 . Between the first and second longitudinal edges  102  and  104  are two juxtaposed sheets (e.g., sheets of film) that are sealed together to form chambers  106 . In the depicted embodiment, the chambers  106  are in an uninflated state and the chambers  106  are capable of being inflated. In the depicted embodiment, each of the chambers  106  extends substantially transversely across the web material  100  and the pattern of the chambers  106  generally repeats in the longitudinal direction. 
     In the depicted embodiment, each of the chambers  106  includes a port  108  that is open and a distal end  110  that is closed. The ports  108  are located proximate the first longitudinal edge  102  and the distal ends  110  are located proximate the second longitudinal edge  104  so that the ports extend substantially transversely across the web material  100 . The juxtaposed sheets are sealed between the ports  108  and the distal ends  110  such that each of the chambers  106  has substantially circular cells that are interconnected by channels that are narrower than the widest point of the cells. The chambers  106  are capable of being inflated by inserting a gas (e.g., air) through the ports  108 . Once the chambers  106  are inflated, the cells form three-dimensional shapes (sometimes referred to as “bubbles”) along the inflated chambers  106 . In the depicted embodiment, a pair of adjacent chambers  106  are offset so that the cells of one of the chambers  106  are aligned with the interconnecting channels of a subsequent one of the chambers  106 . 
     To aid in inflation of the chambers  106 , the web material  100  includes a common channel  112 . In the depicted embodiment, the common channel  112  is in fluid communication with the chambers  106 . In some embodiments, a nozzle can be inserted in the common channel  112  and direct a gas into the common channel  112 . The gas inserted into the common channel  112  can pass through the ports  108  to inflate the chambers  106 . In some embodiments, the nozzle may remain fixed while located within the common channel  112  and the web material  100  is moved longitudinally such that the nozzle sequentially inflates the chambers  106 . Coupled to the nozzle may be a sealing device configured to close (e.g., seal closed) the ports  108  after inflation of the chambers  106 . 
     In some embodiments, the web material  100  can be folded and formed into a pouch for holding and cushioning an object. In some embodiments, the web material  100  can be folded, inflated, and transversely sealed to form an inflated pouch. An object can be inserted into the pouch and then the pouch can be closed to form a package around the object. Examples of systems and methods of forming a pouch and then a package in this manner are described in U.S. Patent Application No. 62/783,250, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein by reference in their entirety. In some embodiments, the web material  100  is formed from a material that is suitable for shipping the object. For example, the web material  100  may be opaque. 
     In order to form an inflated pouch, the web material  100  can be folded, inflated, and transversely sealed. Depicted in  FIGS. 1B and 10  are front and side cross-sectional views, respectively, of an embodiment of the web material  100  in a folded state before inflation of the chambers  106 . A longitudinal fold  114  has been formed in the web material  100 . In the depicted embodiment, the longitudinal fold  114  is substantially equidistant from the first and second longitudinal edges  102  and  104 . This type of fold is sometimes referred to as a “C fold” because the first and second longitudinal edges  102  and  104  are substantially the same distance away from the longitudinal fold  114 , as opposed to a “J fold” when a longitudinal fold is offset from the center of the web material so that the longitudinal edges extend different distances away from the longitudinal fold. 
     In the folded orientation shown in  FIGS. 1B and 10 , the web material  100  can be wound onto a supply roll. In some embodiments, the web material  100  can be wound such that the longitudinal edges  102  and  104  are on one side of the roll and the longitudinal fold  114  are on the other side of the roll. To inflate the web material  100 , the web material  100  can be unwound from the roll and fed through an inflation and sealing system that inflates and seals the chambers  106  sequentially. In some embodiments, the inflation and sealing system includes a nozzle that can be positioned that that the two sides of the common channel  112  pass over the nozzle as the web material  100  is fed away from the supply roll. In the depicted embodiment, the common channel  112  is an “open” channel because the two sheets are not commented to each other. An open channel allows the two sheets to pass on either side of the nozzle without cutting the channel. In other embodiments, the common channel  112  can be a “closed” channel where the two sheets are connected to each other. A closed channel requires the two sheets to be cut before the sheets can pass on either side of the nozzle. 
     To inflate the chambers  106 , the nozzle can insert gas into common channel  112  so that the gas passes through the ports  108  and into the chambers  106  in a substantially linear direction indicated by an arrow  116 . As some of the gas reaches the longitudinal fold  114 , the gas passes in the direction indicated by the arrow  116 , then around the longitudinal fold  114  as indicated by an arrow  118 , and then continues through the chambers  106  toward the distal ends  110  in a direction indicated by the arrow  120 . The gas may fill both the portions of the chambers  106  between the longitudinal fold  114  and the distal ends  110  and the portions of the between the longitudinal fold  114  and the ports  108 . 
     When the web material  100  is folded about the longitudinal fold  114  in the configuration shown in  FIGS. 1B and 10 , the chambers  106  may not consistently inflate properly. As can be seen in  FIG. 10 , the longitudinal fold  114  can function as a crease in the web material  100  which deters or prevents gas from passing through the chambers  106  at the longitudinal fold  114 . In this case, during the time that one of the chambers  106  is exposed to the gas from the nozzle, the longitudinal fold  114  may prevent sufficient gas from passing through the longitudinal fold  114  to fully inflate the chamber. The chambers  106  can thus be under inflated and not provide a desired amount of cushioning. In addition, the arrows  116  and  120  are substantially parallel to each other and in substantially opposite directions. When the gas is inserted into the chambers in the direction indicated by the arrow  116 , the sides of the chambers  106  near the longitudinal fold  114  operate to change the direction of the flow of gas. The forces imparted by the gas as it changed directions may be sufficient to cause deformity (e.g., stretching) or failure (e.g., rupture) of the walls of the chambers  106  near the longitudinal fold  114 . In the case of deformity of the chambers  106 , the resulting package can be aesthetically unpleasing and/or have reduced cushioning properties. In the case of failure of the chambers  106 , the resulting package may be rendered unsuitable for protecting and/or shipping an object. 
     The issues with inflation of the web material  100  in the folded configuration shown in  FIGS. 1B and 10  can be improved by holding the first and second longitudinal edges  102  and  104  apart where the chambers  106  are inflated. In some embodiments, an automatic packaging system may hold the first and second longitudinal edges  102  and  104  apart from each other during inflation. Depicted in  FIG. 2A  is an example of a cross section of the web material  100  when the first and second longitudinal edges  102  and  104  are held apart from each other. In the depicted embodiment, the cross-section of the web material  100  is substantially V-shaped. In the depicted embodiment, the portion of the chambers  106  on one side of the longitudinal fold  114  and the portion of the chambers  106  on the other side of the longitudinal fold  114  are at an angle with respect to each other. The angle is greater than 0° such that the portion of the chambers  106  on one side of the longitudinal fold  114  is not parallel to the portion of the chambers  106  on the other side of the longitudinal fold  114 . 
     To inflate the chambers  106 , an inflation nozzle can insert gas into the common channel  112  so that the gas passes through the ports  108  and into the chambers  106 . As some of the gas reaches the longitudinal fold  114 , the gas passes around the longitudinal fold  114 , and then continues through the chambers  106  toward the distal ends  110 . The gas may fill both the portions of the chambers  106  between the longitudinal fold  114  and the distal ends  110  and the portions of the between the longitudinal fold  114  and the ports  108 . 
     When the web material  100  is in the orientation shown in  FIG. 2B , the longitudinal fold  114  may not completely close off the chambers  106  at the longitudinal fold  114 . This may allow at least some gas to pass through the chambers  106  at the longitudinal fold  114 . In some embodiments, the orientation of the longitudinal fold  114  may permit each of the chambers  106  to permit sufficient gas to pass by the longitudinal fold  114  during the time that each of the chambers  106  is exposed to the gas from an inflation nozzle to fully inflate the chambers  106 . In addition, the forces imparted by the gas at the longitudinal fold  114  may not be sufficient to cause deformity or failure of the walls of the chambers  106  near the longitudinal fold  114 . However, in some embodiments, the first and second longitudinal edges  102  and  104  may not be positioned far enough apart so that the angle is large enough to permit sufficient gas to pass by the longitudinal fold  114  during the time that each of the chambers  106  is exposed to the gas from the inflation nozzle to fully inflate the chambers  106 . 
     In some embodiments, it would be advantageous for the web material  100  to have a cross-sectional shape other than the folded configuration shown in  FIG. 10  and the V-shaped configuration shown in  FIG. 2A . Depicted in  FIG. 2B  is an embodiment of the web material  100  having a U-shaped cross-section. In some embodiments, the web material  100  has been held such that the longitudinal fold  114  has been unfolded and bends  122  and  124  have been formed in the web material  100 . While a bend in the web material  100  may form a crease in the web material  100  to prevent the flow of gas through the chambers  106 , the bends  122  and  124  are at angles that are sufficiently large to not pose a significant hinderance to the passage of gas through the chambers  106 . For example, the path through the chambers  106  at each of the bends  122  and  124  forms an angle that is significantly less extreme than the angle of the path around the longitudinal fold  114  in  FIG. 2A . In the depicted embodiment, the angles at each of the bends  122  and  124  are obtuse angles. A bend at an obtuse angle may allow sufficiently more gas to pass than a fold that has been somewhat opened to an acute angle. With the bends  122  and  124  in the web material  100 , gas inserted into the chambers  106  by an inflation nozzle passes toward the bend  122 , around the bend  122 , around the bend  124 , and then continues to the distal ends  110 . 
     In addition to difficulty ensuring proper inflation with using the web material  100 , the web material  100  may also be difficult to properly convey automatically. One example of difficulty in conveying the web material  100  is depicted in  FIGS. 2C and 2D . In  FIG. 2C , the web material  100  is conveyed by rollers  140  and rollers  142 . The rollers  140  are a pair of counterrotating nip rollers through which a portion of the web material  100  near the second longitudinal edge  104  passes. The rollers  142  are a pair of counterrotating nip rollers through which a portion of the web material  100  near the first longitudinal edge  102  passes. At the instance shown in  FIG. 2C , the rollers  140  and the rollers  142  are holding the web material  100  such that the first and second longitudinal edges  102  and  104  are substantially level at a horizontal plane  144 . 
     It may be advantageous for the web material  100  to be held and conveyed while the first and second longitudinal edges  102  and  104  remain substantially level at the horizontal plane  144  while the web material  100  is held and conveyed by the rollers  140  and the rollers  142 . However, as the web material  100  is conveyed by the rollers  140  and the rollers  142 , the web material  100  may slide out of position with respect to the rollers  140  and the rollers  142 . In  FIG. 2D , the web material  100  has slid so that the first longitudinal edge  102  is located above the horizontal plane  144  and the second longitudinal edge  104  is located below the horizontal plane  144 . This positioning of the web material  100  may affect further conveying of the web material  100 , inflation of the chambers  106  in the web material  100 , or any other aspect of handling the web material  100  (e.g., forming transverse seals in the web material  100 ). In addition, the web material  100  can continue to slide from the position shown in  FIG. 2D  until the second longitudinal edge  104  is no longer located between the rollers  140  and/or the first longitudinal edge  102  is no longer located between the rollers  142 . It would be advantageous for an automated packaging station to hold a web material in way that keeps longitudinal edges of the material web substantially level. 
     Depicted in  FIGS. 3A and 3B  are front and cross-sectional side views, respectively, of a web material  200  in an unfolded state. The web material  200  includes a first longitudinal edge  202  and a second longitudinal edge  204 . Between the first and second longitudinal edges  202  and  204  are two juxtaposed sheets (e.g., sheets of film) that are sealed together to form chambers  206 . In the depicted embodiment, the chambers  206  are in an uninflated state and the chambers  206  are capable of being inflated. In the depicted embodiment, each of the chambers  206  extends substantially transversely across the web material  200  and the pattern of the chambers  206  generally repeats in the longitudinal direction. 
     In the depicted embodiment, each of the chambers  206  includes a port  208  that is open and a distal end  210  that is closed. The ports  208  are located proximate the first longitudinal edge  202  and the distal ends  210  are located proximate the second longitudinal edge  204  so that the ports  208  and the distal ends  210  extend substantially transversely across the web material  200 . The juxtaposed sheets are sealed between the ports  208  and the distal ends  210  such that each of the chambers  206  has substantially circular cells that are interconnected by channels that are narrower than the widest point of the cells. The chambers  206  are capable of being inflated by inserting a gas (e.g., air) through the ports  208 . Once the chambers  206  are inflated, the cells form three-dimensional shapes (sometimes referred to as “bubbles”) along the inflated chambers  206 . In the depicted embodiment, a pair of adjacent chambers  206  are offset so that the cells of one of the chambers  206  are aligned with the interconnecting channels of a subsequent one of the chambers  206 . 
     The web material includes a first channel  212  and a second channel  222 . The first channel  212  is located proximate the first longitudinal edge  202  and the second channel  222  is located proximate the second longitudinal edge  204 . In the depicted embodiment, each of the first and second channels  212  and  222  is a “closed” channel because the two sides of the first channel  212  are connected at the first longitudinal edge  202  and the two sides of the second channel  222  are connected at the second longitudinal edge  204 . In this way, the first channel  212  forms a loop above the ports  208  and the second channel  222  forms a loop below the distal ends  210 . In other embodiments, one or both of the first and second channels  212  and  222  can be an “open” channel where the two sides of the channel do not meet at the longitudinal edge. 
     In the depicted embodiment, the first channel  212  is in fluid communication with the chambers  206 . In some embodiments, a nozzle can be inserted in the first channel  212  and direct a gas into the first channel  212 . The gas inserted into the first channel  212  can pass through the ports  208  to inflate the chambers  206 . In some embodiments, the nozzle may remain fixed while located within the first channel  212  and the web material  200  is moved longitudinally such that the nozzle sequentially inflates the chambers  206 . Coupled to the nozzle may be a sealing device configured to close (e.g., seal closed) the ports  208  after inflation of the chambers  206 . In the depicted embodiment, the second channel  222  is not in fluid communication with the chambers  206 . A longitudinal seal  220  is located in the web material  200  between the distal ends  210  and the second channel  222 . The longitudinal seal  220  deters any passage of gas between the chambers  206  and the second channel  222 . 
     In some embodiments, the web material  200  can be folded and formed into a pouch for holding and cushioning an object. In some embodiments, the web material  200  can be folded, inflated, and transversely sealed to form an inflated pouch. An object can be inserted into the pouch and then the pouch can be closed to form a package around the object. In some embodiments, the web material  200  is formed from a material that is suitable for shipping the object. For example, the web material  200  may be opaque. 
     Depicted in  FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C  are front, cross-sectional side, and back views, respectively, of the web material  200  in a folded state before inflation of the chambers  206 . A longitudinal fold  214  has been formed in the web material  200 . In the depicted embodiment, the web material  200  is C-folded such that the longitudinal fold  214  substantially equidistant from the first and second longitudinal edges  202  and  204 . Because the web material  200  is C-folded, the first and second channels  212  and  222  are located adjacent to each other. In other embodiments, the web material  200  is J-folded such that the longitudinal fold  214  is offset from the middle of the web material  200  between the first and second longitudinal edges  202  and  204 . 
     From the folded state shown in  FIGS. 4A to 4C , the web material  200  can be stored for later use by an automated packaging station. In some embodiments, the web material  200  can be wound around a cylindrical core initially to form a supply roll of the web material  200 . The longitudinal fold  214  would be on one side of the supply roll and the first and second channels  212  and  222  would be on the other side of the supply roll. When wound into a supply roll, the web material  200  may be suitable for supplying an automated packaging station that can inflate and seal the web material  200  and then form the inflated web material  200  into a pouch for packaging an object. In other embodiments, the web material  200  in the folded state shown in  FIGS. 4A to 4C  can be stored in configurations other than a supply roll for later use by an automated packaging station. 
     In some embodiments, when the web material  200  is would into a supply roll, any gas (e.g., air) remaining in the channels  212  and  222  can cause winding difficulties. For example, the gas remaining in the channels  212  and  222  can become trapped, causing the web material  200  to be uneven across the supply roll. In some embodiments, the channels  212  and  222  can include perforations that permit gas trapped in the channels  212  and  222  to escape. Such perforations can be formed longitudinally in the channels  212  and  222 . In some embodiments, the perforations can be continuous (e.g., perforations continuously through the longitudinal direction of the channel) or discontinuous (e.g., perforations applied periodically through the longitudinal direction of the channel). The perforations in the channels  212  and  222 , whether continuous or discontinuous, can permit gas to escape the channels  212  and  222  so that gas does not become trapped in the channels  212  and  222  and trapped gas does not cause winding difficulties. 
     Depicted in  FIGS. 5A and 5B  are bottom and side views, respectively, of an embodiment of an automated packaging station  300  that uses the web material  200 . The portion of the automated packaging station  300  depicted in  FIGS. 5A and 5B  may be merely a portion of the entire automated packaging station  300 , such as a portion of any of the automated packaging stations shown in U.S. Patent Application No. 62/783,250, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein by reference in their entirety. 
     The automated packaging station  300  includes a supply  302  of the web material  200 . In the depicted embodiment, the supply  302  is in the form of a roll with the web material  200  wound around a core. The supply  302  is arranged such that the axis of the roll is substantially vertical. In some embodiments, the web material  200  is arranged with respect to the axis of the supply  302  so that the longitudinal fold  214  of the web material  200  is on the lower (bottom) side of the supply  302  and the first and second channels  212  and  222  are on the upper (top) side of the supply  302 . While on the supply  302 , the chambers  206  of the web material  200  are in a non-inflated state such that the web material  200  is in a “flat” condition on the supply  302  and can be wound tightly on the roll. In some embodiments, the supply  302  is located on a substantially vertical spindle that is configured to rotate freely such that the web material  200  unwinds from the supply  302  as the web material  200  is pulled from the supply  302 . In other embodiments, the supply can be powered to actively unwind the web material  200  from the supply  302 . 
     The automated packaging station  300  includes a positioning roller  304 . As can be seen in  FIG. 5A , the web material  200  can be fed from the supply  302  to the positioning roller  304 . The web material  200  may pass from the supply  302  to the positioning roller  304  along a number of different paths  306 , depending on the amount of the web material  200  remaining the supply  302 . The positioning roller  304  is arranged so that the web material  200  leaves the positioning roller  304  at substantially the same location regardless of which of the paths  306  that the web material  200  passes from the supply  302  to the positioning roller  304 . In some embodiments, the positioning roller  304  is driven so that it rotates at times when the web material  200  is fed by the positioning roller  304 . In other embodiments, the positioning roller  304  is an idle roller that rotates in response to contact from the web material  200  as the web material  200  is fed by the positioning roller  304 . 
     After the web material  200  leaves the positioning roller  304 , the first and second longitudinal edges  202  and  204  are separated from each other. The automated packaging station  300  includes a first rail  308  and a second rail  310 . The first longitudinal edge  202  of the web material  200  is fed toward a leading end  312  of the first rail  308  and the second longitudinal edge  202  of the web material  200  is fed toward a leading end  314  of the second rail  310 . In the depicted embodiment, the leading ends  312  and  314  of the first and second rails  308  and  310  are cantilevered from a support structure  316  of the automated packaging station  300  so that the first channel  212  can be slid over the leading end  312  of the first rail  308  and the second channel  222  can be slid over the leading end  314  of the second rail  310 . An example of how the first and second channels  212  and  222  are slid over the leading ends  312  and  314  of the first and second rails  308  and  310  are given below with respect to  FIGS. 6A and 6B . 
     After the first and second channels  212  and  222  have been threaded through the first and second rails  308  and  310 , the first and second rails  308  and  310  serve as a track for guiding the web material  200 . In the depicted embodiment, the first and second rails  308  and  310  can also serve as nozzles for introducing gas into the first and second channels  212  and  222 . In the depicted embodiment, each of the first and second rails  308  and  310  is a hollow tube and the leading ends  312  and  314  of the first and second rails  308  and  310  are closed. The first rail  308  has a trailing end  318  and the second rail  310  has a trailing end  320 . Each of the trailing ends  318  and  320  can be coupled to a source of pressurized gas, such as a cylinder of pressurized gas, a gas compressor, and the like. The first rail  308  has outlets  322  and the second rail  310  has outlets  324 . In some embodiments, the pressurized gas can be introduced into the first and second rails  308  and  310 , proceed down the first and second rails  308  and  310 , and then exit the first and second rails  308  and  310  through the outlets  322  and  324  into the first and second channels  212  and  222 , respectively, of the web material  200 . In this way, the outlets  322  form a nozzle that is integrated into the first rail  308  and the outlets  324  form a nozzle that is integrated into to the second rail  310 . 
     The automated packaging station  300  also includes rollers that are capable of engaging the web material  200  to advance the web material  200 . In the depicted embodiment, the automated packaging station  300  includes pairs of rollers  326 ,  328 ,  330 ,  332 ,  334 , and  336  that are configured to drive the film. Each of the pairs of rollers  326 ,  328 ,  330 ,  332 ,  334 , and  336  includes two rollers that have concave profiles so that the rollers can be placed around one or both of the first and second rails  308  and  310 . An example of concave profiles of the set of rollers  332  around the first rail  308  is shown in a cross-sectional view depicted in  FIG. 5C . 
     In the depicted embodiment, the automated packaging station  300  also includes a sealing system  338 . The sealing system  338  includes rollers  340 . As can be seen in  FIG. 5B , the rollers  340  of the sealing system  338  are located below the first rail  308 . The rollers  340  form a nip therebetween so that the web material  200  passes through the rollers  340 . In some embodiments, the rollers  340  are positioned such that a portion of the web material  200  that includes the ports  208  of the chambers  206  passes between the rollers  340 . In some embodiments, the rollers  340  are configured to form longitudinal seals in the web material  200  through the ports  208  to seal the chambers  206 . In this way, the chambers  206  can be inflated by the gas that is inserted into the first channel  212  through the outlets  322  and the sealing system  338  can seal the chambers  206  closed in an inflated state. In some embodiments, one of the rollers  340  includes a circumferential heating element that contacts the web material  200  as it passes between the rollers  340  to form a heat seal in the web material  200 . In other embodiments, the sealing system  338  may include drag sealers or any other form of sealer to form the longitudinal seals. In other embodiments, the ports  208  may include one-way seals that allow gas to enter the chambers  206  and holds the gas within the chambers  206  without the need of additional heat seals. 
     In the depicted embodiment, there are a number of the outlets  322  along the first rail  308  before the sealing system  338 . Having a greater number of the outlets  322  can increase dwell time of each of the chambers  206  under one of the outlets  322  as the web material  200  is fed along the first rail  308 . However, it will be understood that the outlets  322  could include a single outlet or a plurality of outlets. In the depicted embodiment, the second rail  310  includes outlets  324  through which gas may be directed into the second channel  222 . Because the second channel  222  is not in fluid communication with the chambers  206 , the gas that passes into the second channel  222  will not inflate the chambers  206  in any way. However, inserting gas into the second channel  222  may cause the second channel  222  to have similar properties with respect to the second rail  310  (e.g., a coefficient of friction) that the first channel  212  has with respect to the first rail  308 . In this way, both of the first and second channels  212  and  222  may “act” in similar ways as the web material  200  is being fed along the first and second rails  308  and  310 . 
     As can be seen in  FIG. 5A , the sets of rollers  326  and  328  are located along the first and second rails  308  and  310 , respectively, at similar locations in the downstream direction (i.e., from left to right in the depiction shown in  FIG. 5A ). When arranged in this manner, as the web material  200  is being loaded onto the first and second rails  308  and  310 , the rollers  326  and the rollers  328  are likely to engage the first channel  212  and the second channel  222 , respectively, of the web material  200  at close to the same time. In addition, as the rollers  326  and  328  drive the web material  200 , the forces imparted by the rollers  326  and  328  on the web material  200  may be substantially symmetrical so that the web material  200  is advanced without any twisting or torqueing of the web material  200 . In the depicted embodiment, at least some of the outlets  322  are located in the first rail  308  upstream of the rollers  326  and at least some of the outlets  324  are located in the second rail  308  upstream of the rollers  328 . This allows the first and second channels  212  and  222  to be at least partially inflated by the time they reach the rollers  326  and  328  so that the first and second channels  212  and  222  are more likely to contact and be driven properly by the rollers  326  and  328 . 
     The rollers  340  in the sealing system  338  and the set of rollers  330  are located along the first and second rails  308  and  310 , respectively, at similar locations in the downstream direction. When arranged in this manner, as the web material  200  is being loaded onto the first and second rails  308  and  310 , the rollers  340  and the rollers  330  are likely to engage the first channel  212  and the second channel  222 , respectively, of the web material  200  at close to the same time. In addition, as the rollers  340  and  330  drive the web material  200 , the forces imparted by the rollers  340  and  330  on the web material  200  may be substantially symmetrical so that the web material  200  is advanced without any twisting or torqueing of the web material  200 . 
     The sets of rollers  332  and  334  are located along the first and second rails  308  and  310 , respectively, at similar locations in the downstream direction. When arranged in this manner, as the web material  200  is being loaded onto the first and second rails  308  and  310 , the rollers  332  and the rollers  334  are likely to engage the first channel  212  and the second channel  222 , respectively, of the web material  200  at close to the same time. In addition, as the rollers  332  and  334  drive the web material  200 , the forces imparted by the rollers  332  and  334  on the web material  200  may be substantially symmetrical so that the web material  200  is advanced without any twisting or torqueing of the web material  200 . 
     The rollers  336  are located on either side of the first and second rails  308  and  310  at a location where the first and second rails  308  and  310  come together. This arrangement brings the first and second channels  212  and  222  back into proximity with each other so that both of the first and second channels  212  and  222  pass between the rollers  336 . As the rollers  336  drive the web material  200 , the forces imparted by the rollers  336  on the web material  200  may be substantially symmetrical so that the web material  200  is advanced without any twisting or torqueing of the web material  200 . 
     In some embodiments, the automated packaging station  300  include a cutting element  342  located above the first rail  308 . In the embodiment visible in  FIG. 5B , the cutting element  342  is an angled blade positioned above the first rail  308 . The cutting element  342  is positioned so that the cutting element  342  cuts the first channel  212 . After the first channel  212  has been cut, the first channel  212  can be fed off of the first rail  308 . In some embodiments, the cutting element is located along the first rail  308  between the sealing system  338  and the point at which the first and second rails  308  and  310  come together. This positioning allows the first channel to be removed from the first rail  308  before the first rail  308  comes into contact with the second rail  310 . While not visible in  FIG. 5B , another cutting element can be located on the second rail  310  and provide the same function with respect to the second channel  222  as the cutting element  342  provides with respect to the first channel  212 . 
     One benefit of the use of the first and second rails  308  and  310  in the automated packaging station  300  is that the shape of the first and second rails  308  and  310  can cause the first and second longitudinal edges  202  and  204  of the web material  200  to diverge before and/or during inflation of the chambers  206 . For example, in the downstream direction, the first and second rails  308  and  310  diverge over the range where the outlets  322  and  324  are located. This divergence of the first and second rails  308  and  310  increases the likelihood that the longitudinal fold  214  will unfold sufficiently to permit inflation of the entirety of the chambers  206 . For example, the divergence of the first and second rails  308  and  310  can cause the web material to transition from having a V-shaped cross-section (e.g., a cross-section similar to the one depicted in  FIG. 2A ) to having a U-shaped cross-section (e.g., a cross-section similar to the one depicted in  FIG. 2B ). 
     In the depicted embodiment, the automated packaging station  300  also includes a guide  344  that can increase the likelihood that the chambers  206  will properly inflate. The guide  344  is in the form of a static guide that is located below the rollers and is configured to contact portions of the web material  200  below the first channel  212  and the second channel  222 . The position and shape of the guide  344  may further encourage the longitudinal fold  214  will unfold sufficiently to permit inflation of the entirety of the chambers  206 . In embodiments where the guide  344  contacts portions of the web material  200  below the first channel  212  and the second channel  222 , the guide  344  may have more of a biasing effect on the web material  200  that encourages unfolding of the longitudinal fold  214 . In the depicted embodiment, the longitudinal sides of the guide  344  have a shape similar to the shape of the first and second rails  308  and  310 . 
     Depicted in  FIGS. 6A and 6B  are front and top views, respectively, of an example of loading the web material  200  on the first and second rails  308  and  310  of the automated packaging station  300 . At the depicted instance, a portion of the web material  200  has been withdrawn from the supply  302  and routed around the positioning roller  304 . The leading end of the web material  200  has been brought up to the leading ends  312  and  314  of the first and second rails  308  and  310 . More specifically, the leading end of the first channel  212  has been aligned with the leading end  312  of the first rail  308  and the leading end of the second channel  222  has been aligned with the leading end  314  of the second rail  310 . This positioning of the web material  200  can be done manually, such as in the case of a user pulling the web material  200  from the supply  302  and aligning the first and second channels  212  and  222  with the leading ends  312  and  314  of the first and second rails  308 , or automatically, such as in the case of components of the automated packaging station  300  withdrawing the web material  200  from the supply  302  and aligning the first and second channels  212  and  222  with the leading ends  312  and  314  of the first and second rails  308 . 
     From the point depicted in  FIGS. 6A and 6B , the first channel  212  can be slid over the leading end  312  of the first rail  308  and the second channel  222  can be slid over the leading end  314  of the second rail  310 . The web material  200  can be advanced, either manually or automatically, until the first channel  212  makes contact with and is driven by the rollers  326  and the second channel  222  makes contact with and is driven by the rollers  328 . At that point, the rollers  326  and  328  can be driven to advance the web material  200 . The first and second rails  308  and  310  guide the first and second channels  212  and  222 , respectively, as the web material  200  is advanced until the first channel  212  makes contact with and is driven by the rollers  340  and the second channel  222  makes contact with and is driven by the rollers  330 . In the depicted embodiment, the first and second rails  308  and  310  are arranged to position the web material  200  such that, when the web material  200  reaches the rollers  330  and  340 , portions of the web material  200  pass between the rollers  330  and between the rollers  340  without the need for manual positioning of the web material  200 . 
     Once a portion of the web material  200  is located between the rollers  330  and  340 , the rollers  330  and  340  can be driven to advance the web material  200 . The first and second rails  308  and  310  guide the first and second channels  212  and  222 , respectively, as the web material  200  is advanced until the first channel  212  makes contact with and is driven by the rollers  332  and the second channel  222  makes contact with and is driven by the rollers  334 . In the depicted embodiment, the first and second rails  308  and  310  are arranged to position the web material  200  such that, when the web material  200  reaches the rollers  332  and  334 , portions of the web material  200  pass between the rollers  332  and between the rollers  334  without the need for manual positioning of the web material  200 . 
     Once a portion of the web material  200  is located between the rollers  332  and  334 , the rollers  332  and  334  can be driven to advance the web material  200 . The first and second rails  308  and  310  guide the first and second channels  212  and  222 , respectively, as the web material  200  is advanced until the first channel  212  is cut open by the cutting element  342  and the second channel  222  is cut open by a cutting element. After the first and second channels  212  and  222  are cut open, portions of the first and second channels  212  and  222  pass between the rollers  336 . In some embodiments, when the web material  200  reaches the rollers  332  and  334 , portions of the web material  200  pass between the rollers  336  without the need for manual positioning of the web material  200 . 
     As can be seen from the preceding example of loading the web material  200  on the automated packaging station  300 , the amount of user action required to load the web material  200  on the automated packaging station is relatively low. When manually loading the web material on the automated packaging station  300 , the user can pull a portion of the web material  200  from the supply  302 , route the web material  200  around the positioning roller  304 , slide the first channel  212  onto the first rail  308 , slide the second channel  222  onto the second rail  310 , and bring the first and second channels into contact with the roller  326  and  328 , respectively. From that point, the automated packaging station  300  guides and routes the web material  200  along the first and second rails  308  and  310  while inflating and sealing the chambers  206 . 
     In the embodiment of the web material  200 , the first channel  212  is in fluid communication with the chambers  206  and the second channel  222  is not in fluid communication with the chambers  206 . The sealing system  338  of the automated packaging station  300  is located as the side of the web material  200  with the first channel  212  and the ports  208  will pass. In other embodiments, a web material can include two channels that are in fluid communication with inflatable chambers. 
     In some embodiments, the sizes of the channels  212  and  222  can have an effect on the threading of the channels  212  and  222  onto the first and second rails  308  and  310  and on the inflatability of the chambers  206 . For example, narrow channels are difficult to open and difficult to thread onto rails. Wide channels may be easier to thread onto rails. However, wide channels create higher hoop stress, which can cause the channels to rupture during inflation. Also, wide channels can trap gas more easily, which can cause winding difficulties when the web material is wound onto a supply roll. In some embodiments, a channel having a size between about 0.5 inches (1.27 cm) and about 1.1 inches (2.79 cm)—as measured when the web material is flat—balances the effect of hoop stress and chamber inflation rate with the ability to open and thread the channels onto rails. 
     Depicted in  FIGS. 7A and 7B  are front and cross-sectional side views, respectively, of a web material  400  in an unfolded state. The web material  400  includes a first longitudinal edge  402  and a second longitudinal edge  404 . Between the first and second longitudinal edges  402  and  404  are two juxtaposed sheets (e.g., sheets of film) that are sealed together to form chambers  406 . In the depicted embodiment, the chambers  406  are in an uninflated state and the chambers  406  are capable of being inflated. In the depicted embodiment, each of the chambers  406  extends substantially transversely across the web material  400  and the pattern of the chambers  406  generally repeats in the longitudinal direction. 
     In the depicted embodiment, each of the chambers  406  includes a first port  408  and a second port  410 , both of which are open. The first ports  408  are located proximate the first longitudinal edge  402  and the second ports  410  are located proximate the second longitudinal edge  404  so that the chambers  406  extend substantially transversely across the web material  400 . The juxtaposed sheets are sealed between the first ports  408  and the second ports  410  such that each of the chambers  406  has substantially circular cells that are interconnected by channels that are narrower than the widest point of the cells. The chambers  406  are capable of being inflated by inserting a gas (e.g., air) through the first ports  408  and/or the second ports  410 . Once the chambers  406  are inflated, the cells form three-dimensional shapes (sometimes referred to as “bubbles”) along the inflated chambers  406 . In the depicted embodiment, a pair of adjacent chambers  406  are offset so that the cells of one of the chambers  406  are aligned with the interconnecting channels of a subsequent one of the chambers  406 . 
     The web material includes a first channel  412  and a second channel  422 . The first channel  412  is located proximate the first longitudinal edge  402  and the second channel  422  is located proximate the second longitudinal edge  404 . In the depicted embodiment, each of the first and second channels  412  and  422  is a “closed” channel because the two sides of the first channel  412  are connected at the first longitudinal edge  402  and the two sides of the second channel  422  are connected at the second longitudinal edge  404 . In this way, the first channel  412  forms a loop above the first ports  408  and the second channel  422  forms a loop below the second ports  410 . In other embodiments, one or both of the first and second channels  412  and  422  can be an “open” channel where the two sides of the channel do not meet at the longitudinal edge. 
     In the depicted embodiment, each of the first channel  412  and the second channel  422  is in fluid communication with the chambers  406 . In some embodiments, one or more nozzles can be inserted in the first channel  412  and/or the second channel  422  to direct a gas into the first channel  412  and/or the second channel  422 . The gas inserted into the first channel  412  and/or the second channel  422  can pass through the first ports  408  and/or the second ports  410  to inflate the chambers  406 . In some embodiments, the nozzle(s) may remain fixed while located within the first channel  412  and/or the second channel  422  and the web material  400  is moved longitudinally such that the nozzle(s) sequentially inflates the chambers  406 . Coupled to each of the nozzle(s) may be one a sealing device configured to close (e.g., seal closed) the first ports  408  and/or the second ports  410  after inflation of the chambers  406 . 
     In some embodiments, the web material  400  can be folded and formed into a pouch for holding and cushioning an object. In some embodiments, the web material  400  can be folded, inflated, and transversely sealed to form an inflated pouch. An object can be inserted into the pouch and then the pouch can be closed to form a package around the object. In some embodiments, the web material  400  is formed from a material that is suitable for shipping the object. For example, the web material  400  may be opaque. 
     Depicted in  FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C  are front, cross-sectional side, and back views, respectively, of the web material  400  in a folded state before inflation of the chambers  406 . A longitudinal fold  414  has been formed in the web material  400 . In the depicted embodiment, the web material  400  is C-folded such that the longitudinal fold  414  substantially equidistant from the first and second longitudinal edges  402  and  404 . Because the web material  400  is C-folded, the first and second channels  412  and  422  are located adjacent to each other. In other embodiments, the web material  400  is J-folded such that the longitudinal fold  414  is offset from the middle of the web material  400  between the first and second longitudinal edges  402  and  404 . 
     From the folded state shown in  FIGS. 8A to 8C , the web material  400  can be stored for later use by an automated packaging station. In some embodiments, the web material  400  can be wound around a cylindrical core initially to form a supply roll of the web material  400 . The longitudinal fold  414  would be on one side of the supply roll and the first and second channels  412  and  422  would be on the other side of the supply roll. When wound into a supply roll, the web material  400  may be suitable for supplying an automated packaging station that can inflate and seal the web material  400  and then form the inflated web material  400  into a pouch for packaging an object. In other embodiments, the web material  400  in the folded state shown in  FIGS. 8A to 8C  can be stored in configurations other than a supply roll for later use by an automated packaging station. 
     The portion of the automated packaging station  300 ′ depicted in  FIG. 9  may be merely a portion of the entire automated packaging station  300 ′, such as a portion of any of the automated packaging stations shown in U.S. Patent Application No. 62/783,250, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein by reference in their entirety. The automated packaging station  300 ′ is similar to the automated packaging station  300  and includes many of the same components as the automated packaging station  300 . A reference number that is used with respect to automated packaging station  300  and the automated packaging station  300 ′ indicates that the same component is included in both automated packaging station  300  and the automated packaging station  300 ′. 
     One difference between the automated packaging station  300 ′ and the automated packaging station  300  is that the automated packaging station  300 ′ does not include rollers  330 . In place of the rollers  330  in the automated packaging station  300 , the automated packaging station  300 ′ includes a sealing system  348 . The sealing system  348  includes rollers  350 . In some embodiments, the rollers  350  of the sealing system  348  are located below the second rail  310  at a similar height to the rollers  340  of the sealing system  338 . The rollers  350  form a nip therebetween so that the web material  400  passes through the rollers  350 . In some embodiments, the rollers  340  are positioned such that a portion of the web material  400  that includes the first ports  408  of the chambers  406  passes between the rollers  340  and the rollers  350  are positioned such that a portion of the web material  400  that includes the second ports  410  of the chambers  406  passes between the rollers  350 . In some embodiments, the rollers  340  are configured to form longitudinal seals in the web material  400  through the first ports  408  and the rollers  350  are configured to form longitudinal seals in the web material  400  through the second ports  410  to seal the chambers  406 . In this way, the chambers  406  can be inflated by the gas that is inserted into the first channel  412  through the outlets  322  and gas that is inserted into the second channel  422  through the outlets  324 . The sealing system  338  and the sealing system  348  can seal the chambers  406  closed in an inflated state. In some embodiments, one of the rollers  350  includes a circumferential heating element that contacts the web material  400  as it passes between the rollers  350  to form a heat seal in the web material  400 . In other embodiments, the sealing systems  338  and  348  may include drag sealers or any other form of sealer to form the longitudinal seals. In other embodiments, the first ports  408  and/or the second ports  410  may include one-way seals that allow gas to enter the chambers  406  and holds the gas within the chambers  406  without the need of additional heat seals. 
     The automated packaging station  300 ′ is capable of inflating and sealing the web material  400 . The two sealing systems  338  and  348  are capable of sealing both ends of the chambers  406  after the chambers  406  are inflated. The automated packaging station  300 ′ is also capable of inflating and sealing the web material  200 . The sealing system  338  is capable of sealing closed the chambers  206  after the chambers  206  are inflated. While the sealing system  348  of the automated packaging station  300 ′ may create an extraneous seal in the web material  200  (e.g., in the longitudinal seal  220 ), the automated packaging station  300 ′ will still seal closed the chambers  206  after the chambers  206  are inflated. 
     In a number of embodiments described herein, automated packaging stations include two guide rails. In other embodiments, automated packaging stations can also include a single guide rail.  FIG. 10  depicts a bottom view of an embodiment of automated packaging station  500  that includes a single guide rail. The automated packaging station  500  includes some elements similar to the automated packaging station depicted in  FIGS. 5A and 5B . Where elements of the automated packaging station  500  are similar to and/or the same as the elements of the automated packaging station  300 , the same references numbers from the automated packaging station  300  are used. 
     After the web material  200  leaves the positioning roller  304 , the first and second longitudinal edges  202  and  204  are separated from each other. The automated packaging station  300  includes a rail  510 . The first longitudinal edge  202  of the web material  200  is fed toward a leading end  515  of the rail  510  and the second longitudinal edge  204  of the web material  200  is fed toward a side of the guide  344  opposite the rail  510 . In the depicted embodiment, the leading end  514  of the rail  510  is cantilevered from the support structure  316  of the automated packaging station  300  so that the first channel  212  can be slid over the leading end  514  of the rail  510 . The first channel  212  can be slid over the leading end  514  of the rail  510  similar to the way in which the first channel  212  is shown being slid over the leading end  312  of the first rail  308  of the automated packaging system  300  in  FIGS. 6A and 6B . 
     After the first channel  212  has been threaded through the rail  510 , the rail  510  serves as a track for guiding the first longitudinal edge  202  of the web material  200 . The second longitudinal edge  204  of the web material  200  can be guided by the support structure  316 . In the depicted embodiment, the rail  510  can also serve as a nozzle for introducing gas into the first channel  212 . In the depicted embodiment, the rail  510  is a hollow tube and the leading end  514  of the rail  510  is closed. A distal end of the rail  510  is coupled to a manifold  520 . The manifold  520  can be coupled to a source of pressurized gas, such as a cylinder of pressurized gas, a gas compressor, and the like. The rail  510  has outlets  524 . In some embodiments, the pressurized gas can be introduced into the rail  510 , proceed down the rail  510 , and then exit the rail  510  through the outlets  524  into the first channel  212  of the web material  200 . In this way, the outlets  524  form a nozzle that is integrated into to the rail  510 . 
     The automated packaging station  300  also includes rollers that are capable of engaging the web material  200  to advance the web material  200 . In the depicted embodiment, the automated packaging station  500  includes the pairs of rollers  336  that are configured to drive the web material  200 . In the depicted embodiment, the automated packaging station  500  also includes a sealing system  538 . The sealing system  538  includes rollers  540 . In some embodiments, the rollers  540  of the sealing system  538  are located below the rail  508 . The rollers  540  form a nip therebetween so that the web material  200  passes through the rollers  540 . In some embodiments, the rollers  540  are positioned such that a portion of the web material  200  that includes the ports  208  of the chambers  206  passes between the rollers  540 . In some embodiments, the rollers  540  are configured to form longitudinal seals in the web material  200  through the ports  208  to seal the chambers  206 . In this way, the chambers  206  can be inflated by the gas that is inserted into the first channel  212  through the outlets  524  and the sealing system  538  can seal the chambers  206  closed in an inflated state. In some embodiments, one of the rollers  540  includes a circumferential heating element that contacts the web material  200  as it passes between the rollers  540  to form a heat seal in the web material  200 . In other embodiments, the sealing system  538  may include a drag sealer or any other form of sealer to form the longitudinal seal. In other embodiments, the ports  208  may include one-way seals that allow gas to enter the chambers  206  and holds the gas within the chambers  206  without the need of additional heat seals. 
     In the depicted embodiment, there are a number of the outlets  324  along the rail  510  before the sealing system  538 . Having a greater number of the outlets  524  can increase dwell time of each of the chambers  206  under one of the outlets  524  as the web material  200  is fed along the rail  508 . However, it will be understood that the outlets  524  could include a single outlet or a plurality of outlets. Similarly, while the outlets  524  are depicted as circular openings in  FIG. 10 , the outlets  524  could have any other shape. 
     After the first channel  212  passes by the sealing system  538  and the chambers  206  are sealed closed by the sealing system  538 , the web material  200  is advanced until the first channel  212  is cut open by the cutting element  342 . After the first channel  212  is cut open, the first channel  212  can be fed off of the rail  510 . In the depicted embodiment, the first channel  212  passes off of the rail and toward the rollers  336 . The second channel  222  also passes from the side of the guide  344  opposite the rail  510  toward the rollers  336 . This feeding of the first and second channels  212  and  222  brings the first and second channels  212  and  222  back into proximity with each other so that both of the first and second channels  212  and  222  pass between the rollers  336 . As the rollers  336  drive the web material  200 , the forces imparted by the rollers  336  on the web material  200  may be substantially symmetrical so that the web material  200  is advanced without any twisting or torqueing of the web material  200  as the web material  200  passes through the automated packaging station  500 . 
     One benefit of the use of the rail  510  and the guide  344  in the automated packaging station  500  is that the shape of the rail  510  and the guide  344  can cause the first and second longitudinal edges  202  and  204  of the web material  200  to diverge before and/or during inflation of the chambers  206 . For example, in the downstream direction, the rail  510  and the guide  344  diverge over the range where the outlets  524  are located. This divergence of the rail  510  and the guide  344  increases the likelihood that the longitudinal fold  214  will unfold sufficiently to permit inflation of the entirety of the chambers  206 . For example, the divergence of the rail  510  and the guide  344  can cause the web material to transition from having a V-shaped cross-section (e.g., a cross-section similar to the one depicted in  FIG. 2A ) to having a U-shaped cross-section (e.g., a cross-section similar to the one depicted in  FIG. 2B ). 
     For purposes of this disclosure, terminology such as “upper,” “lower,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “inwardly,” “outwardly,” “inner,” “outer,” “front,” “rear,” and the like, should be construed as descriptive and not limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter. Further, the use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless limited otherwise, the terms “connected,” “coupled,” and “mounted” and variations thereof herein are used broadly and encompass direct and indirect connections, couplings, and mountings. Unless stated otherwise, the terms “substantially,” “approximately,” and the like are used to mean within 5% of a target value. 
     The principles, representative embodiments, and modes of operation of the present disclosure have been described in the foregoing description. However, aspects of the present disclosure which are intended to be protected are not to be construed as limited to the particular embodiments disclosed. Further, the embodiments described herein are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. It will be appreciated that variations and changes may be made by others, and equivalents employed, without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it is expressly intended that all such variations, changes, and equivalents fall within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, as claimed.