Patent ID: 8182254

Claim:
An apparatus for making foam-in-place cushions, comprising: a film supply and guide system for supplying a pair of continuous polymer film portions extending along a longitudinal direction and for positioning the film portions in generally parallel opposing relation to each other; a dispenser disposed between the film portions and operable for dispensing a foam-forming composition between the film portions, the foam-forming composition being operable to react to form an expanded polymer foam material, the dispenser being controllable to be either in an “on” state wherein foam-forming composition is dispensed from the dispenser or in an “off” state wherein dispensing of the foam-forming composition is stopped; a film drive mechanism structured and arranged for advancing the film portions in the longitudinal direction; a cross-sealing and cutoff device operable to seal the film portions together and to sever the film portions along a transverse line; an automated dispenser traversing mechanism operable to selectively move the dispenser in a transverse direction relative to the film portions during dispensing of foam-forming composition or in between intermittent dispensing operations for a given cushion; and a dispersion device structured and arranged to apply pressure in a thickness direction on a localized area of the film portions of a cushion being formed, during a time period in which the foam-forming composition for said cushion is being dispensed and prior to the cross-sealing and cutoff device's severing of the film portions, the dispersion device being adjustable in position in the thickness direction relative to the film portions.