Patent ID: 6932134

Claim:
A device for inflating and sealing a material web, said device comprising: a web advancement mechanism including a first belt having an inner surface and an outer surface and being driven by a first belt drive mechanism in a first belt drive direction, and a second belt having an inner surface and an outer surface and being driven by a second belt drive mechanism in a second belt drive direction, said outer surface of said second belt contacting said outer surface of said first belt at least at a belt junction, said first and second belts being driven in a material drive direction at said belt junction, wherein material web is accepted at said belt junction between said first belt and said second belt and driven in said material drive direction; an inflation mechanism to insert a gas into the material web to create a series of inflated pillows; a heat sealing member to seal the gas into the inflated pillows, said heat sealing member including a heat sealing element for sealing the inflated pillows with a longitudinal seal, said heat sealing element abutting said inner surface of said first belt at a heat sealing area spaced from said belt junction in said material drive direction, said second belt opposing said first belt at said heat sealing area and, a heat sealing support platen, said first belt and said second belt positioned between said heat sealing element and said heat sealing support platen, said heat sealing support platen having a platen pivot for aligning said heat sealing support platen with said heat sealing element.