Dunnage system with variable accumulator
View Patent ↗A dunnage handler for controlling the outfeed of dunnage from a dunnage machine is disclosed and can include a dunnage accumulator with first and second holding portions configured and associated with each other to define a dunnage accumulation space therebetween and for receiving and removably retaining the dunnage in the accumulation space from a dunnage machine and an articulation associating the first and second holding portions such that the holding portions are movable with respect to each other to vary the accumulation space to accommodate a varying amount of dunnage held therein, where a sensor and controller can be included to stop dunnage production when the accumulator is full.
1. A dunnage dispensing system, comprising:
a dunnage machine configured to eject dunnage from an outfeed area; and
a dunnage accumulator comprising first and second holding portions defining an accumulation space therebetween and adapted to receive and accumulate dunnage from the outfeed area into the accumulation space, at least one of the holding portions being articulated to adjust the accumulation space size.
2. The dunnage dispensing system of claim 1 , wherein the first and second holding portions are pivotally associated to pivot and thereby vary the accumulation space.
3. The dunnage dispensing system of claim 2 , wherein the first holding portion is mounted to the dunnage machine in a substantially fixed position, and the second holding portion is pivotally mounted to the dunnage machine and pivots with respect to the first holding portion.
4. The dunnage dispensing system of claim 1 , further comprising a sensor adapted to detect a relative position of the holding portions, the sensor being configured to send a signal indicative of the relative position of the holding portions.
5. The dunnage dispensing system of claim 1 , wherein the first holding portion is disposed below the accumulation space, and the second holding portion is positioned above the accumulation space.
6. The dunnage accumulator of claim 5 , wherein the second holding portion has an arcuate shape facing the accumulation space to keep the dunnage therein from being pushed out a retrieval port.
7. The dunnage dispensing system of claim 1 , wherein the first and second holding portions overlap in an empty position defining a length of the accumulation space, the length varying as dunnage is accumulated.
8. The dunnage dispensing system of claim 1 , wherein:
the dunnage machine is configured to outfeed the dunnage from the outfeed area in a handling direction with the dunnage oriented with an elongated axis thereof oriented across the dunnage direction;
the first and second holding portions extend from the outfeed area generally in the handling direction; and
the dunnage accumulator accumulates the dunnage produced and ejected from the dunnage machine into the accumulation space while restraining the accumulating dunnage against escape from the accumulation space.
9. The dunnage dispensing system of claim 8 , wherein the first holding portion comprises a pair of rails positioned below the accumulation space and extending generally in the handling portion from the outfeed area, the spacing between the rails configured to support the dunnage resting thereon with the elongated axis orientated across the rails.
10. The dunnage dispensing system of claim 9 , wherein the dunnage machine is configured to cross-crumple paper stock into the dunnage and outfeed the dunnage with the cross-crumples extending across the handling direction and the pair of rails.
11. The dunnage dispensing system of claim 1 , wherein the dunnage machine is configured to crumple paper stock to produce the dunnage as a sequence of individual dunnage pieces.
12. The dunnage dispensing system of claim 4 , wherein:
the at least one handling portion is configured to articulate to a full position by accumulation of the dunnage in the accumulation space;
the dunnage machine is configured to interrupt the outfeeding of the dunnage into the accumulation space upon the sensor sensing the full condition; and
the dunnage accumulator accumulates the dunnage produced and ejected from the dunnage machine into the accumulation space while restraining the accumulating dunnage against escape from the accumulation space.
13. The dunnage dispensing system of claim 12 , wherein:
the dunnage accumulator is configured to receive and accumulate a plurality of individual crumpled dunnage pieces; and
the handling portions are configured such that the accumulating dunnage exerts force to pivot the at least one handling portion to the full position.
14. The dunnage dispensing system of claim 1 , wherein the first and second holding portions:
overlap to define a length of the accumulation space to the point of overlap, and
are disposed on opposite sides of the accumulation space to define an accumulation space height therebetween; and
wherein the articulation of the at least one holding portion increases a height and length of the accumulation space.
15. The dunnage dispensing system of claim 1 , wherein:
the first and second holding portions extend downstream with respect to the outfeed area on opposite sides of the accumulation space, a height of the accumulation space defined between the first and second holding portions; and
the second holding portion is articulated to move transversely to the downstream direction and away from the first holding portion opposite the accumulation space, thereby increasing the height of the accumulation space to increase the accumulation space size.
16. The dunnage dispensing system of claim 15 , wherein:
the first holding portion defines a first side of the accumulation space; and
the second holding portion defines a second side of accumulation space opposite from the first side, the first and second sides of the accumulation space intersecting at a point along the first holding portion to define a length of the accumulation space downstream from the outfeed area, which point varies as the second holding portion is articulated, and which accumulation space length increases as the accumulation space height increases.
17. The dunnage dispensing system of claim 15 , wherein the first and second holding portions each have upstream and downstream ends, the downstream end of at least one of the first or second holding portion including an accumulation feature that closes off a path of travel of the dunnage downstream from between the first and second holding portions when the holding portions are spaced from each other at a downstream end of the accumulation space, opposite from the outfeed area.
18. The dunnage dispensing system of claim 17 , wherein the accumulation feature protrudes from the at least one distal end towards the opposite holding portion to pinch an outlet from the accumulation space between the holding portions when the holding portions are spaced from each other at a downstream end of the accumulation space.
19. The dunnage dispensing system of claim 1 , wherein as the at least one holding portion is articulated, both the height and the length of the accumulation space increase.
20. The dunnage dispensing system of claim 1 , wherein:
the first holding portion defines a first side of the accumulation space; and
the second holding portion defines a second side of accumulation space opposite from the first side and is articulated with respect to the first holding portion, the second holding portion overlapping the first holding portion at a point along the first holding portion to define a length of the accumulation space downstream from the outfeed area, which point moves along the first holding portion as the second holding portion is articulated, and which length varies as the point is moved.