Replaceable blade
A flexible structure inflation device, comprising an inflation assembly configured for insertion between first and second overlapping film layers of a web of material, the inflation assembly having a fluid conduit configured directing a fluid in between the layers to inflate the web; and a cutting member held magnetically in an operative position adjacent the inflation assembly to cut the film passing over the inflation assembly.
1. A flexible structure inflation device, comprising:
an inflation assembly having a fluid conduit configured for inflating with a fluid a cushion cavity disposed between first and second layers of a film passing over the inflation assembly; and
a cutter assembly that includes:
a cutter holder having a cutting member, the cutter holder being movable into and out of an operative position adjacent the inflation assembly such that the cutting member cuts the film passing over the inflation assembly, wherein when the cutter holder is out of the operative position, the cutting member is spaced from the inflation assembly; and
a cover depending from the cutter holder that is movable with respect to the cutter holder in between an open position to expose the cutting member and a closed position to cover a portion of the cutting member.
2. The flexible structure inflation device of claim 1 , further comprising a cutter holder guide engageable with the cutter holder to guide the cutter holder between the operative position and an inoperative position, wherein, the cutter holder in the inoperative position is removable and replaceable from the cutter holder guide.
3. The flexible structure inflation device of claim 2 , further comprising a cutter holder retainer that retains the cutter holder in the operative position.
4. The flexible structure inflation device of claim 3 , wherein:
the cutter holder guide includes a track associated with the inflation assembly leading towards and away therefrom; and
the cutter holder includes a follower guided by the track between the operative and inoperative positions.
5. The flexible structure inflation device of claim 4 , wherein the track guides the cutter holder along a cutter path, the track being open on one side transverse to the path to allow the follower to be removed from or positioned on the track at various locations along the track.
6. The flexible structure inflation device of claim 1 , wherein:
the inflation assembly has an inflation nozzle through which the fluid conduit extends and that is elongated to fit within an inflation channel between the first and second layers;
in the operative position, the cutting member is partially received in the inflation assembly.
7. The flexible structure inflation device of claim 1 , further comprising a magnet that holds the cutter holder in the operative position magnetically.
8. The flexible structure inflation device of claim 1 , further comprising a sealing assembly disposed and configured to seal the first and second layers together to trap the fluid within the web to provide an inflated cushion.
9. The inflatable-cushion inflation device of claim 1 , wherein the cover is configured to automatically close when the cutter holder is moved out of the operative position.
10. The inflatable-cushion inflation device of claim 2 , wherein the cover is configured to automatically open to expose the cutting member when the cutter holder is moved to the operative position.
11. The inflatable-cushion inflation device of any of claims 1 , further comprising a cover guide, wherein the cover is engageable with the cover guide such that the cover is guided along the cover guide between the open and closed positions.
12. The inflatable-cushion inflation device of claim 11 , wherein the cover guide is a first track.
13. The inflatable-cushion inflation device of claim 1 , further comprising a guide structure associating the inflation assembly with the cutter holder to guide the cutter holder between the operative position and an inoperative position and to move the cover open and closed as the cutter holder is moved between the operative and inoperative positions.
14. The inflatable-cushion inflation device of claim 13 , wherein the guide structure includes:
a first track engageable with the cutter holder to guide the cutter holder between the operative and inoperative positions, and
a second track that follows a different path than the first track and is engageable with the cover to move the cover between the open and closed positions when the cutter holder is guided by the first track to move between the operative and inoperative positions, respectively.
15. The inflatable-cushion inflation device of claim 14 , wherein as the cutter holder is guided toward the operative position along the first track, the cover is directed along the different path by the second track to expose the cutting member.
16. The flexible structure inflation device of claim 3 , wherein the cutter holder retainer comprises a magnet that holds the cutter holder in the operative position magnetically.
17. A flexible structure inflation device, comprising:
an inflation assembly having a fluid conduit configured for inflating with a fluid a cushion cavity disposed between first and second layers of a film passing over the inflation assembly; and
a cutter assembly that includes:
a cutter holder that holds a cutting member, the cutter holder being movable into and out of an operative position, in which the cutting member is partially received in the inflation assembly such that the cutting member cuts the film passing over the inflation assembly, and a cover depending from the cutter holder that is movable with respect to the cutter holder in between:
an open position to expose the cutting member in the operative position, and
a closed position to cover a portion of the cutting member when the cutting member is spaced from the inflation assembly out of the operative position.
18. The inflatable-cushion inflation device of claim 17 , wherein the cover is configured to automatically close when the cutter holder is moved out of the operative position.