Automated air-pillow dispenser
A transfer and dispensing apparatus is disclosed for the conveying and separation of packaging material, cushions or pillows when needed by the operator. When a packer working over a conveyor receives a box that requires void fill, an operating switch such as a foot pedal is depressed to dispense pillows from the apparatus and into the box in a connected strip. When the operating switch is released, the apparatus stops dispensing pillows, separates the continuous strip of pillows along a transverse perforation in the strip, and ejects the end of the separated segment. The packer can then complete packing the box by placing the severed end of the pillows into the box, advance to the next box, and repeat the process. The transfer and dispensing apparatus may be positioned in any convenient location including adjacent to, above or attached to the inflation device.
1. A method of transferring a chain of pre-inflated pillows, comprising:
directing the chain onto a rotating driving mechanism of a packaging material transfer apparatus, which chain includes valleys and inflated portions that are sealed to seal a fluid therein, the valleys disposed between the inflated portions;
rotating a plurality of traction members of the driving mechanism about an axis of the driving mechanism to advance the chain along a path that curves around the exterior of the driving mechanism with a plurality of the traction members simultaneously engaged with different valleys of the chain; and
dispensing the chain out from the apparatus.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of traction members are positioned circumferentially at predetermined distances from each other corresponding to a distance between the valleys.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein each of the traction members includes a radially extending flat surface.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of traction members comprise paddles that extend radially from the axis such that the paddles rotate about the axis.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising receiving the chain at an intake of the apparatus.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the axis of the driving mechanism is at a position with respect to the intake, such that the intake directs the chain upwardly to the driving mechanism.
7. The method of claim 6 , further comprising pulling the chain from the intake to the driving mechanism from below by engaging the traction members and the chain, wherein the intake is configured to align the chain onto the path for tangential movement and engagement of the chain onto the driving mechanism.
8. The method of claim 5 , wherein the intake includes lateral guide portions positioned opposite transverse sides of the path to locate the chain transversely with respect to the driving mechanism as the chain passes through the intake while being pulled onto the driving mechanism.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the lateral guide portions are adjustable to selectively accommodate a first chain having a first width and a second chain having a second width.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the inflated portions of the chain are received within pockets defined between adjacent ones of the traction members when the traction members are engaged in the valleys.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the chain comprises a web, which web includes a first web material portion connected to a second web material portion by a plurality of transverse seals that seal the inflated portions and define the valleys.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the web includes weakened regions extend transversely across the first and second web material portions to facilitate separating adjacent regions of the chain.
13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the valleys are spaced longitudinally from each other.
14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the valleys extend transversely across the chain.
15. The method of claim 1 , wherein the traction members advance the chain along the path via the engagement of the traction members with the valleys.
16. A method of transferring a chain of pre-inflated pillows, comprising:
directing the chain onto a rotating driving mechanism of a packaging material transfer apparatus, which chain includes valleys and inflated portions that are sealed to seal a fluid therein, the valleys disposed between the inflated portions;
engaging a plurality of traction members of the driving mechanism simultaneously with different inflated portions in the chain;
rotating the traction members about an axis of the driving mechanism to advance the chain along a path that curves around the exterior of the driving mechanism; and
dispensing the chain out from the apparatus.
17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the plurality of traction members are positioned circumferentially at predetermined distances from each other corresponding to a distance between the inflated portions in the chain.
18. The method of claim 16 , wherein adjacent the traction members comprise paddles that form pockets that receive the inflated portions of the chain.
19. The method of claim 16 , further comprising receiving the chain at an intake of apparatus.
20. The method of claim 19 , wherein the axis of the driving mechanism is at a position with respect to the intake, such that the intake directs the chain upwardly to the driving mechanism.
21. The method of claim 11 , wherein the web includes first and second web material portions that are connected by a longitudinal seal that seals the inflated portions.
22. A method of transferring a chain of pre-inflated pillows, comprising:
directing the chain onto a rotating driving mechanism of a packaging material transfer apparatus, which chain includes valleys and inflated portions, the valleys disposed between the inflated portions;
receiving the chain at an intake of the apparatus;
engaging a plurality of traction members of the driving mechanism simultaneously with different valleys of the chain;
rotating the traction members about an axis of the driving mechanism to advance the chain along a path that curves around the exterior of the driving mechanism; and
dispensing the chain out from the apparatus,
wherein the intake includes lateral guide portions positioned opposite transverse sides of the path to locate the chain transversely with respect to the driving mechanism as the chain passes through the intake while being pulled onto the driving mechanism.