IP Library › Granted Patent US 12698151
Granted Patent B2
US 12698151 · App. 18/386,134 · Granted Aug 4, 2026

Slit paper method of expansion, shipment and expansion devices

Inventor: David Paul Goodrich (Sedona, AZ)
B65D85/672B65B61/04B65D5/02B65D5/5004B65B5/04B65B11/004B65B41/12
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12698151
App. No.
18/386,134
Granted
Aug 4, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

An expansion devise includes an unexpended slit sheet roll that is wound on a paper core that is wider than the slit sheet paper. The paper core is placed into a yoke that holds the paper in position on each side of the unexpended slit sheet material. An adjustable downward pressure is exerted on the paper core and the paper core exerts pressure on the yoke. As the paper is pulled, this downward pressure creates the friction required to enable the unexpended slit sheet to be unwind and fed while simultaneously expanding. A blank sheet is formed into a box that stabilizes slit paper sheet wound around a core member.

Claims (33)

1 . A method for wrapping layers of slit sheet paper around an object without an interleave sheet between layers of the slit sheet paper for cushioning within packaging, comprising:

1) providing an expander device for manually expanding slit sheet paper, comprising:

a) a roll of slit sheet paper having rows of slits, said slit sheet paper being manually expandable upon applying a manual pulling force to a distal end of said slit sheet paper;

b) a support that rotatably suspends the roll of slit sheet paper such that the slit sheet paper can be manually expanded upon applying a manual pulling force to the distal end of said slit sheet paper sufficient to unwind the roll of slit sheet paper;

c) said slit sheet paper being made from a Kraft paper comprising at least 92% non-recycled virgin fibers,

wherein the slit sheet paper is manually pulled and expanded from the roll of slit sheet paper upon applying the manual pulling force to the distal end of said slit sheet paper sufficient to unwind the roll of slit sheet paper; and

2) manually pulling and expanded from the roll of slit sheet paper by applying the manual pulling force to the distal end of said slit sheet paper sufficient to unwind the roll of slit sheet paper and wrapping multiple layers of the slit sheet paper around an object without an interleave sheet between layers of the slit sheet paper for cushioning within packaging, said Kraft paper having said at least 92% non-recycled virgin fibers providing a chaotic opening of cells that inhibits nesting and eliminates any need for an interleave sheet between layers of the slit sheet paper.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said slit sheet paper is made from a Kraft paper comprising 100% non-recycled virgin fibers.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said Kraft paper from which said slit sheet paper is made undulates in a lengthwise direction of the slits within the slit sheet paper.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said Kraft paper from which said slit sheet paper is made undulates traverse to a direction of manufacture.

5 . The expander device of claim 1 , further including a pressure mechanism that presses against a rod or tube member on which said roll of slit sheet paper is supported.

6 . The expander device of claim 1 , wherein said pressure mechanism includes a pressing member that is pressed against the rod or tube member on which said roll of slit sheet paper is supported to inhibit rotation of said roll of slit sheet paper.

7 . The expander device of claim 1 , further including a pressing member that is pressed against a rod or tube member on which said roll of slit sheet paper is supported and inhibits rotation of said roll of slit sheet paper.

8 . The expander device of claim 7 , wherein said rod or tube member on which said roll of slit sheet paper is supported has a protrusion that extends outwardly from an end of said roll of slit sheet paper.

9 . The expander device of claim 7 , further including a spring arranged to apply a spring force against said pressing member.

10 . The expander device of claim 9 , further including a movable member that is movable to apply a pressure against said spring to adjust the spring force applied by the spring against said pressing member.

11 . The expander device of claim 10 , wherein said movable member includes threads to adjust the spring force applied upon rotation of the movable member.

12 . The expander device of claim 9 , further including a threaded member, wherein rotation of the threaded member in a first direction compresses the spring against said pressing member and increases frictional pressure against said protrusion and rotation of the threaded member in a second direction decreases the frictional pressure against said protrusion.

13 . The expander device of claim 9 , wherein said slit sheet paper opens into irregularly opening cells.

14 . An expander device for manually expanding slit sheet paper, comprising:

a) a roll of slit sheet paper having rows of slits, said slit sheet paper being manually expandable upon applying a manual pulling force to a distal end of said slit sheet paper;

b) a support that rotatably suspends the roll of slit sheet paper such that the slit sheet paper can be manually expanded upon applying a manual pulling force to the distal end of said slit sheet paper sufficient to unwind the roll of slit sheet paper;

c) said slit sheet paper being made from a Kraft paper comprising at least 92% non-recycled virgin fibers,

wherein the slit sheet paper is manually pulled and expanded from the roll of slit sheet paper upon applying the manual pulling force to the distal end of said slit sheet paper sufficient to unwind the roll of slit sheet paper;

wherein said Kraft paper from which said slit sheet paper is made undulates in a lengthwise direction of the slits within the slit sheet paper; and

wherein said Kraft paper from which said slit sheet paper is made includes undulations of about 0.03 to 0.06 inches.

15 . An expander device for manually expanding slit sheet paper, comprising:

a) a roll of slit sheet paper having rows of slits, said slit sheet paper being manually expandable upon applying a manual pulling force to a distal end of said slit sheet paper;

b) a support that rotatably suspends the roll of slit sheet paper such that the slit sheet paper can be manually expanded upon applying a manual pulling force to the distal end of said slit sheet paper sufficient to unwind the roll of slit sheet paper;

c) said slit sheet paper being made from a Kraft paper comprising at least 92% non-recycled virgin fibers,

wherein the slit sheet paper is manually pulled and expanded from the roll of slit sheet paper upon applying the manual pulling force to the distal end of said slit sheet paper sufficient to unwind the roll of slit sheet paper;

wherein said slit sheet paper opens into irregularly opening cells;

wherein said slit sheet paper opens into irregularly opening cells includes that at least about 20% of the cells undergo switch back.