Patent ID: 7325377

Claim:
An apparatus for making air-filled packing cushions from a preconfigured plastic film material having a plurality of cushion chambers and a longitudinally extending channel near an edge portion of the film material, the apparatus comprising: a feed mechanism for engaging an edge portion of the material near the longitudinally extending channel and feeding the film material along a path such that all the plurality of cushioning chambers are on one side of and in fluid connection with the longitudinally extending channel; an elongate guide member adapted to be inserted into the longitudinally extending channel for guiding the film material as it is fed along the path, wherein the guide member has an injector for injecting inflation gas into the cushion chambers; a sealing mechanism for forming a longitudinally extending seal to close the chambers and trap inflation gas therein; wherein the sealing mechanism comprises a pair of blocks disposed on opposite sides of the material, and a pair of belts which engage the film material and carry it past the blocks, wherein at least one of the blocks has a source of heat, and wherein heat is delivered to the film material through the belt; and a slitting mechanism for slitting the film material along the longitudinally extending channel.