Patent ID: 8567653

Claim:
A packaging material handling device, comprising: a first traction mechanism, including: a first axle; first traction portions rotationally disposed along the first axle on a first side of a chain region including a first opposed traction portion and a first staggered traction portion, each having a surface extending from the first axle towards the chain region to engage the chain of preinflated pillows disposed in the chain region, the first traction portions being spaced laterally from each other and define a first gap between the surfaces thereof; a second axle; second traction portions rotationally disposed along the second axle on a second side of the chain region opposite from the first side, and including: a second opposed traction portion having a surface extending from the second axle towards the chain region opposed to the first opposed traction portion surface across the chain region and in abutment therewith to cooperatively pinch the chain between the first and second opposed traction portions, and a second staggered traction portion having a surfaced elevated towards the chain region directly opposed to the first gap across the chain region and being spaced laterally from the second opposed traction portion and defining a second gap between the surfaces thereof, such that the first and second staggered portions cooperatively deform the chain in the chain region to tension the chain without breaking the inflated pillows; a second traction mechanism spaced longitudinally from the first traction mechanism and having traction portions disposed on opposite sides of the chain region, wherein the first and second traction mechanisms are operable for driving the chain longitudinally and holding the chain in the chain region during a breaking operation; and a breaking member disposed longitudinally between the first and second traction mechanisms and being operable to break the chain held by the first and second traction mechanisms in the breaking operation.