A machine for inflating and sealing an inflatable web comprising opposing longitudinal edges (30a, 30b) and a pair of sheets (36a, 36b) sealed together by transverse seals (38a, 38b) that form a series of inflatable containers between pairs of the transverse seals, each of the containers being capable of holding therein a quantity of gas and having an opening for receiving such gas, said machine comprising: a. a support structure; b. a spool attached to said support structure for rotatively supporting a roll of the inflatable web, said spool having a proximal end at which said spool is attached to said support structure; c. a positioning mechanism structured and arranged to establish a position of the roll on said spool, said positioning mechanism comprising 1) an engagement member interposed between the roll and said support structure at said proximal end of said spool, said engagement member adapted to engage the roll and move relative to said spool, and 2) an actuator structured and arranged to move said engagement member to thereby establish said position of the roll on said spool, wherein said actuator and said engagement member are configured to separate from one another when a force exerted on said engagement member exceeds a predetermined amount; d. a web conveyance system for conveying the inflatable web along a path of travel substantially parallel to the longitudinal edges (30a, 30b) of the inflatable web; e. an inflation system structured and arranged to direct gas into the openings of the containers as the web is advanced along the path, thereby inflating the containers; f. a web tracking sensor adapted to detect a transverse position of the inflatable web with respect to said inflation system; g. a sealing device for sealing closed the openings of the containers after inflation thereof by the inflation system; and h. a controller in operative communication with said web tracking sensor and with said positioning mechanism, said controller adapted to receive input from said tracking sensor and, based on said input, send output to said positioning mechanism to adjust said position of the roll on said spool so as to maintain said transverse position of the inflatable web within a predetermined range. a. a support structure; b. a spool attached to said support structure for rotatively supporting a roll of the inflatable web, said spool having a proximal end at which said spool is attached to said support structure; c. a positioning mechanism structured and arranged to establish a position of the roll on said spool, said positioning mechanism comprising 1) an engagement member interposed between the roll and said support structure at said proximal end of said spool, said engagement member adapted to engage the roll and move relative to said spool, and 2) an actuator structured and arranged to move said engagement member to thereby establish said position of the roll on said spool, wherein said actuator and said engagement member are configured to separate from one another when a force exerted on said engagement member exceeds a predetermined amount; 1) an engagement member interposed between the roll and said support structure at said proximal end of said spool, said engagement member adapted to engage the roll and move relative to said spool, and 2) an actuator structured and arranged to move said engagement member to thereby establish said position of the roll on said spool, wherein said actuator and said engagement member are configured to separate from one another when a force exerted on said engagement member exceeds a predetermined amount; d. a web conveyance system for conveying the inflatable web along a path of travel substantially parallel to the longitudinal edges (30a, 30b) of the inflatable web; e. an inflation system structured and arranged to direct gas into the openings of the containers as the web is advanced along the path, thereby inflating the containers; f. a web tracking sensor adapted to detect a transverse position of the inflatable web with respect to said inflation system; g. a sealing device for sealing closed the openings of the containers after inflation thereof by the inflation system; and h. a controller in operative communication with said web tracking sensor and with said positioning mechanism, said controller adapted to receive input from said tracking sensor and, based on said input, send output to said positioning mechanism to adjust said position of the roll on said spool so as to maintain said transverse position of the inflatable web within a predetermined range.